Vol. 2 #18 / September 15, 2010
In this Issue:
- Welcome
- Tarot Tip: Weather, Climate and Atmosphere in Tarot
- Tarot Card Showcase: The Sun
- Upcoming Events
- Best Practices: Brilliant Ways to Get Clients to Say Yes!
- Featured Tarot Blog: Donnaleigh's Divine Whispers
Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!
And a special welcome to our new readers!
This is hurricane season, and weather forecasters
have the task of studying and evaluating the
atmosphere and how it will interact with and
affect the earth. Everyday millions of people tune
into a weather station to hear what the weather
will be like in the hours or days ahead so that
they may plan their life accordingly. In the same
way, the tarot practitioner evaluates and figures
out the "weather" of a querent's life.
The ancients thought of the sky as the arena of
the gods. They understood the state of their world
by what was going on in the realm of the gods.
Weather was a telltale sign of the state and
reactions of the gods and thus became symbolic of
the inner state of many human characters in
stories and myths.
THE SUN is the focus of this issue, much as it is
a central focus for life on earth. The sun and the
moon are two very important links to weather in
tarot, and can reveal much about psychological and
spiritual matters. The tip for this issue takes a
look at climate and various atmospheric symbols in
the cards.
Are you getting a "yes" to your efforts when
advertising your service? The "Best Practices"
column has illuminating ways to gear your clients
to saying yes. We also feature a wonderful new
blog from a bright tarot practitioner and rising
star in the tarot community, Donnaleigh.
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 WEATHER, CLIMATE & ATMOSPHERE IN TAROT
Weather analogies are used all the time in
literature. The weather serves as an analogy for
the moods and states of the human mind. In the
rich symbolic universe of tarot, the elements,
climate, and other forces of nature depicted in a
card can reflect the outer circumstances of the
querent or the inner climate of the mind or
emotions being experienced (or hoped to be
experienced) by the querent.
There are three major aspects of natural phenomena
that are represented by climate, weather and
natural surroundings. These aspects can be
corresponded to the suits as follows:
CLIMATE
Wands (Fire): hot, arid, and scorching
Cups (Water): wet, cool, foggy, rainy, tropical,
and oceanic
Swords (Air): warm, moist, humid, mild, and damp
Pentacles (Earth): dry, cold, sub-arctic, and frozen
WEATHER
Wands (Fire): sunny, bright; lightning, heat wave,
or drought
Cups (Water): rainfall, precipitation, mist and fog
Swords (Air): humid, clear to partly cloudy,
breezy and windy
Pentacles (Earth): snow, ice, sleet; wintry,
overcast, slushy and frozen
NATURAL SURROUNDINGS / EVENTS
Wands (Fire): hot dry climates, deserts;
lightning, volcanic eruption, lava flow, fires and
sunshine
Cups (Water): rivers, rainstorms, puddles, seas,
oceans and rainbows
Swords (Air): clear days, clouds, wind, tornados
and hurricanes
Pentacles (Earth): flora and plants, snow-capped
mountains, stars, grassy plains, mud and hills
Interpretations for Climate, Weather and
Atmosphere in Readings
Blizzard: Disturbance to natural state. Internal
conflict. Blocked energy. Feeling threatened or
battered. Isolation.
Snow: Hardships. Snow forces things to slow down.
Coldness and frigidity. The whiteness of snow can
be purifying. Depending on individual reaction to
snow, it can be harsh or relaxing. For instance,
warming up and snuggling when it snows outside or
dreading the bitter winter months.
Rain: Emotions that take away from happiness.
Tears, sadness or an emotional release. Fertility,
condensation or purification. In the 3 of Swords
the rain refers to the astrological attributes of
Saturn.
Wind/Windy: The wind is air in its active and
violent aspects. Being symbolic of the intellect,
windy conditions can signify a surge of ideas and
literally brainstorming. The wind has power that
can be felt but not seen and connects us to the
presence of the divine. In a reading, the wind can
signify a message from the spiritual realm.
Clouds: When a card that has clouds appears in a
spread, it is helpful to consider the type of
cloud shown in the illustration. Patchy clouds
with light or sun rays shining through often can
mean the passing of breakthrough in situations.
Clouds can be thick and hide the divinity present
in all things. Bright clouds can be seen as
uplifting while dark clouds spell trouble or
delays.
Lightning: An aspect of the element of fire,
lightning can be life-changing in both positive
and negative ways. A sudden illumination or a
flash of inspiration demonstrates how fast
lightning works. Certain urges and drives like
sexual frustration can be shown by the display of
lightning. In mythology, Jupiter's three
thunderbolts represented chance, destiny and
providence. What are the chances of being hit by
lightning?
Mountain/ Mountain Peaks: Mountains bring a huge
awareness into life situations. Man has long tried
to climb and conquer the highest mountains that
can represent the realm of God. The mountains are
a place of higher consciousness and communion with
the Highest Self. A mountain can signify a unique
event. Mountains can be a symbol of challenge or a
symbol of isolation.
Seas/Oceans: The element of water is illustrated
in many different scenarios in tarot. Although
there are specific astrological and esoteric
meanings for water, in a reading take into
consideration whether the water is still, waving,
rolling, etc.
Does the water look survivable?
Does it go to or from somewhere else?
A large body of water such as a sea or ocean
signifies a confrontation with something new
and unfamiliar. It calls to mind an infinite collective
unconscious in which we all have a part. The sea
gives us a boundary yet calls us to independence.
Several cards have the sea depicted with some sort
of boundary in the form of a wall, shore or landscape.
Rainbows: The rainbow is a very old means of
communication between god and man. It is a message
from the divine that lets us know of the good that
is coming. Rainbows are a symbol of crossing from
one phase of life or an experience to another.
Although generally positive in a reading, it must
be noted that rainbows are optical illusions and
we could be only seeing what we want to see or
only a part of the story.
Sunny/Sunshine: Radiance, warmth and vitality.
The connection to the sun is often represented by
the colors yellow and orange. It symbolizes a new
start and a greater awareness of Self. In a reading,
a sunny day depicts happiness, pleasure and
generally positive outlooks.
Although not typically illustrated in the
Rider-Waite-Smith deck, there are some other forces
of nature and natural catastrophes that should be
mentioned. Sometimes the image on a card may
evoke these from the depths of the querent's
subconscious. They are: volcanic eruptions,
hurricanes, tsunamis, mudslides, thunderstorms,
tornados and earthquakes.
All of the catastrophes mentioned above can
signify a great change in the circumstance or life
of the querent. Sometimes these are truly
circumstances beyond the control of the querent.
In these cases, pay attention to the Major Arcana
cards in the spread.
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 SUN
Esoteric Title: Lord of the Fire of the World
Astrological Attribution: Sun
Hebrew Letter: Resh = Head
Intelligence: Collecting Intelligence
Symbol of Apollonian consciousness for over 3000
years, The Sun in tarot has been illustrated in
various ways. Traditionally illustrated with a
large central sun and two figures, Waite settled
on a lone figure of a golden haired child crowned
with a floral wreath and red feather, riding on a
white horse carrying a red flowing banner backed
with a stone wall in which 4 sunflowers grow.
The child riding the white horse is the symbol of
Apollo, the Sun God. Apollo is an adaptation of
the Sumerian sun god Utu or Shamash. One
characteristic of the Sun God is that of
righteousness and justice, as he has the power to
light that which is hidden and is the enemy of the
deeds of darkness.
In the myths of Apollo it is told that at only 4
days old Apollo wanted a bow and arrow in order to
slay the Python that terrorized his mother. Apollo
was depicted with curly golden hair and was the
symbol of perfect maleness and eternal youth. On
this path we return to innocence and begin to
remember our original state.
Unlike most gods in mythology, Apollo's function
was less than clear. Instead of having a single
domain, Apollo had many functions as a god of
music, poetry, hunting, prophecy, healing and
masculine beauty. It is no wonder that on this
path the "Sun embraces the whole of creation in
its rays."
The four sunflowers represent the four worlds of
Qabalah or the four realms of nature: vegetable,
mineral, animal and human and the Sun's rays
represent the twenty-two paths rays on the Tree of
Life. The wall behind gives protection, control
and boundary, and directs growth according to the
laws of nature.
In The Sun there are opposites and contrast of
light/dark, day/night and masculine/feminine. The
Sun can bring about great fertility or create
barrenness and drought. The child represents new
life, growth and development, and is depicted
without clear reference to gender.
In a reading, The Sun indicates success in
endeavors. The answer to any question is
undoubtedly positive! There is pleasure in life
and the joy of existence. The Sun can indicate
issues with children or grandchildren. The news of
an engagement, marriage or birth can also be
indicated by The Sun.
Positive Keywords: Enlightenment, goodness, love,
contentment, satisfaction, sincerity, glory, riches,
achievement, natural, sunrise, awareness, happiness,
and the good things in life.
Negative Keywords: Unwillingness, displeasure,
loneliness, break-ups, cancellation, weakness,
laziness, stagnation, darkness, anger; unaware,
clouded, closed, unfulfilled.
Upcoming Events:
October 29-31
Land of Enchantment Tarot Symposium (LETS)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Featuring Mary K. Greer, Fern Mercier,
Carrie Paris, Margaret Letzkus, Robert Hahn,
Melissa Weiss Steele, Jordan Hoggard and more.
Sign up with their in-person attendance option, or
choose to attend the Symposium from your own home!
April 29 - May 1, 2011
The Readers Studio (RS11)
Queens, NY
Presenters include: Caitlin Matthews, Corrine
Kenner, Barbara Moore, Mary K. Greer, Bev
Haskins, James Wells, Carolyn Cushing and
many more to be announced!
NOTE: Today (9/15) is the last day to split
your RS11 registration into 6 installments!
Best Practices for Professional Readers
BRILLIANT WAYS TO GET CLIENTS
TO SAY YES!
One of the biggest problems for the soul
entrepreneur is sounding too much like a
salesperson when trying to obtain commitments
for their services. This is not an objection to
selling as such, as it takes great skill to be a
master of the art of persuasion. What you want
to do is persuade subtly through your ad or web
content in order to get a "yes" response from
your prospects.
Did you ever get a call from the local state
troopers' association asking if you'll commit to
a small donation of $20? Then if you don't
commit to $20, they will accept a smaller donation
of $15 or $10 or whatever you can spare, but are
they really looking for $10? It's all for a good
cause and you'll get a sticker to display on
your car and so on.
These people are trained in the art of consistency
and commitment, just two of the fixed-action
patterns that are instinctual response, a precise
and predictable sequence of patterns in behavior.
This sequence is set in motion by a specific
trigger. It can be in animals and humans alike.
Robert B. Cialdini, a respected social scientist
and compliance psychology specialist, wrote in his
book 'Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion'
that "...automatic, stereotyped behavior is
prevalent in much of human action..."
Cialdini explains the principles of reciprocity,
commitment and consistency, social proof, liking,
authority, and scarcity. If you understand these
principles, you can use them to influence
prospective clients in your sales letter or
website content.
Here is an explanation and examples of how these
principles can come into play:
Reciprocity
When someone does something for us, we feel
compelled to return the favor. There is an
overwhelming desire to repay debts. No one likes
to owe anyone else. When someone does something
nice for you, you'll generally feel like you'll
want to do something nice for them.
How to Use: Think about what you can give. In
order to get what you want, you have to give
someone what they want - and sometimes for free!
A free gift with purchase, a calendar, a coupon, a
special horoscope report or anything that relates
to your services or product.
Commitment and Consistency
No one likes a flip-flopper. Your message must be
consistent and clear. Consistency comes in the way
we shape ourselves socially and personally.
When we take a stance or go on record, in order to
gain credibility it is important to commit to our
stance and remain consistent.
The best way to get someone to commit to something
in the long-term is to get him/her to own it. The
way to gain a commitment is to start small, make
it reasonable and non-threatening. This will not
only lead to compliance but eventually further
compliance to larger requests in the long run.
How to Use: Surveys, questionnaires and feedback
are great ways to get a customer to take a stance.
In making a request for their opinion, reward them
with a bring-a-friend or discount coupon just for
answering. In getting them to perform an action or
give their position on something, you will
establish a "commitment."
Social Proof
When you are unsure about a product, service,
restaurant or beautician, who do you go to? A
trusted friend or resource for guidance, right?
What others think or feel about something matters
and then we act accordingly. "Social proof" is
the scientific term for the sheep/herd mentality.
It is in times of personal uncertainty that social
proof is most important; when you are feeling
unsure, you're going to follow others.
How to Use: Invite potential clients to interact
with current or past clients. Sampling through
free classes or teleconferences. Testimonials or
letters from satisfied clients.
Liking
We all like to be connected with those of like
mind. We are more likely to go along with someone
we like and who makes us feel good. Various
factors that affect liking include:
* physical attractiveness
* similarity
* compliments
* contact and cooperation
* conditioning
How to Use: Become an ally with others to solve
problems. Reveal a bit of yourself. Be likeable
and friendly. Find common ground and have fun.
Authority
In today's world of technological advance and
globalization, we respond to authority more
readily. We strive for independence but still want
expert advice and authority to guide us and show
us the way. We respond to status, clothing,
uniforms, insignia and titles as triggers
indicators of authority that affect compliance
levels.
How to Use: Mention any special degrees or
certifications you have achieved. Provide solid
information and expertise from other sources that
aligns with your own. Demonstrate where your
expertise has been used or cited. Make a note of
tenure or years of practice in your particular
field.
Scarcity
Have you ever noticed how people can get fiercely
competitive when they come from a place of lack?
We have a tendency to value things that are
scarce. Items that are expensive or hard to come
by send a social signal that they should be prized
or become a "must have." We should stock up on
them!"
How to Use: Limit availability to a specific
number. Use time limits and expiration dates.
Limited-time specials are a great way to create
scarcity. Create "once only this year" or other
limited offers.
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.
Discover the meanings behind the interpretations
and hidden secrets of
the cards.
Learn how to read with confidence and precision.
Cut through confusion, conflicting viewpoints and
tarot
"information overload."
Create a deep well of tarot knowledge that you can
access at
any time, without consulting a book.
Find out what is behind the pictures of the world's
most famous
deck!
Uncover the secrets tucked deep inside you as
you learn and
grow...
Get a firm foundation in tarot that you'll build on
for years
to come.
Start your tarot journey here... and go anywhere!
Study at your own pace and get one-on-one coaching
Featured Tarot Blog / Newsletter
DIVINE WHISPERS TAROT BLOG
This is the blog of Donnaleigh, one of the
co-hosts of Beyond Worlds Talk Radio and
member of TarotTribe.com. She is exceptionally
creative and an inspirational tarot enthusiast.
A member of the American Tarot Association,
Donnaleigh has been a contributor to the ATA's
quarterly newsletter and Tarosophy International
Magazine. You'll love her spirit guide portraits
and daily blurbs on tarot.
Join our 2,240+ 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
For information on tarot classes, courses,
© Copyright 2010 The Tarot School - All Rights Reserved
Directors: Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone
|