New Age Tarot: Guide to the Thoth Deck [2 ed.] 0961507918, 9780961507916

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NEWAGETAROT Guide to theThoth Deck

fames Wanless

Digitized by the Internet Archive in

2012

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NEW AGE TAROT Guide

to the

Thoth Deck

James Wanless, Ph.D.

MERRILL-WEST PUBLISHING CARMEL, CALIFORNIA

NEW AGE TAROT: GUIDE TO THE THOTH DECK All rights reserved.

No

book may be reproduced or transmitmeans without the written permission from

part of this

ted in any form or by any

the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Copyright ©1987 Merrill-West Publishing Printed in the United States of America

ISBN O-9615079-1-8 Special thanks to Carmel Typesetters (Roberta Little, Maria Matias

and Jim Rogers) to Robert Mueller, to Marvin Hightower, and King for their work and inspiration.

Julie

Thoth Deck cards reprinted with permission from U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Thoth Deck Copyright © 1978, 1983 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Stamford, CT 06902 and Samuel Weiser, Inc., York Beach, ME 03910. Further reproduction prohibited.

MERRILLAVEST PUBLISHING Box 1227 Carmel,

CA

93921

ABOUT THE AUTHOR James Wanless, Ph.D., is a professional symbolist. Noted for his versatility, Dr. Wanless is an author, teacher, counselor, and publisher of the symbolic arts.

A

creative innovator,

into contemporary media.

bolic Dr.

He

is

he transforms ancient symbol systems at the forefront of recreating

the 'sym-

way of knowledge.' Wanless

a beautiful

is

and

the creator of the widely acclaimed Voyager Tarot Deck, brilliant

universal symbology.

He

Apollo Series, a complete correspondence course bols and practice of tarot. He is co-editor of the

Wheel As a

of Tarot:

A New

has authored

The

for the study of

sym-

anthology

The

tarot

Revolution.

teacher of symbolism and tarot, Dr. Wanless has lectured and held workshops and seminars throughout the West Coast. He is Director of the Voyager School of Symbolism and Tarot. His multicultural, holistic, and universal teachings stem from his travels throughout Africa, teaching in the Middle East, meditation with Tibetan lamas and Burmese masters, intensive study of shamanism in Guatemala, and guidance by a Basque 'vision-maker.'

Jim Wanless is a builder and leader of new-age institutions. He is the co-founder and director of the Association of Symbolic Arts. ASA is an

whose purpose is to establish the symand professional practice. He is also president of Merrill-West, a multimedia publishing company that produces symbolism books, art, games and instructional tapes and international network of symbolists

bolic arts as a multidisciplinary field of study

cassettes.

many activities, Jim maintains a personal counselon the Monterey Peninsula, where he resides.

In addition to these ing practice

FOREWORD both enjoyable and illuminating. It is a profound personal growth and a fulfilling professional service. This book has been prepared to assist you in the use of tarot for guidance, spiritual development,

Tarot

is

practice

counseling, and fun.

New Age

Tarot

is

the product of

many

years of contemplation

professional counseling with the Aleister Crowley tarot deck.

Deck was to

first

whom

I

introduced to

am

tion have been

me

by

my

original teacher,

and

The Thoth

Angeles Arrien, and observa-

eternally grateful. Since then, experience

my

guides.

This instruction manual

for the

Thoth Deck

is

time-tested.

It

has work-

ed for many students of tarot and clients in consultations. For more in-depth understanding of tarot, please consult the Resource

Appendix

May

at

the back of the book.

the tarot bring you

wisdom and happiness, good fortune and peace.

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Virtues of the

What

Is

Thoth Deck

Tarot?

