AUTHOR'S NOTE: When we've met or are about to meet someone new, regardless of the circumstances under which it occurs, it's useful to obtain a heads-up about the person's likely social orientation and distinctive habits, particularly if we have no other source of information about them (such as a mutual friend or associate). For example, … Continue reading Statement of Intent: A Mixed-Media Social Orientation Spread
Tarot Spreads
A “User Profile” Spread and Table: Stalking the Wild Sociopath
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In a recent post I explored the subject of "using" and "being used" in a socially-manipulative way. Here I'm making good on two "oh-by-the-way" suggestions I made in that essay. One was to create a spread to examine the social priorities of a target individual (or entity) and the other was to bin … Continue reading A “User Profile” Spread and Table: Stalking the Wild Sociopath
The Pros, The Cons and The Reality: An Opportunity and Challenge Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is a another "best-case/worst-case" decision-making spread that includes a "reality check" card intended to mediate between the two and serve as the resolution of the matter. The "A" cards represent the "Opportunity" arc in three phases, while the "B"cards show the "Challenge" arc, also in three phases. These cards are to be … Continue reading The Pros, The Cons and The Reality: An Opportunity and Challenge Spread
Over the Hill: The “Post-Crisis Downslope” in a Five-Card Tarot Reading
"So you know, that you're over the hillWhen your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill."- from Old Folk's Boogie by Little Feat AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Little Feat quote was a late pick as I began thinking about a title for this post. The first inspiration was a quip I came across online: … Continue reading Over the Hill: The “Post-Crisis Downslope” in a Five-Card Tarot Reading
Prepping the Celtic Cross for Elemental Dignities
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Before I begin, I should mention that my personal version of the venerable Celtic Cross (CC) spread is based on Eden Gray's model from her 1960 book, The Tarot Revealed, and not on A.E. Waite's Christian-inflected design from The Pictorial Key to the Tarot. Gray made a couple of significant changes that alter … Continue reading Prepping the Celtic Cross for Elemental Dignities
Lunar Month Look-Ahead, April-May, 2026
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I haven't done one of these in quite a while. These readings are normally based on the titles for the eight lunar sub-phases from astrologer Dane Rudhyar's Lunation Cycle, but this time I'm using astronomical notation. Each sub-phase lasts approximately 3.5 days. There are no other position meanings, it is mainly a timing … Continue reading Lunar Month Look-Ahead, April-May, 2026
“Happening to the World” – A Trump-and-Pip Card Exercise
AUTHOR'S NOTE:This spread examines the conceptual divide between our private self-image and the public self-projection that signifies - in tarot author Joe Monteleone's memorable phrase - "how we happen to the world." The degree of separation or integration is determined by comparison of two parallel columns of trump and pip cards. In one model of … Continue reading “Happening to the World” – A Trump-and-Pip Card Exercise
The “Detours and Dead-Ends” Mid-Course Correction Spread
AUTHORS NOTE: Not every journey goes smoothly. Mid-course corrections are often necessary to continue making progress toward the destination after running into roadblocks. Some - like potholes in the road - can be "toughed out" and overridden, while other require a more roundabout approach. Here is a spread that follows a developmental arc from beginning … Continue reading The “Detours and Dead-Ends” Mid-Course Correction Spread
2025 Year-End Recap & 2026 “Cusp of Renewal” Forecast
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the New-Year's forecast spread I created in December of 2024, and it seems like a good one to repeat this year. My current state of ill health won't let me go at it full-tilt, but I wanted to keep my streak of posts going. Thoth Tarot, copyright of US Games Systems … Continue reading 2025 Year-End Recap & 2026 “Cusp of Renewal” Forecast
“Spirits Passing By” – A Random Spirit-Contact Spread
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've written in the past about using the tarot to approach the Astral Plane for the purpose of contacting disembodied spirits, usually deceased relatives. I mentioned that we may not get the party we're after (dear departed Uncle Joe or Aunt Mary may not be near the portal at the time) so we … Continue reading “Spirits Passing By” – A Random Spirit-Contact Spread
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 