Tarot by Rachel

Character Building - Literally - With Help From Tarot

2011-06-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-10-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Every Prince Must Face A Dragon In Pursuit Of His Happily Ever After

2010-09-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel,

My life appears to be going in reverse. I have my education, but like so many I am still looking for work. Sending out resumes week after week becomes a daunting process and at times I want to throw in the towel. What is preventing me from moving forward? I look back at all the money I spent and wonder if I should just return to school and study nursing or something more practical. What do you see?

Sincerely,

Madame X

Dear Madam X,

I understand the frustration you're experiencing with the job market and prospects available to you, it's tough out there. Seems like no matter which direction you turn all you find are tangles and burrs; this is not the exciting life you were expecting. An education is supposed to make finding a job easier, but in your case it seems to be playing against you as many of the jobs you're applying for lately see you as overqualified. It's not going to stay this way forever, so keep your head up. From where I'm sitting it looks like you're just applying for anything and everything lately, and that's adding to your frustration, because now you're also experiencing rejection from sources you normally view as last ditch efforts.

Focus on jobs you'd enjoy, even create your own!

Your creativity is stifled these days, and that's not helping your stress level either(Prince of Wands). Sad thing is, every time you think of something that would potentially make you happy, you just as quickly come up with a reason why that option will lead to disappointment (Five of Cups). What's holding you back at this moment is yourself - specifically the worry of eventual disappointment that's dashing your goals before they ever take flight. Before you can move forward, you must examine the past and make peace with yourself (Two of Swords). Play to your strengths and don't be afraid to bring back the bartering system with your friends and neighbors, chances are you'll discover a hidden talent which could prove to be profitable.

I see that much of your frustration stems from the fact that you're anxious to move faster, you're not seeing the sort of measurable results you're after, and the meager results you are seeing just aren't happening at a satisfying pace. Because you and the perceived pace of Life are out of sync you're starting to consider it personal, wondering what you may have done wrong to deserve this imbalance. I wouldn't say you've done anything wrong, it's more correct to say that you're turning a blind eye to opportunities due to a lack of confidence. When life forces us to slow down it tends to mean there's some important message we're missing, so everything slows down, or comes to a screeching halt, to give you a chance to catch up. What's the message you've been missing?

Don't be in a rush to run away, decide where you really want to go and what you want upon arrival.

The problem here isn't so much the lack of jobs available, it's the lack of jobs available in your area. Have you considered applying for work in another City or State? Before you spill a long list of reasons about why that's not feasible, consider the fact that you have friends all over the world who can tell you what job opportunities are available in their neck of the woods, and might even be willing to help you find affordable housing. You have more options than you're acknowledging because ultimately you're afraid of disappointment and this is what's holding you back. Think back over a period of five weeks, five months, or five years, even back to the tender age of five if necessary, and ponder situations marked by a similar fear. That's where you'll find some insight into what's really causing your roadblocks, and once you give those restless old skeletons a proper burial you'll be able to see that history is only destined to repeat itself when we fail to learn from the past. In short, because you don't want to repeat past upsets, examination of past hurts is required. What happened the last time you took a chance and made a significant move based on faith alone? What warning signals did you ignore then that may be sounding off now?

Have you ever thought you might be afraid to bloom where you're re-planted because you lack faith in the strength of your roots? If you're sensing some cryptic message about the sometimes strained relationship between you and your parents, I'd say it's not so cryptic and you might want to stew on it a bit.

This imbalance and frustration you're feeling is effecting you on a mental, emotional and spiritual level (swords, cups and wands), and with all of these things in turmoil it's no surprise you're having a hard time sorting your options. It really is possible to be worried sick, so exercise some preventative health measures. Take some time to relax and rejuvenate, do something to help clear your mental clutter like a long soak in the tub, a chill-out session of yoga, or even a cleansing vent session with your journal. If you want to get some distance between your head and your heart long enough to let your subconscious offer up its opinion, some suggestions for doing so can be found in this article.

I wish you all the best, my friend, do keep me posted on your progress!

