21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card -- Step EIGHTTEEN

[dadsnook2000]

The nature of these challenging steps is picking up -- Drawing, Feeling, now Imagination. This step is all about animating that card, letting it move on in terms of other actions, direction, introducing new characters, -- LIVING ITS OWN LIFE. We have bonded with our card, we have gotten inside it. Now we are going to set it free, sort of, to continue from its snap-shot motionless being into a living tableau.

We have been inside our card before, now we go back in again and let our imagination take us, the card's character(s), the implied and possible (even the impossible or improbable) actions wherever . . .

Step 18:1.
You are a figure on the card. What are you doing? Where are you going? How do you feel? What do you expect?

Step 18:2.
Takes notes on your experience. Reflect, add or edit your notes. How is this step different from the previous one? Dave

[Jewel]

STEP 18: IMAGINATION
Deck: Fantastic Menagerie
Card: The Star

18:1.1
- What figure on the care are you? The dragonfly.

- Are you standing, sitting, or laying down? I am standing perched on the Ibis-Woman's shoulder.

- What are you holding? I am holding onto the Ibis-Woman's shoulder.

- What gestures are you making? I'm smiling, and slowly adjusting my wings to maintain my balance.

- How do you feel? I feel daring, a little nervous, adventursome.

- What is your relationship to other being in the this card? I'm nothing to the Ibis-Woman, but she does seem to like my companionship. Perhaps we will become friends. The fish definetly think I'm food, so they are predators and definetly to be avoided at all cost as far as I'm concerned. I like the Ibis-Woman; she smells like flowers, and she is pretty and graceful.

18:1.2. I really enjoyed being the dragonfly. I loved the feeling of having wings and them effortlessly adjusting to help me maintain my balance. I liked the "adventure" sensation, it was like a personal inner secret. I felt courage too. I also felt protected, while at the same time a little nervous and scared. I was daring, which is what made me smile. I really tried to ignore the fish, they are what made me feel nervous, one slip and I might have been fish food.

This was a lot different from the embodiement exercise for me. I like writing short stories on occassion, so the imagination step was much more natural and comfortable to me. It was familiar. I found the step to be more free and fun.

[coyoteblack]

Nice work jewel I like how you " smelled " the ibis woman as that is kind of hard to do in meditation. I see you really dont like those fish we will have to go fishing one of these days.

Also I though it was cool instead of takeing the main character you went for the smaller dragon fly.

[Jewel]

Nice work jewel I like how you " smelled " the ibis woman as that is kind of hard to do in meditation. I see you really dont like those fish we will have to go fishing one of these days.

Also I though it was cool instead of takeing the main character you went for the smaller dragon fly.
For some reason I have always been drawn to the dragonfly in this card. There is just something special about him.

And I think I will pass on the fishing, I am allergic to eating fish and think of it as animal cruelty on my part to catch them since I cannot eat them. But I am up for a visit to some acquariums or go snorkling *LOL*. I do love swimming with them.

[dadsnook2000]

Fish -- they are ugly, smelly and someone went to a lot of trouble to hide them underwater. So, leave them there. Dave

PS: Can you believe that anyone from New England doesn't like fish and crawly things from the ocean? It must be fate that I've ended up with a fish pond, a river and two waterfalls in the front-yard rock garden with 18 fish that I have to take care of. Still, I don't like fishing and don't care to eat them.

[coyoteblack]

Dave you mightbe thrown out of New England for those comments!!
Jewel I cant eat fish either the oil in it makes me gag.

I should have my star done tonight.

BTW Dave jewele and I were discussing the adept steps are we going to do them like these steps or each of us pick say 15 that we resonate with? and will the be more then a week long?

[Jewel]

Fish -- they are ugly, smelly and someone went to a lot of trouble to hide them underwater. So, leave them there. Dave

PS: Can you believe that anyone from New England doesn't like fish and crawly things from the ocean? It must be fate that I've ended up with a fish pond, a river and two waterfalls in the front-yard rock garden with 18 fish that I have to take care of. Still, I don't like fishing and don't care to eat them.
Dave that is so harsh! ~chuckles~. Perhpas Coyoteblack and I will come feed your fish, bet they pop up to the surface like the ones in my Star card when they see food coming *LOL*.

