Hello Steve! Firstly, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a tarot reader and tutor, based in the UK. I have been studying tarot for eighteen years and read for clients professionally in person and online. I enjoy to share my understanding and experience with the cards through my blog and in my teaching. I have delivered three beginners courses to small groups of students and run a monthly Tarot Circle in Kent.

As well as reading tarot, I also enjoy to design. I often teach workshops in schools, connected to fashion and collage creation, helping young people to express and direct their creativity.

A man of many talents then! Why do you practice cartomancy?

I fell into cartomancy by chance. I picked up a cheap set of tarot cards on a whim and didn’t think too much about it to begin with. It was only when I decided to go in search of a deck that was more aligned with my tastes that my passion for card decks and reading them was born.

I rarely read for myself now, but in the early days, tarot did help me through some difficult situations – allowing me to see things from angles I’d not considered or didn’t want to acknowledge. They were a great comfort. These days, I enjoy to use everything I have learned from card reading, and my studies of Kabbalah, to help others.

What do you find is the most rewarding aspect to consulting the cards?

Many clients become emotional when I read for them. Tarot enables people to unlock those parts within, which they’ve tucked away from others and, on some occasions, from themself. In the safe environment of a tarot session, the messages from the cards provide pointers and ways in which solutions can be found.

As well as being entertainment for some, they can provide much-needed guidance for others. It is very warming to know that someone has left the table feeling stronger than they were and thinking more clearly.

You say it was only when you found a deck suited to your tastes that your passion for cartomancy was awakened, do you have any favourite decks?

I have many favourites, yes. In terms of tarot, there are lots I enjoy to delve into – such as Tarot of the Hidden Realms, The Intuitive Tarot, and Shadowscapes Tarot. However, since the bulk of my readings are for clients, my main reading decks are the Original Rider Waite, Radiant Rider Waite, and Llewellynn’s Classic Tarot.

My oracle choices are more varied. I have recently enjoyed getting to know Ciro Marchetti’s Oracle of Visions and Cilla Conway’s Devas of Creation, which I use intuitively, but my favourite deck for prediction and getting to the heart of a matter is Chronicles of Destiny Fortune Cards.

Thank you! It's a creation we're very proud of. You've created a few decks yourself, is there anything you'd like to share about them?

Deck creation is something that has been close to my heart for a long time. While I am still unpublished (partly by choice), the process of creating my own tarots (and one oracle) has affected me deeply. When I was young, I found it difficult to commit to projects and left many ventures unfinished. When I completed Fragments of an Illusion Tarot, I felt a great sense of achievement. Having finally designed 78 cards, which I had begun to do a number of times before, I knew I could take on the challenge again. I did this a year ago, completing my Spirit Within the Shadows Tarot.

I hope to publish Shadows eventually, but at the moment, I am examining possibilities and thinking which way would be best to get it out and into the world. I have received positive interest from people within the tarot community, so want to make the right decision about how it is released. Sometimes, these things take time. I want to do it properly.

We're looking forward to when Shadows is available! You've been working with Chronicles for some time now, how do you find working with them?

Chronicles has a special place within my cartomancy heart. I had bought many oracle decks over the years but found most to be indecisive and offer affirmations, rather than real, practical guidance. I have learned from my public readings that often, people just want to know what is going on and what they could potentially do about a problematic situation. As a reading tool, many of the oracle decks left me unsatisfied and frustrated.

I first saw Chronicles on Twitter, mentioned by Ferol Humphrey. I commented on how attractive the illustrations were and went off to do whatever else I was doing. It was only when you and I started to speak, some months later, that the deck was brought to my attention again. 

Of course, I love images on cards, but when I choose an oracle to work with, it is the words which are of most importance. I need to know that the cards will work within ‘my’ readings and that all aspects of a clients story can be covered. It was this which provoked me to buy Chronicles, because I knew it would be a workhorse deck, rather than something which was only attractive. The deck doesn’t disappoint; while it is very beautiful, it doesn’t hide behind it’s exterior. It cuts to the heart of a situation and tells you it like it is.

It was lovely to connect with you, first on Twitter and then in our later conversations. In your wonderful review of the deck you mention similarities to other cartomancy systems, how do you find Chronicles differs from tarot?

In many ways, Chronicles is like tarot, since there are many cards which echo tarot (and life) archetypes. However, one of the things I like about this deck, in comparison, is how it strips away doubt within a reader. Because the meanings are focused, it allows a reader to pinpoint exactly what is important. There is nothing vague about Chronicles, which is refreshing.

In the deck there are two choices for a male significator card. Have you chosen The Hero or Hero II? And why?

As a significator, I see myself as The Hero. I add the other into the pack to represent any other important males in my life. I think that showing the Hero II from a distance reminds me that he is someone coming into my ‘story’. 

The Chronicles of Destiny features a themed, fictional story; do you have a favourite fiction book (or fairy tale)?

That’s an interesting question. I have read some good books over the years but the one that just came to me is from my childhood. I loved The Musicians of Bremen, which is about four animals who leave their cruel masters, set up home and defeat a group of robbers. I can still remember the illustrations from my Ladybird edition with great fondness.

Finally, of the cast, do you have a favourite Chronicles character? If so, why that one?

There are so many wonderful character-portraits within the deck, but The Baroness is a firm favourite. It is a beautiful image, but aside from that, who doesn’t love the baddy in a story, eh?

Steven Bright
Professional Tarot Consultant & Tutor
tiferettarot.com
tiferettarot.wordpress.com
@tiferettarot (Twitter)
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In the interest of symmetry this week's blog post will mirror last week's, so as we've addressed the opposites in The Chronicles of Destiny we'll now look at the cards with similar meanings. Some of them seem to mean the same thing and some can be a continuation or progression of the first card, we hope this offers you some clarity in your readings.

The Call is always going to be an offer or invitation, it doesn't show that you've agreed to anything but merely that it's on the table. Accepting the Quest can be a progression of The Call, showing your acceptance of the offer.

Whispering Hall is internal self-doubt and niggling uncertainty but The Dragon would be full blown anxiety and fear. If left unchecked or unresolved small worries could transform into mental anguish. Whispering Hall is always your own feelings (sometimes unfounded), whereas The Dragon can represent not only your internal fears but also an external ones.

The Adventure is something that's completely new - Lady Spring is a new beginning but there's often a sense of renewal with it. So Adventure could be a new job in a different field to one you've ever worked in, and Lady Spring could be a new job but in an area you're familiar with.

The primary meaning of Lady Spring is new beginnings, but due to the element of renewal if she appears with Phoenix the meaning of resurrection is strengthened. However, if you are looking for a revival of some kind then Phoenix is the best indicator, as Lady Spring on her own would be new beginning.

The Lighthouse tends to appear as a warning to something we are unaware of, alerting us to something that comes out of nowhere. We've found that Masquerade comes up when we're either already wary, or unable to see the reality of a current situation. Masquerade can be avoided, whereas The Lighthouse can only be navigated through.

Shore of trials can be small arguments and troubled times but nothing as extreme as all out Conflict. Like with Whispering Hall and The Dragon, if the situation were left to develop from the first card it would become Conflict, bigger arguments and greater upheavals.

Downfall is the "no" card of the deck, and it is very fixed in its meaning. When Downfall appears we know that the situation will end in defeat and disappointment. But Road to Nowhere is a temporary no, the path you're on will lead to a dead end, but there is another route you could take. 

These can be seen as the three "baddies" of the deck. There are three key differences in these cards: 
The Warlock - can be person or situation.
The Baroness - always a specific person(s).
Masquerade - always a situation.

It's always best to check surrounding cards with The Warlock, as his influence is mutable. He could represent a person who creates out of pocket expenses for you, or outright steals from you - or simply something that creates delays and obstacles in your plans. 

The Baroness is the one to keep an eye on. This card will always show a person (or people) acting against you, but it won't always be obvious who as they may appear to be friendly. It won't necessarily be a female either, despite the card's character. 

And finally Masquerade will always relate to a situation, it might not be as serious as The Baroness, but tread carefully.

Both cards indicate love, but it is the nature of the relationship where they differ. Kissed would be butterflies-in-your-stomach/first kiss, kind of romance, it usually appears for new relationships. 

Union is a more settled and committed relationship. It doesn't have to be a marriage, it could also represent a couple who live together. 

Here we have our two pairs of male and female, and within these four cards heterosexual and same sex relationships can be represented.

In these two cards we have maturity and youth, however it's not just the age of the person that is represented, but also their approach to a situation. The Elder stands for those with more life experience who provide wise counsel and are perhaps more wary, whereas Innocence reminds us of to embrace life with a sense of joy and wonder.

As well as the seasonal quartet in our supporting cast, we also have these two lovely ladies to act as timing cards. Time Flies represents a fast moving time frame and Calendar a far slower one. The interpretation also depends on the placement of the card.

Both Distant Shores and Pegasus signify journeys, the difference is the expanse travelled. 

There's a light up ahead! But is it a warning sign from The Lighthouse or a foretoken of good fortune in the Shooting Star? 

We initially struggled to think of an image that signified financial loss. An empty vault? An purse with a gaping hole? In the end it was Shakespeare that inspired us (well, he had to factor somewhere in a literary oracle)! In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio is unable to repay the debt to Shylock because his ships are wrecked in the English Channel, thereby reducing his income. 

This pairing is interesting because, although we were aware of their polar meanings, we'd never noticed how similar the images were until we put them side by side. One shows a time of difficulty, stress and sometimes strained relationships, the other shows good health, vitality and the healing of a rift in a relationship - but they both portray the influence of water.

"You are safe from the Baroness here; her forest ensnares unsuspecting souls, but mine is enchanted to protect them." The Dreamcatcher illustrates the differences between herself and The Baroness, one wishes to cause The Seeker harm and the other provides safety.

These two pairs are the most obvious counterparts, and they tie in with each other. Sorrow can be felt with Downfall, when our plans have failed, and we feel Bliss in our successes.

Again, notice the similarity between the images. Interlude shows The Seeker drawing needed energy from their sword as they rest and take some time out, and in Resolve we see The Seeker infusing energy into their sword, preparing for action!

Not only do they represent opposite times of the year, these two seasonal cards also diverge in their secondary interpretations. Lady Summer represents celebration, a hive of activity and cheerfulness, and Lady Winter brings a dormant period, withdrawal and possibly a feeling of isolation.

Just as we mention that the best card to follow The Songbird is The Gatekeeper you'll find that, with some of these pairings, one is the "problem" and the other is the "cure".

Have you ever had a contrasting pair appear in your readings, or have you noticed any others? 

We’ve suggested that a great way to learn the cards is by keeping a journal of your readings. By noting down the question, the resulting cards, your thoughts at the time and the result that manifested, you can review your findings and begin to see how the cards all relate to one another and your own real life situations. It’s also interesting to look back and trace the sequence of events in your cards; was there an odd card that just didn’t make sense at the time? Ah but now, with the wonder of hindsight, you understand it!

Writing down readings can be very useful - but if you're not one who uses the deck regularly, or you find you don’t have a lot to ask, here’s a tip that will hopefully help you connect with the cards.

Create your own storyboard readings!

Do you remember the time when . . . ? Have a sift through your memories, pick out a certain time when you would’ve consulted the cards and consider which ones you would assign to that episode in your life. Knowing what you know now, which cards would you expect to have appeared had you asked the question then?

For example, at the beginning of 2014 these cards may have shown for me:


At this time in my life I was uncertain of my position in my workplace, some changes were coming and I didn’t know if my job was secure. So I visited a different branch of the same company, one that I had worked in previously, and asked my old manager if he knew of any vacancies coming up. Luckily there was! So, in the space of about a week, my husband and I decided to move house to be closer to my new job.

So how do these cards apply? Guardian of the Books is the theme of this reading – not just work but work that I love doing. My then current position comprised of basic duties, but this new role would put me in charge of the book department (so Guardian of the Books is very fitting)! And this would have been the theme card as it acted as a catalyst for everything else.

Accepting the Quest would have shown both my new work contract and the tenancy agreement we would sign to rent a house. Phoenix represents rebirth and resurrection. I would be returning to a place I had previously worked, a place I hadn’t wanted to leave in the first place – a second chance! Castle is there because we would be moving house, and this would tie in with Phoenix as the branch is located in my home town.

So you see how all the cards tie in together and how they apply. A few other cards that might have come up would’ve been Lady Spring (a new beginning with a sense of renewal), Time Flies (because this all happened very quickly), The Songbird (as I felt dissatisfied by my previous position), The Gatekeeper (doors being opened for you) or even Bliss (showing my contentment with my new job and home). But the core of the matter could’ve been represented by those cards shown.

Give it a go if you’re short on questions at the minute, or even imagine readings given to your favourite characters. Would Alchemy and Phoenix have appeared for Harry Potter? The Fellowship and Distant Shores could apply to Frodo (and Bilbo) Baggins. Shores of Trials and Kissed for Elizabeth Bennet perhaps...