This reading demonstrates the method I came up with for "personalizing" the Grand Tableau by interjecting a middle card - the "querent's interface" - between the house position and the reading card at each of the 36 locations of the tableau. The idea is that this intermediary card will provide a catalyst for the influence … Continue reading A “Personalized Grand Tableau” Example Reading
Month: February 2019
Grand Tableau a la Carte
The conventional wisdom among Lenormand mentors who coach beginners in the art of reading is that, after learning the card meanings and memorizing their numbered positions in the 36-card series, neophytes should start their practice with three-card lines, move on to five and seven card draws, then to the nine-card square, and finally to the Grand Tableau, … Continue reading Grand Tableau a la Carte
Big Words
Peter Gabriel said it best in his ironic song "Big Time:" I've been stretching my mouth To let those big words come right out I love word-craft and clever language, but sometimes that fascination can get the best of me. Those big words are my nemesis because they can spell death for any hope of creating good writing. … Continue reading Big Words
The One-Note Samba
Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos (aka "Tom") Jobim once wrote a song called "One-Note Samba," which had lyrics (excerpted below) that were later sung by Frank Sinatra: This is just a little samba Built upon a single note Other notes are bound to follow But the root is still that note A similar idea appeared in the … Continue reading The One-Note Samba
Personalizing the Grand Tableau Houses
There is a technique in Lenromand reading - I believe it's a modern innovation but I could be wrong - known as "movable houses" (one wag has called them "mobile homes) which extends the house system native to the Grand Tableau to smaller spreads. Rather than having a fixed series of houses running from the Rider to … Continue reading Personalizing the Grand Tableau Houses
A “Deck’s Agenda” Example Reading
Last week I did a Lenormand 3x3 spread for an acquaintance who is being considered for a new job at a different company. Although prospects looked good for him, the situation hasn't come to its conclusion yet, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to test this tarot spread. I have since learned a … Continue reading A “Deck’s Agenda” Example Reading
The “No BS” Deck’s Agenda Spread
Every once in a while (and without a doubt more often than we would like), a reading begs the question "I know what was asked, but what does the seeker really want?" And the cards proceed to impose their own agenda on the story to the bemusement and bafflement of both reader and querent. Grappling with this situation can test the … Continue reading The “No BS” Deck’s Agenda Spread
Morning Coffee and Caitlin
I do some of my best work over a morning cup of strong black French Roast coffee. Today I took the opportunity to finish reading the last few pages of Caitlin Matthews' book, Untold Tarot, in preparation for writing this review. The book is beautifully produced, with an intelligent structure and numerous full-color illustrations, and it is … Continue reading Morning Coffee and Caitlin
A New Wrinkle On An Old Face
As I've mentioned before, I'm presently reading Caitlin Matthews' new traditional tarot book, Untold Tarot. In it she talks about the subject of "significator" cards, and mentions that Etteilla was the first to designate a unique significator for his Book of Thoth deck, a blank card - or "carte blanche" - that he immodestly called … Continue reading A New Wrinkle On An Old Face
A “Spiritual Release” Example Reading
This was an interesting exercise because I have been on an esoteric spiritual journey for over four decades, and count myself among the 37% of Americans who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious." I used the Radiant RWS for this reading. All images copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT Card #1 - "What I Know" (The Footing): … Continue reading A “Spiritual Release” Example Reading
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 