My relationship to the cards is changing.

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Dark Inquisitor	04 Aug 2002
The other day, I was into my 3rd shuffle and I was hit by what I now refer to as The Jolt From Beyond. A sudden unexpected powerful psychic "slap" - I felt ill, the room tilted. I fell back on the sofa and covered my eyes. It passed, but I felt odd for the rest of the day. Now , if I am not careful, just looking at the cards sets something off. Some kind of energy buzzing that threatens to make me feel floaty & ill. This is quite annoying, because I like very much to look at the cards. Any experience you may have had with a similar event, or what you did to deal with it would be helpful. Thanks, Tarotphelia

divinerguy	04 Aug 2002
I had one of these about 2 or 3 weeks ago. It didn't happen while I had my cards, though. I was taken totally by surprise. The next time it hits, I'm going to be ready. I'm going to sit back, close my eyes, and allow my mind to accept whatever is being communicated.

Starfish	04 Aug 2002
I also have experienced this - about 2 1/2 weeks ago or so. Mine happened when I was writing in my journal (reading Tarot for Yourself and working with my Robin Wood deck). I felt very light headed and slightly woozy; almost nauseated, but not quite. It passed somewhat quickly and I noticed that I had a hot sensation in between my eyes over the bridge of my nose. I'm with Divinerguy in that the next time it happens, I'm I plan on sitting back, closing my eyes, and will see what my body is trying to tell me. Good plan, DG. I had wondered what it was.... Now to hear that others have experienced something similar, I'm even more intrigued. My DH teased me that it was my inner eye opening up. You never know... :TSTRE Starfish

Keslynn	04 Aug 2002
It could very well be the third eye opening up. Anyone here who does reiki could probably tell you more about it. I have lots of sinus problems though, and when I asked a reiki master what might be causing it, she said it could have something to do with my third eye chakra receiving too much. I would definitely keep trying to get the message though. With a few people feeling it at around the same time, I think it might be something big. Like a national or world event? Keep "attuned" and let us know. And Tarotphelia, maybe looking at the cards will help you hone in on what your "psychic slap" was trying to tell you. I get the feeling that until you get the message that's trying to come through, you won't be able to look at your cards in the same way. I haven't had a similar experience but it's just a hunch. :TQW Kes

Laurel	04 Aug 2002
The Zap from Beyond was probably good by itself, but it sounds like now you are no longer grounded and that is the reason you are having trouble with the tarot. Many psychic or Iniatory experiences can un-ground us; part of their purpose is to raise us from where we were to a new level. But there should always be a foundation. Being someone who's problem tends to be that I'm too grounded rather than not grounded enough, my advice on how to re-ground yourself would be limited but I'm sure there are others around who can help a whole lot more. Laurel

squigglywiggly	04 Aug 2002
some russian guy called Pavlof did something like this with his dogs he rang a bell and then he gave the dogs meat he did this every day for a week the next week, he just rang the bell (no meat) but the dogs were drooling anyways this is to say that the dogs associayed bell with meat so they started droolen i think what happened is that you got sick while you were reading tarot (migraine? food poisoning? caffeine overdose? who knows?) and you're superstitioys so now you associate tarot with getting sick Quote: Originally posted by Tarotphelia The other day, I was into my 3rd shuffle and I was hit by what I now refer to as The Jolt From Beyond. A sudden unexpected powerful psychic "slap" - I felt ill, the room tilted. I fell back on the sofa and covered my eyes. It passed, but I felt odd for the rest of the day. Now , if I am not careful, just looking at the cards sets something off. Some kind of energy buzzing that threatens to make me feel floaty & ill. This is quite annoying, because I like very much to look at the cards. Any experience you may have had with a similar event, or what you did to deal with it would be helpful. Thanks, Tarotphelia

amyel	04 Aug 2002
This has happened to me, but not particularly when I was reading the cards. It would happene when I was on the train to work, or walking down the street or driving a car....Basicially, anything that sorta "lulled" me. It hasn't happened in about 6 years. I was also told it was my 3rd eye opening, and that it had something to do with "Kundalini rising". I'd never been able to really find out more about this, other then references to kunadlini yoga, which I've been advised is not something to try on your own. I also recall a thread in the Spirituality forum about kundalini awhile back.

