New Moon in July

This new moon I have decided to use the whole deck again instead of only the Majors and for this coming lunation I got the Six of Cups from The Original Rider Waite Tarot.

The Six of Cups is my inner child card and whenever it comes up, it encourages me to give my little me some genuine love and attention. I know she loves to play and go out and honestly the last weeks we haven’t had enough time to do so. Life gets in the way so easily.

Another thing is that while thinking about this card and my inner child, I suddenly realized everybody has such a little girl or boy inside and it then occurred to me that others too might find it difficult to satisfy their own child’s needs. So I thought maybe it would make some difference if I would try to beware of that child, whenever I would come in contact with somebody. We are so much more inclined to be patient, and gentle with a child than with an adult. Just like we sometimes try to see the divine in someone maybe we could just as easily try to see the child as well

Six of Cups – Adapting our Memories

Today’s card is the Six of Cups from The Wild Unknown Tarot with the keywords: Memories, Childhood and Joy. A very fitting card for me, since I’ve visited my mom last weekend.

In this version of the Six of Cups we see a Fir tree with a stunning, intricate and colorful root system. On the surface this Fir looks like any other Fir in the forest but when we look more closely, each Fir has developed in his own unique way. His roots and his trunk could tell us so much more about his growth throughout the years. 

And the same thing is true for us. Our memories, happy and sad ones alike, are partly cause of who we are today. But memories are not stagnant, they change when we change they way we feel about them. It is not the exact memory which determines how  we respond to  whatever life throws at us but the way we relate to those memories. Our perception might change over the years. Memories laden with guilt can  become filled with acceptance and compassion. And so we grow new roots each day and strengthen old ones, or cut them off from our energy flow so they wither and be forgotten.

With this notion I try to approach the Holidays. Traditions, childhood memories and expectations are not stagnant. They are truly alive and can become part of something new and fresh Our personal stories, even the sad ones, can be retold from a more empowering perspective. 

Let’s fill our memories with Compassion and Joy

Six of Cups – I remember a time when…..

Today’s card is the Six of Cups from the Tarot of the Hidden Realm. We see a woman bathing in the bay. This is where she can connect to her memories in a very soothing way. She feels them floating through her mind, just like the little waves are caressing her body. Some of those memories are kind and precious, some of them feel uncomfortable and sad but she tries to accept each one of them with gentle compassion. Often when something distressful has happened, it is not so easy to take a light-hearted stroll down memory lane again.  Personally I still find it very hard to revisit photo albums from more than a decade ago….

This card reminded me of an exercise I’ve read somewhere online once: 

Shuffle your deck, pull a card and finish the following sentence:

“I remember a time when…………

Whatever memory comes to mind when you look at your card, it's okay. It doesn’t matter if the meaning of the card has nothing to do with your memory.

Often memories are little snippets of a larger story. You can decide if you want to spent some more time there or if you want you can pull the next card. Don’t forget this exercise is supposed to be a pleasant experience. Try to embrace your memories with love and compassion. If a card disturbs you in any way feel free to pick another.

These four cards came up for me this morning:

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Page of Wands: I remember a time when I got my first set of “real” watercolors and how amazed I was by the quality of its beautiful pigments.

Ace of Pentacles. I remember a time when I started my first job as a teacher and how thrilled I was that  I was the one who would teach these little persons how to read in less than a year

Seven of Pentacles: I remember two times when I shared my body with one of my girls. The waiting. The caring and attentive love of my husband. We became parents and I like to think we were good at it

Justice: I remember a time when I thought life wasn’t fair. Why did this have happen to us. But gradually over the years life taught me about balance and how time and new experiences fill the empty places

Maybe you would like to try this for yourself. You can journal about your memories or just sit with them for a while

"We don't remember days, we remember moments." Cesare Pavese

Six of cups – Remembering you

Instead of picking up my Gaian tarot for my daily draw I was mindlessly playing with my Original Rider Waite Tarot and I pulled my card for today: the Six of Cups. this card is all about happy childhood memories, feeling safe and nurturing our inner child.

Yesterday I’ve  received the very sad message that my aunt had passed away. She was such a gentle and loving soul. Always ready to help others where and whenever she could.  She lived with her mother, my grandmother, and always when I visited them for the holidays she took me places like the cinema, the zoo, the beach  or just shopping. She even took days off from work, especially for me. Together we’ve seen the Sound of Music seven times!  We played games together in the evenings after dinner. Later when I had a family of my own she was just as loving for my kids as she has been for me. It saddens me she is gone but I know for her it must have been a relief because the last year of her life she was very ill So from now on I will treasure the precious memories I have of her, safely in my heart.

“If there comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever."  Winnie the Pooh

Six of Cups - Leaving the past behind

For today I've drawn the Six of Cups from the Crystal Visions Tarot. A woman is coming out of a pond filled with Lilies and Cups, leaving a small child behind. The child urges her to take a cup with her but the woman declines,smiles to her and walks away.

