Tarot Tips: Active Listening, Abundance Checks, and Readers Studio News!
Published: Mon, 05/01/23
"Rachel Pollack has been a special presence in our lives since..."
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 Newsletter of The Tarot School
http://TarotSchool.com ISSN: 1529-0565 Vol. 15 #5 May 1, 2023
In this Issue: - Welcome
- Tarot Tip: 10 Active Listening Techniques - Wald's Words of Wisdom - Diviner's Corner: Abundance Checks - What's Gnu?: The 2024 Readers Studio! - Meet the Reader: Pamela Steele - Kickstarter: Stardust Wanderer Tarot - Best Practices: Get in Sync with the Natural Business Cycle - Upcoming Events Welcome to a new issue of Tarot Tips!
And a special welcome to our new subscribers.
 This month you came from:Australia, Cambodia, Canada, India, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We're glad you're here!  photo by Ruby Rose Rachel Pollack has been a special presence in our lives since we started The Tarot School in 1995. When we produced The New York Tarot Festival in 2002, she was one of the teachers, and attended our wedding. She was one of the three master class instructors at the very first Readers Studio in 2003, and taught at and/or attended every single RS, except for one when she had her first bout of cancer. In addition to being one of the most favorite teachers, Rachel made collectors very happy by bringing her artwork and handcrafted magical necklaces to her table at the Merchant Faire. Rachel's Birth Cards are The Star and Strength. This combination gave her a wicked sense of humor, and she could often be found at the center of laughter. She perfectly expressed The Star's astrological association with Aquarius as peaceful, optimistic and gregarious, and Strength's association with Leo as charismatic, energetic and emphatic. In our Birth Card Course, Wald wrote: "The Star and Strength are graceful, beautiful, peaceful and strong. Their powers and talents are in perfect balance and harmony. Between them, all their virtues are at the service of the world." We are grateful that Rachel's passing last month was peaceful and surrounded by love. She deserved no less. And one more thing... Speaking of Birth Cards, we recently finished our Tarot Salon classes on the Birth Card sets. They were packed with great information but that's not the whole story. So starting this month, we'll be exploring the techniques we've developed to make them even more interesting and useful. If you missed any of the previous classes, you may request a catalog of Tarot Salon replays by sending an email to [email protected]. We look forward to sharing this fascinating topic with you! Wishing you joy along the tarot path, Ruth Ann, Wald, Gina and Sharonah
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10 ACTIVE LISTENING TECHNIQUES
When conducting a tarot reading, it's important to not only be skilled in interpreting the cards but also to practice active listening. Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the querent is saying, and showing empathy and understanding towards their situation. One of the main benefits of active listening during a tarot reading is that it helps to establish trust and rapport with the querent. When you show genuine interest and concern for your querent's situation, it creates a safe space for them to open up and share their thoughts and feelings. This, in turn, allows you to gain a deeper understanding of their situation and to provide more accurate and insightful interpretations of the cards. Another benefit of active listening during a tarot reading is that it can help to uncover hidden emotions and issues that the querent may not be aware of. Sometimes, they may be hesitant to share certain aspects of their life, either because they are ashamed or because they don't think it's relevant to the reading. However, through active listening, you can pick up on subtle cues and ask thought-provoking, open-ended, or gentle questions to help them explore these hidden emotions and issues. This can lead to a more comprehensive reading that addresses the querent's concerns on a deeper level. When practicing active listening, it's important to approach your querent's situation with an open mind and without judgment. Everyone has their own unique life experiences, beliefs, and values that shape their perspective. By actively listening to the querent, you can gain a better understanding of their perspective and provide interpretations that are tailored to their specific needs and concerns. Here are 10 examples of active listening techniques: 1) Reflective Listening: Paraphrase what the querent has said to show that you have understood their message. For example, "So what I'm hearing is that you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, is that correct?" 2) Clarifying Questions: Ask questions to ensure that you have understood your querent's message correctly. For example, "Could you give me an example of what you mean by 'difficult situation'?" 3) Nonverbal Communication: Make use of nonverbal cues to show the querent that you're engaged and interested in what they are saying. This includes maintaining eye contact, nodding, and using appropriate facial expressions. 