This month has really been a month of transitions.

The American Tarot Association is working diligently to overcome past traumas and dramas. The new Board has restructured itself and clarified job descriptions for everyone.

I am blessed to be part of a wonderful group of Tarotists who are working hard to birth a new Tarot site. It is called the World Tarot Network, and will be a great place to further one's knowledge of Tarot, Astrology, I Ching, and other related subjects. It's grand opening is coming soon.

I was working on a three-part short story. The second part features the Two of Staffs. To this point, my story is going well, but I can?t seem to really make the character human. So, I thought that the best thing I could do was to get into this card and see what my character is missing.

I see this card as a Fire sign, so my character will be full of excitement, energy, and enthusiasm. He is a young man, and just beginning to find his innate talents. He is willing to explore new avenues and check out most anything that catches his interest.

My card shows the Staffs as two living trees, fully rooted and grounded in the earth. This is a sign that despite his youth and willingness to try new adventures, he is blessed with common sense and street smarts. This will help keep him out of any truly dangerous situations, or from using extremely bad judgment.

In his left hand, my character extends a globe high over his head. He looks out over a vista encompassing a castle, kingdom, and fantasy creatures. He is making a statement to himself and staking a claim over all that he can see. While I doubt that he is looking to become the next Kahn the Barbarian, he is promising himself that the world will not run him. He will make his choices with his eyes wide open. He will impact his world and be a mover and shaker. He will not be content to let others decide his future. His world is in his hands, ready to be made into whatever he desires.

Now, let us see where his Journey takes him!

Valerie had a question about her talents. She knows that she is blessed with a multitude of talents, but is wondering if there are any left untapped, and how can she better use the ones she has discovered.

I am breaking this complex question into 3 sections: Found Talents, New Talents, How to Use All Talents

Found Talents:
Valerie, one of the most potent of your talents is one you may not recognize. Itis the ability to know that your problems will get easier to deal with. You hang in there and will not give up. Best of all, you encourage your friends to tough it out and reach for their goals.

Some suggestions on using or developing this talent more may include study on counseling, psychology, psychiatry, school counselor, job placement counselor, etc.

While you have other more easily recognized talents, this one is built into your heart. It will never let you down or have to be put aside due to physical challenges. (Six of Swords)

New Talents:
According to your next card, the Ace of Staffs, you have access to a myriad of new talents! Your creative potential is unlimited. New ideas, concepts, working ventures, etc. come to you easily. Write them down! Just because an idea seems foolish in one application does not mean that it will not work in a future application. Keep an Idea Journal where you can write even half-formed ideas. There may be a time when you will need a boost to get your creativity going, and you will be miles ahead with your Journal.

To bring this side of you to fruition, you may want to join a Creative Writing class, a Speech class, a Debate Club. (The Debate Club is to get you thinking in ways that may not normally come up.) You can offer to help design sets, costumes, or make-up for a community college play. Or, consider finding a new way of Fund Raising. (Ace of Staffs)

How to Use Your Talents:
In order to use your talents to the best advantage for your community, you will need to be in a position of power and authority. As an example, to be the chairperson of a committee would make it easier for you to influence the direction that the committee takes than if you were a worker bee.

While no one expects you to be bossy or tyrannical, you can lead others in a focused, disciplined manner. You can keep your head and not get sidetracked with petty arguments. You can encourage others come up with ideas; you do not have to do it all yourself.

Brush up on organizational skills. Practice speaking in front of a group until you are comfortable with it. Volunteer your efforts in a community activity that you would like to see expand: library, hospital, the JayCees or other civic organization. By using or developing leadership skills, you will be in a position to accomplish what you would like to do for your community. (Queen of Swords)

Valerie, these avenues may take you in completely different areas than you had expected. Remember that many of them can be part-time efforts, leaving precious time for your other activities. However, I would not be surprised to hear, if you choose to pursue some of these community activities, that in a few years you will be running for Mayor!

Fairy Night Songs

Fairy Heart Magic

Faeries