The members of the Cups court are the "emoters" of tarot royalty; I would have said "feelers," but it's too passive a word for the more assertive side of elemental Water (and it seems a little too tritely mystical in a "New-Age-y" way). They may choose to keep their feelings to themselves but are just as likely to … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Cups Court
Esoteric
Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Wands Court
The members of the Wands court are the "doers" of tarot royalty. In business settings they personify the risk-taking entrepreneurs and adventurers, in social terms the "movers and shakers" who can be more style than substance. They symbolize the human qualities of ambition, enthusiasm, enterprise, initiative, inspiration, excitement, boldness, opportunism - in short, just about any attribute that embraces vigorous and spirited … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Wands Court
Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: A Brief Introduction
Any detailed examination of the tarot court cards will inevitably encounter the confusion surrounding the different titles given to the cards over their 600-year history. In early decks like the Tarot de Marseille, it was transparent: the cards showed the members of a medieval royal hierarchy. The Kings were seated on thrones, variously bearded and suitably august in … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: A Brief Introduction
A Moment’s Reflection
I have now completed my detailed instructional material for the cards of the Major Arcana. In going back over it, I realized just how much of a personal connection I've made with them over the last four decades, and how seriously I've taken Aleister Crowley's advice to heart regarding the best approach to the cards: … Continue reading A Moment’s Reflection
Kubla Khan and the Major Arcana
I've been having a lot of fun lately trying to marry popular song titles and lyrics to the images of the tarot by creating metaphorical links between them. I realized this morning that something similar should be do-able with the mystical poetry that forms part of the "Great Works" of traditional literature. I already used the "bloody but … Continue reading Kubla Khan and the Major Arcana
Who Killed Eric? – A “Whodunit” Reading
On September 19, 2009, the body of 33-year-old Eric Fitting of Fall River, MA was found in the woods off Route 124 in Sharon. NH. His death was ruled a homicide but no charges have ever been filed. https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-unsolved-case-file-eric-fitting/22617614 Two critical pieces of information are missing from media reports that make it difficult to assess … Continue reading Who Killed Eric? – A “Whodunit” Reading
“Head ‘Em Off At The Pass” – A Decision-Making Spread
Here is a complex. multi-input spread that is intended to be used at the "brainstorming" stage of any important initiative, either personal or professional. It takes its inspiration from the "fishbone" (or "Ishikawa") diagram used in root-cause analysis but instead focuses on developmental insights rather than forensic ones; my working title for the spread was "The Dancing Flounder," but then I … Continue reading “Head ‘Em Off At The Pass” – A Decision-Making Spread
A “Hidden Agenda” Example Reading
This is a test reading for the developmental insight spread I just posted this morning. The scenario addresses our ongoing initiative to sell our current residence; if you've been following this blog you will have seen previous posts on the subject. I used the Tabula Mundi Colores Arcus deck, with reversals. All images © 2015 M.M. Meleen The "index" card … Continue reading A “Hidden Agenda” Example Reading
The “Light and Shadow” RWS Storyboard
This is the third of my "storyboard" examinations of the Minor Arcana cards of the Waite-Smith (aka RWS) tarot. The suit of Swords is unquestionably the least encouraging of the set since any light it emits is muted and often fades into gloom, so the title of this post may be somewhat optimistic. Swords encompass the realm … Continue reading The “Light and Shadow” RWS Storyboard
The Sagittarian Conundrum
Sagittarius is described in the literature of astrology as a high-minded philosophical and religious sign (along with its associated 9th-House placement in the "natural" zodiac, although traditional astrologers tell us signs and houses have nothing to do with one another); it is the province of academics and clerics and the most abstract and "temperate" of … Continue reading The Sagittarian Conundrum
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 