Tarot, Yoga, Meditation – A Retreat for Women
Article By Essence of Bali a diary entry
Tarot and yoga go together like two peas in a pod; both practices are spiritual paths that aid the soul through its unfolding. Pushing us forward in unknown territory , unleashing potentials that we can scarcely imagine and with a precise accuracy documented from eon to eon.
Both, similarly help to quiet the mind. The tarot to center oneself to receive the messages coming through, And yoga to use the breath to cease the fluctuations of the mind to allow the greater reality to be seen. Both, inducing higher states of consciousness that every human being has the potential to reach.
Bringing the Two together, creates a much needed bridge between the East and the West that allows a beautiful gift of spiritual and humanistic evolution that our souls have long awaited.
Awakening Through Tarot and Yoga – A Women’s Retreat
Daily Yoga & Meditation | Local Healing visit | Moon Ceremony | Reiki| | Temple Visit | Massage x 2 | Tarot Workshops and readings | Hiking |
“I really love the image of the Hanged Man in the tarot!
I’ve spent the morning pondering over it, for some reason (or no reason at all)…
It reminds me of that state of falling, the experience of boundlessness. Like when we let go, when we surrender our past, our future and fall… into the deep unknown. A little like a meditation in Yoga.
What Zen Master Hongzhi (circa1091) referred to as ‘The field of boundless emptiness’
Hanged Man Major Arcana 12
It’s the 12th card in the major arcana of the hero’s journey or the soul’s journey (we aren’t all heros).
So, it’s a ‘time’ in life when we spend a period alone. Contemplating, soul searching, being, whatever you want to call it.
The hanged person surrenders all that they have learned (information) and gets in touch with their inner reality.
It’s a time of relearning, standing on ones own two feet (or hanging as it were), emptying out.
The image depicts how this person is falling into the unknown but is still ‘tied’ to the Earth or the world, their body.
There is no escaping it, yet they are in a different consciousness. Perhaps an expanded one or one that has flipped things upside down.
It’s an early stage of the journey (arcana 12 is about half way), if you take the major arcana as a linear process (and on some level it’s wise to do so), Yet our journey isn’t linear as far as I can tell ( although it may appear so).
I digress..
The strength Card, Death Card and The Tower Card
So it’s after the Strength card (11) when one begins to gain power (strength) over the ego mind (the chattering mind or conditioned mind), getting it ready to hang for a bit, I suppose. Again like Yoga.
And, it’s before the death card (arcana 13) which is a card of transformation and ego death. And, the Tower card (which is 16th) ,when you undergo a more permanent abiding transformation. So it’s an important part of the Tower journey also; the dismantling of what is in the inner and outer worlds again… and again and again… spiral…
The Fool Card
But, I like to remember that we are the fool (arcana 0), I mean if we got it at zero we wouldn’t have to go through another whole 21 cards would we…
But, that’s another story altogether and has been debated since the beginning of the age of reasoning… without any great agreement.. so I’ll stick to my drawing the cards and see what happens .. with hope that my creativity is the answer after all…
It’s ironic because this card depicts a willingness and a valor in accepting the unknown yet the tarot is often used as a way of seeing into the future… It’s a fine line.
I believe both are true… there are times when we benefit greatly from having insight into our future and times when we must let go and allow. Again the Yoga.
“To the student of the tarot, the images represent the learning of the process of evolution. To any other person, they are pictures and nothing more. “– Ra
Like love, the Tarot and its origins are pervaded by mystery, both historically and by its very quintessence, or its essential nature, as it were.
It is like a deep river of life, of which the current of many esoteric disciplines and philosophies are flowing to, through and from. The streams of astrology, numerology, the Kabbalah, alchemy, hermetics and theosophical geometrical systems ripple through the Tarot like a fish takes to water; naturally, necessarily.
We see also Buddhist and Yogic principles circling though like wild rips in an ocean of wonder. I can hear Einstein’s famous attribution resounding right now “It’s all relative.”
As I’m passionate about all things esoteric, unknown, as well as Yoga and Buddhist principles and have studied and used the Tarot cards (for 30 years) – reading for hundreds around the world (for the past 16 years), I decided to incorporate then into my next Yoga retreat in Bali – The Isle of the Gods and (Goddesses).
I thought it would be wonderful to do morning asanas, have massages, do tarot readings, past life regressions and Reiki sessions and learn about the Major Arcana and how to read the cards.
A dream come true, Right?
Take a look at my plan
Awakening Through Tarot and Yoga – A Women’s Retreat
Daily Yoga & Meditation | Local Healing visit | Moon Ceremony | Reiki| | Temple Visit | Massage x 2 | Tarot Workshops and readings | Hiking |
Daily Schedule
Morning: Gentle Yoga or walking & Meditation, Breakfast, Massage, Counseling
Midday: Lunch, women’s circles and tarot workshops, hiking (We will explore the major arcana as a personal guide to spiritual growth and learn how to use tarot for reading for others)
Afternoon: Massage , tarot readings, free time
Evening: Dinner, Yoga Nidra, Chanting, Silent Meditation, Dancing
Bookings include accommodation , meals and all activities. This retreat is suitable for women beginners or advanced in Yoga or tarot.
Designed to to enhance their creativity in a spiritually nourishing environment. It is also for suitable for beginners who are wanting a relaxing and intimate environment with spiritually focused women and a deeper understanding of the Essence of Yoga and tarot.
These will be small and intimate groups of 6, as I feel this to be a more conducive environment for spiritual bonding and growth, rather than with large numbers.
You can Book April 4-9 2020 here
Warm blessings
Megan
Megan Jackson runs meditation and yoga retreats for women’s healing. She has been immersed in spiritual practice and study for 15 years, living it fully, with humility and compassion as her backbones for progress. She lives a quiet life reflecting on the dharma, being with nature and helping others who are wanting change, transformation or spiritual wisdom.