21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card -- step ONE

[dadsnook2000]

I am taking the first step in launching the Study Group for Mary Greer's book, "21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card." Each step has two sections, the Way of the Apprentice and the Way of the Adpet. We will limit our explorations, for now, to the way of the Apprentice and after completing the 21 steps we can start over with the more extensive "Way of the Adept." Perhaps we will mostly be adept at that point.

Step ONE asks us to pick our deck, draw three cards, turn them over and select one card which will be used throughout this entire exercise. We are to pick one of the three cards, preferably one that has some complexity within it, or multiple figures, all which will provide ample food for thought. We will each "say the card's name" -- M.G. says that this bonds the card to us, opens a flow of insight and information -- this will get us started on our explorations.

A rule or guideline or two to help us stay organized:
1) You can title your thread response any way you wish as long as you start it with "21 Ways -- your text, title, or whatever.
2) The first line of your message should say: Step ONE: Deck, Card.
In my case, the first line will say (when I post) Step ONE: Fey Tarot, World.
3) In your first post you may want to describe your card's appearance or provide a photo-attachment.

4) Any list participant is free to join at any point. Your first post at any of the 21 step threads should follow guidelines 1, 2 & 3.
5) A separate thread will be started for each step.
6) If there are any questions or uncertainties, the book will be the guiding force.
7) The progress will be slow at first so as to allow everyone to be comfortable. At this point I don't see any of us wanting or needing to move faster than one step per week. Like everything, that's subject to change. Anyone can suggested changes for the group to consider at any time. That suggestion will be subject to what the group majority prefers.

Dave.

[dadsnook2000]

Step ONE: Fey Tarot, World.

The Fey WORLD card is depicted against a sky with stars, Sun and Planet/Moon. A large snail is proceeding thru space carrying a walled city on its back, a green hill in the center topped by a tower with a dragon perched on the tower top. A wall surrounds the hill, towers along the wall. A small green Fey flies above the dragon, appearing to be descending so as to land on the dragon.

This is the Fey WORLD card. Dave

[AprilFool]

Step ONE: The Intuitive Tarot, Chariot

This Intuitive Tarot version of the Chariot card is quite different from the RWS or Marseilles versions. It has an oval frame which focuses in closely on the Charioteer himself and only the tops of both wheels of the chariot. It is a 3/4 side view, and we see bright sun-rays coming out from the wheels. The two horses, one black and one white are small and painted within the frame of the oval at the bottom. They are represented in the picture, but are much smaller than the Charioteer. With the focus on the driver himself, we can see that he is a strong, muscular young man; nude except for a mask showing a shining sun in the center of his forehead. He is LIGHTLY holding the reins, which indicates that he may be in control of the steeds with more than simply his muscles (perhaps his mind and WILLPOWER?). In the other hand, he holds a swinging mace on a chain for Ares, the god of war.

This is Chariot card of the Intuitive Tarot which I am holding in my hand.

Barb

[AprilFool]

STEP ONE: The Intuitive Tarot, Ace of Wands (One of Rods)

The Ace of Wands, which is actually labeled the “One of Rods” in the Intuitive Tarot, brings a whole new set of imagery to the concept of the dynamic core of creative, energetic intuition, as should be the case in the FIRST CARD of the suit of WANDS/RODS.

Rather than a hand coming out of a cloud holding a wand, we see what the author Cilla Conway calls the “unfurling stem and leaves of the World Tree”. It is white folds of a beautiful image that almost looks like an unfolding Easter lily, stretching to the heavens. Nestled around and above this World Tree/Flower are bubbles and planets and stars, which gives us a strong sense of the vastness, limitless effervescence of creativity and new ideas which are about to burst into our lives.

I am holding the One of Rods from The Intuitive Tarot.

Barb

[Apollonia]

Step ONE: Druidcraft, Prince of Cups.

The Prince of Cups (which corresponds to the Knight in the RWS) sits astride a sturdy brown horse. The horse wears a decorated halter and bridle, and it has a patient and tolerant look about its face and a wavy, flowing mane. In the Prince's left hand he holds aloft a golden goblet as if offering it to the night sky, or to someone we cannot see. His right hand holds the reins of his horse. He is barefoot, and uses no saddle, just a blue blanket. The Prince is dressed in red, blue, and green, with adornments of gold and a gold helmet with a red feather decoration. He wears a leather wristguard on the arm that bears the goblet. The horse has stopped beneath a tree at the grassy edge of a lake. It is either dawn or dusk, and a waxing crescent moon hangs low in a cloudy sky.

This is the Prince of Cups from the Druidcraft Tarot.

[Cocobird55]

Step One: Hudes Tarot, Temperance

This card shows a lovely woman with wings, standing over an above ground pool of water. She is looking at her reflection in the water, as she pours a cup of water into the pool. Her reflection does not display her wings; they are covered up by the ripples the water makes as she pours it into the pool. There are mountains off in the distance. A grassy lawn and a tree are not far from the pool.

Here is a link to a picture of the card -

http://********.multiply.com/photos/photo/56/29.jpg

[dadsnook2000]

Because Step ONE is only about selecting and bonding with a specific card and deck, it seems that everyone is waiting to get into the main purpose of the book -- reading the cards. This evening I plan on moving things along to step two. All who join our discussions at any point are still expected to go through step one. It is an important prerequisite for following the books journey of discovery. Dave

[dadsnook2000]

Look for another thread titled 21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card -- Step TWO.

Since the first step was merely to select a card from a deck of your choice, I am assuming that many of you, after three days are waiting for the real stuff to begin. If you jump in on the next thread you will still need to follow the process outline in step one -- shuffle, deal three cards, turn them over and select one card which will be used for the 21 steps.

See you at Step TWO. Dave

[RaeBelle]

Step ONE: Victorian Romantic, Strength

This card shows an elegantly dressed and coiffed woman with 5 lions. She has calmed 4 of the lions surrounding her and one is currently challenging her.

I have selected 8, Strength.

[Horace]

Step ONE: DruidCraft Justice

In this card Justice sits on a rock ledge bench. She holds the scales in her left hand and an upright double-edged sword in the other. An owl shares the bench with her, and a spider lives in the hollow of a bush by her feet. Her feet are perched on one rock and a feather lies on another. She wears a gown of blue with a textured blue bodice. A purple robe on her shoulders, and a metal helmet covers her braids. Her gaze is direct and stern, but not scary.

This is the DruidCraft Justice card
Hh

[Dwaas]

Step ONE: Hanson-Roberts, the Sun

A chubby blonde child rides a big white horse. The child is waving a blue banner. On the background we see sunflowers and the bricks of a wall and green grass. Above in the card we see a smiling big sun with radiant beams.

http://********.multiply.com/photos/photo/51/39.jpg

This is the Hanson-Roberts SUN card.

[intellem0s]

Step ONE: Golden Dawn deck: The King of Wands.

It's generally a red, reen and black card. The only other colors are white and yellow, which are wings of a horse and the crown which is yellow. He's wearing armor, its green at the torso. There's also reptile looking creatures burning (so it seems) beneath him. the king is also holding up a mintature tree looking figure which is glowing.

[LixiPixi]

STEP ONE: Golden Tarot - 6 of Cups

This card shows two youths sitting in a garden at the foot of a castle surrounded by six cups filled with flowers.

I am holding the 6 of Cups.

http://********.multiply.com/photos/photo/43/115.jpg

LP~

(edit: I've changed my card/deck to the Golden Tarot as the Bruegal Moon was a bit too intense for this study. It was holding me back rather than encouraging me to continue.)

[Miss_Kristee]

Step ONE : Robin Wood , Four Of Cups

There's a man with blonde hair, dressed in baggy pants with a belt and a collered white shirt with cuffs at the bottom of each sleeve. He not wearing any shoes. He's sitting up against a very wide tree with vines growing onto it. The branches dont have any leaves and the branches are hanging down. The tree has a patch of dirt around it, but outside that patch there is very green grass. This man has his right leg up and is resting his right arm on his knee. He has his left leg resting on the ground with his left arm resting on top. There is a shiny cup shining on his right and it's floating in mid-air. The cup has carvings of images on it and a diamond is placed in the middle of a carved flower. There are three more cups placed on the ground right in front of him and they are carved with images as well. It's a cloudy day.

[dadsnook2000]

Welcome. It looks like the diversity of decks and cards will provide a lot of interesting sharing as we move thru the 21 steps, and then thru them again in the "Adept" level. Thanks for joining and sharing. Dave

[Disa]

Step One: DruidCraft: 10 of wands

A man walks alone, his back bent slightly forward as he is burdened by the weight of the wands he's carrying. The wands are tied in a bundle strewn across his back. His right hand reaching behind him to steady the wands as his left hand grasps the cord which binds them together.

He's wearing a brown, sleeveless, knee length "Tunic" which appears to be split along his right side up to his thigh. The collar of the tunic forms a "V" shape just in front. The tunic is belted with a green piece of material. He's not wearing any pants. His boots are a greyish, green color and they are almost as high as his knees. They are tied with brown laces.

His hair is just a bit long around his ears and has turned grey, as well as his mustache, beard, and eyebrows. His eyes are closed and his face seems to be firmly set.

He's traveled along a path through a grassy plain with lush greenery atop the hill on his left. He's reached the beginning of a rocky incline. Scattered among the rocks are whisps of greenery. To his right are a pink flower, 2 yellow flowers, and a few red "buds" Just a few other bits of greenery and flowers appear within the rocky path ahead of him.

Behind him the sky is illuminated with pink and white and yellow horizontal stripes. Grey clouds are mixed in with a bit of a blue sky.

This is the DruidCraft 10 of wands.

[coyoteblack]

step one Tarot of Dreams star

Very stunning blue woman sitting in space over the earth. she has 2 jugs in each hand pouring out a rainbow standing a top a star there are 7 stars going around and on top of her and she is wearing a tiera with stars.

[Esee]

21 Ways- Step One
Step One * Medieval Scapini * XVIII The Moon

In my Moon card the crab dominates the pool of water it's emerging from.The claws are almost larger than it's head.
Just beyond the crab a silver wolf on the left side is howling up at the sky, voicing it's agitation. A docile Egyptian style dog on the right sits, looking patiently at the wolf, for it to be done. Two towers stand behind the animals, the left looking shorter, the right looking taller, or nearer & farther?
A wizard stands atop the left tower with tools in his hands. He seems to be studying or measuring something in the distance. The right tower has only a telescope
High above, the face of the moon is stern as it looks down towards the wizard. In the cloudy sky, drops seem to be raising back up.
The sky beyond the towers is golden, with a pattern like a royal cloth. Far, far in the distance is just the glimmer of snow covered mountains.

This is the Moon card I have held in my hand.

[Patrick Williams]

Step one. Le Grand Tarot Belline. L'esclave du Sceptre (Slave of Wands).

A person in multicolored clothing stands facing away from the reader with head turned sharply to the right so that their facial features are evident. Curls of blonde hair come from under a red cap and the cheeks are very blush. To this person's right side, in both hands, a green staff is held (left hand uppermost). The staff is grounded, that is, the bottommost end is on the ground. The ground itself is blue with a few line drawings of plants in black. In a compartment below the picture is the name L'esclave du Sceptre and in a compartment below that is written (in French) "Action, work, efforts for which you will never reap the fruit. Subjugation to the selfish interests and passions of others."

At the top of the card is another compartment with a 'Z' and what may be a '7' written in red, followed in black by the horoscopic symbol of Pisces and the astrological symbol for Jupiter. Then in red the word 'Etranger', which means foreigner or stranger. Then in black the number 25 (the owner of the original deck is said to have numbered them all sequentially). At the very bottom, written upside down as a clue to the reversed meaning is the word 'nouvelle' which means news.

http://tarotgarden.com/database/images/g-decks/grandbellinicards.gif

This card's in the bottom left hand corner.

[Azarial]

Step ONE: The Gilded Tarot, Six of Swords

The Six of Swords in The Gilded Tarot is an enchanting and tranquil scene. We have a late night sky which looks to be turning towards early morning dawn. The moon is full, and takes up most of the sky. It looks as though there are some remains of clouds. Perhaps there was a storm when she first began her journey. What remains of the sky is dotted with twinkling stars. A woman is standing up, rowing a boat across fairly calm waters with a wooden staff. The boat is filled with six swords. Behind the woman, are some trees. They appear to be Weeping Willow trees perhaps. In front of her, there is a frog hiding in some grass and ferns next to the water. She is wearing a flowing blue robe that is lined with white fur.

This is the Six of Swords from The Gilded Tarot.

[rainwolf]

21 Ways: Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA, The Universe

I've been missing this deck, so I thought this series would bring me back together. This card is filled...

Two figures are walking on a red strip of some sort. One is completely yellow holding an infinity sign of hemp leaves and flowers. She wears a bright gold crown and is turning her body around to look at the other person. She drops a folding fan. Both figures are wearing arm and leg bands, with symbology I'll get into with later steps. Tarsiers sit at the bottome looking up, 4 of them.There is a giant pyramid in the back, with the tip cut off to make it flat. In front of the pyramid are two alligators clamping on to the earth and blood is tricklying out. Also, water is flowing out from the earth and is sweeping around the edges of the card. Saturn and the moon inhabit the top corners. There is a veil covering much of the sides of the card, and it opens in the middle as the people hold onto it lightly. I feel very comfortable with the card for some reason.

This is the Universe from the Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA.

RW

[r0sered1ster]

Step one:
Baroque Bohemian Cat's Tarot; the four of wands

In the foreground stands an elegantly dressed cat. In her upstretched arm, she holds a bouquet of roses and there is a pink rose adorning the neck of her gown.
Not far away stands another elegantly dressed cat looking onward.
There are trees behind the first cat that are bursting out into flower and in the background there are two statues at the top of a building, one a lion and the other an angel.

[RubyRuby]

Step One - Guilded Tarot - Three of Cups

There are three ladies floating in the air above three golden chalices.

[dadsnook2000]

Hi there. After your great suggestion for this thread we waited and then started without you. Glad you are now with us. We will be going on to Step Four in a couple of days -- I allow about three days between the last posting and starting the next step. Take your time and enjoy this exercise, we'll move ahead a bit later. Dave

[RubyRuby]

That's fine Dave. I was having computer issues. I'm glad you started without me. I'm looking forward to going through the steps.

By the way, Dave. You are intriguing me with your Fey Tarot world card. I tried to find a pic online, but couldn't find one. If possible would you scan it and post it. Unless you know where it is online.

[annelida]

Step One: Daughters of the Moon (Black & White), Five of Flames

I'm jumping in late here, but will run to catch up w/the rest of you.

This is an old deck that I haven't used in many years. We've definitely grown apart, so this ought to be interesting!...

The five of flames pictures a naked woman reaching up from and through the center of a volcano. Lava flows through her & out her outstretched arm.

This card is the five of flames.

[patr1c1a]

RubyRuby I have uploaded pictures of the fey tarot deck for you to take a look at this cards. I downloaded them from trionfi.com.

http://rapidshare.com/files/17570830/fey_deck.doc.html
(it's a microsoft word file with the images embedded in it)

[ai731]

Step 1 - World Spirit, Two of Cups

Hiya, jumping in a little late, but I'll catch up.

The World Spirit Two of Cups shows two people standing or dancing in a clearing. Their uplifted right hands are holding cups with their arms intertwined. Their left hands hold flowers. Pan and female figure watch from above. There is a snake in the grass at the edge of the clearing.

The Two of Cups, Friendship.

[TheBip]

Step ONE: Llewelyn Tarot, Ten of Pentacles

The Ten of pentacles shows a domestic scene in a medieval world. In the foreground, a young woman is giving a piece of fruit from the basket of fruit that she's holding to a young child sitting on the table in front of the young woman. There is a red pitcher on the table and a pentacle next to it. There are also two dogs, the brown one seems to have his eye on the food, the grey dog is looking away from us, perhaps watching the people in the background. Behind the woman is a person wearing a headdress, also facing away from us, so you cant see their face. There are two people standing by an open doorway, through which you can see greenery and the sky. There is also a youth riding a bay colored horse inside the area. Behind the two people at the doorway, you can see a flight of stairs leading somewhere. In the upper left hand corner, there are branches bearing fruit, perhaps apples. There is also a large tapestry in the upper right hand corner of the scene that has 9 pentacles on it.

