Fool Stop Tarot Blog

Ask A Reader 3 #Tarot

Today's Ask A Reader comes from X who has two possible apartments to move to. We drew from the Joie de Vivre Tarot. I want to point out that I drew blind and put them on the scanner without looking at them first. I was suprised by the cards! Seems like a clear cut case, but is it?

First apartment Pro/Con

Second apartment Pro/Con

So what advice can you offer X today? Which living situation seems to be the better of the two?

Two #Tarot Card Spreads

Two card spreads are fun to do because they are fast, but do they give you enough information? I think that they do if you consider that you can eliminate the situation card and just ask two questions about it.

Here are just a few ways to do that.

"Should I Stay Or Should I Go" This lyrical two question spread can be applied to many situation including a relationship, a job or even a housing situation.

"Hold On or Let Go" will answer whether or not you need to try harder or just step back from a situation.

"Fold 'Em or Hold 'Em" is a poker version of whether you should commit to something or bow out.

"Step Up or Step Back" would be whether or not to volunteer your time and energy.

So let's try one, shall we? Your client wants to know if they should volunteer to be a chaperone for their child's field trip to the museum. You draw the Tower for the Step Up card and the 2 of Coins for the Step Back card.

What is your advice to your client based on these two cards from the African Tarot?

What are some other two card spreads you can think of?

The vibrant imagery draws largely on the African experience, depicted in a primitive art style. Evoking universal childhood emotions, African Tarot can help you explore your true inner nature. Review by Lizzie of Lizzie's Logic

Ask The Readers

You are the reader today. I had the following question so we are going to throw this open to all our blog readers. This is now your client. The question is: 

What do I need to do to grow my business exponentially?

What would you tell this client? I drew the following three cards for the Situation, the Action and the Outcome? See the bottom of this post for how you can be the next one we all read for.

Situation: Ace of Coins

Action: 9 of Coins

Outcome: Princess of Coins

Thanks for your assistance. And if you have a question you would like answered, please send it to Stella with the subject line, "Ask The Readers". We will pull three cards and ask our blog readers for their interpretations.

"Fantasy artist Galasso has transformed classic tarot imagery into a vibrant tour, through a crystal ball, into a magical world filled with fairies, fantastical creatures, and exotic flowers. Color creates the backdrop against which the story of each card is told. Lyrical and mysterious, the illustrations almost sing." -- Anna Jedrziewski, Retailing Insight Magazine

#Tarot Thoughts On A February Full Moon 2012

Tomorrow, February 7^th brings us a Full Moon in the sign of Leo. Native American tribes refer to it as the Full Snow Moon, the Little Famine Moon, or the Full Hunger Moon, referencing the time of year, weather conditions, and how the tribes were affected. Leo brings in the energy of an increased sense of purpose, and how we creatively express that purpose.

The Full Moon itself is viewed by many as a time for bringing to fruition the seeds that were sown during the New Moon, and releasing those things that are no longer working for  us. While I do hold that to be true, I also believe that the full energy of the Moon can be used to begin new projects. The choice of releasing the old, bringing in the new, or doing a combination of both is up to each individual.

We will be looking at our individual freedom (which is rapidly changing as the structures that make up our society change), as well as our responsibility to community (local and global). We need to take care of ourselves – to create personal time, to take the time to meditate, ground ourselves, and connect with whatever we accept as Spirit. A new paradigm is coming into being – as we adjust to it, we need to find our sense of balance in life – personal/professional, work/play, family/self … the list goes on.

Leo is all about spontaneity and freedom of expression. It is also good to remember that Leo is a Fire sign – it wants to be out and about and doing things! It is time to share stories, and to allow ourselves to grow from both sharing our own stories, and listening to other people’s stories.

Leo also asks us to express our dreams and hopes for the future. To do this, we need to be grounded in the present. Other energies to keep in mind as we navigate the Leo Full Moon are those of the Hierophant (2012 is a number five year, relating to the Hierophant in the Tarot), and the Dragon (from the Chinese New Year, which started January 23^rd).

The Leo Full Moon has a partner in all this – the Aquarius Sun. While the Leo Full Moon is more about individual self-expression, the Aquarius Sun brings our energy and focus to the common good, towards helping humanity as a whole. It is all about community, groups, and social causes. Push/Pull between individual good and common good.

One way to share our stories is through divinatory readings. I am going to add the small thought here that these readings can be done as individuals, or they can be done within a group setting. Or we can read as individuals with a focus on global issues/connections. Do what feels right for you.

