Tarot Tuesday
Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm, focused, and to be present in the moment. By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. It is also beneficial if you can quickly imagine roots shooting down from your root Chakra and feet into the Earth. Allow these roots to anchor you in a supportive way that neutralizes negativity and draws up nurturing Earth energy for stability. Sometimes more than one l breath is needed to feel ready. Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you…
When you are ready pick the card that you feel the most drawn to. The Crystal spheres above each card are used as markers and will also be included in the following mini-readings. From left to right we have Fluorite, Quartz, and Labradorite. The card deck this week is the Rider Waite (Smith) deck published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
The Reveal
From left to right we have the Fluorite above the Knight of Wands, the Quartz above the Two of Pentacles, and the Labradorite above the Ten of Swords. Notice your initial reactions to the card you were drawn to. Was it what you expected? What emotions, feeling, and thoughts does it bring up for you? Check this against your reactions after the mini-reading for your card and see if there are any differences or not for you. Learning how your own intuition speaks to you and how to understand it starts with your awareness.
Fluorite
Fluorite is the mineral form of calcium fluoride, it belongs to the halide minerals. It is a widely occurring mineral with deposits found worldwide. Industrially it is used as flux for smelting, and in the production of some glasses and enamels. Fluorite is a very protective stone, good for grounding and harmonizing spiritual energy. It connects the mind to universal consciousness, and helps develop links with spirit. It helps bring intuitive insights into the physical plane. Fluorite balances mental and physical energies and can clear negative energies from the aura. It is said to enhance mental abilities and has been called the “genius stone”. It stimulates the electrical charge in the brain and increases prana energy. This stone works well with the upper Chakras. It needs to be cleared often as it is always working to absorb negativity from its environment. In divination this crystal is said to assist in making decisions that are practical, but also ethical and do not go against your principles.
Knight of Wands
This card is a court card in the Minor Arcana. It is known as Air in the Suit of Fire, and it has an astrological affinity with the Mutable Fire sign of Sagittarius. The image on the card is of a young knight rearing up on his horse in fiery appearing attire, holding a wand or staff. If this card doesn’t represent an actual young man in your life then it may concern all types of dynamic communication. Movement, travel, active, issue oriented and fighting for a cause are all keywords associated with this card. In divination it may point to an actual person of this nature that you encounter, or it may suggest travel or even a move. If you have been waiting to take action on something this is a sign to take steps to make things happen.
Quartz
Clear quartz has the ability to focus, amplify, store, and transform energy. It is used in technology in watches, radio transmitters and receivers, microphones, ultra sound devices, memory chips in computers, and other electronic circuitry. The phenomenon of piezoelectricity, the release of electric charge under the application of mechanical stress, occurs in all noncentrosymmetric materials. Pyroelctricity, the release of charge due to a material’s change of temperature occurs in all materials that belong to polar crystal symmetry class. Not all noncentrosymmetric classes are polar, and not all piezoelectric crystals are pyroelectric. All pyroelectric crystals are piezoelectric though.
These properties of energy amplification, programmability, and memory make quartz crystals useful for healing, meditation, communicating with guides, expanding consciousness, or really almost any other purpose you could imagine. It is good at amplifying the energies of other stones, or groups of stones like in grids. It is a wonderful material for wands and staffs, and everyone has seen or heard of a crystal ball for crystal gazing. In divination it can point to new energies, new beginnings, a need to make a decision and act quickly upon it, and dreaming of clear quartz can mean freedom from enemies.
Two of Pentacles
This card is the second card in the Minor Arcana suit of Pentacles. Astrologically it carries the energy of Jupiter in Capricorn with modality and element of cardinal earth. The image shows a figure in a tall hat juggling two pentacles before a choppy sea. The figure may be a jester or a showman. Even though there are only two objects being juggled the pattern is that of the lemiscate (also known as the infinity symbol). In numerology twos represent duality, choices, communications, partnerships, and a wide and varied number of concepts that come in pairs like male and female, yin and yang or day and night. Some keywords for this card include balance, harmony, equilibrium, flux, rhythm (especially between things like the spiritual and material for example), polarities, opposites, and opposite ends of a spectrum. If you are drawn to this card this week you may find yourself trying to find balance amidst change. There is likely to be a lot of activity involved, as in trying to juggle several situations at once. Often this card shows this as a phase, that’s the good news. Once you have the complexities in hand then it will likely change again. Think of it as a dance you will master, then you will learn another more difficult dance. It might seem hard at times, but with the right attitude it can also be fun(or at least satisfying that you are mastering your dance of life).
