#Brigit Esselmont

[magiquinha]

ma'am ain't no way you put this absurd amount of ads on a BOOK

[gladstones-corner]

Glad's Book List

I wrote a post recently about my history (normally I'd link it but I don't want to be narcissistic), and realized that I've read a fair few occult books over the years. So here's the list; I'll keep updating it as I find more books in my various libraries and book stashes.

Quick note before getting into this list--not everything I've read will make it. Just the stuff I read and recommend others parse through. For example, I have intentionally omitted my studies in Kabbalah to discourage others from unintentionally appropriating.

But by "parse through", I truly mean that. My path has meandered through several schools of thought and wandered into appropriative territory at times (I constantly strive to correct any appropriation in my practice that gets brought to my attention). Maybe about 20% of each book makes it into my current path.

Eh, so it wasn't so quick of a note. Here's the list:

CEREMONIAL MAGIC 

Aleister Crowley, Book 4 

Chic and Sandra Cicero, Essential Golden Dawn 

Donald Kraig, Modern Magick 

Henry Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy 

Israel Regardie, The Golden Dawn 

Lon Milo DuQuette, Llewellyn's Complete Book of Ceremonial Magick 

Samuel Mathers, The Book of Abramelin 

Stephen Skinner and David Rankine, Key of Solomon 

CHAOS MAGIC 

Archtraitor Bluefluke, The Psychonaut Field Manual 

Jan Fries, Visual Magick 

Lon Milo DuQuette, Low Magick 

Peter Carroll, Liber Null & Psychonaut; Liber Kaos 

Phil Hine, Condensed Chaos; Prime Chaos 

Richard Metzger, Book of Lies 

Robert Wilson, Prometheus Rising 

CRYSTALS 

Cassandra Eason, The Complete Crystal Handbook 

Karen Frazier, An Introduction to Crystal Grids 

Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones 

Scott Cunningham, Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic 

Yulia van Doren, Crystals 

DIVINATION 

A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot 

Brigit Esselmont, Everyday Tarot; The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Meanings 

Chic and Sandra Cicero, Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot 

Diana Paxson, Taking Up the Runes 

Lon Milo DuQuette, Understanding Crowley's Thoth Tarot 

Melissa Cynova, Kitchen Table Tarot 

Rachel Pollack, Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom 

DREAMS 

Carl Jung, Dreams; The Red Book 

DRUIDRY 

Dana O'Driscoll, Sacred Actions 

John Greer, The Druidry Handbook; The Druid Magic Handbook 

Philip Carr-Gomm, The Druid Way 

Ross Nichols, The Book of Druidry 

HELLENISM 

David Mierzwicki, Hellenismos 

Hesiod, Theogeny 

Homer, Iliad; Odyssey 

John Opsopaus, The Oracles of Apollo 

LABRYS Community, Hellenic Polytheism 

Orpheus, The Orphic Hymns 

HERBS 

Nicholas Culpeper, Culpeper's Complete Herbal 

Scott Cunningham, Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs 

HERMETICISM 

Hermes Trismegistus, Corpus Hermeticum; The Emerald Tablet 

Three Initiates, The Kybalion 

GENERAL MAGIC 

Aleister Crowley, Magic in Theory and Practice 

Christopher Dell, The Occult, Witchcraft and Magic 

Manly Hall, Secret Teachings of All Ages 

Owen Davies, Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic 

Rock Point Publishing, Spellcraft 

Sarah Lyons, How to Study Magic 

MEDITATION 

Diana Paxson, Trance Portation 

Stephen Bodian, Meditation for Dummies 

PAGANISM 

Herman Slater, A Book of Pagan Rituals 

Margot Adler, Drawing Down the Moon 

Ronald Hutton, Triumph of the Moon 

WICCA 

Doreen Valiente, Witchcraft for Tomorrow 

Gerald Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft; Witchcraft Today 

Janet and Stewart Farrar, A Witches' Bible 

Raymond Buckland, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft; The Tree; Wicca for One 

Scott Cunningham, Wicca; Living Wicca 

Starhawk, The Spiral Dance 

Thea Sabin, Wicca for Beginners 

Thorn Mooney, Traditional Wicca 

[servantofthefates]

Why Every Beginner Should Read with the Rider-Waite

1) Countless resources are available to you.

From Eden Gray’s classic to Liz Dean’s and Brigit Esselmont’s recent takes, the best books on tarot teach the Rider-Waite system. You may still use these books to learn another deck, but many of the elements will not match. You may have to ignore some paragraphs that will not apply to your deck, and likewise, not all the symbolism in your deck can be explained by these books.

2) The images are transparent and easily embraced.

The card meanings in the Rider-Waite can be learned simply by looking at the pictures. The Fool card is about a new journey. So in the Rider-Waite, you have a young man who, through his clothing and stance, has obviously just begun. It only takes common sense to understand. That is how easy it is to learn. Artistically modern decks are beautiful. But sometimes, the simpler, the better.

3) And yet the amount of symbolism is unmatched.

The reason there is a lion in the Two of Cups is because giving your heart to somebody takes enormous bravery. The reason The Moon is frowning is because it feels confused and disturbed, as you most likely do too when you draw this card in the Present position. In other decks, the lion is usually forgotten, and The Moon has no discernible facial expression. When a symbol is discarded, depth and meaning are deducted.

4) It carries with it heritage and credibility.

Anyone can create their own deck these days. But it matters to me that the deck I am using to give people life-changing advice and predictions is made by someone who dedicated his life to studying the occult. To me, that gives my practice more weight and validity. And it is not just me. In my country, when you bring out a non-Rider-Waite deck during a reading, the client either complains right away or looks uncomfortable throughout the session.

So my advice would be to learn with the Rider-Waite, and treat it as a textbook, so to speak. Then once you find yourself almost fluent in the language of tarot, feel free to switch to whatever deck your heart is drawn to. But so you do not miss any symbolism on the way, begin with the classic anyway.

