Who’s Who At The Readers Studio – Part 3

This is Part 3 of Who’s Who At The Readers Studio. Enjoy!

Beth Seilonen:

 Hello!  I am Beth Seilonen, who happens to be totally addicted to creating Arcana and Tarot decks.

I first began creating Tarots in 2007, when after I spent some amount of time working my way through the first four cards, I had received a message from a fellow e-bayer stating that they liked what they saw and would keep watching my work.  So, not wanting to disappoint, I continued on through my first Arcana.  When I was getting close to the end, I received a second note asking if I would print and sell a copy of this series.  A few weeks later, I began getting emails from people requesting a copy of the Theban Tarot.  Being curious, I googled my deck’s name, and there it was on Adam McLean’s Tarot Weblog.  Then after a few bumps in the road and with Adam’s willingness to help me along, I have arrived to where I am today!

My art ranges from humorous looks at life through the eyes of other creatures (foxes, snails, cats) to more spiritual and intuitive art.  All of which reflect well into our own lives.

Personally, my favorite decks are those which bring up our impact upon the environment and to suggest that we take a moment, pause to reflect on the beauty around us and find a way to improve our world.  It’s the only one we have.

In my other life outside of Tarot, I attended the University Of Maine, Orono where I received my Bachelors of Fine Art and currently teach art part time and have a summertime gallery-art supply shop.

