An Epic New Moon

Considering that not only is it a new moon tonight, but a new moon and a new year, I thought there could be no more epic time for a, "Release, Embrace," spread.  I must say, I LOVE these cards.  They are so on target for where I am right now.

Eight of Swords, King of Wands - Joie De Vivre Tarot

"Stagnation, weariness, and fear," are the words that I think when I see this Eight of Swords.

Release self limiting thoughts and fears.  The ropes binding this soul have no knots and only need to be shrugged off, and the swords are just an illusion of a cage.  At any moment, she/I can be free.  I have had a host self limiting thoughts and beliefs this past year.  I don't think it's exaggerating to say I've been quite debilitated by those thoughts.

"Ride 'em, cowboy!"  That's the phrase that comes to mind when I see this King of Wands.

Embrace confidence, self acceptance, and joie de vivre!  I see this as not only advice for the new year and new moon, but as a promise that it will happen.  I'm already sensing a shift, just today, in my perception and how I look at myself, and therefore how I see the world around me.  I'm seeing this reading as confirmation that the shift I'm sensing is a real one that will continue.

The lion in this King of Wands reminds me of the Strength card, which is also a fine thing to embrace in the coming year.  Tapping into the strength I already have inside will surely lead to more confidence, less fear, and an exciting time to come.  

Finally what needs to be released from my life and from my thinking seems to be breaking lose and falling away leaving room for a more confident, joyful me.

Happy New Year to you!  I'm sending all who are reading this the same hope and light I have at this moment.

~:~:~::Mwah::~:~:~

Thanksgiving Day Blessings

I've done this "Blessings" reading before, and I thought it would be appropriate to do it again this night before Thanksgiving.  What blessings do I bring to myself?  What blessings come from family and friends?  And what blessings come from Spirit?  I added a fourth card this year asking who can I make an extra effort to bless right now?

Knight of Wands, Eight of Coins, The Sun - Joie De Vivre Tarot

I bless myself because I am always willing to try something new.  I'm always looking for ways to improve myself and make life better for myself and my family.  I sometimes act in a bit of an  ADHD manner with the way I jump from one idea to the next, but perhaps this is not a flaw, as I've told myself in the past, but a blessing. 

My friends and family can share some of the workload I give myself.  I do need to work on asking for help when I feel overwhelmed.  This card actually brings Thanksgiving to mind because we are all getting together at my sister's house, but everyone is bringing a couple of dishes so that no one person has to prepare the entire meal herself which has made the holiday relatively stress-free for me this year.

Spirit brings me life, light, love and joy!  I only need to stop and let myself receive those blessings.

Six of Swords - Joie De Vivre Tarot

I will admit I was baffled by the Six of Swords as an answer to, "Who can I bless right now?"  I see myself as the rider on the swan on a healing journey.  Could this card be telling me that by continuing on this path to healing I am, indeed, blessing others?

My inner critic pipes up loudly that this is just a selfish justification to avoid making extra efforts on the behalf of others right now, but if I'm being honest I'm still having trouble just taking care of myself and my kids every day.  Maybe this is advice to let myself get to the other side of this transition before I add more to my plate.  It seems like I should be there by now, but I'm not, and as disappointed in myself as I can be about that, I need to give myself permission to take the time I need and most importantly not abandon the journey.  Who knows who I am blessing just by healing myself?  I know my daughters are watching.  There may be other ripples like the ones shown in this card, that I can't even see.

Update:  After a rough night and morning I was reading an article about Estrogen Dominance and this quote from the end of the article jumped out at me because it seems to confirm the message I received from the Six of Swords in this reading:  "Remember, perimenopause is a time to reinvent yourself. This means investing time and energy in yourself, not everyone else."

Manifesting Goals

Last night, using my Galaxy Pro tarot app on my phone, I asked, Will I lose weight? Will it stick? Can I change my life?  Three questions for one card, and I drew The Magician.

