i love these cards Caroline... wondering if you can share how you learnt about tarot and any tips for those who'd like to dip their toes into the tarot waters
Thank you! I love this request, and yes, I'm always happy to share. I first got into tarot as a kid, after discovering my first deck at a bookstore. I've read a lot of books about it over the years, taken a few classes, as well as given plenty of readings for friends.
There are so many great tarot books out there! (And many that are not so good.) For beginners, I recommend Guided Tarot by Stefanie Caponi, which is an excellent place to start. She walks you through different card interpretations and spreads while encouraging you to develop your own style of practice. To go a bit deeper, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack is a classic, and my very favorite book on tarot.
One of the best ways I've found to get acquainted with tarot, and to help strengthen your own relationship with the cards, is to choose one card every day. Don't worry about the "meaning," at first, just prop it up somewhere and see what you notice whenever you catch sight of it. What symbols or details or colors stand out to you? What impressions do you get? Then, if you want to research different interpretations at the end of the day, go ahead, and see if they mirror your intuition.
When it comes to choosing a deck to learn on, I wrote about that in a comment on this newsletter:
At risk of sounding like a fangirl hopped up on hyperbole, I am simply compelled to write and say you are the coolest (of warm writers)! I so enjoy your observations and find myself reflecting on your words throughout the week; you knit words and ideas together so beautifully, Caroline. Bewitching possessions, warm Anna, gusto-blessed Gus … I can’t imagine what’s next but I’m delighting in the anticipation. I’ve blogged for years (often sporadically - gah) so appreciate that it’s a big commitment and sometimes may feel without reward. Just wanted you to know you and your words are appreciated! Thank you.
Thank you so much for this lovely message. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, or how well-timed it was. It means everything knowing my words are seen and appreciated, especially in these strange and often isolating times. I have no idea what's next (ha) but I'm excited knowing you'll be there to share it. Thank you.
Thank you for your writing, I'm finding so much connection. This essay strikes just the right note for me. I've been asking myself "What do I want to move towards?" Right now all I've got is just keep swimming.
Thank you, Cynthia. I'm so glad you're here and that these words resonated with you. Lately I'm just swimming, too. Hoping some combination of the current and the horizon will help inspire a direction.
What would we do without theatre and all the characters we meet in that amazing world? Love the card this week. It's all about rest. To "quote" Zoolander..."Sleep is so hot right now." xxx
LOVED the essay! The subject matter and SO MANY GREAT LINES!! Not the least of which the photo caption, "But Gus is a mindset. And we are all Gus." Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on folly and writing about them so eloquently.
The contemplation of this card is what I needed this evening. I’m in the midst of a physical healing journey that hit a roadbump this week that I could see as a setback. Or acknowledge it as part of the bigger process I can’t fully see from where I currently stand. I’m so grateful to have an extended weekend to process and tend to what my body needs from me. I’m still here. I’m still moving forward
Gah! Now I wanna know what Gus would’ve had in his sarcophagi! SO interesting about the medieval knights. All the astrologers and intuitives putting out energy forecasts for the year ahead, I’m like please don’t tell me, I don’t want to know what’s coming😂—I guess there’s malaise in the marathon.
I'm with you — I don't want to know what's next! Because then I'll start anticipating instead of living, and that takes so much of the fun out of it. (Not to mention if they're wrong!)
I totally agree - musical theatre is such a balm, especially pantomime in all its wonderful ridiculousness. Thank you for this writing, as eloquent and inspiring as ever.
i love these cards Caroline... wondering if you can share how you learnt about tarot and any tips for those who'd like to dip their toes into the tarot waters
Thank you! I love this request, and yes, I'm always happy to share. I first got into tarot as a kid, after discovering my first deck at a bookstore. I've read a lot of books about it over the years, taken a few classes, as well as given plenty of readings for friends.
There are so many great tarot books out there! (And many that are not so good.) For beginners, I recommend Guided Tarot by Stefanie Caponi, which is an excellent place to start. She walks you through different card interpretations and spreads while encouraging you to develop your own style of practice. To go a bit deeper, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack is a classic, and my very favorite book on tarot.
One of the best ways I've found to get acquainted with tarot, and to help strengthen your own relationship with the cards, is to choose one card every day. Don't worry about the "meaning," at first, just prop it up somewhere and see what you notice whenever you catch sight of it. What symbols or details or colors stand out to you? What impressions do you get? Then, if you want to research different interpretations at the end of the day, go ahead, and see if they mirror your intuition.
When it comes to choosing a deck to learn on, I wrote about that in a comment on this newsletter:
https://carolinecala.substack.com/p/know-your-troll/comments
Let me know if you have any other questions! I also plan to write more about this topic in the future. :)
At risk of sounding like a fangirl hopped up on hyperbole, I am simply compelled to write and say you are the coolest (of warm writers)! I so enjoy your observations and find myself reflecting on your words throughout the week; you knit words and ideas together so beautifully, Caroline. Bewitching possessions, warm Anna, gusto-blessed Gus … I can’t imagine what’s next but I’m delighting in the anticipation. I’ve blogged for years (often sporadically - gah) so appreciate that it’s a big commitment and sometimes may feel without reward. Just wanted you to know you and your words are appreciated! Thank you.
Until Sunday …
Thank you so much for this lovely message. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, or how well-timed it was. It means everything knowing my words are seen and appreciated, especially in these strange and often isolating times. I have no idea what's next (ha) but I'm excited knowing you'll be there to share it. Thank you.
Thank you for your writing, I'm finding so much connection. This essay strikes just the right note for me. I've been asking myself "What do I want to move towards?" Right now all I've got is just keep swimming.
Thank you, Cynthia. I'm so glad you're here and that these words resonated with you. Lately I'm just swimming, too. Hoping some combination of the current and the horizon will help inspire a direction.
What would we do without theatre and all the characters we meet in that amazing world? Love the card this week. It's all about rest. To "quote" Zoolander..."Sleep is so hot right now." xxx
Hahaha. Sleep is the hottest! When you can track it down. xx
It's so VIP, you need special access for sure. LOL.
LOVED the essay! The subject matter and SO MANY GREAT LINES!! Not the least of which the photo caption, "But Gus is a mindset. And we are all Gus." Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on folly and writing about them so eloquently.
THANK YOU for this very kind comment. I really appreciate it.
The contemplation of this card is what I needed this evening. I’m in the midst of a physical healing journey that hit a roadbump this week that I could see as a setback. Or acknowledge it as part of the bigger process I can’t fully see from where I currently stand. I’m so grateful to have an extended weekend to process and tend to what my body needs from me. I’m still here. I’m still moving forward
I'm so glad it resonated. Wishing you a restorative rest of your weekend and all the best as you heal.
Gah! Now I wanna know what Gus would’ve had in his sarcophagi! SO interesting about the medieval knights. All the astrologers and intuitives putting out energy forecasts for the year ahead, I’m like please don’t tell me, I don’t want to know what’s coming😂—I guess there’s malaise in the marathon.
I'm with you — I don't want to know what's next! Because then I'll start anticipating instead of living, and that takes so much of the fun out of it. (Not to mention if they're wrong!)
I totally agree - musical theatre is such a balm, especially pantomime in all its wonderful ridiculousness. Thank you for this writing, as eloquent and inspiring as ever.
Thank you, Jacey ❤️