Ni

She’s working at the hospital since Rhona came to town,

Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s come to town,

Hide away, hide away, she’s come to take us down.

Miss Rhona’s at the doorstep, I’ll keep 6 feet away,

But Grandma needs the paper, I’ll take her some today,

Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s come to stay,

Hide away, hide away, we can’t come out to play.

But Grandma needs the paper, I’ll take her some today,

And here’s a note from Rhona, she wanted me to say,

Hide away, hide away, keep 6 feet away,

[Image ID: Tumblr user @neanderthyall says in the notes, “I thought that 6 feet was kind of a double meaning. Like six feet away to stop the spread, but when people die they’re six feet underground, and its six feet of the dirt that keeps you apart. Like ‘Hide away, hide away, even though it hurts Hide away, hide away, or the six feet will be dirt’.” End ID.]

I’ve taken the liberty of expanding the lyrics slightly and coming up with a tune:

Daddy’s at the food store, Mummy’s out of town, She’s working at the hospital since Rhona came to town, Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s come to town, Hide away, hide away, she’s come to take us down.

Miss Rhona’s at the doorstep, I’ll keep 6 feet away, But Grandma needs the paper, I’ll take her some today, Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s come to stay, Hide away, hide away, we can’t come out to play.

I need to see the sunlight, I’ve not been out in days And here’s a note from Rhona, she wanted me to say, Hide away, hide away, keep 6 feet away, Hide away, hide away, she took us down today

As planned I’ve extended this even further and re-recorded it with the new lyrics and a guitar part; it’s also a bit better quality. It’s so cool that so many different versions of this song have sprung up already! I recommend having a scroll through them all on @jus-tea​​‘s tumblr.

(Em)Daddy’s at the (B7)food store, (Em)Mummy’s out of (B7)town, She’s (Em)working at the (B7)hospital since (Em)Rhona (B7)came to (Em)town, (Am)Hide away, hide away, Miss (Em)Rhona’s come to town, (Am)Hide away, (Em)hide away, she’s come to (B7)take us (Em)down.

Miss Rhona’s at the doorstep, I’ll keep six feet away, But Grandma needs the paper, I’ll take her one today, Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s come to stay, Hide away, hide away, we can’t come out to play.

I’m missing all my friends, though we keep in touch by phone, I’m learning what it is to truly be alone, Hide away, hide away, even though you moan, Hide away, hide away, or we’ll be lying prone.

My love she says she misses the twinkle of my eyes, But Rhona stalks the streets and to meet would be unwise, Hide away, hide away, we hear the desperate cries, Hide away, hide away, or see the bodies rise.

I feel myself a-coughin’, I haven’t got a mask, It’s work or die for me, though, so who am I to ask, Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s on the task, Hide away, hide away, she’s come for me at last.

I need to see the sunlight, I’ve not been out in days, And here’s a note from Rhona, she wanted me to say, Hide away, hide away, keep 6 feet away, Hide away, hide away, she took us down today.

The days all run together, I haven’t changed my shirt, We may be getting restless, but keep on the alert, Hide away, hide away, Miss Rhona’s quite the flirt, Hide away, hide away, her touch is not inert.

Telluric Tarot- Anhydrite and Anemone

(I wrote this last year in response to an Ask, figured I would repost it since it comes up often!)

First of all (and this might be late if you’ve already purchased a deck, but for anyone reading this who is looking for their first deck), get a deck that is fairly detailed. There are some incredibly beautiful minimalist decks, but personally I find a detailed and figurative (not abstract) deck is best to start with. Even better if you have people with different faces, expressions, positions, etc.

Tip 1: Don’t memorize the cards, and don’t read the book. Obviously you can read the book at some point, but my recommendation is not to start there. Infer your own meanings from the cards first, and then complete them with the book as needed. I’ll get into more detail on this further down.

