Meditating With Tarot I - Support Group

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

TemperanceAngel	21 Dec 2003
I have chosen to call it one, as this thread will continue for 78 cards, that's a long time. I thought the Support Group was a gesture to help each other through, some weeks it may be hard to meditate on your card, but also if we do continue for 78 weeks our meditations are going to become quite strong and gain many insights :):):) It is very exciting indeed! I am looking forward to learning new meditation techniques, ideas, inspirations etc :D As some of you may know I am beginning with Temperance, and for any who read this and don't understand the 78 card study you will find details elsewhere in this Forum: Using Tarot Cards. OK well I must confess my meditation skills are a little rusty, hence my excitement at having others join me. RWS Temperance, I looked at the image quite closely, taking in the images and then closed my eyes and imagined the card still being there. The Knight of Pentacles visits me a lot in meditation, so it took a bit to get him to leave! These were the first impressions I wrote in my journal:" I felt this meditation in my third eye and was first drawn to the toe in the water, feeling the water, very delicate. I felt that this card was very tranquil, peaceful and feminine, that the angel was a beautiful woman. The feeling was a lot about water. But then I realised that not only is Temperance connected with Water and Earth, but Fire (volcano) and Air (wings/flight). And the Universe = Spirit. Temperance has a connection with the stars and The Star. There seems to be a lot that's secretive or hidden, one must search to find. Search the Elements, Universe and Spirit and take flight." When I got out my other 2 study cards (Herbal and Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg), low and behold, there is no angel in the Herbal, instead a beautiful woman. I have hardly ever looked at either of these decks, I really want to connect Tarot to herbs so I understand them better and the Russian deck, so dark, may help me to understand the 'shadow' side better. Let's enjoy this support group everyone :) XTAX Edited to note there is no volcano in RWS, instead the sun above mountains. In my meditation it was so clear to me that it was a volcano. How interesting...

Moonbow*	21 Dec 2003
Hi TA I haven't yet done the first of my 78 cards because its not Monday here yet but wanted to talk to you about meditation. I use it alot in my yoga and for anyone new to mediatation I found the easiest way to focus and concentrate was to do the following: ~ sit comfortably with a very straight back. If you do yoga the lotus position is ideal or one of the variations of it. ~ try any gounding exercises that you may be familiar with ( one that I have found useful is to imagine a beam of light entering the centre of your head, going through your body, through the floor, ground, earth and then deep into the earth. This can be done in conjunction with concentrating on your in and out breath.) ~ I then close my eyes and concentrate on a colour. Any colour that you feel attracted to. Let any thoughts go through your mind and out again and try all the time to concentrate on this colour. ~ Don't forget to breathe while doing all of this ~ Let your shoulders drop and be relaxed ~ You can stay in this state for as long as is comfortable for you and usually you need to build it up. One idea is to have your card of the week in front of you beforehand. Study it and note mentally any thoughts about it. I haven't actually done this with a Tarot card but I will try this at some stage during the study. I am also going to try some dreamwork with the card for clarity. Hope this helps anyone wanting to try this during the study Moonbow*

jmd	22 Dec 2003
Another technique - or rather, an added dimension to the techniques - may be to at times become one of the characters upon the image of the card one is working on. For example, when the first Aeclectic Tarot Project was undertaken, I decided to persue this technique to draw my card - in that case VII the Chariot. At other times, I have also allowed the image to unfold into lively movement and words, at times interacting with myself, at others as though I was but invisibly observing the cards' various interactions. Wonderful thread, TemperanceAngel! [for the sake of future cross reference, the thread mentioned in temperanceangel's first post is [url="http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20019"] A Card a Week... until the Conference! [/url] ]

Moonbow*	22 Dec 2003
I think this is an interesting thread so I'm gonna bump it.... Bump... Bump... Bump... Bump... M*

TemperanceAngel	22 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Moonbow* I think this is an interesting thread so I'm gonna bump it.... Bump... Bump... Bump... Bump... M* Oh Moonbow* look at you, with your flash new avatar and colored letters :D This thread will be a floater, going up and down over the next few weeks. You need to get onto you meditation, girlfriend ;) XTAX

Mimers	23 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel Oh Moonbow* look at you, with your flash new avatar and colored letters :D This thread will be a floater, going up and down over the next few weeks. You need to get onto you meditation, girlfriend ;) XTAX I agree with TemperanceAngel! I love the new avatar! Here is something I did with most of my cards. After grounding, I would stare at the card and notice all the details. Then I would close my eyes and picture the card in my head. I would imagine the picture getting larger and larger until it was large enough for me to step into. I would enter the card and interact. I gleened so much from this. Similar to what jmd described above, except I did not become the character in the card. Another great idea to try during the week is to think of the meaning of the card from different aspects. What would the card mean if it fell in different positions of a spread. For instance, Mental-thoughts or concepts Spirit-drive, enthusiasm, willpower Emotionally- How it stirs your feelings Physical - Body, Material/financial well being, health Soulful- How it relates to my spiritual quest, to my soul's journey Business - Relates to business/ career Relationship - how it depicts relating to another person Problamatic - what are the card's weakness? What is it telling you to work on. Shadow side Beneficial - The most beautiful aspect of this card. What you would want to emulate. just suggestions! Mimi

skytwig	24 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Mimers just suggestions! Great suggestions! :D

HudsonGray	24 Dec 2003
This is what I started last year & it worked really well. Walking into the card & talking with everyone/thing in it, looking around, some of the cards were extremely interesting in what I got, others just sort of sat there (the Empress and the Lovers were pretty boring but Death & Strength were hysterical). It's amazing the connections your mind makes when you give it free rein. I only did the majors though, one a night. I should do it again, or start on the minors.

Belladonna	24 Dec 2003
I meditate sitting cross-legged on the floor, beginning with noticing my breath, and then noticing my thoughts, allowing them to pass freely from my mind without dwelling on them. I do a grounding/centering exercise called the tree of life and, if I'm using a tarot card, I close my eyes and begin to sense that I am in the environment of the card I have chosen. One tip is to use one sense at a time. I imagine the heat of the sun on my skin, or the play of a light breeze in my hair. I feel the quality of the ground beneath my feet. Is it cool earth, or dry sand, or a hard marble floor? Then maybe I go on to sound...

LittleWing	24 Dec 2003
These are all really interesting suggestions, looks like alot of fun to try them out. I have always found it confusing - 'meditation with tarot'. Because the way i meditate is to empty my mind - concentrating only on the breath - the life force - in and out of me - so i suppose it is a different form of meditation - concentrating on the card rather than 'om' Moon bow - i am interested to hear more of using tarot in yoga - what did you mean?

