back in the game

Today is the second Monday of the last month of the year, just a couple of hours before another day unfolds, hehe. Hello again, everyone.

I have been gone for so long. Didn't realize 2013 would be this insanely busy. But this has been a most healing year for me, & believe me, I've tried to rush through it, but I've learned it's better to pace myself; to allow my body, mind, heart, & soul to recover.

I've met a lot of delightful new clients this year, for starters. I play favorites, even if that doesn't sound so savory, depending on their willingness to cooperate, their eagerness to learn, their generosity, their intelligence, even. Especially intelligence. I've always worked with strong personalities. I love it when they're most wonderful company. They inspire me to strive better, to aim for accuracy in my readings & healing sessions everytime, to become larger than life (not physique-wise, please, of course, haha). If they keep coming back (though again, I do NOT encourage codependency), I look for ways to reward them. & I'm glad to re-announce my humble specials for my regulars.

For every 3 paying referrals within the year, I will give a complimentary 30-minute reading online, either on a birthday or a special holiday (working days such as Valentine's, included). So, yes, the more referrals, the more consultations you get. You get a ThetaHealing® session, too, depending on your needs & preference. Especially when your birthday falls on an actual holiday. 

You also get to have the chance to be my esteemed Client of The Year, where you'll get humble little goodies such as wellness products I personally love (I gave facial GCs, lip balm, body butter, & sanitizers the last time), an astrology book (or two), & yes, complimentary services. Plus you get to be my priority in messaging or calling. I'll definitely throw in more surprises soon. My Client of The Year tradition started 3 years ago. The first ever was the Client of The Year for 2 years running. I still love her to bits. Capricorn Sun, Leo Moon, Libra Rising. 

The second one, from last year, was a young Aquarian, with also a Leo Moon, Sagittarius Rising. She also tried ThetaHealing®for herself, & swears by it, even if she, too, has a long way to go, like I do. She was always thoughtful. I will never forget her because she'd give me super-cool gifts (Kimmidoll keychains, jasmine massage oil, something my favorite bubble bath bar line, remembrances from her Vietnam trip, other accessories) & recommendations. 

Now the bet for this year is a lovely Taurus girl who just survived her first Saturn return. Gemini Moon, Libra Rising. My new meditation series is partly inspired by her. Let's see what happens. 

I also have a young Sagittarian male client whom I always reward after our 6-month-long progress. I already gave him a tiger's eye bracelet (very relevant for his journey), a few free readings with various decks, & extended time. 

& for everyone else who've made referrals to me out of sheer thoughtfulness but haven't made the mark yet for this year's offering from me, will also be remembered. Because I love you guys. Thank you for your trust! There's always my Facebook Page for quick one-card readings that you guys can indulge in, depending on the mechanics du jour, that have churned out pretty accurate readings by themselves, & yes, little random tokens that I hand out whenever least expected. ;)

I do my best to give back, even if sometimes I find myself depleted of anything to give, & I know that I've been always super-generous in every session I have, anyway. As much as possible, I don't withhold answers; I explain things very patiently, ad nauseam; I don't really bill down to the last minute. Though, please understand if I have to charge my rate by the hour, especially when there are people waiting for their turn. 

But seriously, I can't believe how much progress I've made at this point in time, until I meet clients again whom I haven't heard from in a year or so. It makes me think how painstaking my ThetaHealing® classes were. They're just as surprised as I am with how "far" I've gone in this journey. So far I've received certification for Game of Life (pretty much life-coaching, for spiritual people such as myself to become more grounded & succeed in temporal life like everyone else can & does), & RHYTHM (weight management, even if I haven't really bust a move on my body yet, hehe). I also took up basic past-life regression via a crystal layout, & I can't wait for the advanced class in 2 weeks. I know people keep asking me about that before, to which I replied, I wouldn't be able to do that just yet, until I'm really sure I can handle it. But tapping into past lives is so much easier now, especially with ThetaHealing®. Jeezus, so trippy. & I have people confirming them past lives I've seen, to boot! 

My life has changed so much because after all my attempts to keep my Tarot practice grounded, to the point of more as an intellectual pursuit, instead of bordering on hoodoo/woo-woo/juju, I've ended up embracing that side of it, even excelling at working with it, even! HAHA. What. But like I always say, only when it is meant to be worked on can I go ahead with it, to paraphrase Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist. & even before I got comfortable with the idea of me being a "healer," some of my clients already declare me being a healer, especially with how I can zoom in on their health via readings with much precision. & how I've been struggling to figure out to heal myself through alternative means. Instead of me being alarmed with all this further, I've decided to explore it, & yay, I'm actually a full-fledged conduit now. I'm just the facilitator, though. Just tapping into the Source of All That Is to allow it to heal others. Just witnessing how it's all happening. Just guiding everyone through the process. & the rest is up to them, whether they wish to really embrace recovery or not.

Just exactly what I do with my Tarot readings. I just witness things unfold. I just facilitate the actual reading, upon the request of the seeker/questioner/querent/client. I just guide them with the best to my knowledge, or with whatever else divinely inspired comes up, how to go through with things in their life at the time of reading. I cannot really impose myself on them. I don't want to, either. ThetaHealing® is helping me to become a better reader, & I'm doing my best to incorporate that modality into my readings, & vice versa. I am thankful for my one-stop-shop wellness center for introducing ThetaHealing® & making all this possible. Yay. I missed out on at least a couple of very important courses, though, like Diseases & Disorders as well as DNA3 this year, but there's always next year. & I'm praying I'd get to teach this as well soon. I am expecting that by the end of 2013 I'm more at peace, more energized, more determined, & more abundant with blessings. I'm still really managing how to become so. The process of changing, in line with Pluto in Capricorn & Uranus in Aries (squaring off, even, ugh), is painful but definitely worth it. I can't wait to manifest so much more wonderful experiences, trips, & things, not just Tarot decks. Got a couple of new finds, like the Feng Shui deck by the Connolly duo, & the Celestial deck, which was so much prettier than expected! 

