YouTube - Balthazar's Conjure: When the cards are just plain WRONG and the magic of the significator card

I've watched this video a few minutes ago now, and I'm still sitting here shaking my head, and experiencing a profound DUH! moment.



I've never been one to use personal significators within tarot because a) it takes that card out of play - you won't get the benefit of its influence/ meaning within the spread, and b) I never saw the point. And up until now, no one has ever presented me with a good enough reason to change my mind.

But if you add magick into the mix, and its power to attract the "right" cards - now I'm listening! This puts a whole new spin on things.

(So, yeah, yet another Balthazar video. I can't help it. I just click with his ideas. #sorrynotsorry )

YouTube - Balthazar's Conjure: Accurate Predictive Tarot and How NOT to Use Tarot to Hide From Life

Bloody hell. This blog is in danger of turning into the Balthazar Channel 📺. But I love his take on tarot, and this video is another winner.



Predictive tarot is a thing. Sure, I use tarot for "spiritual counselling" as well, but when I'm fortune telling I read the cards much like I would playing cards.

If you're using a deck that you've developed a deep intuitive connection with and you find you're having trouble reining in your interpretations, try using a completely different deck for predictive readings. I'd recommend a Marseille deck, or even a bog standard RWS if you don't use one already.

You could even limit yourself to just the trumps. 😱  Keep it simple, keep it clear.

YouTube - Balthazar's Conjure: Using the Tarot for Spirit Communication

This is right up my alley! A detailed and lucid explanation of how to converse with spirit using this particular method PLUS clear guidance on how to phrase questions for Yes/No enquiries.



I have a majors only deck I bought last year that told me I shouldn't use it for ordinary readings. Perhaps it was meant for this type of spirit communication.

Maybe I should ask. 😉

Who are you?

When I was younger, a lot younger, if anyone asked me what my favourite Tarot card was, I always said The Hermit. 

In those days, I acknowledged that I was very hermit-like, and even felt a certain amount of pride in the fact, so naturally, I identified with this card.

Then something shifted. I began to feel that I shouldn’t – shouldn’t – be a hermit. That I should make more of an effort to connect with people, join in, be part of society. I told myself that it wasn’t healthy to identify so strongly with The Hermit. That it was a negative mindset that only reinforced my anti-social attitude. And so, for a very long time, I tried hard to be more outgoing, social, normal…

My favourite card became The World. Not, perhaps, for the reasons my would-be redeemers might have hoped. To me, The World is completion, perfection, the All. It’s already a step beyond the realms of social interaction.

(source: www.queenoftarot.com/tarot_cards/66)

As I’ve gotten older with a capital O, I’ve become less and less inclined to make myself be something that, interaction by interaction, was become more and more obvious I was not. 

And then, a couple of days ago I saw a Hermit card in some online forum or other, and it suddenly hit me, like smack in the face hit me, that I had made a conscious decision, all those years ago, to deny my true self. 

Bugger that.

I still love The World card, but I remember now that I am The Hermit.

Who are you?

The Seven of Spades = Five + Two (Instagram)

A post shared by Judy K (@weirdeye) on Nov 1, 2017 at 2:26am PDT

"The Seven... shows a group of five 'arrows' on one side... and two on another... an image of being stuck between the Mortal Injury of Five and the conflict of Two - it is an image of being delayed or stuck, unable to move without harm..." - pg. 25, Hands of Fate, Robin Artisson.

I read that passage and suddenly thought of Pamela's Seven of Swords. I'm not suggesting the playing card meaning relates to the RWS meaning - but it is a curious visual coincidence.

I've been thinking, and having thunk...

(This relates back to my previous post, where I began to look at why I don't read with my cards more...)

... One thing that struck me is that I love my cards. Really love them. All of them.

I love to touch them, look at them, aimlessly shuffle them. I've arranged my personal space so that I am virtually surrounded by all of them. They make me feel happy and cosy and safe. Sacred space.

They all have individual voices, and one or another calls to me from time to time. And then I want to take it from its resting place and sit with it, talk to it, look into its "eyes". Do I want to do a reading with it? Not necessarily. Sometimes my hands will pull a few cards without my conscious direction. Other times I'll just commune with its essence for a while.

I'm trying make sense of this by relating it to relationships I might have with other inanimate objects. The only thing that's similar is my connection with crystals and stones.

Sometime I'll deliberately work with a specific crystal, applying its particular energies to a situation. But very often I'll just get the seemingly random urge to put one somewhere in my space or wear one or hold one in my hand for a while. They also sit near me, and are dotted here and there on the decks I have out, not to enhance or protect them, although I'm sure they do, but simply because they called to each other.

Maybe I don't read as much as I think I "should" because my connection with cards is less about divination and more about magick. My decks are sacred objects, talismans, spiritual companions.

And I think that's where I need to start...

Repost - Andy Boroveshengra/néosfortune: The Final Word or The Heart's Spade

A lot of good pointers in this example! Be sure to read the notes as well.

The Final Word or The Heart's Spade

image source: Andy Boroveshengra, néosfortune

Andy is one of the best. He's published my favourite book on Lenormand, and his Tarot de Marseille book is coming out in October. 👍 

Thank you, ATA!

Thank you, American Tarot Association (ATA)! I won a $25 Amazon voucher* in their April e-magazine contest, and immediately set about spending it! On cards, of course. . Believe it or not, I don't actually have that many decks on my wish list. Even fewer that can be bought on Amazon. But these two were there and cheap enough that I could get them both and cover the postage. . (*They kindly sent me the equivalent Amazon UK voucher.) . Tarot des los Angeles - Fournier, Spain (with instructions in English as well, fortunately) Tarot: The Complete Kit - Dennis Fairchild (aka Tarot Nova - so cute!) #igotlucky #newdeck #newdecks #tarot #angelcards #tarotreadersofinstagram #fournier #tarotdeslosangeles #tarotnova

A post shared by Judy K (@weirdeye) on Apr 29, 2017 at 10:26am PDT

Crazy thing is, this is the second time I've won. With all the members ATA must have, I can't believe that's possible! But I'm not complaining. 😁

YouTube: How 'Nandora Tarot' uses her Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling cards

This is so cool!

A lot of people struggle to use Gypsy Witch cards because the deck combines elements of Lenormand plus additional symbols, a full set of playing cards, and Near and Far placement meanings (like the method found in the "Philippe LeNormand" instruction sheets that came with early Lennie decks). They don't know which way to jump first!

I love that Naomi has taken this "disadvantage" and created a magical method all her own.

Want to receive a spirit message through your cards?

Would you like to use your cards to receive a message from a deceased loved one or a particular spirit guide?

Assign them a significator, a card that will be their "place holder" in the deck. For example, for me, my mother always appears as the Queen of Diamonds* when using playing cards, and the Bouquet when using Lenormand.

Shuffle the deck and then thumb through it face up until you find their card. The card before (on top of) it reflects what they want to talk about or how they're feeling, and the two cards behind (below) it expand on the subject or form the message about the first card.

Need more information from them or want to ask a question? Reshuffle and repeat the process. Don't overdo it though. When you start getting jibberish is when you know you've worn them out. 😉

*Because in traditional German courts this Queen is holding a carnation, my mother's favourite flower.

Repost - The Journey Man: 5 Tips For Reading Tarot Cards

Declaring my bias up front, 1) I adore the Journey Man and 2) my method of card reading involves guides (not everyone works with guides; not everyone wants or needs to).

So, with that in mind, I bring you JM's 5 Tips For Reading Tarot Cards (or any cards), with my highest recommendation. 😊

Heads-up: Selling some decks

I've had a box of unloved tarot decks and boxed sets, as well as various oracle/fortune telling decks, sitting around taking up space for far too long now. So I've finally started listing them on eBay. I've set a few up already, timed to start a day or two apart, and I hope to keep up the process so that I can get the rest of the box-full listed over the next 2-3 weeks.

The first listing is already up and running - The Atavist Tarot Boxed Set

Coming up next are a Kenzo Psy-Chic Tarot deck (sold), 1st edition Alchemical Tarot boxed set (sold), Alchemical Tarot: Renewed deck (sold), El Tarot Universal de Waite (Spanish only) boxed set (sold|), and an Ananda Tarot boxed set.

These are not bargains. I've listed them close to the prices I've seen them listed for elsewhere. They may not actually be *selling* at those prices 😉 but I'll give it a shot. This is purely a heads-up in case you've been looking for one of these decks. I've got plenty of economical decks, and a few books, to add later on, but I thought I'd get rid of the bulkier and more valuable decks first.

You used to be able to list separate shipping costs to all the different world postal zones, but now it's UK and either Europe OR Worldwide. Choosing the World Zone 2 price for everyone wouldn't be fair. Nor would it incline the closer people to bid! So I've listed a European price and asked those outside the EU to contact me for a shipping cost if they're interested. I'll then send an invoice with the correct price at the end of the auction.

Please do not ask me to sell any of the items directly. I will only sell through eBay.

As I get more listed, I'll try to remember to make a note of them here...
Coming Soon - 
The I-Ching Tarot boxed set (sold)
I-Ching Holitzka deck (sold)
The Elemental Tarot boxed set
"Original" Rider Waite deck - Random House UK 1993 (sold)
The Black Book of Cards playing cards deck
Mosaic Dream Tarot deck
Maroon Tarot deck - original, majors only
Mystisches Kipper deck - German only

Cosmic Faery's Tarot Moon Journal 2017

I am crappy at keeping up with journaling. I start with good intentions and loads of enthusiasm, I understand and appreciate all the benefits... and then I. Just. Don't. Do it.

So I made the decision NOT to buy any more Life/ Business/ Tarot/ Shadow/ Happy Squirrel workbooks. For me, they're just a waste of money. Decided. Finished. Moving on.

Then one of Christiane of Cosmic Faery's Tarot's updates arrived in my inbox. Oh look, a new PDF journal for 2017. Not interested... but I'll just have a little peek to be polite.

Aaaaand sold.

In my defence - Tarot plus moon phases, lots of information, pages for reflection and looking forward, and a proper diary section with worksheets for each new and full moon slotted in as they occur. There's even a worksheet for the two lunar eclipses in 2017.

And, compared to many similar offerings, it's cheap! Only £5.00 (approximately $6.35 at the time of going to press).

I'm really looking forward to actually doing this next year. I've already printed out everything through January, so I can get stuck in straight after that craziness that goes on every 25 December.

And I'm shamelessly promoting the journal, too. If you'd like to get a copy, please use this affiliate link - Tarot Moon Journal 2017. Thank you.

I'd love to hear how you get on. It would help to keep me on track, too. 😁

Repost - The Queen's Sword: 7 keys to unlock the Tarot de Marseille

Excellent advice from Paul Richard on learning how to read the Tarot de Marseille, which could be applied with equal benefit to all types of cartomancy - 7 keys to unlock the Tarot de Marseille

Filling the Gap

If you've been missing my Open Readings (hey, I can dream), then you might appreciate my 2-Card Mini Reads over on Instagram. They happen much more frequently - usually four or five a week. Here's my latest offering:

Don't take it to heart. . Ground and shield. . Graven Images Oracle - Natalie Zaman, Katherine Clark Zerner-Farber Tarot - Amy Zerner, Monte Farber #dailydraw #dailycards #cardreadersofinstagram #tarotreadersofinstagram #oracle #tarot #gravenimagesoracle #zernerfarbertarot #calcite #greencalcite

A photo posted by Judy K (@weirdeye) on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:38pm PDT

Answering the "10 Questions"

A little while back, James Bulls of Left-Hand Tarot posted his “10 Questions Every Tarot Reader Must Answer”.

If you're a Tarot reader, I encourage you to ask yourself these questions… precisely because these questions are designed to be threatening to shallow egos and to force specific answers on frequently vague subjects.

Lots of readers have taken up the challenge. I will, too. 😀

1. Were you mentored, or were you self-taught?

I’m self-taught, in as much as I read loads of books. The various authors were my mentors. There certainly was no one physically available to mentor me. I began working with Tarot almost 40 years ago. That’s about 14 years before the internet went public (god, I’m old). Now I still read books, but I’m also involved in various online Tarot communities as a means of developing my skill and sharing the love.

2. Are you a psychic or a Tarot reader?

I’m a Tarot reader. We’re all of us at least a bit psychic, and I have my moments, by I’m not “A Psychic”. I do believe I get nudges from, how shall I put it? - forces outside myself. Be they spirits, guides, my ancestors, Source,… I can’t say with any certainty. But I’m grateful for their assistance.

3. Are your predictions accurate, and is accuracy important to you?

Are my predictions accurate? No, not always. I’m of the opinion that the cards are always right. I just don’t necessarily read them right. But not all of my readings would be considered predictive. The bulk of them are introspective or instructive.

Is accuracy important to me? Yes. I don’t want to mislead or be misled. But divination is a subtle art. I believe the universe gives us the messages we’re meant to receive or convey, irrespective of the ultimate “correctness” of the details.

4. Is there anything you can't predict in a reading?

I don’t know. There are lots of things I’ve never tried to predict.

5. Do you use only Tarot, or are you multi-disciplinary?

“Multi-disciplinary” sounds so pretentious. Like saying "I practice various healing modalities”. Ugh. I use other types of cards besides Tarot. I also use runes and I Ching.

6. Is the message in the cards, or in your head?

Hmm… Both. The cards, with the help of Source, present the answer in picture form, and my head, with the help of Source, interprets the picture.

7. Are you a priest or a fortune-teller?

I’m a fortune-teller.

8. Are you a fixer or a looker?

I’m a looker. I’ll give you the information I’m given. I’ll pass on advice if it’s there in the cards. But it’s up to you to fix if fixing is required.

9. Do you read for free, or for fee?

For now, I read for free.

10. Is there anything you won't predict in a reading?

If you’re asking “Are there certain questions you won’t attempt to answer?”, then yes - anything that should be diagnosed by a doctor, handled by a solicitor, etc.

If you’re asking “Is there anything you won’t disclose should you see it in a reading?”, then no - it wouldn’t be there unless I was meant to see it*. But if it is potentially disturbing/distressing, I would be very circumspect as to how I passed the message on.
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Your turn.


*Update: Since I've been studying Sibilla in earnest I've come across the notion that sometimes cards will appear that reveal very negative aspects of the person you're reading for. They're not meant for sharing - "Ah, I see you're a psychopath" - but are intended as a warning to the reader to be careful with this person.

Seduced by a Deviant Moon

I have never liked the Deviant Moon Tarot.

While I appreciated the novelty and humour of the artwork, it didn't strike me as anything I'd want to work with. I was happy to leave the deck to those readers who responded to it.

So what happens? I'm checking out cheap tarot decks on eBay (search: "tarot cards", <£8, worldwide. Warning: do not do this unless you have a very tolerant partner or you can consistently get to the postman before they do) and someone is auctioning a new Deviant Moon Borderless Edition.

Now, because of my general disinterest, I didn't even know a borderless edition had been published (2013). Mildly curious, I had a look at the images. And something clicked in my head.

I Googled up some more images and that was it - I wanted this deck. Luckily for me, the rest of the world and his dog must already have their beloved copies because there were only 3 bids and I nabbed it for £11 including postage.

The deal done, I just considered it a cheap and quirky addition to my collection.

And then it arrived. Oh. My. God. I was not expecting to love it like a long lost friend as soon as I had it in my hands. The card stock is gorgeous - warm and velvety, and just the right stiffness for the size of the cards. And the size! I love the skinniness of it. My hands are just big enough to shuffle them side on.

And, of course, the images. Maybe they seem so familiar because you can't avoid seeing them everywhere on the interwebs. But it's more than that - I feel like I know them, almost like they're family. This is what drove me to blog about the experience within minutes of opening the box. I've not had a reaction like this to a deck before. I knew I clicked with the Earth Magic Oracle before I'd even bought it because I was always drawn to sample spreads posted on Facebook and read them with ease. But I ignored the Deviant Moon ones.

Very strange, but then lots of things have been shifting for me over the past week or so. What's going on astrologically right now? Must check that out. But not before I spend some time reacquainting myself with an old friend.

I didn't fall, I jumped

I was going to say I fell off the 28 Days of Thoth wagon, but that's not true. I clung on desperately, but I wasn't enjoying the ride.













Nothing to do with the Thoth. I like it. Admittedly, it's a challenge to work with for one so used to RWS imagery, but it's refreshing.


No, the problem was the restriction. A lot of the time I just didn't want to work with Thoth, I didn't want to struggle through a 15-Card Spread, or try to comprehend the subtleties of elemental dignities.

But I'd told myself, and you dear Reader, that I wasn't going to use another tarot for the duration. I'd made a commitment. So I distracted myself with other things and simply avoided the deck. Because I intended to use the 28 questions from moonlit.tarot's June Instagram challenge as my "finishing line", I told myself it would just mean that I'd be working with the deck until I got through all the questions, however long it took.

So, I barely read with Thoth, I wasn't "allowed" to work with other tarots, and even my use of oracles was somehow tainted by the feeling that I "ought" to be using the Thoth instead.

I pretty much ended up not reading at all.

I wanted to quit, and I agonised over this. I really did. I actually journaled about my lack of motivation. Should I give in to it? Shouldn't I? What potential gains would I be throwing away? Was I being self-indulgent? Was I just plain lazy and undisciplined?











But then I thought about how I'd worked with the Tarot Balbi, not for the two weeks I'd originally, and with some trepidation, committed to, but in the end for well over a month. Not just to the exclusion of other tarots, but all my other cards. And I thoroughly enjoyed it and really bonded with the deck.

Maybe now was just not the time for me to bond with Thoth. If it was keeping me from reading, I wasn't benefitting from the attempt.

So, I jumped.

I felt immediate relief. I pulled out a few favourite decks and mucked about with them just because I could.   I've started posting daily draws on Instagram to put my "release" to good use. And I'm excitedly using a new and unusual deck I bought recently (I'll probably post about it soon).

I am still working my way through the questions, but the pressure is off. Will I ever master the 15-Card Spread and elemental dignities? I don't know. But for now, I can just enjoy reading again.

La Corte dei Tarocchi - new deck interview (Instagram)

Questions 2, 3 and 4 from Ethony's "Get To Know Me" spread. 1. What are your strengths as a tarot deck? - I am the spark of Creativity. 2. What are you here to teach me? - To reach out to others. 3. How can I connect best with you? - Let go. I love this Dancing Death, swinging his scythe and boogieing on down. :D #tarot #lacortedeitarocchi #tarotreadersofinstagram #newdeckinterview #ilmeneghello

A photo posted by Judy K (@weirdeye) on Sep 8, 2016 at 10:22am PDT

There's an interesting play within the imagery here. Imagine Death's wrap extending underneath the table and appearing as the arm holding the Wand. Birth, communion, death. Repeat...

Open Reading 14

In keeping with my undertaking to use only the Thoth Tarot for 28 days (at least), a Thoth open reading for you.

Air of Water (fog)      ---      Water (danger)      ---      Air (clarity)

 You are being selfish and treating others dismissively and unfairly. You may feel you're justified, but you're being led 

down a dangerous rabbit hole of self-deception. 

The tide will turn.

Well, that was darker than my usual offerings. I blame it on the Thoth energies.