Magical Practical Tarot Nights - Practice Reading the Cards!

RSVP here on Eventbrite! https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/magical-practical-tarot-practice-4345753

Pair up, watch, and ask questions in the process. "Silly" questions allowed. Magical Practical Tarot Night! Pair up, watch, and ask questions in the process. "Silly" questions allowed. We will be practicing doing Tarot readings on each other, using a variety of spreads. The first 30 minutes will be a quick introduction to your teacher and to the Tarot, and then 90 minutes of practice!

-What you need: your favorite Tarot deck. There will be some decks available to borrow!

-What you get: Professional guidance, group support, handy dandy cheat sheets.

-Dates: Feb 3 & 17, Mar 3 & 17, Apr 7 & 21 (first and third Tuesdays)

-Times: 6:30pm-8:30pm.

-Location: Universal Church of the Master Office 1361 South Winchester Blvd. Ste. 115, San Jose 95128,
(In Oaktree Garden Offices. There will be signs, but parking and entry are in the back, and the room is to the right and straight down.)

-Suggested donation is $20 for each evening. However, no one will be turned away! I accept VenMo, PayPal, CashApp, Zelle, and cash. @ladyofradiantjoy or ladyofradiantjoy@gmail.com

Want to get a head start on what Tarot is before showing up to class? Visit: https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/p/tarot.html

Interested youth are welcome!

Quick about your Tarot Teacher: Reverend Ruth-Renate (R3) Davidson, M.Ed, CMT, has been a professional Tarot reader since June of 2018. R3's interest in Tarot in the 90s was waylaid and blessedly found again in the second decade of the 21st century. Tarot is one of her favorite tools to ground and get out of her head. Learn more about R3 at https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/2021/10/a-bit-about-me-rewrite.html

Lots of Changes: Revamping the website and resources

Update to the update: Life has thrown some curve balls, so this is taking longer than expected. Feel free to contact me if you have questions!  

Original update: The title says it all yo. That's what I'm up to here. The goal is to make these more easily accessible and searchable. 

(Ironically, I started and finished with the spirit animal guide section only to find out soon after that the original site has been restored! All that work for nothin'. Oh well. That's okay though, I have linked the new site so you have the spirit animal guides I made contact with that weren't part of the original site and also a link to the original site. Best of both worlds, right? I'm just amused by this.)

Links to Major Arcana - Basic Meanings

 

0: The Fool (Card 0 or 22) - Basic Meanings

1: The Magician (Card I) - Basic Meanings

2: The High Priestess (Card II) - Basic Meanings

3: The Empress (Card III) - Basic Meanings

4: The Emperor (Card IV) - Basic Meanings

5: The Hierophant (Card V) - Basic Meanings

6: The Lovers (Card VI) - Basic Meanings

7: The Chariot (Card VII) - Basic Meanings

8: Strength (Card VIII) - Basic Meanings

9: The Hermit (Card IX) - Basic Meanings

10: The Wheel of Fortune (Card X) - Basic Meanings

11: Justice (Card XI) - Basic Meanings

12: The Hanged One (Card XII) - Basic Meanings

13: Death (Card XIII) - Basic Meanings

14: Temperance (Card XIV) - Basic Meanings

15: The Devil (Card XV) - Basic Meanings

16: The Tower (Card XVI) - Basic Meanings

17: The Star (Card XVII) - Basic Meanings

18: The Moon (Card XVIII) - Basic Meanings

19: The Sun (Card XIX) - Basic Meanings

20: Judgment (Card XX) - Basic Meanings

21: The World (Card XXI) - Basic Meanings

And then 22 for back to the Fool. ;)

Bonus cat pic: Owl & Huntress

Links to Tarot Card Cheat Sheets

All the cheat sheets in one easy to find place! 

Major Arcana:

https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/2022/10/major-arcana-cheat-sheet.html

Wands:

https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/2023/04/wands-suit-cheat-sheet.html

Cups:

https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/2023/04/cups-suit-cheat-sheet.html

Swords:

https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/2023/04/swords-suit-cheat-sheet.html 

Pentacles:

https://www.ladyofradiantjoy.org/2023/04/pentacles-suit-cheat-sheet.html

Pentacles Suit Cheat Sheet

click for easy printable google doc

The suit of Earth. The tangible world. Wealth, nature, mortality, family life, work, legacy

1. Ace (1) of Pentacles: the root essence of Earth, a beginning 

2. Two (2) of Pentacles: Juggling time and resources 

3. Three (3) of Pentacles: creative endeavor, teamwork 

4. Four (4) of Pentacles: conserving resources, slow to give

5. Five (5) of Pentacles: scarcity thinking, needing help

6. Six (6) of Pentacles: giving and receiving, balance

7. Seven (7) of Pentacles: learning curve, patience

8. Eight (8) of Pentacles: working on your craft

9. Nine (9) of Pentacles: abundance, peace

10. Ten (10) of Pentacles: Family, tradition, inheritance 

Court Cards - typically a person, you or someone else, or how you or someone else are being perceived. Can also represent the qualities needed in a situation, within yourself or from someone else. 

