For years there has been a taboo on discussing death and mortality to clients among tarot readers, but there are times when the subject has to be aired. It happened again to me the other day. Continue reading
Doug Gibb is being interviewed by Donna Leigh on the Tarot
Any system of divination should be alive and dynamic, able to take in new methods and insights. And these insights should make those who already know sit up and take stock. In truth if you are a true student of tarot you should be challenged constantly. A big part of my own studies on the tarot is deconstruction: taking apart what I already know and then re-assembling it to see new insights. I find this happening each time I put up a new video on youtube, which is why there are so many hiatuses on that front.
So here is a case in point regarding Elemental Dignities. The other day, James Ricklef contacted me about his idea for “contra-positive cards”; how to deal with difficult minor cards like the 9 Swords etc using a variation of Elemental Dignities. James uses the opposing element (disks in the case of 9 Swords), and a numerological technique to come up with the balancing card. There was a part of me that had problems with this, and it is not because I was being precious about my ‘baby’. People can and should come up with their own ways of interpreting the tarot using the simple rules of EDs – the more the better. It took me a while to realise what the problem was – for balance, it should be a universal law, not just for difficult cards, and a few days later, James second post addressed those issues and develops his ideas further.
What do you think? How can you develop your own ideas on interpreting the tarot that are universal and balanced?
Just read a great little gem on women who have contributed to the tarot in recent times, by Bonnie Cehovet, including an interview with Catherine Chapman on her experiences writing her first book with me, and her views on where tarot is going.
I uploaded a YouTube video — Prince of Wands in the Thoth Tarot http://youtu.be/ZNtKLm7UVJU?a
There is still an image of tarot readers giving some kind of gypsy reading about ‘what will happen to me?’. When I get that question I invariably reply ‘nothing’. It is what we do that counts, but when there is a crisis of confidence or an unexpected change of direction, then a Tarot reading is very useful. A good tarot reading is empowering and uplifting, and brings energy, insight and inspiration. I see this every day, but I still get such a good feeling when it happens for my clients.
Exploring and understanding exactly what happens in a good tarot reading is not easy to explain, but this is my best attempt so far.
Only a few days to go before the weekend. As ever, I am not exactly sure what I am going to say in my Workshop on Sunday, but I am sure the muse will strike.
A big highlight will be seeing Catherine Chapman again – we only me once after we wrote the book – she drove down to Brighton on the longest day of the year, and it was windy and wet. I am sure the weather will be better this time.
We will both have copies of our book Beyond the Celtic Cross, which means that for the first time ever some lucky person will be the first to have one signed by the both of us.
I am taking the camcorder and I hope to put the results on youtube…
See you there.
At last, the 2nd edition of The Tarot and the Magus is in print. I picked up some copies from my publisher… and they look great. A new cover that will not pick up fingerprints. If you pre-ordered from Aeon, apparently your copy has been sent out.
Apologies for the long wait. It seems that Aeon are using a new printer, which contributed to the delay. Hopefully amazon.com will be stocking it very soon for the USA.
I will be in Birmingham at the TABI Conference on 24th to 25th July. My workshop is on the sunday, so I will be available for tarot readings on Saturday afternoon.
My visits to Birmingham are very rare, so here is a great opportunity! Email or reply to arrange an appointment.
Catherine Chapman has done a brilliant job of demonstrating the tarot techniques of elemental dignities and card counting as first she reads using the Celtic Cross spread, and then the same cards in a string. These techniques form the basis of our book, Beyond the Celtic Cross.
Listening to the radio show I am very impressed with how well Catherine does in demonstrating such a visual medium on the radio.
You can see the tarot spread here. There are lots of good psychological insights demonstrating how tarot is more than fortune telling.
That pigeon was nowhere to be seen at the England v Slovenia game last night. England played better, as we would have expected. I wondered if the USA might suffer at the hands of Algeria, but at the last gasp the USA scored a goal which edged out Slovenia, and ensured they qualified at the top of the table with England. Clearly black magic does not work as Algeria finished bottom without scoring a goal.
As soon as I saw the pigeon sitting on the Algerian goal I knew what was going on – England were going to lose, and lose badly
That pigeon signified black magic mixed with arrogance, and it became clear that there were multiple levels of magical activity. Spirits to ensure the referee was biased to Algeria, boosts to the level of competence of the Algerians, a huge block in front of the Algerian goal, and spirits assigned to every England player.
Paradoxically, the commentator gave it away when he said about ‘the lack of spirit’. In practice before the game, England were totally different. Fortunately, the magicians did not have it all their own way – Algeria did not score, and there were individual examples of Algerian vulnerability and lack of fitness towards the end.
Remember France’s abysmal performance in this World Cup? France still has a massive amount of influence in Algeria – they were colonial rulers, so I would not be surprised if a similar thing was happening.
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I have just listened to my co-author Catherine Chapman being interviewed on the Storm Cestavani Show. The musical intro is very long, so stay with it…
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