Who is Yemaya? Yemaya is a goddess from the Yoruba pantheon of gods known as Orishas. The Yoruba Pantheon of Gods hail from Nigeria. Yemaya was the goddess of the Ogun River. When the slave trade spread, the goddess of the river became the goddess of the seas and began to be worshipped all the way up to New Orleans. The Orishas or the Yoruba gods all manifest a force of nature, and Yemaya was known as the gentle mother. The ocean in Yoruba Mythology is the domain of two deities, Yemaya and Olukun. Olukun rules the deep and turbulent depths of the seas, which see no light. Yemaya the gentle, rules the lighted upper part of the ocean, where the water evaporates and is carried to land to rain down on it by her daughter, the goddess of the winds and storms Oya. The tarot card Temperance asks you to find a middle path, so does Yemaya, as she ties the land and the seas together. Temperance is about synthesis and equilibrium.  Temperance is the card where life begins to balance, there is the adjusting and merging of two or more things to create a unified whole.   Yemaya rules over the waters that evaporate, are carried to land by Oya her daughter the wind and the hurricane goddess, and then rains down on the land and flows back to sea. She forms the cycle that keeps things moving and balanced. Temperance is all about balance and she, therefore, is a great personification of the card. Like the water cycle, balance can be achieved but it cannot become status quo, it is a constant adjustment and series of motions to find the right balance and keep things flowing. That is the essence of Temperance in the tarot. Yemaya is a goddess of the seas and has often been portrayed as a mermaid navigating the seas. One of her names is Ymoga which means Mother of the Fishes, and she is therefore known to be a very fertile goddess. However, despite all her association with water and her watery nature,  she is also considered an earth goddess, since it is her waters carried by Oya that allow the crops to grow. Yemaya is also portrayed as a beautiful woman standing in the midst of the waves. She has always been the great mother and a goddess of solace, and she is the one to turn to when life gets difficult as she teaches balance to help negotiate the waves which rise and fall in our lives. She is a fierce mother and protector, which she balances with her gentle nature.  Yemaya is the Madonna of Africa, and most women wishing to conceive pray to her. She is said to be the goddess of fertility and the Ogun River was deemed to be fertile since it belonged to her. Yemaya is the goddess of the seas since the life-giving waters are responsible for all life on earth.  Santeria is the religion of the synthesis of The Yoruba culture and of Roman Catholicism. It is followed in Brazil, Cuba and New Orleans. In Santeria, the belief is that Olukun was the father of Yemaya. Olukun is said to be androgynous.  There are many myths regarding Yemaya, and she has said be married to Babalu-Aye, Aganyu, Orunla, Inle, Oggt, Ogun and even had a sexual relationship with Olofi. These myths are important since they show a coming together of various natural forces, all of which are the building blocks of life. Yemaya’s quality to be able to adjust and find balance with another which is one of the main gifts of the card of Temperance is demonstrated by their unions. Yemaya managed to find balance with whoever it was that she has been said to be paired with.   African Mythology holds that Yemaya is the queen of the universe and the rainbow is her crown which can be seen by all when she touches the earth in the form of Rain. Yemaya, therefore, manages to find a balance between heaven, earth and the seas. As a goddess of fertility and invoked in that form, she is taking on the role of an earth goddess, despite being of the seas. Yemaya thus personifies the qualities that the tarot card Temperance in its ideal states is presenting to you.  The belief in Santeria religion is that Yemaya’s greatest gift to humanity is the seashell. Seashells were important since one could hold them to one’s ears and listen toYemaya.  Yemaya shows the quality of using communication to find a balance, which Temperance the tarot card mentions.   Yemaya helped people find an inner balance too. The god of Santeria Sexuality Shango, was the son of the Orishas Obatala and Yemmu. Unhappy with his home, Shango ran away. Yemaya took in the wretched boy and brought him up with love. As Shango grew older, he would either be making war or love, being an incorrigible flirt and seducer. Once he saw Yemaya at a gathering and was so smitten by her that he decided to add her to his conquests. Yemaya played along with Shango and led him onto a boat and then to a secluded area in the middle of the ocean. She then jumped into the water and disappeared under it, shaking the boat, till Shango saw his life flash before his eyes. Then a wave hit him and half-drowned as he pulled himself back onto the boat, he saw Yemaya reappear riding another wave. When he begged her for help, she agreed if he would show respect to his mother. Shango then realized that he had two mothers, both the woman who birthed him and the one who nursed him and he let go of the anger towards his mother. While he still is the god of Sexuality and seduction Yemaya knocked some balance into him and while he seduces women still he does respect them. Yemaya, shows how by trying to find a balance between yourself and the other, it is not very hard to let go of resentment. Invoking Yemaya will help the seeker find a balance within themselves too.  The balance that the water cycle aims to achieve is the balance that Yemaya wants us to invoke in our lives. Finding an equilibrium is a dynamic task since every moment something is going on. However, once we do find an equilibrium and habitually aim to achieve it, the practice becomes easier over time. Temperance is a time of careful balancing and adjustment to integrate the new or just flow better with whatever is happening in your life. Some sort of compromise may be needed if you are dealing with another individual. Like Yemaya balances the water cycle, find your flow, using both your rationality and your emotions. Work Cited: Patricia Ann Lynch , Jeremy Roberts , African Mythology, A to Z ,Infobase Publishing, 2010. Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