[squeakmo9]

Shuffled, took 3 cards out, flipped all, picked one...

My card is RWS 5 of Swords.

The background has a pale blue sky carrying shards of grey clouds, and a wind is blowing. In the distance you can see blackened hills, and a sea of faint violet and a deeper blue hue. The figure closest to this body of water has his head in hands, a bit further away from him, another figure looking out to the water and the smallest figure...both men have their backs to me. Closest, and the biggest figure is showing a quiet triumph in his face. This big man is holding 2 swords(with points up) in one hand, and in his other hand, a sword(with blade point down). The smallest figure wears a yellow garb, with shadow on his back. The medium figure, behind him, is wearing yellow, orange over green, white boots. The largest man, green over red, orange boots...he has flaming red hair.

This is my card of choice: RWS 5 of Swords

[Hellsdarkrose]

Picked 3 cards flipped them over and chose the King of Cups.

The Cards depicts a cat dressed in regal clothing sitting on what looks like a plinth rather than a throne. He holds in his hands a chalice filled with water. Behind him is a water wheel which shows watere cascading over it and into what appears to be a stream behind the plinth on the floor. 3 puddles of water surround the plinth.

This is the King of Cups from the Medieval Cat Tarot.

Sorry for the late joining.

[funkyfairy]

Step One: The art of Tarot The Devil

We see a women dressed in a vibrant red dress and interestingly she has a choker on. On her left shoulder we see a devil and on her right an angel.

[rachelcat]

4 Wands, Manga Tarot (LS)

Better late than never, as they say! I will try to catch up!

Step 1:1 I've chosen 4 Wands from the Lo Scarabeo Manga Tarot.

Step 2:1.1

A pretty young woman with long, straight red hair is turning her head to face the viewer. (Her body is turned to the right.) She's wearing a cream-pale yellow kimono with a red obi and pink and red lotuses with green leaves and brown twisting stems on the skirt and long sleeves. The sleeves have pennant-like attachments that make them reach all the way to the floor like the skirt. The skirt is swirling like she's turning or dancing. She holds some of the skirt in her hand. She also has on a crown garland of pink flowers on her head.

She is smiling and her eyes are open wide.

She is surrounded by 4 bamboo poles. The two in the front are shorter than the two in the back. The tops of the poles are cut at an angle.

From the left and right borders of the picture appear 3 hands (each). It appears they are throwing something. The air is full of pink flower petals that are drawn like tiny hearts. The background is also a pale pink.

In the upper left, partially obscured by the left rear pole is the Japanese word for "autumn" in red surrounded by a yellow circle.

[Rin]

Step One: Ten of Cups - Gilded Tarot

In the scene, a older woman and a younger woman sit on a bench in front of a homely house. The older woman, probably the mother, sits on the bench facing the daughter, knitting, needling, whatever she is doing, while the younger woman, probably the daughter, sits there holding the yarn for her mother. The mother wears deep fushia colours, while the daughter wears a silvery dress.A tabby cat raises up on its hindfeet , probably trying to get the errant strand of yarn dangling from the mother's grasp. Ten elaborately decorated cups halo the family setting, with a rainbow going from the first (the foremost cup to the right) to the last in the background (which is to the left). Four bees buzz around the cups, in the clear blue sky with puffy little clouds. The ground is green and vibrant and lushious, and there are frees in the background as well, healthy and clean.

This is the Ten of Cups from the Gilded Tarot.

[MissLainie]

Step One: The Golden Tarot, Ace of Coins

An angel holds a giant gold coin in her left hand. To the left of her feet, lillies grow, and to the right, a lion is laying down. Behind her, there are bushes and a very camoflauged (spelling...) peacock, and a rock wall with an opening that looks out to a tree, and a hill in the distance with perhaps a city atop it.

[tarot4fun]

Step One
Golden Tarot - Eight of Swords

A nun is standing in a glacial looking mountainous area, blindfolded and loosely bound with a rope. She has a red coat on and is standing near a small stream. There are three swords stuck in the ground in front of her and five stuck in the rock behind her. There is a small stand of evergreen trees.

[dadsnook2000]

For tarot4fun, MissLainie, and Rin . . . Welcome to our study group. We are making great progress as a group. But, don't be bashful about starting at this point, there is plenty of time to A) catch up gradually or B) progress at your own pace even though you might no fully catch up with the first group. I'll be monitoring all posts no matter what Step of the book you are at.

If there are questions, just PM me. If the groups follows through and wants to start over with the "Adept" level exercises, then we may continue this study group for quite a few months longer. I hope we can do that as a group. Dave

[coyoteblack]

cool more people !! plenty of room on the tarot bus I think we dropped a few so the more the merrier

[whipsilk]

STEP ONE
Tarot of Prague - Knight of Coins

The color blue and the almost-pointillistic textures on the horse and knight's armor led me to pick this card from the three drawn. A knight in blue armor sits astride a his standing steed, a wolfhound (? - but that's what I choose to make it) sitting at the horse's feet. They are in a bricked square, with a tan-bricked, gray-roofed cathedral to the rear. The knight looks outward (to the right, the direction all are facing), and holds a single golden coin in his left hand; his right hand holds the horse's reins. The coin is engraved with a twelve-rayed sun with a face in the center.

I like the way the cathedral spires have an upwardly vertical orientation, pointing to the overcast sky. In contrast, the wolfhound is a bit bowed down, his nose pointing to the ground. And I come full circle, still lingering on the fascinating blue, lavender, and white textures of the horse and armor.

My card is the Knight of Coins from the Tarot of Prague.

Joining this group late, but wanted to do some disciplined study, which I've tended to avoid recently, and I think it's affected my growth in tarot knowledge and understanding. I'm looking forward to the full series of 42 steps. Thanks, Dadsnook, for starting this study group.

[Japann]

Gilded Tarot - Eight of Pentacles.

A man is sat at a slanted desk under an elaborate arch. He is holding one of the pentacles the rest are in the air.


(Is this enough for the first step?)

[squeakmo9]

Gilded Tarot - Eight of Pentacles.

A man is sat at a slanted desk under an elaborate arch. He is holding one of the pentacles the rest are in the air.


(Is this enough for the first step?)
yep.
welcome aboard, Japann!
:)

[Sheri]

Step 1: International Icon Tarot, 5 of Wands

This card shows 5 figures each with a wand, in some sort of conflict - it might be in fun, but it also might be serious. I think it is interesting that the figures are all in different colors.

On to Step 2!

valeria

[Aulruna]

Sorry for boarding the bus so late...
I have a long holiday in front of me and want to do something useful. Chose the Arthurian because I'd like to reconnect with the story.

The Arthurian Tarot (Hallowquest) - IV Arthur

A man sits on a stone throne in a mountain landscape. He is wearing a golden circlet on his head, armour, and a purple cloak. A sword lies across his knees. A banner similar to a chinese kite floats behind him.

(I noticed for the first time how "unpopulated" the Arthurian actually is, I've never really used it before.)

[Jewel]

Looks like there are a few of us just starting out so at least we will have company here at the tail end of the group. By the way Dave, thanks so much for organizing this study group. YAY for Dave! Love the variety of decks being used!!!

The Fantastic Menagerie - The Star

The card shows a woman with an ibis head (bird head) walking through some vegetation into a pool of water. She is adorned with nature, has a dragonfly on her shoulder, and there are 3 fish half-in half-out of the water watching her.

My chosen card is The Star.

CARD: The Star
DECK: Fantastic Meangerie
Card can be seen here: http://www.fantasticmenagerie.com/Majors2.htm

[nicki]

Is it too late to join?

nicki

[dadsnook2000]

It is most certainly not too late to join. Although you have the benefit of many examples to follow, I would encourage you to do your exercise mostly on your own. This is how we learn, we plunge in and do our own thing while trying to follow the guidance Mary Greer offers in her book. She has experience to guide her, and to also guide us. As I have gone through these steps I find that sooner or later the next step builds upon what we have learned earlier. Learning comes from doing. It has been very enlightening, so do join us. Even if the bulk of us reaches Step 21 before others have made it most of the way through, we will continue to monitor the progress of everyone.

We are only doing the Apprentice-level steps at this point. I expect that we will be doing the the Adept-level steps after the summer ends. Dave

[coyoteblack]

Is it too late to join?

nicki

please join us !! the more new blood the better. besides those latter steps kind of take a bit I think we are averageing 1 week per step if not longer.

you can catch up real easy

[nicki]

thanks, i will pick my card and post when i get home from work later.

nicki

[Eilan]

Step One: Universal Goddess - 5 wands

This card shows Pele, Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence.
She's doing some sort of ritual dance in front of a volcano

http://www.***************/tarot/cardDetail.php3?Seq=529IW04

[dadsnook2000]

Thanks for posting a picture of your card. I think you'll be happy with your choice. And welcome. Dave

[coyoteblack]

nice card you will have all sorts of fun with that card in these steps . so glad you posted the picture I finally got a looks at Dave's cards ( FEY )yesterday and it makes the experience more fun.

[Eilan]

Thanks! I really like this card! I'm sure I will enjoy the steps!

[Keavy McGee]

Step ONE - Deck: Golden Tarot, Kat Black
Card - X Wheel of Fortune

A woman in her bed embraces her child while a man on his knees attempts to warm some food for them. A horse and a donkey look upon the scene from outside.

A wheel with four figures is above the lady's head.

Hello, everyone. I am not much of a joiner and this is my first post here. I am very excited to be learning with you.

This is a very pretty card. I would like to post a picture for you but I don't know how. Sorry.

Cairbre

[Jewel]

Hello, everyone. I am not much of a joiner and this is my first post here. I am very excited to be learning with you.
Welcome to the study group! Glad you joined us. I am technically challenged so I cannot help you with posting the picture of your card, but I am sure someone here will help you out! Look forward to reading your posts.

[nicki]

Step One - Thoth Tarot - The Lovers

This is a very busy card, its dominated by a large hooded figure,in front of this stands a dark man and fair women,in front of these 2 figures are 2 children once again one dark and one fair.There are also 2 naked women in the top corners and 2 animals in the bottom corners, we also have a cherub and a serpent.

This is The Lovers card from the Thoth Tarot

nicki

[Bridget]

I drew the 10 of swords from the World Spirit Tarot. In it, a jackal-headed man is pulling a sword out of a corpse. Other swords are sticking out of the corpse and of a nearby stream. A woman stands in the background with her arms raised, and the sun is on the horizon.

This is the 10 of swords.

[punchinella]

Step One--Herbal Tarot, XXI World (Comfrey)

A giant comfrey plant stands alone on a sunny beach, roots exposed, against, midground, a large oval hoop. There is water in the distance, and in the sky a suggestion of precipitation with a face sculpted out of clouds, cheeks puffed out and blowing; opposite him, the sun smiles serenely, radiating warmth and light.

--Another late bloomer (er, joiner) come to tag along for kicks . . .

Is it okay to do these exercises with the group without a copy of the book?

[nicki]

Is it okay to do these exercises with the group without a copy of the book?

I haven't a copy of the book yet either, thought i'd see how it went first, but must admit I am really enjoying it.

nicki

[Jewel]

Is it okay to do these exercises with the group without a copy of the book?
For the earlier exercises not having the book is not so critical, but as the exercises progress I think you will need it (Starting around Step 5 or 6 I think).

Dadsnook has done a great job summarizing concepts and work to be done, but the book does contain some explanations, definitions, and appendices that I would not have been able to complete the Steps without.

Just my two cents. I will differ this question to Dadsnook.

[Grip Dellabonte]

Hi, all! Sorry I'm late. Just found the study group last week and it has taken me almost forever to choose my card and post!


Step one: Deck = Waking the Wild Spirit, Poppy Palin
Card = 5, The Interpreter/Spirit Guide

In the forefront is a tanned, muscular, medium built man that is gazing directly at whatever is in front of him. He is dressed flamboyantly with a blue vest covered in yellow half moons, and he's wearing a purple and red pointed hat with a large plumed feather in its band.
His arms are bare and crossed in front of him. His right arm has tattoos on the forearm and his left has a ringed tattoo around his bicep.
He is holding a walking stick and has something that appears to be around his neck that has a piece of bone attached to it as well as other natural objects.
There are elemental creatures on either side of his mouth. Some sort of wispy air is either going out from his mouth to them, or coming to him from the elementals. There is an owl over his right shoulder and wispy air is also seeming to pass between it and the man.
There is a crescent moon of the man's head.
He looks to be standing in a stone doorway.

[coyoteblack]

Grip Dellabonte better late then never the sonic book you might have felt was jewel catching up to us .

No rush though as you do your early steps it brings it to the attention of other people that join. All this energy going into this project makes it more powerfull.

[punchinella]

For the earlier exercises not having the book is not so critical, but as the exercises progress I think you will need it (Starting around Step 5 or 6 I think).
Thanks Jewel, I'm off to go check $$$ at Amazon now :D

[Grip Dellabonte]

Grip Dellabonte better late then never the sonic book you might have felt was jewel catching up to us .

No rush though as you do your early steps it brings it to the attention of other people that join. All this energy going into this project makes it more powerfull.


Thanks, coyoteblack! I'm off to do step 2 now.
I hope lots more people join. This is a great study group - my first I joined in on!

[Aulruna]

Hi there,

I too started the exercises without the book, because Amazon in Germany had it on "avaible in 2-3 weeks". Being late helped some, because I had posts from other participants to read to make the goal of the respective exercies clear.

But like Jewel said, as the book progresses, it's getting more difficult. Also, Mary shares a lot of great insights and reading techniques and really ties it all together very neatly. And then there's the Adept level, too!
I'm glad my book arrived in time for step 6, as I find the in-depth reading so valuable. Also, I like to be able to work on my own exercises without being influenced by reading everyone else's to grasp the full concept.

So yes, I would definitely advise to get the book.

[Jewel]

I like to be able to work on my own exercises without being influenced by reading everyone else's to grasp the full concept.
I agree with this completly. I do not read threads until after I have completed my Step and posted it. I love then going back to the start of the thread and see how everyone else did the Step. If I get new ideas I figure I can always go back and edit my post and add them.

I would like to echo Coyoteblack in stating that it is great to see people joining in. Love the energy!

~giggles at Coyoteblack regarding the sonic boom comment~

[nicki]

I hope lots more people join. This is a great study group - my first I joined in on!

I can't agree more, its also the first i have joined in on and I'm really enjoying it and have ordered the book today, as its a bank holiday weekend I'm hoping to get at least step 3 done, before the alcohol clouds my judgement and everything else!!

nicky

[Grip Dellabonte]

I can't agree more, its also the first i have joined in on and I'm really enjoying it and have ordered the book today, as its a bank holiday weekend I'm hoping to get at least step 3 done, before the alcohol clouds my judgement and everything else!!

nicky


Ha! Weekend! Alcohol! Judgment cloud-age! I forgot about that! Especially because I am going to have a household also short a few members....better take advantage of it.....less alcohol, more study....(more alcohol once family returns......)

[Jewel]

I can't agree more, its also the first i have joined in on and I'm really enjoying it and have ordered the book today, as its a bank holiday weekend I'm hoping to get at least step 3 done, before the alcohol clouds my judgement and everything else!!
Nicky about the alcohol clouding your judgement over a three day weekend ... your card IS the lovers, which implies that you have a choice! Then again you are using the Thoth and Alister would probably egg you on ~giggles~

[geministar]

Step 1 - Druidcraft Tarot - The Moon


2 dogs sitting either side of a pathway howling while looking up at the moon. One dog is while/grey in colour, the other brown. The pathway continues into the background of the picture. Water is in the forefront of the picture, the dogs sit closer to the water. The very front of the card shows a crab climbing out of the water onto a rock. Two large rocks sit on either side of the pathway, quite tall, pointing up towards the moon, they look as though they sit directly below the moon.

[Jewel]

Gem welcome to the Study Group! Glad to have you here lil' sis ~hugs~

[coyoteblack]

welcome geministar I so love theDruidcraft deck so far that is the only deck I have any success reading with . Nice decription of the moon card.

Just a question though , How come you did not actually decribe the moon it self?

