AUTHOR'S NOTE: In my recent essay (linked below) on syncretism between Western astrology and the I Ching, I correlated the twelve Ptolemaic signs of the zodiac with the eight I Ching trigrams and, via synthesis between consecutive signs, with twelve of the 64 hexagrams. In doing so I resorted to a good deal of inspiration, … Continue reading Trumps and Trigrams: A Syncretic Exercise
Life-reading Spreads
Up-slopes, Down-slopes and Flat-lines: A Three-Tier Tarot Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here I'm posing the question "Which of three typical 'motifs' will form the core of a tarot reading and have the most to say about the situation?" In this experiment I'm attempting to craft an approach that separates the cards pulled for a reading into three situational scenarios indicating the path the narrative … Continue reading Up-slopes, Down-slopes and Flat-lines: A Three-Tier Tarot Spread
The “Reset Arc” – Daily Draw x 7
". . . every day resets itself, from sunrise to sunset to sunrise again."Benebell Wen, I Ching, the Oracle: A Practical Guide to the Book of Changes AUTHOR'S NOTE: The above quote should be the guiding principle behind every daily draw in tarot reading. But too many readers trust the one-card pull to satisfy this … Continue reading The “Reset Arc” – Daily Draw x 7
Emotional Bias in Cartomancy: A Case Study
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The adverse impact of intense emotional upset on the task of shuffling the cards is a topic that often surfaces in conversation. I've seen endless hand-wringing in online discussions over whether being distressed when consulting the cards should be viewed as a "show-stopper." Most people who bring it up are afraid that their … Continue reading Emotional Bias in Cartomancy: A Case Study
Riffing on Reversals: An Instructive Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I recently performed a reading that provided excellent insights into how reversed cards can alter the thrust of a prediction. The client graciously allowed me to post this narrative as long as anonymity is preserved. The question involved the long-range consequences that might result if the client continues taking the medications she has … Continue reading Riffing on Reversals: An Instructive Reading
Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Coagulation
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As the final stage in traditional alchemy, one that is analogous to the clotting of blood, coagulation of the refined elixir produced by distillation is intended to yield gold in physical terms or the "Philosopher's Stone" as its spiritual output. In The Collector, Thomas Ellison describes it as "the process of solidification where … Continue reading Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Coagulation
Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Distillation
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Before I cover the technical definitions, I want to suggest another word for distillation: sublimation, as in refining or purifying something of an inferior quality to elevate it to a condition of surpassing excellence. In spiritual alchemy the mode of self-realization begins to evolve in a more rarefied direction. In traditional alchemy, distillation … Continue reading Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Distillation
Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Fermentation
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In alchemy, fermentation is a euphemism for "putrefaction" or rotting, from which an impure elixir is generated. Spiritually speaking, the composite Self formed during the process of conjunction was assumed to be authentic but it had not yet achieved the pinnacle of perfection and must now be dissolved, digested and reformulated. The union … Continue reading Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Fermentation
Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Conjunction
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Quoting Thomas Ellison in The Collector, "Conjunction refers to the process of combining the elements from the previous three stages." Another source (Credo Quia Absurdum) notes: "The separated elements demand a new combination to find the balance. The male and female principles are significant for every human being and its physical and spiritual … Continue reading Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Conjunction
Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Separation
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In approaching the subject of alchemical separation as it relates to the third phase of my tarot "self-realization" model, I decided to quote my source material: "The separation of the elements allows us to observe them more clearly. Their true nature and shape are finally exposed to us." For the purpose of spiritual … Continue reading Tarot Alchemy in Seven Stages: Separation
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 