Reading Tarot Cards Blog

Jan 3, Daily Draw - The Star

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:57:08 GMT

Perhaps my favourite card in the Tarot deck, The Star is a beacon of light on a cold winter's day. Whenever it makes an appearance, I know I am being reminded to remember my dreams and to know that hope is an important part in dreams becoming reality. With the Star, we are told that everything that hurt us in the past will soon be forgotten. Our optimism, hope and faith will heal our wounded hearts and make us ready to try again. Do you want a fresh start? Take the message of the Star and be prepared to try again!

Dec 30, The Swords - Complete Meanings for this Minor Arcana Suit

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:06:41 GMT

The Swords is the Tarot suit that influences thought, ideas and power. Here are the definitions for all the Swords cards, upright and reversed, along with keywords!

Dec 30, The Cups - Complete Meanings for this Minor Arcana Suit

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:02:35 GMT

The Cups or Chalices is the Tarot suit connected to th heart and soul of every issue. Here are the definitions for all Cups cards, upright and reversed, along with keywords!

Dec 30, Daily Draw - The Two of Wands

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:01:22 GMT

The Nines in Tarot cards have an interesting pattern. They seem to appear in a reading when you are nearing success - but are ready to give up. New changes take effort but also perseverance. One of the crucial differences between success and failure is staying the course. With the Nine of Wands, you are being urged to hold on to your vision and dig in your heels. There is still some work yet to accomplish before you can declare victory but you are almost there. The biggest obstacle that stands in your way could be yourself. Sometimes when we are in transition, we lose confidence in who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. The Nine of Wands reminds us that self-belief plays an important role in achieving your dreams. Go figure...

Dec 28, Daily Draw - Two of Wands

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:51:31 GMT

While I LOVE to think in the big picture future, it can be a constant battle to reign myself in and focus on the present. You know, all those little nitty-gritty things that need to be done in order to create the future I want. I've learned that I need good planning and to keep my feet on the ground while still looking to the horizon. It gives me balance and that makes success all the more possible. Today I drew a Tarot card to help me focus on the upcoming week. The Two of Wands literally jumped out of the deck. I love it when cards pop out like that - there almost seems to be a tangible sense of enthusiasm about their message. Seeing the Two of Wands appear reminds me that I'm on the right track with my focus. It hints that to succeed in business, you need to be grounded, filled with perseverance, prepared to go the distance, and in touch with your intuition. More than that, you need to be working with the right people! With the Two of Wands, we are reminded that the people we choose to work with need to move with us and not against. Harmony flows from a happy partnership, whatever its purpose. So whether you're working at love or in business, look carefully at who you decide to team up with. It's a lot easier to create a partnership than dissolve one. Using the wisdom of the Two of Wands, I want to reexamine who I want to work with and be honest about what parts of work I excel at and where I need work. The other thing I love about the Two of Wands is its message that if you set your business up correctly to begin with, you will be rewarded!

Dec 28, New Year - Interpreting Tarot to Discover Yourself

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:40:26 GMT

Personal change can occur whenever the mood strikes you but a New Year is a good reminder of things you want to transform. Whether your ambitions need a little nudge or a big push to get moving, Tarot cards can be an excellent source of inspiration and support. It's cheesy but true - every journey begins with a single step. So you're ready for change. What role can Tarot play helping you get there? It really depends on what you need. One great option is to use a yearly spread like the horoscope but to focus on areas of transformation rather than astrology. If you're feeling ambitious, think of 12 habits you'd like to pick up or drop off, then use the spread to clarify what would help you achieve your goals. Another possibility is to read for yourself on a monthly or weekly basis, determining on the fly what you want to work on. On a set day, do something as simple as a One Card Draw, Horseshoe or Celtic Cross tarot spread. You can ask the cards for guidance, or to illuminate potential issues or underlying strengths. Remember that the Tarot cards can be as much a benefit as you let them. Look to them as a source of self-discovery more than a simple fortune-telling system. Using Tarot to further your goals can make the difference between success and failure in the upcoming year. Happy New Year and blessings for 2009!

