Mentors
This past weekend I had the privilege to be one of five presenters at The Masters of the Tarot, the annual tarot conference at the Omega Institute, produced by Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack. This was my first visit to Omega. The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, deserves its stellar reputation.
Gathering with community in this beautiful place of nature and healing was especially sweet after more than a year of being away from in person events.
One of the things this event got me thinking about is the importance of mentors in our lives.
We typically define the word ‘mentor’ to mean a trusted teacher or advisor.
There are many kinds of mentors, in business, in creative pursuits, and in spiritual growth. Sponsors in twelve-step program are also mentors.
Chances are, you have had many mentors in your life. Perhaps you are a mentor to someone.
Sometimes our mentors disappoint us. When that happens, we need to decide if we are simply understanding their own human failings, or if they truly are not worthy of that mentorship position in our lives.
Every community functions best when it has positive mentors, and when those mentors lift others up, and give them the skills and confidence to become mentors themselves.
This weekend I was reminded just how lucky the tarot community is to have a longstanding tradition of wise and generous mentorship, and how lucky I am to be a part of that.
Mentoring happens in all communities. When you are ready to grow, find a mentor to help you do that. When you are ready to help others grow, find a way, either formally or informally, to share your knowledge, skills, and experience with others. It is through mentorship that traditions continue, and new ways forward are discovered.
The StaarCorner
Whether we are attending an elite conference like The Masters of the Tarot, or a larger event like StaarCon, one thing that makes a conference great is the quality of the teachers.
The Masters of the Tarot is produced by Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack. I am proud that Mary K. Greer was a headliner at StaarCon 2021, and that Rachel Pollack will be headlining at StaarCon 2022.
When I first started working with tarot, it was the books of Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack that inspired me. Now, years later, these luminaries still inspire me. They are both tarot mentors in the truest sense of the term.
I am delighted that both Mary and Rachel are part of our StaarCon family.
See Me in the Tampa Bay Area in August
I will be back in the Tampa Bay Area August 26 through August 30.
On Sunday, August 29, from 3 pm to 5 pm we will have a free tarot meetup at Panera Bread in Lutz, Florida.
During my time in the Tampa Bay Area, I am available for private readings at my AirBnB in Wesley Chapel. I am also able to make house calls for private readings. I am happy to come to your home or office for a psychic house party.
For more information, or to make your appointment, call or text 561-655-1160.
Let Tarot Be Your Mentor
We can look to the wisdom of the tarot cards and the archetypes within them to be spiritual mentors to us.
In the workshop I taught at The Masters of Tarot, “How Tarot Helps Us Heal”, we did a meditative exercise which allowed us to receive deep wisdom from the characters in the cards.
Here is how you can do this.
Choose a tarot card, either at random or by deciding which card you wish to use. Within that card image, find a character from whom you wish to learn. It might be the central character of the card. It might be an animal or a plant that draws your attention and curiosity.
Begin meditative breathing as you look at the card with a soft gaze. In your mind’s eye, enter the scene in the card and begin a conversation with that character. Allow them to speak with you. Ask them questions. You will be surprised as the wisdom you receive from a single tarot card in this meditative exercise.
The Week in Review
As we look toward August, please mark your calendar for the free live classes and tarot meetups on my YouTube channel.
If you are in the Palm City area, or the Tampa Bay area, plan to join us for free in-person meetups at local Panera Bread restaurants. You can find all these events on my website.
I will be in Connecticut through August 9. Please call or text 561-655-1160 to schedule your reading with me at True Bikram Yoga in Madison, CT. The schedule is filling quickly.
I remain available for readings by phone, Skype, FaceTime, Messenger and Zoom during this time.
Are you seeking a tarot mentor? I have an affordable mentorship package that is customized to your needs and goals.
From Around the Web
Here is a tarot spread that is aptly named “The Mentor”.
Looking for a career mentor? NPR has some tips for you.
From the Kiwanis Club newsletter, here are six ways to be a great mentor.
Cards for Your Consideration
There are many ways that the tarot can speak about finding a mentor, or being a mentor. Both the Three and Eight of Pentacles can reference apprenticeship. The Kings and Queens can all be mentors, and the Pages and Knights can all be those in search of the right teacher.
There is one Major Arcana card that typically has the word ‘mentor’ as a keyword. That card is Major Arcana Five, the Hierophant.
The Hierophant describes precisely how beneficial a good mentor is, and how damaging a bad mentor can be. When the mentor is more about the doctrine, the rules, and the dogma, than they are about their love of the mission, the mentor stops being a mentor and starts being a roadblock. When the mentor is more about their own ego than they are about helping others get ahead, the mentor becomes an abuser.
Within the Hierophant is the potential for great authority, and for great abuse of authority. It is up to each mentor to understand their own motivations, and to use their authority wisely. It is up to each student to choose their mentors wisely. The Hierophant seeks to remind us of these timeless truths.
Upcoming Events and Tours
Card and Craft Academy
Classes presented by Christiana are available right now at Card and Craft Academy!
Christiana’s Candle Magick
Christiana’s Eleven-Card Celtic Cross
Finding Meaning in the Minor Arcana
The Major Arcana, Magical and Mundane
Practical Tarot Techniques
Psychic Tarot
Personal Tarot: Reading for Yourself
Sharing Wisdom: Reading for Others
The Meaning and Magic of Tarot Reversals
Journey Through the Major Arcana
Your Journey Through the Minor Arcana: Numbers, Elements and Truth
Tarot Beyond the Veil
Your Journey Through the Tarot Court
Tarot Stories, Trends, and Blends
Tarot Readings for Personalities and Relationships
Clarity in Every Tarot Card
Tarot Flow Workshop
Making Magick with Tarot
Fearless Wisdom Tarot Workshop
Catch up on your missed Zoom webinars and more!
cardandcraftacademy.com
About Christiana Gaudet
Card and Craft, Inc.
Christiana Gaudet
3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classeswww.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com
Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.
Call or text toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 4 Issue 30
July 28, 2021