Those of you unfamiliar with the Ian-Hunter-penned song Once Bitten, Twice Shy will understandably be puzzled by the title of today's post. Hang in there. A woman of my acquaintance has twice contracted an infectious respiratory illness this winter during consecutive visits to her son's family, approximately two months apart. The first was a serious … Continue reading Twice Bitten, Thrice Shy
Experimental Methods
Where Is Isaiah? – A Missing Person Spread
Update: It appears the missing boy in this case found his way safely to Florida. There are no details about how that happened, or how long he may have stayed in New York City. http://www.wmur.com/article/missing-sunapee-teen-found-safe-in-florida/19459142 First a note on the method. The main problem I'm finding with this approach is that I'm using missing-person notices … Continue reading Where Is Isaiah? – A Missing Person Spread
The “What of a Much of a Which” Event Analysis Spread
Although he had more dire implications in mind, ee cummings might have been talking about the fortune-teller's art in his poem what of a much of a which of a wind (for example, "blow soon to never and never to twice"). http://plexipages.com/reflections/whatif.html One of the greatest challenges facing those who try to discern past, present … Continue reading The “What of a Much of a Which” Event Analysis Spread
“Oh, No, Not Again!” (A Simple Yes-or-No Reading)
I have a simple yes-or-no spread (titled, oddly enough, "A Simple Yes-or-No Spread") that I decided to use to find out whether New England will be hit by another major "Nor'easter" snowstorm next week. I used the Anna K Tarot, my most reliable weather-forecasting deck. For the Significator, I chose the 3 of Swords, which … Continue reading “Oh, No, Not Again!” (A Simple Yes-or-No Reading)
“The Blind Pig and the Acorn” Career Outlook Spread
Although Dukes of Hazzard fans would like to claim it as part of Southern heritage, as would Appalachia, the proverb alluded to in the title was apparently of ancient Roman origin: "Even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while." According to Wikipedia, there is a "related Latin saying that a blind … Continue reading “The Blind Pig and the Acorn” Career Outlook Spread
A “Take No Prisoners” Example Reading
I decided to test my transition spread with a current situation in the State of Vermont. The State's only nuclear power plant, closed since 2014, is under negotiation for sale to a company that claims it can decommission the site much more quickly and cheaply than the present owner (incidentally walking away with several million … Continue reading A “Take No Prisoners” Example Reading
The “Take No Prisoners” Transition Spread
Any major transition, whether corporate, political or sociological, can produce significant upheaval in the "receiving" organization. This is especially unnerving for those on the lower rungs of the pecking order, whose best interests aren't always served by the leadership in these situations. This spread is designed for subordinate members of any group to explore important … Continue reading The “Take No Prisoners” Transition Spread
The Best-Laid Plans: An Alternative Action Spread
When querents bring a planning question to the table, they typically have at least a rough idea of what they want to do, although it may be founded more on hope and conjecture than clear-eyed foresight. Most are aware they need a fall-back position, or "Plan B," to which they can resort if things don't … Continue reading The Best-Laid Plans: An Alternative Action Spread
An Example Reading with the “Destiny’s Dartboard” Timing Spread
I had a near-term timing question that I thought would be a perfect opportunity for testing this spread. A couple of weeks ago I submitted an article to the publisher of The Cartomancer quarterly journal for possible publication. (This wasn't a "shot in the dark" since I've had several articles published there already). She got … Continue reading An Example Reading with the “Destiny’s Dartboard” Timing Spread
Crossing the Line
There is mixed opinion in the tarot community about whether it's necessary for a reader (at least in a face-to-face setting) to know exactly what a sitter wants before attempting a reading. Some ask the sitter to tell them the specific question, others want to know as little as possible in advance. My early tarot … Continue reading Crossing the Line