Dec 5, Looking for Love - In the Tarot Cards

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:06:37 GMT

We all want it, we're all looking for it, whether we admit it or not. Over my years reading Tarot cards for other, the majority of the questions were focussed on love and romance. Whether we're with someone and things need some tweaking or we're looking for a new match, relationship questions are high on most peoples' agendas. Whether it is a first relationship or you're a romance veteran, Tarot cards can be a useful tool to assess our (and others) best intentions. The worst intentions usually pop up too! While it is easier to get impartial advice when getting someone else to read for you, you can still get a balanced view when reading Tarot cards for yourself. Tip #1 Ask what you want to know. If you have a quick-and-dirty-yes-or-no questions, flip a coin. If you want more information (but still not too much) use the One Card Draw or another short-and-sweet layout. Remember that you can have the most objectively when you use a simple Tarot spread. Tip #2 Don't read too much into things. Okay, I know that it sounds asinine. After all, it IS a Tarot reading. On the other hand, wisdom and prudence usually walk hand in hand. When you're interpreting your Tarot reading, pick a definition for a card and stick with it. Look at the reading as a whole and see the interplay between the cards. Above all, be honest with yourself and what is in your heart. Tip #3 Limit yourself to one reading a day. It is tempting (and natural) to become a little obsessed when you're in the process of starting something new. If you don't like what the Tarot cards have to say (or even if you do), resist the temptation to do multiple readings to get more - or favorable- information. You'll just get frustrated and it's disrespectful to you and the Tarot cards to treat your love-life so frivolously. Finding new love or enhancing a current relationship can seem like a lot of work. Use the Tarot cards for some guidance and if you feel truly stuck, ask what you need to work on and pull a card. Any card!

Dec 5, The 5 of Cups - What is Lost and what Remains

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:39:31 GMT

The Five of Cups is an evocative card. Like all the Cups, it is swimming and rich with emotion. It speaks of powerful hope and longing, dreams and then the sometimes crushing reality. Whenever I see the Five of Cups, I see a fondest wish appearing on a piece of pasteboard. As with everything else in life, the Five of Cups has a Shadow. With this card, more than any other, the negative aspect tends to overwhelm the positive so easily. Many people (some that seem kind of annoying) are fond of asking whether you see the cup as half-full or half-empty. When the Five of Cups appears, that is the question that is waiting to be answered. What will you say? I find that the month leading up to a new Year always makes me introspective, searching within and without for answers as well as questions. Having recently lost my favorite pet to cancer, I'm forced to ask myself whether I see this Cup as half empty or half full. Hardship makes it so easy and simple to see and feel the negative. I could make a list a mile long about how much I miss my little minx and why I hurt. In order to see the partial cup that remains, I almost have to push my heart aside and ignore my grief. When I do, that Cup is brimming and overflowing with joy. If I live in the Shadow of the Five of Cups, I end up forgetting about the joyous play and love that was her life. It sucks that my little cat is gone. But I'm choosing to celebrate the life that brought me limitless love not the death that took her from me. That's what the Five of Cups is about, making the conscious choice to remember what was dear to you rather than mourning that you don't have it anymore. And for the record, I will never say she was just a cat. She was my most magnificent Belladonna Took.

Jul 22, Tarot Card Reading Instructions: Interpreting

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:06:52 GMT

Tarot Card Reading Instructions: Interpreting

Jul 22, Tarot Card Reading Instructions - Pick a Spread

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:02:51 GMT

Tarot Card Reading Instructions - Pick a Tarot Spread to get started

Jul 22, Tarot Spreads: Creating Your Own Custom Tarot Spreads

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:49:04 GMT

Tarot Spreads - Moving Beyond the Common Spreads to Create Your Own

Jul 22, Tarot Card Reading Instructions - Pick A Deck

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:42:35 GMT

Tarot card reading instructions show you how to pick a Tarot card deck for an amazing readings!

Jul 22, Tarot Card Reading Instructions - Sacred Space

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:40:29 GMT

Tarot card reading instructions help you set the stage for illuminating Tarot readings

Jul 11, Tarot Deck: Universal Rider-Waite

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:00:41 GMT

A tarot deck for Tarot readers all all levels, the Universal Rider-Waite is an update on a classic deck.

Jul 11, Tarot Deck: Morgan-Greer

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:56:38 GMT

The Morgan-Greer Tarot deck features simple keywords and a classic style of illustration

Jul 11, Tarot Deck: Marseille

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:56:03 GMT

This Tarot deck is perfect

Jul 11, Tarot Deck: Light and Shadow

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:54:58 GMT

A Tarot deck featuring detailed woodcuts, the Light and Shadow is moody and monochromatic

Jul 11, Read Tarot Deck News and Reviews - then choose a Tarot deck for you!

