How to Develop Your Intuition

Intuition is all about basic instincts, gut feelings and hunches. They usually don't rely on any facts or proof; it's just how you 'feel' about a matter that counts, when you use your intuition.

When I do tarot readings for clients, I always let my intuition guide me. After all, I have very little facts or solid information to consider.

If you are learning to read tarot cards, then you will need to get used to relying on your intuition again on a much larger scale, something you did as a child, but society conditioned you over the years to base your actions, thoughts and feelings on evidence and logic.

However, don't under-estimate the importance and power of intuition, not only regarding tarot but everday life choices; when you have to make split-second decisions, you will most likely follow your instinct rather than logic and reason.

How intuitive are you?

There are some key rules to identify your current level of intuition:

1. You recognise an object with very little time to see it properly, usually less than a second.
Try flicking through magazines and recall afterwards the images you noticed (without looking - what's on the image at the beginning of this artcile?). You can also look quickly at group photos of friends and family and identify afterwards specific people you noticed.

2. When you look at clouds, many images come to your mind.
Making creative associations through this kind of openness help you to generate new ideas and insights.

3. You can take in a scene quickly and recall details.
Look at a crowd scene and then look away. Ask yourself questions about details, perhaps individual actions, clothing, weather, surrrounding area, buildings etc. If your intuition works well, then you are not aware that you take in all this information. It all works 'automatically'.

How can you improve your intuition?

There are a few universal principles to help you develop this skill:

1. Become an expert
The more you know about a subject matter, the sharper your intuitive sense will be. So, the more you practise and read about tarot and absorb the information, the better your readings and accuracy will become over time.

2. Pay attention to your feelings
Don't ignore that inner voice telling you that something is not quite right with the person or situation you are dealing with. Let go of trying to find 'evidence'. Instead just act according to how you feel.

3. Trust your intuition
Relax; it's not easy to reduce the input of a conscious mind, but regular exercise will help you achieve improvement. Try pulling a tarot card at random and without hesitation come up with an instant message from the universe for yourself. Avoid censoring your thoughts; in that moment you stop using your intuition. If nothing comes up, pull the next card. Keep going until something 'clicks' in your head and ideas start trickling.

Have fun developing your intuition - and don't forget that when making some important decisions, a touch of logic in addition will not go amiss!

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

The High Priestess - (Laughing all the Way to the World, Part III)

"Twixt dark and light a maid serene
Weaves spells of fascinations.
Spinning moonlight veils from strands of dream
To conceal your initiation."

Lon Milo duQuette

If you are a loud and extrovert person, then this card is telling you to shut up. If you are generally a shy person, then this card may well sum up your personality. Silence is golden and offers you the opportunity to explore your inner realm of intuition, hidden mysteries and feelings. Quiet contemplation will finally reveal answers to your questions and new perspectives.

Occupation: Psychologist; Lifestyle Consultant

Favourite Movie Character: Solitaire in the Bond movie Live and Let Die, who is employed as a seer by the bad guy Dr Kananga and famously pulls four Tarot cards during the film: the Lovers, the High Priestess (representing herself), the Moon and Death. Poor Solitaire loses her psychic powers after having been seduced by James Bond. Those were the days....

High Priestess of Pop: Kate Bush – this singer/ songwriter avoids the limelight, but when she emerges from the darkness once in a blue moon (even less than that!), she shines like a star with her mesmerising offerings of mysterious and magickal songs. Watch her video 'Lily' below.

Famous High Priestess in History: Pope Joan - the lady, who the Catholic church would rather forget. According to legend, an English woman disguised herself as a man and became Pope 'John' in the 9th century. Joan was an educated and wise woman - a good basis for making a success of her job. But at one point her intuition let her down and emotions took over - she fell in love and was exposed when she collapsed at a papal procession through Rome whilst giving birth to a child.

Favourite Song: Black Magic Woman by Santana

Favourite Book: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte. The story is about a mysterious woman, who moves into a big house close to a village, where people begin to gossip about her. After a long period of hiding, keeping silent and doing nothing, she finally reveals all her secrets to the man she loves. People stop gossiping and peace is restored. Happy ending.

Favourite Quote: "Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot. "
Groucho Marx

Watch Kate Bush's magickal Lily video:

Next time: The Empress

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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