Tarot Readings and Energy Healing

Card Number II The High Priestess

2009-08-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Tarot card number : 2

Planet: Moon

positive associations with this tarot card: intuitiveness, understanding, wisdom, mystery, psychic ability, the divine feminine

negative associations with this tarot card: lack of intuitiveness, emotional insecurity, secretiveness, hidden obstacles or opponents

the High Priestess is the guardian of secrets so when she appears in a reading it can mean a secret is to be revealed or there is a secret you wish to be revealed

symbolizing our intuitiveness and the realms of our unconscious, the High Priestess is our guide to our inner self and potential

when the High Priestess appears it suggests you should trust your instincts, let your intuition be your guide. she may even represent a person who will provide wise counsel and advice

in a man's reading the High Priestess can represent the most important woman in his life

negatively the High Priestess can represent emotional insecurity and the danger of being tempted to use emotional blackmail

another negative aspect is that a secret is being kept from you, perhaps unknown obstacles or opponents

in a man's reading the negative aspect of this card could represent a woman who is a bad influence on him.

Article from:
http://www.free-tarot-reading.net/meanings/major_arcanum/02.php

The Magcian the second card of the Major Arcana

2009-07-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Magician Tarot card meaning deals with the ability to utilize every resource we have available to us. When we think of the Magician, we must understand that there is no question of power. The Magician has absolute power over all circumstances. Simply put, the Magician is in control of his own thoughts, and therefore the ruler of reality.

When we pull the Magician cards for ourselves or for a querent, it is an indication that we have more power than we realize to change our circumstances. It is a card that reminds us of our unlimited potential.

Key Symbols:
This section focuses in on a few select symbols that can help us further define the Magician Tarot card meaning.

magician tarot card meaning of the lemniscate Lemniscate: Also known as the infinity symbol, the Lemniscate symbolizes the endless, infinite nature of energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, and the Magician is intimate with this knowledge. The infinity symbol above the Magician's head illustrates that he understands the energy of his thoughts always lead to infinite consequence. Some decks depict an additional Lemniscate at the Magician's throat - this symbolizes the infinite power of the spoken word.

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magician tarot card meaning of the uroboros Uroboros: The serpent swallowing its own tail is symbolic of cycles, and is another message of the infinite nature of energy. The Magician tarot card meaning here, as with the Lemniscate, is that energy is endless, and our ability to manipulate energy is key. The Uroborus further signifies the concept of rebirth and regeneration. The Magician understands that rebirth occurs in each moment - hence another source of his power. Most importantly, it is a symbol that stands for the maxim "one is all" which is the highest philosophy for the Magician

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magician tarot card meaning of all elements All the elements:The Magician is keenly aware that we are all born perfectly prepared to live our lives. We each have all the tools and resources within us to use at our whim. This is indicated by all the symbols of the suit shown within the Magicians grasp. The Magician realizes that he is the master of these tools, they are not his master. The Magician reminds us that everything we need to live our best life is available to us as long as we master the gifts of potential, and not become slaves to our circumstances.

Article taken from www.tarotteachings.com

Card shown here copyright of www.mystic-revelations.com

Major Arcana the Fools's Journey

2009-07-25T04:08:00.000-07:00

The first of the series exploring the major and minor arcana cards in a Rider-Waite style Tarot deck.
THE FOOL

Basic Tarot Symbols

The fool in colorful motley clothes, pack tied to a staff, a small dog, a cliff.

Basic Tarot Story

With all his worldly possessions in one small pack, the Fool travels he knows not where. So filled with visions and daydreams is he, that he doesn't see the cliff he is likely to fall over. At his heel, a small dog harries him (or tries to warn him of a possible miss-step).

Basic Tarot Meaning

At #0, the Fool is the card of infinite possibilities. The bag on the staff indicates that he has all he needs to do or be anything he wants, he has only to stop and unpack. He is on his way to a brand new beginning. But the card carries a little bark of warning as well. Stop daydreaming and fantasizing and watch your step, lest you fall and end up looking the fool.

Thirteen's Observations

In the Tarot, cards like The Magician or The Hermit can often stand for the Querent or for someone in the Querent's life. The Fool, however, almost always stands for the Querent alone, no one else. In standing for the Querent, the Fool represents a time of newness, a time when life has been "re-started" as it were. The person feels that they are back at zero, whether that be in romantic affairs, or career, at their job or intellectual pursuits. Far from being sad or frustrating, the Querent feels remarkably *free*, light hearted and refreshed, as if being given a second chance. They feel young and energized.

In addition, they likely have no idea where they're going or what they're going to do. But that doesn't matter. For the Fool, the most important thing is to just go out and enjoy the world. To see what there is to see and delight in all of it.

Unfortunately, in this childlike state the person is likely to be overly optimistic or naive. A Fool can be a Fool. This is the card likely to turn up when a Querent is thinking of investing his money in a new, "sure fire" business. Or when the Querent is sure that it's "love this time!" Like the Fool, they're so busy daydreaming of what might be that they're ignoring what is. They're about to fall right off a cliff. It's time for them to listen to that watchful little dog, which might be a concerned friend, a wise tarot reader, or just their instincts.

As a card, the Fool ultimately stands for a new start. When it turns up the Querent might be about to make a move, not just to a new home, but new job, new life. There's more than just change, renewal, and a brand new beginning in the Fool, there's also movement, a fresh, exciting new time.

This article is taken from Aecltic Tarot

How Can Distant Energy Healing Work?

2009-07-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

Distant energy healing, also known as remote healing and absent healing has been practiced by healers in the Far East for centuries. In recent modern times many modalities of distant healing are being recognized and practiced in the West. More and more people are turning to alternative healing therapies such as distant energy healing to enhance their health and well being.

