Interactive Tarot

Chakra Tarot Reading: Special Pricing!

2012-01-19T19:36:00.001-05:00

I'm offering special pricing on my Chakra Spread through the end of January! It's currently just $30 (normally $40). This is a seven-card spread that covers various aspects of what makes up the core of who you are. The reading also highlights any blockages that your chakras might be experiencing and offers suggestions on how to correct these blockages. It's very helpful to stop and examine what motivates us at our deepest levels, and this reading does just that.

For details on the spread and the territory it covers, check out the blog post here wherein I discuss this reading and its positions. To order, just visit the Services page of the Interactive Tarot website; the PayPal button for the special pricing is right at the top of that page. E-mail readings typically take four to five days to complete as they include a very detailed write-up as well as images of your spread and of each individual card. I welcome any questions you might have on this reading or on anything Tarot-related (as always)! Please feel free to contact me on the Interactive Tarot Facebook page or at jennifer@interactivetarot.net.

Radiant Rider-Waite Deck Giveaway

2012-01-18T14:49:00.000-05:00

Just a quick announcement! I'm giving away two Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot decks over on my Interactive Tarot Facebook page. All you have to do is "Like" the January 17th post with the giveaway announcement. Easy as pie! I'll draw two names at random (two winners are better than one!) on January 27th and will post the winners on the Facebook page. I have Tarot-related giveaways on the Interactive Tarot page at least once a month, from decks to books to readings to jewelry. Wouldn't winning a new Tarot deck be a great way to start the new year? Bonus: part of the prize is that you can ask me any questions you like via e-mail as you learn the cards or continue your journey with them. I love sharing and discussing all things Tarot, so selfishly speaking this part of the prize will be fun for me. So, head on over and click "Like"...and good luck!

Blogging with the Tarot Pals

2012-01-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

I’m so happy to announce that I was invited to be a contributing blogger on the new Tarot Pals blog! I’m thrilled at the opportunity to share blogging duties with six wonderful Tarotists. I was asked to contribute by Tarot author Janet Boyer, who is also a top reviewer on Amazon, has written on many other subjects, hosts radio shows, does social media marketing work, has co-created the soon-to-be-released Snowland Tarot, and on and on. To get the full picture, you can check out her website at JanetBoyer.com and find her work on her author page at Amazon. I’m a big fan, and in particular I love her deck and book reviews on her website. Other members in the Tarot Pals group are Gina Pace (creator of the fantastic Pagan Tarot); John Marani; Michael Banuelos; J.R. Rivera, and Wilma Carroll, all exceptional readers and active members of the Tarot community.

I just put up my first Tarot Pals blog post earlier today, in fact! As we enter a new calendar year, we tend to assess our lives, and this always includes special consideration for finances. My Finance Spread for the New Year post offers up a small, succinct spread utilizing five cards that focuses on key aspects of financial assessment. I hope you try it out and find it helpful!

I will still be blogging here regularly, and of course I'll still be plenty active on the Interactive Tarot Facebook page and running my Interactive Tarot website. If you follow my blog, you already know that I've been reading Tarot cards for over 20 years and absolutely love sharing and discussing Tarot and Tarot-related info and ideas. I plan to do even more in 2012, and I hope you'll be part of this journey. If you ever have questions or comments on anything relating to Tarot, please feel free to post on my Facebook page or send me an e-mail at jennifer@interactivetarot.net. I really am so happy to discuss this passion of mine. I hope that you find your passion this year, or that an old one is reignited--it's never too late!

Winter Solstice, or Yule

2011-12-20T18:50:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine just asked me if I had some suggestions for/info about the Winter Solstice, also called Yule...and as it happens, I do! There is much to say about this wonderful time of year, but I thought I'd share just a few tidbits here

The Winter Solstice is on December 22nd this year, falling on the first day of Capricorn (it falls between the 20th-23rd each year). The Wheel of the Year continues to turn, and Yule marks the rebirth of the Sun God, who slowly makes his way back up from the Underworld. Although we’re still steeped in darkness, the world is already turning toward longer days and more sun. Dark is relinquishing to light.

Think “renewal” and "introspection." It’s a time to refresh and take on new challenges. If there’s something you’ve always loved to do but have not spent much time on it lately, make a concerted effort to bring it back into your life. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try but never have, now is the time to do some research and get started.

A Yule Log is traditionally harvested from one's personal property or given/received as a gift (even a thick twig from the lawn or sidewalk will do if a log-sized piece of wood is unavailable). Lighting three or more candles around the Yule Log is just as acceptable if you can’t go setting things on fire where you live. All white candles, or a combination of red, green, and white are good choices. The Yule Log and/or candles are meant to symbolize the return of the Sun.

Some symbols of the Winter Solstice: Yule Log; candles; wreaths; poinsettias; apple cider; mistletoe; clove-studded fruit. Herbs associated with Yule: thistle; frankincense; laurel (throwing some bay leaves into a meal is an easy way to incorporate this one); holly; oak; pine; bayberry. Some traditional foods: fruits; nuts, pork; turkey; anything with caraway; ginger tea.

Any ritual activities that are meant to improve peace, harmony, balance, and love in your life are perfect for this time of year, and visualizing yourself achieving these things whilst meditating on the burning Yule Log or candles is a perfectly simple and effective ritual. The very best thing to incorporate into Yule is the company of loved ones, so be sure to reach out and give plenty of hugs!

The Moon Card

2011-10-24T15:06:00.000-04:00

The Moon is all about illusion, mystery, dreams, intuition, and a little bit of danger. There is a spooky element here, so I thought it would be appropriate to discuss this around Halloween!

When The Moon falls in a reading, pay attention to what you might be avoiding. Sometimes it's an obvious thing that you simply don't want to confront, but if you continue in that vein, what was an inconvenient issue could blossom into a very big problem. You're probably ignoring something that you need to deal with.

The crayfish represents the deepest subconscious. When the tide is high, we don't see what's beneath the surface of the water, so we don't give it much thought. When the tide goes out, we have a glimpse at what lurks on the ocean floor. It is not to be ignored--it's as much a part of our world and our evolution as things we see clearly every day.

The moon is the symbol of madness (lunacy) and femininity, of our most basic animal urges. Think about the concept of the werewolf--it's mirrored here in the dog and the wolf in the foreground (the former is domesticated, the latter is wild). The moon's light is reflected, not direct, hence all the illusion. It brings our secret side to the surface: suppressed feelings, clandestine motives. You must acknowledge these things or they'll find a way to take over.

Purge those deep memories. Look beyond the illusion. Pay attention to your dreams and your subconscious instincts. Once you bring what's in the darkness into the light, you can move forward in a less altered state. Use your imagination, but don't confuse fantasy with reality. This is a very psychic card and, at times, shows that you have an uncanny and very deep attraction to another person...or vice-versa. To wade through the message of The Moon, trust your instincts and be completely honest with yourself.

For some more clues to the meaning of The Moon card, compare the version from the Rider-Waite deck above to The Moon from the Halloween Tarot to the right. (I admit I'm partial to this particular version with the French bulldog representing domestication in opposition to the werewolf. Cute!) Note all the arrows lending to the confusing, illusory aspects of the card. The crayfish makes an unexpected appearance, and the castle in the distance signifies finding your way through the chaos to a place of stability. Comparing the same card from different decks is a great way to expand your insight. Look closer--you might find more!

Apple Lore

2011-10-19T12:26:00.001-04:00

With autumn hitting its stride (and Samhain coming right up), there's no better time to explore the fantastic folklore surrounding the good old apple. Apple lore could fill a book, so these are just a few tidbits.

Apples are a big part of Samhain in many ways, including their place in the traditional "mute supper" (see my October 7th blog post on Samhain traditions and lore for details). If you happen to be looking for love this time of year, there’s a very old-school Samhain apple tradition just for you. Peel an apple in front of a mirror on October 31st, and make sure to keep the peel long. Throw the peel over your left shoulder while still looking in the mirror. When you turn to examine the peel, look closely—lore has it that you’ll see the first initial of the name of your true love in its shape.

When you cut an apple open, you’ll see a five-pointed star, or pentagram. Four of the points on the pentagram represent the four elements—earth, air, water, and fire—and the fifth represents Akasha, or the human spirit. The pentagram is a very powerful symbol in both ancient and modern magic (and in Christian tradition, where it symbolizes the five wounds sustained by Christ), and its appearance in the apple has given the fruit elevated status in its use in magic, spells, and potions. Apples are said to be highly protective when used in any form: consumed, rubbed on the skin, worn dehydrated in a Juju bag on the person, etc. The apple’s traditional link to good health is well-known.