This card is all about sweet childhood memories and nostalgia: about reminiscing or worse clinging to the past. The child represents our inner child, the one who longs for reassurance, safety and being cared for. But that time has past. The woman has to move on into the unknown.

There is nothing wrong with remembering the past and spending time with happy memories as long as we don’t get to attached to them or expect them to be more than just memories. It is also important to keep our inner child happy but this can be done by taking her out to play or making a messy free flow painting as well. Giving her new experiences instead of reliving the old ones. Even our inner child has to grow and to be challenged otherwise she will be suffocated in a pond full of memories.

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 Cups - Trust in yourself; You've already come this far!

For today I've drawn the Six of Cups from the Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy. The keywords are: Trust, harmony, nostalgia, community, innocence. 

“Swimming side by side, Bliss and her mer-bunny friends, Charity and Innocence, appreciate the simple joys of life. Six cup-flowers gently sway with the waters of emotional contentment. Their peaceful, turquoise ocean ripples with harmony and balance”. 

What a peaceful card for a sunny summer day. Wouldn't it be lovely to just float around in a sea of contentment and be happy? When we revisit the past in our memory it is often colored by our own perception. Memories are not objective pictures and reports about what actually has happened. More likely they resemble the past in colorful paintings and fiction. How we perceive the past is up to us. We can highlight the wistful victim stories or we can swim between our blissful memories which can strengthen our trust in ourselves. So much has happened but now we are exactly where we are supposed to be. Every event and decision has brought us here today and I for one am grateful for that. From here on I will be moving forward making new memories for tomorrow. 

Today I am going to make some blissful memories!

A three card spread to get my creative juices flowing

Yesterday I've come across another fabulous spread created by Beth from Little Red tarot. Her spreads are always down to earth and yet at the same time so in depth. Since I love small spreads I couldn't wait to try this one out: "How to find your Mojo back"! Maybe you haven’t noticed but the last painting I have posted here was in February and since then my inspiration and drive to visually express myself went from zero to nothing. I’ve  been writing a lot but I miss being able to just pick up a piece of paper and paint, draw or do some collage. And while writing this, I know it is my own mindset which is keeping me from creating. (eight of Swords mentality L) So finding this little spread is very timely for me. I’ve used the wildwood tarot and the cards couldn’t have been more outspoken and clear today: 

Firstly, divide your cards into majors and minors. Shuffle the two piles separately.

Draw the first card from your major pile. Then lay cards two and three from the minor pile:

1.Major: Here’s your mojo, hiding – The Wanderer

In order to find my mojo back, I will have to reconnect with my inner child, be open for adventures and new possibilities, play and have fun. Let go of fear and tread new paths with courage and an open mind; taking  a leap o faith. Oh yeah!

2.Minor: Here’s what’s getting in the way. – Four of Bows – Celebration

Although this is quite a positive card which is all about celebrating the bounty, good fortune and finished projects, this card can also warn us about the danger of feeling too secure. It is often tempting to stay in the Four of Bows energy afraid for what might come next and thus we stagnate our own creative flow.

3.Minor: Here’s your solution. Do this now! – Six of Vessels- Reunion

Remember the times when you felt you were empowered and able to create. When being in the flow was a like a second nature and revisit them and reconnect with your inner strength. l drink form the well of experience and wisdom to rediscover my inspiration and trust in my own ability to create.

So what does this mean in practical terms? I am going upstairs with a large mug of coffee to flip through some old sketchbooks and paintings and after that I am going to pick up a piece of paper and I am going to play without troubling myself with the outcome. J

May Queen Tarot Spread for Beltane

This lovely tarot spread is created by Christine Jette for Beltane and is found in her book “Tarot for all Seasons”, which I’m using this year for every turning of the wheel: “May is a time of fertility and high spirits. By Beltane, the dark time of the year is a distant memory and the possibilities of life seem sweet. Use the May Queen spread to regain or confirm a sense of abundance and safety”

For this spread I will be using The Joie the Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy 

  

1: Safety. Emotional security.  Page of Swords

What do you need to feel safe. Where are you secure in yourself?

This is one of my favorite  court cards. He cuts to the chase. He is direct and refreshing. His hair is blowing in de the wind and clouds are clearing. His mind is full of new and exciting idea’s and he is eager to follow his desire to learn. It makes me feel safe, I can always rely on the insights and clarity of my mind.

2: Abundance. Feelings of plenty. Eight of Cups

Abundance may encompass monetary prosperity, but it also describes the emotional breath of your life that is full and sweet.  

Abundance can also come from the feeling of emotional fulfillment and the longing to broaden your  horizons. The possibilities are numerous. There is always room for emotional growth. The beauty of this card is that he's taking his cups with him instead of leaving them behind. Spiritual journeys are not always taken because of dissatisfaction with your current situation. Sometimes you just want to explore and feel free.

3: Regeneration. Exploring the possibilities. The Fool

The bold action needed to grow and flourish.

