The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery

Edition 8 Winter 2012

This edition's theme is based on

the card called Strength.

Over the last few months I’ve been drawing

upon the qualities of the Strength card; I’ve used

commitment and quiet determination to prepare my book Real Tarot for the printed market.

It’s been a challenging experience because

I’ve had to learn all about Amazon’s requirements for book layout and design. I’ve encountered the marvels

of mirrored margins, the specifics of styles and

sections, the awfulness of alternating headers, and the chaos of creating a colourful cover. It’s not for the

faint-hearted, but it was very satisfying to see the end

result.

Real Tarot was initially only going to be released as an e-book, but I recently discovered the

Print On Demand option offered by Amazon. It made

book printing affordable, and increased the possibility of a wider audience for this book.

As I write this section of the newsletter a

proof copy of the book is being printed. After I approve the layout and design in its physical form, I’ll

give the go-ahead for the printing presses to start

rolling!

A few days ago I attended the Tarot Guild’s monthly meeting. The organiser, Martha Adams,

prepared an interesting topic for discussion (small

spreads) and gave us an opportunity to dissect a reading and do interpretations for each other as well.

These meetings are now being held at a new venue

and at a time that will suit most people. See page five

for all the details. Tarot gatherings like these help us to tap into

the qualities of the Strength card. On a cold winter

evening it’s so easy to brush off the thought of driving across the suburbs to meet with other Tarot readers.

But if you draw upon your inner resources of fortitude

and determination, then you can easily make that extra effort to attend, and you’ll be rewarded with new

knowledge, and you’ll probably get a free Tarot

reading as well!

Tarot blessings,

Page 1 - Editorial

Page 2 - Strength & Affirmations

Page 3 - Insights from Tarot Gurus

Page 4 - Historical Interpretations

Page 5 - Workshops & Events

Page 6 - Difficult Cards

www.MisterTarot.com

Strength & Affirmations

Edition 8 Winter 2012

Tarot cards are not just for seeing what the future may bring. That’s a passive way of working with Tarot.

The active method is to use Tarot to create your future!

Do you desire to be more intelligent, healthier, more confident, or wealthier? Whether you realise it or not,

you probably aim for these qualities every day. Most of us

strive to improve our lives and make personal and spiritual

progress. Along with affirmations, your Tarot cards can help you to achieve greater success in all of these areas.

Affirmations are one of the best ways to restructure

your life and gain momentum for self-improvement. They create positive images in the mind, which produces

encouraging feelings in the body. Because of Tarot’s

archetypal imagery and their system of corresponding

symbols, it has become a wonderful tool that gives extra power to personal affirmations.

Here’s how you can use Tarot cards to create

affirmations. Hold the Tarot deck in your hands and fan them out. Make sure the pictures are facing away from you,

so you don’t consciously know what you are choosing. In

your mind, hold the following thought, ‘This card will form the affirmation I need today.’ Choose a card and have a

look at it. Now interpret this card as an affirmation. For

example, if the card called Strength comes up, perhaps use

wording such as, ‘I am strong in body, mind, and spirit!’ Always phrase your wording positively, and keep it

in the present tense. It’s much better to say something like,

‘I am wealthy,’ rather than, ‘I don’t want to be poor anymore.’ By using words of a positive nature, you are

focusing on what you want and you are reinforcing this

concept in your mind. Negative phrasing only helps you to hold on to thoughts and images of those things you want to

release from your life.

Keep your affirmations short and to the point.

Repeat this affirmation at least twenty times consecutively, and do this at least five times during the day. Say it out

loud, or to yourself while showering, or while walking to

work, or while waiting for the traffic lights to change. You’ll find plenty of opportunities if you look for them.

Like muscle building for the mind, repetition reinforces the

idea in your subconscious mind, which then accepts these

ideas as facts. Even though you may not

believe some of these affirmations at

first, eventually they will help you to focus on the attitude you are trying to

generate, and this will be reflected in

the improving circumstances of your life. Use your imagination, be creative,

and have fun.

Of course, you can also consciously choose a Tarot card to match an affirmation you want to use. For

example, if you know that you need more inner strength

to fight the demons of sugar craving while you are on a diet, then find the Strength card and look at it while

repeating your affirmations.

Here are some affirmations that are

appropriate for the Strength card...

Whenever I need it, something always comes

along to provide the inner strength I need.

I can summon up the inner strength and

determination to keep going forward.

