Tarot Decks Part I

This is just a few thoughts I have on beginner's first tarot decks. First find a deck that really speaks to you; this is IMPORTANT. If you don't have a connection with or like the deck, you won't use the deck and readings will probably be really off. Second get a deck based off of preferably the Rider-Waite system, created by A.E. Waite and  Pamela Colman-Smith. Sometimes referred to as the Waite-Smith Deck. This is one of the most popular decks out there and a lot creators base their images on this system. This means there should be 78 cards: 22 major arcana, 56 minor arcana split into four suits. Usually swords, wands, cups, and pentacles; there is some variation on this suits. I will mention the Thoth Deck here as well, it was designed by Aleister Crowley a contemporary of Waite, this is similar to the Rider-Waite and is possible to find good resources based on the Thoth.  Three every card should have a distinct image on it, there are pretty decks that the only illustrations are on the major arcana. If you really like them put it on a wish list get as your second deck. Having distinct images helps you to learn the meanings. Four if your deck has a book GET IT. I can not stress this enough. Most decks just come with a little white book (LWB) and that's it; which is great except for the decks where the authors wrote a book these decks still come with the LWB they are not adequate for beginners. For some the more unusual decks they are not good even for experienced readers. More on this in my reviews of the decks I currently have.  My next post will go into a little more detail on what made a good beginner deck and what mistakes I made in the beginning.

Tarot For Writers

I enjoy doing so many things that I love when they can overlap. Recently I found a great book that allows too of my passions to overlap; writing and tarot. Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner is an excellent resource for both reading tarot and using to overcome writers block. I have been doing tarot for about a year now, I have been progressing well in my ability to learn what the cards mean, but Google it and you will see the variation that is out there in meanings a well as processes. One of things I like about the book is the second half is a description of all 78 cards and their meanings. Kenner lists both the historical significance and the modern take on all the cards with at least two pages per card. If you don't believe in tarot that's fine, but if your writer I think it's worth taking a look at this book and a deck of cards. Part I is the first three chapters, they are an introduction to tarot and is good if you are a beginner. Part II is the called the The Writer's Tarot, this section offers advice on using the cards for character creation, storylines and plots, settings and description, breaking writer's block, etc. These chapters offer insight on how to use these cards as a jumping off point, and also has a lot of exercises for writers to use. I am enjoying challenging myself with this book and I hope you will too.

Why I knit

Some people say that knitting is a meditation, the new Yoga. For me it gives me something to do with my ever questing fingers. They roam and seek for something to entertain them I can be watching a movie, reading a book or talking to people. Knitting fills that need for me to have something to fidget with. I start knitting and I gain a rhythm that consumes my hands but not my complete focus so I have attention for whatever else I am working on. It soothes me and helps me to stay focused and not start counting ceiling tiles. So why do you knit or the craft that suits you?

Kindle

I got my Kindle last Fall semester to help with school, it is awesome for that. I also found that it is great way read a book while I am knitting since my biggest difficulty has always been in getting the book to lay flat. And that is problem that does not exist for e-readers. The only thing I have to do is press the next page button on the side no flipping pages, or trying to get the book to lay flat and stay open. This is my favorite bit about having an e-reader. Since I learned how to knit I have been doing it while I read, watch T.V., listen to podcasts, in Movie theaters. I have a slight problem with not being able to do one thing at time. Spending a lot of money is not necessary; there are a great availability of classics that are free from sites like: Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Kindle Popular Classics. The large major e-reader sellers all have a selection of free e-books that are promotional materials or limited time offers: Amazon limited time promotional offers, Kobo free e-books, Free Nook Books, Reader Store's free e-books (Sony's e-book store). And If you have a Kindle, amazon offers book lending for a two week period on most e-books, you can borrow and lend books at BookLending.com. Public library's are catching on to the popularity; so check with your local library to see if they are now lending e-books. I love how I only have to carry something the size of a small hard back book and I have hundreds of books with me.

Revival

This blog had gone silent for several years, I started it with the best of intentions to focus on my craft of knitting. I was able to keep up for a while until I lost focus, because I made the mistake of only focusing on one interest. Recently I have been wanting to go back to my blog, but I was hindering myself by looking at it and seeing a very different woman than who I currently am today. So, in that interest to help motivate me and provide a clean start I give the blog a overhaul and I removed the old posts. I plan to go forward and this time incorporate all of my Loves: knitting, reading, art, guitar, cooking, and maybe if I am brave enough my own short stories.