Character Building - Literally - With Help From Tarot

Recently I introduced the idea of using the Tarot as inspiration for role-play and visualization. I'm going to delve a little deeper into this same subject matter today, because like Tarot, role play tends to get a bad wrap. Don't believe me? Just look into the protests and boycotts which dragged Dungeons & Dragons through the muck in the late 1980's. Of the many complaints against D&D, and similar fantasy games, probably the most ridiculous was the suggestion this form of entertainment acts as a gateway to more serious concerns such as drug use and dabbling in the occult, even Satanism. With no quantifiable data to support their bogus claims, these voices of contempt were eventually stifled. I'm willing to bet many more were inspired to try D&D because of it's alleged connections to the occult compared to those who were scared straight after a long night of epic battles against orcs.

Hey Diva, Your Understudy Would Like a Word

Remember when Sebastian Bach was fired from Jesus Christ Superstar before the show in Columbus Ohio? If the multiple standing ovations received by his understudy were any indication, attendees did not miss the lead singer of Skid Row one bit. What's this have to do with the Tarot? Keep reading, my reasoning will reveal itself.

Tarot provides insight into our psyche, shedding light on those areas in our lives where self-improvement is possible, but let's shift gears a little and discuss how Tarot can build confidence and creativity via the therapeutic role-play. Frequently, corporate trainers, therapists, even friends will suggest role-play as a means to grow. Visualization is amazing for creating new habits, I'm certain I've talked about it before. I know I'll talk about it again.

This isn't “Fake it till you make it.”

Sure, there is a level of fantasy and pretend going on, but more than this there's the stepping outside of oneself, adopting a new perspective, and experiencing the sensation of the strange unknown which is often so paralyzing. Have you ever met someone that sticks in a horrible situation simply because it's the one they know best, and the idea of something different is overwhelming? Are you one of those people?

How about a show of hands for all the readers who follow some sort of script as part of their career. I see some telemarketers and customer service reps out there. Yes, I've counted all of you that answer the phone with, “(Name of Company), how may I direct your call?”, there's lots of you! 

The point I'm trying to make is you're already familiar with the concept of role play. You're following a script, after all, doesn't that mean you're acting the part of dutiful employee during business hours? Some of you might even be playing the role of devoted spouse. Just think of the rewards if you weren't playing these roles half-heartedly! But let's not go to extremes; I'm looking at you co-authors of "The Rules", creator of purity balls, and members of Obedient Wives Clubs (past, present and future). Be reasonable.

  
Want to make life more interesting? 

Play out the rest of the day as if you were the person capable of wielding the Ace of Swords. According to the Arthurian Legend Tarot, that individual was Sir Galahad. Noble, brave, decisive, mental prowess, these are just a few of the keywords often associated with the Ace of Swords. Not a bad start, eh?

How would Sir Galahad play the part of you? You may find, like Sebastian Bach, folks like the understudy better. I suppose you could pepper your conversations with “ye” and “thee”; expect funny looks and suggestions for professional consultation. What I really mean is, how would you behave if you were decisive, clear thinking, filled with the sort of mental prowess that caused people to stop and listen to your insightful wisdom? Try it, with any card you happen to draw*, share your experience in the comments below.

*Sure, this takes a moderate knowledge of the Tarot to put yourself into the mindset of whatever card you happen to draw; don't forget all those tarot related sites just waiting to provide a deeper insight to the meaning of each card. There's always Crowley's Thoth deck, beautiful imagery and handy titles like Valor, Debauchery, and Satiation will get your brainstorm brewing.  

Dull Knights and the Bounty They Bring

A few years ago, a friend of mine told me the best gift she could give me was the gift of independence. Okay, so it required finding an apartment within my budget when I had no more to my name than a dollar and a dream, but she was right. It's been a long, rocky road, fraught with one economic pitfall after another, but the wisdom of today's card has made the path not only manageable, but also rewarding in ways mere finances could never satisfy.

Some folks find this image disturbing, others take a look at this guy and find his demeanor comforting. How is it for you? Five years ago, I'd look at this card and heave an almighty groan of despair. These days, when the Knight of Disks works his way to the top of my deck, I smile and invite him to stay a while. I suppose it all boils down to how you interpret his message:

   You reap what you sow

Let me rephrase for all those folks in the “if you ain't making dollars, you ain't making cents” corner:

     Get a job + Go to work = Collect Pay*

*This equation works for any manner of personal “currency”, not strictly financial. Want the payout to be in the form of quality time spent with the family, make the following adjustments:

Get a Job Rent a movie + Go to work call the family together = Collect Pay quality time

If you're out there screaming, “you make it sound so easy!” then you understand why this Knight is often met with such disdain. His sensible, deliberate methodology is such a slap in the face to us die-hard optimists adhering religiously to a minimal effort/maximum payout philosophy. At least we can rest easy knowing this knight won't try to sell us on weight-loss scheme that works while sleeping; no short-cuts or snake-oil tactics for this guy. 