1 1

2

Structure of Tarot

2

Benefits of Tarot

2

How How

To Read Tarot

3

To Use This Guidebook

3

Layouts

4

Questions Most Asked About Tarot

5

THE ROSE CROSS MAJOR ARCANA O fool

7

9 10

Magus

16

Priestess

20

Empress

26

IV Emperor

30

I

II

III

V

Hierophant

36

VI Lovers

40

VII Chariot

46

VIII

Adjustment

IX Hermit

X

Fortune

XI Lust XII

Hanged Man

Death XIV Art XIII

XV

50 56

60 66 70 76

80

Devil

86

XVI Tower

90

XVII Star XVIII

Moon

XIX Sun XX Aeon XXI Universe

95 100 106 110 116

MINOR ARCANA

120

SWORDS

122

CUPS

128

DISKS

133

WANDS

139

ROYALTY

144

Swords

145

Cups

149

Disks

153

Wands

157

WHOLE

SELF

MANDALA

RESOURCE APPENDIX

161

164

Introduction The Thoth Deck by

Aleister Crowley is a classic tarot symbology. Many students of tarot, however, find the Crowley deck difficult to use because it lacks a readable and contemporary guidebook. The existing guides for

the deck, including the of their arcane

and

Book of Thoth by

ten to update this superb deck and bring

Crowley, are archaic because

New Age

traditional esotericism.

it

Tarot has

been

writ-

out of the dark closet of the

occult.

Tarot symbols can be interpreted from many points of view. Tarot is universal— applicable to anyone, anywhere, anytime. The original meanings given to the cards by Crowley and other traditionalists are not sacrosanct. In fact, the tarot has endured for thousands of years, since its

origins in ancient Egypt, because

its

ferent emphasis throughout the ages.

bolism

is

core meanings have assumed

The

is

that

its

dif-

sym-

subject to constant redefinition and evolution.

'New Age' Interpretations The interpretations given in

this

guidebook are called 'New Age' because

they represent a philosophy that includes It

strength of tarot

encompasses the

humanistic.

It

past, present,

and

all is

speaks of the richness of

the cultures of our one world.

New Age

futuristic.

human

the contemporary 'human potential movement.'

tarot

is

being associated with

It is

a set of values found-

ed on Judeo-Christian principles, Oriental mysticism, and Greco-Egyptian metaphysics.

It is

holistic— unifying

Man

and Woman, Humankind and

Nature, Earth and Cosmos. This 'growth' psychology seeks to highest qualities

on the mental, emotional,

physical, worldly,

elicit

and

our

spiritual

levels of being.

Virtues of the Thoth Deck The strength of the Crowley tarot tian,

is its

Greek, Christian, and Eastern.

universality. Its

It is

more

useful

symbolism

is

Egyp-

than many contem-

which represent a particular cultural or philosophical point of view. For an early 20th-century symbology, the Thoth Deck has a year 2000 quality. This is clearly seen in its emphasis on our androgynous porary decks,

nature.

The Thoth Deck

is

uniquely distinguished by

its

close relationship with

the zodiac. Most cards have an astrological significance. This is shown by the zodiac or planetary sign exclusively from an astrological perspective.

The

deck's multidimensionality

tion with the

Kabbalah. The

is

further

enhanced by

ancient Kabbalah

is

its

close associa-

a symbolic system that

combines the Hebrew alphabet with the branches on the metaphor of human being called the 'Tree of Life.' Aleister Crowley has associated these 22 letters and branches with tarot's 22 Major Arcana cards. These letters are identified

on the

cards.

What

Is Tarot?

name, 'tarot,' an ancient Egyptian word for 'royal means the path to the top, to self-mastery. An anagram of tarot is 'rota,' meaning the wheel. Tarot is like a wheel, a tool that takes you on the royal road. Similar to the word for the ancient Hebrew sacred text, the Tbrah, tarot reveals the universal principles of life that we must travel to reach our destiny. The destiny of the royal

Tarot

road.'

is

explained by

The

road of tarot ty,

its

royal road

is

totality,

suggested by another anagram of tarot,

similar to wholeness symbolized by the wheel,

human

and manifesting our individual

attributes

means

'tota.'

Totali-

living fully our

talents.

The

tarot

is

a

symbolic guide to self-realization, a vehicle that helps us evolve. Structure of Tarot

The Thoth Deck

is a traditional tarot deck in its structure. It is composed of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana cards, 40 Minor Arcanas, and 16 Royal-

ty cards.

