Tarot Enchantment

[Corlian]

Let's get this enchantment party started. =)

I've been thinking a lot about what Pete said at the end of the course about the poll, about how he thinks enchantment works better than divination.

But then I've also had what I consider great success with my early tarot experiences.  It has impressed me.

In relation to tarot as a search engine, I've also been thinking about what serves as "tarot source code".

So --

Can we use tarot for enchantment?

One you've studied the meanings of a tarot deck (for safety's sake), can you lay down a spread the way you want it?  Can you "hack" tarot?

Can you lay down a spread in the way you want to enchant the future, and then perhaps use it as you would a sigil, or just meditate upon it, or work with the created spread as a servitor?

[Defenestrator]

I think so, definitely -- I've always used tarot more to show me the direction I'm currently heading, or to show me blind spots, as opposed to what's going to happen in the future. I think Pete said somewhere in MLA forum that he preferred enchantment to divination, since emphasizing the latter indicates a more deterministic, pre-ordered universe.

I use tarot cards in rituals, or I just leave one that seems appropriate sitting somewhere in plain view for a few days or a week if I'm trying to stimulate or emphasize a certain energy in my world. I normally use one card at a time, or possibly four of a kind (e.g. all the fours, etc.), but I don't see why a whole spread wouldn't work.

I tend to prefer fewer cards when I'm reading, usually no more than three, to keep it simpler, but that's just my preference.

I also don't worry too much about the "official" meanings of the cards -- I do look at those for reference, but I think the cards are plenty flexible that I try to hear what they mean to me at this time. The same card could mean quite different things at different times.

I think meditating on cards or using them for sigils is a great idea.

[Corlian]

I also thought to take a photograph of the constructed spread and use it in/as a talisman of some sort.

[Defenestrator]

I never thought of that, that's a good idea. Maybe hand-drawing a picture of the spread yourself would be even more effective, although maybe time-consuming if you're using a lot of cards. I guess that depends on how you view your drawing ability, I would definitely stick with a photo if I was doing it for myself.

[artemis]

Can we use tarot for enchantment?

I've had pretty good success with this, Corlian. I recommend the "Opening of the Key" method, of which Crowley's flavor appears in the back of the Book of Thoth (it originated with the Golden Dawn crowd -- his version differs a bit in numerology).

The OoTK can seem ridiculously tedious and complex, and can be very time-consuming to learn, but I have found that aspect to be of value when using it as enchantment rather than divination. This spread acts as a "storytelling" spread, so constructing the "story" you want to happen can be a real brain-twister. The mental concentration it takes to make all the counts and sequences come out right can comprise the charging/launching portion of the operation.

I think it actually may quality as a hypersigil, something I'd not thought of before.

[edited to conform to e-prime...I am, er, seem to be such an "is" junkie]

[Telarus, KSC]

I asked my gf's opinion on this after reading Corlian's post and the replies. After knocking the idea around for a while we arrived at a few good ideas.

One: Tarot cards (as mentioned previously) have multiple layers of meaning embedded in the symbolism of each card, with specific aspects showing more relevence depending on the circumstances around the reading. Using a single card as a sigil might fail due to

A) the Intent, and the link from intent to sigil, might not have a strong enough connection to the symbolism on the card (the chosen sigil does not convey the Specifics of the Intent enough for the subconscious to work with), or

B) if you do entrain a link from a Specific Intent to The Card (all symbols, etc) that Intent may interfere with other uses of that card. Say, the next time you throw it in a reading....example: what would manifest if the Lovers poped up in a spread for a friend, knowing you had Enchanted that card the night before to affect something in your life?

Two: So, one may want to choose 3 to 5 cards, and pick a specific symbol from each to incorporate into a sigil. Then charge said sigil with the cards in periphory vision. This one can incorporate into the "Spare" ensigilization method of rearrainging letters of the statement of intent. I could see this done with just the names of the cards. (Random example) Can you set a scene that involves the Ten of Swords, the King of Wands and The Hanged Man? Pick a single symbol from each card, work it into a sigil, and while charging, envision the scene that first poped to mind when I mentioned those cards by Name. (I got 10 swords cast in front of a throne, highlighted by fire-light, the shadow of a man hanging, the creak of rope, and a very grim, yet determined and thoughtful expression on the face of the Lord.) Having that sort of imagry sponaeniously manifest, and being able to tie it into a simple line-image sigil could have great potential for Enchantment...... Choose the cards to work with wisely, and get to know your deck first, or course.

[StSimon]

As part of the MLA course work, I utilized Tarot to help me come up with intent and symbols for my evocation and then used the cards physical proximity to the summoning scroll to help charge it all.  The method came to me spontaneously, but seems a natural progression from my work with Tarot lately.

Defenestrator mentioned leaving cards visible for a few days or a week to allow the cards to stimulate appropriate energies -- a practice I started about six months ago.  Another method I use occasionally, which hints of enchantment: after meditating on a particular spread and identifying the weak spot or an obstacle to overcome, I will draw another card and lay it over the weak card, suggesting what it can turn into or how I should act to move on.

As for Intent interfering with other uses of the card, I disagree.  I would say the more personal life events you can attach to specific cards the better you get to know the symbol set.  Then when certain cards come up, you have reference points for what that energy means.  Seeing a card you sigilized the night before could reinforce that sigil, or point out that the current reading connects with what you enchanted for.  If you do fear getting confused, use two decks -- one for enchantment, one for divination.

[Telarus, KSC]

If you do fear getting confused, use two decks -- one for enchantment, one for divination.

Confusion manifest as one of the 5 Natural Seasons, so no fear there ^_^. Although the 2 deck Idea seems like good advice to anyone with the reservation I noted. I could see it both ways, and because of that I can beleive it both ways when appropriate.