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:54:17 GMT

Use these Tarot Deck resouces to find new and old decks to connect with!

Jul 9, Temperance....sweet torture

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:44:08 GMT

OK, maybe I'm being a little melodramatic. Yet when I think of Temperance, I instantly think of balance. And for me, Queen of Roller Coasters and loving a thrill, balance is a real challenge. Temperance is the balance between all elements in life; even the figure, androgynous in its gown, strikes that balance between male and female. Balance is one of those things that seems so easy to attain - until you try to achieve it. It is a constant effort, assessing where you are and where you need to be. Temperance is a marker of the skill required to achieve balance but also of the harmony that comes with that balance. So while Temperance can seem like an annoyance, it is also the sign of what can be achieved.

Jul 4, Daily Practice

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:14:07 GMT

Whether you're new to Tarot cards or a seasoned pro, it can be a challenge sometimes to use the cards as part of a daily practice. There are times when I want to use a favorite Tarot deck but don't really want a reading. If I want to practice, what other options are there? On those days, I use the Tarot deck for direction. Without any question in mind, I start shuffling and ask the deck (and the universe in general) what I should be focusing on. With this practice, I usually keep my draw to a single card, unless another jumps out of the deck. And then the challenge begins. The focal point of this Tarot advice has been my career, love life, friends, family or path; and yes, the Tarot deck (or my subconscious) usually will connect with the most pressing issue. This type of exercise can be challenging because there is no question to focus the interpretation. Sometimes what will come through is surprising, and most often, the direction the cards suggest is quite obvious. That being said, like with any interaction with Tarot cards, remember that what comes through is a suggestion rather than a finite course of action. Try this alternative to a reading to further your study of Tarot cards and yourself! Blessings, Lucy

Jul 3, How Do Tarot Cards Work? Is it the symbols, intuition or something else?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:47:06 GMT

How DO Tarot Cards work? Anyone who has had an accurate reading wants to know the secrets behind the cards!

Jul 3, How Do Tarot Cards Work? Synchronicity!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:46:30 GMT

How do tarot cards work? Synchronicity! A system of explaining co-incidences with the presence of a greater power, synchronicity can explain Tarot's accuracy and rich details.

Jul 3, How Do Tarot Cards Work? Symbolism!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:45:57 GMT

How do Tarot cards work? Symbolism! In addition to having wondferuflly detailed meetings, Tarot cards are based on rich forms of symbolism with roots in psychology.

Jul 3, How Do Tarot Cards Work? Psychic Skills!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:45:30 GMT

How do tarot cards work? Psychic Skills! Created with detailed meanings and rich symbols, Tarot cards can help you to tap into and strengthen your psychic abilities.

Jul 3, How Do Tarot Cards Work? Intuition!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:44:45 GMT

How do tarot cards work? Intuition! Created with detailed meanings and rich symbols, Tarot cards can help you to tap into your intuition and discover the unknown.

Jul 3, Tarot for Beginners: Where to Start When You're Starting Out

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:44:02 GMT

Tarot For Beginners answers the common questions those new to Tarot cards have.

Jul 3, Tarot For Beginners - Reading For Yourself to Teach Yourself

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:43:09 GMT

Tarot For Beginners - Reading for yourself is an essential part of leaning how to interpret Tarot

Jul 3, Tarot For Beginners - Reading For Others To Learn For Yourself

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:42:33 GMT

Tarot For Beginners - Reading for others helps to learn Tarot as well as learning about people.

Jul 3, Tarot For Beginners - Small Details for New Readers

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:41:37 GMT

Tarot For Beginners - Here are some small details to consider when you're new to Tarot!

Jun 11, Beyond the Spread: When are you ready to create your own Tarot layouts?

