Hi Guys, if I may!

I have a few questions.

PK7, do you use a spread similar to CC?
MA, do your read cards upright only or reversed as well, this gives a different flavor altogether!

Please do not take offence, reading for yourself is not always to be trusted, as things unfold, you will recognise the predicted events. Only if your reading is accurate and not influenced by a biased opinion or, seeing what you want, as opposed to being neutral and accept the dulldrums as well!

The interpritation of the Magician is far broader than "someone else" The Magician always point to the seeker, or shall I say, per my opinion. I've pasted my interpritation here. Look at the significance of the Aleph-Bet and particularly Yod, being ten but one! Consider, the Magician rules all Aces. Read between the lines, the seeker is the Magician, who creates his own Universe. What is the link to Ace of Pentacles then?

The Magician.

Aleph             א

Phonemic representation (IPA):  ʔ
Position in alphabet: 1
Numerical (Gematria/Abjad) value: 1

The Magician is directly linked to Aleph in the Hebrew alphabet or Aleph-Bet.  When we start investigating Aleph we see that it is constructed from two Yods and Vav diagonally, joining the Yods.

In the Kaballah the Yod appearing on the Top represents God, Vav mankind, we can see this in the creation of Adam on the sixth day. The bottom Yod represents the revelation of YHVH to mankind. Vav or hook, shows how the two realms are connected. The two Yods then displayes the connectedness of God to mankind, being far yet close, being near yet far.

When now we look at the Magician, his arms are outstretched, one pointing up, the other pointing down. As above, so below, a precinct assigned to Hermes Trismugistus, The diagonal Vav, his head the upper Yod and his lower body, the lower Yod.

The overall geriatrix for Aleph is one, but Aleph is made up of Yod=10, Vav=6 and Yod=10. Now we see an interesting scenario, the division of Aleph gives us a total of 26. The number twenty six is the same as that of YHVH.

Now when we look at the construction of Aleph we see that the top Yod represents God or spiritual realm, near but far, far but near. Vav the diagonal line, number value six. Vav representing Mankind, or the day on which man was created. The bottom Yod, with klots or hook representing the manifestation of God or the Man-God. We can safely assume that God is the centre of the universe and creation.

This is now where we start interpreting the Magician, looking at God, influences translated into the mundane is done via the Magician. Now, representing God as well. We see the Magician as a creator, master of his own environment and controller of the mundane and creator of the universe, intelligence and wise dicisions. But, in this sense we must also look at the negative influences that can be practiced.

The Magician is also capable of destructive influences. Such as abusive control over people, altering personal environments and ignorance.


Meditation
Whether you think of this card as the Magician or the Juggler, the allegory is the same. Consider that everything in the universe is spread out before God like the objects on the Magicians table, and these elements of creation are tossed by God in the same manner that a Juggler tosses his objects around. The objects themselves are not important to the Magician as individuals. His ability to control and manipulate them is the most important concern to him.

The opportunities to use talents or to learn new skills has been obviated and been at your disposal. This is the second card in the Major Arcanum. The next move from The Fool.  We need to remember, if The Fool is at the beginning of the deck it indicates a spiritual journey, or lessons to be learned. If you consider the Magician to have completed the spiritual journey as the Major Arcanum depicts, you can think that he has all the abilities to control the mundane world with wisdom, and guidance. But sometimes, it is also a personal trap. You may think you are in control but the reality of the situation is that your control is not shared by others and that you may lose power at any time. You need to go through the rest of your spiritual journey to reach a point where you will be enlightened, this point, only you will know. The synthesis being that you need to be at the highest level to attain completion-The World-. Many people have never gone beyond the level of the Magician, the pleasure they derive from controlling people and mundane events, being an overpowering feeling of attainment. The control they have over the mundane has given them a false sense of security and has been their downfall many a time. Being the Magician, in occult teachings a true Magician stands at the centre of the universe, and all things radiate out from him. However he creates, or recreates, the nature of the universe within his mind, which becomes the nature of the universe in fact. So either way, the individual pictured in this card is someone with the ability to control and manipulate people, things and events.

