Numerical Rectification of the Minor Arcana

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Even when divining with tarot decks that include scenic or semi-scenic Minor Arcana (specifically the Waite-Smith, the Thoth and their numerous clones), I'm prone to rely on suit-and-number theory for much of my improvisational content. When interpreting the cards, I pay little attention to the images after I've identified their presence in a … Continue reading Numerical Rectification of the Minor Arcana

Harmony and Discord in Cartomancy

AUTHOR’S NOTE: According to Wiccan author Roger Horne, the Threes, Sixes and Nines in playing-card divination are the “three harmonies” of the deck in that their influence is typically agreeable (except in the suit of Spades). Conversely, the Fives and Sevens are the two "discords" (the latter more debilitating than the former), bringing disarray into … Continue reading Harmony and Discord in Cartomancy

“Releasing” Positions and “Charging” Cards: Friction or Stimulation?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: While reading Roger Horne's Cartomancy in Folk Witchcraft, I encountered the curious notion that difficult positions in a spread should be viewed as "releasing" their influence, whether harmlessly banishing it or unleashing it with prejudice on the seeker I can't say since there was no explanatory text at that point in the book … Continue reading “Releasing” Positions and “Charging” Cards: Friction or Stimulation?

“Shot on Goal” – An “Answer +1” Cartomantic Reading

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here I'm using my new cartomantic spread to explore present and future developments in a long-delayed initiative. There are a couple of ways to read these cards, but the one that is uppermost in my mind is the prospect for resurrecting my public divination practice that went dormant with COVID and my cross-State … Continue reading “Shot on Goal” – An “Answer +1” Cartomantic Reading

“The Answer + 1” – A Cartomantic Spread

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I recently learned about the "Answer Spread" developed by Kapherus (J. David Arcuri) from Regina Russell's earlier design, so I went to his Art of Cartomancy FB page to check it out. I'm a relentless spread creator with over 300 original patterns to my credit and more awaiting my attention. I knew before … Continue reading “The Answer + 1” – A Cartomantic Spread

Somebody Wants Something: The Single-Minded Focus of the Court or “Face” Cards

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I just set aside the two uninspiring tarot books I've been reading and went looking for a volume on playing-card divination. A member of the online cartomancy community recommended Roger Horne's Cartomancy in Folk Witchcraft, and I was able to buy it on Kindle for a small sum. His writing style is a … Continue reading Somebody Wants Something: The Single-Minded Focus of the Court or “Face” Cards