Willows East: Recent Episodes
Gretchen Pearl
Hi, Tarot Blogger Friends! Welcome to the first Willows East Tarot Blog Hop
Our Blog Hop is now being hosted on our new site HERE!
Hi Readers,
I'm so excited to join you in this Blog Hop and share some things about me that you may NOT know!
| | | Linestrider Tarot |
What brought you to Tarot?
I've been into ghosts, amateur ghost hunting, mediumship, and spiritualism since I was about 7-years-old. I'm now 33! I began practicing mediumship almost 5 years ago and quickly felt overwhelmed with the number of clients and demands. I found my comfort-zone with Tarot and am completely hooked! I've been reading Tarot professionally for about 4 years now. I still add a hint of mediumship and intuitive, predictive elements if spirit guides me. Here are some pics, below, of me visiting and investigating (as a guest) with the TAPS team.
Which deck is your favorite?I LOVE Tarot Mucha, Bonefire Tarot, the classic Rider Waite, and the Linestrider Tarot. My favorite so far is the Tarot Mucha, because it appeals to my vintage interests while retaining that rich symbolism of the more classic decks.
Link to your Tarot business page, shop, or explain the purpose of your blog.You know where to find me, haha! Right here at Willows East! I'm still honing in on the focus of what I want to do with the Tarot and where this journey will take me. For now, I'm simply celebrating spiritualism in Vermont and reading Tarot for intuitive development.
What makes your journey or business unique?I use Tarot in a very positive way. I ask my deck for only positive information that fuels growth. So, if you book a reading with me, be ready to look ahead instead of dwelling too much in the past. Willows East is a real-life and virtual community that integrates some classic ideals of Spiritualism (with its roots in Vermont's spiritualist history) to spark intuition and learn how to be more aware in the here and now.
Ask your deck, higher self, or guide, what it would like to share with visitors. Draw one card and/or share your response.
I drew the Page of Cups for you, dear reader. It feels like you're ready to take on some new creative project or endeavor. Have you considered starting your own Tarot blog or journal and sharing your experience on social media? If you'd like to connect, please email me at willowseast@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading!
Gretchen
Many seasoned readers will tell you that it's unethical to read for a third party -- anyone outside the reading, beyond the reader and client. Yet, if you've opened your doors to clients or family/friends for readings, you'll know that one of the first questions on many clients' minds is something like, "What is my ex-girlfriend doing this weekend?" or "Is my boyfriend cheating on me?"
The reason this is deemed unethical is because the third person hasn't offered up their energy for an intuitive reading.
However, if you're an intuitive person, you'll know that you read people's energy all day without their written consent. You can most likely tell if the mailman is having a bad day, if a co-worker is returning from a happy weekend with family, or if your mother is annoyed at you over the phone for something that happened 2 weeks ago. And I'm certain you don't tell any of these people, "I'm so sorry that I mistakenly read your energy today." Ethics in energy-reading starts long before a third-party question pops up in a reading.
Energy will affect you regardless of whether you ask for it or not, and you will automatically gather information about it. It's what you do with that information and how you perceive it that really defines its ethical use.
For instance, I wouldn't ask my guide to send me a vision of what a client's ex-girlfriend is doing at this very moment. It's not useful. I could, but I have no way to confirm if it's true, so I can't validate its accuracy. If the client is affected by the energy of another person versus their actions, I can pick up on that energy and get a feeling about how the client is affected. But, because this third person isn't sitting in front of me, giving me visual or verbal cues, saying, "I'm open to having my energy read," and confirming my interpretation, the intuitive information is potentially, in fact, most likely... garbled.
So, instead of telling my client, "I can't answer that question, because it's unethical," and possibly making them feel like a bad person for asking or wondering, when really all they want is to know how this person is going to affect them in that moment, I usually say:
"You shouldn't worry about what your ex-girlfriend is doing right at this very moment, because you're above that situation, you've moved beyond it," or:
"I will try to pick up on this person's energy and how it affects you, but please note that it may not be entirely accurate, as this person hasn't requested to be read by me, and this information will be filtered through you."
And, here's an example of the information I pick up -- a client from 3 years ago once asked how her husband currently felt about her. I, of course, encouraged her to communicate more with her husband, to gather that information herself intuitively, or to ask him. But I also had a vision of him in a living room, slamming his fists on the wall, putting his hand on his forehead, looking frustrated. I saw him pacing, in a blur at times, from moving so quickly. Witnessing this, I felt scared, uncertain of what he would do next.
I told the client that I felt his energy was really unstable. I described the vision that I saw, and she confirmed it.
Now, if he had come to me for a reading, I might see him as a nice, easy-going guy who loves to play soccer with his kids. I might see that he has a short temper some days, but that it doesn't really interfere with his happy-go-lucky attitude.
But, from his wife's point of view, I only saw how his energy was affecting her and how she was perceiving him at that time. So, I try to explain this to my client at the beginning of the reading, if this type of question is asked.
It isn't really the ethics that I'm concerned about, it's the accuracy of the information being filtered through the client.
And here is what it looks like to me, intuitively: When a client asks for a reading, when they ask the very first question, it's like we're sitting facing each other, and our energy fields meld. The client has his or her own energy "bubble," I have mine, and they meet in the middle like a Venn diagram. I can view their world through my own bubble, through their bubble, through both together, or completely outside all bubbles (objectively). The information is always skewed through these filters, which makes it both powerful and unreliable. When I let my client into my bubble, I'm naturally protective of him or her and want to give them positive information that will help them.
That's why communication is so important in readings. That's why readers often say, "I feel this might be true...," and why they ask questions like, "Does this resonate with you?" Sometimes our readings can be so incredibly on point that we pick up on what a client is wearing or so skewed that we think our vision of a dog should mean something to a client, when it actually doesn't. Usually those readings go something like, "Ok, the beagle doesn't mean anything to you... let me tell you what else I see: it's a farm in the country, with white linens hanging on a clothesline. The dog is my childhood dog. Her name was Sandy." And the client says, "Oh! That was my grandmother's name, and that was her farmhouse, and I've been asking for her help with this exact problem that we're discussing."