Moonbow*	24 Dec 2003
Hi Littlewing Well, I haven't used meditation with Tarot yet but there are some great ideas from the others on this thread which (when I have time after christmas) I will try. I like jmd's mention of 'getting into the card' I have also read something similar to this in one of Rachael Pollacks books. Mimers and others, its seems have all done similar exercises with a card. At the moment I am trying the dream work (mentioned in another thread) as well. Another idea ( I believe it was TemperanceAngels) is to concentrate on a colour within the card. I have tried this with meditation and I find it a very easy way to concentrate, others will find their own ways. Moonbow*

LittleWing	24 Dec 2003
I think after Christmas will have to do for me too - busy time eh

Thea Lynx	25 Dec 2003
Hi TA, Well, I hadn't meditatd with Temperance yet, actually, this card had always been a bit of a turnoff for me - probably because I tend to be a bit of a rule bound 2 of swords type myself. But, I started thinking about the card and my focus went immediately to the water/energy that is being poured from cup to cup (as above so below) without the loss of any energy. I found this to be a wonderful way to get into the card and let myself take the journey into all it had to offer. I just let my conscious mind drift to the back and forth motion of the energy and all that it means in this card. Also helpful to me is the fact that this card came up in my Doorways reading with Rachel Pollack as that which I will risk - so it does tend to have additional significance for me. I plan to do my dream chant tonight and focus on the movement between the cups ( also significant for me as the two of cups is a most meaningful card for me on top of the fact that I consider myself to be too much swords and not enough cups) All thing considered, you could not have picked a better card to start with. Thea Lynx

TemperanceAngel	05 Jan 2004
OK well Christmas and New Year are over everyone :) *hint hint* *nudge nudge* My next card to meditate on was The Devil which I found a daunting task and also not enough time to do it in, so I decided to combine it with my next card The Tower, which seemed so fitting to me: The Tower breaking down habits of The Devil. From my journal, "I found merging the two together a hard task (RWS). The feeling I got with The Devil was one of calmness, which shocked me. No chaos at all. The naked figures were very detached from The Devil, and chained to themselves, but were really only one. The Devil himself seemed more of a voyuer, than part of the actual scene. When going into The Tower the first thing I noticed was the 2 calm figures from The Devil, had changed to terror - being separted, clothed and falling to the ground. The thing about walking into this card was I didn't want it to come 'alive' as I felt the 2 figures would then hit the ground. I walked to the top of The Tower and put the crown on and surveyed the scene. There was no fire in my meditation, but is in the card. A difficult meditation." Someone come and join me please??? Once you do your first one you will have conquered the biggest hurdle :) XTAX

Jewel-ry	06 Jan 2004
Hi TA, I'd love to join you but I'm having so much trouble meditating. My mind wonders! I often try to do my 5 minute study a day by meditating with the cards but the closest I get is when I get deeply engrossed in my thoughts, it just doesn't seem to happen. Got any tips? Perhaps I'm trying too hard! J :)

Agathe	06 Jan 2004
Oh Jewel-ry, I have the same problem and don't know what to do. I would love to start meditating but I often get bored and start falling asleep :( Agathe

lark	06 Jan 2004
Hi TemperanceAngel, Wonderful Thread! I meditate everyday. I use my cards as a focus point. I meditate for two reasons. 1. It helps strengthen my intuitive muscles. And 2. it gives me deep insights into the cards. So I hope you don't mind if I join you. I just found this thread, glad you bumped it. My meditation on the Devil. I didn't combine him with the Tower because he felt like enough to handle. I used three decks Robin Wood, World Spirit and Morgan Greer. The World Spirit I went in and noticed all the food on the floor first thing. I'm on a diet so this spoke to me right away. I walked up to the pedestal that the Devil is standing on. I was not afraid of him. He was calm and pleasant. He felt like an old friend. I asked him about addiction. Is he addicted to everything we are? He said, "No, he has no addiction, but one, and it's the worst addiction of all." He is addicted to watching us struggle with our addictions. So you don't give us our addictions?!! He said, "No, I just gain power from watching you try and fail to release yourself from yours." "If you have an addiction it's a weakness within yourself. Conquering it gives you strength and wisdom. Look around there are no strong, wise people here. If there were they wouldn't be chained." Are you saying that I am weak and stupid because I need to lose weight? He said, "Yes, You are stupid because you know what is healthy, and you are weak because you know what is healthy but you don't eat it." Ouch, Ouch Ouch!!! This is getting very personal. He said, "Personal is my bread and butter so to speak." I realised at this point that the Devil has a sense of humor. Who knew? I noticed that the snake thing on the right side of the pedestal had turned into a Chinese finger trap. The kind where you put your two pointer fingers in each end and you try to pull them out. But the harder you pull the tighter it gets. Aren't you using strength there? But it's not getting you out of the trap. How can Strength be one of the answers? He said, "I did not say Strength was the answer. It is the result of a conquered addiction." So it takes no Strength to conquer an addiction???? He said, "No. It takes the wisdom of Strength. By now I am confused. Is this some kind of riddle. I keep seeing the Strength card and I know tommorrow I have to meditate on it. That's where this is leading me and then I'll have an answer. Or will Strength lead me to another card and then another and another? I see a maze of question marks.??????? Can we please do Strength next time? The suspense is killing me. I see the Robin Wood, Devil card. There are pictures of a monkey trap on a chest full of gold and jewels. The box has a hole in the top big enough for the monkeys hand. There is a piece of fruit in the box. The monkey puts his hand in the box and grabs the fruit, but he can't get his hand out because he won't let go of the fruit. In my meditation the monkeys are screaming and howling because they can't get their hand out of the box. When all they have to do is let go. Foolish, Greed was brought to mind. The Morgan Greer card came into my mind. There's a fly on the pentacle. Greed breeds corruption, corruption breeds decay and decay stinks and it gathers flies. The fly is a symbol of greed!!! Ok, That's good, that fly always bothered me. No more came. Except I feel I need to do the Strenght card next. Pheeew, What a brain bender that was.

Moongold	06 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel-ry Hi TA, I'd love to join you but I'm having so much trouble meditating. My mind wonders! I often try to do my 5 minute study a day by meditating with the cards but the closest I get is when I get deeply engrossed in my thoughts, it just doesn't seem to happen. Got any tips? Perhaps I'm trying too hard! J :) I used to feel the same, jewel_ry. I used to just comtemplate a beautiful picture - even for just a few minutes and the my mind would just go away. There were lots of thoughts bubbling up but I simply let go of them and returned to the picture. After a while it became effortless and then I'd feel quite relaxed. In 1992 I learned TM and that is the method I use today - 20 minutes twice a day. I would look at the Tarot cards after a period of meditation and then I simply write whatever comes to mind. The words now just come. There are lots of tides and eddies but I don't pick up on all of them. The writing seems to come from some place deep within. Lately I have started writing to someone I trust deeply but I don't send her the letters. Somehow just the notion that I am speaking with her seems to allow me to say a whole lot of things, describe images, in a way that I normally would not be able to do. Sometimes if I read an inspiring or beautiful passage my soul just seems to go there and I can feel all sorts of warmth and very pleasant and calming physical sensations. I close my eeyes and just let myself drift in those. I guess I'm trying to say a few things. You write and maybe that is your way of tapping what is deep within, at least a beginning. Maybe a few classes would help give you some idea too? And you don't have to meditate on the card. You could simply be calm in the garden or the lounge in front of a fire until your mind is quiet and then just look at the cards. You may see different things. There are many ways of doing this, and you will find a way that suits you. :) Moongold

TemperanceAngel	06 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel-ry Hi TA, I'd love to join you but I'm having so much trouble meditating. My mind wonders! I often try to do my 5 minute study a day by meditating with the cards but the closest I get is when I get deeply engrossed in my thoughts, it just doesn't seem to happen. Got any tips? Perhaps I'm trying too hard! J :) Maybe this will help?? When my mind wonders, I ask my Higher Self, literally by saying it in my mind, "Higher Self, can I learn anything from this image/what does it want to show me/present to me/what wisdom does it have for me?" Any of those questions or any of your own. I find I have to ask my Higher Self quite a lot at the moment, but hopefully that will get better :) I try to do it as soon as I wake up, with no thoughts in my mind. I have been keeping my study decks by my bed! Firstly I white light myself and breathe and connect with my HS before attempting the cards. Hope this helps you as little :D XTAX

