Making the Connection

Making the Connection

In divination, as in life, the connections we make matter.

Spiritual work is full of all sorts of connections. That’s why many healers and diviners are very sensitive to the energies of Mercury retrograde. Mercury, of course, is all about connections. In retrograde, those connections need extra attention and care. (The next Mercury retrograde begins March 6.)

Effective divination, whether with tarot or any other tool, requires us to make connections. Let’s use tarot as an example to explore the different connections we make to deliver meaningful messages.

First, we must make a connection with Spirit, Higher Power, or our own higher consciousness. Diviners vary widely in their spiritual beliefs but tend to agree that there is a higher energy we connect with in divination, whether than energy emanates from within us our outside of us.

If we are reading for another person, we must make an energetic connection with that person.

We must connect with the cards we’ve pulled in a number of different ways. We connect with the images; we see how the images make us feel and the things of which we are reminded when we look at the pictures.

Readers who value the wisdom of classic tarot knowledge know that we learn the cards by making connections. Each card has a number of classic keywords that often feel widely divergent. Consider the Ten of Pentacles. The Ten of Pentacles can predict love. The Ten of Pentacles can indicate wealth. This same card can also speak of heritage and legacy. It is also the card of real estate, predicting buying or selling property, home renovations or a career in real estate. The Ten of Pentacles can suggest you love your home and are happy there.

The way we get a handle on the essence of a card’s energy is by finding the thing that connects all those keywords. In the case of the Ten of Pentacles, the connecting point is family. In the Waite-Smith image, the connecting point is the grandfather.

Try this process with each tarot card to stretch and solidify your understanding of the card.

The trickiest connection, and the one that separates mediocre readers from truly talented ones, is the ability to make the connection between classic keywords and card interpretations and what is happening in the querent’s life. There is an intuitive process that allows the reader to extrapolate the card meanings in a way that applies and resonates.

Even in our mundane lives, the connections we make are important. That is especially true of our social connections, our professional networks and our intimate partners. We need to connect with one another.

Often, our points of view and opinions can be a huge disconnect when we don’t see eye to eye. When we look past our differences and focus on our human commonalities, it becomes easier to make important connections with everyone.

What is true in human interaction is also true in divination. When things seem misaligned, the key is in finding where the connection truly is.

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!

Two Tarot Exercises to Help Make Connections

The key to a good tarot reading is flow. Intuition must flow, and the story must flow. Flow is fostered, in part, by the connections we make. Here are two exercises to help you find those connections and find your flow.

Dig into the Cards

Look at each card and speak aloud about it for as long as you can. What are all the things you know about this card? How does this card make you feel? What can this card mean in a reading?

As you are speaking of the card you will notice that your own understanding of it expands and deepens.

The Seventy-Eight-Card Story

Shuffle the cards. Turn over the top card and use it to begin a story. Move quickly on to the next card, letting that card continue the story. Let your story grow as you look at all seventy-eight cards. Let the story be fanciful, silly or outrageous; just let the cards inspire your imagination and your words as the story flows from one card to the next.

The Week in Review

This week I shared a post on my Community Blog called “Group Readings: The Performance Aspect of Tarot”. One of the amazing things about tarot reading is that there are so many different ways we can do it!

From Around the Web

Here’s a new post from Jamie Morris, one of my favorite tarotist writers. If you are also a tarotist writer, you will enjoy this writing prompt.

As I mentioned earlier, Mercury Retrograde is on its way. From Astrostyle, here is a guide on how to survive it!

From Maddy Elruna, some thoughts on when tarot does not work out as expected.

King of Cups from Art of Life Tarot by Charlene Livingstone, Copyright 2012, U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Cards for Your Consideration

Let’s contemplate the King of Cups. Here we see this image from the Art of Life Tarot, which pairs a work of art with a quotation to illustrate the energy of each card.

I chose this particular illustration because it echoes my own take of the King of Cups.

The King of Cups is often somewhat maligned in a way that almost feels misandrist to me. It’s easy to see him as one who drinks too much, or as a whiner.

Yes, each Court card, when representing a person, can represent one who is demonstrating either positive behaviors or negative ones. There is an up and a down to every card at any moment.

Tarotists so often describe the King of Cups as alcoholic or wussy. Yet, if we break it down to the barest of elements, the King of Cups, as the King of Water, is a man who understands and communicates love; one who makes emotions a priority.