The phrase that comes to mind whenever I pull this card is, "You make the magic happen, baby!" I looked at the card and saw the sword, which brought cutting something to mind, cutting calories?  Cutting off excess weight?  The wand in the magician's hand looked like a barbell to me, and I thought of exercise.  The disk looks like a plate and could represent eating well, the cup - drinking plenty of water, but I really like what the Galaxy App had to say:

"When you get this card in a reading, you have the potential to make things happen.  The key to having control of your life is to have a vision and then take the action to make it happen.  Intention and action are both required.  When your intentions and actions are aligned, real magic occurs!

Start gathering the resources you need to meet your goals.  The universe is empowering you to manifest your vision.  Take advantage of this opportunity by staying focused on your goals and applying your power!"

I did feel empowered after this reading and made a quick and simple plan in my head right there.  I'm following through on that plan today.

 

Full Lunar Eclipse

For tonight's full lunar eclipse I pulled three cards: What is moving into the past? What is coming into my life? And where do I need to find a better balance?

Six of Swords, Nine of Wands, Ace of Wands - Tarot of the Magical Forest

These cards could not be more frustratingly coy and generic. What I'm getting here is that I've been in the midst of a painful transition, but that is moving into the past and something new and exciting is coming in the future, in the meantime I should keep fighting the good fight.

Well, thanks for that, tarot.  I guess it's encouragement, but that moon, that sly moon. is keeping the details a secret for now.

New Moon in October

Five of Swords, Five of Wands - Joie De Vivre Tarot

I pulled a couple of cards for the new moon today.  Interesting! Two fives.

This month I should release my need to be right and let go of conflicts that could threaten my relationships with loved ones and friends.  On the other hand a little healthy competition can lead to growth, and some things are worth fighting for. In other words, I should choose my battles wisely.

Another, and perhaps the more important interpretation of these two cards, could be that I need to let go of those relationships where I am required to think and act a certain way in order to earn love and friendship, while embracing those relationships that not only are able to survive conflict and disagreements but are actually made stronger by working through those conflicts.


 

My Cups Overfloweth

Using my Goddess Tarot app on my phone, I pulled a simple daily spread.

Ten of Cups, Queen of Cups, Seven of Cups, Ten of Wands - Goddess Tarot App

So many cups!  So much water.  I'm not feeling particularly emotional lately, but we have been having some very wet weather with flooding in places.  Along with the gray weather I tend to feel a bit down, but I have been working on feeling happy regardless of my physical circumstances.  This spread does seem to reflect that work.

In the past position the Ten of Cups reminds me that I have, along with my husband, built a really good life.  Our 26th anniversary just passed (still waiting to celebrate due to illness) and we have a four wonderful children.  We are surrounded by supportive friends and extended family, and we have a comfortable home.  Really, my life is the stuff that dreams are made of.  I could spend all day lamenting the dreams I have let go and completely miss the bliss in front of me.

The Queen of Cups in the present position represents the fact that I really have been making a conscious decision to be happy right now and live more fully in the present.  I'm choosing to draw from the well of abundance and joy as opposed to the well of regret and self-criticism. I'm feeling the way I've been wanting to feel without all of the striving and fighting myself of the past.  I'm doing well!

The Seven of Cups in the future advises me that, at some point, I'm going to need to take this feel good stuff to the next level, from fantasizing and planning to action.  I've been thinking of things I want to do with my life, both big and small.  For example, for a few days now I've been wanting to get into my kitchen and do some baking, but I have yet to actually do it.  That is due, in part, to the fact that I've been ill, but I'm starting to feel much better, so I'm looking forward to doing a little baking, decorating, and cozy-ing up of my home this week.  I have longer range goals too, but I'll be happy to start with the small stuff for now.

Card number four represents the overall theme of the reading, and it's interesting that with all of the good emotional stuff happening I am feeling very tired and overwhelmed as this card suggests.  Like I said, I've been ill, but it is also that I've spent weeks in a state of waiting and not knowing what to do with myself.  What I am getting from this card is advice to pace myself.  I am feeling like moving and getting busy again, but I can easily overwhelm myself if I expect to accomplish too much right now.  This is a busy time of year for me, but I can choose what is most important to me and let the other stuff take care of itself or sit a while longer.

Joy

The Spreading the Joy spread found in the little white book that comes with The Joie De Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy is delightful! 

