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.

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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

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”?

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

http://www.thetarotlady.com

http://www.tarotmentor.com 

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:

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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.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