Aromatherapy Treat!

I have a confession to make. . . . .I love to use aromatherapy when I work with my Tarot cards!  I have worked with these healing essential oils for years, and they are such a joy to add to the occasion. I've studied about aromatherapy in both formal classes, as well as a lot of study on my own, and these gifts from Nature are such an amazing tool for healing on so many levels. When I use them in conjunction with Tarot work, I usually set them to work in either an atomizer or a candle-warmed oil burner. The carefully-chosen combinations are intended to enhance relaxation, meditation, well-being or sense of openness, and they go to work altering the body via the receptors in our nose and the link to our brains, the limbic system. Bodily processes are adjusted and actually modified by these essential oils, and they can actually elevate mood, slow pulse or relax you just by being released into the air you breathe.
I usually include a simple aromatherapy "blend" in my monthly newsletter for you to try. . . .let me know if you do try one, and how you liked it!

Long Lost Friends

Green Septagram Mandala

I spent some time today going through my books and rearranging my bookshelves. I have quite a collection of Tarot, spiritual and metaphysical books, and I was preparing a box of books that I wanted to pass along. On the bottom shelf, I had a box that had been there quite a while, and I couldn't recall what was in it. Pulling it open, I was surprised to discover a collection of old Tarot decks that I had put away a long time ago!  I spent some time opening the boxes, and flipping through the decks . . . . old friends that I had decided to set aside for whatever reason. Maybe the artwork didn't connect with me then, or the deck was too large, too ackward to handle, was not a deck that became a 'favorite' of mine. As time passed, I developed 'favorites' and worked with certain decks that really 'spoke' to me And I had filed these "mismatches" away; not wanting to get rid of them, but maybe in the future, I would be able to adjust to them, and then find that these could be approached once again. I'm glad I stored these away, as I did find 3 that did seem to resonate with me now, and I am eager to work with them and incorporate these into my work.  I realized that nothing about the cards had changed, but I had.  My work with the Tarot has facilitated change within myself. This change has allowed me to grow and increase my understanding so that the symbols and colors of these decks now resonate with me.  And by the same token, I have some decks that I have been using up till now, that I need to retire for a bit, as they have done their job and brought me to the place I am today.  I love uncovering suprises!

Readers Questions

I've been getting some really juicy questions from readers of my blog, and will devote specific blogposts to answering some of them. So a new series of posts will be dealing with your questions!  Remember, you can email me directly with the questions, and I'll pick out a new one to answer each time to mix things up here!  And go ahead and sign up on my blog, don't be shy! That way you can automatically see the updates, and, who knows, the next post may answer YOUR question!

Favorite Deck?

I'm often asked what is my "favorite deck", and I have to say it is the "Spiral Tarot" by Kay Steventon. It is a deck in the Rider-Waite tradition, and has a cool color scheme, with artwork that is of a variety of styles. I have many decks, but have found that this particular deck easily forms a connection with me, allowing my intuition to really flow freely!  The images seem to "jump" out to me, and I never need to look a the card title; information starts falling into place in a very compelling way for me, allowing me to experience my feelings about what I am seeing.

I have found that this deck is very good for me to use in readings involving relationships and questions about emotional issues.  It also is very sensitive to helping understand and speak to my client's inner worries and fears.  No matter what other decks I may have with me, I always am careful to be sure that I have this deck available in the event that another deck is feeling too 'closed' to me that particular day.

As a visual fine artist, I am very aware of the effect that color has for me, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and intuitively.  Some decks that gather rave reviews from other tarot readers leave me cold, and it's the colors and artwork combined that either immidiately trigger my response or not. To me it is like a form of shorthand; certain colors and shapes set up a unique response intuitively for me, and it is easy to 'ride' these waves of information, once that channel is opened up.

This deck is my old friend, and one that I rely on for accurate and timely information. What decks have you worked with, and what favorites do you have? I love hearing from you!

One-card Journey

Simplify your day.

I do a daily tarot reading for myself, and many times choose to just use one card, as a 'essence of the day' type of reading. This is especially good to do as part of a daily meditation session, when I want to go deeper and use the relaxed state I am in to open up more information.   I have a couple of decks that made up of larger cards, and these work very well for use with meditation.  The artwork is larger, and I can 'swim' within it for delving deeper. One card can reveal so much information, just within itself.

You can do this with regular-sized cards too, and get great results.  Even if you are just a beginner with your own tarot cards, try this. Just shuffle with your intent, and select one card to really get into.  Let me know how this works for you; if you made some interesting connections or gained some valuable insight.  I love hearing from my readers!

Mad for Mandalas!

I've been working with mandalas lately, having taken workshops and done my own studies about them.
I created this one as a simple project, working with the number "7" and it's various meanings, and the colors that I responded to in relation to the ideas involved.  I put daubs of paint on a canvas, and folded it into prescribed patterns, replicating the images 7 times. Colors mixed and blended, some remaining pure and glowing.  This resulted in the image above, and is useful in meditation sessions.  If you are new to the concept of mandalas, this is an easy project to get  you started, and doesn't require geometry or measuring tools to accurately divide up your circle.  Check your library or metaphysical store for books on mandalas, and you will find workbooks and even coloring books for those of you who wish to just get down to the meditative coloring exercises!  Enjoy!

Welcome!

This is my very first post to my blog, so I'll keep it short and sweet! I'm still feeling my way around the site, and the world of blogging, but this is going to be fun! I hope you'll stick around and follow me as I add to this site, and please feel free to email me and/or comment!

Enjoy the day!

Luna