Talkin’ Tarot With Melissa Tarot

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Theresa

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.

When I first started flirting with social media, I noticed Melissa Tarot’s cute little logo.  As whimsical as that logo was, I discovered that Melissa is no tarot lightweight.  She has one of the deepest, most thoughtful blogs – and better yet – she does killer readings!

Recently I was a “tarot lab rat” for a series she did on her blog.  Melissa picked a few of us (including my homegirl Starcana) for tarot readings on her site and the results blew me away!  I found her reading to be down to earth, accurate and helpful.  And that’s the best kind of reading in my opinion.

Melissa has been doing tarot readings since she was 14.  Twenty two years later, she’s still learning every day.  She’s currently madly in love with the Shadowscapes tarot and the Tarot of Trees deck.  She lives in the St. Louis area with her kiddos and assorted animals.

Website – http://melissatarot.wordpress.com
Twitter – MelissaTarot
Facebook – Melissa Tarot

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

Melissa:  My philosophy about tarot reading is that tarot is like a flashlight.  We can see down our path a bit, but tarot shows us just a bit further down the road.  I’m a big fan of allowing free will into readings.  If I give you a reading, that’s basically saying that right now – if you continue this way with these intents – this is the most likely outcome.  I love giving readings and having the obstinance of the client change the outcome.  I like reaffirming decisions and validating choices.  I love that these cards can give solace or confidence, and I love that they’re challenging.  As a reader, I think that the best realization I’ve ever come to is that I have to be a scholar.  I can’t just learn the meanings of the cards by memory and churn out readings.  There is so much to each picture, each element and each position.  I don’t think I’ll ever learn all of it, but I’m having a great time trying.

2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

Melissa: I think that my clients can get a lot from a reading with me by breathing and relaxing.  That sounds silly, but I have a pretty laid back style and I’ve found myself starting readings by saying, “Let’s see what we can see.”.  Oftentimes, one of my readings will go for 20 minutes or so – interpreting the cards, and then we’ll talk for an hour.  I don’t time my readings, because sometimes they’re 10 minutes and sometimes they’re hours long.  I think that a client can get the most out of a reading with me by being open about what they hear.  It’s hard to hear that something isn’t going to work out, but I always try to look far enough ahead to find balance.  One of my favorite readings to date (in 22 years!) was with Starcana.  Three cards, basically a Universal high five – and then we giggled and talked shop for an hour. I’m very straight-forward, and probably swear too much.  I’m honest, and I’m invested in each reading that I do.  This is a walk that the client and I are taking together, and they’re trusting me to help them through whatever they’re questioning.  I take my job very seriously, but I’m just delighted by it.  What a wonderful, strange gift we have.

3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

Melissa: For a new reader I’d suggest to study!  I used the book with my original Rider Waite deck for ten years – I needed it.  I didn’t want to half-ass the readings, and I didn’t want to be stuck without a resource and be uninformed.  Each card is so layered and has so much inside of it.  Each can be interpreted so many ways – as I said before, I feel very strongly that if you’re going to be a reader, you’re going to be a scholar.  Also, I’d advise keeping your nose clean.  There are a lot of unscrupulous readers out there who make the rest of us look bad.  Just remember that the Universe is watching you.  Always.  I had a friend ask if I could make more money, have more clients, etc., if I were a little more theatrical.  If I played up the “I am a spiritual advisor, hire me and I will set you free.” angle.  Yeah, probably.  I think I’d also get my ass handed to me by karma VERY quickly.  Also, the internet is a wonderful resource.  Not just for the cards, but for people like Theresa, Starcana, Catherine Chapman at Tarot Elements, etc.  I never would have found these wonderful colleagues without Twitter, of all things, and they teach me more than I could imagine.

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Many thanks to Melissa for taking the time out of her crazy busy day to chat with me.   Learn more about Melissa and great a kick ass reading from her at her website.

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

Posted in Melissa Tarot, tarot, tarot community, tarot reader, tarot readers, tarot reading | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Deck and Book Nook – Mystic Pyramid

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Theresa

When I was a child, I had a destructive streak.  I mainly took it out on the Magic 8 Ball.  In fact, I was determined to smash that Magic 8 Ball open so I could get the little cube out and see what the liquid was made of.  Needless to say, I never succeeded.  Either that Magic 8 Ball was really well made or I was simply a wimp.

Luckily, I outgrew this tendency and no longer feel a need to smash toys.  Good thing I did because the Mystic Pyramid (US Games ISBN-10: 1572816902) landed on my desk and I was once again staring a novelty oracle in the face.

