Search Results for: challenge

What the Tarot Says About Your Age!

Last night I was lying in bed unable to fall asleep (typical!) and I started thinking about my age. I recently turned 37.

At first I thought I’m thirty seven already! Mygodwhathaveidonewithmylife?

Then I thought when I’m 80 I’ll look back and think it’s dumb that I worried about being an underachiever at age 37.

Then I thought I probably won’t make it to 80 because of chemicals and stuff.

Then I decided to stop thinking and just add up the numbers in my age because doing simple math in my head at 2am calms me down.

Housewives Tarot

So when I added up the numbers in my present age I got number 10. Then I started thinking about all the 10’s in Tarot – 10 of Pentacles (yay!), 10 of Swords (shit!), 10 of Cups (awww!), 10 of Wands (ugh!) and then finally the Wheel of Fortune.

My theory is that these cards predict the kind of experiences, opportunities and challenges that will present themselves in my 37th year.

How do I know this? Because when I added up last years age (36), I got number 9…. 9 of Pentacles, 9 of Swords, 9 of Cups, 9 of Wands and The Hermit all accurately summed up my past year and the things I’ve experienced.

I won’t bore you with the details. You’re welcome! But it was enlightening and gave me something to ponder as I lay in bed.

So give it a go. Add up the numbers in your age and study the Tarot cards that correspond with that number. You should have one Major Arcana and four Minors.

Here’s a worksheet to get you started!

download worksheet

*If your age adds up to 10, like mine does (37 = 3 + 7 = 10) study all the 10's in your Tarot deck AND all the 1's. Because 10, when broken down, adds up to 1 - which means this year will be a big one for you! Not only will you be completing things (10 represents completion) but you'll be starting new things (as 1 represents new beginnings).

I want to know...what number does your age add up to? Do you see some parallels between the Tarot card of that number and your current life events? Share if you want to! 🙂

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7 Ways to Spice up Your Tarot Practice!

Like sex, Tarot can get stale and boring. Especially if you’re always doing the same old same old. It’s normal to feel kind of “meh” about doing readings or studying Tarot every now and then. If this is something you’re going through right now, here are some ways to spice things up…

Spice #1: Do It Outside!

Or in a cafe, at the library, in a stairwell or the back of a cab…you get the idea. A change in location helps you see your cards in a whole new way.

Whenever I want to breathe life into my Tarot practice, I pack up my deck and Tarot journal and head to the park or beach. Contemplating the Tarot to the sound of crashing waves and toddlers throwing tantrums really brings the magic!

Being surrounded by something other than my living room (where I usually read Tarot) stimulates my brain in a way that makes it more creative and active, enabling a different experience with the Tarot.

Spice #2: Do Something Different

Are you stuck in a rut? Do you always do the same thing with your Tarot cards?

I used to practice only by giving myself readings and this got old really fast as I quickly ran out of problems and issues to read about. When I discovered Tarot journaling everything changed and it opened up a world of possibility!

So if you normally just do readings with your cards, try journaling about them, meditating with them, sketching them or throwing them up in the air like money and rolling around naked on a bed like your Demi Moore in Indecent Proposal. Remember that scene?

 

Spice #3: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Things get interesting when you do something that scares you. So don’t hesitate to push yourself a little when it comes to your Tarot practice. This is how you’ll get better, after all.

What makes you feel a little uncomfortable? Reading Tarot for a stranger? Or perhaps reading Tarot for yourself without your book of meanings? Or is it focusing on a card you really dislike?

Whatever it is, DO IT! And then feel the thrills roll in.

 

Spice #4: Find a Tarot Buddy or Tarot Group

Tarot is well suited to being a solo practice which is probably why hardcore introverts and those who despise fraternizing are drawn to it.

BUT….

You can have soooo much fun when you share your passion for Tarot with a like minded friend or group. When I was first learning Tarot I was lucky enough to have a friend who was also just getting into it and we’d practice giving awkward readings to each other. It was great.

Heart & Hands Tarot

I’ve never been in a Tarot group before, although I did come dangerously close one time.

I did something totally out of character one day and joined a meetup group – our first Tarot potluck meetup was cancelled but I didn’t get the memo so I showed up at someone’s house, tabbouleh salad in hand. This lady peeked out through a crack in her door and said “it’s cancelled” and that was that.

 

Spice #5: Get a New Tarot Deck or Book

Ahhh, the old standby. Buying more stuff!

Sometimes this is just the thing you need – a new deck to put some pizzazz in your readings or a new book to give you some fresh ideas and perspectives. But sometimes this just results in more unread books on your shelf and more Tarot decks collecting dust. So proceed with caution.

What I love about getting a new deck is seeing the cards through a different lens. This always expands my understanding of the Tarot and like an alcoholic pretending to be a wine connoisseur I get to appreciate the art of Tarot while feeding my addiction. It’s a win-win!
If you’re not sure what decks to get, here are some of my faves.

