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Writer's pictureStephy

CARD READING - Stephy's Style

What is Card Reading, where does the history originate from and when?

The Tarot which precedes the oracle deck world goes back to when playing cards first entered Europe in the late 14th century, likely from Egypt. In the late 1300’s decks of cards began to appear rapidly all over Europe. There isn’t much known other than the significant information provided by John of Rheinfeoden and Freiburg in Breisgau describing the basic pack as containing the still-current 4 suits of 13 cards, the courts usually being the King, Ober and Unter ("marshals"), although Dames and Queens were already known by then.

One early pattern of playing cards that evolved was one with the suits of Batons or Clubs, Coins, Swords, and Cups. These suits are still used in traditional Italian, Spanish and Portuguese playing card decks, but have also been adapted in packs used specifically for tarot divination cards. By 1440-1450 packs began appearing documented also with additional trump cards and illustrations personifying and expressing the symbolism of the card. They were found in Italy especial in Milan, Ferrara, Florence and Bologna. This new version of decks were called carte da trionfi, meaning triumph cards, and the additional cards known simply as trionfi, which became "trumps" in English. It’s important to know and understand that the roots of the tarot explained by the original knowledge extends wisdom from the divine feminine and sacred connection between the high priestesses of ancient occult knowledge entwined within the original sacred establishment of Roman Catholicism. Mary Magdalene, and Catherine of Siena are said to be original priestesses of understanding and using this energy for manifestation, healing and solving problems for the betterment of humanity.

Because the earliest tarot cards were hand-painted, time was a factor, the details stayed smaller and simpler and the details on the decks didn’t overly evolve until the invention of the printing press which allowed for new versions and interpretations. Oracle cards are part of that evolution and provide freedom and creativity to the reader.

It is interesting to also consider... that within many indigenous cultures the same symbolism exists of four groups of thirteen. Thirteen is often associated with the number of moon cycles within a year. With the Moon being a driving force of energy healing and the divine feminine, we can each see deeper within our own selves and femininity to see similarities to the patterns of 4 also. Seasons, Elements, Directions, etc.



What make my card readings unique?

I blend plant medicines with reiki, shamanic healing and opening the akashic records during the card reading. The experience is also about learning something about yourself and how you can take the messages received and apply them deeper into further healing. Card readings with me often become the beginning of a storyline of healing yet to come with deeper connection to Source, more gratitude for the life in front of us, and a greater need to recreate new patterns while releasing what no longer serves.


What is my card reading experience?

I began studying the tarot and oracle decks and readings in early 2016. After some major shifts and realizations that things in my life needed to change, I opened my heart to welcoming what crossed my path. I began with a deck of oracle cards. I learned each aspect of the card, the symbolism, the history and devoured each suggested meditation for connecting with that energy. I learned it as a class or tutorial by holding my own ceremony with that energy which often included smoking cannabis, dancing, eating GOOD ceremonial cacao or chocolate, and connecting within that realm. After feeling more confident with the responses and gaining more inner trust, I added another couple of oracle decks where I continued to pair and parallel the decks and the archetypal similarities. Then I began with the Tarot. The first deck I began read is the Book of Thoth. It is a very detailed, intense, almost controversial deck which is fiercely aligned with occultism, pagan ritualism and more. I leaned quickly it’s depth into the Kabbalah, Babylonian, Astrological and Numerological input. As I continued to head neck deep in that learning, I embraced the more straightforward tarot by investing in my education through the BiddyTarot online learning realm based out of Australia. That helped me lay a strong simple foundation to keep blending with the other learning I kept inhaling with love. I find when I am working and channeling in the Akashic records that the oracle decks help me dig deeper into the emotional and personal connections related to the situation and how it has been in the past and how it can be reworked for the future. When I am looking for a more specific answer that is more literal and logical, perhaps even not even able to put into words yet... I turn to the Tarot. It gives me a more literal and direct approach, but it keeps the ancestral connection more closed than the oracles in general for me, but it’s always evolving and changing as I grow and welcome more new learning, experience and confidence.


What is Reiki?

