From: opentarotnexus@googlegroups.com
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:25:10 +0000
Subject: {Open Tarot Nexus} Digest for opentarotnexus@googlegroups.com
- 7 Messages in 7 Topics
To: Digest Recipients <opentarotnexus@googlegroups.com>
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Today's Topic Summary
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Group: opentarotnexus@googlegroups.com
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/topics
- Chris Butler Tarot - Seven of Swords [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/2c9a28c745d7d793
- Seven of Swords - Mystical Origins of the Tarot [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/ab08f1de04a2c404
- Angel Paths for February 2 - Seven of Swords [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/55ebc3da679a5351
- Card of the Day for February 2 - Seven of Swords [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/1b5f70181a5ab93
- Thursday February 2, 2012: Reference.com On This Day [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/a39144e8d87a71c
- A.Word.A.Day--scrooge [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/f8ada9381c33e540
- [TarotTips] 17th Birthday Issue! - free mp3 of a class [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/901a931dd8e79f3f
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Topic: Chris Butler Tarot - Seven of Swords
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/2c9a28c745d7d793
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:43AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/99d218e4834bf62c
Seven of Swords
http://chris-butlerart.blogspot.com/2008/07/seven-of-swords.html
What happens when you find yourself in a situation where everything
isn't quite as it seems? This is the territory of the Seven of Swords.
When Pamela Coleman Smith designed her version of the card, she showed
a valet creeping stealthily away from an army encampment, having
stolen five swords. Two remaining swords stand upright in the ground
beside him. If you look in the background of the card, you can see
what might be a group of soldiers, blissfully unaware that their arms
are being stolen. The implication is of a daring theft, requiring
stealth, skill, courage, deception and significant risk taking on the
part of the thief. He carries what is possible and may have to sneak
back to steal the remaining two swords.
The card itself denotes a situation where honesty may not always be
the best policy. You may find yourself in an environment or situation
that requires you to guard your own council jealously whilst treading
on eggshells to negotiate a safe path through difficulties.
When designing my first deck, the Butler Tarot, I opted for a simpler
image, inspired by Nigel Jackson's Medieval Enchantment Tarot. My
Seven of Swords shows the face of a fox in the half light of an orange
sunset. Of all animals, we associate the fox most with guile, cunning
and stealth. When this card appears, we find ourselves having to
assume the fox's qualities to get by.
I've experienced situations like this on several occasions throughout
my work and personal life. In each case, I've been faced with someone
who appears on the surface to be a good friend but harbours hidden
motives for their own gain. When these hidden motives are to the
detriment of your own well being or to those around you, it becomes
necessary to extricate yourself from that person's sphere of
influence.
Secrecy and even dishonesty become inevitable in such circumstances
and the greatest challenge of this card lies in the need to maintain
your own personal integrity throughout the whole process. Revenge is
not the issue here, self preservation and the protection of those
close to you is what matters.
Whenever this card appears, it's a sign there's someone near to you
that may need to be re-assessed. If you're feeling that a friend or
lover may be too good to be true then there's a simple reason why -
they are hiding something. Stay quiet, watch, listen and plan your
next steps with care.
Chris.
Chris Butler.
Illustrator for the Quantum Tarot. To be published by Kunati Books.
September 2008.
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Topic: Seven of Swords - Mystical Origins of the Tarot
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/ab08f1de04a2c404
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:42AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/4636b8bd1d15263e
Seven of Swords
Decan: Aquarius, degree 21 to degree 30, ruled by the Moon.
Picatrix: It is a decan of abundance and compliments, detection and
affronts.
Ettellia initiates the notion of "hope" here, and the other cartomancers
agree for the most part. The Golden Dawn tries to integrate this with
Picatrix's "affronts". Interestingly, Waite may have had more than just
the Golden Dawn decan attribution to draw on here. Although he states
that "the design is uncertain in its import, because the significations
are widely at variance with each other," he appears to have gone to the
Sola-Busca deck again for the card's design. The Sola-Busca deck depicts
a young man stealing off with four swords, already carrying three in a
container strapped to his back. Now, the origin of this Sola-Busca image
may derive, in turn, from the 'sequel" to a popular medieval chanson de
geste that we shall encounter shortly, the story of Renaut de Montaubon.
