30 Day Tarot Challenge: The First 10 Days

30 Day Tarot Challenge

I absolutely love blogging about anything and everything.  However I love to blog about my journey with Tarot most.  While I try to be a regular blogger on http://sungoddesstarot.blogspot.com  the truth is, with multiple demands on my time, I find myself blogging perhaps at best fortnightly. 

So I discovered this 30 Day Tarot Challenge here http://78keys.tumblr.com/post/36652622634/30-day-tarot-challenge
which excited me quite a lot. Kudos to Ree for thinking up of this fun challenge!  However, my challenges were that 1) I had to blog each day for 30 days about the given topic and 2) my fellow Tarot blogging friends are already at Day 10 of the challenge.

Incidentally, my Card du Jour picked on this day that I started on the 30 Day Tarot Challenge, was the Queen of Wands.  The Queen of Wands is known to take on any challenge with determination, passion and confidence.  She will never shy away from a challenge.  So, the Queen has spoken, I started with Day 1 of this blogpost on the night of 11 December 2012 and aim to complete it by 31 December 2012.   You might be wondering why I am taking only 20 days to complete a 30 day challenge.  Well, I have decided to complete the first 10 questions in 1 day to catch up with my fellow Tarot bloggers who are participating in this challenge too.  I really don’t fancy being ‘Slow Poke Jo’.      
     
Day 1 - What introduced you to/got you involved in Tarot?

When I was very young, I found a book on Cartomancy amongst Dad’s huge collection of books.  Typical to a person with a Life Path 7, that book intrigued me and I used a deck of regular playing cards for the purpose of trying out what I had learnt in the book.  I think I found my gift of intuition then because even with just the use of regular playing cards, I got insights about situations in my childhood even from them.  Of course, it helped that Granny too, is deeply intuitive and I may have picked that from her.

Over the years as I grew older, I visited a professional Tarot reader, now my teacher, quite regularly.  As I was not satisfied with just getting a reading, but wanted to understand the significance of the symbols within the Tarot cards, I started reading up about the cards too.  In that way, I could get the most out of my Tarot reader, and lend depth to any questions that I wanted to ask of her. 

In the beginning of this year, I decided to make that bold move to attend my Tarot teacher’s basic Tarot workshop, then went on to attend her advanced level Tarot workshop.  Graduating from her class wasn’t enough for me, as the spark had been lit and I wanted to take it further.  I started pursuing my studies further with the American Tarot Association, then got certified as professional Tarot reader by the Tarot Certification Board of America.  Following which I obtained a Tarosophy Diploma. 

My esoteric studies haven’t ended.  I then got myself certified as an advanced numerologist as I enjoy overlaying numbers with the Tarot card interpretations that I do for my clients.  Now that I have embarked on Reiki as well, these will all further lend depth to  my work with clients who come to me for a Tarot reading.

Day 2 - What was your first deck and why/how did you get it?

My first Tarot deck was the Mythic Tarot by Juliet Sharman-Burke, Liz Greene and Tricia Newell, upon the recommendation of my Tarot teacher.  It was based on the Rider Waite system and was fairly easy to read as the images were rather archetypal.  I had a love for classical studies and the fact that the deck was based on Greek mythology helped spur my interest to get to know the individual cards better.

Even when my Tarot teacher trained me on interpreting the Tarot cards, she used Greek mythology to explain the concepts.  I could hardly peel my hands from the cards, listening in awe as she conducted the lesson in a way a mother tells a story to a kid before bedtime.  With the Mythic Tarot deck, I fell in love with Demeter, and wanted to be like her, the protective Empress full of love for her daughter Persephone.  I was intrigued by Jason and the Argonauts in the suit of Wands which taught me to govern difficult situations with determination, passion and creativity.

After having been trained with the Mythic Tarot deck, I practiced with it on my friends and family.  As I practiced with fellow Tarot readers, I started getting exposed to other decks as well.

Day 3 - Do you have more than one deck that you use, and, if so, do you have a favorite? If not, why do you like the deck you have chosen?

I have 10 Tarot decks altogether and am still collecting more:  The Mythic Tarot deck ( my training deck);   the Radiant Rider Waite deck ( I use this for face-to-face readings with clients);  the Giant Rider Waite deck ( good for teaching/mentoring my protégés);   the Goddess Tarot deck ( I use this when I am reading for  high-powered executive women.  Somehow it resonates with them);  the Tarot of the Holy Light deck ( I bought it for the vivid colors and interesting symbolisms but still have yet to find affinity with the deck);   the Wizards Tarot ( I like this deck because it is so cute.  It makes me feel like Harry Potter going to school );  the Gilded Tarot deck ( I gave this to my son, Joel because of the beautiful images which I had hoped would encourage him to pick up the skill.  However I regretted it now that I saw the voluptuous figure on that Lovers card); the Tarot of Nostradamus (This was a gift from the hubby and is one of the more difficult decks for me to understand), the Rosetta Tarot deck (This was another gift from hubby. I love the vivid colors of this deck and more importantly, it started me on my discovery of Golden Dawn concepts.)

My favorite deck however, is the Morgan Greer Tarot deck.  The colors of this deck are just so beautiful and somehow, I found this deck talking to me most.  It is definitely easy to interpret because it’s based on the Rider Waite system which most of us are familiar with.  This is the deck that I use for email readings.  Granny bought me a beautiful silk pouch from Japan just for this deck.

Day 4- How long have you been reading the Tarot?

I had dabbled in Tarot cards for a few years and read for myself in that duration.  However, I picked up the skill of reading for others only since the beginning of the year when I gained proficiency in it through the courses I took.  Being a reader for the Free Tarot Network and Biddy Tarot had given me immense amount of practice.  On an average day, I do about 7-8 email readings each evening, and on an average week, I do about 8-10 face to face readings each week. Increasingly, I noticed that as I gained even more experience with my readings over the months, I learnt something new each time.  More importantly, the practice had sharpened my intuitive skills a lot more.

