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! 

Two of swords; my breathing space

Universal Waite Tarot

Today another swords card. Again a card I am pleased to see. The two of swords. For me this is a peaceful card. I tend to focus more on the stillness of this moment than on the decisions at hand. The woman is sitting on a solid concrete bench. She is blindfolded and she has her two swords crossed over her heart. Behind her the see seems calm, but she knows better than anybody else what is beneath the still waters…. She has to make a move, a decision, but not now, not yet. Breath, just breath…

I know I have to let down my guard at some point; to lower my swords and remove the blindfold to able to make decisions with more than only my mind. I have to be at peace with what I decide. My heart has to be in it. When decisions are made after just counting the cons and pros, you often feel regret afterwards but when your heart is involved, perhaps you dare to explore the see behind you al little bit more; drop by drop, wave by wave, tide by ti

de

The Queen of Swords teaches a life lesson

Druidcraft Tarot

Here she is, my favorite lady, my best friend in need! The Queen of Swords from the Druidcraft Tarot. Whenever she comes up I smile and I anticipate a strong sense of self preservation. The queen from this deck is the most beautiful depiction I have. I love it that she has gray hair. Her head is slightly lifted as if she is smelling the air and at the same time weighing her options. She caresses her sword gently. She loves her wit and intelligence. I like her being up high with her head in the air and her feet bare and touching the ground. She stays rooted. Her ideas have to be grounded and practicable; not just thinking and rethinking but also acting on it.

In my opinion she is not as cold as some of us think she is.  For me she is also a nurturing queen who wants to guide us, teach us and be there for us when things get overcomplicated. She will cut the knot, or untangle our problems and presents us with new options. Today I will need her mentality to stay true to a mindful way of thinking. To cut through worries and anxiety and see today as it  really is:  A free day to do what I want and to enjoy what I do.  She teaches me to be in control of my own thoughts and to notice how they're causing the way I feel. A life lesson....

You don’t have to keep it al together

Osho Zen Tarot

This morning I drove my daughter to an appointment in a village nearby. I had to wait in the car a while until she would return. In the meantime I took this opportunity to meditate and write a bit and to draw a card from my free app of the Osho Zen tarot. I made a promise to myself that this card would be my daily draw. The fun thing is, with this app you can actually move the cards over the screen and pick the one you want. Please don’t laugh; I picked the Nine of Fire aka Exhaustion. When you think the nine of wands it a pity party, it is nothing compared to this card. I immediately felt sorry for the guy and of course at the same time for myself. Some parts of our Christmas have been very stressful. I won’t go into details but it was very difficult for me to accept some situations which were completely out of my control. It made me anxious and even more uptight than I already was. And I wasn’t the only one. Happily the day after Christmas things went more smoothly, which was mainly because the three of us were able to share our feelings about the first day. We managed to be more relaxed and to see things in a different perspective.

“He has been so busy "keeping it all together" and "making sure everything runs smoothly", that he has forgotten to really rest. No doubt he can't allow himself to be playful.”

“The message of this card is not just about being a workaholic, though. It is about all the ways in which we set up safe but unnatural routines for ourselves and, by doing so, keep the chaotic and spontaneous away from our doors. Life isn't a business to be managed, it's a mystery to be lived. It's time to tear up the time-card, break out of the factory, and take a little trip into the uncharted. Your work can flow more smoothly from a relaxed state of mind.”  (From the Guidebook)

I do want to be more relaxed but I am so tired (exhausted) now and I find it again difficult to let my guard down because there is also the last day of the year which might cause more stress. I so desperately don’t want to be anxious for that day but the desperation in itself is a part of this guy contraption; my own pitfall

So the only thing I can do is be kind and caring to myself, recover, rest and relax and trust everything will turn out right in the end. As I've said more than once: Let go and Let God(dess)

Baking our Traditional Christmas bread: “Kerststol”

Every year the day before Christmas my youngest daughter M. and me are baking a Christmas bread. I’ve baked it myself for about 25 years now and as soon as she  was able to assist me she has done so until she could bake it herself. We still do it together though as a tradition.

After the final shopping has been done we weigh the ingredients and mix them all together.  

  It is a very rich bread with raisins, walnuts and almonds. At the moment it is rising in the oven (about 35˚C) for about an hour and a halve.

