Time Travelers

Stepping Out Of One Dimension And Into Another

Using The Tarot As A Navigational Tool- Part 2

People often consult the cards when they feel at a loss, when they have lost their sense of direction.
Unexpected life events may throw someone off balance or the cumulative effects of daily existence reach such a level that the stress can become crippling. Seeking guidance through the Tarot is one of many available options. People sometimes begin at a party, or visit a reader just for fun, but deep down, even then there is often a serious undercurrent beneath the surface of the novice explorers apparently cavalier attitude.

Turning your fate over to the cards can be emotionally risky, but it doesn't have to be. First of all, remember that almost nothing is locked in place. The cards do not determine anything.  I use the word "almost"  to avoid sounding as if I am making some kind of absolute statement, which is something I tend to try to avoid doing. We make use of the Tarot, Medicine Cards, Numerology  and all other esoteric tools to help us understand why something may be happening, or to be aware of a potential problem. They are useful because they help us to be more conscious, focus and better able to creatively adapt to whatever comes our way. One can also make use of one's basic intuition. Nothing else is really needed. The cards are supplemental tools, not required necessities.

For those more comfortable with prayer, that too is more than enough to help you find your way. It is important though when doing so to not just utter prayers, chants, or sing sacred songs. You must remember that you are asking for guidance, and understanding, not for favors. You must place yourself in a position of openness- what might be thought of as a listening state of being. This is the universal aspect which connects all traditions.

Now, back to the Tarot:
Today we'll start with one which could seem a little scary, but usually is not- DEATH
One thing comes to an end as another begins. One door may close, but then another opens.
Very rarely does this card indicate the literal death of a person. When it does mean that, rest assured that the person who is the subject of the reading almost always knows and has already accepted this event into their life. In cases of serious illness, a person senses when their time is near, and they very often exercise a certain measure of control over their exact time of departure.

Like all of the other cards, this one is a powerful visual metaphor. There are lessons to be learned from each even when you are still just learning about the cards, studying them, feeling their impact upon you. If one should make you a little uncomfortable, just set it aside and try not to worry about it. Trust that when it's time for you to understand that particular lesson that you will. Patience is a very big part of understanding in general. As you become more familiar with each card, your overall confidence will grow. Some books place a great deal of emphasis upon the layout and advocate a particular spread. Just try them, eventually you will find what works for you, and as you gain more experience you will be less and less dependent upon any guide book you may be using. The cards contain all the clues they you need. Many students begin with some form of the Rider Deck. Wikipedia has high quality images from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, and information on the iconography of the cards.

And of course you don't need to wait for the snails pace of this blog. Just shuffle those cards, which may take a little getting used to (because they are a little larger than normal playing cards) and then see what turns up. Remember, we are here to learn and grow in all possible ways. And learning at your own pace allows you to take your time and really come to understand deeply.

May your voyage be filled with wonder, joy and love,

Craig

Using The Tarot As A Navigational Tool

People have a variety of reactions to Tarot Cards. Some find them threatening, or in conflict with what they have been taught. Most of those who use the cards and other esoteric tools consider themselves to be quite spiritual rather than traditionally religious. They often make use of the wisdom of many different traditions as they navigate life themselves and advise others. The Tarot is simply one of many options available.

Many attempt to look into the future, but unless you believe that everything is already predetermined, the cards can at best reveal things to be aware of or what you might want to be especially aware of. Once in a while, when a problem has been avoided repeatedly, the cards will show that a day of reckoning is coming- that a person will have to deal with something they have been trying to ignore. In my own experience, I have found the cards to be most useful in reminding us of things we already know, because whether most people want to believe it or not we are all highly intuitive and have a keen sense about the situations we are in and about to enter into.

So the cards can be thought of as a second or third opinion. And usually they will confirm what you are already aware of. They will confirm your emotional state, the challenges you are facing and whether you feel stuck or have a good sense of direction already. And they will offer an outcome or a next step based upon the other information presented.

I would like to use this space to provide occasional Tarot tutorials, so that readers can develop their own skills with the cards and then add them to their navigational tool box. Creativity, and creative problem solving have always involved sliding back and forth between the logical and the intuitive. Feel free  to request more frequent ventures into Tarot and I will provide more.

So here goes. The first lesson.
It is somewhat general, and therefore something we can all relate to and benefit from.

We will begin with The High Priestess, in many ways the perfect card to represent the entire body of esoteric knowledge. We become aware of the need to keep both our feminine and masculine energy in balance and proportional. We all need both aspects. Each are valuable resources. Each can at times become essential for our survival. Both are strengths. Neither is a weakness, unless it out of balance and not complimented by it's seemingly opposite nature. One seems to draw from formal knowledge while the other comes from within, but at the same time envelopes the outside world.
In a very simplified way we can begin to think of one as being more logical while the other  is weighted toward the intuitive. But each is whole and complete in itself because it also  contains the seeds of it counter balancing nature. Individuals who think of themselves as completely logical are even if they do not realize it
still guided to some extent by intuition. In a similar manner, those who think of themselves as being entirely guided by their intuition are never-the-less still, like it or not influenced to some degree by an aspect of logic.

Consider this and  leave a comment if you like, or just wait for the next card.
It will be coming soon, and more will be  said about The High Priestess next time as well.
Thank you for stopping by.

May your voyage be filled with wonder, joy and love.
Craig

Sometimes...

...loving someone is not nearly as fun or easy as you'd like it to be,
but if you love them,
you just do-
no matter what.

 Runner from another dimension momentarily slipping into ours on an isolated stretch of beach which is quite similar to the one he was on.

To the poet time traveler

who naively sails into the often treacherous waters

of his or her own ancient journal entries- like the Fool of the Sacred Tarot.

He is to some extent protected,

and will almost always survive,

but he may find that any number of swords pierce his heart

when he least expects it.

There may be some pleasant surprises too,

but it's good to remember

not to just dive in anywhere.

See if you remember where those submerged sharp rock are,

look for the shadows beneath the surface.

I'm just saying

maybe it's better if you're not always so totally random with this stuff,

but hey,

I know who I'm talking to, so

don't mind me.