What The Tarot Can Tell Us About Our Realtionships

Relationships aren’t easy. They require a tremendous amount of effort and commitment. There are, of course, those times where one feels lost and hopeless within their relationship. Misunderstandings and lack of communication seem to permeate everyday matters. Love feels as though it has been replaced with distrust and confusion. Obviously, there can be a number of issues that cause strife within one’s relationship. The difficulty often lies in an inability to uncover the causes and issues surrounding the discord within the nature of a relationship. So what can the Tarot really tell us about our relationships? Just about everything.

When we lack the faith and understanding, our behaviors tend to get rigid, pessimistic, and hostile. Letting ourselves be vulnerable proves to be quite difficult. We hide our feelings and become resentful. The Tarot offers a new perspective. It reveals hidden motivation, feelings and needs. The Tarot can offer a struggling relationship new hope.

The Tarot enables us to tap into our intuitive natures. Thus, it provides us with a new sense of awareness and perception. When applied to one’s relationship, awareness can often reveal the key challenges a relationship must overcome. The Tarot has the unique ability to identify not only your own needs, but the needs of your partner. It offers insight into one’s behavior patterns and projections that are influencing a relationship. It also reveals where both partners expectations may be unrealistic. Most importantly, it can redirect the energy of a relationship. It always offers a new way of seeing. Both partners may come to learn that their relationship is there to teach something.

Utilizing the Tarot can inspire a couple as it often can set a new course for a relationship. On some level, it is there to map out a new path for action. The Tarot reveals what needs to be accepted by each partner and what may need to be changed. It can also identify important challenges that may come up in the future.

When inquiring about love relationship, it is always important to get specific. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that get right to the point. Here is a list of some questions that can be very valuable when utilizing the Tarot:

1. What are the key issues that my partner and I are struggling with?
2. Where do my partner and I need to grow?
3. How might we overcome our difficulties?
4. What are the lessons we need to learn from each other?
5. What can I expect from my partner? What can they expect from me?
6. Where am I not willing to give of myself?
7. What do I need from my partner? What do they need from me?
8. What are the issues of my past that are affecting my current relationship?
9. What direction should my partner and I take?
10. How might we make our relationship more loving?

The list can go on and you are free to get as creative as you want. Using the Tarot with your partner can have tremendous results. It certainly helps a couple to feel a deeper level of commitment and intimacy. In truth, the tarot can help build a joyful relationship. It is there to ease a couples fears and get them back on track.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Paracelsus - The Coelum Philosophorum Or Book Of Vexations
Talismagick - Love Spells And Rituals For Love And Relationships
Jean Despagnet - The Hermetic Arcanum The Secret Work Of The Hermetic Philosophy

Understanding The Tarot Reader

Tarot card readers can offer a lot of spiritual guidance to those in need through there gift of tarot divination. Spiritual guidance can come in many forms which can be extremely useful to the intrigued client. When visiting a tarot card reader, you should keep in mind that tarot readings are a great way to gain insight on what is happening, or will be happening in a clients life. Tarot card readers who offer psychic readings have a Divine ability to relate what they see in the cards to the things they see in the energy field of the client who is receiving that tarot reading, therefor offering them spiritual guidance.

The tarot card reader has the ability to take what they see in the pictures and relate it to what they see in the clients life. Tarot readings can focus on events based on the past, present, and future, and often provide great advice from a Divine source which will greatly help the client seek the spiritual guidance they many need when they are not sure which direction to go in there lives. The tarot card reader is actually tapping into the energy field which surrounds the client, and using the cards as a tool, or a guide to help the tarot card reader better understand, or get more detail on the information that is being received in order to offer the client spiritual guidance. Often times tarot readings give in depth understanding and specific details about topics including love, astrology, careers, family, any many other various topics pertaining to the future, as well as past and present which is an extremely useful method of receiving spiritual guidance.

Through experience, the tarot card reader usually develops there own unique way of reading and interpreting information the receive. There are many types of cards that a psychic can use to give a tarot reading, each one unlocking divine spiritual guidance that can change a persons life.

An important thing to remember about tarot card readers is just because one has a physic ability does not mean that the tarot card reader can give a tarot reading with any deck of cards placed in front of them. There has to be a connection between the psychic and the tarot cards in order to give an accurate reading with enough spiritual guidance and satisfy the client. In conclusion having a tarot card reading from a trusted tarot card reader can be a very eye opening experience filled with spiritual guidance.

When visiting with a tarot card reader keep in mind that the spiritual guidance you are getting is only being received by the tarot card reader. If you are not happy with your reading, or you didn't like the spiritual guidance you received, remember not to take your frustrations out of the tarot card reader. The tarot card reader is only a messenger between the divine and yourself. Through receiving psychic information through a tarot reading, one can truly learn a lot about his or herself.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - The Third Eye
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - The Saffron Robe
Robert Wang - The Qabalistic Tarot

The Suit Of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

1 ACE OF CUPS

Meaning: Beauty and pleasure, fullness, goodness, fertility, productiveness.

Reversed: Erosion, sterility, clouded joy, false heart.
2 OF CUPS - Love

Meaning: The unity of male and female in the broadest sense: can be inner harmony, can be relationship between two people based on equality, warm friendship, partnership, love-relationship. Perfect harmony, radiating joy and ecstasy.

Reversed: Unsatisfactory love, false friendship, crossed desires, misunderstandings, divorce, separation.
3 OF CUPS - Abundance

Meaning: Plenty, overflowing, sensuality. The good things of life, enjoy them while they are there, because the won't last forever.

Reversed: Loss of prestige. Delays.
4 OF CUPS - Luxury

Meaning: Pleasure or success mixed with anxiety, because it is decaying/coming to an end.

Reversed: Injustice, weakness.
5 OF CUPS - Disappointment

Meaning: Disturbance when least expected, frustration, disappointment in relationships, misfortune, sadness.

Reversed: Learn from your disappointments.
6 OF CUPS - Pleasure

Meaning: Well-being, harmony, ease, satisfaction, sexual pleasure, happiness.