Distant healing and energy healing therapy
is being clinically studied in the West by places such as the California Pacific Medical Center in Northern California. China has done many scientific studies on the effectiveness of qigong distance healing by qigong healers.

One strict double blind study on almost 400 patients by cardiologist Robert Bryd determined that people who were prayed for had better outcomes than those who were not. The field of Quantum Physics may provide some answers why distance healing works.

In the early 1980's a team of scientists at the University of Paris led by Alain Aspect made an incredible discovery that may be one of the most important discoveries in modern science. They found that under certain circumstances some subatomic particles were able to communicate instantaneously with each other no matter how far apart they were from each other. It didn't matter if they were millions of miles apart.

In other research in 1997 Nicolas Gisan duplicated these findings and concluded that some particles appeared to be communicating at the mind boggling speed of 20,000 times the speed of light.

These conclusions may give clues as to why distance healing works. Well known quantum physicist David Bohm concluded the reasons why subatomic particles can stay in contact with each other despite vast distances is not because they are transmitting some unknown signal back and forth but because the separateness of the particles is an illusion. Bohm surmises that at a deeper level of reality the particles are not individual entities but are extensions of the same fundamental something and everything in the universe is infinitely interconnected.

Some scientists are now recognizing what mystics from many traditions have said for millennium, that we are all connected and that we are not separate.

Distant healing energy can get transferred over long distances because we are all connected. It doesn't make any difference if the one transmitting the energy is in a different state or country than the recipient.

Article by Michael Mohori

The Tarot's Death Card: A Symbol of Transformation by Geraldine Amaral

2009-07-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Death Card Image Exclusive Copyright http://www.mystic-revelations.com

The Tarot's Death Card: A Symbol of Transformation by Geraldine Amaral

Every exit is an entry somewhere else. - Tom Stoppard

Every time you settle for the unacceptable you suffer a small death. - Stephen C. Paul
The tarot's Death card, key #13 of the Major Arcana, does not mean physical death. Rather, the Death card portrays symbolic death--a change or transformation. Often, it heralds the end of a familiar or more comfortable mode. It conveys a release that is necessary for growth and expansion. Perhaps it even brings a whole new set of principles that will guide you spiritually, emotionally, psychologically or financially. Joseph Campbell, author of A Hero with A Thousand Faces, describes times of personal change as periods when "The familiar life horizon has been outgrown; the old concepts, ideals, and emotional patterns no longer fit; the time for the passing of a threshold is at hand." The sunrise depicted in the background of the Death card holds the promise of the transformation that is about to take place: the death of the old self, but also the dawning of a new day. The Death card is a cue that you are at a "threshold"--a crossing into a new phase, unbounded by the past.

If you are casting the cards in a tarot reading for another person, as a sensitive reader, you should always address this card immediately when it appears in a reading, and then go back to the rest of the reading. The "Seeker" (who is receiving the reading) should be reassured that the "death" being depicted here is symbolic and transformational, not literal. You might even encourage the individual to discuss his or her reactions to the card, relating it to events that may be occurring in his or her life. The white rose which the Death figure holds is the symbol of rebirth. It also portrays the mystery that surrounds death and transformation. Since there is no tarot card that specifically portrays birth, we may wonder: Is the Death card really the birth card? The cycles of life, especially birth and death are mysterious and paradoxical. Such mystery is embedded in the tarot's system. It is meant to challenge you and allow you to explore the meaning of life on a deeper level and from a broader perspective.

When this card appears in your reading, it may be an invitation to embrace change and transformation, especially as it refers to your consciousness or past lifestyle. As such, it represents a quintessential form of "letting go." Its appearance may encourage you as you are clearing out the old and making way for the new. You can even meditate on the Death card in a creative visualization process, allowing its potent imagery to infuse your unconscious with its implied invitation to trust the process of transformation and release. The Death card can assist you in dissolving any negative forces that, knowingly or unknowingly, have taken root in your unconscious mind.

At other times, the Death card may appear in your reading when there are changes that you know you need to make, but which you are resisting. The potent Death imagery may serve to remind you that the more you hate something and the more you run from it, the more you are bound to it. You are caught by that which you seek to avoid. Resistance leads to persistence and sometimes that resistance to a problem or situation may actually help to maintain it. The Death card may help you to become liberated from your resistance. As the symbolism makes contact with your deep mind, it retrieves the more elevated doctrine that shows the meaning of death in a broader context. You can never know what miracles, what healing, what insight or growth might come to you through the difficult times of your life, as you face life's challenges. It is likely that the spiritual forces flowing through your periods of change or difficulty will bring an expanded life, a greater self or a greater good. The symbolic death that follows may allow you to move forward. For example, perhaps you are holding onto friendships that are no longer supportive or nurturing. Perhaps your career or job is no longer satisfying. The Death card’s appearance in your reading may be inviting you to deliberately address the issues at hand regarding these changes. Perhaps Death asks, "Is it time to let go and move on? Can you trust that some greater good will come to you as you surrender to the change?"

It can be one of life’s greatest challenges to know when it is time to let go and allow "death" to claim whatever is being embraced. Meditation on the Death card may allow you to discern if, and when, it is time to let go, to mourn and grieve if necessary, and prepares you to be open to whatever is next. The Death card may guide you through a loss or sorrow so that you will not dwell on it excessively.

If you are in the midst of a difficult life challenge, the Death card may also represent the process of spiritual purification in which you gain a deeper understanding of the love of a higher force. That is, often during times of adversity, you may be called to turn to a higher force to guide and sustain you. The Death card challenges you to expand your spiritual beliefs, allowing more of Spirit to touch and heal you. It also holds great hope--the hope that you can start over, embark on a new journey. As we are purged of the old, we are lighter, more receptive--we are freed of the past, ready to start on a new course.