[mrs-gauche]

Hey, you know what? It's a good day to remember that

- The hashtag #TheDreadWolfRises that was first used in the 2018 teaser is most definitely a reference to Sandal's prophecy in DA2, talking about how “All magic will come back” and “everyone will be just like they were, when he rises“.

- The now official title of DA4 "Dreadwolf" is an anagram for "World/Fade". “Dread Wolf” became one word, the space between the two literally and figuratively disappearing, like the World and the Fade coming together when the Veil is gone.

- The cover of Mark Darrah's "mysterious red book" from 2016.

Which was since revealed to be (quoting the BioWare 25th anniversary book) "an internal guide for developers and publishers to summarize the vision for "Joplin" (the first code name for DA4, until that project was revised in 2017 and renamed "Morrison", the version of DA4 we're getting now), but that "still contains plenty of ideas that will appear in the next Dragon Age", showing a flaming rook and a wolf head, which is suspicious considering that a rook is a piece in a game of chess...

“Rest assured, Solas is placing his pieces on the board as we speak.” (- BioWare in their blog post announcing the official title)

...A game in which a master strategist like Solas was willing to go so far as to sacrifice his queen (*cough* Flemeth *cough*) to win the "Immortal Game", but the word “rook” can also be used in the sense of a swindler/trickster/deceiver. Though if we take the alternative term for the rook and call it a tower instead, isn't it interesting how:

- Solas' final tarot card is "The Tower", commonly interpreted to symbolize massive change, upheaval, revelation, destruction, liberation and chaos.

Let me just quote bestselling author Brigit Esselmont's interpretation of the meaning of this card here and I’ll leave it to you to guess what it could indicate for DA4, but GOD, do I get CHILLS just reading this flippin paragraph:

"Your world may come crashing down before you, in ways you could never have imagined as you realize that you have been building your life on unstable foundations – false assumptions, mistruths, illusions, blatant lies, and so on. Everything you thought to be true has turned on its head. You are now questioning what is real and what is not; what you can rely upon and what you cannot trust. This can be very confusing and disorienting, especially when your core belief systems are challenged. But over time, you will come to see that your original beliefs were built on a false understanding, and your new belief systems are more representative of reality.”

“The best way forward is to let this structure self-destruct so you can re-build and re-focus. And let’s be real – with a card like The Tower, you have no choice but to surrender to the destruction and chaos, no matter how unwanted or painful. Change on this deep level is hard, but you need to trust that life is happening FOR you, not TO you and this is all for a reason. This destruction will allow new growth to emerge and your soul can evolve."

- Promotional stuff for DA4 keeps repeating concentric circles, which is widely believed to represent the Veil itself, and appears to get more broken with every new update. (There are also seven “spheres“ surrounding it = There are seven Old Gods/seven Evanuris that were banished when Solas created the Veil. With only two of these spheres still “lit” = There have been five Blights, two Old Gods left that are still sleeping.)

Also, the new background image of the official website showing even more broken pieces resembling those in the circle, completely falling apart...

What I’m trying to say is... If that Veil isn’t coming down some way or another in this next game, I’m calling false advertising! 😂

[unmaskthemagic]

1. The Magician

Left: Fyodor Pavlov Right: Rider-Waite deck

Element: Air

Planet: Mercury

Numerology: 1 represents new beginnings and opportunities

Keywords: choices, proactive, manifestation, clear intentions, focus, powerful, resourceful

Pop culture: Saruman/Gandalf, Hermione, Tom (Parks and Rec), Mary Poppins, Tommy (Rugrats), Kaz (Six of Crows)

Symbols: The magician has one arm up and one down symbolizing their connection between the universe and the earth. They have every suit in front of them meaning they have all the tools they need to manifest their goal. Infinity represents unlimited potential. The flowers represent ideas and inspiration.

Quotes: "You can do anything as long as you have the passion, the drive, the focus, and the support." Sabrina Bryan; "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Alice Walker; My dear friend, clear your mind of can't." Samuel Johnson.

When I looked at this card, the first thing I noticed is that the magician seems stiffer than the fool. And I discovered that's because they have knowledge. They are much better prepared than the fool and they know they are powerful. They know that there may be trouble ahead and they are ready to stand strong. The magician I've learned is the beginning of a journey I'm ready for. I have all the tools I need to make that decision, take that action, start that journey. It is a call to be proactive.

As part of my study, I use the Tarot Card Meanings Workbook by Brigit Esselmont, biddytarotcard.com, brainyquotes.com (I use the card’s keywords to search for quotes that speak to me), Pinterest to look at other artistic interpretations, and Between the Worlds podcast.

[holofoiltowercard]

The Journey of The Tarot Haiku

XIX: The Sun - The bright side

You know how gratitude exercises can get you to see your life differently, where you are able to spot more beauty, more joy, more reasons to be happy and grateful? I remember when I used to slink down the streets terrified of just life and people. Nowadays, after having done so much healing work, I am able to step outside and marvel at the sky and the trees, to appreciate the details of houses, to see my fellow human beings go about and consider them friends and neighbors, even if my experiences aren't always positive. I think the more light you can become aware of and the more good you can conceive in others, the better, because it genuinely does feel amazing at the end of the day to discover just how many things I can be grateful for.

So, I dedicate today's post for things that I am grateful for regarding this project. I am grateful for

the fact that despite the computer crashes, all of it was preserved;

being able to do illustrations for it at all, because some of it was necessary, and I still love them a lot;

being a creative person who has often experienced works in process piling on top of one another as inspiration or motivation stagnated, and yet managed to finish something like this;

all the support I received from my parents and friends, some of whom also bought the book when it became available;

every person who welcomed my achievement when I made it public knowledge;

the strength and courage that carried me through the self-publishing process;

all the healing work that now allows me to stand strong and stay on this path;

the voice inside of me that said, "I want this, I deserve this, I know this is good and I want it to be the start of something new in my life" because I remember when any chance was terrifying;

the fact that even if things are in the early stages and I still have a ways to go, I have hope and little signs coming my way;

the kind words I received from strangers, including Brigit Esselmont when I sent her a dedicated copy;

the universe having my back.