One of the characters who make an appearance in Renaut's tale is a
sorcerer-knight named Maugis d'Aigremont, whose subsequent popularity
gave birth to the sequel, a new chanson all of his own, written during
the early thirteenth century. As a foster child of the fay Oriande,
d'Aigremont was instructed in the magical arts, and notably cast a
sleeping spell over Charlemagne and his knights, then made off with
their swords. The incident bears a resemblance to the design on the
Sola-Busca card that seems to have been Waite's source, and could
conceivably serve to illustrate Picatrix's "detection and affronts".
From Waite's interpretations, however, it appears he knew nothing of
d'Aigremont.
Original Cartomantic Interpretations
Etteilla (1785-1807): Hope, intention, expectation, aspiration, to rely
upon, longing, taste, fantasy.
Reversed: Wise advice, good counsel, salutary warnings, instruction,
lesson, observation, reflection, note, warning, thought, reprimand,
reproach, tidings, annunciation, poster, consultation, admonition.
Mathers (1888): Hope, confidence, desire, attempt, wish.
Reversed: Wise advice, good counsel, wisdom, prudence, circumspection.
Golden Dawn (1888-1896): Lord of Unstable Effort. Partial success,
yielding when victory is within grasp, as if the last reserves of
strength were used up. Inclination to lose when on the point of gaining
through not continuing the effort. Love of abundance; fascinated by
display; given to compliment, affronts and insolences, and to detect and
spy on another. Inclined to betray confidences, not always intentional.
Rather vacillating and unreliable, according to dignity as usual.
Waite (1910): A dark girl, design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence,
quarrelling,a plan that may fail, annoyance. A good card, it promises
country life after a competence has been secured.
Reversed: Good advice probably neglected, counsel, instruction, slander,
babbling.
Suggested Interpretation: Hope. Confidence. Attempt. Plan.
Reversed: Get reliable advice from a reliable source. Be prudent.
Pages 210-212
Mystical Origins of the Tarot by Paul Huson
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Topic: Angel Paths for February 2 - Seven of Swords
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/55ebc3da679a5351
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:41AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/17c16a98576890dc
The Seven of Swords
The Lord of Futility represents the times in life where we feel too
overwhelmed and doubtful to act decisively toward our problems. It
will usually appear when there are difficult decisions to be made, or
when situations arise that require we take action. Because we are
weary, feeling over-stressed and helpless, we do nothing. As a result,
of course, things inevitably get worse.
Sometimes the card will come up because we have such a poor view of
ourselves. We start to believe that nothing we do could possibly make
a difference to the unhappy circumstances we find ourselves in. If not
challenged, this attitude will lead us into being poor-little-me's,
when we adopt a victim mentality, and secretly expect everybody else
to sort things out for us.
When feeling the effects of the Lord of Futility, we are often ready
to make unsuitable compromises in order to try to ease the pressure we
experience. We can be more easily impressed by other people's
opinions, seeking to please them - often at our own expense. We
vacillate, unable to stick to any decision we make. And all of this
does nothing much more than increase our problems.
Neither of these options is viable, if we are to live a happy
love-filled life, is it? So when this card appears in a reading for
ourselves, we need to be prepared to commit ourselves to a course of
action and then follow through. Even if it transpires that the choice
we make could have been bettered, any choice is better than no choice
at all, when the alternative is total inertia.
Often fear will be a big issue - fear of doing something wrong, fear
of taking responsibility, fear of being even more hurt and feeling
worse than we already do. In the end, we simply have to take our
courage in both hands and, like The Fool, take that leap forward. The
fact that we have acted will help us to break from of the Lord of
Futility and to move on.
Working with the Seven of Swords
When the Lord of Futility rules the day we are, inevitably, in for a
bit of a tough few hours. Work will tend to pile up, and conspire
against our best efforts to get through it all. We will often feel as
though we don't want to work, as well, which of course will make
everything feel worse.
We might also fall into the trap of worrying unnecessarily about
things that haven't yet happened, and probably never will. This wastes
our energy and makes us feel despondent and futile.
So - what to do? For a start, we need to ensure we take our senses of
humour to work with us again! We also need to look at any pressing
fears or worries and ask ourselves if, realistically we actually KNOW
we have something to worry about. If we are objective and honest when
we answer the question, very often we'll find we are feeling down in
the mouth, and are actively looking for things to get anxious around.
