New Moon in September

For this new moon, I have pulled one card from the Original Rider Waite Tarot as to what energy I should embrace during this next cycle of the Moon and I got the Six of Wands. This was quite surprising, because it is the exact same card as I pulled for the previous New Moon.

Honestly ,my good intentions to establish a free-flowing routine have  completely fallen by the wayside.  I became more and more reluctant towards building a daily routine. I just wanted to be free, to chose what I wanted to do and also when and where I wanted to do it. My whole life has been about maintaining a routine: School, work, raising children, and then work again. I realized that my freedom was more important to me than ticking of boxes from my to-do lists. The upside of this “failure” is that I now feel more in touch with myself than ever before. I have to check in regularly with myself  to discover what it is that I want and need at this very moment; what it is that will make me happy and content.

So over to the Six of wands for this lunation. I got the distinct feeling that even though I “failed” to accomplish my goal, I gained something very valuable too. But the six of wands is not a stagnant card. It urges me to move forward after recognizing and celebrating my victories. It is so easy to keep dwelling in a pleasant state of mind but life is also about  moving onward toward the next challenge (Seven of wands)

So for the coming lunation I will definitely be celebrating my new found sense of freedom but also focusing myself on how to become more and more the woman  I am supposed to be.   

Seven of Staves - Stop fighting and enjoy the sunshine

Today’s card is the Seven of Staves (Wands) from the Goddess Tarot. Look how this poor woman is struggling to fend off her opponents. For me this card sometimes represents my inner battles with all kinds of situations I think I am responsible for so I need to find a solution for them. But nothing is farther from the truth than this slightly presumptuous notion. Often difficult situations (mostly with family) mostly need time to be resolved and my tendency to “help” is rooted in a deep need for controlling and assuming my solution is the best option for everyone.

And today, looking at this card, I realize (again) it isn’t my responsibility to solve everything for everybody at all. Maybe I should turn around and enjoy the sunshine on this beautiful September day. A perfect day to ride my bike and look for Autumn colors in the trees. And while I will enjoy myself maybe some of those issues will resolve themselves a little bit on their own.

"Let go and let God/des"

Nine of Pentacles – Happy September!

For today I drew the Nine of Pentacles from the Goddess Tarot. This is a card of enjoying everything you’ve accomplished and of an abundance of material and spiritual wealth. This card is also about being enough for yourself and enjoying your own company. As I have probably mentioned before, this card is one of my favorite minors…

It is a beautiful card for the first day of September, the very beginning of Autumn. I see this card not so much as an indication of today’s energy but more as a general promise for the coming season. I mean look at those pumpkins! Yesterday M. counted 17 pumpkins in our little garden.

What really stands out today is her invitation to the white dove, which is for me the symbol of Spirit, to come sit on her hand. Their renewed connection is adding so much deep felt joy to the material riches around her. Without it the Pentacles are meaningless. She would feel lonely, abandoned and perhaps even scared to be outdoors on her own.  But there is no need for all that now. Because she and her little white dove always seem to be close.  The only thing she has to do is lift up her hand and She'll be there...

Two of Pentacles – Keep practicing

Today’s card is the Two of Pentacles from the Goddess Tarot. This is a card of balance, flexibility and a touch of playfulness. When we look at this woman, it is very obvious she doesn’t find this juggling act very difficult. She keeps her Pentacles in the air with grace and ease. She doesn’t even have to watch what she is doing. That is, in my opinion, the secret of a juggler. Once you get the hang of the rhythm of throwing and catching it isn’t that difficult anymore. Mind you, juggling isn’t so much about catching but more about throwing; about purposely letting go and trusting you will catch it again when the time is right.

Ah, if only I was such a proficient juggler. No need for planners or to-do lists, no need for creating some good habits day after day. I would love to be more like this woman who is living in this very moment and is satisfied with doing what she is can do. She isn’t concerned with all her other Pentacles laying around the house and catching dust.

So, for today I will try to focus on the task at hand without letting myself be distracted by everything else I should be doing instead.  Also, I will try to find some flow of throwing and catching, of breathing in and breathing out. 

Rhiannon - Movement, Moving into Autumn

Today’s card is "Rhiannon – Movement" from the Goddess Tarot. Rhiannon is a British horse goddess who rides on her white horse into the thick of the forest. An apt choice for this deck’s Chariot card. When you look closer, the swirling wind around her emphasizes speed and determination. She knows where she is going and how to get there and she has absolutely no fear to get lost in the woods.

It is almost the end of August and I feel a bit like this goddess, moving confidently into September, into Autumn.  How I have longed to reach this month, this season. I have survived the Summer and now I can start living again. Our pumpkins are almost ready to be picked, lot’s of bread needs to be baked, Chestnuts and acorns need to be gathered, Autumn decks have been missed and I have longed for so many more aspects of Autumn these last few months. 

