A Symbol Is Worth a Thousand Words

Hello, Library Friends!

 

It really hasn't been that long, I guess, since our last Tarot class, but it seems like forever!  We began a second presentation of the Jungian Tarot course last Wednesday, October 29^th.  It was so great to enjoy once again the wonderful energy flow created by all who had returned after the last class, as well as by a new member who traveled a considerable distance for our class.

 

We began by discussing the climate of the times when Jung began his work and delved into the need filled by his combination of scientific knowledge and esoteric interests.  Exploration of Jung's three-part model of the human personality led to the realization of the importance of Tarot's symbolic language in communication between the Conscious and Unconscious minds.  As we talked about the levels of knowledge held by the Collective Unconscious, we considered the ways to access this knowledge through Tarot divination and meditation. The use of a spread dealing with the Conscious mind, the Personal Unconscious and the Collective Unconscious completed the evening.

 

This Wednesday, we will go more deeply into the importance of Tarot symbols in the goal of personal self-understanding Jung called Individuation.  A card game called Symbol Seeker will help us to see these symbols as dynamic images bringing special meaning to each individual.  Subsequent discussion of the basic semiological image types in the Tarot will open our minds still further to this symbolism.  We will then focus more intently on the archetypal symbolism of the Major Arcana, particularly looking at the pairing up of these symbols to show us various pathways to Individuation.  Once again, we will conclude by casting a spread illustrating the concepts discussed.

 

As before, no prior knowledge of the Tarot is required for this class.  As we go on, we will talk about some of the universal symbols some people see in Tarot cards, particularly in the Major Arcana archetypal symbols.  But the primary focus is on individual intuition, and it is through trusting your own responses to the cards that you will benefit most from this class.  Previously memorized interpretations can be as much of a hindrance as an advantage in this process.  Also, no psychological knowledge is needed, since Jung, himself, said that the key to the self-knowledge of his life's work was nonlinguistic awareness, as opposed to rationalistic knowledge.

 

This continual focus on individual meaning also brings the awareness that the lack of knowledge from earlier classes will not make it difficult for you to benefit from beginning your attendance after the class has already begun.  We welcome new class members at any time!

 

I hope you will be able to join us soon.  If you can't make it this Wednesday, please come whenever you can.  We will be meeting weekly on Wednesdays until about mid-February, except for a few breaks in the holiday season (the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.)

 

See you in class!

 

Kathy