I could hardly wait to receive my Angel Tarot cards from Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine.  First of all, I was very excited about the prospect of diving into Tarot within the angelic realm. By Desiree Szabo I had been reading the Confessions of a Tarot Reader by Jane Stein, The Secret Power of You, and thumbing through the booklet and Radiant Rider Waite Deck.I had been cross-referencing the two decks to see what was similar and what was different. So, before I embark on this mystical journey, I thought to ask my readers, “What are your thoughts on Tarot?” What is the first impression when the word is mentioned to you? What do you first pick up? Is it clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, or claircognizance? Something will trigger a reaction in you. Become aware of what is happening to you. Does Tarot give you a sense of awe, wonder, and delight? Or do you want to run away, close the deck, or shake your head; no voodoo for me. I have had a tug-of-war affair with Tarot since my early twenties. At first, I was just in awe, skeptical and just curious. In the seventies, metaphysical shops were hard to find.  My first experience was the Psychic Eye metaphysical bookstore in Sherman Oaks. I had entered a world that was not familiar to me. I felt that I actually had landed on another planet. Red and black figured candles, skulls, daggers, amulets, gargoyles, Indian dream catchers, incense, mythical books, the scent of sage, Tibetan chanting music and of course, Tarot Cards. It was always dark and you could not see in front of you. Half the time I was afraid of my own shadow, not knowing if a ghost, witch, or a warlock would jump out at me. Summoning my inner bravery, I got up the nerve to ask the storekeeper, who looked like someone from a Halloween haunted house, how to get a tarot reading? I was told to pay $25.00 for fifteen minutes, which I handed to the storekeeper. I was literally shaking in my boots, when I was told in hushed mumbo jumbo sentences that did not amount to a whole sense to me, to follow her through a scarlet beaded curtain to my reader. I exchanged names with my reader, Bahaina, and sat down.  She prayed first to Mary Magdalene and then started to ask what I wanted to know. She shuffled the cards and laid them out on her embroidered tablecloth. By the time my reading was over, I was more confused, perplexed and light headed than ever. The experience seemed surreal to me. I thanked Bahaina and ventured out into the shop. I still was drawn to the familiar Rider Waite Deck. I opened the deck and looked at the pictures, carefully thumbed through the brief pamphlet and put it back down. I shook my head and walked out the door, not sure why I ventured into the Psychic Shop in the first place. I really did not know why I came there in the first place. I tried to recall the information when I went home and wrote it down for future reference. Years later, I met a wonderful reader, Suzanne Wagner, who gave me an insightful reading. It was done in Montecito, California in a yoga studio that she rented out. Such a different experience than what I had encountered before.  My journey took me into the Angelic realm. I kept feeling that an Angel Tarot Deck should be made. Sure enough, Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine came out with one last year. I was very pleased when they decided to teach online certifications on Basic and Advanced Angel Tarot, which I heartedly jumped into. It seemed exactly what I was looking for. Here is a bit of information on Angel Tarot that I would like to share with you.  A properly attuned Angel Tarot reading contains a story.  It is actually like a movie, which has a beginning, middle, and an end. Along the journey you embark you will have peaks and valleys. You have free choice for the outcome. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards. I liked how the deck is portrayed from birth to old age. It describes in length major events and turning points in your life. Again, revert to the movie formula. Marriage, pregnancy, relationships, career changes, and personal challenges are in the Major Arcana. Major Arcana: O – Dreamer Archangel Michael The angels bring you this card because you’re entering a new and exciting phase of your life; leaps of faith, creative, solutions, unexpected opportunities. Archangel Metatron is the overseer of those new to the spiritual path, and to young people. Call upon him for help in committing to take that first step, moving forward, allowing your dreams to manifest. 1 Dreamer The Magician The angels bring you this card because it is the right time to begin your new projects. No more procrastination! Magical occurrences. Concentrated efforts.  Unexpected resources. Archangel Raziel is the wizard-like angel of spirituality, of secrets and mysteries, who will open doors of opportunity. 