 

Spice #6: Start a Tarot Scrapbook

This is a cool idea that I had that I will probably never actually do but I think you totally should!

A Tarot scrapbook is like a Tarot journal, but with more images and bits of stuff glued on. Get a big scrapbook and dedicate a page for each card and in addition to writing the card’s meaning, you could include things like ticket stubs, dried flowers and leaves, doodles, etc that capture the essence of the card.

For example, The Knight of Wands page could have ticket stubs to an action movie and travel postcards, while the High Priestess page might feature an incense stick and shiny silver star stickers.

This seems like a time consuming project, so I’m out. But I think it would be a fun alternative to a Tarot Journal, especially if your craftsy.

 

Spice #7: Take a Break!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. If you’re spending too much time with your Tarot cards it can become like a dysfunctional relationship where you both get sick of each other!

When I first got into Tarot I was doing multiple readings on myself every day. It got too much. My readings began to feel confusing and pointless. I started resenting my Tarot deck and feeling mildly irritated every time I picked it up.

If you’re feeling blah about Tarot, take a week or even a month away from your cards. When you come back to them your interest and enthusiasm will be renewed and invigorated!

 

 

 

 

Bonus: Spice #8

Explore my website! I’ve designed my site with one goal in mind – to help you spice up your relationship with Tarot.

From lists of thrilling questions to ask your Tarot deck, to fun Tarot quizzes, Tarot Challenges and Tarot spreads, there’s a little something for everyone. Enjoy your Tarot journey!

 

How do YOU like to mix up your Tarot practice?

Do you have some of your own tips and tricks for boosting your enthusiasm and excitement for Tarot? Share them in the comment section below!

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Cat Lover’s Tarot Spread

I have two great loves in my life: cats and Tarot! And I know I’m not the only one….

I can’t help but notice how many other fellow cat/tarot lovers are out there, which  makes perfect sense! Both cats and Tarot cards are mysterious, otherworldly and require patience and intuition to be understood.

The kind of person who is drawn to the mystery and challenge of Tarot is often also drawn to the Feline personality and so I felt it highly appropriate to design a cat themed Tarot spread. So stop what you’re doing and try this spread out….right meow! 😉

Was I right?

Are you obsessed with both cats AND Tarot? Tell me all about it in the comments below…

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Prisma Visions Tarot & Light Visions Tarot Deck Review

The Light Visions Tarot and it’s colorful sister deck the Prisma Visions Tarot are created by James R. Eads. Both decks are gorgeous, high quality decks with some very unique features.

Likes:

Very high quality card stock

Borderless Minor Arcana! Yes!

Deck comes in a wonderful, sturdy box

Minor Arcana suits form a long picture when you lay them out (more on this!)

One extra special card that is unique to the deck

Dislikes:

Tricky to shuffle because of thick card stock and glossy finish

Borders on Major Arcana can make the Majors feel a bit small

You know you’ve got a high quality deck as soon as you hold the Prisma Visions Tarot box in your hands. It’s beautiful and sturdy and when you crack it open you see the mystical looking card backs of the deck nestled inside…

I was lucky enough to receive the Prisma Visions Tarot as a gift from one of my students almost a year ago. As soon as I opened the box and looked through the deck I thought “this deck is mine and it’s only for me!” which is funny because I don’t usually get possessive with my decks.

I have found this deck to be a welcome challenge in my reading practice. The cards aren’t always easy to decipher but they beg to be contemplated and pondered. This has helped me get new ideas and insights that can only come when you sit with a card for some time.

Prisma Visions Tarot is gorgeous. The Cards are vibrant, richly colored and pulsate with energy and movement. And I LOVE the fact that the minors don’t have borders.

One of my favorite things about this deck is this: each suit when laid out in order (Ace to King) forms one long, continuous picture. See my video above for a demonstration. This allows you to really study the minors in a whole new way as you get to see the story of each suit unfolding and see each card in a greater context.

Prisma Visions Tarot

Is there anything NOT to love about Prisma Visions Tarot? I have two minor gripes…

I don’t love the fact that the Majors have borders. It make the cards seem smaller than they actually are although I guess it’s easier to tell them apart from the Minors.

The other thing I don’t like is that this deck is a bit cumbersome to shuffle. The cards are normal size but their thick, good quality card stock makes them un-bendy and their glossy finish makes them slippery. If you have big strong hands this shouldn’t be an issue but I’m a weakling in this department.

Light Visions Tarot

I was recently sent the Light Visions Tarot (for review) and it’s been really fun working with both decks and comparing and contrasting them.

The Light Visions Tarot was actually the original, colorless deck. The Prisma Visions Tarot is basically the colorful version of that deck, with a few minor differences.

Light Visions Tarot

After working with the Light Visions deck for a week or so, I still cannot decide which deck I like best.