Please visit my site: http://www.catseyeart.com

 ~~~~~

 Part 1 can be viewed here: http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/whos-who-at-the-readers-studio-part-1/.

Part 2 can be viewed here: http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/whos-who-at-the-readers-studio-part-2 .

 © October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Divination by Punctuation

Divination By Punctuation

 Author: Craig Conley

Prof. Oldfellow’s Forgotten Wisdom

Independently Published

2010

ISBN #9781453813140

 “In all beginnings dwells a magic force.”

Hermann Hesse

“Divination By Punctuation” is a project that I have followed since its inception. Craig very graciously agreed to do an interview with me about this particular project to give us some insight into the process – http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/interview-with-craig-conley/. We are very blessed that this work is now available in print form (I dearly love holding a book in my hand, while at the same time wanting to make a living through e-books!). I am deeply honored – and extremely humbled – that I am one of three individuals (along with Tamara Yelin and Gary Barwin) that Craig dedicated this book to. This is probably because I used my Cappie perseverance to nag him to put this work out for public consumption!

A bit about Craig’s background – he is uber intelligent – that is all you need to know! Okay – he is also some other things, like author/artist for the “Punctuated Tarot” and “Trump L’Oeil – Tarot of Portmeirion” (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/portmeirion/review.shtml ), author of “Magic Words – A Dictionary”  (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/books/magic-words-dictionary/), and “One Letter Words – A Dictionary”. A former college teacher, he is a lexicographer, visionary thinker, and true “Renaissance man”.

From the book:

“In ‘The Secret Teachings of All Ages’ (1928), Manly P. Hall suggests that Tarot cards must be considered in three ways:’ (1) as separate and complete hieroglyphs ,each representing a distinct principle, law, power, or element in Nature; (2) in relation to each other as the effect of one agent operating upon another; and (3) as vowels and consonants of a philosophic alphabet.’

Conley sees Hall as proposing that Tarot cards form “distinct units of meaning”. He quotes Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone as concurring: “The practical language of Tarot is a language of question and answer. In that language, card meanings could be compared to the words, and spreads to the grammar” (Tarot Tips, 2003).

 The point is made that while it is easy to translate (interpret) a Tarot card in isolation, it is more of a challenge to understand the “deep structure” of a Tarot spread that includes several cards. Conley posits that a secondary system of icons can provide visual clues as to how individual cards relate. He goes on to say that just a traditional Tarot imagery distills the archetypes that make up our life, the standard marks and signs of punctuation clarify meaning as our story folds (and that is what the Tarot is – our story, told in our own unique way). In essence, punctuation offers cues on how to understand our life experiences. I liked the quote by poet/veteran punctuation artist Gary Barwin, who considers punctuation marks to be “the secret operatives of language”.  How much better does it get! It does get better – Barwin goes on to say, in relating punctuation marks to the Tarot “We have a deep connection to these little dark marks. Each of them is like a tiny Tarot card, the reading of which depends on the reader. There are many ways to read their miniscule portraits.”

This is much more a workbook than simply a book to be read and digested. After introducing the concept of punctuation and Tarot, we jump right into working with the upright and reversed meanings of the punctuation marks. The way this is done is to draw two Tarot cards, then draw a punctuation card, and place it between them. In this way a sentence is formed.

For example, if we place an Em Dash between the two cards, then the substance of card number one has been interrupted by the substance of card number two. If the punctuation card drawn was an Ellipsis (I love these little guys!), then card number one is going to hit the skids and leave card number two in its wake. With a Guillemet (fast forward symbol) we see card number one speedily advancing towards card number two.

Each punctuation mark is described in both its upright and reversed meanings. Punctuation marks covered include comma, single quotation mark, consecutive dots, ellipsis, bullet, interpunct, semicolon, punctus elevatus, high dot, period, degree, full stop, left square bracket, right square bracket, left parenthesis, right parenthesis, colon, colon separator, ditto mark, double quotation mark, em dash, underscore, asterisk, hodge star, exclamation point, inverted exclamation point, left guillemet, right guillemet, hyphen (prefix), hyphen (suffix), question mark, inverted question mark, forward slash, backslash, caret, caron, sarcasm mark, conditional probability, sharp, hash, falsum, tee, therefore, because, tie, undertie, accolade, right brace, space and move-up bracket.

In looking at punctuation within larger spreads, Conley uses as an example a four card spread that I drew, using the “Shadowscapes Tarot” (Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore).  It was read as a linear spread, with the position definitions (1) body, (2) heart, (3) mind and (4) spirit. The punctuation marks drawn were the Asterisk, Colon and Inverted Exclamation Point. This reading can be seen in the guest blog that Craig wrote here – http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/guest-blog-by-craig-conley/. There is another great sample reading in this chapter using a four card reading done for Tarot reader Tamara Yelsin upon receiving the news of Michael Jackson’s death.

In his chapter on the Major Arcana and punction associations, Conley presents each card with its associated punctuation mar, along with a short quote. From the book:

“The Hermit

The square brackets, [ ], form a nest for missing or added material.

 “The Saints’ days marked between brackets [ ], are not appointed by the church.” – Charles Walker, A Prayer Book For The Young.”

 The Major Arcana punctuation associations are:

The Fool – Pilcrow

The Magician – Trademark symbol

The High Priestess – Question Mark

The Empress – Prime Symbol of Mathematics

The Emperor – Ampersand

The Hierophant – Therefore Sign

The Lovers – Section Sign

The Chariot – Space Symbol

Strength – The Brace

The Hermit – Square Brackets

The Wheel of Fortune – Reference Mark

Justice – Percent Sign   

The Hanged Man – Semicolon

Death – Ellipsis

Temperance – Tilde

The Devil – Numero Sign

The Tower – Exclamation Point

The Star – Asterisk

The Moon – Degree Symbol

The Sun – The Bullet

Judgement – Interrobang

The World – Copyright SymbolConley revisits my four card spread, replacing the cards from the “Shadowscapes Tarot” with cards from the “Punctuation Tarot”. He also visits a three-card spread done for Tarot reader Catherine Chapman just after a lunar eclipse.

At the end of the book Conley presents six other unique techniques of divination by punctuation: (1) Decipher Your Dog’s Character by the Punctuation Spots, (2) A Tilde in a Teacup: Punctuate Tealeaf Reading, (3) Automatic Punctuating, (4) Punctuation in Palmistry, (5) Punctuated Cloud Divination and (6) Visionary Punctuation: Mystical Insights.

To see the concept of divination by punctuation at work, check out Craig’s awesome guest post – http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/guest-blog-by-craig-conley/. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get a fresh take on the Tarot – especially those who see the Tarot as a living story, and want to be able to write it in their own unique fashion.

 © October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Who’s Who At The Readers Studio Part 2

This is Part 2 of Who’s Who At The Readers Studio. Barbara and Caitlin will both be presenting (I am looking forward to hearing what each of these ladies has to say!), and Emily is a very gracious and exciting in her own right, with three very exciting, mind-bending decks to her credit!

Emily Carding:

Emily Carding lives in Cornwall with her amazing husband, ethereal daughter and the glorious Albus Dumbledog. Here she has created various offerings, such as The Transparent Tarot, the Transparent Oracle, and The Tarot of the Sidhe for Schiffer Books. She has also contributed book covers, articles and artwork for several works from Avalonia Books. To date these titles include Towards a Wiccan Circle (Cover), Both Sides of Heaven, (Cover and article- ”The Salvation of the Sidhe”, From a Drop of Water (Article- ”Nimue: The Archetypal Priestess”), and Hekate Her Sacred Fires (Cover, Article- ”Painting Hekate” and internal illustrations)

Emily speaks at specialist tarot events around the world and also works as a storyteller, the perfect combination of her experience in Theatre and knowledge of folklore, myth and magick!

New releases over the next few months include ‘The Norse Gods’ from Avalonia Books, (fully illustrated by Emily), ‘VS’ from Avalonia Books, (Cover and articles by Emily) and the much anticipated book and deck set of ‘Tarot of the Sidhe’ from Schiffer Books! There is also another surprise Tarot release around the corner…

She has also recently created banners for both Three Wishes Faery Fest and Sir Lanval, a new film from Chagford Filmmaking group, the latter which can be seen on display as part of an art and props exhibition in the Flavel!

She is currently working on lots. You’ll just have to wait and see

