Tarot News blog has news and information of interest to the tarot community.

Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet

For the Win

Friendly competition can be fun and can help us build skills. Yet, when we fail to acknowledge our wins, we set ourselves up for loss.

A tree sprouting from a tree trunk.

One of the earliest things we learn in life is that there are winners and losers. We are encouraged to compete and win in sports, creativity, and academics.

In adult life, the stakes become higher. We want our favorite sports teams to win, but we also want to win deals, promotions, awards, and recognition.

There is nothing wrong with friendly competition. There is nothing wrong with striving to win.

The problem is that we often do not recognize the little wins in our lives. Other times, we don’t think we can win, so we don’t even try.

When someone is not doing well in life, unkind people will use the term ‘loser’ to describe them.

I believe that, secretly, many of us feel like losers, at least sometimes. Part of this is that we only sometimes see or acknowledge our wins. This happens mainly in the face of disappointment.

When we fail to obtain the win we were hoping for, we must remember to look for the inevitable blessings that come because we tried.

Sometimes, other people set goals for us. They want to use a metric to judge our success that is different from our own. This can make us feel small and unworthy.

When it comes to the game of life, we each get to judge our own wins and losses. When we see ourselves as winners, no matter how small the victory, we welcome greater success.

The StaarCon Fairy for 2024 by Ciro Marchetti.

The StaarCon Fairy for 2024 by Ciro Marchetti.

The StaarCorner

Mitchell Osborn has been a beloved tarot coach and divination teacher in our community for many years. He has been an important part of the StaarCon community since our beginning.

At StaarCon 2024, Mitchell will present “Reading Tarot in Layers”.

In this workshop, you will learn important techniques that will help you give readings that are comprehensive and thorough.
We are also excited that Mitchell will be your host for the Thursday Evening Dinner Excursion. If you are joining us in person and are at the hotel by 6 pm Thursday evening, join your StaarCon friends and take the hotel shuttle to Rosemary Square for a lovely meal together.

We are looking forward to seeing Mitchell, and you, at StaarCon 2024.

A photograph of Mitchell Osborn with his dog.

Tarot For the Win

Which tarot cards specifically speak of winning? Which cards tell us that we are achieving our goals?

My favorite card for winning and competition is the Six of Wands. I also see the Three of Wands as a card of success.

The Three of Pentacles can speak of recognition for professional success.

The Nine of Cups speaks of happiness and wishes fulfilled.

The Ten of Pentacles can speak of wealth, generational wealth, and success in real estate.

In the Major Arcana, the Empress, Emperor, and Hierophant all speak of authority. The Chariot speaks of mastery. The Star speaks of hope and fulfillment. The World speaks of completion.

Many tarotists will have a favorite card that speaks to them personally of their own success. Mine is the Queen of Wands. What’s yours?

The Week in Review

We had a great time at Panera Bread this past Sunday. Wherever you live, check to see if there is a tarot meetup near you. If there isn’t, why not start one?

I am excited to be nominated for the 2023 World Divination Association Awards in three categories. We have until September 28 to vote, so please cast your vote for me, and for your favorite StaarCon diviners.

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 14, please join us on my YouTube channel at 7 pm ET for a special class with guest teacher Erika Robinson. Erika will be teaching “Lenormand for Tarot Readers.”

From Around the Web

In the US, the beginning of autumn means football season. Can we use tarot to predict the outcomes of sports matches? Different readers have different opinions. Tarot author Anthony Louis wrote about this in 2014.

Parade magazine recently interviewed several members of the tarot community. Check out these five tips for your first tarot reading.

StaarCon 2024 headliner Benebell Wen has a new book coming out on the I Ching. Here is a video and blog tutorial she has created to help you get ready to learn I Ching.

Creation and Divination

Arguably, the tarot suit that speaks the most clearly about competition, winning, and losing is the suit of Wands. When we study the suit of Wands, we can see within each card something about winning and losing.

Here is a poem from my 78 Poems Project about the Nine of Wands. This is a card I often call ‘The Wounded Warrior.’

If you would like to submit a poem, essay, or short story for publication in this newsletter, please email it to me.

