Here is a 15-card spread that explores the notion that cards will complement one another according to the position they hold within the 78-card series, essentially creating pairs of "symbolic parallels." It is intended to show the querent's psychological orientation to the subject of the reading as it develops over time, from initial awareness to … Continue reading An Experiment in “Symbolic Parallels”
Experimental Methods
“Up the Down Staircase” – The Reversed Quintessence Card
A number of years ago, a young woman who went by the online name of "Amanda" on the now-defunct Aeclectic Tarot forum gave me the idea of subtracting the face value of any reversed cards in a spread when doing the "quintessence" calculation, which can result in a negative total and therefore a reversed "quint" … Continue reading “Up the Down Staircase” – The Reversed Quintessence Card
A “Psychometric” Yes-or-No Reading Approach
The dilemma of how to handle "yes-or-no" questions (or whether to even attempt answering them) is one that all tarot readers must confront sooner or later. I've tried numerous ways, both simple and complicated, to solve the problem and a few years ago I created a table of what I dubbed "Yes-Leaning," "No-Leaning" and "Maybe" … Continue reading A “Psychometric” Yes-or-No Reading Approach
Daily “Hermetic Meditation” #1
Casting around for something new to post, I decided to do a series of daily "Hermetic Meditations" using the various Golden-Dawn and Thoth-based decks I own. I have around a dozen of them now and will be rotating them in and out of the six-card pull regularly. The layout is the graphic for my "Pentagram … Continue reading Daily “Hermetic Meditation” #1
The Major Arcana and the “Box of Chocolates”
In previous posts I've presented the observation that, in my own experience, Major Arcana (or trump) cards appearing in a spread seldom indicate the actual arrival of significant events in everyday terms, and serve more to show the overriding tone, theme or scenic backdrop for the period covered by the reading. They may still create … Continue reading The Major Arcana and the “Box of Chocolates”
The “Solunar” Situational Development and Outcome Spread
When I was a young fisherman and knew nothing about astronomical cycles, I used to ponder the "solunar tables" that purported to forecast the best fishing times. I never did completely fathom them, but most used the daily position of the Moon (Moonrise, Moonset, Moon Overhead, Moon Underfoot); some added Sunrise and Sunset; a few … Continue reading The “Solunar” Situational Development and Outcome Spread
“Crossing the Bridge” Spirit Contact Spread
I occasionally see requests for "spirit contact" spreads. Here is one that focuses on facilitating psychic readiness. This won't do much for you if you don't assume the existence of an "Astral Plane."
“Spin of the Day” Card-Drawing Method
I had a minor brainstorm this morning. I have a board-game spinner that I bought to use with what I call my "multi-media" spreads. I discovered that it is an almost perfect fit for the Golden Dawn's Chaldean correspondence wheel that I employ in my work with the Thoth deck. Spinning the pointer will indicate … Continue reading “Spin of the Day” Card-Drawing Method
The “Chalice of Earth” Taurus Ingress Matrix
Once again, I decided to try getting more interpretive value out of the Golden Dawn's Chaldean correspondence wheel beyond its card-by-card significance. As an experiment I created matrices of the five cards that are "in play" at the ingress of the Sun into each of the zodiacal signs: the Ace and Princess that relate to … Continue reading The “Chalice of Earth” Taurus Ingress Matrix
The “Power of Four” Decision-Making Series
Here's a decision-making spread (or rather a series of mini-spreads) that - depending on where the Significator lands - will point to one of four typical courses of action in dealing with a decision-making scenario: do nothing and see what happens; side-step the issue before it can get any worse; "take the bull by the … Continue reading The “Power of Four” Decision-Making Series
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 