2 The High Priestess The angels bring you this card because the answers you seek lie in your feelings and emotions. Silence is golden. Study spiritual topics. Keep your dreams and desires to yourself. Learn from emotional situations. Archangel Haniel is the goddess-like angel of grace and feminine spirituality, (such as intuition and clairvoyance). Call upon Haniel to increase your clarity in connecting with the angels. 3 The Empress The angels bring you this card because your creativity and hard work are bringing you great rewards; abundance, spending time in nature, indulging in creative and artistic projects, loving and nurturing yourself or others.  A time of excellent emotional or physical health. Archangel Gabriel is the messenger angel who guides and supports expectant and adoptive parents, as well as those involved in ‘newborn’ creative projects.  She will inspire your creative juices to flow if you call upon her. 4 The Emperor The angels bring you this card because it is very important to cultivate logic, discipline, and order right now. In other words, as my dear friend James says, stay focused. The desire to be a success. Stability. Making wise choices.  Security, Government agencies. Law enforcement. The respect of others. Fatherhood. Archangel Michael is the angel of strength and protection who oversees everyone’s life purpose. Call upon Michael for courage and strength as you make important and necessary life changes. 5 Unity The angels bring you this card because working in groups, teamwork and effort enriches your being. Experts or mentors. The search for meaning in life. Having faith in a group of people. Schools and spiritual institutions. Archangel Sandalphon is the archangel who delivers prayers from Earth to heaven. Call upon him to increase your faith and commitment to your dreams and goals. 6 The Lovers The angels bring you this card because a significant relationship is on your mind.  It may be romantic in nature, or it may be an intimate but platonic friendship. The need for balance. A return to good health. Marriage and weddings. 7 The Chariot The angels bring you this card because you have successfully balanced a recently challenging situation. Self-discipline. Sheer willpower. A great leap forward. A promotion or award. Modes of transportation. Archangel Metatron can increase our motivation and energy levels so that you’ll accomplish your priorities. Metatron uses the Merkaba to warp time and enables you to instantly manifest your dreams into reality. 8 Justice The angels bring you this card because you are trying to make a decision. Doing what’s right. Taking responsibility for your actions. Resisting injustice. Standing up for your beliefs. Issuing or accepting an apology. Archangel Raguel is the archangel who creates harmony within relationships, and who can help you make decisions that involve other people. 9 The Hermit The angels bring you this card because you’d benefit from spending time alone, listening to your inner voice. Good advice. Finding or becoming a mentor. Self-discovery. Reevaluation of plans. Going on a spiritual quest. Archangel Raziel offers sage advice to spiritual seekers, including guidance about esoteric concepts, interpretation of your sleeping dreams, and past-life memories. 10 The Wheel The angels bring you this card because of the positive changes that are occurring in your life. Good luck. A happy accident. Balanced karma. A twist of fate. Destiny. Archangel Michael is the Supreme Being who works beside you through changes, giving you courage, strength, and self-confidence. Call upon Michael whenever you’d like specific guidance about your next step, especially if it’s connected to your life purpose or spiritual path. 11 Strength The angels bring you this card because you need to know that you are stronger than you realize. Patience. Forgiveness. The courage of your convictions. Using honey instead of vinegar. Archangel Ariel is the angel of the spirit of nature. Call upon Ariel for strength and support if you’re worried about finances, material needs and desperate times. 12 Awakening The angels bring you this card because it is time to review your plans and look at things from a new perspective. Epiphanies. Selflessness. Unexpected life changes. The need for patience. The power that lies in being oneself. Unusual solutions. Archangel Gabriel is the angel who helps people become Divine messengers of love. When you speak, think, and act from a place of love, others are irresistibly drawn to you. 13 Release The angels bring you this card because it is time to move on because this project or phase of your life is now complete. Inevitable positive changes. Facing your fears. Relationship transitions. Spiritual evolution. Archangel Azrael heals your heart with changes and losses about grieving. Call upon Azrael to help you move forward fearlessly and let go of the past. 14 Balance The angels bring you this card because they are cautioning you against making impulsive decisions or moves right now. Keeping a moderate pace. Cooperation and blended ideas. Self-restraint. Finding the balance between action and contemplations. Waiting for better timing. Archangel Zadkiel helps you remember who you are in terms of your true spiritual heritage as a child of God. Call upon Zadkiel to increase you self-esteem and feelings of self-worth and deservedness. 