Tarot Tips: Tarot Mandalas / Rose Petal Readings / Pandemic Guidelines
Published: Wed, 12/02/20
"Tarot art is visual symbolism. Its imagery can be a tool for..."
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Newsletter of The Tarot School
http://TarotSchool.com ISSN: 1529-0565 Vol. 12 #20 / December 1, 2020
[We had no internet service for a couple of days so this edition is a bit late.] In this Issue: - Welcome
- Tarot Tip: Creating Tarot Mandalas for Meditation - Tarot School Aphorism - That's Cool!: The Fool and The World - Diviner's Corner: Rose Petal Readings - Best Practices: Pandemic Guidelines for the Sole Practitioner Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!
And a special welcome to our new subscribers.
Wald and I have been talking a lot about time lately, especially the difference between objective and subjective time. How long something actually takes, as opposed to how long it feels. They are often very different. The calendar tells us we’re coming to the end of a standard 12-month year, but in many ways, this year has felt more like a decade. Time is also being experienced simultaneously as moving quickly and slowly. For example, those working to produce a vaccine are working at breakneck speed, while the rest of us feel like it’s taking forever. The result of all of this can be disorienting. Tarot offers us the gift of timelessness; a respite from the dizziness of conflicting perceptions of time. The symbolism endures, even as we gain an ever-increasing understanding of it. We can count on the cards to be there when we need them. Yes, they can act as a microscope, minutely examining and guiding our daily lives, but they can also take us far beyond that to universal truths and otherworldly experiences. A place beyond time. As we come to the end of this calendar year and count down the seconds to the new one, take some time to sit with your cards and allow them to help you be in the present moment. May that moment be place of peace, and may there be many such moments in the year to come. In this month’s Tip, we explore a meditative technique using the backs of the cards. The Diviner’s Corner introduces us to the art of Phyllorhodomancy, and the Best Practices column offers some guidelines on how best to safely conduct business during the pandemic. Our first virtual Tarot Salon was a great success! After 25 years of in-person classes in New York City, it was wonderful to teach a roomful of students and colleagues from all over the world. Wald has a talent for teaching multi-level classes that have something for everyone. From folks who are just starting on their tarot journey, to those who have been reading for up to 50 years(!), the feedback we got was very gratifying. The breakout reading practice sessions were fantastic, and we had a prize drawing at the end for extra fun! If you would like to know more and be part of the weekly Tarot Salon experience, check it out at http://tarot.salon. We look forward to seeing you there! Take care, stay whole and healthy and move forward on your tarot journey, Ruth Ann, Wald, and Gina
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CREATING TAROT MANDALAS
FOR MEDITATION (image: The Fountain Tarot back) Tarot art is visual symbolism. Its imagery can be a tool for meditation, insight and enlightenment, and is often simply soothing. Deck creators and artists are meticulous in the design of each card. Each design begins with inspiration combined with the unique tools and talents to bring it to life. At what point in the creation process does the back of a tarot card emerge? In most cases we can speculate probably not until most if not all the main images were completed. The design on the back of the cards may be left to a publisher’s graphic design team with the creator’s approval. Nonetheless, there are some amazingly beautiful designs on the backs of many decks that can be just as useful as the front images in any meditation practice or ritual. Mandalas, a Sanskrit word meaning “circles,” are regarded as sacred images used for prayer, meditation and healing purposes. Mandalas are images used as a focal point in a meditative state to calm and quiet the mind. Some tarot card designs contain a variety of geometrical shapes and abstract patterns that albeit unintentionally make up patterns that form mandalas. The backs of these decks are a bonus tool for any user. It can be the first step of an opening ritual before a reading or used after a reading for further reflection and healing, and can be a great stress reliever. How To Create a Mandala With Tarot Cards Choose a favorite deck with a repeating pattern or design on the back or reverse side for the most benefit. Using a circle about the size of an average saucer but no larger than a dinner plate, arrange several cards in an overlapping pattern. The number of cards depends on the size of the card and the circumference of the circle you choose. How To Meditate On A Tarot Mandala Begin by finding a quiet place. Place your tarot mandala on the table in front of you or in front of wherever you intend to meditate. You’ll want to be no more than 2 feet from your mandala. Relax and get comfortable. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply as you allow your body to settle and relax. Bring your mind to a quiet place. You can do this with your eyes open or closed. Bring your gaze to the tarot mandala, focusing on the image. Allow your gaze to go out of focus slightly, all the while staying immersed in the colors and patterns before you. Continue to breathe and relax. As you concentrate and focus, allow the patterns and colors to work with the unconscious part of your mind. Take notice of any thoughts, feelings and emotions but remain focused on the mandala. Allow about 5 to 7 minutes of time if you are not accustomed to the pattern and gradually increase time for your comfort level. Initially some of the patterns that emerge may unsettle your mind as it tries to relate to an unfamiliar image. When you feel it is time, bring your awareness back to your body and your surroundings. Take notes in your favorite journal about what you’ve experienced in your mandala meditation. For added insights, you can choose one or more cards to turn over to complete your ritual. Tarot School Aphorism THE FOOL AND THE WORLD Music by Edward Givens I was recently introduced to a new music cd by Edward Givens. Aside from my own, I've only come across a couple of other albums devoted to tarot-inspired music so I just *had* to share it with you! In addition to the pieces devoted to the Major Arcana cards, there are four "Dances" -- one for each of the four suits. Ed is exceptionally talented. His Bandcamp page describes his musical style this way: The music of composer Edward Givens goes from scintillating rhythmic grooves to future primitive invocation to calm minimalist introspection. His style is characterized by sumptuous textures, exotic modes, and a magical lyricism creating lush, vivid sonic landscapes. Influences include Jade Warrior, Jon Hassell, Robert Fripp, Tangerine Dream, Mark Isham, Popol Vuh, Mike Oldfield, Debussy and Pink Floyd. About his approach to tarot, Edward says, "I think of Tarot cards as a form of pictorial poetry or parable. Each miniature tableau is a little story without words that speaks directly to the subconscious, not unlike music. It's a feeling akin to déjà vu. There is a sense of wonder, of possibilities. This intangible, mirage-like, ever just out of reach feeling we have about life's mystery is the very thing we seek when we contemplate the cards in an effort to help navigate our own individual Fool's Journeys." The Fool and The World is a unique (and very COOL) way to experience the tarot. Enjoy! https://edwardgivens.bandcamp.com/album/the-fool-and-the-world Have you found something cool? Tell us about it! Email [email protected]. Diviner's Corner PHYLLORHODOMANCY: ROSE PETAL READINGS By Rainbow Liz Roses are the universal symbol for love, beauty, happiness, joy and healing. Their undeniable essence make us feel supported, loved, and deeply cared for. Across the globe roses are used for a variety of magic, ceremonies, rituals and divination. Phyllorhodomancy (Greek phullon, leaf + rhodon, rose + manteía, prophecy) is a form of fortune-telling done with fresh rose leaves or petals, and is one of the oldest forms still practiced today. Rose readings were dedicated and were said to have come from the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite. Ancient Greeks used this method of fortune telling by clapping a fresh rose leaf or rose petal on their hand, then judged the reading by the sound it created. The louder and clearer the sound, the more favorable the outcome. If there was a muffled noise or none at all, the omen was not pleasant. Another way the Ancient Greeks used Phyllorhodomacy, would be to ask a question, create three bowls of water with labels saying “yes”, ‘no”, “no answer” then place a whole rose flower inside. Whichever bud remained the most intact, fresh, and vibrant would be the concluded response to the question. This method was also used in Victorian England for deciding which lover would best fit the querent — but instead they labeled the bowls of water with the names of potential mates. Over time it developed into pulling rose petals off of the stem while asking questions. Where do you think “he loves me, he loves me not” came from? Prophecy for marriage through rose petals was also popular among young ladies in 18th and 19th century England. Traditionally, a woman would pluck a rose, place it into white paper, and secretly hide it. Any gentlemen who discovered this would be said to marry the diviner. A similar system was also used to determine the faithlessness of a spouse. A rose would be pressed onto paper, and the brightness of the color would decide their fate. Meaning, the more vivid the color the more loyal the lover would be. Today, rose petal divination is still very popular. Modern phyllorhodomancy takes numerous rose petals, taps them on the individual’s third eye chakra, then throws them on the ground looking for any symbols, shapes, patterns, decay, and etc. Or, gently tossing them in the air and observing how they fall, the formations they create, and where they landed. This technique of phyllorhodomacy is similar to tasseography (tea leaf readings) but with rose petals or rose leaves! One can use any color of roses they desire. However, it works best when the hue matches the vibration of the reading, meaning the complexion is associated with either self-love, romantic love, friendship, family, ancestors, joy, happiness and etc. The stronger the scent, the more potent and positive the reading. Ultimately it’s up to the practitioner to decide how in depth they’d like to get with phyllorhodomancy! Get creative and always follow your intuition. Doing rose petal readings is a beautiful way to see the future, with one of the most luxurious resources Mother Earth grows for us. About Liz: Rainbow Liz, owner of A Meaningful Dream, is a cosmic guide on this Earthly journey. She works closely with Mother Earth's resources combining traditional methods of divination and modernizing them through her own creative perspective. Currently she practices Phyllorhodomancy, Crystal Readings, Tarot, Oracle, crystal ball, and energy readings. Rainbow Liz is also a unique healer who combines Reiki, Shamanism, and Limpias (Mexican Spiritual Cleansing) in her sessions. Tune in every Wednesday at 7pm EST on A Meaningful Dream's YouTube Channel for the Rainbow Awakening Hour, where Rainbow Liz does a live collective reading and healing. Contact her at: https://www.ameaningfuldream.com [email protected] We’d love your suggestion or submissions for this column! If you have an idea or would love to contribute, please contact us at [email protected]. Best Practices for Professional Readers PANDEMIC GUIDELINES FOR THE SOLE PRACTITIONER By Gina Thies www.tarotadvisor.com / www.facebook.com/tarotreaders www.tarotcoupling.com / www.oraclesoup.org When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, no one knew the extent of what we were dealing with or how long we would be dealing with it. Any and all business operations and gig workers became subject to decisions made by local and state governments in an effort to mitigate the spread. As practitioners, what is to be done when you are in a close contact practice such as reading palms or have clients who want to touch the cards? Are there ways to safely provide your services and follow recommended guidance from health officials? There are a variety of issues to be considered in the complex guidelines for sole practitioners. To start, if you are providing services for a fee and it is reportable and subject to government taxes, you might you might be considered a small business and be subject to following small business guidelines and mandates issued by local governments and health officials. If you are operating in a retail location or a leased space in an office building, you may certainly be advised or required to follow some rules, guidelines or procedures in the interest of lowering the chance of exposure to COVID-19. If you are not required to adhere to local, state or federal guidelines, you are left taking chances, making very personal choices, and dealing with consequences. You want to wear a mask but your client does not. You want to maintain social distance but your client insists they need a closer look at the cards. It can all be quite exhausting and frustrating. Being a professional means operating to the same standards of any profession or business. This article is by no means intended to set out any dos and don’ts or slants on any political perspective, but appeals to a sense of duty and concern for others. Find the information and resources that help you make the best decision for your needs and the people you serve. If you're not sure what the WHO or CDC offers for businesses, you can check the following resources: https://www.who.int/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-small-business.html Upcoming Events: • December 7, 14 and 21, 2020 Tarot Salon on Zoom! 7:00 - 9:00 pm EST Our popular Monday night classes are now online so you can attend no matter where you live! http://tarot.salon • December 5-6, 2020 World Divination Association Big Bang 2021 Event This event is designed to empower you with the divination, manifestation and spiritual skills needed to blast out of 2020 and make the world a better place for all. https://www.worlddivinationassociation.com/big-bang-manifestation-conference Join our 11K+ fans and join the fun!
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