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:12:37 GMT

I think that working with some good and consistent Tarot spreads are crucial to becoming a strong Tarot reader. When you know the positions of a Tarot spread well, you can focus more energy on interpreting the cards and less wondering about the placement. After you've been reading Tarot cards for some time, Tarot spreads can start to feel limiting, especially when reading for others. When I first started doing longer readings, I used the 6 Month Special or other layouts. They worked well - at first. I received enough information but not so much that I was overwhelmed. As I continued to read, I wanted more. More detail, more information, more value for my clients. I started by modifying known spreads, adding cards as needed. I hit a point where I wanted to start creating my own spreads, not just for the information but also to challenge myself. As a Tarot card reader, only you will know when you need or want to create your own Tarot layouts. Some Tarot readers never stray from what they learn with and still give excellent readings. I'll also say that my clients were still very happy with my readings. Making my own Tarot spreads was more of a personal development issue. Like with everything else in life, there is no single "right way" of doing things. I advise Tarot card readers to wait until they're pretty comfortable with the definitions of the cards first. Try different spreads to see what styles appeal to you then use that information to create a simple Tarot spread. I recommend when you're first designing a Tarot layout, keep a piece of paper and pencil handy if you want to use it a second time. The positions and their meanings may seem simple now but if you don't use it regularly, you may soon forget. If you want to embrace your inner free spirit (not so inner for some of use), work at creating a different spread every time. Instead of knowing what the placement will mean ahead of time, intuit its meaning when you turn the Tarot cards. *WARNING*: this style of reading is recommended only for those that are flexible, in touch with their intuition and have a strong connection to the Tarot cards. Tarot readers who don't fall into this category will just find it frustrating and no fun at all. Working with Tarot spreads, whether creating your own or using an existing spread, will always take some time and practice. On the other hand, switching around your Tarot spreads is a great way to bring new enthusiasm to a Tarot card reading as well as test your skill! Blessings, Lucy

Jun 11, What Goes Up...

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:51:36 GMT

Drawing The Wheel of Fortune in a Tarot card spread can seem like a gift from the gods. After all, it brings with it the promise of change and success ahead. Or does it? The Wheel of Fortune is an interesting Tarot card because of its duality. On the one hand, when The Wheel rolls in your favour, nothing can stop you. Yet when The Wheel starts to turn, life can become a little more challenging, The Wheel of Fortune always suggests we grab opportunity when it presents itself but remember to keep rolling when Fate isn't. Once we connect to the rhythm of life, the ebbs and flows, balance doesn't seem so elusive. I make a point of appreciating and having gratititude for these high points and not begrudging the hardships. Like life itself, it's just temporary. So if you feel like the Ferris Wheel of Life has you riding at the top, enjoy it to the fullest and don't worry about what comes next. Blessings, Lucy

Jun 9, Making Tarot Cards - A Creative Way To Learn the Tarot

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:16:13 GMT

Making Tarot cards is an excellent way to have a unique Tarot deck that matches your personality

Jun 9, One of the Tarot spreads that gives a little more, Seven Stars is it!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:48:20 GMT

Tarot spreads guide the cards. Use the Seven Stars Tarot layout for a solid overview of any issue!

Jun 9, Tarot Spreads: The Four Card Tarot Spread is Perfect for Yes/No Questions!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:33:58 GMT

One of the Tarot Spreads that is perfect for simple yes/no questions, the four card Tarot spread is quick and easy!

Jun 7, Tarot Box: A Special Place to Store Tarot Cards

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:35:25 GMT

A Tarot box can be a great way to store much-loved Tarot decks. Here's how to make one!

Jun 5, What About The Moon?

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:34:24 GMT

Like The Devil, Death and The Tower, The Moon is one of those Tarot cards that has a bad rap. Moody and illusive, the Moon is often seen as sinister with a vague feeling of foreboding. With its connection to the feminine divine, The Moon has more to do with emotions, psychic abilities and creativity than anything dark. Like the High Priestess, The Moon hearkens back to a time of equality and respect for the feminine. Women, at different points historically, have been active parts of spiritual and intuitive cultures. Some of the best known psychics and oracles as well as leaders in ancient churches and orders were women. I can see why The Moon may seem scary. At its most basic point, it is a card of watery emotions, intuition and creative impulses. All of these elements are hard to control and summon, and may seem laced with mystery. Also, while these impulses can lead to new projects, ideas or even lifestyle, there is too much of a good thing. Living in the reversed pattern of The Moon would be a life of nothing definite, swimming from one watery influence to another. To balance the elusive element of The Moon, you need action to counter the reaction. The Moon can also caution us about letting our emotions rule us or getting lost in illusion. Illusion isn't a bad thing. It can inspire as much as it deceives. It's like the Temperance card says-it's all in having good balance. Embrace The Moon and connect to a hidden part of yourself.