I patiently persevere and resolve conflict.

I use my courage and strength to take new

risks.

I overcome challenges with grace.

I accomplish difficult tasks with ease.

I am strong and safe and always feel

protected.

I am always connected with the strength of

the Universe.

I am responsible for my life and I always

maintain the strength and power I need to

be positive and have a joyful life.

While looking at the Strength card, summon

thoughts of how your vitality or instinctive animal nature

can be transformed into inner power that will unleash your potential to the world. Speak your affirmation out

loud; say it with intensity. Maybe chant your affirmation

with a single tone or a melody. Hear it echoing through your mind and vibrating your body to its core.

And remember to visualise your affirmation with

all of the reality your imagination can muster. See

yourself already having achieved your goal. Connect with the feeling of reaching this level of success. Affirmations

work when your imagined accomplishment is so visibly

and emotionally charged that your subconscious mind is motivated to act on your vision, and the universe then

responds with manifestation.

The Strength card is just one of many Tarot cards that can be used as a visual motivator to enhance

affirmations. Many other cards, especially those from the

Major Arcana, are suitable too. Use Tarot cards in

conjunction with affirmations to build a better life. Draw upon their energies to lift your life into the awesomeness

that you deserve.

Edition 8 Winter 2012

Insights from Tarot Gurus

“In readings the card of Strength indicates the ability to face life, and particularly some difficult problem or time of change, with hope and eagerness. It shows a person strong from within, experiencing life passionately yet peacefully, without being controlled or carried away by those passions.”

- from “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom” by Rachel Pollack

“A woman soothes a lion using her mental courage, while the lion displays the emotional courage required to trust her. The spiritual meaning of this card is: you have the necessary inner strength to face life’s obstacles now, and current circumstances offer you the chance to prove yourself.”

- from “Tarot Masterclass” By Paul Fenton-Smith

“Alchemically the woman is white, the higher feminine aspect of the soul, and the lion is red, the lower aspect. She gently, but firmly closes the lion’s mouth. The higher aspect controls the physical strength, but this is accomplished through love, not force. This is shown by the lion licking the woman’s hand and by the chain of roses that connects them. This card represents self-mastery through love.”

- from The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination, by Robert M. Place

Tarosophy UK Tarot Conference

September 22 & 23, 2012

This year, in a series of integrated workshops, you

will learn how to develop your Tarot reading using antique Tarot such as the Marseilles and the

Lenormand decks.

Special guests: Barbara Moore, Mary K Greer,

Marcus Katz, Enrique Enriquez

This conference is ideal for beginners wishing to

find the best information on Tarot, and great for

experienced readers seeking development. You will get to see rare Tarot decks and materials from

private collections rarely available to public eyes!

Email enquiries@tarotprofessionals.com.

__________________________________

UK Tarot Conference October 12 & 13, 2012

Key speaker from the USA: Rachel Pollack.

Also, Juliet Shaman-Burke, Alfred Douglas, Cilla

Conway & Tiffany Crosara

__________________________________

TarotCon 2012 Dallas, October 20th-21st 2012

Are you ready to see the future of Tarot and

discover its most ancient mysteries? Tarosophy

TarotCon 2012 brings Tarot-Town to life around you, with the leading speakers, authors and teachers

of Tarot.

Special guests are: Barbara Moore,

Bob O’ Neill, Mary K. Greer, Robert M. Place,

and Marcus Katz.

For those who love Tarot, live Tarot and breathe Tarot. You’ll be taken on a journey into the very

heart of the divine practice of divination. You’ll

meet mysteries and wonders at every turn, and learn as you have fun in supportive company.

With a social network in Tarot-Town itself, the

virtual and real worlds will collide in an incredible

living mystery.

Global Spiritual Studies

Learning experiences to nourish your soul.

www.globalspiritualstudies.com

Historical Interpretations of

Strength Pratesi’s Cartomancer (1750): Violence. Christian (1870): In the divine world, the Principle of all strength, spiritual or material; in the intellectual world moral Force; in the physical world organic Force. Mathers (1888): Strength, or fortitude. Power, might, force. Golden Dawn (1886-96): Daughter of the Flaming Sword, Leader of the Lion. Courage, strength, power not arrested in the act of judgment, but passing on to further action, sometimes obstinacy. Grand Orient (1889): Vitality, tenacity of things, high endurance. Waite (1910): Power, success, energy, action, magnanimity, and honours.