When Rolling With the Changes, Expect the Unexpected

2010-08-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

I'd like to start by extending a word of thanks to my friend Joann Hamann-Buchanan, author of The 3 L's, Live, Laugh, Love. She's hosting a series dedicated to life-altering moments, and one of these stories happens to be my own.

Personal growth and the Law of Attraction may be hot topics these days, but they've been the central theme of the Tarot for hundreds of years. The prevailing theme of the 78 cards is one of personal responsibility; acknowledging the consequences of our actions shapes the experience of our lives. Yet even the most ancient of philosophies still can't deny the fact that sometimes things just happen.

When was the last time you were pleasantly surprised?

Show me someone who genuinely loves surprises, and I'll show you a person who hasn't experienced anything worse than finding a red sock in their previously white laundry. Most of Life's surprises tend to come in some gnarly packaging – like the time I found out my female cat was really a male, and had just impregnated his sister. Such an event tends to set a mighty fine argument for making a positive life change, such as neutering a pet early.

In the spirit of surprise luck, The Wheel of Fortune is a harbinger of blessings, some of which may be in disguise.

A bit of Luck in heading your direction, unexpected and utterly out of the blue. Kind of like all those times your brother would shout “think fast!” and lob a baseball in the direction of your head. Remember those days? I sure do, and after a fair share of lumps, you better believe I've cultivated catlike reflexes. Speaking of siblings, did you know Lady Fortune is every bit as dumb, as her sisters Love and Justice are blind? Oh, she means well enough, she's sweet in her own goofy way. Just don't bother asking her for directions because she can't tell you, but she can give you a compass, a crudely drawn map, and a few cryptic hints that you're heading in the right direction (i.e. when you get to old man Dodson's place, keep going; turn left at the second pick up truck; if you get stuck in the septic field you've gone too far).

Consider this card your compass, and the symbols upon it are your cryptic hints that act as landmarks on your journey. In time you'll be navigating Fortune's landscape so well you'll even be able to come through the septic field smelling like a rose.

As the namesake of this card, it's important to take a closer look at the symbolism of the Wheel. Since the days of ancient man, the Wheel acts as a symbol for mobility, revolution, and cycles. Across many translations of the word “wheel” the root definition seldom varies from circle, rotate, revolve, or move around. As a symbol for the law of attraction and the natural flow of energy, think of how often you've heard the phrase “what comes around, goes around.” When we consider the ease of the Wheel turning and flowing in motion, we are reminded of how our own lives move in much the same manner. Although we have old and new events - the hub of the wheel (symbolic of ourselves - our core nature) remains the same. Given the nature of a wheel to turn, take the advice at the core of your own nature, and roll with the changes. Adapt to the new environment and grow from the process, being resistant merely makes the changes more taxing.

Wielding the sword of Wisdom, the sphinx represents a stance of objectivity. Attitude is everything when it comes to the shaping of our perspective. Think of life like the weather – don't take it personally. Our thoughts manifest, so think on the sunny side, this is the Wheel of Fortune after all!

We've seen this monkey before, he's Hanuman, the Hindu god worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. Look how relaxed he is, his expression is so chill, not the least bit phased by the eventual downturn. He takes the highs with the lows, maintaining a flexible view of his circumstances. This kind of flexibility doesn't occur overnight, it takes practice, diligence and stretching.

Here we have the Egptian god, Souchos, the embodiment of creativity. Although a treacherous creature, the alligator was considered a benefactor of the land, analogous to the Nile itself whose threatening floodwaters nonetheless ensured the perpetuity of life. Notice how he's reaching toward something? He's not lounging around, waiting for the creative muse to arrive; instead, he's actively searching for ways to transform the world around him for the better. The embodiment of reaping what we sow.

If you would like to know what events Lady Fortune has in the works for you, book a reading.

Join in the discussion! What's your experience with blessings in disguise?

Victory Is Sweetest When You've Known Defeat

2010-08-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

The title for today's article comes from a quotation by Malcolm S. Forbes.

