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Tarot card reading
Wellness
Published Wednesday Mar 04, 2020 by Brittany Raine

Crystal Ballin’: I Got My Tarot Cards Read, and Here’s What I’m Doing for My Well-Being 

Personal Growth

I’ve always been intrigued by “outside forces” influencing my everyday vibes. From encapsulating full moon energy to finding out what’s happening in my astrology birth chart (watch out for this Leo with a side of Libra), there’s something magical about embracing another level of intuition. 

But to be honest, my intuition—my fiery flame—has been a little off, thanks to the first Mercury retrograde of this new decade. My Leo mane is caught in its crosshairs, as are my emotions. Help! What’s a girl got to do to survive? My horoscope was shedding light into my feelings, but what I really needed was an outside force to help me get back on track. Enter tarot cards.

Tarot card knocking

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten my cards read (but if you’re up for it, I highly recommend), and there were a few things the reader reminded me of prior to our session. Bringing my notebook was key. With an open mind and a pocket full of questions, I got my cards read three (yes, three) times. Here’s what happened and how I learned to use it to better my well-being.


Clarity spread


Because my head (and heart) is spinning.   

The reading: Clarity Spread
The purpose of this reading was to shed light on a current challenge of mine (think: relationship struggles). See, I told ya retrograde was messing with my energy. A little card shuffling, three knocks, and my four chosen cards later, I laid out just that—some divine clarity. So, what did I get, and what am I going to do now? Keep reading to find out. 

My cards
Devil – I’m always cautious about this card. My tarot reader quickly reminded me that this demonic creature was in the reverse position, representing freedom from what’s holding me back. As she put it, “it’s time to light shit on fire.” Guess I need to show the devil who’s boss by kicking ass in a F45 class.  

Two of Cups – There’s a lot of love with this card. Two full cups illustrate—you guessed it—“fullness” in my current relationship. Sometimes, I’m distracted from that. My tarot reader alluded to the ebb and flow of our union. Maybe I do need to book that couple’s massage this weekend.  

Five of Wands – Oh man, the higher beings are really nailing the relationship stuff. Unsure of how to interpret this card, my tarot reader explains it means conflict—and thanks to Mercury retrograde, I am extra feisty with my opinions. Good news though, since the card is inverted, the drama is on its way out. I’m so ready to let it go (and flow) during my next yoga practice. 

Three of Wands – Wait, another wands card? My tarot reader noted that this card stands for foresight—and there’s a portal, an opening, for opportunity. So, whatever is off in my relationship realm, there’s light on the horizon. Put those shades on because I’m ready to detox and get my glow on with a facial. 



 

Big Moon

Feeling big new moon energy. 

The reading: New Moon Spread
A suggestion for my tarot reader, this reading is perfect when welcoming a new moon—and what you want to bring into this new celestial cycle. I know I want to bring in positivity, but I need to let go of some life stuff I’ve been holding on to. We’ve all got stuff, right? 

My cards
King of Wands – I can’t escape the wands. Maybe it’s a sign. But this is the wands card I want in this sense, because it taps into my forceful, bold nature. Remember I’m a Leo. According to my tarot reader, the new moon is going to electrify everything I do. Talk about a big energy. But first I have to let some things go. What better way to shake off what’s holding me back and show off my dynamic energy than with a one-two punch in boxing class.  

The Tower – This card instantly drew me in with its chaos-like illustration. Part of the tower/tree image was broken, but its base remained rooted in (and to) the ground. My tarot reader let me know that though this card exemplifies distress, it also leaves room for something new and beautiful to flourish. I think it’s time to reset my focus with a mindful meditation practice.  
 


Past, present, future

Where I’ve been and where I am going. 

The reading: Past, Present, Future
A tale as old as time, this classic tarot reading is always a go-to when I want a glimpse into how everything I’ve done is influencing my now—and what’s next. When my tarot reader asked if I wanted to close our session with this spread, I wasn’t about to deny a little crystal ball-type action during my afternoon. What I quickly learned is your energy really does travel, through time, that is.  

My cards
PAST – Daughter of Cups – Representative of renewal, this card was tapping into my creative spirit, but my current life “fears” were blocking my creativity from shining through. Maybe it was my anxiety about buying a house. Or being afraid of losing a loved one. Whatever it is, I knew I needed to find an outlet to express myself. Now I am starting to think aerial yoga might help me clear my head —and defy gravity. What’s more creative than that?

PRESENT – Son of Cups – Two cup cards in a row? As my tarot reader explained what this card meant (balance, sensitivity), it was totally in tune with my current state. By being hard on myself, I wasn’t allowing myself to find balance. And I wasn’t allowing compassion for the way I feel. Yes, us Leos can be selfish, but in this case, I needed to give myself a little love. Nothing says self-love like a deep stretch and deep, belly breaths in Yin Yoga.  

FUTURE – Eight of Swords – Now, this is not the card I wanted to get for my future. Trapped. Confined. Restricted. This girl doesn’t want her future to be limited. According to my tarot reader, this card shows how important it is that I let go of what is holding me in back in the past and present. By doing this, I can awaken my intuition and develop a more empowered mindset. I will then be stronger and more confident than I envisioned. Sounds like I need to take that focused energy to a barre class where I can lengthen and strengthen my mind, body, and soul.  