We can do this just to try to take control of a day on which we feel
out of control. And it probably does us no good at all.
And anyhow - remember - what you put your attention on grows. Worry
about your bank overdraft, and it will get bigger. Worry about your
mound of work and it will increase. Worry about whether a disaster is
just around the corner and you'll invite one!!
Next - accept in your heart that not every day is trouble free and
hassle-less. And also accept your power to maximise or minimise the
hassles you experience. The less trouble things give you, despite
their troublesome nature, the easier the most awkward of days will go.
Finally, on a day ruled by the 7 of Swords, don't bite off more than
you can chew. Even if all you manage is a minor nibble around your
work, that's more than you would have done if you'd spent the day
feeling overwhelmed and overworked. And recognise, at a very conscious
level, that every single task you complete on a day like this took as
much effort as a major triumph on an easy day - so give yourself just
as many pats on the back as you would have otherwise!
Oh yes, and just one other thing - remember there's only a 78-1 chance
of this card coming up again tomorrow!!
Affirmation: I centre my attention on the task before me, and complete
it with ease.
http://www.angelpaths.com/swords/swords72.html
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Topic: Card of the Day for February 2 - Seven of Swords
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/1b5f70181a5ab93
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:34AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/667af0e2880a134d
SEVEN OF SWORDS
Attribution - Moon in Aquarius
Lord of Futility
Swords is the suit of the intellect. It represents air, authority,
thought, reason, justice, truth and ethical principles. It is
knowledge, conflict, struggles and turmoil.
Seven is the number of the Universe. It is the three of the heavens
(soul) combined with the four (body) of the earth; being the first
number containing both the spiritual and the temporal. In all
cultures, myths and legends seven represents completeness and
totality, macrocosm, perfection, plenty, reintegration, mysticism,
magic, change, turning point, rebellion, eccentricity, fate. It is the
Number of Occult Intelligence.
Sevens denote a period of introspection or solitude. They deal with
wisdom, completeness, perfection, and relate to the development of the
soul. Also; safety, security, mystery, fate, intuition.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite (1911)
A man in the act of carrying away five swords rapidly; the two others
of the card remain stuck in the ground. A camp is close at hand.
Divinatory Meanings
Upright: Design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence; also quarrelling, a
plan that may fail, annoyance. The design is uncertain in its import,
because the significations are widely at variance with each other.
Reversed: Good advice, counsel, instruction, slander, babbling.
Some Additional Meanings of the Lesser Arcana
Seven: Dark girl; a good card; it promises a country life after a
competence has been secured. Reversed: Good advice, probably
neglected.
UPRIGHT
Don't tell Mom, but …
Distrust and dishonesty.
Sneaking, lying or evading.
Using deceptive practices to achieve a goal.
Con artist, thief.
Being spiteful and petty.
Suspicion may be justified.
You are in a vulnerable position, be vigilant.
Walking away from a situation, exiting quietly.
Things might not work out as planned.
Unreliability.
Theft without guilt.
Greediness in taking more than is needed.
Giving attention to a new project while another is still ongoing.
Don't trust things that seem too good to be true.
Use caution in business dealings.
Don't waste your time and effort on attempts to achieve the impossible.
Be careful what you say; someone is spying.
Being your own worst enemy.
Self-defeating behaviour.
Exhaustion and depression are the results of wasted energy.
Quarrels over plans that have failed.
Not telling the complete truth.
Betrayal, stealth, doubt, timidity, deception, cunning trickery, guile.
Ignoring the chain of command and going over someone's head.
Escaping undetected.
Be discreet.
A change of job or residence.
REVERSED
Covering up the truth.
Refusing to take revenge.
Slander.
Missing property will be returned.
A person keeping a secret will reveal the deception.
The truth will come out.
Cowardice.
Victim of vulnerability.
Pessimism.
Dwelling over past mistakes prevents forward progress.
Arguments over petty problems.
Staying out of your own way.
Giving credit where credit is due.
You have stopped "covering up".
Returning something that is not yours to it's rightful owner.
Receiving an apology.
Clearing the air.
Coming to terms with the truth.
Lost or missing papers or items.