Labradorite
Labradorite is a member of the Feldspar family and is known for its Labradorescence, a remarkable play of flashing colors. It was discovered in Labrador Canada by Moravian Missionaries in 1770. There are other varieties like Golden Labradorite, and Spectrolite, and intense variety discovered in Finland in the 1940s that displays the entire color spectrum. It is said to be a powerfully protective stone shielding and strengthening the aura, which allows for exploring the astral realm and safely experiencing psychic phenomenon. Labradorite radiates a predominately blue energy that stimulates the Throat Chakra, and its ability to flash the other colors assist in unifying all the Chakras and allowing for expression through the Throat Chakra. In divination this stone suggests that while you may have to make the best of a bad situation, that this is temporary and things will soon go your way.
Ten of Swords
This card is the tenth card in the Minor Arcana suit of swords. It’s element and modality are mutable air, with the energy of the Sun and sign of Gemini. The number ten is often associated with endings and conclusions, but it also contains the number one within it hinting at a whole new beginning. The image of this card is of a figure face down on the ground with ten swords impaled into the back. Swords are the element of Air, which is thinking and mentality. This might show faulty thinking being the cause of this unexpected ending. It might also point to the need for new thoughts or ways of thinking about things in order to avoid a repeat of this kind of painful experience. Sometimes I have seen this card appear in a reading when not only a new way of thinking were needed, but new methods as well, like trying meditation, or acupuncture(as the image looked at literally might suggest). In any case if you were drawn to this card this week it might be time to carefully examine your thoughts and belief system, then look around you to see what might not be in alignment with your highest good and if it is time to clear that away so you can begin a new cycle.
I hope that you have found these mini-readings helpful this week. If you have any questions about them, or would like to book a full personalized reading please feel free to contact me at april@lodestarphx.com
Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm, focused, and to be present in the moment. By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. It is also beneficial if you can quickly imagine roots shooting down from your root Chakra and feet into the Earth. Allow these roots to anchor you in a supportive way that neutralizes negativity and draws up nurturing Earth energy for stability. Sometimes more than one deep breath is needed to feel ready. Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you..
Take note of how you feel when you discover the card that you felt drawn to, and compare this feeling with the mini-reading that follows. Is it what you expected? Do you feel better or worse upon seeing the card, and then getting the interpretation? Being aware of your feelings can be a powerful method for increasing intuition for many. Lots of people feel it in their “gut”, or some may just “have a hunch”. Being aware of how your particular guidance system operates is the first step to making it stronger and more reliable. From left to right we have the Clear Quartz point above the Ten of Pentacles, in the center Spirit Quartz above the Nine of Cups, and Chevron Amethyst point above the Justice card on the right.
This card is the tenth card in the suit of Pentacles in the Minor Arcana. It carries the energy of Mercury and Virgo, with a mutable modality and Earth element. The image is of a male elder seated amidst his family and pets (the dogs). Tens in numerology are about endings, but the number contains a one also so these endings are typically more cyclic than abrupt and permanent. Some keywords for this card include success, legacy, finances, wealth, foundations, home, and family. It is known as the “wall street card” as it often shows up to represent wealth and windfalls. It could be a change for the better of your living status through buying or selling property, or travel for work that leads to more money. This card is about satisfaction, but the satisfaction is more than wealth or money alone, it is usually health, and emotional happiness as well. In divination if you were drawn to this card this week then expect changes for the better in your life right now that will leave you feeling fairly content.
This card is the ninth card in the Minor Arcana suit of Cups. It carries the astrological energy of Jupiter in Pisces with a modality and element of mutable water. The suit of cups are generally seen to represent feelings and emotions as well as creativity and imagination, and even intuition. The image on this card is of a merchant sitting satiated in front of a half circle of Cups, which may be seen as the merchant’s accomplishments. Some keywords for this card include Sociability, pride in prior accomplishments, emotional tranquility, good health, prosperity and growth. This card is often called the “wish card” and can signal getting one’s wish. In a situation where you have a yes or no question, this card upright would signal a “yes”. With that said it is wise to be careful of what you wish for. All things in moderation are well and good, but too much of anything, even something good can be a misfortune. If you have been drawn to this card this week then you may well find yourself “sitting pretty” as the saying goes, feeling satisfied and flush with what you think of as the good things in life.
Justice is a Major Arcana card. In the Rider-Waite (Smith) deck Waite is known to have switched the order of this card with the card of Strength. So in this deck it is numbered eleven. It carries the astrological energy of the sign Libra, and modality and element of cardinal air. Some keywords include harmony and equilibrium, fair and balanced, choosing with discernment, poise, karma, values, priorities, justice, judgement, relationships, and partnerships. the image shows the figure of Justice sitting on a throne holding scales in one hand and in the other, a double edged sword. If this is the card that you have been drawn to this week remember the Goddess Maat, and keep your heart as light as her feather. The scales will balance in your favor if you do. This card might also suggest that you yourself remain in balance this week. This might show up in relationships where you may need to be careful of over-giving, or overdoing it.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love crystals. I would pick up random rocks and bring them home with me. Right before I started kindergarten I can clearly remember a new neighborhood friend showing me her rock collection. It was a very small box with different types of stones glued down in it. Suddenly it clicked that there were actually different varieties with different names, and you could collect them. I couldn’t stop thinking about that little box of rocks. Later I got introduced to gem shows when my grandfather would take me to “Gold Rush Days” in Wickenburg, it is an event that lasts several days and includes a celebration and rodeo. They had a small gem show where you could get “mystery bags” filled with small rough and tumbled stones in them. I was hooked, now not only did I want to just collect rocks, I wanted to learn about them.
