Many people are either fearful, or skeptical of tarot cards, simply because they do not understand what a deck of tarot cards consists of. Here we will shed some light on the mystery so you to can use these cards to your full potential.

To first understand how the cards are used in a modern day setting, we must examine their history. A deck of tarot cards is made up of 78 cards, and consists of 21 trump cards, 1 fool and 4 suits of 14 cards each. Historically tarot cards were used to play card games in Europe during the 14th century, and the games are still played in Italy to this day. During the 18th and 19th century, tarot cards were adopted by magicians and mystics to perform readings and predict the future. Here the cards began to adopt meanings based on the symbols depicted on the card. Over the years the interpretations have evolved, and to this day different tarot decks are illustrated to depict variations in those meanings.

Tarot card readers divide the deck into the Major Arcana, and the Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana, made up of 21 cards typically depicts a person’s journey through life. The Minor Arcana, which closely match standard playing cards, consist of Ace to 10, and 4 face cards. The four suits represent the four elements. The deck is shuffled and laid out in a pattern, depending on the reader’s preference. From here the reader interprets the pattern formed couple with the cards symbolic meanings and makes a reading.

In the end a deck of tarot cards is the product of centuries of evolution, and is sure to entertain and astound people for generations to come.

Learn to more about tarot card readings and the deck of tarot cards from the comfort of your own home.

Today’s technology has many advantages and a great many disadvantages. I often wonder how our society survived without a mobile telephone. I wonder how I survived without the Internet. I was connected when Prodigy was first introduced on the scene. The pharmaceutical company for which I worked provided a laptop to help me manage my territory or I may have not been so well connected.

One disadvantage of a mobile telephone is the lack of telephone etiquette. People seem to have no manners when talking on their phones. Personally, I do not care to hear another person’s conversation. If I’m having dinner alone in a restaurant, I believe I am having more fun than a family whose parent (usually the Father) is interrupted by a call and does not tell the caller about the personal family time he’s having but continues to talk on the phone. Of course, it’s not my business. I have no idea the understanding that exists between those family members. I do know the call is about business because people tend to talk extremely loud when talking on their mobile phones. That really annoys me.

I have addressed my leisure time away from the workplace where I have observed others and their inconsideration to the general public. At the workplace, impoliteness and rudeness to others when on the phone or not, is totally unacceptable from employees. Since I am a trainer and consultant, I find it extremely difficult minding my own business when I hear conversations employees have with customers, clients or patients. I think of the many opportunities I have to offer assistance to the companies who have not made the connection between untrained employees in the area of proper telephone etiquette (or any area if the employee is untrained) and lower profits. Every connection an employee has with a customer, patient, client (or potential one) is vital to the profits of any company. I therefore offer to you, 20 Telephone Etiquette for Businesses Tips. I’m aware many of these tips are common sense yet I’m also aware common sense is not very common, oftentimes. This list was initially written for dental and medical healthcare professionals but is applicable to any business.

1. Make sure you speak clearly and are smiling as you answer the phone; also identify yourself.
2. Before placing a caller on hold, ask their permission first and thank them.
3. It is better to return a call than to keep someone on hold too long. If the phone rings back to you, you’ve kept them on hold too long.
4. Do not forget to return the call as you promised.
5. Do not permit the phone to ring into the office more than three times.
6. Always use a pleasant, congenial and friendly tone.
7. Never interrupt the person while he/she is talking to you.
8. Never engage in an argument with a caller.
9. Do not handle an unhappy caller’s concern openly at the checkin-checkout desk.
10. Do not make it a habit of receiving personal calls at work.
11. Do not answer the phone if you are eating or chewing gum.
12. Do not give the impression that you are rushed. It is better to return the call when you can give the person the time they need to handle the reason for their call.
13. Learn how to handle several callers simultaneously with ease and grace.
14. Return calls promptly that have been left on voice mail and ansafones.
15. Always get the best number (and an alternate) and the best time to have a call returned to the caller, especially if a manager or another team member must return the call.
16. Do not ever leave a message with someone else or on an ansafone or voice mail regarding details of a delinquent account. Instead, leave a message asking the person to call the “Accounting Department.”
17. Always make collection calls in private and away from the patient flow or public areas.
18. If possible, provide a telephone for patients/customers/clients to use. An area providing privacy is preferred.
19. Do not call a patient, customer or client’s home before 8:00AM or after 9:00PM, unless they’ve given you permission to do so.
20. When hanging up the phone, make sure the caller or person called hangs up first if the phone is slammed on the receiver. Otherwise, always hang up the phone, gently. I recommend a remote, handless headset for the business staff. They are wonderful. This will solve hanging up as you push release on the headset to hang up the phone. Also, it does not tie your staff to their desk. The team member checking on insurance really appreciates this device. (The phone can also be answered if away from your desk.)

Contact me if you’d like to know the make and model of the remote, handless headset recommended. I am not asserting this list answers (no pun intended) all of the issues surrounding excellent telephone skills but it’s a very good start. If a tip does not apply to you or your business, I commend you. If even one does, I encourage you to begin immediately to eliminate it.

