A wave is described as "a traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another." We might consider the flow of cards from one place (the first position) to another place (the last position) in a linear tarot spread to be a "wave-form," with observable peaks and troughs along the way (a mix of … Continue reading Tarot As “Wave-Form”
Non-divination
“Hey, You” – Pink Floyd Under the “Tarot-scope”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I believe I've found the ideal use for the Waite-Smith tarot deck. (All images used here are copyright of U.S. Games Systems, Stamford, CT, although I understand the RWS deck may now be in the public domain.) Roger Water's somber and occasionally morose lyrics (often about Pink Floyd founding member Syd Barret's fractured … Continue reading “Hey, You” – Pink Floyd Under the “Tarot-scope”
Magical Places, Magical Times
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Too often we don't know the person behind the posting. Here are a few of the deeply-felt experiences that have brought me to where I am today as a mystical thinker, writer and practitioner of the esoteric arts. I've always had a powerful, almost euphoric connection to Nature, having been raised in a … Continue reading Magical Places, Magical Times
The American Justice System Superimposed on the Astropsychological Tree of Life
Mainly for my own amusement, I spent some time superimposing elements of the American Justice System on the paths of my "re-imagined" version of the Hermetic (Kircher) Tree of Life. I started with the idea that Justice has to do with the "trial" in any judicial setting and Judgement speaks of the "verdict," and then … Continue reading The American Justice System Superimposed on the Astropsychological Tree of Life
The Astropsychology of the Tree of Life
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's going to be another "two-fer" day for my readers since I decided to sneak this one into my usual "tarot brain-dump." It's not so much writing as thinking (way) outside the box. This is a liberal adaptation of the "standard" Hermetic (Kircher) Tree of Life that appears in most modern esoteric books. … Continue reading The Astropsychology of the Tree of Life
St. Stephen: “What Would Be the Answer to the Answer Man?”
I figured this would be another good opportunity to use tarot cards to illustrate a famous poem (or in this case, song lyrics). The Biblical "Deacon Stephen" was stoned to death for his heretical beliefs; his theological adversaries couldn't best him in debate so they killed him. This is arguably my favorite Grateful Dead song … Continue reading St. Stephen: “What Would Be the Answer to the Answer Man?”
The God Dilemma
WARNING: Here be dragons! If you are at all religious in the customary Western sense, this may insult or at the very least offend you. Proceed at your own risk if the mere mention of Richard Dawkins doesn't send you screaming for the exit. A few years ago, preeminent atheist Richard Dawkins wrote a book … Continue reading The God Dilemma
Going for the Gold
I now have a handful of tarot decks with gold-foil highlights and in some cases complete backgrounds. I also have the Golden Lenormand but I'm not including it here, and the Dali Tarot but it only has gold on the upper and lower borders. Kat Black's Golden Tarot and Eric Dunne's Illuminati Tarot didn't make … Continue reading Going for the Gold
Is It . . . RWS, or RSW, or WS or SW (or How About KSW)?
As far as I can tell, the publishing house of Rider & Son hasn't been involved with the tarot deck of Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith in over a century (except perhaps as the seller of reproduction rights until US Games bought them); it is now published in something approaching its original form … Continue reading Is It . . . RWS, or RSW, or WS or SW (or How About KSW)?
The Arrow and the Song
All images copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT I haven't done one of these in a while, but recently I was performing a decision-making spread and the 8 of Wands came up as the "resolution" card in one of the decision chains; I judged it as reflecting an open-ended (inconclusive) outcome and was strongly … Continue reading The Arrow and the Song
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 