I had to laugh when I heard many of the responses to the Protandim email I sent out a few weeks ago, because it was the exact same reaction I had when my friend D approached me with the idea: “Direct marketing? Are you kidding? No way!” I barely gave her a chance to tell me about the product; I had my mind closed to it from the get-go.

That response, though, didn’t set well with me. It bothered me, and I didn’t know why. It stayed with me, nagging at me, asking me to look deeper. So of course I did; I reached for my tarot cards in order to get the clarity I needed around this.

The first card I pulled, using the DruidCraft deck, was the 8 of Swords. Yes, ever since the manuscript for my tarot workbook was completed and sent off to Llewellyn Publishing (and it could be another 3 months before I know if they want it or not) I have been feeling a bit in a rut, wanting something new to focus my intention and attention on. I had no idea what that was, and the next card, the Ace of Wands, reminded me that I had asked the Universe to bring me the next project. And the Universe responded, as it usually does. Here came D, and what did I do? My Queen of Swords aspect threw that sword up and said, “No, that’s NOT how I want it to look!”

There were no major arcana in those first three cards I pulled, this wasn’t some deep lesson I had to learn. This was a gentle reminder of something I knew on every level but had simply let my “stuckness” blur; it was one of those “oh, d’uh” moments. Yes, I have them too! What was the reminder? When you ask the Universe for something, it’s usually best not to toss it back without taking a good, close look at it first.

Which the Ace of Swords encouraged me to do, only this time with a clear mind and unprejudiced eyes. I looked at D, and saw a friend of great integrity and strong ethics; I looked at the product and liked what I saw. Did the vehicle matter? No, upon this second look I realized that it didn’t. And the final card, the Knight of Cups, told me to take this project and move forward with it, focusing on what I loved about the gift (the product) and letting go of the wrapping (direct marketing). I had asked the Universe, it had answered. How simple!

Is there something in your life you are judging by the wrapping rather than the gift? Have you asked for guidance but turned from the answer because it did not take the form you wanted? Perhaps it’s time to take a second look.

When the solution is simple, God is answering. – Albert Einstein

I love when I find a new (for me) tarot spread that really excites me, and I was recently introduced to one via Mary K. Greer’s wonderful blog. It’s called the “Four Aces Spread”; for detailed information please visit here.

I would like to share with you the reading I did for a long-time client using this new spread. I used Ciro Marchetti’s Gilded Tarot deck (unfortunately, I can no longer find images posted on his website but you can see samples here).

The intent of my client’s reading (let’s call him John) was “Life Sphere”, a look at all areas of his life encompassing Work/Creativity, Love/Relationships, Problem-Solving, and Money/Security.

The cards were laid out as follows:

Row 1:
Ace/Wands (reversed), 7/Sword, King/Swords (reversed), and Queen/Wands (reversed)

Row 2:
Ace/Cups (reversed), The Devil, Strength (reversed), 8/Wands

Row 3:
Ace/Swords, 6/Swords, Queen/Pentacles (reversed), 3/Wands (reversed)

Row 4:
Ace/Pentacles, 4/Wands, The Lovers, 8/Swords (reversed)

(Before I share the reading, let me mention that I do read reverse cards, but a little differently than most readers. For me, reverse cards indicate an internal aspect, a need to focus on the energies of the card within, rather than outside, oneself. Eight of the cards in this reading were reversed, indicating to me a need for John to balance inner reflection with outer action.)

The Reading:
Row 1 let us know that the main focus for John’s attention and energies at the moment involve Work/Creativity. John feels that because he’s had to take on more of the decision-making aspects of his workplace (King/Swords), he’s not able to focus on what really stirs his passion and desire (Queen/Wands) and feels as if he’s not only not doing as good a job as he should be, but he’s having to leave behind at the moment what he truly wants to do (7/Swords).

Row 2 indicates the area of John’s life to which he’s not paying as much attention as he needs, which we see is Love/Relationships. The Devil (as the highest numbered Major Arcana in the entire spread it has much to say, which we’ll discuss in the summary) showing up with Strength, is an indication that John has some fears (Strength) about being in relationship and opening himself up to the pleasures and joys of life (The Devil). It’s time to move past this fear, and do it quickly! (8/Wands). Is it possible there’s a new relationship opportunity coming John’s way?