[geministar]

Thanks for the welcome Jewel & CoyoteBlack.

Just a question though , How come you did not actually decribe the moon it self?

Thats a good question. Thanks for noticing that. I didnt even realise until you mentioned it. I think I may have described the moon itself in a little detail in step two but not much.

I probably didnt describe it because to me, the moon doesnt look any different to when I see it out in full here. In this card, it is out in full, and fully illuminated at the top of the card, centred.

[aurorarose]

Jumping on the band wagon

I'm using the Rider-Waite and the card is Temperance

It shows a blond woman with short bushy curly hair and large red orange wings. She has on a white dress with an orange triangle in the center. She is standing on the bank of a river with the toes of her right foot in the water she has a gold cup in each hand with water flowing between the two her left arm is slightly higher. There is a rock next to her left foot and some grasses and two daffadils. To her right there is path leading to some green hills and then to some blue mountains there is a bright sun setting/or I guess it could be rising above the mountains. The sky is grey.

[punchinella]

Hi aurorarose, and welcome! You've chosen such a great card for this I think :) I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say about RW Temperance.

[coyoteblack]

welcome aurorarose so glad for your new energy

[nicki]

welcome aurorarose, you've chosen a great study group, its the first one i've participated in and im thoroughly enjoying it

nicki

[faunabay]

OK, Jewel has drug me kicking and screaming into this......I don't usually do intense studing of any kind. LOL But I do have to say it sounds interesting.

My card is the Knight of Swords from the Universal Fantasy.
(The funny thing is the night before beginning this exercise I was flipping through the deck just looking at the cards and this is the one that caught my attention and then it showed up in the 3 card reading I did to choose a card!!!!)
***my scanner is not working at the moment but I will try and get a picture of my card as soon as I can.

There is an armored female with long brown hair riding a horse that is walking. She is holding a sword in her left hand down by her leg and the right hand is holding the reins of the horse. Her helmet has two wings on it and the rest of her armor is blue, silvery blue, and gold with a maroon "skirt" flowing from her waist. She is riding on one side of a small stone wall and on the other side of the wall there are 7 different flags flying in the wind. The far background is blue sky with a few white clouds.

[aurorarose]

I just bought the book, and am going to add some stuff especially to my step 2. Thanks everyone for the welcome.

[Jewel]

OK, Jewel has drug me kicking and screaming into this......I don't usually do intense studing of any kind. LOL
You are so dramatic! *ROFLMAO* Glad to see you here :D

[faunabay]

You are so dramatic! *ROFLMAO* Glad to see you here :D

hehehehe!!!!!

[MardiGras]

Step ONE: Morgan Greer, 0 -The Fool Major Arcana

card is borderless RWS Style and the image has been blown up.
clothes black red and white. hair blonde shors wavey. laurel wreath and red feather in his hair. holds a white rose in one hand and staff in the other his belongings over his shoulder orange bag. a white dog pulls at his sleeve. background yellow golden sun blue mountains with white tips a cliff behind in dark brown. To me it is showing purity,inner child, youth foolishness not looking before you leap, warnings are there but seeing the world with rose colored spectacles and going for it anyway.


from the morgan greer tarot deck

MG

[dadsnook2000]

We are glad you have joined our study group. As you have already noticed from following the postings of others, we are finding a lot of interesting insights into how we view and use our cards as we move through each of the "Apprentice" Steps in Mary's Greer's book.

MardiGras, you have chosen the same card as I have switched to as of Step 10. Although we are focusing on the FOOL, the two decks portray the Fool quite differently. I will find it interesting to follow you exploration and see what is discovered in the Morgan Greer Fool card. Faunabay has chosen the Knight of Swords from the Universal Fantasy tarot deck -- this card is always a popular and intriguing subject for study, perhaps because it touches something basic in all of us in a powerful way.

Any of us on this list will be glad to assist you in any way, and all of us will be following your discoveries. So, again, welcome. Dave

[Roewyn]

Step ONE: Gilded Tarot, Queen of Wands

This card is fiery red. The woman is wearing a red cloak with decorations across her breast. The cloak is hooded, and the hood is up, but you can see her face well. She stares directly at you. She holds a single wand with both hands, almost as you would hold a golf club. The wand is gold with red. Her dress is orangish, almost sunset orange, with red designs on it that look to me like they could be Buddhist in nature (?). Beside her on her right is a brown pillar with golden decoration, it is just about as tall as her, and it has a golden globe appointed to its top. Fire billows out from beneath it rising above the orb. Slighty behind and to the right of that is a shorter pillar, about waist high. This is brown in color and smooth with gold trimming. There is an identical one slightly behind, and to left of the queen. The floor on which she stands seems ceramic, brownish in color like the pillars, with swirls of red flowing through it. Even the sky behind her has a red glow to it, scattered with clouds in different hues of red.

This is the Queen of Wands from the Gilded Tarot.

**Question.. :D do we do this for each of the three cards we have drawn?**

Roewyn

[Jewel]

**Question.. :D do we do this for each of the three cards we have drawn?**
Roewyn welcome to the study group! You will primarily work with your chosen card so you do not need to this for your other 2 cards.

[rebecca-smiles]

Choosing the card: This is the Star, card XVIII(17) From the Thoth deck.

The Star card is predominantly blue and purple. It shows a woman holding two cups, one she holds aloft and seems to pour down upon herself, the other she holds over the ground and pours down. There is a y pointed star overhead, and a planet, or perhaps the moon in the background. She is in a landscape with hills in the distance, a sea or lake, and crystals at her feet. Moths fly over flowers behind her, and her hair drapes over her naked body. What is she pouring? It looks like starlight, with geometric patterns in the light.

[dadsnook2000]

This is indeed a popular card; we have two other decks/cards for the Star. We are learning a lot about each of them, as you will learn a lot about this particular card. I did a wood carving of the Troth Star and Magician cards. The Star card brings a lot of meanings with it over time as you study it. I don't read with my Troth deck so I haven't spent that much time with the card and its meanings.

I'll look forward to following your journey through the step ahead. Dave

[Rose1974]

Thoth deck I drew the Prince of Wands:

The card is predominately red, yellow and orange with some green and blue accents. Lots of energy and action going on. A young man on a chariot drawn by a lion he sits with his feet in a 4 shape in his right hand a wand with a birdlike head. In his other hand the reigns, but he's not holding the reigns it sits loosely on his rists. It's like he's giving the power to the animal, surrendering but in a very confidend way.

he's naked apart from the round symbol on his chest and the raylike hat hes wearing. Looks like the sun is behind him. This cards radiates fire and heat, strive and struggle, power and moving forward, determination. Also like the young man is carrying this with him in the chariot.

The lion is walking straight towards the person looking at the card, he comes accross as very determined. The young man looks also straight at the person looking at the card. Lots of sultring heat coming from the card.

This is the Prince of Wands from the Thoth deck

[Jewel]

Choosing the card: This is the Star, card XVIII(17) From the Thoth deck.
Cool! Another Star card!!! My card is the Star from the Fantastic Menagerie and Coyoteblack has the Star from the Tarot of Dreams. He and I have had a terrific time exploring our cards together and we do follow all the 21 ways threads so we will be very very interested in your Star!

So dadsnook, when will you be carving the "Ibis-Woman" :D

[dadsnook2000]

I was creating wood carved tarot card figures which I replicated for mounting on book boxes, chests, etc. Everyone thought they were wonderful but the tarot community didn't support the project. I dropped the venture after a year. So, I'm not likely to carve the Ibis Woman. Right now I'm carving carousel horses to be mounted on lamps for the grand children. Dave

[rebecca-smiles]

Hey Jewel! yeah i might have to nip in at step 16/17 where ever you are at. i don't want to be left behind!

I chose the star because other than rather trite keywords i probably know this card least out of the whole of any deck. seemed a good place to start.

[missycab]

Step One. Deck: Tarot de Marsella (Marseilles). Card: Le Pape

Also joining a bit late... sorry!

This card represents a priest, actually a pope. He is wearing the ancient Pope hat, which is yellow, perhaps to simbolize gold. He seems old: his hair and beard are white. He appears to be sitting, but we can't see where (if it's a throne, a chair). In front of him I can recognize two monks, kneeling (I think they are monks because of the way their hair is shaved, you know with a circle in the middle?). There is an arm in the down right corner, but you can't see whose arm it is. Back to the Pope. He is holding a yellow stick with his left hand (this hand has a yellow glove with a small black cross). His right hand isn't covered by a glove and he's streching two fingers (the second and the middle one), like he's blessing the monks. The Pope is dressed in blue, his arms are white and he has a red cape with yellow borders. In the background we see two blue columns.

[Jewel]

Step One. Deck: Tarot de Marsella (Marseilles). Card: Le Pape

Also joining a bit late... sorry!
No need to apologize!!! Más vale tarde que nunca as they say ~giggles~. Seriously, welcome to the study group!

[missycab]

Thanks for the welcome!

And, yes, Más vale tarde que nunca!!! :thumbsup:

[Kalymura]

You wouldn't believe the things that have happened since I voiced my plans to start the 21 steps. Anyway, the book arrived last week, so I should be able to finally get this ball rolling even if I can't get online!

Step One: I am using the DruidCraft deck, and from the three cards drawn (Six of Wands, Princess of Cups, and Ten of Cups), I have chosen the Six of Wands.

In the card, there is blue sky. The bottoms of the foremost clouds have an orange tint. To the left, in the background, there are three thin tree trunks. The leaf growth is sparse and concentrated at the top of the trees.

Closer still, there are five visible figures (though presumably six in all), in green cloaks, following a man on horseback. Only four of the five followers' faces are visible. Two have hoods pulled up over their heads, two have moustaches. All figures in the card appear to be male. The followers hold six long poles (wands), though not all are errect; the poles have tufts (fur, feathers, grass?) close to their tips.

The man on horseback is wearing a red cloak and boots. He wears no stirrups, though the horse has a briddle. The horseman holds the reins in his right hand, and a bird of prey in his left, unhooded and perched on his glove.
The horseman has a beard and a fur collar about his shoulders. He has a rounded stomach, above his belt.

The horse is grey. There are puddles in the foreground, which reflect the horse's foreleg. There are lush green shrubs, and two rocks to the right of the picture, one of which has grown moss.

This is the Six of Wands.

[dadsnook2000]

Welcome to the list. Although we will be starting the Adept Level in several weeks, I want to assure you and others that several of us who have completed the 21 Apprentice level steps will continue to monitor and work with you as you move through your studies.

As you can see from other posts, we all feel that a great deal has been learned and substantial progress made on individual levels by following these steps. Have fun. Dave
PS, you offered a nice description of your card. I know you'll gain a lot from its study.

[nicki]

I really enjoyed the description of your card kalymura, ive never seen the druidcraft deck. I totally agree with dave you will get so much out of this study group, when i joined i never in a million years thought i would end up writing some of the things I have but you just get so involved.

nicki

[Kalymura]

Thank you for the assurances and welcome, Dave and Nicki. I'm really looking forward to the journey.

Nicki, the DruidCraft is a wonderfully illustrated. There's so much going on! A lot of which I don't know the meaning of, hence the study, but for someone more advanced with the tarot and symbolism it must hold a wealth of information. My only qualm is its size - much too large for my hands, though I'm hesitant to trim it - which has stopped me using it regularly for spreads. Perfect for one card meditation and reflection though.

[Jewel]

Kalymura,

Welcome to the group! Great description. I just held a trimmed version of the DC, and I am sending mine to my friend to get trimmed. It looked awsome.

You will get so much more out of this than you ever imagined. One of those things is feeling confident with your deck. Over the steps you will gain the knowledge you seek.

You will get a lot out this study group, and I echo Dave and Nicki's sentiments. Welcome to the journey!

[coyoteblack]

For Kalymura

welcoe to our group !! The DC is near and dear to my Heart. i am glad you picked this deck ad very nice details

[coyoteblack]

Nicki you did a wonderfull job on your card!! I have a hard time with that deck but a new member of our NYC meetup did a reading for me with that deck and it was realy awesome.

[le fey]

Step One - Druidcraft, Queen of Swords

Yes, another latecomer - I've been away from the board for awhile and just now realized you were doing this! I love this book and am excited at a change to work through it with a group.

The Queen of Swords depicts a woman with loose, flowing grey hair seated on a wooden highbacked chair. The chair is rough-hewn with open roots at the bottom of the legs and is resting on a large rock. In the distance to the woman's left, there is a higher rocky peak with a gnarled, leafless tree standing on it.

The woman is in profile, with her right side facing me. She is wearing a wooden or copper carved circlet, a flowing purple gown trimmed in deep blue with a deeper purple shawl. The way her hair and shawl flow behind her, she appears to be facing toward a fairly strong breeze and her face is tilted upward, mouth closed and eyes nearly shut. Her facial features are firm - long straight nose, narrow arched eyebrows, set narrow mouth. She holds a sword in her right hand, with the blade resting in her left hand. Her feet are bare with the left leg planted firmly on the rock and her right leg tucked closer to her body near the leg of the chair.

The sky is blue but heavily mottled with clouds and the sun is a yellow gleam very low in the sky and coloring the lower clouds yellow and pink. The ground beneath the rock is not visible and she seems to be at a high altitude.

This is the Druidcraft Queen of Swords.

[jema]

I am way way late but will chime in anyway. Will try not to read your posts here until i posted mine though.

I tried these exercises on my own before but got stuck on nr3 or so. Will try again in this group here, I will use the same card i had picked out for my first try.

6 of birds from the Shining Tribe tarot by Rachel Pollack

It is night, the full moon is shining down on a woman sleeping in a cradle-like bed of stone. Behind her are 5 dark stone pillars.Her hands under her cheek, she lies on the side with her face turned towards us. She is big and voluptuous and very bright red.

Under the bed is a snake and over her flies 6 birds. 5 of them far off in the distance but one of them, large and golden with feathers in red and green, is hoovering above her with wings spread out.


This is 6 of Birds.

[dadsnook2000]

Jema, welcome to our study group. You are not alone in starting along this journey, several others are also busy with steps ahead of your first step. Some of us have completed the 21 Apprentice steps and will soon be starting the Adept level. However, we will always be monitoring the Apprentice level and will chime in with encouragement and comments from time to time. I can tell you that we have all found this a very rewarding study. Dave

[Jewel]

Hi Jema and Le Fey welcome to the study group. As Dave stated no matter where we are in the steps we are always around to help others when needed, and to learn from your experiences. Glad you chose to join us.

[kmartin60]

Step one, deck---"Gothic" Tarot....Card--Knight of Pentacles...

I like this card. It has a blonde vampire standing next to an ancient, gnarled tree...with skulls littering the ground around the base. His one foot in ontop of a skull, and there are 3 wolves 2 sitting, one ready to attack at his gesture, to his left.

Behind him is a ancient stone arch way (shows 2 main archs) with a pentacle atop them. I havent looked at the LWB yet but what I got from looking at HIM is he is able, calm, thorough, and once he is your friend, steadfast. Loyal, highly intellegent, and always willing to help....BUT! Once one does anything to lose his trust would be a long and difficult task to gain it back.

I like him!
Kim

[Midnightblue]

21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card -- Step ONE

Step One: Universal Tarot, 9 of Swords

After asking “What do I most need to look at in my life right now,” the 3 cards I pulled in order were the 10 of Chalices, 6 of Wands and 9 of Swords. I found the 9 of Swords most intriguing and most unsettling; the 10 of Chalices had the most detail (I so wanted to pick this card) and the 6 of Wands did nothing for me at all.

The 9 of Swords is a women laying in bed, hands over her eyes, with 9 Swords up above, but behind her. There are 2 white and 1 red dot to the right of the card

I chose the 9 of Swords…NO, the 9 of Swords, chose me!

[dadsnook2000]

Welcome to the first step of a most wonderful journey of learning and satisfying one's curiosity about just how much tarot is in us. Dave

[faunabay]

I chose the 9 of Swords…NO, the 9 of Swords, chose me!

Isn't it interesting the way that happens sometimes? :) You just really DON'T want that one specific card (whichever it is) but you know you just have to delve into it. If your card is anything like mine (and I'm sure it is) you'll learn tons from working with it.

