Ace of Swords - When lightening strikes...

Today's card is the Ace of Swords from the Wild Unknown Tarot. This card is all about sudden clarity and spontaneous insights. A card of truth and inspiration. The two lightning bolts emphasize both the swiftness as the brightness of this energy. You have to be mindful of these flashes of insight; ready to catch them if they present themselves to you. This means we have to create open space in our mind for the lightning to strike.
Yet too often we keep our mind occupied by repeating the same old, same old over and over again. So how do we go about getting this open space?
Creating free headspace doesn't mean we have to sit on our cushion the whole day long. It is more about being busy with our hands and/or moving our body. Everything which occupies our mind just enough to keep it from obsessing and moving in circles.
My brightest ideas come to me when I am going for a walk or when I am taking a shower.
Where or when does your lightning tend to strike?

My best Christmas gifts!

I wasn’t planning on blogging today but when I read Chloe’s post: “What Were Your Best ChristmasGifts?”

I was inspired to pull two cards to answer the following questions for myself. I used the Druidcraft Tarot since it is my “Christmas deck” for this year. I have been enjoying it so much; just looking at the pictures, discovering new details, pulling a card now and then and being amazed by its wisdom and evocative nature all over again.

So let’s dive in:

What is the best gift I gave this Christmas? – Ace of Swords

From the depth of my sometime murky unconscious  emerged one thought crystal clear: this Christmas is a brand new experience: a once in a life time Christmas. No need to stain it with regrets and/or high expectations of Christmases  past. This relaxed mindset allowed me to step into this year’s Christmas with my family and really enjoy it. My eldest daughter and her boyfriend and my husband all came to visit us and we had a very good and peaceful day. I was able to divide my energy with ease and even keep some for  myself.

What is the best gift I received this Christmas? – Three of Swords

All  the merriment and cheerfulness were like a healing balm for the lingering sadness which is always, one way or another, asking for attention during this season. But this year I felt no need to harden my heart so I could protect myself from feeling too much. No this year I felt like I could be truly be myself and that was a wonderful Christmas gift.

What were your gifts this year?

Ace of Swords and Eight of Coins - Chop wood and carry water

My card for today is the Ace of Swords; a card of clarity and bright ideas and also in this version: reaching for the light within, which is in my opinion a way to enlightenment. Finding your most inner truth can feel like being reborn. Often it is a simple truth, one which you knew all along but never fully understood. Something like mindfulness or the power of breath or knowing we’re  always connected to everything.

This is the season I  always feel very drawn to go within and search for truth there but I also know Autumn, even though I adore it so much, is the season during which I am more susceptible to downhearted feelings and thoughts. So I asked my deck, how do I keep myself from over thinking and trying too hard to discover my truth, my spark, my guiding light and what will prevent me from feeling depressed when I don't find it (yet)

And I pulled: The Eight of Coins.

Seeing these two cards together, I was instantly reminded of the Zen proverb:

"Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water."

This card’s advice is to ground myself in my daily activities, cleaning my house, making dinner, watering my plants, knitting etc. All these activities occupy the mind just enough to keep it from wandering all over the place and they allow us to enter the present moment in a relaxed state of mind. It is doesn’t matter what you do but how you do it. Every activity can transcend from a boring and time consuming chore into an act of gratitude and grace. Not the activity itself has to change but the way we do things.

One more thing: often when I am busy with my daily “chores” I get the best idea’s. Something I think bright idea’s don’t want to be found because maybe they rather find us…

The Ace of Swords – Finding Truth

For today I’ve drawn the Ace of Swords from the Tarot of the Hidden Realm. Immediately some keywords come to mind: new perspective and ideas, mental clarity and truth.

Looking at this image I noticed that the Heron is looking to his left, which is often seen as the direction of the past, of everything what has been before.  Maybe we can find mental clarity and truth when we face our past and learn from all the experience we’ve had and the lessons we’ve learned.

By embracing and accepting our past new doors will open for us; new opportunities to find the truth or parts of it.

When we try to notice the smallest changes and movements around us and the whispers of our soul within us then we will be able to distinguish truth from illusion. Little by little we gather and learn...

