Tarot Tips: What Do Those Tools Mean?
Published: Thu, 12/01/11
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 #12 / December 1, 2011
In this Issue: - Welcome
- Tarot Tip: What Do Those Tools Mean?
- Tarot Card Showcase: Eight of Pentacles
- Upcoming Events
- Best Practices: A Tarot Reader's Toolbox
- Reader Feedback
- Featured Tarot Blog: It's On The Cards Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!
And a special welcome to our new readers.
When you go through the RWS deck, you will find that
many of the figures are holding, grasping or leaning on something. The most referenced are the swords, wands, cups and pentacles. Keeping in mind that the symbolism on Waite's deck has Masonic and occult influences, these tools have deeper esoteric significance. This issue will call attention to other tool imagery found in the deck. Some tools are of a more practical use, such as the hammer shown on the Showcase card, the Eight of Pentacles, while others indicate the role or position of a tarot character. The 'Best Practices' column has suggestions for a Tarot Reader's Toolbox. From altar supplies to office supplies, a reader should be prepared. We also received some feedback about the November issue to share. Thanks to our lovely subscribers for your comments! And one more thing... The holidays can be stressful, so make sure to set aside
some "me time" for yourself. Cozy up with a good
tarot book, play with your favorite decks, and plan
to feed your soul with some classes and a trip to the
2012 Readers Studio in the months ahead. In the
meantime, we wish you a very joyous holiday season!
Yours in the celebration of tarot,
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
WHAT DO THOSE TOOLS MEAN?
The largest detail on a specific card often grabs our
attention. More often than not, we start rattling off what a card means, never being attentive to the smaller, less well known details in the card, such as the lantern held by the Hermit, or the bell around the neck of the figure on crutches in the Five of Pentacles. Try this reading for yourself or for another querent: Shuffle the deck and choose 1 to 5 cards and lay them out in a spread of your choice. Without doing the usual interpretations of the cards,
choose one tool or object in the card that either has
never caught your attention before, or that you know
nothing about.
Proceed to do the reading based on the object you
have chosen. List all the possible meanings, messages
or significance of the tool that you can think of.
Do this for each card.
The tool /object will have a lot to tell you. Here are a few interpretations of tools found in the
Rider-Waite-Smith deck:
Scales - Impartiality. Equilibrium. Weighing the pros and cons. Measuring value. Apron - The apron is the working apron of the ancient stonemasons. Innocence. Purity. Distinction. Changes. Dignity. Scepter - Wielding creative power and authority. Royal or spiritual power. Virility and fertility. Lantern - Search for truth and virtue. Chains - Connection to something. Servitude. Bonds. Self-limitation. Association with a person or group. Linkage.
Crutches - Dependence. Prop. Tau cross. Assistance to those less fortunate. Bell - Messages. Stay alert. Awareness. Warning. Protection. Inner guidance. Vase/Urn - Receptivity. Vessel. Storage. Containment. Feminine. Pole - Personal and divine power. Intention and focus. Hoe - Agitation. Cultivation. Harvest.
Hammer - Symbol of masculine strength. Tool of divine skill. Creative vigor. Creative intelligence. Productivity. Breakthroughs.
Setting Maul - Used to align and set stones. Placement. Finalized. In Masonic lore, it was the final weapon used to kill Hiram Abiff and is symbolic of a violent blow. Patience and guidance. Keys - Access, freedom and liberation. Keeping secrets. Protection. Entry. Crossed keys represent papal authority. 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.
![]() EIGHT OF PENTACLES
Astrological Attribution: Sun in Virgo
Qabalistic Attribution: Hod in Assiah
Esoteric Title: Lord of Prudence
The Eight of Pentacles shows a man crafting a pentacle.
The results of his precision detailing are seen on the pentacles that have been finished and are displayed on a panel next to him. Waite's design demonstrates the theme of skill, productivity and detailed work. The figure concentrates on perfecting a certain technique, making each pentacle more beautiful than the previous one. The goal is high quality and perfection. Traditionally, this card is associated with work and industriousness. The Sun in Virgo aspect makes this a card of hard work, the ability to work with many details, and a flair for putting talents to the best possible use. Learning, school, training and continuing education may be under consideration when this card appears in a reading. This card indicates working to improve the physical world. In a reading this card can indicate a trophy, plaque or award. Internal and external development may be also be
a major theme. Positive Keywords: Technical skill, employment, craftsmanship, apprenticeship, training, progress, improvement, maintenance, productivity, and organization. Negative Keywords: Lacking, lazy, unreliable, cheap, of poor quality, forgetful, overworked, under paid, lost wages, untrained, and problems with work. Tarot Affirmation: Prudence is demonstrated through my ability to know how to do the right thing at the right time. Upcoming Events:
CARD STUDY COMPLETE: SUIT OF PENTACLES Card Study Complete is a course that aligns itself as
closely as possible with the energy of the seasons. With this series we take a look at the Minor Arcana in the form of the Suit of Pentacles, usually associated with the upcoming season of Winter. In these four classes, you'll find out that the Suit of Pentacles is magnificent. It's a whole world all by itself, and one quarter of all there is. And if you don't already know it, you'll also begin to realize that the Minor Arcana cards are anything but minor. Pentacles is the suit of the body, symbol of earth, of what is complete and solid and real, the gift of freedom and connection to every individual person and thing.
This series will be full to overflowing with information, with new perspectives, and with exploration. If you
treasure the useful, the provocative and the enjoyable,
join us!
11/17 The Symbol of the Pentacle 12/01 Ace - 5 of Pentacles 12/08 6 - 10 of Pentacles 12/15 The Court of Pentacles 4 Thursdays: November 17, December 1, 8 and 15.
(You can still join us and we'll send you the first class
recording right away!)
9-11 pm Eastern time
Tuition: $80 for the series -- includes .mp3 recordings!
Earns 8 Degree credits
You'll receive the mp3 recordings even if you can't attend
the classes. Free Readers Studio Teleconference which is often surprising and always fun!
1:00-2:30 pm Eastern time
Sign up and get the call-in details at:
The Readers Studio East Elmhurst, New York Speakers include: James Wanless, James Wells,
Shawn Nacol, Nancy Antenucci, Marcia McCord,
Jude Alexander, Mary K. Greer, Barbara Moore,
Thalassa, James Ricklef, Courtney Weber, Frances Ktenas,
Paris Finley, Chanah Liora Wizenberg, Ciro Marchetti,
Sheilaa Hite and Mike Hernandez.
Best Practices for Professional Readers A TAROT READER'S TOOLBOX
By Gina Thies -
http://www.facebook.com/tarotreaders I am a big believer in having the right tool for the
job. I am often away from my home office and am a stickler about having supplies for my "portable" tarot office. These are the things I consider tools of the trade for a professional tarot reader: 1. Props. These would be items such as decorative candle holders, statues, etc.
2. Battery operated tea lights or candles. Make sure they are working and have fresh batteries.
3. A small flashlight or another light source. 4. Extra decks. 5. Crystals or crystal balls. 6. Altar or table clothes. Scarves. 7. Box of tissues. 8. Sign-up sheets or notebook and pens. 9. Timer. This is on most phones. 10. Voice Recorder. Make a CD or email readings to your client.
There are some really great technology tools that are great for readers as well, such as: on your phone or iPad.
I would suggest researching what would meet your needs best. There are so many tools for professional and business owners it will be easy to find the right solution for you. 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]. 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 27 - 29, 2012 LaGuardia Marriott Hotel, New York Visit ReadersStudio.com
for all the details! READER FEEDBACK...
We received a couple of interesting emails in response to
"Dealing with Naysayers and Non-Believers," the featured
Tarot Tip in last month's issue. If you missed it, you can
read it in the archives at http://tarotschool.com/Newsletter.html
Marty of Dream Work Counseling wrote:
Greetings, I read your article on Tarot naysayers with great interest and agree with what you said. In my own research I have found historical references to the ban on Tarot cards in Italy by the early churchmen in the 13th & 14th centuries. As you know, this narrow view has plagued Tarotists since that time. What most people don't realize is that the ban on the Tarot was due to its association to gambling, not fortunetelling. Card games were the gambling activity of the day at that time, and the church authorities wanted their "flock" in church and not playing card games. The result is that they became labeled (by the church authorities) as "tools of the devil." The interesting thing is that Tarot was not actually used as a divination tool until much later, in England. Blessings, Marty Robert Moyer had this to say: This is a wonderful and timely Newsletter. We, our group at the PA Ren/Faire, had some interesting repercussions during one of the school days. It seems that two of the "chaperones" were very concerned about the "Tarot Readers" presence at the Ren/Faire. (I'm sure that it seems obvious that the "chaperones" were from a Christian Academy in the area. I was so proud of the way the management of the Ren/Faire handled the arguments. The Mistress of the Merchants simply replied that
"Tarot was apart of the Middle Ages and Elizabethan
Times. Queen Elizabeth had advisors who studied the
stars and the cards. So, it has every right to be here,
as does the Bible or the Koran. My suggestion is to
walk away from the temptation."
I've shared this newsletter with my Readers and other friends. Thank you for the forum and the ability to share. Ed: And thank you both for sharing your insight
and experience!
Featured Tarot Blog IT'S ON THE CARDS We thought this blog was really cool. Dave Thornton
shares his unique ideas, and brings a broader view to
interpreting tarot. Check out the interesting card
combinations and how Dave interprets certain
card pairings.
![]() Join our 3,645+ fans and join the fun!
You never know what we'll say next...
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Suggestions for future topics?
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