#like me maddox is too much of a teachers pet to do anything

[galaxysharks]

it's my hc that the fanny packs we see maddox constantly wear throughout s3 (and a little of s4 if i'm not mistaken) are like. she just has everything and anything on hand in there

Absolutely, speaking from experience, if you're generally a good kid, you can have anything anywhere.

I got away with so much shit in highschool.... Ok that's a lie I didn't do much, but I know I definitely could have.

But if she's like me then she has EVERYTHING in that little back.

Hard candies

Trail mix

Calculator

Pens

Pencils

Loose paper

Scissors

A pocket knife

Keys

Note cards

Wallet

Phone

Fidgeting toys

Some rocks

Medication

Several small tools

You need it? She's got it.

Mr Mazzara gave her a detention when he found the pocket knife......and another one when she failed to understand what the big deal was.

[turtlemoon-design-blog]

Here is an interview I did with Rossi Dennis, a spiritualist who I know of who reads taort cards and is a published writter.

I found this interview really inspiring because I had so much information to take in. Espeically about how books that come with the deck can often all be the same. Something I’m going to try and change.

Hi Jasmine,

Sure I’m happy to help. Here is my rambly reply...

When did you learn how to read tarot cards? How did you learn? (self taught, had a teacher)

My first interest in tarot was about 10 years ago but only in the past 2 years have I made an effort to study and use it. I’m still an absolute amateur learning through reading books, online research and more recently by watching YouTube videos. One of favourite beginner books is Tarot An Illustrated Guide by Jonathan Dee (which you can find pretty cheap secondhand online).

What is your favourite part about reading tarot cards, and the actual tarot cards themselves?

One of my favourite things about the tarot system is seeing the multiple functions people use it for, whether it’s as a psychological/personal development tool, a spiritual tool, or as a way to practice divination. It also makes for an effective focus tool, such as affirmations. Using a card to tap into that desired energy or archetype, for example the 10 of Cups for happiness and the Ace of Pentacles for prosperity.

As a personal development tool (sometimes called shadow work) where you can ask questions such as ‘what are my current subconscious beliefs around money’. It usually helps you to see things from a new perspective and makes you face up to a few truths.

I find it interesting to see how people relate the cards to different spiritual sciences such as astrology, herbalism, crystal healing, etc. Also the diverse range of decks tailored to different spiritual paths such as celtic druidry, native american shamanism, etc. The same applies for themed oracle decks which can be an interesting alternative way to learn about a practice instead of just reading a book.

But my favourite thing about tarot is seeing the diverse range of tarot decks being created. Which all have a basic foundation but the artist/creator puts their own spin on it. I see buying decks like buying 78 pieces of small functional art. To me tarot is a good way to mix spirituality, psychology and creative expression into my day.

My favourite cards in tarot are The Wheel of Fortune, The Moon and The 9 of Pentacles. If I don’t like how they look in a deck I won’t buy it.  

What is something you dislike about tarot cards?

My pet hate is cards with borders that are there just for the sake of having borders. I usually trim them off.  A cheap thin card stock can ruin a beautiful deck.

Also when the books that come with a deck are the same as every other little white book, the shared info is useful but I’d also like to know why the artist chose the elements that they did. Perhaps a crystal association or positive affirmation would be a nice touch also for each card as something to focus on, such as in the herbal tarot companion book. Just to set their book apart from the rest and add something different.

Is there any curtail information you’d pass onto someone who doesn’t know much or anything about tarot cards?

Don’t over think your first deck purchase, it won’t be your one and only. Tarot decks are addictive. Once you do have one, commit to it for at least a month before buying another that way you give yourself some time to learn from it.

Watch YouTube flip-through videos to choose a deck you like as sometimes images can be too violent, scary, busy or dull for beginners so by seeing a deck first can help with any anxiety or buyers remorse.

Over time you will build up a collection of decks to draw from, some will be gentle, some blunt, etc. Each brings its own energy created by the artist.

It is ultimately a personal development tool and is not evil, it is simply a form of divination no different to flipping a coin or casting rune stones.

It’s a myth that your first tarot deck must be gifted to you and that only those who come from a family line tarot readers are ‘allowed’ to read it.

The best way I found to learn was to assign a single word or key-phrase to each card instead of having to memorise complicated meanings. For example Death = Transformation, Star = Hope, Devil = Temptation. From those words you can link to others for example Temptation can mean desire, addiction, lust, distraction/procrastination etc.

Get to know the cards by playing with them daily, such as pulling a single card and writing down whatever comes to mind for the card to you personally in a tarot journal/notebook. Making up short stories for each card can help add a level of personal understanding.

A tarot journal is useful for making a note of personal card meanings, spread ideas, tarot deck wish-lists etc. I use an A5 ring binder as I can move things around if necessary.

A tip I found useful was not to reach straight for the book for an explanation to encourage your own intuition.

How do you feel about those who take advantage of tarot reading?

Unfortunaelty I think there are shady people in any area of faith/spirituality, always have been, probably always will be. I can imagine it would be easy to be taken advantage of by a tarot reader who has purely financial motives. I suppose the same could be said for horoscope/astrology hotlines.

I think open market places like Etsy are a good place to find readers as it gives the reader a worldwide reach and the reviews can help customers discern the genuine tarot readers from the inauthentic ones.

If you were to design a deck for yourself what would be important to include? (design, image, colour, feel, information, etc?)

Lately I’ve been drawn to the more simple decks with watercolour finishes like the Linestrider and the Marshmallow Tarot. So I think my deck would follow a watercolour aesthetic. I have a few decks on order so I’m currently on a deck buying diet so I’m resisting buying them.  I think this deck is going to be very popular - traditional Rider Waite Smith imagery with Unicorns, in watercolours and no borders Crystal Unicorn Tarot

If my deck featured people I would want a more diverse range of races, genders and body types, etc. I think this is the reason a lot of decks use mystical creatures or animals in place of people to avoid this issue for example in The Wild Unknown, The Anima Mundi and in the Animal Totem tarot. The Spirit Within Tarot actually uses silhouettes to make the deck more inclusive.

Matte finish on a card stock of at least 300gsm as shiny gloss can be a distracting and can look cheap in my opinion. I’d also be tempted to make my deck smaller than most decks as I think there is a growing trend for smaller decks such as the Marshmallow tarot. Or at least make a smaller version available in addition to the standard size.

Some resources you might find useful

Youtube

Ethony - reader, teacher and deck creator

Two Spirit - a tarot enthusiast

Darkstar Tarot - lots of simple flip-throughs

Kelly Ann Maddox - tarot reader

LittleRedTarot - An online shop/blog which stocks indie decks

I hope that helps and good luck with your project,

Rossi