Main Quest Content

This week we start to go even deeper into the 78 card structure of a traditional tarot deck, with the first video starting our exploration of the minor arcana (cards 1-10) in the four suits, (swords, wands, pentacles and cups). The second video "The Fool Masters the Elements" focuses on the Aces and Pages in all four suits/elements, and we begin our exploration of the Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King). We start to see the Fool going on their journey towards excellence, starting as an apprentice, becoming an expert and then ultimately becoming a sage in all areas of life. 

We now expand from a comparison of just the two decks, Pixie and Deva, to comparing four decks which also include Ma Deva Padma's "Sacred She Tarot," and Rich Black's "Black Deck." If you have considered adding either or both of these decks to your collection it would be great to get them to enhance your experience of these videos.

I had so much fun recording these video series, and I have definitely deepened my intimacy with each deck. I also feel like I have a better understanding of each deck's gifts, and how they complement each other. It was so cool to let these decks share their unique love languages, and I hope they help you unlock greater clarity of communication with your higher self and their loving guidance.

Tarot Exercises:

Besides continuing to practice the five card spread and altar practice every day whenever possible, there are two exercises that I'd like you to try out.

This week we take a deep dive into the minor arcana and all of the amazing side quests that our beloved Fool must go on to become a Page.

It is time to reflect on the nature of numbers from 1-10. Feel into your relationship with each number. How do you feel about numbers 1-4 vs. the later numbers of the minor arcana, numbers 7-10? You have had so many experiences and associations with each of these numbers beyond math class. Try to tune into your unique feelings and associations with each number, and then look at how these numbers are represented in both the major and minor arcana of each deck. 

First Exercise:

Bring the minor arcana (ace through 10) from each suit in the Pixie and Deva decks (as well as the Sacred She if you have it) together, spreading them out on a large cloth, or perhaps on your bed/blanket. Try arranging them in different ways. If you have room for 40 cards on this large area, spread out all ten cards from each suit, and for each position have a pile of 2 or 3 cards (depending on how many decks you have been working with). Meditate on each of the 10 card journeys that the Fool takes through each suit, and do it with the 2 or 3 decks you have been working with.

Next, spend time comparing each card in the 2 or 3 decks. See if you understand the nature of that card (the 3 of cups for example) better after seeing it in 2-3 decks. This is what I am doing in the latest series of videos that I've released, so be sure to check those out. Perhaps do some journaling on what comes up for you in this meditation.

What are your favorite cups cards from the minor arcana, favorite pentacles, etc.? Why are these cards so meaningful for you, and how do they relate to your soul's journey? How do they relate to your most important soul lessons? How do they relate to where you are right now in your growth process?

Second Exercise:

Compare the 1-10 journeys in each suit. What is 1-10ness in swords vs 1-10ness in cups? What do you notice about the progression and unique lessons in each suit? Where are you in your journey with each suit? What suit are you having the most challenges with? What suit do you think you've mastered the most?

Take time to journal on these questions.

Skywatching/ Astrology Side Quest Assignments

As described earlier, you do not have any required main-quest astrology assignments this week. These are only found for weeks one, four and eight. Just going out on these expeditions alone is plenty of practice to receive enough pleasure from skywatching to motivate you to continue with the practice after you've completed your eight week Tarot and Flow immersion experience. This is my own goal for you, my student, that you come away from these eight weeks so in love with these practices that you continue to practice them regularly for the rest of your life.

I think if you try to go off on too many side quests, it might feel like it is too challenging to keep up the pace, and perhaps you will feel discouraged from continuing the practice. Having said this, astrology and skywatching are so inherently pleasurable that you may be super motivated to go off on many side quests during this eight week journey. In that spirit I offer these optional skywatching/astrology assignments that are meant for now, but really lead to the rest of this coming 19 months.

-Learn to understand the 19 month cycle of Venus, as she goes from her interior conjunction with the Sun, emerges in the morning sky, leaves the Earth for the other side of the Sun, and then returns to the evening sky, where every day after sunset we delight in her presence until she merges with the earth again at the interior conjunction. Learn this by setting the intention  to regularly go out to see Venus at the most important moments in her cycle.

Optional Reading Assignments:  Adam Gainsburg's book "Light of Venus."
Arielle Guttman's book "Venus Star Rising" and Cayelin Castell's essay: "Introducing the Venus Cycle."

-Learn to understand the Moon-Jupiter cycle by going out monthly to be with it, noticing how different an experience it is to regularly be with Jupiter compared to Venus. Jupiter is visible almost every day, (except for about 20 days out of every 13 months), but sometimes for a very brief one or two hour window close to sunrise or sunset, and sometimes being visible all night.

-Three times a year paying close attention to the Mercury retrograde cycle and focusing on the periods of maximum elongation for skywatching expeditions.

-Honoring the changing seasons by ritualizing the equinoxes and solstices.

Side Quest Content

The first video introduces you to another of my beloved primary decks, "The Heart of Faery Oracle," by Brian and Wendy Froud. While not a traditional 78 card deck, it does have 65 cards and it seems to cover the same universal energies and life lessons that the Fool deals with in the tarot journey.  The characters that are introduced are so special and alive, and when you use this deck, they start to feel like they are in your life.

Unfortunately, this deck is out of print, but it is possible to get a used copy (often in very good condition). The problem is the price...it is currently around $250, but if you have the means, I'm sure you will be very glad you brought these special cards into your life. 

The next three videos are all from my 2019 video series on the minor arcana and court cards. As with the major arcana series side quest content, the key difference with the 2024 video series is that I only focus on one deck, the Osho Zen Tarot, and because of this I can give more time to each of the cards. I think you can feel more of my love for Ma Deva Padma's deck, and also can see how I have created my own unique love language with this deck that I have worked with more than any other.

The last video is an excerpt from the start of the 2024 Zoom meeting that focused on Thought Forms, Spellcraft and Crystal MagicK. Since we were delving into the whole area of esoteric magic in that meeting, I decided to start by modeling an example of ceremonial MagicK that stems from the Hermetic Temple of the Golden Dawn, and I learned from the book "Modern MagicK," by Donald Michael Kraig, the Lesser Banishing Ritual.

This is a ritual meant to banish any negative energy from a protective circle around yourself, and meant to invoke the protective and loving energy of the Arc Angels, as well as any other loving beings. I include in the visualization/somatic practice the energies of the Queens and Kings of all four suits, and I think this could be a good ritual to do before a session of tarot/altar practice.

I was doing this ritual intensely when the first version of Tarot and Flow was happening in 2019, and ever since it has been so helpful for me in times of need. If you feel pulled towards learning/ practicing it, get the book and do it with great focus and intention one time. Then make the ritual your own, and change anything that doesn't work for you.