Daily Card - Two of Swords

Today I drew the Two of Swords. And it’s so true. I am indeed stuck deciding between two options and I don’t know which to choose. There are pros and cons to each, and I haven’t yet found that one outweighs the other. So I stand firmly planted like the swords in the card, right in the middle, not deciding one way or another.

The Two of Swords urges us that in order to make progress, we must make a move, rather than being stagnant. But as I’m not being strongly drawn in one direction over another, I’m afraid of making the wrong decision.

There are those who say that any decision, even if it is the wrong one, is better than no decision. I remembered the quote by George Bernard Shaw: “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” While this is a nice thought while looking back at an entire lifetime, I don’t feel this is the right approach to take with every decision that arises for me.

Then there are those who say you should only take inspired action. That you should only move forward with action that feels right to you. I’m of this group. I think either viewpoint can work, depending on the person. But from personal experience, things have always worked out best when I wait for the choice to feel “right” to me, rather than just taking action for action’s sake.

So on the no-action front, there are two ways to approach it. Sit around and wait for the right step to reveal itself, or help it along a little. I have been sitting around, waiting for inspiration, yet I have been slacking off in my meditating practice. I have been waiting until after the kids go to bed, then after finishing up with other stuff until I even think about meditating, and by that time, if I begin to meditate, I just fall asleep. I need to start taking the time alone during the day to meditate, so my mind is more open to receiving inspiration and guidance. That is the advice I will take from this card today. Meditation is the step I can take to ultimately help guide me towards choosing the right path for me.

Deck: Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot

Daily Card - Ten of Coins and The Magician

Today the characters from the Phantasmagoric Theater made it quite clear they wanted me to reflect on two cards.

This morning I had the urge to shuffle my deck while checking email. I wasn’t shuffling mindfully for my daily draw, I just wanted to feel the cards for some reason. As I did so, one card flew wildly and dramatically out of the deck and landed on the floor behind my computer. It was the Ten of Coins. Normally I would take a leaper and use that as my daily card, but I wasn’t yet shuffling for my draw. So I stuck it back into the deck and set the deck aside.

A little while later while I was deliberately shuffling for my daily draw, I cut to the Magician. But for some reason, I couldn’t get the Ten of Coins out of my head. I began looking through the deck for it. It was the very last card...at the bottom of the deck. I knew this had significance, so I set it aside. I wondered if I should then discard the Magician. So I put that card back into the deck and reshuffled, and cut again. And again I drew the Magician.

So as each of these cards came up for me twice this morning, they shall be contemplated together.

The Ten of Coins shows a mayor lending financial support and resources to a village community. The Ten of Coins (Pentacles) frequently features a family, with an old man seated among them. It has been said that this old man represents the magic missing from the equation. The family seems to have it all with their financial prosperity, but they are missing the magical, spiritual side of life.

Enter the Magician...who looks a little dejected at having been an afterthought to the Ten of Coins. His face reminds me a great deal of Johnny Depp’s character, Edward Scissorhands. Edward was able to make beautiful creations, but he always had this sad, timid look on his face. The Magician in this card also has that expression. His hat features conversation bubbles, as if he is reflecting on what others say. There are those who don’t believe in magic or spirituality, and believe life has to be done “by the book”. The Magician seems deflated by the choices of those who choose to pursue ordinary life without magic.

Having the Magician appear together with the old man featured in the Ten of Coins places extra significance on the magical side of life for me today.

Rather than trying to gain financial prosperity and then seeking a magical, spiritual life afterwards, I feel the cards are urging me to approach it from the opposite angle, which is precisely the change I have made, and what I have been doing for the past few weeks. Living a magical, spiritual life and allowing the financial prosperity to come as a result. These cards are a nice conformation that I seem to be on the right path. Even the way both cards came up for me today was quite magical....as if to further drive home the point!

Note: The Ten of Coins/Pentacles has come up in my daily draws three times this month (and the Magician twice). Sounds like something good's brewing!

Deck: Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot

Daily Card - Three of Swords

Hmmm… Well. I can’t say that I relate to this card much today. I had planned on spending a very peaceful and relaxing day. I hope it isn’t an indication of what’s to come, as I really can’t foresee anything happening to cause me such heartache.

