Tag Archives: I-The Magician

Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread

The Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread won’t make your decision for you. What it will do is clearly identify what’s impacting your decision-making ability and driving your current mindset: your hopes, your fears or the Truth of the Matter. Once this information is made visible, you can apply corrective action (if needed) and proceed with more confidence you’re not shooting yourself in the foot.

Use the Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread when you have to make a decision that will have consequences either way. You can use any deck that appeals to you.

Here’s how the Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread works:

The Layout

 

Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread Layout © 2021 Living With Cards http://livingwithcards.com

 

The Procedure: 

***Note: Court Cards are not used in this spread. Remove them from the deck before shuffling, or if you happen to pull any, discard them and use the next available (non-Court) card. ***

Thoroughly shuffle the deck while thinking about your situation and the decision that you have to make, pros, cons, whatever comes to mind. When ready, cut the deck into three piles.

Lay out the top and bottom cards of each pile into three corresponding columns, top card above bottom card.

Column 1, pulled from Pile 1, represents your HOPES (cards 1 & 4)

Column 2, pulled from Pile 2, represents your FEARS (cards 2 & 5)

Column 3, pulled from Pile 3, represents the TRUTH (cards 3 & 6)

 

After laying out the first six cards, look through the remaining cards in each pile until you find the pile that contains XIX-SUN (Card 7). Place it in the corresponding column. For example, if you find XIX-SUN in Pile 1, place it above Card 1 in Column 1. If XIX-SUN is in Pile 2, place it above Card 2 in Column 2. And if XIX-SUN is in Pile 3, place it above Card 3 in Column 3.

Take the bottom card from the same pile in which you found XIX-SUN (Pile 2 in the Example Spread) and place it at the bottom of the corresponding column. This serves as Card 8.

 

*** Note the position numbers on the diagram: Cards 1, 2 and 3 are placed left to right in the top row. Cards 4, 5 and 6 are placed left to right in the bottom row. Card 7 (XIX-SUN) and Card 8 (the bottom card from the same pile in which you found XIX-SUN) are placed above and below the two cards that represent that same pile. In the example spread, Cards 7 &  8 are placed above and below the cards in Column 2 (cards #2 and #5) because XIX-SUN was located in Pile 2. ***

Example of the Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread

 

Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread Example © 2021 Living With Cards http://livingwithcards.com
Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread Example © 2021 Living With Cards http://livingwithcards.com

 

Once all eight cards have been selected and placed, the Example Spread above shows XIX-SUN (Card 7) and ACE OF DISKS (Card 8) in Column 2, FEARS.  This is because I located XIX-SUN in Pile 2 and thus have placed Cards 7 & 8 in the corresponding column.

I now will add the card numbers on Cards 4 + 5 + 6 and reduce to a single digit:

2 OF SWORDS + X-WHEEL + II-HIGH PRIESTESS =

2 + 10 + 2 = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5

 

Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread Example: Add the card numbers on Cards 4 + 5 + 6 and reduce to a single digit. Here we see 2 of Swords + X-WHEEL + II-HIGH PRIESTESS = 2 + 10 +2 = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5. © 2021 Living With Cards http://livingwithcards.com
Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread Example: Add the card numbers on Cards 4 + 5 + 6 and reduce to a single digit. Here we see 2 of Swords + X-WHEEL + II-HIGH PRIESTESS = 2 + 10 +2 = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5. © 2021 Living With Cards http://livingwithcards.com

This single digit reduction = your Risk Level:

Risk Level:

1-3 Low

4-6 Moderate

7-9 High

Make a note of it. In the Example Spread, the Risk Level concerning this decision is 5, denoting a “moderate risk.”

If your Risk Level is Low (1 – 3) consider whether this decision is as important or consequential as you think it is… Maybe you’re making too much of it…

If your Risk Level is Moderate (4 – 6)  the stress of the decision may be making you feel you’re under a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” type of pressure. A moderate Risk Level indicates that it’s equally possible things could work out well or poorly regardless of which decision you make…

If your Risk Level is High (7 – 9) consider the insights you’re getting from your spread to be a red flag of sorts. Perhaps you need to mentally deconstruct and reevaluate the situation/ circumstance as well as the options you’ve come up with so far. Use the additional light shown by XIX-SUN to pinpoint the energy pattern from which your mindset is currently operating…

 

Significance of the Sun Card

As you may have figured out by now, the XIX -SUN symbolizes “the light,” “shining the light,” on what is currently influencing your decision.

