Tarot Says, "Enjoy!"

I didn't have a specific question for my spread today.  I was just open to whatever message I might need to hear right now.

The Fool, Three of Cups, Ace of Coins - The Joie De Vivre Tarot

As it happens I'm going on another trip tomorrow, so I think The Fool showing up is referring to that.  My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary.  When I made the arrangements for the trip, we had the money needed to pay for it, but after a few home improvement projects this Summer that cost more than planned, money is tight.  Those money concerns are making it difficult for me to get excited about this trip.  I think the reversed Ace of Coins reflects those financial concerns.

However, I think the Three of Cups in the middle is telling me to relax and enjoy despite the fact that money is tight right now.  This is a very special occasion, worthy of celebrating, and I won't be doing anyone any favors if I am unable to be present in the moment because I'm too worried about money that's already been spent.

I'm going to let myself live it up! Responsibly.  We won't be spending any more money than necessary.  In fact, we're taking stuff to make sandwiches so we can eat on the cheap for a couple of meals, but this will be a time to enjoy!

Ah, I feel better now.

Peace for the Season

The beginning of Fall marks the beginning of my busy season. Fall is my favorite season, but I typically don't enjoy it as much as I should because I spend most of it stressed out and overwhelmed. Besides the holidays, this is our birthday and anniversary season. We have a celebration of one kind or another almost every week from now until the end of December. I don't know why our family decided to do all of its birthing and marrying in the Fall, but that's the way it worked out.

I was reading a guest post by Brigit Esselmont at Tarotize.com about how a beginner could learn to read the Tarot in just five minutes by using the images on the cards to tell a story.  I decided to give it a try, asking the question, "What's the best way to approach this holiday season to avoid becoming overwhelmed?"

King of Coins, Four of Swords, The Lovers - The Joie De Vivre Tarot

There's a man, well, a bunny, a bunny man!  There's a bunny man offering a modest but beautiful gift.  At his feet is a heart, symbolizing love. He stands in front of his beautiful kingdom looking peaceful and content.

I should remember that the celebrations, gifts, and gatherings are there for the purpose of loving each other.  The gifts don't have to be expensive.  That's not what's important.  Opening up my home to our extended family and friends for the celebrations is one way I can show them how much they mean to me, and that is the best gift of all.

In the next card is a woman who appears to be meditating.  She is centering herself, and in her hands she holds another heart, another symbol of love. She is surrounded by, what looks to me like, balloons.  Is she closing her eyes and catching her breath in the middle of a party?

When I start to feel overwhelmed, I should step back and take some time to center myself. During the parties, instead of worrying whether or not everything is perfect and whether or not everyone is having a good time, I can sit and let myself soak in the love of my family gathered together.  I can take a time out, even in the middle of a social event, to just be present.

The last card shows two people holding hands while traveling together somewhere. They are followed by a winged messenger, symbolizing communication.  Where are they traveling?  Maybe they are going Christmas shopping at the mall!

Maybe the message here is that I don't have to make all the preparations and gifts by myself.  I do have a partner to help me, but I have to communicate with him and let him know when I need help.  Typically, I do handle all of the holiday preparations by myself.  I buy the gifts, bake the cookies and cakes, make the meals and all the plans.  My husband is always willing to do whatever I need him to do to help, but if I don't ask, he doesn't know what I need.

Perfection is not the goal this holiday season.  Loving each other, and taking the opportunities given by the birthdays and holidays to spend time together is the goal.  I will take time out from the preparations and celebrations to breathe and be present, and I will rely more on the support my husband can offer by communicating with him so he knows what I need from him.

 

King of Regrets, Meet King of Gratitude

When I draw a card for the day with no question in mind, I seem to get no real answer.  Today I drew the King of Cups.

 

King of Cups - Gilded Tarot

The king in this card doesn't look as happy as one would expect a king to be.  He looks like he is thinking about something he has lost or maybe remembering someone he misses.  Maybe despite his high position, he has regrets and can't stop thinking of them.  They rob him of the joy he should be experiencing because he has everything a man could want in life.

Maybe this is a reminder to me to count my blessings. Instead of focusing on what I don't have, I should focus on the many things I do have.  I have everything a woman needs to lead a joyful life.  Honestly, all of us do because joy is not dependent on circumstances, the balance in one's checking account, or a number on the scale.