Row 3 offers us a glimpse into a way to resolve any conflict that exists between Work/Creativity and Love/Relationships. John can move beyond his fear of opening to a new relationship (6/Swords) and be open to something new manifesting in his life (3/Wands) by recognizing his ability to have both the work he wants and the relationship he dreams of (Queen/Pentacles). He needs to stop using his job as an excuse for not doing the necessary inner reflection around relationship fears.

Row 4 let’s us see what John may need to focus on in the future, and it does revolve around Money/Security. Interestingly enough, while money and security are the focus, there are no other pentacles in this row! We see a wand, a sword, and a major arcana. The Lovers card is not simply indicating a relationship may be coming in, but more importantly it’s asking John to get to the core of his feelings about being in a relationship: will it create a loving home that will make him feel secure (4/Wands) or will he feel trapped and stuck in his fears (8/Swords)?

The Summary:
There is a continuing theme through John’s reading, which has been a continuing theme throughout his life: the struggle between wands (his passion, his desire, his “fire in the belly”) and swords (thinking, analyzing, controlling). There is what he desires to do, and what he thinks he should do. John is not finding fulfillment in his work because he’s not spending enough time doing what he is passionate about. He agreed that it was time to sit down with his employer (who luckily is extremely supportive and encouraging) and look at ways in which he can bring more balance into his workplace to allow him the time and energy to explore his passions.

Once he does this, John realizes he can no longer use his unhappiness at work as an excuse to avoid looking at his fears around relationship. Here we look at The Devil (which I interpret a bit differently and which I recently wrote about on this blog site). John has had his heart broken in the past, as have most people at some time in their lives. For John, this has created a fear of opening his heart again, of allowing love to come tumbling in and take him on love’s wild journey through life, experiencing all the passions and pleasures and joys, as well as sorrows and griefs and tears, that are a part of love and life (The Devil). It’s time for John to face his shadows and fears around this issue, and he’s committed to doing so (a bit reluctantly, but once John commits to doing something he sticks to it!).

Part of that reflection involves gaining a clearer understanding of how a relationship will fit into his life. While he’s still in the process of creating balance in his work, and even at some point in the future considering leaving his current job to focus entirely on doing the work he is passionate about, is it right to bring a relationship into his life? Can he afford it? How secure will a relationship be if his work life is still, in his mind, unsettled? We continued to discuss these questions, and in so doing John was able to see that once again, he was using his (perceived) lacks of money and stability as excuses to avoid opening up to a relationship.

It is time for John to jump fully into life, with passion and joy and an open heart, and bring that fullness into his work life and his personal life. While John is a bit apprehensive about the inner work he needs to do, he also admitted he was beginning to feel that spark of excitement again. The smoldering ember is beginning to spark into flame!

Once a month, I host a Tarot Salon, where readers of all levels of experience gather to share thoughts, ideas, concerns, and readings. Often, during meeting, a card will show up in a reading that elicits groans from the readers around the table, while at the same time you’ll hear me exclaim, “oh, I LOVE that card!”. I’ve been accused of loving all the cards, and I have to admit that’s true. (Like a parent with more than one child, I love all the cards equally, but differently.) Today, I’d like to talk about one of those cards I feel a special affinity for, one that I believe is often misunderstood, The Devil.

Traditionally, this card represents all that society holds as evil and base and unspoken; it’s about fears and superstitions and taboos. We see in the card graphic two people in chains standing before The Devil, held in bondage as The Devil himself sits above them. We see The Devil card and it scares us, being bound and chained in such a way. Yet, look more closely, and you’ll see that the chains around the necks of the couple in front of The Devil are loose enough to be easily removed. It is only their own fears of those so-called base instincts that keep them bound.

The Devil exists only in our minds, and only insofar as we have chosen to call it bad. We seem to be so busy trying to be “spiritual” beings that we’ve forgotten we are here to experience life as human beings, and in so doing we demonize our human side, our passionate, lustful, yearning, and yes, sometimes overindulgent side. In fact, I believe that much of what society tells us is “bad” is simply a big, bold, passionate indulgence for life!

I see The Devil as encouraging us to live life to the fullest, to live with passion and lust and to allow ourselves the pleasures of great food, great sex, great adventures, great everything. And while we need to live with consciousness, to notice where we fall into self-destructive, addictive, obsessive behaviors or patterns, we must embrace our shadow/devil in order to be fully whole.

If The Devil brings up fear in you, look to see where you fear your human side. Where do you fear the passions of life? Where are you holding back, not fully reveling in the joys of life? Where are you not letting life be messy and chaotic and spontaneous and noisy and full and big and wild? Or, perhaps, where are you overindulging to the point of no longer finding joy in your passions , but escape?

I love this card. Most parents won’t admit it, but there’s always that favorite child. The Devil is one of my favorites.

“One declaims endlessly against the passions; one imputes all of man’s suffering to them. One forgets that they are also the source of all his pleasures.” – Denis Diderot (French philosopher, art critic and writer)

Today, rather than share with you a reading I’ve given, I thought it might be a nice change of pace for you to create your own story from a single card. Each card has a story to tell, and even that single card can offer much guidance and clarity. I’ve pulled The Lady, one of the major arcana cards of the Druidcraft Tarot deck.

For those of you who are not tarot students or readers, here’s a little tarot lesson. A tarot deck is comprised of 78 cards, 22 of which are major arcana and 56 minor arana. “Arcana” is the plural of “arcanum”, which is latin for “great mystery”; the tarot cards help us to unlock the mysteries within us, to bring light to the dark, and balance to chaos. The major arcana take us on a journey through life’s big shifts and transitions, while the minor arcana speak to us of everyday life. The Lady will tell her story of a life transition.

Take a look at the card. What do you see? What stirs within you? Look at the lushness and abundance surrounding The Lady; does it speak to you of the fertility of nature? The Lady herself looks ready to give birth; like nature, she is creating life. One foot rests on the solid ground while the other is dipped in the flowing stream – she is both grounded and open to the fluidity of life. What story is The Lady telling you? Perhaps one that speaks of birth and creation? Of abundance and beauty? How does The Lady’s story mirror your life? Are you about to create something new? Do you feel nurtured by the abundance in life? Can you be open to the ever-changing flow of life and still remain grounded?

Sit with The Lady, and let her tell her story to you. It may be your story, as well.

Jennifer came to see me recently, exhausted and wanting help in regaining her focus and strength and pleasure in life. Her foundational card, that energy that holds the container for everything else, was The Hermit. Now, this card usually tells us that it’s time for some deep inner work, time to shine the light on the darkness within. However, some of the cards surrounding The Hermit (as well as a whisper or two from her guides) led me to ask a question of Jennifer: “How much time to do you spend on processing?” The dam burst wide open. “All my time!” she cried. “It seems like I spend all my time processing, looking at my responses, finding reasons and patterns. I’m exhausted by the processing but I know I have to in order to understand my reactions!”

What did Jennifer mean by ‘processing’? Simply put, processing is looking within to locate the source of a response to an event or situation, or the source to a pattern of behavior. And, as Jennifer found out, it can be hard work, especially if, like Jennifer, you feel that every emotion, every response, warrants processing.

When did we start believing that every emotion does need to be processed? Who determined that anger, or frustration, or fear, or sorrow, or dislike, or any of what might be labeled “shadow” emotions were not appropriate? And because they were ‘wrong’, ‘inappropriate’, or ‘unacceptable’, they must be analyzed to be understood and thus healed?

Of course, some of our responses may, in fact, come from a trigger that needs to be seen and resolved. But Jennifer was trying to process every response, every emotion! No wonder she was exhausted. As we looked at the cause of some of her reactions, she realized that many were normal and appropriate responses to a specific situation occurring at that moment. She also realized that a response was not inappropriate just because someone else didn’t like that response!

For Jennifer, The Hermit was not telling her it was time to do some deep inner work and shine the light of awareness within. The Hermit was telling her to distinguish between responses that were reactions to patterns and behaviors that did not serve her, and responses that were normal and appropriate for the situation at hand.

I heard from Jennifer a couple weeks after our meeting, and she sounded upbeat and energized. “I feel transformed”, she said. “Each day that passes I’m better able to discern which of my emotions are valid responses to a situation, and which are reactionary, based on old patterns. I love giving myself permission to express valid emotions freely!”

“There can be no transforming of darkness into light and of apathy into movement without emotion.” – Carl Jung

As a tarot reader for over 20 years, I’ve found that the collective consciousness has a tendency to play out in the everyday lives of my clients. I often see different clients seeking guidance with the same issue within a specific time frame. One month may see a rash of relationship problems, while another week may specifically bring me clients dealing with a feeling of powerlessness. The catalyst for each client will be different, the energies surrounding the issue will be different, and the resolution will be client-specific, but the core aspect seems to be the same.

From time to time, I’ll post here a reading I’ve done that seems to apply to that collective issue. I hope, if you’re drawn to this blog and to that post, you’ll find it helpful.