And that's when you know that, in the intuitive realm, having an open mind and working through the information you're receiving is far more important than dwelling on ethics. If you're open to people being a mix of good and bad, if you can understand that reading energy isn't an exact science and filtered through the lenses of the client, that your main goal is to help a client lead a positive life and feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives, you can trust that the energy and information you receive is meant to assist you on that path; that, essentially, the ethical piece will take care of itself.
Roll a 20-sided dice or use our random-number generator to pick your theme(s):
The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.
Are you ready to add some fancy elements and flair to your Tarot Journal? Do you want to spend some quality time relaxing with your journal in a creative way? Me too!
My Journaling BackgroundI am a student of fun art and Graphic Design! I got my Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design in 20015, have taught and worked in the arts and design field for 15 years, and I'm super passionate about teaching arts in the community and sharing fun techniques to enhance your journaling methods! Have questions? Ask away (via social media or email me at: willowseast@gmail.com)!
And the best part? No experience needed! These 10 tips are beginner-friendly and will help you express yourself in your own unique way.
While I do recommend our Willows East Intuitive Journal to help organize your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly spreads, you should feel free to use ANY notebook you like and share your pages with us in the W.E. community!
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Stay True to You!It's important to celebrate YOU in this journal. Use your own handwriting (even if you think it's messy). Consistent handwriting will look beautiful, even if it isn't flowing cursive and "swoopy" letters. Add elements that celebrate happiness and peace in your life. If that's a skull and crossbones and/or photos of your cat, paste 'em in!
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Add Headings and FontsThere's no "perfect" way to design a journal. You shouldn't worry about composition or putting anything in the "wrong place" on the page. That said, you can add variation to your journal with larger headings or big quotes that pop off the page. You can write them in your own handwriting, only larger, or search for fonts online that you like, that are easy to copy.
| | | Found on Pinterest |
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Add ColorAdd color to your headings or page elements! Highlight an important line or message for the week, in your favorite color. Or, before writing headings, you can outline a heading box with a highlighter or colored pencil. I love using kids' watercolors in my journals to add a bright, washed-out background (note that pages will probably wrinkle with watercolors, which I like for an antiqued effect). If you paint over your text (and want your text to show through the watercolor), test your pen first to make sure it's waterproof, so you won't smudge your writing. You can also add coloring-book pages to your journal for decoration and relaxation.
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Antique Your PagesIf that's your thing! Similar to the watercolor method I mentioned in item #3, you can paint your pages with (very) strongly prepared tea and coffee. I prefer to make a small dark roast cup of coffee (about 1/2 cup), then add 3-4 tea bags. Paint your pages and let them dry before writing on them, or paint over (waterproof) ink on your pages! Test a small strip of separate paper, and let it dry, if you're concerned that the effect might be too light or dark.
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DoodleDoodling is a really fun way to add some elements to your journals, and the Tarot cards are filled with symbol inspiration to get you started. You can even use the symbols from the beginning of the Willows East Intuitive Journal and there are some other symbol ideas on our Pintest page, linked in item 9 below. For example, one week, I had a common card that kept coming up in readings -- the High Priestess. I drew the moon symbol from that card in my journal as a reminder of her presence and my spiritual journey.
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SigilsCreating your own symbols can be really fun. It's also powerful to add visuals and focus-images to your journals for meditation, etc. You can use the system I've included here for creating your own sigil, or create your own!
| | | Moon Glyphs on Pinterest -- Sigil How To on Pinterest |
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Paste in Found ImagesSearch magazines or old books for images or phrases that resonate with you. Photocopy, trace, or cut out the originals to paste in your journal. You can also use stamps and stickers, of course! Circle price tag stickers can be used to denote Tarot card symbols, etc.! Check out our Free PDF Download of Tarot cards and antiqued journaling card!
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Add Layers and Fold-OutsIf you don't want to take up valuable writing space with images or drawings, tape them to the side, top, or bottom of the page, using the tape as a "hinge," so you can fold out photos while keeping your text underneath.
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Find InspirationSearch Pinterest for "tarot journal" or "art journal" -- styles or element ideas that you feel you can easily incorporate into your own journal that represent who you are. Also, check out our Intuitive Journal Pinterest Board for ideas!
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Be Free!Try not to be afraid of making "mistakes." In the design field, professionals like to say, "Less is more," but in the journaling field, I believe that "More is more." Muddy up those pages fearlessly! Scribble on them and color in the spaces. Draw with your eyes closed, even! We're not designing a "perfect page" or putting our work on exhibit.
Remember: we're infusing our energy into these pages, so that when we sit down with our journal, we train our brain and spirit to connect with it and find peace and beauty in the beautiful expression of ourselves.
More Inspiration!
Here is a quick list of my Top 5 Tarot Resources, PLUS a review of the Biddy Tarot Community, which I adore!
The Fool's Dog AppsI am not ashamed to admit that I absolutely LOVE my Tarot apps. I don't typically use them for client readings, but I absolutely keep them handy for journaling on the go and previewing new decks I may eventually want to buy in hard copy (see their FREE Tarot Sampler apps). You can also enter external readings in the app to make pretty graphics for social media or journaling print-outs.
Tarot Readers' AcademyThe TRA is wonderful! First of all, I'm just a huge fan of Ethony, who I believe coordinates this site. (She graciously agreed to try and share my journal on her IG page). There are many paid classes on this site, but there are free ones too!
YouTube (& Podcasts)Ethony, mentioned above, has fantastic YouTube videos (her channel here). Also, search YouTube for "tarot channel" (here) for some other wonderful readers' ideas and teachings! Some favorites include: Intuitive Tarot by Nicholas, Brigit Esselmont (of Biddy Tarot), Alexandra Tarot, etc.!
