esoteric traditions
The Soul Wisdom Of The Major Arcana
If you’ve ever felt a magnetic pull toward the Tarot, you’re not alone. For centuries, these cards have been used to unlock the mysteries of our life journey and soul path. Among the 78 cards in a traditional Tarot deck, there are 22 that stand out in their spiritual depth and archetypal wisdom: the Major Arcana.
The word “arcana” comes from the Latin arcanum, meaning “secret” or “mystery.” These 22 cards, beginning with The Fool and culminating with The World, chart a symbolic journey of spiritual awakening and self-discovery.
In readings, Major Arcana cards often speak to life-changing lessons and soul-level growth. These archetypal cards form the backbone of the Tarot, guiding seekers on their journey of self-realization and spiritual refinement, known as The Fool’s Journey.
When several Major Arcana cards appear in a spread, I often sense that the querent (person receiving the reading) is going through a spiritually significant phase. These cards highlight soul contracts, karmic patterns, and transformative life events. They encourage us to pause, reflect, and connect with our higher self.
In contrast, the remaining 56 cards — known as the Minor Arcana — deal more with the day-to-day. They are divided into four suits representing the elements (Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands) and include numbered cards and Court Cards, often called the “people cards.” When many Minor Arcana cards show up, the reading tends to focus on practical matters, offering insight and advice for navigating everyday challenges and choices.
The Transformative Power Of Finding Your Faith
Faith is deeply personal and means different things to different people. It can take many forms, such as spiritual faith in a higher power, personal faith in one’s abilities, or faith in the people and principles that shape our lives.
For some, faith is a guiding force that offers comfort and meaning. For others, it’s a leap into the unknown, choosing hope over doubt. It can be rooted in a religious tradition, philosophical principle, esoteric teaching, or the simple belief that tomorrow holds possibilities unseen today.
Whatever our beliefs, faith is an intense and often unshakable certainty in those beliefs despite the absence of proof. To me, faith is a powerful, transformative force. When embraced, it offers immeasurable strength in the face of life’s challenges.
When I was young, I struggled to grasp the concept of faith. I never doubted the existence of a creator. I never doubted an afterlife or the presence of spirits in our lives. Perhaps this was due to my innate sensitivity to energies and spiritual disposition. I moved through life guided by intuition.
Yet despite my spiritual grounding, my faith was tested repeatedly, especially through experiences of trauma and loss.
I wrestled with questions of purpose and fairness. I couldn’t accept the idea of a cruel or indifferent creator who randomly punished or rewarded people.
How Mudras Connect Mind, Body and Soul
Have you ever wondered why some people hold their fingers in unusual positions while meditating?
These sacred hand gestures, known as mudras, are not just meant to “look cool” — they are a powerful energetic practice rooted in ancient spiritual traditions. They are intentional postures designed to channel energy, focus the mind, and deepen spiritual connection.
Mudras are an integral part of many spiritual lineages, most notably Kundalini Yoga – an energetic healing science that dates back thousands of years – as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, classical Indian dance, and yogic disciplines.
Its origins can be traced back to the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, where mudras were used in rituals to invoke divine blessings and spiritual power.
Over the centuries, these gestures have evolved into essential tools within yoga, tantra, and meditation practices. Their purpose: to help the practitioner direct subtle energies, sharpen awareness, and align with a higher consciousness.
In Sanskrit, mudra means “seal,” “sign,” or “gesture.” Far from mere physical postures, these gestures connect body, mind, and spirit, forming an energetic circuit that speaks directly to our auric field. Each mudra is a subtle energetic signal – each finger position resonating with specific astrological influences, emotional states, and elemental energies.
While some mudras involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. Their effects are both profound and practical, enhancing spiritual practice, supporting healing, and facilitating the flow of life-force energy (prana or chi) through the body.
A Beginner’s Guide To Astral Projection
Every spiritual tradition speaks of a world beyond our own — an ethereal realm that exists just beyond the veil of the physical senses. Whether it’s Nirvana in Buddhism, Asgard in Norse mythology, or the Elysian Fields of the ancient Greeks, these higher dimensions are seen as places of transcendence and divinity.
Traditionally, such realms are associated with the afterlife, but that’s only part of the story. The truth is that we don’t have to die to access them. These higher planes of existence can be explored while we are still very much alive.
