I read Catherine and Paul’s book on ED’s and counting cards and found it quite enjoyable as well as fascinating! I also attempted to follow the exercises:) I will be coming back to the book many times so that I can really learn the material. The more I study, the more I know I need to learn! However, I will follow your suggestion and make sure that I keep it fun.

I do hope that you can help me read these cards using elemental dignaties ASAP. This is a 3 card reading on a career and job issue in education. The cards were read in their upright positions. The cards are 10 of Cups/Page of Wands/Ace of Pentacles. In my limited experience, this seems like a pretty good layout. The 10 of Cups card showed up in the sixth house of the Horoscope Spread when the client got the job. We thought that was a good omen that indicated their passion and love for their career. Now, after several unhappy years in the position, the client can not wait to leave! So, my question is, which is the most important card in this spread? I see Water/Fire/Earth. Water and Fire are enemies and neutral and Fire and Earth are friendly. What does this exactly mean in this instance “neutral,” “friendly,” and “strong?”

In addition, the Page of Wands seems to be turning to the future towards the Ace of Pentacles. Both the Ace of Pentacles and the Page of Wands indicate a message of a new job to me. I read somewere, according to this certain author, that the happiness in the 10 of Cups is rarely experienced in the present. (In this case, I wonder if it was ever experienced.)

In this layout, it appears that the 10 of Cups is in the past because the Page has her back to the card. Also, the two flanking cards are passive and the middle card is active. The middle card seems squeezed to me like its action is blocked. The Earth/Ace of Pentacles does not seem like the action of getting a new job will take place soon because of slow movement. Is this saying a job opportunity now or later? I am also wondering if the economy is also a factor or do we just keep to the message of the cards? This layout seems to promise a job offer. The client is only asking a few friends if they know of available positions because it might not be in their best interest if the present job found out. Many of the client’s friends are suggesting that they stay where they are because of the numerous firings and layoffs in the client’s field.

Well, I would appreciate some insight into this. How would we read these cards both elementally and with their card meanings? In addition, from reading your articles on this great site, I understand that the cards do not have to be read reversed. How does this reading change with the one flanking card in poor aspect to the middle card?

Where can I get some in-depth practice, with answers, on card combinations? I am a little stuck. Please HELP!!!

Thanks:)
Tarot1

Thank you for your kind words and I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog.

It’s great that the solutions to certain problems are just presenting themselves to you. The more problems you solve, the more fluid the whole reading experience becomes. A friend of mine, Paul, always says that once you solve one, then another takes its place. Learning the Tarot is a life time of problem solving – and the fun and enjoyment that that brings

I really enjoyed the book that Catherine and Paul wrote. I learned from it and I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it when you start reading it

Thank you for your kind words

This blog is such a joy to read and the beautiful artwork is absolutely breaktaking! I am learning so much. Right now, I am continuing my study of the elemental dignaties. You and Catherine have done a tremendous job in giving us all of the combinations as well as giving us your own individal interpretations. This has been so helpful to me to see that tarot is alive with so many possibilities.

I do have quite a few questions. However, as I continue to read and study the great articles, I am beginning to answer some of my questions for myself. Thank you both for presenting the lessons in such clear writing styles!

I just went to the mailbox and got Catherine’s book and I can not wait to dig into it. Actually, I can. My goal is to read and study all of the articles on ED’s on this blog first, and then when I get to her book, this “newbie” just might feel ready to tackle counting techniques when I do the Celtic Cross:)

Gotta run. I just wanted to stop and say THANK YOU both!!!

Tarot1

I’m glad you’re finding working with the Elements to be useful.

…for practice do you think taking a question from a friend in home is a good idea..

Good question! I would say yes and no!

Yes, because it’s your friend, the atmosphere is relaxed, it can be a lot of fun and no doubt you will learn a lot.
No, because the experience could damage your confidence if either you’re not ready, or your friend is not interested.

It’s a double edged sword, but I think in theory it’s a good move

If you’re interested in looking into the Element Water further, here is a post that I’ve written on The Element Water.

I’m working on getting better according to your biggest secret article about just saying what you see.

The truth is … most Tarot readers that I know (me included) forget everything they know when they do a Tarot reading. Saying what you see, and feeling comfortable with that, is the mind set that most Tarot readers enter into during a Tarot reading. By all means study and learn as much as you can, but during a Tarot reading, be prepared to let go of all that knowledge and allow your intuition to flow.

The Tarot can be a lot of fun. Try and remember that when you feel overwhelmed.

I heard about a friend who got a reading and the stuff the lady told her was like someone called in advance and told her my friend’s life story, so I went out and bought my first deck and I’ve been intrigued ever since!

You’ll get there Dan – you’ve got the passion for it, and at the end of the day, that’s the fuel that allows you to continue on this journey.

I heard about a friend who got a reading and the stuff the lady told her was like someone called in advance and told her my friend’s life story, so I went out and bought my first deck and I’ve been intrigued ever since!

Thank you for your kind words.

Okay, let’s look at some of the similarities between these two Elements, before we explore their differences

The similarity between Earth and Water is that they’re both passive Elements. In this sense, they both tend to indicate that external events won’t change quickly; that they will stay the same. However, Water is associated with the inner world, emotions, physical healing, love, obsession, fascination etc. We could think of Water as indicating changes on an inner level as opposed to an outer level. Water is a Spiritual card, whereas Earth is usually concerned only with practical matters (okay, that’s not strictly true as Earth represents the greatest mystery there is … the body).

Earth symbolise stability, whereas Water symbolises growth; but the kind of growth that happens on an inner level, not an outer level.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two, is that Water is a fluid Element – it’s not fixed like Earth. Water, therefore, is always ready to change, fluctuate and adapt in accordance with the slightest variations in events. Earth, on the other hand, cannot be changed by mere pressure alone.

The reason Water is seen as “things staying the same” is because it adapts to the surrounding situation, effortlessly and fluidly, without making an impression on what’s causing the change.

There is one exception to this rule: when Water becomes destructive and leaves devastation in its wake.