Even if I wanted to smash this thing, there is no liquid center nor any sort of little magic cube with snappy predictive sayings inside.  Instead, this pyramid shaped plastic toy is well….simply a pyramid shaped plastic toy.  It’s not fancy nor mysterious looking.  (Hence, it does not tempt one to smash.)

But it’s fun.  Why?  Instead of the scant predictions offered by the Magic 8 Ball, this contraption has over 100 different responses delivered in a somewhat spooky male voice. Instead of a simple “Yes” you may get: “Your deepest joy will shine forth.”  Now we’re talking!

It’s easy to use – you just ask your question and push a button for your answer.  Here’s a sample of my questions to this plastic oracle:

Q: Dear Mystic Pyramid, will I enjoy you for years to come?

Mystic Pyramid: Embark on a new path with confidence.

Q: Dear Mystic Pyramid, are you better suited for my 10 year old niece?

Mystic Pyramid:  More work needs to be done.

Q:  Dear Mystic Pyramid, should I bother to take you seriously

Mystic Pyramid: It may not be in the cards.

Hmmm……looks like this toy wants to stick around here but I should probably treat it like a toy instead of a serious divination tool.

Q:  Dear Mystic Pyramid, what would happen if I smashed you?

Mystic Pyramid: The golden ring is within reach.

Oh, please don’t tempt me.  Please.

(You can purchase the Mystic Pyramid through Amazon.com or US Games.)

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

PS I know this is not a book or deck – but I got this from US Games to review and it was too fun to pass up!  Enjoy!

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Taming The Tarot Ego

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Theresa

If you read tarot long enough, one fine day you’ll deliver a reading that truly blows chunks.  In fact, you may be so off the mark that it will leave you filled with fear and insecurity about your reading abilities. You will know DOUBT intimately.

And while that scenario may sound horrendous, there will also come a day when you do a reading that is so perfectly, sublimely dead-on-accurate that you will almost scare yourself as your chest swells with pride.  And in some ways that may be worse than the former example.  Why?

Because you’ll start to BELIEVE YOUR OWN HYPE.

You’ll think you’ve got it down. You might become a cocksure tarot rock star, smirking at those “unspiritual” plebes who cannot “see the future” like you do cause you have a “gift”. Hell yeah! (If you get like this, you’ll soon experience the other side of the coin – failure. The universe never likes a smart ass.)

And eventually you’ll start to understand that these mindsets come from a very similar culprit: the EGO. The ego will fawn all over you when you are “right” and it will crush your spirt like a sledgehammer when you are “wrong”.

And this, my friend, will get in the way of your ability to read clearly.  When you approach tarot with attachment to being right or the fear of being wrong, you will muddy the works. And then you will  REALLY struggle to read.  Or worse yet, you’ll be haunted by the “bad” readings or gloating over the “good” ones and keeping yourself emotionally tied to every single reading.  Maddening.  And not a good place to be.

So what is the answer? DETACH. Tame that sucker. Shut it down. LET GO.

But how?

First of all, the more you practice tarot reading, the better.  Do it often enough and you’ll stop being enamored of your abilities and you’ll also be less devastated with your mistakes.  You’ll see that this is all part of the work.  Now, that doesn’t mean you get sloppy or careless – you still do the best damn reading you can but you no longer attach yourself to the outcome.  You LET GO.

You begin to allow the reading to be about YOUR CLIENT – not you or your abilities.

Meditation is another tool for coming to terms with your oh-so-fragile ego.  A daily practice allows you to find compassion for yourself. As you begin to make friends with the essence of you, the ego dissolves.  You find inner peace. And the more you meditate, the more insignificant things become.  You LET GO.

But if meditation isn’t doing it, try spending time with a child.  Kids are egoless.  They tell the truth without any fear and then quickly move on to other things.  They’re slick that way.

They don’t care how hard you work to hold up a carefully planned veneer to the world. They’ll rip it down and let everyone know what an ass you are in “real” life.  Your secrets are not safe with them.  You don’t get to have an ego with a kid around. They see you as YOU ARE.  And they’ll let you and the whole wide world know it. KIDS WILL MAKE YOU STARE YOUR OWN SHAKY EGO DEAD IN THE EYE AGAIN AND AGAIN.

But a child will also make you realize how wonderful and beautiful you are.  They SEE YOU but then they let it go and get back down to the business of being a kid.