And this is off the top of my head. I bet I could write more if I sat here longer, but today I drew The Empress reversed and that is telling me to rest and take care of myself, so I'll go and do that.

Buy the ebook

Buy the paperback

Buy the hardcover

[usedbooksworld]

Lumina Tarot: Let Your Intuition Guide You (Rockpool Tarot)

Lumina Tarot: Let Your Intuition Guide You (Rockpool Tarot) Contributor(s): Aletta, Lauren (Author) , Swyny, Tegan (Illustrator)

September 17, 2024

ISBN: 1922786284    EAN: 9781922786289

Access your intuitive abilities with the potent visual imagery of this beautiful deck and shine a light on your inner self.

The universe is alive and listening. When you take time to intentionally connect and play with this deck, the universe is ready to work with and through you, guiding and supporting you with the answers you've been seeking.

Lumina Tarot is a tool for you to access the places in yourself that are at times hard to reach. It's not so much a divination tool as it is a mirror, offering self-exploration, reflection and confirmation. Lumina Tarot invites you to see yourself in new ways, calling you to come back into your own knowing, where you can feel the stirrings of your soul's essence guiding you forward. Let go of your judgements and preconceived ideas and move into the waters of your natural intuitive ability. Lean into this feeling, for it is from this place that you are able to unfold your own mystery.

This isn't a tarot deck that tells you who you are; rather, it will inspire you to believe in yourself and be the hero of your own life.

Praise for Lumina Tarot

Lumina Tarot is where ancient wisdom meets modern magic' - Brigit Esselmont, founder of Biddy Tarot

Biographical Note: Lauren Aletta is a gifted psychic and spiritual science teacher who helps people strengthen and develop their perceptive abilities and internal connection to support their life journey. From childhood, Lauren had many mystical experiences and psychic impressions and in her early twenties she began to develop her perceptive powers. Soon she was in demand for readings and was able to quit her full-time job to create her business, Inner Hue. Through one-on-one sessions and courses, Lauren offers nearly 20 years of spiritual study to assist and empower others in their own spiritual and psychic development and life journey. She is the author of the Connected and Free Oracle and The Seasonal Soul: A Mystic's Guide to Inner Transformation. Lauren lives on the east coast of sunny Australia. She's a mother of three teenage children, an avid nature adventurer and a keen gardener. @innerhue www.innerhue.com

Tegan Swyny from Colour Cult feels like the luckiest person alive being paid to draw and design from the comfort of her living room. She has always loved creating things with her own two hands, so nearly every element of this deck has been hand drawn or painted, with Lauren's loving guidance and support. For Tegan, this deck is equal parts love, coffee and red wine. It was an absolute joy to create. When not illustrating, Tegan dabbles in eBooks, art prints, fabric patterns and general graphic design from her home office in sunny Brisbane, Australia.

@colour_cult

www.colourcult.com.au

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rockpool Publishing (September 17, 2024)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Cards ‏ : ‎ 184 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1922786284

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9781922786289

Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.53 x 2.1 x 6.69 inches

How to use Lumina Tarot

Lumina Tarot is a tool for you to reach the places of yourself that are at times hard to touch. It’s not so much a divination tool as it is a mirror, offering self-exploration, reflection and confirmation. Luminainvites you to see yourself in new ways, calling you to come back into your own knowing, where you can feel the stirrings of your soul’s essence guiding you forward. Let go of your judgements and preconceived ideas and move into the waters of your natural intuitive ability. Lean into this feeling, for it is from this place that you are able to unfold your own mystery.

[2dye4neisha]

Brigit Esselmont: Empowering Individuals with Tarot as a Modern Intuitive Tool

Brigit Esselmont Founder of Biddy Tarot Home Page Brigit Helps You Trust Your Intuition, Access Your Inner Power, And Bring The Divine Into Your Every Day Life, Using Tarot As A Guide.BiddyTarot “I’m on a mission to bring Tarot out of the closet  and into the mainstream, as a modern,  intuitive tool for purpose-driven people who are  ready to live life at their fullest potential.”…

[soulanddevinestartarot80]

9 Sure-Fire Ways To Select A Tarot Deck That’s Right For You

⭐️⭐️⭐️Affiliate Disclaimer: I’ll only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Whether you're a Tarot beginner or a seasoned expert, choosing a Tarot deck can be incredibly overwhelming.

There are literally hundreds of different Tarot decks to choose from, all with their own symbolism, energy, stories, mythology and artwork.

So, where do you begin? How do you sift through the vast array of choices to find your perfect Tarot deck?

Here are nine sure-fire ways to select a Tarot deck that’s perfect for you.

Biddy Tarot

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9 Sure-Fire Ways To Select A Tarot Deck That’s Right For You

By Brigit Esselmont

9 Sure-Fire Ways to Select a Tarot Deck That's Right for You

Whether you're a Tarot beginner or a seasoned expert, choosing a Tarot deck can be incredibly overwhelming.

There are literally hundreds of different Tarot decks to choose from, all with their own symbolism, energy, stories, mythology and artwork.

So, where do you begin? How do you sift through the vast array of choices to find your perfect Tarot deck?

Here are nine sure-fire ways to select a Tarot deck that’s perfect for you.

1. Look For A Personal & Intuitive Connection With The Cards

The absolute number 1 way to choose a Tarot deck is to find one that you personally and intuitively connect with.

Your best friend might rave about the Wild Unknown deck, but if every time you go to do a Tarot reading with those cards you break out in a sweat and go blank, then it's not the right deck for you.

And if your Tarot teacher swears by the Rider Waite deck, but you're totally in love with the Fairy Tarot Cards, then go with the Fairy Tarot Cards.

If you've got a new age shop or bookstore nearby, go to the store and handle all of the Tarot decks that are on display. What energy do you pick up from the deck? Is there a personal connection between you and the Tarot cards?

And if you're looking to purchase your Tarot cards online, then do a quick Google search and look through the card images to see if you've got a connection.

Go with your intuition!