Not sure if a tarot card reading is right for you? Our in-house tarot card reader has the inside scoop on what to bring (and be ready for) when it comes to your first tarot experience. And yes, a notebook really is essential.  







Brittany Raine MINDBODY
Written by
Brittany Raine
Consumer Content Program Manager
About the author
A free-spirited farmgirl from New York, Brittany traded her job as a journalist and newspaper editor for the San Diego sunshine. Brittany now leads the curation of all creative content. There are rumors she was Middle Earth's warrior elven queen in a past life.
surfer catching wave in ocean olympics
Fitness
Published Friday Jul 23, 2021 by Bailey Clark

Why I’m Stoked Surfing Will Debut in the Olympics

Fitness

For the first time ever, the globe will be watching surfing take center stage at the 2020 (postponed to July 2021) Olympics. People from all over the world will be appreciating the sport, many for the first time.

This symbolizes the surfing community breaking through centuries of negative stereotypes. Though conditions play a big part in the sport, the biggest hurdle the athletes will have to overcome to see success is mental. The winner will be the one who chooses their waves wisely with their understanding of the conditions and ability to intimidate and therefore overcome components. Meanwhile, they will be challenging themselves to emerge from crashing barrels, fly into the air, and land on the shifting surface gracefully. No big deal. 

You’ve probably heard the invention of a wave pool, which creates the perfect man-made wave. In 2007, Kelly Slater founded his wave company with a passion to build the perfectly rideable wave at his surf ranch. It was debated whether the Olympics should be held in the ocean or on a manufactured wave, with many differing opinions on what would be right. The decision was made, and the event will take place in the sea, at Tsurigasaki Beach in Japan, about 40 miles east of Tokyo, where the rest of the 2021 games will be hosted.

As you watch, take a moment to reflect on the century of effort for this to happen. This initiative can be traced all the way back to the 1912 summer games that took place in Stockholm. Duke Kahanamoku, known as the father of modern surfing, won three gold medals in swimming, and while accepting his medal, he expressed that it was his dream to see surfing be added. To add fuel to the fire, International Surfing Association, recognized as the surfing world's governing authority by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), began lobbying for the inclusion of surfing in the Olympics in 1955.

The magic of surfing

Surfing is a multidimensional sport unlike any other. Nothing compares to paddling out to the serene silence that awaits beyond the breaking waves. Once you get out there, you immediately escape the many annoyances ingrained in everyday life—the constant notifications on your phone and laptop, your back-to-back schedule, answering to other people. You’re no longer on the time that your watch reads, you’re on mother nature’s time. You’re also no longer in control of your surroundings. Now, all you can do is surrender and wait for the next set to come, while trying to position yourself for when it does.

The high from catching the perfect wave is so addicting that surfers would fail on one hundred in a row just to catch that one. After you catch that perfect one, you replay it in your mind for the rest of the day.

A successful session is reliant on so many factors of mother nature—a force way bigger than us. For ideal conditions to exist, a good-sized swell must approach from the right direction, the wind must be flowing offshore, and you have to time your session right with the ebb and flow of the tide.

The sport is always teaching you life lessons. It is humbling, even if you’ve been practicing it for many years. One reason why it takes so long to master is that the conditions are going to be different every time you get out there. You might have caught a million yesterday, but today makes you feel like a kook because you can’t land one decent wave.

The community of people that you become a part of when you surf is special. A shared obsession with the ocean that brings you to dive into the water at dawn to get a session in bonds you quick. When you’re out there, you’ll find yourself interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds. People enjoy sharing the stoke of the sport. When you see someone out there teaching somebody new, you’ll encounter them cheering at the top of their lungs when they catch a good wave, and as you look around, you’ll see smiles all across the lineup. The other day, I caught a long wave in to be met with a cheering crowd of locals who frequent the spot that I do. When I got to shore, a local showed me their secret stash of hot packs to access in case I, or someone else, gets stung by a stingray when they aren’t around.

Being out in the ocean and abiding by her rules gives surfers a deep love and connection to nature. It’s common to see sea animals out there, like dolphins, stingrays, and fish. When you have an encounter, it’s a reminder that we are invading their territory. It sucks when you see trash floating in the water, or on the sand in its route to the water. It’s a sad reminder of the negative impact that humans can have on natural environments. It inspires you to pick up trash and advocate for sustainability so that we, as a collective, can take care of the beauty that we are lucky to have access to.

Tune in to see surfing break into the biggest international sporting event in the world beginning on Saturday, July 24th. 

Check out these surf classes on the Mindbody App

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Bailey Clark Headshot
Written by
Bailey Clark
Marketing Content Specialist
About the author
Bailey Clark is a serial optimist whose passion for marketing lies within creating authentic connections to make the world happier and healthier. As a San Diego native, her favorite pastimes are surfing, F45, practicing yoga, meditation, and really any opportunity to soak up the sun.