Which rest combination do you need to wake up revitalized? Each of us should get as much rest as we need to be refreshed and recharged for all the days of the week. But what is rest? And what type of rest do we really need? When I think of rest, I usually think of sleep. Sleep is physical rest which is necessary for our health, growth, and well-being. The symptoms of not getting enough sleep are detrimental to our health. According to Sleep Foundation Org, symptoms of sleep deprivation include: Slowed thinking Reduced attention span Worsened memory Poor decision-making Lack of energy Mood changes "When I am resting because my body is weak, I need to remember that I'm not wasting the day doing nothing. I am doing exactly what I need to do. I'm recovering." - Author Unknown We know physical rest is essential to restore your body and mind. But there are different types of rest which are useful at different times. By understanding the seven different types identified here, you can help yourself to get the right combination of rest to get you energized, alert, and revitalized. What type of rest are you in need of today? Dr Saundra Dalton Smith author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity has come up with seven types of rest. Come explore what each type looks like in practice and how you can make small changes that will lead to a more restful life. 1. Physical Rest Includes sleeping and napping. Six to eight hours of uninterrupted rest per night is the ideal. One thing I like to do to ensure restful sleep is to do my nighttime routine. It includes making a sleepy time herbal blend cup of tea, taking a shower, turning off every light, adjusting the temperature, and putting in my ear plugs. 2. Mental Rest Is about cutting down on multi-tasking. It turns out the brain can only do one thing at a time. We think we are multitasking but in fact we are only changing our attention quickly. Lately, I am working on stopping the multitasking mentality and focusing on doing one thing at a time. Whenever I feel frazzled, I take a deep breath, sometimes I will reach out for my anxiety soother tincture, and focus on what is important and productive. 3. Sensory Rest Make it a point to make time for peace and quiet. Set aside a time to turn off screens and maybe get outside in a natural space, or in a cozy corner to think and journal. It can also be about putting in some ear plugs and closing your eyes for a few moments just to get yourself centered and reset. 4. Creative Rest Take some time to allow yourself to appreciate beauty in nature or near where you live. It can also be experiencing the creativity of others by going to a museum or art gallery. It turns out that doing/making art projects is creative work not creative rest. Creative rest helps to inspire you to be solve problems and challenges with creative and unexpected solutions. 5. Emotional Rest Emotional Rest is about being authentic and accepting your feelings. It takes a lot of energy to express emotions you don't really feel. However, it may not be appropriate to discuss with your clients how bad business is going, or to discuss family issues at a work meeting. If this is happening turn to a trusted friend, family member, or confidant. It that won't work, get yourself a therapist, life coach, or mentor. 6. Spiritual Rest Is about connecting to the sense of meaning and belonging to something greater than yourself. For some, it has to do with religion or faith. For others it is about being or feeling like an integral part of a community, cause, or work culture. Get centered and consider how you are contributing to the bigger picture and that will put your spirit to rest. 7. Social Rest Is about spending quality time with people who nourish and uplift your energy. Take a look around and consider the people you spend time with, if they have expectations or bring you into a negative spiral you may need to take a focused break from them. Seek out the company of family, friends, or even a group you are a part of. You will know you experienced social rest when you feel energized, uplifted, and joyful. Feeling refreshed and recharged is of utmost of importance to our physical and mental health. If you are feeling tired after a long night's sleep make sometime to find the key to your ideal rest combination.

If you have a tarot deck and have looked at the little white book you have most likely already encountered the Celtic Cross Spread. It is the first spread I learned and is still my go to spread for general readings. It has a way of acting as a mirror and getting to the heart of what is going on in the questioner's life. It always taps into great insight particularly when it is used as a collaborative spread. How I Read the Celtic Cross When I use the Celtic Cross Spread, I lay out the cards and I work in collaboration with the questioner. I combine: traditional meanings of the cards intuitive revelations astrological correspondences and insights from the questioner . The reading is richer when all these elements are combined, especially, insights from the questioner. I consider it a shared exploration. What the Celtic Cross Reveals The Celtic Cross Spread reveals what is happening now and what could happen if things continue as they are. It shines a light on the things that are kept in the shadow. It provides the information you need to know right now in order to make the changes, moves, and decisions that will shape the future you. The Ten Positions of Celtic Cross Tarot Spread The Present / You - This position shows what is happening now. The heart of the matter. The thing that is of concern at the moment. Crosses You or Holds You Up - This position informs us of the challenger or helper at the moment. Known - This position shows what you consciously know, what you want at the moment, and or what your focus or goal is. Unknown - This position represents what you don't know is currently playing a role in the unconscious mind. It is usually something that is surprising but makes perfect sense once it is exposed. The Past - This position shows the past and how it has influenced the current situation. The Future - This position shows an outcome that can manifest in reality if everything stays the same. You - This position represents you now generally. It reveals the role your actions play in influencing the heart of the matter. Influences Around You - This position represents your environment and how it is affecting you or how you are perceived by others. Hopes or Fears - This position represents either a hope or a fear and sometimes it represents both. All the preceding cards must be taken into consideration before it is determined if this position is a hope or a fear. Outcome - This position shows a probable outcome. In the traditional Celtic Cross Spread it is only one card but I like to get additional information with two cards, especially if the outcome is a challenge. Why I Love The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread Some readsers see the Celtic Cross Spread as a complicated spread but we are all complex beings. We require an in-depth look at what is driving the heart of the matter , what is rooted in the conscious and unconscious mind, how the past is influencing our future, and how our own actions, narratives, desires, and values are manifesting our future. Try The Celtic Cross for Yourself I invite you to lay the cards out for yourself and see what is revealed. Alternatively, I will be happy to work in collaboration with you to see what is heart of your matter.

