Episode 24: The Art of the Powerful Question with James Wells
Archived
 This Podcast Episode has been archived. It is available for purchase at shop.tarotconnection.net in the Year One Archive mp3 DVD. |
Strategic, open-ended questions,
whether in tarot or in life,
act as gateways to greater wisdom.
— James Wells
James Wells is a Toronto-based Tarot consultant with an international clientele. Since age 12, he has lived, worked and played with the Tarot and its rich symbolism. James is also a Reiki Master, publisher of The Six-Rayed Star, musician, explorer of divination systems, weaver of rituals, and workshop facilitator. His job as a Worker of Oracles is to create sacred space for constructive feedback and soul work – a place where dreams, goals, imagination, intuition and magick, have full sway so that you can enjoy insight, support and healing. James can be reached at workeroforacles@yahoo.ca
Articles on the Internet
- www.theworldcafe.com/askingbig.pdf
- www.crabgrass.org/site/strategic_1.html
- www.javeriana.edu.co/decisiones/PowerfulQuestions.PDF
Hey! Teacher! Leave Those Kids Alone! by Ginny Hunt
There are few aficionados of tarot that don’t struggle some with this guy. The Pope. Later decks dubbed him The Hierophant in order to jazz him up and make him less Roman Catholic-centered and more esoteric, associating him more with the Greek mystery religions as one who guides initiates in sacred mysteries. However, in many of the later decks where he’s The Hierophant there’s no mistaking it, this guy is The Pope. The Holy See. Hence the common kneejerk flinching many experience when this card appears. Some of the more New Age tarot decks have tried to soften this character and have renamed him and redesigned him, often smiling and less severe, to counter these reactions, but…sigh…he’s still so terribly rigid, I think I may always respond with a bit of ambivalence with this one. (more …)
Hermit’s Journey with Bonnie Cehovet – Symbols
What constitutes a symbol and what part do symbols play in our lives? We are surrounded by symbols on a daily basis. The stop sign at the corner, team logos (ardent NBA fan here), corporate logos, symbols for the signs of the zodiac that accompany the horoscopes in the daily paper, even the food that we eat. Comfort food exists in all cultures. Symbols are a way of communicating. They are a way of expressing an idea or representing an object. Symbols can be historic in nature in that they remind us of a certain time period. Or they can be archetypal in nature in that people from different cultures will see the symbol as the same thing. …
Music Credits
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December 26th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
Leisa:
What an impressive Pod Cast! A definite learning tool for those that wish to add depth to their Tarot experience, as well as to their own individual lives. I greatly admire Tarotist James Wells work. Having said that, I am going to act as the Devil’s advocate for a moment.
Not all of us treat a reading/counseling session as a dialogue. For some of us, there is a comfort zone in interpreting a reading first, then asking for the input of the Seeker.
Formating the question is at the basis of every reading, and certainly James covers that well here. It is important to develop t he skill of rewording a question, whether the reason is to take it out of a shadow area, or to add depth/focus.
I was impressed with James’ technique of shifting a keyword to relate the card in question to the cards position within the spread(s) being used. I was also impressed with his work on defining the use of number(s) and suit qualities.
If the listener takes one thing away from this Pod Cast, I think it should be the very innocent statement that “the answers to their questions are to be found within themselves”, and the added statement that a good question invites action.
I would add the thought here that while a reading is definitely a co-creative process, asking specific questions is not always necessary, especially at the beginning of a reading. I am willing to do a general reading, out of which, in most instances, come the focus and questions that the Seeker did not have when they walked in the door.
When a Seeker asks questions that move towards, or overstep, the shadow areas of death, finances, health, or legal issues, the reader does have options. The first step is to explain why the Seeker needs to consult a professional in these areas. For me, the next step is to dialogue with my client to see what their concerns are, and how they can be addressed in a responsible fashion. If they question concerns death, it can be reworded into “What do I need to know?”, “What is being hidden from me?”, “What actions can I take to help everyone involved achieve a sense of peace?”, or something along these lines.
James is absolutely correct when he notes that as readers we need to put the responsibility for the Seekers life back in their own hands. As readers, we are not there to absolve them of anything, or even to heal them. We are there to act as a conduit, or gateway, between their conscious selves and their own inherent unconscious/subconscious wisdom.
Ginny, I loved your take on the Hierophant! His is the energy that takes the thoughts begun with the Emperor and puts them into actioni n the Seeker’s life.
I hope to continue hearing from both of these powerful wisdom people!
Blessings,
Bonnie
December 26th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
James Wells provided the missing link that I’ve been looking for.
I really appreciate the way he facilitates an environment that
separates a TAROT Consultation from a psychic reading. Too often I
found myself getting suckered into doing a reading that I didn’t
feel comfortable doing. James Wells provided good tools into
redirecting the question and how to politely bow out of a reading
in a way that shows professionalism while maintaining his ethical
focus. I enjoyed your input as well.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.
TJ
August 25th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you… Wow! What an exciting podcast – excellent stuff from everyone! This is from Christmas Eve last year, and it made me feel like Christmas came early this year
James helped me see how I can make my readings even more empowering. My number 1 goal has always been to help the querent connect with their own inner wisdom. I feel empowered as a reader after listening to James, and I feel that my clients will benefit a lot from what I’ve learned this morning.
Ginny helped me integrate my own Hierophant experiences and thus brought the card to life; I was able to connect emotionally as well as intellectually with this card for the first time. Bravo!
Bonnie gave me some new insights into the symbolism in the cards, and I can’t wait for the next installment of in-depth exploration of the symbolism of the Major Arcana. Oh, and I want have to since I’m still playing catch-up!
The card I pulled when Leisa and James were ’8 of Wands-ing’ together was the 9 of Cups.
Love & Light, Lisa
January 30th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Leisa,
I LOVE your podcast. Granted I’m catching up and only up to 12/06 when it is currently 01/30/08
But the info is just as pertinent.
I wanted to let you know that one of the reasons your podcast is so great (you wondered out loud about it in the podcast) is your voice. It makes any information a joy to listen to.
You knowledge and your GREAT guests also are important but Every morning I look forward to hearing this amazingly accurate and helpful information from you rather than someone else.
Given that I’m still stuck in 2006 in podcast years, I don’t know for sure but I hope that the future (to me) episodes are just as wonderful as the last 24 have been.
Don