Yes, I am Doing Readings. No, they are not Free

Today's card is the Ace of Pentacles from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition). It speaks of new beginnings, a new direction, and the beginning of financial gain in this area.

I started doing readings again recently, and I have heard a little bit of grumbling and complaining already about the prices. There are several reasons why I price my readings at the rates that are listed.

First of all, I have been reading and studying Tarot for over 20 years. I have thousands of hours of readings behind me. I have found a couple of decks that truly resonate with me and give me the ability to see things that clients often think I shouldn't "know."

I also have over a decade of experience as a mental health therapist. What I learned from those years was that psychology doesn't help people - people help people. The most important thing is the connection between the people, the support, and if the client trusts the other person. This has been demonstrated in study after study in psychology. So why use a system like psychology that often focuses on negatives when I can use Tarot and help people focus on the positives and move forward in their lives?

I have a Master of Divinity in Comparative Religion. This is a Metaphysical Sciences degree, and I am currently finishing up my Dissertation to get my Doctorate. I also hold a Master of Public Health in Environment, Safety, and Health, but that really doesn't have much to do with Tarot.

The most important thing, though, is that the prices reflect not only my own confidence in my ability to help others, but the value of the service I offer. A person who gets a free reading is less likely to heed the advice, and instead will often search for other free readings. Trust me on this, I did free readings years ago. I was often told, "My other psychic told me this, but I want to know what you see." Frankly, I see you wasting your time. Going from reading to reading and psychic to psychic is not doing anything to help you. The whole point is to take the information you receive, think about it, meditate on it, and, most importantly, ACT on it. If you don't change your actions, your thoughts, or something about your life, then you aren't really doing anything.

Paying for your reading often results in a more serious attitude about the information, more serious discussion about issues and obstacles, and often yields discussion about concrete steps and actions the person may take in order to move towards more positive outcomes in their lives. When people come to me for readings, I care about what is happening in their lives and what they think they need to work on. I care about what happens when they leave (people often send me follow-up information, sometimes months later). I can't make people change their situations, but I can help them see some possibilities for a better tomorrow.

So, no. I'm not going to give free readings anymore, at least not on a regular basis. Sometimes it's fun to just do a fun reading to test things out, but isn't that what promo minutes on a psychic hotline are for?

By the way, if you do want to try a hotline, contact my friend Willow Davis (you'll have to click the "W" to get to her name). She's a great Tarot reader. :)

Happy Readings!

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Setting Out on a New Adventure

Today's cards come from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition). The Knave of Chalices, often called the Page of Cups in many decks, is often seen as a messenger of love. He or she may be starting a new romance, falling in love for the first time, or is an older person finally starting to experience emotions that have been kept buried and hidden. In general, this card may bear messages such as congratulations and thank you.

According to Janina Renee' in Tarot for a New Generation, the cups have a connection with the psychic realm, and the Page of Cups urges you to explore any hunches or premonitions you have experienced. It is important to pay attention to your intuition as your subconscious is trying to send a message to you.

The 10 of Wands is often depicted as someone carrying a heavy burden. Reversed, this card is more positive and indicates that it is time to put the load down. Too often we carry not only our own burdens, but others' as well, and you cannot control nor carry everyone else through life. Each is responsible for his or her own, and it is only through making mistakes that we learn and grow. When we are carrying others' burdens, we take away their ability to learn life lessons this way.

The 10 of Wands always reminds me of the Buddhist story of two monks who come to a river. Monks were not allowed to touch or associate with women, but there was a woman at the shore who was unable to cross. The elder monk picked her up and took her to the other side of the river. After many more miles, the younger monk, still steaming with rage, said, "Monks are not allowed to touch women. How could you pick her up like that?" The elder monk smiled and said, "Are you still carrying her? I put her down several miles ago."

I like the version in this deck as the group is represented as puppets on strings. Reversed, the card indicates that it is time to cut your strings and start to live life as you see it, not as how others are telling you. It is also a reminder that you can only control yourself, not everyone around you.

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My Life Went into ReRuns!

I decided to do a 3-Card Spread for my blog today, and wouldn't you know it, I drew 2 cards that I have already drawn this week! I have only had the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition) for four days - there is no way I should already be drawing the same cards. But there they were - the 7 of Chalices and the 8 of Swords Reversed.

 

What was really peculiar about this is that I cleansed my deck, reshuffled it completely (including throwing it in a big pile and swishing everything around), and these cards still came up.

So what does it mean when you draw the same cards multiple times? PAY ATTENTION!

Your subconscious is trying to tell you something, and it is something important. 

When a Tarot card starts showing up in multiple readings, especially if it jumps out of the deck when you are shuffling, it is time to sit down and meditate on the meaning. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is this card trying to tell me? How is this important in my life right now?

2. What is an obstacle/blocking me from receiving the message in this card?

3. How can I release the blockages and fully embrace this card?

Hopefully this will lead to greater insight and understanding in your life. As for me, it looks like I've got TWO cards to meditate on. I will be exploring their meanings together, how they interact, and how they influence one another. I will also be sleeping with them under my pillow tonight, just in case they want to send me an answer in a dream or as I wake up. I think I know what they are saying, but I took a detour today that is not headed where I truly want to be because I intend to "play it safe" for a little while longer. Hopefully the Universe doesn't knock me over the head because of it. 

What do you do when the same things keep cropping up in your life? This doesn't just happen with Tarot cards - it can be anything. Do you take the time to try to figure out what it means? What are some of your tips for doing this?

Happy Readings!

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II The High Priestess

Though I probably won't do every card in order and will have other topics besides meanings on my blog, I can't help but talk about the next card in the deck today. II - The High Priestess, is one of my favorite cards. She is the perfect balance between logic and emotions. More importantly, she is all about listening to yourself and trusting your inner wisdom. I find the High Priestess often comes up when someone needs a kick in the pants to get going in a new life direction or to start on a new project. They "know" they "should" be doing something, but logic and fear hold them back. The High Priestess invites us to jump in - and start enjoying life.

Great things happen when you listen to the High Priestess. Also, some very funny things happen. Many people chalk these events up to synchronicity, serendipity, or even coincidence. For those who are religious or spiritual, they were guided by the Hand of God, open to the Universe, or just "lead" on their path.

One of my favorite stories is one I read many years ago, probably in a Reader's Digest magazine, about a woman who had an overwhelming urge to go to the grocery store one night to buy an avocado. She couldn't really understand it, because she didn't even like avocados. But, trusting her High Priestess, she got dressed, put on a little make-up, and went. In the produce department she bumped into her old high school sweetheart. It had been over 20 years since either had seen each other. Both had been married and divorced. They began talking, and two years later were married and living very happily together. And you know what? She never even did get that avocado!

What magical things could start to happen in your life if you trusted your instincts and started listening to your High Priestess? Could you take that Leap of Faith? How would your life change? You don't have to make a complete overhaul all at once. Start taking small steps today to lead your life in the direction you want to go. Don't worry, your High Priestess (and a lot more friends we will meet soon) will be there to help you on the way. Have a great journey.

Happy Readings!

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