1. Secret
2. Robin Wood
3. Celtici
4. Haindl
5. Morgan Greer
6. Shadowscapes
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Topic: Thursday February 2, 2012: Reference.com On This Day
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/a39144e8d87a71c
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:28AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/9c1f43f71e9022a9
On This Day:
Thursday February 2, 2012
This is the 33rd day of the year, with 333 days remaining in 2012.
Fact of the Day: Hawaii state fish
The state fish of Hawaii is the HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A, which is a
form of trigger fish. It is actually not too hard to pronounce if you
notice the repetition. HUMU - HUMU - NUKU - NUKU - APUA'A.
Holidays
Candlemas (Wives' Feast Day)/ Presentation of the Lord/ Imbolc /
Imbolg / Lupercalia / Feast of Pan / Feast of Torches / Feast of
Waxing Light / Oimelc.
Feast day of the Purification, St. Joan de Lestonnac, St. Adalbald of
Ostrevant, and the Martyrs of Ebsdorf.
Groundhog Day.
Events
962 - Otto I invaded Italy and is crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
1536 - The Argentine city of Buenos Aires was founded by Pedro de
Mendoza of Spain.
1653 - New Amsterdam -- now New York City -- was incorporated.
1801 - The first parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland assembled.
1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo formally ended the Mexican War.
1848 - The United States paid Mexico $15 million for lands that
eventually became Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
1863 - Samuel Langhorne Clemens decided to use the pseudonym "Mark Twain."
1876 - The National Baseball League was founded with eight teams:
Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis,
Louisville, and Hartford.
1878 - Greece declared war on Turkey.
1887 - The first Groundhog Day was celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
1892 - William Painter of Baltimore, Maryland, patented the crown-cork
bottle cap.
1916 - US Senate voted independence for the Philippines, effective in 1921.
1936 - Babe Ruth was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1943 - The last German troops in Stalingrad surrendered to the Red
Army, ending one of the pivotal battles of World War II.
1946 - The game "Twenty Questions" was first aired on radio.
1950 - "What's My Line?" premiered on TV.
1967 - The American Basketball Association was formed.
1971 - Idi Amin assumed power in Uganda, following a coup ousting
President Milton Obote.
1980 - Details of ABSCAM, an FBI operation to uncover political
corruption in the government, were released to the public. The FBI had
conducted a sting operation targeting members of Congress using phony
Arab businessmen.
1989 - The last Soviet Union armored column leaves Kabul, ending nine
years of military occupation in Afghanistan.
1990 - President FW de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National
Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.
2003 - After 13 years as president of Czechoslovakia and then of the
Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel gave his farewell address.
2006 - An aging Egyptian passenger ferry carrying more than 1,400
people sinks in the Red Sea off the Saudi coast.
Births
1882 - James Joyce, Irish poet and novelist.
1895 - George Halas, American, co-founder of National Football League.
1901 - Jascha Heifetz, Russian-born violin virtuoso.
1905 - Ayn Rand (Alissa Rosenbaum), Russian-born American social critic, writer.
1907 - WH Auden, British-born Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.
1942 - Graham Nash, English-born singer-songwriter.
1947 - Farrah Fawcett-Majors (born Ferrah Leni Fawcett), American actress.
Deaths
1884 - Wendell Phillips, American abolitionist, advocate for Native
Americans, and orator.
1969 - Boris Karloff (born William Henry Pratt), English-born American actor.
1979 - Sid Vicious (born John Simon Ritchie), English punk rock
musician and bass player of the Sex Pistols.
1996 - Gene Kelly (born Eugene Curran Kelly), American dancer,
choreographer, movie actor, and director.
Reference.com On This Day
http://www.reference.com/thisday/
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Topic: A.Word.A.Day--scrooge
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/f8ada9381c33e540
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:26AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/4c8a0ab1918bc84a
Wordsmith.org The Magic of Words
Feb 2, 2012
This week's theme
Dickensian characters that became words
This week's words
wellerism
fagin
gamp
scrooge
Scrooge facing Marley's Ghost
Scrooge facing Marley's Ghost
Illustration: John Leech (1817-1864)
A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg
scrooge
PRONUNCIATION:
(skrooj)
MEANING:
noun: A miser.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Ebenezer Scrooge, the mean-spirited, miserly protagonist in
Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol. Earliest documented use:
1940.
USAGE:
"John Hymers was not entirely a Scrooge. There were times when he
secretly helped poor people and he built a village library."
Sisters Campaigned for a Mixed School at Hymers; Hull Daily Mail (UK);
Jan 23, 2012.
Explore "scrooge" in the Visual Thesaurus.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Mistakes are part of the dues that one pays for a full life. -Sophia
Loren, actress (b. 1934)
© 2012 Wordsmith.org
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Topic: [TarotTips] 17th Birthday Issue! - free mp3 of a class
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/t/901a931dd8e79f3f
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From: msesheta <msesheta@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 02 10:09AM -0500
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus/msg/e6822a0b03639c
============================================
TAROT TIPS
Newsletter of The Tarot School
ISSN: 1529-0565
Vol. 4 #2 / February 1, 2012
============================================
In this Issue:
- Welcome
- Tarot Tip: What To Do When a Querent Misunderstands a Reading
- Tarot Card Showcase: Eight of Cups
- Upcoming Events
- Best Practices: Client Testimonials - Do They Really Work?
- Featured Tarot Blog: Tap Your Vision
Welcome to a special issue of Tarot Tips!
Today we celebrate The Tarot School's 17th BIrthday!
This is a very exciting time in the history and development
of tarot, and we're grateful for the opportunity to keep
exploring and sharing it with you.
It's been a tradition of ours to offer a gift of thanks on
this occasion. This year we're giving away the mp3s of our
recent 2-hour class on The Pentacle. The cards themselves
get lots of attention, but we also like to focus entirely on
the suit symbol itself. It's a little different and a great
way to understand the entire suit.
To pick up your present, go to http://tarotschool.com/store
and click on the birthday cake. (Good through the month of
February.) Enjoy!
And now a bit about what you'll find in this issue...
In The Tarot of the Magicians (Samuel Weiser, Inc.,
1985), Oswald Wirth explained how "masters" introduced tarot
as a unique tool that teaches us to uncover the truth and
understanding of ourselves. Unfortunately, in today's world
many want instant gratification and try to find a shortcut to
self-understanding.
This issue takes a look at how readings can be frustrating
for both the querent and the reader. Reevaluating your
approach to reading the cards is an ongoing process, and
often leads to relinquishing what you previously learned
about using tarot. Among the many ways to improve on what
you know is to learn to simply listen to you inner voice, as
well as the outer voice of the querent.
The Best Practices column talks about how to use client
testimonials. Using feedback from others will help you put
what you do as a reader in perspective.
Are more of your querents experiencing isolation or
frustration because they lack of direction? Our Showcase
Card, the 8 of Cups, may make an appearance in their
readings. See how the traditional interpretation of this
card "speaks to their condition."
We've found another great blog to check out, too.
And one more thing (actually, two things)...
You may be aware of the exciting new tarot film
being made by Chris Deleo and Kimberlie Naughton.
Production on Tarology will be completed in July,
but we'll be getting a sneak peek at Readers Studio,
along with a Q&A session that will feature a rare
in-person appearance by Enrique Enriquez. You
won't want to miss it!
Also, the filmmakers have put together a wonderful
Readers Studio movie short with interviews and
scenes from the conference. We'd love you to
watch it and share it with your friends!
(And of course, register if you haven't already.)
Click the Movie/Slideshows link on the navbar at
Yours in celebration,
Ruth Ann, Wald & Gina
Tarot Tips is here to help you with the practical
side of your Tarot journey. In order to take the
greatest advantage of this newsletter, please send
us your questions regarding any aspect of your
tarot study or practice and we'll do our best to
answer them in an upcoming issue.
Spread the experience of tarot - share this newsletter
with other Tarot Enthusiasts!
========================================
Tarot Tip
WHAT TO DO WHEN...
A QUERENT MISUNDERSTANDS A READING
========================================
Question:
I've been doing tarot for some time now, and there are
those who don't understand a reading. I use tarot in a
therapeutic way to help querents understand themselves
from the inside out. But when I try to clarify what I said,
it's a bit of a challenge, since some spiritual concepts,
like self-love etc. are hard to explain.
How do you handle such an instance?
Even if I clarify, the client still may not understand and
it's very frustrating!
Blessings and joy,
Veronica
Answer:
Thanks for your question, Veronica.
