Learning to Read Tarot: Example Reading

 One of the popular spreads that people like to choose from my list of spreads is the Elemental spread. And that is great because I really like this spread as well. It covers all areas of life with just 5 cards.

Often those who are new to tarot have trouble putting the cards together in a cohesive way. Sometimes readings are easy to put together, sometimes not so much; but they do not need to be! Each card in each position can be a stand alone! There is also a school of thought that the cards in the spread should tell a story and that is just not the case. In all my years of reading tarot I have had maybe a half dozen readings present in a story manner. 

So with that... I go through the archives of readings I have done for free and present one for you to study.

But first a quick breakdown of the spread positions and the position'f focus. The elemental spread is much like the suits and those associations.

• FIRE: inspiration, passion, drive, swift powerful energy
• EARTH: material/physical, resources, skills, home/body
• AIR: thoughts, ideas, communications
• WATER: feelings, emotions, intuition
• ETHER: Universe; overview, cosmic forces

The Elemental Spread ~ Hidden Folk deck

FIre - 6 of Swords RX

Earth - King of Pentacles

Air - 3 of Wands

Water 4 of Cups RX

Ether - Knight of Swords

The Six of Swords in the Fire position is expressing that you are feeling hindered or blocked in some way, this could be more about the limitations that you are putting on yourself as in what excuses are you making or what self-talk that is negative. Are you telling yourself, “I can’t” about something? Is there something that has happened that you feel has you stuck or has set you back and you feel like you are not able to move past it?

The King of Pentacles in the Earth position is about taking control of things, physically and financially… so we have a reading about money. The king is telling you that you are to get to it! Work hard and hustle. This is about getting things done and making things happen. Those excuses and such from the first card… this kind smashes them because there is nothing that will stop him, This is an unstoppable determination that does not stop until the goal is met.

The 3 of Wands in the air position is about going/ doing something new and trusting your intuition! Look at what needs to be done, what you want to do, as some grand adventure. This is taking an unconventional approach to problems and out of the box thinking. This is just going forth without worries but at the same time having a plan when you come up against some sort of obstacle that has you able to go around or overcome those challenges. This is an IDGF attitude that just goes forward without any sort of apprehension. Now this does not mean going blindly, this just means doing with the KNOWING that you will accomplish what you set out to do. It will be fun! Challenges and all!

Water position has a water card, in reverse. The 4 of Cups is about being in a state that is internal and not very productive. Introvert, unmotivated, passive… think Eeyore. But this card is reversed… shed this stagnate state of being. Jump up, jump in and jump to it! This is a moving and a shaking. So the ‘story’ I am seeing is that maybe you are in a slight state of depression or just energetically down and this is having an impact on things materially (and romantically if this is the case). This card is what turns that all around and is saying ‘WAKE UP!’ …. With the King, this is going out and getting what it is you want. Stop being stuck, don’t let any excuses or such stop you from taking action. You will FEEL so much better.

Knight of Swords lands in the position of Ether, the all, the Universe, the soul, the energy… This guy is the ‘just do it’ guy… right or wrong, he has it in his head that he will tackle it all. He might, he might not but that does not bother him as he knows it is all a life lesson. This card echos so much of the other cards that it is perfect sitting here. This is the unstoppable energy of the King of Pentacles, this is ‘dumb fearlessness’ that has him unhindered by anything. “Don’t know, don’t care” in a manner of speaking. While that phrase sounds negative, in context of thinking ‘what can stop you? (6 of Swords in reverse) it is very positive. ‘What can stop you?’

“Don’t know and don’t care.” That attitude is the attitude of the 3 of Wands… It’s an adventure and process… care about it when it is happening but until then, not going to think about something that is not happening in the here and now. Cross that bridge when you come to it. 

This card is the sum of all the cards and points the way, the direction that things should be going according to what you want. 

(6 Sw rx) This guy does not down-talk himself, nope… he is annoyingly arrogant! But that thinking is powerful when used the right way.  

(KoP) This guy is so ready to go and knows what he wants and wont stop until he gets it He always finds a way.

(3 Wd) This guy has an exuberant energy that  gladly takes on the challenge like it is a game and goes bravely into the unknown.

(4 Cp rx) This guy takes his feelings and puts a plan to it. He makes his dreams into a reality. 

Mercury Retrograde of June 2021

 The Mercury Retrograde of June 2021. A Tarot Message Post Retro

Did Mercury kick your ass hard? This was an intense and notable retrograde (May 29 to June 22). Some who question the validity of astrology are now giving astrology a look because of all the ‘crazy’ that was going on. Serious issues with communication functions. My husband who does not pay attention to these things but is familiar with my ramblings, had to reset the internet nearly twice daily and jokingly asked if it was a Mercury retrograde…. Seriously not a joke…. This Mercury retrograde has been a doozy; and with good reason.

