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a cache of usenet and other text files pertaining
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a cache of usenet and other text files pertaining
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[obtained from http://www.visi.com/~invoke/camp/library/ ]
Subject: Tarot Divination by Bill Heidrick
Copyright (c) 1976 and 1989 by Bill Heid
rick
May 20, 1989 e.v. key entry by Author:
Bill Heidrick, I.T.G. of O.T.O. --- needs further proof reading
Bill Heidrick
P.O.Box 430
Fairfax, CA 94930
USA
(415) 454-5176 --- messages only.
TAROT LAYOUTS AND READING TIPS
#1 THE CELTIC CROSS --- after A.E.Waite
var. by Bill Heidrick
.------------.
: 10. :
: Result :
.------------. : or :
: 3. Goal : : Future :
: or : : :
: Best : : :
: Possible : : :
: Result : : :
: : .------------.
: :
: : .------------.
.------------. : 9. :
: Hopes & :
.------------. : Fears :
:Significator: : or :
.------------. :.-----------.. .------------. :Expectations:
: 5. : .---..------------.. : 6. : : :
: Cause : : 2. Counter : : Effect : : :
: or : : Force : : or : : :
: : : (Opposition) : : Near : .------------.
: Past : : : : Future :
: Time : : : : Time : .------------.
: : .----.------------.. : : : 8. :
: : : 1. Base : : : : Forces :
.------------. .------------. .------------. : or :
: Exterior :
: :
: :
.------------. : :
: 4. : : :
: Attitude : .------------.
: or :
: Present :
: Time : .------------.
: : : 7. :
: : : Motive :
: : : or :
.------------. : Interior :
: :
: :
: :
: :
.------------.
0. Significator: In a nonspecific reading, this is a card chosen to
represent the person for whom the reading is being done. If the reading is
being made to answer a specific question, the Significator may be chosen to
represent some aspect of the question itself.
Choosing a Significator: This may be done by random draw from a deck of
Tarots or by deliberate selection based on astrology or personal preference. A
reading may be done without a significator, but having one present can help
focus the reading.
1. Base: After the cards have been shuffled, cut, and the cut restored, the
reading may begin. The first card is the Base on which the reading is built.
In some senses it is a one-card reading in itself. The Base determines the
aspect of the more general question which will be taken up by the remainder of
the reading.
2. Counter: The second card is the Opposition to the Base. It represents a
Counter Force or "Cross" to the general trend expressed though the reading.
This may be an external problem to be identified further by the 8th card, or it
may be an internal problem to be expressed more fully by the 7th card.
3. Goal: The third card is the Goal or best possible lasting outcome. This
card does not predict. Instead, it offers a suggestion for relieving the
tension between the Base (1) and the Counter Force (2). This is often a
discipline or change of attitude to be cultivated. It may point to the best
outcome that is possible under the circumstances. The Goal should be compared
to the 10th card, the Result.
4. Attitude: The fourth card expresses the Attitude. This is the mental and
emotional state of the person for whom the reading is done (Querent) at the
time of the request for the reading. It must make sense when compared with
cards #1 and #2. If it is impossible to understand how this card relates to
the tension between Base (1) and Counter Force (2), the reading is void and
should be started over with a new shuffle.
5. Cause: The fifth card points to the Cause or forces behind the matter
that is the subject of the reading. This is always in the past, but it may be
considered to be the real reason for the reading. If this card can't be
interpreted in the light of events of the past, the final card (10), the
Result, will not be understood correctly.
6. Effect: The sixth card expresses the Effect of the reading. This card
relates to the future immediately following the reading. If it doesn't make
sense, another reading should be made. If it shows a favorable change when
compared with the Cause (5), it indicates acceptance of the Goal (3) and
progress. If the Effect card is negative in its interpretation, there is some
difficulty accepting the Goal and a second reading should be made to discover
what is in the way.
7. Motive: The seventh card expresses the Motive of the Querent. This may
not relate directly to the reading, but it is usually a statement of the way a
person thinks about him or herself. This card expresses the ideas of "Who I
am", "What I am doing", and "What I want from life". If the 6th card, Effect,
gave trouble, this card will usually provide a clue to the trouble.
8. Forces: The eighth card is the statement of environmental Forces at play
upon the Querent. If favorable, this card suggests an easy time to come. If
unfavorable, this card suggests patience or a change of physical location.
Minor points of confusion elsewhere in the reading are often explained by this
card. If there is a physical danger in the future or the present, this card
should show it. The Forces card is not strongly predictive of the future.
Anything it shows can be altered through a change of activity.
9. Hopes and Fears: The ninth card expresses Hopes and/or Fears. It
predicts nothing, but it does describe the readiness of the Querent to face the
future. If the card expresses only a hope and the rest of the reading is not
strongly favorable, the Querent is too optimistic; and caution is indicated.
If this card expresses only fear and the rest of the reading is relatively
favorable, the Querent is being too pessimistic and should relax. If both Hope
and Fear are indicated through this card, the Querent is well balanced to face
the future with alertness and the likelihood of profit.
