Here is an image of Gandalf the Wise Wizard from The Lord of the Rings. He is a modern version of Odin, a magical god-like Elder from Norse Religions, who travelled the land setting things to right via his powerful staff (which is a symbol of spiritual will). In the Tarot, we find the same image in the card of The Magician, the one who links Heaven and Earth though his mind centred in the Eternal (the eternity symbol is shown above his head). The Magician represents that part of ourselves that manifests goals through alignment with spiritual will-power or soul-destiny and is also master of many talents. When the inner or outer work is done, everything will flower all around us — as on this card. In The I Ching, the Magician card can be linked to Hexagram No. 1 – The Creative, which represents courage and dynamic power used for the good of the whole.
Now look closely at the imagery on the Hermit Tarot card, where he stands more distant from the world, but holding a light for others among the mountain-tops. This can be linked to I Ching Hexagram No. 52 that is made up of two trigrams or symbols for a Mountain. Both the Hermit card and No. 52 stand for wisdom gained through stillness, meditation, detachment, temperance, or simply taking time out for rest and seeking good counsel. This image represents a time of quiet introversion and a staff of support from an Elder, which is quite different to the Magician with his staff of power.
Likewise, the Tarot card of the Fool has an obvious link to Hexagram No. 4 - Inexperience or Youthful Folly. They both advise seeking knowledge from a teacher or an expert and to look before leaping into an area, where it would be so easy to lose footing. Not every facet of the Tarot and The I Ching can be slotted together so neatly. Nor could one system supplant the other. Yet there are many close and obvious correlations, despite their cultural differences.
It is very important to choose a set of Tarot cards that you relate to well. Choose carefully, as many of the packs depart from the traditional images. In some instances the images are macabre; whereas with most packs, the keynote is beauty. One needs to be able to sense the meaning of a card just by looking at the image and to feel inspired by the artwork. It is recommended that the reader start by buying the beautifully coloured and decorated, Universal Waite Tarot Deck (shown here), from US Games Systems Inc., at the website
www.usgamesinc.com
Probabilities not Certainties
Working with the Tarot can be most revealing, e.g. using it to think creatively about career choices, or business options, or difficult relationships. One can explore many useful images that lead to new ideas. Yet readings from the Tarot do not indicate certainties, nor events that will definitely occur. This is similar to what Galadriel said in The Lord of the Rings when looking into her magic pool. For she said that it was a mirror reflecting some things that will come to pass and others that are possibilities, depending on the action taken, in this case by the bearers of the Ring. Galadriel is an archetype of female intuitive great wisdom.
Readings are a way of tapping the subconscious to reveal very likely probabilities. It is similar to saying that if a train has set out from the terminus, it is highly probable that it will reach Central Station, for the energy is already set powerfully in motion. This is how predictions work. Energies are set in train and they will have their inevitable results, which show up as strong potential in readings. Hence oracles also illustrate karma or cause and effect.
Psychic Readings and Timing
Timing is often a vexed question with psychic readings. Some psychic predictions turn out to be relevant far in the future, yet the reader may see them quite clearly. This is because one is tuning into a timeless state of mind - beyond clocks and calendars. (It is then that Numerology can provide more information about harmony with right timing.) This type of psychic awareness of timeless realities has run in the female line of my family for many generations, resulting in intuitive insight and prophetic dreams.
Timing in a reading is often a matter of psychological timing. For example, when you have dealt with most of the unfinished business — worked on forgiving past wrongs — and feel optimistic about the future — then you are ready and open to receiving happiness in a new way. However, one may try to act on predictions immediately, or be waiting for them to happen next week! Life always surprises us when fresh potential emerges and the way it will manifest is not entirely predictable. Doing so would have the power to take away the magic and the mystery of dynamic inner change. Hence it needs to be stated that readings give guidelines, options or choices. This places readings in a workable and empowering context.
Clairvoyants can tune into a timeless archetype, but often cannot change events. For example, a friend of mine had a detailed dream about the New York World Trade Twin Towers building catastrophe five years before it happened. Yet being in Australia, she did not know which building it was and could not have given any valid security warnings, which probably would have been ignored anyway. (The archetypal image in the Tarot is the Tower Card Reversed.) Perhaps her dream occurred when the attacks were first planned and she tuned into this, via the Collective Unconscious as Carl Jung would describe it.
