Blog

Audio: Practicing Mindfulness with the Tarot

practicing mindfulness with the tarotMindfulness has become quite a buzzword in recent years.

The term was first coined by Jon Kabat-Zinn and describes the process of “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.”

It’s not about emptying your mind or suppressing thoughts; it’s about becoming a detached observer, simply being aware of physical sensations and how your mind wanders.

The purpose of practicing mindfulness is to reduce stress, over-thinking and improve overall wellbeing.

Research has shown that regular practice of mindfulness actually works.

If you are learning and working with the Tarot, you are also practicing mindfulness, perhaps without realising.

Practicing mindfulness with the Tarot is a powerful combination to boost your mental and spiritual wellbeing, and with regular practice can heal and transform your life.

A simple one-card draw can create a mindful moment of reflection and contemplation.

But you can also combine the one-card draw with a mindfulness meditation.

This is an easy way to learn mindfulness and include it in your daily spiritual practice.

Beginner’s Tarot Mindfulness Meditation

  1. Take a seat in a quiet place and make yourself comfortable.
  2. Ground yourself by taking a deep breath (slowly inhale and exhale) and repeat until you feel calm and focused.
  3. Draw or choose a card from your tarot deck. Observe the image without judgement for a few minutes. Don’t think about its possible meanings. Just explore its colours, shapes, symbols.
  4. Remain still and focus your sensations. Close your eyes and observe how your clothes feel on your skin and where you feel pressure on your body from where you sit.
  5. Spend a few minutes on what you can hear. This could be your breath, a clock ticking, music somewhere in the backround, traffic noise etc.
  6. Reflect on what you have just experienced. You have focused on an object (tarot card), sensations and sounds, which has given you a break from your preoccupations. Perhaps you have learned something new about the tarot image you just have observed.
  7. How do you feel? Over time, this mindfulness meditation can be a nourishing way to refresh and clear your mind.

As you can see, this is an easy introduction to practicing mindfulness with the Tarot and should not take longer than ten minutes.

Listen to this meditation on Soundcloud:

If you find yourself stressed, overwhelmed or over-thinking, then take a mindful moment with your tarot deck, sit back, relax and connect with the cards at the same time.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

The Jupiter Retrograde Tarot Spread

wheel of fortune rwsJupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, slows down and turns backward from 10th April until 11th August 2019.

The planet of luck, expansion and growth is linked to the Wheel of Fortune, and the reversed aspect of this card offers us an insight into Jupiter‘s retrograde energies.

The first thing that comes to mind is that the Wheel of Fortune may slow down, come to a halt and perhaps even move backwards in the form of reversal of fortunes.

This can work both ways: if things have gone really well for you recently, then be prepared for a slow down.

On the other hand, if you’ve been experiencing bad luck or lack of progress beyond your control, then you might get a break and life is slowly going to take a turn for the better.

Whatever our individual situation, we may all feel less optimistic about things as new ideas and plans may not be realised, or progress may come slower than expected.

But Jupiter retrograde is happening in Sagittarius at this time, and in tarot terms that’s Temperance.

Temperance is the key to navigate Jupiter retrograde successfully – it’s okay to slow down, create balance and harmony, avoid too much, too soon and too difficult…. we need to learn to let good fortunes and progress flow into our lives whithout trying too hard.

Beneficial activities during Jupiter retrograde:



Take it easy, take a break, re-evaluate, open your mind to new possibilities, research new ideas, experiment, explore, be more flexible, listen to your inner voice.

Watch out for change (for better or worse), turn of events, u-turns, deeper truths, revelations, blessings in disguise, spiritual development and karmic payback.

Here’s a Jupiter Regrograde tarot spread to make the most of this energy influencing us over the coming months based on the Jupiter cards in the Tarot:

  1. How can I best adapt to changes at this time?
  2. How can I expand my horizon?
  3. What do I need to be more flexible with?
  4. What can I handle with ease?
  5. What task/activity needs to be put on hold?
  6. What will give me joy during this time of uncertainty?
  7. In which area of my life do I need to show more leadership / take responsibility?

Jupiter retrograde will last for four months, so you have plenty of time to figure out how you can manifest positive change and growth during this challenging but also exciting time.

Interested in learning how to combine Tarot with Astrology? Check out my course.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

freebies

 

 

Taurus in the Minor Arcana

taurus in the Minor Arcana
Astrologize your tarot readings!

Moving on from the Aries cards, let’s take a look at Taurus in the Minor Arcana and how this zodiac sign can be interpreted in a reading.

While Taurus is linked to the Hierophant in the Major Arcana, it is also associated with the King of Pentacles and the following pip cards:

Five of Pentacles – Mercury in Taurus

Six of Pentacles – Moon in Taurus

Seven of Pentacles – Saturn in Taurus

As you can see, each pip card has a planet and zodiac sign assigned to it, but what does it all mean?

Let’s take one step at a time.

Taurus Characteristics

Taurus is an earth sign associated with stability, steadfastness and a practical, down-to-earth attitude.

Taurus people are reliable and loyal. They favour tradition and security over change and uncertainty, which can make them inflexible and stubborn at times.

Now we can link these traits to the individual pip cards:

five of pentaclesFive of Pentacles – Mercury in Taurus

This card is associated with hardship, poverty and insecurity.

Influenced by Mercury, the planet of communication and travel, self-reliant Taurus may need to overcome reluctancy to ask for help.

The mercurial energies of change and flux are a disruptive force for Taurus, who has to learn to do things differently in order to overcome this difficult situation.

Mercury and Taurus represent opposing energies, which are reflected in the stark image.

However, Mercury is primarily linked to the Magician, so it can also be a force for good. Taurus needs to tap into the Magician’s power to get back on track.

And while the Magician is focused on power, potential and purpose, the Five of Pentacles may also indicate (temporary) loss of these qualities.

six of pentacles aquatic tarotSix of Pentacles – Moon in Taurus

The Moon represents the divine feminine (linked to the High Priestess), intuition and our feelings and emotions.

Combined with Taurus, the energy of the Six of Pentacles is benevolence and charity.

Keywords and meanings that come to mind with this astrological combination are humility, gratitude, generosity, benefactor, favours, kindness.

Here, Taurus gets in touch with feelings, acting on emotions and intuitive guidance.

seven of pentacles aquatic tarotSeven of Pentacles – Saturn in Taurus

Saturn is linked to the World in the Major Arcana, which suggests a sense of completion in the Seven of Pentacles.

While the World is focused more on being established and content with where you are, the Seven of Pentacles indicates the growing urge to break out of the status quo and do something new.

But Saturn is also ruler of Capricorn – the Devil – and combined with Taurus can create inertia or complacency.  New ideas may never be turned into reality as that would involve leaving the familiar behind.

Taurus loves being in a comfortable position, and in the Seven of Pentacles we may also detect a hint of laziness and perhaps even unproductiveness. Lots of work to do, but another tea break, please! 😄

If you would like to learn how to combine Tarot with Astrology in your readings, check out my course.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

subscribe to cosmic news

Hello Spring Ostara Tarot Spread

ostara tarot spread
Check out my seasonal tarot spreads ebook

The Ace of Coins from the Alchemical Tarot perfectly captures the spirit of Ostara and the official beginning of Spring.

The hare reminds me of the white rabbit from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland beckoning us to follow him down the hole for a new adventure.

And yes, the Spring Equinox is a time for rebirth, renewal and new beginnings.

After a dull winter, the longer and warmer days tend to make us feel more optimistic and hopeful for the coming months ahead.

As part of your Spring Equinox celebrations and seasonal explorations, here is my Ostara tarot spread you could incorporate:

1. What are the seeds that I’m sowing? 
The energies you are releasing that you might not be aware of. Whatever you’re doing at the moment (especially unconsciously), what effect may it have?

2. What seedlings are emerging around me? 
What is already developing around you that you may not be aware of? A project you recently started, or a goal you’ve set yourself, what is emerging from it so far?

3. What do I need to focus on until the Summer Solstice? 
A task you need to carry out, a skill you need to acquire, or anything you need to pay attention to that will help you achieve your goal.

For each question, you can pull up to three cards to gain some insight.

I hope you enjoy my Ostara tarot spread, and please do let me know how it works for you.

For more seasonal tarot spreads and creative tarot journaling ideas, please check out Cosmic Faery’s Journal Workbook.

Wishing you a Blessed Equinox,

Christiane

subscribe to cosmic news

22 Side Effects You Experience When Learning The Tarot

high priestess housewives tarot
High Priestess, Housewives Tarot

If you are interested in learning the Tarot, you need to be aware of some serious side effects you may encounter.

You see, learning the Tarot isn’t about memorising card meanings. It’s actually living the whole damn thing every day and every moment.

It’s a way of life.

It’s about doing a lot of inner work that turns your insides out and puts it all back together again, but differently.

It’s breaking and healing.

If you think that spiritual awakening is all love n light, you’re mistaken. If you don’t confront and deal with your darkness, you just live in an illusion.

But worry not. The side effects you experience when learning the Tarot will help you become a better person and live your best life.

Here are the most commonly experienced side effects as reflected in the 22 cards of the Major Arcana:

The Fool: You start to discover new aspects of yourself.

The Magician: You realise anything is possible.

The High Priestess: You learn to access your inner wisdom.

The Empress: You become more creative.

The Emperor: You feel empowered.

The Hierophant: Amongst family and friends you start to feel a bit of an outsider…

The Lovers: …but you will also meet like-minded souls and make new friends.

The Chariot: You will leave your comfort zone behind…

Strength: …and have the courage and passion to persevere.

The Hermit: You start enjoying your solitude.

Wheel of Fortune: You worry less about what you cannot control.

Justice: You learn to balance logic with intuition when making important choices.

The Hanged Man: You begin to see the world differently.

Death: You become a new person.

Temperance: You stress less and live more in the flow.

The Devil: You recognise and deal with the dark stuff in your life.

The Tower: You question everything.

The Star: You begin to see the bigger picture.

The Moon: You will fall in love with the moon.

The Sun: You realise that happiness is a choice, and confidence is a daily practice.

Judgement: You rise above drama.

The World: You look back at your life and see how far you have come.

These are only 22 side effects most people will experience, but there are also reports of reduction in anxiety and depression when exposed to the tarot over a long period.

Have you experienced any side effects not listed here? Let me know!

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

The Nines in the Tarot of Quotes

nine of wands tarot of quotesFollowing on from the energetic Eights, the Nines in the Tarot mark the completion of a cycle – fulfilment, conclusion, integration and attainment.

Linked to the nine months of pregnancy it also symbolises gestation.

We have reached a peak, and now it is time to consider a new path to avoid stagnation as indicated by the Hermit (card 9 in the Major Arcana).

There is a sense of aloneness in all the Nines in the Tarot indicating a need to be self-reliant and take sole responsibility for our situation.

The Nines reflect experience. We have come a long way. How did we get here? A good question to ask, when the Nines show up in a reading.

By evaluating and reflecting on past actions, we can gain an understanding why we are in the situation as depicted by these cards and choose which path to take next.

Numerically, the number Nine is linked to 18 (1 + 8), The Moon, which can indicate confusion and insecurities often on an emotional level.

Nine of Wands –endurance, exhaustion, threat, protection

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Great Strength

Astrological Attribution: Moon in Sagittarius – rest from strife, yet feeling restless and weary; insecure, flexible, strong, power of cyclical forces

Interpretation: battered and bruised, but still standing; careful, guarded, cautious, watchful. Suspicious and distrustful. Safe.

Image symbolism:

Castle wall – protection, secure base, boundary

Dog figure with shield – watchman, guard, protection, prepared for the unexpected, defence

Waning moon – a cycle ending, consolidation

Yellow / orange colours – fiery energy

Bushes – blocking view, obscurity, hidden dangers / obstacles

nine of cups tarot of quotes

Nine of Cups – pleasure, satisfaction, sensuality, happy times, indulgence

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Material Happiness

Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Pisces – higher purpose, gratitude, emotional growth, spiritual love, benevolence

Interpretation: enjoying the simple pleasures, wishes fulfilled; lucky in love, being content, emotional and spiritual nourishment and abundance, manifesting dreams

Image symbolism:

Laughing buddha – happiness

Blue cup filled with stars – positive feelings and emotions

Red rose – passion, love

nine of swords tarot of quotes

Nine of Swords –worries, anxiety, panic, loneliness, guilt, nightmares

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Despair and Cruelty

Astrological Attribution: Mars in Gemini – destructive forces of the mind; cruel words, negative self-talk

Interpretation: negative thinking, irrational fears clouding sound judgement, sleepless nights, self-torment, need to confront issues head-on to dissolve anguish; dark night of the soul, sense of hopelessness

Image symbolism:

Ugly creature – negative thoughts and fears personified; they affect outer persona and appearance

Crystal ball – focus on clear thinking

Grey-green colour – bleakness, lack of inspiration

nine of pentacles tarot of quotes

Nine of Pentacles -abundance, harvest, reward, status, independence

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Material Gain

Astrological Attribution: Venus in Virgo – enjoying the fruits of labour, success and abundance achieved through diligence and efficient planning

Interpretation: enjoying the good life, luxuries, plenty, affluence, self-sufficiency, outer and inner wealth, gratitude

Image symbolism:

Manor house – wealth, status, security

Luscious garden – rich harvest, fecundity, growth

Large trees – maturity, long-term, patience

Red rose – Venus, beauty, solitude, self-reliance

You can view all images of the Tarot of Quotes in the Gallery.

