Tarot and Self Empowerment
(c) Bonnie Moss 2002

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Reinhold Niebuhr

Look no further than within to move forward , to be the best that we can, to be the person we can be proud of, to gather the courage to pick up the pieces and move on without guilt, regret,or vindictiveness. Life is indeed what we make it, it helps if we get in touch with our inner selves.

Thomas Moore in his book, The Re-enchantment of Everyday Living, touches on the topic of divination, tarot, runes I-ching, etc, to get in touch with the inner soul. Tarot offers the opportunity to be more insightful as we embark on this journey called Life. There are more people turning to Divination to find answers, direction, to clarify their confusion, to re-enforce what they already know but need to hear it from someone else. As a reader, I find it rewarding ,in every question I receive, I see reflections of my own needs, mistakes, shortcomings and most importantly, strengths. Not only do I learn from my readings, the daily card reading for myself is empowering! No, it does not take a complicated spread to seek the path to self empowerment.

I believe that every card of the Tarot brings a message of insight, of hope even when we are at the edge of uncertainty, at our wits' end, caught in the turmoil that is part of life, for some do have it worst than others. Tarot offers help to probe deep into the soul to find the weakness and turn it to strength, to see the light amid the darkness, to come down to earth when we think we are on top of the world and nothing can destroy our power.

Yes, Tarot is a tool to self- empowerment.

MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS:

This is a feedback from a client:

Thank you for the reading. I find it very insightful, guiding and directional. I believe you are right about me keeping an inventory of my emotions and should show my true emotions. I have always hide them for fear of rejection and ridicule. I will work on improving this aspect of my personality. Blessings, .........Client

Excerpt from the reading:

Dear Client

Your question is very insightful, right from the very depths of your heart and soul. It is very touching. Please understand that we are responsible for our destiny, we make our choices, decisions which ultimately affects our destiny.

Aces always signify new beginnings, new opportunity, take it at the moment it is offered, before it passes unfulfilled. The suit of Cups deal with the emotions, subconscious, spirituality, love. In the Rider-Waite deck, this card shows a hand emerging from the clouds, holding out a cup, from which flows 5 streams of water falling into a lily pond. These 5 streams represent the five senses. This card denotes deep feelings, intuitive knowing, a strong attraction, it could also mean an encounter or synchronistic event. The Ace of Cups asks you to examine your life- is the loving energy working for you? Love is the essence of your situation, sometimes, it may not be romantic love. Find out ways in which you may connect with others, in search of a soulmate, it does not necessarily mean a romantic link.

Is it possible that you find it difficult to show your true feelings? This card is saying, the time is coming that you should. Trust your intuition and feelings, explore your consciousness and your connection with Spirit to guide you in a new direction. There are new friendships, beneficial relationship on the horizon. The Karma would be positive, allowing you to feel comfortable, even though the person may not be within your age group but younger. Leave behind the hurtful personal attachments of the past. A new relationship will be different, psychologically, karmically and spiritually. Work on your spiritual insight and development. Work out the details. Embrace the love that is the Ace of Cups.

CHANGES IN OUR PATH

Death is numbered thirteen and is the most feared, card in the deck. We see the Grim Reaper. The Death card signifies endings, but not necessarily shocking and disruptive ones.

When some things end, this makes room for a new beginning. The past should be just that, let it be done with, learn from it, get over it and let it go. Whatever emotional excess baggage was accumulated should be discarded, enjoy the freedom that comes with this release. Tread along a new path. Let go of fears and other obstacles that hinder the path. This card comes up after a chaotic and confusing period. It is time to rise above the crisis and dilemma, misgivings and fear. This card shares its energy to gather all the courage to move on. This is easier said than done, but this is a message of self-empowerment, for the answer to life's crisis is within us, it may not be what we wish for, but it is enough to give the needed courage to deal with it.

Feedback from a client:

I wanted to tell you, thank you for taking the time out to reply to the question I had. I think that for quite sometime now, I knew that all you wrote about were things I needed to work on, but to see them written by someone else reinforces what I know I must do. Once again, thanks for sharing this reading with me and I hope you enjoy the New Year's holiday as well as I. ...... Client

Excerpt from a reading:

The Death card almost always signifies a major change in one's life. Sometimes the change will appear disruptive and unexpected, sometimes it will be a breath of fresh air - clearing away obstacles and allowing you to surge forward. When some things end, this makes room for new beginnings. The past should be just that, let it go, learn from it, get over it and move on. Excess emotional baggage that was accumulated over time should be discarded, enjoy the freedom that comes with this release. Tread along a new path, let go of the fears and other obstacles that hinder the path. This card comes up after a chaotic and confusing times. It is time to rise above your crisis and dilemma, your misgivings, pull yourself together and get on with life. Perhaps, you will find time to reflect on the spiritual side of life, this might help ease the turmoil in your own mind, some trivialities in life get magnified when the mind has too much to absorb.

Life moves in cycles, it is constantly moving for many of us. There is a challenge to move toward the goals, attempt to fulfill hopes and dreams, away from negative energies. It also encourages one to develop a deeper spirituality, understand that sometimes, there are unseen forces beyond our understanding. What is important is to learn to find that harmony of your thoughts to your actions. It is like weeding an overgrown garden, in order to bring out the best in the plants.

Negative aspects of Life: Mistrust, betrayal ,mysteries, trials and tribulations

The Moon.

This is a Major Arcana card, thus, shares a major influence at the time of reading. In the Rider Waite deck, the Moon appears both as full and in first quarter.In the foreground, a wolf and a dog at bay on the shore below , a crayfish crawls out of the water. Two towers are in the background bordering the rugged path to the unknown. A full moon casts brightness, but with it is an eerie feeling, one wonders about shadows that may be lurking under the bright moon, mysterious night-time scene. The water depicts the subconsious ,the depths of the mind, as one reaches out to the soul. When the Moon appears in a reading, this indicates a time to search inwards, go within the depths of our soul.It indicates the release of intuitive and psychic abilities.This card may indicate a period of deception and deceit, time to listen to that inner voice , for it will never lead us astray. Yes, it seems like the shadows of the past will hover and haunt .Is the deception obvious? Ahh, but we have the power to steer clear and away from it. We need to ask, what is it that draws us to a person, to a situation after so much pain? Learn to love ourselves first, for unless we do, we are open to be taken advantage of, invite insincerity and deceit.

The Moon casts shadows, illusions, uncertainties, things are viewed in a different light.This calls for caution, when going through a period of being very sensitive,a period of emotional roller coaster. a yearning for something, when hopes are dashed and the Moon turns up, it signals a time to listen to that inner voice, time to go within, deep within. No one wants to go through another unpleasant experience, for this card may be raising a caution flag. On the positive side, there could be chance for good relationship with family and friends who we feel comfortable and happy with. If we learn to trust again,they will be supportive .

This is a time to draw upon our creative abilities, to express ourselves, bring out the hidden talents waiting to take wings, anything to keep busy, worthwhile activities that will improve the emotional state,.Meditation is a good way to find focus, to calm the mind, body and spirit.

Who has not felt betrayed or taken advantage of ? Even the most carefully planned event can be muddled without a moment's notice. The 5 of Swords, In the Rider Waite deck, a man looks scornfully at the defeated men who are walking away, leaving behind their swords. The number five represents change and instability, among other things. this is not an intimidating card, it should not be, there may be setbacks, disappointments, things are just not happening, the question is, how to deal with these uncertainties. Amid our struggles, our trials and burdens, we can remain strong and try to remain positive, surely it is not the end of the world, then with this attitude and determination, we can defeat loss. This card can sometimes indicate some treachery, like somebody with deliberate attempt to undermine It would be good to know who to trust; never underestimate the power of other people's malice. But please do not think of getting even in the same manner.

At most times the 5 of Swords will indicate much smaller matters than this -that dream job is elusive, that dream house will be just that, Life is never stagnant- change is part of life, Life does go on. It's natural to feel downhearted when wishes /dreams are not fulfilled..But it's rare that every single thing in a person's life is going badly at the same time. As the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again, maybe next time around, efforts will be rewarded.

Think about this: how do we deal with disappointments, are we afraid to take risks or chances because of fear of failure? Do we feel life is not giving us a fair deal? What is our general attitude to all these?

Are you particular about people we take into our confidence? Do not let disappointments turn into fear, this is very negative, the Sword is a suit that offers the capability to "intellectualize" issues, analyze, and deal with them in the most suitable and rewarding way, acknowledge the best in us.

From Angel Paths, the author has this to say: In no time at all, the original disappointment has been overwhelmed by a bunch of other negative thoughts and attitudes that hurt and damage us. By the time we've finished we are desperately distressed, have kicked our self-esteem into touch and feel completely incapable of contributing anything useful or worthwhile. If, instead of doing this, we empathize with ourselves, we will find the original disappointment easier to get into perspective, against the backcloth of the rest of our lives. We will find it simpler to see the REAL problem, rather than cloaking it with a bunch of insecurities and difficulties. And we will not gather fear around us which makes us hesitate when taking the next necessary step.

THE TOWER

From a reading:

The Tower- this is a Major Arcana card. It is numbered 16, in the Rider Waite deck, a tower is struck by lightning, with raging fires within and the top of the tower falling. There are figures falling, head-first, from the ruins. This card reminds us of the power of someone Higher than us can strike any time unexpectedly, shakes one back into reality, this times, one tends to draw on one's inner strength, become more spiritual, reassess one's sense of values. How does this answer your question? My friend, is it possible that you are going through some tough and difficult times, your world seem to be falling apart, and very stressed out. When this card turns up, it usually points out the many faults that may precipitate problems- it may be lack of understanding of an issue, wrong or obscured perception , or sometimes events happen that is out of our control. Sometimes, a major shaking up one one's life is what is needed to allow change, a change for the better, the chance to discover one's hidden strengths and talents. Through your difficulties or confusion, learn to trust in God, or whoever you believe in, acknowledge the power of the universe around us, believe that one will not be out to a test beyond one's capability.

Your question is very profound, and really, there is no clear cut answer, but you can chart the course to take. What are the things, events, issues, even people you are holding on to that no longer serve you well, or that you have outgrown? Learn to listen to your intuition, that "gut" feeling, This card sometimes may indicate unexpected events, something you had not seen coming. Perhaps, there is an issue that you just have to have faith and take the leap, for this card signals major changes in one's life, in somewhat unnerving way, not the easy way.

There are occasions when we will be asked to take a blind leap of faith under the influence of the Tower - remember this card signals breakthrough and extension - growth from experience, and self trust. Whenever you are unsure about your abilities to deal with things, remind yourself what you have already passed through in your life. There's a river of knowledge flowing through you already.

HIGHER SELF

The High Priestess

Excerpt from a reading:

Go deeper within through meditation to hear the insights of that inner voice, to calm you down and see the light.This card represents the mysteries of life, the intuitive faculties,development of psychic abilities. Do you pay attention to your dreams? The power is within oneself to bring about the ideas , surges of wisdom and thus power.Spend some time in quiet reflection and contemplation to hear that quiet voice, to the things it knows about that you haven't had the opportunity to catch up with recently. You seem to have the gift, you have a lot to offer,use this gift in a positive way so that it will also come back to you in a most beneficial way. Meditation is great help to calm nerves, to still the sometimes cluttered mind, to bring out the most noble intention. When you feel irritated, try to "breathe" peace to the other party. Learn about psychic protection so that negative energies will not affect your auric field in a detrimental way. It is believed that people with psychic abilities are open to subtle energies they are not aware of. Sometimes this intrusion into your energy come as something that irritates you or makes you mad. Also, be aware of karmic influence that is with us all the time. Take control of your gift, it is a responsibility.

My friend, I hope this reading shows some light - I can only hope that it does.

Feedback from client:\

Dear reader, Thank you for the reading, I am grateful that you have replied , I really got a lot to speak about , I put myself in a situation I cant go back , I am searching for the secret wisdom and knowledge, I started with many information from the web I used to have dreams that come true so I searche for more information of how I can develop my abilities , some times when I discuss these things with others they think its nonesense until , I say something that happens and they come back to me and say please let us know .many things happened after in my life , and more I love my God more he show me the way to wisdom, I really spoke so much , I hope you are doing well , may God bless you in all your good actions, and if you are in trouble may the Gardian Angels protect you........Client

All is not lost!

FIVE OF CUPS

Look not at the loss, the cups fallen over, a river flows in front, and do not forget there are two cups behind you, full of hope, promise and encouragement. Remember that life goes on, pick up the pieces and move on, yes, it is with difficulty, but it is important to take that first step to get back on our feet after we stumble and fall.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

The Sun

Yes, don't we all look forward to waking up to a sunny day after a bleak and dull day? Take comfort in the warmth, the light of the Sun. When this card comes up especially when we are going through a rough patch, take a deep breath and think positive. Surround yourself with the energy of the Sun, for this card offers just that!

From another reader:

Here's another aspect of The Sun that isn't quite as "bright." When under the moon, certain imperfections can be hidden. In the bright light of the Sun, nothing can be hidden. Sometimes it is telling the querrent that they will be seeing it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. When things are not coming up roses , the Sun brings to light a lot of issues. Some are happy, others cause pain.

The darkest cards of the tarot deck have some light in them. So do the lightest cards have some dark. It's easy to see only the part of the card we like or fear, but sometimes you need to see the subtle parts, too.

To know ourselves is the greatest tool to self-empowerment!