Insight or New Age Woo-Woo and Unicorns?

"A ritual is the enactment of a myth. And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth. And since myth is a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by participating in a ritual, participating in the myth, you are being, as it were, put in accord with that wisdom"
~ Joseph Campbell

Over the years I've come to love Tarot more deeply and it fits very well with my creative personality as a visual artist and because I also love to write. Tarot  lends itself to story telling or myth which directly relates to the subject matter of my art work.

There isn't anything I dislike about tarot. I do however find that the misconceptions, skepticism, and deception that surrounds Tarot very frustrating. The Major and Minor Arcana cards of the Tarot are not responsible for this but is attributed to those individuals doing the reading.

I sometimes find myself having to explain just what Tarot reading is, because generally speaking I don't think the average person understands Tarot and what to expect from a reader. I certainly don't mind providing a clear explanation. However it is disconcerting when I meet those who've had negative experiences after having had a reading done.

I've met people that have had unscrupulous readers tell them untruths, half truths or out and out lies. This is both disturbing and hurtful to those entrusting a stranger to supposedly give them some insight,clarity and guidance.

First and foremost a reader's responsibility and the foundation principle of a Tarot reader's philosophy, and what is paramount is to do no harm. For example, to tell someone there is going to be a death, or some other kind of foreboding bad news is not kosher, period! The individual having a reading done should be left with a positive feeling with some insight and clarification of whatever issue they have relating to the question they've asked.

Yes their are those who will present themselves and Tarot as some kind of what I call magical New Age Woo-Woo. But their are those Tarot readers who are principled with great integrity, who hold the Tarot reading as a kind of sacred covenant of ancient wisdom, much like a ritual and consider it a privilege to read the Tarot cards.

Tarot readers with integrity, are very grateful to be given the gift and the opportunity to read for others. They are perceptive and intuitive em-paths, not so-called fortune tellers, and do no harm.

I'm no fan of the description "New Age", because as a Tarot reader, what I do is not new, but very old, very ancient, dating back to the 11th century. I also tend to think the concept of New Age is more confusing than clarifying to the average person.

I'm not implying that there aren't those who have psychic abilities or who are even visionaries, or mystics. What I'm saying is that it's not a prerequisite to being a Tarot reader, but a sense of humour is, along with intuition, perception, having a love and appreciation of humanity, with a good supply of humility are all essential, minus all the Woo-Woo and the unicorns!


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The Hermit - The Way to Wisdom

Normally when I draw a card each day I don't usually ask a question. I do pay attention to how the card relates to my life and perhaps to what is going on around me. Tonight I asked a closed question, which really doesn't lead to a very clear answer and opposed to an open ended question. What I think my psyche was really asking, was how to find the way to wisdom, and this is what my answer directly related to.

Often when it comes to reading the Tarot we might not like the answers revealed relating to our question. We want a happily ever after scenario, which is magical thinking and not realistic.

This was the case today when I pulled The Hermit in hopes I'd get an answer that I wanted to hear as opposed to what I actually needed to hear. This card is the image of The Fool's last moral lesson. Here is the mythic image of Cronos, who's name means time, carries the lamp of insight and understanding that has come from loneliness and patient waiting, which The Hermit card implies.

The lesson and the gift of patience with the limitations of our mortal life and with solitude, comes self-discovery and then comes acceptance. This is the way to wisdom.

There is no crystal ball into the future, and I'm sure as heck not a psychic. I think often times we know the answers to many of our questions before we even ask, but we often need to see a kind of tangible clarity that lies within the archetypal meaning of the cards, reflecting our present situation, and what's going on within our psyche.

We can't always get what we want, but I do believe we get what we need, and this will help us to find the way to wisdom. The Hermit's lamp is the beacon of light in the dark, pointing us in the right direction along our path.





Then flash the wings returning summer calls
Through the deep arches of her forest halls.
–Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841–1935)

A Day of Tarot Reading with a Gaggle of Great Gals

Last week I had the very great pleasure of gathering in a beautiful house, that had been very graciously offered for me to give a full day of Tarot readings to group of six wonderful women whom I so enjoyed spending the day with reading their cards. 

Reading Tarot cards is so much about connecting with people, whom most times you don't know, and I find it to be such a rewarding experience involving a deep exchange of thoughts, ideas, and feelings leaving me rejuvenated and happy. It's always my purpose to leave individuals I read for feeling the same.