Avis Ward is a Consultant to dental healthcare professionals in Practice Management specializing in Case Acceptance and Marketing. More information can be found here: http://aviswardconsulting.com/

Remote viewing is nothing more than seeing something that is far enough away that you couldn’t see it by natural means. It may be another name for telepathy if there is another person sending out the vision, or clairvoyant if there is no other person involved. Remote viewing is related to dowsing because both the viewer and the dowser are looking for something. The ultimate goal might be a lost child or simply water. The difference in the two occurs by the method and the distance each can cover. The dowser uses a forked twig over a small area to hunt for what he wants but the remote viewer has the capability of searching galaxies.

Early studies of remote viewing used average people, not selected for any particular skill in the area. One of them was an actuary, probably the most right-brained of all types. Another included a police officer. They were each given a picture of a gentleman and told to focus on the picture then draw what they believed he was seeing. Almost everyone had most of the elements of the area. Two, the police officer and another, drew the picture from an aerial view and had all the details of the area included. This proved that all people had a form of PSI talent.

This type of tool, gift or developed talent is of increasing interest to the military. Imagine what secrets one would learn if they could be the proverbial mouse in the room. The US government’s project, Stargate, is one that was dropped because, while they did have some remarkable results with remote viewing, the information was not reliable or specific enough to use for military intelligence.

There was a more recent study that began when the initial outbreak of SARS began in China. Rather than test the subject naming SARS. The remote viewers were not given the nature of the location but simply numbers that represented the area where SARS started. They were not told what they were looking for but just to describe what the location and activity. They described rolling hills and an organic element in a liquid that affects the life forms at the site. They noted a square structure with many people present. The activity was described as working socializing, mundane tasks in a controlled environment. Some kept repeating references to what happens to animals after slaughter or restaurants and cooking. They also noted there was a ditch, trench or sewer with viruses and included emotions such as sick or horror with the words “abrupt change from a happy environment to terror” and “very focused on a health matter”.

Even though these viewers only had a sequence of numbers before them and didn’t know what they were describing, they accurately described the location that the SARS outbreak began. It started at a rural location in china where the processing and slaughter of animals caused contamination of the meat and water around the area. It was in the area where the workers were and was from the liquid that contained microorganisms. While this data is only beneficial to prove that remote viewing exists, it’s a beginning.

There isn’t a parent alive that hasn’t worried about their children. Case after case of mothers and fathers knowing that their children were in trouble and often seeing them in their mind’s eye exist through history. A close family link and the use of this PSI talent could prove beneficial for those that have family emergencies and need to contact others.

Conrad Raw is an expert in practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is the author of “Forbidden Secrets Of Personal And Energetic Development.” He travels the world to learn and teach and is the founder of Greater Human Potential, a website devoted to bringing you easy to learn techniques to increase your human potentiol. Visit his website for a free newsletter filled with tons of great tips and advice on how to learn remote viewing

About the origin of the Tarot de Marseilles, we know few things but we can however say that the Tarot de Marseille play appeared in France under the reign of the king Charles VI.

When this poor king became insane, he was locked up in a castle by his wife Isabeau of Bavaria.

She provided him a mistress, Odette de Champdivert, who offered a deck of Tarot cards to him.

In fact, these Tarot cards were composed by 56 pieces of paperboard decorated with figures and signs. This play was used by Sarasins in the Eastern countries.

Charles VI asked to Jacquemin Gringonneur to redraw the figures in order to make them look prettier.

Some claim that the first illuminations of the cards appeared in Italy during the 16th century but the work of Jacquemin Gringonneur is indexed on the journal of Charles VI’s banker (15th century).

The Tarot we talk about here was not a divinatory Tarot but well a card play ; which still exists and is still used in Mediterranean countries as a simple cards play.

Since there are no documents establishing the year when the Tarot cards were created, the opinions are divided and the experts seldom agree between them.

The divinatory “Tarot de Marseilles” was born from the play offered to Charles VI. Twenty-two major arcana were associated to the fifty-six basic cards (minor arcana). Fortune-tellers use more major arcana than the minor arcana.

The graphics of the Tarot de Marseilles look medieval style and reflect perfectly the concerns of our ancestors, who were very superstitious and interpreted all what they saw.

Here are the 22 major arcana:

I. The Magician,

II. The High Priestess,

III. The Empress,

IIII. The Emperor *,

V. The Pope,

VI. The Lovers,

VII. The Chariot,

VIII. Justice,

VIIII. The Hermit *,

X. The Wheel of Fortune,

XI. Strength,

XII. The Hanged Man,

XIII. Death or (The No Name Arcana),

XIIII. Temperance *,

XV. The Devil,

XVI. The Tower,

XVII. The Star,

XVIII. The Moon,

XVIIII. The Sun *,

XX. Judgement,

XXI. The World,

XXII. The Fool **

* for example, classification “IIII” and not “IV” highlights the progression of the Tarot de Marseilles play.

** The Fool is the 22nd arcana but is generally not numbered.

The 56 minor arcana are split into four suits:

- Spears,

- Cups,

- Coins,

- Swords

which include each 14 cards that are numbered from 1 to 10, or Ace through 10 and 4 noble cards; which are: the Page, the Knight, the Queen and the King.

During the Middle-Ages and later, these suits were associated with the social classes: Coins with the Traders, Cups with the Clergy, Swords with the Nobility and Spears with the Peasants.

