"Mixed-media" technique is a concept usually limited to the visual arts; a good example would be combining paste-up photo-collage and manual deposition of some kind (brush, pen, pencil, crayon, stick, etc.) to create an integrated and aesthetically pleasing image. (Before anyone asks, presentation technology often relies on "multi-media" delivery, a different animal.) I'll get to … Continue reading “Mixed-Media” Reading
Other Divination
Mild Spring? A Geomantic Example Reading
For my first geomantic "return engagement," I decided to ask whether we will have a milder-then-usual Spring season here in my local area (and no, I didn't consider the "groundhog factor"). I used my bowl of carefully-gathered stones, even though they came from our previous "home ground" and are more regional than local. I'm rusty … Continue reading Mild Spring? A Geomantic Example Reading
Easing Back into Geomancy: Tools of the Trade
As promised, I'm moving toward exploring forms of divination beyond cartomancy and horary astrology. Several years ago I spent a good deal of time pursuing the art of geomancy but let it lapse as my tarot practice grew. I found it to be quite accurate in its predictions about practical affairs and accumulated a small … Continue reading Easing Back into Geomancy: Tools of the Trade
By Guess or By Golly
UPDATE: The birth occurred early in the morning on January 9th, which was within slightly more than 24 hours of the predicted date. I seem to be giving my younger readers an ongoing education in idioms from a bygone era. This one seems particularly appropriate to the situation. We have an informal family lottery going … Continue reading By Guess or By Golly
Edging Up to the Runes
I've decided to take on the challenge of familiarizing myself with the Nordic runes to the point that I can successfully divine with them, at least in a non-professional way. I bought Lisa Chamberlain's introductory book on the subject and have elected to pursue the more traditional approach of Edred Thorsson and Nigel Pennick and … Continue reading Edging Up to the Runes
Intuition or Guided Suggestion?
A recent Facebook post on the Tarot History page by tarot author and deck creator Robert Place about the earliest known forms of divination got me thinking about the nature of intuition (specifically as championed by those cartomancers who only use free-association from the card images, downplaying or dismissing the value of knowledge-based analysis). In … Continue reading Intuition or Guided Suggestion?
An I Ching/Tarot Problem-Solving Spread
This is my first attempt at fashioning a practical spread from a combination of the I Ching and the tarot. The decks I intend to be used are Anthony Clark's I Ching Pack, which has direct correspondences to the hexagrams; the Thoth deck with its association to the hexagrams through Aleister Crowley's commentary in The … Continue reading An I Ching/Tarot Problem-Solving Spread
A “Roll Them Bones” Example Reading
To test this spread, I decided to ask (once again) what my prospects are for advancement in my professional aspirations as a tarot reader. I used the RWS Centennial Pocket Edition with reversals for this reading. All images copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT My first roll was a Three, so I shuffled all … Continue reading A “Roll Them Bones” Example Reading
“Roll Them Bones” Situational Awareness Spread
Here I'm having some more fun with dice and cards in collaboration. The dice are used to narrow down the card possibilities for each position. The idea is to "roll the bones" until you arrive at a number that fits within the range for the position, and then remove the four minor or court cards … Continue reading “Roll Them Bones” Situational Awareness Spread
The “Round It Goes” Decision-Making Spread
There has been some on-line discussion lately about the Random Number Generators that tarot software apps use to select the cards for a reading. I was resistant to the idea for a long time because it seemed too disconnected from the tactile "feel" of the cards to produce valid results. But eventually I realized that … Continue reading The “Round It Goes” Decision-Making Spread
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 