Yes, let's gallop into fall and celebrate the arrival of this wonderful season!

Three Card Spread with The Goddess Tarot

Theme: Eight of Cups

With a waning moon and ebb tide, this card urges us to leave behind feelings and relationships which are no longer beneficial for us or perhaps they just have passed their expiration dates. It asks us to be true to ourselves and live an authentic life which is often not the easiest way to live.

Mentor: Tara – Beginnings

This card features the goddess Tara who has the power to grant all wishes and heal all sorrows. She is the perfect goddess to free us from mental blocks and help us to move forward in life. Notice how both the figures in the first two cards are looking over their shoulder and how Tara has no more reason to stay where she is now. The Cups are gone; no more regrets

Healer: King of Pentacles

Because most of the time life isn’t that easy, The king of Pentacles encourages us to enjoy the good things life has to offer us: coffee, sunshine, trees, chocolate, crystals…. So many things to cherish and to savor. And never forget time…there is always enough time to relax and take delight in what life has to offer us.

Ace of Cups – replenishing my Heart

Today’s card is the Ace of Cups from the Goddess Tarot.  In this card, we see the full moon “contained—but not captured—within a golden cup surrounded by the ocean, source of all life”. This is a card of great emotional fulfillment and an abundance of Love. It is a card of generosity; giving Love from your heart without holding back but at the same time it is also a card of receiving this Love, which is freely given and will fill up your Heart to the brim and even more. The only thing we have to do is to be willing and deem ourselves worthy to receive it.

This weekend I have been visiting my mother and the overall experience was good. But I am quite exhausted now, so I wasn’t surprised when this card came up again. It has been following me around for the last four days. J

For today I see it this card as a reminder to take care of myself and do the things which will help me to fill my cup again. So after finishing this blog post, I am taking “the day off” and forget about every  “I have to”  until tomorrow. 

New Moon in September - Gratitude can be found in every situation

For today I’ve chosen to work with the Goddess tarot by Kriss Waldherr. Maybe this choice of deck is influenced by the large amount of red and orange in my last Art journal page or, which I think is more likely, I felt in need of some serious motherly energy. Although my  cards did not feel like motherly cuddles and hugs, they did offer me some clear advice for the coming month:

Release - Ace of Cups

A difficult card in this position. Why should I want to release a potential of Love and Creativity. But then it hit me. It is my clinging to this Ace which I need to release. The urge to feel happy , joyful and creative all the time. Sometimes its feel like I am on ongoing quest to feel good.  And even that can become a exhausting burden. So to let go of this Ace will make room for life to flow more effortlessly and fluently.

Embrace - Fortune  Lakshmi

Lakshmi is a Hindu goddess of abundance, wealth, prosperity both in the material and spiritual field. At first glance you might think why should you have to release that lovely Ace if this is your embrace card? Receiving Abundance and spiritual wisdom is not related to feeling happy or loved. The abundance of life is bestowed to us not matter how we feel. It is up to us to discover this Fortune in every situation of our life and when we find it to be grateful for it. In doing so our hearts will be more open to receive Love and Creativity. So when we are able to let go of the  Ace of Cups, it will return to us naturally.

Three of Swords - Ignoring the wisdom of my heart

Today’s cards are the Three of Swords and the Prince of Swords from the Goddess Tarot by Kris Waldherr.

For me the Three of Swords is all about making decisions which go straight against the heart, often without being actually aware it until our heart feels more like a pincushion than like a place where love springs from.

Hurting our Heart, undermining our Self Love, is a habit which we don’t shake off easily. Often it is advisable to start with baby steps. Be mindful if someone or some situation is asking or expecting something from you. Don’t react instantly but take a breath or two and feel. Try to find out what it is that you want, what makes your heart sing and then respond in a confident but friendly way. Even if you decide to go against your own wishes, this way you will know and maybe you can think of something to remove the sword afterwards: a bath, a cup of tea etc.

What energy will help me to brace myself against the expectations of the world: the Prince of Swords. He is a young but already strong-willed and very articulate. There will be no confusion about what he wants and why. Notice how his neck collar is protecting his heart and how he holds his swords near this very vulnerable but precious part of himself.

He will teach me to stand up for myself and be clear about my need and wants not only to others but more so to myself. 