10. Result: The tenth card is the Result, or "What will be". This predicts
the future of the subject of the reading. If it doesn't make sense, study the
other cards and repeat steps 1 to 9. Other cards may be placed on this one to
elaborate its message, but that should not be done unless it makes some sense
by itself. This is not an absolute prediction of the future, but rather a
statement of an outcome that is to be expected. Minor Trumps in this position
indicate that the outcome can be changed with moderate effort. Major Trumps
indicate that the result can only be changed with the introduction of outside
forces. A Court Card indicates that the outcome depends on another person.
#2 THE TREE OF LIFE --- var. by Bill Heidrick
.------------.
:1. KThR : First
: CROWN : Mover
: :
: :
.------------. : Unity or : .------------.
:3. BYNH : : Perfection : :2. ChKMH :
: UNDERSTAND-:Saturn : : : WISDOM : Zodiac
: ING : : : : :
: : .------------. : :
: Thought : : Power or :
: or : .============. : Active :
: Passive : |11. Da'aTh | : :
: : | KNOWLEDGE | : :
.------------. | | .------------.
| |?!
.------------. | Secret or | .------------.
:5. GBVRH : | Hidden Key | :4. ChSD :
: SEVERITY :Mars | | : MERCY :Jupiter
: : | | : :
: : .============. : :
: Higher Law : :Higher Love :
: or : .------------. : or :
: Morals : :6. ThPARTh : : Faith :
: : : BEAUTY :Sun : :
.------------. : : .------------.
: :
.------------. : Life or : .------------.
:8. HVD : : Purpose : :7. NTzCh :
: GLORY :Mercury : : : PERSISTENCE:Venus
: IN TALENTS : : : : TO VICTORY :
: : .------------. : :
: Lower Law : : Lower Love :
: or : .------------. : or :
: Order : :9. YSVD : : Hope :
: : : FOUNDATION :Moon : :
.------------. : : .------------.
: :
: Dream or :
:Imagination :
: :
: :
.------------.
.------------.
:10. MLKVTh :
: KINGDOM :Earth
: :
: :
: World or :
: Question :
: :
: :
.------------.
INTRODUCTION
The Qabalistic Tree of Life can be adapted in many ways for divination.
The form used here is useful for examination of a particular question or of a
particular period of a person's life. It can be used to view the entire life,
but such an application works better with a series of readings or with a larger
layout.
This divination does not cover past, present and future in the usual
sense. The time is determined in the asking of the question. See next
instruction.
THE QUESTION
Decide on the matter to be divined. After this matter, the Question, is
clearly established in your mind, decide on the time to be examined --- past,
present or future. To study all three aspects of the Question, do three
separate readings: First for the past, second for the present, third for the
future. Some questions are timeless, such as a question about the purpose in
life. A single reading should touch on all major aspects of such a timeless
question.
The best way to use this layout is to proceed from top to bottom in the
manner indicated below. This first pass establishes the past and present
situation. Follow this with a second pass from bottom to top of the layout,
over the previous cards. This second pass establishes the future or the next
development. In each pass, the eleventh card should be placed last.
Additional passes may be made to successively reach further into the future or
succeeding situations, but the deck should not be reshuffled. There are enough
cards in the deck to have one significator and seven passes for the seven
traditional periods of life from birth to old age.
SIGNIFICATOR
This divination mode does not need a significator. If a significator is
desired, it should be place in one of the eleven positions of the reading
according to the particular focus of the reading. The following suggestions
may help:
Significator at position 1. Focus on the unifying aspect of the Question.
This is helpful in resolving general confusion.
Significator at position 2. Focus on the energy aspect of the Question.
This is helpful in discovering sources of energy.
Significator at position 3. Focus on the mental aspect of the Question.
This is helpful in resolving general sorts of confusion.
Significator at position 4. Focus on obtaining peace in the matter. This
is helpful also in spiritual problems.
Significator at position 5. Focus on tension aspects of the Question.
This is can be helpful in a moral problem.
Significator at position 6. Focus on living or human aspects of the
Question. This is helpful in discovering one's role.
Significator at position 7. Focus on active emotions. This is helpful in
matters of love or hate.
Significator at position 8. Focus on the practical aspects of the
Question. This is helpful in planning or learning about something.
Significator at position 9. Focus on imagination. This is helpful in
dealing with dreams or in discovering blockages to thought or action.
Significator at position 10. Focus on material aspects of the question.
This is helpful in matters of physical health, safety and all other
physical situations.
Significator at position 11. This avoids focusing on any particular
aspect to the exclusion of any other.
ORDER OF READING
By tradition, one should start at 1 and go in sequence down though 10,
covering any significator in the process. Card number 11 is optional, and
should always be last, if used. This divination method also works well from
10 through 1 or when the cards are put down according to whim.
