Volume 3 Issue 3

Jan/Feb 2006

A Moment with Arnell

By Greyhound Take one look at Arnell Andos website, and its plain shes a wonderful artist. Dig a little deeper and it becomes clear that she has not only a passion to create, but a passion to share her knowledge with others and help them become creators in their own right. Its been said knowledge is power. If this is true, then Arnell is in the business of empowering others. Her deck, the Transformational Tarot, is due out very soon from US Games and we were delighted to have this opportunity to speak with her about it. Greyhound: It's quite an experience to go from selfpublishing to letting your "baby" be mass-produced... Was it terribly difficult to let go? Arnell Ando: No, not at all. I only feel that way about one of a kind art. I am excited to have this chance to send my 'baby girl' out into the big wide world to live in faraway places with my international Tarot tribe...that feels so good! GH: Were there any changes from your original selfpublished version? AA: Yes, first of all I learned Photoshop since making the original 78 collage cards by hand, so I spent several months with that digital program, cleaning up the imagery and making it more streamlined. Then U.S. Games asked me to alter or redo eight of the cards. Though I resisted at first, in the end I have to admit being happy INSIDE THIS ISSUE: with the results.
Fante Di Spade Rx A Meditative SeriesThe Lady Free Online Tarot Class Gothic Tarot Review Members CornerMithras & Tarot Tarot Shenanigans Two of Swords Spread Orphalese Tarot 2 4 5 5 6 10 11 12

REVERSED TAROT CARDS: Turning the Misconceptions UpsideDown

2005, James Wells Imagine for a moment that you have a deep question. Picture yourself in a quiet space with a deck of tarot cards, your fingers mixing the pasteboards. Hear yourself state your question. See yourself choose a card from the pack. The card's picture is upside-down or reversed. How do you interpret it? This question -"How do you interpret reversed tarot cards?" -- comes up many, many times in classes and workshops that I conduct. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, let me first clarify what a reversed tarot card is. It's simply a card whose orientation, through the process of mixing (shuffling, riffling, stirring, and so forth), is no longer right side up. The picture is upside-down from your point of view. Before I get into how I work with reversed cards, let me state that there are some people who don't read reversals. They simply ignore inverted cards or flip them back to their upright orientation. Other people use reversals with some decks and not with others. They feel that certain decks contain enough spectrum of meaning when upright while other sets of cards benefit from a thorough mix-up. Still other tarot practitioners are of the "a card laid is a card played" school of tarot. However the cards turn up is how they should be interpreted. All of these methods are valid. That said, I do find certain ideas presented about reversals to be limiting, unevolved, superstitious, or just plain annoying. One misconception about reversed tarot cards is that they are somehow "bad" while upright cards are "good". Many books of the "Be an Expert Tarot Reader in 15 Minutes or Less" vein promote this viewpoint. In these texts, the "positive" cards become "negative" when reversed and the "negative" cards become worse. The flow of prosperity promised in the 9 of Pentacles suddenly becomes perpetual destitution. The mental stasis of the 10 of Swords is transmuted into death. A querent doesn't stand a chance!
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GH: What originally started you thinking of creating your own deck? AA: Well to be honest, Christine,
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FANTE DI SPADE RX
By Dan Pelletier
I sit here, surrounded by f-holes. On the table theres a leftover glass of whiskey next to a nice pink box of doughnuts. Tops, backs, necks, bows, strings, fingerboardsand two face down Tarot cards from the Giacinto Gaudenzi Tarocchi Drer, one of my favorite majors only decks litter the rest of the tabletop. The half drank whiskey and the box of doughnuts are not mine. They are leftovers. They are remainders of an event past (which involves a story about a viola player who had a fingerboard thatd come off while in a recording studio there was a happy ending). But its a past event. Like the North American release of the Golden Tarot of Klimt, Harmonious Tarot, Tarot of 78 Doors, Masters of Magic Oracle, and the mini-editions of the Witchy, Mermaids, and Gnomes decks. They are available, so their release, like the whiskey, is a past event. My hand reaches out to turn the first card over. Window, I utter, and turn over. The window represents whats out there, what we want, desire, think we need, its what we see or think we see. It is a goal Tarot of Reflections that were separated Graphics Courtesy of the Tarot Garden from. Its the now. It is not like the whiskey even though its here (and its the good stuff), it is still just a reminder of the past (the whiskey that is). The window is present, now. However its not just about us sometimes it is what the universe is trying to give us. It is something now that we are separate from. The card is XXI, Il Mondo. From Lo Scarabeo: The Tarot of Reflections and Tarot of Metamorphosis are still slated for April release in North America (as Id mentioned last we spoke), but they have been available in Europe for a while now, so... perhaps they'll find their way over here early. Tarot of Metamorphosis
Graphics courtesy of the Tarot Garden