This is my offering for the Leo Full Moon. Cards were drawn from Patrick Valenza’s “Deviant Moon Tarot” .

My Story

1. What am I conscious of on this Full Moon? Knight of  Cups
2. What am I not conscious of on this Full Moon? Page of Cups
3. What is coming into my consciousness on this Full Moon? Queen of Swords
4. What do I need to release? The Magician
5. What do I need to bring in? Knight of Wands
6. How can I access my creative self? The Empress
7. How can I best express my creative self as an individual? Five of Swords
8. How can I best express my creative self within community? The Hermit
9. What new goals am I forming? The World
10.  Where are these new goals taking me? Ace of Pentacles

The Seeker is conscious of new information coming into a situation, and, on a more personal level, of the influences that a possible romantic interest is bringing into their life. It can well be that the new insights, and new opportunities, are opening up because they are opening themselves up to another person. 

The Seeker is not yet conscious of the fact that they are accessing their imagination, and their creative/emotional self. They are beginning to experience and express a greater degree of compassion in their life.

What is coming into the consciousness of the Seeker is a need to get to the truth of things – in their own life, and in the world around them. During this time, the Seeker will be walking alone.

The Seeker literally needs to release their need to control everything, and to be the one that makes things happen in their life. They need to step back, take a time out, and learn to flow with life, to allow Spirit to do its work.

What the Seeker needs to bring in is the ability to make decisions on the fly (sometimes pondering too much is not a good thing!), to allow themselves to be impulsive from time to time, and to go on a journey that may come to them in a very sudden manner.

The Seeker can access their creative self by being willing to nurture themselves, to give themselves time and attention. They also need to open themselves up to the feminine mysteries. The Seeker needs to be willing to birth their own ideas.

The Seeker can best express themselves in a creative way as an individual by living their life in harmony with those around them, by not creating or adding to conflict.

The Seeker can best express themselves in a creative way in community by going within themselves, recognizing the answers they will find there, and sharing the strength of that wisdom with others.

The new goals that the Seeker is forming are coming out of the previous cycle of their life – they are at a point where their life is coming together on all levels. They need to take the time to enjoy being “whole”, they need to enjoy their sense of “victory”, before they move on to the next level. The goals that percolate during their time of celebration will be the ones they take into the next cycle of their life.

The new goals are taking the Seeker into the land of opportunity, into a time of success, prosperity and abundance in the physical world, but also into a sense of balance between their physical and spiritual worlds.

I would love to see comments on this interpretation – to see how others interpret this spread!  

Scans were taken from the “Deviant Moon Tarot”, Patrick Valenza, U.S. Games Systems., Inc, 2008.

© January 2012 Bonnie Cehovet

3Jane's Astral Pyramid Reading

3Jane requested that her Astral Pyramid reading use the Happiness house.

Click on image to enlarge

In row two (which actually starts with row one the Astral House card of Happiness), she got the Crown and the Ladder. The next two weeks will see her getting a lot of attention at work. She will not have to work too hard to be noticed. There may even be a promotion in the works. If she has any projects out, I think this indicates a lot of good news for her.

Click on image to enlarge

Row two, the three week (or day or month...I'm just sticking to week for now) shows the Eagle, the Star and the Knot. So this is a two-against-one week. Two cards indicate triumph and one failure. I am going to say that 3Jane's happiness may take a blow but it will all work out. And for the better in the long run. This feels like one of those arguments that brings out old issues that will finally get fully worked out. Good week. Hard discussions that lead to more commitment. When I look at these I also see that 3Jane will need to avoid tying herself into knots over little things.

Click on image to enlarge

Row four is a bit of a mixed bag. Looks like 3Jane will need to be careful not to overdo it with the partying otherwise, she may need bail money! She's going to have to stay strong though to overcome any blocks to her personal happiness.

So that's my first Astral Pyramid reading. I did not use the book. I wanted to show you how easy this deck is to read with even without the detailed write-ups in the book for each card.

3Jane, what do you think?

Tea Leaf Fortune Cards' creator Rae Hepburn

U.S. Games Systems, Inc author, Rae Hepburn is interviewed and shown doing her pyramid reading with her Tea Leaf Fortune cards.

Excerpted from Clay McGlaughlin's article printed in The Times-Standard.

