TwitterTarot

4/14 Community #3card Spread

I twitter. I twitter a lot. A lovely staff member from Weiser Books started pulling a tarot card a day. Many of us offered interpretations. This was begun as an effort to share about Tarot as we all learned together. Our beloved Ankhie 1.0 also instituted a Twitter book club as well as a night card. We now have an Ankhie 2.0 who is a busy lady so the daily Tarot has grown and transformed in lovely ways.

One of those ways is from Continue reading “TwitterTarot”

The Eudaimonia Spread

I argued with Aristotle today. It’s all Joanna Powell Colbert’s fault or maybe it’s Rachel Pollack’s fault. No really!

Eudaimonia, according to Princeton, is a “contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous.” While Aristotle would tell you that it mean “striving toward excellence based on one’s unique talents and potential.” Both are fabulous thoughts, right? I mean who doesn’t want to be in a contented state? However if I examine that old wily Greek’s words a bit more, I see a stumbling block.

Striving.

ari_2Um, excuse me, Mr. wiser Than Athena’s Owl Philosopher Man, doesn’t strive mean WORK? Continue reading “The Eudaimonia Spread”

Arwen On Tarot Connection

Stephanie Arwen Lynch uses the The Hero’s Journey mono-myth as an outline for using tarot to plot novels. The Hero’s Journey is a description of a basic pattern found in many narratives from around the world.

I am thrilled to be a guest on Leisa ReFalo’s Tarot Connections podcast. This is my second time to be on her show. She is a fabulous hostess. If you don’t listen to her podcast, you are missing out on one of the best resources for Tarot enthusiasts.

Episode 94: Tarot for Novel Writing with Stephanie Arwen Lynch

“Stephanie Arwen Lynch uses the The Hero’s Journey mono-myth as an outline for using tarot to plot novels. The Hero’s Journey is a description of a basic pattern found in many narratives from around the world.”

Please give a listen and leave a note. I’d appreciate it.

Tarot Begs The Question

Welcome! You’ve either stumbled across this page or been sent here by me. Use this article to help you formulate your questions in our upcoming session. Don’t have an upcoming session? No worries. Click “work with Arwen” in the menu to set your appointment up.

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You’ve decided that it is time to seek some insight. Maybe you are just ready to explore your own inner landscape but need a guide. One thing that many of us run up against is “What question do I ask?” Let’s pretend you are utilizing one of the free one card reading sites like Free Tarot which is run by the American Tarot Association. DISCLOSURE: I am the past president of the ATA (2007-2014) and also mentor readers on the FTN.You can ask one question but what you say is, “I want to know if Roger is going to ask me to marry him and if I will get a promotion.”

Sneaky sneaky! That’s two questions! I would write back to you and tell you that I could only answer one question. I would also inform you that I don’t do third party readings so I had chosen the question about your promotion.

WHAT? But Arwen! I wanted to know about love more! It was IMPORTAAAAAAAAAAAANT.

Shhh. You’re whining. It’s not pretty.

Ok, so let’s review how to phrase your questions to get the most out of them. One of my favorite questions for one card readings is “What does the Universe want me to know right now?” By using this statement, I’ve done two things. I’ve accessed my Higher Power and I’ve opened myself up to what is most important. Rather than direct the reading, I’m letting the Universe lead.

So that’s all well and good. What if I have a question that is more specific? Can’t I ask that?

Sure you can! And nice job on the not whining! You can still ask about Roger’s intentions but you want to rephrase it. Try it from your angle by asking, “What do I need to know about Roger’s place in my life?” This way you are focusing on how Roger fits into your world and you are not trying to unwrap your presents early or pry into someone else’s thoughts. I mean if you wouldn’t want someone else to do that to you, why would you do it to someone else, right?

Let’s look at some other common questions and ways to put them so you can get the most out of your reading.