 ~~~~~

 Caitlin Matthews:

Caitlín Matthews is a respected teacher of the ancestral and shamanic traditions of Britain and Ireland.  As a recognized wisdom-keeper and elder, she teaches these traditions, re-awakening memory of ancestral wisdom for faith groups, cultural institutions and communities of the Celtic diaspora worldwide. She is the author of over 60 books and is the originator of  three tarots: The Arthurian Tarot, The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot and The Celtic Wisdom Tarot, as well as many divination systems including The Celtic Book of the Dead and Celtic Wisdom Sticks: An Ogam Oracle. Her Celtic Wisdom Oracle: Oracle Cards for Ancestral Wisdom and Guidance comes out in March 2011.

With John Matthews she is the author of the Storyworld series of storytelling cards which enable  families and communities to share inspiration and imagination. She also specializes in teaching traditional European spirit-consultation oracles where the diviner draws directly upon the spirits of nature or on the ancestral spirits for answers. She is a co-founder of the Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies, dedicated to the sacred and ancestral arts that are held in oral memory and practice.  Caitlín lives in Oxford where she has had a shamanic healing practice for over 20 years.  www.hallowquest.org.uk

Caitlín says, ‘I am very much looking forward to this event.  The energy and inspiration that abounds in the US for tarot is unequalled anywhere in the world.  How we open the windows of tarot and how we walk through them seems very important to me at this time.

Our sense of tarot community is enhanced when we share our ideas and projects: there is no diminishment of any individual when we come together because our collective wisdom returns us to our tarot tribe.  This is a safe space and opportunity for many to discuss, swap ideas and encourage fresh growth in our tarot lives. When we return home – however uncaring our family or collective may be of tarot – we feel the glow of reconnection with the source of inspiration.

The kindness, friendship, patience and generosity with which we practise brings vital attributes to the world of divination, dispelling the false notion surrounding our craft.  If you are “just a beginner” or someone who’s “had a pack for a long time,” or someone who “doesn’t do tarot properly” then you will enjoy the Readers Studio 2011 – what you understand about your pack is more interesting than what you don’t know.

Your imagination has no bridle, unless you let others rein you in.  Stretch and return to your own beautiful shape as you join us for a grand get-together! Who knows what we’ll shuffle into life?’

Many blessings

Caitlín Matthews

Website: www.hallowquest.org.uk

My USA Amazon blog: http://www.amazon.com/Caitlin-Matthews/e/B000APC1TS/ref=sr_tc_2_0