If you find the XIX-SUN in the first pile, you’re letting your HOPES rule the decision. If you find XIX-SUN in the second pile, you’re letting your FEARS rule the decision. If you find XIX-SUN in the third pile, you are letting the TRUTH of the matter influence your decision.

None of these placements are “wrong,” “bad,” or negative in any way. XIX-SUN is shining a light on your current energy pattern, making the invisible visible. The now-bottom card from the pile containing XIX-SUN shows the Probable Result of your decision based on continuing with the current energy pattern.

 

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In addition to adding Cards 4 + 5 + 6 together and reducing to a single digit to ascertain your Risk Level, you should also read and consider what Columns 1, 2 and 3 are telling you vertically.

In the Example Spread above, the HOPES  column consisting of Cards 1 + 4 are the 7 OF SWORDS + 2 OF SWORDS: This suggests I HOPE I’m not making a decision that will cause me to wind up sabotaging myself or placing myself in a stalemate…

The cards in the FEARS column (Cards 2 + 5) are I-MAGICIAN + X-WHEEL. This indicates I FEAR my decision (regardless of what it is) might prompt a turn for the worse for me…

The TRUTH column consists of Cards 3 + 6, XXIV-STARMAKER* + II-HIGH PRIESTESS. The TRUTH, which this spread makes clear, is that reality tends to be created by the vibrations of thought patterns, whether negative, positive or neutral (STARMAKER). For whatever reason, this knowledge appears to be hidden from my conscious mind at this time (HIGH PRIESTESS). The cards in the TRUTH column make the underlying (invisible) energy patterns visible. Now, if I want or need to, I can consider/ reconsider my decision from a clearer perspective.

* STARMAKER is one of two Alternative Magus cards in the Thoth deck.

Card 8 is the RESULT CARD, pulled from the same pile containing XIX-SUN and placed at the bottom of the corresponding column.

Since I pulled XIX-SUN from Pile 2, I see from the RESULT CARD that at this time I will likely let my FEARS rule my decision. As a result, my fears will have greater potential for manifesting (ACE OF DISKS).

By ascertaining my Risk Level and current mindset (FEARS), I’ve succeeded in making the invisible underlying energy patterns visible. This allows me to reconsider and/or reevaluate the situation/circumstance and the options I’ve chosen so far. Assuming I want to change the outcome, I can now consciously work on changing my approach/ thoughts/ energy pattern to support a more favorable result.

 

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The key to using the Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread is self-honesty. I chose the Crowley-Thoth Tarot deck for the Example Spread because Thoth tells it like it is. No sugar-coating. If Thoth is too intense for you, choose another deck but don’t try to put a positive spin on questionable cards just because you’re uncomfortable with what they may be telling you. An open and honest approach will give you the insights you need to make better, more informed and more satisfying decisions that lead to more desirable results.

Give the Risky Decision Tarot Card Spread a try and let me know how it works out for you.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

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Learn more about how to read Tarot Cards, Lenormand Cards, Oracle Cards and Gypsy Witch Cards. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter  @mary_hawk12 where I post Card Reading examples & tips several times weekly.

 

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Tarot Spreads: The Tarot de Marseille Veil Spread Discusses Job Loss

I continue to be amazed at the quality of information a tarot reader can obtain from The Veil Spread with Extra Positions layout. As I mentioned in a previous post, The Veil Spread is a three card tarot spread outlined in the LWB (little white book) that accompanies the Tarot de Marseille tarot deck. I added two extra positions to this spread and have repeatedly found them useful, as shown in the following tarot reading:

A female querent (person asking the question) in her early 60s contacted me regarding a job loss. Her company eliminated her position and, while not a complete surprise (there were warning signs), she feels at a loss as to what to do next. She asked:

What do I need to consider going forward?

Using only the Majors from the Tarot de Marseille tarot deck, I pulled the following cards:

Tarot de Marseille Veil Spread with Extra Positions: XVIII-Moon Rx - 0-Fool - XVI-Tower Rx - XXI-World Rx - I-Magician
Tarot de Marseille Veil Spread with Extra Positions: XVIII-Moon Rx – 0-Fool – XVI-Tower Rx – XXI-World Rx – I-Magician

 

Position #1: What You Are Seeing

XVIII-The Moon Rx

Tarot de Marseille - XVIII-The Moon Rx
Tarot de Marseille – XVIII-The Moon Rx

XVIII-The Moon in its reversed position focuses on emotional turmoil and suggests the querent is overwhelmed by the feelings the job loss has engendered to a degree where she really can’t seem to focus on anything else. It is difficult to gain clarity when the emotions are jumbled up and rational decision making seems impossible.