TemperanceAngel	06 Jan 2004
Thank you so much, Lark, for sharing that with us :) XTAX

skytwig	06 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Moongold Lately I have started writing to someone I trust deeply but I don't send her the letters. Somehow just the notion that I am speaking with her seems to allow me to say a whole lot of things, describe images, in a way that I normally would not be able to do. this is a marvelous suggestion, moongold!!! Writing really gets us in touch with our inner depth, our inner 'sea', if you will.... I find that free flow writing (without self editing) can be very revealing.... To write to someone we trust, ah, that creates such a 'cuddle' of nurturing to write within!! I think I might try writing to my beloved Grandmother and see what opens up within me.... that part of me may have some jewels I forgot I have!! Thank you! :)

Jewel-ry	06 Jan 2004
Thanks everyone, Moongold, TA, I'm gonna try some of your ideas. I think I want to be able to do it so badly that it just wont happen. I agree I need to find quiet and still my mind first and thats not easy in this house. I still need to fulfill my New Years Resolution and find my own special place! Will keep in touch here and as soon as I achieve anything I'll write and let you know. Thanks again J :)

Imagemaker	07 Jan 2004
< So you don't give us our addictions?!! He said, "No, I just gain power from watching you try and fail to release yourself from yours.">> Wow, Lark, what an insight! This statement really zings for me. I'm just back from a horrible, painful trip to visit my father, who has spent 3 months in a nursing home dealing with the effects of a stroke. Walking among the parked wheelchairs with people sitting through each day, heads down, sleeping or spaced out or pleading, was like walking through Hell. And I could walk out, they couldn't. It made me think of what put them there--what karma, what bad habits, what accidents, what choices . . . what huge, huge regrets and pain (literal and psychological) hold them now. I came home with much to meditate on and wondering how all this could be avoided. The Devil in Lark's meditation has much to feed on there. And I need to meditate on the Sun card to balance the darkness . . .

Thea Lynx	07 Jan 2004
Hi TA Wow - The Devil. I haven't yet meditated on this card simply because is always goes right into shadow for me, but I think there is a great deal of merit in at least attempting to face the thing about myself that I may not wish to. I plan to use my Radiant version of the card tonight and focus on the woman and see where that takes me. Riding the energy between the cups in the Temperance card was very exciting - this could be even more so. And i find my meditation skills are improving - no so much mind wandering when I have a tarot symbol to focus on. Thea

TemperanceAngel	07 Jan 2004
Good luck Thea, look forward to hearing how it goes :) Larks' meditation was brilliant, and I think has given us the courage to tackle what seems to be difficult, but can be very enlightening indeed . XTAX

Jewel-ry	09 Jan 2004
Hi everyone, Well, do I have a story for you. You will be so proud of me!! I'm feeling pretty proud of me!! The night before last I took the Haindl Empress card, shut myself in my bedroom with a 'Do not Disturb' notice outside, put on some beautiful aromatherapy music that I have, lit an incense stick and candles and I meditated!! :cool: I didn't complete the meditation because my mind broke in and this little voice was saying 'your doing it!, your doing it!' and the whole thing broke down, however, last night I did it again, picked up where I had left off and this is what happened: If you have the Haindl card you will know there is a door in it with a light behind it. I concentrated on the light and my breathing for a few minutes and pretty soon the light became the moon reflecting on the ocean. The light just shimmered on the water. I thought - the moon and her cycles. I moved towards the moon and went to the edge of the horizon, where the water became a waterfall. I peered over. It was awesome. I turned to look back and the Empress was splashing in the shallow sea. She seemed to be celebrating a love of life, she was joyful and happy. She was in tune with the Earth, the ground she stood on, the water she splashed in. She began to play with the snake. She was gentle with it as it slid around her body. I moved towards her and we both sat in the shallow water. I asked my higher guides to tell me what I needed to know about the Empress and it was she who answered. She turned to me and said one word - 'appreciation'. As she said this, she pointed behind me. I turned and looked out of the card and right in front of me was a tropical island. The moon had been replaced by the sun. The bird from the card flew over and became a brightly coloured parrott, which landed on top of one of the tall trees on this lush island. It was vibrant with life, birds, butterflys, trees, and flowers. I could feel the suns warmth, the warm water, the sand between my toes, the fish swimming around my feet. We walked along the beach, until day turned to dusk and then dusk to dark. The moon came up and she resumed her position. I walked back through the door, turned and became aware of my breathing and an absolute love of life, the Earth and her wonders. I immediately put pen to paper as suggested by Moongold and this I have virtually reproduced word for word. Amazing! I was left with a desire to walk a beach but one look outside made me change my mind, it was pouring with rain! Thanks to Moongold and to TA. TA, both times it was asking the question of my higher guides which seemed to catapault me into a new dimension. Brilliant. What an experience! I just hope I can do it again. J :)

lark	09 Jan 2004
Woo Hoo!!!!! Jewel-ry that was wonderful. You did it!!! And you'll do it again. It gets eaisier as you go. Appreciation what a great insight. And then she pointed and you walked around and appreciated all of the earths bounty. Your description was so vivid I felt like I was there. And to tell you the truth I didn't want to leave. It's snowing right now in Wisconsin. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

skytwig	09 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker It made me think of what put them there--what karma, what bad habits, what accidents, what choices . . . what huge, huge regrets and pain (literal and psychological) hold them now. I was wondering why you thought it was bad karma that placed these people in wheelchairs...... I have heard that some of the most ancient of spirits appear in the form of bums.....

skytwig	09 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel-ry I moved towards her and we both sat in the shallow water. I asked my higher guides to tell me what I needed to know about the Empress and it was she who answered. She turned to me and said one word - 'appreciation'. What an experience! I just hope I can do it again. J :) Wow.... this is exquisite. thank you!! :)

Nevada	09 Jan 2004
Jewel-ry, That's beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. This is so inspiring, I get the impression that it was meant to be shared this way. Nevada

Moongold	09 Jan 2004
Jewel_ry ~ Thank you for sharing this :) Your writing is beautiful. Moongold

TemperanceAngel	09 Jan 2004
OH JEWEL-REY....*TA dances around clapping her hands with glee* You must be so proud, thank you for the inspiration :):):):):) XTAX

Nevada	09 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker It made me think of what put them there--what karma, what bad habits, what accidents, what choices . . . what huge, huge regrets and pain (literal and psychological) hold them now. I came home with much to meditate on and wondering how all this could be avoided. The Devil in Lark's meditation has much to feed on there. And I need to meditate on the Sun card to balance the darkness . . . Imagemaker, Your post gave me pause. I get a very different impression when I visit nursing homes--and hospices. Perhaps it was the shock of seeing a dramatic change in your father that made you see it in this light. It's not just a difficult time for him, I'm sure it's extremely so for you and all your family. Hopefully he'll be able to go on and recover and do well for a long time. Others in that nursing home won't, and some of them are certainly frightened or lonely. No doubt you were aware of that during your visit. Please forgive me if the following doesn't fit your personal beliefs, I'm simply sharing my impressions and the way I see it. To each his own. :) There's a process that I believe occurs very naturally, when we get ready to leave our bodies in what we know as death. The force that holds the physical body in its form begins to weaken and dissipate. It happens at a different age for each person, very suddenly for some, and so gradually for others that it's difficult to track the changes. As this occurs I think people sometimes spend more and more time outside their bodies, experiencing the change either as a wondrous occurrence, or as something fearful which they recoil from and resist. I believe there's a lot of spiritual activity going on in nursing homes and hospices--not just for the benefit of patients but for their families as well. Angels, guides, whatever you want to call them, are in attendance, helping, standing ready, and guiding as they can. Some people can be aware of this activity and take inspiration, peace, and hope from it. Others meet it with uncertainty and unfamiliarity, if they sense it at all. I doubt the suffering you picked up on is based so much on Karma, as on what the patients' personal beliefs are, or what the past has taught them to expect of this stage of life, perhaps even loneliness, since this is a place where people are sometimes abandoned by family. Whether we have prepared for this experience or not can have bearing on whether it comes as a shock or as an extremely negative encounter with the inevitability of physical death. Again, this is just my observation. Take heart, I think your feelings about this are as valid and natural as anyone's. I wish you, your father, and your family well. Nevada

Moongold	09 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Nevada There's a process that I believe occurs very naturally, when we get ready to leave our bodies in what we know as death. The force that holds the physical body in its form begins to weaken and dissipate. It happens at a different age for each person, very suddenly for some, and so gradually for others that it's difficult to track the changes. As this occurs I think people sometimes spend more and more time outside their bodies, experiencing the change either as a wondrous occurrence, or as something fearful which they recoil from and resist. I believe there's a lot of spiritual activity going on in nursing homes and hospices--not just for the benefit of patients but for their families as well. Angels, guides, whatever you want to call them, are in attendance, helping, standing ready, and guiding as they can. Some people can be aware of this activity and take inspiration, peace, and hope from it. Others meet it with uncertainty and unfamiliarity, if they sense it at all. I doubt the suffering you picked up on is based so much on Karma, as on what the patients' personal beliefs are, or what the past has taught them to expect of this stage of life, perhaps even loneliness, since this is a place where people are sometimes abandoned by family. Whether we have prepared for this experience or not can have bearing on whether it comes as a shock or as an extremely negative encounter with the inevitability of physical death. Nevada, thank you for these wise and sensitive observations. These beliefs would take away the fear of age and impairment, and ensure the respectful treatment of the people who are aged and/or disabled. Moongold

Imagemaker	09 Jan 2004
Thanks for your thoughtful observations. Yes, it was a mix of spiritual growth and emotional trauma. I, too, have thought that the dying process is a time when the spirit makes its last adjustments, the mind goes silent in some people as the spirit works free. However, when the body returns to total animal condition and the mind is gone, when it goes on for years while the person is parked in a wheelchair or bed, howling or screaming in emotional torment day after day (not physical pain that's medicated away), when confusion causes a resident to call his wife 10 times a day to ask when she's coming to pick him up--for 5 years she explains patiently that he missed his ride, when a wife comes in to feed her husband every meal for 3 years while he sits and stares at the wall, in otherwise fine health--she told me her life is a living nightmare, and she stays there with him day after day . . . all the spiritual awareness and faith in angelic attendance doesn't reduce the hourly living misery of the family-attendants, the cost of keeping the body going, and the draining emotional exhaustion for all concerned. What is the karma burden here? What consequences are these people paying for past actions, or have they agreed to take these roles to challenge us to change things? I have always felt that souls willingly take roles on earth in which to learn or teach. But to see these bodies in torment is to hope that their misery isn't in vain. My father isn't in this extreme condition, though I doubt he'll be able to come home, but around him I talked to family members of those who live in this state now. They're exhausted and bitter. To see the length of "existence" that costs so much, part of our medical excellence in keeping the body alive at all costs . . . is truly scary. As the Boomers reach this age, one wonders where we'll all be--in the dirty diapers, lying in bed sores, ringing angrily for attendants to come clean us? Sitting in a wheelchair at a table, dropping food in our laps or waiting for someone to spoon cold noodles into our mouths? And can we afford/do better in caring for ourselves? I'm asking with curiosity and concern, not ranting. It's just that in the US our numbers are huge, the costs will be huge, and the crunch will be severe. The aides in this place are already overloaded, and it's a nice, high-end establishment. Can we make changes now so that the horror of what might happen, doesn't? On a MUCH lighter note, hooray for jewel-ry's beautiful meditation. May we all ask the Empress and our spirit guides to nurture us through trying times.

TemperanceAngel	10 Jan 2004
It came to my attention, via Firemaiden changing the thread title to Meditating, instead of Meditation with Tarot as there is a book with the same title. www.aeclectic.net/tarot/meditations-on-tarot/ Thanks, Firemaiden :) I had never heard of this book before, and think that I will get a hold of a copy. Just thought you all might be interested :D:D:D XTAX

Imagemaker	10 Jan 2004
I first saw this book in our Catholic College library and learned that it's a standard in the Catholic studies. Came as a surprise to me! A President of the College, a Sister, recommended it to me when she heard I was studying the tarot. I got a copy, but found it a bit too religious for me.

Jewel-ry	16 Jan 2004
I am having some truly fascinating experiences with my cards from the 78week study! I thought I would share them with you. Crystal Tarot - Emperor When I visited this Emperor in my meditation, my focus immediately went to the purple vertical band to the side of him as I had been pondering about the duck on it. Quite out of the blue it became a drape/curtain. He was sat inside looking out of the window! The window was massive, he was looking out at the world that he couldn't control. I became a bird and flew out to the tree, sat on one of its blurred branches and flew back again. 'I put things in little boxes', he said, 'little pockets of structure, regulation and organisation. But the side of me you cannot see is a little soft. I appreciate nature and what is created. I get this appreciation from the Empress. The duck represents the part of nature I can control, she is printed on my drapes'. I just breathed in the moment as I sat with the Emperor. Whilst thinking about this afterwards, I suddenly remembered the connection with the Emperor and the window and went to check my facts (Hebrew - heh). The book I looked at was Tarot of the Spirit, Pamela Eakins. In this book whilst reading the entry for the Emperor, mention was made of the fact that the root word for pane is pan which means fabric!! I would never have got this if I wasn't focusing and reflecting on my cards as much as I am. I love this study. Earlier in the week I also managed to meditate with the Haindl Emperor, and he was a different story altogether... J :)

Imagemaker	16 Jan 2004
Very cool stuff, jewel-ry! You're a natural!

Moonbow*	17 Jan 2004
What I am finding, when meditating, is that I'm not 'getting into' the card but I hear something which gives me a clue. (I don't like to say I am hearing voices). Is a clue towards what I should be noticing. I start off by visually picking out parts of the card in my head and spend much time looking at the details. I look at the energy of the card, the element the number and whatever I already know about the card. Then the card just seems to open up to me and I can see exactly what it is trying to convey. Just when I think I'm done I hear something (a voice, my voice??) and the card makes sense. Its happened on two cards now and with those two, I don't think I will ever forget the meaning of them. I don't know if I have explained this well enough. Is this something anyone has had happening to them? Moonbow* :)

lark	17 Jan 2004
Sounds like you're experiencing Clairaudiance (clear hearing) Moonbow* give us an example of one of the cards this happened with. What was the message?

Moonbow*	17 Jan 2004
Ok, Its the Tarot of the Spirit, I am going through the deck as suggested in the book. I started with the One of Fire (Ace of Wands) then went on to the 2 of Fire. Can't find a large enough picture of it to show you. This is the best I can find in a hurry: http://www.angelpaths.com/decks/spirit/fire/fire.html Well, I was concentrating on the details, the eye, the black pupil, the flames, the rods crossing in the middle etc etc, and I got to a point where I had a list of what was in the card but what was it saying to me. Then I 'heard' "look closer". I then focussed on the eye and suddenly it came to me. Its the attraction of opposites, the two is not just duality its also opposites. Male and Female, Yin and Yang, etc.. The card has a male triangle and female triangle. Its the energy between to two in order to produce a third. I now understand the artwork and the meaning of the card in a very clear way. Moonbow*

lark	17 Jan 2004
That is very amazing. A perfect insight into that card. Make notes of all the things you "hear" when you're studing the cards. It'll be very valuable to you later. Everybody experiences meditation in different ways some in more than one way. When I meditate I feel that I am physically in the card. And I have conversations with the figures in the card. But you are experiencing your meditation through auditory insight. From outside the card. No less insightful just a different way of getting what you need from that card to make it understandable to you. Bravo to you! An exciting gift to have.

Moonbow*	17 Jan 2004
Thankyou Lark Its happened with two cards now and I am taking notes of each meditation. I haven't experienced meditation like this before because I usually meditate after Yoga and during that my mind is blank and the meditation is very restful. Meditation with cards really does start you thinking and examining. I will let you know of my progress. Moonbow*

TemperanceAngel	17 Jan 2004
I don't ever feel like I am physically in the card and in all my meditations, including Tarot, no-one ever speaks to me, but I have an inner knowing or understanding or voice. Like Lark is saying we all experience in different ways and I am glad we started this thread, it is all so interesting! Jewel-ry is off and running now, and I look forward to more insights from her meditations (YAY Jewel-ry :)) Moonbow* it sounds great what you are doing, very insightful, keep posting! Lark, so much wisdom, please keep sharing. I have been procrastinating on my Star meditation, don't know why because I am looking forward to it :) Hoping it may happen today........ XTAX P.S. Please everyone who wants to, join in and ALL insights are helpful and great to read and gives us all a better understanding :):):)

Phoenyx*	17 Jan 2004
I can't seem to get past just the images, and random thoughts on the card, nothing definite, and unfortunately, nothing that stays with me. Maybe I'm going about it all wrong. :(

lark	17 Jan 2004
Hi Triquetra and Welcome! I hope I don't sound like a big know it all but the big secret is.... Patience. Meditation is not this big scary, secret thing that you have to do "the right way." I think that perception of it keeps us from trying it. When I sit down to meditate it doesn't matter to me if nothing comes through, I just view it as relaxing and peaceful. And that is all you have to do. Don't fight against it and expect it to be "productive." Dissolve into it... So no rule is my only rule for meditation...

Phoenyx*	17 Jan 2004
Thank you Lark, I'll try that next time I meditate....I feel like I'm falling overytime I meditate though, kinda scary.

Moongold	17 Jan 2004
It is very interesting indeed to hear other’s experience at meditation. These accounts simply show how different we all are. I would be a little concerned if I hear a voice in the same way that you have Moonbow* so the powers that be have spared me from that. My concern is based on my experience in mental health where hearing voices is often a psychotic symptom. Yours is clearly not, and spiritual history is replete with accounts of holy people who have received revelations in this way. For those of you who struggle, I felt as though I lived in the shadows for many years – simply could not make any kind of spiritual connections with anything. Some major crises made me want to but there was still a veil of amazing strength and I simply gave up. Somehow the giving up worked and little by little things began to happen in the simple business of everyday life. I call this the 10 Pentacles effect :) I took time to locate myself in the present moment and to then to put specific time aside for something as simple as quiet reading. I could never call it meditation but it was, of a kind. It still happens this way with me sometimes, and I think conscious contact with God or with our inner selves is often like this. It is an evolving, changing thing. So for some of us meditation or conscious contact might be a quiet reflective experience with the cards and for others it might simply be living full the present moment something we may have taken from the cards – in the context of 10 Pentacles or in simply showing love (Temperance, Justice, Empress and so on) to someone who needs it. This worked for me, and it might for someone else. There are some people whose daily lives are seemingly directed by conscious contact with God simply by the way they live them. This to me also seems to be like ongoing, active meditation. This might sound really corny but there were many women of my mother’s generation like this, and it often seems to be allied to educational, social and economic background. So our day with Tarot might be closely allied to the card. It is an Empress day for me right now and I’m trying to do the housework with that in mind. :D But other things are coming up for me throughout the day as well and I’ll write about them in my journal this evening. Today it is about showing respect for self and others by having a really nice living environment (I hate housework). So an unpleasant task can become something else altogether. Pardon my rambling now :). I really like what lark said so beautifully in fewer words. Moongold

lark	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Triquetra Thank you Lark, I'll try that next time I meditate....I feel like I'm falling everytime I meditate though, kinda scary. Yes, thats because you're fighting against it, trying to be the one in control.. When I first started meditating I would hold a small smooth stone in my hand. If I felt like I was melting or falling into the meditation and this made me panic I would focus on the stone. How it felt, cool, and smooth, and round. That grounded me. Try it and see if it makes you feel better. Now I welcome that falling feeling because once I hit the bottom of the rabbit hole...the really interesting information starts to come in.

lark	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Moongold There are some people whose daily lives are seemingly directed by conscious contact with God simply by the way they live them. This to me also seems to be like ongoing, active meditation. This might sound really corny but there were many women of my mother’s generation like this, and it often seems to be allied to educational, social and economic background. Loved your post Moongold (and the new avatar) I don't think this is corny at all. I often sat and watched my grandmother cook. No Zen Monk could have made a pie with as much meditative attention as she did. A woman completely at one and content with her task. Now that I really think about it her example is what taught me true meditative living. We have lost some of that in the modern world. But we can as you say strive to make our lives a direct daily contact with the Divine, just by how we live. And that this kind of (on going active) meditation is just as real and satisfying as any other.

TemperanceAngel	18 Jan 2004
Years ago when I worked as a dishwasher, I loved it because it was so peaceful. No-one to hassle me, no customers to deal with. I would just go into my meditative state, pure bliss:):):) I am going to begin a new thread, but please finish this one first! Thanks to everyone who has joined this thread so far and looking forward to more joining :) XTAX

lark	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel Years ago when I worked as a dishwasher, I loved it because it was so peaceful. No-one to hassle me, no customers to deal with. I would just go into my meditative state, pure bliss:):):) I worked as a dishwasher to at one time. I know just what you mean. The warm water on your hands, the noise of the dishwasher humming and sloshing. No one talked to you because it was too noisy so you just got to drift away with no one to bother you..Ahhh it was bliss.. Being a dishwasher has definitely gotten a bum rap.

Majecot	18 Jan 2004
Moongold... that is truly beautiful. (ditto on your avatar) I am familiar with the falling sensation.. when I try to do a deep meditation. I guess I do fight against it in some way. I think I am becoming more relaxed tho.. I find that now when I close my eyes there is a soft white light.. The last thing I do at night is try to take myself into a deep relaxation. lark, I am going to try a stone.. recommend a particular one?

lark	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Majecot . lark, I am going to try a stone.. recommend a particular one? Well, I used what is called a worry stone. Has a smooth scooped out place in the center to rub your thumb in. I have a Jade one and a Lapis one. But any small smooth stone will do.

Jewel-ry	18 Jan 2004
Hi everyone, I have been holding a Crystal whilst meditating. Always my Amethyst. I just hold it. Cant explain my reasoning, I think I held it the first time I meditated and so it has become part of what I do. Another thing I do, which I have not read anywhere, but did it once and it calmed my mind, is to imagine the coloured light of the chakra colours spreading up through my body, almost one cell at a time. This I do at the start of the meditation whilst trying to still my breathing. I begin with the red and the root chakra and just imagine it seeping through the body tissues, as it spreads upwards it changes to orange, yellow etc in accordance with chakra points. By the time it has reached the crown chakra, I am usually still and can then get into the card. I dont hear voices particularly but sometimes my own thoughts creep in. For instance, when I meditated with the Emperor (see above) I thought to myself, 'thats a window!' I agree totally with what has been said here. When you try too hard it doesnt seem to happen, it was once I stopped putting myself under pressure, that this whole beautiful world opened up to me! Also, it doesn't always go anywhere, I mean, meditation with cards doesn't always have an end point. Sometimes, it just stops, but I think as I do more and more, and relax more and more this will all make more sense to me. J :)

Moonbow*	18 Jan 2004
I just want to point out that in my previous posts about my meditation, I am not hearing voices through my ear. It comes into my head. It could be coming from me - perhaps an idea or thought or from my higher self. It comes at the point where I think have exhauted all my thoughts about the card, and it just springs up like a light bulb. But the important part is that this lightbulb is more relevant than what I have been picking up in my conscious mind. I hope I have explained this a bit better. It was late last night when I was posting! Moonbow* :)

Moongold	18 Jan 2004
Whatever, it is still an exciting and unique revelation:) Moongold

Phoenyx*	18 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark Well, I used what is called a worry stone. Has a smooth scooped out place in the center to rub your thumb in. I have a Jade one and a Lapis one. But any small smooth stone will do. I'll hunt out my worry stones and try it today, let you know how it worked. :)

Phoenyx*	18 Jan 2004
I wasn't meditating when this happened, but this did happen when I was fooling around with my RW deck about an hour ago. I was going through the deck, flipping all the reversed cards upwards, and going through the deck slowly , finding the Magician so I could look at it, meditate a bit on it and finally start on the 78 Weeks. As I was doing this, a feeling of contentment passed over me, not really for having the deck but, for having a friend that I could rely on. Suddenly the deck wasn't a possession that I had, but a friend that I had seemingly looked over and ignored. At the same time, it felt like the emotion of contentment wasn't coming all from me, but partly from the deck itself, as if it was trying to express that it was content in the partnership we have as well.

Moongold	18 Jan 2004
Thank you for sharing this. I suspect he contentment comes from deep within YOU :) The deck itself is merely 78 pieces of card. It is possible that you have reached some internal resolution and if this is so, how wonderful. Do not hesitate to acknowledge the power and wisdom within YOU, although it's often hard for women to do this. There are some who say that God lives wthin each one of us, and we that simply have to acknowledge her. Some of this happens in meditation. But you'll find your own way. Moongold

Phoenyx*	18 Jan 2004
Thank you for the support Moongold, and yes, I'm sure the feeling came from inside me, but it almost felt like it was coming outside me too, if that could be understood. :/

TemperanceAngel	18 Jan 2004
I have been focusing on this card when I go to sleep and wake up and done a tiny amount of meditation on it too (although card meditation is so hard...LOL) What has come to light (pardon the pun) is that the woman in the star seems to represent something higher than ourselves, not to do with our body or the physical plain. When I go into the card she is huge (RWS), like a giant, 100 times bigger than me. The Universe is a gigantic place and we are but a small part of it, but our function is still important, without us it would change the universal balance. It seems the woman keeps the balance between the earth and the universe, wow, no wonder she is so big. There also seems to be a lot of music in this card, birds singing as well. I couldn't describe the music to you, I just know it is there! The card is alive, it feels wonderful. I went under the water being poured from the jug, so refreshing and purifying, and I stood in the pond. I walked over to the other jug and stood under the water and felt as though I was merging into the earth, like the water. We are all connected and all part of the bigger picture :) XTAX

jmd	18 Jan 2004
With the Star, is this a wonderful opportunity to link a thread I have but recently had cause to mention? Sanctum Sanctorum. Please be aware that virtually all the posts were made prior to vBulletin, and that, as a result, some of the codes which were then used work differently (e.g., the [ quote ] command just gave a solid line). Also, some of the flow seems lost, as a large number of posts were lost due to software problems (especially many of the earlier posts).

TemperanceAngel	21 Jan 2004
Last year I was doing a meditation in a day Meditation Workshop, and in it we went out into the Universe, this is one of the things I love about meditation, you can go anywhere :):):) I sat on the Moon for awhile and looked down at the Earth, I felt so peaceful and wonderful. The Moon was so nuturing, it made me understand the feminine aspect of the Moon. I didn't want to leave, but my teacher called us back! thanks for listening! Lark, please come and share another experience with us :) XTAX

TemperanceAngel	21 Jan 2004
From Mary K. Greer's book, Tarot Mirrors. This method of meditation is also an acting method. What Mary is suggesting you do is mirror the cards: mimic the position of the card. For example The Magician (RWS), facing forward, one arm pointing up and one arm down. Once you have done this then think of some other positions the card would do. How would they walk? Sit? Run? Stand? Jump? The list is endless, sounds like fun, and a great way to get to know your cards :) You can also meditate on that position, or any position (even new) or breathe into it and give it life :laugh: it's sure to make you giggle.... XTAX

Imagemaker	21 Jan 2004
This is a very cool idea (mimic the position of the card)--though I guess I'll wait to do the Star for when it's warmer--thinking of the naked Robyn Wood card. Brrr--would deplete all my hope :)

TemperanceAngel	21 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker This is a very cool idea (mimic the position of the card)--though I guess I'll wait to do the Star for when it's warmer--thinking of the naked Robyn Wood card. Brrr--would deplete all my hope :) I never thought of that, Imagemaker :laugh: and best to do that one indoors as well, unless you are not the modest type.... What about the Hanged Man, how do you think he walks? On his fingers? XTAX

lark	21 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel Lark, please come and share another experience with us :) XTAX I'd love too. Should I post here or in the new thread? I'll work on the Star in my meditation and see what happens. Seems like just the card I need.

Imagemaker	21 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel I never thought of that, Imagemaker :laugh: and best to do that one indoors as well, unless you are not the modest type.... What about the Hanged Man, how do you think he walks? On his fingers? XTAX For the Star, setting up that pool indoors, with rocks and pseudo sky--hmmm, I see this could get complicated. And as for strapping one ankle to a pole, or a limb, and hanging down (getting stuck?)--well, then the neighbors WILL talk! Or if I'd have to call 911 "you're doing what? emulating The Hanged Man? Is this a suicide attempt?" Maybe I should rethink this . . .

Jewel-ry	21 Jan 2004
TA. I haven't been here for a few days. Loved your meditation with The Star. I could almost have been there with you. What a lovely thread this is. J :)

TemperanceAngel	21 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark I'd love too. Should I post here or in the new thread? I'll work on the Star in my meditation and see what happens. Seems like just the card I need. YES!! Keep posting here until it is full....XTAX

TemperanceAngel	21 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Imagemaker For the Star, setting up that pool indoors, with rocks and pseudo sky--hmmm, I see this could get complicated. And as for strapping one ankle to a pole, or a limb, and hanging down (getting stuck?)--well, then the neighbors WILL talk! Or if I'd have to call 911 "you're doing what? emulating The Hanged Man? Is this a suicide attempt?" Maybe I should rethink this . . . :laugh::laugh::laugh: Imagemaker, for now I think you should stick with fully clothed, sitting or standing upright cards..... Heaven forbid we had to send out a search party for you :joke: Anyway, enough chit-chat, back to meditating everyone...... XTAX

TemperanceAngel	22 Jan 2004
I am soo familiar with the RWS I decided to do my meditation on the Herbal Moon card, a beautiful full moon, black sky, lemon balm plant in front an a lizard facing a scorpian who is half in and half out of the water. When I started to meditate the lizard immediately turned into an alligator and I got a bit of a fright as I thought it was going to attack the scorpian!. When I asked why the lizard had turned into an alligator the answer was 'because it's a chameleon.' And I knew the moon to be a chameleon. The alligator moved into the dark water away to move away from the light of the full moon. The water didn't seem cold, but I do think it had hidden depths. In front of the moon were the 2 dogs from RWS fighting, not to hurt each other, but instead they 'represented the 'energy' of the full moon. A very 'animal' meditation. I suppose the unconscious has been described as primal or animal. Scorpian - hidden depths? From Ted Andrews, 'Animal Speak', LIZARD: Keynote: Subtlety of perception. Bridge subconscious with the conscious. sensitive. Strong intuition and psychic perceptions. Ability to perceive subtle movement. Native Americans associated the lizard with the Dreamtime. Dreaming with waking - lucid dreaming. ALLIGATOR - Keynote: Primal energies of Birth, Motherhood and Intuition. Associated with mythology - feminine and creative forces. Eyes - Higher vision and clairvoyance. XTAX

lark	22 Jan 2004
The first thing I noticed is this is a very deep card. This card "is" meditation. It's twilight and I can hear water tinkling. The air is warm, I'm not cold, but as I look down I'm naked. I walk twords a beautiful naked woman by the side of a pond. The ground is covered with thick, warm, green, moss. I move in perfect silence. As I approch a bird cries out a warning from a tree next to the pond. The woman is pouring pitchers of water, one in each hand, onto the land and into the pond. We say nothing. I feel like I'm supposed to observe. There is a beautiful red flower at the edge of the pond it's perfume is filling the air. As I contemplate the flower I notice that my thoughts make ripples on the pond. My breathing makes the moss move gently. So this is my mind and body? "Yes." Why are we naked? "Because you are learning the ability to look within yourself. Where there is pure truth. Pure truth can not be covered by anything." So you are pouring those pitchers of water on my mind and body? "Yes, your mind is connected to all things and your body is connected to the earth." " I do this to balance the emotion and intuition of water with the practical nature of earth, your body." "That is why the bird calls, to warn of an imbalance." What is in the pitchers? "The blood sweat and tears of what you have learned in your emotional, spiritual and physical life so far." I watched her pour the water, untill I see the light change. It is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, purple, white. Like a neon sign. I look up for the first time and notice the 8 stars above her head. They are in the chakra colors I meditate with. She looked at me and I knew.... It's not just about balancing your everyday life. It's about how meditation balances and connects you to the universal conciousness. If you have these in balance you have the energy of the whole universe available to you. That is why the Star is sometimes known as the wish card. The woman stops pouring water and stands up straight. The Milky Way Galaxy appears around her waist and she gently rotates it like a hoola hoop. She keep is in perfect balance. And that was all I saw. I used the Morgan Greer, Wheel of Change and the RWS.

TemperanceAngel	22 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark So you are pouring those pitchers of water on my mind and body? "Yes, your mind is connected to all things and your body is connected to the earth." " I do this to balance the emotion and intuition of water with the practical nature of earth, your body." "That is why the bird calls, to warn of an imbalance." Lark, how interesting that we both picked up on that in our meditation :) I agree that it is a very deep card, ont that you could spenf forever going into, like the High Priestess XTAX

lark	22 Jan 2004
I just went back and reread your Star post. We must have hit on something important. We both felt that huge universe connection. That she somehow balances everything. I never really thought of the Star before as a card of balance between the universal me and the earthly me. To be honest I looked at it in a very superficial way. "Oh, what a sweet, pretty card so full of hope...yada yada yada.. In my meditation I felt like I was very key, very essential in the big picture. (just like you felt) Yet it wasn't a feeling of responsibility..more a feeling of freedom to "just be." Very nice meditation and long too I glanced at the clock at 7:15 and I was aware of time again at 8:30. I was pretty out there :D

TemperanceAngel	22 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark In my meditation I felt like I was very key, very essential in the big picture. (just like you felt) Yet it wasn't a feeling of responsibility..more a feeling of freedom to "just be." Yes, an amazing feeling :) The thing is we are essential parts of the Universe, to me I really felt that connection between all. Very nice meditation and long too I glanced at the clock at 7:15 and I was aware of time again at 8:30. I was pretty out there :D Gosh, I am lucky if I last 15 mins. *One day when I go grow up I want to meditate just like Lark.* XTAX

Dexter	24 Jan 2004
TemperanceAngel; I thank you for the invitation to join this thread. I do need to relax more and try and meditate. I decided to try the relaxation in the bath so what I did was pour in some Epsom Salts which I know from my years as a counsellor works as a drawing agent and I thought since I didin't have any thing else on hand might help to relase some of the tension and draw away some negative energy. Well after I had settle and laid bath in the bath I led my self to my power place, this was something I learned to do from The Power of the Goddess book. Anyway my power place is next to a lake with a dock and a lovely hammock for me to lay and read in. I found myself laying in the hammock with the book laying across my stomach the waves softly lapping , the sun shining dappled through the leaves of the oak trees and a slight breeze gently rocking the hammock. This to me is pure bliss. But as I lay there I felt a presence and when I opened my eyes I saw standing next to me the knight form the Death card. My first thought was "Oh No what are you doing here this is my safe place, my calming place." But in the next instant the High Priestess was there moving him to the side. She spoke to him and said " She is not ready" She then took me by the hand, I looked towards the lake but it was not longer there instead there was the veil from the High Priestess Card. She pushed aside the veil and led me through. All I could see was blackness and lightening and hear the thunder. She then told me that everything was in my control I just had to believe it and that things on the outside could be a calming and wonderful as what I felt in my power place. As I concentrated the darkness started to recede and the thunder still rumbled in the background but I could see myself laying guite serenely in my hammock on this side of the veil as well. She then then led me back through the veil and there I was again int the identical position I had been when we started. Now this may sound corny but she then leaned down and kissed me between my eyes and said "You have the control". I then slowly brought myself back to the present and felt so relaxed and calm for the first time in a very long time. Now I guess I should give some background on how I have been feeling for the last year and a half. I have been going through menopause which is a little early for someone my age. I turned 47 this year. So I I've been dealing with the health issues that go along with this. And one of them is this feeling of being out of control. My oldest left for university a year ago and I've been very dissatified with my work as TemperanceAngel found in helping my interprete a Celtic Cross spread I had done for myself. It was one of her suggestion that I try to make time for myself and graciously invited me to join this thread. Anyway I hope that this is the right place to put this experience. Dexter

Imagemaker	24 Jan 2004
What a wonderful experience, Dexter! And how wise of you to make/take the time to let it happen. I, too, went through early menopause in the late 40s and ugh, how out of control I felt for so long--emotionally, psychologically, socially, parentally, in every way! That's when I got into serious meditation, which literally saved my life, my marriage, my sanity. May you always hold this experience as a reminder of your power against the hormones!

Jewel-ry	24 Jan 2004
Dexter, This is definately the right place to share this experience and what a lovely experience to share. Can you tell us more about how one finds their 'power place'? J :)

lark	24 Jan 2004
Dexter, Welcome Welcome Welcome! I to am on that cliff of MP just waiting to fall over the edge. Meditation helps me keep my sanity too...... Beautuiful meditation Thank you for sharing it and your story.

TemperanceAngel	25 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dexter TemperanceAngel; I thank you for the invitation to join this thread. Thank you for joining us, your meditation spoke volumes... I loved your set up with the bath and the Death and High Priestess gave you so much wisdom, perhaps you should see what the Empress says to you as well in another meditation..... I am so happy you have made time for yourself and I hope this encourages other people to join us :) What a great thread everyone and great work by everyone :D:D:D :*TA:*

Moonbow*	25 Jan 2004
Dexter I loved your meditation, you didn't even have to look at any cards to do this, or did you? I like this idea of meditating in the bath, but I wouldn't want to take my cards there. I think I may try this myself - I usually meditate in my bedroom (sometimes in bed or on a bean bag) Moonbow*

Dexter	25 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel-ry Dexter, This is definately the right place to share this experience and what a lovely experience to share. Can you tell us more about how one finds their 'power place'? J :) There is numerous names for the power place, I sometimes think of it as my safe place too, it is called the sacred place and also Nemeton. I have to apoligize the book this is from is not the Power of the Goddess but in fact "Clan of the Goddess, Celtic Wisdom and Ritual for Women by C.C. Brondwin." It is an amazing book and what I found particularily great was the rituals can all be done by visualization should you be unable to physically carry them all out. It basically is a place that you can go in your mind to be safe and calm and draw on your inner strength. It is a place that you make up, either from childhood memories or from an actually trip you have taken, a place that you knew right away was your special place. You make this your power place by ritual and you can go there anytime you need. Moonbow; No I didn't use any cards and to be honest I was suprised to meet anyone there. Using I go there to rest and recuperate and calm my mind. I use the bath because it is the only place I can be sure of not being disturbed. Although my oldest has gone off to university I still have 2 teenagers at home, my husband and the dog and cat. So the only place they don't distrub me is when I am in the bath. Except my cat who feels that he must sit on the side of the tub and monitor all I do. But when I want to meditate in there, he too is banished. TemperanceAngel; I have not met the Empress there yet but the Queen of Pentacles was there yesterday with the HP. I am still contemplating her presence and let everyone know my thoughts. Dexter

TemperanceAngel	25 Jan 2004
Sometimes when I meditate I go to my 'place in nature' first. There are two places I go, one is an abundant english garden with a pond and the other is in the Oz wilderness, lots of rocks, trees and a stream with a waterfall. I did not choose these places, they are where I am taken. I am always wearing a white medieval flowing dress :laugh: I would never wear this IRL. This is where I first met tarot cards, well actually: The Hermit, Magician and Knight of Pentacles, along with lots of animals and beautiful flowers and plants :) XTAX

Dexter	07 Feb 2004
Sorry it's taken me awhile to respond re the Queen of Pentacles. But it didn't take me long to realize with my struggle for balance, she was there exactly for that reason. HP for my spiritual and QP for my everyday work, family etc.

TemperanceAngel	10 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dexter Sorry it's taken me awhile to respond re the Queen of Pentacles. But it didn't take me long to realize with my struggle for balance, she was there exactly for that reason. HP for my spiritual and QP for my everyday work, family etc. Dexter, what a beautiful balance those two cards bring in :) Anyone have any tips for being disciplined with Tarot Meditation? I have discovered that (and I think this is the reason) that I cannot meditate on Judgement until I have moved into the High Priestess first. For me, personally, I think these two cards have a huge link, one in which I will be looking forward to linking via meditation... Isn't it hard to find the time to sit down and meditate? XTAX

mac22	11 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel It came to my attention, via Firemaiden changing the thread title to Meditating, instead of Meditation with Tarot as there is a book with the same title. www.aeclectic.net/tarot/meditations-on-tarot/ Thanks, Firemaiden :) I had never heard of this book before, and think that I will get a hold of a copy. Just thought you all might be interested :D:D:D XTAX One of my classic favs is: _Book of Tokens-Tarot Meditations_ by Paul Foster Case

mac22	11 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark Loved your post Moongold (and the new avatar) I don't think this is corny at all. I often sat and watched my grandmother cook. No Zen Monk could have made a pie with as much meditative attention as she did. A woman completely at one and content with her task. Now that I really think about it her example is what taught me true meditative living. We have lost some of that in the modern world. There is much to be said for finding joy & bliss in simple ordinary tasks. In today's world with its need for speed it's difficult to find a task to meditate on imho.

TemperanceAngel	24 Feb 2004
I have become so slack, I presume others have too?? XTAX

mac22	24 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel From Mary K. Greer's book, Tarot Mirrors. This method of meditation is also an acting method. What Mary is suggesting you do is mirror the cards: mimic the position of the card. For example The Magician (RWS), facing forward, one arm pointing up and one arm down. Once you have done this then think of some other positions the card would do. How would they walk? Sit? Run? Stand? Jump? The list is endless, sounds like fun, and a great way to get to know your cards :) You can also meditate on that position, or any position (even new) or breathe into it and give it life :laugh: it's sure to make you giggle.... XTAX Sounds like my early yoga classes...:D

Moonbow*	24 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel I have become so slack, I presume others have too?? XTAX Nope not me, I'm a good girl! I've been meditating every day on my Tarot of the Spirit. It's been amazing. I posted this in the TotS thread too. But, I have been going through each card and meditating on it, then writing down my thoughts, then going back to the book to read up the interpretation in there. These are very abstract paintings and by doing this, the cards make sense and meanings stick. It's a great way of getting to know a deck, especially if the cards are a bit abstract in design. I have also been meditating on the Sacred Geometry Oracle, you can really get lost in these!

TemperanceAngel	24 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Moonbow* Nope not me, I'm a good girl! Well done, Moonbow*, you should be posting to inspire us all :D XTAX

Jewel-ry	24 Feb 2004
Hi everyone, I'm still meditating too. I try to do the cards from the 78 card study but sometimes it just doesn't work, I think it depends on the cards, the last few have been difficult. I tend to meditate on whatever I feel like, for instance I needed the calmness of the HP from the Sacred Circle last night (I really love that card!) but like moonbow I am also working my way through the Tarot of the Spirit in the order that Pamela Eakins suggests and recording my experiences. I am really enjoying my meditations, although it is difficult finding the peace and quiet sometimes. J :)

mac22	24 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TemperanceAngel I have become so slack, I presume others have too?? XTAX See my post in the book section by Gareth knight...It's an excellent tarot meditation book!!! :D :D

Moongold	17 Mar 2004
Re Meditations on the Tarot it is a beautiful book but you need to be aware it is based on Christian hermeticism, with a Catholic emphasis, I think, I find it particularly relevant for this reason. Ideas from my Catholic childhood are presented here in different ways. Somehow the essence of these ideas is quite poignant when seen through experience. For example the author speaks of the Magician as representing a "synthesis of the conscious and the unconscious aspects of the personality" - what Jung would call individuation - a synthesis of self. The Magician is the pure act of intelligence which can only be known by reflection in the High Priestess. Consciousness requires both action and reflection. In order to know where the breath of spirit comes and where it goes, water is required to reflect it. Spirit becomes the Divine breath in place of arbitrary personal activity, and water becomes the perfect mirror of the Divine breath instead of being agitated by disturbances of imagination, passions or personal desires. Have you ever felt that you have attained this kind of harmony in meditation or in life? On occasion I have had glimpses of this and they were, in retrospect, the happiest times, moments of my life. This is what I aim for, and seek through the use of Tarot. It is allowing Spirit to enter my life so that my life may be a pure reflection of Spirit - in contemplation and action. Of course, I said that I aim for this - have not achieved it on a significant basis. :(. But that is what the path is about. This book is beautiful in allowing an understanding of the Tarot in this way.

Moonbow*	30 May 2004
Here we go again: I'm bumping this thread again as I have been meditating alot lately with the High Priestess and I wondered where this thread had got to. When my meditations make a little more sense to me I will post them here but in the meantime - does anyone else have something to post?

Dakota	31 May 2004
hmmmm, nothing of any great consequence, I am afraid. I tend to do a simple "card of the day", often come back to The Moon if I am looking to re-ground a bit. I am afraid that I have been doing more study than meditating with the cards since I discovered Aeclectic but this thread has reminded me to return to basics......

TemperanceAngel	02 Jun 2004
It's great to see this thread bumped back into action :) I haven't been meditating with cards but when I meditate sometimes cards come into the meditation...lol...usually the Knight of Pents or The Magician and the other day The Faery Godmother from the Faeries Oracle came in, in a very etheric form: white, wispy and transparent...beautiful... Look forward to others stories :D

TemperanceAngel	09 Jan 2005
Bumpity bump bump.....

The Meditating With Tarot I - Support Group thread was originally posted on 21 Dec 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.