Mercury has two home signs, Gemini and Virgo. This retrograde happened while Mercury and the Sun was in Gemini.  When a planet is in its home sign it is as it says, ‘at home’. Not much different than ourselves, when we are at home we are at our most comfortable and are (typically) our most pure and authentic selves. 

Mercury poured on its most authentic self for sure. 

Now, some people had no problems this retrograde. I looked at a couple natal charts and found some commonalities between the two and possible placements that could explain this. But I would need more charts to validate my theory. (Did you breeze through this retrograde, or did extra good things happen for you? Would you be willing to give be birth info? Email me at owlkamyst@gmail.com).

So this blog entry was not to explain away the astrological, but it did need that introduction. The purpose is a message from the Universe spoken with Tarot cards… I picked the Revelations deck, (re for re, right?), threw three cards for a freeform spread and I can say, I am not surprised with the cards that came up.

4 of Cups in reverse; a card of ‘ho-hum’. It’s depressed, unmotivated, indifferent, bored; basically a state of disconnect. In reverse, there is a connection, but one that is overly emotional. 

2 of Wands; is intensity, energy, flair, power, has a bold and commanding presence. 

VI The Lovers; the title of this cards gives the inclination of romance and relationships, but that is not the root of this card. Two key elements (that happen to be present in a relationship) for this card is choice and commitment.

The Lovers appearing is, well…. What are the odds? The Lovers card is ruled by the sign….. GEMINI. 

So what is the fine message from these three cards.

We have seen or experienced the over emotional outbursts, people not being chill. Where things before the retro was ‘ho-hum’ everyday stuff, and no one was ‘paying any attention’, suddenly people became nit picky about stuff, would seem to hunt down things to be upset about. There has been a lot of heated arguments, people’s egos gone wild in all kinds of directions, but many just wanted to be a ‘voice of authority’ in some fashion. Because you know… when life is boring, why not create some drama, right? Not my game, but whatever… I blame Mercury. I’ve seen a lot, more than usual, confrontations, hostile conversations, and very strange relationship problems (I’m part of a relationship advice group, and most of the posts have been really bizarre).

Since it appears that most of us had challenges with this retrograde, the Lovers addresses you with a question; in light of all that has happened over these past few weeks, what are you going to do? You have choices to make and your choices need to be ones you commit to. 

See, retrograde are not just a phase of havoc and chaos, it is a time of reevaluating, reflecting, review. These are good thing to do when making a choice and commitment. 

This is tied to the reversed nature of the 4 of Cups. In all the heavy negative stuff, there is a piece of clarity this card bring when it appears reversed. One could say experiencing all the negativity and draining energy is an eye opener. What do you see? Look again, look from a different perspective, as that is the review and re-evaluate… you are called to see things from a different angle. 

The authoritative nature of the 2 of Wands is a call to action, take control, exercise your power. If this retro put you down in the dirt, well then, grow! What have you learned? Use your reflection of these recent events to choose your direction and start the journey.

The Alchemy Tarot Spread

This is my own little twist to some basics found in most spreads. This is an easy spread for a quick look into any subject.

The Alchemy spread consists of just four cards.

 

APEX is positioned at the Top Center

NEGATIVE INFLUENCES is positioned on the Left

POSITIVE INFLUENCES is positioned on the Right

SELF is positioned at the Bottom Center

 

 

 

When throwing the cards, the order is:

 Self, Negative, Positive and then Apex. 

 

 

 

 

 

The deck presented here is Waking the Wild Spirit By Poppy Palin 

 

Card interpretations below come from my own intuitive eye 

The reading is a 'General' or "What does the Universe want me to know" type reading.

 

The SELF card is as it sounds. It is a reflection of you (or the sitter) in the situation of focus.

The card in this position is 6 of Earth. This is about creative energy combined with passion, it is the driving force and source of joy that keeps one fulfilled in life. This is is connecting to the creative energy that is within as well all around. It is a love of nature and being in tune with nature, inspiration from and honoring everything in life. *If you have been stressed or fatigued, the recommendation is to take a mini-vacation to somewhere you can immerse yourself in nature. Get to know the sounds of the life that lives there and their routines. A lot can be learned from nature.