In Judeo-Christian tradition, the apple is assumed to be the fruit of the tree of forbidden knowledge, though this fruit was probably initially a fig. When this story spread to Western Europe, the fig was replaced with their own local sacred fruit, the apple. In Norse folklore, the apple tree was the tree of immortality. The goddess Idunn was the Keeper of Apples, and she fed them to other gods and goddesses to keep them forever young. Apples were representative of wisdom and love to the Norse as well.

One of my favorite legends is tied to Avalon, the eternally beautiful island of the dead and land of faeries where King Arthur was taken after he was fatally wounded in the Battle of Camlann. “Avalon” comes from the Welsh word for apple, “afal” (pronounced “aval”); Avalon is also known as Avallach, the Isle of Apples. Arthur is taken there by Morgan le Fay and her two sisters to be healed and live life eternal. This is yet another example of the apple’s link to longevity, immortality, health, and rebirth.

Even the Evil Queen’s "gift" of a poison apple to Snow White has its roots in old beliefs: the Medieval church believed that apples could be purposefully enchanted, then given to unsuspecting victims to cause them to become demonically possessed. Then there’s bobbing for apples, also called Snap Apple in Scotland (where Halloween is also called Snap Apple Night). Tradition dictates that the first to bite into an apple while bobbing would be the first among the participants to marry. This is just another one of many forms of divination practiced around Samhain.

Apples are everywhere this time of year. When you bite into a fresh, crisp Granny Smith, or have an apple pie, apple cobbler, apple cider, etc., give a little extra thought to the long and remarkable history of this little wonder fruit!

The Halloween Tarot

2011-10-12T15:32:00.001-04:00

There are so many Tarot decks out there that I can't even keep track anymore, and that's a pretty cool thing. No matter what you're interested in--cats, dragons, Arthurian legend, photo collage, specific artists (Hieronymus Bosch, Salvador Dali, etc.), Celtic traditions, vampires, crystals, and on and on--there's a deck in that theme. I happen to be nuts about Halloween, and when I first saw the Halloween Tarot by Kipling West (U.S. Games Systems, 2003; this link is for the deck and book set) a few years ago in a metaphysical book shop, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't until I finally purchased it just a few months ago, however, that I really fell in love with its numerous charms.

I initially thought that this might be kind of a fluffy deck; the colors are bright, striking, and whimsical, and the images are not "dark." Even traditionally unnerving cards like The Tower, Death, and The Devil have a lighthearted bent in the Halloween Tarot. A curious black cat appears in every single card of both the Major and Minor Arcana, and we follow its journey like we would follow The Fool through his. When I finally did a reading with the Halloween Tarot, any illusions I had about it being fluffy were dispelled. These cards were crisp and clear in their message, and, most importantly, I had a lot of fun reading them. I re-discovered Halloween!

Traditional Tarot suits are Wands (fire), Cups (water), Swords (air), and Pentacles (earth). The Halloween Tarot makes excellent use of these elemental correlations and gives us Imps (in place of Wands/fire), Ghosts (Cups/water), Bats (Swords/air), and Pumpkins (Pentacles/earth). Court Cards follow the typical Rider-Waite structure of Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm including several images from the deck below (some of the Major Arcana; a Court Card from each suit, and a Minor Arcana card from each suit) along with brief comments:

I love this Death card. The growth/change/rebirth theme is wonderful here. In Temperance, the artist and alchemist themes are apparent as the witch happily mixes her concoctions. There's a lot going on in these cards.

Frankenstein is the steadfast Emperor! The Bride of Frankenstein as The Empress is a fantastic symbol of the creation of new life, and she expresses her nurturing side with her cat.

The solitary Hermit is shown as a mad scientist, keeping to himself and spending his time gleaning knowledge. In The Tower card, the traditionally terrifying image is made more whimsical in the spirit of Halloween.

Strength makes clear the impact of finesse over brute strength. The image on the right is the fully reversible backside of all the cards. I prefer my card backs to be reversible so that I don't know in advance if the card will fall right side up or reversed.

Examples of the suits of Imps and Bats. Happiness and celebration are clear in the Four of Imps, and the woman in the Eight of Bats is wrapped up in toilet paper by mischief-making bats as if in the midst of a Halloween prank. She can easily escape, but chooses not to.

Examples of the suits of Pumpkins and Ghosts. The woman in the Nine of Pumpkins is content and successful as she tends her garden. The three Ghosts celebrate, intertwined, over a starlit pumpkin patch.

One each of the four Pages and Knights.

One each of the four Queens and Kings.

If you get a chance to read with this deck, definitely give it a go. As I said, I was surprised at and so pleased with the results (shame on my preconceived notions!). When I was a kid, Halloween was fun and spooky, and a time I looked forward to all year; as a grown-up, I find that I'm reminded of those feelings when I pull out this deck. I consider it a gift.

Some Samhain and Halloween Traditions and Lore

2011-10-07T14:04:00.000-04:00

With October 31st looming, I thought I'd share a few random tidbits on its traditions. I'll use Halloween and Samhain interchangeably here; for details on where these names come from, have a look at my October 3rd blog post covering the history of Samhain/Halloween. Now go ahead and impress your friends with some lore:

It's been said that the traditional orange and black associated with Halloween come from the colors of bonfire flames against the black sky.

Some herbs associated with Samhain: mugwort, as a divination aid (used in incense, a sachet, or a bundle during Tarot reading, scrying, pendulum work, seances, tea leaf reading, crystal balls, and so on); mullein seeds, for abundance; rosemary, to honor the dead (very strongly linked to Halloween).

This is a popular time of year for petition magic. Do it right on Halloween if you can. Write what you desire on a small piece of paper. Light a candle, preferably black, though orange, white, silver or gold work well this time of year, too. Concentrate on what you want or need, and burn the paper. This practice stems from the old Celtic Needfire, which is just what it sounds like: a bonfire is created during a time of need (common for Celts at the New Year), and an effigy representing that need is burned.

Stones associated with Halloween: obsidian; clear quartz; amber; ruby; diamonds; carnelian.

A "mute supper" is an old Samhain tradition to honor the dead. This supper is eaten in silence, by candlelight, typically on a table with a black cloth. Chairs are left empty for the deceased, or simply one chair, and a black candle is lit and placed at each vacant setting. A silent opening prayer is performed. Why all the silence? It was thought that the spirits were more likely to come in the quiet. Guests should come with a hand-written note for their ancestor(s) or other departed, which is placed under that spirit's plate prior to dining. After the meal is the silent closing prayer, and the guests leave the room quietly, returning shortly to discuss their impressions. At this point, it's tradition for each guest to participate in some form of divination, either in pairs or as a group.

Traditional Samhain foods, often part of the mute supper, are: meat of any kind with rosemary seasoning; all sorts of nuts; anything that includes pumpkin, turnip, squash, or apples; potatoes; roasted seeds of pumpkin, turnip, and sunflower.

Samhain saying in reference to the Wheel of the Year: "The Wheel turns, the veil thins."
Legend goes that if you hear footsteps behind you on Halloween, don't turn around...it could be a spirit following you around!

October Announcements

2011-10-05T15:31:00.005-04:00

I have five great announcements for October, including TWO giveaways! Check out Interactive Tarot on Facebook for future announcements that pop up here and there.

1) Gorham Art Fair

I'll be at the Gorham Art Fair again this year! I had a BLAST last year and am so looking forward to it once more. It will be held at the Shaw Gymnasium in Gorham, ME (behind Baxter Memorial Library off of Ballpark Road at 75 South Street--it's a little tricky to find, but will be well-marked for the event) for two days:

Friday, October 28, from 6-9 pm
Saturday, October 29th, from 9 am-3 pm.

A 30-minute Basic Full Reading will be only $20--half-price! This is an ideal time to get a Tarot reading. As I noted my previous post about Samhain, the veil between the worlds is very thin this time of year, particularly around the 31st; divinatory powers are typically at their peak, and messages tend to be even clearer than usual. For more information about the event, check out the Gorham Art Fair Facebook page or the Gorham Art Fair site, or send questions to gorhamartfair@gmail.com. Come see tons of wonderful artists, have some great food, and hear some fantastic music!

2) Enlightenment Expo

I'm so excited to announce that I'll be participating in the Enlightenment Expo this year, hosted by the wonderful Dede Eaton of The Magick Closet!

Sunday, October 9th, from 10-5
Fireside Inn & Suites, 81 Riverside Street, Portland, ME

Admission is $5 for access to TONS of amazing metaphysical practitioners, vendors, jewelry, guest speakers, and music! I'll be doing 20 minute readings for only $20. I would REALLY love to see some friendly faces!