Actually as a good pisces I love to watch fish swiming around. I went literally nuts when I went scuba diving, it was heaven. I would so move into an underwater city given the chance. The colors in the ocean are simply amazing. There is a vastness and freedom that cannot be equaled .... oooppps sorry ... off topic, I'll be quiet now.

[dadsnook2000]

I haven't really looked much at the Adept steps yet. We can certainly discuss how we want to approach them. While we could do a portion of them, I feel that the sequence of steps that Mary Greer has followed has had the benefit of later steps being built from/upon some of the earlier steps. That is helpful.

As for timing, I have generally been initiating follow-on steps once I see that most of those participating in the earlier step or two have posted. I have varied between 5 days and 8 or 9 days for the most part. We can also do something such as pick two or three cards ahead of time and use which ever of those that best suits the step and our interest that we are currently on.

So, I think we can have a discussion on this and take the suggestions that seem to have the most support and least objection and see if we can incorporate them into a process. NOW -- do we want another thread just for this discussion? Or, do you all want to just fold in comments as we move along? Dave

[coyoteblack]

I am thinking a different discussion thread would be great so it is easier to see the progression.

In the end of the book in the appendix( the only part I have cheeted honest)

she lists types of readers and what steps they would use. maybe pick a few types and run with it.

As some really enjoy othrs more then others. Like i enjoy metaphores and hate drawing.

[Jewel]

So, I think we can have a discussion on this and take the suggestions that seem to have the most support and least objection and see if we can incorporate them into a process. NOW -- do we want another thread just for this discussion? Or, do you all want to just fold in comments as we move along? Dave
Yes, lets have a new thread to plan this. As I was telling Coyoteblack, I see the Apprentice steps as essential (in doing them all) to experience each way. But I see the Adept Steps as the next level, where one would focus on the steps one has found most useful for their style of reading. The Graduate level per se.

I would still think it important to not dismiss any step, so we would be responsible for reading through them carefully and then posting why we are not choosing to do that step. Those who want to do the step move forward with it. I think most of us that choose to puruse the Adept Steps have seen the benefits and will do a majority of the Steps, but there are some that will not suit our styles. As Coyoteblack noted, Mary lists some things that certain types of readers are most likely to use, that is a great starting point. Just my two pearls.

P.S. I hate metaphors, but like drawing ;)

[dadsnook2000]

I am the Fool. I have been strolling along by myself and have come across a most amazing find. It is a pumpkin with a scowling face carved into it. A candle inside cast a bright glow through the pumpkin's features. I kneel here just looking at this thing. What is it really all about? Who left it? It almost takes my breath away.

Wait. I hear foot steps. A silly looking fellow appears, dressed in crazy clothes and dragging a giant pentacle which he is chained to. In some ways he looks like me yet his face is perplexed -- not because of being surprised but by the difficulty in pulling his large pentacle.

Another figure enters the glow cast by the pumpkin. "Hello, I am the Empress." She is certainly attractive, very kind and comfortable looking. "You are the Fool," she says, "and this is Four Pentacles." Whoa, thought the Fool, we all have names! I didn't know that. "I want that" says Four. "I found it," I say. "Oh, let him have it, he wants everything," says Empress. "Come with me, there is much more out there to see and its all there as you need it" says Empress. I leave Four, following the Empress, eager to see what else is out there.

The above came to me as I tried to put myself into the card. The Fool has to meet others at some point. What will happen with the Pumpkin; will he leave it, take it, or will someone else want it? The card just shrikes of "discovery" and "curiosity." I can't see the situation in the card can stay as it is, something just has to happen. The first thought that came as I looked at the Fool happy over his find is that someone else has to just come along that he might share this with. I have a nasty mind, so the Four of Pentacles had to just pop up in my thoughts, someone who would want what the Fool had. Since every coin has three sides -- in this case, "have", "want" and "solution" -- someone else had to pop in. The Empress.

This playful insertion of self into the Fools situation is a logical continuation of drawing and feeling the Fool in previous steps. Nothing is static. It now seems "just right" to me that more things were implied in a situation in which only one entity existed, and in which a discovery of some unknown significance was made. The situation had to expand, had to change and enlarge. It's as if it takes other people and the passage of time to bring perspective and movement forward. I just brought that to the card.

