Thank You For Having Me

[Monk]

Dear All,

I'm Monk, and delighted to be here. I'm relatively new to Tarot but have found that I finally encountered a way of dealing with the stuff in my head that begs explanation. I have always had an antenna for the astrological energies, the subtle layers of feeling that go beyond the normal senses.

I am an artist, 200% Monkey, Dutch. My main field of interest is Fine Arts - I've worked for a decade as the producer in The Netherlands' outstanding gallery- , Dancing!, Psychedelics, Science, Anthropology, Philosophy and Most importantly: my family <3

In my stubborn-ness I have tried finding my way with the Tarot for some months now. Scanning and working my way through all of its alleys to see exactly what it was I was getting into. As I knew the Tarot was going to ask a lot of me (it is in my nature to dive into matters of the heart 200%) I tried to outline kind of how I wanted to approach the subject. but I can only say that it keeps overwhelming me. Sadly I also feel that the Tarot has been keeping me at a sort of distance aswel. I feel its hard to explain exactly how but the core of the mater is that I am a man of hard science. And for the longest time I have had to deal with a natural scepticism inside me blocking my more sensitive side that I know is there. It is only since I met my wife some 6 years ago that changes in my 'self' naturally came and I was reborn. Now years of stalled/delayed matters of the heart, insights, a new path descend upon me which is heavy. Like I ignored part of myself for some decades. The good thing is that I opened up, quit my job (pure evil boss) and set out on a path just filled with heart. Some steps will be taken here, and there's things that I'd really like to ask you dear people about.

Thank you for having me <3

One Love,
Monk

[Joan Marie]

Thank you for having me <3

Thank you for joining us.

I understand this kind of scepticism you talk about. This world doesn't seem to offer much in the way of nuance or grey areas when it comes to...well anything really.

I will refer you to something I read recently that gave a beautiful answer to the question, "Do you believe in signs?"
It gave me a beautiful comforting feeling about this search for meaning in life.

Here is the link:
https://www.theredhandfiles.com/do-you- ... in-signs/

Thank you for the introduction post. It's very nice to meet you.

-Joan Marie

[Diana]

What a fascinating introduction. A very warm welcome to you Monk.

Science has made some approaches towards the "other side" in recent decades and it's starting to be quite visible. One can observe this in many talks and documentaries. Quantum physics has opened up a whole new world as to what consciousness is and science is less dismissive of it, as it is now better understood by them. Also this mysterious dark matter....

When I started reading Tarot about 20 years ago, people would ask me "how does the Tarot work?" I would say "I dunno, beats me. Probably something to do with quantum physics or something similar. Otherwise it would be too random." And I saw very early on that the Tarot has no randomness to it. It's something Real. It works. That's why it's Real. It wouldn't work otherwise I figured. And still figure that today.

Oh, that's great that you left your pure evil boss. Those people are nasty - don't want them around do we.

Whatever you want to ask, add, contribute, sing or paint... we're all ears.

Why are you 200% Monkey???

Oh, as you're into philosophy, we have a great section here on Cult of Tarot called Plato's Cave. It's quite recent. And hugely interesting and fun and it's quite unique. The idea is to do Tarot readings on philosophical questions or the deeper questions of life. It's a member here, chiscotheque, who had the idea and it was absolutely brilliant.

[Monk]

I understand this kind of scepticism you talk about. This world doesn't seem to offer much in the way of nuance or grey areas when it comes to...well anything really.

