Tarot: My First Readings

One of the ideas that interested me the most about really developing these abilities was understanding and reading the Tarot deck.  I've always found these cards interesting because of their role in pop culture and I often found myself sneaking to the New Age section of Barnes and Noble to look at the various types of decks and literature on the topic.  I come from a Catholic background, so I felt that ingrained dirty feeling the entire time I stood in that section, positive that a Zeus-like thunderbolt was going to strike me where I stood. 

After being introduced to the cards and having a positive experience with them, I knew that I wanted to do another read as soon as possible.  The entire trip home from Aunt L’s house, I made a mental checklist of people that I would contact to see if there was any interest and I was really excited about the whole possibility.

Finally, two days after visiting Aunt L, I did my first read on one of my friends.  Now, I can’t describe the mix of emotions that I was experiencing.  Apart of me was so excited!  I knew that I wanted to try this whole thing again and absolutely jumped at the mere possibility when she asked me over.  The other part, the part that I am still struggling with today, was completely petrified that I was going to completely make a fool of myself and undoubtedly get myself 302’d.

Needless to say, the read went better than expected.  Sure, the initial fear is crippling, but after those cards are thrown down and everything is coming together, it’s like a whole new person is sitting in my chair.  I asked her to think, as she was shuffling, “tell me what I need to know.”  Of course, she didn’t listen and asked two specific questions.  As soon as I really looked at the cards that were on the table, I could see these two questions quite clearly and confronted her about her direction-following-skills (or lack thereof) and the look on her face was completely priceless.  That look only got richer when I told her the two answers that were emanating from the cards.

One thing that I have definitely learned extremely quickly from this is that word travels quickly.  Too quickly.  I wasn't even home from her house when I was asked by another friend and an acquaintance to do readings for them.  On that post-read high, I agreed.

The second read was scheduled for the next day, but it was at the house of the friend on whom I did my first read.  I followed the same procedure as before and asked her to think “tell me what I need to know” and this friend actually listened.  As I was doing her read, it was like a wave of information was flowing.  With the previous read, it was completely about the two questions that she asked.  With this one, however, there was so much going on!  I was getting “stuff” about her parents, her boyfriend, job possibilities, and so much more.  I could have quite literally gone on for hours with the information that I was picking up.  It was exhilarating!

A spontaneous second read occurred once I was finished with that read.  My first friend (I hope I’m not being too ambiguous to the point of confusion with this whole “friend” business) was more impressed with this read because of the multitude of information and swore that she would follow my directions to get more information.  My third read was also a success.

I wish I could describe to you how I get this information.  A part of me is still convinced that I’m making shit up entirely.  The other part knows that there is no way that that is possible.  For me, though, it’s just a sense of knowing.  I've learned (both through talks with Aunt L and by my own experience) to trust the information that is coming in.  I've read that everyone gets their information their own way, and while I haven’t experienced anything other than what I have described, it makes complete sense for others to receive things in different ways.

I have done one read more than what I have described here.  That read is by far my favorite.  It deserves its own entry.

Until Next Time.

An Introduction: Part 2

When I finally opened the pack of Tarot cards, I thought I knew enough about them to understand what was going to happen.  In reality, I knew nothing and stared at the cards cross-eyed.  I wasn’t sure what to do with them, despite reading about different spreads and managed to throw down a single card.  Once I grasped what the card was and what suit it fell under, I rushed to look up the meaning.  Nothing popped out at me and I wasn’t hearing anything from my intuition about how to interpret the card.  Disgusted, I put the cards back in the pack and let them sit for another two weeks.

One afternoon shortly after, I was texting my friend’s aunt, whom from this point on I will refer to as Aunt L—she plays a pivotal role in my development and will be mentioned quiet often—and we made arrangements for me to travel the 3.5 hours to her house to spend the weekend.  It was our belief that once I was around someone who was practicing I would truly start to understand what was going on with me and how to grow.

Now, I have mentioned that my life wasn’t the same after I touched the Tarot, and that is partially true.  While no epiphany occurred once my paws touched these little cards of mystery, it was through these cards that I struck up a conversation with Aunt L that began this journey.  In reality, it was my trip to her house that really solidified my desire to learn more about these abilities and how to develop them.

The weekend that I spent with Aunt L is a complete blur.  It was jammed-pack full of information and the time flew.  This was the first time that I had been to her house, so she showed me around and we eventually started talking in her home office.  She introduced me to the pendulum and its awesome map, to a variety of stones and minerals, and her collection of literature about psychics.  It was awesome and the whole house had a very friendly, warming energy that I noticed as soon as I walked through the doors.

After talking in her office for a short while, we travelled to her office where she does readings.  Now, this is really where the fun begins.  In about an hour she introduced me to the entire deck of Tarot cards, explained what each meant, and how it relates to the Soul’s journey.  Now, to cover an entire deck of Tarot cards (78 cards) in a little over an hour seems like it would be extremely confusing, and it should have been, but it wasn’t.  Everything just clicked.  It made sense!

Please understand, I’m a very analytical and logical thinker.  On top of that, I’m a visual and linguistic learner.  To be orally told information about 78 cards that previously meant absolutely nothing to me and UNDERSTAND what she is telling me is a complete miracle.  To her, it’s because my intuition knew this along and just needed to hear I would let go of my own doubts.  To me, while completely believing her, it’s because she is a good teacher.

After the Tarot 101 class, she asked me to do a read for her.  Now, ladies and gentlemen, can I express to you for a moment about how nervous/scared/petrified I was for this moment.  I knew it was coming.  I wanted to run out of the office, jump in my car, and leave.  That scared.  I persevered, though.  She told me to throw down as many cards that felt right and to see how they talked to me.  So, I threw down ten cards and just stared for a minute.  Eventually, things began to take shape.  I paired these cards with that card, and that card with those, and then I started talking.  I didn’t even know what I was doing, it just happened. 

She seemed to be very impressed with what I had done.  According to her, most people would lay two or three cards down and call it quits.  Not only did I throw ten cards down, but I also bridged them and talked about them accordingly.  Getting this type of praise from her was very gratifying.  To top it all off, the read made sense and she knew exactly what I was telling her.

The entire time I was in her presence, I had a headache.  (Nice Segway, huh?)  Aunt L explained to me that what I was feeling wasn’t actually a headache, but the way that I feel the energies around me.  For her, the feeling occurs in her legs.  This feeling was present pretty much the entire day (except for when we were eating and about 30 minutes afterward [we’ll get to that]), but it was very noticeable and uncomfortable at night when her friend, J, called.

J is also a developing psychic.  Aunt L and I were on the patio when he called.  As soon as she answered the phone it was like this feeling multiplied.  She has told me before that when you are near another psychic you can tell and I firmly believe her after this experience.  I can’t make up the way I feel.  I didn’t even know who she was talking to or who J was prior to this.  J did a read for me and it was pretty darn amazing.  Both he and Aunt L told me pretty much the same thing.  It’s awesome how this all works out.

The next day, before I left to head home, Aunt L and I went to a metaphysical store where I purchased a pendulum and some other fun little things.  The store was awesome and had an amazing feel to it.  The entire way home, I was on the lookout for other metaphysical stores.  It has become an addiction.

I know these last two posts were super long, but I wanted to put how I discovered (or she discovered) that I had these awesome gifts with a tiny bit of information about my own personal doubt and fear.  This isn’t something that I went looking for.  It’s something that found me.  I don’t know where this road is going to go, but I am completely certain it’s going to be a fun journey.

Until next time.

An Introduction

Hello, everyone!  I've been churning this idea around in my head for awhile and finally decided to take the plunge.  For now, I intend to remain anonymous, not because I am ashamed of what I'm about to talk about, but because I'm not quite ready to fully take that leap of faith yet.  If not knowing what I look like or who I am offends you, I ask for your forgiveness.  I completely anticipate "coming out" eventually, but I want to make sure and verify that what I am about to discuss is actually happening with me.  I can deal with the potential mockery once I become a full-fledged psychic, but while I'm developing and honing in on my abilities, that extra level of secrecy is needed, I feel.

So, lets start at the beginning.  In October of 2013, I received a phone call from one of my dear friends that kind of surprised me.  Her aunt wanted to discuss some paranormal topics with me for a book that she was planning to write.  During this time of my life, I was an avid ghost hunter and traveled to Gettysburg and local haunted areas for the Hunt.  I was intrigued by the idea and quickly agreed.  About a week before I was supposed to do my phone interview with her, my friend told me that her aunt also wanted to do a Tarot read for me over the phone as practice.  Being so fascinated by all things paranormal, of course I quickly agreed.

Finally, the day for the interview/read came and I was very excited.  I was going to be interviewed for a book and receive a psychic read.  Awesome!  When she finally called, I was in an area with poor reception and lost the call.  She texted me and asked me to call her back when I was available.

It took me about 45 minutes to find the time and reception to call her and my life hasn't been the same since.  In fact, we didn't even actually do the read or book interview.  Instead, we talked about psychic abilities and how she believed that I was capable of doing this as well.  She asked me a series of questions that I can't remember but dealt with my early life and how all of these things link back to my psychic ability.  Long story short, she believes that I had been a psychic my entire life, I just didn't know that the information coming to me was not normal.  Upon reflection, it completely made sense.  I plan on asking her if she recalls the questions that she asked me so I can relay that information to you in a later post.

She told me a list of things that I should do in order to develop and hone these gifts.  I would need to start meditating and paying attention to where my thoughts go; I'd need to pick up a pack of Tarot cards and see if anything comes to me when I'm holding them; I would need to talk to my Spirit Guides and see if they answer (but not be upset if they didn't); I would need to start a journal that housed all of the occurrences I believed were psychic in nature; and I would need to believe that she was not crazy and I was actually a psychic.

Now, I'm not going to lie.  I was super excited when she told me all of this.  Like I mentioned above, I was super interested in all things supernatural and/or paranormal.  To me, psychic abilities definitely fell into that category. So, I started meditating for roughly ten minutes each day to see if she was right.  I wish I would have really listened to her and started the journal.  In fact, I'm kind of kicking myself in the ass now for not doing that so I could relay that information her for you.  What I do recall, however, was pretty awesome.  Just with meditating I was able to start getting information from my Spirit Guide and I knew things that I wouldn't normally know.  Again, I wish I would have started that damn journal.

And then in December, I received a "promotion" at job #2 and my life became completely crazy.  I stopped meditating, I never bought the Tarot cards or started the journal, and the whole "psychic" thing fell of the radar.  Once summer hit and I found some free time to really start doing the whole process all over again, I finally see what she saw in me almost 8 months ago.

Long story short, I purchased a deck of Tarot cards and a How-to book and began to read.  Prior to this, I read a few of Echo Bodine's books and felt that I was finally getting the picture of what this whole psychic thing really was.  Sure, it is supernatural/paranormal because science can't prove it, but really being a psychic is a whole new spiritual awareness.  While I thumbed through the how-to book, my Tarot deck sat on my desk unopened.  Finally, about three weeks later, I opened my deck and life hasn't been the same.

To be continued...