It is undoubtedly frustrating to not be understood when
trying to communicate mystical principles. Dealing with
querents is a complex topic because no two are alike.
It is a given that a reading can answer very practical
questions, but the spiritual lesson for the querent may need
to be left to their experience rather than your explanation.
In our approach to teaching tarot, we find it important to
be able to seek and gain understanding of the self through
the cards. Tarot truly is about looking in the mirror and
reflecting on what you see. It's reasonable to expect that
you may in turn be able to help others, but that is not
always the case.
As far as techniques using the cards, when a querent has
trouble understanding a reading, it may require changing
your approach. We know readers love to be in control of the
reading itself, but it also works to allow the cards to speak
to the querent.
Here is one method:
1. Ask the client to pick a number from 1 - 5 or 1-10.
2. Count down that number of cards, lay them aside, and
choose the cards for your spread beginning with the next
card in the deck.
3. Lay the cards out for the querent to review.
4. Ask them to talk or tell a short story about the card(s)
that seems to address their issue.
5. Add your interpretation or additional card meanings to
complete the consultation.
6. Don't forget to ask if they find the reading useful
and if they really understand it.
7. If the issue persists, it may be time for both you and
the querent to move on.
Other Suggestions:
+ Too many cards
Steer away from long and complicated spreads with too many
cards. It can be overwhelming and intimidating for some to
see a huge spread.
+ Too many questions and issues
The client may have difficulty articulating what they want
to know, or may ask for something general and vague. Then the
reading becomes general and vague, and may be confusing.
Help them clarify one or two key questions and focus on those.
+ Beliefs and Vocabulary
Avoid using a terminology that is unfamiliar to your querent
and making assumptions about their belief system. Keep in
mind that your querent may not share your approach to soul
evolution or spirituality.
+ Expectations
Be aware that some people have expectations of what a
reading is and what a reader can bring to a reading. Explain
your technique or approach to tarot. They may want a psychic
and not a therapist, or the other way around.
+ Listening
Take a moment to actually listen to your querent. They may
want some objective advice on something very practical. If
you talk about self-love or other "higher principles," that
could seem confusing to them.
+ Re-evaluation
If there are several clients who don't understand your
readings, what is the common denominator? This may be a
good time to re-evaluate your approach to tarot readings.
There is no harm in going back to basics when you are a
seasoned reader. Tarot takes everyone -- reader and querent
alike -- through a process every time a consultation happens.
The experience teaches everyone involved. The message you
are giving to the querent is sometimes a message/reminder
for you.
Using tarot to advise people is a special skill. In order to
successfully transmit information to others you should be
conscious of how they receive it. Bear in mind that everyone
learns differently. For more on this, see our previous article
on communication styles in the Tarot Tips archives at:
http://www.tarotschool.com/TarotTips100315.html
There is a theory in psychology called Maslow's Hierarchy
of Needs. At the top of this ranking is self-actualization.
In describing yourself as using tarot therapeutically, we
could say that you are helping your querents to become
self-actualized. But if a querent is focused on a basic
practical need, it is highly unlikely that telling them about
self-love will be well-received at the reading. However,
a reading can still be an opportunity to "educate" if you
find that the querent is receptive.
====================
Tarot Card Showcase
====================
In this section we will feature tidbits on a
specific tarot card. While there are many
systems and decks to choose from in the world
of tarot, here we use the Universal Waite
Tarot images and symbols.
EIGHT OF CUPS
Astrological Attribution: Saturn in Pisces
Qabalistic Attribution: Hod in Briah
Esoteric Title: Lord of Abandoned Success
The Eight of Cups depicts a lone red-cloaked figure
ascending a hill. Under the glow of the moon, he crosses
a river leaving eight cups behind. Waite's card portrays a
long quest or journey. The journey takes the seeker on
rocky and uneven paths.
Saturn in watery Pisces can produce an environment and
mood of discontent, of disinterest, of abandoned success.
The moon is shown in this card in both full and crescent
phases. The moon represents the ebb and flow of emotional
currents of Pisces. This creates an energy that urges the
seeker to higher attainment.
Liberation is sought through the Eight of Cups. Eights
generally show movement, progress and attainment in the
world. However, with this card we see moving away from or
disinterest in the past, even when that past has been filled
with success, facing the unknown with the need for something
better.
