SynTAROTis

Grieving: a sample reading

My mother passed away on Sunday, 1 May 2011, the day before her 86th birthday. This grief reading is based on a spread from the Orphalese Tarot Zone, by Peter Singh. As always, I did the reading in the spirit of creative thinking, not divination. I used the Victorian Romantic Tarot from Magic Realist Press.

1. Focus on your connection with the other
2. Respect the connection
3. Good times with this connection
4. Say goodbye to the connection
5. Cut the connection

1. Focus on your connection with that other
Trump XII, The Hanged Man

The connection has been suspended; although at 86 her death could not have been unexpected, I still feel “tripped up.”

I’m swinging between relief and sadness.

My world has been turned upside down.

Isolation, feeling alone, like the figure on the card.

Instead of continuing the journey, the journey has been (temporarily) suspended.

Turning inward, concentrating on an inner experience before continuing the outer journey.

2. Respect the connection
The Tower, reversed

Feeling both anger and release (the Tower reversed is often viewed as release). Relief that the worst has happened and it is now over.

A sudden illness and death. Both a sudden catastrophe, and a release.

The connection has been severed; the Tower has fallen, a storm has destroyed the ship. It has been a strange, sometimes disturbing, connection, well suited to both the Hanged Man (martyrdom) and The Tower (anger, destruction, release).

Survival—I can empathize with the two figures hanging from the ship’s mast. Although the ship has gone down, there are survivors (barely hanging on).

The ship’s mast makes me think of a cross, and thus of martyrdom. Being a martyr seems to have been my mother’s mission in life. She did not “play” the martyr, but suffered and endured a life full of fear and anxiety.

According to Stephen Walter Sterling (Tarot awareness: Exploring the spiritual path), the reversed Tower can indicate problems with learning the lesson the event contains: "traumatized by events, difficulty in getting the underlying message," “the awakening is slower as the shock lingers,” and "not learning the lesson well." These are warnings that I will heed: there are lessons to be assimilated both from the relationship and about physical health. 

3. Good times with this connection
Strength

The best times with my mother were when we could keep strong emotions—anger, frustration, pity—in check.

People around my mother had to be strong enough to carry her, to care for her. She was both dependent and resentful of her dependence. Like the woman taming the lions, we had to keep her pacified and happy to enjoy her company.

Like the lions, the old lady could purr like a pussycat, but you had to watch out for the claws of resentment.

4. Say goodbye to the connection
Temperance

This card seems eerily suited to saying goodbye to someone. The peaceful scene, the angelic figure, the suggestion of the angel having calmed the stormy waters, of blessing. There is a feeling of letting go, of restoring calm, of a soul being ferried to a better place. Death has brought peace in more than one sense, leaving memories of beauty (of a sentimental kind, which my mother was fond of). There has been anger and frustration, but after the storm (the Tower) comes peace. There has been a brief but upsetting illness, but now there is stillness.

Steering a middle course between anger and love, which manifested often as an almost unbearable pity.
5. Cut the connection
Page of Pentacles, reversed

The Page of Pentacles is the student in the world of the Tarot, both young and eager to learn. My mother was neither (the Page reversed). Her refusal to learn from experience or the advice of experts was a frustrating part of her being. Right up to the end she disregarded her doctor's advice and withheld crucial information from him. This I can now let go, it is over.

Pentacles concern the body, including health and illness. In Tarot for your self, Mary K Greer notes that the Page reversed could indicate neglecting your health. Neglect is perhaps an understatement for my mother’s refusal to tell the doctors what they needed to know. When asked why she withheld two crucially significant symptoms from the nursing staff at the old age home, she replied, “I tell the doctors nothing, because they don’t tell me anything.” On a previous occasion she declared, “I don’t tell them anything, because no one else tells them anything either.” Well, you get the picture.

Like the Page, she was Earth (Taurus), known for stubbornness, and a child. Her inability to learn from anything kept her a child, even when she grew old (the Page reversed).

On this card, Leanna Greenaway (Simply Tarot) notes, “Querent has bored, moody children with wasted talents near her.” Very descriptive! Because of her anxious nature, my mother seldom tried anything new, almost never expanded her horizons. I can now let go of the resulting worry, the anger and frustration, and remember every good quality she had.

The Page looks sad and alone, which I feel would be intensified in its reversed state. Much like a child who lost its mother.

Might the page actually be asleep? Maybe not, but on first seeing this card, I thought of how my mother used to sleep sitting in her favourite chair. Since I was a child I remember her sleeping in a chair, going to bed reluctantly. She must have had various reasons through the years—one would have been back pain, another that she struggled to breathe while lying down—but she refused to explain herself, and left her family both concerned and frustrated.

