Preparation for Tarot Reading

Many people ask how I prepare for my readings, and the answer is simple. An old Spanish Gypsy method is to clean your space/or the room in which you divine, before the session. This is not feasible by today's standards, but I think the point was much deeper. By cleaning the room, we not only concentrate and clear our heads, but too, focus on cleaning ourselves. Whenever we do a motion, there is an energy on the spirit realm which equals that. If we find the need to eat, for example, we want our spirit's nourished. If we clean, we too clean our spirit.

Before a Tarot session, I pray, clear my mind of all thoughts, in Buddhism it is called the no-mind. If you are having problems that day, when you read for someone, you may actually begin to see your problems mirrored in the cards. You owe it to yourself or one you read for, to be of complete meditation. I noticed that yoga and breathing exercises help to ground my restless Piscean nature. I have also noticed that drinking water during my sessions, helps to keep me awakened, and at times I drink green tea.

I used to burn a lot of incense during my readings and it seemed to distract me. Now, I have an oil burner, with a tea light under it, and I burn floral oils, I hear the Angels love that. I don't usually burn synthetic oils I make my own, or put in an essential oil. Sometimes, I even put water, a little essential oil, & some dried flowers or herbs it boils it like a little witch's cauldron or Shuvani (witch is Romanes -Gypsy language).

I used to switch from deck to deck, and realized I like to stick to one deck now. Although I do like to collect decks now and again. Magical colors for candles especially in Romani-Gypsy culture are purple and blue and frankincense or cedar scent. The cedar clears the mind, coming back to the no-mind. The most important lesson I have learned over the past 23 years of Tarot reading, that I wished I knew then, was that you are the most important part. I practiced hundreds of different methods, bought different cards, read tomes of books, and none made me happy. It was only when I threw everything out of my room, and put a blue cloth upon my table, and nothing, nothing but my cards, did I find myself again. And it took me back to when I was nine, and I found my first love, not walking along the halls of school, but sitting on top of my grandmother's old oak table, waiting to be shuffled...A love affair that will never end.

Honey Nature's Healer

Years ago, I read a book entry that spoke of the healing powers of honey. The story was about a woman who was burned on the legs, then she rubbed honey immediately upon the burn & wrapped it in cloth, the morning, upon waking, the burns were gone and there was no pain at all. I have used this many times in my own life with much success. The other day, while making candles, I removed the boiler and set my hand down right on top of the burner which was still on high. I quickly removed my hand but it was so burned, the skin was actually white, I never saw a burn this bad. I grabbed honey put it on and wrapped it. An hour later I went to bed. When I was cleaning the next day, I found the bandage, and remembered what had happened the night before. When I looked at my hand, to see if there was a bubble, or blister, I couldn't even locate where the burn was.

Herbal remedies are nature's healers. Never use herbal medicine to replace medical reason. I just put these tidbits up to help others along the way.

The Moon's Watching

The moon is rising in her waning stage and I prepare for bed. Today I mediated on the Moon Card in the Tarot. I am reminded of the waning & waxing stages, the ebb and flow of nature. The moon does not reflect her own light, but rather reflects back the light of the Sun.

This is the fantasy aspect of the Moon card. Many times the folly we see in others may be a reflection of our inner self. When the Moon card appears in a Tarot reading we are reminded to feel the cool night breeze and dream. Not to give in to the fantasy, and illusion the moon's gaze may cast. Separate the dusk from dawn, illusion from fantasy.

On the Moon card (see rider waite picture) there is a path, which we are to follow, which leads us home. There can be seen a dog & wolf baying. These symbols represent the anima of the human consciousness, beckoning at the moon. We know, that the darkness doesn't last forever and will soon be consumed by the fire of dawn.

Many see the dog & the wolf as dangers on this card. I, see them as spirit guides, or animal totems, there to protect me and guide me, until I make it home, wherever that may be.

The High Priestess

As the full moon awakens, so does the Divine Sophia, Mother Grace. The High Priestess card is a card of mystery, mysticism and intelligence. The High Priestess is God-Perfect in his feminine or Sophia form. In early Judaism, only men forty or older could read the Torah. As you can see in the RWS version of this card, the High Priestess sits on her throne, holding a scroll of the Torah, it is covered partly by her veil. In symbolism the veil represents purity, virginity. It also represents mystery.

If you receive this card on what type of woman you will meet, if you are a male, it represents you perfect half, your soul mate. If you are a woman and pull this card, you are being called upon to be humble, intelligent with grace. The High Priestess doesn't need to boast, or show she holds the Torah. She is above any pettiness. She does not hide, yet will only reveal what you could understand at this time. She is the Queen of the Night.

Her careers entail: nun, religious woman/house wife/ scholar or teacher

The Hermit

The Hermit is a card evokes a sense of wisdom and pensiveness. Is this cloaked figure returning from a journey, or leading us to ours? I find time and time again, that the hermit arrives in a reading, when we are about to embark on a Spiritual journey. It represents that the answers you are seeking now, are within you. Many times in my life, when I asked a question the Hermit appeared as if to say, "You need to figure this out on your own, for your soul's development". Imagine how frustrating that is, at sixteen, candles lit, incense swirling throughout the room, as I ponder life's deep questions, like going to prom! Only , to be told, the answers are within. At times, I think it was the Spirit's way of telling me, put the cards down and go experience life.

Sixteen years later, I still must smirk, when this card arrives. I also have always had a strong affinity to St. Anthony. A few days ago, I was asking about Spiritual Guides, as soon as I saw the Hermit, I thought of St. Anthony. Later, that day, I saw a St. Anthony figure in a surprising spot.

The Hermit, is the wise one. If you ask the cards if you will soon be in a relationship and get this card, it represents you need to spend time alone, which isn't always negative.

Lastly, the Hermit can represent a Monk or Spiritual Person, if you are asking about a Spiritual Path to follow and you get the Hermit, it would suggest Monastic.

For a career it can represent a counselor or teacher/guide. Like a guidance counselor. Especially if appearing near the Heirophant.

How to Create Angel Healing Water

Take a glass of pure spring water. Hold it under the sunlight and imagine the rays of the sun are illuminating your water with the Divine Healing Light of the Angels. You can ask Raphael the Healer of God to place his/her Healing rays into your water so you too may be blessed with God's Light. Drink the water and feel each cell illuminated and healed with the light of Raphael and all God's Healing Angels. Give Thanks for this moment of Healing.