Originally this bread is a pagan midwinter sacrifice for the Germanic Gods to ensure the people of the returning sun and the fertility of the land and the animals. It used to be only made of white flour since that was more difficult to get than whole wheat flour.  Nowadays it is just yummy but I like to  be aware of what it once really was meant for.

As always something went wrong. The bread baking machine didn’t do what is was expected to do and we had to switch to another mixer. So everything lasted longer

And now at a quarter past four our “Kerststol” is finally where it’s supposed to be: in the oven!

After an a lot of excitement we finally have our Christmas bread ready for tomorrow. It smells delicious!

Merry Christmas!

Hold on to what you love

Crystal Visions Tarot

After a day to recover; feeling somewhat down and tired (Christmas blues), I pulled myself a card from the Crystal Visions Tarot. My go to deck when I’m feeling slightly vulnerable. It's such a gentle lovely deck with a soothing color palette. I’ve got The Four of Pentacles. What a practical card for the last day before Christmas. It is to me a warning not to spend too much on food and drinks (we don’t do gifts with Christmas) I think I'm rather frugal most of the times, but now and then you have to slacken the reins. But when I look a little bit longer, I can sympathize on a deeper level with this creature in the tree. His is anxious to lose his pentacles. Pentacles represent not only money but also physical health and everything in the material world. Sometimes we just do need things to feel good. They comfort us. It can be food or a deck but also a touch, a hug, a walk, a shower, music; everything that is soft and caring for the senses (did you know I sometimes sniff at my decks or books) In my opinion we should hold on to those delights as long as we're able too. We live in this world so we’d better enjoy it. I think when you live your life with all your senses wide open you are living it to the fullest. This little guy in the trees did deserve it to not be  compared with Scrooge just before Christmas. So I think I will take his advice and enjoy my things and experiences with more regard and gratefulness

Happy Holidays

On this very special Midwinter day I want to take the opportunity to thank you all for making my initial idea to start this blog into such an inspiring adventure. I am so grateful to have met you all and to have become such good friends in a relative short period. I value your comments a lot and you inspire me to write more. With this beautiful artwork of Julia Jeffrey, I want to wish  you a very Happy Yule and a Merry Christmas 

Hugs

Yule contemplation with the Wildwood tarot

The Hooded Man

About two months ago I’d decided to observe the turning of the wheel according to The Wildwood Tarot. I have the feeling this deck can teach me a lot about the hidden influences of, and help me find deeper, more spiritual and psychological meaning in the seasons and the holidays. I've tried before to be more structured in observing these yearly changes but as with so many things I am passionate about in the beginning, I have the obnoxious habit to let things slide and worse forget all about them.

This is one of the main reasons I've bought this tarot deck. To have a structure, a backbone to rely on when I am a little bit lost in the Woods J

So the first holiday  to study with this deck is Yule or Midwinter. The time of the shortest day and longest night, my favorite holiday (in combination with Christmas). I feel  a bit like The Wanderer starting my journey into the unknown….

The first archetypal energies, associated with midwinter, I encounter are:

The Great Bear

The Hooded Man (Hermit): A healing silence, withdrawal, inner light and wisdom. He is just about to enter through the door into the illuminated inside of the oak tree. There he will find the most  profound knowledge. This is a time for stillness, for listening, for regaining strength for the coming year. The light of his lantern will cast away the darkness, the fear.

 The great Bear(Judgement):  you reap what you've sown, rebirth , new beginning. This card represents a time for further waiting, transforming and contemplating but more focused on the coming spring

The Moon on Water (The Moon): reflection, intuition, the unconscious,  initiation, potential, creative energy, darkness. This is the major theme for the dark half of the year. The energy is inwards and full of possibilities waiting to be injected with intent and action.

The Moon on Water

Only by looking at these three cards I can understand why I have such a deep love for this time of year. The blues and grays are just stunning. I love the silent peaceful energy and the relief of letting go of old and outworn habits and idea’s. I love to reflect and write down my findings and feelings. For the first time in my life I have evaluated this year which has almost come to an end and I am going to write down my intentions and goals for the coming year too. In doing so I think I can connect better to The Great Bear card. And I must say it is so much fun to make these lists. I have subdivided them in all sort of categories: personal, financial, spiritual, creative etc. In whatever way you like, you can write everything down which comes to mind.

I know there are lots of workbooks on the market which are excellent, but I've just opened a Word document and started typing; Easy does it J! Perhaps I will add pictures of tarot and oracle cards which represent the intentions and goals I can think of. When I have finished them I will print them all out and put them in my journal.

My midwinter ritual will be small and simple. I will light one white candle, visualize my circle and meditate with these three cards. Nothing less nothing more.

I wish everybody  a very happy Yule and a merry Christmas 

I've won a tarot reading!!!

Yesterday I've received my first tarot reading by mail ever.

In the beginning of December, Olivia from First Earth Tarot has done a giveaway. The winner would receive a free reading. And I won!!! I've never won a giveaway before, so I was delighted.

By email (of course J) we exchanged some possibilities and preferences for this reading. And we have decided together that she would give me a reading about my current situation and the major energies which are prevailing in my life  right now

She had found a spread which focuses on my inner strengths and gifts: the Christmas tree spread:

  ---6

--4---5

1---2---3

1. The Shepherds: What are you tending/watching over?

2. The Angel: What glad tidings do you bring? (What message do you bring to others?)

3. The Star: What is guiding you?

4. The Magi: What gifts do you carry?

5. Mary: What are you giving birth to?

6. The Child: Where do you bring hope and light? How does your divine love become manifest

I thought this would be a lovely and very appropriate spread for this time of year. A few days later I received an email with my reading. And OMG! It was so elaborated, thoughtful, and comprehensive. She has written about two pages full of beautiful things about me that I could recognize so well and yet made me so shy at the same time. The spread really focuses on the positive side and it felt like such a precious Christmas gift.

I will not post my reading here because this is too private but I can assure you her reading style is fabulous and very in depth. Olivia, thank you so very much for this wonderful gift

It all comes down to energy

The Sun of Life

For today’s daily draw I've chosen The Wildwood Tarot and The Faeries’ Oracle.

From the Wildwood Tarot I’ve got: The Sun of life.  At first glance a rather strange card for this time of year, since this card is connected too Midsummer, warmth and light. But it’s also a card about self: self-esteem, self reliance, self worth and after that even unselfishness; you have to be fully aware of self before you can put it aside. Otherwise unselfishness can lead to exhaustion. Being aware of self is a life theme for me. Since I am, like many of us, so often tempted to ignore myself and cross every boundary if someone else’s self needed me to. In that light I’ve asked which faery can help me to explore and strengthen my inner me: The Rarr. This is a little spark of energy; an igniter for whatever energy there is available. Energy is not good or bad it is just energy. So whatever intent I put out, The Rarr can give a extra spark to it.

The Rarr

When I look at the two cards, energy wise they seem  each other’s opposites: as to color ( bright and yellow -  dark and blue), shape (size of the sphere) and vibe (radiant, bold, sun -  inward, dormant, moon)  Just as we are on one side of the wheel and Midsummer is on the opposite side. It occurred the me our preschool teacher once told us that little children often start singing Christmas songs at Midsummer, because they sense the connection between the two solstices.

And then I realized it all comes down to energy.  We want to name and distinguish energies, to label them. But in origin we and everything around us are all the same in terms of energy. We  need our sense of self to survive in this material world, but wouldn’t it be a great Christmas experience to look beyond that without losing ourselves. To see and acknowledge Energy (or God(dess) in our friends and family and eventually in everybody else

Perhaps it is a bit of a rambling post but I’ve done my best to put it into words J

Magical messages from the Fairies – Practice, practice, practice

 Yesterday afternoon my youngest daughter M. came home from shopping and she had bought me two gifts. Just like that. It was such a sweet surprise. First she gave me a little package which held a beautiful crystal : a mixture between black tourmaline and  clear quartz. Isn't that symbolic for how life is for most of us.

Magical Messages from the Fairies

I was so amazed when she had yet another present for me. She had bought me The Magical Messages of the Fairies by Doreen Virtue. M. knew I liked it because she has this deck too. What I most like about this deck is the uplifting spirit and although it is a fairy deck its messages can be very practical and they are a great counterweight to the  more deep and psychological decks I have. But don’t be surprised for this deck messages can be very profound and accurate too

Of course I've picked my daily card from this deck and I've got “Practice, practice, practice” - With daily practice, you can polish your skills and talents and increase your confidence.  It’s obvious this fairy takes her music seriously and she enjoys her practice because she notices she is making progress. I was raised with the saying: “practice makes perfect”  Why , I wonder, wasn't the phrase : “Practice delights” or  “Practice fulfills” or something like that. Perhaps perfectionism wouldn't be that great an issue; who knows.

Lately I am very fascinated by the hare. I think I've noticed this animal  first in the Wildwood Tarot (Queen of Bows, Two of Stones) and later on I seem to encounter it on various blogs. This animal is connected to the moon (moon hare) and to several mythologies which I have to explore yet.

Black Tourmaline- Clear Quartz

This brings us back to my daily draw. I want to draw a hare, but I am again, sorry for whining, afraid I will fail. This card encourages me to make an effort and just try. This will cut both ways: I will practice drawing a hare and I will face my insecurity .When I look at my crystal I see the beauty of  the dark stripe accentuate the white clear parts. Perhaps my insecurity is such a stripe …

Three new soulcollage cards

To stay in the spirit of the Aloha healing, I've treated myself to some relaxed soulcollaging.  It was a very pleasant experience. Especially since I made myself  a large mug of coffee,  took some biscuits with it and  lit the big candle on the table. I will post more tomorrow. This afternoon I am going to read some more in “Inferno” by Dan Brown

Healing from Amara the Menehune

Oracle of Shadows and Light

The Oracle of Shadows and light has given me today: Amara The Menehune – Aloha healing.

I am not very familiar with Hawaiian culture but I've came to understood, the Menehune are the little people of Hawaii. They live deep in the forest and they are said to be superb craftspeople.(like brownies, pixies etc)

But even those tiny very strong people do need to recover after a hard day’s work and that is what this card is all about.

“There is no rush when Amara comes into your world: she knows that while you feel rushed, you are not eating right, nor digesting properly, nor connecting deeply, nor sleeping well, nor feeling fully. You are barely noticing the beauty of nature both within and outside of you.”

A great card for the weekend. A time for relaxation, being in the moment and enjoying yourself. For me that is reading (blogs), taking showers ( the waterfall) riding my bike, and hopefully drawing (but no pressure) cooking a healthy meal for tonight and whatever comes to mind to enjoy and pamper myself. Although it is perhaps difficult to embrace the aloha spirit in the midst of winter, it is all about the right mindset so let take care of ourselves today!

The Empress, our mother of abundance

Rider Waite Tarot

Yesterday I had decided that for today I would use the Rider Waite Tarot. I just wanted to go back to my tarot roots.So many different and beautiful decks are out there nowadays. It can be the theme that allures you or perhaps the artwork or when you are lucky: Both. The beauty of this variety of decks is the same time its pitfall.  Many of us buy different decks to expand their insight in the cards and to enhance their intuitive reading skills. Some of us buy more and more decks because they are on a quest for “the perfect deck”; their life companion.

And others buy them because they are just into buying more and more decks and are real collectors (hoarders???)

There’re as many reasons to buy decks as there’re people who buy them and every reason is as valid as the other.

But where does that leave our trusted  Rider Waite Tarot deck? The opinions about this one differs also lot. For me it is one of my go to decks. I've learned to read the cards with this tarot deck and it was my first “big” deck. (My very first deck was the small R.W) This deck was a unexpected present from my husband, which I found on my pillow on my birthday (years ago). I know every card by heart; the little  symbols, the colors, the feel of the stock, the faces are familiar. It’s  like catching up with an old friend, whom you haven’t seen in months. You just continue where you left off. I will never grow tired of this deck. I am very curious what your relationship with the Rider Waite Tarot is.

So The Empress for today; one of my “sigh cards”. She is all about abundance and nurturing. About feeling good about yourself and taking care of yourself. Creativity is flowing through her like the stream in her forest. You can just kneel down  and take a sip if you want. She is grounded and stable, yet fluid and caring, just like a mother should be. This card raises a very safe feeling within me

LeilaVey : “I am the Empress. I provide sustenance for all children of the earth, and love them equally. I am the giver and preserver of life. I offer beauty, passion, sensuality and pleasure to all who connect with me. I am the ever nurturing mother, ever pregnant with new life and new possibilities. Take what you need. There is plenty for all.”  

