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. 

Lakshmi - Let it be

This morning I've drawn Lakshmi from the Goddess Guidance Oracle. She is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. She is said to bring good luck and is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.  

Since things are a little bit emotional and hectic around here, I figured I could use a little bit of guidance. I wasn't surprised to get this card since lately I feel very connected to Durga and Kali, who are both Hindu goddesses as well.  Yet today in my approach to my youngest I've reacted a bit to fierce, so the gentleness of Lakshmi was very welcome for both of us . Instead of focusing on what is not, and what I lack ,Lakshmi teaches me to be grateful for the abundance she is giving me and for everything I already have. The caption says: Stop worrying everything is going to be fine.  

Mostly I want to solve problems right away. I offer lot’s of solutions and expect others to accept at least one of them.  But sometimes it is what it is; especially when feelings are involved. It is hard for me to just let it be for a while. Although Lakshmi is often associated with overcoming money problems, today for me she is  all about trusting the Divine and stop solving problems and quit mothering. Just being there for her is often already enough.

My mantra for Lakshmi is: Om Shreem Maha lakshmiyai Namaha

Finding Durga through Tarot

Goddess Oracle

Yesterday I had drawn the seven of wands and I have asked myself a lot of questions about this card. One of the main subjects was how to defend my own physical and mental private space. I know I have always had an issue with setting my boundaries. Apparently I do respect other peoples boundaries more than my own. I noticed how tired the guy in the card was and how he was likely to give up, putting the needs of the others above his own. (Isn’t the tarot a wonderful mirror J)

Later that night when I had put these thoughts aside, I was surfing the web for another mantra. I have been singing the Tara mantra for some time now and I would like to try another one so I could experience the differences between them. It had to be a short one for I still find it difficult to remember the words. And I don’t want to bothered by that while I am chanting. So I found the Durga mantra: “Om Dum Durgayai Namaha” which means something like: “Om and Salutations to that feminine energy which protects from all manner of negative influences." It looked like a perfect mantra for me. Then I started searching to get to know more about the goddess Durga. The only thing I did know was that she is a fierce goddess.

While reading up on her I discovered (in short) she is a protective mother goddess and she helps us to stand up for ourselves. Googling  for some depictions of her I found this one from the Goddess oracle. The caption says: Durga – Boundaries. And that discovery closed the circle around me and made me feel safe.

I‘ve tried this chant the same night. I particularly liked the version of Thomas Barquee 

When I flipped through my tarot cards I saw that there are a few cards that represent the aspects of Durga for me. First of course the seven of wands but also the nine of wands, and not to forget Strength. It might be a fun challenge to use tarot to describe some more aspects of the goddess (just like naming them) 

Crystal Visions Tarot