Speaking of one of my clients calling me a healer long before I've realized I could actually be one, her delightful Pisces self (Virgo Rising) has invited me to conduct workshops & sessions in her spa somewhere up North. I will be checking it out tomorrow, & trying out some of her services there, since I'm a spa junkie, anyway, even if I don't look it, hehe. I am happy that this is the case, & I am hoping for other invites. I'll be accommodating, as much as my schedule permits. Right now I'm really swamped with Pluto (& Venus! UGH) issues, transiting my solar 4th House. Home repairs are a doozy & I'm itching to have everything revamped before the holidays, when the next Venus retrograde rolls in. But of course I have to pace myself. Everything's just a bit cumbersome now, as we speak, but my brother, housekeeper, my dog, & I are coping. 

Looks like this post has successfully answered all these questions I found at the last minute somewhere online to help me re-evaluate my 2013:

• How has your life improved in the last twelve months?
• What do you do easily now that you once thought was impossible?
• What have you accomplished this year that you couldn't have accomplished three years ago?
• What is one outcome you experienced this year that would have been inconceivable before?
• What are your results this year, compared to your results last year at this time?

So what about you? Do you want help in keeping tabs with your progress? Do you want more progress in life, too? What are your thoughts? If you want help, that's what I'm here for! There are many other avenues of help, though. I will be more than happy to make my own referrals here! & I'm still very grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way, especially this year. I've lost so much & gained so much at the same time. Share away at the tiny comments section, & you might just get a free quick one-card reading from me here! 

Please also stay tuned for my big blog revamp. Can't wait! 

making time for QUICK updates

Yay, I'm back! I can't believe this will have to be my very first post here for 2013. Anyway, I'm really swamped with stuff to do that I hardly even have time to fix my room anymore, but I've promised to myself that this Holy Week will be THAT time for it, & thank God I've even found reinforcements (FINALLY!)

I really have to make sure all my Tarot decks & New Age (astrology, feng shui, what-have-you) books are already in order by then, for easier retrieval, among other things. God bless my babies. Thank you, Universe, for letting me have them.

BTW, a dear return client (Virgo Sun, Scorpio Moon & Mars, Libra Rising) actually gave me a copy of my beloved Tarot of The Magical Forest earlier this year, & I really thank her for her generosity. I gave her an Angel Aura quartz bracelet in return, & it looks like she's becoming more spiritual as we speak. I'm really happy for her.

& finally I have a Mage: The Ascension deck in possession, after more than 2 years of getting entranced with it. That was the very first deck that gave me quite an accurate reading, with just 10-11 cards, & I will never forget the 8 of Wands card there, that sharply illustrates how my life is now with  ThetaHealing®. The owner of that deck's last message to me via SMS was, "Remember who you are." I finally replied, "Thank you, I now remember who & what I am," & he said, "Stay Awake." I hope all is well with him, even if we don't really speak to each other anymore, even if I see him around at least twice a month. I am still floored how I got such a rare deck still sealed from a pure, loving source, & I still get pretty amazing results with it. It's still a very dark, scary deck despite how it looks more welcoming now, but I'm really having fun everytime I see the Knight of Swords there (aka the Knight of Dynamism), & I'm reminded of my newfound fascination with Lord Shiva, hehe. It's just funny how me & my fun double Aquarian protege (who also owns this deck & was bewildered to find out I already had my own, haha) were talking about Shiva on a Full Moon (my Lunar return) last December, a month before I received my deck in the mail:

Me: If I have Kali & Shiva as my inner deities, then WHY THE HELL do I still look like this?!
N: Because the Universe loves irony.

WTH. Fine. It sure does. :P

& I really should talk more about  ThetaHealing® in detail, but I'll need more time, energy, & space. For now, let me just tell you that I'm finally a certified Basic DNA2, Advanced DNA2, & even a [R][H][Y][T][H][M] Practitioner, & our Manifesting Abundance module's coming up this weekend. I'm still worrying how I'm going to sign up for Intuitive Anatomy this April, but I should decide by early next week. But I'm happy how FINALLY my uh, healing capabilities are FULLY validated, &  ThetaHealing® makes my readings so much more accurate (& so much more EXHAUSTING, mind you). I'm really overwhelmed with all the friends that I've made; the things I've manifested (like that One Billion Rising movement, for starters, because I'm sick & tired of misogyny) & foreseen (look at the Death card from the RWS deck & you'll know what exactly I saw, among other things in other ways); the new knowledge I'm acquiring (which leads to a whole buncha new books to finish that end up cluttering my space, LOL); & the energy this whole shebang is requiring of me. I've accomplished quite a number of distance healings for friends & clients, & OMG I got fantastic results. I'm still working on my dog, my brother, my surly housekeeper in her late 50's, & MYSELF, but I'm getting there. Should you wish to try it with me, just remember to keep an open mind, & bear with me as we go along. For now I can say it's a very good complement to psychotherapy, but this can do so much more than just that. Like in a friend's case, chickenpox, would you believe? :D It also would take care of my backaches, but I still need to do something about my weird knee pains. (& yes, supplements will still be a huge part of the whole program... don't ditch your traditional medicine just yet!)