Facebook GroupsI'm a big fan of ours, of course (Willows East Group), but I also like Tarot, Tarot, Tarot, Tarot Marketplace, Healing Light Tarot, Lenormand and Cartomancy, Tarot Visual Journaling, etc.! Some groups are busy, but if you find a Tarot buddy to connect with, it can be very useful!
BONUS ResourceDon't forget that your very own journal and your own intuition are your best resources. Trust your own feelings about your cards, write down your ideas, and refer back to them!
Biddy Tarot Site and CommunityI've been a long-time fan of the Biddy Tarot site and podcast (scroll to the bottom of her main page for FREE resources, blog posts, and links to the podcasts). Brigit has been an inspiration to me on my Tarot journey. She was the first reader/teacher I found who told me that I didn't have to go by the book, and that I could form my own unique journey and relationship with the Tarot.
I recently joined the Biddy Tarot Community for the reduced rate of $19. I love this community, but there are a few things that you should know before you join. Here are my Pros and Cons!
Pros The Free Tarot Reading Exchange -- I received an incredible FREE reading! The Free Tarot Reading platform is now live and has a very intuitive platform for conducting free readings outside of the forum. * The Forum -- Wonderful people, great advice, TONS of information, support, encouragement, etc.! * Message System -- Easy messaging system to help you connect privately with other members who are working toward similar Tarot goals * Tarot Buddies -- The site has a simple system to alert others that you're looking for a Tarot buddy or study partner. * Private -- Once you're in the community, all your posts and messages are private within the group. You feel like you're locked into your own little Tarot village with friends and family. * Webinars -- You get access to Brigit's webinars for free (typically a ~$50 fee per webinar). You are live with Brigit in a go-to-meeting setting, and you can see her and interact with her via chat (similar to Periscope). This is an efficient way to learn about Tarot in a virtual classroom setting, with peers and other teachers contributing to the discussion. * Friends -- I've made some wonderful friends here in the last few weeks! I joined at the beginning of June. * Cost -- I list this as both a Pro and Con. As a Pro: since this is a paid community, you have people in this group who want* to be there, who aren't likely to cause drama, and who are dedicated to helping others learn.
ConsFirst of all, there aren't many. I'm a fan of the community and plan to continue to join each month as long as I can afford it! Which brings me to my first con:
Cost -- I suspect Brigit will offer more deals in the future, but the regular cost to join the BTC is $29/month (discount for an annual subscription). If you compare it to other entertainment and socializing costs, it's about the same as going on a movie date or an outing with friends for dinner and drinks. So, personally, I think it's more than worth it. However, we can't always afford that extra $30 each month. I suspect I'll end up joining for the month when there's a Webinar that looks interesting, etc.
* Speed/Access -- For me, the site is very slow, and I often can't log in during early morning hours EST. Now, this is an Australian-based site, and I'm accessing it from the U.S., so that could be why. It doesn't really affect forum or messaging use, but there are other similar sites out there that are speedier.
* Time* -- I feel that, personally, being involved in this site requires a certain level of time and dedication. To get the most out of it, you will want to log on regularly (at least every 1-2 days) to complete free practice readings for others, connect with your Tarot buddy, participate in the Tarot Challenges, and check your BTC inbox. Of course, you're not required to log on at all, BUT keep in mind that you get out of it what you put into it, so you may want to be prepared to give more of your time to get free readings and support in return.
I've concluded that I think it's worth it to be a part of this community as much as possible. If you're new to Tarot, it's definitely worth trying it for at least a month to see if you find it useful on your journey. The Pros more than outweigh the Cons. Yes, there are other similar sites and forums out there that are free and speedier, but you will not get the same level of attention and support as you do from this community.
This week I use Sasha Graham's 365 Tarot Spreads to complete a reading for May 26th, using the Dracula Spread!
Using Tarot to ease anxiety and a sample spread for you to try! Moonlight Expo recap, meeting Sara Rath (author of Seven Years of Grace), and what's up next!
After the Moonlight Expo in Burlington on Saturday,
I found that I was silently asking myself, "What is Willows East? Where is it?" and "Why is it important?"
As the day wound down, I opened my journal and asked my cards, "What were the most significant take-aways from this day?" I know I left feeling more certain of my place in this spiritual tribe. I felt grounded. And I noted that many of the querents who sat for a reading were seeking that same feeling... and I knew I could show them how to begin to find it.
When I started Willows East, it came out of a feeling of inspiration and pride in my family's history of spiritualism. My parents, grandmothers, and aunts in particular have always used their intuition to connect with spirit and make intuitive predictions about the future based on current paths.
My fondest memories of days spent with them are lounging on a breezy porch talking about the purpose of life and my aunt's recent spiritual visit from Great-Aunt Mary Ellen, or how my great-grandmother predicted my father's birth before my grandmother knew she was pregnant. The mysteries of the universe!
Why is there so much calmness in those memories? I think it's because life slowed down, and there was a security in knowing that generations of Pearls and Faiths before us may be close by and offering guidance and hope on our life journeys.
Since I was a little girl, I always imagined there was a house where we all stayed, the living and passed, a big old Victorian house with a porch where we could chat. In Alcott-fashion, we'd sit around the library and grounds and philosophize about life. If I had a question for Great-Aunt Mary Ellen, I'd ask, and she'd answer.
| | | A Real House in Rhode Island |
Behind the house is a path to the brook. I walk there in a cotton sundress, through a cool breeze, while the sun warms my shoulders, and bare feet press against the warm stone path. By the water, there is a hammock and big rock to sit and read or close my eyes and turn off my mind.
