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
Tarot Techniques
Where Is Celia? – A Missing-Person Reading
UPDATE: It has been reported that Celia was found "safe in New York." There was no detail regarding where she was found, how she got there or whether she was aided in any way. This has the earmarks of an "assisted runaway" scenario, but we will probably never know. Case closed for now. Fifteen-year-old Celia … Continue reading Where Is Celia? – A Missing-Person Reading
Journals, Good Intentions and the Road to Hell
The aphorism I'm referring to in the title is "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," to which, in the present context, I would append ". . . and littered with musty old tarot journals." It's a given that modern writers on "how to learn the tarot" will unanimously recommend that new students … Continue reading Journals, Good Intentions and the Road to Hell
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
The Pentagram of Water Spread
The third iteration in my series of "Invoking Pentagram" spreads is focused on interpersonal relationships of all kinds: building, maintaining and repairing them. It begins with the "ideal" of harmonious communion (the Air position), moves toward emotional fulfillment (Water), and plays out in pragmatic (Earth), moral (Spirit) and self-actualizing ways (Fire). It is intended to … Continue reading The Pentagram of Water Spread
The Pentagram of Fire Spread
Here is the second product of my exploration of the Golden Dawn's Invoking Pentagrams as a source of insight from an elemental perspective. The goal of this one is to examine the developmental potential arising from one's enterprise and initiative, whether in starting a business, finding a new job or embarking on any creative endeavor. … Continue reading The Pentagram of Fire Spread
Elemental Pentagram Spreads
The 5-card Pentagram Spread is a time-honored layout that is almost as prevalent as the line spread. But I have always felt that something is lacking in its construction, principally in the sequencing of the cards as commonly practiced. Many readers start with Card #1 at the upper point of the diagram, others work from … Continue reading Elemental Pentagram Spreads
Another Missing Tyler
Sixteen-year-old Tyler Christensen went missing from the Edmonds, Washington area on April 19, 2016 and hasn't been heard from in over two years. I decided to subject this cold case to my "Train to Nowhere" missing-person spread. I used the Thoth deck and chose the Princess/Page/ Knave of Wands as Significator based on his youth … Continue reading Another Missing Tyler
The Twos and the Sword of Damocles
The analogy I'm attempting here may be too much of a stretch even for me, but let's see where it takes us. Damocles was a courtier to King Dionysius II, 4th Century BC ruler of Syracuse. He was the classic "Man Who Would Be King," envious of the tyrant's power and glory. His thinking would … Continue reading The Twos and the Sword of Damocles
Numerological Counterparts: “Pips-as-Trumps” Revisited
Although I posted my original thoughts on this subject some time ago, I have since come across further discussion in the literature on the concept of numerological counterparts for the trump cards, both within the 22-card major series and among the 40-card minor population. This model was first proposed as a way to make sense … Continue reading Numerological Counterparts: “Pips-as-Trumps” Revisited
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 