Like my DARK SHADOWS cards, Captivating Tarot has not been available since I was printing them myself and selling them on regretsy. It's not only available again, but you might pick up reasonable instructions and symbolism cards as well as notebooks. They are not included with the deck as I tried to keep the price down. I attempted to print them out on the cards, but the print was too small to read. I'm going to include them here. Buy Captivating Tarot
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Tarot Notebook
My
Aunt taught me to read cards. I always keep the original intention of
playing cards in mind when dealing with the Tarot, seeing them as a
kind of spiritual solitaire. I am not at all certain of what kind of
force is behind the cards; I just know that they are accurate and
true. I have learned to trust the cards as I have come to trust my
own intuition. Perhaps that is the power of the cards; I believe they
are born of the subconscious and the Jungian notion of the collective
unconscious of the world.
I
have always read all of the cards, shuffling like a gambler and
cutting the deck three times while formulating my curiosities in
mind. I tap on the top card three times before laying out the spread.
Keep
in mind while dealing with the Tarot that the cards reveal the big
picture; that is to say, that you may think something is very
important at the time that does not even register with the cards, as
they are attempting to reveal something far more critical to you.
Most of our human issues are pretty petty in the light of the world,
God, life, and death.
I
can tell at first glance if the spread is accurate or not. The cards
will be rendered inaccurate if you attempt to do several readings for
different people, one after the other. Perhaps the reader’s energy
is sapped, I believe, or perhaps confusion takes over.
I
have color coded this deck. The Major Arcana, being the most powerful
cards, have a black background, enveloping everything, reminiscent of
the womb, the cave.
The
cards are also elemental. Swords/Spades have a red background
representing violence, destruction, hatred, war fare, the power of
air, the atmosphere, metal, forged by man, the mind and blood of
man. Blue, gray, the colors of air, also prevail throughout the suit,
as are black and gold, the tangible colors of man. Generally
speaking, Swords usually represent people of a militant nature. They
usually have dark hair, light skin and eyes, the wintry sort. But,
remember, with the Tarot, the physical as well as spiritual nature of
the person is represented.
You
may think the person to be of one suit, while the cards will deem
them otherwise. You must wait and see what the cards say about the
person. When doing a reading, the person’s court significator will
reveal itself. They may even be represented as a card from the Major
Arcana. Their significator may change over the course of time.
That
being said, the Wands/Clubs, have a green background, representing
the creative force of nature, the power of fire, and wood. It is not
a fire of destruction, but the creative, metaphysical fire of
passion, magic, and ambition. Wands are doers. While Swords represent
the air signs of the zodiac, Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra, the
thinkers, and talkers, Wands represent the fire signs, Aries, Leo,
Sagittarius, people of a more childish, physical nature, artists,
writers, teachers…The active colors of fire, gold and orange, are
also spread throughout the suit. Wands usually have brown or auburn
hair and light skin and eyes.
Cups/Hearts
are represented with a blue background, the element of water, the
realm of dreams. They are from the deep, the merpeople, and are often
misunderstood, for their world is not the tangible world of man, but
the watery depths of the heart. The golden color of the chalice is
also dominate throughout the suite; however, unlike Pentacles, not
the gold of man, but the golden lined clouds of dreams, captured
eternally in the depths of the chalice. Cups are the dreamers, deep
water signs, Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. They are visionaries.
Usually they are fair haired and lovely. Addiction is the ill fated
quality of the Cups.
Pentacles/Diamonds
have a golden background, representing the earth element, the power
of gold, money, and man. They are the earth signs of Taurus, Virgo,
and Capricorn. They represent the power of wealth, family, real
estate, the land, and worldly things. Like the Earth, they are slow,
but steadfast. They are the best with practical matters and live in
the real world with feet rooted to the ground. They are usually dark
complected, with dark, curling hair, and deep, rich eyes.
Generalities
with the suits concerning race…Not the rule, as with life, so with
the Tarot…There are exceptions to every general rule.
Swords:
Celtic, Saxon, Asian
Wands:
American, Irish, Australian, New Zealand
Cups:
Nordic, Anglo, Eastern European
Pentacles:
African, Mediterranean, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Indian
Certain
races such as the English, Irish, German…etc…are extremely
difficult to categorize into one specific suit. For instance, how can
all Asians be Swords? That is why it is difficult to determine suites
according to physical attributes such as race or even birthdays.
Personality and psychology have more to do with the Tarot, where
intuition and imagination replace realities such as time or place.
The
Royal House
Kings
are mature, decisive men of great power. They rule the suits with
great calm and authority.
Queens
are women of a subtle
sort of power. Theirs’ is more power of the manipulative sort. All
the Royals are capable of great power of their own making, both good
and evil.
Knights
are the young, life’s
blood of The Royal House, the activists, chivalric, or arrogant,
noble, or incredibly stupid, they all portray valor of action as
their element. Knights, as in chess, are always depicted on
horseback, suggesting their harness on nature. They are men with
great power of suggestion. Jacks, in playing cards, are more a
combination of Knights and Pages.
Pages
are youths, studious, or disruptive and unruly, they often symbolize
and personify other elements in a reading. They are both boys and
girls.
***
Please
Note: If more than half the cards in a reading are reversed, this
does not necessarily mean that they are all ill dignified. Some of
the cards, most, I believe, only have one true meaning, which is why
I have not included upright and reversed meanings for all of the
cards. I have tried to simplify matters without losing the true
meaning and integrity of the cards.
The
Twenty-two Major Arcana
The
Fool dances madly and
blindly amongst rose colored clouds. Joy, childishness, stupidity.
The Fool is a wise creature that disregards all reasonable, sensible
solutions. Carefree and gullible, The Fool follows the heart, is
rash, and rushes into whims and folly.
The
Mage waits patiently
with his blackbirds under cloak of invisibility. He is the keeper of
ancient secrets and creative white magic. His realm is the land of
dreams. His gifts are knowingness and prophesy.
The
High Priestess is an
oracle. She lives in a temple atop a hidden spring. Robed in
peacock, she has the third eye, the power to see. Dark magic, occult
wisdom, feminine power.
The
Empress rules. She is a
matriarch, a mother or grandmother. She is nurturing and creative.
She is nature, the animals, fertile crescents, and caves.
The
Emperor A ruler. Animal
energy, the animus. The Emperor is thoughtful but still a force to
be reckoned with.
The
Hierophant Wise man,
Magi, holy man. The power of God. God’s will.
The
Lovers Love of both a
physical and spiritual nature. Overwhelming love, sexual force.
The
Chariot Domination,
conquest, competition, leadership.
Justice
is delicate and blind. She sees into the heart of the matter. She
balances the scales and rules with a fist of iron. She is timeless,
without race or creed; she works alone.
The
Hermit is a spirit
guide, a protective being. Wandering alone by candlelight, The
Hermit is a wise creature, avoiding contact of the physical realm.
An artist or teacher. The Hermit is not lonely.
Wheel
of Fortune Fortune,
destiny, karma, fate. If ill dignified, fate is against you, but
life is a turning wheel, like the tides, it’s cyclical.
Strength
Physical and emotional
strength. Grace under pressure. Everything is not what it appears to
be. Comfort and solace from unexpected sources. Health, immunity,
endurance, compassion. A courageous heart.
The
Hanged Man is hanging
for his treachery, his noble treachery. He has some valuable
information, and his pocket watch has stopped. Funny thing is, he
could escape if he wanted, but hangs, suspended, seeing the world
from another perspective. The rope is the line between life and
death. This card also depicts suicide.
Death
The Mothman is an omen of death and disaster. All death, red,
yellow, and white are dispelled, or perhaps it is ash, or a warning
in SONAR. He also symbolizes change, metamorphosis.
Temperance
An angel mixing elements into art, she is virtuous, patient, and
kind.
The
Devil Under cover of
night, The Devil is a charming man, staring in fascination with his
latest kill. Surrounded with flame, devil’s ivy, and devil’s
tongue, he is dangerous and beguiling. He symbolizes pride, greed,
and lust. He is sadistic and controlling.
The
Tower Cataclysmic
events, war, storms. The end of a way of life. Rebuilding out of the
ashes. Destruction. May signify worldly events or happenings based
upon your own decisions.
The
Star We are all made of
star dust. The Star is the guardian angel of hope when all seems
dark. A glimmer of childlike bliss. The Star is timeless peace. The
water from her urn is rejuvenating to the spirit and inner child.
Make a wish and trust in the power of the lone little star.
The
Moon Intuition, lunacy,
strange prophetic dreams. Feminine wiles and dark forces of nature,
the cycle of life. If ill dignified, addiction, uncanny events in
the night, seduction, mistrust.
The
Sun Nurturing force,
white light, happiness, well being, abundance. If ill dignified it
is a warning of fire, big fires, far away, and watch for small house
fires.
Judgment
A reckoning. Karmic
wake-up call from God. Bliss or the fires of hell.
The
World Fate in action.
Travel, success. Things are working in your favor. Worldly events.
The Fifty-six Minor Arcana
King
of Wands The King is an
enterprising figure, subtle pride. He has an adventurous nature and
an active imagination. He is kind and generous. He is cunning and
analytical. If ill dignified he is boastful and cruel.