POSITION 1 --- CROWN
Unity. Protection --- Tests the validity of the question and discloses
the root meaning behind it. Best cards: Aces or the Fool. If a card below
five in the Minor Trumps comes here, stop and reconsider the question. Major
Trumps below XIV are not usually desirable here, except the World Trump.
POSITION 2 --- WISDOM
Power or Active aspect. Discloses the source of energy in the Question
and shows any very basic limits to the use of that energy. Best cards: Twos
or Magician. Minor Trumps below five or Major Trumps below XIV are not
desirable. Best suit: Wands. Worst suit: Coins.
POSITION 3 --- UNDERSTANDING
Thought or Passive Aspect. Discloses the limits of mental ability
involved in the Question and may point out a basic mental strength or weakness
in the matter. Best cards: Threes or High Priestess. If Minor Trumps below
five or Major Trumps below Temperance come here, problems with time may be
suggested.
POSITION 4 --- MERCY
Higher Love or Faith. Refers to optimistic or positive attitude if
favorable. Can also disclose matters of luck, happiness, generosity and
casual friendships. Examines relationships with strangers and casual
contacts. Best cards: Fours and Empress.
POSITION 5 --- SEVERITY OR JUSTICE
Higher Law or Morals. Relates details about aims and goals in thinking,
acting and advising. Examines self-set standards. If positive, this position
points to particular strengths of character and indicates a firm will. If
negative, this position usually refers to guilt or other moral confusion.
Best cards: Fives and Emperor.
POSITION 6 --- BEAUTY
Life or purpose. This gives a general measure of the quality of life and
fulfillment of a useful role in society or in a family. This position may
also help to clarify what part one can best play in life or it may indicate
specific need for improvement. Best cards are sixes and the Hierophant.
POSITION 7 --- VICTORY
Lower Love or Hope. Discloses information about love between people,
places or things. This position also refers to the natural environment and
the home as an environment. Best cards include the Sevens, Lovers and most of
the Minor Trumps below five. Minor Trumps above five are not exactly negative
in this place, but they may signal and excessively romantic nature or a
similar tendency to misery.
POSITION 8 --- GLORY
Lower Law or Order. Discloses practical aspects, especially validity or
chance of success of plans for action. Best cards are Eights and the Chariot.
Minor Trumps above six in this position indicate problems in "getting down to
earth."
POSITION 9 --- FOUNDATION
Dream or Imagination. Discloses keys to understanding dreams. Locates
blocks on the imagination. If negative, may indicate a particular error in
judgment. Best cards are Nines and Justice.
POSITION 10 --- KINGDOM
World or the question as a whole. This position discloses details of the
matter as it appears physically. If the question deals with an event to occur
in the physical world, this card will indicate success or failure. If the
question is not about a specific physical matter, this card describes the
physical aspect that corresponds to it. Best cards are Tens, Aces, Hermit and
World. If a number card from 2 to 5 appears here, the reading is not
favorable in terms of lasting results. Court Cards in this position often
refer to people having the age, sex and temperament shown on the card. Swords
usually indicate unfinished work.
REVERSALS
There are many ways to read reversed cards, and all such methods can be
applied in this layout. There is a traditional way of dealing with a reversal
on a Tree of Life reading: When a card is reversed in this layout, it may be
considered to show a fault. A card right side up shows a virtue. In Qabalah,
such inversions are known as "Qlipot" and are considered most serious for the
positions numbered 10 through 7 in this layout. Above 7, such reversals are
not likely to be important unless the question deals with a spiritual matter.
POSITION 11 --- KNOWLEDGE
This is the Secret or Hidden Key. If you can't figure out the meaning of
the reading, and putting cards over previous cards in positions 1 to 10
doesn't help, put one here and compare it to all the others in turn. If a
reversed card comes in this position, try reversing all the other cards. A
reversed card in position 11 may also warn of interference with the reading.
THE TETRACTYS of PYTHAGORAS & extension
--- var. by Bill Heidrick
.------------.
:1. :
:Significator:
: or :
: Basis :
: of :
: Question :
: :
: :
.------------.
.------------. .------------.
:2. : :3. :
: Active : : Passive :
: Aspect : : Aspect :
: or : : or :
: Near : : Near :
: Future : : Past :
: : : :
: : : :
.------------. .------------.
.------------. .------------. .------------.
:4. : :5. : :6. :
: Current : : Counter : : Issue :
: or : : or : : or :
: Desire : : Opposition : : Compromise :
: : : : : :
: : : : : :
: : : : : :
: : : : : :
.------------. .------------. .------------.
.------------. .------------. .------------. .------------.
:7. : :8. : :9. : :10. :
: Fire : : Air : : Water : : Earth :
: or : : or : : or : : or :
: Focus : : Activity : : Situations : : Things :
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : :
: : : : : : : :
.------------. .------------. .------------. .------------.
INTRODUCTION
This divination pattern can be sued as a separate reading or it can be
built up from a particular card in a previous reading. Although the basic
Tetractys includes only cards one through ten, additional rows of cards can be
laid down until all 78 cards have been placed. Suggestions for the meanings
of additional rows follow the basic instructions.
