The Tarot Room – Georgianna

Diane Wilkes

Today on Beyond Worlds our special guest is Diane Wilkes. Tarot author, teacher and webmistress of Tarot Passages. She’s also the creator of the beautiful Tarot of Jane Austen.

Tarot of Jane Austen

Tonight, we’ll be talking about the deck, and trying out Diane’s Bildungsroman Spread. She’s a fabulous teacher!  Join us – we’ll be learning lots!

Beyond Worlds with Diane Wilkes
Call-in Number: (646) 200-0765
Saturday, November 6, 2010
7:00 pm EST (4:00 pm PST)

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I just read about a group of Tarot lovers in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They call themselves the Winnipeg Tarot Company and were founded by Lorri Millan and Shawna Dempsey. They and their pack of prairie prognosticators sound so fun I wish they were here! But they probably wouldn’t want to be. Winnipeg is their love and they’re spreading Tarot all over it.

Winnipeg Tarot Co. Deck

First off, they’ve made a deck dedicated to their beloved city.  It was created by Millan and Dempsey and illustrated by Bonnie Marin.  As they describe it, “Each card depicts one of the mysterious and mystical energies that inform ‘One Great City’.”

The Major Arcana features local Winnipeg icons while the four suits are Blizzards, Floods, Drought and Lightning.  Everything from mosquitoes to the Blue Bombers, Slurpees to K-tel have been transformed into the magical.  It sounds like a Canadian Tarotist’s dream. Try it out with a free reading here.

But it wasn’t enough to just design and publish a deck, these oracles literally took it to the streets. Last month, every day, they set out around town doing free Tarot readings with their Winnipeg Tarot Co. Deck. Watch the video on their home page. They’re fabulous!!

The Winnipeg Tarot Company doesn’t accept cash for readings, but they do expect payment. After each session, the readers asked for a story about Winnipeg. And they got lots. They gathered them all up and you can hear some of them here.

What a great way to spread the fun of the Tarot while celebrating your city. I love it! Let’s do it in Toronto!

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Carl and the pink Ouija Board

After wanting one for almost two years now, I finally got my very own Parker Brothers Pink Ouija Board.  As hard as it might be to believe, it’s even better than I could have hoped.

Not only is the Mystifying Oracle a gorgeous Barbie pink, but it comes with it’s own carrying case (also pink). More exciting yet, there’s a set of question cards, ’72 fun things to ask’, just to get the seance party going.

Given that the age recommendation is 8+ and the box reminds us that ‘Girls have Questions OUIJA has Answers!’ I shouldn’t have been surprised by what the cards suggest we ask.

A few samples …’Who would do anything for me?’, ‘Who wishes they could trade places with me’, ‘Where will I find buried treasure?’, ‘Will I climb Mt. Everest someday?’, ‘Will I ever be on reality TV?’, ‘If the Oujia could give me a pet, what would it be?’ and perhaps my favourite, ‘If I have to choose, will I choose love or money?’. (are the 8+ group really asking that?!)

And in case there’s some question about whether or not the answers received are ‘good’, there are a few specific queries for the board itself. They range from the somewhat tricky, ‘My best friend is _______’ and ‘My favourite colour is ________’, to the direct, ‘Ouija board, are you real?’

I haven’t had time to try it out yet, but I can hardly wait. I’m not sure I’ll use the suggested questions, but I’m definitely using the carrying case.
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Back when I first came across the Pink Ouija, I was trying to teach myself flash. I was inspired by the board and came up with this ‘Welcome to the Tarot Room’ animation … if it works on your browser … click here for a Pink Ouija Welcome (the planchette hangs around the ‘hello’ a little too long, but give it a moment for a full welcome)

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Morgan's Tarot

I got a new deck the other day called Morgan’s Tarot. It’s not really a Tarot deck. There are 88 cards (not 78), no majors, no minors, no numbers at all. So I guess it’s an Oracle Deck that calls itself Tarot, but I don’t mind. And normally I would.

Typically I’m not drawn to Oracle decks. And certainly they shouldn’t be running around calling themselves Tarot if they’re not, but I’m crazy about this one and will let all such details slide.

It was created by Morgan Robbins and illustrated by Darshan Chorpash in the ‘60s and first published in 1970. The images are simple sketches in black and white, clearly inspired by the counterculture new age of its time.

