The Deck of Shadows | Guest Post – Rob Lupine

Every now and then, I am contacted with someone’s personal experience with The Deck of Shadows. It is always exciting to hear how the cards have taken on a new significance for some. So . . . I share the following from Rob Lupine with you (and with his kind permission) –

INTRODUCING: THE DECK OF SHADOWS!

A few weeks ago I attended a meeting of mages, necromancers and other practitioners of the dark craft that I indulge so much of my passions in.

Such meetings are a great way to network, catch up with friends and share new ideas in the workings of the art, and I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.

I always set myself a rule not to buy anything that I will not use, (no matter how pretty or attractive it may seem, the last thing the wife needs is another “Unusual” conversation piece to explain away in the living room!)

So when I saw the deck of shadows on one of the stalls I barely gave it a second look. After all, it was just another deck of oracle cards and I have loads of them. It was in one of those nasty little net bags that I hate so much- they rip so easily in the pocket!

It wasn’t even a respectable size- no bigger than a deck of common or garden playing cards! However that is the only time I will use the word “common” in respect to them!*

A little while later I was talking to the man running the stall, a man who I have a lot of respect for in the field- Dr. Todd Landman. We spoke of various routines and techniques and tools, and the conversation turned to psychic readings.

A few years ago Todd produced some amazing cards based around the Rorschach ink blot tests of the late 19th century. I was complimenting him of these cards and telling him how I used them in my psychic readings. Dr. Todd smiled and asked me, “If you liked them, have you seen the deck of shadows?”

Well not wishing to appear rude, I smiled politely while he reached for a deck and proceeded to open them and show me the cards themselves. At first glance the black and white imagery does not leap out, it has to be said. But this little deck doesn’t need to brag.

Each card has one key word and three secondary words to have meanings  in four directions if the user so wishes. The centre of the card displays a piece of classic art that reflects the words surrounding it, and at the top there is a playing card value. For those of us that know how to read playing cards, you will observe a lot of care has been taken to line up the right card value with the right image. To round everything off there is a different symbol at the bottom of each card.

There are 54 cards in all- the 52 standard cards, a “Yes” card and a “no” card. The latter two would be great on their own to work a pendulum reading!

One of the things I look for in a tool of divination is something that will “Speak” clearly to the reader, with a new meaning every time you look at them. This deck seems to achieve just that. I love the fact that I am still discovering new aspects and probably will continue to do so for some time yet.

The deck comes with a booklet that contains a description of each card and suggested spreads. It has to be said I seldom do more than flick through the book, preferring to get to know the cards in my own way and work in a style that seems right to me, however the book does make good reading.

The thing I love about these cards is that I was able to read with them right away- I was working with them on Psychic World TV the Monday after the meeting, and the answers practically leaped from the cards at me. A lot of the time I was able to do a full reading only using one card, however recently I have been using a three card spread.

The first card answers the question, “Where am I?”  and looks at where you are at philosophically speaking, the situation before you at the moment.

The second card looks at what action is needed to improve and progress the situation forward.

The third card will show the person having the reading what is around them to help them achieve the action described in the second card.

I have found this spread will answer most questions effectively, but as always would urge the user to discover their own spreads and work in their own way!

The Deck of Shadows is an amazing deck and I am delighted that Todd introduced me to them. He was selling them on behalf of a gentleman named Scott Grossberg, who was kind enough to allow me to use them on television.

I will say that these cards, while not the most flamboyant in the world,  have the ability to surprise, and impress. and being the size they are makes them easy to have on your person if you are put on the spot to do an impromptu reading!

If you are a reader and interested in getting your own deck of shadows they can be bought from this link (I’m not getting anything from Scott for doing this, I just believe in giving credit where it’s due.)

*Well- and also here, but that can’t be helped

SCOTT’S FINAL THOUGHT

Thank you again, Rob, for your kinds words. I look forward to hearing of your further adventures with the cards.

And thank you, Todd, for introducing Rob to his new friend!

