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Hello all,
Here is a review on the Gothic Tarot by yours truly. Visit my site to read other reviews.
The Gothic Tarot
The Gothic Tarot is an outstanding deck featuring the art work of Joseph Vargo and a very well written booklet by Christine Filipak. For quick reference I will divide this review into two parts. The first part will put the spotlight on the accompanying booklet (something important not done frequently enough in my opinion), whilst the second part will concentrate on the deck itself.
The Booklet
The Gothic Tarot booklet begins with a brief synopsis on the Major Arcana and how it may be interpreted as a whole. In just seven clear and concise sentences Christine clearly introduces six important concepts that will help both the experienced and the inexperienced reader to confidently interpret these twenty-two cards in any spread.
Following this introduction to the Majors, Christine proceeds to give key concepts and words for each card. I found two things extremely refreshing in the manner she chose to do this. The first was that she made all concepts and keywords relevant to the artwork. Some are very traditional whilst others are strictly for this deck. I was also impressed that the reverse meanings were well considered negative aspects of the upright meanings as opposed to simply indicating the complete opposite. This opens a greater range for the readers intuition to expand and work with.
After artfully wrapping up the Majors, Christine goes to work on the Minors. Once again a clear and concise synopsis explains how to interpret the cards in this Arcana as a whole. I particularly enjoyed the fact that she views the court cards as generally representing people or character qualities of the querent. I have long held this view and have struggled with other readers who interpret them almost synonymously with other cards (if they are meant to be the same as other cards, why include the Court Cards at all?).
The praises I had for the Majors are equally earned in the Minors. Clearly Christine does not view the Minors as any less significant to the life of the reader. This helps the him/her to understand the dual levels of existence that we are influenced by daily.
Christine ends the booklet with two spreads. The first is entitled “The Mystic Seven” and is designed to answer a specific question. The other is the ancient and most well-known “Celtic Cross” which is primarily designed to see the influences around one and how they impact his/her life. Between the two, any question may be answered with ease.
To sum this section up, I want to applaud Christine’s work. She makes stepping into reading and interpreting the Tarot both easy and pleasant for people of all experience levels.
The Deck
The fronts of the cards are pitch black in colour and have a thin lined blue frame both around the artwork itself and around the key words. The thin blue frame accomplishes two things. First, it adds a smart symmetrical look that pleases the eye. More importantly, however, it creates the illusion of a door into the Gothic scenes.
This makes it possible for the reader to more easily interact with the experiences portrayed rather than just see it with his/her eyes. The card backs are also pitch black in colour. In brilliant contrast to the fronts these are framed in thin blood red lines that encompass a Gothic Design.
Each card is marked for quick reference as well as reading ease. The Major Arcana have a Roman numeral at the top centre of the card and the traditional title at the bottom. The set-up is quite similar for the Minors. The number cards also have a Roman numeral on top, but instead of the title they list the appropriate suit (Wands, Cups, Swords, or Pentacles) at the bottom. The court cards list rank (Page, Knight, Queen, or King) on top and the appropriate suit at the bottom.
Using only six colours (blue, red, green, brown, silver, and black) Joseph Vargo depicts scenes of both darkness and light, despair and joy, as well as good and evil. As one would expect the characters consist mostly of vampires but there is a strong supporting cast of spirits (gentle and violent), ghouls, skeletons, gargoyles, werewolves, sorcerers, and even some angels. Add to these the following animals: crows, horses, bats, serpents, dragons, and you have all the makings of a crew that will bring a message to the strongest sceptic as well as the one who believes s/he has seen it all.
When I lay these cards out on a black lay cloth and watch the story unfold it reminds me of the classic black and white Dracula movies with Christopher Lee that I watched as a boy. Perhaps this is a big reason why I am so drawn to this deck.
I would highly recommend this deck to everyone but especially to the following people: Goths, movie monster lovers, and any who have walked in the shadow and know from experience and the bottom of their souls that monsters as well as angels surround us both inside and out.
Namaste,
Paul
The thing about the Bad Boys of Tarot (Death, The Tower, The Devil, 3 of Swords, 9 of Swords & 10 of Swords) is that they give the immediate response of ‘oh, look at all the terrible things that are going to happen to me’. Ok, sometimes this reaction is valid because life doesn’t always run to plan and unexpected things happen.
However, with the Devil you should be asking ‘what terrible things am I doing to myself?’ or ‘what have I done to get myself into this situation?.
When the Devil appears in a reading it isn’t so much as a case of possession (although never say never!!) but rather than you’ve got yourself in a situation and only you can get out of it.
In most Tarot decks, the image shows a man and a woman bound to the Devil. However, if you look closely the chains are easy to free – the 2 people remain where they are through their own choice.
The Tarot bad boys mean upheaval of some sorts and human nature never reacts kindly to duress. The Devil means confronting your own demons and freeing yourself. You can’t let someone else do it for you… you’re on your own with this one!
If you get the Devil in a reading, ask yourself what you are afraid of, where you are stagnating and what you are tied to. Then ask yourslef why. Why can’t you get a new job, lover, house etc? Why do you insist in over eating, excess alcohol or drugs? What is stopping you being free?
When you finally admit that you own the problem then you can begin to release the chains of the Devil and finally exorcise the gremlins that stop you leading a fabulous life.
Blessings
Lyn
Most days I can prattle away about anything and everything but today I’m blog lost for words. I’ve been working on my new Tarot correspondence course (which I’ve finished btw) and I feel too tired to blog.
However, help is at hand. I’ve turned to my trusted Universal Waite deck for inspiration. This is my deck I used when I was working for a Tarot telephone line – it’s brighter than the Rider Waite but still filled with the symbology and familiarity. Like an old friend with a new hairdo!
Anyway, my card of inspiration is the Five of Cups. This is one of those cards which you can instantly identify with when you’re in one of those ‘poor me’ moods. All you can see is what’s been destroyed or lost from an upheaval, usually of the emotional kind.
See, the tricky thing with this card is that when these moods hit it is feels impossible to turn around and still see the good things remaining. If you take a look at the card you can see there is a bridge to get home and two perfectly good cups still standing.
As a healer I see clients all the time who can’t bring themselves to look at what they’ve got in life and insist on clinging to the loses of the past. Life’s too short! We all take hits but to dwell on them is to miss out of the chance to grow and move up the Tarot ladder to the blissful 10 of Cups. Remember you’re only a few cards away!
Blessings
Lyn
I’ve been thinking a lot recently of beginners who have a hard time getting to know the Tarot cards. I remember thinking that 78 was just way too many cards to remember!
As I’m putting both workshops and a course together I want to make it easy for my students to bond with their cards. A Tarot journal is great – start the day and see what energies are in play. However, I keep thinking that for someone starting out a predictive journal may not be the best way to go.
This has been bothering me so much that I even dreamed about it last night.
My solution is a reflective journal. At the end of the day draw a card or two to identify the events/energies/situations etc which have played a part in your day. This way you can meditate on how a particular card interacted with you – write down your findings then you can use your knowledge for predictive readings in the future.
Blessings
Lyn
Good Afternoon all,
Lyn and I are currently recovering from our first week of holiday. We spent some time in London and Glastonbury. It was hard to return to the day to day routine, though now that I am here I am glad to be at it…lol
I have received many emails asking which book contains the best meanings for the Tarot cards. The answer that I usually respond with is quite nontraditional. Because this is becoming a frequently asked question, I thought perhaps I would write about it a bit here.
In my opinion finding the meaning of the cards ( in any Tarot deck from Rider Waite to the hundreds of modernised ones) is as sacred as finding the deck that responds the best with your individual subconscious. To accept the meanings of any one person is to limit the expression of your inner self (not all who read are of a magickal order or tradition…so why should we expect the interpretations of these scholars to be the same as everyone elses?). It is true that your subconscious can learn to speak through the words of others, but how much more edifying it is to allow it to speak through its own. I have come to this conclusion after years of studying more books, lists, and methodologies for interpretation than I care to remember. Each one has my respect because each one was well constructed and workable based upon its own principles. However, none of the authors ever have or ever will experience the world in the exact same manner as myself. This means that their words are just that “their words”. For one to extract all the wonderful information that the Tarot can offer, s/he must name her/his own cards. Only then will they begin to open doors into the celestial realms.
