In a recent post, Psyche gives some excellent information on how to give a Tarot reading. Specifically, she advises that the information the reader gives should be presented in a manner that is useful to the person receiving the reading. This sounds like it should be elementary information—if the information presented in a reading isn't useful, it's basically meaningless data. However, Psyche's idea is actually a rather advanced concept. In fact, it is often one of the most challenging aspects of giving a Tarot reading. The reader has to give up being centered on himself or herself and turn all attention to the client. The reader, in seconds, has to determine how to best convey

This past weekend at the Readers Studio, I noticed that some of my fellow attendees are becoming very interested in Lenormand decks. They like that Lenormand gives very specific, very clear readings. Once familiar with the cards, which have specific meanings rather than a range of meanings like tarot, and the reading method, usually but not always the Grand Tableau, they can answer questions with little ambiguity. Tarot, on the other hand, has become more and more vague, with a focus on spiritual teachings and a presentation of possibilities. Tarot has not always been what it is now. Card meanings have grown, evolved, and deepened over the past decades, with an emphasis on a spectrum of

When I was 12 I received an honor from the local branch of the Optimist Club and was named "Boy of the Year." This included a plaque and a dinner in my honor in L.A.'s Chinatown. As is typical of many kids, I had a very limited food tastes, and I couldn't stand the seaweed soup and other foods that were so foreign to me. After the dinner, my parents, grandparents and I walked around the area. I was immediately drawn to the tourist-oriented sleight-of-hand magic shop that was there and talked my parents into buying me a deck of Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards (they wouldn't go for the rubber chicken). I eagerly read the little instruction booklet and gave my very first reading to my

Today is the first really warm day we’ve had in Minnesota for about a month, which is very unusual since it’s early August. Such a day makes me want to set work aside and just play. At the 2009 Reader’s Studio, Rachel Pollack spoke about the importance of play. Anyone who has read Rachel’s books or heard her speak knows that she takes tarot seriously. But she also recognizes the wisdom in humor and light-heartedness. Playing frees the mind and relieves expectations. Rachel reminded us that great truths and wonderful gifts can be revealed during play. And after all, tarot cards were first used to play games. After chatting about the importance of playfulness, Rachel introduced us all