Day 5- When and where did you give your first reading?

My first reading face to face was done with a fellow novice Tarot reader from my advanced Tarot class. It was more a practice session.  Then I went on to meet fellow Tarot readers at the Tarot meet-ups and did my first reading for a stranger there.  As a reader for Biddy Tarot and the Free Tarot Network, I had my first experience with email readings then.    My first paying clients both face to face and via email came from people I didn’t know, who had searched for me via Google as they had chanced upon my blog.  My first reading at an event was done for the company that I am working for, who organized a charity event in support of the Children’s Cancer Foundation.  From there, I was introduced to the world of Tarot readings at events when by word of mouth, I was hired to do Tarot readings for birthdays, bachelorette parties and corporate functions.

Day 6 - What was the first spread you learned?

The first spread I had learnt was the horseshoe spread.  It’s a very simple straight forward spread which required me to pull a card for each specific position of Self, Situation, Obstacle, Development, Outcome and Advice.  It is the perfect spread for beginner Tarot readers as it didn’t require one to be proficient at reading reversed cards.  More importantly, it was so easy to remember the positions without agonizing if I got the flow correct.  Now that I think about it, I realized that my early journey with Tarot was that rigid. Thankfully now,  I  have learnt to design my own spread after gaining some experience and preferred to listen to my intuition when it came to choice of spreads.

Outcome

Self

               

Situation

Develop-ment

Advice

Obstacle

 










Day 7 - What is your favorite card (both in terms of the deck’s artwork and divinatory meaning)?
My favorite card is the Tower from the Radiant Rider Waite deck. It’s possibly a card that every client would hate to pick because the card signifies sudden and unexpected change and adversity.  The image on the card depicts a tall Tower perched atop a mountain, a symbol of men’s lofty ambitions.  It is struck by a bolt of lightning, which is a symbol of sudden inspiration, or a realization of the truth.  Flames burst out of its windows, threatening to burn the Tower to the ground.  This is a symbol of the destruction of existing structures, preconceived notions, and any irrelevant concepts or situation that no longer serve a purpose.  People are seen falling from the Tower, head first, in an act of desperation in a bid to escape disaster.  It’s a symbol of the upsetting of old beliefs and pre-conceived ideas.  This Tower is set in the background of grey clouds and rain, representing misfortune.

This is my favorite card because the imagery lends a lot of clarity to the interpretation.  One can’t run away from the fact that he or she needs to accept these changes and brave the challenges in order to embrace a new life.  This card for me, is really a lesson in life.  In our lifetime, there will be a few “Tower” moments.  If I hadn’t been a Tarot reader, I wouldn’t have had the understanding that the universe is using these moments of change, to help me build a better life.

Day 8 - Which card do you dread pulling the most?
I do dread pulling cards like the 3 of swords, 5 of Cups, and 10 of Swords for my clients.  I have always treated my clients as friends and whenever they feel a lot of pain, I feel that pain along with them.  In that moment as I read for a client, I do assume his or her energy.  That’s why meditation is very important for me and allows me to ground, centre and set up the boundaries necessary for me to conduct a Tarot reading in a manner that can constructively help my client.

The card I dread pulling most for my clients is the 5 of Cups, and more so when I pull out the card in the reversed position  As one that likes to view the world in a positive light, I see the card as a client’s self-inflicted sense of negativity which could be a situation he or she could come out of, by choice.  The image on a 5 of Cups card, shows a cloaked man looking away at 3 spilt cups representing his disappointment and feelings of loss.  2 upstanding cups are behind him but he doesn’t even consider them.  Quite often, when a client picks this card, I try to comfort him or her with the assurance that one should count the blessings and other opportunities presented by the universe.  Worse, when my client picks the card in a reversed position, I know he or she is having problems moving past this disappointment and will harbor a lot of hurt for a long time.

In the heat of the moment, whatever assurance I may provide, some clients just wouldn’t want to look at the brighter side of things.  My gripe is that, whatever challenges and disappointments one may face, the universe will never let anyone face it alone and without an option.  One do have a choice to look up from one’s footsteps from time to time, to view the sunrise.

Day 9 - What card do you pull the most often? Why do you think that is the case?

I do pull the 5 of Cups reversed quite regularly for my clients. This is quite expected when often, they visit me for a Tarot reading when they are not able to get past an issue that has caused them a lot of pain. 

For myself, I pull a card du jour every day as a matter of practice since the day I formally learnt to read the Tarot cards.  

Lately the card that showed up more than twice last month was the 7 of Cups.  Usually, I might get a little worried with the presence of the card as it may signify confusion in my many choices.  I wasn’t though.  Deep within me, I realize that amidst the various challenges ranging from the skepticism that I face daily as a Tarot reader and the challenges that I have in juggling commitments between time with my family, time with my Tarot clients, and time with my day job, this card was explicitly telling me to follow my bliss.  

 I have got a deep sense of fulfillment whenever I read the Tarot cards for my clients and an even deeper sense of fulfillment when I have chosen to support the Children’s Cancer Foundation with part proceeds from my Tarot consultation fees.  In my day job, I realized that my skills as a Tarot reader and numerologist have helped me to manage interpersonal relationships within the office.  With skeptical friends and family members, honestly, I found my bliss when my hubby became my biggest fan and advocate.

Day 10- What card best represents you/your personality (or, is most often pulled to represent you in a spread)?

Definitely, I identify most with the Queen of Wands.  She’s an embodiment of Fire energy, very much aligned to the astrological sign of Leo which governs me.  She will never shy away from a challenge, and embraces life with a lot of passion and energy.  She rides the rough with determination and confidence, and is never afraid to get out of her comfort zone.