Jun 5, How To Honor Your Intuition

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:16:24 GMT

Intuition is an ability that is available to everyone. I find the biggest challenge is realizing the difference between thoughts and intuition. It takes time. That's a point I can't stress enough. If you expect to have an instantaneous connection to your intuition and know 100 of the time when you're intuiting information, you may be disappointed. Some people do have intuitive awakenings where they start receiving accurate information and understand it right away. For most of us, intuition will evolve over a period of time. Patience is key. If you allow yourself to develop intuitively over time, it will feel more comfortable and allow you the chance to become used to receiving intuitive information. How do you know when it is intuition? It's a unique experience for everyone. Even though I've been actively developing my intuition for years, there are some times where I'm uncertain of the source for information. Often, when it is important or I haven't relayed it correctly, the information will repeat until I've done what I need to with it. I've learned that if my intuition is sending me a message visually, the more vivid and definitive, the more likely it is to be an important intuitive message. If you have decided to actively connect to your intuition, do your best to honor the information you receive. If you're not certain what to do, that's the perfect time to close your eyes, lean back, and listen to what your intuition recommends. As you'll read, intuition is a necessary part of how Tarot cards work. Start to listen carefully and you'll hear your intuition making itself known.

Jun 3, Tarot News!

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:28:31 GMT

For those who have already signed up, the latest In The Cards FREE ezine is almost ready to hit the (digital) presses. The newest volume will be delivered in the next 48 hours. If you're interesting in receiving a copy, click the link above to take you to a page with the signup box. Blessings, Lucy

May 28, When's The Time To Start Reading For Others?

Wed, 28 May 2008 19:50:50 GMT

A common question for new Tarot card readers is when they should start reading for other people. Read on to find out when I think the best time is.... Happy Reading! Lucy

May 26, Clairvoyant Psychic Reading Tarot Cards - Lucy Barnett

Mon, 26 May 2008 10:24:56 GMT

Clairvoyant Psychic Reading Tarot Cards. Learn more about the person behind www.Discover-the-Meaning-of-Tarot.com

May 23, Tarot Resources in the Works

Fri, 23 May 2008 12:26:45 GMT

Up and coming additions to the site will include:

New Tarot Spreads
Tarot art projects
Deck reviews
Printable Tarot deck
Step by step instructions on making your own Tarot box

here...

May 14, Beacon of Hope

Wed, 14 May 2008 18:00:15 GMT

The 17th card of the Major Arcana, The Star is the symbol of hope and renewal. After the trials and tribulations of the Tower, Death and the Devil, the Star is a beacon. We have all faced periods where we have faced not only our fears, but our reality, pushing ourselves to the very edge. Afterwards, it can seem like an effort to believe that life can fulfill our hopes as well as force us to redefine them. Weak and drained, were not certain who we are or want we really want. Yet that is what the Star asks of us, to dream as big as we can. As soon as a dream is acknowledged, it's the first step in a new journey. The Star, with its watery motif has long been connected to the astrological sign of Aquarius. Just like the Star, Aquarians tend to be ruled by their sense of wonder and optimism. Whether you're an Aquarius or not, study the Star to inspire you to change your life.

May 13, Being Psychic

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:02:27 GMT

Ive had a lot of questions concerning my background and what it is like to be a psychic. Heres a short overview of what my psychic life has been so far. Being psychic is still seen as a bit of an oddity. Not quite a circus freak but because the sixth sense is not seen as common, those that are open with it are a bit unusual. So color me unusual! I've come to realize and accept that being psychic is as much a natural function for me as breathing, sleeping or speaking. I've been through periods where I ignored impressions or internalized messages. I've also spent time being frightened or resentful of my gifts. Like with anything else, there is a learning curve to being psychic. I've always been sensitive to emotions and people and from the time I was very young, I seemed to just 'know' things. For many years, I kept these thoughts to myself - it didn't make sense to me how I could be aware of things that were hidden. As I grew older, I felt that I had no control over psychic impressions and really wondered about the value of being psychic. Then once I left my teens behind me, it became easier and easier to receive impressions and control what I wanted to know. I used to feel like if I opened my psychic senses at all, it was an onslaught of ideas, knowledge and emotions. Many details, many feelings and a lot of things not making any sense overwhelming me like a tidal wave. It wasn't until I reached my early 20's that I really felt I had a strong yet calm connection to the psychic world. Information could come or not, depending on what I wanted. I think of this point as almost a renaissance for me, where being psychic felt comfortable and easy at the same time. I could give the information people needed as well as much needed hope. Ive spent the last 10 or so years acting as a reader and channel for whomever needs it. Ive read for people of all ages and backgrounds and had the chance to teach many people to become comfortable and embrace their psychic abilities. I am a conscious channel, which means that information can come whenever I want it to and will usually come very quickly. I believe that everyone needs to remember that their life is their own. We all have our choices and our destiny is what we make of it. From the time we are born to the time we die, the decisions we make shapes the life we have. As you develop as a Tarot card reader, intuitive or psychic, it's important to give the people you read your best. While sometimes you may wonder what to tell people, be guided by a sense of humility mixed with compassion and like the Golden Rule says, treat others as you would like to be treated.

