AUTHOR'S NOTE: I just came across a radical departure from the typical "Fool's Journey" motif for the Major Arcana that I find intriguing since it relies on the hierarchy of elements shown in the four "magical implements" of the Magician. This led me to a related topic: whether the cards pulled for a spread can … Continue reading Scattered Elements
Tarot Theory
Last Waltz: The Universe and Beyond
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The World card of the tarot (aka "the Universe" in the Thoth and other esoteric decks) prompts endless questions from beginners who are not yet versed in its symbolism. Is it in fact a "good" card that portends success for the seeker because it displays a dancing woman who seems serene and utterly … Continue reading Last Waltz: The Universe and Beyond
“Who’s Got the Button?” – Abusing the Privilege
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was away from the public tarot scene for an extended period near the end of the last century, and when I returned in the middle of the online reading frenzy I was amazed at how many people won't take "No" for an answer even when the Universe is telling them point-blank "I … Continue reading “Who’s Got the Button?” – Abusing the Privilege
Modern Planets on the Chaldean Zodiac
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is another jolt of revisionist heresy. While some occult authorities have attempted to place the three modern planets of astrology, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, on the Tree of Life, I'm not aware that any have tried to fit them into the Chaldean zodiac (as used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden … Continue reading Modern Planets on the Chaldean Zodiac
Rethinking the Chaldean Court
AUTHOR'S NOTE: During a recent online conversation, a question was raised about the reasons for the Golden Dawn's arrangement of the court cards on the Chaldean zodiac. I had a plausible answer for the Princesses: basically there was no place else to put them in the grand scheme, so the GD came up with a … Continue reading Rethinking the Chaldean Court
Percolating Insights: Reversed Cards in the Celtic Cross Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I recently had occasion to present my view that any reversed card in a spread could be inferred as having a "Hanged-Man moment" in that it requires bringing an inverted perspective to bear on our assessment of the energy involved. Its mode of arrival is redirected along occluded channels that may be subconscious … Continue reading Percolating Insights: Reversed Cards in the Celtic Cross Reading
“Teach It To Talk”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: These four words jumped out at me from Sallie Nichols' text in Tarot and the Archetypal Journey as a perfect summary of how we must engage with the tarot if we're going to get the most out of its metaphysical abstractions. Tarot is a language but it isn't necessarily one with which we're … Continue reading “Teach It To Talk”
The “Roll Your Own” Tarot Scenario
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It is a bone of contention among tarot practitioners whether the "past" positions in timeline spreads add any value to a reading. We already know where we've been, do we really need the cards to legitimize our experience or try to dissuade us of its validity? (However, I do recognize that they can … Continue reading The “Roll Your Own” Tarot Scenario
The True Power of Prediction (or “How’s the Weather?”)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: (tl;dr*) Tarot prediction is like "metaphysical weather forecasting." It can hint at the trending environment or atmosphere of future circumstances but not tell you the hour-by-hour conditions at the time of arrival. It's up to you to bring the metaphorical sunscreen or umbrella. In a certain segment of the tarot community there is … Continue reading The True Power of Prediction (or “How’s the Weather?”)
Keyword Reliance and “Projectile Spin”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: A question was recently asked online about whether it is appropriate to place keywords on the tarot cards as an aid to interpretation. While most of the responses were kind enough to advise "Do what you must to make it work," at least one person felt that this action stifles creative thought by … Continue reading Keyword Reliance and “Projectile Spin”
