Tarot News blog has news and information of interest to the tarot community.
Animal Wisdom
How animals share their wisdom with us.
Many people find spiritual insight and wisdom by connecting with the natural world and its inhabitants. For this reason, animals play an important part in many spiritual paths and practices.
Connection with animals can happen when we observe them in nature, or when we spend time with our pets. Animals can appear in our dreams, or in symbols. Animals are often pictured in tarot and oracle decks. Animals are the icons in many systems of astrology. There are numerous decks of divination with animal themes. Many English names for yoga postures are named for animals.
We visualize ourselves as specific animals in order to nurture their characteristics within ourselves. We try to have the heart of a lion. We try to be like a duck and oil our feathers, or shed our skin like a snake.
When I was growing up, I was amazed that my cat could wake me up from across the room, simply by staring at me. It was clear that this animal had some psychic ability, (back then we called it ESP) or at least that the cat and I shared a psychic connection.
I feel the sighting of a wild animal is a portentous omen. I interpret the omen based on what the animal is, what it is doing, how I feel about it and how I feel it applies to what is going on in my life. There are also books and websites to help us understand traditional animal symbolism.
I take the presence of an animal in a dream as seriously as I do when I encounter one in real life. For me, the symbolism is what matters.
There are so many ways for us to find wisdom in our connection to animals. The more energy we devote to paying attention to the messages of the animals around us, the more profound insight we will receive.
Make Your Plans to See Me During My Northeastern Tour!
I will be in Connecticut March 27 through April 8. I am available for parties, groups and house calls in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York City.
I am also offering private readings by appointment at True Bikram Yoga in Madison.
To make your appointment, please call or text 561-655-1160.
I will be teaching two workshops while I am there.
In Madison, on Sunday, March 31 at 7 pm I am teaching ‘The Journey of Life: The Major Arcana of Tarot.
In New Haven, on Sunday, April 7 at 7 pm I am teaching ‘Oils, Intuition and Manifestation’. Learn more about these workshops, and register in advance!
What the Animals in Tarot Have to Say
While there are many animal-themed decks, there are also many animals pictured in most tarot decks.
For this exercise, use a Waite deck, or other fully-illustrated deck that isn’t specifically animal-themed. Look through the cards and find the following.
Which cards picture animals that are intrinsic to the card’s meaning? Here, look for animals like Strength’s lion and the Fool’s dog.
Which cards picture animals to depict the cards’ element? Here, I am look for the birds in the Swords cards, for example, and the lizards in the Wands cards.
Now look for imaginary animals. Are there griffins or dragons? What do those animals say to you about the cards on which they appear?
Now look for the rest of the animals. That is, animals that are not iconic for the cards’ meaning, and are not there specifically to symbolize an element.
How many animals how you found? What information do they give you about the card on which they appear?
Go back to the first animal cards you found, like Strength and the Fool. What do their animals tell you about each card?
How does considering the animals enhance your understanding of your cards?
The Week in Review
If you missed our February Global Tarot, you can watch the archive on YouTube. Our next Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live will be March 18, so make plans to join us.
This week I posted on my personal blog some thoughts about tarot interpretations and keywords. How do you handle it when your take on a card is different from your friends’? Read When Tarot Keywords Diverge.
From Around the Web
Here’s an interesting article from The Daily Dot about our online tarot communities, and the role they may be playing in our society.
From Best Self Magazine, here is a piece about using tarot to increase mindfulness and self-awareness.
Check out this new animal deck-in-progress. The Major Barkana is a dog-themed tarot designed to raise money to provide service dogs to disabled folk.
Cards for Your Consideration
My favorite animal tarot deck is Lisa Hunt’s Animals Divine Tarot, now sadly out of print. Lisa Hunt’s art style is detailed, realistic and haunting. Over the years her contribution to the tarot has been intense and unique. Animals Divine Tarot, like many of Lisa Hunt’s decks, falls into the category that I call ‘archetypal assignment’. Hunt works with the archetype of each card and find a matching character within the body of her theme.
In Animals Divine Tarot, each suit is illustrated with animals associated with their element. The Swords suit is graced with winged creatures. The Cups suit features aquatic life. The Pentacles are land mammals, and the Wands are depicted by insects and reptiles.
The Court cards, and the Major Arcana, are deities associated with animals.
If you are lucky enough to own a copy of this out of print deck, enjoy it! If you happen to find an affordable used copy, consider adding it to your collection.
Psychic Gallery at ZeroPointe in Fort Lauderdale
Join me for an exciting event in Fort Lauderdale on the first day of Spring!
On Wednesday, March 20, 7 pm to 9 pm, I will present a psychic gallery at ZeroPointe Healing Foundation, formerly Center for Inner Wisdom, located at 4849 N Dixie Hwy, Suite 2, Oakland Park, FL 33334.
I love doing psychic galleries, because the energy of sacred space, and the energy of a group united for a single purpose, can create the perfect environment in which to receive powerful messages from Spirit.
In a psychic gallery with me, each person receives pertinent information and insight. Group members hold space and support each other, and benefit from hearing and witnessing every message.
The energy of the vernal equinox will add a powerful dimension to the readings on this special evening, bringing the opportunity for each of us to find balance and initiate new beginnings.
Tickets are $30, and seating is limited. Register now!
Special Class at Dream Angels - Your Journey Through the Minor Arcana
Join me at Dream Angels in Tequesta this week on Thursday, February 28, from 7 to 9pm for a class on the Minor Arcana of tarot.
In this class tarot enthusiasts of all levels of experience will learn simple-yet-profound techniques to remember, understand and interpret the Minor Arcana cards of the tarot.
This class is geared for all tarot enthusiasts. Even if you are brand new, this topic will be a great place to start!
This class is part of a monthly tarot group that meets the 4th Thursday of each month, hosted by Mary Ellen Collins and me.
Class fee is $25 at the door, $20 prepaid up until the day before. To prepay, please visit the Dream Angels website.
New Video Class Available: Christiana’s Eleven-Card Celtic Cross Spread
I am very excited to share a new tarot class with you, appropriate for tarotists of all levels of experience. In this class you will learn my eleven-card Celtic Cross tarot spread.
As many of you know, this is by far my favorite tarot spread. If I have every read for you, you’ve seen this powerful spread in action.
This class is designed to teach you to perform this spread, but also to teach you a great deal about working with tarot spreads in general. As you take the class you will perform this spread for yourself. Along the way you will add a number of important tools to your tarot toolbox.
The first one hundred students will receive a $10 discount on the $35 class fee, so sign up now!
Tarot Topics Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 9 - February 27, 2019
A Divine Mirror
This week's Tarot Topics offers a tarot exercise to help you see and know yourself, a great collection of offerings for the beginning of Autumn and some exciting new classes.
When you look at yourself, what do you see? Do you see yourself through the eyes of those who couldn’t see your beauty, or didn’t appreciate your strength?
Do you see the stories others have told about you, rather than your own experiences?
Self-awareness can be difficult. We are all have blind spots where we can’t see some of our shortcomings. We also have blind spots that keep us from seeing our strengths and our unique gifts.
If we try to see ourselves only through the eyes of others, our self-perception will be limited to other people’s experiences, rather than our own.
If we try to see ourselves based on what we do, rather than who we are, we may see our abilities but miss understanding our core self.
One of the things I love most about tarot is that divination offers us a true mirror. That mirror allows us to see ourselves, without judgment, as we really are. That mirror helps us set goals to become who we want to be and do what we want to do.
Whether you read tarot for yourself, visit with a trusted reader, or both, checking in with that divine mirror can help you love yourself, appreciate your life, and set your goals and strive to meet them!
Register Now for Tarot Key Words at Dream Angels in Tequesta and Explore the Major Arcana in Palm City
Don't miss my visit to Dream Angels in Tequesta, Florida, on Thursday, September 27th at 7 pm for a class in Tarot Key Words and Interpretations. You can reserve your seat on the Dream Angels website.
The next class in my Palm City Conference room will be held September 30th, but the class is already full! Don't miss the Encore Presentation of Explore the Major Arcana to be held October 10th! The class fills fast and class size is limited so don't wait to sign up if you want to attend!
The Week in Review
After a whirlwind tarot tour, I am just getting back to working on my blogs. I will have at least one new post for you by next week.
Meanwhile, here is a post from 2012 that fits this week's theme perfectly! Read Tarot and the Search for Identity: Five Ways Tarot Can Help You Discover Yourself.
From 2013, here is a game we played at a tarot meetup, based on the exercise in this newsletter!
Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live met on September 24. You can watch it in archive on YouTube!
From Around the Web
The Tarot Blog Hop for Mabon, the autumnal equinox, happened on September 21. Visit the Master List to read the topic, then follow the links to see what sixteen tarotists had to share.
Myna's Moon has a Mabon Tarot Spread for you to try!
From Kimberly Essex, here is a Meditation for Mabon!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday September 26, 7 pm (Tonight!)
Skill Share: Reading, Reiki and More
Christiana's Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Ste 203, Palm City
Bring your tarot cards, oracle cards, pendulums, Reiki energy, etc., and get ready to give and receive short sessions.
One of the big complaints I hear at our meetings is how hard it is to get practice as a tarot reader, diviner or healer. This is a great opportunity to practice and share, as well as an opportunity to receive readings and healings! No experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and share!
This event is free to attend, bring a snack and/or beverage to share if you can! RSVP on the meetup site.
Thursday, September 27, 7 pm
Tarot Key Words and Interpretations
Dream Angels
128 Bridge Road, Tequesta, FL
If a tarot card can mean many different things, how do we know how to interpret the cards in a specific reading? Do we have to memorize card meanings? What if the classic card meaning doesn't fit in the context of the question?
Whether you are a beginner or advanced tarot reader, chances are you've struggled with these questions, and others, as you strive to makes sense of, and find wisdom in, your tarot cards.In this exciting workshop, Christiana Gaudet will teach you some easy-yet-insightful systems for interpreting any combination of cards in any situation. More importantly, she'll help you learn to find the way your own intuition and spiritual guidance can lead you to find truth in every tarot reading. Class cost is $25 at the door or $20 in advance.
Pre-register on the Dream Angels website.
Sunday, September 30 4 pm
Explore the Major Arcana
Christiana's Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd
Suite 203
Palm City, FL
This class filled before I had the chance to post it online. See the encore presentation on October 10.
Sunday, October 7, 4 pm
Cards and Conversation
Panera Bread
2894 Southwest Town Center Way Palm City
Join Tarot Circle of the Treasure Coast Meetup for conversation, food, readings and tarot study at this informal free workshop. You can RSVP on the meetup site or simply join us at Panera!
Wednesday, October 10, 7 pm
Explore the Major Arcana (Encore Presenation)
Christiana's Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd
Suite 203
Palm City, FL
Fee $30 Due at Registration
Register now to save your seat for our encore presentation of this Major Arcana class for beginners and others. The original class scheduled for September 30 filled completely even before I posted it online, so I have added this date for those who couldn't attend that class.
In this class you will learn the spiritual lessons and interpretations for the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana. These cards are considered the "greater secrets" of the tarot.
By the end of the class you will be able to do insightful Major Arcana readings, and will have a much greater understanding of tarot in general.
Class size is limited. You must preregister to attend this class. You may preregister with a credit card by phone by calling 561-655-1160, or you may visit the event listing on my website to pay online.
Sunday, October 21, 4 pm
Free Class!
Crystal Power for Tarot with Mary Ellen Collins
Christianas Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd #203
Palm City, FL 34990
Join Mary Ellen Collins for a special evening of divination combining tarot cards with a crystal oracle. Reading crystals is a unique way to work with the energy of divination. In this workshop you will learn how to create your own oracle with a collection of tumbled crystals that are cast like runes. Then we will combine the crystal-casting process with a tarot reading to give it depth and nuance.
Every class presented by Mary Ellen features lots of hands-on practice exercise so that everyone gets a chance to read. (One bonus of the class is that because of the practice exercise, participants receive a free mini-reading from one another so be sure to come to class with questions!) We will be using a set of sample crystals so there is no need to bring crystals. Likewise, if you dont have a tarot deck we also have plenty of decks that you can borrow.
This class is free of charge; a gift to the tarot community. Seating is limited. Call or text Christiana to RSVP at 561-655-1160.
Sunday, October 28, 4 pm
Special Class! Explore the Minor Arcana
Christianas Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd #203
Palm City, FL 34990
Join me for a special class that will kick-start or deepen your tarot studies as we explore the forty numbered cards of the Minor Arcana.
Seating for this class is limited. The class fee is $30. You can pay via PayPal on my website, or call or text me at 561-655-1160 to pay by phone.
Harness the Power of Spring!
This edition of Tarot Topics offers three great tarot spreads for spring, and information about upcoming events and classes.
The new edition of Tarot Topics is out, with three great spring tarot spreads to try, and important information about upcoming events and classes!
Accepting Help
This issue of Tarot Topics contains a great story about what happens when we don't let others help us.
Sometimes it's hard when others won't let us help, and sometimes it's hard to ask for help.
Read the Lessons of the Wasabi Grandmother, see how help shows up in tarot, and learn about two great holiday events in Palm City and Tequesta.
Read the Dec 10 edition of Tarot Topics!