Three card daily spread with the Shadowscapes Tarot

For today I want do a three card daily spread with The Shadowscapes Tarot. This deck is currently almost the only tarot deck I work with. Each time I pull my cards from this deck, I am amazed by how the message it conveyed with such a gentle and kind energy. Even the more difficult subjects, although never avoided, are so cautiously approached.

For my spread the positions are as follows:

1 The general energy of the day

2 The challenge of the day

3 The gift of today

1 The energy of the day – Three of Cups.

Many of you know that this is the card which for me resembles me and my girls: How we interact, how we laugh and cry together and yes often quarrel together too. But we always return to our small circle of love. Each of us bringing a filled cup to the brim of our own special flavored drink and mixing it together to something quite delicious and extraordinary.

But  S doesn’t live here anymore. Of course I do think about her often but seeing this card made it a bit sour. And then this morning she called me to invite me to have coffee together at her place which was good and we talked and laughed as usual. Both my girls live in my heart so where ever I am we will always be the Three of Cups.

2 The challenge of the day – Nine of Wands

This cards challenges me to not to expect the worst. Of course there is nothing wrong to have some strength in reserve but for me today there is no need to be extra vigilant. And worrying about what might happen only drains me from the strength I do have.

3 Gift of today –Knight of Sword

My gift is to be able to speak my mind if necessary and to know when to be silent. Since he is my gift I interpret him more positively than usual. So no conflicts today!

Different Cards - Same Message

Today’s card is the Three of Cups from the Druidcraft Tarot. A happy cheerful card, well suited for the Holiday season. Although in this deck the characters are male instead of female, I always identify it with my daughters and myself and of course for now also with my SIL. 

When I asked for advice on how to create such a loving and joyful atmosphere in my house, I got The Wheel: In this depiction we see a woman literally carving out space and time for herself. She is casting a circle with herself in the center of it. From there she can observe and respond mindfully to any given situation at hand without becoming overwhelmed by it. 

Finally I asked what the result would be if I would follow the advice of the Wheel? And then The Star jumped out of my deck. Hope an renewal, Cleansing and healing and wishes come true. When I trust enough that all will be well and I will be able let go of my Holiday anxiety, then I will find that inner peace and quiet: a well brimful of inspiration and loving guidance 

One year Blog anniversary!!!

This afternoon I realized it  is exactly one year ago that that I've started writing this blog. It was it was initially my intention to have my own place on the internet where I could show some of my creative projects if somebody would ask for this.

Little could I know I would enjoy writing my daily posts about  my tarot and oracle cards that much. Since then, I’ve written 355 posts which I am so grateful for. This blog has given me so much joy, new insights and fulfillment.

But most importantly it has given me the chance to connect to my far away living but also very close, dear friends from all over the world and also it has been such a good experience to feel passionate about something this much and for such a long time: Writing and tarot; what a great combination. Even though I may have felt creatively  blocked sometimes, this blog was always there for me. For some reason I can always write

So, to all of my dear readers, known and unknown, a heartfelt thank you  for following me on this exiting and empowering journey and for always being there.  

Hugs Ellen

The Three of Cups needs Strength

Today’s card is the Three of Cups from the Morgan Greer Tarot. Three women standing together; enjoying each other company. Its seems like they are wearing the garlands from Yesterday’s card. This card is for me the “Me me and my girls” card. We love each other dearly and we like to spend time together. Just hanging out; laughing and talking, or watching a movie together. Just regular stuff but sometimes enjoying those little things together is making a relationship so special

I wondered what more I could write about this card so I pulled another one to find a more specific meaning. (an idea I found on Tiferet tarot) 

I pulled the lion. Wow! That made a lot of sense. After the (now resolved) difficulties between M and S, it is a good advice to keep a lid on our primal reactions toward each other. Not every thought has to be shared. Not every feeling has to be put into words.

“I teach you that the greatest strength is strength of spirit, and that all challenges are conquered if they are met with tolerance, forgiveness, forbearance and compassion”.

Before we speak we can try to figure out, if what we want to say is beneficial, necessary and kind. Look how tender and gentle this woman is treating her lion. Somehow it makes me wonder if we are kind to others we are also kind to ourselves at the same time. This kindness must somehow reflect back on our own well being.

Affirmation: Today I will treat others with kindness and I will weigh my words before I speak.

Three of Mirrors - The lion and the lamb

For today I've got the Three of Mirrors (Cups) from the Chrysalis Tarot. Here we see a picture of  the proverbial lion and the lamb, which is by the way a misquote because Isaiah talked about a wolf and a lamb but the intention is still the same. The Three of Mirrors is all about togetherness and celebration but in this depiction even more about compassion and acceptance. How often do we judge others according to our own so high and mighty standards. Who can live up to our expectations? Maybe if we would see ourselves reflected in the mirror of Love, we would be more inclined to see the inner beauty of others too. What would the lion see when he would look the lamb in his eyes? Maybe he could see his own tenderness and inner fears and vice versa the lamb could see his growing courage. There is no real separation between ourselves and others. We are all loved in the eyes of the Divine. They say our eyes are the mirrors of our soul. Perhaps this is a good time to have a closer look at the person  in front of us with compassion, acceptance and Love, especially when it is the one in the mirror.

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror,

I'm asking him to change his ways,

And no message could have been any clearer,

If you wanna make the world a better place,

Take a look at yourself and then make a change"

Michael Jackson

Three of cups - final celebration

For today I've drawn the Three of Cups from the Tarot of the Hidden Realm. This card is my all time representation of my daughters and me. It shows our love and appreciation for each other. This card is also very timely for we have had again good news from M’s doctor. She doesn't need any further tests or procedures. Only a check up in two months. This was cause for a little celebration with apple-pie, some flowers and tonight French fries for dinner. Of course we've called my husband and other family members to share this exiting news

As the picture shows, the three fey also like to share their good fortune and their happiness. It is like the middle girl is beckoning us to join them. Why? Who knows; there is always a reason to be happy and to celebrate. The most fun occasions are the ones unplanned; spontaneous moments of joy and togetherness. This card encourages me to be more aware of the joyous moments in my life and to celebrate them not only by myself but to share my happy feelings and good mood with my loved ones.

“Joy can be found in every moment; in every breath”

All the ingredients for nice relaxed Sunday

After the challenging cards of last week according to my tarot cards, I am going to have a lovely Sunday. I am going to enjoy my own company as well as spending some quality time with my daughters. So this is going to be a day of harmony and balance.

I seem to be more inclined to acknowledge the predictive qualities of the tarot when I pull positive cards like these two. Perhaps I am more eager to be influenced by the energy of these two cards rather than feeling depressed about my nine of swords experience.

But as always it all comes down to my own perception of reality. What are my thoughts and how do they make me feel? If I feel down how can I be mindful enough to be aware of my thoughts and change them into more comforting ones?

Perhaps cards like these can be helpful in this process. Today I have drawn them from my deck but sometimes I pick the cards which will remind me of qualities I want to embrace or manifest. Almost like a sort of a visual affirmation. I used to do this more often and I am glad that I have rediscovered this practice by writing this post

Which card would you pick for yourself?

Ace of swords and three of cups. Will I finally get it?

For today I've drawn two cards from the Hanson Robert Tarot. Another of my decks which doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. 

Hanson Roberts Tarot

First I got the Ace of Swords. Always a good card to draw: New idea’s, looking a things from a new perspective, receiving clarity and inspiration and so forth.  But like all the aces it is remaining a bit vague. Ideas about what? Inspiration to do what? This sword even has a laurel, so it promises success too. I didn't want to let it rest and in search for more clarity (J) I decided to draw another card. To my surprise I drew the Three of Cups. When I read for myself this is the card that often represents me and my daughters. It encourages me to be open and loving towards them and to receive their love in turn. After yesterday’s conflict, this is for me a hopeful pair of cards. Will I finally get it now? Look at those three women talking and listening to each other. The feel  of this card is so peaceful. We are not the dancing types from the R.W. but this fits us beautifully. It is still early,but I am positive today will be another good day.

I have the card of Lakshmi on my altar now and I am going to chant to her too. So far it is a very beneficial practice for me. Meditating is more easy and I am less distracted by all kind of chit chat in my mind. For me it is a wonderful way to connect to Goddess.