Oh and if you are not kid-centric, get a cat.  I’m serious about that.  Here’s why: a cat won’t give a crap about “who” you are or how talented you think you are.  They are indifferent to all that nonsense.  (My cats treat me like a treat dispenser.)  They don’t care one iota about how sacred you think your tarot cards are.  In fact, most cats will be more than happy to flop right down on a tarot spread and pass the hell out.

And cats are the ultimate teachers of detachment.  If you really want to learn how to master your ego observe a cat as they chase a bug. They are completely focused and in the moment during the act. It’s full on, baby!  But after the job is done and the bug has been eaten, they SIMPLY WALK AWAY. They don’t obsess if they did it right.  They don’t get too bent out of shape if the bug got away.  They JUST MOVE ON.  (And maybe take a nap in some cases.)

So the next time you find yourself getting hung up on being the “God of Tarot” or the “Biggest Tarot Loser”, just chill.  Let it all go.  DETACH. Meditate. Take a nap. Just be.

“Ego has a voracious appetite, the more you feed it, the hungrier it gets.” ~ Nathaniel Bronner Jr.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

The image is my cat and tarot card destroyer, Monkey.  He is the true master of the “monkey mind”.  :)

How do you deal with ego issues as they arise in your tarot readings?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below:

 

Posted in tarot, tarot reading, tarot readings | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

The Hip Hop Guide To Being A Tarot Professional

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Theresa

If you’re going to commit your time to the daily grind of running a tarot business, you’ll need to be motivated every day because it’s hard out here for a tarot pimp (and even harder if you are a tarot wimp).

I look for inspiration everywhere.  And I bet you think my main motivational revelations come from the words of business geniuses such as Donald Trump or Marie Forleo.  Or perhaps from tarot superstars such as Mary Greer or Rachel Pollack.  Well, you are mistaken, my friend.

Don’t get me wrong – those people light a much needed fire under my can.  But my best badass business inspiration actually comes from hip hop artists. Yup. You read that right.

Now before you say WTH and back away with hands in the air and a look of disbelief on your face, let me tell you this: my admiration for rappers isn’t just because I like the beat (or think they are sex-say).  I like the way these cats do their thang, man. They run their businesses with cunning street sense, amazing vision and giant fearless BALLS.

And hear this: many of them come from very difficult backgrounds.  Most do not hold an MBA. In fact, it’s EXTREMELY unusual to find a rapper that comes from a silver spoon ivy league educated background like Donald Trump.  But that doesn’t stop them from succeeding. These guys make it because they set the intention and do it.

Do you think Jay Z let his hardscrabble childhood keep him from becoming one of the richest men in the world?  Nope!  Did 50 Cent let a hail of gunshots stop him from being one of the most respected rappers in the industry?  HELL NO.  So let me ask my fellow tarot readers this: what is stopping you from pursuing your dream to become a professional reader?

Let me dig into some of my favorite rap lyrics that keep me inspired to quit whining and keep on grindin’ and flipping those cards day in and day out like a true tarot thug:

  1. “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.” ~ Ice Cube. Before you begin your business, it’s important to reflect on your motivation and to get your personal act together. Money is a good motivator but you must have a burning, yearning passion for tarot and for helping others if you intend to make this your occupation.  It can’t just be about the Benjamins (moola). Oh, and if you are going to be doling out spiritual advice to others, you better have your own life in order.  This work will drain the life out of you if you cannot manage to get your own house clean.  Make your dysfunctions functional and ground yourself.
  2. “Gangstas don’t hide so I show my face often.” ~ Slim Thug. You can’t make a living if you are the best kept secret in your industry.  You will have to market your business. Learn how to promote yourself properly (social media is a great tool). And more important: be AUTHENTICALLY you.  Don’t be a weak ass imitation of anyone else.  Put your true self out there, heart on the line, face on the screen.  Let people know the REAL trill you.  Get your website up NOW and get your grill out there.
  3. “I’m A Self Made Trillioinaire.” ~ Bun B. It may be tempting to put your business in the hands of someone else and let them host your site through their Ning thing or tweet for you but it is always best to maintain total control of your own content and empire.  Get your own url and host your own damn site (I recommend WordPress).  Be intimately involved with the running of your business, including your own marketing. Don’t give someone the power to pull the plug on your tarot empire.  Be self made, not dependent on anyone.  (PS It’s not as hard as you think.  If I can do it, YOU CAN.)
  4. “Paid the cost like a Boss.” ~ Slim Thug. Sure, you can do some things for free but at some point you will have to invest in your business if you wish to grow it.  Paying for an office, accountant, computer, education, tarot conferences, lawyer and marketing may seem like a scary thing but let me tell you this: whenever I have invested in my business, it GREW by a major leap.  You have to spend some money if you want to make money.  Stop being a cheap ass and invest in your career.  It will pay off.  Trust me on that.
  5. “Go on brush your shoulders off.” ~ Jay Z. Sadly, you will attract some haters at some point in your career (this happens in EVERY career – tarot readers aren’t the only ones singled out as pariahs in their community).  Negative feedback  and criticism may hit you from people who don’t believe in the tarot; it may come from fellow tarotists or your own family.  Let it go. Focus on good tarot and leave those haters in your dust.
  6. “The bigger the bully, the more that bitch gonna bang.” ~ Rick Ross. Think you are going to raise your street cred by talking trash on a public forum?  Think again. Dissing others to make yourself look big will eventually backfire on your sorry ass.  Treat your fellow tarot peeps with respect. Don’t like someone?  Keep it on the lowdown.  Allow people to save face even if you think they are whack. Being courteous is not just good manners, it’s how pros operate.  Remember this – no one likes a hater.
  7. “Is it worth it – let me work it.” ~ Missy Elliot. Being a tarot reader is definitely “worth it”.  Every day, you get the opportunity to help people find direction and better their lives.  You’ll have to work harder than you ever thought possible. But it is THE most rewarding career that you will ever have.  So stop waiting. JUST DO IT.

