As the result of an ongoing Facebook discussion, I've been solidifying my opinion of the tarot Eights as an expression of anxiety. This appears clearly in two of the RWS cards but is less obvious in the other two. Although I'm not well-versed in it, my understanding is that conventional numerology treats Eight as a "power" number, and in exoteric tarot … Continue reading The Eights and Anxiety
Learning
The End (By Any Other Name)
The "outcome" card has been a formal fixture in tarot spreads at least since the time of Arthur Edward Waite, and much earlier in cartomantic practice. The "Gypsy fortune-teller" was expected to deliver an answer, an informative guide to a specific destination and not just an uneventful trip report. Since the 1970s, divination has been crowded into the … Continue reading The End (By Any Other Name)
A “Boxcar Shuffle” Example Reading: Hurricane Florence
My daughter lives in Wilmington, NC, directly in the path of Hurricane Florence as I write this. I applied this spread to examine her situation over the next few days, using the Thoth deck with reversals. All images copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT The "emerging" story-line reads as follows: The Root of the Matter: … Continue reading A “Boxcar Shuffle” Example Reading: Hurricane Florence
Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Fours
The number Four expresses stability that is the result of entrenched inertia rather than the dynamic tension that steadies the Two; it is the initial fulfillment of the promise of the Ace, and presages the final state of completion in the Ten. Pythagoras observed that the power of the Ten lies within the Four because summing the numbers from One to Four (1+2+3+4) produces … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Fours
Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Threes
In esoteric number theory, the Three represents growth, progress and opportunity. Geometrically, it is symbolized by the triangle, the third point of which provides a new perspective by mediating between the other two; thus, "understanding" is also indicated. Another thought is that it implies "getting off the treadmill" implied by the cyclical motion of the Two and … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Threes
Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Twos
The number Two represents the Line in Pythagorean number theory; it is the original Point "in extension," which in theory is infinite but in practice joins Point A to Point B. It cycles from one extreme to the other in an oscillating or reciprocal fashion that is symbolized by the swing of a pendulum, briefly … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Twos
Tarology: Enrique Enriquez and the Tarot de Marseille
After watching the documentary Tarology, I've decided that - although I'm probably a quarter-century older than he is - I want to be Enrique Enriquez when I grow up. He finally gave me a sound rationale for why I've staunchly resisted applying esoteric symbols from Qabala and astrology to my study and practice of the Tarot … Continue reading Tarology: Enrique Enriquez and the Tarot de Marseille
Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Aces
There is a common assumption that the Aces represent a new beginning, the first step in any activity; but they more properly convey the urge to take that step rather than its execution. They carry the potential energy of a suit up to the point of "pulling the trigger" on its promise of action. In … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Aces
Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: An Overview
Any discussion of the Minor Arcana - or "pip" cards in traditional terms - must start with a discussion of numbers. Before there were tarot cards with illustrated scenes, the familiar "small" cards bore only suit emblems in the appropriate quantity, along with a few decorative details. These rather mute cards are still the bane of … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: An Overview
Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Pentacles Court
The members of the Pentacles court (also called Disks or Coins depending on the deck) are the "planners" of tarot royalty. They are for the most part orderly and regular, not prone to flights of fancy and wasted motion (or for that matter, emotion). Give them a set of rules and they will follow it … Continue reading Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Pentacles Court
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 