This vision became so frequent as I grew into adulthood that I thought this house must be real (slightly different than the one in the photo, but similar). I even wondered if I was destined to find it someday, if that's why I moved to back-woods Vermont, currently paying rent for an upstairs apartment in an old farmhouse, trying to make ends meet for our family.
And I have to remind myself that, this place, that I call Willows East -- this house and land that is filled with characters I know and some I only know spiritually, but whose stories I know almost better than my own, it's already there.
This is my sacred space. I can go there any time I need to. Sometimes it feels so real that I'm homesick for it, but I remind myself that it's only a thought away.
How You Can Find Your Own Sacred SpaceFirst, trust that it's easy. You may have already been there (in life or in thought). All you have to do is imagine that you're in a place where there's joy and peace, and no worries, no bills. Imagine every single detail, one at a time -- how your feet feel where you're standing, the sounds you hear.
Your sacred space can be anywhere! For me, it's very woodsy, but the buzz of a busy city may help you to find peace, and that's a-OK. Focus on how you feel in your space, and journal about it.
Look around and see who's there with you. It can be anyone living or passed. Spend a moment enjoying that time with them in silence, or ask them questions. If you're not sure how they would respond to your questions, ask your Tarot cards, and see if the cards offer clues to any intuitive answers.
Can Your Sacred Space Change?Any time you wish! Just imagine a new place! Sometimes when I'm working, my sacred space is a very white modern office. It helps me focus with little distractions and feels a little less "lazy river" than Willows East.
For a long time, my sacred space was a tiny cottage in a flowery garden. Then, I imagined the Willows East house, and it started to feel more like my spiritual home.
How Do I Spark My Imagination to Create This Space?I like Pinterest! That's where I found the images that go with this article! A database full of beautiful images to choose from, and you can quickly build a "sacred space" vision board, with houses or just beaches and fields. You may want to print your favorite to keep in your home or wherever you spend the most time.
And, incredibly, you may just find that some of these visuals are in your life already, that you're already building your life to be like your sacred space. Like I mentioned before, I don't think it's any surprise why I was drawn to Vermont and the big old Victorian mansions of Champlain College. New England Victorian Spiritualism is part of who I am, and this is where I feel at home. Though we live in a small apartment, our backyard already looks like Willows East, and I call it that even now.
Want to share about your sacred space visions? Email me at willowseast@gmail.com OR share in our Facebook Group. Please note that I may share your story (anonymously) in our weekly podcast or as a learning tool in our group.
Believe it or not, there's something to be said for those Facebook posts of a word collage that say something like, "The first word you see is a defining part of your personality." Our brains are naturally drawn to words that are familiar and inspiring to us. When we take time to reflect, set our intentions, and believe we can achieve them, we naturally gravitate toward words, thoughts, ideas, actions, situations, and people who can help us on our journey. And, they are drawn to us.
Reflection, Intention, Belief
Here's a simple exercise to try:
Reflection
Pick a challenge that you're struggling with or a question you've had on your mind. This could be something as simple as, "What do I make for dinner?" or as complex as, "How do I live a healthier lifestyle?" I recommend starting small to begin with, to familiarize yourself with the process. Write your question in your journal or on a piece of paper. This gives your subconscious brain a visual to return to as needed.
Intention
Make a decision about this question. What do you intend to do about it? What will you do about it today? You can set the timeline for a day, week, month, etc., but since we're starting small, let's focus on today. For example, "I will decide what to make for dinner today," or "I will make healthier lifestyle choices today." Write your intention.
Belief
Believe that you will succeed with your intention. Imagine you already have. Focus on the joy of having completed this task, even before you do. There's no need to feel guilty if you can't achieve this today. If you get pizza for dinner and opt out of eating dessert -- these are both wins. Give yourself credit for doing your best. Imagine that you're continuously successful, and try again.
Intuition Take Over
Throughout the day, note mentally (or in your journal if possible) any word or situation that jumps out to you -- any visual or thought that pops into your mind, a license plate word that grabs your attention, something a co-worker says.
As you imagine that you've already completed this task, note any part of your vision that seems significant. Maybe when you imagine your family sitting around to eat dinner, you notice there are green beans on your plate, and this reminds you that you haven't harvested them from the garden yet.
Our subconscious wants to help our conscious brain, and we can tap into it by noting what we're involuntarily drawn to, or which "blanks" our subconscious brain fills in when we have a conscious idea or vision.
If you're a Tarot nut like me, you may even find that images you're drawn to reflect Tarot themes, which can give you some clues into what your subconscious is trying to tell you.
The Big Picture & Why All This is a Big Deal
Okay, so you know how to reflect, set your intention, and believe that it will happen. Why is this such a big deal, and why is it important to practice doing this??
Because you're teaching your body to trust your brain and your brain to trust your intuitive self, or subconscious. You're building a relationship with your "higher power." You're also allowing your conscious brain to let go, to shut down, to release worry. If you could take even half the things on your anxiety-causing to-do list and hand them over to your subconscious, your conscious brain and body will thank you!
What if My Intuition is Weird?
Good! Everyone's is. When you're wondering what to cook for dinner, and you imagine that perfectly set table with your happy family gathered around it, you might look to the dinner plates and find that they're filled with... gumballs. Or Lego blocks. My intuition has been known to fill in the blanks with some strange objects sometimes. First, don't think you're crazy and discredit that "weirdness." Second, analyze what that oddity might mean. Maybe it's time to order in and have a family game night. Maybe the gumballs remind you of the local arcade that has a gumball machine AND amazing chicken wings, and you want to make those for dinner. See how this works?
Should I Throw Out My Tarot Cards?
Or other tools for divination/intuition? Nope! This exercise is simply designed to remind you that you don't need them. The intuition and inspiration lives inside YOU. Your guides and higher self can communicate with you through your Tarot/Oracle cards, Runes, Tea Leaves, etc., because of amazing, powerful, beautiful YOU.
