Tarot: a New Approach for Beginners

By Edouard Ponist

Aleister Crowley designed “The Tarot-General Attributions” Page 268 in his book The Book of Thoth for his Thoth Tarot. “The Tree” itself can be used as well for the Rider-Waite deck successfully, enriching the reading and giving the client a snapshot of the Celtic Cross spread regarding the main concern, Card #1 in the here and now. Emphasis is placed in developing a relationship with the cards versus relying on “book descriptions”. Difficult cards are explained as well as Court Cards and how to apply them. “The Tree”, however, in Part 2 is the heart of this book applying a Celtic Cross spread which “lights up” hubs and pathways of The Tree. A reading example ties together a Celtic Cross spread with The Tree demonstrating how The Tree enriches the Celtic Cross reading. Tarot itself is explained as a serious practice which deserves respect as a divination tool.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665556866

Edouard Ponist

Ed Ponist is the author of The Cruise (under pen name Edouard Des Lauriers to honor Laurel Ponist who edited and contributed content to The Cruise) and Shemsu Hor (2021). He completed the basic course in Astrology April 28th, 2001, through the Academy of Astrology in Lansing, Michigan. Since then, Ed studied deeply the Rider-Waite Tarot deck and upon retiring as an RN began to attend Psychic Shows in Michigan as a Tarot reader. One year before Covid 19 hit Ed also conducted a class on Tarot. Ed graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in French Literature and completed the RN Course at Lansing Community College. Previously married with two children, currently married to Laurel and one stepson. Lives currently in East Lansing Michigan.

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2022 Edouard Ponist. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

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ISBN: 978-1-6655-5685-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5686-6 (e)

Published by AuthorHouse 04/13/2022

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To my supportive wife Laurel Ponist, Sara ONeil and grandchildren Finbar and Grace, Alison Seaton and grandchildren Andrew and Esme, Jack Porter, with love.

Psychic ability does not have an on and off switch

Ed Ponist

CONTENTS

Introduction

PART ONE

Chapter 1 Back to basics

Chapter 2 Difficult Cards of the Major Arcana

Chapter 3 Tarot Court Cards

Chapter 4 The Celtic Cross

Chapter 5 The Tree introduction

Chapter 6 Pairs and more

Chapter 7 A Systematic Approach to the Celtic Cross

Chapter 8 Reversed Cards

Chapter 9 The Base card and Celtic Cross

PART TWO

Chapter 1 Being Psychic

Chapter 2 The Tree

Chapter 3 The Worlds and Planes (¹⁹)

Chapter 4 Tree Integration

Chapter 5 Readings

Chapter 6 Global Reading

Chapter 7 Confidentiality

Chapter 8 Conclusion

End Notes

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INTRODUCTION

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There are many books about Tarot. Some are good, some not so good, and many contradict each other. When I first started learning about Tarot, I could not find a standard guide through which I could navigate without facing confusing and contradictory information.

This went on for many years, with, in the meantime, completing the Basic Course on Astrological Principles through the Academy of Astrology in Lansing Michigan on April 28th, 2001. Carole Ray was the administrator of this fine course.

I then started to see a connection with Tarot, still using the Rider-Waite cards. Then I discovered The Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley and Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot by Lon Milo DuQuette. Though Crowley’s deck designed by Lady Harris is slightly different from the Rider-Waite deck, both books gave me a terrific insight into Tarot I did not have before.

I continued my profound study, working with my cards, providing them a special place, giving them the respect, they deserved. I began to understand the mechanics of the cards, their inner machinery so to speak. Then I began working with the Celtic Cross spread and began doing personal readings until one day the cards started to talk to me regarding their definition which, in some cases, did not correspond to the book definition.

I got bolder and started to do readings for family and friends. My self-confidence became stronger as my knowledge continued to expand and mature.

Then I started to go to Metaphysical Psychic shows to do readings.

One thing I do urge anyone studying Tarot-It’s a lifelong study and process. I’m still consulting the Crowley and DuQuette books. And I’m still learning more, one reading at a time.

It will take you a while before you can do readings for others. Yet, I would like to share the following guide regarding Tarot:

1-Buying an artsy, complicated deck.

I use the Rider-Waite deck because of its simplicity. Having too much on a card can interfere with intuitive or psychic input. A card should flash its message quickly allowing the brain to assimilate its message instantly.

2-Being impatient.

Tarot is a practice. It’s a lifelong practice. Every time I do a reading, the cards are teaching me. It’s a practice that cannot be hurried.

3-Relying on books.

There are many books out there which adds to the confusion with new learners. There are a few good books like Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning. Joan teaches the classic Celtic Cross layout. (1). The book has excellent descriptions of each card in each position of the Celtic Cross. Her book also has excellent descriptions of each card of the Rider-Waite. However, her description of the Court Cards differs from my interpretation.

As I stated, the Crowley and DuQuette books are excellent for a deep study of Tarot. I highly recommend both.

4-Not reading the right books enough.

The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Spreads by Liz Dean is highly recommended. (2). However, I want to caution you that her Celtic Cross method is different from Joan Bunning. Also, I highly recommend focusing on one spread and learn it well before attempting others. I like the Celtic Cross because of its simplicity.

5-Realizing there is no one way when it comes to Tarot.

This is very important. A card may mean something standing alone, but placed in the context of other cards, it may mean something totally different. Tarot, like your brain, is a liquid crystal.

6-Starting with complicated spreads.

Keep your life simple when you start. I suggest the Celtic Cross, a ten-card spread. I use a base card as well, the bottom card of the deck after the cut. The base card is like a flashlight, Illuminating the spread and has an overall influence on the reading.

7-Letting Tarot dictate your life.

Tarot is not a game. Your Tarot deck needs to be respected and stored in a special place. Tarot cards are there for guidance. Don’t repeat a spread and don’t do readings every day-if abused, they may just give you a scrambled reading which does not make any sense. Don’t allow Tarot to dictate your life. Tarot is a subtle art.

8-Treat your cards with respect.

Wrap your cards in cloth, like cotton black cloth, and keep them in a bag dedicated for your cards and associated crystals. I use three decks, one for the Celtic Cross the other two to do a focused three card spread next to a card in question in the Celtic Cross. Make sure you smudge your cards with sage or frankincense regularly. Treat your cards with respect and they will, eventually, work with you. Connect with your cards by shuffling them-that will magnetize your cards over time and they will bond to you.

When you’re ready to do a reading for someone after many years of study and practice and when the cards begin to talk to you follow the following guidance:

9-Never advise a client about life changing events.

Never. You might get an intuitive feel or psychic message but never advise