Hey! This is supposed to be a Tarot blog. Why are you writing about love?
Love? Really? ... I was asked to write about The Nature Of God. (Tarot post next time, I promise.)
God (if you will). The universal force of Love that binds and inspires us, creates and sustains us, permeates and links us all as one. The unconditional Love that gives the universe being.
Many people call this God, so I shall (on this occasion) describe it that way too. Just realise I'm not talking about a Santa Clause type religious figurehead. There is nothing, and everything, human about God. God is divine energy, and that energy is Love.
If more people opened themselves up to contact with the energy of love that dwells within all of us there would be far fewer wars, or violence, or crimes against each other. Because we'd realise that when we sin, we sin against ourselves.
Most people live in darkness and assume that that is the way that life is supposed to be.
This is the main problem with incarnating in flesh, the energy levels have to be stepped down in to the physical realm (hence auras and the different auric bodies) and we forget much of what we know and who we are, so that we can experience the things we want to experience, and learn the lessons we need to master in order to bring our energy levels back up to the way they were before Light and Dark seperated in to all that there is and is not - so that we can live as God, in free will.
And in the forgetful obscurity of physical incarnation we encounter pain. Pain is an essential of survival, but it is not a way of living - it's just a mechanism that tells us when something is not right. And lets face it, in the physical form most things can be interpreted as 'not right'.
But when you encounter pain, be it physical, emotional or mental it tends to overwhelm - or at the least distract - you from other ways of living, feeling, and thinking.
Instead of lashing out in your pain, and causing more pain to yourself and others around you, you need to disconnect so that you can determine the cause of the pain and then either disengage from it or find a way to heal it.
Once you are able to look past the pain, you will find that you can look beyond your own inner horizons and out in to the world - and discover that: others are going through the same traumas you are, you are not alone, it's not all about you (put aside your paranoia and suspicion); and if you keep looking out in to the world you will notice love, and selfless action being given freely by those who have learned to heal themselves despite being incarnated in flesh.
How can they do this?
These 'healers' explored the darkness around them, and one day they looked up and realised that they were not only in darkness, but that they were also in a deep hole which had an entrance above them, and outside that entrance it seemed to be dark there too. ... But gradually, as they balanced themselves and removed the negativity from their lives, the entrance to the hole became a lighter grey - and they realized that it was dawn outside, and that if they raised themself up they would come in to the light and the warmth of the sun (the energy of Love). And once they KNEW that, they could rise up out of the hole and walk in the sunlight.
It can be a very long process. But it's real. And there are sign posts along the way.
In your life, you may receive a visit from an energy being that can best be described as someone who loves you unconditionally - they will wrap you in their arms and the light of their love. And you will KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done or haven't done in your life - none of that is important. They love you because you are. And in that moment everything will be right.
You may percieve them as Jesus, or as an angel, or some other loving entity of the divine?
But then life continues as normal, and over time the memory of the warmth and love and rightness is put to the back of your mind, and eventually you may forget that you are loved....
And if you have not yet experienced this, do not feel distressed. It will happen for you, one day, one life. Or maybe you already live with love surrounding you and do not require this extra help to see the truth of living in love?
If you dwell in darkness and have not experienced this visit, open your eyes and examine your behaviour and attitudes, do you hide in fear? Do you hurt others in order to make yourself feel better? Maybe it's time to stop hiding, time to stop behaving negatively; and start trying a more positive approach?
If you have forgotten, remember it now.
And if you live in love, KNOW it now.
All things are loved: Humans, animals, plants, rocks. YOU ARE LOVED.
One day you may see the EarthSong. This is another marker on the path. - Stay your course, find the light, join the song, nurture others, believe in Love. Because Love is the reason you exist, and you are Loved ... just because.
Showing posts with label belief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label belief. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
How does Tarot work?
How does anything work? ... I suspect this is going to be a long post.
First things first. Tarot is a system of divination - the cards provide images, they are a focal point that can help the Reader tune in to (choose your religion/philosophy) the energies that permeate and create our world.
Do I have to be psychic to read Tarot?
Everyone has psychic ability. So even if you haven't developed your psychic abilities so far, you can learn to read the Tarot. It's mainly a matter of staying grounded and tuning yourself in. (Staying grounded is the hard part)
Do I have to believe in God, or angels, or nature spirits, or whathaveyou?
Belief is subjective, as is the way each of us views the universe, in my opinion....
[And for those of you who enjoy Zen: thing, or no-thing. ... are we covered?]