Can the King of Cups represent an undesirable guy? Of course, but for me that is not the baseline interpretation.

I think that all people need to be able to understand and communicate their emotions, and all people need to understand the paramount importance of love in all its forms. That a man is in touch with his emotions should not automatically cause us to think of him as weak. This should be true in life, as well as in the cards.

For me, Kings in tarot are the highest expression of their element. As the king of water,  the King of Cups can be one who is a master of understanding love.

We can all embrace our inner King of Cups by working to stay in the high vibration of unconditional love as we interact with the people around us.

When the King of Cups does not represent a person, this card may instruct us to take the lead in a situation in a way that is loving and considerate of the feelings of others.

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!

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 8
February 20, 2019

Tarot by Christiana Weekly Newsletter 12/26/2012

Tarot by Christiana Newsletter                                                                                      12/26/2012 Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2012 and welcome 2013 I wish you a fun and safe New Year's celebration and a joyful and prosperous year! Use you energy and focus to manifest your vision for  2013, for yourself and for the world. People all over the world have special New Year's traditions. Some traditions, like fireworks and champagne, are simply traditions of celebration. Other traditions, like making resolutions or eating "Hoppin' John" on New Year's Day are meant to actually help us create our fortune in the New Year. Many cultures celebrate a spiritual New Year at another time on the calendar, like the Hebrew New Year, the Chinese New Year or the Witches' New Year that is celebrated on Halloween.  Nonetheless, on January 1st the entire planet comes together to celebrate our calendar New Year all across the world. May the love and unity we feel as the clock strikes midnight become the spirit that guides us forward into 2013. Reading For Your New Year Many tarot readers do a New Year spread to see what the coming year may hold. You can do this with tarot cards or any other oracle. One technique is to simply pull a card for each month of the year, making it a twelve-card reading. Another technique is to do an eight-card reading, one for each turn of the Pagan Wheel of the Year. You can even try a simple four-card reading, one for each season. If you prefer four cards can be one for each fiscal quarter of the year. If any card seems unclear you can pull other cards to clarify it. You can also use cards to manifest what you want to have happen in the New Year by choosing cards cognitively, rather than at random. Choose the cards that represent what you want, and then spend some time in meditation with them. Whether you are predicting, manifesting or both, it is great to start the year with your cards! Christiana Gaudet's Predictions for 2103 The end of the Mayan Calendar in December 2012 really captured our imagination. Over the past decade it was easy for some people to believe that the tragedies we saw during that time, both natural and manmade, we part of an orchestrated run-up to some major event. The truth is probably this. In any decade there are tragedies. We live in a volatile world. The weather changes, wars happen and people do unpredictable things. But this doesn't mean that a huge change didn't happen on our planet in December of 2012. Spiritual change is not always reflected in ways that we can immediately see.  Just because we didn't see fire in the sky for three days (as one of my peers predicted we would) doesn't mean that a spiritual change didn't occur. Spiritual change is often slow, like a gentle shift. In 2013 we have the opportunity to keep the energy of planetary evolution going. Now more than ever the way we treat each other matters, not only to each other but to the entire planet.  We must each work to transform lower energies such as anger, fear and greed into higher energies such as faith, love and compassion. I am not predicting that we will indeed do this - I am saying the opportunity is ours if we choose to take it. As we move into the early part of 2013 the American economy is a priority issue. It is very likely that the compromises needed to create long term policies and solutions will not happen as quickly as they need to. Short term temporary solutions are likely to be implemented immediately. It may take until September 2013 for real agreements for strategies for fiscal recovery to be reached. Meanwhile, the American economy for the first half of 2013 is not likely to see much recovery. In the second half of 2013 we should begin to see some signs of returning prosperity. While the Chinese economy may falter slightly, it will not suffer the sort of crash the US and other countries have experienced. 2013 will be the first year of Obama's second term.  In his dealings with Congress we will see many of the same stalemates that have become the hallmark of his presidency. While he will offer many compromises, and while the American people will desire compromises, few compromises will be made and little will be accomplished.  The new Secretary of State will find similar problems abroad. Very few leaders will be interested in compromising their authority in the interest of a more stable planet. Militarily there will be many problems in Afghanistan, with a high risk of loss of life. There will be wars in many countries in the Middle East. Israel is likely to be more aggressive. Middle Eastern countries will continue the trend toward extreme religious governance. Domestically, the trend toward ending marijuana prohibition will continue. Marijuana will be promoted as a solution to our financial issues. While these financial benefits won't be seen in 2013, the seeds will be planted (pardon the pun) this year. The Supreme Court's decision to rule on same-sex marriage may not result in a decision that will please advocates of marriage equality. Forest fires may be a particularly big problem in the US in 2013. There may also be a new health epidemic scare in the news. Socially, in 2013 we may trend even more toward on-line activities rather than in-person activities. This will be the result of better technology, people feeling safer at home than out and about, and people having less discretionary income. The laptop computer and the desk model