Six of Cups - A trip down memory lane

Just before I went to visit my mother, I pulled for myself the Six of Cups from the Goddess Tarot. Although this deck has a lot of Rider Waite based imagery, this card seems to lack the two children where one child offers the other one flowers. Here we see a house in the distance and six cups, neatly arranged and filled with soft purple flowers. It is a card of memories: Of reminiscing about a time when everything was fine and life was simple: Of remembering our childhood. Whenever I am with my mother I feel often like a child again. In her own way she still takes care of me, simple because she cares for me unconditionally. And that feels safe and it gives me a chance to completely relax.  I didn't know I needed this so much until I got there. I loved listening to her stories and even now after so many years some of them where still new to me. This card radiates  peace and quiet. Everything has it’s place and time there, just like with my mother. Her house is clean and organized in contrary to mine especially with our puppy running around messing with his toys and stuff. So when I came home I felt a bit overwhelmed and I had some difficulty to adjust to our everyday life.  Even the idea of starting to blog again wasn't appealing. It felt more like a chore than something I love to do so much. So I started to leave some comments here and there and that felt good. I know eventually I will adapt and fit in again. Today is already so much easier than yesterday and gradually I am getting used to our own way of living which I do love a lot J

“Grown means nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? In a mother’s heart you will always be her baby.”

Six of Staves –Moving on to the next chapter

Sometimes Tarot reads like a magical illustrated storybook. Since I’ve been reading with the Goddess tarot, the cards seem to follow each other up like the chapters in a book or in any case they seem to follow the windings of my journey perfectly. Today I've decided it would be the last day with the Goddess tarot. I knew I liked the look of this deck but I am surprised how wonderful we are getting along. The card I’ve drawn for today couldn't be more fitting: the Six of Staves. After the journey through the woods of two day ago, where it was so difficult to find our way and to choose the right path here we see a smiling woman returning into the world with a laurel wreath on her stave. She has victoriously overcome her challenges is and is now ready to enter the next winding of her spiraling journey. Notice how she is celebrating this on her own. There is no need for a cheering crowd. People may see the change in her posture or in her smile but only she knows about the secrets she has unraveled in the woods. She is her own hero….moving on to the next chapter of her life

“You don't just have a story - you're a story in the making, and you never know what the next chapter's going to be. That's what makes it exciting.” Dan Millman

Prince of Pentacles – Get my feet back on the ground

For today I've drawn again a courtcard . This time it is the Prince (Knight) of Pentacles. He is a prince from India. The suit of Pentacles from this deck is associated with the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance and prosperity. This is the suit of the element earth, where we plant our seeds in the soil, where things are getting done. This prince has come along to remind us not only to seek spiritual growth with a Swords or Cups mentality but also in being present in the moment with everything you do. Staying grounded is such an important thing to do when you are on a spiritual journey.

He is reliable, trustworthy and practical. What can be more healing than the stability of our daily activities to feel connected to life itself and everyone/everything around us. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of our children and also making art, walking the dog and so forth. This prince is teaching us when everything seems uncertain and questionable, keeping our hands busy is most of the time a perfect remedy. It is also a good habit to appreciate what you've achieved after the day is done. 

Affirmation: Today I am going to do my chores and activities mindfully and I will be grateful for what I have accomplished. 

Movement - Rhiannon

Today’s card is Movement (The Chariot). We see the British goddess Rhiannon riding her white mare in the woods. In earlier periods she was known as Epona, who was mostly depicted with her horses but also with bundles of grain as a symbol of the harvest; the end of the quest.

Keep moving is the most important aspect of seeking spiritual growth: If you don’t move you’re standing still. Even taking a step back or retreating is movement. This means you can change your direction; investigate new options. Thinking you are lost is also encouraging movement, since you will try to find your way out. Every movement is fine. As long as you are not going to sit beneath a tree and expect to be rescued. Everyone who will come along will tell you to get up and keep going.

Our spiritual journey is our own. Sometimes we’ll meet fellow travelers but only to say goodbye to them at some point. We learn from each other and encourage one and other but in the end we are responsible for the way we walk our path.

This is a very apt card for me. Still seeking and trying to figure things out. Sometimes I’m almost coming to a standstill but soon after I’m feeling like I am running through the woods with numerous paths all leading to the same clearing and I wonder which path to choose. Why do I make it so difficult for myself???  

“You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward.” Conrad Hall

Queen of Swords - Finding clarity through language

After  a short break from my daily draws we jump right in with yet another court card: the Queen of Swords from the Goddess Tarot. Since I have recognized my father in the King of Swords it is no surprise this is the courtcard I identify the strongest with. I love it how she is able to combine her love for truth and intellect with the nurturing aspect of all the queens. She has been through a lot and has distilled wisdom from all her experiences and she has developed empathy for her all her subjects. Some may say she is cold, but this is often more a protection for her fragile heart. Her people depend on her to make the right decisions and to clarify the situation with her favorite tool: language. She can put feelings into words and with her intellect she can word truth and decisions without room for multiple interpretations. It is what it is.  