the AGM/Urania Verlags "Laser Thoth" edition of the Crowley-Harris deck is less likely to appear in the Spring of 2006, as hoped (and reported) earlier. Current estimates put the release now in the Fall of 2006. I pray that they dont insert the astrological and kabalistic attributions in the border, which US Games added much later (White Box C Edition). Il Mondo, the World. She holds the metaphor gently and gazes matronly. Cris pulls me from my reverie by reminding me that the Tionl will be in Seattle in February. Its an even year. In even years its in Seattle, odd its in San Francisco, and of course always in February. And Denis Brooks will be here. Ive not seen Denis for fifteen years or sohe plays a mean set of Uilleanns. Theres supposed to be a Cl after the concert. Perhaps Jams ODonnell will make an appearance. I look back at my cards. Rumor of the week one - After stating unequivocally that the recently released fourth volume in his "Encyclopedia of Tarot" series would be his last, an "inside source" at US Games reports that Stuart Kaplan is taking some quiet, tentative first steps to compiling a fifth volume. The next face down card is nearer to the whiskey than the doughnuts. I carefully move a European top over on the table. Then I turn over the second card, Door Rumor of the week number two - Last time we spoke I passed along the rumor that Galde Press was looking into reissuing the popular but now OOP "Alchemical Tarot" by Robert Place. I now hear that that his agreement with Galde Press has fallen through. However it should also be noted that the afore mentioned firm is looking into reprinting the "Buckland Romani Tarot" by Raymond Buckland and Lissane Lake that was recently (and suddenly) dropped by Llewellyn. Meanwhile, Robert Place is taking steps to reissue a high-quality reprint of the Alchemical Tarot himself. Door. If you want to let in, or get to, whatever is outside, the least you must do is get up and unlock the door. Sometimes opening it is not even necessary. But you have to at least make the effort unlock the door!
Spirit Light Tarot Graphics courtesy of the Tarot Garden

You know the deck Ive been salivating for? Well my inside information tells me that

From the world of self-publishers, Marcia Masino, author of "Easy Guide Tarot," has released a self-published set of majors called the "Spirit Light Tarot. The
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Page 3 throughout the 70s. They found the technology of the printing industry primitive and expensive. They had to collate and box the decks by hand. It was costly, and time consuming after only three print runs, they stopped printing more. Turn the clock hands forward. A nephew now runs his own design studio in Brighton, which is about 40 miles from where Alfred Douglas and his wife live, in East Sussex. A few months back, over dinner, it was decided to investigate the possibility of republishing the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot. After over thirty years, the original artwork had faded some, so the nephew got his design team working to sharpen the contours and revitalize the colors, while he arranged to get quotes for manufacturing. Word is, they look fabulous. They should be ready in a couple months.
Tarot of Color Graphics courtesy of the Tarot Garden

images consist of evocative "light photography" images that create abstract but suggestive essences of the majors. Printed in a limited edition of 100 copies. (Oh, and coincidentally, available from The Tarot Garden). Also newly published by the artist: Leisa ReFalo's "Tarot of Color." The deck provides detailed correspondences for all 78 cards, printed on cardstocks of various colors relating to the kabalistic color associations. AndJulie CucciaWatts' (creator of the Blue Moon Tarot) "Maat Tarot" is targeted for a Spring 2006 release.

Now the bad news.

They could no longer use the name Mandragora Press, since it XIV, La Temperanza is turned over. Sitting next to the half had been taken over by another entity. The publisher will be finished whiskey, Temperance, accompanied by her dog, pours Sheridan Douglas. from one vessel into another. And from the way the dog sleeps And on a final sad noteDavid Sheridan passed away in 1995. at her feet Llewellyn's "World Spirit Tarot," by Lauren O'Leary and Jesica Godino, is temporarily out-of-print, pending a revamping of the packaging. It appears that it's being changed from the mini-kit to the full-size format. And they're adding one of those dreadful and useless little tarot bags into the mix, and it's listed as "new ISBN" and "new size." So the mini kits are not available, and the re-release is scheduled for May of 2006. La Temperanza teaches us that some things take time. Even when we get up from the easy chair of our lives and unlock the door and yell to the universe Come in doors unlocked, things occur on a time schedule diverse from ours. Temperance pours slowly and carefully; shes not woken the sleeping dog. Some thingstake time. Like a good story. Once there was a small publishing company called Mandragora Press. Back in the 70s, Alfred Douglas wrote The Tarot: The Origins, Meaning and Uses of the Cards. Mr. Douglas asked his wifes young son David, who was an artist, to illustrate the book with a new set of Tarot designs. Alfred Douglas wife is an author who writes using the pen name of Jo Sheridan, so David used the name David Sheridan for the Tarot Drawings. Alfred and David loved the illustrations and decided to form a partnership and publish the deck to accompany the book. They called themselves Mandragora Press. They sold about 15,000 copies of the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot
Sheridan Douglas Tarot Graphics courtesy of the Tarot Garden

May the re-release of the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, be a testament and a tribute to David and his unique talent. The Window-Door Spread is used with Majors Only decks, for those impossible questions, such as What do I need to do? Enjoy. Ill see you in three months at the corner of Walk and Dont Walk. The streetlight will flicker out as you approach dont worry, its okay. Be well, act wise

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A Meditative Series - The Lady

