Table of Contents
Contents
Exercise List xv
Acknowledgments xvii
Author's Note xix
Introduction 1
Part 1: What Tarot Is 5
Chapter 1: History and Structure 7
Selected Moments from Tarot History 10
A Brief Guide to Tarot Structure 12
Parts of a Tarot Deck 13
Major Arcana 13
Archetypes 14
Introduction to the Fool's Journey 20
Minor Arcana 25
Court Cards 30
Introduction to the Grand Matrix 33
Chapter 2: Card and Spread Interpretation 39
0 Understanding Tarot Language 40
Color 41
Number 44
Symbol 47
Keywords 50
Quotes 53
Four Ways to Read a Card 54
Symbolic Readings 54
Experience Readings 55
Storytelling Readings 56
Psychic Readings 56
Chapter 3: Wide World of Spreads 61
Tarot Spreads 61
Types of Spreads 63
Shuffling Cards 64
Casting the Spread 65
Reading Cards in a Spread 66
Creating Tarot Spreads 67
Identify the Purpose 68
Get Specific 69
Pick the Right Number of Cards 71
Card Pattern Science 72
Experimenting Phase 75
Practice, Practice, Practice 77
Part 2: What You Can Do with Tarot 81
Chapter 4: Daily Writing Practices 83
Intro to Journaling 83
Journaling Ground Rules 84
The Importance of Recording Knowledge 86
Journaling with Tarot 87
Advanced Techniques 92
Your Tarot PDA 97
Chapter 5: Inspiring the Muse 101
Benefits of Creativity and Tarot 102
Getting Artsy 103
Personalizing a Tarot Deck 103
Wooden Stands 106
Crafting Pocket Shrines 107
Researching and Gathering Materials for Your Shrine 108
Making Your First Shrine 110
Crafting the Insides 112
Making Fabric Tarot Cases 115
Sewing a Case 115
Crochet Case 117
Writing with Tarot 119
Creating Plot with Tarot 119
Plot Generator Templates 120
One-Card Quick Story Idea 120
Beginning, Middle, End Spread 121
Short Story Spread 121
The Infinite Story Creation Generator 122
Creating Characters with Tarot 124
Character Creation Templates 124
One-Card Trait Spread 125
Simple Four-Card Character Spread 125
Creating Settings with Tarot 127
Setting Creation Templates 127
One-Card Location Creator 127
Four-Card Location Creation Spread 128
Your Tarot Coach 129
One-Card Questions 130
Creative Advice Spread 130
Your Own Personal Cheerleader 131
Revision and Editing Advice 132
Submissions and Approaches to Getting the Work Published 133
Chapter 6: Getting Spiritual 137
Basic Meditation Techniques 138
Tips and Tricks 142
Meditating with Tarot 144
Sample Session 146
Sample Session 148
A Sample Guided Meditation Script 151
Embodying the Archetypes 153
Calculate Soul and Life Path Cards 154
Research Phase 157
Meditation Phase 158
Embodying the Cards Guided Meditation Script 158
Journaling Phase 161
Talking to Spiritual Entities 162
Using Pendulums 165
Chapter 7: Invocations for Transformation 175
Introduction to Tarot Invocations 177
Sample Tarot Invocations 180
Four Steps to a Successful Invocation 185
Visualize the Outcome 186
Crafting Your Statement of Intent 188
Selecting Components to Aid Your Petition 190
Releasing the Intent and Energy into the World 192
Post-Invocation Care 194
Dressing Up Your Invocations 195
Create a Mojo Bag 195
Design a Mandala 196
Place Invocations in an Envelope 196
Was the Tarot Invocation Successful? 196
Chapter 8: Rituals for Transformation 199
Setting the Stage for Ritual 201
Setting Space 202
Your Tarot Altar 204
Tarot Throughout the Year 208
Daily Spreads 209
Daily Forecast Spread 209
Spreads to Honor the Lunar Cycle 211
New Moon Phase 211
Waxing Moon Phase 212
Full Moon Phase 213
Waning Moon Phase 215
Rituals for Each Season 216
Spring Ritual 218
Summer Ritual 220
Autumn Ritual 221
Winter Ritual 223
The Year-Long Elemental Working 226
Preparation 227
Dedication Ritual 233
Monthly Check-in Ritual 239
The Closing Ritual 241
Part 3: Putting It All Together 247
Chapter 9: Taking Tarot to the Next Level 249
Reading for Others 250
Reading Formats 251
Introduction Phase 252
Reading Phase 254
Wrap-Up Phase 257
A Sample Reading 258
Connecting to the Global Tarot Tribe 263
Types of Tribes 264
Learning the Group Dynamic 266
Connecting with Others at Conferences 269
Building Your Own Community 272
Crafting a Vision Statement 273
Creating a Structure 276
Setting the Stage for Success 277
Bibliography 281