I feel sorry for this poor fellow literally holding his broken heart in his hands. It made me think back to times in the past when I’d been hurt in relationships. I’m very happy not to be in those situations any longer. My heart is in a very good place these days. Perhaps this card is a reminder to be grateful for those things I take for granted, such as waking up every morning without the pain of a broken heart.

On a smaller scale, the character in this card has a bandaged cut on his head. The night before last, I sliced my hand with a knife while cutting a lime. It smarted like mad, as the lime juice got into the cut, and I'm still wearing a bandage. If that's the extent of my Three of Swords moment, I'll take it!

Update: Well, the three swords ended up representing not one cut, but three. Quite a literal meaning it had for me. My daughter dropped a glass today and in cleaning it up, I cut myself twice. So adding them to the cut I got the other day, that makes three bloody fingers! Quite interesting, as the heart in this card is shown being held by fingers...which is unusual, as the Three of Swords is usually portrayed on its own, floating in mid air. So now it makes perfect sense to me!

Deck: Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot

Daily Card - Knight of Wands

Okay, it’s time for some color. The rich darkness of the Bohemian Gothic left me a tad hungry for some vibrancy. It doesn’t get much more vibrant than the Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot, which is my featured deck this week.

I pulled the Knight of Wands this morning. Here we have Whisper the Knight fixing a broken toy. (The characters in this deck were named by the artist.) He has come to the rescue of someone in need...an eclectic knight in shining armor.

This card represents someone I may possibly turn to today for help with something important to me. Whisper's face is drawn very simply. Two dots for eyes and a curved line for a mouth. Nothing more...yet somehow so full of expression. This is like the person I’m speaking of. A simple guy who is expressive, not so much with his facial mannerisms, but vocally.

I love how the right cards come up depending on the deck I’m using. If I had drawn the Knight of Wands in most any other deck, I would have had a very different interpretation. But the image in this particular card is a very good representation of what’s going on for me today. And oddly enough, even the “3” on his shirt has significant meaning - an inside joke between me and this man.

Deck: Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot

Week in Review

Previous Week's Tally
(Monday Jan. 21 - Sunday Jan. 27):

Majors: 1 (Justice)
Courts: 2 (King of Cups, Queen of Wands)
Minors: 4 (10 of Pentacles, 3 of Pentacles, 8 of Cups-twice!)

Cups: 3
Wands: 1
Swords: 0
Pentacles: 2

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Daily Card - Queen of Wands

Today I drew the Queen of Wands. The drama queen. I can’t quite make up my mind whether this looks like a drag queen as well. Sometimes it appears so, but other times no. Either way, she reminds me of the prima donna in the Phantom of the Opera. Yet another card in this deck to remind me of this story. (The first being the King of Cups I drew earlier this week.)

This Queen of Wands seems to be attracting the eager attention of fascinated onlookers on the sidelines. Her facial expression is nearing a smirk, and she appears to be thriving on the attention and drama. I will be spending a couple of days with someone who is very successful at getting my goat. I am reminded by this queen not to let things get so dramatic this time. Rather than reacting when he pushes my buttons, I can choose peace and calm, and decide not to add fuel to the fire. Ah, fire...the element of the Wands suit.

A couple days ago I commented on how this deck is great at revealing things which need to be released. Today I find this card telling me what not to do. When reading the Queen of Wands in another deck for a daily draw, it will usually be a hint at which qualities I need to emulate. This card, however, was very direct in showing me what qualities in this Queen I need to avoid.

Update: I deliberately reflected back on this card today when I felt myself edging towards drama, and it was a very helpful reminder to keep my cool.

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Away until Tuesday...

Just a little note to say I'll be away from the computer for a couple of days. I'll respond to emails and comments when I return on Tuesday. For anyone wanting to book a reading, you can still do so while I'm away, and I will contact you to schedule your reading when I get back.

(Drew a certain Queen from the Bohemian Gothic today, and received some helpful advice...will see how today goes. I'll update my daily draws here on Tuesday.)

♥ Kiki

Demotion of Cards in a Reading

Here’s a good example of one of the ways I read intuitively, as opposed to strictly adhering to the traditional meanings of the cards. Following are two excerpts from readings I did back in December 2007.