2. Explore The Imagery Of Each Card

Take a good look at the Tarot cards within a specific deck. Go through them one-by-one or, if you're viewing them online, find as many images as possible via Google or even Instagram (just search for #fountaintarot, for example).

What is your first reaction to the images? Do you like the colours and patterns? Are you drawn to the images and the artwork? Are there other variations of the deck that are more appealing? For example, I much prefer the Radiant Rider Waite deck over the usual Rider Waite deck for its bright colours.

Also, can you look at the cards and start to get a sense for the meaning of each one? Look at both the Major and Minor Arcana cards. In some decks, like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Minor Arcana cards do not have the same kind of imagery and ‘story' as the Rider Waite deck, for example.

☆☆☆ It's important to view as many of the cards in the deck as possible as I've known some Tarot decks to have a handful of gorgeous cards, but the rest of the deck has not been as visually appealing.

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9 Sure-Fire Ways To Select A Tarot Deck That’s Right For You

By Brigit Esselmont

9 Sure-Fire Ways to Select a Tarot Deck That's Right for You

Whether you're a Tarot beginner or a seasoned expert, choosing a Tarot deck can be incredibly overwhelming.

There are literally hundreds of different Tarot decks to choose from, all with their own symbolism, energy, stories, mythology and artwork.

So, where do you begin? How do you sift through the vast array of choices to find your perfect Tarot deck?

Here are nine sure-fire ways to select a Tarot deck that’s perfect for you.

Affiliate Disclaimer: I’ll only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for Biddy Tarot.

1. Look For A Personal & Intuitive Connection With The Cards

The absolute number 1 way to choose a Tarot deck is to find one that you personally and intuitively connect with.

Your best friend might rave about the Wild Unknown deck, but if every time you go to do a Tarot reading with those cards you break out in a sweat and go blank, then it's not the right deck for you.

And if your Tarot teacher swears by the Rider Waite deck, but you're totally in love with the Fairy Tarot Cards, then go with the Fairy Tarot Cards.

If you've got a new age shop or bookstore nearby, go to the store and handle all of the Tarot decks that are on display. What energy do you pick up from the deck? Is there a personal connection between you and the Tarot cards?

And if you're looking to purchase your Tarot cards online, then do a quick Google search and look through the card images to see if you've got a connection.

Go with your intuition!

2. Explore The Imagery Of Each Card

Everyday Tarot DeckTake a good look at the Tarot cards within a specific deck. Go through them one-by-one or, if you're viewing them online, find as many images as possible via Google or even Instagram (just search for #fountaintarot, for example).

What is your first reaction to the images? Do you like the colours and patterns? Are you drawn to the images and the artwork? Are there other variations of the deck that are more appealing? For example, I much prefer the Radiant Rider Waite deck over the usual Rider Waite deck for its bright colours.

Also, can you look at the cards and start to get a sense for the meaning of each one? Look at both the Major and Minor Arcana cards. In some decks, like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Minor Arcana cards do not have the same kind of imagery and ‘story' as the Rider Waite deck, for example.

It's important to view as many of the cards in the deck as possible as I've known some Tarot decks to have a handful of gorgeous cards, but the rest of the deck has not been as visually appealing.

3. Consider Your Experience Level

If you're new to Tarot, you may prefer to start learning with the most popular Tarot deck, the Rider Waite deck. It's easy to understand, the imagery is straight-forward and practical and there is a huge amount of information available for this deck. Or you may prefer a deck with clear, minimalist imagery like the Everyday Tarot deck, for ease of connecting with the symbols.

On the flipside, if you are more experienced or you're looking for a new challenge, then you may choose a deck like the Thoth Tarot deck for its complexity and depth. Or a more abstract, mythical Tarot deck like the Shadowscapes Tarot.

Of course, don't be limited by thinking that if you're new to Tarot, you can only read with the Rider Waite deck. You need to also consider if you have a personal connection with the cards.

4. Decide If You Want To Go Traditional Or Modern

Are you fascinated by the old, traditional Tarot decks like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Visconti Tarot, or the Original Rider Waite Tarot deck?

Or are you drawn to the modern (and often independent) Tarot decks such as the Wild Unknown, Fountain Tarot or Starchild Tarot?

Personally, I LOVE the new Tarot decks that are emerging right now. The artwork is beautiful and the imagery is relevant for modern times. (When was the last time you saw a Knight roaming the streets?!) In fact, I love them so much that I created my own! For an insight into how a Tarot deck is created, have a listen to my podcast chat with Eleanor Grosch, who created all the beautiful artwork for the Everyday Tarot deck.

5. Check Out The Little White Book

Most Tarot decks will come with a book explaining the artwork and the Tarot card meanings. However, some decks have more information than others. And some may have no information at all!

If you prefer knowing exactly what a card means and why, then make sure you check out the Little White Book that comes with the deck to see if it gives you what you need. Or, if the accompanying book isn't enough, look online to see if there is a blog or an eBook that explains the cards in more detail.

On the other hand, you might be quite content discovering and interpreting the Tarot cards via your intuition and energetic connection, in which case, having no book might just be a blessing!

6. Find A Size That Fits

Different Tarot cards come in different sizes. You've got to choose the size that's right for you.

☆Giant Tarot cards may be great for group Tarot readings or parties. Regular Tarot cards may be better for face-to-face client readings or personal readings.

☆mini Tarot cards are perfect for fitting into your handbag for a Tarot reading on the go.

☆☆This is particularly important for when you handle and shuffle the cards. If the cards are too big or too small, they may be too clumsy for you or your clients to handle. So, before selecting a deck, handle the cards and practice shuffling them.

7. Consider How You Want To Use The Tarot Cards

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9 Sure-Fire Ways To Select A Tarot Deck That’s Right For You

By Brigit Esselmont

9 Sure-Fire Ways to Select a Tarot Deck That's Right for You

Whether you're a Tarot beginner or a seasoned expert, choosing a Tarot deck can be incredibly overwhelming.

