241 lines
12 KiB
Plaintext
241 lines
12 KiB
Plaintext
EG
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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³ Divination by Tarot Cards ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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The Method of the Skyrian Double Crescents
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By Vere Chappell, 26 August 1988CE, Skyros, Greece
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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The ancient art of divination using Tarot cards has come
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down to us from Europe in the Middle Ages. Today there are
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hundreds of different types of decks available, and "reading the
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cards" has become a widespread leisure pursuit for some and a
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lucrative business for many others. Despite its increasing
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proliferation as a useful and very powerful tool for creative
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insight, self-realization and even psychiatric therapy, several
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popular misconceptions about the nature of Tarot divination must
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be dispelled before its true benefits can be understood.
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First of all, there is nothing supernatural about the cards.
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They do not "magically" arrange themselves into meaningful
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patterns. The mystical practices and rituals associated with
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their use are well-recognized as psychological techniques to
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induce creativity and intuitive mental states. All that is
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required to read the cards is a knowledge of their symbolism and
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the ability to apply it to events in the world.
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The most common decks consist of 22 Major Arcana and 56
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Minor Arcana divided into 4 suits, from which the modern pack of
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playing cards is derived. Each card has a particular meaning
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associated with it, based upon principles of mystical tradition
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and the allegorical symbolism of its artwork. Designs vary
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immensely from deck to deck, but the meanings of the various
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cards are remarkably consistent across decks.
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The power of the Tarot lies in the nature of its symbolic
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imagery. Each card represents a basic human archetype which has
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been identified and refined through the ages. Many principles
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fundamental to the religious consciousness of mankind are
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embodied in its system of correspondences, such as the duality of
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female and male (yin and yang) and the four classical elements of
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earth, air, fire and water. Its roots extend back to include
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influences from astrology, alchemy, magick, numerology, kabbalah
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and mythology. Together they form a complete, complex and highly
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detailed composite picture of the universal spiritual experience
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which is our heritage.
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If symbolism is the language of the thinking mind, the Tarot
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provides a catalyst for understanding the fundamental means by
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which we operate. The way it works is simple: a set of basic
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symbols with standard meanings is applied to an individual's
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experience. In looking for correlations with the cards, one's
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attention is drawn to the ways in which one is in agreement with
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them. Thus the Tarot provides a direct line of conscious access
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to the unconscious mind by allowing the explicit expression of
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feelings and intuition.
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This "tapping in" to the unconscious can be beneficial for
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determining one's true feelings regarding any matter and acting
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upon this knowledge. With its firm foundation in psychological
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principle, the Tarot serves as an important resource for
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consultation and a valid means of spiritual exploration.
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[ 2 ]
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Origin of the "Skyrian Double Crescents"
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This method was devised on the Aegean island of Skyros, the
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childhood home of Achilles and the site of Theseus' death
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according to Greek mythology. It draws upon the principles of
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astrology, mystical symbolism and folk tradition as well as
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modern psychology to provide a comprehensive and flexible system
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of divination for today. The "Double Crescents" refer to the
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shape of the spread in addition to its allegorical relationship
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with the cult of the Moon Goddess. The template is based on the
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original crimson Tarot cloth emblazoned in gold with four
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serpents entwined around a large cup, which is taken from a
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traditional Skyrian embroidery design signifying "self knowledge"
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graciously provided by the Faltaits Museum in Skyros Town.
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For readings I prefer the "Renaissance" Tarot deck, with its
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astrological and mythological correspondences, designed by Brian
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Williams and manufactured by A.G.Muller in Switzerland.
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General Procedure
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Atmosphere is very important. A reading may be done
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anywhere, but must be quiet and undisturbed. The only
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participants should be the Seeker who is making an inquiry of the
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cards and the Reader who assists in their interpretation,
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accompanied by none other than most trusted friends. The Tarot
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can reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings to provide
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valuable insights, but this process may be inhibited if social
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concerns are foremost in the Seeker's mind. In particular, third
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parties involved in the subject of an inquiry should not be
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present, especially the opposite partner of a potential or actual
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love affair.
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The Reader of the cards has a great responsibility. The
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value of the reading depends upon his or her intuition to
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interpret the meanings of individual cards as applicable to the
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particular aspects of the inquiry. This requires a calm and
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detatched attitude and an open and receptive mind. The Reader
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should be unbiased with regard to the subject of the inquiry, and
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conscientious enough to decline the reading if he or she is not.
