AUTHOR'S NOTE: In his book Real Magic, Dean Radin introduced me to the idea of "time running backward" and its corollary, "retrocausation," in which the future reaches back into the present and shapes current circumstances to align with its long-range outlook. I covered this in my previous essay "Predisposition in Tarot Reading," and here I'm … Continue reading The Conditional Future: A “Retrocausation” Spread
Tarot Readings
A “Week Ahead” Forecast: Active and Passive Days
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I seldom perform single-card daily draws but they do have a place in the seven-card weekly reading to show how the period might trend. Here I've added the idea of "active" and "passive" days that adjust the energy level delivered by the cards. This is another mixed-media spread that employs tarot cards and … Continue reading A “Week Ahead” Forecast: Active and Passive Days
A Timing Prediction with Tarot, Dominoes and Pendulum
AUTHOR'S NOTE: An acquaintance of mine who is pregnant and due to deliver on or about July 30 asked me to do a reading to predict whether the baby will arrive on-time. I decided to pose the question three ways: will the event occur within one week, two weeks or three weeks on either side … Continue reading A Timing Prediction with Tarot, Dominoes and Pendulum
Leaving the Treadmill: Separation, Compensation and Neutralization
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In its lengthy dissertation on the reciprocal "separating and compensating" action of a swinging pendulum as envisioned in Hermetic thought, The Kybalion observes that it is the goal of an aspiring master to "get off the treadmill" (my own phrase for it) by rising above the mindless tide of repetition and refusing to … Continue reading Leaving the Treadmill: Separation, Compensation and Neutralization
Statement of Intent: A Mixed-Media Social Orientation Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: When we've met or are about to meet someone new, regardless of the circumstances under which it occurs, it's useful to obtain a heads-up about the person's likely social orientation and distinctive habits, particularly if we have no other source of information about them (such as a mutual friend or associate). For example, … Continue reading Statement of Intent: A Mixed-Media Social Orientation Spread
A “User Profile” Spread and Table: Stalking the Wild Sociopath
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In a recent post I explored the subject of "using" and "being used" in a socially-manipulative way. Here I'm making good on two "oh-by-the-way" suggestions I made in that essay. One was to create a spread to examine the social priorities of a target individual (or entity) and the other was to bin … Continue reading A “User Profile” Spread and Table: Stalking the Wild Sociopath
The Pros, The Cons and The Reality: An Opportunity and Challenge Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is a another "best-case/worst-case" decision-making spread that includes a "reality check" card intended to mediate between the two and serve as the resolution of the matter. The "A" cards represent the "Opportunity" arc in three phases, while the "B"cards show the "Challenge" arc, also in three phases. These cards are to be … Continue reading The Pros, The Cons and The Reality: An Opportunity and Challenge Spread
Sun and Clouds: The Variable Tarot Forecast
"May you live in interesting times."- Ancient Chinese curse AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's a common belief among tarot professionals that every prophecy must end on an encouraging note for reasons of "client empowerment." I'm not one of those since strength of character can emerge from bad tidings as readily as from good ones. It's a matter … Continue reading Sun and Clouds: The Variable Tarot Forecast
“Checking Out” – Is It in the Cards?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's a foregone conclusion among modern diviners that attempting to predict someone's death is a forbidden topic from both an ethical and legal standpoint. But it wasn't always so. Historically, astrologers - particularly horary practitioners - routinely forecast the "time of decumbiture" at which an ailing individual retired to his or her bed, … Continue reading “Checking Out” – Is It in the Cards?
Lunar Month Look-Ahead, April-May, 2026
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I haven't done one of these in quite a while. These readings are normally based on the titles for the eight lunar sub-phases from astrologer Dane Rudhyar's Lunation Cycle, but this time I'm using astronomical notation. Each sub-phase lasts approximately 3.5 days. There are no other position meanings, it is mainly a timing … Continue reading Lunar Month Look-Ahead, April-May, 2026