I came across it quite accidentally while looking at decks on sale at a website I soon discovered did not deliver to Canada. But Amazon does and they had a few copies so I got one. I was drawn to the sketches and lack of colour. Don’t get me wrong – colour is great, but I was really attracted to the simplicity in these drawings.

Anyway …. the deck arrived and I love it. The first few readings I did with it where not only dead on, but very funny. It’s a deck with a serious sense of humour (or at least one that shares my humour). I’ll give you an example here ….

Having had the deck for only a few hours, I hadn’t really looked through all the images. I decided it would be more fun to get to know it slowly through reading with it rather than by studying it card by card.

So I asked it about my ‘psychic’ work, and whether or not I was on the right track (nothing like checking in now and again to make sure). I pulled three cards ….

The first one I drew showed a picture of a theatre with a full audience watching some performers on stage. Under the image it said, “Who is watching The Cosmic Drama”. My first thought of course was ‘Me!”. Then I turned over the next card.

There was a picture of a sun low on the horizon and a person standing on a beach watching it rise (or go down) while holding something in front of them (I thought it was a guitar for some reason). But it was what the words underneath said that floored me …. “Let George Do It”.

I’m George!!!! This deck has a card with my name on it! Really. I can still hardly believe it. And yes, I’m always busy watching the Cosmic Drama. That’s exactly how psychic work feels to me.

morgan's tarot talks

The final card I drew had a heart on it, one that seemed to be resting a little, comfortable and just there. Underneath the image it said “You Are Our God’. I don’t know who’s God I am, but if they’re connected with this deck, I like it. I’m guessing though it really meant that I’m my own God, or that God is within. In fact it said as much in the randomly unorganized Little White Book that accompanied the cards.

Quite a message, quite a deck. All in all, I have to say that Morgan’s Tarot is a joy to read. It’s crazy it’s taken me so long to find it, but now that I have I believe we’re going to be good friends. I recommend it to all lovers of divination and good solid advice be they Tarot readers or not. This deck likes to talk with everyone. And it’s well worth taking a listen.

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My friend Mean Jean Brophey collects playing cards. Not such an unusual hobby except that she does it one card at a time. Some years ago, she started noticing individual cards lying on the street. She’d see them here and there and wonder how they got separated from their decks. After a while, she decided to start picking them up (for some reason always hoping for a 9 of Spades).

Today she’s got over 90 cards and is just 10 shy of a complete deck of 54 (if we include the Jokers). Of course there are duplicates and triplicates. She’s got four 4 of Spades and 8 Jokers. And some cards aren’t even from regular decks. There’s a property card from a Chinese game of Monopoly and a somewhat creepy one labeled ‘blowjob’ discovered on the floor of a strip club in BC. But most are your everyday Bicycle brand red or blue with diamonds on the back.

Mean Jean's Found Deck

Mean Jean’s method of deciding whether or not to pick up a card is quite specific. If she comes across an entire deck or extremely large cluster of cards somewhere on the ground, she ignores them all. It’s primarily the lone wolves she’s looking for. The single 4 of Hearts laying on a sewer grate or an 8 of Spades beside some paint buckets in the alley.

There have been the odd exception to the lone card rule. For instance, once she and a friend were walking along an empty beach and came across what looked to be an entire deck floating on the ocean. In that case they plucked just one from the water – a Jack of Hearts. It’s a particular treasure.

Word has spread about Mean Jean’s collection and other people have started keeping an eye out too. I’ve personally added a few cards to the deck. It’s rare that I see a single playing card lying around, but unless it’s covered in something too disgusting to be involved with, I pick it up and bring it to my friend.

Though it’s not a Tarot deck, Mean Jean’s Found Deck loves giving advice. Its cards come from all over North America, and it enjoys sharing its unique perspective with anyone who cares to ask. So … in anticipation of the coming holiday season, we decided to ask Mean Jean’s Found Deck what it advises to make the most of this (potentially) wonderful time of year.

Mean Jean herself drew the cards. She pulled one to describe the spirit we should bring with us to our holiday activities, one for an emotional attitude to take, one for a positive direction of thoughts and finally, one about how we might physically behave.

Remarkably, all the cards she pulled had red backs (her eyes were closed while she was drawing) and red fronts! They were diamonds and hearts. Red and white just like Santa!

