What I love about mornings.... the chance to start all over :)

What I love about mornings.... the chance to start all over :)

I woke this morning with a new sense of purpose. I made a promise to myself to reconnect spiritually with the Universe and my Divine purpose. I also promised myself that I will let go and 'prune' energies, people, habits and things, that do not serve me well or do not look after my spirit properly.

You see, the past year has been an emotional roller coaster, and probably the hardest year of my life. At times it was also one of the best years.  Business has been growing and for the first time in my life.. I LOVE my 'job'. I use the term, job, lightly. I used to have jobs, where I would go to work, get paid and get not one ounce of satisfaction from it. But last year, I started my own company and I've loved every moment of it. My clients are superb! They are the most interesting and special people, and I'm grateful to be of service to them.

Another great moment was to  fulfill the dream of creating a tarot deck that will be published. Not only did I finish creating the tarot deck, A King's Journey Tarot, but I realized I enjoyed it so much, that I plan to create more decks. I even have some in the works! Super exciting for me!

However, true to life as it is, up times are countered with down times.. and those down times affected me in a very negative way. You see, when you have some emotionally great times with someone, and then are later told that what you shared with someone was based in a lie, that has a profound affect on you and your trust in people. It's hard to understand why someone chooses to lie, or play with your feelings. It could be that they don't understand their own feelings, but couldn't look outside themselves enough to understand the affect their actions have on loved ones. Perhaps I am taken for granted, or not appreciated, or because I am consistently present in good energy, I am not valued. You know, much in the way we don't value the air we breathe, or the sun shining on us.. because we expect it to always be there, supporting us. But without it, our lives would not be joyful or fulfilling, and we would die.

I could sit here all day and list all the reasons in the world, but it would never dull the painful scars it left on my heart. What I can do, however, is look at what this teaches me about the person and about myself. I can also change what I CAN control (which is not the other person).   Learn the lesson from the experience and move forward, which is exactly what I am going to do!

I realize that I allowed myself to sink into the pain, which became my focus. THERE is a lesson learned! My focus should have been to stay on my goals and all the positive things in my life. I subsequently gained weight, became depressed, and non-productive. YUCK!  

Today, with clarity and renewed value in my spirit, I CHOOSE to stay focused on my well being and my business. I vow to allow myself to step out of my shell and embrace all the beautiful souls that I have come to know and adore. I will allow myself to expand and grow spiritually and emotionally. I will let go of issues that affect me physically, and focus on feeling alive and living a healthy lifestyle. I will open myself up to  living optimistically and being fun and embrace whomever wants to live in the same energy as me (as I did before I allowed myself to focus on the wrong energy). I also vow to prune that which doesn't serve me well.  Most importantly, I will be more transparent and open in my business and allow everyone to get to know me on a personal level, so you can know who Chanel REALLY is :)

What promise did you make to yourself this morning?

Can't Take a Compliment?

I have overcome many difficult situations in my life.  I have learned some very harsh lessons, but surprisingly.. one of the hardest things I've learned was how to take a compliment. Hard to believe... I know!  But very true. 


I hadn't really thought about it much, until today. Someone that I hold very dear to my heart was struggling with a compliment that I paid to him. Instead of saying thank you, he lashed out at me.  This got me to thinking, how many people really do have difficulty receiving compliments.

I want you to ask yourself these questions..

Do you ever get uncomfortable when someone compliments you?

Do you wonder if a compliment really means something sarcastic?

Do you wonder if the compliment was a lie?

Do you give out heart felt compliments?

I'm sure there are situations or people that have made us feel uncomfortable from time to time, on the rare occasion. But,  what I'm talking about is when you are feeling awkward more often than not. If so, then you may have a problem with self worth or trust. I say this, because there is a block there that keeps you from accepting the compliment. It is in direct conflict with what we believe we deserve to hear.

Even so, rest assured that it doesn't always have to be that way!  I want to challenge you to practice this exercise when you feel uncomfortable with a compliment.

When someone pays you a compliment.. embrace it with a smile and say thank you. It's that simple! If you find it hard to embrace, look at it logically. Does the person have any reason to lie to you or harm you by giving the compliment?  Have they anything to gain from giving the compliment?  Most of the time the answer will be no.  If there is an issue with someone trying to butter you up unnecessarily or being sarcastic, don't be afraid to address that with them in a very logical (and grounded) manner.

