First Steps
Traveling friends consult a map.
Have you ever had a great idea, but no clue how to execute it? So often, I speak with people who have inspiration, dreams, and goals, but never get past that initial thought. When I ask them about it, they all seem to have the same problem. They do not know what steps to take.
These days, the obvious answer is ‘Google is free.’ I have learned so much simply by using Google prompts that begin with ‘How do I’. But even before the digital age, we had libraries, universities, and other sources of information and support.
Why are some people more easily able to make changes in life and create new things than others? I think the people who do this more easily are those who are willing to research and learn. The truth is, no one ever knows what the first steps are until they do. No one knows where to begin.
The secret to writing a book, starting a podcast, changing a career, joining a band, learning to sew, reading cards, or anything else is not knowledge; it’s the courage to find the knowledge. We must have faith in ourselves that extends beyond faith in our inspired ideas. We must believe that we are capable of finding, understanding, and taking action on the knowledge we discover.
The first step for anything new is always to find out what those first steps should be. Inspiration doesn’t come with an instruction manual.
A fairy looking forward to StaarCon 6.
The StaarCorner
The StaarCon 5 AfterGlow ends on Monday. Look for exciting announcements about our new online platform, StaarCast, coming soon. And, expect an announcement about StaarCon 6, coming to you this Autumn in South Florida!
We have two final lounge events this week before we say goodbye to StaarCon 5 and the Accelevents platform that has hosted us for the past five years.
On Thursday, January 22, at 7 pm ET, join us for Spirit Circle: A Modern Day Séance with Kimberly Scheurer. Each person who attends will receive a message from spirit.
On Saturday, January 24, at 5:30 pm ET, it’s time for a StaarCon 5 Wrap-up with Serena Fox and Christiana Gaudet. Bring your cards and join us for conversation, divination, fellowship, and planning and goal-setting for what comes next.
John Sorbo and Mercedes Vasquez at the Bardic Circle at StaarCon 5.
Mitchell Osborn pulls a card at StaarCon 5.
StaarCast News
The last recording has been recovered from Accelevents, and the process of editing and repairing the video has begun.
Beta testing will start soon, and access will be offered to prior ticket holders and volunteers. Look for an email from StaarCast Community.
Marion Kirk presenting at StaarCon 5.
Ciro Marchetti and Maria Alviz Hernando at StaarCon 5.
A woman prepares for a tarot reading.
Questions For the Cards
First steps always begin with questions. To create something new or make a change, we might need to contact many experts and officials to learn from. It can be hard to organize our thoughts, or even to know what questions we need to ask.
Divination can be an extremely helpful step at the beginning of a journey, but what questions should you ask?
It is often helpful to start with broad questions, such as “What do I need to know about this idea?” and “What are the things I need to consider as I plan this?” Once you learn more, divination can help you make choices and support you by giving guidance along the way.
Sometimes what we get from the divination simply serves to warn us that the journey will be difficult. For example, when John and I started planning the first StaarCon, the card I pulled was The Tower. I met the global pandemic that forced us to become virtual and hybrid with grace and creativity because I had been forewarned.
Receiving difficult cards at the beginning of a journey does not always mean the journey will go badly, or that it should not happen. Sometimes the cards tell us what to do or how to do it; sometimes they tell us what to anticipate.
If you are ready to take some first steps on a new journey, let divination help you understand the journey you are choosing.
All-Levels Tarot Workshop at Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach - Saturday, January 24th, 1 to 2 pm.
The Week in Review
On Saturday at 1 pm, please join me at Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach for a free one-hour all-levels tarot class.
On Sunday evening at 7 pm, Members of my YouTube channel are invited to join me as I record the TarotScopes for February.
From Around the Web
Maria Alviz Hernando has shared a blog post on how she uses and teaches tarot card combinations.
Christine Leiser has shared a technique to make your own personal magical sigils.
Here is Mary K. Greer’s recent blog post with her take on the Six of Swords.
The Six of Swords.
Tarot Wisdom For the Week
Six of Swords
When thinking about a card that could lend some wisdom to the concept of first steps, I immediately thought of the Six of Swords. That was before I saw Mary. K. Greer’s recent post about this card. You might be surprised that I did not choose the Aces or the Pages. They both certainly bring a lot of energy to new beginnings. Yet, for me, the Six of Swords is how we move things forward.
From the perspective of the Waite tradition, we often think of the Six of Swords as sailing toward smoother waters. In the fortune-telling tradition, this card is said to predict travel across water, presumably by boat or plane.
It is from Crowley’s keyword for this card, ‘Science’, that I came to my current understanding of the Six of Swords. If you look at the image in the Waite deck, you will see that the swords are being carried in a way that is physically impossible. They seem to be floating independently of the boat and the water. Here is what I think is happening.
The boat is floating on the water of emotion, as the swords of clarity hover within. Clarity is what moves us forward here. Science takes us away from watery emotions and leads us forward with clarity and the power of the mind.
What does this tell us about first steps? No matter how excited we may be by our inspiration, we can only move forward logically. There is no room for fear, desire, or sorrow on the journey. We need clarity to move ourselves forward.
Unseen hands leafing through a calendar.
Upcoming Events
Weekly Livestream Events
Monday 9:30 am: Your 3-Card Weekly Reading
Friday Noon: Your Friday Weekly Wrap-up
Saturday 12:30 pm: Saturday Psychic Sampler
Sunday 9:30 am: Tarot Topics Newsletter Recap
Watch on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram! (internet willing!) Schedule subject to change without notice.
Christiana at Timelord Fest in Tampa, Florida, circa 2014.
About Christiana Gaudet
Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.
Christiana Gaudet
770 SE Indian Street Suite 10
Stuart, Florida 34997-5604
Locations in Port Saint Lucie, West Palm Beach, and Stuart, Florida!
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
TikTok @christianagaudettarot
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 are available almost everywhere!
Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
For business or agent inquiries, call 772-301-0232
For appointments, call or text 561-655-1160
Schedule Appointments, Mentoring Sessions, or Purchase Gift Certificates Online!
Schedule your private reading or mentorship session, or purchase gift certificates at https://christiana-gaudet.as.me.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 9 Issue 3
January 21, 2026
Christiana Gaudet Your Tarot Fairy Godmother banner.
