“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

http://www.thetarotlady.com

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.)

1. 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack – deep and rich with information, no list is complete without this book.  If I did have to pick a favorite, this may be it.
2. Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners by Joan Bunning – based on her online course, this book will get any tarot newbie reading the tarot proficiently in no time.
3. 21 Ways To Read a Tarot Card by Mary Greer – novel ideas to expand your tarot skills.
4. The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals by Mary Greer – I’m a fan of reversals (they are not mandatory by the way) and this is THE book for those of us who choose to read upside down.  (Honorable mention:  Joan Bunning also has a good book on reversals, Learning Tarot Reversals)
5. The Complete Tarot Reader by Teresa Michaelson – this book has a massive amount of information – it’s like a little encyclopedia
6. Tarot Masterclass by Paul Fenton-Smith – this book is rarely mentioned but I think it is pure genius.  Not just a tarot primer but also a great section on being a professional tarot reader.  (Honorable mention: Fenton-Smith also has a great beginner’s book, The Tarot Revealed)
7. The Tarot Handbook by Angeles Arrien – featuring the Thoth deck, this book will help you to understand tarot clearly – even if you do not read with the Thoth deck
8. The Way of Tarot by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Marianne Costa – This profound book gets super deep with the Marseille deck.  How I wish I would have had this book when I first started out!
9. Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis – loads of interpretations and a slant towards  beginners, this is the book I recommend to all my students
10. Understanding the Tarot Court by Mary Greer – face it, the Court cards are one of the hardest suits for any tarotist to master.  Greer spells it all out with clarity.  LOVE this one.
11. Tarot: A New Handbook for the Apprenctice by Eileen Connolly – this is the first tarot book I ever got my hands on.  It’s still a treasured favorite.  Some might be put off by her Christian undertones but I find the interpretations to be pure gold.  I love all of her works.
12. Supertarot by Sasha Fenton – although this is out of print, it is worth searching for a copy. The techniques contained within will help you expand your tarot skills.
13. The Secret Language of Tarot by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone – a fantastic book detailing the symbols in the tarot cards.
14. Tarot for Life by Paul Quinn – A modern book with real life examples of tarot readings, this one will help you bring your readings to life.
15. Best Tarot Practices by Marcia Masino – another great book that tends to be overlooked, this one has novel exercises and good advice on reading tarot professionally.
16. Tarot – Your Everyday Guide by Janina Renee – this book focuses on using tarot for dispensing advice.
17. Beyond the Celtic Cross by Paul Hughes Barlow and Catherine Chapman – a very different approach to tarot – card counting and elemental dignities explained in a conversational format.
18. Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack – once again, Pollack delivers an impeccable and thought provoking book with new insights for the modern tarot reader.
19. Classic Tarot Spreads by Sandor Konraad – I’ve had this book for years and learned many a good spread from it.  (Honorable mentions:  Learning Tarot Spreads by Joan Bunning and Tarot Spreads & Layouts by Jeanne Fiorini)
20. Thursday Night Tarot by Jason Lotterhand – based on the Thursday night talks from Lotterhand, this book will give you some insight into the Kabbalah and how it relates to tarot.  (Honorable mentions:  Tarot and the Tree of Life by Isabel Radow Kliegman for a glimpse on how Kabbalah weaves through the Minor Arcana plus The Tarot Workbook by Emily Peach which is a great Kabbalah/tarot primer for beginners)
21. Tarot Decoded by Elizabeth Hazel – every single dignity and correspondence you can imagine is featured here.
22. Who Are You In The Tarot by Mary Greer – this is a fantastic book that gives deep insights on your personality, life and journey based on your “birth card”.
23. Tarot for Beginners by Barbara Moore – the easiest beginner book out there, this one will appeal to absolute newbies and those who are really sure they can’t “get it”.  Moore shows you that you CAN.
24. Tarot 101 by Kim Huggens – excellent exercises, good reading list suggestions and a unique format make this book one you cannot miss.  Good for all levels.
25. Tarosophy by Marcus Katz – the newest book on the block, I’ve been immersed in it for days now and find it to be hip and modern, full of useful information and exercises – plus it has stuff for all levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced).  It’s a very intellectual book – this is no “tarot for dummies”.

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

http://www.thetarotlady.com

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:  

1. Make sure you are rested.  A tired reader leads to a lackluster reading.
2. Be sober.  Don’t consume too many stimulants (caffeine).  BE PRESENT.
3. Meditate before opening your practice for the day.  A walk or any form of exercise is helpful as well.
4. Energy work helps to get the chakras balanced and chi moving through the body.  Reiki is a wonderful tool for readers.  I’m also a fan of “Energy Medicine” by Donna Eden.  Her techniques work wonders for me.
5. Keep your office quiet.  Soft music can help (although some readers need silence).  Yappy dogs and kids should not be present.  You need to focus.  Turn off the phone.
6. Breathe deeply.
7. Give the client an oracle card to read before you begin your work together.  This gives them a moment to slow down and clear their brain.  Many clients come straight from work and need a little time to center themselves.
8. If you are unwell, cancel your work.  You must be PRESENT for the client – if you are ill, you need to be present for yourself.
9. Cleanse the space before the client arrives.  Smudge, open a window, light a candle – whatever helps you to get your tarot groove on.

For the querent:

1. Do not get a reading if you are freaking out.  You will not be centered.  Wait if you can.  An aggressive, impulsive or trippy mindset will only hear what they want to hear.
2. Take time before your reading to quietly reflect on what you need from the reading.  Write a list of questions before you come so that you are sure to cover the information you most need.
3. Be sober.  Don’t consume too many stimulants (caffeine).  Yup, it works both ways – reader and querent need to be centered.  The calmer you both are, the more clear the answers will be.
4. Breathe deeply.
5. Tape your reading.  This will allow you to listen to the reading later – but it also frees you from having to take notes which can interfere with your ability to deeply listen to the reader.

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

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

How do you prepare for your reading?  Not just as a tarot reader but as a client?  What helps you feel “ready”?

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:

1. Why do I continue to stay in this situation?
2. What can I learn by staying?
3. How can I honor myself and my needs should I decide to stay?
4. How will leaving the situation help me?
5. What is the best way for me to leave this situation?
6. What is my overall lesson?

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:

1. Why do I continue to stay in this situation?  Strength card: this card shows a woman closing the jaws of a lion.  She is calm and powerful.  Perhaps I feel that in some way I can “help” this person by sticking around.  That desire to be the “good guy” is my motivator.  I’ve always been a “helper” personality and have found that many times, I thought I was helping but in reality, I was enabling – or taking on the responsibility for their transgressions.
2. What can I learn by staying?  King of Wands: I can learn to be a voice of integrity and to master my own inner truth should I decide to stay in this situation.  I can learn how to lead with dignity and honesty.  Rather than “fixing” someone else, perhaps I can develop myself and my own integrity.
3. How can I honor myself and my needs should I decide to stay? 8 of Swords reversed: by not attaching myself to the outcome.  Not worrying about whether or not this other person will progress.  Minding my own karma.  The figure in this card is bound and blindfolded – reversed, this suggests releasing myself from the situation.  That is not an indicator that I should be hanging around.
4. How will leaving the situation help me?  7 of Cups: leaving will remove emotional doubt from my life.  I will be able to stop trying to figure out if this person is being honest or not.  I will have more clarity and no more guessing games.
5. What is the best way for me to leave this situation?  5 of Pentacles reversed: there is not going to be a graceful exit. (I was not happy seeing that card, btw.) I may end up getting hurt or shunned.  I will have to tap into that inner strength that I want to use to help that other person and help myself instead. Charity begins at home.  Develop compassion for myself and prepare for a difficult ending.  Abandon it even if it feels like a big loss.  Put them out in the cold.
6. What is my overall lesson?  9 of Wands: boundaries with friends.  The man in the card has a wound on his head but he seems strong, rebuilt.  He stands alone and keeps a wary eye on what is to come.  This says to me that my misguided attempts to help someone else (even if my intentions were pure) will only lead to hurting myself and putting myself in a situation that might continue to bring pain.