 

Negative Influence card is 3 of Air. The 'seasons' are changing and thus, one needs to adapt and adjust the routine. What once was not, now is; and there is trouble if one cannot make the adjustment. The challenge here is NOT taking charge of things and making adjustments and tending to the things that need tending. Responsibilities are not being dealt with. This is a need to get your head into the game and get down to business. If motivation is lacking, then it is going to take strength to get the mind into a determined mood to 'attack' the needs in life and get everything in order. The warning applies: Avoid a downward spiral into chaos. Think Ready, Set, Go. While it seems like a lot of work, just getting it done and out of the way feels so much better in the end. Order (and not chaos) is liberating.

 

Positive Influences card is Queen of Earth. The Queen is a wise, skilled and compassionate individual. This speaks of hands on nurturing, the training of others in the ways of different skills and crafts. The Queen has a love for all life. This virtue has animal whisperer qualities and a green thumb. She is one that listens to the sounds of nature and nature for a deeper understanding in how it all works. This allows her to know what her environment needs and what it will give or bring. It is the call of the cows that lets her know a storm is coming. It is the color of the leaves that lets her know what to feed her plants. You have much skill and wisdom and are capable of self sufficiency. You pay attention to everything around you be it natural or urban and thus know what to do, how to do and what not to do. 

Do what you do best!

The Apex card is the card that brings it all together and speaks on the over all energy and situation. The card in the position of Apex is the 8 of Water and speaks of an unpleasant environment. There are 'bad spirits' that are fouling things up and causing problems. There is stagnation and things out of balance. This takes us back to the negative influences card, things in chaos. Like a song the get stuck in your head, certain 'bad habits' have developed and persisted; things need to get cleaned up and put into order. This is not a healthy space for the soul as it bogs down everything in life. Things cannot grow and flourish in this sort of environment. This card's call to action is to cleanse your space energetically and physically, and to cleanse yourself spiritually and emotionally.

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Ask A Question

Tarot is a wonderful tool for getting insight and helps in finding answers. The cards themselves may or may no provide a specific answer, but a reading allows the mind to work things out so that a person can find some direction.

With tarot having the stigma of being a tool for fortune telling, questions get often phrased in a direct manner.


"Does he like me?"


"When will I get married?"
"Will I have a baby?"


"Will I find a job?"


These questions are limited to two answers- either 'yes' or 'no'. Tarot does not work that way (well not exactly, but more on that later).
Now, let's examine these questions for what they are. If someone was to ask another these questions, just to get an opinion or advice, what would they be told?

"Well, how would I know, why don't you ask him?"

"Are you dating anyone right now?” Or, “Have you talked about marriage with your SO?”


"Well, do you want a baby?"


"Only if you get off your butt and go look for one."



Getting a tarot reading for these questions would be a waste. So how can these issues be addressed utilizing the tarot? First thing is to properly phrase the question. Questions need to be in an open-ended format. If you are not sure what an open-ended question is, it is a question that invites a dialog.


'Does he like me?' would be, 'How does he feel about me?'
‘When will I get married?’ would be, ‘What can I do to find a life partner who will commit to marriage?’


'Will I have a baby?' would be, 'What is it best for me for having children?'


'Will I find a job?' would be, 'What do I need to do to find a job?'


Of course there are many different questions that can be asked for these issues.


'How can I make finding a job easier?', 'What do I need to do to be a good parent?', 'How do I make myself more appealing and desirable?'



In forming open ended questions, it allows for the cards to give a more in-depth response compared to a plain old 'yes' or 'no'.

 

So what about the 'well not exactly' (mentioned earlier) as far as tarot giving a yes or no? This is a matter of likelihood.
 If the cards are asked 'Does he like me?'; they will describe, based on the spread used, the thoughts, emotions, attitude of the person of interest. In a long winded manner, the reading will express dislike, unawareness, or interest. While this then would give a yes or no in essence, as a reading, it is still a waste to a degree. If the reading indicates that there is no interest, then the person is able to move on right then and there and that is not really a waste, but it is in the sense that so much more could have been discovered.



Side Note: It is not a (my) typical practice to do a reading that involves intruding into the lives of a third party. However, I use the 'does he like me' as an example for it is often asked. In rephrasing the question, the question is made into something that becomes more focused on the person asking the question that their person of interest.

 When I say so much more can be discovered, we find that in the rephrasing of the 'does he like me' question into 'what can I do to be more desirable?', we get a reading that carries a lot of value. Value that goes beyond just focusing on the person of interest for the information and advice provided in the reading can be utilized throughout life.

With all that said, I still can do a reading with a question that is phrased in a manner that can be answered with a ‘yes/no’, but the reading will say a whole lot more.

What Is My Reading Process?

I am a typically quiet person who likes to sit off to the side and watch things happen around me.  This does not mean I am anti-social. I do speak up when I have something to say, or when I am asked a question.

The purpose of tarot is asking a question for some insight, a different perspective that may give some guidance and motivation.

