Tarot for the 21st Century!
Tarot Connections: Tarot & Meditation
Last week we reviewed the very basics in Visualization. This week we will discuss Mediation. Visualization and meditation go hand in hand with each other. This basic concept of visualization you have been working on can now be incorporated into basic meditation. Once you understand and can use both of these concepts, you can move forward into Pathworking - the ability to explore your visualized realms and learn more about yourself. Through visualization, meditation and pathworking you can expand your awareness, understand the cards better and open a realm of possibilities.
Meditation is a process which enables you to quiet your mind and center with the world (and Otherworld) around you. Since time began humans have used meditation as a means to connect with a Higher Power. Meditation can be beneficial for relieving stress, working through situations in your life and even to help you obtain better health. Pathworking, Channeling, Astral Travel, Dreamweaving and many other facets of our mysterious, wonderful life all start with simple Mediation.
Listed below are a few ways that you can meditate on your own, at home or even at work.
DEEP BREATHING
The first and most important key to good meditation is breathing. The following is a simple exercise you can do at any point during your day. You can close your eyes if it makes it easier but that is not necessary. I use this exercise when life becomes overwhelming and I just need a “time out”. This can be done discretely three times or more, whenever you need that centering feeling or when you feel that your life is just too out of control.
1. Breathe in through your nose for a steady count of 7.
2. Hold your breath for a count of 3.
3. Slowly release your breath for a steady count of 7, feeling the stress leave your body with your air.
BASIC MEDITATION
The second key to meditation is having a space where you will not be disturbed. You will need 15 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Unplug or turn off the phone. Turn off the TV, radio and any other electronics or item that can disturb you. If you have children or if you live in a household where there are other people, go into a room where you will not be bothered or do your meditation when you know you will be alone.
1. Sit in a comfortable chair, or lay down. Take off eye wear, watches, or other jewelry that may be distracting. Have your arms and legs un-crossed.
2. Close your eyes; breath in deep as you feel your muscles tighten. Hold the breath and then breathe out, releasing the tension and stress with your breath.
3. Once you feel that you have released your stress, we will begin with a deeper tension release. While continuing your rhythmic deep breathing, tighten your toes of both feet. As you hold your breath you will keep your toes tight. When you release your breath, slow and easy, you also release the tight hold on your toes. Do this with each part of your body, starting with your toes and working up to the top of your head.
4. It is common to have random thoughts go through your head as you are meditating. Do Not try to ignore these thoughts! Acknowledge them and let them go. They will be there for you to think about when you are done. As you practice you will be able to quickly acknowledge these thoughts and let them go. Daily practice will assist you to become better…don’t give up.
5. Once you are completely relaxed, you can either start your Path Working or you can work on your own personal meditations and see where your own Spirit takes you.
This is the point where your visualizations come in. To start with we will look at your 0-Fool card. Using the basic visualization techniques you worked on last week, meditate (visualize) with the Fool card from the deck you are most familiar with. Remember the way it looks. Allow yourself to sink into the card. Feel the wind blow on your face, hear the yip of the dog (or whatever animal is present in the card) and become one with the scene. You are not the Fool in the card. Instead you are yourself, able to interact with that world including the people and things within the card.
Remember when you are meditating on this card, you are in control. At no time are you in danger of losing yourself. When you feel you have explored sufficiently, picture your own room. Picture yourself sitting, standing or lying down (whichever way you started) and picture the details of the area around you. Breathe easy and open your eyes. You will feel relaxed, refreshed and ready to continue with your day or go to sleep, depending on the time you choose to do this.
Again, I feel the need to state that this is just the BASICS of visualization and mediation. In order to understand more it takes practice and dedication. As you become more proficient do not be surprised if you begin to have dreams about the card are working with. This brings up my next key, journaling.
Next week’s Tarot Connections blog installment will be Tarot and Journaling. This is a MAJOR part of working with your Tarot cards as well as many other aspects of meditation, visualization and pathworking. We will be discussing Tarot Pathworking after journaling. I am working on the possibilities of a monthly card pathworking session. If you have blog or class suggestions or would like to share anything, please feel free to contact me at RaAnnClegg@gmail.com or here on the Tarot Guild inbox.
Meditation is a process which enables you to quiet your mind and center with the world (and Otherworld) around you. Since time began humans have used meditation as a means to connect with a Higher Power. Meditation can be beneficial for relieving stress, working through situations in your life and even to help you obtain better health. Pathworking, Channeling, Astral Travel, Dreamweaving and many other facets of our mysterious, wonderful life all start with simple Mediation.
Listed below are a few ways that you can meditate on your own, at home or even at work.
DEEP BREATHING
The first and most important key to good meditation is breathing. The following is a simple exercise you can do at any point during your day. You can close your eyes if it makes it easier but that is not necessary. I use this exercise when life becomes overwhelming and I just need a “time out”. This can be done discretely three times or more, whenever you need that centering feeling or when you feel that your life is just too out of control.
1. Breathe in through your nose for a steady count of 7.
2. Hold your breath for a count of 3.
3. Slowly release your breath for a steady count of 7, feeling the stress leave your body with your air.
BASIC MEDITATION
The second key to meditation is having a space where you will not be disturbed. You will need 15 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Unplug or turn off the phone. Turn off the TV, radio and any other electronics or item that can disturb you. If you have children or if you live in a household where there are other people, go into a room where you will not be bothered or do your meditation when you know you will be alone.
1. Sit in a comfortable chair, or lay down. Take off eye wear, watches, or other jewelry that may be distracting. Have your arms and legs un-crossed.
2. Close your eyes; breath in deep as you feel your muscles tighten. Hold the breath and then breathe out, releasing the tension and stress with your breath.
3. Once you feel that you have released your stress, we will begin with a deeper tension release. While continuing your rhythmic deep breathing, tighten your toes of both feet. As you hold your breath you will keep your toes tight. When you release your breath, slow and easy, you also release the tight hold on your toes. Do this with each part of your body, starting with your toes and working up to the top of your head.
4. It is common to have random thoughts go through your head as you are meditating. Do Not try to ignore these thoughts! Acknowledge them and let them go. They will be there for you to think about when you are done. As you practice you will be able to quickly acknowledge these thoughts and let them go. Daily practice will assist you to become better…don’t give up.
5. Once you are completely relaxed, you can either start your Path Working or you can work on your own personal meditations and see where your own Spirit takes you.
This is the point where your visualizations come in. To start with we will look at your 0-Fool card. Using the basic visualization techniques you worked on last week, meditate (visualize) with the Fool card from the deck you are most familiar with. Remember the way it looks. Allow yourself to sink into the card. Feel the wind blow on your face, hear the yip of the dog (or whatever animal is present in the card) and become one with the scene. You are not the Fool in the card. Instead you are yourself, able to interact with that world including the people and things within the card.
Remember when you are meditating on this card, you are in control. At no time are you in danger of losing yourself. When you feel you have explored sufficiently, picture your own room. Picture yourself sitting, standing or lying down (whichever way you started) and picture the details of the area around you. Breathe easy and open your eyes. You will feel relaxed, refreshed and ready to continue with your day or go to sleep, depending on the time you choose to do this.
Again, I feel the need to state that this is just the BASICS of visualization and mediation. In order to understand more it takes practice and dedication. As you become more proficient do not be surprised if you begin to have dreams about the card are working with. This brings up my next key, journaling.
Next week’s Tarot Connections blog installment will be Tarot and Journaling. This is a MAJOR part of working with your Tarot cards as well as many other aspects of meditation, visualization and pathworking. We will be discussing Tarot Pathworking after journaling. I am working on the possibilities of a monthly card pathworking session. If you have blog or class suggestions or would like to share anything, please feel free to contact me at RaAnnClegg@gmail.com or here on the Tarot Guild inbox.
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