Don't let the outward appearance of today's card frighten you, this is a subject which is relevant in everyone's lives and must be examined at one time or another.

Defeat, or more specifically the fear of it, has the power to turn us into prisoners within our own lives.

Fear is crippling, constricting, confining, and keeps us in a position where we cannot move forward to manifest our dreams and goals. What's important to remember here is more often than not, this fear of defeat is completely self-imposed and seldom based on current reality. Chances are something is occurring presently which resembles a painful memory from the past, which isn't all together a bad thing. The only real defeat is failing to learn from our mistakes.

Fear is a primal survival mechanism, intent upon keeping us from harm's way.

But what about those times when the fear is based on memories of a past trauma we do not wish to repeat? Today's card represents a fear of history repeating itself, or an event which could end up with us being hurt again. The hope is that we're capable of learning from past mistakes in order to avoid similar situations in the future, and that is the message which today's card brings.

The Five of Swords (Defeat), being astrologically based on Venus and Aquarius, speaks of facing an emotion-based decision and the resulting fear which is stifling the decision-making process. Essentially there are two fears being held in the mind – one is a fear about a new relationship not working out, or two, having a fear of moving in a new direction that is emotionally important.

Of course it's emotionally important – this is the quality of your life we're talking about here!

The arcane symbolism inherent within the five pointed star indicates the self (mind, body and spirit) in balance with nature (earth, air, fire and water). When turned upside down, as seen on the Five of Swords, it is an indication that the individual is not in balance with nature; therefore, experiencing a distorted view brought about by fearing defeat. The turbulent background demonstrates the manner in which fear of defeat has become constrictive in the individual's life, clouding perspective in such a way that alternatives are not immediately evident. The hilt of each individual sword indicates the major areas in our lives where this constriction is happening: the sleeping snake demonstrates a lack of renewal and regeneration; the ram indicates an inability to move in new directions; the red handkerchief represents an old fear tied to the past, and this same fear is symbolized by the Pisces-hilted sword. Pisces being the astrological sign which represents the past, the Piscean age, or that which is old, yet memorable. Basically, fear has us looking at things from a distorted perspective, which is symbolized by the sword with the crown placed upside down. The crown is a symbol of expanded awareness, and here it is upside down, indicating our awareness is currently skewed. Do not despair, my friends, where there's a will, there's a way! Notice the white light in the shape of a star? This is the greater aspect of who we are, our authentic selves, trying to break through the fear that has clouded our mind with negative thinking about the past and the future. This light will lead us to clarity as we look for the all-important lessons found in past experience, to help guide our path as we move towards our dreams and goals.

If you are currently struggling with a fear of defeat, take the time to look back over a period of five months, five years, or even as far back to the age of five. Consider any similar situations which resemble your current circumstances, think about what decisions you made then and whether or not they lead to success or sorrow, and make your current choices accordingly. As always, if you would like to know what the cards hold for you, do not hesitate to schedule a reading .

You Don't Need To Be An Astronaut To Experience A Moon Landing

2010-07-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

“And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon. “
Pink Floyd

By now you should be noticing a trend: every single card in the Tarot speaks of some aspect of personal growth and the human condition. If all of us moved in a linear fashion, at the same pace as our peers, we might experience smoother transitions, but man alive we'd be bored to tears.

Life doesn't move in straight lines, it's unnatural, and the forcing of logic and reason upon our inherently cyclical world is a result of mankind's desire to exert some dominion over the mysterious workings of Nature.

No one ever said us humans aren't an arrogant lot. Try as we might, however, this tendency of ours to categorize everything and tie everything up with neat little bows will never make these rotations cease.

After all, how many times have you heard it said that a person will repeat patterns until they've learned the lesson?

We'll continue to date morons until we understand why we're drawn to dolts; we'll continue to take dead-end jobs until we understand why we're compelled to work for the sake of working; we'll continue having the same argument over and over until we realize why we feel compelled sway the mind trapped within a thick skull.

Perhaps if we focused our intent inwardly, rather than outwardly, we'll experience the change we seek.