Do I then discourage the reading of Tarot books. Not at all! Read every blessed one that you can lay your hands on. Experience the world through the eyes of the various authors and if you should find a meaning that speaks to you intertwine it with yours. Never, however, allow it to become yours fully. For if you allow it, your subconscious mind will blend the meanings into a rich cocktail that will allow a brilliant expression unique to the world. And at the end of the day that is exactly what the world needs “unique individuals that can help it to see yet another brilliant aspect of life”.
So when you purchase a deck, name all of your cards first. Then later on read books. Mix and match and enjoy the power of being and learning as you become more enlightened using the Tarot as a tool.
Namaste
Paul
Paul and I went away last week (hence lack of blog).
We went camping with friends first at the weekend. We stayed on a working farm in West Sussex. It was my first time camping and I completely caught the camping bug!
We spent Monday purchasing our own camping equipment. Then Tuesday we spent the day in London browsing our favourite bookshops and getting caught up in the bustle of the Capital.
For the remainder of the week, Paul and I travelled to Somerset and stayed in a campsite in Glastonbury. We were only a few fields (and a very big hill) away from Glastonbury Tor. We loved it!
Glastonbury itself was a town we just felt at home in. Book shops, magickal shops and a brilliant atmostphere! I found a second hand Tarot deck – the Symbolon deck – in one of the book shops.
I’ll post some photos soon!
Blessings
Lyn
Hello all,
One of the questions that Lyn and I get asked the most frequently is whether it is better to read with spreads or not.
In answering this, I believe that the following things should be taken into consideration:
- How long have you been reading the Tarot
- How much faith you have in your intuition
- Your personality type
- Whether you are reading for another or yourself
The length of time that you have been reading is important when considering simply because for most people starting out it is easier to follow structure. A new reader is usually terrified of making mistakes. The structure of using a spread helps him/her to feel secure by giving him/her boundaries.
Faith in your intuition is key in doing a reading without a spread. Many people, including seasoned readers, are afraid to fully trust their ideas that seem to arise from nowhere. The structure of a spread allows a reader to add an extra safe-guard to his/her interpretation.
Personality type does actually factor in. If you are a story-teller you are less likely to be intimidated by a series of cards without positional titles.
Who you are reading for should also be considered. A good reader will always cater to the comforts of the client. If the client believes spreads to be essentail to a good reading, use a spread whether you personally are drawn to them or not.
Once you consider these things make the choice that seems right to you. You can always change your mind, or switch back and forth if you like.
Tarot teaches eternal truths, values, and lessons. It is a timeless gift. So, in using it, understand that its beauty lies in its flexibility. Interpret the rules of Tarot in a manner that is right with your soul and the Universe and do not be amazed that different people will interpret this gift very differently.
Namaste,
Paul
Recently a dear student of mine called me absolutely heart broken. It seems that she was a guest at a psychic fair and had had her esteem shattered by a client who thought it was a fun game to trick her.
The client came to my friend’s booth and told a very moving story about having a son that had gone off to a foreign country and had found himself being held for ransom. The client went on to cry and say that she simply did not have the money. Her question was, “Will my son be all right?” My friend was moved and agreed to giving the weeping woman a reading. After it was over the client wiped away the crocodile tears and announced that not only was the whole story a sham, but she did not even have a son. Of course because the reading took place at a fair a crowd had gathered. My friend stood there mortified and feeling like a fool. After the shock passed she closed down her booth and left.
This situation is malicious, but unfortuanately, not uncommon. Some people are just cruel whilst still others hold the delusional idea that they are helping the world by going on witch hunts (Thank the Universe that these types are in the minority or it would be Salem all over again across the world). So, how can one deal with a situation like this when and if it should happen?
The first rule is to remain confident in yourself, the Divine, and the connection that you have with Him/Her. The second is to refuse to be shaken (especially while your tormentor is around). Look him or her in the face and say something along the lines, “I fully realised what you were doing, so I went along. I figured that you were wanting to do a show for the people present. Did you enjoy it?” Once you have come through the heat of the fire and the person leaves remember to forgive them. After all it is a tortured individual that would waste his/her time making up imaginary stories in the attempt to discredit you.
Namaste,
Paul
Paul and I have two young sons and I often do feel like I’m talking to myself (for example how many times have I said ‘don’t play with doors’ and ‘mind your finger’?? – see previous accident post).
However, yesterday I found myself quite literally talking to myself.
I settled down to do a reading for a client. I picked up the Fey Tarot deck then decided against it (last week was a Fey week but it didn’t feel right this time!) as I put it back the Hanson-Roberts deck caught my eye. I hardly ever use this deck - I don’t know why really as it’s quite charming.
Anyway, for my client, I drew the Four of Pentacles in relation to her work situation. As usual the card just spoke to me and I gave her sound advice based on this card.
During the reading I was hit quite hard with the feeling that this client was a means for me to follow my own advice. I’m in a situation like the card where I’m holding on tightly to a work situation even though the universe is prodding me to leave it behind and follow my passion in life. I’m clinging to my something which really isn’t me – it’s time to be like the Fool and follow my heart’s desire 
I am always amazed at how the Universe lines up the exact thing at the exact time. I’ve given myself some brilliant advice… sometimes talking to yourself does pay off!!
Blessings
Lyn
Good morning all,
Today I was speaking with Lyn and she triggered some flashbacks. I started thinking back to my surfing days and reliving that one of a kind feeling of riding a wave. To those of you who have not experienced it, let me just say that there is a feeling that combines freedom, humility, and power. And the inner feelings of that cocktail can leave one feeling quite heady. Even as I type this in my small warm office in the middle of a suburb, I can feel the sun on my skin, hear the sound of the waves crashing upon the land, and taste the perfect taste of salt.
I began to think how surfing is so much like the way that we could experience life. Impossible you say? Perhaps, but somehow in my mind that has been twisted and torqued from years of experience it makes perfect sense. Perhaps this is because my brain has more scar than tissue these years, or just maybe the gentle Universe has allowed me into a special place.
If this be the case, I invite you to join me as I prepare to surf the Light Fantastic. Walk by my side and feel the cool air and the wet sand. Look at the ultimate wave that at first glance appears absolutely menacing and feel your heart pulsing and pounding with excitement. You are about to take the greatest ride there is. True you can only do it once in your current body but the compensations are beauty beyond human speech to describe, an adrenaline flow that makes sky diving feel as a walk in the park, and the possibility of passion that makes the most romantic of novels seem to be paltry descriptions of puppy love. Can you feel your soul reaching out with ghostly fingers to grasp the picture I paint?
Now lets paddle out from the land on our boards. The icy water causes goose flesh and is at points uncomfortable. But as we keep our eyes on the biggest wave, we hardly notice this fact.
We have come far enough….position yourself in front of the wave. No! It does not want to swallow you. It can with great ease, but it is not its desire. What does it want then? Wait half a second more and I will explain. Steady now…..
Here we are mounted on the top of the greatest of waves (otherwise known as the “Universe” or “The Light Fantastic”). Isn’t it beautiful! Look at all that lies ahead of us. Treasures and riches beyond belief. Now do you understand? This wave wants us to work with it to achieve all that we dream. It has power beyond belief to take us where we long to be, and it actually desires to do this.
Be careful to navigate your board well or you might wipe out. Many do. Fortunately, the wave reforms after having delivered the good surfers to the shore. Unfortunately, before it does your wipe out might have caused you to plunge beneath the sea and have banged your head. I know it hurts….I have done this several times myself. Get back on your board and crest once again that perfect wave after you have grieved a bit. Don’t stop riding until you reach the beach (regardless of the number of wipe outs).
Most of all, don’t be someone who watches the surfers with longing in their eyes wondering if they could do it. Their end unless they are motivated to change is to be drowned as they question possibilities but accept the mundane.
My friends, the surf is up! Come ride with me on the Light Fantastic!!
Namaste,
Paul
