Valentine’s Day – The Lovers

The Lovers

Note: This post was written for Pamela Steele’s “Steele Wizard Tarot” Facebook Group. 

Valentine’s Day is here, and we are looking at the card of the Lover’s. On the surface, one might automatically think romantic love, and certainly that is a part of this card. In the archetype of the Lovers we find gentleness and harmony, a union of male and female. We need to remember that this union can be with another individual, or it can be the union of our own male and female energies.

The Lovers is about making important choices … not just romantic choices, but choices in all areas of our life. The process here is an intuitive one, as opposed to a logical one, and the choices are generally of a dualistic nature.

When functioning well, the Lovers speaks of peace and harmony, of choices made that support the Seeker on their path. The Seeker is able to operate from a loving place, and make responsible decisions.

However, when the Lovers card is not functioning well, the Seeker could be indecisive, conflicted, and prone to not being able to trust. This is not a good time for making choices, as they will tend to be irresponsible ones.

With the Lovers, we can be looking at how we live our outer life, and whether or not our outer life is in conflict with our inner life. What mask(s) are we presenting to the world? What mask(s) are we presenting to ourselves?

On this Valentine’s Day, we want to look at the bond we have with ourselves before we look at any bonds we may have with another.

Questions that we may want to look at include:

• How free do I feel?
• Is there a sense of balance in my life?
• How comfortable am I with making decisions?
• How do I feel about my relationships (romantic, work, family, friends)?
• Do I feel empowered in my relationships?
• How well am I communicating?

Affirmation for this Valentine’s Day:

I accept love into my life unconditionally.

Image from the Steele Wizard Tarot (Pamela Steele, 2011).

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.

 

Come Hell Or HIgh Water – Part 2: Rising

Come Hell Or High Water

Part 2: Rising

Author: Stephen Morris

Independently Published

2012

ISBN #978-0-9847731-3-8

“Part 2: Rising” is the second book in a paranormal trilogy by Stephen Morris. In Part 1: Well Spring, we met Magdalena, a secretary at Charles University in Prague. Through a strange set of circumstances she ends up helping Fen’ka, a wise woman who was lynched by a mob for witchcraft in  1356. With her dying breath Fen’ka cursed the city and its people. In searching for help for Fen’ka, Magdalena brings two very dangerous people to Prague: Elizabeth, a beautiful Irish mythologist who is in actuality the Dearg-due (an Irish vampire figure that does not have to play by the same rules as the vampires that we all know and love!), and George. a New York based Jesuit priest who is also head of a coven. What Magdalena does not realize is that George and Elizabeth are set on destroying the city of Prague!

Amazing things happen in this book! Magdalena takes something of a back seat, while her best friend, Victoria, begins to work with a group of professors at the conference that Charles University is hosting on folklore, myths, and monsters. The two groups – Victoria and her professor allies, and Magdalena, Elizabeth, and George – face off against each other to find the four magical tools that protect Prague (a Chalice, Sword, Staff, and Pentacle).

Morris does an excellent job of presenting Prague, its people and its mythology. He also does a nice job with presenting actual ritual, and with using the energy of the Tarot in some of his chapter titles. (My one little issue here is the presentation of the Tarot Court Cards. While they are a part of the Minor Arcana, they are the people cards, and should be honored as such.)

The story line and characters are very well presented. I am looking forward to reading Part 3!

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.

 

Review – Come Hell or High Water Part 1: Well Spring

Come Hell Or High Water

Part 1: Well Spring

Author: Stephen Morris
Independently Published
2012
ISBN #978-0-9847731-2-1

“Come Hell Or High Water” is a trilogy that blends medieval Eastern European history with Tarot and the occult in a very believable manner. Stephen Morris is just the man to write this book – he has degrees in medieval history and theology from Yale University and St. Vladimr’s Orthodox Theological Academy, and has previously written on Late Antiquity and Byzantine church life.

While I am not necessarily a fan of occult/paranormal writing, I was interested in the Tarot and occult background in this book, as well as the setting … Prague in the 1356 and 2002. Those of us in the Tarot world have seen facets of Prague, thanks to the fact that this lovely city is home to Baba Studios, creators of some of the best Tarot decks and books that I have ever seen.

This is a book that you just do not want to put down! It is all about the past, and how the energy from the past lives on in the present. It begins with a flashback to 1356, where we see mob mentality at its best. Fen’ka, a wise woman who lives in isolation at the edge of town, is dragged into the Old Town Square, accused of witchcraft, and burned at the stake. She doesn’t go easily …  as she is burning, she brings down a curse on the town and its inhabitants.

From there, we are brought back to current times – 2002 in New York City. Magdalena, a young woman who works at a boring job with the University of Prague, is visiting the city. She is drawn to the signs for Tarot readings, and finally walks into a storefront to get a reading. The reader, an older woman, gives her a three card reading, showing the past (why she came to visit New York City), the present (what she hope to get from her trip), and the future (what she is looking for). Magdalena is warned that she will be offered help, but that the help may come at a price that is too great.

Back in Prague she discovers the ghost of Fen’ka, and agrees to help her get justice. Before this Magdalena and her friends have read the Tarot amongst themselves. But really don’t have a good understanding of it, or of other metaphysical/occult matters. As she delves deeper and deeper into the occult, Magdalena meets the spirit of Madame de Thebes, a fortuneteller that was murdered by the Nazis. In order to communicate with Madame Thebes, Magdalena has to break a spell that the Nazis placed on her. Under the bridge where she met the ghost of Madam Thebes Magdalena is told that she will need the help of Flauros and Halphas in getting justice for Fen’ka.

At the same time, in her 9-5 world Magdalena is given the opportunity to manage a set of conferences that her university is hosting on “Evil and Human Wickedness” and “Monsters and the Monstrous – Legends of Enduring Evil”. Little does she know that this is where she will meet the manifestations of Flauros and Halphas!

The chapters move between the 1300’s and 2002, exploring the legends of medieval Prague as well as modern day Prague. The characters are quite in depth, showing the cultural mores of the time, the social levels, the influence of the church and the guilds, and much more. What is presented is believable … at times very scary, but also very believable! Several of the chapters are named after Tarot cards, and accurately carry the energy of that card into the story.

This is a well researched book, from the point of view of medieval history, the Tarot itself, occult practices, the church, and the psyche behind what motivates people to act as they do. As we move deeper into the story, we realize that part of this is about Magdalena, and her search for power (and what price she is willing to pay for it).

The plot is well presented, up until the reincarnations of Flauros and Halphas present themselves to Magdalana. I still liked the storyline, but found it  not as well presented, and possibly less plausible. However, I still recommend this book to those interested in the Tarot,Prague, medieval history, and just a good story in general.

I am looking forward to reading the next two books in this series! A evil force has been unleashed, and I want to see what it is going to do!

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.

 

Review – A Guide To Tarot and Relationships

A Guide To Tarot and Relationships

Author: Andrea K. Molina
Artist: Dolores Fitchie
Schiffer Publishing
2012
ISBN #978-0-7643-4232-5

“A Guide To Tarot and Relationships” is a very well thought out book, illustrated with imagery from Dolores Fitchie’s “Gorgon Tarot”. Together, they make a very positive statement about what Tarot can do when readings are focused. In this case … the focus is on relationship. The imagery in the Tarot allows the reader to focus on and identify key issues within the relationship, and what energy is there as a “help”. Through the cards, the reader is able to see developing patterns within relationship, and use them to explore and find answers.

Several spreads are presented at the beginning of the book, including a five card Soulmate Spread, a two card Ratio 1:1 Spread, and a one card Timing Spread, with sample interpretations.

There are tips presented for choosing deck. Reading the Tarot, and preparing for readings. Molina also presents basic information on the seven chakra’s, the numbers one to ten, and the elemental associations for the four suits.

The cards are divided into Major Arcane, the Seasonal Arcane (The Aces), the Pips (numbers Two through Ten), the Royalty Cards (the Kings and Queens), the Court of the Knights, and the Court of the Pages.

Each card is presented with a black and white image from the “Gorgon Tarot”, a key phrase, the associated planet, the planet’s ruler, the associated chakra, and the location of the chakra. This is followed by a discussion of the card, its Metaphorical meaning, its General meaning,

A Questions Statement, an Affirmation, and a suggested time frame for the card.

Note: The “Questions Statement: is meant to help identify questions, and form relevant answers.

From the book, for The Fool:

Key Phrase: The Unknown Journey
Planet: Uranus
Ruled by Aquarius: Fixed, I Know
1st Chakra: The Base – Wanting, color red
Location: 4^th sacral vertebrae
Metaphorical:

This relationship is like traveling to a new country where you’ve not been before, and never experiencing the actions and the events that took place to get to the new location. Faith and excitement lead to a path of new experiences.

General Meaning For the Fool: 

• Unexpected events, stable and secure time to make a move in career or relationship.

Question Statement:

What’s one thing that brings you fear in your relationship?

Affirmation:

Self-awareness allows me to pay attention to the details of my emotions and behavior.

Time Frame:

1 week, 22 days, January 21 through February 18

This book gives the reader a place to start with relationship readings, and shows how the general information about the card can be focused on a specific area and situation. This book would be relevant for beginners as well as seasoned Tarot readers.