If you enjoyed this, I’d be grateful if you click below to share this with others. That’s right, go ahead and help spread this information by emailing it to a friend, or sharing it on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. Thank you!

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2012 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Masks of Tarot | Faceless

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. – Oscar Wilde

Recently, New York’s Enrique Enriquez and I were exchanging ideas and I shared with him some guided imagery scripting that naturally arose from my book, The Masks of Tarot. I decided that I wanted to share this with you, as well, as a further way to say Thank You and to celebrate the Kindle version release of Masks; a little guided imagery exercise that actually started out as a mnemonic device for remembering the main technique in the book. What I am about to unleash on you is a shortened version of something that quickly turned into a stand alone method on its own.

Let’s start with the belief that masks have majestic and magnificent power. They will fundamentally and forever change who you are. What you are learning today is a well-worn method for directing your own thoughts – or the waking dreams of others – so that the seeds of your imagination can give birth to some truly intuitive and penetrating understanding. I encourage you to work your way through the following steps in order and without skimming through the exercise or jumping ahead to the end. Why? Perhaps Carl Jung said it best: When you concentrate on a mental picture it begins to stir, the image becomes enriched by details. It moves and develops, and so when we concentrate on inner pictures and we are careful not to interrupt the natural flow of events, our unconscious will produce a series of images that makes a complete story. I want you to develop and wear your complete story without the interruption or overlay that skimming or skipping will cause.

So, grab a piece of paper and something to write with. Find a nice quiet place so that we can play together for a short while. And . . .

THE TECHNIQUE

STEP ONE: Imagine that you are in a costume shop. The store seems endless as you gaze about at the costumes that abound. Notice the collection of colors. Notice the different types of outfits. Then, you see the nearly boundless wall of masks. Every shape. Every size. Every type of character is there. You get to choose one that you would like to wear. That’s right. Take the one from the wall that calls out to you the most. Put it on. And notice how it fits and forms just perfectly to the contours of your face. It is as if your remarkable mask has finally found its home!

STEP TWO: With your mask still on, step outside the costume shop. Notice what it is like to look out from the mask’s eye openings. Be acutely aware that you are looking out from a disguise. You can feel the texture of your outer concealment against your face. Write down the details of the mask that you are wearing. Who do you appear to be? Then, write out three adjectives to describe your mask.

STEP THREE: As you look out from your singular disguise, you suddenly see an open and dark pit. There is a deep and disturbing rumbling coming from inside this hollow – it wants to make the ground shake . . . but it is only you that is disturbed. Soon, you see a beast, a demon, a monster start to emerge from the hole. As it comes into view, you get a clear and understandable look at it. Write down what you see becoming visible. Then, write down the three adjectives that best describe the beast.

STEP FOUR: Before the beast is able to take itself from the pit, something happens to weaken and discourage it. It almost appears to you that the beast has been blinded or has seen something that has disheartened it and stopped it in its tracks. Write out what has brought this beast to a standstill. Then, write out three adjectives to describe what you have seen.

STEP FIVE: With renewed conviction, you return to the costume shop and reverently place the mask that you have been wearing back on its place on the wall. You do so with gratitude and a sense that you have been left with some significant message to remember. You step back from the wall and almost start to leave. But . . . your eyes catch sight of one more mask – it is one that you would never want to wear. In fact, it is one that almost makes you want to shrink back in disgust at it – it is that disturbing. Write out the details of this mask that you detest so much. As before, you next write down three adjectives to describe it.

STEP SIX: Now, turn your attention back to the mask that you originally chose. Be content in your decision to have chosen this mask and thankful that you don’t have to wear any other mask, ever again, if you don’t choose to do so.

STEP SEVEN: Finally, you remember that there was a message you were given while you were wearing your mask. What is it your mask revealed to you? Write it down.

INTERPRETATION

The Mask – This is how you view yourself, what you are attracted to, what makes you who you are, or perhaps the quality that you take for granted in yourself.

