Sunday, 14 February 2016

4 Reasons Why you Are Still Single

4 reasons why you are still single, love, cosmic journaling oracle
Cosmic Journaling Oracle
If you have been single for a while, chances are you wouldn't mind meeting that special someone to love and share your life with.

Unless of course you are totally happy with being single, then you don't need to read any further.

But if you do read on, then you might be wondering, why love seems to persistently elude you.

There can be many reasons, which you may be aware of, but sometimes it can also be down to your unconscious behaviour and state of mind that blocks you from attracting that fulfilling relationship you are dreaming of.

Here are some possibilities:

1. You are bitter and resentful about your past experiences

So many people experience a string of unhappy relationships, and after a while it either makes them start keeping 30 cats, or they become highly cynical about the whole love thang.

Unconsciously they begin to develop a kind of victim mentality, forever going on about how terribly they were hurt, and never wanting to be in that situation again.

If you fit into this category, then I know what you must be going through. I sadly haven't been immune to mistreatment either, but I advise you not to let these people rule the rest of your life in such a negative way.

Slowly you are building an impenetrable wall around you, and the only way you can pull it down again is by accepting what happened, learn from it, forgive those people, and then move on.


2. You are still clinging to your ex

If you are still hoping for your ex to return, then you won't attract anybody remotely suitable for you. That's because unconsciously you are not interested in long-term relationships but short-lived flings to fill the void.

You may also still be grieving for your broken relationship and may make some desperate choices for comfort, which you may later regret.

The best thing to do is accept that your ex is unlikely to come back and release that relationship mentally and emotionally. I know it is hard and it will take a while, but it will help you put closure on the past and open up to new opportunities.


3. You are waiting for Mr. or Mrs. Perfect

The basic ingredients for a long-term relationship is mutual attraction, chemistry, trust and respect. It's also important that you share same interests (at least a few) and values. On that foundation you can develop long-term love and commitment.

But do they really have to have a university degree like you? Or have lots of money? Or a job that your parents (or your peers) approve of?

Whatever you are looking for in your next relationship, by all means make a priority list, but don't dismiss someone, only because they don't tick one of the ingredients on your wishlist.

Think carefully about what is most important to you, but don't make that list so long that it will be hard for anyone to fulfil.

Explore, where you could compromise and still make it work. This isn't about "settling" for second best but discovering the hidden gems in a potential relationship and the all-important give and take.


4. You are desperate

It's been so long since your last relationship that you have stopped discerning the wheat from the chaff, and you are looking at every man or woman you meet as a love potential.

This can make you act in strange ways, like getting too close to someone you talk to at a social event, drink too much, offer your phone number etc. without noticing that they are just not interested in you.

And when you do get the chance for another date, then you keep getting in touch with them too often, and basically on an unconscious level you just exude desperation, which sadly is terribly unattractive.

Cool down. Step back. Relax. There is a better way how you can attract love into your life without trying too hard.

That doesn't mean you have to crawl into a shell and stop socialising. Instead, enjoy meeting new people and see them as potential friends rather than anything more. This way you build your social network, and who knows, one of them might be rocking your boat at one point in the future.

faith cosmic journaling oracle
Cosmic Journaling Oracle
Always trust the process and know that love will come your way when you least expect it.

Questions you could ask the Tarot:

1. What blocks have I created that hinder me from finding new love?

2. How can I overcome them?

3. What else can I do over the next four weeks to invite new love into my life?

If you love using the Tarot to explore your love issues, then you may enjoy using my Tarot & Spirituality workbook containing some insightful spreads and activities for self-development and personal growth.

For more articles on love and relationship topics, click here.

And if you would like a reading for personal guidance, I am here for you.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane


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Friday, 5 February 2016

The Cosmic Journaling Oracle - Awakening

cosmic journaling oracle awakening
Cosmic Journaling Oracle
The Cosmic Journaling Oracle isn't quite like other oracle decks out there.

It doesn't tell you how to interpret each card, it asks you to write your own story. That's why the word 'journaling' is part of its name.