Nine of Wands

The soldier keeps his vigil, though he appears at rest.

He is a patient guardian, strong and able for the test.

No need to seek a battle that may never come

His battle is within now, until the war is done.

His duty is to wait, to conserve and to defend

To stand long at his post, his battle scars to mend.

With the knowledge of the Hermit he awaits what might arise

And values now diplomacy; his wounds have made him wise.

Upcoming Events

Featured
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube
Nov 25
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube

Join us for an exploration of how we can use tarot to understand difficult family situations.

About Christiana Gaudet

Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.

Christiana Gaudet

3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152

Email cgaudet@cardandcraft.com
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classes www.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com

YouTube @YourTarotFairyGodmother
Instagram @christianatarot @staarcon


Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.

Zoom parties and group instruction available almost everywhere!

Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232 x102
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Schedule online at cardandcraft.10to8.com.

Agent inquiries are welcome.

Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 6 Issue 37
September 13, 2023

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Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet

The Power Number Nine

It is the beginning of the ninth month, and we are talking about the power of the number nine.

The number nine in abstract colorful clouds.

September First marked the beginning of the ninth month. That is a fun coincidence for me because lately, I’ve been contemplating the significance of the number nine. In some spiritual belief systems, nine is considered the most powerful number because it is three times three, and three is a deeply meaningful number representing many sacred trinities.

In mathematics, nine is considered a magical number because the sum of the digits obtained by multiplying nine by any number will always reduce to nine.

The number nine is considered lucky in many cultures.

Nine is, of course, the number of months for human gestation.

In Norse mythology, the universe's structure is organized into nine distinct realms, including Asgard, the home of the deities.

In numerology, nine is the highest and final number, symbolizing completion. Those born with nine as a life path number are thought to be compassionate and charitable.

In many spiritual and magical rituals, a task is done nine times specifically. This is meant to add the vital energy of the number nine to the magical working.

How can you harness the energy of the number nine in your own life? There are endless ways. Say your affirmations nine times instead of only once. Put nine stems of flowers in a vase, or nine stones or nine shells in a dish, and let that be a blessing to your home. Wear a necklace with nine beads to give yourself the power of nine.

How will you bring the energy of nine into your life during this ninth month of September?

The StaarCon Fairy for 2024 by Ciro Marchetti.

The StaarCon Fairy for 2024 by Ciro Marchetti.

The StaarCorner

You may know Frank Kwiatkowski from his earlier StaarCon presentations. You might know him as my co-host on The StaarCast Variety Show (watch for an episode to drop soon). You might know him as the author of Rise and Shine: A Guide for Experiencing Your Midlife Awakening.

Frank's love for the Beatles is well-known, regardless of how you know him. His presentation on the connection between the Fab Four and tarot at StaarCon 2022 was a huge hit.

Frank’s presentation this January will be Famous Foursomes: A Celebration of the Elements!

In this presentation, Frank will lead a discussion of famous groups of four people in pop culture and find the elemental connections in each group.

Don’t miss this and all the other excellent presentations at StaarCon 2024.

A photograph of Frank Kwiatkowski and Dame Darcy at StaarCon 2024.
Closeup of tarot cards on a table.

The Tarot Nines

Six cards in the tarot deck are associated with the number nine. There are the four Nine cards in the Minor Arcana. There is the Hermit, which is card Nine in the Major Arcana. Finally, there is the Moon, which is card 18 and, therefore, numerologically associated with Nine.

It is an excellent exercise in tarot to group cards together according to a shared association and discover what similarities and differences you find within these cards.

When I look at all the Nine cards in tarot, one thing I find they have in common is a sense of personal experience, growth, exploration, and accountability. I see a similar theme with the Sevens. I like to think that the Nines are an evolution of the Sevens in our journey toward personal growth.

What do you see when you look at the tarot Nines as a group?

Illustration of women at a table reading tarot.

The Week in Review

It is a new month, so look for your TarotScopes on my YouTube channel and on TikTok.

Tonight, join us on my YouTube channel for Global Tarot Circle at 7 pm ET.
If you happen to be on or near the Treasure Coast of Florida, please join us this coming Sunday at Panera Bread in Palm City for our monthly tarot meetup at 4 pm.