Her struggle to breathe while lying down played an important role in both her illness and her death. This is over; I can now let it go.

6. Replace the connection
King of Cups

I'm not sure what to make of this position. The person cannot be replaced, but perhaps the emptiness could be filled?

The King of Cups is mature and loving, in touch with and in control of his emotions. I have always seen my father (who died in 1992) in this card. I would like to draw on the attitude and energy of this card.

Like the king on this card, I am surrounded by love and support, and the good things in life.

In an interesting variation on the usual meanings associated with the King of Cups, the creators of the Victorian Romantic Tarot saw this king as one who puts duty and responsibility before creativity and imagination.

“He is the mature person, usually a man, who has given up his earlier dreams of creativity and, more likely, his hopes of becoming an artist, musician or writer, in order to fulfil responsibilities to those around him, usually his immediate family.”

This duty has been discharged; maybe it is time to explore the more creative side of the King of Cups?

Themes

Whereas the first two cards—the Hanged Man and the Tower—suggest reversal and upheaval, the third and fourth cards suggest calm, peace, blessings, safety, and strength. The reversal suggested by the Hanged Man is echoed and intensified in the Tower, while the pacifying element of Strength is carried through to Temperance, where the figure suggests calming and blessing.

The four major arcana cards suggest the inevitability “force of nature” events that we cannot avoid or control, but simply respond to in the best way possible.

Reflection on the reflection

Dominant feelings are frustration and pity, and some relief, veering towards acceptance and understanding (which are two of the goals of reflection). Frustration and anger are emotions that I can work with, perhaps in subsequent Tarot reflections. Acceptance, understanding, and remembering the good things can follow only when the disturbing emotions have been dealt with.

Reading the cards in context: how the cards influence each other

The cards in a Tarot deck never mean the same thing twice. Although there is a broad more-or-less agreed upon set of meanings for the cards (with numerous exceptions to that rule), the card meanings are not only modified by the spread position they occupy and by the circumstances, but also by the cards surrounding them.

Surrounding cards can cause a shift in the meaning of a card. Cards usually have a range of possible meanings, whether you are using book meanings or making your own. When you consider the spread as a whole, the other cards in the spread may cause a slight shift in how you read the card, or may point to the opposite end of the spectrum of meanings.

To see what I mean, look at the interpretation of this spread, using the Bohemian Gothic deck from Magic Realist Press. This reading has no particular question or focus, other than “tell me what I need to know about my circumstances.”

The spread positions and cards I drew for them are:

1) Around me (Two of Pentacles, reversed) (this card is also the solution card, so it is read twice, once at the beginning, and once at the end)

2) Below me (The Moon, reversed)

3) Above me (Eight of Wands)

4) Behind me (Seven of Wands)

5) Before me (The Devil, reversed)

The Bohemian Gothic deck is fun to use. All the cards have a distinct gothic atmosphere, and even those that are usually taken to be positive, have a feeling of menace.

At first glance, the number of reversals (three of the five cards), can suggest a difficult time with delays or blockages, creating a feeling of frustration. A second possibility would be a focus on the inner life, a turning inward instead of focusing on external circumstances.

I can also see a few cards that point to hard work or a struggle. The Two of Pentacles is about juggling many things; the Seven of Wands is an active defence against something, taking a stand; the Eight of Wands suggests many things happening quickly or at once, or "too many irons in the fire.” Even the Devil suggests a struggle against being restricted, bound, hampered.

The two major arcana cards are both reversed, which can indicate a spiritual malaise. The presence of two Wands cards strengthen the impression that the spirit, spirituality or inspiration feature in the spread.

Around me: Two of Pentacles (reversed)

The Two of Pentacles is a card of balancing or juggling things. Upright, the card signifies that the balance is maintained.

The card has an element of festivity or fun, even in the Bohemian Gothic deck, with the young lady striking a jaunty, self-confident pose next to her “penny-farthing” bicycle. This is not the safest of bicycle designs: the penny-farthing was known for pitching its rider headfirst over the handlebars. She seems confident of her skill in handling the bicycle, however.

The card has a carnival (and slightly sinister) feel to it, reinforced by the sign in the background: “Dr Caligari’s Cabinet of Curiosities.” Dr Caligari was the protagonist in a 1920s horror film “The Cabinet of Dr Caligari,” while the “cabinet of curiosities” refers to a room filled with wonders. These “cabinets,” popular in Renaissance Europe, displayed fascinating objects from nature, art or religion.