Reiki is the practice and alchemy of tapping into universal energy that is in and around you and then channeling it out of your palms, and into certain areas of the body to heal. It can be used to heal yourself or others. It uses safe and natural energy without harmful side effects. It only takes you, your will and the time to connect. It can be used to bring balance back to your body on a spiritual level so you are able to clear physical illness and health problems by naturally releasing stored traumas, and restoring balance to the mind, body and spirit.


What are the Akashic Records?

The word Akasha is from the Sanskrit language and represents the “space” air, or aether that is considered one of the elements within the Indian cosmology. Akasha is also represented within the angelic realm as a teacher, coach, and encourager of spiritual development, growth and learning. The Akashic Records are a complete recorded gathering of all of universe’s events, thoughts, words, emotions, and intentions that may have occurred in the past, present, or future (although it’s not yet defined). It is inclusive of all forms of life including Star-seeds (extra terrestrials), Angels, Elementals including the Fairy Kingdom, Plants, Animals, Ascended Masters and holy, sacred beings, and allows access within the mental plane. It’s important to also know that within the records, all thoughts, words, intentions, both positive and negative including depth of their shadow realm including: gossipy internal dialogue, self hate, low self esteem also generate its own unique "frequency or vibration" where it may be acted on for future events or reflected on from the past to influence currency changes or approaches of learning and release.

They can be accessed by each of us by learning how to hold a certain vibration or “space”. This is where healing and lost or misunderstood energy can be trapped. As we are more open, clear of toxins and trust in the practice, through breath work, yoga, meditation, cards and reiki we receive more ability and depth to see within our own records and can harness the ability to read other’s records as well. It’s a discipline, passion and calling that some archetypes are drawn to more than others.


What is an archetype?

An archetype is an emotion, character type, or event that is notably recurrent across the human experience. In the arts, an archetype creates an immediate sense of familiarity, allowing an audience member to relate to an event or character without having to necessarily ponder why they relate. When we are living our life experiences, our instincts make it able to recognize archetypes without any need for explanation. It’s a sense of knowing someone or something from somewhere and understanding the symbolism of what they or it represents.


What is the major arcana? What is the minor arcana, and whats the difference or Significance of both??

The major arcana are the trump cards of a tarot. There are usually 22 of these such cards in a standard 78-card pack. They represent major concepts, potential happenings, specific themes, represent connections to our zodiac sign and so on. These cards have the same meanings and are often named the same regardless of the deck. They are typically numbered from 0 to 21. Prior to the 17th century, the trumps were simply part of a special card deck used for gaming and gambling. After all, the Tarot is based off of the deck of playing cards with its four suits representing the four elements, seasons, Forces of nature, sexuality, and polarity. They are a repetition of the same numbers in each suit of the suit cards.

This idea originated from esoteric tarot and originate with works from Jean-Baptiste Pitois (1811-1877), who wrote and shared his works under the name Paul Christian. When reading the tarot, the major arcana tends to lead a concept of a story based on the archetype’s characteristics and presentation in that spread. It gives more conceptual areas of consideration where as the numbers and suits of the minor arcana may be representing something further within the outline presented by the major arcana. Examples of the major arcana would be: The Tower, Death, The Universe, Love. Examples of the minor arcana are: five of cups, eight of wands, four of disks. The four suits can vary in names depending on the deck and it’s theme or presentation. The minor arcana use numerology and the element represented in the suit to support and add guidance and subtlety to the themes of the major arcana.


What are the medicines usually combined for this experience?

I generally share an offering of Tobacco Rapé (Ra-pay) to cleanse, connect and amplify with spirit. I also offer Cannabis culture where you may also learn and experience new wisdom from “Santa Maria. “Its paired with organic, Mexican, ceremonial cacao.

I offer Ámbar Gris or Ambar de ballena which is a sacred musk of collected ancient whale vomit that has been petrified and provides deeper connection within the Akashic realm. This is a resin that burned for aroma or applied to the skin as a massage oil to inhale and connect to spirit. It is known to be more valuable than diamonds.

Copal, Salvia, Palo Santo and various other cleansing and purifying plants are present during this sacred time guiding and cleansing energies presenting and exposing clarity.


What are the benefits of adding plant medicine to the reading?

There are many benefits of adding or blending these medicines to any spiritual meditation or time we wish to welcome and hold space for spirit, guides, and growing manifestation. It can greatly enhance the spiritual connection and the body’s ability to receive and be open to more new concepts or possibilities. It allows you to learn and gain cultural knowledge that can be helpful in future ceremonies or to have this as sort of a tutorial to add new practices in your daily wellness routines. You learn the benefits of the duality presented within each plant and how we can enhance our own duality by working with a medicine.

Is plant medicine necessary in a card reading? No it isn't. However I have integrated that because many of the people who I’m reading for already have a connection to these medicines and want to open a little deeper to source. It’s also a great way to learn about and gain personalized wisdom and knowledge about these medicines to share in various other daily wellness regimes.


How long does a reading usually last?

The reading usually lasts about 2.5 hours. However it can end earlier if greater clarity is received. I may also go longer if the flow of energy is providing more messages. I often do mini readings which are 15 or 30 minutes which can be a great enhancement to begin your day, shine light on a specific topic or situation or to receive validation of intuitive feelings.


Are all readings similar? Is there a general flow I should expect in a reading?

Most readings are similar in that they call together a sacred space, ask for healing, cleansing and protection. They welcome the relationship and trust to form between the reader and the questioner. They allow a dialogue to flow with the reader so that the cards become the verbiage and energy that leads the conversation. There is a closing or a wrap up of energy to leave that space and pay gratitude to the time spent with spirit. That could be generalized for the most part. For me, I follow this sort of layout but we also learn about the four elements, the sacred rites and the simple uses of the plants woven within to enhance and open the physical body to receive the energy of the emotional and spiritual plane. Often times my readings become more Akashic and interactive where I channel or collect energy and express its message through me to you in words. The cards are the Catalyst to welcoming Source without being shy or timid.


What does it mean when someone talks about “a spread” in card reading?

A spread refers to how a series of cards that are pulled work together in telling the story or answering the questions. It also refers to how the reader lays out the cards and in which order they reveal or read the message of the card. Most tarot and oracle decks come with suggested spreads to try and include to connect to the energy of the deck. When I receive a deck, I learn it thoroughly first as the suggested spreads that the writer or creator demonstrate. Then I begin to generally let intuition flow. Most decks for me just have cards fly out before I even have the question asked so it works well for me to shuffle and draw organically as we are talking and focusing on an area or intention. It also can simply refer to the way you lay out your cards during a reading.


What are some reasons or situations that benefit from card reading?? Or when should I consider having a reading?

It is important to remember that the cards are always available as a tool of connection and learning even if you aren’t a reader. They can be something you hold with intentions to learn or grow with someday. As long as they are respected and cherished with love, they can be a beautiful energy to have present. When you are feeling overwhelmed,

curious,

unheard,

misunderstood,

needing advice,

seeking clarity,

feeling alone, or seeking connection,

Inspired,

or feeling called to centre and ground and take a step back from the daily grind that life can sometimes become.


Can readings he held virtually, vs in person? How does that work?

YES!!! 100% Energy cannot be created or destroyed!! It can only be transferred. Even when I’m not present in the physical... I can help you with learning and connecting to the plant medicine near you and often serve as a tutor or “budtender” helping to guide and share general knowledge to enhance your ceremonial connection with plant medicine at home.

The card reading works the same. I like to either do it via telephone where I send pictures of the card drawn via text while chatting or via video chat. Many times it contains both cards and medicine consultation. There are many video chat providers that help bring us together. Where there is a will there is a way. Payment is made via PayPal at this current time. As more options for international payment transfer open, I will announce those options. You can record the session if you like, we can also work back and forth with voice texts if cellular service is limited. Energy is willing to heal wherever we are if we truly are open.

Thank you for taking time to read a little more about card reading and how mixing plant medicine can enhance connection and deepens surrender to open to receiving the messages from Source.

If you have any further questions or would like to talk about booking a card reading, please reach out!


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