The Major Arcana

represent universal principles of life and 'archetypal' These card-symbols originated in the Egyptian hieroglyphic wisdom-book, the Book of Thoth. Thoth was an Egyptian diety who channeled the laws of the creator through thought (thoth) and personality

types.

word. Like any deck of playing cards, the Minor Arcana cards are divided into The Minor Arcana suits were most likely added to the Major

four suits;

Arcana symbols we know today.

in the

Middle Ages to make the

tarot into the card

deck

Each Minor Arcana suit represents a particular aspect of human nature. suit called Swords represents mental states and qualities. Cups are emotions. Disks symbolize the physical body and worldly life. Wands represent our spiritual and metaphysical being. Each suit has four Royalty cards associated with it: a Queen, Knight, Prince, and Princess. Royalty or Court cards symbolize mastery over the

The

qualities associated with the suit they represent.

Benefits of Tarot is a multipurpose tool. A 'reading' of the cards provides wholesome and balanced guidance in our inner life and worldly affairs. Tarot is a focalizer and decision-making guide. The visual and symbolic imagery of the cards is catalytic. These profound universal symbols move us emotionally, mentally, physically, and

Tarot

spiritually. Tarot

is

truly a vehicle for self-transformation.

How are we changed by the tarot? Through the tarot we become 'whole.' We take on the multiple dimensions of human being: archetypal personnas (Major Arcana) and the highest qualities of mind, heart, body, and spirit (Minor Arcana). These qualities are unified into an integrated picture of

human

personality through the structure of the tarot deck. an integrated way to become whole.

We

are transformed in

The is

tarot gives us a philosophy of

a tool that helps us

philosophy of

move

life,

a philosophy of total being. Tarot

to this state of wholeness.

The

tarot's

based upon a magnificent psychology that views human nature as a complex of many positive and evolving dimensions. Total life-fulfillment requires seizing the opportunities represented by the positive cards and growing through the lessons of life symbolized by the life is

so-called 'negative' cards. Tarot

is

a belief system

and growth practice that

facilitates total self-unfoldment.

How

To 'Read' Tarot you can read a book, you can read the tarot. Reading the tarot is a combination of knowing the literal meanings of the cards and of applying this knowledge to the individual person and situation. You naturally select from the possible meanings the interpretation that feels most appropriate. The psychic dimension of tarot consultation is unavoidably present. Reading the tarot is learning to trust your intuition. Do not limit your understanding of the cards to the literal meanings given in this book or any other. You can ask the tarot any question: specific or general; past, present, If

or future; for yourself or others; and for inner-self issues or material fortunes.

There

are

many ways and

are sacrosanct. Eventually

the tarot.

focusing

It is

rituals for shuffling

you

will

develop your

and selecting

own method

generally advisable, however, to shuffle

on your question. Then fan the

all

cards.

None

of consulting

the cards while

cards out face-down

and

select

a card or several cards as an answer to your question.

How

To Use This Guidebook

Every card in the Thoth Deck is pictured in this guidebook. With each card comes an interpretive explanation of its meaning. Some of these definitions are in outline form. The primary symbols in the cards are listed with a phrase or one-word explanation. These are words and concepts

which can be used Tarot

is

and articulation of the cards. and picture in the cards have sym-

in your understanding

a symbolic art. Every detail

bolic meaning. This guidebook

is

a 'new age glossary of symbols.

you dictionary-like meanings, which you then embellish upon

own

words.

It

gives

in your

In addition to these interpretations, this guidebook includes short essays with the Major Arcana cards that give you helpful hints, techniques, and

approaches to the practice of tarot. These 'principles' for using tarot

from

my

come

various writings and books.

Layouts

The

tarot

is

often consulted through a device called a layout or spread.

diagram composed of various positions The structure of a layout offers a convenient, comprehensive, and integrated way of reading the cards. In this guidebook, a layout is given for each Major Arcana card and for each Minor Arcana suit. The positions in the layouts identify the major features of the card or suit. Select cards from the entire deck for each of these positions. You are provided a space in which to write the card-answer you have selected. On occasion you are provided with explicit directions for performing the reading. Otherwise, follow the general rules discussed above for shuffling and selecting cards. You may apply these layouts to specific situations in your life or keep them general. The Whole Self Mandala is a layout at the back of the book. This is a reading that gives you a whole picture of yourself and your world. This

is

a symbolic, geometric

representing questions or issues.

Questions Most Asked About Tarot Some

of the following questions frequently asked about the tarot are based

on the many

superstitious beliefs surrounding of tarot has evolved beyond these fears.

it.