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The reading is completely confidential and must never be used in
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any way against the Seeker or for the Reader's selfish motives.
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Above all, the Reader must always divulge the message of the
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cards, however unpleasant or inconceivable it may be. The truth
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cannot be sacrificed for its consequences. Allow some time of
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meditation before the reading to enter a state of mind conducive
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to the divination.
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Likewise, the Seeker should be mentally prepared. Take a few
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moments before the reading to clear your mind, forget all outside
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concerns, and focus on the subject of the inquiry. Maintain
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concentration throughout the reading and give adequate thought to
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each revelation. At first, the reading may be unclear, but with
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patience and persistence the meaning will unfold as the picture
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becomes more complete. Cooperate with the Reader and honestly
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answer his or her questions. The value of your reading depends a
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great deal on how much you put into it.
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[ 3 ]
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The Skyrian Double Crescents - Method
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Two readings may be employed in this method. The first
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reading is used to construct a general picture, consulting the
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meanings of individual cards relating to different aspects of the
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Seeker's life. The second reading focuses the inquiry on a
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specific issue of interest or concern in the Seeker's life, such
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as "schoolwork" or "love life". If the Seeker has no particular
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subject in mind, he or she may select one from prominent
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indications in the first reading. Alternately, the first reading
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may be skipped altogether if a specific matter is to be
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investigated.
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The Seeker and Reader should sit facing each other with the
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card cloth and Tarot deck between them. After a few moments of
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collection, the Reader shuffles the deck a number of times to
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"purify" it and then conducts the reading, perhaps with the aid
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of various references but preferably directly from memory. The
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cards are placed to face the Reader. Silence should be maintained
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except to discuss the reading.
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First Reading: The Eight Spheres
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The Seeker shuffles the deck face-down and chooses eight
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cards, which are then placed and read in the following order:
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ÚÄ¿ ÚÄ¿
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³2³ ³1³
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ÚÄÅÄÙ ÚÄ¿ ÀÄÅÄ¿
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³4³ ³8³ ³3³
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ÀÄÅÄ¿ ÀÄÙ ÚÄÅÄÙ
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³6³ ÚÄ¿ ³5³
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ÀÄÙ ³7³ ÀÄÙ
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ÀÄÙ
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Each position represents a context for the meaning of each
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particular card, as follows:
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1. Sphere of Saturn: Affairs of Work
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2. Sphere of Jupiter: Affairs of Home
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3. Sphere of Mars: Affairs of Conflict
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4. Sphere of Venus: Affairs of Love
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5. Sphere of Mercury: Affairs of Others
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6. Sphere of Luna: Affairs of Self
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7. Sphere of Terra: Affairs of Body
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8. Sphere of Sol: Affairs of Mind
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After this reading has been given, the Seeker may select one
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of the aspects revealed for further elaboration. The card
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chosen is then retained in position number 1 (below) as the
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"Issue" card in the second reading.
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[ 4 ]
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Second Reading: The Serpents' Blood
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The Seeker must now concentrate on the particular issue of
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inquiry. The Seeker then shuffles the deck and selects eight
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cards (seven if one has been carried over from the first
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reading) to be placed and read in the following order:
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ÚÄ¿ ÚÄ¿
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³6³ ³7³
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ÚÄÅÄÙ ÚÄ¿ ÀÄÅÄ¿
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³4³ ³8³ ³5³
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ÀÄÅÄ¿ ÀÄÙ ÚÄÅÄÙ
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³2³ ÚÄ¿ ³3³
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ÀÄÙ ³1³ ÀÄÙ
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ÀÄÙ
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1. The Issue
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2. Where You Are Coming From: Influences from the past
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3. Where You Are Going: Influences in the future
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4. Influence: External factor possibly hidden or unaware
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5. Impact: Effects and consequences on others involved
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6. Emotion: Emotional approach to issue (Right Brain)
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7. Intellect: Rational approach to issue (Left Brain)
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8. The Outcome
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It is strongly advised to do only one or two readings during
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a given period of inquiry so that full and proper consideration
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may be given to the issue at hand. Overindulgence carries the
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danger of losing meaning amidst the interference of many
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conflicting divinations. For at least several days after the
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reading, analyze and recognize its relevance in your everyday
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life. Often valuable new insights can be gained in this manner.
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