Today’s mail brought a tiny version of my first tarot deck.  I have ordered several copies and meant to get the larger size but some of them appear to be this little thumbnail sized version and while it’s adorable and completely useful if you have great eyesight, I think one of you might have more fun with it.  So I’m giving it away to a random viewer tonight and all you have to do to get in the drawing is come over tonight and watch the show and pm John your request to be included.

Here’s the deck and book.

See that little box dangling from a ribbon?

That’s the deck.  Seriously cute deck to begin with made even cuter by being tiny.

See you all tonight at 9!

Chat archives after break.

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Who wants to participate in an experiment? I would like to learn more about palm reading and I’m going to need some hands to study. Those adventurous souls who also have access to a scanner can play along. I’d like to study both hands so if you can send me an image of each hand that shows the lines clearly, I’ll study as I go and let you know my impressions and progress.

Anyone game? Send images to lupa@lupaloo.net.

Saturn, the planet ruling hard work, limits, boundaries and life’s challenges has turned direct after having been retrograde for the last several months.

Check out what Elsa and Michael Lutin have to say on the subject.

Comparing Saturn retrograde to a Mercury retrograde, Saturn is all about the slow steady climb.  Mercury rules thought and communication as well as travel.  We all know that when Mercury is retrograde those areas of our lives are subject to snarls and slow downs.  When Saturn is retrograde, the pressure isn’t off in the areas where hard work is called for.  Rather it’s like trying to climb a mountain and having it shift and crumble beneath your feet so that you constantly slip backwards.  With Saturn direct, we won’t suddenly find ourselves at the top, but hopefully we will feel solid ground beneath our feet and a sense of direction in our heads again.  Expect a bit of adjustment as things shift gears, but hopefully we will all begin making progress up whatever mountain we are climbing.

As many of you know, I tend to focus more on the present both within the context of my reading as well as concerns the cards themselves.  With that in mind I am going to start a series of short audio podcasts about each of the 78 traditional cards as they pertain to modern life. (more…)

It’s been years since I first read Mary K. Greer’s book Tarot for Your Self and I’m thinking I should pick up a copy again.  I remember that it was hugely significant to the style of reading that I would develop over the years.  Lucky for all of us, Ms. Greer is still writing and has a lovely journal that she updates regularly.  I have it listed on The Top Ten Tarot site and here is the direct link to her blog: Mary K. Greer’s Tarot Blog.

I particularly love the post about reading tarot psychically as well as the one with translated Jungian meanings for the major arcana.  Really great stuff.  Thank you Mary K. Greer!

One of the most important things to be aware of when reading is setting your intention. It is trickier than it sounds. You’ll need to pay attention to all of the ways that your beliefs affect what the way you use the cards. Tarot, like any spiritual practice, falls in the realm of Neptune and the 12th house. That means it is an inherently leaky system. The information you seek leaks through in between the lines of reality and so will any fears or doubts.

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Two separate people yesterday asked whether I get tired from reading so much. At the moment I am working two full days at the Renaissance Festival and doing two or three shows during the week. I know readers who feel very drained after a few hours of reading and feel that it really takes something out of them. I’ve never had that experience though. Every time I read I feel more energized when I’m done than when I started. I think that for me at least, doing readings has a healing effect.

For those of you who are learning or who would like to learn to read, I’ll tell you some of the things I do that I think help avoid that drained feeling. Number one is grounding. Visualizing yourself becoming an oak tree can be a very good grounding tool. Start with an acorn centered in your solar plexus and imagine growing roots and branches that connect you to the universe. Roots deep within the earth, branches spreading out into our solar system. You don’t have to spend a lot of time doing this exercise every time you need to ground. Just do it enough that you get the idea of what it should feel like. Then before you read remind yourself that you have roots and remember that feeling.

Next be aware of your limits and boundaries. I can read in most any setting regardless of what is going on around me because it is easy for me to stay centered and focused on the cards and my questioner. If this doesn’t come naturally for you, you may need to have more boundaries about when/where you read. I found that trying to participate in the chatroom when I do my live shows left me feeling quite ill. It just wasn’t possible to read effectively and stay caught up with the banter. Lucky for me, I have John to keep things going and take care of the technical side of things so that I can do what I do. Some people would find the technical gadgetry, lighting, microphone and wires all too much of a distraction.

I mentioned being centered. You can improve your focus by practicing centering. As with the grounding excercise, you will imagine your own energy, feel it and move it around. Moving meditations would be great for increasing your ability to focus. Walk and feel your energy solidly in your body with each step. If you become distracted don’t worry, just bring the focus back to your body. When you read, imagine that your energy extends just far enough outside of your body to touch your questioner. If your questioner is distant, imagine a thread connecting you for the duration of the reading. It is not a permanent connection though. Imagine it like a handshake or hug that leaves you both feeling blessed.

There is no shortage of energy in the universe. There is enough for everyone. If you are clear in your intention to be in that flow of universal energy you and your questioner very well may feel more energized when the reading is over than you were before you started.

Those of you who read for others, what suggestions do you have for increasing psychic stamina?

Next up, setting intention before reading.

Today I begin working at the Georgia Renaissance Festival. I will be one of the readers with the people from llusions. They have a gallery of art replicas and several tarot readers. Their booth is located near the top of the hill at the very back/top corner of the fair grounds.

This weekend is buy one ticket get one free weekend so it’s a good time to come. Looks like the weather this weekend and next will be beautiful! I expect to be very busy as the day goes on so if you want to get on my schedule, stop by early.

p.s. Does anyone have Ren garb they might lend me? I could make you a tarot bag or offer readings in trade for temporary use of such garb. Email me at lupa@lupaloo.net.