Three card spread with the Anna K Tarot – Keep smiling

What a downhearted, sorrow full  bunch of cards this is.  I've pulled them from my Anna K tarot without any specific question. The Nine of Rods was my first card and it set the theme for this spread. This card is all about taking the time to regroup yourself after some serious battles. The man is obviously hurt, dead tired and on guard for the next attack.

I can relate to this card since we have a lot of things to work out around new social security rules for M and what the officials expect from her and if she able to meet those expectations. Since this isn't the first and certainly won't be the last time we have to deal with this kind of trouble, we are a bit inclined to expect the worst. So I asked the cards if there was a better way to approach such a situation and I got The Emperor and the Three of Swords.

At first glance it seemed like a dreary set of cards filled with grumpy characters and sadness and lots of greyish colors. But when I looked closer I could see some sound advise here. The Emperor will guide us through the maze of rules and regulations. He urges us to learn about them so we will be sufficiently prepared once we have to meet with the officials. Also he advises us to detach ourselves emotionally which is highlighted by the Three of Swords. There is no reason to get all sad and broken hearted yet. Most likely the officials aren't; set out to hurt us and we don’t always have to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Maybe everything will work out fine just as usual. 

So although these cards look all sad and grey I am very pleased with them today and they’ve put a smile on my face

Manifestation – Let your dreams roam free

After having been solely working with tarot for a long time, I've pulled “Manifestation” from the Magical Times Empowerment Cards by Jodie Bergsma.

The message on the cards says: “Your dreams have untold energy. Open the door and let them live. Desire and belief are you power”

This card reminds me of The Magician’s energy: Everything is possible when you set your mind to it; you have the power within to manifest your dreams.

Most of my dreams are tucked away safely beneath a heavy blanket of forgetfulness and suppression. They are keeping quiet for now but I know they are still there and fully alive. It is almost if they are in some kind of hibernation. But now Spring is coming, life is stirring and dreams want to bud just eagerly as bulb flowers beneath the snow. Dreams can be awakened and come to life by the power of desire and belief, symbolized by the Dragon and the Unicorn.

Getting to know my dreams and giving them room to live is one of my main life challenges. In a few days I am starting with a 40 day Dutch journaling challenge with the theme: “Making room in 40 days”.  This is a more contemporary way of fasting.  With all kinds of prompts we are going to figure out what we really need in life; what is nourishing and what is a distraction and temptation from Ego. This way we can create room for more fulfilling things like writing, dreaming, meditation, tarot, art or just doing nothing….

I am really looking forward to it and I am sure making room for my dreams will be one of the subjects I want to write about.

Seven of Air – Mapping out our journey

In today’s card from the Gaian Tarot we see a hiker on his journey taking a moment to look at his map. He needs to make up his mind where he wants to go from here. Also he can track back where he came from.

So for now, he needs to decide if he should go straight for the mountain or follow the river and stay in the valley. When you set out for your life’s journey it is good to make a map and plan out your major goals so you won’t get lost along the way. But is also wise to make room for the unexpected; for adventure. It isn't possible to plan out your life to the last detail. Nothing in life is sure and every certainty is in my opinion an illusion, made up by our controlling ego.  I like this version for the Seven of Swords so much more than the Rider Waite version. Here the hiker is gathering his thoughts, his options (his Swords). Discarding some of them and holding on to the rest. No treachery or sneakiness is depicted here, just a lot of common sense.

After having mapped out the best way to reach his destination, the hiker puts away his map and continues his journey.  How exiting making plans might seem, nothing can compete with the actual travel.

Affirmation: I am determined to keep following my own path and trusting each step will bring me closer to who I am supposed to be.

A three card daily spread with the Gaian tarot

For today I want do a three card daily spread with The Gaian Tarot. I only have this deck for almost two weeks now and I must say I absolutely love it. I suspected it to be to my liking but already  I truly feel deeply connected to this deck. The images in the cards are so captivating and easy to relate to. As soon as I see one or more cards a story unfolds and the characters come to life.

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

The general energy of the day: The Two of Earth

Like a mother with two toddlers most of us juggle our daily chores and responsibilities; trying to give attention at the most pressing things first. Sometimes life can be so demanding we go on autopilot to make the best of it.

The challenge of the day: The Magician

The challenge is to try to be like The Magician. No not to conjure up a magic wand but to be totally engaged in what we are doing in the present moment: poring our love an devotion into our task and experience how much more fluid and easy we can do things.

The gift of today: Three of Water

Look at these three otters; life is full of pleasure for them. They are  so carefree and playful by nature. At the end of the day we can, just like the otters, relax with our loved ones. Share how our day has been and just be happy and have fun together.

The overall message is to find balance in the magic of the present moment and chose joy!

Nine of Earth – Relax and Enjoy

After the four of Air, the Nine of Earth from the Gaian Tarot is a very welcome card. It is one of my “sigh cards” Which means by seeing it I seem to relax instantly. 
It feels like this woman, after she has been resting in a quiet place, setting some time apart for herself  and sorting out what is really important to her, she opened the door and walked outside for a breath of fresh air filled with the lovely fragrance of Lavender. This herb is so soothing and relaxing for body, mind and soul. Nothing has to be done but enjoying the surroundings and the leisure time she has. 
In the distance we see a large deep lake and although on the surface all seems calm, sometimes the undercurrent can be unpredictable and turbulent.

There is still so much to learn about these emotional flows; but not just yet. Now it is time for relaxation and being happy with all the things she has learned and accomplished so far.

Wishing you all a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Four of Air – Quieting the mind

Four Robins eggs are safely  tucked away in a nest made of twigs, leaves moss, and grasses. The nest is hidden for everyone who would want to take a peek or who might want to disturb it.

This card is the equivalent of the Four of Swords and is all about making a safe haven for yourself where your mind and soul can come to rest. This can be through meditation, prayer, making art or by just sitting quietly and doing nothing.

Be aware of predators who want to invade your little sacred nest. They are not always the needy people in your life but also the inner ones;  the Ego voices who want to distract you from taking a time out and trying to listen to the little soft voice of your intuition, which is often merely a whisper. Try to be aware of the distractions your Ego is setting up for you.

Lately I find myself again being very susceptible for the temptation and compelling pull of the internet. Many things I haven’t thought of myself I seem to need and sometimes obsessively WANT. It is hard for me to let go of these alluring objects and but when I do succeed, most of the time it feels like I am set free. This is a strong indication I didn't really needed/ wanted it anyway.

This morning I've read something very inspiring  in “Simple Abundance” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. In her essay for today she wrote:

“Today, deliberately turn away from the world. Don’t read the newspapers or watch the nightly news for a week—longer if you can stand it. Shun the glossy magazines featuring expensive suits designed for success. Wean yourself away from the opinions of others—however talented, creative, and celebrated they may be—as you continue to journey within. Absorb the shock of becoming aware that many of your preferences and opinions are not truly your own. Begin, instead, to listen for the whisper of your authentic self telling you which way to go.”

I suppose it is all about balance. I wouldn't want to be without internet as a whole but some clear boundaries would be very healthy....

Four of Earth - Yearning for my neglected decks

Only two days to go before the solitary Tarot challenge by Reacine from Owlmoon513 has ended. Today I pulled the Four of Earth from the Gaian Tarot, and this card describes very well how I am feeling at the end of the challenge. This is a card of gathering supplies, taking stock of what is yours, saving for leaner times and being grateful for everything you have, not only for the material things but also for health, safety and friendships etc.

I see myself as this squirrel at the end of my challenge. Look how he is carefully holding and admiring his acorn. I am longing to work with my other decks. It almost feels like I have abandoned them. They are sitting idle on the shelf gathering dust. This morning I have been fumbling through them, rearranging  them on their shelves  and in their drawer. .Just the act of touching them felt reassuring everything would get back to “normal” very soon. The stack of stones in the front symbolizes things you are grateful for. There are a lot of things I am grateful for regarding this challenge. This stack represent four of them:

1. The fact I was able to read four weeks (yes not the entire challenge ) with one deck
2. I’ve learned a lot of new ways of reading a daily draw
3. It was not an issue for me to change decks during this challenge (bending rules is not always so easy for me J)
4. For the first time in my life I did some shadow work and I felt no fear

Affirmation: “I am a wise steward of my resources and I give thanks for the blessings in my life” J.Colbert