Tarot
Taking Your Spiritual Practice To A New Level
Every person will go through several metaphysical growth spurts and changes in their spiritual practices throughout their lifetime. Whether we are pursuing Transcendental Meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki, Tarot, or Dreamwork, it is inevitable that we will at some point begin to question what we might be doing wrong, or how we could do be doing it better?
This usually happens when we have reached a point where our growth or development seems to have reached a point where we need to take our practice to the ‘next level.’ But this is often easier said than done and this shift can be tricky to navigate.
First, examine what you feel or sense to be different or missing in your existing practice. Tap into your intuition and listen to your gut. Following our inner guidance at this point helps us better recognize which direction our personal and spiritual growth needs to go. Ask spirit to guide and direct you.
Second, research how others, who have gone through similar changes, have evolved and mastered their practice. Get a sense of a benchmark or an aspirational goal as to where you should be heading yourself. Then dive in by taking on new challenges in your chosen practice and start working towards that goal. Don’t feel rushed or panicked. Just take it one step and one day at a time.
A key element to building one’s spiritual practice I find most people do not make use of enough is the spiritual communion of sharing your learning and development journey with others. Find a group learning venue, development circle, or support group that will allow you to share your learning and experimentation with other seekers and practitioners. Finding such a like-minded group to get involved with on your journey can be very empowering!
You are not the only one going through the growth spurt or developmental phase you’re experiencing. Why go through it alone, if you can learn and grow along with others, and share your insights and concerns with the group? But, always keep in mind that everyone has different speeds of growth and development. So, never feel like your falling behind. Trust that you are progressing exactly how you are supposed to in your own unique way.
Psychic Reading With Ordinary Playing Cards
I do psychic readings using a normal deck of playing cards. Yes, the kind you buy at your grocery store. It is is actually the original form of oracle card reading.
Cartomancy as we know it today originated back in the 14th century, when playing cards were first introduced to the world. Some historians believe it might even date back to Ancient Egypt. Using an ordinary deck of cards was actually the most popular form of cartomancy for centuries, especially in Europe from the 18th to the 20th century.
Today divination using a standard deck of playing cards has sadly become the ‘little brother’ of the Tarot. These days people find it unusual if a psychic uses a regular deck of playing cards to do readings.
To give the most accurate readings, I use a specific approach when I use the cards. First of all, I tune in with my client’s energy and I make sure that I am connected with my spirit guides.
Also, if a client has had a bad day or if they are upset, it helps a lot if they clear their mind as much as possible before we start the reading. If a client is not feeling well, I usually recommend they hold off on the reading, because their energy is too low. Reading for someone in this state usually does not yield very good results.
Before you make a phone call for your next psychic reading, take three deep breaths and let them out very slowly. If you are having a bad day, take seven deep breaths and slowly let them out. You will be very surprised how much this will relieve your tension or your stress, before you make this phone call. You will also find that your reading experience is much more enjoyable and meaningful.
Can Anyone Read The Tarot?
During this past week alone, several people from different walks of life have asked me this very question. Yes, anyone can learn, but as some of my Tarot students have shown, it’s the passion you have for Tarot that makes the difference, and that can turn someone into a reader with a difference.
Tarot readings can be used for one’s personal growth only, or for doing readings for self and others. Often individuals learn the Tarot of their own volition, paying particular attention to its imagery and symbolism, as they develop their skill with practice, practice, and more practice.
Once they feel they can trust their higher self and their spirit guides, and feel they are being directed to the symbols and imagery in Tarot, which will kick start the required information to be revealed, they will be confident to do Tarot readings.
A good teacher or mentor will always encourage a student to be guided by the way the Tarot talks to them, and not just by learning ‘parrot fashion’ the many meanings each card may have.
It is the language of symbols which helps us more easily tune into the unconscious mind, especially when there is not always time available to spend many hours doing psychic development, and going within and meditating before a reading.
Many Tarot readers work with various spreads, or layouts, to help them answer specific questions and to define events, timing, important influences and important people in the questioner’s life. Tarot helps us find clarity as to the direction in which we are headed and even helps identify blocks which may lie ahead.
I have in my collection at least fifteen Tarot decks, but one or two would suffice for most people. I just love the way talented people have been able to bring Tarot to life in their own Tarot deck design, using their own imagery, shapes and color.
Yoga And The Tarot Archetypes
When I’m not doing psychic readings, I enjoy engaging in activities that support a healthy lifestyle, such as Yoga and Herbalism. Although I spent many years training with Yoga masters from around the world and I am a certified Yoga instructor, I continue to learn more each time I get onto the mat.
While practicing the other day, I found myself thinking about the Tarot cards while in a particular yoga posture. It was the asana known as the Hero’s pose, or Virasana. The pose involves kneeling or sitting in between your bent legs.
As I was sitting in this stretch, I was wondering how the posture got its name, which comes from the Sanskrit word vira meaning ‘hero.’ It occurred to me that a hero was someone who had to think of someone else or others in that moment more than themselves. When we are pushed to our edge, in that moment of vulnerability, it makes us stronger. The same humility can be found in certain Yoga postures.
Then the Emperor card from the Tarot deck came to mind. The Emperor in a reading can show a ruler or leader who is strong, confident, and who guides others. Might there be an ancient connection with Yoga and the Tarot?
I then began to think of other Yoga postures and how they might correlate with the other Major Arcana cards in the Tarot.
The first that came up for me was The Hanged Man. This iconic card features a figure hanging upside down from a tree. Hanging from a tree in this way would certainly make one see the world from a different perspective. Interestingly, the headstand pose in Yoga, Sirsanasa, aims to create mental balance and physical poise. Continue reading
February 2021 Energies And Insights
There’s a lot going on this month. A great stellium of seven planets is currently clustering in the sign of Aquarius, which predicts a profoundly challenging and potentially restless time, especially for those of us born in the fixed signs, namely Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
A stellium occurs when three or more planets cluster together in a single zodiac sign to create an unusual and intense energy blend. The effect of this unusual stellium may be profound for all of us in some way or another, so staying calm, centered and grounded will be absolutely essential this month.
Consider spiritual practices or disciplines that you wish to engage in during this time. They will assist you in all areas of your life. Sometimes we feel there are not enough hours in the day, but when we are more aligned spiritually and have good discipline, our day goes much easier.
Mercury Retrograde
Additionally, Mercury is in retrograde this month in Aquarius, inviting us to look at the bigger picture of our life. Uranus is one of the rulers of Aquarius, so we might experience some upsets in communications, technologies as well as in society.
Both Aquarius and Mercury are air signs, so it will be wise this month to remain flexible, patient and understanding in all communication, or miscommunication, including missed texts and phone calls. Mercury goes direct on February 20th, with a small shadow period afterwards.
The Miracle Of Automatic Handwriting
Growing up in a psychic family, I was constantly among adults who were seeing ghosts and reading people’s eyes. But I always wanted to be different than the other psychics in my family.
I guess that is one of the reasons why I began reading ordinary playing cards, instead of the Tarot. But I wanted to experiment even further, and in time I also discovered that I could open up the flood gates with automatic hand writing.
I have to be very careful, because when you use automatic writing it can be like opening a can of worms. Each time I do this I make sure beforehand that my mind is calm and clear. I also see to it that I have lots of blank paper, because you can use a lot of paper in one session.
I also have to make sure that when I did connect with a spirit it was indeed from the Light. After some of the things I have witnessed in my life, I certainly do not want to invite any evil spirit or any other dark entity that could harm my family or me.
I remember my very first time I was very skeptical of doing automatic writing; I asked, “Are you with the Light?” A simple question. The only answer I received was a straight line. I was not very happy or impressed. That was it? Just a straight line? My second time it was not bad, because the pen wrote the word yes. It kind of freaked me out at the time.
I knew I needed to practice more. So, I put more hours into it and the more often I did it, the better I became. I would even try it while playing music. Eventually, I was ready to try this together with the cards. This is not a traditional method, but like I said, I wanted to be different. The first time I placed the cards face down and then did the automatic writing first, to see what it would say. The first word that came through was “baby”. Next was the word “girl” and then “candy.”
What You Can Expect From The Year 2021
Next year, the world’s energy imprint will be a 5, according to Numerology. During a 5 year, one can typically expect lots of activity, and after all the turmoil of 2020, we will now have even more catching up to do than usual. The energy of the 5 is fast moving and encourages us to meet life’s challenges with renewed vigor.
Some aspects of life will gradually begin to return to normal in the new year, but bear in mind that some things have changed and shifted more permanently, pulling us forward to embrace new innovations and alternatives for 2021. It calls us to find new ways to do old things.
If you find it challenging to keep up, ask for help. There is always someone helpful you can reach out to, who can show you the nuances and tips. It reminds me of my first encounter with video back in the day. My son had to show me the tricks and secrets of Nintendo’s Mario game, which of course he loved sharing! Who says you cannot teach an old dog new tricks?
The keywords for next year’s 5 energy are freedom, change, fun, travel and adventure. And we could certainly use some of all that! The energy of the 5 makes it especially a great year to travel. Finally, we will be able to do so, as the year progresses. So, start planning that dream vacation now, and look into one or more of those exotic destinations you have had on your bucket list for so many years.
But beware, in a 5 year we can also feel that our energy is scattered, so focusing on what’s most important is key. There will be many shiny objects to distract us in a 5 year, so if we are not mindful, we may find that nothing of importance will get done.
With all the energy of novelty and excitement we may encounter in 2021, we will have to pace ourselves, stay grounded and maintain our self-care practices. If you will be taking risks, first take a closer look, because not all that glitters is gold.