My blog is now going to be hosted right on my website at: http://thetarotlady.com/blog/
Please bookmark the new page and update your RSS feeds, etc.
Blessings!
Theresa
Dear friends,
My blog is going to be moving within a week…..watch here for the new address.
Blessings!
Theresa
“Who Are You In The Tarot” by Mary Greer is actually a reprint of “Tarot Constellations” which has been out of print for a long time. When Weiser Books approached Greer to republish this book, she did an extensive revision of the original.
I never had the original. So I am not quite sure what the revisions were – but I will say this: if this is the end product – bravo!
I purchased my copy shortly after attending a class on this subject with Mary at SF BATS (San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium). I was very intrigued by the subject, so I thought I better get the book and study deeper.
Although many of us use tarot for divination and self development, this book allows us to look at our personalities through the lens of tarot. By combining simple numerology with the cards, you end up with a clear and informative snapshot into your potential, strengths, weaknesses and more. This gives the reader a road map into their destiny and a powerful tool for self understanding.
Let me show you how it works with my own birthdate (June 11, 1965). You add up your date as follows:
6
11
1965
_____
1982
Then add up the end results like this: 1 + 9 + 8 + 2 = 20
Now you take that number and find the card that corresponds to that number. In my case, it would be the Judgment card (part of the 2/11/10 Constellation). This would be my Personality card. Greer provides a detailed description of how this plays out in the personal makeup. For example, Judgment’s theme is Cosmic Understanding and Spiritual Truth. The Judgment personality is “aware of how they can transcend personal limitations and they seek to transform and take control of things around them”. This card also has a connection to Pluto and the Moon, which creates a highly psychic aspect as well.
Each card also has a “Hidden Factor” card which acts as a “teacher”. In my case, it was the Justice card (very interesting as themes of justice often figure prominently in my life). My combination of cards indicates “a devotion to world harmony” and “psychic ability”. Intriguing.
This follows with a list of famous people who have the same personal cards which was fun to look through. I loved seeing who shared similar traits (lots of presidents in my case!).
This is the main meat of the book but there is so much more here: name cards (a cool way to discover the significance of your name and how it affects your personality), techniques for working with the cards (I loved the dialoguing), Soul cards, yearly cards, minors (lessons and opportunities) and more.
Greer even takes time to address the 8-11 controversy. (Strength and Justice were switched in the Rider Waite deck. The Marseilles deck had Justice as 8 and Strength as 11 originally.)
One thing I would like to add is this: her method of adding up your birthdate is different from other methods. For example, I have also seen in some texts that you should add it up like this: 6 +1 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 6 + 5 = 29. If I reduce that, I come to 11 instead of 20 for my Personality card – and this would change the outcome and I would end up with the High Priestess instead of Judgment for my Personality Card. I only point that out to show that there are other schools of thought regarding the numerology part. For this book, I am sticking with her method and interpretation, which seemed to work out fine.
This book is a great addition to any tarot collection and I had lots of fun discovering information about myself and my loved ones. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in learning how to use the cards to uncover more about their personality.
Blessings!
Theresa
Recently I was watching the documentary “Catfish,” a film that chronicles a young man who falls in love with a beautiful woman he meets online. He travels to meet her only to discover that he’s been duped by a doughy middle aged pathological liar who continues to lie even after being confronted with the fact that the young man knows the truth.
In that story the young man forgives her. She takes down all her false online profiles and starts fresh as her real self. Unfortunately, in the world of online scam artists this is a rare and unlikely outcome.
Nonetheless this story was remarkably reminiscent of real world events in our own community. Yes, we have Monsters among us. I’ve personally had experience dealing with one of our own “catfish.” Fortunately, I have a Class A Bullshit Detector built in and could easily extricate myself from the situation quickly, quietly and cleanly. But I still wonder about those who may be more innocent and less savvy to the types of wolves and highwaymen that prowl the web.
The online world is a strange place….often you see people acting out in ways they probably would not act in real life. In polite society, we are caring about each other, we speak tactfully and mindfully, we protect our elders and we act out of integrity.
But online it can be more like the Wild Wild West. Bullies humiliate others and destroy careers and opportunities for their gentler, less outspoken victims; reputations are destroyed by cruel whisper campaigns; great ideas are stolen and sold at a pittance by scammers who will do anything for a buck; and pathological liars rob people of a sense of trust. To see this outrageous behavior in a so-called “spiritual community” is particularly worrisome.