There are literally hundreds of different Tarot decks to choose from, all with their own symbolism, energy, stories, mythology and artwork.

So, where do you begin? How do you sift through the vast array of choices to find your perfect Tarot deck?

Here are nine sure-fire ways to select a Tarot deck that’s perfect for you.

Affiliate Disclaimer: I’ll only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for Biddy Tarot.

1. Look For A Personal & Intuitive Connection With The Cards

The absolute number 1 way to choose a Tarot deck is to find one that you personally and intuitively connect with.

Your best friend might rave about the Wild Unknown deck, but if every time you go to do a Tarot reading with those cards you break out in a sweat and go blank, then it's not the right deck for you.

And if your Tarot teacher swears by the Rider Waite deck, but you're totally in love with the Fairy Tarot Cards, then go with the Fairy Tarot Cards.

If you've got a new age shop or bookstore nearby, go to the store and handle all of the Tarot decks that are on display. What energy do you pick up from the deck? Is there a personal connection between you and the Tarot cards?

And if you're looking to purchase your Tarot cards online, then do a quick Google search and look through the card images to see if you've got a connection.

Go with your intuition!

2. Explore The Imagery Of Each Card

Everyday Tarot DeckTake a good look at the Tarot cards within a specific deck. Go through them one-by-one or, if you're viewing them online, find as many images as possible via Google or even Instagram (just search for #fountaintarot, for example).

What is your first reaction to the images? Do you like the colours and patterns? Are you drawn to the images and the artwork? Are there other variations of the deck that are more appealing? For example, I much prefer the Radiant Rider Waite deck over the usual Rider Waite deck for its bright colours.

Also, can you look at the cards and start to get a sense for the meaning of each one? Look at both the Major and Minor Arcana cards. In some decks, like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Minor Arcana cards do not have the same kind of imagery and ‘story' as the Rider Waite deck, for example.

It's important to view as many of the cards in the deck as possible as I've known some Tarot decks to have a handful of gorgeous cards, but the rest of the deck has not been as visually appealing.

3. Consider Your Experience Level

If you're new to Tarot, you may prefer to start learning with the most popular Tarot deck, the Rider Waite deck. It's easy to understand, the imagery is straight-forward and practical and there is a huge amount of information available for this deck. Or you may prefer a deck with clear, minimalist imagery like the Everyday Tarot deck, for ease of connecting with the symbols.

On the flipside, if you are more experienced or you're looking for a new challenge, then you may choose a deck like the Thoth Tarot deck for its complexity and depth. Or a more abstract, mythical Tarot deck like the Shadowscapes Tarot.

Of course, don't be limited by thinking that if you're new to Tarot, you can only read with the Rider Waite deck. You need to also consider if you have a personal connection with the cards.

4. Decide If You Want To Go Traditional Or Modern

Are you fascinated by the old, traditional Tarot decks like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Visconti Tarot, or the Original Rider Waite Tarot deck?

Or are you drawn to the modern (and often independent) Tarot decks such as the Wild Unknown, Fountain Tarot or Starchild Tarot?

Personally, I LOVE the new Tarot decks that are emerging right now. The artwork is beautiful and the imagery is relevant for modern times. (When was the last time you saw a Knight roaming the streets?!) In fact, I love them so much that I created my own! For an insight into how a Tarot deck is created, have a listen to my podcast chat with Eleanor Grosch, who created all the beautiful artwork for the Everyday Tarot deck.

5. Check Out The Little White Book

Most Tarot decks will come with a book explaining the artwork and the Tarot card meanings. However, some decks have more information than others. And some may have no information at all!

If you prefer knowing exactly what a card means and why, then make sure you check out the Little White Book that comes with the deck to see if it gives you what you need. Or, if the accompanying book isn't enough, look online to see if there is a blog or an eBook that explains the cards in more detail.

On the other hand, you might be quite content discovering and interpreting the Tarot cards via your intuition and energetic connection, in which case, having no book might just be a blessing!

6. Find A Size That Fits

Different Tarot cards come in different sizes. You've got to choose the size that's right for you.

Giant Tarot cards may be great for group Tarot readings or parties. Regular Tarot cards may be better for face-to-face client readings or personal readings. And mini Tarot cards are perfect for fitting into your handbag for a Tarot reading on the go.

This is particularly important for when you handle and shuffle the cards. If the cards are too big or too small, they may be too clumsy for you or your clients to handle. So, before selecting a deck, handle the cards and practice shuffling them.

7. Consider How You Want To Use The Tarot Cards

Think about what kinds of Tarot readings you want to do and how you want to connect with your Tarot cards.

Are you trying to find peace and calm in your life? Then the Osho Zen Tarot may be the perfect deck for you.

Do you want to connect with your inner goddess? Then consider the Mythical Goddess Tarot or the Goddess Tarot decks.

Have a passion for earth-based ritual and practice? Then check out the Druid Craft Tarot Deck.

The beautiful thing is that there are so many Tarot decks from so many different backgrounds, you can find a deck that's perfect for your personal needs and desires.

And if you're professional Tarot reader, consider having a number of different Tarot decks on hand, depending on what is best suited energetically for your client and situation.

8. Check For Quality

Most Tarot cards will be of a good thickness to ensure that you can continue using them for many years.

However, there may be some cheaper reproductions that are not high quality and the cardboard may tear easily or become damaged much more quickly. Best to avoid these cheaper types if you are planning on using the Tarot cards regularly.

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9 Sure-Fire Ways To Select A Tarot Deck That’s Right For You

By Brigit Esselmont

9 Sure-Fire Ways to Select a Tarot Deck That's Right for You

Whether you're a Tarot beginner or a seasoned expert, choosing a Tarot deck can be incredibly overwhelming.

There are literally hundreds of different Tarot decks to choose from, all with their own symbolism, energy, stories, mythology and artwork.

So, where do you begin? How do you sift through the vast array of choices to find your perfect Tarot deck?

Here are nine sure-fire ways to select a Tarot deck that’s perfect for you.

Affiliate Disclaimer: I’ll only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission for Biddy Tarot.

