Beneath the Oak signature spread

Introducing the Beneath the Oak signature spread

             4

              3                   5

              2                                    6

             1

1. Issue
2. Conscious
3. Unconscious
4. What to keep hold of
5. What to let go of
6. Direction to take

This is my signature spread of six tarot cards which gives a comprehensive view of your question and thoroughly explores the energies surrounding you at this time. Why not book yours today at www.beneaththeoak.org.uk?

Its a kind of magic

Many clients ask me how the tarot works, usually after a reading when they are pleasantly shocked at the accuracy of it. My honest answer is that I don't know. There are many theories of course but to me its a kind of magic.

A case in point was a client who recently returned to me for a further three card reading. I laid the cards and two were the same as they had been in her first reading. The cards had not been listened to and here they were again to reiterate their message. The client advised me that she had not wanted to accept the message from the cards as to let go of a damaging relationship was still painful to her. With the cards coming up again she felt more confident in feeling strong enough to make the break that was best for her.

How does this work? The same two cards in two separate readings despite extensive shuffling of the deck? A kind of magic indeed and it will never cease to amaze me how accurate (and persistent!) the cards are.

How much information should you give a tarot reader?

This is something I have been pondering in recent times. I do not believe that the Tarot can predict the future. Humans are such dynamic creatures that one decision can change the life path and thus the future. I do believe that the tarot can thoroughly explore the issues surrounding a querent and assist them to make informed and considered decisions.

Many tarot readers pride themselves on asking just for a name and a question. Sometimes they may also ask for a birth date. Querents also tend to expect only to give this very basic information. It’s as if the tarot reader needs to ‘prove’ their fortune telling ability (assumed or otherwise) by having as little information about the querent as possible. I am asking myself now how helpful this really is.

Can you imagine going for therapy and just giving your name and birth date? Or going to a solicitor, doctor or citizens advice bureau etc and just giving this small amount of information? It wouldn’t work and it is my belief that it hampers tarot readings when the reader does not have more information. If a querent wants to get the most out of a reading then at the very least I believe that a summary of their situation is helpful to the reader. This enables the reader and querent to work closer together and more in depth.

Come and join the debate at http://www.tabi.org.uk/forum/index.php or post a comment here! I would be very interested to hear what others have to say about this. 

Lines and Squares

 I came across this old favourite today and it really made me smile. How wonderful is the imagination of a child? Does anyone else remember avoiding the lines when walking on the pavement?

Lines and Squares by A A Milne

Whenever I walk in a London street,
I'm ever so careful to watch my feet;
And I keep in the squares,
And the masses of bears,
Who wait at the corners all ready to eat
The sillies who tread on the lines of the street
Go back to their lairs,
And I say to them, "Bears,
Just look how I'm walking in all the squares!"

And the little bears growl to each other, "He's mine,
As soon as he's silly and steps on a line."
And some of the bigger bears try to pretend
That they came round the corner to look for a friend;
And they try to pretend that nobody cares
Whether you walk on the lines or squares.
But only the sillies believe their talk;
It's ever so portant how you walk.
And it's ever so jolly to call out, "Bears,
Just watch me walking in all the squares!" 

Fairy Tales and Tarot

One of my favourite decks is Lisa Hunts Fairy Tale tarot. I remember well my compendiums of fairy stories from when I was a child. I loved the rich illustrations that enabled my imagination to run wild alongside the words.

I am writing an article at the moment for inclusion in to TABI’s (Tarot Association of the British Isles) magazine regarding how Fairy Tales can inform and empower tarot readings. I hope that readers will find the subject as fascinating as I do!

Oak

My Tree Oracle Card for the day is Oak. This is a stunning card that I can really enter in to. The colours are the muted greens and browns of the depth of the forest. In the branches we see the head of the green man with his proud antlers beckoning you to come forward. His smile is enigmatic and mysterious. 

The message of the Oak card is:

The source of the life force

Nourishes your deepest roots

With vitality, will and power

Make the world your own!

But soft, hear the secret of success

Care for those in need

Bring tenderness where emptiness once ruled.

Oak brings us confidence and strength in body and mind. We can fight if we need to and also protect those whom we love. With the blessing of Oak we can do this with great integrity. Without the blessing of oak we are help hostage by fear, lethargy and exhaustion. If we are totally cut off from Oak, darkness and depression ensue: lies and betrayal follow.

Rowan

This is the first time I have used this deck and the card I pulled was Rowan.

Habit threatens

Social masks and routines paralyse

The River Dries up.

Listen! Do you hear the call?

Follow your inspiration

And day by day you will

Step in to the flow of creation.

I have a Rowan tree in my garden. I saw it on eBay years ago and when it arrived I did not think it would survive. I potted it up and took care of it. It is now over 6ft tall and thrives at the bottom of my garden. I always smile when I see it, my little waif tree.

I love the message of this card and it fits how I feel at the moment perfectly.