Dark Inquisitor	04 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by squigglywiggly i think what happened is that you got sick while you were reading tarot (migraine? food poisoning? caffeine overdose? who knows?) and you're superstitioys so now you associate tarot with getting sick [/b] Well thank you squigglywiggly. I will be looking forward to my fatal brain aneurism - it's going to be a great relief.

Diana	05 Aug 2002
edited

napaea	08 Aug 2002
hey, phelia. I can't say i've had the "slap" (is that a transmittiable disease?)but several times when i have done readings for people on AT i get a huge surge of somethin' right when i start the reading. i get weak, my body starts to slump, i've felt sick to my stomach, and sleepy. so i do the reading, and sometimes afterwards i just haven't felt right. airy. no energy. i started smacking my hands together after the reading. i smack 'em on each other, like a clap, then keeping my hands together, i rub them around, y'know, like a big fat greedy king henry getting ready to eat a big feast. then i blow my hands, and say i'm sending this energy away, well, it's been connected to someone else and their reading, so i send their energy back to them. it's been helping me a lot, because the physical energy i am releasing helps to get me back in my body. however if this is just a reading for yourself, i agree you should be sure to be open and try to receive what is coming to you, but maybe your body is saying you need something with you at the time. so maybe you need to hold onto something earthy while you try receiving this info, like a eucalyptus branch, or something like that (not your cat.) you are obviously opening up to receive more info, but your body has to get to the place where you can handle it. oooo, maybe humming would help? like the ommmm phrase, hum it while you try to deal with the cards?

truthsayer	08 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by squigglywiggly i think what happened is that you got sick while you were reading tarot (migraine? food poisoning? caffeine overdose? who knows?) and you're superstitioys so now you associate tarot with getting sick there is actually a possibility that something like this is going on along w/ the other suggestions. i know that if i come to associate something negative w/ something i enjoy then i'm more likely to be cautious in the future. the incident might have begun innocently w/ your third eye opening or kundalini or something like the others are suggesting. this is a new and unexpected feeling. it's very uncomfortable. now the pleasurable feelings you once associated w/ the cards has changed. the best example, i can think of is i bought a beautiful dress that i ended up wearing to my grandmother's funeral. i love the dress. i would like to wear it more but every time i see it, all i can see is the funeral. i could probably decondition myself to see the dress in a more positive light by doing something that gives me a pleasant memory in it. this is what i suggest: eat something solid but not to heavy. if it's possible, ground yourself further by going outside and walk barefoot on the earth. if you can, run soil thru your fingers. close your eyes and meditate on seeing yourself as a tree whose roots are reaching deep into the earth. storms happen but still you are rooted into the earth. after doing this ritual, do something simple and pleasurable with your deck. maybe just flip thru it. if you feel the dizziness start, try to stay focused w/ your mind's eye of being that tree in a storm staying rooted in the earth. safe and solid. the feeling should ease over time w/ practice. tarot should become pleasant to you again and you'll be able to handle those energy shifts better. ever read the celestine prophesies? he talks a lot about energy shifts and how our vibrations are increasing. most of the time we aren't aware but sometimes we are. if this is the case, the fact you were doing tarot could have been coincidental; however, the fact you were in a receptive mood for the cards, you got a double whammy. it would change your feelings to the cards. do you sense any other changes in your life or perspective on things? this is what i do to ground myself. if i can't go outside, i do a meditation on being the tree. if i have a plant in the house i do the meditation touching the plant. earth energy is like pentacles energy. perhaps do an exercise such as ordering your deck to recharge it would help. but try to stay focused on pentacles energy. air or water or fire energy can move or harm the tree but w/ pentacles energy you can protect yourself by knowing you have a solid grasp on mother earth. does this make any sense?

Umbrae	08 Aug 2002
Keslyn (sp?) nailed it, your third eye opened. On the other hand, in my lingo, a door opened, or you plugged in. You opened up. If you are not ready, you bet it can make you feel very ill. It takes getting used to, and then you do not even notice it any more. Once you get over the ill part (I recommend empty stomach, green tea) than you can begin exploring just what your gift is. Now the real work begins; you must make it occur again. Under your will.