May 11, Making The Connection - Finding A Tarot Deck You LOVE

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:46:46 GMT

If you're new or old to Tarot cards, take a moment to look at the deck you use most often. How does it make you feel? Do you love the style and colours or is it a deck that was given to you (and reflects someone else's taste more than yours)? Your Tarot deck needs to be evocative, making you feel comfortable and inspired at the same time. It's amazing the difference in a reading you can get with a deck that you feel a connection to. I love woodcuts and I found a Tarot deck that is based on medieval style woodcuts called the Light and Shadow Tarot deck. Every time I use the deck, I am reinspired by the symbols I see and the ways they are presented. Other people I've shown the deck to were not nearly as interested. Like anything connected to art or design, it is a very individual choice. If you're not certain how to classify your taste, look at the colours that appear in your home or clothing - do they make you feel happy and energetic? Look at the periods in time that you find most exciting? What authors or artists do you like? Being as there are now a massive variety of Tarot decks based on any theme possible, you're not lacking for choice. Finding a deck that you love is the first step to having the passion you need to really explore the Tarot and give amazing readings. So if you don't feel inspired, start searching. Irreverant Blessings, Lucy

May 11, Announcing It's In The Cards: Reading Tarot E-zine

Sun, 11 May 2008 02:03:43 GMT

Brand spanking new on many of the site pages (including this one): sign up box for the new e-zine! If you're serious about Tarot - or want to be- this is for you. The email addy you provide will be used only for the zine. We NEVER sell or give away your info (even under the pain of death). Be part of a cool community and learn to read Tarot your way! Irreverent blessings! Lucy

May 2, 5 Ways to Increase Your ESP

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:06:17 GMT

With the dawn of the Age of the Aquarius in the 1960's, the idea of developing psychic abilities hit a new stride. While interest in intuitive processes has grown and decreased at different periods over the last 40 years, there is a still a large amount of focus on psychic self-development. If you and your psychic impressions are strangers, how do you get to know each other? What's That?:Intuitive impulses will present themselves differently to everyone. The first step to utilizing your psychic powers rests in paying attention to them. Intuition can often appear in ways that are easy to ignore. Logic may seem to be absent and it can feel risky even stating what you feel. Even if you don't share your psychic impressions with others, document them in writing for your own posterity. Practice: Spend a little time every day trying to connect with your psychic side. Find a space that feels comfortable to you, whether it's your bedroom or a local park. Think of dreams that you've had or hesitation you've felt in certain situations. Spend time with a deck of card, trying to "see" what suit or number is on the card before you draw the card. Just like your sense of taste changes when you pay attention to what you eat, focusing on your psychic impressions will heighten them. Training Wheels: Many items like crystals, Tarot cards, tea leaves, pendulums and scrying bowls can be used to help develop psychic ability. Find a tool that appeals to you and use it with the intention of building upon your psychic talents. Work With Your Strengths: Psychic abilities, like with every other skill in life, can vary from person to person. Just like some people see better than others, others are more clairvoyant than others. In terms of psychic powers, there are different areas of skill: clairvoyance (seeing the future), clairaudience (hearing the future), clairsentience (feeling what others feel) are the main ones. It's important to determine where you are most comfortable so that you can work your strengths to your advantage. If you're a natural clairsentient but only look for clairvoyant impressions, you will be missing out and may even convince yourself you're not psychic. Having skill in one area doesn't mean that you can't or won't develop in others so work with what you have. Find a Friend: Working with a like-minded psychic buddy can give you more options in terms of practice and support. With a partner, you can try distance experiments in clairvoyance as well as mind reading. The paranormal also happens to be a misunderstood subject; having a friend to discuss experiences and concerns can ease tension and increase comfort levels. The biggest asset in developing psychic abilities is have the desire to be psychic. Self-belief goes a long way to recognizing and increasing psychic potential. Once you've tapped into your psychic abilities, your life will slowly transform for the better. So get out there and get sensing!

Apr 22, Living La Vida Loca - Learning The Message of The Fool

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:25:54 GMT

The Major Arcana card the Fool is the beginning of the Tarot deck as well as the start to every journey. The jester pictured on this card is oblivious to every hazard around him; indeed the naivety of the Fool can be a warning to look before you leap more than anything else. At the same time, the Fool can be a symbol of faith and the miracles that it can create. The Fool is in the process of stepping off the edge of cliff, unafraid or unaware of the consequences. This leap of faith is an option for everyone who feels like they've settled into a rut. Often, we delay making necessary changes, waiting for security to arrive before we take a risk. The paradox is that sometimes we need to have faith that our leaps of chance will work in order for real change to occur. Sometimes, like the Fool, it is important to believe that the universe will support you when take that step. I had been stuck in a series of jobs that left me empty and unsatisfied. I tried to find something else, applying for job after job but resumes and interviews led to nothing concrete. Still, I was reluctant to leave what I had without the assurance of something else. It wasn't until the last year or so of uninspired work for a soulless company where stress eroded my health that I finally reached a breaking point. So without a job or even a solid plan, I quit. Like the Fool, I took that leap, with only my beliefs to support me. I emailed my resignation at 10:00 in the morning. At 1:00 in the afternoon, someone I had interviewed with the previous month called me. Something had come up early that morning and they needed someone immediately. I was unemployed for less than 24 hours before I was gifted an amazing opportunity. Not only was this job substantially better paying than my old one, it was in an industry that I loved working for someone who respected and appreciated me. I just needed to believe. Not only in the power of faith but also in myself. Like the Fool, my self-assurance led me to take a leap that transformed my life.

Apr 14, Archetypes in the Tarot - Perserverance of the Page

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:47:49 GMT

When trying to understand the meaning of each Tarot cards, it's a good idea to know the history of some of the symbols used. The court cards in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot have a long and notable presence in history and as archetypes. The Page in particular is interesting because of his connection to a noble class as well as a working class.
The page, in principle, was a young man attached to a noble house in service. If he did his tasks with speed and a good attitude, there was good chance he would be trained as a knight eventually. In Tarot, the Page can refer to a young man or woman - gender is not attached to this court card. The Tarot symbolism of the Page is deep and is connected back to the duality of his roots.
The page will often be placed in the position of being confidante to others but normally keeps his or her feelings to himself. The page will help others to follow their dreams but will rarely lose sight of their own. Supportive and discreet, the Page works best when working for others; they are at a point in their development where while they have their own opinions, they also need the structure and comfort of a partnered relationship.
In the Middle Ages, a page was a respected position, often filled by a young nobleman training to become a squire for a knight. As a squire, the page would accompany the knight on his campaigns and carry his armour for him (when not in use). Often, squiring was the page's entry into the world of courts and kings. After his apprenticeship in arms was complete, the page would become a knight himself and teach other pages the art of battle.
In Tarot, the Page is usually still in a dependant position and usually is represented by a child, teenager, servant, animal or an adult who perceives themself as being dependant. One of the lessons of the Page is to realize that we are all in process of transforming our lives and rising to a new level of importance and responsibility.
Part of bearing the outcome of speaking one's mind is having responsibility for ourselves; the page knew that the menial tasks of today would lead to a knighthood in the future - if he learned his lessons well. Apply yourself to what you may consider to be beneath you today if it leads to something more tomorrow.
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Apr 14, Modern Psychology and Tarot-Strange Bedfellows?