This step was not one of restating the card's figure in an image that I felt comfortable with, it was not feeling the awe and curiousity of discovery, this was a "power projection" in which I brought change to the card in a meaningful way. Discovery, claim, hold, yield, gain something else -- all of this as a way of moving forward and in high contrast to see, want, grab, hold, keep, increase the burden -- as was Four's approach to the situation.

So, even if I don't consider any cards to either side of the Fool (or any other card) I now realize that each card has its own one/many possible ways to move forward or to change. No image is any longer static to me. The cards do have to take on the qualities of the Harry Potter photographs, they have to move and have momentum of their own.
Dave

[coyoteblack]

The Star Tarot of Dreams

The only figure in the card is the lady pouring light unto a large body of water on planet earth.

As I entered the card I asked if it was ok to become the lady star. She smiled! as if so say No problem.

when I ' became " her I was in awe she feels everything i think she gives up so she can also feel hope. The emotion I felt most was Hope she really wanted for the light she as pouring to reach someone.

She was talking to the vassels and she said "I hope they wake up " then she said ' we have some hope to bring" and the vessales said " we have thanks to give". I also just noticed there is a captial " C" on one vassel and a captial "M" on another.

I was staring at a candle and I asked her to pour some light on my candle she said " I already did"

I also got the feeling she was not on solid footing but she also did not need it .

I think she needs us to feel hope for all of our sake.

I want to write more but i think if I do it will be forcing this and I do not want that a lot of this card is about initiation not in the same way as the high priestess but in a different way i am just not sure what to make of some of this.

[Jewel]

I LOVED the entry of your 4 of pentacles ~giggles~ ... when he asked for the pumpkin, and the Empress said he wants everything I almost fell out of my chair. Good thing the 4 of pentacles did not want the Fools keys ~chuckles~. Thanks for the laugh I really needed that today.

[Jewel]

I want to write more but i think if I do it will be forcing this and I do not want that a lot of this card is about initiation not in the same way as the high priestess but in a different way i am just not sure what to make of some of this.
As we have both come to know the Star you know there is no need to force it. It will come when the time is right. When you are ready, it will come. I agree with you about the feeling of initiation and that it is different than the HP, but very spiritual all the same. I never knew this card could mean so much. It calls for hope, yet for inner strength and self reliance too. It is the calm after the storm. It is the product of our choices and being able to take hope from our own actions. It is the light inside of each of us.

[rachelcat]

Hi. Catching up, as usual.

This is so interesting. I did step 17 two weeks ago and really didn't remember it at all. I didn't read it before I did step 18 today. I had completely forgotten I had changed my main character from an accomplished, flirtatious dancer to a little girl. I did it for my imagination, too.

It took me so long to continue to this step because I couldn't get started. I couldn't figure out how it was different than storytelling, dialoging and embodiment. So I decided to imagine a secondary character in the card to change it up a bit. So here it goes.

I'm a little girl so excited about going to the festival. It's outdoors so I'm wearing sturdy sandals and shorts. Nothing too feminine. We get there and there are so many things to do. Pony rides, games to win prizes, etc. And food and sweets. I want it all and I can't decide what I want first! But my parents pull me over to a grassy area in front of an empty stage. They let me run around in the grass some, but when the music starts, I have to sit on the blanket and be quiet. Then a young lady comes out on stage and starts to dance. My parents press a handful of confetti in my hand and lead me up closer to the stage. They seem so happy and excited, smiling and laughing, and they throw their confetti. So I throw mine, too. It looks pretty floating down in the breeze, but I'm getting a little bored. What about all those games and food? I slip off to the grassy place again but don't want to be out of sight of my parents, so I hang around there. Gradually, the music seeps into my consciousness and I close my eyes and start to move.

I let the music surround me and enter me and move me. The cool breeze and the dappled sun on my face become part of the music, part of the dance.

The applause and end of the music brings me back to myself. I open my eyes and look around. Other children are spinning, dancing, and scooping up the confetti and throwing it over themselves.

I looked and saw my parents reclining on the blanket watching me with much more love and admiration in their eyes than they ever had for the stage dancer. I ran and jumped on them and my mom playfully threw a little confetti over me. I was home. I was loved.

My dad said, "are you hungry?" And we got up, folded our blanket, and went to stand in the french fries line.

