Climate Change

Venus intercepts Sun

Dear fellow Earth-beings (and others who may find this of interest),

Venus is intercepting the Sun as I post this article. (June 5, 2012 at 3:04 pm PST) In fact, I’m watching a live feed from Hawai’i. This rare astronomical occurrence comes in pairs with the first transit experienced on June 8, 2004. This won’t happen again until 2117.

The symbolic meaning of this Sun-Venus conjunction in astrology is summarized by imagining a gentle path of love where the heart leads (Venus), eclipsing the dominant, willful, ego-driven presence of the rational mind (Sun). This is a powerful omen for us all and something to integrate into our personal, cultural and global evolution.

This relationship dynamic with its shift to a more sensitive and kind approach reflects my feelings about our changing times on the planet, especially in light of social, political, and environmental issues.

We are in times of profound transformation and change, a process that resonates with my being and area of expertise. In this article I explore the nature of global change, symbolized by the conversation about “Climate Change,” and the opportunities to meet this challenge in a meaningful way applying the wisdom of this Venusian shift in energy.

Last weekend in Portland, Oregon I attended two sessions of a Climate Change open forum. As expressed by the organizers of this event, the intent was to create an environment and opportunity for an open sharing of perspectives and experience by any and all participants in the hope of developing bridges between apparently contrasting views and values.

The event began with a session on “Earth’s Climate” posing this question, “What information would help you make a decision on whether or not humans are changing Earth’s climate?” This session included a panel of climate scientists, among them Nobel prize laureates, providing facts gathered over their many years of scientific research and analysis of Earth’s climate over thousands of years with special emphasis on current dramatic trends.

As I sat in stillness, receiving the input of scientific data, for which I know this group of professionals have dedicated their lives to collect for the benefit of us all, I could also hear my inner voice express, “Yes, I already know these facts and understand the distress the Earth is experiencing.” I have to admit that I did not find the factual presentation useful, nor was I inspired to connect with the material or the presenters in a meaningful way around what they were saying.

My heart and mind struggled with their talking heads approach to interfacing with their listeners and began to challenged myself to find a way to create bridges of understanding that also include my ideas for effective ways to connect with others more compassionately on an essential topic that touches us all. I know I’m not alone in this desire and realize there are many approaches to addressing this concern. This is my opportunity to share with you my growing knowledge, life experience and hard-earned wisdom on potential ways for us all to stand together in the face of global challenges and transformation.

US vs. THEM

This is a theme that appears on several levels as we explore the polemics of many issue. In this forum, a few examples of how this contrast surfaced follows:

- Scientists / the general public
- Facts / fiction
- Scientific papers / journalistic reportage
- Transparency / secret agenda
- Informed action / fear or apathy
- Intellectual / emotional

CONNECTING WITH OTHERNESS

Dualistic and political perspectives allow contrast and diversity, an important stage when reviewing an issue and preparing for change. Unfortunately, in my opinion, there are not enough models to take diverging perspectives to the next step, reconciliation. In most cases, what could be a sharing is actually a subtly violent tug-a-war with the intent to debate and persuade others to one’s point of view. When violence, control, and misuse of power is present, the opportunity for connecting is severely challenged.

Marshall Rosenberg promotes Nonviolent Communication and shares his vision…

“What I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others based on a mutual giving from the heart.”

His advice is to focus on what we want to do rather than what went wrong. In other words, rather than having to prove we are right with facts and data, we might be able to connect more compassionately if we focus on what each of us values in order to support a more wonderful life and attempt to fulfill those needs so we can move forward together. To connect with compassion begins with self awareness, knowing one’s own feelings and needs, then communicating with vulnerability while sharing with others. Judgment and fear is dissolved over time, opening the way for more harmonious relationships.

Process Work (Process-oriented Psychology), along with its extension, the Deep Democracy Institute, one of the sponsors of the Climate Change open forum, have been exploring this next step of connection with otherness by developing dynamic theories, effective techniques, and a global team of facilitation artists. With philosophical foundations in Taoism, quantum physics, and Jungian psychology, they value wholeness, unity, and inclusion of all parts and perspectives. In essence, there is an assumption and attitude of connection already present when engaging with others that supports the possibility of changing together.

The philosophy, or spiritual value in the background that supports ones ability to connect automatically with another is the idea of oneness, or unity consciousness. You are an aspect of me, as I am an aspect of you. Together we create a greater consciousness and knowing about the diversity of life. To resist you is to marginalize an aspect of myself, of life, and deepens the dualistic chasm that eventually tears us apart. Seeing other as one’s mirror, or holographic reflection of the Divine, can become a way of life, a path of peace.