Though tools for divination are helpful and fun, though they can fuel your intuition and give you visuals for your subconscious to react to, your intuition doesn't need it. It never has.
If you decide to journal about any of your experiences surrounding Tarot, Spirituality, this exercise, etc., I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: willowseast@gmail.com! Please note that I may (anonymously) refer to your question or reading as a positive learning example for others in the W.E. community.
What do you do when you pull yourself out of the spiritual slump, are ready to proceed with your next big venture, and the cards say "No"?
The Intuitive Pattern Ok, so the cards didn't really tell me a firm "no" ... But, after this past week, as I pulled myself out of the spiritual slump I was in, I kept asking my cards what I should do next with my business, with life. I did a life purpose reading for myself. I tried to form my personal/business mission statement with the cards and even planned to talk about it in this week's podcast. I have a journal page all set aside for it and everything! Then, I did my monthly and weekly reading and, well, I felt not only a clear message from the cards, but I picked up on a pattern. And, among the pattern, I actually found a theme...
The WallSo, I told you that I've been kind of forcing this business to fit inside a "package," or a very, um, earthly idea of what I think it should be -- newsletter, podcast, site, readings, my mission statement, etc. But the cards have all of a sudden been telling me to "stop," and my intuition has been doing the same. Every time I think about the next step in my business, I visually see a wall, and feel a halt in my thought process. Every. Single. Time.
Last week, the 9 of Wands popped up in a reading. In the context of the reading, I noticed that the message seemed to be to stop and wait. The seeds were well planted for a successful business, everything was going fine. I thought that the message was, "It's OK to stop working on this business for awhile, it's OK to rest." I was getting over a nasty cold, after all. But now that I feel better and ready to jump back in with renewed motivation and excitement, the wall hasn't gone away. And, the cards seem to agree with the wall!
The Cards Say "No"In fact, this Sunday, I sat down to do my weekly forecast (and monthly for May). I asked my cards again how I could improve the business and make it more profitable this month. The first card I got was the 3 of Swords. I cringed. I considered a re-draw. I don't deal reversals, so I considered that this card might actually be more positive or indicative of an internal struggle I was dealing with. Maybe it meant I should work more closely with clients who were suffering significant grief.
There are literally millions of interpretations (which is why we have to trust our intuition when it comes to card reading, right?). As soon as I saw that card, I felt the word "No." I felt the wall. I felt the block. I wrote in my journal: Heartache: Break old habits. Let go of what does not serve you.
The next cards were The Magician, 6 of Pentacles, and 8 of Cups. Quick keyword analysis: Willpower, Generosity, Spiritual-Path. And I just knew the answer.
Feeling the AnswerI had a feeling and, with the feeling, I had a vision of climbing the wall. I looked over to the other side and saw a warm day, light-blue sky and fluffy clouds. And I just knew what the cards were telling me: it was never about the business. This whole spiritual journey has nothing to do with the business. If I want to build the business, I can (and will). The podcast, the blog, the very fact that you're reading this is all just a platform to share my spiritual journey (if I want to). The Magician is my right to choose. The 6 of Pentacles is a reminder that it's more about giving than receiving. The 8 of Cups is telling me to walk my spiritual path. And nothing more. There is not one other thing I need to do. There's no obligation. Sharing the spiritual journey with you is a bonus, because I love this community and sharing ideas.
In short: it's not about "taking a break," it's about living the break. Choosing rest and relaxation. Choosing a business or career that makes me happy and provides me the least amount of stress. Right now, that's what I have. This business brings in extra income, and it's not really a "business" by its true definition. It's an extension of who I am and what I love. The profit part has always been secondary, and that's exactly what I need it to be.
How I pulled myself out of a week-long "blah" mood using Tarot as my guide! • Also, answering listener question, "Do timeline predictions really work?" • Plus a sample one-card reading!
This week and last, I found myself in a spiritual slump.See, I kind of get... I don't know, bored with projects after awhile. Not that spirituality is a "project," it's just that... that's how I approach most new ventures. I've been a spiritual person for as long as I can remember, and developing my intuition is one of the most important things to me. Realizing that there's more to life than the 'here and now' has literally saved my life on many occasions. In my darkest hours, I've called out into the abyss and asked, "Hello? Anyone there? I need help."
And, much to my surprise... someone, somehow, has always answered back.So, building this website, community, blog, and everything else around this aspect of my life -- the spiritual side, with this "Hey, let's explore intuition" attitude, has become a small project compared with the big picture of what spirituality means to me and the force that it is in my life.
And, recently, I've just started to get bored with the project part. Not really tired of it. I think I'm just ready for the next new adventure, the new Tarot spread or new meditation exercise. I'm tired of daily life, daily tasks, feeling a general sense of depression, and I need some focus.
Have you found that, even on your darkest days, even when you feel like you don't want to move, that you turn to your faith? It may be a little, "Hey God," just a whimper, or even a general question posed to your higher self, a simple, "What do I do now?" I don't always d
o it... I tend to wallow in self-pity for a long time before I get to that point. Ha! But, when I do... when I reach out beyond the physical life that I'm dredging through, changes do begin to happen.
So, this week, I'm making an effort to reach out... small steps. Here's what I did and a sample 3-Card reading that I hope helps me and others in the spiritual slump. This can go hand-in-hand with the life purpose post and spread and what I chatted about in last week's podcast (Episode 3 - Tarot for Life Purpose):
Why do I feel this way?
Five of Pentacles
An overwhelming sense of self-pity and loneliness. I feel like I'm fighting this sadness and despair all on my own. Though I don't always realize it, I'm a very 'in my own world' type of person. I celebrate my successes mostly on my own and tend to suffer in my own little world too.
* Which obstacles are holding me back?The LoversI think the meaning of this card in this spread is two-part: 1, I need to remember to call on my husband and family more. They're really the source of all my strength and inspiration, so why do I forget to reach out to them when I feel down? 2, I've felt a great deal of guilt lately that our chores and life tasks aren't balanced. I'm fighting a cold and this depression, and he's really taken the reins and helped out around the house a lot more. I need to let go of the guilt and include my family in this journey -- whether I feel great or not so great.
* **How many days will this last?9 of WandsI pulled this card specifically to get a number -- about 9 days. I've been in this slump for about a week, so I hope that it only lasts a few more days. Not to say that I'm not in control of turning this around myself in any length of time, but I specifically feel that part of this down-time is hormonal or due to internal 'stuff' that may be beyond my control. And, typically, this just lasts a certain number of days whether I like it or not. So, I hope my guides are shedding some light on the length of this internal process.
* What can I focus on to find happiness and shorten this time?*The StarWhenever I go through a time like this, I have to keep reminding myself to have hope, that "this too shall pass." This card makes me trust that part of this "blah" feeling is due to things beyond my control... being sick, being hormonal, so I may just have to wait it out. The Star is also a reminder to focus on my life purpose or divine path. Hold onto the feeling that, you're where you need to be. There will be ups and downs on this journey, but the underlying path is still the same.
Ok, first of all... what the heck does that mean? "Reach for the Stars!" Try my best? Go outside my comfort zone? Become a singer in a punk-rock band?? Ugh! What is MY purpose?
Are you struggling to know too? I know I am! Every time I think I have everything figured out, life surprises me, and I'm thrown for a loop again. I find myself laying in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, and asking, "WHO am I?" It's frustrating.
But, the truth is, it's OK to not know. It's OK to wonder, to question, in fact... take a moment to celebrate the sheer beauty of not knowing exactly why you're on this planet or which direction to take your life in. Not knowing can be exciting too. It means you can try new things, feel out situations, and constantly be in a state of wonder and question your existence.
Then, after you do that for awhile... it's kind of normal to come back to square one and ask, "OK, but am I really living my life the way I should be or want to be? To my highest potential? With purpose?"
BUT, once you're OK with not knowing, suddenly knowing will start to become easier.
AND remember that, at some point, just when you think you have it all figured out, you may find yourself back in a state of not knowing again.
So, How Can Tarot Help?
Well, Tarot can help answer any question we have and to tap into our intuition and guides/higher self to get an answer. So it's pretty powerful to pose some big life questions to the cards!
Before you begin, close your eyes, and ASK your higher self and/or guides to help you find some answers on your life journey, to guide you on your life's path, and to live in accordance with your life purpose.
Next, TRUST that your higher self and guides will only bring through positive messages of encouragement. Any seemingly negative cards pulled during this exercise should be viewed positively.
Then, let's ask some powerful QUESTIONS. Here are some ideas (pull a card for each): Who Am I?
Let the card you choose sum up who you are at the very essence of your being. Use your intuition to guide you, because your intuition knows. Are you a 3 of Cups type person (possibly you gravitate toward people and want to make others happy)? Are you the Tower? Do you like to bring chaos and excitement to your life by constantly pushing the boundaries? Did you get 3 of Swords? This doesn't mean that you're a sad, brokenhearted person, but more likely that you feel emotions deeply and want to prevent sadness in others.
* What is My Most Defining Characteristic?
Similar to the first question, this card and your interpretation can help pinpoint exactly which trait helps define who you are. Is it the 9 of Cups? This may mean that you are generally content with life and have a happy-go-lucky attitude.
* Which Obstacles Keep Me From My Life's Path?
I've actually gotten 9 of Cups for myself for this draw. When it comes to this question, that card might mean that I'm easily bored or that my life is too stable, and I need to stir things up a bit!
* What is the Outcome or Next Step?*
This question can help you decide what your path should be. It may direct you to a new type of work or a new project that's more aligned with the previous answers you've come up with. Again, did you get a 3-of-sword type card? Trust that this doesn't mean you're destined to be brokenhearted for the rest of your life, but that perhaps you're meant to counsel others, overcome sadness in your life, or give hope. Remember to look for the positive.
After you've answered these questions, you should have a stronger sense of what your life purpose is. But, believe it or not, it can change or transform as you grow and change. So, trust your intuition and how each situation feels. Discovering your life purpose doesn't necessarily mean you have to turn your entire life upside down (unless you want to!), but it might be useful to pursue a new project or hobby that aligns with this deeper sense of who you are. You may just find that, before you know it, you've made connections and changes in your life to completely re-align yourself with your soul's purpose!
Listen to our podcast about using Tarot for life purpose and to hear some sample readings and listener questions.
This is a fun intuitive exercise we tried on the Facebook Group this week! Here it is, if you'd like to play along:1. Ask your higher self or spirit guides to bring only positive and constructive messages through in your visualization.
2. Ask to receive information about a specific area of your life -- love life, career, health, etc. For my example, I'll use career.
3. Now, imagine a pencil. Write down everything you can about the pencil before proceeding to Step 4.
-Is it sharpened or not?
-Is it long?
-What color is it?
-What color is the eraser?
-Where is the pencil?
-Is the scene tidy/messy?
-Anything else that stands out
-Any feelings experienced
4. Review your notes. In terms of the area of your life you chose, what might each pencil quality symbolically mean? There is no wrong answer. We're simply trying to attempt to pick up on the aspects of the pencil that your subconscious (or intuitive brain) filled in.
5. Here are examples of my assessment of my career. Your symbol assessment most likely will be different, and that's OK:
-Sharpened Pencil: I'm working "sharply," am successful at my day job.
-Short Pencil: I'm realizing that I'm not seeing this job as permanent, like I once did. I may not stay here as long as I originally planned.
-Yellow, School Pencil with Pink Eraser: I'm still learning, and I feel like I need to catch up and brush up on my skills to compete with younger employees.
-Environment: My pencil is resting on a clean, white, blank sheet of paper. I feel like this means that my career path and journey are just beginning. This is a welcome insight, because I've really been wanting to branch out to take on bigger and better business plans!
