Dr Nikki’s

Tarot cards have been given many associations over the years.  They were created by the Egyptians.  NO!  It was the Rom as they moved North in their travels!  NO!  It was the Golden Dawn Society.  Wait!  Wasn’t it the Hell Rake club of late Victorian nobility?

Actually, it was none of those.  Tarot began as a card game among the aristocracy of the European Continent, primarily Italy.  It is believed that at one time the great houses of the
14th Century competed with each other to have the most beautiful deck created for their Houses.  The game was a card game of strategy and skill, played by numerous players and could provide a rainy afternoon’s entertainment at an Italian Villa. 

One of the oldest decks in existence is the Visconti/Sforza deck.  It is believed that as many as “nine different distinct groups of fifteenth century” decks (Kaplan, 1975).   In the deck we have available to us today (through reproduction) we can see the true artwork of the early Renaissance shine through.  It is interesting to note that there are four cards that have been re-interpreted in this deck, The Devil, The Tower, the Three of Swords, and the Knight of Coins.

The cards are beautiful and sumptuous.  Even though they are only reproductions, one can see the obvious craftsmanship and artistic value in each and every individual card.  Some cards have golden backgrounds – that are really gold.  Richly decorated Court and Major Arcana cards are an eyeful of early Renaissance Art.  It is believed that members of the family of the House that the cards were prepared for were shown on the court cards.

Today the Tarot isn’t used much to play the card game anymore as much as it is used in Cartomancy.  The Tarot has made several permutations over the years, but the archetypes they represent can call to all of us.  There’s a wide variety of decks based on differing religious belief systems, artistic tastes, some are even based on a movie.  Although they cover a wide range of subject matter, they are all still tarot, with a message and a meaning that can be discerned.

Many times I correct people and explain to them that I don’t tell fortunes, I read the Tarot.  I know there are a large number of people who will be happy to stand up and tell me that there is nothing to be read in the Tarot, it’s just a bunch of cards.  While I do understand that an individual may feel that way, it has been my experience that if one takes the time to look closer and dig deeper, one can find answers to difficult questions and situations. 

To me the Tarot isn’t so much a reading of the future to come as it is a study of the energies that are in existence for the problem at that time.  It is sometimes a challenge to find a way to get the message from the cards to the individual in a manner that they will accept and understand.  So, if you call me for a reading, yes, I like to use the Tarot, it helps to keep me on track and I think it makes me a better reader for it.   I’ve found that the Tarot can speak very loudly when it wants to.

So come and join me on a journey through the individual cards!

Whenever I heard these words from my mother’s lips I knew they would be followed by… “and be happy with it.”  My daughter will be happy to acknowledge she probably felt the same way.  However, Mom wasn’t wrong.  When you take what you get and learn how to be happy with it life seems to be lighter and easier; and, you tend to end up being in an even better place than you thought you would.

Today’s society doesn’t prize this attitude near as much as it was considered a generation ago.  In the day of internet connection, blogs (and, yes, I realize this is one), cell phones, instant text messaging (Dick Tracey where are you now?), continual polling and requests for your desires, the emphasis on individual is now paramount. 

Now, I’m not saying that is a bad thing.  In many respects the individual is allowed to achieve more as a an individual in today’s society without many of the negative ramifications of years past.  Yet, at the same time, we seem to be loosing context with the greater whole.

The greater whole is where one learns the higher good of sacrifice one’s personal wants and/or desires for a greater good. Whether its holding your tongue and letting a small slight go when your special someone is having a bad day (i.e. understanding that it’s more a reflection of the the bad day they are having than their true feelings for you) or going out of your way to ensure that an uncomfortable situation is as comfortable as possible, you are working toward a positive end in a positive way. 

Taking what you get and being happy with it is almost a foreign concept to many people at this time.  Through inability to allow themselves to achieve happiness with what they have and where they are in their path in life (because isn’t that exactly where you’re supposed to be?) many deny themselves the true understanding of the joys found in the moment and in their lives.

Although I hated to hear it when I was growing up, Mom’s addage of take what you get and be happy with it is a mantra we all could remember … both for our own inner happiness and the emotional energy we put out into the world!

After reading for what seems like days, I’m beginning to settle in.  Working on three blogs at one time, I’m not sure if I’m a glutton for punishment, or just pushing for over achievement.  But, I am starting to settle in.  I know there are probably a ton of options, links and more that I need to learn about, but for now, I’m happy that I’m able to post to all three blogs on the first week. 

Now I can really get started.  This blog, unlike the others I am on, can be a little more personal and revealing about me because here I can state my personal opinion rather than representing an organization or website. 

At my Mom’s kitchen table you could talk about anything.  You had to do it with no cussing (although her language was, uhm, less than perfect), but you sure could talk about anything.  She would encourage our friends to engage in conversation at dinner, she would talk about it all!  Back in the ’60’s talking about something like abortion or civil rights with teens was not exactly main stream.   But I remember many a lively discussion.

Mom always loved a good debate and wasn’t afraid to take a contrary position just to play devil’s advocate for the sake of argument.  I learned a lot at that table.  The most important thing I learned there was … to listen.  Simply that…to just listen to what was being said.  

So as you pull up a chair and grap a cup of coffee or tea, here I invite you to comment on writings, bring up your own topics, ask questions, and, well, fell like you’re at that kitchen table — the one where you knew even if you asked questions about …sex… you would receive honest answers.

I’m approaching blogging as a learning experience - entirely new to the process I’m sure I’ll make a lot of mistakes along the way, but isn’t that what an adventure is all about?

I’ve been an internet hound for years.  Hating shopping in stores, I absolutely love the convenience of ordering over the internet and have my poor UPS deliveryman, John, joking with me about having been shopping again because of all the boxes he has to unload. 

There are many who are unsure if the internet is really a good thing or not.  Me, I think it’s wonderful.  It is always an adventure when you search or surf.  What will you find?  How accurate is the information?  What new things will you see and/or learn?  Where will a click of the mouse take you next?  I’m still like a 3 year old kid when I start out on a search.