As I learned more about different types of stones I was better able to make sense of the differences I had been feeling between them intuitively. It began to make sense that many Jaspers for example have warm and supportive energies. It felt different from quartz energies, which feel cooler and faster, more laser-like in focus. Even though as an aggregate Jasper contains quartz. It also contains chalcedony and other minerals. I was perfectly satisfied to continue to learn about and use crystals individually, or sometimes combined in jewelry, pouches, or spell jars.
I started hearing about grids a few years before I began making them myself. For some reason I was resistant, or hesitant. I think I thought it was too “new Age” for me. The more I learned and thought about grids though the less this seemed to be true. After all one could make the case that Stonehenge for example is a type of giant crystal grid. What grids are essentially is a previously selected and defined number of crystals arranged in a harmonic, or sacred geometric pattern. The idea is that you can use the energy of crystals each individually with the other crystals to strengthen each other, and when combined in different patterns they become even more powerful. Some patterns might suit some purposes better than others. I have seen classic sacred geometry like Metatron’s Cube, the Seed of Life, the Flower of Life, and the Fruit of Life. I have also seen spirals, hearts, and any other shape or form one could think of. Which one you use could be chosen intuitively, or researched to find the best for your purpose.
If you feel that you want something that a single crystal might not have enough energy to accomplish alone, or if you want to make sure that there is energy constantly working for you then a grid may be just what you should use. Grids essentially enhance and focus crystal energy. You decide what that energy will be focused on when setting up the grid. Grids can be set up just about anywhere where they will not be disturbed, and will then continue to work on what they were constructed for until they are taken apart again. Maybe you want to set up a protection grid for your house while you go on vacation and then you would take it apart when you get back home again. Some other examples might be to set up a grid while job hunting, or if looking to start a relationship, or even for passing a test at school. The only limit to why you might want to use one, or what you can use one for is your imagination.
A simple grid can be easily set up, and taken down again when it has finished doing it’s job. Most grids can be set up on a geometric shape that can be printed onto paper. You can also buy or make fancy sacred geometry patterns to create your grids on, but it really isn’t needed. You can also just set them up by imagining a pattern and placing them in alignment with that, no pre-printing necessary. The usual method of creating a grid involves a main focus stone that is placed in the center of the grid. Many choose to use a point or generator crystal for this. A set of Way stones, usually six, or more, but in even numbers is also used. Finally a set of Destination stones is also used, again usually six, or more, but in even numbers.
The focus stone gathers, focuses, and amplifies the energy. the stones called Way stones are the closest to the Focus stone. These stones further modify the energy brought in by the focus stone with their color and other characteristics. The energy then flows on to the Desire stones which are the outermost stones in the grid. They are the desired end state, or destination you want from the grid. These stones should relate as directly as possible to what you wish to accomplish. They are stones you might use alone for the issue at hand, say Amethyst for example if your grid was for general healing, or to cease using alcohol. A final consideration is the Path, this is the path the energy follows on the grid. From the Focus stone to the Way stones and finally to the Destination stones, the Path connects all the energies of the stones and make the grid complete and synergistic.
The part some may say is most important is the activation. Once all the stones are placed the grid needs to be activated. For this get focused, grounded and centered. You can use a crystal wand, a crystal point, or even your index finger. Start with the focus stone and imagine the outcome you desire while touching or “activating” each stone. Follow the Path from the Focus stone through the Way stones and to the destination stones, imagining the whole grid lighting up with energy as you do. Focus on your desire becoming real.
Once you have the basic idea of how to work with grids then go ahead and experiment. Make it unique, and personal, try new shapes and stone combinations. This is an area where the rules can be broken in my opinion. The true test of if you have done it “right” or “wrong” is “Does it work for you?” Play, have fun, the crystals want to help us and want us to feel good, this is great energy to load into a grid.
Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm, focused, and to be present in the moment. By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. It is also beneficial if you can quickly imagine roots shooting down from your root chakra and feet into the Earth. Allow these roots to anchor you in a supportive way that neutralizes negativity and draws up nurturing Earth energy for stability. Sometimes more than one deep breath is needed to feel ready. Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you.
Pendulums
Pendulum Board
Using a Pendulum
Dowsing
Additional Uses
Pendulum Kits