Now go on wid yo bad self and start flipping those cards and living your tarot dream.  No more excuses. Word.

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

special thanks to taoxproductions for the superfly image

Who inspires you?  Where do you get the motivation for your career?  Post your role models and their brilliance in the comment section below:

Posted in tarot business, tarot community, tarot profession, tarot professional, tarot reader, tarot readers, tarot reading | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

What Cards Are Saying When They Aren’t There

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Theresa

This is a guest post by the winner of my Tarot Apprentice contest – Hilary Parry.  Enjoy!

It’s bad enough learning the “accepted” meanings of all 78 cards in a tarot deck. If you read with reversals, that’s 78 x 2! Add on your own interpretations if you’ve read long enough and have come to know that in your head, the Empress + [blank] = pregnancy (or whatever tarot formulas you personally have seen to be true). Tack on spreads and where each card lands positionally and you’ve got a whole lot for you and a client to talk about. But did you ever stop and think, “Which cards are NOT here?”

I know, tarot is complicated enough thinking about all the scenarios that can play out when the cards are on the table, so you might be wondering, “Why bother with discussing the cards that are not present during a reading?” Well, sometimes the absence of certain cards says more than what the cards actually dealt in a reading say.

A couple of scenarios to illustrate my point:

Someone comes to the table, asking about a potential love interest. It isn’t a yes/no question, but more of a how/when. The cards are laid out. But the solution isn’t so obvious, and there are no Major Arcana cards that arise in the reading. What do we look for? What do we note that is missing?

If it’s about love, and there are no Cups in the reading… well, there are a couple of things that could be interpreted from that, but not limited to just these interpretations (in general):

  1. a frivolous crush that isn’t substantial enough to constitute a true emotional connection; the client’s romantic intentions might be best suited elsewhere or a focus inward is in order; or
  2. the object of the client’s affections isn’t interested (again, keeping in mind this is a hypothetical)

Still talking about a potential love interest, what if there ARE Cups present, but no Pentacles (Coins)? This might indicate lots of emotion, but little stability, if any. There may be lots of love but perhaps not enough of the practical aspects that go into making a relationship work.

Moving on to another scenario. Someone has to pick between two jobs. In this case, you might choose to do two spreads, one for each of the potential jobs. In one spread, lots and lots of Coins. Of course, depending on the specific cards laid out, you might suggest the job that’s abundant in the money would be the “correct” choice. But what about job fulfillment? So you look to the other spread. Wands and Cups, but no Coins. Again, depending on the cards, you might conclude that this choice would be more fulfilling, but not likely to be as lucrative as the other choice.

These scenarios are a lot more black and white than normal readings go, I know. But as readers who spend a lot of time in the crossroads of other people’s lives serving them as a guide at the juncture of the roads, it helps to keep in mind that what isn’t present in a reading is often just as important as what is.

 

Contact Hilary Parry for a tarot reading:
Email: tarrytowntarot@gmail.com
Blog: tarotspell.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarotbyhilary
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hsparry

 

PS I’d love to hear your thoughts on “missing cards”.  Post your insights in the comment section below!

image courtesy of  Sam Javanrouh (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wvs/2493556367/)

Posted in Hilary Parry, tarot, tarot reading, tarot readings | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Talkin’ Tarot With Thalassa Therese

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Theresa

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.

