The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery

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Lauren Tucker
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The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery This edition s theme is based on the card called The Hermit. The Hermit is not the answer. But he can help you discover the answer within yourself.

And I ve been saddened by how often these people jump onto the next New-Age bandwagon that promises the fulfilment of their dreams.

They tend to try the new concepts for a while, but rarely get the results that were promised in the advertising.

1 The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery This edition s theme is based on the card called The Hermit. The Hermit is not the answer. But he can help you discover the answer within yourself. Over the past 25 years that I ve been reading the cards I ve seen the desire that people have for enlightenment. And I ve been saddened by how often these people jump onto the next New-Age bandwagon that promises the fulfilment of their dreams. These people are desperately searching and clinging to the next guru, product, or book that offers all of the answers. They tend to try the new concepts for a while, but rarely get the results that were promised in the advertising. Then they give up in despair until they are entranced by the next shiny object that promises easy enlightenment. They chase the dream, but don t bother doing the work involved to change their inner and outer circumstances. The Hermit card of the Tarot tells us that to attain success, you must climb the steps of the mountain. You need to get your core skills in place, take action, and do something to get you where you want to be. The steps to spiritual awakening must be learnt through experience. You have to find your own way to bliss. Chasing the gold at the end of the rainbow is a hollow journey. This card calls you to remember your personal power. You can t always control your circumstances, but you are always in charge of the thoughts, attitudes, behaviour, and actions you choose to take. The Hermit stands alone and holds his lantern up high to light the path for other seekers and travellers. He doesn t want, or need, their company. The Hermit does not solicit them for their praise, nor does he beckon them in order to mentor their progress. The star in his lantern is simply to encourage persistence and diligence in the honourable task of self-discovery. The Hermit reminds you to make the choices that empower you, not the ones that enslave you. Tarot blessings, Page 1 - Editorial Page 2 - Book Review Page 3 - Insights from Tarot Gurus Page 4 - Historical Interpretations Page 5 - Workshops & Events Page 6 - Top 10 Reasons for Using Tarot

The subheading on this one is Master the Meanings of the Cards, which is perhaps a bit ambitious for this book, as she s not offering a new technique for understanding the cards.

2 Book Review The New Tarot Handbook There s always a sense of anticipation when I order the latest Rachel Pollack book on Tarot. She has a knack of finding an interesting and unique perspective to her writing on this subject, which is often sadly lacking in many how-to guides on this subject. The subheading on this one is Master the Meanings of the Cards, which is perhaps a bit ambitious for this book, as she s not offering a new technique for understanding the cards. Even though her interpretations are succinct, easy to read, and more relevant to each card s image than some other Tarot handbooks, I doubt that a beginner will feel they have gained mastery over the cards simply from reading this book from cover to cover, but it s a damn fine start! But as Rachel suggests, The Tarot is the best teacher. Period. Just looking at the pictures, especially in a spread, will open your mind to new ideas and your heart to depths of feeling, even spiritual awakening. As you might expect from Rachel (if you are familiar with her other texts) this book is written in a narrative manner. She teaches through stories and the reader is entertained while learning their way through the layers of meanings of the cards. She has attempted to distil over forty years of study into this beginner s guide, and it works very well on that level. For more detailed explanations of the cards, and Tarot in general, you might be better off with her previous book Tarot Wisdom. This concept of using a layout of cards to explain each of the Major Arcana cards is simple, and yet mind-blowing in its results. The questions she suggests you ask are relevant and truly insightful for this alone, the book is worth the asking price. With its modern twist, Rachel has put together a clever and concise explanation for the interpretation of Tarot cards. The book is interesting enough to engage the minds of even the most experienced users of Tarot, and it will certainly satisfy the curiosity of beginners. It covers the basics and then directs the reader to discover more advanced Tarot options when they are ready. The author begins the book with the story of how she became involved in Tarot, and in the final paragraph she writes about how Tarot can be applied to our lives... Think of the Tarot as an endless series of doorways seventy-eight cards with infinite combinations. Let them become the gates to your own wisdom. It s a beautiful conclusion to yet another thoughtful and well-written book by one of Tarot s shining lights. Title: The New Tarot Handbook Author: Rachel Pollack Published by: Llewellyn Publications What s new about the New Tarot Handbook? Sadly, it s not a lot. But, the idea of using spreads to understand the nature of each of the suits and Major Arcana cards is innovative and exciting, and it is why you must have this book. Rachel explains the process in the following way, Each major card really presents its own unique view of the world, so that when we do one of these readings (using the whole deck) it s as if we ourselves become the Magician or the Empress or the Fool asking about magic or passion or foolishness in our lives.