[coyoteblack]

MidnightBlue welcome to the group I see you did not shy away from the 9 of swords that says a lot about your character.

[Bluecat]

Step one : Revelations, 5 swords

Is it too late for another new one?

I have the book and my chosen deck...the three cards I pulled are Death, Emporer and 5 swords. I am most drawn the the 5 swords... (these cards have confirmed my thoughts that I am in a bit of an 'odd' place at the moment !!)

The revelations 5 swords depicts a male wearing a blue cloak stabbing himself in the stomach with one of the swords with his eyes closed, head down. The reverse shows another male crying out in despair, to above, with his hands at the sides of his face... He is wearing green, backed by a darker blue.


I guess as I am a late starter it will be in order to do the steps quicker than one a week? Please advise! :D

Edited to add: I couldn't wait - have moved on to the other steps!! ;)

[coyoteblack]

Welcome bluecat 2 blue names and 2 swords cards of the not so nice varity.

Real good work on the 5 of swords blue

[faunabay]

bluecat,
It's never too late to start. :) And I say just go at your own pace. If you want to do more each week than do it, if you want to stay at one a week do that. This is for you to learn, so do it in the manner that suits you best.
I was doing more than one a week for a while then life got in the way and I haven't done any for a couple of months. But now I'm itching to start again. :) Already have, just haven't posted them yet. LOL

[Jewel]

NO, the 9 of Swords, chose me!
That is a true statement! I was there when it chose her! - by the way love the Unicorn avatar! :) - As Fauanabay stated, you will be surprised at what the card will teach you and the journey you will go through. And yes Coyote, you pegged it ... she is of strong character I can vouch for that personally.

Welcome to the group bluecat. It is never too late to join! I look forward to reading your posts.

[Teheuti]

I guess as I am a late starter it will be in order to do the steps quicker than one a week?
I rarely read the study group posts as it seems best to let you all build your own community and create your own way of responding to the material. OTOH, the steps are eventually meant to be used together — any or all in a single tarot reading — and so the idea of a week per step was an artificial one that dadsnook found worked best for organizing the study group series.

In workshops I often take people through most of the 21 steps in a single day, and, on one occasion, managed to cover about a dozen of them in a single hour-and-a-half session with 80 people working together in pairs (each person getting their chance to do each step).

There's no right or wrong way to do this work. The point is simply to try out different techniques that I've found most valuable, giving you new ways of seeing and experiencing the cards, which you may or may not decide to continue using in some form.

Mary K. Greer

[flowerpower]

Step One: Universal Waite - King of Wands

My 3 cards drawn were: Ten of swords, Page of Cups and King of Wands.

I felt drawn mostly to the King of Wands, and somewhat drawn to the Ten of swords because of some things going on in my life right now. But I felt more drawn to and intrigued by the Kind of Wands.

I'm looking forward to my journey!

[Jewel]

Flowerpower welcome to the study group and glad you found the threads! I think you will really enjoy this journey and you will find lots of support and help in the study group as you need it.

[earth starr]

step one The Original Rider Waite ~ Ace of Cups

A hand comes out of a cloud holding in its palm a cup. Five streams of water pour from the cup into the water below. The water below has lillies on it. water droplets/yods spray downinto the water. The cup is marked with a 'W' or an upside down 'M'. A white dove descends towards the cup holding in its mouth a cross marked disc.

This is Rider Waites Ace of Cups

[Sagepowder]

Step One: Rider-Waite - Seven of Cups.

A person dressed in black is standing with their back to us. In front of him/her are some clouds on where seven gold chalices stand. They are filled with seven different items, a head, a person covered in what looks like a sheet, a golden snake, a castle on a cliff/mountain, jewelry, laurel leaves and a dragon.

[Starling]

Step One - RWS - 5 of Swords

A man stands against a blue and grey sky. It is a stormy day and the clouds are jagged. He holds three swords. Two more are on the ground. Two men walk away from him towards the sea. The futhest one looks like he is sobbing, but we can't really tell because we only see him from the back. The man with the swords has a self-satisfied smug look on his face.

[coyoteblack]

Nice job on the 5 of swords ! one of my top 10 favorite cards in the deck.

[dadsnook2000]

It's great to see new participants on the list. Those of us who have passed this way last winter and spring are still here, encouraging and supporting you. We have gained so much from this study and we would like to see each of you also gain what we have. If there ever are any questions, just ask. If you need any help, ask. Dave

[Starling]

I'm really glad to see that some of the older participants are still around. I know that there were a couple of people "at the door" who seemed to be waiting to know when you were all starting. I decided to take a look and just jump in.

I have the book. I recognized that before I actually go and do Step 3 I probably ought to catch up with my reading. The first two steps were pretty easy to understand, but the third is more complicated. I'm probably going to be moving through the steps faster than the original group mainly because I've already known about some of the earlier ones from earlier books and tapes that Mary Greer did a long time ago.

It is very nice to have a community to do this with.

[bryghtrose]

Step One: Robin Wood Tarot, 2 of Swords

Image: http://********.multiply.com/photos/photo/77/75.jpg

A young woman sits on a broken archway, holding two upraised swords crossed over her chest. She is blindfolded, her black hair is unbound, and she is wearing a long white dress that tangles about her feet. There is a crescent moon high overhead. The sky is dark and partly cloudy. The sea is rough and choppy. She appears to be shivering.



------------------------------------------
I didn't lay out three cards and choose one, as suggested in the book. I chose this card because it's been coming up frequently in my life recently, and I want to understand it more. I feel as though I need to thoroughly understand the 2 of Swords and learn as much as I can from this card.

[Starling]

Step One: Robin Wood Tarot, 2 of Swords

------------------------------------------
I didn't lay out three cards and choose one, as suggested in the book. I chose this card because it's been coming up frequently in my life recently, and I want to understand it more. I feel as though I need to thoroughly understand the 2 of Swords and learn as much as I can from this card.

I also didn't lay out the cards and then choose one. I chose mine because it DIDN'T show up, was a difficult card, and I wanted to learn about one that I wasn't currently dealing with.

[kwesifriends]

yay I think this group is fun maybe ill start shuffling now heheh!

[kwesifriends]

Step ONE: Fey tarot, 8 of Swords

in 8 of swords of Fey tarot a girl has been tied up and her wing also been tied up besides her is a long sword [I don't know if it is long or short]. Shes tied up with color red cloth not rope and shes looking besides her [the sword]. She is sad maybe shes been kidnap and lost into battle and been naked [she's only have bra and underwear]. The place is very quite.

This is the 8 of Swords from Fey Tarot.

[kwesifriends]

Step ONE: Fey tarot, 5 of Pentacles

In this card in a small room with one window there is a 2 fey and a human being. The 2 fey watching the fire pentacle and beside the green fey a girl lying and she is sleeping calm. at the outside there is a dark big owl [as big as the window] watching them and theres a snow falling outside. The fey under the windo is a green maybe his a wand fey and the other one is a sword fey or a fire fey. They having fun watching the pentacles and they are drinking a green tea. delicious. Heheheheh

In my hand is the 5 of Pentacles from Fey tarot

[kwesifriends]

Step ONE: Fey tarot, The Hermit

In this card I saw a fey walking in a stair and around him is full of garbage [junks], stairs, a wooden ladder and doors. I think he wants to find answer or belonging or door to go out there. He is lost in that place I saw also animals like, squid, lizard, owl and a rabbit that look like a mouse. Theres also a break ladder and a big door i think thats the exit.

In my hand is The Hermit from Fey tarot

[kwesifriends]

yay I'm having fun with it maybe I'll put it on my journal cool lesson yay. So what should I do now?

[Starling]

Welcome to the group. I'm one of the new members too.

What you do now is find the Step 2 thread, and do that step. I've bookmarked the thread below because it makes it easy to go from step to step in the study.

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=74465

[kwesifriends]

yay thanks for the bookmark hehehe! I'll shall follow lesson 2 yay!

[Iri tacheia]

Step ONE: Art Nouveau Tarot, 7 of Cups

A blond man dressed in blue lies asleep, holding an empty golden cup. Above him, in billowing mist/smoke, floats the object of his dreams: a woman with long blonde hair. She wears a long blue and green strapless dress, and her hair is adorned with water lilies and beads. Yellow water lillies, green lily pads, and blue bubbles adorn the border of the image.

This is the Art Nouveau Tarot 7 of Cups.

(And a link to image of the card: http://********.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/111.jpg )

[Starling]

Another newcomer. It is good to have company on this study.

It is a beautiful card. I've bought an Art Nouveau deck too, but I don't think it is this one.

[kwesifriends]

Yay I want try again I think theres a problem with my old one yay heheheh sorry!

Step ONE: The Fey Tarot, 2 of Pentacles

a fat lady fey sitting a soft carpet, wearing a scarf, clown shoes and a chopstick for hair. Shes holding a Ace Pentacle and theres a dancing green fairy dancing at the top of the pentacles while the fey having fun watching the fairy! the surroundings are dark and there are so many starts at the sky and the green fairy is glowing.

[thorhammer]

Hanson-Roberts - 6 of Rods

This is the 6 of Rods.

A man of noble bearing, his profile to us, sits astride a horse, silhouetted against a brilliant Sun. He wears a gold helmet crowned by a laurel wreath; another wreath hangs from a Rod he bears in his left hand. His cloak is crimson, his armour bright, his expression satisfied but dignified. A peasant walks beside him, intent on the destination. He also bears a Rod. Two more Rods are strapped to the rider's back and two more emerge from behind the horse's neck, presumably held by other people.

I don't have the book, so I'll just be going on what other ppl are doing in the threads. I hope no one minds me joining in :)

\m/ Kat

[kwesifriends]

wow great a newcomer I always having a late reply but its ok yay good work.

[Verdi]

21 ways step 1 The High Priestess DruidCraft deck

The high priestess has her arms raised with palms open. Her dark long blue hair is blown to the left. The moon is directly over her head. She has her eyes closed and a slight blueish tinge on her face. She has a necklass of acorns around her neck. Her top garmet is a very soft yellow with a par red and blue entwined dragons on it. Her undergarment , or dress, is a light blue , dotted with stars. She has a large blue shawl/cloak that is blowing in the wind. In front of her on an stone alter is a book, leather bound and closed. A pentacle sign embossed on it. On the alter there is also a cloth with dagger i think. Behind the priestess sits a striped cat, who is looking at the priestess and beyond the cat we see water. a fjord. and a mountain. The sky is blue and starry. The moon seems to give the water a slight glow. On either side of the priestess are huge strong colums of natural rock, and the priestess seems to be standing on sand

[Starling]

What a great description. I could actually see that card from the description and I've never looked at that particular deck.

Welcome to the group. I'm new too. There are a bunch of us who have recently started the study, so you have lots of company.

[dadsnook2000]

All of our new companions are most welcome. There doesn't have to ever be an end or closing point to this list as long as interest in this wonderful book continues. We'll soon be reaching our one year anniversary which say something great about the book and the people here at AT. Dave

[Starling]

I think it is great that one of the founders of this group is still around and is still noticing those of us who came in late. I also see no reason why the older study groups can't stay current, but it really helps that people who have finished the study (or part of it anyway) notice us newbies and come back to encourage us.

[Princess Judy]

STEP ONE

Golden Tarot: XIX The Sun

I also drew 8 of swords and 4 of cups (as the first 2 cards), all 3 cards represent the phase I'm in now (dealing with all kinds of negative/old/unproductive patterns and struggles, and working towards the light so to speak...) and chose to focus on the light.
At the top of the card (following the original Rider Waite very closely) is a sun with a face. It's yellow with a golden intricate border and 19 wholy visible golden beams. The sun doesn't look too happy, she has more of a neutral or a bit contemplative/serious look on her face...
A very soft blue sky in the background with clouds, a wall borderded with plants and 8 little red flowers (8 for me indicating hard work), in the front a white horse coming towards you, with a child on it. The child has curly red blondish hair, dark eyes, wears a sheer white veil that flows across the card and has a red hat with 3 golden circles and three feathers (gold/yellow, blue, red). The horse wears a blue cloth and brittle, with gold trims and four golden medaillons in the form of a sun. The kid looks somewhat happier than the sun, but has a very mature look on it's face, like a wise kid who has seen things.
As for now, to me the sun signifies entering a lighter period after a troubled or somewhat dark period. There are two sayings here in The Netherlands I relate to this card: 'After rain comes sunshine' and 'the sun always shines behind the clouds' (difficult periods will always be followed by happy ones, and you can always find something good in every situation). I KNOW this card has to do with radiance etc, but I don't really relate 'blinding you' radiance to this card, as of yet (I've had some other decks depicting the sun in a much happier and brighter/more colorul way), I see it like an 80% (or less) radiance, but I know the full potential of this card must be a lot brighter. I'm very curious what new insights I'll gain, and how I'll grow into a happier and of course overwhelmingly radiant being :D the upcoming period/while studying those steps. Can't hardly wait (the book is on its way)!

[Starling]

Welcome, welcome.

I loved how you described the card. I'm considering re-doing the Apprentice level rather than going on to Adept, with different cards, so I might be joining you. I just finished the 21st Step, and found the entire experience very enlightening.

But there are still a lot of cards I haven't relearned. And I want to. And I'm trying very hard not to go foward too quickly this time around. This time I want firm foundations.

[nicki]

good job on your description princess judy, I loved this study group and got so much out of it.

nicki

[Princess Judy]

Thank you Nicki & Starling!

Since I haven't received the book yet and can't go past step five, but feel like studying the tarot a bit more today, I'll pick another card and just repeat the first four or five steps :)

Okay, I pulled 8 of coins, which immediately appealed to me (since it is a major theme for me now: I want to get my career of the ground this year) plus 5 of cups and 9 of swords. Unneccesary for me to say that those 'negative' cards are about my 'passive' habits and patterns for NOT making that happen, and I don't want to focus on those, I'd like to focus on constructive things, so picked the 8 of coins (and yes, it's about honest and hard working, and I need to do that a lot this year).

Description: A man is drilling holes in a square piece of wood. Everything's made out of would, the table he's working at, the bench he is sitting on, the windows. There are tools on the table and on the ground, this is a craftsman at work. Through the window you can see a white castle and woods, and on the table there's this very stiff seagull that seems misplaced in this scene.
For picture, see: http://goldentarot.com/mico08.htm

[mosaica]

Step One: Nigel Jackson deck, 8 of Swords

A woman kneels on the ground among many sharp jutting rocks. She holds her hands behind her back, but we can't tell whether they are bound there or she just holds them there. There is a rope tied around her waist, but the end of it is not tied to anything. It hangs loosely down her legs. She is also blindfolded. Eight swords hang in a crossed position in the sky above her head.

I drew the Eight of Swords.

http://********.multiply.com/photos/album/413/Nigel_Jackson#44

[Starling]

That gave me chills.

Then I went to look at the card using the link provided. I really don't like the looks of that deck. More and more I'm realizing that most decks just don't call to me.

[tapestry]

STEP ONE: Victorian Romantic deck -- KING OF CUPS

There is an old king with a white beard and gold crown sitting at a long table with a golden table cloth. He is dressed in the color of royalty -- purple. There is food and drink on the table and he is surrounded by three people who are smiling and look happy. He has his left hand up in a welcoming gesture and his right hand is grasping a jug of drink.

I have drawn the King of Cups.

http://www.victorianromantic.com/Courts1.htm

[Elysianfaery]

Step One: Cosmic Tarot, 4 of Pentacles

I'm not really a fan of this card, but it's definitely an interesting card in the Cosmic deck. The card has two figures in it. There is a woman and man sitting in what seems to be an office. The man is wearing an expensive and regal looking suit. He is facing the card but he is looking off to his left. Behind him are the 4 pentacles on the wall. They seem to be framed as a diploma would be. Just beyond in the window to the side of the man is a nice home and some countryside. Expensive looking items are scattered around the room.

The woman in the picture is seated away from the card, but she has her head turned so you can see her profile. She is looking down and to the left. She seems sad or a little lost.

My first impression is that this woman is in a counseling session, but the man doesn't seem like a counselor to me. He doesn't give off an air of comfort and caring. He seems clinical and factual.