In a traditional tea leaf reading, the subject prepares and drinks a cup of loose-leaf tea while reflecting on their questions or problems. Through this process their energy is thought to influence the swirling leaves, and when the liquid is gone the tasseographer interprets images left in the dregs of the cup to search for clues about the future. While the act of brewing, preparing and drinking tea can be pleasant in and of itself, Eureka-based author and tasseographer Rae Hepburn has developed a quicker, easier method for those who lack the time, patience or facilities for a proper brew-up.

Born in the north of England, Hepburn is the creator of “Tea Leaf Fortune Cards,” an illustrated set of circular cards representing nearly 200 symbols that combine elements from the 600-plus symbols that tasseographers regularly use. Hepburn combined symbols with similar meanings to bring the number to a reasonable figure for a portable set.

See the whole article here.

Have you ever tried tasseomancy? This cards make readily available to all.

To everyone who comments on this week's Tea Leaf Oracle series , Stella will draw a winner and do a reading for them with the Tea Leaf Oracle here on this blog. Have you ever had your tea leaves read?

Integrating Card Meanings in a Tarot Reading (via Mary K. Greer)

I asked a group of tarot readers on Facebook to give their top advice for how to combine and integrate card meanings in a spread. It’s one of the things that beginners find most bewildering, but we can all learn more about. Forty-nine people responded (see list of contributors at the end). I combined, edited and grouped the advice to form sets of approaches, moving roughly from the most intuitive to the most analytical. Share this material freely but please include the list of contributors and a link back to this post.

There are no rules to interpretation.

Timing #Tarot Tricks

Do you use timing in your Tarot readings? It can be difficult sometimes to pin things down. Here is one way to look at this.

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The suits can be seen as seasons of the year. Typically, Wands represent spring because they are the suit of the East for many. The East is about youth and new ideas. Wands are also the fastest suit so they can be seen as days. You would use the numbers of the suit to determine the exact day. For instance the 6 of Wands in answer to when something was going to happen would be six days.

click to enlarge

This is the energy of air. Swords are the the suit of the South or Summer in this system. They represent passion and energy. This suit represents weeks rather than days. The 3 of Swords here would mean your answer was coming within three weeks. This is the energy of fire.

click to enlarge

Months can be seen in the suit of the west which is also the season of Autumn. Emotions can take a bit longer to process so here we have months for the timing. Court cards are also numbered so here the King of Cups would represent fourteen months. This is the energy of water.

click to enlarge

That leaves Winter and North to the suit of Pentacles. It is a much slower energy. It stands for years in this timing table. The Page of Earth would mean 11 years. This is the energy of earth.

The deck used is the Crystal Visions Tarot which is coming soon from U.S. Games Systems Inc. The artist, Jennifer Galasso, is a fantasy artist and illustrator whose work is published as prints, greeting cards, collectible figurines, and many other gifts items. Visit the Crystal Visions Tarot site today.

60+ #Tarot Readers Speak To New Readers

On our Facebook page, we do a Question of the Day. One series we've been doing is to take one card and list three good things and three bad things about the card. This has sparked an interesting side discussion about the subject of good and bad.

Several have weighed in on how they felt about the word "bad" when applied to the Tarot. Then I saw the following on Mary K. Greer's blog. The title says it all--"What Every Newbie Tarot Reader Should Know".  I think it applies to the discussion of "good" or "bad" cards.

Without further ado, here is that article in its entirety.

Over 60 experienced tarot readers offer their best advice for what every Newbie Tarot Reader should know. Not everyone will agree with everything. Add ideas you think belong, in the Comments. Feel free to post this anywhere, so long as you include the source and contributors (listed at the end).

Interpreting Body Language and Facial Expressions in the #Tarot pt 2

Continued from Wednesday's blog.

Confidence and Determination

As strong stance – whether sitting or standing – can convey a sense of confidence, determination, will power, and determination. In the four cards above, notice how each figure is sitting squarely and facing front. There’s a sense of confidence and authority, and a seeming determination to stand firm on whatever situation is before them. Now note how each face is staring straight at you, eyes fixed, with no apparent emotion; none of them will tell you any of their secrets and will not divulge any more information than what they think you need to know.

Interpreting Body Language and Facial Expressions in the #Tarot

By Mike Hernandez, Tarot Reader

www.justenoughtarot.com

Isn’t it amazing how much body language and facial expressions play a part in numerous aspects of our daily lives? I thought about that at the mall the other day, while I was walking around just watching people and meandering in and out of various stores. At one point I realized this is also true of people that appear in the Tarot. It made immediate sense to me, given that the cards reflect all the aspects of our lives.

