Here's a little less-complicated fun with reversals. It's based on the "Astro-Cartography" model from the 1970s. This approach to relocation assumes that we have an urge to move but don't know exactly where we want to go to find the best "fit." It uses a process of elimination based on the appearance of reversed cards … Continue reading The “Tarot-Cartography” Relocation Spread
Experimental Methods
A “Mercury Reversed” Example Reading
As luck (or Fate) would have it, Mercury went retrograde on the 14th of January, 2022, giving me a perfect opportunity to test this spread. During much of the period, Venus is also retrograde but there were no Venus decan cards in the draw. It might be worthwhile to set up the "Archetypal Pattern" for … Continue reading A “Mercury Reversed” Example Reading
The “Mercury Reversed” Retrograde Period Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I split this spread off from yesterday's post for better visibility, saying three times "I promise not to repeat myself . . ." As discussed at length in my previous essay, I don't buy the popular notion that Mercury going retrograde as part of the evolving "sky pattern" is automatically a harbinger of … Continue reading The “Mercury Reversed” Retrograde Period Spread
Investigative Prospects for the Harmony Montgomery Case
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As I write this, the search effort at the last know location of the missing girl has been concluded and no further information has been provided to the public. The implication is that nothing remarkable has been found or they would be crowing about their success; however, the FBI is involved and they … Continue reading Investigative Prospects for the Harmony Montgomery Case
Trump’s Dilemma: A “Passing the Monkey” Example Reading
Subtitle: Avoiding Prosecution in the "January 6th Riot" Investigation To test my new "Passing the Monkey" problem-solving spread, I asked what would be the best way for Donald Trump to approach the risk of Congressional prosecution for his alleged role in the "January 6th Riot" in Washington, DC. Although Trump may now be "old news" … Continue reading Trump’s Dilemma: A “Passing the Monkey” Example Reading
A “Three-Part Cacophony” Run-Through: What Happened to Reeves?
Here is an example run-through of my "Three-Part Cacophony" reading method. I posted photos of both the "master" layout (for reference) and the cards I pulled. I've been working on a missing-person "cold case" in NH that has remained unsolved since 1983. Reeves Johnson went missing after picking up a hitch-hiker on his way back … Continue reading A “Three-Part Cacophony” Run-Through: What Happened to Reeves?
The “Three-Part Cacophony” Reading Method: One Part Melody, Two Parts Counterpoint
Here's one from "way out in left field;" I chose "Cacophony" because "harmony" is never a foregone conclusion in a tarot reading. This layout has some similarities to the Celtic Cross (CC) in the way it is read, but the structure differs, the number of "developmental" cards is flexible and there are fewer fixed position … Continue reading The “Three-Part Cacophony” Reading Method: One Part Melody, Two Parts Counterpoint
The “12 Modes of Consciousness” Spread
Although I'm no fan of using tarot for psychological profiling (which is better served by natal astrology), preferring instead a more action-and-event-oriented approach, here is a spread that adopts a creative spin on the four cognitive functions of Carl Jung. Reversals may be used to show a further elaboration of the inner landscape.
The Virtue of Simplicity
As time goes on I find myself drawn more and more to working with only the 56 Minor Arcana cards in divination. Granted, the 22 Major Arcana are where most of the philosophical "meat" lies in the tarot, but very few of my readings rise to that level of metaphysical complexity and intensity. Most of … Continue reading The Virtue of Simplicity
“My Way, Your Way or the Highway” Conflict-Resolution Spread
We've all heard of the expression "It's my way or the highway!" as the take-it-or-leave-it crowing of someone who holds the upper hand in a disagreement and is rubbing the other person's nose in it. I decided to use that concept in a conflict-resolution spread in which dice and cards are consulted to indicate whether … Continue reading “My Way, Your Way or the Highway” Conflict-Resolution Spread