My UK Amazon page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B000APC1TS

I WRITE BOOKS FOR YOU!

 ~~~~~

 Barbara Moore:

Barbara Moore Tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore’s life for over twenty years. Right from the start, tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, history, mystery, and magic, as well as its eminently practical applications. In addition to providing professional readings, Barbara consults for both Llewellyn Worldwide and Lo Scarabeo and is one of the founders of the Minnesota Area Tarot Symposium.

Barbara enjoys giving a voice to tarot cards not only by doing readings but also by writing the books that accompany decks. She has had the good fortune to write books and booklets for several decks, including A Guide to Mystic Faerie Tarot, The Gilded Tarot Companion, The Enchanted Oracle, The Mystic Dreamer Tarot, The Vampires of the Eternal Night Tarot, The Witchy Tarot, The Dream Enchantress Tarot, Tarot of the Sweet Twilight, and Shadowscapes Tarot, Pagan Cats Tarot, The Pagan Magical Kit, and The Book Shadows Tarot, volumes 1 and 2. In the fall of 2010, her new edition of Llewellyn’s Tarot for Beginners was released.

A Hermit at heart, Barbara has been getting out and about more, speaking at conferences, such as MATS, TABI, and Readers Studio, as well as appearing on Beyond Worlds. When not exercising her newfound social skills, she is busy playing with her cards, writing Llewellyn’s tarot blog, designing an exciting new tarot deck, and working on a novel that may very well include fortune telling.

You can contact Barbara through her website: www.practicaltarotreadings.com

Note: Barbara asked me to let people know that she can be found on Face Book, and to not be shy about friending her. She also encourages people to come up and introduce themselves at the Readers Studio.

Part 1 Of  Who’s Who  At The Readers Studio can be seen here - http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/whos-who-at-the-readers-studio-part-1/ .

© October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Full Moon In Aries

Today we see the Full Moon in the very last degree of Aries. As Beth Owl’s Daughter noted in her Full Moon post, the Full Moon is a Blue Moon – not because it is the second Full Moon in a month, but because it is the second Full Moon in Aries in two months. With this Full Moon the focus is placed on relationships, and on looking beneath the surface of all of our relationships to see what is really going on.

We are looking to find balance in our relationships, which means that we might want to take into account how we are perceived, by others, as well as how we perceive ourselves. Fiery Aries gives us the courage to reach into our passionate side and follow our dreams with courage and conviction. We are able to set aside our shadow – the fears and anxieties that lie under the surface – and move forward in our lives.

The 29^th degree of any sign carries a sense of completion with it. Combine that with a Full Moon – which itself indicates completion and transition, and we get the feeling that this is a time for personal growth (rapid personal growth, IMHO), a time when we need to place intent behind our purpose.

With the Sun at 29 degrees of Libra, we are truly looking at an “Us versus Them” mentality, especially in regard to relationship. Expect there to be a lot of confusion and lack of clarity during this time. Try not to remain too focused on self – to the point that you don’t really care what the other person thinks. Attempt to stay in the moment, remain aware o what you are saying and doing, and retain some semblance of balance in you relationships.

The card that I drew (from the “Touchstone Tarot” (by Kat Black) for this Full Moon was the Tower. The Tower asks us to review our life, to look for patterns, and to release that which no longer serves us well, t hat which ties us to the past. What in your relationship is tying you to the past? How do you feel about this? What action can you take to release this tie?

I love Full Moons, because the full power of the Moon, and her mystical, psychic, intuitive nature are present. How are you going to honor this Full Moon?

© October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

For The Next 7 Generations

For The Next 7 Generations

Producer/Director: Carole Hart

Hartley Film Foundation

Center For Sacred Studies, and the International Council of Thirteen Grandmothers

2009

“For The Next 7 Generations” is a documentary about thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers that came together in 2004, following a vision from spiritual leader Jyoti. The vision that she carried was that of a circle of Indigenous Grandmothers, On her journey, Jyoti found that an African shaman/medicine woman by the name of Bernadette Rebienot was having the same vision. When she returned to her home in California, Jyoti and her associate Ann Rosencrantz invited sixteen Indigenous Women from around the world to join them in a gathering. Thirteen Grandmothers responded – each of whom had received their own visions.

The women were all told in their visions that the time was now – that they need to help heal Mother Earth and her inhabitants. They were given the message that “Nothing will change unless we change.” They first met as a group in 2004 – bonding immediately an deeply.

The documentary, which was four years in the making, begins by introducing each of the thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, describing their backgrounds, and how they all felt that the power that they carried was the power of prayer – that this is what would heal Mother Earth. Part of their credo was that we must live in harmony with all. The Grandmothers are all teachers, therapists and healers. They each hold the belief that the four sacred elements – Water, Earth, Air and Fire are there to keep us alive and well.

Their meeting took place in council, in a circle. They hold the belief that women are to lead the next change – which is already happening. It is imperative that we move forward as quickly as possible. They formalized as a group of Thirteen Grandmothers to pass along wisdom to the next generation.

The documentary shows the women visiting each of the thirteen countries that they came from, showing directly their background, and how they work. It is noted in the documentary the importance of bringing children to each Grandmother’s country. Some of the things that were touched on is the importance of water, which is now a declining resource. We need to bless our water and water sources, and gie thanks for them. Another aspect of the documentary was that of working with plant medicine – and how many of our plants are becoming disappearing species.

Prophetic vision and dreams are stressed, as well as prayers and chanting. It was absolutely amazing to watch this video and see the different tribes, their countries, the brilliant colors, song and dances – the backbone of the cultures represented.

Another topic touched upon was the wounds inflicted on the indigenous people by outside influences via the Catholic Church. This has still not been fully addressed, although the Catholic Church was petitioned, and did say they would seriously look into it.

What I thought was amazing, funny, and absolutely incredible was that many of the Indigenous Grandmothers were thought by their people to be crazy when they were younger. To me, this simply showed the very high vibrational level that they were born under, and were able to sustain. Many, if not all of the Grandmothers were taught their sacred work by a family member or relation, so there is a lineage to consider. It is interesting to note that over time with their teachings have acted as a seed for a global movement towards healing Mother Earth. This is a return to ancient earth-based traditions, the traditions of all of our ancestors, no matter where they were from.

From the site, this is the Grandmothers Mission Statement:

“We, the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, represent a global alliance of prayer, education and healing for our Mother Earth, all her inhabitants, all the children, and for the next seven generations to come. We are deeply concerned with the unprecedented destruction of our Mother Earth and the destruction of indigenous ways of life. We believe the teachings of our ancestors will light the way through an uncertain future. We look to further our vision through the realization of projects that protect our diverse cultures: lands, medicines, language and ceremonial ways of prayer and through projects that educate and nurture our children.”

 Six hundred hours of film were taped, with much having to be cut out to fit the documentary film length. Filming was done in the Amazon rainforest, the mountains of Mexico, North America, and at a private meting with the Dali Lama in India (this was breathtaking footage!). The scenes are clear, the participants are well represented, and the speakers are humble women with much wisdom to share. They honor themselves, and they honor each other. Once you start watching this film, you do not want to stop. The scenery, the music, the message – it comes from the heart of the Grandmothers to our heart. This is a film that you do not want to miss!

The main page For The Next 7 Generations DVD can be seen here – http://www.forthenext7generations.com/home.php. There is general information on the thirteen Grandmothers, and on Jyoti, the spiritual leader that had the original vision, and brought them all together. There is also a link to organizing a group in your own community.

There are links here http://www.forthenext7generations.com/buyDvd.php for purchasing the DVD in the U.S. and Canada.

 © October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Who’s Who At The Readers Studio – Part 1

This is the first in a series of blogs introducing individuals who will be attending the 2011 Readers Studio in NYC. Many thanks to Ruth Ann and Wald for agreeing to place their information here, and for coming up with the blog title! Sometimes I just really get lucky! Enjoy!

Ruth Ann & Wald Amberstone are co-founders of The Tarot School. Together they teach, write and publish about Tarot on all levels from divination to psychology to esotericism and magical practice. They are perpetual pioneers of new Tarot techniques and remain lifelong Tarot students. Between them, Ruth Ann and Wald have amassed more than 80 years of experience as Tarot practitioners. Ruth Ann began her career as a reader in 1974, and Wald picked up his first Tarot deck and began his Tarot studies in 1959. They were each awarded the honorary rank of Certified Tarot Grandmaster in 1998.

More than a thousand students have taken live classes at The Tarot School since it opened its doors in 1995. Hundreds more from around the country have participated in Tarot Telecourses (an innovative program of classes given on the telephone), and students from all over the world have purchased recordings from The Tarot School Audio Course Series and study The Tarot School Correspondence Course. Tarot Tips, the Tarot School’s email newsletter, has thousands of subscribers worldwide.

The Amberstones are the authors of Tarot Tips: 78 Practical Techniques to Enhance Your Tarot Reading Skills, part of Llewellyn’s “Special Topics in Tarot” series for readers and teachers. They have also contributed articles to Llewellyn’s Tarot Reader almanacs for 2005, 2006 and 2008. Their second book, The Secret Language of Tarot was published by Weiser Books (April 2008).

The New York Tarot Festival, presented in June 2002 by Ruth Ann, Wald, and the students of The Tarot School, was the first international Tarot symposium to be held on the East Coast. The Readers Studio, also produced by The Tarot School, is an annual Tarot conference providing cutting-edge practical techniques to intermediate and advanced students, professional readers, teachers and authors. The ninth annual Readers Studio is scheduled for April 29 – May 1, 2011.

Featured In: The Washington Post, “The Today Show”, “Fox and Friends”, Discovery Channel.

Tarot@TarotSchool.com

www.tarotschool.com

