AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've approached the topic of "subjective bias" in different ways over the years, most notably in my essay The Nature of the Evidence. In The Way of Tarot, Alejandro Jodorowsky observes that - despite vehement claims to the contrary - it is impossible for tarot readers to eliminate "projection" from their readings (that … Continue reading The Problem – and Power – of Projection
Only A Fool . . .
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here I've taken another stab at creating one of my quirky "pop-culture" tarot tableaux, this time marrying Brian Williams' sly PoMo Tarot to Steely Dan's equally sly lyrics in "Only A Fool Would Say That" from their first album. It looks like a "match made in heaven" to me because the PoMo Tarot … Continue reading Only A Fool . . .
Deconstructing the Quintessence Calculation
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Although I have always preferred to perform the "quintessence" calculation in a way that rolls up the numerical values of all the cards on the table (including the court cards) to generate a single trump card as a condensed overview of the situation and the outcome, I have in the past "parceled out" … Continue reading Deconstructing the Quintessence Calculation
Why Healing?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Once again, while reading the tarot literature I've encountered the opinion that the Temperance card relates to "healing." I've unloaded on this notion in the past, but I've had a few more insights since then. The premise that there must be a "healing" card among the tarot trumps presumes that the other cards … Continue reading Why Healing?
Dynamic Tarot Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This certainly isn't the only way to read the tarot cards with deftness and fluency, but it came to mind while I was contemplating the raised sword in the right hand of Justice as "barring the way" of the card to the reader's left, seemingly fending off a past that is trying to … Continue reading Dynamic Tarot Reading
Tarot and Transits: Energizing the Chaldean Decans
"These are the daysWhen you wish your bed was already made"from Manic Monday by The Bangles AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sounds like The Bangles needed a tarot-reader or an astrologer, not a housekeeper and a day-planner. Or maybe both. I'm here to help. In the past I spent a good deal of time correlating all of the … Continue reading Tarot and Transits: Energizing the Chaldean Decans
Releasing The “Daemon*”
*Daemon (n): originally a lesser divinity or spirit; the word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European daimon, meaning "provider, divider (of fortunes or destinies). AUTHOR'S NOTE: I vaguely remember an old animated cartoon that portrays one of the genre's iconic characters (I think it was Daffy Duck but it could have been Donald; others may recall … Continue reading Releasing The “Daemon*”
“This Is The Way:” A “Middle-Ground” Approach to Life-Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm always looking for new ways to bring elemental attributes into tarot spread creation. This experimental layout uses both elemental attunement and midpoint numerology to arrive at an adjusted conclusion that does not end with a lopsided "best case" or "worst case" outlook but rather a compromise position that should ideally be more … Continue reading “This Is The Way:” A “Middle-Ground” Approach to Life-Reading
Reflections on Rephrasing and Repositioning
It's fair to say that many (if not most) seekers who are moved to pay for a tarot reading are dealing with anxiety (or at least unsettling reservations) about whether some action they are contemplating or some situation they're confronting will work out as desired. While it's also understandable that they want an unambiguous "Yes-or-No" … Continue reading Reflections on Rephrasing and Repositioning
A “Fork in the Road” Supplemental Outcome Spread
As a rule, I have no use for "clarifying" cards since I think they can encourage laziness in not trying very hard to get our head around the original pull if we don't like it or can't immediately understand it. (My motto in this regard is "More is not necessarily better.") But sometimes I will … Continue reading A “Fork in the Road” Supplemental Outcome Spread
