Without- Within- Advice spread with the Mary El Tarot

For today I wanted to do a daily three card spread which I found it the guidebook of the Mary El tarot

Without - The world

It seems I have it all under control. I have a house, a steady income, good health, a loving family and I am able to cope with the ups and downs life will present me with. Life is good and I am content. My dreams are fulfilled and I have nothing to complain about.

Within – Six of Wands

This is the archangel Michael, slayer of demons and dragons. Yes, although life is good, I still have many demons to confront. The question this card is asking me is if I want to slay my demons or if I want to assimilate them to become a more complete person. I think the latter. My demons are my own, they are part of who I am, although perhaps they are a bit deformed and grown out of proportion over the years. Marie White states that in this card our higher self meets our shadow. I think that although this might be scary, it is a necessary encounter which we can’t escape forever.

Advice - Ace of Wands

Roar woman! Show your strength and think of a creative way to lure your demons into the light. Don’t be afraid of who you are because you are wonderful and one of kind. This card is the primordial spark of creation. It is the embodiment of courage and power; the seed of our creativity and our intent. What better card to call us to arms than this one.  It is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer us and we only have to reach out than grab it, because it is always and everywhere!

I feel that when I can harness the power of this ace and meet my demons with courage and confidence the energy of The World will become an intrinsic part of who I am.

New Moon in October

For this new moon, I have pulled one card from the Raven’s Prophecy Tarot as to what energy I should embrace during this next cycle of the Moon and I got The World.

After having pulled the Six of wands, the card of victory and celebration, for the two previous new moons, this card seems to encourage me to continue on this journey of well being and fulfilment

In this version of The World, we see a road with one intersection, heading towards the mountains in the distance.  For me, this symbolizes that even though we sometimes appear to have lost our path, it is always right in front of us. No need to retrace our steps or to take a turn to the left or right because going forward is the only way for us to live: Step by step, minute by minute.  Besides experiencing our life’s journey as linear, we also appear to journey in spirals: Every new cycle we start at the next winding of our spiralling path, always forward always changing; jumping from The World into the Fool’s position over and over again

The World card invites us to become aware of our accomplishments in life: not only of our successfully finished projects but also of the inner transformations we have gone through over the years. It is asking us to consider where we have come from and how we got here. Looking back, we might discover that the most difficult and challenging experiences probably have brought us the deepest feeling of fulfilment and belonging.

The first ten days of this lunation I will still be busy with my shadow work challenges, which have already brought up a lot of demanding issues. Of course, these issues do not entirely consist of darkness so I will be trying to also excavate the gifts and treasures hidden beneath the surface of these issues and give them the attention they deserve.

Also, I want to ponder about what my intentions are for my future journey: what needs to change and what is making me feel utterly content right now?

Perfect questions for journaling or just for sitting in my chair, listening to the wind in trees… and letting my mind whirl along with the dancing leaves

My cards for the Autumn Equinox

For this year’s Autumn spread I’ve used the Ravens Prophecy Tarot. This deck is quite the opposite of the Tarot of the Hidden Realm because while that deck is mostly about people and faces, this deck is all about symbolism. I was surprised by the amount of Court cards I got in this reading but fortunately it was easy to relate  to them.

By the way, getting reacquainted with my  Autumnal decks after so long, makes me very happy! It feels like coming home: warm, cozy,  familiar but also completely new. 

What have I sown? The World:

The potential to become and achieve whatever I want and cope with whatever comes my way

What have I reaped? The Queen of Wands:

I feel so much more confident to express myself in words and images and I’ve learned that art is not only something I like to do but maybe even more a way of taking care of myself. It feeds and fulfills my soul. I always feel so much better after I’ve created something.

What should I be thankful for? The Queen of Coins

I am grateful for taking better care of my body and I am also grateful to be able to be a caring mother not only for my family but most of the time for myself as well. 

