Who I Am

Picture taken on the South Bank, London, by my friend Andrew Smith

I bought my first Tarot deck in 1986 after a series of strange experiences led me to react against the default agnostic materialism of modern man. I knew that there was "something out there" and I wanted in NOW.

At first I spent a long time exploring anything with an occult or New Age label on it, looking, I suppose, for instant miracles. Eventually I settled down into a broadly Western Hermetic approach. Although I remain respectful of other traditions, it seems to me that a Western man can benefit more easily from a Western style of spirituality.

One of my pet hates (and a major motive for this site) is the widespread belief that Tarot readers are not "proper psychics". Much of the blame for this must lie with the methods of Tarot teachers who simply give a set of meanings and a spread or two as if good Tarot could be learned by numbers like an army drill. Too many potentially good readers give up in confusion when they find out that different readers give different meanings to the cards.

Anyone who gets past this stage should know that Tarot is a lot more than just a parlour game or a prop. Used properly, it can open a door in the mind and give access not only to information about a querent's life but to great wisdom. Sometimes I hear myself say something in a reading that has me wondering where it came from and wishing I was recording it. Tarot at its best can act like turbocharged compassion. Away from the cards I can be as bloody-minded and judgmental as anyone else. When I start a reading I have access to a larger "I", who knows and understands human beings better than the little "I" ever will.

Outside of psychic and directly spiritual pursuits, my main interests are animals, books, computers, motorcycles, music, libertarian politics, pipesmoking and enjoying being alive. There is a Mrs Prospero, though no children by choice. My pets are children enough.

I am happy to do readings by telephone, email or snail mail. The usual price is £20. Telephone clients should allow about half an hour for the reading. Overseas clients, please add £8 if paying in your local currency. The bank charges me that much to convert it to mine.

If you run a pub, cafe or other venue or event and would like me to do some reading there, please feel free to get in touch.

Firstly, let me tell you some of the criteria not to apply.

The first is age. A twenty-five-year-old reader may have been a devoted enthusiast for over a decade and a grey-haired old lady may have learned last week. To be fair to the latter, it is also worth pointing out that Tarot reading keeps the mind both broad and active. I have had fine readings from people at both ends of the scale.

Another is race. I know of no advantage or disadvantage in being a member of any racial group from a Tarot reading point of view. As for "genuine Romanies", most are no such thing. The last one I met turned out to be German Jewish. As far as I know the only way to tell the genuine article is to be one yourself.

Similarly, gender has no real bearing on psychic ability, though it may have some to your comfort. If you would feel embarrassed talking about your private life to someone of a particular gender, don't choose them as a reader.

And that brings us to the most important point. If you feel comfortable with a reader, if they strike you as someone you would talk to regardless of psychic ability, you have found the right one for you. If they strike you as shallow, overeager, unpleasant or scarey, don't choose them. If they play games, trying to frighten you to build up their own ego, reject them. If they seem to have too many problems of their own, how can they advise you sensibly about your life?

If you feel uncertain, ask some questions. No genuine reader minds a little honest probing. Most are glad to share their knowledge and only too aware of the problem a client faces in looking for a genuinely skilled reader.

Telephone readings work in much the same way except that you need to be aware that premium rate services often employ readers on the basis of average call duration rather than reading quality. Despite this I have known readers I would recommend who work in this way, myself included. The only advice I can offer is to try any companies that appeal but be ready to challenge anyone who asks too many questions or goes into long speeches or irrelevant sidelines.

The distinction between the links here and those on the Links page is that these are people I know personally. None have any particular connection with Tarot unless stated.

David and Amanda Appleton are the two most frighteningly computer-literate people I know. As a couple, they live at http://www.polidori.demon.co.uk/. David does website design from http://www.polidori.demon.co.uk/web_design/index.htm. It is thanks to him that this site looks the same way to you that it did in my mind's eye.

Kevin Fogarty is an artist and herald. See his abstract art at http://www.ukartgallery.com/ and his heraldic art and name checking facility at http://www.draconis.co.uk/.