My reawakening via  ThetaHealing® can be aptly described by this:

This dazzling piece is called "Blossoming," drawn by one of my favorite local artists + clients Katrina Pallon (Sagittarius Sun, Virgo Moon, Aries Rising, LOL, & I must mention her brooding Mercury in Scorpio & piquant Venus in Aquarius in her 8th House, which would explain that underlying sinister sensuality in most of her works) during her Venus return (yes, post-Ascension, which means it IS a very exciting & potent time for her, ahem) this year. I am hoping to have a replica of her very gorgeous "Oiran in Triangles" later this year, & experience her Tarot-inspired pieces while I'm at it. I was supposed to get that very painting before it was bought by someone else, as a culmination to Saturn transiting my Sun sign Libra (lest you forget), but that period became so difficult that I had to postpone my claiming it indefinitely. Oh, well. It's still funny to think how I met her a couple of years back via her "Crane Wife," & I ran excitedly to her (rather idiotically, actually, holy crap) with The Sun card from my Sacred Rose deck in one hand & the Queen of Cups card from my Chinese deck in the other. Come to think of it, those 2 cards did have a blaring message for her, aside from depict her & her works very accurately. Yay.

Indeed,  ThetaHealing® has left me working with white & pink lotuses like crazy this year, so I'll have my logo redesigned with one or so, to honor my uhm, re-glorified Sacred Feminine (eep).

ThetaHealing® actually helped me survive commemorating my dad's 5th death anniversary last March 11th & my late kid sister's birthday last March 16th. I would've gone completely crazy, but thank God I didn't. I was able to enjoy a few meals out with my brother as a result, especially that complimentary dinner at this new joint paying lovely tribute to native fare with a sweet global twist for our mother's 66th birthday the other night, & we also got to check out an art fair in one of the hippest parks in the metro, which my Painting major late sister would've liked very much. I hope I do well all throughout this month, & until my certification for Intuitive Anatomy (dear God, please help me), & hell, throughout the rest of the year, especially my next Jupiter return (whoopeedoo) until the end of my days (lessee if I finally get to live past at least my 2nd Saturn return!) Last year was crazy, bordering on self-destructive, like you have no idea how. Lessee if this year will be so much more forgiving, considering Saturn is now highlighting my natal 8th-10th Houses, hehe, conjunct my Venus & Mars, jeezus. Remind me to make a yearly forecast for myself again STAT via my Tarot cards.

Anyway, I'll also be celebrating my 8th anniversary for my brand, & with that said, I'm giving away further quick card readings online on my Facebook Page. If you haven't Liked me yet there, please do. Remember, my offer ONLY applies for the time specified, on that post where it would be announced, & for people who actually have subscribed to my Page. I just gave away readings earlier, so I'll be having another round by next week, Holy Week-ish. Probably Black Saturday, who knows? It's usually one of my favorite days of the year. Stay tuned, as I could offer quick readings for up to 13 people in an hour's time. Or even 21 (+8), hehe. Whatever. I like keeping people on their toes, as it's all part of the fun.

If you're still up for Tarot readings face-to-face along the Makati CBD, I'm available next Monday, March 25th, from 11:30am-3:00pm. Email me at sp.lovecraft[at]gmail[dot]com for your schedule. If I decide to take up Intuitive Anatomy right after Easter Sunday, my next schedule should be on Tuesday, April 23rd, 10am-6pm. Let me know, & have patience with me. I have already increased my rates by more than 20% since last year, especially now that I'm doing  ThetaHealing®, so please be advised. (You get more than what you're paying for, anyway, like your astrology explained, one free follow-up answer via email or FB, angel/crystal/color therapy, & feng shui advice!) But I'm working on a loyalty program for return clients, which should include a free 30-minute birthday/holiday (whichever comes first) reading online (via IM) for every 3 paying referrals. I'll keep you all posted, especially those already eligible for the offer. ♥

If you have any questions or comments, let me know here! I want to know who else is reading my posts. If you're brave enough, I can even give you your Tarot card for the day on the spot! :P

For now, let me leave you with an ardent young client's message to me via SMS a few hours ago:

"You're super blessed with your gifts & I'm sure a loooot of people appreciate it." --Anj

Thanks so much! I really hope so! Happy weekend, everyone! Have a very sweet 2013!

"What I Wish My Tarot Clients Knew"

This article is from The Tarot Lady's blog. Funny how I was cooking up my own take on this one, but I might as well repost this here, for you clients, both old & new, to understand how we do care about what we do & how we love our Tarot cards but how we have to overcome the hurdles of our day-to-day reading drudgery for others: 

I deeply care about you but I won’t attach myself to your issues.  Tarot readers are sensitive creatures.  We have to create strong boundaries in order to preserve our own inner peace.

I can’t remember your readings (I do a “reading dump” at the end of the day).  I can barely remember my grocery list. Trust me on that.

Last-minute appointments throw my mojo off.  My day is strictly planned and I don’t like surprises.  Sorry but you’ll have to wait.

A tarot reader practices a lot of self care – you should too.  You deserve it.

You don’t have to be unhappy.  You have every tool available (including therapy) to change your life.  Your future is always up to you.

There are no guarantees.  Don’t seek that from the cards or from me. The only person who can give you a guarantee on your life is you.

I can’t read for everyone. Nothing personal. Sometimes we just don’t gel.  Keep searching and you’ll find a reader who is a better fit for you.

Don’t waste your energy on past loves. The present is all that matters.  What will you do with now?  Start with loving yourself.

You must take action if you want your life to be awesome.  Sitting around waiting for your “luck” to change leads to a whole lotta nothing happening.

A tarot reading is rarely if ever 100% “accurate”.  If you are seeking 100% accuracy, that’s a mighty tall order.

When you call me for a “chat as a friend” and it ends up with you dumping on me and asking me to “toss a couple of cards” or give you “my vibe” on the situation, I feel very taken advantage of.  (This is why my phone is always off – I won’t allow this any longer.)