The 'new

age' practice

Do

I have to be given a deck to use it? No. The tarot teaches us to seek our desires and reach

Can

read the cards for myself as well as others?

I

Reading

Yes.

for our dreams.

tarot for yourself

is

a great exercise for learning self-honesty.

Must I wrap the cards in silk? No. Tarot is a mirror of yourself. If you like then you may want to clothe your deck in

to see yourself dressed up,

special material.

my deck? an extension of yourself. If you like to be touched, you may allows others to touch your deck. If certain parts of your life are private and sacred, you may want to treat your deck that way and keep it to

Can

I let

Yes. Tarot

others touch

is

yourself.

Do

I

rituals, techniques,

have to follow the

and card interpretations

presented in tarot books?

No, although you may

initially

want

to follow standard traditional

practices.

Do Yes,

I

have to be psychic to read the tarot?

but everyone

Is tarot the

is

naturally psychic in their

own

way.

'work of the Devil?'

any tool or technology can be misused or abused. Tarot, can be used to illuminate and transform or to burn and devastate. With the tarot you are playing with fire, so be responsible and caring.

No, but

like fire,

tarot, like

How

can cards selected face-down be accurate?

That is indeed the mystery of tarot. Theories of 'synchronicity' or 'psi' power are intellectual explanations for this phenomenon. Reading the tarot helps you accept and live in harmony with the magic and mystery of the universe.

Does

tarot foretell the future?

Yes and No. Tarot indicates the probable future of the present.

begun

to alter

Once you have

which

is

an extension

seen the future, your awareness has already

it.

Is tarot deterministic?

No, unless you want to use it that way. Tarot, in presenting possibilities and probabilities, gives you information with which you can make choices. It gives you greater control over your life. Tarot gives you power to either manifest or deter what you see in the cards.

What

can I ask the Tarot? Anything. Who, what, how, why, when, and where for any issue or person for past, present, or future. The more specific your question, the more specific will be your answer from the cards.

Does the Death

card

mean

I

am

going to die?

No. Ultimately, of course, yes, you will die. Death simply means transformation, a letting go and shedding. There are several other cards in the deck that many fear. Updated interpretations of these cards such as the Devil and the Tower cast a new and positive light upon their meaning.

Do

cards that appear upside

down mean

I

must read them

in a reverse

way? No. Every card, like every phenomenon in life, has a positive and negative side. Turn the card right side up and interpret it from either positive or negative, or both.

How can I learn the tarot? Through a book or a teacher, but mainly through

practice.

THE ROSE CROSS The

backside of each card is portrayed by the "rose cross," a rose in the middle of a cross. The rose symbolizes the full flowering of the self. This unfoldment into the beauty and perfection of total being is represented by the cross, which stands for the head, arms, and legs of the human figure.

The

rose in the

or love that

The which

middle of the cross

we become the

full

is

the heart.

It is

through the heart

expression of our being.

four corners of the cross represents the mind, body, heart

and spirit, Through

are represented by the four suits of cards in the tarot deck.

we become whole. rainbow spectrum of color.

expression of these four cardinal aspects of our being,

The

rose

and

cross are depicted by the

Through our bright yellow crown

of intelligence, our regenerative green

lower half of the body, the soft feminine blue, and the dynamic masculine

we

complete expression of the light, the white of our solar plexus. is the complete weaving of our true essences, polarities, and colors. It is from this natural harmony that we select the individual features of our being represented by the face side of the cards. red,

The

are

rose cross

MAJOR ARCANA

MAJOR ARCANA The Major Arcana They

cards are the most important

and complex cards

in

with astrological signs, natural elements, Kabbalah letters, numbers, and mythological figures. These cards contain a great variety of individual symbols including animals, minerals, the tarot.

are associated

vegetables, tools, artifacts,

and

colors.

meaning universal personality Each of us is a unique expression of all these types. As archetypes, each Major Arcana card is presented as a personality complex composed of 'domains,' which are particular mental, emotional, physical, worldly, and spiritual attributes. Major Arcana Major Arcanas

are personality archetypes,

types that cross cultures

cards can be read from

and

all

ages.

these points of views.

Every tarot card has a reverse or negative

side.

