One of ways I enjoy connecting with others is through the virtual world of Second Life <tm>. This is a 3-D interactive environment that has been operational since 2005 (I think). It's gained a lot of press, good and bad and much overblown but paring it down to it's basic features, users have the ability to create and build objects, buildings, environments, talk and interact with one another in a way that feels immediate and real even though it is across distance just as live chat and other online communication options are.
Even after a year and a half there, I've still not decided what it is about this that feels so much less distant than non-visual online platforms - apparently the mind is well fooled by even the appearance of three dimensionality, movement and a surrounding environment that creates the illusion of space.
In the sea of articles about SL, ranging from the pie in the sky 'we'll all get rich there!' promises to the suggestion that nothing is happening there but virtual sex (It's there, just as it is in 'real life' but it's hardly the only thing people are doing there), to complaints about the platforms growing pains what I rarely see any mention of, in spite of seeing it operate in-world, is how robust a way it is to read Tarot.
With a scripted Tarot deck one can buy in-world for very little called the Fnordian-Vorren Tarot deck (if you're in SL, you can locate it in Search), it's possible to read Tarot inside SL and have very nearly as much flexibility as you would face to face - you can either select specific cards out of the deck or generate a random draw, lay out the cards in a spread as you like (that is, you're not limited to pre-set spreads), select for whether or not to use reversals, and flip cards that are reversed, and the system allows you to put in your own images if you'd like to create your own personal deck.
After working with them for months, the only limitations I've found in the system is that 1) I cannot give permission to anyone else to use the cards, 2) I cannot ask for a randomly selected card only within the Majors or one of the suits, 3) I cannot do a randomly drawn reading only using Majors, and 4) I cannot draw the same card twice - that is, if a card is already turned, I can't use a deck I own with a different image set to do comparative readings using two decks.
All in all, these are minor issues - the only one I regularly wish were different is being able to randomly draw from a specific portion of the deck.
With the FV scripted system, I've been able to offer Tarot readings inside SL (and I'm by no means the only person doing so!) for donations only, which is the most usual economic arrangement for service offerings in SL. I've built up a regular clientele, get steady exposure to new clients so that I can practice reading for strangers in a way that feels far more connected to me than email readings do. They can see the cards as they would if we were seated side by side and I find that to be terribly helpful in pointing out aspects of their situation in way that they can take away with them. The donations I receive are just enough to let me stay in SL without needing to apply real-life funds to pay for it.
All in all, a very satisfactory way to keep connected to Tarot and read for others. (and if you're in SL and would like a reading, IM Morgana Fillion - I'd love to hear from you!)
The other major Tarot project I'm currently involved with is a discussion group I formed called Practical Tarot (again, do a Search in groups if you'd like to join). We meet every Saturday morning at 8am SLT (Pacific Time) to explore various aspects of Tarot and this has, by far, become my favorite part of the week. Sometimes we do practice readings, sometimes we discuss specific cards or methods. I like to get various people to run the discussion - it's wonderful how different people bring different observations and insights to the subject!
That said, I am a very little fish in a very large pond - there's a robust learning center called Mystic Academy in SL that holds classes and workshops for a wide variety of subject matter, include Tarot and provide space for people wanting to read for others. There's a large Tarot Meet-Up Group that gather monthly. And the new magazine Tarot World even has a presence there.
I think this is going to catch on and grow as people discover this newish way to gather and connect without people without the barriers of distance. For those us who live in smallish areas that are not particularly Tarot-friendly, this is a boon that cannot be fully explained until you experience it.
My notes on the Pages and Knights stem from Practical Tarot discussions. Next Saturday, we'll be talking about the Queens - if you're there, drop in!
