What is a blog without a blurb about the author? I hope my beliefs and personality are evident in my writing, but here is a brief story of me as related to why I have this blog.
My first interest was reading and studying the tarot. I’m not sure when I first came across the tarot, but it was in the early 90s that I discovered the spirit of the tarot and got commercially published decks. (I have a handmade deck that I might have produced earlier than this.) This time period was a bit of an occult “boom” and I was always at the local New Age shop and chain big-bookstore, looking for books, decks and information. Always hungry for knowledge, I approached tarot from diverse sources, although my biggest influences at the time came from and The Golden Dawn related literature.
Shortly before starting this blog, I was experiencing tarot burnout. This is a phenomena that others have experienced. Part of it was that I approached tarot too rigorously and shut out some of its spirit and mystery in the process. I believe we need to keep some of that mystery in the tarot, rather than break it down and believe we can ferret out all of its secrets.
I took a break from the tarot at this point, and discovered Lenormand cards (the βPetitβ or 36 card deck) and playing cards. The Lenormand are a European oracle deck that is attributed to the famous French fortune-teller, Mlle. Lenormand. It is a symbolic deck, so these cards are read based on the associations triggered by the symbol that appears on each card. There are different general meanings associated to the symbols according to the nationality and tradition one learns from. Although I’ve worked with what I call the traditional/German approach, I mostly tend to utilize the streamlined methodology developed by Sylvie Steinbach. (Which allows for much easier typing of readings to share online, I might add!)
Playing cards were fascinating to me because they are traditionally stark. You get a white card with big, bold suit symbols without ornamentation. There is something enjoyable about reading these without outside influence from the artwork. (Assuming the use of a standard deck and not, say, transformation cards.) This is also the roots of cartomancy that influenced the original tarot readers, at least judging from older works that I’ve read. Every playing card reader that I’ve studied gave me something to take away. My favorites are Leo Martello, Cicely Kent and Sepharial. Notables along my path are Ophiel and Chita St. Lawrence.
I worked with these oracles and tried some others. Gradually I came back to tarot. I truly enjoy working with cards; doing and thinking about oracles and divination is spiritually satisfying to me. I’m always looking to explore approaches and to refine my style, and I am driven to push the boundaries of what cards can do. That is one of the reasons I have adopted the tagline “Cartomantic Detective” for my blog: I want to know what else can be found out there. Or within.
I do have interests outside of cartomancy. A random sampling at the moment is technology, videogames, hypnosis, reading (voraciously), origami, music and pilates. Some roles I play are romantic partner, home owner, pet caretaker, computer professional, artistic guy, good listener, lover of animals and creative thinker.
When I started this blog, I wasn’t sure what kinds of people or subjects I would be doing readings about that I would share on my blog. So let me state the requisite legal disclaimer is that my readings are presented for entertainment only. I’m not a lawyer, accountant nor doctor. Every person is responsible for his own decisions and for choosing how to live her life.
My general beliefs and reading style should be somewhat evident through the posts in my blog. I believe that a card reading can provide guidance and forecast probable outcomes. Cards — inanimate pieces of processed trees, no matter how much we enliven them in our imaginations — should not be making decisions for anybody. They can be a great help in making decisions but the subject of a reading needs to stay in the driver’s seat.
Please leave comments if you find my blog helpful or interesting. Also let me know if you’d like to see me write about any particular topics.Thanks for dropping by!
15 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 27, 2009 at 10:13 pm
tarotelements
Hey it’s good to see you here Jason π
I look forward to reading more of your work and ideas with cards other than Tarot. I have a post ‘in progress’ that concerns playing cards, so it will be interesting to exchange ideas and thoughts with you on that subject.
Can’t wait π
Warm wishes,
Catherine
tarotelements.com
July 27, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Jason
Thanks for stopping by Catherine, I’m glad to see you! Your blog is one of those that inspired me to start my own. I hope you’ll stick around to see how it evolves.
I’m excited to hear what you have to say about playing cards. π
July 29, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Catherine
Well that’s the nicest compliment you could give about my blog, so I shall accept it graciously π
I will be dropping by to see how you’re getting on – it can get very addictive and very time consuming this blogging, so be careful it doesn’t take over your life too π
The playing card post is going to be part of a series (I think), definitions and then a reading(s). I found a cool piece of info ages ago about reading playing cards that I lost…. and I’m on the hunt for it again… I’ll keep you posted (no pun intended) on how I’m faring.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts,
Warm wishes,
Catherine
August 24, 2009 at 6:26 am
phoenixoracle
Hi Jason,
I wanted to pop in and say Hi. I like your blog, I’m sure your card journey will be a great experience, learning so many new things along the way.
Phoenix
August 28, 2009 at 3:05 pm
spiritsong
Hi Jason!
Please accept my apologies for taking so long to stop by π¦ Life has kept me away from writing and reading blogs more than I would have liked.
You’re off to a great start here! I’m going to make myself a cup of tea and do some catch up reading:)
I also want to put a link up to your blog from my two-
I look forward to engaging with you on one of my favorite topics!
hugs,
Spirity (Spiritsong)
November 6, 2009 at 11:02 pm
AJ
Hi Jason. I’m really curious about the lenormand after discovering your blog. I saw this mystical lenormand in a nearby bookstore and they have a reading copy. It looks very interesting. I shuffled those cards and asked why should I learn the lenormand… and I got 36 – The Cross. I looked up the meaning in the LWB and it talks about destiny being tested… I wonder what that means…
February 18, 2011 at 11:22 am
Saturness
Hey Jason, I reeally liked your updated “About me”! It’s was interesting to read about your journey as a reader, and find there are many thing in common with my own! I too started with tarot, experienced a big tarot burnout and this inspired me to start learning other oracles. =]
Ah, I must tell you – I am *loving* Pilates! Thank you for your recommendation, I think it was the kind of exercise I needed!
Thanks for sharing your story!
April 14, 2012 at 12:05 am
Madame Seaqueen
Great Post! It’ always nice when a fellow Cartomancer & Blogger shares his feelings and thoughts. We should all meet one day somewhere and have a glass of fine wine (or beverage of your choice) while chatting about our favourite topic – CARDS! I’m in…how about you. Hugs. Seaqueen
April 19, 2012 at 7:05 am
Jason
A chat over wine sounds good to me!
October 23, 2012 at 9:40 am
susan
Thanx. For page. I own the lanormand cards. Blue owl. .I have donne my own tarot since I was 15. It holds a deep fasination for me. I have been psychic. All my life. It as its ups and downs. Trouble is I start relying on my instincts on people and I tust only a few lol. X
February 17, 2013 at 9:37 am
Karine
Hello Jason!!
Love your blog, because I have got a bearing direction with it. Do not write
English as it is not my language. I promise to be attentive to their jobs.
thank you.
Karine
September 1, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Arthur Sloane Poblete
I’m a card reader myself. My fascination and interest started when I stumbled upon a deck of cards partly designed by Neil Gaiman. It started there, although up until now I am still learning to get to know each card well. I’ve also experienced the burnout you mentioned, I stopped reading for months, but now I am back.
September 2, 2013 at 10:05 am
Jason
Well, welcome back Arthur, and thanks for saying hello! What deck was Neil involved with? It rings a vague bell.
September 4, 2013 at 5:08 am
star-tarot.com
Great to be here, looking forward to reading your posts from now on. I love your account of your relationship with the cards.
X
Elise
April 17, 2017 at 5:40 am
nicoleh7
It’s nice to meet you, Jason π
I love your blog. I’m always pleased when I see you’ve updated! I started to explore Lenormand back in 2014. Life got in the way and I put the cards down in order to focus on other aspects of my life. Discovering your blog has inspired me to pick up my cards again! I’m looking forward to future posts.
Best of luck,
Nicole (also known as, venusinthefifth)
Venusinthefifth2.wordpress.com