Virgins, Unicorns and Fortune Tellers

Gary Larson - Cartoonist

No, I'm not a virgin, not a unicorn, and not a fortune teller!

The point I'm making is, I don't want to represent myself as being something I'm not. The reason this is so important to me being a Tarot reader, is because there is so much misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Tarot and just what it means. I feel very strongly that I have a clear responsibility to those who might be considering having a reading done, clearly understanding what Tarot is, and what it is not. What Tarot IS NOT is fortune telling or being a fortune teller. I loathe this description of Tarot reading and readers. And whenever I hear some refer to Tarot in this way I quickly clarify it for them.

I've also had people relay their own personal experiences with these so called fortune tellers who told them some very negative, disturbing and destructive information. First and foremost the priority of a reader should be to do no harm. So when I hear of people being warned about impending future happenings and the like, I know they've not only been duped and harmed, but need to be told this isn't what Tarot is about.


Discernment is absolutely paramount when deciding to have a reading and you need to feel that you can have confidence in a trustworthy reader. Would you trust any old mechanic to fix your car? I think not. You ask around for an opinion.

So it's important that you do your home work and some investigative research. Find out what other people's experience has been with a Tarot reader, if you can. Do a little home work yourself about Tarot. There are some reputable online experts on the subject. Trust your intuition.

The Way Tarot Works

“ 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 discoverable. 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 exactly where you are right now, how you got there and where to best focus your energy. We'll explore opportunities for clearing obstacles on your path by focusing on and activating your natural abilities and capacities. "

The Mythic Tarot is based on archetypes. Carl Jung defines an archetype as being, " An inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery defined from the past collective experience" (i.e. Artist, Visionary, Goddess, Healer, Lover, Mentor, Rebel and Warrior)

These archetypes reflect a narrative story and mystery that informs our world and nourishes the soul, something that all human beings long for, and gives meaning to our lives.


The Celtic Cross layout is what I use for my readings. It's one the oldest, most popular and effective spreads, covering up to a six month period of time for the questioner. It can be used to answer specific questions or for general advice about the querent's current life path.

There are many things I love about Tarot and being a reader. But mostly it's being able to work with people and experiencing the reward I feel after having the privilege of doing a reading for someone who is genuinely grateful for having gained more insight and clarity into their particular situation and life journey.  

And if you’re so inclined, I invite you to get yourself a reading.

B. "Hap" Kliban - Cartoonist

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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History, Origins and Myths of The Tarot

Before I began to learn about Tarot cards, I had some preconceived notions. Notions about the implications of being a reader, the meanings of the cards, how their meanings were relative to my life, and to the life of others.

In the late 1960s, was the first time I had gone to a reader, in my teens, many years ago, close to my neighbouring, small, Nova Scotian town. My friends and me, nervously anticipated meeting the woman we'd heard about, and whom we thought, was going to " tell our fortune ". She was a very sweet old woman, living all alone in a very old house, a top a steep hill we had slowly and persistently trodden, then to finally reach and enter with trepidation, into her old, dimly lite home, that had that old wood smell.

 We had decided to go and see her, just before leaving for a big road adventure, hitchhiking to visit one my friend's sisters, who lived in the city Ottawa, Ontario. It was going to be a very long trip. I remember only two things about the reading. Sure enough, she first did tell me, I would be going on a trip, which is often the proverbial thing people say they would hear, when going to a so called "fortune teller".  Then next thing she said I thought was ridiculous . She added, "And you are not the world's best packer." I laughed and pondered for this for a minute. I was confused and I couldn't figure out why in the world she would say such a thing.

Finally reaching Ottawa, and once over the initial excitement upon our arrival, now in the big city, I promptly began to unpack the contents of my backpack, only to find very little in the way of everyday clothes, that I should have brought with me. I did bring probably twenty pairs of socks.Why I did that I still haven't figured out. I still have a laugh about this now and again, but I am a much better packer now a days!

I just thought I'd share that little story, however what I really wanted to do is to let you know some of the misconceptions, history and the origins of Tarot.
The link Villa Revak is a great site that does provide a great deal of clarification. It will help you to discern and better understand some of the many preconceived ideas, accuracies and inaccuracies, about Tarot. It is very educational, has a plethora of information, and references to explore.
And if you're going on a trip, just a word to the wise, don't take too many socks.