“Am I going to get a promotion?” is a yes/no question. Yes/No questions are actually good for one card readings if you only want a one word answer. If you ask me that and I get the Tower, my answer is going to be NO. However, if you asked, “How can I best position myself at work so I can advance” and I pull the Tower, you are going to get a much fuller answer that involves your being very honest with yourself about what you want from this job.

“Should I move?” is yet another yes/no question. I think as human beings we are inclined to want our answers in black and white. Tarot is not a very black and white divination system as I see it. Possibilities and introspection are my approaches. I would work with you to rephrase that question to something closer to “What are my opportunities if I make a major physical move?” I try to be specific about physical because spiritual journeys can be immense.

You want to get as much information as you can, don’t you? Work with your reader to frame the best questions for yourself. When you choose to work with me, I always advise you to ask open-ended questions. My clients will tell you that I am adamant about open-ended questions. To get the most from your consultation, I don’t want you to limit the Universe with simple yes/no answers.

Some good examples of questions are:

1.   What are the most meaningful priorities for me in a relationship at this point in my life?
2.   How do I build trust again?
3.   How do I embrace being alone?
4.   How do I deal with fear, frustration, grief, and anger in relation to past and future relationships?
5.   What should I be looking for in a romantic partner?
6.   What steps should I take towards joy?
7.   What does “home” mean for me now?
8.   How do I need to grow in order to be the best “me” in a relationship?
9.   How do I balance being active in looking for a relationship with letting go, and letting the universe work?

These were questions posed to me recently by one of my clients. This Universe spread gave this client some very frank and very surprising answers. It had a lot to do with how the questions were targeted.

Committed to doing the work? Let’s get started.

Writer? These Universe spreads can be adapted for your characters in your current WIP as well if you want to see where their story is heading. I love working with my fellow authors.

NOTE REGARDING THE TITLE: When one begs the question, the initial assumption of a statement is treated as already proven without any logic to show why the statement is true in the first place.

SPREAD: A Walk In The Woods

One of my favorite Tarot haunts is Aeclectic Tarot. AT and 78Friends both provide me with much needed interaction with other students of Tarot.  I often find really intriguing spreads there from other Tarot enthusiasts who, like me, love to design layouts.

This one was posted October 10, 2005. I found it six days later. It was love at first read. I did this for myself, my partner at that time, her children, our friends–pretty much anyone who wasn’t moving faster than I could shuffle and draw.  I wanted to test it, you see. It simply wasn’t possible that this simple spread was so accurate. I couldn’t believe it.

And I was Continue reading “SPREAD: A Walk In The Woods”

Other Blogs: ATA Reflections

Ok, as you have seen, I have been doing other spots than blogs for my Saturday spotlights. 🙂 I’m keeping the name “Other Blogs” until I think of a more clever (and more encompassing) name.

Tarot publications are few and far between. It’s difficult to stay on schedule and deliver what you have said you will deliver when you have to manage your writers, your production, your readers, etc.  Continue reading “Other Blogs: ATA Reflections”

Tarot & Writing: Loves/Hates Spread

Monkey & A Keyboard
Monkey & A Keyboard

Writing is hard enough without having to pay attention to things like well-rounded characters, right?  If you are working on the NaNoWriMo project, you may agree with that right off the bat. Just getting fifty thousand words down in thirty days is a daunting task. But anyone can do it, right? I mean even a monkey with a keyboard could write a tale! Continue reading “Tarot & Writing: Loves/Hates Spread”

Spread: Fairy Tale Spread — The Ugly Duckling

I shared this spread on Aeclectic Tarot in December of 2005. It is part of my Fairy Tale Spread series.  I have expanded on that spread in this post. This is a deep, introspective Tarot spread that I hope will help you find out things you needed to know. If you would like me to do this reading for you, please feel free to email me.

In the Tale of The Ugly Duckling, we find someone who has Continue reading “Spread: Fairy Tale Spread — The Ugly Duckling”

NaNoWriMo 2008 — Are You Ready? Workshop Announcement

NaNoWriMo 2008 Supporter
NaNoWriMo 2008 Supporter

Look out!

