Say It With Tarot

Everything you want to know about Tarot--especially for contemplation, self-empowerment, personal growth and creativity--from Tarot expert, author and deck co-creator Janet Boyer.

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Janet Boyer

Janet Boyer

Janet Boyer is the author of Back in Time Tarot (Hampton Roads), Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer Publishing) and Naked Tarot: Sassy, Stripped-Down Advice (Dodona Books). She's the co-creator (with her husband, artist Ron Boyer) of the Snowland Deck and Coffee Tarot, and authored both companion books to those decks. A Renaissance Soul, she is also an award-winning cook, mixed media artist, jewelry artisan and journal maker. Next to creating, her favorite thing to do is spend time with her beloved husband, son and 5 cats at her rural home in Pennsylvania. Visit her at JanetBoyer.Substack.com
2018 Tarot Journal - A Minor Arcana Journey
The Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the least explored cards in the deck (including the Court Cards). I've changed all that by creating the 2018 Tarot Journal: A Minor Arcana Journey.
 
This oversight in most (if not all) Tarot books is unfortunate, because the Four Elements are reflected in the Minor Arcana cards symbolically and practically.
 
4 elements banner 500
Each suit relates to:

WATER - Cups, chalices, bowls, hearts or other receptacle for holding. It is considered feminine/passive in nature. Colors often used in Water cards are deep blues, aqua and, in some cases, gold (in terms of cup color and preciousness). WATER/CUPS connects with relationships, intuition, feelings, dreams, the unconscious/subconscious, psychic phenomena, empathy, compassion, forgiveness and matters of the heart. Its energy is of a slower nature--steeping, stewing. In ancient Tarot de Marseilles style decks, CUPS was associated with the clergy. In the four-humor model, WATER is sanguine. In terms of Jungian function, WATER is Feeling.
 
FIRE - Wands, batons, staffs or clubs, its phallic shape connects it with the masculine/active. Colors often used in Fire cards are red and orange, sometimes bright yellow. FIRE/WANDS connects with passion, energy, enthusiasm, courage, gumption, vocation, career (as opposed to actual job), and many issues related to the "self" (as in, "self starter", "self propelled", "self possessed", etc.). Its energy is of a faster nature--sudden, and sometimes explosive. In ancient Tarot de Marseilles style decks, WANDS was associated with the peasant class. In the four-humor model, FIRE is choleric. In terms of Jungian function, FIRE is iNtuition.
 
EARTH - Coins, pentacles, disks, crystals, diamonds or other round object. It is considered feminine/passive in nature. Colors often used in Earth cards are greens and browns, sometimes gold (in terms of money). EARTH/COINS connects with the physical realm, such as material possessions, money, job, health, land, home and environment. Its energy is of a slower nature--cautious, methodical. In ancient Tarot de Marseilles style decks, COINS was associated with the merchant class. In the four-humor model, EARTH is phlegmatic. In terms of Jungian function, EARTH is Sensing.
 
AIR - Swords, blades, arrows or spades, its shape is also phallic, and thus masculine/active. Colors often used in Air cards are powder blue, gray, white and at times, yellow (especially pale yellow). AIR/SWORDS connect with the mental realm--thoughts, communication, decisions, beliefs, judgments, clarity of ideas, opinions and so on. Many people believe that thoughts cause suffering, not situations. Thus, AIR/SWORDS is often attributed to arguments, hostility, anxiety and suffering. In ancient Tarot de Marseilles style decks, SWORDS was associated with nobility. In the four-humor model, AIR is melancholic. In terms of Jungian function, AIR is Thinking.
 
I thought a wonderful way to go deeper with the Minor Arcana to explore its symbols and practical insight into our lives was to create a journal dedicated to not only cards 1-10, but also the Pages, Knights and Queens.
 
