UK Tarot Conference 2013

It seems like only a few months ago that I attended the 2012 UK Tarot Conference and here I am writing up a review of the 2013 conference! Amazing how fast time goes. This was my third London UK Tarot Conference. The first one in 2010, I knew no one, but at the TABI Conference in 2011 (I think it was!) I met Chloe of Inner Whispers, and since then I've got to know a few others at the conference as well who, if not well known to me, at least are friendly and familiar faces, and so every year the conference becomes not just informative, but also more comfortable and fun.

As I did in last year's post, I am going to run through the sessions summing up what I learned and experienced.

UK Tarot Conference 2012

Yesterday was the 2012 UK Tarot Conference in London and what a packed day it was! I absorbed so much information -- I'm going to try to hit the high points here so I can look at them more closely later. Feel free to skim if it gets tedious!

Bringing Tarot Alive by Tiffany Crossara

Tiffany did not present us with a lot of historical knowledge about the Fool. Instead, she turned up dressed in a Fool costume, led us in a brief brainstorm about the qualities of the Fool, and then a rather longish meditation session, the gist of which was to imagine going to a wardrobe and taking out a Fool costume and putting it on. (My Fool costume consisted of tights with a diamond pattern of white, green and yellow, sparkly red tap shoes, and a long, gauzy purple tunic with pointy tails that trailed down to just above my knees and ended in gold bells. It had poet sleeves and cuffs that extended over the hands. My Fool's hat was a gold crown that extended up and out in misty tendrils and on each was a tiny bell, like something you might see in Shadowscapes Tarot.) We then were meant to imagine jumping off the cliff, then to wake up and actually get up and move around the room. As this was the first exercise and we'd had no ice breaker, I found this awkward, and so seemingly did many others because we moved a bit more like shuffling zombies than 'Fools exploring the space'. Tiffany asked us to stop and examine the nearest person and give the impression we get of their energy in the form of Major Arcana, Minor and Court cards. I was told I am the Hanged Man, Emperor and Hierophant. (Can't remember now my minors and courts, though one woman said I had 'page energy'. Hmph)

Pamper Evening Nursery Hill Primary School, Nuneaton, 16th March

Last night was a great night! I worked at a Pamper Evening for the mums of the PTA of a local primary school. The venue was excellent, as the organisers put me in a small room to the side of the main hall, where I set up my table and proceeded to spend the next two and half hours giving back-to-back tarot readings to ten ladies.

In my excitement, I forget to take any photos of my table or the event! I took five decks with me: Morgan Greer, Universal Waite, Hudes, Anna K, and Druidcraft. The only deck that was not selected by a sitter was Morgan Greer, but the most popular decks seemed to be Hudes and Druidcraft.

Each sitter received an explanation of their 2012 Year Card, and a short general reading. (No one had a query ready for me, so everyone received a general reading.)

It was a great evening and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Next time, I will remember to take pictures!!

TABI Conference 2011

I had a great time at the conference in Birmingham on Saturday, 23rd July!

Cilla Conway on Tarot & Oracles

The first workshop featured Cilla Conway on Tarot & Oracles. I was really edified to find that she advocates a method just like the one I recently adopted, using the oracle cards to shed more light on the energies surrounding the issues, after the tarot cards have been spread and read. She demonstrated her technique with fellow conference attendee, Doolie, then we got to pair up and try out 3-card spreads on each other. It was great to see so many people at my table using the same combo I had brought myself--the Druidcraft Tarot with the Druid Plant & Animal Oracles. I received a reading from Louise that suggested that my son has acquired a girlfriend who, if not pregnant already, is at the very least exerting a calming influence on him. Well, I contacted him as soon as I got home. No pregnancy, but he has met a girl online that he's enjoying chatting with. He was quite taken aback that I knew something was up involving a girl. Tee hee for tarot. It was also great fun to meet and exchange readings with Chloe. Her advice was also greatly appreciated.

Mary Collin 'Working as a Tarot Professional'

Next, Mary Collin gave a presentation of tips for organising yourself and making business connections. It went overlong, so we didn't get to try out one of Mary's ideas, which is to use some of her acronymic lists as the basis for tarot spreads. I think this would be an excellent tool not only for personal brainstorming, but also for spreads to use with clients with business-related queries. I will definitely be looking further into those ideas and developing card spreads and reading techniques about this topic. So thanks, Mary!

Emma 'Intuition with the Thoth'

After Mary's workshop, Emma Sunerton-Burl explained using your intuition to read the Thoth, which is a highly esoteric deck and can be intimidating. She began her session with a 30-minute guided visualisation of the Star card. I think the photo above is appropriate because it sums up for me what it was like--Emma's voice seemed so far away, and was so quiet, I couldn't hear her and so sat and ended up doing a sort of breathing meditation. Ah, well.

Will Worthington and Alison Cross.

 For me, the highlight of the day was the interview with Will Worthington, illustrator of the Druidcraft Tarot, Druid Plant & Animal Oracles, Green Man Tree Oracle, and Wildwood Tarot. It was fascinating to hear the story of how his art career began, how he became involved in deck production, and his thoughts on his success through tarot and oracle decks. Will doesn't normally do workshops, and so it was a great honour to be able to hear him speak.

Disappointingly I was unable to attend the second day of the conference due to Sunday train services being so completely rubbish! But I loved attending the 2011 TABI Conference and definitely intend to do the full thing next year, including staying overnight! And if they have something between now and then, I'll go to that one, too.