It's strange, I've always seen this card through the eyes of the woman...focusing on her, but now I figure he is probably the main figure of the card (seems kinna obvious now! lol) He looks like a miser in regards to emotions and feelings. Before, I could never quite get how this card fits with the typical vibe of the 4 of Pents.

..If it's not a counseling session, it may be a father and daughter. The father is wealthy and emotionally distant. The daughter is going through a hard time and has come to ask for help or support.

[Princess Judy]

A while back, I started this study without having received my book yet and picked The Sun, but now I've received my book and want to start over.
I drew three cards from Kat Black's Golden Tarot, in this order:
- Ten of coins
- Queen of Wands
- XVIII The Moon

Ten of Coins is about succes in my career, something I'd like to focus on this year. The Queen of Wands is about going for it, being confident, creative and energetic, and how to channel all that creative energy and The Moon is about the fears I have in regard to my career, skills and knowledge.
I didn't want to focus on The Moon card, it's kind of gloomy and grey, the Queen of Wands really intrigued me (since I have a hard time conducting my energy), also because of the deep red and golden tones, but the Ten of Coins, although I'm very familiar with this card, has more people and a lot of detail on it, so eventually I picked that one. It has people on it, doing different things, and it's a rather peaceful and relaxed looking card. Giving lots of different things a place in my career/life, in a very satisfying, balanced and relaxed manner, is also a big theme for me right now, so although that Queen intrigues me, my choice will be Ten of Coins, and I'm sure I'll learn the things I need to know about whatever is important for me to know at the moment.

Here's the link: http://goldentarot.com/mico10.htm

[squeakmo9]

Thanks for providing that link to your deck, Princess Judy! Great card, btw...this version of the 10 of coins seems to give the many faces/hats you (may) wear, and wow! Wonderful to have you back with this 10:)

[Skimo]

STEP One : Margarete Petersen Tarot - Daughter of Feathers (Princess of Swords)

http://www.lapalma-galerie.de/arte/show.php3?lang=&basis=tarot&bild=36&gross=true

The background is in blue and white, made of cutted pictures showing sky and clouds.
In the center, MP added shades of light pink.
Over, curved dotted white lines give the impression of a breath of wind.
In the foreground, there are the blue shadow of a jumping woman, on the left, as well as a Chinese dragon in the right bottom corner and a white feather in the right top corner.

To choose my card, I drew three cards from my three decks (MP, Thoth and Gnome).
This one was the most appealing to me.

[Starling]

What an unusual deck. Thank you for sharing the address for the graphic.

[Madame Squee]

My deck is the Buckland Romani Tarot.

I drew the 9 of Koshes (Staves), the Devil, and Strength in response to the question, "What do I most need to look at in my life right now?"

My chosen card is the 9 of Koshes (Staves).

I'm attracted to the 9 of Koshes, because the picture shows a man making something with his hands, and I like to work with my hands.

http://********.multiply.com/photos/album/270/Buckland_Romani?&album=270&view:replies=reverse

[Ivy Rhiannon]

Druidcraft Tarot - The Moon

This is a beautifully decorated card picturing two wild wolves howling fiercely at the moon. The clouds part just enough to see a waning cycle in the blanket sky of night. On the hilltop perched are two stone slabs of an ancient doorway. Gentle waves lap the beach and a crab crawls out to hear the mournful song.

This is the card: http://tarotstudies2.50webs.com/druid_craft/18.jpg

I am holding the moon card from the druidcraft tarot deck.

[Bernice]

STEP ONE. Bruegel Tarot - 8 Swords.

The complete scene appears to be a knife fight (BIG knives) between two tough-looking woman over a man who is dressed in scarlet and has been injured either accidently or on purpose - he's falling to the ground with a trickle of blood from his mouth. It's a rural landscape - green grass and several trees in the distance. Soft rich colours.

The fighting women and the man are in the foreground, along with two dogs arguing over a bone, while two other dogs and a mouse stand watching the fight. A soldier with a halbard is close by, moving forward to presumably stop the fight. This is taking place beside a barn which has a big knife hanging from a beam and four more large knives sticking out from the roof.

In the background there is a man speaking with three women, both he and one of the women are making gestures, the other two are looking at her as if in agreement. They must be talking (gossiping?) about this fight, a rather violent domestic one.

Sorry, no pic. But this card may be listed in the Tarot Deck images.

Bee

[Psiweapon]

Step One:

IX, El Ermitaño (the Hermit) card, from a freebie tarot I got with a magazine.

It shows a young man with a loose robe, and a dog, both with a serene look on their face. A red-purple starry sky beyond them.

This is the hermit card I'm holding now.

[Prism]

Step ONE: Tarot of Prague, The Hermit

An thin, gray-haired and gray-bearded man stands on a cobblestone street of small, colorful houses. He is alone and faces the right side of the card. He holds up an hourglass-shaped lantern in his left hand, and in his right he holds a walking stick. He is dressed in a hooded purplish cloak. The sky is not dark, but there is a crescent moon in the sky. It is either twilight or dawn. Above his head, hanging in the sky, in a decorative (heraldic) pink border is an image of a scale entwined with leaves.

Here is a link:
http://********.multiply.com/photos/album/82/Prague#19.jpg

[dadsnook2000]

It is early evening, just before sunset about 4 days after the new Moon. This is because the crescent is bowed to the right and sunlight still throws a shadow on his face. In any case, welcome to the study group. As you progress, you'll find yourself noticing and using so much more symbolism in your cards and readings.

This Hermit has a full day of new experiences to reflect upon and to possibly share with others, reminding us to take time to dwell upon each moment of our lives and take from those moments so that we can continue to move forward.
Have fun. Dave

[easternsunrise]

STEP 1- Mythic Tarot-Five of Cups

A lady in a long white gown (Psyche) holds a lamp and reaches out to a golden winged man (Eros) who is running away from her. Trust has been lost as Psyche has used the lamp to look at Eros's face during the night. There are five golden cups next to their bed-four have tipped over and emptied their contents and one remains full.

This is the Five of Cups I am holding in my hand.

[Mojo Twin 2]

The World Spirit Strength card pictures a dark-skinned, naked woman reclining in the arms of a great lion. She holds a mouse in her hand. She is in a green field. Behind her is a burning bush with a serpent wrapped around it, a river in the shape of the infinity symbol, a forest, and a sun with a black center.

I'm holding World Spirit Card number 8 - Strength.

alec...

[Alyiosa]

The Pictorial Key Tarot (Lo Scarabeo)

I have drawn the Queen of Swords

She is seated outdoors and it appears to be wintertime...she is wearing a gown trimmed with fur. Strangely, there are butterflies about (not a winter animal!) She is neither smiling nor frowning but looks proud and haughty. She holds a sword in her right hand resting her elbow upon the arm of the throne.

[Sea Phoenix]

The blue-and-white Dragon seats on the rock in the middle of the sea with the tail in the water.
He holds the golden cup in his fins, full of water, which runs over the rock to the sea.
The cup is decorated with the golden hearts.
The Dragon himself looks wery much like a deep-sea fish with the lantern above his eyes.
It seems to me, that behid the rock and the Dragon the day is breaking, filling the sea and sky with the rose-tinted light.

[jeseryn]

Step ONE: Alchemical Tarot: The Sun

The Alchemical SUN is is predominantly yellow which is the color of the Sun.


In the center of the card is a nude couple. They are positioned so that the man's head and feet are slightly above the womans. They are embracing. He holds her hand on his hip and his other is at the small of her back. Her's rest on each of his hips.

On her head is a crescent moon in a "bowl" position. (similiar to the high priestess) He has a wreath on his head (a la roman or emperor style). She is blonde (light) and he is brunette (dark).

Behind her in the sky is a crescent moon facing away from the couple. Above their head is a crown with alternating red and blue gems.

Behind them and starting below their feet is the Sun which is a beautiful yellow radiating out into an orange color. Behind the sun are lines stretching out to the edges of the card. There are double lines radiating out to about halfway into the sky. Single lines completely extend to the edges.

Below them is a landscape. The sun looks to be rising from behind this. The land is beautiful verdant and rolling hills with trees here and there. A small town to the bottom left that is white buildings with red roofs. Either what looks like a road (since it's brown) comes from the front right to the back right of the scene. Also a road in front of the small town on the left hand side of the card. The shadow of a larger hill is in the background that is lavender.


This is the Alchemical SUN card. Jes

PS: I know I'm really late! :)

[Willower]

Step One: Fey Tarot, The Chariot

I have chosen The Chariot from the Fey Tarot. This shows two fey sitting on a carriage being draw over a bridge by a rodent and a lizard. (I would write more, but I don't want to exhaust my inspiration for Step 2!)

[tabi]

Step One: HUDES~~~ The Devil found here (http://www.albideuter.de/html/hudes_15.html)

I love the Devil's face in this card. It is strong and dark but not really evil to me. Not sure if it is my own personal take on what is and isn't evil.

The background is a watery blue leading down into the Devil himself that is in a red, brownish tones. The fact is serious, angery looking. It also reminds me of an AfrianAmerican with those strong features and broad facial structures. His horns go up in to the blue of the card. His shoulders look more like wings flying out on either side of him. A man and woman sit with their heads on their knees cradling their legs, the Devil's wings look to be holding them to him. They both sit on the dirt ground.

[Jewel]

Tabi, welcome to the 21 Ways Study group. I agree, your card is very interesting! I look forward to reading your work through these steps. If we can ever be of any assistance to you please holler, several of us are still around and actively working on 21 Ways :)

[WhiteRaven]

Step ONE : Llewellyn Tarot - The Star ~Branwen~

A woman seated upon some rocks, next to a pond. She's looking up into a clear, star lit night, where there is a bird flying. The woman covers her heart with her left hand, and is presenting the water to the bird with her right. She is clothed in the traditional blue dress with a pinkish-white shawl that is draped over her shoulders and falls behind her on the ground. There are two flasks of water. One is at her feet and the other, of which is tipped on it's side, is sitting to her left. Water is pouring out of this flask onto the ground.

This is the Llewellyn STAR card I have chosen.

[SistaSpirit]

An old man with long white hair and beard is sitting on a throne. In his right hand he's holding a staff that resembles an elongated Ank, his left hand is holding a round bottle of sort with a cork. He's wearing a crown that has 3 white and 2 red stones visible with a winged object in the center. He wearing a red cloak over a blue shirt and a bright orange robe he wearing metal/armored knee high boots. the red cloak has an emblem, maybe a ram's head or parts of a continent inside a circle with a black back ground.

The throne is white and appear to be made of concrete and is stting on a raised platform. It has a ram's head on each corner of the back and one on the end of each arm.

There is sand behind the throne bordering a very narrow stream. Mountains are behind the throne on the other side of the stream but they are not taller than the Emperor. One of the peaks has a yellow glow. There is a golden light on the horizon with a bright red sky.

[superfrogsavestokyo]

There is a walled city with red roofs in the background, surrounded by a few trees, and a riverbank. Taking up most of the view, front and center, is the Charioteer in his Chariot. There's a blue canopy covered with stars on the Chariot. It doesn't look like a conventional Chariot because I don't see anything tethered to the black or white sphinx. However, it looks like the wheels to the Chariot are attached through the sphinxes head even though I don't think so. (Still kind of trippy, though.)

The front of the Chariot is adorned with blue wings and a yellow ball above a picture of a red pole in a wheel thingy. The Charioteer looks as if he's made into the Chariot. (It's like he's in cement. o_O) In his right hand, he holds a blue wand with a yellow tip. He's dressed in a strange garb. The bottom half of his clothes is covered by symbols. The symbols that I recognize maybe planetary symbols. His belt is hanging in a diagonal fashion, and it reminds me of a decoder ring. He has a square at the top part of his vest with a star above it. The crescent moons on his shoulders also show a smiling face and a sad face.

The Charioteer has a neutral expression, and he has blondish brown hair. There is a green rope around the top of his hair that maybe covering up a crown with a large star on top.