While mystics, shamans, and seers have spoken of these realms for millennia, modern science, particularly in the fields of quantum theory and consciousness studies, is beginning to acknowledge the possibility of multiple dimensions, parallel realities, and alternate timelines. Phenomena such as déjà vu or lucid dreaming, for example, may be brief collisions between timelines or conscious overlaps with other dimensions where versions of ourselves already exist.
So how do we consciously access these mystical realms? The practice of astral projection — also known as astral travel, out-of-body experiences, or lucid voyaging — is one way to do just that.
The idea of consciously traveling beyond the physical body has appeared in various cultures and spiritual traditions throughout history. Although interpretations vary, many civilizations have incorporated the concept into their myths, religious practices, and mystical philosophies.
Finding True Purpose In The Unity Of Love
There is a profound truth about life that many people don’t fully grasp until they reach the end of their journey.
Our true purpose in this life not about success, status, or the material things we accumulate. It’s about something far greater and more beautiful: love.
At the core of our existence is the simple yet powerful truth that we are all connected. That is why we must love unconditionally, share our gifts with the world, and show up for others with kindness, compassion, and authenticity.
Yet so often we get caught up in the pursuit of validation, accomplishment, and material success, only to realize – sometimes too late – that love is the greatest accomplishment of all.
Consider a drop of water falling into the ocean. Alone, it may seem small and separate. But the moment it merges with the vast ocean, it’s no longer just a drop-it becomes part of something infinite, part of every wave, every current, and every ripple.
That’s us. We are never really separate; we are all woven into the fabric of existence, flowing together in this great cosmic dance.
And when we live from love – when we choose to be present, to forgive, to uplift others – we become more than ourselves. We become a part of something timeless.
In the end, what matters most is not what we own or what we’ve accomplished, but the love we’ve given, the lives we’ve touched, and the hearts we’ve left a little warmer. Love is the thread that binds us all together, the force that carries us beyond this fleeting moment into eternity.
Ready For Your Spring Spiritual Renewal?
Today marks the Spring Equinox and the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Known also as the Vernal Equinox, it is an astronomical event that marks one of the two times of the year when day and night are nearly equal in length. It usually occurs around March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere.
During the equinox, the sun crosses the celestial equator and moves north. Many cultures and traditions celebrate it as a time of balance, renewal, and growth. As nature shifts into balance, we are invited to do the same — to clear away what no longer serves us and move into a season of light, action, and new beginnings.
Spring is a new beginning. A new sun rising. The dawn in the wheel of the year. At this time of year our minds are bright and alive with new ideas. Many of us feel inspired and excited to try new things. Life awakens in the warm sunlight and our spirits feel ready for a new beginning.
One of the longstanding customs associated with this time of year is the tradition of “spring cleaning.” Across cultures and generations, people have used this time of year to refresh their homes, clear out accumulated clutter, and invite new energy into their lives.
But spring cleaning is more than just cleaning up our physical space — it is a sacred ritual of renewal, release, and transformation. As the earth awakens from hibernation, we too are called to clear out the old and make room for new energy. From a spiritual perspective, this process is an opportunity to realign ourselves with higher frequencies, release stagnant energy, and invite clarity into our lives.
The Archangels: Divine Messengers, Emissaries And Healers
Throughout history and across spiritual traditions, archangels have been known as divine messengers and powerful emissaries of the divine. They are among the highest orders of celestial beings who guide and assist humanity in profound ways.
An archangel is a high-ranking angel, often described as a celestial being with special authority and a significant role in the higher realms.
The term “archangel” comes from the Greek words archi (meaning chief or head) and angelos (meaning messenger). They are considered leaders among the angels and act as intermediaries between the divine and humanity. They offer protection, guidance, and the execution of divine will.
While many religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, acknowledge their existence, archangels transcend any one faith.
Many wisdom traditions and mythologies have parallels to archangels – celestial or divine beings who act as messengers, protectors, or mediators between the divine and humanity. Examples include the Amesha Spentas in Zoroastrianism, the Devas in Hinduism, the Bodhisattvas in Hinduism, and the Kami in Shinto.
Although different traditions vary in the number and identities of archangels, some are universally recognized and revered.
A distinguishing feature of archangels is their names, which typically end in “-el,” which means “of God” or “in God” in Hebrew. This signifies their deep connection to the divine will and their role as conduits between the higher realms and the earthly plane.