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I was talking to a friend recently who was having trouble in her business. As the conversation went on it appeared that ‘trouble’ was occurring for her in all aspects of her life at the moment. I’ve recently felt too that my life has been on the downward side of things too: frustrations, let-downs and disappointments.
Today a programme on the radio was talking about how everybody was feeling the pinch with the economy: that we were all suffering and ‘all in this together’.
Reminding ourselves that life goes in cycles can help. Nature has her cycle of seasons and the planets have their night and day rhythms. Every cell in our body has its own life cycle and, of course, so do we in our physical body.
The Tarot reminds us of this aspect of our lives with the Wheel of Fortune card. If we didn’t know the down cycle how on earth could we experience the up cycle? Without such polarity we couldn’t fully experience life.
What is Not
To appreciate the beauty
The ugly must be seen.
For light to shine and dazzle
Know the darkness in your dreams.
Happiness can only exist
If sadness is by its side.
And life is worth the living
When death is along for the ride.
However, understanding the cycles of our lives is not always enough to help us through the rough patches. By ignoring the rough part of life and waiting for the good to come around again we lose the chance to experience things and grow.
Life isn’t about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain.
So, although things aren’t as I would like them to be at the moment, I’m going to complain, I going to find a dance that fits. Will you join me?
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
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We can still look up at the stars.
I remember when I was young, in the frosty winter months being outside and gazing at the night sky. For me it was mesmerising. I could recognise a few of the constellations but the fascination wasn’t in being able to name the stars: it was just being absorbed into them a little like watching the flames of a fire.
Dr William Kelly is a Counselling Psychologist based in Pittsburgh and has been studying our fascination for gazing at the night sky for a decade. Behavioural Astronomy describes the concept of noctcaelador (adoration of the night sky). His research shows that looking at the stars seems to reduce negative moods, eliminate stress and altogether have a calming effect. Although the study of astronomy is well documented and we know that the movements of celestial bodies have always had an effect on how we live our lives (see Dancing with the Earth, Moon and Stars), there is very little research into the psychological aspects of star gazing.
Although I’m laying in the gutter I can still see the stars
Tells me that there is still hope. Although my physical circumstances may be pretty rubbish I can see there is another way.
The Star tarot card is a card about optimism, hope and aspirations. Maybe that is what the stars represent. May be that is why our bad mood diminishes.
Our fascination with celestial bodies is inherent in our culture
But I think that’s only part of the answer. For me, gazing at a clear night sky helps me put things into perspective. If you’ve ever been away from people and noise and light pollution and looked up to see the majesty of the universe before you (and if you haven’t I really urge you to try it) you will realise what an immensely tiny part of the whole our beautiful earth is. And for you, standing on earth and gazing at something that you are part of, your place is the smallest of the smallest of the smallest.
Gazing at a night sky makes me feel humble. My ego gives up even trying to compete. I realise that my place in this universe, although important, is just part of a very large story. When you get to that point there is no place for bad feelings or stress or unhappiness.
So, if you’ve been feeling low or suffering from anxiety or just want a really good time, go out and find the stars. They’re there waiting for you.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from The Psychic Reader – an online resource for health, wealth, career and relationship issues.
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We think of April and we think of the Fool on the first day of the month. This tradition of playing hoaxes and practical jokes has obscure origins. The most widely held theory is that it was adopted when we switched to our current Gregorian calendar from the Julian one and the fools were those unable to get the hang of it. Other theories relate the tradition to Persia and also to those who prematurely celebrated Spring and May Day a month early!
However, when I think of the Fool I think of Tarot and what is, for me, one of the most exciting cards of the deck – The Fool. The Fool is often depicted with a big smile, a knapsack, a blank piece of paper, not looking where he is going and stepping off a precipice.
Of course there are two ways that you can look at this situation:
‘Watch out you’re going to fall you idiot’ or fear
or
‘Wow I wonder what’s going to happen next’ or excitement.
Our choice of reaction says a lot about us and the Tarot is a great way of really understanding our mindset or those of our clients that we read for.
I’ve chosen some decks, containers and a cloth for this month’s Specials but there is a far wider choice at The Little Shop of Charms so pop along and browse to your heart’s content and have a wonderful April.
Created in collaboration with Russian healer Lydia Oukhaneva these vibrant cards are ideal for all levels of readers. They feature colourful cartoon style images set against an astral background.