Thus prophetic predictions can be helpful, if they are seen as a lead to follow, or a wake-up call to possibilities, or an early warning system that requires vigilance and maintenance to be taken seriously. Yet often nothing can stop a major crisis occurring, even when a warning is received. Carl Jung emphasized that prophetic insight (experienced by people the world over) comes from an aspect of consciousness that is not bound by common notions of timing or logic. He also said that neglect or lack of insight into the less rational aspects of ourselves is the cause of most of the world’s ills. Indigenous people and animals are often better equipped to take note of an intuitive prompting and thereby avoid danger.
When doing readings, if a major change is indicated in a Tarot layout, I then check via The I Ching whether it is likely to apply soon, or not! The current state can then be aligned with the future potential seen in the Tarot Cards in a practical way and thus, more accurate assumptions made about timing. This is because The I Ching system always directs one to the present moment, or to unresolved issues, sometimes no matter what question is asked! When no action has been taken in regard to a specific question, an I Ching text may provide a general indication only. For one has to be already involved in the dynamics of the process to gain total clarity. Ideally, take some action first, before doing a reading.
Furthermore, the more one opens up a psychic channel to the reader and communicates with that person openly and honestly, the more information you will receive. Playing games with a reader, or maintaining a stony silence, just blocks insight coming through, as readings are a two-way process that requires permission on an inner level. Yet many people, do not understand this fact. Also, one has to try to avoid doing readings when very tired or late at night. It is vital to be fully awake in order to interpret correctly. However, if feeling very anxious at any time of the day, it is better to communicate with someone, than not. If the information gleaned is unclear, come back to the reader the next day or next week. Often time is need to assimilate a reading and serious issues can take months to deal with.
Summary of Differences between the Two Systems
I Ching readings always refer to the current situation. Hence one needs to take some action about the matter in question first, then consult The I Ching. Yet predictions can be found in I Ching readings, when there are several texts or lines received, i.e. a progression of events is involved. For example Hexagrams No. 1 and 46 can refer to a ten-year process! I Ching readings can be used for questions about world problems, changes in society or political movements.
The Tarot system provides pointers to events that may, or may not come to pass. This is because the cards portray choices, as in a lateral thinking exercise. Intimations of future potential can be very useful when feeling stuck, in a bind, or devoid of new solutions. The symbols on the cards can be of extraordinary benefit in activating images and ideas. For example, they can provide a visual stimulus regarding career, housing or health options. They are also brilliant for tuning into the many key symbols on each card.
Yet revealed images do not indicate events that will definitely happen. It depends upon how you relate to those archetypal patterns and what you do with that potential. To give one example, in a Seven Card Layout the sixth card represents the best course of action, while the Seventh card signifies a likely outcome based on whether or not the best course is taken.
I really enjoy using both of these oracles and have gained much insight from doing so. Thus I hope that you are inspired to study at least the Tarot. To do so, you need to one Tarot card at a time, perhaps carrying it around with you and thinking about it deeply, for at least one day. The best way to relate to its meaning is from your own personal experience. For instance: What was happening to me when I came upon this archetypal situation or pattern in my life? How did I handle it? What was the result? How can I not repeat errors? It is easy to see why both systems can be used as a guide on the Path to Self-Realization and can bring so much peace and self-awareness. As one wit said: “I have suffered many things in my life, most of which never happened!” I would add: “Or might have been avoided.” Conversely, how much happiness have we rejected or not appreciated. It is all a matter of self-worth.
Life is meant to be as joyous as humanly possible.
Happy exploration.
Bibliography:
1. The Tao of Psychology – Synchronicity and the Self,
Dr. J. Shinoda-Bolen, Harper & Row, 1982.
2. The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious,
Dr. Carl G. Jung, Princeton Univ. Press, 1980.
3. Jung and the Tarot – an Archetypal Journey,
Sallie Nichols, Samuel Weiser, New York. 1980.
4. Tarot, by Jane Lyle, Hamlyn, London, 1990.
5. The Secret Language of Symbols,
David Fontana, Piatkus Publications, London, 1997.
6. The Wholistic I Ching,
Judith Jeffrey, Australia, 1990
r Arcana cards. It contains many illustrations, various card layouts, as well as insights from alchemy, ancient religions and astrology. 
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