Dominique Halet
For more informations about “Tarot cards reading”, feel free to visit The Tarot Cards, your Tarot cards online guide.

Understanding Tarot card explanations can be a very daunting task - especially considering the host of meanings and explanations available. If you are a beginner reader, you may probably be reading / consulting the various meanings and explanations that are given in a book. So how do you know which meaning (out of the several available in the book) applies to that card in that particular reading?

Here are some simple ways to understanding Tarot card explanations and applying the right one at the right time:

1. The most straightforward way of knowing which interpretation applies is to refer back to the question that had been asked. See the different explanations offered in the book and choose the one which is relevant and which applies to the question which was asked. Leave the other explanations aside. Don’t worry about them.

2. Another method of knowing which interpretation applies is to listen to your gut feeling when you open the card. You already know the question. So keep an open mind and open the card, and say the first thing that comes into your mind when you do. I know this sounds a little crazy - but this is the best way to get the most accurate interpretations. Because, here you don’t let your ‘mind’ and your ‘logic’ to interfere with your intuitive processes. In fact, this is the best method of stirring the intuitive processes within you. This is a method which most experienced Tarot card readers advocate - because with practice this has been found to be the most reliable method to follow.

3. Normally readings consist of several cards. So to determine which interpretation to apply, look at the surrounding cards - the card before and the card after this card, to know the entire interpretation in the right context. The various cards in a reading are always connected to each other and this helps you along the way when you are determining which interpretation to apply to which card.

4. The position of the card in the spread also helps determine which interpretation to apply. The same card will give a different meaning in the ’situation’ position as compared to the ‘advice’ position or say in the ‘past’ position compared to the ‘future’ position.

5. See how the card falls in a spread - is it upright or is it reversed? There is a big difference between the meanings of the same card in the upright and in the reversed positions. Again, to determine which among the host of meanings from among the given meanings apply, refer to the various steps given above.

Thus, from this we can see that there are several ways of determining the right interpretation and explanation of the Tarot card. Due to this process, often you may even end up finding out some new interpretation of the card. Don’t forget to make a note of these new interpretations in your journal.

If you want to learn more about understanding Tarot cards, just visit my website and sign up to my free newsletter.

Teresa Caro is a tarot card enthusiast and professional tarot card teacher. She has written a book on reading tarot designed to help the beginner read for them self and others. You can learn more about her book and sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.ReadingTarotCardsRevealed.com

If you like to know about aura colors and their meaning, you are reading the article you are waiting for. Shortly, you will learn the aura color meaning for 7 of the aura colors, but this is by no mean the exhaustive list.

Towards the end, I will show you where you should go to read more about aura colors and their meaning so stay with me.

Why is the topic on aura colors so fascinating? One of the reasons is because aura colors reveal a person’s character and also the emotional, mental, spiritual and physiological truths. The other is the air of mystery surrounding this topic. No one seems to be able to tell you accurately what each aura color truly mean. Do you know why? I’ll tell you shortly.

First, allow me to provide you the aura color meaning for the following colors.

Blue: Composed, relaxed, maternal, attentive, communication, tranquil

Brown: Unspiritual, unsettled, anxiety, nervous

Gray: Depressed, pessimistic, negative

Green: Intelligent, direct, a natural healer, quick thinker

Orange: Creative, inspiring, compassionate

Purple/Violet: Protected and dominated by pure and radiant love, spiritual

Pink: Intuitive, psychic abilities

You may have realized that each aura color takes on several meanings. This is because aura colors carry specific meaning for every individual. That’s the reason why, and hence it’s not possible to put down a single meaning to each of the color.

So you have to be cautious, and not conclude immediately that purple aura means significant advancement in spiritually pursuit.

My advice to you is to get more background information of the person that you are providing aura colors interpretation, in order to give more accurate advices.

It’s easier if you are performing aura colors reading for yourself. Check out your aura color and be aware of the emotional, mental, spiritual and physiological experiences you are having at that moment, because that is exactly what that color means to you. This is probably the best advice I can give you on aura colors interpretation.

Learn about other aura colors and their meaning, or get more information, tips and advices on other aura, at CrystalsBay.net.

Go now to find out what the transformational power of crystals can do for you.

From: The Crystals Metaphysician - Glen Lim

This weekend, I was thinking: most of us are brought up to do the right thing under all circumstances, even when it is to our disadvantage. When we find something that someone has lost, we pick it up, and our first instinct is to take it to an authority figure who can hold onto it until the person who has lost the object finally claims it. While such desire to reunite the lost object and its owner seems very noble, when we scratch the deeper layers of symbolism and meaning, it rather speaks of our blindness and deafness to the ways higher powers communicate with us.

Two years ago, when I was walking the streets of Rome, suddenly my feet stumbled on a key on a keyring lying on the ground. Naturally, I picked it up, and my first instinct was to hand it to the bus station attendant nearby. Funnily though, as I was contemplating that, I felt I was pulled in the opposite direction: “keep the key, don’t give it away”, I kept hearing it in my head. But because I listened to my rational self as opposed to my Higher Self, I trotted up to the attendant with they key. He looked at me blankly while I basked in my nobility towards careless keylosers and told me that he could not be bothered with taking the key. Yet, another sign, that I was blind to back then.

