June has been an exceptionally hot month, bringing raging fires to several Southwestern states. Please keep the welfare of our evacuated citizens and displaced wildlife in your personal prayers and meditations.

10% of all Fae's Tarot readings for July will be donated to the Red Cross to help bring needed supplies to those who have lost their homes.

We are featuring a Guest Author this month, Sheila Holloway. Sheila began working with Tarot cards when she was 13 years old. Her Grandmother and mother have been life-long Tarot readers. Sheila has developed her own online Tarot course. You can request information about that by e-mail: tarotcourse@TarotMail.zzn.com

Till next month, many Blessings to you,

If you are beginning a study of Tarot, the first thing you need is a deck! Most people find this to be a challenging decision. They have not yet begun study, and have difficulty choosing a pack. They think, "Without knowing something about Tarot, how can I choose a good deck?" However, all decks are "good" decks. Every Tarot deck has something to offer someone. The key to finding a deck for yourself is finding what you need from a Tarot deck.

There are hundreds of decks in print, and many more being published each year. Each creator has a personal vision of Tarot, and its symbols. As a beginning reader, your job is to decide how you view the world around you, and what your spiritual beliefs are. Since you are considering Tarot, you must already have a conception of what this tool is. Make an effort to describe this conception for yourself. What do you want to use your deck to accomplish? Are you interested in finding a spiritual direction? Do you want to use your cards for divination? Will you be reading for other people? The answers to these questions will help you decide which deck will be right for you.

Tarot decks can be divided into five categories. These are Medieval, Rider, Thoth, Conceptual, and Modern Fantasy. The Medieval Tarot decks are those with the symbolism of the earliest known decks. These are usually more difficult to use for learning. They generally do not show scenes on the Minor Arcana cards, but have the symbol of the suit instead. For example, the Five of Cups would simply show five cups. Medieval decks are usually quite good for divination (not to be confused with "fortune telling.")

The Rider-type decks are either those using the original artwork created by Arthur E. Waite and Pamela Coleman-Smith, or patterned after them. They are called "Rider" because this was the original publisher for the deck. This type of deck was the first published to show scenes on the Minor Arcana cards. They have become the modern traditional type Tarots. Most show the Major Arcana Eight as Strength and Eleven as Justice. Most symbolism has a Christian theme, or is easily understood by those of a Christian background. This type of deck is good for divination, spiritual seeking or guidance.

The Thoth type decks are quite similar to both the Medieval and Rider type decks. However, they utilize color and near abstract shape to communicate the messages of Tarot. These shapes and colors produce an emotional response in the reader. The Thoth Tarot was created by Aleister Crowley, a prominent occultist of the twentieth century, and Lady Frieda Harris. They use more arcane symbolism than the Rider or Medieval decks. The Strength and Justice cards are opposite from the Rider deck. Major Arcana Eight is Justice, and Eleven is Strength in these decks. Like the Rider decks, Thoth type decks are good for receiving spiritual direction, or divination.

The Conceptual Tarots use themes from diverse cultures or the creators? imaginations. Some are based on Native American Themes, Goddess, Celtic, or Nordic traditions. There are other themes, such as herbs, crystals or modern symbols which reflect the traditional Tarot messages. Many of these actually fall into the categories above as well as this one. This type of deck is usually best suited for personal spiritual purposes, but can also be used for divination.

Modern Fantasy Tarots have themes such as unicorns, dragons, and fairies. They may also fall into the first four categories. If you have a love for the particular theme of the deck, it may be the type you should use. This type of deck is usually best for personal use, unless the person you are reading for shares your love of this particular fantasy.

When choosing your deck, try to find a shop which allows you to handle an entire sample deck. If you do not live in an area which these shops can be found, there are many online catalogs or web sites which show examples from decks. Look at the imagery on the cards. If it is appealing, and you can get a feel for the meaning of the card from the title and illustration, then you may have found your deck. Examine as many decks as possible before settling on a particular deck. Your deck should be the one that you feel drawn to, or feel a connection with.

Hi, Susan!

The first card was a “jumper” and I have given it priority. This card is The Fool.

It appears that you will find a location that at first glance seems to be just what you are looking for. In order not to get stuck with a lemon, look beneath the obvious window dressing to the structure of the building. If it appears sound, check plumbing, wiring, heating, cooling, the cost of utilities, and the integrity of your landlord(s). Spend several days a week watching the traffic flow at different times of day. Do not take anyone’s word for it if they have any investment or interest in the building. Check it out for yourself. This building may be a single unit (like a house zoned for business) or in a small strip mall. This may be the perfect location/building for you; just be wise in checking it out. Don’t be overly impulsive.

The next card is the Six of Staffs.

A second location with possibilities may seem to have too many obstacles to overcome. I am thinking that it may not be as “pretty” a building as the first, but with additional efforts on your part this may be the right location for you. I get the impression of several buildings crowded closely together, but the other buildings are not neglected, belong to “mom & pop shops,” and bring in targeted traffic, unlike various foot traffic from a strip mall with diverse shops.

The Lovers is the final card.

With this card, it is recommended that as a last step you check out the feeling that you get when you are in or around the building. It is important that your mortal self (and your wallet) and your spiritual self are in tune, or agreement, with your location. It would not do to have your mind say that the building is affordable and in a prime location if you get the “willies” every time you get near it. If the vibrations are not good for you, they won’t be good for your customers, either. It is recommended that you take your partners with you when shopping for your building. What you may miss, another may pick up on. Oh, if you seem to argue more or have difficulty making decisions around a particular area, avoid it.

Using numerology, number 4 for The Fool, this building will be found in the southeast section of the town. Using number 6 for the Six of Staffs, this building will be found in the southwest section of town.

Susan, I hope you are enjoying the information from this reading. If you need more information, you are invited to purchase a detailed reading.

My favorite Modern Traditional:
Universal Waite Tarot Deck

An excellent value on the Thoth Deck:
Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck

A beautiful example of a new Conceptual Deck:
The Triple Goddess Tarot: Using the...

Click here for my favorite Fantasy Deck:
Tarot of a Moon Garden