The Cosmic Journaling Oracle invites you to create your own meanings for each card by exploring your life from one card to the next - from awakening to completion.

Pick a card and see what memories, ideas and emotions are triggered. Write about them.

The divination aspect of this deck lies in the random draw of a card, which asks you to pay attention to this particular topic.

You can also use the cards to answer specific questions, no problem at all. But before you do that, spend some time with the cards to make a connection, and you will notice how spookily accurate the messages and even predictions may turn out.

Awakening - I'm not telling you how this card should fit into your life or indeed how you should define or interpret it.

This is my personal story about Awakening, and yours may be similar or totally different, and that's the beauty of an oracle deck, which doesn't limit the card meanings to the creator's personal world.

Here, my story about Awakening only acts as an example of how you can work with each card of the deck.

Awakening - the moment I began to realise that after years of stagnation something was stirring inside me. My Awakening moments occurred at times of great change, grief and loss.

After one such event many years ago, I picked up my Tarot deck again after years of abandonment. There it was in my hands again, and the rest is history.

The very first time I came in contact with Tarot was when I felt overwhelmed by life's uncertainty with a lack of direction, when I was a student at university in the early 1980s.

By chance I joined a women's circle at the campus and looked with curiosity through a Tarot deck one of the women brought along. I was wondering, how fortune-telling could possibly work, and I wanted to know.

Awakening.

The urge to go on a magickal quest was always inside me, but it had to be ignited by a spark.

Just like a phoenix rising from the ashes, after years of lying dormant, a spark ignites the spirit lifting up body and soul.

It's a wake-up call.

In my readings, I interpret Awakening as transformation about to occur, which will bring growth and expansion.

In a relationship reading, this could mean meeting someone, who will change your life, or an existing relationship is being examined due to new insights or developments.

For a single person, Awakening can mean being clear about standards, values, sexual preferences and expectations, therefore avoiding unsuitable, even emotionally harmful relationships.

In work and career matters, it can mean a calling, vocation, change of direction.

Awakening leads to something new and therefore personal growth.

What is your story of Awakening?

The Cosmic Journaling Oracle will be available in March 2016 as a digital download and shortly after as a printed deck.

In the meantime, you can explore Tarot Journaling with my ebook.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane


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Wednesday, 27 January 2016

How To Include The Tarot In Your Daily Spiritual Practice

how to include the tarot in your daily spiritual practice

“Daily spiritual practice??!” I hear you say with a snarky cackle. “Honestly, I don’t have time for that.”

But are you sure you don’t have five minutes in a day just for yourself?

A grounding practice doesn’t need to be elaborate. You don’t have to set aside time for a full 10‑card Celtic Cross tarot reading every morning to clear your mind or reconnect with your intuition.

A simple one‑card reading can offer daily insight, reflection, and gentle guidance—and it takes no more than a few minutes.

If traditional meditation feels impossible (the lotus position, the closed eyes, the attempt to think of nothing😂), journaling can be a much more accessible way to unwind and centre yourself.

Here’s a simple approach:

🌅 Morning or 🌙 Evening - Choose What Supports You

Self‑reflective meditation works well either at the start or the end of your day.

  • Morning: Set the tone for the hours ahead. Look at what’s coming up, what you need to pay attention to, and how you want to show up.

  • Evening: Reflect on the day just passed—your favourite moments, lessons learned, small victories, and anything you want to release.

In both cases, writing is key. Putting your thoughts on paper grounds you, sharpens your focus, helps you problem‑solve, and supports emotional healing.

🔮 The Practice

Draw one card from your deck - tarot or oracle. Make a few notes. That’s it.

(If you’re wondering what to include in a one‑card reading, you can explore that here.)

☕ My Own Routine

I like to get up before my son wakes at 7am. I make a coffee, sit at my desk, pull a card, and jot down a few reflections using my checklist.