We must also look at the creative side which the Magician has. Although this card is linked to mysticism, we must remember that the Magician stands for creativity. That which is hidden may be made public. This needs to be seen as a development within his imagination. The skill that he applies to realise imaginary visions and projects is based on his own will and self reliance, he can be seen as a controlling force on the four elements, bringing them together, merging all the power to influence his destiny.

If he ventures into the unknown world of occult teaching, without the skills and training needed, his attempts will be clumsy and unfruitful, if not out rightly dangerous. We can safely say that he is at the point where he is practising control over people without the needed judgement and diplomacy. His unskilled actions lead to ruin and disgrace. We must also think that he may be a very dangerous person as he has a lack of self esteem and willing to exploit the weaknesses of those he controls.  

Upright
Strength of will, intuition, self control, self-confidence, autonomy, diplomacy. The positive qualities of humankind: skill, initiative, intelligence, discernment, and comprehension; freedom from control by others, al leading to success and the ability to control your environment in a positive and creative manner.

Reversed
Cleverness, as in foolishly thinking you are what you’re not, lack of scruples, trickery, cunning, subtlety. An intrigue, a liar, a charlatan, a rogue; one willing to exploit the weakness and trust of others. All resulting from a lack of real esteem, and domination by outside forces; sometimes leading to disgrace or mental imbalance.

I hope, no toes has been stepped on!

Blessed be

Hello,
It is nice to see that there are some (Positive)question's which are good in thought, and as you have read it and given your opinion about it.
Now to tell you I know that the meaning of every Card in the Deck can go in many ways. So here what I personally do is when I take the question into consideration I sit for the person, and try to make him/her my friend and try to take the question accordingly. Then I do the 10 Card Celtic Spread. I try to remove the meaning according to the question and as I am deep in the thought of the person asking the question I write what I feel is the answer or the meaning of the card at that point, and to my delight many a times it has come correct.
At one occasion I did a Celtic Spread for one person, the Reading to my Mind came something different and to My Surprise I wrote about the meanings of the Cards completely, the other side of what I had thought. It happens and the Reading which I had written had come True, the person agreed.
So I take Tarot as the Correct answer for many questions, but you have to completely involved with the question, and to your surprise the correct answer's come.
Now this is what I feel, do let me know what do you think of this.  

Regards
Pankaj

Hi,

I haven't been here in a while. I am a little lost. I do read reverse cards. I think reverse cards are important because it alters the meaning of the card in my opinion. Paywacker, I am sort of confused as to what you are explaining in your post. Please explain.

Mysticapple.

As I said before, I don’t want to step on toes at all. The main consideration is, that you have cast your cards already. In that sense, to have another reading done, at times, may confuse you, the querant. The way in which you read your cards, may not correspond to the way another reader reads cards. Also, many factors are at play, your emotional perception, you may be biased, or it may well be, that your readings are absolutely apposing each other! The first set of cards you are presented with, will answer your questions, and doing the CC, you may get more information as well, you just need to look for it!!

That is why it is so important to study your cards and look for the links in the cards. Have a look at my posting “Tarot with a Twist” You will see the way in which I make ascimilations, connections, links and bring the symbolism to an understandable chaos!

Although a lot of readers would want to claim “it works on a hunch”, yes it does, but the theory is as important, if not more important. Tarot cards are based on archetypes, how these are interpreted, depends upon the reader. There are predominating directions, influences from other cards, transitions between timeperiods, the past and the future. The number values are significant as well!!! Each number is attached to a certain stage of development.

Reading the Celtic Cross is complicated to beginners, but once you understand the way it works, you will never want to do another spread. I truly always try to limit my readings to within the CC, however, if I get a strong “sense” I do divert, but very seldom.

I have a tutorial of how to read the Celtic Cross. This is based on the standard RW. All other decks are derivatives, and doesn’t always display the true symbolism, the images may be beautifull, but I just don’t use them at all. Maybe I will use another deck, for the sake of entertaining a querant, but be sure, I will pack the RW later. The card interpritations are my own, some correspond, but others appose some decks. These I did years ago already, and stick to them, no matter which deck I use!!

