TAROT AND PAST LIVES

A View Of Our Journey Through Eternity

How many of us truly believe in past lives? Do we secretly consider past lives to be a romantic notion?

As a classically trained platform medium, I have understood that my role is to provide evidence of life after death. I have done this successfully many times over, yet I have sat on the fence on several occasions with regards to past lives. They are simply so difficult to corroborate as actual physical life events.

I have grown tired of the troops of Cleopatras, Alexander the Greats, Queens of Sheba, et al, not to mention manifestations of Archangel Michael, Raphael (in human form) and so on.

What about the road sweeper, goat herder, lavatory attendant or caravan driver? Are their lives less important? Are the lessons gleaned from those lives less meaningful or spiritually less significant?

Is it possible that by pondering this question we hit the shallow end of spiritual reasoning; that someone’s placement in the social order of things determines the eloquence and authenticity of their past and ultimately their spiritual lessons?

It is also entirely possible that we view our current life and sociological compartmentalising in exactly the same way. It is this vanity, this tendency towards snobbery and elitism that has put me off subscribing, wholly, to a full-time serious study of the Wheel of rebirth.

Over the years there have been many accounts of children remembering their existence before this one and many religious beliefs adhere to reincarnation doctrines, all of which go a long way to supporting the quantum idea of a multidimensional universe that we inhabit.

However, past life stories crop up in consultations…out of nowhere.

I have learned that the story that unfolds is an allegory. (By seeing reincarnation in an allegorical sense assists in realism.) This becomes an inspired series of images and sensations that speak from the deepest part of the psyche. I have also learned that these allegories are not coincidental and should be unpacked in fine detail. As a result we get an idea of how a possible previous existence might impact on a current life.

I firmly believe that there has to be a point to these matters, a link to what is going on in the now.

Our memories of previous lives were eradicated from our conscious minds for a reason – so that we could be fully in the life we are living now. Yet sometimes we need to expand our thinking so that our lives become the oracle which help us to understand the chaos we have been born into.

Tarot, especially the Major Arcana, as a series of archetypal images immediately plugs us into the collective consciousness and we ‘remember.’

As archetypes they resemble every human experience and on some level we understand what this experience might be even if we have not engaged with it in this life. Experience is key to understanding the nature of our spirituality. The Earth is a place of physicality, of experience, as being alive is the most spiritual thing we can do and be.

The Rider Waite Smith Fool carries his knapsack. It has been postulated that this bag carries memories from previous existences; baggage from the journey through eternity.

We are thus engaged with the idea that our experiences from a former life shape, to some degree, who we are today. In Kabbalah it is called Tikkun; each life being an opportunity for correction.

Tarot as a mirror to the soul is a worthy vehicle to explore narratives about our place on the wheel of incarnation, and the following tarot spread can be both illuminating and catalytic for personal growth.

Now that you have done the spread, it is time to honour the past. Offer your peace and blessings to the past, thanking life itself for the moment to grow.

Look forward. How do you see yourself in the future? What is your passion, are you able to pay it forward?

Remember we are co-­creators in our lives, but first we need the vision. Allow your new insights to shape that vision into something meaningful and worthwhile. Something to write home about from your corner of the universe!

I will show you a 6 card spread to explore your past life:

Preparation

Exploration into a past life should not be taken lightly.

– Make yourself comfortable and put yourself on one side.- Clear your mind and allow your thoughts to flow through freely. Try not to hang onto any of them.- Breathe into the crown centre and imagine that you are connecting to the world of light.- Ask your inspirers and guides for their wisdom and assistance.

Perhaps you want to enhance the ambience by lighting a candle, burning scented oil or clearing your space with sage, bells or incense.

All of these serve as intentions for a positive and peaceful experience.

The Reading

Shuffle the cards until you feel guided to stop. Split the pack into three. Reassemble the pack as you wish. You can either start pulling cards from the top of the pack or fan the cards out and pick six.

Card One: Gender

This card will give you the flavour of your gender as it was. The Emperor, for example, will be a male. Although it is true to say that the cards are not gender specific, a predominance of male or female essences in the spread will help determine the sex.

Card Two: Persona

What was your identity or personality in a previous life?A majority of cups could indicate that you were a sensitive, creative and loving soul. T​he Hermit could suggest a loner, thinker or spiritually inclined person.

Card Three: Major Life Experience

This card gives a clue as to the nature of your previous journey and how it affected you. The Empress, for example, suggests motherhood, martyrdom or creativity, possibly a regal power. The five of wands speaks of conflict, confusion and fight for leadership.

Card Four: Implication

How did the last card (card three: major life experience) affect you? How did you respond to it?The Hierophant, for example, suggests maybe you sought the help of the church or institution, or possibly you became a teacher or guide to others.

Card Five: Life Lesson

What are you feeling from the spread so far?Trust what comes to mind. Listen to your heart. Only you truly knows the answer, so drill down!

Card Six: Influence On Present Life

What is the life lesson reflecting back at you about the current state of affairs?Each glimpse of a previous existence is directly linked to what is happening in the here and now. Nothing is random. Again drill down and be honest. Why do you require this information? How will it enhance all that you have now? For example, the five of cups could be the lesson of gratitude and service. The Fool could be moving from the closed to the adventurous and open minded.

Remember only you truly have the answer and you are being provided with insight for your development.

Now what?

Now that you have done the spread, it is time to honour the past. Offer your peace and blessings to the past, thanking life itself for the moment to grow.Look forward. How do you see yourself in the future? What is your passion, are you able to pay it forward?

Remember we are co-­creators in our lives, but first we need the vision. Allow your new insights to shape that vision into something meaningful and worthwhile. Something to write home about from your corner of the universe!

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