3) Photo Giveaway

Though I've been reading cards for 20 years, I "officially" started Interactive Tarot as it is now about a year ago. In celebration of over 100 fans on the Interactive Tarot Facebook page since then, almost 100 newsletter subscribers, over 1,000 Interactive Tarot Blog hits (since I put the counter up about four months ago), and several daily website visitors, I'm having a BIG giveaway! My dad is a lifelong photographer, and the prize is a photo he took of Portland Harbor (Portland, ME), shown below. While this isn't immediately Tarot-related, this represents where I live, and it's part of what has shaped my perspective and the way I read the cards. You can enter by clicking "Like" on the Facebook page giveaway posts dated October 1st and 3rd, or you can send me an e-mail at jennifer@interactivetarot.net with "Photo Giveaway" in the subject line. It's that simple. I'm proud of my dad and I love his photographs. This one is signed and in a hand-cut double-mat! Photo is 8"x10"; outside dimensions are 11"x14". Winner will be drawn on October 19th.

4) Evil Eye Bead Giveaway

This is a newsletter-only giveaway! Just reply to the newsletter e-mail with "Evil Eye Bead Giveaway" in the subject line, and you're entered. To subscribe to the newsletter, click here, and you'll get the current issue within 24 hours. Once-monthly issues will follow, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Below is a photo of all the bead colors: green, yellow, blue, clear, red, and purple. If you win (and THREE of you will), you choose the color! They're lampworked glass with a sterling silver core. Great to wear on a leather cord, chain, or Pandora-style bracelet. The Evil Eye is an ancient symbol that, when used as a talisman, fends off negative or malevolent vibes. Who couldn't use a little extra help in that department? I'll draw three names at random on October 12th, the night of the next full moon.

5) Regular Monthly Engagement

Thanks to my amazing and very dear friend Maria Castellano-Usery, I have a regular monthly gig that I'm THRILLED about! An incredibly talented artist, Maria participates in the First Friday Art Walk in Portland, Maine, and has so graciously offered me space to do readings for this event each month. It's the first Friday of every month (which you've probably gathered) at 647-A Congress Street from 5-8 p.m. The best part: a full half-hour reading of about 10 cards is only $20; as I mentioned above, that's half-price! Even if you don't feel it's time for a reading, please do stop by to say hello if you're in the area and soak up Maria's beautiful, happy, inspiring art. You can also check out her website in the meantime: www.brushstrokesbymaria.com. The atmosphere is fun and lively, and Maria always provides great food and drinks (her homemade guacamole alone is worth the trip!). Walk-ins are welcome, but if you'd like to guarantee a spot, just send a request to me at jennifer@interactivetarot.net or, better yet, via the Interactive Tarot Facebook page. If you're not yet a fan of the Facebook page yet, by the way, stop by!

An Abridged History of Samhain, aka Halloween

2011-10-03T10:23:00.002-04:00

Who doesn’t feel the spooky vibe on and around Halloween? There’s plenty of history to give us all good reason for the goosebumps, that’s for sure. While the roots of Halloween (aka Samhain, pronounced SOW-in) and its traditions aren’t crystal clear, there are certainly prevailing notions with historical pedigree. Halloween and Samhain are essentially the same thing, though the term Samhain came before what we know more popularly as Halloween. Before we get to that fine distinction, first things first: let's go back about 2,000 years to the Celtic Pagans who started the whole thing.

The Celts lived and breathed the rhythm of the seasons and the land, which is hard for us to even conceptualize in our age of automation and an easily accessed, year-round food supply. The time of the harvest was critical to the Celts, and the harvest at Samhain was the final harvest of the year for them. This day also marks the Celtic or Pagan New Year and the start of winter, and as such, it is a time for endings and beginnings. Whatever harvest remained was left to rot, falling back to the earth where it would feed the soil and ultimately be reborn as a new harvest over the coming months. Because this symbolism was so crucial and all-encompassing for the Celts, whose very lives were tied to the weather and the turning of the year, this became the time when they would honor their dead. They determined that Samhain marked the time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was at its thinnest. Even today, this transitional time of year is prime for ghosts and spirits, both angry and kind, to communicate with and walk among us.

“Samhain” means “end of summer.” The Celts would have harvest festivals on Samhain that, in part, celebrated the kindness that their sun god, Baal, showed them prior to the reaping. The Druids (Celtic priests) were a proactive bunch, so instead of simply waiting for the dead to stop on by, they would dress as scarily as possible—antlers and animal hides and the like--to ward off any evil spirits preemptively. (Sound familiar? Halloween costumes!) The Celts would also use bonfires to banish ghosts, and made offerings of plants and animals, which were added to these bonfires. When the fires burned themselves out, they Druids would interpret the charred remains (like reading tea leaves) to gain insight into the circumstances of the coming year. This perpetuated the strong ties between Samhain and divination.

Just as the bonfires would scare off any looming ghoulies, so, too, would the head-shaped lanterns the Druids used for that very purpose. This was likely the forbearer of the jack-o’-lantern, though in Great Britain it probably originated as some other vegetable, like the turnip, since pumpkins weren’t local and didn’t catch on until Samhain reached America. Samhain certainly wasn’t all about banishing ghosts, however; welcoming and celebrating the spirits of the dead was just as important, if not more so. The Celts would leave out goodies for the well-loved spirits of dearly departed—think cookies for Santa at Christmas. This is likely how trick-or-treating originated: if the living relative didn't leave out any food, the jilted spirit might not take too kindly to that and wreak a little havoc.

The Romans had similar festivals around the same time in honor of Pomona, their goddess of fruitful abundance (including the very seasonal apple orchards). It wasn’t until Christianity really picked up speed around 400 C.E. that the Celts and Romans felt pressure to put a lid on their festivals honoring the harvest and the dead. Christians were threatened by the stronghold of Pagan beliefs, particularly with regard to Samhain, so they moved All Hallows’ Day (now commonly called All Saints’ Day, a day of reflection and prayer for saints that both did and did not already have their own calendar event) from May to November 1st. November 2nd became All Souls' Day, a Christian day to honor the dead in their own traditions. October 31st, then, became All Hallows’ Eve, which morphed over time into Hallowe’en. Ditch the apostrophe, and here we land in 2011.

Halloween came to the States shortly after we were liberated from England in the late 18th century. Obviously it struck a chord: we’re still dressing up, lighting bonfires, carving jack-o’-lanterns, trick-or-treating, practicing various forms of divination, and scaring ourselves with ghost stories and other tales of the dead.

Four of Wands

2011-09-24T15:27:00.001-04:00

I'm always happy to see the Four of Wands come up in a reading. Like every Tarot card, it can be read in any number of ways depending upon context, but its underlying good nature always shines through. It's a card of great success and celebration. Who couldn't use a little of that?

When this card falls, something wonderful has just been completed or has just been initiated. I often see it as a transition from something fairly rigid, mundane, and routine to a new phase of prosperity and innovation. The castle in the background is symbolic of what's being left behind, that old routine that stagnates a bit and doesn't really allow for a lot of freedom. The two figures on the card are leaving that environment to walk under the garland into a very bright, wide-open future. If you look closely, you can see a crowd gathered behind them; this is a celebration of their achievement. They're sharing it with the people they love.

Sometimes this card hints at a romantic relationship, and I've seen it as a harbinger of engagement, even marriage or solid long-term commitment. This could be a business relationship. It's prosperity and well-being; it's two people (sometimes more) coming together in a brilliant meeting of the minds that leads to something greater than either of them could have created alone. Numerologically, four is the number of stability, of a solid foundation. The suit of Wands connotes passion, fire, action, accomplishment, and energy. I don't read this card much differently when it falls in the reversed position. That's how powerfully it conveys the message of peace and prosperity. The Four of Wands is associated with the planet Venus in Aries--Venus is harmony, Aries is fire and energy. Put those together and you truly have something remarkable on your hands.

Mabon, or the Autumnal Equinox: September 23rd

2011-09-05T16:56:00.000-04:00

Autumn is my favorite season, and because it really seems to awaken my senses, Mabon (the Autumnal Equinox) holds a special place in my heart. Eight celebrations comprise the Pagan Wheel of the Year; Mabon, coming up on September 23rd, is next in line. Mabon is a time to celebrate the harvest, as well as to pay attention to the balancing influences in our lives. As the days get shorter, begin to embrace the darkness and those aspects of yourself that are in shadow—in other words, the aspects of your personality that you tend to ignore, while deep down knowing that ignorance tends to feed the beast.

Apples are a symbol of Mabon, so go ahead and bake an apple pie…or just eat one! Really celebrate nature and the way your life and hers intertwine. Consider sharing your bounty: donate to a food pantry, or volunteer your time to benefit those who are less fortunate. When I think of Mabon, the Three of Cups comes to mind, with its theme of celebrating good fortune and sharing with friends and family. This is Pagan Thanksgiving, and traditional foods are those that you would find on a typical Thanksgiving table. Appreciate what you have and share it; find a way to incorporate your shadow nature in a beneficial, healthy way; try to get out to enjoy and appreciate nature and the changes she’s going through during this time of year. Each celebration on the Wheel of the Year is an opportunity for a renewed appreciation for what’s special about that season. Happy Mabon!

Chakra Spread

2011-08-29T21:04:00.000-04:00

There are variations on the Chakra Spread, but traditionally this ends up being a vertical, seven-card spread that aligns with the chakra positions in the body. This is my own simple, conventional version. There are other chakra systems with varying numbers of energy points, but the most well-known in the West comes from Hindu and Buddhist traditions and points to seven areas of the body that house energy centers (to way oversimplify!). These vortices of energy branch out from various points of the spinal column.

This spread is read from the bottom up, from the root to the crown. You don't by any means have to be an expert on chakras to use this spread, but feel free to poke around on the web or check out my recommendations for further reading below for more depth and breadth on the topic. More info will enhance your results when you use this layout.

So, on to the spread! Before shuffling, decide whether you want to use the spread for an overview of current influences affecting your general well being, or if you'd like to know how the positions relate to a specific topic, like a relationship or your career. Mull your question over while you shuffle (in whatever way works best for you), then lay the cards out vertically, as follows:

7: The Crown Chakra

6: The Third Eye Chakra

5: The Throat Chakra

4: The Heart Chakra

3: The Solar Plexus Chakra

2: The Sacral Chakra

1: The Root Chakra

Begin your reading with Position 1, and go up from there. Position definitions are as follows:

Position 1, The Root Chakra: The card that falls here will give you insight as to the foundation of what makes you "you." It indicates your general sense of motivation and ambition as well as how grounded you are. This position also governs the legs and feet and is associated with red, the color of action and strength. Look for an overview of your motivating forces here.

Position 2, The Sacral (or Spleen) Chakra: Your emotional state will show up in this card, along with commentary on your sexual energy. The sacral chakra is associated with sexuality, as well as your general gut urges, including the instinct to nurture. It's also associated with the color orange, the color of kindness and adaptability. This position will highlight the emotions that are currently ruling you.

Position 3, The Solar Plexus Chakra: This chakra is associated with the stomach and intestinal tract/digestion; think of this card as reflecting your level of ambition and willingness to charge ahead. Your ego is seated here as well, so look for indications of too much--or too little--pride. The solar plexus chakra is tied to the color yellow, which symbolizes confidence, happiness, and comfort level.

Position 4, The Heart Chakra: This is just what it sounds like. Your sense of love and compassion is here, and the card you turn will tell you whether that sense is healthy or if you need to do some healing. This position shows how you care for others, yes, but you'll also find here how you care for your SELF. Maybe you give and give and give and it's time to take some time for your own well-being, or perhaps it's the other way around. The heart chakra is associated with your heart, obviously, but also with your lungs. This chakra is green, relating to energy, growth, and giving.

Position 5, The Throat Chakra: How well do you communicate? How well--and how creatively--do you express yourself? Among other things, this card will tell you if you need to open up more. We often need to speak up and don't; you'll see in this card if that's the case for you and, if so, why. Blue, the color of the throat chakra, is symbolic of peace, harmony, understanding, and dedication. If your unconscious is trying to send you a message, you'll find it here.

Position 6, The Third Eye (or Brow) Chakra: Intuition and how you see things, externally and internally, reside here. The third eye chakra is associated with the eyes and brain, where our dreams, fantasies, and knowledge live. Look for this card to give you indications of how well you intuit and how imaginative you are, as well as how those things impact your outlook/perception of the world. Here, you'll find ways to manifest your dreams. Indigo is associated with the third eye chakra; indigo is symbolic of dignity, impulsive/compulsive behavior, and the ability to change.

Position 7, The Crown Chakra: The crown chakra is at the very top of the head and governs your nervous system. Sometimes it's actually considered to be sort of hovering above the head, which makes sense as this is your connection to the universe, or the Divine. I think of it as the place we most connect with the collective unconscious. Violet, the crown chakra color, indicates power and sentimentality. This card will offer commentary on your hopes and areas you can look to for inspiration.

Start the reading by taking stock of how the cards relate to one another. Are there pairs (or more) that go together naturally, and if so, how are those positions significant to you? Do you have a preponderance of one suit, certain numbers, or Major Arcana cards? How do you feel when you look at the reading as a whole? The Chakra Spread speaks to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being; the cards will consider all of these aspects when responding to your question. More so than in many other spreads, this one has the ability to eek out the emotional or psychological roots of some of your physical problems, so pay close attention to those connections in your reading. If any of the cards are particularly negative, there's a good chance that chakra is blocked or out of alignment. For insight as to how to release or correct that blockage, simply turn the next card in the deck and set it next to the card in question. Read it as an adjunct, as a way to bring that chakra into harmony with the rest.

There is so much to say about this spread and the details it can offer in terms of bringing your well-being into balance. Here are some suggestions for further reading to get you the most from your chakra reading (each underlined title is linked to its Amazon page):

1) Layayoga: The Definitive Guide to the Chakras and Kundalini, Shyam Sundar Goswami (Inner Traditions, 1999; reprint of original 1980 publication). This is a little advanced, but I like it because it really goes to the East and doesn't dwell strictly on New Age/Western oversimplification of the chakras. This is truly an absorbing and comprehensive volume.

2) Buckland's Practical Color Magick by Raymond Buckland (Llewellyn Publications, 2010, 2nd edition; originally published in 1983). I find myself recommending this book often on most topics that relate to color. Buckland covers a lot of ground regarding the many, many uses of color in metaphysical applications. This is the book to get if you'd like an overview on magical color as opposed to general artistic color guidance.

3) Author Janet Boyer's self-published e-book, The Chakras, is available on Amazon. It's succinct and easy to understand, offering not only all the salient details you'll need, but sections on healing, unblocking the third eye, mantras, etc. as well. If you're relatively new to chakra study, this is a great place to start, and it's only $2.99.

First Friday Art Walk

2011-08-15T18:52:00.001-04:00

Thanks to my amazing and fabulous friend Maria Castellano-Usery, I have a regular monthly gig that I'm THRILLED about! An incredibly talented artist, Maria participates in the First Friday Art Walk in Portland, Maine, and has so graciously offered me space to do readings for this event each month. It's the first Friday of every month (which you've probably gathered) and her gallery space is located at 647-A Congress Street (shares an entrance with Princess Nails). Doors are open from 5-8 p.m. The best part: a full 20-30 minute reading is only $20, HALF-OFF the regular price! Even if you don't feel it's time for a reading, please do stop by to say hello if you're in the area and soak up Maria's beautiful, happy, inspiring art or to talk a little Tarot. You can also check out Maria's website in the meantime: www.brushstrokesbymaria.com. The atmosphere is fun and lively, and Maria always provides great food and drinks (her homemade guacamole alone is worth the trip!).

Walk-ins are welcome, but if you'd like to guarantee a spot, just send a request to me at jennifer@interactivetarot.net or, better yet, via the Interactive Tarot Facebook page. Feel free to peruse my website at www.interactivetarot.net to get a better idea of my philosophy and what I have to offer. If you're not yet a fan of the Facebook page yet, by the way, stop by! I have frequent deck, book, and reading giveaways, and it's a truly friendly, open space where our little community shares Tarot and Tarot-related thoughts and news. I encourage questions, comments, and discussions on my page, and am committed to sharing information on metaphysical topics. I find so much joy in studying and discussing Tarot, even after doing so for 20 years; the more people I can share that with, the better!

Page of Cups

2011-08-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

Pages represent discovery, curiosity, and a certain innocence. The suit of Cups represents love, relationships, intuition, and creativity. Put those things together and you have the heart (as it were) of the Page of Cups.

This is a strong image of the power of imagination. This Page is often the messenger of happy news, such as marriage or birth, and these words can be taken metaphorically--"birth" could be a great idea, for example, as opposed to the birth of a baby. Pages often represent youths, but this card could also point out gentle and artistic qualities in anyone. When you see this card, the beginning of a creative endeavor of some sort is being alluded to, perhaps even a new relationship.

The fish in the cup represents the unconscious, hence this card's link to intuition. Inspiration often sneaks up on us; when it does, the Page of Cups tells us not to deny or ignore it. Pay close attention to your dreams. Trust your gut and explore the creative possibilities that strike you!

