Old Version: The 4D Course
A lightly detailed overview of Tarot | In Four Dimensions
Since there’s no shortage of online Tarot courses available, I gave a lot of thought to whether I have something differently valuable to offer. Basically, I wanted to share the method of divination I developed during years spent working with the Tarot, both as a reader and as a writer.
My free newsletter, Tarot | An Exploration Project, offers much insight into how I think about Tarot. There are three years of archived content on EP!
Aside from that—the best way I can help you decide whether this series fits your interests is to explain clearly what I will and won’t be doing.
First, the 4D series will be focused on divination—not self-care, meditation, creativity, or any of the other perfectly good ways to use the Tarot deck.
Second, we will not spend a lot of time on the symbolism or interpretation of individual cards. My approach is based on the spread as a matrix of meanings.
Third, we will work with only one spread, which serves as the essential framework for my method.
Finally, there will be quite a bit of information and suggested activity that’s preliminary to actually working with a Tarot deck.
The 4D method is very specific—and while some people may want to adopt/adapt the whole approach, others may want to incorporate a few aspects into their own practice. But I really think the series as I’ve planned it can enrich any Tarot practice, whether you take up the methodology or not. And whether you’re just getting started, or have extensive experience.
Although you can proceed at any pace, and explore the lessons in any order, I encourage everyone to take time and follow the sequence as it’s laid out.
The course can be completely DIY if you choose. But I’m also offering a guided option that will include weekly emails from me and regular Q & A interactions.
If you’re still reading after all that—here’s some information about how the course is presented.
Three lessons on the “Personal Dimension”
Four lessons on the “Theoretical Dimension”
Four lessons on the “Method Dimension”
Three lessons for the “Practice Dimension”
And here’s an overview of what will be covered.
1. The Personal Dimension
My perspective: There are plenty of ways to use and enjoy Tarot, but most do not involve the level of personal openness and commitment required by divination. To become a “fortune-teller,” in the real sense of that term, means making choices and building skills.
If you’ve already started on this path, or have traveled a long way, these lessons will provide opportunities to revisit, revise, revitalize. And if you haven’t yet made divination a part of your Tarot practice—or if you’re still new to Tarot—they can provide a starting point.
Topics will include:
Some essential definitions
Versions of “the future”—fate, fortune, destiny
Finding, sharpening, or retuning your reading style
Identifying personal skills
Skill-building exercises
To go along with the lessons, there’s a Tarot journal template—along with some prompts, for those who like to use them.
For some background on my approach, visit Ten Doors to Tarot, in the 4D Library.
The first set of lessons builds personal skills that could be applied to any form of divination.
The second set begins a specific focus on Tarot, setting up the background of ideas needed for exploring the 4D method.
2. The Theory Dimension
My perspective: I knew almost nothing about math during the time I was actively reading Tarot—but I knew a lot about logic and analytics, so was already thinking about Tarot along those lines. Later on I took an interest in math, and although I’m just as computationally incompetent as ever (believe me!), I have a tiny understanding of geometry and number theory.
And the more I’ve thought about math and Tarot, the more I see how much they are intertwined. I’d like to share that awareness by offering some very basic points of entry. But you need absolutely no math background or aptitude!
If you do happen to be a “math person,” I think you’ll find this set interesting.
Topics for this dimension include:
Number theory
Sets, primes, and Tarot
Dimensionality
Spacetime
Infinities
Symmetries and Tarot factorization
For some background on my approach, visit Me and Math in the 4D Library.
In the third set of lessons, we take out the decks and explore 4D methodology—step by step.
3. The Method Dimension
My perspective: 4D is the approach to divination that I developed during my years of active reading, writing, and teaching. Pieces of the method came from different books, teachers, and experiences. And over time I noticed and expanded things that seemed to work.
Some of what I eventually settled on is a reformulation or more organized version of traditional Tarot divination methods. Some of it is quite different—even contrary. And the core difference lies (first) in envisioning the spread as a complex matrix that constructs a unique set of card meanings for every reading, and (second) in emphasizing method as a part of mastery.
Since this is a step-by-step approach, I can give a more explicit account of this month’s topics:
An explanation of “the rules”
The 4D Spread
Analysis and interpretation
Finding the story
Telling the story
This set of lessons will employ a downloadable spreadsheet template (Excel and Google Sheets), useful for experimenting with the methodology.
For more on my personal story, visit Connecting with Tarot in the 4D Library.
And finally—putting it all together! The system offered in the Method Dimension can be learned by anyone—ut its practical effectiveness depends on having built the personal skills and dimensional imagination explored in the previous lessons.
The purpose of the Practice Dimension is to integrate all these factors through a series of reading exercises.
4. The Practice Dimension
Each course participant will receive a set of practice exercises designed for their level of experience and tailored to their specific interests. There will also be a one-on-one Q & A, if you wish.
If any/all of that seems appealing, I hope you will subscribe to Tarot | In Four Dimensions. The DIY version of the course is included with your paid membership. For Explorer-level members, there’s a guided version of the course that includes personalized emails and extras, along with regular Q & A interactions.
Warmest regards, Cynthia