In the face of this obstacle, I started to look at the key from a fresh angle: perhaps I should really keep it. From the dark recesses of my mind messages demanded to be heard: the key represents the key to the questions you have been asking lately… this key will unlock mysteries and will shed light on what you have wanted to know… I felt really torn between the social expectations and what I felt was the right thing for me to do.

In the end, I compromised: I kept the chain but threw away the key. If I were a person confident in listening to her Higher Self, I would have done it the other way around and would have kept the key instead. But because I was still in the process of finding ways to connect with my Higher Self freely and unconditionally, I kept the chain and threw away the symbol. I did not listen to what I deep down already knew.

I paid dearly for that mistake. Weeks later, as I was reading one of my Gypsy books on magic, the following was revealed to me: whoever finds a key, finds the key to love. Ironically, at that time, I was desperately searching to unlock the mysteries of love both present and past. It took me another year and a half of painful research to get somewhat close to my goal. During that time, I never forgot about the key that came to me so symbolically. I never forgot that I threw it away despite its profound symbolic significance to me.

Now, especially during sensitive times, I keep my eyes open for messages from beyond. I have had two other symbols coming to me in the past two years. I kept them and cherish the messages they brought to me. Encourage your clients to be open to symbols at critical times in their lives. Tell them not to feel bad for the person who has lost the object they find. The object has left the original owner and has come to them because it is with them that it can serve its purpose the most. Tell your clients to think about what message the found object has for them.
Cherish what comes to you easily… those are symbolic gifts from above.

Esther Gombor, a Hungarian-born romantic, has managed to finally dispel the mysteries surrounding her own life and everyone else’s who has asked for her help. She is the author of the book: Fortune Telling with Gypsy cards; Dispel the Mysteries Surrounding Life and Romance. Her fabulous guide to reading illustrated fortune telling cards is the crystallized essence of her native Hungarian culture, her extensive traveling throughout Europe and her Master’s degree in Italian Medieval and Renaissance literature. Although she lives in Toronto, Canada, where she writes, she spends most of her summers in her native country to keep on researching more secrets for her next book. The article here comes from her daily blog GYPSY BLOG CAFE accessible through her personal website: http://www.gypsyfair.com.

If you want a crystal to attract money, and draw wealth of all kinds, then the best crystal for wealth is the Citrine.

The Citrine crystal is the best of all crystals to attract money and wealth.

Like all crystals, Citrine has particular and specific qualities related to healing, and magical and spiritual purposes

This stone is in fact any quartz crystal or cluster that is yellow or orange. It’s name is derived from the French word for lemon “citron.” Citrine is really quite rare and is usually formed with Smoky Quartz or Amethyst, presenting a two-coloured stone called “Ametrine.”

Citrine is renowned for drawing unlimited wealth, abundance and prosperity, but can also aid in developing and enhancing confidence and courage.

Healing Properties

Citrine is linked to the solar plexus Chakra, and so is known to aid the digestive system and help with the treatment of digestive disorders.

Known also as the “happy stone” this crystal can help with feelings of being lost, depressed and provides strength and comfort when presented with major changes, promoting confidence and security.

Magical Meanings

Spell Casters and those who perform magical rituals will use Citrine because of its ability to disperse negativity, attract positivity, and promote mental clarity.

It is useful for people who require boots in confidence and creativity, and help in solving problems or riddles.

Most of all, this crystal is used to attract wealth and abundance.

Spiritual Purposes

Being linked to the solar plexus Chakra, the Citrine is beneficial in stimulating mental clarity, focus and endurance, and as such is very useful for lengthy meditation. It energises the mind and the body and gives new impetus to the facing of challenges and mysteries.

It is useful for meditations when grieving, feeling lost or depressed as it encourages confidence and courage.

Like many crystals, the Citrine promotes intuition and the sixth sense and promotes the development of psychic power.

Alison Yates wrote this article. Download her FREE Psychic Ability Guide here: http://www.alizons-psychic-secrets.com/free-download.html

To learn more about Crystals, and how they can help you in all aspects of your life, visit http://www.alizons-psychic-secrets.com/crystals.html

Before publishing your book develop your platform, as it can be very helpful for selling your book. I stand on my platform as I share my newly released debut novel. The platform my feet are planted on has become a good vantage point for attracting a wider audience. Because of my pre-existing platform marketing my self-published book (yes, I’m a POD) is do-able than those authors without one.

Authors, self-published or published by a publishing house, must be very active in marketing. As I have heard, books don’t sell books, people sell books — authors must get out there all the time to book events. And, if you have written something that can be linked to your, already established profession and/or reputation (famous or infamous) then you are ahead of the marketing game. You are now a draw.

When I wrote my first fictional novel I developed a story around what I knew and had experienced such as being a Scottish immigrant, living in San Francisco and going to Catholic school with the nuns, the early days of the 1960’s Haight Ashbury scene and also, my platform, psychic abilities. That is the draw for book events. People come to see me for that more than just for my book and this is my selling point to bookstore owners.

Because I am a POD (beginning to enjoy that title) I’m not acceptable to the bigger bookstores but small, independent ones are often willing to take a chance with me because of my platform. The bookstores want me to bring in people. When they want to know, who will come to see you? why? I tell them about my, already established clientele base. I have chosen stores in areas where my clients are.

Here are some of my humble thoughts: before your book is at the publisher — while you are still writing, develop and/or strengthen your platform. Start a blog page to write about what you know. Share your expertise on your subject. Create a “ask me” column. Maybe as you write you’ll want to share some excerpts. Invite people in your professional and personal life to your blog page.

Use your platform to find people willing to help you. Get them as excited as you are. I’m thankful that all my years as a professional psychic because it has allowed me access to a larger readership for my novel. My client and student connections spread across the United States are as eager to read my novel as they are to get an appointment (well, maybe not that eager) or see what else I’m offering. This fall when I go on a book tour to New York and Florida, I’ve already announced it. Clients are already setting up private parties. Some willing to do some contacts with radio shows they’ve worked out.

I use my Scottish immigrant experiences. Since my story includes Scottish dialog I read it with a strong burr and the listeners love it. My audience wants to know what it was like “back in the day” in San Francisco’s Castro area - what was the early days in Haight/Ashbury like? All of this I bring to my book reads besides the psychic part.

Make your adventure with your audience at book readings interesting and unique. Pump them up. Give them more than just a read, give them a view of what you know and have experienced.

People want information, entertainment - do they want you?

Blessed be. So mote it be.

See what readers are saying about my newly released novel, The Skye in June at http://www.juneahern.com and read a sample chapter at catholicpagan.typepad.com

1. Awareness. This is a critical element in developing your native psychic talent. Be aware of what’s going on in the world around you. Be aware of what’s going on inside too.

Don’t clutter your mind with lots of to do lists and other idle chatter. For some this is very difficult and will take some practice. If this fits your case then meditation can help. There are lots of excellent sites that can teach you meditation for free.

2. Don’t Edit. That is, don’t discount even the smallest flashes of intuition. Maybe you find just the perfect parking spot. You may say to yourself it was just coincidence. When you do this, you are cutting off communication from your psychic self.

The left-brained ego driven part of you is very quick to explain away things it doesn’t understand. Your psychic gifts come from a much higher part of you that the ego cannot comprehend. Be open and take note of every little psychic glimmer.

3. Don’t try too hard. When you are first starting out with psychic development, you are somewhat like a kid in a candy store. You want everything and you want it now. This is actually counter productive to your ultimate goals.

Remember if you have been ignoring your psychic gifts all your life it will take some time for them to come out and flourish. Keep up a steady practice and results will come with time. This leads us to our next element for success with your psychic development — patience.

4. Patience. Of course many disciplines teach us that time is an illusion. That all that exists is the here and now. Unfortunately this doesn’t make waiting for something any easier, especially when we are very eager to obtain it.

Try to keep in mind that your psychic ability is already there. You only have to train yourself to tune into it. Perhaps you might try affirmations such as “I now accept and give thanks for my psychic gifts.” Perseverance overcomes all obstacles.

5. Stillness. This has a lot to do with item one. But it goes deeper. You must find that still inner space in order to access your psychic senses. If meditation does this for you great. If spending some quiet time by a waterfall or the shore helps then do that. Whatever it takes learn to quiet your mind, center and ground yourself.

You may have heard me say before that your psychic voice does not shout at you above all the “monkey mind” noise. Rather it whispers in the very depths of your soul. You must learn to feel that still, quiet voice within you.

6. Keep your own counsel. It’s wise not to reveal your psychic study to all of your friends. You are of course very excited to be starting on your psychic journey. Your first impulse is to tell everyone about it. Unfortunately you must avoid that tendency.

Some people may be very open to your studies and eager to learn more. However there are still those out there who would scoff at you or even worse. There is no sense in opening yourself up to undeserved criticism simply because some people are not as open minded as you are.

When you find someone you can share with, then you can spend your time with them. But for the most part your psychic journey is a very personal and private adventure.

7. Keep a psychic journal. As with any new endeavor it helps tremendously to record your progress. Your psychic journal is an excellent way to do this. It doesn’t have to be anything too complicated. Just jot down a few sentences about your experiences during the day. Or, write several pages if you wish! It doesn’t really matter. The important thing is to keep track of where you are now versus where you have been — and where you are going.

Andrea Howard is a writer and teacher who writes about intuition, meditation, psychic ability and spiritual growth. She enjoys sharing her knowledge about these topics with others hoping to spread love and wisdom to as many as possible . You may take a FREE quiz to test your psychic ability at ==> http://articles.youarepsychic.com

What on earth is Hermetics? Most people I know have never heard of it, though most have heard of the term “hermetically sealed”. It is very difficult to encapsulate what Hermetics exactly is. It is kind of like trying to define what magic or mysticism is, as it is very nebulous.

Hermetics is basically the study and science of magic, alchemy, and astrology. The word “hermetic” is derived from the Greek work “herm” and the deity, “Hermes”, who was the Greek God of knowledge and wisdom. The term “hermetically sealed” means “airtight” and was needed for the alchemical processes of distillation and purification.

Early Hermetic writings emerged around the 2nd century CE with developing Christianity. It revolved around a compilation of books, known as the Corpus Hermeticum. The Corpus Hermeticum consists of many books that contain esoteric teachings, many through dialogues between Poimandres and Hermes, and Asclepius to his son, Tat. The teachings involve a variety of philosophical subjects from the nature of the soul to the primary elements of the universe.

