Divination

Sometimes I do things, just for the fuck of it….

On Friday I walked down cardiac hill in Oakland. It was sunny. A little warmer than expected, so I didn’t wear a jacket. I felt cool and very awake; alive and very open. When I walked passed Eye of Horus, I decided to go in. I haven’t been in the seemingly bizarre magic shop in about a decade because I am not a witch, and any previous visits were for amusement. But on this day, I was ultra curious and felt motive. I turned the handle on the glass door, and moved from the sunlight into the small, dark shop. It was covered wall to wall with strange supplies on shelves and in jars.

I knew why I was there, but I only realized it at that moment. I have no intention of subscribing to any beliefs inside, but recently the historical relevance, and also the collision of imagery and ideology of something in particular caught my intrigue. And so the investigation began….

Can I help you?

Probably more than I can help myself. Do you have Tarot Cards?  

We have a lot of Tarot Cards.

Oh. Hmmm. Any Egyptian in origin?  I had no idea there were so many (as I stare at a selection of about 70!!).

Yes. Here.

Twenty five bucks later and I am on my way.

Don’t misunderstand my mind. I am not a mystic and I have never been to a psychic, and I realize Tarot originated as a game. None the less, I wanted to understand where and when the Mystical Tarot began, how the art form or practice works, and I thought it would be a fun tangent.

People often say; nothing is what it seems. This is so true! I have found that Tarot Cards are quite complex. First of all, I have 78 different cards to memorize, each of which has 4-7 words associated with it. Also, the alignment and juxtaposition of the cards can change the meaning. It is quite subjective like anything in life, and I think that it takes a very intelligent person to give an unbiased and technical reading as the cards demand.

I have only done a few formal readings, but I have learned quite a bit already. It is the psychological aspect that I like most about the cards. They cause people to become very introspective and aware. They make people think about their life situation, their choices, and who they are. I guess this was their main purpose to begin with when the occult adopted them. 

Maybe this artful and colorful deck is simply a means for feeling and communicating with what is inside of us. A bridge between the visible and the invisible. A beautiful tool for introspection!

Let me know if you want a reading. I need practice...