Where do I still need to focus my efforts? The King of Cups

I would like to try to really listen what others have to say; at least give them a chance to let them finish their sentence. Also I think it is important to  become more aware of my own emotional currents.  

How can I achieve balance? The page of Swords

I need to find clarity in all aspects of my life especially about my emotional well being and for me the best way to do this is journal, journal, journal!

From complacency to fiery enthusiam with Eihwaz

For today another a combination of my runes and The wild Unknown Tarot. They fit so seamlessly together as if it was meant to be. I really am enjoying working with both of them.

My rune for today is Eihwaz. 

This is the rune of death and transformation, much like the Death card in tarot. It urges us to release what is stopping us from moving forward and from spiritual growth. Often this can be hard and even painful but most of the time the rewards are worth the effort

So what do I have to let go of? The World. 

Although the world it a very positive card and is all about completion and fulfillment, it also can be a very tempting place to stick around. We have so much energy spend to get there. Why should we leave this wonderful feeling about ourselves and our accomplishments behind? Why should we move away from this haven of admiration and pride? Because  else we would only move in circles instead of forward and we would probable become complacent.

So if I was to let go of The World energy what could be out there for me? The Daughter of Wands.

She is moving like a lemniscate looking at her blossoming wand from every angle possible. She is the free spirit who gets excited about almost everything new. She wants to try and experience new things or revive old projects with  renewed enthusiasm.

So in short: Experiencing the energy of The World is wonderful and we should enjoy it as long as we don’t forget to jump of that cliff and start again with something new.  

The World and Fehu - completion and new beginnings

What and extraordinary couple this is: The World from the Wild Unknown Tarot and Fehu from my runes. The World is everything Fehu is not; It is the last card from the Major Arcana. It signifies an harmonious successful ending, completion, transcendence and feeling one with Spirit. In this card we don’t see the dancing figure like in many other World versions but a couple of concentric circles which give me the impression of entering some kind of vortex. Like if we  are drawn in to that white burst of light and energy. The first circle is like a rainbow. This is how we feel when we are on top of the World. Deeply fulfilled and content. Then it is time to shed our skin, leave our material attachment behind and enter into the next cycle….

That is when Fehu comes into play. Fehu is the beginning of the Elder Futhark. It is the rune of possessions, of material wealth.  Not only how to obtain this but also how to be a good steward of your property and how to use your skills to protect it. Material wealth is the main source of survival not only in the past but also still nowadays. Only after having obtained a material security, we can focus on other things in life like love and happiness and creativity

For me each day brings World experiences and Fehu challenges. These two bring up a lot of questions for me. How do I chose what really fulfills me and enriches my spirit?  Do the things I own make me truly happy? What can I live without? How does protecting and caring for my stuff distract me from more spiritual matters? Is spirituality the opposite of Fehu’s attributes or is that merely something we have made up ourselves?  Is that why I often judge myself for wanting stuff to play with or just to collect?

So many questions. Maybe that is what card reading is all about: to learn how to ask questions instead of seeking for answers.

The World – The end of our Journey?

For today I've drawn The World from the Anna K tarot. This is far out the most beautiful version of The World I have in my collection. In this depiction we see  the universe enfolding the World tree, the Yggdrasil. The sun, the moon phases, the night sky, filled with stars; all are here to celebrate the end of the Fools journey. The fool, the explorer, the wander, has traveled through the entire Major Arcana  and he has learned so much. But the most important thing he’s learned is to be who he truly is: The Fool, the most authentic part of our selves, ready to travel the next winding of the spiraling journey towards becoming one with everything, with the Universe, with God(dess)

I think this spiraling journey inwards is the greatest adventure we can have in this lifetime. It is a voyage beyond compare: climbing mountains, fighting dragons, finding our significant other, leaning about magic and deep wisdom, being guided by celestial bodies; always on our way and always home for the journey is within.

“We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.”

