There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t divine. Tarot divination is my specialty and combining various divination modalities with the cards such as hand analysis, face reading, and sand casting, is a lifetime passion. I am devoted to the spirit of tarot, committed to tarot learning, and fascinated by tarot culture. Bottom line, I am constantly pursuing ideas that promote tarot with a twist. Keep it tuned here and join me as I continue my quest for rare divining outlets with the cards.
While holiday consumers are out purchasing trees and decorations, my husband and I decided to take a different route —one that required no shopping, cutting down trees, or adding to landfills.
This year, instead of going with a traditional tree, we put our use-what-we-have minds to the test and asked, “What do we already own that will bring the spirit of Solstice into our home?” We took in our surroundings and started a mental list of the items we might use.
Items like tarot decks and books instantly made the list, as did a string of white lights and a bag of gift bows. Great stuff that we had plenty of, but how could we go about creating a holiday tree out of books and decks? For the answer I turned to one of my favorite oracles, Google Images and typed in the following combination of words: holidaytree decorating, making holiday trees using books, and card/deck trees. It didn’t take long for the answer to reveal itself. There were about 450,000,000 results with several featuring holiday book trees. Apparently book trees are a growing trend that many non-traditionalists are adopting and are best described as stacked books that are shaped and decorated to give the look of a holiday tree. This was the perfect fit for our needs and an easy one at that.
Inspired by what we saw we went to work using our materials list and created what we coin our Holiday Tree of Knowledge. We took about 100 books of varying sizes and topics to construct our tree. Towards the top of the tree we added a few tarot decks, and for the topper itself we chose Le Monde, the World card from the Marseilles deck by Jean-Claude Flornoyare. To give it that holiday glow we wrapped the tree in white lights and levoilà! A tree was born.
What we love about our tree is the overall feel it provides. Although it’s not a tree in the traditional sense, it does what most holiday trees set out to do. It warms our home, brings a smile to all who see it, and serves as a great conversation piece. In addition, we not only have the option to view the tree, but we can also read it. And that’s not all.
This being the season for giving we decided to make our tree interactive and created an activity that includes divination. Had to! Circulated throughout the tree are oracle cards that a querent can select from and take home as a holiday reminder. For this we used the Card and Rumi Book Pack created by Eryk Hanut and Michelle Wetherbee. Each card features lines from Rumi’s finest verses. At the tree’s base we fanned out two tarot decks that include brief card descriptions printed on each card. For this we chose a U.S. Games Rider, Waite, Smith deck titled Tarot Affirmations, with text by Sally Hill, Ph.D. The second deck is the Rumi Tarot by Nigel Jackson, which is a beautiful blend of Jackson’s art with Rumi’s poetry printed onto the cards.
As winter reaches its peak, we’re discovering the Holiday Tree of Knowledge to be spot on in its divination. So much so that people are coming back for more and calling it the Giving Tree. We feel we’ve adopted the makings of a new Solstice tradition and encourage you to consider trying one for yourself.
The project took less than an hour to assemble and requires no tools or pages of instructions. Simply begin by placing your larger books in a wide circle on the floor (tabletops are also an option) and start stacking upward making the spiral smaller as you reach the top by using smaller books followed by decks. Decorate to your liking and be one of many who are changing the way we approach the season by not giving into holiday consumerism and giving with what we already own.
Here’s is a message for you from our Holiday Tree of Knowledge to yours:
The world grows green again, and runs with gardens.
Jewels from the mines glitter in each tree.
Souls open like suns and link with one another. ~Rumi
Tarot decks adorning our Holiday Tree of Knowledge can be found at my favorite tarot source, The Tarot Garden:
http://www.tarotgarden.com
Merry Solstice!
Posted on December 22, 2011, by carie
Category Uncategorized
“A free spirit takes liberties, even with liberty itself.”
~Francis Picabia
For several years I’ve opened my tarot booth to the colorful folk attending Oregon Country Fair. This magical event has been attracting free spirits from far and wide since1969 and this year I had the honor to give a reading to Sheila and Leila, sisters and self-proclaimed “winners of the 2011 Lane County Beauty Pageant”. Neither put stock in the tarot, yet without hesitation both slipped right into divining and gave new meaning to the cards. Powerful queens that Sheila and Leila are, I believe they also conjured an accent spell on me. Suddenly I was granted a beauty queen twang for the duration of their reading. Enjoy this video that invites the free spirit in all to come out and play.
Posted on July 14, 2011, by carrie
Category On the Road
SOUL CORDING Soul Cording visually presents the journey of the soul as a threading element that unites, ties, merges, and mends. All the while it weaves itself into a rich fabric that creates a powerful life-tapestry. Ultimately it connects us to our soul’s unique expression.
In this gathering we will navigate toward a place of soul recognition and explore what it means to be in deeper relationship with our soul’s message.
HOW IT WORKS
Soul Cording applies the wisdom of the tarot directly onto a collage-print (see above example). This print is designed to create strong connections to universal truths and works as a customized map that charts a path of harmony and understanding.
WHAT TO BRING A traditional tarot deck consisting of 78 cards. We will be using the above image as our Soul Cord map. While not absolutely necessary for this Meetup, I do recommend that you download and print out the image as a guiding tool. Please visit our Files page, scroll down and click on the link titledSOUL CORD IMAGE:
PLEASE NOTE: This is a free and live online webinar/Meetup and is limited to 20 participants. You will be sent a link that will take you directly into the Virtual Tarot Classroom two days prior to the event. This class will fill quickly. Please make sure that you can attend before committingand that you have the required equipment.
Webinar Equipment Requirements
In order to participate you must have a broadband connection and a headset with microphone. Please do not attend this webinar if you do not have the required equipment as it will create feedback. It is not necessary for you to have a webcam for this event. Dialogue with myself and other participants can be made through a text chat function. You will also have the opportunity to raise a hand icon (available in the classroom/depending on class size) which will prompt me to turn on your microphone so that all can hear your comment or question.
TIMING
Please remember to check your time zone – this Meetup is scheduled for:
9:00 AM- PST to 11:00 AM PST
10:00 AM- MST to 12:00 PM MST
11:00 AM- CST to 1:00 PM CST
12:00 PM- EST to 2:00 PM EST
I will be in the Virtual Tarot Classroom 15 minutes prior to starting. Please do your best to arrive a little early as there is much to cover. All levels invited and encouraged. I look forward to divining with you soon!
In this gathering we will revisit a six card tarot spread that I presented in Santa Fe in November of 2010. This class was one of our most popular in that it delivered profound answers to burning questions. And although powerful, this spread is easy to use and goes directly to the point of what wants to be revealed. In addition, it gives focus to the symbols that speak to the soul of the reading. Come to this Meetup with a specific question in mind. Keep it simple and avoid questions with the words should, either/or, and yes or no. Instead, form a question that invites clarity. For example, rather than asking:
Should I take this new job or stay with the job I have? Try, What can I expect if I accept the job being offered me? Or, How will this new position enhance my life?
The more you solidify your question, the more solid the answer will be. Be prepared to manifest what is at the heart of the matter.
It is important that you show on time. Once this spread begins we will not be able to catch you up should you arrive late.
If you have one, please use a traditional tarot deck consisting of 78 cards, pen and paper, and a willingness to explore uncharted territories. As always, I look forward to divining with you in the Virtual Tarot Classroom!
How many times have you experienced the Hierophant in your life? For many, the association is less than desirable and rarely have I witnessed someone say, “Oh good! I pulled the Hierophant!” In this series of interviews called, The Trumps, I set out to break the bad card spell by exposing each trump’s personal side. I wanted to actually interview the cards, give them voice and see them move while telling their story. The best option for this was to locate a team who would share my vision of moving tarot outside the box and into what I coin, Tarot with a Twist. First up, the powerful web-designing duo of all things creative, Gabe Marihugh and Roz Foster of www.glopilot.com. Both Gabe and Roz jumped on the opportunity to put this project together and between the three of us and a few animation programs –both Mac and PC, we brought to life Trump 5, the Hierophant.
The next step was finding a match to do the voice over work of Trump 5. Tarot enthusiast and all around good sport, Mike Hernandez of www.JustEnoughTarot.com volunteered for the job and I think you’ll agree this was a match made in Hierophant Heaven. To capture the voice of the Hierophant, Mike and I each sat at our computers in Seattle and Santa Fe and through the magic of video conferencing recorded the Atu 5 interview. As synchronicities go, I think it fascinating that Mike’s birth card is also the Hierophant. True to his birth card Mike stepped right into his role of helping the tarot world see another, dare I say, less traditional side of the Hierophant.
Have you ever been petitioned by a disembodied voice to step into your vocation? In this interview, Mike Hernandez and I discuss how he experienced an audibly loud request from his guides to read the tarot. A call he couldn’t refuse! Join me as I interview Mike and discover more of his incredible journey with the cards. Mike also shares with us his powerful and easy to follow spread titled, The Issues at Hand Spread (pdf). Get your decks at the ready!
Click the image above to watch the interview.
The Issue at Hand Spread - click image to download pdf
I will be presenting at Readers Studio this year. Please join me in Cocoamancy and taste your reading! Discover the flavor of tarot through the realm of chocolate. In this gathering we will marry our cards with our palettes and pair them with hand crafted chocolates designed to illuminate tarot insight. Experience the richness of the Court Cards by wedding them with a European cocoa consumed by Italian Royals. Partake in a naughty dark chocolate that brings favor from both the Devil and Lovers. Rouse the inner warrior with a courage-charged elixir that prepares one to conquer fear. And beckon an immortal message from the Death card while sipping the spirit-essence of the cocoa plant. Combine all of these and more at Readers Studio 2011!
Posted on March 22, 2011, by carrie
Category Events
You deal the cards with your hands, but have you ever wondered if there might be other ways for hand and cards to relate? In this webinar, Carrie Paris takes you into the world of tarot and palmistry and shows us some very practical ways to combine the two.
Co-hosts Fern Mercier and Lyn Howarth-Olds again collaborate to bring tarot lovers a weekend of tarot indulgence. Five years have passed since their first joint project, the hugely successful tarot event arcana in 2006. And, whilst the Southern Symposium will be on a slightly different scale, elements of the original event still remain. The weekend will take shape as a ‘live’ three card reading –where we have been, where we are now and where we are heading, (past, present, future).
Posted on March 22, 2011, by carrie
Category Events
This is the one of my favorite events where I get to play the gypsy and give readings at my booth at Oregon Country Fair. This three day gathering is held annually on 280 wooded acres west of Eugene, Oregon and features handmade crafts, music, foods, community based culture and of course, tarot readings. If you want a reading at the fair contact me early as my appointment book fills by opening day, Friday the 8th. Merry Meet!
Posted on March 22, 2011, by carrie
Category Events