If you've concluded that in their heart of hearts they were just paying you a compliment, by all means embrace the compliment and take it deep down inside of you. Allow it to meld with you and be filed away as 'proof' that you ARE deserving of that compliment.

Compliments shouldn't imply anything other than exactly what is meant. When it's time to give a compliment, make sure they are deserved and heart felt. This allows for the sanctity of  energy return to maintain its integrity.

A compliment is praise with no ulterior motive. It simply is what it is. It is energy being directed to you as you had sent it out before. It is only being reflected off of the person whom is handing the compliment back to you. When you projected the positive energy.. it went out to affect others. To hear it come back to you is a blessing that you should embrace !

So, the next time you receive the compliment, just take a step back and let it sit with you.. and simply say, ' thank you', knowing that you just received gratitude for what you have already given to the world.

The Universe Does Give Us Signs....

It's really true!  The Universe gives us signs, but, only when we are paying attention, do we get the benefit and reassurance from them.

Let me tell you my story..

Over the weekend, I was toying with the idea of entering into coaching program with Elizabeth Genco Purvis, The Marketing Goddess. She is phenomenal !  She has been my coach for some time and I have grown so much through her system. This new program is one that I KNEW in my gut that I had to participate in. The only thing stopping me was that I wasn't sure I could afford it. Yuck.. isn't that always it?  But then I would hear  my mind ask.. Can you afford NOT to do this?  umhm.. exactly!  I knew it was the right step and the next step for my business and I couldn't pass up the opportunity.   I made my payment which wiped out my bank account.   I've never made such a bold decision  with my finances before...

I had lit a green candle that morning .. and spend a few hours pondering this program. About ten minutes after I grabbed hold of my opportunity.. my daughter says.. ' Mom, look at the candle'.  Wow!  I couldn't believe it. The wick had folded over in such a way that it looked like a tree.  My older daughter exclaimed.. ' Mom, it looks like a money tree'. That's it!  I truly believe it to be a sign that I made the right decision.. and everything will be okay.  In all honesty, I know it was the right decision, but comforting to know that financially, everything will be okay. I felt the shift in my life, and I have to say, the Universe has provided. I feel so blessed and full of gratitude !

What I want to ask of you.. over the next week, see how many signs you get from the Universe. It could be anything, a smell, a picture in melted candle wax, a song on the radio, etc.  Don't expect to see the sign in order for it to prove itself....just pay attention and see what signs come your way this week!  Feel free to note them here ..

Blessings unto you!

Creating... Such a Lovely Word!

Creating .... now there is a wonderful word!  Have you ever really felt the power in creating?  Today has been a lovely day for that. I've felt it before, but not quite in the way I feel it today. Maybe that's because it's been a hard week for me. Okay, in truth, it's been a few challenging months. 


Today inspiration has come and I'm moving forward again. Creating is what moves energy. Creating is what inspires. Creating is what makes us feel alive! 


My new business model is beginning to take shape. This is VERY exciting, because I'll be offering more exciting services that will give you practical techniques to bring fulfillment and abundance into your life like you have never felt before! 


James is creating again too..  He is preparing for you a fun way to get in touch with your inner child and BE creative! 


I'm incredibly excited about what we have created, with you in mind, and can't wait until we are able to share our gifts with you! 

But until then, put a little more energy into your life.. and get busy..  creating! 

'Til Death Do We.... Live?

Today I pulled a card and it seems so appropriate to how I'm feeling about life in general today. Okay, in truth, the past few weeks. I pulled the Death card.

Death, now there it is. It's been a really scary ordeal for me to just let go. Let go of fears, insecurities and the fantasies about what I thought my life ought to be if only things would go the way that I KNOW they should go. Funny thing about life, it doesn't always listen to us.. or does it? Perhaps it listens more to the fears, because we put more energy into those little fears and negative voices that live inside our heads rather than put energy towards creating our own happiness.

Take a look at our Fool card there. I love the way James illustrated it, exactly as I had intended. He captured that stunned and scared dear in the headlights look that people get when they are just know they are being dragged along into something they swear is going to kill them. That's how I feel right now at this time in my life! I know something HUGE is coming, BIG changes and I'm being pulled along without my understanding nor want to. But, at the same time, there is a part of me that is curious to see what happens. How will I change? What will my transformation look like?

