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.  

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!

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

“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 .

When In Need Of Comfort, The Empress Suggests Rice Pudding

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 Spiritual Awakening Keeping You Up At Night?

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.