Catherine S. Buck's Blog
November 14, 2019
September 22, 2019
The Joker and the Fool: Beginning Steps in Life’s Journey
***“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. “- Lao Tzu
There is a deep need, spiritually based, that pushes us forward into new experiences and life-changing paths. Our course or direction depends on whether we can accept these changes that are presented and overcome any obstacles in our way.
I am writing today about two symbolic character cards that occur in a card reading; the Joker in a modern playing card/fortune-telling deck and the Fool card in a deck of tarot. Their history and status in Cartomancy (divination through cards) can show us how they have come to relate to human society.
Both are considered wild cards. For many, they are considered a symbol of madness or foolishness. To others, they are the fairytale archetype of a character called, “Jack”, who used cleverness and tricks to overcome his problems. In many ways, we are much like the motley pair. Wild and uncontrolled, we gallantly move forward in the search for our true life experience.
The Fool in American decks appeared in the late 1800s. It had originally been used from the mid-15th century on in various parts of Europe as a trump for a group of card games known as Italian Tarocchini and French tarot. It is considered the ancestor of the Joker card in standard playing decks.
The Fool’s placement in a tarot deck is traditionally the first card (0 placement) or the last (22nd placement)in the Waite-Smith number system. It represents the void or the beginnings of Life’s breath and has a strong connection between God, Man, and creation. As an archetype called “Jack”, he uses his cleverness and tricks and usually emerges triumphant. Unnumbered before the Waite-Smith deck was developed, its placement was at one time between Judgment and the World card.
Hope to get some feedback on my blog soon. The next write-up will be on my new book, Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs: Appalachian Traditions and Magical Ways. Have a good one.
There is a deep need, spiritually based, that pushes us forward into new experiences and life-changing paths. Our course or direction depends on whether we can accept these changes that are presented and overcome any obstacles in our way.
I am writing today about two symbolic character cards that occur in a card reading; the Joker in a modern playing card/fortune-telling deck and the Fool card in a deck of tarot. Their history and status in Cartomancy (divination through cards) can show us how they have come to relate to human society.
Both are considered wild cards. For many, they are considered a symbol of madness or foolishness. To others, they are the fairytale archetype of a character called, “Jack”, who used cleverness and tricks to overcome his problems. In many ways, we are much like the motley pair. Wild and uncontrolled, we gallantly move forward in the search for our true life experience.
The Fool in American decks appeared in the late 1800s. It had originally been used from the mid-15th century on in various parts of Europe as a trump for a group of card games known as Italian Tarocchini and French tarot. It is considered the ancestor of the Joker card in standard playing decks.
The Fool’s placement in a tarot deck is traditionally the first card (0 placement) or the last (22nd placement)in the Waite-Smith number system. It represents the void or the beginnings of Life’s breath and has a strong connection between God, Man, and creation. As an archetype called “Jack”, he uses his cleverness and tricks and usually emerges triumphant. Unnumbered before the Waite-Smith deck was developed, its placement was at one time between Judgment and the World card.
Hope to get some feedback on my blog soon. The next write-up will be on my new book, Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs: Appalachian Traditions and Magical Ways. Have a good one.
September 21, 2019
A Little Bit About What I do and Why I Feel My Book Shows a New Perspective
Though I was born in the northern part of the US, I have heavy southern roots and presently make my home there. I am a professional speaker, reader and author and have been for most of my life. The ebook and hard copy I have available now is a reference book on Tarot cards. The book is volume 1 of a four part arcane series. Each book stands alone in its particular type of study. This one involves intuition techniques, a bit of esoteric study, such as basic numerology and astrology, lateral thinking and the use of a deck of cards as a tool.
These types of study techniques can help you have a greater perspective of understanding and can be helpful for the beginner tarot student as well as the professional reader/counselor. https://www.amazon.com.au/Act-Manifes...
According to Wikipedia, Lateral Thinking means the following: "Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic. The term was promulgated in 1967 by Edward de Bono."
These types of study techniques can help you have a greater perspective of understanding and can be helpful for the beginner tarot student as well as the professional reader/counselor. https://www.amazon.com.au/Act-Manifes...
According to Wikipedia, Lateral Thinking means the following: "Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic. The term was promulgated in 1967 by Edward de Bono."
