Yes/No Questions and a Technique for Working with them

I often eschew using tarot for yes/no questions. My attitude has always been, “why would you use such a sophisticated tool, capable of extremely nuanced and insightful answers for something you could just toss a coin to answer?” But some time ago I thought of a quick method for answering them. I’ve worked with it a…

2+3=1 : Communicative Tension

I recently watched a YouTube video on the history of writing. Near the end, it summed up the dichotomous tension faced by all written expressions of language — and indeed spoken language as well — the balance between sound and meaning, reader and writer, information and recognition, flexibility and consistency. These dichotomies, and the tension…

Pairspectives #4: The in-Between

One of my favourite Sanskrit mantras dealing with duality appears, at its surface, to expound the virtue of crossing from one side of duality to the other. asato mā sad gamaya, tamaso mā jyotir gamaya, mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya Lead me from the unreal to the real; From ignorance to illumination; From death to immortality A…

Deck Anatomy

I’ve always viewed tarot as a complete representation of us. No matter which cards are drawn, the entire pack is within us, so every single card is ALWAYS relevant… But of course there are times when certain aspects of ourselves are more prevalent than others.

Pairspectives #3: Decision

Our most difficult decisions are probably when both choices seem absolutely equal — in rewards and risks, benefits and sacrifices. This is, of course, what makes them so difficult! When presented with unequal choice, the decisions are not usually so difficult. We may still not necessarily make the “right” choices, due to a number of…

Tarot’s Twos

The next several posts in the Pairspectives series will be spreads based on the tarot’s twos — taking the theme of each card and creating a spread from each theme. In the process, we will inevitably explore aspects of each of these cards themselves, possibly giving new understanding to those cards that can be applied…

Pairspectives #2: Knowing Choices

This exercise will help you recognize reading patterns, help you develop your intuitive skills, as well as developing discernment around projection vs reality. All of this will in turn help you see through the cards and your own biases to the heart of matters you inquire about.

Empowerment, Embodiment, Impermanence, and (the illusion of) Control

In embodiment, there is no longer such importance on outcomes or the desire for control, yet we find that the comfort we seek is within ourselves — and that’s pretty damn valuable.

Pairspectives #1: Cut Deep

This is less of a 2-card reading, and more of a one-card reading plus a bias, but it starts moving us out of one-card territory.

2-Card Readings: Pairspectives Series

Cards are best viewed in relationship. Here’s an exercise to develop the most important relationship in your life — your relationship with yourself