This article uses the New Deck Interview Spread discussed here. Read that article first then this one.
I have been working with the Gilded Tarot for awhile but I want to get a better understanding of the sort of deck it is at its’ heart. I want to know what these Tarot cards are like. What they have to say to me. What this Tarot deck had to say was quite informative indeed!
These are the questions I asked the Gilded Tarot deck:
Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic?
Tarot Card: The Tower (R)
Keywords: Facing the Unexpected
Elemental Alignment: Fire
What are your strengths as a deck?
Tarot Card: The Wold (R)
Keywords: Attainment and Self-Actualization, But Not Yet
Elemental Alignment: Earth
What are your limits as a deck?
Tarot Card: Two of Swords
Keywords: Indecisive Stalemate
Elemental Alignment: Air
What do you bring to the table—what are you here to teach me?
Tarot Card: Wheel of Fortune
Keywords: Roll the Dice!
Elemental Alignment: Fire
How can I best learn from and collaborate with you?
Tarot Card: The Empress (R)
Keywords: Fertility and Growth
Elemental Alignment: Earth
What is one thing you want to ask of me?
Tarot Card: Seven of Cups (R)
Keywords: Emotional Decisions
Elemental Alignment: Water
What do you expect me to bring to the table—what can I teach you?
Tarot Card: Eight of Cups (R)
Keywords: Letting Go
Elemental Alignment: Water
What do you enjoy?
Tarot Card: Ten of Cups (R)
Keywords: Happily Ever—Hold On, It Isn’t The End Yet—After
Elemental Alignment: Water
What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?
Tarot Card: Ten of Wands (R)
Keywords: Lightening the Load
Elemental Alignment: Fire
Things to notice: There are four Major Arcana cards in this spread. There are no court cards or pentacles present. There are two tens, one of which is a cup card, and three cups. Lastly, there are three Tarot cards that belong to Fire and Water elements, two that are from the Earth and one that is an Air element.
This spread says much with so little. Expect the unexpected to happen and be prepared for it because the Gilded Tarot leads with strong first step as its’ most important characteristic. It is rather like walking the plank, a fine line between balance and luck. Reversed, The Tower says, “Face up to the the unpleasantness and it will go away faster.” The Gilded Tarot does not mince words, it is not a gentle deck. Because The Tower is associated with Fire, things will move along and they cannot be ignored.
The World (R) is next. As an Earth element, it is stable and steady. There is more yet to do to get back on the track. No cutting any corners, now! Nor would any shortcuts be possible with all the work there is to do in getting the train back into the track. The Gilded Tarot’s strengths as deck revolve around being willing and able to put the man hours into the work ahead.
The Two of Swords, the only Air element, is the third card drawn. The Gilded Tarot can help in many ways but its’ limits have to with being indecisive and unable to make the decision. It can point the way, but that is all. The choices to be made will have to come from elsewhere. As it should be. There is no having the cake and eating to too. Right or wrong, the Gilded Tarot can only help with pointing out the options.
The first triad in this spread is the triple element triad of Fire-Earth-Air. Any progress made here will be slow. Fire and Air are friendly toward each other but Earth is dragging its’ feet about all these changes. Things will eventually get done but there will be much red tape and hoops to go through before that can happen. The second-guessing has to stop. Like it or not, these are the rules and in order to get something that is desired, something must be given. Holding steadily to the beliefs and being unrelenting will have no gain.
Wheel of Fortune is the fourth card and another Fire element. Roll the dice! Go on and get out there. Take the risk! There is only so much that can be done from the living room couch. Real learning is messy and hard work with chance thrown into the mix. No one is successful with one foot still in the crib. Learn to let go. Growth cannot happen without failures. The uncertain is scary, but that is what makes taking the risk worth it.
The second, and last, Earth card is The Empress (R). “Be completely honest with me and I will do the same with you,” she says. Okay then, it is to be a relationship of equals. No holds barred. Excellent! At the same time, it is a solid relationship and unshakable. The Gilded Tarot will say what needs to be said. It has to for this collaboration to accomplish anything. Feelings will not be spared.
The Seven of Cups (R) is the first Water card. Be decisive. Stick to the choice no bailing out! Do not give up the dream for it can, and will, be a reality. Water is fluid and emotional. Clearly there is a lot of emotional work to be done in this relationship. There is no second guessing with this card though. Three cheers for follow through!
The second triad is also a triple element triad comprised of Fire-Earth-Water. Fire and Water are too busy yelling at each other to help Earth out of this mess. Earth, however, is more than capable of holding steady and carrying the load. Do not expect anything big to happen here though. It is best to simply keep on the same path and not to get caught up in this rowdy fight.
The Eight of Cups (R) is the seventh card. Be present, be here. Look with wonder at the world and bring that same wonder to the Tarot. Do not take anything for granted. Change may be small and fleeting but it is still change. The Water may seem calm at times but skip a rock across it and it moves. Everything changes.
The Ten of Cups (R) is the last Water element. “In time of test, family is best,” is a Burmese Proverb. They may not be much, but they will stand loyal until the end. Like the family, the Gilded Tarot will not be abandoning anyone. It will help when help is needed, not only when asked, but when needed. Everyone needs a pick me up every once in awhile and the Gilded Tarot will share the burden.
The Ten of Wands (R) rounds out the spread. Shared joy is double joy, shared pain is halved pain. It is now time to responsibly let go of the extra weight being carried. There is no need to cajole or manipulate now. The Gilded Tarot is willing and able. Be more flexible and more open to what is being said. Fire is moving right along to the finish line.
The last triad in this spread is Water-Water-Fire. Not much movement is happening but there is a spark of Fire. That tiny light brings hope. One well-placed flame could tip the momentum still. Then things will move along, but for now enjoy the quiet serenity of the Water.
There are two Tens in this reading. Tens indicate the completion of one cycle and the start of the next cycle. These Tens both signify sharing and helping out. maybe the Gilded Tarot should be nicknamed the Helping Hands in light of this message? Many hands make light work. Work can be enjoyable, though if you whistle, hum, or sing, while you work.
There is almost an ascending order with the suit of Cups in this spread. That the Wish card is absent from this pattern is telling. It shows that what is desired is not there but that it can be there with some effort. Emotional mastery is not a straight shot, however, there are many bends in the river. Careful navigation is required. The scenic route along the river is the best way to travel.
The Gilded Tarot will be an important Tarot deck, providing much insight and knowledge as well as a few nudges when necessary. It will not be a soft touch deck by any means however though. It will do the job, whatever that may entail to help the truth become evident. Just the things for anyone who favors the practical approach. It is definitely no afraid to get down and dirty either!