What does The Moon card in the tarot foretell? The Moon is a welcome card for artists . It dips into the subconscious, which is a great muse since it is the home of the imagination. ​ For the majority of us, The Moon augurs a time when the subconscious chooses to manifest thereby creating confusion, distorted perception and even insomnia leading to diminished mental capacity . In the light of the Moon, things do not look clear and we see what we want to see. Some folks see shadows creeping under the moonlight as it brings to life their greatest fears. Others may see an idyllic city under the moonlight or their proverbial yellow brick road, as they see the fireflies. What is common, however, between the feelings of terror that are manifested and the feelings of euphoria is that it simply isn't real. Though you dip into your subconscious when The Moon appears, you are in a position when you are searching for that voice of intuition, since it is lost amongst all the other voices in your subconscious . On the card, we see a dog and a wolf, under the moonlight. The dog represents the cuddly, loveable, domesticated part of you. The wolf on the other hand is the animalistic, instinctual and totally wild part of you, and the Moon is making sure that they are both being pulled out. Emerging from the water is the crayfish, which dredges up your memories and fears and joys to the surface. "Still Waters run deep", but the waters of the subconscious are infinite and it is from here that the memories surface and distort the perception of reality. This is a good time to pay attention to what your dreams are telling you . What are you scared of? If it is euphoria, what are you seeing through rosy-colored glasses? Are you hiding something from yourself? This could be a time when someone in your life is guarding their own secrets, which means that you do not have all the information that you need at the moment to make a decision. Since the Moon has its own 28-day cycle, she ties in with feminine cycles and also warns you to keep an eye on your health. ​ Meditation on The Moon "There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls." — George Carlin What are your dreams telling you? The Moon often marks a phase when whatever you push down into your unconscious is the first thing to pop up when you get to bed. What is keeping you up at night? Are you wearing rosy-colored glasses? Why is it so important to distort reality? What are you avoiding? Do you feel someone is hiding information from you? Follow your intuition. The Moon is never the same it is constantly changing. So the Moon brings to mind a situation that is slowly evolving. Just as we cannot see clearly by the light of Moon so too we can be sure that this is a time the imagination runs rife. Do take unemotional stock of a situation and know that you may not have all the facts. Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Who was Agamemnon? Why is his story the archetype for the three of swords? The story of the betrayal of Agamemnon has been told in Aeschylus's play Agamemnon , which is a part of the trilogy Oresteia . Agamemnon was the son of Atreus, the king of Mycenae. He married Clytemnestra, daughter of King Tyndareus the King of Sparta, after killing her husband Tantalus. Euripides the ancient Greek playwright, paints a very gory scene wherein Aegisthus the lover of Clytemnestra , brutally rammed the sword into his cousin Agamemnon’s chest, aided by the unfaithful wife of the wretched man. Agamemnon was the king of Mycenae, and the husband of Clytemnestra, who was the sister of Helen of Troy . Agamemnon and Clytemnestra had three daughters named Electra, Chrysothemis and Iphigenia and a son Orestes despite the fact that Clytemnestra had been forced into the marriage after Agamemnon killed her husband and her newborn. After the abduction of Helen of Troy and before the Trojan War, Agamemnon and his troops were stranded in Aulis, and the power-hungry king of Mycenae was asked to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia if he wanted to set sail for Troy and lay claim to honour. Agamemnon called the unfortunate daughter of Clytemnestra to Aulis in the guise of getting her married to Achilles and then sacrificed her. Clytemnestra thus had no love for him. In addition at the end of the war, he returned to his kingdom with the seer and Trojan Princess Cassandra as his mistress.   Clytemnestra had taken on a lover Aegisthus when Agamemnon was away fighting the Trojan War. On his return, she received her husband with all the yearning and affection of a chaste wife, while she plotted against him. After the celebrations of his return were concluded, Clytemnestra led Agamemnon to the bath where the slave girls attended to him. Once he was done with his bath and the slaves were dismissed, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus murdered Agamemnon in cold blood by stabbing him.   Dignified: This is first and foremost a card that reflects betrayal. There is a separation and a feeling of being rejected. Agamemnon betrayed Clytemnestra and Iphigenia by inviting her to get married rather than revealing his true motive. Likewise, Clytemnestra betrayed Agamemnon by killing him in cold blood with her lover. The card however also reflects consequences as Agamemnon to an extent is the architect of his own fate.   Thus the three of swords reflects separation and betrayal and it also can specifically augur or point to divorce. While there is sorrow that stabs through the heart, there is also the opportunity to start anew and thereby make a fresh beginning and learn from past mistakes. Sorrow is the first step towards recovery and therefore, it is best to let go of things in the past and use understanding to cut through the grief. At least the truth has been revealed and one is no longer subjected to false pretence.   Reversed or Weakly Aspected: Reversed, the feelings of sorrow are not as intense as they were and the healing process has begun. However, it is also possible that the querent is living in denial and therefore not embarking on the journey towards becoming whole.   Works Cited: T he Routledge handbook of Greek mythology: based on H.J. Rose's " Handbook of Greek mythology". Routledge, 2004. Hurwit, Jeffrey M. The Athenian Acropolis: History, Mythology, and Archeology from the Neolithic Era to the Present. Cambridge University Press, 2000. Deacy, Susan. Grimal, Pierre. The dictionary of classical mythology. Wiley-Blackwell, 1996. Littleton, C. Scott and Marshall Cavendish Corporation. Gods, goddesses, and mythology, Volume 1 . Marshall Cavendish, 2005. Thompson, Diane P. The Trojan War: literature and legends from the Bronze Age to the present. McFarland, 2004. Salisbury, Joyce E. Women in the ancient world . ABC-CLIO, 2001. Some Greek Myths used to illustrate the Tarot: Dionysus – The Fool Greco-Roman Mythology Atlantis The Lost Civilization & The Tower Further Reading: Mythology & Tarot Through Myth Agamemnon was the son of Atreus, the king of Mycenae. He married Clytemnestra, daughter of King Tyndareus the King of Sparta, after killing her husband Tantalus. He fathered four children with Clytemnestra namely Chrysothemis, Electra, and Iphigenia, and finally a son named Orestes. He betrayed his wife by telling her he wanted to get Iphigenia married and then sacrificing her for favourable winds to sail to Troy for the Trojan war. On his return, he brought back the Trojan Princess Cassandra and was butchered by his wife and her lover Aegisthus. His son Orestes avenged him, by killing his murderers. RETURN Aegisthus was the lover of Clytemnestra the wife of Agamemnon and helped her butcher her husband. After that, he ruled by her side. In some versions of the myth, however, Aegisthus was the youngest son of Thyestes. Thyestes had an affair with his brother Atreus's wife. As payback for his immoral deed, Atreus killed, cooked and served his brother's sons to him. Needless to say, Thyestes, killed Atreus. Aegisthus was the lover of Agamemnon's wife Clytemnestra. Aegisthus was born after the horrible deed and avenged his brothers by butchering Agamemnon the son of Atreus. He would have killed Orestes the son of Agamemnon as well if Orestes would have been in Mycenae. There are varying versions of the myth and according to the poet Stesichorus, Orestes's nanny smuggled him away to safety. In some versions, however, Electra the sister of Orestes took him away to live with their father's old friend King Strophius of Phocis. RETURN Helen Of Troy was the daughter of Zeus and Leda the wife of King Tyndareus. She was the sister of Castor and Pollux, and Clytemnestra the wife of Agamemnon. She was the wife of King Menelaus. Her abduction by Prince Paris of Troy led to the Trojan war. When Paris was born, the oracle foretold that he would cause the downfall of Troy. To avoid that his parents left him out to die and he was found by and raised by a shepherd. The seeds of the war of Troy were sown a long time ago when Paris had been a shepherd and had been given the apple of discord and was asked to judge a beauty contest between the goddess of wedded love Hera, the goddess of love Aphrodite, and the goddess of wisdom Athena. Paris was promised dominion over the world by Hera, Athena offered him wisdom and Aphrodite offered Paris the most beautiful woman on earth, who was Helen. With raging Hormones, Paris judged in favour of Aphrodite or Venus. Thus the Trojan war was a result of the Judgment Of Paris . RETURN Iphigenia was the unfortunate daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Agamemnon had accidentally killed a deer in a grove sacred to the hunter goddess Artemis, the twin of the Sun god Apollo, and as a punishment, she did not allow him to leave Aulis to sail for Troy unless he sacrificed his daughter. As a result, Agamemnon had Iphigenia, was brought to Aulis under the guise of marrying the hero Achilles, and then sacrificed her. In really poignant versions of the myth, however, she is unaware of her impending doom till she is at the altar. According to Euripides' version of the myth, Artemis did not kill the unfortunate girl. but instead took her to present-day Crimea or the Land of the Taurians. She was later rescued by her brother Orestes with the help of the goddess Athena. RETURN Cassandra was the Princess of Troy and the daughter of King Priam. Apollo, the Sun God, had given Cassandra the gift of sight in exchange for her affection. While she accepted his gift, she did not want to be intimate with him and rejected his advances and he cursed her that she would have the ability to see the future but no one would ever believe her. Therefore, she could see the Trojan war coming and the destruction of Troy but nobody believed her. Eventually, at the fall of Troy, she was raped by the Lesser Ajax, who was one of the Greek warriors and then was gifted to Agamemnon as his mistress and bore him sons. She was taken to Mycenae, and despite her prediction of the death of Agamemnon, no one believed her. She was also murdered in Mycenae. RETURN If this resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

What is the energy of the Six of Swords? The Six of Swords marks calm and steady progress to another stage of your life. On a mundane level, it could simply mean a journey over water!! I do, however, see this as an"on-the-run chores day" too!! However, on a deeper level, this is the card of transition. You may be experiencing a certain amount of disruption and dislocation as you distance yourself from a turbulent situation to experience growth. ​The scene is a somber one with a ferryman, taking a woman and child away from tempestuous waters to calmer shores. The three figures may be a family, and if that is the case, then the blessing is that the family stays together and moves off in search of a more harmonious beginning. If the ferryman is but a professional taking the woman and her child onward it is still reassuring to know that the help that is required will be sent via providence and they shall be taken care of. The passengers of the boat, carry nothing on them, only six swords to keep the water out of the boat. The swords are the power of the mind and the water is the emotion that could threaten to sink the journey. This is a time of transition when there is a change that is supported by intellect and calm reasoning. The heart is definitely torrid and emotions murky. This is the card of the refugee or someone who is leaving behind a life that is conducive to just existing and moving on in search of something better. Will the future be better? Well, help has arrived so obviously the universe would definitely steer you to a better place. However, the future is yet not sure. The best thing that one can do at the present moment is to trust the process, adjust to the discomfort and focus on rational thoughts. Thinking emotionally will only sink the boat! ​There is no growth that takes place in comfort. If we are content why would we move? This is a time of leaving behind the known and moving on to the unknown no matter how apprehensive one is. This card with its swords also is about a balanced mind and changing ideas. Perhaps the travelers carry with themselves a new way of thinking and ideas that would help them to start anew. This is your time to transition and reach out for an exciting new beginning. Shed worry and trust that a better life is opening up for you!! Meditations on the Six Of Swords “To reach a port we must set sail – Sail, not tie at anchor Sail, not drift.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt What are you leaving behind? Take stock of your rational thought. This is not a time to honor the emotional process. Just as the swords keep the water out, you should close the door on what you have left behind and forge ahead with the power of the mind. If you had to make the transition what baggage would you carry in your actual chest? What would you pack in your mental chest? Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

DOG CHAKRAS & REIKI How does Reiki for animals work? Animals also have Chakras , similar to humans. Dogs have a total of 12 energy centers or chakras. It is as essential for them to have their chakras balanced as it is for us. Crown Chakra. Similar to humans, animals have their crown chakra placed on the top of their heads. An overactive crown chakra will lead to the dog being hyper and barking a lot, an under-active crown chakra causes cause the dog to be very docile and feel like it doesn't fit in. Nose Chakra- For a dog, its sense of smell is paramount. The dog's brain that is dedicated to smell is approximately 40 times greater than the size of the human counterpart. The nose is a dog's medium to perceive the world. While humans have 5 million receptors, dog's noses contain 150 million olfactory receptors. 1/3rd of a dog's brain mass is dedicated to the identification of smells as opposed to the human brain which is only 5%. The importance of the nose chakra cannot be overstated. An underactive nose chakra makes your dog's nose, dry and crusty and of course handicaps him in his ability to take on smells. ​ Tail Chakra - This is essential to give you information about the dogs' mood. A robust tail chakra will keep the dog's emotionally balanced. ​ Ear Chakra - Dogs have an acute sense of hearing. Whilst we have a range of 64 -23,000 Hz, Dogs hear at a frequency of 67-45000Hz. It is essential that their ears are functional and the chakras are balanced. Dogs sense the onset of storms as they can pick up in the air pressure, the winds, frequencies we cannot hear and an overactive chakra may lead to having a very anxious dog. On the other hand, your pooch may need Reiki to boost the ear chakra, if it is recovering from an ear infection since for a dog the hearing is his connection to the world. ​ Third Eye or Brow Chakra - This is the Chakra of intuition. If this is underactive then your pooch is like a rudderless boat going with the flow. If it is overactive then it's a dogs world, where you are there to serve on his command!! ​ Throat Chakra - This is the communication center of the body and if it is underactive your dog may be too timid. If it is overactive, however, then you have a pooch that is an acquired taste, since it will have a desire to engage in verbal monotones, which in effect means needless barking. ​ Heart Chakra - A Heart Chakra is about our ability to love. An underactive heart chakra may give your four-legged friend trust issues and block his ability to love. Trust needs to be built. There couldn't really be an overactive heart chakra, since love flows and begets more love. ​ Solar Plexis Chakra - This is the Chakra that is linked with our own personal power. An imbalance of this Chakra can turn your dog into a domineering bully or a scary cat. ​ Sacral Chakra - Since the Sacral chakra is about security an under-active Sacral chakra may lead to your dog being far too needy passive and clingy. An overactive chakra and your pooch feels that he's the alpha dog!! This is where the dog keeps it's emotionally intense feeling and this chakra is its sweet spot to make it calmer. d Root Chakra - The Root Chakra determines our survival. In the case of your canine friend, having a robust and healthy root chakra will help your dog stay calm, grounded and balanced. An imbalanced root chakra leads to the dog being too territorial, timid, frightened, and worried about any kind of change. This also leads to behavioural issues and the dog may forego its toilet training. ​ Brachial Chakra - The Brachial chakra is located at the shoulders and it is the center of the bond between the animal and his human soulmate. The more love and time spent with each other the more robust this Chakra would be. ​ Paw or Bud Chakra - This chakra is the dog's mobility and freedom chakra. Reiki for animals may work with different chakras but the underlying principle is that of love. Causes of Imbalance of the Chakras. Dogs are truly our soul mates. They are magnanimous, kind and completely unselfish. Blessed is a child who grows up in a home with a dog, they are more like guardian angels for the family. Modern life however is so fast that the canine companions are left alone often leading to depression. Stress, too many or too few people around the home may cause imbalances. The Work from Home has been a blessing for most pooches for they get to spend time with their people!! Cats also have the same chakras and reiki for animals follows the principle of love and connection. To help deal with the imbalance and to pamper your pooch, you could Book A Pet Reiki Session .

