​We seem to be in a world where we feel we have to be go, go, go all the time.  Modern day tools such as Social Media bring us brief snippets of information which are then gone again in the flash of a scroll!  We then feel we have to constantly keep up in case we miss out on something!  But what if what you are truly missing out on is balance in your life.
 
All things universally try to find the middle ground… balance.
 
Feelings such as Sadness and Happiness are made out to be detached from each other, whereas in reality they are the same thing, they are just on opposite ends of the one balance scale.  For those who have had children at school, or remember from their own school years, how did you learn about negative numbers?  Very likely you used a visual number line such as -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 etc.  We can use a similar line to describe emotions, Despair (-2), Sad (-1), balanced (0), Happy (+1), Bliss (+2) and we can’t truly feel one without experiencing the other.  If we lived in bliss our whole life, would we recognise it as such or would we just think of it as being the norm?  Yet if you have experienced despair you will most likely recognise bliss when it becomes yours.
 
To find balance in the fast pace of our current lives it is important to take time out, slow down and even stop for a while – no the world will not stop turning if you do! 
 
Time out is not just important is it necessary so make space in your diary and gift yourself the time to do absolutely nothing but be in the moment.

Cards are an energetic tool and as such can get a little energetically icky.  I always cleanse the energy of a newly purchased deck before connecting in and using it and then will clear the energy briefly between each reading.

1. Run each card individually through some smudge smoke using white sage leaves.  If you have a problem with smoke you can use an essential
   
   
2. Hold the deck together in one pile and knock on them, this uses the vibration to disperse all the absorbed energy. 
   
   
3. Cards can be stored or held with crystals, amethyst is a great all round cleanser for this.
   
   
4. Reiki symbols can be drawn over your cards to tap into Universal White Light energy. 
   
   
5. Hold the deck to your heart and send love to all the cards. 
   
   
6. Use an invocation, such as…. “I call upon my Angels and Guides to cleanse this deck.
     May they give me clear information that can be used for the highest good of all.” 
   
   
7. Sound is always a great energetic cleanser so use a singing bowl around your cards.
   
   
8.  Leave your cards on a windowsill on the night of the full moon. 
   
   
9.  With the intention of cleansing, lay the cards out one by one on a table, this is also a good way to mix them all back up after reading for someone.

 
As with everything it comes back to your focus and intention.
 
This list is by no means the only ways you can cleanse and clear your cards, it is individual choice and these are my main go to options.

A tarot spread is where the cards are laid out in a predetermined sequence.  Each card placement will have a specific meaning based on where it is in the spread.  The spread/layout can then be in a particular shape and each card read in relation to how it interacts with those around it.  Examples of this would be cards with people on… who is lording it ‘over’ who, which people are looking at each other, are the people looking forward into the future or behind them into the past?  Are important people such as partners actually represented in the spread next to each other if there at all?  With larger spreads you can also have an awareness of what is missing, ie a person or suit (which would represent a particular area of your life)!
 
A spread can be as simple as one card eg, “what do I need to be aware of today?” or include nearly every card in the deck… as long as the placement of the cards is decided in advance.
 
So why is it so important to decide in advance where and how the cards are laid out?  In short, it adds an extra and vital layer to the reading.  How can you interpret the card in relation to a question if half the information is missing?
 
There are spreads for relationships, general life readings, decision making, career/finance spreads, health and fitness, life goals and the list goes on.
 
One of my favourite spreads is the Celtic Cross.  This includes 10 cards and will give a great overview of what is happening in your life now, what influences are coming from the past and what is getting in the way.  It also goes on to see how, given the current circumstances, life will evolve over the next few months or so therefore perfect for making informed choices.
 
One fun spread is from the ‘Housewives Tarot’ and is laid out in the shape of a cocktail glass (as in pictures - taken from booklet).  So go grab your cards and have a little play with this or one of your favourite spreads and have some fun.
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