These decks each have a slightly different energy to them – the Prisma Visions is bright and alive while the Light Visions beams with…uh, light and takes on an etherial, other dimensionesque feel.

I have to say that I appreciate the simplicity of the Light Visions Tarot. Sure, lots of vibrant color is great and all but sometimes your just like enough with all these mind cluttering hues, I need a break!

And that’s when a color-free deck like the Light Visions Tarot can feel like a sigh of relief, like a cool, dark basement during a heat wave or the soul-nourishing quiet of your own home after your friend with three kids has left.

Sometimes your mind needs kind of that space, that kind of calm, to access the intuitive realm and this is what the Light Visions accomplishes so beautifully. Fuck color! You don’t need it.

Just kidding. I love a big, bright, colorful deck but I am starting to really appreciate the black and white decks too. Although the Light Visions isn’t really black and white, it’s more dark purply and sepia/cream.

Should you buy this deck?

Light Visions Tarot

I wouldn’t recommend this as your first deck. If you’re brand new to Tarot get something easy like the Rider Waite or Robin Wood. Then get this one when you want something meatier!

Readers with a bit of experience will appreciate this deck most and anyone looking for a bit of a challenge. Deck collectors will want this one in their collection for sure.

This deck also makes a fantastic gift for the Tarot lover in your life 🙂 I say this because of the exceptionally beautiful box that the deck comes in!

To purchase or find out more about his deck:

https://prismavisionstarot.com/

Prisma Visions Tarot & Light Visions Tarot Deck Review Read More »

Quiz: Which Tarot Deck Should You Buy?

Disclaimer: some of the links below are my Amazon affiliate links, which means if you purchase a deck I recommend through that link, I get a commission.

Have you ever stared at the massive array of Tarot decks available online and thought “fuck. Which one do I get?”

There are thousands of Tarot decks out there and it feels like new ones are popping up every second. While this massive amount of choice is exciting, it’s also incredibly confusing and overwhelming.

Which Tarot deck is for you? Which one should you buy?

There needs to be a Tinder app just for Tarot decks! But since there isn’t one, I bring you the next best thing….my signature Daily Tarot Girl quiz that matches your personality with an appropriate Tarot deck.

You’re welcome! Now take the quiz…

1. You’re sick with the flu and forced to stay at home all week. You use this time by…

A) Powering through a box of salted caramels while watching all five Twilight movies back to back – without shame.

B) Languishing in bed and telling friends and family that you “might not make it”. Oh, and also watching lots of grisly true crime shows.

C) Finally testing out all the herbal medicines that you spent all Summer making.

D) Sitting on the couch, glued to your laptop or smartphone, catching up on email.

 

2. Which vacation appeals to you the most?

A) A sailboating trip where you get to skinny dip with dolphins and have giggly, day-drunk picnics on deserted islands.

B) A tour of haunted hot-spots in London, with plenty of museum pit stops.

C) Staying in a remote eco-village where you sleep in a spherical treehouse with a composting toilet. Orgyatic dance parties happen every evening in the main lodge!

D) An all-inclusive in Mexico or a Caribbean cruise. Fuck history and all that dumb shit, you just wanna go someplace sunny where nothings expected of you.

3. In the kitchen, you love to make…

A) Glorious cherry pies, lemon cupcakes with copious buttercream frosting and magnificent chocolate layer cakes!

B) Takeout. You’ve spent most of your life developing your intellect, but your cooking skills? Not so much!

C) Something vegan, fermented and KALE.

D) You rarely have time to dick around in the kitchen but when you do it’s tuna casserole, chicken noodle soup and lasagna – you know, comfort food!

 

4. Your favorite thing about the internet is…

A) Kitten videos! Grumpy Cat memes! Green juice recipes! Etsy! Pinterest! OMG soooo much!

B) Snark blogs. Twitter fights (observing them, not participating). And writing scathing reviews on Amazon.

C) How you can share information about gardening and stuff and learn really cool things like how to make kombucha and how to cure yeast infections with garlic yogurt.

D) Google maps

 

5. Most of your sex fantasies take place…

A) In a mythical land of your own imagination where everyone lives like primitive hunter gatherers except with electricity and showers. Everything’s organic and everyone’s super hot and buff.

B) In a library

C) Outside in nature! Also, see option A above.

D) In bed

 

6. Your #1 pet peeve is…

A) People that need scientific proof to believe in something. God those people suck!

B) Trailers for “feel-good” movies like fluffy romantic comedies or movies with kids in them. Yuck!

I’m 100% vegan. Eggs benny doesn’t count.

C) Fair weather vegans

D) Facebook. It’s a frivolous time suck of epic proportions – a voyeuristic black hole of boring baby photos, pointless opinions and self congratulatory crapolla.

 

7. Your favorite reading material consists of…

A) Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and some pretty weird mermaid smut that you secretly downloaded to your Kindle.

B) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The DaVinci Code and anything by Agatha Christie. Murder mysteries, true crime and Victorian ghost stories are right up your alley.