~~~~~

Bonnie Cehovet:

I have been a professional Tarot reader for the past fifteen years. I have served with the American Tarot Association (as Secretary), with the American Board For Tarot Certification (as Vice resident, Secretary and Director of Certification), and co-founded the World Tarot Network.

My articles, reviews and interviews have appeared in the World Tarot Network newsletter, the Meta Arts Magazine (http://www.themetaarts.com ), and the Aeclectic Tarot site (http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot). I am a contributor to the 2004 and 2005 editions of the Llewellyn Tarot Reader, have an e-book out compiling interviews that I did with several predominate women in the Tarot world (http://bonniecehovet.com/WomenInTarotebook.html), a book available in either print or e-book format compiling my earlier Tarot deck and book reviews (http://bonniecehovet.com/TarotInReview.html), and a print book compiling all of my Tarot interviews (http://www.amazon.com/World-Tarot-Seen-Through-Interview/dp/1452897530/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287469698&sr=8-1).

I have a book on Tarot Birth Cards due to come out in fall 2011 from Schiffer Books, and have the outline written for my second book, which will address using the individual archetypes for personal empowerment. Last, but not least, I am taking part in NaNoWriMo this November, which means that I will (finally!) be getting a decent start on my mystery series!

bonniecehovet@gmail.com

www.BonnieCehovet.com
BonnieCehovet.wordpress.com
BonnieLCehovet.blogspot.com
www.LuLu.com/BonnieCehovet

~~~~~

Anna Burroughs Cook, author of Tarot Dynamics has been reading and interpreting the Tarot for 30 + years and has developed a wide base of clients across the United States as well as the U.K. and Ohio where she currently resides with her hubby Rick.  She has appeared on television, radio and inter-net radio programs and taught private classes including Tarot and Psychic development classes in Adult Education programs.   In between reading for clients, Anna is presently working to enlarging her new Website www.tarotdynamics.com while working on a second Tarot book, and plans to attend The 2011 Readers Studio in NYC. with Bonnie Cehovet!

 ~~~~~

 Chanah Wizenberg:

I am a tarot coach and do workshops on Creative Writing with Tarot, in November I will have a private Ning group for my tarot writers to come and talk about their tarot writing, get support and talk tarot. There will be a weekly webinar included for this group, Creative Writing with Tarot.

I have been doing readings since since I was 16 years old and now do them professionally in addition to my tarot coaching by email, phone, and in person. I have recently started the creation of my own deck with Rebbecca Rousseau called Les Cochons. I am also working of a tarot suspense/mystery book.

tarotreader@wisewomantarot.com

www.wisewomantarot.com

www.meetup.com/metorwesttarot

www.facebook.com/wisewomantarot

Part 2 of Who’s Who At The Readers Studio can be seen here – http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/whos-who-at-the-readers-studio-part-2/.

© October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Readers Studio 2011

The Tarot world is looking forward with great anticipation to Readers Studio 2011. Founded by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone of The Tarot School, this annual event brings together Tarot students and readers from the U.S. and abroad for three days fo learning, with a great mix of fun and mayhem! Each year more and more people are attending – some for the second, third, or fourth time. Working in this field can be a somewhat solitary endeavor. This year I thought it might be fun to give everyone a “head start” on knowing who the other participants in the Readers Studio were, and a little bit about what they were working on. In this manner, we can make the effort to connect with other individuals that are doing work that we are also interested in. I ran this by Ruth Ann and Wald, and got the go-ahead to do a series of blogs introducing individuals that will be attending this event.

If you are attending Readers Studio 2011, and you would like to be included in one of my blogs, please contact me at bonniecehovet@gmail.com, with a short bio and any other information that you wish to share with others.  Be assured that you have to send me your information for it to be included – I won’t include anyone who does not wish to be included. As there will be many people attending, I will be doing a series of blogs. Each blog will contain links to all previous blogs, for easy reference.

I hope to hear from each of you that is attending, and look forward to meeting many new people!

Blessings,

Bonnie

(c) October 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Tarot Learning Cards

Tarot Learning Cards ®
Self Study Flash Cards

Author: Jadzia DeForest, Jay GreenMan DeForest
Living Magick Publishing Company
2010
ISBN #978-0-9828844-0-9

How many of wish that we had had some type of help when we were learning to read the Tarot? Now there are Internet sites devoted to the Tarot, Internet classes, local, in-person classes, and a ton of books. But where can one find basic information, in one place, readily accessible, at nominal cost, that will allow one to work at ones own pace? Jadzia and Jay DeForest have developed just such a program – learning the Tarot through the use of flash cards. Remember “way back when”, with your mother holding the multiplication flash cards in front of you? It worked then, and it works now!

