Valentine’s Day is this Sunday. For many people, this is one of the most difficult holidays on the calendar. Valentine’s Day can remind us of lost loves and current loneliness. Valentine’s Day can set an expectation for romance that can be hard for even the most loving couple to achieve.

Sometimes, seeing all those flowers and cupids everywhere can make us a little sad and irritated. Those of us trying to keep to a diet have to fight to resist the mountains of chocolate wrapped in shiny paper.

Yet, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. What would happen if we took this time to celebrate love in all its forms, rather than simply focusing on the romantic?

This week, let’s make an effort to greet each day with open eyes, an open mind, and an open heart. If we can do that, we will surely see, know and feel the love that is all around us.

Let's release unrealistic expectations of those we love, and remain open to all the best possibilities love has to offer.

A Tarot Spread for Opening Eyes, Mind and Heart

Our theme this week is “Open Eye, Open Mind, Open Heart”. I say these words to people a lot. I really believe if we always make an effort to be open to discovery and open to love and compassion, we will find more happiness in our lives.

Here is a tarot spread based on this theme. Arrange the cards in three rows of three cards each. The first row is “Eyes”, the second row is “Mind”, the third row is “Heart”.

Eyes

Card 1: How open am I to seeing opportunities and possibilities?

Card 2: What do I need to do to increase my ability to have vision for possibilities?

Card 3: What would be the result of being more open-eyed?
 
Mind

Card 1: How open am I to new ideas and new ways of thinking?

Card 2: What do I need to do to increase my ability to understand new things?

Card 3: What would be the result of being more open-minded?
 
Heart

Card 1: How open am I to love in all its forms?

Card 2: What do I need to do to increase my ability to give and receive love?

Card 3: What would be the result of being more open-hearted?

From My Desk to Yours

This week I posted on my 78 Magickal Tools blog on PaganSquare. My topic was Tarot Heart Magick. My post includes some ideas for heart-healing meditations with the Ace of Cups.

I also included a three-step, three-card tarot exercise that is both divinatory and magickal, for heart healing.

At a small, private tarot workshop last night I led these exercises with a group of five women. Each of us had a very powerful experience. I am sure you will, too!

From Around the Web

Tabitha Dial has shared a great post called “Tarot and Poetry: Your Inner GPS” on the Tarot Poetry blog. Tabitha is a fellow contributor to the new Arcana: A Tarot Poetry Anthology.

Check out this photo of a tarot shoe, designed by Steven Bright of Tiferet Tarot!

Here’s an older post I found from Louise at Priestess Tarot, perfect for the holiday. It’s about Numerology and Love Partnerships.

Song of the Week

Here is one of my favorite 1980’s hair metal anthems about love. From Tesla, here is “Love Song”.
 

Image from Pixie's Astounding Lenormand, by Edmund Zebrowski.

Learning Lenormand

Card 35: Anchor

Anchor is a very interesting card. To some, it suggests safety – a safe harbor after a time at sea. To others, it suggests a stop to reassess.
Some see this card as a sign that you have arrived at your destination. Where once there was motion, we are now at a stop.

The timing of this card can be very long-term, as it can refer to a stable and long-lasting situation.

Some keywords for Anchor include stability, attaining goals, and loyalty.

Anchor is considered a positive card. Rather than weighing us down, the anchor grounds us and give us stability. However, there can be a sense of being stuck in certain contexts.

The playing card association for Anchor is less positive than the concept of safe harbor. The Nine of Spades usually refers to separation or failure.

Next week, we will conclude our journey through the Lenormand cards with the final card, Cross.

Registration for TarotCon (Florida) 2016 is Now Open!

TarotCon (Florida) 2015 was amazing. 2016 promises to be even bigger and better!

We’ll hold it the same weekend, in the same great hotel.

On October 8th and 9th, 2016, there is nowhere you would rather be than at TarotCon at the Doubletree Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens.

Early bird registration is now open, and vendor applications are available.

If you would like to present at TarotCon, the call for papers is open. Instructions for submitting your ideas are available on the TarotCon website.

Visit the TarotCon website now, and see a great video about TarotCon!

Soon the TarotCon website will also include a link for discounted hotel reservations, and a special opportunity for professional development on Friday, October 7th, so check back soon!

Looking forward to seeing you at TarotCon (Florida) 2016.

Image from Gilded Royale by Ciro Marchetti.

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

Nine of Swords

Appropriate for some lonely hearts on Valentine’s Day, the Nine of Swords is a card of worry, sleeplessness, nightmares and sadness.

The grief in this card may be based on real events, or on your own imaginings and anxieties. There may be clinical depression, or you may simply be in a funk.

This week, look into your heart and take an accounting of the things that worry you, bother you and hurt you.

Are there problems you can solve?

Are there aspects of your life that need healing?

Are there situations that you must simply accept?

The Nine of Swords suggests that this is a good time to discipline your thinking, and find ways to heal. This will lead to the happiness and serenity you need.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, February 24, 7 pm
Global Tarot Circle
Free WebEx Webinar Available Exclusively Online

Each month, tarotists of all levels of experience, from all over the world, gather online to discuss the cards, share readings, ask questions and learn new techniques.

Global Tarot Circle is free, and is led by Christiana Gaudet, author of "Fortune Stellar" and "Tarot Tour Guide".

We meet using the industry standard meeting platform, WebEx. You can join on your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, or you can join the call on your telephone.

Don't miss this opportunity to grow as a tarotist and meet tarot friends from around the world.

Simply use the log-in information on the event listing on my website, and join us for Global Tarot Circle!

Sunday, March 20, 3:30 pm
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup
Archetypal Encounters: Tarot for Expansion and Personal Integration
Beef O’Brady’s Private Room
21539 Village Lakes Shopping Ctr Dr, Land O' Lakes, FL, 34639

Marcy Currier will be our special guest teacher. Marcy is a member of the Holistic Studies Faculty at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, and founder of Metamorphosis Healing & Intuitive Arts.

Don’t miss this very special opportunity! Join us for lunch and an exciting and inspiring tarot class.

Learn more on the event listing on my website, and RSVP on the Meetup!

Save the Dates:  

Sunday, June 5, 10:00 - 4:00, Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup Retreat Day at Mitchell's.

October 8 & 9, TarotCon (Florida) 2016 in Palm Beach Gardens.

About Christiana

Christiana Gaudet
Origins Spa and Wellness Center
1537 N Dale Mabry Highway #102
Lutz, FL 33548

Private telephone, Skype and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida. 

Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text or call 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.

Agent inquiries are welcome.