THE QUESTION
This depends on the use to which this divination mode is put. If it is
an extension of a previous reading, the question is the same as that of the
previous reading, modified by the particular card of that reading that acts as
the significator for the Tetractys.
If this reading mode is performed separately from any previous reading,
the question should be chosen as in any normal manner of Tarot reading.
SIGNIFICATOR
This card should be placed in position one. No card is placed on top of
it.
Row One:
Position One: The Significator. If no significator is chosen, the first
cards states the basis or purpose of the reading.
Row Two:
Position Two: Active aspect. A general view of the trend toward changes
in the future.
Position Three: Passive aspect. A general view of the limitations
imposed by the past.
Row Three:
Position Four: Current. A more particular view of the motives and
desires at work in producing the future.
Position Five: Counter. A more particular view of the restrictive
feelings that oppose change.
Position Six: Issue. The resolution of Current and Counter forces that
will be found in the future.
Row Four:
Position Seven: Fire. The spiritual, mental and emotional Forces that
are involved in the question.
Position Eight: Air. The mental, emotional and physical Activities that
are involved in the question.
Position Nine: Water. The spiritual, mental and emotional Situations
that are experienced in the question.
Position Ten: Earth. The mental, emotional and physical Gestalts,
Entities and Things involved in the matter.
EXTENSION OF THE READING
If a Fifth Row of five cards is placed under the fourth row, these
meanings are suggested:
Position Eleven: Material Forces that are to be managed.
Position Twelve: Material Situations to be experienced.
Position Thirteen: (placed last in the center) Mental Awareness of the
Things, etc. shown by cards 11,12,14,15.
Position Fourteen: Material Activities that will occur.
Position Fifteen: Material Things that will be found.
Additional rows can be laid down after the fifth one. These can be
interpreted according to the understanding of the reader, or some of the
following ideas may be used:
Row Six; Sixteen through Twenty-one: Matters relating to the six
directions of Above, Below, East, West, North and South. The interpretation
will follow from the original question (travel, weather, etc.)
Row Seven; Twenty-two through Twenty-eight: Matters relating to the seven
ancient planets or to the seven human ages from birth to death.
Row Eight; Twenty-nine through Thirty-six: Effect on the world during the
seven human ages and the extra years allotted (alternatively, number 36 can
represent what is remembered after the end of life).
Row Nine; Thirty-seven through Forth-five: Three cards each for
childhood, adulthood and parentage or lasting work.
Row Ten; Forty-six through Fifty-five: The attainments in the ten
consciousness levels of the Tree of Life throughout life or for a period
stated in the question.
Row Eleven; Fifty-six through Sixty-six: The eleven most painful moments
of life or difficulties to be overcome in the next eleven months.
Row Twelve; Sixty-seven through Seventy-eight: The twelve most happy
moments of life or the goals to be pursued in this month and each of the next
eleven months or the year.
#4 FREE STYLE MANDALA --- suggestions & ideas
by Bill Heidrick
.---. Place a card to start.
: 1 : This can be the significator or any other idea related
.---. card.
.---. Place at least two cards next.
: 2 : These represent a pair of opposites, such as: Love & Hate,
.---. Male & Female, Conscious & Unconscious, Past & Future,
.---. Day & Night, Desire & Dislike, or any pairs that help
: 1 : answer the question.
.---.
.---.
: 2 :
.---.
.---. Continue placing pairs of cards about
.---. : 2 : .---. the center to explore the question.
: 4 : .---. : 3 : This example show four pairs, but
.---. .---. There is no need to stop there.
.---. .---. .---.
: 5 : : 1 : : 5 :
.---. .---. .---.
.---. .---.
: 3 : .---. : 4 :
.---. : 2 : .---.
.---.
.---. Next, place another set of
: 6 : pairs outside the first set.
.---. .---. .---. These can represent future
: 8 : : 7 : aspects of the original
.---. .---. .---. pairs. For example, if
.---. : 2 : .---. pair # 4 examined Love &
: 4 : .---. : 3 : Hate, pair # 8 would
.---. .---. show the development of this
.---. .---. .---. .---. .---. in the future.
: 9 : : 5 : : 1 : : 5 : : 9 :
.---. .---. .---. .---. .---.
.---. .---.
: 3 : .---. : 4 :
.---. : 2 : .---.
.---. .---. .---.
: 7 : : 8 :
.---. .---. .---.
: 6 :
.---.
Ideas: Try six pairs (12 cards) to form a Zodiac or a year of months.
For comparison Tarot readings between two or more people,
places, actions, choices, ideas, etc. Try this:
.---. The pairs of cards marked "A"
.---. : A : .---. are from one of the people, choices,
: B : .---. : B : etc. and those marked "B" are the
.---. .---. same subject pairs fro the other.
.---. .---. .---. The center card is a common significator
: A : :A&B: : A : or can represent a simple resolution
.---. .---. .---. of the differences between these
.---. .---. two people, choices, etc.
