Making Friends
Friendship is such an essential part of life. Yet, we often do not discuss the skills we need to make and keep friends or the heartache we feel when friendships go wrong.
One of my favorite quotes about friendship, published in 1859, was written by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik. My mother shared this quote with me when I was quite young. She told me this was how she felt about her best friend and that I should seek out friends who make me feel this way.
In a moment of synchronicity a few years later, my Eighth-Grade best friend gave me a book of quotes about friendship, which included this one.
“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”
Interestingly, in 1859, long before conversations about ‘safe space’ and ‘emotional safety,’ this author eloquently extolled the virtues of feeling safe with another person. Though often ridiculed and devalued, this sense of personal safety can be paramount to our happiness and personal success.
Another quote about friendship that sticks with me is from a song we used to sing in Girl Scouts.
Make new friends but keep the old.
One is silver, the other gold.
Often at the tarot table, I see people who are lonely because they have stopped making new friends and forgotten to nurture longstanding friendships. Sometimes this lack comes from a need for more time, space, and energy. Sometimes we need to brush up on social skills. Sometimes we simply need to remember that friendships are important.
When we were children, our access to potential friends was limited by age and geography. As adults, we can have friends of any age, from anywhere in the world.
We are never too old to make a new friend, and it is rarely too late to rekindle an old connection.
As we enter a new season, let’s remember the value of our friendships.
The StaarCorner
We are excited to welcome Erich Landstrom and The Giant’s Forge to StaarCon 2024.
Erich is an astronomer and teacher who creates magical tools. Erich will present at StaarCon 2024. He and his family will be on hand at their in-person and virtual exhibition booth to offer their fabulous array of unique handcrafted tools and jewelry.
Whether you attend StaarCon in person or online, you will enjoy the best learning and shopping experience possible. We are delighted to add Erich and The Giant’s Forge to our 2024 roster.
Our Seventy-eight Friends
As a tarot teacher, I encourage my students to view the seventy-eight tarot cards as new friends. Just like making new human friends, it takes time to remember each card and its unique characteristics. This is why the cards can have different meanings depending on the context in which they are drawn, just like how people can have multiple facets and behaviors.
To truly understand the cards, we must take the time to listen to them during a reading. By doing so, we can receive fresh and insightful guidance, just like how we can have profound experiences with our human friends by allowing them to be themselves.
How does your experience of tarot change if you consider each card a friend you are getting to know better?
Immediately, one change I believe you will notice is that your understanding of tarot will never be static. The cards will always be able to speak in new ways, and your understanding of tarot will always be able to grow.
The Week in Review
Today, June 21, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Join me on my YouTube channel at 7 pm ET tonight for a tarot-centered celebration of the solstice!
Many people said they enjoyed last Thursday’s class, How Tarot Cards Work Together. If you missed it, catch the replay.
From Around the Web
The Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR) has announced its 2023 awards. You will see many past and future StaarCon presenters amongst the winners. Congratulations to all!
I love the way that tarot is art and inspires art. Check out these tarot-themed fabric collages.
Here is a tarot spread for the Summer Solstice by Lori Lytle. Use this spread today, or this week, to harness the energy of this special time of year.
Creation and Divination
Tarot and divination can be a way to make friends and deepen friendships. There are tarot study groups and meetups to find like-minded people, whether online or in person.
When you get together with your friends, you can use group tarot and divination exercises for fun, healing, and fellowship.
Of course, you can read for each other, or choose a spread for everyone in the group to perform.
You can try single-card round-robin readings. Sit in a circle and have one person ask a question of the person on their left. That person pulls one card to answer the question and then asks a question of the person on their left, and so on.
You can also do group tarot magic. For example, you can have each group member go through their deck face up and choose a few cards to represent their personal goals. Once everyone has chosen their cards, go around the room and have each person talk about the card they chose and the goals they represent. All the group members can add their energy and support to manifest those goals.
If everyone in the group knows tarot well, try a round of tarot charades. Let each person choose a card to act out and see if the group can guess the card.
If the group is one that gathers often for a specific purpose, try having each person in the group pull a single card at random. See how each card offers insight into who the person is within the group. Look at how the cards interact with one another to get information about the group dynamics.
If you are hosting a party, consider using tarot images as nametags, place cards, or decor. This can be a great conversation starter and helps to set a fun mood.
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 25
June 21, 2023