Dark Inquisitor	09 Aug 2002
Thank you all for your suggestions & thoughts. DarkElectric recommended not only grounding, but also "shielding", and that helped quite a bit, but I was still getting some floaties & an unpleasant energy intensity. Then she recommended grounding stones like Tourmaline, Hematite, and Snowflake or Apache Tear Obsidian. I don't have those yet, but just wearing the quartz & amethyst crystals I do have has made a huge difference! I can read again without too much interference. Hopefully, this will fix the problem & I won't get clobbered again. Tarotphelia

Umbrae	09 Aug 2002
I recommend onyx. It works with your base chakra, excellent for grounding.

MeeWah	09 Aug 2002
Tarotphelia: You might want to experiment a bit with small pieces of different stones to see which are compatible with your needs. Try holding one in your hand or carried in a pocket whilst reading. Depending on how I feel & what I am doing, I wear different stones & metals. I like clear quartz for clarity, amethyst for protection & stability, hematite for grounding; turquoise or lapis lazuli for healing. Copper can be employed for grounding & protection; also silver. I also use malachite , bloodstone or amethyst worn at chest level; but I do not use all of them at the same time as that would be too much! Since all stones can pick up energies & retain them, I clean & recharge them.

Dark Inquisitor	09 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by MeeWah Depending on how I feel & what I am doing, I wear different stones & metals. I like clear quartz for clarity, amethyst for protection & stability, hematite for grounding; turquoise or lapis lazuli for healing. Copper can be employed for grounding & protection; also silver. I also use malachite , bloodstone or amethyst worn at chest level; but I do not use all of them at the same time as that would be too much! [/b] Still , think of the cool psychic protection helmet you could make with all that metal & stones!! (Hmm, I could do that with a copper collander & some hot glue..) Thanks for more advice ! Tarotphelia

zorya	09 Aug 2002
have you tried (after grounding) letting the energy go through you, rather than just into you?

Dark Inquisitor	09 Aug 2002
I did get it to stabilize and behave itself- it was like a semi-nauseated trancelike state. I could tell I was getting some thoughts & impressions trying to come thru. It wasn't very enjoyable !

napaea	09 Aug 2002
Hey Phelia!! Can you make me a helmet too? But i want little stones, or it will be too heavy for my little noggin!!

Dark Inquisitor	09 Aug 2002
If we can get it to light up and put an incense burner in the top, we can make a million bucks, napaea!

Umbrae	09 Aug 2002
Seriously. I carry around a hunk of Onyx (now it is habit mostly, get dressed fill my pockets, wallet, keys, lighter, pen, sunglasses, hunk of onyx, and a squishy clown nose. The onyx is carved into the shape of a skull. Used to be when I'd get the whirlies I'd hold it and kind of rub my thumb on it. Now it just rides in my pocket. It also serves another purpose. Here is a question for you. How is it possible to take care of your daily life, your vocation, school, mundane interactions, and still keep the spiritual in mind? By developing a "split consciousness" or split/divided focus. To develop a state of mind where small portion of your mind is always focused and open to the voice of the Gods, and your spiritual side. Where even if a client is screaming at you, you don't have to think "Ooops, I forgot to think about..." Without aid, it is a state impossible for most folks. A carved stone skull that you carry around is called a "Memento Mori". They were used in a long ago time to help folks remember that as mortals, our time is short. We are but shadows and dust. Mine is heavy. Just shy of a pound. It is large, about 3 inches around. I carry it in my blazer pocket (always). It is large enough where I am always aware of it, but it is not in my way. After time, focus is trained to be divided. You become of two minds. One portion is working with the mundane world, and the other is ALWAYS pushing the darkness back. Developing split consiousness also reduces the chance of getting whirlies, the onyx reduces the affects of the whirlies. It is difficult to remember to keep grounded and shielded without developing a split mind. Serious now. Try it. Now if you can get the incense to start burning on its own...

Dark Inquisitor	10 Aug 2002
I don't want to know what that squishy clown nose is for! Thanks for the advice & the interesting story. I had been thinking of renewing my search for a small stone skull of some kind after reading ming's "lucky charm" theory.( Unfortunately, most modern ones are poorly carved.) An onyx one would be beautiful - you are very fortunate to have that one in your pocket. Does it have a name? Or is it secret? Does it have any friends, or is it the only one? I think I may have developed the beginnings of split conscioussness a long time ago in response to the nutty people around me. I am very used to thinking about mortality, and I'm always surprised by how people flip out about it. They don't like even the mention of a skull, and certainly don't find them beautiful! But I see a secret code behind the scenes- those yellow smiley faces are really little yellow death's heads ! Sort of shorthand skulls- disguised symbols. I think that accounts for their bewildering popularity when first introduced. Maybe you should start The Secret Order of the Black Skull of Umbrae.... but it would be better somehow if it had started in the 1930's in black & white ...... There could be special jewelry involved - little skull fobs... Tarotphelia

RedWood	10 Aug 2002
I am totally missing the whole skull thing...What is it about skulls? I have no problem with them..Do they somehow help you have a split..I do some already..I don't carry any stones with me tho...

Umbrae	10 Aug 2002
It does not have to be a skull. Memento Mori were always skull (from back in the middle ages when folks needed something to remind them to pray at all times because they were mortal). It is a tool to train the mind to be in two places at once (when you're really nowhere at all). ________________________________________________ The squishy red nose is a clown nose. I recommend them highly. Unruly kids in restaurants? Kids in a grocery store line? Put on a clown nose. If you feel mean, you may want to throw in some vampire fangs and really get them, psychologically ruin them for life (I don't recommend that) against clown (picture clown nose, then a vampire smile-great stuff). There are many situation during the day that can be changed if you would just wear a clown nose for a few minutes. (no, this is not a joke-I do. Ask my wife)

RedWood	10 Aug 2002
Ok ...got it about the skulls..thanks lol I am a bit ignorant...What if the Kids is afraid of clowns?

Dark Inquisitor	10 Aug 2002
All intelligent children are afraid of clowns! Especially in Illinois. (Home of Popo the Clown - aka the late John Wayne Gacy) I was thinking last night that clown makeup is a subliminal , colorful overlay of a skull onto the face . A weird sort of death-grimace. Pay no attention. Tarotphelia

divinerguy	10 Aug 2002
Tarotphelia - I had one of those jolts last night. I get them every now and then. I immediately did a draw, and we'll find out soon enough if its a psychic flash - or just one too many bean burritos.

Umbrae	10 Aug 2002
When we look at virtually all cultures, there is a trickster deity present. Europeans have mostly lost theirs to the absolute good/absolute evil concept from the Middle East. American Indian and Celtic mythos are actually VERY similar (it causes one to wonder). Why the trickster? The clown/shaman mythos? Here is a hint. How do folks like clowns? Some folks are openly hostile towards them. I have friends who HATE them with a passion. They are funny. But why? Do we laugh because they are funny or because they make us uncomfortable? In mask theatre, the mask wearer takes on power from the mask. As the Clown makeup goes on, the social self is slowly stripped away, and replaced with a mask-of power. The clown is a mythic character of power, mimicking Coyote/Crow-Raven/Loki/Manannan Mac Lir; the shaman-trickster-clown. He stretches across all cultures and times. That power scares the be-jaysus out of folks. Trickster, clown, keeper of the gates, ferryman, shaman, magician, illusionist, lord of apples, lord of the otherworld, veracious, cunning, sly, wise, and lord of the in between gray places. Folks in America are aware of the Indian Raven/Coyote mytos, but let's examine The Celts. Manannan Mac Lir is one of the more popular celtic dieties. He is spoken of through out many mythical cycles. He is son of the mystical god Lir, ruler of Time and Deep Space which little is written about. Manannan appears around Ireland in many different shapes and guises. He is said to have transmigrated through many people includeing as Culain the Smith, Fionn MacCumhal and Mongan, who was taken away to Manannan's Land of Promise when he was just three nights old. He was also the foster-father of the great warrior Lugh. He wrapped the young child in his vast cloak and took him away in his boat to his Otherworld lands beyond the sea. Manannan Mac Lir is best known as wearing gray and being at shores and seas. The waters of mystiscm are forever linked with Manannan, as he holds the barriers of worlds and the gates to the otherworld. Often he is depicted as riding a chariot pulled by two white mares, across the waters. Or as a ferryman tolling a small boat across the waters to pick up some weary traveller not searching for land but something greater. As a great Magician of his people the Tuatha De Danaans, he is keeper of many magical treasures. He possessed a sword, Fragarach (The Answerer) which no armour could resist and which was entrusted to Lugh, and a breastplate that no weapon could pierce. He wore a cloak that could change into any colour. It was this cloak that he shook between his Sidhe wife Fand and her mortal lover Cuchulain, to prevent them from ever meeting again. Thus Manannan's cloak, like the mist with which he is associated, signifies the veil between the worlds. The most interesting and saught after of all his magical treasures is the crane skin bag, made from the skin of Aoife. At first glance it appears to contain a strange collection of items, such as 'the bones of Assal's pig', the belt and smith-hook of Gobhniu, the helmet of the King of Lochlan, and so on. Yet on deeper reflection we may realise the hidden meanings of the contents. The crane is the sacred bird of Manannan and the crane-skin bag is given in turn to Lugh, then Cumhal MacTredhorn and then to Fionn MacCumhal. Among the Tuatha De Danaans Manannan commands a very high status. After their defeat by the Milesians, it was Manannan who gave to the De Danaans the power of invisibility. He found retreats for them in the hollow hills and put hidden walls about them so that no mortals could find them, easily at least. He also gave to the De Danaans the 'Feast of Age'. No-one ever grew old at this feast, infact they became immortal. The pigs that were kept by Manannan and killed for the feast became whole again the next day.

Dark Inquisitor	10 Aug 2002
Divinerguy: What card did you draw? Haven't you gotten yourself a chunk of onyx to stick in your pocket?

divinerguy	10 Aug 2002
I did a three card draw, which included a 2 of Cups, reversed, 8 of Wands and I believe the 7 of Swords, reversed. I wrote out the reading on one the Yahoo groups. No crystals in my pocket, I don't know anything about them.

Dark Inquisitor	10 Aug 2002
It might be a good idea to experiment with stones just in case, you wouldn't want to get sick in the middle of a courtroom or something. In a book I recently read by Jamie Sams, the symptoms got so bad she had to quit work!

Dark Inquisitor	11 Aug 2002
It's now Sunday morning, & I was looking at stuff on the internet, when it (the energy) tried to sneak up on me again really fast ! I headed it off & ran for crystals. Now I am wondering if this is like a build up of psychic energy. I haven't been doing many readings lately - could this cause excess psychic buildup ? (Is there such a thing?) Is it possible that if you don't practice, this is a consequence? Would doing more readings help it to balance & dissipate? Wildly speculating, Tarotphelia

Umbrae	11 Aug 2002
Hello. No it is not a build-up. I is about becoming un-grounded. It is also about having no control over yourself. Forget the crystals. Each crystal will vibrate at a different rate. Get the wrong crystal and you'll be picking up Tierra del Fuego. When I was talking about Onyx (and clown noses) it was not a joke. I am very serious. If you notice, the approach with onyx takes care of things on not one, but two levels.

Dark Inquisitor	11 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Hello. When I was talking about Onyx (and clown noses) it was not a joke. I am very serious. I know you were serious, I just don't happen to have an onyx yet. I am using the quartz & amethyst crystals because they helped me before and are better than nothing right now. Tarotphelia

Umbrae	11 Aug 2002
Amethyst works with the Crown Chakra, much to high up, and although it will help open your third eye, may not provide the grounding affect you need (may actually help cause the whirlies if you are not grounded). Quartz, depending on the type works directly on the third eye. Whoops! Obsidian, Bloodstone, Onyx work with and on the Root Chakra which helps the grounding, neutralizes negative energies (also helps with sexual issues). Any lapidary supply store can provide you with what you need. Or you can go to a metaphysical store and buy them at twice the price.

Starfish	11 Aug 2002
I find that hematite works well for me with grounding - the added benefit is I love it's shiny blackness ;) :T10C Starfish

Dark Inquisitor	13 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Hello. No it is not a build-up. I is about becoming un-grounded. It is also about having no control over yourself. Any suggestions for how to develop control over it, or books to refer to for instuctions?? And, why does one become ungrounded in the first place? Is it something you do that you don't notice, or is it a just a random natural occurrence? Tarotphelia

Umbrae	13 Aug 2002
…and that is the question I was hoping you would ask. If you do not ask, giving the answer would be pointless. There is usually a conflict, a separation between the pragmatic and the spiritual (if there was not, we would not be here or have spiritual needs). In the physical realm, needs, conflicts, and pain are readily apparent. In the spiritual realm this is not so easily recognized. We become distracted. We watch TV, We read the paper (and commeserate over the poor Slobovians. “Oh woe is me, those poor Slobovians and their endless war…”) The market brings us down. And work. Work brings us down. The new job, the deadline. If you lose your job you will starve, lose health benefits oh my gawd! So we run about like mad-men. We worry, we stress. We sit down in front of the TV to just relax and watch “Friends” or Seinfiled (this rerun is such a good epeisode, Kramer does this…). …and we forget. We forget the entire spiritual side of our lives. We forget to gound. We forget to shield. We forget to remember. We forget to be humble, we forget charity…we remember ego. I have often said, going to church makes one a Christian no more than going to a car wash makes one a car. Most folks never get past talking the walk…they get too busy. It is like the man said, “Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken”. We just get so danged busy we forget. There we are with a handful of feathers… Practicing spiritual awareness needs to be a 24-7 effort. The only way to do this is to obtain split-conciousness. Come to think of it…a set of nice Rune Stones in a nice corduroy bag would do the trick… (Feathers is a metaphor for intentions and desires)

DarkElectric	13 Aug 2002
Umbrae, What are some practical methods one can practice, and apply (Aside from the memento mori, that's a good one) to our daily lives to be more in touch? How do we, in the fragmented world, develop a "split conciousness' successfully, counter to the daily assault of the rat race? I personally am trying to work on this. Less TV, classical music, etc. I think I'm making some progress, but I'm not sure. It seems that the good ol' material world is still too much with me, late and soon. But the thought of being left with a handful of feathers...

Umbrae	13 Aug 2002
A rock in the shoe would work, carrying or wearing something. I personally recommend something uncomfortable. Here is the idea. Physical discomfort is something that can keep the mind on something else (spiritual). It serves as a reminder. After awhile it becomes subliminal. Cute little talismans are forgotten too quickly. We are used to wearing jewelry. Something different is the key. It is why I always go for weight. In the summer months it is difficult to hide something in our waistbands (it is easy in the winter when you can cover with a bulky sweater), but even an item in your waistband can serve the same purpose. Or, hang a bag of rune-stones about your neck, as a constant reminder.

Umbrae	13 Aug 2002
Sienkiewicz, in one of his novels, compares the spiritual life to swimming: for the man who does not strive tirelessly, who does not fight continually against sinking, will mentally and morally go under.

Dark Inquisitor	02 Nov 2002
Old Thread Update just for fun & for others who may be having the same troubles.... My dizzies have settled down & it never returned as as severely as the first time. I still feel strange micro-rushes from time to time. A while ago I developed the ability to "see" people in my head that I have never actually seen in real life. Not in great detail, but usually correct. Recently there have been occasional feelings of protected love around me- not just a thought or little feeling, but an actual sensation. Just last week there was the sensation of an energy field coming at my head & neck. Pressure in the crown chakra occasionally. Since being aware of the connection between my past lives & repetitive dreams I've had, more information keeps emerging , & I am pulled backwards from time to time--feeling like various selves are connecting up somehow. I am getting more non-card related information with my readings, and just out of the blue as well. I think this is the process of raising the vibrational level. Tarotphelia

The My relationship to the cards is changing. thread was originally posted on 04 Aug 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.