: B : .---. : B : Other cards can be placed over or
.---. : A : .---. across these to investigate further
.---. or test interrelating matters.
Any pattern can be used, .-. .-.
if it is symmetrical. .-. .-. .-. .-.
Experiment with triplets .-. --> .-. .-. .-.
(Beginning, Middle, End) .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-.
and other patterns. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-.
.-.
GOLDEN DAWN STYLE TAROT DIVINATION
PART I
---- modified version by Bill Heidrick
The Golden Dawn method of divination by Tarot is a long and involved
process. For difficult matters, the entire G.'. D.'. procedure can be
followed with advantage. For minor questions, individual parts of this method
suffice. The divination method incorporates several tests of the validity of
the reading. When these tests show that the reading is missing it's point,
the reading can either be stopped and reattempted at a later time or the
reading can go ahead with recognition that a different aspect of the original
question is to be explored.
Preparation and First Operation:
Obtain a significator for the person asking the question.
Replace this significator in the pack and have the Querent shuffle the
deck.
Have the Querent cut the cards.
Cut them again yourself, placing the four resulting piles of cards in a
row.
The first pile on your right represents the general significance of
Wands; the second represents the general significance of Cups; the third pile
is like Swords; the fourth pile is like Coins.
Look through the piles one-by-one until you come to the pile with the
significator chosen at the start of this divination. Put aside the remaining
three piles of cards. They will not be used in this operation.
At this point, a test of the validity or direction of the reading is
made. To perform this test, take note of which of the original four piles cont
ained the significator.
If the significator came from the first pile, the question should relate
to abstractions and matters of a major importance in life. The Golden Dawn
further limited this by requiring the matter to be related to "work or
business" or some similar "purpose in life" matter.
If the significator came from the second pile, the only question that can
be answered in this reading is one regarding the higher emotions and
fantasies. The Golden Dawn further limited this to matters of "love, marriage
or pleasure" or similar matters that delight the spirit when they proceed as th
ey should.
If the significator was found in the third pile, the reading must deal
with matters of a practical or active sort. The Golden Dawn tended to
describe these things rather negatively as "trouble, loss, scandal,
quarreling". This merely means that the matter must be such as to involve the
lower emotions and thoughts. All down-to-earth or practical matters involve a
certain amount of tension when they are in the works.
If the significator appeared in the fourth pile, the reading must dwell
on material matters only. The Golden Dawn included "money, goods" and
generally anything that can be considered a place or possession.
If the significator is in a pile that doesn't seem to relate to the
question, stop and try again later. Alternatively, the question might be
rephrased to see what will turn up.
Spread the cards out in a circle with the significator at the top of the
circle.
Count the cards, using the point system given below (this step is
optional). This can be done either to obtain one number of special
significance for the whole reading at this operation or for the purpose of
getting a number divination on each card. If the latter method is desired,
start counting in the direction in which the figure on the significator is
looking. If you can't make out the direction, start to the left of the
significator. The numbers obtained in this fashion are useless unless you
have some way of relating to number mysticism or the question has a number
(length of time, amount of money, etc.) involved in it.
Point method:
Kings, Queens and Knights count 4.
Pages count 7.
Aces count 11.
Number minor card count according to their actual value.
Elemental Trumps count 3 (Fool, Hanged Man and Judgment).
Planetary Trumps count 9 (Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Wheel of
Fortune, Tower, Sun and World).
Zodiacal Trumps count 12 each (the rest of the Major Trumps).
At this point in the operation, you are ready to obtain the divination.
This is done in two stages. The whole focus should be on figuring out what is
involved in the question at the present time and in the recent past. Later
operation in the Golden Dawn system deal with further developments.
First stage: Go around the circle and tell a story based on what you have
learned to this point and on the placement of the cards. The card-by-card
reading should start in the direction that the figure on the significator
faces, or start to the left of the significator if there is no particular
direction determined by he significator.
Second state: Fill in the details of the story told in the first stage by
making pairs of cards to either side of the significator. Do this by first
taking the pair of cards next to the significator, then the pair of cards one
away from the significator on both sides, then the pair two away, etc.
If this is to be a single reading rather than a part of a larger reading,
the card or pair of cards farthest from the significator can be take to
represent the future of the question.
The Second Operation.
As for the first operation:
Obtain a significator for the person asking the question.
Replace this significator in the pack and have the querent shuffle the
deck.
Have the querent cut the cards.
Cup them again yourself, placing the four resulting piles of cards back
together to form one pile.
Now for this operation:
Deal the pack of cards into twelve stacks. These will represent either
the twelve houses of astrology or the Zodiac.
These are the general meanings of the 12 stacks:
1st. The person asking the question.
2nd. The financial situation of that person.
3rd. Relatives, short journeys, writings, mental tendencies and powers.
4th. Father, home, environment, domestic affairs, real estate
generally.
5th. Children, love affairs, pleasure and speculation.
6th. Sickness, employers, services, food, clothing, health, pets.
