This essay is both a synopsis and a further exploration of some of the ideas I covered more fully in my "TdM Thumbnail" series of posts. Those of us who spend a good deal of time "navel-gazing" (by which I mean, of course, contemplating "the world in a grain of sand" . . . or … Continue reading The “Innies” and the “Outies”
TdM Material
My Weekly Elements
Since I haven't been very diligent about doing my daily "element-and-number" draws as described in my previous post, I decided to do a seven-day look-ahead using the same technique. If I remember to do so, I will probably add day-to-day pulls to the series for additional insight about this longer-range projection. Overall, it looks like … Continue reading My Weekly Elements
The “Functional” Tarot de Marseille
I have long held that the elaborate set of esoteric correspondences for the tarot developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn has no place in divination with the Tarot de Marseille apart from classical suit-and-number theory (elemental and numerological associations that in their present form date back, respectively, to the Greek philosophers Empedocles … Continue reading The “Functional” Tarot de Marseille
A Tarot de Marseille Process Analysis
As I gain experience with it, I find that divination with the Tarot de Marseille (TdM) is best suited for providing a literal perspective (as with the Lenormand cards) rather than for the more symbolic, impressionistic approach used with most modern tarot decks. This is due primarily to their spare presentation that doesn't encourage much … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille Process Analysis
Weather or Not: An Event-Planning Spread
This spread serves two purposes: its more obvious aim is to forecast the likely weather conditions for a planned outdoor event or travel situation. Its more abstract objective is to serve as a data-collection tool for determining how effective prediction is with the cards. One of the chief weaknesses in cartomantic prognostication is that so … Continue reading Weather or Not: An Event-Planning Spread
A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: Ace of Coins
I consider the TdM Ace of Coins a "gambit" card (an action that is calculated to gain an advantage), one that entails some "grit" and requires getting one's hands dirty. The expression "dirt under the fingernails" gives an idea of how much hands-on engagement and self-reliance are required. It has no patience with the proverb … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: Ace of Coins
The Tarot de Marseille “Pips:” A Divinatory Tabulation
As a service to my readers, I decided to capture all of the divinatory "snippets" from my previous posts in a single document for ease of reference. Note that I went back and tweaked the keyword entries in my Swords overview essay to match this summary after receiving some excellent comments from Lee Bursten. This … Continue reading The Tarot de Marseille “Pips:” A Divinatory Tabulation
A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: Footnotes on the Suit of Coins
Because I commented on all of the Coins individually, I'm not going to do a detailed overview of them as I did for the rest. Unless I choose to develop my thoughts on the Ace of Coins or decide to amplify my brief cameos of the pips of the other suits at "book length" (and … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: Footnotes on the Suit of Coins
A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: 10 of Coins
In the TdM 10 of Coins, the "seed" shown in the 9 of Coins has gone straight to flower and the sheltering husk has dissolved. The flower now takes center stage and the converging triangles of the 5 of Coins have been driven apart by a blocking square, while the four leaves that were tightly … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille Thumbnail: 10 of Coins
A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: The Inspiring and Irritating Cups
Due to their liquid-bearing connotation, the Cups of the tarot have long been associated with the fluid, emotive side of life and the expression of both joy and the sorrow. The Tarot de Marseille "pip" cards strip this down to its bare essentials; all we see for the most part are suit emblems (chalices) and … Continue reading A Tarot de Marseille “Pips” Overview: The Inspiring and Irritating Cups