15 Ego The angels bring you this card because the entrapment that you are feeling isn’t real. Refusal to face the truth or to take personal responsibility for this situation.  Temptations. Dependency. Excessive debt. Archangel Jophiel helps us experience beautiful emotions and think beautiful loving thoughts. Call upon Jophiel whenever you need a boost in how you feel about yourself, your life, and the world. 16 Life Experience The angels bring you this card because a recent event has been a wake-up call for you to make some life changes. Liberation. Suddenly seeing the truth.  Rapid, inevitable change. Time running out. Archangel Chamuel can help you find whatever you’re seeking, including right relationships and a Divinely guided career. Call upon Chamuel and then follow your intuition, which is the way this angel speaks to you. 17 The Star The angels bring you this card because you have every reason to have hope and a happy expectation. Wish upon a Star!  Faith. A sense of purpose. A prosperous new beginning. Being on the right path. Archangel Jophiel is the angel of optimism who helps us develop a sunshiny outlook and attitude. Call up Jophiel to help you celebrate your victories and stay optimistic about your future. 18 The Moon The angels bring you this card because you have been worrying, been insecure, and afraid.  This is the time to go within and tap into your powerful intuition and psychic ability.  Paying attention to your dreams. Unseen events that are affecting your illusions. Archangel Haniel has long been associated with the full moon, intuition, and clairvoyance. Call upon Haniel for help in developing, trusting and following your spiritual gifts and Divine guidance. 19 The Sun The angels bring you this card because it is a time in your life when everything is wonderful. Your dreams are beyond your expectations. Joy. Public recognition.  The attainment of great personal insights. Vibrant and/or emotional health. Archangel Uriel helps with mental functioning in clouding focus, and concentration. Call upon Uriel to spark new ideas and solutions, as well as to increase your confidence in your intelligence and wisdom. 20 Renewal The angels bring you this card because you are either near the end of a project or at the crossroads, on the threshold of making an important change. A landmark decision. A career or job change. Moving in a different direction. A new beginning. Jeremiel is the archangel who helps you evaluate your life so you can clearly decide upon appropriate changes. Spend time alone with a pad of paper and a pen, and call upon Jeremiel to help you review what needs to be transformed, healed, or released. 21 The World The angels bring you this card because you’ve happily completed something of great importance. They’re congratulating you on a job well done. Perfection. A move to the next level. Receiving an award. A new house or job. Complete clarity. Cosmic awareness. Recognition for the use of your talents. Freedom. Minor Arcana The Minor Arcana represents more ordinary day- to- day life events. It is divided into four suits or elements: fire, water, air, and earth.  The Minor Arcana cards are numbered 1 through 10, plus the court cards, Page, Knight, Queen, and King, for each suit. Court cards could represent a situation or a person in a reading. Pages and Queens represent females and feminine men. Knights and Kings represent males or masculine women. The earth element is fairies, the air is unicorns, water is mermaids, and fire is the friendly dragons. What I liked about the Angel Tarot Deck is that a teenager could use it. The Angel Tarot Deck was created so that the gentle, soothing and life affirming words and images were depicted. The messages are uplifting, positive, and are Agape Love. An experienced Tarot reader may feel that this Angel Tarot Deck is too Disney for their taste. Although I find the deck to be refreshing, light, safe, trusting, and accurate. If you feel that you have an urge to purchase a Tarot Deck, I recommend this deck wholeheartedly. I give all my acknowledgements and gratitude to the authors Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine.

Desiree Szabo is an Angelic Interpreter who sheds gentle light on life’s toughest problems. She can help you to see the light through prayers, healings, and angel card readings. For angelic counseling, she can be reached by phone at (818) 200 7431 and by email at adoredangel@live.com and adoredangel@yolasite.com.

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