Learning Your Life Lessons Tarot Spread

Morgan Greer Tarot  © US Games 1993

As we navigate through life, our experiences teach us many lessons:

we make mistakes, we get things right, we observe other people and learn from them.

We travel, work, build relationships, acquire knowledge, meet challenges and experience change.

Sometimes we need to stop and pause to remind ourselves of the lessons we have learned so far and how they can be of use to us at a particular time.

If we don't, then we may end up making the same mistake twice or get stuck in a rut.

For this purpose, I have designed the following spread.

Each card in the Tarot (and even oracle decks) offers a life lesson that is personal to you.

Meditate on each card you have drawn - what are the lessons you need to remember and make use of today and in the future?

Take your time, but be concise. My sample reading is below:

1. Life lesson I need to apply in the Present
2. Life lesson that sustains me
3. Life lesson I learned in the Past and is still relevant today
4. Life lesson that protects me
5. Life lesson I will need to apply in the near future

1. 4 of Swords - Having regular breaks from work and busy situations does wonders for creativity, physical and mental health. Never let others determine when you can rest and recharge. Take time out when you need it, and this is what I need to do in the present.
2. 7 of Pentacles - Don't expect overnight success. Putting in my best efforts with patience over time will eventually bear fruit. Everything I care for deserves my full attention and nurture at all times. This lesson sustains me at any time I feel insecure, have doubts or have to define my priorities.
3. 3 of Wands - Don't be afraid of new beginnings and the unknown. I have experienced many changes in my life, and I shall move forward with trust and optimism on my new life path ahead.
4. 2 of Cups - Love! Building and maintaining harmonious relationships, developing mutual trust, tolerance and understanding even at times of uncertainty and change. Unconditional love and rising above anger, resentment and limiting attachments protects me from severe heartache and long-term bitterness.
5. 5 of Pentacles - I need money to pay my bills and make a modest living, but I also know that money doesn't necessarily make me rich. Life's riches are often found elsewhere. I need to be more aware of the little things that enrich my life and look out for them every day. Limiting my desire for material possessions will help me through lean times whilst still feeling content.

What life lessons have you learned and how does the Tarot help you apply them? 

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Transform your life this year: 

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it 

Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life

Tarot eBooks - Great value, innovative Tarot study material

Make sure you subscribe to my feed to receive the latest articles straight into your inbox when published.

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram

Hermit Wisdom

The Hermit is my personality card, because my date of birth adds up to the number 9. The personality card indicates the life lessons that need to be learned during a person's lifetime.

I've recently come to realize that over the past few months, I've been learning many lessons from The Hermit, and I'd like to share these insights with you:

1. Solitude is a blessing and catalyst for creativity and spiritual growth. Not to be mixed up with loneliness!

2. Simplicity is the key to a healthy lifestyle.

3. Downsizing can be the best option, if you want to gain more.

4. Scaling down and streamlining can move you forward in business, work and at home.

5. Keep your environment at home and at work clean, tidy and clutter free.

6. I don't want to be poor, but I know that money doesn't make me rich either.

7. Too many possessions are suffocating. The less you have, the more you appreciate what you have.

8. Sometimes planning can be counter-productive. It's good to have an objective, but meticulous planning can create obstacles and discouragement. Keep focused on your goal, and trust that your light will show you the way as you go along.

9. Having only a few genuine friends is better than being surrounded by many, who are shallow and back-stabbing.

10. Humility earns you respect.

11. Consumerism and greed stops people from realising what is truly important: love, friendship, family, nature, health, creativity, sustainability, spiritual growth.

12. Take your time to figure out what you want. Don't be rushed by outside (or self-inflicted) pressure to make a major decision that will affect the rest of your life. Pressure only makes you tense and anxious.

13. Sometimes it can be a blessing, if you don't get what you want.

14. Don't spend money you haven't got, and don't take out a loan that you will find difficult to pay back.

15. You don't need to experience an adrenaline rush every day to live life to the full. Instead, become more aware of people and surroundings; consciously and mindfully enjoying the company of a friend or loved one, the smell of a rose, the taste of good food, the pleasure of loosing yourself in the work you love or your hobby...Those are the moments you feel alive.

16. Enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

17. Not all that glitters is gold. In fact, you don't need gold. Love and health is much more valuable.

18. The most important relationship you have is with yourself. Make sure you give yourself plenty of love, nurture, trust, patience and understanding.

