Tarot Tips: Q&A with Barbara Moore - Part 1
Published: Tue, 02/01/11
If you have trouble reading this issue of Tarot Tips, you may see it and other back issues at http://tarotschool.com/Newsletter.html
![]() Vol. 3 #3 / February 1, 2011
In this Issue: - Welcome
- Tarot Tip: Q&A with Barbara Moore (Part 1) - Reader Feedback: Confusing Spreads
- Tarot Card Showcase: Page of Pentacles
- Upcoming Events
- Best Practices: The Bad News Bearer
- Featured Tarot Blog: Tarot Gals Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!
And a special welcome to our new readers.
Today The Tarot School turns Sweet 16!
It's become our tradition to give you a special gift
and this year is no exception. You can claim yours at
We've also updated our Interviews page with three
recent content-rich and provocative discussions and
teaching, including the first-ever World Tarot
Organizations Summit, hosted by The Tarot Guild.
We had lots of fun on all three shows and think you'll
enjoy them, too. You'll find the links to these and other
interviews at http://tarotschool.com/Interviews.html
Tarot enthusiasts grazing the bookshelves of their
favorite bookstore in the Tarot section have no doubt
come across the writings of Barbara Moore. Barbara will
be one of three Master Class Instructors at the 2011
Readers Studio, and has graciously answered a few
questions for Tarot Tips. Since there's so much great
info, we'll be publishing her answers over two issues.
The Page of Pentacles, traditionally a card of study,
instruction and schools will be featured in the card
showcase. Waite, among others, interpreted a reversed
Page of Pentacles as a "bearer of bad news." The
'Best Practices' column will look at why some
querents seek out the "bad" news in a reading and
ways to deal with delivering the negative in readings.
This issue is packed with good information. In addition
to a new tarot blog, we are including a response to the
last issue, "Confusion, Challenges and Faulty
Interpretations" from contributor Peggy Firth, that
offers more insight on the challenges of being a
reader. With love and celebration,
Ruth Ann, Wald & Gina Tarot Tips is here to help you with the practical side of your Tarot journey. In order to take the greatest
advantage of this newsletter, please send us your
questions regarding any aspect of your tarot study
or practice and we'll do our best to answer them
in an upcoming issue.
Spread the experience of tarot - share this newsletter with other Tarot Enthusiasts! Tarot Tip Q&A WITH BARBARA MOORE - PART 1
For the past 20 years, Barbara Moore has been immersed
in tarot in many ways. Through the process of reading
and writing about tarot, Barbara has emerged as a
prominent figure who continues to heighten our
awareness of tarot and what we love about tarot cards.
In both her writing and on the social networks, Barbara
exhibits an air of practicality, sincerity, and dedication to
the tarot community.
Through her work with Llewellyn, Barbara has done a lot
for the modern tarot writer. She is a familiar face at
tarot events like The Readers Studio, and we are especially
excited to have her presenting a Master Class this year.
We wanted to get a few words from Barbara on publishing
and her views on tarot and she gave us so much more!
Here is what she shared with us:
TT (Tarot Tips): What keeps you interested in tarot?
Barbara Moore: When I first discover tarot, I reveled
in the way it wove together so many of my existing
interests: art, history, philosophy, mysticism, religion,
spirituality, psychology, mythology. Exploring any
one of those areas would take a lifetime. So tie them
all together in a beautiful package and I'll be content
for years.
But it doesn't end there...because there are so many
decks, one more beautiful than the next, or more
intriguing and compelling or more challenging. It is a
world steeped in fascinating topics and a community
of the most creative and brightest people I've ever known.
The world of tarot has become the world in which I
live my life. I think tarot. I create tarot. I shuffle tarot
and create my life. What keeps me interested in tarot?
Life. Everything. I cannot imagine not being interested.
It would be like saying "I'm bored." I cannot imagine
being bored.
TT: What surprises you about tarot?
Barbara Moore: After 20 years, very little about tarot
surprises me. I guess I'm more surprised by us, the
users of tarot. I'm always surprised when someone
comes up with a new technique or pairing for tarot. Or
a new type of deck...like Emily Carding's Transparent
Tarot. I was surprised by how I fell in love with the
Anna K Tarot--a very simple and astonishingly
evocative deck.
I am surprised by how everyone's journey with tarot
is different and yet how we can all relate to each
other.
I am surprised that, after all these years, I love
shuffling the cards so much. It feels so good and
always makes me think of its endless possibilities and
combinations and permutations.
TT: Do you have a favorite tarot experience?
Barbara Moore: Honestly, I cannot pick out one favorite
tarot experience. I know as soon as I send this to you,
I'll think of three at least!
TT: What are the advantages of attending The Readers
Studio?
Barbara Moore: For me, the best thing about attending
The Readers Studio is that it feels like a family reunion.
No. More than that. A gathering of the tribe, as some of us
like to say. Think of the most amazing, wise, kind,
compassionate, witty, intelligent, practical people you can.
Imagine over 200 of them. Put them in a room. Amp up
the good vibes. Add a bunch of astonishing decks and
other very cool items. That is The Readers Studio.
There is no doubt that it is tarot that brings us
together and tarot that gives us our common language.
But the tarot comes to life in the hands, mouths and
minds of those who shuffle it. Being with those people
brings out the best in us all. I go for that. I want to
hug and talk to everybody. I get so happy just standing
there looking at them all that I almost cry.
There are other reasons. The learning and practicing
opportunities are second only to the people. What is
best about these workshops is they are not merely (or
not even mostly) lecture or a conveying of knowledge.
We can get that from books. What cannot be reproduced
is being able to practice with others. So being taught
a technique and then let loose to practice with others
is the best. This is true of the main stage workshops
as well as the evening study sessions.
For me, another reason is the shopping. I know it is
not for everyone, but I do love shopping at The Readers
Studio.
First-timers or those who think "Oh, I'm not famous,
I cannot go up to so-and-so"--please do go up to
so-and-so. Introduce yourself. Ask a question.
Ask to practice a technique. If you see a group of
people (even if you think of them as "celebs"), butt in.
Start chatting. You will be welcomed. And if you don't,
you'll kick yourself later. If you are shy around the biggies
(and you know who they are!), come up to me and I'll
introduce you. Part 2 of our Q&A with Barbara Moore will appear in the February 15th issue of Tarot Tips.
Reader Feedback CONFUSING SPREADS
The following letter is in response to the issue of
Tarot Tips published on December 15, 2010. You'll
find it, along with other back issues of Tarot Tips at:
I just read the article about a confusing spread and
have some extra points to consider. Such a spread
happened to me when I was tested for a certification
and my querent, the president of the ATA, gave me these
suggestions along with ones that I have picked up over
the 20+ years of reading.
Images you have formed from the cards often have to be
reformed and questioned. Abstract ideas often have to
be interpreted/probed into an understandable story. Our
subconscious mind often lands on a symbol that will
generate answers. This situation requires lots of
questions since the querent's issues are often deeper
and require more probing. The root/real issue may not
be what the querent brings to the table.
All probable variations on the most minute aspect of
any given reality exist. We weave in and out of
probabilities constantly, picking and choosing as we go
along. Once formed, the pattern will follow. Free will
is always available but the overall framework can often
be detected.
Ahh, the challenge of the tarot...and consciousness.
-- Peggy Firth Tarot Card Showcase In this section we will feature tidbits on a specific tarot card. While there are many systems and decks to choose from in
the world of tarot, here we use the Universal Waite Tarot
images and symbols.
Copyright 1992 U.S Games.
![]() PAGE OF PENTACLES
Astrological Attribution: Season of Winter
Qabalistic Attribution: Malkuth in Assiah
Esoteric Title: Princess of Echoing Hills,
Rose of the Palace of Earth, Princess and Empress
of the Gnomes, Throne of the Ace of Pentacles. The Page of Pentacles is called the card of the
perpetual student. He stands in a lush field, towering
over the landscape of the card. His gaze upon the
pentacle he holds suggests a contemplation of the
infinite possibilities in nature.
Grounded and down-to-earth, the Page of Pentacles
willingly works hard for his accomplishments. His
attire shows he is accustomed to quality. The red hat
symbolizes an alert and agile mind with a passion for
learning or discovering new understandings of the world
he lives in.
This card shows a wonderment and an awe of nature.
The hills, grass, flowers and groves of trees represent the
luxury of nature personified by the Page as the Princess
of the Echoing Hills.
Pages (Knaves or Princesses) are illustrated standing,
with feet planted firmly in the world of Malkuth where
they are positioned on the Tree of Life. The Page of
Pentacles demonstrates the ability to concentrate,
making this Page a diligent and disciplined student.
As a member of the court of Pentacles, she has been
groomed in the art of cultivation. This means she has
learned that bounty and prosperity in whatever form
needs steady assessment, preparation, and refinement
before it comes to fruition.
In a reading, this card can indicate a training of some
sort. It can be a formal but practical education or
learning some new skill on your own. It can refer to a
child or having childlike awe and wonder, looking at
something through the eyes of a child.
It can also indicate too much of a focus on the
material. Status, power, money may be the essential
drives in life when this card is present. In contrast
there could be a shift to the inner world. One could
become conscious that what matters is not on the
outside, but that cultivation of the world within is
more important.
Positive Keywords: Wonder, study, work, management,
school, learning, development, investigation, data,
research, focus, growth, the mystery of nature,
agriculture, inquisitiveness and ambition.
Negative Keywords: Decay, waste, physical disability,
unfavorable news, ignorance, negligence, damage. Upcoming Events:
Secrets of the Queen of Pentacles Telecourse The recording of Class #1 will be ready soon
so you can still join us!
3 Thursdays: January 27, February 3 and 10.
9-11 pm Eastern time
Tuition: $60 for the series - includes .mp3
recordings
Earns 6 Degree credits
Register at http://tarotschool.com/Teleclasses.html
You'll receive the mp3 recordings even if you can't
attend the classes.
The Readers Studio (RS11)
Queens, NY
Presenters include: Caitlin Matthews, Corrine
Kenner, Barbara Moore, Mary K. Greer, Bev
Haskins, James Wells, Carolyn Cushing and
many more!
Best Practices for Professional Readers
THE BAD NEWS BEARER
In the business of being a helper we have to expect
the good and the bad, the smiles and the tears, the
positive and the negative. Plenty of readers,
especially in the beginning, may skirt around
delivering negative news. Your querent's (or your
own) initial anxiety may run the gamut from a fear of
hearing anything bad to having a curiosity about
whatever is bad.
I realize that information by itself may or may not be
characterized as good, bad or otherwise. However,
readers will not be able to avoid querents who ask
negative slanted questions.
Everyone wants good news but there has been research
that shows that people will seek out information they
know will hurt them. In a recent article in Psychology
Today, Matthew Hudson writes about one test that
showed that when subjects had a chance to view remarks
of people ridiculing them, a large percentage felt that
reading the remarks would do more harm then good,
but only 13 percent opted out of finding out what those
remarks were.
Hudson explains that "curiosity is a 'hot' state
much like hunger and lust - it simply cannot be
resisted." Curiosity does a lot for us in terms of
survival. It helps us learn what is good and not good
for us, what is safe or not and what works and what
doesn't. Curiosity gives us an opportunity to ask
questions and make new discoveries.
What about fear? The fear generated by a reading
containing "bad news" may be the anxiety of being
presented with options or situations a person may not
be ready to confront. The information given in a
reading may be simply unexpected or different from
what the querent thought it should sound like.
Assessing your comfort level and ethics of reading on
certain topics is a great place to start. Many say that
there are no good or bad cards. The same can be said
for the insight of the reader. The bottom line here is
that sometimes a reading just doesn't deliver the
hope, expectations, or relief the querent wants. Bad
news can negatively affect a person's view of their
future, and don't be surprised if blame is laid on
your skill or your psychic ability.
The best thing you can do in giving a reading that
doesn't appear to give the best of news would be to
do so confidently, without tension and without a sense
of coldness. In some instances a productive plan is
needed especially if a querent is inquiring about
something like finding a job in a tight economy. The
best approach there would be to stay away from a time
frame and strike a balance between reality and hope.
Here's a brief confession, however. I don't always
have the time or the opportunity to give a thorough
reading. Reading at fairs, parties and 15-minute
appointments has taught me I need to shuffle, lay out
the cards, and give the best (and most accurate)
reading that I can -- quickly. In situations like
that, I set the intention of asking for guidance. I
have had plenty of bad news to give in readings and
more times than not, it has lead to an appreciation of
truth and honesty that puts a querent on track to doing
or becoming the best that life has in store. Questions arise when developing or transitioning
to professional Tarot Reading status to earn income. These can range from "How can I make money with Tarot?" and "How do I get started?" to more complex technical and business questions.
You may already be up and running and have
questions about how to enhance or ramp up your
business. We would love to hear from you. Send any
questions, or interest in a future class on the
Business of Tarot, to [email protected]. Tarot Lovers Welcome Home!
Join our international event as hundreds of tarot readers, teachers, authors and artists gather for three extraordinary days of tarot study and play. ![]() THE READERS STUDIO
April 29 - May 1, 2011 LaGuardia Marriott Hotel, New York Visit ReadersStudio.com
for all the details! Featured Tarot Blog TAROT GALS Tarot Authors and Deck Creators, Janet Boyer and Gina
Pace show you how to play the cards life deals you --
effectively, intelligently and gracefully.
This "one-stop-shop" tarot blog has everything from deck
reviews to tips, articles, games and giveaways. What
fun for the tarot enthusiasts. Be sure to visit those
wonderful gals of tarot, Janet and Gina! ![]() Join our 2,775+ fans and join the fun!
You never know what we'll say next...
Do you have a question or comment on anything tarot?
Suggestions for future topics?
Contact [email protected]
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