Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Twos

The number Two represents the Line in Pythagorean number theory; it is the original Point "in extension," which in theory is infinite but in practice joins Point A to Point B. It cycles from one extreme to the other in an oscillating or reciprocal fashion that is symbolized by the swing of a pendulum, briefly …

The Highwayman and the Major Arcana

I don't know precisely why it should be so (although I have a hunch that is rooted in psychology), but somber poems seem to lend themselves really well to my project of interpreting classic poetry in terms of the tarot trump cards.  Here is a vivid example, The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes. The wind was …

Tarology: Enrique Enriquez and the Tarot de Marseille

After watching the documentary Tarology, I've decided that - although I'm probably a quarter-century older than he is - I want to be Enrique Enriquez when I grow up. He finally gave me a sound rationale for why I've staunchly resisted applying esoteric symbols from Qabala and astrology to my study and practice of the Tarot …

Where (and How) is Trish? – A Missing-Person Combo

UPDATE #2: The NH Attorney General's office has confirmed that the remains found inside a washing machine pulled from Grant's Pond in Grafton are those of Trish Haynes. The testimony of the second spread that she was "in a wet place" and was possibly transported "over water" has turned out to be accurate, and the …

Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: The Aces

There is a common assumption that the Aces represent a new beginning, the first step in any activity; but they more properly convey the urge to take that step rather than its execution.  They carry the potential energy of a suit up to the point of "pulling the trigger" on its promise of action. In …

Tarot 101, My Way – Minor Arcana: An Overview

Any discussion of the Minor Arcana - or "pip" cards in traditional terms - must start with a discussion of numbers. Before there were tarot cards with illustrated scenes, the familiar "small" cards bore only suit emblems in the appropriate quantity, along with a few decorative details. These rather mute cards are still the bane of …

Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Pentacles Court

The members of the Pentacles court (also called Disks or Coins depending on the deck) are the "planners" of tarot royalty. They are for the most part orderly and regular, not prone to flights of fancy and wasted motion (or for that matter, emotion). Give them a set of rules and they will follow it …

Swinburn and the Major Arcana

Now I'm really going to have to work! This brilliant piece of mystical poetry, extracted from Algernon Charles Swinburn's epic verse drama, Atalanta at Calydon, is rife with possibilities for metaphorical correspondences to the cards of the Major Arcana. I was able to bring all 22 trumps to bear here; not all of them are a …

Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Swords Court

The members of the Swords court are the "thinkers" of tarot royalty. Their domain includes anything to do with mental pursuits, from education to arguments and legal disputes.  In the simplest terms, they often involve a decision the seeker is facing or a quandary that will soon appear, and can suggest the proper "angle of attack" in confronting …

Tarot 101, My Way – Court Cards: The Cups Court

The members of the Cups court are the "emoters" of tarot royalty; I would have said "feelers," but it's too passive a word for the more assertive side of elemental Water (and it seems a little too tritely mystical in a "New-Age-y" way). They may choose to keep their feelings to themselves but are just as likely to …