There is enough love to go around

Wildwood Tarot

Sometimes when someone shares a problem or their pain, old wounds are scratched and too much pain is revealed. A lot of talking, holding and loving is needed to ease the emotions and the pain again. What stays is the love between me and my daughters. I am so grateful that we always can find our  way back to each other. 

When I asked the cards: what is needed to affirm the peace and quiet among us? The Wildwood Tarot gave me The Eight of Bows – Hearthfire. 

This is an appropriate card : it tells us about the love and the friendship which can endure hardship and struggles.  According to the book these people celebrate the fact they endure, strive and survive. The most important things to them is the warmth of this fire, the food and drinks, to share it with loved ones and to listen to and laugh with each other. We don’t have a hearth fire in our home. But I do have a large candle which I light every afternoon when the sun is setting. It is for me a symbol of life and warmth and love.  After such an emotional collision I am always so grateful for the love we share in this family. And the more we give, the more we receive J

A quick three card Lenormand line

Since I am quite busy with cutting and pasting for my Soul oracle cards this will be a quick daily draw with my new Gilded Reverie Lenormand by Ciro Marchetti. It’s good to take a short break from collecting pictures and flipping through magazines because the images are already effecting me emotionally although they aren't even pasted on a card yet J

The cards for today are bear + tree + mountain:

Gilded Reverie Lenormand

• An authority with a traditional background is causing problems
• A strong woman has health issues which are hindering and frustrating
• Deep rooted jalousie can block you from moving forward

It feels good to search for various interpretations for this line. I've seen this on Chloe’s blog  “Inner whispers” and it keeps you from getting stuck with ready made answers: a tree isn't always about heath.

For today I've chosen the second interpretation. My health isn't that great and it so frustrating to feel you are getting older. This morning I went outside on my bike again. It was freezing a little and the sun was shining. A great ride. After this post I am going to do my exercises (physiotherapy) So I do try to maintain a healthy lifestyle but my joints aren't what they used to be.

Recipe for emotional resilience: Let go and let Love

Today I asked the cards: When I am following The Hermit into my inner Wildwood what will I find or who will I meet and which little faery will come to my support?  

I placed The Hermit card from yesterday in the middle and I drew first the Five of Stones – Endurance from the Wildwood Tarot. Immediately I felt mixture of pity and envy. On the one hand she is all alone in the wilderness, but on the other hand she is all alone in the wilderness and no this is not a typing error. How many times have I longed to be all alone  I how many times have I feared to be left all alone. The book that came to mind when I was looking at this card was part two of the series “Earth’s Children” by Jean Auel: “The valley of the horses”, where Ayla lives alone for three years in cave and sustains herself and has the strength to endure the hardship she comes across.

The guidebook speaks  about a time of protecting ourselves perhaps by withdrawal to build up  emotional resilience. For me this girl has been through a whole lot and although she is tough she isn't there yet.

So who will help us to find this resilience? The singer of Healing from The Faeries’ Oracle. Again a singer and I like that. This card teaches us that healing is an active process which requires our best efforts. It is not something we can receive and then expect to be healed. “Through the song of healing, we may be restored and renewed, but only if the wounded one is prepared to forgive and let go, returning to love and compassion…We need only to let go of things that are hurting us and nurture ourselves with the things that benefit us. So simple, so difficult.”

Soon it will be Christmas. This is a time my emotional resilience will be tested for sure. I want to give everybody that warm cozy holiday feeling but not at my own expense so it will be a balancing act. I want to focus on the love I can give to my family and not on the chaos and stress around these days (cooking shopping, baking decorating, quarreling etc)

Anyway, I am hopeful that my meditation and gratitude practice will help me to open up for the healing energy of Divine J

Following my own path and staying on track

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

I had mixed feelings and wasn't sure what to do. Yesterday I had planned a little detour with my tarot cards. It seemed fun to me to explore if I could do predictive readings. I have been talking with some of you about the possibilities of predicting and I even invented a new word for hindsight interpretation which is a very common manner to fit a prediction: Afterdiction (© lol)

Talking with you made me realize I didn't want to go through with this experiment at all.  The way I work with cards is just fine with me. And I respect and encourage everyone to do what he/she does best and feel comfortable with. But I am positive predicting is not for me, in anyway not now

But I wouldn't be me if I felt a great pressure to accomplish this experiment because I said so.

