Barely a year after I began investigating tarot as a divination tool, I stumbled upon the more studious aspects of the occult orders and spiritual philosophies that have been embedded into this system of cartomancy. I believed (and still do) that such an approach made for much deeper and profound readings, and perhaps had a sense of pride in following this tradition. However, the recognition of contemporary attitudes inspired by this system have gradually transformed that pride into embarrassment.
My embarrassment was catalyzed by an increasingly noticeable schism in the tarot community as a whole. On one side, there is the 'intuitive' school, basing their reading technique more on direct impressions of the imagery, some employing psychic skills to enhance their readings. On the other, we have the 'esoteric' school, which champions the more systematic and arcane approach carved out by seasoned scholars and occultists. Both sides make ample opportunities to state their cases, but unfortunately it all too often devolves into childish mud-slinging festivals. Such a poisonous rivalry had been irritating me for some time and made me very reluctant to participate in community dialog, having to maintain integrity in the crossfire of two entrenched camps.
It finally came to a head while perusing through an online forum devoted to esoteric tarot. For the most part, the discussions were engaging and stimulating, but were more often than not tainted by individuals cloaking themselves in airs of self-importance, wantonly flaunting their knowledge in an arrogant and elitist manner in transparent attempts to demonstrate how "evolved" they were, usually in a boorish and acerbic manner. It was becoming increasingly difficult to tolerate such attitudes, but when I came across one too many posts ridiculing intuitive readers, the last straw had been laid down. I promptly ejected myself from the forum and have not returned.
This is not to suggest I have abandoned the esoteric approach; I continue to refresh my education of such methods. What I have abandoned is the misguided sense of superiority that apparently comes with the package. If what I have learned in my travels through the Western mystery tradition has informed we well enough, a truly enlightened being would have no use whatsoever of such an attitude, and in fact would have the capacity to hold contrary beliefs as being equally valid. Even the most advanced of esoteric practitioners have stated that knowledge needs to be balanced with intuition, as an exclusive reliance on the analytical mind constitutes only half of the information available.
The very definition of 'esoteric' implies exclusivity: "designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone"; "requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group". Indeed, those who developed such a body of occult knowledge went to great lengths to keep that knowledge secret, fearing it could be misused in the hands of those who did not adequately comprehend the intents and purposes behind such knowledge. It amounts to higher education, employing advanced cognizant skills and referencing complex networks of information to arrive at a well-considered conclusion.
"Intuition" is defined as "the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning". If we accept this definition, the implication is that a direct perception exists that can supersede the analytical process. While some would relate this to instinct, relating to the more primitive aspects of the human mind, it could just as easily be operating at a level beyond the consciousness, tapping into a form of intelligence existing on an extra-personal ethereal level. Perhaps intuition consists of elements of both primitive and advanced perception.
What we are dealing with is in effect the uses of both hemispheres of the brain: the right concentrating on the abstract and the left focusing on the concrete. In Qabalistic terms, it is Netzach and Hod respectively, both of which occupying opposing polarities. While this polarity is vital in creating a dynamic and living system, either one by itself achieves limited results, and in fact has the potential to independently create destructive effects. I find it no coincidence that the path connecting the two is related to the Tower card, symbolizing an explosive liberation of perception; nor is it accidental that the path crossing it on the Middle Pillar is that of Temperance, which seeks to meld and synthesize those opposites as it strives towards a greater form of intelligence. We may let those energies naturally condense in the unconsciousness of Yesod, or we can actively combine them to achieve a higher equilibrium in Tipheret.
I myself would prefer the upward trajectory. There is a prevalent mentality that if you have not chosen a side, you are a fence-sitter who lacks conviction. My conviction is to surmount that mentality and embrace the whole.