Although I find tarot to be a serious art form, I also am aware that it has a sense of humor.  Many times the cards have taken on a playful form when I’ve been reading.  In fact, the Divine often communicates more clearly when its messages are wrapped in wit.

And no tarot reader displays that unique blend of sacred and wittiness better than one of my favorite tarot peeps, Thalassa (whom I prefer to call Thuglassa because she’s THAT fly).  This tarot whiz has been working with the cards for 40 plus years and in that time she’s not only worked as a professional reader but she’s also created, produced and maintained the oldest tarot event in the world – The San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium (SF BATS).  This is the grandaddy of all tarot events and an important contribution to our tarot community.

In addition to all this tarot goodness, Thalassa is also a historian, comedian, actress, teacher, entertainer and published writer.  Spend a little time with her and you’ll marvel at her creativity; you’ll be astounded by her breadth of knowledge; and you’ll be entertained like you never have been.

Thalassa is the producer of the San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium – the oldest established, permanent floating Tarot Symposium in the world – it’s about to celebrate 20 years!) and founder of the Daughters of Divination (DOD).  She has been living, working and playing with the Tarot for more than 40 years (she was an infant prodigy).  She is also active in the production of Pagan and Divination events across the country, and her writing has been published in a wide range of publications, including the Llewellyn Tarot Reader almanacs since their inception.

She has been involved in stand-up comedy, choreography, and stage management, and currently teaches improvisation and physical characterisation for performers at Renaissance and Victorian festivals. Her other interests include historical recreation, needlework, and plotting global domination.  Thalassa lives in San Francisco with her husband (who is a saint), a sword collection, far too many books, and more Tarot cards than is safe to assemble in one place.

Currently, Thalassa is getting geared up for SF BATS (of course), a book (on Tarot, of all things), further developing her Tarot Tiara/Tarot Turban reading practice, launching a blog (called Tarot Pundit), and working on an “uncoach” process called La Rapteuse Transformative Arts.

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

A reading should help you find your own answers. It is a way to tap the wisdom that lurks with you, and a way to connect to the vast streams of knowledge streaming constantly from the Universe. The reader and the cards form a sort of satellite dish to gather and focus information from the Universe within us and outside us.

 

In my reading style I try to give the querent “action items” – ways to better understand what’s going on, and assistance in dealing with that knowledge. I consider myself a facilitator and a guide through the trenches. My readings are toolboxes. In the course of a reading I will point out what approaches look appropriate to the situation, small incremental changes that can be made, and ways to work with the information being given to them in the reading.
2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

People don’t get up in the morning and say, “Hey! Life’s good – I love my job and am getting my emotional needs met. I think I need a reading!” Quite the contrary. People are generally called to the oracles get information and perspective. Whether they are concious of it or not, they want to crack the nut of themselves.

 

It is important that a client be receptive, i.e. willing to listen non-judgementally during the reading, and give some thought to what is being said. I also tell clients from the outset that this is not a passive procedure – this is THEIR reading, and they should be prepared to participate. If a card says something to them, I encourage them to discuss it. If they have questions about what I’m saying or what is developing in the reading, I want them to ask those questions.  Ideally the querent, the cards and I will be involved in an interactive dialogue process.
3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

Check your ego at the door and do not believe your ownhype. Serve the wisdom. Learn to listen for, and trust, the inner voice – it’s that piece of the Divine that makes it real and important.
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Big fist bumps and hugs to Thalassa for taking the time to chat with me.  If you want to get to know her better check out her website. Even better – get yer arse to SF BATS (this year August 27th through the 28th).
Blessings!
Theresa
Posted in Daughters of Divination, SF BATS, Talkin' Tarot With, tarot, tarot community, tarot reader, tarot readers, Thalassa, Thalassa Therese | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Is Tarot?

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Theresa

This is a guest post by one of my awesome Tarot Apprentice contestants, Iseke.  I’ll be featuring some more guest posts by these talented young tarot readers in the near future.  Be sure to watch for them!


Divination tools are languages we use to communicate with our sub or higher consciousness. In this way, we can use any divination tool to string together letters, words, and sentences into full ideas. A certain pattern of coffee grounds means one thing. A certain direction of movement from a pendulum means another thing. Whatever system of divination one uses (and really, you can use ANYTHING for this purpose) becomes a language.

Tarot, with its complex levels of historical and cultural meaning, art, symbolism, and connection to other esoteric systems, creates a very deep language with a lot of study put behind it. That means that when choosing Tarot as your language of communication, you have a whole lot of depth to explore your circumstances. Tarot is great for really looking at the subtlety of an issue, as anyone who has had a reading or done one can attest to!

