Two of Wands - Trust, have a little bit of faith and relax.

Today's card is the Two of Wands from the Joie the Vivre Tarot.  A sunny and joyful card on a rainy April day. The question I asked myself to draw a card with was: How can I nurture myself today?
This card is about reflection on where you've come from, listening to your intuition so you will know where to go from here and imagining and preparing for your future. Outwardly, it might seem like we're are doing nothing worthwhile but on the inside, a lot is going on.  The challenge of this card is to find a balance between being active and letting our ideas and intentions having a life of their own: about not striving and clinging to the desired outcome too much.
Since I like to be in control almost all of the time, I like to know exactly where my life is heading, what obstacles I might expect on the way and how long it will take me to go from A to Z without any detours. Yes, I know life doesn't work this way but like many of us, I often live by the illusion that is does.
Today this card is telling me to ease up, to let go of my expectations and to trust that God or the Universe will respond to what I have put out there in a loving generous and wonderful way ( so much better than to expect gloom and doom because I don't like to be disappointed  :))
Taking care of myself today might be about learning to have a bit more trust and faith in this Loving Energy.

Three Card Spread with the Tarot of The Hidden Realm

For today I will do a three card daily spread with The tarot of the Hidden Realm. The positions are as follows:

1 The general energy of the day

2 The challenge of the day

3 The gift of today

The cards I drew were:

1 The general energy of the day – Two of Wands

Two playful fairies are flying between the leafs and the blossom of a Rowan tree. They are young and their lives are filled with endless possibilities. While playing and experimenting they will learn what it is they truly want out of life and then they have two options: To keep fluttering from one tree to another or follow their passion, their hearts desire.

2 The challenge of the day – The Emperor

The next step is to bring structure into the mix and to form a plan. However, the challenge here is not to become too rigid, write endless to-do lists and squeeze every drop of the fun out of it. Instead, we might try turn to our inner adult for some fatherly advice.

3 The gift of today – Temperance

Yes, balance is all! The gift is a perfect mix between structure and play, between following  a plan and being flexible enough to adjust it and make room for trial and error

I am very pleased to see how these three cards have worked together to affirm my New Moon draw of the Six of Cups (inner child work). These cards highlight the need for play as well as for an adult approach to it.  

Full Moon in April

For this full moon I have pulled three cards from my Original Rider Waite Tarot. Even though I have so many other beautiful decks, I seem to be in totally love with this deck all over again. Of course it has been my one of my favorite tarot decks all along but nowadays I read with no other deck than this one. Maybe it is only a springtime infatuation but I will enjoy it while it lasts.

I have asked my deck three questions:

What is crystal clear? Two of Wands – It is time to pick a Wand, to make a choice. Don’t feel pressured to go for the easy option. The options are many. The world is in the palm of our hands. So maybe it is also time to leave my comfort zone.

What am I grateful for? Queen of Wands – although it doesn’t  always show, I know that beneath my fear of failure and my insecurity lives a passionate and creative woman who is eager to get up from her throne and is ready for some action.

What do I need to let go of when the moon starts to wane? Nine of Pentacles – This is one of my favorite cards in the deck. And just like with The Hermit, I am too much attached to this secluded inward energy. But  there is no need to break down the wall. Perhaps I will look for the gate of her garden so I can (again) leave my comfort zone. I noticed she is looking to her bird instead of to the city in the back ground. And her bird doesn’t bring her much new from the outside world either because he is blindfolded.

Together the cards all seem to convey one clear message: leave you comfort zone and live a little! Easier said than done but the fact I read it in these cards is promising. I don’t have to jump from the castle tower. I can take also the stairs J

Thurisaz and Two of Wands - The Gate will wait one moment more

Today’s rune is Thurisaz (thorn, gate, giant). For today I wanted to highlight the meaning of Gateway. Often  a gateway holds the promise of something new. This could be a.o: a new opportunity, a challenge or perhaps a new insight. In my case it is often fear which prevents me from walking through this kind of gates. I also realize that this fear prevents me from having new experiences, meeting new people and broadening my spiritual beliefs. So for today I asked my cards what might be a beneficial way for me to approach such a gate.

