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
Revisiting the Tirage en Croix: “Hold the Woo!”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The excellent tirage en croix (aka "French Cross") spread originated in Continental Europe and it offers an ideal alternative to the modern three-card and five-card line. It is a straightforward predictive layout that I understand was developed by Swiss occultist Oswald Wirth. I recently came across a description of it on the r/tarot … Continue reading Revisiting the Tirage en Croix: “Hold the Woo!”
The Predictive “Coddiwomple”*
*To travel purposely toward an as-yet unknown destination. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm indebted to my online friend Dianne DeMarco for this bit of whimsy. I can't think of a more accurate (or more peculiar) way to describe the act of diligently pursuing the advice of a tarot reading for the purpose of unlocking its uncertain promise. … Continue reading The Predictive “Coddiwomple”*
An “Alternate Outcome” Example Reading
AUTHOR'S NOTE: To test the spread I posted recently, I decided to ask what the long-term prognosis is for my general well-being (at my age it becomes increasingly relevant) without trying to be specific about health matters. I used Pat Zalewski's Magical Tarot of the Golden Dawn, and did not apply reversals. I find the … Continue reading An “Alternate Outcome” Example Reading
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?”)
“Alternate Outcome” Developmental Timeline Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is another mixed-media spread that uses cards and dice. It is intended as a longer-range alternative to the Celtic Cross that offers a similar event timeline and "advice" mode while providing for two alternate "end of the matter" cards. I've been having an online conversation regarding the premise that "now" is the … Continue reading “Alternate Outcome” Developmental Timeline Spread
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”
The Five-Beat Measure: A Tarot-Reading Prep Routine
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bear with me here, this moves quickly from subconscious meditation to the utilitarian aspects of cartomancy and should be worth your time. It is, however, aimed at professional diviners and won't be understood or appreciated by dabblers in the "pop metaphysics" of online tarot reading. I had a dream recently where I encountered … Continue reading The Five-Beat Measure: A Tarot-Reading Prep Routine
The Solitary Way
"Who has vocation hears the voice of the inner man; he is called." - Carl Gustav Jung AUTHOR'S NOTE: In recent years I haven't been much of a "joiner" since I usually find both the quality and the availability of the communal experience to be lacking. This wasn't always the case, since at one time … Continue reading The Solitary Way
Lenormand at the Crossroads
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Despite the suggestive title, this essay is not a commentary on the "state of the art." It merely describes a creative way of using Lenormand for decision-making. I often encounter the opinion that reading "line" spreads of any length with the Lenormand cards is the least effective way to approach a complex question … Continue reading Lenormand at the Crossroads
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 