I'm fond of saying that I much prefer face-to-face sessions to online tarot reading and have written a number of essays about it in the past, but I haven't fully explained why I feel that way. Obviously, it's about the stimulus of spoken communication and the need to think on my feet as I do … Continue reading A Storyteller’s Perspective
Tarot Opinion
A Glut of Garbage?
I've written in the past that there seems to be a veritable tsunami of mediocre tarot and oracle decks entering the market, most likely due to the ease of self-publishing and the impression that "anyone can be an artist" (aka "It's so simple a caveman could do it"). Now I notice on the Tarot Marketplace … Continue reading A Glut of Garbage?
“The Initial Sweep of the Divinatory Eye”
While reading an Amazon review of the gold-enhanced, 78-card Oswald Wirth deck (which I had been thinking of buying but now I'm not so sure), I happened upon the phrase "the initial sweep of the divinatory eye" in a criticism of the uninspired non-Wirth pip cards that drag this deck down. The author noted that … Continue reading “The Initial Sweep of the Divinatory Eye”
Tarot Reading and “Psychic Vampirism”
As it frequently does, the subject of defending oneself against negative influences while reading the cards for other people came up again on one of the Facebook tarot pages. I usually approach this perceived vulnerability as Astral Plane intrusion (think "Ouija board") but it is even more likely to come from the person across the … Continue reading Tarot Reading and “Psychic Vampirism”
For What It’s Worth
In my book Tarot Hermetica, I made the following observation about the use of esoteric principles and practices in tarot reading: "Recent years have seen a groundswell of resistance to the theories of esoteric interpretation formulated by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and its chief architect, Samuel Liddell “MacGregor” Mathers, at the end … Continue reading For What It’s Worth
An Embarrassment of Riches (or Not)
I've been exploring the Facebook "Tarot Marketplace" since I've been shilling for my two recent EBooks, and noticed just how many tarot decks have been published over the past few years and are now being sold off by their unimpressed buyers. The very existence of some of them is a mystery since I can't imagine … Continue reading An Embarrassment of Riches (or Not)
A Matter of Style and Substance
I enjoyed a long, productive career as a technical and legal writer, generating text to be read by a range of intelligent and talented people, from technicians to engineers to managers to government functionaries. Cultivating precision, clarity and economy in writing style was uppermost in importance. But my first love, derived from many hours spent … Continue reading A Matter of Style and Substance
“Woo” Are You?
Excuse the rather clumsy allusion to The Who's song; it was the first thing that came to mind that would work as one of my trademark quirky titles. Although I've been involved with natal astrology, tarot and other esoteric practices since 1972, I had never heard the expression "woo-woo" until I joined the Aeclectic Tarot … Continue reading “Woo” Are You?
“The Kettle’s On Boil!”
I've written in the past with curmudgeonly intent about the practice of adding "clarifers" (extra cards) to a positional spread when the meaning of the original cards is unclear, as if that is going to brighten the waters instead of muddy them further. In my opinion, an artist with too many colors on the palette … Continue reading “The Kettle’s On Boil!”
The Fun Factor
Let's be honest. As solemn as we can be about our sacred mission of helping people with our divining skills, reading the tarot cards for others can be just plain fun! Ideally, my sitters will get enjoyment as well as useful insights out of the experience, so I hope the pleasure is mutual (unless they're … Continue reading The Fun Factor
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 