Treasure Chest Spread

2011-07-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

Most people think the Tarot exists solely in order to answer questions. While that is certainly one of its primary roles, it also has so many other uses. The card images can give you inspiration, strength, focus, and motivation; they can be used to explore how you feel about an issue; they're great for meditation; they can be used to study esoteric systems, like Qabalah, or for other systems like numerology, astrology, and even Jungian psychology; they can show you that life has a multitude of facets, and while we would prefer good stuff to bad, it's all part and parcel of what we have to face while we're on this mortal coil. The cards can help us handle the not-so-fun stuff and truly appreciate the great stuff, shedding light on the subtle, beautiful, little things that we often take for granted.

The Treasure Chest Spread an excellent example of what we can glean from a spread outside of a typical question. It comes from the wonderful book Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Questions by Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega (Fireside Publishing, 1998). As Tarot author Janet Boyer writes in her Amazon review of Power Tarot: "I love the Treasure Chest Spread because of its imagery and because it's so affirming to the individual." I completely agree, and Power Tarot happens to be my favorite compilation of spreads in book form. Without further ado:

Treasure Chest Spread

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

1) Diamonds: Where you shine. Major talents, abilities, and assets that you have.

2) Pearls: What you know. Knowledge and information that you have incorporated into your life.

3) Gold coins: What you have. Money and material possessions currently available to you.

4) Emeralds: Who you know. Relationships that are now part of your life.

5) Platinum chains: What’s holding you back. Things or people in your life that you need to release.

6) Sapphires: Where you could shine. Emerging talents, assets, and abilities.

7) Quartz crystals: What you’re learning. Knowledge and information that you could incorporate into your life.

8) Rubies: Who you may soon know. Relationships that are entering your life.

9) Unpolished diamonds: Your hidden lights. Assets and talents that you can develop.

Whenever I look at this spread, I'm reminded of what a gem it is (no pun intended). It's clever, creative, and offers insight into aspects of ourselves and our world without the necessity of beginning with a specific query. I hope you try it and like it!

More Lore: Amber!

2011-07-12T09:28:00.000-04:00

Though often thought of--and called--a gem or a stone, amber is technically fossilized pine tree resin. These days, it's most commonly found in the Baltic region.

Amber was used in worship and rituals during the Stone Age, as evidenced by artifacts found in parts of Europe. It was also very highly valued in most ancient civilizations; Homer mentioned a gift of amber jewelry in the Odyssey, and Emperor Nero was a notable connoisseur. It was commonly used in high-end rosary beads in the Middle Ages because of its glassy-smooth surface.

As this resin hardened during its formative stages, insects were often trapped inside. Most of these insects are 25-50 million years old (too young for housing dinosaur DNA, for those of you thinking along the lines of Jurassic Park; older amber exists but is uncommon).

Amber is closely tied to the sun (the Greeks called it “elektron,” or “sun-made"), possibly because of the Greek myth of Phaethon, son of Helios, the sun god. In the myth, Phaethon convinced Helios to allow him to control the chariot that pulls the sun around the earth for a single day. Phaethon accidentally drove dangerously close to the planet, damaging the surface with the sun's heat, and Zeus was forced to strike him dead. Phaethon's sister and mother grieved fiercely, and their tears, dried by the sun, turned to amber. Amber also holds an electrical charge and can attract small particles, perhaps another reason for its ‘elektron’ moniker.

With its ancient heritage and prominent role in myth and worship, and its value in the earliest economies, amber has been used for just about every magical purpose. It's considered invigorating and enlivening due in part to its containment of life in the form of ancient insects, plus it has the quality of massive solar energy. If your vigor is sapped, wear or carry amber with you. It is said to enhance/magnify the energy you put into any project as well, and should you desire anything, amber acts as an agent to help draw that thing to you. It's readily available as jewelry and as a loose stone, and whether worn or carried, lore says it protects the bearer from ill health. Amber incense is available as well, though it's very rare to find actual amber incense--this is mostly used for spells by purists--"amber" incense generally refers to a blend of scents, including vanilla, and doesn't include real amber.

Its purposes and uses are countless, and I've only scratched the surface here. It's a beautiful gem, and while it's not inexpensive, it's pretty easy to find. If you've never handled amber, I highly recommend viewing it up close and personal to get a feel for this lovely bit of history!

A Little Lavender Lore

2011-07-02T14:18:00.000-04:00

Years ago, around 1990 or so, I visited France. While there, I saw some gorgeous lavender fields in the southern part of the country. The stunning violet and green shades inspired the colors I chose for Interactive Tarot (apparent here and on my website), in fact! The images and the fragrance have stayed with me and continue to influence me after all this time.

Lavender is wrapped up in a lot of lore. It is primarily associated with love, protection, sleep, purification, happiness, and tranquility. As with many flowers and herbs, it's not just the physicality of the flower, but the scent. In aromatherapy, it's conducive to deep relaxation and the fragrance is said to aid in a restful sleep. Wearing the scent of lavender is said to attract love and protect the wearer from harm.

According to lore, even the very sight of the lavender flower promotes long life. Sprinkle some around your house (potpourri is a good option) to promote a peaceful atmosphere. Burn lavender incense to ward off worry and depression. Lavender is easy to obtain and almost universally appreciated as a fragrance. It's simple to introduce this wonderful flower into your life and home!

A Few Words on Litha

2011-06-19T12:07:00.000-04:00

The Summer Solstice is June 21st! Also called Midsummer (Shakespeare, anyone?) and Litha (for you lovely Pagans/Wiccans), it’s a big event on the Wheel of the Year. Traditional Litha foods include fresh fruits and veggies. Some of the other Wheel of the Year celebrations get a little complicated with food, but this one’s a snap. Summer Solstice offers a great opportunity to appreciate the amazing array of sustenance our planet offers, and is a reminder not to take these things for granted. Eat your greens! :-)

On the Summer Solstice, the Sun is at the peak of its power, the earth is bursting with green, and we can already imagine the fruits of the upcoming autumn harvest. Surround yourself with green, gold, and yellow at this time of year. Some associated herbs and flowers: roses, lilies, oak (traditionally burned on the Summer Solstice), ivy, thyme, fennel, daisies, and lavender. Any of these can be burned or used as decorations. I wrote about lavender in the last Interactive Tarot newsletter; this is one of my favorites and can be used in a million ways. Lavender is also a traditional Litha incense, along with myrrh (LOVE myrrh incense!), lemon, rose, and wisteria. If you celebrate this day, enjoy it! Every Wheel of the Year celebration shows us the benefit of taking a little break and really absorbing the world around us. Why not try?

The Pentagram / Pentacle

2011-05-18T15:10:00.003-04:00

Thanks in no small part to 70s and 80s horror flicks, the pentagram seems to have become largely misunderstood. In Neopagan/Wiccan traditions, it's regarded as a very positive symbol and has a looooong history. Christians believed it symbolized the five wounds sustained by Christ, and Neopagans/Wiccans view it as the unification of the four elements--earth, air, fire, water--and the human spirit, or Akasha. Generally speaking, when enclosed in a circle, it's called a pentacle (though 'pentagram' and 'pentacle' are often used interchangeably).

The underlying key to the misunderstanding is probably that when inverted, the pentacle represents the elements and Akasha turned on their heads, and as such was commandeered as a symbol by those who chose/choose to exploit the more animalistic, darker aspects of our existence. The inverted crucifix is in the same boat. The upright pentacle is a truly beautiful and unifying symbol, and is meant to highlight how our spirits exist in harmony with the elements of the universe. The pentagram represents wholeness and perfection (particularly in its representation of the four elements and Akasha), aspects that have made it popular in magic work . It was also a popular symbol among followers of Pythagoras and, for them and for others, was and is a sign of well-being and good health. Speaking of good health and pentagrams, cut open an apple in half: you'll find a pentagram hovering around the seeds! It's not an accident that this shape and the apple are related in terms of longevity and health.

There are four suits in the Tarot, one of which is Pentacles (though Pentacles, in some decks, become Discs, Coins, or even Stones). The suit of Pentacles is related to earth and represents what we have: money, health, property, and the like, but the general image of the pentacle does not give the elements any sort of hierarchy--the five points are all equal, one no more important or less significant than the next, with Akasha as the center point at the top. When you see this symbol, try to form an image in your mind of the beauty of what it represents. It can become a very powerful visual!

P.S.: Despite the dissemination of an unbelievable amount of misinformation about earth-centered religions in old (and recent!) horror movies, I still love 'em. :-)

Blessings in Disguise

2011-04-23T09:26:00.003-04:00

I get this a lot: "Jeez, some of these cards look pretty scary...". Let me first say that even all so-called "good" cards have a "shadow" side--either too much of a good thing (love is great, for example, but too much is smothering), or a good thing too narrowly construed, or something else along those lines. Every "good" card has the potential to bathe the message in a less flattering, even undesirable, light. The same goes for so-called "bad" or "scary" cards; they virtually scream that "This, too, shall pass," and things can only get better. For purposes of this discussion, by the way, I'm talking about upright cards and their meanings--reversals, or the card falling in an upside-down position, definitely change the meaning. More on that in a future blog post!

The cards run the full gamut of human emotion, and aspects of fear, grief, loss, and pain are an undeniable part of that. We must recognize and accept these concepts, embrace them, learn from them, and turn them around. Think of the Wheel of Fortune card: whether you're on the top going down or the bottom going up, what goes around comes around, and we must be prepared to deal with it all. There is actually comfort in being able to prepare for a possible unpleasant influence when a spread indicates that such an influence is in your path; on the flip side, one of these cards might turn up in a category like "Fading Influences" or "Distant Past," which basically means that the unpleasantness has run its course and the clouds are parting, so prepare for smooth sailing ahead.

Here are three cards that some might consider "scary" followed by brief examples of their positive, perhaps less obvious, aspects (again, I'm dealing with upright meanings only for this exercise):

Death: This card isn't telling you that you or someone you love is going to die, period. The skeleton imagery is a little off-putting for some, but ultimately this is a card of transformation, of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. It is one chapter closing and another starting. There are MANY positive aspects to this card.

The Devil: This is a card of human bondage--think addiction. Take a close look at the two human figures, though; they have chains around their necks, yes, but the chains are loosely draped and can easily be lifted off. This card tells you that while you may be trapped in a poisonous cycle, you have the power to lift yourself up.

10 of Swords: Stick a fork in me, I'm done. We have a guy laying on a beach with 10 big ol' swords jabbed into his back. What's so great about this? A few things. First of all, things can't get any worse, and that's always good to know. Second, look at the sky: it's symbolic of a very positive change on the horizon, fading from black to a serene yellow. Things are turning around, and the worst is behind you.

These are just some scenes in brief. Don't be scared of the cards; they are there to guide you, to show you how to use your strengths and weaknesses, and, most of all, to prepare you mentally and emotionally for possibilities. We aren't doing ourselves any favors by ignoring some less-than-glowing scenarios. Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?

Eight of Cups

2011-04-17T18:04:00.001-04:00

The Eight of Cups has come up in two readings I've done over the last week. A good friend of mine also mentioned to me, just a couple of days ago, that an image of the card made an appearance in her head as she was meditating. As with all Tarot cards, this one deals with a universal theme—in this case, it’s abandonment, and it's certainly worth talking about!

Now, abandonment isn’t intrinsically a bad thing. In fact, it’s generally a good idea to consider cutting ties with a project/person/organization/etc. if you have a sinking feeling or strong sense of disappointment about it, even if you’re pretty far along in the game. This is the “cut your losses” message in the card. As you can see in the image above, the cups are in perfectly fine condition, but the figure in the image knows that it’s time to move on…and that’s it’s in his best interest.

This card is a good example of the importance of card positioning in a spread. If this falls in the “Distant Past” category, for example, the abandonment has come and gone, but an aspect of it is still impacting your current feelings and/or behavior (for example, you can't get over an ex, or you regret quitting your job). If it falls in the “Possible Outcome” position, you may well have to consider leaving something (often something that seems—SEEMS—valuable) behind for the sake of your health or your sanity. It takes a little finesse sometimes to figure out exactly who is abandoning what: are you leaving, or being left? Are you ignoring an important or potentially helpful aspect of what you’re leaving behind? Where are you going from here?

If this card ever comes up for you, consider it a message to prioritize. Separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were, and move on to a better opportunity. Change your perspective. Consider what you can do to gain deeper satisfaction from life beyond the material. Loss can sting, sure, and sometimes it comes with that price tag of grief, but the Eight of Cups implies that the trade off often makes for greater stability and happiness in the long term.

Job Spread

2011-04-12T22:01:00.002-04:00

It seems a general consensus that this economy and job market are...well, let's say "less than desirable." Given that and the record number of career questions I've received lately, I thought I would share this Job Spread. This is a little larger and more complicated than the average spread, but while it might look like a bit overwhelming, the positions are very insightful and focused and worth a lot of contemplation once the spread is thrown. This spread is based on one that I found somewhere a while back, and I'll come back and edit this post once I retrace my steps and pinpoint the source. I hope this is helpful! Here you go:

Job Spread

11 1

7 3 10

6 5 4 8 9

1) What you want for yourself

2) Who or what will help

3) What you should focus on

4) The turning point: the event that changes things

5) A possible new direction in employment/work

6) Synchronistic signal: an important event on this new path that you’ll recognize when it happens

7) Ultimate attainment on this path

8) A second possible direction

9) Synchronistic signal: an important event on this path that you will recognize when it happens

10) Ultimate achievement on this path

11) What you need to know to choose the direction that suits you

A tip: if you look at this as broken up into sections as follows, it might be easier to read:

1-2-3

5-6-7

8-9-10

Asking Your Question

2011-04-06T23:13:00.000-04:00

A good Tarot reading starts off with a good question. Obvious, maybe, but more involved than you would think. So, a few words on that!

Pointed yes-or-no questions (and questions of a similar nature requiring data or exact predictions) will by and large end up offering insight only and will likely not give the direct yes-or-no response you might want. It's best to phrase questions in one of the following ways:

What is the best way to go about…?

What do I need to know about…?
What influences are surrounding…?
Am I on the best path? What will get me on the best/right path?
What do I need to reflect on in order to…?
What strengths and weaknesses do I need to consider in order to…?
What do I need to know, in general, in order to be my best self?
What can I do about...?
What will boost my intellectual curiosity?
How can I motivate myself to...?
How can I best…?

What do I need to know about this point in my life?

How can I improve my [home; career; finances; relationship]?

What is holding me back/blocking my progress?

These are just a very few examples, but you probably get the idea. Using a question format along the lines of one of those above is the best way to get the most accurate and thorough insight. Some of the above questions/question starters are great for specific queries, and some are great for "open" readings, which are more along the lines of discovering hidden influences, opportunities for assistance, warnings of obstacles, etc. that the cards "pick up" on with a more general question (like: "What do I need to know at this juncture of my life?"). These are very popular with clients and usually end up pinpointing something crucial to an overall understanding of the client's circumstances. Before any reading, I always confer in detail with the querent (old-school word common in Tarot for the seeker, or client) on phrasing the question to avoid those that the Tarot cannot reflect upon appropriately. There is much to say on this subject, but the gist is above. When you ask your Tarot reader a question, remember: clarity begets clarity!

By the way, I chose the Page of Pentacles (though any of the four Pages would have been as apt) as an image representative of this post as the Pages are all about inquiry. Each page considers the essence of his or her suit (a Page might be a young boy OR girl), holds it, uses it with fresh senses, and examines it, seeking to learn and understand its qualities.

Ace of Wands

2011-01-12T10:16:00.005-05:00

In honor of the New Year, I thought I'd say a few words about the Ace of Wands. As I've mentioned before, there are four suits in the Tarot deck, each associated with one of the four elements, the four cardinal directions, four seasons, etc. Wands are associated with fire, and as such indicate action, growth, determination, assertiveness, and so many other traits along those lines. Aces represent the purity, the initial spark, of the qualities related to that suit.

In this case, the Ace of Wands is the start of something big, significant, and vital; something into which one can throw one's weight. It's an important business venture, or a major turn on life's path toward a new or long-held interest, all done with gusto and resolve. It's the ultimate New Year's Resolution card. To contrast with another Ace, let's take the Ace of Cups. Cups are associated with water--fluidity, dreams, imagination, intuition, love, family, and relationships. The Ace of Cups, then, heralds the start of a new relationship in its purest form, or the beginning of an internal rather than external (i.e., forceful) event or phase. The Ace of Wands is the horse out of the starting gate; the Ace of Cups is more St. Augustine under the pear tree, cogitating. Of course there are also the Ace of Swords and Ace of Pentacles, but you get the idea. They each carry the weight of the core of their respective suits.

Take a close look at the Ace of Wands--can you say "phallic"? Exactly. Wands and Swords are masculine, external, action-oriented suits; Cups and Pentacles are feminine, internal, and more passive. Consider what you want your Ace of Wands to represent: interested in pursuing a new career? Taking on a new hobby? Following that dream, big or small? This is your Ace. What will YOU do with it?

A Brief Breather

2010-12-06T13:21:00.000-05:00

I'm just popping in to apologize for my delay in posting! This time of year is much busier than usual, but 2011 will bring a renewed commitment to post. I plan to continue discussing cards, spreads, and any other Tarot concept that is on my mind. If any of you have questions, comments, or requests, feel free to send them along; I would love to address anything of interest to any readers. See you in 2011! Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!!!