Gilded Reverie Lenormand

So this morning I drew three lennies for this week: stars + scythe +ring. These three cards could mean a number of things: A divorce from a celebrity. Hopefully a contract will be ended.

For me they just cried out: Follow your bliss and don’t fulfill this commitment!!!

So here I am writing this post. I asked the tarot for a guidance card: The Hermit from the Legacy of the Divine came to the rescue.  Well I’m sure he can guide me through my inner landscapes, encourage me to read my map and help me to stick with who I am and what I want and not to get distracted so easily. I've already picked up my daily meditation and gratitude practice  to reconnect to the Divine but it will be also very helpful to stay focused and on track

Tarot as a predictive tool

Crystal Visions Tarot

Yesterday I've read a post on Olivia’s blog “First Earth tarot” about whether or not Tarot can or should be used as a predictive tool.

Predicting the future has always been the first purpose of this deck of cards. Later on we have began to use tarot as a tool of psychological development , spiritual growth and guidance and  as instrument to enhance our intuition. It will be obvious that I am  mostly keeping myself busy with the last two subjects. Predicting? not so much my thing. Do I believe it is possible? I’m doubting it. In my opinion every tarot card can be applied to every situation. The one you pull will determine (if you let it) your focus on the situation at hand. For instance, should I go on this journey?  Ten of swords: perhaps, but you should be careful.  The fool : you will have great adventures. Who is to say which card is right? they both can be: you can be careful and have adventures at the same time. This is of course an example.

But I have decided to give this predicting with cards a go.

Gilded Reverie Lenormand

Yesterday I pulled, just for the fun of it, three Lennies: stork + rider+ coffin

Oeps! Coffin. I don’t like that card in a prediction. And immediately there is that other stumbling block why I don’t predict the future. I feel uncomfortable when I pull scary cards. None of the Lennies did ring a bell for me. This morning I pulled a tarot card for the main energy of today: eight of wands from the Crystal Vision tarot. Then it hit me. This is not going to be a normal Sunday: First M and I are going to visit my husband and will be decorating (stork) his room, then we will go home where S  and her boyfriend are throwing a late Sinterklaas party with a lot of guests (unicorns + rider). And what about me? I am sitting in my tiny room blogging and listening to music (boxed in and hiding J) A coffin isn't always scary!

I have to confess I liked it a lot. And tonight I’m going to pull three cards for the coming week…….

Cut and paste to catch your souls reflection on paper and make your own Souloracle

A few days ago I was reading Prince Lenormand’s blog where he was telling us about  Soulcollage.  I’ve heard about this before but you know what mostly happens: It was buried beneath a lot of other “great Idea’s for future times”. I am familiar with collage since I like to do art journaling, which for me is a combination between collage and painting. But Soulcollage is just you , some magazines scissors and glue.

You flip through the magazines, cut out everything that’s appealing to you and past it on a piece of cardboard. When you have several those, you’re starting to form your own deck which is a reflection of your soul and you're needs, wishes and desires. The real Soulcollage is also dividing the cards into suits and has more specific ways of making them and working with them, but I would rather just see my cards as my own oracle.

While flipping through my magazines I discovered that some pictures just work for me without adding anything else: what more can you add to a bear in the woods, or a hand with a tiny mindfulness cymbal. Sometimes I add a different background to a person or  for instance some butterflies to a pondering woman representing clear thoughts.

The fun thing about collage is, you can always add more elements to a card. And for me it is very easy to start working on a card because if you don’t like it you can start over. Even when you are growing to dislike a certain card you can always put it aside for a while. It is also a learning point not to obsess about bulges, bobbles and glue stains, just to let go of my perfectionism.  

It’s not necessary to add names and descriptions to the cards because the moment you start making them you know what they mean and why you’re making them. And without keywords the meaning can more flexible. I've made about eleven cards now and it is so good to just look at them and feel who I am.  In time this will become a very personal customized oracle deck just myself. J

Compromise between adventure and laziness

Every now and then I just look at the cards and feel no urge to read the guidebook for more “spiritual and in depth” interpretations, to expand on my own plain obvious impression. Today I’ll just stick with the daily ordinariness of this reading.