...Where was I? Oh yes. Belief, experience, the Universe, it's all subjective - and if you don't want to believe what I believe that's fine by me - but my explanation about how Tarot works is going to require that you have a vague idea of where I'm coming from so that you can evaluate how much of what I am saying is useful to you.
So, what do I believe? I believe that matter and energy are different forms of the same thing: Energy. Two sides of the same coin, if you will. Furthermore in my opinion Love (for want of a better word) is the Energy that binds and creates and inspires all things. So if I mention Self, Higher Self, soul, guardian spirits, etc, etc, I am merely talking about different levels of energy - some of which may have a sense of consciousness and/or self.
So it is important to remember that any time we make contact with other beings - from the energy realms or other people in our world (e.g. the person sat with you being read for) - these beings also view the universe subjectively, and their experience of the world may be very different from our experience of the world.
In some instances, their beliefs and subjectivity may be such that what they state as truth is something that we may flatly reject as invalid, falsehood, unacceptable ... or we may accept it as truth because it fits with our beliefs. And yet you should remember that it is just their opinion. Just because we find it acceptable doesn't make it truth. Another being is no wiser than you yourself are just because they are different to you.
(Which is why you should take my words as just being my opinion. They result from my subjective experiences and accumulated beliefs in a physical/limited form, and I may change them in a moment!)
Energy Levels
So how does any of the above apply to Tarot?
Well, ideally, when you sit down to give a reading for yourself or anyone else most books advise you get in to a meditative state - clear your mind of all external influences, so that your channel to the ethers/your Higher Self/etc, your psychic cognition is as effective as possible.
i.e. you are tuning in to the energies around you: the energy of the person being read for, your energy, the universal energy, etc.
(I would recommend avoiding gaining your information from "Angels" or any other being purporting to have wisdom - if you are using someone else's channel to gain insight, it has already been through one subjectivity filter ... why play Chinese Whispers like that? NB: sometimes it can be helpful, but it really depends on where they are coming from.)
So, to summarize: When you give a Tarot Reading, you prepare by clearing your mind of any junk (via meditation), then tune in to your Higher Self, the cards, and the person you are reading for.
How does Tarot work?
Well, you can do a reading without any of the above preparation work, the cards may give you information - but remember: garbage in, garbage out - And then of course there's the whole other issue of interpretation....
Right, so how does Tarot work?
Once you've cleared the channel, and tuned in - - the cards act as a focus for the Reader's psychic ability. ... There's so much involved in this, not sure where to start. ... Oracular Divination/interpretation. Energy Levels. Emotion vs Information. Attitude of the supplicant. Obfuscation. Higher Self lessons: does supplicant's Higher Self want them to know? Impact of other people in the room....
Let's start with an easy one....
Impact of other people in the room: Don't do it.
You, and the person asking for the reading. - - No one else should be there.
If there is a couple wanting a reading, make each of them wait in a different room while the other one is being read for. All truth is subjective. An Oracle is a private matter. The other person doesn't like it? Tough.
You can always tape record each session, and then if they choose to share the tapes with each other, that's up to them. But the Reading as it happens should be private: some of the information that comes through may not be suitable for all ears.
Higher Self lessons: does the supplicant's Higher Self want them to know? Sometimes a person is not supposed to know the answer to the question they are asking (or not a complete answer), because there is a life lesson they need to experience in a particular way.
If you're an experienced reader you should be able to tell relatively quickly whether this is the case - the cards either won't be giving an answer of any kind, or the answer given so definitely relates to a totally different issue that it's unmistakable. ... If the cards are being extra occult/confusing, it's likely because the person isn't supposed to know.
How the heck do you deal with this? The person has come to you with a well thought out question, your channel is clear, you're tuned in, and the cards are refusing to answer. You're drawing a blank, in effect being told "Now is not the time."
So, you tell them that.
And they ain't happy.
They've come for guidance and they're not getting it. ... Find out why they want to know, what motive and what attitude is driving their question? They need to spend time thinking about these motives and these attitudes. (Because chances are that the universe is about to seriously challenge the why of these.)
Perhaps they would like a new reading regarding their motive?
Attitude of the supplicant: Frequently people have not thought out their questions properly. Or they already know the answer and they don't like it or don't want to face it. Alternatively they might think Tarot is a joke and are trying it out just because...
The attitude of the person asking for a reading can have a big impact on the answers they get. If the question is unclear, the answer is likely to be unclear or confusing. Find out why they want to know what they want to know, and this will help narrow down the question to what they really wanted to ask. Otherwise, if they ask one thing, but mean another, they may get the answer to what they meant rather than what they actually asked (or vice versa)... which leads to wrong interpretations, confusion and inaccuracy.
If they think the Tarot is just a game, well then the universe [their Higher Self] has every right to play with them....
If the person has thought out their question carefully, and comes seeking clarification regarding the situation they are contemplating and possible courses of action - then they are much more likely to get a useful answer.
Emotion vs Information:
Emotion clouds issues, and it's a major source of inaccuracy: in asking the question; in gaining an answer; and in interpretation of the answer.
Emotions are a powerful source of energy - - and when you are dealing with a Tarot Reading energy = information. The stronger the emotion, the more dominant the energy. i.e. someone is projecting the information they want to hear in to the ethers, and the Reader has to seperate that want-imposed false information out from the actual universe information.
How can I describe it? ... Think colours. There is a nice piece of pink paper that you want to see, but someone else has painted bright red/purple/black all over it. How can you tell that the paper is pink? - This is pretty much what the Reader is faced with. They have to get passed all that paint before they can see the paper.
That's why remaining calm and having a clear channel to your own Higher Self/Universe energy is very important for you, the Reader. Getting passed all the unwanted energy, going "through the veil" (There are different levels of this - that's a discussion for another time).
Obfuscation: If the person's Higher Self has a lesson to teach them (as above), you are unlikely to be able to get a clear Reading ... or the Reading will steer them in to circumstances where they have the chance to learn the desired lesson.
This is where you get tricksey Readings, multiple possible interpretations, layer upon layer of meaning, or the cards just won't co-operate at all.
Take a step back, find out motives, discover where the blindspot lies and assist the person in finding a new perspective? Not easy. But better to give no Reading, or an open-ended Reading, than give a closed "this is the answer" Reading in such circumstances. The future is unpredictable and a clear path is unlikely to be available: but if you can help them take their blindfold off, or even make them aware that they are wearing one, it's a start.
Another source of obfuscation is the person you are reading for. They are purposely asking a different question from the one they want the answer to (possibly for legitimate reasons as they see it), or they are asking a difficult question in order to test you, the Reader. *sigh* The answer the cards give is likely to be telling, but your ability to interpret correctly will be hampered by the supplicant's circuitousness. They came to you, it's their choice to be evasive. - - It's a bit like going to the doctor and saying your toe hurts, when in fact you have a broken rib. Unless your body language gives it away, or the doctor accidentally brushes the rib and sees you wince, they're going to be concentrating on your foot.
Energy Levels: We more or less covered this in the section on Emotion vs Information.
But in addition to this, there are some people who like to play Chinese Whispers and get their information from other "beings" (some can be helpful, others really aren't) - who will have their own agendas, opinions and world view: Bias, if you like.
Alternatively the Reader may not have a clear channel to their Higher Self at the time of the Reading, for whatever reason, and thus will be swimming in muddy waters when it comes to getting information. Partial information mixed with a bunch of spurious assumptions on the part of the Reader can be a problem.
Don't let your view of how the world should be prevent you from looking a little further in to the veil. Everyone has their own truth, and remaining impartial is not easy. Bias is a big trap that I've seen several otherwise good Readers fall in to and give slightly duff information as a result (not wrong, just not right).
[If you are interested in finding out more about the energy levels of the body see Hands of Light by Barbara Ann Brennan, ISBN-13: 978-0553345391 for a really good guide to the Aura. Or for a basic grounding in Chakras there is C.W. Leadbetter's The Chakras, ISBN-13: 978-0835604222.]
Oracular Divination/interpretation:
Tricksey, tricksey cards ... a bunch of pictures that can be metaphor one moment and literal truth the next; and which part of the picture are you looking at any way? All of it? The lizard sitting under the throne? Or are you looking at nothing, channelling direct?
Where does the emphasis lie? Are there multiple meanings that need to be taken into account?
New cards add layers and require a revisit to earlier ones - the links are visible and change the meaning of the previous cards.
Whirling colours spinning away, unravelling reality before them and rebuilding it in a chaos of silken threads that barely support a person's weight....
How does it work? One may as well ask What is Zen? Someone who doesn't know the answer will likely try to tell you.
;)
First things first. Tarot is a system of divination - the cards provide images, they are a focal point that can help the Reader tune in to (choose your religion/philosophy) the energies that permeate and create our world.
Do I have to be psychic to read Tarot?