Tip 2: Keep a tarot journal. Or use your grimoire to keep notes if you don’t mind having them all in the same spot, but definitely you want some kind of reference for yourself. This is about keeping your initial impressions on the cards, but also how your impressions evolve over the course of your time with the deck. Even beyond reading the book and making your original inferences, I can guarantee your ideas on what means what will change over time (and that’s not a bad thing). Tarot is like learning a language and as your understanding of the language evolves, your original notes of “x means y” will change and become more nuanced.

Tip 3: Learn the characteristics first, and piece them together to form the meanings of individual cards. Think of the language example again. In the English language, about 300 words make up roughly 65% of all written works. There are over 170 000 words currently used (not counting multiple meanings, different dialects, etc), so that’s less than 1% of words needed to understand most of written English text. This principle can be transposed, to an extent, to most languages… and that includes tarot. My point is: it’s not about learning all the words right off the bat, but about learning the right ones. This is continued in tips 4 through 8.

Tip 4: Learn the Major Arcana last. These cards represent moments of clarity or change. They are normally big events, decisions, etc, and mark a very clear break between “before” and “after”. I know this is the exact opposite of what most people recommend when it comes to tarot, but personally I find the Minor Arcana cards to be a lot more useful for day to day stuff, and the best way to learn tarot is to use it often for small questions that don’t necessarily require Major Arcana cards. If you start with only the Major Arcana cards and ask “should I do my dishes today” and get the Death card it’s kinda like…. super fucking dramatic, you know? I enjoy being as extra as the next guy, but sometimes it’s like powering off your PC with a sledgehammer… there’s a better way to do it.

Tip 5: The suits. Learn the suits as categories by assigning meaning to them on a personal level. If you’re working with a more traditional deck with swords, cups, pentacles, and wands: what do each of these elements mean to you? Go beyond the obvious and get into the details, the backstory, whatever comes to mind. Write down the key words and brainstorm on each of them. For example, when I see swords I think of something more cerebral and intellectual, a decision or action that requires aim and consideration or planning. I also think of the people who tend to hold swords and how they use them (can be used defensively or as an attack). I think about knights, and the sense of duty that a sword can represent. Et cetera for each suit.

Tip 6: The numbers. You want to go over the same as the above, but with each number. What does the number two represent for you? What ideas does it conjure? What are the up sides and down sides of it? Another example, the number four reminds me of stability, like a chair with four legs, but it also reminds me of being restrained or walled in. Stability can be good, but can also lead to feeling trapped… and so on. 

Tip 7: Court cards. Court cards are normally representative of a person, personality type or archetype, or a cluster of characteristics (physical, emotional, or psychological). Personally, I don’t take these cards literally as far as gender, hair colour, etc go (but that’s up to you). For example, a knight with a “male” looking figure doesn’t necessarily mean an adult man. Take hints from the other elements in the card to discern what type of person it could be depicting, and write down your impressions. Again, try to think of the up sides and down sides of this personality type.

Tip 8: Describe the card and put it all together. And I really do mean “describe the card” on a literal level. What is happening in the card? What are the characters doing, if there are any? What’s the story? Think about how the visual action goes with the characteristics you’ve gained from the suit and number in the card. If there are any other symbols or colours that have personal meaning to you, take those into account as well (for example, if the colour blue is dominant and you associate it with calm).

Tip 9: Context clues. Again with the language example, but use your context clues. What position is the card in? What was the question asked? How does this card relate to the other cards around it? Pulling together from our previous examples: I have the four of swords in the “what I should do” position of a spread, and the question is regarding finances. The card depicts a person with their head resting on the hilt of two swords, asleep and looking peaceful. The colour palette is predominantly blue. I might interpret this card as saying to rest on my intellect in regards to this matter. If figures on separate cards are looking forward, backward, at another card… these should all be taken into account. The way I describe it when I’m giving coaching on tarot reading is to see the cards like panels in a comic strip. They individually have meaning, but they need to be read in context of each other. 

