MEDITATION © SPELLSAcknowledgments xiti Part One: Getting Started 1 1: The Tarot: What It Is and Isn't 3 How the Tarot Works; Finding the Right Deck; Blessing the Deck; After the Blessing; Storing the Deck; Getting to Know Your Cards; Card Meditation; The Personal Tarot Guide; The Tarot Guide Home Ritual; Reading Cards the Easy Way; Reversals versus Uprights; Quick Answers to Yes and No Questions; Reading for Others; Reading for Yourself 2: The Cards 31 The Journey of the Major Arcana; The Minor Arcana; Rods; Swords; Cups; Pentacles; Court Cards and Numer- ical Cards; General Court Card Meanings, General Numerical Card Meanings 3: The Self Discovery Process 55 ‘The Spirit Card; Spirit Card Meanings and Advice; The Lesson Card; Lesson Card Meanings and Advice; The Talent Card; Talent Card Meanings and Advice; The Personal Year; Personal Year Card Meanings and Advice‘The Self Discovery Process. 93 the personal year of the same energy. Previously hidden factors may surface now, giving you a clearer view of things going on around you. You may suddenly know what people are thinking—regardless of what they actu- ally say. In any case, cutting through deception is at the forefront, and the power is yours. Often a Moon year brings vivid dreams, enhanced psychic ability, and the urge to explore personal spirituality. Don’t push any of this aside. Learn to pay attention to your inner voice, and act on its advice. More to the point, embrace any new skills this year may offer. Then take the time to develop them. You'll need them later as you progress along your path. 19: The Sun While a Sun year always brings a period of warmth and light, it also focuses on self-discovery. This doesn’t always manifest in the ways you may think, though. That's because this sort of energy has little to do with inner journey. Instead, it brings your personal value and self-worth to light. That being the case, you're likely to discover that you really are an individual like no other, that you really do hold a special cord in the Cosmic web, and that your actions—no matter how miniscule—do, indeed, affect other people's lives. Along with this, you'll find a sense of empowerment that you've never known. And it’s this newfound gift that will provide the courage to make the necessary changes for your personal growth and development.