Everyone has psychic ability. So even if you haven't developed your psychic abilities so far, you can learn to read the Tarot. It's mainly a matter of staying grounded and tuning yourself in. (Staying grounded is the hard part)
Do I have to believe in God, or angels, or nature spirits, or whathaveyou?
Belief is subjective, as is the way each of us views the universe, in my opinion....
[And for those of you who enjoy Zen: thing, or no-thing. ... are we covered?]
...Where was I? Oh yes. Belief, experience, the Universe, it's all subjective - and if you don't want to believe what I believe that's fine by me - but my explanation about how Tarot works is going to require that you have a vague idea of where I'm coming from so that you can evaluate how much of what I am saying is useful to you.
So, what do I believe? I believe that matter and energy are different forms of the same thing: Energy. Two sides of the same coin, if you will. Furthermore in my opinion Love (for want of a better word) is the Energy that binds and creates and inspires all things. So if I mention Self, Higher Self, soul, guardian spirits, etc, etc, I am merely talking about different levels of energy - some of which may have a sense of consciousness and/or self.
So it is important to remember that any time we make contact with other beings - from the energy realms or other people in our world (e.g. the person sat with you being read for) - these beings also view the universe subjectively, and their experience of the world may be very different from our experience of the world.
In some instances, their beliefs and subjectivity may be such that what they state as truth is something that we may flatly reject as invalid, falsehood, unacceptable ... or we may accept it as truth because it fits with our beliefs. And yet you should remember that it is just their opinion. Just because we find it acceptable doesn't make it truth. Another being is no wiser than you yourself are just because they are different to you.
(Which is why you should take my words as just being my opinion. They result from my subjective experiences and accumulated beliefs in a physical/limited form, and I may change them in a moment!)
Energy Levels
So how does any of the above apply to Tarot?
Well, ideally, when you sit down to give a reading for yourself or anyone else most books advise you get in to a meditative state - clear your mind of all external influences, so that your channel to the ethers/your Higher Self/etc, your psychic cognition is as effective as possible.
i.e. you are tuning in to the energies around you: the energy of the person being read for, your energy, the universal energy, etc.
(I would recommend avoiding gaining your information from "Angels" or any other being purporting to have wisdom - if you are using someone else's channel to gain insight, it has already been through one subjectivity filter ... why play Chinese Whispers like that? NB: sometimes it can be helpful, but it really depends on where they are coming from.)
So, to summarize: When you give a Tarot Reading, you prepare by clearing your mind of any junk (via meditation), then tune in to your Higher Self, the cards, and the person you are reading for.
How does Tarot work?
Well, you can do a reading without any of the above preparation work, the cards may give you information - but remember: garbage in, garbage out - And then of course there's the whole other issue of interpretation....
Right, so how does Tarot work?
Once you've cleared the channel, and tuned in - - the cards act as a focus for the Reader's psychic ability. ... There's so much involved in this, not sure where to start. ... Oracular Divination/interpretation. Energy Levels. Emotion vs Information. Attitude of the supplicant. Obfuscation. Higher Self lessons: does supplicant's Higher Self want them to know? Impact of other people in the room....
Let's start with an easy one....
Impact of other people in the room: Don't do it.
You, and the person asking for the reading. - - No one else should be there.
If there is a couple wanting a reading, make each of them wait in a different room while the other one is being read for. All truth is subjective. An Oracle is a private matter. The other person doesn't like it? Tough.
You can always tape record each session, and then if they choose to share the tapes with each other, that's up to them. But the Reading as it happens should be private: some of the information that comes through may not be suitable for all ears.
Higher Self lessons: does the supplicant's Higher Self want them to know? Sometimes a person is not supposed to know the answer to the question they are asking (or not a complete answer), because there is a life lesson they need to experience in a particular way.
If you're an experienced reader you should be able to tell relatively quickly whether this is the case - the cards either won't be giving an answer of any kind, or the answer given so definitely relates to a totally different issue that it's unmistakable. ... If the cards are being extra occult/confusing, it's likely because the person isn't supposed to know.
How the heck do you deal with this? The person has come to you with a well thought out question, your channel is clear, you're tuned in, and the cards are refusing to answer. You're drawing a blank, in effect being told "Now is not the time."
So, you tell them that.
And they ain't happy.
They've come for guidance and they're not getting it. ... Find out why they want to know, what motive and what attitude is driving their question? They need to spend time thinking about these motives and these attitudes. (Because chances are that the universe is about to seriously challenge the why of these.)
Perhaps they would like a new reading regarding their motive?
Attitude of the supplicant: Frequently people have not thought out their questions properly. Or they already know the answer and they don't like it or don't want to face it. Alternatively they might think Tarot is a joke and are trying it out just because...
The attitude of the person asking for a reading can have a big impact on the answers they get. If the question is unclear, the answer is likely to be unclear or confusing. Find out why they want to know what they want to know, and this will help narrow down the question to what they really wanted to ask. Otherwise, if they ask one thing, but mean another, they may get the answer to what they meant rather than what they actually asked (or vice versa)... which leads to wrong interpretations, confusion and inaccuracy.
If they think the Tarot is just a game, well then the universe [their Higher Self] has every right to play with them....
If the person has thought out their question carefully, and comes seeking clarification regarding the situation they are contemplating and possible courses of action - then they are much more likely to get a useful answer.
Emotion vs Information:
Emotion clouds issues, and it's a major source of inaccuracy: in asking the question; in gaining an answer; and in interpretation of the answer.
Emotions are a powerful source of energy - - and when you are dealing with a Tarot Reading energy = information. The stronger the emotion, the more dominant the energy. i.e. someone is projecting the information they want to hear in to the ethers, and the Reader has to seperate that want-imposed false information out from the actual universe information.
How can I describe it? ... Think colours. There is a nice piece of pink paper that you want to see, but someone else has painted bright red/purple/black all over it. How can you tell that the paper is pink? - This is pretty much what the Reader is faced with. They have to get passed all that paint before they can see the paper.
That's why remaining calm and having a clear channel to your own Higher Self/Universe energy is very important for you, the Reader. Getting passed all the unwanted energy, going "through the veil" (There are different levels of this - that's a discussion for another time).
Obfuscation: If the person's Higher Self has a lesson to teach them (as above), you are unlikely to be able to get a clear Reading ... or the Reading will steer them in to circumstances where they have the chance to learn the desired lesson.
This is where you get tricksey Readings, multiple possible interpretations, layer upon layer of meaning, or the cards just won't co-operate at all.
Take a step back, find out motives, discover where the blindspot lies and assist the person in finding a new perspective? Not easy. But better to give no Reading, or an open-ended Reading, than give a closed "this is the answer" Reading in such circumstances. The future is unpredictable and a clear path is unlikely to be available: but if you can help them take their blindfold off, or even make them aware that they are wearing one, it's a start.
Another source of obfuscation is the person you are reading for. They are purposely asking a different question from the one they want the answer to (possibly for legitimate reasons as they see it), or they are asking a difficult question in order to test you, the Reader. *sigh* The answer the cards give is likely to be telling, but your ability to interpret correctly will be hampered by the supplicant's circuitousness. They came to you, it's their choice to be evasive. - - It's a bit like going to the doctor and saying your toe hurts, when in fact you have a broken rib. Unless your body language gives it away, or the doctor accidentally brushes the rib and sees you wince, they're going to be concentrating on your foot.
Energy Levels: We more or less covered this in the section on Emotion vs Information.
But in addition to this, there are some people who like to play Chinese Whispers and get their information from other "beings" (some can be helpful, others really aren't) - who will have their own agendas, opinions and world view: Bias, if you like.
Alternatively the Reader may not have a clear channel to their Higher Self at the time of the Reading, for whatever reason, and thus will be swimming in muddy waters when it comes to getting information. Partial information mixed with a bunch of spurious assumptions on the part of the Reader can be a problem.
Don't let your view of how the world should be prevent you from looking a little further in to the veil. Everyone has their own truth, and remaining impartial is not easy. Bias is a big trap that I've seen several otherwise good Readers fall in to and give slightly duff information as a result (not wrong, just not right).
[If you are interested in finding out more about the energy levels of the body see Hands of Light by Barbara Ann Brennan, ISBN-13: 978-0553345391 for a really good guide to the Aura. Or for a basic grounding in Chakras there is C.W. Leadbetter's The Chakras, ISBN-13: 978-0835604222.]
Oracular Divination/interpretation:
Tricksey, tricksey cards ... a bunch of pictures that can be metaphor one moment and literal truth the next; and which part of the picture are you looking at any way? All of it? The lizard sitting under the throne? Or are you looking at nothing, channelling direct?
Where does the emphasis lie? Are there multiple meanings that need to be taken into account?
New cards add layers and require a revisit to earlier ones - the links are visible and change the meaning of the previous cards.
Whirling colours spinning away, unravelling reality before them and rebuilding it in a chaos of silken threads that barely support a person's weight....
How does it work? One may as well ask What is Zen? Someone who doesn't know the answer will likely try to tell you.
;)
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