19. It's possible to be peaceful amidst noise, trouble or hard work. Just be calm within your heart.

20. It's perfectly okay to be the odd one out! Not fitting into a crowd develops your independence and power of observation.

21. Perfectionism blocks creativity. I allow myself to be imperfect.

These are my Hermit life lessons I have gained so far over the years.

Work out your personality card and explore your life lessons. Have fun!

Christiane 🦄

Connect with me on:

Substack - Live more Magic

Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling

Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness

 

Do You Compare and Despair?

How often do you compare yourself with others? And how often does that make you feel down and insecure?

If you are a budding artist, writer or entrepreneur, or you are working hard building a rewarding career in any other discipline, you will always come across people, who are further ahead than you.

They may already be in a position where you want to be. They seem to be more popular, or perhaps they make more money than you.

Whilst you're working your socks off to make a living, they seem to have accomplished that level of security and success that you are yearning for.

And whilst you keep comparing yourself and start to despair about your imagined inadequacies, the gap between your current position and your goal will become larger as your confidence and self-esteem gradually go down the drain.

So now is a good time to change the way you think, and here are some tips on how to do it: 

• There will always be people more successful than you. Some may even seem more talented. Get over it! That doesn't mean there isn't a place for you in Successville. Nobody is better than you, just DIFFERENT. Find your own niche based on your strengths and skills and create something unique in your own style. 
• Learn from the people you admire. Study their work and how they operate; along the way you will discover some "tricks of the trade" you may not have thought of before. 
• Network, communicate and build relationships with like-minded people including those you admire. Always give kindness, respect and support. You will find that this will be given to you in return. 
• Admire and be INSPIRED. Never imitate other people's work or personalities. You are unique, and you have something special to offer to the world. Develop your own ideas, style and personality. 
• Be true to yourself. Don't let others stop you from following your dream. In the end, you have to live with the decisions you make, not them. Surround yourself with people, who encourage and support you. 
• Be grateful for constructive criticism; you will learn from it, and it will help you progress. 
• There's no such thing as failure as long as you keep going and love what you do. Always be open to new ideas, new directions and new possibilities. 
• Use a mantra or affirmation to switch your negative self-image into a positive one. Stop saying “I’ll never be as good as her” and say instead: “I am good at what I do, and I’m learning and getting better every day.” Keep repeating the positive self-talk and you will begin to recognise your worth.

Remember, you can choose what to think, so focus on thoughts that increase your self-esteem and make you feel empowered.

By simply being aware of your thoughts and knowing you can alter them already empowers you to control their quality.

Here are some ways to help you increase your self-esteem and escape the compare-and-despair-trap:

1. Make a list about your characteristics, strengths, talents, skills, gifts and abilities and how you utilise them. What actions do you take to demonstrate your qualities?

2. Write down what you love and admire about yourself.

3. Create your mantras and affirmations to remind you of your power (pull some Tarot or oracle cards for inspiration).

4. When you feel negative about yourself, what could you do to help you feel better?

5. Think of activities you enjoy, people and pets who makes you happy, places you love… and anything else that brings a smile on your face – make a list of all those positive things around you and you start shifting your focus on the good stuff going on in your life.

Regular positive self-evaluation will help you strengthen and maintain a healthy level of self-esteem. 

Write it all down. Record it in your journal.You can start right now to be the author of your life!

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Transform your life this year: 

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it 

Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life

Tarot eBooks - Great value, innovative Tarot study material

Make sure you subscribe to my feed to receive the latest articles straight into your inbox when published.

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumbr and Instagram.

Inspirational Message For The Weekend

Aquatic Tarot © Andreas Schröter

Friday is usually a happy day for most people, so I thought I'd share with you an inspirational thought about Death, which I received in my inbox the other day.

For me it's the quintessential summary of this widely feared card, a message about detachment and renewal we can all embrace in a happily liberating way:

Die Alive

To the unenlightened, death comes but once a lifetime. To those who have chosen to become enlightened, there are a thousand chosen deaths before it's time to leave the body and move on. This kind of death is the releasing off all our attachments, from false identity to opinions, from people to possessions. 

Cutting the subtle threads of attachment frees the spirit from fear, and when the time comes to move on, it's like 'shooting the breeze'. 

Dying alive is simply letting go of all you hold fast to in your mind. It doesn't actually mean losing anything, simply changing your relationship with the things in your life today. 

The greatest pleasure for every soul is the result of choosing the living death called detachment. Why? Because attachment is a form of slavery, and it all takes place in our own minds. And the result of detachment? Real freedom. - Thoughtfortoday.org.uk

Enjoy your weekend!

Christiane

Transform your life this year: 

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life
Tarot eBooks - Great value, innovative Tarot study material

Make sure you subscribe to my feed to receive the latest articles straight into your inbox when published.

You can also connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

22 Life Lessons We Can Learn From The Tarot

Universal Tarot © 2003 Lo Scarabeo

Instead of using Tarot to predict the future, we can harness it as a transformational tool for ourselves or those we read for. 

Each magical image in a Tarot deck offers unique guidance and universal truths throughout life. 

I've compiled a list of life lessons related to the 22 cards of the Major Arcana. Feel free to explore and add your own.

0. The Fool
Live in the present. Don't dwell on the past..You do not know your future. Learn to enjoy the present moment and experience life in the 'here and now'.

1. The Magician
Stay focused on your goal and take action every day towards achieving it. Even with limited resources you can reach your full potential; believe in yourself.

2. High Priestess
Follow your intuition. You can listen to other people's advice, but also listen to your inner voice; do what you know deep down is right.

3. The Empress
Nurture yourself as much as you nurture others. When your own needs are met, you are more capable to take care of those who need you.

4. The Emperor
Give your dreams and ideas a chance to come to fruition. Focus on just one or two and persevere. Whatever the outcome, you will either be successful, or you will learn something.

5. The Hierophant
Learn from your mistakes and value the lessons they offer you; making mistakes is often better than doing nothing.

6. The Lovers
Spend time with the people you love and make you feel loved and appreciated in return; life is too short to tolerate anyone, who keeps making you feel miserable.

7. The Chariot
Sometimes it's good to break out of your comfort zone. Magic often happens on uncharted territory. Have the courage to push yourself to experience new challenges.

8. Strength
In your mind and spirit you are stronger than you think. Trust in your abilities to overcome any obstacles with willpower and determination. Stay positive.

9. The Hermit
Enjoy what you already have instead of wanting to accumulate more. There are simple pleasures to be had every day easily within your reach. Focus on inner rather than material growth.

10. Wheel of Fortune
You are not always in control of your destiny, but it it's up to you how you respond to the ups and downs you experience in your life, and how you perceive them. Every cloud has a silver lining.

11. Justice
Be honest with yourself and those close to you. Act with integrity and only say what you mean. Accept accountability for everything you do and say.

12. The Hanged Man
Rest assured that even a period of stagnation will come to an end. A new perspective, thinking outside the box, a different point of view will give you the momentum to take a step forward at the right time.

13. Death
Nothing ever stays the same. Things change. People change. You change. Endings can be painful, but they also lead to new beginnings. And that's a good thing. Be ready for your future.

14. Temperance
Eat less, chew more; talk less, listen more; hate less, love more; fear less, hope more; whine less, breathe more; blame less, praise more; work less, live more.

15. The Devil
Don't be a slave to the system; if you don't like the situation you're in, get out of it. Even after years of apathy, remember that you still have a choice and you can move on. Yes, you can.

16. The Tower
Pay attention to your stress levels and allow yourself time out. When you notice you are close to breaking point, slow down, take a break, breathe and relax, so you can move forward with clarity and purpose.

17. The Star
Genuinely care for people and show them kindness. Just like a guiding light, give hope and comfort when times are dark.It may also make you feel better, too.

18. The Moon
It’s no good hiding your emotions just because you want to keep the peace with others. Avoid resentment and bitterness by expressing your feelings without fear.

19. The Sun
Seek happiness for others, and you'll find it for yourself. By making others happy, you will be happy in return.

20. Judgement
No regrets. They don't work, because you cannot undo the actions you took in the past. What's done is done. Learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself.

21. The World
Be yourself. Live life true to yourself and not the life others expect from you. Embrace opportunities and challenges to develop new or latent talents.

Each card offers numerous life lessons we can embrace and learn from. What important lessons have you learned so far, and which tarot cards do they relate to?

Warmest wishes,

Christiane 🦄

Connect with me on:

Substack - Live more Magic

Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling

Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness