Sasha Graham - The Magic of Tarot

To my daughter, Jack, who teaches me

every day that love is the greatest magic.

Contents

: Tarot, Magic, and You

: Your Foundation

: Magical Readings

: Tarot Spread Magic

: Tarot Magic

: Bringing Magic to Life

: Seven Sacred Cornerstones of Constant Tarot Magic

: Card Meanings

Gratitudes

M y sister and I share a gratitude practice. We exchange daily emails marked with a list of what we are thankful for. Gratitude is deep magic.

Thank you to Barbara Moore, who believes.

Thank you to Rebecca Zins, who collaborates.

Thank you to Susan Wands, who empowers.

Thank you to Autumn Walking Butterfly Marie and Ajay Kumar, who teach.

Thank you to Bill, who loves.

Thank you to Jack, who sparkles.

Thank you to my Tarot Space Tuesday crewLisa ONeil, Tracey Culuko, Holly Buczek, Claudia Ferrari, Virlana Kardash, Kris Lopez, Marianela Mendoza, Lauri Panopoulos, Magdalena Olvera, Den Linn, Jo Masters, Larry Gregg, Bonnie Grisandra, Maria Cotter, Teresa Shaffer, and Lucien St. Germainwho inspire.

Introduction

P eople sidle up close to me sometimes when they think no ones looking. Theyll whisper in my ear, How did a nice girl like you become a tarot reader? I look into their eyes and smile coyly, as if I know something they dontbecause I do. If they knew what I know, they wouldnt ask. I respond with a question: I was born on Halloweenwhat else was I supposed to do?

But its just you and me right now. No one else is around to hear us, so Ill give you the real answer. I can tell youll understand what I am about to say. The real reason Im a tarot reader is because I am a storyteller. What most people fail to realize is that they are storytellers too; we all are. Tarot is storytelling. Its what we do when we read the cards. Telling stories imbues us with supernatural powerthe power to change your story.

Lean in closer.

Let me tell you a story

Tarot and I never met. It was always inside me. Tarot was a seed waiting to sprout, a sweet tooth longing for a lollipop. Tarot was the softest of lips aching to be kissed.

Halloween babies enter the world like a hushed tone and whispered secret. We rarely cry, yell, or fuss but are content gazing at specters dancing circles above our velvet cribs. Scorpio children bear the blessing and curse of seeing through the veil separating the visible and invisible worlds. We recall with vivid clarity the sweet embrace of that which made us. We carry it with us even when we are told by others to fear it.

Walking with a foot in each world is a gift that turns treacherous when the body becomes a prison. The material world has vicious teeth; it is a hungry thing. Sensitive souls are often tempted to take their ephemeral lives and cross back into the void too soon. We search, ever hungry, for glimmers of that sweet embrace in others: parents, friends, teachers, lovers. We think if we relinquish ourselves, if we burrow deeply inside the core of another, we might return to peace.