11. Page of Pentacles: youthfulness, enthusiastic learner

12. Knight of Pentacles: impulsive, yet solid and steady 

13. Queen of Pentacles: mature, warm and caring, 

14. King of Pentacles: well rounded, lavish,

Swords Suit Cheat Sheet

click for easy printing google doc

The suit of Air. Thoughts, communication, truth and ethics, cutting through the BS, mental states, logic, planning, conscientiousness

1. Ace (1) of Swords: the root essence of air, a beginning 

2. Two (2) of Swords: Cutting out the noise, choice

3. Three (3) of Swords: heartbreak, misuse of logic

4. Four (4) of Swords: rest, quieting the mind 

5. Five (5) of Swords: justification, a bad victory 

6. Six (6) of Swords: change of  thinking, 

7. Seven (7) of Swords: deception, self-deception 

8. Eight (8) of Swords: feeling trapped, stuck

9. Nine (9) of Swords: nightmares, haunted, ruminating

10. Ten (10) of Swords: Betrayal, down and out

Court Cards - typically a person, you or someone else, or how you or someone else are being perceived. Can also represent the qualities needed in a situation, within yourself or from someone else. 

11. Page of Swords: youthfulness, philosophizes 

12. Knight of Swords: impulsive, quick to judge

13. Queen of Swords: mature, particular, detail oriented

14. King of Swords: well rounded, linear, big picture oriented

Cups Suit Cheat Sheet

Click for easy printable google doc

The suit of Water. Emotionality, conscious feeling, subconscious emotions, flow, flexibility, care, joy, romance, subtler energies, inner circle friendships. 

1. Ace (1) of Cups: the core essence of water, a beginning

2. Two (2) of Cups: Partnerships, healing

3. Three (3) of Cups: celebrating with friends, abundance 

4. Four (4) of Cups: Feeling salty, ignoring options

5. Five (5) of Cups: grief, sorrow, sadness before moving on

6. Six (6) of Cups: nostalgia, positive childhood memories

7. Seven (7) of Cups: overwhelmed with choices

8. Eight (8) of Cups: walkabout, leaving what no longer serves

9. Nine (9) of Cups: Satisfaction, happy with progress

10. Ten (10) of Cups: Happy family, joy after the storm,

Court Cards - typically a person, you or someone else, or how you or someone else are being perceived. Can also represent the qualities needed in a situation, within yourself or from someone else. 

11. Page of Cups: youthfulness, dreamy 

12. Knight of Cups: impulsive, hopeless romantic

13. Queen of Cups: mature, loving, soothing, 

14. King of Cups: well rounded, patient, stable, kind

Wands Suit Cheat Sheet

click for easy printable google doc

The suit of Fire. Willpower, inner drive/motivation, compassion and community, personal passions, action and reaction, forward momentum, being by doing

1. Ace (1) of Wands: the core, essence, of fire, a beginning

2. Two (2) of Wands: Assessment, weighing the options

3. Three (3) of Wands: Waiting for results,

4. Four (4) of Wands: Community celebration, joy

5. Five (5) of Wands: struggle, unnecessary competition

6. Six (6) of Wands: Victory, recognition, 

7. Seven (7) of Wands: Stand your ground, 

8. Eight (8) of Wands: lots of movement

9. Nine (9) of Wands: Holding the line, injury, battle scars

10. Ten (10) of Wands: Overburdened, heavy load, the grind 

Court Cards - typically a person, you or someone else, or how you or someone else are being perceived. Can also represent the qualities needed in a situation, within yourself or from someone else. 

11. Page of Wands: youthfulness, excitable 

12. Knight of Wands: impulsive, daredevil, 

13. Queen of Wands: mature, reassuring, radiates warmth, smiles easily

14. King of Wands:  well rounded, go get 'em vibes, ambitious

Massage Therapy

Lady of Radiant Joy Massage 

Opens in November 2022!

Every Monday. 

In downtown Campbell. 

116 E. Campbell Ave. 

Suite 7

Campbell, CA, 95008

I am renting a room from Pure Massage Therapy. 