7th. Partnerships, marriage, legal matters, public dealings and
difficult relationships.
8th. Death, spiritualistic experiences, legacies, financial matters in
business and marriage.
9th. Long journeys, distant places, philosophy, education, dreams and
psychic matters generally.
10th. Profession, honor, reputation, mother, employer, government
matters.
11th. Friends, associations, expectations.
12th. Unexpected problems, hidden matter, limitations and institutions
of limitation, secret societies, magic(k) and large animals.
Either use only the pile with the significator (a test of the desired
direction of the reading) or all the cards in accordance with their meanings
with reference to the question. Use a circular spread as in the first
operation.
The Third Operation
This operation is very nearly the same as the second. The essential
difference is the use o the Signs of the Zodiac instead of the Houses. There
are definite advantages to be gained from the use of both the second and third
operations. The method (2nd operation) of using the Houses is less definite
in its results than that using the Signs (3rd operation). The second
operation can be viewed as an approach to the full reading that begins to
unfold only with the third operation.
To begin the third operation:
Obtain a significator for the person asking the question. If possible,
emphasize a Zodiacal sign in the choice of significator. One of the twelve
Major Trumps which correspond to signs of the Zodiac can be used. A Minor
Trump or Court Card can be chosen for its relationship to an aspect of the
question or for its prominence in the chart of the person asking the question.
Replace this significator in the pack and have the querent shuffle the
deck.
Have the querent cut the cards.
Cut them again yourself, placing the four resulting piles of cards back
together to form one pile.
The Third Operation:
Deal the pack of cards into twelve stacks. These will represent the
twelve Signs of the Zodiac.
A test is usually not desired at this point. Find the significator and
consider the stack it's in as the dominant sigh. Examine the other stacks
according to interest. The stacks that contain Major Trumps that match the
correspondence between Zodiacal sign and stack position are like conjunctions
in a chart. Use the ideas relating to other aspects. Consider Trumps
corresponding to planets as being like the planets transiting the sign of the
particular stack.
Read the important stacks in a circular manner, as before.
The Fourth Operation.
To begin the operation:
Obtain a significator for the person asking the question.
Replace this significator in the pack and have the querent shuffle the
deck.
Have the querent cut the cards.
Cut them again yourself. Restore the cuts to make a single pile of all
the cards.
Turn the cards over one at a time, placing each card on the bottom of the
deck as it is turned up from the top. Continue doing this until you reach the
significator. Place the significator on the reading surface. Place the next
thirty-six cards around the significator in a circle.
Read these 36 cards as the individual decans of the zodiac. The card
nearest the top is the first decan of Aries. Major Trumps appearing in this
array are either statements or aspect to signs in the zodiac or Planets in the
particular decan. If the querent's ascendant is known, consider it the
ascendant in this reading. if the ascendent at the time of the reading in
known, use it instead. If neither of these is available, pick up the
significator card. Hold it several feet above the circle and droop it. The
card nearest to it can be considered the start of the first house for the
reading.
If more people are involved, the remaining pack can be used to get one
more spread of this type and the astrology of synergy can then be applied.
The remaining cards can be used a clues to unlocking the secret of these two
patterns.
The Fifth and Final operation.
to begin the operation:
Obtain a significator for the person asking the question. It may be best
to chose the significator as "that card which best represents the querent's
opinion of him or her self.
Replace this significator in the pack and have the querent shuffle the
deck.
Have the querent cut the cards.
Cut them again yourself. Restore the cuts to make a single pile of all
the cards.
Deal this pile out in the form of the 1
Tree of Life diagram. The pattern is shown 3 2
at right ------------------------------------> 5 4
6
Find the significator. The particular 8 7
pile in which it is found represents the true 9
level of consciousness in the querent regarding 10
the question of the reading. If the reading is
an open one (no specific question), the pile with
the significator represents the chief level of self aware consciousness of the
querent. It may be wise to have the querent guess which pile contains the
significator before looking for it. The guessed pile, if wrong, represents a
mistaken self opinion. If the querent guesses right, valid self knowledge.
Spread the cards in the pile with the significator in a circle or other
pattern to facilitate detailed reading. The other piles, though less
important, can be read for further information.
Meanings of the ten piles:
1. Unity. Existential awareness.
2. Wisdom. Power flows, energy and freedom.
3. Understanding. Mental limits and abilities. Ideals.
4. Higher Emotions. Peace, religion, security, wealth.
5. Higher Reason. Force, will, moral limits, temper.
6. Life Perspective. Purpose, home, happiness.
7. Lower Emotions. Love and hate, art, pleasure.
8. Lower Reason. Skills, business, education.
9. Fantasy. Hole and fear, physical health, drives.
10. Earth. Talents, physical limits, luck and accident.
HOW TO HANDLE DIFFICULTIES IN TAROT READING
Some suggestions by Bill Heidrick.
When is a Reading Difficult?
