I was watching a YouTube video by Paul Hughes-Barlow of SuperTarot, when I heard him say, “you let the Tarot do all the work!” Should this be the guiding principle of a robust Tarot reading?
Although I think the overall content of this video is awesome – it discusses Significators in a Tarot reading (I’ve placed it below so you can all watch it), I’m especially interested in the concept of the Tarot doing all the work!
I find the idea of letting the Tarot do all the work very exciting, and in principle, it would be a great starting place to develop a bulletproof approach to divination. Let me know what you all think 
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19 comments… Let's discuss
I always enjoy watching Paul’s videos – there’s always much to learn from them. I’m still not convinced I should be using the Thoth although Paul makes it sound tempting – maybe one day.
Hi Lori,
The benefit of using the Thoth when reading with the Opening of the Key is that it’s so much easier to identify the cards/elements regardless of how many have been dealt. The more cards that have been dealt the more useful the Thoth becomes. It creates a visual distinction between cards and elements that’s easy to recognise. Imagine reading 30 cards that have been dealt out with only the corners of each card visible (as is usually the case when reading the OOTK for clients – it’s faster) – the design of the Thoth allows the Tarot reader to quickly and painlessly identify each card, something which can be a rather painful process with other decks.
I hope that you experiment with the Thoth deck because despite the very simple benefits that I’ve outlined above, it really does help me in many other ways.
Did I hear him correctly when he said “Cruelty Cross Spread”?! :0D
I glanced at this Opening of the Key Spread briefly on the Supertarot website but I will certainly revisit and take a closer look.
At first when I read the title of this thread, I was interpreting it as “giving all power to the cards”, rendering the Querent a hapless pawn in his or her own life, with the cards running the show.
But having listened to this, I understand now what you mean. Allowing the tarot BE the tool; to be more instructive, give more significant messages.
I think this is closer to collaboration than straight-up consulting. I like it!
Hi Kafka’s Ghost,
I’m glad you liked the post.
Exactly, there’s something very inspiring in thinking of our link with the Tarot as similar to that of having a relationship with another person. A relationship that grows, develops and informs each other.
Part of a good relationship is not stifling the creativity of the other person (in this case, the Tarot). Instead, through listening, respecting, trusting and understanding the other person (…eh…the Tarot), we allow ourselves to allow the Tarot to help us.
This to me is the very benchmark of a craftsman’s approach to Tarot readings.
I think there are a number of ‘freudian slips’ in the videos – it comes from thinking faster than I can talk, and not having anyone to pull me up on errors!
Letting the tarot do the heavy work means allowing the tarot to make the connections – in this context it was more about the tarot choosing the significators for the reader, rather than the other way round. Doing tarot readings is a form of self-hypnosis, so the less strain the better.
“Doing tarot readings is a form of self-hypnosis”…so true!!
I love utilizing the cards to open my and my client’s mind to our dream/trance level awareness. It is my belief that this is one of the main purposes of Tarot, to open our hearts and minds to less cognitive realms, less stress or strain, closer to God/Goddess/Source.
Thank you for your practical lessons on working with Tarot. I must admit, I’m impressed with how easily your hands reach across the classic Thoth cards. LOL
self-hypnosis only works if the reader and client are relaxed, and of course it means that there is a dialogue, rather than the old fashioned confrontational method I see people out there still advocate.
I find looking and adjusting the cards in the sequence soothing, while I figure out what to say next (if you hadn’t guessed, none of the videos are scripted… I let the cards inspire me.
This is a great video
I’m not a ‘Significator convert’ in the traditional sense, there are many more creative uses for it that making one a bystander to a Tarot reading, as Paul points out regarding love etc.
As for robust tarot reading, spot on Doug – and Paul for stating the obvious – letting the Tarot do the work is the right way to go and as we know, the Opening of the Key spread is more than capable of handling any question or situation it’s presented with.
Just examining the four piles alone will offer a lot of information before any cards are looked at in detail and that’s where it becomes robust – in the laying out of four piles of cards, each with their own elemental association and meaning – a snapshot right there in front of you.
It’s a great springboard for getting into a Tarot reading quickly – essential if you work on a psychic phone line as it covers all areas and if the client wants further examination of a particular area, you have your pile in front of you with the Tarot waiting to tell you the story
It was a great line to point out Doug, thanks for sharing
Hi Catherine,
I’m glad you liked the post
I wonder if the Opening of the Key offers Tarot readers the most robust spread by which to approach a Tarot reading?
Great comment!
I really like the idea of “letting the Tarot do all the work” – it reminds me of an article written, if I recall correctly, by Darin (ThelemicWaves on Twitter.) I poked around a bit and couldn’t find the article, but I seem to remember it talking about the need to have some essential idea of meanings for cards in your head before you begin the reading, staying consistent with them, and refraining from “twisting” meanings of the cards that show up to fit with the notions or judgment about the client and his/her situation dreamt up by your conscious mind. Of course, on the other side of the spectrum is the equally unhelpful practice of simply memorizing a list of meanings in a way that is ultimately too rigid to synthesize an answer to a specific situation. Hmm…
Hi TarotChamber,
Good point. It’s important to remain objective when reading Tarot cards and to refrain from interjecting to much personal bias. Allow the cards to speak for themselves
I have recently ordered “Beyond the Celtic Cross” and I have two questions for Paul, Catherine or Douglas.
Does the book teach The Opening of the Key Spread?
Is it possible to learn that spread while using the RWS deck?
I know Paul loves and uses the Thoth deck, but I don’t like it.
I am sorry but the deck just doesn’t speak to me.
Thank you.
Anna
Hi Anna,
Thank you for ordering the book! We use the RWS deck in the book. All the main techniques for using the Opening of the Key spread are demonstrated too. You can get extra info from supertarot.co.uk on the spread, or ask Catherine or me.
I think you will find the book inspiring.
Best wishes,
Paul
i stopped using a significator card in the celtic cross spreads years back when i discovered i was always *forgetting* to let the querent select one! i do love the celtic cross spread and use it all the time. i just let the card that is in the *significator* spot speak for itself.
i do like this 4 pile spread (did i miss the name?) …gonna play with this…
thanks so much! (gonna go find more of your videos , too!) thank you ,too doug!
Hi mzzlee.
Sounds to me like you already allow the Tarot to do all the work – awesome
The 4 pile spread is part of the Opening of the Key.
I’m glad you liked the post.
I like this idea of “letting the tarot do the work”. I never pick a significator – I allow it to reveal itself. I always feel that the tarot will show the way, I just go along for the ride.
This video was helpful – I’m off to check out more of Paul’s videos. His book with Catherine was excellent by the way.
Blessings!
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
That’s a great way to describe “letting the Tarot do all the work,” and I couldn’t agree more!
It’s interesting how so much of being a Tarot reader is trusting the Tarot. Enjoying the ride, when someone else (the Tarot) is in the driving seat can be scary.
Perhaps the first stage of working with the Tarot is learning to let go of control (not permanently of course…
) whilst doing the reading.
I’m glad you liked the post.
Another excellent post! I also believe in letting the cards do as much as they can, I think the readings are much more tailored to the current situation that way. I’m interested in learning more about the Opening of the Key spread now…
Hi Tarot Junkie,
Thank you for your kind words
The Opening of the Key is a great spread and is well worth learning. It really does make reading Tarot cards that much easier.