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Tarot and Meditation

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stella

Tarot is an excellent tool for meditation. The archetypes and symbols on the cards resonate with both the conscious and subconscious minds and messages received through the meditation process can be useful in gaining clarity and insight. This process also provides an opportunity to become more intimate with the cards.

SOME BENEFITS OF TAROT MEDITATION

— Get to know the cards more intimately
— Form a relationship with the cards
— Become familiar with their symbols and archetypes
— Discover deeper meanings of the cards
— Access the subconscious
— Gain guidance
— Spiritual development

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

1. Select a deck that resonates, one where the artwork speaks to you.

2. Think about why you are doing the meditation.

3. Select a card. You may do this randomly or select a specific card that you either wish to get to know better or that addresses a particular issue. The Major Arcana are excellent for meditation though the Minor Arcana can also be used. You may like to work through the Major Arcana successively over time from The Fool to The World.

There are no rules. Here is a suggestion for a simple one card meditation practice. Feel free to experiment.

TAROT MEDITATION METHOD

1. Get comfortable and make sure you feel relaxed. Take some deep breaths. Position the card so that you can see it clearly and easily.

2. For a minute or so study the card. Gaze at the imagery, the symbols, the colours.

3. Now close your eyes and try to recapture as much detail as you can in your mind. Do not force the process, just relax into it, take your time.

4. When you feel ready, open your eyes and look to see how your mental picture compared with the card itself. What was different, what did you omit? Where were you spot on?

5. Repeat this process again, several times if needed, until you capture a close representation of the card in your mind’s eye. Keeping your eyes closed contemplate what the card may be wanting to teach you at this time. What insight has it revealed? What thoughts come into your mind?

6. Gently open your eyes and take in the card once more. Make note of the insights you have gained from this experience. You may like to keep the card near you for the day. Reflect on the card and its lessons at a later time in the day or week. Additional insights may arise. You may like to journal this.

TAKING IT FURTHER

Firstly do steps 1-5 above.

6. Now things get more exciting. The frame of the card is to become a portal, a door, that you are about to step through. Remove any expectations from your mind. Now imagine yourself stepping into the card. In you go… How does it feel? It is warm or cold? Is it comfortable or threatening? Are there any sounds, smells?

7. You may be drawn to a character on the card, if there is one. If so and it feels comfortable you may like to approach that character and strike up a conversation with them. They may actually approach you first. You may merely be an observer. Take whatever time is needed. Are you offered a gift, some advice? Stay open to the possibilities.

8. When you are ready, thank them or say goodbye if it feels appropriate, then step back through the frame of the card until it once again becomes 2D in front of you. Relax and think about your meditation experience. What knowledge have you gained? Keeping a journal of your insights is useful.

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Tarosophy Tarot Convention 2012

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Stella

20-21 October 2012
Hilton Garden Inn, Dallas USA

Are you ready to see the future of Tarot and discover its most ancient mysteries?

The Tarosophy TarotCon 2012 promises to be a major Tarot event with some of the world’s leading speakers, teachers, presenters, artists and authors of Tarot. Guest M.C. Dan Donche and after dinner speaker James Wells are joined by a star-studded line-up of presenters including Barbara Moore, Bob O’ Neill, Mary K. Greer, Carrie Paris, Ellen Lorenzi-Prince, Robert M. Place and Marcus Katz. There will also be additional evening Tarot workshops by Enrique Enriquez, Katrina Wynne, Paul Nagy, Dr. Art Rosengarten, Jaymi Elford, Mike Hernandez and Beth Sellenon.

If that isn’t enough enticement another major Tarot research discovery will also be announced… what could it be? Where were you when the world of Tarot changed?

Tarot Symbolism: The Dog – Truly Man’s Best Friend

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Stella

For personal reasons I wanted to explore the symbolism of the Dog in Tarot for my first Tarot Symbolism post. Having recently lost my own loyal protector it seems apt. Especially as the day before I had to say my goodbyes to my sweetheart the 10 of Pentacles appeared in a reading that I did for myself on the subject and I was immediately drawn to the image of the child reaching out to touch the dog. My youngest child had not had a chance to say her goodbyes to our beloved pet and I knew this would upset her dearly, which it did, yet the alternative of her saying goodbye at the vets the day of the event did not seem like a wise alternative. That little corner of the 10 of Pentacles had tugged at my heart.

So, here I am once again focused on the bottom right corner of the 10 of Pentacles. What can be found here? My first thoughts are of the qualities that both a dog and a young child share… devotion, trust, playfulness, an openness to life and new experiences. As well as that they both have strong instinctual natures. In the 10 of Pentacles two adults are caught up in their own affairs, blind to what is happening around them. The old man in front of the archway with his magical coat may very well be a blessing in disguise, but they do not notice him. The dogs are instinctually drawn to him, and the child to the dog. The dogs and child are open to the magic around them, they are acting instinctively, they are engaged.

Again, in the Fool card I see the dog symbolising our instinctual nature. It is the voice of reason, of those inner gut feelings that can warn of danger. It is our own in-built protection mechanism. Yet although dogs are generally domesticated creatures, they are still beasts within, once running in the wild. They are capable of defending their territory with whatever means is necessary. The Fool is obeying his wild nature, he does not deny his urges. He knows his inner dog is there to protect him, so long as he listens.

In The Moon we see the beast in all its glory. This is the only Major Arcana card where there are no people depicted, the energy is all animal. The dog and the wolf are our id animal natures. They are not afraid to display their lunacy as they are roused to howl at the moon. One full moon some years back I actually found myself literally doing this. I was in such a state of despair. It came from nowhere and felt so good. I allowed it to come up and be released. In The Moon the wild unconscious comes to the surface. Unconscious energy needs to be released. It may take its time but it will come, from a dream, from an inner knowing.

A dog can symbolise many things however looking at these three cards it is the theme of primitive instinctual impulses and desires that emerges strongly for me. The dog is our id, it is our unconscious, our intuition. I know that for me now personally, whenever I view these cards and am drawn to our canine friend, that it will be a prompt for me to dig deep and listen to my gut, to my inner voice. To not ignore raw impulses that well up from within. I may have lost my dearly departed buddy but my inner four-legged friend will always be there. Truly ‘man’s best friend’.

Posted in Tarot Symbolism | Leave a comment

RS12

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Stella

Readers Studio, organised by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone of The Tarot School in NYC, is an event every Tarot enthusiast should experience at least once. I was fortunate to attend RS11 and plan to get back there as soon as I can!

It is impossible to give justice to the enormity of RS… They get together a great range of speakers and the social aspect of the conference is just as rewarding as the content. It is an experience you will never forget!

The 2012 Readers Studio will be held 27-29 April at LaGuardia Marriott Hotel, New York. Master sessions will be presented by Tarot luminaries James Wanless, Shawn Nacol and James Wells. Registration also includes additional workshops, the Readers Studio signature foundation reading session, hands-on practice sessions, a choice of early-morning breakfast roundtables or a gentle guided Tarot meditation, a hotel ballroom for networking, socialising, reading practice, late night chats and impromptu gatherings, a meditation room, free swap table, a free gift from Llewellyn, a luncheon buffet, a full-service banquet, Tarot merchandise, giveaways of Tarot goodies, awards ceremony and more!

TABI Bursary 2012

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Stella

The Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI) has created a bursary of up to £1,000 for a Tarot-orientated project. They are welcoming applications from the world-wide Tarot community. Applicants need not be members of TABI – however, the successful applicant will be awarded TABI membership for the duration of the project.

Closing date for applications is 1 May 2012. Click here to find out more about the guidelines and conditions.

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Tarosophy Tarot Associations

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Stella

As Australian Consul I invite all Australian Tarot enthusiasts to join the Tarosophy Tarot Association (Australia), part of Tarot Professionals worldwide Tarot Alliance. Subscription provides you with numerous resources including access to Tarot Town with exclusive lessons, videos and social interaction, access to all issues of Tarosophist International magazine, and more.

