AUTHOR'S NOTE: "You're missing half the fun" is one of my favorite rebuttals for those who avoid reading reversals because they find the practice unnecessary, inconvenient or confusing. (My title alludes to the old Doublemint gum commercial.) But, unless we deliberately ignore or suppress them as some do, they are going to dog us whenever … Continue reading Reading Reversals: “Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun”
Professional Tarot
“The Compleat Solarian” – A Lesson Learned
AUTHOR'S NOTE: File under "Every card has both positive and negative meanings." It is generally assumed that the Sun is an entirely favorable card that bodes no evil; even when reversed it suggests a "passing cloud" rather than a gloomy long-range forecast. But there is another way to look at it. I recently performed a … Continue reading “The Compleat Solarian” – A Lesson Learned
“Split-Level Tarot” – A Layered Approach to Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've touched on this subject in written form on several occasions in the past, but this time I'm illustrating it with an annotated image for a specific example, and also applying it to an unconventional analysis of the Tower card. (All cards shown are from the Thoth Tarot, copyright of US Games Systems … Continue reading “Split-Level Tarot” – A Layered Approach to Reading
The “Ace in the Hole” Developmental Arc Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This spread is intended to show the development of an opportunity along the most favorable elemental lines. The "Ace in the Hole" card is a wild card that is dealt face-down and then aligned with the most advantageous path when it is turned face-up. The idea is to build a five-card reading around … Continue reading The “Ace in the Hole” Developmental Arc Spread
Tarot Takes On Pascal’s Wager
AUTHOR'S NOTE: While in college I had a philosophy professor who was also an ordained minister with an open mind. He brought "Pascal's Wager" to our attention: all things considered, it's less risky to believe in the existence of a Supreme Being when there isn't one than to disbelieve when there is. In the first … Continue reading Tarot Takes On Pascal’s Wager
“A Little Magic”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yesterday I was visiting a friend who has limited knowledge of tarot but considerable curiosity, and I was explaining a theory that I believe summarizes one of the fundamental ways in which tarot-reading "works." I had offered to do free readings for him and his wife, and he expressed anxiety that he might … Continue reading “A Little Magic”
“It Don’t Come Easy” – The Friction of Reversal*
*With apologies to Ringo Starr for borrowing his song title. AUTHOR'S NOTE: While discussing the implications of reversal in Tarot Master-Class, Paul Fenton-Smith noted that the reversed Death card can express unwillingness to endure the metamorphosis that its upright orientation portends. He then added "You need to trust that sometimes life has a greater awareness … Continue reading “It Don’t Come Easy” – The Friction of Reversal*
A Comprehensive Wellness Assessment Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It is generally accepted in professional tarot circles that the cards should not be consulted for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes related to matters of health and wellness. However, in keeping with my belief that divination can be used to address any question as long as it is phrased with sufficient care, I see … Continue reading A Comprehensive Wellness Assessment Spread
Seeing and Saying: Transparency in Tarot Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I believe I'm speaking for the divination community as a whole when I say that the more experienced we become with our method of choice, the more often it seems that everything clicks and we can do no wrong in our insightful observations. Other times nothing that passes our lips comes out as … Continue reading Seeing and Saying: Transparency in Tarot Reading
Tarot Reading from Top to Bottom
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I tend to be thorough in my approach to divination, so when reading the cards "on the clock" in a professional setting I often have insufficient time to address more than the high points of the scenario and answer a few parting questions. This is the "tip of the iceberg" effect that disappears … Continue reading Tarot Reading from Top to Bottom
