If you haven’t already read the previous blog post, take a minute and check that out for some background information. Also I should reiterate that I use the phrase "bad card" somewhat tongue-in-cheek. Most tarot readers agree that there are no "bad" cards, that all the cards have gifts and shadows. When I use the phrase "bad" card I mean a card that you (or your client) is having trouble seeing the gift or a card that indicates an undesired outcome. The exercises given by Elinor are ways we can find the gift in any card. After we completed the Burden into Blessings spread, Elinor taught her Gestalt Therapy “Be the Card” Technique. She tells us that: "This is a projective

Dr. Elinor Greenberg is a psychotherapist and tarot reader and she was one of the Master Teachers at this year’s Readers Studio. During our time with Dr. Greenberg, we learned techniques that help us turn “Straw into Gold” or “Burdens into Blessings.” That is, she gave us useful tools to deal with [cue sinister music] “The Bad Cards.” Now, the idea of bad cards varies from reader to reader and person to person. What might be a bad card to you—say, The Hierophant—may very well be an excellent card for me. Or it can vary by situation. There may be a time when you want the 10 of Pentacles with all your heart. At other times, that might feel boring and stagnant. Regardless

Being a Capricorn (as well as the ever-unpopular Emperor/Hierophant lover), I do like things that are measurable and knowable. Fortunately, as I get older, I am definitely loosening up and appreciating other ways of knowing and being in the world. However, I will probably always have a Cappy core and there is one part of the Readers Studio that really resonates with that part of me. One of the key features of the Readers Studio is that by the end of the weekend, you should have learned enough to see a pointed improvement in your readings. The way that we "measure" this is through our foundation readings. At the beginning of the weekend, everyone pairs up and does a short reading for

Although my intention was to blog regularly from RS2010, the weekend was so jam-packed with activities that my good intentions came to nothing. I do hope to make it up to you over the next few weeks by sharing some of my experiences. If you to read more, do check out The Tarot Lady's blog. It was her first year attending, so it is interesting to hear her experienced along with those of RS veterans. Plus, she has pictures! This year, the master teachers were: Dr. Elinor Greenberg, Robert Place, and Mary K. Greer. The master classes form the core of the conference and each are three-hour long intensives. In addition to the three master workshops, there is a Thursday evening optional