Reversed: Thanklessness, not being able to enjoy, always making conditions.
7 OF CUPS - Debauch

Meaning: Fantasy, delusion, imagination. Illusionary success. Addiction or intoxication (alcohol , drugs, food, sex, etc.).

Reversed: Back to reality.
8 OF CUPS - Indolence

Meaning: Abandoned success, discontinuance of effort, decline of interest in anything, depression, misery.

Reversed: Effort continued until full success is attained. Recovery from depression.
9 OF CUPS - Happiness

Meaning: Joy, gladness, delight, pleasure and happiness, material attainment, good health, complete success.

Reversed: Material loss, mistakes, imperfections, vanity, self-praise.
10 OF CUPS - Satiety

Meaning: Emotional contentment and satisfaction, fulfillment followed by letting go (everything comes to an end).

Reversed: Waste, stagnation, debauchery.
PRINCESS OF CUPS

Meaning: A very gracious, sweet, tender, sensitive person. Meditative. Loyalty. Paranormal advice. A very helpful person.

Reversed: Indolent, selfish, luxurious person. A flatterer.
PRINCE OF CUPS

Meaning: Expressing and controlling deep, passionate desires. Following your deepest heart. Letting your soul take you into new directions. In secrecy and silence searching for power and wisdom in your life.

Reversed: Evil, merciless person with overweening ambition.
QUEEN OF CUPS

Meaning: Reflection and reception. Poetical. Gift of vision. Medium. Intuitive inner wisdom. Devoted, soft person. Sensitive, loving intimacy.

Reversed: Diffusion, dreaminess, irrationality, confusion, deceit, delusion, fears and nightmares.
KNIGHT OF CUPS

Meaning: Sensitive, wise counselor. Openness. Innocence. Showing your feelings, following your spontaneous insights. Compassion.

Reversed: Sensual, idle, untruthful, charlatan. Tendency to melancholy.



Books You Might Enjoy:

Phil Hine - Aspects Of Tantra
Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic
Anonymous - The Secret Book Of Artephius

The Power Of Tarot

You need not be a mystic to appreciate the Tarot. It truly is available to everyone. Tarot reading offers a new way of seeing, and it can be a powerful tool for all who wish to explore their own life directions. The Tarot is like a mirror. It reflects our journeys, ambitions and life challenges back to us. It enables the hidden self to rise to the surface. It is, in essence, a doorway to deeper levels of understanding.

The Tarot is an instrument for stimulating one’s intuition. It is an incredibly effective method for enabling one to get in touch with their inner world. This is the world of the unconscious, the world of dreams, and the world of one’s personal truths. One of its primary purposes is to encourage the process of self-examination. The Tarot reveals our spiritual paths and can lead one to self-discovery. Most importantly, the Tarot can provide us with answers. They are there to guide us in our everyday lives.

The tarot is metaphorical and its imagery is rich with symbolism and archetypal significance. Their Tarot card meanings are universal in nature. Regardless of one’s cultural, religious or educational background, the Tarot experience is collective. Their interpretations are recognizable by everyone. They are the stories shared throughout time and represent the mythical journey we all participate in.

The Tarot is a method for meditation, contemplation, clarification, spiritual development and problem solving. It enables us to tap into the collective unconscious and universal energy that often can not be accessed through our everyday experiences. They always offer a new outlook or perspective on the issues we face day to day.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Aleister Crowley - Control Of The Astral Body
Edna Kenton - The Book Of Earths
Phil Hine - Aspects Of Tantra
Aleister Crowley - The World Of Tarot

The Major Arcana And Suits In Tarot Cards

It is very easy to learn how to read tarot cards. You do not need any special psychic abilities, although using tarot cards can be a very good way to develop your intuition, if you would like to do that.

You can approach learning to read tarot cards in a logical, systematic way. The easiest way to do that is if you have a deck of tarot cards where there are clear pictures. The Rider Waite deck of tarot cards is ideal for this purpose.

Traditionally a deck of tarot cards consists of 78 cards, which are broken down into five sections. These are the Major Arcana and the Four Suits.

The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards.

If you see a lot of Major Arcana cards in a reading or a spread, then it is likely that those issues are very important and deep-rooted and that the impact of the situations may well be there for some time.

The Major Arcana covers virtually every aspect of your life. It can also be seen as a more spiritual journey and the lessons that need to be learnt to move through various life situations.

The Major Arcana also indicate personality archetypes. These may be things that we can recognise in ourselves or see in others. Although the figures in the cards may show as male or female, the characteristics can relate to either gender.

Major Arcana cards can also represent events.

Suits

The rest of the deck is made up of four suits. These can be compared to the suits in a deck of playing cards. They consist of an Ace, cards 2 – 10 and four court cards, which are Page, Knight, Queen and King. All the cards in each suit relate to the same element, which makes learning to read tarot cards quite easy.

The first is the Suit of Cups, which usually represent matters to do with emotions and feelings.

Astrologically they represent the element of Water and the signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

The next is the Suit of Wands, which refer to matters to do with action, work, career, business, creativity, moving forward.

Wands are represented by the element of Fire and can point to the zodiac signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

Then we have the Suit of Swords, which points towards mental activity and head stuff with thoughts, ideas, fears, logic.

Swords represent the element Air and the astrological signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

Lastly, we have the Suit of Pentacles, which represent money, material things, matters to do with the earth and the home.

Pentacles represent the element of Earth and the astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

The Major Arcana and the Suits are the cornerstones of learning to read tarot cards. Once you understand the general principals, it is much easier to break your learning down into bite-sized chunks.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Stephen William Hawking - Space And Time Warps
Frater Achad - Crystal Vision Through Crystal Gazing
Swetha Lodha - Your Love Life And The Tarot Cards
Jester Raiin - Major Arcana 2nd Update And 1st Typohunt

Tarot And Politics

Lately, I’ve been thrown off balance by the number of tarot readers who venture into politics online. Today, someone I admire greatly for her kindness and generosity promoted a Deepak Chopra essay on Sarah Palin that was so vitriolic and mean-spirited that it literally took my breath away.