So what do those two things have to do with each other, other than there is a question involved. Well, it has to do with my nature and how I read tarot cards.

I prefer to not do my readings for people in the traditional way, meaning face to face. I am more of a behind the scenes sort of person. I have done face to face readings and over the phone readings and I have found those to be a bit distracting. I get a storm of information in my head when I lay the cards out and it takes concentration to keep those thoughts in order when they come at me so fast. Then someone will interrupt with a question and then it takes me a moment to get it back. 

And sometimes bits will be lost forever.

What else is distracting is too much information. When someone wants a reading from me, all I need is a question, or even just a point of departure like; work, relationship, family, moving…etc.

The less I know the better it is for both of us. It is better for me because I will not be influenced by additional information that the monkey mind wants to piece together.
And the biggest point: It is good for you so that you can get true validation for the information presented in the reading.

When I do a reading, I like to put on my headphones and listen to a playlist that I made just for when I read cards. The play list has mostly bluegrass, world beat, and reggae, but some other stuff too. The first thing I do after I get settled in is choose a deck. I bring out my box, which is an old wooden fruit flat. I look at my decks and one of them will call to me, that is the deck I pick to read with. Then I shuffle the cards as I focus on the person and their question. I shuffle until I feel that the shuffling is done, the cards start to feel 'resistant' to shuffling. I know that it is time to pull some cards.

I usually pull all the cards for the spread at once and look at them all collectively but there are times when I pull the first card and start writing. Once there is no more 'chatter', I pull the next card.
Which manner I pull the cards is all about intuition. Allowing the information to be presented in the manner that the divine chooses.
I do my readings by hand. Yes, I actually write them out before I type them up. I am a firm believer that the action of using the hand and writing has an energy and a power to it. And there is also that aspect of automatic and channeled writing. I have done a few readings that felt like my hand was the one in control and doing the work while I just sat back and read what was being written.
Writing for me also sparks visions and I am sure to express the things that I see, no matter how silly or off topic they may seem as they have always ended up being relevant and on target.

Spirit of Flowers Tarot - Lo Scarabeo 

 

My readings are not quick little blurbs for each card. I do not have a string of keywords, or a bunch of situational sentences. I have a whole story to tell. The majority of my readings are 200+ words per card. Ok, so maybe not each card, but over all. If I have a 5 card reading there will be over 1,000 words for the reading even if one card is only 160 words.

Published Speaking of story, some of my readings do come out very story like, a metaphorical adventure that mirrors the situation the questioner is going through. Sometimes the character in the card has something specific to say after I have given my take on the card and it's position, so I quote them. These unique type of readings are no common. I actually do quote cards somewhat often, but not every time. These fun readings are so different, I really enjoy doing them. Would like to have more like them now and then.

My readings can be reviewed here on my blog. Just look to the right for the list and pick a spread on the the spreads and read an actual reading down using that spread.

How Traditional is My Take of Tarot?

I asked myself one day, "Am I a Tarot purest?"
This was after reading a comment someone had made about 'not needing a book to learn to read tarot and to just look at the pictures and say what comes to mind'.

My knee jerk reaction to such comments, "Um, No." But I don't want to sound like a know it all or snob so I reflected upon that moment and my reaction.

So first, to understand where I am coming from, it might be helpful to know a little bit about how I came to tarot. I did NOT come by way of the traditional Rider Waite Smith deck. At the time, I did not even know it existed. I actually started back in 1991 with The Native American Tarot by Magda Weck Gonzalez and J. A. Gonzalez; published by U.S. Games (not affiliated, just sharing the link). I chose this deck because I very much relate to and identify with the culture in both philosophy and spirituality. This inclination I have for the Native ways has been with me from very early on in my life. I was that kid that had no clue the goings on in the story of a black and white western movie, but I was rooting for the Natives. Watching westerns turned into reading books. I learned and continue to learn as much as I can and have had the honor to be invited and introduced to ceremonies and rituals.

So when I picked up this deck, study came easy. All the stories and traditions used to create the cards were all things I was already very familiar with.
I knew NOTHING about tarot as a whole. I did not know that there were so many decks already on the market. I was a complete noob and totally in the dark. But then this thing called the internet happened. Being the occult nerd that I am, the first thing I did when I got plugged into the WWW, I searched ‘Tarot’ and that was when I found the Aeclectic Tarot Forums. A whole new world of tarot opened up to me and where I was a dabbler in the cards, Tarot became a serious study.
 
So having come this far in my tarot journey and seeing everything out there in the tarot learning circles and groups, I will make it ‘official’  and state it here and now about my perspective and approach to tarot...
I am a bit of a tarot purist but I am also an artist.
HUH? Let me explain. Be prepared, I am going to take the long way to get there....
 
There is a saying that you must first learn the rules if you want to break them.  One of the rules for life supposedly given to us by the Dali Lama. But for sure Pablo Picassio said,
“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.
And then there was my mom who taught me, ‘Rules are meant to be bent’.
 
‘They’ Say ~
Start with the Rider Waite Smith deck  - I say, “Only if you like it.”
 
There are so many other options out there. I am not at all attracted to the art of the original RWS deck, yes, I can appreciate it as an artist, but it's not in my taste. I’m also, as you may already know, not religious nor have I ever been. So this deck is not for me and if it’s not for you or anyone else, do not feel pressured into getting the deck because you feel that is what you need in order to be skilled at tarot.
 
‘They’ Say ~
You don’t need a book, just lay the cards out and use your intuition. - I say, “Do you really want to learn Tarot?”
Sure a picture is worth 1,000 words and with the gestalt approach you will find meaning in your cards. But that is not really learning how to read Tarot.
 
WITH THAT SAID ~
It’s a fact that one can come up with some fantastic insights when approaching the cards by just looking at them and never opening a book about tarot cards and their meanings. However, if you want to learn tarot, you are going to need to do some studying.
 
Tarot is built with a structure that is rooted in symbolism that is ages old. So when I say I am a tarot purist, I am talking about using the cards with the structure that they come with.
 

The suit of cups is focused on emotional parts of life. To apply some material definition such as finding employment, or some legal aspect like a court case would not be fitting. Those meanings belong to the suit of pentacles for material things and the suit of swords for the mental (legal) things.
Also worth mentioning is that knowing this structure makes learning the individual meanings of the cards a whole lot easier.
 
If you learn this structure and use a deck that is expressive with it’s imagery and is inline with the RWS tradition, you will find that you can read just about any deck. Some will be a little more difficult. Those that lack illustrated pips, those with limited scenery, those that stray from the traditional, and those that are of the ‘other tarot tradition’. By other tarot tradition, I mean those decks that are modeled after the Marseilles or Thoth decks.
 
But… I am not that snobby of a tarot purist. As an artist, I get that such things evolve. What was once a tradition known by few has become a fascination of the many and more and more independent and unique decks are being created and published. I’m sure there are over a dozen in development on kickstarter as I write this.
 
Now, while I am a strong proponent for knowing the bones of tarot, I also strongly encourage the intuitive aspect. For many, the psychic side is the harder 'study' compared to learning the card meanings. But the hard part in the psychic study is not so much learning as it's totally natural, it is trusting and discerning those impressions. Now, with that said,  I had occasional clairaudient impressions as a child but when I started using the cards, my clair changed to clairvoyant, clairsentient and claircognizant and one reading when it was a clairalience experience, have not had another since.

If you take up a serious study of the cards learn the symbolism on a universal level and work within the perimeters of the system, you will find that the cards in combination with your intuition makes from some readings that will give you goosebumps... I am still in awe of how Spirit communicates when I start shuffling cards.






A Bit About Tarot ~ And A Little Bonus

THE EDUCATIONAL PART ~

The History of Tarot ~ A Time Line in the Life of the Cards

* Master researcher on the subject of Tarot, Stewart Kaplan states that tarot started as a card game in the early 1400's. 

* In 1572, 'Tarocchi Appropriati' became something of a fortune telling game, the holder of a card created a narrative from it.

* 1770 Ettellia, a French occultist publishes a book about reading fortunes with playing cards.

* Court de Gébelin publishes his writings in 1781 making claims that tarot is the product of ancient Egyptian wisdom. Note: There is no evidence to support this. The Comte de Mellet also wrote about Hebew letters and thier association to the cards and this was included in Gébelin's published works.

* In 1775 Ettellia publishes a second book, but this time on reading tarot cards specifically. And in 1788 the first deck to be used specifically with divination in mind was published by Ettellia.

* In the mid 1800's Eliphas Levi would attribute the Kabbala to tarot. This information would be instilled into the workings of the Order of the Golden Dawn.

* Arthur Waite, a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn would collaborate with artist Pamela Coleman and create a deck that was first published in 1910 by William Rider & Son of London publishing company. This is the deck that has becomes the 'standard' and is the most well known of all tarot decks used for divination.

The second most recognized deck is the the Thoth created under the instruction of Aleister Crowley and the artist Lady Frieda Harris. This deck would not be published until 1969 even thought the project began in 1938 and was completed in 1943.

The Tarot Deck~ ‘What defines a Tarot deck?’