The first example is from a reading I did for someone using the Tarot of the Magical Forest, in regards to a health concern. The Four of Wands and the Three of Wands fell in the position of “The cause of the issue”, to be read together. Ordinarily, these are both positive cards. However, when deciphering them as a “cause” of pain, what I saw was a decline. The Four coming before the Three indicated to me a step down, or backwards. The Four of Wands shows these little frogs having a grand old time dancing. The Three of Wands shows a frog alone, inactive. The frog is wearing the same red cape as those featured in the previous card, so he appeared to me as having come from the dance, and suddenly there is a definite cease of physical activity. This implied that the cause of illness had to do with deterioration due to inactivity. My querent confirmed that this was exactly the case.

A second excerpt is taken from my insight on a reading Madame Seaqueen had done with her Aquarian deck, regarding the prognosis of a family member after having open heart surgery. She asked for my feedback on her reading, and liked my take on the combination of these cards.

In position #3 in a Celtic Cross Reading, revealing the basis of the question was the King of Swords. I read this as representing the man in question, and his personality.

In position #10, the potential future outcome, was the Knight of Swords. What came to me right away when seeing this card wasn’t the traditional meaning of the card at all. The thing that sprung to mind was a demotion from this man being the King of Swords to the Knight of Swords. I saw this as his going from Top Dog (King of the World) to Someone With Something To Prove (Knight Battling to Recover).

Looking for demotions isn’t something I ever do intentionally. It will just make itself clear if that’s what I’m supposed to see. In the Magical Forest reading, the imagery came to me before my mind realized the numbers of the cards. And in the Aquarian reading, it was simply the first thing that popped to mind when I saw the Knight. I find that some of the best insights from readings are those which are felt rather than analyzed.

Decks: Tarot of the Magical Forest and Aquarian Tarot

Daily Card - Eight of Cups (again!)

Today I drew the same card as I did yesterday. The Eight of Cups. Only this time, when I looked at it, the woman in the card was looking at me. She said, "Well?? ....... Come on, let's go. What are you waiting for?"

Drawing this card two days in a row is a sign to me that I truly need to let go of the two things that are not serving to make my life the magical and beautiful world I desire. (My current work and place of residence.)

It's hard to see in the scans online, but the woman's dress is really so lovely. And the flowers draping around her add this dimension of romantic and old fashioned beauty that I feel drawn to follow her, so that I may absorb some of that essence into my life. It's speaking loudly to me about what beautiful things I will experience when I let go of what's holding me back from my desires.

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Daily Card - Eight of Cups

This morning I drew the Eight of Cups, and again I find that my daily card speaks to me about two things going on in my life. A deliberate moving away from my current work, and also from where I live.

This card is really quite lovely. The woman in the card is beautiful, wearing a gorgeous dress (which is all silver in this edition of the deck) and flower garlands. She is moving through the dark corridors of a castle, glancing back at what she’s leaving behind. She doesn’t look nervous or scared, despite the intimidating surroundings. Her posture is confident and comfortable. There is a light at the end of the dark hall beyond...the light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. She looks back at something...someone? Yet there is nothing physically holding her back. She is free to leave.

I have been emotionally distancing myself from my work, and it’s coming to the point where a physical departure isn’t far away. I’m also likely moving to a different home soon as well.

The Eight of Cups is about deliberately leaving a situation that isn’t emotionally or spiritually fulfilling, in search of a more desirable life experience. I am at a definitive point in my life where I am no longer satisfied with my heart’s desires remaining as fanciful wishes in the air. I realize the importance that they become my reality. And this card is a reminder that until I release the old, there will be no new to be found.

Note: I am finding that this deck is really great at revealing those things in life which need to be released.

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Daily Card - King of Cups

Today’s King of Cups brought to mind two meanings for me. In this card, we see a vampire yearning for love while his object of affection is oblivious. Is her blindness to him intentional, or does she just not notice him? While this card was designed with a particular vampire in mind, it reminds me of The Phantom of the Opera, as that is a story I am more familiar with. Same premise. A lonely, isolated man/monster yearns to share love with a kind hearted woman. When the woman doesn’t return his affections, the beast within him may be unleashed.

