Let’s get silly and assume, for the moment that there is no such thing as magic and that nobody can prophesize the future, not even Nostradamus. After all, he was wrong about that world-wide unpleasantness in “99”.

Gifted psychics, historians and social scientists can forecast some distance ahead of the changes that are becoming real as a result of present and direct historical impact. With sensitivity and some skill, even we may speculate. It is amazing just how far forward some of those speculations can go, but that is not the same as simple prediction.

Sometimes a self-proclaimed prophet can get lucky. Considering how many of these chosen ones have come and gone, and the many thousands upon thousands of predictions that they have made through the ages, then it stands to chance that one of them will get it right on the mark every now and again.

Occasionally, individuals of great fortune, insight, strength, and/or position appear who can create destiny. Histories and religions have been built upon people who have, but still, creating a future is likewise, not the same as prophesizing one. Sorry.

There is only one time proven way to foresee the future of mankind. Simply depend on good old-fashioned human behavior to repeat the unlearned lessons of the past. Now that’s funny!

“Well, then what you’re saying is that any futures foretold by the cards, are simply events which are coming into being already? Then what’s the big deal? If these things can’t see the future, what good are they?” Calm down and I will explain it all in three little words. Here and now. I guess that was really one sorta little word and two little ones.

A little art lesson may be in order, so pay attention. Imagine a straight line. If you are of limited imagination, a straight line has been provided below. (See illustration) This line represents the straight and narrow pathway that you have been embarked upon since your last major life change i.e. marriage, birth, a new career, the heartbreak of psoriasis, spiritual upheaval, etc.

Now, anyone with good sight and clear knowledge of where they are (B) and memory of that previously mentioned major life change (A) can now simply turn 180 degrees around to see where they are headed, (C) provided, of course, that there are no obstructions, such as out-of-control desires, unfinished business, or in-laws blocking the view.

Don't want to cause alarm, but you are now seeing into the future. What do you think? Big deal, huh? Once your future is glimpsed, it can either be accepted, if you like what you see, or not.

If not, then it is as simple as changing your mind. When you change your mind, you change your present direction, which makes a new and different future all but certain.

Therefore, change your mind and you change your future. That sounds both logical, and beautiful, but leave us not allow this seeing ahead stuff to become one of them future blocking obstructions. It is the mind changing present that is most important.

Wasting time worrying about time is not only inefficient, but will cause anxiety. When you obsess on the future, or lament the past, you become an active participant in the splendid agony of anxiety. Why does it make you feel out of balance? Here and now has up and gone, that’s why.

The past was only yours to influence when it was the present, and the future cannot be experienced until it too becomes the present. So, since you are stuck here anyway, the present is really where you want to be, right? Of course.

Easier said than done sometimes, for anxiety can leave you stranded in the future or back in the past by putting itself between you and the here and now, the only place where a real person has any real power over future. It can make you feel out of touch, and helpless. If left unchecked, these emotions can grow from mere doubt into genuine fear, and depression. None of the people I have known that have tried this have anything nice to say about the experience, other than it was good to come back to the present.

Do yourself and the rest of us on this planet a favor, and leave the time travel to the experts. Lease yourself a flat in the here and now. You will quickly grow accustomed to it, and soon you will begin to appreciate and enjoy life in the only place and time that you really can. It gets easier and easier with time and you will then fall into a routine of satisfaction, and, or outright happiness. You will get to see first hand if that happily ever after bit is overrated.

One of the remarkable things which the tarot does with alarming regularity, is to aid in the stripping away of distractions that you think may be important, until all that is left is the lone soul, facing the one true issue that becons. The light comes on and your attention suddenly becomes very focused.

Their ability in this capacity will not be disputed. The fact that the deck seems to know which issue has the most import to each person being read is a quality, which still baffles me after all these years. If there is any real magic in them, then it is here.

Most clerics, witch doctors, cult leaders and analysts, when appropriately pressured, will reluctantly admit that the spirit is the quickest and most direct link to the subconscious mind. Of course the practitioners would like this information to be kept under secrecy, and you could hardly blame them. I mean, if all their followers/patients found out that they each held the keys to their own individual souls, and so their own destinies, the controllers would have to go out and get real jobs.

Lively religious rhetoric, hypnotic suggestion, the arts, spiritual media such as the Tarot and their like speak directly to the soul through spirit rather than tripping over the logic and rules which abound in the more familiar parts of the conscious mind.

When read, some of the most pragmatic and logic-bound individuals can become quite spiritual. As higher states of awareness are achieved, the mind trustingly opens even deeper, allowing any remaining blocks to be easily removed or at least recognized for future eradication. The seeds of change can then be planted at the correct depth, thus taking root better.

It’s like combining gardening and hypnosis, but without the chemicals, high costs, weeds and the lifelong reliance of repeat sessions. An added plus is that you won’t ever have to worry about suddenly turning into a chicken whenever someone says World Mental Health Organization.