I am generally full of passion for anything that interests me.  With Tarot, the fire in me just burns like an olympic torch.  I can talk about it incessantly and would enthusiastically pursue further knowledge to hone my Tarot reading skills.  I am not afraid of the skeptics around me, who constantly ask me where I've parked my broom.  I love my clients, and am very proud that my Tarot reading skills have helped so many along their respective journeys.  I am even more proud that the proteges whom I mentor, have also been reading quite proficiently.

 Incidentally today, I picked the Queen of Wands as my card du jour.  I guess the Queen was urging me to take up this 30 day Tarot challenge as a way to revisit my journey with Tarot.  This had significance for me, particularly as in the coming few days, we will be celebrating Yule which symbolizes the return of Light into our lives.  Tarot brought me light, and through me, I hope Tarot has also brought light to my clients.

The Next 20 Questions

Hmm…by this Day 10’s topic, I am starting to feel like I am getting interviewed!.  I am so proud of myself for completing 10 questions in 1 sitting though.  It helped that tonight, the hubby has got band practice, the son is on the phone with his girlfriend, I have completed a few email Tarot readings and the only thing I have to entertain me now are re-runs of Law & Order on TV.

So for the next 20 questions,  Slow Poke Jo can slowly and steadily take my time with these questions while enjoying the blog posts of fellow Tarot bloggers on this challenge.

About The Writer:
The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and was recently certified as a numerologist in Singapore. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also endorsed as a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.   She can be contacted at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com

Let Tarot Help You Move On When You Need To

Romance In My Youth

When I was much younger and single, my world revolved around exciting dates, flowers and chocolates-filled romance, moon-lit walks and candle-lit dinners with my boyfriends.  Sigh.  Youth.  Those heady days came with plenty of heartbreak, disappointment and mismatched expectations that accompanied these relationships.  Thankfully, with time, experience and <er-hemm>, maturity, putting some of these relationships behind me became increasingly easier.  I knew over the years that somehow, the Universe will hold my hand through these relationships and present the right romantic opportunity to me in its own time and pace.  And it did.

Difficult To Let Go

As a Tarot reader, there’s never a day that would pass by without at least one question from a client with regard to romance and relationships.  I often joke to my friends that I am starting to feel like the “Doctor of Love”.  Even when I was doing Tarot readings at a public event geared towards school-leavers and mid-career job-switchers, 90% of the questions asked were about relationship!  

I do welcome them because truly,  I know from experience how difficult it is to maneuver the complicated dynamics of 2 different people with different aspirations attempting to find a middle ground within which they both can thrive and grow as a couple.   It is hard work.  If you are blessed to have found the right person, you’d definitely know it without doubt.   However, amongst those who haven’t found the right partner and had to manage the disappointments and emotional pain that followed, there were some clients who have clung to that heartbreak for a very long time.

The following are a few key Tarot cards that reflect the emotional state of these clients who are still clinging on to the past and encourage them to make a commitment to heal from their wounds, put the past behind them and start on a clean slate so that they can readily embrace a new relationship when the Universe presents that opportunity to them. 

The Tower Reversed
The Tower in the upright position is a reflection of sudden and unexpected changes, turmoil and adversity that is necessary to rock one’s comfort zone enough to allow for opportunities of growth and regeneration. In the reversed, the Tower signifies one’s unwillingness to accept these changes and painfully delaying the process of change. 

 Death Reversed
Death in the upright position is a reflection of transformation from a major phase of one’s life.  In the reversed, Death signifies the reluctance to let go of the past and a refusal to acknowledge that the transformation is needed to bring about a new and brighter future.

6 Of Swords Reversed
6 of Swords in the upright position signifies an important period of transition that one has to make which requires him or her to leave the past completely behind.  In the reversed position, it is a reflection of one experiencing the challenge of not being able to move on from the past, and allowing the past to catch up with him or her due to unresolved issues.

3 of Swords Reversed
3 of Swords in the upright position indicate that one is going through emotional hurt and disappointment.  In the reversed, it indicates that one is still suffering from the pain of that loss and heartbreak and is unable to move on. The heart is always the hardest thing to heal isn’t it?

The Devil
Tired of the reversed cards yet?  Then, there’s the Devil. The Devil represents one’s fears as well as feelings of negativity and entrapment.  In a relationship reading, one could be stuck in an unhealthy relationship yet may be unable to move on from it because of the perception that he or she can continue to wait out the pain whilst attempting to resolve the conflicts and tension.  Perhaps one also has fears that when he or she moves on from that unhealthy relationship, there will not be that perfect relationship waiting for him or her out there.  I remembered reading for a client who was in an abusive relationship.  She was of the opinion that she “deserved” her partner’s verbal and physical abuse because she thought that defined true love.  The Devil card was in her Tarot spread.  Needless to say, the advice that the card wanted to give her then was to start re-evaluating her relationship goals.

Strength And Commitment To Move On

I have a strong belief that the Universe allows such relationship challenges to happen along the way on our journey to find the right partner, so that we can hone our communication skills, honesty, openness, and the determination to make the right relationships work in the long term with the right partner.   

Before one can commit to the right partner in the long term, one has to commit to heal completely from past relationship wounds, hurts and disappointments.  When one door closes, always know that there will be another one that will open, and that door that opens may be the right one.   How can one give the right partner a chance, and embrace the opportunity of a better and more meaningful relationship when one still clings on to the residual negativity of the past?

So which Tarot card have you come across in your readings, either as a client or a Tarot reader yourself, that's not within this list, which had presented a clear message to you, to move on ?