My one quibble with this book is the coloring on the back cover – older eyes cannot read that small red print set against black!

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.
 

 

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2013 – Tarot Tour of Northern Italy

My friend, Tarotist and artist Arnell Ando, along with her husband, Michael McAteer,  will be leading a 14 day Tarot and History Tour to Northern Italy this fall (September 26th through October 10th), Inspired by the late Brian Williams the tour will include the following:

* A private viewing of the original Visconti-Sforza Tarot cards at the Accademia Carrara.

*  Traveling around Milan to see Tarocchi frescos depicting Tarot’s early emergence in Renaissance Italy.

* Viewing an ancient astrological clock (ca 1583), and the Dance of the Dead fresco.

* A truly memora ble visit to Osvaldo Menegazzi’s magical Tarot shop il Meneghello.

* A visit to the Visconti/Sforza castle.

* A visit to Milan;s grand Gothis Cathedral and the famous Plaza Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. (Arnell is also whispering something about a cool Milanese esoteric shop!)

* Visits to the frescos of Palazzo Schifanola. and the amazing artowrks of the Duomo museum of Ferrata.

* Basilica di St, Pedronio (which has art with early Tarot symbolism).

* An ancient Isis temple with ties to Jerusalem.

* A 500 year olf Madonna mummy.

* The Amazing Museo del Tarocchi (created by tour guide Morena Poltronieri!).

* The ultimate Tarot destination – tghe Tarot Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle!

* A special garden party at the Tarot museum hosted by Morena Poltronieri!

* Visits to the cities of Siena and Florence.

I will bring you more exact information (such as where to sign up!) as Arnell puts it up! What a tour this is going to be! The tour will include all hotel accommodations, all breakfasts, transportation within Italy (private tour bus),  scheduled events and tour fees, and all but two dinners.

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.

 

Reading For 2013

This is a spread that I developed for Pamela Steele’s Tarot Deck Creator’s Group. We were asked to contribute a spread for New Year’s, if we wished to, and to use the theme “Release and Attraction”.  We are going to be reading with each other’s spreads, but I wanted to try out my own spread! So, here we go, using Pamela’s “Steele Wizard Tarot”.

 Release and Attraction

1.         What shadows am I carrying over from 2012? Eight of Cups

2.         What do I need to know about these shadows?  Ace of Swords

3.         How can I merge these shadows into my being? The High Priestess

4.         What challenges are waiting for me in 2013? Knight of Swords

5.         What opportunities are waiting for me in 2013? Queen of Pentacles

6.         What strengths will allow me to make the best of my opportunities? The Lovers

7.         What is my vision for 2013? The Star

8.         What do I need to know about this vision? The Emperor

9.         How does this vision support my path? Transition

9     7     6

 6     5     4

 3      2     1

Images copyright Pamela Steele, the “Steele Wizard Tarot”, 2006.

© 2000 – 2013 Bonnie Cehovet

All material on this site is copyright by Bonnie Cehovet, and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission.

 

Review – The Osho Zen Tarot

Osho Zen Tarot

Author: Ma Deva Padma
Artist: Ma Deva Padma
Osho International Foundation
1994
ISBN 0-312-11733-7

Suits: Fire (Wands), Water (Cups), Clouds (Swords), Rainbows (Pentacles)

Court Cards: King, Queen, Knight, Page

The addition of the Osho Zen Tarot to my collection was a turning point for me. Before this I had used decks interchangably – the Osho Zen deck came to be one that I used in readings for myself and others where the question/issue was of a much more spiritual origin. The LWB (little white booklet) puts the focus of the deck on mirroring the awareness of the individual to his situation, to the current moment, rather than looking for the prediction of future events.The cards came into my life in a very round-about way. I recommended the deck as a gift for someone else to give my sister. I showed so much interest in the cards that the same person gifted me with them! At first I pulled a card-a-day, as a way of getting to know them. Then I joined an on-line tarot list that chose a card a week, with each list member presenting their interpretation of that card from two different decks. I chose to use the Osho Zen as one of my two decks. At the same time, I had the chance to do short readings for a couple of members on the list.

I used the Osho Zen and Morgan Greer decks “in tandem,” employing a spread from the Osho Zen LWB.

The spread that I used is called “The Paradox.” After shuffling the cards thoroughly, the deck is split into three piles. One pile is chosen to read from. The top card is read as the here/now, the bottom card is read as a past-life influence. A random card from the same pile is read as insight into the “paradox.” It has been my experience that much knowledge can be gained from this small spread! The connection between all things in life is shown, as well as the “way out” (the “paradox” card).

I recommend this deck as part of the backbone of any readers’ collection, or as a starting point for someone going into tarot as a self-learning experience.

(c) December 2012 Bonnie Cehovet