When talking about the Earth, she then becomes a mirror of myself as I feel the atmospheric changes within my own body. The question posed by the panel of scientists at the forum then shifts from one about Earth changes and decisions about responsibility to “How is my climate…and do I need to change?”

Another model and tool for change and unity is Tarot, whose teachings and wisdom lives through me each day. If you search for the keyword “unity” you will find other articles and posts on my website exploring this topic.

Through the visual archetypes and metaphors of the Tarot cards, we can reflect back to our personal stories, the aspect of the holographic mirror of life we are traveling at any given time. Within it’s template of 78 cards is the story of our life’s journey from unity, through duality and diversity, back to a higher awareness of unity and coming home. The “Sacred Journey of the Soul” advances through the major arcana of the Tarot, telling the archetypal story of the Hero, as reflected in the teachings of Joseph Campbell.

SONGS AND STORIES FOR THE JOURNEY HOME

Every picture tells a story in Tarot, and story is our favorite way to relate as humans. It reminds us of our humanness as we follow the journey of others, relating to the twists and turns of the adventure of life. We compassionately tag along as the heroin faces her dragons, saves the community, and finally returns home again after changing the world forever.

It is obvious that we relish the story. Be it a novel, movie, or just gossip, people relate through the experience of other people, our family of human-beings. We are touched by their feelings, resonate with the common themes, and can be inspired by the accomplishment of others. It is natural to care about our family, community or tribe.

Christina Baldwin in her writings and workshops explores the power of storytelling. Whether in the form of individual journal writing or in group circles and ceremonies, this can be a spiritual pathwork opportunity.

REQUEST FOR WORLD HARMONY

After much thought and reaching within my own heart and mind to offer something that might be supportive to the scientists of the world who are passionately attempting to touch us with their story about global change I offer this article of information and these final suggestions…

- When sharing your wisdom, please come from your heart more than your mind. Remember we are a global family.

- Delivering your message as a story will activate our imagination and invite us to join you.

- Focusing more on what we can do than what we did wrong will inspire us to be our best and give us hope for a more life-affirming experience.

- “Be the change you would like to see.” How can I or we be the the change in climate? How can we effect the atmosphere around us? How can we make life more wonderful for all?

Appreciation is extended to the dedicated scientists and social activist who shared their research, knowledge, and time to enhance our understanding of life on Earth:

Professor Catherine Gautier (UC-Santa Barbara)
Professor Jeff Kiehl (National Center for Atmospheric Research-Boulder)
Drs. Ellen and Max Schupbach and the Deep Democracy Institute
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Christina Baldwin

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The 9th and Final Underworld

It is with great excitement I announce that today, March 8, 2011, we enter the 9th and final Underworld of the Mayan Calendar, according to the calculations of Carl Johan Calleman, Ph.D.

A Swedish biologist, Calleman titled this Underworld “Universal” with the awareness that each Underworld period represents a nested hierarchy of evolution culminating with the 9th which is planting it’s seed of unity and spiritual consciousness today. We are in the first “Heaven” of the Universal Underworld while simultaneously residing in the last Heaven of the previous eight Underworlds, the initial Underworld reaching to the creation of this universe 16.4 billion years ago. The Mayan Calendar comes to completion in 260 days with all nine Underworlds ending on October 28, 2011 (not 12/21/12).

I can hardly contain myself as my heart expands with the quickening of this soulful journey. Be not distracted by the nay-sayers and fear-mongers for we each reap what we sow. The Mayan Council of Elders, Mayan Calendar scholars, and many indigenous peoples around the world have transmitted a different message, a life-affirming one in which this is a spiritual opportunity to truly realize our oneness with all, if we so choose.

To prepare myself for this once in a universe-time opportunity, I asked for personal guidance on how I might better align with the energy of this opportunity. Using my Voyager Tarot deck, these two cards appeared:

0 Fool-Child
My first impression of this card/archetype/lesson is its perfect reminder of the “Power of Now” as promoted by Eckhart Tolle, and many masters before and after him, reminding us that now is the only time in which we live. My association to this impression marveled at the synchronicity of the fact that the night before I had watched Tolle’s DVD titled Finding Your Soul Purpose because it had the same title as the workshop I had facilitated the day before and I hoped to gain further insight. His lesson was that our soul purpose is to be in this moment.

So, for me, and perhaps for all of us in a holographic, universal way, this is a time to truly live with the awareness of now, this breath, released from past memories or future musings. To be empty, like the zero, not focused on filling our mind and life with personal thoughts, but to allow the energy and awareness of the universe to permeate our awareness.

Upon looking more deeply into the image of the Voyager card, I noticed something I had never seen before, with fresh, child-like vision. There is what looks like an ostrich bird stretching its neck out extremely high with eyes wide open. I heard a message that said, “Stick your neck out further and rise above.” As a shy Forest Mystic, it is pushing the envelop of my comfort to be more visible and publicly outspoken. Just writing my thoughts and ideas here is sticking my neck out…but what am I rising above? I’m rising above the old programing to see the world as dualistic (good vs. bad, right vs. wrong, me vs. you), while stretching to be aligned with being more present, beyond thoughts that dwell on the past or live in the future. That is an ongoing lesson for me.

8 of Wands – Harmony (image coming soon)
As a secondary influence, this Tarot card in the Voyager deck exudes musical harmony and flow. It represents individual elements coming into balance and creating a whole that is more beautiful and dynamic than the sum of its parts.

My inner vision suddenly flashed upon my new Tarot Spirituality “Rainbow Journey” logo as its intended symbolic unification…a glowing rainbow in the form of a six-pointed star, the geometric form in the center of the Hindu heart chakra, the six of the Tarot’s Lovers trump, the Alchemical symbol for unifying the four elements with a message of “as above…so below.”

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“Tarot Spirituality”

It’s official. I have completely come out of my Forest Mystic “closet” to announce to the world my spiritual devotion to Tarot. Looking back, the spiritual lessons and essence of Tarot is the loving bond that has tied me to this powerful oracle from the beginning, since around 1971. With the urging of my Tarot students, who I thank as spiritual guides inspiring me to my next task, I committed to developing a spiritual community for Tarot enthusiasts and creating a global forum.

Rainbow Journey logo for TarotSpirituality.org

With love and divine passion I announce and invite you to explore “Tarot Spirituality™”, my new website. You can also join the Facebook community.

I’ve always had a spiritual nature and perspective on life, so my interest in Tarot solidified when I discovered it’s profound reflection and connection with all levels of being and life. Although I am a professional Transformative Tarot Counselor™ with 20 year’s experience reading for others, my long time love affair with Tarot is not centered on reading the cards as much as studying them as a book of wisdom.

For years I have promoted and taught professional skills for readers to share effective, ethical and potentially transformative readings with Tarot, but most of my classes revolved around Tarot as a deeply spiritual tool. This was the empetus for developing the Transformative Tarot Counseling™ Certification Program. In my presentations I clearly state my bias for a more psycho-spiritual approach, rather than fortune-telling or predictive style with the cards. But, I also add that there is something for everyone and all styles are honored. This attitude comes from the spiritual awareness that Tarot teaches, as do many essential philosophies and religions, to embrace otherness, not demonize it.

We all have biases, based on our experience, what we are naturally adept at, what we have been taught to align with, and/or fear of otherness. In my case…education, training and experience have taught me to dig deeper, to look beyond the surface, to engage others in their life process, and to be awake and aware on many levels at once. For example, a Tarot card’s meaning can be interpreted literally, figuratively, metaphorically, subjectively, personally, impersonally, relationally, communally, globally, spiritually, universally, etc. On an existential level, where does the querent end and the card begin? In other words, why only read the card when you have the client there too? Although this approach requires advanced psychological training or well developed psychic awareness, why assume the card is separate from the client, or from the reader for that matter?

Katrina and Arny - Yachats, Oregon 2010

I have had the privilege of training with great teachers, Drs. Arnold and Amy Mindell (Process Work) for the past 23 years. What attracted me to Process Work was a deep spiritual and philosophical foundation that mirrors the unitive values of Tarot. It created a natural flow between my profession as a trained psychotherapist and my passion for Tarot.

This unitive, non-dual, view of life is the essence of spirituality, our connection with all. The great traditions and many of the creation myths around the world repeat a version of the story of life: “In the beginning…”; alpha and omega; Vishnu dreaming Brahman and the universe into existence; the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life; as above … so below; unus mundus (Alchemy – one world). For a thorough study of the history of spiritual and philosophical contributions to Tarot, please read the work of Dai Leon in Origins of the Tarot. A review of this epic book is posted on this weblog.

Tarot is a living, expanding body of wisdom. I hope you join our growing community of Tarot Spirituality enthusiasts and contribute to the website.

In Light & Love,
Katrina

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What is Tarot?

I’ve been working on this post topic for about a year and finally got the push I needed by Donnaleigh and the Tarot Tribe of Beyond Worlds (on BlogTalkRadio) today where I was honored to be their guest. They start each Tarot interview with this questions, What is Tarot?. It would be fun to know what the other guests wrote…hmm…a future post is developing…

To the question of “What is Tarot?” I answer…

What is Life? … It is beyond words, but words are all I have at this time to try to describe that which is beyond this world. Pictures are more effective and immediate, which speaks to the beauty and power of Tarot.

My simple answer is ….

Tarot is a visual symbolic language that teaches us about and guides us through the “Sacred Journey of our Soul” through life and beyond.

My diverse answer is …
— Tarot is a powerful, malleable tool that meets users at their level of interest.
— If you are looking at Tarot from a fundamental point of view, you’ll interpret the cards literally, as if they are the authority in your life. This might appeal to folks who need guidance from an outside, paternal, source. This is a common way to approach the Tarot for in hierarchical societies we are often taught not to trust our own judgment or perceptions and to hand our power over to others.
— You may be a traditionalist who works exclusively with one of the classic decks, such as the Rider/Waite/Smith, the Thoth/Crowley/Harris, or a version of the Marseille. As such you know every detail of the intended meaning of each symbol on every card, their metaphysical influences, such as Alchemy, Astrology, Kabbalah, and Numerology. Sometimes this can lead to a fundamental point of view when readers believe their deck is the ultimate authority on Tarot.
— Some work with Tarot as a psychological tool of self-reflection. In this case the cards mirror back to you something about who you are at this moment in time. Even the choice of layout or spread supports a psychological approach to the meaning of the cards’ message or story and what they urge the Querent to explore.
— There is also Pathwork in Tarot, viewing the cards or layout as a pattern that shows you where you have been, where you are now, and what might be next in your journey through life. This invites to you see your life as a process, one in which you are the co-creator of your destiny. But, this can also be approached as a fundamental predictor or projection into your future.
— Intuitive and psychic styles of working with Tarot transcend the cards and send the reader and/or client into another level of meaning or message, beyond the intended interpretation of the card. I would add that it is the intention of the Tarot’s design to support us to develop our intuitive abilities so we have more direct access to divine awareness. Ultimately, we outgrow the need for the cards altogether like discarded crutches who have served their purpose.
— A handful of us study Tarot as one of the most powerful books of wisdom, on the scale of and in harmony with all the great traditions, as represented in the Bible, the Qur’an, the Torah, the Sefer Yetzirah, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Vedas, and more. An important distinction in Tarot wisdom is that it reflects more unitive values, applying dualistic principles as they appear in life, but then showing us how to resolve these opposites, splits, pulls, and contrasts.
— Last, what I find most important about Tarot as a book of wisdom is reflected in the research and writing of Dai Lèon in his epic book Origins of the Tarot. He reveals that the major arcana teaches us about the principles of immortality and the stages of development that guide us individually, and I would add, collectively, to our greatest potential for returning home to conscious oneness.

Tarot Intensive Summer 2010

When teaching my Tarot students, I encourage them to explore all types of Tarot knowledge and approaches so they can develop their own style. I welcome all decks, biases, experience, questions, and knowledge. That is the beauty of Tarot, there really is something for everyone, including the type of deck you choose to read with or use as a study tool.

I welcome your contribution to the growing wisdom of what Tarot really is to us and welcome your comments on my article page by the same title, What is Tarot?.

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JULY IS HERE! – Oregon Country Fair & 14th Annual Tarot Retreat

One of the most exciting times of my year is July with the many events I attend and those I create.

The first event of the month is the 4th of July – Yachats La De Da Parade and all day party, ending with colorful fireworks over the Yachats River mouth. It’s a time for gathering along the Central Oregon Coast and celebrating together.

The Oregon Country Fair is a forest community that sprouts up in the woods outside of Eugene, OR and is open to the public for the three days of the second weekend of July each summer. It is filled with free spirits, fantastic entertainment, fabulous food, and a multitude of crafts and services by the artists themselves.

This is one of the few outdoor fairs where I offer my Tarot and Dreamwork sessions, and it is certainly the most beautiful venue, surrounded by peaceful trees, colorful people, and non-stop fun.

Please come by The Mothership to say “Hello” or to schedule a reading. For “fair folks” we may be open on Thursday afternoon, so please stop by to enjoy readings, massage or other bodyworks.

The month of July ends with the best event of all, my Annual Tarot Retreat. This is the 14th year of this exclusive gathering of Tarot enthusiasts. The theme is “Temperance” as we explore the art of life from a much higher balance. This is a unique experiential approach to being with Tarot wisdom. Please visit my website for more information or to register.

New this year is the Tarot Intensive, a five-day concentrated study of Tarot including the first 9 “Pathways” of my Transformative Tarot Counseling™ Certification Program. If you’ve ever wanted to study tarot, but just haven’t had the time, this is an excellent way to get your Tarot practice started. Classes, supervision and the Tarot Retreat are all included in one simple package.

If you are in Oregon this July, I hope our paths merrily meet.

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