There seem to be a lot of people in the world who are better at taking care of others than they are at taking care of themselves.  That’s sad, because self-care should really the most primary concern for each of us. Without our own wellness, we have nothing to give to others.

Beyond that, often those who are first in line to help other people have a hard time asking for help when they, themselves, need it.

It’s good to be independent, and it’s good to help others. At the same time, it’s really important that we each learn to identify our needs, and find ways to get those needs met. Sometimes, that means admitting we need help.

When we allow our loved ones to help us, we build deeper bonds of trust and intimacy with them.

When we reach out to a professional for specialized assistance, we are practicing the best self-care.

When we learn to simply ask for what we need, when we need it, we often avoid anxiety, drama and hardship.

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly what help you need, and even harder to ask for it. However, we are, by nature, social animals. We must rely on each other. When we refuse to help each other, or to reach out for help when we need it, we are denying the very nature of who we are, and of what makes us strong.

Seeking Help from Tarot

Tarot can be a helpful friend on life’s journey. The cards can also show us our ability to balance between what we do for ourselves and what we do for others. A person’s kindness or selfishness will always appear in the cards.

Many tarot cards can speak of our responsibilities to each other. Of course, the Empress and the Queens are all nurturers, and perhaps mothers. The Emperor, and the Kings, can be community leaders, or perhaps fathers.

Cards like the Ace of Swords and Justice can talk about a sense of needing to do the right thing, which often translating into going out of one’s way to help another.

The Five of Pentacles could discuss refusing help, or not knowing where to find help.

The Six of Cups can speak of service, while the Six of Wands might speak specifically of military service.

The Six of Pentacles and the Four of Pentacles are interesting to ponder together. The Six shows charity and generosity – success being prudently shared. The Four shows a miser, or someone wanting or needing to hang on tightly to what he has.

In their most simplistic interpretations, we could see these two cards as opposites, the Four being selfishness, and the Six being generosity. There might be time, though, when the Six might tell us we are being overly generous, or the Four might tell us of a need to take better care of ourselves.

When you are in need of help, it is possible to ask the cards questions such as:

What sort of help do I need?

Where can I find help?

How can I help my friend?

Pay attention to see if some of the cards discussed here show up. What other cards do you think talk about helping others, or needing help?

From My Desk to Yours

This week, I posted on my Community Blog. New and aspiring tarot readers will enjoy “Advice for Tarot Pros: Events Build Relationships”. Actually, anyone who wants to hear tell of my humble beginnings at a laundromat in Putnam, Connecticut, might enjoy this.

From Around the Web

I got a mention from Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, in her wonderful “Mad Hookups for Tarotpreneurs” for February.  Theresa’s got a bunch of great stuff going on right now. You might want to check out her new “Star School” blog posts. These are free, comprehensive astrology lessons, perfect for total beginners! Also, Theresa has just published “The Tarot Coloring Book,” a fun, creative, meditative way to study tarot.

Angelo Nasios, of “That’s Totally Tarot” has just published a video with tarot grande-dame Rachel Pollack. In this video Rachel will teach you some new tarot reading techniques!

From Michael Bridge-Dickson at Mirrors of Consciousness, here is a tarot meditation about love, using his about-to-be-released Orbifold Tarot.

Song of the Week

Here is a great clip of Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney performing “With a Little Help from my Friends”.
 

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

Learning Lenormand

Card 36: Cross

Cross is the final card in the Petit Lenormand, and has an interesting place in the history of these cards.

Lenormand, though named posthumously after Marie Anne Lenormand, a famous French fortune-teller during the Napoleonic era, actually descends from a card game called “The Game of Hope”.

In the mid-to-late 1700s, it was fashionable to play card games that instructed morality. The Game of Hope was such a game. The goal was to reach card 35, the Anchor, which was a symbol of Christian Faith. Card 36, Cross, caused one to have to move backwards! The Cross was a symbol of suffering, while the Anchor was a symbol of faith.

Today, Cross is generally considered a negative card, although there can be positive interpretations if it is next to a very positive card.  It’s more positive references are about faith, spirituality and religion.

Other key words for Cross are pain, suffering and burden. The nature or cause of the suffering might be revealed in surrounding cards.
Cross is associated with the Six of Clubs, which can typically discuss obstacles to success.

This is the end of our exploration of the Lenormand cards. I want to thank you so much for taking this journey with me. I’ve begun incorporating Lenormand cards into many of my reading, with good results.

Next week, we will begin a new journey of esoteric study with a special guest contributor!

Professional Development Day at TarotCon (Florida) 2016

Are you a professional tarotist, or would you like to become one? I have great news for you! I will be joining Marcus Katz, Tali Goodwin and Jenna Matlin for a one-day intensive course of professional development for tarot readers.

This special event will happen on Friday, October 7th, the day before TarotCon.

Why not come to TarotCon early and take advantage of the opportunity to build your tarot business?

You can register for the Professional Development Day and TarotCon now! Take advantage of early bird specials!

Image from Gilded Royale by Ciro Marchetti.

Your One-Card Weekly Reading

Ten of Swords

Oh, no! Your one-card reading this week is the Ten of Swords! It’s always so interesting to see how the card I draw each week matches the topic I’ve chosen.

It’s also interesting to note that, last week, I drew the Nine of Swords. When we see these two cards together, we might think that a difficult cycle is coming to a close.

The Ten of Swords is typically regarded as a card that discusses difficulty. This card asks you to think about the things that are really hurting you right now, whether real or imagined.

What beliefs do you hold that don’t support you?

Is there a different way to tell your story that allows for more healing, growth and happiness?

Is it time to put closure to something?

This week, focus on ways that you can align your thoughts and actions to be always in your own best interest. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have other people’s interests at heart as well, but make sure you are not working at crossed purposes with yourself!

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!
 

Now Open for Registration:  

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.