Post-Hard Drive Restoration comments
Yes, we have indeed lost our many communications relative to resuming our 21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card ADEPT LEVEL. All of that took place during the period of posting that was lost. I did not save any of the material that I had written, so the following will offer a brief recall of some of those postings.
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I had noted that we, as a group, were at differing steps: Coyoteblack being the caboose (last car) on our train of learning, SqueakMo9 being the locomotive (first to reach step 13) with the rest of us between.
1) I had noted that I thought we might all get a lot out of exploring the court cards from several perspectives, mentioning that there are several philosophies about how to read them and integrate them into a reading. Our modern culture does not have (for most of us) royal court people making an impact in our individual lives. We have the major arcana representing the big "drivers and influences" in terms of character traits and apparent situational pressures. We have the minor arcana, Ace through ten, representing a level or progress cycle through the four suites (feelings, physicalness, thoughts and action). And then we have the court cards.
2) I had also noted that it might be interesting to explore how the context of a card's meaning changes in terms of it position in a spread. How we address the nuances of a card can add depth and range to the meanings we present to those whom we read for.
3) While we all have used many spreads, it might be useful to explore and adopt a "spread tool kit". This would consist of several basic spreads that address the questions we are most typically faced with. In steps 11 and 12, Mary Greer approaches this issue. I'm not sure if she does more of this in later steps as I do not read ahead in the book but do take it a step at a time. For me, I choose to work with fewer spreads---but I am not hesitant to make up a spread that best fits a specific question and set of issues.
4) A few years ago, Lunalafey and I experimented with a "time" tarot spread that seemed to be quite effective. It is a significant variation of the more common "horoscope" or "astrological house" spreads. THIS IS AN INTERESTING SPREAD TO WORK ON WHILE SOME OF CATCH UP.
5) In our postings I have noted Robert Place's method of relating one card to another card. When we did a spread exercise using Cardiwen's spread based on a Nordic myth, the use of Place's method added great detail and insight into the reading.
6) Another "card relationship" issue to consider is how certain suites of cards relate to each other. There is a simple diagram that I refer to often when I want to better understand the typical interaction between suites compared to how I might normally read the spread and cards before me. THIS WOULD BE A SIMPLE AND REWARDING EXERCISE FOR US TO DO WHILE WAITING FOR SOME TO CATCH UP.
Now, this is all that I can recall, plus some additional thoughts. I will print out a copy for the records. The group can express their interest in which of my suggestions, or other suggestions, they would most like to explore as a "kick off" party. Dave