AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is another interesting observation from Alejandro Jodorowsky's The Way of Tarot. In it he notes that, when a "pip" card of the Tarot de Marseille exhibits a red dot or figurative "eye," the symbol represents an "active (that is, actively involved) witness" to the action signified by the card. This idea inspired … Continue reading The “Active Witness” and the Minor Arcana
Tarot Theory
The Sixes as “Solar Centerpiece”
I recently reconnected with an idea I had forgotten about from my previous studies: adding together the integers of certain sets of three consecutive numbers from One to Nine (and, if necessary, refining the sum through "Theosophical reduction") will always yield the number Six. The same is true of the double-digit trump cards, and actually … Continue reading The Sixes as “Solar Centerpiece”
The Court Cards as “Decimal Equivalents”
I've been working with the concept of "Theosophical reduction" (adding together and reducing the digits of a composite number to produce a simple, one-factor sum) for so long that I've been more than a little skeptical of Alejandro Jodorowsky's notion of "decimal equivalency" between the double-digit and single-digit cards of the Major Arcana. His premise … Continue reading The Court Cards as “Decimal Equivalents”
The Overturned Cups: Half Full or Half Empty?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: There is a wonderful metaphor that speaks directly to our attitude about life's occasional downturns and hints at whether we are naturally optimistic or pessimistic in our outlook: "Is the glass half full or half empty?" As a lifelong skeptic, my first thought when confronted with this conundrum is "What's in the glass?" … Continue reading The Overturned Cups: Half Full or Half Empty?
“Blocked Energies” in a Tarot Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Some mornings I wake up with an idea in my head for a blog post. This was just such a morning. One of the assumptions we often make as tarot readers is that the energy of a reading can be "blocked" in its usual mode of expression. This occurs most commonly as one … Continue reading “Blocked Energies” in a Tarot Reading
The “Future Present” Celtic Cross Reading
I recently did a Celtic Cross reading about potential changes in my experience of an ongoing matter a year or more from now. In doing so, I realized that the normal timeline of the "cross" section didn't make any sense. The top position of the six-card cross in my standard spread design represents the "Present," … Continue reading The “Future Present” Celtic Cross Reading
A “Point-Counterpoint” Situational Awareness Spread
Here is an evolved situational awareness spread that is designed around the diurnal path of the Sun, from emerging conscious awareness of "outer" developments (Dawn) to entirely subconscious perception of the "inner landscape" of the matter (Midnight), accompanied at each step by an "intuitive" adjustment that serves as "counterpoint" to the main thrust of the … Continue reading A “Point-Counterpoint” Situational Awareness Spread
Aces As “Regressive” Outcome
I recently came across mention on one of the tarot web sites that some readers consider an Ace in the "outcome" or "end of the matter" position of a reading as meaning that the situation will not progress and will instead remain stuck in an early stage of its development. I can see how this … Continue reading Aces As “Regressive” Outcome
The Major Arcana As “Therapeutic Insights”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: While working on my "Cards for Surgery" essay I originally planned to mention the therapeutic portent of the other Major Arcana outside the scope of surgical intrusion, but decided it really should be a separate subject. Within the context of a reading, these observations should be taken as self-help suggestions warranting thoughtful review … Continue reading The Major Arcana As “Therapeutic Insights”
“Wellness” Readings vs. “Illness” Readings: Innocent Until Proven Guilty
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As I continue to explore the premise that certain cards can convey hints of therapeutic insight when it comes to health-related matters, I decided it would be a good idea to restate my case for the performance of readings in these controversial and risky areas. There is an unwritten rule among tarot professionals … Continue reading “Wellness” Readings vs. “Illness” Readings: Innocent Until Proven Guilty
