Name Change:Integration

After a few title changes, have settled on Orange Orb Tarot (and oracle), since my focus, I have discovered, integrates my eclectic experiences and perspectives. I realized I was compartmentalizing, which was not the thing to do! Not every reader is interested in or "believes" in the paranormal, Fortean realms and UFOs, but, since I do, and all these things are so much a part of me, keeping these separate was the opposite of the direction I should have been taking all along.

All of us who read oracles are different. From our choice in decks to style, opinions, and values. Obviously! This goes for what I loosely call the pagan culture; I've met many a pagan and/or witch/magick practitioner who does not "believe" in UFOs, or ghosts, or more paranormal aspects of experience. Many do, some don't. Especially when it comes to UFOs and alien or UFO related entities. I've been told it's all metaphor, spirits in disguise, misinterpretations of such, and a hundred other things -- except the idea that there just might literally, really, be aliens from outer space. It could be all these things, some of these things some of the time, who knows. But outright rejection of UFOs as physical craft from elsewhere has often been the case in my experience, as well as interpreting abduction experiences within one own's pagan perspective. 

I'm not arguing against those opinions, I'm only pointing out that following a path does not always mean inclusion or welcoming of other paths. 

And not all tarot readers have any interest or belief in following pagan paths, or even see tarot as a spiritual or religious system. I don't argue against these differing views either, respecting all. 

I'm only saying that for myself, to be honest and clear and focus and most of all, open to and genuine about what I have to share in terms of doing readings, integrating my experiences into this current realm I find myself in is the only clearly logical way to go. 

Since the Orange Orb has been the name I've used for many years; not only the name of this blog but the title of my UFO Magazine column, it came to me that I should also call my practice Orange Orb. (I'm still tweaking it a bit; for example, I'm not sure about limiting the name to "tarot" because the work I do includes oracles as well as UFO and paranormal/supernatural areas.) 

Numerology; Glynis McCants on Coast to Coast Tuesday

If you're interested in numerology, Glynis McCants will be Tuesday night's guest on Coast to Coast: Numerology/ Medical Oddities - Shows - Coast to Coast AM

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New look at tumblr

My Tumbling Tarot blog at tumblr has a new look. Like it better but not quite happy with the color, probably will play with it some more.
http://tumblingtarot.tumblr.com

Ancestor and ArchAngel Metatron Altar

My new bedroom altar arrangement. I've been working with Arch Angel Metatron and ancestors meditations. The right side is archangel Metatron, left is ancestors. They aren't clear in the photo but in front of the votive are skull bracelets. Will have to do until I can afford a skull. I love using a simple snifter of water for scrying, as well as the black mirror in the silver frame. Both different with very different effects, but both enjoyable to use. Food offering and water are also on the altar, behind the votive on the right. I've been doing this for a few days now; I'll post more on some results in the near future.

Obsidian Haul

A few days ago, great find at a yard sale: these lovely chunks of obsidian.

Obsidian is a good stone to use for psychic protection and cleansing negative psychic energies, as well as protection from negative energy.

I have these new pieces, but I also have a few pieces I've had for years. This summer we have been cleaning out the room we use as a study, sort of. That room has always been difficult to work in, to keep clean and organized, etc. It always felt "haunted" -- not in the strict definition, but definitely negative and weird energy. Very smothering, unhealthy. I placed obsidian and other black stones in the room, and the next day the room felt much better. It has made a difference.

One of my new pieces, a nice small piece, I have on my desk at work. Right next to my little terrarium with a little Buddha and a fern. Very calming and soothing and a reminder to stay calm within and not dwell or allow myself to get sucked into negativity and unhealthy patterns.

Runes of Light from Lisa Frideborg

New blog from Lisa Frideborg: Runes of Light. I like the idea -- we can always use info on runes. I have a set myself but, while I like the idea of runes as well as the tactile pleasure of using runes, I haven't delved much into them. Although, here's a bit of synchronicity: just today I was visualizing this rune for protection earlier today (pulling out all the tricks for protection) then found Lisa's link to her new blog.


So, the runes, they seem to be a callin' .

Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels. (From Runes, Alphabet of Mystery)

Follow-up: Three card reading by Kate

Image: Public Domain

The other day I posted a link to a YouTube video by Kate, a tarot reader I follow, and her style of a three card reading.  She places the cards face down, begins with the center card (the present) but then turns over the "future" card next.

Usually, tradition tells us to start with the past, move on in a linear fashion, present next, the future.

Kate suggests, as you'll see in the video, that you follow your instinct, but she does it as described, so I thought I'd try it.

I don't read with cards face down; I've tried in the past and didn't like that process. But I tried it again using Kate's method. I also read the present card first, then the future or energy the client is moving into, then, lastly, turn over the past. I've done several readings using this method and love it!

For a larger reading, like a ten card spread, I do not place the cards face down. But with this three card reading, it seems to work very well. Reading the flow of energy is easy and smooth and makes sense, and when I read the "past" card it represents both a past state of energy but also, strengths or support once experienced that can be called upon now, and in the future.

I've also found that this works very very well with Doreen Virtue's Angel Tarot, and it's fine for the Deviant Moon tarot, but I like it better with the Angel tarot. I haven't yet tried it with other oracle decks, such as the Angel Dreams deck.

Tarotize: 5 Misconceptions and 5 Realistic Expectations of Tarot Readers

Another excellent list of great points from Lisa Frideborg of Tarotize. The timing of her post is a bit of synchronicity; one, I was just discussing with someone how I firmly believe that a reading is a participatory event; it's both of us, client and reader, exploring together. Here Lisa writes:

Tarotize: 5 Misconceptions and 5 Realistic Expectations of Tarot Readers: 2. Co-Creation. A skilled Tarot Reader will help you co-create your destiny rather than hand you a fated version of the future on a silver platter. This means dialogue and working together on asking the most constructive question possible of the cards. 

Further on, she links to a piece on how, many times, on-line readings can be better than face to face readings. I have great success with on-line, long distance readings and in fact, was also just telling someone about my success with on-line readings.

How to do a 3 card Tarot Reading from Kate on You Tube

I like this simple, and elegant way "Kate" on You Tube channel presents her three card reading. Very nice!



How to do a 3 card Tarot Reading - Mini Lesson - YouTube:

Top 5 Reasons Why I Don’t Read With Reversals | Love Dove Tarot

From Lisa Frideborg, on reversals.

Reversals in card readings, an aspect of reading tarot that has many of us wondering about. Do we read reversals or don't we? So many books, so many experts, with all kinds of opinions! Myself, I go back and forth. But, even when I've incorporated reversals into the reading, I never felt comfortable doing so.



I love what Lisa Frideborg has to share about why she doesn't' use reversals - one thing she comments on is the elemental energy of each suite. I've done this as well, intuitively, and it's a good feeling to know others, like Frideborg, do this as well.



Another reason Lisa Frideborg gives for not reading reversals is the particular art work of any given deck:

Top 5 Reasons Why I Don’t Read With Reversals | Love Dove Tarot: . I love art – Most of the decks I get, I purchase because I enjoy the artwork. Putting a card upside down is not how the artist intended the image to be viewed in most cases. The only exception I know of is the Revelations Tarot deck by Zach Wong, which has reversals painted into it. I may not be terribly clairvoyant but viewing the artwork carefully and using it as a springboard is honing my clairvoyance in a way that would simply not be possible with upside down cards. (Lisa Frideborg, Love Dove Tarot)

All of her five reasons for not reading reversals are very good ones. Much needed and welcome advice!