ANNOUNCING 'TAROT BY THE NUMBERS'

Hello, Everyone!

When I last wrote, we had just finished our Tarot Shadows class at the Seattle Metaphysical Library.  We were then anticipating the beginning of an informal discussion group that would continue to meet on Wednesday nights when the Tarot class was completed.  After a couple weeks of very uplifting and fascinating discussion, the members of our group decided that some sort of combination of that open, spiritual discussion with a continued exploration of the Tarot would be welcome.  Since the majority of our members are relatively new to Tarot, it was suggested that the next phase of our work should involve a look at the basics.

In response to these comments, I am happy to announce the start of a 10-week introductory course on the Tarot, to be called “Tarot by the Numbers.”  Each meeting will begin with a half-hour discussion period followed by a 90-minute look at the basics of The Tarot.  The following paragraphs will summarize the planned content of that Tarot exploration. 

The first three weeks of this class will provide an overview of the Tarot.  The first week, we will look at theories of its origin, its development as recorded in historical documents, its changing roles and purposes, the terminology of the Tarot, and the multi-level way it works. The second week will bring the focus onto Tarot’s current structure.  Major Arcana archetypal energies will be viewed through the Journey of the Fool as it depicts the experiences, changes and growth in our own lives.  The numbered cards of the Minor Arcana will be viewed as depictions of the elemental energies that are active in our daily activities.  The third week will provide a view of the Tarot in its own language – that of symbolism – as we work together in interpreting some of the numerous types of symbolism at work in Tarot, particularly in the personification cards of each suit, generally known as the Court Cards.

It is in the 4^th through 9^th weeks of this class that the meaning of the name ‘Tarot by the Numbers’ will become crystal clear.  During these weeks, we will ‘learn’ the traditional meanings of the cards the easy way – in numerical groups, going from 0 to 10. 

The 10^th and final class will show how all this fits together, as we look at the steps for conducting a reading of the traditional Celtic Cross spread.

The time and place of our meetings will remain the same as before, Wednesdays at 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Seattle Metaphysical Library.  The suggested donation of $5.00 is also unchanged.

Hope to see you at our first meeting, Wednesday, April 16^th.

Kathy

 

 

Newsletter Blurb - Tarot Shadows, after Session 7

Greetings, again!

In keeping with our Tarot Shadows progress, our little group has grown and developed a spiritual energy of which I feel honored and excited to be a part.  Wednesday night we started on the final phase of our journey.  We felt the healing energy behind the shadow images of six more shadow cards, viewing the myth of Chiron, the Wounded Healer of Greek mythology, as an example of Tarot’s recovery through symbolism.  As we practiced writing and using affirmations to evoke this positive manifestation, the energy in the room became a force that was almost physically evident.  By the time we had completed and shared our experiences in Entering a Tarot Card, the spiritual force behind our experiences was no longer to be questioned.

At our next meeting we will complete the  8^th and final part of our Tarot Shadows work.  We began at Imbolc, the shadowy time of year still in the grips of winter, when the warmth of the sun was a hope yet to be seen.  At that time, we reenacted the old Celtic ritual of the candle wreath, adding the energies of the Tarot shadow cards as we invoked the return of light and warmth to bring healing energy behind the shadows.  On Wednesday, March 26^th, we will again reenact a Celtic ritual, this time welcoming the returning sun, at this time of year when the increased daylight hours bring us greater light and warmth.  This returning warmth parallels our celebration of the transformation of the Tarot shadows to the light of healing in our individual lives. Before ending our ritual, we will add the use of pendulum divination to discover which Tarot shadows have been areas of the greatest transformation for each of us since we began this work.

The transformation of shadows, however, is an ongoing task.  After completing the ritual, we will discuss the ways we can continually monitor our shadow status.  Since some of these shadows will become clear during Tarot readings, we will discuss the steps for the traditional Celtic Cross spread, with a few additions to bring into focus the light behind the shadows.  We will then perform one of these Healing Celtic Cross Spreads, including some of the methods for discovery of new shadows and their healing potentials.

Even now, as we plan for the final session of our Tarot Shadows class, new members are welcome.  The activity of the shadow forces is dynamic , and intuition, not prior knowledge, is key to understanding it.  I hope you will be able to join us.

The spiritual energy that has recently been felt in our group is not something that can be arbitrarily ended.  So, even though next week is the final date for the Tarot Shadows class, the group has decided to continue meeting.  The details of this continuation are yet to be worked out, but I am happy to say that we will be around for more exploration into the fascinating world of Tarot.  Please watch this newsletter for more details to come.

Blessed be!

Kathy