Everyone has their turn at the wheel.  Life is always in motion.  Don’t get angry if life doesn’t always go your way.  Roll with the punches.  This too shall pass.

If you walk in the door proclaiming that you “don’t believe in this stuff”, I don’t find it charming or funny.  It puts me on the defense and creates a hostile environment.  Would you like it if someone did that to you at your job?  Probably not.  If you don’t believe, I really don’t have any interest in proving a thing to you.

Likewise, if you choose to sit mute in the reading or wish to “test me” with trick questions, I hope you realize that you are making my work feel like an onerous chore.  Be friendly and don’t play games.  We’ll get along much better.

When the clock is off, my mojo is turned off.  And no, I don’t walk around “reading energy” or prying into other people’s auras.  It’s invasive. I like to mind my own karma.  (Oh, and that perplexed look on my face is not about you – I’m probably stewing over last night’s Mob Wives episode because that is where my brain goes when I am not working.)

Not all tarot readers are witches (I’m not one).  Nor are we all gypsies, psychics, con artists, women, pagans, crones, druids, or any of the other stereotypes you may have heard.  We come in every shape, size, color, gender, sexual orientation, background, belief system, etc.  

Tarot isn’t only for divination.  In fact, tarot originally started as a game – and it is still played as one to this day.  Tarot can also be used for creative prompts, conscious decision-making, self-development, a therapeutic tool and more.

When you ask the same question over and over to get the answer you want, my cards get rebellious and I get aggravated.  Don’t do it.  

Tarot is not “evil” nor the work of the devil.  In fact, it’s quite neutral and depends entirely on the intent of the reader and client.  Most readers want to help, not harm.

Bitter is not a good look on anyone.  Don’t be bitter – be better.

You do not have a curse on you.  If you believe that, you have taken your own personal responsibility out of your current circumstances.  If your life feels crappy, you can change it.  It’s always up to you.  As my mother said, “your life is how you make it”.

No ones gets spiritual by holding on.  Let go.

What feels so horrible and difficult right now will bring deep understanding later.  You’ll look back and see it differently.  BREATHE.  It gets better.

Your future belongs to you and is yours alone.  Focus on you.  Don’t worry about everyone else. Live fully. Be present.

In the end, you’ll realize that this was all just one big, joyful journey.  Love the life you have now because it will end one fine day.  And that’s the only future you can count on.

Now here's what *I* have to say about what she said, & what I personally have to say about being a Tarot reader:

1) I can actually remember most of your readings. But forgive me if I say I can't remember at the top of my head. Don't ask me out of the blue what was it that I said to you before, especially when I've had a long busy day doing readings, especially in person. Take responsibility. Jot down important dates & other details I give. But don't get disappointed if my timings don't happen right on the dot. My readings usually happen & manifest, but the timing could be off. So I recommend a 2-3 month-long timeframe in general, unless otherwise specified. & I have people who can attest that what I say here is true. I myself am shocked when people declare that what I've told them (& insistently warned them about, sadly) occurs vividly, right before their very eyes. I am happy, then, to be an Oracle like that.

2) I care about you but I've learned the hard way that I can't be really friends with my clients, even if I actually want to. People are still selfish, & they think just because they're paying clients, they can shrug me off or order me around. I actually can't take it when actual close friends barge in, demanding for a reading, without even asking me first how I am. & I'm hypersensitive like that, I know when your "how are you?" is mere lip service. Fuck that. I appreciate all my clients' generosity & I try as much as possible not to take advantage of that, & I always pay it forward by tipping people generously who provide service for me in turn, for starters, but I know when to draw the line. & please, I may come across as stronger & wiser than you, but I'm very much frail, too.

3) I can schedule you at the last minute, but do your part in relaxing yourself before having a session with me, or else suffer from delays & actual postponement. & please, I am not a morning person. Don't expect me to respond to your calls & text messages until around lunchtime. Sometimes I may actually text at odd hours (like 4am-6am) for schedule announcements because of my erratic body clock & operating hours, & I apologize profusely in advance, but I don't expect immediate replies, anyway. Better check this blog for schedule listings as it's much easier & less obtrusive.

4) Please give me my space when I say I'm out having a massage (very necessary purging bodywork for me) or on some far-flung place having a "vacation" (to clear my aura & recharge my decks). Don't demand me for answers when I will be back. I will get back to you ASAP (& again, just please check this blog for updated schedule listings).

5) Don't expect me to cheer you up everytime. I usually handle my readings with humor & lots of empathy, but know I'm just human, too, & with bad hair (& skin!) days, especially when I have my period. I usually recommend things that help make me sane & happy, but I understand what I like may not be your thing, but it doesn't hurt to take my word for it, yes? Try it, & see/feel for yourself. :)

6)  Indeed, there are NO guarantees. But in the last 10 years of my studying the cards & how they relate to our daily lives, I know the cards don't ever lie. What I strive for, then, is to become the most accurate reader/interpreter that I can be. But I'm not perfect. Nobody ever is. There are actually psychics out there who are astoundingly accurate, but I don't ever claim to be like them. My psychic powers are still budding, & I still really dread that "P" word, but I know when my hunches are correct. Sometimes I don't even need the cards to foresee something. But that's fucking tiring to do 24/7, & at the end of the day, I just wanna be a regular girl simply going out for rock gigs, urban art exhibits, food, cocktails, light conversation, boy-watching (wtf), & a bit of shopping (which I still hate, only mandatory), hehe, when I'm not at the beach.

7) I try to read for everyone, everytime, everywhere. But in my horrible experience, I CANNOT (& NEVER WILL ANYMORE) read for too strong personality types anymore. For crazy, desperate, shrieking women who actually should end up in a fucking psychiatric ward than allowed to be let loose in society. For fucking skeptics. For older men, & much older (past 50 y/o) women.  For the dull-witted, inarticulate profanum vulgus. For the stingy / matapobre / cheapskates. For blah corporate events. Not to be an elitist bitch, but my Mercury in Virgo in the cusp of my 7th-8th Houses has barely any patience left anymore. I love reading for precocious youngsters, from 7-18 y/o, though. With supervision & permission from their parents, of course. They make awesome company, & even if I don't wish to have my own kids ever, they make me think twice about that idea.

8) I personally have my pathetic inability to move on from the past, especially from people who've hurt me, but I'm trying my best. I still get wistful from time to time, but this Venus retrograde (which should last until around the end of June) is helping me purge everyone fucking toxic from my consciousness for once & for all. Take advantage of this time as well to do your own exorcism of your own demons/psychic vampires.

9) I share with you what I personally enjoy/indulge in/struggle to do, to let you know how even I have to manage Life by my own. I'm human, too, & I may have actually suffered way more than you. Your problems may not be as gruesome as mine, trust me. So be happy now. Be more determined to crawl out of your rut now, whatever it takes, the same way I always nearly die clawing out of mine.

10) Again, Tarot cards never lie, but don't ever expect 100% accuracy every single time. My "batting average" is at 90-95%, but don't ever bug me to give you updates on when will your fucking desires manifest as foretold. Be patient, I can only tell you that they will happen, but I can't magically pull them out like a rabbit out of a hat. For the nth time, like I always say, if that's what you're expecting me to do for you, then go find your own fucking freak show.

11) Just this month, it has disheartened me deeply that people I've become close with just barge in with offhanded demands to have me read their cards & tell them what the fuck is in store for them this year, without even asking me first how I'm holding up & if I'm actually in the fucking mood to read Tarot at that time. Punyeta. I'm not like that at all. I ask politely, or whine with warning, if ever I do need help from anyone. The only person I can ever bug (sometimes thoughtlessly) is my Virgo brother, whom I love to bits, but he's family, anyway. Though I really appreciate my Cancerian best friend who knows exactly what I'm going through & what to say to me, especially when I so least expect it, because she knows me very well, even without my ever prompting her.

12) & NO WAY WILL I EVER READ FOR FUCKING SKEPTICS ANYMORE. I RESERVE THE FUCKING RIGHT TO WALK OUT OF YOU BITCHES SHOULD YOU DECLARE THAT YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN THIS SHIT. I CAN PROVE SKEPTICS WRONG MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, TO THE POINT OF EVEN HAVING THEM ACQUIRE THEIR OWN CARDS & STUDY THE DAMNED SUBJECT, BUT IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN THIS SHIT & WON'T EVER TRUST ME TO SHOW YOU THE WONDERS I'VE PERSONALLY SEEN TAROT CAN OFFER, THEN DON'T WASTE MY PRECIOUS TIME. I FUCKING HAVE NO TIME NOR ENERGY ANYMORE FOR YOUR SHIT, EITHER.

13) I may just wander about like the regular girl I'm always assuming myself to be at the end of the day, but yeah, I may pick up other people's energy just like that & babble about astrological trends as if we were just talking about the weather & other trifles, but please, don't expect me to do that everytime. I try to detach & "unplug" as much as I can. Even if I may be really fond of you, but if I'm not in the mood for that, please don't force me to comply.

14) & yeah, I may be younger, more outgoing, more liberal, more profane, more colorful, more upbeat, & more outlandish than your average reader, but that doesn't mean I'm any less "authentic." I collect decks seriously & I can use all of them VERY proficiently whenever the mood arises, & I don't need to adhere to fucking stereotypes to let people know I'm a passionate, intricate, devoted Tarotist. You don't need to see me go actually goth to prove it. I have enough Scorpio/Plutonian influence to depict my "darkness" (Sun & Pluto in Libra in the 8th House, Pluto trine Ascendant, Venus {semisextile Pluto} + Mars {sextile Saturn} in Scorpio in the 9th House). Fuck off.

15)  Again, my take on Tarot is that it's art & mysticism in motion. Everything I've always been interested in (art, religion, spirituality, philosophy, psychology, subculture) is all quirkily encompassed in a box of cards. It's always a good icebreaker along like-minded folk, & an amazing tool for creative brainstorming for more left-brained, stodgy types. & again, my approach/style is lighthearted & humorous & pragmatic. You can blame my Cancer Moon in my 5th House in Gemini, & my Jupiter in Leo in my 6th House, & all my happy Sun-Mercury/Midheaven/Jupiter aspects for that.

16) I've learned the hard way to pay attention to my cards when they show me scary images, & to not insist on my desired answer, & I only beg of them to show me the truth, & ways for me to accept that truth. Again, what I've learned from them is that, if they show me something good, I find ways to make that manifest, & if not, I find ways to avoid whatever's undesirable coming my way.

17) No, I don't offer past-life regression or hypnosis. I'm still working on reselling Tarot decks locally. I work with Western-style feng shui (leading to chakra balancing via colors & crystals) & astrology, & I hope to learn Reiki soon. I also work with candles (I collect them, too, LOL; the more scented, the better!) to tap into my weaker inner Fire & Earth energy (I'm more Air & Water, & I need more structure & stability & drive now).

18) Read my existentialism repost again, please, that came before this one, & realize the importance of living your life in the present tense. Take charge of your life. Tarot readings can help, but only up to a point. Get going. Know that tempus fugit, YOLO, hehe. To quote this Rage Against The Machine song, "What better place than here? What better time than now?

19) I'm working on the really prompt delivery of my emailed readings. Please bear with me if it takes more than 7 days to do so, especially if your questions are that complex. & no, I will not rip you off, satisfaction guaranteed.

