[REFLECTION] I taught tarot to Jaime Licauco, I ended up learning more

A few weeks ago, I had the rarest opportunity to teach tarot to one of the world’s top parapsychologists, Jaime “Jimmy” Licauco.

Mr. Licauco is “considered the Philippines’ foremost authority on inner mind development, creative and intuitive management, paranormal phenomena, and Philippine mysticism,” according to his profile on the Inner Mind Learning Institute website. He is, in other words, a pillar and icon, one of the top names when it comes to the paranormal.

Mr. Licauco reached out to LightSeers, our group that helps those with paranormal concerns, because he genuinely wanted to learn about tarot.

For context, tarot is a pack of 78 playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in Europe, which can be used for divination, self-reflection, and helping others through cosmic advice.

My initial thought-bubble: “Hindi siya marunong??” (He doesn’t know how??)

One would think that someone of his caliber would have mastered it — like, how could he not, right?

Apparently not.

Mr. Licauco said he has always been interested in it, having collected so many decks in the past, but never learned because he didn’t have a mentor. He was even more inspired to learn after reading one of Pyotr Ouspenkii’s books, which he mentioned often in our meet-ups in his home. Ouspenskii was a Russian mathematician and mystic.

Mr. Licauco and I had a total of six sessions, each one being an hour or so long. He couldn’t sit for very long and would complain of his back aching.

I was very impressed as he chose to use his mini Rider-Waite tarot deck. He said it was handy, especially when he would bring it to his weekly dialysis sessions. Its size wasn’t a problem, too, as he has 20-20 vision. In fact, he didn’t like using my rainbow decks as he claimed to not “see” anything with its minimalist art style.

Interestingly, for our second meet-up, Mr. Licauco said that he’d invite a friend to learn tarot with him. This friend turned out to be the famous TV host and author, Cory Quirino! I’m reminded of what Janina San Miguel famously said: “I don’t feel any pressure right now.”

Mr. Licauco was very intuitive and was quite impressive for beginners — even if he claims that he can’t interpret minimalist tarot cards. He was very open to learning and asked tough questions!

Mr. Licauco would always say that he’s old and that he doesn’t have the drive to teach or write books anymore, after having written around 30 books in his lifetime. However, his willingness and drive to learn the tarot at 84 years old is very, very inspiring.

Here are three points that I take with me from this experience, which are all connected:

1. Learning shouldn’t stop

People say that learning never stops. This is the ideal and I feel that it shouldn’t stop. There will always be something new to learn, discover, and experience in the world regardless of one’s age, field, or status.

Age and one’s status shouldn’t be reasons to stop learning as I feel that this shows one’s arrogance and blown-up sense of entitlement.

2. Having an open mind is key

Having an open mind lets us have the potential to gain knowledge, be truly understanding, and even change someone’s world.

On tarot cards, there are those, who, by virtue of their religion, automatically judge these as evil. Having an open mind, learning, and understanding what it is all about, will point to it being a neutral item. It’s really what one does with it that makes it good or evil.

Furthermore, being closed-minded denies so many opportunities. On a grander scale, I think the Philippines experiences this one too many times with our leaders on issues that matter like having a national anti-discrimination law for everyone.

3. It’s never too late to start

There are those who are afraid to start something new, especially if they’re older. Perhaps it’s because of what others will say that will make them feel embarrassed. However, as the saying goes, “Better to try and fail than not to try at all,” as this may lead to a lifetime of regret.

Mr. Licauco is a living example that learning shouldn’t stop, one must have an open mind, and it’s never too late to start a new skill.

Whenever I ask Mr. Licauco why he wants to learn the tarot, he always says that it fascinates him and that he’s always had an affinity for it.

But reading between the lines, I also feel that his learning the tarot was to prepare him to help even more people who need cosmic advice. Even if he says that he’s too old to write books or teach, perhaps using the tarot as a vehicle for intuition is something that he can still do to help — similar to how he has helped so many people with his books, articles, and practice.  

Despite my not having taught tarot before and not being confident of my teaching skills, I’m grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — an opportunity where I feel that I learned more life lessons than Mr. Licauco learned about tarot cards.

Yet Mr. Licauco was appreciative and said he learned a lot.

“You’re very good,” he would say, “Very systematic.”

On our final session, he joked, “Puwede nang maghula sa Quiapo!” (Now I can do fortune-telling in Quiapo!)

If Mr. Licauco can, so can we. – Rappler.com

Henson Wongaiham is an entrepreneur and advertising professional. He’s a certified tarot master and creator of the international award-winning tarot deck: Rainbow Seekers Tarot, the Philippines’ first LGBT-themed tarot deck.

He’s also a member of LightSeers, a volunteer group that helps those with paranormal concerns. In 2024, Henson cofounded Mystics and Whims, a brand of practical and affordable mystical items.

To get in touch, please follow Henson on Instagram @king.of.rainbows or email:  kingofrainbows@yahoo.com