C) How-to books on wildcrafting, living off the land and anarchistic utopian manifestos get you all fired up!

D) The manual that came with your new Bissell Stick Vacuum.

 

8. Your perfect day would be spent…

A) Cuddling kittens and puppies and eating strawberry waffles while Daniel Craig (circa 2008) massages your feet.

B) Perusing antique bookstores, sipping Turkish coffee and running into your favorite old University prof who just so happens to remember you (and your above average intellect) after all these years.

C) Marching passionately in a political protest, meeting a sexy fellow protestor and heading back to your caravan (or tiny-house) for a “sensual experience” involving organic hemp oil, Nag Champa incense and that overpriced yoga bolster you never use…until now.

D) Getting your taxes done early, not hitting any red lights on your way to work and coming home to discover the new IKEA catalogue waiting for you in your mailbox!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, now tally up your score!

 

Mostly A’s – Mystical Daydreamer

You’re a happy soul who loves to daydream and roll around in your imagination. Some say you’re spacey but it’s because you’re too busy traversing other worlds to be fully present in this bland one. And you need a Tarot deck that reflects that!

Decks with fairies, mermaids and dragons will get your heart pounding while new agey decks with sun rays, chakras and angel wings might strike a chord, too. You  prefer uplifting decks over dark, broody ones and you’re magically drawn to animal decks.

Here are some suggestions:

crystal-visions-tarot-jennifer-galasso

Crystal Visions Tarot 

Shadowscapes Tarot

Hezicos Tarot

Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot by Dame Darcy (This one can be tricky to find)

Angel Tarot by Doreen Virtue

Osho Zen Tarot

The Animal Wisdom Tarot

Mystical Cats Tarot

Paulina Tarot

Mostly B’s – Intellectual Cranky Pants

You’re overly brainy, pessimistic and moody and you love to take a stroll on the dark side. You never turn down a challenge! You don’t want “easy” and you don’t want “fluff” – you want a deck that’s confusing (to idiots), darkly intriguing and something you can really sink your teeth into.

Thoth Tarot Deck by Aleister Crowley

Game of Thrones Tarot by Liz Dean and Craig Coss

Prisma Visions Tarot

Tarot de Marseilles by Jodorowsky

The Vampire Tarot by Robert Place

Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

Secret Tarot

 

Mostly C’s – Rebel Hippy

You’re a rebel, an eccentric, a brave trail blazer who lives outside the system and grows her own kale. You love getting out for long nature hikes (or so you say), doing full moon rituals and protesting Monsanto. You’re interested in decks that emphasize nature, animals, feminine power and Wicca or Druidry.

Wild Unknown Tarot

Druidcraft Tarot

Wildwood Tarot

Everyday Witch Tarot

Motherpeace Tarot

Tarot of the Pagan Cats

 

Mostly D’s – No-nonsense Nelly

You’re a practical, no-nonsense individual and you don’t have time for all the bullshit that seems to inundate everyone these days. You know what you want and where you’re going. No one’s ever accused you of being “too exciting” but who cares? You need a deck that brings you the goods straight up without any fip-fop fappery.

Since I know you’ve got somewhere to be right now, I’ll make this quick…

The Universal Waite Tarot Deck

Morgan-Greer Tarot

Robin Wood Tarot

Anna K Tarot

 

Was I right? Was I right?

I want to know! What personality type were you and were my Tarot deck suggestions to your liking? And what decks would you recommend? Tell me in the comments below…

Quiz: Which Tarot Deck Should You Buy? Read More »

2018 Tarot Forecast Reading!

My favorite part of New Years is doing my annual Tarot forecast for the year ahead!

Although I don’t really see my reading as a “forecast” in the sense that it’s predictive – it’s more a glimpse into the themes, opportunities, challenges and energies of the year ahead and how we can make the most of it.

Remember nothing is set in stone – things change and shift as we move through space and time.

Please forgive my intermittent coughing throughout this video. I’m still recovering from pneumonia and I’m not 100% better just yet. If I was good at editing videos I would have just edited out all those coughs, but instead you’re getting the raw, uncensored, true to life version that’s full of unsexy hacking! 😉

Another thing I love to do as the New Year approaches is add up all the numbers in the year until I get just one number.

So 2018 would be 2 + 0 + 1 + 8 = 11

and then 1 + 1 = 2

Since 2018 boils down to 2, I took a close look at all the 2 cards in the Tarot. I think all those “2” cards give us some extra insights into the themes of 2018.

The High Priestess

Hanson-Roberts Tarot

This card is all about the inner realms and aspects of life that are secret and hidden.

I think many of us will be exploring things like intuition, psychic skills, dreams and our power to heal in a much deeper way in 2018.

Secrets will also be explored. Secrets can be delicious and precious or they can be destructive and toxic. What secrets will you keep and which will you reveal? What role do secrets play in your life? How do they effect you?