The Gorham Art Fair

2010-11-14T09:56:00.002-05:00

I did readings from 9-4 at the Gorham Art Fair in Gorham, Maine, a week ago yesterday on November 6th. I had the BEST time! One of the highlights was that my booth happened to be directly across from that of my amazing friend Maria Castellano-Usery, who is an amazingly talented artist (www.brushstrokesbymaria.com). Two other incredible friends were there as well, Jeremy Greene and his wife, Sabrina Thiemke-Greene, also bursting with talent. They both sell on Etsy. I also saw some jewelry from Burnt Meadow Beads (also on Etsy) that I need to explore a little further...but that's another story. :-)

The day started off a bit slow. I did a reading a little after 9:00, then it was dead until about 11:00...then I didn't get a break for the rest of the day! Part of it was probably the very reasonable price of $10 for 15 minutes; my readings are usually a minimum of $30. My mother, Maria, and Jeremy helped with my very cool setup: we somehow managed to create an enclosed space to offer plenty of privacy. I really feel that privacy is key to readings for several reasons, not the least of which is that it enables both me and my client to focus.

I met some truly wonderful people that day, and I felt exceptionally good about the readings. As usual, there were some freaky dead-on moments. While I always get goosebumps when those happen, they don't really surprise me anymore. I have come to trust the cards implicitly. Even if I see something that doesn't seem to make sense at that moment, I will invariably get an e-mail about how it made perfect sense once it happened.

I love reading Tarot cards, and I also happen to love meeting new people. That combo works for me! When I read in person, I always give an introduction to Tarot for those who have never had a reading (and for those who are simply interested); I think it helps people to feel more involved and empowered. After all, I run my services under the name Interactive Tarot because none of us are allowed to just sit and watch life happen--we have to create our own destiny, at least in part. If you haven't had a reading in a while, or if you've never had the experience, I encourage you to get in touch and ask questions. Examining what's hidden--past, present, and future--is fun, interesting, beneficial, perspective-altering...and could hold the key to unlocking the door to what is a happier, more informed you.

On that note, I'd like to share a little something from Paul Quinn's book, Tarot for Life (Quest Books, Theosophical Publishing House, 2009). He notes several things we can discover through the Tarot beyond what some might call "fortune telling." From page 11 of Tarot for life, he writes of the Tarot's boundless usefulness as:

a lifelong key to unlock your Inner Wisdom
a catalyst for your creativity and inspiration
flashcards for your intuitive development
a set of visual affirmations
a meditation focuser
a decision-making aid
a dream interpreter
a perspective enhancer
an emotional compass
a metaphysics teacher
a spiritual advisor
a tool for self-understanding

There are innumerable other uses for the Tarot beyond Quinn's wonderful list. I know that the more I explore, the more I want to explore; I would love for others to find this same joy and sense of discovery.

What Is a Spread?

2010-10-20T11:45:00.002-04:00

This might be obvious to some of you, but to those of you very new to Tarot, it's definitely a topic worth covering!

Once the cards are shuffled, they are turned and spread out in such a way that each position has a distinct meaning attached to it...hence, spread (states the Master of the Obvious). For example, three cards can be "spread" in a row, with the first indicating the Past; the second, Present; and the third, Future. The card that falls in each position is interpreted based on that position. Say the Five of Pentacles (a cards of difficult times and limited opportunities, to oversimplify) falls in the Past position--that would tell me that the influences of that card are on their way out. Were that card in the Present position, the client would likely be in the midst of those influences right then and attempting to push past those obstacles. And so it goes.

Spreads can be made up of one card (a deceptively powerful spread, by the way) to as many cards as necessary. I find spreads of more than 12-15 cards to be a bit unwieldy, but I use them on occasion. Clarification cards can easily be added to any spread to shed additional light on hazy cards as necessary; this is simply a matter of, after the initial spread is laid out, turning over a card from the top of the deck and setting it near the questionable card to be read as an adjunct.

My next topic will involve an overview of how I read reversed cards in a spread (cards that fall upside down). I'm a big fan of reading reversals because they automatically double the possibilities of the 78 card deck...actually, they intensify the possibilities endlessely when one considers that the same card can have countless meanings depending on where it falls in a spread. There is so much to say about Tarot!

Deviant Moon

2010-10-19T12:23:00.003-04:00

There are countless Tarot decks out there. While my go-to deck for client/public readings is usually the Rider-Waite-Smith (in part because the imagery is familiar to many), originally created in 1909, there are many others that I really enjoy. One of my very favorites is the Deviant Moon Tarot, created by Patrick Valenza in 2008. He took inspiration for his images from 18th century headstones, so it's fitting to give this deck a mini-tribute as Halloween looms! Below are some card images; in order, they are: The Magician; Five of Wands; The Chariot; Two of Pentacles. The Deviant Moon cards are ingenious--dark, moody, whimsical, fantastical, unique. This deck is a true work of art, and Patrick Valenza has a companion book coming out soon, which I can't wait to get my hands on. If you're in the market for a new deck and nothing is grabbing you, take a good look at this one. I highly recommend the Deviant Moon. Click here to find it on Amazon and to see further images. These cards offer such a fresh perspective when I read with them, particularly when I read for individuals who can see the brooding beauty in shadow...

The Deviant Moon Tarot

By Patrick Valenza

Love Spread

2010-09-26T12:12:00.002-04:00

It's been a while--sorry for the delay! I got some good feedback after posting my Finance Spread, so I thought I might post another spread that I find very useful and spot-on. I altered this spread a bit from its original format in a wonderful book called Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Questions by Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega (Fireside Publishing, 1998).

Love is a particularly interesting intangible, as I don't know if any two people would agree entirely on what it truly is. This spread taps into the client in a very psychological way, so no matter how he or she feels about love, this spread will work to give an accurate profile.

Love Spread

7    1
8    2
9    3
   4    5    6
        10    11    12

Cards 1-6 are laid out first:

1)    Past experience in love
2)    Current experience in love
3)    What you WANT form a love relationship
4)    What you NEED from a love relationship
5)    What you have to offer in a relationship
6)    Possible outcome

Cards 7-12 are then laid beside/below each initial card (as per the diagram above) to add insight to the interpretation. The cards are then read as pairs to offer details on each position. In particular, I like the distinction between "want" and "need" that this spread covers--so many of us get the two confused, and I'm no exception. :-)

Finance Spread

2010-09-04T19:44:00.005-04:00

Not surprisingly, I get a lot of questions on financial issues. I'm certainly no personal financial adviser, but I've found that the cards do a great job of pointing out areas that require a little extra consideration on this topic. Often, these are areas that we don't want to take a hard look at in the first place, and when a reading highlights and reveals these things, we're forced to address them and take action. This can be very helpful, and once we're over the initial sting of whatever is being avoided, opportunities for progress can be earnestly pursued. So, I thought I'd share a little spread of my own design that I use for some types of financial questions:

Finance Spread

     5
3    4
     2
     1

1)    Underlying attitude toward finances: What are you avoiding? What has happened in the past that informs how you handle and perceive money now?
2)    Current financial situation: Insight into the reality of the situation rather than how you perceive it.
3)    Opportunities to pursue that will offer financial payoff: What do you need to keep an eye out for? Where should you apply yourself? On what topic will further research benefit you?
4)    A person, interest, event, etc. that will provide specific financial assistance: Who or what will offer help (sometimes in ways that will only become apparent later)?
5)    Likely results: Given how influences are currently congealing, this is what you can expect.

I like this spread: it's short, clear, and informative. If the question is more in-depth and/or pretty specific, I would either start with this spread and move on to another for further insight, or I might choose another spread altogether. More often than not, this one gets right to the point and often makes other spreads unnecessary.

If you're just starting out reading Tarot, this is a fantastic spread to practice with once you have a good handle on reading a single card and smaller layouts. I'll share other spreads in future blog posts, and at some point I'll pay special attention to the formidable, traditional, always useful Celtic Cross...or my personal spin on it, anyway!

Nine of Cups...and some reading resource tips!

2010-08-27T12:03:00.001-04:00

I did a reading yesterday for a wonderful client gifted with amazing artistic talent. We did a Celtic Cross spread, and the Nine of Cups fell in the "will come to pass" position. This card is a phenomenal coup in a reading--it means, in relation to the question, a future of assured satisfaction; the ability to maintain and radiate inner security; generosity and goodwill; emotional, material, and physical well-being; and a bunch of other good stuff. Even when things that are rosy start to fade slightly, the buds will bloom again. It's often called the "Wish Card." I was thrilled to turn this over for her.

I chose this card to write about for two reasons: because of my great experience with it yesterday, and because it's a good example of a card that I think isn't quite as intuitive as others in the deck. In other words, if you look at the image, you see a man with folded arms sitting in front of a curved buffet table. On the table sit nine cups. In the other cards I discussed below, the scenes are so richly depicted that one's intuition might be able to nail the traditional meaning of the card; in the case of this card, it might be harder to get a read from intuition alone.

There are clues, certainly. The man looks jovial, content, and happy. Cups signify emotions, relationships, things at the very heart, literally, of life. There are nine Cups, and nine is a number of culmination, fruition, and achievement. The suit of Cups is associated with water--love, fluidity, intuition, inner peace. Yellow dominates the card, a color of positivity. The tablecloth mimics a waterfall, which stresses the things associated with Cups and water.

There's more; this is just to offer a few ideas on how to look at a card without a fully fleshed-out scene. My point is that intuition is critical in doing readings, but learning the traditionally assigned meanings of the cards is, in my opinion, a key first step. Reading with other systems (psychology, Qabalah, numerology, astrology, Christianity, mythology, etc.) can be picked up as you go with study. It's not a deal-breaker if a new reader chooses not to use these or other systems, but I happen to think that having multiple reading systems at your disposal as resources just makes you that much more articulate with the cards.

So, where do you go to learn assigned card meanings? This is a very good question, as there is no one easy answer! I think it's a great idea to try and find in-person classes at your level, or even outside your level just for the review or exposure. I like this because it's interactive. The next best thing is to read whatever books you can get your hands on. If you're just starting and you're interested in learning to read the cards, Joan Bunning's Learning the Tarot is an excellent book. There are plenty of exercises, but you'll learn something whether you do the exercises or just read and consider them. A. E. Waite's Pictorial Key to the Tarot offers some explanations and keywords and was published in 1911, just a couple of years after he created the Rider-Waite-Smith deck with Pamela Coleman Smith, the artist. Waite's book is often the starting point for other books in terms of offering the initial set of intended meanings for the Rider-Waite deck and its clones. I recommend it first because it's a classic, second because the author created the most popular deck in use in the West today. There are so many other wonderful books; here are just a few, linked to their Amazon pages: 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack; Tarot for Your Self by Mary K. Greer; Tarot for Life by Paul Quinn. For even more suggestions, visit my Amazon store on the Interactive Tarot site, where I wrote a brief blurb for every book and deck I recommended!

If you're interested in learning to read the Tarot, feel free to contact me at jennifer@interactivetarot.net and I can give you references for a good set of starter readings. We all have to start somewhere. My best advice? Don't be afraid--jump in and trust your instincts!

Eight of Swords

2010-08-23T19:14:00.003-04:00

The suit of Swords tends to put people off a bit...and yeah, some of the cards are a little scary looking (the Nine and Ten in particular). I thought I would choose one of them to examine this time.

A word about the suit of Swords first. As I mentioned in an earlier post, each of the four suits is commonly associated with an elemental dignity, as follows: Wands=fire; Cups=water; Swords=air; Pentacles=earth. In Tarot, air (and, consequently, the suit of Swords) is associated with precision, intellect, judgment, harshness, strife, and confidence, among many other things. As with all the suits, the Swords in general have both positive and negative connotations. The whole point in the appearance of any card is to enlighten, and I think that's the best way to view the Swords. Their message in any reading is meant to show you either what you can use or what you can overcome.

The Eight of Swords shows us a woman, loosely bound, mostly--but not entirely--surrounded by swords piercing the earth. The key here? Her prison is largely self-imposed. She is capable of releasing herself from her bonds and blindfold and making her way around the swords at her back and sides, but at that moment she is choosing not to. We see here excuses, rationalizing, justifying something that might make your life easier but not necessarily better. Often the most beneficial path is the most difficult. As much as we know this, who doesn't want to try and take the easy way and avoid/ignore what we know we need to do? I think this card is an excellent example of enlightenment: get over the excuses, take a hard look at reality and do what needs to be done. Sure, the message can sting a bit, but the outcome will only make us stronger and offer greater insight into and knowledge about what we can truly accomplish.

Nine of Pentacles

2010-08-23T19:09:00.001-04:00

Here we have a woman who is in harmony with her life. She is completely comfortable alone, enjoying simple pleasures, and is just as happy to be around the close, dear friends she has cultivated...just as she cultivated the garden in which she stands. There is a reverence here--for nature, for beauty, for peace, and for the truly worthy, important people who complete us all. There is a happiness that has been earned through life's lessons. One key to harmony, according to the Nine of Pentacles, lies in the appreciation for both moments in solitude and those in the company of people we trust and love.

Elemental Dignities: A Bare Bones Intro

2010-08-23T13:03:00.013-04:00

I hope to make this blog an open forum for various Tarot-related topics. If you have suggestions for a topic, by all means let me know and I will happily cover it to the best of my abilities. If I don't know something, I'll either find the answer or I'll be completely honest about having no idea!

First, a few words about the Tarot in general. The most widely held belief is that the Tarot originated as a 15th century card game called Tarocchi; its use as a tool for divination occurred later, around the late 18th-early 19th century. This is a summation on my part of various schools of thought, for there are Tarot authors who ascribe different origins.

The deck is comprised of 78 cards. 22 of these cards make up the Major Arcana (or Trumps), including The Fool, The Devil, The Moon, The Hanged Man, Death, The Lovers...cards that you have no doubt seen here and there. These cards all bear names. The remaining 56 cards are called the Minor Arcana. The Minors are divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The 'pip' cards in each suit are numbered 1-10, followed by four Court cards, commonly: Page, Knight, Queen and King.

Even the small bit of info above is sort of a big ol' can of worms. For example, the four suits are sometimes known by different names, Wands sometimes as Batons or Staves, Pentacles sometimes as Coins or even Stones, and so on. What I would like to highlight today is that each suit corresponds to an elemental dignity: Wands=fire; Cups=water; Swords=air; Pentacles=earth. In certain decks, these dignities are translated differently, and the Court cards occasionally have different names (Princess, Prince, Queen, King, for example). The Rider-Waite-Smith style deck offers fully illustrated Major and Minor cards; Marseilles-style decks have fully illustrated Major and Court cards, with the pips having a suit-and-number style only, much like modern playing cards but with a bit more color and style.

So, back to the elemental dignities. I will use the most common attributions--the way I outlined them above. If Wands equate with fire, that gives Wand cards an association with the attributes of fire: powerful, fast moving, strong, confident, sometimes out of control/over the top...the list goes on. The suit of Cups is associated with water: fluidity, creativity, psychic ability, love, relationships, transformations, etc. If you decide to begin reading Tarot cards, this is a great place to start in terms of looking at the cards intuitively. For example, when you see a Wand card in a spread, you can start interpreting by considering the suit's association with the properties of fire, then look at the scene on the card and tie it all together. As you get more advanced, you can pull in so many other systems of reading: psychology, numerology, astrology, etc.

Elemental dignities are just one aspect of reading the cards and a perfect place to begin discovering the Tarot. Learning the attributes of each suit is key in understanding the cards and telling their story once they're thrown in a spread.

This is a rich topic that I will certainly continue with in a future post; I plan to highlight each suit as time goes on. Again, if you have a suggestion for a future topic, let's hear it!

Greetings!

2010-08-22T14:57:00.000-04:00

Hello! I'll keep my first entry brief. I'm new to the world of blogging, but I'm certainly not new to the world of writing. Hopefully I can blend the two quickly in order to get some worthwhile content out there!

My name is Jennifer. I picked up my first Tarot deck in 1992 and, though I have had periods where I have had to set it aside for some reason or other, I always come back. Reading the cards, for me, is always an incredible, comfortable, enlightening experience. I am empathic and highly sensitive, attributes that serve me well in intuitive aspects of reading. In my readings, I draw upon Jungian psychology (archetypes), elemental dignities, mythology, world cultures, numerology, the Qabalistic Tree of Life, esoteric systems, astrological associations and other methods based on what I feel is most appropriate for a given consultation.

I am also a trained academic, which gives me a healthy balance of rationality and perception. As an undergraduate, I was a double major in English literatureand philosophy before continuing on to receive my Master’s in philosophy (concentrating on philosophy of religions) at the University of Chicago. I view reading as an art and a science, a combination of years of study and a honing of intense intuitive awareness. With me, you get the best of both worlds: the academic and the intuitive.

I plan to use this blog to write about all aspects of the Tarot, including general card meanings, how I've seen cards appear in readings, my experiences with the cards, tips on ways to read, FAQs, etc., etc. I'm looking forward to taking some time to come up with ideas and share!