Focus

As we begin a new year, we are often anxious to start better habits, achieve goals and make this new year better than the last. We are focused on improvement. We have faith in our ability to move forward.

Over time, our focus shifts.  We lose our clarity, and, all too often, we sacrifice our goals in favor of meeting immediate concerns. Perhaps we lose focus when we lose faith in ourselves, or when we become overwhelmed with our daily concerns.

We forget the importance of keeping our focus, or maybe we just don’t know how to hang on to our vision when so many other things need our attention.

We also become aware that it is critical for us to be focused when we do intuitive work and divination. We cannot hear our guidance when we are distracted.

Yoga, meditation, mindfulness and journaling are some ways that can help us stay focused on our goals and priorities.

This week, let’s set an intention to keep our focus on our goals, and to deftly handle situations that arise without losing our focus.

Tarot Cards that Indicate Focus

Sometimes, in a tarot reading, the cards can specifically point out a need for focus, or an area upon which to focus.

The Aces and the Court cards will often tell you to focus on the attributes of their respective elements. For instance, the Queen of Swords might tell you to nurture truth, while the Page of Pentacles may tell you to learn to be more grounded and practical. The Ace of Cups might tell you to focus on being heart-centered.

Since the suit of Swords relates to the element of Air, and the element of Air rules the powers of the mind, we can see many issues of focus in the suit of Swords.

Perhaps the best example of focus and mental acuity in the Court might be the Knight of Swords, who quickly pursues what he knows to be true and right.

The Ace of Swords can denote a particular focus, or a particular goal.

The Eight, Nine and Ten of Swords may suggest the need to find a healthy focus.

Other cards in the deck that call for focus might include the Three and Eight of Pentacles, where the focus is on work. There is also the Six of Wands, where the focus is on winning a competition.

Two cards that can sometimes indicate a need for greater clarity and focus are The Moon and the Seven of Cups.

So often, the purpose of a tarot card reading is to help us avoid distraction and find clarity. When they appear in a tarot reading, these cards can help us do exactly that.

The Week in Review

This week I reviewed Benebell Wen’s new book, “Holistic Tarot.” You can read the review and watch the video on my personal blog.

On my Dark Forest blog, I wrote about a very industrious colony of ants in my yard, and the way they have inspired me.  Read “Inspirational Ants.”

You may have noticed that my websites are changing.  That’s because I am moving my online presence to SquareSpace! Don’t worry, if you have saved a link to a favorite blog post or essay, your link will still work.

Please take some time to peruse my new website. It’s easy to navigate. I’ll bet that you will find some great information you may have missed in the past.

I am pleased to announce that we’ve organized my Community Blog in a way that features our guest bloggers. If you have been a blogger on this site, or if you would like to be, please read this simple guide.

From Around the Web

I am thrilled to announce that two poems from my “78 Poems Project” will appear in a soon-to-be-published anthology of tarot poetry. You can see the other poets and tarotists who are participating, and follow the journey on the Tarot Poetry website.

From Jenna Matlin at Queen of Wands Tarot, here is a great post about the benefits of tarot, beyond fortune-telling.

I’m not the only one celebrating Benebell Wen’s new book this week. You can read some fun facts about Benebell this week on Little Fox Tarot.

Two-Card Tarot Reading for Focus

Focus is both a noun and a verb. This two-card spread helps us to understand what our focus needs to be, and how we can keep that focus.

Simply pull a card to answer each of the following questions.

Card One: What shall my focus be at this time?

Card Two: How can I focus on this more effectively?

Use this simple spread whenever you are feeling unfocused or confused.

What’s up on the Psychic Cafe?

My first Psychic Café episode of the New Year features Benebell Wen, whose first book, “Holistic Tarot”, is in its first week of publication.

Our conversation included many aspects of tarot - tarot history, tarot writing, tarot reading, and professional tarot, to name only a few.

In conversing with Benebell, I found in her a true tarot soul sister. When you watch the video, you will see why!

This week I am featuring an early episode of Christiana’s Psychic Café that I have just this week made available on YouTube.

In February of 2013, I spoke with tarotist, artist and healer Marcy Currier about her tarot deck in progress, the “Mystical Frogs Tarot”. In the second half of the show, I spoke with tantric healer Lourdes Starshower. This is a frank and unrestrained conversation of the sacred nature of human intimacy.

Make sure you take a moment to watch both these fascinating episodes of Christiana’s Psychic Café. You can watch the featured episode on the Christiana’s Psychic Café Facebook page, or find all the episodes on my YouTube channel.

