I have been working with the Tarot for close to 20 years and I draw on my experiences with elemental energies, Sufism, studies of occultism and in depth work with the I Ching. I have a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology), a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (soon to be a masters) and experience working in counselling and mental health settings. I combine this knowledge with the symbolism of the Tarot to help clients find clarity and awareness. I completed my psychology dissertation on bodily awareness and its connection to cognition. This is an interest that has grown out of my own experience with integrative mind-body practices. Xinyi Liuhe Quan primarily, as well as Sufi practices. I took initiation into a Sufi order about 15 years ago. I am also trained and was ordained as a Sufi Healing Conductor. In recent years I have trained in the alchemical practices of our order and I am currently about half way through the 2 year Suluk training offered to initiates within my order. I offer recorded Tarot readings, lessons in Tarot (also available by subscribing to my exclusive content), as well as one-on-one sessions for inner child healing, working with anxiety with an in-depth knowledge of OCD, developing bodily awareness, breath work and meditation.

The Sun is often interpreted as happiness, joy and positivity. But I often think of the Tarot de Marseille version that has not one, but two children. It appears as if one is blind and being guided by the other. This puts an interesting spin on the Sun bringing in the in the idea that the light, although pure and bringing clarity, can be blinding. This brings to mind the discomfort that can come with spiritual growth and the stripping away of the ego and worldly illusions. Or even the fact that truth, while enlightening can be hard to accept. In Jungian psychology the idea of the golden shadow describes repressing our own power and positive traits (light) out of fear and shame (discomfort) which could be seen as this same idea on a personal level. #tarot

‘This sense of control over reality is not the result of special skills, ability, or knowledge. It reflects one’s fundamental relationship to reality, one’s conviction of fundamental efficacy and worth. It reflects the certainty that, in essence and in principle, one is right for reality.’ ~ Psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden The Magician indicates self-confidence self-efficacy. The belief that we can shape and create our reality, and the acceptance of the responsibility that is inherent in this. From this place we can think, act and speak in magical ways that are creative and we begin to consciously use these powers. He embodies an active energy that is direct outward to engage with the world around us. An energy that brings initiative and exertion of our will. #tarot #astrology

Red and a white symbolism feature heavily in the Magician with his red outer cloak over his white robe, and then a reiteration of this colour combination in the red roses and white lilies. This red and white combination shows up in other places in the Tarot, in the Justice card, in the Two of Wands there is a crossed lily and rose, The Hierophant. Red and white are important colours in alchemy and represent the unification of opposites in the alchemical process of transformation, the marriage of the Red King and White Queen. The Red King represents a fiery, passionate, active and volatile principle and corresponds to sulfur. The White Queen conversely is connected to a passive, receptive and material energy represented by mercury which lacks fixed form. In the Great Work, or Magnum Opus, the alchemist undergoes a process of transformation which was often referred to in encoded language such as ‘transmuting lead to gold’ using the ‘philosopher’s stone.’ This process was often described in four stages of Nigredo (Blackening or dissolving), Albedo (Whitening or purification), Citrinitas (Yellowing or illumination) and Rubedo (Reddening or culmination). Although different approaches used a seven or twelve stage approach. In the Sufi tradition I am trained in we use seven stages (grey, black, white, yellow, red, blue and green corresponding to the seven luminaries/ classical planets). ‘Many childlike souls have tried to make gold by stilling mercury and melting silver, and they have tried to find the herb; but they were deluded, and they had better have worked and earned money. The real interpretation of this process is that mercury represents the nature of the ever-restless mind.’ ~ Hazrat Inayat Khan #taro #tarot #tarotcards #tarotreading #tarotreadings #tarotreader #oraclecards #oraclecardreading #oraclecard #bookstagram #book #tarotcardoftheday #spirituality #empath #learntarot

The Suit of Wands in the Tarot corresponds to the Fire element. Fire is the most energetic and active of the elements. It is the most volatile. It can be transformational but even has the potential to be destructive. The wooden wands we see depicted could only produce flames through self-sacrifice. ‘It is fervour materialized. In its warmth and radiance , fire exhibits the qualities of ardor, passion, and burning conviction.’ ~ @ziainayatkhan The occult practices the wand is said to represent the will. We could conceptualize this as the wand representing directed intention. “The Magick Wand is thus the principal weapon of the Magus; and the name of that wand is the Magical Oath…the word is the will. Thoth the Lord of Magic is also the Lord of Speech; Hermes the messenger bears the Caduceus.” ~ Aleister Crowley Wands in the Tarot are often said to relate to action, energy, drive and passion. The will encompasses all of this since will is conscious direction of our energy. I strong will is, in itself, a create spark that is able to initiate manifestation in the world. It is interesting too, that before the Minor Arcana reached Europe wands were actually polo sticks. They were turned into wands since they were unfamiliar to Europe. But it is a happy coincidence that the the sea of sport and competition fit well into many of the themes of the fire element (think of the Six of Wands!). Some questions the fire element may pose could be: Are you connected to the creative spark within you, and tend to it to help it grow? How consciously do you direct and place your energy? What in you needs to be consumed and burned away to make room for new growth? #tarot #astrology