Within the Tarot, the Moon signifies choice and authenticity. Of all the cards in the deck, it is this one which is referred to as “the karma card”, and in this case karma means “work that needs to be done.” What is this work? Ultimately it is making the all important choice between living authentically, or supporting our false persona or dutiful self.

Is this saying you should go out and just start making decisions all willy nilly because they somehow speak to the needs of your inner child?

Not if those choices ultimately lead to negative consequences. Essentially, the Moon is telling us to take the time to know ourselves better; know what makes us tick, know why we react the way we do to certain stimulus, and possibly find more adaptive and healthier ways of expressing ourselves as a result.

Through self-knowledge we are better capable of making the choice to:

create a new reality
maintain the status of our current reality
release and let go of realities that no longer serve us.

Looking at the card you'll notice the twin Ra kings standing guard at the gates. These Ra kings are sun gods who protect our life force and energy as we change and reclaim our authentic selves. The jackals (symbolizing the Egyptian diety Anubis) are reminders that we must let go of the old in order to pass through the gates and experience something new. While at the bottom of the card we can see a scarab (representing the Egyptian God of Transformations, Kephri) pushing a small version of the sun over the horizon. This homage to the rising sun is symbolic of the renewal of life and the idea of eternal existence.

I've mentioned before, albeit briefly, the Moon represents the universal feminine principle . The ever-changing phases of the Moon and its magnetic pull upon the waters of the earth are representative of our own constantly shifting thoughts and emotions. Being made up of mostly water, we cannot help but feel the tug of the Moon's influence as it transitions from new to full every twenty-eight days. Its magnetic force upon the waters of the earth stands as a reminder to be receptive to the expression of our full nature. Whether we are male or female, the reclamation of our authentic self requires we are open, and introspective, as we work towards revealing ourselves without self-censorship or holding back in any way.

Finally, the Moon is also a symbol of romance. Reminding us that in romantic involvements we see our potential dreams; yet, we're also challenged to remain true to ourselves rather than pretend to be someone we are not. The romantic state can be one of inspiration, or illusion and deception, and the Moon reminds us that we can either reveal, or conceal, our true selves.

If you would like to know what other messages are in the cards for you, please visit my website .

If You Think You Cannot, Then You'd Be Correct. But It's Not The First Time You've Been Wrong

2010-07-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

What a week it's been! Oh it began well enough, I was excited about working and looking forward to helping people change their lives throughout the week to come. However, what started as an uncomfortable tickle in the back of my throat Monday morning, turned into an angry field of razorblades by Monday evening, complete with painfully ringing ears in case the message of “you're sick!” wasn't coming through loud enough. Tuesday was more of the same, along with body aches and fever settling in for an unannounced visit. It wasn't like I could tell all of these uninvited pathogens to take a hike either - my voice resembled rough gravel at that point - but I sure gave it the ole college try with all of my groaning and whining. By Wednesday I'd had enough, I wasn't going to take this bug lying down, I was going to work and that was that. Two hours later I was right back in bed and stayed there until Friday morning. This week I had a goal: work every single day. To say this goal was an exercise in futility is an understatement, but it seems like the card of the day wants me to put a finer point on it. Not just to teach myself a valuable life lesson, but perhaps to share one with you as well.

The seven of Swords, also known as “Futility”, paints a picture of the human psyche as it relates to goal setting and negative self-talk. How often do you make a goal and just as quickly talk yourself out of it? Yes, there are times when this sort of conversation is necessary, just look at me last week, I was genuinely ill. But what about those times when the things holding you back are all in your head with no basis in reality? It's those kinds of times that the seven of swords warns us about. Notice the large, central sword, and consider this to be the visual representation of your goal (example: going back to school), and all six of those smaller, downward pointing swords are the thoughts and self-dialog you use to talk yourself out of your goal (I can't afford it, I don't have time, there are no jobs in my field of interest, no one can watch my kids,...). If the term “futility” is just too heavy for you, let's call this the “yes, but..” card instead. “Yes, I want to do this thing, but I can't because...” and on with the looping tape of self-defeat.

What's important to remember is this card also represents the mind that knows what it wants. You do have a goal after all, you just happen to be working harder on talking yourself out of it than you are at actually working on the goal in mind. Who says you can't put a period after the “yes” and remove the “but” all together? If your mind is filled with negative self-talk, then interrupt yourself long enough to ask for some evidence of proof.

Remember that scene in Pee-wee's Big Adventure when Pee-Wee and Simone are watching the sunrise from inside the giant dinosaur's mouth, and Simone's talking about how all her life she's dreamed of going to Paris but she just can't? I crack up just thinking about it, because what happens next is Pee-wee delivers possibly the best pun in the history of film when he says, “Everyone I know has a big But... C'mon, Simone, let's talk about *your* big But.” Don't take my word for it, take Pee-wee's advice, and that of several psychologists, confront your habit of negative self-talk with some challenging questions.

1 Test Reality

What evidence do I have to support (or negate) this thinking?
What facts do I have, or am I just interpreting things this way?
Could I be jumping to conclusions?
How can I find out if my thoughts are actually true?

2 Look for alternatives

Are there other ways to look at this situation?
What else could this mean?
If I were being positive, how would I perceive this situation?
If my friend was in this situation, what advice would I give them?

3 Put it in perspective

Is this situation as bad as I am making out to be?
What is the worst thing that could happen? How likely is it?
What is the best thing that could happen?
What is most likely to happen?
Is there anything good about this situation?
Will this matter in five years time?

4 Use goal directed thinking

Is thinking this way helping me to feel good or to achieve my goals?
What can I do that will help me solve the problem?
Is there something I can learn from this situation, to help me do it better next time?

The ultimate message within the Seven of Swords is to tune into your negative self-talk and silence it through action. By challenging your thinking in this way, you can break free from the cycle of repeating negative self-talk. Which will then set you on a path towards actualizing your goals and seeing measurable progress in your life. If you would like to book a reading with me to see what other messages are in the cards for you, please visit my website.

When In Need Of Comfort, The Empress Suggests Rice Pudding

2010-07-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, a naïve young man set out on a great adventure, unbridled by a fear of the unknown and excited about what lay around the next bend. In spite of his excitement, many called him a Fool for setting out with little food, less money, and no map or destination in mind. His road was rough and rocky, but each new experience was met with curiosity and enthusiasm for Life's many mysteries. Our adventurer did not stay alone for long, along the path our hero encountered a traveling circus and decided to take in a magic show. That juggler sure could juggle, and that silver tongue of his moved just as fast! You know what they say about a fool and his money being soon parted? Just the same the experience proved beneficial, our hero received a valuable lesson and was the better for it. Now equipped with a cautious mind for potential dangers, but still fearless about what may come next, our hero soon crossed paths with a mysterious woman. Rather than taking offense at being met with such caution, this Priestess was thrilled to see our hero relying on his intuition, and rewarded him with directions to the castle where he could meet the Empress. Weary from his journey, penniless from his encounter with the Magician, and dirty from sleeping on the floor of the Priestess' cave, our adventuring fool collapsed at the gate of the castle and soon after found himself nursed back to health by the Empress herself...

There's a beginning, middle and an end to the story of the Major Arcana, and I will gladly tell it in full at a later date, for now I want to focus on the gentle woman who nursed the Fool in his time of need. The Empress is the image of the quintessential woman. She is the embodiment of the maternal archetype, bathed by the magnetic and feminine energy of the Moon. Within the realm of Mythology and psychology she is more commonly called The Earth Mother, Demeter, Venus, the Anima, as well as yin energy. She holds in her hand a lotus blossom, to remind us of the importance of approaching life from a place of love and wisdom. Her arm is curved in a way to suggest she is ready to give and receive love in equal measure, from a place of comfort and trust. At her feet you'll find a swan surrounded by its nursing young, and a shield depicting a double phoenix. Both the swan and phoenix are symbols of transformation (from ugly duckling to beautiful swan, the phoenix finding rebirth through flames), and are used here to demonstrate the sort of internal and external transformation the Empress nurtures with her wise and loving embrace. She brings a message of balance and harmony, stressing the importance of taking care of ourselves and being cautious to not over-give or become pushy when there's something we want. Whenever we have an emotional involvement in something, it's natural to want to focus a great deal of love and attention on that task and can easily overlook our own needs, or push too hard to eek out progress at an unnatural pace. Which is why the Empress tries to teach us the value of balancing Love and Wisdom.

What's this mean in a practical sense? I'm a novice in the sphere of blogs (a lot like the Fool I mentioned earlier, and more on him in later articles), but not when it comes to Tarot and a host of other talents. Over the years I've wracked up a series of successes, the majority of which have been relatively effortless. Is this to say that I find this step into blogging, and the expansion of my Tarot reading to a global market, to be unsuccessful? Not in the least! In fact, it's going very well, I'm seeing measurable success and it's exciting, I just want to reach out to more people, faster. I know it's unrealistic to think I'm going to have a global following overnight, but I like to shoot for the moon so I can at least wind up among the stars. Because the results aren't manifesting nearly as quickly as I would like, the appearance of the Empress as today's card is important as a reinforcement for what I know in the back of my mind: success will come through patience and loving effort, but not from pushing too hard or becoming exhausted by pooling all efforts in one direction.

What can you do when the Universe is telling you to slow down, but still you're anxious to see some results? Put a little bit of the Empress' wisdom and nurturing ways to work, and try your hand at my rice pudding recipe. In less than an hour you can have a sweet bowl of measurable progress and renewed faith in your abilities to make good things happen.

Rachel's Rice Pudding – yields several servings of tasty goodness in about 30 minutes.

3 Cups Milk

2 Cups Water

1 Cup white rice (not instant)

¼ - ½ Cup sugar (to taste, and honey can be used as well)

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine milk, water, clove and rice in a medium saucepan and stir over medium-low heat. Stir constantly and stir slowly. Use this time to catch up with someone you love and tell each other jokes, and somewhere in the next 15 minutes you'll notice the liquid starting to warm up. Enjoy the warmth of the steam tickling your wrist, this is an hint of the soul-warming to come when you taste the first spoonful of finished pudding. Make sure to take deep breaths of the clove scented milk too, isn't that wonderful? Once the liquid begins to simmer, you've got another 15 to 20 minutes before it's ready, and this is really based on your preference. If you like your rice to have a little bit of tooth to it, stir for 15 minutes, if you like it softer and creamier, shoot for 20 minutes. If you get to the fifteen minute mark and its thickening up quickly, but you want the rice a bit softer, splash in another ¼ cup of milk and go back to that slow, relaxing stirring. When you've reached your desired consistency, add in the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and give it another two minutes over this medium-low heat. Serve warm.

After trying this recipe, please let me know how it turned out for you, and if you happen to hear an especially funny joke (or horridly bad pun) while cooking the pudding, please share that too! For those of you who would like to take advantage of my limited time offer of readings for $20.00, please visit my website.

Is Your Message Falling Through The Cracks Of Your Social Network's Web?

2010-07-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

Today's featured card brings to mind the lyrics of Heart's fabulous hit “Magic man”. You know the one about a young lady who finds herself growing up too fast under the influence of a smooth-talking mojo man. Or maybe this guy resembles the person who took Jack's cow in exchange for some magic beans. Just the same, the message in today's card is all about communication – being clear in what we say, and being careful not to be fooled by someone else's sales tactics. From MySpace, to Facebook, Instant Messenger to Twitter, our options for staying connected are limited only by our time and desire. We have so many different ways of keeping in touch these days you'd think that miscommunication would be a thing of the past. Hardly! Just the other day, my Facebook news feed was dominated by someone tweeting her anger at someone else (not me). I don't know what the other person was saying to her, I only know that every five minutes I was graciously updated with her side of the argument, and can only assume that everyone else on her prolific list of friends was kept in the loop as well. How she managed to truncate all of her words into net-speak and still stay within the word limit of Twitter is beyond me, but she did it, and that's just impressive. I was also impressed by my ability to understand all of those "words" made up of consonants and numbers, not a vowel in sight. All of this smacks of too much to say, and too many ways to say it; a breakdown in communication is bound to happen in the process.

