…. from the Wheel through Temperance through The Sun

 
After a way too long absence from my blog as life dealt a few curves (as it has been know to do…) and I spent some time with family it is time to resume my personal Fool’s Journey.  Today parts 3 and 4 are posted to make up for my “Tarot Drought”!

Part Three of my personal Tarot Journey paying tribute to my Tarot influences gets rolling in just a few sentences with the Wheel.  When I first sat down to commit this concept to the written word I easily “filled” the Major Arcana positions (with a little bit of shuffling here and there!).  Since that writing, I have been working to promote my practice of Tarot and take it to a whole new level.  The amount of help and support received from the Tarot community has been
tremendous and I have made new friendships – and now have even more “influences” that I would love to name!

That said, I am practicing a bit of Temperance, the last card of my Part 3 post, and keeping with my original writing.   And here we go…

My Wheel is represented by a person whom I believe embodies Tarot from many varied
perspectives.  Corrine Kenner has authored several of my favorite Tarot books and those influences have fostered changes in my approach to the cards, helping me to evolve as a reader and become more centered and wholistic.   Corrine has a way of making the complex approachable and doable!  When the Wheel spins things are stirred up – Corrine is a person who stirs things up in a very good way.  It has been my good fortune to meet her and
benefit from all that she has to offer.
Strength is represented by my family as they truly are the source of my strength.  Without the support of my loved ones I would not be taking this Fool’s Journey nor would I be a reader with whom a client can develop a sense of safety and rapport during a reading.  My family strengthens me as they gentle me.  I love them and thank them!

The Hanged Man – One of the most enjoyable ways to learn Tarot while not even realizing the extent of what you are learning is to immerse yourself in the writing of James Ricklef.  Through his “Ask Knighthawk” writings a tarotist can playfully experience a novel way to approach a reading and relate to the cards.  His affirmations provide a useful tool for clients to positively act on the guidance offered by the Tarot.  And if all else fails, you can always color with James and the Tarot.  James is a wonderful person, down to earth and friendly.  And his upside down, right
side up approach to the Tarot is fun and it works!

Death (At least I didn’t get the Happy Squirrel card, right?) Death, that ho so controversial card with the ability to send querents (and some readers) into a tizzy, is the forbearer of change.  If there is one person who has been my change agent it is Theresa Reed.  If it were not
for her you would not be reading this blog!  Theresa lit the proverbial fire under my butt with a simple, straight forward, and straight from the heart response an email.  She took the time to personally offer advice with no underlying motive other than to mentor.  It was also through a contest that she offered that Theresa motivated me to pay tribute to my wonderful mother in writing – that was a gift for both of us.  I offer a “hell yea” to a wonderful Tarot Mentor and agent for change!

Finally, we move to Temperance, an alchemical blending that results in something even more
exciting, more usable, more profound that what you started with.  Robert Place epitomizes the alchemical  experience.  He takes history and  symbolism and mixes them together to create beautiful artistry, exquisite tarot, and reading techniques that combine a multitude of skills to bring readings to a higher level.  His way of looking at the relationships between the cards in a spread gave me a new perspective and means of interpretation that enhanced by reading skills. He is one of those people who is a relative walking encyclopedia of knowledge!

And now… join me in Part Four of my Journey which begins with the Devil and my revealing of my guilty pleasure.  Those of you who know me – which Tarot influence do you think I will
name?

Almost through the Majors so let’s jump right in!

The Devil – Everybody deserves to have at least one guilty pleasure in which they imbibe on
a regular basis.  For me, that guilty pleasure has to Ciro Marchetti (sorry Maria!).  My first exposure to Ciro was when I stumbled upon the Tarot of Dreams on the internet and his artistry captured my soul.  I honestly can’t even remember how I came to find that deck, I just know that I did and that I had to have it!  From the moment I held it I was enslaved.  If the first step is admitting your addiction, then I proudly admit that I am addicted to Ciro’s creations and
own every deck he had created and lots of the wonderful goodies upon which he prints his images.  What also makes Ciro so special is how generous he has been to the Tarot community, offering images for use, joining in our conferences and celebrations, and friending us.  Gotta love Ciro!

The Tower – One of the newer names in Tarot in the States is a name that engenders awe and
respect – Marcus Katz.  In just a short time Marcus has brought about profound and unexpected changes to the world of Tarot that have brought about that “struck by lightning” kind of enlightenment!  He has twisted and flipped basic assumptions and practices within the Tarot providing fun new approaches to readings.  As a citizen of Tarot Town and a member of Tarot Professionals I have met new people, participated in fun activities, and accessed fantastic educational materials.  Thank you Marcus for bringing a deck full of possibilities to my doorstep!

The Star – If there is a shining star whose light guides the Tarotist in their studies as well as in their opportunities to expand into the realm of authorship it is Barbara Moore.  Barbara has an engaging style of writing and presenting that easily draws you in and captures your interest.  Barbara admits a love of cupcakes and the cupcake is a tangible representation how she helps you to have your cake and eat it too!  Think of her books and decks as the cupcake, iced with a hefty serving of friendship and willingness to offer advice.  Barbara takes that cupcake and “eats it too” by walking the talk and helping people make their Tarot dreams come true.  She is a gifted giver of hopes and dreams.

The Moon – When I think about Rachel Pollack my thoughts rapidly move from sage to creatrix to teacher and on and on.  The Moon represents mystery, illusion, delusion, the unconscious.  The Moon allows you to embrace a sense of lunacy as you explore life beyond what is visible on the surface.  The Moon reminds us that there is more to us than what we present to the world at face value.  Rachel taught me to question the unquestionable and to not accept that there are boundaries beyond which the Tarot cannot pass.  Beyond which I cannot pass.  Rachel is Tarot tamed an Tarot wild and she encouraged me to experience Tarot from all aspects, known and
unknown, to move to a higher level of understand of the cards and of myself.

The Sun – Sometimes we need to learn more about ourselves to be open to learn more about
something we love.  Everyone needs a “Tarot buddy” with whom they can share their love of the Tarot and explore what Tarot is without censure.  I first met Marlene Boas at Omega during a weeklong retreat exploring Tarot with Rachel Pollack and Mary Greer.  We found common
interests and ways of thinking that became the basis of a friendship that continues to this day.  Three week-long intensives at Omega and three Readers Studio sessions later, I continue to be
thankful for the Sunny influence Marlene has brought to my life.  RAWA!

All that is left in This Fool’s Journey is Judgment and The World.  How are you progressing through your personal Tarot Journey?  Who has impacted your views of the Tarot?  Who
has taught you to look within and to look beyond?

Hope you have a tarotific day!