There are plenty of guidelines for the consumer on how to not get ripped off by psychic scam artists – but what if you work side by side with these people? What if they are floating around in your community, polluting an otherwise peaceful vibration with their toxic behavior?
Do we coexist and simply ignore it? ( i.e. Mind our own business/karma….)
Or do we take a stand and insist that people treat each other – and this work – with a more dignified and honorable manner?
What do you do about colleagues that practice extremely deceptive or cruel personal politics? The more I pondered this, the more questions arose.
If we do nothing, we may be enabling the bad behavior to continue. By shutting our mouths and turning a blind eye, are we tacitly endorsing the crowd declaring the grandness of the “Emperor’s New Clothes?” I’m sure many of us would prefer to be more “Zen”, remain quietly in our own worlds and not become involved in any of this. But is it always truly being Zen or is that just a convenient excuse for cowardice, apathy and/or inaction? The need for honest introspection is an ongoing process and there are no easy answers.
Unfortunately, there may not be a lot that can be done overtly for several reasons.
One, it leads to bureaucracy and that opens up a whole other set of problems. Secondly, who wants be responsible for policing the community? (I sure don’t.)
Also, confrontation can make a situation worse, particularly in the case of a bully.Often this enrages them and they escalate their attacks, which then leads to full scale never-ending war of words. In fact this is often exactly what they may be looking for because it satisfies their need for aggressive and confrontational energy. In some cases, this approach can lead to more drama for the victim than the offender.
Fronting out a fraud can also lead to mixed results – they often simply slink off, morph into a different guise and suck up to a new group of victims, hopping from group to group and preying on the naive. I know of one person who valiantly outed a fraud and the perpetrator simply played the victim to anyone who would listen, waited until the heat died down and then moved on to a different tribe.
I’ve spoken to a few people who have been prey to these types of people and one person told me that “It felt like being gut kicked… sucker punched… targeted for mugging and pillaging… like coming home to find your house ransacked and precious things stolen.” And when they received little support from fellow readers they remarked that they felt “disenfranchised from the Tarot Community.”
We’ve unwittingly ended up in a Catch 22: paralyzed and outraged at the bad behavior….but unable to do a darn thing about it. Some people end up hurt (personally and professionally). Some withdraw entirely from online tarot groups out of fear of being attacked. And some continue to enable the perpetrators.
I’ve asked myself this: if this was my child, would I condone mean spirited or dishonest behavior? What about my spouse? Would that be okay with me?
And the answer is NO. So if this behavior is not acceptable for your children or spouse, then why should we give a free pass to colleagues – or complete strangers?
The first thing that we need to consider is the personal example that we are setting in our community. And that starts with examining our own behavior and mindset.
If you yourself are consistently being cruel, manipulative, deceptive or nasty – it’s time to look at the reasons/motives/emotions behind your actions. And then work to change it. Set the example. Apologize. Rise above your own crapulence.
Start with YOU. If each of us is mindful of our own actions, we are going to be in a better position to deal with any negativity in our community.
And then before you point a finger at a colleague, take a moment to step back and watch. On occasion, we can all make a gaffe (everyone has a bad day, right?). Snarky online comments can be interpreted as bullying. An offhand remark could be misconstrued. People might embellish at times. And someone’s writing may be eerily similar to someone else’s (and this can be a totally innocent coincidence).
Slip ups do happen as no one is perfect or immune from poor behavior. A rare faux pas is forgivable – a continuous pattern of bad behavior is another thing.
For example, consider the person who constantly belittles or humiliates others in an online forum. If someone is consistently engaging in online attacks, then it’s no longer snark – it’s abuse. Period.
The person who uses a false identity and tells outrageous lies crosses an ethical line personally, morally and professionally – and brings shame to their community. (Remember Milli Vanilli?)
A copycat who regularly lifts blog posts, taglines and ideas is stepping into treacherous waters. (Imitation may be a form a flattery – but a pale imitation of someone else’s work starts to dip into plagiarism….)
