Another Intentional Card

Hi Everyone! I was thinking about things last night, as usual, and I came to a stunning (!) revelation: No amount of hard work and effort (yesterday's 8 of Pentacles) will pay off without a community of like-minded people to support you. Also, it's just more fun to have more people around to learn from and grow with. So, in honor of today's thought, I intentionally drew XVII The Star.

The Star is a great card to use when you are working on projects. Most of us know the saying, "Aim for the Moon because even if you miss you will land among the stars." The Star is a sign of hope and inspiration. When this card comes up you are aligning your Self with your True Purpose, and you are attaining your goals.

Enjoy the variety of The Star from the decks below, and I'll see you all soon.

 *Click the image to enlarge*

*Click the image to enlarge*

Images were taken from the following decks, in order from left to right:

The Gendron Tarot, The Gilded Tarot,Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition),

Witchy Tarot (English and Spanish Edition), Mystic Faerie Tarot, Fenestra Tarot, 

The Gothic Tarot, The Archeon Tarot,

NEW Deck: Moon Garden (Tarot Decks & Cards), and The Manga Tarot

Happy Readings!

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1,000 Page Views

Hello, Everyone! I'm very excited to say that yesterday I reached 1,000 page views on my blog! About 800 of them were from this month. In order to celebrate, I will be giving away a free reading at the end of the month (in just a little over a week). I'm working out the details and will have them up by the end of this weekend. I am also working on some exciting new projects around Tarot, including a beginner's e-booklet that will be available to new subscribers. So for the next day or two, I may not be around my blog. But rest assured, I am working hard on some great things for all of my dear readers.

(click on the picture to enlarge) 

Today's card (and perhaps tomorrow's and the next day's) is the 8 of Pentacles. This card is all about hard work, starting projects, and seeing them through to completion. No, this card did not just show up from a random draw. I intentionally chose it in order to bring its energy into my next few days (incidentally, intentional card choice will be the subject of an article I am writing for Tarosophist International Magazine).

These cards are from (in order from left to right) The Gendron Tarot, Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition), and Tarot of the Magical Forest (English and Spanish Edition). I love to do comparative spreads with different decks. It is always so interesting what you get out of the same card from different decks. Which card sings to you? Which card makes you cringe? Different decks definitely evoke different feelings, and it is fun to find out which ones do what, and especially why - although sometimes you never can quite figure out why!

The 8 of Pentacles reminds us to increase the craftsmanship of our work, especially by paying attention to details. It reminds me of the saying, "anything worth doing is worth doing right." Putting in your best effort leads to an increased level of satisfaction and happiness, not to mention an increase in your skills and abilities. After all, practice makes perfect.

So I will take the next several days to practice, practice, practice, and I will see you all very soon.

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More Choices, but Do They Really Matter?

Today's spread uses cards from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition). It's no secret that I am about to be jobless again (by choice), and I am trying to figure out what path to take. Last night I did this spread to see if I could get a little light on the subject.

The 2 of Wands is often about choices, and is perfect for the subject matter. Which path should I pursue? Where is my life headed? Do I follow the money or my dreams? What will happen? The Tarot of the Sweet Twilight 2 of Wands, however, says, "It is odd, isn't it, that while there are really so many paths to choose from that they all, in the end, lead to the same place? How much does that realization affect our choices?" This was like a lightening bolt, or maybe a hammer upside the head. It also reminded me of something I've been hearing a lot lately: what would you choose to do if you knew you could not fail?

Rachel Pollack, in Rachel Pollack's Tarot Wisdom: Spiritual Teachings and Deeper Meanings, reminds us that wands are fire cards, cards of action. The 2 of Wands indicates someone trying to find balance between two options or to make a choice between them. "The first is to stay in his secure castle, the second is to leave and seek adventure in the manner of Wands' fire energy. Fire does not like to be contained, for then it would go out."

The King of Pentacles often indicates my husband in my readings. It is a reminder not to leave him out. As an aspect of myself, this card also encourages me to conquer my goals and make some money while doing so. It is interesting that this is known as the elemental combination Fire of Earth, indicating that this King can take his fire energy and ground it in a realistic and successful manner.

9 of Chalices (Cups) is about seeking after greater goals. This card can indicate being emotionally overwhelmed at times. However, my husband, who is my greatest supporter, is there as usual (he's the little fish in the corner - Pisces).