NaNoWriMo starts in less than a month. Are you signed up? Are you thinking about it? If you are, I have some tools for you to help you get started layering 3-D characters, creating believable worlds, structuring compelling plots and more. Continue reading “NaNoWriMo 2008 — Are You Ready? Workshop Announcement”

SPREAD: Life’s Path

Often I am asked “What does life have in store for me?” or “What am I supposed to be doing with my life?” or “I feel stuck right now. Am I on the right path?”

These are questions many of us have even if we don’t ask them outloud. We wonder where we are going and if we really are supposed to get there. I think it’s a combination of societal/family pressures and our own need for assurance. In thinking about this particular area of questioning, I decided I needed a spread more dedicated to offering creative solutions.

I don’t like pat answers. I prefer being given tools that will help me grow. If someone is going to give me everything on a spoon, I am more inclined to whine about the flavor or the temperature than if I got it my own danged self. So this spread is designed with that in mind. How can we work on this tough question for ourselves?

The following spread is an actual reading for an actual client. I will not name this person. You can see how I read for folks and what my process is during an email reading. Phone readings are very similar except I don’t write it all down. The querant is in charge of taking notes. With both I do provide images of the cards so you can see what I am seeing. Sometimes things pop off a card that I don’t pay attention to but mean something to the person I’m reading for.

Life’s Path

1. Where Am I Now? This card is to give you a marker as to where you are on the journey right now. It’s the beginning point.

2. What Is My Primary Motive? Here we take a look at what really moves you in life.

3. What Is My Main Concern? This is to see what your primary anxiety is. What’s bugging you the most?

4. Why Am I Here? This is a lesson card. We need to understand why we’ve chosen to be here. What is the lesson of this moment?

5. Where Am I Supposed To Be? This is not a location card per se. It is a directional card. This is the next step on your path.

6. What Roadblocks Are In My Way?

7. What Tools Am I Not Using? We all have strengths. Some of them we don’t use as much as others. This is something you need to be using more.

8. What Opportunities Are In The Potential Future? Just a heads up on what you could be looking out for.

9. What Is My Life’s Purpose? A big question–this card is geared towards getting you to think about why you might be here.

