The Tarot Room – Georgianna

For the first instalment of Georgie’s Magic Card Collection, we’ll be looking at the Albano-Waite Tarot, Special Edition. It was first published in 1968, then republished in 1991, and regularly since then. I don’t know what year my deck is from, but it’s definitely not an original.

Five Points About This Deck:

1. The deck is a Rider-Waite-Smith Clone. Pamela Colman Smith’s pictures are simply recoloured in bright, bold, and vivid colours … Sixties’ style I guess. I like the colours, though I can imagine some people might consider them gaudy. Well, actually, I consider them gaudy … but that’s part of why I like them.
   
2. Given that it’s an exact copy of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but with new colours, the Albano-Waite Tarot is an easy deck for beginners to use while learning to read. There are many, many books, and courses, and websites, etc. with info on what the RWS images traditionally ‘mean’ when they appear in a reading. Having so much literature/teachings around the images on this deck makes it especially accessible for newbies.
   
3. And for the more practised reader, the different colours not only make for fun art, they offer a different perspective on one of the most commonly read Tarot decks in North America. You might be very familiar with the RWS Tarot, but seeing cards you know so well with newly coloured skies, or clothing colours you’re not accustomed to, can really change the tone/mood of the message in that card. Colours are often an important part of a reading, and I really like how the colours in the Albano-Waite shake things up and get me reconsidering my usual take on an image.
   
4. With all the bright colours in the pictures of this deck, I appreciate how clean and quiet the backs of the cards are, all in white with a small gold sun. Classy.
   
5. There are lots of these decks around at reasonable prices. No need to spend a ton for an excellent deck.

So that’s my quick take. I like the Albano-Waite Tarot, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good RWS clone.

Thursday, June 6, 2024
Queen of Disks

It looks like you may have set yourself up just right. You’ve created the space you’re in through determined effort and hard work.

Step by step you’ve manifested your own prosperity and this is a wonderful time to enjoy it. It hasn’t always be easy but the rewards are well worth it.

Be generous with your prosperity, and kind to those that haven’t quite done it yet. People might come to you for practical advice or help. Or maybe it will be you taking that step to approach a kindly soul who could help you.

Don’t hesitate either to help or to ask for help. We’re here for each other and create the most beautiful of worlds when we work together.

The Moon moves into Gemini today and will stay there until Friday.

From a Tarot perspective, this transit would be like the High Priestess is dressed as the Lovers’ Angel. She floats above the naked couple, blessing their sacred union.

The Moon in Gemini, or High Priestess dressed as the Lovers’ angel, can be an emotionally confusing time, one where internal conflicts arise in order to be reconciled.

But it can also be a time of clarity, honest communication and almost intuitive understanding about yourself and those around you.

Quiet faith teams up with commitment and the Angels approve of the whole thing.

Try to keep your emotions in line with your reason. Going too far either way could disturb a really nice balance.

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Thursday, June 5, 2024
9 of Cups

What a wonderful day.  You feel open and loving and willing to let the world know – at least if they ask.  You might not feel like running out and embracing everyone you see, but there’s a sense of contentment and well-being that’s impossible to ignore.

This is an excellent time to enjoy and share.  Be generous with your feelings. There’s really nothing to fear in letting people know you care.

Give as you can and laugh out loud as much as possible, even when you’re alone. It may have been some time since you’ve felt this good.  Enjoy. You deserve it.

This Tarot Spread is meant as an exploration of an existing relationship – romantic or otherwise …

1. What do I want/expect from this relationship?
1b. How is this need/desire being fulfilled or not

2. What does the other person want/expect from this relationship?
2b. How is their need/desire being fulfilled or not

3. Describe a source of positive unity between us
3b. How might this unity be further nurtured

4. Describe a source of possible disunity between us
4b. How might we work through this potential issue

5. Attitudinal recommendation to maintain and/or strengthen the relationship, ie. what attitude would be useful at this time

6. A suggested behaviour and/or physical action to take toward maintaining and/or strengthening the relationship

Tuesday, June 4, 2024
6 of Swords

This is a good day to get your thoughts as clear as possible.  And you may have some emotional issues that could use a little focused attention.  It’s a great time to think things through.

What choices are you being asked to make at this time?  Look them squarely in the face and choose.  If you can’t choose now, when do you think you can?  At least decide that.  Ask yourself what will bring you closer to your own truth – a union of mind, body and soul.

You’re sharp as a tack today.  Take advantage of the energy to decide what needs deciding.  You can do it.  How will you get to your next step if you don’t?

The Moon moved into Taurus and stays there until Wednesday.

If you look at this transit through the eyes of the Tarot, it would be like the High Priestess is dressed as the Hierophant. She’s sitting before two acolytes and sharing the secrets she usually guards.

The Moon in Taurus, or High Priestess in the Hierophant’s clothes, is a time of spiritual and emotional certitude.

There’s a sense that the truth can be explained, understood and incorporated into daily life. Rules can and should be followed.

Instead of trying to force others to recognize what you know to be certain, try using this time to simply share your emotional, intellectual and spiritual perceptions.

Celebrate the diversity of spirit in our world, while figuring out for yourself what rules, spiritual or otherwise, work best for you.

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Venus moved into Gemini and will stay there until June 17th.

From a Tarot perspective, this transit is like the Empress is wearing the clothes of the Lovers’ Angel. She’s switched out her robes and grabbed some wings.

Venus in Gemini, or the Empress in the clothes of the Lovers’ Angel, is a fantastic time to commit to someone or something you love, or care about greatly. The blessings of Mother Earth are on side.

Assuming of course, you’ve explored all aspects of the issue, be they romantic, familial, professional or academic.

The Lover’s might be in love, but they’re no fools. They insist on looking carefully before they leap.

And during this time, we’re all encouraged to do so as well.

Explore everything that makes up the sensual world. Take part in life. Revel in it even. Then give some serious thought to all that you’ve experienced.

Learning more about the magic of the world won’t break its spell. It’s beauty will only become more awesome through educated eyes.

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Monday, June 3, 2024
#4 – The Emperor

You can expect a day of fiery energy and powerful determination.  In whatever you do today, you’re encouraged to do it with strength and creativity – in fact it would be hard not to.  Within your domain you’re the one in charge, so manifest your will.

What have you been wanting to create in your world?  Start making it really happen!

While you’re encouraged to take your power and run with it, there is a challenge associated with the Emperor.  Remember – not everyone might want to do things your way.  Everyone thinks they’re right.

Sometimes you have to give a little.  If you don’t, don’t be surprised if other people start rearing their own Emperor energy and you’re smack dab in the middle of a fight.

Masculine energy is strongly indicated with the Emperor card and issues surrounding males, especially those in authority are likely during this time.  Stay strong and true and you won’t go wrong.

I have a lot of Tarot decks. Not as many as some people I know, but a lot, over 200, maybe closer to 300. None of them are brand new (or even new at all), as I haven’t gone card shopping in a few years (it can be addictive once you start noticing how many amazing ones are out there). But seeing all the decks I have sitting on my shelves and in the drawers, I thought I might want to look at each one again, more carefully, with new eyes, like when I first got it.

In some cases, it’ll likely feel as if I’m actually seeing it for the first time. I’m not proud of it, but there have been times when so many new decks were entering my world at once that I didn’t really give them the focus they deserved. In other cases, I’ve used a deck so often it’s tattered and worn, and probably should be replaced … but never thrown away, I don’t think I could ever do that …

But back to my point. I’m going to start doing short reviews, or quick takes on each of my Tarot and/or Oracle Decks. I’m not going to go into great depth on any of them, probably just highlighting 3 to 5 elements of each one that I particularly like (or maybe don’t like as much). Some decks will be classics, others, less so, or even far, far less so. It should be interesting … for me at least. And hopefully you’ll like it too.

Expect the first instalment of Georgie’s Magic Card Collection soon. And have a good day!