When it comes to sticking to tried-and-true methods, this knight is so reliable he's often misrepresented with labels such as: stubborn, dull, even boring. Let's be fair, he also brings desirable traits such as industriousness, patience, and enduring strength to the table, and with traits like these I'll put up with a bit of boring. Besides, nearly every time someone's called me stubborn about something, I was more of the mind that I was just plain passionate. This is the sort of difference of opinion and self-assessment the Knight of Disks is accustomed to.

Sure, he's not flashy. Compared to other Knights in the deck, this one is firmly rooted, with a gaze so fixed upon the horizon his features are but a blur. It's not the Knight himself that demands attention here, but the overall message of him as a factor in his surroundings. This knight understands that the efforts of today impact the manifestations of the future, this same holds true for his approach to health and diet. He's not pausing to lord over his domain, rather he's stopping to replenish the machine which is his body, he's enjoying the rewards (grain) of his efforts (cultivation of the fields), while training his eye towards building upon this success.

When the Knight of Disks shows up it's a good indication that health and finances are a hot topic. Perhaps a business deal is looming on the horizon, or a legal endeavor will finally be settled. The thing to remember here is you get out of it what you put into it. If your finances aren't in order, straighten them out. If you're financially secure (share your tips with me!) then you may want to consider ways to make your money work even harder for you. For those of you who fail to see the connection between health and finances, please share in the comments below the secret to showing up for work while dead.

If you would like to know what message the Knight of Disks has for you, be sure to book a reading!

Is Your Soul's Source of Water Drinkable?

Bloggers all over the world have taken up the challenge today to discuss a common subject in the hopes of sparking sweeping conversation about a single precious commodity; Water. Yes, my friends, I am one such blogger. World Water Day is right around the corner, and how you get involved this October 22^nd, or any other day, is up to you and I certainly encourage you to check out some of the easy options available to you such as this, or even this. Rather than recite a heap of statistics you've probably already heard in other sources, today I'd like to think globally while acting locally, and you really can't get much more local than your self.

When I think of water, I think of Achilles and his vulnerable heel; that tender little spot where his mother held him so delicately while dunking his infant form into the River Styx. Whether used for spiritual strengthening, cleansing or preparation for a transition, water has been referenced in texts far and wide for its ability to draw one closer to the divine. Indeed, sacred bodies of water exist to this very day and are called into use regularly by people of all walks of life. Associated with the qualities of emotion and intuition, water is one of the few universal elements across philosophies worldwide. Just like a single drop of water can overflow a vase, a single person can change the landscape for the better. Let's all strive to be that individual, in our own little way.

The Ace of Cups creates an image of balance and harmony, the reflection of the internal in perfect balance with the external.

The Ace of Cups symbolizes the emotional balance necessary to nurture, support, heal and care for oneself in equal proportion to how one would nurture, support, heal and care for others. Often associated with new relationships, or a sense of recent understanding and the rush of emotion which follows, this Ace indicates a moment of awakening which is marked by love and wisdom. Love in the form of the ray of light illuminating the grail, which is the cobalt blue color of nurturing wisdom. The lotus blossom at the base of the cup is a symbol of divine birth, one's inner divine spirit reflecting outwardly. You may recall that the Empress also carries a lotus to demonstrate her connection to the Ace of Cups and its message. Ultimately, this is a card of perfect balance, supported by love and wisdom, indicating an ability to communicate feelings from a place of emotional integrity, from a place of trust rather than control.

If you would like to know how to bring your internal into balance with your external, along with any other secrets the Tarot may hold for you, please don't hesitate to book a reading. In celebration of Blog Action Day and World Water Day, I'm going to let the Muppets help me sign off.

When Traveling Through the Dark, Remember Your Light

I have a recurring dream. Oh, sure, it's not always exactly the same, the details vary, but the underlying theme is the same; I reside within a house within a house, and I love it. A secret garden, if you will. The décor is always peaceful, the overall feel is that of a sanctuary, and I get a certain sense of comfort when opening up the doors of these hidden rooms to select friends and loved ones. I love wandering these secret hallways as I make my way towards my inner sanctuary, and get downright cranky if I find other people dwelling there without invitation.  Does this mean that I long to live in a house with secret passage ways and hidden rooms, so I can sneak off when I need an oasis? Maybe. I'm sure my friend Rose could provide greater insight, she's a dream interpreter after all. I have a feeling she'll tell me this dream is symbolic of a need for introspection, peace and solitude. Contemplation of this dream would certainly lead to some insight and wisdom, and that is the message which today's card brings.

