An Interview With Rachel Pollack - Page 5
© Elizabeth Bissette
A A lot of people who do spiritual readings want answers, definite answers. The world is risk. To be at risk, we take chances. To be alive means taking chances. I think we gamble to risk, to open up rather than narrow down. So good questions to ask might be, what door have I opened? What will I risk? What can I discover, find out?
Q Is there a unique or special teaching in the book?
A I hope it presents a teaching people haven't encountered before, the idea that we can intimately connect Tarot to spiritual traditions from around the world.
Q Have you noticed a rise in spirituality since 9/11?
A I've been noticing rise in spirituality for some time. I think some people were spurred by 9/11. It showed us the negative things that religion can do. I think it also reminded us of our mortality.
Q How can Tarot readings guide us in our personal spiritual journeys?
A: You have to have a certain amount of trust that Tarot is going to provide you with useful answers. When you do, you can ask Tarot questions about where you are in your journey. Tarot cards don't tell us the answer so much as stimulate us to examine our position. Tarot gives us a certain sense of our self and helps us to look at who we are.
Q If spiritual traditions can illuminate Tarot, how can Tarot illuminate spiritual traditions?
A One way is by giving a different perspective. Another way is, if you're willing to do it, you can ask Tarot questions about your tradition or one that's not your own.
For example, I did a resurrection reading. I'm not Christian, so it's almost strange to me that when I did the reading, every card that could have a Christian interpretation popped up. I hope that Christians might find new ideas and perspectives from a reading on something outside of their tradition in a similar way. Like the Eight-fold Path of Buddhism, a card could be chosen for each aspect of the path.
Q You use ideas and stories from varied spiritual teachings in the book. What would you say to Jews or Christians who find it surprising that you connect religion to Tarot cards?
A I'd say, first of all, that they need to get over their fear of Tarot. I sometimes like to do research to find out where the bizarre religious ideas of Tarot come from. The more common objection is that Tarot is trivial, religion is very important. I think it's really important for people to play with religious ideas. If you can manage not be so serious you'll learn more. I actually think Tarot is a meaningful, spiritual tradition
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