Keeping it Clean: how and why to do energy cleansing

 As an empath and clairvoyant I receive information from my clients in many ways. I also absorb a lot: physical sensations, emotions, pain and anxiety that belong to my client often flow through my own mind and body, prior to and during a reading. At the same time I receive pictures and words to help me understand those sensations.

I've learned, over time, that if I do not make an active effort to release these energies I can end up carrying the physical stress of all my clients with me at the end of the day - and that can make me quite ill.

I also noticed that, when using the Tarot, information from the previous client would seem to stick to the cards if I didn't clear them when I was through with each reading.

There are many great methods for clearing energy: incense (I especially like black copal), smudge sticks and candles all are great for cleansing your cards.  Bells, Qi Gong and taking a shower, as well as smudging, are great for clearing energy from your body. 

The problem with those methods is that they are not possible in many situations. So here are a few alternatives you can use anywhere. 

First cleanse yourself:

Stand-up and stretch your back and arms. Shake your arms and legs. Then sit down and breath deeply into your belly. With each exhalation, imagine releasing any energy that doesn't belong to you, particularly from the reading you just did. With each inhalation imagine drawing healing light and energy back in. See it fill your body with light and energy. 

If you feel you need more help: there are a good number of books and CDs that can teach you chakra clearing exercises. My own CD: Relax Now! has several quick and easy visualizations to help you with that process.

Next cleanse your cards:  

You probably already protect your cards by using a scarf or special table cloth when you do readings. At the end of each reading first clear your cards by shuffling them repeatedly and tapping their edges on the table top. Next, pick-up the scarf or table cloth and give it a good shake. 

Try to remember to repeat these actions after each reading - and keep it clean!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you have a lovely holiday. We are going to spend some time in the Columbia River Gorge admiring the view, hiking and kicking-back.

Back next week!

Choosing a Tarot Deck

I thought I'd take a step backward, and truly start at the beginning. Before you work with the Tarot you need to chose a deck to work with.

Here are  a few things to consider when choosing a deck:

You may want to have two decks: one that you use for reading for yourself, and a separate deck for reading for others. There are a couple of reasons to have separate decks. I believe our cards get imprinted with our energy when we work with them repeatedly. You may want to have one deck that has only your energy connected with it.  I use the Voyager Tarot when I read for others. The  collage-like quality of the deck seems to help me channel information for my clients. For this reason I can't use it for my own readings - my information gets mixed-up with information for my next client, or a friend or family member I'm concerned about. 

I have a few different decks I turn to when seeking information for myself. One I particularly like is the Art Nouveau deck.

Do you like to carry your deck with you? If so, you may want to look for a nicely detailed smaller deck such as the Robin Wood Tarot. You may also find a round deck easier to hold, shuffle and work with if you have small hands. The Mother Peace deck is one example of a round deck with a choice of two sizes.

Are you interested in magic and the Golden Dawn? If so, the Thoth tarot is filled with magical symbols as is the Rider-Waite deck.

Many cards are available in several languages. This is a great way to learn  Tarot terminology in the language of interest - but be aware that some like the Osho Zen are radically different than a standard deck and may be confusing if you are new to the Tarot.

Most important of all: pick a deck that you enjoy working with, so you will look forward to reading the cards. Many book stores have a display that allow you to look at several cards from each deck they sell, before making a selection. Also, you can preview many decks on-line at: www.aeclectic.net/tarot/.  

For more information -  here's a link to a more extensive article I wrote on that topic: http://newconnexion.net/articles/index.cfm/2003/09/tarot.html.

In future posts I will talk about connecting with your cards, cleansing the cards and yourself after readings, and getting to know your Tarot deck.

11/11/2008 - Tarot Dreams

Are you looking for ways to enrich your dream-time and your knowledge of the Tarot?

Here's a way to do both at once:

First: pick the Tarot card you'd like to work with. 

You can chose a card by shuffling the deck and picking at random. If you use this method, think about a question or an issue in your life with which you need help, then ask for guidance before you draw your card. 

You can also select a card deliberately.  Pick out a card that embodies qualities you'd like in yourself. For instance you might pick the 'High Priestess Card' if you would like to be more calm and confident or if you wish for better intuition.

You might also pick a card because you like the picture - and you'd like to see that image in your dreams.

Next: once you've chosen your card, prop it next to your bedside, and gaze at it until you feel like you know the picture very well. As you turn off the light, tell yourself what you want from the card. For example, you might say: "I want to visit that castle in my dreams", or "I want to feel as courageous as the lion on the card". Then tell yourself "I will remember my dreams."

Finally: in the morning when you wake up, journal whatever you remember about your dreams. Do this even if it seems unrelated to your question.  Next, look at the card and write any thoughts that pop into your head. Writing helps you access your intuition and strengthen your connection to your chosen card.

If you want to continue working with the same card for awhile, consider getting a small picture frame or easel to hold the card. This will protect the card and make it easier to see. 

If you don't yet have a tarot deck - you can use photos or other types of cards in the same manner. Or - check in with me later and I'll give you some pointers on choosing a tarot deck.

Sweet dreams!