Insights from Tarot Gurus Like the six-pointed star within the Hermit s lantern, the idea of the Hermit goes in two directions; one inner, one outer.

.. The Hermit signifies the idea that only by withdrawing from the outer world can we awaken the inner self.

Quiet reflection is necessary to deepen our understanding of life.

3 Insights from Tarot Gurus Like the six-pointed star within the Hermit s lantern, the idea of the Hermit goes in two directions; one inner, one outer. Primarily, the card means a withdrawal from the outer world for the purpose of activating the unconscious mind... The Hermit signifies the idea that only by withdrawing from the outer world can we awaken the inner self. - from Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom By Rachel Pollack Some clients perceive the Hermit as a period of loneliness when in fact the man in this card is at peace. Quiet reflection is necessary to deepen our understanding of life. The Hermit represents a period of deliberation, whether through meditation, consulting a counsellor, taking a walk amongst nature or keeping a diary. - from Tarot Masterclass By Paul Fenton-Smith From another viewpoint, the Hermit is the meditative, wandering monk, the ascetic. However far our progress along the path to higher consciousness and integrity, we must periodically cycle back to this stage. We must stop, take off the trappings of our present ego involvements and become the Hermit, wandering in the wilderness in search of balance and truth. - from Tarot Symbolism By Robert V. O Neill Global Spiritual Studies Learning experiences to nourish your soul. Tarot Events 28 December 2012 Melbourne, Australia Mysticism, Gnosis and Sacred Magic: The Spiritual Path of Meditations on the Tarot Special guest is: Robert Powell (translator of Meditations on the Tarot) 9-11 August 2013 International Tarot Conference, Reflection, Celebration and Revisioning The Tarot Guild of Australia are excited and pleased to announce the International Tarot Conference for August, This is followed by several ONE DAY Post- Conference Workshops to be held on 12 & 13 August by the international speakers. Australian Presenters Anne Shotter - TGA founding member Evelynne Joffe - TGA founding member Brian Clark - Astro*Synthesis International Presenters Caitlin Matthews Rachel Pollack Mary Greer Amber Jayanti The venue is the Augustine Centre in Hawthorn (Melbourne), so the maximum number attending the conference will be 150. Early Bird rates will be available soon. See the website of the Tarot Guild of Australia for updates:

Each of you has a hermitage to go inside a place to take refuge and breathe. But this does not mean that you are cutting yourself off from the world.

4 Historical Interpretations of The Hermit Pratesi s Cartomancer (1750): The Old Man De Mellet (1781): The sage in search of justice. Christian (1870): He personifies experience acquired in the labors of life. The lighted lantern signifies the light of the mind, which should illuminate the past, the present, and the future. Each of you has a hermitage to go inside a place to take refuge and breathe. But this does not mean that you are cutting yourself off from the world. It means that you are getting more in touch with yourself. From A Pebble for Your Pocket, by Thich Nhat Hanh Mathers (1888): Prudence, caution, deliberation. Golden Dawn ( ): Wisdom sought for and obtained from above. Grand Orient (1889): Safety, protection, detachment, sagacity, search after truth. Waite (1910): Prudence, circumspection. Free yourself to yield to whatever happens to you. Rise and fall with it...here you may be simultaneously a common man and a sage. Ta-ning Tao-kuan Tarot Trivia Q: which cards do not show Pamela Colman Smith s full signature on the bottom right corner of the card? The answers are at the end of this newsletter. Available now. $29.95 Free postage within Australia. MisterTarot@yahoo.com.au

