Talkin’ Tarot With Arwen

Talkin’ Tarot With is a monthly feature designed to introduce my readers to different tarot readers from our wonderfully diverse community!  Each month, I’ll be asking various tarot readers 3 questions about their tarot philosophy and style, plus pointing you to their websites and blogs so that you can learn more about them!  I like to hand pick tarot readers that I feel are talented and interesting.

On occasion, a tarot reader may have difficulty reading for themselves.  There are lots of reasons why that can happen and I have experienced it myself.  A few years ago, I was dealing with an emotionally charged situation that was causing me no end of anguish.  I tried laying out the cards again and again – but there were no answers.  My head was too scrambled to see anything relevant or meaningful.

I decided to contact someone else that I trusted to see if I could glean any insights.  At the time, I had been following Stephanie Arwen Lynch for a while and had found her to be compassionate and friendly – so I took a chance and got a reading from her.  As soon as we began the appointment, she announced that she would be reading from a deck that contained extra cards….and that she did not read reversals.  I’m a traditionalist and prefer a standard 78 card deck plus I read reversals so I was initially a bit skeptical.

But that skepticism was soon replaced by buckets of respect as Arwen gave me a tarot reading smack down that was accurate, empathic and most important – helpful.  I finally had a clear path for dealing with my issue and to this day I would probably say that this was one of the most valuable readings I have ever experienced.

Arwen has been reading tarot professionally since 1982.  She has taught various tarot workshops over the years including tarot for writers and intuitive tarot.  A self-confessed tarotaholic, Arwen owns a collection of nearly 160 decks to date. She is intrigued by the various ways artists express the archetypes of the Tarot. She subscribes to the Jungian archetype philosophy in her reading and has a passion for designing Tarot spreads. She has run her online Tarot business since 2005 and reads online as well as in person and over the phone. Arwen is also president of the American Tarot Organization (ATA), one of the most respected organizations for tarot enthusiasts and professionals.

If that’s not enough, she’s also working on a book of spreads, an ebook for developing fictional characters using Tarot, and submitting her “Hero’s Journey through Tarot” to publishers.

You can find Arwen all over the web:

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TarotByArwen1

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/Tarotscopes

WEB: http://www.tarotbyarwen.com

EMAIL: readings@tarotbyarwen.com

MEETUP: http:// www.meetup.com/AustinTarotTalkers

BUSINESS PHONE: 512 221 6001

Check out her answers to my questions below:

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1.  What is your philosophy about tarot reading?

Arwen: Tarot reading, for me, is about doing shadow work and digging into one’s psyche. It’s a way to seek guidance (sometimes subtle and sometimes more like a 2×4 upside the noggin) from what may or may not be an external source. I say that because working from a Jungian perspective, the Collective Unconscious is All and Nothing at the same time. Sort of a Zen attitude, I suppose. But the key to any good Tarot reading is learning what choices we can make in our own lives to effect purposeful changes that we want in our futures. I am a strong advocate for self-responsibility which is why I say “Seek joy, y’all.” I mean seek as an very real, very now participating action.  As Emerson said, “Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world.” I’m sure he meant women as well.

2.  How do you feel a client might get the most out of a reading with you?

Arwen: The client who is ready to hear what the message is will get the most from a reading with me. They have to want to change and understand that “it ain’t easy, kid”. The Universe demands hard work. Sweat is salt water but so are tears. I don’t say that to be harsh, but I do need my clients to be ready for what comes. It’s often confirming and comforting. Sometimes though, it’s a swift kick in the…rear.

3.  What is your best piece of advice for an aspiring tarot reader?

Arwen: Let go of the books. Let go of the “should be’s” and “they say’s”. Yes, learn the symbols and the meanings, but don’t depend on them. Tarot is a connection tool. The 78 cards in your hand are keys to the doorway that leads to the Collective Unconscious. We call them universal archetypes for a reason. Show a picture of a woman nursing a child or a man toiling in the field and everyone can understand what they are looking at. Open your mind up along with your heart to this catholic language and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.

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Major props to Arwen for taking time out of her life to chat with me.  If you’d like to learn more about Arwen or purchase a reading from her, check out her site: http://tarotbyarwen.com/blog/

Blessings!

Theresa

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2012