From Around the Web

StaarCon presenter Marion Kirk recently shared a wonderful post about her tarot origin story. Read “Is Tarot My Wonderwall?”

Aerik Arkadian, my favorite new podcaster, has posted some great information about candle magick.

Theresa Reed, The Tarot Lady, talks about some very real concerns for the tarot community in her September Hit List.

Young woman reading tarot in her kitchen.

Creation and Divination

Something is interesting about the number nine in tarot. In numerology, nine is the highest and final digit and represents completion. In tarot, the cards do not end with nine but continue to ten. In tarot, the Tens can mean completion, although the story of each suit continues into the Court cards. In tarot, the Nines can speak to a fullness of being. The Nines may ask what you are full of right now. This is but one reason to learn the numerology of tarot, separate from any other tradition of numerology.
One of the most creative aspects of tarot, beyond the art of which it is made, is that it is all about storytelling. We use the numbers of tarot to show us the stories that exist within the deck itself. In readings, we use divination to tell us the stories of our lives. Writers use tarot for inspiration with character and plot development.

A creative tarot exercise I particularly enjoy is dividing the cards into suits and putting them into numerical order. Starting with the Ace, tell a story, using each card to progress the story until you conclude with the Ten. Use the four Court cards to add insight to the story in whatever way makes sense.

Then, organize your suits, counting down from King to Ace. Tell a story for each suit in this way. See the King and Queen as Mother and Father God, see the Knight and Page as we, their human children. Begin your story with the Ten representing the situation into which your character is born. Tell their story, card by card, and let the Ace give your story its conclusion.

Looking at the Minor Arcana of tarot in this way, we learn a great deal about the cards, the stories they can tell, and the numbers that influence those stories.

Upcoming Events

Featured
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube
Nov 25
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube

Join us for an exploration of how we can use tarot to understand difficult family situations.

Christiana doing readings on YouTube from her studio.

About Christiana Gaudet

Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.

Christiana Gaudet

3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152

Email cgaudet@cardandcraft.com
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classes www.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com

YouTube @YourTarotFairyGodmother
Instagram @christianatarot @staarcon


Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.

Zoom parties and group instruction available almost everywhere!

Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232 x102
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Schedule online at cardandcraft.10to8.com.

Agent inquiries are welcome.

Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 6 Issue 36
September 6, 2023

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Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet

Downtime

We all need a break. We all need time to ourselves. We so often feel guilty for taking the time we need. This holiday season, let's not feel guilty for our downtime!

The modern word ‘downtime’ was coined to describe time when machines, especially a computer, is unavailable for use. In the United States, we also use that same term to describe time that people take to relax.

When speaking about computers, downtime is undesirable.

When speaking about humans, downtime feels undesirable because we are not getting things done.

But people are not machines.

We require rest, recreation, and even time to stare into space and daydream.

We sometimes call the novels we read, and the trash television we watch our ‘guilty pleasures’.

What would happen if we normalized not feeling guilty for taking some downtime?

All people need downtime. It seems to me that creative people and intuitive people especially need to take that mental space to ponder. Sometimes it feels good and necessary to simply empty the head of productive thought for a few moments. Some of our best ideas and solutions come when we aren’t trying to be brilliant.

During the holiday season we are often extra-busy. Yet, we often have some vacation time at this time of year as well. Perhaps it is not only okay, but beneficial, to spend some of that time on the couch, or in bed, or being idle wherever we are most comfortable.

The Biblical book of Proverbs provides us with the concept that the devil finds work for idle hands to do.

I believe that creating time when our minds are not busy allows the angels to bring us some healing and inspiration, often when we least expect it, but need it most.

The StaarCon 2023 banner.

The StaarCorner

Did you know that the StaarCast Variety Show is available as a podcast from your favorite podcast platform? You can also enjoy the StaarCast Variety Show in video on YouTube.

While you are there, subscribe to our YouTube channel and see interviews with StaarCon presenters past and present.

Episode 4 of the StaarCast Variety Show has just dropped. This episode features a discussion of the Fool with Ciro Marchetti, and panel discussion on favorite tarot books, and a classic tarot spread for you to learn. Watch Episode 4, or get it from your favorite podcast platform.

StaarCon 2023 is now literally just weeks away! Get your ticket to join us in person or online, for one day, two days, or for the full three-day conference.

The StaarCast Variety Show Episode 4 banner.
A girl meditates in a yoga position at home with candles and incense.

Practice and Recreation

Most spiritual practices encourage daily and/or weekly times of personal devotion. There are many daily spiritual tarot practices that include divination, meditation, study, and manifestation with the cards.

If you don’t have a daily or weekly tarot practice, you might consider committing to one for 2023.

Beyond our spiritual devotional practices, tarot can also be something we play with during our downtime.

One of the things I love about tarot is that it is as deep as the ocean, but also can be as light as a cloud. We can play with tarot as easily as we can study it and find deep meaning within it.

How do we play with tarot?

We can enjoy lighthearted readings on our own, and with friends.

We can find tarot images that appear in our world throughout the day. For example, you might see a person or an animal in a particular stance and be reminded of a certain card. Or you may hear a song that reminds you of a card. Then you can consider what meaning that card might have for you in that moment.

We can make up stories about tarot characters. We can use tarot cards to illustrate classic stories and poems. We can create a tarot card by drawing, or by using collage.

There are many ways to have fun with tarot, just as there are many ways to use tarot for deep personal growth and spiritual knowledge.

Silhouette of woman in a yoga pose on the beach at sunset.

The Week in Review

This week I started a new interview series on my YouTube channel entitled “Who Reads Tarot?”

The concept is to present people who work with tarot who are inspiringly different from the stereotypes that surround tarot and tarot readers. My first interview is with Katie Condo. Check it out!

Did you catch our livestream YouTube tarot keyword class on Monday? You can watch the replay!

From Around the Web

Metro has an end-of-year tarotscope for each of the twelve signs. Discover what life lessons you learned in 2022!

What happens when superheroes, video games and tarot collide? It seems that tarot is increasingly finding its way into pop culture!

Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, has a fabulous holiday gift list for all your favorite people!

A picture of the Nine of Pentacles tarot card from the original Rider Waite tarot deck with mixed tarot cards in the background.

Guidance on the Journey

Which tarot cards might talk about taking time for oneself, or for needing some rest, or some downtime?

The Four of Swords is the most obvious choice as a card that discusses rest, recovery, and retreat.

The Hermit can certainly advocate taking alone time.

The Three of Cups can advise recreation with friends.

Any reversed Wand card can speak of a need to recharge.

When we think of downtime spent in a delightful environment, while at ease with the world, I like to consider the Nine of Pentacles. In this card, the subject is alone, content with her surroundings and her activities.

Which cards speak of downtime to you?

Upcoming Events

Featured
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube
Nov 25
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube

Join us for an exploration of how we can use tarot to understand difficult family situations.

Christiana Gaudet with her granddaughter, Aubrey Rankine.

About Christiana Gaudet

Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.

Christiana Gaudet

3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152

Email cgaudet@cardandcraft.com
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classes www.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com

Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.

Zoom parties and group instruction available almost everywhere!
 
Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232  x102
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Schedule online at cardandcraft.10to8.com.

Agent inquiries are welcome.

Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 5 Issue 50
December 14, 2022

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Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet Tarot Topics Community News Christiana Gaudet

Imperfection

Perfectionism is a problem. Yet, sometimes we must do better than our best, with the help of divine intervention. Often, we must learn to accept the perfection of our imperfection.

Fantasy art romantic painting a man with cat sitting and watching the cosmos.

We all know that nothing is perfect. Yet so many of us seek perfection and feel deflated when we inevitably fall short. What is it that causes us to demand perfection of imperfect beings? For some, it may be in our astrological chart. I’m looking at you, Virgos and Capricorns! For others, it may be a trauma response.

There is a line in the John Legend song, “All of Me” that really speaks to this. “All of me loves all of you…all your perfect imperfections.” To me, this captures the essence of true love. When we love someone, we see their flaws. We do not love them despite their flaws, we love them because of their flaws. We find their imperfections endearing. (Of course, a misunderstanding of this can be a slippery slope toward justifying and perpetuating abusive relationships.)

There are some interesting cultural practices that teach us the value of imperfection.   A great example is Japanese kintsugi. This is the practice of using gold to repair broken pottery, thereby bringing beauty and acceptance to the flaw.

There are times when perfection is what we need. I want my surgeon, and my hair stylist, to do their jobs perfectly. There are many jobs that require seemingly perfect skill. Yet, these jobs are done by obviously imperfect humans. Beyond skill and practice, there may be a bit of divine intervention that happens when the need is great. We may not be perfect, but we may sometimes be able to channel guidance which allows us to accomplish a task perfectly.

In divination, we seek the best answers we can find. We look to discover what we can do to create our best possible outcome. The same is true in life.  In our expectations of ourselves and others, we do best when we strive to do our best, while at the same time accepting and loving our imperfections.

The StaarCon 2023 banner.

The StaarCorner

We are excited to welcome presenter Vicki Santell back to StaarCon 2023! In January Vicki will present an exciting workshop on inner child work with tarot.

So many of us talk about ways in which tarot is an invitation to heal the inner child. Yet, there is not a lot of information available about how to do that. In this workshop Vicki will offer detailed information on how we can use tarot in the journey of personal healing.

Plan to join us for StaarCon 2023, either in person or online, for one day, two days, or all three days. Get your tickets now!

A photo of Vicki Santell.
Woman reading tarot cards on a cloth on the floor.

Is It Good Enough?

We all struggle with perfectionism to some extent. Tarot can help us figure out when good enough is good enough, and when we need to strive to do better.

Sometimes two-card spreads which ask ‘choice A’ or ‘choice B’ can be very helpful. We can use this same technique to figure out if what we are doing or planning is good enough, or if we need to keep trying or do more.

Simply pull one card for ‘Stop here- this is the best in can be’. Pull a second card for ‘Keep trying’.

The interpretation of these cards may be very intuitive. Consider how you feel about each card in its position, and let this process guide you.

World Divination Association nomination asset for Christiana Gaudet.

The Week in Review

Have you voted in the World Divination Association Awards yet? I am nominated for Best Tarot Reader and Best Tarot Teacher! You will also see many past and present StaarCon presenters amongst the nominees. Please vote for your favorites before September 29!

All members of my YouTube channel are invited to join us for a members-only livestream tomorrow, Thursday, September 22, at 7 pm ET. Our topic is Tarot and the Chakras.

From Around the Web

Has anyone ever told you that tarot reading is incompatible with Christianity? Here is a new book that calls tarot and Christianity “a natural pair”.

Here are 10 Ways to Overcome Perfectionism.

Heal Perfectionism with the Hermit!

The High Priestess tarot card.

Guidance on the Journey

A card I often associate with perfection, perfectionists, and perfectionism is the High Priestess. The High Priestess can represent the highest ideal of balance, beauty, and spiritual wisdom. To strive for that ideal is part of the journey toward enlightenment. Yet, true enlightenment comes when we, like the High Priestess, delve into the deep waters of what is hidden.

So many things look perfect on the outside, but the inside is a vastly different story.

The High Priestess reminds us of this dichotomy.

So often, we see the High Priestess simply as a card of silence, intuition, connection with the subconscious, balance, and wisdom. The High Priestess is indeed all that, and yet so much more. When we explore this card as a lesson of perfection and perfectionism, we can learn so much about our own journey.

In a reading, the High Priestess can reveal a perfectionistic tendency that may be either helpful or unhelpful in the querent’s life.

Upcoming Events

Featured
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube
Nov 25
Tarot For Your Family Members-only Livestream on YouTube

Join us for an exploration of how we can use tarot to understand difficult family situations.

Christiana holds her grandchildren, Aubrey and Elliot.

About Christiana Gaudet

Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.

Christiana Gaudet

3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152
 
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classes www.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com
 
Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.

Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida. 
 
Call or text toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232 
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.

Agent inquiries are welcome.

Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 5 Issue 38
September 21, 2022

Read More