It couldn't be more bold than this. The Fool encourages us to take the leap and go for it. The little spider on her staff is reminding her she is the weaver of her own life. She wants to discover and experience. The fool is also about trusting your inner voice. Deep down you know you are on the right track. See the world with childlike eyes and look for new opportunities but don’t ignore your little bat

4: Emotions and relationships. All forms of love, The World

Apparently my relationships are doing well. The last couple of weeks I've been painfully  aware of the fact how much I love both my daughters. My other relationships are quite easy going. But when I look at the winged Merlion and how careful he is holding his world between his paws, I realize love is never to be taken for granted but to be cherished and respected. Love and relationships are dynamic forces which are asking for our constant attention

5: The Future. The present conceivable outcome. The Six of Cupsok how confident thes three are on ther way.

Look how happy and confident these three are on their way. They are strengthened by their happy memories and emotional contentment. From this stability they can move forward to seek out new possibilities. Al the cards in this spread are talking about moving forward and trying new things. It is obvious I am emotionally in a safe place. Perhaps it is good to acknowledge I am strong enough to expand my horizons and not to be afraid because I can always rely on my wits J

Daily draw exercise with the Six of Cups

As I've stated earlier, when times are stressful, reading the tarot isn't always the smartest thing to do. At least in my case it isn’t. So for today’s daily draw I’ve come up with a little exercise on how to explore a tarot card without diving in to deep, Of course this can be altered and extended to anyone’s taste

My card for today is The Six of Cups from the Original Rider Waite Tarot:

Some keywords are:

Innocence, memories, trust, friendship

What is the gift ?

To experience my day with a childlike open heart

What is the challenge?

To be aware of too much dreaming about a past when everything “used to be so much better”

What  are you grateful for?

For a happy childhood

Journaling prompt

Write about a time when you still thought anything was possible. What did you want the most out of life.

( In short: I was saving pennies for my own real  horse and stable )

I remember a time when……

I could play for hours and would lose track of time until my mother called me inside for dinner

Affirmation

I am aware of the needs of my inner child and I will cherish her with love

Quote

If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.

Tom Stoppard

Naming the Goddess

She who stirs our happy memories so we can move forward with renewed strength and optimism

What stands out the most and why?

The feeling of safety of the little girl and the trust she has in her companion

Six of Cups and Mountain - Tarot and Lenormand playing together

For today I have drawn two cards from two different systems and both cards have been made by the same artist: Ciro Marchetti. From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot I’ve got the Six of Cups and from the Gilded Reverie Lenormand I've pulled the mountain.

First I drew the tarot card to represent the overall feeling/energy of the day;

This cards depicts a girl lying in the grass and she is recalling some good times when she was playing with her friend. It is very easy for me to identify with this girl. Life used to be so easy. There were less difficult choices to make. Of course it wasn't always sunshine and roses  but at least my husband was there to stand beside me. And nowadays it is just me who has to make all the decisions. But I am very glad  I can cherish a lot of good and loving memories. So why does this card affect me more than usual?

For a modification of this tarot card I drew Mountain. This card is about blockages, difficulties and frustration. When we are confronted with our mountain it is only natural we are inclined to look back to the green meadows of the past and to imagine them greener than they really were. How tempting it might be to idolize and dwell in these pastures, it is better to get your backpack and lace up your shoes and start climbing the mountain.

It is obvious how the Lenormand card emphasizes for me the danger of living in the past and can be seen as an encouragement to face my problems. I think any other Lenormand card would have highlighted a different aspect of The Six of Cups. The Tarot card represents for me the psychological side of the matter and the Lenormand card the more mundane and active side. Although Tarot and Lenormand are  two different systems, I think they can work very well together

Ps. don’t get me wrong; There is nothing as comforting as a stroll down memory lane J

Six of Cups: Closing the Gap

Druidcraft Tarot

A while ago I received a comment from Prince Lenormand about my creative blocks, in which he had added a link to the Six of Cups from the Druidcraft tarot. That card really hit the mark because it felt if I was torn between parts of myself and not being able to connect them: The man is inside the house, looking outside longing for the time when he was young and everything was still simple.The children are playing outside and having fun together. The only thing I could do was to go upstairs to my room and pick up my paint, some scraps of paper and make a mark  I was inspired to try this by a post from Sharon form the Wishing tree. 

It felt so good and it was much more easy than I had expected. I used to do a lot of Art journaling and what I have made this time is quite similar: I've started with pasting pieces of paper on a white sheet, added some paint en crayon and  I printed out some sentences I had written and the children from the Six of Cups. It is funny but after I had finished the collage bit, I noticed the gap between the two parts. And there and then I decided to use that as the theme for this Art journal page.

Bridging the gap between me and myself

In the end

We're not that different at all

Meeting at the playground of my mind

Where the gap between fantasy and reality is closed.

This was a careful start. I am not there yet, but I know now I am still able to create something. This wasn't about the result but merely about me humming, singing and playing without fear. I would like to thank everybody for their kind and encouraging words. They have meant so much to me.

Hugs Ellen