4) Empathetic Responses: Active listening involves showing empathy towards the speaker and acknowledging their emotions. For example, "I can understand why you would feel frustrated in that situation." or "That sounds really difficult, I'm sorry you're going through that." 5) Summarizing: Summarize your querent's concern to ensure that you have understood it correctly. For example, "If I understand correctly, you're saying that you're struggling to balance your work and personal life, is that right?" 6) Paraphrasing: Restating your querent's message in your own words shows that you have understood it and encourages further discussion. For example, "So you're feeling frustrated because you feel like your ideas aren't being heard by your partner, is that correct?" 7) Encouraging: Using verbal cues such as "mm-hmm" or "yes" can show that you're actively engaged and interested in what they are saying. This can help to encourage them to continue speaking and to share more information. 8) Asking Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer, and that encourage your querent to share more information. For example, "Can you tell me more about what you mean by that?" or "What are some other ways you have tried to address this issue?" 9) Paying Attention to Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to your querent's body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues to gain a better understanding of their emotions and perspective. 10) Avoiding Interruptions: Refrain from interrupting your querent and allow them to fully express themselves before responding. This shows respect for their thoughts and feelings and helps to build trust and rapport. Active listening is a crucial component of a successful tarot reading. It helps to establish trust and rapport with the querent, uncovers hidden emotions and issues, and provides a more tailored and insightful interpretation of the cards. By practicing active listening, you can create a safe and supportive environment for your querents and provide readings that are truly transformative. Wald's Words of Wisdom  Diviner's Corner PROSPERITY RITUAL: ABUNDANCE CHECKS
 There are many fantastic ways to get motivated and bring about prosperity through ritual practices. In the 20th century New Age movement, there was a revived interest in Universal Laws such as the Law of Attraction that advocates use of mental focus to create whatever success you can imagine. The principle behind Universal Laws such as the Law of Success, Law of abundance, etc. is that the Universe is an unlimited source and responds to what we desire, but also to what we fear or lack. An Abundance Check can be used to manifest financial gains, but can also be used for anything you want to increase. It is a bank check from the Universe. In writing a check, you are aligning with the Law of Abundance, and it is important to stay aware of your vibration. Pay attention to what you are feeling, thinking and doing to bring about your desired outcome. In writing an Abundance check you are sending out your best intention to the Universe. You can begin your check writing ritual on the New Moon. For an added boost, align it with another important planetary influence. The process is simple: 1. Date the check Write the current date or choose a date when you want to receive your desired amount. 2. Write your name Write your name in the space for “Pay to.” 3. Choose an amount In the box for the amount, write the exact amount you want to manifest. 4. Write a memo Write what the check is for or write “Paid in full” 5. Sign the check Sign the check with “The Law of Abundance,” “The Universe,” or your own name. 6. Keep it Put it in a safe place and the universe will take it from there. You can use a check from your own checkbook or create your own. Additional Resources: * You can download a Free Printable Abundance Checks PDF and get some additional tips here: https://girlbossvibes.com/free-printable-abundance-checks-pdf/ * Shop for "Blank Manifestation Checks" on Amazon. * Do an image search for "abundance checks" or "manifestation checks" to find more options and resources! Happy manifesting! We’d love your suggestion or submissions for this column! If you have an idea or would like to contribute, please contact us at [email protected].  THE 2024 READERS STUDIO! Believe it or not, last week marked 20 years since the first Readers Studio in 2003! So much has happened since then. The Readers Studio grew from a simple 42-person gathering to one of the largest tarot conferences in the world. During that time, hundreds of tarot teachers have shared their cutting-edge work, book and deck deals were made, speaking careers got their start, creative treasures found loving homes, and life-long friendships were forged. Creating and holding that sacred space was a great honor but also took a huge amount of work and energy. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Wald became deathly ill and the knee surgery I had scheduled was canceled. (I still haven't had it.) Readers Studio has been on hiatus in the hopes that we could continue it once the public safety crisis had passed. Things have improved in that regard but our personal health, strength and energy is no longer up to the challenge. We reconciled ourselves to the prospect of bringing the conference to a close. Then something unexpected happened... We were approached by our friends and colleagues, Michelle and Roger Welch. In addition to running their SoulTopia metaphysical shops, they have been successfully producing The International Divination Event (TIDE) in Dallas, Texas and the Northwest Tarot Symposium (NWTS) in Portland, Oregon. Knowing our situation and how important The Readers Studio has been for the tarot community, they offered to take it over! This is great news for you because it means that Readers Studio is a go for April 25-28, 2024! Be on the lookout very soon for email and social media announcements with more details! We want to assure you that the Welches have promised to uphold the traditions and quality of The Readers Studio and that they have our full support. It has been our privilege to serve the tarot community in this way for the last 20 years. We respect Michelle and Roger and are confident that The Readers Studio will be safe in their hands. Last Call for Refunds: 2020-21 was chaotic for most of us. We did our best to issue refunds for the canceled RS20 but were not able to reach everyone. If you feel you are still owed a refund, please email us at [email protected]. Include the email address you use for PayPal and we will take care of you right away. The Readers Studio has been a huge part of our lives, and we admit that letting go has been hard. But our biggest motivator has always been supporting the tarot community and we didn't want to let you down by bringing the event to an end. Now we don't have to worry about that. We wish Roger and Michelle all the best as they take over the reins, and we look forward to having a chance to simply hang out with you next year! Bright blessings, Ruth Ann & Wald Amberstone P.S. In case you are wondering, we are NOT retiring from running The Tarot School!! We plan to maintain our full schedule of classes and courses for as long as we are able. Our TarotSchool.com website is packed with goodies and we have some surprises in store in the near future. Meet The Reader PAMELA STEELE By Sharonah Rapseik, Ph.D., CMAP  Pamela Steele is an artist, author, professional Tarot reader, mystic, dreamer, and all-around adventurer. Pamela believes we are all Divine Beings having a human experience. Pamela has loved Tarot for over four decades. She has also taught Tarot and given presentations through BATS, NWTS, local colleges, public libraries, and at various new age events. As a professional massage therapist with a background in natural remedies, Pamela offers physical and spiritual healing to those who seek wholeness. One of her goals is to leave the world and all who dwell upon it better than she found them. Pamela Steele is the creator of the Steele Wizard Tarot, the Wizard's Pets Tarot, and the Eternal Seeker Oracle. The Steele Wizard Tarot is an 88 card deck with additional court cards and additional major arcana cards. The Wizard's Pets Tarot includes 78 poker-sized tarot cards and a 78-page coloring book of all the cards. The Eternal Seeker Oracle evolved from over 40 years of Tarot study and reflection. It can be used independently in divination or combined with Tarot consultations using the deck(s) of your choice. Each card represents a prime archetype, as do the Tarot's Major Arcana, meant to explore the innermost workings of the human psyche. Sharonah Rapseik: Pamela, what makes your tarot practice unique and how do you express it? Pamela Steele: I use both the Steele Wizard Tarot with the 10 additional cards and the Eternal Seeker Oracle for guidance. Sharonah Rapseik: Can you tell me more about the Steele Wizard Tarot and why you added 10 additional cards? Pamela Steele: From the first time I looked at a tarot deck (my original RWS), I felt like some important cards were missing. There were no specific cards for young women, nor was there a card for personal truth or other archetypes that (in my opinion) referenced evolving beyond duality into the realm of pure spirit. In a nutshell, I created the Steele Wizard's additional cards because I wanted more information and clarity. My readings tend to go beyond duality and into the realm of pure spirit. You will have a bird's eye view as to where you are on your journey, how you got there, and the options available to move forward. These readings are about providing you with the "keys" to self-knowledge, self-discovery, self-empowerment, and self-mastery. Sharonah Rapseik: Thank you Pamela, it’s been a pleasure to meet you! To follow Pamela Steele:  Rapseik is an Artist / Designer, Author, Tarot Reader, Radio Host and Producer for Psychic Talk Radio. Visit her at: https://psychictalk.net/sharonah/ Kickstarter THE STARDUST WANDERER TAROT  I've been waiting for this project to come to Kickstarter for awhile. It checks so many boxes for me –– the artwork is beautiful, the deck is fun, it's sexy, it's sci-fi / fantasy, and has Gods and Goddesses and pirates –– oh, my! The Stardust Wanderer Tarot comes from the creative mind of Jen Sankey and the artistic brilliance of Carol Phillips. They make a wonderful team! Here's a teaser from the Kickstarter page: "Enter this magical world of space pirates, gods, and goddesses as we follow the story of Mena, our fool on the deck, but she is also our brave adventurer about to embark on a journey of self-discovery. These 78 cards feature a universe where Gods and Goddesses rule and space pirates roam, deciding on the way if they are paying attention to those rules. The Commoners live on the planets in this system, leaving the space pirate life behind. They live and coexist with both the pirates and God/Goddesses peacefully. Mena finds herself right in the middle of the divide, helps bring balance to this world, and finds herself in the process...." I've pledged my support and encourage you to check it out! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stardustwanderer/stardust-wanderer-tarot/ NOTE: I had some trouble when I used Chrome but Firefox worked perfectly. ~ Ruth Ann Best Practices for Professional Readers GET IN SYNC WITH THE NATURAL BUSINESS CYCLE By Gina Thies www.tarotadvisor.com / www.facebook.com/tarotreaders www.tarotcoupling.com / www.oraclesoup.org The cycles and patterns of the natural world have been recognized and studied by our ancestors, and their influence is still present in our lives today. Natural law, including the cycles of the Moon and other planetary influences, is followed by many practitioners. These cycles have also been quantified and organized in a way that shapes our world. Unless you live off the grid, you are sure to feel the impact of the fluctuations of the economy. Economists and monetary authorities have long studied the cycles of the economy that examines the constriction or expansion of economic activity. We are at odds of a sort with the natural cycle of the season when it comes to our business cycle. The cycle most of us use is based on the calendar year starting in January. In actuality, and my astrologers out there may agree, the new year starts in the Spring and not on January 1st. (I find it interesting that tax season ends in the Spring season, but I digress.) Entrepreneurs can benefit from understanding natural business cycles, which typically consist of four to six stages depending on the model. The stages are: • expansion • peak • recession • depression • trough • recovery These cycles are noticeable to us even if we are not aware of the theory. We know when our business is profiting (expansion), at maximum level or sustaining (peak), not getting as many appointments or have to chase business (recession), business trickles in or dries up for weeks or months (depression), accounts and savings are in the red (trough), and when there is an uptick in appointments, event, and/or booked classes (recovery). During each stage of the business cycle, it is important to remember that bills and expenses will still need to be paid, and none of our bill collectors care about what phase our business is in. As an example, my reading business is now about 80% events-based. The natural cycle for that means that I tend to be busier during weddings season (March – April), graduation celebrations (May-July), Fall (September- October) and the Winter holiday season December-January). Our clients spend based on similar cycles so you may notice that around the holidays, tax season, Summer, and the start of school could be feast or famine. More often consumers won't want to spend as much during these times, so you may want to tailor your prices and offers to match the spending habits of your clients during these times. To evaluate your business cycles and determine what was more lucrative and sustainable for your business, it is helpful to review your accounts and taxes from the past few years. This will help you to make informed decisions, especially with the pandemic having such an impact on the market. Natural law and the cycles of the economy have a significant impact on our lives and businesses. Understanding and following natural business cycles can help you make informed decisions and adjust your prices and offers to match the spending habits of your clients during different stages of the cycle. Reviewing past accounts and taxes can also help you evaluate your business cycles and determine what was more successful in the past. Upcoming Events:  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. Classes are recorded and all levels of experience are welcome! May 2023: 1 - Judgement 8 - The World 15 - Birth Cards Practicum: Public vs. Private 22 - Suit of Wands: Lineage & Qualities 29 - NO CLASS (Memorial Day) Get on the notification list to see what we'll be teaching each week. Find the form and register here: https://tarot.salon  Readings with Ruth Ann Running The Tarot School with Wald keeps me pretty busy, but I still love giving readings! My specialty is using your Birth Cards and Elemental Array (techniques Wald and I have developed) in conjunction with random draws to give you an extremely personalized and powerful reading. I excel at giving Readings for Readers so if you're always giving readings to others, let me help you with some self-care for a change! Click Here to book your private reading with me over Zoom.    
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