Looking at my life right now, I notice a pattern of changes and near chaos that takes place every time the card of Death and its warning of letting go comes into my life. I really don't want to acknowledge the possibility of having to let things go that are comfortable for me. The Hanged Man that comes right before this card reminds me that life has been too comfortable and I've become too comfortable in my circumstances. Even if they are not good for me, or the situation doesn't help me grow, I've become way too accustomed to it. I play the middle ground and keep the peace so that I can go on, but unfortunately, that also keeps me in a place where I watch life pass me by.. and right now, I'm so done letting it pass me by! I want to live! That's the thing about Death.. it makes us face our own mortality. So I ponder, to myself, my own mortality and what I would like to accomplish before the time comes that I will have to shed my body from my spirit. What am I really leaving behind becomes the REAL question.

Have you ever asked yourself that question ? When Death comes into the picture.. ask yourself, What are you REALLY letting go of?

Are you letting go of the fears that keep you from moving forward? or..

Are you letting go of a future because you are afraid to let go of the fears?

Over- emotional Reader during a Reading?

I'm am saddened today to even have to write about a subject such as this, but my recent experiences have shown me that I simply must!

First, I have to start by sharing something shocking with you.. tarot readers go to readers too!   No joke, we really do!  Sometimes it is rather difficult to read our own situation accurately because we are way too close to it and need that second opinion. It was during some recent months that I had done just this. I went to a few psychic readers. One from a huge auction house, and another was a friend of mine. What happened over the course of the readings was..  a bit worrisome, and upsetting.   Both readers were very removed and uncaring over my situation and berated me for even being concerned over the troubling news of a relationship situation they just gave me.  I didn't ask about a relationship, but they went ahead and addressed it, gave me upsetting news, and then topped it off with being condescending in the process. The information they gave me really didn't ring true to me, and when I questioned them, they got very upset and began to yell at me. One of them even said they couldn't understand why I would want a loser like that in my life anyways cause he isn't worth while and is so selfish. One of the readers said, ' he obviously doesn't make you happy and your life is going no where or why would you bother to have called me'. (I called about finances)

Both of them said.. ' I wouldn't want a man like that, why do you even like this type of guy, that says a lot about you'. Now, for the record.. we are talking about a truly wonderful man that I care a lot about. Right now, he is going through a low point in his life that is trying on him spiritually, emotionally and physically. He is addressing those issues, so imo.. the last thing he needs is to be looked down upon. He is everything to me and has been for a third of my life. In truth, I'd say he's my other half, like my twin. I don't want to get off track here, but I was stunned by the treatment of both of these readers. When I expressed how important this man is to me, both went on to say I needed to get him out of my life. They continued on making me feel belittled and insignificant to him, stating he will only talk to me as long as I never say anything about my own feelings and allow him to walk all over me. I left the phone call in tears, only to find out that much of what was said wasn't even true.

I am telling this because I want both Tarot / Psychic readers and Clients to both be aware in case you notice your reading begin to travel down this road.What these readers did was take away my power. When I was open and most vulnerable, they tried to convince me that my situation was not the way that I saw it. Belittled me and my situation, and then at the lowest point, they hung up and left me with no support and took away my choice, my personal power, my strength and then left me feeling alone and unsupported at the end of the call. I also found out later that they both new each other and were friendly, and it's possible they were discussing me before I had the reading.

In no way am I suggesting that all readers are like this, not at all!  I want to stress this point. There are a great many wonderful and truly talented readers that act in accordance to professional and ethical guidelines. The experience I went through happens with unethical non professional readers. I don't want to judge them on why they behaved this way, but I do want to point this out to both readers and clients. This does, unfortunately, exist.

Fellow readers..   I would like you to keep in mind that our clients are asking for a reading because they are undergoing some emotionally charged issue that they are concerned about. That is near and dear to their hearts. They are coming to us because they really need someone they can turn to in trust, and help them sort things through.

In order for us to read them properly, they have to open their chakras and be completely exposed to us. They have to give us their blind trust, on many occasions. This leaves our clients completely vulnerable. In that moment, we are caressing thier energy and  have the state of their being in our hands.. holding and examining their lives in order help them understand the choices before them. Our role is to provide them with guidance and empowerment so they can continue along their path with confidence and strength in their decisions.

As a reader, if you find yourself becoming judgmental, irritated, non supportive, belittling, fearful, etc. you need to be aware that you are no longer reading on a spiritual plane. Those emotions are only felt on the physical plane along side our ego. Spiritual wisdom does not come from that place. When you begin to experience these feelings, you need to take a step back, detach, and then ground. 

If you find yourself often having these emotions when reading for a client. You may want to take a break from reading and assess where those feelings are coming from, and why they appear when you are reading for others. Also, evaluate how you are making your spiritual links with the Universe and your client to see if some adjustments are needed. If you are having trouble with reading properly, you may want to join some professional reading groups and organizations to help you attain a different type of reading relationship with your clients that will strengthen the bond between you and your clients, and help you gain more confidence in your readings.

Something a client can do before getting a reading with a new reader. Ask for their Code of Ethics. Do they adhere to a higher standard of practice?  Do they belong to organizations and take their practice professionally and ethically ?

I hope this has opened some eyes for anyone that works in our field to be aware of what our clients experience on their end when sitting for a reading.

Many Blessings.....

The Hanged Man's Journey

I didn't know what to type for today's Blog post, so I drew a card out of my new deck, A King's Journey, to see what would spark my intuition!  The lucky card is the Hanged Man.

I was told, not too long ago, that my Hanged Man was, ' the happiest Hanged Man I've ever seen'. lol.. and indeed, it is. The reason I designed it that way, is because I see this card, in relation to the Fool's Journey, as a lad that is really happy and comfortable where he is at this point in his life. He's so comfortable that he doesn't really want to know what possibilities lie before him..... he only knows he doesn't want to go back and relive what he's just been through, nor does he feel he's ready to go forward. He's happy just to sit there and let time pass.

In the Journey of the Fool, he is between the Five of Cups and the Six of Pentacles. He is in a place where he can watch what's going on around him without being involved. No one will bother him by asking silly questions, or pester him with *this* obligation or *that* responsibility. He can blissfully hang from his perch and watch the clouds go by and ignore the images he saw in the Five of Pentacles puddle.. and if he is quiet enough..  he doesn't have to move forward and have people wanting something from him, or live up to something he's not ready to offer of himself, as is suggested by the Six of Pentacles.

I'm sure many of us can relate back to a time when we lost all hope (five of cups) and we KNOW we didn't want to return back to the way things were, but we just couldn't go on and give of ourselves quite yet. We needed that little break, to refocus our energies and rejuvenate our spirit so we could see things in the right perspective.

My life has been a bit like that lately. I felt as if I had lost everything that I loved and placed so much of my hope and future in.  My reality came down around me, and I felt like the sun was setting on a dream that I had had for a long time. Inside, I felt like I could scream! Taking a breather with the Hanged Man was very nice, and now I'm able to give back to clients and loved ones that are grateful for my presence, knowledge and skills. Likewise, I can see things through the eyes of a new perspective and I am so appreciative of the value that my business and my clients add to my life.  I learned that valuable relationships can be found outside of a loving relationship with a significant other.

This is a fantastic lesson I learned, however, there is another meaning to this Hanged Man that I see play out in my life at times. It doesn't have as much to do with me, as it does with someone whom is very important to me. In this case, I believe the Hanged Man represents that comfortable spot in which he is so comfortable, he either doesn't want to or can't change his life for anyone or anything.

This is that type of thinking where.. you know, the guy that won't get a job, won't go out of his way unless it serves him, and wants everyone to do things for him? He has every excuse in the world as to *why* he can't do anything and we should all realize this?  In reality.. He's one of the happiest people on the planet!  He has no reason to get down from that branch.. because many of us allow him to stay up there.

The saddest thing about this, is that he is sacrificing a lot in that line of thinking. He sacrifices friends, loved ones and even his own freedom. He is in a suspended frame of mine that doesn't allow for his feet to be planted on the ground. No one can travel a journey with him, because he isn't traveling. He can only speak to them as they pass by. His entire life is passing him by.. and all because he is SO comfortable he refuses to get down off that branch!

If he would allow himself to slip off the branch, he would fall into an abyss of  emotional issues that would cause him to change. But oh no.. he can't have that!!   He would then be forced to face up to some realizations in his life.. right before the finality of  Death (permanent transformations). Death forces him into maturing and letting go of those issues that he refuses to face... and for him sitting on that perch, unthinkable! Death is too final.. the Hanged Man is a blissful existence.


The closest thing that I can relate this to, is someone in jail. Time has been suspended for them to reflect and gain some type of spiritual enlightenment of what they've just went through. The problem is, if they are in that place too long, they become so comfortable, they lose skills. They may not even want to get out of that place and back into society because it's scary. What if they have to face what they've done?  What if they do it again?  Do they want to lose the security they have in there?  Too many emotional issues they'd have to face. So, they sit there... as time passes by.

So, reflecting back on the Hanged Man reminds me that sometimes, we do need to remove ourselves in order to gain, not only spiritual enlightenment, but a new perspective on what has happened. If we are there for too long.. in that place, it becomes a comfort zone, and we refuse to test the boundaries or to 'get down'. It's a refusal to experience life.  It suggests a delay in the maturing process and the person whom you are reading is allowing life to pass them by. That doesn't mean to totally forget the past (the six of cups is still to come in the journey and we can have the opportunity to revisit some of our better memories)... but  it does mean we  need to have spiritual enlightenment over what has just happened, perspectives need to be readjusted, priorities need to be reassesed and it's time to move past the pain that keeps us from growing.

See you soon, my lovelies :)

Resolutions and Revelations....

Today is the the second day this year that I have felt completely collected and back in focus. You know that feeling where you have allowed life to pull you off track and then you crashed and burned before you realized how far off track you really were?  That's me since the end of November. I got caught up in emotional traps of other people, and didn't take care and nurture my spirit. Physically, I fell sick, and then mentally I crumbled until I emotionally came crashing down.

I learned a very valuable lesson through all of that, that I'd like to share. Fatigue, illness, and moodiness can be symptomatic of allowing our vibrational energies to fall way too low. Not taking care to keep toxic things out of our lives. For me, negative energies pulled on me and I wasn't mindful to sweep those away and work at keeping an elevated vibrational level. I've come to realize it is very essential to the human spirit. I'll talk more about how to increase your vibrational levels over the next few weeks, when I share tips on how I overcame some emotionally low points in my life, and raised my vibrations and got myself back on right track!   So please, stayed tuned in and watching for that!

But now, after a good cleansing, detoxifying my energy, grounding and eating healthy, I've begun to feel rejuvenated again!  My focus is back, and clarity is here!

Ace of Swords.. Ahh...  Mental Clarity. Here's a picture from A King's Journey..

It shows us that allowing ourselves to express our feelings within the boundaries of respect and honesty can give way to a new found path of freedom.  Freedom to think clearly and cut through any mental trappings that can stop us in our path. Inspiration and focus can take us to knew heights and gain a better perspective than we would have had, if we stayed low in the valleys when times are rough. Focus can see us through depressive times when we've become so emotionally involved in something, we lost sight of the goal.

Such a lesson that I learned over this past week. I'm refocused on my business, making plans and tighting up my business model. I feel great about some changes that you will start to see.  One, is that I plan to keep in touch with everyone by writing on my blog, twittering and facebook postings.  I am excited to inform you that I have been working on my newsletter and changed its name to Everyday Divination. I hope I can bring you useful divinatory tips that you can use in your everyday life. For the lay person and the professional alike and the best part.. FREE to anyone that wants to sign up for it.

I really feel that this is going to be a huge year for me, in particularly with business. As you may, or may not know, James and I have finished designing and illustrating the deck, A King's Journey. I am now working on the book and also raising money for the printing costs. Yes, I am self publishing! :)   If this can happen before April, I am hoping to plan a trip to the United Kingdom this summer.  We hope to be able to sign copies of our deck and give readings in various locations around the United Kingdom and Ireland.  Anyone that would like to donate or invest in this project, please email me..   tarot_reading_site@hotmail.com We would appreciate any help that we can get with funding the printing. :)

In conjunction with that, I am raising my rates on February 15, 2010. I'll fill you in more on that later.

I'm very excited about everything that is going on right now and the plans that are to come in the future!  Don't forget, I'm still offering phone readings at reasonable rates on my site, http://www.tarotreadingsite.com. I look forward to reading for you soon!

Blessings,

Chanel x