Tip 10: The infamous reversed card. In movies inverted cards always seem to be accompanied with a loud gasp and wide eyes, but this is also commonly  called the “advice” position. Meaning, this card is not so much a prediction as it is a suggestion on what you should be doing or improving, or a warning. Use your context clues to determine which of these is most applicable.

Practice! Practice practice practice!! This is probably the most obvious thing in the world, but I can’t say it enough. You can spend all day staring at lists of vocabulary and memorizing, but nothing will help you learn faster than going out into the world and using it. Use tarot for ridiculous little things, and big things, and just whenever! Take notes on how you interpreted the card at the time, and then go back to your notes and see where you were right and where you had misread. You’ll be absolutely amazed how often the answer was in the cards and you just didn’t see it. I highly recommend picking a card in the morning, writing down your interpretation, and then comparing it to how your day actually went. See where your interpretation was correct, and where you need to adjust.

As a final note if you would like to learn more about tarot I HIGHLY recommend checking out biddytarot.com

Honestly, there is nothing I could possibly say that Bridget hasn’t already said (and likely a lot more eloquently). She has an amazing set of articles, a fantastic podcast (and a lovely voice), and on top of all that there is a forum where you can do readings for people and get feedback from them. She even has tips and suggestions on how to read tarot professionally. I’m not affiliated with her in any way, but if I had heard her podcast when I first started reading tarot I would have learned it about five years faster than I did.

What is Cartomancy?

Cartomancy is divining with playing cards.  Each card has a meaning and are interpreted by the reader who organizes them into certain spreads.  Spreads are the way that the playing cards are set onto the table and I’ll be talking about them more later.  Some readers integrate their spirituality into their readings, calling upon deities or spirit guides or connecting with their higher self.  Others may use their beliefs to explain how cartomancy works.

Card Meanings

Hearts

Regarding emotions and home

Ace: New friendship or romance

Two: Deepening attractions

Three: Joy in company, friendship, or celebration

Four: Turning inwards, apathy

Five: Despair, loss

Six: Childhood, nostalgia, good memories, old frienship

Seven: Daydreaming, wishful thinking, choices

Eight: Emotional detachment, leaving love behind, making a hard choice

Nine: Satisfaction, sensual pleasure, spiritual growth

Ten: Contentment, fulfillment, joy, family

Jack: Falls in love easily, romantic, talkative

Queen: Emotionally dependent, empathetic

King: Wise, tolerant, diplomatic, feeling, patient

Diamonds

Regarding work and out-of-house affairs

Ace: New projects, home, or success

Two: Juggling resources, waiting for results

Three: Teamwork, improving skills

Four: Possessiveness

Five: Loss of items, job, or money

Six: Giving or receiving money, a pay raise, obtaining resources

Seven: Reassessment, turning point, mild dissatisfaction

Eight: Paying attention to details, focus, practice

Nine: Independence, self-reliance, increasing wealth

Ten: Great wealth, family, property, or inheritance

Jack: Reliable, hard working, quiet, hidden depth

Queen: Practical, warm, dependent, motherhood

King: Self-made, business, encouraging

Clubs

Regarding finances

Ace: New ideas, business action

Two: Planning, preparation

Three: Leadership, exploration

Four: A goal achieved, rest from action

Five: Competition, disagreement, irritation

Six: Victory, achievements, passing exams

Seven: Defense, conviction, strong belief

Eight: Organization, moving quickly, pregnancy

Nine: Continuing a balance, endurance

Ten: Carrying burdens, doubt

Jack: Unreliable, hot headed, risk taker, athletic

Queen: Energetic, career minded, untidy

King: Creative, forceful, hot-tempered

Spades

Regarding road blocks and difficulties

Ace: New insights, realizations

Two: Failure to communicate

Three: Miscommunication, misunderstanding

Four: Recuperation, recovery, contemplation

Five: Discord, dishonor, hollow victory

Six: Moving on, travel, mentally getting to a better place

Seven: Lying, deceit, theft, irresponsibility

Eight: Illusion of being trapped, powerlessness

Nine: Nightmares, problems, worry, guilt

Ten: Giving up, victim, martyrdom

Jack: Rebel, fights for a cause, intellectual, political

Queen: sharp intelligence, ruthless, insight, organization

King: Introspective, ethical, communication, stern

I use the joker to represent unlimited potential but I’ve seen various meanings.