For more information or to subscribe click here…

For all other countries please click here…

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2012 – The Year of The Hierophant

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Stella

As the sun sets on an Emperor year what does 2012 hold in store? Let’s look to see what themes we may encounter in a Hierophant year.

Belief systems are under the spotlight. 2012 will be a good year to reassess our values and beliefs, to recognise those which work in our favour and discard those which prevent growth. Having a clear idea of the belief systems that are appropriate in our lives will also enable us to stand up for them more effectively. Releasing regurgitated belief systems that hold no relevance for us will also prevent us from passing those dogmas onto others.

Another theme of the Hierophant year is knowledge. There is not only the opportunity to expand our knowledge through study, books or wise counsel but also to pass our knowledge and expertise onto others, such as literally in the roll of teacher, or in the capacity of offering informed counsel to someone in need.

The pursuit of knowledge also extends to accessing our inner knowing. Many of the answers we seek can be found within our hearts and souls if only we take the time to listen. Tapping into this inner knowledge may prove pertinent with 2012 being a 5 year. 5’s can prove problematic and upset the status quo. Accessing our inner truth can guide us through any tests that come our way. Any challenges we do face are opportunities for growth and to move away from stagnant situations. As they say, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

2012, a year to formulate our own religion, to learn and live our truth.

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Abiding in the Sanctuary

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Stella

Big news… Abiding in the Sanctuary: The Waite-Trinick Tarot, a Christian Mystical Tarot (1917–1923) has just been released. Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin have been busy at work researching this project and the publication is now ready and available for delivery this December. Abiding in the Sanctuary is based on the recently uncovered Waite-Trinick Tarot, a 23 card deck produced by Arthur E. Waite and John Brave Trinick around 1917-1923 and it promises to be a substantial book of historical significance. It is however limited to 250 copies and the way sales have gone in the first day may be sold out within the week, so get in quick if you are interested. It is not the cheapest of publications but there has been a lot of expense to get the licensing and produce it. The book is hardcover with dustjacket, 186pp, with over 80 full page colour and b&w images, original biographical research and a preface by Mary K Greer.

Waite-Trinick Tarot

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Stella

Earlier this year at the Readers Studio conference in New York, Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin of Tarot Professionals announced their historic discovery of some Tarot images that had been sitting in the British Museum since the 1970’s. The original paintings and sketches by stained glass artist John B. Trinick were commissioned by A.E Waite around 1917-1923, 10 years after his collaboration with Pamela Colman-Smith on the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. Trinick’s incredible images form part of an album by Trinick and Waite entitled Great Symbols of the Paths.

Waite’s personal commentary on the images along with images and text from this album are to be published by Marcus and Tali in a full colour book Abiding in the Sanctuary, and will include their research on the images. I will certainly be getting a copy.

Several of the images (yet to be colour corrected) are now available for viewing on the British Museum website. More will be added. You really should take a look. I was fortunate to see the full set at RS11 and they are truly amazing. This is a substantial discovery for the Tarot world. Thanks to Marcus and Tali and everyone who helped with funding to get this first stage of the project up and running. Fingers crossed one day there may also be a deck!

Click here to view the images. Please note images are strictly © Trustees of the British Museum and must not be used without permission.

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Tarot Tips

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Stella

If you do not already, I recommend subscribing to the free Tarot Tips newsletter produced by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone and Gina Thies of The Tarot School in New York. Each newsletter is a great resource containing content to help enhance Tarot reading skills, practical information for Tarot professionals, news on Tarot events as well as spotlights on various Tarot blogs. My Tarot blog was fortunate to be featured in the last issue (thanks guys). If that is not enough when you subscribe you instantly receive access to a fantastic mp3 recording of their 2 hour Tarot class “Birth of a Question”.

Subscribe here…

Posted in Tarot Talk | Tagged Gina Thies, New York, Ruth Ann Amberstone, The Tarot Reader Blog, The Tarot School, Wald Amberstone | Leave a comment

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