Tarot News blog has news and information of interest to the tarot community.
Radical Kindness
This week we explore the importance of kindness.
Radical Kindness
Our very successful Holiday Open House got me thinking about kindness and generosity. Radical kindness, revolutionary generosity; you know what I mean. The open-hearted, open-handed kindness that can be hard to do, but always gives back in return.
When I look for volunteers for my Holiday Open House I am always astounded by the generosity of people in our community. There are those who sign up to volunteer as readers, healers and hosts. There are those who are there as attendees but pitch in to help above and beyond the call of duty when the need arises.
This year I actually had more readers wanting to work with us than I had space to seat them! That says everything about the kindness that is rampant in our community, in the hearts of spiritual people.
I always run into a few readers who aren’t happy at the idea of working for free at a charity event. I think those few haven’t learned a particular aspect of how energy works. When we are kind and generous and give freely, good things come back to us in abundance.
It’s important not to confuse kindness with allowing people to take advantage of us. There are always those who will try to manipulate us, and who take our kindness for weakness.
Sometimes, the most generous thing we can do is have good boundaries, and the kindest thing we can say is ‘no’.
It’s important to remember that kindness never comes out of guilt. If we are doing something nice because we feel guilty, or will feel guilty if we don’t, we need to examine our motivations, and our relationships.
In our day-to-day lives there are specific things we can do to practice radical kindness. First and foremost, very often the kindest thing we can do is to refrain from judging others harshly. When we see someone who is struggling, rather than reacting with anger, scorn or ridicule, the kindest thing is often to recognize that we don’t know their situation, and they are probably doing the best they can in the moment.
We might not always be able to help a struggling person. Yet, a prayer, a smile, or a pleasant word can go a long way, and is so much better than holding judgment and resentment.
Even when it is healthiest for us to keep someone at a distance, it is a kindness to ourselves, and to them, if we keep that distance with an energy of love in our hearts.
Sometimes the kind thing is to say ‘yes’ to something. Sometimes the kind thing is to hold a boundary. Radical kindness is not only about what we do, it’s about the energy with which we do it.
Returning Light Tarot Spread
On Sunday, December 22, we will have our longest night and shortest day. After that, the light half of the year begins. At the time of the winter solstice we think of bringing light to our hearts, and to the hearts of others. This fits in well with the theme of kindness.
Using a tarot deck, or other oracle deck, try this simple three-card spread in honor of the winter solstice, and the returning of the light.
Card One: Something I learned in the past six months.
Card Two: A way I can welcome light into my heart.
Card Three: A way I can bring light to others.
The Week In Review
You can read about our Holiday Open House, and see pictures and videos, on my Community Blog.
Find You Three-Card Weekly Reading archived on my YouTube channel.
From Around the Web
My friend Kassia is a healer. Check out her new website!
Benebell Wen has given us a retrospective of the last decade of tarot.
Here’s a great personal story of how tarot helps us find truth and right action in our lives.
Cards for Your Consideration
This week let’s contemplate the Minor Arcana Sixes. Often the number Six can be about service to others, which speaks of kindness. The number Six is also associated with the solstices since the solstices divide the light and dark halves of the year, each six months long.
Keywords for the tarot Sixes are service, glory and victory. Let’s see if we can find the energy of kindness in these four cards.
In the Six of Pentacles, of course, we see charity and sharing that comes from success. Of all seventy-eight cards, the Six of Pentacles is one that speaks most of kindness.
The Six of Wands is typically associated with victory after battle. In the context of kindness, this card may remind us to celebrate another person’s victory, and to wish success for others.
The Six of Swords often speaks about the need for logic, and the ability to move toward better times. It’s interesting to note that in many images of the Six of Swords we see a character who is helping by steering or paddling the boat. Perhaps, in this context, the Six of Swords could offer the opportunity to shepherd those in need toward a better destiny.
In the Six of Cups we see often see two children, one making a gift of flowers to the others. In that image, we see the kindness of giving. Typically, this card is about the past; our memories, nostalgia, and connection from the past. When we consider and honor past sacrifices and traumas, we do a kindness to ourselves and others.
We can see kindness, and the need for kindness, in most of the seventy-eight cards. Perhaps, though, the energy of kindness is particularly evident in the Sixes.
Upcoming Events and Tours
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 51
December 18, 2019
Happy or Not
Acknowledging our feelings, whether positive or negative, is an important step toward healing.
Happy or Not
Not everyone is happy during the holidays. Sometimes the many references to joy and glad tidings can make people feel worse, not better.
There is something in our culture that people refer to as ‘toxic positivity’. Not just during the holidays, but at any time of the year, there are those who try to police emotions, and feel that the only emotions we should have are happy ones.
This is especially so in spiritual communities who over-zealously believe that we attract the energy we cultivate. The belief is, if we are happy, we attract happy things, if we are sad, we attract more sadness. There can be some truth to this. Yet, like all things, it is a truth best applied in moderation.
I believe in the power of positivity. I believe that optimism is healthy and helpful. Yet, I also know that we need to be authentic in our feelings, even if our feelings are not so positive. To shame ourselves or others for feeling down is hurtful, and ends up making everyone feel worse.
It’s often easier to heal when we acknowledge our hurt, rather than trying to mask or deny it.
Sometimes, when someone we care about is sad, our goal shouldn’t be to ‘cheer them up.’ Rather, our goal should be to acknowledge and hold space for their feelings.
There is a difference between being authentic in grief and sadness and being a victim. Sometimes people hang on to their grief and refuse to heal. I think it is that behavior that positivity enthusiasts like me want to call attention to and heal. When we live in grief and victimhood, we often create more grief for ourselves and others. When we authentically experience our full range of emotions without judgement, we have an easier time working through the difficult feelings and getting back to a more positive attitude.
It’s also possible to feel a wide range of emotions in a single day, or even in a single hour. When we are in a place of grief, we still have room for positive feelings interspersed in between our moments of pain.
Sometimes we feel guilty for feeling happy during difficult times, or for feeling sad during happy times. I think we do better when we acknowledge our feelings, and the feelings of those we love, without judgment.
During the holidays, we often get stressed by the extra demands on our time and resources, along with expectations that things be a certain way. I think we have more fun and joy when we can experience our gatherings and events by simply being present in the moment, and in the season.
Holiday Open House This Sunday
This Sunday, from 12 to 6 pm, will be our annual Holiday Open House. Please make plans to stop by anytime during our open hours with your donations of nonperishable food items. Bring a holiday treat for the snack table and enjoy some holiday cheer! Have free mini readings with our staff of talented readers who volunteer their time and skill for this event.
We even have a reader, Steve Homesack AKA Fast Horse, flying in from Pennsylvania to volunteer with us!
The Open House has been a tradition of mine for decades. It started in Putnam, Connecticut. For many years I was the only reader. Then, I asked students and friends to join me.
Now, I enjoy hosting the event and letting my students, friends and colleagues share and develop their skills.
I’ve held the Holiday Open House in six different locations in Connecticut and two in Pennsylvania. This will be my fifth location in Florida, and the first time in my new Palm City office.
You can see some pictures and read about some past Open Houses on my website. Here are pictures from 2010 in West Palm Beach, 2015 in Lutz, and 2016 and 2017 in Palm City.
Here is the write-up for last year’s event.
Please, be part of my special holiday tradition and join us on Sunday, from 12 to 6, at my new office at 3559 SW Corporate Parkway, Palm City. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or text at 561-655-1160.
Healing with the Dark Cards
While I believe that all tarot cards can mean welcome or unwelcome things in readings, it is true that some cards have happier images and tend to carry more positive messages. Often people fear working with tarot because they fear the messages in those darker cards. Truly, when we see a dark card in a reading, or when we choose to contemplate and meditate with a dark card, we have a real opportunity to heal.
When we receive a dark card in a reading, we can use the image as a jumping-off point in a healing journey. We can ask ourselves (or the cards) questions such as, ‘How does this image reflect my feelings and experiences?’ and ‘How can I tell my story differently to change what this looks like for me?’ and ‘What will my life look like when I am able to process this differently?’ and ‘What lessons can I learn from this?’
We can also feel a sense of validation that the universe sees and acknowledges our pain.
In contemplation and meditation, we can look at the image and imagine changing the image to reflect healing. The act of mentally removing the swords from the Three of Swords, for example, can be incredibly freeing and healing.
One of the reasons tarot is so powerful is that it reflects every aspect of life. Life, in all its aspects, is a miracle. Tarot can teach us to appreciate the miracle of life even when we are in pain and grief. Tarot does that by using the darker cards to expose our pain and offering solutions for survival and recovery.
The Week in Review
This week I shared a video with a sample tarot reading using Ciro Marchetti’s new Encore Tarot!
Did you catch Your Three-Card Weekly Reading on Facebook Live? If not, you can watch it on my YouTube Channel.
From Around the Web
New York Magazine shared a gift list for astrologers! I bet tarot readers would like these gifts as well.
Do you change tarot decks as the seasons change? If so, you might be interested in these tarot decks selected specifically for winter.
Christine-Claire Mallet is a French-speaking tarot reader who has shared her first post in English. Check out her blog, and learn more about this multilingual tarot artist!
Cards for Your Contemplation
This week let’s try a tarot exercise for your contemplation. Look through your tarot deck and remove all the cards that strike you as scary, dark or negative.
Now, look at each one of these cards deeply, and ask yourself the following questions.
How does this card make me feel?
Why does this card make me feel this way?
Does this card remind me of something going on in my life, past or present?
Does this card reflect something about me that I don’t like or don’t want to see?
Can I think of something positive or pleasant this card might signify?
How could I use this image in my own healing?
The more that we contemplate and consider the darker images, the less we fear them, and the more they can bring us healing.
Upcoming Events and Tours
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 50
December 11, 2019
Happy New Year!
Start your New Year with a tarot class!
Happy New Year!
Best Wishes for a Bright New Year!
I hope you have had a safe and happy holiday season and are ready to welcome the possibilities and opportunities of 2019 with an open heart and open arms.
Your regular Tarot Topics newsletter will be in your inbox next week, filled with your favorite features and some new additions for 2019.
In the meanwhile, I want to let you know that our Holiday Open House was a huge success, raising over 500 pounds of food and $200 for the Treasure Coast Food Bank. I will have pictures and a full report next week.
I also want to remind you that you can start 2019 with a meaningful and insightful tarot class, check out the upcoming events to sign up!
And, if you happen to be in the Tampa Bay area and want to see me in person during the weekend of January 11-13, I still have some opportunity to make that happen, so reach out to me soon!
I am grateful that a new year finds me busy doing what I love best. Thank you so much for being a part of my tarot world, and I look forward to working with you in 2019.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, January 6, 4 to 6 pm
Tarot Basics and Beyond
Christiana’s Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Down Blvd, Suite 203, Palm City, FL
In this class, tarot beginners will get a basic overview of tarot structure, traditions and techniques, and will be introduced to the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana.
Experienced tarotists will get not only a refresher, but a new understanding and perspective of both the cards and techniques for reading.
Class fee is $30. You must preregister to attend on Eventbrite or by calling 561-655-1160.
Sunday, January 20, 4 to 6 pm
Tarot for Inspiration, Creativity and Positive Change
Christiana’s Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Suite 203, Palm City, FL
In this hands-on workshop you will learn ways that tarot can make a difference in your life. Using the sacred images of tarot, you will discover hidden talents, learn to tap into Universal wisdom, and create your personal roadmap for positive change.
This class is for tarot enthusiasts of all experience levels.
Class fee is $30. You must preregister to attend on Eventbrite or by calling 561-655-1160.
Thursday, January 24, 7 to 9 pm
Major Arcana: Lessons and Interpretations
Dream Angels, 128 Bridge Road, Tequesta, FL
Beginners and experienced readers will enjoy this fascinating exploration of the Major Arcana of the tarot. Learn how to interpret these cards in a reading, and how to embrace their lessons of personal and spiritual growth.
Register with Dream Angels.
Sunday, January 27, 4 to 6 pm
Cards and Conversation Tarot Meetup
Panera Bread, 2894 SW Town Center Way, Palm City, FL
Join us for a free, informal tarot workshop with plenty of opportunity for fellowship! We enjoy food, readings and learning about tarot, ourselves and each other in our monthly meeting. Beginners and long-time enthusiasts are welcome!
Thursday, January 31, 7 to 9 pm
Psychic Gallery with Christiana Gaudet
Dream Angels, 128 Bridge Road, Tequesta, FL
Bring your questions and join us in sacred space for an insightful and entertaining evening! In this small group setting each person attending will receive helpful information and answers. You may even receive a message from a loved one in spirit!
Register with Dream Angels.
Volume 2 Issue 1 - 1/2/2019
Warm Welcome
It’s time to welcome joy to our hearts, friends to our home, and prosperity to our new year!
Warm Welcome
It’s time to welcome joy to our hearts, friends to our home, and prosperity to our new year!
This is the season for welcoming. We welcome friends and relatives to holiday gatherings. We welcome in a new year. At the winter solstice we welcome the return of the sun. At Christmas we welcome the birth of a divine child.
It’s a good time to think about the things we want to welcome into our lives and consider what we must do to make that happen. How do we welcome wellness, or love, or prosperity?
Just as we welcome anyone or anything, we try to be open, and warm, and ready to give and receive.
Maybe it’s another example of ‘as above, so below’. When we open our hearts to welcome healing, love and divine energy, we create the energy that makes welcome into our lives the things that meet our needs and desires.
May you welcome all good things this holiday season!
See You at Holiday Open House this Sunday!
We have a great group of volunteers ready to offer tarot readings, palmistry, astrology, reiki and other modalities this Sunday at Unity of Stuart, from 2-6 pm. All you need to do is bring some nonperishable food items and come let us pamper you!
If you would like to see some pictures of previous Open House events, visit my website and look for the button for ‘Galleries’.
Years ago, when we first started Holiday Open House, I was the only reader, and my goal was simply to offer free readings to the community as a gesture of holiday cheer. Over the years I had other readers join me, and we decided to make it a food-raiser for those in need.
Eventually, I chose to host the event and let my friends, colleagues and students offer their services, allowing me the opportunity to greet and thank each participant.
We have hosted this event in three different states, and many different locations. I am excited for our new location at Unity of Stuart.
Please, if you are in the area this Sunday, stop by anytime between 2 and 6 pm. Have a session with our volunteers. If you have time, spend the day and sit with everyone!
Four Cards That Speak of Home
The song says, “there’s no place like home for the holidays”! But which tarot cards signify home in a reading? Which are the cards we can use in tarot manifestation work to cultivate a happy home? Here are four of my favorites.
Ten of Pentacles
As the official traditional ‘castle card’, the Ten of Pentacles can speak of real estate transactions, a family home, or a home in which you take great pride.
Ten of Cups
Known as the ‘happy family’ card, the Ten of Cups can speak of romance, and also a loving family home.
Six of Cups
No card speaks of a return to, or longing for, a childhood home as poignantly as the Six of Cups.
Four of Wands
Traditionally a card that predicts marriage, the Four of Wands represents the hearth-fire, the warm, welcoming home, and the celebrations we share together in that place.
The Week in Review
This week I shared a blogpost of interest to serious tarotists about tarot archetypes and interpretations. Read Archetypes in Action: How Tarot Updates Itself.
From Around the Web
Since so many of us will be cooking to welcome folks into our homes, I thought it would be fun to share some posts about food and tarot.
Here is a recipe for Arwen’s Deviled Eggs, inspired by Major Arcana 15.
Did you know that Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, has a whole series of tarot and foodie goodness? Check out Tarot by the Mouthful.
Here are some tarot recipes from Hummingbird Lena.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, December 20, 7 to 9 pm
Winter Solstice Class and Celebration
Dream Angels, 128 Bridge Road, Tequesta
Bring your tarot cards and let’s celebrate the return of the sun together! We will learn a tarot spread to forecast the New Year and enjoy some other seasonal tarot activities. Bring a holiday snack to share if you are able! You may register and pay your class fee with Dream Angels.
Sunday, December 23, 2 to 6 pm
Annual Holiday Open House-Psychic Foodraiser
Unity of Stuart, 211 SE Central Pkwy, Stuart, FL
Bring some nonperishable food items to be donated to Treasure Coast Food Bank, and a holiday treat for the snack table. Join us for an afternoon of free tarot readings, astrology readings, palmistry, crystal readings and healing sessions, offered to you by our fabulous volunteers. For more information, call me at 561-655-1160.
Sunday, January 6, 4 to 6 pm
Tarot Basics and Beyond
Christiana’s Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Suite 203, Palm City, FL
In this class, tarot beginners will get a basic overview of tarot structure, traditions and techniques, and will be introduced to the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana.
Experienced tarotists will get not only a refresher, but a new understanding and perspective of both the cards and techniques for reading. The fee for this class is $30.
Sign up now for this exciting class on Eventbrite, or by calling 561-655-1160.
Volume 1 Issue 22