June 6th, 2011 § § permalink
The Tarot Handbook
The first book I ever read about Tarot was the original version of The Tarot Handbook, by Angeles Arrien. At the time, I had just got a copy of the Thoth deck, also my first, and was rummaging around in a discount book store.
Arrien’s book was there, with images of my new cards pictured on the cover, on sale for only $10. Of course I bought it on the spot, and started figuring out Tarot Soul and Growth cards right away.
Her system helped me a lot. And at the time, it was one of the few books available on the Thoth deck. The one I got next was Crowley’s own Book of Thoth, which could have been a little intense had it been my first.
The reason I bring this up is that Angeles Arrien will be teaching a weekend seminar on symbolism and the Tarot, July 16 and 17, at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. I can’t be there, but I wish I could.
The seminar is called, Psychological Implications of Symbols: The Wisdom of the Tarot. Arrien will be looking at Tarot symbolism and how it can serve as a map of consciousness.
She’ll be exploring the meaning and significance of how symbols in the Tarot function as internal and external mirrors for our own various levels of consciousness.
Arrien is a cultural anthropologist, with expertise in psychology and comparative religions, and of course Tarot. She really knows her stuff. It’s going to be a mind opening weekend.
People at all levels of Tarot experience are encouraged to participate. And Tarot reader or not, it’ll be of especial interest to those in the counseling, coaching, teaching, management, and service professions.
It’s going to be good. Go if you can.
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June 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Ace of Cups
Monday, June 6, 2011
Ace of Cups
Emotional renewal is the name of the game today. A new way of feeling about something and/or somebody is about to emerge.
Perhaps you’re feeling it already – it’s like that first hint of spring or when a magnolia tree finally blossoms after a long cold winter.
Joy and hope are in the air and accessible to you. Throw away any gloom you’ve been dragging around and wake up to the inspiration of postive emotions.
There’s a sense that anything can happen and it’s probably going to be good. Be receptive to the love that’s around you and give it back in kind.
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June 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Here’s another interesting Tarot project looking for some funding …
This time the theme is Tarot and music, and the project is called The Aleatory Arcana.
I can’t pretend to understand the musical theory behind what Anthony Bockheim is attempting, but it’s got something to do with the Russian composer Alexander Scriabin and his Mystic chord.
Bockheim has become entranced with the twelve tone matrix and serial music. It’s all about pitches and orders, rows and interval relationships. Too confusing for me, but he explains it all on his pledge page.
What I do understand though, is that he’s trying to use this system to musically represent the 22 cards of Tarot’s Major Arcana. And that really interests me.
In the video below, you can hear how he hears the Six of Swords. As he says himself, it’s not particularly easy music to listen to. But if you give it a chance, you might find a brand new Tarot landscape to explore.
As with all Kickstarter projects, gifts are offered to people who donate. A particularly fun one is for those who offer $100 or more to this project.
If you do, Bockheim will send you a personal three card reading in musical form, with score and music file. He won’t tell you the meanings of the cards, but lets them literally speak for themselves.
I love it. Good luck and good work Anthony!
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June 5th, 2011 § § permalink
High Priestess as Strength
The Moon moves into Leo today and stays there until Tuesday.
Translated into Tarot cards, this transit would be like the High Priestess is wearing Strength’s clothing. She’s thrown off her heavy cape and is spending some time outside with her lion.
The Moon in Leo, or High Priestess in Strength’s clothing is potentially a time of emotional power. Something beautiful that’s usually under wraps can finally be revealed.
The silence is broken. Quiet wisdom and passion can be united. During this time, it might be difficult to keep your ideas to yourself. But why should you?
Try finding an outlet for plans you’ve been sitting on? This is an opportunity to shine if you’re not over-burdened by self-consciousness.
It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but letting your wilder side out right now could be positive. The sun isn’t always shining. Take advantage of it when it does.
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June 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Queen of Cups
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Queen of Cups
The energy today is full of nurturance and love. Let yourself give and receive. Share your feelings, your dreams and what it is that makes you human. Let your imagination run away with you (while holding on to reality if you can).
The Queen of Cups loves romance and laughter and beauty in all its forms. Take a leap into your emotional depths. Don’t be afraid, you won’t stay under too long. This Queen understands emotional limits – how to push them and how to pull them back gently without hurting anyone’s feelings.
Today would be a great day to enjoy the company of loved ones. Or call or write them – one way or another, be sure they know you care.
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June 4th, 2011 § § permalink
Wheel Spinning the Hierophant's Throne
Jupiter moves into Taurus today and will stay there until June 11, 2012.
Looking at this transit from a Tarot perspective, it’s like the Wheel of Fortune is spinning the Hierophant’s throne. What seemed solid yesterday feels a lot more fluid today.
The Wheel of Fortune turns everything upside down. Then back upright again before you know it. It’s a trip you can’t predict.
But you can prepare for it by letting everything go. The Wheel asks for an open mind, unattached to preconceptions and old paradigms. It takes everything you know and mixes it up to create something you could only dream of.
There’s nothing so precious it can’t be spun. It might feel good, it might not, but everything’s got to change. From the perspective of the Wheel, change is necessary for survival.
The Hierophant, on the other hand, isn’t so fond of spinning. He likes his seat solid and his ideas fixed. He’s sure of his position, and once comfortable, likes to stay where he is.
He appreciates tradition and much prefers ritual to spontaneity. Moral codes are his specialty, and he’s known for his grounded advice. He’s found a path and likes to share it.
Though he thinks big, the Hierophant likes to control the transmission of ideas as much as possible. Too many outside concepts might mess with his order.
The Wheel of Fortune takes the Hierophant for a ride that he’s not always comfortable with. But he’s a man willing to take what comes. He’ll try to find meaning in whatever it is he’s faced with.
Jupiter in Taurus, or the Wheel of Fortune spinning the Hierophant’s throne, can be a time of spiritual upheaval. What you thought you had faith in might suddenly appear to change.
And maybe it is changing. This is a time of expansion, when old traditions might not seem as useful as they once did.
Don’t be surprised if authorities prove as human as their followers, and be open to new ways of finding the divine in your life.
It might feel a little chaotic at first, but it’s good for us to shake things up sometimes. Don’t get hung up on any one idea, and enjoy the ride.
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June 4th, 2011 § § permalink
10 of Disks
Saturday, June 4, 2011
10 of Disks
You may have more physical prosperity than you thought. Look around and see the support that’s there.
It’s likely that the money or physical support or whatever it is you need is at hand and that those who said they were behind you really are.
Trust your family and loved ones, they really do have your back and were never going to let you fall.
Open yourself to abundance and you might be surprised at how much is there for you.
And when you prosper, don’t forget to be generous. No one ever does it all on their own (even when we think we do). We all need each other, and it’s through sharing that we discover our true wealth.
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June 3rd, 2011 § § permalink
An interesting legal case is developing in Charleston, South Carolina. And a Tarot reader is at the center of the controversy.
In March 2010, Jonathan Spiel, a street performer and Tarot reader, set up his table, chairs, mirrors, candles and cards, on the sidewalk in downtown Charleston. He sat there with his dog, available for readings if people asked.
Police showed up four times while he was there, and each time, gave him a ticket for making charitable solicitations without a permit. These charges were later dropped, as it doesn’t appear that he was soliciting anyone.
In May 2010, police gave him four more tickets, this time for not having an ‘encroachment permit’, something he couldn’t get because used a table and chairs.
Later that month, Spiel decided to set up again, this time using a wheelchair as both his chair and a makeshift table. According to him, it was an attempt to avoid the encroachment issue.
When police told him to take down his wheelchair setup, he instead offered himself up for arrest, and was charged with disorderly conduct.
Now, the ACLU has taken up his case, claiming that city police violated Spiel’s right to free speech.
Their concern isn’t so much with his Tarot reading, but rather in what they see as his right to be in a public place, with furniture, and to speak to people when spoken to.
Susan Dunn of the ACLU, believes Spiel was being targeted simply because his presence was deemed offensive.
When the solicitation charges didn’t stick, police changed the offense. From her perspective, they were just looking for a reason to move him on.
She worries that this action could be precedent for targeting other forms of free speech, like volunteers with tables seeking petition signatures, or painters with easels.
Ravi Sanyal, an attorney representing the city, doesn’t see it that way at all. He claims the police have a right to clear sidewalks in order to protect pedestrians and drivers, prevent traffic jams and to keep Charleston visually appealing.
For him, the facts are clear; Spiel broke the law and needs to pay his fines.
I look forward to seeing how this goes. Spiel being a card reader has virtually nothing to do with the case, though it’s what made me look. And maybe it’s what made the police look too, who knows?
In any case, it’s interesting. And I can’t help but notice the humor in a free speech case being brought up for a man named ‘Spiel.’
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June 3rd, 2011 § § permalink
High Priestess in Chariot's Clothing
The Moon moves into Cancer today, and stays there until Sunday.
Looking at this transit through the lens of the Tarot, you might describe it as the High Priestess dressed in the clothing of the Charioteer. She’s left the safety of her pillars and veil, and has hit the road.
The Moon in Cancer, or the High Priestess dressed as the Charioteer, can be a powerful time of comfortable change and emotional resilience.
Knowledge gathered in silence has coalesced and it’s time to share without fear of being hurt.
Emotional loyalty, intuitive direction and strength of character can give you the resolve to go forward. Even into the unknown.
Try not to coddle yourself. You can only win if you have the courage to play to the end.
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June 3rd, 2011 § § permalink
King of Disks
Friday, June 3, 2011
King of Disks
Physically things will likely be pretty good today. You’re probably feeling strong and have enough of everything that you really need. You might even have more than enough and can give some away.
If you do, take advantage of this period to be generous. You’ve done wonderfully in building your world, see if you can help someone else do the same.
Prosperity and stability are highlighted. Enjoy the fruits of your labour. It’s been your steady steps and sometimes less than exciting work that has brought you to where you are. Congratulations, this is what the work was for.
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