Queen
of Wands The fiery
spirit of The Queen is a creative force. Childlike, she is a graceful
dancer and endowed with musical or other creative gifts. She rules
the realm of imagination and fruition. Quick witted. If ill dignified
she is spiteful and vengeful with a sharp tongue.
Knight
of Wands The Knight is
imagination on a mission, full force. He is the personification of
creative power and force. Chivalrous, charming, and diplomatic, he is
an eloquent speaker. Noble heart. Timing is his weakness. Ill
dignified he is manic and aimless, arrogant, critical, vengeful, and
childish.
Page
of Wands Sweet natured,
creative youth. A letter. Correspondence. If ill dignified, news is
withheld.
Ten
of Wands Oppression,
backed into a corner, against the wall. Forced surrender. Put down.
No escape. Servitude.
Nine
of Wands Strength of an
almost Godly, magical sort. Strength in opposition, strength of
character.
Eight
of Wands A flight. A
fateful journey. Running away on a whim. Swift action, not well
planned.
Seven
of Wands Valor, courage
against the odds. Weary, but at the vantage point, the higher ground.
Six
of Wands Victorious,
celebration, the top, champion
Five
of Wands Trapped.
Pinned atop a precipice, inescapable position. Forceful submission.
Outnumbered. Chaos, everything coming at you at once, confusion,
witch hunt. The world is cruel and life is not fair. The querent has
put themselves in this position to be determined by the rest of the
reading.
Four
of Wands A dangerous
seduction. Inspiration and musings. Completing a cycle or project. If
ill dignified beware of a con.
Three
of Wands Virtue,
kindness, innocence, lady luck, angelic influence. Clarity,
simplicity.
Two
of Wands The will.
Domination. Power. Calling the shots. Standing ground and refusal of
conventional standards. Telepathy.
Ace
of Wands Creative force
of unstoppable energy. It is the fire in the temple of God. It is the
power of nature, life, and art, the alchemy of the bees.
Swords
King
of Swords Mastermind.
Militant. Mathematical gifts. Dominion. If ill dignified,
controlling, close minded, and sadistic.
Queen
of Swords A sad woman, a
widow. Coldness, aloof. If ill dignified, destructive and dangerous.
Knight
of Swords Brave,
youthful warrior, ceases control, power of air harnessed. If ill
dignified, violence.
Page
of Swords Espionage, a
stalker, persistence, secrecy.
Ten
of Swords Ruin. Death.
Murder. Knife in the back, whether figurative or literal.
Nine
of Swords “There are
daggers in mens’ smiles” Shakespeare. Cruelty. Sabotage. Illness,
the daggers of the mind. Bad sleep and dreams.
Eight
of Swords Imprisonment,
either literal or razor sharp daggers of the mind. Still, the will
remains defiant.
Seven
of Swords An exercise in
futility, forever defiant, overpowered, outnumbered, odds are against
you, however right you may be…
Six
of Swords A swift
journey over water. Seeking something better and new. The lady leaves
her charred homeland for new horizons.
Five
of Swords Selfishness,
theft, wicked arrogance, insatiable hunger.
Four
of Swords A truce is
called, wariness, sentinel. The hound is foreboding. The woman,
watching from the thorn, has uncanny dreams that seem to blow in the
wind.
Three
of Swords Sadness,
sorrow, broken hearted, pain
Two
of Swords This prisoner,
bound and blinded, is not vanquished. The suit becomes proceedingly
more violent, so this is probably the best of them, for it signifies
a draw, a tie, a stalemate, and peace.
Ace
of Swords The sword of
power. Excalibur. Conquest over thine enemy.
Pentacles
King
of Pentacles Wealth,
paternity, land holdings. A dark man of power
Queen
of Pentacles
Materialistic woman of the world. Reality. Concern for the family. A
benefactress. If ill dignified, gossip, manipulation, and mind games.
Knight
of Pentacles He rides a
slow horse. He is late, probably due to laziness. However handsome
and charming, he can be something of a dud.
Page
of Pentacles A gifted
youth, a student, sweet natured, and intelligent. Studies, school.
If ill dignified, may be a brat.
Ten
of Pentacles Generally
speaking, the higher the number of Pentacles, the more money. The
finest of everything. Wealth, posh surroundings and lifestyle.
Strictly speaking of the material world.
Nine
of Pentacles
Satisfaction, contentment, gain. The cat is purring. Monetary gain.
Eight
of Pentacles Discovering
sacred, ancient knowledge. Magic books, the artful philosopher.
Visionary. Studious curiosities. Careful with money, prudence,
frugal.
Seven
of Pentacles Hard work
has only provided a meager harvest, but it is enough to get by on.
Thankful
Six
of Pentacles Giving to
the needy. Generosity. Successful philanthropist.
Five
of Pentacles Anxiety over
money. Worry. Loss
Four
of Pentacles Great power
of wealth. Establishment. Fortress.
Three
of Pentacles
Craftsmanship, loving the work that you do. This card pertains to all
of the arts. Accomplishment. If ill dignified, or reversed, work is
mediocre at best.
Two
of Pentacles Money
troubles. Unbalanced accounts, bad checks. Debt. Financial doubt and
stupidity.
Ace
of Pentacles Wealth,
abundance, material well being of a solid fateful nature, as if the
powers of the hidden Earth, Eldorado, are in your grasp.
Cups
King
of Cups Loyal and
intelligent, The King rules the deep gulf of the subconscious with a
brimming cup. He is handsome and responsible. A loyal friend. If ill
dignified he is careless and oblivious.
Queen
of Cups Lovely and
dreamy, The Queen scrys into the cup. She is the essence of water and
imaginings of dreams. She is gentle and healing. If ill dignified,
she is agitated and moody. She can be lazy and seemingly thoughtless.
Knight
of Cups Beautiful and
true, The Knight possesses a tempting loving cup, a proposal. He is
Galahad or Percival of legend. If ill dignified he is illusory and
deceptive.
Page
of Cups A heartfelt
message. Dreams of an emotional nature. Romantic visions. An
invitation. A child
Ten
of Cups Happiness,
wishes and dreams fulfilled
Nine
Of Cups Joy and the
pleasure of being a winner, intoxicated state of bliss. Contentment.
Eight
of Cups Insecurity,
fright, shyness
Seven
of Cups A wicked mind,
corruption, obscenities, debacle
Six
of Cups Rhapsody in
blue. Nostalgia. Reminiscing happier times. Sentimental and evergreen
thoughts. May lead to deep melancholy and depression.
Five
of Cups Disappointment.
The fisherman’s basket is empty, and he is too preoccupied with his
seemingly bad luck to see the mermaid behind the rock. Dreams, hopes,
and plans seem unfulfilled or lacking.
Four
of Cups Boredom, luxury,
longing for the unattainable
Three
of Cups Abundant
harvest, yet, like faerie gold, it is not lasting. There is an
element of mistrust here, like the movie star who has it all and is
still unhappy. Approach business deals with caution.
Two
of Cups Perfect love,
marriage
Ace
of Cups The Holy Grail. The cup Christ drank from, it turns water
into wine, heals all wounds, a loving cup, the ultimate trophy.
Wishes are fulfilled, dreams come true. Trust in the hand of God.
Miracles. The Sacred Heart, it is never empty.
Readings
1.)
Sometimes I like to pick just one card from the deck and meditate on
it. I also find this provokes dreams, which can lead to deeper
understanding of myself.
2.)
I find the alchemist’s runic reading of only three cards,
representing the past, present, and future to be useful at times. In
this case, the past, may be distant past, and the future is to be
within a year or two.
3.)
I usually read the cross spread:
11
Outcome
6
Best possible outcome
1& 2 Significator
Querent
Present
3
Crosses you
5
Past
4
Foundation
Basis
7
Future
8
Querent
Answer
9
Enviroment
Others
10
Hopes
Fears
Choose the significator’s,
questioner’s or querent’s card from the deck, or who you think
may best represent the person you are reading for. Lay it down, face
up, shuffle, and cut the deck. If you are reading for someone else,
have them shuffle and cut the deck while formulating their questions
and concerns in mind. Lay out the first five cards as according to
the cross diagram.
2)
This card is laid directly over the querent’s card and represents
the present and now.
3)
This card is crossing the querent and reflects what is opposing,
obstacles in the way, whether good or bad.
4)
This card is the foundation or basis of the reading and reflects both
the past and present environment.
5)
This card reflects the querent’s past, perhaps distant, but usually
not. It is usually a reflection of how the past affects the future.
6)
This card is the best possible outcome of the situation. That does
not mean it is the definitive future, but rather, depends upon the
actions of the querent. This is, perhaps, the trickiest card of the
reading.
7)
The card of the future. Could be six months, might be a couple of
years
Now
lay out the last four cards.
8)
This card either represents the querent, is their significator card,
or somehow answers or describes them.
9)
This card reflects the querent’s environment or home life. Other
important people in the querent’s life may appear here.
10)
Hopes and fears of the questioner appear here. This card can be a
little cloudy as well, because people tend to hide from their fear in
one form or another.
11)
This card is the final outcome, the most important card of the
reading. If you feel that the reading was faulty, you may take this
card, use it as the significator card, and start over.
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