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Tarot by Christiana Newsletter
December 4, 2013
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Joy!
We are solidly in the midst of the holiday season once more. For some, this truly is a joyful time of year. For others, the holidays are filled with stress and sadness.
Virtually every culture on Earth celebrates seasonal festivals. It seems to be an inherent need for us to honor annual traditions, even when honoring those traditions is fraught with difficulty.
For some this season is a time of meaningful religious observance. For others this season is a reminder of loss and grief. For some the holiday season is a time of limited resources. Some people enjoy the social gatherings that happen this time of year. Others find social gatherings a stressful obligation.
Whatever the holidays traditionally mean to you, consider taking this simple challenge. Challenge yourself to find joy this holiday season. Whether through religious meaning, charity work, social gatherings or delight at sparkly decorations, allow joy into your heart. Finding joy is not always easy, but it’s always possible. When we find joy, we are transformed.
May this season be a time of joyful transformation for you!
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More Joy, Less Stress
Here is a list of five things to remember to help you cultivate joy this holiday season, and turn the volume down on stress.
1. You’re not Martha Stewart, Donald Trump or Betty Crocker.
Don’t try to win any awards this year. Celebrate the way YOU celebrate, not the way the media makes you think you SHOULD celebrate.
2. What really makes the holidays special for you?
What is the one song, movie, food or activity that really matters to you? Make that a priority, and worry less about the rest.
3. Time is the most valuable gift.
Don’t worry about expensive gifts. Spending time with the people you love is the gift they will treasure most.
4. You may be lonely, but you don’t have to be alone.
If the holiday time finds you all alone in the world there are plenty of ways to be joyful. Volunteer your time, enjoy community events and find ways to help others.
5. Don’t be trapped by expectations.
Expectations often lead to disappointment. Don’t expect the holidays to be any particular way. Don’t try to create expectations in others or live up to the expectations of others.
The holidays can be fun, spiritual and joyful. The less you attach yourself to the things that don’t matter the more time you will have for the things that matter most.
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The Week in Review
Last week I had an opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who. Read my thoughts about this fun event, "Bow Ties are Cool," on my Dark Forest Blog.
On my personal blog, Tarot Trends, I wrote about my favorite piece of Hermetic wisdom. Read "Three Examples of Hermetic Wisdom in Action."
There are some really great posts on the Tarot Topics Community Blog this week. Remember, if you like to write about tarot you can post on the Community Blog!
This week Linda Moore added to her "Tarot in my Life" blog. Read "Watch your step when you Dance with the Devil."
Joanne Matthew is becoming well-known for her stories that personify the Major Arcana and teach the archetypes. I think her new one, "The Neighborhood," is one of her best.
This week I tackled something that is a problem for many new tarot students. Read "Cards are Cardboard, Tarot is 3D."
From Around the Web
In honor of Small Business Saturday, here are some of my talented friends’ offerings for the holiday season. Happy shopping!
Psychic Café regular Helene Martz creates lovely aromatherapy products. Visit her Etsy shop.
Artist Lisa Hunt has some wonderful art and tarot this holiday season. Visit her online store.
For the animal lovers in your life, see what the artists at Ruffing’s are doing! Here’s their Etsy shop.
For the tarotist in your life there are some interesting gifts at Jordan Hoggard’s Divination Studio.
Another great tarot gift is James Ricklef’s new book, "The Soul’s Journey."
Do you enjoy my intro and outro music on the Psychic Café? Check out Robin Renee’s offerings for the music lover in your life!
A very special gift this year is Jennifer Sieck’s intuitively designed custom Sacred Bracelets.
Another great jewelry designer is Anita Perez of Spiral Logic.
Purchasing handmade gifts from our artistic friends supports the arts and encourages cottage industry. And, unique gifts show your loved ones just how much you care!
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Joy to the World Tarot Exercise
Here’s a way to help you embrace joy in your world this holiday season.
Take the World card from your tarot deck. Imagine that this card represents your personal world and everything that goes on in your life.
Place the World card on your table or altar.
Now go through your deck card-by-card. Choose five cards that represent things that you now have or want to have that bring joy to your world.
Arrange the five cards in two rows under the World card in a pyramid (or Christmas tree) shape.
Spend a minute with the cards in meditation, holding gratitude for the things that now bring your joy and visualizing the joyful things you would like to manifest.
If you like, snap a picture of your cards and share the joy with your friends on social media. Let everyone see your manifestation of what brings joy to your world!
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What's Up at the Psychic Café?
On Sunday December 1st we enjoyed an encore presentation on the Psychic Café.
The show we aired was from September 15th, and featured interviews with Jenna Matlin and Helene Martz. The topic of our discussion was the unpredictable psychic business. If you are interested in how the psychic business actually works, or if you are considering hanging your shingle, you definitely want to watch this show!
You can watch it in archive on the Tarot Topics Community News site.
This coming Sunday, December 8th, please join us for our Night of 1000 Fools! We will spend the hour exploring the star of the story told by tarot, the Fool. You’ll hear from experts such as Val Sherrill and tarot designers Jordan Hoggard and Lisa De St. Croix. You’ll see many renditions of the Fool, and find ways to channel your inner Fool!
For more information visit the Show Info page, and don’t forget to like Christiana’s Psychic Café on Facebook!
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Learning Tarot
The Hermit
 It’s interesting to note, as we approach the New Year, that the Hermit was once Father Time. Rather than holding a lantern as he now does, he held an hourglass. Often we think of the hourglass as an indication of patience, while the lantern indicates wisdom. Really, it’s hard to have one without the other!
We see the Hermit alone on the top of a snowy mountain. He holds the lamp of wisdom for all to see.
Because he is called “The Hermit” it is easy to see Major Arcana 9 as describing a person who prefers their own company, or one who does not easily suffer foolishness.
Indeed, the Hermit can even indicate loneliness, or social issues. But the Hermit is so much more than simply what we think of when we think of a person who is a hermit.
The Hermit has chosen the pursuit of wisdom over the pursuit of social activities. The Hermit has chosen to study rather than to party. The Hermit has climbed the mountain alone, and now possesses the light of wisdom. He holds that lamp for the benefit of those who would follow in his footsteps.
In a reading, the Hermit can indicate advanced education and study. The Hermit can speak of the search for wisdom, or can discuss a time of loneliness. The Hermit can remind us of the work and study we need to do in order to accomplish our goals. The Hermit reminds us to be patient in our search for knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment.
If we desire spiritual wisdom, the Hermit reminds us that there are no shortcuts or easy routes. There is no enlightenment without study. We must each make the spiritual journey alone. We must each face ourselves without hiding behind our friends, our families or our shallow activities.
The Hermit seeks real depth and true wisdom. There is no substitute for his journey, and no easy way to gain his wisdom.
Key words for the Hermit are patience, wisdom, loneliness, study, contemplation, solitude, education, seeking and introspection.
Sometimes the Hermit can suggest that you seek the wisdom of another, or that you share your wisdom with a worthy student.
Next week we will explore card 10, the Wheel of Fortune.
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Creative Ideas for Holiday Giving
For the tarot enthusiast on your gift list, remember my books, "Tarot Tour Guide" and "Fortune Stellar!"
I also sell gift certificates for readings by Skype or Phone, Skype Psychic Parties and tarot webinars!
If you would like to give someone special a gift they will never forget, call me at 561-655-1160 to arrange your gift certificate.
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Your One-Card Weekly Reading
 Your one-card reading this week is the Five of Swords. Here we see that a battle has taken place. There is a clear winner and a clear loser.
When you see this card, it is time to decide what you stand for, and to commit yourself to its defense. This is the card that calls us to battle. This card does not predict a winner or a loser, but suggests that the time for compromise has passed.
This week, gather your resources and assess your values. What is most important to you? What must you defend, and how will you defend it?
Remember that sometimes our most important battles are the ones we fight with ourselves. Often the Five of Swords call us to stand up for ourselves, and do right by ourselves. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
What are your behaviors that don’t serve you? How will you battle to relinquish those behaviors?
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Upcoming Events
 Sunday, December 8, 9 pm
Christiana’s Psychic Café
Join us for the “Night of 1000 Fools” on the Psychic Café!
The Fool is the star of the story told by tarot, representing each one of us on our journey through life. We’ll talk with tarot artists and tarot readers to find out more about the Fool, and how we can each embrace the Fool’s energy every day.
For more information, visit Christiana’s Psychic Café on Facebook.
Sunday, December 15, 7 pm
Free Webinar
Global Tarot Circle
 Before Christiana’s Psychic Café begins at 9 pm, we’ll take the 7 o’clock hour to meet together and celebrate tarot! Anyone with an interest in tarot is welcome to attend. Expect to learn something about tarot and something about yourself!
For log-in information, visit the event listing on the Tarot Circle website.
Sunday, December 15, 9 pm
Christiana’s Psychic Café
 Join us for a special Holiday Review on Christiana’s Psychic Café!
We’ll share some special gift ideas for the spiritual people in your life, along with some exciting and creative ways to celebrate the holiday season.
For more information, visit Christiana’s Psychic Café on Facebook.
Tuesday, December 17, 7 pm
Premium Webinar
Sharing Wisdom, Reading for Others
 Tarot hobbyists, professional readers, and those somewhere in between, all share something in common. We all want to give the best readings possible to clients, family and friends.
In this online presentation, Christiana Gaudet will guide you through each step of performing a great reading. She will help you discover your personal style as a reader, and discuss some common pitfalls and ways to avoid them. She will give you insight in how to derive the most specific information possible from each reading.
Christiana’s virtual classroom is accessible using your computer or your telephone.
For registration information, visit the event listing on the Continuing Education website.
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Tarot by Christiana Gaudet
Private readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida. Call 561-655-1160 for more information or to schedule your event.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
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