The Affirmative Tarot Reading

In one of my earlier posts I wrote about how each card of the Tarot can offer positive messages relevant to you in the form of affirmations. Quite simply, you can pull just one card from your deck, explore its meanings and formulate a positive, empowering statement, which will help you achieve a goal, change a habit, make a fresh start etc. You can also expand this one-card Tarot affirmation into a multi-card reading. The idea is to keep the message of each card as short but as empowering and meaningful as possible. Many Tarot readers fall into the trap of talking/writing too much about a card. Instead, why not offer a short but powerful reading? Less is more. And with this reading for myself, I show you how I do it:

My question is: What do I need to pay attention to at this moment in time?

You can pick as many cards as you like, but on this occasion I choose five cards:



1. Eight of Pentacles – I can easily get overwhelmed by work and get stuck in a rut. I will allow myself sufficient time to relax and have some fun.

2. Two of Cups – In relationships I strive towards harmony. I enjoy building new and powerful friendships.

3. Four of Cups – I appreciate what I have, but I also need to motivate myself to be more pro-active. I find new activities and projects to bring back the spark into my daily life.

4. Three of Swords – I am resilient and can overcome obstacles with a positive mindset.

5. Ten of Cups – I enjoy life and have everything I need.

At this point it’s worthwhile to validate the reading by creating a summary in answer to my question.

What do I need to pay attention to at this moment in time? Well, from the affirmation of each card I feel that I need to get out of my daily routine, implement some positive changes to fuel my creativity and enthusiasm in order to achieve my objectives. I need to cut down on my working hours! I need to focus on building valuable friendships. I should avoid getting trapped by gloomy thoughts and instead be more optimistic about my ambitions and life in general. All is coming together nicely.

Overall I feel that this reading represents an accurate snapshot of part of my life and it encourages me to explore new and innovative ideas to move forward. I also feel that in some areas I’m already on the right track.

If you’re trying out this type of reading, please do let me know how you get on.

And if you find you’re struggling to formulate affirmations for each card, you can check out my ebook for ideas: Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Warmest wishes,

Christiane
http://www.cosmictarot.co.uk/



Tarot card images Copyright: www.aquatictarot.de - Reproduced with permission

Giving up the Habit of Worrying

Those of you who know me won't be surprised to read that I prefer to use Tarot in a practical and down-to-earth way. I'm not a 'ritual' person; I actually really dislike all the woo-woo stuff like chanting and talking to some 'inner voices' or 'spirit guides'. I'm just not psychic. There! I've finally come clean ;-)

Instead, I connect Tarot cards with affirmations, words of wisdom and inspirational quotes, which guide the person using the cards for self-exploration and development along the right path.

The Nine of Swords is all about worrying, anxieties, fears. It's obvious when looking at the image: the woman seems to have just woken up from a nightmare, the background is so dark, no glimmer of light as if all hope and optimism has been lost.

The motivational message I want to attach to this card is as follows:

Worrying serves no purpose other than to make us feel tense and miserable. When I stop fretting about things that are beyond my control and focus instead on generating optimistic and kind thoughts, my life can begin to flow in ever more positive directions. Such a light and easy approach to life enables me to take everything in my stride.

It is true that most worries and fears are blown out of proportion. Many people worry too much; they think too much:

The biggest disease of the mind is over-thinking, especially too much thinking about others.Thinking too much is like eating too much. The heaviness makes it impossible to remain light and flexible.

When people have negative thoughts regularly, they become attached to them. Negative thoughts become a habit.

What is the solution? Learning to detach yourself from those thoughts:

The root of suffering is attachment. You have created a space in your mind that holds a person or object as part of you. When that person or object is criticized, neglected or not with you, you feel pain in your mind and you experience a sense of loss. If you want to be happy, you must learn to love and appreciate while remaining independent.

Nurture a desire to be free from negative thoughts:

Detachment is being close to what you most want to be free from and using it to make you grow.

Acknowledge your worries and fears, and then let them go. Life isn't always a smooth ride - there's great pleasure to experience but also grief. C'est la vie!

Let go and know that all will be well. Trust that life will take care of you.



Image: www.aquatictarot.de

For more inspirational and spiritual wisdom, visit http://www.relax7.com/relax.htm and http://www.bkwsu.org/

Walk on the Bright Side

The other day I received the following message from relax7.com in my inbox:

Radiate Happiness

Have you ever noticed that happiness is not a dependency, it is a decision? You don't actually need anything to be happy. It's not something that comes from outside, it comes from inside, and when you radiate a happy energy you'll be amazed what it attracts into your life. Don't worry, be happy...sound familiar? Decide now, be happy, and watch magic begin to enter your life.

I think this empowering message sums up The Sun quite nicely. Happiness does indeed come from within; it’s about having a positive attitude to life regardless of what you own, how successful you are or what life throws at you.

I often find that when the Sun turns up in a reading, life isn't all hunky-dory but it's a reminder that all isn't as bad as it seems. And if it does appear in your darkest hour, then perhaps it acts as reassurance that there will be light again and a new sense of purpose. The Sun is life, and it's asking you to choose life regardless of your circumstances. In return, life will choose you with all its magical experiences.

The Sun image: http://www.aquatictarot.de/, used with permission

Eastenders - Tarot Reading for Garry

The Tarot reading from hell - very amusing:



Poor old Garry! LOL!

Tarot Numerology - Five

The number Five in Tarot spells trouble, especially the ones in the Minor Arcana. The number Five is associated with the planet Mars, "God of War", and indicates a challenge of some sort. The Five of Wands depicts a confrontation, the Five of Cups emotional upheaval, the Five of Swords a hollow victory (or a defeat), and the Five of Pentacles financial hardship.

But what about Arcanum number 5, The Hierophant? This character seems benevolent on his throne, advising or preaching to his disciples, but the Hierophant is associated with ethics, morality, education, humanity and conscience, all of which can cause struggle, tension, upset and many heated discussions in addition to narrow-mindedness, intolerance, prejudice and radicalisation. If the Hierophant stands for religion, does the number Five indicate its inherent tendency to create havoc?

However, all is not lost. The number Five is asking for mediation, a middle way, re-instating the equilibrium, which is perfectly represented by Temperance, Arcanum number 14 (1 + 4 = 5). Temperance is a healing card, the angel a religious symbol, which suggests the need for compassion, mercy, forgiveness and moderation in times of strife.

Conflict and tension may also be apparent, when the following card combinations appear:

1. The Magician (1) + The Emperor (4) - two strong characters struggling to combine independence with responsibility

2. The High Priestess (2) + The Empress (3) - the need to combine opposites (night/day, unconscious/conscious, reflection/creativity) in order to create harmony

The Fives may indicate a tough situation, but at the same time they offer an eye-opening experience and eventually progress ahead.

For more information on the significance of numbers in tarot, click here:

www.cosmictarot.co.uk/index_files/TarotNumbers.htm

Tarot in Music - "The Wheel" by Rosanne Cash

How many living RWS Tarot images can you spot in this video?



Rosanne Cash - The Wheel (Official Music Video)