Tarot by Christiana Newsletter

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Luck

St. Patrick's Day is often associated with the concept of "luck." What is luck, really? I've often thought that luck doesn't really exist; that there is only skill and the grace of God. On the other hand, some people seem to have a certain type of luck. Gambler's luck, for instance, is like a psychic gift - some people have it and some people don't.

In tarot the card of luck is the Wheel of Fortune. Its spiritual message is simply that we are all subject to the laws of nature. Does that mean that luck itself is a law of nature?

In a way it is. In everyone's life there will be some lucky moments and some unlucky moments. We have no control over that. What we do control is our own actions and attitudes. By being patient and proactive when we need to be, by invoking the guidance of Spirit and by seeing each event in life as an opportunity for growth, we create all the luck we need.

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Today our celebration of Saint Patrick's Day often involves wearing green, parades, drinking and an appreciation of all things Irish.

There has been a great deal of controversy in the Pagan community about this holiday. Some Pagans celebrate an alternate holiday called "All Snakes Day." This is born of the legend that Saint Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland. Some say this was a metaphor for the torture and killing of the ancient Irish Pagans.

In what we now understand as historical reality, Saint Patrick had nothing to do with snakes, and there is no evidence of brutal mistreatment of Pagans by him. It is true that Saint Patrick saw it as his calling to convert the Pagans to Catholicism. Therefore he was certainly guilty of cultural subjugation if nothing else.

Saint Patrick is credited with the creation of what we now know as the Celtic Cross. Symbolically it combined a Pagan symbol with a Christian one. The circle superimposed on the cross is meant to represent the sun, a powerful symbol to the Irish Pagans.

Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol of the holy trinity. His official color is blue. The color green now associated with Saint Patrick's Day may be a Pagan holdover, symbolizing the fertile earth.

I have been lucky enough to visit Ireland. I have a deep appreciation of Irish culture. When I celebrate Saint Patrick's Day I celebrate it as a day to honor Ireland, its beauty, its culture and its people.

Whether Catholic, Pagan, or of any other faith - whether Irish or not - Saint Patrick's Day has become an American tradition. I wish you a wonderful day, and may all the luck 'o the Irish be yours!

What's Up at the Psychic Café?

The Leprechaun Spread

Here is an original tarot spread in honor of St. Patrick's Day. You can use it with any oracle deck.

Imagine that you have caught the lucky leprechaun and he has surrendered his pot of gold to you! The question is what is in your pot of gold?

Shuffle your deck and think about all the wonderful things that could be coming to you at this time in your life.

Pick five cards from anywhere in the deck and lay them on the table. These cards represent the contents of your pot of gold.

As you interpret your cards, think about this. Some of the cards may be very positive and reflect wonderful things that are currently in your life, or coming soon to your life. Some of the cards may reflect your own gifts and talents. Some of the cards may reflect difficulties that you are currently facing. If you find difficulties in your pot of gold think about the opportunities and gifts these difficulties present to you. When viewed the right way they, too, are gold.

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

Your One-Card reading for the week is the Two of Swords. Crowley called this the card of "Peace." In many popular decks we see an image of a person who is blindfolded and crossing two swords over her heart.

In the language of tarot, swords can represent thoughts and ideas. Here we see two thoughts at crossed purposes. A decision will need to be made.

Since the heart is crossed off and the eyes are hidden, the decision cannot come from the heart, or from any outside influence. It must be a decision made with logic and reason.

Given that the swords are perfectly balanced, the time of decision-making may be in the near future rather than now. For now we need to be at peace with the situation as it stands, knowing that soon we will have to choose one thing or the other.

The Week in Review

Christiana added a post to her 78 Magickal Tools blog on PaganSquare. Read Healing with the Eight of Swords.

On Christiana's personal blog, Tarot Trends, Christiana discusses the case of Psychic Sophie and the value of anger in creating social change. Read Don't put your Angry Foot Forward.

On the Tarot Topics Community Blog Christiana offers some advice to tarot readers in the ongoing struggle for acceptance and understanding. Read Seven Ways to Promote a Tarot-Positive World.

Christiana tried a Peruvian restaurant in Lake Worth this week. Read about it on The Dark Forest.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, March 17, 9 pm EDT

Christiana's Psychic Café

It's Saint Patrick's Day on the Psychic Café! We will have a variety of guests discussing Saint Patrick's Day from a spiritual and secular perspective, including Gary Karp and Helene Martz.

We'll hear from Robin Renee about her feelings toward St. Pat's Day. She'll share a song with us as well. Ambika Devi will share a St. Patrick's Day story and will teach us how to use a wonderful psychic tool - the "True Pendulum of the Heart."

String Band will open the show with an Irish-themed song.  Visit our Facebook Show Info page, and join us on the Para Encounters Network.

Monday, March 18, 7 pm EDT

Free Webinar

Global Tarot Circle

Anyone with an interest in tarot is welcome to join us! Bring your burning questions about tarot, and for the tarot! Our topic this month will be fate, luck, karma and destiny!

For log-in information please visit the Event Listing on the Tarot Circle website.

Tuesday, March 19, 2 pm EDT

Premium Members Tarot Guild On-Line Class with Christiana Gaudet

Gifts and Shadows: Interpreting Tarot

Some tarot cards make us feel great when we see them. Others may scare us, depress us and make us sad.

Let Christiana Gaudet show you how to handle all 78 cards in ways that are helpful, insightful, healing and informative...and never scary!

Whether you are a professional reader, a beginning student or anywhere in between Christiana will help you understand the gifts and shadows inherent in all tarot cards.

For more information visit the class listing at the Tarot Guild.

Sunday March 24 2:30 pm EDT

Springtime Psychic Gallery with Christiana Gaudet

At Pearl Rauberts' in Loxahatchee, FL

Celebrate the renewal of spring with Psychic Christiana Gaudet! Christiana will be returning today for a special Springtime Psychic Gallery. During this presentation, Certified Tarot Grandmaster Christiana Gaudet will deliver an important message to each participant. You will be encouraged to ask questions, but also to be open to whatever the Universe wants you to know. As you open yourself to rebirth and renewal, take this opportunity to receive some inspirational guidance. Find out what is ready to bloom in your life!

As those who have attended Christiana’s galleries know, the energy of fellowship, enlightenment, knowledge and empowerment is always profound. Come be a part of it and experience this exciting opportunity for healing and growth. You may even receive a message from a departed loved one!

The gallery will take place at the home of Pearl Rauberts in Loxahatchee. You must reserve your seat with Pearl. Email her to RSVP and for more information at pearlrauberts@hotmail.com.

Sunday March 24 9 pm EDT

Christiana's Psychic Café

Joining us will be Barbara Magro, author of the fabulous cookbook Recipes to Remember.

When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's it became part of Barbara's spiritual journey to preserve her mother's traditional Italian cooking and raise awareness regarding this devastating disease.

Join us on the Para Encounters Network.

Tuesday, March 26 7 pm EDT

Premium Webinar

Personal Tarot - Reading for Yourself

This class is designed for serious tarot students who want to develop their tarot skills. Self-reading is the best way to learn to understand the cards. It is also an important practice for personal and spiritual growth.

Christiana’s virtual classroom is accessible using your computer or your telephone.

This online presentation will teach you good practices for self-reading. You will be able to identify and interpret your specific personal cards. You will be able to use self-reading to enhance your tarot studies. Christiana will help you explore specific techniques for self-reading that will help you derive all the information you need.

For more information and registration visit the event listing on the Continuing Education Website.