Three of Pentacles and Ace of Wands – A gentle kick in the butt

As you all know, I haven’t been feeling so well lately. Also I have been considering to take a short hiatus from blogging and social media all together.  Some days it feels like I am just going through the motions and ticking of my daily boxes.  The last two days I have been pampering myself and it felt really good: listening to music, reading books, drinking coffee, nibbling on biscuits, taking long showers and so forth. But  even pampering gets boring, although I am still not there yet. So  I asked my cards for advice on where to go from here. 

The Three of Pentacles came up: Creativity shared with friends. No Hermit or Four of Swords, which are my go-to cards in a situation like this. The other card which came up was the Ace of Wands: A budding wand, filled with so much potential. But be careful not to nip all these juicy ideas in the bud. Choose one and cherish is like a new born child.  

So here I am again with another blog post thanks to my “cardboard therapist” and it actually feels good to write this; sharing how it is right now and not pretending to be something I am not. Feeling like this often fills me with shame and/or guilt, because how can I permit myself these feelings when so many live in much more dire circumstances than I do. But it is what it is and I know from experience I will get better, probable sooner than later, because I’ve learned to recognize the signs early on.

Feeling like this confronts me with difficult lesson in self love. It is so easy  to love and  embrace who we are when all is well and life is on the upside but this lesson is about the hardest part: loving ourselves when we are faced with parts of ourselves we don’t like at all and are often embarrassed about.

 “I will be gentle with myself and I will only go as fast as the slowest part of me feels safe to go” Karin Drucker

Three of Pentacles and Perthro - Creative soul searching

Today’s Rune is Perthro (cup) which  is all about mystery, the unknown, the womb and wisdom . So I asked for my daily draw: "How can I dig deeper into my subconscious to  illuminate my soul; to find wisdom there, which will guide  me on my path?" 

And I got the three of Pentacles. I had hoped I would pull The Hermit but no, no hiding for me in my room today. The Three of  Pentacles is my Creativity card. And what would be better to explore my soul than through some intuitive painting or free flow writing. I’ve just recently experienced how my art is able to unlock parts me without my initial intent. But this card is about more than locking myself away with my paint and journals. It is also about sharing my art and my writing with other people and be open to their opinions. Over the years  I’ve added  the insights from so many different people to my own magical cup of wisdom….

And just now I realize I’ve started this blog almost three years ago. I’ve learned so much from all of you! So to all my readers I want to say: 

Thank you for your wisdom, your encouragement, your kindness and your friendship. It means so much to me. 

What does Tarot mean to me?

Today I had an interesting conversation with M about which place Tarot has in my life. Words as hobby, interest, obsession, collecting or hoarding, were mentioned. Recently I have shared with you my craving for new stuff etc.  I still think it is not healthy to give in to every budding desire but sometimes there are decks out there you just can’t say no too. For me this is the Ravens prophecy tarot By Maggie Stiefvater. So this afternoon after long consideration I pushed the buy button and I honestly feel so good about it.

To shed some light over the question: “What does tarot mean to me” I pulled three cards from the Anna K Tarot:

Three of Pentacles. My all time creativity card. Tarot opens for me the door to the creative part of my mind. With each  drawn card there is a question asked and an answer needed. Each time a different answer is required, depending on the question, the surrounding cards or the mood of the reader. Tarot is for me the  Book  of Life made of 78 cards and it’s never finished. 

The other beautiful aspect of this card is the sharing of this creative outlet with other likeminded people and to learn from one another and enjoy each other’s work.

Four of Swords  This card is all about the stories we can create with the cards to tell ourselves when we are troubled. These stories mirror our deepest thoughts and fears. They unlock our unconscious and reveal what is hidden in the abyss. Eventually this will bring us healing and peace of mind.

Four of Pentacles  when I pulled this card I had to laugh out loud. My deck couldn’t have overlooked this aspect. This card urges me to walk the fine line between hoarding and selective collecting

I enjoy playing with my decks a lot. Holding them, shuffling them, flipping through them. Al these things are very relaxing for me. So reading this card more positively I would say I really do enjoy having a physical deck collection.