About The Writer:
The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and is also a  certified numerologist.  She runs a consultancy in Singapore called Sun Goddess Tarot which offers intuitive readings welding the metaphysical disciplines of Tarot, Numerology and Astrology. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.   She can be contacted at joanna@sungoddesstarot.com,  www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com

Fix, Not Fear The Five Of Each Suit

First Reaction To A 5 Of Any Suit

Yesterday, at a Tarot reading session for a client, one of the cards picked in the Tarot spread was the 5 of Cups. Her question pertained to her state of relationship with her husband, and she stared intently at that card. Before I could even provide her a detailed narrative of the significance of the card to her situation, she burst out crying. Our hour together went on to 2 1/2 hours because I truly wanted to support her as much as I could and realized that her despondency set in deeper when the image on the card appeared quite negative at first glance.

So, I have decided to dedicate this blog post to the family of 5s; 5 of Pentacles, 5 of Wands, 5 of Cups and 5 of Swords, to share my perspective that these cards are not to be feared, They are possibly the cards that can offer you the best advice ever to lift you from the negativity of your situation. For this purpose, I am using my Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

5 Of Pentacles

The image on the 5 of Pentacles card shows a destitute couple walking through a snow, one is limping with a crutch in hand, and the other is covered by a shawl. A church is in the background with 5 pentacles etched on its stained glass window.

Typically, this card is a reflection of the querant going through financial strive, loss of job or home, or other material adversities. However, I often like to take the querants on a journey into the card and show them the crutch and the shawl that are there to Iend them support and warmth in their time of need. I'd point to the church behind them which is a symbol of spiritual comfort. Most importantly, I'd point out to the fact that there are 2 people in the card, each of them are not alone.

So, when you see the 5 of Pentacles, ask yourself these questions. What currently within your situation is that resource you may have to help you through the challenges? Whom can you ask for help? What or who is that 'church', 'crutch' or 'shawl' in your life ? Know that when you are thrown into a deep end, you will always find some form of support floating nearby, and your struggles against the tide will bring you lessons richer than ocean life that can only make you stronger.

5 Of Wands

The image on the 5 of Wands card shows a group of people dressed in different clothes, raising their rods in competition with each other.

Typically, the 5 of Wands is a reflection of the querants experiencing struggles, tension and conflict within their respective environments. However, I'd often invite the querants to "walk into the card" with me so that we can get a better assessment of the situation. The people in the card image wearing different outfits reflect the different beliefs, opinions, values of the people the querants are dealing with. On closer look at the card, the people raising their rods aren't hitting each other with it. The rods are raised to create awareness, fear, noise and possibly to just put their individual points across.

So, when you pick a 5 of Wands, ask yourself these questions. At what point can you come to a compromise? Can you agree to disagree? If you can't change the situation, can you change how you think about the situation? Know that life is made more colorful and interesting because diversities exist. People's attitudes, beliefs and approach to things are so different, and if you can learn to respect that diversity and work within a framework with proper rules of engagement, you don't have to see life as one big struggle.

5 of Cups

The image of the 5 of Cups card depicts a man in a dark cloak who has turned away in despair. On the ground sits 5 cups, 3 of them have been knocked over and the 2 remaining cups left standing. In front of him, a river flows in a torrent of waves separating him from his house. A bridge is seen at a far distance.

Typically the 5 of Cups is a reflection of the querants experiencing emotional loss, disappointment, inability to attain a goal and perhaps not able to accept or move on from these challenges. However, during our journey into the card, I'd point to the 2 upstanding cups and tell the querants that there is hope, they should never lose hope. I'd point to the bridge and tell them that if they had bothered to look further ahead, they'd see they can get support in their time of need, and there is perhaps a silver lining in their situations. That bridge is beckoning them to walk over, cross the river and move on.

So when you pick the 5 of Cups, ask yourself these questions. Is the person you're experiencing that disappointment over, worth it? Did you look closely enough to find the right solutions to the issue? Were you expecting too much? Did you reassess your goals? Know that challenging situations are opportunities to teach you valuable lessons. And really, it's okay to give yourself time to heal.

5 of Swords

The image on the 5 of Swords resonates tumultuous energy and depicts a man looking intently at his conquered enemies. 2 men are seen walking away from him. He brandishes 3 swords in his hand and 2 swords lay haphazardly on the ground.

Typically, the 5 of Swords is a reflection of the querants undergoing conflicts, hostility, isolation and tension. The card also speaks of negative ambition and perhaps the querants may have achieved something but at a great cost.

A "walk into the card" together often provides greater clarity for the querants to see if the "swords" are worth fighting for or perhaps they should pick their battles. When we "talk" to the image of the 2 men walking away in defeat, we often come to a conclusion that the continued perception of betrayal or that all is forever lost will only perpetuate greater disillusionment.

So when you pick the 5 of Swords, ask yourself these questions. What are you prepared to give up for that win? Can your disillusionment change the situation for the better? What can you do to rally the right support to help your situation?

The 5s Are Your Best Guides

I often like to precede my Tarot reading sessions with clients by telling them that Tarot is not a fortune telling tool but rather a tool to help them uncover choices with which they can use to influence the outcomes of their respective situations. The 5s are possibly the best 4 cards in a Tarot deck that can provide you with the necessary guidance to help you influence a positive outcome. I don't believe in destiny. Destiny is in your hands. I like to tell my clients that if they can't change their situations, they should change the way they think about their situations.

About The Writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and was recently certified as a numerologist in Singapore. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.

She can be contacted at www.facecbook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com

A Focused Question Please

Upholding Ethics As A Tarot Reader

I love Tarot. When I chanced upon my intuitive gifts and discovered my purpose to bring light, clarity and assurance to the people around me, using my Tarot cards, I came in contact with numerous clients from all over the world, and from different walks of life. Over time, these clients have become more than clients, They became friends. I care a lot about my friends and when I do a Tarot reading for them, it's with the genuine purpose of holding their hands through life's challenges, the way any friend would walk with me through difficult times.

Because I care a lot about my clients, governing my Tarot reading with a set of code of ethics is very important to me.