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

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

©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:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

After every tarot conference, I like to take time and reflect – not just on the fun or tarot techniques I discovered but but also on the more personal lessons I have learned.

This was my first SF BATS experience and I didn’t know what to expect.  Would it be like the Readers Studio?  What would be the tone of the crowd?  Would I have fun?

SF BATS was different than Readers Studio in that the vibe was more casual.  But the people were the same warm, open hearted tarot people that I have come to know through RS.  And yes, it was so much fun.

Here are some of the things I learned:

1.  AV/tech guys have my mad respect.  Andrew saved my presentation and I couldn’t have done it without him.  Thanks Andrew.

2.  Thalassa may be a funny entertainer but she is a true business thug for pulling off this event.  I salute her tireless effort and staunch spirit.  She is a true gem to the tarot community.

3.  Rachel Pollack and Anastasia Haysler are two of the most generous, kindest souls on the planet.  Special thanks to them for their extraordinary compassion.  (Sorry folks, that is private.)

4.  I need to see my tarot peeps more than once a year.  Hence, I must now add SF BATS to my schedule.  I can’t be away from my tribe for too long.

5.  The internet has connected tarot lovers in a bigger way than we can ever imagine.  Only a few years ago, my tarot world was an isolated one.  I now have a true tarot family.  Thank you, internet.

6.  Creating a tarot deck is hard work.  Mad props to all you artists.  (Thanks to Courtney Weber for enlightening me on what a labor of love it truly is.)

7.  After talking with Mary Greer about grandchildren, I am hoping my kids start thinking about it.  LOL

8.  Mercury retrograde can’t ruin everything.  This was one of the BEST trips I have ever had.

I’m sure there are more things I will uncover in the weeks ahead but for now, that’s my takeaway.

Now I am California dreaming of SF BATS 2012….

Blessings,

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

Yesterday’s events were almost overwhelming but all of us tarot freaks were excited to soak in as much SF BATS goodness as possible today.  Once again, we started off an another welcome from Thalassa and then got down to some fun.

Dan Pelletier, Rhonda Lund and Nancy Antenucci

We were treated to a short skit starring Dan Pelletier, Rhonda Lund and Nancy Antenucci.  Nancy created this just for SF BATS and it was hilarious.  Best part?  Watching Nancy shake her groove thang all over the place.  The crowd was laughing and clapping along and just having a great time.

Unlike yesterday, we only had two sessions today.  I decided to attend Courtney Weber’s presentation.  Courtney is the creator of the stunning “Tarot of the Boroughs” deck and she gave a talk about the story behind the deck.  The audience was fascinated with the backstories about the people in the pictures (the deck is photographed with real people – including techno artist Moby!).  I was really glad I attended because it gave me the real dirt on how a deck comes together (it’s not an easy process!).

Courtney Weber

We then broke for lunch and I had two very trill companions join me for a little sushi delicacies – fab tarot author Barbara Moore and my Blog Talk homie Georgianna Boehnke!  Between bites of sushi we had lots of laughs and girl talk.  I love these guys!

Georgianna Boehnke and Barbara Moore

The crowd reconvened in the main room for raffles and more (I didn’t win any prizes because I lost my ticket almost immediately – bummer!).  And then…..I headed to room A for my lecture: Prophet To Profit – Transitioning From Tarot Hobbyist To Tarot Pro.

I’m very passionate about helping other tarot readers make a career with this work so my goal was to inspire my fellow tarot peeps and to get the fear out of running a business.  I had a bigger group than I expected and was pleasantly surprised to see that there are plenty of other tarot readers who really want to make a living doing this work.  I had so much content that I really wished I had more time (presentations were limited to 50 minutes).  This group was SO great, I could have sat and talked business with them all day (for those who know me well, I never get tired of talking about tarot – or business).

After I finished, we all headed into the main room.  I had the huge honor of sitting on a panel with tarot legends Dan Pelletier, James Wanless, James Ricklef, Rachel Pollack and Mary Greer.  To be seated next to people I respect and admire and talking tarot – it was a dream come true.  This was a high point in the conference to me.  We were chatting about our own tarot experiences and how we thought tarot has changed over the years.  The buzz was all about the technology.

The panel - Dan Pelletier, James Wanless, James Ricklef, Rachel Pollack, me and Mary Greer

After our panel finished up, Ellen Lorenzi-Prince presented Thalassa with a hedgehog decked journal signed by all of the attendees.  Thalassa teared up and a few of us were wiping away some tears too.  In that moment, we all became aware of what tarot had really become over the years – a true community.

As the conference came to a close, there were lots of hugs and love going around.  SF BATS was a joyful event and the attendees were almost reluctant to leave.  But we had homes to go to (some of us getting home later than sooner due to Hurricane Irene) and families to tend to – so everyone started to depart.

I hate leaving my tarot peeps! Here I am with Georgianna Boehnke.

As I headed back to my hotel, I felt a little sad to be leaving my tarot family.  But it’s nice to know that they are all only a conference away.

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

When I first arrived at SF BATS, the energy was a little bit chaotic.  Tarot people packing in, presenters finding their info and vendors setting up.  It was crazy but the energy was electric and FUN.  I knew right away that this conference was going to have a groovy vibe once we got settled in.

It all started with a hearty welcome from the Bat Queen herself, Thalassa Therese.

Thalassa Therese

At SF BATS you get a choice of a few classes per session.  Each class lasts about 50 minutes.  It is NOT easy to choose which class to take – the lineup was THAT good.  I decided to start out with a class from Thalassa.

Thalassa taught us about the shadow side of the tarot cards and how to work with them. The class was entertaining (would you expect any less from Thalassa?) but also very informative.  I learned a great technique that I am dying to share with my tarot peeps!  (The technique is this:  if you have a card you don’t like, pull another card to see how to deal with it.  Simple but effective!)

Mary Greer

My next class was with Mary Greer.  (I never want to miss a Mary class after the awesome one I took last year at RS10.)  Mary taught us about Birth cards and about how to find the year cards for important events in our lives.  After looking over the numbers, I was surprised to see how many life altering events happened to me during “Temperance” years.  And not surprised to see that the hardest year of my life happened during a “Devil” year.  Interesting.  This is something to play around with.  (By the way, Mary has a new book on Birth Cards, Who Are You In Tarot,  that will cover all of this in depth.)

For lunch break, I was able to sit down and chat with Georgianna Boehnke of The Tarot Room.  I loved working with Georgianna when I was a co-host at Beyond Worlds.  What a delight to  meet her in person and be able to put a face to that silky voice!  Georgianna rocks!

After lunch, I decided to stay in the Main room for the rest of the classes in there.  James Wanless did not disappoint.  This tarot legend taught us a fantastic new spread using his Sustain Yourself cards.  He gave us all a free card (I got the Cave).

James Wanless

This was followed by a fun class with Corrine Kenner – tarot for writers.  (My daughter, who is a writer would have LOVED this class!)  This class was interactive and all attendees got to function as parts of a Celtic Cross spread method for creating a story.  It was so much fun!

Corrine Kenner

The last class was with Joanna Powell Colbert, designer of the Gaian Tarot.  Joanna taught us a magical class on the elements – and she gave us a new spread to work with. The one thing I can say about SF BATS is the content is MEATY.  My head was swimming with information!

Joanna Powell Colbert

Good thing we got to follow up with a cocktail party!  Everyone popped downstairs for hors d’oeuvres and drinks.  The energy was lively and we all had so much fun unwinding.  Some people came out in costume – and we were treated to a live poetry performance.

Poetry slammin’ at SF BATS

Carrie Paris and Mike Hernandez

Revelers

Valentina Burton, Corrine Kenner and Rachel Pollack partying hard

Fist bumpin' with The Tarot Lady and Thalassa Therese

All in all, the first day was off da hook awesome!  Can’t wait for tomorrow.  (I’ll be doing my presentation – wish me luck!)

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

PS: secret memo to Courtney – in your face!

This weekend, I’ll be doing a presentation at SF BATS (San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium).  SF BATS is the oldest tarot conference in the world (celebrating 20 years this year!).

The conference is hosted by one of my tarot faves, Thalassa Therese (check out her interview here: Talkin’ Tarot With Thalassa Therese).

The lineup is full of some of tarot’s greatest: Mary Greer, Rachel Pollack, Barbara Moore, James Wells, etc…..it’s going to be amazing!  (I’m so humbled to be in such dazzling company!)

I’ll be doing my presentation on Sunday.  If you can make it, be sure to come by and say hi to me!  And if you can’t – don’t worry, I’ll be blogging live from SF BATS and posting plenty of photos.  (If you follow me on Twitter, look for my hashtag: #SFBATS).

I’m off to pack!  Blog with you soon,

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady

I’ve been in a long term tarot relationship.

In fact, it’s been a 30 year love affair that has outlasted almost every other relationship I have ever had.  (I’m very commitment-phobic and get bored easily – yet I never get sick of tarot and I dedicate considerable time to it.)

After such considerable time together, you develop a certain level of intimacy that allows you to understand your partner’s moods and quirks rather deeply.  My tarot cards have taught me a lot about how they operate.

And this is what I have learned:

You don’t have to be psychic to read tarot cards.  But tarot can help you to become more intuitive.  Practice often enough and soon enough, you’ll tap into that vast well of mystical wisdom deep within YOU.

Physical death rarely comes up in a tarot reading.  My tarot gets all touchy and creeped out and prefers to tiptoe around the subject.  I’ve had a lot of deaths around me the last 5 years and my cards were never comfortable making a prediction on anyone’s demise.  But it has been great for helping me to cope with the grieving process and I’ve gotten crystal clear communication from my deceased loved ones using tarot

Tarot is a sensitive instrument.  If you are highly anxious or obsessive, it will withdraw and shut down.  My cards are happier when I approach them with a calm and centered mind.

Tarot is never a substitute for therapy.  It can play a role in healing but it will never take the place of a licensed therapist.

Tarot does not like to beat a dead horse.  Ask the same question again and again and soon you’ll discover that they will give you the run around.  My cards have ADHD and will get very bored if you continue to pester them.  Oh – and they are not stupid.  So don’t try to ask the same thing in a new way just to get the answer you want.  You’ll get nothing.  Nada, zilch.

Timing is not a perfect science. Many things – including your choices as well as the choices of others – can effect timing.  The cards can give a general timeline but it is still your actions that determine how fast or slow something materializes.

Tarot hates agendas.  An open mind free from attachment to outcomes will lead to the clearest, most accurate answers.

Tarot cannot give you a guarantee. Your future is not written in stone. You always have a choice and you can change course at any time (and so can other people for that matter).

Each tarot deck has a unique world view.  Some of my decks are really sweet and some are kinda bad ass thuggy.  They all have a language of their own.  A diverse tarot collection allows me to broaden my knowledge and expand my tarot horizons (and have  options to suit different personalities).

Whether newly in love with your tarot deck or happily committed for many years, you’ll continuously discover new layers and depth the longer you stay together.

I’m looking forward to my 50 year anniversary one day.  I wonder how I will feel about my tarot cards then?

“The closeness of your relationships is directly proportional to the degree to which you have revealed the truth about yourself.” ~ Unknown

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

What kind of relationship do you have with your tarot cards?  What have you learned about them?  Share your insights in the comment section below: