tarot quiz

#HowITarot a (non) VR to the Three Fat Readers

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RWSfan
Another tarot quiz, this time from the Three Fat Readers YouTube channel.

The Questions:

1. What sparked your interest in tarot? (Tarot beginnings, tarot origin)

As I’ve explained in a previous post or two, I was gifted the Gypsy Fortune Cards when I was around the age of nine or ten. I was then, in the next few years, given a number of Lenormand decks. This is the foundation of my practice with oracle themed cards.

In my mid/late teens, I then was exposed to the Rider Waite Smith system, and I really liked the vast amount of symbolism and imagery in the cards. I then picked up my first deck at a metaphysical shop in Seattle. My second deck outside the Lenormand system was a playing card deck of casino cards from The Mirage in Las Vegas. It was with this deck that I learned the numerology behind the RWS system. From there, I then received the 1971 Rider Tarot.

2. Do you only use tarot in your readings or do add in other forms of divination? (What are they)

Lenormand. Playing Cards. Tarot with Oracle cards as clarification, as long as the Oracle is a balanced deck (not just light and positive). I also use oracles for certain spots in a spread now and then, but I see the single dimensional Oracles (positive and light oracles) as more for affirmations and meditation, though, and not for readings.

Lets see… what else. Pendulums. Casting charms. And I would like to learn runes. Linette does tea leaf readings.

3. Are you a “psychic” or a card reader?

Intuition from the imagery, with a foundation of basic card meanings.  I lean heavily on intuition over basic card definitions, but I look at both when doing a reading and follow my gut on what feels like the right message, or if both need to be taken into account.

I wouldn’t call this method psychic, but I wouldn’t classify it as a basic “card reader” either.

4. Do you use tarot for anything other than readings? (Spells, altar cards, display as art, gifts)

Absolutely. I do a daily positivity pull each day to assist me in battling my depression and keeping it at bay.  I sometimes scan cards and print them smaller to put in my tarot journal. I often use extra cards in decks as bookmarks. I’ve rarely used them for spell castings, but I have from time to time if I feel it’s called for. In some cases, this has permanently damaged the cards, though.

5. Have you ever taken a break from Tarot? If yes, why?

I have. In fact I’ve taken a break from my spirituality practice as a whole on more than one occasion. Usually, it’s during a time when life is overwhelming, although I’ve recently come to realize that I cope better during those times if I do not abandon my practice, so I will be striving to make this change in the future.

6. If you could live in any tarot card from the RWS which would it be?

I don’t think I can choose just one, so I have three.

The Nine of Pentacles, because there is an abundance and peace within the depiction of the card and a communion with nature.

Seven of Pentacles, because I like hard work, and I like even better that feeling of accomplishment that comes when you start to see the fruits of your labors coming into fruition. I mean, come on, the guy’s working in a garden.

The Two of Wands. There’s a hint of station to the card, which to me represents a certain financial security. Add to that the world in his hands and the grounding of the wands to the earth. It seems like a very good place to be to me.

7. Do you use the tarot in a predictive way? Do you predict the future?

I’m not sure I would call it “predicting the future” so much as reading the possibilities and interpreting trajectories. As in, the cards indicate that this is the path you are on and where the energies are leading you.

Awareness and choice can then change that trajectory. If you make changes and still end up there, I don’t think it was so much that I predicted the future as that the result is about a lessons you needed to learn.

For me, divination is an exploration of possibilities and trajectories, with the opportunity for changing the outcome. It is not the same as prophesy or fate, both of which come from a place of receiving messages and/or direction from beyond.

8. Intuitive, wrote, classic, modern, mix?

I guess that I’d say it’s mix with heavy on the intuition.

I think this question is very similar to the #3 question.  I was taught to read Lenormand intuitively. When I then started learning the RWS, I pushed myself to learn and memorize the card meanings. But, in the end, I came to realize that although the base knowledge is a good foundation, it’s intuition that really speaks to me first in most readings.

The exception to this is when I’m reading playing cards and/or the Tarot de Marseilles decks.  Then I end up depending more heavily on the numerological interpretations and definitions.

9. What are your most consistent Tarot habits?

My daily draw for positivity that I use for mental health reasons. I do this consistently during my morning devotional.  I request a positive message to carry with me throughout my day and foster perspective, and I then blog my interpretation of this card’s positive message here on my blog to share with you.

Weekly check-ins on Saturday as part of my self care.

I also regularly do readings and spreads on holidays, full moons, new moons, and at the beginning of each year.

10. Do you see Tarot as a magickal tool, a spiritual tool, a psychological/self-help tool, something else? All of the above?