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:40:52 GMT

Reading through the meaning of each Tarot card, it is common to wonder where the Tarot interpretations originated from. While earlier Tarot decks may have been influenced by folklore or oral traditions of the time, newer Tarot decks, especially those created in the last century have meanings linked to psychology. Not too Freudian, thank goodness!
Popular psychology is present in many definitions but more specifically, Jungian psychology has highly influenced the Tarot meanings. Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), was originally a student of Freud, but moved away from Freud's psycho-analytical approach to develop a rich system of symbols entirely his own.
Jung's fascination with mankind's spiritual element combined with his interest in divination, dreams and astrology seems more connected to ancient Chaldean teachings than modern psychology. Jung's personal experiences, like Freud before him, factor heavily in his system. Jung's psychic abilities were documented and he had experienced such phenomena as ghost, visions, telepathy and precognitive dreams.
Jung believed that the "collective unconsciousness is the foundation of what the ancients called 'the sympathy of all things'". For Jung, the human psyche lived in three separate parts: the conscious, the personal unconscious and the collective unconscious. Archetypes, powerful universal figures and symbols live in the personal and collective unconscious, shaping our perceptions and experiences.
These archetypes also appear over and over again in myths, legends and stories. Joseph Campbell, a popular anthropologist and writer whose work explores universal archetypes has documented them and their place in every world culture.
These symbols occur again in the Major Arcana, in the pictures representing the Tarot cards. The Empress, symbolic for the fruitful mother while the Emperor is a stern, authoritarian father are just some of the archetypes present in the Major Arcana. Jungians believe that the universal and dream-like feelings of these images work on an unconscious level and allow greater knowledge to come to the conscious mind.
In a Tarot reading, these powerful archetypes work together to create a pattern or a message that allows the questioner to understand and sort out their difficulties. Like many other oracles, their powerful symbols can also demonstrate to the reader the feelings or ideas that are lurking just below the surface of their conscious mind. The symbolism of the Tarot can be a gentler way to bring the questioner in touch with feelings they may be refusing to acknowledge.
Studying the image and meaning of these archetypes can be therapeutic for the Tarot reader or questioner and help them understand all the powerful symbols present in their lives. For those who are unhappy with who they are, working with archetypes can help them to realize the strength of their current archetype and also how everyone is made up from multiple symbols. We all have the ability to be a Warrior, Magician or Mother- archetypes evolve as we do.
To learn more about archetypes and their place in psychology and understanding, search for more information about Carl Jung and his teachings.

Apr 14, A Brief History of Tarot Cards

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:40:52 GMT

When trying to create a history of Tarot cards, there are many holes in the available facts and much of what remains is guesswork. In terms of the history of Tarot, Tarot cards likely evolved as secretive way of passing along hidden teachings. A common idea put forth is that Tarot cards evolved as a way for teachers and students from a variety of countries and cultures to share universal knowledge. With different languages and levels of literacy, a pictorial guide was necessary in order to share spiritual truths.
The earliest remnants of a Tarot deck date back to the 1390's; from the original deck, only 17 cards still remain. In around 1420, artist Bonifacio Bembo, painted what is the only full deck that has survived to modern times. Commissioned originally by the Duke of Milan, this early deck is now known as the Visconti deck, named after the Duke's family.
While it is unlikely that Tarot cards were in existence prior to this time, the concepts illustrated in Tarot pictures are universal and have been around for thousands of years, in common knowledge as well as in myth and legend. While many of the images in Tarot decks are common to the Medieval period, many of the other archetypes present including the High Priestess point to a pre-Christian system with roots in older times. The fact that the Major Arcana presents symbols that show powerful women suggests that it significantly predates Christianity.
To be labeled a religious heretic in Medieval Europe meant torture or death. Recording alternate beliefs through a pictorial key allowed these teachings to survive and created a safer way to pass this information -with less chance of retribution. In the Renaissance period, a practice was developed based on ancient Greek teachings which was a pictorial memory system. Working with this became integral to occult teachings at this time and was commonly used to assist in meditation.
In later periods, astrology, gnosticism, Kaballah and magick have all been attached to the history of Tarot cards. These practices, along with modern psychology, have played a role in developing the meanings of each Tarot card.
The Order of the Golden Dawn, a short-lived group of esoteric magicians, played a particularly powerful role in this regard. One member, A.E. Waite, created a pictorial key to the Tarot and worked with another member, Pamela Colman Smith to create a new Tarot deck, the Colman-Rider-Waite deck. Another prominent member, Aleister Crowley, created a Tarot guide and worked with artist Lady Frieda Harris to create the Thoth deck.
Current history of Tarot cards will sometimes claim the cards to be created for evil purpose or make them much older than they are. Working through the Tarot cards in the Major Arcana is like moving through all the main phases of life, internal and external. This brief history of Tarot cards should clear up some mystery about their past and give you the opportunity of connecting with them in the present.