Heal Your Heart with Venus Retrograde
The planet Venus, associated with matters of the heart, went retrograde October 5. It goes direct November 16.
Venus retrogrades every eighteen months for forty to forty-three days. The first few weeks of this Venus retrograde is particularly significant because romantic Venus is in passionate Scorpio until October 31.
Planetary retrograde offers us a time to reflect, review and release whatever the energy of the planet happens to be. Since Venus is about romance, love and matters of the heart, and Scorpio adds to that a passionate intensity, this week is the perfect time to look back to our past heartaches and find ways to heal from those old stories.
During this time, we may find ourselves thinking about old relationships, or even planning reunions with loved ones from the past. We might be tempted to rekindle an old flame.
Most of us have suffered romantic loss or heartbreak in the past, and we have all suffered heartache of some sort, so Venus retrograde can bring up old hurts for many people.
Often, we tell the story of our old wounds in ways that aren't true, and that make the story more painful. Venus retrograde supports us in reviewing our old stories and finding new truth within them. You can explore the tarot spread later in this newsletter designed to help you do exactly that.
Within the tarot deck are many messages about looking to the past, the true nature of love, and healing the heart. Of special significance for Venus retrograde is the Six of Cups, which speaks of nostalgia and past love.
Beyond divination, there are many ways to heal and open your heart chakra during this Venus retrograde. Essential oils, yoga, journaling and meditation all offer an opportunity to release old pain and clear the way for new love.
Since it happens less than once a year, take advantage of this powerful retrograde to bring healing to your heart! If you find yourself feeling out of sorts this week, longing for the past or feeling regretful, you can blame it on Venus.
Venus retrograde is also a time to heal your relationship with yourself. Self-esteem can suffer during this time. Venus is associated with beauty, and so we can often become dissatisfied with our appearance during Venus retrograde. As much as you might want to, now is not the time to contemplate a major style change, but it is time to treat yourself to some pampering.
Remember, it's hard to love another if you don't love yourself. This week, be gentle with yourself, and take this Venus retrograde as an opportunity to heal your heart.
I'm Headlining at FPG Samhain!
I am really looking forward to FPG Samhain 2018: A Journey Beyond the Veil, where I will be a headliner. The dates of FPG are November 7-11. This year, FPG is at a new location; Maddox Ranch in Lakeland. In addition to three workshops, I will also be offering gallery readings in a special "Tarot Showcase".
The three workshops I am offering at FPG are as follows.
Tarot Basics and Beyond
If you are curious about tarot, or a devoted tarotist, this workshop has something for you. Tarot beginners will get a basic overview of tarot structure, traditions and techniques, and will be introduced to the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana. Experienced tarotists will get not only a refresher, but a new understanding and perspective of both the cards and techniques for reading. Bring a tarot deck or buy or borrow one at the workshop.
Tarot and the Four Elements
The Four Elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, provide the cornerstone of astrology, tarot, and many types of spiritual practice.
This hands-on workshop is an exploration into the many way you can work with the Four Elements in your tarot practice, and the many ways the Four Elements can help you understand your tarot cards, and yourself, more clearly. Bring a tarot deck or buy or borrow one at the workshop.
Tarot Key Words and Interpretations
If a tarot card can mean many different things, how do we know how to interpret the cards in a specific reading? Do we have to memorize card meanings? What if the classic card meaning doesn't fit in the context of the question?
Whether you are a beginner or advanced tarot reader, chances are you've struggled with these questions, and others, as you strive to makes sense of, and find wisdom in, your tarot cards. In this workshop, you will learn some easy-yet-insightful systems for interpreting any combination of cards in any situation. More importantly, you'll learn to find the way your own intuition and spiritual guidance can lead you to find truth in every tarot reading. Bring a tarot deck or buy or borrow one at the workshop.
I am also excited that I will be offering low-cost readings in vendor's row throughout the festival.
FPG is affordable and fun. Visit their website for details and registration.
Venus Retrograde Tarot Spread
Here is an original six-card tarot spread for Venus retrograde. You can arrange the cards in any shape you like. You can try this spread with an oracle deck as well as a tarot deck. Feel free to expand each position to two or three cards if you like.
Remember that your past heartache may be from a romantic relationship, but could also be from a family issue, career disappointment or any other heartache.
Card 1. What is a heartache from the past from which I haven't yet healed?
Card 2. How do I perceive this story in ways that aren't true?
Card 3. What is something that is true about this story that I need to see?
Card 4. How can I release the pain of this heartache?
Card 5. How can I be a better friend to myself at this time?
Card 6. What can I manifest as I go forward with an open and healed heart?
The Week in Review
This week I added a review of Tabitha Dial's book Creative Divination: Read Tea Leaves & Develop Your Personal Code. I am excited that Tabitha has made this information available for us. Tea leaf reading seems so mysterious, but she makes the process accessible!
From Around the Web
If you want to explore more divination in honor of Venus retrograde, here is a spread to try from New Age Hipster.
From Angelorum, here is another Venus retrograde spread along with some very clear astrological information.
Here, from the Hoodwitch, is some magic for Venus retrograde!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 10, 7 to 9 pm
Explore the Major Arcana
Christiana's Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, #203, Palm City, FL
Register now for this tarot class appropriate for beginners, or anyone wanting to deepen their tarot practice. Visit the event listing on my website for more information. As of this writing there are still a few seats left. You can call 561-655-1160 to register immediately.
Saturday, October 13, 11 am to 6 pm
Treasure Coast Pagan Pride Day
1400 E Midway Road, Fort Pierce, FL
Celebrate the season with a full day of workshops, performances and vendors! I will be teaching a workshop and offering low-cost tarot readings under my tent!
For more information, visit the event listing on Facebook.
Sunday, October 21, 4 to 6 pm
Free Class: Crystal Power for Tarot
Christiana's Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, # 203, Palm City, FL
Join guest teacher Mary Ellen Collins for a free class! Mary Ellen will teach us the art of crystal casting, and how to incorporate stones into your tarot reading. Bring your tarot deck, Mary Ellen will have crystals for you to use in your practice readings.
Class size is limited, please call Christiana at 561-655-1160 to RSVP.
Wednesday, October 24, 7-8 pm
Global Tarot Circle on Facebook Live
Join tarot friends from around the world for an hour of readings and tarot study. This session will celebrate the season with instruction and exercises for using tarot to connect with loved ones in spirit.
To join, simply visit my FB business page, hit LIKE and look for the live feed!
Sunday, October 28, 4-6 pm
Explore the Minor Arcana
Christiana's Conference Room
1025 SW Martin Downs Blvd, #203, Palm City, FL
Register now to take this class focusing on the forty numbered cards of the Minor Arcana.
This class will equip you to interpret these cards in your tarot readings, and to find the mundane and spiritual wisdom locked within them.
Class size is limited. You must reserve your seat by paying the $30 class fee. Visit the event listing on my website for more information.
Sunday, November 4, 4 to 6 pm
Tarot Meetup: Cards and Conversation
Panera Bread
2894 SW Town Center Way, Palm City, FL
Join us for fellowship, readings, tarot study and more! The meeting is free to attend, show your appreciation by supporting Panera while you are there.
Bring a tarot deck or borrow one at the meeting.
Wednesday, November 7 through Sunday, November 11
FPG Samhain 2018: A Journey Beyond the Veil
Maddox Ranch 2211 W Bella Vista Street, Lakeland, FL
Join us for a day, the weekend or the entire festival! Visit the FPG website for more information!