T.S. Eliot

The World: Farewell - Hello

Today’s card is the World from the Druidcraft Tarot. This is one of the decks I love to use when Autumn is here without a doubt. It is raining and windy and windswept leaves piling up in my garden. I am enjoying my coffee with a big “speculaas”. (Dutch spiced biscuits )

Back to the tarot: the World is the last card of the Major Arcana and represents completion and fulfillment; the end of one cycle and the beginning of something new. Although the figure in this card has gained complete mastery over the elements and both male and female qualities, he/she is about to jump through the vulva like shape of the vesica pisces in a Celtic knotwork design, into a new challenge; the beginning of a new phase in his life

This card can be about larger periods in  your life but also and quite often it is more about the smaller ones, the ones you almost can’t notice or are happening so fast and abruptly you can hardly keep up with them. Sometimes new things are already approaching before the old has been laid down to rest. The old and the new, organically intertwining in the fabric of our lives. Maybe if we could learn to approach life as open an vulnerable as this Star like naked figure, we could more easily deal with the flowing and blending colors of life

We are heading into a new period; one without Tara but probable with a new puppy. It is hard and it seems so wrong sometimes but at the same time it feels like a soft balm for my heart. So no clean and razor-sharp endings and beginnings but more a daily, sometimes hourly moving back and forth between saying goodbye to Tara and making room for …….who knows

The World, Gaia – Where are You?

Today’s card is Gaia, The World, from the Goddess Tarot. Gaia is the Greek primordial Mother Goddess who existed before everything and created all of life. She is the personification of Earth. Just like for example: Erda ( Norse) and Mut (Egypt). I think every religion has his own version of the Creative Instigator of Life: God, Spirit. Mother, Father or whatever name you have chosen for this Creative Force

Lately is has been somewhat more difficult to open up and feel connected to my God(dess). It feels like I am going through the motions but the feeling isn't quite there  anymore. Then I am reading on different blogs about trusting and feeling connected with God(dess),  angels and/or guides. About knowing they are always there for you and we are not alone. Being a swords person, I know this all too well. But feeling  and trusting these beliefs is something quite different. This is when your intuition and gut feeling come into play and those are not my strongest qualities. I wonder why this is a constant returning issue for me….Perhaps it all comes down on my fear of letting go and losing control. For now I will keep meditating and practice gratitude and “trust” this too shall pass….

Psyche – The World – Walking a spiral path

What a wonderful card for Midsummer: Psyche (the World). The creators of the Chrysalis Tarot couldn’t have chosen a more apt depiction for their last Major Arcana card. Psyche is the Greek word for Soul or butterfly. It all started with a caterpillar and a chrysalis and now, after having finished this journey of transformation, a butterfly is born; the caterpillar has entered a new phase in his life; he has ascended. I like to see our life’s journey as a spiral. After each  successfully completed cycle of experiences we travel further, higher on the winding of our spiral path. Each time we encounter similar situations but we can try to respond differently so we will evolve again.

This is also a card of celebration and of recognition. It is good to be fully aware of your successes and accomplishments and to take the time to celebrate them. But don’t stay  too in this place. Because it is a tempting and safe haven. Look for new possibilities and challenges. Search for the next cliff to take that leap of faith again and to become the Fool once more.

“The spiral is the most natural of paths, in fact nature never creates in a straight line.” ~ Lesley Jackson

May Queen Tarot Spread for Beltane

This lovely tarot spread is created by Christine Jette for Beltane and is found in her book “Tarot for all Seasons”, which I’m using this year for every turning of the wheel: “May is a time of fertility and high spirits. By Beltane, the dark time of the year is a distant memory and the possibilities of life seem sweet. Use the May Queen spread to regain or confirm a sense of abundance and safety”

For this spread I will be using The Joie the Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy 

  

1: Safety. Emotional security.  Page of Swords

What do you need to feel safe. Where are you secure in yourself?

This is one of my favorite  court cards. He cuts to the chase. He is direct and refreshing. His hair is blowing in de the wind and clouds are clearing. His mind is full of new and exciting idea’s and he is eager to follow his desire to learn. It makes me feel safe, I can always rely on the insights and clarity of my mind.

2: Abundance. Feelings of plenty. Eight of Cups

Abundance may encompass monetary prosperity, but it also describes the emotional breath of your life that is full and sweet.  

Abundance can also come from the feeling of emotional fulfillment and the longing to broaden your  horizons. The possibilities are numerous. There is always room for emotional growth. The beauty of this card is that he's taking his cups with him instead of leaving them behind. Spiritual journeys are not always taken because of dissatisfaction with your current situation. Sometimes you just want to explore and feel free.

3: Regeneration. Exploring the possibilities. The Fool

The bold action needed to grow and flourish.

It couldn't be more bold than this. The Fool encourages us to take the leap and go for it. The little spider on her staff is reminding her she is the weaver of her own life. She wants to discover and experience. The fool is also about trusting your inner voice. Deep down you know you are on the right track. See the world with childlike eyes and look for new opportunities but don’t ignore your little bat

4: Emotions and relationships. All forms of love, The World

Apparently my relationships are doing well. The last couple of weeks I've been painfully  aware of the fact how much I love both my daughters. My other relationships are quite easy going. But when I look at the winged Merlion and how careful he is holding his world between his paws, I realize love is never to be taken for granted but to be cherished and respected. Love and relationships are dynamic forces which are asking for our constant attention

5: The Future. The present conceivable outcome. The Six of Cupsok how confident thes three are on ther way.

Look how happy and confident these three are on their way. They are strengthened by their happy memories and emotional contentment. From this stability they can move forward to seek out new possibilities. Al the cards in this spread are talking about moving forward and trying new things. It is obvious I am emotionally in a safe place. Perhaps it is good to acknowledge I am strong enough to expand my horizons and not to be afraid because I can always rely on my wits J

The World – I've got the whole wide World in my hands

Today I've chosen The Anna K Tarot for my daily draw and I've got The World!
I think this world Card is one of the most beautiful World cards that I own.  It contains the whole world/ universe in a nutshell: the sun, the  moon phases, the stars and the world tree or Yggdrasil. I love how the moon circles around the tree and the sun and how the new moon its hidden between the roots, waiting to be reborn.

Before I drew this card I asked: what will be my gift for this Spring. And I got the world, which for  me symbolizes being one with everything and everybody and being present in this precious moment.  From microcosm to macrocosm and back again. This card is our potential and our goal; our journey and our destination. 

To see this card makes me happy. To read it is difficult. This card is about feeling complete and whole. About knowing your place in the world. Knowing who you are and excepting yourself completely. On a smaller scale it is about  completing a cycle, coming full circle and starting over in The Fools position.  This could represent the rebirth of nature in the Spring. Or perhaps in the light of my previous posts I can see this card also as an encouragement to take responsibility for my own happiness and well being; to be authentic and not afraid of my own desires and to move fluidly within my own cycles of ups and downs while being firmly rooted in and  nourished by my earth based spirituality.

A three card spread for my daily draw

Today I am going to follow my own advice: to make a minor change in a daily routine, just for the fun of it. So instead of drawing one card today I've done a three card daily spread, using my Druidcraft Tarot:

Druidcraft Tarot

1 The main energy of the day - The Nine of Pentacles: I couldn't be more happy with that card. I often use it as my significator. This woman is so at ease in her fenced garden. I know the world is bigger but for now I am happy with myself and enjoy the abundance within my safe boundaries.

2 The challenge of the day - Princess of Cups: Don’t get to carried away by the worldly and material well being. Keep dreaming and fantasizing to expand your experiences and your creativity. Stay open for your sense of wonder and  for your intuitive feelings

3 The gift of today - the World. I seem to be getting this card  a lot and that pleases me. As a gift I would read this as a feeling of accomplishment and feeling whole again ( after a very long time). I feel like I am getting to know my authentic self a lot better lately. And blogging has a lot to do with it. This daily writing about tarot (and oracles)  is focusing my thoughts on unexpected topics and often I am surprised at what I think and write and in so I get to know myself a little bit better each day. 

