I haven't done one of these in a while because the New Moon tends to slip by without notice and I insist on punctuality in the performance of readings that have transitional "milestone" dates. Here I've applied my most recent spread design, with which I use only the pip cards as explained in this excerpt … Continue reading Lunar Month Look-Ahead, October-November, 2019
Pips
My Daily Element
As I mentioned recently, I seldom do daily draws any more because my life just doesn't change enough to warrant that detailed level of scrutiny. But I do believe there can be value in looking at the elemental tone and the numerical vibration of the upcoming day, not to see what will happen and why, … Continue reading My Daily Element
A Tarot de Marseille Process Analysis
As I gain experience with it, I find that divination with the Tarot de Marseille (TdM) is best suited for providing a literal perspective (as with the Lenormand cards) rather than for the more symbolic, impressionistic approach used with most modern tarot decks. This is due primarily to their spare presentation that doesn't encourage much … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille Process Analysis
A “Two Paths” Example Reading
The Question: "What is the best way to approach local metaphysical (formerly "New Age") shops about getting card-reading gigs at their establishments? The Deck: Conver Ben-Dov (CBD) Tarot de Marseille All images copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT This reading will test both the spread and my provisional TdM "pip" card meanings. The court-card … Continue reading A “Two Paths” Example Reading
The “Two Paths You Can Go By” Decision-Making Spread
Popular culture is often a goldmine of spread ideas and titles. In this case, the line "Yes, there are two paths you can go by" from Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was tailor-made for a decision-making spread. After completing my "pips" cycle of essays, I decided to create a spread specifically for "pips-only" use. This … Continue reading The “Two Paths You Can Go By” Decision-Making Spread
A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: Ace of Coins
I consider the TdM Ace of Coins a "gambit" card (an action that is calculated to gain an advantage), one that entails some "grit" and requires getting one's hands dirty. The expression "dirt under the fingernails" gives an idea of how much hands-on engagement and self-reliance are required. It has no patience with the proverb … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: Ace of Coins
The Tarot de Marseille “Pips:” A Divinatory Tabulation
As a service to my readers, I decided to capture all of the divinatory "snippets" from my previous posts in a single document for ease of reference. Note that I went back and tweaked the keyword entries in my Swords overview essay to match this summary after receiving some excellent comments from Lee Bursten. This … Continue reading The Tarot de Marseille “Pips:” A Divinatory Tabulation
A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: Footnotes on the Suit of Coins
Because I commented on all of the Coins individually, I'm not going to do a detailed overview of them as I did for the rest. Unless I choose to develop my thoughts on the Ace of Coins or decide to amplify my brief cameos of the pips of the other suits at "book length" (and … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: Footnotes on the Suit of Coins
A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: 10 of Coins
In the TdM 10 of Coins, the "seed" shown in the 9 of Coins has gone straight to flower and the sheltering husk has dissolved. The flower now takes center stage and the converging triangles of the 5 of Coins have been driven apart by a blocking square, while the four leaves that were tightly … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: 10 of Coins
A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: The Inspiring and Irritating Cups
Due to their liquid-bearing connotation, the Cups of the tarot have long been associated with the fluid, emotive side of life and the expression of both joy and the sorrow. The Tarot de Marseille "pip" cards strip this down to its bare essentials; all we see for the most part are suit emblems (chalices) and … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: The Inspiring and Irritating Cups
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 