By Igraine & Nimue

I am there, lying in the shadow of the greenwood tree. Fern of maidens hair surround me as I slumber, resting on a bed of woodruff and ivy vine. I am still dreaming. I can hear the nuthatch pecking tat..tattaton dead bark of nearby pine and sense the robins are busy gathering early worms awakening to the warming sun. Dogwoods and the lilacs bud in anticipation, preparing to greet me once again, readying for my eternal return. Tiny yellow butterflies flit like fairies dancing gaily to springs crescendo while bumblebees buzz overhead attracted to my sweet scent of pink magnolia blossoms for I am the nectar of life, the essence of all magic. You know me. I am the Lady of the Summer Country and Dark Priestess of Autumnfall. I am the Maiden of the Spring Delight and Wise Woman of Winter Edge. Speak my name, for I have many, and many more to follow. Year after year after year after year I will always hear you calling. Come softly barefoot, waken me. Arouse me from my daydreams. Touch me with your fingers tips in gentle childs play. Unravel my summer mystery like a game of Cats Cradle casting off worn threads from winters woolen shawl reworking Mother Comfort. Can you hear my whisper in the wailing mourning dove? Feel my breath upon your brow anointing you with gladness? Smell my fecund body in the plowing of fresh soil. Part your lips and wet your tongue, taste my sweetness in the dandelion wine. See my endless beauty becoming whole and light, opening petals to the sun. Drape me in my emerald robes of natures radiant energy and crown me with my wreathe of myrtle. I am Gloriamundi! I am All Mother and you are borne of my womb into life eternal. It is through me, the gateway of Venus that you must pass to find your hearts desire. Come! I will show you the way.

"The Lady" is part of an hour-long audio meditation series written and produced by Igraine and her sister Nimue. The Seekers Journey is proud to provide our readers with an exclusive glimpse of their work in progress. Igraine and Nimue's completed work will introduce each Major Arcana character during a continuously flowing audio meditation, which begins with The Fools Journey. You will be greeted by each Major Arcana character along a path of the mind's eye, and guided to receive a message or counsel from them all. Experience the meditation through all your senses download the audio of Igraine reading the Meditation at: http://www.tarotforlife.com/newsletter01.html Right click the link to download, left click to play from your browser window. Enjoy an audio meditative experience.
Background Music: From Debussy s Nocturnes: Nuages

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Free Online Tarot Class

By Jimilyn Barnes & Noble University is offering their Tarot for Beginners class again in March. But don't let the name mislead you. The students range from having no experience with tarot to those who have been reading for decades. Joan Bunning designed this course based on her book, Learning the Tarot, and on her website, LearnTarot.com. Barnes & Noble offered it for the first time in August 2001 with Joan as the instructor. Meeting Joan and learning from her is what started me on my tarot journey. She's one fabulous lady who is dedicated to making sure that anyone who wants to read tarot has access to lessons and exercises. Shari (aka WebWeaver) will be instructor for the class, and Christine, (aka Greyhound) will be a teaching assistant. Since you read the newsletter, The Seeker's Journey, you may recognize their names as editors and authors. Greyhound manages the website, Tarot for Life, and has the online tarot group at MSN linked to the website. They are both metaphysical practitioners and are fabulous readers and teachers. Don't let the name of the course, Tarot for Beginners, fool you. Although Joan wrote the course itself for beginners, there are many advanced conversations that occur between the students. Our friend, Don, often enrolls in the class and shares his vast wealth on elemental dignities. Heres hoping hell be there for this go round! It's an extremely fast paced message board with thousands of posts in the five week period, so don't feel overwhelmed if you don't get to read every message. Read what interests you, and move on. You can sign up through the first week of class. We hope to see some of you there. You can enroll for the class at the following website: http://university.barnesandnoble.com under the Life Improvement category.