Learning Tarot: Two of Pentacles

In tarot, the number Two often refers to balance. In the Two of Pentacles, we see the need to balance our resources.

The Two of Pentacles may refer to a busy life, that is, a life where we must juggle schedules to balance the resource of time.

The Two of Pentacles may also refer to a situation of limited finances where we must juggle to make sure the bills are paid.

In this card, we may also see the need to make decisions and decide priorities. Perhaps there is a choice between two different career opportunities.

The key to this card is that, even though resources are limited and the active art of balancing (juggling) is required, we are capable of handling that balance and juggling for as long as we need.

Although resources are limited, the attitude of this card is not one of poverty or fear, but capability and confidence. It may not be easy, but we will have what we need, and we will be able to do what we need to do.

Next week we will see the rewards of this challenge when we meet the Three of Pentacles.

Tarot card  image from The Gilded Tarot Royale by Ciro Marchetti.
Used with permission.

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

Your one-card reading this week comes from the brand new Beautiful Creatures Tarot. The card is the Seven of Earths, or, in more traditional decks, the Seven of Pentacles.

This week, things could feel a little dull. Your tasks could drag on, and you might feel as though you have very little to look forward to.

Don’t worry. You really are getting somewhere, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.

The Waite-Smith image for this card shows a tired gardener. You, like that gardener, may be feeling that your hard work will never bear fruit. The fact is, with time and patience, it will.

This week, stay focused on your work. Take a short rest if you can, but don’t lose sight of your tasks. The work you do is important, whether or not it feels that way.

You are building something that will bear fruit in the future. Keep your eye on your goals.

Image from Beautiful Creatures Tarot by J.R. Rivera and Jasmine Becket-Griffith. Used with Permission.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 17, 2 pm
A New Year of Possibilities: An Afternoon with Christiana Gaudet

Join us for a special live event in Royal Palm Beach!

What do you want to manifest for your 2015? What is possible for you this year?

Many times, your future is up to you. Sometimes, you don’t see your own wonderful possibilities.Join psychic Tarot Grandmaster Christiana Gaudet for a special presentation that will open your 2015 to the very best possibilities available to you!

In the comfort and safety of sacred space, Christiana will conduct a psychic gallery. She will answer questions and deliver messages to each participant. If you have questions about your life, your path or your purpose as you enter your New Year, Christiana will provide the guidance you need. You may even receive a message from a loved one is spirit!

People who have attended Christiana’s galleries are amazed by her accuracy, entertained by her wit and inspired by the wisdom they receive. Don’t miss this chance to create your best possibilities.Join psychic Tarot Grandmaster Christiana Gaudet for a special presentation that will open your 2015 to the very best possibilities available to you!

Join psychic Tarot Grandmaster Christiana Gaudet for a special presentation that will open your 2015 to the very best possibilities available to you!

In the comfort and safety of sacred space, Christiana will conduct a psychic gallery. She will answer questions and deliver messages to each participant. If you have questions about your life, your path or your purpose as you enter your New Year, Christiana will provide the guidance you need. You may even receive a message from a loved one is spirit!

People who have attended Christiana’s galleries are amazed by her accuracy, entertained by her wit and inspired by the wisdom they receive. Don’t miss this chance to create your best possibilities.

Seating for this event is limited and pre-registration is required. Admission is $25. To reserve your seat and get directions, call Mary Canane at 561-301-5355.

Visit christianagaudet.com for more information on this event.

Wednesday, January 21, 7 pm
Free Webinar
Global Tarot Circle

Spend an hour with tarot, and with friends. This month we will be discussing New Year predictions, readings and manifestation. Join us from your computer, tablet or smartphone, or call in!
Find all the information you need to attend this online event on the event listing on my new event calendar.

Saturday, January 31, 10 am
Metaphysical Society Expo, Sun City Center

I will be a featured speaker at the Metaphysical Society Expo in Sun City Center. I will also be available to sign books throughout the day. The Expo runs from 10 am – 5 pm, and will be in the Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center.

Admission is free. For information, call Vicky at 813 398-7033.

Sunday, February 1, 3:30 pm
Free Event
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup

Join us at Panera Bread, 23388 State Road 54, Lutz, for a focused-but-informal exploration of tarot. Everyone with an interest in tarot is welcome.

About Christiana

 Private readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office
are available throughout Florida. 
Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.

Agent inquiries are welcome.