Self awareness is a very popular topic in self-development and self-help. This is my first post about this rich subject.

For purposes on the Pava Pages, self-awareness is..

• At the core of tarot.  Many of us use tarot to get a view of what’s going on with our own “stuff”
• Being aware of our own emotions, what inspires us, holds us back or pushes those dangerous emotional buttons
• Looking through an honest mirror, seeing all our gifts, wants, warts, and fears
• The ability to identify responses coming from the old “lizard brain” (more about that in another post) rather than the higher brain
• A lifelong journey –  a journey of knowing and understanding one’s self

Self awareness is looking inward, and for me, one card that symbolizes this is the High Priestess.

The High Priestess is Major Arcana Card II.  She strives for balance, as shown between the two pillars, one dark and one light.

The High Priestess follows The Magician, who shows us the physical tools that will help him do what he desires.  She is able to see secrets of herself and of others, many of which are hidden.

The High Priestess is able to collect this secret knowledge.  She holds a document, of which we can see the letters, TORA, partially hidden under her garment.

This card almost explodes with symbolism, including the crescent moon at her feet lighting the hidden secrets under the water, and her robe becoming the water.

The tri-moon symbol on her head reminds me that in folk traditions and some spiritual beliefs the moon and its phases are used for planting, fertility and/or celebrating the feminine.

Watery blue is abundant in this card. Water is mysterious, yet it also promotes growth.  The High Priestess can help us see under its surface.

Pomegranates on the screen or curtain symbolize fertility and richness – of thought, perhaps.

If The High Priestess comes up in any position during a reading you might want to consider the aspect of self-awareness and self-knowledge.  Look at the cards around her for more clues. Think about your capabilities.  What are you using or not using that could help you?

One of the things I like about tarot is that we can apply it to current life.  

A current self-help concept is the “Abundance Mentality,” which says that there is enough for everyone. The more we share, the more there is to share.

This concept is in direct opposition to the “Scarcity Mentality,” which says that I want mine, and if you get yours, mine is going to be smaller, less, fewer, etc. 

I truly love the concept of the “Abundance Mentality.”  In tarot, the abundance mentality shows up in feminine form.  Presenting Major Arcana Card III, The Empress! 

The Empress sits in a lush setting, bursting with life and nature in full bloom. She is the ultimate symbol of fertility. The richness of nature around her seems endless.

The Empress card reminds us that the abundance mentality is possible. Even if people don’t own many “things,” they can approach situations with abundance and generosity. 

• Appreciating kindness and beauty in any form is at the core of the abundance mentality.

• When people share information with others, act with kindness toward others in difficult situations they are practicing the abundance mentality.  
• Approaching life with an abundant mind and heart will create endless possibilities.

Welcome the Fool. He’s here to inspire you to do something you thought was not within your reach. Hello, Fool!

Look at him. He’s about to walk off a cliff, but he’s not afraid. We don’t know how steep this cliff is. It may be only a few inches, or it could be more.  The Fool is willing to go. He has his best friend with him, who seems to be warning him not to get hurt. Or does the little dog just want to play?

The Fool has a small pack of supplies with him in the pack over his shoulder. He’s handsome and he looks as if he might know it. Please note that his eyes are directed upward. Is he focusing on something ahead? We don’t know, and that’s part of the beauty of this card.

We also don’t know how long The Fool has been out there or how long he plans to be out. He’s busy smelling a rose while the sun shines brightly down upon him. In this version, the Hoi Polloi, from the early 1970’s, there is a red ball at his feet. Is it the dog’s toy?

I won’t go into all the symbology of this card, but there is plenty! Suffice it to say that this is the card of new beginnings.

Many love the fool because he is the symbol of a new start at something. It could be learning something entirely new or a new way of viewing something old. It could be a new project, a new place, or a new mindset.

The image of The Fool reminds me of taking a leap.

We all need a little fool in us to keep us excited about the future.

Can you think of a time you took a leap into something new? Maybe it was a relationship or a hobby. Maybe you decided to paint a room a new bright color, just on a whim. Perhaps you decided to do something about your health or your job. What did you do and how did it turn out? What did you learn?

We can all learn from The Fool. He’s part of living a full life. Please honor The Fool in you!

Tarot inspires me.  Tarot energizes me.  Tarot helps me figure out where I am and where I’m going.  Why?  Because it’s visual. Its images pique my curiosity.  It opens the mind.

A major component of reading tarot is not reading at all.  It’s listening to people.  It’s listening to yourself.  It’s opening a door to what is and what could be.  I use tarot as a tool for helping people listen to themselves.  It’s not about me;  it’s about the other person.

Part of the beauty of tarot to me is that there are as many ways to read tarot as there are readers.  I’m not a fortune-teller. And I’m not a psychotherapist.  But here’s where I can “read” tarot:  I can use my experience, my emotions and my listening skills to see patterns through communication and images.  And you can, too.