1. Look For A Personal & Intuitive Connection With The Cards

The absolute number 1 way to choose a Tarot deck is to find one that you personally and intuitively connect with.

Your best friend might rave about the Wild Unknown deck, but if every time you go to do a Tarot reading with those cards you break out in a sweat and go blank, then it's not the right deck for you.

And if your Tarot teacher swears by the Rider Waite deck, but you're totally in love with the Fairy Tarot Cards, then go with the Fairy Tarot Cards.

If you've got a new age shop or bookstore nearby, go to the store and handle all of the Tarot decks that are on display. What energy do you pick up from the deck? Is there a personal connection between you and the Tarot cards?

And if you're looking to purchase your Tarot cards online, then do a quick Google search and look through the card images to see if you've got a connection.

Go with your intuition!

2. Explore The Imagery Of Each Card

Everyday Tarot DeckTake a good look at the Tarot cards within a specific deck. Go through them one-by-one or, if you're viewing them online, find as many images as possible via Google or even Instagram (just search for #fountaintarot, for example).

What is your first reaction to the images? Do you like the colours and patterns? Are you drawn to the images and the artwork? Are there other variations of the deck that are more appealing? For example, I much prefer the Radiant Rider Waite deck over the usual Rider Waite deck for its bright colours.

Also, can you look at the cards and start to get a sense for the meaning of each one? Look at both the Major and Minor Arcana cards. In some decks, like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Minor Arcana cards do not have the same kind of imagery and ‘story' as the Rider Waite deck, for example.

It's important to view as many of the cards in the deck as possible as I've known some Tarot decks to have a handful of gorgeous cards, but the rest of the deck has not been as visually appealing.

3. Consider Your Experience Level

If you're new to Tarot, you may prefer to start learning with the most popular Tarot deck, the Rider Waite deck. It's easy to understand, the imagery is straight-forward and practical and there is a huge amount of information available for this deck. Or you may prefer a deck with clear, minimalist imagery like the Everyday Tarot deck, for ease of connecting with the symbols.

On the flipside, if you are more experienced or you're looking for a new challenge, then you may choose a deck like the Thoth Tarot deck for its complexity and depth. Or a more abstract, mythical Tarot deck like the Shadowscapes Tarot.

Of course, don't be limited by thinking that if you're new to Tarot, you can only read with the Rider Waite deck. You need to also consider if you have a personal connection with the cards.

4. Decide If You Want To Go Traditional Or Modern

Are you fascinated by the old, traditional Tarot decks like the Tarot de Marseilles, the Visconti Tarot, or the Original Rider Waite Tarot deck?

Or are you drawn to the modern (and often independent) Tarot decks such as the Wild Unknown, Fountain Tarot or Starchild Tarot?

Personally, I LOVE the new Tarot decks that are emerging right now. The artwork is beautiful and the imagery is relevant for modern times. (When was the last time you saw a Knight roaming the streets?!) In fact, I love them so much that I created my own! For an insight into how a Tarot deck is created, have a listen to my podcast chat with Eleanor Grosch, who created all the beautiful artwork for the Everyday Tarot deck.

5. Check Out The Little White Book

Most Tarot decks will come with a book explaining the artwork and the Tarot card meanings. However, some decks have more information than others. And some may have no information at all!

If you prefer knowing exactly what a card means and why, then make sure you check out the Little White Book that comes with the deck to see if it gives you what you need. Or, if the accompanying book isn't enough, look online to see if there is a blog or an eBook that explains the cards in more detail.

On the other hand, you might be quite content discovering and interpreting the Tarot cards via your intuition and energetic connection, in which case, having no book might just be a blessing!

6. Find A Size That Fits

Different Tarot cards come in different sizes. You've got to choose the size that's right for you.

Giant Tarot cards may be great for group Tarot readings or parties. Regular Tarot cards may be better for face-to-face client readings or personal readings. And mini Tarot cards are perfect for fitting into your handbag for a Tarot reading on the go.

This is particularly important for when you handle and shuffle the cards. If the cards are too big or too small, they may be too clumsy for you or your clients to handle. So, before selecting a deck, handle the cards and practice shuffling them.

7. Consider How You Want To Use The Tarot Cards

Think about what kinds of Tarot readings you want to do and how you want to connect with your Tarot cards.

Are you trying to find peace and calm in your life? Then the Osho Zen Tarot may be the perfect deck for you.

Do you want to connect with your inner goddess? Then consider the Mythical Goddess Tarot or the Goddess Tarot decks.

Have a passion for earth-based ritual and practice? Then check out the Druid Craft Tarot Deck.

The beautiful thing is that there are so many Tarot decks from so many different backgrounds, you can find a deck that's perfect for your personal needs and desires.

And if you're professional Tarot reader, consider having a number of different Tarot decks on hand, depending on what is best suited energetically for your client and situation.

8. Check For Quality

Everyday Tarot Deck

Most Tarot cards will be of a good thickness to ensure that you can continue using them for many years.

However, there may be some cheaper reproductions that are not high quality and the cardboard may tear easily or become damaged much more quickly. Best to avoid these cheaper types if you are planning on using the Tarot cards regularly.

9. Don’t Be Afraid To Buy Your Own Tarot Cards

There's a rumor going around that Tarot cards should only ever be gifted to you and that you can't buy your own.

Well, phooey!

I would much prefer to purchase a Tarot deck that I know is a perfect fit, than wait around for someone to give me a deck that may be just totally ‘off'. So don’t be afraid to buy your own Tarot deck rather than waiting for someone to give one to you.

Of course, there's nothing to stop you from dropping a few hints at Christmas or birthday time about the decks that you love the most…

Ready To Find Your New Favorite Tarot Deck?

You'll find most Tarot decks (including my new Everyday Tarot deck) on Amazon.com right here. Or you can check out your local new age shop or bookstore to get a real feel for the deck that resonates with you.