 0 - What is joy to me? Page of Coins. 

I enjoy learning new things, and a new project can be invigorating, especially if it is an artistic or creative one.  There are several things I've loved in the past that I don't do anymore like making glass beads and jewelry, singing, playing guitar.  I also love inspiring others to learn along with me and watching others learn to do one of the crafts or projects I enjoy.

 1 - Where do I find joy the easiest? Ace of Coins

 Fresh starts and opportunities.  A new idea with a plan about how to bring it into being.  I tease my husband all the time and tell him, "I'm an idea woman!"  Often the idea involves work for him.  Eh, I'm all about the planning and the ideas, but the actual work involved with making those ideas a reality is another story which leads me to,...

 2 - Where must I work to find joy? Nine of Wands

I need to work at following through on those plans and ideas, giving them some muscle, and then I will experience the joy that comes from working hard for something and accomplishing a goal.   This makes me think of those novels I've started writing and haven't finished, the online art class I paid for and still haven't completed a single lesson or the embroidery project sitting in my nightstand drawer that I began before my marriage so I'd have something sweet to hang on my bedroom wall as a new bride.  That was 26 years ago!

 3 - What do I allow to block my joy? Five of Cups

Focusing on what I lack instead of intentionally noticing what I have is blocking my joy.  Instead of allowing myself to enjoy what I have I'm always looking for the next thing that will make me happy.  So often I'm desiring the next bite of pizza instead of the delicious bite that's already in my mouth.  I'm waiting for the Summertime instead of enjoying the new life that Spring brings or the opportunities to hunker down and enjoy the warmth of my home that comes with Winter.  Constantly striving and chasing after what I don't have takes all of my attention away from the abundance all around me.

 4 - Who should I watch to learn more about finding joy? The Sun

The card in this position is meant to point me to a "joy mentor."  I have some ideas what the Sun might represent.  The divine?  Is it God, which I often associate with light and warmth?  Or maybe it is literally referring to the sun.  I have always said that nothing lifts my spirits like a sunny day, and it's so true.  Maybe I could learn about finding joy if I try to remember how a sunny day makes me feel and bring that spirit into my life even on gray days.  I could ask myself what the sun does for me on a physiological level and think of ways to provide those things when the sun isn't around (like taking a vitamin D supplement or using my full spectrum light box during the Winter.)


5 - What joy is the Universe gifting to me at this time? Two of Cups

 I often think of a romantic relationship or a very close friendship when I see this card.  I have been distancing myself from both lately.  Bad feelings about myself have kept me from giving all of myself in my relationships.  My marriage has been more of a business partnership, and I have been avoiding my friends.  I have three different friends from three different parts of the country that are going to be in my area this month, and I've been considering making an excuse for why I can't meet with them.  I've been cancelling lunch dates and declining party invitations.  The Universe is gifting me with  love, friendship, companionship, and SEX, if I will only let myself receive those things.  Joy!

Let Go and Just Be

Ten of Cups, The Lovers, The Tower - Tarot of the Magical Forest

 I always freak out a little when The Tower comes up in a reading, especially if it's in the, "outcome," or, "future," position, as it is here.  Interestingly though, just before I pulled these cards I was having a conversation with some random person in my head.  (This is not unusual for me.)  I was telling this random person that when I do a reading, I tend to look at the cards as a counselor giving advice, as opposed to a fortune teller telling me what will be.  Sure, I do think of them as giving a glimpse into possible outcomes, but I still believe our decisions affect our outcomes.

The Tower is a little different, though.  Tower events happen to us all, and we rarely see them coming.  Painful and sometimes terrifying at the time, the event brings a much needed change, perhaps a change that has been resisted.  Still, I'll try to keep my own words in mind when considering these cards because I think it's significant that they came to me just before I pulled them.

The Lovers card in the position of my current situation makes a lot of sense.  This card from the Tarot of the Magical Forest has a real Yin and Yang feeling to it.  One white rabbit, the other black.  A tree with flames that looks a lot to me like a tree in fall, losing it's leaves, while the other looks lush and is bearing fruit.  The snake in the tree and the angel in the sky further remind me of choices: good or bad, right or wrong, pure or evil.

