While Paul Fenton-Smith was visiting Adelaide, I had the chance to ask him a few questions about Tarot. Some of the questions were serious, and some were frivolous, but Paul was gracious enough to respond to all of them with the following answers…

Don: What do you enjoy most about using Tarot as a divinatory tool?
Paul: I like the clarity it offers. When clients arrive for a Tarot reading confused, and then depart aware of their options, I have done my job. For those who read for themselves, the Tarot encourages us to look beyond the surface of life to glimpse our motives, hopes and fears.

Don: Why do you think Tarot reading is still so popular in today’s modern world?
Paul: The Tarot is a timeless design. We face many of the issues our ancestors faced, such as the search for love, happiness, and worthwhile pursuits including career, hobbies and interests. Humans have the same struggles with family, friends, and sometimes with relationship partners, and we are developing spiritually, whether consciously or unconsciously. Tarot can reflect this accurately when you understand the card meanings and use an effective layout for reading the cards. The Tarot is also an excellent tool for decision making when we don’t wish to burden friends or family with our issues.

Don: What initially appealed to you about learning how to read Tarot cards?
Paul: I was initially fascinated by how the court cards revealed personality types and four distinctly different approaches to life. It helped me to make sense of my family, friends and co-workers. Later it helped me to enjoy my path more by showing me those qualities I needed to develop to have a balanced life.

Don: In your teaching courses you recommend using the Rider-Waite pack, but do you have another type of deck you like to work with?
Paul: No. I use only the Rider Waite deck. I’m a bit of a purist, preferring to master one deck than to juggle a variety of packs.

Don: Which Tarot spread do you like best?
Paul: I like the Seven Card layout best, as it can be used for a general reading or to answer specific questions. I give myself a Spiritual Direction layout once a year, as it can illuminate my path and the choices within that path. To me, it’s the information and not the process which is important. In our advanced Tarot courses I have students design a layout as part of their homework. When they show me complicated 26 card layouts, I immediately look for ways to simplify them. I ask students “Will this clarify the client’s issue? Is this the simplest way to answer the client’s question? How might you simplify this layout without losing its potency?”

Don: Are you a collector of Tarot decks?
Paul: No. Tarot decks are simply tools of the trade. Each pack last me around 18 months, after which I retire it. Every few years I burn the used packs.

Don: What’s the weirdest esoteric item you own?
Paul: I’m basically conservative. A friend gave me a “Cup of Knowledge” which is a 1920’s tea cup containing the four suits of the playing cards on the inside for tea leaf reading.  And a client recently gave me a set of “The Housewives Tarot”, a cheeky send up of the Tarot using cheesy 1960’s images. I nearly wet myself laughing!

Don: When you are writing your books, do you listen to music? If so, what type of music?
Paul: When writing I need to think clearly and avoid distractions, so I usually don’t listen to music. If I’m writing a magazine column or a fun piece, I like to listen to the Beatles as it’s sanguine music. I often play the piano to give myself a rest when writing all day. I write on Thursdays, sometimes for 10 hours, so I exchange one keyboard for another and play a few favourite songs at the piano to clear my head.

Don What’s the weirdest question any Tarot client has asked you?
Paul: Strange questions include, “If I murder my wife will I get away with it?” and “Will there be world peace in 1000 years from now?” One man asked me ,“If I have a love affair, will my wife find out?” When I told him “Yes”, he asked “What month will she find out?” He asked this so he could end the affair a few weeks before she discovered it. As his wife was a Queen of Swords, I explained she probably knew about his desire for an affair before he did.

Thanks Paul!