The Beast – This represents what you resort to under stress, what you excuse in yourself, how others view you (as opposed to how you view yourself), or your instinctive motives.

The Light (what repelled the Beat) – The Light (as I call it) it what you need to gain balance in your life, what others wish you had more of, what you look at with wonder when other people demonstrate this trait, or what you desire to accomplish.

The Shadow (the mask you did not want to wear) – This represents what you see in others that you do not want to acknowledge in yourself, what you must still learn to control, what you become when all else fails, or what you just thought you had left behind (but still need to address).

You can use this technique for some grand self-exploration. You can also use this method for giving some truly inspiring and deeply stirring readings.

Just some thoughts. If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2012 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | Hands of Truth

Truth is what works. – William James

Here is a video tutorial for a fascinating and powerful technique that relies on the ideomotor responses of the person you are working with. (Hint: you can use this, yourself, for some spectacular changes and making new discoveries).

Just some thoughts. If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2012 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | The Distressed Look

Now for a little something different. Here is a video tutorial on aging/distressing The Deck of Shadows.

Here is a group of aged/distressed cards.

And here’s a comparison of the same card before and after.

If you’re interested in finding out more about The Deck of Shadows, you can go to my website at the following link:

The Deck of Shadows

Just some thoughts. If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | The Play of the Great Pumpkin

Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He’s gotta pick this one. He’s got to. I don’t see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there’s not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see. – Linus (Charles Schulz)

Charles Schulz first mentioned the Great Pumpkin in 1959. As the story goes, The Great Pumpkin finds a pumpkin patch he judges to be the most heartfelt and sincere. The Great Pumpkin then flies through the air and delivers toys to the all the good children. Anyone who knows the story can also attest to the fact that the Great Pumpkin has a fragile personality and so is easily offended. If displeased, the Great Pumpkin will bypass and deny his bounty to anyone who doubts his existence. As such, you quickly learn to say things like when the Great Pumpkin arrives, rather than if the Great Pumpkin arrives.

On a deeper level, the Great Pumpkin is the tale of Linus’ unshakeable belief in the unknown (and, perhaps, unknowable). Schulz has provided generations with a story of coming to grips with your core beliefs. What a perfect concept to use for a Deck of Shadows layout. So, here goes . . .

THE PLAY OF THE GREAT PUMPKIN

This spread uses 9 cards from a well-shuffled deck. This layout is designed to explore what you find to be profound and honest, and the rewards that will be yours from your choices.

CARDS 1, 2, and 3: THE PUMPKIN PATCH

MEANING: These cards represent your current situation, where you find yourself sitting – where you are located, so to speak – most of the time, and those things, events, or people that have a heartfelt and genuine meaning for you. Just as Linus has to discover the most sincere pumpkin patch in order to watch the Great Pumpkin arrive, you, too, are responsible for choosing how honest your situation is at any given moment.

CARD 4: LINUS VAN PELT

MEANING: The Linus card represents the theology or philosophy that is driving your actions at the moment. There are times when this belief can actually, but momentarily, convince others of your sincerity. In the end, however, it is what you hold to be true for yourself and yourself, alone.

CARD 5: THE SECURITY BLANKET

MEANING: This is what is providing you with intense emotional support and psychological support. This is a transitional object and represents something tangible (rather than an internal construct).

CARD 6: SALLY BROWN

MEANING: This card represents your sidekick in your present situation. You might be a mentor to him or her. This person also provides you with alternate points of view or philosophies. In fact, the Sally card also provides you with some of the traits you are missing and so serves as a balance.

CARD 7: THE GREAT PUMPKIN

MEANING: This card is not just about hope, it is about your staunch belief, and not giving up on what others tell you is the impossible. The Great Pumpkin card is what you know in your soul is going to happen. Others might consider you as mad as a hatter for regarding what this card represents as true, but your faith is unshakeable! Your job, of course, is to find the best place from which to view the fruits of your convictions.

CARD 8: THE GIFTS

MEANING: This is what you believe you will be given when – not if – the Great Pumpkin event (represented by Card 7) appears to you.

CARD 9: THE STUPID BEAGLE

MEANING: In the unlikely event that you do not put yourself in a place or position to view the arrival of your own personal Great Pumpkin, this is what is revealed to you, instead. This is the reality you will have to deal with or the actual gift you will receive in the end.

When the cards are spread out, this is what they should look like:

In giving this particular reading, remember that there is no unbiased or fair-minded way to determine what is sincere and what is disingenuous. As such, this layout can also be used to help someone to put aside their doubts and move forward with faith and confidence. In other words, there is no room for doubt when you are a believer in the Great Pumpkin.

If you’re interested in finding out more about The Deck of Shadows, you can go to my website at the following link:

The Deck of Shadows

Just some thoughts. If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

The Great Pumpkin, Linus, Snoopy, Sally, and other Peanuts characters are the creations and copyright of Charles M. Schulz and Peanuts Worldwide LLC.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | The Romeo & Juliet Spread (Guest Post)

Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous; and it pricks like thorn. – William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet

After Kevin Winder’s terrific Frankenstein Spread guest post, he delivers a one-two punch with his new, extensive Romeo & Juliet spread for use with The Deck of Shadows. Of course, I didn’t want to wait until Valentine’s Day to share it with you .  .  . so you get it now. As Kevin teaches you, the purpose of the Romeo and Juliet spread is “to show that in any relationship there is both good and bad, and that if potential obstacles are challenged and not ignored they can be overcome.”

I think everyone knows Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and tragedy. Needless to say, Kevin’s Deck of Shadows‘ spread allows you to explore the whole concept of true love conquers all.

GUEST POST FROM KEVIN WINDER

This spread uses 11 cards from a well-shuffled and cut Deck of Shadows. If you are giving a reading for a male client, you start with the Romeo card. If you are reading for a female client, the first card read is the Juliet card. You use this same rationale when addressing the other issues covered by The Romeo and Juliet Spread. In other words, feel free to start your reading with any position that makes more sense in the context of what your client wants to explore.

The 11 cards you will be using represent:

POSITION 1.  Romeo

MEANING:  This is the personal situation faced by your male client, and what they are bringing to the situation. This position can also highlight possible issues that they may need to resolve to make the relationship a success. [SCOTT’S NOTE: When you are reading for a female client, this position represents the male energy – if not the client’s romantic counterpart, herself – that is involved in the present situation.]

POSITION 2.  Juliet

MEANING: This is the personal situation faced by your female client, and what they are bringing to the situation. As with the Romeo card, this position also highlights potential issues that may need to be addressed for the relationship to work. [SCOTT’S NOTE: When you are reading for a male client, this position represents the female energy – if not the client’s romantic counterpart, himself – that is involved in the present situation.]

POSITION 3. The Montague Family

MEANING: This is how Romeo’s friends/family view the current relationship, and how that perspective is affecting Romeo’s behavior, feelings, and goals. This is the position that reveals what others would like to see happen for Romeo. In other words, this summarizes their concerns and desires. This may be either or good and bad, but can be influenced by how Juliet reacts.

POSITION 4.  The Capulet Family

MEANING: This is how Juliet’s friends/family view the relationship, and how their perspective is affecting Juliet’s behavior, feelings, and goals. As with the former position, this also reveals what others would like to see happen – this time for Juliet. This may be either or good and bad, but can be influenced by how Romeo reacts.

POSITION 5.  Romeo’s Personal Obstacles

MEANING: These are the obstacles that Romeo must overcome for his relationship with Juliet to thrive. This may also portend the the possible outcome if Romeo fails to overcome his challenges.

POSITION 6.  Juliet’s Personal Obstacles

MEANING: These are the obstacles that Juliet must overcome for his relationship with Romeo to thrive. This may also portend the the possible outcome if she fails to overcome her challenges.