5 Tarot Made Simple a workshop with Don McLeod Sunday 10 th February from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn how to combine Tarot and Palmistry in an innovative, five week course, held once a week at Hahndorf, South Australia. Only $190 Trevor: witchabilia@hotmail.com Held at Cosmic Pages Bookshop King William Street, Adelaide How Tarot Works Demystifying Tarot Basic Tarot Spreads Learn Easy Interpretations Practical & Spiritual Uses By the end of this workshop you will feel comfortable using Tarot cards and you will have a basic understanding of their meanings. Only $65 Requirements: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck Bookings essential: Phone Tarot Spreads If you have already attended a Tarot Made Simple workshop, or if you feel you already have a grasp of the basic concepts of Tarot, come along to an afternoon of Tarot fun. Only $40 Requirements: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck Date and venue to be announced soon. Tarot Coaching Available for one on one sessions. MisterTarot yahoo.com.au Tarot Gatherings New Venue! The Tarot Guild of Australia is sponsoring workshops in Adelaide. They are held on the last Tuesday of each month and are run by Martha Adams, a Professional member of the Tarot Guild. Meet like-minded enthusiasts to share, practice and discuss your favourite spreads, decks and authors. You don't need to be a Tarot expert all are welcome! For more information on each monthly event, please contact Martha on or tga.sa.tarotgroup@gmail.com New Venue: The Fountain Inn (in the nook of the pool room) 142 Glen Osmond Road, Parkside. The booking is under Tarot Guild Group. Start time is 7 p.m. For a state-by-state listing of monthly Tarot gatherings around Australia, see the website of the Tarot Guild Of Australia:

Top 10 Reasons for Using Tarot 1) To see the past more clearly. 2) To understand the present. 3) To work out best choices in the future. 4) To understand dreams.

6 Top 10 Reasons for Using Tarot 1) To see the past more clearly. 2) To understand the present. 3) To work out best choices in the future. 4) To understand dreams. 5) To develop your intuition or psychic abilities. 6) For personal growth and exploration of self. 7) To enhance your spiritual knowledge. 8) To help you solve problems. 9) To clarify your goals. 10) To access the unconscious mind and discover what you really want and why you want it. With Tarot - you can do all of these! Tarot brings clarity, insight and direction when we need it. In a Tarot reading we can be reassured that difficult situations are temporary, and through the cards we are supplied options or steps to follow in order to bring about changes if we feel stuck. Tarot is a way of obtaining a more meaningful perspective for past experiences. It s for gaining a greater understanding of present circumstances, and to gain a glimpse of future possibilities. Further Interpretations for The Hermit When this card appears in a spread, the intention of the person is to withdraw from the world. This may be done by physically removing themselves, but more often it s an emotional withdrawal from people and activities that used to seem important. The Tarot grows and changes as we grow and change. Let the Tarot discover you so that you may discover yourself in the cards. - Rachel Pollack Tarot Trivia Answer: Q: which cards do not show Pamela Colman Smith s full signature on the bottom right corner of the card? A: 9 of Swords (middle of bed), 10 of Pentacles (top right), Knight of Wands (bottom left), The Magician (most of the signature is obscured by the name plate at the base of the card) If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, simply send an to: MisterTarot@yahoo.com.au with the word unsubscribe in the subject area. Copyright on all articles in this newsletter belong to Don McLeod unless specifically stated otherwise. wwww.mistertarot.com

The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery

The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery This edition s theme is based on the card called Wheel of Fortune. The Wheel of the Year has turned another full cycle, bringing us to the summer of 2012 and into