In this article I’ll demonstrate how body language and facial expressions of the people in the cards expose nuances and subtleties that can add an extra layer of meaning to your readings.

Exposing your true self

Body language can say a lot about your true state of being at any given moment. Although you may think you’re portraying yourself in a positive (or, perhaps, even neutral) manner, your body might be indicating otherwise. Have you ever been in a situation where you say something to someone or some group of people, they take what you say at face value, and then begin doubting what you’ve said soon after for some unknown reason? It could most likely be your body language.

Fancy A Game Of #Tarot, Anyone?

On Monday, James Wells shared his Tarot Circle games with us. It made me wonder about the actual card game of Tarot.

Did you know that the game of Tarot is still played? There is an entire group of games for the 78 card deck. Many people refer to them as Tarock games. Tarot or jeu de tarot is a game similar to other trump-style games where you take tricks.

#TAROT CIRCLE GAMES

CONNECTING WITH WISDOM AND WITH EACH OTHER

by James Wells © 2011

For several months, I've been designing a series of tarot circle games and playing them with friends and my significant other. These games are designed to invite authentic engagement between people. They're non-competitive; no one wins at the expense of another. Tarot circle games foster rich conversation and a sense of connection with one another. They surprise us with insights into ourselves and they sometimes spur us to constructive action.

Poetry in Tarot

Poetry is a very subjective subject, isn't it? Some like rhyme. Some prefer metered verse. Still others would rather just not read or write poetry at all. In many of the certification programs, there is a step that asks the student to interact with the cards in a different way.

If you Google "tarot poetry", you will come up with a lot of hits. About 4,700,000 even with the search restricted to avoid "THOSE" sites. Let's examine some of what's out there. The majority that I found was on the Major Arcana.

World Tarot Day: Community Spread

World Tarot Day originated with DenElder. She's since passed the torch but the original spirit was that all those who loved Tarot would share it in some way on this day. Her thoughts were not commercial but were community oriented.

Tis May! Tis May!

May 1st , or May Day, is a day that I remember from my childhood as one of gentle celebration. We would put small (as in tiny!) baskets together, and leave them on our neighbors’ porches. We would ring the bell, and run like mad! This is what you were supposed to do! It was a marvelous surprise to whoever answered the door to find lovely little May baskets sitting there.

May Day (the whole month of May, IMHO) is all about celebrating spring, new growth, and just plain enjoying the good weather and getting to the actual planting of lovely flowers (and vegetables, for those who do vegetable gardens). While I have never seen it done, I love the image of young girls dancing around a May pole that is decorated with streamers and flowers, honoring the energy of the moment. What great fun! May Day is also connected with Beltane, one of eight solar Sabbats in Wiccan and Pagan traditions, and one that focuses on spring and fertility.

How do you celebrate this day? Or do you? Celebration of May Day is certainly not as widespread as it once was. Perhaps we need to do something about that! Getting back to our literal “roots”, working with the soil, honoring the cycles of the year, enjoying the beauty of the spring flowers, and the sense of joy and freedom that they bring, to me is intrinsic to this day. Honoring this day in a personal way opens you up to aligning yourself with life and its cycles (no matter what your religious background). Whether you create a May basket as a centerpiece for your table, or create smaller May baskets to leave at your neighbors’ doors, the intent is set, and the energy comes to you. What a great way to bring positive energy into our lives!

The following spread

Questioning Things

When studying the Tarot, you may find that many readers/consultants/Tarotists will tell you that the question you ask is as important as the reading itself. That is because it anchors you in the reading. Just asking "Does Bob like me" will not garner you nearly as much information as "What do I need to do to make sure Bob will want to marry me this year." It is more concrete.

One exercise you might try is to

Portrait of the Inner Child

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays – even if I am only a little bit Irish! While it is actually a religious holiday, recognizing St. Patrick as one of the patron saints of Ireland, in modern times it is more a celebration of Irish culture. The wearing of the shamrock (and the color green in general), drinking green beer and serving corned beef and cabbage are all ways in which this holiday is now celebrated.

It is said that St. Patrick used the shamrock, with its three leaves, to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. It was here in the United States that the first parades were held in honor of St. Patrick – largely to make a political statement. Today the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is one of joy and merriment – eating, drinking and dancing to honor the Irish, but to also honor the "spirit of the Irish" within each of us. That spirit is our ability to gather in community and allow our inner child to come out and play. I thought that it might be interesting to work with a couple of "inner child" spreads that are more for play than for wisdom (although true play brings with it its own form of wisdom), in honor of the joyous nature of St. Patrick’s Day.

I decided to sketch a portrait of the inner child in each of us. For this purpose, I placed the Major Arcana and each of the four suits in separate piles. I defined them as follows:

The New Year Expressed Through The Aces

We are entering this new year with a new moon in Capricorn, and a partial solar eclipse, also in Capricorn. Layer this over the number four (Emperor) universal energy for the year, and we have some serious power at our disposal!

How To Find A Tarot Conference part 3 of 3

This is the third in our series on how to find others to study the Tarot with.

 

By Sheri Harshberger.

I've gone to a few Tarot conferences, so I am asked frequently whether it is worth it or not.  When I am, my answer is always a hearty "YES!"  The followup questions are frequently "but isn't it a hassle to travel?", "doesn't it eat up a chunk of time?", "Am I really going to learn something? Aren't they just going to talk about things I already know?" or "But I saw the agenda and I'm not interested in the speakers or topics, why should I go?" 

How To Find A Tarot Organization Part 2 of 3

Last Monday we discussed how to find others locally to study Tarot with. You can visit that discussion here. Feel free to add your own local Tarot study group. Today, let's take a look on a more global level.

There are many Tarot groups to join. Some are based in particular countries while others entertain an international membership. A good card from the Tarot to stand for group participation is the Three of Pentacles. This card is associated with groups and committees. Many Tarotists see this as a group project card. It is one that promotes the success you can gain through hard work, which is emphasized by the three people often seen on this card.

So how do you go about finding those other groups to support your Tarot need? First, let's look at some of the groups in existence. You may be surprised by how many are out there.

Holiday Storyboard

The holiday season is upon us, filled with sensuous memories from the past that sustain us, and loving memories in the making. It is a rich storyboard, with each individual story waiting to be written.  The Tarot is a wonderful tool that allows us to write our personal story in our own fashion. Arm yourself with your favorite beverage (coffee – full strength, please for me!), and gather near you the decks that excite you, the ones that want to go with you on this journey of telling your own story. Take your time – this is meant to be a fun journey!

The first thing that you want to think about is

How To Find A Tarot Study Group part 1 of 3

It can be challenging to find others to study Tarot with. You sometimes may get "those" looks from your friends and family. Sometimes that can feel very lonely. One of the things many of us seem to crave is the ability to bounce ideas off of others. So how do you find others? There are actually more than a few resources out there for you.

Let's start by talking about

Happy Birthday December!

 
 

 Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear....

 

HEY! I don't know who to sing to. I need help. We have some great Tarot birthday cards here that Stuart Kaplan is happy to sign for you. So I am looking for a December birthday between 12/15 and 12/25. If that's you, leave a comment with your birthdate. We will contact you for your mailing address so you can get your birthday goody.

By the way, do you do a Tarot reading for your birthday? If you do, do you use a certain spread? Let us know.

That lovely 9 of Pentacles is from the Paulina Tarot. Keep your eye out for the Oracle deck coming from Paulina Cassidy soon.

© December 2010 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Getting, Giving and Generosity

 
    One card that represents giving is the Six of Pentacles. Right now is a big Six of Pentacles time for  many of us because it's the holiday season. Shopping is fun for some and not-so-much for others. Personally, I like to avoid the malls. A friend of mine, however, dives in with glee. He tells me that shopping energizes him and the more people the merrier. How about you? Malls? Online shopping? Something in between?

Well, what about those small, independently-owned stores? U.S. Games Systems, Inc. would like to give a big shout-out to the independent retailers. Without them, many of us wouldn't be able to pick up that newest Tarot deck or unusual deck of cards. And aren't some people just hard to buy for? Who is the hardest person on your holiday list to shop for? Do you use Tarot to help you come up with a gift idea? Maybe pulling a card with the intent "What does (person's name) want the most for a holiday gift" would give you an idea. If you try it, let us know!

 
Please do let us know where you shop. We'd love to hear about your favorite indie stores in your community. Feel free to share their website or concrete store address here. Let's spread the love for those who help us find what we enjoy.

Cards shown are the 6 of Pentacles from the Whimsical Tarot and the 6 of Pentacles from the Deviant Moon Tarot.

© December 2010 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.