I know I’ve said it before, but this time it’s really true. This afternoon, at a special time, Beyond Worlds will be joined by the incredible Rachel Pollack.
By combining a question, some cards, and the reader’s intuition, intellect, and imagination, Tarot can become a magical treasure map leading to the jewels of the soul.
And Rachel’s going to show us how to navigate our way. Join us!
We’ll be live in the chat room, or you can call in at (646) 200-0765.
Take a look at this clip of Divka Sontose ‘flourishing’ the Deviant Moon Tarot.
The Deviant Moon, by Patrick Valenza, is one of my favourite decks. Fabulous for getting to the shadow side of any question, it’s apparently also good for stage tricks.
Some of the positions Sontose ends up with look like they’d be interesting spreads. I wish I could see the card faces better.
If you’re interested in hearing more about the Deviant Moon Tarot, take a listen to Patrick Valenza talk about his deck on Beyond Worlds last March.
The other day I was listening to the first episode of Beyond Worlds’ Meditation Moments with Paris Finley. In it he teaches us how to make little Tarot card easels out of twigs.
I was barely ten minutes into the segment when I had to pause it and run outside to gather twigs myself. Fortunately, my yard was full of them and the hunt was easy.
I ran back in, found four elastic bands, a feather and some colourful string. Then I started the show back up.
While I listened to how the wood represents the four elements of earth, fire, wind, and water, I put together my own easel concentrating on the energies I associate with the Magnolia tree from which the twigs came.
Carl and the Easel
For me it was about love and sweet beginnings, new emotions, and the feeling of spring. I’ve always associated the Magnolia’s blossoming pink and white flowers with bubbling chalices of happy.
I’d like that type of energy to surround any card that sits on my easel, whether it’s a ‘happy’ card or not.
As you can see, I’ve posted a couple of pictures of my work, one with cat, and one without. My craftsmanship might be a little primitive, but I’m happy with the results.
With some more time and effort, you can make it really nice.
Magnolia Tarot Easel
The first card I pulled to sit in the new easel was the 9 of Painting, or ‘fruition’ from the William Blake Tarot by Ed Buryn.
Could there have been a more appropriate card?
Not only did the easel come to fruition by the end of the show, I love that a ‘painting’ card appeared to be the first to sit in it.
And the image in the card seemed to match the energies of the tree from which it was made, or at least the ones I was imagining.
In the picture, two lovers embrace in the centre of an open lotus-like flower. It’s perhaps a little more romantic than I had originally conceived, but it certainly fits the love theme.
And doesn’t that flower they’re sitting in look sort of like a fully opened Magnolia blossom?
If you want to make an easel for yourself, take a listen to Finley’s meditation segment below, and/or visit his site to get a more detailed description of how to do it.
And if you’re listening to the show and want to follow along, the handout they’re talking about can be found at Donnaleigh’s website.
In case you’re thinking my cat Carl is sweet and respectful of the Tarot, take a look at this shot.
The easel survived, but the meditative spell was certainly broken.
Tarot is amazing for seeking out answers, digging through issues, or divining potentials for the future. But it can also be used as a tool for release.
Donnaleigh de LaRose has started a new Beyond Worlds series called Meditation Moments meant to uncover the quieter side of the cards, and in turn, the quiet within yourself.
All sorts of meditation techniques are out there, no one being inherently better than the other. It’s a matter of finding what works best for you.
And in that spirit, Donnaleigh is inviting different guest meditators to teach a variety of techniques, all utilizing the Tarot.
She’ll be adding more segments regularly, interspersed with the other shows. And from what I hear, she’s already got 20 new ones in the works.
To see when a new segment is posted, you can visit the Beyond Worlds show page, or go to Donnaleigh’s website where she updates the list as segments get posted.
I’ve embeded the third installment of the series below. It features HIC leading a powerful meditation for releasing tough emotions.
In this one he tackles sadness, but you can use the technique to address any issue you’re dealing with.
Unfortunately, due to the snowstorm in the northeast US last night, Beyond Worlds is cancelled today. But the wonderful show with Rachel Pollack described below will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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Rachel Pollack
Today on Beyond Worlds we have a special time and a very special guest.
It’s an afternoon show with Rachel Pollack, brilliant Tarot writer, deck designer, teacher, and grand mistress of all things esoteric.
By combining a question, some cards, and the reader’s intuition, intellect, and imagination, Tarot can become a magical treasure map leading to the jewels of the soul.
There couldn’t be a better person than Rachel to help us in the quest. I can hardly wait.
We’ll be live in the chat room, or you can call in at (646) 200-0765.
Tonight’s Beyond Worlds is the first of our Minor Arcana Tarot Intensives.
As might be expected, we’ll be starting with the Aces, the new seeds from which all things grow. And tonight we’ll be looking at the masculine ones – the Ace of Wands and the Ace of Swords.
We’ll be discussing traditional and not-so traditional interpretations, both upright and reversed, as well as looking at what the cards might represent in an actual reading.
Different artists and designers have varying takes on the energies in these cards, so as usual, we’ll be taking a peek at a number of different versions both old and new.
It’s going to be a lively show with four hosts and a wide array of perspectives. Join us in the chat room or call in at (646) 200-0765.
If you miss this class, or any of the Tarot Intensives, you can always find them at Donnaleigh’s website.
Click on the radio link at the upper left side, and you’ll find all of the shows neatly arranged by date, ready to be listened to 24 hours a day.
Of course, Tarot is entertaining enough without it, but using your favourite deck with The Tarot Game can add a whole new level to the magic.
Jude Alexander, who I was lucky enough to meet this year at BATS, designed the game.
She’s a tarot adept, teacher, and game enthusiast with a degree in Theatre Arts, and years of experience guiding transformational play for individuals and women’s groups.
By combining Tarot with storytelling, and the fun of a board game, she’s created a whole new way to enjoy the cards.
Players throw the dice and make their way around a spiraling snake, pulling cards and answering questions as they go.
The game comes with over 100 questions and a 78 card key word starter deck for Tarot beginners. Experience isn’t necessary, just a desire to play.