Tarot is just one of many kinds of divination decks in print today. Any deck that is used for divination can be called an oracle deck but not all oracle decks are tarot. Somehow people tend to use the word tarot to mean any deck of cards that are used for divination and that is just not the case. 

Tarot decks have a specific structure. 

There is the symbolism of the deck and the format of the deck. The format is 78 cards which are divided into two Arcanas; the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana is a small deck of 22 cards numbered 0-21. They are considered the Trump cards of the deck. The Minor Arcana is very much like a regular deck of playing cards, having four suits and a set of four court (face) cards. The Minor Arcana are numbered from Ace to 10 and have Page, Knight, Queen & King for the court cards. Some decks will give different names to the court cards and the Trump cards. The symbolism is rooted in the history of tarot used as a divination tool. Each suit of the Minor Arcana is associated with an element and each element associates with an aspect of life.

MINOR ARCANA SUITS

FIRE - WANDS - ENERGETIC (life force, inspiration, creation) 

EARTH - PENTACLES - MATERIALISTIC (work, finances, skills)

AIR - SWORDS - INTELLECTUAL (communication, thoughts, legalities)

WATER - CUPS - EMOTIONAL (feelings, memories, intuition) 

 

There is different schools of thought on the differences between the Major and Minor Arcana. Some say the Majors represent the different phases of spiritual growth. There is the idea that Majors are external, things outside of our control and Minors are internal, things we have control over. Majors are Spiritual and Minors are mundane. 

Any deck that veers away from this format in a significant way is not really a tarot deck. The main exception would be a Trumps only deck.
 

Besides Tarot as a popular deck for reading, there are Lenormand cards which is a deck of 36 cards. They made their appearance at the turn of the 19th century. Added to Tarot and Lenormand cards, there is a plethora of all kinds of different themed decks that come in a varied number of cards and these are simply called oracle decks. 

Myths of Tarot~ 
Two common areas of misconception are how one gets a tarot deck and who can touch it.

It is often said that you should be given a deck for it to work. I can personally tell you that the process of choosing your deck can be a wonderful experience. However, gifted decks are often found to be special in some way as well. As far as having a deck given to you as a gift, that is not necessary at all. Do not let this myth hinder acquiring your first tarot deck.

There are three different schools of thoughts about people handling tarot decks.
1- ‘Never let another person touch your deck, their energy will enter the deck and not work for you.’
2- ‘The person getting the reading MUST shuffle and cut the deck in order to put their energy into the reading.’
3- Energy is energy and it does not matter who touches them.... or not.
There is energy everywhere, that is a fact; energy does transfer from one object to another, that is life. Energy is constantly in motion. Everyone has a different experience with energy.
For some readers having the clients shuffle the cards is how they connect to the energy of that person. People who may be overly sensitive to other people's energy may want to keep their decks free of any energy that is not their own. 
What it boils down to is that you do what you feel is right for you, what works for you.

Lastly- 

‘OH NO- I got the DEATH card! Am I going to die?’

The Death card is often feared because so many think that this card means that they or someone close to them will die. This is rarely the case. If the Death card shows up in a reading, it is usually a card that reflects a message of change. Out with the old and in with the new. The Death card has an astrological association, Scorpio. Scorpio is the sign of Death and Rebirth, a card of legacy. A keyword often used for the Death card is 'Transformation'.

How Tarot Works~

Each individual card has a very specific root meaning to it and while it may be similar to other cards- it is still different.

For example, all Ace cards speak of new beginnings. If the card is a Cups card then it is about some emotional beginning and if it is a Swords card then it is some new way of thinking. The depth of the card's meaning just builds from there.

The finer details are found in the numerous symbols that are seen in each card, as well as how several cards interact with each other when arranged in a spread. Each position in a spread has it's own focus. A commonly used and simple example is the 'Past, Present, Future' spread. The card falling into each of those positions speak of that time frame. Note: Future positions do not speak in absolutes. What is seen is a potential future based on everything else. It may be a desired future or one that might be best avoided. It is up to the one receiving the reading to take proper action and either encourage or change that future.

'How does a person read for another if they are not sitting with them?'

This is again about energy, the collective unconscious, the Anima Mundi which means World Soul. There are many who believe that we are all connected in spirit. It is this place of connectedness that a psychic will reach into and gather the information that is needed. Some use guides to help them through the Ether, others will use runes, tea leaves, what ever.

THE PROMOTIONAL PART

~ Who I am as an Intuitive Reader of Tarot ~

My love of playing cards started when I was very young. I was a challenging player in any game taught to me.

My interest in card reading started when I was 12 and my aunt read for me with a regular deck of playing cards. It would be a few years before I had an actual Tarot deck, that was in the summer of 1991.

When I do readings, all I want is the question or focus for the reading, I can also do a ‘general’ reading where no question is asked and the cards are just drawn and the message from spirit is relayed. 

The card images and symbolism triggers my connection to the Anima Mundi. It may be a vision, a smell or some other impression I feel that brings more depth to the reading.

BONUS - I'm giving free readings

I am building a library of actual readings that I use to demonstrate my reading style. I have several different spreads that I do not have samples for, and I would like more than one for each spread as well. You may have a situation that you would like a little insight on and fits the bill for what I need, if so, you are in luck! I do want a few general reading samples as well.

If you would like to be considered for a free reading, KNOW THIS: your reading will be presented to the public. NO names, locations or other personal/specific information will be included in the reading, so it is totally anonymous. If you are good with that, please fill out THIS FORM.... I will choose those I read for based on 1) the question asked; like it is a unique subject that I do not already have. 2) It's a subject that fits the specific spread I need samples for, and 3) my time availability, as some questions are time sensitive.

Process Of The Perfect Tarot Bag

I am a crafty person in all forms of the word. I am an artist and crafter, I work magic, and read tarot cards. Combine all that and of course my decks are stored in bags I have made. 

It all started when I received a used deck that had no original box. I needed something for the deck to protect it. I had some mass produced bags and used one but did not like how the deck slid around inside the bag. I wanted a bag that was more like the box that the cards came in.  

I sat down and measured the deck. With that I created a pattern. Then came choosing the fabric. OH BOY...that was fun but difficult. SO many options and combinations! How would I choose? No problem, I just made the bag to be reversible so that I could enjoy two different fabric combinations.

This was the birth of my '2 in 1' tarot bags.

The Sacred Circle Tarot Deck

Making a bag to perfectly match a deck is a process that I really enjoy. It is fun playing with different combinations of fabric and holding the deck up to the combinations to see how it all fits together.

Come with me as I share with you the process of making a custom fitted, made to match bag for one of tarot decks ~ 
The Sacred Circle.



Finding the right combinations of fabric~
I have a whole cupboard of fabric. After putting different fabrics into different piles and then narrowing it down, this is what I am left with.... That is a lot when I have to bring it down to only four!

                                                                                      Here is a close up of the cards from the Sacred Circle deck. They are what I used, putting them up to all the different fabrics to see how well everything matches, fabrics and cards.

STAR SPACE FABRIC ?

BATIK SPIRAL FABRIC ?

OK- On to something here.... I like the Moons!

I got it down to four fabrics and cut out the pieces.  I picked the gold moons on a black background for it went well with the backs of the cards. For the top of the bag, moons and stars but in all black; a satin fabric with velvety moons and stars. The deck's art has a very earth nature theme so I pick a green leafy patterned fabric. 

The top of this side I used a favorite fabric of mine, the acorns. 

The bag of my Legends deck also has this same fabric.  

I sewed the 'moon' pieces together and the 'nature' pieces together and fit them together and pin them to hold the two in place when I do the final stitching.

Once sewn together, I insert two pieces of rat-tail cord and tie them off...
....put the deck inside and pull the strings!
AND THE BAG IS DONE

Tarot & Fortune Telling ETA: And the Romani

Did tarot start with the Romani? And what About Fortune Telling?

Let's begin with these questions by taking a closer look.

What is Tarot?
      Tarot is a deck of 78 cards that came into existence in Italy in the mid 1400's.  At that time, the cards where used for the card game called Tarocchi which is played by rules much like Bridge.  These original decks were hand painted commissioned works, made at the request of wealthy merchants.  The earliest known deck dates to about 1441.  It would not be until after the invention of the printing press that tarot cards would be mass produced.   While a deck was made specifically for divination in the 1800's, it was not until 1910 that ever so popular and well known Rider Waite Smith deck was published.


But before all this... A French occultist, Eliphas Levi, found that the 22 Trump cards of the Tarrocchi deck neatly correlated with the Tree of Life, the foundation of Kabbalah.  It was this connection that he utilized tarot playing cards with mysticism and magic.

   • Some added interesting info and dates...
Eliphas Levi was born in 1810, Arthur Edward Waite was born in 1857, Edward Alexander Crowley (Aleister Crowley) was born in 1875.  And what is the link with these three besides tarot?  Both Waite and Crowley translated and published some of Eliphas Levi's written works.  Levi's works became a major part of the foundation of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.  The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical paternity (that allowed women) started in 1888 by William Westcott and Samuel Mathers; the order 'died' in 1903.  However, both Waite (joined in 1891) and Crowley (initiated in 1898) had been members and when the HOGD was no more, both men created a spin-off order of their own.