You can go read Chopra’s work for yourself, if you like. It’s a pretty straightforward attack on conservatives. Chopra writes that Republicans represent the shadow side of life, and he says that Republicans base their opinions on fear, rejection, hostility to change, and narrow-mindedness.

Here’s what the tarot community needs to remember, though: Half of this country is conservative. Half of this country regularly votes Republican. Half of the people you meet in everyday life lean toward the right, and half of the people who might be interested in learning or reading about tarot could very well disagree with you politically.

What’s more, no conservative would ever agree with Chopra’s assessment of their beliefs — and no conservative could ever feel comfortable confiding in a tarot reader who publicly suggests, as Chopra does, that Republicans are a demoralizing force who exhort others to obey their worst impulses.

On a practical level, I’m always shocked when tarot readers attack conservatives. As a professional tarot reader and an author, I don’t think I can afford to antagonize half of my prospective clients and readers.

I also think that political attacks cross an ethical boundary we need to recognize. Most of us would never demean a client based on religious beliefs or cultural differences. We go out of our way to be non-judgmental when it comes to other characteristics that define us as individuals, like race and sexuality.

For some reason, however, political opinions don’t fall under the same umbrella of compassion and protection. In fact, politics seem to be the only arena in which tarot readers regularly feel free to make insulting remarks about other people; you can hardly go to a tarot conference or symposium in which most of the speakers don’t make disparaging jokes about conservatives and Republicans.

I don’t think we should keep going down this road. It’s not healthy on a personal level, to feel either on the defensive or on the attack.

It doesn’t suit us professionally, either. As tarot readers, we’re already marginalized enough. A lot of us even know what it feels like to be demonized for our beliefs. We face an uphill battle when it comes to gaining respect from the general public — and we don’t need to go looking for people to hurt or offend.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Zoroaster - The Chaldean Oracles
Marcus Bottomley - Nine Proven Magical Rites
Anonymous - Wicca Beliefs And Practices
Sepharial - A Manual Of Occultism
Archmage Bob Andrews - Old Witchcraft Secrets

Tarot Reading Misunderstandings And Faq

Six Questions I Get Asked Most

Fate or Free Will

The question of whether a card in the future position is absolutely 'gospel' is a matter which often baffles until experience is gelled with feeling. Because a card denotes a certain influence or event does not always mean that influence cannot be altered. Even as we talk about the future we begin to conceptualise it in a freer way and thus it may be modified or changed or even overthrown by the stronger ideas and thoughts of individual mind. In short the future is not carved in tablets of stone.

'Death' and 'Devil' Cards

The bogeys of the pack often put the fear of God into the person having the reading. These arcanum should be treated with the utmost care, opened up for discussion and never just taken at face value. Death gives the greatest opportunity for change, demands it in fact, and all life is change. 'The Devil' concerns the immediate negatives that the enquirer is unwilling to face or that someone closely connected is unwilling to face. Often death may appear after a demise, or the Devil may appear when there is ill-health or chicanery, but in terms of the future they are the darker side of life with which we constantly have to deal and not simply the villains of the piece.

Reversed Cards

A lot of people are perplexed by the fact that some cards when selected appear upside down, or reversed, and whether this should be taken into account.
In actual fact, it is down to the individual understanding of the reader. Some tarot readers will 'read' a lot into reversed meanings and some will not. I personally do not. The tarot cards themselves are very much a focal point for the clairvoyant skills or the perceptions of whoever is reading them.

Block Definitions

Defining tarot card meanings is again at the discretion of the reader. A card falling in one spread in one position does not necessarily mean the same in another spread. The card meanings have to be integrated in an overall sense. Hence, the king of cups on one query will not always convey the same meaning to the reader in the next spread. The reader's ability to take in information over and above that of the main wisdom of the card is not only prerequisite but fundamental to the correct use of tarot. Otherwise, a stereotyped and contrived version of life and events will ensue and be more hindrance than help.

Less is More!

People often wonder whether the more tarot cards are actually spread the more information is forthcoming. Some readers may spread a lot of cards in order to fill in blanks if it's a complex or difficult subject, but mostly this is not the case. If you are learning the tarot try to avoid spreading too many cards, you will confuse yourself, certainly until more experienced. The brunt of the information on a good tarot reader is 'impactful' within the opening minutes and the added information tends to layer itself on what is already on the table. Unless the person being read for is blocked or afraid, in which case the reader may make the fight for access easier for themself by adding more cards

Card Layout or Design

There are many sorts of spreads and layouts and again its down to the individual likes and dislikes of whoever is reading. Some people don't need tarot at all and use ordinary playing cards. (Its a test of how your psychic abilities are developing if you can use an ordinary deck, but don't worry if you can't.) But if you are too busy worrying about your layout or spread design it may actually impede your right hand brain (intuitive faculty) so use the layout you are comfortable with. Simple layouts are best if you're learning: three cards laid horizontally and then perhaps three cards on top when the reading is unfolding. If you're receiving a reading, don't even give it consideration. Leave it to the reader - you don't go to the dentist and watch every single instrument he uses


Books You Might Enjoy:

Walter Scott - Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft
Max Heindel - Teachings Of An Initiate
Anonymous - Healing Gemstones And Crystals

Tarot Reader Prediction Comes True After 50 Years

"A prediction made more than 50 years ago by a tarot card reader finally came true for a Wingham pensioner on Wednesday night when his six winning numbers, worth $2 million, fell from the Lotto ball drawing machine right before his eyes. Over 50 years ago, the then 21 year-old man visited a tarot card reader, well known in the area for her accuracy, and was told that he will come into a lot of money later in life.

"The tarot card reader told me about this, and it has actually happened. Every single thing she told me that day has come true, this was the final thing left to happen," the winner said. "I have been playing Lotto since way back when it first began, and the line I won on are the original numbers I started playing with, they’ve brought me luck after all of these years."