A lot of people may assume that Tarot cards (or any other divination tool) have a magical property of their own. Really, they have no more magical properties then a pen or a paintbrush do! They possess only the magic you put into them. Just like how you won’t get a novel out of an alphabet itself, you won’t get magic without a practitioner. A Tarot deck sits in potential, waiting for you to come along and make something of it. What you make out of it is entirely up to you, because while there is a well established system for reading the cards in place, they are YOUR tool of communication when you read!

So what does that mean? It means that when you sit down with a deck of cards, you have a rich grammar and vocabulary present for you to work with. This is commonly referred to as the “Little White Book” definitions but it goes far beyond that, because it draws on a pool of everyone’s practice and experience. Like spoken languages, divination languages grow and evolve over time. However, as you work with the cards (or the tool of your choice) you will find that the cards take on special meanings for you, and this is when you can see for yourself that it is truly a language of your own!

For instance, in my own practice, I’d notice a card keep turning up in certain contexts. It wasn’t in the standard context you’d expect to find, but it connected with me and my experiences and so I began to notice when that card would come up in that context. That was when I began to see the Tarot operating less in the “refer to the LWB” fashion that overwhelms us all at the beginning and more like my own personal system.

The most important thing about understanding the Tarot as a language is that it frees up flexibility in the way we understand the Tarot itself, as well as how we use it. Those of us who read Tarot cards all know what one means when they mention the six of cups, because we all share the umbrella language developed by centuries of cultural thought, study, and practice. But, like a dialect, we all have our own flavor of the meanings. Allowing this and encouraging it will help those who are beginning their Tarot journey from feeling completely swamped staring at a book of meanings they feel they need to memorize! Instead, it’s all there as a support network so that the reader can develop the most intuitive way for them to reach their sub or higher consciousness during readings.

So if a client who knows a thing or two about the meaning of the cards sits down for a reading, and a while into it disputes that your interpretation, you can explain to them why this may be: in your practice and development you have come to learn what the cards mean personally to you. So long as you are consistent throughout the reading! Also, if you are teaching someone the Tarot, you can encourage them into further developing their intuitive interpretations by reminding them that ultimately, the goal is the conversation between the reader and their higher selves (or the reader, the client, and their collective higher selves). Tarot is what makes that conversation tangible!

~ Iseke

 

You can learn more about Iseke through her website: http://www.aelestrid.net/

 

 

 

What do you think tarot is?  Post your thoughts in the comment section below:

Posted in Iseke, tarot, tarot cards, tarot reading, tarot readings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Should Tarot Be Self Taught?

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Theresa

This is a guest post by one of my awesome Tarot Apprentice contestants, Kareena Nawani.  I’ll be featuring some more guest posts by these talented young tarot readers in the near future.  Be sure to watch for them!

Tarot is a self-realising tool, but after many years of trial and error, I have realized that some guidance is always welcome in the early stages of your tarot journey. I entered the world of tarot when I was just fourteen. I first experienced tarot when my aunt did a reading for me. Since I was always fascinated by astrology and numerology,  I thought this was another esoteric science  that I could learn to do;  predicting the future sounded exciting to me. I borrowed a couple of books from my aunt and bought a tarot deck and I was ready to begin.

Things were great initially. My readings were very accurate and I was growing confident day by day. The only problem that I realized after about a year was that I didn’t know the name of my deck. The deck only had the word ‘Tarot’ written on it. And the other problem I faced (it didn’t seem like a problem at that time since I was in school and we were so used to cramming for exams) was that I literally mugged up the meanings of the cards from the books and was quoting the book like a parrot! And I thought I was a great reader!  Things dawned to me much later on that the meanings of the books were not cast in stone.

The way I looked at the tarot changed dramatically when I finally purchased the Rider Waite deck. That’s when I realized my original deck had eaten up all the symbols and the pip cards specially had no pictures, just 10 swords  or 5 cups placed on the card. Only after I bought the Rider Waite did things start making sense to me. I had heard of this deck, but never bought it because I was so stubborn and hell bent that I was right and that I was an amazing tarot reader that I couldn’t be less bothered about what other people out there were doing. I was just like The Fool, ignorant, and innocent and on my own merry trip. This brings me to the question, ‘’Should one learn tarot on their own or join a class and learn from a teacher?”