The hermit is the universal symbol of contemplation, creativity, introspection and the wisdom which comes from experience.

Swathed in the burgundy robes of wisdom and insight, the Hermit wanders alone, equipped with only his lantern of truth and integrity. Desiring only authentic and meaningful encounters, he prefers to keep his distance from society at large, shunning the idea of consuming simply for the sake of competition with one's fellow man. To the Greeks, this man was known as the philosopher Diogenes the Cynical, best known for carrying a lantern in the daytime in his tireless “search for an honest man”. The term “cynic” derives from the Greek word for dog, which is symbolic of the Hermit's steadfast loyalty to those who are truthful and authentic, and his equally tenacious denial of anyone else. What's important to note here is that the Hermit depicted on this card is not holed up in some cave, bedraggled and motionless; instead, we see him moving, traveling and actively searching for those authentic encounters which give rise to creativity and deeper meaning.

Speaking of dogs, notice our hero is not completely alone in his journey. Acting as his traveling companion is Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the underworld. One of the dog's heads is looking backwards, representing the need to examine past situations when choosing our present and future paths.

At the heart of the card, we discover the lantern's true light source - the sun. Symbolic of growth, creativity, collaborations, and renewal, the sun spark at the center of the lantern indicates the creative spark which the Hermit has vowed to protect. 

The Orphic Egg and the Spermatazoon symbolize the Hermit's ability to give rise to new physical and spiritual forms. The distance between these two symbols is deliberate, as it indicates the Hermit's ultimate desire to facilitate growth and illumination, while also ensuring that the union is significant, authentic and meaningful. Anything short of that which is desired results in the Hermit preferring to be alone. All of these symbols are set against a backdrop of a billowing field of wheat, signifying the old adage that we reap what we sow. From this we can infer that the Hermit will not plant the seed of wisdom into any mind or heart unless it promises to result in a rich harvest. As a sage and source for insight and wisdom, the Hermit holds a key to the secrets of the universe, sharing this precious knowledge with just anyone weakens its significance; therefore, our central hero carries the ultimate burden of choosing who is worthy of this information while ensuring he's operating from a place of integrity and authenticity.

I'm thrilled to report our world is filled with many figures who embody the Hermit archetype, it's wonderful to know that our hero of the day has been able to find enough authentic and meaningful relationships that we are able to still benefit from his wisdom. You may even recognize aspects of the Hermit within yourself from time to time. Specifically those days when you just want some time alone so you can think in peace and clear the clutter from the clogged corners of your mind. You may even recognize the Hermit in the eccentric individual, or private counselor, you seek for guidance when it comes to the deep, dark secrets you don't share with your immediate circle of friends. 

When you find yourself slipping into a Hermit phase, as we are all prone to do from time to time, embrace it! Take a walk in the evening, go out and get the mental space you require in order to shed some light into those darkened recesses of your mind that are crying to be examined. In short, do whatever you need to do in order to achieve the peace of mind you desire.

For those of you who would like to know what further insights the Hermit has for you, please schedule a reading. Now let's open the floor for discussion, what's your preferred method for seeking peace of mind when your inner Hermit comes calling? I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Difficult Life Choices, and the Luck of the Draw

Dear Rachel,

I am rather conflicted about my choices when it comes to the little embryo inside of me. Is adoption whats best for the trio of us involved?

Love your die-hard fan,

Katey

Dear Katey,

Before I get into the nuts and bolts of your reading, please let me first commend you for your bravery. It can't be easy to ask such an emotionally vulnerable question to begin with, especially in an open form such as this. The decision you're facing is a difficult one, regardless of circumstances. Rest assured, I promise to give you an honest answer as tactfully as is possible. Ultimately, however, the choice you make is your own. I can only offer insight based on what the cards reveal, you are responsible for the final decision of what you feel is best for you, your unborn child, and your family as a whole. That being said, let's get down to business.

Because you haven't said who the third person is making up the “trio”, I'm going to first talk about the father. That's who I see fleeing the scene, at least (Knight of Swords). I also see his departure was rather abrupt, much like your whirlwind romance and the discovery of your pregnancy. So, here you are, with a child you don't know yet, but already love, and no father to stand by your side during the experience. With him out the door, it's a glaring realization that you're going to be raising this child on your own; a constant reminder of how quickly things can change in the blink of an eye.

Looks like you've got experience in this department.

You've been through this before, this isn't your first try at raising a child on your own, against all odds. In which case, this the other person making up this elusive “trio” could be your other child. If you recall, that stormy affair brought its own happy ending (Nine of Cups). Folks were angry, disappointed and all the other erratic emotions that send up your “everyone is angry, and this is supposed to be a loving environment” alarms. This is a time when you want and need support, but the feedback you're getting is contradictory. I see you have weathered similar storms in the past, this experience is nothing new. Give yourself some credit, when it comes to overcoming supposedly insurmountable odds, you've proven yourself wrong in the past.

If your Mind, Body and Spirit formed a Motown trio, do you think they'd call themselves The Supremes?

For argument's sake, let's say this unspecified “trio” you mentioned is your Mind-body-Spirit connection. When all the chaos of your environment is quiet enough for you to listen to these three in unison, what kind of music do you hear? In the center of this spread we have Art, representing the fusion of opposites. This is alchemy at its finest, even though it takes a great deal of practice, and some failures along the way. It's not easy to take two things which are seemingly opposite and create something wholly new and wonderful from the union.

Looking to the future we have a the Swords representing Mind, it's no surprise you're contemplating all the possible outcomes of your situation, good and bad. Holding firm in the past, you'll see the Cups giving a emotional argument on behalf of Body; the emotions you associate with the first time you held your child are providing a hefty anchor.

What's your intuition telling you? 

The Artist within, representing your Spirit is working hard to be heard, wanting desperately to take a seemingly impossible situation and transform it into something stronger and stable. What if the paradox that's struggling for transformation is you, and this situation you're in is the kick in the pants you needed to figure out what you truly want to achieve in life? Next, what has to happen to shift your gears and bring your mind, body, and spirit into unison?

I can't give you a final answer, Katey, because this is the kind of question which you must ask yourself.  I only hope the insight I've provided will help you come to a decision that you know is the right one. 

Dear Rachel,

I have a concert I'm preparing with 2 other women singers for October 15th. None of us has come right out and said it, but we've hinted at feeling a very positive vibration, and we all feel doors are already opening even as we are just preparing. Is this destined to be an auspicious occasion?

Jean C.

Dear Jean,

Congratulations on this exciting endeavor! October 15^th is just around the corner, and though it will be here before you realize it, I see all of your careful planning and practice will pay off nicely.

The buzz amongst your group is apparent, it's gone unmentioned directly because none of you wants to rush ahead blindly. Even as you're all trying to keep your heads on straight and not get ahead of yourselves, you have a very nice balance of forward momentum (Knight of Wands) paired with the insight and wisdom which can only come from life experience (Queen of Disks). To complete this lovely landscape is the arrival of the "Success" card (Six of Disks).

This is destined to be an auspicious occasion indeed! You can expect the success of your concert to create a positive buzz around you for the next six months, especially if you continue to balance your excitement with strong work ethic. Though you may not see the money start pouring in immediately, you will receive enough positive feedback and a clear enough measure of your success that you will be encouraged to keep making a joyful noise.

I look forward to hearing all about the concert!

Feedback From Madam X

Hello friends!

Some of you may already be aware that yesterday marked the first edition of the "Dear Rachel" column.  What I want to share with you today, however, is the speedy feedback I've received from Madam X regarding her reading.   Her letter reads as follows:

Dear Rachel,

After having my cards read by you, I can attest that you are an amazing and talented Tarot reader. I was so amazed that I shared your findings with friends and family. Even they were surprised to read how spot-on this reading was. They mentioned that for someone who does not know me at all, you were able to see and to understand aspects about me, my situation, and my life (as well as past choices), that only they knew.

What remains important though is that you understand the human condition and take it to heart. Your compassion for those you read, and your advice to readings, referrals to self help books, and ways to assist your clients to improve upon the situations demonstrate that you are one of the few who truly cares.

For those of you who are considering taking some time and to invest in a reading with Rachel, you are truly going to get your money's worth and then some.

Madam X



I'll be the first to admit I'm absolutely thrilled to find out my advice to her was not only accurate, but meaningful and useful as well.  This assures me that I've done my job to the best of my abilities!  For any of you who would like to book a reading, please know that my special price of $10.00 for any choice of spread is still in effect.  For those of you who would like to have your own question featured in a future "Dear Rachel" article, please follow the guidelines listed here.