I think today I will put this skill into use to determine my feelings about Divinity. While writing about my feelings and questions; encircling them with words and sentences, sometimes I can find more clarity than by just thinking about them. I love journaling,  making lists and mind maps. I think writing is a wonderful tool to explore my inner thoughts.

“Whether you're keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it's the same thing. What's important is you're having a relationship with your mind.”

Natalie Goldberg

Princess of Cups - a playful approach

This morning I wasn't surprised when the Princess of Cups came up. Here we see a lovely fair-haired young girl; almost a woman, strolling along the shore of the sea or a very large lake. The light of a crescent moon is shining upon her while she is sipping from her cup: Very carefully. Maybe she has secretly picked a goblet of wine from her father's banquet and is now tasting this rich deep red liquid for the first time savoring the taste and the feel of the wine warming her body.

Isn't that exactly what I should do regarding  trying to connect to the Divine in a more intuitive and heartfelt way; to let me be guided by an intuitive yearning. I feel like this card is telling me to go to this inner place of sacredness as a child: experience it as it was the first time with a fresh open mind. Just start over and feel everything while being mindful and alert. Go slowly, step by step and approach this “quest” playfully and creative; wiggle with your toes in the sand, and enjoy every step along the way. 

This morning, I've decluttered and altered my altar. Like the Princess of Cups it is "dressed in white" which is very peaceful and calming for me right now.. The card is from the Enchanted Map Oracle: Slow and steady (very appropriate J)

“If we experienced life through the eyes of a child everything would be magical and extraordinary. Let our curiosity, adventure and wonder of life...never end.”

Akiane Kramarik

PS I will be back on Monday: We have a busy family weekend coming up because M will be celebrating her birthday.

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….

King of Swords - Think before you speak

Today’s card is the King of Swords from the Goddess Tarot. We see an Egyptian pharaoh sitting upon a concrete bench. His posture is showing his self confidence, his integrity and authority. He is the personification of God on Earth. So he better be right when he decides or speaks. He uses his intellect as a sword to cut away needless discussions to get to the bottom of things and to provide clarity for his subjects. He will not be ignored and is a force to be reckoned with.

This king isn’t painted with blues and grey’s as usual to emphasize his airy aspects.  but instead with the warm colors of Egypt. His face is gentle and kind, instead of strict and severe. This king will also teach me one or two things on how to  settle an argument.He reminds me of my father who was a King of Swords at heart but also such a loving dad. He has taught me the importance of seeking knowledge, of reading and checking facts before you make a decision. And he would always come to my aid if I needed advice.

Today I will try to be more like my dad; to listen carefully and with patience before I speak my mind. 

“There are two things over which you have complete dominion, authority and control: your mind and your mouth” African Proverb

Waning moon in August: Five of Swords – fear for conflicts.

For today I've drawn the Five of Swords from the Goddess tarot. Since we are now in the waning phase of the moon cycle, I've asked what I needed to release during this period. So let’s look at what I've got; The woman in the card is holding three of the five swords; one ready to use in action. The other two have been laid down crossed on a large rock as a symbol of truce. However she is still suspicious and is looking in the distance for possible approaching enemies 

This is a card of distrust and feeling uncomfortable and insecure. Often we anticipate quarrels and arguments and in doing so are fulfilling our own expectations. We send out hostile vibes of suspicion and when our expectations are fulfilled, we victoriously shout: I told you so!

This card is also about setting boundaries and protecting yourself by being vigilant and alert.

Somehow I get the feeling it is telling me to let go of my suspicion and fear of possible arguments and conflicts.  This might just be what is needed for a more peaceful environment. If I dare to let my guard down and expect good intentions from others; if I dare to be more trustful, this will be beneficial for our well being. We surely will feel more peaceful and loving towards one and other. I know I have to set boundaries but they are not supposed to shut everybody out. I have to find a balance between self-protection and reaching out.

So my affirmation for the coming time will be: Today I will protect my boundaries but I will keep the gate open and let people in.

Seven of Wands - Boundaries

After our family weekend, the Seven of Wands is coming up repeatedly for me. Today it is the version from the Goddess Tarot by Kris Waldherr. When I look at the picture I instantly feel like I have to brace myself for something. This card is all about being faithful to my own convictions and to stand up for my beliefs. I am the only one who knows deep down what is good for me and I will stay strong and chose my battles wisely.  I am not going to start any argument but I will not give in to manipulative behavior either. It is obvious this is a solitary act of bravery against six other wands but I am rather with myself  than with people who don’t really see me for who I am.

So this card is all about creating boundaries for my emotional balance and as a way to keep “the peace”

When I am writing this the Goddess Durga comes to mind. I haven’t given her much thought lately. Maybe it is a good idea to reconnect with her energy by chanting to her during my meditation and/or to meditate with her seed mantra: Dum

"Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others".Brene Brown