POSITION 7. The Couple’s Obstacles

MEANING: Romeo and Juliet will have to overcome many obstacles (both small and more substantial) if their relationship is to thrive. This card indicates what obstacles they will have to work together to overcome as a couple.

POSITION 8. The Poison (Romeo’s Downfall)

MEANING: This is what could destroy Romeo and his love; what could lead to the demise of his relationship. It may also outline any potential issues that appear once the relationship with Juliet has blossomed.

POSITION 9. The Dagger  (Juliet’s Downfall)

MEANING: This card reveals that which can destroy Juliet and her love for Romeo; what can lead to the end of their relationship. Once again, this card highlights potential pitfalls that will be needed to be overcome if their love is to survive.

POSITION 10. Romeo’s Joy/Bliss

MEANING: These are the feelings and emotions that Romeo can bring to the relationship to allow true love to prevail. It may also indicate what Romeo has sacrificed/overcome to reach this stage.

POSITION 11. Juliet’s Joy/Bliss

MEANING: This card represents that which Juliet brings to the relationship, and the feelings and emotions that she has in regards to that bond. This card may also highlight the issues that have been overcome to achieve the comfort that being in this present union brings.

The Spread Layout

SCOTT’S COMMENTS

The real power behind Kevin’s Romeo & Juliet spread is the ability to begin your analysis and interpretation anywhere along the way. Most other spreads mandate a specific, linear style of reading. This spread, literally, sets you free.

Thank you, again, Kevin for sharing so lavishly with everyone!

If you’re interested in finding out more about The Deck of Shadows, you can go to my website at the following link:

The Deck of Shadows

Just some thoughts (from Kevin Winder and me). If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | The Frankenstein Spread (Guest Post)

Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of voice, but out of chaos. – Mary Shelley

Halloween is only about a month away. Certainly you will want to be prepared with your Deck of Shadows for some fashionable layouts to add to your bag of tricks! Recently, Kevin Winder contacted me with a sublime layout that centers around Mary Shelley’s tale. I’m posting this now so you can become familiar with this before the upcoming holiday.

As a bit of backstory, the first edition of Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus was published in London in 1818. Many people incorrectly call the monster in the tale, Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein is the man who created the monster we’ve all come to know. The monster was never given an actual name in the book.

GUEST POST FROM KEVIN WINDER

There are times in everyone’s life when they feel that certain issues and problems have been created by others. Still it is how we react to those situations that matters most. The whole purpose of The Frankenstein Spread is to show someone that it may be their personally darker side that they feel unable to control (as opposed to the situation, itself). As with all things, there is an opposite that may bring light to the situation and once this is recognized, controlling it may become easier.

The Frankenstein Monster’s Spread uses 6 cards in 6 positions. They are:

CARD 1. The Creator (Victor Frankenstein)

MEANING:  This is what has created the monster that seems to be in control of your life at the current time, and what allows you to resign yourself to being controlled by something you feel is not of your own making.

CARD 2.  The Monster

MEANING: This is your current personal situation; that which is destroying your real self and, as such, is controlling you and your life. It may even be shattering your hopes and dreams. This is something that you do not currently like about yourself. It may even be the direct opposite of the person you wish to be or the way you wish things to be.

CARD 3.  The Monster’ Feelings

MEANING: This is how you view The Monster and how it is controlling your thoughts and actions. It may also explain why you have let it have such control.

CARD 4.  The Villagers

MEANING: This is how your friends/family actually view The Monster and the way that it is acting and their efforts to try and appease it as opposed to letting it run amok.

CARD 5.  The Downfall

MEANING: What the possible outcome may be if The Monster is allowed to continue unchecked or the problems that it may create are allowed to continue.

CARD 6.  The Escape

MEANING: That which will awaken the real you and stir you from your current path. This ensures that you are far better prepared to deal with The Monster should it reappear.

