View Full Version : 78 DW: F.A.Q's
This thread is for those who are curious about the "78 DW" posts in the Talking Tarot forum, and the study group they relate to.
"78 DW" refers to "78 Degrees of Wisdom", a book by Rachel Pollack that is a classic study of tarot. The threads that refer to it in this forum are part of an informal study group that we've started.
I'll include comments from Jewel and myself below, which were taken from the "78 Degrees of Wisdom" thread, and which illustrate the specifics of this group nicely.
FROM JEWEL:
One of the things I would like to see in the study group is how we apply that knowledge to the decks we most commonly use as we go through the book so that we can all learn about the symbolism (and compare and contrast it to the RW) in other decks as we as review. I don't know about you guys but I learn best from application. How does that sound? I think it could enhance our knowledge of our favorite decks and maybe gain some new insights about them.
This is absolutly fabulous!!!! We will have tons of fun with this I am sure. As Melvis' secretary ~giggles~ (sorry Melvis I just hired myself *LOL*) I would like to recap what I understand we are all agreeing to AND I will put a few other suggestions. Once we get the ground work on how we want to proceed then Melvis can take it away ... I absolutly love the idea of starting with the diamond by the the way <G>. Okies here is what I undersrand we are all agreeing to:
1) The group is open to all, those with the book, those getting the book, those who are curious about the book, those who seriously want to be a part of this book or no book.
2) We will start a new thread with each chapter we discuss so that we can stay focused.
3) Melvis will be our fearless leader although we are ALL responsible for keeping this study group alive.
4) Study group participants will use what ever deck they choose to use.
5) The purpose of the study group is to discuss the book and apply the knowledge we learn to the decks we prefer. By this I do mean adding/discussing some of the symbolism in your deck that might not be a part of the RW deck, what you think it means, how it compares, etc.
PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS:
1) How about 1 chapter every 2 weeks? Since most of us have expressed how busy we are this would ensure that everyone would have time to read the chapter, and there would be no pressure/hurry or worry about falling behind. It would be a laxed pace that would allow us to try to go really deep into the subject vs. a hit and run approach *LOL*. I really want sink my teeth into this ~giggles~.
2)For group members to make additional suggestions/coments in this thread and keep the chapter threads clean and dedicated to discussion and questions of that chapter (like you guys have done with the Aeclectic project).
3) That all Chapter related threads be marked something like "78 DW - blah blah blah Chapter" or whatever ... just an easy identifyer for group participants.
4) All questions are great questions! If at some point any one of us gets confused, twisted up or what ever let the group know so we can nurture each other and continue learning together.
FROM MELVIS:
I think 1 Chapter every 2 weeks would give everyone a chance to get involved. As we accumulate chapters, it may get to be closer to 3 weeks between new chapter introductions, 'cause I'm sure we'll all keep checking back on previous chapter threads as more people contribute to them! We'll play it by ear...
I will put "78 DW:" as the starting point on all the study group threads.
I'll also start a "78 DW: F.A.Q." thread that explains what we're doing, and can be a place to ask general questions.
Please post any questions you have about the 78 DW Study Group here. Otherwise, feel free to join the group on any Chapter's thread!
Peace,
Melvis
Talisman
07-01-2002, 11:38
Melvis,
What a splendid job you have done in putting this idea together!
Since "78 D.W." is one of my favorite Tarot books for many reasons, I have been following these threads with great interest. You can bet that while I may not contribute, I will be a faithful reader.
Thanks, Melvis. You, too, Jewel. And othes.
Talisman
I thought I'd list the current (and upcoming) threads for the 78 DW Study Group.
78DW: Four-Card Layout (0,1,2,21) Chap. 1
Lay out The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, and The World in a diamond pattern and see how they relate to the 'journey' of the Major Arcana as a whole.
78DW: Overview of Majors (3 rows of 7) Chap. 2 lead by arizonagirl
This short chapter explains how Rachel P. will group the Majors in 78DW as she discusses them. I - VII in the top row, L to R; VIII - XIV in the middle row; XV - XXI in the bottom row (Fool is in its own 'Row' floating above top row).