10. Final Advice? This is the Universe’s last chance in this spread to deliver a message you may be missing.

Reading for X.
9 of Wands World Spirit Tarot Position 1 Five of Swords You are currently hurting mentally. You’ve had a recent battle with friends and family. While you may have made your point, you didn’t win any points with some folks. You could be feeling a bit lost and alone. Ask yourself if you did the right thing? If you had to go back to where you were before you had the fight/disagreement, would you? Or is the pain worth the price? If you feel more free of their negativity, you did the right thing. Don’t let your hurt drag you into a victim’s mentality. Realize that some battles must be fought even when you know you are going to be hurt. It’s for your own good–like a vaccination against drama.
9 of Swords  World Spirit Tarot Position 2 Nine of Swords Well, now, two swords right off the bat tell me you are in a very mental place. You may be doing a great deal of what I call “tail chasing” which means you are whirling in one spot getting nothing done. Looks like nightmares and anxieties are a daily battle for you. This is not a good motive, is it? Or is it? It is if you recognize that these anxieties have only the energy you give them. It is a good motive if you understand that you need to stand up and move away from these negative energies plaguing you. The good news is that you are over analyzing what’s wrong right now. Focus on what’s working!
Heirophant World Spirit Tarot Position 3 Nine of Wands This is an interesting card because it plays into the first card. Here we have someone feeling like they need to be on the defensive more than a little. See how tightly that flaming staff is being gripped? Loosen up! Your main concern is defending yourself. Sometimes the best defense is a bit of offense. Instead of waiting for it to come to you, how about you going to it or them? You have action on your side in those flames so maybe you need to be a bit more aggressive here.
Heirophant World Spirit Tarot Position 4 Heirophant This is the lesson of the moment, remember. The Heirophant, also the Pope in many decks, represents societal boundaries and rules for me. He is the card that has to be obeyed. I associate this card with Saturn which is the planet of boundaries and social standards. So you have to decide what your lesson is right now. Is it play by the rules in front of you and be accepted on their terms? Or is it make your own rules and deal with the consequences that freedom can bring?
Seer of Cups World Spirit Tarot Position 5 Seer of Cups Emotional messages here,X. This is the page of cups in most decks and represents intuition and knowledge from unusual sources. It would seem that you need to be using your own intuitive skills more. Do you draw? Write? Sing? Let your artsy side out. Allow your subconscious to have a voice through some medium that you love. Page of Cups means look for the message of love. You need to be where you are loved.
8 of Swords World Spirit Tarot Position 6 8 of Swords So for the roadblocks we are back to swords again. You have a perilous journey to make. Your roadblocks are, unfortunately, of your own making. She is bound and blindfolded as she tries to navigate a dark path strewn with sharp blades. And she’s barefoot! Remember that each negative thought you give voice to more than once becomes a sword on your path. Eliminate any negative self-talk. Replace it with positive mantras like “I can do this” and “I deserve this” and you will see a difference. This is a tough roadblock, X, but I know you can get through this!
Seer Of Wands World Spirit Tarot Position 7. Seer of Wands I love this card! This Page is a young, athletic woman who has a leopard by her side. She is ready to take action. Are you ready to take action? Ask yourself this. Do you think about taking action or do you take it? There’s a fine line between wishing something were done and doing it. Which side are you standing on right now? If it’s the wishing side, hop on over to the doing side, honey! Page of Wands says the tools you are not using are your passion and energy. You can get things done when you set your mind to it. Now make it happen!
7 of Swords World Spirit Tarot Position 87 of Swords So far we have the 5, 7, 8 and 9 of Swords here. This is a very mental journey for you, isn’t it? 7 of Swords tells you that the opportunities ahead are going to come from cleaning up the negativity. Picking up those roadblocks and restating them so that they become weapons for you instead of weapons against you, yes? Not easy and you could miss them if you aren’t paying attention. Consider putting a note on the mirror that reminds you to “leave no swords in my path.”
Sibyl of Pentacles World Spirit Tarot Position 9 Sibyl of Pentacles This lovely earth queen is the nurturing woman. She helps others with her compassion and heart. She is generous of nature as well. Your purpose is to help those less fortunate. You have a gift in making others feel better about themselves. When you are sharing what you know and creating love/life for others, you are truly in your zone.
Empress World Spirit Tarot Position 10 Empress Final advice is to relax and enjoy the bounty of life. Even when it seems like you are only getting the trickle of someone else’s trickle, allow yourself to count your blessings. I recnetly got a great fortune that gave me the secret to happiness. I think the Empress is here to tell you that same advice. “The secret to happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles.”Give it a try for a month. See what comes of that!

Feedback from X :

The reading, was not upsetting in the slightest. It just hit on what’s going on in my life so strongly that it took me a bit to process that this is what’s really happening.

I spend a LOT of time in my head, finding reasons, excuses to not follow my heart, my dreams. As the cards would say, I’m laying swords in my path, and at the sight of them, I’m standing still. And it’s all because I’m afraid. I don’t even know WHAT I’m afraid of, but in the end, I need to find a way to get over it, and move forward.

It’s sort of hard to read that about yourself, lol, but sometimes very necessary. I know what I’ve got to do, and it’s just a matter of doing it.

Thank you so very much for the reading, I appreciate it deeply. Maybe now I’ll find the courage to silence my demons and do what I’m meant to.

This and other readings are availabe to you as well. See which spread best suits your needs.

Pssst! If you check out the October Tarotscopes, you will find a special offer for listeners of my Tarotscopes.