Uploaded March 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In today’s installment of Sightsee the Tarot, we’ll be working our way through a method of divination found in The Tarot, Its Occult Signification, Use in Fortune-Telling, and Method of Play (1888) by S. L. MacGregor Mathers. He describes this reading technique as “a very ancient mode of reading the tarot” that “will be found reliable.”
Shall we try it out for ourselves?
We will also be showcasing the Tarot de Marseille deck system, reading with reversals, and using for reference the 78 card meanings as provided by MacGregor Mathers.
There are several free supplemental downloads you’ll need for this guided reading workshop:
- Reading Notes Worksheet
- Meanings of the Cards
- The Tarot (1888) by MacGregor Mathers
Download all supplemental handouts here:
wp.me/p32or0-3WP
Mathers approaches his text as instructive on using the tarot for fortune-telling, and so we, too, will be approaching the tarot through the perspective and intentions of fortune-telling.
SIGHTSEE THE TAROT
About the Series
“Sightsee the Tarot” is a series on my channel through which I take you on a tour of tarot books, spreads, techniques and tips, different decks, and more.
Check out the Series Page for all episodes: tinyurl.com/sightseethetarot
Decks Pictured in the Opening: Tarot de Marseille; Rider-Waite-Smith 1911; Thoth Tarot; Pagan Otherworlds Tarot by Uusi; The Incidental Tarot by Holly DeFount; Golden Universal Tarot; Ostara Tarot; Spirit Keeper’s Tarot
Main Deck Featured in this Video: Visconti-Sforza Tarots (1450; printed by Lo Scarabeo, 2005) restored by A. A. Atanassov.
In today’s installment of Sightsee the Tarot, we’ll be working our way through a method of divination found in The Tarot, Its Occult Signification, Use in Fortune-Telling, and Method of Play (1888) by S. L. MacGregor Mathers. He describes this reading technique as “a very ancient mode of reading the tarot” that “will be found reliable.”
Shall we try it out for ourselves?
We will also be showcasing the Tarot de Marseille deck system, reading with reversals, and using for reference the 78 card meanings as provided by MacGregor Mathers.
There are several free supplemental downloads you’ll need for this guided reading workshop:
- Reading Notes Worksheet
- Meanings of the Cards
- The Tarot (1888) by MacGregor Mathers
Download all supplemental handouts here:
wp.me/p32or0-3WP
Mathers approaches his text as instructive on using the tarot for fortune-telling, and so we, too, will be approaching the tarot through the perspective and intentions of fortune-telling.
SIGHTSEE THE TAROT
About the Series
“Sightsee the Tarot” is a series on my channel through which I take you on a tour of tarot books, spreads, techniques and tips, different decks, and more.
Check out the Series Page for all episodes: tinyurl.com/sightseethetarot
Decks Pictured in the Opening: Tarot de Marseille; Rider-Waite-Smith 1911; Thoth Tarot; Pagan Otherworlds Tarot by Uusi; The Incidental Tarot by Holly DeFount; Golden Universal Tarot; Ostara Tarot; Spirit Keeper’s Tarot
Main Deck Featured in this Video: Visconti-Sforza Tarots (1450; printed by Lo Scarabeo, 2005) restored by A. A. Atanassov.




