AboutBabylon Jasmine Expertise I am a Lopezian Pagan but have also studied Wicca and Asatru as well as traditional mythology of Greeks, Celts, Egyptians, Norse, and some native American Tribes. I have also done extensive studies of the life and works of Aliester Crowley and the practices of Chaos Magick. I am also a professional Tarot card reader.
Experience Lifelong pagan with extensive study in Wicca, Asatru, mythology, and Thelema
Question I have been studying Wicca and Witchcraft on my own as I find these studies fascinating but would like to learn from experts as well....mainly because I want to make sure I am interpreting my readings properly. How would you recommend I go about pursing these studies? These aren't classes you can take at your local college.....at least not mine. I attended a class in Reiki I and became attuned but I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing. Also, I own a deck of cards but they look foreign to me when I lay them out before me. I would like to learn how to read them well for myself and for others. Any suggestions on how I can get a better handle on these things? I looked for clubs or associations in my area but there aren't any.
Answer There are a million people out there who will tell you they are experts on Wicca but more of them are full of it than not. It is a very individualistic faith and although practicing with a community can be valuable, if possible, it is usually best not to take on anyone as your Guru or High Priest/Priestess and to then take what they say as absolute truth. The best truths are learned through individual meditation, or contemplation of nature.
As far as Tarot goes that is something which is much more exact, some people are able to train themselves in it, for other guidance from someone who is better with the cards is needed. There are two ways to find someone who is better with the cards than you are if there are not any formal clubs or associations in your area.
The first is expensive, but easy, that is to find a professional reader and ask for lessons. Professional readers can generally be found in the phonebook, or you can check on a site like witchvox.com for local business people. Do get a reading first, make sure that you feel comfortable with this person and like she or he is someone who is going to teach you things that you feel are worth knowing.
The second is a little more difficult but can lead to a better experience in the end, in my opinion. That is to take your cards with you everywhere, if you are at a coffee shop get them out and play with them, as much as possible have them on display so other people can see them. People will ask you about them and if you tell them that you don't know them yet, but are learning, there is a good chance that some of hem will be people who are further along with the tarot who will be able to help you. Carrying your cards with you all the time and looking at them and playing with them when possible will also help you to attune with your deck so even if you do decide to go with lessons from a professional this could be something very useful to do.
If someone asks you for a reading make sure to explain that you are not trained with the cards yet, but if they are comfortable with that it can be good practice to read for them and see how accurate it comes out, if you aren't sure as to the meanings of the cards there is nothing wrong with reading out of the book for people while you are still learning.
There are also a lot of good books out there which can help you to learn Tarot, which ones will work best for you depend on which deck you have chosen to use but most decks have a book written y the deck creator that outlines how they feel the deck is best used and that is often a good start. The only deck that I would advise against taking that approach is the Waite deck (universal or Rider) because "A Pictoral Guide to the Tarot" by AE Waite is a very difficult book to read or understand. If you are using a Waite deck there are several books written by other authors that are easier to understand. Avoid books which focus exclusively on the Major Arcana.