As a Certified Professional Tarot Reader, I hold very strongly to my ethical codes. I am governed by the ethics of my certification from the Tarot Certification Board of America and am proudly adhering to the code of ethics upheld by the American Tarot Association and the Tarot Association of the British Isles at which I am a member. There are some things I am more finicky about and these are the code of confidentiality and that I do not answer questions bordering on offering health, financial and legal advice, preferring to leave these to professionally trained experts in their respective fields of practice. I care a lot about my clients, so the code of ethics are designed to protect them as clients, and to uphold my professionalism as a Tarot reader.

A Focused Question Please

There are also other things I am finicky about in my practice as a professional Tarot reader. They are not part of the code of ethics but I adhere strongly to them as well. For example, I am really strict about the need for clients to provide me with a focused question and not expect me to do a "general reading". Like the code of ethics, my being strict about this has to do with 1) my caring immensely about my clients so much, that I refuse to "fluff" a generic interpretation out of a Tarot spread for him or her and 2) I have way to much respect for my Tarot cards.

The Tarot is a powerful tool, but it must be used properly and with respect, not only for the knowledge it contains but for its ability to connect with the deepest recesses of our inner wisdom. Although the Tarot can be successfully used to answer mundane or practical questions, its highest value is as a guide to genuinely help people who are going through real adversities in their lives. That's why I always ask clients to provide a specific question focused on an aspect of their lives or on a pressing issue that they may have, so that the Tarot cards can provide a focused answer to help support my clients in need.

I have immense respect for my Tarot cards and the intuitive gifts that the universe has bestowed on me that I am determined to use them only to serve the higher purpose of holding my clients' hands through challenging times. So please don't ask me for a "general read" because the cards are not like the rabbit in a magician's hat, to be pulled at whim whether for pure entertainment or as a test of my Tarot reading skills. I believe that if one could prioritize time between multiple commitments in life, then one should be able to prioritize issues amongst a slew of challenges life throws at him or her. So please, if you don't have any issues, I am genuinely happy that you are so blessed. However, don't waste a Tarot reader's time by asking him or her to do a general read. Instead, allow the Tarot reader to spend time and energy on helping another client with genuine issues resolve one.

Also, another thing I don't do is to put out a Tarot spread to do a reading about celebrities and various aspects of their lives. I don't care why Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise split and I don't care for Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Doing a Tarot reading for anyone without expressed permission is downright rude.

Don't Get Me Wrong

Please don't misunderstand my intentions. I don't let pride get in the way of my genuine love for helping my clients. My Tarot cards are way too clever. If I let my pride get in the way of the practice, the cards and my intuition will never open a world of clear options and answers for my clients and me. And if I was in it for the money, these strict adherence to the code of ethics and my beliefs would never creep into my practice. They would have gone out of the window along with my clients and my consultancy.

I am in it for the pure intent of using my gifts from the Universe to provide my clients with clarity and assurance.

“Professionalism is not about adherence to the policies of a bureaucracy. Professionalism is about having the integrity, honesty, and sincere regard for the personhood of the customer, in the context of always doing what is best for the business. Those two things do not need to be in conflict.” ~ Eric Lippert, software expert, author.

About The Writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and was recently certified as a numerologist in Singapore. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.

She can be contacted at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com

Brushing My Shadow Away With A Besom This Samhain

The Shadow

Whether you have come from the previous blog post of the lovely Aisling at http://tarotwitchery.blogspot.com/2012/10/samhain-blog-hop-searching-shadows.html, or you are my regular blog reader or perhaps you may have just chanced upon this blog post, thanks for visiting my blog.

The topic for this blog post was developed by my fellow Tarot Bloghoppers  and specially themed around the significance of Samhain  or Halloween.  We were asked to explore the “True” us and get to know our “Shadow Selves” better for this blog post. 

This was an interesting opportunity to understand the Jungian theory of the “Shadow” and relate it to myself.  Carl Jung said “whatever the form it (the shadow) takes, the function of the shadow is to represent the opposite side of the ego and to embody those qualities that one dislikes most in other people.”  So it comes as no surprise, that I feel a measure of discomfort when I meet emotionally needy, highly sensitive and clingy people.   I often serve up some “tough love” towards my family, friends and clients when they face issues and find it difficult to embrace  a challenge head on or are not able to move on from a disappointing situation.   I do appear quite hard with some of them, in a bid to shake them out of their “woe is me” attitudes to their situation.   So, before you judge me for being the Tarot Ogre, this is how it all started.

The Past

I was raised within a strict Asian family who were staunch Roman Catholics.  Mom might as well have been a professional pope.  So when I went through a failed first marriage and got a divorce, then subsequently married my husband who was of a different nationality, and an atheist, Mom and Dad cut me off for years out of their disappointment in me, refusing to have anything to do with me. Independently, I rebuilt my life and my relationship with my son as I was a “weekend mother”, a position I was forced into by the custody agreement.  Those years of depression, solitude, guilt and anxiety were perhaps the building blocks for the personality of my “shadow self”.   

During those lonely years, even when Mom hung the phone up on me, I would continue to call her without fail on a daily basis, just to ask how everyone was.  When my son’s friends thought he was weird and had 3 parents, I was the one who had to hold him close and explain as best as I could that he was a blessed child surrounded by love. 

When Grandpa was frail and sickly, I was prevented from going to see him because they didn’t want an outcast in the family home.   At Grandpa’s birthday, I just drove up to the house, greeted family members who couldn’t look me in the eye, or who waved me away as if I was a leper and wished Grandpa a Happy Birthday before I turned around to leave. 

Till today, even though my parents and I have reconciled, I had never forgotten the bitterness which occasionally still welled up within me.  My heart still hurt with regret that I couldn’t spend enough time with my Grandpa during those years and soon after he passed away.  There was still so much left unsaid between him and me, but I didn’t get that a chance, because that chance was taken away from me by biasness and myopic opinions of my parents and even some friends then, stuck behind the guise of religion and what my Asian culture calls “Face”.  Any word or deed that forces me to stray from the expected societal norm and behavior would cause a loss of "Face”.
  
The Impact Of The Past

"Face” protected my "Shadow Self", and made me a hard woman, tough on myself and others.  I seldom display any semblance of vulnerability and would temper my need to be overly expressive.  I don’t give myself  leeway to seek my own personal fulfillment at the expense of “Face”.  

Any display of such intolerable “weakness” might be frowned upon by society.  I might be deemed unsuitable to be a great mother, wife, daughter, friend, marketeer, manager, and tarot reader, if I shed that mask of a super tough bitch with balls of brass, and present my vulnerable, highly insecure and sensitive self.  Society is unforgiving of people who are weak and vulnerable.  I would lose credibility with Tarot clients and protégés if they saw my insecure and sensitive side.

“Face” is a tremendous yoke around the necks of my Asian community that corresponded with Jung’s concept of the “Shadow”. It would cause an unacceptable loss of face if we were to allow our “Shadow” to emerge from its hiding place.  I am expected to not show my sensitivity and emotional vulnerability, always keeping a lid on it because I have always been brought up to be strong, sensible, and tough. If I chose to marry someone, no matter how wrong that choice was, the deal was – I had to sleep in the bed I made.  I was not allowed to change the course of my decisions and succumb to my emotional need for true fulfillment.

In fact, true to Jung’s ideas, when I met someone who acted out the behavior that I was condemned for,  I would react to that person with the same judgment.  I had judged friends who chose to quit their jobs in mid-career to travel the world in a bid to find new purpose - I thought they were weak and couldn't stand the heat of the corporate kitchen.   

 Really, did I need to be this judgemental?

The Present

When I became a Certified Professional Tarot Reader, my family and friends approached the idea with skepticism, not for the skill, but for the notion that I will never be taken seriously and possibly not treated with respect.  I do appreciate the fact that they were genuinely concerned for me.  However, I chose to further hone my skills and walked that journey with my Tarot cards because it was the only channel which took away all forms of lies, masks and other barriers to my true self.  The Tarot cards, through me, revealed only the truths to my clients.  No wonder I felt so fulfilled each time I read the Tarot and uncovered choices that my clients might make, and even helped them tackle their respective “Shadow Selves” which had previously prevented them from making better choices before. 

I often worry “But how do I explain what I do?”  This is “Face” talking.  This "Face" did show up at social events when I meet high flying senior executives of companies who may only think of a Tarot reader as the hired help, fronting the fringe activities offered to entertain clients at these events.   My “Shadow” of insecurity and vulnerability often hid between the crevices while my tough Tarot ogre self showed up, bellowing, “I am a Certified Professional Tarot Reader, I help my clients uncover right choices to influence the outcome of their situations themselves.  I am not a Fortune Teller!” 

Really, did I have to defend my gift of intuitive skills? 

Brush Off The Cobwebs With A Besom

I needed to brush away the negativity of my “Shadow Self with a besom,  so I had to force it out of the crevice  to expose her sensitive side so that when I defend my intuitive skills, it is not out of the need to defend my ego and pretend to be strong, but for the truly genuine purpose of educating the people around me about what Tarot is all about.

As we celebrate Samhain, Third Harvest, Old Hallowmas, All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween, or All Soul’s Day or whatever one might label a day where we remember our ancestors, or relatives and friends that have passed on,    I thought this might be the right time to bring out my besom.  I wanted to deal with my “Shadow” head on, so that I can move on to better help salve the wounds of my Tarot clients. 

Samhain to me, was not just a festival that honored the dead or the past.  It was also a festival that honored the future in the form of a rebirth or reawakening of values and a commitment to hold true to these values.  I wanted to hold true to my free will to make the right choices. I wanted to hold true to liberation of thought. I wanted to hold true to my pursuit for only passions that will fulfill me.

So I shuffled my Tarot cards to the question “What’s my “Shadow” most afraid of and can I sweep it away forever?”  I picked the Lovers card and the Queen of Cups from the Rosetta Tarot deck – the most unlikely pair of cards which I wouldn’t have associated with Samhain. 

However, these cards were clearly telling me that I couldn’t just sweep my “Shadow” away as it was here to stay.   It was a message for me to integrate with it instead.

 The Lovers + Queen of Cups

The Lovers represent the unification of opposites and I saw the opposites of our respective personalities within the card.  It was an integration of the “detached and tough persona” with a “sensitive and vulnerable persona”.  These 2 personas were being held apart by "FACE".   The integration of both, and my eventual understanding of how to manage each of these personalities would liberate me and help me to make right choices for myself,  governed with the balance of the head and the heart. The mirrors depicted in the card image were a reminder to me that I often see the image of my “Shadow” in others and would react to it in Judgement.  I also see the story of Andromeda and Perseus in the first mirror which reflect the theme of Liberation.  The second mirror depicted the story of the Judgement of Paris when Zeus asked Paris to choose the fairest of the 3 goddesses and Paris gave the golden apple to Aphrodite.  This mirror reflected the theme of Choice.

 How apt.

The Queen of Cups was the next interesting card I picked.  She embodies one who is compassionate and creative, yet intuitive and emotionally balanced.  The Book of Seshet which explained the Rosetta Tarot deck in detail described this Queen as one that uses her heart more than her head.   However, my experience with the deck and my interpretation of the image which depicts her looking at her reflection  in the water, have often found her one who is emotionally balanced and controlled.  I saw the balance in the reflection mirroring the Queen.  The image also reflects the Queen’s need to decide that what she sees in front of her is true scrying or a projection of her own personal thoughts.

When I put both cards together, some messages came into my mind.  They were asking me to leverage my intuitive skills to reflect deeply into the need to build rules of engagement to allow me to integrate with my “Shadow”.   She was a mirror image of myself, but there were strengths in the differences between us.   She exists for a purpose to always remind me that I had the permission to be sensitive and vulnerable at times, and I had the permission too, to hide that vulnerability when I needed to do so.  It’s only through learning to integrate with my “Shadow” that I am able to freely explore my passions, and make right choices along the way as I continue enhancing my spiritual awareness through esoteric studies.

The Lovers and the Queen of Cups cards, are telling me I can integrate these 2 personalities because they serve well for different purposes, in different environments at different moments.  I just need to be smart enough to discern these purpose and moments though.

Gemini

The twin mirrors in the Lovers card suggests the glyph of Gemini, the twins.  The twin lilies blooming in the water of the Queen of Cups card also hints to the zodiacal sign of Gemini.  So I started exploring the characteristics of a Gemini.  I think both cards are advising me to govern my thoughts and actions with the strength of a Gemini born and be consciously aware of its weakness too.

Gemini is associated with Mercury which is linked to intelligence and communication.  This makes a person born under the Zodiac sign very versatile, persuasive, communicative and expressive.  They accept and adapt to changes very easily and are compassionate about social causes, always going out of the way to help people who are in need.  They are also extremely honest and value open communication and integrity. 

Reuniting With My Shadow

Knowing the strengths and the weakness of the Gemini personalities are the cards’ advice to help me create a more positive relationship with my “Shadow”. 

That’s why, I am grateful for the cards prodding me at my side to say “Go ahead, get to know your “Shadow”.  It’s okay to bring her out from time to time when you need to cry and ask for help.  Have an open and honest discussion with her about when the right times are for her to make an appearance.  Life is ever changing.  Use her to adapt to changing situations and embrace challenges with an open mind.”

I have come a long way to finally be aware of the skeletons stored in my closet, and to accept that I do not need to fear these skeletons.  By releasing these skeletons, I will become free from this prison of a deceptive persona that I had created of myself as  a very tough Joanna.

I welcome these memories of the past as lessons that will make me a better person and a better Tarot reader to my clients.  I will not bury them out of fear and hurt because like my cards, these memories are my tools.

To further explore the notion of the “Shadow Self”,  I would like to invite you to read the post of my fellow Tarot Bloghopper Chloe at  http://innerwhisperscouk.blogspot.com/2012/10/samhain-tarot-blog-hop.html .   And if you do experience a broken link, you may return to the master list for this Tarot Blog Hop at http://amethysttarot.com/samhain2012.

About The Writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and was recently certified as a numerologist in Singapore. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.

She can be contacted at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com

The Tarot Knights Are Packed With Action

I Like The Different Perspectives That A Tarot Knight Gives Me

The Tarot court cards are my favorite cards because they provide multiple perspectives with a single situation. When we pick a Knight, it may be a manifestation of a younger person, or a person with youthful energies in a querant's life, or the attitude of the quearant, or it may be a manifestation of an event. These different perspectives often make an interpretation of a tarot spread for my querants even more interesting as it lends more depth and focusedness when I answer their questions.

In this blogpost, I will share my experiences with these Tarot Knights who are, to me, the universe's way of flashing you that green light to take the necessary action as you journey towards your goals.  After all that planning, dreaming and contemplating undertaken by the Tarot Page in that journey, these Knights are symbols of action, effort and hard work, that will assure you trot along the right path towards success.

For this purpose, I am using the Rider Waite Tarot deck.

Knight of Pentacles

The image on the card depicts the Knight sitting on a horse in the middle of a field. In his hand he holds a coin, and he looks like he is deep in thought while about to plough that field. The Knight governs the element of Earth and is a symbol of practical hard work and routine.

When I meditated on the card and walked into the image to talk to the Knight, I expressed that the field seemed so huge and the ploughing will never end. I was worried about the ability to complete the job in time and I was even more worried that delays may arise due to bad weather, the turning of the season and the lack of resources perhaps.

The Knight of Pentacles responded to me very slowly and perhaps more sagely beyond his years. He encouraged me to take it slow and steady. Dogged determination and focused-ness on the task will ensure that I will attain my goals. He wanted me to be practical with my approach to any issues along the way, and then he said, "Don't be afraid of hard work. Just put in your best effort. I want to see every inch of that field ploughed."

The card resonates with me as I am in the throes of so many projects. While I am growing my practice, Sun Goddess Tarot, with client readings, events and mentoring sessions, I am also preparing to launch a jewelry line. To top it all off, I am in the midst of writing a book. These, on top of my day job, are a lot of work though thankfully I am very passionate about each one of them. My greatest fear always is that I am not doing enough for my clients or my team at work, so I end up taking on a lot more. At work, my team checks my sanity by pushing back on projects that fall outside of their scope and expertise. With my practice, there's only me having strategy discussions with myself about how best to structure an evening workshop for corporate executives on how best to manage interpersonal relationships with the help of basic Tarot and Numerology skills.

However, the Knight of Pentacles had advised me that if I looked up from the reins of the horse and see beyond this field, I will realize that my goals are not at the end of this journey. My goals are actually the sense of fulfillment I get, as I tread along this journey to help my clients, and my work colleagues.

Knight Of Swords

The image on the card depicts a Knight charging ahead on a white horse, whilst brandishing a sword. The clouds are turbulent and the terrain is barren, symbols of the knight readying for battle. Governed by the element of Air, the Knight of Swords is a symbol of enthusiastic actions, haste and open communication which may sometimes even be construed as opinionated in nature.

When I meditated on the card by walking into it and talking to the Knight, he pointed the sword at me and said "Out of the way!" I asked him where he was heading to, and was expecting him, like me, to rattle off a list of projects that he would be eager to complete but all he said was, " to conquer the world."

I was a bit puzzled because that was such a general phrase and definitely a well-uttered cliche. Was he goal-less? Then I remembered Joel who is very much like the Knight of Swords. He takes on every project in his life with sheer genuine enthusiasm, although a couple of these projects were not part of his plans but were just thruster upon his reluctant hands.

One of these is Nursing school. Joel did not set out to be a nurse. He wanted to be in advertising or marketing like me, but the reality of his examination results dictated that he had to be allocated a space in the nursing course, at the local Polytechnic . He overcame his initial disappointment quite quickly and approached the course head on with a lot of enthusiasm. He came home each evening uttering wierd medical terms and talking incessantly about good friends that he had made at school. He pinned David and me down in our bed to check our blood pressure with his new equipment and chased the dogs around the home with his stethoscope. The industrial attachment at the hospital recently fueled his excitement even more and culminated with his sharing with the family, that his aspiration was to establish a private nursing care facility in future.

After all the initial planning, deliberating and dreaming Joel, as a Page of Swords, had done earlier to shape what he wanted to achieve in the future, he had evolved into the Knight of Swords to turn these plans into real actions that will eventually shape his career.

The energy and enthusiasm of the Knight Of Swords is definitely within Joel. One day, I am sure he will conquer the world. I told Joel that the negative aspect of this Knight is his opinionated nature and tendency to make hasty decisions. This awareness will ensure that whatever risks he wishes to take in future, will be calculated ones.

Knight Of Wands

The image of the Knight of Wands in the card depicts a Knight riding on a fiery red horse brandishing a rod with leaves growing from it, symbolizing passion to win and grow. The plumes on his helmet and the tassels on his shirt are red, definitely dressed to win. Governed by the element of Fire, this Knight is a symbol of passion, thirst for adventure and unwavering energy.

When I meditated on the card and walked into it to talk to the Knight, he said to me, "I am going all out to get what I want, the way I want it.". He reminded me of a very young Napolean Bonaparte then who said "Great ambition is the passion of great character." At that time, a documentary on Mark Zuckerberg had just come on TV, and just as I looked up, Zuckerberg was responding to the interviewer with these words "my goal was never to create a company.. But not being just a company..means that.. we are building something that actually makes a really big change in the world."

Well, he certainly did change the world. After spending 6 years as that Page of Wands, sitting in front of the computer just boringly coding away at Harvard, he had turned this spark of idea to bring geographical and communication barriers down by creating Facebook. As a Knight of Wands, Zuckerberg had woven the tapestry of social media, changing the way we communicate and turning it into a wonderful space for sharing ideas, reuniting old friends, finding new friends and expanding a wealth of knowledge and information.

There are also negative aspects of the Knight of Wands that we'd need to be aware of. Sometimes, he can make reckless decisions as an "act first and think later" type of character. I don't want to allow the movie, The Social Network, to influence my thoughts about the friendship between the 2 best friends Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin. However, I see the manifestation of the reversed Knight of Wands in the acrimonious split between them, driven by different business visions and ideals.

Hmmm, as an aside ( and I don't mean to go off tangent from the topic), and while we are on the topic of Facebook, I start to worry that small business owners like myself won't have a chance up against the big boys. I had just come across a post from a tarot reading friend on Facebook that said "ATTENTION Fans: Facebook now requires page administrators to pay to promote their updates if we want our content to be seen by our fans. If we do not pay to promote our posts, only about 10% of the fans receive the updates on the Facebook home page feed. To keep RECEIVING ALL POSTS FROM me, you have to hover the mouse on the "Like" button near our name. In the drop-down menu select "ADD TO INTEREST LISTS". Then create an interest list (and make a name for your favorite sites). When you select that interest list you will see ALL of my posts and you won't miss anything important!"

I hope that you follow the above instructions for ANY Facebook page you care about, and I do hope that one of these pages that you care about is mine at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot.

Knight of Cups

The image on the card depicts a quintessential knight in shining armor trotting upon a horse and brandishing a cup, whilst wearing a winged helmet and shoes, a symbol of creative loftiness. His cloak is emblazoned by fish motifs, a symbol of his being in tune with his higher consciousness.

Governed by the element of Water, the Knight of Cups may be a reflection of a romantic opportunity sweeping you off your feet or a manifestation of one in the throes of a creative project. When I meditated on the card, and started talking to the Knight, I had a chance to feel the wings on his helmet and had a vision of him flying high and taking me with him. I had the chance to stroke the white horse and feel the power within the beast. I had the chance to drink from his cup and feel the surge of creativity flowing from it.

The vision of romance, ideals and creativity directed me to a picture of Justin Timberlake in the local news. Don't get me wrong, I don't even listen to his music but his story emblazoned across the news article has typified him as the Knight of Cups.

Timberlake had come a long way from his Mickey Mouse Club days to be the youngest member of the band, N'Sync, to then go on to a multi-million dollar solo singing career, acting career and on to opening his own record label and clothing label. His boundless energy, multi-talented creativity, visionary ideals all typified the Knight of Cups. It is obvious that his heart rules his career decisions and thankfully undramatic love life. To top it all off, just recently, he swept Jennifer Biels off her feet and married her at a romantic ceremony in Italy. Blessed.

Your Actions Must Inspire You To Success

The Tarot Knights, having come through the Tarot Pages' phase of planning and dreaming are a message to you, to turn these plans and dreams into action. The people you meet and the opportunities you get are all an inspiration for you to leverage the energies of these Knights to ensure your goals meet with nothing but success.

About the writer:

The writer of this blog post is a marketeer by trade, and a tarot card reader by accident. She was awarded a Certified Professional Tarot Reader qualification from the Tarot Certification Board of America (TCBA) and was recently certified as a numerologist in Singapore. A member of the American Tarot Association (ATA) and the Tarot Association of the British Isles (TABI), she is also a reader for the Free Tarot Network and is a mentor for the ATA.

She can be contacted at www.facebook.com/SunGoddessTarot or www.sungoddesstarot.com