Here is the tutorial, use it as a guide, and revisit your original spread! Study your cards, no matter if it takes you a week, leave your spread open. I even got clarity, on a issue, from a car’s indicator infront of me! You really need to ponder your reading!

The road from 1 to 10 is sometimes easy or sometimes full of obstacles and blockages. When we look at the Celtic Cross spread, we need to consider what is in the past or in the future. We must also think about things that have a continuous influence, be it in the past or coming up in the future.

Let us then consider each number as it follows and the road we al travel to achieve attainment.

The Significator. This is a card the reader may want to use to ground the Querent, or understand it as a pivot; all the cards refer to a central point or person.

When we look at the Celtic Cross, we see that it comprises ten cards. From one to ten, describes a path the Querent is following. If we look at the implication of one vs. ten, one cannot exist unless it has a defined route, nor can ten exist, unless the route has been followed.
1) This is obviously a very important card as it describes and directs the reading as a whole! This card explains the current influence the Querent is experiencing. We can also consider that what this card describes is “in happening, now or that which sets the flavor”. Another factor we want to consider is that this card is the thought not come to fulfillment yet. This card is governed by the Magician and therefore, the Magician creates his Universe or controls all the different suits of the Minor Arcanum. Therefore it is placed over the Significator.
2) In this card we see dualities, a pairing between thought and motion. We can also see that although it may be a pairing, it might also signify the possible opposing forces within oneself. Therefore card two in essence signifies obstacles, even though the card itself may be positive, it would not necessarily have a positive influence, thus the division. This card can also indicate obstacles the querent is not aware of, actions and influences busy unfolding without the querent’s knowledge.
3) Card 3 we can assume the possible conclusion from the pairing or opposition between card one and two. This card would explain the thought, coupled to the action and the resultant thought process or path of activity.

When we therefore consider the three first cards, we look at the now and the tomorrow. Card three directly links to card six and ultimately card ten. In this card, the Tarot reader must not fall into the trap of strictly predicting an event or influence foreseen in the very near future. Card three truly predicts what happens after now, but forms part of the future, it is one stepping stone in achieving sensible advice. Thus important cards to consider as a group in giving advice would be Three, Six,  Nine and Ten

4) In card four we are looking at the past events and influences. Consider what is represented in card four. We look at foundations, boundaries, concrete facts. These are factors which cannot be changed. Here we need to consider the influence the past events had on the mind and spirit and the resultant frame of mind created by this card. We now link card four to card one, describing the current influence and contemplate card five.
5) Here we find the link in the chain from card four to card one. This card describes the continuous steps taken to achieve the current environment, as described by card one. It also denotes the current steps being taken and then links to card six.
6) Card five gives way to card six, we see the pathway becoming clearer and the start of the direction the reading is taking. We can assume that card six describes the “medium” term future.
7) Getting to card seven, this card gives us an indication as to what the querent may be thinking or contemplating. This card will give you a perception whether the querent is accepting, rejecting or just bluntly refuse to acknowledge his environment. In this sense, this is a card the reader must carefully contemplate. We must also link the Significator, current influence-card one, and past influence, card four. This card brings into focus how the querent has changed, due to his past influences, and may oppose the significator altogether. In which case we must remember that the way in which a person is changed given a certain set of circumstances, may make them either a good person or a bad person. In this card, we also see how other people regard the actions of the querent.
8) Gives us the mindset. We have people who are by nature pessimistic or optimistic. Let’s say, some will see a positive opportunity in a bad situation where others will merely look at the bad and loose hope. So, if the querent has a negative mindset, the influence on card 9 will be evident. If we then consider card three, six and nine; card eight will show us how the querent should change his/her mindset and how to willfully influence their future.
9) In representing Hopes and Fears, this card is a continuation from card eight. This card is simple to read at face value. If it is negative it would obviously describe the Querent’s fears. And the opposite would then be his/her hopes. However, the number nine describes completion! It therefore predicts that which the querent may receive. If we consider The Magician, the active participation of the querent can be seen. Every person creates his or her own “Universe” and therefore attracts, that what they consistently imagine. Whatever you visualize you materialize. Another powerful quotation, “Whatever you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you will surely have it”.
10) Card ten (final outcome), therefore stands for attainment as opposed to completion in card nine. We can clearly see the true impact the querent has on his or her future. This is then what is achieved by the concurrent thought processes and resulting actions. Card ten should never be considered as if cast in stone. Even the mere reading done, has already changed the quedrants attitude and mindset.

