The Sun, Tarot Major Arcanum 19

September 14, 2016 by Anna

The Sun, Tarot Major Arcana 19. Innocence in the Osho Zen deck One of my daily cards today was the Sun, Tarot Major Arcanum 19.
I was using the Osho Zen deck, where the card is called Innocence.

The picture well reflects my emotions this morning.

I have a young dog, Misty, which is full of energy.
Today I took her to a beautiful park along the river not far from my home. We go there often.

Fall is in the air. As we walked leisurely I could not help but notice the beauty around me.

The trees, the green lawn, all the birds around us.
We met crows, all kinds of ducks, seagulls and squirrels.

I felt I had to take pictures in an attempt to share the joy.

I am old school, but I made do with the camera on my phone.

As we were walking among the beautiful flowers I felt so lucky to be there, able to enjoy such beauty.

As we walked along the river I noticed the level of the water was high making the river more beautiful.
I watched mesmerized the water moving gracefully up close.

As we approached the end of the park, I noticed three magnificent birds sitting gracefully on the branch of a tree above the water. I had never seen them before. I don’t know if I will again.

It felt like an unexpected gift. I peeked at them trough the bushes and the trees with the same playful joy of the old man in the Innocence card.

I am not sure why today I was so attuned with the environment around me, but I am glad I was.

The energy of the Sun card totally came alive for me today.

Reflection on the Tarot Major Arcanum 17, The Star.

March 25, 2014 by Anna

Star Tarot cards

Something strange happened on Thursday. At the end of a Tarot class, one card from my Rider Waite deck went missing. It became apparent on Sunday morning, when I started setting up for another Tarot class. I knew when I had seen it last. I checked the room, along with two other decks I had been using on that day. I checked my notes and my hand outs folder, no Star card anywhere. I asked my students to check their hand outs to see if the card ventured out with them for a field trip. They did, but no luck. I taught the class on Sunday with my R.W.S. deck, but using the Star card from my Universal deck. After searching for days, this morning I decided to reflect on the Star card. I do not believe in coincidences, therefore I suspected the missing card had a message for me. After pulling the Star from two other decks, I felt compelled to look at my R.W.S. deck again. I always put my decks back in order after using them, as a way to cleanse their energy. I was stunned to find The Star card exactly where it was supposed to be, between the Tower and the Moon! I was so happy to see her that I decided to celebrate by pulling the Star card from all my other decks and see what I could learn. I am going to share the experience with you here.

Robin Wood,RWS, Universal, Marseille Tarot deck

In my first group I have cards from the Robin Wood, R.W.S. Universal and Marseille. 17 reduces to 8, indicating a new positive perspective. The element is air, thinking, analyzing, researching and communicating. The lady in the picture is naked. What you see is what you get. Simplicity, honesty, vulnerability. A knee is on land, a foot is in water. She is grounded in reality, yet perfectly in tune with emotions and the subconscious. She pours water from two vessels. She is generous, she holds nothing back. She trusts all will be fine. The mountains suggest spiritual growth. As I look at the image from the Marseille deck, I review the book of my first Tarot teacher, Luciana Pedirota. I have not used this deck in over twenty years. I am reminded of some important points. Evolution. The Star is evolving in the angel she is meant to be. Part of her job is to help others evolve also. She does not use words, rather her example. She does the walk instead of the talk. As Luciana points out in her book, the lady in the Star, shares the posture of the individual about to become a Knight. The bent knee is the individuality willing to merge for the good of the higher cause. The other leg shows the individual being alert to synchronicity and ready to take action and to transform as needed.

Ancestral Path, Osho Zen, Anna K, Llewellyn, Gaian, Gendron Tarot deck

In the second group we have cards from The Ancestral path (Julie Cuccia-Watts), Osho Zen, Anna K, Llewellyn, Gaian (Joanna Powel Colbert) and the Gendron deck. Let’s see, what else can I learn here? Choices are made from a new perspective, with consideration for the well being of future generations. We are moving to a higher spiritual level. Our spirit guides are changing accordingly. In the Osho Zen deck the card is called .. Silence. When we are able to turn off all noises and external distractions, we find peace and we are at one with the Universe. In the Anna K. Deck we see many waterfalls joining in the same river. A bright star illuminates the sky. I get the feeling of Merging. Coming home to wholeness. The river grows stronger with each waterfall. I get a sense of healing, growing strength and hope. In the Llewellyn deck, the message I get is one of freedom and release. In the Gaian deck, I get a sense of grace, inspiration, gratitude and of wishing upon a star. With the Gendron deck, the invitation to silence and meditation is reinforced. I get the message to let my gifts and uniqueness shine. Accept my individuality, while seeking help and direction from a higher source in meditation. Stay open to guidance through synchronicity.