Position #2: The Veil, or What You Are Not Seeing, or the Reason You Are Not Able to See the Truth

0-The Fool

Tarot de Marseille - 0-The Fool
Tarot de Marseille – 0-The Fool

0-The Fool appears when a person is required to start a new phase of his or her life. What the querent is not seeing — or what she may be failing to recognize — is that the past is behind her and now she must step forward, even though she may not know exactly where she is heading. Faith is required.

Position #3: The Truth

XVI-The Tower Rx

Tarot de Marseille - XVI-The Tower Rx
Tarot de Marseille – XVI-The Tower Rx

XVI-The Tower in its upright position signifies shock and upset. In its reversed position, the shock or upset has already happened and the worst of it is over. No amount of rehashing the past or agonizing over whether a different result may have occurred if she’d done things differently will change the dynamics of her situation. The truth of the matter is that things will never be the same and that it’s time for the querent to pick up the pieces and begin rebuilding her life.

Position #4: The Advice

XXI-The World Rx

Tarot de Marseille - XXI-The World Rx
Tarot de Marseille – XXI-The World Rx

While XXI-The World is a card of success and fulfillment, in its reversed position it shows fear of change, insecurity and a refusal or inability to face the future. By pointing this out to the querent, XXI-The World Rx acknowledges that while it might be difficult to change her mindset and prepare for new experiences by setting new goals, that is exactly what she should do to begin moving forward.

Position #5: The Probable Outcome

I-The Magician

Tarot de Marseille - I-The Magician
Tarot de Marseille – I-The Magician

I was excited to see this empowering card in the Probable Outcome position because it indicates that the querent has the ability to use her will and imagination to create a new direction for herself. I-Magician suggests the querent may have a specialized knowledge in some area or special skills or talents she may use to achieve her goals. It is an excellent indication that the querent has the ability to compete in the marketplace if that’s the direction she decides to take, or successfully pursue self employment.

 

In summary, The Tarot de Marseille Veil Spread with Extra Positions clearly indicates that the querent’s prospects for resolving her job loss issue are excellent, once she gets past the emotional entanglement and feelings of victimization the job loss has likely triggered.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

Tarot Card Meanings: Magician – Using Magician Energy

Note from Mary: I am posting an updated version of an article I wrote which originally appeared in the Tarot Teacher section of my former website, Soulscape Tarot & Astrology. I hope you will find it useful…

 

Tarot de Marseille I-The Magician
Tarot de Marseille I-The Magician

 

Recently, I pulled I-MAGICIAN while doing a 3 card daily draw. I thought I would share some insights on this card with you.

I-MAGICIAN is the first of the Major Arcana cards in the Tarot, also known in some decks as I-MAGUS. In a tarot spread, Major Arcana cards typically symbolize archetypal energies in play at the time of the reading. I-MAGICIAN is associated with Mercury (the Messenger), communication, flexibility, duality and brilliance. Astrologically, Mercury is the natural ruler of Virgo (Earth) and Gemini (Air).

I-MAGICIAN symbolizes the process of consciously creating reality through your will, words and imagination. Think of I-MAGICIAN as the Alchemist and Transformer. This card symbolizes your ability to turn ideas and spoken affirmations into action and suggests you can (or should) rely on self confidence, power and determination to see you through.

When you pull I-MAGICIAN in a reading it suggests that powerful and synchronistic influences are coming into your life, enabling you to intuit or invent solutions to your most pressing problems. Since this is accomplished by “tuning in” to “messages” you receive intuitively, it’s important to allow yourself to maintain a receptive frame of mind, especially if you are finding that I-MAGICIAN comes up for you often in spreads.

Here are some possible interpretations of how the energy of I-MAGICIAN may manifest, depending on the subject of your reading or what you’ve asked about:

Work: Positive, augers success. Creative, innovative thought is in order. The ability to turn ideas into reality. You may begin a new job or receive a promotion. Creative endeavors take off, dreams and desires materialize.