The NSW Lotteries Players Club member watched the televised Lotto $2 million draw and afterwards checked off his numbers.

"I missed the 12, so I went to bed thinking I had five numbers, but for some reason I was positive that I had a 12, so I had to get out of bed and check them. My wife says you would have heard her screams in Sydney," the pensioner laughed. "I feel fantastic; there has been a lot of excitement in this house. I knew I had the six numbers but I didn’t know until I called the Lotteries office (yesterday) morning that I had won the whole $2 million, it’s unbelievable …"

Retroactive props to that reader, bless her heart.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Paul Foster Case - An Introduction To The Study Of The Tarot
Sepharial - Primary Directions Made Easy
Athena Gardner - Witchcraft Dictionary Of Craft Terms
Anonymous - Meditation Of The Four Magickal Weapons

Tarot Reader And Querent

In traditional Tarot divination, there is a reader and a querent. The reader acts as a consultant on the Tarot, using it to illuminate an issue for the querent. The reader typically charges a small fee for this service. Some sources insist that a reader is necessary; otherwise, the prejudices of the querent will dominate the reading. Cynics might point out that this insistence is of financial value to people who derive income from reading Tarot cards.

The way to structure a two-person reading depends on the theory. In all cases, the querent asks the question and the reader interprets the fall of the cards. The fall of the cards is determined by shuffling, which may be a joint process, or it may be done entirely by the reader or by the querent.

If the theory of unconscious determination is used, then the reader should shuffle the cards, though the querent may cut them to feel more involved with the process. The reader should watch the cut carefully so the necessary information may be transmitted to the unconscious mind. The reader is skilled in determining the fall of the cards; the querent is not.

If the synchronicity theory is used, then the querent or the reader may shuffle the cards. It makes no difference, since the synchronistic meaning comes through purely random factors.

If the theory of spirits is used, then again the reader should shuffle, since ordinary people do not particularly want to channel spirits to get a Tarot reading. If they wanted to get their hands that wet, they would probably do the divination themselves. Again, having the querent cut the deck is a meaningless symbol of involvement, but the spirits arrange the deck after the querent cuts it.

If the theory of order from chaos is used, it makes no difference who or what shuffles, just as with synchronicity.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Walter Scott - Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft
Max Heindel - Ancient And Modern Initiation
Israel Regardie - The Art And Meaning Of Magic
Starhwak - The Spiral Dance
John Moore - A Modern Master Extract

The Zodiac Forms

THE ZODIAC FORMS


ZODIAC AS ENERGY

The division of the zodiac by its crucial points results in the definition of
the four basic types of cosmic substance, substance being the primary necessity
for manifestation. As Rudhyar states in THE ASTROLOGY OF PERSONALITY,(1) "Energy
is not very different from substance. It is substance activated and released…as
modern physics has shown most definitely. Thus we can expect the principle of
"energy differentiation" to be similar to that of "substance differentiation"
Both are based on the principle of polar dualism, of action and reaction…The
energy-zodiac will thus be eight-fold, while the substance-zodiac if four-fold."
This division by eight is simply the bisection of the areas defined by the four
crucial points, giving us four additional factors, the mid-points between the
equinoxes and the solstices. These points refer to the area of maximum dynamic
intensity within the span or quadrant of the zodiac defined by two angles.

These points of maximum intensity are the four portals through which cosmic
energy flows, the "Four Gates of Avataric Descent." They represent the creative
powers of the universe, which are often symbolized by the Bull, the Lion, the
Eagle, and the Angel, which are said to guard the four corners of the universe.
In basic Astrological terms they are: 15 degrees Taurus, 15 degrees Leo, 15
degrees Scorpio and 15 degrees Aquarius.

ZODIAC AS FORM

The substance and energy that have been released by the zodiac must be
controlled and given 'form' in order to be manifest. All 'forms of energy' are
bound by the Pythagorean axiom "Everything is the universe is divisible by
three". All forms of energy involve an action, a reaction, and the interaction
between action and reaction. Thus it is only logical for the 'form zodiac' to be
based on the threefold division of the zodiac. This threefold division gives
rise to the 'modes' or 'qualities of Relationship between energy and form'. Each
sign carries the meaning of one mode.

CARDINAL, OR INITIATORY MODE
The cardinal mode is the form of energy expressed at the equinoxes and
solstices. It refers to the principle of change and momentum. It represents
active and intense life experiences. This mode 'generates power'.

FIXED, OR FOCAL MODE
The fixed mode concentrates and focalizes energy, thus symbolizing the principle
of definition and structure. It projects the cardinal experience, giving to it
depth and meaning. The fifteenth degree of the fixed signs is the point of
maximum intensity, where power if found in its most 'concentrated form'.

MUTABLE, OR COMMON MODE
The mutable mode 'distributes' the energy that has been concentrated and
released by the fixed mode. It symbolizes the principle of flexibility and
adaptation. This mode combines and integrates the cardinal and fixed modes
within itself. It distributes the power generated by the cardinal signs and
concentrated by the fixed signs.

ZODIAC AS A RELEASE OF POWER

We now return to examine the function of the four points or portals through
which power is released.
The nature of the power released through these portals depends upon the nature
of the energy used. The fixed signs, through which power is concentrated and
released, follow the cardinal signs, where power is generated. There are two
types of cardinal signs: those which generate equinoctial power (Aries and
Libra) and those which generate solstitial power (Cancer and Capricorn).
The points of release may then be divided into two basic categories: those
dealing with equinoctial power and those dealing with solstitial power.

15 Degrees Tuarus and 15 Degrees Scorpio
The fifteenth degrees of the signs of Taurus and Scorpio deal with equinoctial
power. Equinoctial power is generated by the intense dynamism of the equinctial
signs (Aries and Libra), signs of the maximum speed of solar declination. The
fixed signs that follow the equinoctial cardinal signs must arrest the dynamic
activity generated by them, limiting it and brining it into focus, in terms of
focus, in terms of purpose (Taurus) and identification (Scorpio).

