  Spiritual
This week: Pick a Card, Any Card Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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Prayer, studying sacred texts, meditation, communing with nature, chanting, fasting. You may practice one or more or none at all. Spiritual practices are as diverse as individuals. What works for you may not work for me, or vice versa. I like to read spiritual books, watch spiritual programming (Super Soul Sunday is my favorite), write, listen to spiritual music, and spend as much time as I can outdoors. I also love spiritual card decks.
I have many decks, perhaps 20 or more, and I use them often. For me, shuffling the deck and drawing one card at the start of my day (and sometimes again at the end of it) keeps me spiritually focused. I also find them comforting when I'm upset or stressed about something--they help redirect and remind me to stay positive.
Here are my four favorite decks, in no particular order:
 I tend to be drawn to beautiful artwork and own all three of Paulina Cassidy's card decks, but "The Faerie Guidance Oracle" is one of my favorite go-to decks. Each card contains a one-of-a-kind work of art, a word (love, compassion, happiness, inspiration, clarity, change, patience, passion, opportunity, nurturing, meditation, expression, etc.), and an affirmation to accompany it. At a generous 4.5"x2.75", the 40-card deck is soft, pliable, and easy to shuffle. The breathtaking illustrations make me happy, and the positive messages they imbibe are an added bonus.
I decided to draw a card specifically for this newsletter, so I shuffled the deck four times, cut it and drew the "Faith" card. The card's face reads, "Spiritual faith is a devoted assurance of the heart." The 288-page companion book delves a little deeper by offering spreads, interpretations, and meditations for each card and states, "Faith is something to be exercised every day, as it can help you overcome emotional and physical obstacles. It will also get you through hard times and alleviate feelings of uncertainty." Whether I draw a daily card or just look at the pictures, this deck is a surefire way to boost my mood.
 I also like the "Sacred Path Cards" by Jamie Sams, a Native-American medicine teacher. These cards enable me to touch base with my Cherokee heritage while learning Native-American customs. The 44-card deck is large (5.5"x3"), soft, and pliable--easy to shuffle. There's something fundamental about them, and I feel connected to the ancestors and their tribal traditions when I use them.
Again, I drew a card for this newsletter by shuffling four times, cutting the deck once, and drawing the "Burden Basket" card.
A Burden Basket allowed Native American women to gather items while leaving their hands free, and they were never asked to carry more than their Burden Basket could handle. When not in use it was hung outside the home as a reminder to guests to leave his or her personal complaints or problems in the Burden Basket before entering another person's sacred space. I LOVE this idea! Imagine how much better the world would be if we practiced this tradition. The 336-page companion book says, "The Burden Basket teaches us not to drop our woes at the door of another. Relying on ourselves and our connection to Great Mystery teaches us to stretch into our potential. If confusion sets in and counsel is sought, use the advice. Don't waste the precious time of others if you do not intent to respect the wisdom offered." As evidenced above, spiritual decks convey simple truths that, if practiced, will benefit us and those we care about.
 Another deck I really like is "Tarot Affirmations for Positive Growth and Change" by Sally Hill, Ph.D. These cards combine the traditional symbolism of the Universal Waite Tarot deck with written affirmations (five per card) "designed to promote positive growth and change." These cards are made from heavier, larger card stock (5.5"x3.75") and are a bit harder to shuffle because there are 78 cards in the deck. I find it easier to put them face-down and kind of stir them around, choosing one at random.
Affirmations have been in use for quite a while. Not everyone believes in them, but it never hurts to practice positive self-talk. We are so hard on ourselves (I'm so stupid. I'm so fat.)--we're constantly bombarding ourselves with how we're not pretty/smart/funny/thin/popular enough. Is it any wonder that 11% of us are on antidepressants (per a 2011 CDC report)? Personally, I think this is a drastically-low estimate. As a nurse I can tell you that at least ⅓ of my patients are on them, and the numbers are climbing. Then there are those of us who self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, indiscriminate unprotected sex and/or other reckless, self-destructive behavior. Is there anything wrong with telling ourselves we are enough? We are worthy? We are beautiful? I don't think so. In fact, I believe it's necessary for physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing.
Today I drew the Queen of Wands with the following five affirmations:
 I am the power of creative energy; I am in touch with the passionate spirit at the center of life.
I have awakened to the power of creative desire; my inner vision inspires and sustains me.
I am open to the workings of my unconscious and my intuition; I am grateful for the richness at the center of my soul.
I use my spiritual gifts to nourish others; I am generous with my creative gifts.
I enjoy the fruits of my creative energy: a deepening appreciation of my true nature and my connection to a higher purpose.
I like to pick one or two (or maybe all five depending on the day), write them out on separate slips of paper, and carry them around in my pocket for easy reference. It's amazing how reminding yourself of such basic truths transforms your attitude, which in turn positively affects those around you.
 The last deck I want to tell you about today is another Native-American deck called the "Spirit of the Wheel Meditation Deck" by Linda Ewashina. The 40-card deck is smaller (4.75"x3.25"), making it easier for people with small hands (like myself) to shuffle. They are beautifully illustrated, soft, and pliable. The deck comes with a 17"x20" medicine wheel layout poster and a 60-page companion book.
I shuffled the cards four times, cut the deck once, and drew the "Harvest Moon" card. This card signifies abundance, and it reminds us that we are truly blessed.
We're human and we take things for granted. We get bogged down in the day-to-day and repeatedly sucked into the vortex of negativity. Sometimes it's good to stop and take a good long look at the miracle that is your life and the multitude of things we have to be thankful for. The prayer accompanying this card reads, "Great Spirit, thank you for the gifts I receive in my life. I take this time to gather up what I need to prepare for the changes to come."
There are many different schools of thought--innumerable ways in which to exercise our faith, and each person has to figure out what works best for him or her. Whether you try them out for fun or incorporate them into your daily spiritual practice, card decks can beautify and enrich your life … and you can carry them with you wherever you go.
Have you ever used card decks? What's your spiritual practice and how does it keep you focused?
Thank you for reading.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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What might happen when you take a wrong turn in heaven. Second draft.
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The following is in response to "Spiritual Newsletter (October 2, 2013)" :
spidey  says, "I can really relate to this newsletter. I lost my Mom last October, and at Christmas, my Dad gave me a gift Mom had purchased for me months earlier. I didn't hesitate to open it, though, and it was a beautiful blanket with angels on it. It was like she was saying she'll be watching over me.  " Aw, that's beautiful! And I'm sure you imagine it's her arms when you wrap it around you. 
Quick-Quill  says, "Another NL to touch the heart. When my M-I-L passed my husband remembered he had a check she wrote him for something. He still has it, never cashed, tucked in her Bible. Somethings are better left as they are. I was sad to hear the new wife throwing out the old stuff without any consultation. That happened in my family as I did my genealogy. Found one of the daughters burned all her in-law's family possessions when they moved into the farm house, out of spite.  " Yes, that's the one thing I have such a hard time with. It seemed so disrespectful ... of us and my deceased mother-in-law, and I said as much, so I'm not saying anything here that I haven't said to them already. I LOVE the idea of using your mother-in-law's check as a bookmark in your Bible. What a great way to keep something personal of her's close to you. 
monty31802 says, "Very interesting Newsletter leaving us wondering. Thanks for the highlight of my poem." You're most welcome, Monty! And just so you know, my husband has decided to wait until Christmas to open the package. 
shepherd46 says, "This is such a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing it! God works through people in such wondrous and glorious ways." Yes, I couldn't agree more. Thank you for reading and commenting. 
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Spiritual: October 30, 2013 Issue [#5962]
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