[Scott’s Notes: Obviously, the Boris Karloff images are what most people envision when they hear the name Frankesnstein. However, Bernie Wrightson of Marvel Comics illustrated a 1983 edition of Frankenstein based on the actual descriptions from the original Shelley book. I have used Wrightson’s images for the card layout. More information on Wrightson’s work can be found here: Frankenstein Illustrated.]

Here is what the spread looks like:

Images (c) Bernie Wrightson

SCOTT’S COMMENTS

Thank you, Kevin, for this very timely Deck of Shadows layout! I truly appreciate you taking the time to invent this, write it up, and then sharing it.

If you’re interested in finding out more about The Deck of Shadows, you can go to my website at the following link:

The Deck of Shadows

Just some thoughts (from Kevin Winder and me). If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | A Trusty Sidekick (Guest Post)

As you can imagine, it is always incredibly wonderful to receive messages from people who have The Deck of Shadows. It’s even more fun to read about their unique and personal ways of using the cards. Today, I’d like to share with you something that Bill Tarot wrote up and sent to me.

GUEST POST FROM BILL TAROT

Have you ever found yourself staring down at the Tarot cards you pulled and knew it could mean one of two things, but you weren’t sure which? Or how about the times when you look at one of the cards in the spread and think… “huh!?!”

My cure to this situation is The Deck of Shadows, and the deck has never failed me, yet. I’ll give you a recent example. A friend of mine had to give some bad news via a presentation to a group of executives where he worked. After struggling with how to shape the message, he turned to me for advice and I turned to Tarot. The 10 of Swords spoke to the ending of a bad financial period, and the 10 of Wands highlighted that they weren’t giving up even though it felt overwhelming. This was all true, and he had already incorporated those messages into his slide presentation. But I felt the 10 of Wands had more to say, and I just wasn’t picking it up.

So I turned to The Deck of Shadows and, naturally, received a laser sharp message that rounded out the advice. I pulled the card called Underdog. It pointed to an issue that my friend and some of his teammates sometimes forget. His company was battling competition that was well entrenched and my friend’s company was a relative newcomer. The burden of the 10 of Wands was due, in great part, to the fact that they were The Newcomer – The Underdog. When my friend framed his message against that little guy backdrop, the situation no longer looked as gloomy, and the presentation had the positive side effect of rallying the “everyone loves the underdog” energy.

As we study Tarot, we learn many different ways to interpret the cards – but during the reading, it might be only one aspect that our intuition instantly grabs hold of and passes to the conscious mind as the message. Similarly, The Deck of Shadows (at least for me) tends to have only one element that intuitively resonates in a reading. Each card has 4 words, and only one may stick out as the focused message. Yet other times, like a traditional Tarot deck, it’s the central image or even the small icon on the bottom that presents itself.

My current reading deck may change from time to time, but The Deck of Shadows is always the trusty sidekick. I don’t use them for every reading, but I make sure it’s always with me when I give one.

During Readers Studio 2011 in New York, Aaron Rathbun was showcasing his leather Tarot bags (which can be custom designed). I asked him to create one for me that would house a common-sized Tarot deck and The Deck of Shadows (with some side room for stones). Now, when I leave house with my Tarot bag, I know I have everything needed for a great reading with me.

SCOTT’S COMMENTS

Thank you, Bill, for letting me (and now others) know how you are using The Deck of Shadows and for taking the time to write this all up. Your case, by the way, looks phenomenal!

I just love how people continue to discover how easy it is to mix oracle tools rather than being stuck with only one reading device.

If you’re interested in finding out more about The Deck of Shadows, you can go to my website at:

http://thinkingmagically.com/deck_of_shadows.html

Just some thoughts (from Bill Tarot and me). If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

The Deck of Shadows | The “Show White” Spread

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of those masterful stories that holds profound meaning for most people. Who hasn’t been enthralled by the retelling of the evil step-mother queen, the magic mirror, and the seven dwarfs? The official story, traced back as far as 1857, has all the elements of a classic mythological tale. It is no wonder, then, that this fairytale can serve as an outstanding backdrop of a divination layout/spread for use with The Deck of Shadows.