Romance: You may meet someone new under unusual or synchronistic circumstances. Telepathic communication with a loved one. Possible indication that you have/will meet a soul-mate. May indicate a creative, intuitive person with excellent communication skills. Negative: could indicate a manipulator or trickster, someone who will try to pull something over on you, particularly if surrounded by negative cards.

Finances: If you’re asking about money, I-MAGICIAN suggests your finances will improve, possibly through a new job or project that provides good income while meeting creative needs. Bills paid, money left over. If this card shows up in a position indicating a problem, challenge, or obstacle, it can be pointing out that you’re engaging in negative thinking and emotions that are resulting in negative or unwanted manifestations.

Health: Problems clear up spontaneously. As shaman and healer, MAGICIAN points to alternative medicine. You are guided to the correct practitioner/ herbal treatment, etc. Remember that illness is often a “wake up call” — listen to your body. A particular dietary change may benefit you. [Note from Mary: if you’re worried about a health issue, please see your doctor or health practitioner!!]

Spirituality: Esoteric, metaphysical and/or occult knowledge provides answers to questions. A Teacher/ Guide offers aid and enlightenment.

Empowerment: Conscious magic provides power and energy to change your life. What you focus on expands!!!

 

Tarot de Marseille I-The Magician
Tarot de Marseille I-The Magician

How has I-MAGICIAN energy manifested in your life? Please leave a comment and let us know!

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins

You Don’t Have to be Psychic to Read Cards

You don’t have to be psychic to learn how to read cards. All it takes is intention, some intuition, and a good dollop of common sense.

If you learned how to read English — which I assume you did if you’re reading this post — you can learn how to read cards. This is because cards, like English (or French or German or any other language), speak in languages that you can learn to read.

Each card system (tarot, Lenormand, playing cards, etc.) has its own language. Just like any language, there may be similarities — and there are sure to be differences.

For example, XVI-The Tower in the tarot does not have the same meaning as 19 Tower in the Lenormand. The former has the connotation of a shock or disruption of some sort, perhaps a crisis point. The latter has many meanings including legal matters, bureaucracy, isolation, ego, and official buildings among other things, and absolutely no connotations of shock, disruption or crisis.

 

What you need if you want to read cards:

1. Intention

I-The Magician - Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck
I-The Magician – Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck

 

You have to want to read cards, otherwise, why would you bother? It is not a huge investment of money to pick up a tarot deck at a local bookstore or order one online. Lenormand cards are not particularly pricey and can also be ordered online. A pack of playing cards costs less than $5.00 at big box stores and drugstores. If you don’t already own a deck of tarot, Lenormand or playing cards, decide which card system you want to start with and purchase one deck. If you’re already familiar and comfortable with one or more card systems, consider trying your hand at another.

Here are some deck suggestions to get you started:

Tarot decks:

  • Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck
  • Robin Wood Tarot Deck
  • Universal Waite Tarot Deck
  • Morgan-Greer Tarot Deck
  • Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck

Lenormand decks:

  • Piatnik Lenormand Jeu de destin No. 194115
  • Blaue Eule (Blue Owl) Lenormand
  • Mystical Lenormand

 

2. Intuition

II-The High Priestess - Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck
II-The High Priestess – Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck

 

Everyone has intuitive capabilities. While some people may be more intuitive than others, every person has the ability to “intuit” to some degree — and the capacity to build their intuitive muscle. The more you learn about how your own particular intuitive abilities work, the better you will be able to work with them. Card reading is a great way to uncover and strengthen your intuitive abilities. When you look at a tarot card, you may find certain symbols in the picture capture your attention. You might ask yourself, “why has that symbol captured my attention?” One thought may lead to another and before you know it, you could be stringing together a meaning and/or a thought might occur to you that summarizes the message the cards seem to be giving you. This is intuition in play. You will develop and/or strengthen it by reading cards on a regular basis.

 

3. Common Sense

Queen of Pentacles - Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck
Queen of Pentacles – Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck

It helps to have your head set squarely on your shoulders. It doesn’t make any sense to me to get upset, worried or scared outta your mind by a card reading. Come on, people, use your heads. They’re just cards. Cards are rectangular pieces of cardboard with pictures on them. The power is not in the cards. You own the power.

 

Queen of Swords - Hanson Roberts Tarot Deck
Queen of Swords – Hanson Roberts Tarot Deck

 

I’ll share more of my approach to card reading in subsequent posts. If there’s something you’d like me to  comment on or discuss in more depth, please let me know.

Blessings,

Mary Hawkins