Today, I will focus on being present in the moment and I will say a small prayer of gratitude for each of the blessings I notice as I go about my day, and in that case, I could pray all day long.

It's funny, sometimes I get no real message at all from the cards until I start writing about them.

Filling My Cup

I got a slow start today.  There is so much I need to get done, so naturally, I ignored all of it all morning long.  As the day dragged on, I started to feel guilty and anxious, but I didn't know where to start. 

I've been trying to create a daily walking habit, and I didn't go walking yesterday, so I was thinking another day off would kill the walking habit dead. However, my daughter is having a guest over for the weekend, and the room she shares with her little sister is a disaster in desperate need of work.  The house is a small disaster too.  It was clean three days ago, but six people living in a little house can create a lot of mess in three days. What to do?

Since I was feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start, I pulled out my cards and asked where I should focus my energy today; myself, my little girls' room, or the house and dinner.

Ace of Cups, Ten of Coins, Page of Coins - The Joie De Vivre Tarot

The first card, the Ace of Cups, is very clearly telling me that I need to fill my own cup or I will have nothing to give anyone else.  It seems very obvious to me now, but putting myself and my walk on the back burner, in favor of cleaning my girls' room and the house would be a mistake.  I'm coming out of a long lasting depressive state, and it is critical that I care for myself, and try to keep the momentum I've developed going.

The cup holder in this card looks like she's out enjoying nature, so I'm taking some elements of the card literally today by making sure I get enough water to drink, and I went to the park and took a walk around the beautiful lake there. 

The Ten of Coins might not traditionally advise one to let their daughters clean their own room, but when I saw the two little sweeties riding the unicorn in the sky, I thought, of course this is what it is telling me.   They're both motivated to do it because they prefer it clean and because a guest is coming to stay, which is always exciting.  By cleaning their own room they will feel a great sense of accomplishment. They also get the chance to assess their own possessions, which is a very Ten of Coins kinda thing to do.

As far as the rest of the house goes, I think this card is telling me to wait until my husband comes home from work, and then the whole family can tackle the house together.  Again, this isn't a traditional meaning for this card, but there are six of us in our family, and the card has six little beings all coming together to celebrate or accomplish something.  Many times in the past when I've been overwhelmed with the house, I declare it "time for a blitz!"  I set the timer for 15 minutes, and we all work as quickly as we can to clean things up.  I am always amazed at how much we can do in such a short time when we work together.

So, I took that walk, decided to let my girls clean their room, with guidance from me, of course, and I will enlist the whole family's help with the house later on today.  Oh, and I think I'll text my husband and ask him to pick up dinner.

 

Wait for the Facts

Knight of Cups reversed - The Joie De Vivre Tarot

The Knight of Cups reversed.

The Knight of Cups rides the fish, whose home is the depths of the sea where unknown mysteries reside, and knowledge of deep things can be found.

Turn this card around and that fish has gone "belly up."  The contents of the knight's cup spill out, possibly causing more trouble.

Be careful not to react without knowing all the facts. This is not the day to "go with your gut." The situation may appear a certain way, and you may feel sure you know what is going on, but there is more to the story, so take care that you don't say or do something you regret.

"Don't Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life."
~ Miguel Angel Ruiz

"Assumptions are the termites of relationships."
~ Henry Winkler

 

What a Trip!

I'm headed out the door in a couple of hours, but I wanted to do a reading about something that is bothering me before I leave, and before I forget what cards came up, I'm logging them here.

Celtic Cross Spread using The Joie De Vivre Tarot

1. What covers me:  The Fool.  I'm beginning a new journey.  I'm learning new things, and have a feeling of expectancy.  Times, they are a changin'! (This is the 2nd day in a row this card has come up for me.)

2. What crosses me:  The High Priestess.  I'm feeling undercurrents of tension around me, but I don't know if I'm being hyper-sensitive or if I should trust my gut.  I'm worried too much about the motives and thoughts of others, and while maybe I am feeling something that is actually happening, this awareness is not helping me.  Or maybe what I'm calling an "awareness" is really just an over-active imagination.  Best to give the benefit of the doubt in these situations.  God knows, my sensitivity has gotten me into trouble before when I've reacted with not enough information.

3. What is below me (the root of the issue or history that is relevant to this situation):  Page of Cups.  I have newfound joy, and I'm excited to share this with friends of like mind.   My mind is bursting with ideas about things I could make or do, and I want to talk about these ideas, share them and get feedback.  Still, this card is also a reminder to trust my intuition and view the situation with love and compassion. I constantly work to think the best of those around me, and do try to give the benefit of the doubt.  I need to fall back on that now.

4. What is behind me (the recent past):  Five of Cups.  Depression.  I am coming out of a period of hopelessness and depression.  I still need to guard against falling into negative thinking and inactivity that keeps me depressed, but it is behind me at the moment.

5. What is above me (my desire or possible outcome): Eight of Cups.  Leaving the past behind in search of new horizons.  I'm on a journey, but it is my journey alone.  Whatever support I gain along the way is helpful, but ultimately, I am going to have to do the work that needs doing.  This is a time of growth and gaining a new perspective.  Like The Fool, this card says change is coming, and I am welcoming that change, even if it is sometimes a little scary. 

6. What is before me (future event or next step):  Ace of Wands.  I'm boldly moving forward on this adventure! Strong creative energy is ahead, along with a spiritual awakening.  If I think I am just waking up from a depressive sleep now, just wait, baby!  The future holds more.  I'm just beginning to see what I can do and be.

7. My attitude, thoughts and feelings about the situation:  Ten of Swords.  Ugh. Yes.  I'm feeling abandoned, ignored and neglected.  It seems nobody is interested in my growth and excitement.  I'm that little bunny in the Page of Cups card wanting to share what I'm learning, hoping to bring that excitement to the lives of people I care about, but every attempt to start a dialogue is met with silence.

What I need to remember is that it's not all about me.  Everyone has their own path, their own priorities.  My goals are just that. Mine.  I need to accept the gifts people bring to my life, give back, and draw on the support I do have.

8. My environment:  Six of Cups.  I have many sources of joy in my life; children, friends, a wonderful husband.  Besides that, I do have many past successes.  I can remember those and pull that energy into my current situation to help me chase my dreams.  I have many talents and abilities, and it's important to remember that.

9. My hopes and fears:  King of Cups.  I want to heal my life and by healing mine help the people I love find their joy and passion too.  However, the King of Cups has come up for me before telling me that I am far too dependent and validation from others, and that is my current fear, that others are not approving of my ventures, or that I need their praise and validation to move forward.  This card, besides reflecting my hope for emotional and spiritual wholeness, is telling me that I can have that whether or not I gain validation along the way.  This is my journey, and it is up to me to find the strength within to complete it.

10.  Outcome:  Strength.  Ah! I will find the strength within that I need to complete this journey.  In fact, the journey, itself, will strengthen me.  I can expect to accomplish what I am setting out to accomplish, and the changes that are coming are good ones! 








So many cups in this reading and so very appropriate!  This is, indeed, a very emotional time for me.  This reading speaks so much of new beginnings and changes, and that is what I've been trying to manifest in my life for a very long time now.  It seems I may finally be getting there!

I'm feeling blessed and encouraged now, and ready for that trip!  (Both the trip I'm taking today, and the life journey ahead.)

 

Adventure to Come

The Fool - The Joie De Vivre Tarot

Today I'm packing for a trip.  I'll be out of town for a few days, so it made me smile when I drew The Fool.

When I was a little girl I used to pretend I was going somewhere exciting, and I'd pack a few things in my red bandana and tie it to a stick, just like I'd seen somewhere.  I longed for new adventures, and right now I find I'm feeling something similar.

The little bat in this fool card is pulling on her belt.  Is he trying to keep her from going away, or is he trying to save her from a fall over the cliff?  For me, right now, it feels like the tug of things that are holding me back.

Maybe it is time to leave a few familiar things behind.  I've been thinking it for a while, but only recently have started to feel strong enough to build something better for myself.  There are several old habits I can identify immediately that need to go, but otherwise, I'm not sure what direction I'm headed or if it will work out for me.

But this card is telling me to move forward even though I'm not sure where the journey will take me.  That adds to the adventure, no?  So, I'm packing my real bags for a camping trip and my metaphorical bags for a spiritual trip.  Whee!

“We all want to break our orbits, float like a satellite gone wild in space, run the risk of disintegration. We all want to take our lives in our own hands and hurl them out among the stars.”
  ~David Bottoms