Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
One of the most comforting yet also disturbing spiritual beliefs I have encountered is this.
Everything happens for a reason.
In his poignant and groundbreaking book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl suggests that people can survive and heal from even the most horrific events if they can find meaning in their suffering.
It could be that we conflate ‘reason’ with ‘meaning’.
I am quite sure that not every terrible thing that happens has an understandable and identifiable spiritual reason behind it. Over time, I have come to believe that suggesting that a person’s recent loss was ‘for a reason’ is both unhelpful and hurtful.
The cycles of nature in our universe can run so smoothly that it can become easy to believe that any disturbance to those cycles must be the intention of some higher power. Perhaps, sometimes, this is the case.
If we can discern a spiritual reason for our suffering, it becomes easier to forgive and heal. If no such reason is available, we can still find meaning in what has happened that will fuel our recovery.
Life is full of heartache. Perhaps the greatest meaning we derive from this is the challenge to find the beauty and joy in life, nonetheless.
The StaarCorner
On Friday, January 19, we will offer several intensive sessions at StaarCon. As you probably know, one of our goals is to teach a wide scope of topics and techniques.
This is why we are super excited that Amy Forman will be joining us to teach the art of lip-printing reading.
Whether you plan on attending in person or online, Amy will teach you how to read lip-prints for yourself and friends, casually or professionally.
We are looking forward to seeing you at StaarCon 2024!
Finding Meaning and Reason with Tarot
Very often we turn to tarot to help us process difficult things that happen. We look for the causes, both spiritual and mundane, of our difficulty.
Regardless of our own belief system, it is important to come to this process with as few assumptions and preconceived notions as possible.
One question I like to start with in this sort of reading is this.
If there is a larger spiritual reason for this happening, what is that reason?
If you ask this question and pull a few cards, you will get a clear sense of one of two things. Either the unfortunate happening is simply that, with no spiritual cause, or there is an actual spiritual purpose.
If a spiritual purpose appears, and this offers clarity and comfort, the reading might end after that single question.
If the cards do not reflect a discernible larger spiritual reason, another question should follow.
That question might be along the lines of the following.
How can I best process this difficulty?
What can I learn from this difficulty?
What gift might I find within this difficulty?
Where can I find support during this difficulty?
What is my way forward?
It is important to understand that even if we cannot see a spiritual reason for a difficulty we can still find meaning in our suffering. We can still find healing and a way forward through our spiritual practice.
It is human nature to want to find someone or something to blame for our trouble. Perhaps suffering can lead to the spiritual growth that seeks only to heal, rather than to blame.
The Week in Review
If you are a member of my YouTube channel, please join us tonight at 7 pm ET for a member’s-only livestream!
I have been lucky to receive some new decks as gifts this month. Check out my unboxing of Millennial Tarot.
From Around the Web
Here is an interesting article from Healthline. Here are eight ways that tarot can help your mental health. . . or hurt it.
Are tarot apps legit? I think in a lot of ways they can be helpful, especially for learning tarot, and for quick readings when you are on the go. Wired has a list of the best tarot apps.
Emerald Lotus Divination has an entire library of tarot spreads for your use!
Creation and Divination
There are so many ways that creativity and divination intersect. I want to see your photos, poems, and projects! If there is something tarot-related that you have created and are willing to share, please email me!
When we speak of difficult happenings, the Tower comes to mind as a symbol and warning of such occurrences. The Tower can also give us comfort and wisdom as we work to endure, survive, and heal.
Here is a poem I wrote about the Tower.
The Tower
Yielding only to flame and destiny, and rendered into dust
The Tower crumbles and begins to fall.
The fullness of its destruction is inevitable.
Torn, falling, brick by brick, and wall by wall.
Is this a metaphor for some internal shadow journey?
Or a dark harbinger of doom, or worse?
Dread curls around your spine and laughs as you relinquish hope
Abandoned, injured, the weight of flesh a curse.
Pray you learned well the Fool's lesson; to leap, with faith, in good time.
Flawed foundations rock; ominous, frightening
Welcome the collapse, raining droplets of Spirit and dirt.
No fear in the storm; raging, releasing, enlightening.
Solid stone stands no more, yet burned and broken flesh is strangely
crawling, quivering, shaking, quite alive.
Ashes swept away reveal new ground, new hope, something shining.
The victory is simply to survive.
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
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 20
May 17, 2023