Any system of divination should be alive and dynamic, able to take in new methods and insights. And these insights should make those who already know sit up and take stock. In truth if you are a true student of tarot you should be challenged constantly.  A big part of my own studies on the tarot is deconstruction: taking apart what I already know and then re-assembling it to see new insights. I find this happening each time I put up a new video on youtube, which is why there are so many hiatuses on that front.

So here is a case in point regarding Elemental Dignities. The other day, James Ricklef contacted me about his idea for “contra-positive cards”; how to deal with difficult minor cards like the 9 Swords etc using a variation of Elemental Dignities. James uses the opposing element (disks in the case of 9 Swords), and a numerological technique to come up with the balancing card. There was a part of me that had problems with this, and it is not because I was being precious about my ‘baby’. People can and should come up with their own ways of interpreting the tarot using the simple rules of EDs – the more the better. It took me a while to realise what the problem was – for balance, it should be a universal law, not just for difficult cards, and a few days later, James second post addressed those issues and develops his ideas further.

What do you think? How can you develop your own ideas on interpreting the tarot that are universal and balanced?