One of the most fascinating Hermetic writings is The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus. Legend has it that Alexander the Great discovered The Emerald Tablet in a cave at Hebron. On the tablet was written the three parts of wisdom; known as astrology, theurgy and alchemy:

“Truth without falsehood, certain and most true, that which is above is the same as that which is below, and that which is without is the same as that which is within, for the performance of the miracles of the One Thing. And as all things are from One by the mediation of One, so all things have their birth from this One Thing by adaptation.

The Sun is its Father, the Moon its’ Mother. The Wind carries it in its’ belly, and its nurse is the Earth. This is the Father of all perfection or consummation of the whole world. Its’ power is integrating if it be turned into earth. Thou shall separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, suavely and with great skill and ingenuity. It ascends from the earth to heaven and descends again to earth, and receives the power of the superiors and all the inferiors.

So thou hast the glory of the whole world; therefore let all obscurity flee before thee. This is the strong force of all forces, overcoming every subtle and penetrating every solid thing. So the world was created. Hence we are all wonderful adaptations of which this is the manner. Therefore am I called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. This completes what I have to say concerning the Operation of the Sun.”

Probably, the most famous Hermetic quote cited from the Emerald Tablet is “That which is above is the same as that which is below and that which is without is the same as that which is within.” This is really the basis for all Hermetic or magical operations and defines a correspondence between the microcosm (ourselves) and the macrocosm (universe). What is happening within us is connected to what is happening around us. By learning about ourselves, we can learn about the universe and conversely, by learning about the universe, we can learn about ourselves. Everything is connected to everything else in the universe. And because everything is connected to everything else, that is why, magic, alchemy and astrology are possible.

Hermetics is also an oral tradition. The esoteric teachings are handed down from teacher to disciple, even in this day and age. Though, Hermetic teachers may be hard to find. Probably the best text for the practical aspects of Hermetic principles is Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon. In this work, we see the philosophical, psychological and practical applications of Hermetics clearly outlined to help guide the aspirant towards self understanding and universal awareness.

I am a Hermetic. I was initiated into the Hermetic tradition at Lotus Temple in Chicago, Illinois many years ago. I have studied and practiced Hermetic principles in my daily life. It is amazing to see how these principles work in reality. Today’s scientists scoff at the notion of magic, alchemy or astrology as silly superstition. But there are many questions being raised in the field of quantum physics regarding the nature of reality and consciousness itself.

Matter, when closely observed is not as solid as it appears. It is composed of millions of swirling atoms, protons and electrons that are moving in a magnetic field. Looking closer still, there are even smaller quantum particles that alternative between existing as a wave and particle. And, it has been found that our consciousness has an effect on these particles. There is a connection between the observer and the observed, between our inner universe and the outer universe. I think as time goes by, science will have another look at the ancient esoteric arts and see them in a new light.

I have witnessed the application of Hermetic principles in my own life. I have experienced amazing phenomenon from materialization and control of the elements to exploration of the inner planes through astral projection. Many people have witnessed miracles and magic in their own lives. It is not fantasy or the exuberant imagination of storytellers. Hermetics is a spiritual discipline where the laws of the universe are studied and applied to explore the microcosm and the macrocosm towards ultimate Self-realization. Inscribed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi was the phrase, “Know Thy Self”. This is the heart of the Hermetic quest.

Jill Lowy is author of Yoga and The Art of Astral Projection and her website is: http://www.TheAstralYoga.com

Zac Efron

Disney Teen Star Zac Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California to David Efron and Starla Baskett. He has a brother, Dylan, and has two Australian shepherds Dreamer and Puppy, as well as a Siamese cat named Simon. When he was eleven years old he was cast in the musical Gypsy, a role that lasted for 90 performances. He went on to appear in the stage productions of Mame, Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Music Man. After leaving the stage he became a cast member of Summerland where he remained until taking a role in the 2006 hit Disney cable movie High School Musical.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus as born November 23, 1992 in Nashville, Tennessee and developed her knack for performing while watching her dad perform. Her dad is country music singer and actor Bill Ray Cyrus. After appearing as an extra in a few of her dad’s projects, she got her first chance to act opposite him in a recurring role on the television series Doc. From there she went on to star on such shows as Love Boat, The Next Wave, and appeared in the Tim Burton film Big Fish.

She is currently starring in Disney Channel’s new live action comedy Hanna Montana where she plays Miley Stewart, a 14 years old girl leading a double life as pop singer Hannah Montana.

In real life Miley recently relocated to Los Angeles from Nashville with her parents, sister Brandi and Noah, brothers Trace and Braison and their dog Loco. The family left all of their animals, which include seven horses, three dogs and two cats back in Nashville under her grandmother’s care.

Now in her spare time in Los Angeles, she enjoys talking on the phone with friends back home. She also follows in her father’s footsteps by writing music, playing guitar and singing. She reports that her musical influences are pop singers Kelly Clarkson, Hillary Duff and Ashley Simpson. Miley also enjoys dancing and cheerleading.

http://www.disneychannelstars.info
http://www.zac-efron-fansite.info - Star of High School Musical, High School Musical II and Hairspray
http://www.mileycyrus.info - Miley plays Hanna Montana (BIG, BIG, BIG with the kids!)

Do you think you may be developing your own psychic abilities? We all have them to a lesser or greater degree, because the study of quantum physics has shown that we are all connected in the universe. An interesting observation was made in the film “What the Bleep Do We Know” - that the very thing (our minds) that perceives the tangible world around us, is itself intangible. The meaning behind this lies in the way our thinking conscious mind operates. It is not the “brain flesh” that does the thinking, but the hologram inside (and around) our skull, that the brain produces.

Understanding this premise helps us to understand how psychic abilities are possible. All the universe consists of atoms and electrons which modern discoveries tell us “pop in and out of existence”. In other words, the universe is fluid in time and space - and the hologram of our thinking self is but another manifestation of this process. Thus, we are all connected.

Other studies have shown that the brain’s hologram is quite powerful. Scientists once stood outside the room of a dying woman who was hooked up to their gadgets that measure brain activity. She was praying intensely as the end of her life drew near - but the most interesting thing was that the output from her brain activity registered a strength many times greater than the strongest emission from your local radio tower. Thus, we are all connected in the universe.

The thing that distinguishes the psychic, is their ability to be more aware of this connection than the rest of us. The question then remains: Can “the rest of us” realize the same awareness? Can anyone become psychic?

Awakening psychic abilities could be likened to tuning a TV or radio. Both these items need you to tune into a particular band or frequency to get the program that you want. The human holographic mind is no different. Have you ever felt a sudden awareness that someone is watching you, or thinking about you? Have you had a sense that the phone is about to ring, or that something unusual is about to happen - and it does? These are very minor examples of our mind tuning into a particular frequency in the universe. In the first example, it might be picking up someone else’s brain output focussed on ourselves. In the second, it is tuning into a far wider combination of energy output.

Psychics are people who either have a natural ability for, or have purposefully developed, the skill required to become consciously aware of the many ’signals’ that are normally received at subconscious level. Some develop this ability around puberty, while others have a sudden and quite frightening, awakening later in life. It is believed that the pineal gland, otherwise known as “the third eye” is associated with this phenomenon.

The bottom line is, that anyone who has a desire to awaken their psychic abilities should know that with the right kind of help, it is quite within reach.

Peter is a professional researcher and author on topics of interest. For further information about awakening psychic abilities, visit http://awakening-psychic-abilities.com

Human behavior is abnormal by default, because the truth is that the human being is a very absurd and cruel animal.

The big irony of the continuation of the work that a psychiatrist began, by a literature writer like me, is exactly the fact that balance, psychic, emotional and mental health are not based on rationalism, but on sensitivity. Poetry and philosophy helped me perceive what all cold scientists could not see.

They were not able to discover the truth about human nature because they didn’t give any importance to sensitivity, considering anger as a “normal” human reaction.

However, anger is an abnormal behavior, since it leads to violence and terror.

What is logical and what is absurd are very intriguing matters. Many of the reactions considered as “normal” ones by the psychiatric world and by common logic, are in fact totally absurd, which can be noticed in the end, when we see their tragic results.

I have studied human logic and behavior since I was 15 years old, but I could only understand it when I turned 28 years old, and I discovered the anti-conscience at the bottom of the human psyche. This is the wild and violent conscience that everyone inherits from birth in their brain.

I found it as I was interpreting my dreams and learning about the unknown content of the human psyche.

Carl Jung abandoned his research, afraid of the craziness that he knew that existed there.

I had to continue though, and face the primitive monster that exists inside the wild part of the human conscience.

This was how I discovered that the cure for schizophrenia, psychosis, hysteria and all existent mental illnesses is the elimination of the domination of the anti-conscience in the human side, and today you can protect your mental health for sure, before becoming its victim.

I have cured many people translating their dreams for 20 years now. I discovered the wild anti-conscience but I discovered also the solution: the obedience to the wise directions of the unconscious mind in our dreams.

There is too much craziness accumulated in the anti-conscience. Real absurdity, like the feeling of pleasure with terror, as we have seen in many horror movies, believing that this cannot be real…

Craziness and terror are synonyms, the same way that craziness and evilness are synonyms as well.

The primitive animal that exists inside everyone’s brain is still active and keeps trying to dominate their human side, in order to destroy it and take its place.

This wild animal provokes abnormal behavior and suicidal tendencies to the human conscience, pretending that it is human.

It misleads the human conscience, making it follow its absurd thoughts, which are camouflaged by a false logic that the human conscience cannot perceive as false.

Thanks to the scientific method of dream interpretation and my courageous research, today you know very well what exists inside you and what you have to do in order to transform this wild and dangerous monster in a positive part of your human side. This way, this part will make you more intelligent, instead of trying to imprison you in the labyrinth of craziness.

Many people dislike the idea of being considered crazy, however the craziness existent inside everyone is not a result of their own faults. This is an inherited content.

The human being is not responsible for the absurdity of the monster he comes from.

This means that you are not really crazy yourself, but you carry in your brain a dangerous brother who is too crazy.

On the other hand, your human conscience is absurd too, because it is under-developed and it follows the absurd desires of your ego…

This means that if you want to be sure that you’ll really keep your mental health for life, you have to learn how to translate your dreams according to the scientific method and transform your worst enemy in a positive part of your human side without delay!

Prevent Depression and Craziness through the scientific method of Dream Interpretation discovered by Carl Jung and simplified by Christina Sponias, a writer who continued Jung’s research in the unknown region of the human psychic sphere.

Learn more at: http://www.scientificdreaminterpretation.com

Click here and download your copy of the Free ebook
Beating Depression and Craziness

Many people have the question “Do Subliminal Messages Work?” That is an excellent question and it has a very simple answer, yes it does :).

How do I know they work? Because there have been many studies on them. In the 50’s our government spent hundreds of thousands in studies concerning subliminal messages. The result were great.

Perhaps the most famous experiment was done in movie theaters in the 60’s. A researcher by the name of Dr. James Vicary flashed messages up on the theater screen saying “I like popcorn” and “drink more coke”. As it turns out there was an increase of 57.8% in popcorn sales.

In 1979, Time magazine reported that nearly 50 department stores in the U.S. and Canada were using subliminal messages to reduce shoplifting. One chain reported 37% less shop lifting as a result of these messages. That is a savings of about $600,000. Wall Street Journal reported similar results in 1980. A new Orleans supermarket credited this system for a drop in losses from $50,000 to less then $13,000 which is an all time low for that supermarket.

An article in the Journal of Counseling Psychology tells about a study by Dr. Kenneth Parker. Dr. Kenneth Parker is a psychologist in New York’s Queens College. He used 60 students and divided them into three groups. He then used a flash with an embedded message that is not perceivable by the conscious mind but only by the subconscious mind. Group one and two received a message designed to increase academic performance and the third group was a control group. After analyzing the data I was found that group one and two not only one average received higher grades but also they retained what they learned better.

Others have reported the effect of subliminal messages on behavior, Academics, Weights loss, stop smoking, temper flare Ups and many other things.

Do subliminal messages work? Yes they do work! We have seen not only our government research it but also practical examples of it’s use.

Interested in learning more about this topic? Want to use subliminal messages for yourself . . . Check out subliminalmsg.blogspot.com

Dear Gypsies! Corrine came to see me the other day with a very honest question. Her boyfriend of four years left her a few months ago, and she threw herself into a mad sexual whirl: young men came and went in and out of her life, some stayed for a few days, some for a few hours. At first, the men were there as a diversion to dull the pain, but now Corrine fears that promiscuity is no longer just a shield from the pain but also a source of sexual confidence and a way of life that she may not want to give up for a while.

“Initially, the men distracted me from facing the change that had happened in my life. But now I feel comfortable with this lifestyle. The problem is that my friends keep on telling me to stop because they feel what I am doing is wrong. They feel that my life now is morally questionable. What do the cards say? Am I really promiscuous, or is it just a phase?”

I took out my Gypsy cards and laid out first the Triangle spread, and then the Challenge & Outcome spread (see book). In both spreads Death indicated the recent change in Corrine’s life, and Desire showed her current sexual momentum. Constancy said that this period in her life was necessary in order to find her next path, and Misfortune showed that once the flames have burnt out, change will be imminent.

Corrine started to think about what she felt and what her friends were telling her. Through the Gypsy cards she realized that we welcome different phases and episodes into our lives in hope of finding spiritual completeness. That is why a period of monogamy can be followed by a period of promiscuity and vice versa, depending on our current spiritual needs. We all have seen monogamous people suddenly go wild, and promiscuous people embrace monogamy with joy and anticipation. Corrine realized that there was no right or wrong path, only compatibility with the path that lay before us.

Corrine also understood the message of the Misfortune card in this context: once the flames burn out on their own, we are ready for a new path. Once our current energies are exhausted, we will instinctively feel the need to gravitate towards the next thing that will make us feel complete. A period of laziness and inertia is usually followed by a passionate expression of creativity and talent, just like after a period of intense self-expression, we crave stability and peace. Life is beautiful when we embrace its unpredictable fluctuations with our elementary confidence in ourselves.

Through the Gypsy cards Corrine learnt that we all are living through periods that we have instinctively embraced to feel complete. Our current phase is a personal choice, and as long as it does not harm either us or others, it is not to be judged: it is a personal attempt to find completeness.

The Gypsy cards’ advice to Corrine: listen to yourself because no one knows what would be the best for you; we all are at different stages of spiritual needs and development; what is right and easy for one may destroy another. Your phase is your personal choice that you have embraced in hope of finding spiritual completeness and peace. You will instinctively feel when you are ready to move on in a different direction. And that will be an honest and your most productive choice.

Esther Gombor, a Hungarian-born romantic, has managed to finally dispel the mysteries surrounding her own life and everyone else’s who has asked for her help. She is the author of the book: Fortune Telling with Gypsy cards; Dispel the Mysteries Surrounding Life and Romance. Her fabulous guide to reading illustrated fortune telling cards is the crystallized essence of her native Hungarian culture, her extensive traveling throughout Europe and her Master’s degree in Italian Medieval and Renaissance literature. Although she lives in Toronto, Canada, where she writes, she spends most of her summers in her native country to keep on researching more secrets for her next book. The article here comes from her daily blog GYPSY BLOG CAFE accessible through her personal website: http://www.gypsyfair.com