So what will I find when I quiet down and listen.... The Three of Wands: whatever has happened or whatever will happen the love for my family is what drives me to be a better person then I was yesterday.

”La Loba” Tarot Spread

Yesterday I stumbled upon a very interesting tarot spread made by Vickie from EternalAthena Tarot: the “La Loba Spread”. She was inspired to create this spread after reading the first chapter of  “Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. In this chapter the story is told about La Loba; the Wolf Woman. The story tells us about how important it is to recover the lost “bones” of our inner Wild Woman and to become whole again. Since I love this book so much I was very excited to try this spread:

I’ve used the Raven’s Prophecy Tarot by  Maggie Stiefvater because the energy of this deck feels rather wild and primal and it speaks to the more concealed (wild) parts of me.

1 Who is the “Wild Woman” within? – The Two of Cups

This card is all about relationships with  lovers, friends and family and of course with myself and it tells me that my Wild Woman loves me enough to stay true to myself in any relationship. She urges me to cherish en love myself so much that I dare to love another as well without the fear of loving too much and losing myself or the other again.

My Inner Wild Woman wants to share her love and live from the heart

Where do I go to gather my bones? – The Six of Swords

By taking a step back and by reflecting on what went wrong. Taking the time to figure out which idea’s and feelings I can release and don’t need to cling on any longer. Just open my hands and let go… Then there will be room for new, more empowering ways of thinking about Love and Trust. Being a Swordy woman, reflecting and journaling about my thoughts is like to gathering bones to me

How can I express her? – The Ace of Swords

By taking the brightest and clearest idea about Truth and Love and pray it into existence.

Ace of Swords – Keeping my head clear

For today I've dawn the Ace of Swords from the Original Rider Waite Tarot: this card is all about having  a clear vision, bright ideas and deciding what is fair. But then I noticed how a crown is held on the tip of the sword:

Today for me this card is also about taking over the crown. Being the first in charge and decide how things are organized best.

Both my girls came down with a nasty cold (snotty and feverish and a soar throat). S (poor girl) has to go work until 8 PM (I will drive her)  and M is resting/sleeping on the couch.

Yes, that leaves me in charge of the pack. Today I have to decide about right and wrong and be a fair judge for all of us(especially for our naughty and stubborn little boy). I also have to come up with some clever ideas to make this a bit easy on me. so no cooking but a lot of orange juice should be enough. I've already done my grocery shopping while Jofee was asleep an my girls were “watching” him. Of course I want set some personal time for myself aside too: To play in my new notebook or read some pages from “Shadow of Night” part two of the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.  A book a  about witches, vampires, daemons time walking and lots of other mystical ingredients (yummy)

And last but not least I want to keep my head clear from murky pitiful thoughts of “poor me”. It is what it is and I have to deal with it as good as I can. There is no need for perfection just for loving kindness for all four of us

Combined Tarot & Oracle Reading

For today I wanted to try something different. I was inspired to combine an oracle and a tarot deck in one reading by a post from Eowyn about questions and tarot readings.

Sometimes you may run out of questions when you read mostly  for yourself. So I thought what if I drew a oracle card to determine the subject of the reading?

I've pulled Rhiannon, The sorceress, from the Goddess Guidance Oracle by Doreen Virtue. The message of this card is: “You are a magical person who can manifest your clear intention into reality.”

Without delving much deeper into the meaning of this card, we now have our question: How can we manifest our intention or desires? Now I can pull two other cards to answer this question. They will provide me with two things I want to consider when manifesting or you could also assign one as Do and the other as Don’t or whatever you  prefer. You can make the reading as elaborate as you like but personally I prefer small spreads.

From my Universal Waite Tarot I pulled:

The Ace of Swords: in order to manifest your intention you need to have a clear vision or idea. Besides that you might want to make a plan how to proceed and what you require to manifest your desire. This Ace is just the first step: The potential of success. You have to make things happen yourself. Work together with the Universe. You desire won’t get signed sealed and delivered when you don’t participate in the process

The Hermit: When you create a vision of your intent, it is perhaps a good idea to really think about the consequences of your desire. What is your inner wisdom, your intuition telling you? If you shed a light over this intention is it still desirable and for the good of all or it is only beneficial for yourself This card is more about ethics than practical measures.