20) Please email me for inquiries & appointments at sp.lovecraft [at] gmail [dot] com, & please note that I won't be available for face-to-face readings from June 3-9. Please also be friendlier & don't just interact with me on my Facebook page for quick complimentary readings. & if you have time, please read through my older posts for other interesting snippets you might come across that could help you with your respective dilemma. :)

To quote again The Tarot Lady, "What do you want to know about tarot or tarot readers?  Or what do you wish people knew about tarot?  Post your comments and questions in the comment section below." Have a happy weekend. ♥

time to wake up

Scary music video of teh nao:




Warning: NSFW. Soul-harrowing. But hopefully enlightening just the same.

I actually get a kick out of this song, but this video shuts me up. "The world is a vampire set to drain," indeed, but with what I do, & with the more aware people I talk to, I still know & believe that there's hope for us all. Despite repeated heartbreak & disappointment. Despite hunger, poverty, torture, debauchery. Despite death.

 "Despite of my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage," but at least I know better now than I did many years before. & let me share with you this article by Alex Green (found this piece in my email & I thought it was spam, but oh, joy!) that validates everything I'm struggling for, especially whenever I'd be in a crisis & I've got no one else to turn to:

Who, exactly, are the existentialists and what do they know? Existentialism is a philosophical movement that came about in the late 19th century. It is not some abstract set of theoretical truths. Rather it is a no-nonsense philosophy that encourages you to take a hard look at your life and ask two essential questions: Who am I and how shall I live?

Its goal is to awaken us from our slumber, have us grab life by the lapels and start living authentically. Unfortunately, there is no particular school that offers a systematic account of existentialism. Its founders were fierce individualists who avoided labels, detested "isms," and refused to be lumped into any group.

So there is no grand philosophical system here. Essentially, existentialism exists at the intersection of the essays of Friedrich Nietzsche and Jean-Paul Sartre, the novels of Albert Camus and Fyodor Dostoevsky, the religious writings of Soren Kierkegaard and Paul Tillich, and the plays of Harold Pinter and even William Shakespeare (particularly Hamlet and King Lear). Clearly, existentialism is older than the term itself. The philosophy is based on six general themes:

1. Acceptance of the Absurd. Each of us drops unexpectedly into this world, in a universe where time – at least as we know it – has no beginning, space no end, and life no pre-set meaning. It is an inexplicable mystery. This realization is hardly new, of course. Ecclesiastes kicks off with the words "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity. What does man gain from all his labor and toil here under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). Existentialists believe that it's only when you confront the fundamental absurdity of life that you begin to live honestly.

2. Personal Freedom. Life itself may be meaningless, but you give it meaning when you begin making important choices. These, in turn, reveal who you are. With freedom of choice, however, comes responsibility. Taking ownership of your decisions means not blaming your parents, your spouse, your teachers, or anyone else for the shape of your life. More responsibility brings greater freedom. And with it: hope.

3. Individualism. Existentialists are keenly aware that society continually pulls us toward conformity. There are immense social pressures to go along, get along, and live pretty much like everyone else. Existentialists challenge you to buck conventional wisdom, express your true nature, and follow your dream, whatever that may be.

4. Authenticity. Most people are so consumed by desire, guilt, fear, or anxiety about what other people think that they find it almost impossible to follow their true calling. However, it's only when you begin to do what you want – and not what others expect – that you begin to live authentically. But expect resistance. Institutions want to mold you. Other people want you to go on their trip. It's far easier to live unthinkingly as part of the crowd. Yet authentic individuals are in control of their own lives.

5. Passion. Being passionate and engaged is crucial. This doesn't mean acting crazy or hysterical. Quite the opposite, in fact. Existentialists believe you should devote yourself to a cause, one that you're willing to organize your life around, perhaps even die for. For Kierkegaard, that passion was the pursuit of truth. For others, it may be artistic expression, healing the sick, or building a business that employs hundreds and serves thousands. In all walks of life, you'll find that passionate men and women are more purposeful.

6. Acceptance of Death. Life is finite. Yet existentialists don't see this as a reason for pessimism. Facing death is what forces you to take life seriously, use your time wisely, and make meaningful choices. It should invigorate your life. As the character Andy puts it in The Shawshank Redemption: "Get busy living or get busy dying."

Nietzsche, the philosopher most closely associated with existentialism, refers to it as the noble ideal. Your life, he argues, is an unwritten book that only you can write. Or, he says, visualize your life as a kind of artistic project, except that you are both the sculptor and the clay. This concept runs throughout existentialist works.

Martin Heidegger counsels us to learn to "dwell poetically." Kierkegaard says, "to exist is an art." All existentialists agree that life has the meaning you choose to give it. Sartre even declared that man is "nothing else but what he makes of himself." This view is fairly widespread in the West today. But it was once considered revolutionary.

No matter how things stand in your life, you choose how to interpret your situation. You choose how to respond to it. Even if you do nothing, you still have made a choice. There is no escaping the consequences of your actions – or your inaction. This makes some people profoundly uncomfortable, of course. They don't like facing up to the world as it is. They don't want responsibility. It's easier to blame others, circumstances, or "the breaks."

Existentialism, however, is known as "the no-excuses philosophy." You may be old. You may be broke. You may be sick. But existentialists say you start from where you are and move forward.

How? By accepting responsibility and making choices.

This isn't always easy. Pursuing authenticity requires relentless self-examination. It exposes you to things about yourself that you may not want to know. It may cause discomfort or friction with others. But inauthentic lives, by comparison, are shallow, trivial, and unsatisfying. They are often marked by the dogged pursuit of material goods, social status, or the approval of others.

In many ways existentialism is a return to the roots of philosophy, a return to the ancients' concern with truth, virtue, and the art of living well. Existentialism offers a guide to the perplexed. It shows us not just how to live, but how to flourish, how to create meaning in a senseless world. Those who reject this philosophy often do so not because they don't understand it but because they can't face it. And that's unfortunate.

Existentialism provides a practical way of thinking about the world. It offers personal freedom and empowerment. It is a path to dignity and nobility. An existentialist doesn't live as though he has forever, frittering away his time and putting off until "someday" the things he really wants to do. He or she recognizes that each day, each moment, is precious and irreplaceable.

Are you an existentialist? Only you can say, of course. But perhaps you should be. Carpe diem.

I think I've wasted enough time already to realize what I'm missing. I should be in hot pursuit of what I really want now, especially that the rainy season's catching up with what I wanna do. I want to explore water sports all the more, for starters. I wasn't able to enjoy diving & snorkeling much 5 years ago during my Solar return. Maybe tomorrow will help. I want to be physically strong again for the things I used to do & love, like biking, yoga,  iceskating/rollerblading. I want to be spending my money on things that make myself & my environment look inspiring, instead on stupid hospital bills & drugs. I know I can do it. I just lost track of what I'm supposed to be doing, thinking my soul could use a break from it. I was wrong.

 Never ever lose your individuality & purpose in life, no matter what happens, no matter how distracting other things & people are. Let all those other things & people complement & enrich you,  instead of merely sidetracking you from your goals. Ask yourself what you are here for & why do you need to fulfill that raison d' etre. I know what I'm here for. 

since it's the season of giving again...

Due to insistent public demand, I'll be bringing back my quick Tarot e-mail readings. This is again a limited offer, only until December 30th (please take note), so grab it while you can. Remember, you get $5 bucks off a 2- or 3- question order (see drop-down choices). & again, it's best if you frame your questions so you get more clarity that way. But if you don't really have anything in mind, & would just like to see what the future holds for you, that works, too. (Remember, in the end, only YOU can make decisions for yourself! YOU create your OWN future!) Kindly let me know upon placing your orders via PayPal. These make wonderful virtual Christmas gifts, yes?

2011 Yuletide Tarot Reading Special!

1 Question $15.00 USD 2 Questions $25.00 USD 3 Questions $40.00 USD

Now here are a few Terms & Conditions to this offering:

1) This offer is only available via PayPal. Expect an immediate response up to 24 hours for your 1-question reading, & up to 48 hours for your 2- or 3-question reading.

2) Remote readings via bank or GCash are priced differently, so please be advised.

3) I might ask for additional details, such as pertinent names & birthdates for a quicker connection & a faster reply, so I do not appreciate apprehension or resistance in any way. DO NOT BE RUDE TO ME, EVER, especially if this is your first time with me. I reserve the right to NOT respond to you should I feel any "test-the-psychic" vibe or aggression at your end. This may seem counterproductive, considering I'm offering this special in the spirit of gratitude, generosity, & love — but I really want full cooperation from my clients. I will keep all results & transactions confidential. If you don't think you can trust me, then don't even bother wasting MY time.

4) Before getting a reading, even if you're deathly stressed, make sure you're relaxed, open to all possibilities, & neutral to whatever outcome. I will not tell you what you just want to hear. If you're hearing all these things from me that you feel aren't directly related to your original question, rest assured these are (cosmic/psychological) messages you have to take heed & act upon immediately.

5) I do not judge. I am very open-minded. I can be even talked to about sexuality. I still feel I personally have to know more about that dreaded subject, but whatever I know about it, theoretical or otherwise (teehee), I will gladly share with you, as long as I feel it is relevant to your question(s).

6) You have the opportunity to clarify any part of your reading once your request has been delivered. I will provide a follow-up response within the context of the original reading, & usually that will suffice. But if you have additional questions which require further cards to be drawn or a deeper level of insight to be discussed, you will be advised to request a second reading, & another payment must be sent.

7) I have a right to refuse to read about certain issues, btw, & will only focus on issues that directly concern you. But if you insist on restricted topics to be covered (e.g. death, lottery numbers, virginity), then I cannot continue with the reading. Please be advised that I do not offer refunds. I have never issued a refund before. My time per se to discuss readings with interested parties HAS value, as I can be making more productive use of that by dealing with other clients who are gracious & cooperative & considerate enough to work with me for their own development & uhm, entertainment.

8) My reading style & attitude may be too flippant for your taste, & maybe you can blame my natal Moon in my 5th House trine Venus & Sun-Jupiter sextile for that, for starters. But I am serious & passionate with what I do. The effort that I've exerted into honing my craft alone in the last 9 years is a testimony to that, don't you think? But I prefer offering practical, fun solutions; as well as a stress-free approach to your dilemma. I have a low tolerance for stress, anyway, & I'm very sensitive. I prefer optimism at all times. If you think that's too perky = "good to be true" for you, then maybe I'm not your reader. Please note you can't just compare me to the stereotype. While the usual may go goth, for example, I may go frilly + bubbly + dainty (even if I don't usually dress up in person LOL). I like the Light, & I'll stick with it. But I have my dark side, of course, no thanks to my intense Plutonian nature (Sun + Pluto in 8th House, Pluto-Ascendant trine, Venus-Uranus conjunct in Scorpio).

9) Again, I'm here to offer help. Even if Tarot readings are mainly for entertainment purposes, not to be used as substitutes for actual professional assistance.

There you go. 9 important pointers to represent 9 whole years of Tarot reading. I can't wait for my 10th anniversary. I'm so grateful to the Universe.

So email readings are just as good as face-to-face readings, & they are very detailed & personalized. No, I don't go pasting generic meanings of the cards I've drawn. I relay them exactly to your situation, & say things as you need to read/hear/know them. They're also convenient if you want concise answers, & when you're on the go. If you've read my first FAQ listing, you'll get further ideas on what to expect when availing such a service from me. Satisfaction guaranteed, no matter how cliché that sounds.

I usually respond right away, shortly after the receipt of your questions, so don't worry. If you still want to meet me for a face-to-face reading, especially after a quick reading, please email me so we can schedule one ASAP.

So far, my next available reading schedule in person would be:

Tuesday (December 20) 3pm-5pm
Sunday(December 25) 2pm-8pm
Tuesday (December 27) 3pm-8pm
Monday (January 2) 2pm-8pm (tentative)

If by any chance you order an email reading from me on those dates, I will not be able to respond to you until the next day. & NO email/IRL readings on Christmas Eve (December 24) or New Year's Eve (December 31), PLEASE.

For more information on how I do my readings per se, please read my FAQs. Take your time doing so, & get your questions ready. It will help you relax (a major requirement before getting your cards read) & focus on what you really need to know + do. & I've learned the hard way that I won't ever need to coax an inquiring querent for a session — it's either you're truly up for it, or not. I only inform my contact list of my schedules every now & then so I'd be able to streamline my tasks. Please note that what I do isn't mere fortune-telling; it's more often than not a cathartic 2-way street, with a little creative brainstorming (especially for business or career decisions) thrown into the mix. If you haven't tried this before, but you're raring to go, do yourself a favor, then — I'll be more than happy to assist you! :D

Anyway, have fun, & leave a comment here for instant feedback! ♥

Give yourself & your loved ones the gift of quick insight this season! Happy holidays! :P

& it's that time of the year again

There's something about birthdays that I both dread & long for. Mine's coming up in 10 days. I've resolved that this year would be more exciting, despite the whole laidback vibe with my Cancerian best friend Zhy (Aquarius moon, Aries rising) & my Virgo brother whom I still call Sonny (so much for our childhood nicknames at home) even if he's more commonly known as Lem or Rey among his friends (Virgo moon, Pisces rising). I'm making it a point to spend it with only the most reliable people in my life, along with a few choice acquaintances (that is, if they do decide to show up at the last minute). But yeah, I'd rather spend that day with the people who've really never let me down throughout the years, despite their unpredictable, independent selves.

& I really want my dad's rundown garden revived by then. I've started a couple of weeks ago by buying orchids (the main attraction in my dad's collection a decade or so ago) & having our trusty memorial park stead caretaker Larry (who's coincidentally Libra, too, woohoo!) prepare the space for bluegrass & all these empty flowerpots waiting to be refilled. I kinda want a Japanese-style garden despite the already existing trees in our yard, but even if I'm itching to have it landscaped right away, I'm challenging my dormant creative self to work a few tricks on the space, especially with the fact that I still need to save up for that & we actually have very little room for my rather grandiose Zen ideas. Now that Venus is in my sign, I guess it's perfect timing to have this project taken care of completely. I'll make sure that by the end of my actual Venus return in Scorpio (by December), everything will be in place. ♥ I want a cozy nook each for worship & for entertaining, a small herb garden at the back, & flowers to brighten up the chi at home. I can't wait to get a Japanese stone lantern, wishing well, & maybe even a small birdhouse set up! & the New Moon in my sign soon is what I feel the most auspicious time to have it all taken care of. I really hope I can take care of things. Our old housekeeper who's snarky as hell but who also did a major contribution to keeping the garden promising is still a hindrance to my plans, since her lack of aesthetics is sooo irking the shit out of me on a daily basis, but I'm hoping for a break from all this. Thanks to feng shui I've realized where our growing problems are coming from, & they'll have to end this month. Next Monday & Wednesday are going to be crazy days, but I'm taking a break from it all on my birthday week, so if you folks want a personal reading at the last week of September, you might all have to wait until October 1st. (I can manage to read remotely by then, though, just please let me know in advance.) My schedule listing's updated at the sidebar now, so just please check that from time to time. :)

Now if it weren't for Zhy helping me rearrange my bedroom & giving me ideas how to redecorate a few weeks ago, I really wouldn't have had anything done. I've been so tired & busy & tired all over again (it's a most vicious cycle, I tell you) that I hardly have time for myself at home anymore. But now I feel so much better, & I can't thank her enough. & from now on I'll be more aware & organized, & again, it's the perfect time to do so, since Venus is in my sign & my Solar return's fast approaching. Plus, I might as well take good advantage of things while it's my Mercury return. YAY. I'm done with Mercury retrograding. It's been wobbly these past few years, so I really have high hopes for this month now. I'll be my old bitchy OC self, sure, but as long as it gets the job done en pronto, I'm happy. & this officially seals the deal: I'm growing old, but yay, I'm finally I'm old enough to really pull this shit off. The Maturity card (cf. Ace of Pentacles) + Ripeness (9 of Pentacles) from my Osho Zen deck lovingly affirms that fact. Lessee if my reviewing The Secret helps! :P

Of course I had to consult my own deck if this whole gardening frenzy's recommended & timely, despite Jupiter currently on retrograde. I got Past Lives (cf. The Moon), Trust (cf. Knight of Chalices), & Breakthrough (cf. Strength + Justice), via my Osho Zen deck. I'm sooo on the right track, then! Time to let go & live in the now, while still honoring the past. Thank you so much, Universe! & there's that huge Lunar influence right there.

I really have so much to thank the heavens for. The Universe does answer our prayers, even if it takes quite a while. But patience is indeed a virtue, as cliché as that may sound, & I hope you also find the time to be utterly grateful for all the goodness you still have in your life. Nobody's perfect, & we're all still yearning for so much more everytime, but that shouldn't stop us from being hopeful & open to all wondrous possibilities just the same.