Saturday, February 12, 2011

2/12/11—Tapping Into Creativity

Weekend Reading: Ace of Paining from William Blake. The timing is right this weekend to tap into your creative forces—put a new plan into action, craft something or conjure a new dream. Consciously go within to inspire your generative senses. And be careful, Valentines...this is a weekend to create something new!

Friday, February 11, 2011

2/11/11—Solving Problems

Today's Draw: Seven of Swords from the Quantum Tarot. Is there a tricky situation going on in your life right now? Can you approach it from a different angle?
 
Today's draw will have to be short because I keep getting interrupted...haha. But this card is all about finding new ways to solve old problems. Traditionally it suggest using covert or even dishonest ways. But really it's just about taking... a careful strategic approach to your problems.

Sorry so lame today! Many fires to extinguish...carefully and strategically. :)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

2/10/11—Considering Change

Today's Draw: Death from the Hezicos Tarot. What has passed its expiration date in your life? What change is inevitable? What new thing is coming into your life? How well do you welcome change?
 
OK. Stop panicking. We're not all going to die. Rather the death card is about change...the death of something that has run its course. So, in essence, each of us dies a thousand little deaths in our lifetime. :)

And what an adorable Death c...ard this is. Two skulls lay in a peaceful field. Bluebells bloom nearby and a lovely butterfly sits on one of the skulls. The moon is full. It's a time of transition and transformation, of release and rebirth. And therein lies the hope in this card. Because with each thing that leaves our life, something new enters.

I definitely have a couple of things that need to change in my life, mostly around the health issues. I also have a very cluttered room in my home that needs work and change is inevitable there because I have a friend coming over to help. So it's going to happen. And all of this is indicative of my willingness to change...I go fighting tooth and nail. I hold on to things as long as is possible before I release. And I wish I went easier, because I always feel better after the change is complete. How about you?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

2/9/11—Finding Your True Value

Today's Draw: Queen of Matter from Tarot de Paris. What is the true measure of your value? What special quality or talent do you possess? And what might it surprise us to know about you?
 
The Queen of Matter (Pentacles) signifies a woman of wealth, class and dignity. But the queen's value isn't in her material standing or social position. It's in her practicality, nurturing and compassion.

So where is my true value. You'd th...ink this would be an easy question to answer. But it's not. There are some ways in which I'm used to measuring myself. As a professional, for example. But outside of that I tend to be more critical of myself.

I suppose my true value lies in my ability to adapt, grow and change no matter what you put in my way. My worst days have brought my greatest triumphs. I rise like the phoenix. And my special quality is in knowing that everything is a gift and wherever life creates a void, something good will come to fill the space. Which is not to say my life is sunshine and lollipops, nor that I'm the eternal optimist. But somewhere deep within me is the confidence of knowing everything will be ok. And I suppose that can be a reassuring energy to be around.

Of course, even as I say those words I think that someone somewhere has dirt on me to negate them…haha. But that's the story I'm going with for lack of something better. As for the surprise…hmmm. Oh, I know! I'm an accomplished seamstress. Or was when I was younger. I'm very skillful when it comes to making clothes and even drafting patterns. I never pull out my sewing machine anymore, though. All the tarot bags you see are sewn by hand and are nothing compared to what I'm capable of.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

2/8/11—Finding Your Place in the Animal Kingdom

Today's Draw: Strength from the Legacy of the Divine. What is your relationship with the animal within? What do you think we've lost or gained as a result of domestication? Do you feel we're higher or greater beings because of it?
 
This is, I think, the third time we've had the Strength card. In the Legacy of the Divine, the card shows a woman with a lion, tiger and cheetah. Traditionally, she'd be shown wrestling or somehow physically controlling a lion to symbolize ...our control over "the lion within". But in Ciro Marchetti's version, there is no physical will involved. Instead she has tamed them with energetic or divine will. By overcoming their animal instincts, they are somehow enlightened.

But are they? We could argue that domestication enables us to live more peaceably in society, but does it really make us better beings? In gaining our domestic nature, humans have also lost much of their connection to the earth. For those with pagan or earth-centered sensibilities, I'd argue that's a bad thing. I think that the more we separate from our animal nature, the more we separate from certain parts of our Selves that may very well be critical to our survival. And if not our survival, they could be key to our spiritual evolution.

This is something I think of often. I'm a peace loving animal myself. And most animals are just that, showing force only when necessary. I still remember a squabble I saw among geese once. It was a territorial thing. And one brash goose tried to invade another goose's space. There was a loud argument, even a chase in the air. But when the offending goose was gone, the other geese went on about their business as if nothing ever happened. Because we suppress these instinctual squabbles, for example, we become animals who hold grudges instead. Is that evolution?

So today, think about your animal nature. Consider yourself as an animal. And ask yourself why we consider ourselves to be higher beings. Is it because we truly are. Or is it because we're the only animal that judges and ranks things that way? What do you think of all this?

Monday, February 7, 2011

2/7/11—Owning Your Power

Today's Draw: The Magician from The Maroon Tarot. Do you ever feel some force has taken hold of your life and is dragging you along? Are there situations you feel powerless to change? Do you have the resources you need to make positive adjustments in your life?
 
The Magician card reminds us all that we have power over our situations. Usually seen surrounded by the main symbols of the tarot, this card tells us we were born with the innate resources it takes to manage our lives. In the Maroon Tarot, ...it shows a powerful figure manipulating earth, air, energy and water to his will.

The Magician wants us to realize our powers...our power over thoughts, our inner fire, our daily comforts and our emotions. We are only victims if we allow ourselves to feel that way. And we are only victimizers if we allow ourselves to feel that way. Other people's words and actions only have the amount of impact on you that you allow them to. Even in controlling relationships, you have choices. If the other person will not and cannot change, you can make a change that affects the overall dynamic. You are not bound to the status quo.

The same goes for all areas of your life. You may not be able to change the fact that a loved one is dying, but you can change the way you respond to and think of their death. You might not be able to change money issues you're having, but you can start feeling more abundant in this very moment. The point is that we often forget how much power we have to make changes that bring us closure, peace of mind, clarity, love, abundance, forgiveness....whatever we're looking for our in our lives....all without having to change others in order to get it. You are not left without choice. There is always a way. Whether or not you're willing to put that power or change to work for you, is up to you.

This has recent relevance in my life. So often we think we have one choice, especially when it comes to relationships with others. But the truth is, "the one choice" we're thinking of is the choice we're accustomed to making or the choice that is traditionally made. There are an infinite number of choices you can make, however. Just stop looking at things so black and white....all or nothing. There's an entire spectrum of choice you can make without the other person even having to cooperate at all.