And I got the Two of Wands from The Wild Unknown Tarot . In this depiction we see the moment just before the two wands touch each other and call for action. Notice how they almost form a gate themselves. When we dare to go through this gate it might open up so many colorful opportunities for us. This is the moment to focus, to consider, and weigh our options carefully. What will be the reward of going through the gate? What could be the worst thing that could happen? Where does my fear come from ? More than often we learn that our fear to go through the gate has nothing to do with this particularly situation. Most of our fears originate  from very long ago.  But since each gate holds a promise and a risk, it is up to use to find out if the promise is worth taking the risk.

So it is advisable to take a moment and really assess the situation and then our wands can come together and give direction and focus to our journey and we will continue to walk out path and whether we got through the gate or not it is still our path.

“Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.” J. R. R. Tolkien

Three card daily draw with the Raven’s Prophecy tarot

For today I’ve done a three card spread for my daily draw with The Raven’s Prophecy tarot. Although I have this deck for almost a year now, this is the first time I am working with more intensely and I enjoy this deck so much. The simple yet very skillful drawings are highly evocative. They are conveying their message very clearly and with little room for doubt.

For my spread the positions are as follows:

Well this seems like it is going to be a wandsy kind of day. What stands out for me in this reading is the fiery sword of the Knight of Wands between the Ace of Wands and the Two of Wands as if the Knight is somehow trying to prevent the sequence of the suit to continue….

1 The general energy of the day – Ace of Wands

This ace is all about creativity and enthusiasm. Yes after a good night’s sleep I feel like the Page of Wands from Yesterday is ready to roll. This card is about beginning and not worrying if you will complete your project in a perfect manner. Just start and enjoy the process

2 The challenge of the day – Knight of Wands

It feels like he is not letting me do my thing: play, make  mess and go for it. The knight of Wands in a challenging position can be about doing all your chores before you are permitted to do anything fun. He is also about doubting your ability to create and he is scared to fail. He will act busy so no one will notice he is actually procrastinating out of fear

3 The gift of today – Two of Wands

Being aware of the power of the Knight I will be able to bring my idea into the next phase. Building up my painting layer by layer after creating the initial playful background. This card is urging me to apply structure and direction to my work. Head and heart are coming together in The Two of Wands and are joining their forces

"Within, Without, Advice" tarot spread – An excessive amount of Wands

For today I’ve used the the Wild Unknown Tarot for a "Within, Without, Advice"  tarot spread. I was surprised that all the cards came from the suit of Wands. Maybe beneath my gloomy mood of the last week, there is a lot of fiery energy going on, which I wasn’t aware of until now.

So let’s dive in:

Within – Two of Wands

This card is all about  potential. Everything is possible; so many options to choose from. Every color of the rainbow is used for this card. It is an exciting and promising energy; the moment before the choice. What am I going to do next?  What will make me happy and fulfilled? Honestly I am not quite sure yet and the fire which burns inside, urges me to chose. I know I need to and I want to chose but every color is as beautiful as the other. I have to watch out not to linger too long because otherwise the fire might die...

Without – Nine of Wands

In my daily life I have, like many of us a lot of responsibilities. They weigh me down sometimes but mostly  I just carry on and I climb my ladder one step at the time. I came from so far already. The moon is waning but I know I will reach it in time to be filled with her wisdom; my price for persevering.

Advice – Mother of Wands:

“Protect yourself my dear and everything you stand for. Warm en revitalize your passion and your desires and never stop believing in yourself.”

Tarot Magic for a more Healthy Lifestyle (Part I)

For today, instead of a daily draw, I want to show you the cards I’ve picked which motivate me and might be helpful for me to start living more healthy. I also want to include them in a not quite finished tarot spell.

Last weekend I was painfully aware of the fact that my physical well-being has been on the back burner for way too  many years. My diet is far from healthy and seriously out of balance and I hardly exercise at all.  I know I make up tons of excuses but  I feel without a doubt the aging of my body starting to hinder me to do the things I want to do.  I am well aware of the fact that some processes can’t be stopped but I do want to give it a go to slow them down a bit.

