Sacred Path Divination

Jamie provides some basic instructions in the book, and a few basic spreads. You may, of course, develop your own spreads, use spreads from the other books, or follow the specific instructions included with your deck. Your personal ritual can be as elaborate or as simple as fits your personality and need of the moment. That's one of the great things about systems like this one - nothing is, as my father used to say, "Carved In Stone" so feel free to adjust accordingly.

I like to hold the cards in my hands with my eyes closed, as I mentally ground myself and breathe deeply for a moment or two. I imagine that I am surrounded by those who have gone before, and I feel the love that they are beaming in my direction. I focus on knowing that whatever spread I have chosen or am about to choose will indeed provide me with the wisdom I am seeking in that moment, and I relax deeply into that knowing feeling that "All Is Well."

When I feel ready, I then begin to mix up the cards. I may shuffle in different ways, however I am led in that moment, the only commonality is that I am careful with the cards, trying to keep them in good condition despite use. I usually end by cutting the cards, and only then do I open my eyes.

I lay the cards out in the spread I have chosen, and then with pen and paper, I make a list of the cards and the positions they have fallen in. I do this because I've found it helpful to go back and look at why I was doing a spread, what I gained from the experience, and then what actually happened afterward. It has proven to be a most useful practice for me.

I write out the high points of each card's wisdom as I read the passages that go with the card, and I ponder each teaching as it relates to what I am dealing with.

Finally, I put everything back into the box and replace the package on the special bookshelf I have for it. For the next few days, I will review and reflect upon the spread I've done, and make notes of what new insights may have come to me. Eventually, this will go into a file, and I may make further notes on it if I come back and review it later.

That's how I do it now. Of course, when I first began, I just followed the instructions out of the book until I began to create my own ritual.