Hi all! Today’s Tutorial is another glimpse at the work we’ll be doing at the Advanced Tarot Intensive. Applications close September 15. More information below or apply, here.
Did you know that you can create a Tarot spread anytime?
Obviously, I do it here every week! But I also create unique spreads for every single question I get from clients. Questions may be similar, but each one is truly unique. Why not develop a unique spread for each?
What kind of person, place, thing, or experience does the question inspire for you?
For example: What is my biggest obstacle at this time, and how can I move past it?
When I think of an obstacle, I immediately imagine a literal roadblock:
Now, I consider what kinds of information might I want to know to answer the question:
What is my biggest obstacle at this time, and how can I move past it?
Some of the information is spelled out in the question, but there’s more I would want to know.
- What IS the biggest obstacle?
- Where did it come from?
- How does it hold me back?
- How can I move past it?
- What tools do I have at my disposal to address it?
- What will happen if I don’t address the obstacle?
Now, I imagine that, if these were cards, how they might form the shape of the obstacle’s image.
If I see them as a roadblock, how might I arrange them to mirror that image?
1.) What IS the biggest obstacle? Forms the center of the roadblock.
2.) Where did it come from? Part of the structure of the obstacle, aka, the roadblock’s foundation.
3.) How does it hold me back? Again, part of the structure of the obstacle.
4.) How can I move past it? I imagine something like a wrecking ball coming in to knock over the roadblock.
5.) What tools do I have at my disposal to address it? If I were standing at the roadblock, what might be within my own reach?
6.) What will happen if I don’t address the obstacle? Future cards can really go anywhere, but I like placing them in the West as that, to me, represents the end of one day and therefore the beginning of another. But I also placed card 6 here to better balance out the whole spread!
The Reading In Action:
This hypothetical querent asks about roadblocks towards financial stability. Here is what the cards say based on the spread I just created:
1.) What IS the biggest obstacle? The Tower Reversed. When upright, the Tower is about collapse. When Reversed, it’s about holding on for dear life! It represents doing everything in our power to keep collapse at bay. In the context of this question, it’s likely that the querent, although struggling financially, is trying like a mad person to maintain their life’s status quo.
2.) Where did it come from? 10 of Wands. The 10 of Wands indicates a long path of struggle. It’s likely that the querent has been holding on to debt or large expenses for a long time.
3.) How does it hold me back? 5 of Wands. The 5 of Wands indicates conflict and short tempers, usually over inconsequential themes. In this reading, it may suggest that the querent’s money issues may mean increased stress in the home, and possible fights among loved ones.
4.) How can I move past it? 4 of Pentacles Reversed. When upright, the 4 of Pentacles indicates holding on tight to something. When Reversed, it suggests loosening the grip on it. Because Pentacles often represent practical things, the querent may need to take the practical step of scaling back their lifestyle in order to give themselves some financial breathing room.
5.) What tools do I have at my disposal to address it? 9 of Cups, Reversed. The 9 of Cups is a solo card. When Reversed, it indicates going within and listening to themselves. The querent likely knows their situation is not sustainable, but if they took the time to really listen to themselves, they would know that the time for scaling back is now.
6.) What will happen if I don’t address the obstacle? The World, Reversed. When upright, the World represents a “happy ending.” But when Reversed, it doesn’t. If the querent is waiting for a lottery win or for a long-lost relative to leave them millions of dollars, they’ll be waiting forever. They will need to address the situation head-on or else it’s going to get worse.
Applications Close September 15
This full virtual weekend open to only 14 students will help burgeoning readers break through some of their most challenging obstacles in Tarot, and support seasoned readers in sharpening their skills further.
The Advanced Tarot Intensive will explore:
* Identifying themes and answering the “Unasked” question
* Deepening understanding of Reversals and positioning
* Designing spreads to support specific questions
* Supporting challenging querents
* Exploring ethics in reading
When and Where:
Saturday, November 14th and Sunday, November 15th, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. While the sessions will be recorded, attending live is strongly encouraged as participants will be utilizing hands-on practice for themselves and other participants. Intensive will be held by Zoom.
Fee:
-$320 for full weekend. $160 due upon acceptance to secure place. Final $160 due by November 4.
OR
-$288 upon acceptance (a 10% savings)
Optional add-on:
$60 – 45 minute private mentoring session via Zoom. Must be scheduled no later than January 31, 2027.
Applications close September 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified either way on or before October 14, 2026.