15 Degrees Leo and 15 Degrees Aquarius
The fifteenth degrees of Leo and Aquarius deal with the solstitial power, which
must produce some kind of manifested activity, either personal (Leo) or
collective (Aquarius). The release of this type of power will be manifested as a
strong outburst of energy toward the focalization of the personality (Leo) or in
the form of a society (Aquarius).

The four points of release may also be examined in relation to the hemisphere of
the Zodiac in which they are found. The fifteenth degrees of Taurus and Leo are
part of the day hemisphere. They are involved in the release of "individualizing
power". The fifteenth degrees of Scorpio and Aquarius are involved in the
release of collectivizing power (night hemisphere), of the expansion of the
individual into the collective or universal realms.

CYCLIC FORMULAS OF THE FOUR PORTALS

15 Degrees Taurus (the Bull) represents the power released toward the formation
of an individual being.

15 Degrees Leo (the Lion) symbolizes the power released by the individual being.

15 Degrees Scorpio (the Eagle) represents the power released toward the
formation of the universal being.

15 Degrees Aquarius (the Angel) symbolizes the power released by universal
being.

CYCLIC FORMULA OF THE ELEMENTS AND MODES

At spring equinox:
Fire power is generated by Aries
Then concentrated through earth – Taurus
And distributed by air – Gemini

At summer solstice:
Water power is generated by Cancer
Then concentrated through fire – Leo
And distributed by earth – Virgo

At autumnal equinox:
Air power is generated by Libra
Then concentrated through water – Scorpio
And distributed by fire – Sagittarius

At winter solstice:
Earth power is generated by Capricorn
Then concentrated through air – Aquarius
And distributed by water

From "A Handbook for the Humanistic Astrologer", by Michael R. Meyer, Anchor
Press/Doubleday pages 50-53.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Aleister Crowley - The Zodiac And The Tarot
Richard Johnson - The Zodiac Stellar Stories
Ona - The Dark Forces

Tarot Numerology Eights

The tarot can be understood better if the underlying numerology is understood. Cards of the same number in different suits and in the Major Arcana have similar meanings derived from the following qualities...

Corresponding - Major Arcana - Strength

Major characteristics: Power, Success, Progression to a new phase or cycle.

Also: Regeneration, a fresh sense of direction, completion of one stage of a project before moving on, setting new priorities, new ways forward, balance, stability, control, reorganization, enterprise, executive ability, harmonizing opposing forces, death of the old to make way for the new.

Thing "twice four" for strongly stable, and "seven plus one" for spiritually stable and wise.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Candlelight
Walter Scott - Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft
Thomas Muldoon - Numerology For The 21st Century

Tarot Numerology Aces Ones

The tarot can be understood better if the underlying numerology is understood. Cards of the same number in different suits and in the Major Arcana have similar meanings derived from the following qualities...

Corresponding - Major Arcana - The Magician

Major characteristics: beginnings, potential, upsurge of energy.

Also: The start of something, seeds, creative principle, new projects, fresh ideas, new challenges, initiation, excitement, inspiration, vitality, leadership, independence, early stages of action, raw energy, creative power.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Aleister Crowley - The Necronomicon
Christopher Siren - Sumerian Mythology Faq
Thomas Muldoon - Numerology For The 21st Century
Arlo Bates - The Pagans

Tarot Math Spreads

How clever is this idea from the Tarot Dame?

Tarot Dame’s Blog: Tarot Math Spreads

Here are a few spreads I put together a couple years ago, using mathematical equations.
1. A + B = C
Combining Card A and Card B will bring you the results of Card C.
2. A – B = C
When you remove the energy of Card B from the situation of Card A, you will get Card C.
3. A + B – C = D
When you remove the energy of Card C from the combination of Cards A and B, you will get Card D.
4. A – B + C = D
Remove the energy of Card B from Card A, then add Card C and you’ll end up with Card D.


Books You Might Enjoy:

Harold Macgrath - The Pagan Madonna
Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
Aristotle - On Dreams
Anonymous - Divination Spreads

Tarot Decks Come In Three Flavors

Interested in learning how to read Tarot cards? If so, one of your first decisions will be "What style of deck should I use".

Although there are now hundreds of varieties of Tarot decks, most fall into one of three general styles -- Marseilles, Rider-Waite-Smith (also called Rider-Waite, or just RWS), and Thoth.

There are typically 78 cards in a Tarot deck -- 14 cards in each of four different suits, plus an extra 22 cards called the "Trump" cards. These 22 trump cards are known as the Major Arcana, the remaining 56 cards are called the Minor Arcana. It's the treatement of the Major and Minor Arcana that determines which general style your deck follows.

The first style -- Marseilles -- follows the traditional, old-school style found in early Tarot decks. The artwork on the Major Arcana tends to be simple and limited to only a few colors. The Minor Arcana looks much like ordinary playing cards -- there are four face cards (King, Queen, Knight, Page) and 10 "pip" cards (Ace through Ten). Again, the artwork on the face cards tends to be simple. The pip cards don't have artwork other than a "pip" count. For instance, a Five of Swords will have five swords depicted on the card.

The Marseilles style looks so much like playing cards because Tarot decks were originally used to play a card game! It wasn't until later that mystics began to use these decks for divinatory purposes.

The second style of deck -- RWS (After Rider, the publisher, Waite, the designer, and Smith, the artist) -- was published in the early 1900's. It was designed from the very beginning for magickal use.

Because of this, the artwork is much more complex and symbolic. The Major Arcana and the face cards are much more colorful, lifelike, and detailed. It's the Minor Arcana, though, where you'll find the main difference.

Rather than use pip simple counts, the artist (Pamela Coleman Smith -- who also illustrated childrens adventure stories) decided to draw vignettes of people engaged in some phase of everyday life. Because of this, the pip card images touch your subjective mind and yield many thoughtful perspectives -- what are the people thinking, what are their motivations, what are their fears, etc -- to enrich Tarot readings.

The final deck style is the Thoth style -- named after a deck designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Freida Harris. The Thoth deck was intended for magickal use from the very beginning. The paintings are surrealistic and highly symbolic. Thoth adds a new technique to the mix, though. Each non-face card of the Minor Arcana has a subheading describing some motivation or aspect -- things like Happiness, Luxury, Virtue, Oppression, etc. Because of this, some readers find it easy to read with Thoth decks. Thoth decks also make it easy to draw from other esoteric disciplines -- astrology or Kabbalah, for example -- in order to create inspired Tarot readings.

Most decks you'll find in a bookstore will follow one of these three basic styles. Marseilles styles will use pip counts, RWS styles will use pip scenes, and Thoth styles tend to be surrealistic but label the Minor Arcana with additional descriptions.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Anonymous - Starting A New Coven Looking At Yourself
Nicolas Schreck - Demons Of The Flesh
Aristotle - On The Soul
Thomas Potts - Discovery Of Witches
Arlo Bates - The Pagans

Tarot Cards Meanings The Tower

The Tower ~ Rejuvenation, rebuilding and the break down of old ways, old forms and old patterns. The very first time I saw the Tower in a reading, I must admit, I felt tremendous fear; major change was on the horizon.

This card looks like violence and chaos are on the way, at least that's the way that I perceived this card, when I first began my journey learning about the Tarot and then eventually teaching the Tarot. It would be many years, through many, many experiences, that I would finally come to appreciate all that the Tower, in a reading, had to offer.

In our human nature, we become complacent with having things remain the same, with little or no change, thinking that no change is a safe place to be and to live. However, this is not true. Becoming complacent to our life and hoping for no change in our lives, prevents us from growing, learning and evolving into the adults that we are meant to be from heart centered and soul blueprinted awareness.

The Tower and the changes that the Tower represent can sometimes be scary, but it is through the breakdown and breakthrough of old forms of thinking, that we see the world and our life in a new light.

When my journey began with the Tarot back in the 80s, I remember the Tower coming up a lot in the readings that I did for myself. I also remember the Tower coming up when another was doing a reading for me. And although I had no deeper understanding to what was in the process of coming into my life and altering the course of my life drastically, I knew that it was going to be big.

It has been 25 years since the Tower first made its presence known to me. Everyday that I consider and contemplate the life changes, that at first began as negatives, shifting and transforming to challenges and obstacles, it would be through the Tarot, that I would finally understand that I was being challenged to grow, to step into my life's work and my life's path. The Tower insured that I would bring much needed insight and clarity to each changing experience in my life, until I learned how to utilize the gifts and tools of my awareness to truly understand that all negatives have the ability to transform into knowledge and awareness on our life journey.

So, if in a reading you see the Tower come up, have no fear. Remember that change is on its way and that with common sense, intuition and the tools of inner knowing, each of us can transform our experiences to ones of heart centered and soul blueprinted awareness.

For in truth, the Tower offers great opportunity to step into alignment with the true voice and wisdom of our own inner knowing.

In the end, the Tower offers us opportunities to build a much stronger, inner foundation in our lives.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Carl Mccolman - The Well Read Witch
Melita Denning - The Aurum Solis
Aristotle - On The Soul
Paul Foster Case - The Life Power

Tarot Cards Judgment Or Aeon

In the Alleister Crowley Thoth Deck, this card is called The Aeon. This card represents the essence of good judgment or discernment. As I have been utilizing the wisdom and gifts of the Tarot since 1984, and have had many different styles and types of Tarot decks, as I was so awed by their beauty and wisdom, I would soon discover how the Tarot could evolve into deeper awareness and understanding for the many life changes, that I faced and that we face in our lives.

Aeon, through the definition in a dictionary, represents a long period of time. In the Alleister Crowley Deck, the card Judgment/Aeon represents and offers us the opportunity to look at the whole picture. If considering the picture of this card, the inner woman, has the ability to touch the earth and reach for the stars. In essence, she offers us the right use of our inner creativity, that brings positive aspects to other areas of our life. This card and its energy also offers a balance of our inner and outer life, our male and female, our action and feeling, our personal and professional. This card also teaches and offers opportunity for growth when judging ourselves or each other.

When this card is present in your reading, if this card comes in a reversed position, this reversed position is showing where we are placing judgment on ourselves, or with another. If this card comes into your reading in a upright position, either you are working toward balance and integration or you have succeeded in learning about balance and integration for all aspects of your life.

As always, whether with this card, or other cards in the Tarot, when looking deeper into each individual card, the Tarot has this amazing ability to share and guide us toward greater insight in the changes, that we do experience in our lives.

As I have been utilizing the wisdom of the Tarot since 1984, I have undergone many life changes and experiences. Prior to my understanding that I was walking the path of ascension, I was walking an awakening journey.

In the beginning of my journey, although I could understand concepts and situations in my mind, I was very unskilled in successfully verbalizing what was in my head.

Once I began my journey for learning the Tarot, doing consultations and teaching the Tarot, I was on my way to accessing deep intuitive awareness. 27 years later, I am very thankful, that although some of my learning was at times challenging, I cannot imagine not having the wisdom, guidance and insight of the Tarot.

Judgment/Aeon ~ this card is an excellent card to work with when we are looking to bring balance and integration into our lives.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Robert Bruce - Treatise On Astral Projection
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Anthony Griffin - An Astrological Judgement Touching Theft
Ea Wallis Budge - The Book Of Gates Vol Ii
Zoroaster - The Chaldean Oracles

Reversed Tarot Cards

Personally I generally try to avoid using reversed cards if at all possible. Before each reading I make sure that the cards are all upright, if a card appears reversed during the course of my reading as sometimes they inevitably it will I may interpret it as an energy blockage but I usually disregard it. This as with anything concerning the Tarot is a matter of personal preference. Just remember that reversed cards are not simply the opposite meaning of its upright interpretation as some references seem to indicate.

