Our Personal Mythologies
There are two definitions for the word “myth”. One is a traditional story that may involve ancient times and supernatural beings and events. The other is a falsely held belief.
It seems the internet and the 24-hour news cycle can be a bastion of urban legends, contributing to modern beliefs that don’t match up to reality.
We do the same thing in our own lives. Often we create a mythology of our own personal narrative. Too often, we cast ourselves as the victim rather than the hero, or the antagonist rather than the protagonist. Sometimes we cast ourselves only as a supporting character in our own story!
Other times, we include in our narrative characteristics about ourselves that other people believe, that aren’t really true. When we do this, we lose the ability to live authentically.
We are always recounting our personal narratives to ourselves, and sometimes to others. Each time we tell a story, we believe the story more.
If the story we are telling about ourselves is a helpful one, this recounting of our personal mythology is helpful. If the story we are telling dis-empowers and limits us, we may need to change the way we perceive and understand our personal mythology.
Myths in Tarot
In many ways, we can think of the Fool’s Journey through the tarot as an epic adventure, or a mythical tale.
Interestingly, there are quite a few tarot decks with themes of mythology, like “Mythic Tarot”, “Goddess Tarot” and “Ancestral Path Tarot”.
Tarot is a storyteller. We use the cards to tell the stories of our lives, and to help to discover which stories are true.
In divination, when you think about the stories of your life, you can pull cards about your perceptions of what happened, and see how the cards reflect your memories, or offer new perspectives.
Image from Gilded Royale, by Ciro Marchetti.
Your One-Card Weekly Reading
Your one-card reading this week is Justice. Often, Justice reminds us of legal matters. This card may indicate the need to take care of official business, or may predict an appearance in court or a meeting with an attorney.
On a deeper level, Justice is all about fairness. This card can indicate taking a stand for fairness, or can be a reminder to do the right thing.
Justice seeks balance, and asks you to work to make sure your life is properly in balance.
The Week in Review
The Tarot Blog Hop happens eight times a year, along the Wheel of the Year. Our Samhain Blog Hop was my very favorite. The contributions of the twenty tarot bloggers were all poignant and interesting. You can start with mine, and follow the links to read them all.
I also posted a story about a group tarot ritual that we performed at TarotCon (Florida) 2015 on my 78 Magical Tools Blog.
From Around the Web
Here’s a review of "Arcana: The Tarot Poetry Anthology" at Tarot Heritage. I’m excited to have two of my poems included in this anthology.
From tarot designer and historian Robert M. Place, some thoughts about oracles and history.
I didn’t know the multi-talented Benebell Wen was also a comedian! Here is a wickedly funny piece about
Song of the Week
The song of the week is “Story of my Life” by One Direction. Yeah, it’s a boy band. But I like it.
Image from Celtic Lenormand, by Chloe McCracken and Will Worthington.
Learning Lenormand
Card 24: Heart
As you might guess, Heart is about love. This can indicate romantic love, either a blessed union or an affair. It can also indicate the love of friends and family.
This card can describe feelings, or can predict the arrival of a new love interest.
Heart is considered a positive card.
The playing card association is the Jack of Hearts, so this card can represent a young man, particularly a romantic interest.
Next week we will learn about Card 25, Ring.
Tell your Story with Tarot
Here’s a fun exercise with tarot that will help you form a personal narrative that supports and empowers you.
Think about the story of your life. As you do, think of yourself as the hero. You may have struggles, but you are aiming for success. Look through the deck, and cognitively choose as many cards as you need to tell your story. You may choose cards based on the pictures, or your understanding of their meaning.
Put the cards in chronological order to describe your narrative. Make sure there are some cards for the future you envision.
When you see the story you want to tell about your life in tarot, how does it look to you?
If you were to read this story as a spread, what would you say?
Finally, pick up the cards you have chosen to tell your story. Shuffle them, and, at random, pull from this group of cards a single card to answer this question.
Which of these energies that have been present in my life is most available to help me on my journey at this time?
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 6, 3 pm
The Fool’s Journey
John F. Germany Public Library
900 North Ashley DriveTampa, FL, 33602
Join me at the library as I present twenty-two of my closest friends, the cards of the Major Arcana.
Visit the event listing on my website for more information.
Sunday, November 8, 3:30
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup
Panera Bread
23388 State Road 54, Lutz, FL 33549
Join us for “Tarot Tales.” We’ll share stories, techniques and exercises from TarotCon, as well as some other new ways to grow your tarot skills. Christiana will lead the meeting. For more information, visit the event listing on my website, and follow the link to join the Meetup!
Save the Dates:
On December 20, from 1- 5 pm, the Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup will host a Holiday Open House in support of Feeding America Tampa Bay. Read about it on my calendar.
TarotCon (Florida) 2016 will be in Palm Beach Gardens October 8-9. More information will follow soon!
About Christiana
Christiana Gaudet
Origins Spa and Wellness Center
1537 N Dale Mabry Highway #102
Lutz, FL 33548
Private telephone, Skype and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.
Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text or call 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