[soulreflectiontarot]

Today’s message is about abundance. Please take what resonates and leave the rest. The cards used are from The Archangel Michael Sword of Light by Radleigh Valentine (illustrations by Echo Chernik), Everyday Tarot by Brigit Esselmont (illustrations by Eleanor Grosch), and The Soul Reflection’s Galactic Angel Oracle Cards by Nadine Swiger. . You have planted your seeds. You have “watered” your intensions (putting in the work). And now, it is the time to trust in all the hard work you have put in is coming to fruition and start believe in you! Things are manifesting at a fast rate right now! Keep your focus on where you are going and release any low vibrations attached to those things that didn’t work out in the past. Each of those things are lessons and chances to collect “good karma”. You will be cashing in the good karma coins you collected. In mythology, the chariot moves across the sky at dawn. A new light will be shining and sunnier days are coming! Trust and believe! . . . #oracletarotreadings #oraclecardsoftheday #tarotoftheday #chariot #abundance #abundancemindset #believeinyourself #herecomestgesun #sunnierdaysahead #trustinyourself #believeinyou #archangelmichaeloraclecards #swordoflightoracle #radleighvalentine #echochernik #everydaytarot #brigitesselmont #eleanorgrosch #galacticangels #galacticangeloracle #archangels #soulreflectionoraclecards #soulreflectionoracle #nadineswiger https://www.instagram.com/p/CokX9LoO4f3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[oftarotandnoodledragons]

Sixty-Three: Page of Cups (Reversed)

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. - Steve Jobs

It's the last day of September as I begin to write this, though possibly my calendar on the blog is still set to Australian time. The equinox has been and gone, and this onset of the greater night has seemed to provoke a greater application of the esoteric with me in the past: March through May in the southern hemisphere was when most of my blog posts were made in the past, and now that I'm in the northern, it seems that has also taken to the reversed season. However, it is also this time of year, regardless of season, that I've associated with being more emotional, and this increase of spirituality and emotion does play hand in hand with the Cups. But why, then, has the Page emerged Reversed?

For this question to be relevant, let me start the analysis. The Page of Cups is the third to appear so far, and just like the other two, it's templated, as will the Page of Swords be. Bunning and Thirteen implement them; arguably Bunning moreso, as she uses the same basic structure for her analysis and changes words in and out. This isn't a negative, though, as I've come to appreciate: these templates seem to be the way in to the Court Cards because they can be somewhat hard to understand otherwise.

Thirteen's templates are more discrete, and forms the basis of my analyses of the Court Cards. So, in the case of Page, it represents three things: a child or child-like person, a message, or a time/environment. Bunning, despite her brevity, focuses on the message aspect of a Page, and interprets the message to be one to act upon a suit's energies, or an Ace's promises. This is like I said for the Page of Wands, but in this case the message is to be "emotional", "intuitive", "intimate", and "loving". Thirteen is more pragmatic with his approach to the message, keeping it to the themes of the Cups: family matters, matters of the heart, intuition or creative endeavours. The last point is very much in Brigit Esselmont's views (and given that I use "Bunning" rather than "Joan", I'll try to remember her surname), with creativity being at the heart of her interpretations. She doesn't break her cards into quite as blunt elements like Bunning and Thirteen does, but even she mentions similar messages to Thirteen. The time/environment aspect really filters through much of the rest of her interpretations, though, with creativity being a focus of much of it: undertaking creative pursuits being a major part of that thread. Bunning, though, is far more broad with an interpretation of "suffuse with the spirit of love and emotion", and to "express and enjoy one's feelings"; however, Thirteen focuses purely on the love and romantic aspect, saying "puppy love and crushes". Fairchild talks about things not going as one hoped and to be open to alternatives and changes of plan — an environment perhaps relating to the volatility of water, but not exactly something that I would associate with this card. Paschkis follows the romantic bent: her page is on one knee proposing with a flowers and a Cup in their outstretched hand.

I want to go back, though, to the core message of Bunning's interpretation: to be emotional, intuitive, intimate and loving (although not necessarily all of those simultaneously), and a common, perhaps traditional, way of viewing a Court Card, and that's representing a person. So, an emotional, intuitive, intimate, loving person; but, as Thirteen cautions, this is tempered (there's that word again) by this card's "immaturity". Even Fairchild mentions "beware of childish behaviour". Bunning just glosses this over (someone with whom one's "interactions involve emotional needs, moodiness, love, intimacy and spirituality"), and Esselmont says nothing at all, which leaves Thirteen to unravel this personality. He describes an "airy-fairy" adult who isn't taken seriously, or a daydreamer that's hard to motivate with the mundane, or someone who is touched by the suffering of creatures, or who gives creative gifts to others partly out of great care of their opinion, or a great storyteller with an active imagination that could be over-active. Viewing these, I definitely see a child-like person: my own childhood. I had a very over-active imagination, I told stories, and believed in my own video-game inspired fairy tales long after others my age would have given these things up; yet, this put me in great stead for my own creative works of fanfiction through my later teen years and my early twenties. Just the other day, an old friend contacted me and showed me a vignette of something he wrote in honour of that time.

And were this card Upright, that would be my conclusion of the current energies. Like all of my cards that I've pulled since reviving the project, though, it's Reversed. So what does it mean, really? Is it something, or someone along the lines of Thirteen's immature emotional energies, of someone who brings others down with their depression, over-exposes their vulnerabilities and emotional sensitivity, throws tantrums when they don't get their way, or an adult with Peter Pan syndrome with unrealistic dreams about the future? Part of these descriptors have been modified with Esselmont's interpretations, as the Reversed aspect is where she talks about the personal aspect of the Page of Cups. That aside, while my more (very) self-critical eye would point this out and say, "yep, that's me alright", I don't feel that's necessarily grounded in reality and thus not what I feel is right. Esselmont also mentions keeping creative projects to oneself or doubting one's abilities; no, not that either.