A gossip who shares intimate knowledge of readings, private information or particular products purchased and used, betrays client confidentiality. (Beware when you hear these things from the mouths of your colleagues, for if they feel so free with sharing details and speculation on the lives of others with you, you can rest assured that it is pretty likely that they will gladly share your information just as easily with others.)
When you witness someone else engaging in these or other disruptive, unprofessional or negative practices, you still have a few good choices.
I realize in writing this post that I may have no concrete answers. Perhaps it is time for all of us in our community to open up a dialogue and to try and find a positive, proactive and mindful way to handle this issue.
Although the people that engage in negative behavior are the minority, they seem to leave a damaging trail in their wake. We may not be able to stop that completely – but if we bring it out into the light of day and discuss the issue, we may just be able to contain it to a rare isolated incident.
“I’m a reflection of the community.” ~ Tupac Shakur
Blessings!
Theresa
Have you dealt with trolls or witnessed bullying or worse in your online community? How did you deal with it? What do you think is a better way of handling situations like this? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below:
Talkin’ Tarot With is a monthly feature designed to introduce my readers to different tarot readers from our wonderfully diverse community! Each month, I’ll be asking various tarot readers 3 questions about their tarot philosophy and style, plus pointing you to their websites and blogs so that you can learn more about them! I like to hand pick tarot readers that I feel are talented and interesting.
I enjoy meeting and learning from tarot readers who work with the cards differently than I do. It’s all too easy to get quite fond and comfortable with our own methods – getting a different perspective can help a reader to grow and bust out of their own self imposed “tarot ruts”.
Recently I took a class with James Wells called “Tarot Counseling“. This month long course delved into using tarot in more of an interactive counseling format which is quite different than how I tend to work with the cards. James is an incredible teacher – wise and compassionate and infinitely patient. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I learned in that class and have been able to put some of his techniques to good use with my own clients.
The best part of the class is that I received a reading from James which helped me to get a clear feeling of how tarot counseling actually worked. Using deep questions and a custom made spread, James helped me to get to the root of a situation that I had been struggling with for some time. His reading gave me the advice and tools I needed to liberate myself from the problem. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for the experience. This was exactly the reading I needed!
Readers like James offer their clients the opportunity for deep personal healing, which takes tarot from a simple divination tool to something more profound. If you are looking to connect with tarot in a whole new way, a reading (or class) from James may be just what you need.
James Wells makes his home is Toronto, a vibrant and tree-filled city in Southern Ontario. As a motivational listener, consultant, teacher, facilitator, and circle host, he is dedicated to merging soul and strategy. For him, contemplation and insight must be grounded in practice.
From James’ childhood until the present day, He has been curious about what makes people and the universe tick. This curiosity has inspired him to try out a variety of wisdom ways, some of which no longer resonate with him and some of which are helpful long-term resources. Through tools and processes such as circle methodology, tarot, Reiki, and journal writing, James is invited to remember his creativity, resourcefulness, and wholeness. The people who choose to work with him as clients and students also report that these ways are fruitful paths to their full authentic humanity.
Whether at home or abroad, whether in personal sessions or in workshop settings, James always aims to provide an experience of council mind, a way of deep witnessing and self-expression that respects the Whole.
In his “me time”, James enjoys reading, writing, music, walking, close friends, and good food. He’s also nourished by regular attendance at a shamanic journeying group and a circle-based spiritual community of healing and peacemaking, both in Toronto.
You can find James at his website Circle Ways. He also teaches classes in Reiki, tarot and more as well as leading events. Check out his EVENTS page if you wish to study with him.
He is also a published author – his recent book, Tarot For Manifestation is currently on the shelves and is a must-read for all tarot lovers!
James will also be one of the main presenters at Readers Studio 2012, the biggest tarot conference in the world.
Check out his answers to my questions below:
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1. What is your philosophy about tarot reading?
James: A tarot consultation, for me, is simply another form of feedback. It can give us a look at what’s happening within us and around us in the moment so that we can become more aware of the options that are available. Awareness of options can lead to empowerment because we realize that there’s more we can do about a situation than we originally thought. I think of each card as one of 78 possible viewpoints on one’s situation, so it doesn’t really matter which card gets chosen about an inquiry. A person’s imagination and capacity for projection make a card relevant to any situation. A tarot session, at its best, liberates us from our habitual patterns.
2. How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?
James: A client will get the most out of our time together (whether on the phone or in person) if s/he works collaboratively with me. I ask a series of questions when someone makes their initial contact with me. A person’s responses to those will assist her/him and me to focus on what we’ll explore through the tarot. During the consultation itself, a client can benefit by being open to dialoguing with me. If s/he remember that it’s a conversation rather than being “read at” by me, s/he’ll go deeper into his/her own wisdom and become more aware of the answers and richer questions that reside within. I suppose that all of this sugars down to clients suspending their notions about what a tarot session should be and going along with the processes that I offer. It’s a journey of meeting each other where we are.
3. What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?
James: Don’t try to be right, just do your best to be helpful when asked. Also, cultivate a capacity to ask relevant, open-ended questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A big thank you and hug to James for taking time to talk with me – and for the awesome reading. It really was one of the most profound readings that I have ever had.
I can’t wait for his presentation at RS12!
Blessings!
Theresa
When I was a child, my mother used to say that I “always had my nose in a book”.
This is still true to this day – I am always reading something. In fact, I collect more books about tarot than actual tarot decks.
There are many great books about tarot on the market today (and more coming out every day). Here are some of my absolute favorites that I love to recommend:
(This list is not in any particular order nor is this list complete – you may have other favorites or may disagree with my choices.)
As I stated above, this list is by no means complete. I revise my list often because although there are the classics that stand the test of time, there are also good things coming out from our talented tarot community constantly.
Happy reading!
Theresa
What books do you recommend? Discuss your favorites in the comment section below:
Doing tarot on the fly is a real possibility (and sometimes a necessity) but I have found that the best tarot readings come when both reader and querent have done a little prepping.
Why? It’s because the right mindset will lead to a better reading (and experience) for all parties involved.
A reading done in haste is rarely done well – and a reading done with an unfocused mind or scattered agenda leads to a lack of clear answers. Here’s how to prep for the best reading possible whether you are the reader or the client.
For the reader:
For the querent:
Phone readings: For phone readings, the rules above apply but it is extremely important for the querent to have a quiet space so that they may be present for the reading. For example, if you are getting a phone reading and you have too much noise in the background, you may not hear what your reader is saying.
The tarot reader will also need to make sure that they are holding the same sacred space for their client on the phone as if the client were in their office. Do not be checking email or watching soaps in the background while on the phone. Cut out your distractions and focus. You must BE PRESENT for the client even if they are not in your office.
Email readings: If you are getting a tarot reading via the email, take time to formulate your question. Be as clear as possible. Don’t mix too many questions into one as this will muddy your question and lead to confusion for the reader. If you are comfortable, send a picture of yourself as this gives your reader something to focus on.
If you are giving a reading via email, just make sure that there are no distractions – once again, you want to focus all of your energy on the querent. Email readings need the same care that in person or phone readings need. Approach them as if the client were sitting right in front of you.
The main criteria for a solid tarot reading is a PRESENT mind. If you can manifest that on demand, great (I can’t). But for those of us who are not that spontaneous, the suggestions above can help everyone walk away from the experience feeling content.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” ~ Buddha
Blessings!
Theresa
How do you prepare for your reading? Not just as a tarot reader but as a client? What helps you feel “ready”?
I’ll sheepishly admit that I had some reservations about the Gaian Tarot. Rumor was that it was very feminine ala The Motherpeace Deck. I’m actually kind of masculine in nature so that concerned me. Would I be able to relate to this deck?
I also heard that some of the traditional names for the cards had been changed. And since I consider myself a traditionalist that troubled me as well. Would the changes water the deck down?
It was with great apprehension that I approached this deck. I worried that I would not be able to connect at all. (Funny how hearsay makes you uber-cautious about something as innocuous as a tarot deck.)
I’m happy to report that those assumptions were delightfully misguided.
The author, Joanna Powell Colbert, originally self published the deck – I am writing here about the recently mass published version from Llewellyn. This new version comes in a bright yellow box with the Sun card on the front. The deck consists of 78 cards and comes with a companion book, “Journey Through The Gaian Tarot”.
