"Be thy Mind opened to the Higher,
be thy Heart a Center of Light,
Be thy Body a Temple of the Rose Cross."

The Golden Dawn system of magic is not a religion, although religious imagery and spiritual concepts play an important role in its work. The Golden Dawn was designed by its founders to be an Hermetic Society dedicated to the philosophical, spiritual, and psychic evolution of humanity. It was also designed to be a school and a repository of knowledge, where students learned the principles of occult science and the various elements of western philosophy and magic. Tolerance for all religious beliefs was stressed, and symbolism used within the G:.D:. came from a variety of religious sources. Today, people from many diverse religious paths consider themselves practicing Golden Dawn magicians--including Neopagans, Gnostics, Jews, and Christians. The Golden Dawn system of magic is designed to teach its students both abstract esoteric concepts as well as the more practical applications of ceremonial magic. Egyptian, Judeo-Christian, Greek, Gnostic, Rosicrucian, and Masonic elements can all be found within the teachings of the G:.D:. The curriculum includes the study of Qabalah, astrology, divination, inner alchemy, Egyptian magic, skrying, and Enochian magic. This website is not intended to be a vehicle for the recruitment of those individuals who are seeking initiation in a Golden Dawn Order or temple, but rather as a resource for all students and practitioners of the Western Esoteric Tradition. Periodic updates include articles by various authorities in the larger esoteric community, and expanded versions of articles already posted.

Click the banner below to visit the site,

Chakra Spread

1. Root Chakra:
Indicates what areas of in life are affecting our sense of security. How we relate to family members.
How our survival instincts surface when under pressure. How we relate to the physical world and what materialistic issues we are presently working on.

2. Sacral Chakra:
Issues that are affecting emotional well being. Sex life and what lessons we need to learn concerning our sexuality. The relationship we have with those who bring out our strong emotiona; and sexual feelings.

3. Solar plexus Chakra:
Issues affecting our ability to stay centred. Shows what circumstances we need to be aware of which have the potential to affect our life. The relationship we have with those who have an impact on our lifestyle & livelihood.

4. Heart Chakra:
The ability to give and receive love. The capacity to trust and what areas we need to show empathy. What lessons we must encounter in learning to love unconditionally.

5. Throat Chakra
the ability to communicate. What areas we ned to listen carefully to, as well as convey our true message when speaking or writing.. our relationship with those who stimulate our ability to communicate.

6. Brow Chakra;
Indicates what areas of life we need to take a closer look at. Are we seeing things clearly as they really are. What areas we can use our imagination to expand our creativity.

7. Crown Chakra:
How our spirituality is developing and what obstacles are keeping us from fully connecting to our Higher Selves.

source, aeclectic.net

Tarot Reading Side Effects

Tarot reading has it side effects on the body if you do not properly ground yourself. I myself when doing to many reading will often find myself feeling warmer than normal, My eyes my get a little red looking and I get drained of my energy. Other than that I am just fine. There are some tips to help you from feeling much of these side effects.

You may want to meditate or pray before doing a reading. Pray and ask God to protect your activity. Visualize alight light around me that will protect me and keep me away from illness. Another form you can try is to imagine roots growing out from the lower back of your spine digging to the center of the earth. You may want to wear crystals. I think quartz crystal is good for absorbing negative energy, also drinking
plenty of water while doing multiple readings is another good Idea. Taking breaks is important so you don’t get over tired.

If you are only doing one or two readings it is not so important to grounding yourself because the readings my not take up to much time and energy. But that’s for you to decide. It is also important for me to stress the fact that if you do get any of these symptoms stop reading and take time to rest. Also that it is ok to get the symptoms; there is nothing “evil” causing it as some may want you to think. When you are reading tarot it does take energy from your Body, Mind and Spirit to make the connection to the divine that for long periods of time it makes us feel sick because it is something we are not use to.

source, tarotcafe.blogspot.com

Problems That Tarot Reading Can Analyzed

What kind of problems that I can analyzed with my Tarot card method?

Career
Financial
Business (what kind of business that match for you, negotiations)
SWOT Analysis
Investment Analysis
Decision Making
Career Relationship

Family Matters
Personal Relationship (boy / girlfriend, friendship, partner)
Dream Interpretation

Physic & Mental Health

Thoth Deck

The Thoth Tarot is a divinatory tarot deck painted by Lady Frieda Harris according to instructions from Aleister Crowley. Crowley referred to this deck as The Book of Thoth, and also wrote a book of that title intended for use with the deck.