Contained within the Celtic Cross are two significant three card spreads, which also gives guidance to the reader.
1st; Past, Present, Future;
These cards consist of Card four, card one and card three; these cards are read from the bottom up. We then find fixed past influences, leading to the current and then to the very near future (maybe a few days).
2nd; Past, Present, Future;
This three card spread contains cards: Five, One and Six. In this spread we find events which started in the very near past, coming to a conclusion currently and spilling over to the near and mid-future.
We can then start looking at other three card spreads in the Celtic Cross. This is totally up to the reader to decide on these, and there are very few limiting factors.

Upright and Reversed Cards.
The way in which a reader interprets the cards, vary. There is no strict instruction to read cards upright, or upright and reversed. Reading cards in both orientations, increases the number of definitions, but adds a lot more information to a reading, otherwise not considered. Life unfortunately consist of pain and gain. If you want to have the gain, consider the pain. In reading reversed cards, it doesn’t always mean a bad situation at all. My personal point of view is that should there be a bad situation coming up, why shy away or temper this to satisfy the positive hopes of a querent. Consider that the reading should not have more than 50% reversed cards. It would be better to rather cast the cards again, than to do a reading which may be off-centre.

The final outcome.
When packing the cards, the reader must lean on their divine inspiration as well as basic common sense. Each card has a “formulated” interpretation. It is not in the interest for a reader to restrict their thoughts to the prescribed format or interpretations. The final outcome is a versatile and a debatable conclusion. Normally it would be a better ending to have this card as a Major Arcanum. Another possibility is that this card may be a Minor Arcanum Court card, in which case, the card may represent a person that will either help or oppose the querent.

Directions,
You may now frown at this expression, most cards have a distinct direction the person is facing, in the Major Arcanum most cards face the querent straight on. Therefore the cards are speaking directly to the querent about any circumstance arising or existing. It is possible to establish where the positive or negative influence is coming from, by looking at the direction the people are facing on the cards. Example: If the Five of Cups is in house six, the person faces to the left and down, looking at card four. We can assume that this was the way the querent regarded a certain influence from his past and it might spill over into his future as well.


Unclear or confused conclusions.
It sometimes happens that we don’t get a clear picture at the end or you have a querent really looking more confused than what they were when getting to you. People sometimes hide the truth, and try to fool the reader. When they realize that suddenly their secrets are no longer hidden, a confused querent?

At the best of times, your querent hasn’t really got their question properly “aligned” WHY? They don’t know Tarot! It’s such a normal phenomena that every Tarot reader must unfortunately overcome and make peace with.  When we get to confusing conclusions,
What to do?------------------------------------CHANGE THE CARD-------------------------------------------
No, the reader draws a further card and then perhaps finds enlightenment. A very important issue to remember, is that most of the time, readings are not confused. Rather start looking whether the Tarot isn’t discussing another matter, or consider whether the question might be worded wrongly. In this sense it may be advisable to rather gather the cards and start afresh.

Three Cards of advice.
While placing the cards, the reader may want to pack an extra three cards. These cards does not form an integral part of the reading, but only gives guidance and must be read upright only. Should one of these cards even in the upright position be negative, the reader must put it into context and explain that should the querent encounter such a problem, what actions is to be taken to avoid it.

When doing a reading and it’s confusing, when in one session, don’t cast cards more than three times, actually don’t cast the cards again and again even if the outcome is clear. Most, if not all questions can be answered in this one reading.

I sincerely hope that you can glean information from my notes.

Blessed be