I love it how the two tarot cards are fitting together with the oracle card: the Ace of Swords resembles the horn the Unicorn and The Hermit highlights the solitude of the this goddess. Even the colors are matching quite well

All and all this trio of cards has given me something to think about. I think it is a good advice and I like how they make me think about something besides my usual interests. Sometimes you are so preoccupied with a situation, the cards only seem to talk about that instead of addressing something entirely else This can be a nice way to step out of your own circle of thoughts.

Ace of swords and three of cups. Will I finally get it?

For today I've drawn two cards from the Hanson Robert Tarot. Another of my decks which doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. 

Hanson Roberts Tarot

First I got the Ace of Swords. Always a good card to draw: New idea’s, looking a things from a new perspective, receiving clarity and inspiration and so forth.  But like all the aces it is remaining a bit vague. Ideas about what? Inspiration to do what? This sword even has a laurel, so it promises success too. I didn't want to let it rest and in search for more clarity (J) I decided to draw another card. To my surprise I drew the Three of Cups. When I read for myself this is the card that often represents me and my daughters. It encourages me to be open and loving towards them and to receive their love in turn. After yesterday’s conflict, this is for me a hopeful pair of cards. Will I finally get it now? Look at those three women talking and listening to each other. The feel  of this card is so peaceful. We are not the dancing types from the R.W. but this fits us beautifully. It is still early,but I am positive today will be another good day.

I have the card of Lakshmi on my altar now and I am going to chant to her too. So far it is a very beneficial practice for me. Meditating is more easy and I am less distracted by all kind of chit chat in my mind. For me it is a wonderful way to connect to Goddess. 

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! 

Ace of swords – clarity and a new way of thinking

Ace of swords - Anna K Tarot

Today again a Daily draw from The Ann K Tarot.  And surprise, surprise, again an ace. This time the ace of swords.

Yesterday I’ve discovered how important it is to encourage your inner child with love and patience. I want to thank everybody for their kind comments. It has meant a lot to me. Today I am going to encounter this issue from a swords point a view. When it is difficult to start something new it’s also important to know if your thought patterns either work for you or work against you. In my case I would definitely say they don’t work in my favor right now. J

This ace of swords brings us clarity. It reveals what is helpful and what needs to be changed. Look at that bright shining sun up in the yellow sky. The woman is standing on a mountain. She’s putting some distance between her and the situation at hand to get a clear overview. Perhaps this card is a wake-up call (again!!!) to change my limiting beliefs in to positive challenges and affirmations. A different approach to the problem will certainly lead to a different reaction of my feelings so I will overcome the blockages I have set up for myself. As of today I will speak to my inner kid as motivating and encouraging as possible and I will not bother it any more with doubts and grown up issues J

We have to decide!

October 1 : Squirrels are gathering nuts,  acorns etc. for the coming winter. What do I have to gather for this winter?

Druidcraft Tarot

The ace of swords from The Druidcraft tarot. A hand is lifting up a sword above the deep waters. The sun is rising in the east and birches are standing at the lakeside.

The guidebook speaks about clarity, new ideas and finding truth and the ability to cut through illusions. Also about cutting loose from old stagnant thoughts.

The first thing that comes to mind is the necessity to evaluate my beliefs, idea’s and convictions. Are they still up to date or have there been shifts and changes that I am not  aware of. What will I hold on to and what can I let go so there will room for new idea’s. What will I gather to take with me? I have to dive deep to know how I feel about my thoughts (lake)

While I am  writing this post my daughter is watching “Grey’s anatomy” and  I hear: You have to decide how you want to live. Is this the life you want to live? Is this the person you want to be? Are these the ones you want  to love? Is this the best you can be? Or can you be stronger, kinder, more compassionate?” This sums up what I want to put into words in this post. I want to gather; to take stock of all my thoughts that matter, rinse them in this lake of feelings and take them with me as cleansed brand new idea’s. Idea’s that I will communicate with inspired enthusiasm. And if I decide that they are of no use anymore for they are dusted and outdated, I will lay them to rest. I’ll hope this all makes sense

Lets gather our thoughts: What ways of thinking needs to be cleared away? How are my thoughts affecting my life? And which idea’s and opinions do I take with me into the winter season?