Question: When does Death mean physical demise? Answer: Almost never. With this card, conventional wisdom informs us that an important change is "in the wind" - or if you prefer $2 words to the 50⊄ variety - a "major transformation" is coming (although not necessarily a traumatic one; look to the Tower for that). This … Continue reading Winds of Change
Esoteric Tarot
Those Useless Extra Cards
File this one in the "Don't give me any crazy ideas . . ." folder. Although printing technology may have changed to the point that it no longer happens, the production of a 78-card tarot deck used to consume two 40-card printer's sheets, with left-over space for two extra cards that were typically used by … Continue reading Those Useless Extra Cards
Are We Having Fun Yet?
I guess you could call me an "accidental professional." Will I read for the public, for pay? Sure, if the circumstances are right. Do I obsess about getting paid for my efforts? Not by a long shot. I learned to read the cards - and to cast and interpret horoscopes and geomantic charts - mainly … Continue reading Are We Having Fun Yet?
Pratchett’s Epiphany
In Hogfather, his amusingly cynical meditation on the nature of truth and belief, satirical fantasy writer Terry Pratchett depicted DEATH, who always spoke ominously IN CAPITAL LETTERS, arguing with his stubborn rationalist granddaughter Susan about the need for children to practice believing life's "little lies" (like the Hogfather - aka Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, … Continue reading Pratchett’s Epiphany
Further Musings on Temperance
Tarot author Tony Willis just posted a new article on auntietarot about the 14th trump card, Temperance. (https://auntietarot.wordpress.com/) Most of it is an exhaustive and well-written recapitulation of ideas that I've come across before, but I took one entirely new concept away from my reading of his observations: that of "reversibility." The thought is that … Continue reading Further Musings on Temperance
“Ars Longa, Vita Brevis”
Hippocrates was a physician who made this the opening statement in a medical text. The lines which follow: "The physician must not only be prepared to do what is right himself, but also to make the patient, the attendants, and externals cooperate." Thus in plainer language "it takes a long time to acquire and perfect … Continue reading “Ars Longa, Vita Brevis”
Wish List for 2018
I've slowed down considerably in buying new tarot and oracle decks over the last couple of years. It's not that I don't lust after the latest-and-greatest releases touted by people I trust on the cartomancy forums, it's just that - short of superlative artwork or a magnificent companion book - there just isn't much to … Continue reading Wish List for 2018
Philosopher or Fortune-Teller?
In his excellent (although a bit "lite" for the seasoned esotericist) volume, The Tarot, History, Symbolism and Divination, Robert Place offers his definition of the best use for tarot: "From its origin, the Tarot has been designed as a set of symbols or tools that the unconscious can use to communicate with the conscious mind. Instead … Continue reading Philosopher or Fortune-Teller?
The Wheel and the World: Jupiter and Saturn
One time over thirty years ago, when I was still very much a novice astrologer with loads of book learning but little practical experience, I was brought up short by someone who obviously had slightly more of the latter. I had made an off-hand remark about Jupiter and Saturn being the “social” planets, bridging the … Continue reading The Wheel and the World: Jupiter and Saturn
Court Card Thumbnails: The Queen of Wands
The Court Cards: The Queen of Wands Titles: Water of Fire; The Queen of the Thrones of Flame Astrological Correspondence: 21° Pisces to 20° Aries Commentary: Golden Dawn “Liber T” (S.L. Mathers): “Adaptability, steady force applied to an object. Steady rule; great attractive power, power of command, yet liked notwithstanding. Kind and generous when not … Continue reading Court Card Thumbnails: The Queen of Wands
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 