In these 12 years, I have always wondered if I would’ve been better off if I had learnt tarot from a professional. Today, when I see the smiling face of my tarot students,  I realize the answer. When I was their age, I was confused but too scared to admit it. When you’re all on your own, you begin to doubt your abilities and I went through a phase where I didn’t believe in myself. When you learn on your own, there are so many tarot decks and books out there that it is difficult to choose the right one. There are so many authors who believe in different things- some do reverses and some don’t, some don’t do readings at night or when they’re sick and some claim to have the best readings when they’re sick and dazed! All this can be confusing to a beginner. Half of these books would scare away an amateur. To learn anything, you must seek the help of a guide because half knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge.

From my own experience, I feel the first step is very crucial. Initially I was so frustrated that I wanted to give up tarot all together and my deck would gather dust for months. This was all because I was too stubborn to ask for help and thought that I could do it by myself. I eventually managed on my own, but what I learnt in 3 years, I could’ve learnt in 3 months with correct guidance.  Today, I have no regrets but my experience has made me help many tarot beginners. I have also started teaching tarot to stop people from making the same mistakes that I had made. One just needs to know the basics, and then from there the real journey begins, like the Fool’s journey. While learning and exploring the tarot, we explore our inner selves and that cannot be learnt from anywhere. Once you receive the gift, it is up to you how you use it. You could either nurture it and make it grow or you could forget about it and keep it locked in a cupboard. Tarot is simple because it is something we already know, it’s a part of our subconscious and the archetypes are part of the collective subconscious. Once we know that, its so much easier from there and it becomes our best friend.

The tarot teaches us that the innocence of the Fool should be balanced by the wisdom of the Hermit. Only when he shines his bright light upon us, can we be truly enlightened.  The  Hermit guides those who are lost and confused and brings them on the right path and shows them the way.

Kareena Narwani

Contact Kareena Narwani for a tarot reading:

 

 

PS: I’d love to hear your stories about how you learned tarot. Did you have a teacher? Were you self taught?  What were the frustrations in either method?  Post your story in the comment section below!

Posted in learning tarot, tarot, tarot community | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The Deck and Book Nook – King Solomon Oracle Cards

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Theresa

Years ago I used to visit the (now closed) Magickal Childe occult shop in New York.  I would spend lots of time browsing the herbs, oils, candles and books – and fantasizing about what things I would conjure up.  One day, I came to the store after a friend of a friend stole money from me and one of the people who worked there recommended that I get a “seal” for protection.  That was my first introduction to the Seals of Solomon.

Since that time, I have on occasion come across them and always found them fascinating.  The story goes that King Solomon received a magical signet ring that gave him power over the demons.  This ring inspired talismans also called “seals”. Each seal has a different vibration and can give magickal powers to the user: the gift of sight, protection, prosperity and more.

The King Solomon Oracle Deck (US Games; ISBN 978-1-57281-666-4) is inspired by these ancient seals.  Created by author Itzhak Mizrahi and artist Orna Ben-Shoshan, this little deck provides powerful spiritual insights and wisdom to help the reader in any situation.  Although I usually do not play around with Oracle cards, I was pleasantly surprised by the profoundness and beauty of this deck.

The King Solomon Oracle consists of 40 cards – 36 Oracle cards and 4 Amulet cards.  The Amulet cards are not to be used in readings but instead carried with you for protection and blessings.  Each of these cards have blank space on the back for you to write your name and your mother’s name, which connects the card to you.  After about 21 days the effects of the amulet cards should be felt by the user.  The deck creators recommend carrying at least two of these cards with you at all time.  Each Amulet card focuses on a different area of your life: Livelihood, Relationships, Health and Security/Protection.

Amulet Card

Back of the Amulet Card

The other 36 cards are used for readings.  The little white book not only provides spreads you can use for readings but also different interpretations depending on what you are asking: situation, person, or advice. A meaning for inverted cards is also included.  Recently I consulted the cards for advice about a situation and pulled Card #28 – the advice portion said: “Your battle has already been lost/ wait for the situation to be rid of negative influences/ don’t proceed until you can see the situation clearly/ seek outside help in order to be freed from the problem.”  (This advice did indeed serve me well.)

 

The cards are standard sized and fit nicely in your hands.  The finish is smooth but with a light texture that makes this deck easy to shuffle and not too slippery.  And the art work is simply gorgeous.  Vibrant colors, whimsical yet magickal images and clear images of the Seals make this deck a wonder to behold.  Some of the cards have a Goatic symbol while others have the “72 Names of God”, the Kabbalistic names. (These are not written in Hebrew letters but in angel writing.)  The backs of the cards are a pale greyish blue with a Seal in the middle.

