Tarot Certification Debate and Events!

I wanted to share with you an interesting article from The Pasco Tribune, an area newspaper in Pasco County, Florida. In the article, a woman talks about applying for a local license as a “fortune teller.” I found this article interesting in that it reminded me about a debate within the field of Tarot Reading, which is whether Tarot Readers should be certified. One argument for Tarot certification is that it would set minimum standards readers would meet in order to practice Tarot Reading, but one argument against certification is that certification in Tarot does not necessarily equate with effective Tarot Reading. A larger question involved in this debate is also, who would certify the readers? In the Tarot community, there does still not appear to be a general consensus regarding who this might be although there are a couple of certification programs available. I raise these questions just to have you consider your personal thoughts around the issue as it is a complex, multilayered one. Check out the article here and feel free to share your thoughts below.

I also wanted to let everyone know I will be over at Crossroads Gallery in Duanesburg, NY on Saturday, 2/4, to provide some services. For those of you in the Schenectady, Schoharie area, it might be a bit easier to connect with me if you might be interested in a Tarot Reading so feel free to e-mail me at mclarkson-hendrix@nycap.rr.com if you would be interested in setting something up.

Finally, but excitedly, I am asking people to “Save the Date” for a workshop I am excited to be hosting (and attending!) by David Vine. The title of the workshop is “Tarot as a Second Language” and will involve building your skills in receiving the wisdom of the Tarot as well as speaking it to others in your Tarot Reading. The date of the workshop will be Saturday, April 28th. More info to come!!!

News, Events and Tidbits for You!

Some news for you…..

I was excited to read this article in the Huffington Post about Michelle Obama’s advocacy on behalf of furthering research to help identify effective treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Much of the current advocacy concerning finding effective treatments comes from the awareness that many of our soldiers returning from combat are struggling with what they experienced during that time. Regardless of which side of the fence you fall onto when it comes to whether we should be fighting these various fights, we could all agree that helping soldiers living with the effects of these experience is important. My hope is that some of this research will highlight some of the effective psychotherapy protocols already developed that can help people heal from traumatic experiences.

I also found an interesting article on 3-Card Tarot Spreads written by Christin Sander, Tarot Editor for BellaOnline. The part of the article I liked the best had to do with the Body-Mind-Spirit spread and her interpretation of what each card position meant. A neat variation to experiment with related to what she writes about is to integrate an awareness of the classic correspondences of the Tarot into this kind of spread. To do this, when placing the card in the Body position, continue to flip cards until you come to your first Pentacles card. Do the same with the Mind card position by flipping cards over until you come to your first Swords card. Finally, to do this with the Spirit card position, flip cards over until you come to your first Wands card. Interpret each of these cards for the various positions. If you try this out adaptation, let me know your thoughts about how it goes. Check out the article here!

Events, events…..

Just a quick reminder that tonight (Tuesday, 1/17) I will be teaching my ongoing Tarot Practice Class at Peaceful Inspirations in Delmar, NY. The class runs from 6:30pm to 8pm. Peaceful Inspirations asks, if possible, that you call ahead to help them get a sense of how many people are coming. You could contact them at 439-7039.

Ask the Tarot-September 2011

I wanted to share a copy of the September 2011 edition of “Ask The Tarot,” which is published in CommUNITY newsletter.  Enjoy!

 

Dear Mike,
I have been working for four years at a local agency. I enjoy what I do, but, due to budget cuts, I was recently laid off. After I was laid off, I applied for a job in another agency. The job is similar to the one I had been doing. Just before I was scheduled to go to an interview for this new job, my old agency called to say they were working out a way where I could be reinstated. However, the funding they are using is tenuous. Should I continue with the interview for the new business or hold off to see if I could go back to my old position?

Sincerely,

Pointedly Perplexed

Dear Pointedly Perplexed,

I decided to use the The Sharman-Caselli Tarot Deck to answer your question. The card the Tarot chose to describe the issue or problem you are facing is The Hierophant. You may be overthinking this situation. This overthinking could leave you feeling confused with conflicting ideas of what you should do. You are also trying to look for the deeper purpose of this situation and a signal from the Divine of a direction to pursue. Perhaps you are being too serious in your approach to this dilemma.

The card the Tarot chose to show you what to do is the Five of Cups. In this card, we see a figure cloaked in black. We cannot see their face, so it is difficult to discern how they are feeling. In front of the figure are three spilt cups. Behind the figure are two cups standing upright. Do notice the loss you have experienced with the layoff that has occurred. Be mindful of this as you decide your next action. Do consider your feelings in deciding what to do next. You are standing at an emotional crossroads. Do grieve the loss of your current job. You could be feeling numbed by what has occurred.

The card the Tarot chose to show you what not to do is The Lovers. In this card, we see a man wearing a blue and yellow tunic and tights. He puts his finger to his chin as he ponders which woman to be with. Do not be indecisive in this situation. Break off the love affair with your prior agency if they are not meeting your needs. Do not romanticize the decision making process when considering which job to pursue. You may feel you are in love with your current agency but do not let your feelings be the sole determinant of your decision to return to your current job or pursue a different one. One option may look good on the surface, but, as you get to know it more, you may feel less enamored with it.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix, PhD LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Tarot Reader with over fifteen years’ experience consulting the Tarot. To have your Tarot question answered in this column, e-mail him at mclarkson-hendrix@nycap.rr.com

Geopathic Stress No More

I recently purchased some copper rods from Virginia Houck, Owner of Wellness Essentials, in Albany, New York. Virginia’s email address is wellnessessentials@msn.com. The rods are used to combat geopathic stress. Virginia (2011) states, “(Geopathic Stress) is the Earths vibrations which rise up through the Earth and are distorted by weak electromagnetic fields created by subterranean running water, certain mineral concentrations, fault lines and underground cavities. The vibrations distorted becomes abnormally high and harmful to living organisms.” Virginia states geopathic stress creates chaos in the physical and subtle energy and/or aura.

Upon installing the rods at the Solutions for Healing and Renewal office, I immediately began to notice a difference. The area seemed more quiet and peaceful. I felt more “in balance” and “less harsh.”

A Fate and Free Will Spread

I recently had the pleasure to attend the Omega Tarot Conference at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. The topic of the conference was “Fate & Free Will.” Sitting with this topic, it made me consider what my personal sense of what fate and free will. I wanted to begin to explore this in my blog by sharing with you a Tarot spread I created addressing this topic.

For me, one way to look at fate is as our habitual way of responding. Fate occurs when we are not conscious of our experience. With increasing conscious comes the opportunity for free will.

On the other hand, free will could be considered on some levels the ability to choose. It is the ability to be aware of what we are perceiving, feeling, doing, and thinking. The more aware we are of these things, the more opportunity we have to discern choices and access our sense of free will.

Try out this Tarot Spread with the sense of taking the pieces you find helpful while leaving what just does not feel right to you.

1. What is my usual pattern of acting in this situation?

2. What is a choice I have in this situation?

3. What is my belief about how things will go in this situation?

4. What is another way I could look at this situation?

5. How am I feeling about this situation?

6. What would the most helpful way to feel about the situation be?

 

I will put out the card positions below:

Fate                                                                                             Free Will

1                                                                                                  2

3                                                                                                 4

5                                                                                                 6

 

I will include an example reading to show how the spread could be used. For this reading, I used the Jungian Tarot by Robert Wang.

The issue I would like to explore in this reading is the question of the next steps in my Tarot practice. What is my next step in deepening my Tarot practice?

1. What is my usual pattern of acting in this situation? The Empress. My usual pattern in developing my practice of the Tarot is nurturing. I tend to let things come to fruition, or I allow them to ripen over time.

2. What is a choice I have in this situation? The Hierophant. A choice I have in deepening my Tarot practice is to move more into the spiritual aspect of the Tarot. This could include focusing more on the esoteric aspects of the Tarot cards.

3. What is my belief about how things will go in this situation? Five of Wands Reversed. My belief about the process of deepening my Tarot practice is that it involves allowing the inner fire to touch my soul, which is that part of myself that is Divine.

4. What is another way I could look at this situation? Ace of Pentacles. Another way I could view the deepening of my Tarot practice is as allowing myself through the Tarot to see all the varied layers of myself, not just focus so much on the soul. Instead, I could focus on the whole being, including the body, mind, heart, and spirit.

5. How am I feeling about this situation? Hanged Man. I am feeling that deepening my Tarot practice involves allowing myself to be enrapt within its wisdom. I feel it is important to “turn things on their head.”

6. What would the most helpful way to feel about the situation be? The Magician. The most helpful way to feel about deepening my Tarot practice is to view it with contentment and endless curiosity.

Now Offering Services at Crossroads Gallery

I wanted to pass along this link since I am excited to begin to be able to do Tarot Readings and Psychotherapy sessions through Crossroads Gallery.  I enjoy sharing both of these practices with others and welcome the opportunity to connect more with others around them.  Check out the link below to read more:

http://crossroadsgallery.com/offerings.html

Ask the Tarot July-August 2011

This is a column I did for the July-August 2011 edition of the CommUNITY.  Enjoy!

 

Dear Mike,

I recently separated from my partner. My partner and I have a child whom I lovingly adore. However, between caring for him, working, and keeping up with the daily routines, I feel like all I do is wake up, attend to these things, and go to bed. How can I break out of this rut?

Sincerely,

It’s Time for a Change

Dear It’s Time for a Change,

I decided to use the Morgan-Greer Tarot, illustrated by Bill Greer, to answer your question. The card the Tarot chose to describe the reason for this rut is the Four of Cups. In this card, we see a person covered with leaves. As I look at this card, I wonder if you might be missing the point of the rut. The point of this rut is to refill your empty emotional cup, to refuel after the emotionally exhausting experience of the break up. The Divine is trying to give you a break after an intense emotional experience. The three cups presented in the card represent your child, your work, and the daily routines you mentioned. You are waiting for the Divine to send help but this help must be sent on its terms so stay open and be patient. You wonder when this rut will end. It will end, but savor the more mundane things available to you now during this in-between time.

The card the Tarot chose to describe what NOT to do to get out of this rut is The Chariot. You want to rush through the rut, to race through it and on to your next adventure. However, this will not work. Do not dichotomize your view of your ex-partner as this misses the humanness of the situation. Do not think “Oh Well!” and just move on as there was much love in this relationship at one time that needs to be grieved.

The card the Tarot chose to describe what TO do to get out of this rut is the Three of Swords Reversed. It is important for you to embrace the grief of the loss of this relationship. You hold back from doing this due to concerns you would be overwhelmed by the feeling. When this card is reversed, the swords are able to fall out of the heart. This allows the heart to heal. Remember the happy times of this relationship as you grieve the loss of the hopes you originally had for it. You numb yourself by not experiencing the feelings of grief, which is the reason you are experiencing this rut. Allow yourself to feel your hurt, and it will dissipate. This will release you from your rut.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix, PhD LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Tarot Reader with over fifteen years’ experience consulting the Tarot. To have your Tarot question answered in this column, e-mail him at mclarkson-hendrix@nycap.rr.com

August 2011 Calendar of Events

I wanted to share a link to the Solutions for Healing and Renewal August 2011 Calendar of Events.  Consider investing in these events as ways to personal ways to expand your relationship with the Divine.

August 2011 Calendar of Events

Three Benefits of Spiritual Surrender

Three Benefits to Spiritual Surrender

By Michael Clarkson-Hendrix PhD LCSW

In “spiritual surrender”, we do our best in a given situation, but we also recognize that the outcome of this situation is under the dominion of a Higher Power [Miller (1999:179)]. Surrender, in this instance, does not mean giving up our wishes or needs, but recognizing that the act of their fulfillment is ultimately provided by the loving care of a source beyond ourselves. This Higher Power’s viewpoint includes our personal perspective, but also sees the impact of an outcome upon all beings when fulfilling a want or need. The purpose of this article is to provide you with three benefits to considering incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into your understanding of your relationship with your personal wants and needs.

1. Incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into our desire for what we want or need can bring us a stronger sense of peace. When we understand that we can share our thoughts and feelings with a loving Higher Power, including our wants and needs, we can begin to let go of our anxiety about whether they will be fulfilled or not. When this occurs, we are not assured what the outcome will be, but we can know that we are opening ourselves to becoming vessels for a Higher Power’s expression here on Earth (Hoppe, 2005).

2. Incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into our desire for what we want or need can enhance our ability to see the spiritual gift of a situation. When we come from a place of surrender, we are in acceptance of what is. Our awareness expands to open us to the spiritual understanding within a situation both for ourselves and for other beings involved (Choquette, 1995). From this vantage point, we comprehend what is occurring without judgment or hatred.

3. Incorporating the concept of spiritual surrender into our desire for what we want or need can bring us more joy. We are able to find more joy in surrender since we give up the struggle of our attachment to our personal notions of what would be the best outcome of a given situation. A natural result of this is docility. When we become less attached to an outcome, the ordinary things within our lives take on a heightened significance. We can greet them with wonder, which leads to increased feelings of joy (Morgan, 2010).

References

Choquette, S. (1995). The psychic pathway: A workbook for reawakening the voice of your soul. Three Rivers Press: New York.

Hoppe, C. (2005). Manifesting skills. University of Metaphysical Sciences: CA.

Miller, W. R. (1999). Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners. American Psychological Association: Washington, DC.

Morgan, S. (2010). Personal Communication.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix, PhD LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Philosopher of Metaphysics, PhD. Michael’s purpose is to nurture others along their personal paths to peace. Check out his book, “Surrendering Your Will to God,” at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mclarksonhendrix to learn more about the concept of surrender.

Still Time to Register for Reiki I Class

I just received a call from another person interested in attending our Reiki I Class this Saturday, 7/16.  I would like the opportunity to attract anyone else who might be interested in attending this class.  Reiki is such a gentle yet deep healing practice.  There is still time to register so please feel free to call me (518) 383-8311 for the details. 

Peace and Thanks,

Mike