September 29th, 2017 § Comments Off on Tarot Tune-Up § permalink
If you’re feeling a little off, emotionally or otherwise, try going through your deck and consciously choosing a card or two that you think describes how you’re feeling and why you might be feeling that way.
Then shuffle your deck up and randomly choose another card or two asking the same question.
Take a look at how the cards relate (if at all) and maybe journal about all the cards you pulled and how they match your mood.
Whenever I try this out I’m always amazed at the insights I get. Hope it’s interesting for you too!
September 17th, 2017 § Comments Off on Political Questions § permalink
Tarot doesn’t have to be just a tool for personal self-development and/or readings about what’s going on in your own life. It’s also a great tool for gaining insight into all sorts of non-personal issues, including questions about politics and events on the world stage.
I’ve been pulling cards about politicians and political questions/circumstances for many years now, and I always find them fascinating reads. If you aren’t already doing that yourself, but are interested in trying it out, I’ve listed a few possible questions you might ask your deck below …
•What is the nature of ______________ (name of politician or political player) with regards to ______________ (circumstance or political question)?
•Why are ______________ (name of politician or political player) acting as they are regarding ______________ (circumstance or political question)?
•What are the pros and cons, or different view points regarding ______________ (circumstance or political question)? ← pull two or more cards representing various perspectives
•How does ______________ (circumstance, political question, or political player) impact our democracy?
•How is ______________ (circumstance or political question) likely to play out if things keep moving as they are now?
•What are the biggest issues facing the ______________ (world, country, city or neighbourhood) right now? And what type of action is necessary to help correct what might be going wrong, or support what might be going well? ← pull two or more cards
And on a more personal level …
•How might I act towards achieving political change or support in ______________ (circumstance or political question)?
•How do my personal feelings/situations impact my response to ______________ (circumstance or political question)?
•What can I do to try to understand and connect with other people’s feelings/situations surrounding ______________ (circumstance or political question)?
This list is, of course, just a sample of what you might ask; the options are virtually unlimited. Come up with your own questions and see where your cards take you.
And if you have more than one deck, try testing out the same question with various sets of cards. I find it’s especially interesting comparing the different voices, and it gives me an opportunity to get to know decks I don’t use as often.
February 15th, 2017 § Comments Off on The Brady Tarot § permalink
Take a look at this absolutely gorgeous new deck in the works – The Brady Tarot by Emi Brady.
Filled with the birds, flora, and fauna of North America, this deck is being made using the old fashioned method of hand-coloured linocut illustrations and press printing.
Watch the video below and/or visit The Brady Tarotproject page to learn more.
The School of Life video below called Philosophical Meditation is a great guide to clearing some of the unconscious clutter that can accumulate in our minds. In it they suggest we find 20 minutes or so every few days to sit with a pen, a notebook, and our thoughts, and ask some basic questions.
1. What am I currently upset about?
2. What am I currently anxious about?
3. What am I currently curious or excited about?
These are all great questions, and well worth exploring. Jot down your thoughts as you consider each one, and if you have a Tarot deck nearby, you might even want to draw a card or two as well.
Take a look at the video, and if you’re interested in getting deeper, download the School of Life’s written guide to help further focus your thoughts.
To prepare for this fine Holiday of Love, I’ve pulled a card asking for advice on how to make the day especially happy and romantic. The card I got was the Four of Wands.
The picture on the Rider Waite Smith version of this card pretty well speaks for itself – CELEBRATE!!
The Four of Wands is all about celebration, gathering with others, and enjoying life.
As advice, this card suggests the importance of letting your partner know you’re serious about the relationship, but it’s also asking you to just have fun.
Don’t get all heavy, or overly sentimental, just get out there and enjoy each other.
If you’re someone who likes playing with more than one divinatory system at a time, you might want to check out the video below by Beyond Worlds’ Donnaleigh de LaRose.
In it, she demonstrates an exercise combining Tarot and Runes, using the Runes to further explain the Tarot card pulled.
If you’re new to Runes, but interested in learning, before watching the video below, take a look at Donnaleigh’s Runes Made Easy Video Series 1-4.
Having seen Hadfield in his broadcasts from space and in television interviews here on earth, I’ve had the impression that he’s not only very intelligent, but also a really good guy who cares a lot about people and making the world a better place.
It wasn’t any surprise then when I asked my cards, ‘what is the nature of Chris Hadfield?’ and pulled the Knight of Cups in response.
This Knight is a man on the go. Compassionate and forward moving, he extends love and good will to all he meets. He encourages us to be creative, friendly, and to follow our hearts.
The Knight of Cups is practical though, wearing a suit of armour under his attractive tunic, and if the wings of mercury on his helmet and heels are any indication, he’s quick thinking and actively focused as well.
Like all the Knights in Tarot, the Knight of Cups is actively participating in creating his own life. As part of the Cup family, his particular motivation comes from the heart.
After pulling this card, I did a search for Hadfield’s book. One of the first things I came across was the following quote. It was Hadfield’s answer to a young person asking advice on how to get into a career in space …
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.”
The Knight of Cups couldn’t have said it better himself. And it’s good advice for all ages.
To close out 2013, I thought I’d ask the cards for advice for 2014. The card I got was the Page of Cups.
I think the message is clear – be sweet, be kind, and be open to new experiences and to new love. Let positive emotions flow and try to look at the world with fresh eyes and a compassionate heart.
There’s nothing heavy about this Page. She wants us to dance and play and be willing to make friends with everyone, even a talking fish in a cup.
Let’s heed her advice. Go to it and let love rule our new year.