As the year 2004 draws near, the meaning of the Death card, and the hope it carries for transformation for humanity, seemed a good topic for Tarot Passages. The global conflicts and potential for terrible consequences keep us in a constant state of anxiety. Are we at a turning point for humankind? Are we able to release the old ways of dealing with conflict? Can we hope for a spiritual renaissance, a spiritual revolution? Is the shift in consciousness that our planet desperately needs ever coming? Will this shift elevate Homo Sapiens to another evolutionary level? And if so, what exactly is this shift, and how can we as individuals contribute to the evolution of our species as spiritual beings? Many spiritual leaders believe that there is a spiritual revolution and transformation at hand. Carolyn Myss states that our spiritual journey is about “breaking our allegiance to human reason and entering into divine order.” Marianne Williamson says, “We are now experiencing an alteration of collective consciousness . . . a spiritual renaissance is sweeping the world . . . it is a revolution in the way we think.” Williamson believes that for many this spiritual revolution represents a “yearning for the mind of humanity seeking its source.” It is a shift in our understanding of who we are and what our purpose is on earth. And in that shift, we see a reversal in our focus, away from the external chaos and confusion toward the internal values of love and Spirit.

This “consciousness reversal” is certainly implicit in the Death imagery. It conveys the possibility of a very different view of any situation and provides a fresh perspective. Like the Hanged Man, the Death card’s imagery suggests that a complete reversal of our normal perceptions is needed. Perhaps the transformation that we seek and that we need will come from turning away from the material world and looking inward to the Spirit that resides within each of us.

The darkness of winter is upon us; we have pause to contemplate death's message. As we hunker down into the chill, Nature reminds us that death is part of the cycle of life. All the signs of winter, the bare trees, the raw cold, the barren terrain may keep our spirits at bay. But we can keep Death's emblem of transformation in our hearts, allowing it to remind us that there is a sunrise in the horizon and it holds the promise of a new dawn.

WHAT CAN TAROT BE USED FOR, BESIDES FORTUNE-TELLING?

2009-07-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

This Article is taken from Tarot Moon

Tarot has a reputation as a device used for fortune-telling (although historically speaking, this is not entirely the case). This makes some people uncomfortable, who don’t believe the future can or should be predicted. Fortune-telling is also forbidden by some religions, and incompatible with some spiritual approaches to life. However, tarot is a very valuable tool for many things other than fortune-telling.
Questions about the past and present. Fortune-telling implies asking questions and getting answers about events in the future. Instead, you can ask questions as part of a tarot reading that help you understand the past or a current situation, help you develop a plan to achieve a goal, help you gain insight into your own actions or thinking, or figure out ways to improve a relationship.
Bringing positive qualities of the cards into your life. Tarot can be used for meditation or affirmation. For example, choose a card that represents a quality you want to meditate on or increase in your life, or act that way today - maybe it's Strength, Justice, or the Star (which represents acceptance and trust in the universe). Place it where you can see it and think about the image all day. It will trigger that kind of thought and behavior in you.
Symbolic study. Tarot can be used to study archetypal symbols. Archetypes are symbols that all humans have embedded in our minds from the time we are born - we just instinctively recognize what they mean when we look at them. Tarot is full of these symbols, and by studying them we can learn a lot about the mind and how it works. Tarot also includes symbols based on religion, astrology, alchemy, psychology, numerology, color and other systems that we can learn about when we start using tarot.
Philosophy and spirituality. Tarot can be used to support or develop a philosophy of life and spirituality. The tarot is not just a group of unconnected cards. It represents the journey of the Fool (the spirit) through life and all the things that are learned and understood along with way, all the challenges faced and the ways of overcoming them. Learning the tarot gives you tools to understand the patterns of life and to deal with difficult situations. Tarot can also be integrated into religious and philosophical beliefs and rituals.
Counseling. Tarot can be used for counseling, as a way of drawing out what is going on in one’s mind, especially the deeper layers that may not be easily accessible to our conscious minds. What we see in a card that is rich in archetypal and meaningful content reflects in large part how we are responding to a situation that is on our minds. Counselors can work with clients to draw out these ideas and understand how they reflect inner thoughts and feelings. Tarot cards are especially useful for helping children tell their stories, for fun or in difficult circumstances when they may not be able to tell you directly.
Creativity. Tarot can be used to develop inspiration and plot lines for stories or poems, songs, artwork, and other creative endeavors. Tarot can also be used to brainstorm new ideas when stuck on a work or collaborative project.
Games. And lastly, we can return to tarot’s origins and play it as a game known as tarocchi or tarock, still played in many parts of Europe today. Tarock is a trick-taking game with a permanent trump suit, and is believed to be one of the first uses of tarot cards.

Favourite Tarot Spreads

2009-07-19T01:15:00.000-07:00

My Favorite Tarot Spreads by Geraldine Amaral

Pick up just about any book on the Tarot and you will probably find more than a few spreads at the end of the book or interspersed throughout the book. There are even Tarot books that are solely about spreads (such as The Complete Book of Tarot Spreads by Evelin Burger), with page after page of spreads. Since there are an almost limitless number of layouts in which the Tarot cards can be placed, how do you know which one(s) to use? How can you choose?

Using the Tarot, especially when you are just starting out on your Tarot journey, is one of those times when “less is definitely more.” The symbols and metaphors within the card’s images, and the wisdom in the stories they tell, hold enormous potential. The fewer cards you use in a reading, the more impact and depth they will have and the easier it will be for your psyche to integrate the messages which are coming through the cards. A simple spread—one to four cards—can be quite powerful and can provide you with endless insights and guidance. If a lot of cards are used in a reading, the messages you receive could be mixed or confusing with your conscious and unconscious mind getting sensory overload, so to speak. Keep it simple!

Here’s one such simple spread:

1 2 3

1 The Current Issue/Problem
2 Action or Lack of Action Needed for Favorable Outcome
3 New Possibility (Based on Advice of #2)

Casting the Spread

Once you’ve decided on a particular spread, it is important to approach the “casting” of the cards for the spread with the proper attitude. It may be helpful to think of the Tarot Spread as the large wheel of life (similar to Key #10 of the Major Arcana, The Wheel of Fortune) that is moving round and round, bringing with it all life’s ups and downs -- including times of energy, inertia, positive flow, negative flow, change, death, rebirth and transition in all realms -- material, emotional, psychological and spiritual. Is there anyone whose life always goes well or always goes poorly? Like the wheel, which travels over both rough and smooth terrain, the cards will display the “road” upon which you are currently traveling, the most likely events to follow and may offer guidance and insights to help you on your way. A Tarot reading can be viewed on one level as simply a snapshot or metaphor for your life. When you lay the cards out in a spread, they are a mirror of how your life (or the life of the person for whom you are reading) is developing! And like all metaphors, the excitement comes through exploring the various layers of the analogy. And, not only does each individual card hold layers upon layers of meaning, but the spread you choose will also show you layers of life and how the various pieces of your life fit together.

Speaking of “wheels” here is another great spread, with cards placed in a circle. These spreads do utilize more cards so are recommended for more experienced readers.

The MAKE A WISH SPREAD
The Seeker should focus on a specific wish before doing this spread.

8
6 7
4 5
2 3
1

1 Foundation/Basis From Which Wish Springs
2 Past Influencing Factors
3 What the Immediate Future Holds
4 Current Influencing Factors
5 Others Involved Whose Help Might Prove Beneficial
6 Forces Which May be in Opposition to Your Wish
7 Type of Action or Lack of Action That You Might Put Forth for a Harmonious or
Desirable Result
8 What You Most Need to Know About Your Wish (MAY Indicate Ultimate Outcome)

The Atmosphere:

Begin by setting up the atmosphere for the reading: a quiet place, where there are no distractions, a table with a special piece of fabric, perhaps a special object, a crystal or a vase of fresh flowers. Next, light a single candle. Then thoroughly shuffle the pack of Tarot cards. If you are the Reader, you should shuffle them at first to “neutralize” or “ground” their energy since the last time they were touched or used. By shuffling the deck, you are returning the cards to their original state of “chaos.” Both the Reader and the Seeker (the person receiving the reading is called the Questioner, the Querent or the Seeker) should shuffle the deck with both feet flat on the floor so that the pack of cards may be neutralized and “earthed” by both persons before the reading. At some point during the shuffling you may want to place your right hand four or five inches over the deck, or lay your hand right on the deck and make a “benediction” in which you bless the cards and ask that the highest and best wisdom be revealed to the Seeker. As you invoke Spirit, ask for help in interpreting the cards as well as help for the Seeker in choosing the right cards. To assist both you and the Seeker in becoming centered, you may even want to join hands with the Seeker to connect your energies. You may want to do some deep breathing with the Seeker, or a short meditation in which you ask the Seeker to focus on his or her spiritual ideal, like love, peace, God, a special prayer or mantra, whatever captures a spiritual presence. You may also ask that the teachers, mentors, guides, angels or ancestors of the Seeker come forth to help with the reading.

Next, the Seeker shuffles the deck. It may be useful to suggest that the Seeker visualize the deck as a vessel into which he or she is pouring her energies or personal vibrations. When the Seeker shuffles the deck, his or her subconscious mind begins to take the cards out of their original state of chaos, and puts them into a new order for that particular person, as directed by the Seeker’s unconscious mind.

Once the cards have been infused with the Seeker’s vibration, there are many ways for the Seeker to select the cards for the reading. The method most directly involving the Seeker in the process is one in which you, as the Reader, gently spread the deck out before the Seeker (with cards facing down) and then ask him/her to slowly hand you cards, also face down. Some Readers encourage the Seeker to gently move his/her hands an inch or so above the cards, quietly allowing the intuition to urge him/her to the right cards. You might say to the Seeker, “Let the cards speak to you . . . the right cards are choosing you as much as you are choosing them.” As the Reader, you take charge of counting out the appropriate number of cards for the spread – the Seeker should be allowed to fully concentrate on selecting the cards, not on counting them.

Once the right number of cards for the specific reading has been selected, the Seeker gently gathers up the cards that have not been selected for the spread in a stack in order to allow for the selection of the “unconscious response.” This is the card at the very bottom of the deck once they have all been collected. The Unconscious Response Card can be thought of as a person-to-person telephone call from the unconscious mind, or God’s special line of communication with the Seeker, via the unconscious mind. The addition of an Unconscious Response Card to any reading often has quite an impact. It is ideal for the Seeker to gather up the cards herself, thereby directly creating the selection process for this bottom card since it represent a direct message from the Seeker’s unconscious mind. It indicates what the Seeker has already summoned into life, or provides some important guidance from the Seeker’s deep mind. Very often, the Unconscious Response Card, which should be the very last card turned over and interpreted, will summarize or expand upon the information that has been gathered from the other cards.

Here’s another simple spread (With Unconscious Response Card):

The Challenge Spread

1

2 3 4

1 You NOW (Your self-definition, self -image or attitude toward issue )
2 Your Challenge
3 Best Result
4 Unconscious Response (Message from the Deep Mind)

The Significator

To focus the energy of your readings, some Readers place the Significator in the center of the reading. This is the card in the pack which stands for the Seeker. The significator is often intentionally selected, usually by the Reader as the symbolic representation of the Seeker. For example, the King of Pentacles could be selected to represent a man who is financially stable and secure, who is generous or well-grounded. The Empress could be selected for a woman who is pregnant, seeking to become pregnant or who is involved in a creative endeavor. The Significator can be based on the personality/“persona” of the Seeker (such as the Queen of Swords for an extremely intelligent, assertive woman), or it can be based on physical characteristics (such as the Page of Pentacles for a younger person who is athletic, nimble and of a strong physique), astrological correspondences (such as The Emperor for Aries or Justice for Libra) or even traits and qualities which the Seeker hopes to achieve (the Strength card for an individual who is working on self-acceptance, compassion and forgiveness). The Significator can also be selected by the deck, allowing the Seeker to “randomly” choose the Significator from the entire deck (in the same way that the other cards in the spread were selected). This “random” method is especially useful as the card selected may add further insight and understanding to the reading as a whole and to the Seeker’s posture toward the situation at hand. The Significator represents the physical embodiment of the Seeker, and since the reading addresses abstract or invisible forces and concepts, this physical representation provides some grounding. The Significator can also act as the focal point for the entire reading and will draw energy to the reading. Regardless of the method of selection, this card works like a TV antenna – it tunes in to the correct “signals” and brings them more sharply into focus.

The following is the Past-Present-Future Spread with the addition of a “Significator.”

6

1

2 3 4

5

1 The Significator represents the Seeker at this moment in time
2 Past
3 Present
4 Future
5 Obstacle or Challenge
6 What You Really Need to Know About the Matter (May Indicate Outcome)

The Energy Field

The selection process of the cards appears to be random. Yet this so-called random selection often yields uncannily precise results. The theories which support this selection process relate to the electro-magnetic field that surrounds each of us and which is a reflection of our biochemistry, our unconscious mind and its projections, and the interactions of all these components with the cards. This energy field is unique for each person and is often referred to as the aura. The theory states that each of us has our own unique magnetic charge and vibration and as you touch and shuffle the deck, the cards are infused with your particular energy and are temporarily magnetized in such a way that the upcoming spread reflects your current life situation. The cards are simply absorbing your energy and then symbolically mirroring these energies back to you. As your force field impregnates the cards, your own personal, unique magnetism establishes a rapport between the all-knowing unconscious mind and the cards. Thus the reading is a “snapshot” of the energies occurring right now and symbolically displays how these energies will be expressed in the future. Another way to look at this process is that the subconscious mind is ordering the cards during the shuffling process. Each person will shuffle the cards in his or her own unique way, reflecting the quiet and unseen work of the subconscious mind. This is why it is so important that the Seeker shuffle the cards -- we want the Seeker’s mind to order the cards according to his or her life. So, there you are -- the cards which you select are not pure chance –- the meaning of the chosen cards are a direct reflection of you and your psyche.

The Card of the Day

One of my very favorite “spreads” is to pull a card in the morning for each day. I simply ask a question such as, “What does Spirit want me to know about this day?" Or “What does Spirit want me to see today?” Once you’ve selected the card, you can look up its definition in any Tarot books you might have, do some preliminary journaling as to what the card means, or you can even carry it around with you during the day to act as a filter through which you perceive the day’s events. At the end of the day, you may want to make some further notes on your experiences and how your impression of the card has changed. Sometimes, just to make life even more interesting, you can choose two cards for the day and disregard one. You get to pick which one you want and which one you don’t want. This can be quite an empowering process. It reinforces symbolically that you have the power to choose what kind of day you will have.

As you work with the Tarot cards, your skill will improve. Your understanding of the individual meanings of cards will develop and your ability to interpret the interactions between and among the cards will expand. There is a learning curve involved, and you can make it easier on yourself by keeping your spreads very simple. The Tarot holds many gifts for those who are sincere about accessing its wisdom, but be gentle in your learning. Take your time and be patient. You skill and intuition will grow as time passes.

2009-07-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

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Suggestions for Reading the Tarot Cards

2009-07-18T02:49:00.000-07:00

Some Suggestions For Reading Tarot Cards

Stick With The Original Question
Don't change questions mid-stream. Just because you see some good love cards, doesn't mean a new love is coming into your life, if you were asking about weather or not you should look for another car or job, etc. Stick to the question at hand. If you get curious about another question while you are reading, ask a new question after you are finished with the first.

Don't Ask Twice
Don't ask the same question twice in a day. If you don't like the answer, that is part of life. You will not always get the answer you are looking for, just as life does not always flow in the direction that we would wish. Remember that the answer is based on what energies are at work, at the moment, and anyone can change their future, by changing the energy they are putting out into the universe. Besides, you can always ask again, tomorrow, to see if anything has changed.

Do Ask Good Questions
Some of the best answers come from really good questions. Instead of asking a yes/no question, try phrasing it as "where is my relationship heading, presently" or "what will be my financial outcome if I take this new job?" You will learn so much more about the question and how it is afeccting you and any other people involved in the question.

Yes/No Questions
IMHO, Yes/No or either/or questions are much better answered with a 2 card spread. These spreads are great for asking weather to buy a new washing machine or repair the old one, that sort of thing.
Having Trouble Concentrating? Design Your Own Tarot Ritual!
Try to set up reading the cards, so that you do it the same way, every time you go to read. You can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, but if you consistently do it the same way, you will find it becomes much easier to attune to the cards and what they are trying to tell you.
As an example, this is my little ritual. You can take away or add to it, as you please, whatever feels right to you:
1. I unwrap my cards from a piece of black velvet I keep them in, and spread the velvet where I intend to do the reading.
2. I light a candle.* I say hello to the spirit of the candle.
3. I light some incense that I feel puts me "in the mood". I welcome the spirit of the incense.
4. I hold my cards over the incense smoke and spread the cards so that smoke gets to every card. This usually takes me just a minute or two. During this time, I am thinking about how the smoke is purifying my cards of the energies from the last reading.
5. I decide on my question.
6. I decide on what Tarot spread I am going to use.
7. I sit down where I will read the cards and I take a few deep breaths with my eyes closed, to begin to calm myself and move into an almost trance like state. (I like to face East)
8. I state my question and I begin to shuffle my cards.** I have oversize, very stiff cards, so I usually spread them out, face down, and shuffle them by turning the cards into each other using both hands, until I feel they are shuffled.
9. I gather my cards into a deck and as I think about the question, I cut the deck into 3 sections and replace the last section on top.
10. I lay out my Tarot Spread and begin to read. If I am having trouble understanding for myself, I ask myself what I would tell a friend who had drawn these cards.
11. When I am through with the cards, I place the cards I have been reading, back into the deck randomly. Then, I shuffle again, and wrap them up and put them away.
Sometimes I just leave my candle burning, sometimes not.
The main thing I have found, for myself, is that I get much better readings when I keep to a "ritual" of doing it the same way every time. I am not fanatic about it, it is just something I have noticed for myself. Perhaps, it could help you, too!
*I don't always use a candle. This is flexible for me. I do find I seem to get better readings when I am using it, though...and I don't get a kitty behind in my face, walking across the cards : )
** I do not think about what answer "I want". This is very important and was one of the hardest things for me to give up, when I first began to read. Try to keep your mind clear of emotion, as possible, as you are shuffling and laying out the cards. I believe, you will find your readings much more accurate this way.
AFTER the cards are set down, I always get feelings about different cards, and I think this is helpful and the way it should be. You just want to stay away from "influencing the reading" if it is possible.

This is just a sample of the many ways that one can set out to read Tarot cards. I know people that have to order their cards, by placing them in numerical order, every time they are finished reading. They call this clearing the cards, much the same as my incense clearing.

Article by:
Copyright 2001-2003 -Erin Gjertsen & Grandpa's General Store

The Elements in the Tarot

2009-07-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

This article is by Graham Nickells from his website:
http://www.spiritnet.freeserve.co.uk/ED_tarot

THE FOUR ELEMENTS AND TAROT

You can read additional articles on this topic on the author' web site.

=========================== This essay is an attempt to describe a method of analysing a Tarot reading using the Four Elements as a basis, to determine quickly and simply the most important cards, their strength and weaknesses, and how they interact with each other to gain information that may have been apparent only thru intuition.

Tarot Readers may well have experienced the phenomenon of getting 'bad' vibes from apparently 'good' cards, and vice versa. After a few rocky starts, I found that the querents confirmed these contradictory feelings. I decided to research the hows and whys of this, and eventually I came up with the ideas presented below.

These are the Main Points:

* There are no 'good or bad' cards. * The cards are essentially neutral. * Reversed cards are included, but they do not have too much weight. * The basis of interaction is the Four Elements. * The cards interact with the Positions in spreads. * Cards should never be read singly. Preferably, this means that at least 3 cards should be read at a time. * Elemental rules are simple and logical * Works for all standard 78 decks * No need to modify one's personal interpretation of individual cards.

How many people's lives are that black and white? Remember, a reversed card does not necessary mean bad news. Using sequential spreads rather than positional spreads (the Celtic Cross is a positional spread) gives one the opportunity to be more sophisticated in the use of reversed cards.

The basis of what follows is to simply read and interpret Three Cards at a time, gradually building up in sophistication as our understanding grows. Practice is vital, so that the rules become second nature, and eventually almost sub-conscious.

STAGE ONE: TRADITIONAL METHOD =============================

We will start with a traditional reading of Three Cards.

Deal out any 3 cards right way up, and interpret them. Consider the Central card to be the Principal, with the ones either side as 'Modifiers'.

1 2 3 M P M

These cards can be transposed two more times by moving the Left Modifier to the right hand side:

M P M

2 3 1 3 1 2

As a general rule: Minor cards are within the control of the Querent Major cards are out of the querent's control Court cards personify an action or actually represent a person.

Next, transpose the cards as shown above, and see if you feel different about them. Repeat the process.

Then reverse one of the cards, and reinterpret. There are far more combinations of Reversal than transpositions.

Hopefully you should experience slightly different feelings each time. It is usually easier to avoid Court cards to begin with, but persevere.

This stage is essentially how most people would read the cards. Most people's experiences are that there is some difference with each transposition, but it is hard to quantify exactly.

STAGE TWO: ELEMENTAL RULES ========================

If you want to be more adventurous, remember that all of the Tarot cards can be categorised as either Fire, Water, Air or Earth. The rulership of the Major cards is determined by astrological rules (See Jess Karlin's 'Elemental Dignities' for more details).

These elements interact with each other using rigid rules: Fire and Water are enemies, therefore weaken each other Air and Earth are enemies, therefore weaken each other

All other combinations are friendly, therefore strengthen each other.

Fire and Air are active Water and Earth are passive.

Interpretation then becomes a fairly mechanical exercise:

* Which card is strongest? * Which weakest? * Is the strong card active or passive? * Is it Major/Minor/Court? * Dignity?

Once you have done this, actually apply and combine the meanings of each card with appropriate weighting. I suggest you follow the order given here, but do experiment.

EXERCISE 1 ==========

Now we will interpret the 3 Card Spread purely on elemental principles. It may help to make up some Flash Cards with only the elemental symbols on them if you wish to practise yourself.

As an example,

1 2 3 F A W

Card 2 is the Principal. It is friendly with Fire and Water, so is strengthened. It is active, therefore likely to happen. Note that 1 and 3 are enemies, so that the Principal card is even stronger, and can rise over any problems caused by the modifiers.

1 2 3 A F W

Fire is friendly with Air, but weakened by Water, so 2 and 3 neutralise themselves. However, the Modifiers are friendly to each other. As Fire is active, and Air supports, the event is likely to happen, but not without some emotional turmoil.

1 2 3 A W F

The Principal is passive, while the modifiers are active. Fire is inimical to the Principal and weakens it, while Air strengthens. Fire and Air are friendly. The conclusion is that we have an unsatisfactory situation that is unlikely to change quickly. The Principal is likely to be pulled in different directions.

(Earth has been omitted only for reasons of space.)

SUMMARY ======= So far, the above has been an exercise rather than an actual spread. I have avoided mention of any individual card or meaning deliberately. Anyone using a standard Tarot deck of 78 cards should be able to follow this system. There is another advantage in that one's own interpretation of each card does not have to change, however idiosyncratic they may be.

Interpretation of the Court Cards also becomes much easier, as all one has to do is see what the two Modifiers are hinting at, using the rules delineated above.

If anyone would like to use this spread, it could be when the querent needs to achieve something at almost any cost, and so it would define the action necessary to achieve it. Obviously morals may not have much to do with this, so careful thought is necessary before acting.

STAGE THREE: POSITIONS ======================

This brings us to the problems associated with this 3 card spread: although an action is defined, there is no context, no background, it appears to be happening in a vacuum. The cards are not interacting with the environment, and as we are trying to interpret Tarot in terms of the Querent, who is part and parcel of the environment, after all, we have to do something about it.

Logically we have to place the 3 cards in an environment. Following our theme of the four elements we will put the Triplets in an elemental position, rather than naming them as 'Love', 'Past', 'Work' etc.

We then use the same rules to reinterpret the cards. As an example, we will follow the First Example in Exercise 1, interpreting it beginning with the Fire position, then Water, Air and finally Earth:

FIRE POSITION: Fire deals with actions.

1 2 3 F A W

With these 3 cards in the Fire position, we see immediately that the original interpretation will stand, but we have more detail. 3 is now very weak. The emotional content is all but eliminated. The Querent will definitely act on his/her idea, with little compassion, possibly brutally. There is no financial incentive, nothing to ground the situation, as there is no balancing, passive Earth. Sudden actions, a situation that does not last.

WATER POSITION: Water indicates emotions, feelings, and is passive.

1 2 3 F A W

Using the same order of cards as for the Fire position, we have a completely different situation.

Modifier 3 is now the strongest card. Modifier 1, an enemy of Water, is very weak. Air is friendly to both cards and the Water Position, however Water is passive. The Querent is dreaming about a situation: it may never happen. The lack of Earth indicates little practicality.

One could interpret this as an effeminate or ineffectual man, or a woman who is able to put her ideas into practice, but she may lack confidence in her abilities, depending of course on what the actual cards are.

AIR POSITION: Air is traditionally an indication of trouble and problems.

1 2 3 F A W

The Principal card is in its own place, very strong, and the Modifiers are both friendly to Air. So far, so good. The problem comes from the Modifiers being enemies to each other, weakening themselves. We may have a situation where the Querent is trying to rise above conflicting emotional experiences that is paralyzing him/her. Of course s/he may just be intellectualising about the situation, avoiding the conflict around, hoping it will go away.

This is a good example of how even when an element is in its own position, it may not have a good prognosis. EARTH POSITION Earth is practical, dealing with money, security and work.

1 2 3 F A W

At last we have the opportunity to see what Earth can do, even though it does not appear in the cards.

The Principal, Air, is very, very weak; in the enemy camp, so to speak. Fire and Water are friends of Earth. The Querent is within a maelstrom of conflicting actions and emotions, possibly at work. Office politics is rampant. The Modifiers support the environment, rather than the Principal, or at least, they are not in a position to aid Air. There may be a total lack of forethought in any action. Actions may be motivated by power and greed. This may also indicate a situation where someone is not being as practical about their career or work choice.

The above is a good example of the influence a missing element may have in a situation, and can be a good indicator of how the Reader can advise the Querent based on _what is missing_ rather than what is there in order to create some balance.

SUMMARY =======

Hopefully, I have been able to show a simple method that can be applied to many situations. The amount of information that can be gleaned just using elemental principles can be quite remarkable. Also, any omitted elements can give clues to the Reader as to what is missing. An ideal situation would be where all four elements are present; actions involving the missing elements may be used to create balance.

I have deliberately kept the above simple to give you the idea. You do not have to build things up in the order I suggest.

Approach with an open mind, and you may be surprised with the results.

Graham Nickells

Waite- Smith cards copyright U.S. Games Systems

Living as Your Soul: Awakening to Your Potential

2009-07-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

This article is taken from the website:

http://www.vanati.com/energy-healing

By Deb Schnitta

To live consciously as the Soul is part of the path of enlightenment. It is the expression of the Soul's light into everyday life, relationships, creations, service, etc. that the Soul has come here to experience and contribute.

Living as your Soul creates the opportunity for the mind and personality to step away from what no longer works. This may be issues of lack that manifest in not enough of something (time, money, love etc.) or it may be issues of attachment such as recreating old patterns that serve only to reinforce the separation of the personality from its larger self. Having thoughts such as, ‘I can't find a good relationship because there is something wrong with me' is one example of this. Rather than noticing the aliveness within that is beautiful and filled with the potential of creation, the mind has stepped forward with old beliefs and impressions and determined that these old beliefs are what is real, this is what is possible.

When connection with the Soul becomes easy for the personality, then the personality itself begins to look for this connection; it begins to expect that there is a higher way to view a given situation and a different way to approach the act of creating what is desired. It may be for the personality that initially the act of connecting with the Soul is simply the presence of a deep seated peace, a moment of respite in a busy day or a difficult situation. As the personality learns to trust this connection, both in terms of what is possible and that the personality can easily access this light, then the personality begins to actively seek out the connection with the Soul.

At this point a shift in orientation for the personality has occurred. It no longer sees the Soul as something elusive, something outside itself but rather sees the presence of the Soul as a partner for the personality. This shift and awareness is the first step in living as a Soul. Having this awareness means that the personality not only recognizes that there is benefit to connecting with the Soul but also that the personality is ready to change some of its world views in order to make room for the presence of the Soul in daily life. Without these two components the Soul remains an aspect of the composite being that remains in the background. The Soul is present and willing to assist the personality, but cannot do so until the personality opens to the possibility.

How the personality makes the distinction that there is value in having Soul connection varies with each individual. However, a shift in orientation is a developmental change in the foundation of how the personality sees and experiences the world. Having had a glimpse of what is possible, the personality often finds an inner desire to open more fully, to Awaken.

The Awakening personality learns how to let go of attachments. It also learns how to consciously connect with the Soul, moving from an experience of connection that happens spontaneously to one that is now part of how the personality recognizes itself, a partner to the Soul. As the personality recognizes the way daily life changes in the presence of the Soul and through the act of consciously connecting with the , it becomes even more intrigued by the possibilities that emerge.

This second stage of Awakening, where the personality now looks at how it can actively create life differently and do so in partnership with the Soul is the beginning foundation to living life here now as a Soul in daily life. To do so requires further shift in orientation as well as flexibility or suppleness of the larger personality structures (emotional system, thinking or mental system, physical body and the spiritual body as well).

Suppleness occurs when the mind is able to detach from the history of what has occurred and see events as they actually are right now. It is enhanced by the capacity for the entire personality to live in non-attachment. This does not mean that the personality no longer has needs, desires or interests. In fact, clarity of those aspects of personality leads to the ability to develop non-attachment. Once the personality is able to discover what it truly desires, as well as the motivations for those desires, it moves more fully into clarity. Clarity is necessary for manifestation of desires as well as for promoting the suppleness of mind that, in turn, supports living as a Soul.

To live consciously as the Soul is part of the path of enlightenment. It is the expression of the Soul's light into everyday life, relationships, creations, service etc that the Soul has come here to experience and contribute. When the personality moves into the process of consciously connecting and creating with the Soul it supports this development and thus its movement along the path of evolution and enlightenment. In this way both the personality and Soul evolve.

When suppleness of mind begins to emerge, then the emotional system also has the opportunity to become more fluid and less reactive. In a fluid emotional system the personality still has feelings or emotions. If the individual has learned earlier in life to limit the awareness of emotions through denying their presence, pushing them down or some other mechanism of separating from the emotions themselves then the first step to the process of emotional fluidity is the discovery of emotions themselves.

A fluid emotional system allows the free flowing movement of emotions as they occur in the moment. An experience unfolds, the personality notices the experience, has an emotional response to the experience and is aware of the emotion as it occurs. The emotion does not dictate the understanding of the experience (such as identifying it as good or bad) but rather is part of the experience itself. Being present to the emotions as they unfold assists in developing the capacity to orient in the world from non-attachment. It also supports the personality having the suppleness of the emotional system itself to be able to move into the Soul qualities of the experience. Having this degree of awareness furthers the development of partnership between personality and Soul as well as the ability for the personality to actively create with the Soul.

Soul qualities are deeper capacity of qualities that the personality has already experienced and include love, compassion, inclusivity and higher wisdom. The personality experiences of these qualities are learned through early childhood and life experiences and are colored through the understanding of the personality itself. For instance, a child that learns ‘if it is good then it receives love' begins to form the impression that love is conditional based on doing the right thing in a given situation. The child then often transfers this belief onto other life experiences and modulates his or her behavior in the quest for receiving love and approval. The Soul qualities of love, compassion, inclusivity and higher wisdom are limitless in their expression. The growing personality heals and transforms as it has contact with the purity of these qualities.

As Soul qualities emerge, the growing personality has the opportunity to examine consciously whether the past impressions formed through the personality are still valid, or whether it is time to update the impressions themselves. This process of evaluation helps develop the fluidity of the emotional system as well as enhances the suppleness of the mental system. This evaluation is an ongoing process throughout the evolution of the personality and the Soul. It assists greatly in the emerging partnership moving more to the forefront and becoming the operating platform for the composite life of personality and Soul.

Having conscious connection with the Soul requires that the personality is open to the changes that will occur through the very presence of the Soul and its light. It also requires willingness on the part of the personality to easily step back from the forefront and allow the Soul to guide daily life. In this way the personality has moved from wondering if there is a Soul, to exploring how to connect with the Soul, to how to have the benefit of the Soul to shifting its orientation even more fully to how can I, the personality, open more fully to the co-creative partnership with my Soul and from here move more fully into my service, my Soul's purpose.

To support the evolution of the personality and the suppleness required, we suggest the Vanati Energy Program, Transforming the Personality. A step by step series of teachings and energy meditations to assist the personality in gaining clarity about emotions as well as releasing the limiting constructs of past experiences with these emotions, Transforming the Personality opens the Awakening personality and Soul to deeper connection and union.

Welcome to Mystic-Revelations.com

2009-07-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

I wish to welcome you to my website www.mystic-revelations.com

In here you are welcome, to share your thoughts and inspirations, this website is my life passion which I would like to share with you, I offer particular Tarot Reading services in which I can guide you with extreme precision to the right choices that the universe allows me to see for you, and that can in return help you have a more fulfilling and loving life. I have designed with the help of my brother, the cards which help me connect with you, and receive messages from the universe to able to deliver them to you. It is at my heart to help people, and with each person that takes a reading, I am offering a free healing especially for those who are suffering from some hardship, as it helps me connect better with them and help them in a more decisive manner. I am into Spiritual and energy healing, and I promise to help in any way I can in all your concerns, being physical, mental or spiritual. My mission is to help others find their true selves.
Thanks to Everyone
LightOracle
PS Anyone wishing to contact me can do so as well on my email: light.oracle74@gmail.com