Is there something from my Page of Cups childhood coming to the fore here that's being Blocked, then? Quite possibly, but not the whole picture. A big aspect of this card's energies that I've paid little mention to has been that of intuition, rather of being intuitive, and I think that's where it feels right. Upright, Esselmont talks about curiosity and the weirdness of following one's intuition, signified by the fish in the Cup; Reversed, it's a block to one's intuition, putting that into the light of being unable to tell if it's one's ego talking instead. That's kind of what I'm feeling at the moment. I mean, I probably could have done this blog sooner and moved on to the next card, but "what if it's The Tower" is what I was thinking, especially with Hurricane Ian passing through Florida — for sure, I would have had an even worse sense of dread were that card in my mind. So that was my ego coming into play for sure; but I feel there's more to it than that. Much of me writing this analysis has been my intellect rather than my intuition, and it's been very dry — I mean, discussing the templates, for example. Yet, this link to my childhood energy that was prompted from my writing, is also something from another Tarot reading that I followed thanks to Ediya, where she discussed dealing with feelings — emotions — from childhood of not being enough, of not being good enough. And I feel that, and that's part of the big Gordian Knot that I'm trying to untangle to move forward with my life. While I feel like I am getting somewhere with this self-examination, I feel like there's something in the way of the intuitive messages from that reading. What it is, I don't entirely know, but it's signified by this card.

Perhaps Fairchild has the last word here: amongst encouraging independence, others not understanding feelings and not letting emotions overpower, he says: "Patience wins in the end". And that's the lesson I'm going to take away from this card: to remain patient, and to not go for "the easy win".

Thus we head on to The Empress. And like the other cards of late, it's Reversed. Something tells me, my intuition perhaps, that I'm going to find some answers here.

[gladstones-corner]

Some Sources on Tarot

I like seeing the trend these days of decks coming with full-sized books instead of the LWB's they'd give you in the past. These books are invaluable because they provide a lot of context that you normally miss when strictly reading keywords.

Here's the hitch: for the RWS deck, there are countless books written by countless people about how to read it. I'm going to be honest. Most are probably passable; you could probably get by with just about any run-of-the-mill tarot book. But there are a few sources that I find indispensable.

First and foremost: the digital space. It's where most of us exist for a rather large portion of our time. Good news is that there are a plethora of sources to learn from, and many are super accessible.

I always like to recommend two places: the Labrynthos app and the Biddy Tarot website. Both are gratis, and both have beautiful versions of the RWS deck that you can purchase for in-person readings.

Labrynthos tends to favor the keyword approach. There's nothing wrong with that at all--in fact, its flashcard-like setup make for really quick learning. Plus, its journal function helps you examine trends over time.

Biddy Tarot goes into more detail, but is no less practical than Labrynthos. The website also contains a lot of resources on the process of reading tarot.

Then come the books. If you haven't read Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, I highly recommend it. It can be a little dense at times, but overall the book in incredible. Major Arcana cards get a few pages of explanation while Minor Arcana cards tend to get a single page each.

Because I'm shameless, I'm going to double-dip on a recommendation. The creator of Biddy Tarot, Brigit Esselmont, has a book called The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Meanings. It goes into more detail than her website and is a great crash-course into reading tarot generally and with specific intentions (like love or career) in mind.

I like to study Labrynthos, Seventy-Eight Degrees, and either Biddy Tarot or The Ultimate Guide at the same time. Together, they provide a good idea of the breadth of tarot.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know! I'm always on the lookout for solid tarot resources.

[spiral-nature]

Everyday Tarot, by Brigit Esselmont

Everyday Tarot, by Brigit Esselmont

Everyday Tarot: Unlock Your Inner Wisdom and Manifest Your Future, by Brigit Esselmont Running Press, 9780762492800, 216 pp., 2018

Everyday Tarot: Unlock your Inner Wisdom and Manifest your Future by Brigit Esselmont is a tarot workbook that goes beyond simply breaking down the meaning of each tarotcard. I have followed Esselmont’s blog that posts articles, spreads, advice and even a…

[kittydarlingplanets-blog]

my top ten favorite tarot decks (right now)

my top ten favorite tarot decks (right now)

There are as many tarot decks as there are tarot readers out there…..

and while these are my  favorite decks, I can honestly tell you like so many tarot readers I know…..  I have a wish list that only keeps growing! I’m not going to include the Original Rider Waite here although it is far and away my go to deck. It is the first I purchased, so it’s the one I learned with. I have filled in the…

[unmaskthemagic]

3. The Empress

Left: The Divine Feminine deck by Cocorrina Right: Rider-Waite deck

Element: Earth

Planet: Venus

Numerology: 3 represents creative harmony

Keywords: create, nurture, abundance, nature, comfort, sensual

Pop culture: Donna (Parks and Rec), Arwen (LOTR), Rose Quartz (Steven Universe), Te Fiti (Moana), Nina (Six of Crows)

Symbols: The crown with 12 stars represents the 12 natural cycles of the earth. Pomegranates on their dress symbolize fertility. The heart pillow with Venus' symbol is love, creativity, and beauty. The forest and stream represent connection with nature. Their posture and throne of cushions and blankets represent comfort and abundance.

Quotes: "We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to creat something that will." Chuck Palahniuk; "Life in abundance comes only through great love." Elbert Hubbard

I love this card. I feel a deep connection to this one and I loved studying it. When I saw the version from Cocorrina I was absolutely in love (I have a thing for long flowing hair in artwork). The effortless confidence that is in this card is beautiful. It is all about embracing your femininity, creativity, and sensuality. Even the number 3 is so sensual and feminine with its curves. And the roman numeral can be made into a downward triangle, a symbol of the earth and divine feminine. I think about the tiny, fruit gems overflowing out of a pomegranate, exploding with juice and life and nutrition. I think of feeling life-giving soil between my fingers, smelling flowers in the air, and the sun warming my skin. This card tells me to love, relax, and create.

As part of my study, I use the Tarot Card Meanings Workbook by Brigit Esselmont, biddytarotcard.com, brainyquotes.com (I use the card’s keywords to search for quotes that speak to me), Pinterest to look at other artistic interpretations, and Between the Worlds podcast.

[the-tempest-divine]

Loving my new Everyday Tarot deck!