POSTING ON OR AROUND FEB. 21
78DW: Fool, Magician, and High Priestess -- Chap. 3
In-depth explanations of each card with historical perspective and symbol explanation. Will be highlighting some of R.P.'s ideas and asking how you think they relate to the deck you're working with.
That's all so far! I'll modify this reply as we cover more chapters and create more posts!
Peace,
Melvis
Melvis thanks again for keeping this study group going. I really appreciate it! I am looking forward to our future work in this study group. I am learning a lot from reading others' posts.
Love & Light,
Just moving this to the top in case we have any new comers.
Temperance413
05-03-2002, 16:11
I just got this book a few weeks ago and now I know why. It is wonderful, and now I have the group to read it with. Thanks so much for the study. Now I have to catch up!!
Marie
Welcome to the group Temperance!!!
I bumped this thread up, to see if other people would join the group.
I started reading the book this summer, and have not finished it yet, but I thought I would first check the Study Groups before finishing the Minors (read almost nothing) and the Spreads (read after the Majors, almost finished).
Is there someone else willing to keep the Study Group going?
Someone who would post and go through the book along with me?
THANX
Pollux, Melvis, Jewel, et al;
I just picked this book up last night! I thought I'd check for threads on it before I posted on it and lo and behold, Pollux had just bumped it to the top of the forum! How's that for FATE? (After dinner my wife said she wanted to go browse at the bead shop downtown, I thought - "while she's doing that, I'll walk down to the new-age shop & look at Tarot decks & books". The 78DW book was the first one I picked up and after I came back to it the third time, I figured that must be the one I needed. :D )
It will probably take me a while to get caught up, but I'm on my way.
Trogon
I have been searching the section and so far I found threads related to the following chapters:
==============================
PART ONE: THE MAJOR ARCANA
Chap 1 - The Four Card Pattern Layout (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1147)
Chap 2 - The Overview (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1135)
Chap 3 - The Opening Trumps: Symbols and Archetypes (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1142)
Chap 4 - The Worldly Sequence (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3627)
PART TWO: THE MINOR ARCANA
Introduction (http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2562)
===============================
Are there any other threads I could not spot?
I see there are no threads going from the Chap 5 to the Minors - "Turning Inward", "The Greatest Journey" - and I wonder whether they were lost during the moving to the new server or the bumping among the different sections of the boards, or they were never started.
Anway I am glad! I have finished already the parts for the Study Group! :D
Minderwiz
02-09-2002, 16:24
Yes I've recently got the book and am about a third of the way through it. She really does make you go back and look at the cards again and point out things that you've missed.
This will be one of my main books from now on - so I'll start to drop in on the study group.
Minderwiz
Maybe you can re-energize us so we can finish what we started! *LOL*
Originally posted by Pollux
Is there someone else willing to keep the Study Group going?
Someone who would post and go through the book along with me?
THANX
I really fell off the wagon with this one ~bows head in shame~ ... and I learned SOOOOOO MUCH from going through the first exercise and the few chapters I worked on. I would be willing to recommit to this with you. Thanks for posting the previous threads. I will start working on a post for Chapter 5. I really would love to see this group resurrected and to finish the book.
Melvis? Kaz? you guys up for working on this some more?
I don't know what deck to choose.
the choices are:
- GILL
- SPIRAL
- COSMIC
- VISON QUEST
I see Cosmic was already taken. And Spiral is not that interesting for the study group maybe.
I think I should start with Gill, and if have time devote to Cosmic too.
I would appreciate any suggestion. :)
Pollux, select any of the decks you wish. Do not feel restricted on a deck because someone else has chosen it. On the contrary it will open up some fabulous discussions like Kaz and I had with the Templar. I am using the Cosmic Tribe (and on occassion the Templar if Kaz has time to join us).
If you want to use the Cosmic then by all means use the Cosmic!
kaz has if time can find her :-)
kaz
*LOL* Kaz ... Excellent! ... You and I are on Chapter 4 ... you can go print the exercises.
Just a reminder to those reviving this group (*LOL* could not resist), please make sure and put the deck you are working with at the top of each post so we know what deck you used and discuss it with you. Thank you guys for bringing the energy back.
Yikes!
*I* was the one who really dropped the ball on this one, Jewel! ;) I started out using the Legend: Arthurian Tarot (I think), but it was too difficult. I should have changed decks!
I now have almost 80 decks to choose from, though, so I guess I have no excuse not to re-join the group! :D
Hmmm...which one to choose...would the Rohrig be too hard? I feel I've been neglecting it lately. Maybe this would be just the thing to reconnect us!
Peace,
Melvis
:TSTRE
YAY! Melvis! This is great! Personally I was learning a lot from the work you were doing with the Legends deck :). I think with the Rhorig you will encounter a lot of what I have using the CT, but what is neat is that since Rhorig and CT are Thoth based we actually get to blend, compare and contrast the RWS and Thoth perspectives. I found this quite interesting. Where our greatest challenge will come is will be where blance and strength are concerned ... in Rhorig and CT blanace (justice) is at 8 not 11 and strength at 11 not 8 ... But we can deal with that in Chapter 5 and I will include an exercise for those of us using a deck with that numbering change.
Melvis you did not drop the ball alone ... we all did *LOL*. Lets just say we took a sabatical and now we are back :P. You get to do Chapter 6 *LOL*
I think I will use Cosmic (RW-based) and Gill (Thoth-based)...
I hope you won't mind if I feel a bit responsible for the return to work... ;) *LOL*
Pollux you are most definetly responsible for getting this thing going again :) ... I like your deck choices. Just a little side note, some exercises can get a little time consuming, so really commit to using one deck and just do the other when you have time. I don't want you getting burned out and loosing you! (then I might fall back off the wagon ;))
i will have a look where we dropped out. chap 4 you say???
i will bump the thread if i find it.
kaz
Thank you, Pollux!
I forgot to say it before, but I'm glad you bumped the thread up!
I'm so glad you'll be working with the Gill! That one's still on my wish-list...can you do scans of the cards as you post about them? Don't worry about it if you can't. I think Kaz was doing that with the Templar, though, and it helped a lot. I'll be posting Rohrig scans as I go, too.
Isn't the Cosmic Tribe Thoth-based, too? This should be very interesting, as you, Jewel, and I are all working with Thoth-based decks. I like that!
Peace,
Melvis
:TSTRE
I didn't get who was working with COSMIC. Maye Arizonagirl. I heard she came back posting, I'll PM her and also mention that we bumped the threads up.
I know there's a site with all the pics form the GILL.
BUT - I have thought os something cleverer :D:D:D
Instead of posting the pics here - limited to a 300x400 - I will give you my Web-Address, and out there the pictures in the layouts... :D:D:D:D
Kaz could do the same, and you others too. If you have problems with HTML and webpages, I wouldn't mind helping you (just like KAz wouldn't, I am sure). At your service. :)
Kaz ... All threads can be accessed through this thread thanks to Pollux who listed all the links (pg. 1 of this thread I believe) we can bump them as we reply to them. I will go back and do the diamond spread with the CT as I had previously done that with the Robin Wood.
Melvis ... yes the CT is Thoth based :) ... I agree with you it will be very interesting contrasting it to the RWS. I think it will really help me better understand some of the fundamental differences between Wiate based and Thoth based decks. It will also give us the chance to really explore how we feel about the position of strength and justice in the decks.
Pollux ... yes what we would like to see is the scans in the positions of the cards you are working with (i.e. the diamond spread - Chpt. 1; etc.)
Unfortunately I do not own a scanner so I will not be able to share my cards. I would have loved to put them with their RWS counterparts in doing the comparison and contrast pieces. I am also extremely computer illeterate (cannot even do a kissy face or devil emoticon *LOL*), so you will have to bear with my words as usual.