computer will start to become tools of business, creativity and serious gaming, as most people opt for smaller hand-held devices. And, as much as we complain about it, Facebook will dominate the social media world for another year. In the celebrity world John Mayer and Katy Perry went public as a couple in December 2012. While they may produce a successful musical collaboration I do not foresee their relationship being as successful. Amongst our older celebrities, both Cher and Barbra may have some health problems this year. This may be Seth Meyers' last year on SNL. He might need to lay low for a while to take care of some personal problems. In our national conversation there will be more and more discourse about morality. On television, in social media and with our friends we will be working to define our nation's standards of ethics. This will include conversations about guns, education, wealth, welfare and healthcare, reproductive rights, marriage equality, free speech and more. By the end of 2013 we may see greater prosperity and new technology, but here in the United States we will still be struggling to define our national identity. Sadly, without great conscious effort, 2013 may not bring us closer to the goal of a more peaceable planet. Your One-Card Weekly Reading Your One-Card Weekly Reading for this week is the Three of Cups. This is a very appropriate card for a time of year when we like to have fun, visit friends and relatives and attend parties. In fact, some people call the Three of Cups the "Party Card"! The image of the Three of Cups often shows three women dancing together. This is a card that indicates celebrations, friendships, enjoyment and revelry. It encourages fun, creativity, dancing and enjoyment. Whether you are celebrating the holidays or simply enjoying life, now is the time to be grateful for good things, to gather with people you enjoy, to relax and to have some fun! The Week in Review The past week marked the debut of Christiana's internet TV show, Christiana's Psychic Café. The first show included Robin Renee in the Artist's Corner, some holiday chat, Tarot Talk and psychic readings. You can watch the show in archive at your convenience. December 21st was time for the Yule Tarot Blog Hop. This time the theme for the Blog Hop was simply this: Christmas Present. Twenty-two tarot bloggers wrote about this theme, each interpreting it a different way. See Christiana's post, and then follow the links to read what each blogger did with the holiday theme. On the Tarot Topics Community Blog Christiana shared a post about the magical nature of a couple of Major Arcana cards. Read The Power of the Magician. Upcoming Events Sunday, December 30, 4:00 pm EST Psychic Hour with Christiana on Webex Join us for an hour of free psychic readings with Christiana Gaudet, Tarot Grandmaster and author. In the on-line meeting room, Christiana will give short readings to all attendees, as time permits. You will enjoy being part of the energy, hearing Christiana's readings and receiving an insightful reading for yourself. Don't miss this exciting online event! Find details and log in info on the event listing on the Celebrate Spiritual Growth website. Sunday December 30, 9:00 pm EST Christiana's Psychic Café On the show this week Christiana will introduce you to a professional hula-hooper who performs slam poetry while hooping. Christiana will share her psychic predictions for 2013 and take your calls for free psychic readings. Browse to PEN to join the fun! Sunday, January 6, 2:00 pm EST 2013 Psychic Gallery with Christiana at Pearl Rauberts' in Loxahatchee What does 2013 have in store for you? Celebrate the New Year with Psychic Tarot Grandmaster and author Christiana Gaudet and find out! Christiana will return to Pearl Rauberts' in Loxahatchee for a New Year Psychic Gallery. Within sacred space, Christiana will reveal information for each person. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance about all aspects of your life. You may even receive a message from a loved one in Spirit! Those who have attended galleries with Christiana before describe them as inspiring, entertaining and amazing. Each person’s reading is specific and insightful. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive the information you need to make 2013 the best year ever! Seating is limited. Email Pearl at pearlrauberts@hotmail.com to reserve your spot. For more information visit the event listing on the Celebrate Spiritual Growth website. Sunday, January 6, 9 pm EST Christiana 's Psychic Café On the show this week Christiana welcomes musical guests Mad haPPy, shares some tarot knowledge and takes your calls for free psychic readings. Browse to PEN to watch the show! Tuesday, January 8, 7:00 pm EST Candle Magick Webinar Join Christiana for a free on-line workshop! For centuries, candles have been used by many cultures to enhance prayer and meditation. Today, many people discover amazing results when they use candles to manifest their intentions. Whatever positive improvement you seek in your life, a simple candle can help you realize your greatest desires. In this workshop, you will learn about magickal traditions and theories. You will learn simple ways of preparing and burning candles to create healing, prosperity and other positive outcomes. Candle magick utilizes colors, herbs, flowers and symbols to easily help you manifest your highest good. You will also learn ways to use Tarot cards and other images to strengthen the energy of your intentions. Whether you desire healing, love, clarity or a new job, candles can help make it happen! To join the webinar, find your log- in information on the event listing of the Celebrate Spiritual Growth website. Sunday, January 20, 7 pm EST Premium Webinar Personal Tarot - Reading for Yourself This class is designed for serious tarot students who want to develop their tarot skills. Self-reading is the best way to learn to understand the cards. It is also an important practice for personal and spiritual growth. Christiana’s virtual classroom is accessible using your computer or your telephone. This online presentation will teach you good practices for self-reading. You will be able to identify and interpret your specific personal cards. You will be able to use self-reading to enhance your tarot studies. Christiana will help you explore specific techniques for self-reading that will help you derive all the information you need. To register for this great webinar, visit the event listing on Christiana's Continuing Education Website. tarotbychristiana.com

Tarot by Christiana Weekly Newsletter June 20, 2012

Hello! Before I tell you about the events I have coming up this week, I want to remind you that if you would like a reading in my West Palm Beach office, please schedule it before June 27. After that, I will still be available for in-person readings, and of course phone and Skype readings, but the scheduling for in-person readings will be a bit less flexible.

Many of you have asked me questions about scheduling readings, so here is an FAQ for you.

Q. How does a phone reading work?
A. Simply call me at 561-655-1160 or toll-free at 866-99TAROT.  We will schedule a time that is convenient for you, often within 24 hours of your call to me.  I will call you at the appointed time and we will do your reading.  For half-hour and hour-long readings I will make a CD of our conversation and mail it to you at no extra cost.  We will take care of payment with your credit or debit card.

Q. How does a Skype reading work?
A.  A Skype reading works just the same as a phone reading, except that we can see each other.  You need a computer with internet access, a webcam and mic.  Most computers come with Skype already installed.  If you do not have Skype on your computer it is free to download at Skype.com.  My Skype name is tarot.radio.  Simply send me a contact request from Skype, and we will be able to have a face-to-face reading, no matter where in the world you happen to be!

Q. Can you come to my home for a reading?
A. If you are in South Florida, there is a good chance we can make that happen.  If you can get a few people together for a Psychic Party it is very easy for me to come to you.

Q. What about classes and Tarot Circle?
A. Free and premium classes and Global Tarot Circle are all available via Webex.  In-person classes and Tarot Circle meetings will be available at various locations throughout South Florida.  Keep an eye on my calendar at http://tarotbychristiana.com.  You can look forward to a brand new series of classes and webinars available soon!

Upcoming Events
Saturday, June 23, 2012
2 pm
Midsummer Psychic Gallery at Pearl Rauberts in Loxahatchee
Join us for messages and insight!  For more information, visit here.

Sunday, June 24, 2012
4 pm Eastern
Global Tarot Circle
Webex
Join us for an online opportunity for tarot fun and fellowship.  For more information and log-in instructions, visit here.

Sunday June 24, 2012
7:00 pm
Premium class
Personal Tarot – Reading for Yourself
Harvey Building, 224 Datura Street, West Palm Beach
Learn how the tarot speaks directly to you, and what the cards can teach you about yourself!  For more information, visit here.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
7 pm Eastern
Premium Webinar
Sharing Wisdom – Reading for Others
Webex
Learn to give amazing readings to friends, family or clients!  For more information, registration and log-in, visit here.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
7 pm
Premium Class
An In-Depth Journey into the Major Arcana – Spiritual Enlightenment
The Harvey Building, 224 Datura Street, West Palm Beach
Join us for a deep study of the final seven cards of the Major Arcana.  Learn how these cards point the way to spiritual enlightenment.  For more info, visit here.

This Week’s One-Card Reading

Your one-card reading for the week is the Knight of Swords.  This card offers the opportunity to move quickly, think clearly and communicate effectively.  It suggests that nothing is in your way; you have the ability to rapidly manifest your desires and achieve your goals.

Above all, the Knight of Swords affirms your integrity, and your ability to do the right thing in all situations.

This Week’s Special Read

This week I am participating in the Tarot Blog Hop. Tomorrow (Thursday) morning at sunrise is the beginning of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.  Tarot bloggers from all over the world will be blogging on the topic “Celebrate the Sunrise.”  Any time after 12:15 Eastern time (dawn at Stonehenge) tomorrow morning you can read my blog, then follow the link to the next, and continue on the blog hop to see what each tarotist has to say! You can begin with my blog here. 

Have a great week!  I hope to talk with you soon!

Tarot by Christiana Weekly Newsletter March 28, 2012

It’s Wednesday again, so it’s time for another newsletter. 

I would love to hear from you to find out what sort of weekly features you would like to see in this newsletter.  Would you like more tarot information, or perhaps psychic predictions about current events?  Let me know!

This past week has been really terrific.  I have received some great feedback from my webinars, and from Tarot Circle.

Laura had this to say. “Your idea for developing a relationship with your cards was nothing short of brilliant. Simple enough to feel do-able and yet personal enough to be meaningful and rewarding.”

From Lisa, who attended a webinar, we have this.  “I had such a great experience with your class Christiana. Not only did I learn a lot, this class also helped confirm my growing knowledge of Tarot....there's always that bit of doubt which holds you back...tonight that doubt was replaced by joy - Thanks so much and it was so great being with other Tarot enthusiasts.”

This week’s events are all in Palm Beach County, so I hope to see many of my Florida friends.  For my friends in other places, remember that we have many webinars scheduled for April.  Find them at http://tarotbychristiana.org and http://tarotcircle.org.  Private tarot instruction is always available via Skype or Webex.

Events This Week

Premium Class
Sharing Wisdom – Reading For Others
Wednesday March 28, 2012 (Tonight)
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Tarot by Christiana at the Harvey Building
224 Datura Street
11th Floor Conference Room
West Palm Beach FL  33401

Join us for a class designed to help you give the best readings possible!  For more information, visit here.  You can also call me at 561-655-1160.

Tarot Thursday
Thursday, March 29, 2012
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Pop-Up Boutique
Next to Rocco’s Tacos on Clematis Street in Downtown

Some see fashion from emerging designers and enjoy a free sample reading!

Springtime Psychic Gallery
Saturday, March 31, 2012
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Pearl Rauberts’ in Loxahatchee

Spring into life at this special gallery!  For reservations or information email info@rauberts.com or call me at 561-655-1160.  Seating is limited.  More information is available at http://celebratespiritualgrowth.com.

Premium Class
An In-Depth Journey into the Major Arcana – Spiritual Enlightenment
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
7:00-8:30 pm
Tarot by Christiana at the Harvey Building
224 Datura Street
West Palm Beach

Join us for deep exploration into the lessons and meanings of the final seven cards of the Major Arcana.  For more information about this class, visit here.  You can also call me at 561-655-1160.

Your Weekly One-Card Tarot Reading

This week’s tarot card is The High Priestess.

This card advises spiritual study and meditation.  It suggests a need for peace and serenity in your life.  You must take the time to look deeply within yourself – all the answers you need are already there.  Study sacred wisdom, but also access your own wisdom, and your own connection to the divine.  You have the potent ability to manifest what you want and need – make sure you use that ability wisely.

This Week’s Special Read

For this week’s special read, we are going to dive into the archives.

A few years back I wrote the “Sneak Peek” column for the now-defunct Tarot World Magazine.  I would find artists with tarot decks in progress and interview them to give a sneak peek of an as-yet unpublished deck.

Artist Marie White has recent published her much-anticipated Mary-el Tarot.  Check out my interview with her.  We spoke a few years ago, when the deck was not yet complete.  Now the deck is available, and has already made an appearance at one of my tarot classes!

Keep In Touch

Please friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, add me on Google+ and connect with me on LinkedIn!  Call me at 561-655-1160 or 866-99TAROT.  I am always happy to hear from you!

Have a great week!

Christiana