Which is why I feel the appearance of the Magician as the card of the day is so poignant. The Magician is a card centered upon communication in all manner of facets; verbal and non-verbal, direct and indirect, empowering and demeaning, the list goes on and on. If it can be communicated to another, the Magician has a hand in it. When drawn to this card, it is an indication that communication is a priority. What an understatement! Ah well, the Magician isn't always subtle. Just look at him, balancing so artfully as he juggles with such mastery his arms are but a blur. These multiple arms represent the many different ways in which we communicate, for he not only holds the symbols of the minor arcana (swords – thought, cups – emotion, fiery wands – spirit, disks – earthly possessions) but many ways of expression (written, oral, aural, etcetera) as well. Not only does he know just what to say, he knows just when to say it – he's the ultimate keynote speaker. As an interesting (to me, at least) side note, I've had to put this article on hold several times already to provide readings for other people, over the phone, through instant messenger and even face-to-face. If that's not an indication of the Magician's influence today, I don't know what is!

Did you happen to notice the shadowy monkey positioned right behind the juggling magician? The Magician seems undaunted by the ape's appearance, and we should be undaunted as well. That's actually an amalgamation of the Egyptian god Thoth and the Hindu god Hanuman, both representing Wisdom. When Wisdom and Communication get together, Illusion and Falsehood are soon to follow. Is this to say we should avoid communicating because eventually someone will try to mislead us? No, it just means to be aware of the possibility in order to avoid being mislead. What's this all mean in common language? Your words have power, and should be selected accordingly. As I mentioned in the paragraph before, the Magician presides over the delivery and not just the message. This comment brings to mind the episode of the Office where Michael gets angry at Kevin botching “The Chris Rock bit”, yet fails to realize that the bit should have never been shared in an office setting in the first place. This card covers the gamut of knowing what to say, when to say it, and who to say it to. If you've been experiencing challenges with any of the above, the Magician can help you sort it all out. Just be sure to operate with flexibility and creativity, and always know your audience.

If you would like to book a reading with me, please visit my website.

You're a Shining Star, No Matter Who You Are

2010-07-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

"Self confidence is the key to the universe." -Carrol Wrackley

The key to the universe. Imagine the ramifications of that comment for just a moment. With confidence, limitless possibilities of personal achievement become available. Those things once thought beyond reach become more than the stuff of dreams. Even better, this tapping into unlimited potential is not an impossible task. Oh, it can seem daunting if you don't know the steps towards gaining confidence. Then there's the ever-looming threat of becoming overly confident to the point of arrogance, which seems to be more heinous than low-confidence in the minds of many people. Maybe the real setback is not the tools and steps necessary for building confidence, but the unlimited possibilities of options available once confidence has been established. Having several options and avenues available is much better than none at all.

Several cards within the Tarot speak of the importance of self-confidence, but none quite so clearly as the Star. The imagery alone speaks of being a conduit for divine influence and then manifesting this divine persuasion in our daily lives. Ponder the relaxed posture of the woman as she tilts her cup of divine light in her right hand, lets it flow through her body then releases it through the cup in her left hand. So confident is she in her connection to the divine that she doesn't even need to look at the cup in her left hand to ensure that this light is reaching its destination. Even as she balances lightly upon the crystallization (translation: manifestation) of her achievement, she looks relaxed, but not the least bit arrogant. Demonstrating the lesson that even as we gain confidence, we must also ensure we do not delve into the realm of false confidence, over-confidence, or snobbery; it's a delicate balancing act which takes practice.

So how does one go about gaining self-confidence? The consensus suggests taking minor risks and reaping the benefits of those small risks turning into small successes, others say daily affirmations are the trick to improving self-esteem, and still others insist there is no quick and easy fix because an individual needs to create a structured road map to navigate from the point A of low confidence to the point B of self-assurance. This last option sounds more like a confidence crusher rather than a confidence builder, but then I've never been one to sit idly by and accept that there's only one way to tackle an issue. Personally, I think if the idea of making positive, lasting changes is daunting in your waking life, you should sleep on it. Literally. I'm serious, put your subconscious mind to work for five minutes a day and you will notice the benefits in just one month. If that won't boost your confidence... well, I'm not about to be a Negative Nelly. Because in all honesty, putting your subconscious to work will not only improve your motivation, and emotional intelligence, but also increase your level of happiness. The perfect recipe for building self-esteem, right?

My friends, I now reveal to you the three step (five minute) process of improving confidence subconsciously.

Step One: Before bed each night, take a minute to make a request of your subconscious. My advice is to start small and make it open ended. Asking your subconscious to reveal ways for you to become a Hollywood mogul might be a little bit ambitious at this stage. I have a lot of great things to say about the power of the subconscious mind, but “miracle worker” is not one of them.

Step Two: Take two minutes to visualize yourself actually able to do this thing. Whether it's getting the motivation to eat healthier, or volunteer more often, you must visualize yourself doing the request you've asked of your subconscious. For the sake of argument, let's say you've decided to ask your subconscious for assistance with selecting a healthier diet. Now visualize yourself preparing food, eating and enjoying that food. Don't do this halfway, really visualize the taste, smells, and texture of food. Yum!

Step Three: Take these last two minutes to visualize how you will feel when you actually accomplish this goal. How do you feel when you taste and digest this meal? Energized? Satisfied? Full? Less sluggish? Whatever it is you want to achieve, imagine that you already have accomplished this goal and let that emotion sink in. Then, go to sleep and let your subconscious to the rest of the work.

Trust in your subconscious' vast resources and allow it to do its thing, its goal is to improve your life. Will you see results overnight? Probably not, but that's because some level of action is required from you. You might not leap right into a healthy dining routine, but keep visualizing this change and start making baby-steps as the weeks progress. Then, about two weeks into your visualization routine, just go for it. By that time you should have established enough emotional support behind your goal that the transition is almost effortless. By creating emotional momentum you also create motivation to see your goals through to successful completion. Successful completion of goals builds self-confidence. Greater self-confidence builds motivation to attain larger goals, and the cycle goes on and on.

Consider this your homework. Establish a goal for yourself and use subconscious techniques to create emotional momentum, then report back to me with your discoveries.

If you would like to book a reading with me, please visit my website.

Body Language - Your Intuition Is Trying To Tell You Something

2010-06-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

There's a message in the cards. Are you listening? Your body is trying to send you the same message. Is it coming in clear? That's your intuition calling and today's card wants you to listen up. Easier said than done, I know. In the whirlwind we call Life - between the television, stereo, tweets, constant connectivity, crying babies and hungry honeys – it's a wonder anyone can even hear themselves think. It's no surprise, then, that the cards would put such an emphasis on tuning out the world long enough to tune into your self.

Is Your Spiritual Awakening Keeping You Up At Night?

2010-06-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Feeling a bit restless lately? Sleeping habits changed? Prone to weeping one moment, laughing the next? Worried that the big job you're chasing after may not be the job of your dreams? You're not losing your mind, you could be having a spiritual awakening. Join the crowd. (Even though you may be feeling all alone in crowds these days, which happens to be another of the signs of spiritual awakening.) Restlessness, odd sleeping habits, wacky emotions, and feelings of isolation sound like a recipe for illness and depression, don't they? Good thing an underlying sensation of curiosity and excitement are motivating you to take a look around at the world and where you fit into the bigger picture.

Top Five Things To Ask Your Psychic

2010-06-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, not really. In fact, I think if you were to ask any of these, even in earnest, you'd find yourself with a face full of angry psychic. Consider this my tongue-in-cheek version of “Psychic Relations 101”. These are just the top five things I'm asked once someone hears I'm a Certified Tarot Master.