For many days and nights, whenever I closed my eyes, the music flooded into my soul again.

Where did all this come from and where is it going? I think I'm done with the center of attention and sexuality/femininity theme, so my character is a child.

Which leads to: My birthday is tomorrow. My dad's was two days ago. It will be exactly 7 months since he passed away. He would have been 78. We're both Cancers, so we really didn't have much to say to each other, but I always liked being mentioned as and thought of as the most like him among us three kids, both in personality and appearance.

I'm guess I'm still getting used to the idea that he's gone. Up til now I've been more focused on helping out my mom and making sure she's ok. Now I guess I have to deal with my own feeling about it. I'm not sad. I guess I just feel a little bad about taking him for granted all this time, but I know he understood. He was just such a laid back, sweet person. That's why I love him! Well, one of the reasons.

I'm glad this is coming out in my studies. I also felt a little guilty about not dwelling on it very much in my daily life, but I see that it's there, so that's good.

[Jewel]

I'm guess I'm still getting used to the idea that he's gone. Up til now I've been more focused on helping out my mom and making sure she's ok. Now I guess I have to deal with my own feeling about it. I'm not sad. I guess I just feel a little bad about taking him for granted all this time, but I know he understood. He was just such a laid back, sweet person. That's why I love him! Well, one of the reasons.

I'm glad this is coming out in my studies. I also felt a little guilty about not dwelling on it very much in my daily life, but I see that it's there, so that's good.
((((Rachelcat))))) It sounds to me that you are processing your grief just the way your dad would have liked. At your own pace, and taking care of yourself and mom. Don't feel guilt, just feel the love and give love.

[rachelcat]

Jewel, thanks so much for your hugs and your kind words. You are so right that I should deal with this as he would want me to and as he would have--calm, family-centered, and practical. Thanks again!

[squeakmo9]

18:1
RWS 5 of Swords

Imagine you are a figure on the card, are you standing, sitting, or lying down?

I’m standing.

What are you holding?

With my right, I clutch at my orange cloak, and with my left, it rests atop of my lower abdomen. I hold it firmly there as if I need it to breath. I’m glad I have my hands occupied since I feel a bit nervous. To have them rest in this manner helps to steady me.

What gesture are you making?

None that anyone will take notice. I don’t want them to see my fear, however little.

How do you feel?

Winded, a bit lightheaded to tell you the truth, and still a little shocked.

What is the relationship with the other beings or things in the card?

I know one person is in front of me. I can see him. Another person is in back of me, and I can feel his eyes upon me. Personally they have become the inanimate. I only take an interest in the nature before me. The movement of the water. The light as it plays upon it. The entrancing manner on which the colors shift from violet to crystal blue. The sound as it rushes by. I can feel the wind move through me with its clouds up ahead. My perspective changes with the changing sky, I feel as if I’m being absorbed by it all.

Is there something that you want or need?

I’d like to have a place to sit, perhaps get closer to the water.

What are you going to do next?

I turn to look at the ground, my feet firmly planted upon it. Turning to my right, I will walk a ways, looking, every so often, to the water on my left. I will follow it as far as I can, home.

Well I really did feel lightheaded especially when I looked at the water and sky. Very peaceful feeling, like a lull. I could hear the water rushing by and it was calming. Nothing seemed to matter except the moment. The other people became background, secondary. The background (nature) took center stage because it allowed me to place my focus from “them” to my own inner sense of truth.

[nicki]

Step 18.1

I am the Empress in the card and I am standing looking at my husband to be. My right hand is holding the Emperor’s hand and in my left hand I hold a golden chalice. I feel happy and content as it’s my wedding day, but also slightly apprehensive to what lies ahead.

I have no relationship to anyone in the card except for the Emperor, although the Hermit who is conducting the wedding looks daunting I think his bark is worse than his bite. Out of the corner of my eye I can see cupid, which is a nice touch. There are quite a few animals scattered around not sure what the point of them is but I’m sure they are important. I like the fact that there are children here, it gives a nice feel to the proceedings having children around seems to lighten the mood and not make things as stuffy. I have everything I could possibly want and don’t feel the need to have things just for the sake of it.