Major Arcana cards

analyzed from these implicit 'unevolved' aspects.

are

9

10

NEW AGE TAROT

OFOOL The

Fool

the

spirit,

is

breath, the essence of

life.

As

the life-breath, the Fool represents

whole and forever young. In the

The

spirit

of

life,

the Fool

is

spring

unknown but lands on his feet because of his trust in the universe. Every moment for the Fool is zero, a new moment. For the Fool, living in the present, the mundane green, the beginner.

Fool leaps foolishly into the

becomes mystical and adventurous.

MAJOR ARCANA Number

0:

Wholeness;

Spirit; Infinite;

Omnipresent;

Intangible; Formless.

Planet Uranus: Radical; Revolutionary; Zodiac Universe: Universal.

Element Air: 'Up

in the

air';

'Far out.'

Ethereal; Breath of fresh

air;

Lungs; Aerobics.

Kabbalah Letter Aleph: Air or Breath; Prana

(the life-breath);

Spiritus; Original life-power.

Characteristics:

Green body:

Open

Re-creative; Spring energy.

Awareness. Horns; Devilish; Fun-loving; Pan or Dionysian pleasures. Crystal light atop head: Inspired. Fire in hand: Purification; Cleansing. Crystal in hand: Visionary. Leaping in air: 'Leap of faith'; Leap into the unknown. eyes: Curiosity;

Boots with soles of fire: Follows the Breast: Feminine; Androgynous.

spirit,

the inner light.

Dove: Love; Compassion. Vulture: Cleaning up; Resolving. Butterfly: Metamorphosis. Caduceus: Healer Arrow: 'Hits the mark'; Sagittarius.

Tiger: Fearlessness.

Children: Childlike.

Union of the mind, body, and spirit. Rainbow: Emanates light and joy. Grapes and Coins: Material abundance. Crocodile: Fecundity; Devours the past. Flowers:

Sun

disk: Sexuality.

Circles: Evolving; Revolving:

New

cycles.

Falling leaf: Letting go; Trust.

Domains: Mental: Stimulating; Creative. Emotional: Vital; Expressive. Physical: Energetic; Healthy. Worldly: Unconventional; Original; Inventive; Impractical;

Beginner; Unworldly. Spiritual: Intuitive; Spiritual.

Negative: Irresponsible; Unrealistic; Impractical; Misplaced; Scattered;

Misunderstood; Crazy; Misfit; Unbalanced; Foolish.

11

12

NEW AGE TAROT

Fool-Child

Curiosity

MAJOR ARCANA

Fool'Child Reading

Fill in

The

the position of the Fool-Child with cards in any way you want.

Fool knows

no

rules.

Have

fun!

Big Eyes:

What

should be curious about

I

Child's Play:

How

1

play_

Magical Child:

My

genius

Growing Child:

How

I

am

growing.

School Child: What I need to learn_ Childish Risks:

What

to

risk

Childish Fears:

What

fears

to

overcome.

Be

a fool! Play!

13

14

NEW AGE TAROT

THE TAROT BREATH OF The

Fool (in Latin

meaning 'windbag')

is

LIFE

the lifebreath. Life

is

a

an expression of our wholeness, which is symbolized by the universal life principles of the Major Arcana. The Fool, as the spirit, represents the full circle of these major life forces. The Fool's Breath Meditation takes you into the fullness of life. you watch your breath, notice its continuous movement like the Every breath of

fool's journey.

As

follis,

life is

mercurial Magus.

As you watch your

breath, notice

movement

effortless stillness in its

As you breathe

how like

goes on by

it

the

still

itself,

you are the magnetic attractive force

in,

that there

is

Priestess. like

the Empress.

Breathe in what you want to receive.

As you

breathe out, you are the projective dynamic force like the Emperor.

Breathe out what you want to project.

As you

breathe

in,

you take

in

what the universe has

to

teach

like

the

Hierophant. Breathe in what you are learning from the universe.

As you breathe like

out,

you give to the universe what you have to

offer

the Lovers.

Breathe out what you want to give to the universe. Notice how your breath has a purpose like the Chariot. Notice how your breath changes according to the Adjustment. Every inhalation

is

an act of prudence

like

situation

like

the Hermit.