Gothic Tarot Review

By Rogue Muse First up, I was slightly disappointed by the 'flimsiness' of the cards. They are rather bendy, thin cards and may require a gentle hand in shuffling, but that is okay, it just means you have to take care when reading. On to the subject matter, as a huge fan of Hammer Horror Films, vampires and the "children of the night" as Bela Lugosi / Christopher Lee ( insert your favorite Count here) would say... I must say that the art, even though not of a high standard in terms of realistic looking people, is rather good. As one who likes the occasional Black Deck (Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg etc.) the choice of all black cards with limited use of color works well. The images can come out or retreat into the shadows at will. The Little White Book that comes with this deck is very basic, consisting of Divinatory Meanings for each of the cards, a seven card spread and a Celtic Cross spread. No mention of anything on/about the images used, so if youre one of those people who NEEDS to know what the artist/creator was thinking with regard to the deck you may be slightly miffed. As I can take it or leave it, again no biggie!! As for what type of readings this deck is good for... I use it for any and all, but it is very good at relationship issues, there is an underlying passion in all the cards. The cups in particular have a great sense of longing about them. A few cards of note, The Chariot with horse drawn Hearse gives an interesting twist to the typical idea of this card. Lack of white horse (two black ones) may screw with traditional idea of controlling the balance, but I quite like the 'death' overtones. By charging off with the zealous power of the Charioteer, you are creating your own funeral, i.e. the past is gone you have definitely moved on and are taking control of your life. ( Or maybe it's just me LOL! ) The Ten of swords 'stabbing' into the prostrate skeleton gives a slight lightheartedness to the usual doom and gloom of this card. The swords aren't really doing that much damage to said skeleton, more just pinning him/her down (hard to tell with skeletons), although possibly the one through the skull is a worry. The Magician is one of the most foreboding cards in this deck, which is a bit of a surprise given the subject matter. The Magician bringing down 'the power', while his four elemental cronies... somber looking druid/monk cowled types look on, has a hint of menace about it. The uroboros in the fire is pretty cool. The five of swords is quite bizarre and worthy of note. A maniacal 'jester', black and white shirt and hat with obligatory bells on, sits enthroned with a head on a stick, while five skulls with swords thrust through them adorn the steps, good
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for a laugh. The five cups has shades of Hamlet, alas poor Yorick.... As for my absolute favorite, the Death card has to be a highlight. Bedraggled figure, one arm becomes a spindly tree branch complete with raven perched on it, the other holds a scythe. A cross in background while the fog rolls in and you can almost hear the rustle of the grass in the foreground. All this occurs under a thin sliver of waning moon (although possibly waxing in the northern hemisphere) in a blood red sky. All in all I think this is a definite deck to get if you like ghouls, demons, Nosferatu types hanging out in castles, etc. Not adverse to winged creatures appearing in your tarot? Then keep an eye out for this one. When it's all said and done this deck certainly has that slightly quirky sense of humor that is a must for fans of this "type of thing", and works well. Not overly deep in terms of obvious symbolism on the cards but I dare say it's there if you look. Overall a good deck.

r e n r o C s r e Memb
Mithras & Tarot: The Mithraic Connection to Tarot
by RChMI

One of the most recent theories to come out as to the origins of the Tarot is that from Sigurd Agrell during the 1930s, which points out that the connection to the 22 Tarot Trumps and the 22 Hebraic Letters is tentative at best, and based mainly on numerical coincidence popularized in the 18th and 19th Centuries. It was also based upon the 17th Century Jesuit conjectures of Athanasius Kircher, who had the distinction of choosing between the lesser of two evils for many of his source-point results (those choices being either Hebrew or Pagan). Many, if not all, Pagan sources were being touted as Hebraic, so as to present a more appealing connotation to Mother Church. And that the more Esoteric nature and Occult particulars of the Ancient World were more infused and prominent within the Greco-Roman era. With the Greek and Roman alphabet being the standard reference point for such endeavors, and the leading Esoteric movement being that of Mithraism. The formalized Greek Alphabet consisted of 24 letters, and the Roman Alphabet consisted of 23 letters. In occult practices of the time, the uppercase "Y" in the Roman Alphabet was not used, thereby leaving 22 letters for practical applications. However, the full 24 Greek letters were utilized for theoretical applications. Each Greek letter would have a numerical significance, an exoteric nature, an esoteric name, and an occult meaning. From these aspects the roots of the Tarot can be said to have sprung forth. The established order of what has become the Tarot Trumps would have been different for certain workings, such as one based on the letters themselves, another based on the esoteric names, and one based on the occult meanings.

It is through the application of the ordering based upon the esoteric names that the present ordering of the Tarot Trumps have come to be known, prior to Waite's order inversion: The Fool - Apis The Magician - Bacatus The Priestess - Cles The Empress - Diana The Emperor - Eon The Hierophant - Flamen The Lovers - Gaudium The Chariot - Hamaxa Justice - Justitia The Hermit - Kronos Wheel of Fortune - Libra Strength - Magnitudo The Hanged Man - Noxa Death - Orcus Temperance - Pluvia The Devil - Quirinus The Tower - Ruina The Star - Stell The Moon - Trina The Sun - Victor Judgment - Xiphias The World - Zodiacus However, what should be of interest to Tarot enthusiasts is the aspect of the potential re-inclusion of the omitted 2 Greek letters and the formal ordering of the letters for the Tarot, bringing the number of Trumps to 24, and the total number of the Tarot
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(Mithras & TarotContinued from page 6) 8. The Chariot - Crystal-Heaven cards to 80. If one were to follow the letter ordering, the Tarot 9. Justice - Anank 10. The Hermit - Koronos, Death Trumps would be as follows: 11. Wheel of Fortune - Plants 12. Strength - Trees 1. The Fool 13. The Hanged Man - Hecate 2. The Magician 14. The Star - Stars 3. The Priestess 15. The Sun - Sun, Sol 4. The Empress 16. The Devil - Serapis-Mithras 5. The Emperor 17. The Moon - The Feminine 6. The Hierophant 18. Death - Bearer of the Dead 7. The Lovers 19. The World - Human 8. The Chariot 20. Temperance - Water 9. Justice 21. Judgment - Phallus 10. The Hermit 22. ??????? - Possessions 11. Wheel of Fortune 23. The Tower - Zeus 12. Strength 24. ??????? - Riches 13. The Hanged Man 14. The Star Within the framework of the various orderings is the aspect of 15. The Sun the 7 planetary attributions of selected letter/cards. It should be 16. The Devil noted that the planetary ordering commonly associated with the 17. The Moon Tarot Trumps is not that of the Platonic ideal, but rather that of 18. Death the Mithraic system of Grades. The Platonic planetary ordering 19. The World is Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. 20. Temperance While the Mithraic planetary Grades are Mercury, Venus, 21. Judgment Mars, Jupiter, Moon, Sun, and Saturn. One can see the obvious 22. ??????? residual Mithraic involvement in the Trumps with the ordering/ 23. The Tower placement of the two cards The Moon and The Sun. Contained 24. ??????? within the Exoteric Deck of the Marseille Tarot is the full remAdditionally, the aspect of the occult meanings of the Trumps nants of the Mithraic Grade system as exemplified by the seven could also have the potential to change the pictorial ideals that lone female figures of the Trumps - La Papesse, L 'Impratrice, La Justice, La Force, Temprance, L 'Etoile, Le Monde - in are currently held for those cards: their pictorial/graphic illustrations. 1. The Fool - The Bull Admittedly, these potential aspects may be more academic, 2. The Magician - The Daimonic rather than practical in their applications for the general Tarot 3. The Priestess - The Divine enthusiast, however, it may give one pause for consideration 4. The Empress - Four Elements and contemplation as to the depth to which the Tarot can be 5. The Emperor - on seen as a lasting repository for that which was, and still may be. 6. The Hierophant - Sacrifice 7. The Lovers - Joy, Love (Reversed Tarot CardsContinued from page 1)