Step 18.2

I really enjoyed being the Empress in this card as it allowed me to look the card from a different perspective. I enjoyed her being the centre of attention for once instead of the Hermit, I felt it let me look at the card from a female point of view. I quite liked the fact that she didn’t really know what the point of the animals were but she knew they needed to be there.

nicki

[Verdi]

Druidcraft.
The Hermit

I am standing on the path looking out over the valley. My wolf Argon is standing beside me. His heat I feel through my robes. I feel his alertness and ask him what he sees. Argon tells me that the path is clear, no dangers ahead. My left hand holds my staff, I feel its power. The rough edges feel safe and strong. It weight is just right to use, though sometimes I wish it was a broom stick to carry me aloft and fast. My bones do get a bit tired you see. I hold up my lantern. Though it sheds no light I see far into the darkness. I see the wisps of love, the waves of anger and the sparks of hatred. It shows the way alright. Sometimes I wish it would just show harmony and peace – no such luck me thinks. I can feel some hatred over the way. I see an old lady making some coffee; her eyes alight with envy, hatred and pain. Yes I will go to her and see if I can help. I better get Argon to change form to a dog, wouldn’t want the woman to get the jitters, bad enough I’m coming; they usually think its death a knocking. After I finished with them, some of them wish it had been. Mind you, they all thank me in the end, nothing like a bit of insight to get the juices flowing.

This was a lot different than the embodiment. I felt a need for a bit of humour ( I tried, lol). But it made the Hermit a bit more alive, friendly and better to know.

Verdi :)

[dadsnook2000]

I went back a few steps to see both your drawing and the actual Hermit card. I had noted, for my Fey Tarot Hermit card, that it reminded me in some ways of the Fool card (this is in the Adept level postings where I am using the Hermit as my focus card). In looking at your Hermit, I see some outward similarities in that a wolf/dog is a companion, that a staff is being carried, that one is on high ground where the travel is risky.

However, your story-telling is really nice. It is the effort and process of letting our minds go free that uncovers so much for us as we study these cards. We ask those we read for to also suspend disbelief and to be open to whatever comes -- we also gain from the process. Thank you so much for sharing your imagination and insights with us. Dave

[Prism]

The World -- Tarot of Prague

I did this step a little differently from others, I realize. But, hey, it's what I did, so I'll tell you about it. First to restate briefly what the card looks like, it includes the central figure of the dancer, who fills up most of the card. In the four corners are a man, an eagle, a bull and a lion.

I imagined myself as myself going into the card. So my first decision was where to put myself. My first thought was that there wasn't a lot of room. So I had to figure out what size I wanted to be. I decided to be the same size as those corner figures. First I put myself right at the bottom, in the middle, between the bull and the lion, facing the dancer. But I didn't like it there. Looking around, I realized I really wanted to be over in the right corner with the lion. I should mention that, to me, anyway, the lion looks like he is smiling. So I went right over to him. He was very friendly and let me pet him. If you look at the card you will notice that his mane is very long, curly and inviting. I liked looking at the dancer, but I didn't really want to join her. She was not nearly as interesting to me as this lion (which leads me to believe I really need to spend some time with the Strength card -- that is my soul, personality and year card, so there's no time like the present). I wanted to be brave and happy like the lion. We hung out for a while, I petted him, then I left, feeling good.

[dadsnook2000]

Prism, are you really looking for the checkered flag? You're racing through the deck so fast you'll be passing me at the Adept level step within a week. Just kidding, its nice to see the fun and enthusiasm in your posts. Dave

[SistaSpirit]

18-1

Here I sit on this extremely hard chair in a suit of armor, holding an ankh out in the desert all by myself yet you wonder why I’m not smiling. I’m very uncomfortable, I’m tired and I feel too old to be the ruler, but I don’t trust anyone else to do it well so I’m stuck with it. I would love to go to my country house, enjoy my wife and grandchildren, walk in my garden, and sit by the stream that flows there so abundantly.

I met a young monarch recently, the 4/P, we have a lot in common, he’s a lot like I was when I was his age. Although he seems a bit focused on his finances at the moment, With a little training, I think he would be a great ruler some day. He could even become an Emperor. Maybe I should spend more time with his to see what his goals are, mentor him get him ready to replace me someday, not too soon though, I’m still in good health.

First, I have to take care of the threat from this fellow Death he came charging in on his white horse, rushing to the rescue with his message of change, destroying everything in his path. Tough guy, I wonder if I can negotiate a treaty with him. I may have to go to war with him, perhaps that young fellow can help; maybe together we can defeat him. I think not, Death is very powerful as well. We’ll just have to learn to co-exist, make a few changes and move on.

18-2

I started writing and it flowed, I was surprised that I brought in Death and 4/p from my earlier spread. I t just seemed the natural thing to do.

When I embodied the card in Step 17, I empathized with him and understood his sense of responsibility as the ruler or patriarch.

This step allowed my imagination to flow. Knowing what I do about the Emperor it wasn’t difficult to imagine that he might want to live his last days in a less stressful environment. Since he is a control freak, he would want someone just like him to take his place, hence the 4/p, which I had drawn earlier. As you can see, it will be hard for him to let go.

[dadsnook2000]

Isn't it nice when we aren't afraid to let our imagination run riot --- no matter who is around or reading our posts. There is, of course, no judgment other that that of seeing someone only make a half-effort for their own good. You are doing just great and are showing all of the attributes needed to have fun with the Tarot. With "fun", everything else will flow well. You're comfortable or are reaching that stage. I truly hope you are pleased with your journey so far, as you have added to our joy. Dave

[SistaSpirit]

it's great to hear from you and Squeaky, I don't feel so alone back here. I am enjoying this journey and i'm learning so much from reading all the posts. They are like a beacon showing me the wait as I work to catch up. I may not catch up but trying sure gives me incentive to keep at it.

[fractalgranny]

well, since i'm a writer, it didn't take me long to come up with this ... :)

page of cups

so … guys … this is really cool, like jumping through this door and now i’m here? can you see me? i’m up here in this amazing galaxy, is that hot or what? what? is there anyone else here? let me see … no, not really. no, i don’t feel alone, why would i? there’s all these STARS here and weird SYMBOLS and galactic foggy stuff, this is way too exciting to feel lonely. anyways, it’s only old people who feel lonely. like my mom the cup. not that she’s old-old – you know what i mean. she’s ok.

so i’m wondering what’s gonna happen next. let me see, this thing here, the one that looks like a head with one eye, i wonder what it does? hm, i can turn the round head-thing around on its stick. hm. nothing’s happening. hey! what’s this over here? coming closer and closer? whoa, it’s a reddish cloud, red and orange and a bit blue, too – whoosh, now it’s gone. that was weird. it came really slow and then suddenly, whoosh, really fast, it was gone. i guess things work different here in this corner of the universe. i’m gonna let you in on a secret – this is the first time i’m “out”. the ring that i came through? well, it’s sort of a walled-in place and to be honest, it was sorta boring and a bit lonely because mostly it was just me and my mom. she is great, though, she taught me everything i know! everything! can you imagine? she knows a lot. but it’s great to be out, great, great, great! there are so many adventures out here – this is so cool, now it’s out HERE, not out THERE anymore! there are so many things i’m going to do and see, and i’m sure i’ll do something really great, like save a planet or stuff like that. i’ll keep you posted, ok? now i’m gonna … how does this work … i’m gonna turn on my super jet propeller … yeah! it works! talk to you guys later!

[Hemera]

Step 18:1.
You are a figure on the card. What are you doing? Where are you going? How do you feel? What do you expect?
I´m a green apple on the branch above the Empress´ head.
I´m looking at the same small cottage as the Empress and it looks just like the cottage of Snow White in that old Disney cartoon.
I´m tuning into the thoughts of the Empress and she is so deep in her memories that I can almost taste some of them. I think she was once the Evil Queen Stepmother but those feelings of envy and hatred are long gone. And long long before that, eons ago, someone else was the Witch Queen and she was herself the young Snow White.
For a fleeting moment I wonder if she could eat me but then I remember I´m still green and not quite ripe plus that she is no vegetarian. I´m not likely to be anything particularly interesting in her eyes. I have no reason to worry.

Step 18:2.
Takes notes on your experience. Reflect, add or edit your notes. How is this step different from the previous one?
I enjoyed being the apple. I was round and calm and whole.
I was eavesdropping and intruding the mind of the Empress but I think she knew about it and didn´t mind sharing. I empathized with the Empress and understood a bit about her sadness. I understood how she could be all things at once (Snow White, Evil Queen, Empress, Vampyre) and still be one and whole.