hermitsmirror

[hermitsmirror]

I had lots of fun with this one, using the Pip Speak Tarot, a Marseille-style deck by Zaara KittenChops, creating a fantasy character fit for a dark romantasy, D&D campaign, or start of an epic. But given my own preferences and predilections, it would probably be a bit of a comedic fantasy with a dastardly character, Moist Von Lipwig style.

With a series of quick three-card readings benefitting from the sharpness and intuitive flow that characterized the Marseille style—something people often misunderstand as staid or rulebound—I came up with a fun little guy that I'll be excited to explore in some set pieces.

You can see the cards and get an explanation of each of the mini readings on the blog.

[hermitsmirror]

Tarot and Oracle Spreads!

I've created a few tarot spreads and/or oracle card layouts over the last year in addition to my New Moon and Full Moon spreads. You can see all of my spreads over on HermitsMirror.com, but here are links to the latest.

"I've Got This!" on Track (inspired by Unf*ck Yourself)

The Temporary Angel (for Temperance)

Aspiration after the Fall (for the Star)

Drafting & Drawing the Day (a daily spread inspired by Blue Prince of course)

[hermitsmirror]

Tarot to Transform Your ... Problems?

<This is a snippet from the full blog post>

When I introduced a three-month small-group coaching program designed around tarot, Tarot to Transform Your Life, I designed it around embracing the full potential of tarot as a structure and support in mapping your life and specific projects you want to pursue.

It’s a tool to help you see yourself and understand what’s reflected; to help you articulate your strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of moving through the world; to help you identify opportunities and challenges through strategic forecasting and assess their alignment with what you know about yourself; and finally to help you use the lessons of the tarot structure to help you actually get things done in a way that’s natural and effective for you. And all the while, you’re deepening your relationship to tarot.

In short, Tarot to Transform Your Life is a program for exploring how to use tarot as a tool for inner knowing of the self, outer knowing of cycles and forecasts, and aligned activation between the two.

Surely, I thought, this is good and useful stuff for everyone, at least everyone who reads tarot.

But I marketed the program based on how I learned to use tarot to overcome a personal problem. I marketed it based on the main problem I had found in my evolving years of tarot reading: analysis paralysis and information overload.

I had just assumed that most diviners, like me, were good at collecting information from the cards, but they didn’t know when to stop, and eventually we all would learn that sometimes more is not better. Just processing the information is all we can handle, so there’s nothing left for acting on that energy.

At that point, what’s the point of forecasting? Sitting in the anxiety of what could be?

Anxiety around what’s coming is something I hear from clients who seek out predictive readings, such as my Portals of Being year-ahead readings and the month-ahead readings that are available to patrons over on Patreon (included monthly with Sovereign and Sage tier membership). Some want to know what’s coming so they can plan ahead to minimize the impact or set expectations around things that might not work out. Others want to know when something good is coming but get major anxiety when something bad is likely.

Well, wouldn’t you know it? When I opened the latest newsletter from Truity, there was a post about burnout by Enneagram type that resonated on both these fronts. According to them, overload and anxiety are key burnout triggers for Enneagram Types 5 and 6, respectively, in high-pressure careers. Others, such as indecision (Type 9) and neglecting their own needs (Type 2), are also relevant to the work we do in Tarot to Transform Your Life. In fact, it turns out that there’s something—no, there’s a lot—in Tarot to Transform Your Life for everyone who’s been slinging cards for more than a couple months.

(Full disclosure: I currently have zero affiliation with Truity. It’s just a website featuring lots of blog posts keyed to different personality types, but I started subscribing to their newsletter because they helped me understand my Enneagram type in a way that helped me think about how I move through the world, which none of my Enneagram-dabbling friends had done. I ignore most of their non-Enneagram content.)

Let me just say that I’m very excited to share more about the way that I think intentional use of tarot (or any form of multifaceted, structured divination) can help you transform your life, whether you’re an Enneagram 5 like me or not.

What follows is my take on tarot as a tool for managing the core trigger areas for each of the Enneagram types (at least as identified by Truity—I’m not the expert on Enneagrams). And if you couldn’t care less about Enneagrams, there are still useful considerations here about how to use tarot in general and about Tarot to Transform Your Life as a program. The Enneagram thing is a framework for organizing this post and providing coverage from outside of my own primary experiences.

Of course, if you don’t already know what Enneagrams are or what you are, it might be fun to read through this, go find your dominant Enneagram, and then come back to see how yours compares to your own findings. What parts of this seem most useful and relevant to you? And what should, based on your Enneagram?

Read on at HermitsMirror.com to learn how your Enneagram's core fear and overwhelm pair with transformative tarot.

[hermitsmirror]

Tarot and Oracle Deck Interviews!

I don't know the last time I shared one of the deck interviews that I did, but I know it's been a loooong while, so here's a list of the tarot decks and oracle decks that I've interviewed (officially) for my site.

Erenberg Tarot

Gay Marseille Tarot

Supernova Tarot

Ancestral Magick Oracle

Tarot of the Vampires

Enchanted Forest Felines Tarot

Mermaid Tarot

Feminine Myths Oracle

[hermitsmirror]

Learn to Read the Major Arcana Better

Wow, I have been super remiss in sharing a lot of the work that I've been doing over on HermitsMirror.com. I won't synthesize it all here, but there are a handful of new blog posts on the major arcana that those who like reading with nuance and layers might enjoy exploring, so I'll post links to all of those first.

Learn to Read the Wheel of Fortune

Learn to Read Justice/Adjustment

Learn to Read the Hanged Man

Learn to Read Death (the card)

Enjoy!

[hermitsmirror]

PICK 🌱 A 🫖 CARD

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and imagine light entering up from the ground and running up through your body. With each breath let it flow more fully up and in you. Breathe out all the gunk that it finds that you don’t want with you. Then pick-a-card from the Apothecary Spirits Oracle, a collaboration between Eric Maille, Michael Anthony, and me (Thomas Witholt).

Which card will you pick?

If you need more time to decide, remember to ground yourself and tap into the earth that provides such wisdom. Find a breathing pace that nourishes you. The Apothecary Spirits Oracle is an herbalist's oracle, a tool for healing. Sometimes it's enough to just reconnect with nature. Breathe in the beauty of the natural world and all the healing energies that emanate from it.

When you're ready, pick a card. Will you choose left, right, or center?

Read your messages in the reveal.

And if you're ready for a beautiful queer-inclusive healing herbalist deck, get a copy of this beauty and the divinatory and herbalist wisdom inside at apothecaryspirits.com.

[hermitsmirror]

🖤 PICK 🩷 A 🩷 CARD 🖤

Close your eyes. Breathe deep. Open your mind to the peaceful dark and quiet within. Let it become a vast midnight sea, sparking to life and then twinkling like stars. See new worlds and ways emerge, paths of astral travel and psychic voyagers. Follow their trails and discover shadows and old wounds within that feel tender but are ready for recognition. If you feel called, allow yourself to be drawn to one of these three cards from the tender shadow-working Reclaim Oracle by Little Darkness Press.

Will you pick left, center, or right?

If you need more time to find your center and prepare for the prodding of scar tissue, take it. There is no rushing this work.

When ready, pick a card (if you want) and read its message in the reveal.

 Let me know how it resonates, and share the post with those who might benefit from some inner wisdom.

If you’re curious about making your own oracle deck or book of messages, join the Spring Semester of Divination for Creating an Oracle. The second session is on Tuesday evening, so there’s time to catch up with the recording. If you don’t join soon, you may feel too far behind to make the most of the live courses.

And of course, if you need a more in-depth reading, schedule one with me.

[hermitsmirror]

🎪 P I C K • A • C A R D 🤣 

Big shift. Pick a card. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and imagine light entering up from the ground and running up through your body. With each breath let it flow more fully up and into you. Breathe out all the gunk that it finds that you don’t want with you. Then pick a card from this bespoke oracle I created with input from some followers.

Which card will you pick?

If you need more time to decide, lighten up. Big breath in. Hold it. Big exhale. Hold that. And do it all again one more time. That’s good enough.

When you're ready, pick a card. Which will you pick?

Read on to reveal the cards and then the messages.

Yes, it’s true: just about anything can be an oracle. But should it be? I chose popular meme bases to make these silly oracle cards! Just because the source is unexpected doesn’t mean there can’t still be wisdom in the messages.

That’s some of what we’ll explore when we deconstruct and reconstruct oracles and your unique pathways to intuitive divination in Creating an Oracle, part of the Semester of Divination starting February 1. So soon!

Want daily guidance with cards of the day and simple (and so simple) sample exercises for body, mind, and soul for making the most of the astrology of the day? Join me and some other divination-lovers over on Patreon.

[hermitsmirror]

✨ P I C K • A • C A R D ✨

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and imagine light entering up from the ground and running up through your body. With each breath let it flow more fully up into you, playing in the space of possibility. Breathe out all the gunk that isn’t for you right now. Then pick a card from the Memento Homo Oracle by Ezra Art.

Which card will you pick?

If you need more time to decide, take it. Sit in that magical space that you’ve created for yourself with breath and energy and a playful heart.

When you're ready, pick a card. Which will you pick?

Read the messages in the images below. Let me know how it resonates!

From the imagery to the concept to even the literal language used in a card, there’s a lot of room for finding meaning within an oracle.

That’s some of what we’ll explore when we deconstruct and reconstruct oracles and your unique pathways to intuitive divination in Creating an Oracle, part of the Semester of Divination starting soon.

Want daily guidance with cards of the day and simple (and so simple) sample exercises for body, mind, and soul for making the most of the astrology of the day? Join my little community over on Patreon.

Have questions about it? Contact me! I’d love to chat about how you’re finding (or hoping to find) unique pathways in your divination practice.

[hermitsmirror]

🤡 Pick a card 😆

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and imagine light entering up from the ground and running up through your body. With each breath let it flow more fully up and into you. Breathe out all the gunk that it finds that you don’t want with you. Then pick a card from this bespoke oracle I created with input from some of my Insta followers.

Which card will you pick?

If you need more time to decide, lighten up. Big breath in. Hold it. Big exhale. Hold that. And do it all again one more time. That’s good enough.

When you're ready, pick a card. Will you choose?

Read the messages below and let me know how it resonates!

Yes, it’s true: just about anything can be an oracle.

But should it be? Thanks to those of you who shared memes with me to make these silly oracle cards! Just because the source is unexpected doesn’t mean there can’t still be wisdom in the messages.

That’s some of what we’ll explore when we deconstruct and reconstruct oracles and your unique pathways to intuitive divination in Creating an Oracle, part of the Semester of Divination starting soon.

Want daily guidance with cards of the day and simple (and so simple) sample exercises for body, mind, and soul for making the most of the astrology of the day? Join my little community over on Patreon.

[hermitsmirror]

💎 Pick a card 🧬

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and imagine light entering up from the ground and running up through your body. With each breath let it flow more fully up and into you. Breathe out all the gunk that it finds that you don’t want with you. Then pick a card from the Wild Unknown Alchemy deck by Kim Krans.

Which card will you pick?

If you need more time to decide, remember to ground yourself and tap into the earth that provides such wisdom. Find a breathing pace that nourishes you. Step into the laboratory of your soul and see how you can make magic in the experience. Breathe in the power of mystical connection and all the empowering energies that emanate from the inner alchemy.

When you're ready, pick a card. Will you choose left, right, or top/center?

See the reveal below and then the messages. Let me know how it resonates!

And if you want a more in-depth reading with me, you should schedule one! Want to learn how to work with oracle decks or even create one of your own? Join me for the Spring Semester of Divination. It starts February 1!

[hermitsmirror]

🧜 P I C K 🌊  A  🐚 C A R D 🧜

Close your eyes. Breathe deep. Imagine yourself stepping into warm, calm salt waters and slowly sinking beneath the waves. You can breathe under there—how magical! And as you look around, you see a surprisingly colorful world. There seems to be music and the song of sirens. Once you feel their vibrations, pick a card from the Seaborn Kipper by Siolo Thompson and me.

What will you pick? Left? Center? Right?

If you need more time, take your time to explore the world of fish and coral, seaweed and sea witches. Swim and float and flip around. Become one with the waves and find their flow. Ride the currents and explore that inner mystical sea until you come to a still point where you can rest and relax.

How does that feel? I hope it was fun and that you were able to settle into our waters.

Now pick a card (if you want) and read its message in the reveal.

Let me know how it resonates, and share the post with those who might benefit from a little Seaborn wisdom.

And if you want to gift yourself (or someone else) a copy of this deck, it's available and on sale through Llewellyn Worldwide.

[hermitsmirror]

Pick a card 🔮 with the Cosmic Wisdom Tarot by Ethony

Set the intention for one of, two of, or all three cards and then take a screenshot or pause the video to reveal three cards from the Cosmic Wisdom Tarot.

(Note that I've included 44 pseudorandom combinations of 12 cards used in this, so it's not weird if you do it multiple times and see cards repeated. Each combination of 3 includes 1/4 of the 12 options. Math is fun!)

What did you get? If you need help interpreting the cards, let me know! And if you're ready to take your tarot beyond the basics of keywords and common meanings, I invite you to enroll in one of my many divination course offerings.

[hermitsmirror]

Pick a card from Edward Gorey's Fantod Pack

I love Edward Gorey's art.

A poster with a macabre children's nursery rhyme loomed on the wall, and I read it whenever I stayed in my sister's room instead of my own. It was the Ghastlycrumb Tinies: "A is for Alice who fell down the stairs. B is for Boris, eaten by bears." That sort of thing. Dark and strange and wholly inappropriate for kids. But darkly funny.

The animated introduction to Mystery! on PBS enchanted me, even though I changed the channel once that introduction was done because it was adult, live-action drama. Snooze fest to my childish mind.

When I first discovered Edward Gorey's Fantod Pack in a little local book shop, I was so excited. Then I read the guidebook and I was so disappointed. I was offended. I was old to tarot but new to oracle decks, and I was just so disheartened that this was what one of my favorite illustrators felt about a craft I loved. His art was so darkly comedic, so off-putting yet still sexy, and just so perfectly faux-Edwardian. Surely spiritualism would be held with regard.

I gifted the deck away and forgot about it.

Then—surprise!—I saw it a few years later and bought it again. I hadn't forgotten how it thumbed its nose at cartomancy. But I had learned to accept it. I embraced the snide jabs and redirected them because some oracle decks are, quite frankly, hard to take seriously.

I've done my shadow work around being seen as legitimate. I can read a scattering of bread flour at this point. So why can't I make good use of these very unserious oracle cards?

So pick a card ... if you dare. And be ready to make the most of their messages. This isn't a light-and-love deck.

And if you want to learn to read the cards—any cards—with clarity, I invite you to come learn with me.

Until then, read or be read.

[hermitsmirror]

Pick a reading!

Pick a reading 🔮 from the mini version of the Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham and Abigail Larson.

There are four readings of three cards each. Take a breath. Pick a trio. And read the reading (pause or screenshot). If you pick a single card, let me know and I can help you interpret it.

If you want to learn how to divine for yourself with depth and insight, join one of the Weekend Workshops from my Fall Semester of Divination! I have an Introduction to Lenormand workshop this weekend and another on runes, bibliomancy, and word-based oracles in November!

And of course, if you just need a more in-depth reading, schedule one with me.

[hermitsmirror]

🖤 PICK ❤️ A 🤍 CARD 🖤

Close your eyes. Breathe deep. Open your mind to the peaceful dark and quiet within. Let it become a vast midnight sea, sparking to life and then twinkling like stars. See new worlds and ways emerge, networks of glistening red thread showing you what fateful lines to travel. Follow their trails and see what awaits. Turn back if you don't like it. Then pick a card from the Red Hand Lenormand by PixelOccult.

Will you pick left, center, or right?

If you need more time to find your center and those potent traces of red and black, a gently gothic fantasy of future fates. Grab the line you desire without hesitation and pull yourself into your present.

How does that feel? I hope it allows you to step into the future with confidence.

Now pick a card (if you want) and read its message in the reveal.

Let me know how it resonates, and share the post with those who might benefit from some inner wisdom.

The Red Hand Lenormand is an expanded Lenormand based in the playing cards, which users of my Lenoracle know I absolutely love, came out ... two years ago? But I know that James (Pixel Occult) has been working on a tarot deck that will hopefully launch later this month, so I had to bring this one out to play! I forgot how much fun it is. So make sure to follow him for updates if you're not already.

If you want to learn how to divine for yourself with depth and insight, enroll in my upcoming semester of divination, starting in September! I have an Introduction to Lenormand workshop and a full course on Creating an Oracle and another on understanding the Structures of Meaning in a range of divination systems (and much more).

And of course, if you just need a more in-depth reading, schedule one with me.

[hermitsmirror]

How to read a nine-card square

for tarot, Oracle, or other divination

The full article is on my blog, but the 9 steps I cover are these in short:

1. Get a general feel for all the cards

2. Look to the central card

3. Look to the central column

4. Compare left and right of center

5. Use Step 3 to compare upper and lower rows

6. Check the corners

7. Compare corners to central cross

8. Reading card by card

9. Review and summarize

The article provides an overview of each of the steps and guidelines and potential position meanings in a general reading. Just check out my Musings on HermitsMirror!

And if you’re ready to read the big picture, enroll in Reading the Big Picture, one of my upcoming Fall semester live courses. It’s like College for Divination!

You’ll get complimentary access to monthly Weekend Workshops, including the first one on Spread Creation, September 21.