Some fast facts about the 2018 Tarot Journal: A Minor Arcana Journey:
  • This is a full-color, printable journal that doubles as a calendar. Every week is dedicated to ONE card in the Minor Arcana, with eight lines for writing down your answers. Every DAY includes a journal prompt, with a bonus prompt at the end of every week--377 prompts total.
  • Thirteen spreads for you to use, with full-color illustrations.
  • You do not need to own a Tarot deck to use the 2018 Tarot Journal! Full-color images of every card in our Snowland Deck is provided at the beginning of every week. Prompts are based on the keywords and energy of the card, so anyone can use the Journal with great results.
  • Bonus prompts (52 of them) often ask you to look through your deck or draw a card or cards. You do NOT have to do the bonus prompts if you don't yet have a deck. (You're also free to use any oracle deck or charm-based oracle like our Boyer Charming Oracle, instead). Or, you can visit sites that provide images of all 78 Tarot cards to make your selection. The free website My Divination (click here) lists 133 different decks you can browse through for card selection--including our Snowland Deck
A full year's worth of thought-provoking prompts that will take you through the Minor Arcana, as well as:
  • The highs and lows of your relationships, dreams and feelings
  • The wide range of your attitudes, assumptions and fears
  • The strength of your passion, courage and self-esteem
  • The nitty-gritty of your environment and work, as well as your physical and financial state

May your 2018 be filled with joy, peace and good health--as well as fruitful introspection and conscious creation!

-- Janet

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Every Day Magic – A Pagan Book of Days

From a Moon Books perspective, Every Day Magic is not just another Pagan title. When we started Moon Books, more than five years ago, one of the critical success factors for us would be the extent to which we were able to engender a community of authors, both those writing best-sellers and those who wished to offer contributions to anthologies, who at times would come together and produce books exactly like this…” – Trevor Greenfield

From deity bios to religious observances, recipes to poems, formal holidays to commemorative feasts—Every Day Magic: A Pagan Book of Days (Moon Books, Edited by Lucya Starza) is a delightful little anthology filled with unusual lore, familiar myths and the birth/death days of myriad mystical figures.

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Recent Comments - Show all comments
  • Janet Boyer
    Janet Boyer says #
    Thanks so much for stopping by, Lisa! Your contributions on Elven spirituality is fascinating.
  • Lisa Allen
    Lisa Allen says #
    What a wonderful article Janet! I am so happy that the book we both were contributors for is getting so much great press! Excell

Posted by on in Culture Blogs
AstroTarot Forecast for December 2017

What do the cards have in store for you this month? Look for your Sun Sign below to find out! (Or, if you're an Astrology buff, consult your Sun, Moon and ASC for a more in-depth overview). For this Forecast, I used our brand new Coffee Tarot deck (art by my husband, Ron). Grab yours at CoffeeTarotDeck.com (it comes with a hand-sewn bag, .pdf of Keywords and a secret Facebook Group). To read more about coffee symbolism, click here and here.

ARIES
DARKENED400 Coffee9 Air GE
Aries: March 21- April 19 (Nine of Air) –Fiery Aries, you’ve got a lot on your mind this month—but the good news is most of it is in your…drumroll…mind! Seriously, you’re getting yourself worked up into a tizzy about unfounded fears and anxieties. Calm down, slow down, try some Tension Tamer Tea (it totally works—trust me) and relaaaaaax. Ahhhh, doesn’t that feel better? Breathe deeply, and often. Stay centered. Focus on what is good, beautiful and peaceful.

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Coffee Tarot - Blending Common Symbols with the Tarot

Over three years ago, I made a post here called The Evolution and Re-Interpretation of Symbols (or, The Coffee Tarot Leaves Me Cold). Click here to read that  post. 

You may recall that someone said to me:

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What's Talking to You?

Just got done watching a powerful video featuring Jim Carrey and his painting process (yes, that Jim Carrey).

One of the things he said struck a chord with me:

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Coffee Divination and Dream Symbolism

How many java junkies out there?

You, too?

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Symbolism in the Hierophant Tarot Card

The Hierophant is usually deemed Trump 5 in the Tarot. Hierophant means revealer of sacred things. While The Emperor is earthly, secular and governmental authority, The Hierophant is religious, spiritual and sacred authority. This archetype embodies cultural traditions, moral dictates, religious teachings, orthodoxy and philosophical or ethical mandates.

Phrases and Keywords: Tradition; Exoteric Religion; Formal Education; Religious Authority; Right and Wrong Wrangling; Dogma; Ethical Standards; Social Mores; Morality; Philosophy; Doctrine; Canon; Spiritual Beliefs; Revered Teachings; “Shoulds”; Orthodoxy

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