The authors state that the King Solomon Oracle Cards “were created as a personal deck for your daily use.”  While that may be the intention, I find them to be uncanny when I need simple advice.  They have been accurate and wise in that use.

I would highly recommend this deck to anyone who is looking for a simple oracle deck or who is drawn to the Seals.  This deck is great for beginners and would be a lovely addition to any deck collection.

I give it Two Swords Up!

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

Posted in deck reviews, King Solomon Oracle Cards, oracle cards, The Deck And Book Nook | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Talkin’ Tarot With Angelo Nasios

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Theresa

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.

This month, I’m featuring a young reader who was part of my “Young Voices In Tarot” series.  Don’t be fooled by his young age: Angelo Nasios is a huge talent.  I met Angelo through Blog Talk Radio and was impressed right off the bat from his cheeky style and deep understanding of the tarot.  Angelo has created a fantastic You Tube series on tarot and he’s working on a book entitled “Tarot: What The Little White Book Won’t Tell You”.  In my opinion, this young man may be the future of tarot.

Angelo is a loving and witty humored tarot reader that provides his clients with honestly and an uplifting perspective. Angelo is a New York native, living on Long Island. Angelo started reading tarot at thirteen. In 2006 Angelo ventured into the world of professional reading and joined a free tarot reading network the “World Tarot Readers”, from 2008-2010 he participated as Director. Best known for his YouTube videos, Angelo has recorded over 70 videos and has over 40,000 views. On YouTube Angelo talks about tarot, provides tips, techniques and opinion based commentary on tarot topics. Angelo’s blog “That’s Totally Tarot” provides daily Tarot Fortunes for predictions and advice. Angelo is currently working on his upcoming book “Tarot: What the Little White Book Won’t Tell You”. Along with tarot Angelo studies comparative religions philosophy, metaphysics and other occult disciplines.

You can connect with Angelo through:

 

www.AngeloNasios.com

www.ThatsTotallyTarot.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1224301893

http://twitter.com/angelonasios

Read his answers to my questions below:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

I believe that tarot is an amazing tool that is flexible for many purposes. I love to use tarot personally for insight and advice. I love to make predictions on world events than for myself.  The tarot within it holds a picture of the human condition, our experiences, feelings, thoughts, desires, hopes and fears. Tarot is a mirror that reflects back to us what must been seen. I believe that when using tarot cards I am tapping into something beyond our normal perception, you can call it the unconsciousness, deity, the akashic records, whatever it is. I believe that tarot is also good for making predictions; tarot has a good ability for forecasting events the trick is you have to correctly read what the cards are predicting. The art of prediction relies on the reader’s ability to understand the cards. When working with clients my goal is to help them. I like to work with clients with a mixed style of insight/self-improvement/advice/predictions. I want a client to walk away gaining something useful that they can use in their life.

2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

It is best if the client has a clear question is mind when they approach me for a reading. If they do not have a question already defined we will figure one out. It is also best that a client feel calm and relaxed, if a client is in a state of anxiety, fear and worry it may be hard to accept a readings advice. If they are calm they will be able to receive the advice. I love to have dialogue with my clients, they say it takes two to tango, well I say it takes two to tarot. If you come to me for a reading I expect you to converse with me, talk to me not just get a reading and leave. I pose questions to clients and we talk about the reading. My readings are emailed based so I try and make it feel as interactive as possible.

3. What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

The best advice I can give to aspiring readers, be active with tarot. One of the challenges I faced when I started reading tarot was becoming lazy. I would be active with tarot and then I would have dry periods were I did not touch the deck for months. With so many resources available online staying active is easy. The greatest tool is social media; it is a part of so many young people’s lives if tarot becomes a part of that daily aspect tarot becomes a daily routine that takes little effort. You have Facebook and Twitter which allows you to connect with other amazing tarot enthusiasts, readers, and authors.  YouTube is a great resource for learning tarot, watching other people do readings. You have forums which hold discussions and you have live radio shows that provide fantastic material. The internet and social media are the best tools for learning tarot, the more interactive the better. The more you can interact with other readers the better. Start reading books and blogs will also help. There are so many great writers out there to learn from. Do not isolate yourself in your tarot journey, join the community and interact with it.

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A big fist bump and thank you to Angelo for taking time out of his busy life to chat with me.  You can learn more about Angelo at his site:

http://www.angelonasios.com

Blessings!

Theresa

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2011

Posted in Angelo Nasios, Talkin' Tarot With, tarot, tarot community, tarot readers | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment