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  • Musings on the The Cloisters by Katy Hays
    November 28, 2022 Phillip Gibson

    Musings on the The Cloisters by Katy Hays

    As a Tarot enthusiast, The Cloisters by Katy Hays has an irresistible premise. The story is set in New York where Ann Stilwell arrives from her unextraordinary life in Washington State to be a summer intern at the Metropolitan Museum, only to find that the position is no longer available. Through a "twist of fate", she ends up assigned to The Cloisters, a gothic museum renowned for its medieval art collection and gardens. Ann is a septic of her co-researchers’ pet project to rewrite Tarot history to prove that, in the early Renaissance, Tarot cards - which at that time were used for card games - were also used for divination and revealing one’s fate. Ann's skepticism wanes when a previously hidden 15th century deck of Tarot cards is discovered. She begins to use to the cards to understand her difficult past and catches glimpses of her and others’ futures. She and her co-workers become obsessed with the cards and in turn, their darker traits and motivations are slowly revealed and consume them.
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  • The Moon Card as an Integral Map. Pre-personal, personal and transpersonal development in the Tarot
    November 10, 2021 Phillip Gibson

    The Moon Card as an Integral Map. Pre-personal, personal and transpersonal development in the Tarot

    In this short blog we will look at the moon card through the lens of the integral movement pioneered by Ken Wilber. Integral theory aims to bring together a diversity of theories including matter, body, mind, soul and spirit into a single framework. A unique hallmark of the integral movement is the use of diagrams to present a framework of development and evolution through a series of stages.

     

    Moon card from Jacob Jorger's 1801 Tarot paired with with Ken Wilber's Integral model.

    Like an Integral chart, the Moon card can be read like a map, charting a path of human consciousness from the pre-personal into the personal/rational realm and beyond. When this card comes up in a reading it is showing us a point on the map and giving us clues to that we might experience at this juncture.

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  • Diverse Tarot Decks – A holistic approach to universal Archetypes.
    August 11, 2019 WIlliam Toro

    Diverse Tarot Decks – A holistic approach to universal Archetypes.

    Caroline Myss says “If you know your archetypes - and not just yours, if you know how to perceive the world in archetypes, through archetypes - everything changes. Everything. Because you have two things: you can see through one eye which is impersonal, and through the other, which is personal.”

    At their core archetypes are collective stories that are repeated across cultures and ethnicity. Carl Jung defined twelve primary types that represent the range of basic human motivations. These include Ruler, Creator/Artist, Sage, Innocent, Explorer, Rebel, Hero, Wizard, Jester, Every-man, Lover, Caregiver. 

    Tarot cards have an amazing ability to trigger a connection to the unconscious mind where these universal truths and patterns help us understand the truths that animate our everyday lives. 

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  • Selecting your first Tarot deck
    May 11, 2019 WIlliam Toro

    Selecting your first Tarot deck

    One often hears that your first Tarot deck should come to you as a gift.  While gifting a deck is a lovely gesture, it’s not the only way for you to connect with the cards.  What is important is that you listen your intuition.  If a particular deck is speaking to you, you should follow through on what your institution is saying. Great readers have deep connection with their cards and selecting a deck that is calling you can help cultivate this connection. Remember your first impressions.  This will guide you immensely when making your decision.

    Sometimes you will be drawn to the images or it might be the colors that you feel connected with.  It may be that the cards will pick you and the reasons will be unveiled over time.

    Many readers start with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. This is a distinguished deck that many of today's decks are derived from.  These cards are chock full of rich and accessible symbolism.  These cards can be easy to read but there is no limit to the depth of insights these cards can reveal.  After many years of Tarot in my life, I still use this wonderful deck.  We offer four sizes:  mini, pocket, standard, and giant.   Personally, I use the standard for readings and the giant cards for ongoing in-depth study.

     

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  • Infinity: The Lemniscate  Symbol in the Tarot
    May 11, 2019 WIlliam Toro

    Infinity: The Lemniscate Symbol in the Tarot

    The infinity symbol in the Tarot refers to the infinite nature of humanity. It is showing us that we are forever immortal, and calling our spirit to embark on a journey of infinite transformation.

    We first encounter the infinity symbol in the Magician card, here we see the Magician with his arms outstretched pointing the heaves and the earth -  the Spiritual and physical worlds.   He has all the tools for journey set before him on a table.  The Infinity symbol above his head and around his belt remind us that the tools we need for this journey are infinitely at our disposal. 

    Because this card is the first in the Tarot sequence, we think of the Magician as beginning his journey. However, the infinity symbol reminds us the journey is not is not a one-way trip. The tools are at his disposal but he also appears to be presenting them to others as if he has used them before and knows their value.  It’s almost as if the Magician is at a market or fair presenting the tools. One can picture the baker or butcher at the table or stall next store.   In this setting the magician is showing us that the insights we receive from the journey are to be shared with others just as he is sharing them with us. 

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