My Moonthly Tarot and Intention Ritual How My Moon Practice Began I started following the moon 5 years ago with a monthly tarot spread which I now like to call my moonthly tarot spread because it happens on the new moon each month. As time went by I became curious and added more aspects to my moonthly ritual as I answered the questions: where is the moon? What astrological sign is it in? What does that astrological sign rule over? How does it affect me? Observing the Moon’s Rhythms One of the first things I noticed about the moon was it appeared unpredictable to find in the sky. The windows in my apartment face east and every day the Sun comes up in the east in the morning and sets in the west in the evening. The moon on the other hand seemed to be out at random times. Have you noticed its out during the day, evening, night, middle of the night but its unpredictable to know when it will be out? This spiraled me to stalk the moon and a bit of research taught me the moon rises in the east and sets in the west every day like the Sun but, unlike the sun it rises and sets at different times throughout her cycle. Here is the moons orbit method: · New Moon rises at sunrise , is at its highest in the south in the middle of the day, and sets in the evening like the Sun. · First Quarter Moon rises in the middle of the day , is at its highest in the south at sunset and sets in the middle of the night. · Full Moon rises at sunset , is at its high in the south at midnight, and sets in the morning at sunrise. · Last Quarter Moon rises in the middle of the night , is at its highest in the south at dawn, and sets in the middle of the day. Tools I Use to Track the Moon I like to use the WeMoon calendar to keep track of the moon monthly. I also use the app iLuna because it notifies me when the moon enters a new sign and when the moon is void of course. I also like the app The Moon: Calendar Moon Phases because it provides the moonrise and moonset times and has a calendar showing which astrological sign the moon is in at any particular time. Why the New Moon Matters The new moon is always in the same sign the sun is currently in. For example, today is August 15, 2020 and the Sun is in Leo until the 22nd of August and the new moon will be in Leo on August 18th at 10:42pm EDT. This is why I focus most of the attention on the astrological correspondence of the new moon and set my intentions around the sign where the new moon is. The Speed of the Moon Another aspect that got me spiraling was what sign is the moon in at any particular date and time. I already knew the new moon is in a new astrological sign every moonth like the Sun. However, unlike the Sun which stays in an astrological sign for about a month, the moon is FAST. It moves around all the signs every two or three days giving us the flavor of all twelve astrological signs every moonth this is when the apps come in handy. Spiral Moonthly Tarot Spread When I first started following the moon, I started with Joanna Powell Colbert’s Gaian Tarot’s New Moon Spread #2. If you don’t have the Gaian Tarot , I highly recommend it, the cards are focused on nature and community and the book that accompanies the deck provides insightful meanings, affirmations, questions, and spreads to use in your own practice. Over the years, when I started sharing my moonthly ritual in a circle of friends I simplified the New Moon Spread to five cards: 1. What is the seed (foundation) of the Moonth in sign? 2. What begins to grow as the moon waxes in sign? 3. What peaks as the moon becomes full in sign? 4. What do I let go of as the moon wanes sign? 5. What is the seed (foundation) of the next moonth in sign? (use this card as card number 1 next moonth). One thing that I like about this spread is that each moonthly spread cycles into the next month connecting them in concentric circles as we spiral through life. What is a Moon Circle? After all that, you may still be wondering what is a moonthly circle (mostly known as a new moon circle)? A circle is an indigenous practice of sitting together in deep sharing and listening in community. In my moonthly circles we come together virtually on zoom on the day the moon starts a new cycle - the New Moon - (once pandemic times are over I will host in person circles again) and we review the attributes of the astrological new moon, what the astrological sign rules over, we set intentions based on the astrological sign, and we use tarot or oracle cards to create a framework to keep us on track to manifest our moonthly intentions. We also share our personal insights as one of the magical aspects of being in a community circle is that what comes up for one may be a shared theme around the group or may have a significance for others in the group, so sharing is an important aspect and what happens in the group stays in the group. Join the Spiral You can sign up for my Moontly Circles here . If you prefer to work with the moon in solitude get a free download of the YesSpiral Workbooks I look forward to circling with you and I would love to hear what your moonthly rituals are. If you don’t have a ritual, what made you interested in the moon? In the meantime, I wish you many blessings and manifestations under the energy of the moon.

Bitter flavors increases the efficiency of our digestive tract and our overall wellness. Spring has sprung! The trees in my neighborhood are already budding and some are blossoming. In a recent post I wrote about spring cleaning my life and now I want to talk about spring cleaning our digestive systems. Yes, I said digestive system! Our digestive systems work better when we give it attention. The winter months foods are indulgent and comforting. They help us through the cold nights (or through this year long and counting pandemic). Yet, when Spring comes along, it is a good idea to change up our diets with the warmer weather. The digestive systems primary function is to turn the food into nutrients. The body uses the nutrients for energy, growth and regeneration. When does the digestive process begin? The Brain, Digestive System, and Bitter Herbs The digestive process begins the moment you smell your food. Have you noticed when you smell something good you start to salivate? That means your brain sent a message to your digestive system to get ready to do its job. The second part of digestion is when you start chewing your food into small pieces. There are specific receptors on the tongue that trigger saliva to continue the process of breaking food down into a form your body can absorb and use. The digestive process continues but this is all I will say about it here. There are five basic taste profiles you are familiar with and embrace: sweet, salty, sour, and umami flavors but how comfortable are you with bitter flavors? Most people are not at ALL comfortable with bitter flavors and avoid them. However, bitter flavors send signals to the digestive system to wake it up so it can get to work. Bitter flavors also assist in the process of breaking down sugars from sweets and carbs and curb cravings. This process increases the efficiency of our digestive tract and our overall wellness. Most importantly of all (to my vain self) bitters support beautiful, healthy, and clear skin because it helps to break down our food. Digestive Bitters support beautiful, healthy, and clear skin. My love of bitters started in 2016 when I attended a class called Bitters for Digestion. I didn't know anything about bitters but I was drawn to that class and I'm glad I followed my instinct and signed up because what I learned in that class has stuck with me ever since. The teacher taught us about bitters by having us taste approximately 20 bitter herbs. All the while asking us to determine which herbs appealed to us and which didn't. It resulted in me purchasing 6 of the bitter herbs, roots, and seeds to create my very own digestive bitters blend. Ive have been hooked on it ever since. I usually have a YesSpiral Bitters tincture bottle in my bag to take before and after meals. I also take it when I'm craving sweets or when I want to cleanse my palate. Which are bitter herbs? Gentian works to strengthen digestive activity and to release stomach acid. Angelica is carminative and helps to prevent and expel gas. Dong Quai promotes absorption of food. Fenugreek is anti-inflammatory. Sage is antimicrobial and a tonic for the digestive system. Cardamon soothes the digestive system and smells and tastes great. Have you ever taken a bitters tincture as medicine?

In astrology Taurus is about building a practical and stable life full of comfort, beauty, and security. Taurus also has a need to have a balance between the spiritual and material worlds. They develop beliefs that form a positive sense of self via traditions and values. In tarot, The Hierophant is the card of time-honored values, traditions, and beliefs. He is an authority in matters of faith and divine wisdom. The Hierophant and Taurus are committed to structure, long standing rituals, and comfort for personal growth and development. In a reading The Hierophant symbolizes ritual, conformity, spiritual advice. Belief systems. Blessings. And, so much more as you will see later in this post. Taurus is represented by the Hierophant in Tarot. The Hierophant is known by many names in modern Tarot decks. According to Robert Place , author and tarot historian, the word Hierophant means sacred priest in Greek and the first known tarot deck, the Visconti-Sforza from the 1451, refers to Major Arcana Card V as the Pope. In the late 1700s it was changed to the Hierophant by Court de Gebelin. I was inspired to write this post while reading about asteroid Chiron in the book Astrology for Yourself by Douglas Bloch & Demetria George. They mentioned that Chiron is depicted as the Hierophant in the Mythic Tarot - He is the the inner spiritual teacher. As usual, I allowed myself to go on a spiral - a Hierophant spiral - because the Hierophant is typically represented by Taurus in Tarot. Also, I'd like to point out that all the images are from the tarot deck apps created by the Fools Dog . I highly recommend getting a tarot deck app as it is an easy way to browse all the cards of a deck while having the full book contents at your finger tips. It also allows you to do tarot spreads. Currently my phone holds 16 different tarot apps plus a few oracle card decks. One of the things I like to do is to look up the same card in different decks. This allows me to know the card from different perspectives. You'll see what I mean as you explore the many faces of the Hierophant below. The Mythic Tarot The Hierophant is Chiron "Chiron, the Hierophant, implies that the individual will begin to actively seek answers of a philosophical kind. They may emerge as the study of a particular philosophy or system of belief, or as a deep commitment to a quest for meaning in life. The Hierophant may appear as an analyst, psychotherapist, priest, or spiritual mentor." By Juliet Sharman-Burke & Liz Greene & Tricia Newell The Vision Quest Tarot The Hierophant is the Shaman "The Shaman inside you is capable of merging his intuitive perceptiveness with the wisdom of the Elders. Meditate and find out what really motivates you, what your inner core truly desires. Shift your attention to what is essential. Most essential in your life your own being." by Gayan Sylvie Winter The Tabula Mundi Tarot The Hierophant is the Magus of the Eternal Gods Zodiacal Trump of Taurus; Venus rules, Moon exalted "Listen to the guidance of the wise one that holds the keys. Endure and keep silence for in silence you will receive wisdom. Bring down the celestial fire and become an initiated priest of the mysteries. Invoke occult forces and receive teachings. Seek higher purpose" by M. M. Meleen The Enchanted Tarot The Hierophant is the old Man "Rules and traditions are based on the sincere desire of our predecessors to preserve what was useful in their time. Bit your interests are not always best served by blind obedience. The repression of your right to think freely may result in conformity. Still, in many situations, religious moral values and traditions will comfort and sustain you." by: Monte Farber & Amy Zerner The Classic 1910 Tarot The Hierophant is The Hierophant "Orthodoxy dictates that you should obey, while freedom of choice dictates that you have the option to disobey! This choice is the gift of the Hierophant. Not all the wealth of Rome or the Vatican City can compel you; only you have the power of free Choice." By Arthur Edward Waite The Psychic Tarot The Hierophant is Wisdom "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. This card illustrates that there's a spiritual teacher who's about to influence you or step into your life to impart his or her wisdom. Look around - is there someone in your life who has the acumen, education, knowledge, and ability to integrate spirituality and its laws into the constraints of the physical world?" by John Holland The Dark Goddess Tarot The Hierophant is Cybele "When Cybele appears look for ways to go beyond the mundane in your everyday tasks. Add meaning through ritual, story, or symbol. Add power and pleasure through scent and music. Nurture a sacred space within yourself during the performance of your duties." by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince The Gaian Tarot The Hierophant is the Teacher The teacher sits in from of a Western Red Cedar surrounded by five green allies, medicinal herbs that many would pass by as weeds. Affirmation: "I receive my best spiritual teachings from Nature." by Joanna Powell Colbert The Guardian Angel Tarot The Hierophant is Embrace Those Around You "This card asks you to spend time with those who can help you grow spiritually and emotionally. Look for friendship or assistance from people who have their arms wide open." By Radleigh Valentine The Shining Tribe Tarot The Hierophant is Tradition "They cast a great circle. They clear the clogged highways. They share all the gossip. They teach all the children." -by Rachel Pollack

Positive life changes cause positive neural changes altering the brain's circuitry to lead in further positive changes creating an upward spiral. You've probably heard of downward spirals and it conjures up images of people living a life that is out of balance but what about upward spirals? This is the question that Alex Korb, PHD discusses in his book The Upward Spiral, Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a time . He says, downward spirals occur because of events that happen and the decisions made, change the brain's activity which can put us in a worried, anxious, and depressed state. On the other hand, positive life changes cause positive neural changes altering the brain's circuitry to lead in further positive changes. What is an Upward Spiral? A simple life change like going to sleep an hour earlier can lead to further changes which in turn lead to a series of expanding positive changes in life. For example, going to sleep an hour earlier can lead to waking up earlier so there is time for e xercise which can lead to better sleep -> reducing anxiety -> improving mood -> gaining more energy to exercise -> generating better relationships -> and a general feeling of being happier -> this is how easy it is to create an upward spiral. It starts with making one simple change to a daily routine. Alex Korb says "the brain circuits that help us to plan, solve problems and make decisions are the same ones that lead to worrying. The brain circuits that keep us out of danger are the same circuits that cause anxiety." It is not possible to eliminate or suppress those circuits because they are a necessary part of life. Worry and anxiety are distinct but related you can have one without the other. In essence worrying is thinking about a problem whereas anxiety is feeling the problem. Worry and anxiety are figments of our imagination. Worry and anxiety do not exist outside of our minds. Feelings to be aware of Awareness of worry and anxiety can help to suppress it. Just being aware of the following feelings can help reduce its impact: shortness of breath dizziness muscle tension upset stomach chest pain feelings of dread How to create an Upward Spiral Alex Korb goes over eight ways to create upward spirals. I will focus on four: exercise, making goals, sleep, and cultivating a gratitude practice. Exercise Is the most powerful and easiest way to create an upward spiral as it shares many of the same effects on the brain as antidepressants and recreational drugs. So you get all the good feelings without all the nasty side effects of drugs. I know this is easier said than done so get yourself an accountability partner, or commit to a practice for 40 days. Alternatively, don't do exercise! Instead take the stairs, ride a bike or walk to work instead of taking the subway. Take up dancing. Get creative and have fun with it. Set Goals Setting intentions leads to setting goals and people are at their best when working toward achievable goals like purchasing a home or earning a promotion at work. Start by brainstorming what is important to you and create a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound goals aka Smart Goals . Sleep Making time for and creating the right environment for a good night's sleep will lead to elevated mood, lowered stress, better memory, clear thinking, and better decision making. Consider how many hours of sleep you are getting per night and shoot for seven to eight. Create preparing for sleep ritual where you wind down before bed perhaps with a cup of herbal tea. Gratitude Practice Thinking and expressing gratitude makes it easier to feel positive emotions which lead to upward spirals. One way to cultivate a gratitude practice is by keeping a gratitude journal, you can write 1- 5 things you are grateful for every day. You can also express gratitude every day upon waking up and thinking about 1 - 5 things. Everything is interconnected, gratitude improves sleep. Sleep improves focus and decision making. Improved decision making leads to getting up and doing some exercise which leads to feeling better about yourself and on an upward spiral.

Combining Tarot, the Moon, and Astrology for clarity, direction, and trusting my intuition. The Spring season officially started on the equinox on March 20th along with the start of the astrological new year when the Sun entered Aries. The sun is now shining brighter, warmer, and longer each day. The cold air is turning warm, the daffodils have started blooming, and soon the trees will begin budding with flowers and leaves. Imagining The Moonth at the cusp of Spring 2020 Spring cleaning is always at the forefront of my mind during this time of year. But what if, instead of cleaning my home, I spent a year on a life cleaning journey? What do I keep? Discard? What routines would I implement? Devotion to Myself? Many people devote themselves to their families, religion, work, sports, friends, etc but I wonder how about devoting myself to living my best life? Can you imagine what a best life looks like? What does it cover? How does it make you feel? What things will grab your attention? For about a decade I've devoted myself to all different kinds of personal development and spiritual practices (bachelors degree, professional licenses, yoga teacher training, tarot, shamanism, ) to determine which one will lead me to live my best life. I call them yes spirals because it involves saying yes to something outside my comfort zone. From my experience, I've found that there isn't a specific "thing" that completes or fulfills me. It wasn't like I got my bachelor's degree and though I'm complete now. My personal development journey is over. In fact, the opposite happened, I wanted even more. Life Design? I have all kinds of things going on, I'm sure you do too: home, family, friends, career, passion projects, creativity, rest & relaxation, etc, etc. How then, can one practice cover and nourish it all? Simply put, It can't. Which is why I love to mix, match, and combine different practices to suit my needs. I'm devoted to combining practices, ideas, philosophies to create something new, comprehensive, and authentic to help me live a life I'm happy to life. Tarot, The Moon, & Astrology The Moon, Tarot, Astrology, and Herbalism Books At this point I'm combining Tarot, the Moon, and Astrology; with a little herbalism thrown in here and there. I started with Tarot and that lead me to the Moon which incorporates Astrology. Together, this trifecta of tools has created a magical practice where I can use the attributes of astrology, the phases and cycles of the moon, along with tarot for clarity, direction, and trusting my intuition. How to work with the Moon The moon starts a new cycle in a different zodiac sign each month. I work with the phases of each moon cycle to initiate, persevere, manifest, and release. I tap into the astrological perspective by focusing on the rulerships of each sign. If you look at all 12 signs you will notice they cover all aspects of life. If you start with Aries, you focus on yourself, Taurus goes into your money and values, Gemini is about communication and building networks of understanding. Every sign builds upon the last until all aspects of life covered and you reach hope and imagining more for yourself in Pisces. I also incorporate tarot in my [Moon]thly practice to help me with clarity, direction, and decision making. The side effects of focusing on designing your life is that you will sleep better, reduce stress, anxiety, and create an upward spiral that will lead you to love your life as it unfolds. *See linked upward spirals blog post. A Year with the Moon , Tarot, & Astrology The image below shows the four seasons, twelve months, twelve signs with their rulerships. I added the Tarot Aces which correspond to the gift of the seasons. Aries: Authenticity Libra: Collaboration Taurus Values Scorpio: Transformation Gemini: Communication Sagittarius: Optimism Cancer: Confidence Capricorn: Ambition Leo: Courage Aquarius: Innovation Virgo Determination Pisces: Imagination One Year, Four Seasons, 12 Months, 78 Tarot cards The new cycle of this offering starts this Spring with Aries (the start of the astrological new year). It taps into Aries' initiatory (cardinal) new beginnings energy, grounding it with the values driven (fixed) spirit of Taurus, and rounding it out with the adaptable (mutable) communicative power of Gemini. The initiatory, grounding, and adaptable cycle begins anew in the Summer, Autumn, and Winter Seasons.

Spring is the season of awakening and rebirth. This is an optimal time to direct our energy towards personal development and growth. This can be new endeavors that are aligned with our authenticity, being practical and persevering, while creating networks of friends and acquaintances to join us on our journey. The spring season starts off the astrological year. Spring is represented by the Air Element. It is symbolized by the sky, wind, birds, and mountaintops. It is associated with the mind, the intellect, communication and divination. In tarot, air energy corresponds to the suit of swords. In the phases of the moon it represents the new and crescent moon. Air also represents the direction of the east, the dawn, and childhood. In this post I'll go over the zodiac signs, element, and corresponding tarot cards associated with the spring season. Each zodiac sign has six tarot cards directly associated with it. If you take a look at the astrology and tarot wheel you will find all 78 tarot cards. However six of the cards sit outside of the wheel. Do you know which cards sit outside the wheel representing seasonal and elemental energy? The Spring Season Tarot Cards include: The Aces and The Pages The Aces represent the seasons and the Pages represent the elemental energy of the season. The Aces and the Pages sit outside of the Astrology and Tarot Wheel. The Power of Air Ace of Swords The Ace of Swords is known as the The Power of Air. In tarot, the Ace of Swords corresponds to the energy of Spring. The Aces represent the potential of the suit. It contains the instructions for the development, growth, and progression of the entire cycle of the suit. Spring is the season of awakening rebirth represented by the Air element. It is symbolized by the sky, wind, birds, and mountaintops. It is associated with the mind, the intellect, communication and divination. In tarot, air energy corresponds to the suit of swords. In the moon it represents the new and crescent moon. Air also represents the direction of the east, the dawn, and childhood. Personification of Air Page of Swords Air signs include: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius The Page of Swords is known as the Personification of Air. The page of swords connects the suit of swords to the mental realms of communication, thought, and rationality. They insert a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity to life situations. Spring Zodiac Signs include: Aries Fire | Wands Cardinal | Initiates New endeavors aligned with our authenticity. Aries The Emperor Aries the leader of the zodiac, personified by the Emperor in tarot. The Emperor is fearless, confident, courageous, and a visionary leader. He rules with logic and reason making him willful, stubborn, and inflexible. Aries marks the first month of spring and the first sign of the astrological year. It rules the first astrological house concerned with our personality, physical appearance, and individuality. It is a fire sign and about taking action and being passionate about important causes. The energy is cardinal tied to initiating new beginnings. Taurus The Hierophant Taurus Earth | Pentacles Fixed | Stabilizes Practical, Reliable, and Persevering. Taurus is the second sign in the zodiac personified by The Hierophant. The Hierophant is the card of time honored values, traditions, and beliefs. He is an authority in matters of faith and divine wisdom. Taurus is the sign of stability and resources. Taurus rules the second astrological house concerned with money, personal resources, and values. It is an earth sign symbolized by physical energy that is practical, reliable, and persevering. The energy is Fixed meaning it stabilizes and has the endurance to see endeavors to their completion. Together Taurus and The Hierophant are committed to structure, long standing rituals, and comfort for personal growth and development. Gemini The Lovers Gemini Air | Swords Mutable | Flexible Creates networks of friends and acquaintances. Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac embodied by The Lovers. The Lovers represent the duality of two individuals working together. They are twin souls with a wide range of interests and ideas to share and compare with one another. Gemini rules the third astrological house concerned with routines, communications, and acquaintances. Gemini is an air sign symbolized by the mental realms of thoughts, logic, and intellect. The energy is mutable making it adaptable and willing to change in the name of being flexible. In Tarot the Lovers represents choice, interdependence, mental harmony, attraction, a relationship or partnership. The next season is Summer! Coming up mid June. The zodiac signs associated with Summer are Cancer, Leo, Virgo.

I love flowers! You may have noticed I put up a lot of flower photos on my social media feeds and I love to have them as a backdrop mostly because they are beautiful and graceful and illicit great joy. This is why they are given as gifts (feel free to gift me flowers anytime :-) Katie Hess, Flower Alchemist, and owner of Lotuswei, says in her book Flower Evolution, Blooming into Your Full Potential with the Magic of Flowers that "recent research demonstrates that bees are attracted to the energy of flowers, not their fragrance or color. Flowers emit electrical impulses in the form of vibrations, and the bees are able to detect the electrical fields of different flowers.” (Hess p 26) This confirms why I always feel good when I’m around flowers. Their vibration is so high it has the power to turn negative moods into positive moods. Also, they are gorgeous and smell great. Ways to Connect with the Energy of Flowers There are many ways to take advantage of flowers (this sounds a bit bad, but I think Flowers are happy for us to employ them). One is to have a flowering plant; I love this because every time it flowers there is a reason to feel happy. Another is cut flowers to display in a vase (this is good for a few days but it’s a bit depressing when they die). Some flowers are edible, and some are poisonous (be cautious), some can be infused to make fragrant and or medicinal teas, some can be distilled to make essential oils and many even the poisonous ones can be solar or lunar infused to make flower essences. Discovering Flower Essences I’ve been drawn to flower essences for some years and a few years ago I took a deep dive and completed a 9 month apprenticeship in Flower Essence Therapy. I did it to immerse myself into the magic of the flower essences and to learn more about what they are, how they work, and how I could build a relationship with them. What I learned is that flower essences are subtle, they awaken what sits dormant, light up what lives in the shadow, and help us to see ourselves in a new way. How Flower Essences Work Flower Essences capture the consciousness of the plant which is concerned with the emotional, mental, and spiritual parts of ourselves. You know, that part that keeps us up at night, or the part that tells us we can't do something or convinces us that we are not good enough for whatever it is that we want. However, Flower Essences have the magical ability to awaken the other part of ourselves that helps us get restful sleep, encourages us to stay focused, and reminds us we are of the same stuff stars are made of. Taking flower essences is simple and the dosage is minimal with only 2 – 7 drops sublingually at least 3 times per day until there is a shift in your emotional state. The flower essences dosage can also be put into drinking water, tea, or other beverage of choice. I find it is best to recite a personal affirmation with each dosage of flower essence to bring myself into balance and put myself in the vibration I want to be in. Preparing Bleeding Heart Flower Essence Here I am preparing Bleeding Heart Flower Essence This summer I’ve made two essences one of Rose and another of Bleeding Heart. Both flowers support emotional stability and help one to feel balanced during this time of uncertainty and grief. They are for sale while supplies last.

Adaptogen herbs help the body to treat stress, anxiety, and to remain in equilibrium. They build up the immune system and are preventative remedies. Living with Stress in New York City I live in Manhattan, New York City an island with 1.6 million people, skyscrapers, and little nature. The pace here is fast and stress and anxiety can be found around any corner with sirens, crowds of people, cars honking, subway delays, crime, etc. This exposure to constant chaos drew me to study herbs and apprentice at New York City's Flower Power Herbs and Roots as a way to understand how to naturally deal with stress and anxiety. Conventional Treatments vs. Herbal Remedies The National Institute of mental health states that stress and anxiety is normally treated with medication and or psychotherapy. The medications include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and beta-blockers none of which are a cure as they only treat symptoms. Medications prescribed by doctor may have side effects such as, building up a tolerance and dependency and suicidal thoughts or behavior. During my studies as an herbalist apprentice, I was most drawn to herbs that (see list below) treat stress, anxiety, and help the body remain in equilibrium. These herbs are known as Adaptogens which help the body deal with different types of stress including: physical, biological, emotional, and environmental. They have immune building properties and are more preventative than curative. Adaptogenic herbs are not actively discussed in popular media because they are preventative remedies and preventative medicine is invisible. Invisible meaning that it prevents the dis-ease in the body that causes the state of imbalance. If the disease is prevented did it ever exist? What are Adaptogen Herbs? Adaptogens are natural substances (herbs and botanicals) that help the body adapt to stress, increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors, and they provide a defense response to acute or chronic stress. The formal and simple definition of adaptogens is that they are relatively nontoxic, produce a nonspecific defense to stress, and have a normalizing influence on the body. Nontoxic means they cause minimal side effects on physical and mental health. Nonspecific defense to stress means it builds adaptive energy to keep the body balanced as it faces daily stressors. Normalizing influence means it enhances the body's natural balance by helping to return to a natural state. Adaptogens are able to influence the body in a calming or energizing way, depending on what the body needs. This is known as a bidirectional effect. Whole Plant vs Individual Constituents I am drawn to adaptogen herbs because they are the whole plant versus individual constituents. An example of an individual constituent you may have heard of are flavonoids, found in fruits, vegetables, and Tulsi. Even though the constituents are considered the active ingredient by drug makers, each plant has dozens or even hundreds of constituents that work together as a microscopic army to build up the body's defense system. If the active constituent is isolated then it is working alone on the body without its "army" that helps it to prevent adverse effects (aka side effects) on the body as a whole. Types of Adaptogens There are well-researched adaptogens, probable adaptogens, and possible adaptogens. There are also complimentary herbs for adaptogens including nervines and nootropics that work synergistically to combat stress and anxiety. Personal Apothecary The herbs below are the ones that I like and keep stocked in my personal apothecary. You can find most of them at your local grocery store, health food store, or herb shop. Well-researched adaptogen Ashwagandha – Withania somnifera - I include this herb in many of my herbal blends. The flavor is light and pleasant and mixes well with many herbs. It is one adaptogen that is well researched and officially classified as an adaptogen herb. It is calming and helps to regulate the thyroid and adrenal glands. It works to relieve anxiety, fatigue, and nervousness. I also like the alcohol tincture and the glycerite both are pleasant tasting and a great addition to your medicine cabinet. Add this herb to your day time - energizing herbal blends and/or to your night time relaxing/calming herbal blends. Probable adaptogen Holy Basil (aka Tulsi) – Ocimum tenuiflorum (Rama), sanctum (Krishna), and gratissimum (Vana). I love all three varieties and usually have at least two on hand. Rama is cooling and mellow, Krishna is crisp and peppery and Vana is floral and fragrant. Tulsi can enhance immune function and relieve anxiety while promoting cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and decision making. Tulsi has a beautiful flavor and is a complimentary addition to many herbal blends. Add this herb to your day time - energizing herbal blends and/or to your night time relaxing/calming herbal blends. Possible adaptogen Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra – this herb is SUPER sweet and a little goes a long way. It is typically used in herbal formulas for coughs and respiratory issues. It is an antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It also works well as a sweetener of bitter herbs and to mellow spicy herbs like ginger. This is another herb you can freely add to most blends but treat it the way you would treat a sugar alternative, it is extremely sweet. Nervines Nervines are calming herbs that help restore emotional balance and nourish the nervous system. They help to relieve stress and anxiety. Both of the herbs below are gentle enough for children. Chamomile – Matricaria recutita – is sweet yet slightly bitter. It is one of the most popular herbs used as tea and most people already know it and have it on hand. It provides relief to anxiety, upset stomach, and insomnia. Good for kids and adults. Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis – smells lemony and minty and is on the sweet side. It helps to improve mood, promote better sleep, and it also has antiviral properties. This herb blends well with the other herbs mentioned. Good for kids and adults. Nootropics Nootropics enhance memory and improve mood. These are the herbs known as smart drugs. Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia and latifolia – this is a well-known herb used as medicine and in perfumes. It is calming to the mind and gut. It promotes restful sleep and prevents night-time waking. A small of amount of this herb goes a long way. It is so mighty that even the scent induces a calming force. Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis – this is a well known culinary herbal spice and it also used as medicine. It is used to treat cloudy thinking and reduce anxiety. Add it to your herbal teas, infusions, and foods. If you want to learn more, I highly recommend, Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, by David Winston with Steven Maimes (pictured above). Most of the information in this blog post is attributed to it. It goes into detail on all the herbs above plus many others. It is a great addition to any herbal reference library. Recipes Daytime Infusion Blend Recipe Ashwagandha 2 parts Holy Basil 1 part Lemon Balm ½ part Licorice ¼ part Nighttime Infusion Blend Recipes Ashwagandha 2 parts Chamomile 1 part Lemon Balm ½ part Lavendar ¼ part Sources: Anxiety Disorders, The National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders#part_2225 David Winston with Steven Maimes, Adaptogens : Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief

There’s a special kind of magic that happens when hundreds of tarot readers gather under one roof. Readers Studio 2019 was four days of cards, connection, and cosmic conversation! Readers Studio 2019 A Gathering of Tarot Masters in New York City I'm just back from my fourth annual Readers Studio hosted by The Tarot School's Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone in New York City. The Readers Studio is a conference of about 250 of the worlds most renowned Tarot readers including Rachel Pollack, Benebel Wen, and Ethony. The conference runs from Thursday through Sunday and is its packed with masterclasses, celebrity readings, study groups, tarot incubators, merchants and much much more. Divination Day Highlights This year included a Divination Day where: Rana George author of The Essential Lenormand: Your Guide to Precise & Practical Fortunetelling taught a class on Lenormand, Heatherleigh Navarre a psychic, medium, and teacher of tarot, mediumship, and psychic development taught a class on Crystal Ball Divination, and Carrie Paris who holds a Masters Degree in the Cultural Study of Cosmology and Divination from the University of Kent taught a class on Charm Casting and Tarot. All this on just the first day! Masterclasses and Lessons from the Tarot Greats We had three masterclasses. The first one was taught by: Ethony , tarot reader and oracle deck creator, and Headmistress of the Tarot Readers Academy on 13 Tarot Muses whom she described as archetypes of the types of readings that are most common. The second was taught by George Koury who has taught alongside Rachel Pollack and Mary Greer taught us his Peter Pan Reading to connect one with their life purpose. Finally Sasha Graham taught us her Seven Sacred Cornerstones of Constant Magic. The Magic of Community and Connection As usual I barely got any sleep as the days started early at 8am and ended late at 11-ish pm. I did not have to do all the activities but I didn't want to miss out on anything and I didn't want to miss the chance to connect with the tarot community. My favorite part of the Readers Studio is that all the masterclasses take place in one room. Everyone tarot master and novice all sit in one room and and read for each other. There are no egos at the Readers Studio. The Foundation Reading: A Transformative Practice I also look forward to the Foundation Reading where we pick a partner to do a reading with on Friday and then revisit the same reading with the same cards on Sunday with our newly gained reading knowledge. I'm always amazed at how much depth is added to the reading after just three days. I'm looking forward to RS20.

Dandelion Leaf, Flower, and Root are all medicinal. (Dandelion Flower to Seed Cycle. Filmed by Neil Bromhall over a one month period) What are the names of Dandelion? Dandelion Also Known As Tarxacum officinale Flower of the Sun Lion’s Tooth Blow Ball Fortune Teller Piss in Bed Wish Plus, many more names Dandelion may have so many names because the roots, leaves, and flowerheads are all edible and medicinal. It is native to Europe and Asia, but it grows globally. The European colonizers thought so highly of it they brought it with them across the seas and spread it across the United States. Everywhere else they went, they spread Dandelion making it prolific worldwide. (Hourdajian) (Dandelion grows wild in NYC) Why is Dandelion villainized? In the United States, Dandelion has been villainized as a weed because she grows where she wants. The website Science and Plants for Schools says that some weeds can cause harm such as: poison animals and crops, be a host to pests and diseases, and block drainage and irrigation channels. However, they do not mention that many weeds are highly revered and medicinal. Dandelion is loved by animals, from bees to bears. It creates drainage channels in compacted soils and restores mineral health to abused soils. It aerates and attracts earth worms to soils making them beneficial to any garden. (Weed). Also, dandelions are pretty in flower and seed. As a child I called dandelion seed heads "wishes." I would take a seed head and my blow my wishes into it whenever I found one. Blowing dandelion seeds is one of the ways the plant is so prolific. As the seed head flies away it can travel hundreds of miles depending on wind strength. Dandelion seeds do not need to be planted and can germinate on their own under most conditions. (Hourdajian) Another reason why Dandelion has a bad name is because she interferes with the dream of the sprawling green lawn with no agricultural value. The green lawn is perceived as a status symbol and was popularized by patriarchs of the United States; George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in the 1770’s. Take a look at David Botti’s video; The Great American Lawn: How the Dream was Manufactured, to learn more about the American Dream of owning a house with a great green lawn. Does Dandelion have folklore? While the plant is a villain to some, it is a savior and revered by many. The North American Indians have folklore around Dandelion, summarized like this: “A long time ago, there lived a Medicine Man named Kosi Agu, Flower of the Sun. Kosi had two friends that were always at his side and ready to help him carry out his duties as a medicine man. They were the Eagle and the Mountain Lion. The Eagle brought messages and medicines from the sky and high mountain tops while the Mountain Lion gave Kosi strength of body and protection whenever it was needed. Together the three worked tirelessly in helping the community, Kosi by caring for the community’s sick, the Eagle by flying and collecting herbs high up the mountain, and the Mountain Lion would help by digging up roots from the earth when they were needed. When the time came for the three friends to return into the earth they asked to be buried in a meadow where in their place a plant would grow. The Flower would be like Kosi Agu’s name and heart. The leaves would be like the teeth of the Mountain Lion, and the roots would be like the legs of the Eagle. The plant helped the sick and fed their bodies, today you can always count on Dandelion to help you stay healthy" (summarized from text by Walking Night Bear & Padilla ) What are the medicinal properties of Dandelion? Today Dandelion is considered a medicinal plant by herbalists. It assists the gut, liver, and kidneys in functioning at full potential. Susan Weed dedicated a whole chapter to Dandelion in her much referenced book Healing Wise. She says Dandelion root is hepatic meaning it strengthens and nourishes the liver and its functioning. It is a tonic that nourishes the functioning of a muscle, organ, or system, it invigorates, and strengthens all activity. It is a digestive stimulant. And, it is also deobstruent defined by Weed as slowly loosening and removing obstructions to health and the healthy flow of life. Dandelion leaf is nutritive , providing vitamins and minerals to assist with health wholeness. The leaf is also stomachic meaning it nourishes and strengthens the stomach. Dandelion flowers used externally are emollient (softens and soothes) the skin. The flowers are also hepatic , strengthening and nourishing the liver and its functioning. Dandelion Herbcraft ideas Tea Vinegar Infusion Tincture Oil Flower Essence Who is Dandelion in tarot? Inspired by the Fool, in the Herbcrafter's tarot, I made a Dandelion vinegar to use in my salad dressing and in cooking. This is a great tasting way to infused my foods with the medicinal benefits of Dandelion. I purchased dandelion leaves at the farmers market. If you live in the country or have a backyard, and know an area that is not poisoned by weed killer harvest it. Dandelion leaves in the spring are delicious added to salads. In the summer harvest the flowers and leaves to make teas (infusions), tinctures, flower essences, vinegars, and oils. In the autumn harvest the dandelion root to make tinctures and teas (infusions). Dandelion Vinegar Recipe Loosely fill a jar with dandelion Fill the jar to the top with Apple Cider Vinegar Cover the jar with parchment paper to prevent metal lids from rusting. Or use a plastic lid. Infuse for 2 - 4 weeks. Strain vinegar, compost or discard plant material. I use my dandelion infused vinegar on salads or sip it to be bold and audacious as the Dandelion Fool from the Herbcrafter's Taro t suggests. Sources: Botti, David. 08/09/2019. The Great American Lawn: How the Dream was Manufactured. NYTimes.com. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/video/lawn-grass-environment-history.html?auth=login-email&login=email Hourdajian, Dara. 11/13/2006. Introduced Species Summary Project Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale). Columbia.edu. Retrieved from: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Taraxum_officinale.htm Walking Night Bear and Padilla, Stan. 1983. Song of the Seven Herbs. Book Publishing Company Weed, Susan. 1989. Wise Woman Herbal, Healing Wise . Ash Tree Publishing Weeds Versus Plants. SAPS.org.uk. Retrieved from: https://www.saps.org.uk/saps-associates/browse-q-and-a/482-what-is-the-difference-between-a-weed-and-a-plant