Vol. 2 #11 / June 1, 2010
In this Issue:
- Welcome
- Tarot Tip: Numbers and Tarot
- Tarot Card Showcase: 9 of Swords
- Upcoming Events
- Best Practices: Crisis Management Strategies
- Featured Tarot Blog: Beth Owl's Daughter - Owl's Wings
Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!!
And a special welcome to our new members!
We all occasionally read for querents who have
a dilemma or crisis when they ask for a reading.
The tips in this issue will teach you how to use the
numbers on the cards to reveal additional meanings
and perhaps help to reformulate or refocus querents'
questions. Also, our Best Practices column discusses
crisis management through the use of tarot.
As we shift into the middle decan of Gemini, we
are showcasing the Nine of Swords, the card whose
esoteric title is Lord of Despair and Cruelty. The
brightest stars in Gemini are named Castor and
Pollux, the twin brothers in Roman mythology who
became the patrons of sailors during times of
crisis at sea.
Speaking of a crisis at sea, we sincerely hope the
oil leak in the Gulf will be plugged soon. It has
created lots of anger and uncertainty for the people
of the Gulf states region, and sadness for us all. If
you feel moved to do so, please offer your prayers
and ask the angels, nature devas, sprites and fairy
energy to help Mother Earth. We can all use
greater patience and healing during this time.
Helping you along your tarot journey,
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 NUMBERS AND TAROT
Numbers are an important part of the symbolism of
any tarot card. The science of numerology is an
important aspect of the occult, and numbers are at
the foundation of every aspect of human knowledge.
As you probably know, numbers can be meaningful
symbols, as well as components of mathematics.
Let's take a look at the numbers 0 - 10 and
then discuss how they can be useful as tools for
your tarot readings.
ZERO (0)
Meanings: No-Thing; the Cosmic Egg, infinite,
endless, super-consciousness. This is usually the
number of The Fool. It is the nothingness before
anything manifests. It is an idea or flash of
creativity. It is change and possibility.
Questions for Querent:
- Are you taking too many risks?
- In what area of this situation do you feel a lack
of creative spontaneity?
ONE (1)
Meanings: The beginning, the first step,
singleness, independence, attention, awareness and
focus.
Questions for Querent:
- Are you scattering your energies unwisely?
- What is the best way to initiate action to resolve
this situation?
- What steps can you take to...?
TWO (2)
Meanings: Duality, receptivity, repetition,
polarity, duplication, separation, division,
cycles, joining and partnerships.
Questions for Querent:
- What should you pay attention to in order to bring balance to your life or this issue?
- What resources can best be combined to achieve
maximum results?
THREE (3)
Meanings: Multiplying, growing; increase, trinity,
two forces plus one, expansion, harmony, fruition,
and well-being.
- What will assist in your productivity?
- What talents are you not honoring or trusting to
bring about the growth you seek?
FOUR (4)
Meanings: Solid foundation, order, tradition,
methods, regulation, control, security,
completeness, definition and authority.
Questions for Querent:
- What areas in this situation are unstable or
undefined?
- What is the highest truth or wisdom you should
know at this time?
- What is the best way to gain control in this crisis?
FIVE (5)
Meanings: conflict, intervention, struggle,
disruption, freedom, mediation, lack of balance,
adaptation, strife, war and opposition.
Questions for Querent:
- What is the first step to calm this disruption?
- Who is the best person to mediate between
"___" and "___"?
- How can you best avoid a conflict with "___"?
SIX (6)
Meanings: The number of perfection in humanity,
interchange, accomplishment, suitable response,
coordination, communication, advancement, victory,
symmetry and beauty.
Questions for Querent:
- What is the best way to communicate your ideas?
- What is the best way to gain victory against your
competitors?
- What is it that you need to let go of at this time?
SEVEN (7)
Meanings: Power, victory, support, dominion,
mastery, conquest, peace, steadiness, discipline
and discernment.
Questions for Querent:
- How can you become balanced and steady?
- What is the best way to gain an advantage in this
circumstance?
- What are you missing on the path to self-mastery?
EIGHT (8)
Meanings: Courage, pulsation, vibration, patience,
reason, positive influence, flux and reflux,
generosity, skill, ambition, forgiveness and
prosperity.
Questions for Querent:
- Where are you lacking courage and determination?
- What is the best use of your skills?
- What hidden resources can you tap into for this
situation?
NINE (9)
Meanings: Results, conclusion, purpose, expression
of 3x3, perfection, purity, gestation, finalization,
achievement, perseverance, accomplishing the
Divine Will.
Questions for Querent:
- What strengths can you draw upon at this time?
- How can you expand in this area of your life to
bring about more success?
- What is missing or hidden that will bring
completion to this project?
TEN (10)
Meanings: Divine Law, completion of a single
cycle, manifestation, starting again, wholeness,
evolution, action, repetition and change.
Questions for Querent:
- How can you prevent repeating negative cycles?
- Where can you look for inspiration?
- How can you become more fulfilled in your
marriage, career, etc?
These questions can be used to rephrase the
querent's inquiry or can be asked of the querent
to bring additional awareness. Pay attention to
numbers that may cluster in your spread; for
instance, three cards of the same number. This may
suggest something of special importance about the
reading.
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.
NINE OF SWORDS
Esoteric Title: Lord of Despair and Cruelty
Astrological Attribution: Mars in Gemini
Qabalistic Attribution: Yesod in Yetzirah
This card of cruelty is where any disruption in
the Swords energy is raised to its height. The
fiery energy of Mars in the airy sign of Gemini
can show agony in the mental arena, from either
internal or external sources.
The Nine of Swords sits in Yesod (Foundation), the
ninth sephirah on the Tree of Life, that concerns
the etheric or pre-physical. It is the realm of
Archangel Gabriel who gives the powers of vision.
This path is the Pure Intelligence, and acts as a
storehouse that holds the image of everything will
eventually exist in the physical world. These
images could be represented in the carving on the
side of the bed. In Yetzirah (the World of
Formation, associated with the Suit of Swords),
Yesod proves and corrects or alters these images.
When this card appears in a reading, it may be a
time to look at faults and errors in oneself or in
one's perspective. The Nine of Swords can
represent isolation or a feeling of helplessness
that makes one very uncomfortable. In a reading
concerning matters of gossip, this card may speak
the truth when one feels unjustly attacked by
others.
The trauma or pain suggested by the Nine of Swords
is not easy to overcome and takes a while to
dissolve. It may keep you awake at night and cause
great anxiety.
The Nine of Swords calls for a positive self-image
and positive thinking. Encouraging calm thoughts
and meditation would be great advice when this
card appears, with the added assurance that some
of the negativity could be literally all in one's head
and thus no real cause for worry. The time has come
to stop beating oneself up. Problems associated with
this card are coming to a end, and any negative
thoughts left uncontrolled could lead to depression.
Positive Keywords: Keen awareness, need for
healing, reflection and meditation, awakening,
high stakes, caution, planning, deep analysis, and
rest.
Negative Keywords: Paranoia, doubt, suffering,
self-inflicted pain, uncertainty, illness,
immobility, stress, fear, and turmoil.
Upcoming Events:
The Omega Tarot Conference
w/ Mary K. Greer, Rachel Pollack, Lon Milo DuQuette,
Juliet Sharman-Burke, and Ruth Ann & Wald Amberstone
It is a real honor to be part of this exciting new
tarot conference at the legendary Omega Institute
in Rhinebeck, NY. We're looking forward to seeing
you there for a fabulous weekend! And because we're
not running this one, we get to hang out with you more. :)
August 28-29
Bay Area Tarot Symposium (SF BATS)
First Unitarian Universalist Centre, San Francisco
Speakers include: Mary Greer, Rachel Pollack,
James Wanless, Marcus Katz, Teressena Bakens,
Pamela Eakins, Diane Wilkes, Leisa ReFalo, Joseph
Ernest Martin, Ellen Lorenzi-Prince, Jaymi Elford,
Katrina Wynne, Arisa Victor, Rabbit McMatthews,
and more be announced soon!
Best Practices for Professional Readers
CRISIS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Often a crisis comes in the form of an unexpected
turn of events or sudden disaster like the oil
spill in the headlines, an earthquake or car
accident. I am sure you are familiar with a
frantic querent who needs a reading because they
find themselves dealing with a sudden break-up,
job loss or new opportunity and need to know
what's next or how to avoid further catastrophe.
Some of us are really great at dealing with a
crisis, while some people simply cannot handle
the stress. A crisis can involve danger, or it can
provide opportunities for growth.
Since time immemorial, people have wanted to
know that what the future holds for them. Today's
professional spiritualists and readers offer more
than prediction to keep up with society's
changing needs.
Crisis counseling through the wisdom of tarot can
help clients to deal with issues by offering a
roadmap to clarity and support. The roots of
modern crisis counseling goes back to World Wars
I and II, when shell-shocked soldiers were often
labeled weak or even disloyal. Soldiers who were
given treatment fared better than those who went
untreated.
If, in your practice, you come in contact with
victims of any crisis event, major or minor,
general knowledge of basic crisis intervention
techniques will provide you with tools to help
clients manage their lives.
When someone seeks guidance or comfort during a
crisis, they will no doubt seek out someone they
view as an "anchor." As a reader, you are an
authoritative figure and can have a real influence
on your potentially damaged client. Of course, we
are all naturally capable of listening and giving
advice based on our personal experience. It is
important for those in the emergency services
and criminal justice professions to use crisis
intervention techniques in their short encounters
with victims. It is also essential for victim
advocates and counselors to learn the ideas and
skills that help restore to victims a sense of
control over their lives.
Crisis counseling is not a replacement for
psychotherapy, nor is a tarot reading. But a
reading can help give a client a renewed sense
of stability, comfort and direction when that is
needed.
Elements of Crisis Management with Tarot
1. Assessment. This will include the choice of
spread and questions. Determine your querent's
needs, and do your best to ensure that there are
no security issues or threats to your client's
physical or psychological safety.
2. Resources. People want reassurance that you
understand their circumstances and that there is
light at the end of the tunnel. They seek to
change their situation for the better, or at least
be able to be comfortable through the crisis. If
possible, give them references to educational
information, books or websites when applicable.
For the most part, what they will need from you is
simply the truth of the cards.
3. Availability. Without risk to your
boundaries, do offer your support as an advocate
for their spiritual well-being. (Keep in mind that
you are not a savior or rescuer.) Provide them
with your business card or contact information. If
appropriate, schedule further appointments, or
times when you are available to speak with them on
the phone.
4. Coping. It's a good idea to have the
querent explore different solutions. It is
important to understand that predictions may be
expected. Knowing what the future holds gives us
all a sense of control. Aromatherapy, meditation
and other relaxation methods are great suggestions
to help the querent restore their sense of
normalcy.
Go to http://www.trynova.org for further
information on crisis intervention and victim
assistance.
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.
Do you want to learn more about tarot but don't
have time or the resources to attend a class?
The Tarot School Correspondence Course was
created just for you!
Study at your own pace and get one-on-one
Featured Tarot Blog / Newsletter
BETH OWL'S DAUGHTER - OWL'S WINGS
OWL'S WINGS: Where you'll find a little bit of
Magic every day! This is the blog of Beth Owl's
Daughter, tarot practitioner, teacher and
practicing witch. A very informative site with
featured tarot card of the week, poetry and
articles, Owl's Wings offers a wonderful
in-depth exploration of the journey of a
passionate tarot enthusiast.
Join our 1,900+ fans and join the fun!
You never know what we'll say next...
Do you have a question or comment on anything tarot?
Suggestions for future topics?
Contact tarot@tarotschool.com
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Directors: Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone
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