Seeing the two fours here also made me realize how much support and stability Tarot has brought into my life especially during life’s (inevitable) challenges.

What does tarot mean to you?

The Three Blessings

It sounds like the title of a fairy tale but in fact it is the subject of a three card tarot reading which Carla from Rowan Tarot came up with. Kerry from Neopagan Priestess has tried it too.

I liked it so much and thought it was such an uplifting spread, that I would like to try it for myself. I've used the Morgan Greer tarot and after shuffling my deck I asked: “What are my three blessings for this phase in my life?”

And I've got:

The Eight of Wands:

Things are speeding up and going my way. Actions of the past are setting things in motion for today. My eight wands are sprouting, so lots of my creative ideas are full of possibilities. I can pick the one which I feel most passionate about without letting myself get overwhelmed by the other seven (The Eight of wand is my todo list card J)

The Eight of Swords:

No more bondage by limiting thoughts. I am able to take of my blindfold and remove the ropes around my body. I can enter the castle behind me and go to my art room to play because playing is sacred, making mistakes is a must, and trying is a gift to myself.

Three of Pentacles :

And the first two blessings are coming to fruition in the last one: Creating with pleasure, inspiration and fulfillment. This card is one of the most supportive cards in the deck for me. The Empress may be all about creativity but here we see a craftsman doing the work en enjoying himself. Improving your skills day by day is a gift not a chore.

Three of Pentacles- adapting my creative choices

Today’s card is the Three of Pentacles from the Tarot of the Hidden Realm. Here we see an older Fey man; a skilled craftsman busy in his workshop. He is creating torcs, an ancient type of jewelry. They were often used to identify the wearer as a person of high rank. The craftsman is enjoying his work and the process of creating. First there is the vision of the torc he wants to create and then trough his hands this idea slowly becomes tangible.

When I look at his card I feel somewhat envious. Probable because I miss my creative outlet. Usually I am going to my craft room quite regularly and there I play with paint and paper scraps.This is my “humming time”

But since Jofee has arrived, a lot has changed.  But is this really the main reason why I am not creating? I pulled another card and I had to laugh out loud! 

Of course: My girls are both ill. Although M is recovering slowly, S is feeling a lot worse. And I feel like the comforting woman in the Five of Pentacles, taking care of them both. And most important watching Jofee for them. Now I realize this is only temporary. When everybody is up and about again, there will be enough time for me to go to my “workshop”. For the time being I have brought my watercolors and my watercolor pencils downstairs. These  art supplies won’t  make such a mess and I can leave on the table until I can find some spare moments to play and hum…

Three of coins – working together in harmony

For today I've drawn the Three of Coins (Pentacles) from the Joie de Vivre Tarot .Usually I think of creativity when I pull this card but this depiction is focusing more on working together for the greater good: “The whole is more than the sum of the parts.”

Let’s see what the LWB has to say about this card: The keywords are: Progress, success, perseverance, teamwork, planning. 

“Harmony shines as Soma, Pneuma, and Psyche combine their concentrated creative energies.  Focused and committed, their cooperation delivers healthy progress and quality workmanship. The shimmering golden coins are the fruits of their work.“ (LWB

I like the names Paulina has chosen for these three figures: Body, Spirit and Soul. It is without a doubt that when these three parts of us are fully balanced there is nothing we can’t accomplish. Each part of us contributes something unique to the whole and even with just one moon phase missing there can’t be a complete moon cycle. Don’t you just love it how all three of them are so in awe of their moons joined together? Of course this card also speaks about working together as  a team and about appreciating the qualities of others and what they add to the mix. How much I love to be on my own, I do acknowledge I need people and I am glad to be needed too. Yesterday M and I have had a lot of fun hunting for jeans for both of us. We were discussing each other's choices in the fitting room and were happy with the saleswomen’s input. Now we are both pleased with our new jeans and we have had a lovely afternoon together.

A three card spread about communication skills

For today I've drawn three cards. First I'll read the center card and then the two adjacent cards which are explaining or modifying the center card.

The center card is the Three of Pentacles and usually I read this as my creativity card but today the three debating persons are standing out more to me. Two people are standing on the side and sharing their knowledge and ideas with the craftsman. I have the feeling they want to defend their point of view without acknowledging the practical skills of the artist

Universal Waite Tarot

In Holland we have a saying which, when translated, literally says: "The best helmsmen stand on shore" and it is the equivalent of "Bachelors' wives and maidens' children are well taught." Only the Dutch saying  is probable slightly more applicable to this card.

I read the Three of Pentacles today as the Springtime gardening discussions between M. and me. M. is doing the hard work  and I have an advantage in experience. She wants to be responsible for the whole garden but I want to have some say in it too. And to be honest we don’t always agree about everything.

I see both the sword cards as  the two extremes in how we might convey our opinions. The Eight of Swords is about a  having a victim attitude, being a pushover and taking no responsibility  for what is happening and the Knight of Swords is quite the opposite: everything has to go his way or he can be become very annoyed at the least. The eight of swords attitude mostly happens when one of us doesn’t get her way (childish, I know J).

As always it is usually for the best if we to try to search for the middle way. In that way we can both have our say and learn from each other’s point a view.

It was very funny to be able to discover our gardening issues in my daily draw

Valentine’s day spread for Self Love

I have found a wonderful spread on Daily Tarot girl for self love to perform on, or just before Valentine’s day.  I have never been a  fan of Valentine’s day before. When my husband was still living with us it wasn’t that popular yet and nowadays you can imagine it is not something we pay any attention to. Until now! What a perfect day to celebrate Self Love. There will be definitely lots of chocolate involved and who knows what other goodies and treats I can come up with.

But first let’s have a look at this wonderful spread made by Kate. I have used the  Anna K Tarot. Not the most romantic deck I have, but it turned out to be a really good choice. It has become a beautiful layout especially with the yellow center card and all the blue cards around it. 

Anna K Tarot

1 Relationship to Self – What is your relationship with your Self like? 

The Six of Wands. I am glad to be able to agree fully with this card. When I consider where I’ve come from I really see myself as a winner. Doesn't mean I am there yet, but still.

2 Admirable Qualities – The parts of yourself that are easy to love  

The Hermit. I love to be on my own. I am a Hermit in heart and soul

3 Disowned Self – Your “shadow”aspects, the parts of yourself that need more love and acceptance from you 

The three of Pentacles. I see this as my creativity being locked in the basement. I have to accept that a difference between dream and reality is always going to be there and I shouldn't let it keep me from creating

4 Release – Judgements and expectations that you need to release in order to be more loving to you. Seven of Wands. I have to let go of the fighting against myself. Let go of my own stifling expectations and strive for perfection. It is smothering me, it is exhausting me and it is keeping me from doing anything at all.

5 More Love – Something loving and nurturing that you can do for yourself right now ! 

Page of Cups. Playtime! This page will help me to enjoy the creative activity itself instead of being focused on the result. With his mentality, I am sure I am going to have some fun on Valentine’s day.

I wish you all a very loving Valentine’s day

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! 

Gonna catch a dream

October 21: Nights grow longer and we’re falling to sleep more easily because it’s getting colder. what are my dreams telling me?

Osho Zen Tarot

I am curious what the cards will tell me this time because I can hardly ever remember my dreams. A blur at the most, but mostly just nothing keeps lingering in my mind after I wake up in the morning.  

The three of Rainbows from the Osho Zen Tarot. This card is called Guidance. It depicts an angel guiding a woman who doesn’t watch where they are going. Is she not interested, is she afraid, or sad  for what she is leaving behind? A usual some may options so many questions.

I wonder if the reason I’m not remembering my dreams might be caused by an unconscious fear or sadness which I’m afraid to be reminded of in the morning.

Yes this woman is clearly hesitant to follow but I know, she , or rather I, really want to go with him. Perhaps it’s time to loosen up and give up my need for control. I mean if you can’t trust an angel then who can you trust. Who knows what wonders lie ahead for me if I go freely with this guide at night