Art by Morgaine du Mer

Prints available at MagickMermaid

How about those Gypsies?
       Gypsy is not the preferred term and is viewed as a ethnic slur.  This is the Romani people; traditionally and historically a nomadic people.  They are found all over the world today, but where do they come from originally?   With advances in genetics and DNA testing, it has been found that their origins are from Northern India and Pakistan.  Exactly why they migrated as they did is still in question for the Romani people have no written history.

       When the word 'gypsy' is mentioned it often brings to mind the idea of a psychic fortune-teller.  Where the idea of the Romani people being fortune-tellers comes from cannot be totally nailed down, it is a bit like the 'which came first, chicken or the egg?' question.
Palmistry and Vedic Astrology has a very long history in India and the Far East, so it would stand to reason that a people who originally came from India and the Far East would likely be skilled in these practices.  Even today, the cultural structure of the Romani has its foundation in Caste system found in Hinduism.
        In the early 1300's there was a linguistic association made.  The language of the Romani contain many dialects that originate from Sanskrit.   A group of Romani was compared to another group called Mandapolos due to the language spoken.  Mandapolos is thought to be derived from the Greek word that means 'fortune-teller'.

        With a nomadic lifestyle one must be quite creative and adaptive in making a living.  With the Indian and Hindu origin of the people, they likely already had the know-how for reading palms.
So did the early Romani utilize this 'fortune-teller' image and give the people what they were looking for?  Or did the 'label' fit from the start and just grow from there?
As for the cards, given that Tarot is known today as a form of divination, it is easy to see that the people and the cards would go hand in hand.  The Romani did arrive in Italy roughly the same time that the first tarot (game) cards are known to have appeared. But cards were commissioned works of art that only aristocrats and such could afford.

Is there such a thing as Fortune Telling?
       Fortune telling is a term used for the practice of divination. There is a distinction between the two terms; divination was conducted during a religious ritual, where as fortune-telling is less formal and more personal. Divination can be done with many different tools or none at all. Cards of any kind, not just tarot cards, can be used as well as tea leaves, the lumps and wrinkles on one's head, a persons palm and the classic crystal ball.
      "You will meet a tall, dark and handsome man."... this idea comes from the early days of cartomancy (using playing cards for divination) in the 18th century. Each court card in a standard deck of playing cards had been given specific meaning in the form of 'who' as in what they looked like and their age.  Readings done during this time was more of a form of parlor entertainment than it was actual divination. These types of meanings given to the cards have come a long way since then, as has the art of cartomancy.
       Today, tarot is more of a guidance tool. The cards reflect a different perspective than what a person may be clinging to. It introduces to the mind other possibilities and situations that had not been previously considered. However, there is still a bit of mysticism to the cards depending upon who is doing the reading. This is where intuition and psychic impressions come into the picture. It is not the cards that can predict the future, it is the reader who taps into the interconnectedness of the collective consciousness. And then there is the person who is astute in logic progression; 'If you do 'A', then 'B' will happen'.
       All good tarot readers as well as psychics will say that no future is set in stone. That there is the current path that one is on and that path can be changed. If a reader tells a client that their relationship is headed towards a nasty ending, then there is already trouble in the relationship. In order for that to change, the person must take steps to change it. The relationship could be healed, or could end on a softer note. Either way, the person receiving the reading has been given a seed of thought to contemplate and prepare for, or take necessary measures to avoid.
      What about things like pregnancies and accidents? There are specific cards that are indicators of these things, but they each have other meanings as well. It is all in the intuition of the reader that deciphers what the specifics in the card are relevant and important in the reading.

So what can we formulate from all this information?

   • Did the Romani really bring tarot cards to the world? 
I feel pretty safe in even saying 'absolutely not!'
Coincidentally, they were in the same place at the same time, however, evidence and logic would have it that the two never had any connection.
    • How so?
Though they where both in Italy at the same time, Tarot cards where only for the elite.  They where the only ones who could afford them.  The Romani people had a hard enough time making a living and were always on the move; there would be no way they could possibly afford to commission a deck to made for them, let alone stick around long enough for its completion.
    • How about fortune telling?
Is it just coincidence through a logical view of events and how these typically progress?  Or is there really some magic to it all?
Predicting the future can be done, but is quite rare.  I believe that it is a bit of both; a lucky and, or, logical guesswork, but at times, can be truly intuitive.
I am reminded of an account told to me by someone who was at the World Trade Center on that fateful day.  He was to attend a meeting and minutes before the meeting he had the strong urge to leave the building.  He did not know the 'why' for the impression he had, but heeded the feeling. He did not predict the attack specifically, but something deep within told him that he should not be in the building. He is alive today because of it.