Spreads

Here’s an example of a cartomancy spread:

A reader places a card on every rectangle pictured above.  They would then apply the meaning of the card to the situation it stands for.  A spread sets up the situation you are looking to divine about.   Here is a spread focusing on a person’s whole life but a reader could lay out a spread that’s centered on a person’s love, job opportunities, or present struggles.  

Cartomancy tips

If doing a face-to-face reading, it’s a good idea to ask the receiver to shuffle the cards.  This allows them to connect to the cards and engage in the reading.  

When you draw the cards, you can choose from the top of the deck or spread them out and choose whichever call to you. 

There is more to consider in cartomancy than the set card meanings.  A group of certain colored cards can be significant as can a group of court cards (kings, queens, jacks)

Witchy History

You’re welcome 🖤

▪️Ace

- hearts: new friendship, romance

- Spades: new insight, realizations

- Diamonds: new project, job, home, win

- Clubs: new idea, business, action

▪️Two

- hearts: deepening attraction

- Spades: failure to communicate

- Diamonds: juggling resources, waiting on results

- Clubs: planning and preparation

▪️Three

- hearts: joy in company, friendship, celebration

- spades: miscommunication, misunderstanding

- Diamonds: teamwork, improving skills

- Clubs: leadership, exploration

▪️Four

- hearts: turning inwards, apathy

- Spades: recuperation, recovery, contemplation

- Diamonds: miserliness, possessiveness

- Clubs: goal achieved, rest from action

▪️Five

- hearts: loss, despair

- Spades: discord, dishonor, hollow victory

- Diamonds: loss of possessions/job/money

- Clubs: competition, disagreement, irritation

▪️Six

- hearts: childhood nostalgia, good memories, old friendship resumes

- Spades: moving on, travel, mentally going to a better place

- Diamonds: giving/receiving money, pay raise

- Clubs: victory, achievement

▪️Seven

- hearts: day dreaming, wishful thinking, choices

- Spades: lying, theft, irresponsibility, deceitfulness

- Diamonds: reassessment, turning point

- Clubs: defense, conviction, strong belief

▪️Eight

- hearts: emotional detachment, leaving love behind, making a hard choice

- Spades: illusion of being trapped, powerless

- Diamonds: paying attention to detail, focus, practice

- Clubs: defense, conviction, strong belief

▪️Nine

- hearts: satisfaction, sensual pleasure, spiritual growth

- spades: nightmares, problems, worry, guilt

- diamonds: independence, increasing wealth, self reliance

- clubs: endurance, physical strength, continuing a battle

▪️Ten

- hearts: joy, family, contentment, fulfillment

- spades: giving up, victim

- diamonds: great wealth, family, property

- clubs: carrying burdens, debt, responsibility

▪️Jack

- hearts: falls in love easily, romantic, chatter box

- spades: rebel, fights for a cause, intellectual, political

- Diamonds: reliable, hard working, hidden debts, quiet

- Clubs: unreliable, hot headed, risk taker, athletic

▪️Queen

- hearts: emotional, dependent, empathetic

- Spades: sharp, intelligent, ruthless, organized, insightful

- Diamonds: practical, warm, dependable, motherhood

- Clubs: energetic, career minded, untidy, disorganized

▪️King

- hearts: wise, tolerant, diplomatic, feeling, patient

- Spades: ethical, introspective, communication, stern

- Diamonds: self made, business owner, jolly, encouraging, enjoys fruit of labor

- Clubs: creative, forceful, hot tempered, charismatic

▪️Joker

- there is a surprise in store for the questioner, situation that was thought to be stable may become suddenly unstable

Heart ♥️ spade ♠️ diamond♦️ Club♣️

Thank you for your trust in my guidance. But I have already answered many of your divination questions. Please refer to this list and explore as you wish.

