Last Monday we discussed how to find others locally to study Tarot with. You can visit that discussion here. Feel free to add your own local Tarot study group. Today, let's take a look on a more global level.
There are many Tarot groups to join. Some are based in particular countries while others entertain an international membership. A good card from the Tarot to stand for group participation is the Three of Pentacles. This card is associated with groups and committees. Many Tarotists see this as a group project card. It is one that promotes the success you can gain through hard work, which is emphasized by the three people often seen on this card.
So how do you go about finding those other groups to support your Tarot need? First, let's look at some of the groups in existence. You may be surprised by how many are out there.
The American Tarot Association (ATA) is a professional and social organization for Tarot enthusiasts, students, scholars, and readers. Their mission statement includes
We promote the study and appreciation of Tarot by supporting a variety of educational programs. We require a high level of ethics in Tarot readings by asking our members to agree to our published code of ethics.
Tarot Association Of the British Isles (TABI) states that they support these aims.
- To promote the highest standards of ethics in teaching and reading Tarot.
- To offer mentoring of a high standard.
- To promote Tarot as a force for good and development in a person's life.
- To provide a network of fellow Tarot readers and enthusiasts for mutual support, discussion and experience.
- To provide information and inspiration via a website and regular e-magazine.
Tarot Canada shares the following belief.
We believe the following moral and spiritual precepts to be an accurate reflection of who we are as people and as an organization.
Tarot Guild of Australia posts this as their mission statement.
To cultivate the relevance of the ancient wisdom of Tarot in today's world.
Association for Tarot Studies has this for their purpose statement.
stimulate, promote and foster tarot studies; further and encourage research in the history, connections and uses of the tarot; encourage integrity and recognise each member's rights and responsibility in their particular use of tarot; and represent the agreed interests of the members.
The Chinese have a group as well. You can find China Tarot here. And if you are Italian, check out L'Associazione Culturale Le Tarot(Italy). Tarot Society of South Africa did not seem to be updated since last December, but if you are from South Africa, perhaps you can let us know? In Germany, you have the Deutschen Tarotverband.
And there is The Tarot Guild of Aotearoa in New Zealand. Their goals include:
1. To promote participation in Tarot Readings, enthusiasm for learning Tarot, and nurture a Tarot community spirit. 2. To value and preserve the ancient wisdom of Tarot as well as giving it a contemporary voice. 3. To respect the individual ideas and talents within our group and to encourage networking amongst members. 4. To foster a greater understanding of Tarot as a valid form of personal growth and healing. 5. To raise the profile and status of Tarot and Tarot readers in the wider community. 6. To provide a forum for members' ongoing learning of Tarot and associated esoteric disciplines. 7. To establish a Code of Ethics for Tarot practitioners
Aeclectic Tarot is a perennial favorite among Tarot enthusiasts with its public forums and welcoming members. This forum has been "dedicated to the diversity and beauty of Tarot cards since 1996". Tarot Professionals is another Tarot group. Their posted aim is "to restore the spiritual dignity of Tarot."
And last, but certainly not least, is The Tarot Guild. The Tarot Guild offers forums as well including ones where you can find your local Meetup group. I know that this is not an exhaustive listing of Tarot organizations. There are also numerous regional Tarot organizations such as BATS, that offer workshops, classes, symposiums, etc.
I invite you to share about these and other Tarot organizations not mentioned here. We are especially interested in some other world Tarot groups such as a Spanish language tarot organizations or an Hindi or Pakistani one. Please let us know in the comments if you know of those.
If you are a member of any of these groups, feel free to give a shout-out for your favorites. Don't forget to promote your Meetups and Salons in last week's post. Stay tuned for the third and final installment in this series. We will have a guest post on conferences that will be sure to get you excited about a Tarot vacation.
Images are from the Paulina Tarot and the Rider-Waite Tarot. Click on the images for a pop-up window for more detailed viewing.
© December 2010 U.S. Games Systems Inc