I recently had an incident with a family friend, someone old enough to be my grandfather, who tried to force his affections on me. I was shocked, to say the least. When I rejected his advances, the loneliness in him overcame his good sense and he pursued. I had to physically bring a halt to his actions, and it was a very uncomfortable and upsetting situation. This happened several days ago and I am still battling with how to deal with him now.

The second thing that this card reminded me of this morning was how sad I’ve been over Heath Ledger’s death. I just can’t seem to release it. It is a great example of why I never watch the news or read the newspaper. I refuse to get emotionally involved with all the tragedy in life. The woman in this card turns her head away from the ugliness before her, just as I refuse to engage myself in the daily reports of death and horrors of this world. My empathy for Heath Ledger has made me realize how grateful I am that I don’t regularly absorb the news reports. Worrying and feeling awful about things I can’t change or control is of absolutely no good to me or anyone around me. What I can do is let it be a reminder to celebrate my life, grateful for every day that I wake up breathing. It's also given me a greater perspective, realizing how much my aforementioned problem now seems very minute in comparison.

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Daily Card - Justice

This morning when I drew the Justice card, the first feeling I got was “It’s not fair.” The judge in this card looks like one who could only impart a cruel and unfair sentence. One that couldn't be argued with, because once his verdict has been reached, however unfair, however heartbreaking, it's final. What's done is done. The scene in this card is about the witch trials, and the decision to put them to death.

For me, today, this card came up in response to my strong emotions about Heath Ledger’s death yesterday. I didn’t know the man personally, but I was hit hard by his untimely death. I couldn’t stop thinking about him yesterday and I woke up thinking about him this morning. My heart was aching for him and it just didn’t seem fair to me that he died at such a young age, when I could think of many horrible people in this world who are still living.

My 7 year old son approached me yesterday afternoon and asked me what had happened, since I looked sad. I told him that the actor who played in A Knight’s Tale (the only movie he would recognize him from) had died. My son then wrapped his arm around me and said, “It’s okay. He’s not dead. It’s just his body. His spirit is still alive. He can’t ever die.” And that was exactly what I needed to hear. And I believe that is true. I just have to find a way to get past this debilitating feeling of injustice.

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Daily Card - Three of Pentacles

Today I drew the Three of Pentacles. This card speaks about being an accomplished creator, master of your craft or field. The image shows Dr. Frankenstein and the being he has miraculously brought to life. The doctor stands in the background, thrilled and proud of his monumental creative accomplishment, not acknowledging the fact that he has quite literally created a monster.

This card leads me to the question, What am I creating that is potentially detrimental to my life experience? My answer lies not in what I may be purposely creating, but rather in what I am allowing to happen in my life by default. By giving attention to the things in my life that I don’t like, I am creating more of the same. Moment by moment, I can choose to create good, bad or neutral.

While I have deliberately moved away from the negative in life, I am still working my way past Neutral. While neutral may not seem that bad, it can indeed be a monster in itself. Feeling neither good nor bad is not a pretty place to be. Boredom, procrastination, wasting time. While still a good step above feeling bad, it’s a bland way to live life. And I am guilty of spending too much time in the neutral zone. I need to break away from the habit of living by default and continually work to create the passionate life of my dreams, until that becomes my automatic way of living!

While this particular deck uses this card to warn of the dangers of miscreating, the Three of Pentacles is a positive card, and symbolizes successful creation. Dr. Frankenstein did indeed experience a successful creation, and it's a reminder to me that the essence of what I create is up to me. I must remain aware of what I’m creating by default, so I can give more attention to conscious, positive creation.

On a more tangible note, I simplified my website last night, and while I still have a couple things to adjust, it was a satisfying accomplishment. I tend to put too much detail in my projects, and it's always when I simplify things that I feel most at ease and gratified.

I wanted to add a snipet from my month's horoscope from AstrologyZone (Thanks again for the link, Zanthera!). This excerpt is about today (January 22), and it happens to fit in very nicely with the Three of Pentacles.

Your career will bring interesting news on January 22 when a full moon brings talks to fullness. You may get a very prestigious job offer, or special praise or promotion from your present boss. After two years of having coped with pressures from Saturn, this will be a nice moment to sit back and pat yourself on the back. You have come very far and that will be obvious now. You have every reason to be proud.

Hmmm...promotion from my boss. Being self-employed, I guess I'll just have to see what I can do about that. :D

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Daily Card - Ten of Pentacles

This week I’ll be using the newly released Bohemian Gothic Silver deck for my daily draws. It should be interesting, as it’s my first dark deck. What I have noticed so far is that it doesn’t seem to have negative connotations as I had expected, but rather deeper, stronger and more passionate meanings than most decks I’ve worked with. The scans just don’t come anywhere near to doing the deck justice. The cards are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and the silver overlay (which doesn't show up in the scans) is nothing short of magical.

This morning I drew the Ten of Pentacles. The card shows a poor couple walking the streets. The man carries a sack of their belongings and the woman is barefoot. There is a man with evil intentions written all over his face peering out from behind the door of a large estate. There’s also a snarling dog looking at the couple.

Looking at the evil man in the doorway, it brought to mind the potential dangers that can accompany the making of money. Last week I listed something for sale online, and received an email from someone offering me more than my asking price. He wanted to send me a cashier’s check, and have his “representative shipping company” come collect the item. Obviously I recognized this as a scam, and denied his request. Funnily enough, he began his email with the premise that he had been scammed in the past, and claimed to want to be sure I was an honest person to deal with. I know there are unsuspecting, trusting people who fall for this and unfortunately lose out.

I am glad I received that email, because it served as a reminder for me to remain alert and aware of who I do business with, and not be so blinded by the potential income that I fail to recognize a scam artist when I meet one. That is who the old man in this card reminded me of this morning. He has the promise of material gain with his large estate, but his ill intentions are clear by the look on his face.

The Ten of Pentacles is usually about the achievement of financial stability and material comfort. This card shows a man and woman who appear to be far from financial abundance, but they have something more meaningful and fulfilling ... each other. And also a man who seems to be wealthy, but is lacking the spiritual and loving side to life. I don't believe one has to be sacrificed for another. While this card focuses on material versus spiritual/emotional, I don't believe we're meant to choose from the two. I think that such an imbalance is unhealthy, mo matter which side you stand on, and I believe we are entitled to all the beautiful and joyous things life has to offer.

On another note, one of the shadow meanings of this card is “a brush with something magical, though you may not recognize it at the time.” I’m all for a brush with magic in my life, as long as it's good magic!

Deck: Bohemian Gothic Silver

Week in Review

Previous Week's Tally
(Monday Jan. 14 - Sunday Jan. 20):

Keys
Dancing
Sweets
Hand
Garden
Playing
Amazing

Deck: Dream Cards

Daily Card - Amazing

This morning I drew the Amazing card, which shows a man floating in the air, his finger touching a table beneath him. It looks almost as though he is balancing on one finger, but the way his legs are held, it looks more to me as if he is just floating and has touched down on the table. There is a couple in the doorway, a boy whispering to a woman who looks very surprised.

This card reminds me that I can do amazing things, and that anything is possible if I believe it is. I’m more likely to be the man floating in the air, than the couple in the doorway trying to explain it away as an illusion.

I have been a believer in the concept of the law of attraction long before I had even heard it mentioned years ago. But last year I started studying it more. And this year it has been my intention to mindfully, consciously practice it to my advantage, rather than living my life by default. It’s only been a few weeks, and I have already seen dramatic evidence of it working in my life. Amazing things have been falling into place as if by magic. But I know it’s my changed vibration that is attracting these events into my life.

I have done a few readings for myself lately that have indicated that unexpected financial abundance was coming my way. I even had a three card daily draw last week where I predicted the same thing, but was having a hard time believing it because I couldn’t see where it would possibly come from. A couple days ago I received a sizable chunk of money which came from a completely unexpected source. I was so surprised until I realized that I shouldn’t have been surprised at all! I had actually been expecting such a thing, because of the readings I’d done, and also because of the way I have been aligning myself with my desires. And the best part is that I know that this is just the beginning... and what a way to start!

This card is an encouraging reminder to me that amazing things are possible. And that there will always be the naysayers in the corner, disbelieving. But of the two, notice who is floating, making the "impossible" happen, and who remains grounded to that which has always been.

Deck: Dream Cards

Daily Card - Playing

Last night, I was disturbed by something that happened to me, involving an acquaintance of mine. I was pretty freaked out, and unsure how to handle the situation this morning. When I pulled the Playing card today, I let out an involuntary sigh of relief. The first thing that came to mind when I saw this card was, “Life is a game!”. I became aware that I had the option of just not taking the situation too seriously, rather than worrying about it. I think I’ll probably pick somewhere in between, but at least it’s an improvement over how I felt last night. The least I can do is find the humor in the situation, and oddly enough, as disturbing as it was, there was a fair amount of humor to be found in it, if looking at it from an outsider's perspective.

There’s a guy in the background of this card letting a bunch of tarot cards fly away from his hands. I think I’ll spend some time today playing with some of my decks that have been neglected lately.

There’s also a hand playing chess, and when my son saw the card propped up against my monitor, he asked if we could play chess today. :)

There’s another hand rolling dice. I actually played the lotto yesterday, for today’s draw. I very rarely play the lotto, because I never carry cash on me, and they only accept cash for buying a ticket. It sure would be fabulous if this card was a sign of a win!

So, I'm off now...for a day of tarot, chess, and releasing a little tension in this game that is my life! Oh, yeah, and planning how I'm going to spend the millions I'll be winning tonight!


Update: I ended up spending some time with my very accurate Housewives Tarot... my son and I played cards in lieu of chess... I did release a lot of my anxiety about last night’s event... and I got two correct numbers on the lotto. But apparently they require more than that, so better luck next time, eh?

Deck: Dream Cards

Daily Card - Garden

This morning I pulled the Garden card, and the scene in this card reminds me very much of a dream I had last night. There’s a very strong similarity.

The card shows a body of water in the middle of a dry, barren, desert scene. Even the trees in the background are completely made of dry desert stone. The shape of the water and the greenery surrounding it form the shape of a woman’s face. What I see in this card today is beauty flourishing and thriving in the midst of an infertile, inhospitable land.

I have been practicing the theory of not waiting for circumstances to change in order to feel the way I want to...but instead changing the way I feel first, and thus allowing the circumstances to then change and mold to my outlook. Being happy and feeling like life is lush and beautiful, just like the face in this card, despite being situated in a place where nothing else thrives. So far, the theory seems to be holding up beautifully, and I have experienced things falling into place effortlessly.

This card is a beautiful reminder that the decision to thrive is mine alone, and the circumstances and environment surrounding me will only change when I do, and not the other way around.

Deck: Dream Cards

2008 - My Hermit / Hanged Man Year

Adding up my birth month + birth day + current year (2008), then reducing to a Major Arcana number, I’m left with the number 9 (The Hermit). So 2008 is my Hermit year. This makes sense, as my focus this year is on inner/spiritual growth. I love the Hermit card, and always feel a sense of comfort when it appears, as I have always been comfortable in my own company. I like quiet time to think, imagine, read and learn.

There is another method of calculating a particular year card on one’s birthday. Rather than lasting the duration of a calendar year, this method calculates the time from birthday to birthday. At birth, you are 0 (The Fool) for your first year. During the year lasting from your first birthday to your second birthday, The Magician (1) would be your year card. And so on…starting again at The Fool with ages 22, 44, 66, etc.

I didn’t know how much stock I would put into this, as this would indicate that everyone of equal age would experience the same type of year. However, I calculated it anyway, and at the end of October, I turned 34. So until next October, this would be a Hanged Man year for me. Actually fits in quite nicely with the Hermit, doesn’t it?

So then I figured out the combinations for the next few years, and the pairs do seem to match very well. So...who knows?! Luckily my birthday falls towards the end of the year, so it's easy enough to lump it together with the calendar year card.

Decks: Fairy Tarot and Tarot of the Magical Forest

Daily Card - Hand

Today’s card (Hand) flew out of the deck while I was shuffling. And the illustration looks as if someone had gone into my feelings and drew a very accurate metaphorical description.