Back of Mean Jean's Draw

The first card drawn, representing the spirit of the season, was the 5 of Hearts. My take on this card is to turn it into the 5 of Cups and say that the spirit of the season is to forget all the sadnesses, fights, disappointments and other displeasures we’ve had with our family, friends and strangers and look at the healthy love in all these relationships. If it’s hard to find – look that much closer. There’s gotta be something.

5 of Hearts

But since this isn’t a Tarot deck, and we’re actually reading playing cards – I thought I’d take a peek in a book dedicated to just that. It’s called It’s All In The Cards by Chita St. Lawrence. Chita says the 5 of Hearts means: “small token/gift/little attention/a pleasant telephone call/surprise.” Apparently this card is all good and suggests a short period of time when gifts, visits and surprises abound. Couldn’t be more perfect for the holidays!

The second card in the spread represents the emotional attitude recommended by Mean Jean’s Found Deck. The card she pulled was the 4 of Diamonds. As a Tarot reader I translate that into the 4 of Wands. The emotional attitude suggested by this card is enthusiasm and celebration! Laughing, dancing and enjoying everyone you meet. Sounds good.

4 of Diamonds

But Chita’s message is a little more somber. “decision/four corners” is what she says. There’s a suggestion of being at a crossroads, about ready to make a choice. The choice has a lot to do with the surrounding cards, in this case two rather happy ones. Maybe the choice is to be happy or not. Enjoy this time with your family and friends or be cranky at having to spend so much time and money on people you usually avoid. It’s up to you how you want to look at it. Sounds a little like that 5 of Hearts in the Spirit position – at least as interpreted from a Tarot perspective.

In the position of mental attitude, the card that appeared was the 6 of Hearts. Could it be more sweet? The 6 of Hearts in Tarot would be the 6 of Cups – a card of unbounded loveliness. It’s all about gratitude and sharing, letting those you love know you love them and appreciate them for all they are and all they’ve shared with you. There could hardly be a more beautiful mental attitude to take with you to every holiday gathering you attend.

6 of Hearts

Chita agrees. The book says “very nice trip or path”. It goes on to describe a time of pleasant passage, well-being and very enjoyable ventures. Highlighted are family, friends, personal trips, dates, parties. Even excursions to the mall!! “Any steps taken are pleasant.” If we can pull off this mental attitude, the holidays will be fantastic!

And finally, in the physical position, Mean Jean pulled the 10 of Hearts (I’m starting to think she’s not so mean after all). The 10 of Hearts would be the 10 of Cups in Tarot, a card typically pictured with a happy family enjoying life under a rainbow. The suggested physical behaviour to engage in this season is loving and enjoying your family and friends. Could the message be hitting home any harder?

10 of Hearts

Apparently it can. According Chita, the 10 of Hearts means “great joy”. In playing card speak, this card is a straightforward positive representation of exceptional happiness and well-being.

That about does it then. “Joy, Happiness, Gratitude, Love and Good Will to All” is the message from Mean Jean’s Found Deck. Whether you read them as Tarot cards or playing cards, the message is the same. Love as much as you can!!

Start this Holiday Season right and listen to a deck that’s really been around. I think it knows its stuff.

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Americans!! And thanks Mean Jean for sharing your cards with us.

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As if I wasn’t lucky enough last month to be on the Storm Cestavani Show, but as a bonus ‘guest’ prize, Storm gifted me the delightful new All Hallow’s Tarot by Robin Tisch-Holister.  It took a while for the deck to make it all the way to Canada but I got it this week – and I love it!

Not only did it arrive in a most beautiful bag stuffed with magical toys and candy (thank you Leisa!), the deck itself is fabulous! Hand-drawn, contemporary images mixing themes of Halloween with modern urban living. It’s small, easy to shuffle, great fun to look at and gives an excellent read.

#3 The Empress

As I do with most new decks – my first reading was a ‘get to know’ you type deal. In this case, I asked the deck to tell me how it typically looks at issues of the spirit, emotions, intellect and body (at least while it’s talking with me.)

The card that came up for the Spirit, representing the fire or particular passion of the deck, was #3, the Empress. She’s a sweet figure in a red hat and purple dress. She wears a green snake like a shawl and stands with her familiars, the owl and the cat.

I interpret this card to mean that the core spirit of the deck is compassion, nurturance and love. It’s striving to help readers find transformation in the darkness, and connect to the grand-mother. Creativity, expansion and love are what matters most.