Dear Joan Marie,

That was an interesting read and I get why you referred to it, thank you. Ahhw darn my little scepticism...
To elaborate on that; I don't see my scepticism fully as a bad thing. Scepticism comes in many flavours and shapes. Mine has helped me place everything I am interested in into a coherent whole. In great part I think that only if we fully grasp a concept we can build upon it as a foundation for true growth. (I know the sheer 'wanting' to learn and proceeding to do so is already "growth" ..an example of conflicting insights..) This concept of scepticism as a critical mentor has for the bulk of the time worked well for me and makes letting go of this sort of conscious self mentoring at times difficult. I hope to one day come to insights about how for instance the 'laws of attraction' can be explained through the four fundamental forces of nature. (and possibly a fifth!) Possibly this fifth interaction force deals with the workings of the "spirit" and perhaps it will prove the universe has a form of "soul" even. In this room to wiggle postulated by a speculative fifth element to the fundamental forces of nature is where I seek answers. The Tarot oddly enough has been instrumental to me in providing handles to work with the remnants of my (self-)? scepticism in finding my way along. The silly thing is that I have come to understand the Tarot as a rather rational way of probing the un-rational, fluid or spiritual layers of reality. Interpretation aside, the cards dó consist of outlined "units" representing specific "aspects". I am marvelled about their potential and feel that they're a trustworthy doorway to insights as the card depend on me like the seed depends on the sun to grow. I get out of them what I put in them. That helps! Now I only need to be watching myself with a "sceptical" eye

Soon, when the time is there I would like to share here what I have been developing as a way to work with the Tarot in a manner that works for me. I have come to feel that most of the spreads do not work for me at all, as if I'm bothered by the level of superimposing that I am doing onto the cards. Sadly I cannot explain why. In great part it will be rooted in my relative inexperience in the traditional school of Tarot. But it was only after reading a non Tarot related book by Carlos Castaneda that I had my epiphany. This book; "A Yaqui Way Of Knowledge" treatises the teachings of Don Juan, a native American that once was Castaneda's (an anthropologist and writer) mentor. There's one hugely important passage (p82-87) to me that deals with mans 4 enemies on the path to becoming a person of knowledge. It is this approach to "the path in life" (and to an extend the LOA) that within the second of reading it inspired me to a spread in with I see for the first time many possibilities. One of the important reasons for signing up to this wonderful forum is getting a chance reflect on what I have been thinking and review it against the wisdom and insights that resides here.

<3

[Monk]

Why are you 200% Monkey???

Something that is still wondering me. But I very, véry strongly identify as a monkey. My Chinese zodiak is (metal) monkey, aswel it is my daughter's. When I close my eyes and imagine myself I see a monkey. I love everything about what a monkey is, they are my spirit animal, guiding creature. They're curious, pure, ingenious, playful and naughty. Trades that I greatly identify with and consider characteristics I'm comfortable with as my natural continued stance in life.

Oh, as you're into philosophy, we have a great section here on Cult of Tarot called Plato's Cave. It's quite recent. And hugely interesting and fun and it's quite unique. The idea is to do Tarot readings on philosophical questions or the deeper questions of life. It's a member here, chiscotheque, who had the idea and it was absolutely brilliant.

Yippee I knew this was going to be my place <3

[Diana]

Something that is still wondering me. But I very, véry strongly identify as a monkey. My Chinese zodiak is (metal) monkey, aswel it is my daughter's. When I close my eyes and imagine myself I see a monkey. I love everything about what a monkey is, they are my spirit animal, guiding creature. They're curious, pure, ingenious, playful and naughty. Trades that I greatly identify with and consider characteristics I'm comfortable with as my natural continued stance in life.

Well humans are primates aren't they? I've always found it puzzling that some people refuse to accept this idea. I think it's the religious people who don't want to accept this. The Church and similar institutions have removed man from nature - tried to make him something apart.

I always call the children I love "little monkey". It doesn't work in French though - one would have to take a species of monkey to give the same meaning, like "oustiti" or something like that. I've always found it the most lovely compliment to give them. I love monkeys too. (Once a baboon nearly attacked me because he wanted my peanuts. I threw them too him gladly and quickly got back into the car. Without any peanuts. There were two other baboons behind him and they eyed me also with interest.)

[Diana]

Monk, I was looking at the threads in Plato's Cave today. There's one on Mind Altering Substances. As you said you're into psychedelics, perhaps you'd like to look at it and give your opinion based on your experiences ?

It's here : viewtopic.php?f=232&t=2077

[Monk]

Monk, I was looking at the threads in Plato's Cave today. There's one on Mind Altering Substances. As you said you're into psychedelics, perhaps you'd like to look at it and give your opinion based on your experiences ?

It's here : viewtopic.php?f=232&t=2077

Thank you, I am Let me have a look

<3