Over the past eight plus years of learning, and studying about Tarot as a reader, I have found it to be a very positive and satisfying experience for my clients and I have received some wonderful generous feedback, with one or two exceptions to the rule. This always had to do with those requesting readings were in fact not open to having a reading done which made me wonder why they made the request in the first place as they were very closed off, and it was reflected in their readings.

The cards never let me down in providing insight that reflects our most profound conflict, needs and aspirations, both to me and to the individual I am reading for, be it face to face or online. Often during face to face readings there are always some laughs and/or sometimes tears shed, and as Joni Mitchell's song says, crying and laughing are the same important and normal release.

Whenever I have to opportunity to give a reading, it enables me to take the opportunity to educate others and clarify exactly what Tarot is, and what it is not. There are so many misconceptions, misunderstandings and falsehoods that are perpetuated about Tarot, that it has become a very significant part of my own personal mission to dispel these, so individuals can receive the optimal and greatest benefit from their individual Tarot reading, and that I am able to provide for them some tools of discernment that will help them to know the difference between a good reader and one that is lacking.

Nothing bothers me more, than when I hear people tell me the first and last reading they had was one in which their Tarot reader had given them news of an impending death or other bad news.

The ethical reader would never, ever do this, as the first and foremost ethic of the Tarot reader is to do no harm, and to make it clear to the client just how Tarot cards works.

Tarot will give insight into personal growth, increase confidence in decision making, or in other areas of our lives, and can enable personal transformation.


"The way Tarot ' works ' in a predictive sense is as a kind of mirror of the psyche. The archetypal nature of the images strikes hidden, unconscious chords in the card reader, and reflects unknown knowledge or insight in relation to the client's situation-thus apparently revealing things which could not possibly, in any rational way, be dis-cover-able. This is why ' clairvoyant ' or psychic ' powers are not a prerequisite for a sensitive reader, but rather, an awareness of the archetypal patterns or currents at work in life reflected by the images on the cards."

Tarot can reveal where you are presently, how you got there and where to best focus your energy, and we will explore opportunities for clearing obstacles and meeting challenges on your path by focusing on and activating your natural abilities and capacities.

The Hermit - Who's In Charge of Your Attitude?

Generally my attitude toward life is to know I am blessed, especially because I see how much I have to be grateful for. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I can feel like, well what my late husband use to describe feeling like re-fried shit, and needless to say, on those days my positive attitude can be lacking, if not non-existent.You get the picture.

There are also many days when I feel really blessed, especially when I know the universe and the God of my understanding provides a day of synchronicity and where I get the clear message that whispers to me, "you are blessed." I love those days!

This is the kind of day I had today.  My day started with learning about Charles Swindoll. Actually with Marie Forleo, who told me about Charles Swindoll.  He said this. 

"Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it."


" The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. 

Charles Swindoll 

Next thing that happened was I got to do my laundry. I know I must sound like I've gone completely doolally, but no I haven't. Why doing my laundry made me feel so blessed was because for many months I have had some serious plumbing issues, and I haven't been able to get fixed for one reason or another. My sweet neighbour friend Tex that I'd blogged about, who had been on the program Canada's Worst Handyman,  and who had magnificently fixed my plumbing problem. 

I have had a washing machine for some time now, that was very generously given to me. But because of my plumbing issues, I haven't been able to do any laundry, unless at someone else's house. 

Today my friend Tex once again arrived to install more pipes, and to hook up my washing machine! I was never so happy and excited to do laundry in my life! I wasn't able to pay him, but he was thrilled to be given one of my horse portrait oil paintings, an old bike I no longer used, that he was going to give his wife, and a brand new sweet kitty for his little daughter. It made me feel so good, twice blessed really.

So what does this have to do with Tarot? Drawing The Hermit this evening was a confirmation, and an affirmation. The lamp that Cronos, the ancient god, whose name means time, carries the lamp of insight and understanding, gleaned from being alone and having a willingness to patiently wait. With this, comes a wisdom, a developed mind and heart, a firm sense of identity, and a deep respect for one's own limitations. And for the blessing of being in charge of my attitude today, I'm very grateful.

Six of Swords - Open Up - Letting Go - Acceptance

The Six of Swords portrays Orestes, who is determined in reaching his goal. He's impervious to the fact that the waters below are turbulent and rough, with storm clouds on the horizon, making for a difficult passage to his destination.

