Aspiring to the Inside: A “Tarot Magic” Invocation Reading
AUTHOR’S NOTE: When I created my “Tarot Magic” spread based on Donald Tyson’s book of the same name, I was planning to use it for evocation rituals that are focused on the realization of external objectives. However, upon reading further, I found that Tyson also covered the manifestation of internal conditions within the querent’s immediate sphere of influence, a summoning practice known as “invocation.” For example, he described evocation in relationship matters as being performed by the querent for the purpose of causing another person to cooperate from afar (with the results displayed inside the “triangle of art”), and invocation as having the goal of bringing that individual directly within the querent’s orbit (that is, within the summoning circle). In the second case, he recommended placing the card representing the “target person” beneath the querent’s “Significator” card at the center of the circle to show the magical intent for face-to-face engagement, and then “tapping” both cards with a forefinger to open a causal link.
Because so many questions put to the tarot relate to romantic situations, I decided to perform an example “love” reading that applies the new wrinkle I just learned. I imagined a hypothetical querent (in this case a man) who developed a powerful fixation on a woman and wanted to explore circumspect ways to lure her “under his spell.” Given the emotional complexion of the subject, I chose the Thoth Knight of Cups for the male and the Queen of Cups for the female, placing the Knight on top of the Queen as Tyson directed such that both are visible and therefore “tap-able.” I intentionally selected the Thoth 6 of Cups (Pleasure) as the “Initiative or Opportunity” focus within the triangle, and set up the High Priestess as the “Gatekeeper” with two randomly-pulled “Wardens” to imply the resistance or friction of situational conflict.
Here is the original reading template for your convenience; you will have to adapt it to the above.
After laying the cards, I tapped the Knight of Cups one time with the forefinger of my dominant hand, then the 6 of Cups and finally the Queen of Cups to initiate what Tyson calls a “vortex” between them that sets things in motion (although there is no discernible movement, just a perception of energy flow). Then I examined the upward-pointing triangle of Mental/Spiritual Motivation, followed by the downward-pointing triangle of Physical Motivation.
In the first case, the three cards suggest that the querent will have to be transparent (Fool) but also just a little guileful (6 of Swords reversed) in order to inflame her passion (Princess of Wands at the apex). In the second instance, the 4 of Cups (Luxury) reversed implies shying away from self-indulgence (which may mean her and not him), while the Lovers in this spread seems to mean exactly what it says in terms of his aspirations, and the 7 of Disks (Failure) at the inverted apex portends that he may experience the physical dynamics of Saturn in Taurus (sounds like BDSM — or in a word, “bondage” — to me) but won’t accomplish his goal of emotional contentment. The Golden Dawn title for this card was “Lord of Success Unfulfilled,” or being “almost-but-not-quite-there;” Crowley was characteristically succinct. Elementally, among these cards only the Princess of Wands gives the King and Queen of Cups any difficulty; she looks like a trouble-maker to me (or maybe she’s underage, which would mean “double trouble”).
In the evoking triangle, Art conveys the idea that he must bring consummate finesse to bear on his blandishments (I’ve seen it described as an aerialist walking the “high wire’ without a safety net); the Knight of Swords gives the 6 of Swords unmitigated support in the “artfulness” of its machinations; and the 2 of Wands at the apex means that he must climb into the “drivers seat” if he is to make any headway toward his goal. The Princess of Wands aligned with the 2 of Wands makes me think all it would take is a firm hand on the wheel, but all three give the 6 of Cups a hard time elementally even though they are well-favored among themselves. Still, I might interpret this last fact as “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Regarding the possibility of friction causing interference, the Star reversed and the 10 of Disks revered seem to be denying “wish-fulfillment” to the querent, even though the Priestess as a Water trump facilitates the liaison between the two Water court cards and the emotional initiative and opportunity shown by the 6 of Cups. But the elemental antagonism between the Star (Air) and the 10 of Disks (Earth) doesn’t offer the Priestess much maneuvering room, leading to the conclusion that doubts regarding the morality of the arrangement may “pinch” and therefore spoil the fun. The Priestess harbors a healthy distrust of the Princess of Wands, as well she might.
If I were to advise a client in these circumstances, I would observe that the Princess of Wands is “running hot” and may be up for some casual fun (2 of Wands), but she isn’t looking for emotional commitment and won’t turn into the dependable Queen of Cups any time soon. I might even sing a vandalized verse of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet: “Any love is good love, so you should take what you can get.” Just don’t hold out your hand for anything more profound, and be leery of handcuffs.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on January 18, 2025.
