I've seen more than a few online requests for advice and spread suggestions about communication with disembodied entities (spirit guides, ancestors, angelic powers, etc). My personal belief is that our access to such beings is channeled through the Astral Plane, with the inherent risk of self-deception and the psychological peril that traveling the Lunar path … Continue reading “Riddle Me This” – An Astral Exploration Spread
Tarot and Psychology
The Magician and “Imposter Syndrome”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sometimes the Magician gets a well-deserved "rap on the knuckles." In all his sly cleverness, the Magician can come across as insincere; there may be disarming assurances of proficiency or protestations of virtue where no such qualities exist. I'm reminded of the "Imposter Syndrome" in which we find ourselves in an uncomfortable position … Continue reading The Magician and “Imposter Syndrome”
Reversed Cards and “Night-Crawler Hunting”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This essay presents the second epiphany I've gained from my reading of the 19th Century French tarot book, The Grand Etteilla. Whenever I encounter reversed cards in a reading and determine that they should be handled in a psychological rather than a pragmatic way, I often treat them as showing where subjective "inner … Continue reading Reversed Cards and “Night-Crawler Hunting”
Celtic Cross – “The Right Tool For The Job”
As is probably obvious from the examples I've posted, I'm a big fan of the well-thought-out positional tarot spread. I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum from the "I never use formal spreads!" crowd and slightly to the conservative side of those who say they make unique spreads on-the-fly to suit the question or … Continue reading Celtic Cross – “The Right Tool For The Job”
“Fundamental” vs. “Derived” Divination
AUTHOR'S NOTE: These are just random thoughts prompted by my reaction to what I see as imprecise terminology. Take them for what they're worth. Recently I came across the notion (touted somewhat brashly as "divination for a new millennium") that there are two main types of divinatory insight: an innate approach (often viewed by its … Continue reading “Fundamental” vs. “Derived” Divination
The Long Shadow of Jung
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In retrospect, I probably should have titled this essay "Saving Tarot from Psychology" as mentioned in the last paragraph, but I decided to let the original title stand as more representative of the overall thrust. More to the point, I already have an earlier essay with that title. I'm greatly amused (I used … Continue reading The Long Shadow of Jung
The “Wrong Answer” Dilemma
Lately I've been frequenting the "r/tarot" sub-reddit forum since it is one of the more active public tarot platforms. What caught my eye is the regular appearance of posts that express dismay over the incorrect results of self-reading: "Why did the cards tell me this when exactly the opposite happened?" Most of these observations come … Continue reading The “Wrong Answer” Dilemma
An Experiment in “Symbolic Parallels”
Here is a 15-card spread that explores the notion that cards will complement one another according to the position they hold within the 78-card series, essentially creating pairs of "symbolic parallels." It is intended to show the querent's psychological orientation to the subject of the reading as it develops over time, from initial awareness to … Continue reading An Experiment in “Symbolic Parallels”
Do the “Loosen Up”
While writing my recent post about the the ability of the court cards to receive "inspiration and support from Above," I stumbled upon an epiphany that deserves further exploration. At the end of the essay I wrote: "I will continue to see tarot royalty as hobbled by their inability to “loosen up;” in practical reading … Continue reading Do the “Loosen Up”
Tarot as “Projection”
There is a common belief among those who dismiss tarot reading as a naive exercise in self-deception that the results are merely a fanciful "projection" of the seeker's fondest dreams or deepest fears, and that the agency of the cards cannot reliably come up with unbiased testimony about future circumstances. In my opinion, this argument … Continue reading Tarot as “Projection”
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 