The Body Mind Spirit Link
These days we hear about the connection between body, mind, and spirit everywhere. Our medical doctors, our yoga studios and fitness centers, our self-help gurus, and our spiritual leaders all stress this important philosophy.
The body, the mind, and the spirit do not function independently of one another. The more we can focus our self-care practices and lifestyle choices to integrate the needs of these three aspects of self, the happier and healthier we will be.
At least that is how the theory goes.
But how did this concept begin?
While we may believe this is a crunchy ideology borne of the 1980s New Age movement, this concept is far older.
There is evidence of understanding of the Body, Mind, Spirit link that dates back to early Greek philosophers, and that appears in the languages of many lands.
In Japanese, the word ‘kokoro’ describes the heart energy of a person who has their body, mind, and spirit working in harmony.
Is it true that there is benefit in understanding ourselves as being made up of three important parts, body, mind, and spirit? I think there absolutely is. I think wellbeing involves finding as much balance in life as possible. If we understand the parts that need balancing, finding that balance point becomes much easier.
I also think it is possible to take this sort of thinking to an unhealthy and impractical extreme. For example, we know that creative visualization is an important technique for manifestation and healing. We know that positive thoughts can attract positive things. Yet, we also know that it can be hard to have positive thoughts when we are not feeling well. It is easy to get into a loop of feeling shame for feeling sad for feeling unwell, and then believing that those feelings will block healing. The truth is that a lot of unwell people are sad, angry, depressed, and upset. Many of them heal, nonetheless.
When we consciously explore the link between the body, the mind, and the spirit, we discover power that can lead us to self-understanding, personal healing, and clarity on goals, abilities, and options. We can do this successfully without holding ourselves to greater-than-human impossible standards.
To acknowledge that our physical wellbeing is tied to our mental and spiritual wellbeing does not necessitate perfection of mind and spirit. Acknowledging the connection between the different parts of self allows us new ways to address our healing. At the same time, as imperfect beings on an imperfect planet, we need to remember that whatever we do to bring connection, healing, and understanding is a help. There are some things we cannot bring because grief, pain, and practicalities get in the way. This lack should never be our focus, nor our fear.
The StaarCorner
I am sad to report that this week, after a long illness, StaarCon 2022 headliner Rachel Pollack has left her earthly form. The entire StaarCon community extends their love, appreciation, and condolences to Rachel’s wife Zoe, and to all who will feel the absence of Rachel in their lives.
Rachel Pollack and Mary K. Greer have been the tarot mothers of several generations of modern tarotists. I first met Rachel and Mary at tarot conferences in the 1990s. I was honored to have the privilege of presenting with them at the Masters of Tarot Conference at the Omega Institute in 2021.
It is the opportunity to learn from each other, and to become friends with each other, that makes our conferences so special, and so necessary.
Rachel Pollack was one of a kind. Beyond her accomplishments in the tarot world, she was an award-winning science fiction author, as well as a creator for DC Comics. Her life story reminds us that we tarotists can be multi-talented. Her life story continues to inspire us to work toward inclusion and visibility for our diverse tarot community members.
That there are so many wonderful divination creators, authors, and teachers to share their wisdom at StaarCon 2024 is a testament to the decades-long legacy that Rachel leaves us.
Please make your plan to be a part of the sacred community and join us January 19-21, either in West Palm Beach or online on Accelevents.
Body Mind Spirit Card Spread
My favorite three-card spread is ‘Body Mind Spirit’. You can do this spread with tarot, or with any oracle deck.
The basic premise of this spread is easy. You have one card for Body, one card for Mind, and one card for Spirit.
The spread becomes complex when we consider the question we are asking as we lay out these cards. Is this a general check on wellbeing? Are we asking where we need to turn our attention? Are we asking what we need to know to be better at self-care?
When you perform the Body Mind Spirit spread, take a moment to focus on why you are doing this spread, and what you hope to learn. You might phrase a specific question around your overall wellbeing before you pull the cards.
There are many techniques for pulling the cards for this spread.. You can shuffle and pull the first three cards after your final cut. You can fan the cards out and pick the three that call to you. Or you can divide the deck into three piles and turn over the top card of each pile.
You can designate that the first card or pile is Body, the second is Mind, and the third is Spirit. Or you can hold your left hand over each card or pile to determine which card should be read in which position. The card or pile that has the densest energy is Body. The card or pile that has the most tingly energy is Spirit. The card or pile that has the airiest energy is Mind.
If you use the three-pile method you can also look at the second card of each pile, and the bottom card of each pile, to expand the reading.
Some tarot readers are vocal about eschewing readings that concern health. The Body Mind Spirit spread is very popular, though obviously a spread can touch on health issues. This is one of the reasons that it is important to be clear about your overarching question or intent before performing this reading.
I think there is a difference between dangerously reading about medical issues and helpfully reading about issues of wellbeing.
Divination can be so useful in navigating our journey of self-care and wellbeing. This three-card spread is a great tool for that journey.
The Week in Review
Did you catch our free livestream tarot class last night? Tarot Aces and Pages did a deep dive into eight tarot cards that are often confused with one another. You can watch the replay at any time.
From Around the Web
Here is an article about the life of Rachel Pollack from GamesRadar.com. Although I am sad to think of a world without Rachel’s physical presence in it, I am so gratified to see the number of communities who claim Rachel as one of their own, and who mark her passing with grief and respect.
I love it when local readers are featured in their hometown papers. Here is a recent article from Carmel, Indiana about a professional tarot reader who opened her business in 2021.
MindBodyGreen wants to take you step by step through a basic tarot reading for yourself or a friend. While I do not agree with everything in this article, it does cover a lot. If you are a nervous reader or a curious beginner, you may find this helpful.
Creation and Divination
Here is a creative way to connect mind, body, and spirit with a tarot card.
Find a tarot card which embodies an energy that you feel you need more of in your life, or that illustrates a problem in your life which you are now ready to solve.
Your goal in this exercise is to embrace the energy of the card by becoming the card character.
You can do this simply in meditation by breathing with the card and visualizing yourself within the image.
To get the full benefit of this exercise, you need to embody the tarot character, literally. You must move your body as you imaginee the character would move. If you are Temperance, you might balance on one foot and mix your solution from cup to cup, for example.
If you are the Eight of Swords and are working to become unstuck, you might wiggle your way out of the ties that bind you and remove your blindfold.
If you are the Fool, you might leap into the unknown.
You may choose music appropriate for your card and turn your moving meditation into a full-on dance. Get your tarot friends to dance with you!
The process of bringing your fully physical presence to tarot is profound. This practice will strengthen your understanding of the card. Most importantly, the energy of the card you embody will move within your life to create the change you need.
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!
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
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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 15
April 12, 2023