JUNO'S ROUND TABLE

USING THE CARDS IN A GROUP

Getting started

The magic of the cards is made up of two components: the wisdom contained within the cards, and the wisdom contained within the individuals who commit to using them.  The work you do and the time you commit is well worth the effort.  The process may sound complicated, but it is really very easy and extremely rewarding. 

 

Here it is:

Get a deck of The Juno Cards

• Pick three partners

• Schedule a gathering

• Meet and follow the directions

 

It may also be helpful to:

• Become familiar with the process

• Read the contents of this web site

• Discuss issues at the beginning

• Commit to your own personal growth

 

Take the information on this web site and make your own decisions based on what feels right for you.

 

Picking your partners

Pick partners that you can do spiritual work with, people that are not invested in your personal choices.  You may want to form a Juno's Round Table group with your sisters or your best friends.  In some cases, this could be wonderful, or it could be challenging.  You want to make sure that you are with people that you can freely share your thoughts and feelings with—without personal repercussions.

 

Seek out people that you admire and have qualities that you would love to cultivate in yourself, women that you want to spend more time with.  Stretch yourself by picking women that you don't know very well, or that you find a little intimidating.  The process of using the cards will safely guide you through forming beautiful relationships.  By moving outside of your comfort zone you will come to see—the greatness that you admire in another is also within yourself.

 

Why Four Partners?

You may use the cards alone, in pairs or with any number of partners.  Four in a group is the recommended number for the following reasons:

• You are building a strong foundation.  Symbolically, four is the number of security and stability, as in the four corners of a house or the four legs of a table.  It speaks of universality, as in all points, the four directions or the four seasons.

• When you meet every 28 days as a group of four, it will take you 13 moon cycles, or one calendar year, to complete the deck of 52 cards.  Each person will have completed 13 cards and, within the group, will witness and learn from the entire deck. 

• Having four people creates group energy which is part of the magic of Juno's Round Table.  With group energy you tap into a divine collective wisdom that we all share, and you do so at a level not attainable individually.

• Finding a time to meet can be a challenge.  Keeping the number at four makes it easier to schedule and meet regularly.

 

Why Meet on the New Moon?

Meet on the date of new moon or as close as possible during the first quarter.  The moon has two energy cyles: waxing—when energy is building like the rising tide; and waning— when energy is dissipating as when the tide recedes.  These two cycles are divided by the full moon and the balsamic moon, or dark moon.  Understanding the energy of the moon's cycles will help you understand your own natural rhythms and how to work with them.

• The new moon is a time to initiate new endeavors.  Anything you begin during this moon-time will be suppported and energetically charged.

• The full moon is the peak of energy.  It is a time to let loose and celebrate— throw a party, see a play, harvest the garden, birth your baby.

• The waxing moon is a time for planning and contemplation.  It is a time to slow down and work on things that have already been started.

• The balsamic, or dark moon, occurs three or four days before the new moon.  It is a time to sleep, rest, mourn and release—all in preparation to begin again.

 

Staying on track

The best way to get and stay on track is by making sure that your group meets regularly and keeps its momentum.   Also, it is helpful and preserves the group energy, if all members are present for every gathering.  To make sure this happens you can do the following:

• Bring your calendars with you to every meeting and plan the next gathering before leaving.

• Take turns meeting, rotating at a different house each month.  Whoever is hosting for that month, send an email reminder to the rest of the group.

• If a scheduling conflict arises, reschedule right away.

• Make your group a priority.  The level to which you commit to your group reflects the level to which you are committed to yourself.

 

Most important element

The most important element of a successful Juno's Round Table is observing your gathering as a sacred ritual.  You are creating holy space with your desire to nurture each other with your attention and your love.  Surrender to the process by observing the following:

• Use and follow the program guide.  Everything is there: the statement of purpose, the opening prayer, directions for sharing your insight, directions for picking your next card and the closing prayer.  If you do nothing else in your gathering besides following the program guide, you will have a successful gathering.

• Follow the prime directive.  The prime directive calls for no interference and asks that we refrain from commenting or counseling each other.  Each of us are masters, fully capable of discerning the highest and best choices for ourselves.  Our silent witnessing honors this ability.

• Give the process your complete attention.  Turn off your phones, give yourselves privacy, and save food and snacks for after the ritual.

• Maintain your shared confidences.  Living in integrity means understanding that the only story you are entitled to repeat is your own.

 

Tips for completing assignments

Completing your assignment is how you become a fully conscious being.  Once self-awareness is raised we are then able to make conscious choices and truly be in command of our own lives.  An assignment feels complete when you have gained some new insight about yourself, or you negotiate a challenging experience through adhering to the principles laid out in your card.  It is helpful to understand the following:

• Often, the card you think you don't need is the card that holds the greatest gift.

• It's important to always pick a card.  Even when you are really busy.  The card you pick may not require any time to fulfill, or it may be your saving grace—your key to negotiating a hectic period.

• There will be times when you won't be able to complete your assignment.  That is when you have the opportunity to reflect on what your resistance was, and how you feel about not fulfilling a commitment.  You may choose to make another attempt the following month by working two cards in tandem. 

• It's important be patient with yourself and don't try too hard.  If an assignment feels incomplete, identify what it is you need clarity on.  You may receive your answer though listening to your Juno-Sisters, or through the card you pick for the following month.

 

Appropriate sharing

By respecting appropriate ways to share, you build the group's health and effectiveness.  Here are some helpful insights:

• If your card brings up something you don't want to share, then you don't need to share it.  You can speak about how you fulfilled your assignment in symbolic terms, without naming names or sharing details.

• Understand the difference between private and secret.  Private is information that is inappropriate or unnecessary to share.  Secrets are things you hide because they are shrouded in shame.  You don't need to reveal your secrets, but by becoming aware of them you find opportunities for healing.

• Be careful not to use Juno's Round Table as a platform to whine and complain about your problems.  If you find yourself continually venting about the same issue, you need to put on your "big girl panties" and choose to either solve your problem, or seek out a professional that can help you. 

• Maintain clear boundaries.  If you find yourself rescuing your Juno-Sisters in any way, you may need to pull back and work on stronger boundaries.  Also, if you find yourself explaining or defending yourself, this may be an indication that your boundaries are being violated.

 

Deep listening

Juno's Round Table works best if each participant is supported with uninterrupted silence while they are sharing.  To speak only when appropriate takes discipline and—for some people, practice.  Be patient with yourself as you cultivate this skill.  Observe the following :

• Listen fully and deeply.  Release judgment and detach.  Maintain focus and eye contact.  Listening in this manner will bring forth open honest communication, and in some cases profound spiritual insights and deep communion. 

• Remember that what is spoken about during the ritual stays in the circle.  If you feel the need to comment on what another has spoken about within the circle, respectfully ask permission first, outside of the circle.

• Your time sharing is your opportunity to get whatever it is you need.  If you need to cry, do so.  If you need to be seen, sit in silence and soak in the attention.  Ask for what you need.  And when you are speaking, understand that this is your time to explore your own thinking—give yourself permission to be brilliant.

 

Creating solutions

On rare occasions speaking out of turn may facilitate deeper communication.  This is one exception to breaking the rule of uninterupted silence:

• Someone may be close to breaking through to a new understanding but may seem to be blocked.  Without giving them an answer, or guiding them to a conclusion, you may ask them one or two questions to help them clarify their thoughts.  Be very cautious in attempting to do this; do so only if you are completely certain that a question will be helpful and only if someone is completely stuck.

 

In a healthy group you will feel safe enough to cry and you will leave your gathering feeling strengthened and renewed.

• If you find that something about your experience is not working, before throwing in the towel or blaming someone else, consider what is being called up within yourself for healing.  Discomfort is usually resistance and resistance usually occurs right before growth.  Go within for your answers.  Discern the source of your discomfort and make appropriate changes.