AUTHOR'S NOTE: Over the past 15 year I've largely eliminated the use of a "significator" card to represent the client in my public readings after recognizing that it adds little or nothing to the story shown by the rest of the spread. But I've recently experienced an epiphany regarding the subject. When performing the initial … Continue reading Vetting the Significator
Professional Tarot
The Delusion of Perfection
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hate to say it, but far too many of the tarot readers I encounter online are convinced they've attained the pinnacle of tarot mastery and make sage pronouncements based on that assumption, when it's clear to this seasoned observer that they're still finding their way and may in fact be going in … Continue reading The Delusion of Perfection
Tarot Signals: Symbolic vs. Visionary Impressionism
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here I've set out to examine the differences between the two main modes of tarot interpretation: objective (or descriptive, akin to the way Lenormand cards are read) and subjective (or suggestive, which displays a more intuitive or psychic bias). A couple of years ago I was approached by a prospective client who wanted … Continue reading Tarot Signals: Symbolic vs. Visionary Impressionism
Hidden Things
AUTHOR'S NOTE: While it's true that reversal can skew the reader's assumptions about any tarot card and convey impressions that diverge markedly from its upright meaning (even though my own opinion is that the appearance of deviation is largely in the eye of the beholder who can't shake off the visual disorientation), here I want … Continue reading Hidden Things
“Who’s On Third?”
"Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third . . . "- from Who's On First? by Abbott and Costello AUTHOR'S NOTE: In online tarot discussions I often see novice readers asking for help with their efforts to guess the thoughts and feelings of an absent "third party" who is usually … Continue reading “Who’s On Third?”
Faking It in the Key of “T”
"Lovely bloke, but posing."- Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones commenting in 1986 on Elton John's lack of rock & roll authenticity. AUTHOR'S NOTE: In music there is what is known as a "fake book" that typically provides melody and chords but no written-out "parts" for each player. It is defined as "the minimal information … Continue reading Faking It in the Key of “T”
Tendencies, Trends and Probabilities: Three Modes of Realization in Tarot Prediction
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Before I dive into my subject, I should mention that I no longer use tarot for the purpose of psychological self-awareness and self-development after doing so for the better part of four decades. I decided beginning in 2011 that natal astrology (which I've also done since 1972) is a far better tool for … Continue reading Tendencies, Trends and Probabilities: Three Modes of Realization in Tarot Prediction
The 3 of Swords: Another Person’s Pain
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As an esoteric tarot-reader, my aim is to get "under the skin" of the imagery on any card to see if there is more substance hiding beneath the surface of popular opinion. This is nowhere more appropriate than with the Waite-Smith 3 of Swords and its interpretation (I would say misapprehension) as emotional … Continue reading The 3 of Swords: Another Person’s Pain
A Skeptic’s View of Mystical Pretenders
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was recently accused by someone in the online tarot community of being an elitist gatekeeper when I voiced my doubts about the mystical drivel that too often passes for professional guidance in the social-media marketplace. I'm too thick-skinned to feel the urge to wage war against those who take it upon themselves … Continue reading A Skeptic’s View of Mystical Pretenders
Point/Counterpoint: The Interplay of Cards in a Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Whenever the meaning of the "outcome" card in an online spread analysis is unclear, I expect to encounter advice from the community to "look at the rest of the cards in the reading for the answer." This is wise counsel since no single card operates in a vacuum when accompanied by one or … Continue reading Point/Counterpoint: The Interplay of Cards in a Reading
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 