Just as the ability to count is second nature, the simple laws applied to the elements also eventually become inherent in the mind. Learner drivers have difficulty coordinating the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals. Experienced drivers, on the other hand, find themselves having to think really hard if you ask them what gear they are driving in. In the same way, once the counting and elemental laws have become inherent, your mind will be left free to explore and interpret the combinations that appear.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK
In the first section of the book we shall discuss the Celtic Cross spread as it applies to the original sequence of cards in Catherine’s reading. We will keep the meanings of the positions as Catherine herself learned them from the Joan Bunning Tarot Course—and you might also like to apply your own meanings to the positions, if you use them differently.
The synthesis of counting, elements, and interpretation that happens within the reader’s mind is by definition impossible to replicate exactly on paper. Our first attempts at writing the book reflected this and—frankly—it soon became a mess. Structure had to be imposed, which meant separating out and describing each part of the process. When I first wrote about these techniques on my web site and in my book, Tarot and the Magus , I tended to discuss the elemental techniques first. Here, we shall start with Card Counting, then the Elemental Dignities, and finally Card Pairing. There are good arguments for starting with Elemental Dignities, but both systems are complete in themselves. It’s your mind’s ability to synthesise them that is always the key.
Card counting reveals how the cards connect to each other so that a story can be told, but we shall also add to this some extra techniques that mirror what readers often do with the Celtic Cross spread. Firstly, we shall add a significator, and then an extra card. We shall examine in depth how both cause further changes in the dynamics of the spread.
The number of permutations provided by the four elements requires some additional theory—another good reason why Card Counting is presented first. The simplest permutations concern two cards, and this is known as ‘Card Pairing’. In the normal course of a reading, pairing is usually applied after Card Counting and Elemental Dignities. We shall extend this technique to include three cards, with example interpretations from both Catherine and myself. A further technique is also introduced with the inclusion of the elemental base.
There are of course times when a reading gets ‘stuck’. One trick that helps with this and can create a breakthrough is to change the counting of the Aces. So we shall also examine what happens in Catherine’s reading when we count eleven for the Aces.
Exploring a Tarot reading in as great a depth as this creates transformations deep within the psyche. Using the techniques described in this book, you will be in a position to offer clients readings that are out of this world. Traditionally, working with the spiritual powers associated with the Tarot has been very risky, particularly when using Western magical techniques. However, working with Card Counting and Elemental Dignities results in a natural growth in spiritual awareness. The insights that Catherine gained and which are presented here are a graphic indication of this.
The collaboration on this book between Catherine and myself was conducted entirely by email. To give a flavour of our correspondence, I have included direct quotations from Catherine’s emails where appropriate.
THE CELTIC CROSS SPREAD
For the most part, the Celtic Cross Spread will work for your clients, but when the problems and answers are not so clear, or when you want to add value (i.e. increase the price of your reading) then you need to know how to upgrade the reading. Since all Tarot spreads work the same way, by placing the cards in positions, we can use the techniques for reading strings of cards with any spread, particularly if it has between ten and twenty cards.
Often when laying out cards, readers get into a routine of placing them in the usual positions. Instead, simply pick up the first card of the spread, place it on the second card, then put those two onto the third, and so on. When you have collected all the cards in the spread, fan them out onto the table. Fanning the cards out from right to left, or left to right is a matter of personal preference, but it is important to be consistent. If you are using the Rider-Waite deck, you may need more space so that you can see which card is which. In contrast, the cards of the Thoth Tarot deck are uniquely coloured, so a large overlap is possible and they can still be distinguished easily.
Here is the original spread, as emailed to me by Catherine:
1 Heart of the Matter—Eight of Cups reversed.
2 Opposing Factor—Seven of Cups.
3 Root Cause—The Sun.
4 Past—Three of Swords reversed.
5 Attitudes & Beliefs—Four of Cups.
6 Future—Knight of Pentacles.
7 You As You Are—Ten of Wands.
8 Outside Environment—Ten of Cups.
9 Hopes & Fears—Ace of Cups.
10 Outcome—Knight of Wands reversed.
The order is there, but as we read the string of cards we will not be particularly concerned with the meanings of the positions nor, for that matter, the meanings of the cards. Throughout this book divinatory meanings have a low priority.
Some people will sometimes add extra cards into a spread to provide additional clarity. They place these cards near the card that is under question, or they will at least make the connection in their mind. Other readers may choose a Significator card and place it in proximity. These extra cards can be included in a string, as long as the order is preserved. So, if a Significator has been chosen, it can be the first card. If three extra cards have been added afterwards to elucidate position four (‘The Past’ in this case), then those cards can be added to the end of the sequence, and they will be eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth.
Seeing and understanding patterns in the cards helps us relate those patterns to the life of the client. Looking at patterns among a series of failed relationships is a good example. There may be a number of patterns that can be observed in the spread, but when there are ten cards or less these patterns may not be so obvious.
Using reversed cards is a matter of personal taste. Catherine has several reversed cards in her reading. Working with the cards in strings, reversed cards are used to indicate groups of cards, not necessarily the reversal of an individual card’s meaning. Analysis using Elemental Dignities will help elucidate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the individual cards.
Pay attention to any groups of similar cards. In Catherine’s reading there are two Knights, two Tens, five Cups, two Wands, one Sword and one Pentacle; one Major card, two Court cards and seven Minor cards. Three or four of a kind have greater significance than a pair.
Everyone loves a story. We use Card Counting to bring to life the story in the spread. Card Counting helps to spot and understand underlying patterns, the invisible links between the cards and their relationship to each other. It also helps us see if situations are developing for better or worse, are stagnant, or simply going around in circles. Sometimes it is possible to infer a lot about what is going on simply by looking at the card counting patterns within a reading, without interpreting the cards at all. Whatever card we start with, there will come a point when we count onto a card that has already been counted onto. This is the point when counting stops. It is usually best practice to start with the top card first in the direction of the other cards, and then in the reverse direction. Next, it is often worth counting from Court Cards that are significant in the reading. While we can count in either direction, we never change direction in mid-count. However, there is an exception: if we land on a Court card then we can change direction, but only if we choose to—it is not mandatory.
Clients want quick, clear answers, so if the card count meanders, or is very long, then it is often better to find a more direct route. I once remember doing a reading for a woman who had trouble finding a boyfriend. When I card counted from the top card, the