I think they’re useful in much the same way the coin-flip method of decision making is: when the coin comes down, you ask yourself which side you want it to be, which will give you insight as to which choice you unconsciously prefer.
They can give you insight into what you really think, but are unwilling to admit.
Coin flips only give you two choices. Life isn’t yes/no, black/white, and neither are the decisions we make or their outcomes.
The issues people deal with in the present often have much deeper roots in the past. When it comes to our brains and what we’re unwilling to admit or face, there’s all sorts of defense mechanisms the brain pulls out to protect us, and many people aren’t always aware or conscious that its happening. There’s a lot of tools out there to help people take more than a second to consider their circumstances and engage in deeper reflection. Tarot is one of them.
I don’t disagree, but many decisions can be boiled down to two choices. For example, the last time I wanted to buy a car, I had a list of about twenty, which I then narrowed down to a list of ten, then five, then, after test driving, down to two very different cars, but I hadn’t the foggiest which of those two I wanted more.
A coin flip was just the thing.
Tarot is good for more subtle distinctions, but that doesn’t mean that a simple, brute-force yes/no can’t also be useful.
Very eloquent.
ETA:
*lolz
Seriously though, thank ya kindly.
Or which cereal you want to get this week at the grocery store, or should you get this piece of clothing as its on sale, etc. And then there’s decisions like “Should I take this job that requires me to relocate to another city even though the rest of my family lives where I’m at now and my kid just started middle school?” or “My SO and I always fight and we can’t agree on anything. They’re just like my mother/father/sister. I love them but this is driving me nuts. Maybe I should break up with them, but we’ve been together for 6 years…” or “I’m married to a loving and devoted spouse. I make a very good salary and don’t have to worry about money for the most part. I have friends, I do x activities, but I feel like something’s missing and I’m unhappy a lot.”
There’s many, many issues in life that do require more thought and consideration. Sometimes a yes/no black/white approach ISN’T appropriate. Sometimes we think it is but it’s not because other people are involved.
FWIW, if you’re going through a process of “boiling down” an issue to two choices, you’re putting much more effort into the decision than a coin toss.
I appreciate @teknocholer’s remarks in this regard, as well as those of many others, including yourself.
I once used a coin flip to choose my college major - very liberating - but certainly not for everyone.
When word got out, the staff started a pool on how long I’d last, after all, this was preposterous…
I found out and had one “full term” entry submitted (had to split the pool 50/50 with teach).
Suffice to say, I was able to buy myself a graduation present & blow some minds. 
If I do this the coin always lands on its edge, which is why I have little confidence in binary logic in real world applications.
Another use for a good old d20!
As I said, I don’t disagree with any of that; I’m just saying that each uses a similar process of asking yourself what you really want.
Rather than Tarot, I sometimes personify my subconscious as somebody else and actually have conversations with it. They’re very interesting conversations. Sometimes its suggestions shock and offend me, but that’s okay, because I’m pretending it’s not me answering. Except it is. Except it isn’t.
I find mindfulness meditation also helps. When you let yourself not think of anything, it’s amazing what you will think of.
Jung called this “active imagination” – I’ve found it to be incredibly useful myself.
Mindfulness meditation is FANTASTIC. In general, tools or techniques that force you to slow down your mind and relax your body are going to have positive effects on decision-making.
Huh. I did not know this. I guess I’m just Jung at heart.
heee
Can we all agree to disagree here and move on? Pretty please?
Here’s some kittens to unite us:
I did that last night.
Honest question, what happens when two people get offended over the same thing- but at opposite ends?
Umm, trying to think of an example off the cuff…
Say A takes offense with B and calls them out on it, then B takes offense with A for taking offense - say its culturally significant to B or something.
Is it left as an offensive Ouroboros, or does someone get sent to take “Letting it Go” taught by Dr. Getoverit?
Honestly want to know.
I disagree. It’s plainly obvious that this guy has put fantastic effort into maintaining his posture:
Disagree on that, too:
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Wow the motherlode of derailment.
“Look at me, I’m offended” -> comic boobs -> “I’m still offended, so shut up” -> peace and cat pics -> offended again -> Mad Max and Dark Tower -> Tarot and Angel magic bs -> more cats
It’s cats and randomness all the way down.
