Why Tarot?

Anni's latest prompt for the group had me twiddling my thumbs for a bit at first.

My first instinct was to respond with all of the benefits that knowing what is to come can provide, but that wouldn't be an accurate response. I don't believe tarot cards can predict the future but I do believe they give us insight into a variety of outcomes based on our choices if we put them in the right context. Some of you may be rolling your eyes at me since there is a very thin line between telling the future and providing insight in outcomes. I can't blame you one bit.

Part of what draws me to the tarot is the mystery, specifically how they work. I don't have all the answers but I enjoy reading all of the theories. What I can affirm to is the fact that whenever I use either of my tarot decks, the cards just seem to get me and what I'm going through. Whether that is because of my mindset and my view being present in how I interpret the cards or because they are actually connected to a higher source, well, I can't quite say. As of right now I am okay with that fact.

The only other method of divination I've been drawn to are runes, and those have an impersonal feel that I can't get over when I use them. But the tarot is somehow different. When I shuffle the cards and place them upright before me, it's like I'm writing a story and connecting the dots. Exploring the cards and their meaning, I think, is the fun of the entire process. Using the tarot feels right to me at this time, and that is a reason that I can acknowledge even without understanding why that is.

I could provide you with the simple answers, such as the artwork makes me feel a certain way, or I feel magical when I use them, but those answers would be inaccurate. For me, in this moment, the answer to "why tarot?" is simply that I connect with them more than any other system.

Perhaps I will understand more as we continue on this journey.

Discovering Tarot

My first solid memory of tarot is seeing the cards in the James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die." I thought they were interesting but I was probably only 12 or so when I saw the movie on television, so my mind was likely filled with video games and school vacations. I probably thought of them as nothing more than a game because I wouldn't have known any better.

Years later, while thumbing through an Azuregreen catalog, I saw an ad for the Shapeshifter Tarot deck. The main image called to me and from that point on it was added to every wish list I had, but it never seemed to materialize in my hands. I went through a rough patch in 2013 and found my local Unitarian Universalist church and an Earth-based spirituality group. I emailed the group facilitator and was invited to an upcoming meeting where people were encouraged to bring their main tarot deck.

My mind flashed back to the Shapeshifter Tarot deck and I knew it was my time. I ordered the cards and companion book on Amazon and I still remember how excited I was as each day passed because I was one day closer to receiving them. I was in awe of their imagery and connected with them immediately. It wasn't anything more than having the feeling that I was meant to have them and that was enough. 

I took them to the meet up and we learned about creating tarot spreads. The facilitators were kind and fun, but I was lost since I was still so new to them. I eventually packed them away as other aspects of life took precedence. I broke them out on occasion for random 3 card readings for myself, but the companion book was always in one hand as I tried to decipher their meaning.

It is now 2 years later, and though I recently purchased The Gilded Tarot deck, I am especially excited to explore the cards that my journey started with.

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This blog post was prompted by a question asked of the members of the Tarot Together Facebook group. Click the group name to be taken to the page and join us!

A Moment Of Pause

I invite each of you to take a moment to yourself. Just breathe.

Take a breath in and then release it slowly.

Honor all that you are today - all of your strengths AND your imperfections.

Relax your mind and let your troubles drift away.

Know that you are sacred and that you are loved.

Repeat as often as necessary. This is also a great exercise to help you calm and center yourself when your relatives or those busy shoppers are getting on your nerves this holiday season.

And know that I am thankful for you.

Incense Check In - 4 Days

It has been a few days since I posted anything. Without a topic, I have decided to post about the incense cones that I made. This is meant to be a quick little check in as an update, so I'll try my best to be brief. You all know how I love to use ten words when three would suffice.

The incense cones are still drying. They are hard on the outside but I'm skeptical about them being finished "drying" on the inside. I've even attempted to light one of the cones. It smolders for a few seconds and then goes out. This tells me that they aren't ready yet. I'm thinking of waiting another 7 days before even looking at them because the waiting is driving me bananas.

To cope, I resorted to taking the one incense cone I previously mentioned and placing it upon a charcoal disc. The aroma was sweet and Earthy, perfect for a devotional incense. I have in the past used too much lavender in previous recipes and that become the sole aroma in them, so I'm happy to report that it is no longer the case. The amount of lavender used is just right.

I'm still hoping that further drying will end in a combustible cone. Until then, charcoal discs will have to do.

I'm also looking at making this incense into pellets using honey as a binder. I'll let you know if I go that far.

Devotional Incense Cones

I've been reworking my morning and evening devotional rites and wanted to get some incense that would better set the mood and experience, as well as be able to be used as an offering to the Gods. An incense stick would take too much time to burn for this process while loose incense would require heating a charcoal disc or setting up a Makko trail. What's a guy to do? Make your own!

I opted to make incense cones with a small amount of herbs that I have on hand. I've turned up my heater a few extra degrees in the hope that it will help to shorten the drying time. Since I haven't made this recipe before, I was cautious about going too far by making too much product. Cones seemed like a good option because of their small size and I found the entire process really easy.

I started out by grinding my herbs into a fine powder (I cheated because some of my ingredients were bought in powdered form). Only the rosemary gave me a bit of trouble but I don't think full strands of rosemary will do any harm to the finished product. Once wet with some blessed water specifically for incense making, I set out to knead the dough and them form it into cones. I'm pleased with how they turned out.

I still had a little left over so I opted to try a large and small cylinder shape to help me gauge which size will best work. 

The hardest part in this process is waiting for the drying time, which I estimate to take about two full weeks. If they dry sooner then I'll consider it good luck and get to experimenting. I'll post an update and let you know how they turn out. If they work for my needs and the scent is pleasant then I will share the recipe.

Day 7 – Bringing it All Together

Carnelian	“Creativity and Action”
Take action; make life what we will.
Labradorite	“Illumination”
Incoming message for our highest good.
Rose Quartz	“Love and Healing”
Self-love and healing are needed.
Snowlake Obsidian	“Balance”
Insert balance into your life.
Unakite	“Live in the Present”
Embrace the present to achieve happiness.
Apache Tear	“Hidden/Negative Emotions”
There are emotions you aren’t dealing with; do so.
Aquamarine	“Think Clearly & Carefully”
Gain clarity over emotions.

We touched on emotions a lot through this challenge. We were also reminded about healing and self-love. Looking back at the past 7 days and the cards we drew tell me that the messages were all connected. The meanings were all working together to help bring us to our higher selves, to a state where we are whole and present in our lives.

Life is what we make of it.

Thank you for joining me for my self-imposed Crystal Guidance challenge. It has been enlightening and I have enjoyed connecting with these 7 crystals over the course of the challenge. I encourage you to do a daily draw with a similar oracle deck if you're interested in connecting more with your crystals.

For more information on the Crystal Guidance Oracle Cards that I used, go here.

Day 7 - Aquamarine

Our final day for the challenge brings us to Aquamarine.

Known for calming the emotions and soothing the body, Aquamarine is a powerful crystal that is tied to the element of water. It is also tied to the throat chakra.

The message for this card is one of gaining clarity over emotions. It encourages us to take the time to look at how we are feeling and determine if what we're going through and processing in our lives lines up with the way we feel about the situation(s). This card signals a time for a calm reflection.