Major Arcana Cheat Sheet

 The suit of Spirit. The bigger life lessons. These typically carry more weight, more depth, and typically have a more lasting impact in a reading. 

     0. 0 - The Fool: A beginning, adventure, risk

1. I - The Magician: Mise en place, resources 

2. II - The High Priestess: wisdom, discernment

3. III - The Empress: community, outreach

4. IV - The Emperor: structure, logistics

5. V - The Hierophant: teaching, tradition

6. VI - The Lovers: union (both platonic and romantic), passion

7. VII - The Chariot: dignity, movement, alignment

8. VIII - Strength: will, gentle persuasion

9. IX - The Hermit: sacred solitude, vibing with nature

10. X - The Wheel of Fortune: ups and downs, roll with the punches

11. XI - Justice: law and order, honor, fairness

12. XII - The Hanged Man: new perspective, staying still, discomfort  

13. XIII - Death: change, transformation

14. XIV - Temperance: even tempered, blending opposites

15. XV - The Devil: sensuality, stuck/trapped, addiction

16. XVI - The Tower: shock, FUBAR*, sudden change

17. XVII - The Star: hope, relief

18. XVIII - The Moon: reflection, shadow self, illusion

19. XIX - The Sun: happiness, things are looking up, inner child

20. XX - Judgment: answering the call, resurrection

21. XXI - The World: integration, an ending

22. 0 - The Fool: (also numbered 22 when needed, such as numerology with Tarot)

*FUBAR means F*cked Up Beyond All Recognition, it's a military term I learned when I was in the USMC Jr ROTC in high school, for when everything goes spectacularly wrong. PDF VERSION

The World (Card XXI) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

The World, numbered XXI (that's twenty-one in roman numerals), indicates that you are at an ending of a chapter, moving on to the next chapter, the next book. Feeling on top of the world, celebrating connection. Integrating previous experiences and lessons learned. Knowing your worth. Circle of life, one eternal round, alpha and omega, A and Z, 0 to infinity. Support from the four corners of the Earth. 

Obstacle:

If the World is in the obstacle position then it indicates that you may be having trouble integrating what you have learned and experienced. It could also indicate that you feel you know better than others and using that to bully others, likely as a misguided attempt to be supportive. Disconnected from the infinite, afraid of coming down, unrealistic "can do" attitude. 

Solution:

If the World is in the solution position it's a call to remember all that you have been through to get to where you are, and that where you are now is good. You're wiser, smarter, kinder. Every end has a new beginning. You choose how to end this chapter, and how to begin the next one. Trust your guides, trust yourself. Use the tools you have for the next jump. 

NOTE: Picture slot intentionally left blank. No pictures are used so that anyone using any Tarot deck, especially one using the Smith-Waite system (aka: Rider-Waite-Smith), can use these meanings.

Judgment (Card XX) - Basic Meanings

General:

Judgement, numbered XX (that's twenty in Roman numerals), speaks to answering the call to resurrect  a part of yourself you had let go, bringing something back to life. Honor your ancestors, those who have come before. Remember the worth of your own soul; you are worthy because you exist. You have a purpose (or two or three) because you exist. Answer the calling(s) of your heart, mind, and body.

Obstacle:

If Judgment is in the obstacle position then it indicates that you are stuck in the grit, in the productivity trap, where anything else sounds like noise to you and judged as less worthy. You've answered the false call to work yourself to death. Denying the lighted hearted wholesome parts of yourself, refusing aid. Dead soul walking. To get out of the death trap, talk to someone you trust. 

Solution:

If Judgment is in the solution position it's time to rekindle your love affair with life. Pick up that paint brush again, start writing again, play music again, restore a car you love. It doesn't matter how long it's been, simply start, for the joy of it, to come alive again. Remember who you are and where you came from. Forgive (including yourself), but never forget; so you remember the lessons you've learned. 

NOTE: Picture spot intentionally left blank. The use of NO pictures is on purpose so that anyone using any Tarot deck can benefit from these meanings more easily; particularly those using the Smith-Waite system (aka: Rider Waite Smith, RWS). 

The Sun (Card XIX) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

Yes, life is good again, all is groovy. The Sun, numbered XIX (that's nineteen in Roman numerals), is all about the sunnier happier side of life. The simple joys. Riding in wagons, wholesome fun, running in the grass barefoot, dogs on a beach, cats in the windows. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a good day to make new friends and keep the old. Play, enjoy your responsibilities, enjoy your down time. 