He stands strong and steadfast upright in his vessel. Of course we all know how dangerous is can be to stand in a boat. I've learned that lesson the last time, while in Newfoundland, as a young student art teacher. I had one foot on a wharf and one foot in the dory. What was I thinking.  Either my art supplies were going in, or I was. I didn't kiss the cod but definitely got a Newfoundland baptism of sorts, as I clung to the slimey wharf in my gumboots, waiting for someone to fetch me out, but the art supplies were dry!

Regardless of the danger Orestes defies the odds. He almost seems to tempt fate with his calm and serene composure. His eyes are fixed, his thought and focus is completely on the island before him, where he knows there are even more challenges that lie ahead, but he is resolute to meet them full on. He appears fearless and bold. Orestes has learned that acceptance of his past, present, and future is what gives real peace of mind and serenity.

The clarity of thought that comes when an individual makes up their mind to seize the day and set their sights on achieving the goal is quiet amazing, when you see the accomplishments made. In spite of the challenges and difficulties that can become obstacles, the determined individual overcomes these, with the right kind of attitude.

This attitude is one of being positive, having the right stuff to endure with resilience and flexibility.

It makes me think of what a wise man once said about embracing our difficulties, struggles and challenges instead of resisting ,and dragging them around. It is when we accept and let go with trust and faith, that our burdens are lessened, and our load is much lighter. We then find an inner strength, resolution, and determination, not in spite of, but because of these challenges, we overcome when we let go. Having a tranquil mind can give us insight and understanding, allowing us to move into the future.

“ You must open up like a flower to this divine force, loosen your hold on earth, its cares, its worries. “ - Look To This Day, Twenty-Four Hours a Day for Everyone

Wild Flowers - Catherine Meyers

Six of Swords - Insight and Understanding

Here we see a man, Orestes the young prince, standing in his boat. Everyone knows you should never stand in a boat because, well we all understand what could happen. But many still do it anyway. He is impervious to the rough, turbulent waters below, and stands stalwart, resolved in his intentions with his eye on the goal to get to that island ahead..

Many years ago I went to the island of Newfoundland to teach art in an extremely remote part of Placentia Bay, an out port called Petite Forte. Only a population of 100 people lived there with the population of one black lab and several wild ponies.

After our long voyage we we finally disembarked onto the wharf from the coastal boat we had to get our art supplies into a dory. While unloading our art supplies we had to get them into the dory to row across to where we would be staying. I was all rigged out with my gumboots and so with a big box in hand I put one foot on the wharf and one foot into the dory. Brilliant. When the dory started moving, I was moving farther from the wharf, with my legs apart. It immediately dawned on me what a stupid thing I'd done. I knew that it was either the art supplies that was going into the drink or it was me. Needless to say our supplies were found very dry and intact, while I clung to the slimy wharf  still in my gumboots that were filled with water. I was very relieved, and happy to still have our much needed supplies intact and had a good laugh over my baptism by fire to this grand place of Petite Forte!
Needless to say I'd learned my lesson, and retained my self-respect and dignity, though perhaps my ego was a little bruised, I could now get on with my adventure.

We need to be brave to face the consequences of our decisions, and sometimes we need to be prepared to be humbled, before our path becomes clear with insight and understanding..

The Star - Hope

The Star is always a welcome card to draw, full of inspiration, possibility, creativity, insight, understanding, and new ideas.

It's lovely to have drawn such a hopeful positive Major Arcana card today.

As I reflect on what hope means and where I have found it, I conclude that hope means everything to me, because there have been many times in my life, when I felt like there was no hope. No hope for happiness. It was for others, but was elusive to me.

In 1994 I finally came to the realization that I was responsible for my own happiness. This gave me hope. Fortunately, I had a belief in the God of my understanding, that also gave me a lot hope, and after learning to care for myself, it I was able to care for others, and to understand hope, which I believe is a spiritual gift given through Grace.

Humility, humour and having a love for all humanity gives me hope.

The great hope I see, that others possess, in spite of having been through so much suffering and adversity, gives me hope.

Appreciating and being grateful for the little things, helps me to maintain hope.

Mostly hope is about trust, persistence, and prayer.

I would love to hear what hope means to you, and what gives you hope.

 “But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time.”
― Jean Vanier, Becoming Human