The book is well written, very meaty with a lot of information to absorb. The author starts out talking about how the deck came into being and how to use the deck and book. She then gives the meaning for each card but also adds an interpretation for the “shadow side” of the card (one could use this for reversals or for an overall negatively slanted reading). The interpretations provided are not cut and dried “predictions” – these are focused more on the energy surrounding the situation and has a more empowering and therapeutic vibration to it which allows the querent to have a feeling of being in control of their destiny.
She then provides meanings behind the symbols on each card, which adds further depth to readings. In the Majors, Powell Colbert offers “Journal Questions” which I found to be extremely valuable. This allowed me to use the deck for internal processing which made the Gaian Tarot a powerful tool for healing or therapy. All cards came with an affirmation. I happen to love affirmations so this was an added plus.
Although the overall tone of the deck seemed to be positive, the author did not shy away from the negative. That being said, the interpretations were always geared towards facing the dark side and healing it. This makes the deck appropriate for anyone, especially those who may have a negative view of the tarot.
The deck itself is beautiful. It’s colorful and stunning with clear pictures and symbols. Animals and nature figure prominently in every card. The people look realistic and expressive (the author used real people she knew as some of the models – you can see her granddaughter in the Child of Water – and the author herself in the 9 of Earth). Each card evokes the feeling that the author intended – you can see the despair in the face of the figure in the 9 of Air and the expression of sheer joy in the Sun. To illustrate another example, the Two of Water (in a traditional deck this is the 2 of Cups) shows a woman embracing a dog with an expression of happiness. The interpretation provided is: “You have a caring, compassionate response to another. You choose to begin or continue a relationship based on a deep heart connection.” Wow. If you are new to tarot this deck would be a great starter as the interpretations are so clearly depicted on the cards that you can really “feel” the meaning behind it.
Two of Water
Although the names have been changed, it did not hamper my ability to read with these cards. For example, in the Major Arcana, The Devil became Bindweed and The Tower became Lightning. This still keeps in line with the traditional meanings of bondage and sudden change – so the deck lost nothing with those differences.
Bindweed
Lightning
In the Minors we have Water, Earth, Fire and Air instead of Cups, Pentacles, Wands and Swords. Court cards became Children, Explorers, Guardians and Elders. This did change the meaning slightly and I only say slightly because the traditional Courts are Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings – all nobility. In all actuality, the Gaian figures are more relatable to modern life. Also, Powell Colbert mixes it up further by adding two males and two females to each category. In a traditional deck, Queens are always female and Kings are always male – this shifts the vibration and reminds us that we all have male and female energy within us. I really liked that – especially because as I stated above, I’m actually a pretty “masculine” female and never identified whole heartedly with typical female imagery.
The cards are slightly larger than standard decks but not hard to handle. I have very small hands and they fit very nicely. The backs have an image of a wreath with a starlit sky behind it. Gorgeous.
The back of the Gaian Tarot cards
At the end of the book, the author offers suggestions for working with the cards as well as spreads by tarot notables such as James Wells, Beth Owl’s Daughter and Carolyn Cushing. The spreads worked great and I think I found a few that I may add to my tarot tool box.
The overall tone of the Gaian is “healing” rather than predicting. The earthy images, the sensitive interpretations, and even the spreads lend to healing your future and past rather than simply divining what may come.
As an example, I recently have been working through a situation and decided to consult the Gaian for guidance. The card I picked was the 10 of Fire. The interpretation said: “Does it feel like your dreams have gone up in smoke? Are you overwhelmed or burdened by loss? Remember that new seedlings grow and flourish in the ashes of a spent fire. You must release your passions and your energies, whether or not you want to, whether or not you think you’re ready. It’s time.” This was very profound to my situation and gave me a peaceful feeling (and the impetus to do a burning ceremony). It was the advice I needed to hear (not necessarily what I wanted to hear).
My only complaint with this deck is the card stock. I wish it were made on more sturdy material. The deck feels a wee bit fragile and it may not be one that I use on a regular basis because I fear it would be wrecked quickly in the hands of an aggressive shuffler. (I am a high volume tarot reader so this poses a problem and makes unsuitable for a workhorse deck.)
I will need to be gentle with this deck. But considering the heart centered and sensitive nature of the Gaian tarot, perhaps it makes sense that I treat it with tenderness. The message is to “handle with care” – a message that we need to also apply to ourselves, each other and the earth.
I give this deck Two Swords Up!
Blessings,
Theresa
Tarot To The Rescue is a new monthly feature on my blog. I’ll be tackling different life issues and showing you how tarot can be a valuable tool to help you navigate through these challenges. As a long time tarot reader, I have used the cards myself to seek guidance, check my own inner compass and find direction through those sticky moments in life. If you’d like to see me handle a dilemma here, please email me at tarotlady@wi.rr.com with your suggestion. (Please note: I am not accepting requests for actual readings on this column. I am only tackling issues in a general format. Also, this column – and tarot – is not a substitute for legal, medical or psychiatric help.)
Leaving A Toxic Situation
Often in my tarot reading practice, I come across people who are in very toxic, nasty situations. This can range from bad jobs to addictive relationships to sick family dynamics. While the logical advice may be to “just walk away” from all that drama, sometimes people remain because they feel powerless to leave.
I know. I’ve been there myself. That feeling of helplessness and being stuck is probably one of the most horrible feelings in the world.
Why do we stay in something that is harmful?
There are many reasons why a person may choose to remain even when they know that the situation is bad for them.
Guilt. Fear. Survival. Love. Trying to “do the right thing”. Not knowing that there can be something better.
Gathering the courage to leave may not come until a person has either done deep reflection, long term counseling or have simply gotten to the point where they see no other alternative. They get fed up. Sick of the sickness.
But leaving may still be riddled with all sorts of mixed feelings – fear being the primary one. What if that mean old boss started treating me better? What if my partner stopped drinking? What if I can’t find a place to live? What if my friend tells the truth? What if mom gets better? WHAT IF.
WHAT IF is the slogan of delusion. False hopes. WHAT IF will keep you trapped longer than you can imagine.
I’ve done WHAT IF until I finally found that there was no solid hope in WHAT IF. Only disappointment. (I still struggle with WHAT IF on occasion. I am working on that.)
WHAT IF is not practical.
And this is where tarot can help. Tarot can cut through the WHAT IF and give insight into WHY, WHAT and HOW – three questions that can empower the querent and help them move forward with grace and courage.
Here’s a technique I like: I take some time to consider the situation and then formulate helpful questions focusing on my feelings, fears, and different outcomes (no WHAT IF garbage either). I write my questions down and then create a spread based on those questions. I shuffle the cards, thinking about my situation. Then I fan the cards out and choose one for each question.
For leaving a toxic situation, these are the questions I came up with:
Let me demonstrate how this works. Not too long ago, I had to leave a situation that had become very toxic for me. This involved the betrayal of a friend. I tried to hang around but knew deep down inside that once that trust was broken, things would never be the same. Plus I could see that the betrayer was continuing their ways and sadly, was probably not going to evolve. Sticking around was a no-go for me. It was too upsetting and unhealthy.
Yet I almost lingered. WHAT IF came up. WHAT IF they became honest? WHAT IF people get mad at me for walking away and taking a hard line? WHAT IF I am being too much of a hard ass? Time for Tarot To The Rescue!
Using the spread I created above, here were my answers:
After doing that reading, it was clear to me that the situation was more about developing healthy boundaries. Although my natural urge was to “help”, I would be better pouring that energy into helping myself rather than waiting around to see if this person could be “fixed”.
This reading gave me the impetus to walk away firmly and set a strong boundary. It was not easy (and I did suffer a few scrapes) but ultimately, the peace of mind that I have had since then has proven to me that this was a necessity.
I am no longer plagued with the WHAT IF around this situation. Now I can focus on WHAT IS.
And here’s my WHAT IS: relationships based on trust and honesty are the only ones worth keeping in my life.
Blessings!
Theresa
©Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011
Have you struggled to leave a situation that was not healthy? How did you deal with it? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. And if you try this technique, I’d love to hear your results as well.
Talkin’ Tarot With is a monthly feature designed to introduce my readers to different tarot readers from our wonderfully diverse community! Each month, I’ll be asking various tarot readers 3 questions about their tarot philosophy and style, plus pointing you to their websites and blogs so that you can learn more about them! I like to hand pick tarot readers that I feel are talented and interesting.
If I could pick one person that personifies Mother Earth, it would be Joanna Powell Colbert. I met Joanna about two years ago at the Readers Studio, where she was sitting behind a booth selling copies of her deck, The Gaian Tarot. I was intrigued with the deck but even more interested in learning about her.
