To test this spread and its associated table, I performed an example reading using the Retro Thoth deck. I've been contemplating a business venture as a tarot reader for corporate management, so I chose the Knight of Wands as the "Heart of the Matter." On the "Affirmation" side of the spread, the Ace of Swords … Continue reading An “Affirmation and Negation” Life-Path Example Reading
Tarot Techniques
The Power of Yes and No
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
Intuition as “Awareness Practice”
I recently came across a fascinating passage in The Tao of Thoth that perfectly captures my quarrel with the widely-held belief that intuitive tarot reading unsupported by study is the optimum way to practice the art. (The author's martial-arts context here is that of looking for openings to exploit in an adversary's defense while at … Continue reading Intuition as “Awareness Practice”
Contemplate the Edges
Here is an ancient adage that we all know well: "There are two sides to every coin." But in my ongoing reading of The Tao of Thoth I was intrigued by the notion that it might be more fruitful to contemplate the edge of the coin that simultaneously divides and unites the obverse and reverse … Continue reading Contemplate the Edges
A “Yin-and-Yang” Seasonal Pattern
As I continue to explore the Taijii ("Yin/Yang") symbol in combination with the Major Arcana of the tarot, I downloaded an image and inserted the semi-annual solstices and equinoxes to create a four-season cyclical pattern showing the interplay between the dark of Yin and the light of Yang over the course of a year. I … Continue reading A “Yin-and-Yang” Seasonal Pattern
“Tao Jones and the Wages of Yin”
Copyright U.S. Games Systems, Stamford, CT Forgive my weakness for loopy "pop-culture" titles, but this one comes from a serious place. As I previously mentioned, I'm reading a fine book titled The Tao of Thoth and went online to look for an image of the Taijii ("Yin-Yang") symbol. I came up with one that showed … Continue reading “Tao Jones and the Wages of Yin”
“No Wrong Way” (But Maybe Better Ones)
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)
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