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available, which also includes empowering messages, spreads and journaling promps as well as a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Finding Direction in Your Life with the Tarot

hermt tarot
Smith Waite Tarot, Centennial edition

If you are feeling a little rudderless and wonder where to go from here or if you’re on the right track, then it can be helpful finding direction in your life with the Tarot.

Autumn is Hermit season (he’s linked to Virgo), and at this time of year questions about purpose, progress and direction often pop up in people’s minds.

First, contemplate the symbolism of the Hermit.

He’s reached the top of the mountain (the one that is in the background of the Fool), and with his lamp illuminating the way he is trying to find a path down the mountain on the other side.

The top of the mountain represents the current situation, a milestone, where he is right now in his life. What next?

In practical terms, this can relate to a job, relationship or lifestyle choice you are thinking about.

Try the following spread to explore your current path, a path that is open to you or the path you wish to take:

Path – Obstacle – Growth

Example – a relationship situation:

sharman caselli tarot deck
Sharman Caselli Tarot Deck

The Seven of Swords as the current Path suggests something being hidden, which needs to be revealed, or at one point the truth will come out. There’s a need to be open and honest, with yourself and the other person.

The Knight of Swords as the Obstacle suggests cruel words, accusations, quick judgement, but also brutal honesty, which can clear the air but can be hurtful.

Avoid nastiness and words you may regret later. Be kinder than you want to be.

The Three of Pentacles as Growth indicates the possibility of reconciliation and rebuilding of this relationship in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Lessons learned include a greater mutual understanding, building trust with honesty and supporting each other.

Support may also come from a third party, like a family member, friend or counsellor.

Here’s another spread to explore your current situation and new direction:

Where I am now – Where I want to be – Action to take

Here are some spreads that help you make choices:

Choice a – Choice B – What you need to know to decide

You may even have the choice between three options, so add Choice C if necessary.

Heart – Mind – Balance

Torn between head and heart? This can relate to a career change for example. How can you balance your conflicting thoughts and feelings?

What I want – What I need

morgan greer tarot
Morgan Greer Tarot

What you want is not always what you need right now.

The Sun suggests the desire for happiness, but the Three of Swords may indicate that you need to work through some unresolved grief first.

And if there is no grief in your life, why are you not happy? It’s your choice.

Here are some journaling prompts that can help you find purpose and direction:

journaling prompts
Generate journaling prompts with the Cosmic Journaling Oracle
  • What gives me joy?
  • Where do I need to be patient (or have been patient for too long)?
  • What do I need to release?
  • What do I want to walk away from?

Wait and See

Sometimes it is counter-productive to think too much or putting pressure on yourself.

It is actually okay to float for a while and let answers come to you while searching for some inspiration (another Hermit hobby ?)

Here are some cards that indicate the need to be still, to contemplate, to surrender to the present, to wait and see:

tarot contemplation cards
Tarot cards indicating contemplation, wait and see, a new direction ahead… Sharman-Caselli deck

The High Priestess: The mother of wait and see. Silence is golden. Be still and listen. Sit back and observe.

Two of Swords: Caught between a rock and a hard stone; trying to balance heart and mind. There is no harm taking your time. Procrastination can lead to a situation resolving itself or a decision is made for you.

Four of Swords: Take time out from over-thinking. Just rest. Before you can make any kind of decision or gain clarity about what to do next, you need to unplug from the overwhelm for a while.

The Hanged Man: my year card in 2012, and it took me a whole year to start moving again. At one point you just have to surrender, bend rather than break. It’s not always down to you, so go with the flow. In your own time.

Seven of Pentacles: a choice between something established and something new. The new is still a seed and needs more attention before you can see its true potential, so be patient and let it grow while you still nurture what you have. And that new seed may never grow into anything. Time will tell.

Seven of Cups: a castle in the sky, which needs a solid foundation. Daydreaming about beautiful possibilities is fun, sometimes it’s all you need. Sometimes you don’t need to turn a dream into reality, as long as it makes you feel happy and inspired.

Finding direction with the Tarot is a fun and insightful way to reorganise conflicting thoughts and gain some clarity before you take the next step on your journey.

Want to learn more? Need guidance and personal support? Then check out, how you can work with me.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane