The Tarot Channel

Tarot Toss-Up: A Presidential Selection

The country of Althusalah is holding presidential elections this fall. It's an historic race for many reasons. In a tight race for the Aprolactic party nomination, one candidate is female and the other male.

You decide to get insight into this presidential election by drawing three cards for each candidate.

After shuffling, you draw the following cards:

Candidate One (Female)

Ace of Cups - 5 of Cups - Queen of Wands

Candidate Two (Male)

Wheel of Fortune - Hierophant - 4 of Cups

Based on these cards, what would you conclude about each of these candidates?

As always, any notes on your interpretive techniques--why you say whatever you say--will be welcomed!

-- Janet Boyer

Cards from the Aquatic Tarot

What's Next for Your Neck of the Woods?

Kellye Crockett--a Kingston, Ontario Tarot reader who owns the Sacred Source store--weighs in on the future of her city in this article by Frank Armstrong of the Kingston Whig-Standard:

What lies ahead for city?; Tarot card reader takes a look at what the future holds for Kingston

What's up for your own city or town or nation in 2008?  Do a reading and post your results here as a comment.

Let's get replies from all over the world!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, enlightening and rewarding new year!

Eva Yaa Asantewaa
http://mysite.verizon.net/magickaleva
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

A word to the wise

Here's a bit of wise advice for Tarot readers from one of those tea bag tags:

"Let your heart speak to others' hearts."

That's what it's all about.

Have a wonderful holiday season, everyone!

Blessings,

Eva Yaa Asantewaa
http://mysite.verizon.net/magickaleva
http://hummingwitch.blogspot.com

Tarot Toss-Up: Bored With Life

George feels "stuck" at his job, bored with his marriage and saddened that he didn't make more of himself in life. He was offered a job as an apprentice carpenter out of high school, which he wanted to take, but his Dad pressured him to work at the family business selling auto parts.

George caved in, and he's been at the business for 20 years. Yet, he longs to go into business for himself and experience new things...instead of dreading each day from the time the alarm clock buzzes.

You decide to do a nine card reading with the top line representing his inner life, the middle line representing his outer life and the bottom representing advice, direction or things to consider.

After shuffling, you draw:

(Internal) The Moon - 3 of Cups - 2 of Cups

(External) The Hierophant - Knight of Swords - 4 of Coins

(Advice) Queen of Wands - 8 of Swords - 9 of Wands

What would you suggest to George based on these cards?

As always, any notes on your interpretive techniques--why you say whatever you say--will be welcomed!

-- Janet Boyer

Images are from the Aquatic Tarot

Tarot Toss-Up: Living in Balance

Editor's Note: "Tarot Toss-Ups" present a brief scenario and an associated spread of cards. We "toss up" the story and cards...and everyone can chime in with ideas, interpretations, and insights! Leaving your own comment is fast and fun...and participating is a great way to learn more about Tarot!

Beth comes to you for a reading wanting to know what steps she could take to bring more balance and vitality into her life.

You shuffle the cards and draw:

3 of Wands - 8 of Cups - Knight of Swords

What would you suggest to Beth based on these cards?

As always, any notes on your interpretive techniques--why you say whatever you say--will be welcomed!

-- Janet Boyer

Images are from the Aquatic Tarot

Tarot Toss-Up: A Parent's Concern

Editor's Note: "Tarot Toss-Ups" present a brief scenario and an associated spread of cards. We "toss up" the story and cards...and everyone can chime in with ideas, interpretations, and insights! Leaving your own comment is fast and fun...and participating is a great way to learn more about Tarot!

Donna comes to you for a reading because she's concerned about her 14 year-old son. He seems moody lately, and Donna would like insight on how to best support him, as well as comunicate with him effectively.

You shuffle the cards and draw:

4 of Pentacles - Death - Queen of Swords

What would you suggest to Donna based on these cards?

As always, any notes on your interpretive techniques--why you say whatever you say--will be welcomed!

-- Janet Boyer

Images are from the Aquatic Tarot

Tarot Ethics: Reading for Children Under 18

  The Barnes and Noble in Augusta, Maine recently offered Tarot readings to children as part of a promotional event to celebrate to release of the latest Harry Potter novel.

Unfortunately, these folks didn't think it was a good idea.... 

"It boggles the mind that a mainstream company like Barnes and Noble would allow this witchcraft on its premises, and that they would then target unsupervised children for their tarot card fortune-telling activity."

Well, it boggles my mind these folks view it as inappropriate for a company like Barnes and Noble to explore anything other than their acceptable doctrine.

BUT, from a Tarot Readers Ethics Perspective - should readers provide readings to children under 18 without the consent or presence of a parent or guardian?

Many readers will not, and state it so in their ethics.  Others follow the basic guidelines outlined by organizations such as the American Tarot Association which do not mention age specifically other than in regards to equality.  However, they are careful to point out it is a description of the minimal ethical standards to which members should adhere.  Perhaps it is something that should be considered on a case by case basis, and the avenue of delivering the reading, such as email or in person, should be a major factor.   However, it's impossible to really validate a person's age without looking at their I.D, and I've never heard of a reader asking to see someone I.D.  I probably wouldn't.

What's your take?   Did Barnes and Noble do the right things from the Tarot Readers Ethics Perspective?

Tarot Toss-Up: Which Job?

Editor's Note: "Tarot Toss-Ups" present a brief scenario and an associated spread of cards. We "toss up" the story and cards...and everyone can chime in with ideas, interpretations, and insights! Leaving your own comment is fast and fun...and participating is a great way to learn more about Tarot!

Feeling confused and anxious, Penny comes to you for a career reading. She was notified by her present employer that she'll be laid off within 30 days. She had considered looking for another job in the area, but decided to take a risk and post her resume online.

Penny received not one, but two job offers within a week's time. Both would require her to sell her house and move hundreds of miles away. Both areas, and jobs, seem equally appealing.

You draw three cards for both options and an additional advice card--seven cards in all. You draw:

Job A:

King of Wands - Knight of Wands - The World

Job B:

9 of Wands - King of Cups - Queen of Pentacles

For the Advice Card, you draw:

Knight of Swords

What is your advice to Penny? For extra credit, what would be your advice if the first and last card from each choice were reversed?

(As always, any notes on your interpretive techniques--why you say whatever you say--will be warmly welcomed!)

Images are from the Aquatic Tarot

-- Janet Boyer

Ethics: Public Readings for Celebrities

Facade.com offers readings -- accessible to the public -- ostensibly done "for" various celebrities, including Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. Yesterday, a WIRED Magazine blog post on the launch of the iPhone even cited one of these readings:

Even Steve's Tarot of the Day backs him up. According to Facade.com, today he drew the Three Fates spread which "is an exceptionally popular way to gain insight into the emerging arc of the past, present, and future."

(The writer of the WIRED piece seems to confuse the site's random selection of a Tarot spread with the interpretation of that spread.)

Some questions, then, that I hope you'll discuss in the comments:

- To what extent does a reading done "for" a celebrity without that celebrity's involvement or consent have any validity?

- How ethical is it to publish the results of such a reading in a public venue?

Synchronicity in Reading Requests

I had a funny experience the other day; I was doing a tarot reading for someone else, when two cards came up that just made me laugh because they are so indicative of my life right now. I have long suspected the tarot does this - I often seem to get requests for readings that give me messages that are as much for me as they are for the querant.