Sacred Rose,Gilded, The Divine Legacy of Tarot, The Druid Craft Tarot deck

My last group has cards from The Sacred Rose deck (Gargiulo- Sherman), The Gilded and The Legacy of the Divine Tarot (Ciro Marchetti) and The Druid Craft Tarot. The Sacred Rose whispers “Have faith”, “Tomorrow is another day”, “The sun will rise again”. In the Gilded deck, I notice the shining star in the position of her third eye. Trust that help is available in the form of guidance. Give it time. In The legacy of the Divine Tarot, the lady flies over the destruction, suggesting we can do the same. In the words of Leisa Refalo in the companion book “The Star represents hope and inspiration that can be found both from above (Divine) and within (inner consciousness). With the Druid Craft deck I am reminded that my connection to the water element is healthy and open once again. This is a strong message for me. I have a deep love for the sea. Having moved far away from it, I miss the strength it provides me. As I entered 2014 I had a strong feeling that I needed to engage with the water element more in my everyday life. My tendency is to analyze things (air), find practical approaches (earth) and get things going (fire). I am more of a talker than a listener. It has been a slow process, but drop after drop water is gaining momentum in my life. I see that The Star card had a lot to say. It worked extra hard to get my attention.

May 2017

As I look at the Star from the R.W.S. deck I consider that in Tarot we have two sisters. Temperance is the younger and The Star is the older.

Temperance is careful while pouring liquid from one vessel to the other and she is dressed.

Star is naked. She has more experience and she is more confident. She generously pours from both vessels. She gives her gift spontaneously and with confidence. She is not concerned with how her gift will be received.

Transformation along the path of Tarot.

February 21, 2014 by Anna

I have been studying Tarot for 30 years now.

My pace has not been steady. I have taken a few brakes along the way, but Tarot has always called me back.

Thirty years and I am still learning. Tarot for me is a passion.
I read for clients. I read for my myself daily and I keep a Tarot journal.
I teach Tarot. I hold shares for fellow Tarot enthusiasts. I am always reading a new Tarot book and exploring another Tarot deck.

It should not be a surprise than that my perspective on Tarot has changed over time. My way of reading Tarot has also changed several times.

I believe that as I grow more confident, I become more open to experiment.
So far change has been good.

When I started studying Tarot I believed that if you were a good reader, your prediction would always be accurate.
It did not take me long to discover that the same reader could be so accurate once and not so much another time. Why?

I also noticed that a reader that was unbelievably good with me, was not so great with my mother. Why?

There were readers that used spreads and others that seemed not to use any.

Growing up in Italy, most of the readers I encountered used a predictive style. They read about love, work, finances, health, people you cared about and so on.

When I moved over to Canada, I discovered that many Tarot readers were very selective on what they would read about. Some would not read about health, or finances or legal issues or any person but the one sitting in front of them. I started to adjust my own readings to reflect that.
My mom has always been a straight shooter.
“What is left to read about than?” She asked me one day.

Over time I noticed a shift. Many Tarot readers did not want to predict any more, rather guide their clients, helping them understand better their own situation.

I am a Virgo, a perfectionist and an eternal student. It took me forever to decide that I was good enough to read for strangers and charge money for my services.

I am glad I did, because as soon as I started to read for strangers, I started to learn so much more. When you only read for yourself and people in your own circle, the meanings of the cards remain limited. In my experience, it is only when you start reading for strangers that you will encounter different cultures, religions, life styles and so on.

I remember clearly the fist paying client I had. I was so nervous! I never saw him again, so I can only speculate on how well or bad I did.
I do remember the reading. I believe I gave him good advice, mostly. I also remember looking at the 10 of swords and putting a very nice spin to it. I don’t think it was an accurate interpretation, but I was not ready to give the client very bad news.

For the first year I would only read about specific questions. I still believe that a good question will result in a much deeper reading, but you can have a very nice general reading also, and so I later started to offer them.

I pick up on people’s vibes easily and therefore I have never liked crowds, or parties. Eventually, I started offering Tarot parties and I love them. I do a lot of prep work ahead of time, but it is well worth the effort.

I like to make my own Tarot spreads, because I find I can use the cards more effectively that way.
Very recently I have started to be much more free flowing with my readings.
More like an open dialogue with the cards. I am trusting my intuition more.
So far the response has been good.

To sum it up. Practice makes perfect, but change is also good. Too much structure can fence us in and limit our growth.

Of course that’s just my own personal opinion and it may change over time.

P.S.

The image is from the Gaian Tarot deck, by the very talented Joanna Powell Colbert.

Personal year and Universal year number.

January 1, 2014 by Anna

It has come to my attention that even though I love and value Numerology, I don’t write about it.

I am going to change that starting now.

Today is the first of January 2014.

2014= 2+0+1+4= 7

The Universal year for 2014 is 7.

What does that mean?

2014 in general will be a more spiritual year.

There will be less focus on the material.

There will be a less active pace, not as social.

A time where contemplation and reflection are priorities.

A time to assimilate all that has changed in the past 7 years and learn from it. That way, the world will be ready to welcome 2015 with a better attitude and understanding.

Are you on a personal year 7?
Not necessarily.

I, for one , am on a personal year 4.

What does that mean for me?

2014 is going to be a good year for me to work hard and reap the rewards.

It is a year that will offer me opportunities to grow, but I must be organized and disciplined.

It is important I build on strong foundations.

I am on a personal year 4.
Does the fact that 2014 is a Universal year 7 mean anything to me?

Yes. Society at large will be influenced by the wisdom of a Universal year 7. I, and anyone else in a year 4, will be living in that reality, but contend and benefit with the energy of our personal year 4.

How do you calculate your personal year?

Month of your birth+
day of your birth+
the year you want to find out about.

Let me give you an example.

Let’s say a child is born on January 15 2014.

January is the first month of the year. 1

15 = 1+5 = 6

2014= 2+0+1+4 = 7

1+6+7= 14 = 1+4= 5

That child will be in a year 5.

A year 5 is all about embracing change and growth. Being flexible, adventurous and able to adapt.

The personal year of your birth, is also your Life Path Number. One of the most important numbers in your chart.
Perhaps we will talk about that in a future post.

In Numerology life goes on in 9 years cycles that repeat themselves.

Each year offers specific kind of opportunities and challenges.

A personal year 1
is full of opportunities. It is the best time to plant the seeds for the life you want. It requires courage and independence.

A personal year 2
requires diplomacy. It brings sensitivity. It is a time to nurture what you started in a year 1. It is a year where you may meet important partners.

A year 3
is great for self expression, networking, socializing and creativity. It is a fun year. It requires focus and discipline in order not to squander the opportunities for growth.

A year 4
is great to bring order and structure to your life and your projects. Attention to details is important.

A year 5
brings change. The opportunities to perfect what we built on the year 4. Keep what we like, change what can be improved. Surprises are in store, adaptability is required.

A year 6
is about progress and the responsibilities that come with it.

Family can be demanding. Love and understanding will be required to create harmony around you.

A year 7
inspires reflection and requires personal space and solitude. It is a time to ponder on life and find our own perspective on things.

A year 8
is a year to go for what you want. In the year 7 you hopefully understood better who you are and what you want.
This year you will see the results for the efforts you put out in the past 7 years.

A year 9
is the end of the cycle. It is the time to finish up your projects. Let go of the things and the people that you have outgrown. The more you let go now, the more energy and time you will have to receive and work with all the opportunities of next year. Another year 1.

I hope I was clear enough explaining this, so that you can benefit from knowing where you are in your personal cycle.

Feel free to ask questions or contact me to book a Numerology reading.

Happy new year everyone!

Safety instructions on how to approach Tarot

November 24, 2013 by Anna

We have all heard it.

“Tarot is the work of the devil” .

Personally I find the statement ridiculous and I don’t usually give it a second thought.

Recently though, someone told me to be careful with Tarot, as it was a gateway to dangerous energies.

Again, I have been on the Tarot path for 25 years and my experience with it has been very positive, but the warning made me think.

Tarot is in my opinion a tool that can be, and it is, used in many different ways. Some are safer and healthier than others, again, in my opinion.

A reading can help us focus on the situation at hand and get a more objective perspective of it. We can identify patterns in our lives, cause and effect. We can get a glimpse of where we are heading. It can help us find creative solutions. Working with Tarot will in time improve our intuition.

Let’s look for a moment at less healing ways to use Tarot.
To spy in someone’s life.
To avoid taking responsibility for our lives by
A) Asking the reader, or the Tarot, to make decisions for us.
B) Escaping the present by concentrating on the future.

Those are obvious ill ways to use Tarot.
There are some equally unhealthy but much more subtle and dangerous ways to approach Tarot.

In my experience Tarot is a tool to access intuition and information that is out there. To tap into it, I believe, I need to access the energy of the person I am reading for. Some people are more familiar than others with the concept of energy.
I think that we all communicate with each other at an energetic level. Some are just more in tune with it than others.
Let’s just say that we have something like a shield around us that is vibrant and reflects how we feel. You know when someone steps too close to you and you automatically want to step back? Well, that person has just stepped in your personal space, is making contact with your energy and you do not like it. I believe energy is real and so we should be aware of it. Fear, anger, hate, grief are heavy energy and they drain you. Love , kindness and creativity fuel and boost your energy level.
Once you understand that, you will ( hopefully) try harder to spread only good energy around you. In other words, when someone or something makes you angry you will not dump your anger on the next poor soul that comes across.

Let’s go back to Tarot.
If we are indeed working with energy, we may want to make sure to approach a reading from a calm and balanced state of mind.
If you are scared , depressed or angry do not attempt to read the cards. You will likely access fears instead of facts. If you are drank or under the influence of drugs, stay away from the cards or any other oracle tool.
If you are learning Tarot and while reading for yourself come across some of the scarier cards, do not panic. The Death card, the Tower are not always signs of gloom and doom.
Try to find kindred spirits, people who share your enthusiasm for the cards to bounce ideas with, and help you keep perspective when you need help.
Last, but not least, pace yourself. Do not try to learn everything at once. Keep your other interests well alive, stay in your body, exercise, mingle.
In other words, do not isolate yourself too much. Too many Tarot readers experience burn out. Moderation is always healthy.

The Devil card used here is from the Ancestral Path Tarot deck by Julie Cuccia- Watts.

Experiencing the Tower.

September 30, 2013 by Anna

It is clear by looking at the card that experiencing the Tower is tough.

The energy of the Tower can take many forms. Being fired, loss of a home, nasty and abrupt ending of a relationship, failure, a big fight. All of them are accurate examples of the tower in action.

What do they have in common?
A sense of shock. Everyday life has been shaken at the foundation level. The very things that gave us confidence are gone.

Sadness and fear are the theme of the day.

“What does not kill you makes you stronger.”
Many people believe that. So, what can we learn from a Tower experience?

A lot, I think. First, the Tower is number 16, which reduces to 7, meaning introspection. When going through it, you have to accept it and not deny your part in it. Yes, it is an abrupt end that seems to come out on nowhere.

In reality the death card, number 13, comes first.
Something was not right. We had the chance to make changes to correct it, but for what ever reason we did not, so the universe did it for us.

Does knowing this make the experience less painful? No, it does not.
But, understanding that something at the foundation was broken should.

The Tower is often a humbling experience, where the ego takes a hit.
Perhaps we built things too fast. Perhaps we were arrogant and not open to other people’s ideas, or way of doing things. Perhaps we had become too comfortable and our achievements had become our jail, restricting us from learning and growing and doing new things. Maybe we were beating a dead horse.

The destruction brought up by the tower gives us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and/ or go in new directions.

The image is from the Sacred Rose Tarot deck by the very talented Johanna Gargiulo- Sherman.

Three cards spread for January 2012. 4 of swords,9 of cups and page of swords.

January 7, 2012 by Anna

Today I decided to take a peek into the first month of 2012.
I went small and used only three cards.

My Question:

“What does January 2012 has in store for me?

Position 2 Position 3 Position 1

Position 1
Main gift 4 of Swords (A)

Position 2
Main challenge 9 of cups (W)

Position 3
Advice or best course of action. Page of swords (A)

The first thought to come to my mind is “May I return the gift?”

I am using the lovely Anna K Tarot deck.

The 4 of Swords
shows two women in a dark bedroom. Through the window we can see snow. The younger woman in bed is clearly sick and distressed. The older lady sits besides her to provide her with any comfort she can. Two swords are behind the head of the sick lady, one is to her right and one barely visible is at the feet of the bed.

This is obviously a dark, sad card. What kind of gift can it represent?

Will I be grateful to have someone at my side in my time of need?
Or
I will be thankful to be able to be there for a loved one when he or she will need me most?

9 of Cups
A jubilant young couple is shown dancing while a crowd of happy, loving people cheer them on.
This is a happy scene, but the card is positioned in the main challenge for the month. It also follows the sad 4 of swords as a gift.
Perhaps it will be very hard for me to be truly happy and celebrate an important occasion while experiencing sadness at the same time.
Page of Swords
A young person prepares to do battle with some kind of scarecrow armed with a sword and a shield.

I could interpret this card in two different ways.

A) Practice makes perfect. Rehearse my response will help me face the obstacle better when the time will come.

B) Being aggressive and negative all the time is a waste of energy.

How do I sum up this reading?

Perhaps January will bring me joy and sadness at the same time.

Living in the moment may be hard, but the best thing to do. Face the sadness and be there for whoever may need me. Truly be happy and grateful for joy when it makes an appearance.

Being happy is not a betrayal to whoever I am sad for. Life is a wheel constantly turning. Celebrating happiness is even more important when we are aware of how fleeting it can be.

(A) = air, (W) = water, (F) = fire, (E) = earth.