For me, the Snow White tale is, itself, a mirror that reflects what many people are feeling today; that sensation of being stuck in place and not knowing where to turn for help. It is a story of knowing you deserve better, but watching others take what you believe to be rightfully yours. It is a testimony of the path our own uneasy innocence takes as it is tested and matures until our happily ever after is achieved.

The following spread, then, can be used to help someone discover how to overcome feelings of being trapped, and what to look for to find the exhilaration and triumph of finally living their dreams.

You will be using 12 cards (7 of those, of course, are for the Dwarves).

Shuffle and cut the deck. Select 12 cards and lay them out, as follows:

The images for this spread, by the way, are from the wonderful illustrator, Charles Santore.

These 12 cards now represent:

POSITION 1.  Snow White

MEANING: Where you are right now. This is the submissive part of yourself that has taken over, thus resigning yourself to the rut in which you find yourself. This is also that part of you that believes if you are too successful, you won’t be liked.

POSITION 2.  The Evil Step-Mother Queen

MEANING: This is your adversary; that which is jealous of you and, as such, seeks to control you, disrupt your plans, and even shatter your dreams. This is someone or something that is unfamiliar, and in conflict with you; it is your opposition and is usually spurred on by the element of envy.

POSITION 3.  The Seven Dwarves

MEANING: These 7 cards represent your helpers; these are the people, things, and energies that are there to aid you and rescue you from your current situation. These are the people who will dig deep to find what is precious and valuable in you, and keep you safe from harm. These are the people, things, and energies that will also warn you of approaching danger. Each of the 7 cards is read one-at-a-time, initially, and then interpreted in conjunction with each other (look for the story line these cards all tell). (NOTE: If you want a more expanded reading, you can also interpret how the Snow White card brings aid to these; offering harmony and bringing them into balance.)

POSITION 4.  The Handsome Prince

MEANING: That which will revive, awaken, and stir you from your current situation, and inspire you to live your life fully. This is the Kiss of True Love that ignites your passion to be more than you are now. It is also the enthusiasm you need to re-discover and the appetite for living a life that needs to be refueled.

POSITION 5.  The Apple

MEANING: That which will entice and tempt you, but which should be avoided. This seduction will only lead to you being taken advantage of.

POSITION 6.  The Magic Mirror

MEANING: This represents the principles of both creative power and truth telling. This is what you need to learn. It is already being employed by The Evil Step-Mother Queen and, eventually, provides the information that provokes the assault upon Snow White. This is the honesty that The Evil Step-Mother Queen cannot bear and which Snow White must learn to embrace without guilt or fear.

The whole purpose of The Snow White spread is to show someone that, as Walt Disney is supposed to have said, people ought to know that there’s light after the darkness.

Just some thoughts. If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com

SNOW WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS by Charles Santore

The Vitruvian Square | The Karma Spread (Guest Post)

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.

– Albert Gyorgyi

Well, The Vitruvian Square Casting Cloth (a natural deepening of my book, The Vitruvian Square) has sparked an incredible amount of interest and lead to new creations in the way people use the system. Because of the really terrific responses, I have decided, for the first time, to periodically post guest content so that you can see how others are using both The Vitruvian Square and The Deck of Shadows. Today, then, I want to share with you The Karma Spread from Craig Rovinsky. It uses The Deck of Shadows in conjunction with The Vitruvian Square and is something I think you will truly enjoy.

THE KARMA SPREAD

(using THE VITRUVIAN SQUARE)

by Craig Rovinsky

What follows is a very easy, very interesting way to do a card reading using both The Deck of Shadows and The Vitruvian Square.  I came about this approach indirectly.  A friend, Sebastian Black, told me about an idea with a three card reading.  Sebastian uses The Deck of Shadows and has praised it in many conversations with me.

