*"For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect." - Aleister Crowley in The Book of the Law AUTHOR'S NOTE: In my study of Taoism I came across two concepts that have a bearing on the ethics of divination: the "conceit of silver" and the "conceit of iron," … Continue reading Tarot and the “Lust of Result”*
Cultural & Social Commentary
“When in Doubt, Lay It Out”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Tarot beginners who are doubtful about both their predictive skills and the reliability of divination in general often ask "But is a tarot reading always accurate? Can it actually foretell my future?" I made my own peace with that conundrum long ago and thought I would share my experience. One of the main … Continue reading “When in Doubt, Lay It Out”
Natural Alignment: Separating the Cow from the Hamburger
AUTHOR'S NOTE: My opinion of Ethan Indigo Smith's imagination and sense of humor went up a notch while reading (in The Tao of Thoth) his discussion of the archaic Egyptian word "neter" (meaning vital energy or life-force), which he relates to the equivalent term "chi" in the Tao. He describes this organic animating principle as … Continue reading Natural Alignment: Separating the Cow from the Hamburger
Tarot Disambiguation: “I Know You Think You Believe You Understand . . .”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Disambiguation is a great word. As I see it, the concept involves eliminating confusion in the understanding and application of language by clarifying the differences between similar terms. The various definitions that have accrued to a word are sorted and ranked according to their frequency in common usage, although the fact that not … Continue reading Tarot Disambiguation: “I Know You Think You Believe You Understand . . .”
The Ruination of Tarot?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yesterday I responded to a post in the r/tarot sub-reddit that deplored the exhausting challenge of having to deal endlessly with clients' inane questions about socially-charged matters of little real import, primarily superficial affection ("Will he text me?"), animosity ("Why did she block me?") and aloofness ("Why are they ignoring me?"). It's all … Continue reading The Ruination of Tarot?
The Purposeful Diviner
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I briefly covered some of these talking points in the "statement of intent" linked at the bottom, but I thought it worthwhile to put a more personal slant on them. As a diviner I consider myself a purveyor of serious content. It would be tempting to tell my clients "Sure, I'll take your … Continue reading The Purposeful Diviner
“Everybody Needs the Light” (or “Poking Holes in the Veil”)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was just listening to In the Light, Led Zeppelin's mystical minor masterpiece (despite the alliteration, it didn't quite make me go "mmm" with aural pleasure), and I came across the opening quote that appears in the title. I was reading Ethan Indigo Smith's The Tao of Thoth at the same time (multitasking … Continue reading “Everybody Needs the Light” (or “Poking Holes in the Veil”)
The Cosmos According to Aleister Crowley: Love is Not Unconditional
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Recently I was asked to specifically name what I've often alluded to as the "half-dozen nuggets of pure metaphysical brilliance" in Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law (the founding text for the religion of Thelema and a fundamental source for the Book of Thoth and the Thoth tarot), as opposed to the rest … Continue reading The Cosmos According to Aleister Crowley: Love is Not Unconditional
2024 Presidential Election: An Astro-Tarotscope Forecast
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Regardless of what you think of Donald Trump (and even though I'm far from liberal in my own political views, I don't have much use for him), the Gods of Prognostication seem to prefer him on November 5th. Of all the readings I've done on the upcoming election, this one is the most … Continue reading 2024 Presidential Election: An Astro-Tarotscope Forecast
Of Snakes and Swallows: A Conflict-Resolution Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've had this draft in the queue for some time and decided to finish it. The subject of the example reading was on my mind when I created the spread, but it could be used in any situation where "both ends are arrayed against the middle." As described in Benebell Wen's I Ching … Continue reading Of Snakes and Swallows: A Conflict-Resolution Spread
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 