What do I need to learn about my path? For this card, I added up the numbers on the other cards (2+9) and got 11. My immediate reaction was, that's weird - Justice is my least favorite card! In this deck, however, Justice is 8. Strength is 11, which makes perfect sense in this reading. I love this particular Strength card. I always find Strength to indicate inner strength, self-esteem, and becoming more of who we are on our paths. I often see the Lion we face as an aspect of ourselves, our own strength, and something we have learned to bring out and control.

There are two other important aspects of this particular card. First, the woman is holding a mask that she has recently removed. She is no longer pretending to be something she is not in order to fit in with society's views or what others tell her she "should" be. She is finally coming into her own and has the confidence and grace to believe in herself. Second, Yoda is sitting on the table beside her. I'm a huge Star Wars nut, and this just makes me happy all the way around. This is also an indication that the woman has support, and there will be a mentor (or several) involved to help out. It also reminds her that others have blazed a trail before her. Joseph Campbell said that one of the reasons we love stories about heroes so much is that it makes it seem possible for the rest of us. Once one person has accomplished something, it automatically makes it easier for the next people to accomplish it (this was especially true with running the 4-minute mile. If you've never looked into that, I highly encourage you to do so).

The Result: 2 of Chalices (Cups) - spending time with my husband, happiness, emotional connection. This is a really great card to get, especially since lately we've barely been able to spend any time together due to my job.

So I know which path I want to take. I just have to find my Strength and courage to do it.

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Harry Potter: the End of an Era

I am going to see the last of the Harry Potter movies today, and while I am very excited about it, I hate to see it come to an end. When the last book came out it was several months before I read it, and it took me at least a month to finish it, because I just didn't want it to be over. I drew two cards from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition) about the film (not wanting to be specific), and got the following:

 

It looks like Justice is finally going to happen. Actually, my initial reaction was about opening a can of whoop...well, you get the idea. Notice the snake in the background of justice, along with the sword. I can't wait to see what that's about. Remember the killing of the Basilisk?Also, there are a few references to music on this card, so I will be sure to pay special attention to the soundtrack.

I've never really thought of Harry Potter as the King of Chalices, but I love the imagery on this card. He is practically made out of books! The cups are about emotions, and it will be very emotional for me today to see this great saga come to an end. I am sure the movie will be very emotional in general, given that it is the apex and ending.

In general, I am not happy when things come to an end. This is something it has taken me years to figure out, and it shows up in very subtle (and a few not so subtle) ways. But more on that tomorrow. 

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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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XII The Hanged Man

Today's card from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition) is XII The Hanged Man. In many Waite-Smith based decks, the hanged man is shown upside-down, often only tied by one foot. The bonds are very loose, indicating that you may be hanging there voluntarily. If you wanted to get out of your bonds, you definitely could.


This deck depicts two people on the card, one of whom is tied by the arms with his legs free, the other who is tied by the feet with his arms free. There are butterflies fluttering around, symbolizing transformation and change. Is it time for the hanged man to break those bonds and grasp what he is after in life?

This card can come up when you are ready to make sacrifices and change for long-term goals and achievement. It can also indicate that you are ready to let go and let life flow. While you are hanged, you may be stagnant or feel indecisive; however, this won't last for long.

The Hanged Man asks us where in our lives do we feel "hanged?" Is it something we have chosen? Can we get out of it and move on to better things? What steps do we need to take in order to move forward? This card can be a good reminder to take a moment and evaluate where your life is and where you want to go.

For those of you who saw my post yesterday My Life Went into ReRuns, you may notice the similarity between the Hanged Man and 8 of Swords, Reversed. It seems that the Tarot will continue to send me this message. Only now it is doing it from the Major Arcana. (Incidentally, I also drew XIV Temperance again today, only it was reversed. Sigh.)

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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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XIX The Sun - Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

When you're in a hurry in the mornings, running late, and don't have time to do an entire Tarot reading, grab one card on the way out the door to see what you can look for and forward to during the day. My card for the day is:

XIX The Sun from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition). The Sun is generally a great card to get and points to a very enjoyable day filled with a lot of happiness and things going your way. It can indicate success and contentment. Nothing will bring down your mood on this day!

In addition, the LWB (Little White Book of definitions that comes with a boxed set of cards) of the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight reminds us that we are all interconnected and to look for the light in others, as well as yourself.

Funny enough, it was blazing out here yesterday and I had to walk around in the sun for several hours. I burn easily and get tired from the heat (which is why I overslept this morning). I have to walk around outside for several hours again today, but it is actually overcast! That's definitely a perfect day for me, at least in this situation!

I hope everyone enjoys their "Sunny" day, whatever form it takes!

Happy Readings!

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When One Card Isn't Enough

Sometimes I like to use 2 or even 3 decks during readings. These are often just personal readings - I wouldn't recommend it if you are reading for others! When I want clarification, possible other meanings, or I am just trying to go deeper into the cards, I will often pull another deck and lay out the same cards beside the original ones. Here's an example:

3 Card Mind/Body/Spirit Spread

For the original spread, I used the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition) by Cristina Benentinde.

Mind - King of Swords. The world is blowing all around you. Things are in constant motion and upheaval. You may feel lost and distracted at the moment. It is important to stay focused and stay flexible in your thinking.

 Body - XIV Temperance. This is a Major Arcana card, and a source of distress for me at the moment. Part of the difficulties of my current job are from the physical labor involved. I cannot find the strength to lift weights and exercise outside of work because I am too physically tired (this is a source of mental anguish for me as I love to work out). This card shows a need for balance in taking care of my body (yes, my diet has been off lately as well).

It is interesting to note the rainbow between the two cups. Physically speaking, they could represent a need to balance the chakras. They could also suggest a need to balance and cleanse the aura (a great tip I was reading by Punk Rock Psychic today).

The asture landscape is reminiscent of many spiritual landscapes, especially those revered by Native Americans. While I am generally a forest girl, this is a reminder that I need to reconnect with nature for my bodily health.

 Spirit - 7 of Chalices. Feeling tired and worn down, it is time to take off all the pretenses and see what is truly important. This life is finite, and the Spirit is yearning to fulfill the desires it was born to accomplish this time around.

This card also reminds me of many Buddhist meditations on death and impermanence. And that reminds me that I have been neglecting my spiritual practice, especially meditation.

What would I see if I used a different deck for this reading? Here are the cards from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marcetti. Mind - King of Swords - well-educated and expects to be paid for his/her expertise

Body - Temperance - balance, harmony, and moderation - something I am severely lacking right now. This card can also represent your Angel or Spirit Guide lifting you up or healing you with body work in the metaphysical realm.













Spirit - 7 of Cups - In this more traditional Waite-Smith rendition, the 7 of Cups represents too many choices. I am so overwhelmed by all that I could be doing, I am having trouble doing anything.

 

I also took a look at the same cards in Tarot of the Magical Forest (English and Spanish Edition). Here are two of the cards from this deck (my scanner is having issues and I was unable to find the 7 of cups on the internet).

In the King of Swords, the thing that stands out to me the most is the blue background. My mind is blue. I am feeling somewhat melancholy and stuck at the moment.

Both of the other cards have yellow backgrounds (color often plays a vital role in my interpretation with this particular deck). When combined with the card from the original spread with the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight, I immediately thought it could be my "yellow" chakra that is out of balance and needing the most attention at the moment. 

I grabbed two of my chakra books and found that yellow is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, above the belly button. This chakra deals with self-confidence and self-development. It is also the storage house for our ideas about ourselves and the world  around us. It is vital to check our judgements and beliefs to discover what works for us and what outdated ideas could be holding us back. Also, by working on this chakra, I should be able to overcome the "blueness" of my mind.

Each deck of cards lent additional ideas and meanings to the interpretation. This does not mean that any one interpretation was better than the other, or that any were "right" or "wrong." The layers that each deck added enriched the spread and increased my knowledge and self-awareness. Some decks gave me ideas on things that I could do to improve my situation (focus, meditate, cleanse my aura). Some gave me ideas about other aspects to ponder. All were quite meaningful.

The next time you do a reading for yourself, pull out a second deck and draw the same cards. Lay the two beside each other. What do the meanings for each tell you? Do they interact and work together? Are there conflicts between the illustrations? Note how each card makes you feel and how you feel when you see them together. Reading from more than one deck at a time can help you increase your knowledge of Tarot and help you see many possible sides and interpretations. It can be tremendously helpful when you draw a card and you have no idea how to interpret it or what the deck may be trying to tell you. 

Plus, it's just plain fun!

Happy Readings!

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A New Day, A New Deck

The Witchy Tarot wasn't speaking to me, and I pulled out my bag of decks, and well, something just kept telling me I needed to go to the store. When something tells you to go, it's always best to just do it. I had 3 or 4 decks in mind, but when I got there they didn't have any of them. However, the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight (English and Spanish Edition) by Christina Benintende box caught my eye. I quickly whipped out my IPhone, jumped on Aeclectic Tarot, and pulled up the images of the deck. Needless to say, I was blown away. The box already felt right in my hand, but when I saw the pictures my heart skipped a beat. It wasn't until I got home that I realized this is a Lo Scarabeo deck. I've been wanting one of these for a while, but could never decide which one.

This deck is exactly what I need right now. The artwork is amazing, the quality is surreal, and the cards are a perfect blend of "cute" and serious, with a TON of subconscious imagery thrown in to boot. There are always times when I dream about spending more time on Tarot, writing books about Tarot, and doing readings (as opposed to working a "real" job), so what better time to get a handle on my current situation? Here is the reading I did:

IV The Emperor - when I pulled the cards out and looked at them (the first thing I do when I get a new deck), I thought, "Well, I don't know what I'll do with this one if it comes up in a reading." And then, I drew it as my first card. Just so you know, Tarot has a sense of humor. ;)
I can easily see this card as the two sides of myself. The one wanting to make a career and have a path that I have always thought is the "right" way of living. And my other Self, who wants to strike out on my own, run my own business, and have complete control over my life. Notice, however, that the world sits in perfect balance between the two sides of the personality.

I actually took a couple of years off, but lost the motivation to make it on my own. I think that, at least at this juncture in my life, I need both a "career" (with a regular job) and my own thing on the side to feel successful.

 VI The Lovers - Even though things may be crazy and up in the air all around me, I have a great husband who supports everything I do and loves me no matter what. I have to remember that no matter what happens, I will always have a little home, and a place to ground and center myself.

 4 of Wands - Even amidst all of the action that may take place in my daily life, I can still come home to my man and take a breather when necessary. Looks like there is a long road ahead, and it could be very exhausting.

 Outcome - III The Empress. I can't really think of a better card for an outcome in this reading. Success is inevitable, happiness will be guaranteed, and I will feel like I have the whole world in my hand (which in my case actually means I will have balance and happiness, plus a good income).

What is really funny about this card, is that my husband is there again, supporting and lifting me up. You can't see him? He's a Pisces! :)

 Possible Obstacles and Pitfalls - King of Pentacles. The description of this card in the pamphlet is, "Different people like different things. Those who pay attention can easily please others. However, those who are overlooked will absolutely not be pleased." This card can be taken on several levels. First of all, I should not overlook possible clientele while I am venturing out and offering readings. Judging a person by how he or she looks is something I tend to do, and you just never know who might really want (and need) what you have to offer.

I also need to make sure that I focus on and take care of my relationship. I have not had the energy nor have I taken the time to take care of my husband lately. If you want your marriage to stay strong and healthy, you have to pay attention to it, and not overlook all of the wonderful qualities of the other person. The people in the cards are leaning back to back. Do you remember in Forrest Gump when Bubba said, "You lean against me and I'll lean against you?" That works in a lot of relationships.


For this card, I asked for any other possible warnings or things I should look out for. I drew the 6 of Chalices. Again, this card can be taken in several ways. The first thing I thought of was the bear is my own fear and self-doubt. It is huge and my greatest obstacle. It is only be confronting it and making friends with it that I will recognize it as the little teddy bear that it is.

The description in the pamphlet also makes me think that this is another instance in that I will find odd and unexpected friendship and support. People who I may not think will like me or my ideas will become my biggest defenders.

For the last card I drew I asked what would happen financially. I got the 8 of Pentacles. The girl in this card is calm, happy, and relaxed. There is enough money, and she is not concerned about finances.

The description is, "...doing the same thing over and over again can be boring. So...try something new."

I don't think you could get much more clear on that.






The Tarot of the Sweet Twilight is a fabulous deck, which I believe I will enjoy for many years to come. Not all of the cards are given to traditional or Waite-Smith meanings. Instead, the author encourages you to look deeply, absorb the card, and see what it evokes in you. After all, the most important thing is not a set of prescribed meanings, but rather your relationship with the cards.

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