Reversed, the Two of Pentacles could mean juggling too many things at once—the wheels are coming off. It could also point to an imbalance or a shift in the balance, a need to take a break from juggling so many tasks, a loss of confidence in your juggling skills, or a simulated enjoyment, a false sense of festivity. Which of these meanings should apply? Is the festive feeling overshadowed by the more sinister elements, or is the “danger” the kind that you find at carnivals and in horror movies?

Reversed cards can be tricky. They can be read in many different ways, from the opposite of the upright meaning, to an inner or psychological meaning, a blocked flow of energy, or even a magical or shamanic interpretation. (See Mary K Greer’s The complete book of Tarot reversals for an explanation of the various ways of reading reversed cards.) Some of these interpretations contradict one another.

You might consult your intuition, your client (if you are doing the reading for someone else), or pick the one that fits the circumstances best. Another way of pinpointing the interpretation would be to look at the other cards in the spread. Surrounding cards can tell you which of the different interpretations is most likely to be correct, or point to where, in a range of meanings, a particular card would fall.

Side note: According to Mary K Greer in The complete book of Tarot reversals, one interpretation of the reversed Two of Pentacles is "mailing a manuscript or proposal to publishers." It could hardly get any more accurate than this! So who says there is nothing to divination? ;-)

Below me: The Moon (reversed)

Keeping the possible interpretations of the reversed Two of Pentacles in mind, I move to the next card. The second position in the spread is “Below me,” with a reversed Moon. This position can be about the unconscious or hidden, or the foundation or root of the situation.

The Moon is about dreams, illusions, imagination and intuition. The reversed Moon could mean that these attributes are either strengthened or diminished. When I glance ahead, I see the “defence” card (Seven of Wands), the “swift action” card (Eight of Wands) and the Devil. These cards suggest that an intensification of the dangers of the Moon would be appropriate. This is a tentative interpretation, which could be modified by the other cards in the spread.

When I look at the first card, the Two of Pentacles, in “the light of” the Moon card, the unstable aspect of the card’s reversed meanings are prominent. The situation is “grounded” in illusion, delusion, danger, nightmare. As a “Below” card, which can point to the unconscious, the reversed Moon can indicate self-deception. I can see the girl falling off her bicycle, in a landscape that emphasises the animal instincts (the wolf) rather than creative imagination. Her confidence is likely overconfidence in her abilities.

I am also reminded that carnivals and horror movies (the Two of Pentacles) can depend on illusion, imagination and self-deception for effect.

Read together, these two cards paint a picture of instability, illusion and danger. Both cards are reversed, reinforcing the idea of instability.

Above me: Eight of Wands

The “Above me” position can point to a protective aspect, or the conscious aims and ideals of the reader. It can also be a blessing or the “best” of the situation.

The Eight of Wands in this position indicates that swift action is necessary, or that events are moving quickly. In the light of the first two cards—the sense of instability, illusion and danger, it seems likely that this card also indicates an unstable situation: swiftly moving events, or actions taken too quickly. Although swiftly flowing events can be exhilarating, in the current circumstances they are more likely to be overwhelming.

In the Bohemian Gothic deck, the less appealing aspects of the card are illustrated. In the Rider Waite deck, eight wands fly like arrows toward an unknown destination. The Bohemian Gothic paints an even more aggressive and menacing picture. The statue in the picture is flinching away from the gargoyles, who seem to fling themselves at it. However, the gargoyles have not moved (perhaps they can’t?) from the building, suggesting that the fear might be unfounded. The card serves as a warning and an encouragement: swift action may be necessary, but desperate and unthinking moves will not help; nevertheless, the danger is not as great as it seems.

Read with the previous two cards, this card reinforces the atmosphere of illusion and self-delusion. Without the Moon card in the spread, I might not have thought of seeing the Eight of Wands as illusory danger. The encouragement in this card—that the danger may not be as great as it seems—now shifts my interpretation of the reversed Moon in a more positive direction. Reversed, the Moon card might suggest that the situation is grounded in illusion—that the danger is less than it seems (although undoubtedly present), and that, instead of feeling overwhelmed by events, there is cause for hope.

Behind me: Seven of Wands

The “Behind me” position points to the recent past, to an influence that is either waning, or that explains the current situation.

The Seven of Wands is the “defence” card. It can be interpreted as a courageous stance, a fight against the odds, or being “defensive.”