All of the above. As a magickal tool, it is excellent for use in setting intention.  As a spiritual tool it assists in communicating with the energies of the nature, the universe, the all, etc.  In the areas of psychology and self-help, the cards are excellent for communicating with your intuition and your inner voice, as well as in shadow work and in combating issues such as anxiety and depression with the daily draw practice.

In truth, the tarot decks are a tool and their uses are as vast as the array of different people that use them.

11. Do you ‘collect’ Tarot decks? Why or why not?

Good f’king god, yes. I collect tarot decks. I do not just collect them willy nilly, though. (Like that word? LOL)  The imagery has to speak to me in some way for me to be interested in owning it.

I DO have a small collection of decks that do NOT speak to me, that I’m on the fence for what I’m going to do with them as yet.

12. Do you have an aesthetic when it comes to the types of decks you enjoy? If so, what is it?

Absolutely, although I’m not sure I can define it.   The fact that you and I are in agreement on the artwork presented on certain decks (whether we both love it or hate it) makes it clear that I absolutely -do- have a certain aesthetic.

I guess I would say that it’s a combination of earthy, traditional with a hint of historical vintage, colorful without being garish or abrasive, a good balance of warm and cold colors, and not too “messy”.  I am sometimes attracted to a bit of fantasy, as long as it’s not too fluffy and froufrou, and I sometimes like a cartoony aesthetic now and then as long as it isn’t too childish or too explicit.

I am not attracted to angels and goddess themes.

13. Do you personify your deck?

Definitely. I don’t give them names and think of them as people, mind you.   But I DO associate personalities to the decks based on how they feel to me, as each one speaks to me differently and they have differences in what I feel they work best for depending on how I relate to each one.

 

Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot 2019 (Part 6)

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hermit

Okay! It’s time for another installment of Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot challenge.

  1. What cards relate to you personally. NOT just your astrology association or court cards.
    I skipped this question last time, because I struggled with it a bit. That is because I relate to all of the “pip” cards in the deck. That is the whole point of the tarot’s minor arcana, actually, and especially in the case of the pips. So, I guess if I had to choose just one that I relate to the most, it would be the Two of Pentacles. In relation to me personally, it is all about the juggling of responsibilities, wants, needs, goals, home, work, etc. It’s that constant, never ending effort towards balance.
  1. What Tarot deck do you wish you could get into or vibe with but just can’t and why? (this is not an opportunity to deck or deck creator bash it is more about how we all work with different decks and like different things.)
    Marseilles decks. Which is odd, because I read playing cards just fine, and I love historical style decks. I love the aesthetic of Marseilles style decks as well, and yet for some reason I have a really difficult time connecting with them.
  2. How do you pick your Tarot decks for readings?
    I find that certain decks are “workhorse” decks, and are good at just about everything. But, I have found that in most cases, some decks just ‘read’ better at one or two things. It comes down to the the feeling that each deck has a tone and a voice that is uniquely theirs. You wouldn’t want someone snarking comforting words at you… and you wouldn’t enjoy a soft comforting voice when what you really need is someone smacking you upside the head to light a fire under your ass. It’s like that.
  3. What is your ‘go-to’ Tarot book and why?
    You know… this used to be 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, but ever since I’ve started using the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, I’ve begun using that guidebook (Journey Into the Hidden Realm by Barbara Moore) to add new, interesting perspectives on different decks.
  4. How do you feel about Tarot deck modification? Do you draw on your decks? Trim the borders or is it a no go for you and why?
    I think this is pretty obvious from other posts on this blog, but I’m all for it. I don’t alter all my decks, but sometimes it helps me in connecting to a deck. For me, the modifications I do are primarily edging decks to make them feel a bit more “finished”, and trimming decks if the borders are distracting (or detracting) from the artwork or message. There have been a few decks I’ve chosen to trim as well, simply because they were too damn big. Usually, though? There’s other compounding factors involved that bring me to that decision.
  5. Do you carry out predictive Tarot readings? Yes, no, why?
    Yes, and no. I do occasionally read predictively, with the caveat that nothing in the future is ever written in stone until it has come to pass. So anything predictive that I might see in the cards is more about trajectories and energy flow than actual set-in-stone.
  6. What question/s do you most often ask the Tarot? (for yourself and for others)
    My daily pull is a request for “a positive message to carry with me throughout the day and provide perspective”. That is the exact wording of the query. Another question I often ask is along the lines of “what do I need to focus on in the ______ ahead?” The time frame changes, as does whether it’s a time frame, an event, or an occasion. Back when I read for others, the most common questions had to do with love and relationships, as my observation is that most people seeking the advice of a reader on this topic are either lonely, or miserable.

And that’s all 31 questions! Tada! This post is Part 6, and the final installment for Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot challenge. Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 for easy reference.

I’ll be starting another quiz very soon. They do a lot of them on YouTube, and although I don’t make videos, I do like the whole “quiz” and “getting to know you” aspect of participating here on my blog.

Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot 2019 (Part 4)

/ Twist the Leaf / 4 Comments

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Today, I’m again returning to another installment of Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot challenge. But, I need to revisit the question I answered in my last response, first before moving on to the newer questions.

The question (#13) had been From the Major Arcana Cards, what card correlates to your sun, moon and rising sign? How has that resonated or played out in your life?

I realized today, while spending hours driving, that I neglected a very STRONG correlation between my sun,  moon, and rising signs and myself, and how they resonate in my life.

As mentioned, my sun sign (relating to personality) is Taurus, my moon sign (relating to emotions and inner self) is Scorpio, and my rising sign (related to how others perceive me) is Gemini.

Well so here we have the sun sign of Taurus, and the element that corresponds to Taurus is earth.  From my botany studies to my green thumb, my love of nature and the green to the way I see the world as a whole, this is the element that I most relate to.  Earth and the green are an integral part of -me-.

My moon sign, Scorpio, corresponds to the element of water.  This is the element of emotions and is my refuge.  When our D/s becomes intense and you take me into that space that so many call “sub space”, I call it “drowning”.   I find comfort in the embrace of water, whether swimming or floating, or just curled up in the bottom of the bathtub with the shower running.  I love the rain, and I’ve always found myself attracted to crystals that are water associated, such as amethyst, moonstone, labradorite, aquamarine, tourmaline, pearls, and selenite (although I hate working with the last one in jewelry).

Lastly we have my ascending (rising) sign, which is Gemini.   This sign corresponds to the element of air, which is in turn related to thoughts, judgements, logic, and the mind.  I’ve been told from time to time that I’m often perceived as “stand off-ish” and intelligent.  The one that stands back and takes everything in before choosing the right path for me.  I am fanatical about fairness and balance.   These are all qualities of that element.

Okay, and now onto a few new questions…

  1. Which tarot decks give you the most insight by way of the imagery and symbology of the cards rather than intuition or basic tarot knowledge.
    I’ve mentioned this deck before, but hands down this would have to be the Tarot of the Hidden Realms. I have never encountered a deck that spoke to me like this one does. In fact, when using it I find that my basic tarot knowledge is often the last thing that I tap into. With this deck in particular, it is all about the imagery which includes everything from the main images and facial expressions to the backgrounds, color schemes, and “mood” the artwork portrays.
  2. What is in your Tarot ‘to-go’ bag? Your Tarot travel bag.
    I actually prefer not to take my tarot or oracle decks with me when I travel. Instead, I pack playing cards and use them as an alternate, and I own a handful of decks that are specifically for this purpose. I also do not take my journals with me, but I will take notes on my phone instead.
    The reason for this is because I was raised to understand that there are some places I may travel and some people I will meet that will have such a strong adverse reaction to my faith (and items of my faith such as the tarot, pentagrams, etc) as to put me in danger. Thus, those items stay home and more innocuous items (that can be used for the same purpose) are taken in their place.
  3. What Tarot card in the deck do you look out for the most when you get a new deck? If you don’t like that card does it ruin the deck for you?
    The Hanged Man, the Two of Pentacles, and The Moon. Honestly, I check out these cards prior to ever purchasing a deck. With the internet, it’s usually pretty easy to get a look. There are times when the appearance of these cards could cause me to reject buying a deck, but most of the time, I can work with a deck even if these three cards aren’t as desirable as I’d want them to be.
  4. What is your favorite way to Tarot Journal? Planners, apps, bullet journals?
    For my daily draws, I do them here on the blog to share with you.
    I also have a yearly tarot/spirituality journal, which in the past has always been kept in a spiral bound sketch journal. I’ve been considering changing over to using a bullet journal system next year though, as I would not be stuck drawing lines on pages to keep my text straight. I’ve also been considering using the discbound system of journals, which I could still use in a bullet journal format. I need to find somewhere I can actually play with one in person and see how it feels in my hands, because I worry that structure won’t be secure enough for my liking.
    I have a “tarot study and spreads” journal that is in a Leuchtturm 1917 bullet journal.
    I’ve also recently begun the process of re-interviewing my decks. For this, I’m using a couple of lined CR Gibson journals, so that I can have one book for tarot and lenormand, and another for oracle decks and other systems. I have several of this particular journal, which will allow me to add a third or fourth as needed, if I overflow the first two in my re-interviewing process (which will happen eventually, because I use a two-page spread for the interviews).

So far, this is Part 4 of the series. Here is Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 for easy reference.

I’ll make another post in a few days to continue on with more questions in the challenge.