 

2 of Pentacles

crystal visions tarot
Crystal Visions Tarot

This card is all about juggling multiple things and going through the busy times with a certain grace. You can’t always control what life throws at you but you do get to choose how you deal with things.

Another way to think of this is that you are a dancer of life and while you may not have a say in what music is played, you get to decide how to dance to that music.

 

2 of Swords

Paulina Tarot

Decisions, decisions! We will have to make some tough decisions this year. Whenever we go through one door, other doors close – but we can’t just waffle and deliberate forever.

We won’t always have all the info we need to make an informed decision, forcing us to rely on our instincts even if that feels uncomfortable.

This card shows that we will become skilled in decision making in 2018…because we will get lots of practice!

 

2 of Cups

hanson roberts two of cups
Hanson Roberts Tarot

This card is all about finding common ground with another person and bonding over shared values.

2018 will be the year where we make important alliances and meet others with similar passions – this could be romantic or platonic.

2 of Wands

shadowscapes tarot
Shadowscapes Tarot

This is where we take a pause to contemplate where we want to put our energy next.

We have a chance to re-evaluate what we’ve been doing so far and whether or not we want to continue or make changes.

This is a card of soul searching and inner contemplation.

 

 

So there you have it! 2018 in a nutshell! I hope you’ve found this post/video helpful and I wish you the best of luck as we move into the New Year!

Penny for your thoughts…

I’d love to hear your take on 2018 – what are your hopes and dreams for the year ahead? Where will you be putting your energy and attention? Feel free to share in the comments below 🙂

2018 Tarot Forecast Reading! Read More »

My client hated her Tarot reading (and here’s how I dealt)

Thank you to all who did last weeks Tarot Challenge 🙂  Your insights were enlightening and I wish I had you all sitting beside me the next time I do a tricky reading! This is my follow up to that reading (details have been changed for confidentiality purposes)…

True confession: my last Tarot reading client totally hated her reading.

Here’s another confession….it’s not the first time this has happened!

Not too long ago I did a reading for a friend of a friend. She wanted to ask about a new guy she’d just met. They were going on their first date on Saturday night, three days away, and she was pretty sure he was The One.

We asked the cards “what is the potential of this relationship? What could the relationship be like if they continue dating?”

I pulled three cards and turned then over one by one….The Tower, Five of Cups and Ten of Swords.

It didn’t bode well.

Robin Wood Tarot

And while I almost never say things like this, but I went ahead and said “I don’t think it’s going to work out.”

She looked at me like I’d slapped her and said “but it HAS TO work out. He’s THE ONE and I NEED for this to work out right now.”

She was pissed!

So I said “okay, let’s take a closer look at each card and what it could mean.” I broke down each card individually and all it’s possible meanings – both negative and positive.

shadow-ornament

The Tower shows that this relationship could shake her to her core and create many changes in her life. Which could be a good thing, but the miserable cards accompanying this one suggest otherwise.

The Five of Cups represents dwelling on what isn't working. If it was surrounded by some neutral or positive cards I would say it symbolizes a need to change one's mindset and look for the good. But since all the cards are dreary, I really struggled to put a positive spin on this one.

The Ten of Swords can signify betrayal, feeling utterly powerless and/or a tendency to think things are worse than they really are. All the cards together seemed to be saying stay away! Run! Run!

shadow-ornament

The cards were clear as day, but here's the frustrating part:

She was absolutely unwilling to hear anything that didn't support her fantasy that this guy was The One.

In the end I kind of gave up and said "I could be wrong. The cards could be wrong. Perhaps this will work out wonderfully. But this is just what I'm getting from these cards in front of me."

After all, my reading isn't The Last Word and I always encourage my clients to take what I say with a grain of salt.

When it was all said and done she thanked me for the reading, said I'd given her lots to think about and left. But I could tell she felt unsatisfied, like when you go to a restaurant and order french fries and the waiter brings you steamed tofu.

Or when you crash a wedding party only to find out it's a "dry" wedding. Or when Chris Hemsworth only takes his shirt off once, at the very beginning of Thor, and you sit through the rest of yet another boring superhero movie, hoping for a glimpse of ab that never comes. Okay, you get the point.

And nothing feels worse than being the cause of someone else's disappointment.

As a Tarot reader, I want to deliver. I want to give someone the goods, the nitty gritty, the juicy details they've been longing to hear. I don't want to be a wet blanket or a brick of steamed tofu. Noooooo!

But I also don't want to just make up a bunch of happy crap if the cards are saying something else. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but I also don't want to be dishonest.

shadow-ornament

So this leads me to two important questions that every Tarot reader will eventually ask:

  1. Is there anything I could have done differently in that reading to avoid disappointing my client?
    AND...
  2. What do I do if a client doesn't like their reading?

Let's start by tackling question #1

Is there anything I could have done differently?

My biggest mistake was doing a reading that focused heavily on The Future, by asking about the potential of a relationship that didn't even exist yet.

Anytime we focus a reading on the future, we dis-empower ourselves because we assume the future is set in stone and that our actions and thoughts have little influence. And that's crazy!

Some better questions might have been:

  • how can she best prepare for her upcoming date?
  • What does she need to know about this situation?
  • What message does her higher self/guides have for her regarding romance?

These questions would have made it easier to steer the reading in a more empowering direction, even if she got the same three crappy cards.

But even if I did everything right and delivered the perfect reading, she may still have hated it...

shadow-ornament

What to do if a client doesn't like their reading

Ask yourself this: Was this a bad reading skill-wise? Or did I just not tell my client what she wanted to hear?

Nothing triggers insecurity in a Tarot reader more than an unhappy client, but it's important to distinguish between a genuinely crappy reading and a reading that just didn't mirror your client's hopes.

In my case, I was confident in my reading skills. I knew the reading I gave was solid. But I did wonder....should I have delivered the information in such an upfront fashion? Or should I have been more gentle?

But what if it had been a bad reading skill-wise? Should I have offered her a refund?

Luckily, I've never had a client ask for a refund and I've never felt the need to offer one. But if I did feel like I delivered a terrible reading - and my client seemed unhappy - I wouldn't feel comfortable just sending them on their way.

However, I once read this on a Tarot reader's site: "Tarot readings are free. I charge for my time."

So I think it's up to the reader to do what feels best for them.

shadow-ornament

Self Care 101

If you're new-ish to reading for others, a bad experience can have a powerful effect on you. Even if you're more experienced, the feeling that your client didn't love their reading can be de-motivating and make you question if you're really fit to be a Tarot reader.

Set an intention: Before each reading I set the intention that whatever comes up during the reading is exactly what that person needs to hear at this time. This allows me to let the reading go once it's over and not think I should have said this or I shouldn't have said that.

Have good boundaries: It's helpful to remind yourself that your role as a Tarot reader is to interpret the cards as best you can and help your client find ideas and solutions. It's NOT your job to fix their problems or tell them what they want to hear.

Learn from your bad experiences: Whenever I'm not happy with how a reading went, I ask myself what I could have done differently (like I did above). This isn't about regret or beating myself up, it's about learning and growing as a reader.

Over to you! Have you ever had an unsatisfied client or a reading you didn't feel great about? What did you do? Tell me in the comments below 🙂

My client hated her Tarot reading (and here’s how I dealt) Read More »

Quiz: Which Court Card Are You?

In my world, Summer isn’t Summer without holing up in a tent or tree fort and doing personality quizzes!

Back when I was 13, my friend and I spent the whole Summer hanging out in her little brother’s tree fort, putting on skanky makeup and doing sex quizzes in Cosmo. No wonder I’m so messed up now.

So in the spirit of that, I decided to make you a quiz. And since my Tarot Summer School course Learn the Tarot Court Cards is now available, I decided to make this quiz all about Court Cards!

1. You’re planning your next vacation – ooh la la! What option is most attractive to you?

a) Camping and hiking in the wilderness. You love nature…and crapping in the bushes.

b) Visiting a big glitzy city and going to intellectual bookstores, plays and museums

c) Something near water – either a luxury cruise or a surfing trip

d) A spiritual retreat in the desert where you can watch for UFOs and go on drumming trance journeys.

 

2. Your favorite way to connect with someone is to:

a) Have sex with them

b) Discuss literature, politics and film

c) Share feelings and emotions and cry a lot

d) Do things together that you’re both passionate about

 

3. Your favorite mode of transport is…

a) Walking. You like to have both feet on the ground!

b) Flying. Stale peanuts, screaming babies and getting groped by TSA’s  is your fave!

c) Boat! Ferries, yachts, rowboats, catamarans, kayaks, cruise ships – as long as it’s on water, it’s awesome!

d) Astral travel. But if that’s not possible, a car will do.

4. What best describes your personality?

a) Practical, down to earth and stable. You enjoy good food, a comfy home and the company of friends, family and pets. You crave a simple, yet delicious life.

b) Smart, focused and goal oriented. You love to plan, love to read and love to have stimulating conversation with intelligent people. You don’t have time for drama or fluff but often find yourself in a depressive mood.

c) Intuitive and empathetic, you are in tune with your emotions and the emotions of others. Strangers like to tell you their life story because they sense your sympathetic ear a mile away.

d) You’re passionate and creative and live your life according to your own rules! You follow your bliss and sometimes burn the candle at both ends, but your life and work has meaning for you.

You’re only halfway through this quiz, but I want you to tally up your answers so far. The answers to the last four questions will determine what suit you are most aligned with.

If you answered…

Mostly A’s – You resonate most strongly with the suit of Pentacles! You’re a practical person who is very authentic and “real”. You love the good things in life like sex, food and relaxation and most of your struggles (and you’re achievements) are in the realms of finances and health.