Edition 8 Winter 2012

Tarot Trivia

Q: Apart from Strength,

which other Tarot card

features the eternity symbol,

which is also known as

a lemniscate?

The answer is at the end of this newsletter.

What Is True Strength? Surely true strength is strength of character; physical strength is fleeting. Even strongest person becomes weaker with age. In contests of strength, there’s always going to be another contestant coming along the next year or the next decade that will do better. Whereas, inner strength—a mixture of courage and conviction—will endure. Those who display an act of courage—those who stand up to the system—those who stand against injustice—will be talked about long after their act of courage has taken place. There are many ways to display your true strength. It can be through acts of kindness; you can be forgiving to those who have wronged you; and of course you can choose to be non-judgemental towards others. This shows strength of character and a peaceful spirit. What about showing vulnerability? Is that a strength, or an admission of weakness? Pema Chodren, a Buddhist nun, suggests...

“The Buddha taught that flexibility and openness bring strength and that running

from groundlessness weakens us and brings pain. But do we understand that

becoming familiar with the running away is the key? Openness doesn’t come from

resisting our fears but from getting to know them well.”

To be vulnerable is to be real to yourself and others, and this is the underlying essence of true strength.

Tarot Gatherings

New Venue!

The Tarot Guild of Australia is sponsoring workshops in Adelaide. They are held on the last Tuesday of each month and are

run by Martha Adams, a Professional member of the Tarot Guild.

Meet like-minded enthusiasts to share, practice and discuss your favourite

spreads, decks and authors. You don't need to be a Tarot expert—all are

welcome!

For more information on each monthly event, please contact Martha on 0403 276 319 or

email: tga.sa.tarotgroup@gmail.com

New Venue: The Fountain Inn (in the ‘nook’ of the pool room)

142 Glen Osmond Road, Parkside.

The booking is under Tarot Guild Group. Start time is 7 p.m.

For a state-by-state listing of monthly Tarot gatherings around Australia, see the website

of the Tarot Guild Of Australia: www.tarotguild.org.au

Learn how to combine Tarot and Palmistry in an innovative, five week

course, held once a week at Hahndorf, South Australia. Only $190

Email Trevor: witchabilia@hotmail.com

Edition 8 Winter 2012

Tarot Made Simple a workshop with Don McLeod

Sunday 16th September from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Held at Cosmic Pages Bookshop 338 - 340 King William Street, Adelaide

How Tarot Works Demystifying Tarot Basic Tarot Spreads

Learn Easy Interpretations Practical & Spiritual Uses

By the end of this workshop you will feel comfortable using Tarot cards and you will have a basic

understanding of their meanings.

Only $65

Requirements: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck Bookings essential: Phone 8231 9105

The Tarot Journey Continues...

If you have already attended a

“Tarot Made Simple” workshop, or if you feel you already have a grasp of the basic concepts of

Tarot, come with me and...

Explore more key concepts

of Tarot interpretation.

Continue your Tarot Journey

with an “advanced” class at Cosmic Pages on 26th August.

Only $65 Requirements: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

Bookings essential: Phone 8231 9105

Difficult Cards

5 of Pentacles

This card has an obvious meaning (a lack of money)

but it also has a more subtle meaning attached to it. Being a card of the Pentacles suit, the interpretation is

naturally going to lean towards finances—and because of the

apparent destitute state of the main characters, we are going to see this card as being about a scarcity of funds. However, the

stained glass window in the background provides a clue to

another aspect of this card. It points to a sense of spiritual poverty, as well as being poor in the normal sense of the word.

There is hope for these beggars. When they stop

ignoring the call of a more of a spiritual life, they will be able

to rise above their circumstances and make a better life for

themselves in the physical world.

If you no longer wish to receive this

newsletter, simply send an email to:

MisterTarot@yahoo.com.au

with the word ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject area.

Copyright on all articles in this newsletter belong

to Don McLeod unless specifically stated otherwise.

wwww.MisterTarot.com

www.TarotSecretsBook.com www.MisterTarot.blogspot.com/

Edition 8 Winter 2012

“Nothing is so strong as

gentleness, and nothing is so

gentle as true strength.”

- Ralph Sockman

Tarot Trivia Answer:

Q: Which other cards show the eternity symbol

- also known as a lemniscate?

A: The World (red ribbons)

and The Magician