Modern Oracle Tarot by Ronda Snow

Updated 22 Feb 2014
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Q&A: Getting back together

Q: How does he feel about me? Will we get back together?

A: Hi ****** 

I understand how emotional of a time this is for you. It always hurts when relationships end, for whatever reason.

I'm sorry to be so hard on you, but it feels like you need a real wake up call here. We've talked about all of this before. A lot. This is exactly the wrong questions to be asking. This is exactly the kind of situation that scam psychics take advantage of. This is the opposite of what psychic tarot is all about.

• Psychics and Tarot can NOT tell what other people are thinking, are feeling or what they will do
• Even if psychics or tarot could do that, I wouldn't. Put yourself in *****'s place. How would you feel if he asked a stranger from the internet what you feel and what you plan to do. How would you feel if a stranger looked into your heart and your mind and your intentions all behind your back and without your permission and then spilled everything to your EX? Sounds pretty stalker creepy to me. I won't do that to another person, and I hope no one ever does that to you.
• Sometimes when we are doing a reading, we can get a sense of permission on the soul level, some sense of the other person sharing with you...that is not the case here

I know a little of that happened in your sister's reading, and she told me that the two of you have talked about it BUT she came with a whole different question. Like she told you, she wanted to know what she needed to do to help fix things...not a prediction about her ex. Maybe get some advice from her. Real world advice from someone who knows you and knows the situation is always a good thing. Tarot can help you know what to do for you - but it can't take the place of people who care about you, or make predictions, or read minds....

....I know that isn't the answer you were hoping for, but it is the only honest one I can give you right now. Be safe, be happy. 

Today's Tarot - High Priestess

Creativity is its own kind of magic. Anything you do, anything you make…from fine art to breakfast…can be infused with your best effort, your full attention, and your love.

Recent posts from the Kindle edition of Modern Oracle Tarot blog:

• Q&A: The Secret to Making Dreams Come True
• Tarot in a Test Tube
• Win a Free Reading
• Scrying
• Hello Andy (Warhol) and Thank You

Q and A: When will I work with my spirit guides?

Q: When will I start to work with my spirit guides? Will I hear them or see them?

A: When, if and how you work with your spirit guides (or angels) is entirely  up to you. You can start right here, right now if you so choose. Basically, all you have to do is love, trust, and listen.

As I understand it, the door of communication doesn't open or close  on their side...it opens or closes on ours. They are  ready and waiting to work with you, whenever your are ready to work with them. 

In my experience, there are a few things that can help make the process easier. I think they are very  important steps, but that is for you to judge. 

1. Set your intent to Love, Light, Respect - and only that.
2. Learn to listen to your INNER senses
3. Learn the language of spirit: symbolism and coincidence.

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Today's Tarot - 10 of Cups

When your roots reach deep, they can reach past fear and anger to find more compassionate, nourishing things.

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Q&A: My Girlfriend Left Me. Where do I go from here?

Q:After 5 years, my girlfriend left me a few months ago. I gave so much to someone who just didn't feel the same way. What is next? Where do I go from here?

A: I'm sorry to hear about what happened. It feels like you did everything you possibly could to make things work, so you can move on with no regrets, certainly. Your question is perfect for a classic "pathway" style reading...one card for lessons from the past that can help you now, one card to show ideas for dealing with the situation you are in now, and a third to show a good path forward.

General impressions: 
These cards carry a lot of energy...this experience is a real pivot-point for you. This is an important time and an important lesson. Please take care to learn and grow all you can, or this kind of experience will repeat until you learn what is needed. 

Keep in mind as we move forward to the individual cards that the images are concepts, ideas and symbols...they do NOT predict the future. How things unfold are up to you based on what you do and decide. Also keep in mind that the Tarot cards are very old...they came to be in the 1200s, so you have to put them into today's context too.

The first card is Death in reverse (upside down)...This isn't the distant past, but more about the very recent past, meaning the break-up with this girl in June. The death card is not literal...it talks about a life altering change. It does give you that caution I spoke of earlier...that this could repeat if care is not taken to learn from this, grow from this. It also is a message of hope...death, especially if it is reversed, speaks of re-birth...heaven, reincarnation and all that. This card strongly reminds you that this is a new beginning, a new phase of life, a new beginning, a fresh start for you. It is a chance to find real happiness this time. It is a new chance, a new beginning, a new day for you. Embrace it, and allow that to make you happy, not to get stuck in the past and what happened, which is another part of the message for you...the past is gone, essentially it is dead. Lesson learned, allow it to go, move on to something better.

The next card reassures you that something better is indeed possible...the next card is the 10 of coins, which means truth and happiness. The feeling here is "now you know". You can look for someone who returns the feelings and effort you give. Now you know more about what you hope to have in a relationship. I also get the mental image of a candle and the message "let your light glow". Be your genuine and true self...Don't try to fit other's expectations or bend them to yours either one...be who you are, love who you are, love others as they are. When you live from a position of love, like attracts like. If you are caring and genuine and honest, that will attract that honesty, and you both will know sooner if things are going well or not. The part about loving yourself is important too. Being honest with yourself that it isn't right is just as important as giving your best effort to a relationship. A teacher of mine always reminded us to think of what serves the loving highest and best. Is the loving thing to continue on in denial of what you feel, or to honor what you feel and move on? In any case, truth and happiness are there for you if you open to the possibilities.

The last card is the Devil...don't be frightened by it. In your case the message is like that old saying "give the devil his due". Acknowledge mistakes that were made before...admit the problems from the last relationship so you can let them go. If the mistakes were hers, then admit that, allow that you put up with too much for too long...and then you can move on to brighter days. If you had a part in things not working out...admit that too. Then change it next time. This whole situation feels more like a gift of a new chance, more than a loss.

Often I will end with a 'cold reading' portion with any final impressions, that might go with the cards or not. All I get here is the image of a magnifying glass, and the energy ends. It feels as if we are being told the message has been given...give full focus and attention to what has already been said.

I hope this helps. Good luck moving forward!

Baihu

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Q&A: Where can we have a happy marriage?

Q: We like where we live now, but my husband has better job offers in two different places. We've decided we want to make the move for the promotion. They are both pretty equal job offers, so it has come down to location for us, but we can't decide between xxxxxx, where the housing costs are better than here (we could get out from under our mortgage) but the weather is hot and humid, and we both hate that. The other offer is in zzzzzz, but the housing there costs a little bit more, but the weather is just gorgeous  We really can't decide between the two, can the cards offer any guidance? Where can we go that would give us a happy marriage in the years to come?

A: Hello ******.

Let's look at this with a simple yes/no reading...but before we start I have to say this...

It doesn't matter one tiny bit where you live. It looks to me like the heart of your question is wanting to keep a happy marriage...that happens in your heart, not in where you live.

 You can live anywhere in the universe, and be happy with a happy marriage. If the relationship is good, it will be good in a shack in the middle of a swamp. If the relationship is in trouble, then it would be troubled in a free mansion in paradise. 

Also, before pulling the yes/no cards...think about the criteria you already mentioned...cost and weather. Which of those two things is more important AND which of those two things will affect your happiness the most? Is hot an humid going to wear on you over the years or will money concerns be a bigger strain? 

PLUS don't forget, nothing is permanent...if you get somewhere, and don't like it, you can move again. Instead of buying right away, why not rent a while to see if you like the area? What other things besides mortgage and weather would make you happy where you live? What do you want to avoid? Maybe it would help this decision to expand your list of pros and cons. If you consider lots of things, it might be easier to see which location has the more plus - things and which has more minus - things.

..and also lift the burden of permanence. Stay mobile, and wait to tie in to a mortgage once you are sure it is the right place for you. That way you can make your decision about where you want to live based on something other than the weather... like lifestyle, recreation, taxes, schools (if that applies), career opportunities etc etc

So leaving marriage and happiness totally out of it (that part is up to you two, no matter where you live)...

"Should ****** and spouse move to zzzzzzz"... (one ace, two minor arcana cards)leaning toward no...this is the patter of you COULD...but SHOULD you? Things to consider here is balance, and clear-thinking. Would you lifestyle here pull things out of balance? Would you have to work such long hours to afford the house that other parts of your life would suffer? Are you seeing this area as it really is? Or do you have an idealized real estate booklet and tourist attraction sort of impression of this place?

"Should ******* and spouse move to xxxxxxx"?... (two aces and a minor arcana card) leaning yes...the drawback might be that it will take some daring and mental toughness to make it work. It may be rocky at the start, but you can overcome the challenges. It may feel like you made the wrong choice to begin, but be brave, and you will be rewarded in surprising ways, personal growth, awakening, happiness ways...in time, if you have courage. There is great potential for spiritual lessons and soul-satisfaction here, independent of finances.

I hope that helps the decision making process along for you. Good Luck!

Baihu

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Q&A: Should I move?

Q: I live in the same small town where I have always lived, except for college. I was recently downsized from a steady job. I'm single, and don't have the family attachments here that I used to have. Moving to find work is fine with me, and right now **** looks promising. On the other hand, I really want to put down roots and raise a family someday soon. Should I stay close to my roots or should I go to where it would be easier to find work?

A. There is a three card reading that I learned from my teacher that is perfect for decisions like this. 

The first card is a yes/no answer to your question, although sometimes (in my experience) it is more helpful to look at it as "maybe" yes or no...you always have options open to you.

The next card is the things working against you...any cautions

The last card is the things working in your favor...advice and encouragement.

When I shuffled the card, the question I kept in mind was should you move. The answer was the 8 of Wands, which means "great potential", "infinity" and "wholeness". I think this means that the world is your oyster...as you said yourself, you are in a perfect position to move, to explore the world. But, in general, this would be read as a no card (aces, cups, coins being associated with yes). BUT...and this is a BIG provision....I don't think it is saying don't move. I think the energy is speaking to the part of your question where you are talking about putting down roots. If you move now...which has a positive feel to it too...it may not be to the place where you wind up putting down roots. Where you move may only be wonderful, but not a forever kind of thing. 

The next card is telling in that respect...the caution card is the Ace of Cups...which has to do with your "inner light"...your inner wisdom, the special things about you, your happiness. I think this card is hinting that the desire for roots and family might be more important than job and money in the long run. If you move, do it to learn what feeds your soul...use your opportunity to move now, to learn about what you want in your long-term place to live...what kind of place can let you give what you want to give to your future family. Use this time to learn what makes you happy and fulfilled...what place feeds your soul. Does the new place speak to you on a deep, spiritual level...or does it show how much home does that for you? That sort of thing. The question is less about finding a job and more about finding your heart a true home. No matter where your "roots" have been in the past, you can put down new roots very easily if a place is comfortable, and right, and really speaks to your heart. If it is really really right...both work and roots will eventually come together in the right place at the right time.

The thing working in your favor is the Wheel of Fortune card, which means change. If you move, and it isn't right, you can always move back. If you stay, and it isn't right, you can still go a little later. You can choose to stay single and unattached, or you can choose to root here if love calls. This card is asking you to be at peace with yourself...the choice of where to live can always be made permanent or it can be undone, to one extent or another. This card has a sense of freshness about it. Again the feeling is a bit in favor of changing countries, changing work...as a journey of discovery...you may find your soul-home out there, which makes the journey important. You may come to realize how much the place you are now means to you...also making the journey important. Economics change. Minds change. If you stay open to change, then you make this into a win-win situation for yourself.

Good Luck!

www.ModernOracleTarot.com

Q&A: How can I help make it a good date?

Q: My name is ######. I met *****a month ago at work. We will be getting together again soon, socially this time. I know you can't tell what he will do, but what can I do to make it a good date for both of us?

A. Excellent! This is exactly what tarot is all about. I'm happy to help and will do my best for you.


First, I'll shuffle the cards with the idea of "what can ##### do to help things go well for her and ******".

General pattern: There are two major arcana cards and three minor arcana cards. I see that as meaning there is energy in this relationship, there will be movement and progress, but no crises, nothing too fast, no major change...more like a natural, pleasant progression of things, not a sudden change. Of the minor arcana cards, the suites are balanced...three of the four are represented. That feels to mean that this is a very even-keel path, a sort of "don't rock the boat" sort of feeling...at the same time it feels like you get that too...you know the value of letting things progress naturally, not to push that sort of thing. If anything there is an acknowledgement of your own inner knowing, your own wisdom and intuition.

In fact that very idea ties directly to the first card, the "lessons from the past" card, which is the Ace of Coins or "greatness". The feeling here is very much one of validation, acknowledgement, encouragement, and reminder: this card reminds you that you have good insight and common sense. If there are times when you let your head rule your heart too much, this card reminds you that you are good at emotion and intuition too. You have a great heart - let yourself follow it when the time is right. There is an undertone, a sort of secondary message to remember...look back at past things that work well. The good parts of other relationships, the good parts of examples you seen...for example the things you admired about your parents relationship, or other romantic relationships you may have seen in your life. Take the good things that you have seen, admired and experience, and let that guide you here too. With many women, this would be where I add to avoid past mistakes too...but in your case, I don't get that about you at all. If there is an over-riding feeling from this card it is to say how wise and good-hearted you are and have been all along.

The next card is "lessons now", the King of Swords, meaning "forging the spirit" or "inner learning". I think this speaks to getting to know *****, being observant and attentive. I get the sense he may be the type of guy to notice in return...he'll notice your attention to detail and thoughtfulness. No matter how things go for you two in the long run, there is the feeling that this will ultimately be a good thing in your life. You will learn and grow for knowing him, for being open to this relationship and what it can give and teach.  Here I get the mental image of a red rose, an d 'hear' "this is a good thing"

The "way forward" card, better known as the 'future' card, is the Star, meaning hope and faith...as you know I'm not big on predictions, but I do get the feeling that this is a good omen, a card of encouragement, hope...enjoy this time, this meeting. I 'hear' "YOUR JOY WILL BRING JOY, YOUR HAPPINESS WILL BRING WARMTH AND HAPPINESS TO OTHER HEARTS"

Next the "advice card" is The Pope or Hierophant in reverse. I don't read differently for reverse cards...I take all possible meanings, positive and negative, into consideration all the time anyway. In this case, the reversal draws my attention to one meaning more than others...conventional virtue. The reversal would lead me to say don't give into conventional wisdom or social expectations. Follow your heart, follow your inner wisdom...not what society or family may expect or push you to do. The feeling here is of the two of you in a bubble, a sanctuary, a protected place all your own, free from everyone and everything else. There is the mental image of a bright boarder around you, and using the king of sword's sword in order to draw a line in the sand...you may need to be the protector, to stand up for the two of you, to protect from pushy family members, friends or neighbors. Stand up for what is loving and right for the two of you, no matter what other's think...I don't want to be insensitive, but I want to say "even the church" here. I don't mean to offend you or *****, but that is the level of defense that comes to mind...again I see you two in a silvery white bubble, secure, lovely and protected...from white columns, from a fussing female relative, from a place with stone, and tile floors and a feeling of "official", whatever that may be.

The outcome card is the 6 of Wands...one meaning is "peace"...but I feel more drawn to say "be at peace and trust" Be at peace with your own wisdom, your own heart, and trust...trust your own feelings, trust things to unfold as they should. I want to say trust Nicola, especially if you care and want a relationship to develop...trust is needed for that.

Long story short, there is great potential here for something lovely and beautiful. The things that will help it to evolve is trusting your own wisdom and intuition, listening to your heart, give the two of you a peaceful, protected place to grow, and keep hope in what you wish to be. Be observant and attentive and your heart will know what to do.

And there the energy moves back.

I wish you both the best!

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Q and A: Will My Girlfriend Come Back To Me?

Q: My name is ****. My girlfriend +++  and I broke up a year ago, and we haven't talked since, but I can't stop thinking about her. We've were together off and on for two years before that. My friends set me up with ###, but I'm not sure if I want to get to know her with +++ on my mind so much. Will +++ and I ever get back together? If so, when and how? If not, will I end up with ###? What is my love life going to end up like? I'm so confused I feel like I'm loosing my mind.

A: I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The future depends on your choices, there is no "end up", just the consequences of your choices...and other people's choices too.

That why romance questions are the hardest of all in Tarot. There isn't a way to know what is in ### or +++ heart and mind. Even if there was a way to know what they are thinking and feeling, I wouldn't use it = out of respect for their dignity and privacy. Would you want them know your innermost thoughts and feelings without your permission??

Let's look at this logically, step by step. Sometimes it takes logic to balance out an emotional situation, just like intuition and spirituality can guide us in times where logic can't.

First, no, you are not loosing your mind. It's an old adage...if you think you are, you're not, because people who have real issues usually don't think they have any. I've done readings for people all over the world, and this is a very, very common question and feeling. Thinking about a lost love is difficult, emotional...and normal.

As for getting back together with +++, there are reasons you kept breaking up in the first place. Have any of those reasons changed, really? If you haven't talked to each other in a year, what would have in common to build a relationship on?? Anything is possible, but given your two's history of multiple breakups, and the year that has passed, I'd say the chances of you two having a successful relationship at any point is very, very small.

As for ###, how things go from here is up to you AND ###. It is up to you if you want to let your old relationship dominate your life, or if you want to move on and let yourself heal over time. Whether that healing process includes getting to know  ### (or not)  is up to you to decide. There is another option..."none of the above"...you could spend some time on your own in no love relationship at all to heal, put yourself back together, and be the best you that you can be for the next relationship down the road, whether that is with ###, with +++ or with someone you haven't even met yet.

I know that didn't include any Tarot cards, and wasn't the kind of reading you may have been expecting, but it is the honest answer, given the way Tarot works. It is all about choices, not predictions, and so much is up to you at this point, the cards can't really be of any good help.

Try reading the post about "how to find your soulmate", and give those ideas a little thought. My hunch is that will help more than a tarot reading right now, anyway.

Good luck!

www.ModernOracleTarot.com

Live, love, read

Sometimes you really do have to take a little time off from writing, to live, to love, to read before you can "write what you know" as the adage goes. 


One thing that I've read recently that has been proving itself true (and tremendously helpful) in this time of living...aka blog-cation....and that is "Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar" by Marcus Bach. I recommend it for anyone who does creative work and/or is self-employed.


Tarot daily meditations will return next week, after the July 4th holiday.

Quote Week - two-fer friday

"You, yourself, as much as anyone, deserves your love and affection" 

- attributed to Gautama Siddhartha (Buddha)

"Loss and tragedy doesn't have to make you darker, it can make you deeper"

- Agusten Burroughs

Today's Tarot - The Lovers

The Lovers card is less about romance and relationships than you might think at first glance. It can also talk about desire - any desire - not just wanting a certain love-interest. What we want isn't always what we need. For a happy person, "want", "need" and "have" are pretty close together.


www.ModernOracleTarot.com

Q&A: What do these cards mean?

Q.  I wanted to know if I am generally on the right path, so I drew three Tarot cards with no question in mind. I just wanted to be open to any message they would give me. I admit I am very interesting in a guy named A*****. He (is having a difficult time...redacted for privacy) I got the Moon, Justice and The High Priestess in that order. What does this mean? Could it have something to do with A***** and I?


A. Having worked with you before, I know you get it about predictions. You are exactly right in the way you approached your question and the way you are keeping an open mind is excellent! That always gives the best reading. 


You didn't say what card spread (how the cards are placed on the table) you were using. Each position in the layout has a symbolic meaning, in addition to the symbolism of the card itself. Without knowing that, we are missing some good context-clues about what the message might be for you.


Before looking at the individual cards, anyway, it helps to look at the general pattern, and the obvious thing here is that all three cards are from the major arcana portion of the deck. This can be a hint that there are big lessons, big changes or big energy of some kind moving through life for you. You might be on the edge of an adventure, if not literally, then mentally and emotionally.


When you look at cards individually, the best place to start is the card's "meaning" then add on any intuition you might get about the card. To find the meaning, a good place to start is the book or guide that came with the Tarot deck itself when you bought it. If you don't have that, there are several really good books. The best way to choose the right reference for you is simply browse through them whenever you get a chance, and see which one "speaks" to you or seems to really seem to be the most on target for how you see the world. 


I never quite found the perfect book, that's why I'm writing the "modern oracle" books I told you about...the one telling how to do readings for yourself and the other with my take on the card meanings.  It seems like there are no in-between books for people learning to read cards...either they are too basic (like the ones that often come with card decks) and more advanced books, like the "Animal Wise Tarot" by Ted Andrews that I've been using lately (I'm pretty sure its available on www.dragonhawkpublishing.com if you are interested). ANYWAY....


(The following sections have been edited to protect privacy...what you see is a generalized version)


The moon has to do with spiritual journeys, internal learning, intuition...that sort of thing. Basically that means that no matter how things turn out for you and A*****, in the long run it will prove to be an important lesson. You will learn and grow just from the experience of this time.


At first glimpse, you might think "justice" is that law-and-order, book 'em danno kind of justice. At the heart of it, it really is more about wisdom. This is both an advice and a validation kind of message. Use your wisdom with A*****. If you are steady, supportive, loving, compassionate and wise toward him during all this, he'll notice. This card underscores that positive loving feeling from earlier. It feels like he is giving his soul-level or etheric-level permission for me to tell you that. More than just advice, there is a reassurance here that you have what it takes...you really do have the wisdom and patience to be there for him in the way he needs right now.


The High Priestess is "mystery". I don't think that traditional meaning applies here, not directly. It is more a reminder of discretion as the better part of valor...it is a reminder that not all love is "out there". You don't have to tell all of your friends or announce yourselves from the rooftops. I think this card is asking you to let things unfold naturally, don't push, and give yourselves the time and privacy he (and maybe you too) might need for good things to happen. 


I usually wrap things up with any general intuitive feelings or impressions that come through, whether they are related to the cards or not. Since the reading is originally yours, I'm not getting anything in that respect. What I suggest is that you pull those cards again, and just look at them quietly, then do an inventory of what you feel. Are there any mental images, words, sounds, sensations, memories...anything...that comes to mind to give you any additional clues to what the reading's message for you might be.


That's all I can help with at this point...to carry the reading any further is up to you. Given the amount of time that has elapsed between the reading and now, what I would suggest is a "one card daily meditation" type of reading for you...


Pull another card, but this time keep you and A***** clearly in mind, but stay open. Let it show you whatever you need to know with regard to the two of you. Look up the meaning of the card in a few places, then try the restful meditation/review of feelings that we just talked about.


Good luck and best wishes to both of you!


Ronda


www.ModernOracleTarot.com


www.RondaSnow.com

Q&A: Should I Call My Ex-boyfriend?

Q. 


I ran into my ex-boyfriend. He said he would call me because he wants to be friends again, but isn't interested in dating. I still care about him, so it would be nice, but I know that just being friends would never be enough for me and I could get hurt again. Should I call him and stay in contact, or should I just end things now?


A.


Good question. You are definitely on the right track in the way you are thinking. You can't control what he'll do or how he will feel or react...all you can do is decide whether to call him or not.


The key to solving these kinds of problems most of the time is asking the right question, with or without tarot cards. Right now the key question is who is calling who...


If he calls you, like you said in the first part of your question, then you don't have to decide anything now. You can wait for that call, and when it happens, you can use that conversation to make the decision at that time. Listen to his voice, listen to what you both say, but most important of all, listen to your heart and your feelings as the call goes on. If you are open to following what you know "deep down" and what you "feel in your bones", then you will know just exactly what you need to do. You might even know that now, no call necessary.


If he doesn't call you as promised, well, that gives you a pretty clear answer too. All you have to do is decide how long you are willing to wait for the call to come - or not come - as the case may be.


The most important question is why...why would you call him? Why would you be the one to pursue this? You already know that keeping on as just friends isn't acceptable to you. You already know that a romantic relationship isn't acceptable to him (or you wouldn't have broken up in the first place). If he doesn't want romance and you don't want friends, what is left?


Another question: Is calling him a healing thing or false hope? Has anything really changed since the breakup? If you put your energy into calling him, doesn't that take you away from a path of healing and of finding someone who is interested in romance? Doesn't that keep you from meeting someone new?


Tarot cards are just a tool to help us reach our intuition and inner wisdom. For you, I think "creative visualization" meditation would be a better tool for this job...would you like to give that a try?


To do this, just make some time where you can be alone without being interrupted. You can set a mood with music, candles, incense...whatever feels right and special and powerful to you. Sit comfortably. It can be in a chair, or on the floor. Be comfortable enough to sit for a little bit, but not lying down or so comfortable that you fall asleep!


Once you are set, take a few deep breaths. Work your way up from your feet, and just think about each body part...just a little check to make sure you are letting each part relax. Then take another deep breath.


Imagine him calling you. Imagine what the conversation would probably be like...NOT what you HOPE or WISH it would be like, imagine what you expect it would REALLY be based on what you know about Ryan and the times you've talked before. Imagine how you think your relationship would be after that call. Imagine that relationship and how you think it would go over time. Imagine how you think it would end up this time. Just follow your imagination to where ever the story ends, naturally. Don't force it one way or another...just follow the thoughts.


When that seems to wrap up, take another deep breath and check in with all of your body parts. Is there any muscle tension? If so relax it, just take note of the stress...is your body trying to tell you something?


After another deep breath, imagine what it would be like for you to call him. Then do the same thing...imagine how the call would go if you started it. Imagine how things would be between the two of you after that, and follow that imaginary path to its conclusion.


Then repeat your inventory. Any stress or tension now? Once a gain relax, take a deep breath.


Now imagine how things would be if you stopped right now...imagine if the two of you never spoke again. What would your life be like then? How do you feel about that option? Is it a tragedy all it's own, or is it the beginning of healing? Is it a loss, or an opportunity for something new and better? How would your life go if you and Ryan never spoke? Follow that train of thought to its natural end.


Now, very gently, very slowly start to move around again. Let your logical mind kick in a little bit. Of those three paths, which was the most loving, most compassionate one for the two of you? What felt best to you? Which do you think is most logically likely to happen?


Tarot cards, runes, tea leaves, "psychic" dold readings, meditation...all of them are just different roads to the same place. All of this sort of thing is just a way to find the inner wisdom you already have, and the find the deep-down answers you already know.


Best wishes to you!


http://www.modernoracletarot.com

Geek Girl's Bookshelf - A Reckless Witch

If you've read this blog before, no doubt you heard me talk about wholeness, how everything is a connected one-ness and all that. Tarot readings don't happen in a vacuum.

So while "Geek Girl's Bookshelf" and book reviews might seem off-topic, it really isn't. Book reviews are a dime a dozen here in the blog-o-sphere, especially for current bestsellers and popular topics. What I'd like to do is share my bookshelf with you - - the whole odd, eclectic, fringe-ish mish-mash that has influenced my tarot philosophy and, in turn, this blog.

Today I'm totally geeked out over "A Reckless Witch", the third book in the "Modern Witch" series by Debora Geary. Like the first two books, this one is just pure fun.

On one level, this series rouses a little bit of nostalgia. It reminds me a little of the action-adventure kinds of books I read as a kid: Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys - that sort of thing. But this is fun for grown-ups. It takes that innocent enjoyment and blends it with abstract concepts that requires adulthood to really appreciate and treasure. Love, compassion, family, parenthood, personal responsibility, nurturing, maturity and more are all woven into the story right next to the harry-potter-for-grown-up-girls surface story.

On a whole, there is much more to this book and this series than pulp fiction, paperback romance for soccer moms that I originally feared it might be. I'm glad I read it anyway. Ironically, it was because of the cool cover.

"A Reckless Witch" in particular gives us grown-up-girls a good reminder to play...just like the recent post about "the fool / the innocent" card. There is a great scene in the book with floating red glitter that is a perfect example of healthy play. In fact, that exact theme of balancing fun and responsibility is central to the story...and central to why any stressed out working adult needs to kick their feet up and read this book!

One word to any science geeks who might read "A Reckless Witch" with too much of a detail-critical eye. Yeah - I know that if you coat yourself with negative ions you will attract the positively charged magical floating glitter and not repel it...but did I mention it's magical floating glittler? Sometimes cool trumps accurate. This is one of those times. Relax.

In addition to a fun romp of a story, threaded together with subtle but important ideas, Debora Geary creates very realistic, engaging, comfortable, almost familiar characters. Who hasn't coped with life through cookies and ice cream at one time or another? Who doesn't have favorite sofa or seat? I don't know if older Irish women talk the way Moira does or not...but I don't care because she is such a wise, sweetheart of a character. After teaching pre-school martial arts and seeing the mini-maestros at my daughter's violin class...I KNOW there are Aervyn-like 4 year olds out there. Maybe it is because the themes and subject matter is right in my wheelhouse, but reading these books have been like meeting a whole house full of like minded friends.

Then there is the magic. Her approach to it is enlightened. It may be fiction, but it hints at certain real truths, as I see it anyway.

Even if "A Reckless Witch" just reminds us to balance responsibility and fun, it has worked a little modern magic.

www.deborageary.com
"A Reckless Witch" on amazon.com

Well, there is your not quite off topic post...I always welcome comments about the blog, so don't hesitate to let me know if you have questions about tarot, suggested readings...even holistic health, reiki, aromatherapy, stress reduction etc...please let me know in the comments. I'll give it my best shot to answer in the posts. Thanks!

www.RondaSnow.com
www.ModernOracleTarot.com

Money, Romance and Stress

Q. Thanks for your last reading, it really helped. Since then, I've found someone new. ****** is great, and we are really happy together. Now I want to know about money. Finances and school have been a huge stress for me lately. Do you see any calmness coming my way? What can I do to deal with all of this stress?

A. Hi ***

I'm so happy to hear about you and *******. My first instinct is to say treasure that, and put your energy into that. If you have a happy loving supportive relationship, you can cope with all the rest. What would pay for a relationship like that?...it's priceless! So finances and school stress take a back seat to love and relationships sometimes. The important thing is don't let the school and financial stresses put stress on the relationship. Don't let the other bad things corrupt the good thing...give your energy to the relationship, not the stress. Focus on the loving good things and take refuge in that to let you cope with the other stuff and keep it at bay.

But all of that is easier said than done. Another thing that springs to mind, even before picking up the cards, is to work on calming your nerves and dealing with the stress rather than worry about what is coming down the road. More often than not, that's what stress IS, worrying about things that might or might not happen, rather than paying attention to what you have right here, right now. Look at the good things you have now, like ******. Are you familiar with aromatherapy? A blend of lavender and roman chamomile with a drop of sandalwood in a lotion comes to mind. My hunch is that it would be more effective in a body lotion rather than a room scent for you. If you make your own, use good quality oils, 12 drops chamomile, 10 drops lavender, 1or 2 drops sandalwood in 2 oz of whatever unscented oil or lotion you like. Apply it whenever you feel stressed, or at the very least, rub some on your hands, and inhale the scent deeply when you are feeling stressed.

That being said, you probably remember from our other readings that tarot doesn't predict a single thing....so can I see calmness heading your way? No...tarot doesn't see the future, it helps you create it.

So I'm looking at this as a "pathway to happiness" reading, NOT a looking at what is coming.

First, in the general pattern, we start with minor arcana cards then move to a major arcana card. The suggestion there is act now...manage things now to prevent bigger problems later, or at the very least, prepare for what may come in the future. My feeling is that this is a crossroads. Choose your priorities (cherish and take care of things with Angel, don't get so caught up in money stress that it damages things there). Choose well, act wisely, and you can prevent problems later.

The first card is the page of swords. It traditionally means faith. Sometimes I also associate it with trust. Being in the "lessons from the past" position, my instinct is to ask if there is someone you trust to give you advice about the finances. In my mind's eye I see an older man, with white hair. The hair could be literal or just symbolic. But it is something to think about. If you get guidance and make a plan about what to do with school and money, and plan for the various outcomes that are causing you stress, then they won't seem as stressful anymore.

The "lesson now" is the 4 of wands meaning a strong foundation. This card is more cautioning than the advice of the last card. This seems to say 'rely on your foundation' 'go with what you know'. Now may not be a good time for risk or searching the unknown.

This may seem like a paradox compared to the final card, the High Priestess. Traditionally, this card is read as "mystery" or "mysteries of the universe". I get the feeling that learning to see hidden meanings may help you move forward. If you learn to read the subtitles of a situation, that makes them feel less risky and stressful too. What is a mask, and what isn't? What is the hidden messages behind the things that worry you? What is undue worry about the future, and what is your intuition giving you a warning that something may be wrong now, or may go wrong soon if you don't act. You've learned difficult lessons about romance. Now is the time to learn cunning, wisdom about the world at large...less focus on the emotional, more focus on the "nothing personal" "it's just business" work-a-day (and sometimes very cut-throat competitive world)

As I look at this without the cards, I again get the image of you and ****** in a bubble, light, light blue, a separate thing from the other stresses.

I get the sense of protecting that through advice, logic, learning the "street smarts" of things...but not dragging that mud and dark into your place of light and love. Kind of the emotional equivalent of taking off muddy boots before you go inside the house, if that makes sense.

And there it ends.

I certainly wish you and ****** all the best, and good luck with school and everything else too!

Baihu
http://www.modern-oracle-tarot.com

(Sometimes I do readings for a volunteer online consulting site...I use the pen name "Baihu" there.)

Valentine's Day 2012 - How to Find Your Soulmate

I first wrote about "How to find your soulmate" in 2009. Soulmates, and finding that special someone is always a popular topic. Here is the latest edit - Happy Valentine's Day!

I get the question a lot. I ASKED the question a lot when I was younger and first started going to get psychic readings. I had no idea at the time that I would wind up doing readings and be asked that self-same eternal question - How Do I Find My Soulmate? After seeing the soulmate question from both sides, here are a few of the ideas that I've found to be most helpful.

My soulmate is a he, so I refere to "soulmate" in the masculine here. Gender doesn't matter. The same principles apply, either way.

• Don"t worry about time...love is one of those cosmic truths beyond time. It doesn't need, want or respond to our time schedules or expectations. "it happens in its own time" and "you can't hurry love" are both very true. So don't worry about WHEN. After you take that pressure off of yourself, and off of your soulmate out there, then that creates more energetic space for the relationship to step into.
• Why not let your soulmate find you? "Finding" hints at action, searching, seeking, struggling. "Finding" a soulmate is often counter-productive. If it is meant to be, it will happen naturally, and in the flow of things. Fighting the current, not 'going with the flow' only makes things harder. Think more in terms of a light in the darkness. If you are happy, relaxed, loving, compassionate, and being your genuine self, then you are more likely to attract your perfect mate to you. Not to sound like an e-harmony commercial, but they got that one right...you want to find someone who loves you for the real you - and the best way to have that happen is just to live fully, and honestly, and just BE your genuine self...not be someone on the prowl, hunting for a mate, like a wolf hunting for a rabbit. BE yourself, let your light shine, and if it is meant to be, your soulmate will be drawn to you. You might have heard that called the "law of similars"...like attracts like. If you are loving, you attract love. If you send out signals you are a hunter, you find preditors. If you send out signals of wanting to be with someone, then you find someone who mutually wants that too.
• Do things that you love to do. Going to bars or whatever with the sole purpose of "finding a soulmate" seldom works. Do something you love, and you might meet someone who loves that same thing and viola! you find someone where you have something in common to help you get things rolling. For me that was martial arts. I LOVE doing tai chi. So now I'm married to a certified national martial arts tournament judge. Same is true for any hobby, sport or activity you really enjoy. That vibe of enjoyment will help the attraction process.
• Love life. Be happy. Compassion, confidence and joie de vie are sexy and attractive.

If you have any questions, please e-mail them to faq@modern-oracle-tarot.com to be answered here in the blog. If you like what you read here, and would like a private reading with the author, please visit www.modern-oracle-tarot.com for details.

Romance, Relationships and the Ace of Cups

At Valentine's Day, those of us who aren't thinking of chocolate are probably thinking of romance one way or another.

  

When it comes to Valentines day and the tarot deck, most people think of "The Lovers" card from the major arcana. When you get to the layers underneath, that card is really about lust, a moment's passion and any strong desire in the abstract. It isn't about finding a real, long-lasting relationship, or about celebrating /preserving such a relationship if we have one.

There are a number of cards that relate to established relationships...cups, wands, even swords, reminding us of wisdom, and loyalty and steadfastness and compassion...the many things that impels us toward wanting a relationship beyond the initial passions of the Lover's card.

All of which begs the question: What card does lead the way to love and romance?

To my way of thinking, it is the Ace of Cups.

That isn't as much of a break with tradition as you may think. Cups cards have long been associated with water, intuition...intuition is a very helpful thing when it comes to affairs of the heart, one place where science and reason doesn't seem to apply as much. Some believe that, historically, the suite of cups in the tarot deck became the hearts suite of our modern gaming card deck because of that connection with the heart. I can't believe that it is just coincidence that "heart" is associated with generic love (I heart NY t-shirts), romance (see everything Valentine's related) AND intuition (a.k.a. "follow your heart").

Ace of Cups means "let your inner light shine". It has to do with your own inner voice, your inner knowing, your true self.

So what does that have to do with finding true love?

The best way to attract your best mate is to be your true self. Being your true self is the path to true love...not hunting, posturing, lusting or any of the other difficult lessons associated with the "Lover's" card. (Although those things can play a part in the early stages of the relationship, it may not help much in finding it in the first place).

There are old and respected spiritual principles at play here. We've all heard of it:

First there is "like attracts like" and "birds of a feather flock together". If you LIVE to show who you are, then it is easier for a truly compatible person to find you.

Second there is what some call the "Rule of Threes"...what you give to the universe returns to you threefold. What goes around, comes around...do unto others and all that. So if you wallow in loneliness and focus on what you don't have, what will or won't MAY be...then you can make yourself pretty miserable, pretty fast. Miserable attracts miserable.

If you want love an happiness in your live...then love and be happy. Only YOU can do that for yourself.  ONLY you can make you happy, if you let yourself. If you are loving and happy, you attract loving and happy. The ace of cups trumps the lovers and you win. Easier said than done, it's true, but simple just the same.

I wouldn't blog if I didn't really think it, and I believe it because I've lived it.

The best example I can give you is my own. In my 20s I was working hard being the "good" person that I was always taught was a "good" person...working hard at a social-service kind of job, going the extra mile at church, even serving as a council member and liturgical deacon at one point. I handbell choir, cooked, danced, cleaned and did all the things I was supposed to do to be what I was supposed to be...but what I wound up being was cheated on, alone , bone-crushingly lonely, and miserable.

Be it luck, destiny, or divine intervention, I began to see another way and CHOSE to walk another path.  I the religion that I found to be empty and un-helpful, started on a spiritual path that made sense and helped me be happy. I got a new job that still served, but was more secular / scientific about it, and started studying Chinese martial arts, taoist philosophy, read about Buddhism, and started to do the things that I loved, being who I really was, and focused on building a good life for myself. 

Then I met my soulmate, the light and love of my life, the one who matters most...my husband Jon...in Kung Fu class. Who would've thought. Then came our daughter, and the time to blog, and the rest, as they say, is history.

So this Valentine's week, my best advice to everyone...in a romantic relationship or not....is simply this: Love Life, and it will love you back. Someone else just might love you back too.

www.modern-oracle-tarot.com

Soulmates and Psychics, Love and Destiny

Q. My problem is that i want to forget some of the predictions psychics have given me (i used to ask a lot). I know you would say the future is unpredictable. But some predictions did come true. That's why i am so sad, because not all of the predictions were so positive(about love) I'm not sure if they were really gifted psychics or not.
I want to know if, maybe,  i have the ability to make my love life the way i want it? I know relationships depend on both partners--so does that mean that i'll probably not have the relationship turn out the way I want? (well i am not saying that i am selfish, i 'll take care of my partner too) I want to make a right choice for my future husband...can i really do this?
one psychic even told me that i have destroyed all positive things in my destiny because i asked too many questions about the future.


Please just give me some advice about how to cope with all this. Thank you.




A. You are living proof of why I believe predictions are not just impossible, but HARMFUL.


Sometimes so-called predictions catch a glimpse of what is probable and seem to come true just through probabilities, math, and logical insight. My guess is that through the things you said (or subtle body-language clues if it was an in-person reading) the psychic could see the path you were on, and how your mind was already set, and just confirmed the decisions you had already made. Predictions that say the most likely thing to happen - the most probable outcome - often do come true by means of pure statistics.


Other times, predictions come true through "self-fulfilling prophecy". By planting an idea in your head, by convincing you that a particular outcome is inevitable, a "prediction" causes you to either consciously give in or unconsciously act to cause the "prediction" to come true.


Romance questions are tricky at best, because it involves two people. We have no right to look at your potential future partner's feelings, choices and concerns without their permission. Like I tell everyone...think of how it would feel to have the shoe on the other foot. How would you feel if some psychic that you don't know anything about went rummaging around in your mind and heart for what YOU were going to do or how YOU felt about someone? It is a c creepy, and very violating to think about. I won't do it. I have a hard time respecting anyone who says they can and will do that kind of reading. One of my teachers did tell me about "etheric permission"...the significant other can give permission to participate in the reading, and volunteer to share their feelings on a etheric or soul-level, even if they don't give actual physical permission. While I have had that happen on some very very rare occasions...I will never never ever read a person that hasn't given permission, and will only trust that "etheric permission" if it is extremely crystal-clear.


That being said, there are some very real things YOU can do to help you find the right path to the right person. I've written a couple of pretty long blog posts about it. I won't re-copy all that here, but you can read it free on www.ModernOracleTarot.com. Just click the links on the right hand side of the page under the "extras" section.


What that one psychic said about your destiny and questions about the future is kind of true on one level...but absolutely ridiculous nonsense on another. Let me explain...


Relying too much on psychic predictions is a terrible idea. You can't grow, learn, or take control over your own life. By giving your personal power and decision-making over to someone else sets you on a path to learn some very difficult and very important life lessons...and learn them the hard way. So in that sense, asking for predictions and taking them to heart really does suck the life right out everything and it may SEEM  that you have "destroyed all positive things". BUT what they didn't tell you is you can restore your destiny...you can CHANGE, you can LEARN, you can START making better choices, you can STOP relying on "predictions", and even get readings less often. Ted Andrews, whose writings I totally, totally respect and recommend, suggests only getting readings once or twice a year, or better still only when really needed. 


I make no predictions...but my advice is to read those posts, and use the tools there to take matters into your own hand...and your own heart. The best way to attract love is to give love. To find a loving person, be a loving person. 


Let your light shine. Only YOU can make you happy...not a husband, not a lover, and certainly not a psychic.