-Feelings: In general, I feel inspired. This scene reminds me that I'm allowed to still be growing, to still be learning.
6. Final thoughts: you may want to write down any final thoughts or ideas you have about how to proceed in that area of your life. Just spending time in an intuitive state can be uplifting and inspiring. You're telling yourself you deserve to take time to reflect, and that state of reflection can bring happiness or "A-ha!" moments. As you continue to practice this, you'll find you can go to that intuitive place more often, and may not always need a "focus object" like the pencil.
7. Would you like to share your thoughts with me or practice in a group? Write to me at willowseast@gmail.com, or join us on social media!
Disclaimer 1: I think this goes without saying, but I'm not a doctor. So, even though I use intuition for health concerns or questions, I always trust the advice of my doctor above all, and I encourage you to do the same. Similarly, you shouldn't start any new diet or exercise plan without first consulting your doctor.
Disclaimer 2: I am not a super healthy person. I'm overweight, love sweet treats, and don't drink enough water. But I love using Tarot to help me get back on track after I wander to the cookie cupboard too many times!
That said, I've found great success in using some of the following spreads to intuitively find out which types of foods and exercises benefit my diet and activity. I hope these questions are fun to try and, most importantly, allow you some time to reflect on your health journey!
First, ask your guides or higher self to use the cards to bring you visual messages about your health, and ask that they bring through only positive messages of encouragement. We're going to skip the textbook card meanings for this exercise and trust our intuition or what we see in the cards.
Second, we'll choose which spread to use. Here are some that I like, below.
Third, journal about your choices and any validations!
Will ___ Help Me?
Yes and No questions can be powerful when pin-pointing exact foods or exercises that may help or hurt your system. You can ask your cards, "Will dairy help me?" If you get a positive card (like 3 of Cups), Yes. If you get a negative card (like 3 of Swords), No. Continue to trust your intuition and journal about your results. Tarot isn't an exact science, so refer back to your questions and answers on your journey to see if cards may have different meanings than you thought at the time.
Foods
Which types of foods help?
Example: If the card you choose is filled with vegetation or fruit, it may mean that vegetables could help you. Wands may indicate root vegetables. Pentacles may indicate something of more 'substance' like breads/carbs. Cups could mean more liquids, and Swords feel more like spicy foods to me. Ha! But trust your instincts about what the images mean to you. Again: If you're allergic to a food or it typically makes you ill, don't try it, even if the cards tell you otherwise.
Which types of foods hurt?
Applying the same logic as the example above, which types of foods don't agree with your digestive system? I chose the Moon card, but what stood out to me about this card is the flower wreath in her hair (in the Tarot Mucha deck) and the leaf-like symbols next to her. Raw vegetables definitely don't agree with me, but 4 of Pentacles (the first card I chose -- breads/carbs) do!
Exercise
Tarot can be very helpful when picking a new exercise plan. Here are some questions that are great to ask the cards:* What will bring me success in health?
* What will be obstacles on the path to health?
* Which type of diet would work best for my health?
* Which type of exercise would work best for my health?
* Will [this diet] bring me joy/success?
* Would [this activity] bring me joy/success?
* What should I know about starting a new [diet/activity]?
A 4-Card Spread Representing Activities
Pick four exercises (or food groups), draw a card for each, and compare the cards to see which one would be most beneficial to your health this week, month, etc. For example, Biking, Walking, Swimming, Aerobics. Maybe all 4 options will seem beneficial, positive, and fun, and you'll want to try each one. Maybe the Swimming option reveals the 3 of Cups, which suggests to you that this would be a fun activity to do with friends.
We'd love if you shared your results with us at the Willows East Facebook Group!
Even after years of experimenting with visual, auditory, and kinesthetic exercises to enhance my intuition, each new meditation or focus-exercise surprises me.
Think of it like this: You went somewhere today, right? Maybe it was the bus stop or a little cafe, maybe your own kitchen. Now, take a moment to really reflect on that experience. Try to pick up MORE from the scene than you did when you were there with only one purpose.
Though you interacted in that scene, your brain picked up on far more details than what was needed to just, say, grab a cup of coffee or purchase a ticket. Imagine stepping back into the scene and see what else you saw, heard, smelled, or tasted. Was it a woman in a blue jacket who looked familiar to you? The sound of shoes shuffling across the floor, the smell of bagels, the taste of coffee in the air, or your toothpaste?
You can do the same exact thing with imagined scenes -- a dream or a vision. Maybe you heard a voice in a dream or saw a quick glimpse of a house. Can you imagine it over and over again and pick up more details about the voice or vision? Did the voice sound older or child-like? Was it male or female? What color was the house? How many levels did it have?
This week, we'll play with these ideas over at the Willows East Tarot and Lenormand Facebook Group. We'd love for you to join us! I'll have some fun exercises for you to see how you pick up your intuitive information and what the symbols you see might mean!
Plotting a Course to Happiness with TarotDon't get me wrong, my Tarot journal is filled with questions like, "How can I get this job?" "How do I retain clients?" "How do I live a healthier life?" Etc.! But over the past few weeks, I've started to ask my cards (and my higher self) broader questions, like, "How do I focus on happiness today?"
The Moon card (keywords: emotion/intuition) reminded me to look inward, to control my emotions, to use my intuition to look for happy moments, to celebrate them, to reflect in the moment. Over the weekend, being with my family, nieces and nephews, I frequently took a few seconds to stop and think, "Wow. My life is pretty great." Particularly, this happened during lunch at a local cafe.
Why is this HUGE? Because there were a lot of things happening in that moment that, from an outsider, probably looked not-so-great. My 7-year-old niece dropped a bowl of macaroni on the floor. It literally shattered. She cried, while we tried to console her. My own daughter threw a temper-tantrum after spilling yogurt in her lap. But I kept my stress under control. I celebrated how we came together as a family to clean up and console each other, to reduce the stress and laugh about the chaos involved taking 3 kids out for lunch. Nothing life-shattering happened, and we walked away smiling.