Crowley originally intended the Thoth deck to be a six-month project aimed at updating the traditional pictorial symbolism, perhaps best demonstrated by the Rider-Waite-Smith deck; however, it was to span five years, between 1938 and 1943, as the scope of the project grew ever wider. Crowley and Harris were meticulous in their work; Harris painted some cards as many as eight times. The current printing of the deck actually includes two alternate illustrations of The Magus, each making use of markedly different style and symbols. Unfortunately, neither Harris nor Crowley lived to see the deck published; a follower of Crowley undertook the work of publication in 1969. This initial printing was of markedly inferior quality, and in 1977 Harris' paintings were rephotographed for a second edition; the current edition is based on a further update that took place in 1986.

The illustrations of the Thoth deck are rich in symbolism, based upon Crowley's stated desire to incorporate symbols from many disparate disciplines, including science and philosophy, as well as to draw on his extensive knowledge of various occult system (as described in detail in his Book of Thoth). For example, The Hanged Man and The Moon draw from Egyptian mythology, and the Princess of Disks holds a disk bearing the Taijitu. The pip cards in the four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Disks) depict their objects in carefully-crafted positions; for example, the Four of Swords (which Crowley named "truce") shows four swords with their points toward the center of an imaginary square, suggesting a possibly tense peace. The card illustrations are uniformly stark and vividly illustrated throughout.

Differences from Rider Waite Tarot
Order and names of trumps. Crowley renamed several of the trumps, and also re-arranged the astrological and Hebrew alphabet correspondences of some cards, in accordance with his earlier book, Liber AL vel Legis: All these old letters of my Book are alright; but צ is not the Star. (AL I:57)

Rider-Waite card Thoth equivalent
I: The Magician, I: The Magus
II: The High Priestess, II: The Priestess
VIII: Strength, XI: Lust
XI: Justice, VIII: Adjustment
X: Wheel of Fortune, X: Fortune
XIV: Temperance, XIV: Art
XX: Judgement, XX: The Æon
XXI: The World, XXI: The Universe

source, wikipedia

Rider Waite Deck

The Rider-Waite tarot deck is the most popular Tarot deck in use today in the English-speaking world (the Tarot de Marseille being the most popular deck in the Latin countries).[citation needed] Over the years it has also been known as the Rider-Waite-Smith, Waite-Smith, Waite-Colman Smith or simply the Rider deck.

The images were drawn by artist Pamela Colman Smith, to the instructions of academic and mystic A. E. Waite, and published by the Rider Company. While the images are deceptively simple, almost child-like, the details and backgrounds hold a wealth of symbolism. The subjects remain close to the earliest decks, but usually have added details. Significantly, Waite had the Christian imagery of older tarot decks' cards toned down—the "Pope" card became the "Hierophant," the "Popess" became the "High Priestess." The minor arcana are also, like the earlier Sola Busca Tarot, fully illustrated with designs created by Pamela Colman Smith. The chief aesthetic objection to this deck is the crude printing of colours in the original: several decks, such as the Universal Waite deck, simply copy the Smith line drawings, but with more sophisticated coloring.

The cards were originally published in December 1909, and the symbols used were influenced by the 19th century magician and occultist Eliphas Levi. In 1910, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite was published, providing an overview of the traditions and history behind the cards, criticism of various interpretations, and extensive descriptions of their symbols, along with 78 black and white plates of each card in the deck.

U.S. Games currently claims copyright on the cards, although the actual copyright may only be valid on certain colorized versions of the card. While others argue that it is in the public domain in the US because they were created prior to 1923, the US Games claim may be valid because the derived version of the cards was not in the public domain when US Games created their copyright. [1]

The Rider-Waite tarot deck has been extremely influential in the development of later divinatory tarot decks to the extent that many are called 'Rider-Waite clones' to indicate that they are easily read by those familiar with Rider-Waite.[citation needed] Examples of Rider-Waite clones include, to varying degrees, the popular decks: Universal Waite tarot deck, Golden Tarot, Aquarian tarot deck, Nigel Jackson Tarot, Gilded Tarot, Golden Rider, and many more. This deck has also influenced the terminology used by English speaking tarot users such that English translations of traditional French or Italian decks often use the nomenclature of the Rider Waite deck although the traditional decks often pre-date the Rider Waite by great number of years.

source, wikipedia

3 Card Spread

What the Spread Reveals This is a very simple yet useful spread, that can have a wide range of meanings assigned to each of the three positions. Two of these are presented here for your consideration. They include the top row of titles, which introduces a problem or decision focused approach, "Context - Focus - Outcome" and the bottom titles which introduce a timeline approach, of "Past - Present - Future." To begin this spread, shuffle the cards carefully, spread them out in a long line in front of you, then allow your Higher Self to draw three cards from the deck. Each step should be done carefully and with calm focus.

Problem Solving or Decision Making Approach This spread will help you to learn to apply the tarot to figure out how to approach a problem or decision. This is easiest when you let your ego and conscious mind relax, and allow your Higher Self to speak to you through the cards you draw.

Left Card. The Context - This card reflects a general overview of the Querant's present situation.
Center Card. The Focus - This card reflects a new set of circumstances that are about to act upon the Querant, the forces that drive these may be positive or negative depending on the card and whether it is upright or inverse. This card is the general problem or the decision to be made.
Right Card. The Outcome - This card reflects the effect of the second focus card. It shows the outcome that comes with the new circumstances; the results of the problem solving and/or decision-making.


Timeline Approach This spread will help you to learn to apply the tarot to help you to explore the forces that are influencing the Querant, by looking at the past, present and future energy around them.

Left Card. The Past - This card shows the Querant's past experiences, the ones that cast a light on the current situation.
Center Card. The Present - This card reveals what the Querant is feeling and experiencing at the moment.
Right Card. The Future - The card predicts the result of the course of action that the Querant will take, based on the first two cards.
source, bellaonline.com

Celtic Cross Spread

The Celtic Cross is probably the oldest and most popular pattern for reading the tarot. It has survived so long because the layout of the cards is simple, but powerful. A strong energy has built up around this spread due to its use by so many people over the years.

You can think of the Celtic Cross as divided into two sections: the Circle/Cross (six cards) on the left, and the Staff (four cards) on the right. (See diagram above.) The Circle/Cross simulates the Celtic cross found throughout Ireland. This cross has a circle linking the four perpendicular spokes. The circle and cross symbolize the joining of spirit and matter and the unity of all events in time.

The feminine energy of the circular section works in unison with the masculine energy of the Staff section. These two parts of the Celtic Cross mirror the dual nature of manifested reality - the polarities that abound in the human psyche.

The Circle/Cross section is made up of two crosses - a central one (two cards) nested within a larger cross (six cards). The smaller cross represents the heart of the matter - what is most central to you at the time of the reading. It is the hub around which the wheel of your life is turning.

The larger cross consists of two lines that overlay the mini cross. The horizontal line (H) shows time moving from your past on the left into your future on the right. The vertical line (V) is your consciousness moving from your unconscious on the bottom to your conscious mind on the top. Together these six cards give you a snapshot of your inner and outer environment at the time of a reading.

The cards of the Staff section comment on your life and lie outside of the immediate situation. Here, your Inner Guide helps you understand what is shown in the Circle/Cross section. You receive guidance about yourself and others, your life lessons and your future direction.

There are a number of versions of the Celtic Cross. The differences are usually in cards 3-4-5-6. I use a circular placement to emphasize how the unconscious and the past (Cards 3 and 4) lead to the conscious and future (Cards 5 and 6). I have also added some meanings to Card 9. This position traditionally means "hopes and fears," but I also use it as a lesson or guidance card. It is always possible to adapt a spread to your own needs as long as you decide on any changes before you do a reading.

Interpretation,
1. heart of the matter, central issue, major concern, basic worry or upset, primary focus, focus point, fundamental problem

2. opposing factor, "that which is crossing you" - traditional, contrary element, source of resistance, balancing tendency, moderating influence, rival or subversive agent

3. root cause, source of the problem, basis of the situation, why things are as they are, childhood or, past life (karmic) influence, reason behind events, starting point

4. something related to the past, quality, person, belief, event, opportunity, orientation, concern, hope, fear

5. attitudes and beliefs, what you accept as true, assumptions, convictions, how you view what is, happening, delusions or illusions, where you are placing your trust

6. something related to the future, quality, person, belief, event, opportunity, orientation, concern, hope, fear

7. you as you are, personal style, your temperament or disposition, your approach to the problem, your unique orientation, your point of view, your way of being, your position or stance

8. outside environment, "that which surrounds you" - traditional, atmosphere
emotional climate, physical and social milieu, setting for the situation, playing field, context in which you must operate

9. guidance, what you might do, how best to proceed, how you can make a change, word of warning, truth of the matter, different approach, helpful suggestion, honest assessment

10. outcome (overall), the most likely result, what may come to pass, how the situation may be resolved, where everything is leading, probable resolution

source, learntarot.com

History

Playing cards first entered Europe in the late 14th century with the Mamelukes of Persia, with suits very similar to the basic 'Latin' suits of Swords, Staves, Cups and Coins (also known as disks, and pentacles), which are still used in traditional Italian, Spanish and Portuguese decks. Although there are quite a number of alternative theories on the origin of Tarot, current evidence seems to indicate that the first decks were created between 1410 and 1430 in either Milan, Ferrara, or Bologna, in northern Italy, when additional trump cards with allegorical illustrations were added to the more common four suit decks that already existed[citation needed]. These new decks were originally called carte da trionfi, triumph cards, and the additional cards known simply as trionfi, which evolved into the word "trumps" in common English. The first literary evidence of the existence of carte da trionfi is a written statement in the court records in Ferrara, in 1442. The oldest surviving Tarot cards are from fifteen fragmented decks painted in the mid 15th century for the Visconti-Sforza family, the rulers of Milan. No documented examples exist prior to the 18th century of the tarot being used for divination. However, divination using similar cards is in evidence as early as 1540; a book entitled The Oracles of Francesco Marcolino da Forli shows a simple method of divination using the coin suit of a regular playing card deck. Manuscripts from 1735 (The Square of Sevens) and 1750 (Pratesi Cartomancer) document rudimentary divinatory meanings for the cards of the tarot, as well as a system for laying out the cards. In 1765, Giacomo Casanova wrote in his diary that his Russian mistress frequently used a deck of playing cards for divination.

source. wikipedia

Tarot Card

The tarot (also known as tarocchi, tarock or similar names) is typically a set of seventy-eight cards, composed of twenty-one trump cards, one Fool, and four suits of fourteen cards each—ten pip and four face cards (one more face card per suit than in Anglo-American playing cards). Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games such as Italian Tarocchini and French Tarot. In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards are utilized primarily for divinatory purposes, with the trump cards plus the Fool card making up the twenty-two major arcana cards and the pip and four face cards the fifty-six minor arcana. The divinatory meanings of the cards are derived mostly from the Kabbalah of Jewish mysticism and from Medieval Alchemy. The English and French word tarot (or tarocchi, tarô, tarock, tarok etc. in other languages) does not have a precise origin — nobody knows its true etymology. Some people believe it comes from the Arabic word turuq, which means "four pathways", or maybe from the Arabic tarach, "reject". According to the French etymology, tarot is borrowed from the Italian tarocco, derived from tara: "devaluation of a merchandise; deduction, the act of deducting". Spreads To perform a Tarot reading, the Tarot deck is typically shuffled by either the subject or a third-party reader, and is laid out in one of a variety of patterns, often called "spreads". They are then interpreted by the reader or a third-party performing the reading for the subject. These might include the subject's thoughts and desires (known or unknown) or past, present, and future events. Generally, each position in the spread is assigned a number, and the cards are turned over in that sequence, with each card being contemplated/interpreted before moving to the next. Each position is also associated with an interpretation, which indicates what aspect of the question the card in that position is referring to. Sometimes, rather than being dealt randomly, the initial card in a spread is intentionally chosen to represent the querent or the question being asked. This card is called the significator. Some common spreads include:

1. Celtic Cross. This is probably the most common spread. Ten cards are used, with five arranged in a cross and four placed vertically beside the cross. Another card is placed horizontally across the central cards of the cross to make a total of 10. The first central card of the cross is frequently the significator and the second card which is placed over the first represents the conditions surrounding the question; or the crossing card often represents an obstacle they must face, an aspect of the question they have not yet considered. The third card which is placed above the first represents what the person hopes for in relation to the question being asked. The fourth card which is placed below the first is what the subject has already experienced in relation to the whole spread. The fifth card is placed to the left of the first card and shows what was in the past. The sixth card is placed to the right of the first card and shows the influence that will come in the future. Then on the right of these cards are the remaining 4 cards, which are placed from bottom to top. So the seventh card represents the attitude of the question being asked. The eighth card is how family or friends will influence the question. The ninth card shows the hopes and fears in relation to the question and the final card, the tenth card, is the Culmination Card which shows the end result of all of the previous nine cards.
2. Horse-shoe. Another very common question asking spread. Seven cards are arranged in a semi-circle or 'V' shape. The cards, from left to right, represent the past, present, influences, obstacles, expectations (or hopes/fears), best course of action and likely outcomes. Some variations of this spread swap the expectations and inspiration cards around.
3. 3-card spread. Three cards are used, with the first representing the past, the second the present, the third the future.
4. Astrological spread. Twelve cards are spread in a circle, to represent the twelve signs of the zodiac. A thirteenth card is placed in the middle; often the significator.
5. 1-card spread. It should be noted that a single card can constitute a spread.
6. Tetractys. Ten cards arranged in a four-rowed pyramid. Each row represents earth, air, fire or water and each card within the row has a very specific meaning. The single card in the top row is the significator.
7. Star Spread. starts in the lower left part and follows the star pattern. 1:what you see 2:what you can't see 3:what you can change 4:what you cannot change 5:what you can expect (this is actually very time effective)
8. Mirror Spread. This Spread works primarily on existing relationships, but can assess anything from a budding love affair to an established partnership. It will often reveal inconsistencies between viewpoints - for example, if the cards at 2 and 3 contradict one another, there is need to reassess and readjust points of view, or take into account the input of the other person. Obstacles will sometimes produce very positive cards - look carefully under the surface if you find this, rather than assuming everything is fine!! The Probable result card is drawn with circumstances as they currently are - but if changes recommended by the reading are effected, then this final card can change.

source, wikipedia