The following excerpts are from articles originally appearing in my regular column The Common Reader in Tarosophist International: The Magazine of Tarosophy & Tarot, the quarterly journal of Tarot Professionals. The column's ongoing purpose is to offer practical, ethical, and mystical guidance for both the novice and professional Tarot reader alike.
Sphere
(Excerpt from: Winter 2008/09Vol. 1 Issue 1)
I spent the first twelve years of my life in a house constructed sometime in the 1920's. While the suburban town in which it was located was fairly unremarkable, the persistence of the paranormal occurrences experienced in that home was far from common....It took place one summer afternoon in a room suffused with warmth and sunlight. All around me, luminous spheres began to slowly appear to drift through the air in an unhurried fashion. Vividly-colored tendrils wavered electrically within each one as they floated by languidly. I felt no fear of any kind. On the contrary, they filled me with gratefulness, both heartfelt and pure, for this direct communication. As I write this now, I am ever thankful for this opportunity in which the invisible revealed itself so splendidly.
The Common Reader and Sphere by Scot D. Ryersson, pen and ink on paper, 2008 © by the artist.
Knowing
(Excerpt from: Spring 2009/Vol. 1 Issue 2)
We all experience instances of intuition. Everyday life is filled with such times when we simply know the absolute right conclusion has been arrived at. At the essence of each of these, a series of profound connections are made leading to a deep sense of knowing. Practically speaking, calmness facilitates the state of receptivity needed in which the connections between these micro-decisions can take place....While every reading cannot be a stunning example of intuitive brilliance, each one performed in earnest becomes a sliver of finely-colored glass from which a worthy life in the cards is constructed. More than anything, the Tarot reflects the very experience of living—from its most mundane episodes to those of glittering revelation. Let us value them all and rely upon our intuition to illuminate them in a glorious light.
Detach
(Excerpt from: Summer 2009/Vol. 1 Issue 3)
A transformative Tarot reading experience involves soul-touching—a happening in which a profound communion takes place between reader and seeker on a mystical level through the cards. Uncommon depths of understanding and desired change are some of its goals. And while the professional reader attempts to manage this moment with consistent sincerity and openness, the same should be done with a resiliency recognizing several guaranteed realities....Responsible Tarot reading is demanding, necessitating not only technical prowess, but a definite degree of selflessness as well.
Lucre
(Excerpt from: Autumn 2009/Vol. 1 Issue 4)
The difference between the professional plumber and the do-it-yourself drain dabbler is that the former typically receives payment—that is, cold, hard cash. A service has been provided. Remuneration is in order. At least analogically-speaking, the professional Tarot reader joins this noble tradesman in rooting out deeper realms. So then it is reasonable, too, that we should merit financially for our efforts as service providers. Still, the philosophical pros and cons of receiving payment for what many among our ranks consider work bordering on the sacred is a landmine-sensitive subject. Whatever the position, most find the nearly unavoidable undoing of purse strings at the start or finale of a reading awkwardly disruptive. This is largely so following a particularly meaningful session, almost compelling the reader to query: "Did you want fries with that?"
Embrace
(Excerpt from: Winter 2009/10/Vol. 1 Issue 5)
Accept the following simply as a meditation upon the intimate, organic, and reciprocal relationship between the reader and one’s preferred deck of cards—my own being David Palladini’s magnificent Aquarian Tarot.
So many fragrant choices in this garden of paper and ink.
Each bloom vibrating to its own internal rhythms.
Each bearing seventy eight petals awaiting the solar warmth of fingertips
To stroke them into meaning.
And lest we forget the thorn-studded stems
Curving ever upwards through
Bone, tears, desire, and dream.
These thorns awaken, not wound.
Play
(Excerpt from: Spring 2010/Vol. 1 Issue 6)
Certainly, a myriad of philosophers, mystics, and late-night comedians have all accurately compared life to nothing more than a game. Without question, the Tarot allows us to contemplate realms of being ranging from the mundane to deeper planes of meaning. But lest we forget, historically-speaking, the deck’s origins are in 15th-century Italian gaming. So while always mindfully respecting the reading process itself and our seekers’ yearning for insight, there is no reason why we cannot have fun with the cards...Games of all kinds and Tarot share a similar playing field. This is composed of such key aspects as respect for all involved, good sportsmanship, adaptability, and faith in our inner-voices. And lest we overlook it, one of the benefits of reading the cards is the palpable joy in offering up our transformative revelations.
Bridge
(Excerpt from: Summer 2010/Vol. 1 Issue 7)
However, there is no more stable bridge toward wisdom than actual practice. The vital transformation from conceptual understanding to deeper knowing can happen through reading for yourself, friends and family, and clients. To be sure, no one of these should preclude or diminish the value of the others. And furthermore, the goal of everyone interested and knowledgeable about the cards is not necessarily to read them professionally. Yet for those who do, there are no substitutes for reading for others to achieve ease within the often unexpected situations we often find ourselves. As our scope broadens through such experiences, several beneficial results often take place....And it is this clarity of vision which provides a calm approach fostering the ability to address whatever comes into our paths to the best of our abilities.
Hush
(Excerpt from: Autumn 2010/Vol. 1 Issue 8)
As readers, we must be ever vigilant to the genuine power our words carry within the reading dynamic. An ideal archetype to be evoked is that of the High Priestess who can easily be imagined delivering the sage proverb: “When in doubt, leave it out.” While empowered with enough flowing feminine energy to ably nurture her seekers, she wields considerable abilities with constant awareness and only when genuinely needed. This can apply to both “small talk” and the most profound messages offered during a session.
Note: Tarosophist International is available free to all members of Tarot Professionals or for non-members through The Far Away Centre Book Shop.