Obstacle:

If the Sun is in the obstacle position that tends to indicate TOXIC POSITIVITY BABY. Trying too hard to see the bright side of things that you don't see reality in front of you. No, that person really is a jerk face and can't be trusted. No, that really did suck and you didn't really deserve that. Sometimes it can mean refusing to see the good things too, but if nothing matters then everything matters. 

Solution:

If the Sun is in the solution position then it's likely telling you to quit being a negative nelly. Look at the bright side. Even if you believe "life is pain" enjoy smelling a rose, listen to your favorite music, laugh at comedy. Something terrible may have happened, but the positive side is when people react it by during their part in doing right. Remember all of your blessings, it makes the trials go down easier. 

NOTE: Picture slot intentionally left blank. NO pics used on purpose so that anyone using any deck, especially ones based on the Smith-Waite system, can relate to the meanings more easily. 

The Moon (Card XVIII) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

The great cyclic bridge between night and day. The Moon, numbered XVIII (that's eighteen in Roman numerals), speaks to illusion and shifting forms. Facing your shadow self, the parts of yourself that don't live up to your own principles. Look up at the "inkblot" of the Moon to hopefully see beyond what is traditionally seen in the moon; a face, rabbit, frog, Hebrew letters, koi fish, or something else?

Obstacle:

If The Moon is in the obstacle position then it indicates a stubbornness to hold onto an illusion, or belief that all things labelled "dark" are bad or evil. A refusal to look at yourself honestly. A refusal to look at someone else or a situation honestly. Believing that the distorted long shadows are more real than the "thing" that's casting the shadow. Look at your fears under the sun in the twilight hours.

Solution:

When the Moon is in the Solution position it's time to look at all viewpoints, and to  discern your own motives and desires. Take note of the turns being made to hide what's private while still revealing the truth in conversation. Also, remember, at times the moon can be seen while the sun is up. It's okay to do moon work during the day, especially at these times. Moonlight is sunlight kissing the night sky. 

NOTE: photo slot intentionally left blank. NO pics are used so that these meanings can apply to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system (aka: Rider Waite Smith, RWS).

The Star (Card XVII) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

In the skyrise of the dark night of the soul, there is hope. The Star, numbered XVII (that's seventeen in Roman numerals) reminds us of the hope we feel when we look up at the stars, when we have our feet firmly planted, feeling the Earth beneath them. The Star tells us that somehow, in someway, things will be good again, and right now, despite the hardships, you can feel the wonder and awe of being alive. 

Obstacle: 

If the Star is in the obstacle position can indicate feeling completely jaded, apathetic and hopeless, or, pinning all your hopes and dreams on one thing or one person. Neither are healthy. One is a bleak way of living and the other is counterfeit hope, like is being caught in a cycle of abuse under the pretense of the perpetrator changing. Look up, and dream something new, something different. 

Solution:

If the Star is in the solution position then you need to keep hope in front of you, constantly, in any way you can. Find the golden thread, the iron banister, the healing stone, whatever connects you to the groundedness and reality of hope. Somehow in all the messiness of life there is so much beauty to be found and so many beautiful ways to ease suffering. 

NOTE: Picture slot intentionally left blank. I'm NOT using pics so that the meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck, particularly those based on the Smith-Waite system (aka: Rider Waite Smith, RWS). 

The Tower (Card XVI) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

The rude awakening. The Tower, numbered XIV (that's sixteen in Roman numerals), is like a punch to the gut, a boot to the head, horror and dread. Your shelf broke, no wait, the whole bookcase, no wait, the whole house, holy hell, and you're thrown for a loop and wonder how you are going to land. You're blown away, but, always the dust settles. Always you come back to center, to ground, as you process it all. 

Obstacle:

If the Tower is in the obstacle position, this is you processing it all but instead of making some changes for the better, you're like NOPE, Imma go ahead and do the SAME thing I was doing before. So you rebuild the same faulty house, with the same faulty foundation. But eventually, you will be blown away again by the excrement hitting the fan and it all comes crumbling down again, until you take your lessons to heart. 

Solution:

If the Tower is in the solution position, it's time to SHAKE THINGS UP. Yeah, sometimes, YOU are the tower moment in someone's life, laying out the truth as fairly and kindly as possible, but holy moly, sweet Jesus that still hurts. Embrace the whirlwind. Ride it out. Even if it's your world that crumbled, there's always beauty in the breakdown, and a touch of humor as well. 

NOTE: Picture section intentionally left blank. No pictures are used on purpose so that anyone using any Tarot deck, particularly the Smith-Waite system (aka: Rider Waite Smith, RWS), can use these meanings for their cards. 

The Devil (Card XV) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

The Devil, numbered XV (that's fifteen in Roman numerals), is about vice, the misuse of power and control, addictions and beliefs that steer you away from whole hearted healing and being. Virtues turned inside out into extremes, bastardizing intentions and meanings. False beliefs that vilify life in the flesh. Using the sensual to harm life instead of to edify life. The Just World Fallacy.

Obstacle:

When in the obstacle position the Devil indicates staying in a bad situation, refusing to see that the qualities of honor, loyalty, safety, love, and other good qualities you have, are being exploited, or used against you. There's gaslighting going on. And self-deception to the point where you are not only hurting yourself but others as well. 

Solution:

When the Devil is in the solution position it may be one of those times where it's better to with the devil you know than the devil you don't. Also, sometimes, love can hurt, light can hurt, it's all too much, so the positive can feel like a devil hounding you. So, sometimes, that's the "devil" you need to listen to, or conversely, perhaps you are the "devil" by being a force of light and love in someone's life. 

NOTE: Picture spot intentionally left blank. NO pictures are used so that the meanings can be more easily applied to anyone using the Smith-Waite system (aka: Rider Waite Smith, RWS). 

Temperance (Card XIV) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

Temperance, numbered XIV* (that's fourteen in Roman numerals), is about harmony, knowledge, and discernment; knowing what, when, where, and how to do something as well as knowing for how long, what tools to use, and when to wait. Rather like baking a cake or a yeast bread. Time Tools and Techniques, use them all to get a more desirable outcome. 

Obstacle:

When in the obstacle position, Temperance indicates you are skipping an essential part of the process, moving too fast, unwilling to learn moderation.  You are not in control of your life; unsustainable life practices, beating a dead horse, running your life ragged. Even our physical hearts need to rest between beats.

Solution:

When in the solution position, Temperance is telling you to remember even handedness, to be calm of heart and clear of mind. Now is not the time to fly off the seat of your pants but to use thoughtfulness and care. Preparedness and planning, three deep cleansing breaths, listening and patience. Good timing. Rather like, flipping a pancake. 

NOTE: Picture spot intentionally left blank. NO pictures are used on purpose so that it's easier for anyone to use their favorite Smith-Waite based deck (aka: Rider Waite Smith, RWS)  with these meanings. 

Death (Card XIII) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

Death, numbered XIII (that's thirteen in Roman numerals), is change.* The acorn dies in order to become an oak tree. Whenever something ends, something else begins. Change is the only constant in the universe, so you may as well have fun with it. Let change edify your life. Every time you learn something new, you change a little bit, and that's so very cool.  

Obstacle:

When in the obstacle position, Death tends to speak to fear of change and of the unknown; a denial of change. Yet, in reality, if you delay change for too long the change happens anyway. Chronic denial of change moves into stagnation, which changes into regression, and then into unnecessary suffering. It's okay to be scared, but gather your courage so you can zen it out while moving forward; progressing.

Solution:

When in the solution position, Death is asking you to make them your friend by embracing change with wild abandon. Get excited about the adventure of discovering what needs to change. Get grounded and real about what needs to change. You have to let go of what no longer serves you in order to get through what you are going through well, even when it's hard. Embrace it with compassion and curiosity. 

*Addendum: Death almost never means physical death, and even if it did, it's illegal to predict physical death anyway. 

NOTE: Picture slot intentionally left blank. I'm using NO pictures on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS). 

The Hanged One (Card XII) - Basic Meanings

 

General:

The Hanged One (aka: the Hanged man), numbered XII (that's twelve in Roman numerals) is a call for you to change what you are doing by doing nothing; be still, wait, pause. Things are a bit topsy turvy, upside down, inside out, and it's time to look at things from a different perspective. Sometimes the best thing to do is to stop and look around; left, right, up, down, turn around. 

Obstacle:

When the Hanged One is in the obstacle position it means you don't want to stop and get your bearings. Maybe you already think you know everything you need to know about the situation, or maybe you are afraid that if you slow down you'll get screwed over. Either way, you are moving to fast and you have got to slow down before you make that turn or you really fall over and it'll hurt bad. 

Solution:

When the Hanged One is in the solution position it means a whole lot of "Naw, I'm chill" is needed. The, "No, not now, let me think about that first," type language creates the space you need pause and think more deeply about things. Do you have the spoons? Do you want to be involved? Saying yes to all things gives you tunnel vision; negating compassion, self-care, and gentle inquiry. STAHP. pls.

NOTE: Picture slot intentionally left blank. I'm using NO pictures on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS).