In my opinion, predicting the future is harmful
since a change of mind changes future possibilities.
Readings that involve future predictions may
influence the querents' decisions. Perhaps it would
be of greater assistance to look into the dynamics
of the situation. What seems to be occurring in the
present that may affect the future? Example,
"What has to happen before I meet my future
husband?"
What if the cards all seem to point to difficult
or stressful times ahead?
All seemingly stressful or bad experiences may
ultimately have a positive side. Our role as
readers is to gently interpret the cards as ways
to heal or challenges to overcome. In Mary Greer's
book, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals,
she mentions that some readers feel that reversals
always have unpleasant meanings. She asks the
reader to realize that there are a dozen ways to
interpret reversals and the reader should choose
the one that is the most useful.
If the cards in a spread make no sense to me,
can I reshuffle?
I was taught that it's OK to reshuffle.
What if the querent insists on knowing more
details than the cards reveal?
This is a common problem, especially for people
who have little understanding of tarot. As a tarot
telephone reader, my employer advertised that we
tarot readers had the winning lotto numbers. I
quit when I found that out!
I feel that we readers must educate our querents
as to the limitations of time and space (lag time),
since spirit does not operate under limitations.
Time and space expand and contract according to
many influences. Some readers pull an extra card
to reveal more information. Perhaps those who use
numerology and astrology are able to reveal a more
exact time-table.
I have spoken with several professional counselors
and even a physician who use the tarot in their
work. How is the tarot a possible way of gaining
more insight?
The subconscious mind is open to all of the
answers as it is the 'sea of intelligence'. If
our conscious minds were that open all the time we
would all go crazy with too much information.
However, the tarot is one way to access more
answers to difficult situations. I find that when
I lay down a card my eye goes straight to a
particular image that may shed more light on the
question. Professional counselors and those who
attempt to help others solve difficult life issues
often need more answers than their reference books
and experience offer.
Every Tarot reader is faced with struggles with
their readings from time to time. It takes verve
and chutzpa to interpret the cards, just as it does
to teach, counsel, practice medicine and other
professions that require decision-making on your
feet. Tally ho!
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.
Copyright 1992 U.S Games.
THE FOOL
Esoteric Title: Spirit of Aether
Astrological Attribution: Uranus (modern attribution)
Element: Air
Every Major Arcana card is understood to be a path
on the Tree of Life. There are 32 such paths. The
first ten are the ten numbers of the Minor Arcana,
which are known as depths. The remaining 22 paths
are the Major Arcana. They are literally the paths
that connect the numbers. Each one of the Major
Arcana can be understood as the experience of the
journey between two numbers or depths.
The Fool is the experience of the journey between
1 (Crown) and 2 (Wisdom). The Fool is the path of
0 and 1, a place of abstraction so high and pure
that it is indescribable and all but inconceivable.
It is the journey between the first still moment of
existence in the Crown and the explosion of that
moment in the creative act of Wisdom.
The Fool never leaves this abstract realm, so he
never falls or fails, even though the bottomless
gulf of creation opens before him. Wherever he
goes, the ground rises to meet his feet. His steps
create the universe as he walks.
This path is the experience of the journey from
the brilliance of the Crown to the radiance of
Wisdom.
Positive Keywords:
Spontaneous, fearless, enthusiastic.
Uninhibited, uncomplicated, trusting,
experiencing the moment and delighting
in its fullness.
Negative keywords:
Without a plan or forethought, heedless
and appearing frivolous.
Going nowhere, comprehending nothing.