September 17, 2019
Tarot Today- My First and Next Book
I feel a lot of people are both repelled and intrigued by the use of tarot cards. As a professional reader, I am one of those who feel that with card usage, the reputation of these decks goes before reality. Fear and religious angst labeled a person using them, especially professionally.
In medieval Europe, any type of gaming cards was banned by the Catholic church. They became known as, "The Devil's Bible." The cause? Gambling. A man who gambled all of his money away could not feed his family; therefore, they starved.
The church also considered cards to be plates of vanity and in some ways, they were right. The original decks were made up of wealthy society's portraits of family and those who served them, much like the pieces in a game of chess.
Gambling and divination came later.
A folklore story once told by the Rom people (Gypsies) states that during the Crusades in the 1100s, soldiers that came back to Europe from fighting in the Near and Middle Eastern countries brought with them decks of cards covered in symbols. These symbols were said to unlock the door to the universe and if read, had the abilities to be able to see ahead into the future. The Rom told many "gringos" or "gadje" they had sets of these cards that were passed down through their families and had the ability to read them.
Many crept into the tents of Romany men and women when they passed through farm areas or cities to get their palm or cards read.
More later...
In medieval Europe, any type of gaming cards was banned by the Catholic church. They became known as, "The Devil's Bible." The cause? Gambling. A man who gambled all of his money away could not feed his family; therefore, they starved.
The church also considered cards to be plates of vanity and in some ways, they were right. The original decks were made up of wealthy society's portraits of family and those who served them, much like the pieces in a game of chess.
Gambling and divination came later.
A folklore story once told by the Rom people (Gypsies) states that during the Crusades in the 1100s, soldiers that came back to Europe from fighting in the Near and Middle Eastern countries brought with them decks of cards covered in symbols. These symbols were said to unlock the door to the universe and if read, had the abilities to be able to see ahead into the future. The Rom told many "gringos" or "gadje" they had sets of these cards that were passed down through their families and had the ability to read them.
Many crept into the tents of Romany men and women when they passed through farm areas or cities to get their palm or cards read.
More later...
September 13, 2019
A Vacancy of Viewpoint
Those of us who write set out to express a viewpoint or perspective that places the reader in almost a voyeuristic position. After all, what is a great story but something that places the reader in as an observer to its facts?
Can anyone give me some feedback on this?
Can anyone give me some feedback on this?
September 7, 2019
Hi Everybody
I am fairly new to blogging. I guess being on the computer to put a manuscript together 24-7 kind of leaves little time to express anything about the process of my writing.
My name is Catherine Buck and I have an obsessive interest in everything. I'm kind of like that dog that spots the squirrel and makes a beeline towards it when it should be taking its time and enjoying the walk. I love to learn. I wrote a tarot book back in the 1980s after extensive study of card symbolism and taught classes for many years on the subject. The second of that series is one of three new manuscripts I am now working on.
I just finished up a three-year project on my perspective of early Appalachian mountain life. The book is called, Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs: Appalachian Traditions and Magical Ways. To quote a friend, "this book combines history, folklore, magic, and mountain stories, along with practical knowledge that people in the Appalachians used to survive in the isolated backwoods."
I just listed it with Goodreads and have gotten some positive feedback from those who have bought it. I will be writng about some of the things I collected in my travels in future blogs. Right now, I just wanted to say, hi, with hopes you will be curious enough to take a peek at my new book. I certainly hope so.
My name is Catherine Buck and I have an obsessive interest in everything. I'm kind of like that dog that spots the squirrel and makes a beeline towards it when it should be taking its time and enjoying the walk. I love to learn. I wrote a tarot book back in the 1980s after extensive study of card symbolism and taught classes for many years on the subject. The second of that series is one of three new manuscripts I am now working on.
I just finished up a three-year project on my perspective of early Appalachian mountain life. The book is called, Granny Buck's Dibs and Dabs: Appalachian Traditions and Magical Ways. To quote a friend, "this book combines history, folklore, magic, and mountain stories, along with practical knowledge that people in the Appalachians used to survive in the isolated backwoods."
I just listed it with Goodreads and have gotten some positive feedback from those who have bought it. I will be writng about some of the things I collected in my travels in future blogs. Right now, I just wanted to say, hi, with hopes you will be curious enough to take a peek at my new book. I certainly hope so.
