It's probably obvious that I really love the tarot. It's been a faithful companion on my life's journey since I first discovered it around 1970; it brings out my contemplative side in the same way that philosophy does, thanks mainly to the writing of Aleister Crowley, whom I admire as a thinker and scholar if … Continue reading Turn of the Tide
Tarot
The Butterfly, the Bear and the Albatross
As I see it, one of the goals of affirmation is to lighten our psychological load, shifting our attention away from the drag of burdensome past misfortunes and freeing us to take wing toward a brighter future, like a butterfly to a blossom. I think of it as "fortified wish-fulfillment." For years my wife had a post-it note … Continue reading The Butterfly, the Bear and the Albatross
Foreverquest
Back in the early "aughts," when I was still playing Everquest Online relentlessly (what can I say, I'm a throwback), my wife dubbed it "Foreverquest" (that was before her own fling with World of Warcraft). That epithet reminds me of the situation I find myself in whenever I decide it's time to chase down a … Continue reading Foreverquest
Big Words
Peter Gabriel said it best in his ironic song "Big Time:" I've been stretching my mouth To let those big words come right out I love word-craft and clever language, but sometimes that fascination can get the best of me. Those big words are my nemesis because they can spell death for any hope of creating good writing. … Continue reading Big Words
The One-Note Samba
Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos (aka "Tom") Jobim once wrote a song called "One-Note Samba," which had lyrics (excerpted below) that were later sung by Frank Sinatra: This is just a little samba Built upon a single note Other notes are bound to follow But the root is still that note A similar idea appeared in the … Continue reading The One-Note Samba
A “Deck’s Agenda” Example Reading
Last week I did a Lenormand 3x3 spread for an acquaintance who is being considered for a new job at a different company. Although prospects looked good for him, the situation hasn't come to its conclusion yet, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to test this tarot spread. I have since learned a … Continue reading A “Deck’s Agenda” Example Reading
The “No BS” Deck’s Agenda Spread
Every once in a while (and without a doubt more often than we would like), a reading begs the question "I know what was asked, but what does the seeker really want?" And the cards proceed to impose their own agenda on the story to the bemusement and bafflement of both reader and querent. Grappling with this situation can test the … Continue reading The “No BS” Deck’s Agenda Spread
A New Wrinkle On An Old Face
As I've mentioned before, I'm presently reading Caitlin Matthews' new traditional tarot book, Untold Tarot. In it she talks about the subject of "significator" cards, and mentions that Etteilla was the first to designate a unique significator for his Book of Thoth deck, a blank card - or "carte blanche" - that he immodestly called … Continue reading A New Wrinkle On An Old Face
A “Spiritual Release” Example Reading
This was an interesting exercise because I have been on an esoteric spiritual journey for over four decades, and count myself among the 37% of Americans who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious." I used the Radiant RWS for this reading. All images copyright U.S. Games Systems, Inc, Stamford, CT Card #1 - "What I Know" (The Footing): … Continue reading A “Spiritual Release” Example Reading
A “Spiritual Release” Spread
Many of us spend years seeking the most inspiring and rewarding personal path to spiritual enlightenment (or at least those of us do who refuse to swallow the "faith" pill). I envision both a philosophical and a mystical trajectory to this goal, depending on whether one is predominantly a "thinker" or a "feeler." For those who aren't sure, here is a layout to help … Continue reading A “Spiritual Release” Spread
Parsifal's Wheel Tarot & Astrology 