posted August 03, 2003 01:29 PM         

Well, I usually just lay out cards in a pattern something like this:

1) 3 rows of 5 cards (Top to Bottom)

2) 3 rows of 7 cards (Top to Bottom)

Now in this case, as I have said elsewhere, I read from Righ to Left, where for me the cards in the top row are GENERALLY significant of the PAST. The cards in the center row are GENERALLY symbolic of the PRESENT, and the last row GENERALLY pertains to the FUTURE.

Within each row, the CENTER CARDS generally signify the PRESENT, those before the Center represent the PAST and those after the CENTER represent the FUTURE. GENERALLY!

Then I look for patterns. Where is my eye drawn? Are there alot of Court Cards (Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings) Do these represent other people? The querent? Or possibly SITUATIONS that pertain to the suits?

1) Then I try to develop a storyline based on the cards. What has led the querent to this place?: TOP ROW.

2) Where are we at now?: CENTER ROW

3) What possible timelines will develop, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL?: BOTTOM ROW

Are there many Higher Arcana Cards? Is this something in which the querent feels FATED? Is there anything that can done about the situation, or is this one of those times where the querent seems to be merely an observer; or feels as though he has no control over the goings on?

Is there a preponderance of suits: Wands, Pentacles, Swords or Cups? Does this tell me the general line of thought... what the querent perhaps wants to know.

Wands: Business, Education, generally positive thoughts about the future, Ambitions, Achievements. Where we derive inspiration.

Pentacles: Money, Real Estate, Work. Our connection to the material realm, issues of security. Things or posessions that are valued. Practicality; willingness to do what it takes to attain desires.

Swords: Intellect, reason, cold logic. Communications, troubles and strife. Boldness, courage and the survival instinct. Where we tend to block our emotions or perhaps THINK through our Feelings rather than really living/experiencing them. EMOTIONS, but generally the more negative ones. Stress.

Cups: Love, relationships (of all types: family, friends, lovers, etc.). How we respond to emotional issues. Happiness, in a general way, or lack thereof. EMOTIONS, especially the more positive ones. Can also represent drugs/alcohol or escapism.

Now, these are pretty general... I go where I am led by the cards, and sometimes this method will present alot of disconnected information. I tend to read this way for GENERAL readings where there is no specific question. But It can very easily answer specific questions. It's a pretty free form approach, but as always, one must be guided by that wee, small voice within!

Hope this helps a bit. I know it's alot to think about, but as with everything: one step at a time!

In the Light...
A

posted August 06, 2003 08:32 AM         

A., I just wanted to stop by and say hello since I still haven't got the chance to read all the posts... Thank you for asking , I'm doing okay, summer's my time of year (I'm guessing yours too ) and I hope you are also well
A while back you were talking about a holiday in Hawaii - have you been yet?

Anyway, I don't want to interrupt any further, I'll be back when I read all the posts so I can join in

, morgana

posted August 07, 2003 04:44 PM         

Glad to hear that you opened your mind to reversals! Here's a copy of a post I mad in the Least Fav Tarot Card thread... I have to go to work soon, so I'll add a bit more later on, hope this helps for now!

The 10 of Swords. Well that is indeed an interesting choice.

In the zodiac it is associated with The Sun in Gemini. It has a lot to do with the illusion of separation from the Creator/God/dess, and the fear of death.

It is interesting to note that the swords pierce all but the Crown Chakra and the Third Eye. Here is a clue that we must use the clear vision of the Third Eye to see through the illusion of separation, to the truth of unity; and that it is through connecting again with the Source (Crown chakra)that our fears are truly laid to rest. It has been said in occult circles that death, or the Fear of death, is the last enemy to be overcome. It is my belief that we are the ones that put the Swords in our own back by giving away our power to "another".

In a reading it can mean quite literally being stabbed in the back.. but we must remember that WE are the one that gave the Swords to that "other" in the first place. It could be through a misplaced confidence, or through petty gossip and idle chatter... all related to the fact that Swords in the Tarot relate to the element of Air.

When it is reversed, it represents wisdom gained through experience, but it's still not pretty.

Blessings...
A

posted August 21, 2003 03:23 AM         

Anymore questions about the basics?

I have another hint for more clarity in readings.

After the querent shuffles the deck, if I'm having them actually shuffle the cards... I usually will get a bit of insight into the spread by looking at the very bottom card of the pack.

It will often help to clarify or expand on the reading in some way, and will often speak about topis that the querent has on his mind, but may not strictly be asking about in the reading.

Anyone with other tips, trick or secrets of the trade?

Pax et L.V.X.
A

posted October 14, 2004 01:10 AM         

Well the best way I've found is to avoid all that nonsense!

If you want to pick a card from the lower Arcana that you feel represents you, or the person you are reading for, you may do that based on physical resemblence, or astrological attribution.

I tend to avoid spreads that require a special significator card, as I prefer to play with the full deck... but that is only my opinion and what has worked in practice for me for over 23 years.

Hope that helps a little...

Blessings...
A

posted October 19, 2004 01:35 PM         

I used to have trouble with pentacles and Swords. I would get confused when pentacles came up in readings regarding love and spiritual matters. I learned that Pentacles dont only represent financial matters...they represent the entire material world. The material world is made out of all 5 elements (fire, water, air, earth, and spirit) and this is what the actual symbol of the pentacle represents, five points, five elements. Keep that in mind when pentacles come up in relationship readings.

Swords used to scare me because I thought they only meant pain and sorrow. This is far from the truth. My advice on Swords is to focus more on the fact that swords represent intelect, wisdom, and learning. When sword cards come up that do represent pain...take it to mean that there is a lesson for the querent to learn.

posted February 10, 2005 12:14 PM         

She had a personal set with her and was so humbled when she gave them to me. She wrote some general meanings and a card lay-out that was one of her favorites -all on napkins!

I still use the same cards today! As these years have passed, I now see that she used the Chaldean numerology system with them and must be a little something more...

posted February 12, 2005 10:51 PM         

Scorpioncrystal... that's fascinating. One of my Teachers learned to read Tarot from a "dotty little old lady" <who was anything but!> in her neighborhood when she was growing up!

I'm quite interested in the system that she taught you, please feel free to start your own thread here on Playing Cards, and share any info that you'd like. I'd love to hear more about her method.

Blessings...
A