I continue to draw valuable insights from The Tao of Thoth. Most recently, the author described "negation" as often being a more appropriate response to circumstances than "affirmation." The observation seems to be rooted in the martial-arts principle that negating (refusing) an opponent's aggressive opening can be a more productive counter-move than directly exerting the … Continue reading The Power of Yes and No
Tarot Spreads
The “Anatomy of Affirmation” Self-Actualization Spread and Example Reading
I created a self-actualization spread for rational/emotional self-work that uses a pre-selected trump card as its focus, and the idea of contrasting "hard" (rational) and "soft" (emotional) approaches with Elemental Dignities as the main determinant. I also included a tenth card under the middle "Full Face" position and called it "The Back of the Head" … Continue reading The “Anatomy of Affirmation” Self-Actualization Spread and Example Reading
The “Khayyam’s Dialectic” Spiritual Alignment Spread
As a lover of both classical poetry and metaphysical theorizing, I have long adored (not a word I use often or lightly) the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It's full of elegant verse and philosophical profundity (and the joy of wine). I decided to use it as the basis for a tarot spread aimed at the … Continue reading The “Khayyam’s Dialectic” Spiritual Alignment Spread
The “Road to Shambala” Self-Development Spread
"How does your light shineIn the halls of Shambala"Danny Moore, songwriter At its most basic, the tarot is a metaphysical tool (and art) of self-discovery and advancement in both a psychological and situational/motivational sense. I just picked up a quote from The Tao of Thoth that sums up this objective quite neatly: "You have to … Continue reading The “Road to Shambala” Self-Development Spread
Random Thoughts on the Celtic Cross Spread
Among the curiosities that Waite-Smith tarot neophytes will discover upon their first encounter with Arthur Edward Waite's "Ancient Celtic Method" (aka Celtic Cross or "CC") are the rather quaint subtitles he gave to most of the positions in the spread. I thought I would take some time to weigh in on my own experience with … Continue reading Random Thoughts on the Celtic Cross Spread
The Virtue of Simplicity: Redrawing the Celtic Cross
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I updated the text and graphic to clarify a couple of things. (I knew what I wanted to say but didn't quite say it.) The Celtic Cross spread is an entrenched tradition among tarot readers, but it is one many people (especially younger enthusiasts) "love to hate" due to its ungainly complexity (too … Continue reading The Virtue of Simplicity: Redrawing the Celtic Cross
The “Personality Plus” Character Analysis Spread
Here is a spread that builds on the standard four-factor identity model by allowing for an "unfolding" or "flowering" of the basic personality snapshot into multi-faceted fullness stimulated by elemental interaction between the cards pulled and the underlying "state of being" reflected in each "phase:" Fire and Wands represent the Will (including primary drives, urges … Continue reading The “Personality Plus” Character Analysis Spread
Health Readings: A Psychosomatic View
Psychosomatic: (literally, mind [psyche] and body [soma] "willing to perform" [matos]); an adjective describing a physical illness or other condition caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress. In tarot circles it's generally acknowledged that attempting to divine someone's future medical condition in a diagnostic way is professionally and personally … Continue reading Health Readings: A Psychosomatic View
A “Weekly Tone/Daily Tone” Example Reading
To test my new weekly/daily forecast spread, I used my Retro Thoth deck to perform a seven-day reading for the current week beginning Monday, February 21, 2022. I permitted reversals, but in this spread they merely represent a less evident expression of the upright influence. I'm getting good mileage out of the minor and court … Continue reading A “Weekly Tone/Daily Tone” Example Reading
A Creative Approach to Weekly and Daily Draws
A common practice recommended to tarot beginners is to randomly pull one card each day and contemplate its meaning over the course of that day, with the goal of gradually mastering the complex art of interpretation. Unfortunately, this approach to learning can continue long after its initial usefulness fades; the "daily draw" becomes institutionalized and … Continue reading A Creative Approach to Weekly and Daily Draws
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 