When I compare this card with the Eight of Wands, a few things strike me: the fight in the Seven of Wands seems to be a real fight, as opposed to the illusory one in the Eight of Wands. The demonic-looking court jester in the Seven of Wands is more protected, however, while the statue under attack in the Eight of Wands is out in the open. This may point to a step forward—moving away from either a restricted or a protected position to an open and defenceless position. Furthermore, in the Seven of Wands the jester is actively defending himself, while the statue is either frozen (with fear?) or fleeing.

Perhaps the bicyclist in the Two of Pentacles lost her confidence in herself, and her sense of balance and skill. Although her situation is grounded in illusion and deception (the Moon), the danger is less than it seems (Eight of Wands), and her move to open ground may be the right move.

The booklet that comes with the deck suggests the possibility that the “attackers” might be trying to keep the defender inside, rather than the defender trying to keep the attackers out. If the Seven and Eight of Wands are read as a progression, the protagonist of the unfolding story might have broken free from the restrictions, but lost his or her confidence along the way.

You can see how each card in the spread becomes part of the story, and how each successive card modifies what has gone before, and influences the cards that have not yet been explored.

Before me: The Devil, reversed

The sense of having broken through restrictions is reinforced by the card in the “Before me” position: the Devil reversed.

The Devil card is associated with bondage, which can be that of sin, obsession, or addiction. Reversed, the card can point to a breaking free of the chains that bind, or to an intensification of those bonds. In the light of the story so far, “breaking free” seems more appropriate.

The Eight of Wands is a key card in the interpretation of the spread. The suggestion that the danger itself is illusory, modifies the danger suggested by the Moon card to the illusion of danger, suggests that the fight fought in the Seven of Wands was a successful fight, and shifts the meaning of the reversed Devil to a diminishing of the bondage.

The resolution: Back to the Two of Pentacles, reversed

The spread tells the story of a difficult situation that is not as bad as it seems. The danger does exist, however. Every card in this spread has some menace in it, even the Two of Pentacles, the most optimistic of the five cards. The sense of menace in this card is moderated both by the carnival aspects in the scene, and by the surrounding cards, which describe a danger that lies in illusion and self-deception rather than in real events. Now the card suggests that it is okay to get back on your bicycle and move on. The other four cards give suggestions on the energy that can take the querent forward: the creative imagination of the Moon, the courage and determination of the Seven of Wands, the swift but secure actions of the Eight of Wands, and the sense of fun and mischief that is the best of the Devil.

 

Problem solving with fortunetelling: Part 11 – Outcome

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

Outcome: Trump XVIII--The Moon

An eerie card, isn’t it? The moon is associated with night, illusions, dreams and nightmares. The crab symbolizes the primitive and deep subconscious (life crawling to land from the deep seas; a long time before humanity appears on Earth). The wolf and the dog represent the animal nature and instincts, with the wolf being the more savage and dangerous, and the dog safer and more domesticated.

This is another watery card (see the previous post for the other water cards in the spread). The water links the card to the feminine, to the origin of life and to the personal and collective unconscious. The card denotes emotion, instinct, the irrational and the psychic. The moon is eclipsing the sun of rational thought and clear sight. The mountains (often symbols of wisdom and enlightenment) seem to be the goal, but the road runs past two animals howling at the moon, and between two mysterious towers with dark windows. Does this mean there is no help for the traveller? Or that something or someone is lying in wait?

In the context of creativity, this card could be a positive one. Creativity touches the realms of imagination, dreams, illusion, emotions, and even danger. But it should not be taken lightly. As bright as it can be, moonlight is treacherous. Domesticated animals can still pose danger.

In this spread, with its abundance of water (and not only in the Cups cards; look at Temperance, where the angel has its toe in the water; and the Fool, with its frozen water on the mountaintop), the card could serve as a warning: look out! The way ahead is filled with danger. The sun is eclipsed by the moon. The road ahead is uncertain and dark. Maybe this is a time to pause and reflect on what is needed before I travel further along this path. The Page of Swords hinted that the thinking faculty has been neglected. The Moon is suggesting that the emotional has taken over completely. If I don’t redress the balance before I go on, I might make like the reversed Fool and not see the chasm before it is too late.

And take another look at Temperance: doesn’t this card look like a brighter version of the Moon? With an angel instead of a howling dog and wolf, and bright sunlight instead of the moon eclipsing the sun, but the same path leading to the mountains. How did the bright and optimistic situation turn into the dark and fearful Moon?