![Nine Precepts of Healing (from the Huangdi Neijing)
Such is the Healer’s Code, ancient principles of healing that every modern practitioner should know. These nine precepts extracted from the ninth chapter of Zhongshi 終始第九 Verse 27 in The Spiritual Axis (Lingshu, 靈樞) of the Huangdi Neijing 黃帝內經, or Inner Canons of the Yellow Emperor, offer practical guidance on preventive care in physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The teachings have proven to be timeless, providing actionable tips for either a self-care healing plan or a checklist guide for any practitioner of the holistic healing arts to integrate.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:18 Excerpting Verse 27 of Section 9 in the Spiritual Axis [See also: 05:49]
00:35 Translating “Lingshu, 靈樞” (The Spiritual Axis), a Central Pillar or Pole
01:41 Recitation of Verse 27, Section 9
02:12 What is the Huangdi Neijing 黃帝內經 (Inner Canons): An Overview
04:10 “Treat disease before it arises.” 上工治未病
04:35 Balancing the Three Realms: From the Wu (Shaman) to the Yi (Physician) 天地人三才
06:29 1. 深居靜處 A Consecrated Refuge – One’s space needs to be consecrated (sanitized)
08:19 2. 占神往來 Divination Diagnostics – Study and master a divination system (perceive beyond the five physical senses)
10:50 3. 閉戶塞牖 A Well-Fortified Defense – Establish defense and security methods (mindfully guard your entry points)
13:24 4. 魂魄不散 Prevent Soul Fragmentation – Cure any soul fragmentation; keeping the soul intact; study and master soul retrieval methods
14:43 5. 專意一神 A Singular Divine Purpose – Know and align with your higher calling
17:09 6. 精氣之分 Distinguish Qi 氣 from Jing 精
20:36 7. 毋聞人聲 To Walk Undeterred – Ignore the noise
21:59 8. 以收其精 Preserve Your Jing 精 – Employ methods to preserve your Jing
23:32 9. 必一其神,令志在鍼 Unify Will and Purpose – Qi needs to be aligned with one’s divine purpose
25:18 Building Your Healing Practice from the Nine Precepts Nine Precepts of Healing (from the Huangdi Neijing)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lq_z09S5bjU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Tarot History: Theories of Origin
Video 9 of the Learn Tarot with Holistic Tarot video lecture series. Videos in this lecture series are Closed Captioned for our Deaf, H/H, ESL, and EAL colleagues. Note: Made this video in chunks while really exhausted and overworked, and I apologize if it shows a bit in my voice.
The PowerPoint slides content from this video are an excerpt from an all-day course I taught at the California Institute of Integral Studies, “Accessing the Practical and Profound Wisdom of Tarot.”
SERIES PLAYLIST
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwYyaMvo3ablcJ4urTn-q7s1
I’m making an effort to complete the Holistic Tarot companion course video series. Here’s the ninth installment, on tarot history, or more specifically, theories of origin.
While there’s 33 pages of citations for the content of this video, I hope it’s clear that we’re still talking about speculation– hence theories of origins. I started this focused level of research back in 2014, even before Holistic Tarot was published, for a work of historical fantasy. Yes, a novel. That novel I’ve been struggling with, which I hope I can dedicate 2022 to. [See: https://youtu.be/-5zNV2DMoAo]
I also thought it’d be fun to flash SKT Revelation cards across the screen at the exact moments certain points were being made. =)
SPIRIT KEEPER’S TAROT: REVELATION EDITION
Order Your Copy: https://benebellwen.com/skt/pre-order/
About SKT Revelation: https://benebellwen.com/skt/introduction/
Video Trailer Showing the Majors: https://youtu.be/VntJ_lScE7o
Video Trailer Showing the Minors: https://youtu.be/_AQa1NwCpuk
REFERENCED IN VIDEO
“An ‘Ancient’ Mode of Tarot Reading (Mathers, 1888),” from the Sightsee the Tarot series: https://youtu.be/iyvlMEbJ80g
Western Witchcraft I: The Fundamentals and Doctrinal Basis (Eliphas Levi): https://benebellwen.com/2020/01/05/western-witchcraft-i-the-fundamentals/
CARDS PICTURED: “Pam B” Rider-Waite-Smith; Arcanes du Tarot Kabbalistique (1889); Cary-Yale Visconti Tarocchi (15th c.); Egyptian Tarot (1980) by Naipes La Banca; Jean Noblet Tarot (1650); La Grand Etteilla (1783); Le Grand Tarot Belline (1881); Minchiate Tarot (1850); Sola Busca Tarot (1491); Soprafino Tarot (1835); Tarocchi di Mantegna (1465); Tarot of Paul Christian (1863); Tarot of Tourcaty (1734); The Etteilla Tarot via Orsini (1850); Thoth Tarot deck (1944); Visconti-Sforza Tarot (15th c. Italy); Mamluk playing cards (1500s) [https://cards.old.no/1500-mamluk] Tarot History: Theories of Origin](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mZhHxcV5rWs/mqdefault.jpg)