Breathe in what forces you want to gather for your security. Every exhalation is a risk like the Fortune. Breathe out what

To breathe

in

is

risks

you want to take.

your desire for

Breathe in your greatest

life like

Lust.

desire.

is to sacrifice yourself like the Hanged Man. Breathe out what you want to sacrifice of yourself. As you exhale, you let yourself die like Death.

To breathe out

Breathe out what you want to die in your

As you

life.

you breathe in new life like Art. Breathe in what new life you want to create. Breathing in, you inhale the joy of life like the Devil. Breathe in and enjoy. Breathing out, you breathe out your impurities like the Tower. Breathe out your impurities. Notice how your in-breath and out-breath are independent and different like

inhale,

the Star.

Notice how your in-breath leads to your out-breath which leads to your in-breath— everything is in relationship like the Moon. In breathing out, you express yourself like the Sun.

Breathe out

how you want

to be.

In breathing in, you go inwards like the

Aeon.

Breathe in what you need to reflect on. Breathe out what you are completing like the Universe. Breathe in what you are beginning like the Fool.

MAJOR ARCANA

POWER OF TAROT Symbols Symbols total

They point the way and get you on your way. They have a catalytic, motor affect on your being because they impact on all your centers of consciousness. In are transformers.

are energy sources.

using symbols, you are an alchemist creating an inner cauldron of fire through which personal transmutation takes place. Picture symbols are a precursor to the word. They strike your nonverbal, nonthinking consciousness. They hit a primal, direct way of 'knowing'.

The symbol

affects you at the profoundest levels of being because it is not a mental activity. You are moved by the symbol from the ground up, from the subconscious to the superconscious bases of cognition.

you are playing with fire when you use the picture symSymbols can be dangerous. You can either be burned or illuminated, dissolved or strengthened by them. Interpret tarot symbolism with care and responsibility. As a 'reader' of tarot symbols you are a Magician. Through the symbols you have the power to heal or devastate. Use these tools of power to empower others. The 'power trip of black magic will only get you burned. The negative use of tarot symbolism will negate you. The true Magus brings out the magic in others through the positive use of symbols.

As

in alchemy,

bols of tarot.

15

a

16

NEW AGE TAROT

I

The Magus,

also

known

MAGUS

as the

Magician, Messenger, Mercury, Hermes,

who can 'make it happen.' The Magus and manifester, able to turn anything into gold, truly a 'Midas touch.' As a channel for the gods, he bears an important word or vision. Mercurial, the Magus quickly intuits, communciates, and realizes and Thoth, is

is

a Merlin-like figure

a transformer

—

true miracle worker.

MAJOR ARCANA

MAGUS Number

1:

(The Magician)

Manifestation; Formation; Action; Thesis; Will.

Planet Mercury: Mercurial; Swift.

Element Gold: Success through adaptability and enduring determination. Kabbalah Letter Beth: House— materialization through yesterday's magic, which is today's science. Characteristics:

Winged

feet:

Scroll:

Tools:

Bearer of a message (Hermes); Speed; Dancer; Runner.

Communication arts. Communication media.

Sword: Verbal communication. Cup: Heartfelt communication.

Wand: ESP communication. Arrow: Shooting forth new

ideas.

Fan: Influential with ideas and visions.

Gold body: Achievements. Smile: Optimism; Positive thinking; 'Believe in miracles.'

Nakedness: Confidence; Openness.

Monkey:

Flexibility;

Actor (can

any

'ape'

role).

Crossed lines in background: Free; Liberated. Eye of Horus (bird with wings at top of card): Seer; Medium;

Channel

for the universe or the

Great

Spirit.

Caduceus: Healer.

Winged

egg: Rebirth through

change and transformation.

Genii lamp: Talent scout; Brings out the genius in others.

Domains: Mental: Quick; Sharp; Alert; Adjustable; Opportunistic; Sees a way.

Emotional: Changing moods; Fickle; Unpredictable. Physical: Supple; Graceful.

Worldly: Successful; 'Midas touch'; Talented; Timing; Transformer;

Lucky; Ready. Spiritual:

Open

to the will of the gods; Vehicle or servant of

their design; Talents used for the

good of the

universe.

Negative: Deceptive, Black Magic; Vanity; Condescending; Misuse or lack of use of

gifts;

Lack of carry-through.