Let’s see: in this journey I have trampled on the rainbow of happiness, turned commitment and rational enthusiasm and optimism upside down, refused the temptation of having a little fun, disregarded the chasm opening at my feet, and hung around with no purpose in mind. Is it any wonder that I experienced regret and sorrow, crying over spilt milk? Or that I have come face to face with the treacherous Moon?

If the situation has turned from Temperance to the Moon, how can I use the Moon’s energy to return to my earlier optimism? Looking at the two cards together, however, I sense that the situation as represented by Temperance might not have been ideal for this project. Doesn’t Temperance look just too bright and cheery for a creative project that focuses on Tarot cards? I have certainly lost that earlier optimism and sense of balance, but the mystery and illusion of the Moon are attractive qualities to me right now.

This then could be the focus of my next spread. The current reading has raised many interesting questions about and clues to the appearance of my “writer’s laryngitis.” A subsequent spread could take the Moon card as significator (a card representing the querent or situation), and explore solutions from there.

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 10 – Hopes & fears

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

 Hopes & fears: 5 of Cups (reversed)

The “Hopes & Fears” position can be confusing: should the card be read as a hope, or as a fear? These two need not be mutually exclusive--you could hope for something but fear you won’t get it—but you could also have distinct hopes and fears in a situation. My interpretation of Waite’s direction here is to consider the emotional state of the reader; an indication of how the reader’s feelings (both hopes and fears) are influencing the situation.

Upright meanings for the 5 of Cups include: regret; sorrow; crying over spilt milk; not all is lost (three of the cups are still upright). Reversed meanings: hopeful expectations, renewed hope and happiness.

This card is absolutely perfect for describing my current emotional state: “renewed hope” just about sums it up.

This leaves only one more card to go!

It is interesting to note that the three cards from the Cups suit (2,3 and 5 of Cups) are all reversed. In most Tarot decks, the Cups suit is linked to the element Water. Water is associated with the feminine—with the origin of life, birth, intuitive wisdom, passivity and adaptability. It also denotes cleansing and the subconscious. In addition to these, in Tarot, water carries the connotations of emotions and relationship matters. Since creation (birth), emotions and intuition are part of the creative process, the Cups suit also has a link to creativity.

The reversed cards remind me that my reading of the spread has emphasized an imbalance that needs to be redressed: “the ideal circumstances in which to continue the book project would be to attain an inner and outer state of balance, harmony, creative achievement and moderation.”

The imbalance is not only in the emotional and creative aspects. The Page of Swords has reminded me that being prepared, using the rational faculty to balance the emotional, and making a thoughtful effort to fan the flames of enthusiasm are all necessary elements. And the Devil (I simply cannot take him seriously when he’s upside down!) is raising a hand for some fun and a less serious attitude. The reversed Hanged Man is saying “no” to too much self-sacrifice. Even the romantic-looking Fool has put on his jester’s cap to get my attention. Maybe the reversed 2 of Cups is a warning against over-commitment, taking everything too seriously?

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 9 – Your home

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

Your home: The Hanged Man (Reversed)

Working with only the (more-or-less) traditional meanings of the cards can be challenging. If you let everything about and on the card inspire you—the image, the colours, the atmosphere, the attitude of the people in the scene—it is much easier to “fit” an interpretation to the circumstances. You can imagine stories, reflect on personal associations that come up when you look at the cards, consider any metaphors or clichéd phrases, or combine suit and number to find interpretations that make sense to you, in these particular circumstances, but not necessarily to another Tarot reader. In such a case, the possibility for projecting your current concerns on the card or the spread is also greater. The danger, however, is that the field is too wide; that you will have enough options to dismiss the ones you should be reflecting on.

A further advantage of forcing connections between a narrower range of interpretations and the card position, is that you can exercise you “innovation” muscles. At times, finding a connection can stretch your ingenuity uncomfortably far. Consider the Hanged Man in the “Home” position.

The “Home” position is about your environment, which can include the attitudes of people around you, or something in your environment that is influencing you.

The Hanged Man is about sacrifice, particularly self-sacrifice, and being “suspended,” hanging around. Earlier meanings for this card included “betrayal” or “traitor.” In older decks, coins fell from the pocket of the Hanged Man, or the figure would hold bags of money. These cards referred to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. In 15th century Italy, escaped criminals and traitors were depicted in this hanging-upside-down position in what were known as pittura infamante, or ‘shame paintings.’

For the reversed card, Waite offers “selfishness, the crowd, body politic.” Eden Gray has “Absorption in physical matters. Pre-occupation with the ego. Resistance to spiritual influences. Arrogance. False prophecy.”

None of these interpretations fitted. I tried reversing the upright meanings, but came up blank. Then I tried Mary K Greer’s suggestion of “breaking through” from “The complete book of Tarot reversals.” And there you go: no more “hanging around”—I have broken through the feeling of being stuck (which, I remembered, is one of the interpretations for the reversed Fool). Read together, cards 7 and 8 could mean that I have been feeling stuck and unenthusiastic, against a backdrop of a project that has been suspended--just “hanging around,” in fact—but that there has been a change in the environment, some movement. True: however unenthusiastic I felt, I have still done some work, including these posts about this particular spread.

Here is another example of how reading the cards for problem solving and reading them for divination can differ: I am not concerned with the “correct” interpretation of the cards, but only with gaining insight. I’m mixing up time frames by letting some cards refer to the current situation, and others to the past. Some cards describe the ideal situation, and others the real one. I also don’t use a consistent method to interpret reversed cards.

I remembered that I had wanted to investigate the “wrong choices” suggestion from Eden Gray, however, so I considered the other upright meaning of the Hanged Man: sacrifice. I played with a few thoughts here: could I have made the “wrong” sacrifices by starting this particular project? Alternatively, have I perhaps not been making the right sacrifices? These thoughts did not take me much further; and anyway, I do not believe that I have made the wrong choice. I dismissed this avenue.

But, something did strike me as funny: writing this book is one of the projects I started after I was retrenched almost four years ago. Not “self-sacrifice,” but sacrificed on the downsizing altar!

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 8 – You

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

This is you: The Fool (Reversed)

The meaning of the Fool has shifted over the centuries. Earlier decks portrayed the Fool as vagabond, jester, pilgrim, or lunatic. The Rider-Waite deck broke from this tradition to portray a much more romantic image of the Fool, emphasising innocence, childlike wisdom, and idealism.

What can we say of an upside-down Fool in the “You” position? This position refers to your role or attitude in the matter, or to how you see yourself in the situation.

Keywords for the Fool in its upright position would include beginnings, newness, enthusiasm and trusting the universe; in keeping with the “story” that has been unfolding in the spread, the interpretation for the reversed Fool would be feeling stale, unenthusiastic, and having little faith in either myself or the universe.

Waite adds “apathy” to the reversed meanings; Eden Gray has “the choice made is likely to be faulty,” and Leanna Greenaway adds “stuck in a rut.” As I agree that these interpretations fit the situation, I could leave it at that and move on to the next card, or I could dig a little deeper. Maybe I should reflect on Eden Gray’s suggestion of wrong choices? Could I have made the wrong choice in deciding to write this book, or am I perhaps tackling the project in the wrong way? Or maybe this is something I fear, for no good reason.

To help me with this question, I can reflect on the remaining cards in the spread: the Hanged Man (reversed), the Five of Cups (reversed), and the Moon.

One thing to note is that I am not consistent in my reading of this spread. I started by reading some cards as the ideal situation, as opposed to a description of my current situation. Other cards again I take to refer to my current situation.

In true fortunetelling or divination readings, the reader would not switch between “ideal” and “real,” but make a consistent “story” from the spread. In problem solving, however, any ideas sparked by the cards are valuable. I play with the traditional interpretations of these cards until something fits, something with which I can work. This technique is similar to the creative-thinking technique known as “forced relationships” or “forced connections”: taking two unrelated items (in this case a card with its associated meanings, and a particular card position) and finding some way to connect the two.

And something else: my reading of some of the cards in this spread are helping me formulate a question, or problem statement, for a later spread; from other cards, I am building a picture of my attitude toward the project. Not all the cards in this spread strike me as equally useful in my investigation, so some of them I take note of, and move on.

When read together, the card in the “You” position and the next two cards (“Home” and “Hopes & Fears”), can help form a picture of the reader’s internal and external environment.

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 7 – Before you

This is before you (Near future): Trump XV—The Devil (Reversed)

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

Ah, the Devil himself! Traditionally, the Devil has the   connotations of temptation, bondage, materialism, black magic, and the "shadow.” When reversed, the card could mean the same, but to a lesser intensity, or a release from the above.

What immediately leapt to mind when I saw the reversed Devil, was "release from bondage," which I take to mean that my natural optimism is resurfacing: whereas I had been feeling negative, pessimistic and stuck, I can now see the possibility of breaking these bonds to move forward.

Also, in its reversed position the card makes me think of mischief rather than evil, of pranks and poking fun at things that are too serious. The Devil can seem a force of oppression and depression, or a reminder of the ridiculous in life (and how good it can feel to fall for temptation!). I see another hint here of how to regain the balance that I have lost: some fun might be just what I need. Even better: if I could laugh at myself!

My worries and complaints about my writing ability must have been getting on my husband’s nerves. We had been trying to get our bookshelves in order, when he suddenly pounced on what he called the perfect book for me in my current state: Philip K Dick’s Confessions of a crap artist …! Sometimes all you need is a good laugh to break the spell.

A note: One of the most valuable aspects of a Tarot reading is that it can show you what is on your mind.

I don't always respond to the same cards in the same way. Sometimes the Hierophant irritates me with his hidebound outlook; at other times he is a kindly father figure. The Lovers can at times seem more cloying than loving; the Fool can seem a "wise child" or an idiot.

My response to a card--and I'm sure that of other Tarot readers as well--depends on mood and circumstances, and can show me when my mood or attitude has shifted even before I have become conscious if it myself. It could also reflect whatever is on my mind, and can make me aware of attitudes and emotions that have been just below the surface.

To recap: So far in this reading, the stand-out aspect is the lack of balance in my life: the balance between work and rest, and the balance between being committed to a project and not taking things too seriously. Although my current situation appeared very bleak to me, I have discovered pockets of optimism and energy that I can use to get my enthusiasm for the project back.

The motive for doing this spread was to explore my current situation, determine areas of concern, and to formulate a problem statement that can be used in a future spread.

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 6—Behind you

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

This is behind you (Recent past): Page of Swords

Another card to remind me that I am a beginner when it comes to writing books!

This card immediately makes me think that I have not been acting rationally lately, which is perfectly true.

The Swords suit is the suit of the mind, of rational, logical thinking, and of cutting through the waffle to the heart of the matter. Swords also represent communication (in particular when Swords are linked to Air: we need air to make, transmit and hear sounds).

Pages, on the other hand, are about beginnings, enthusiasm, optimism, curiosity … and a-ha, here is something I can use! I have recently lost my enthusiasm for this specific piece of communication! The project began to seem a chore, something I have to do, not something that (as in the past), I approached with enthusiasm and energy.

Another thought about the upside-down Page of Swords: in losing my sense of adventure about this project, I have also “lost my voice” as writer. Instead of sounding as enthusiastic as I (used to) feel, my writing became stilted, forced, and artificial.

So, not only have the Page-energy been reversed, but also my (Swords) ability to communicate efficiently and entertainingly.

The really really really nice thing about doing this series of posts is that I am regaining the enthusiasm that I have mislaid. As I am working on this post, I can feel that old, familiar sense of … what shall I call it? … a mixture of adventure, creativity, amusement, fun, the sparks in my stomach and in my brain … !

Here is an additional layer to the reading of this card: The Page of Swords in the Universal Rider-Waite deck looks like he (or she?) is ready for action; attentive, on guard, prepared. Reversed, the card could be interpreted as “letting your guard down.” In some ways, I have done exactly that. In any big undertaking, it is vital that you take care of yourself; that you keep your need for rest and relaxation in mind. When I am truly enthusiastic about something (which happens very often!), I can work like a maniac, until I collapse.

Now it looks as if I am getting to the heart of the problem! Remember the tentative problem statement about the need for balance?

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 5—The foundation

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

This is below you (The foundation): Page of Pentacles

Court cards are often difficult to read, mostly because 1) they can represent a person, an aspect of your (or someone else’s) personality, an atmosphere, or a type of action or event (“do as I do”), and 2) there seems to be confusion about the people represented by each of these 16 cards.

Older Tarot books would describe the appearance of each of the cards (“dark eyes and hair,” “blond hair with light-coloured eyes” and so on), but there are several opinions on which descriptions belong to which suit. There are even more divergent opinions on the type of person each court card represents.

One convention is to associate Pages with beginners/beginnings, students and apprentices, and with that kind of mindset: optimistic, enthusiastic, idealistic, young, immature, innocent, curious, and trusting. These aspects are then merged with the general characteristics of the suit. Pentacles are usually seen as grounded, stable, hardworking, reliable, traditional/conservative, the senses (sensuality; being in touch with the body, surroundings and nature), economically minded, practical.

The Page of Pentacles will be eager to learn about the physical world and everything that influences him or her. The least energetic of the Pages (Pentacles has the lowest energy), the Page of Pentacles is, nevertheless, enthusiastic and optimistic, and therefore a good student. He or she will apply themselves to learning and to practical skills.

The “good student” is only one aspect of the Page of Pentacles, but the one I decided to use for this reading.

The “Below you” or “Foundation” position describes the underlying forces in this situation, the root or cause of a problem, or something that the situation is based on. It can also depict a hidden, unconscious influence, especially if you have decided to treat card 3 (the “Crowns you” card) as “conscious, known influences.” According the Waite, the position portrays something that has already come to pass, something the reader or querent has made his or her own; some Tarotists therefore refer to this position as the “deep past,” further back than the “behind you” position, which refers to the recent past.

For this reading, I have taken this position as the basis of the situation.

In the “foundation” position, I see this Page as depicting the hard work that has gone into my study of Tarot, and in writing the book so far. In considering the “wholesome” aspect of the Pentacles suit, I decide that the work I have done so far is something to be proud of. Although there have been many quick insights, flights of imagination and grave analyses (characteristic of the Wands, Cups and Swords suits respectively), overall, I think I have done some solid and “worthy” work.

It seems I am more positive about the project that I realized! This interpretation of the Page of Pentacles seems to fit, so I will be looking to other aspects of the situation to help me formulate the problem statement, which I can then use as the basis of the next spread.

Problem solving by fortunetelling: Part 4—The crown

This post continues the reading started in Part 1: The setup.

The reading is one using “traditional” meanings (gleaned from authors such as Arthur Edward Waite, Eden Gray, and Leanna Greenaway), in a “predictive” (or fortunetelling) reading. The purpose of this reading is not fortunetelling, but to demonstrate how a predictive reading can be used to stimulate the creative imagination and as an aid in problem solving. (See Part 1 of this series for the reasoning behind the exercise.)

In a true divinatory reading, this card will have the alarm bells ringing: the previous card—10 of Cups (reversed)—seems to indicate a troubled family life; the 2 of Cups (reversed) would now appear to reinforce this interpretation. Let’s see where we can go with this card.

A note: Even as a sceptic, I am often startled by the “accuracy” of these pretend-fortunetelling readings. Of course this perceived accuracy can be explained by factors such as hindsight, coincidences, seeing what you expect to see, and self-fulfilling prophecy, but still …

This reading, however, by card 3 out of 10, is so wrong that it is almost as if the cards are saying: “See, we can be used for solving problems, but not for divining situations!”

This crowns you: 2 of Cups (reversed)

The “crowning” position often gives readers trouble: exactly what does it mean? Some take “crown” to mean “head” (which is where a crown usually sits), so that this position indicates something that is known, conscious. One could then take the next card, opposite this one in the “Foundation” position, to point to hidden or unconscious influences.

Waite describes the “Crown” position as “(a) the Querent's aim or ideal in the matter; (b) the best that can be achieved under the circumstances, but that which has not yet been made actual.”

I like to expand on Waite’s description by thinking of “crown” in the sense of “the cherry on top”, and “the top or highest part of anything, as of a hat or a mountain … the highest or most nearly perfect state of anything … an exalting or chief attribute” (from dictionary.com). In this sense then, card 3 could indicate something that “crowns” the situation, almost a blessing.

The 2 of Cups traditionally means a partnership—most often of the soul mate kind—but could also refer to a contract or partnership between two like-minded people. Reversed, it could mean a broken partnership or contract, or—the one I will choose for this reading—a delay. “A book contract? Not yet, baby!”

At least the “energy” of the card is present, even though the card is reversed: this I will take to mean that, although it is too early to start contacting publishers, the prospect is not completely out of the question. This interpretation would fit Waite’s option b, above—the best that can be achieved, but still just an ideal.

Another possibility that I like, is the continuation of the trend started by Temperance and continued by the reversed 10 of Cups: inner (creative and emotional) balance and harmony. The number 2 can indicate both balance and harmony, and the Cups suit represents not only relationships and emotions, but also creativity and the imagination. Note also the appearance of cups and water in the Temperance card. It is almost as if Temperance is emphasising the most important aspects of the balance and harmony it represents.

OK, I said I wouldn’t be looking at themes and patterns, but this one was too good to miss! It also fits in with the “problem statement” that is slowly taking shape: a problem statement that I will be able to use as the question for a subsequent reading.

So far, this tentative problem statement incorporates “the ideal circumstances in which to continue the book project would be to attain an inner and outer state of balance, harmony, creative achievement and moderation” (formulated in Part 3 of this series, and reinforced in the reading of the current card).

What I would like to achieve in this reading, is a more focused definition of “inner and outer state of balance and harmony”, as well as some ideas on how to achieve this.