Tarot readers who embrace the "reversals are bad" point of view automatically limit any card's full spectrum of meaning. Their world is one of black and white, of duality, of fatalism. There's no room for grey areas, wholism, or choice. If we step back from this disempowering viewpoint, we can see that a tarot card is just a tarot card, whether upright or inverted. It is not inherently "bad" or "good", but rather is simply a tool, a thing that provides us with information or feedback that we can accept, reject, or put on the back burner for a while. The question we ask is what slants a card's possibilities of meaning more towards a challenging/problematic interpretation or a helpful/constructive interpretation. Another huge misconception about reversed tarot cards is that they represent the adverse of their upright meanings. That is, if a card is upside-down, it is automatically NOT its upright message but its polar opposite. In this system, the pleasure of the 6 of Cups gets transposed into the pain of the 3 of Swords by virtue of its upside-down-ness. This makes no sense to me. If the opposite message is what our Source of Wisdom (whatever you think that is) were trying to tell us, then a card indicating that message is what would have turned up. For example, if my Source of Wisdom, via the language of tarot, wishes to convey a message that it would be helpful for me to set clear verbal boundaries with people, then a card indicating that would show up. The message would NOT be conveyed to me through a reversed card whose upright meaning is usually "let them say anything they want to you".
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Page 8 do this month with regard to my primary love relationship?" and you get the reversed Ace of Cups, it could indicate that it would not be good to start tuning into the other person through intuition, it would be unhealthy for you to imagine how it would be to be depressed like s/he is, or that it could be detrimental to begin a secret affair. If you ask, "What's the best thing for me to do this month with regard to my primary love relationship?" and you get the reversed Ace of Cups, it could suggest begin relating to him/her more deeply, start sharing your innermost feelings with her/him in a private way, or it would be helpful to base this relationship in Spirit. If you've been afraid to work with reversed tarot cards, I encourage you to stretch a bit by trying it out using the perspective encouraged in this article. You'll be surprised at how reversed cards can add depth, richness, and specificity to your sessions with this time-honoured tool for insight, feedback, and personal empowerment. If you already work with reversals, but you want to expand your use of them, maybe it would be helpful to attend a workshop on this subject, take a good tarot class, or read excellent books such as these: * Joan Bunning. Learning Tarot Reversals. * Gail Fairfield. Everyday Tarot (formerly Choice Centered Tarot). * Gail Fairfield. Choice-Centered Relating and the Tarot. * Mary K. Greer. The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals. If you have further questions about upright and reversed tarot cards or if you have feedback about this article, I invite you to email me at workeroforacles@yahoo.ca. I'd be very happy to chat with you and to set up a private tutorial or a group workshop with you. May you find the full spectrum of meaning in your life! JAMES WELLS -- Assisting humanity to reach its full potential, one person at a time. Tarot, Reiki, workshops, classes, & rituals for personal transformation.

In the way that I work with tarot, a reversal does not change a card's core concepts. Its main message remains the same. The Empress is still the Empress whether she's upright, reversed, sideways, or diagonal. However, the inversion changes the manner in which that core idea is expressed. For me, an upright card shows us that its energy is more obvious, outward, external, in-your-face, in the world, objective, or tangible. A reversed card shows us that its energy is more subtle, inward, subjective, psychological, hidden, or vague. So the Earth energy of the Pentacles when upright can be about money, work, sex, exercise, living space, or tools. When reversed, that Earthness is more about psychological security, grounded-ness, infrastructures, inner space, quiet skills, and personal safety. The upright Air energy of the Swords can indicate communication with others, expression of ideas, written materials, education, schedules, routines, local community, meetings, and societal laws or truths. Reversed Swords can be about talking with self, inner thoughts, learning style, behind-the-scenes chatting or gossip, personal truths, or unwritten rules. Cups, when upright, can indicate expressed feelings, relatedness, partnerships, objects or places connected with water, and shared love. When reversed, that feeling Cups energy shows us intuition, the unconscious, the deep realms of psyche, hidden feelings, secret relationships, unexpressed emotions, or psychic talents. The fiery Wands, when upright, show us our public persona, the self we present to others, the roles we play "out there", autonomy, outdoorsy-ness, leadership, and publicity. Inverted Wands can be about our self-perception, self-image, personal growth, inner life-force, and who we think we are. Sometimes, if a tarot layout contains only a single reversed card, it acts as a sort of "flashing light" to me. It can indicate that the one reversed card has a very important message for the readee. The same holds true for a single upright card nestled in a layout of reversals. It says, "Pay attention to me!" These upright or reversed possibilities of meaning are neither "good" nor "bad". They are simply concepts. As I stated already, what gives us more specific interpretations -- "positive" or "negative" (actually there's really only information that we like or that we don't like, in my humble opinion) -- are our topics and questions. If you ask, "What's the worst thing for me to
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I made my first deck out of a deep longing to have my understanding of the cards to meditate with. When I first started making Hero's Journey... back in '91, there were not as many wonderfully expressive decks available as there are nowadays. This was before the World Wide Web took hold of us. So I was in my own little corner creating a deck for myself to work with because I was rather frustrated with the depiction of certain 'archetypes' found in traditional cards. The Hierophant for example, distressed me. Being brought up Catholic and having never quite recovered, the image of the Pope as a spiritual leader pushed buttons. It also grated on me that the view of the Sun and Moon, as they were depicted in most early books and cards were presented as an unequal pair. The sun (masculine) was shown as being warm, optimistic, bright, cheerful and so on. While the Moon (feminine) had to do with deception, fear, secrecy, luna-lunacy.... I felt the female psyche was not given a fair turn. I needed to work with a deck that saw these cards as balanced - both sharing positive and not so positive qualities of these complex archetypes. GH: I know you've created several decks... What was the first Tarot card you ever created? Do you remember how you felt when
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(A Moment with ArnellContinued from page 8)

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you completed that first card? AA: Well I remember the enormous excitement and enthusiasm when I realized I was to create a deck for myself. I had done very little art before this time, so it was a leap in the dark. I collected many art books and ravished them. It was like putting together a massive puzzle. I worked on it until the wee hours most nights, and fell asleep with scissors and books in the bed (luckily I was not married at the time). GH: Do you have any future plans you can share with us? AA: Thanks for asking, Christine. I will attend the two annual West-Coast Tarot events affectionately known as LATS (in L.A.) and BATS (Bay Area Tarot Symposium) in the Fall. I will post details on my site www.arnellart.com once they are announced. And this is the last year that artist Leslie Cochran and I will join in making the Tarot Art Calendar. We will then each have made a Major Arcana deck from this 4-year endeavor. And we both plan to make handmade copies of our decks available in 2007 once the last calendar is out. (The current one can still be seen on my site). GH: What advice would you have for someone thinking about starting a Tarot deck of their own? AA: It has always been a key motivation for me to share this creative process with other Tarotists so I have many articles on my site pertaining to this topic, such as this one http://www.arnellart.com/makenpub.htm that links to some of the others. Also I have a few essays of guest Tarot deck artists on the site who share their helpful methods of deck creating like; Michele Jackson, Jean Hutter and Michele Cohen - all wonderfully talented collage artists. But for those who might want to make a collage deck, basically I would suggest collecting magazines, art books, old photos, greeting cards, and handmade paper. Frequent used bookstores, which have a good selection. Cut and separate images into categories. This is both meditative, while also getting those images to begin forming themes in your mind's eye. It also helps to keep you organized so your not completely trolling the deep waters of the subconscious. One option would be to study a program like Photoshop for a semester. That should be enough to get you making beautiful digital collage imagery. Or if you want to make the deck in real size and also by hand, buy a pack of blank index cards or a blank Tarot deck from U.S. Games. Thats how I made my first three decks. Other important supplies for collage artists: Stick glue (I prefer Avery brand). Dual point markers are good for blending, touch up and covering the white edges of the cut out imagery. Sharp scissors are crucial. For detail work I use tiny straightedge surgical scissors. (Tweezerman brand). It's also good to have packs of stars, gold dust, and glitter on hand. Now a days rubberstamp stores sell all those fun scrap-booking materials and textured papers, special effect gizmos and hole punchers with shapes. These can be used as an interesting 2 layer effect with a cool background showing through or to place the holepunched symbols upon a section of the card...for effect or for numbered symbols on your minor arcana cards. In creating your deck it's sometimes a good idea to perceive yourself as the writer, director, producer and cast of an Indie film. Keep the somewhat detached role of a director while putting yourself in each of the roles of the cards and seeing how you respond to their themes in your own life. Arnell Ando is a Jungian-based, Expressive Arts Therapist She has created 3 Tarot decks thus far including, Transformational Tarot, published by U.S. Games Spring 2006, and Heros Journey, which she has been handcrafting for clients since 1994. Arnell has combined her studies in the spiritual and psychological realms to create her unique interpretation of the Tarot. She conducts art and Tarot workshops in San Diego and at various symposiums. You can view Arnells art, decks, and a line of custom made miniature occult shops, or read her various essays at: www.arnellart.com You can buy a signed copy of Transformational Tarot there too: http://www.arnellart.com/tt-majors.htm

