I'm weary of hearing well-intentioned metaphysical mavens trumpet "There is no wrong way to read the tarot," which is usually appended with "Just do whatever you feel." I recently came across a quote from Aleister Crowley that I think is appropriate here: "There are only two operations possible in the Universe, Analysis and Synthesis. To … Continue reading “No Wrong Way” (But Maybe Better Ones)
Tarot Techniques
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
Topic Is King
I've been reading tarot cards for several decades now without needing to know in advance exactly what the sitter (querent, client, etc.) is seeking. Since discovering the idea in Eden Gray's book The Tarot Revealed, I've always felt that - beside offering total privacy unless the sitter chooses to breach it - such an unstructured … Continue reading Topic Is King
Tarot Trumps and Planetary Hours of Greatest Potential Impact
I just came across the notion of "day" readings and "night" readings that can supposedly exhibit different qualities. This reminded me that traditional astrology includes the concept of "planetary hours" that can be used for selecting the most favorable time to undertake any activity governed by one of the seven classical planets. From there it … Continue reading Tarot Trumps and Planetary Hours of Greatest Potential Impact
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 Celtic Cross and the “Penultimate” Timing Method
As any tarot reader knows, the venerable Celtic Cross (CC) layout includes two "future" positions: the "Near Future" that is the last card in the "cross" section and the "End of the Matter" (or long-range "Outcome") card at the top of the "staff" section. Although the general timing assumptions for these forecasts are built into … Continue reading The Celtic Cross and the “Penultimate” Timing Method
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 “Penultimate” Tarot Timing Method
PENULTIMATE: the last but one; second to last It's probably safe to say that every tarot reading performed in response to the question "What will happen?" has an initially unspoken postscript: "When will it happen?" It's equally true that the precise timing of future events with tarot cards is a tricky undertaking; many techniques have … Continue reading The “Penultimate” Tarot Timing Method
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
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 