Although this decision-making spread looks complicated, it is more so in its derivation than in its interpretation. At its simplest, it consists of four main elemental cards, each flanked by two modifiers, that represent active agents expressing the thrust of the energies in the matter of the reading. The title refers to the confluence of those energies … Continue reading The “Measure of the Moment” Spread
Tarot Techniques
Changing Gears
This is a reading about a setback and an opportunity. Our ongoing saga of relocating across the State to be closer to our granddaughter continues. A couple of months ago when we had two or three potential houses lined up for viewing, I did a reading that showed we would find a house but probably not … Continue reading Changing Gears
Tarology: Enrique Enriquez and the Tarot de Marseille
After watching the documentary Tarology, I've decided that - although I'm probably a quarter-century older than he is - I want to be Enrique Enriquez when I grow up. He finally gave me a sound rationale for why I've staunchly resisted applying esoteric symbols from Qabala and astrology to my study and practice of the Tarot … Continue reading Tarology: Enrique Enriquez and the Tarot de Marseille
For Lack of an Anchor . . .
In a recent Facebook dialogue we were talking about the practice of letting the cards in a spread "hijack" the reading, taking the story-line well away from the focus of the original question or topic. The usual scenario is "You asked about that but the cards are saying this, so let's go this way with the reading … Continue reading For Lack of an Anchor . . .
The “Evolving Question” Scenario
Since 1972 I've generally followed Eden Gray's advice about not asking my sitters to tell me their specific question or topic of interest in advance of a reading, instead letting the cards speak their piece with no subconscious "preconditioning" due to foreknowledge on my part. Sitters silently invest the cards with their inquiry during the shuffle and cut, and their reactions to my … Continue reading The “Evolving Question” Scenario
Mueller vs. Manafort: End Game
UPDATE: Manafort was convicted on 8 counts but the jury couldn't reach agreement on 10 others so the judge declared a mistrial. This aligns with the impression from the reading that he would be partially exonerated, although the government can still choose to retry him so it could amount to no more than a reprieve. https://www.wmur.com/article/paul-manafort/22739733 With … Continue reading Mueller vs. Manafort: End Game
The End of the World and the Major Arcana
This brief poem by Archibald MacLeish is also a candidate for "tarotization." It looks like a five-card trump sequence. Quite unexpectedly, as Vasserot The armless ambidextrian was lighting A match between his great and second toe This suggests the dexterous skill of the Magician. Call it "sleight-of-toe." And Ralph the lion was engaged in biting … Continue reading The End of the World and the Major Arcana
Kubla Khan and the Major Arcana
I've been having a lot of fun lately trying to marry popular song titles and lyrics to the images of the tarot by creating metaphorical links between them. I realized this morning that something similar should be do-able with the mystical poetry that forms part of the "Great Works" of traditional literature. I already used the "bloody but … Continue reading Kubla Khan and the Major Arcana
Tarot 101, My Way – Card Reading for Beginners
The first impression that newcomers to the tarot cards often receive, if they're serious about learning, is "These things are complicated" (and they would not be wrong). You aren't going to digest them at one sitting (or even 100, for that matter), you have to approach them as you would eating an elephant, one well-chewed … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Card Reading for Beginners
Tarot 101, My Way – The Minor Arcana
In my experience, the numbered suit cards of the tarot provide the "meat" of any reading aimed at examining the eventualities of day-to-day existence. The Waite-Smith deck and its ilk even have prosaic scenes on their Minor Arcana that suggest - for better or worse, as we shall see - ready-made narrative vignettes. One of the best ways to … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – The Minor Arcana
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 