Back in the '50s when people were marginally more genteel, there was an expression of disdainful dismissal that went "Go take a flying leap" (typically off a tall building), the objective being that the miscreant would not return. Where in the '70s we might have said "Go s**t in your hat" and today we get … Continue reading The “Flying Leap” Illness and Injury Risk Assessment Spread
Tarot Spreads
“The Oyster and the Sword” Eye-Opener Spread
There is a line from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor where the braggart Pistol obliquely threatens Falstaff when the latter refuses to lend him money: "Why then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword will open" I figured this quote is a good inspiration for a spread aimed at exploring unknown territory that … Continue reading “The Oyster and the Sword” Eye-Opener Spread
The “Friend in Need” Value-Added Spread
In working with a sitter who was very concerned about the plight of her best friend and was wondering what she could do to help. I realized that I don't have a spread to address this specific situation. So I created one. What I came up with includes an initial action/reaction scenario, a "willing and … Continue reading The “Friend in Need” Value-Added Spread
An “Astrological Lemniscate” Problem-Solving Spread
I've become rather bored with the traditional 12-position astrological spread; it often turns into a case of too much information, to the point that you "can't see the forest for the trees." But I do believe a good deal of interpretive mileage can be gained from blending the active and passive natures of the twelve … Continue reading An “Astrological Lemniscate” Problem-Solving Spread
The Tarot Gods Speak!
I've been having an interesting discussion with another tarot writer about the distinctions between the "esoteric" and "exoteric" branches of tarot practice. The former is commonly held to be the domain of serious study in occult symbolism and correspondences, while the latter is better suited to practical divination. Although I used the esoteric Thoth deck … Continue reading The Tarot Gods Speak!
Tarzan and Jane’s Sexual Adventure Spread
That title grabbed your attention, didn't it! A couple of years ago, someone on the Aeclectic Tarot forum asked point-blank in a reading exchange "Does X want to have sex with me?" After I got done laughing at the audacity, I realized that all of the hopeful, high-minded "friendship" spreads and the widespread curiosity over … Continue reading Tarzan and Jane’s Sexual Adventure Spread
Soul Train or Love Boat: A Life-Purpose Spread
Upon first entering wider society, young people (although they aren't as young at that point as they once were) are often at a loss as to what their life's purpose should be. This usually involves deciding which of two or three possible paths seems the most compelling at the time. I will normally use a … Continue reading Soul Train or Love Boat: A Life-Purpose Spread
The “No Guts, No Glory” Risk Analysis Spread
Sometimes you just "gotta do what you gotta do." This simple spread is designed to show the risk and payback potential of any chancy course of action. No detailed guidance is needed, the spread positions are self-explanatory. Either your idea is a good one or it isn't. The "Advice" card is the quintessence derived from … Continue reading The “No Guts, No Glory” Risk Analysis Spread
Tough Love: A Relationship Crisis Spread
There is a saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Although it is intended to mean that the tough knuckle down and battle on through to the end, when things get truly ugly the toughest option may be to pull up stakes and leave the situation. The main question is obviously "Should … Continue reading Tough Love: A Relationship Crisis Spread
The Pentagram of Air Spread
This is the last of my "Invoking Pentagram" spreads. It begins with an emotional urge to clarify one's thinking on a subject of interest (Water); crystallizes that impulse into workable ideas (Air); acts creatively on those thought-forms (Fire); addresses the ethical and moral implications of such actions (Spirit); and experiences the practical outfall of the … Continue reading The Pentagram of Air Spread