This notion is strongly influenced by having pulled the Mother of Pentacles two times in row. She is not only protecting her fawn but also encouraging him to grow up and be the strongest deer of the herd.

Over the years I have more than once tried to change my not so healthy lifestyle but never with long-term results.

So if the old way doesn’t work for me than I should try something new: Magic!!

First I’ve flipped through my deck to pull every card which reminded me of physical wellbeing and then I narrowed it down to four cards to create a bridge spell which I’ve learned from Chloe of Inner Whispers.

The cards I’ve chosen are:

Situation/ Issue - Ace of Pentacles

This card represents my potential to become a healthy strong woman. I love it how even though the tree is cut down to a stump, there is still a strong life energy burning in the center to bring forth new life and new beginnings on the physical plane, represented by the budding twigs and leaves.

Energy needed 1 – Two of Wands

This is for me a card which represents the choice, the intent to actually do job. And when I would slack,  I will pick up my two wands and make that same choice  over and over again as many times as needed. 

Energy needed 2– Eight of Pentacles

This spider is teaching me to do the work. To start each day with a positive intent to work on my web and make it strong and flexible.  Changing a lifestyle  is a long-term process and when challenges arise, like wind and rain for the spider,  I have to “hang there” in and keep going anyway.

Result – Six of Wands.

Look how gracious this butterfly has freed herself from the tangle of branches. She is strong and has moved from the darkness of self-defeating actions into the light where the sun shines over her to celebrate her success

These three cards will become the center part of my Tarot spell, which will be the topic of my next post!

I pulled one extra card to ask how I should proceed with this spell and I got the Mother of Swords, my favorite court card in any deck.  She is telling me today, that first I should choose the wording of my spell wisely and secondly I should approach this new intent with the same motherly advise I would give my girls: be gentle but truthful to yourself. Don’t  believe everything your inner resistance is going to tell you along the way but wield your sword of truth and awareness and be mindful to address yourself with encouragement and compassion. 

Two of Wands – Choices, choices, choices.

For today I have drawn the Two of Wands from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot and it is pretty obvious what this card is all about: we have to make a choice in order to move forward. In the picture we see two beautifully adorned wands and also two locked boxes in mid air and one key floating between them. There is no way of telling which of the two boxes is holding something  of value for us or if the key only fits on one lock. Do we have only one chance to try to open a box  or perhaps maybe  two ? How can we be sure? Should we wait for more information or just try? All these questions and possibilities can cause you to freeze instead of making the choice. Because how on earth can we be sure we will make the right choice. Maybe both options are right. Our mind keeps working on high speed but it is like we are running in circles and there is no way out.

I often feel like this. I find it hard to make decisions. When there is really a pressing situation which has to be dealt with, I am  more determined and unwavering then when it is about the small things in life: What will we have fro dinner? What shall I wear? Do I need new shoes and  when and where shall I buy them? What movie will we watch? What will I draw? What book will I read next?

There are numerous choices to be made on a daily basis and I think it is a miracle we are not all hiding our head under the pillows. Luckily we can rely on previous decisions: I don’t have to consider all the brands of detergent anymore: I chose my own familiar brand. Still there are enough choices left for me today: “what deck will I choose” was the most recent.

Two of Wands – Feeling a bit off

Today’s card is the Two of Wands from the Original Rider Waite tarot. Although this card has a lot of many meanings, varying from personal power to loneliness, today for me it is all about not feeling quite right.  At first glance there is nothing wrong with this guy but since tarot is a mirror of the soul, I feel he is not happy with everything he has accomplished so far and he doesn't fully appreciate everything he has. Somehow I get the feeling he takes it all for granted. Of course he knows very well  how to reverse this feeling: practicing gratitude, meditating, exercising etc.  But he is just not into it. So what to do when I feel like this? I pulled the Seven of Cups and this card put a smile on my face. Of course it is so  easy: just let my mind roam free like and be in awe of all the dreams I encounter. One by one they are ready  to be manifested. (This is definitely a reoccurring theme in my daily draws.)