The Seven Chakras of the human body. During Reiki, the energy flowing through these chakras is balanced. The Reiki Therapist can channel Reiki energy, to bring about healing in the physical and the mental and spiritual plane. Reiki can be used to balance Chakras. Chakras are spinning energy centers placed within the body. We have Seven Chakras, and each of these corresponds with a physical endocrine system in the body. Chakra which means Wheel is a term that comes from Sanskrit. Whilst there are 7 major Chakras placed along the spine, we have a total of 114 Chakras and 72,000 nadis or channels through which the Chi or Prana or energy moves. For the individual to be at optimum, physical, emotional and psychic health energy flow through these chakras needs to be unobstructed. In addition, we have 4 more Major Chakras. Of these, the Earth Star comes in below the Root chakra. The rest are above the Crown Chakra, and they are the Soul Star, Spirit, Universal, Galactic & Divine Gateway Chakra. Yoga has popularized the concept of the Seven Body chakras. Reiki helps heal the Chakras so that they can allow the flow of energy and we can function at optimal levels. Reiki energy is intelligent, and it flows to where it is needed. The great part of using Reiki for healing is that Reiki is not affiliated with any religion. The receiver does not have to believe in Reiki to be positively impacted by it. The practitioner is not giving his/her own energy. The Universal energy of Reiki uses the Practitioner and flows through the person to bring about healing. The need to know where the ailment exists is also not paramount, since Reiki will go where it is most needed. The Seven Major Chakras in the Human body are as follows. 1. Root / Muladhara.​ Colour: Red Element: Earth Stone: Hematite When it develops: Between the age of 1 to 7 years Positioning: Base of the Spine Body Parts: the bones of the legs, the spinal column, Kidneys & the Adrenal glands. Function: It grounds one physically, by giving a sense of identity and stability. The fight or flight response is stored here. This is also about financial security, Physical Manifestations of Imbalance: Colon Problems, Constipation & arthritis, lower back pain, pain in the legs and the feet, insomnia, metabolic issues. Imbalance: Insecurity about finances, overly dependent on others, insecurity about basic survival, low self-esteem & overly defensive. Mantra: I grow strong with a firm foundation. Tarot Cards: The Fool , the Magician, The Emperor , Strength, Death, The Devil, The Tower, Ace of Pentacles, Two of Pentacles, Three of Pentacles, Four of Pentacles, Five of Pentacles, Six of Pentacles, Seven of Pentacles, Eight of Pentacles, Nine of Pentacles, Ten Of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles, Queen of Pentacles, King of Pentacles. The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client and resolves back issues and other physical ailments. However, Reiki also helps the person with acceptance and a stronger self of identity. 2. Sacral /Svadhisthana​ Chakra Colour: Orange Element: Water Stone: Tigers Eye When it develops: Between the Age of 8 to 14 years Positioning: Below the belly button, exactly 2 inches below the navel. Body parts: bladder, spleen, and the reproductive system. Function: It is the powerhouse of our creativity, sexuality and the seat of emotions. This is where gut feelings come from, and the place that determines self-love and self-worth. This is the chakra that manifests abundance. Physical Manifestations of Imbalance: Impotence, Lower back pain and Urinary Tract Infections. Imbalance: Addictions since they usually fill a hole within us; sexual disorders and by extension reproductive disorders; Issues of self-esteem and the base emotions that are associated with it such as jealousy, envy and other lower vibration feelings. Mantra: I ground myself and then let it emanate out and create an ambiance of stability. Tarot Cards: The Empress, The Wheel Of Fortune, Temperance, The Devil, The Star, The Sun, Ace Of Cups, Two of Cups, Three of Cups, Four of Cups, Five of Cups, Six of Cups, Seven of Cups, Eight of Cups, Nine of Cups, Ten Of Cups, Page of Cups, Knight of Cups, Queen of Cups, King of Cups The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client and alongside healing physical ailments, works on trusting one's gut. Reiki also brings in self-love and self-worth and an abundance mindset. 3. Solar Plexus /Manipura Chakra Colour: Yellow Element: Fire Stone: Amber When it develops: Between the Age of 15 to 21 years Positioning: This is placed in the Upper Abdomen. Body parts: Function: Issues of self-worth, confidence and self-esteem spring from the solar plexus. This is the storehouse of our personal power. Physical Manifestations of Imbalance: Indigestion, Ulcers, Heartburn, Eating disorders. Mantra: I accept my entire self in all entirety. Tarot: The Magician, The Emperor, The Chariot, Ace of Wands, Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands, Five of Wands, Six of Wands, Seven of Wands, Eight of Wands, Nine of Wands, Ten Of Wands, Page of Wands, Knight of Wands, Queen of Wands, King of Wands. The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client and brings about acceptance and healthier eating habits. 4. Heart / Anahata Chakra Colour: Green Element: Air Stone: Rose Quartz When it develops: Between the Age of 21 to 28 years Positioning: Center of the Chest. Just a finger above the heart. Body parts: Heart Function: This controls empathy and compassion. This is also connected with our ability to receive and give love. Since his Chakra falls halfway between the lower and the higher chakras this is the bridge between them. With compassion towards ourselves and others, we can unlock our spirituality and connection to the divine. Physical Manifestations of Imbalance: Asthama, Heart-related issues, Weight as an extension of heart-related issues. Imbalance: An inability to connect with others. Feelings of being lonely, unlovable and insecure as a result of that. Mantra: I love myself completely, and I love others. Tarot Cards: The Empress, The Lovers, Strength, Temperance, Ace of Swords, Two of Swords, Three of Swords, Four of Swords, Five of Swords, Six of Swords, Seven of Swords, Eight of Swords, Nine of Swords, Ten of Swords, Page of Swords, Knight of Swords, Queen of Swords, King of Swords. The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client and helps with issues of weight, confidence and loneliness. Depression also is reduced as a persons ability to receive and give love grows. 