I wonder if this card is asking me to accept those things about myself that I find repugnant.  I wonder if this is just another guidepost among the many I've gotten lately telling me how important it is that I accept myself unconditionally.  Or maybe I just want to see it that way, as that puts a kinder spin on that Tower card over there.  I'm thinking (hoping?) The Tower card is referring to recent prayers and pleas to the Universe I've been making lately.  I've been wanting to surrender and let go of always striving to be better and be able to trust that God has my back and will bring all things together for my good without my needing to make it happen.

Or are The Lovers telling me I have a very important choice to make?  Choose unwisely, and that Tower will bring me to the very place I'm supposed to be anyway, except that it will be the more shocking and upsetting way to get there.

The Ten of Cups reminds me that I have a good life and a loving, supportive family.  I know that whatever comes for me in the future I'll have help along the way, if I can remember to ask for it, and if I can allow myself to lean on others during those times when I have trouble standing on my own.  It may also indicate the end of a cycle.  Summer is almost over and soon the dark months, as shown in the stormy sky of The Tower card will be upon me.  I have to take extra self-care measures to get through those months.

Self acceptance, gratitude for all I have, surrendering and letting go.  These seem to be the theme of my life lately.  It would be a relief to stop trying so hard and just be.

Retreat

The Hermit - Galaxy Tarot

Today's, "Card of the Day," from my Galaxy Tarot phone app was The Hermit, which is fitting for the day considering I cancelled a lunch date and declined a party invitation for this evening.  I haven't been feeling well and really haven't had the energy to socialize lately.  Actually, I've been craving a solitary retreat, as I do from time to time.  Anyone know a comfy monastery?

Oh! I found one that welcomes visitors:  Our Lady of the Rock

Roof of Wands

Last year when we were building our new deck I had some serious concerns about the project.  This year we are having our roof redone, and the same players are involved in the project which hasn't gone as smoothly as one would hope. Needless to say, I have concerns again.  I pulled a card using the Galaxy Tarot app on my phone.

King of Wands

I couldn't help but smile.  Once again, the King of Wands comes up, and it is clearly my husband's cousin who is facilitating the roof project.  He is the King of Wands in every way, and while I don't necessarily trust the rag-tag group of friends he gathers to help with these projects, I do trust that he will make things right.  It is so cool and interesting that this king has come up for both projects, and he assures me not to worry.

Embracing Change

Kerry did a New Moon Reading looking at something she needed to release and something she needed to embrace during the next lunar phase. It was so beautiful that I was inspired to do the same.  I pulled two cards from Paulina Cassidy's Joie De Vivre Tarot.

King of Cups, Six of Swords - Joie De Vivre Tarot

I keep a pretty tight lid on my emotions most of the time.  When I'm nervous, I feel it on the inside, but the only way one would know it is if I chose to tell them.  It's the same with any strong emotion I feel.  I don't like to appear weak, so I do my crying, nervous pacing, and angry swearing in private.  So much control is something I would probably benefit from releasing. 

Interestingly, in this Six of Swords, the rider on the swan-like creature has given up her control.  She possesses no paddle and has no way to direct herself.  She is allowing herself to be carried away, leaving her swords (worries? anxieties? baggage?) behind on the shore.  The water she rides upon could be a symbol for those emotions I'm so afraid of.  I need to embrace the change I'm experiencing, trust the process, and let myself  feel what I feel.  In fact, expressing my emotions more freely would probably make the transition easier and my load lighter.

“The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very one that heals it...”
~Nicholas Sparks, At First Sight

Signs Point to, "Yes."

Using the Galaxy Tarot app on my phone I pulled some cards asking the question, "Now that I've begun to establish some new, healthier habits, can I expect to be successful with my weight loss efforts this time around?"

Queen of Pentacles, Ace of Pentacles, Four of Wands Reversed

The Queen of Pentacles represents me and the way I've been nurturing myself in the last couple of months.  I've been eating healthier foods, some straight from my garden, and I've been taking time to relax in the sun because that always improves my mood. I've been trying to move a little more, and I've bought some new, better fitting clothes which makes me feel so much better about myself.  Besides taking care of my physical self, I've really been working on accepting and loving myself just as I am, and I'm making progress there too.

The Ace of Pentacles represents, I believe, this new plan I have for my diet.  I feel really hopeful that this can work for me.  I'm looking at the path before me, and off in the distance is a gate that leads to my promised land of good health and fitness. There is, indeed, great potential for success if I follow that path.

I'm not sure how to interpret the Four of Wands reversed.  Maybe I need to be aware of some things in my environment here at home that aren't supporting me in reaching my goals.  Maybe it just speaks about the fact that I'm prone to becoming overwhelmed here at home with the housework, making sure everyone is cared for, planning and cooking meals for everyone.  Yes, being a mom is overwhelming sometimes, and it does make focusing on my own fitness goals challenging. 

So, I think overall this reading is telling me that, yes, I could very well be successful this time around, but I do need to find a way to balance my needs with those of my family in order to create a supportive environment for me to continue to nurture myself.

Short and Sweet

Knave of Swords, The Fool, King of Wands - Tarot of the Magical Forest

The first impulse I got when I turned these cards over was, "You need to get control of your thoughts, girlfriend. This is a brand new journey, and it's just the beginning. You will be the master of your impulses and cravings, and you will accomplish your goals."

Now head over to my other blog to see why I needed a pep talk today.


 

Hooky Playin' Hubby

Three of Pentacles Reversed - Revelations Tarot

Perhaps this card is referring to the fact that my husband stayed home from work today. He hurt his back last night, and he had a project he wanted to complete today, so staying home seemed like a good thing. As much as I like having him around I was a little disappointed because I wanted to have a productive day. Usually when he stays home we encourage each others' lazy tendencies.

The day started out looking like that would be the case. He played a video game, and I felt a tiny bit resentful that my family had messed up the kitchen and nobody was picking up after themselves. Things improved later, though, and as far as productivity is concerned, it was a good day. I made dinner, did some laundry and got some housework done. I made some green juice too, which is the first time I've done that in a couple of weeks. So, maybe this card is simply referring to a day off in the middle of the week for my husband.

 

Baby Queen of Cups

Queen of Cups Reversed - Revelations Tarot

I know exactly how to connect this card to my day in a sweet and whimsical way, which might surprise because the reversed Queen of Cups is anything but whimsical.  She is manipulative.  She is given to emotional outbursts.

Zach Wong, the creator of the Revelations Tarot says on his website:

"She is a temptress. She pulls on emotional strings. She dances and dazzles with her magic and charms with her flirtatious promises of happiness."

These descriptions make me smile because I am thinking of the baby we had the pleasure of babysitting at my house today.  She is just a year old, and she had us wrapped around her little finger.  She would shriek when she didn't immediately get what she wanted, and she would reward us with huge smiles the minute we complied with her wishes.  Babies don't mean to manipulate us, but they've been given cuteness and charm, and our sweet little guest sure had a way of turning a houseful of big people into her servants.  It was fun.


 

Happy Father's Day

The Hierophant - Revelations Tarot

It's Fathers' Day, and we continued our tradition of making a special favorite meal for my husband. He was King for the day, which just means we wouldn't let him help make dinner or clean up afterwards.  We also took cards and white chocolate truffles to our dads, my husband's and mine, which has also become a Father's Day tradition.

Besides our Fathers' Day rituals I worked on two new daily rituals of my own, and did my morning yoga and had my breakfast smoothie.


“Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing”
~ Jose Bergamin


 

Hopeful

The Star - Revelations Tarot

I drew The Star this morning, and it was the perfect card for the day.  When I see this card, the word, "hope," comes to mind.  In fact, the companion guide for the Revelations Tarot says,...

"When this card is drawn, it is implied that there is hope in your life.  Hope can come from within you to drive you further in life and down your chosen path, and it can also inspire others around you to achieve their goals or to carry on." 

That is exactly what is happening right now in my life.

The sun was shining.  This is the third day  in a row that I've done a little yoga in the morning, and it's the third day in a row that I worked in my garden. 

