Fastlinking - Tarot, Sound, Vibration and the Brain

Hello --

Sound, hearing and vibration are core ideas in tarot. The Hierophant represents the concept of inner hearing or knowing--the still small voice that rises up inside. This is not the flattering voice or the astral chatter but a calm true feeling or knowing.

Because this is such a strong principle in tarot I track outer information that underscores how this process may work in the brain and body. Here are some fastlinks to the places I have been this week.

PBS has a new documentary titled 'The Music Instinct: Science and Song. Here's a review of last night's viewing. The show does ramble a bit but covers a broad range of disciplines and their connection to sound, vibration and the brain. Evelyn Glennie and Bobby McFerrin are included in the show.

If you have never heard of Evelyn Glennie you need to know about her. She's been deaf since birth and she's an incredible musician--percussionist. Her ability to speak is empowering. Here's a link to Evelyn Glennie's TED conference appearance.

Searching For Quiet -- Article on noise pollution, how to find a way to cope with it and the importance of maintaining hearing. Silence is important to cultivate.

How to Start Being Conscious - Weekly Tarot Horoscopes

May 14 - May 20

Observation is vital to correct reasoning. If you don’t step back to watch and listen you aren’t getting the complete picture. And the complete picture is necessary before making a choice – the best choice for you. This week the horoscopes repeatedly point to the need for observation in becoming more conscious of the world around you.

Here are some ideas about how to approach observation for those of you who rush into things (I think that is probably all of us).

Wait. Before you jump into a conversation, before you open your mouth, mentally stop yourself and count to 10. Your jaw may push forward attempting to speak. You may feel a jerking sensation in the body – its attempt to respond. You may even have emotion rise upward to your chest. All of these things are a learned response. If you are so focused on getting a word in edgewise you aren’t observing.

Listen. Next time you find yourself in public look for a comfortable place to park yourself and spend some time listening. Listen to everyone around you, their conversations, their voices, their inflection when they speak. Can you pick out the ones attempting to manipulate? What about the ones playing victim? Or the ones trying to control the conversation. Mull over what you are hearing. Do you sound this way? Which conversations were you drawn to? Consider why.

Choose words carefully. In a conversation this week make a point of observing yourself and the person you are conversing with. Is it mindless information? Are you a talker or maybe the other person is. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life saying nothing?

Learn to act and not react. Spend some time looking at the Hierophant card and the Chariot card. The Hierophant corresponds to the faculty of HEARING. The Chariot corresponds to the faculty of SPEECH. Both images can assist you in unlocking the secrets of those faculties.