
My 'learn something new for 2006' was reading Tarot cards. Don't ask what lead me to that quirk, long story, but it was entirely by happenstance. I'd never had a Tarot card reading, and the only thing I knew about them was the same thing you probably know about them. What we've learned from B-movies. All wrong by the way. In truth they are a wonderful tool for self-empowerment, self-discovery, and personal growth.
There are layers upon layers of things to learn about Tarot, enough to keep someone like me occupied for many years to come. The historical perspectives, the three major types of cards, an Oracle vs. Tarot deck, traditional vs. intuitive meanings and readings; elements, symbols, spreads and more.
Then, one subject leads to another so you can study Runes, tea leaves, dice, even the pine needles on your porch should it suit you. Astrology, Numerology, Stichomancy which includes Bibliomancy and I Ching, Pendulums, Ouija Boards, Scrying, the list is seeming endless because they all have side roads you can travel should you choose. For the nonce I am happy to continue with Tarot.
The cards themselves are little works of art and you can find a Rider-Waite-Colman 'clone' done in just about any theme you'd like, from kittens to pirates to erotic. Collecting Tarot decks could easily become a pursuit in itself. I'll share more about this journey as time goes on.
0 – Fool – 0
1 Magician – I
2 High Priestess – II
3 Empress – III
4 Emperor – IV
5 Hierophant – V
6 Lovers – VI
7 Chariot – VII
8 Strength – VIII
9 Hermit – IX
10 Wheel of Fortune – X
11 Justice – XI
12 The Hanged Man – XII
13 Death – XIII
14 Temperance – XIV
15 Devil – XV
16 The Tower – XVI
17 The Star – XVII
18 The Moon – XVIII
19 The Sun – XIX
20 Judgement – XX
21 The World – XXI
There are layers upon layers of things to learn about Tarot, enough to keep someone like me occupied for many years to come. The historical perspectives, the three major types of cards, an Oracle vs. Tarot deck, traditional vs. intuitive meanings and readings; elements, symbols, spreads and more.
Then, one subject leads to another so you can study Runes, tea leaves, dice, even the pine needles on your porch should it suit you. Astrology, Numerology, Stichomancy which includes Bibliomancy and I Ching, Pendulums, Ouija Boards, Scrying, the list is seeming endless because they all have side roads you can travel should you choose. For the nonce I am happy to continue with Tarot.
The cards themselves are little works of art and you can find a Rider-Waite-Colman 'clone' done in just about any theme you'd like, from kittens to pirates to erotic. Collecting Tarot decks could easily become a pursuit in itself. I'll share more about this journey as time goes on.
0 – Fool – 0
1 Magician – I
2 High Priestess – II
3 Empress – III
4 Emperor – IV
5 Hierophant – V
6 Lovers – VI
7 Chariot – VII
8 Strength – VIII
9 Hermit – IX
10 Wheel of Fortune – X
11 Justice – XI
12 The Hanged Man – XII
13 Death – XIII
14 Temperance – XIV
15 Devil – XV
16 The Tower – XVI
17 The Star – XVII
18 The Moon – XVIII
19 The Sun – XIX
20 Judgement – XX
21 The World – XXI