And what I have learned about Joanna is that she is one of the most sincere and nurturing people on the planet. Her whole presence spells warmth. And this shows up very strongly in her deck. When you hold it in your hands, you can feel her love and spirit in every single card.
Joanna’s work as an artist, teacher, reader and leader of earth-centered spirituality brings a powerful vibe to the tarot community. It’s a gentle reminder that we are all here connected on this earth and we must take care of this planet – and each other.
Joanna Powell Colbert is an artist, writer, and teacher of tarot and earth-centered spirituality. The Gaian Tarot, nine years in the making, combines her love of archetypal art with the mysteries of Mama Gaia, the natural world. A Collector’s Edition is nearly sold out, and a mass market edition has just been published by Llewellyn. She teaches workshops and e-courses on earth-centered spirituality, manifesting your dreams, and tarot as a tool for inner guidance and self-exploration. Joanna lives in the woods outside Bellingham, Washington, where daily encounters with the mysteries of the natural world continue to inspire and inform her work.
Joanna’s tarot deck can be found at www.GaianTarot.com. The Gaian Tarot Circle site is a community of people who love the deck: www.GaianTarotCircle.com. Joanna blogs at www.GaianSoul.com, and she’s active on Facebook and Twitter.
The Gaian Tarot is going out on a Blog Deck & Book Tour during the month of September, and Joanna will be chronicling the tour on her Gaian Soul blog (http://www.GaianSoul.com), as well as on Facebook and Twitter. She is currently presenting an e-course on “Tarot Counseling for Self & Others” taught by her friend James Wells (http://www.GaianSoulGrove.com/jameswells-tarotcounseling/), and enrollment is open through midnight Monday, September 5th.
Joanna will traveling a lot this fall to support the release of the Gaian Tarot. She’ll be at the Traditions in Western Herbalism conference, vending and doing readings, in New Mexico mid-September. (http://www.traditionsinwesternherbalism.org/intro.html) She will also be presenting a couple of workshops with Carolyn Cushing in Easthampton, Massachusetts on October 1st and 2nd, (http://artofchangetarot.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/connecting-with-mama-gaia-a-day-of-retreat-reflection-and-sharing/) and then will host a Gaian Tarot Retreat with James Wells and Bev Haskins outside Toronto, Ontario on October 7-9. (http://www.gaiantarot.com/retreat/)
Check out Joanna’s answers to my questions below:
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1. What is your philosophy about tarot reading?
Joanna: It’s all about helping the seeker (querent or client or self) access her or his own inner wisdom. I always set sacred space before doing a reading, and I ask for divine guidance. I like having a conversation with the seeker. I don’t talk at the person. I want to talk with them, and ask them what they see in the cards. I help the seeker to create open-ended questions instead of closed, yes/no questions, at the start of a reading, as this leads to a richer experience.
I stay away from predictive readings except in a general weathervane sort of way. A prediction is often disempowering to the seeker. A person who seeks a prediction often really just wants reassurance about a troubling issue. We can create a question or series of questions that ask something like: If X happens, what is my best course of action? If Z happens, what’s my best course of action? Those questions are helpful and empowering.
2. How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?
Joanna: A client should have done a little prep work before the session by brainstorming questions he or she wants to ask. S/he should understand my style of tarot consulting and not ask for a predictive reading. S/he should ground and center before the reading, and be willing to be open to guidance and inspiration from his or her own Deep Self.
3. What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?
Joanna: Practice, practice, practice! 
Practice reading every day, for yourself or for others. Turn up a card a day and watch for patterns. Dialogue with cards that turn up over and over again, in an active visualization, to find out the personal meaning the card has for you at this time. Keep a tarot journal, marking down epiphanies and revelations on your tarot journey. Take a class from a good teacher. Find tarot community online, or in person at some of the wonderful conferences and events we are so fortunate to have. Have fun!
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A heartfelt thanks to Joanna for taking the time of her crazy busy schedule to chat with me. And for those who are hesitating – go and purchase the Gaian Tarot. I’ll be reviewing it in a few weeks but here’s a preview: it is amazing!
Blessings!
Theresa
http://www.tarotmentor.com
© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011
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