In a reading, the Eight of Cups may mean disinterest in
what was once stimulating. Relationships with certain people
can be draining, resulting in a desire to hide out or withdraw.
On the other hand, the card may indicate intentional isolation
or retreat in order to do some deep soul searching on a matter.
Positive Keywords: Detachment, liberation, release,
progress, regeneration, reevaluation, exploration, and solitude.
Negative Keywords: Disinterested, disconnected, alienated,
empty, alone, weary, and blocked.
Tarot Affirmation: I am willing to walk away from situations
that do not support my emotional well-being.
**************************************************
Upcoming Events:
# Sunday, February 19
Free Readers Studio Teleconference
Open to all -- Join us for an informal get-together
which is often surprising and always fun!
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Sign up and get the call-in details at:
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# April 27-29, 2012
The Readers Studio
LaGuardia Marriott Hotel
East Elmhurst, New York
Speakers include: James Wanless, James Wells,
Shawn Nacol, Nancy Antenucci, Marcia McCord,
Jude Alexander, Mary K. Greer, Barbara Moore,
Thalassa, James Ricklef, Courtney Weber, Frances Ktenas,
Paris Finley, Chanah Liora Wizenberg, Ciro Marchetti,
Sheilaa Hite and Mike Hernandez.
============================================
Best Practices for Professional Readers
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS: DO THEY REALLY WORK?
============================================
by Gina Thies
http://www.facebook.com/tarotreaders
Before website testimonial pages, people made comments on
products or services they used in print ads and TV promos.
Advertising and marketing firms used these comments as a
stamp of approval so other potential customers would be
convinced to whatever they had to offer.
Typically you see testimonials in the form of endorsements
by celebrities. Many sites display testimonials or use a
rating system with client comments as a means of social
proof to attract buyers. But do testimonials really work?
There is general disagreement as to whether testimonials
are effective. However, there is not a marketing pro or
copywriter who would say not to use them. But the question
is HOW to use testimonials.
A testimonial page for your site is highly recommended.
Choose comments that offer a reason to purchase your
services. For example, "Gina, is a fantastic reader!" is
a great compliment. However, it is better if your prospects
read, "Gina is a fantastic reader. The reading was
accurate, thorough, and confirmed a lot of my own gut
feelings. The approach she uses allowed me to feel confident
in making choices for myself and I felt less anxious about
my dilemma."
The point of a testimonial is to use comments that will give
others the "why" or the "because" factor to purchase
your services. People often make decisions based on what
others think. Testimonials can also give your potential
clients an idea about your approach and reading methods.
Testimonials are excellent to use for special offers, sales
letters and other promotional items. To get your clients to
participate in giving you feedback, send a follow-up email
or thank you note and, of course, ask permission to quote
them.
Posting Negative Feedback
You are probably wondering, "what about the not-so good
feedback?" Common sense tells you that you would never
want to elicit or post negative feedback when you are trying
to solicit business. In many cases you won't have control
over negative comments, like when you work on a site that
has a rating system. Negative comments are a way to improve
upon what you offer.
If you want honest feedback, use a survey to get customers
to tell you about your service or make suggestions. Be warned
-- most people use these as opportunities to really let you
have it. Remain objective when someone tells you something
less than ideal about yourself. You may be able turn that
frown into a smile by being proactive instead of reactive.
------------------
Questions arise when developing or transitioning
to professional Tarot Reading status to earn
income. These can range from "How can I make
money with Tarot?" and "How do I get started?"
to more complex technical and business questions.
You may already be up and running and have
questions about how to enhance or ramp up your
business. We would love to hear from you. Send any
questions, or interest in a future class on the
Business of Tarot, to tarot@tarotschool.com.
****************************************
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=================================================
Featured Tarot Blog
TAP YOUR VISION @ e-Tarocchi.com
=================================================
You can find a full list of meanings for the Rider-Waite
cards and other interesting decks. Articles are written by
a variety of authors that include topics like astrology and
--
http://groups.google.com/group/opentarotnexus?hl=en
To post to this group, send email to opentarotnexus@googlegroups.com
--
Blissformula, PSN:13/ATAMPA(All Types Adequate Meditating
Personalities Assembling). Website:
http://sites.google.com/site/autoverflownow/free-globaltel
