[event post_id=506]
I recently wrote about the Art of Memory on this blog, and it’s an ongoing interest of mine. Robert O’Neill has a surprisingly complicated article about Tarot and the Art of Memory on Tarot.com. I’m not sure why I didn’t come across it before. It’s worth a read.
Though O’Neill has a great collection of references, where his article really shines is in the in-depth discussion of the creation of memory images. Check it out.
The Art of Memory, or ars memoriæ, is a mnemonic technique dating from classical Greece. The technique improves upon our natural memory through discipline, planning, and visualization skills. One of its core methods involves a memory palace, in which memorized architectural details are used to store striking images that aid recall.1 The memory palace technique has been popularized in popular fiction by characters such as Hannibal Lecter and BBC’s latest Sherlock Holmes.
Let’s look at how the Art of Memory relates to the study and use of Tarot.
(more…)
I won’t discuss the technique fully here. The Wikipedia entry on the Art of Memory is a great starting point, however. ↩
Here’s a quick, three-card Tarot reading for the New Year.
(more…)
There hasn’t been very much activity on the Tarot reading front in December. Last year, it was a very slow month. This year, I focused my December efforts in other directions.
I already have events planned for 2015, though. Stay tuned for details! Thank you all for the support you showed me in 2014. Here’s a report showing how this blog did since its inception earlier this year:
Arnemancy in 2014.
[event post_id=”500″]
[event post_id=”393″]
Learn to meditate on the Tarot cards in just five minutes. The following technique is simple and effective, and you can practice it in just five minutes.
Meditating with the Tarot is one of the best methods to learn the symbolism and meanings of the cards. Tarot meditation is an essential tool for all Tarotists. With this meditation technique, you will strengthen your visualization skills, expand your imaginative abilities, and gain a deep understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Things You’ll Need
First, you will need a quiet, comfortable space and about some free time. You should be dressed comfortably, and if you’re not going to be happy about sitting on the floor, then you should get a comfortable chair or stool.
You will also need your Tarot deck. This technique works with any deck.
Getting Started
Select a card to act as the focus of your meditation. You can do this randomly, or you can pick a specific card which you’d like to study in more depth. I find this technique is excellent if there is a particular card that I have had trouble reading.
Once you have your Tarot card chosen, sit comfortably and relax your body. You can do this through deep breathing or some other method. I won’t go into too much detail on how to get started meditating. Instead, check out this handy guide.
Focus on the Card
The next step requires some work, and may take practice. Focus on the card and memorize its image. Close your eyes and picture the card in your imagination. Pay attention to color and detail. Notice every line, every shadow, and every shape.
It can help to scan the card back and forth, like you’re reading the page of a book. Take your time. It might take a few tries before you see the image of the Tarot card in your mind’s eye. Close your eyes and hold the image before you.
Identify With the Card
As you focus on your mental image of the card, notice how it makes you feel. The cards symbolize archetypal patterns that occur in all of our lives. Find a time in your life whose meaning corresponds with the feeling the image of the Tarot card evokes. That emotion and that memory will help solidify the meaning of the card in your mind.
Wrap It Up
When you’re done meditating, it’s time to bring yourself back to normal awareness. Open your eyes and take in your surroundings. Some people like to ring a small bell, clap, or stamp their feet to signal that the meditation is at an end. Some people like to have a cookie. You pick!
This meditation is incredibly helpful for learning the meaning of Tarot cards. It’s an important step in building advanced Tarot techniques, as well. You will see the best results if you practice it daily, with a different card each day.
We’re teaming up with Pairings Portland again!
Also there’s salami this time.
[event post_id=”285″]
“Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a yeoman.”
The Fool, King Lear, Act III, Scene 6
This week, we’re talking about The Fool. The deck I’m referencing is one I don’t use very often, The Haindl Tarot. I was just putting the deck away when this card slipped out.
(more…)
The Arnemancy Podcast