Sebastian suggested a small addition to a three card spread . . . add another card above the three main cards.  This fourth card is The Unknown.  This additional unknown card easily added to the depth of the central reading.  While I have known of variations of this before (looking at the bottom card of the Tarot deck after a deal) it seemed to work incredibly well with The Deck of Shadows.

Then one day I was looking at The Vitruvian Square and I noticed the spot for zero . . .  above the cards . . . just like Sebastian had suggested.

One recommended meaning for the zero Place of Power is the concept of Karma – and so The Karma Spread was born.  Simply, the card in the zero position is the lesson you must learn at this time in your life.  The other three (or however many cards you choose) expand on this lesson.

So let me demonstrate this for you by giving an example reading using The Karma Spread.  It has been mentioned that The Vitruvian Square and The Deck of Shadows almost do the reading for you.   I will follow this approach and construct my reading pretty much straight off the key words of the cards and the square.

If you have Scott’s Vitruvian Square and his Deck of Shadows, you can follow along and will see exactly where I got the things I said.  We will start with the Karmic lesson to be learned, expand on it with three cards, and then find out what action to take by looking at The Vitruvian Square.

So I have dealt out three cards from The Deck of Shadows:

1.  Seven of Diamonds

2.  Eight of Diamonds

3.  Jack of Clubs

I have the rest of the deck face down on the zero position (at the top of The Vitruvian Square) . . . I turn it over and the bottom card now facing me is:

4.  Five of Diamonds

[SCOTT’S NOTE: When the cards are placed in The Vitruvian Square matrix, the formation looks like the diagram, below. Remember that the cards are placed on the numerical equivalent of their value. So, the Seven of Diamonds goes on the “7” square, the Eight of Diamonds goes on the “8” square, and the Jack of Clubs equates to “2.” Jacks = 2, Queens = 3, and Kings = 4.]

The Karmic lesson that you need to learn at this point in your life is to keep a sense of adventure about life.  To some degree you have lost the ability to risk, to seek variety in life.  There just hasn’t been enough movement in your life and things have gotten stagnant.

I can’t help but notice that three of the four cards are Diamonds; a clear indication that the field of adventure you need to address is in your personal finances.  While this doesn’t mean being a financial fool, it does suggest you might look at spending a bit of money in a way you hadn’t expected to, just because it is fun.

What has happened is that time has snuck up on you.  It seems many opportunities have passed you by and you find yourself wondering if those are all of the chances you will get.  It is clear from this card though that, if you go with the flow, things will begin to happen . . . much more quickly than you thought possible.

In a way, this change now is due to a maturation . . . doing adult things for adult reasons.  It makes you savor the moment  and just expand the present to forever.  This change is your destiny.  It is something you have deserved for a long time, your Karma.  Serendipity will present more challenges and opportunities but you must do a couple things first.

If you look at your Vitruvian Square you will see you are only one quality away, in each direction, from from having two powerful planes (Squares 5 and 9).  First, you are just short of completing your Plane of Values . . . finally finding out who you are.  To do this you need a little Heirophant time (Square 5) – spending some time with your own inner judge, your value system and looking at it honestly.

Once you have done that it is time to complete your Plane of Action and make a difference in the world.  To do this you need to complete the emotional work you started when you worked on your Plane of Values.  This requires you to spend some Hermit time (Square 9) to balance your values and you will be there. It is only your thoughts that are stopping you, and you will complete this phase by trusting your inner moon.

The result of all this will be the completion of your Karmic lesson for this time of your life . . . adventure.  Do these things we talked about here, and a fun and interesting life will be yours!

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

Thank you, Craig, for sharing this with all of us. It’s always exciting to see how others extend my creations. If anyone else is interested in providing some guest content, let me know.

Just some thoughts. If you enjoyed this, please click below to share this with others.

And make sure to sign up for my blog mailing list so you get all future postings delivered directly to your inbox.

© 2011 by Scott Grossberg. All Rights Reserved. thinkingmagically.com