It is better compared to the retrograde motion of a Planet in Astrology, the influences of this Planet (card) are often turned inwards thus the outward expression tends to be somewhat awkward. A reversed card is not fully expressing itself to its greatest potential.

A method that you can employ to interpret reversed cards is to lay another card over the reversed card to reveal how the energy can be allowed to flow freely. This will determine what characteristics need to be developed to overcome the blockage or perhaps the blockage itself. If the reversed card is The Tower for instance it could indicate that you are suffering from a powerfully internal transformation. Your inner foundations are crumbling and your values are being challenged slain and overcome. This is in contrast to its upright position where it could indicate external transformation. You could then do another reading to see how this inner conflict could best be resolved and what qualities are required to overcome the adversity.

Remember that reversed cards often represent that we are unable to deal with the energies of the card and thus it is manifests internally. Spiritual readers may also see this to be representative of karmic challenges resulting from previous reincarnations. Reversed cards can also be viewed as a stalemate point of soul growth that must be worked through in order to evolve to your next challenges.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Steve Roberts - Zhine Tibetan Dream Yoga
Aleister Crowley - Thoth Tarot Deck
Swetha Lodha - Your Love Life And The Tarot Cards

Numerology And The Tarot

Traditionally there are 56 minor arcana cards -- the Ace through Ten, plus the four Helper Cards. Esoterically, 56 was known as the god number, the masculine energy, the active energy, the force of the creation principal.

The 56 is the vibration of the natal number of the Celtic sun god, who was known as the son of Tara, the Earth Mother; his aura shot-out 14 feet in all directions from his head (the rays went out into the four directions evenly balanced).

When the fourteen minor cards of each Element suit (Ace through Ten and the Helper Cards) are laid out in each of the cardinal directions -- east, south, west and north -- we see the design of the Celtic Cross, which represents the energy vibration of the number 56. Thus, the number of the solar god becomes grounded into the earth plain.

The design of the minor arcana, the lesser secrets, the 56 vibration, the male number, then becomes representative of the phallic or the fertilization gods, activating the masculine principle of the life force here in physical world of action, and within the conscious mind.

It is important to take into consideration that each card in each suit represents a particular aspect of human consciousness or experience. In each of the Element suits, the Ones contain many of the same properties; the Twos are similar, as are the Threes, and so on, through to the Tens.

When the 56 concept of energy vibration is applied to the Element Suits it is represented through the numerological vibration of each card's number first and foremost, and secondly, through each card's astrological affiliation.

The science of numerology is based on harmonious vibration. The understanding of numerology is to find the inner harmony, which will enable each of us to vibrate at an equal pace with the vibration of our planet Earth.

The world travels at a rapid rate. Scientists have noted that the vibration of the earth increases at the rate of one hour a week, which means our inner vibration, will also continually shift.

The vibrations that govern the universe affect us all for we are all a part of it. As a part of the whole we are affected by every change in the universal rate of vibration -- and the rate changes every time there appears a different number in year, month or day, or in the case of Tarot, with every card.

The universal vibration is like a stage set for a play. We may read the whole play but we memorize only the lines in our own role. Numerology helps us to work with these natural vibrations rather than against them.

When the science of numerology is applied to the tarot cards, the number, which governs the card, gives deeper insight into the hidden meaning of the card, and can thus be used as an additional correspondence -- an important action for our role in the play.

The following is an easy reference for the basic constructive value of the numbers One through Nine.

One: Creation, originality, independence, courage, progress, ambition, positiveness, will power, leadership, pioneering, activity, force, raw energy.

Two: Love, service, gentleness, harmony, adaptability, charm, diplomacy, friendliness, rhythm, music, receptivity, cooperation, consideration for others, will, purpose, initial understanding.

Three: Artistic expression, joy of living, freedom from worry, optimism, inspiration, talent, imagination, good taste, sociability, friendliness, kindness, conception, beginning manifestation.

Four: Practicality, service, patience, exactitude, organization, application, devotion, patriotism, conservatism, pragmatism, dignity, economy, trust, worthiness, endurance, loyalty, production, mastery.

Five: Freedom, progress, versatility, understanding, variety, adaptability, mental curiosity, life experience, cleverness, non-attachment, sociability, change, discord, travel, adventure, companionability, surrender, release.

Six: Love, harmony, home, responsibility, adjustment, musical talent, sympathy, understanding, domesticity, guardianship, stability, poise, protection, healing, firmness, balance, idealism, conscientiousness, justice, burden-fearing, service to All, solution, exaltation, seeing.

Seven: Mental analysis, technicality, introspection, peace, poise, scientific research, spirituality, faith, trust, stoicism, refinement, wisdom, silence, “theories and fundamentals,” feeling, deepening, mystery.

Eight: Power, authority, success, material freedom, judgment, discrimination, executive ability, organization, leadership, management, practicality, thoroughness, dependability, self-reliance, control, the power to succeed, repose, consideration, retreat, ripening.

Nine: Universal love, sisterhood, brotherhood, charity, compassion, the Higher Law, artistic genius, selfless service, philanthropy, humanitarianism, magnetism, sympathy, understanding, romance, generosity, breadth of viewpoint, understanding before or beyond words, strengthening.

Each number's "key words" can be applied to the meaning of a tarot card, when the number of the card seems to stand out prominently to you, which would then have a significant interpretation in the spread.

The application of numerology to the Element suits can be taken a step further by applying the concept of mathematical or geometrical symbols, which tell the story of how numbers evolve, as well as adding the expression of the energy movement behind numerology.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Swetha Lodha - Your Love Life And The Tarot Cards
Thomas Muldoon - Numerology For The 21st Century
Robert Wang - The Qabalistic Tarot
Aleister Crowley - The World Of Tarot
Aleister Crowley - The Zodiac And The Tarot

Nine Of Swords Meditation For Troubled Worries

Tarot Affirmations are positive statements using the Tarot, to center ourselves while energizing our Mojo! My goal is to help invigorate higher vibrations with creative visualization for self-awareness, while enhancing one's perspective, confidence, and productivity. Becoming part of the imagery is a necessity as it allows all senses to be encountered. Proclaiming and vocalizing your personal statement out-loud 'seals your agreement' with the Universe. Disciplined practitioners sense a significant change within seventy-two hours of repeating the oath. Inexperienced users must understand that it can take a little longer until you find your own rhythm to encounter the magic of will and assertion.

Meditation: Sit for a few minutes alone, with eyes closed and a goal to relax. Calm all thoughts and emotions until you are aware of the quietness that surrounds you. With slow and deep breaths, feel yourself float into this calm energy, feeling your body and mind also adjusting to this quietness. All the noise disappears and you feel at peace. Pay attention to the soundless spirit, as you cleanse and exist with silence.

Visualization: Today's card image can assist you in this meditative affirmation. We can start by thinking about the thoughts that have caused us doubt and confusion. What mental images do we focus on repetitively that create stress and fear in our lives? Like the nightmarish image in the card, we are the sole creator of our own inner torment. Understand that as we allow a disturbing snapshot of worry to live in our mind, another will breed from it, like bacteria. We know that this isn't good for us, but we choose to carry it along with us - throughout our day, and our night.

Think about your the bothering thoughts that cause you an uneasy feeling, the ones that you can not put to rest. Imagine each of these frightful thoughts hanging above you, dangling about like an unwanted friend. Anxiety and fear are not good companions. Visualize the negative energy floating over top of you, while paying attention to your body and the way it feels when inconvenience enters your world. Feel the pressure it causes. It doesn't feel very good, but again, you choose to carry it around with you. Continuing to visualize, reach above and grab your 'worry'. Hold it, and quickly slip it beneath your bottom. That's right, you're going to sit on it. If you have other worry's' up above you, do the same and slip them under you. You're going to force those towering thoughts of negativity to submit to you. They are not worthy, and by taking control - you give them an inferior status. Wiggle your butt, gently bounce, and flatten useless troubles of 'potential possibilities' and 'what if's'. Squash them hard, and smash those homies.

After you have shifted your body about, crushing what has been plaguing you... sit back and relax. Breathe with a long sigh of relief. Enjoy the position that you are in. You have complete control over your imagined problems. You have power over your mind again. Notice a feeling of pure emptiness that surrounds you. Your head is clear, your shoulders relax, your muscles lose tension. Breathe and release whatever ounce of worry might be left. Let it all out - and imagine it like a feather, floating from your breath. Let it fall to the floor so that you are ready to leave the room, you can step on it as you rise. The heavy weight that has been a burden is released, and only you have the power to keep it at a distance.

The Affirm: While being one with yourself, announce your trusted affirmation:
Worries are beneath me.
My mind is empty and at peace.
I see the world as it is, not as I imagine.

Now go get your mantra on!

Books You Might Enjoy:

Saint John Of The Cross - Dark Night Of The Soul
Order Of The Golden Dawn - Theoricus Initiation Of The Hermetic Order Of The Golden Dawn
Order Of The Golden Dawn - Meditation With The Archangel Auriel
Brian Swimme On Chardin - The Divinization Of The Cosmos
Anonymous - Meditation Of The Four Magickal Weapons

Major Arcana And The Hero Journey

The Hero’s journey is mankind’s oldest story. It is a story that transcends all cultures and ideologies. Symbolically, it is our own story as it is an allegory for the individual paths we must journey upon. It is constantly being retold and manifested within each of our own lives. It is the story of the soul; and its ultimate purpose is to remind us why we are here and what we must accomplish.

The Hero’s journey shares a common thread. This thread reflects the experiences of our souls. These are the common themes and experiences we instinctively understand. C.G. Jung first explained this phenomenon as the experience of the Collective Unconscious. The Collective Unconscious is part of the unconscious mind. This is an inner realm that ties all mankind together into one collective experience. It is inherent knowledge. It is the parts of ourselves that have an unspoken understanding of a shared experience.

We can identify our shared experiences through archetypal imagery. These are common images and visual patterns that are repeated throughout time. They are the symbols that have universal meanings and references. Regardless of one’s cultural, religious or educational background, archetypal imagery speaks to us all. They are depicted in our myths, fairytales, and iconography. They are everywhere. They are our witches, angels, crones, maidens and warriors. They are within every story told and they are within our own, personal stories.

The Tarot is one of the only pictorial sources that depict the Hero’s journey in its entirety. The Hero’s journey is told through the 22 Major Arcana cards. The Major Arcana refer to the non-suit cards, which make up the first 22 cards of the Tarot deck. What is so impressive about the Major Arcana, is their visual reference to archetypal symbolism. More importantly, they emphasize the significant life phases we all must encounter on our journeys. These are the stages of our psychological and spiritual development. The Tarot offers a structured interpretation for our life path and enables us to grasp these concepts at our deepest core.

Jung described the human experience as a process of individuation and self-growth. This is a process of discovering who you are, of becoming whole and conscious of your individuality. In the Tarot, the Major Arcana reflects this journey in two distinct stages. The first half of the Major Arcana explores the path of self-development and individuality. This typically relates to our growth from child to adult and addresses many of the external challenges we face along the way. Such difficulties may include the development of our own self-identity or dealing with life's major transitional challenges. The second stage involves an inward journey towards spiritual transcendence. Their Tarot card meanings most often illustrate the road to enlightenment. These include the many philosophical challenges and spiritual phases we encounter as we mature towards enlightenment. When this process is completed, the personality becomes unified and the psyche is whole.

By truly understanding the process of this journey, one can learn about the important aspects of the development of one’s self. The Tarot can reflect where you are on this journey, what you must overcome, and what you must come to accept. The Tarot enables us to explore the hidden parts of ourselves. They bring light into the unknown and highlight the significance of our journeys. They are guides to self-awareness and never cease in bringing forth our own truths.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - The Third Eye
Jester Raiin - Major Arcana 2nd Update And 1st Typohunt
Arthur Edward Waite - The Hermetic Museum