5. Throat / Vishuddha Chakra Colour: Dark Blue/Turquoise Element: Sound Stone: Aquamarine When it develops: Between the Age of 29 to 35 years Positioning: Throat Body parts: Throat and the oral apparatus, ENT, Teeth gums and mouth. Function: It controls communication, the ability to speak the truth and ask what needs to be done. Physical Manifestations of Imbalance: Imbalance: Inability to express or stand up for one's self. It may conversely mean having dominating conversations without being mindful of the next person or gossiping. Mantra: I speak my truth Tarot Cards: The Hierophant Justice The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client and the result is increased confidence, a stronger throat and oral apparatus and also appropriate verbal reactions - self expression without dominating or letting go of one's self. 6. Third Eye / Ajna Chakra Colour: Light Blue Element: Light Stone: Amethyst When it develops: Between the Age of 36 to 42 years Positioning: Between the Brows, where the Third Eye is supposed to be. Body parts: Head Function: When in tune with one's intuition, it is easy to know one's goal and see the bigger picture. Physical Manifestations of Imbalance: Headaches, Sight and Hearing problems. Imbalance: Inability to see the bigger picture. It is about having a distorted view of reality. Mantra: I connect to the intuition within me. Tarot Cards: The High Priestess, The Hermit, Justice, The Tower, The Moon, The Sun, Judgment The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client to bring healing and have them more in tune with their inner purpose. When we are following our life's goals, we are happier and live a life in alignment with our soul's purpose. 7. Crown / Sahasrara Chakra Colour: White/ Indigo Element: Divine Consciousness Stone: Clear Quartz When it develops: Between the Age of 43 to 49 years Positioning: Top of the Head. Body parts: The mind Function: It connects to our life purpose and spirituality. Imbalance: Prejudices, Narrow Mindedness, Stubbornness and Rigidity. Mantra: I aspire to be one with the divine. Tarot Cards: The Magician, The High Priestess, The Hierophant, The Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man, Death, The Star, The Moon, Judgement, The World The Reiki Therapist helps work with the client and open up the potential of seeing things through a vision of love. Reiki is an energy that transforms you at all levels. ​If you would like to experience the Healing Power of Reiki, consider Booking A Session . Reiki Healing and Reiki with Tarot Chakra Update.

We see the Greek Goddess Iris blending water by pouring one cup into another in a manner that defies Physics!! Those cups are the key to this card. Balance is a practiced art. Temperance turns up to let you know that now is not a time to give into excesses. Life is all about balance and walking the middle path may sound easy, but it is a Herculean effort to create harmony. However Temperance is a choice, and one if practiced often can become a habit. This is a beautiful card more so if you realize that it contains within it all the elements. Water and Earth are aspected by the angel's feet, the third eye chakra is connected to the intellect and the element of Air, the triangle alludes to Fire and the square is a symbol for matter or earth. Together four elements along with the spirit or soul make up a human being according to esoteric, eastern and medieval medicine. This card then is a reminder that you need to slow down and pace yourself. You need to cater to all aspects of yourself- the intellectual, mental, spiritual, emotional and physical. It is the time to see what feeds your soul and how you can bring that practice into balance with your physical material life. There is never a stage in life when we can say we have achieved balance because balance is a constant ongoing process. The appearance of Iris the goddess of the rainbow, who joins heaven and earth, the living and the underworld, reminds you that now is a process of healing in your life. This is the time when you need to have a larger view of things and allow yourself growth, through forgiveness and healing yourself and others. ​The goddess is colossal and cannot be contained in the card. The wings of Iris, overshoot the frame and are not complete. The implication is that by pacing yourself and finding the right blend, not too fast and not too slow, not too yang and not too yin, you can live a life that is larger than life, be fulfilled and have extraordinary success in any area that you want. Meditation on Temperance Self-care is, fundamentally, about bringing balance back to a life that has grown imbalanced from too many commitments or responsibilities. Robyn L. Gobin, The self-care prescription Which area of your life needs you to slow down? Where are you taking stress? How can you bring healing to this situation and take less stress? Which aspect of your life begs balance? How can you bring this about? Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

How does The Star in the tarot light the way? The Star is a shout-out from the universe to keep your faith for healing and renewal is on the way. ​We see a naked maiden under the starlit sky, with two pitchers in her hand. She is pouring out the water, on land, and into the pool and a small ibis bird, sits on a shrub and watches her. The Star appears as a sign that better times await. You may have been through a particularly trying time. The Star is the renewal of hope. We associate the Star with wish fulfillment, hence the saying "wish upon a star". For generations, humans have looked towards the heavens to navigate as we look towards the stars to find our bearings. The huge eight-pointed star above the woman's head shines a spotlight on her and thereby proclaims to the world that her time has come. The Star reminds you that the center stage is yours and this is your time to shine. Dip into the pool of your own creativity for you have talent. All you need is faith in that talent and the knowledge that you will be great at what you do. The nakedness of the maiden is very telling. She reminds you to be your most authentic self. You need to be true to yourself and your vision. You will be protected. The Star also is a reminder that we are spiritual beings going through human existence. The woman drops, water into the pool of the unconscious, and nurtures the land with the other pitcher. The water on the land breaks up into five streams representing that we experience the world through our physical senses. At the end of the day, we need to remember our inner light and shine and remind ourselves that we signed up for this experience to understand how we are to grow. The Ibis on the tree is the bird sacred to the Thoth the god of magic and the god of artists in Egyptian Mythology. This is the time when you will be inspired, trust yourself, Lose your inhibitions and be yourself. Connect with the universal flow, and release your burdens, for they are no longer yours to carry. The woman is nurturing the earth and pouring water into the pool. This is about keeping the flow of goodness going, when we restore the faith of people going through a difficult time, we too become a Star to them. It is this cycle of hope that keeps the world going. Your time is coming, so wish upon a Star!! Meditation on The Star “All men have stars,” [the prince said.] “but they are not the same things for different people. For some, who are travelers, the stars are guides. For others they are no more than little lights in the sky. For others, who are scholars, they are problems. For my businessman they were wealth. But all these stars are silent. You—you alone—will have the stars as no one else has them—” The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry What is your deepest wish? How do you express your creativity? Where can you find the most healing in your life? Where do you need The Star to lead you? How have you been The Star to someone? Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

Pachamama represented in the cosmos. Image from the Public Domain. Pachamama is the goddess of the corn, of fertility and of abundance . She is the Peruvian earth goddess worshipped even today. Her name means the " Mother of All " or the mother of the earth. This makes her a personification of The Empress. She was personified as a corn field as she was responsible for all the vegetation that grows on Earth and for the air that sustains us. Her name "Pacha" is also all-inclusive encompassing all that is sacred and divine and also time and space. The name "Mama" is self-explanatory meaning mother. The snake is also symbolic of the goddess since she was often depicted as a snake. Snakes shed their skin periodically and therefore are a potent symbol of rebirth as they constantly leave behind that which they have outgrown and take on a new skin. Pachamama was said to be both the goddess of agriculture and of earthquakes. As a goddess of earthquakes, she was depicted as a snake, which caused tremors when it moved.  She is said to be the mother of the great Peruvian god Pachacamac. After his creation, he and Pachamama jointly created a set of twins a boy and a girl whom the goddess loved deeply. After the birth of the twins the god Pachacamac had fulfilled his usefulness and thus he disappeared from the top of a mountain.  The goddess was strong, and she raised and provided for her children on her own, without any assistance. She however also searched for her husband till they came across light in the forest and stumbled upon the home of Wakon (who in Peruvian mythology is considered to be Pachacamac's brother of sorts). Wakon was not honorable and when he made his intentions known to the goddess, she resisted his advances which made angered him so much that he killed her, chopped her up, cooked her and even ate her. Her love for the children however still survived which is in accordance with her name Mama and the archetype of the mother . The children searched for their mother and Wakon informed them that she was away, but she would be back soon.  From beyond life, Pachamama watched over her children and advised them in the guise of animals and birds that they befriended near their home. A little bird informed them that their mother had died and also instructed them to slow down their malevolent uncle by tying a boulder to his hair. The bird also told them that they needed to flee their evil Uncle. While the children were chased by their immoral uncle, Pachamama protected them by hiding them inside herself, since they hid in a fox's den, and saved them by having the animals keep the secret of their hiding place. Eventually the cunning fox who hid the children in his den led Wakon to his death. He went on to talk to Wakon and asked him to call out to the children from the highest peak in their mother’s voice so that the children may come to him themselves. Wakon was very happy with the suggestion and did as the fox asked without realizing that he had a heavy boulder tied to his hair. As he went up to the peak to yell out to the children, he lost his balance and fell of the mountain and his death caused colossal earthquakes in the region. The children were free.  Pachamama's concern for her children is the hallmark of the Empress . Her love and concern for creation extends beyond her children. The Empress is a mature woman with a broad range of experiences.  Dignified: Perhaps the appearance of Pachamama in your life is an indication that you need to examine your attitude towards or relationship with your mama. We tend to examine the parenting styles that our parents employed, when we are either on our way to becoming parents or have had children. The appearance of Pachamama may also suggest that the querent is pregnant or completely enveloped in the mother aspect of her femininity. Often the appearance of Pachamama can also mean not a pregnancy but a creative gestation of ideas, or the beginning of a creative project, pretty much in the manner that Pachamama saved her children. The world of the Empress is ruled with love and nurturing. Thus, the Empress also asks you to focus on how you take care of yourself, with her appearance encouraging the querent’s to be more sensual and pamper themselves.  Reversed or weakly Aspected: Reversed, the empress is disconnected from the nurturing that she provides perhaps as a result of being in need of being taken care of herself. This could be as a result of being abused as Pachamama was, either emotionally or even physically. It can also mean that she is disconnected from her own self, and also for the time being living in a withdrawn state rather than nurturing others, which is her defining essence. While the upright Empress represents a healthy sexuality, reversed she may even be expressing the energies symbolised by Wakon which is selfish, self-centered and cut off from all morality focusing completely on one’s own selfish lusts and desires.  It could also mean that she is now turned in more like the Priestess holding secrets within herself rather than being her natural social self. Words Cited: Rituals of Respect: The Secret of Survival in the High Peruvian Andes . Bolin, Inge. University of Texas Press, 2010. Goddess Aloud! : Transforming Your World Through Rituals & Mantras. Skye, M Llewellyn Worldwide, 2010. Juan Santa Cruz Pachacuti, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Yes or No is often the question that people have been consulting the Tarot for. Does it work? Well, that depends on your rapport with the cards. There are varying methods of getting an Affirmative or Negative Answer. Would I pick a Yes/No random generator online to answer my question? The argument for choosing a Yes/No Online generator is that the algorithm will pick the right answer using synchronicity. The argument against choosing a Yes/No Random Generator is that it is an algorithm. Do I use the Tarot For a Yes or No Tarot Confirmation? Tarot Cards can be drawn for a Guiding Yes or No answer. Of course!! Yes, I do use the Tarot for a Yes No confirmation. Following are various techniques to use your trusty cards for a Yes/No. One Card can be drawn for a Yes/No Answer. This works great if you draw an obviously positive card such as The Empress, The World, Or Three of Cups to name a few since it obviously means a yes. A clearly negative card would definitely at the first glance mean a negative. Examples of these cards would be the Four Of Cups, Eight Of Cups, Ten Of Swords, or even The Hanged Man. Often the card may be an ambiguous one like the Seven Of Pentacles, which means reevaluate or Ten Of Wands which says overwhelmed but not if that's a yes or no. In such a case a maximum of one more card makes the total two, and thus two cards are drawn. If the next card is negative then it's most probably a NO. A Positive card indicates that the situation will come to pass, albeit with a little delay. Another method is that you use a predetermined set so, each Major card can be assigned a positive number and each Minor card a negative. Draw out 5 cards, and then turn them over, totally disregarding the individual message of the cards. Once you turn over the cards, take a quick check on the number you get. If the number is positive, then the situation will come to pass, and if it is negative, you may let the hope or worry leave. It is amazing how many readings just turn up with Majors or only MInors. The Cards can then be read to know the sequence in which the events will unfold so we use cards. Another method is just using the Major Cards and assigning a positive to the even cards and a negative to the odd cards. This can also be used to assign a positive value to the upright cards and a negative to the reversed ones. Again, five cards are enough and can be used to predict the outcome and then catalogue the sequence by which it occurs. Is this method of asking a yes-no tarot question reliable? This method can be very reliable provided the following steps are followed. No one likes to be bullied into giving the answer we want to hear. When you ask the cards a question, you can ask Once and only Once . Make sure you journal your reading and then return to the journal to write the feedback to build your confidence with the method. If you've asked the question a million times, or quite near that number, there would be so many yes's and no's that the reading would lose its importance. Feedback is essential for your journal. Sometimes, it is possible that a Yes is a Yes, but only over a longer period of time than we thought before. Do Try out the Method or Book a Remote Reading where I send you a Video. Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

What is the energy of the Knight of Swords? We see a very aggressive Knight on the go. He is holding out his sword and his horse runs like the wind. Even the trees are blown with the intensity of his speed. ​The Knight of Swords carries an urgency in his dealings. When he enters your life be ready to have a certain amount of disruption, quite in the manner that the trees on the card are shaking. While he may bring a certain amount of excitement, the energy of the knight can be exhausting and even draining to be around. While the image of a charging knight seems very divorced from our reality, we have all felt the energy of the Knight of Swords. He is the energy when we are running under pressure, trying hard to complete task after task. Multitasking, and rushing from one activity to another is pretty much the forte of the knight of swords. He cannot slow down or even acknowledge that he has completed something, instead, he is ready for the next task. Modern life applauds the Knight, but honestly, even for the most driven of us, there is only so much we can take before we have a major burnout or start dropping the balls. If you have been pushing yourself too hard, please remember to slow down. The Welsh poet W.H.Davis had lamented more than a century ago -"What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare." This is such an apt representation of our society. While you do not need to take the time out for leisure, do take that time out for rest, rejuvenation as it is a necessity and not a luxury. On the positive side, the energy of the Knight of Swords can come in handy when you need to set things into motion. If you have been sitting on the sidelines or have been not so active for a while, the Knight of Swords spurs you into action, making sure that you do get your act together and set the proverbial ball rolling. The energy of the Knight is most welcome when a quick decision needs to be made, which leaves no space for procrastinating. The one thing that is sure is the Knight of Sword has the energy of a Whirlwind!! But even Whirlwinds refuel. Meditation On the Knight Of Swords Rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm. Joseph Addisons This is an apt description of the Knight. So, today as the Knight of Swords turns up, take a good look at your affairs and decide do you need his energy to get you moving or have you already been manifesting it rushing from task to task. If that is the case, Please remember to give yourself a break so that you do not burn yourself out. If this Resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

Who is the Knight of Pentacles? The Knight of Pentacles is resilient, hard-working and very painstakingly covers all his bases when he is assigned a task. Of all the Knights in the Tarot, the Knight of Pentacles is perhaps the most dedicated. He is not as vibrant as his peers, but he is definitely your man when you are beginning a venture or need some groundwork to be done. The Knight of Pentacles has the heroism, to sift through the most tediously monotonous assignments or enterprises, to make sure that he can lay down foundations on which one can build for generations to come. The Knight is a master builder and he will take his time, for every project of his, is his magnum opus, and he must nourish it with all his attention. The Knight of Pentacles walks barefoot on the grass as he affirms his connection to the earth, to the process of bringing into the physical realm all that he thought possible. His horse is his trusty companion and trots alongside him, in no hurry to run on the amazing green. The horse is aware that his master loves him and cherishes his hard work. When the Knight appears in your reading, he asks you to see how much dedication you carry within you? Do you treat the people who support you with respect? Consistency is the gift of this young person, and diligence is the key! He works on his days off, and his hallmark is patience and dedication. The Knight of Pentacles takes a very long view of things. The Colourful Mandalas that fall behind him, is his effect on any project that he undertakes. They represent the fertility that he brings to a situation or event or task by being a part of it. The Knight of Pentacles shows up to ask you, to work with patience on whatever you are doing. Life is a journey and the process is as essential as the destination. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. In the long run, the Knight will claim his throne as the King of Pentacles , for now, just smell the roses and keep your head to the wheel in an amazing manner of multitasking!! Meditation on the Knight of Pentacles Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never. - Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth (1758). How do you view leisure? What foundations are you laying down at this time? Where do you feel, you need to push yourself to move over the details and create? If this Resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . ​Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc