The old-time whisky drinkers in the crowd will get the hint in my title: taking things "straight" in this situation could be a harsh dram to swallow. We have a landscaping project pending at our new home that was stalled last year because of the early onset of winter. Although our grounds are now dry … Continue reading Straight, No Chaser: A Project-Management Reading
Problem-solving Spreads
“Unto the Breach” Problem-Solving Spread
Most personal-problem scenarios reach a point where things "come to a boil;" we have gained some momentum toward resolution but the opposition is entrenched, so a pitched battle ensues (even if the conflict is only within our own psyche). Some kind of "breach" has to be found (or made) in the wall of resistance that … Continue reading “Unto the Breach” Problem-Solving Spread
The “Break On Through” Rite-of-Passage Spread
The inspiration for this spread came from a couple of sources. I was watching a TV show in which a choir was singing that old "Do-Re-Mi" song from The Sound of Music film (not the rap song of the same name). ("Doe, a deer, a female deer," etc. Don't ask.) I got thinking about the … Continue reading The “Break On Through” Rite-of-Passage Spread
The “Parallel Universe” Dual-Timeline Spread
I've been reading Caitlin Matthews' new book, Untold Tarot, and came across an idea that I've seen before and even applied once in a slightly different way, but it inspired me to reconsider and approach it from a fresh perspective. She takes a trump card (her example was the Moon) and draws a single card to place … Continue reading The “Parallel Universe” Dual-Timeline Spread
“I Smell A Rat” – A Problem-Solving Spread
Everyone knows that the Devil can be a perfidious fellow (what The Eagles once called a "cru-el dude"). Here I cast him as the proverbial "rat" in the classic "I smell a rat" trouble-is-brewing scenario. A key feature of this spread is that the Rat may not appear exactly where the Querent suspects he is going … Continue reading “I Smell A Rat” – A Problem-Solving Spread
The “Monkey in the Middle” Problem Clarification Spread
Every so often we all encounter situations where we're stumped by the meaning of a particular card in a particular reading. A common practice is to pull more cards to clarify the interpretation, but I prefer to take my cue from A.E. Waite's Pictorial Key to the Tarot and use the problem card as the "Significator" in a new … Continue reading The “Monkey in the Middle” Problem Clarification Spread
Human Conflict: The Tarotscopic View
Human conflict is one of my favorite areas to explore with the tarot because it is such a target-rich environment. I don't do much with multi-party conflicts because they are much rarer than the one-on-one face-off, but here is the latest example of my current approach. Tarot is an excellent microscope through which to scrutinize … Continue reading Human Conflict: The Tarotscopic View
A “Collision Course” Spread
Astrology uses the concept of "open enemies" (7th House) and "hidden enemies" (12th House) to describe the interaction of an individual with others who may not have his or her best interests at heart. I have never seen this approach used in a coordinated way in a tarot spread, but there is always a first … Continue reading A “Collision Course” Spread
“The Oyster and the Sword” Eye-Opener Spread
There is a line from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor where the braggart Pistol obliquely threatens Falstaff when the latter refuses to lend him money: "Why then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open" I figured this quote is a good inspiration for a spread aimed at exploring unknown territory that … Continue reading “The Oyster and the Sword” Eye-Opener Spread
An “Astrological Lemniscate” Problem-Solving Spread
I've become rather bored with the traditional 12-position astrological spread; it often turns into a case of too much information, to the point that you "can't see the forest for the trees." But I do believe a good deal of interpretive mileage can be gained from blending the active and passive natures of the twelve … Continue reading An “Astrological Lemniscate” Problem-Solving Spread
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 