Scrying 101

Runecasting 101

Runecasting vs. Tarot

Phyllomancy 101

Oneiromancy 101

Charmcasting 101

Cartomancy 101

Recommended Decks (with links to photos and a video)

How many decks should you have?

Who is better at which system?

Kipper vs. Tarot, Lenormand and Sibilla

Lenormand 101

How to Read with Lenormand

Answering Yes or No with Lenormand

How to Predict Timing with Lenormand

How Mirroring is Done

How Lenormand Interacts with Tarot

The Twin Cards in Lenormand and Tarot

Lenormand Cards as Feelings and Thoughts

Tarot + Oracle + Lenormand Spreads

Extra Man and Woman Lenormand Cards

The 12-Step Lenormand Grand Tableau

Lenormand vs. Tarot

Tarot 101

How to Truly Master Tarot

How Tarot Readings Really Work

Recommended Books

Tarot Meanings

What It Means to Keep Seeing the Same Suit

What It Means to Keep Seeing the Same Number

What It Means to Keep Seeing the Same Card

What It Means to Get Contradictory Cards

What Tarot’s Colors Say About Your Future

The Major Arcana as People

How to Remember the Major Arcana

How to Read “Good” Cards as “Bad”

How to Tell Physical Appearance

How to Determine Locations

How to Read Pentacles for Love

How to Decide Which Meaning to Use

How Context Dictates Meaning

The Soulmate Cards

The Forever Alone Cards

The Polar Opposite Cards

The Major and Minor Twins

The “Bad” Cards as Advice

The Cards as Yes or No

The Cards as Someone’s Feelings

The Cards as Advice vs. Outcome

The Court Cards as Thoughts or Intentions

Tarot’s Extreme Meanings

Tarot’s Twins in Lenormand

Literal Card Meanings

Career and Finances Meanings

Meanings for Timing

When Reversed is Better than Upright

The Kings in Real Life

The Queens in Real Life

How the Men in Tarot Will Treat You

The Court Cards and Gender

Physical Attractiveness of the Court Cards

The Real Deal with Tarot’s Pages

The Knights in Fiction

The Queen of Cups in Fiction

When the Court Cards Refer to You

The Best Couples in Tarot

The Emperor’s Love Compatibility

Christian Symbology in Tarot

Tarot and Sexual Behavior

True Love Combinations

Old-time Tarot Meanings

The Past and Future Cards in Tarot

Tarot Meanings for Different Decks

Why We Read Tarot Symbolically

How to Read Reversals

Tarot Combinations for Health Issues

Tarot Combinations for Mental Illness

Tarot Combinations for Cheating

Tarot and Astrology

Tarot and Countries

The Kinds of Wedding in Tarot

The Hierophant is Forever

The Lovers is Not About Choices

The Hermit in Love

The Spokes of the Wheel of Fortune

The Tower’s Duality

The Moon is Not Your Friend

The Star is the Trickiest Card in Tarot

The World is Overrated

The Greco-Roman Gods in Tarot

My Favorite Card and My Least Favorite

The Three Most Misunderstood Tarot Cards

The Three Best Cards in Tarot

The 12 Most Underwhelming Tarot Cards

Tarot Spreads

Past Life Spread

Life Purpose Spread

General Life Prediction Spread

Soulmate Spread

Sex Life Spread

Future Children Spread

Death Prediction Spread

Dream Interpretation Spread

High Priestess Spread (For Quick Predictions)

True Colors Spread (For Questions of Intentions)

Two Paths Spread (For Making a Difficult Decision)

Combined Spreads (Tarot, Oracle, Lenormand)

Ancestors Spread (For Speaking with the Dead)

When Spread (Timing with the Celtic Cross)

Major Arcana Grand Tableau (Yearly Reading Spread)

The What If Spread

The Three Wishes Tarot Spread

The Storyboard Tarot Spread

Using Tarot to Find Your True Gods

Using Tarot to Find Your Rising Sign

How to Perform the Celtic Cross Spread

Tarot Tips

How to Achieve Truthful Tarot Readings

How to Be the Best Tarot Reader You Can Be

Never Pull Clarifiers

Never Use Significators

Never Hold Back Truths

Never Read for Someone You Dislike

The Perfect Deck for Everyone

Reasons to Have Multiple Tarot Decks

Where to Buy Tarot Cloths

Do Not Worry About Mercury Retrograde

How to Enchant Your Tarot Decks

How to Use Tarot to Protect Someone

How to Use Tarot to Control Another Soul

How to Use Tarot for Vengeance

How to Predict Sports Matches with Tarot

How a Tarot Reader Influences Readings

How to Use Tarot to Confirm Your Gifts

How the Rider-Waite Can Help You

What to Do with Rogue Tarot Cards

What to Do When Tarot Scares You

You are Not Cursed

The Importance of Reading Reversals

The Language of Tarot

Tarot Needs All of its Cards

Who to Invoke During a Reading

How to Stay Safe During a Reading

Do Not Confuse Honesty with Hate

On Using Playing Cards Instead

The Right and Wrong Ways of Mixing Decks

The Most Common Tarot Reader Mistakes

The Myth of Not Reading Tarot for Yourself

Tarot Rules and Superstitions

How to Close a Tarot Reading

Tarot Etiquette

Formally introduce yourself

Be open to its requests

Use it often

Acknowledge the card that it assigns to you

Respect its identity

Do not cleanse it

Never ask it the same question twice

When You Can Ask the Same Question Again

Do not ask it basic questions

Do not use it for spying

Never dismiss its predictions

Never use another deck to confirm its answers

Read with it when you are emotional

Do not talk about it negatively

Do not blame it for your own mistakes

Do not pull away from it

Do not think of it as evil

Do not anger it

Deal your cards the right way

Shuffle your cards correctly

Respect tradition

Practice etiquette, conduct and decorum

Tarot is easily offended

On Charging Your Tarot Decks

On Modifying Your Tarot Decks

On Not Using the Whole Deck

On Secondhand Tarot Decks

On the Significance of Your First Tarot Deck

Pirated Decks Also Deserve Respect

How to Store Tarot Decks

How to Greet and Thank Your Tarot Deck

How to Make Amends with Tarot

Keep your tinctures away from it

Spend time with it

Never discard it

Use a cloth with it

Trust it

Sibilla 101

Sibilla Starter Kit

How to Predict Timing with Sibilla

Oracle Cards 101

How Oracle Cards Complement Tarot

Tarot + Oracle + Lenormand Spreads

Other Divination Systems

Alternatives to Tarot

How to Really Learn Palmistry

1 Learn typical recipes (maybe try to recreate them)

2 Watch movies (not only the genres and themes you prefer, but watch their classic movies that everyone there already watched)

3 Listen to music (same as 2)

4 Watch and read the news (follow the news on social media)

5 Watch people travelling around the country

6 Follow youtubers (the vloggers who visit buildings, who talk about festivals and holidays and do stuff at the town)

7 Read books (you can read in english and then re-read in the target language, it’ll make easier)

8 Follow random people on social media (in that way you’ll can see the everyday language, photos of some city, political stuff, etc)

9 Follow meme pages - memes aren’t spaceless and timeless, they talk about some subject the people from that culture are talking about

People are dying. People have died, and others are currently suffering because of the virus. We shouldn't panic about the virus, but calmly assess the situation and make actionable steps to keep ourselves safe based on the risk level.