Needs and Wants
A friend asked me an interesting question recently. If we have all that we need, why pursue wants?
This brings up some important concerns about spirituality which promotes greed and focuses on good fortune as proof of spiritual worthiness and favor. Yet, even when greed is not a factor, our needs transcend the physical.
In modern psychology, the standard for understanding of human needs is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Maslow’s Hierarchy is usually pictured as a pyramid. Basic needs are at the bottom. The theory is that the basic needs must be filled before more esoteric needs can be addressed.
There are five levels of needs in Maslow’s original thesis. The first is physiological needs, like food and shelter. The second is safety needs, like security and resources. The third is love and belonging, the fourth is esteem. The final is self-actualization, which is the need to be the most and best that we can be. That is, to fulfill our potential.
Maslow ultimately extended his hierarchy to include three more levels. Cognitive needs, such as learning and research, and aesthetic needs, such as appreciation of art, beauty, and nature, are place between esteem and self-actualization.
The final level that is added after self-actualization is transcendence, which is spiritual pursuit and experience.
For me, this revised hierarchy feels more valid and inclusive than the first and answers my friend’s question quite precisely.
Once our basic needs are addressed, we have a natural desire to pursue knowledge, thought, beauty, understanding, creativity and spirituality.
We may categorize these things as wants rather than needs. Yet, truly, these pleasurable, intellectual, and esoteric pursuits are our human needs. They are not as basic and urgent as food and shelter, but they are still needs.
The moral imperative is to distinguish between need and greed. It takes more than basic resources to address these higher needs. We must have the discipline and insight to know when our needs are fulfilled, and to be satisfied.
If we are insatiable, it is because another need, such as esteem, belonging, or love, has not been filled.
The StaarCorner
We are excited to welcome Jason Augustus Newcomb as a presenter at StaarCon 2022.
Jason is an artist, writer, philosopher, and sorcerer who has been studying and working with the powers of the mind, mysticism, and Western esotericism for well over thirty years. He has just completed designing "The Tarot of the Greek Magical Papyri" and is the author of more than a dozen books on esoteric spirituality.
Jason will be presenting his new tarot deck at StaarCon, and will also teach a workshop especially for professional tarot readers, and those who aspire to read professionally.
Join us at StaarCon 2022! Tickets are available now. You can join in person or online.
Maslow’s Tarot Spread
Could we make a tarot spread of Maslow’s revised pyramid? Perhaps each of the eight levels could have two cards. The first card could speak of how our needs are being met at this level, and the second could suggest an action to preserve or attain this need.
Or, we might want to have a single card at each level. That card could check in on what we are doing right now to address these needs, or what we need to do.
The eight levels, from bottom to top, in order, are Physiological, Safety, Belonging and Love, Esteem, Cognitive, Aesthetic, Self- Actualization, Transcendence.
Play with this and see what you come up with, and how it works for you!
The Week in Review
We had a great time at Global Tarot Circle last night. If you missed it, you can watch the replay.
Have you seen my rant about the High Priestess?
From Around the Web
Joy Vernon has shared a tarot reading and a tarot history lesson with “The Great Granddaddy of Tarot Spreads”.
The Tarot Blog Hop wrote on the topic of Ancestors. See what five tarot bloggers had to say.
There is a new tarot blog in town! Check out Tarot Tales by Clumsy Clairvoyance.
Guidance on the Journey
The Four of Pentacles typically shows a person holding tightly to their four coins. Classic interpretations for this card include greed, miserly behavior, selfishness, and an unnecessary fear of loss and lack.
This is a card that is sometimes used to shame people by accusing them of holding on to a “lack mentality”. While the Four of Pentacles does sometimes appear to describe a belief of scarcity, this is not the only possible meaning for this card.
The Four of Pentacles has a lot more depth than many people realize.
The Four of Pentacles can tell you to have good boundaries, and to practice good self-care.
The Four of Pentacles can ask you to conserve your resources.
The Four of Pentacles can ask you to consider what you want, and what you need, and to measure that against what you now have.
The Four of Pentacles may warn against a controlling relationship.
The Four of Pentacles may describe a stubborn mindset around desires and resources.
When you see the Four of Pentacles, consider all the possibilities for this card, and see what healing this card may offer you.
Upcoming Events
Consider a Zoom.com party where you can practice Social Distancing and still meet with your friends for a virtual tarot party!
Alternatives to meeting in person are available.
Office appointments and house or office parties are again available by appointment.
Please call to discuss the options.
Card and Craft Academy
Classes presented by Christiana are available right now at Card and Craft Academy!
Christiana’s Eleven-Card Celtic Cross
Finding Meaning in the Minor Arcana
The Major Arcana, Magical and Mundane
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
Your Journey Through the Tarot Court
Tarot Stories, Trends, and Blends
Tarot Readings for Personalities and Relationships
Fearless Wisdom Tarot Workshop
Tarot Keywords and Interpretations Workshop
Tarot Spreads Tools and Techniques Workshop
Tarot for Magic and Mediumship
Tarot Communication for Clarity and Depth
Weaving the Tarot Reading Story
Minor Arcana Numbers, Elements, and Truth
Create and Interpret Custom Tarot Spreads
What the Court Cards Want You to Know
Catch up on your missed Zoom webinars and more!
cardandcraftacademy.com
About Christiana Gaudet
Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.
Christiana Gaudet
3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152
Email cgaudet@cardandcraft.com
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classeswww.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com
Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.
Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232 x102
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Schedule online at cardandcraft.10to8.com.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 5 Issue 44
November 2, 2022