AUTHOR'S NOTE: In previous posts I've mentioned in passing that the purpose of the shuffle is not to randomize the cards but rather to subconsciously arrange them in the proper order to tell the story. Judging from the responses I received (or more tellingly, didn't receive) nobody really "got" what I was trying to say. … Continue reading Randomizing and Shuffling: “Generating White Noise” and “Creating Order Out of Chaos”
General Tarot
Synchronizing the “Inner” and the “Outer” Self: A Tarot Mandala
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm not proposing this as a spread for divination but rather as a tool (a form of mandala) for meditation. It could, however, be used as a "birth-chart" for the moment of the pull and supplemented over time with additional cards that function like astrological transits to a natal horoscope. One possible way … Continue reading Synchronizing the “Inner” and the “Outer” Self: A Tarot Mandala
Spread Shape as “Statement of Intent”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've now created well over 300 tarot and Lenormand spreads, and I often mention spread format (or "shape") as one of the three main elements of my architecture: the other two are position meaning ("What do I want to know?") and number of positions ("How much do I want to know about it?"). … Continue reading Spread Shape as “Statement of Intent”
“Rule from Within:” A Tarot Paradigm
AUTHOR'S NOTE: While pursuing my study of the I Ching, I encountered the concept of "rule from within" that exploits the inner strength by which the Mind and the Will exercise control over one's external circumstances like a general in the midst of his army. This idea presented a perfect opportunity to discuss the significance … Continue reading “Rule from Within:” A Tarot Paradigm
Tarot and Physical Appearance: “The Packaging vs. the Content”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: One of the least useful questions I've encountered in online discussion groups, after the ubiquitous "What does this person think or feel about me?" is "What will my future lover look like?" Probably because most of its later development occurred in Western Europe, traditional (that is, non-inclusive) tarot is notoriously poor at identifying … Continue reading Tarot and Physical Appearance: “The Packaging vs. the Content”
Grazing the Group-Chat Channels
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In August I will have been running this blog for seven years and will soon pass 2,100 divination-related posts. I try my best to throw a new twist into each of my daily essays but I catch myself repeating topics when I'm not mining a new metaphysical book that has captured my interest … Continue reading Grazing the Group-Chat Channels
General Life-Reading: A Convenient Fallback
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I often see consternation brewing among tarot neophytes over the fact that, although they want to "get serious" when it comes to divination with the cards, they are unsure how to proceed because they have no pressing questions to ask. Following is a summary of ways to offset that shortcoming through a "general … Continue reading General Life-Reading: A Convenient Fallback
Divination: What Is It Good For?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Don't ask Edwin Starr (even if he is deceased), he'll just tell you "Absolutely nothing, uh huh." In a recent post on using tarot in a business setting, I likened a card reading to a "metaphysical process-control audit" that looks beyond the physical dimensions of a client company and into its less tangible … Continue reading Divination: What Is It Good For?
“Third Time’s the (C)harm”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: We all recognize the proverb "The third time's the charm" when we've failed twice at something and are trying again with finger's crossed. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote "The luck of the third adventure is proverbial.") But when it comes to divination, asking the same question over-and-over again and expecting a more agreeable answer … Continue reading “Third Time’s the (C)harm”
Off-Topic Tarot Readings: Crossing the Conceptual Divide
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here I'm tackling the evasive defense (OK, it's a convenient excuse) that is often trotted out to justify why tarot readings yield advice that seems valid while not even remotely addressing the question we asked: "They're responding to a different issue that may be more important but that wasn't recognized by the querent." … Continue reading Off-Topic Tarot Readings: Crossing the Conceptual Divide
