If you’ve ever taken a class in yoga or meditation you are well aware of the importance of conscious breath; or bringing awareness to your breathing.

Of course, we are breathing all the time. It’s an autonomic function. ‘Autonomic’ means something we do unconsciously. When we bring consciousness to something that we usually do unconsciously we can create a great deal of power.

Beyond the physical aspects of conscious breathing associated with properly-executed exercise, there is a strong spiritual component to conscious breathing. Conscious breathing is the first important step in psychic work and the spiritual work of prayer, magic, manifestation and working the Law of Attraction.

We can also use conscious breathing to change our mood, and to regulate our physical responses to anxiety or upset.

In psychic development classes I tell my students that the breath is the magic carpet on which all psychic and spiritual work rides.

In tarot classes I ask students to literally breathe in the energy of their tarot cards. I know how silly that sounds. Yet, the power of it is real.

Even in our mundane lives, we know the power of breath. Friends tell us to take a deep breath before we respond to someone anger or make a decision we might later regret.

Conscious breathing is an important part of checking in with intuition. It’s also a necessary part of chakra healing and energy work.

Conscious breathing aligns us with the element of Air, whose metaphysical properties include clarity, logic, intelligence, integrity, communication and all powers of the mind.

By breathing with deliberation, slowly and deeply, we change our energy, and attune ourselves to the rhythm of the universe. From there, anything is possible.

Get Your Autographed Copy of Tarot Tour Guide!

After much patience, I am happy to announce that the Second Edition of Tarot Tour Guide is now available.

First published in 2012 and out of print since 2016, Tarot Tour Guide is a comprehensive tarot book that offers beginners an understanding of the cards and how to use them. It also offers experiences readers techniques, exercises, spreads and meditations to deepen your tarot practice.

This Second Edition is gently edited and expanded.

To get a signed copy with a dedication you can buy the book on line at christianagaudet.com.

If you prefer my first book, Fortune Stellar, I have plenty of copies in stock. Why not get both!

The Suit of Swords

As you may know, the Four Elements figure prominently in tarot understanding; each suit of the Minor Arcana is associated with an element.

You may also know that, of the four tarot suits, the suit of Swords, associated with the element of Air, contains the cards that are most often feared and disliked. In many decks, the illustrations on some of those Swords cards can be brutal. That is why, I think, so many people fear them.

Yet, if we get past our fears and think of those Swords as related to Air, and to the breath, we can find truth and understanding in these cards, rather than fear and upset. Of course, fear itself, as a mental process, is also a thing of Air, and therefore of the Swords. So often in tarot our natural reactions to the cards can reflect their traditional meanings!

Imagine how your understanding of those darker Swords cards might change if you think of the Swords that imprison the woman in the Eight of Swords as her own thoughts and beliefs, for example. Perhaps the ten swords that impale our hero in the Ten of Swords are the unkind words of others. Perhaps the nine swords that hang over the bed and prevent sleep in the Nine of Swords are simply unfounded fears and worries. The Four of Swords might be a reminder to simply take a pause and breathe.

The next time you see a Swords card that disturbs you, take a deep breath and remember its association to the element of Air. This will help you in your interpretations, and help you to more fully understand the important role that element plays in tarot reading, without bringing fear and upset into your tarot reading process.

Book Now for my June Northeastern Tarot Tour

It’s almost time for my June Northeastern Tarot Tour, June 12 through 25. Once again, I will be available for readings at True Bikram Yoga in Madison, Connecticut. I am also available for parties and house calls in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I will be teaching a tarot class on June 16th in Madison, and a chakra healing class on June 23rd in New Haven.

Please call or text 562-655-1160, or email me, to schedule your time with me, to book your party, or to get more information about classes.

Since I will be teaching tarot during my Connecticut trips I have started The Connecticut Tarot Study Group on Meetup.com for my Connecticut friends. Please join if you are interested in tarot and live in New England.

I will look forward to seeing my Northeastern friends this June.

The Week in Review

This week, in honor of Mother’s Day, I shared a post about the way motherhood appears in tarot readings.

I also shared my three-card reading for the week on Facebook and YouTube.

Every year around Mother’s Day I like to share my Roots and Wings Tarot Spread. I just discovered that the Tarot Alchemist found this spread and shared a reading with it for Mother’s Day last year, so you can see that as well.

From Around the Web

The Tarot Blog Hop happened again at the beginning of the month. The theme was “Tarot Continuing Education”. Here is the Master List, where you can begin, and then follow the links to read what each blogger had to say.

This article from Tiny Buddha about how learning new things can be challenging because we aren’t good at them yet really resonated with me.

Here’s another article about how tarot is coming back into vogue. Gee, I never knew it had gone out of fashion!

Join Us Tonight for Global Tarot Circle

It’s that time again! Once a month tarotists from all over the world gather on Facebook live to share readings, information and ideas. To join in, all you have to do is be on my Facebook Business Page, Christiana Gaudet, tonight, Wednesday May 15, at 7 pm Eastern time. Hit ‘Like’ while you are there and look for the live feed.

If you are a tarot reader, have your cards with you. If you have a question and would like a reading, or would like to learn more about tarot, jump in the conversation and we will be happy to do a reading or discuss your concern. I’ll have some tarot exercises to share as well.

Cards for Your Consideration

In honor of Mother’s Day I’ve chosen a card from my favorite oracle deck, the Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck by Kim Dreyer, published by US Games.

The card I chose is card 10, Sacral Chakra. The sacral, or second chakra, is related to our connection to our mothers and our children. It’s interesting that the affirmation included on the card is not specific to family issues, but rather to self-love and sensitivity to others. I think that is a very important point because so often we pour out love and care to those for whom we have responsibility but forget to do the same for ourselves.

The Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck is interesting because includes cards for the chakras, the elements, and many aspects of spirituality and nature. The affirmations on each card are meaningful, and the artwork is lovely.

For me the sacral chakra is all about nurturance. This card reminds us to nurture ourselves, just as we nurture others.

Your Personal Tarot Practice: Reading Tarot for Yourself

Make plans now to join me on Wednesday, May 22, 7 to 9 pm, in my conference room at 1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, suite 203, Palm City, FL, for a very special tarot class.

Whether you are a new reader or an experienced enthusiast, you have probably struggled with your own self-reading.

This class will help you discover your personal tarot cards – specific cards that have a special message for you, and that provide a mirror to help you understand yourself.

You will also learn techniques to help you stay objective as you read for yourself. You will learn ways to derive information, enlightenment and personal growth from your tarot practice.

Seating for this class is limited. Tickets are $37.50 and available from Eventbrite. Call or text 561-655-1160 for more information.

Upcoming Events

 Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 20
May 15, 2019