For the longest time, I ignored those first impressions whenever this card came up in a reading and tried to force the “correct” meanings to fit. It never quite made sense.

Then came the reading where this card was practically screaming “Trapped! Trapped! She’s feels trapped!”

This impression was so strong that it couldn’t be ignored and I decided to run with it. It made perfect sense to the lady receiving the reading and she was stunned that such personal thoughts she kept hidden from others could be revealed through Tarot.

That particular reading was a turning point for me – a “breakthrough,” so to speak – and I fully understood why my first Tarot teacher always emphasized going with that first impression even if it does not coincide with the traditional meaning of the card. It’s all about what the card is saying to you and not what another reader says it means.

Do you have a card (or cards) that the books say means that, but you feel it means this? How do you interpret it (or them) when they appear in a reading?

2 of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 1971. Further reproduction prohibited.

Tarot d'Armour, ISBN 1578632927

So, I’m cruising through the Tarot titles of this seller’s shop when I came upon Tarot d’Amour: Find Love, Sex and Romance in the Cards by Kooch N. Daniels and Victor Daniels. Quirky title, I thought, and it’s only 75 cents. Why not? I’m a sucker for a good bargain. I placed it in my shopping cart without any high expectations for what I might find between the covers.

Holy cow, what a surprise to discover I had unshelved a true Tarot gem!

Tarot d’Armour is divided into two sections:

Part I: The Art of Reading covers solid material novice readers will find invaluable for getting started. I especially like the Daniels’ treatment of the ethics topic – it doesn’t read like a preachy lecture. It’s a common sense approach with the clients’ greater good at heart as well as sound advice to help readers avoid legal issues.

Part II: The Cards and Their Stories is where I found the real treasure.

Every card in the deck is explored for its romantic, emotional, and sexual interpretations. The Majors have an added interpretation for sexual play (why the Minor Arcana wasn’t interpreted for sexual play is beyond me). And reversed meanings are included, too! A topic I’m always delighted to see and disappointed when I do not.

The best part – the information contained on these pages is practical. That just tickles the dickens out of my Capricorn Sun.

From the backcover:

…the Empress, for example, likes to be pampered and to provide enjoyment for her companion. Think a bubble bath for two. Think slow foreplay. Think chocolate. Draw the Eight of Wands and a romantic getaway may be the thing. Hot and spicy passions burn with intensity , since Wands are the suit of “walking on the wild side.”

Published in 2003, this “quirky title” has Tarot classic written all over it.

God created Man. Man created Religion.

I took my first Tarot classes back in the late 80s at a metaphysical shop called The Alhambra Institute in Dearborn, Michigan. These classes were taught by Alexia who spoke the above quote during one of the sessions when someone mentioned Tarot reading as being against her religion (or something to that effect).

“God created Man. Man created Religion,” was Alexia’s response. In the blink of an eye, any guilt I harbored about not being a “good Baptist” evaporated.  All the doubt and reservations I had concerning the Baptist doctrine were instantly made valid. I always knew there was something amiss in those long ago Sunday School teachings, but I didn’t know why.

“God created Man. Man created Religion.”

There is such profound truth in those two little sentences and I was reminded of their impact by this recent interview with Anne Rice on why she made the decision to quit Christianity. Take a listen:

Anne Rice interview on quitting Christianity

Anne Rice’s words nicely back up that statement made by Alexia over twenty years ago.

From the Renaissance to the Disco Era

The Magician from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA.  Copyright 1971.  Further reproduction prohibited.

Housewives: At the market buying milk for the Baroque Bohemian Cats’
Baroque Bohemian Cats’: Waiting in the window for the milk to arrive
Vargo’s Gothic Tarot: Just said, “Bite me” (I make it a point not to argue with vampires.)
William’s Renaissance: At Scarborough Faire
Celtic Tarot: Blamed the DruidCraft
DruidCraft: Blamed the Celtic
Secret Forest: If they told me, they’d have to kill me
Osho Zen: Could only say, “UMMMMMMM…..”
Gilded: Would never tarnish their reputation in such a manner
Tarot of the Dead: Played dead (go figure)
Shapeshifter: Was shifting shapes
Legend:The Arthurian: Out on a Holy Grail quest
Celtic Dragon: Was hiding from Legend:The Arthurian
The Witches Tarot: At a coven gathering
Radiant Rider-Waite: Was in the dark about the whole incident
Tiny Universal Waite: Couldn’t reach that high
Universal Waite: Couldn’t Haindl it ~wink~wink~
Haindl: “HEY! Now Waite just a minute…!” ~nudge~nudge~
Tarot of the New Vision: Was looking the other way
Universal Tarot: Claimed it was a universal decision among all the above

So, I decided to do a reading about it with my most trusted reading deck, the RWS, but it said, “I’m outnumbered 20 / 1. YOU tell ME the most likely outcome.”

~~sigh~~

~Val
©2006

From an estate sale, deck is about 40 years old (I suspect more like 30), still sealed and NO trademark or copyright symbols on the box or the cards. SA-weeeeet!

And it is mine, all MINE! Mwuahahaha!

I’ve been trying to snag one of these decks for years, but always got out bid. Perseverance has finally paid off.

Yeah, ya gotta love eBay.

Rider-Waite Tarot Deck used with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT USA. Copyright 1971. Further reproduction prohibited.

In the beginning, there was the Image.

And the Image contained a message.

But the People were confused.

“What could this mean?” they asked. “We do not understand…”

And along came the Tarot Translator to decode the potentials of the Image so that the People could discover the possibilities.

And the People were in awe of the Magick revealed within their Selves.

To be continued…. when I figure out what the blazes happens next…