It is human nature to form attachments. We tie little invisible strings between ourselves and the things we love in order to feel connection, express love, and establish community. Those invisible strings, or cords of energy, enable us to feel attached to our friends, family, romantic partners, and even to our homes, our sacred spaces, our routines.

As is the nature of this life, though, things change. We outgrow friendships, break up with romantic partners, endure the death of a loved one. We leave jobs, move cities, change our hobbies.

While the object of our attachment may no longer be present, the cord that tied us to it can remain very much intact. Trying to move on can feel like trying to sail off an island without pulling up the anchor first. That’s where cord cutting comes in.

Getting acquainted with a new deck is pretty similar to meeting a new friend: it’s best to begin with a little getting-to-know-you exercise. Here’s how I like to unbox and introduce a new deck to ensure we get off to a clean start.

It's somewhat counterintuitive that the best way for us to connect to our Guides and the Universe, which we think of as being out there, is to bring intense focus to the tangible world down here… Suffice it to say your physical body is the greatest tool you have for connecting to the wonder of the Universe because all of the wonder of the Universe is concentrated in your physical body.