An archetypal journey through the
THE MAJOR & MINOR ARCANA of the Tarot
drawing on the wisdom of myth, literature, astrology,
alchemy, the Kabbalah, fairy tales and symbols
a one year in-depth exploration into the TAROT
with Brian Clark and Anne Shotter
THE MAJOR ARCANA
An Archetypal Approach to the Major Arcana
February 18 - July 1, 2010
Carl Jung’s only reference in his Collected Works to the Tarot states that the cards were ‘distinctly descended from the archetypes of transformation’. Students of the Tarot are already familiar with this truth. As an archetypal unfolding the Major Arcana suggests that the 22 cards will, in some way, be
encountered by each individual on their life path. Whether we meet these experiences in ourselves, or through projection onto others, their fundamental nature suggests that they are aspects of our psychic constitution. As Jung notes, each of these cards may also be essentially transforming by nature as they are
soulful in temperament. As we work with each card and come to know its deeper meaning, a richer understanding of the process in our lives reveals itself.
In this 18-week course the Tarot’s Major Arcana will be explored through comparative mythology, symbology, numerology, astrology, Kabbalah, alchemy, fairy tales as well the wisdom of the traditional Tarot. Using the cross cultural images that appear in various tarot decks including the Rider-Waite and Celestial Tarot, each Tarot card will be fully amplified to illuminate its pattern and its process in the human experience. Each week we will follow the archetypal journey of the Fool through the trials,
labours and initiations of incarnation. Stages of the life experience become evident contributing to a deeper understanding and appreciation of our personal path. Essentially our exploration of the Major Arcana will be a journey into the self.
Each week we will explore the Major Arcana card sequentially from an in-depth perspective, studying the widely-accepted standard deck, Rider-Waite, the mythic Celestial Tarot, Osho Zen, Alchemical Tarot, Mythic Tarot, Inner Child Tarot, Thoth Deck and many other fascinating decks. Each week we meet the underlying
archetype, the appropriate initiation and lesson of the card. Over the course of this 18 weeks the student will experience the profound nature of the cards and glean an appreciation of their value in describing the nature of human experience. No previous knowledge is necessary. Students with an appreciation of the
Tarot will experience the Major Arcana in a new and insightful way.
THE MINOR ARCANA
Myths and Mysteries of the Minor Arcana
July 14 - November 25, 2010
The World card, the culmination of the journey through the Major Arcana, is the gateway to the secrets of the Minor Arcana. The passage through the Major Arcana revealed the archetypes we
meet. Now the Minor Arcana brings to light the individual expression and of our life journey and how our character and personality shape our response to these archetypal encounters. It is in the minors where our personal life challenges and everyday experiences are revealed. Each card of the Minor Arcana reveals both the light and the shadow of our life experiences and choices.
During this course we will take an in depth approach to each card in the Minor Arcana beginning with the Suit of Wands. Through the additional symbology of astrology, mythology and archetypal psychology, the wisdom of the Minor Arcana will be revealed. This eclectic approach will also utilise the Kabbalistic Tree of Life as a metaphor for understanding these cards and the process of bringing order to chaos. The myths underpinning these cards will help to amplify and deepen our appreciation of the minor cards. Using archetypal psychology will also encourage you to reflect on this aspect of yourself and understand your own unique experience of each card. Different Tarot decks will be studied to bring distinctive nuances and motifs to light.
Both Brian Clark and Anne Shotter will bring their extensive experience to illuminating a new understanding of the Minor Arcana for beginners, experienced tarot readers, students and
practitioners. This part of the course will appeal to all levels of experience. For beginners, they will be introduced to an in depth approach to the Minor Arcana; however for the seasoned Tarot
reader or student, new insights and ways to understand the cards will be revealed.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
THE MAJOR ACANA
UNIT 1: February 18 - April 15 (9 weeks)
UNIT 2: May 6 - July 1 (9 weeks)
THE MINOR ACANA (including the court cards)
UNIT 1: July 15 - September 9 (9 weeks)
UNIT 2: September 30 - November 25 (9 weeks)
The Teachers
Facilitators of the course are Brian Clark and Anne Shotter, who are both well known in the Melbourne community as teaches of astrology, mythology and Tarot.
Brian Clark is the co-founder of the Chiron Centre, a multi-disciplinary centre in Melbourne, Australia. He has written numerous articles on astrology, is a contributing author to Intimate Relationships (Llewellyn: 1991), the author of The Sibling Constellation (Penguin: 1999) and Celestial Tarot (US Games, Inc: 2007), which have been translated into Italian, German, French, Spanish and Japanese. As well as authoring a series of astrological publications for students Astro*Synthesis also offers a comprehensive correspondence course (www.AstroSynthesis.com.au). Brian also teaches mythology and leads tours to the sacred sites of ancient Greece through Odyssey.
Anne Shotter is an experienced and respected Tarot consultant and has been passionately involved in teaching Tarot for many years. She has lectured on the Tarot both in Australia and overseas. She was the inspiration and founding president of The Tarot Guild of Australia and is also an honorary member of the organization. Anne has been extensively involved in studying the significance of symbols, rituals and rites of passage as part of her role as a Civil Celebrant.
Fees
THE TAROT
all four module $995 if paid in full by February 11, 2010
THE MAJOR ARCANA
$595 if paid in full by February 11, 2010
THE MINOR ARCANA
$595 if paid in full by September 23, 2010
PER MODULE $350
Please complete the following enrollment form. Visa or Master card facilities are available and cheques should be made payable to the Chiron Centre. A deposit of $125 will hold your place in the class, as places will be limited.
Enrollment
To enroll please fill in the enrollment form and return to AstroSynthesis.
or contact
Brian Clark on 8415-0315
Anne Shotter on 9898-7654