This three cards read almost like three Lennies with the center card as main topic:

Osho Zen Tarot

So today is all about compromise between two options: adventure and Laziness

Of course when you think about adventure, excitement and surprises come to mind. But we’re not always are up to that. Sometimes the only thing we want is to push root in our couch; especially during weekends. And the cards tell us that’s okay too. Although adventure does include freedom  and exploring possibilities, it also requires a lot of creative energy and perseverance.

So this weekend we’ll get to do both. It is up to you how the scales are balanced. Enjoy!

New moon in December

The day before yesterday I’ve celebrated the new moon of December. I call this moon the Moon of Trees and its theme is letting go. About every tree has let go of its leaves. So it’s only natural to consider what to leave behind in this year, which has almost run to its end and what to bring with us into the new year.
Before I drew my cards I meditated. Since I am a little bit uncertain about how to view  Divinity, I called my circle by visualizing the elements and when I decided to go a second time around to strengthen my circle, I was surprised to see animals which can be associated with these element.  I think I was unconsciously triggered by the court cards of the Wildwood tarot.
Afterwards I drew these two cards from the Osho Zen tarot

Osho Zen Tarot

Release: Postponement (four of Swords) This keyword could be my middle name. I procrastinate mostly out of fear for failure but postponing is coloring my life in grays like the person and the scenery in this card. She wants to participate in life. She longs for life in full color. And so do I, but it’s hard to let go of fear and anxiety. And that is where the next card comes in…..
Embrace: Courage (Strength) For facing fears you need courage. But not the courage of a lion, like in the RW decks but the subtle courage of a tender flower. I have a choice: I can be as a seed stuck between the rocks or I can grow out to my full potential; a beautiful flower. For that is the only thing I have to do to face my fears: I have to have the courage to grow into the light and face life.
 As always I am astonished by the cards I’ve drawn. They are so fitting for my current situation. On a literal level the postponement card speaks of my creative insecurity and at the same time my longing to paint (The window could be a painting)
There’s this funny thing about growth: When you keep focusing on it, you can’t distinguish any change, but if you step back, let go and later on return you’ll notices the change, the growth. So this kind of courage is all about trust in your own ability to grow
The cards complement each other perfectly since Courage is a beautiful attribute to help to let go of postponement and to move forward without fear into the new year

Drawing: "Feeling great"

The card "Express you individuality",  has inspired me to make a little drawing in my sketchbook. I thought let's share this with you.

Express Your Individuality! How hard can that be?

Magical Messages from the Fairies

For a little breathing space I drew this card from the Magical Messages from the Fairies by Doreen Virtue. But it turned out to be a card with a rather striking message: Express Your Individuality – Allow your true self to shine because you’re awesome! This fairy is an elderly lady with a purple dress, striped stockings and red hat. She is totally at ease and comfortable with who she is. She is proud of herself. Not for what she has accomplished or for what people think of her but purely for who she is: Herself.

Being your true self and not being afraid to show your enormous potential, talents and power is another life long journey for many of us. Most of us are raised not to stand out in a crowd. Not to be different than everybody else. This has taken root during our  puberty  and later on in life some of us have made some progress to detach from this peer pressure. But who can truly say they are comfortable to stand out and feel safe to shine and be great. When I come across these kind of people I envy them…

The guidebook says:

 “You drew this card because you worry about social acceptance. The Fairies want to celebrate your uniqueness, since to them you’re delightful and perfect just as you are right now. The Fairies love your creativity, and they urge you to just be yourself. Don’t squelch your true self in order to gain others’ approval. Pretending doesn't work anyway, and you can’t please everyone. Instead, enjoy being authentic and trust that like-minded people will be attracted to you."

Perhaps it all starts out with fully accepting and loving who we are, so we will be completely comfortable with our own perfect individuality. Don’t hide your own light. The next step can be showing our real radiant selves to others

Have fun in exploring you awesome self! 

Ask and open up to receive the answer

The Singer of The Chalice

As you perhaps have learned from my previous posts, lately I've been searching for ways  to reconnect to the Divine. One way was the theme of this November month: “going with the flow” I've experienced this flow mainly in letting go of trying to control the lives of my family (pff… that’s a difficult one) and trying to find a flow in my creative efforts. I've noticed some of you  are getting the jitters to start  playing with pencils and paint too. This feels good.

Then I did clear my altar. To make more room for a new way of connecting to Divinity and to ponder what divinity means to me.

Yesterday I picked up my Faeries’Oracle and asked: “Who will guide me on this quest?” And what do you know, I pulled The singer of the Chalice. (will I find my Grail?) This card teaches me to be receptive and open. And willing to receive the energy of the One. And that is all there’s to it. Be open, meditate and ask.  I am pulling a  lot of Singers. At this moment I am glad because I find it easier to regard the divine as formless.

The book says: Trust. Joy. Patience. Creativity. Hope. Miracles.

“With The the help of the Singer of the Chalice and of the faeries, you, too, can get this one feeling that is all the good feelings in one--unconditional love, trust, hope, healing, patience, and so on. Open is open. Be open. If you don't know how, ask. It is right there”

The Green Man

For some more down the earth guidance I pulled a card from the Wildwood Tarot: The Green Man. Now that was a bummer. I’m not a fan of most of the Emperor cards I have. And this one didn't look very appealing either. He has that grim look on his face which makes him for me very unapproachable. I didn't feel open and intuitive at all seeing this card. I have to admit I even felt the urge to put it back into the pile and pick another one. But instead I just opened the book and started reading:

“The Green Man is generous in his bestowal of creative, fertile energy and he will move you to a new level of confident and assertive dynamism. This is a time for both giving and receiving the natural flow of life both inwardly and outwardly. Be prepared to find a new and thriving drive to begin projects, relationships and even new ways of living your life and fulfilling your world. Now is the time to experience being at the apex of the cycle of life. Enjoy it.”

So this card is not only all about receiving but also about doing and giving; not just letting my cauldron be filled, but actuality be energized to come into action and do something with it. I know I am more a passive receptive person. I think that’s  why I don’t l like emperor cards. They want something of me that doesn't come natural.

So the first thing I am going to do is….. no, not coffee and chocolate this time J, but I am going outside to ride my bike to encounter the energy of this Green Man

My personal review of The Gilded Reverie Lenormand

A long time ago I did try to purchase this Lenormand deck form  Ciro Marchetti’s website, but sadly I was informed he didn't sell it any more. You can imagine my happiness when I heared this deck was going to be published by US games. 

I've pre-ordered my copy with Book Depository and it has arrived safely yesterday. I had read some reviews  already so my expectations were high. Excited and with al little bit anxiety. (I've had some misprints before) I opened my package. OMG what a cute and sturdy box I found in there. It opens with a magnetic flip. I had never seen such a nice box to go with a US Games deck. The cards are just beautiful. They are gilded, which adds to the luxurious feel of this deck.

The colors are vibrant and lush and the cards are thick and glossy and also quite large compared to other Lenormand decks. Since I never work with grand tableau’s, I don’t mind this at all. I like the size of these cards which does justice to the beautiful artwork of Ciro. My favorite card as always is “mice”. Wouldn’t  you love to tickle this little guy’s tummy?

The deck doesn't contain the extra cards of the original self-published version. But I've heard US games will probable print an expansion pack for this deck with the additional cards in the beginning of 2014. I am certainly planning to buy this too. It does come with a well written LWB by Tali Goodwin and Rana George. Each card has tells a little bit about itself and after that follows the general meaning.

And even the backs are stunning. This picture says it all

I am glad I've picked up my Lennies again and did some practicing before my package had arrived. So with a totally refreshed memory I am going to play with this gorgeous deck

The first three cards I've pulled for this deck were: garden + birds + clover:

·         People are coming together to discuss the happiness this deck has brought them

·         There’re  a lot of positive comments about this deck in the community

Simple and clear just as any other Lenormand deck, except this one is absolutely stunning!!!

I am not a Lenormand deck collector but I am very happy with this addition to my more traditional decks. I highly recommend it to every Lenormand reader. And with all the gilded edges and decorations it could be a great Christmas gift too.

For now, I only have to wait for the Celtic Lenormand Oracle from Chloë McCracken and Will Worthington to be published…..  J