We can have it all, if we dare to dream

Yesterday, after an exchange of thoughts with Sycamore about her last post: “Where the Heart is” , I started thinking about how hard it is for many of us to discover what we really want deep down inside. My wishes are most of the time the “good girl” wishes  and I wonder if that is all there is. Could it be I am afraid of my own buried desires? Or perhaps  of my undiscovered “greatness” J. Sometimes we put our light under the basket instead of on a stand mostly out of a false sense of modesty. That’s how a lot of us were brought up.

And what have the cards to say about this? Well they couldn't be more clear today. I drew these three cards without set positions just to read them as a story-line:

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

The Four of Cups tells us how hard it is to find that one cup that gives us the most pleasure; our true passion. Some cups are just fine but mostly they contain convenient and dull wishes, which keep us satisfied in our day to day lives

The Knight of Cups challenges us to follow our intuition and to pick up that one cup that truly belongs to us, to channel all our creativity and passion into it and go for..

The World. This is how we all can feel if we treasure our dreams and follow through on them.

Gilded Reverie Lenormand

How we bring this wonderful idea into practice? That is when the Lenormand comes in play

Scythe+ mountain+ Child

For me it is becoming very obvious: We have to cut away inner blockages and let our inner child play. I am certain that trough playing and experimenting we are all able to find what really makes our soul truly sing. 

A tarot spread for the New Year

Yesterday I've stumbled upon a great spread for the new year. It was created by Kate from Daily TarotGirl and she has made a video about it too.  It’s not a twelve month spread but more an overall view for the coming year. I liked it so much, I've done this reading for my daughters as well as for myself. We were all amazed about the accuracy of the readings. Whether it was the spread, the deck or our own awesomeness, It was a great experience to do this together.J

I've used the Druidcraft Tarot (just as Kate did) because I am very fond of this deck and I tend to use it for larger spreads. Now that I've trimmed the borders the colors of all the cards together are so beautiful 

Druidcraft Tarot

1 The overall message of the reading:  - The Lovers

For me this is a card of feeling whole. A synergy of male and female; mind and heart. This card also urges me to really, fully connect to the things I want to accomplish and to go for it; to be passionate about it.

2 Your goals and dreams for 2014 and how do you make things happen? - Nine of Swords.
I want to let go of my anxiety and worries and to learn to trust in myself and in the future. No more long negative spiraling into the black hole!

3 What actions are needed to be successful?- Three of Swords.

I still have to process parts of my grief, pain and sadness to be able to move forward

4 What do you leave behind in 2013? -  Four of Swords.

I've been resting long enough! Now it’s time to pick myself up and make things happen

5 The theme of 2014 : -Two of Wands.

I was indecisive and insecure. I knew my current situation was solid and save. But I felt like there had to be more, only I was too afraid to make the next move.  Now is the time to step over the threshold and make a the first step

6 Where  will 2014 lead us? -  Three of Pentacles.

YAY! My creativity card. I am starting to feel more relaxed already when I am drawing and I want to improve that by drawing (or painting , writing, collage etc) more often and to really be thankful and happy with the things I will create in 2014

7 Obstacles for 2014: - Five of Cups.

I have to be careful not to be overwhelmed by feeling sorry for myself when I am feeling sad or anxious. It’s better to focus on what is still there than on what I've lost

8 Gifts and talents for 2014: -  Ace of Swords.

 I am developing a new, more positive way of thinking. My gifts are my mind, my words, my writing; Those are the gifts I can use to find clarity, new idea’s and insights.

9 Message from your guides before you step into the new year: -  The world.

Wow! What a beautiful message: “You are already whole: You are who you are supposed to be at this very moment. Everything is okay. Just take the next step and your path will unfold itself into the new year.”

I wish everybody to be able to take that next step into 2014

Happy New Year!