17

18

NEW AGE TAROT

The Magic Wand MENTAL

PHYSICAL

INTUITIVE

EMOTIONAL

WORLDLY

SELF-EXPRESSION

MAJOR ARCANA

Magician's Magic

Wand

Reading

Divide the deck into five stacks. Select a stack for each facet of yourself: mental, emotional, physical, psychic, and worldly. stacks,

each stack being one point of the

star.

Make

Select

a star of these

one card from each

point that represents your magic/talent/ability on that level (mental, emotional, etc.). Shuffle all the remaining cards and fan them down as

star

the

staff

of your magic wand. Select the card that symbolizes

express your magic.

Mind Magic:

My

mental talent

Heart Magic: My emotional magic.

Body Magic:

My

physical ability

Psychic Magic:

My

intuitional

genius.

Worldly Magic:

My

talent

to

manifest.

Staff of Magic:

How

I

express

my

magic.

how you

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NEW AGE TAROT 1

"TTTTTST

La Sacerdotisa

II

PRIESTESS

The Priestess, as Diana, hunts down the truth with her bow and arrow. As Isis, she lifts the veils of ignorance. As the moon, she feels from the subconcious levels of her being and reflects the truth— the

light.

Objec-

and dispassionate, the Priestess sits quietly and introspectively to see the truth. Her counsel is to be trusted.

tive

MAJOR ARCANA

PRIESTESS (The Number Planet

2:

Truth-Seeker)

Balance; Harmony.

Moon: Subconscious

awareness; Self-aware;

Dream

messages.

Element Water: Reflective; Receptive; Mirror to others. Kabbalah Letter Gimel: Camel — Self-sufficiency; Reservoir of inner strength and knowledge. Characteristics:

Color blue: Peacefulness. Bow and Arrow: Huntress of the truth (Diana); Honesty.

White body: Four

Purity.

crystals: Clarity

and purity of mind, heart, body, and

spirit.

Net: Independent; Uninvolved emotionally.

Net

as a veil:

Seeing beyond the

veils (surface reality) to see

the deeper

truth: the knower.

Legs and Throne: Security from a strong philosophic belief system. Exposed Heart: Sensitivity; Deep feeling. Flowers and Fruit: Enlightenment achieved through worldly

life;

Worldy success through perception and counseling.

Domains: Mental: Clear; Equanimous. Emotional: Centered; Steady; Constant. Physical: Pure.

Worldly: Withdrawn; Passive; Monastic; Contemplation; Austerity;

Winter; Asexual; Teacher; Counselor; Spiritual Spiritual: Seeker; Intuitive; Psychic; Meditation.

Negative: Cold; Indifferent; Rigid; Uptight; Escapist.

arts.

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NEW AGE TAROT

The Seeing Eye

Eye of Knowledge

Independent Eye

Eye of Discovery

Objective Eye

Eye of Truth

Prejudicial

Eye

Blind Eye

MAJOR ARCANA

Priestess Seeing Eye Reading

Shuffle the deck focusing on the first position, Knowledge. Fan the cards face-down into a circle. Select a card for Knowledge. Do the same ritual for each position. Make sure you are quiet, centered, and objective as you perform this reading.

Eye of Knowledge:

What

I

know

Independent Eye: What I can rely on my own judgement about

Objective Eye:

What

I

must see more objectively.

Blind Eye:

What

blocks

me

from seeing

clearly.

Prejudicial Eye:

How my

emotional attachments distort

Eye of Tnith:

What

truths about myself

I

can accept

Eye of Discovery: What I need to discover about myself

my

perception.

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NEW AGE TAROT

DEVELOPING YOUR INTUITION life. To develop your assume the feminine disposition. Be open and receptive. Do not strive for answers. Let them come to you. The Universe tells us there is a universe of possibilities. As in Adjustment, give any idea a fair hearing. Do not censor. The Tower counsels not confining your perception to

Your inner Priestess, intuition,

is

the guiding force in your

intuitive sensitivity, be the Empress;

one

set

way of seeing.

Every perception has validity. universe

is

inter-connected.

No

The

lesson of the Universe

intuition

is

out of order.

