Inuition

Definitions of intuition vary slightly. Here are a few that I collected from the web via Merriam-Webster, WordReference.com and Dictionary.com. Intuition: instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes); hunch, suspicion; direct perception of truth, fact, etc., independent of any reasoning process; immediate apprehension; a keen and quick insight; quick and ready insight; immediate apprehension or cognition.
For the last few days, several people have brought up the topic of intuition- inside and outside of Tarot readings. How does a healer, therapist, Tarot reader, masseuse, etc. utilize their intuition to connect with and better understand a patient or client? How much of "reading" someone and their problem/situation is intuitive vs. analytical?

Food and Tarot, part 2

Food and the Elements/Suits
Matching specific kinds of food is natural with some suits, more difficult to figure out with others. The following are a few ideas: Fish & Seafood & Seaweed=Water/Cups. Air/Swords=birds or fruit (all fruit that grows higher from the ground, like apples or pears). Fire/Wands=undomesticated land animals (tigers, cantelope, squirrels), low-to-the-ground veggies and fruits (like broccoli or tomatoes). Earth/Discs or Pentacles= Grain (wheat, corn), domesticated land animals (cows, chickens), root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, turnips).

Food and Tarot

There is an Herbal Tarot deck (and nearly a deck for everything else:) but I cannot find a Tarot deck which uses food or cooking as a theme. Certain foods aim in the healing and rejuvination process as well- our moods also respond to food combinations or a specific diet we are on. Fasting, feasting, eating specific dishes (like latkes during Hanukkah), or abstaining from particular foods are often connected with religious rites, ceremonies, and traditions. I'm interested in the idea of using different foods/dishes per card to aid in healing, illness prevention, mood elevation, energy invigoration, nurturing, spiritual journeying etc.
Not only do I love cooking, but reading and writing about food is also one of my favorite pasttimes. As many tarot decks are focused around a specific hobby or religion, etc. marrying two of my favorite hobbies sounds interesting. Most people do not associate food with tarot but what we eat contributes to our spiritual, emotional, and physical development.
I haven't given too much thought about a particular Tarot deck which I would like to create, so this would be my first real investigation into what a deck that I created would be like. I don't know how the idea of a food tarot would figure out, but thinking about how I would go about it invokes my curiosity.

Tarot & Visualization

Purposely selecting a specific card once a month or so really helps me focus on goals that I'm working towards, or energy I'm actively hoping to bring towards me from the universe. For example, if you are hoping for/working towards financial/material security, a card (maybe 6 or 10) from Disks/Stones/Pentacles would be beneficial. If you want to remind yourself to open up emotionally towards others in new ways- whether friendship, family, or dating- choosing the Ace of Cups is ideal. After I choose a card, I usually display it in a special space; perhaps on an altar, or a spot where you often will see the card, or around an area where the card fits in well (for example, if desiring more passion in bed, perhaps on the nightstand surrounded by red candles or incence).
The card acts as a wonderful reminder, if working towards a goal and as focal point for visualization as you are working towards bringing energy your way.

New to Blogging

This is my first venture into the world of blogging. A virtual space to discuss Tarot and other related interests is the motivating factor which has resulted in the creating of this blog. I first started reading cards and delving into the Tarot world 13 years ago. Collecting decks is fun, reading books on Tarot is even better, but nothing compares to the art of reading cards. My favorite deck is Crowley's Tarot, but Haindl's Tarot, Rachel Pollack's Shining Tribe, and Motherpeace are other great, usable decks.
I view Tarot as a tool used to explore and develop oneself; divination has very little to do with my readings, as all readings are done with the understanding that the querent is a participant in his reality.

Tarot & Astrology

Since I've been more actively reading different decks, the profound relationship between modern tarot decks and astrology has unlocked many doors into further understanding individual cards.
The Crowley (Thoth) deck is heavily (and openly) influenced by astrology, as is the Motherpeace. The Motherpeace Tarot, The Thoth Tarot, the Crowley Tarot by Akron and Hajo Banzhaf, and Motherpeace by Vicki Noble, wonderfully explore astrology in layman's terms and discusses astrology's influence on the meaning of specific cards.