The Chariot - Keep moving

For today I got The Chariot from the Universal Waite Tarot. This card is so different from how I feel today but probable it is just the right energy I need to keep going. I suppose every one can identify with the feeling to want to go back to bed and skip a day or two. Well I felt like that this today but we also know we can’t stop living our life. Things always tend to happen when we are in need of some peace and quiet and solitude.

The Chariot is a card of success and self-reliance. The charioteer manages to balance the influence and strength of both Sphinxes . In my case: wanting to give up and wanting to go on. Neither is a 100% preferable but  a healthy mixture  of the two can be very beneficial for me today.  Oddly enough it seems The Chariot in this card isn’t going anywhere. So I presume he is contemplating where to go from here. It is good to make a stop in life when something is asking for a more in depth exploration. Life is not a race; there is no hurry. So I was wondering what it was, the charioteer was thinking about. And I pulled The Emperor. Immediately I was reminded of one of the pillars of therapy: the need for structure in our life. And I don’t mean structure like a tight schedule (pitfall!!) but a dynamic structure which a experienced leader like The Emperor would benefit from. A structure which can be maintained even when life needs you to be flexible. Again it is about finding the balance between black and white or between a  rigid structure and total chaos.

Today I didn’t feel like blogging but I am glad I did because writing this post has thought me a great deal and has made me feel a lot better.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” - Albert Einstein

Four of Swords - Time for recovery

For today, instead of drawing a card I picked the tarot card for this post myself and it is the Four of Swords from the Universal Tarot. This is the card to symbolize recovery and healing. The last couple of days I am not feeling very well. I think I've got a touch of flu or a cold. So it is nothing serious but it is enough to drain me from my the last bits of leftover winters'energy. I do read everybody's blog but that is about it for now. My own cards are safely tucked  away, waiting for my recovery. I think it is good to step away from the cards when you're not feeling well.  I guess they would mirror my apathy more than anything else.
I don't know how long this will last; maybe a few days maybe a bit longer. I just wanted you all to know there is nothing to worry about and I hope to be back soon!

Problem solving with tarot

This morning, when I woke up, I didn't feel that great. I was obsessing about, now please don’t laugh, which journal I would like to use for the coming time. This is an obsession which has been going on for as long as I write in my journals. I go back and forth between several formats and almost never really finish one. Sometimes I write everything in one book, or I use multiple journals; for each subject a different notebook. And don’t get me started about the actual journals I can choose from: ring-bound, spiral bound, hardcover, digital, A4, A5, A6, lined grid, blank…. the possibilities are endless. A typical first world problem or maybe a cover-up for an underlying issue. When I feel this anxious it is very hard to let go of. So instead of obsessing about it even further, I flipped trough my deck and picked a few cards face- up which visualize how I feel.

In short:

When too many choices are available, I get stuck, unable to move, while in my mind the quarrel is constantly going on and without a winner. The only thing I have to do is take of my blindfold get up and receive the gift of choosing one possibility, be content with it and start journaling. This will lead me through the gate towards freedom.

It is so easy. All I have to do is make one decision and release the illusion I have to solve this dilemma for eternity. Just choose for today and be happy with it.

Is it just me, or does any of you have such nagging, not at all crucial, long lasting, dilemma too?

Combined Tarot & Oracle Reading

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

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

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

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

From my Universal Waite Tarot I pulled:

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

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

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

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

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

The Hanged Man: my dentist appointment

Universal WaiteTarot

For today’s card I have drawn The Hanged Man from the Universal Waite. I particularly like this depiction because the man looks quite relaxed in this awkward situation. He has a halo for enlightenment which is a symbol of The Hanged Man I don’t find in many of the other decks I have.

The Hanged Man is the archetype of the victim. There is a standstill and there is no room for change or action. Life is put on hold and mostly it is involuntary but sometimes we can welcome it. Who hasn't been in a difficult situation when suddenly you were “rescued” by the flu or a heavy snow fall

More often though we have to accept the situation and know we just have to wait it out. Rain, floods, boring family dinners, a broken leg; you name it.

But sometimes when you are in The Hanged Man position  you can be surprised by an unexpected insight or idea. Because the situation at hand is different than we are used to we tend to see things from a different perspective. Priorities can shift overnight, spiritual beliefs may change rapidly.

Today I have to go to the dentist and when the chair is reclined, I feel like the Hanged man with my mouth wide open at the dentists mercy.  I wonder if this visit will bring me some halo thoughts.

Does Tarot give answers or raise questions?

Universal Waite Tarot

Often we turn to our cards when we have problems, are curious about what might happen or for a simple focus for the day. It is not so strange to see Tarot as a deck of cards full of answers, potential opportunities and guidance.

When I drew the Seven of Wands from the Universal Tarot for today, my initial thought was to brace myself for an attack on my private thoughts or my opinions and to set aside a part of my energy for myself this afternoon. For me that is the general meaning and the first answer I get from this card. It is very obvious what the Seven of wands is about when you look at the picture. But when you are reading the cards like that, tarot can get boring so it is advisable to ask a lot of questions when you draw the cards.

Personally, I do this on a regular basis, but I became very aware of this method when I saw the video of Louise from Priestess Tarot. 

You can start easy, by asking yourself what you are seeing in the card and what details are standing out to you for today. Following, you can ask yourself questions about how the character in the card would  feel, why he does what he does and about more particular subjects to which the card is drawing your attention. It is also fun to notice how the questions vary when you compare several of the same cards from different decks. 

It might be a nice exercise is to draw one card or lay down a small spread and ask myself some questions about the card(s) . The challenge will be not to answer them right away but rather let them stew for the rest of the day. From time to time they will bubble up and perhaps raise more questions. In the evening I want to return to the card(s) and figure out what the message was.

A few questions for the seven of wands:

• Who is attacking me? or am I attacking myself?
• Why do I need to defend myself?
• What/who am I afraid of?
• What is my strength which I can rely on?
• What conviction is worth defending
• What/where is my refuge?
• What do I want to be clear about?
• and so forth

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

Get my feet back on the ground

October 22: A windless days in October. Trees reflected in a pond. Heaven and earth are in a quiet balance. How do I find balance?

Universal Rider Waite Tarot

Today the Knight of pentacles will teach me what I need to know about finding my balance. At first sight he’s a dull boring guy sitting on his horse staring at his pentacle. Reliable, dependable, stubborn, all characteristics which aren't really exciting. And yet here he is, sitting on his farm horse watching the plowed and sown field and he is sure that everything will turn out fine; just the way he wants it. He’s proud of his work although nothing unexpected had occurred and no creativity was needed.

My steadfast champion. This is the guy I want to go to in times of imbalance. He grounds me literally. After having been floating some inches above the ground to long (meditating, tarot reading, writing, pondering and so forth) He pulls me down and puts me with my feet back on the ground. “Just do something tangible!”, he seems to shout at me.

Yesterday my youngest daughter was working in the garden; preparing it for the winter season. I wasn't able to help her but being outside, smelling the soil and the rotting leaves, just felt so immensely good. Yes I know being practical and getting things done is my way of balancing out the contemplative side of me. Although it is still difficult for me to actually do something I will figure out a way to get more involved in chores around the house. Even as simple for instance decluttering a drawer can be helpful. 

Don't worry be happy!

October 18: Today is the feast day of St. Luke, the evangelist. Luke describes remarkably healing miracles in his gospel. Probably he was a doctor. Who or what can heal me?

 Universal Waite Tarot

Again a question from a more Catholic approach but nevertheless worthwhile to think about from whatever angle you consider it.

What does healing mean to me. It is so much more than being cured from a psychical illness or discomfort. For me healing goes deeper. Healing touches your hart and your soul. Perhaps in English it is all the same but for me there is a slight difference. So what or who can heal me. Let’s draw a card…..The six of wands. Mmm, not exactly the soothing healing card I had hoped for. But after some consideration I've realized that the suit of wands is just the kind of healing I need. Being active is the best way to quiet down a worrying, anxious mind. And since I've had too much time to sit around and do nothing (except brooding and worrying  and so forth.J), being active should be a very healthy thing for me now. I am happy to say that I experience slightly less pain than a week ago so I keep my fingers crossed this will keep getting better these coming days. The six of wands also emphasizes to celebrate what you have achieved; you successes. I have to remember that, because I tend to forget being proud of the things I do in a day. For instance I've been doing groceries with my daughter this morning. It seems so normal, but it isn't. To be able to do  this again is something to be happy about. And  being happy is the best healing medicine there is! 

Clear away the cobwebs

October 4:  Today is World Animal Day. St Francis talked to the birds and tamed a wolf. Wolfs can also exist within ourselves. Which wolf in me should I show compassion for?

Universal Waite Tarot

Isn't that a coincidence. Yesterday’s card had a wolf as guide in it; today the wolf is a part of me that can be a hindrance or a challenge. (Isn't that also some kind of guidance in disguise?)

This day’s card is the lovely enthusiastic Page of Swords from The Rider Waite tarot. I love the way his hair dances in the wind and how he swings his sword above his head. Clouds are passing by. He wants to catch them all. This youngster is my wolf of today. The part of me that wants to engage in every new idea or challenge. Among others I'm writing every day now with a Autumn prompt. This is a real challenge for me because everyday I have to write and think in English again. But some day’s I want to write about something entirely else: The flowers I've got from my daughters, the new moon that's due etc. I feel I’m stuck in the cobwebs of my mind.

So today I clear them away and set my mind free.