Jewel: Comsic Tribe is ENTIRELY online, and I think Robin Wood too somewhere...
You just need to tell me what I have to do, and I'll do it. The cards, the layout and all...
Pollux you are an angel :P ... I am no longer using the Robin Wood. When I post my diamond spread I will place my request with you for what I need. If it gets burdensome to you do let me know and do not feel obligated :) ... It will be really neat to have the pictures in sequence with the post :) ... you are wonderful friend, thank you!
My idea of it is THIS:
http://www.geocities.com/pollux_loves_tarot/diamondlayout.html
I mean that restricting to the pics we can submit is not good enough for us, is it? ;)
We can upload them online, and get BIGGER PICTURES, and srick to the layouts more easily.
Kaz is much better a Webby-er than me, so I know she'll think about that too.
Anyway, I woulde love to do that for any of you - especially if you are among my favourite Aeclecticans! :D:D:D (Jewel already included :*).
I am so sweet I'll get diabete soon... yuck.
So... What do you think?
Jenny-Li
05-09-2002, 14:28
I talked about joining in when I got the book, but then I never did... And it has taken me AGES to just read the book, let alone really work with it... Now I have started reading the Readings section today, but I feel far from done with the cards-sections - and would LOVE to work on them.
So are we on, or are we waiting to get started or... or how does it work?
Light and love,
Jenny :)
wavebreaker
05-09-2002, 16:06
I'd be interested in joining too. I've just finished reading the Majors section.
My deck of choice would be the World Spirit...
Jenny-Li
05-09-2002, 16:12
I have actually mostly related to the Universal Waite when reading this book, but that's just a basic thing - she describes the Waite-symbolism and that's the Waite-deck I have.
But for really working with it... It will have to be Robin Wood or World Spirit. Which one I end up with I will leave up to the decks to decide... I can't choose! :D
Jenny :)
Hi Tarotlady and Jenny-Li glad you will be joining us! welcome to the study group! I think it is pretty safe to speak for all of us and say that we really look forward to your posts :)
Im trading Redwood for this book, which I have wanted for ages. She says shes sending it out tomorrow, so when it arrives next week Ill join. I believe if I remember correctly that it talks mostly about Rider Waite like symbolism, so Im thinking of using the MerryDay deck that should be here soon from a trade with Hermit :)
:THP
Jenny-Li
12-09-2002, 04:23
I've looked in the General section of the Study Groups board... but I can't find any posts about the 78 DW study group... Where are you guys? ;)
Or are we just making plans at this point, to re-open the old threads...? Cuz in that case I might as well bumb them as someone else, just making sure I'm not making any mistakes here!
Light and love,
Jenny :)
Jenny-Li, this group had become inactive and was moved to this media board. If you will go to the first page of this post there are links to all the threads that were started (thanks Pollux). If we get this going good again, perhaps the threads will be then be put back in the Study Group Forum. Let us know if you have any more problems finding the threads. The first one is about the Diamond Pattern. The all start with "78 CW - Chapter X - name of chapter".
Next week I hope to post the work for Chapter 5. Sorry I have not gotten to it sooner, I am just real busy at the moment.
I'm working on Chapter Six (really...I am!) which should be done by the end of this week...hopefully! I'll be posting it as a new thread.
Peace,
Melvis
:TSTRE
Uff... I am behind.
I haven't finished working on the first chapter yet.
I am really busy but in less then a week it should hopefully be over.
So Geminian... you start things and not carry them out... *LOL*
Trogon will send me his cards' scans soon., and I'll dutifully post them!
Originally posted by Melvis
I'm working on Chapter Six (really...I am!) which should be done by the end of this week...hopefully! I'll be posting it as a new thread.
Looks like Chapter 6 will be posted before Chapter 5 ... sorry for the delay!
take it easy, i ahvent finished chap4, dont rush me, time has to find me.....
kaz