I noticed when I walked around the house there was a zip in my step.  Instead of lumbering around like the effort was just too much, (Many days it really has felt like it is just too much.) I walked with purpose and a faster pace.  I even danced around to the music I was listening to on the stereo.  My kids called me a goof, but I could tell they were happy to see me happy.

I feel hopeful for the first time in a long time.

 

Break Free - Swim to the Surface

Eight of Cups - Revelations Tarot

I pulled the Eight of Cups this morning with the intention of looking for connections to it throughout my day.  The first thing it reminded me of was the sun salutations I've just begun practicing.  The merman swimming to the surface almost resembles someone in the extended mountain yoga pose.  I also connect to this card because I'm trying to leave behind habits that no longer serve me while trying to establish new healthier habits.  Still, I am holding onto some habits for the pure hedonistic pleasure of them, and maybe this card is telling me something better awaits if I could only let go.

 

Taking Control

Justice, Page of Wands, Ten of Wands - The Gilded Tarot

Justice is reminding me that the situation I'm in is a result of the choices I have made, and the choices I make now will affect me in the future.  That's not to say I'm in a bad situation.  Sure, I have challenges, but overall I have a good life.  This isn't a card of condemnation...or praise.  It's just a fact of life that the choices we make affect our lives.  We are in control of a whole lot that happens to us.

Getting very specific,...today I've been lamenting the fact that I'm not sleeping well and wondering why oh why can I not sleep.  Well, to be honest, there are a lot of bad habits I could change that might help me sleep better.

I believe the Page of Wands is me right now.  I'm taking baby steps toward changing some of those bad habits.  I'm trying to change my whole life, really.  I want to be healthier and more plugged into my life, and I have begun the process of change, but the Ten of Wands is warning me that along the way I will feel burdened.  I may feel that it's all too hard and be tempted to just give up. 

When I think about the fact that I have to make these changes for life, or go back to the same old situation I'm working so hard to leave behind, I do become overwhelmed, but this card is telling me to hang in there.  In time the healthy changes will become habits that I don't even think about anymore.  Naturally.

I can accomplish what I have just set out to do.  I need to remember my old mantra, "I can't fail if I don't give up." 

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
~Dale Carnegie


 

Week in Review

Carla at Rowan Tarot inspired me to try a week in review spread today, and the cards were spot on!

Seven of Swords, The Lovers, Queen of Pentacles - The Gilded Tarot

The week started out with me feeling extremely uncomfortable.  Some weirdness that is swirling around with my larger circle of friends was causing a very close friend of mine to behave in a way that was confusing and hurt me.  I was afraid to have a conversation about it and was trying hard to just ignore the situation or maybe even walk away from the friendship if things didn't change.  My inner wisdom was screaming that this was not the way to approach the situation, but fear was telling me to say nothing and distance myself instead.

I did eventually listen to wisdom and love instead of fear and started a conversation simply by saying, "What's going on?"  This is when I learned about some of the drama that has been happening, of which I was only vaguely aware.  I was also able to explain my own part in it or what looked like my part, (misunderstandings, ugh!) which I think eased some of my friend's hurt feelings.  So, the two of us are in good shape even if our larger circle of mutual friends is still broken.  I do wish I could fix that because I think many, many misunderstandings, old and new, are causing the rift, but that is something that is not mine to fix.

The week ends with me reflecting on how I am taking better care of myself lately, which would include facing an uncomfortable relationship problem that was causing me much stress, eating more healthfully, and playing hostess to some wonderful friends for a Rock Band party at the beginning of the week.  I'm suddenly noticing a crack in the darkness letting some light shine in, and that is a very nice feeling.


 

Six of Cups Affirmation

I remember the joy and contentment  from my past, and allow it to expand now and in the future.

Six of Cups - Joie De Vivre Tarot

"Your past successes will teach you far more than your past mistakes."
~Melody Minagar

Memo

I just wanted to mention, for anyone who hasn't noticed, that I started a new blog called, "Project Me," where I'm writing about the work I'm doing to live the life I truly desire and become the person I am meant to be. The link is in the header. That is all. :-)