And admiring  all these gorgeous cups, suddenly I feel so happy, and grateful for the abundance I already have received. And for everything what life has still in store for me.

Yes, feeling not quite right is often a state of mind which can be turned around and it is almost always a matter of choice

"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are."

Two of Wands - You don’t have do anything yet!

Being ill isn't something I experience often, so I am not such a patient patient J.  I get restless and annoyed because I am not able to do the things I want.  I was so thrilled with my Ace of Wands from a few days back. So this morning,  still recuperating, I asked what can I do to give myself some peace of mind and I pulled from the Crystal vision tarot the Two of Wands. In this depiction we see a man and his dragon sitting on a rock and looking over a peaceful lake surrounded by mountains. It feels like evening; the day is done and  it is time to rest. He is holding two wands in his hands.  The dragon is cradling a globe with his tail. They were successful today with whatever they've done and they will have to make plans for tomorrow, but not now, not yet. They will enjoy the quietness of the evening and tomorrow they will choose a wand to pursue. One wand, not both at the same time. Then they will fly together over the lake and the mountains to new adventures.

This is for me a card of rest and thinking about my options for when I am better. It is a bit silly to get worked up about” to do’s) and “to wants” (two wands) when you are not feeling well. Maybe listing my projects and idea’s is a more healthy way of dealing with my restlessness than trying to do something and be disappointed when  I’m not up to it yet. Anyway I've written a post again so that’s something to be content with.

Two of Wands: I've got the whole world in my hands

For today I've drawn the Two of Wands from the Robin Wood Tarot. Normally this card speaks to  us about being in control, successful and inspired to make a next move. It is also about patience and insight; knowing when to act and what to do next. He is pleased with what he has accomplished but he wants more. The roses and the lily’s on his robe tell us that his desires are pure. So all in all this is a positive card.

Yet this morning I saw this two of wands in a whole different light. There is this man behind thick stone walls; in his castle he has built himself, with all the goods he has gained from his successful enterprises. And there he  is, watching his globe and being stuck in his little world. This globe made me think of the World Wide Web. Almost everybody our there has access to the world in his own living room: TV, internet, smartphones and so on. Sometimes I wonder, if we would be more out there in the real world, without the digital one at our disposal at any time.

My own world has become (by circumstances) a small one and I am ever so glad with the opportunity to broaden my view on life  with the internet. It has given me so much more than I ever could have imagined ten years ago. But still there is something nagging. I know I have to accept the things I cannot change but I also want to be brave enough to look critical at what can be changed.

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! 

New moon in October

This new moon before I drew my cards, I’ve read my journal pages of last month. This is for me a way to take stock of what has happened, what was important? What did I experience, accomplish and struggled with. This is a time for reflection; of releasing and holding on.

After I’d lit my candle and some incense, I sat down for a short meditation. Just to clear my mind and to calm down. I always use some kinds of prayer beads (a topic for another post) The fiddling with the beads makes it easier to find my center. After that I shuffled the cards of the Osho Zen Tarot:

Osho Zen Tarot

Let go: The Miser - Oops, that was a theme of last month. I want too many decks. Surfing over the internet is changing me in a potential hoarder L. There’re so many beautiful decks out there, but I can’t have them all. This miser isn't even looking at her stuff and enjoying it. She’s on the lookout for predators or perhaps glancing for more stuff. First I want to get to know the decks I've bought recently.

Embrace: Possibilities. Well that’s a card I welcome in my life with my arms wide open. After trying last month to release the eight of swords mentality and throwing my blindfold away, I’m now curious about what possibilities I can find when I’m watching my life and its options in a birds view. Keeping my distance can be very healthy for me; don’t jump in too soon. (don’t buy everything in a whim) After sound considerations I can make my decisions with a clear head (I still have that key J) I’m always happy to see this card in a reading. It is opening doors for me.