Tarot and Runes with Eric Friedman

07/22/2025

This is a rough cut of a "teaser" -- actually excepted from a Spellbound class. The original video is roughly an hour long, and I'm working on it for release.

05/25/2025

I will be getting back to my blog after too many years of wandering. Meanwhile, in this group I'll be going through the Minor Arcana to correspond with the current Zodiacal "Decan" -- 10° arcs which divide each sign of 30° into three parts.
12 signs x 3 arcs =
360° of the entire circle divided by 10° arcs =
36 numbered cards of the Minor Arcana.

Set aside the Major Arcana completely. With the Minor Arcana, pull out the "pip" cards of each suit, leftover after removing all four Court Cards as well as the 4 Aces. You should have four sets (Wands, Cups, Swords, & Coins) of nine cards (numbered 2 - 10) each, for a total of 36 cards.

9 cards = 3 signs x 3 decans.
4 suits = 4 Elements:

Wands = Fire signs = Aries (2,3,4), Leo (5,6,7), & Sagittarius (8,9,10)
Coins = Earth signs = Capricorn (2,3,4), Ta**us (5,6,7), & Virgo (8,9,10)
Swords = Air signs = Libra (2,3,4), Aquarius (5,6,7), & Gemini (8,9,10)
Cups = Water signs = Cancer (2,3,4), Scorpio (5,6,7), & Pisces (8,9,10)

[The Aces can take the place of the Solstices & Equinoxes, or the 4 Greater Sabbats..]

The Sun having recently passed the cusp of Gemini, it is now in the 8 of Swords, so to speak; the first Decan - or 10° - of the Air sign, Gemini.

"Normally" (by which I mean since the Golden Dawn/AE Waite interpretations), the 8 of Swords is considered negative, but - in my estimation - it's actually one of the best cards in the deck, especially concerning academics or medical issues. The card is ruled by the Mercury of Gemini, with the additional attribution of the number 8 which more than emphasizes the Mercurial influence. The element of Air under this much Mercury is VERY auspicious for any intellectual endeavor.

So, if one reads through the divinatory meanings of the Minor Arcana, particularly those of the post-Waite/Smith Tarots (which have their source in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn interpretat…

05/01/2025

If anyone has any ideas or requests for classes, let me know. (I 𝙘𝙖𝙣 do "Wicca 101" subjects 😉 ).

A few of the introductory classes I've taught over the years:

• The Pentagram and the 4 Elements
• The Basics of the Wheel of the Year
• The Basics of the Magic Circle
• "The Fool's Journey": Introduction to the Tarot
• "Three & Thirty Whispers": Introduction to the Anglo-Saxon Runes
• Introduction to Qabalah for Witches
• Introduction to Planetary Magic

And there have been many more over the years, including many by specific request. But the classes listed here are the real basics and will certainly serve as a guideline for any possible requests.

02/19/2025

The Sun crossed into Pisces yesterday, so now it's just a countdown to the Spring Equinox!

02/13/2025

I will be participating in a YouTube LiveChat on the topic of "Men In Witchcraft" tonight at 8pm CST (9pm EST):

Join us and comment as men in witchcraft have their day to chat about witchcraft.

01/22/2025

Plans ARE in the works to have a "Spellbound"-style Circle for Imbolc/Candlemas, to be held at Theo's on the afternoon/evening of Saturday, February 1.

If you're interested, DM me.

01/19/2025

01/09/2025

It's looks like a relatively nice weekend coming up. I'll be reading at Spellbound from at least 2pm to closing.

01/01/2025

I will be at Spellbound this Saturday, most of the day. Come in for a special New Year's reading ($25), or just $10 for a regular 10 card reading.

As both Spellbound & Theo's are closing (and the weather gets colder), I will be available for Tarot or Rune readings online. I will also be conducting classes online, for anyone who is interested in my systems of Qabalah, Runes, & Initiation.

12/20/2024

Among my recovered papers, I found my old "example" of a Runic incantation against Cold Weather & other Restrictions.

["Carcer" is a Latin term for "constraint" associated with Saturn as it rules Capricorn, and which is the root of the English word "incarceration." Between its origin as a spell against cold weather, and the present timing so close to the Solstice, it seemed a perfect charm for Yule!]

"Thor, angry Thunderer,
Shatter the chains of the shining Ice!
Raging Roarer, Ruddy Skylord,
Free my works from the grip of Frost!
Free my Will from the fetters of Frost!"