This is the Universal Waite's The Chariot in my hand.
~~~~~
edited to add- Step ONE- There's a moon man sitting on a dingy, blue tinted crate. The room seems like a narrow or small one with the artist painting in the corner. The artist moon man is wearing a red beret and a blue jacket that reminds me of fish skin. He's painting with his left hand, and holding the pallette with his right. There are three brushes in his jacket pocket.

His pants matches the jacket, and there are no shoes on his feet. On the tip of each toe, there's a glowing orb. There are three of these "orbs" on the fish tail part of his jacket.

The canvas he's painting on is nothing but a plank of wood the size of a canvas. He doesn't have an easel either. There's a woman moon person holding up the canvas that hides her face. She's clad skimpily with a black dress, and she has three hands holding up the canvas. There are three paintings on the wall where they are, and one of these are looking at the canvas with blank faces. There are handprints on the wall. There are seven gold cups (some with dents in them) arranged in a lazy pyramid on a table.

This is the 7 of Cups from the Deviant Moon Tarot.

[dadsnook2000]

Your description is very detailed, very observational. By that I mean you have not visually assumed anything, you just stated it as you saw it. Fantastic self discipline and a good example of how to really describe a card as it first strikes you.

Later in the book we are led to "see" other things in the cards. It's a great journey. Welcome to our group. Dave

[bohemiangelnoire]

Step One- Death- The Mystic Dreamer Tarot

Death sits in a black shroud a top a pile of skulls that rises from a nebula like cloud beneath it. From this pile of bones a single white rose blooms. In the distance to the right, a tree grows, the leaves a golden yellow, gnarled, and looking slightly barren. 7 Ravens or Crows fly above the tree, and behind the birds a new moon hangs in the sky.

Right above the figure of death a woman shrouded in white rises in a wisp of light and smoke of sorts from the pile of skulls. Her face is turned to the sky and her arms stretch out in a flying motion. Directly below her a tree is growing that is full, lush, and green.

Following the "circle" of the image, a child sits to the bottom right of death, dressed in white and seated behind a cut tree stump. She is diminutive in comparison with the other figures in the rest of the image.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the Death Card from The Mystic Dreamer Tarot.

This is the Death Card.

[moonlitkim]

Step One - King of Wands - Deviant Moon Tarot

The King of Wands is dressed in brown tattered robes that resemble leaves. He holds a wooden staff, topped with a teardrop amber colored stone. He wears a crown made of wands that are the color and shape of roots or branches. His face appears older, with a hook nose pointed down and a white curly beard and whisps of hair. He is surrounded by three children. One is behind him, hugging him, with a half moon face and similar brown clothing, along with pointy white hair. One is alongside him, holding his hand and looking up at him. This child is wearing a black and white suit, with a tan collar and black hat. The third child is in front of him, holding onto his clothes with 2 of his 8 arms. This child is dressed in brown, with dark skin, and has a tree root/branch growing out of his head. In the background, the cresent moon is to the King's left, with the opening away from him. The sky is dark brown at the top, fading down into a light yellow. There are two barren trees in the distance. The ground at the base of the trees appears dark grey, and the King is standing on a pale grey stone or ground. He appears to be walking to his right.

This is the King of Wands card from the Deviant Moon Tarot.

~MoonlitKim

[Canopicdoll]

Step one - XI Justice - Legacy of the divine tarot

The card show 2 women standing on both sides of what looks like a scale.They both have one hand on the scale and the scale is in a balanced position. There is also a yin-yang symbol on the scale representing the balance of forces in nature.

The women are both wearing a helmet that covers the eyes and they are facing away from each other. Instead of wearing traditional robes they are dressed in modern v neck dresses.

The woman on the left is wearing a white dress with gold laces. She carries 2 scrolls with red ribbons in her right hand with her left hand on the scale.The woman on the right is dressed in a dark purplish spaghetti strap dress. She has a golden armband in her left hand and carries a sword. Her right hand in on the scale. There are 2 torches emitting an orange light upwards beside them. Also behind them is a large window with repeated star patterns grails.

This is XI, the Justice card from the legacy of the divine tarot.

[Jewel]

Bumping up thread for new study group memebers!

[DreamWalker]

Thank you, Jewel!

Hi everyone! :) I chose my cards and my gemini moon stepped right in and I had a really hard time choosing a card... There is one card that I really really like and I really relate to it and i think it could teach me alot...

Inner Child Cards - VII of Swords (not your typical 7 of swords)

The other card I pulled was The Big Bad Wolf.. - The Devil...

haha, I also relate to this card...

I can see where both cards could take me to great places... so I dunno what to do...

Last night I felt the big bad wolf would be a fine card - but it is kind of plain... i know it could take me places... i had hints of that last night... and i've already written about it some...

On the other hand - the 7 of swords was pulled by me 2x today and it just hit me that this card would be a REALLY good one to work with..

so, I just dont know... I'm awful at decisions like this...

what? am i supposed to do? shuffle 2 cards and pull from them? lol

hmmmm

Oh, I have a picture of 7 of swords... and I'll get you one of the big bad wolf tomorrow... by then i will have decided, but for the sake of having pics, im doing it anyways...

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq346/gdprint/VIIofswords.jpg

Looking forward and tomorrow will share my description! :D

[squeakmo9]

That 7 of swords certainly is different, DreamWalker! I look forward to following your steps, great to have you here:)

[Queen of the moon]

Queen of the moon (that is me ;) would also love to join this study group :)

There is a card that follows me already for sometime. We see each other faces many times in daily draws or just jumping up while shuffling so I guess she wants to tell me something but I am not sure what so it seams to me the perfect candidate for this study.

Step one- The moon 18- Ridder waite tarot deck

In the card there is a dog and a wolf talking to the moon. Both are separated by a road that comes from the mountains in the background. On both sides of the card you can see two columns similar to those in the card death. The moon is in the upper part of the card and it shows all her possible faces. The sun is also shining behind the moon. In the sky there are little drops (I think they are called jots or something like that (sorry still new in tarotland ;)). In the front side of the card there is a little lake from which a lobster is coming out and starts to walk the road to the mountains. On the shore there are some rocks and some plants that look like shark's fins.

I am holding in my hand the moon, my companion card in this journey.

[DreamWalker]

Step One - VII of Swords - Inner Child Cards -

A person sits at a desk looking towards a window. I can only see the profile of 'her' face. she sits upon a chair of brown and purple with teal covered dots and a symbol. A bird sits upon the back of the chair looking down. The person rests her head upon her left hand. Her right hand rests upon a piece of paper in which she is holding a small sword - point down. It is held as one would hold a pen and There is writing on this piece of paper. There is a small bottle also sitting on the desk. As well as 3 books, one of which is fallen down and next to it a holder containing 6 mini swords - they have blue handles. There is a chair sitting across from the person. A dog is in the chair with his eyes closed. The walls of the room the person sits in are greyish with purple and blue highlights. The person has orange/red hair and is wearing a green top.

There is a window! Outside the window you can see water, an island, a boat with sail, a castle, trees and green hills! There is blue sky!

I shall journey INTO the VII of Swords - Inner Child Cards

[rhombchick]

*arrives at the station out of breath and panting but just in time to see that this train has already sailed.....*

never mind...

*decides to go it alone...*


Step One - Gilded Tarot - Nine of Pentacles

The nine of pentacles, to me, is one of the most beautiful cards in this deck.
A lady stands outside in the garden. She is wearing a beautiful blue dress, with gold embroidery on the bottom, a gold ring of dots around her waist and gold rungs around her arms. She has another layer on under the blue one, it is red, also with gold embroidery, I can only see a little bit of this where her dress has lifted up. She wears a gold necklace and gold rings, also some golden headband. There is a long red ribbon in her hair that reaches the ground. She has one arm outstretched and an eagle sitting on her hand, well, a bird that I am assuming is an eagle or maybe a hawk.....She has a bit of a stoic look on her face, very mona lisa-esqu....neither smiling nor frowning, but not neutral either... closer to smiling I guess than nothing at all. There is a white pergola in the background. Three butterflies flutter through this card. One in front of the lady and two up at the top of the pergola. There is a bush in the foreground of this entire scene, there are pretty pink and purple flowers on it, and also, nine pentacles. There is a ladybird crawling on the bush too.....

And I think my allowed five minutes is up! Although I am sure I could go on...

[Ambrosia]

A young girl sits studying by the light of a desk lamp. There are piles of books surrounding her.
She looks slightly anxious and overwhelmed at the amount of books she has to get through.
There are several pieces of paper before her and she is holding a pencil or a pen.
The paper is blank at this stage, and several of the books have a bookmark between their pages.

[Ambrosia]

A group of people are in the garden in the evening, having a celebration or party.
There are four women and one man.
The ladies are raising their glasses in a toast to the man but he is not responding.
One woman is seated at a table, while the rest of the people stand.
There are colourful Chinese lanterns hanging from the branches above them.

[Ambrosia]

A young girl is sneaking away from a large house with a book in her arms.
She is looking back out of the corner of her eyes.
It is nighttime and there is one window in the house which has a light burning.
Another darkened window is swinging open as if she has escaped from it.

[Midnightgirl]

Step One.

Sharman Caselli Tarot, the Knight of Wands.

In a barren desert landscape, under a yellow sky, a brown horse leaps towards me. The horse's trappings are red and gold. Its rider is a smiling, excited man, with a large red feather on his helmet. A red cloak patterned with stars flows behind him. He wears a bright red shirt, trimmed with thick fur, under his armour. In his left hand he holds a large, thick wand that is at least twice as tall as he is. From this staff small orange tongues of flame erupt as if they were branches. In the far distance behind him there are two pyramids on the horizon.

The Knight of Wands.

[Ambrosia]

A Housewife stands juggling two dinner plates, one in each hand, with a look of open thoughtfulness on her face.
To her right is a young boy, looking at us, the viewer, while tugging on his mother's skirt.
To her left is a little dog playing tug~of~war with the bottom of her skirt.

[Venus1fl]

This card depicts a heavily armored knight upon a black horse and holding one pentacle in his outstretched hand.

The background is yellow (gold) with green mountains that appear to be very distant from the Knight's current location.

The horse's bridle and gear is red with one of his harness straps being longer than the others and resembling a phallus.

While the Knight is wearing his armor, he appears to be relaxed. His helmet is open and he seems to be offering the pentacle.

[llunnacee]

The first noticeable trait of this card is that it's emanating the color green - a rich, emerald green. There is a gold border framing the card with one large, inset green gem at the top, two smaller ones on each side, and Page of Pentacles engraved on a gold plaque on the bottom.

The Page appears sexless; that is, it could be male or female as it has long, deep brown hair and the features of the face retain the flawless perfection that belongs to the young. I will, however, refer to the Page in the masculine.

He is clothed in rich green textures: striped hose, soft, brown leather slippers, puffed gold sleeves viewable on his right arm while across the other and around the neck and left shoulder is draped a shawl embroidered with gold flowers and a simple tassel at the wrist. Atop his head is a matching beret with some sort of insignia inside a flower and two large, golden yellow plumes. He is holding a five-sided golden shield. At each point on the shield, just inside the border, are five green gems (also five-sided). Within that is another five-sided border reflecting an intricately carved sun on a green background. The shield reflects light along the bottom of its left side, as if the shield were tilted back at the top.

The Page stands out on a balcony. The floor is tiled stone in shades of green, brown, and beige. The railing appears to be made of dark brown granite and its carved pillars remind me of large water urns. Beyond the railing is a thick, vibrant shrub that winds its way up along the right side and top of this card. There are four fully-opened blooms of a deep pink or salmon color.

Perched atop the railing to the left of the Page is a very regal male peacock. His tail feathers drape down to the Page's feet and he is vibrant in color. His back is to the Page but his head is turned completely around and he is intensely observing the Page, who is looking off to his left.

The sky is depicted in shades of deep blue, soft to bright orange, and a bit of gray and black - as if a thunderhead was forming. It could be breaking dawn or just after sunset - my opinion is that its the latter.

This is the Page of Pentacles of the Gilded Tarot.

[robstanley1]

Step ONE: Gilded Tarot, Nine of Wands.

The Gilded Nine of Wands card depicts a soldier, helmeted and dressed in chain mail and a firery red jerkin.

He's crouched in front of eight Wands, which are planted in a grass field, immediately behind him, and he's holding the ninth wand (either in a posture of defence, or for support) with both hands - base resting on the grass, and top pointed skyward.

Oddly, for such an otherwise well kitted-out soldier, his jerkin is untied, the laces hanging limply down, and he has no boots...?

Although his stance seems to imply he's guarding his wands, his head is bowed, and his eyes are closed; he appears intensely weary, but doesn't seem ready to rest.

Behind him, the sky is cloud-covered, with the sunlit clouds low down. Although this could be a sunrise, I feel instinctively that the Sun's actually setting.

In the immediate foreground, a beetle scuttles up some ivy leaves, and a small circlet of grey stones is immediately in front of the soldier

This is the Gilded NINE OF WANDS card.

[Thorn]

Step ONE: Fairy Tarot, Three of Leaves (Leaves which corresponds to Swords)

This card shows a male fairy sitting on the stem of a fallen mushroom. He is hunched, his shoulders on his knees and his hands are covering his face. He appears to be very sad. In the background a female fairy is drifting away from him yet also looking back at him. She does not appear to be a distraught as he is.

This is the Three of Leaves from the Fairy Tarot.

[vanity]

Paulina Tarot, Queen of Wands.

A young woman with a short hairstyle, black/brown in color stands leaning onto a sandy yellow cat that is sitting on his haunches. They're almost the same height. The Queen of Wands is wearing a crimson colored dress that ends just above her knees, and there is a green colored eye on the torso of the dress. She has on a hat that is a bit like an umbrella hat except the stem is like a tiny tree's, and the tip balloons out with red and gold leaves and tiny berries. She holds up a golden staff that ends with a sunflower, but below that on the staff is a diamond-shaped cat head, though it personally reminds me of a lion and his mane.

They're surrounded by buttercups and sunflowers, all of them the summer-variety type (somewhat dry, crispy). On one of the wispy stalks is a winged snail.

The feline (the Queen's companion) has numerous tattoos on his body. A green star, a blue star, a pale red swirl are but few that adorn him. On his head is an antenna-like staff attached to his skull. It's topped off with a large eye. The feline's eyes are also green. One of the sunflowers has a star on the inside, and a buttercup has a heart.

[alice_addams]

Step One: Tarot of the Dead, The Star.

A creek flows through a darkened forest. Stars are seen in the background; pinpoints of light shining through the canopy of trees. An 8-pointed star shines above the skull of the kneeling skeleton, who pours liquid from a yellow bottle into the creek while pouring the blue bottle upon the earth. A skeletal bird watches this labor with interest. A mushroom grows on the side of the creek. Some of the tree roots reaching up from the water almost appear to be stalagmites.

This is the Star in the Tarot of the Dead.

[jaled]

Step one: The Marseilles Tarot , VII de coupe = VII of cups

There are three rows of cups. The upper and lower row have three cups each, The middle row has one central cup. They are linked by a red and blue bush sprouting for the central lower cup. It's a symmetrical card.

[dadsnook2000]

I don't have the Marseilles deck as I enjoy using the decks that have the pip cards illustrated. However, without being any kind of expert on those decks, it would seem to me that perhaps this card isn't that easy to dismiss as being just "symmetrical." If anything has sunken into my head from following the many steps of Mary Greer's book, it is to stop, pause, look and think again.

What would you think of these numbers: Three. One. Three.

Not seven, but three, one and three ---- four numbers here. I'm treating the two sets of three cards as not being necessarily the same thing. Now, I'm out of my depth here, but I bravely go on.

Three; symbolizing newness, fruitfulness, progress and change resulting from "twoness" or coupleness. So, we might assume that their is an element here of something being born or coming of age as a result of previous circumstances.

One; symbolizing unity, singleness, will, intent, potential leading to decision. Here I would sense a "direction" or an action, perhaps coming from the one that had come from the two (that is what the prior three symbolized).

Three (again); This "three", being on top of the one, suggests that the one (or the person it symbolizes) has now become much like the first "three" in that he/she is witnessing the fruits of what he/she (the one) had become.

I would see this as maturing awareness, the gain of experience and the lessons taken from it. Seven; spiritualism being practiced, self-honesty as one seeks growth along the path. Being that CUPS are involved, this card might then suggest facing one's emotions, feelings, unconscious expectations of others and seeking to understand how this kind of inter-personal transaction between the one, the group, the other can be dealt with. Now that I have put myself out on a limb with my suggestions, perhaps we both should refer to our reference books or to Thirteen's card interpretations to see what this card has traditionally meant. Both of us, and others on our list, can learn from our exercise here. Do keep up with your journey. Dave

[Bernice]

DadsNook: ....Being that CUPS are involved, this card might then suggest facing one's emotions, feelings,...<snip>....perhaps we both should refer to our reference books or to Thirteen's card interpretations to see what this card has traditionally meant.
By 'traditionally' do you mean RW or cartomancy? Just enquiring because the marseille deck is neither.......... and the association of Cups with Water isn't universal.

I love the deduction that results in 'maturing awareness'. An insightfull meaning.


Bee :)

[dadsnook2000]

You said, "By 'traditionally' do you mean RW or cartomancy? Just enquiring because the marseille deck is neither.......... and the association of Cups with Water isn't universal." And this question took me right out of any possibilities of slight "expertise." In terms of tarot history, I really am a lightweight. I can't even casually address the issues related to RW versus cartomancy versus the place of the Marseille deck relative to those two approaches.

Although I've had an interest in Tarot since the early 70's, most of my activity has occurred in the past decade and focused on the RW and more recent decks. So, I can't answer your question. Perhaps you could expand on it for the benefit of the rest of us. Dave

[Bernice]

Hi Dadsnook :),

Not really the place to expand on the time-line of card-decks. I only posted because jaled was using a marseille deck card. I believe the title of this thread is referring to Mary Greers' book - mainly aimed at Rider Waite decks (I think.....I could be very wrong).

But your thoughtful deductions for the 3 Cups in the marseille deck was quite masterly, especially considering your admission that you don't use non-senic decks!

So Marys' book, whichever decks it was aimed at, has 'come through' for you............and possibly me, after seeing your museings based on it :)

Bee :)

[makani]

Step One: Faerie Tarot; VII The Chariot

Under the sea is a lovely, long-haired blonde woman wearing a green seaweed bikini top, with the bottom of her outfit being a flowing type material. She has a seaweed bracelet on her upper left arm, and a seaweed garland flowing through her hair. She's sitting comfortably, and seems confident, in a brown and white conch shell. Attached to the shell she's in are two long, red reigns, and they're attached to two large seahorses. One black, the other green. The seahorses seem to be pulling her up, toward the rays of sunlight streaming into the water. The green seahorse looks like he might be giving her a bit of a hard time.

[PaulTina]

Step One: The Gilded Tarot – Five of Wands

You are shown five men in a field in some sort of conflict with wands; you can also see small mammals and butterflies at the bottom of the image seemingly keeping out of the way of the action. There is tall grass at the bottom of the image and a tree trunk running diagonally across the bottom right hand corner. Leaf covered tree branches show at the top right and left framing clouds of purple and cream above mountains outlined in dark purple in the distance.

[dadsnook2000]

Both of you had very nice descriptions of your cards. As you go through the various exercises, these descriptions will prove valuable in looking deeper into the meaning of the cards in various positions of a spread. The "21 Ways" book will introduce you to many challenges, but you'll end up having a tarot toolkit that will always be useful in any reading. Stick with it, you'll benefit greatly, and there will always be a helping hand here on the list. Dave

[makani]

Thank you for the encouragement Dave. I'm about to start step 7, and I see this step takes you into the nitty gritty Tarot stuff! I will work on it and post under the Step Seven thread. And I know I'll be asking tons of questions. :laugh:

[PaulTina]

Thanks for the support Dave, this looks like the first step in a very enjoyable path of discovery, I am really looking forwards to the journey.

I am not sure whether this is the right place and time to bring this up but as I am contacting you I have decided to go ahead. I am interested in using the Astrological spread, and noticed that you and Lunalafey produced a couple of methods that could be used, and way back in 2003 mentioned you would like to do a trial to see how the different spreads performed, were the trials actually done and were the result encouraging.
Paul

[SherryZoned]

I just started using this book..I chose the Deviant Moon...I have gone through this step and doing the objective description vs subjective..very helpful so far!

[Ambience]

Step One : The Vision Quest Tarot- Nine of Water ( Joy)- ( aka Cups).

A woman stands bathing in a stream of water at the foot of a waterfall. She has long dark hair and is facing towards the waterfall. She is surrounded by cups full of water that are resting in the dark green grass beside the stream. The water runs down from the mountains and luxurious grasses grow on either side of it.There is also a tree and although you can't see that it has any leaves at the top, the roots of the tree can be seen next to the stream. At the top of the mountain you can see the sky. It is clear and blue. The pots holding the water are decorative, with swirly patterns on them. The stream leads into another waterfall behind the woman. There are three shown in total and 9 cups. The tree forks in three different directions.

[dadsnook2000]

Your card description is very vivid. Once you move through these exercises you will ask and explore the issue of "threes" and "nines" as to their individual and linked meanings relative to the card. I continue to be surprised and delighted by the many layers of symbolism that tarot artists incorporate into the cards----it is like life, not as simple as it seems. I don't have your deck, so when you get to that point where you choose a particular card to work with through the steps, I hope you post a photo. This deck sounds like it is richly illustrated. Good luck. Dave

[Joon]

Step ONE: Whispering Tarot, The Emperor

I don't do photos yet, but will link to an image found through a google search:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLB9XnEWDNU/SX0z7AUrHNI/AAAAAAAAAE4/doCm2lZsrpw/s200/whisperEmperor.JPG




I am holding a card called The Emperor.

[Joon]

For anyone following behind who wants to dive right in...

Google books has "21 Ways" through lesson 5. That will give you plenty to do until your book arrives!

[The Guided Hermit]

Step One: Tarot of The Spirit--The High Priestess

The High Priestess of the Tarot of the Spirit deck sits in a foreshadowed medium blue hallway, floating above a black and white checkered floor. The High Priestess appears larger than life as she sits/floats in a cube.

In her right hand, she cups an unfurled parchment; her left hand is open, palm inwards, resting on her left knee. Attired in a robe of Turquoise, a cross is imprinted on the flowing Burka that covers her face. Her eyes are obscured behind delicate mesh screens of the Burka.

Barefoot, her feet cast no shadows.

The top of her head is covered by a small image of the earth. The earth image is placed at the 6th Chakra (Brow) and is encased the shape of an eye. The eye is situated in the base of a triangle that hovers above her; a thin beam of light flows downward from the eye, bisecting the High Priestess' face. The triangle is comprised of pink on the outer 2/3s with turquoise triangular strands in the middle. A white triangle forms the center. The space above the triangle is in shades of turquoise, being brighter in the center.

The two columns typically seen with The High priestess are there. However, the top of the columns are square or facing to the viewer while the bases follow the pulled in perspective of the floor. Near the High Priestess' feet are two planetary symbols, one of which is The Moon.

Laying before me is the High Priestess.

[The Guided Hermit]

Step 1--The Roots of Asia--The Moon

This card is mostly deep indigo blue. A waxing, crescent moon sits above the horizon of a flat sea. The moon casts a long finger of light, ranging from gentile lavender to orange along the surface of the water. In the foreground, half of a tranquil, androgynous face rises from an indigo sea, illuminated in the soft light of the moon.

At first glance, it appears the face is floating between landforms. Upon closer inspection, those landforms are actually small alligators and (perhaps) an eel.

The apparent movement in the body of water is gentle, however, deep in the background there are hints of larger waves or clouds. The water line and horizon and sky merge together as one.

[Probie]

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
7/The Chariot


At a nearby bookstore, eloquently named "Bargain Bookstore," they have a small selection of nearly 1/2 off books. If you buy two, you get the lesser at a further 50% off! So even though RWS doesn't thrill me, I thought for $4.50 why not? I am growing to respect it, but mainly as a study deck.

In this Step, (though maybe it's the adept bit) it's important for me to notice how I say the name. When I see 3/Swords or 5/Disks-Pentacles pop up, I have to remind myself of my two maxims: "No bad cards" and "better the wounds from a friend than a compliment from an enemy" (later a paraphrase from a verse from the Book of Proverbs).

When I pull 7/The Chariot, I catch my breathe but for a complicated number of reasons. This will be seen in the Steps to come...

[The Guided Hermit]

The VIA Tarot—The Wheel

Activity 1:1
I selected the Major Arcana card— The Wheel (X), from the VIA deck.

[prettywicked]

Step ONE: Legacy of the Divine Tarot, Seven of Wands.

Of course the 3 cards I turned over are cards I don't really feel I understand, which I find great since I think this could help me learn the card I choose in the end, which is the Seven of Wands.

You can find a picture here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/llewellynworldwide/4110479852/

[rabidwolfie]

Step one - Shadowscapes - 5 of Wands

http://www.shadowscapes.com/picts_images/50.jpg

[UlfyMcT]

Step ONE: Hermetic Tarot, The Blasted Tower (XVI).

This black and white card depicts a great bolt of lightning striking a tall, almost lighthouse-looking tower, severing the top half from the base. The force of the blast has caused the lightning itself to split into several smaller bolts. The source of this power appears to be the sun in the upper-right corner. A person seems to have narrowly avoided the blast, and is on a headfirst course toward the water below. Two diagrams or charts flank the tower, one with white circles, the other with black. A male/Mars symbol is in the upper-left corner. The top center of the card contains some Hebrew text whose meaning is a mystery to me. The bottom of the card contains what I believe to be a secondary title, "Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty."

I have chosen The Blasted Tower (XVI), Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty.

[shiresun]

STEP ONE: Robin Wood Deck, The Chariot

I see a young man. He has longish blond hair, and he is smiling as he strums a harp. He is standing within a carriage, beneath a canopy filled with stars upon a many blue hued background. The outside of this drape is a lush purple.

This man is dressed in a blue and gold royal robe, with armor covering his upper body, of alternating gold and silver panels, with a badge of the Sun emblazoned upon it, over his heart. He wears a silver single ringed crown, with a green gem set so it rests against his forehead.

Standing before the golden colored chariot are Unicorns; one a black beauty, with a silver horn and a billiant green eye. The halter around its neck, a silver etched with crescent moons and symbols of Venus. The other Unicorn, a pure white creature with a golden horn, and golden halter, only the etchings show suns. There is a Yin/Yang symbol seen between them, set into the carriage. Above the black and white ornament on the front of the Chariot, is a pair of white wings, with a blue stone.

The surrounding and background is a pale yellow with some cloud-like billows near the bottom.

[Purlwiseinga]

Shadowscapes - the Chariot

A chariot is pulled across the waves of the sea by two prancing white unicorns with twisted horns. They turn to look back at the standing charioteer, a young woman, wearing green flowing robes and golden armor in the form of a filled golden breastplate and helm that leaves her reddish blonde hair flowing. While red ribbons are attached to the unicorns as reins, she has dropped the reins and stands with her arms slightly stretched out and down by her side. Below the surface of the waves, green sea turtles and a golden crab swim. Above there are clouds, and the spires of a distant city.

[Hämy]

Tarot of Vampyres
Queen of Knives

A young looking, pale vampire girl is sitting in a decorative, golden chair with shell decoration on it. She is wearing a Victorian style, white lace dress, which resembles a wedding gown, with a rose near her chest and a bloody knive with her hand. With her, on the back of the chair, stands a crow. Behind the chair, on the wall, is a spiral that looks like a shell.

[hottierockstar]

Tarot of Vampyres - Seven of Skulls

a naked young half woman/half furry animal with big feet is outside, hugging a scepter shaped grave-marker that has a skull attached. she is sitting on her hip with her torso open - partially to the grave-marker and partially to the outside world, her lower body/arms are closed in an overall posture of protection.
in the background is a high wall and a bumpy, withered, leafless, fruitless tree. what once was the fruit of the tree is scattered at the base of the tree and the base of the grave-marker...looking a little like skulls or rotting potatoes. the only color is the fresh blood-dripping heart in the woman's hand and the blood from/on her lips. There is a sword like symbol hidden in the art of the tree.

[winkee]

Rider-Waite Tarot / II. The High Priestess

This card depicts a beautiful young woman sitting between two ornamented posts. The woman is dressed in a flowing gown of blue and white and wears a crown with a circle in the centre. She holds a scroll labelled 'Tora', has a crescent moon at her feet, and a large white cross on her chest. The left post is black and labelled B; the right post is white and labelled J. A banner of ripe, brightly coloured fruit and trees hangs behind the woman. She appears to be calm and thoughtful.

[DarkContraband]

Hello everyone! I am very excited to be starting this journey with you all.

Shadowscapes Tarot - THE SEVEN OF SWORDS

On a background of purple dancing chaotically with stormclouds, I see a rock spire jutting out barren ground. Few plants grow here, only a few ferns and mosses clinging stubbornly to the rock. Atop the spire sits a graceful swan, her back facing me, wings outstretched gloriously. The poise of her beautiful figure is absolutly breathtaking. Her feathers are pure white purity, untouched by the faintest mark of greed or malice. Her long, twining neck is twisted, one black jewel eye fixed on a figure behind her right shoulder. She is surrounded by five swords, tarnished and blackened with age, the once brilliantly shining bronze still peeking through at the hilt. The swan stands protectivly infront of a sixth sword, glowing with a golden, radiant aura of power. The figure behind her crouches low, hiding, holding the seventh of the swords. he examines its fine blade, its sharp, killing edge. His legs are smoothly clad in black feathers, and at his back rest a pair of black wings, open softly. He wears a birds mask, black with a blood red, sharp and pointed beak. Scarlett ribbons flow down his neck and shoulders from the mask. What is holding it there? He carresses the blade as other blackbirds swoop low to examine his prize, and the black winged thief wears a sinister, knowing smirk on his lips.

http://www.shadowscapes.com/Tarot/cards.php?suit=3&card=6&PHPSESSID=98b286a00ac7af7efb318818d2180245

[Clarkalel]

Hello everyone, new member here joining in on the learning journey.

Shadowscapes - Page Of Pentacles.

A young lady sits on top of a high rock with an engraved Pentacles at the face of the rock.She seems alert and keeping a watchful eye on anything that might pass by, in here left hand she holds a great treasure which represents a past memory she cherish in her life.Not ever wanting to forget that moment she protects it on this high rock. With a slumbering dragon below her and spirits around her she feels well protected by here surroundings.

[Topaz71]

Hello everyone. Just got this book and I am really dedicated to learning the cards.

XV The Devil from the Anna K Tarot

A large man with a bare chest sits on a black throne. He is wearing a headress with feathers and a pentacle as the center "jewel". He has a red blanket draped over his legs and a bib (?) over the center of his chest. His expression is detached considering the debauchery taking place around him. His nails are long and he is dangling gold links over a woman's hands. This woman is grasping for the gold. Her fingers are covered with rings and she has multiple bracelets around her arms. She is wearing a gold tiara, a red robe and has jewels dangling from her ear lobes. Her hands reach out with a "gimme" gesture. Beside her is a man stroking his beard. His face and eyes are puffy with excess. Next to him is a man grasping a cup of wine with his eyes squinted. In front of him is a man in armor, a red cape and chain mail, holding aloft a bloody sword (the Knight of Swords perhaps?).His visor is down and his head tilted up towards the sword. Surrounding these figures are several nude men and women, lounging or engaged in what appears to be sexual acts. There is a partial face of a man to the right- he has his teeth bared. Gold chains are draped around the devil's throne, piles of gold lay around and there are bright flames in the background.

[Kreative-Dragon]

Alright, lets get this boat going

I asked Deviant Moon "who am I?" and decided to use that card for the trip.
Pulled 9 of Cups, and was quite befuzzled. Never ever gotten this card before.

Hello 9 of Cups, what are you doing here?

A young man on a beach, wearing an orange coat and red pants stares in awe and shock as a Purple and Blue Djinn emerges from the lamp he holds. The Djinn has the typical DM Sun and Moon face. The Moon eye (the djinn right side) is wide open, while the sun eye is almost closed. In the center of the forehead is a third eye, half open and calm. Floating around the Djinn are nine cups, and an aura eminates from the Djinn. In the background is a calm sea, a plain beach, a rocky hill, and a low cast crescent moon.

[Bumpy_Boo]

Hello, all :) I am very happy to be taking this journey, having just picked up a copy of the book.

Savage Tarot - High Priestess

The card is divided into two levels. At the top level, a young woman in a white dress lies on the floor, knees drawn up beneath her, clutching at her hair. Along the yellowed walls behind her, cracks are spreading. She looks either troubled, or deep in thought. On the second level, beneath the floor, we see cracks which mirror those in her room. They extend upward and look like roots. It is hard to tell whether they are reaching up toward her, or emanating downward from the woman. The roots also resemble a neural network.


PS:
I chose the card and deck entirely at random. Savage Tarot is not my favourite, but my hat is thrown in :) Also, I find the selection of HP interesting....

[Amitisti]

Step 1 the Ananda Tarot The Turning Point card (Judgement)

this card has many hands upraised in various symbols at the bottom reaching towards the light at the top. there is a puzzle partially assembled on the left side of the card and interestingly, one hand rises slightly above all the others and it is holding a pen that has just written a symbol that I think is from alchemy...will have to research that!

[Ivy Rhiannon]

Druidcraft Tarot ~ The Fferyllt

A noble young woman combines two liquids together over a smoking cauldron. Her home is wooden, filled with animal skins, stones, and sweet smelling dried herbs. Outside the sky is blessed with a beautiful rainbow that ends at a figure standing on distant raised hilltop resembling a pyramid. She seems intent on her studies, and her cautiousness shows she has worked hard for this moment.

I am holding the Fferyllt from the Druidcraft Tarot.

[Minnie]

Step one Radiant Rider Waite -Judgement

An angel is in the sky coming through the clouds with golden hair and reddish brownish wings , playing a trumpet with a with a white flag with a red cross hanging from it . There are 6 people below which are standing in their coffins holding their arms in the air towards the angel ,there are lines under the trumpet representing the sound coming from it ,to which these people have risen from the dead. There is water and mountains in the distance .


This is the Judgement card of the Radiant Rider Waite deck which i have chosen.

[poopsie]

STEP ONE: ETRUSCAN TAROT THREE OF SWORDS

A warrior plunges a blade of sword on the breast of a princess or priestess. The warrior wears a shield and the princess wears a red dress. Three swords on the left side are diagonally situated in the background. The scene appears to be similar to the Greek Tragedy Illiad where one of the Greek heroes stabs a Trojan priestess.

[MaineGirl117]

Step One: Gilded Tarot - Temperance

A woman rises through the aether, her feet to her calves mere twinkling stars until they merge towards the knee. She is draped in lush orange fabric, very gauzy and somewhat translucent. Her gown has only one shoulder strap, and it appears as though the wind is blowing against her - molding the cloth to her body. She has fiery reddish/orange hair which is also blown back from her face, and she gazes off to the right towards the golden cup in her hand. This cup is no ordinary cup. From it flames lick the rim, and yet miraculously it also pours forth water. Her hand, surrounding this cup has a mystical glow. In her other hand she holds a silver cup. From it rises water as well, expertly defying gravity as it rises up and out of the cup to flow towards the water coming down from the golden cup. These waters converge together. Behind the woman looms a large red planet.

I am holding Temperance (http://www.masquedman.com/tarotbible/deckgilded.html)

[Soaring Eagle]

Step One: Celtic Dragon - 8 Strength

A girl is standing with each foot on a different rock. There are small dragons around her feet, and a large dragon that she is touching below it's jaw. The dragon is breathing steam from it's mouth. The woman is looking into the dragon's eyes, with a determined look upon her face. Behind the woman there are rocks and two trees growing on the rocks. There looks to be a cave below the trees, barely visible.

I am holding the 8-Strength card from Celtic Dragon

[pacificwaters]

I am holding the Queen of Pentacles from the RWS deck

She is a feminine figure who is definitely someone from a royal lineage considering her headgear and her elegance. She sits on a brown, possibly wooden throne and has a Pentacle/Coin in her hand, looking onto which she is contemplating something. There seems to a lot of foliage and abundance in general around her.

[SatuGustafson]

Step ONE: The Fairy Tale Tarot (Lisa Hunt), Seven of Pentacles

I decided to not read the story connected with the card in the not quite so little and not white LWB. ;) So I just had a look at the card and what I can see.

If I remember correctly, describing the card is step 2, so I will do it there but if you want to see the card, here's a link: http://www.thefairytaletarot.com/

[geminidragon]

I have chosen the Six of Wands.

[Lady Indigo]

STEP ONE: Sun and Moon Tarot, The Hermit

An older woman is standing on a dirt floor. She has long, unkempt white hair, brown skin, and her face is blank and featureless as keeping with the art style of the entire deck. She wears two strands of purple beads around her neck, a pink shirt, brown belt, and orange skirt. Her feet are bare. Her posture suggests someone who is calmly confident and experienced. In her right hand she is carrying a gold trident that has what looks like a spool of thread and a bell attached to it. (From what I can gather from the LWB, this is supposed to be a drum.) In her left hand she holds a large lantern in the shape of an hourglass. There is a Hebrew letter beneath her feet. Behind her is a rock wall with Hindi lettering.

I'll attach the image for everyone, as well. :)

[eurydicesdreams]

I picked V The Hierophant from my new Hanson-Roberts deck.

http://www.tarotforum.net/attachment...7&d=1116683392

[Erynnds]

I have chosen Ten of Pentacles, Tarot of the Magical Forest.

[francobaires]

STEP ONE: Royal Tarot, the tower.
I've been chosen by the tower, royal tarot.
there is smoke on the sky, and coming out of the tower, there is a man and a woman falling from it, the woman dress is long and it makes her look ghost like. lightnings strike the tower, making fire apear, and breaking the tip.

[Ceste]

Step One - Legacy of the Divine Tarot

I have drawn the Nine of Swords.

[Aradia25]

Rider Waite Tarot, 8 of Cups.

There is a man dressed in a red cloak and red shoes. He is turning his back and walking away from 8 large cups. It is appears to be both daytime and nighttime, as the sun and the moon are conjoined. He walks alongside a river, there are mountains, he appears to be hiking up the hill.

[rubikscubefreak]

I have chosen the 6 of Swords, from the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn.

In this picture, there's a butch-looking girl, possibly Asian, who appears to be working on a sword. She has the sword hooked up to a battery and has a ponderous expression on her face. Five other swords are hanging on the wall behind her.

-rcf

[stardustraven]

deck: shadowscapes

i drew: the king of pentacles, four of wands and five of wands

chosen card: four of wands

in this card four unicorns jump over a rose bush, faeiries putting rose circles around their necks and dancing with them. bright, yellow sun, and soft pink roses. the unicorns are leaping, dancing almost.

[cwilkerson883]

Hello. This is an awesome group. I hope Y'all don't mind my sitting in.--

This card looks angry. There is a bad storm and the sky is almost black. The wind is kicking the waves up and there is lightening. The tower is on fire from the storm and the waves are ruthless in pounding the base of the tower. A male and female look like they have fallen or jumped from the tower.

When I look at this card it looks like chaos. Like you can't make a good decision. Either burn in the tower or drown in the angry sea.

Two people jumped toghether so maybe someone brought the other person down?

I like this card best because I am curious at why the people jumped or if they fell. This was the only card of the three that showed me a clear emotion. I can clearly see anger, confusion, fear, and chaos. The other two cards was hard to get a feel for emotions or symbols.

[fractalgranny]

step ONE

crow's magick, page of cups

this card centers around a reptile eagerly jumping out of a circle. it's almost like a puppy. its mouth is open, we can see its red tongue. it's camouflage-coloured. apart from the circle, six geometric, sigil-like elements can be seen on the card, all drawn in faint gold. from upper left to lower right they are three dots arranged in a triangle, an almost square rectangle, a zig-zag line, three rectangles connected by lines (a bit like a flowchart) and something that looks the head and shoulders of a one-eyed stick figure. the card's background is black (as all crow's magick cards). in the upper part, we can see flecks of green and red and gold that could be interpreted as cosmic dust. three astronomical symbols can be seen in the lower left corner (pisces, cancer and virgo).

in the lower middle, it says "page of cups" and underneat we find the words "unearthy, mystical."

i'm glad this is one of the cards that showed up because it is one of my favourite cards in that deck. i'll be happy to study with this card.

[Lil Red]

Step ONE: Tarot of the Sweet Twilight, Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords shows a young woman looking down at the floor while her two hands grips the handle of her sword looking sad as if she is lost. Right beside her lays her loyal unicorn, resting until it's ready to go when the young woman decides in where to go. Then we have another young woman sitting down on a giant rock with pinkish hair looking down at the sad woman who can't meet her eyes. This woman seems that she has the answers that the young woman seeks but she may be holding back due to the woman may learn nothing out of it. In between them there is a stick with a moose skull head.

This is the Sweet Twilight KNIGHT OF SWORDS card.

[fractalgranny]

Step ONE: Tarot of the Sweet Twilight, Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords shows a young woman looking down at the floor while her two hands grips the handle of her sword looking sad as if she is lost. Right beside her lays her loyal unicorn, resting until it's ready to go when the young woman decides in where to go. Then we have another young woman sitting down on a giant rock with pinkish hair looking down at the sad woman who can't meet her eyes. This woman seems that she has the answers that the young woman seeks but she may be holding back due to the woman may learn nothing out of it. In between them there is a stick with a moose skull head.

This is the Sweet Twilight KNIGHT OF SWORDS card.

thanks for sharing this! this deck looks very interesting, i think i'm going to put it on my wish list :)

[Lil Red]

thanks for sharing this! this deck looks very interesting, i think i'm going to put it on my wish list :)

Your welcome.

[fractalgranny]

I guess as I am a late starter it will be in order to do the steps quicker than one a week? Please advise! :D

Edited to add: I couldn't wait - have moved on to the other steps!! ;)

i'd say don't worry - i'm racing through them right now, while i have time. come the new year, i'll be too busy probably. nice to be on this road with you!

[Hemera]

I want to join in please:) But I need to race through the steps as well -simply because I´m an Aries. I don´t think I could spend a week at each stage })

21 Ways Step one: Vampyres Tarot -The Empress

(I was a bit disappointed that I got this card since I´m not sure I like it. So I almost picked the easier one that was also on offer (6 Cups). But I felt I can´t really by pass a Major from my favorite deck. So here goes..)


A lovely young lady stands under an apple tree branch. She looks very sad but her gaze is steady and soulful in an uncanny way. Her dress is a Baroque style costume, very elaborate and tasteful but her jewelry looks more modern. She is wearing an emerald green heart (same as in Lovers), a golden sign of Venus, something that could be a moonstone and a fourth one that looks like a sun( I need to check with a magnifying glass). She wears two rings. Especially her hair looks like from our modern times. The apples above her head are all green and look raw. A bee (wasp?) seems to be eating one of the apples. She holds a pink rose in her hands. Her nails are black and vampirish. There is a little blood around her mouth as well, which is the only other reminder about her being a vampire.
ETA: I checked with a magnifying glass and the necklace is not a sun but a flower. She also has a string of pearls around her neck. There is blood on her dress as well so yet another reminder of her being a vampire.


Edit: By Step SIX I have fallen in love with this Empress :) I know her a lot better by now and there is much more depth in her than I thought here at Step ONE.

[skye-angelite]

STEP ONE: Gilded Tarot, Nine of Pentacles

I can see that this is going to be a long post, such a beautiful card with tons of detail, here goes ...
A contented lady stands in front of a lace-work gazebo holding a hooded bird upon her raised left hand.
She is beautifully clothed in a blue and green gown with gold braiding at the waist and circling down her arms. Her gown has gold/orange designs on the hemline and pure white ruffles at her wrists and around the neckline.
Her right hand holds her gown up slightly to reveal a red underskirt with what looks like the same design as her gowns hemline.
In her hair she wears a long red ribbon and gold braiding as on her gown.
She is adorned with two rings on her right hand, a necklace at her throat and a jewel or bead on the braiding in her hair at her forehead.
She is turned slightly to her right with her attention at the birds feet at her hand.
Three beautiful Monarch Butterflies hover around her.
Below her and raising up beside her on her left there is a vine with red and purple flowers, nine glorious pentacles and a ladybird travelling towards her or viewing her.
The nine golden pentacles show amazing detail and colour, they glow. Inside each pentacle are green gems, further pentacles and in the centre of each is a sun.
Behind her at the foot of one of the gazebos spiralled poles is a plant with little red flowers.
Billowing full white clouds rise up behind and above what appears to be a distant steep snow-capped mountain into a perfectly blue sky.
Around the border of the scene are three green jewels signifying the Element of Earth.
I am holding (and admiring) the Nine of Pentacles from the Gilded Tarot.

[lyssac]

Step ONE: Connolly, Hanged Man

http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss49/Lucid_dreamer_Photos/scan0019.jpg

The central figure is a man (30s) with brown hair and rennassaince style clothing hanging upside down against a tree-like beam. Although there is a rope wrapped around the beam, he is not tied. He is in a relaxed posture, with a saint's/enlightened halo around his head.

A cherub looks on from the side of the card and looks disapproving. Already, I am seeing and paying attention to additional details and what they could mean, instead of just saying, "Oh, it's the hanged man."

This is Connolly's The Hanged Man, XII.

[fractalgranny]

thank you for joining us, lyssac!

[pequenakid]

DruidCraft Tarot, The Queen of Wands.

A brunette woman sits in a chair, seemingly staring at her wand. The wand has a small green globe at the base of it. She is dressed in a red dress with goldenrod colored pants on. Beneath her chair an orange tabby type cat crouches, looking directly at the person viewing the card. In the background is a large fire.

[fractalgranny]

DruidCraft Tarot, The Queen of Wands.

A brunette woman sits in a chair, seemingly staring at her wand. The wand has a small green globe at the base of it. She is dressed in a red dress with goldenrod colored pants on. Beneath her chair an orange tabby type cat crouches, looking directly at the person viewing the card. In the background is a large fire.

thank you so much for joining us! looks like this is your first post in the forum, so welcome to the forum, too!

you know, the queen of wands and i are not always on the best of terms. but this one ... i think i might be able to get used to her ... :)

[pequenakid]

thank you so much for joining us! looks like this is your first post in the forum, so welcome to the forum, too!

you know, the queen of wands and i are not always on the best of terms. but this one ... i think i might be able to get used to her ... :)

Thank you for the warm welcome!

[Vellata]

Richly dressed man stands on the balcony tightly holding four pentacles. His hands are crossed and he has turned away from the outside world. In background there's moon and stars visible as well as last rays of the Sun, but he doesn't seem to be interested in that sight.

This is the card I've drawn - Four of Pentacles.

[fractalgranny]

Richly dressed man stands on the balcony tightly holding four pentacles. His hands are crossed and he has turned away from the outside world. In background there's moon and stars visible as well as last rays of the Sun, but he doesn't seem to be interested in that sight.

This is the card I've drawn - Four of Pentacles.

welcome, vellata! i wish you a fantastic journey with this card!

[sladie]

Steampunk Tarot by Barbra Moore

Knight of Wands

At what looks like an old Egyptian temple, stands a woman with a wand in her hand, at the ready. Her clothing looks very similar to what Harry Potter's Griffindore students would wear. Her hair is long, and straight and her face looks behind her as if someone was following her.

When I went through my deck, I found myself saying the names with a rhyme, it has a very dark gothic feel to it. It's very beautiful and has a lot of story telling detail.

[AmberFox]

"The Hermit!"
A dark cloaked figure is walking up a path in a dark gloomy forest within the left hand a staff/lantern that is a light with an open flame. In the right hand a bundle of roots/strings/threads with 6 human skulls attached to them.

In the fore ground there is a wolf/dog with red glowing eyes showing its teeth like its trying to scare some one or something off.

At the right hand side of the card just passed the cloaked figure stands a Celtic cross with a female stone figure sitting on top.

The cloaked figure is walking in rather big steps towards the light at the end of the path.

Wow this was hard to describe this card as simple and brief as possible.
Lets see what step 2 brings me.
BB Amber

[Tarot Orat]

Step ONE: Dark Carnival Tarot - The Hierophant

I'm doing a One Deck Wonder with the Dark Carnival and it seemed like a good idea to join this study group! I picked the second of the three cards I drew....it's not entirely comfortable to look at but it has a lot going on.

A toothy, grinning man in a the red velvet coat and black tophat of the circus ringmaster is in the center of the card. His long-nailed hands are outstretched, one hand pointing up and the other down. Six cards (not quite Tarot and not quite playing cards) fly through the air behind him, while one more card is in the band of his hat. Below him, at either side of the card, are two clowns in black and white facepaint; one of them smokes a cigarette, and the billowing gray smoke forms the background of the card.

I am holding, with a bit of trepidation, the Hierophant.

[Simonea]

The main colors of this card are purple and blue, orange and yellow. The outlines are green as opposed to black.

In the middle is a golden wheel with a sun/star in the middle. A sphinx, a monkey and a jackal/snake perch on the rim. The sphinx is holding a sword, the jackal an ankh and scepter like symbol that I recognize but dont know the name of (?), the monkey is simply clinging to the wheel with a smile on its face. The bottom of the wheel has a clenched fist punching upwards. In the background is a triangle in pale purple and a swirly pattern moving outwards from the center of the card. Nine orange lightning rods are moving from the bottom of the card to the top where they meet nine 4-pointed stars. At the top of the card the 4-pointed stars either become yellow bigger more erratic stars or metal "stars" in the same color/sharpness as the sphinxs sword. The stars all join in the middle where the biggest star is sitting.

This is the Fortune card that I'm holding.

[fractalgranny]

welcome, simonea!

[Bohemian Gypsy]

Cosmic Tarot: Sun

A smiling young girl with short, blond hair, wearing a pink top and overalls stands front and center. She is surrounded by lush foliage that hides her lower half. There is a tree to the right with green leaves and a tree to the left that is a little bit shorter than the one on the right that has no leaves. The girl is framed by a pale blue sky in the shape of an arch and a brightly shining sun hangs prominently overhead. A bird can be seen in the air about a third of the way up the left side of the card. A large lake and mountains can be seen in the distance. The left and right top corners of the card are deep blue with twinkling white stars and a crescent moon.

Sun card in the Cosmic Tarot

[Rootrealm]

STEP ONE: Dugan's Witches' Tarot, VII The Chariot

A man is dressed in armor and a yellow cape covered with glyphs...he is located behind two horses (perhaps in a cart or chariot but one can't see it), holding his left arm up high and bearing some sort of long implement or weapon. His right hand is open and faces upward. The two horses in front of him are black and white, each is rearing up on its hind legs, and each is facing in a different direction. THe horseman, horses and the suggested chariot are all positioned atop a cloud in the starry heavens, and beneath a waning moon.

I just recently began working this book...I'm looking forward to the rest of the work and reading what others have done with all the steps.

[Tarot Orat]

It's great to see so many newcomers! This is one of the best experiences I've had in all my years with the Tarot...welcome to the journey!

[Syeraph]

21 ways

Step one

Sun and moon tarot/ 6 of cups

This card is a nice blue. Not too dark or too light. The just above the center of the car Is a full moon. Smooth in appearance. Below the moon a couple spash in a body of water. The ocean I assume... The water is teal in color. The man has his right hand on the girls arm and holds a cup with water splashing out in his other. The girl holds a cup in her right hand and it appears she is splashing water in the mans face. The girl wears a one piece red swim suit and has long blonde hair. The boy blue swimming trunks and has dark black hair. with a white stripe both are barefoot although the feet can barely be seen amongst all the chaotic splashes around them. There are six hire Lilly pads flowing around them as are 4 other cups. All floating on their side. One near the girl and the other 3 behind the boy
The top of the card above the picture says pleasure. Just below that as part of the picture is a triangle with the point, pointing down and the words six of cups written below the picture. As the entire card is outlined in a white border

[GypsyFaerie]

This card shows a woman sitting in a waterfall pouring water from one cup to another with the stream creating the waterfall flowing toward her from behind. There is an iridescent moon in the sky with birds flying across and another waterfall far in the background.


Link to card image http://azurylipfe.deviantart.com/art/Tarot-Temperance-43697899

[Hemera]

Welcome on board GypsyFaerie :)
Wow what a beautiful card that Temperance is. One can almost hear the sound of water..