King of Wands

In the position focusing on the emotions, or the water element, I pulled the King of Wands. Not a lot of water in this card. In the picture, a serious, somewhat tough looking man sits watching, a skull in front of him to his right. In his left hand is a wand/bat and above his right shoulder a sword. Apparently the emotions in this deck can run a little high, but they get things moving.

The themes that jump out for me here are spirited rebellion, mastery of emotional transformation by fire, and a willingness to burn through soggy feelings that inhibit our growth. The deck is reminding me that power is derived from the conscious direction of our emotions, not by letting them rule us.

The position of the Intellect was filled by the 5 of Cups. In this lonely-feeling card, a woman looks sadly in front of her at three smashed pumpkins. Two others are behind her seemingly fresh and bright, but she’s paying no attention to them.

5 of Cups

From an intellectual perspective, this card might at first seem out of place. But looking more closely, I think it fits well with the last two. Emotions like sadness, disappointment, and self-pity need not overwhelm us. It’s where you place your mental focus that counts. If you want to dwell on sadness, that’s what you’ll feel. But you don’t have to.

And in the position of the Physical, the earth card, I pulled the 3 of Swords. Another unexpected card for its placement. In the picture, a person looks troubled, holding their face in their hands. A large tattoo on their left bicep shows the traditional RWS sorrow image, a heart struck through by 3 swords.

3 of Swords

The message here feels similar to the one above. Emotionally painful thoughts can really slow us down, not just mentally, but physically as well. If issues surrounding loss, betrayal and/or sadness are getting in the way of physical well-being, this deck wants to help.

Very interesting …. at least for me, it looks like the All Hallow’s Tarot would especially like to be used for questions of the Heart. Even when they’re tough questions. Emotions are its specialty and it promises to look at them with compassion, clarity and no-nonsense good humour.

Sounds excellent! I can’t wait to play with it more. Thank you Robin, Storm and Leisa!! I really like it!

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Stoney Machete

My very good dog friend, Stoney Machete, is celebrating his 13th birthday today. I can’t believe time has gone so fast, Stone and I have shared some good times.

Hours together at the office, adventures at the Bat Cave, trips to Pioneer Town, countless games of drag and tug.

We’ve crisscrossed North America together and said hello and good-bye at airports more times than I can remember. I love Stoney.

But we did have a bit of an awkward start to our friendship. I met the Stone when he was just six months old and all about chewing. I know it’s not right to take dog behaviour personally, but I couldn’t help but notice the only things he chewed belonged to me.

My friend, his very best human, told me I was imagining it, but I wasn’t, and Stone knew I was on to him.

5 of Wands

One night we arrived home to see my entire Thoth Tarot deck strewn across the floor starting in the living room and trailing in a straight line right through to the bedroom.

I was wildly upset as I followed the card path. When I got to the end I couldn’t believe my eyes. The last card in the trail was the 5 of Wands – Strife. And it was chewed to shreds.

Since that was the only card with any damage on it, I couldn’t help but take it as a message. Stoney had decided to clear the air and bring our petty arguing about who was chewing what out into the open.

And not only that, he was going to end the fighting right then.

Of course I let him know I wasn’t happy with his method of communication, but wow was he good. We became fast friends from there.

And about the deck, since it was my very first one, given to me by my mother, I decided ‘Strife be damned,’ and kept it. In fact, I use it all the time.

Purists might be disturbed by my choice, but I believe if the energy of the 5 of Wands needs to come out in a reading, it’ll find a way, whether it’s through a combination of other cards or myself and a client ‘magically’ choosing a different deck for that reading. No harm done.

Stoney and I live in different cities right now so I’ve had to pass my birthday message on to him through his best human.

But I thought I’d give it a go psychically as well and of course chose Tarot as my medium. Out loud I said “I love Stoney Mac!’ and pulled a card.

#11 Strength

The card I got was ‘Strength’. Pictured is a young maiden playing with a gorgeous golden lion. Quite obviously the young maiden is myself (ha ha) and the golden lion no other than Stoney Machete aka The Golden Boy of Hollywood.

How fabulous! He sent me a picture of the two of us hanging out. Stone’s still got the Tarot Touch!!

Happy Happy Birthday Stoney!!! Have a squeak toy on me – I love you Bub!

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