Mostly B’s – You resonate powerfully with the suit of Swords! You have a strong intellect and a way with words. You shine the most when you feel mentally stimulated and focused – this is when you morph into a powerhouse who gets shit done! Most of your big life challenges (and rewards) are in the realm of communication and mental health.

Mostly C’s – You are most strongly aligned with the suit of Cups! You’re touchy feely, have a developed sixth sense (whether you know it or not) and others seem instantly comfortable around you. You make an excellent counsellor, mentor, artist or Tarot reader. Most of your challenges (and joys) tend to be in the realm of relationships and emotional expression.

Mostly D’s – You are powerfully aligned with the suit of Wands! You’re a passionate little firecracker and you’re not afraid to go after what you want. You’re different from the masses because see the BIG picture and understand how everything is connected. You’re biggest challenges (and successes) are in the realm of spirituality and creativity.

Okay, now let’s continue…

5) When it comes to life, your goal is to:

a) Be the BEST at everything (or at least be the best you can be)

b) Help, understand and connect with others

c) Explore and have adventures! There are SO MANY experiences you are dying to have!

d) Learn. You are a student of life.

 

6) In relationships you’re good at:

a) Calling all the shots

b) Being empathetic and nurturing

c) Bringing the excitement and thrills!

d) Being unstable, indecisive and just generally fucking things up

 

7) When you dislike someone, you:

a) Fire them

b) Keep it classy and treat them with respect – giving in to your baser instincts will only make you look weak

c) Challenge them to a contest you know you will win

d) Avoid them

 

8) You acquire ten million dollars! You immediately:

a) Invest it, buy some real estate and maybe, just maybe, indulge in some hookers n’blow

b) Donate some to charity, help out friends and family, quit your day job and devote your life to helping others

c) Travel! Maybe buy a motorbike or yacht and set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

d) Go back to school and learn something valuable. But blow the rest on stupid stuff.

Okay, now tally up your answers to questions 5 – 8. These will reveal whether you’re a King, Queen, Knight or Page!

If you answered mostly…

A’s – You’re a King! You’re a natural born leader and you love running the show. You’re confident most of the time and when you’re not you’re really good at faking it. You know yourself well which is why you exude such power and sensuality. But don’t be surprised if you attract needy losers who need to be micromanaged – they are helplessly drawn to your willingness to tell them what to do. Most find you inspiring and some find you irritating – but that’s the name of the game when you’re the top banana!

B’s – You’re a Queen through and through! You classy, poised and have a heart of gold. You love teaching and helping others and those who confide in you know you’ll take their secrets to the grave. You have the confidence, focus and determination to make real changes in the world, minus the lust for power and fame. A true Queen indeed! But keep in mind that it’s okay to be selfish every now and then – you don’t have to be a Mother Theresa all day everyday. Geez!

C’s – You’re a Knight! Chances are you can’t sit still for long before you find yourself lusting for action and adventure. You love getting out there and having new and exciting experiences, especially when you’re after a challenge of some sort. Commitment is like death to you – unless you’re committing to a life of wild thrill seeking. But there’s more to you than meets the eye – you’re on a mission and that mission is meaningful to you. Your motto is: Don’t just stand there, bust a move!

D’s – Good golly, you’re a Page! What you lack in experience you make up for with enthusiasm – in ALL areas of life 😉 You’re happy as long as you’re learning something new and having new experiences. Sometimes you mess up and doubt yourself, but that’s okay. You’re good at picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, learning from your mistakes and moving on. You’re an optimist most days and possess the valuable ability to see things with a fresh set of eyes.

Now, combine your suit with your Court card type to learn which specific court card is most strongly aligned with your personality!

Most importantly, share your results in the comments below! Which court card are you? Do you agree? Disagree?

Quiz: Which Court Card Are You? Read More »

Tarot craft: Make Your Own Tarot Jar!

This afternoon as I was reading Andy Matzner’s The Tarot Activity Book, I was inspired to try one of his Tarot projects: creating my very own Tarot display jar!

I’m going to give you a run-down on how it went…but first I want to tell you about Andy’s book.

The Tarot Activity Book is just that – a whole book full of Tarot crafts, journalling exercises and fun activities, none of which involve reading the cards – which is refreshing.

Tarot’s usefulness extends far beyond the realm of readings and this book helps you use Tarot in ways you’ve never imagined.

One of the activities in his book is to make a Tarot mason jar. Mason jars have become trendy ever since hipsters started drinking green juice out of them with straws. A cafe in my neighborhood started using them as lightbulbs and the place became an instant hipster haven. Hordes of plaid, beards and tuques suddenly began beating their door down! It was wild!

Step 1: fill mason jar with salt or sand

You only need about 1″ of salt or sand. You could use soil if you’re really earthy, or that pink Himalayan sea salt if you like pretty shit.

This is to provide a base to put stuff in later.

 

Step 2: decorate the jar

I skipped this step because I’m lazy and also because I just knew it would end up looking like crap.

Andy suggests using acrylic paint to pretty up the inside or outside of the jar or even gluing bits of fabric or papers on it. Someone good at crafts would do a good job of this – me? Not so much. I know my limits.

Step 3: choose a Tarot card to go in the jar!

The Star from Dame Darcy’s Mermaid Tarot

This is the best part. I chose The Star because it helps me remember to relax and let go and stop trying to control everything and everyone.

If you’re trying to manifest something, you could choose a Tarot card that represents what you want to bring into your life.

Or, if you want to channel a particular card’s energy, like the Queen of Wands or The Empress, you could choose that for the jar.

OR… if your a fan of doing daily one card draws, you could put your daily draw card in your jar and change it up each day.

 

Step 4: Put nice objects in the jar

Choose some objects that relate to your chosen Tarot card or that are special to you and place them in the bottom of the jar, around the card.

I chose some pretty colored crystals, but you could use jewelry, sea shells, flowers, and other trinkets.

My cat decided to help me with this step by knocking all my crystals off the table, one at a time…

 

Step 5: Illuminate! (optional)

Put a battery operated candle or string of lights in your Tarot jar to create a magical glow!

I first used a string of fairy lights for my Tarot jar but I didn’t love how they seemed to obstruct my view of the Tarot card. A smaller string would have been ideal.

I then tried using a real tealight and this was a terrifying disaster! I almost burnt my Tarot card and the flame was so bright it also seemed to obstruct the card.

I think the best option is one of those fake plastic tealights that use a battery. It will create a soft glow without turning your jar into a Tarot inferno!

Unfortunately I didn’t have any battery powered tealights on hand, so I’m just making due with the show-stealing string lights until I find some.

Step 6: Display your Tarot jar!

Proudly display your Tarot jar somewhere you’ll see it, like your desk, bookshelf or bedside table.

Whenever I look at my Tarot jar, I’m reminded that there is order in the chaos and that everything is working out the way it needs to. It’s okay for me to let go and trust…

Check out The Tarot Activity Book!

If you liked this crafty Tarot exercise and find yourself thirsting for more, Andy Matzner’s book has lots to offer. With almost 100 Tarot activities and exercises, this book helps you go beyond readings to develop a whole new dimension to your Tarot journey.

Check it out on Amazon

 

Show & Tell…

My challenge to you is this:

  1. Decide what card you want to feature in your own Tarot jar and tell me in the comments below…
  2. Create your own Tarot jar and then hop on over to my Facebook page and send me a pic! I can’t wait to see what you create!!!

Good luck and have fun 🙂
xoxo
Kate

Tarot craft: Make Your Own Tarot Jar! Read More »

How to Read Tarot for Yourself (When You’re Feeling Emotional)

Have you ever been told you shouldn’t read Tarot for yourself when you’re upset or stressed out?

This is because your brain (and intuition) are effected by strong emotions and it can make for a biased, unhelpful reading.

But here’s the thing: this is when you really want to do a reading! Who waits until their life is perfect and stress-free to do a reading? NOBODY!

And while there are other ways to deal with stress and uncertainty, like binge watching Glow on Netflix, scarfing a whole box of shortbread cookies and yelling at your boyfriend, doing a Tarot reading might actually be the healthiest option.

So the challenge is this: how do you read Tarot for yourself when you’re feeling upset, excited or stressed out? How do you stop your desires, fears and emotions from biasing a reading?

Luckily, there’s a way!

Step One: Instead of reading about your specific issue, ask yourself how do I want to feel in this situation?

A couple of months ago I was dealing with a painful and frightening health issue. I was faced with having to make a big decision regarding surgery. Because I felt so charged up about my health, I knew it would be impossible to do an unbiased reading about it.

When I asked myself how do I want to feel (in relation to my health issue)? The answer was calm and clear. I wanted clarity as to what steps I needed to take and I wanted to feel calm and relaxed about it all.

Step Two: Once you’ve identified how you want to feel, ask your cards: What do I need to do to feel ____________? Then draw a card.

The card I got when I did this was the Four of Wands.

Hanson-Roberts Tarot

To me, the Four of Wands is about community and coming together. It seemed to be telling me to reach out to the community of people who’ve experienced the same thing as me and gather information and support.

So that’s what I did! Afterwards I felt calmer about the whole thing and clearer about what decision is right for me.

The key is that you are doing a reading about how to feel the way you want to feel in relation to your issue – but not about the issue itself.

You aren’t asking what should I do about my problem? What do I need to know? What’s going on here? – you are simply asking how can I feel the way I want to feel?

It’s a very empowering act and it allows you to pull yourself out of the drama of your problems and make strides in a positive direction.

So next time something is bothering you, try this Tarot exercise and see what happens!

How to Read Tarot for Yourself (When You’re Feeling Emotional) Read More »