For this post I'm putting a slight twist on the words of Bob Dylan from the song Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues: "When your gravity fails and positivity don't pull you through." Although it seldom happens to me after a long lifetime spent with the tarot, I frequently encounter the lament of novice (and even … Continue reading “When Your Gravity Fails”
Learning
Pretzel Logic
I see so many tarot spreads invoking the "What do I need to know/What should I do/What should I avoid doing?" dynamic that I'm beginning to think that, in the eyes of the typical reader, no other paths are worthy of exploration. Certainly such an approach is effective in a utilitarian way, since it's undeniable … Continue reading Pretzel Logic
“Unto the Breach” Problem-Solving Spread
Most personal-problem scenarios reach a point where things "come to a boil;" we have gained some momentum toward resolution but the opposition is entrenched, so a pitched battle ensues (even if the conflict is only within our own psyche). Some kind of "breach" has to be found (or made) in the wall of resistance that … Continue reading “Unto the Breach” Problem-Solving Spread
“Knights’ Crossing” – The Marginal Significator
In an earlier post in this series I discussed how to deal with a floating Significator or topic card that appears in the bottom row of the 9x4 layout, such that there aren't enough cards left in the deck to populate a nine-card square surrounding it. The worst case occurs when it lands in the … Continue reading “Knights’ Crossing” – The Marginal Significator
“Knights’ Crossing” Example Reading #3: The 2019 “Troutlook”
I've been an avid fly-fisherman for most of my life, and was of the "catch-and-release" persuasion long before the US Border Patrol co-opted the phrase, although my targets are native and not immigrant. Hmm, come to think of it, both rainbow and brown trout are "introduced" species in my region, so there are parallels, but … Continue reading “Knights’ Crossing” Example Reading #3: The 2019 “Troutlook”
A Traditional Kipper Tableau: Assange Fallout
This is a tall order for a Kipper novice, but I decided to try the 7x5+1 traditional Kipper tableau, using the spread instructions that came with my deck and a tutorial video I found on Stella Waldvogel's cartomancy blog. The question I asked was: What legal and political "fallout" will there be from the US … Continue reading A Traditional Kipper Tableau: Assange Fallout
Kipperkarten Practice Reading: A Trip At Risk
Since I last read on this subject (a planned trip to Boston with my brother), I've contracted another nasty head cold (my fourth or fifth one since last November; I think I know where they're coming from but that isn't important here). I did a reading with the Traditional Kipper deck to see how this … Continue reading Kipperkarten Practice Reading: A Trip At Risk
Paired-Deck Reading #2: An Old Acquaintance
As I envisioned, the pocket-size Centennial Edition of the RWS "in a tin" is the perfect companion for Pixie's Astounding Lenormand in two-deck readings. The latter was adapted by Edmund Zebrowski from Pamela Colman Smith's artwork, so there is an agreeable consistency in the images, and the size is roughly equivalent. I decided to do … Continue reading Paired-Deck Reading #2: An Old Acquaintance
Donald Trump’s 2020 “Electability Profile” Reading
Since he isn't likely to face a Republican challenger for the Party's nomination, I decided to focus this reading on Trump's chances to win re-election as shown by his current credibility with the same constituencies I used for the Democratic candidates. In broad terms, none of this looks very promising for Mr. Trump, although he … Continue reading Donald Trump’s 2020 “Electability Profile” Reading
What Happened To Samuel? – A Missing Person Reading
UPDATE: Samuel Gray was found dead near railroad tracks in Dover, NH on Thursday morning, confirming the prediction of this reading. There were no further details in the updated news article other than that the death did not seem to be suspicious No autopsy results had been published as of October 3, 2019, although Gray … Continue reading What Happened To Samuel? – A Missing Person Reading
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 