So without much further ado... let me just drop some of the learned wisdom via notes...
The Fourfold Way of Tarot, with James Wells and Joanna Powell Colbert....
Notice where we are. Remember we are to enter into a sacred space, inviting archetypes in the name of wholeness. "I invite all that is healthy, life-giving, sustaining in the east, south, west, in the north. I invite all these forces to be present and support us in this time together. I invite all that is good and healthy and loving above. Same in below. I invite all that is healthy, life-supporting, whole and loving in the center, I call that energy to be present.
I invite all that is healthy in the warrior archetype to be present and guide us. I invite the visionary to be present and support us. I invite the healer to help us. I invite the power of the teacher to be present and hold our time together in wisdom. All that is whole, in its name, I invite.
Once the sacred space has been opened.... we went on to explore the four-fold way.
The fourfold way....
Body of work by Angeles Arien, who is an anthropologist and healer. It's a way of being in the world. She researched land-based peoples around the planet: when we listen to earth-centered peoples, we listen to ourselves in our deepest core. This way is designed to increase respect for nature and each other. It enhances our capacity to work more collectively and creatively. In harmony with our innermost nature, so that we heal ourselves and the world.
Now, on to the archetype's attributes and energies:
WARRIOR...
Leader. Abides in the north. Father Sky. His principle is to show up and be present. Leads and empowers people. Staying in our own power. Extending honor and respect. Responsible for all our actions in the journey. Judicious communication. Sets clear boundaries, it's discipline. The Right use of Power. James associated Emperor (Builder in the Gaian Tarot and the Air Court.
his instrument is the rattle.... maraca!!
From the Air Suit. Top of the Spread. I got the 6 of swords. I can best be present by knowing that I am the one that rows the boat and I need to really keep my own balance for the sake of everyone's safety. I need to give instructions and make sure the querent acknowledges and understands them for the collective safety of the journey.
What this archetype does to help the tarot reader and benefit the reading: Setting the tone, explain and guide the querent. Being precise about our own method, facilitates the querent's decision-making. Loves something enough to perfect, take care of, the other... keep the reading on track... make the querent feel safe.
Now breathe long and trust the energy of the warrior will follow us throughout the session.
HEALER..
Care taker. Abides in the South. Pays attention to what has heart and meaning. When we are being the healer in a Tarot session we respect and acknowledge. James Associates it with the Empress (Gardener in the Gaian) . He encourages to find our own. Close to the ground. Birthy energy. Pentacles. Nature connection, plant realm. Minerals, all four-legged creatures in the solid ground. Invites us to take part in meaning. Our inner healing grows when we tend to the heart. The full clear, open, strong four-chambered heart.
As readers, we validate, accept what is. Recognition is healing. Holistic. Recognizing the power of love as the most powerful healing available. Honoring the principle of reciprocity. We are in this together. No competition. Journey work. Acknowledging. Sense realm. Healer can be beneficial to a Tarot consultation. To me the warrior creating delimiting, and the healer sustaining it with compassion. Letting the client know it's ok to be there (or nowhere). Story telling, giving the space the querent needs.
His instrument is the (?). Missed it. But sounded precious.
From the Earth Suit. Place it below to the south. How can I best pay attention to what has heart and meaning during the consultation? I pulled the 5 of pentacles. In the Morgan-Greer I have a woman tending to a wounded man. One of her hands is over his head, the other one is over his back. She is also desolate (the wounded healer) but she is giving protection and hope.
VISIONARY.....
Problem solver. East. Telling truth without blame or judgement. We reveal and inspire. Magician. Gaian Tarot would have the . Fire Suit. His instrument is the bell.
As we enter into her realm, we listen to this bell. The creative problem-solver. Creatures of the desert. Rising Sun, the Great Spirit.
I'm the temple. Not getting into justification or blame. Telling what is. Perceptions. Insight. Seeing the entirety. Honors power of prayer. Brings forth our life dream. Intuition. Perception. Insight and Vision. Reveal what is necessary and to walk their authentic self. Expanding the sacred space where it is needed. Who am I? Suit of the self. Miracles...letting it come through without the ego second-guess it. Explorer.
The visionary is beneficial in the tarot session in that she acknowledges that we are all becoming, unfolding, being as process. Honor the transmission given.
In the spread: how can I best express the truth without blame of judgment?
I got the two of wands. I have the card where the visionary is holding a crystal ball. Someone else is bringing him a broken wand, but he will not accept it.
TEACHER...
In the West. His principle is being open to outcome, detached from it. Justify and clarify and become more neutral as tarot readers. Hierophant. In the Gaian Tarot would be Teacher. Water suit.
Her instrument: the old bone and the stick.
"No outcome until we're six feet under..."- James.
In a session, the ancestors and heritages are honored. The reader honors this by being flexible, discernment and trusting. Fluid... open to all ways or outcomes. Wisdom.
In a tarot session, I think she is beneficial by not being reactive to whatever comes up from the querent.
In the spread, to the left side: How can I best be open to outcome in the consultation? I picked the 7 of cups. There are so many choices there. And as a teacher I see them all. To know and transmit the knowledge that in the very act of making a choice we become less fear of outcomes. Finite and Infinite.
Holistic map for living. Wholeness incarnate. (World Card).
So, to recapitulate: we all have these four within....
**The Leader in us chooses to be present.
The Visionary in us speaks the truth, regardless of consequences.
The Healer in us sorts for what has value.
The Teacher in us is unattached to outcome.**
In the Center of the Spread...we are to draw a major. What would the best tarot consultation would be for ourselves as readers? What do you want most to say regarding the Fourfold way as a tool in your tarot path? How do you bridge the four ways in yourself?
Temperance. My birth card.
As we all came in. We can exit by giving thanks to the directions, above and below.... giving gratitude for supporting you, we release you... farewell.
