Talia wrote:Oh yes, but am I to understand that you see Tarot as a craft not a science or art? I need to think about that. Or are you divining me lol?
Hi Talia,
Sorry I missed seeing this posting, hence the delay in response.
Firstly, in a few words my understanding of these terms:
Science: Main aim being simply knowing, preferably through deductive logic or at least for the most part.
Art: main aim being creation and embellishing creativity.
Craft: main aim being producing objects and devices, and *products* (including information) for preferably utilitarian purposes.
That said, in practical applications there is an element of all 3 that get commissioned. For instance in science an element of creativity (ART), as well as craft (skills, dexterity) is required as well as background knowledge in order to complete a properly laid out research design in experiments. The main aim, though, is focused on gaining knowledge about a phenomenon, a natural law etc.
Similarly, art in practice requires background knowledge and involves skill, dexterity – however expression of creativity and creating something new is the primary goal. Even beauty becomes secondary since art sometimes portrays ugliness in a rather powerful manner!
Finally, craft too involves background knowledge (training), skills and dexterity but the primary purpose is for producing something that can be of immediate practical importance (immediate being an important keyword!).
So, based on my above understanding, I would say that not only tarot but other divinatory crafts (e.g., horoscopy, palmistry and even psychic interpretations) too fall under the category of craft rather than art and/or science. Although preferences might vary, the purpose in the end is to produce and package information that might help the individual that needs an external counsel. When practising a divinatory craft through any or many modalities our quest is not solely about knowing or becoming more knowledgeable, nor is it to express our exercise our creativity.
As far as
divining is concerned I avoid doing that solely to satisfy my curiosity. Hopefully like other practitioners, I focus on my craft only when it is needed and requested by someone!
Love and light,
Rohiniranjan
{typos fixed. My pet dragon is new and still learning my speech <LOL>}