The

is

that the entire

Lovers suggests that

you are inextricably connected to others. You synchronistically share their being and automatically tune into them. The Fool, universal consciousness, declares that no perception is too foolish. Like the risk-taking Fool and Fortune, dare to be foolish, risk any idea. Like the Devil, dare to be irreverent.

Everyone has their own solitude.

The

As the

Star, dare to

be far-out.

A Hermit type needs must be centered, quiet, and meditative. Death sugheighten receptivity. The Chariot counsels rhythmic style for

being acutely intuitive.

Priestess type

gests fasting as a

movement. Art

way

to

suggests creative play involving the use of your hands.

opens intuition through the altered

The Devil

states of consciousness of intoxicants, music,

and sex. The Sun warms your intuition by feeling sunny and bright. Find which way works best for you. Time-Space suggests that intuitive sensitivity is highest at particular times. A Sun type finds clarity at sunrise or sunset. A Moon person's power of recep-

optimum at night. The Hierophant instructs

tion are

A Hierophant type room, cave, or under a tree. The Priestess type intuits best in water environments. The Star person is receptive on a mountain top and in open spaces. Everyone is a channel— a Magician. Like the Magus, your intuitions may come swiftly, as a flash, a bolt of light. For the Hanged Man type, answers surface through patience and perseverance. A Moon personality finds that dreams carry the message. Like the Priestess, you can incubate dream messages. Before sleep, ask for a revelation in your dreams for your question. The senses carry intuitive messages. Emperor types see the answer in their mind's eye. Hierophants hear the word, as if spoken. Lovers, the sense of smell, smell finds clear reception in

us to find our intuitive place.

an enclosure such

as a special

out the truth. Strength types taste the truth. Ask yourself, what does this or that smell or taste like— fishy, sweet, sour, spicy. The Hermit personality feels out the

What does it feel like— hard, soft, fuzzy, heavy. you are a religious type as the Hierophant can be, you may consult God for the way. A physical type like Strength asks their instincts or body sensations. A mental type like Libm Adjustment thinks out the answers logically. Ask your situation. If

reason what makes sense. All logic

is

ultimately intuitively deduced.

tional type like the Empress, consult your feelings. Your heart

is

your deepest loves. Star types should consult their aesthetic sense. beautiful to you. Let beauty be your guide. Ultimately, as a universal being, be

from anywhere in any form

open

to any

and

all

an

As an emoeye.

What

Follow is

most

perceptions coming

any time at any place. Your inner Priestess will sort out the appropriate messages and guide you.

—From

at

the Voyager Tarot

Deck Guidebook

by James Wanless.

MAJOR ARCANA

LOVING THROUGH TAROT The

Empress, as Venus, symbolizes complete love of

life.

chetypal Mother, the Empress nurtures and nourishes

As life

the

in all

arits

manifestations. Tarot

Look

at

an Empress.

is

It

nurtures us by celebrating

all

aspect of living.

the cards in a tarot deck and you will see states of mind, heart,

and spirit beautifully and richly depicted. Materiality, and sexuality are praised as much as virtue and purity; so too are dispassionate analysis and emotional effervescence, intimacy and solitude, childishness and maturity, coolness and warmth. Tarot is not an austere discipline requiring the suppression of any aspect of your being. Even austerity in the form of self-abnegation (Hanged Man), self-purification (Tower), and release (Death) is viewed as part of the abundance and beauty of life. Tarot is like the Empress, the mother earth providing us with rich and various symbolically depicted experiences and qualities from which to feed and grow. Since all of life is enriching according to the tarot, we

body, world, animality,

acquire through negative.

Our

its

practice unconditional love for

so-called 'negative' experiences,

the tarot, are appreciated as that

we

learn

In learning

gifts

of

life. It is

which

all

life,

even the

are symbolized in

from negative experience

and grow.

how

to love, nurture,

we become more loving toward

and nourish ourselves through

others.

tarot,

We find ourselves wanting to share

the tarot experience with others, knowing the nourishment they will receive from

Reading

it.

tarot for others

is

an act of love. In offering our nurturing love

we receive love, lb become more loving, more giving, more compassionate, more sharing, more nurturing, more beautiful, and more through

tarot,

whole, practice the tarot.

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NEW AGE TAROT

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