The “Tarot Learning Cards” are a set of 78 cards that teach the basics of Tarot. On the front of each card is the card number (in Roman numerals) and name (for the Major Arcana); suit symbol, number and name (for the Minor Arcana Pips – numbered cards), and suit symbol, title and suit (for the Court Cards). On the back of each card

On the back of the card for the Major Arcana is the individual card theme, astrological association, Major Arcana theme, and upright and reversed keywords. For the Minor Arcana Pips (numbered cards), the back side shows the individual card theme, keywords ofr the suit, keywords for the card number, and upright and reversed keywords. For the Court Cards, the back side shows the theme for the card title, the suit theme, the elemental association (and associated signs), along with upright and reversed keywords.

For example:

The Fool (Upright)

Theme: Beginning
Astrology: Uranus
Major Arcana: Spiritual Journey
Keywords: Beginning a Journey, Spirit, Innocence, Leap of Faith, Unity, Crossroads, Choice, Folly, Foolishness, Naivete

The Fool (Rx)

Theme: Resistance
Major Arcana: Spiritual Journey
Keywords: Resisting Change, Stuck, Indecision, Making Mistakes, Fear, Carleness, Sudden Change, Reevaluation

Ace of Cups (Upright)

Theme: Inspiration
Cups: Love, Happiness, Spirituality
Aces: Beginning, Ideas, Potential
Keywords: New Relationship, Fertility, New Home, Renewal, Rekindling a Relationsip, Spiritual Insight

Ace of Cups (Rx)

Theme: Selfishness
Cups: Love, Happiness, Spirituality
Keywords: Emptiness, Depression, Self Absorbed, Unbalanced, Blocke Spiritual Growth, Infertility

King of Wands (Upright)

King: Active, Mature Masculine
Wands: Business, Family, Ambition
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Keywords: Business Man, Powerful, Courageous, Determined, Creative, Energetic, Impulsive, Willful

King of Wands (Rx)

King: Active, Mature Masculine
Wands: Business, Family, Ambition
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Keywords: Prideful, Overbearing, Arrogant, Self Centered, Harsh, Power Abuser

There are five cards that accompany this deck, and help the student to use it. The first card talks about how to sue the deck, the second card addresses the numerological associations on one side, with suit and elemental associations on the other side. The third card is a recommended reading list, while the fourth card discusses the Court Cards. The fifth card discusses reversals on one side, and Tarot terminology on the other.

The cards are approximately 3 ¾” by 5 ¼”, and are made of good quality, sturdy card stock. Both sides show a ¼” outer white border, followed by a ¼” dark brown inner border. The middle portion of each card is tan, wit the text in dark brown. The box that the cards come in is heavy duty card board (which I much appreciate!), with a lift off top. The cards are intended for use with beginners, but could be used by someone at the intermediate or advanced level as part of a teaching curriculum.

I advise purchasing the Tarot Quick Reference Sheet, and the Tarot Reversals Quick Reference Sheet to go with the cards. The cards themselves are the learning tools, while the study sheets function well as quick references for interpreting readings.

More information can be found on the site: www.livingmagick.com, as well as information on flash cards for Astrology and the Runes.

© October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

Maroon Tarot

High Priestess

The Hermit

The Fool

Author: Maja Zaworoska

Artist: Tomasz Maronski

Educatio

2009

Self-published

In 2007 (out of Poland) came the self-published, Majors only “Maroon Tarot”, by Maja Zaworska and Tomasz Maronski. A gorgeous ephemeral digital fantasy themed deck, there was an intention at the time to eventually publish a full 78 card version. That time has come! The full version is now available, along with an extra card (ala the Happy Squirrel in Kat Black’s “Touchstone Tarot”, or the Artist in Monika Clio Sakki’s “Sakki Sakki Tarot”) entitled the Reader. There is no LWB that comes with this deck, but there is a companion book due out later this year (The Maroon Tarot Companion), written by Chris Frost.

The cards follow a traditional theme, with traditional titles (Strength at VIII and Justice at XI). The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords and Coins. The Court Cards are King, Queen, Knight and Page.

The box that the cards come in is traditional, opening from the top. The cards are approximately 2 3/8” by 4 3/8”, of good quality card stock, with a semi-matt oil lack on both sides. The overall coloring is dark maroon, with reddish-gold highlights. The back shows a ¼” dark border, with a lighter, reddish-gold pattern surrounding a darker egg shape in the center of the card. In playing with the cards (which I am wont to do!), I found that by fanning them out (which some readers do, as part of choosing the cards to be read), a fantastic pattern of color bands forms. Okay – I may be easily amused, but try it – the effect produced is amazing!

The Major Arcana show the card name in gold lettering, in Polish, on the top left hand side of the card. On the top right hand side, in gold, are glyphs for the Hebrew letter and astrological sign/planet associated with the card. There are also elemental associations shown for The Fool, The Hanged Man, Judgment and The World. Under this, in the middle of the top of the card, is the Roman numeral assigned to the card. On the bottom of the card, in gold lettering, is the card title in English.

There is a reddish-gold “picture frame” type border surrounding the card graphic. The colors used are muted and largely dark, with lighter colored accents in blue, reddish-gold and a silver-white. The artwork is done in digital format, with a fantasy theme. Amongst my favorite cards are the Fool (shown facing the reader, holding aluminous butterfly on his right hand), the High Priestess (which shows a female figure in a futuristic setting, looking up a luminous figures in the sky), the Empress (which shows a young female figure, dressed in white, standing on a balcony, facing the left hand side of the card, looking out), and the Emperor (which shows a male figure in white robes, standing on a balcony, facing the right hand side of the card and looking out).

We cannot forget the Hermit! In this deck, we see a white robed, white bearded figure standing in a mist, facing the left hand side of the card. He carries a staf over his right shoulder, with a lit lamp hanging from the end of it.

The pips (numbered cards) show the card number and suit name in gold, in Polish, on the top left hand side of the card. The card number and suit are written across the bottom of the card, in English, in gold lettering. The Court Cards show the title and suit in gold lettering, in Polish, on the top left hand side of the card. The title and suit are written in English, in gold lettering, across the bottom of the card.

Some things will be noticed as the reader works with the cards. In some cards the figures will appear to be a normal size (compared to their surrounding), while in other cards they appear to be much smaller (i.e. the Magician, the High Priestess, the Lovers, the Chariot, and Judgment). The “Maroon Tarot” creates a fantasy world of its own, where all of this seems “normal”. All of the figures represent power of one sort or another. Another very interesting aspect of this deck is that while the overall color tone is dark, on each card there is a literal point of light to catch the eye!

I loved the Court Cards – they carry very special energy int his deck. In the suit of Coins, the King and Queen are both seated, facing the reader (with the Queen looking to the right hand side of the card), while the Knight and Page are both standing. In the suit of Wands, the King is seated, facing the left hand side of the card, while the Queen is standing, facing the reader, but looking to the right hand side of the card. The Knight and Page are both standing, looking to the right hand side of the card. In the suit of Cups, the King and Queen are shown in large blue shells, with the king standing, a staff in his left hand and his right hand holding a cup up to the sky. The Queen is seated, facing the reader. The Knight is standing, leading his horse, with his back to the reader. The page is standing, facing a cup on the right hand side of the card. The King of Swords is seated, facing forward. The Queen of Swords is seated, facing the right hand side of the card. The Page is standing, facing he right hand side of the card, while the Knight is seated on a horse, facing the right hand side of the card.

I find this deck very easy to work with, and adore the extra card (The Reader), who appears as a dark silhouette wearing a juggler type hat. This deck could be used for readings, in journeying or visualization, or as a focus for meditation. Because of the fantasy nature of the imagery, doors open to new levels of understanding. (For me they did … I feel they will for others also.)

This is an independently published deck, and can be purchased through the deck site – http://www.kartytarota.pl/. Please be very careful where you purchase this deck. It has been pirated by individuals in the Ukraine, and is being sold by them. The quality of these cards is poor, and should not be associated with the true deck. Please check the site for details.

 © October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet

LivingMagick.com

I would like to introduce you all to a fascinating site – www.livingmagick.com. This very special site publishes educational tools for sacred living. Knowing about tools for self-empowerment – such as the Tarot, Astrology and the Runes is one thing, being able to use them effectively is another.

That is the impetus behind this site – providing materials that act as a quick reference for working within systems such as the Tarot, Astrology and the Runes. Products offered include:

Literal “Quick Reference Sheets” for Tarot, Tarot Reversals, Astrology and the Runes. The sheets are 8.5” by 5.5”, printed on card stock and laminated. Information includes themes, keywords, symbols and glyphs.

“Tarot Flash Cards” – a set of traditional 78 cards, double sided, with a symbol and the name of the card on one side, and a description of the card on the other side (including theme, suit, number correspondences, upright and reversed keywords.

“Astrological Flash Cards” – these cards introduce you to what makes up an astrology chart, including astrological signs, planets, houses and aspects. Putting them together, you will be able to build your own charts!

“Rune Flash Cards” – a set of fifty flash cards, with half of the cards featuring the Rune symbol on the front and keywords on the back, and the other half featuring the Rune name of the front, with the symbol on the back.

I am impressed with the work being done here, and think that you will be too!

 © October 2010 Bonnie Cehovet