What the Cards Teach Us
We often talk about tarot as something to be learned, to use as a tool for fortune-telling and divination. It’s very true that, to be a great tarot reader, some learning and study is required.
This week I want to talk about a different aspect of tarot learning. That is, the lessons the cards can inherently teach us about life.
In divination, when cards appear in a reading, they can give us specific information about our lives. They can give us advice. Sometimes the cards call us out on our poor behavior.
When we think about the lessons of the cards, each card can function as a proverb, or a spiritual text, that teaches us something about life, the Universe, and everything. When we think of the cards in this way, we can add a new level of spiritual insight to our divination.
Beyond that, we can use the cards as a book of spiritual wisdom. Whether or not a particular card appears for you in divination, the lesson you have learned from the study of that card is valuable every day.
When you do see a card in a reading, the interpretation becomes richer and more insightful, because of your understanding of its spiritual lesson.
When we learn tarot this way, tarot study becomes exciting and informative. Once we learn the lessons the cards have for us, we will easily know how to interpret them in readings. Then, we carry their wisdom with us always.
Three Ways to Find the Lessons in the Cards
When we study tarot, we are often caught up in learning “what the card means”. It’s necessary to learn keywords and classic interpretations to be a great reader, although most people can give a passable tarot reading simply by looking at the cards and employing their intuition. Yes, the cards are that powerful!
When we look at tarot as a book of spiritual wisdom, we become less concerned with interpretations, and more concerned with spiritual lessons.
Here are three of many ways to add this sort of tarot study to your practice. The added bonus is that when you learn the cards from this perspective, the cards will speak to you in new and profound ways when you use them in divination.
Journal a Card of the Day
If you pull one card every day, or go through the deck in order and study one card each day, you will develop a new appreciation for the deeper lessons of each card. The trick is, once you have your card, you must spend some time with it.
You can also google on the card and read what tarot bloggers have to say about it. Write about the card, and what it means to you. Meditate on it, and picture yourself in a conversation with the chard character, or actually becoming the card character.
Go back to your treatment of this card in a few days, and see how the card has manifested in your life.
Compare and Contrast Tarot with other Sacred Texts
Is there a tarot card that reminds you of a Bible verse, or a poem or prayer? For instance, the Hanged Man reminds me of the Serenity Prayer. The High Priestess reminds me of the Charge of the Goddess.The Sun reminds me of Matthew 5:14, the “You are the light of the world” verse.
When we make associations between the cards and sacred texts, both the cards and the texts will develop deeper meaning for us.
Learn Esoteric Associations for the Cards
There are many associations between tarot and other esoteric systems, such as astrology, the Four Elements, numerology and Kabbalah. Sometimes studying these associations informs our divination style, although sometimes they can confuses us.
However, when you learn these associations from a spiritual perspective, rather than an interpretive one, these associations will help you find the spiritual lessons held within each card.
From My Desk to Yours
This week I shared the story of my tarot-inspired kidney donation in light of some new information about dangerous medications. There are times we need to listen to our intuition as much as we listen to the doctors. Read “The Causal Way Medicine Tries to Kill Us”.
From Around the Web
It’s another installment of “Tarot by the Mouthful” from foodie tarotists Theresa and Kyle. Take a bite of the Six of Swords!
I’ve been exploring exercise recently. There are many different styles of hatha yoga, the physical practice of yoga. Here are fourteen different yoga styles explained, from MindBodyGreen.
I love watching my creative friends grow their businesses. If you haven’t visited Kianga Jinaki Art recently, you should!
Song of the Week
Our song of the week is “Digging for Some Words” by Juluka. I loved this song back in the 1980s. This week, it reminded me of the search for wisdom within the tarot.
Numerology with Zuri
Number Six
Hello Bright Sparks!
This week, the focus is on responsibility, home, hearth and family. Whereas last week, we embraced freedom, travel and change, now we have to shift gears and be the caregiver that our tribe needs in order to thrive. So as a 6, you may be taking care of elderly parents, raising children or creating a forever home for a new pet from the local shelter.
Your heart is so big, that you may be tempted to try and rescue the world. Whether it’s mothering your friends or having too many responsibilities dumped on your lap, one of the lessons of the 6 is to learn about balance and not over-give to the point of massive burnt out or resentment. People just expect you to do the right thing and be the one they turn to for support, guidance or advice. And when you’re so busy putting out other people’s fires, you have to be careful not to neglect your needs, enable or become a martyr to the cause (professionally or personally).
Because of their need to nurture and improve the lives of the people around them, 6s make excellent doctors, nurses and therapists. A 6 is also part of the triad of creative numbers, so you may also see them in the beauty industry as a stylist or interior decorator since their homes tend to be well-decorated, warm and always inviting.
Ultimately, a 6 will make you feel very nurtured and taken care of. But on the flip side of that, you may also feel suffocated by all that attention, as the 6 has a strong need to micromanage, interfere or meddle in your affairs when they are operating on the shadow side of their numeric vibration. People with a heavy 6 energy will be learning how to let go, respect boundaries and detach from the outcome throughout their lifetimes.
When you see a predominance of 6s in a reading or pull the Lovers of the Tarot’s Major Arcana, you are being asked to explore balance and use discernment in your choices. The 6 is a vibration of manifestation and having the ability to garner the support you need to overcome adversity and rise to the occasion.
Some questions to ponder when you find the 6 vibration affecting your outer world are: Where do I need to take more responsibility and support a person or situation to the best of my ability? Where do I need more balance and harmony in my life? Am I comfortable saying no and having healthy boundaries? Is it time for a style makeover? What can I do to bring more beauty to my home or sacred spaces?
This week’s vibrational takeaway in working with the 6 is to explore love and how you choose to express it in your relationships. Is there a balanced give and take? This is an opportunity to re-evaluate your own needs and see where they are on the priority list. Meditate on the Tarot’s Devil card which also vibrates to a 6 to help you let go of self-sacrifice or negative behaviors that are not allowing you to move on and experience more harmony in your life.
Lots of love!
xo Zuri
I’m Zuri Eberhart: Tarot reader, numerologist and intuitive healer put on this planet to help fantastic spirits (like you!) learn to trust their intuition, cast light on their possibilities, and move towards their gorgeous goals, fearlessly.
(Oh - and I’m here to make it fun, too. Like, heart-opening, adventure-sparking, I-can-see-clearly-nowww kind of fun.)
Ready to make some magic? I’d love to help you set your mojo on fire! Stop by my digital digs at AskZuri.com.
Listing the Lessons
Here’s a great tarot exercise that you can do on your own or in a group. Simply go through the cards, one by one, in order, and think of, and write down, a specific lesson that each card teaches.
For example, you might say that the Fool teaches us to explore the world with more joy than fear. Or, that the Fool teaches us to honor the inner child.
There are no right or wrong answers here. You’ll also find that, in many cases, the Minor Arcana cards offer lessons that are just as profound and meaningful as the Major Arcana cards do.
Image from Gilded Royale by Ciro Marchetti.
Your One-Card Weekly Reading
Four of Cups
Your one-card reading this week is the Four of Cups.
In the image, we see a person who isn’t happy with the cups he has, or the cup that is being offered.
The Four of Cups can chastise us for having a poor attitude.
This card can remind us that, when life gives us lemons, we should make lemonade.
Alternatively, this card can speak of being picky in either a helpful or unhelpful way.
Sometimes, the right thing is to wait for something better.
Sometimes, the right thing is to take what you can get.
Often, your own reaction to the image is what determines the particular interpretation.
When you look at the character in the Four of Cups pictured here, what do you think he should do?
Should he pick a cup, or should he wait?
Whatever feels best to you is your best advice for this week.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, May 15, 3:30 pm
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup
Panera Bread
23388 State Road 54, Lutz, 33549
Join us as I teach my popular free class “The Four Elements and the Major Arcana”. You’ll learn the traditional elemental associations of the twenty-two Major Arcana cards, and see how this aids in your understanding of them.
You can RSVP on the Meetup, or visit the event listing on my webpage.
Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 pm
Global Tarot Circle
A Free WebEx Webinar Available Exclusively Online
Join tarot friends around the world for questions and answers about tarot. Share readings, insights and focused conversation with tarot experts, artists, students and beginners.
Log-in information is available on the event listing on my webpage.
Now Open for Registration:
Sunday, June 5, 10:00 - 4:00, Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup Retreat Day at Mitchell's.
October 7, Professional Development Day at TarotCon (Follow the link below).
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.