Usual price £18.89
Special for April 2010 £17.00
Peter Pracownik and Terry Donaldson created the Dragon Tarot Deck which celebrates the dragon energy. The dragon represents earth energy which is extremely powerful and using these cards is a great way to tap into Gaia’s aura.
Usual price £18.89
Special for April 2010 £17.00
Golden Tarot Collector’s Edition by Kat Black
This classic tarot uses paintings from the European Master artists from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Kat Black’s interpretation is both welcoming and modern while remaining true to the original traditions of Rider-Waite.
The cards are beautifully edged with gilt and the deck is specially packaged in a deluxe display box. While the deck pays tribute to artwork of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance, it celebrates the exploration of tarot and its artistic heritage. The Golden Tarot is a stunning addition to any tarot collection and makes an ideal gift.
Usual price £24.14
Special price for April 2010 £21.73
Brass Inlayed & Carved Tarot Box
Your cards will find a special and protected home in this beautiful box which is hand crafted in India with decorative brass inlay detail and hand carved panel.
Measuring 6″ x 4″ the design may differ slightly to picture shown as each one is individually produced but the right design will find its way to you.
Usual price £10.49
Special price for April 2010 £9.70
Black Velvet Circled Pentagram Tarot Bag
Magickal symbols adorn this luxurious black velvet tarot pouch. Pop in your cards, pull the drawstring and it’s ideal to carry with you wherever you’re going.
Usual price £7.34
Special price for April 2010 £6.79
Black Velvet Pentacle Tarot Cloth
Readings are special and a beautiful cloth to lay the cards on really helps to invoke the right atmosphere. This luxury velvet tarot cloth has a pentacle embroidered pattern and measures 80cms x 80cms (approx 31″ x 31″).
Usual price £17.84
Special price for April 2010 £15.70
‘Lifestyle Coaching’ used to be for a small percentage of the population but, these days, just about everywhere you turn you bump into a Coach.
Business coaching is more or less the norm for business owners, directors and entrepreneurs. But coaching is a relatively new thing and there’s a far older form of self assessment and self improvement that is available to us.
Unfortunately it has a label or brand that doesn’t appeal to many, or at least shouldn’t be seen to appealing to many. However, this is down to ignorance of what it really is.
I’m talking about tarot reading and maybe now you’re thinking of a wizened old lady sat in a dark room at a rickety table with a greasy pack of cards saying ‘cross my palm with silver’. Not exactly the sort of image that would go down well in the boardroom.
Tarot reader?
Life coach?
I trained as a life and business coach in 2002 and, for many years prior to that had a huge interest in tarot and other divination tools. The one thing that struck me during my training was the amount of common aspects between the two, only the tools were different.
A common model used by coaches is the GROW model:
- Goal – what is the goal of the session/series of sessions?
- Reality – what is the current situation?
- Options – what options are available?
- When – what option are you going to act on and when?
It’s a successful format that helps the process along. Now, let me take you through a tarot reading:
- ‘How do you want the cards to help you today?’ (GOAL)
- Layout the spread for current situation. (REALITY)
- Layout the spread to assess future opportunities or weaknesses. (OPTION)
- Layout the spread to view outcome. (WHEN)
So, the process is very similar but the tools are different.
A coach may use a number of tools but the main one is the mind. The coach will ask questions and challenge the person being coached. They will explore statements and seek to understand beliefs in order for the one being coached to gain clarity and confidence to move forward.
The tarot reader may also use a number of tools but the main one is their mind not their tarot cards. The cards act purely as a point of focus.
For example, let’s take the often dreaded Death card. For serious tarot readers Death will symbolise a death of sorts: the death of a relationship, a way of life or a way of thinking. The Death card reminds us of the cyclical nature of life. Death and rebirth follow each other so, with a Death card the tarot reader would explore what is ending to make way for something new. Such a statement would not be out of place in a coaching session.
Where the coach will use their mind to guide the coaching session so the structure is fairly logical and thought through, the tarot reading has is an element of randomness. The subject of each of the cards may not, on the face of it, be linked and that can open up the reading to a whole new level.
If you have a great coaching session you will come out of it with clear goals, a plan and the motivation to move forward.
If you have a great tarot reading you will come out of it with a clearer understanding of where you are and where you’re going and the confidence to make it happen.
Not so much difference after all is there? So, next time you’re considering coaching, maybe you should try that little bit extra and try coaching with cards.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.
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