Tarot News blog has news and information of interest to the tarot community.
Messages of Love
Tarot for Valentine's Day, events in Tampa and CT, and more!
Messages of Love
We encourage each other!
One of the many legends about Saint Valentine is that he, while imprisoned, wrote letters of encouragement to his followers on the heart-shaped leaves available to him through his cell window.
Whether or not this story is factual, I love the imagery of it; the idea that an imprisoned person’s faith and inspiration could be so strong as to share encouragement with those outside his prison walls.
This leads to the idea that, no matter our own limitations or difficulties, we still have the capacity to provide inspiration, encouragement and solace to others. And, perhaps in that act, can find the same for ourselves.
How we communicate with people matters. Our tone, our words and our energy make a difference to the people around us. Even when dealing with strangers, we can choose to share a positive, encouraging energy.
Sometimes we hear positive messages, not only from the people we love, but from strangers, song lyrics, dreams, and our own intuition. I believe that our loved ones in Spirit send us messages of love constantly; we just need to know how to hear them.
The more we are aware of how we communicate with people, the more we are able to receive positive messages from the Universe. In meditation, divination and simply by listening, we become able to sense, and to share, the messages of love that are all around us.
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!
The Pages are Messengers
There are many tarot cards whose keywords include ‘communication,’ but probably few as directly as the four Pages.
While the Pages can be children, or students, these cards also serve to bear messages and to encourage us to communicate.
Long before electronic communication, the Pages would predict the much-anticipated event of receiving a letter in the mail. Now, they handily answer questions like, ‘Will I hear from him?’ and ‘Should I say something to her about this?’
Pages can also take on the role of letting you know that your loved ones in spirit have a message for you.
The next time you see a Page in a reading, consider that the card could be encouraging you to communicate with someone, or letting you know that someone is trying to communicate with you!
The Week in Review
Just released this week was a podcast from the Tarot Readers Academy featuring me! The topic is ‘The Cards Speak for Themselves’. You can listen to the podcast, watch the video and download free study materials!
This week on my personal blog I shared some thoughts about Rumi, my new favorite song and a tarot exercise.
From Around the Web
Check out this month’s Hit List from The Tarot Lady. I was pleased to get a mention!
I stumbled on this older post from James Ricklef about Tarot and Desiderata. This post has certainly stood the test of time and offers a great tarot exercise.
Mary Greer has a new post called ‘Active Imagination vs. Guided Imagery.’
Cards for Your Consideration
What better deck to consider for Valentine’s Day than Lover’s Path Tarot by Kris Waldherr? This U.S. Games favorite comes in a lovely set with a full-length book.
Waldherr assigns classic love stories to each of the Major Arcana, giving us a lesson in tarot archetypes, literature and history.
The Minor Arcana are fully illustrated and also depict love stories. This is a full-service traditional deck that can be used for any kind of reading. Yet. given its theme, it’s the perfect deck for readings about romance.
See Me in Tampa This Weekend!
I still have a few openings to see private clients this coming weekend when I am in the Tampa Bay area from Friday, February 15th through Monday, February 18th. Call or text 561-655-1160 to arrange your timeslot.
Please plan to join us at Panera Bread in Lutz on Sunday, February 17th from 3 pm to 5 pm for a tarot meetup! Bring your tarot cards or borrow some at the meeting. Anyone with an interest in tarot is welcome to join us; it’s free and fun!
Join us for Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live
On Wednesday, February 20 from7 pm to 8 pm you have the opportunity to join tarot friends from around the world on my free monthly webinar, Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live.
Each month we gather on Facebook to share readings, conversation and tarot study. You can join in on your smartphone, computer or tablet.
To join, simply like my business page and look for the live feed.
Tarot Topics Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 7 - February 13, 2019
Between Two Pillars
This week Tarot Topics explores the pillars of the Tarot High Priestess.
Between Two Pillars
Finding balance is the key to peace.
If you have ever spent any time with a Waite or Waite-inspired tarot deck you may have noticed that Major Arcana Card 2, the High Priestess, sits between two pillars.
These two pillars are Boaz and Jachin, the pillars outside Solomon’s Temple mentioned in the Bible.
As we proceed through the Major Arcana, we see representation of these pillars in many of the cards. Clearly, these pillars are important, but why?
In the Waite High Priestess one pillar is white and the other is black. One represents Mercy while the other, Severity. That the High Priestess sits between these two extremes tells us something of her nature, and something that perhaps we often need to emulate.
The concept of balancing two extremes appears in other philosophies, including Buddhism. There, the Middle Way is a way of living that embraces both spiritual and material blessings, neither living in one world or the other, but balancing between them.
Very often we speak of needing more balance in life, be it a better work/life balance or better equity in a relationship.
Perhaps all balance begins with the message of the High Priestess. Perhaps as we interact with others throughout the day, and as we deal with ourselves, we must be like the High Priestess by keeping the balance between Mercy and Severity.
What does it mean to balance those two energies? It means that we don’t pass judgement, but neither do we let ourselves be taken advantage of. It means we act with compassion without enabling someone to continue negative behavior.
When we look at the High Priestess, we see that she is serene and peaceful in her countenance. The High Priestess teaches us that keeping balance keeps peace.
Upcoming Tarot Tour Dates
While I am always available worldwide for readings and mentorship by phone, Skype, FaceTime and Messenger, I love to travel to give in-person readings, teach workshops and entertain at parties.
I am planning on traveling more in 2019 than I have ever before. Mark your calendar for the dates below, and watch this newsletter for more information each week.
Tampa Tarot Tour beginning February 15
I will be making regular trips to Tampa to offer private readings and house parties. Look for classes, workshops and meetups as well. If you would like to see me or host a party in the Tampa area in February, email me or call me at 561-655-1160.
Northwest Tarot Symposium March 1-4, Portland Oregon
I will be presenting, along with Jenna Matlin and Jay and Jadzia DeForest, a day-long program on professional tarot on the final day of the symposium, Monday. Tickets are still available, join us in Portland for an inspirational time! I will have limited availability for private readings while I am in town. Reach out for details.
Spring Northeastern Tarot Tour March 26-April 9
I will be in Connecticut offering house parties in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut, as well as private readings at True Bikram Yoga in Madison. Look for some exciting workshops in Madison and New Haven as well. If you would like to see me or host a party while I am in town, email me or call me at 561-655-1160.
Is there somewhere you would like me to visit? Reach out and let’s see if we can plan something!
Two-Pillar Spreads
We can use the Two Pillars, Boaz and Jachin, to create any number of helpful tarot spreads. For example, Card One could be, “In what area of life should I be more merciful toward myself? Card Two could be “In what aspects of life should I hold myself to a higher standard?”
You could also use these two positions to ask, “How can I show more mercy to others?” And “Where should I be more protective of myself?”
Try as many two-card readings based on the Two Pillars as you can think of!
The Week in Review
This week I spent some time thinking about Major Arcana 10, the Wheel of Fortune.
From Around the Web
Are you interested in learning more about traditions that include the wisdom of Solomon? Here is a place to start.
To learn more about the tarot High Priestess, check with the American Tarot Association.
Here is more information about the pillars themselves, Boaz and Jachin.
Cards for Your Consideration
This week, I ask you to consider Major Arcana 5 from The Lover’s Path Tarot by Kris Waldherr. In this deck, each Major Arcana card is illustrated with a famous love story from history and literature.
The name of Major Arcana 5 has been changed to “Tradition,” and the couple chosen to represent this card are Romeo and Juliet.
“Tradition” is a good keyword for the Hierophant because it evokes the two-sided energy of this card so well. On one hand, traditions are comfortable and beautiful. Traditions mark the passage of time and bring people together. On the other hand, traditions can be used to hurt people, and to suppress important growth and change.
The conundrum with the Hierophant, and the Pope he was originally drawn to represent, is this dichotomy.
The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is a perfect illustration of the Hierophant energy.
In a reading, the Hierophant may express a desire to do the traditional thing, or to conform to the rule of an authority, or seek the advice of an authority.
This same card may also suggest that one must break out of tradition and be one’s own authority.
When the Hierophant appears, it may be time to consider your relationship to traditions and the authorities who keep them.
Upcoming Events
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! You may RSVP on the Meetup site or simply find as at Panera.
Tuesday, January 29, 7 pm
Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live
Join tarotists from around the world for this free webinar. We will share readings, study, fun and fellowship.
Simply visit my Facebook business page, hit Like, and look for the live feed.
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.
Tarot Readings for Personalities and Relationships
Sunday, February 10, 4 to 6 pm
Christiana’s Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Suite 203, Palm City, FL
How do tarot cards speak of people, their personalities and their relationships? How can we use tarot to better understand ourselves and each other?
In this class you will learn how to give helpful relationship readings and couples readings, and how to determine the nature and needs of an individual simply by understanding the cards that appear for them.
This special Valentine’s Day inspired tarot class is appropriate for readers of all levels of experience. Bring your tarot deck or buy or borrow one in class. Class fee is $37.50. Seating is limited, reserve your seat online!
Volume 2, Issue 4