Tarot News blog has news and information of interest to the tarot community.
The Journey Home
I'm home from my travels and ready for exciting things in Palm City!
The Journey Home
Gratitude for the trip, and for the return home.
My wise mother, who loved to travel, often said that one great reason for going away was the joy of coming home.
It’s become clear to me that I truly have two homes; Connecticut, where I got married, began my business, raised my children and lived for most of my life, and Florida, where I have happily worked and resided for the past eleven years. I feel so blessed to be able to live in one beautiful place, and commute regularly to another.
Spring Tarot Tour Northeast 2019 was a huge success. I am so grateful to everyone who had readings, hosted parties and attended workshops. As always, I am appreciative of True Bikram Yoga for their support of my tour.
My Midsummer Tarot Tour will be June 12 through June 25. If you couldn’t see me this time, or if you just can’t get enough, reach out now to make your plans with me for June.
I am happy to be back in Palm City and looking forward to seeing my Florida friends in my office for readings and classes soon!
The regular Tarot Topics newsletter will be in your inbox next week with all of your favorite features.
I’m looking forward to a spring and summer filled with travel, tarot and teaching. Wherever in the world you are, know that I am available to you for readings, mentorship and tarot goodness.
Thanks so much for your support of my work, and for letting my work support you.
Join Us for Global Tarot Circle
Wherever in the world you are, you can participate in our monthly Global Tarot Circle. Meet with us for an hour, share in readings and informal tarot instruction.
Global Tarot Circle allows you to practice your own tarot skills, receive readings, and learn from tarot friends around the world.
Our next meeting will Tuesday, April 16, 7 pm to 8 pm EST. We meet on Facebook Live.
Simply like my business page, look for the live feed, and join in!
The Week in Review
A highlight of my second week of Spring Tarot Tour was teaching a workshop about the metaphysical uses of essential oils with Robin Brace at True Bikram Yoga New Haven. I’ve shared some thoughts about essential oils, along with the oils we featured in the workshop and their special properties on my Dark Forest Blog.
I’m excited to be teaching a Past Life Regression Workshop in my conference room this month. Here’s a blogpost from a few years ago that speaks to some of my methods, and some of the things I think are important to any sort of divination. Read Imagery and Energy: The Importance of Imagination in Divination, Magick and Healing.
From Around the Web
Did you happen to catch the Tarot Blog Hop last month on the first day of spring? Here’s the Master List. Follow along and see what a group of tarot bloggers had to say this time around!
Are you in Washington DC, or planning a trip there? This DC bar looks like an amazing place!
It’s a new month, so here are some Tarotscopes for you!
Tarot card image from The Gilded Tarot Royale by Ciro Marchetti. Used with permission.
Cards for Your Consideration
The Ten of Pentacles
There are a few tarot cards that can speak of ‘home’. The Ten of Pentacles is one of my favorites.
Known as the ‘Castle Card’, the Ten of Pentacles can reference the purchase or sale of a home, or any matters having to do with the business of real estate.
This is also a card that speaks of generational energy. When this card appears, it may be a reference to your ancestors in spirit, and their presence in your life.
The Ten of Pentacles asks us to consider what we have learned and inherited from our elders, and what legacy we are leaving for future generations.
The Ten of Pentacles can also be a reference to wealth, security and family. Within this card we see the many blessing that are afforded us when we make the stability of home and family a priority.
Past Life Regression Workshop with Christiana Gaudet
Please plan to join me on Wednesday, April 24, from 7 to 9 pm in my conference room at 1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Suite 203, Palm City, FL, for an exciting exploration of your soul’s history and purpose.
Come prepared for guided meditation. You may bring a yoga mat, pillow or blanket if you like.
There will also be a section on using divination to explore past lives, so bring your tarot cards, pendulums and oracles.
What you learn about your past may inspire you, heal you and free you for your best future!
Class size is strictly limited. Class fee is $37.50. You may reserve your seat online on Eventbrite up to the time of class. RSVP by phone or text by April 23rd 5pm.
Upcoming Events
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 15
April 10, 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
Let Summer Begin!
Two new tarot spreads for summer, and a the four elements with Michael Bridge-Dickson and Orbifold Tarot.
Even here in Florida, I look forward to the beginning of summer. I love the longer days and the warmer weather. In cooler climates, of course, the summer is a welcome time to enjoy nature, and a necessary time for farming.
As we anticipate summer, we make plans for vacations, gardens, books and travels.
I’m looking forward to visiting New England this summer for a series of private readings and house parties. Please call me if you would like to book something!
If you are not yet sure what your summer holds in store, why try the two summer-themed tarot spreads included in this newsletter?
Also in this week’s Tarot Topics, you’ll find the first installment of Michael Bridge-Dickson’s new series on his amazing Orbifold Tarot!
This week, plan for Summer 2016 to be your best summer ever!
A Three-Card Summer Spread
Do you want information about your summer? A summer forecast is as easy as pulling three cards, one for each summer month.
Simply pull a card for June, another for July, and a third for August.
Interpret each card as an available energy for that month, which you can choose to mitigate or maximize.
Then, combine all three cards to give you a sense of how your summer might be, overall.
Do the cards correspond with your plans?
Do you see something in the cards you would like to change?
Do you see something in the cards that you are hopeful about, or looking forward to?
From My Desk to Yours
May 25th is celebrated as World Tarot Day. In honor of this special occasion, I asked folks on social media to share a tarot shelfie! I was thrilled with the number of people who participated in this with me on Facebook, especially in the Tarot Professionals group.
From Around the Web
I found a great New Yorker article about the tarot garden in Tuscany!
I was thrilled to see some of my friends in this Sun-Sentinel video about flow arts!
From Rowan Tarot, here are a number of discussions about the Knight of Cups.
Song of the Week
Here’s a song about summer that I loved in my childhood. Enjoy this live video of Seals and Crofts’ Summer Breeze.
Breaking Down Tarot's Elements
Part 1
with Michael Bridge-Dickson and Orbifold Tarot
Learning and understanding the tarot can seem a daunting task: 78 cards, each with their own unique and seemingly unrelated meanings. As if that weren’t enough, most tarotists agree that those meanings are in constant flux, and that no card means the same things every time — even experienced readers can be stumped by certain cards in certain contexts.
And yet, the tarot’s elegance can lie in its simplicity... A simplicity that transcends different decks, generations, cultures, and individual card meanings — it’s even relatively easy to understand!
This simple elegance can even cut through complex and learned study and lead to a deeper, consolidating view of the system that is both basic and sophisticated; lending rich layers of meaning and understanding to tarot practitioners of all levels, from novice to master.
So what is this magickal root to understanding tarot’s elegant system?
The Four Elements.
When we say we are breaking something down to its Elements, we really mean we are reducing it to its essence, the constituent parts that form its structure. In the case of tarot, we mean this also quite literally, in that most, if not all, of tarot’s 78 cards can be attributed to each of the traditional Four Elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
These core Four Elements are common across many cultures and are fairly universal, although some describe five or more Elements. The fifth Element often included in the basic Elements is Spirit or Space. We will leave this fifth Element alone for now and revisit at a later time — but know that this fifth Element is present everywhere, at all times, and in all situations.
Traditional cultures had a close relationship with Nature, and saw themselves as part of Nature and its cycles, witnessing the interplay of Nature’s Elements throughout their lives. They used these basic and unique aspects of Nature to describe, share, and understand their experiences of themselves, each other, and the world around them.
Although we may not be as closely involved with the Elements on a daily basis, we still use Elemental descriptors the way traditional cultures did to understand our inner and outer experiences because the Elements are so universal, so basic. They speak to us on an essential and visceral level. In a way, we already understand the Elements deeply, it’s just that many of us have forgotten — reconnecting with the Elements, whether through tarot or other practices is really a way of reconnecting with ourselves.
A key to re-connecting with the Elements is in paying attention to how we use Elemental descriptions in our common language:
“She had an air of dignity about her.” or “He’s a real airhead.” “His passion was like a fire that consumed everything.” or “She’s a real fire-ball!” “I’m riding on a sea of emotions.” or “I’m about to cry, here come the water-works!” “That person’s a real wo/man of the earth.” or “S/he has an earthy presence.” “They were like fire and water.”
Despite our tendency to associate certain Elements with having only negative or only positive attributions, each Element has both negative and positive qualities — or more accurately, each quality is inherently neutral; we give these qualities positive or negative attributions through the connotations we have with them.
In the next column we will look more closely at each of the Four Elements, and how they relate back to tarot. For now, simply turn your attention to Elemental descriptors in common language.
Over the next week, observe when and how you use Elemental descriptors, and how they make you feel when you do. Watch whether you have negative, positive, or neutral associations with each Element. Observe their impact on you, and see if you can develop a real-world re-connection with the Elements. Recognize too, which Elements you are more connected to, or which ones seem more prevalent in your world and interactions.
MIchael Bridge-Dickson is the creator of Orbifold Tarot. For the next few weeks,he will use his unique deck to help us learn more about tarot.
“While the Sun Shines” Tarot Spread
There’s an old expression, “Make hay while the sun shines”.
So often, we begin summer with the best intentions to write a novel, complete a course, exercise more, or at least turn off the TV and get off the couch!
There is something about longer days and warmer weather that makes us want to accomplish something important.
Summer is a time for fun, but it is also a time to get things done.
Here’s a tarot spread to help you decide what you need to accomplish this summer, and actually get it done.
Card 1: What do I need to accomplish?
Card 2: What will be the advantage of doing this?
Card 3: What will be an impediment or difficulty?
Card 4: How can I make sure I fulfill this task?
Image from Gilded Royale by Ciro Marchetti.
Your One-Card Weekly Reading
Ten of Pentacles
Your one-card weekly reading is the Ten of Pentacles.
Traditionally, this is the “Castle” card. It speaks of home and family, but also of ancestry and legacy.
When this card appears, it’s time to focus on your home. Perhaps you would like to redecorate, or accomplish some repairs. Maybe it’s time to invite friends and family over for a party.
This week, enjoy your home, and appreciate the blessings of your family.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 5, 10 am
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup Retreat Day
MItchell Osborn's Home, Orlando
There are still a few spaces available for our first-ever retreat day! RSVP on Meetup!
Now Open for Registration:
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.
Pass it on!
Wonderful things happen when we share!
Whether we are talking about news, ideas or goods, the phrase “pass it on” has come to mean sharing with others. It’s the opposite of the anxious hoarding mentality that worries that people will take advantage of our good nature.
Sometimes passing it on is something we do with the things that no longer serve us. Outgrown clothes and toys are clutter in our homes, but treasures to someone else.
When we share ideas, knowledge and resources, our wealth is increased in ways we might not have expected.
Sharing Your Gifts
Money, and physical goods, are not the only important things we can pass on to others. Sometimes our time and talent is the most important thing we can share.
What are you good at doing? Can you bake, or sew? Can you sing, or dance? Do you read tarot, or are you a massage therapist?
Whatever your skills are, you can find ways to share them with others. Volunteer at a charity event, or give gift certificates to an auction, for example.
You’ll discover that the more you share of yourself, the more you are rewarded.
The Week in Review
I’ve recently had some great publishing successes! “Arcana: The Tarot Poetry Anthology”, published by Minor Arcana Press and edited by Marjorie Jensen, is now available. Two of my tarot poems appear in the anthology, along with many, many great poets and tarotists.
I’ve also had an article published in the autumn 2015 edition of the Tarosophy Tarot Association magazine, “Tarosophist International”. To read the magazine, you have to be an organization member. Find out more on their website.
Many of you remember The Dark Forest, my shop in Putnam, or my website, TheDarkForest.com. Read the story that inspired this week’s newsletter theme, on my announcement bog.
I’ve also recently contributed to my “78 Magickal Tools Blog”. Read “Mitigate and Maximize”.
From Around the Web
From Robert M. Place, read an interesting bit of tarot history, about the Marziano Tarot.
It’s nice to have a member of our tarot community who is also an attorney. Here’s a helpful post from Benebell Wen of importance to tarot professionals.
From my hometown, here is a wonderful story from the New London Day about the shop, Mystical Horizons. Lynn Merritt is a member of our tarot community, and, with her partner, Maureen Pavelski, is celebrating twenty-five years of owning and running two of the country’s best New Age shops.
Tarot Cards about Sharing
There are many tarot cards that could be interpreted, in context, to be about sharing resources. The Four Aces each suggest a gift being given. The Pages all seem to offer something as well. Temperance could discuss a give-and-take balance. The Two of Cups could discuss sharing in a partnership.
Two cards that seem to me to specifically speak of sharing resources are the Four of Pentacles and the Six of Pentacles. These cards seem like opposites, flanking the poverty of the Five of Pentacles.
In the Four of Pentacles, we see the miser, hanging on to resources, perhaps out of fear. However, it is important to recognize that the Four of Pentacles can also talk about the need for self-care. Sometimes we are so busy taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves!
In the Six of Pentacles, we see charity prudently given. Here, resources are shared, but they are still measured.
In the Major Arcana, the Empress may suggest a selfless kind of sharing, while the Star could represent an abundant showering of resources.
Often a reading will reflect our attitude about resources, our willingness to share, and our willingness to ask for help when we need it.
Image from Gilded Reverie Lenormand, by Ciro Marchetti
Learning Lenormand
Card Eighteen: Dog
Dog is a positive card in Lenormand. This card represents a loyal friend, or a person who has your best interest at heart. Loyalty, trust and dependability are all aspects of this card.
Related to the Ten of Hearts, Dog can also be about building lasting foundations.
Next week we will learn about Card Nineteen, Tower. Here’s a hint – it’s very different from the tarot Tower!
Florida TarotCon
Florida TarotCon happens October 10th and 11th, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
You can still register for Florida TarotCon, and you should! Sunday morning will begin with a meditation by Margaret Ann Lembo.
Margaret Ann Lembo is the author of Chakra Awakening; The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones; The Angels & Gemstone Guardians Cards; Color Your Life with Crystals; Chakra Balancing Crystal Alignment CD; and upcoming titles in March 2016 - The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing and The Archangels & Gemstone Guardians Cards.
She is the creator of a line of award winning Aroma-Energetic Sprays including Smudge in Spray and the seven Chakra Sprays. Margaret Ann is a spiritual entrepreneur, practitioner, aromatherapist, and the owner of The Crystal Garden — a book store, gift store, and spiritual center in southeast Florida.
Margaret will be available for book signing after the meditation.
To see who else is on the schedule, visit the TarotCon website, and register today!
Image from Gilded Royale, by Ciro Marchetti.
Your One-Card Weekly Reading
Your one-card reading this week is the Ten of Pentacles. Drawn at random, this card is perfect for our theme of sharing resources.
The Ten of Pentacles is a card of wealth, home and family. In this card we see the comforts of privilege and ancestry.
This week, pay attention to your family and what you learn from them. Appreciate the resources that are yours. Spend some time in your home. This is a good time to redecorate or rearrange your home.
As you take stock of the wealth that is yours, be sure to pass along the things you no longer need.
Upcoming Events
September 13, 3:30 pm
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup
Lenormand Study Group: The Final 9 Cards
Panera Bread
23388 State Road 54, Lutz, FL 33549
We’ve been exploring the Lenormand cards nine at a time. Join us for our study session with the final nine cards. After we explore the meanings of these cards, we’ll put the deck together and try some readings!
You can visit the event listing on my website, and RSVP on Meetup!
Monday, September 14, 7 pm
Free WebEx Webinar Available Exclusively On Line
Global Tarot Circle
Join tarot friends around the world, for an hour of readings, spreads, techniques and general tarot fun!
You can join on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or you can call in.
For log in information, visit the event listing on ChristianaGaudet.com.
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.