Volume 3, Issue 3

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Now get those new calendars out and mark off these dates
February 2006

11 - McAllen TX: Corrine Kenner "Spread Reading" corrine@corrinekenner.com 17-20 - San Jose CA: Pantheacon 2006 Various Tarot Luminaries http://www.ancientways.com/ pantheacon/ 28-3/28 - Oakland, CA: Thalassa "Tarot with Thalassa" 510.653.3248 http://www.daughtersofdivination.com/events.html#_Tuesday_means_Tarot

March 2006

25-26 - Cabbagetown (Toronto), ON, CA: Transformation Tarot with James Well, contact James @ 416966-2685 or workeroforacles@yahoo.ca 1 - Freeville, NY: Fooling Around With Tarot: A Playshop with the Cards taught by Tarot for Life's own Gail Wood and Elisabeth Roth. 10:00AM - 4:00PM Contact: darkmoonwitch@earthlink.net for details. 15 - San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Bay Area Tarot Symposium (BATS); Cynthia Giles, Dan Pelletier, Sasha St. John, Thalassa, & others http://www.daughtersofdivination.com/spring2006.html 21-23 - NYC, NY: Readers Studio; Rachel Pollack, Robert M. Place and Lon Milo DuQuette, Lisa Finander http://www.tarotschool.com/ReadersStudio.html

April 2006

June 2006

11-18 - Rhinebeck NY: Mary K. Greer & Rachel Pollak at the Omega Institute http://www.eomega.org/

September 2006

2-3 Auckland NZ: Arcana; Jubilee House, Parnell. Various still under discussion (09) 361 3292 or fernmm@ihug.co.nz

October 2006

27-29 - Toronto, ON, CA: A Weekend with Mary Greer, Midwife of the Soul, contact James @ 416-9662685 or workeroforacles@yahoo.ca

For ongoing classes with Mark K. Greer on the Tarot and "Life As A Dream" contact Mary @ mkgreer@pacbell.net or at 530-265-3179.

Volume 3, Issue 3

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The Two of Swords Spread

By Igraine

#8 #6 #4 #2 #1 #3 #5 #7

#9

Card #1 The Wrens Nest This is at the ROOT of the situation Cards #2 & #3 The Egg This is the POTENTIAL present in each choice Cards #4 & #5 Sun or Shadow This is the POSITIVE/NEGATIVE to be aware of Cards #6 &#7 Flight This is the ACTION that should be taken Cards #8 and #9 Journeys End This is the OUTCOME of each choice In the Druid tradition the wrens nest is the Druids House. This spread is designed to facilitate the seeker in making one of two possible choices so that they may take flight!

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Orphalese Tarot
By WebWeaver Orphalese Tarot the only Tarot Program I've found that works the way you work with a Tarot deck. If you haven't used this program in the last year, you haven't seen anything yet. If you've never tried this program, what are you waiting for? You do have to have a Windows System. So if youre running a Mac or a brand of Linux, until someone writes a compiler for the .NET framework your out of luck. The system requirements are that you have .NET and are running Windows 98 or later. I have been using this program for years now and have watched it transform based on the needs of the users. I know of no other programmer that pays as much attention to the users as this one. In it's last upgrade almost all of my personal requests were added. I have tried every program I've come across that say they're a Tarot program. I've not found a single one that can even come close to what Orphalese offers. The program is free to try for an unlimited time. However if you chose to register, which costs $30.00, the program allows you to do so much more. You'll have access to unlimited decks and spreads as well as the forum where all the tips, tricks and users make suggestions. The program does take a bit of a learning curve to use. It's not set up like a standard program with the standard toolbar going across the top of the screen. Everything is controlled either through keyboard shortcuts or by right-clicking on the deck. Once you know where your working from, the program works smoothly, and is user friendly. Staying on top of all the decks and spreads your adding will also make the ease of use much more friendly. It works very much like a deck of cards. You can have the program shuffle and draw a spread, or you can use free selection. Some of the ways you want to work might take an extra step or two, however, I haven't yet found anything I can't get the program to do, including using multiple decks for a reading. Again some of these take the user to set up what they need, but the program will do it. The program now includes two places to add notes to each and every card. Both LWB Notes and Personal Notes. You can pull from either or both as you create your reading. For me this allows a place to keep my card studies and the meanings I use for readings. There is also a separate note window for reversed meanings in both, so you actually have 4 separate places to type notes or meanings for each card. Creating a spread or entering one from a book is also extremely easy, and you have a place for the position name as well as notes on each position. A grid allows you to place the card where and how you would like so the spread layout looks the way you want it to. The Reading Wizard makes creating a reading a joy. You can set up a reading template to include the standard text you include with most readings so you are not re-typing the same text each time. You can also select what is pulled into the reading from the different notes as well as using the spread notes. Using all of or any combination of these notes. You can convert your reading into rtf or Rich Text Format to send to a client including the card pictures themselves. I also include a picture of the layout itself. Although I use a deck in the real world, I use Orphalese to recreate the readings that I type up and send to those I am doing an email reading for. Most of my clients appreciate receiving their reading in this format. When you download the program it includes a few decks and some very basic meanings. For a beginner this would only get you started. However the strength in this program is the ability to customize and add your personal meanings. This program, although it could be fun to play around with, is for any serious Tarot enthusiast. Whether youre looking for a program to hold your growing collection digitally for reference purposes or as a reader who wants to have a place to store past readings, to the beginner just developing or the most studious Tarot-er this program can be what youre looking for. All the bits and pieces to this program would take up more room then the entire newsletter to explore. I hope I've given you ample reason to download and give it a go. I'd love to see the community continue to support this program as it moves into it's 7th version. I'd give this a 9 out of 10 (only because I want MORE). The most I'd give any other program is a 4. Use as a journal: YES Use to compare cards: YES Personalize Meanings: YES Reversed Meanings: YES Personalize Spreads: YES Use more then a single deck: YES Use more then a single spread: yes* Free Selection: YES Free Selection with spread: yes* Re-create a spread: yes* Zoom In: YES Create Readings: YES Create Spreads: YES *takes an extra step

Volume 3, Issue 3

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Meet the Authors

Greyhound began reading Tarot in Oct. of 2000. Greyhound feels her natural tendency is to approach life very analytically. The study of Tarot has helped her to bring more balance and intuition to her life. She considers herself a student of the Tarot, rather than a teacher and feels confident that anyone can learn to read the Tarot if they have the desire to learn. (Editor) WebWeaver has been reading and learning Tarot for over 20 years; but until finding all that was available online in 2002, she didn't realize how much it meant to her. Joining TFL and becoming a part of the management team as well as working on the newsletter has been a turning point for her. She believes Tarot is the perfect way to connect with oneself, and now lives with Tarot being a daily part of her life. She love learning, growing, and sharing on her Tarot journey. What she doesn't understand is why everyone doesn't use the Tarot. Igraine became fascinated by astrology, the tarot and everything metaphysical way back in the 60 s. She grew up in the college community of Ithaca, NY where she encountered her first occult bookstore. She and her sister Nimue spent many hours there browsing through the shelves and chatting with the mystic proprietor. She purchased her first tarot deck at 14 and so began her lifetime study of everything beyond. Today she lives happily with her non-pagan husband of 25 years, three grown children and four familiars. She is a practicing astrologer, tarotist, teacher, herbalist, writer and Wiccan coven leader. She is currently a candidate for High Priestess with The Fellowship of Isis. Look for her upcoming website at lunamamas.com

Greyhound, Manager TFL greyhound@tarotforlife.com WebWeaver, Manager TFL webweaver@tarotforlife.com Jimi, Asst. Manager TFL jimilyn@tarotforlife.com Igraine, Asst. Manager TFL igraine@tarotforlife.com Darkmoonpriestess, Asst. Manager TFL darkmoonpriestess@tarotforlife.com DC_Moxie, Asst. Manager TFL dc_moxie@tarotforlife.com Jypcee, Asst. Manager TFL jypcee@tarotforlife.com Kelliejojo2, Asst. Manager TFL kelliejojo@tarotforlife.com Pink_and_Black_Rogue_Muse, Asst. Manager TFL roguemuse@tarotforlife.com Seasii, Asst. Manager TFL seasii@tarotforlife.com Valness, Asst. Manager TFL valness@tarotforlife.com

Contact us:

Jimilyn, a Dallas native, had her interest in the metaphysical re-bloom sometime during 1999. It was during this time she purchased her 1st deck. She also took the first Barnes and Noble University 'Tarot for Beginners' class in August of 2001. Joan Bunning was the instructor and the warmth and encouragement she shared was just the help Jimi needed to move forward in her own Tarot journey. Jimi also enjoys doing chat readings at Tarot for Life, where being a part of a group of readers helps everyone feel more confident. Jimilyn is Asst. Organizer for the Living Tarot Meetup in the Dallas-Plano, Tx area.

Dan Pelletier is the co-owner of The Tarot Garden. An accomplished tarot reader with over thirty years of experience, Dan has also contributed to such publications as Aeclectic Tarot and Body Mind Spirit magazine.

Copyright 2005 Tarot for Life. All Rights Reserved. You may copy, distribute, and send this E-ZINE as long as source is quoted and you include a link to www.tarotforlife.com. Individual art and written articles, poems, prose and any other intelligent property remains the property of the owner/author/artist/creator. Publication, product, or company names contained herein may be registered trademarks of their respective owners. While every effort is made to verify facts, the Editor of "the Seekers Journey" does not accept responsibility for the complete accuracy of information contained herein. The content has been researched from sources deemed reliable but not absolute.