Later in the day, when I glance back at those notes, I often notice how the mindset I captured in the morning has quietly shaped the way I moved through the hours that followed.

tarot journal
My fauxdori journal filled with cosmic journaling sheets

Lately, I’ve found myself enjoying evening reflections at the end of a busy day.

Most nights, I do them right in bed - cosy under the blanket, with my favourite tarot deck and my fauxdori journal filled with the journaling sheets I designed specifically for this practice.

If the idea of a gentle nightly reflection speaks to you, you can download a cosmic journaling sheet in two sizes:

Evening Reflection A4 - for your ring binder. Two pages to be printed double-sided.

Evening Reflection A5 - designed to print double-sided to fold into a booklet or use as traveller's notebook (fauxdori) inserts.

For your evening reflection, you can draw a card in the morning, note it on your sheet, and then return to it at night to journal about how its energy unfolded throughout the day.

Experiment with the different approaches and see which rhythm feels most supportive for you.

⭐Download on my Ko-fi page

And if you already have your own tarot journaling habits, I’d truly love to hear about them - feel free to share💚

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

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Tuesday, 19 January 2016

Women, Know Your Worth!

angel of self-worth
Angels, Gods and Goddesses Oracle
(c) Toni C. Salerno 2003 
Having done so many Tarot readings addressing love and relationship issues over the years, I have noticed a distinct pattern: how women so readily settle for shitty relationships.

Yes, they are treated like shit and think that's normal or okay.

Women have the tendency to blame themselves for the way they are treated, and to a certain extent they're right.

They let it happen, because they think they shouldn't make a drama, complain or make some other kind of fuss.

Most likely, they'd be accused of being highly strung or having hormonal problems, and no woman wants to give that impression or have that reputation.

But here's the deal: women have to learn to set firm boundaries based on self-love; they need to realise their worth and make their relationship choices accordingly. And expressing emotions doesn't equal drama or PMT.

Here are some of the ill-treatments women put up with:

1. Lack of Communication

After weeks of dating and getting closer, suddenly the bloke doesn't get in touch any more. Total silence for days, but then out of the blue he makes contact again as if nothing has happened.

Unless this guy was in a coma or on a secret undercover mission working for MI6, then there is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behaviour, especially when this happens a couple of times.

If this has happened more than once, then it's time to ditch that player for good.

There are men out there, who consciously starve you of communication or time, so you keep wanting them more. Don't fall into this venus fly trap.

2. Two-Timing

I'm not talking cheating here (which of course is bad enough), but the woman actually being aware of another woman he is interested in.

Hello? Are you sure you want to nurture his ego by waiting for him to make a choice between you and the other?

Honestly, please... you don't have time for this. There is someone else out there for you, who would love you with all his heart and wouldn't treat you as an option or a stand-in.

This guy needs a reality check and realise he's not the only man on the planet. Tell him to make do with the other and block him completely out of your life.

3. Ambivalence

If after three months of dating, a man is still floating in and out of your life, prefers gaming, drugs, checking out other women and his mates over you, then it's time to kick that jerk in the butt and say "good riddance".

4. Passive Abuse

Physical abuse is clear-cut zero tolerance, and you should leave that relationship immediately, however, there is also the more subtle psychological abuse, which happens over time and can leave a woman full of self-doubt and with battered self-esteem.

I have written before about toxic relationships, which are emotionally draining and exhausting. They are the most difficult to get out of, because the symptoms tend to appear in a more established relationship, and emotional attachment makes is hard to let go.

Here's a question for you: 

When you stick with a shitty relationship, are you doing it because you want to please the man with your compliance and exceeding tolerance until he realises what a gem you are and changes his ways?

Trust me, he will never change, if you just let this happen to you. By ignoring your needs and not demanding the respect and attention you deserve, you just hand your personal power over to him. You are open to degradation and manipulation.

When women contact me for readings about their relationship issues, I don't know at that point what is going on in their lives, but the cards often tell me that something isn't quite right.

It is then up to me, an objective, neutral person from the outside to waive the red flag and help women recognise what is truly happening to them, and how they can make positive changes.

I urge all women to think about their boundaries carefully and realise that any kind of mistreatment as described above is NOT okay.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane



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Tuesday, 12 January 2016

The Truth About Soulmate Relationships

the truth about soulmate relationships
Tarot of Quotes

"Why did he leave me? He was my soulmate!" she cried, "Now he says he doesn't love me any more..." *sob*

As a professional Tarot reader, I deal with a lot of questions about love and relationships including "When will I meet my soulmate?", as if soulmate relationships were the Rolls Royce of relationships.

But here's the truth: they're not, and I tell you why.

What is a soulmate relationship?

You can find different definitions of a soulmate relationship on the internet, and some even include a karmic /past life connection.

This is my version:

In a soulmate relationship there is a mutual strong and deep love connecting both people for life.

That love will never diminish, and over time it can become all consuming and sometimes even leads to co-dependency without you realising.

It is possible that in a soul mate relationship you gradually lose yourself completely giving up your identity and autonomy. 

Two people become one, not just in private but in public, too.

So far, not so good.

Of course, deep love and affection is a wonderful thing, and that is one major aspect of a soulmate relationship.

This love lasts a lifetime, so if someone tells you they don't love you any more, then they have never been your soulmate.

Happy-ever-after in a soulmate relationship?

Not necessarily. As mentioned before, this type of relationship can be stifling, and at one point there will be an urge to break out, even if just for a short time.

Two people can evolve over time in different directions, which will not have an impact on the love they feel for each other, but on their ability to stay together.

When soulmates finally split up, they will experience this as difficult and traumatic, because they cannot stop loving the other but also recognise the reason why their breakup is for the best.

There is no guarantee that soulmates stay together for the rest of their lives.

Are other kind of relationships not just second-best?

Not necessarily. As long as they are built on mutual love, commitment, trust and respect, these relationships can equally last a lifetime but without the entangling energy of a soulmate connection.

A lot of successful relationships are NOT soulmate connections; both people in this kind of relationship manage to grow alongside each other, in fact, they help each other grow. 

They also keep their autonomy and yet are fully committed to each other.

How do you know, if you are in a soulmate relationship?

Although you can feel a strong connection to each other, especially at the beginning of a relationship, only time will tell if you do.

Astrology can also give you a hint as to how you are matched with your significant other. 

This involves your sun and your moon sign. If your moon sign is the same as your partner's sun sign, then this could indicate a soulmate relationship. 

You can also try a Tarot Love Match reading to explore your compatibility.

When you see an old couple still holding hands in public after 50 years of marriage, they are most likely soul mates. 

Like I said, time will tell, and initial attraction and a passionate early phase of a relationship is no indication for being soulmates.

What is for sure is that your significant other will never leave you, because they don't love you any more, and vice versa. 

There can be many different reasons for a breakup, but the love between you would remain forever.

A soulmate relationship usually only happens once in a lifetime, and not everyone experiences one, but that doesn't mean you cannot have fulfilling relationships in your life. 

As you can see, there is no need to aspire to a soulmate relationship, when you can be with someone, who you can be equally happy with, perhaps even happier than you think.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane


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Monday, 4 January 2016

Why You Should Have A Word Of The Year

why you should have a word of the year
Cosmic Faery's Journal Workbook

A new year has begun, and resolutions are made and discarded within a matter of weeks.

This is a shame, because so many resolutions are worthwhile, and if they can be kept, will have tremendous benefits, such as boosting confidence, health, self-worth etc.

Turning a resolution into a goal and pursuing it mindfully is the first step towards success, and there are some tricks you can apply that will help you along the way.

First, take some time today to calculate your year card and explore the energies surrounding you over the coming months.

Your year card can offer you ideas on what you should focus on during 2016, perhaps inner qualities that will help you achieve your ultimate goal such as loosing weight, improve your love life or get a new job.


the chariot tarot of quotes
Tarot of Quotes

There is always something hidden that stops us from getting what we want to achieve, and your year card may point you into the right direction towards discovery.

While you treat yourself to this quiet time of reflection, you can choose your personal word for 2016 based on the energies of your year card that will act as your inner guide towards your goal.

Once you know your word, write it down on little notes and put them in places, where you can be reminded of it often.

My personal word of the year is ONWARDS, based on The Chariot, my year card for 2016.

The Chariot is telling me that the year ahead won't be easy, but ONWARDS will remind me to let go and move forward rather than being held back by a 25-year old comfort zone.

I worked out my word of the year by using a journaling sheet I designed for my ebook Cosmic Faery's Journal Workbook.

cosmic faery journal workbook


There are lots of guided journaling prompts in this workbook, which I created to help you ground yourself and become more mindful about your potential and opportunities.

In this exercise, I show you what types of word to choose to make it more potent, and once you have chosen your word of the year, it can act as a powerful prompt to help you put your choices in alignment with your goal when decisions have to be made.

In the workbook, there is also a journaling sheet to help you catch up with your magickal word more regularly, so you keep remembering and apply it when you need it.

And have I mentioned recently how powerful just ten minutes of daily journaling can be

Honestly, if you keep thinking that you don't have the time, then please try to shift that mindset and create some little me-time each day to ground yourself, reflect and explore by putting pen to paper

You will soon notice how therapeutic it can be.

Happy New Year!

Christiane


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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness

 


Thursday, 24 September 2015

Lunar Eclipse Tarot Spread and Journaling Sheet

lunar eclipse tarot spread and journaling sheet

Next week on the 27th and 28th September the world will experience a rare phenomenon: a supermoon total lunar eclipse.

The last time this event occurred was over 30 years ago, and we won't be seeing this again until 2033.

What's more, the colour of the moon will turn red, so it's aptly called a 'blood moon'.

Needless to say there are people out there, who believe the world will end on that day, but rather than being worried about that, I will instead try out a Tarot spread I created for this event.

It's a simple 3-card reading, but for some extra fun it involves the High Priestess, the Moon and the Sun:

1. Shuffle your deck thoroughly.

2. Then, look through your deck until you get to the High Priestess. The card behind her will answer the question:

What is currently hidden that needs to be revealed to me?

3. Next, look through your deck until you get to the Moon. The card behind will answer the question:

How does this affect my feelings and emotions?

4. Lastly, look through your deck until you get to the Sun. The card behind will answer the question:

How can I gain more clarity?

I tried this spread before and found it illuminated new ideas and perspectives I didn't see before and connected them with my emotions (which before had puzzled me at times). Quite a revelation, so why not give it a go at this special time of the year.

In order to make this reading even more fun, I have created a cosmic journaling sheet you can print and use to record your reading. Access the PDF document here.

This reading was first published in my Tarot Moon Journal 2015, and the 2016 edition of this popular workbook will be available early November. If you wish to be notified when it is published, please subscribe to my newsletter.

If you enjoyed this spread and its matching journal sheet, please check out my latest ebook Tarot for All Seasons.

And don't forget to let me know how it's worked for you. I'd love your feedback!

Warmest wishes,

Christiane 🌛😄🌜


Connect with me on:

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Saturday, 12 September 2015

Why Your Fears Can Be Blessings

why your fears can be a blessing
Face your Fears - Tarot of Quotes

My Ascendant is Gemini.

The corresponding Minor Arcana cards for this zodiac sign are the Eight, Nine and Ten of Swords, and the Knight of Swords...

I have lived with the energies of those cards since I was a young child, when my parents left me at home alone at times and I started developing a fear of abandonment.

Anxiety has been my middle name ever since.

It has affected me profoundly, and only now in my midlife years am I beginning to come to terms with it.

Sometimes I can ignore it, at other times I can control it, and then at bad times it can be pretty much overpowering.

But fears are not there to be shoved under the carpet.

If you find yourself worrying about the worst catastrophes that may or may not happen to you, then embrace them as blessings.

Why?

Those fears teach you lessons.

They make you aware that anything can happen at any time. Just go with the flow and surrender to those possibilities.

They show you an alternative life and ask you to remind yourself of your strength and ability to cope.

Those fears tell you that if the worst happens, you are stronger than you think.

They ask you to imagine yourself rebuilding your life, and despite tragedy you can and will experience happiness again.

Whatever your fears are, be grateful for them. Embrace them as your guides rather than being paralysed by them. They prepare you for the unexpected and unwanted.

Nobody wants to experience illness, death, poverty or heartache, but when blows like this hit you (and they will sooner or later), use your fears to make you strong rather than helpless.

When you begin to accept the possibilities of a worst case scenario, the power that your fears have over you will start to fade.

Sometimes your fears teach you to be cautious; they stop you from walking naively into a disaster zone.

Fears are useful to help you evaluate your options and realise that at times it's okay to take a risk to live life fully.

A phobia can be paralysing, severely restricting your life, but rather than imagining yourself screaming and passing out when put into that situation, picture yourself laughing and saying to yourself what was all that fuss about? 

Imagine the exhilarating freedom you will gain, when open spaces let you breathe deeply, and a plane journey takes you to new and exciting destinations.

It takes time to rewire your brain to focus on the positive rather than the frightening negative. Don't give up. Keep going.

Affirmations do work, if you keep using them.

You can ask the cards for guidance, too, by exploring questions such as

  • If the worst came to pass, what new opportunities would come up for me?
  • What good will come from it?
  • What unexpected positive experience will I have as a result?
  • How can I stay strong and pursue happiness in difficult times?

Walk with your fears, make peace with them and let them give you wings.


Christiane

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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness

 


Saturday, 8 August 2015

Three Routes To Healing Tarot Spread

three routes to healing tarot spread
While navigating my healing journey, I came across this quote on Tumblr and thought it could be turned into a Tarot spread to cope with and overcome bereavement.

It would also work well for anyone, who has experienced a painful relationship breakup, abuse, bullying or anything, which has caused an emotional wound that needs healing.

Draw one card for each question:

1. How is my pain currently expressing itself? 

It's not just about feeling sad and depressed. A myriad of feelings and emotions can be brought up by bereavement, such as guilt, anger, resentment, even less obvious ones.

2. What lesson does it offer?

What can be learned from it? How can this lesson be taken on board, so step 3 can be carried out?

3. How can I release it?

What can be done to detach from it and let go of it?

Everyone, who is feeling emotional pain, is in a vulnerable position to seek help from the most unusual places.

I know what it's like to desperately wish for the pain to go away, or for it to be magically taken away by someone else.

It's easy to be tempted to visit a "Healer", and I was pondering recently, how some Tarot readers have started to call themselves Healers, and why I cannot join them.

Yes, there are people out there, who can help you heal, but choose wisely and know that you are your own best Healer. It's hard work on your part; you cannot avoid putting in your own effort.

But I do hope that this spread will help you on your way to recovery.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane


PS: You can also try the following activities to help you on your healing journey:

30 Days of Healing

Very simply, pull a card from your favourite Tarot / oracle deck each day to explore "What can I do today that will help me heal?"

Here, you learn to nurture and empower yourself to help you move forward.

30 Days of Gratitude

Just like above, pull a card each day to explore "What can I be grateful for today?"

This is a good exercise to practice positive thinking.

Click on the link below to download a specially designed journaling sheet you can use for both explorations and save it on your device. You will need to print it twice for 30 days of exploration:

Healing/Gratitude Exploration (PDF document)

The sheet is designed in such a way, that you don't need to write a lot each day; a powerful word or phrase is all you need, and it is easier to remember, too. Make it as practical as possible, so it is easy for you to take action.

If you publish the sheet with your writing on social media, please add hashtag #cosmicjournaling. I'd love to see how you get on with it, and your feedback is so very much appreciated.

This journaling sheet and so many more will be included in my new ebook.



Saturday, 25 July 2015

On Losing My Parents, Keeping The Faith, Healing and Gratitude

six of cups rider waite tarot of the new vision
“Grief can be a burden, but also an anchor. You get used to the weight, how it holds you in place.” 
Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

On 7th July my father died. His funeral was two weeks ago, on Thursday, the 16th.

He was 93 years old, frail and wanted to go, because he was sick of his body slowly giving up on him.

With my father gone, I'm now an orphan as my mother died in 2001.

Most of us will have to endure the loss of our parents at one point in our lives. It's a daunting rite of passage borne out of the natural flow of life.

I can feel the gaping hole in my life. Even though I didn't always get on with my parents, I know they always loved me unconditionally.

There is nobody else, who loves me this way.

Unconditional love is a very rare commodity. Friends and lovers come and go, and yes, of course there is love, but it tends to come with strings attached such as compromises and adjustments.

If it doesn't work out, people move on.

But my parents never did, even though I did some crazy things in the past they didn't approve of. I always had their unconditional love and a safe haven to retreat to when my world was crashing apart.

I'd like to think they are still around somehow and watch over me.

But faith for me isn't just about something I wish or believe.

I am having faith in myself, knowing that despite my loss I am grateful and enjoy life.

I know that a new chapter has begun for me, and I keep growing and evolving, and there will always be change that needs to be embraced rather than resisted.

My broken heart will heal, yet a scar will remain, and that scar will teach me more lessons about life, love, compassion, impermanence, letting go and making the most of the time I have on this planet.

My parents will always be part of me. The way they brought me up is reflected in my personality today.

Both were victims of the Second World War, which affected them deeply. No doubt that burden has been passed on to me during my childhood, even though I am carrying a lighter load.

“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.”
William Shakespeare,
Macbeth


Memories are invoked when looking through old photo albums. Pictures of my parents being young and in love, stylish black and white photos from the 50s and early sixties.

I will be sharing a few of them on Instagram, not just because they are about my parents, but they are such fascinating images from a bygone era.

Posting those pics won't be dwelling and being depressing, but it will be joyful and fun.

“Everyone grieves in different ways. For some, it could take longer or shorter. I do know it never disappears. An ember still smolders inside me. Most days, I don’t notice it, but, out of the blue, it’ll flare to life.”
Maria V. Snyder,
Storm Glass


I keep thinking about the way I grieve. Am I grieving at all?

Since my return from Germany, after one day of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, I have had the urge to get back to my work and my life. Just as if nothing happened.

Of course I cried.

Firstly, when I saw my father lying on his deathbed in the hospital, knowing that this would be the last time I would ever see him.

I spoke to him and stroked his forehead. When I felt it was time to go, I covered his face with the white sheet the nurse had pulled back earlier.

Secondly, at his funeral surrounded by family and friends, when I had to leave him for good.

There were a few tears in between, but otherwise grief hasn't overcome me. They say that grief comes in waves, and I know that there will be moments in which I will miss him terribly, just like my mother, who died in 2001.

But life is for the living, and I know there is still so much for me to do. All that knowing is the basis of my faith.

Healing and Gratitude 

Perhaps you are going through a similar situation. Bereavement requires healing. There is something you can do to help yourself heal.

30 Days of Healing

Very simply, pull a card from your favourite Tarot / oracle deck each day to explore "What can I do today that will help me heal?"

Here, you learn to nurture and empower yourself to help you move forward.

30 Days of Gratitude

Just like above, pull a card each day to explore "What can I be grateful for today?"

This is a good exercise to practice positive thinking.

I have created a special journaling sheet you can use for both explorations. Click on the link below to download and save it on your device. You will need to print it twice for 30 days of exploration:

Healing/Gratitude Exploration (PDF document)

The sheet is designed in such a way, that you don't need to write a lot each day; a powerful word or phrase is all you need, and it is easier to remember, too. Make it as practical as possible, so it is easy for you to take action.

If you publish the sheet with your writing on social media, please add hashtag #cosmicjournaling. I'd love to see how you get on with it, and your feedback is so very much appreciated.

This journaling sheet and so many more will be included in my new ebook.

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

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Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Introducing Cosmic Journaling

chakra wisdom oracle cards
There is so much I want to cover in this post, and I'm not sure where to begin.

But after having just taken a deep breath, I start with the Chakra Wisdom Oracle, which I recently bought and immediately loved the cards and the whole concept of the deck.

So I decided to use this deck together with the Tarot of the New Vision to do the Life is a Bed of Roses reading.

My post isn't about the actual reading but how I have recorded it.

You see, I'm in the process of creating completely different kind of journaling sheets that I hope will encourage and inspire you to write, putting your readings, thoughts and observations about your spiritual journey onto paper in a more fun and creative way.

cosmic journaling
On the image here you can see that I have made notes of my reading on the sheet surrounded by the cards I have drawn.

You can download the sheet here and try it out for yourself. Perhaps you can even do a better job than me filling it in.

My handwriting has become a bit dodgy after years of using a keyboard, and I could have used different colour pens to make it even prettier.

The nice thing about these journal sheets is that you can reprint and use them as often as you like. Along the way you will start to set your imagination free...and perhaps improve your handwriting too!

I have already created lots of different sheets for various readings / spreads and spiritual explorations, which will be available in an ebook soon, and already had such fun filling them in.

Cosmic journaling isn't just about writing into a plain notebook; it's about turning your writing into a visual experience and in the process help you unblock your creativity.

Let me know what you think. Use the journaling sheet, take a pic of it and post to Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #cosmicjournaling. You can also tag me @cosmicfaery.

Find out more about Cosmic Faery's Journal Workbook coming in September 2015.

chakra wisdom oracle cards
Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards
(c) Watkins Media Ltd. 2014
And last but not least, having mentioned the Chakra Wisdom oracle cards earlier, I really enjoy working with them at the moment.

It is very rare for me to connect with an oracle deck (I'm very much a tarot girl at heart), but this one really speaks to me, and I learn more about the Chakras, which I always wanted to do.

I have had some fascinating readings with these cards, for myself and others, so if this kind of deck appeals to you, then I can highly recommend it.

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 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumbr and Instagram.




Monday, 8 June 2015

Life Is A Bed Of Roses

roses in tarot cards
Roses on Tarot cards
Universal Waite Tarot (c) US Games 2008

The other day I heard someone say "life isn't a bed of roses, you know", and I found myself quietly disagreeing.

Life is truly a bed of roses.

Plenty of beautiful and fragrant blooms (which we sometimes overlook or take for granted), but also little annoying thorns hiding between the sheets!

Then I looked at my RWS Tarot deck to find all the cards that contained roses, and I found nine (see pic).

We can find roses on challenging cards, where they may indicate the need to pay more attention to what goes well in one's life rather than being all consumed by doom and adversity.

Roses are a bit like double-edged swords: the femme fatale, no gain without pain, yin and yang, feminine (blooms) and masculine (thorns), Venus and Mars.

So the following reading involves the Empress (Venus - beauty, love, nurture, creativity) and the Tower (Mars - strife, conflict, upheaval, destruction).

This two-card snapshot reading is about recognising and appreciating the beauty in your life while looking out for the thorns that are lying in wait ready to prick you. Ouch.

First, thoroughly shuffle your deck.

1. What is beautiful in your life right now?

Look through your cards until you get to the Empress. The card behind the Empress reveals something good in your life that you need to recognise and cherish.

2. Hidden thorns you need to watch out for

Look through your cards until you get to the Tower. The card behind the Tower reveals something unsettling that you need to be aware of.

bed of roses journaling sheet #cosmicjournaling
It's quirky, a bit wacky, it's outside the box!
Download and get writing.
#cosmicjournaling

You can record your reading on this funky journaling sheet (.pdf), which is a little taster of what's to come in my forthcoming ebook Cosmic Faery's Journal - Tarot and Spirituality Workbook, available in September 2015.

I'd love to see pics of your completed journaling sheets - post them on Instagram using #cosmicjournaling in your description and tag me @cosmicfaery

Warmest wishes,

Christiane


Connect with me on:

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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness