Forming "habits", or rituals, is a great way to train yourself to start and accomplish any task. We start these when we're are young (like brushing your teeth), ten as we get older it's setting the alarm to get up in time for school or work, but when it comes to studying I think many folk forget that rituals can help focus your mind when it's most needed So many first year university students struggle because they don't set themselves up with purposeful goals, routines, and rituals to help them focus. Many are away from home for the first time, being allowed to run their own lives. They get lost. I believe for many people who are looking to learn how to read Tarot cards and then set up their own business practice doing so need to set up rituals to help keep them focused. And morning rituals I feel is the best place to start When you get up first thing in the morning (it doesn't matter the actual hour) keep your mind calm. Stretch your body (no heavy exercise), breathe, listen to the calm around you (for some that may mean playing quiet inspiring music), and take a little time with your Tarot cards, even if that means gently shuffling them. This quiet and focused start to your day is good for mind, body , and spirit, and will help set you up for a more productive and focused day

Anyone can learn to read Tarot cards, literally anyone. And the simplest way to start is NOT by memorizing what your decks book says about a card but simply by saying/writing down what you SEE Take a look at this Queen of Cups from the Rider Waite deck. Here is what I see: - Green background - Elaborate cup held in her right hand (gloved) - Flowing water under her feet (wavy black & green material?) - She is wearing a long white garment - She is wearing a white and green cape - Elaborate crown on her head - 2 cherubs on the back of her thrown; a third cherub on the side of the thrown - Yellow ? hills/mound behind her thrown - Red flowers on the ground And that is the easiest way to start, simply saying what you see. And then an easy second step is simply to write down, in a word or two, how this card makes you feel I learned thus when I was taking a digital course written by John Edward (Medium). It is the easiest and best first step to get to know the Tarot, one card at a time. Seems simple and yet you will surprised by what you discover First small steps will eventually lead to a better understanding So, a weekend project for you?

As it's Sunday I'm doing some light reading (turns out this is a bit of a metaphor for me today) and as I am flipping through this book Rachel Pollack, entitled "The New Tarot Handbook" I have rediscovered the "Fools Journey" and my place within it If you place the "Fool" at the top, then create three lines of 7 cards each (just the Major Arcana) you get a rather clear view of the Fool's journey through life (about 20 - 25 years of life in each) The first 7 cards show how the fool has grown up, finally finding his/her own path, and finally setting off on his own The next 7 cards show the trials the fool has endured, the things learned along the journey, the strength, courage, and knowledge obtained along the way. This stage ends when the Fool learns, both through loss and the "ah ha" moments he will be reborn What really struck me on reflection is how this rings true for me. When I finally "retired" (as seen by the world at large when one hits the ages of 60+) I realized so much of what I believed previously, what I fought for, was only a small piece of the real story of life As Rachel puts it "... they (these cards) actually tell a very simple tale, what I call the Liberation of Light." Something I will reflect on further but I am finally discovering the REAL truth about life and why we are here. I plan on lighting up these next 20+ years. I have so much yet to discover 💜