AUTHOR'S NOTE: The title of this essay alludes to an episode from one of the Presidential terms of Bill Clinton during which he proposed building a bridge spanning the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Conservative critics at the time immediately panned the idea as a costly boondoggle, a "bridge to nowhere" (which would almost certainly have … Continue reading A Bridge to Somewhere
Practical Mysticism
Obviously A Map . . . But Of What?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The panorama of 78 tarot cards is often described as a "map." Some say that it portrays the dimensions of the objective Universe, others consider it a "roadmap of life" into which we can dip to extract the itinerary for a particular leg of the journey (stay tuned, there may be a new … Continue reading Obviously A Map . . . But Of What?
365 Days and A New Approach
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In March of 2024 I set myself the task of posting 365 consecutive daily essays on divination-related topics without repeating myself too often. Yesterday marked Day #365, and I believe I've succeeded for the most part. With that behind me, I decided to move to a different format: a weekly compendium of material … Continue reading 365 Days and A New Approach
“Twin Flame:” Spiritual Rapport or Galvanic Magnetism?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've never been convinced of the legitimacy of the "soul-mate" premise (as Aleister Crowley might have said, "One must first believe in a soul"), and the "twin-flame" concept seems even less credible as just being "old wine in new bottles" that once again attempts to put a gloss of spiritual respectability on romantic … Continue reading “Twin Flame:” Spiritual Rapport or Galvanic Magnetism?
“It’s What They Do”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I occasionally encounter complaints in the online community from people who are distressed that their tarot readings are only reflecting their feelings back at them and are not providing actionable advice. Although I haven't done so yet, I'm tempted to tell them that the cards are only a mirror of the subconscious mind, … Continue reading “It’s What They Do”
The “Star of Hope” Personal Initiative Sigil
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is a layout that forms a sigil or "charm" intended to influence another person or situation that the querent wants to bend to his or her will. It uses a "significator" card at the center to represent the objective of the enchantment (for lack of a better word), and the seven classical … Continue reading The “Star of Hope” Personal Initiative Sigil
“Neat Borders:” A Further Case for Tarot Spreads
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was just reading a fascinating post in which a miscellany of famous authors expounded on why they (often vociferously) disliked a variety of important books by other esteemed writers (some of them very popular). I came across this gem from Charlotte Bronte, who was eviscerating Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: it … Continue reading “Neat Borders:” A Further Case for Tarot Spreads
“Passing Through Zero:” Transcending the Victim Archetype (A Tarot Spread)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As an astrologer I've long been familiar with the "victim mentality" as revealed in the natal horoscope. (I once called it the "doormat syndrome" exemplified by the Virgo-Pisces axis: people who become accustomed to being walked on.) Now I see that it has been elevated to the status of an "archetype" and decided … Continue reading “Passing Through Zero:” Transcending the Victim Archetype (A Tarot Spread)
Dabblers in the Future
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was reading an essay about Medieval historians and came across the 12th-Century Italian theologian and monastic abbot Joachim of Flora (or Fiore) who was described not as a historian but rather as a "dabbler in the future," mainly for his theory about a coming new age based on clear (at least to … Continue reading Dabblers in the Future
Crunch Time for Source Material
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Any writer who attempts to post a blog essay every day (which I've now done for 290 consecutive days) has to walk a fine line between imparting useful knowledge and entertaining readers enough to keep them coming back. It's more important for those who are trying to earn money from their online publishing … Continue reading Crunch Time for Source Material
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 