I probably didn't need my cards to tell me, "Hey, chill out, relax, get your stress under control, smile, and laugh it off." But, when they did, when that was the message for my day and my week, when that was the note I jotted down in my journal for the day, "Keep your emotions in check and focus on the positive," something kind of amazing happened -- I did it! I was more mindful, and therefore I was happier.
So, now I'm looking ahead to the coming week and asking myself again, "How can I maintain this calmness/happiness?" And then, for my monthly-reading in my journal, I'm asking, "How can I focus on happiness this month?"
The other more-specific questions are great too, but start plotting your day, your week, your month, and eventually your year with happiness as a focus, and wow! See how your life transforms!
First, How Tarot Cards WorkIf you ask different readers how Tarot cards work, you may be surprised to hear different answers. So, I'll tell you how they work for me.
The science bit: we see what we want or need to see in the cards. The Emperor card to me always means authority, structure, a father-figure. The Knight of Cups means a lover coming into the picture, an offer of love, or working on a new project. When I see these cards in a reading, they evoke certain emotions in me, and I apply those emotions to the question at hand. "How can I succeed in my new business?" The Emperor tells me that you need to gain some control. As a major arcana card, it holds more 'weight' in the reading. The Knight of Cups tells me that you're jumping into this new business with love, happiness; you're charging forth with hope and new ideas. The Emperor suggests that you may need to reel that in a bit and focus on your long-term and short-term goals, so you know that you're putting that happy energy into the right projects to be more successful. The reading is based on my "keywords" of how I know the cards, how this applies to the question, and my intuition which is based on a 'knowing' -- typically derived from my own past experiences and little cues from the client that I pick up on subconsciously, in the tone of her voice, in the words she chooses, etc.
The woo-woo bit: OR what I like to call, The Guide Factor. As much as my scientific side thrives on knowledge and knowing the facts about how the cards work, there are frequently readings that break the logic. You've seen this if you've ever tried to re-ask the same question and shuffle, only to pull the same cards. OR when you ask what your lesson for the week is and that card (1 in 78 chances) pops up frequently over the next week in daily readings.
I've come to terms with the fact that the divine (God, Universe, our Guides) simply have to be interacting. And if that's TRUE: they have powerful messages for us of love and empowerment, they know what each card means to us (even if we decide to change that meaning at the drop of a hat), they know HOW to communicate with us, and we should listen.
Second, How I Learned All 78 CardsOnce I knew that my guides WANTED to use the cards to communicate with me, to give me guidance, to help me find my life's purpose, I stopped worrying about learning and memorizing all 78 cards!
When I stopped worrying about memorizing them, I started giving readings (to myself and friends and family). And when I started giving readings, I learned the cards and their meanings quickly.
I learned by doing, and journaling! To quicken the process, I also used a few tricks:
If you're a visual learner, you may want to use a website or app to easily have all the cards visible as needed and flip through them quickly. I then wrote down all the cards and a keyword that I associated with each card. This was used more as a way to familiarize myself with the cards than to memorize each meaning. In a reading, the meanings might change based on the question.
If you're an auditory learner, you might like to listen to podcasts about readings and/or say the cards out loud while you're driving. Even if you can only remember a handful of them when you start, say them out loud, and try to come up with a general keyword or 'feeling' for each card.
If you're a kinesthetic learner, it may help you to spend time with the physical cards. Hold each card, imagine you're inside each scene, and feel that keyword or emotion on a tactile level.
Spend more time with the cards than with the textbook, even if you want to refer to the book to help with your keywords, that's OK, but trust that your guides will lead you to card-meanings that work for YOU.
For example, the Tarot Mucha deck book describes the 5 of Cups as disappointment, loss. The figure is sad, and 3 of her cups are tipped over. However, when I see this card, I'm always drawn to the 2 cups that remain standing. In many of my readings, I've felt this to mean a sign of hope in a difficult situation.
Start doing readings! If it's too much to sit in front of the person while you work out card meanings, offer to do them via email, and ask the client to provide feedback. That's how I started! The more you practice, the quicker you'll learn, and your guides will help you. For a long time, there may always be a new card that stumps you, that's OK. Take your time, go back to your keywords, then use your intuition to guide you to what feels right.
Don't look back! At some point, you'll be giving a new reading, and a card will take on a COMPLETELY different meaning than it had in previous readings. Resist the temptation to go back to your previous readings and re-assess. Trust that, in past readings, your guides were using the knowledge you had THEN to communicate the correct meaning to you in the cards. As your knowledge expands, your guides will offer new meanings, and your readings will be richer. And that's exactly how it should be.
Here is another practical use for Tarot - communicating with your ancestors! Now, if you're not comfortable channeling your great-great grandmother in seance-like glory, don't worry! You don't have to. You can simply ask the cards what your ancestors want you to know.
Before you begin, ask that only positive messages of growth and support come through. Then you can trust that if you get, say, the Tower card, that your ancestors are simply showing their support for some possible chaos that may be creeping up in your life.
Here are some questions that you may want to ask. Think about these questions in the span of a week, journal about your answers, and reflect:* What is my current situation? * How can I focus on happiness? * What wisdom can you give me to help with any challenges I may experience this week? * What strengths have you passed down to me?
If you want more insight about a particular ancestor's story, you can ask questions like:* What is your personality? * How did you pass away? * What was your life's purpose?
Especially in this type of reading, you should feel free to let go of the text-book meanings of cards and enjoy the beautiful imagery, using your intuition to understand the meanings of the cards. Does something in the images remind you of your grandmother? A bird, a robe? Jot it down!
We'd love for you to share your results with us! Join us on social media using the links at the top of this page.
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