Most readings present no unusual problems. Once the reader has gained a
little experience, the usual fears and doubts that plague the beginner fade
away. Sometimes these doubts return no matter how experienced the reader. It
is in these special cases of difficulty that special methods must be used.
There is a temptation for a reader to surround each divination with elaborate
ritual. Such ritual can be pleasant in itself, but it should not be viewed as
necessary all the time. To read the cards only with the greatest of lengthy
warmup is to be like the person who refused to take the trainer wheels off his
bicycle long after learning to ride.
In the following pages, several distinct types of reading difficulty will
be examined and solutions suggested. Some of these solutions are just common
sense, but a few are ritual methods that reach below the mental levels of the
self-aware mind.
Problem one: HOSTILE CLIENTS
The solution here is simple. Don't read for the client! If you must
read, read for yourself. Some people, especially at public gatherings and the
like, don't want a reading so much as to inflict their prejudices sadistically
upon the reader. Most people are impartial or even eager, but there are
always going to be psychopathetic debunkers around. When you get one of
these, you may not be able to contact them directly through the cards. All
their energy is directed to and/or against you. So, read for yourself. The
telepathic link to the hostile client will insure that most of the resulting
reading makes sense to the client. If it is a fee situation, don't insist on
payment; but look sad instead. You will probably feel that way automatically.
The hostile client will be satisfied, and nice people nearby will come to
console you by having their cards read. Mysterious are the ways of the god
Thoth.
Problem two: SCARED CLIENTS
There are several distinct types: Bashful --- no real problem, just
suggest that they don't have to have a reading if they don't want one, and
most of them will suddenly want a reading. Paranoid --- calm them down by
gentle talk first. NEVER insist on a reading or on being paid for one. Just
be kind; and if such people want a reading, they will eventually tune in.
Worried --- if it's a case of the client "knowing" in advance what the cards
are going to say, only the most formal and elaborate preparations will result
in a true reading. The "knowledge" in the mind of the client will imprint
itself on the reading in total disregard for past or future. See the methods
recommended below for special types of blockage. It helps to find out what
the client expects and talk it out. This last technique may remove the false
"knowledge" for the time necessary to do the reading.
Problem three: INDIFFERENT CLIENTS
Have them go through the deck several times to pick out a significator
card. This will imprint the cards on the mind of the client or clients,
especially if all the cards have interesting pictures like the Waite or
Crowley decks. Try to scare the client a little by looking straight into the
client's eyes or by making obscure eye movements and breathing oddly --- not
too much, just enough to make the client unconsciously anxious enough to be
more empathetic.
Problem four: ZERO FEEDBACK
Many people expect the reader to do the whole thing. This is good in a
way, because it is what separates the serious readers from the dabblers. A
serious reader will find out what the client wants somehow. An awareness of
body language helps. A touch of sadness in the voice will often get the
client a little more involved. Don't read rapidly for such people and stay
away from details. A client who asks no questions usually fails to
concentrate on anything in particular. Such clients often fantasize vaguely,
and their fantasies have a way of creeping into the reading as false leads.
It is often best to explain to a client at the beginning that a verbally
expressed question helps to establish rapport and frees the psychic powers of
the reader to the task of doing the reading. In extreme cases say: "I can
read to discover your question or to answer your question. Which do you
wish?" If all else fails, ignore the presence of the client, do not look the
client in the eyes, and lose yourself in the cards.
Problem five: "I ALWAYS GET THE SAME READING"
This means that the client has a definite problem with a definite and
know solution. The person just isn't able to accept the message of the cards.
A reading for such a person will automatically get the same result time after
time like a scratched record. Redirect the question so that it becomes
something like "how can this deadlock be broken?"
Problem six: READING FOR YOURSELF
This is often the most difficult thing to do. Use the ideas below to
elaborate your warmup rituals. Some people find that it helps to be slightly
drunk or full to the ears with coffee, tobacco, etc. The best and simplest
way to read for yourself is to read for other people. Every reading expresses
the overlap of the aura of the reader and the client. What comes out always
applies in part to the reader as well as to the client. Two readers can read
for each other as a regular practice, providing they don't see too much of
each other from day to day.
Problem seven: SOMEONE WHO DEMANDS TO KNOW THE REAL FUTURE
For the amateur, this is a moral problem. The client obviously doesn't
know what a Tarot reading is, that it can at best reach out toward a probable
future and show the forces that are involved in the past and present. Such a
client should be reasoned with until a better attitude comee out. If the
client gets hostile, read or go away. Such a reading will usually summon in a
little instant karma for all concerned. To attempt to tell someone their
certain future is to attempt to enslave them.
For a professional reader, this client thinks like a member of the bunko
squad. Act accordingly.
Problem eight: VAGUENESS
This is a case of poor concentration. Use a formal preparation ritual
and a long reading layout (as many as all 78 cards). It's also a help to
further define the reason for doing the reading.
Problem nine: A DEMAND FOR DEFINITE INFORMATION
Next to problem six, this is the hardest type of reading. Warmup ritual
and long reading layouts are helpful. Remember that a definite answer
requires a definite question. This kind of reading is a sort of squeeze of
the mysteries. If you don't ask a lawyer's question, you are apt to be given
a lying answer. The worst of these are matters of personal identification, of
time and of definite issue of certain events. For a matter regarding time,
choose significators that have a Saturnian correspondence. For a thief, a
Mercurial significator. For wealth, Jovian. For the significance of dreams,
Lunar. To identify an innocent person, Solar significators are useful (Sun
Trump, Strength Trump, 5,6,7 of wands, etc.)
Avoid Delphic traps: e.g., don't just say that the next number card gives
the time to the event. Pull a card for the tens of years, the years, the
months, days, etc. An unnumbered card can be taken as zero.
Problem ten: "THIS IS MY FIRST READING"
This is no problem.
Problem eleven: RELIGIOUS ASSAULT
There are misguided folk who seek to entrap others to their view of god.
These may ask for a reading only to insult the intelligence of the reader by
asserting a religious condemnation. Others will come forward bluntly with:
"Do you know that those cards are the Devil's?" It is important to realize
that these people are probably invincibly ignorant. Do not attempt to defend
the cards or your practice beyond a few simple remarks. Amuse yourself with
discussion of their religion from the standpoint of your religion if you are
comfortable with that. In the extreme situation, "testify" for a god chosen
at random in the style of the evangelicals. These cases can be a source of
good stories: Once I was accosted by a "Jesus Freak" as I went into a store.
He made some remark about going to Hell. I countered with; "I don't believe
in hell. I remember my previous incarnations." That stopped him until I
finished my business and came out of the store. He accosted me again with;
"You don't really believe in reincarnation." I kept on walking, but said;
"Don't worry. This is only your first time ..."
It is very important to realize that these people are often sincere.
Some of them are very troubled, and need the prop of their faith. If an
argument of yours makes them forsake their only strength and gives nothing in
return, you have done evil. It is not morally acceptable to take away the
little that one has.
SOME RITUAL AND PROCEDURAL TECHNIQUES
Keep your Tarot cards in a special box or wrapped in silk. Don't let
others touch them anymore than necessary. (This is an excess for most
readers. Do it only if you must.)
Always use the same cloth to read your cards upon. Use it for no other
purpose. (This is also an excess, but it's nice to dedicate a piece of cloth
as a sort of "portable magical circle".)
Prepare through the use of breathing exercises, TM, Yoga, thoughts of
home, a favorite deity or anything else that works for you. Experiment to get
the right personal system.
Avoid reading from the same deck too many times in a row. Have several
decks and use them in rotation. (An excess, banishment and shuffling
techniques can make this unnecessary.)
Take a longer time to pick out the significator.
Use a group of different reading layouts. Pick the one that fits the
question.
If you have several decks, ask the client to pick the one they like the
best.
Be friendly with the client. Talk about likes and dislikes to establish
psychic contact and empathy.
Use a complex shuffle and cut after each reading. This may include
putting the cards from the old layout into the deck one by one.
Use a formula of speech in a plain tone at strategic points before,
during and after a reading. This may include orientation before the question:
"You can ask a spoken question or a silent one. If you ask a silent question,
the reading will merely reveal your question. If you ask a spoken question,
the reading will focus on answering your question." Before shuffling: "Take
these cards and shuffle them as much as you like. After you have finished,
make three separate face down piles". At each card: "This card is what
Crosses you. It shows the opposition you must face", etc. After the last
card and the sum-up: "Is there any card here that you need more information
about. I can expand the reading with more cards to clarify." It is best to
give a micro reading for each card as it appears, a recapitulation over other
cards at certain points and a projection to a card to come when some obscurity
appears. The final summing up should take the form of stitching these "micro"
readings together and of presenting a unified view. It is always best to lay
the cards down with the bottom edges toward the Client, so that the picture
can be seen readily by the Client --- you should be familiar enough with your
cards to be able to read them when they face away from you. Inverted cards
can be ignored or treated in a variety of ways. Always decide how to use
inverted cards before you begin: no meaning, reverse of the usual meaning,
diminished importance, etc.
Use a prayer or other spiritual device before each reading.
Use a formal banishment after a reading and before the next one. For
example, trace a clockwise circle around the cards. Then trace a
counterclockwise circle and finally another clockwise one. In the center of
this pattern, trace a five pointed star with your hand and will the
distracting influences on the cards to go away.
ocent person, Solar significators are useful (Sun
Trump, Strength Trump, 5,6,7 of wands, etc.)
Avoid Delphic traps: e.g., don't just say that the next number card gives
the time to the event. Pull a card for the tens of years, the years, the
months, days, etc. An unnumbered card can be taken as zero.
Problem ten: "THIS IS MY FIRST READING"
This is no problem.
Problem eleven: RELIGIOUS ASSAULT
There are misguided folk who seek to entrap others to their view of god.
These may ask for a reading only to insult the intelligence of the reader by
asserting a religious condemnation. Others will come forward bluntly with:
"
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