We humans are complicated creatures. Perhaps nothing brings our personal contradictions to light more obviously than the winter festival season.

I want to eat a healthy diet, but those traditional holiday desserts only come around once a year and are yummy!

I want to be environmentally conscientious, but the tinsel and wrapping paper make the holiday special.

I want to be financially responsible, but I also want tickets to that fabulous exclusive New Year’s Eve event.

We face these sorts of contradictions all year long, of course. Some of these complexities center around things far more significant than a few extra calories or a little more consumer debt.

The solution to this sort of contradiction is often a compromise. Compromise is a critical tool in diplomacy and governance. That compromising can feel distasteful is part of the complexity.

In divination, we learn that sometimes, people simultaneously hold two seemingly contradictory things as truth. Sometimes, when we have this sort of internal contradiction, we are lying to ourselves. Divination can help us find our truth.

Sometimes, though, two contradictory things can both be true! Our favorite uncle from childhood may also be our least favorite holiday dinner companion. A corporation can create a life-saving product and an environmental crisis simultaneously. It is a skill to make space for both realities and respond appropriately to both circumstances.

This skill can also help us on our journey toward self-worth and self-esteem. We can understand that we are not always perfect but are always worthy.

Some people like to think in absolutes. For them, something must be all good or all bad. Yet, when we examine the world in which we live, we can see that few things are solely good or bad.

People who think in absolutes suggest that the nuances and contradictions in our lives give way to moral ambiguity. I believe the opposite is true. When we can see all aspects of a situation, we can more easily find the solutions that work and make the choices that move us forward.

The StaarCorner

We are happy to welcome the fabulous Kate Mura as a StaarCon 2024 presenter. Kate has been involved with StaarCon since performing The Tarot Show at StaarCon 2021.

Kate will be a virtual presenter at StaarCon 2024 and will also lead some workshops and discussions during the AfterGlow.

At StaarCon 2024, Kate will show us how the exercises typically used by actors to warm up for performance can prepare us for a tarot reading. I know she’s right because I use the techniques I learned as a theatre student to this day! I look forward to learning from her as she shares this practical wisdom at StaarCon 2024.

Finding Truth with Tarot

When I am mulling a complicated situation, very often, I like to ask the cards, “To what extent is this true?”

This is an excellent question for the cards because it acknowledges that truth is not always a binary. In situations regarding complicated people and their feelings, something can be a little bit true or a whole lot true or not true at all.

When I ask this question, I pull a single card. The interpretation is entirely intuitive, based on how the card feels to me in the context of the situation.

If I cannot determine an answer, I will ask the question again and pull another card.

This technique helps me gauge subtle nuances in difficult situations. It is a complex technique to teach because it requires so much intuition.

Working with this technique allows me to understand people and situations more deeply.

When students start playing with this technique, their confusion eventually turns to excitement when they find they can understand the cards this way.

The Week in Review

Did you miss our Reversals Tarot Workshop on YouTube Live last Thursday? Watch the replay!

Join us tonight for our Global Tarot Circle meeting at 7 pm ET. We will share readings and informal tarot study with our friends worldwide.

Make sure you check out your TarotScopes for December!

From Around the Web

My good friend Aerik Arkadian shared a fabulous post about rewriting Christmas songs. In it, he included a holiday song with new alternative lyrics by me.

Have you noticed that tarot and witchy-themed bars and restaurants are popping up everywhere? I have never been to one, have you? I have plenty of ideas about how cool this could be! Check out the one that just opened in Vancouver!

Here is a seasonal blast from the past that I could not have you miss. StaarCon 2022 headliner Sasha Graham shared a Christmas-themed tarot spread back in 2010. It is fun, easy, and insightful.

Creation and Divination

The evergreen tree has symbolic meaning in many cultures. The tradition of bringing an evergreen indoors and decorating it at the time of the winter solstice served as a reminder that life endures even in the darkest times.

I have always loved the tradition of decorating the tree. I am excited to share my personal tradition of creating a magical tree of tarot cards.

Some years, I do this with a group of people so each person can add a card from their own deck. I have done this for myself, using multiple decks from my collection. Sometimes, I choose a single deck and use that.

Here is how it works.

Take the Ace of Pentacles and the Star out of your deck. On a table or cloth, place the Star at the top and the Ace of Pentacles at the bottom. The Ace of Pentacles is the tree trunk. The Star is the decoration on the top of the tree. Now, you need to create the tree.

Graphically, a holiday tree is a triangle or pyramid shape.

If you are working with a group, have each person choose one card from their deck. Each person should choose a card representing something they want to see more of in the world.

If you are doing this on your own, choose cards from your deck or decks that represent what you want to see more of in the world.

One at a time, arrange the cards on the table like a tree. If you are working with a group, have each person place their card when they are ready. If you are alone, express your intention for each card as you place it.

Once the tree is assembled, spend a moment with it, sending your magical energy into the world. Take a picture of it to remind you of the sacred moment and to capture the memory and magic of your holiday tarot tree.

Upcoming Events

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
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
The Elemental Major Arcana
Minor Arcana Numbers, Elements, and Truth
Personal Healing with Tarot
Create and Interpret Custom Tarot Spreads
What the Court Cards Want You to Know
How Spirit Speaks Through Tarot

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 classes www.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com

YouTube @YourTarotFairyGodmother
Instagram @christianatarot @staarcon

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.

Zoom parties and group instruction available almost everywhere!

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 6 Issue 49
December 6, 2023