I recently had another altercation with the neighbor from hell. This time he wasn’t threatening to kill kittens, but he was drunk and his tirade involved my kids. First thing on my mind was to get the hell out of Dodge. I just wanted to pack up and move out.

There is no dividing line between his yard and ours, so now when he’s home, I don’t let my kids outside. I don’t go outside either, because I don’t want to see or hear him. The kids like to spend a large majority of their days outside in the yard, and the neighbor comes home in the early afternoon, so I'm feeling quite trapped in my own home now, having to usher everyone inside so early every day.

This card shows a hand reaching out, and a very dark and scary bird crossing before it. There is a great sense of emotion in the illustration of this hand. It looks to be yearning desperately to reach the land beyond. In this situation, the hand clearly represents me and my kids wanting to enjoy the yard outside, and the bird (with a very evil eye) is the neighbor, preventing us from doing so. The card doesn’t seem to have movement to it, despite the fact that the bird is in flight. It looks like everything is frozen in time. I think the reason it looks that way to me is because the hand looks to be extended slightly beyond the bird’s wing, and if the bird were moving, the two would collide. This illustrates to me that nothing will change if we stay here. This bird's not going anywhere, and his scary demeanor isn't going to change. And I'm not willing to put myself or my family in his path.

As I don't wish to live imprisoned in our own home, I intend to spend a great deal of time today seriously contemplating a move in the very near future.

Deck: Dream Cards

Daily Card - Sweets

Today I pulled the Sweets card. What immediately came to mind was my sugar addiction, or more specifically, my chocolate addiction. There is a certain someone I know of (Hi Mosaica!) who is intentionally cutting the sugar from her diet, one day at a time. My will power isn’t what hers is. This week I was shocked to find myself without a bit of sugar or chocolate in the house, and let me tell you, it was quite unintentional. I had bought and paid for a bag of chocolate cookies at the store, but the bagger failed to put them into my bags. I was shocked when I got home. A week without chocolate? Seriously?

I have been forced to pour myself a glass of water whenever I feel the craving for sweets. So I have been drinking a lot of water this week. A lot. When a very strong urge comes on that water can’t cure, I’ll grab a couple of frozen cherries. When drawing this card, I noticed that a great many of the sweets featured in the illustration are topped with a cherry. The exact fruit that has helped me satisfy my sweet tooth cravings this week.

My cravings have started to wean a bit, and I feel that I might actually be able to forgo the purchase of sugar/chocolate during my next grocery trip. It’s something I see that my body can handle, and though it would take more getting used to, I think it’s something I could do long term. But here’s the thing… I have realized that life just isn’t the same without chocolate. I actually had an epiphany of sorts. I discovered that if eliminating sugar from my diet completely, for the health benefits, I would be settling for a life without something that brings me so much pleasure. My life is sweeter (no pun intended) with chocolate. And while I could live without it, I absolutely don’t want to!

The people in this card are enjoying the pleasures of the sweets before them. They don't seem to be overindulging, but rather taking full delight in the sampling. Life is meant to be enjoyed! And for me, an enjoyable and celebrated life includes chocolate.

I had originally thought that perhaps the bagger leaving my cookies behind was the universe’s sign that I was supposed to cut sugar from my diet, because it is something I have been thinking about lately. But now I think maybe it was a call to drink more water. Where I used to grab a bit of chocolate, I now drink water. And it has made me realize how little water I normally drink. So maybe it was a wake up call...not for me to exclude anything, but rather to add something to my diet.

You can’t see it very clearly in the online scan of the card, but at the base of the table, the tiled legs are fashioned into arrows, pointing away from the table. I see this as saying, “Here, take what you like from the table of sweets, then be on your way. Don’t spend all day here.” The people at the table each have a wheel in lieu of legs. They’re not designed to stay in one place too long. They will take their fill then roll away, keeping active.

I think combined with yesterday’s Dancing card, I’m being urged to keep active. That it’s okay to keep my passion for my daily chocolate as long as I add activity (and more water and fruit!) so I can maintain a healthier balance. The Dancing card urged me to get my booty in gear, but in a fun way. And the Sweets card is urging me to stay active, while enjoying the sweet things in life. Advice is being given to me in such a way that I can become healthier, without feeling like I'm giving anything up, or doing something contrary to my natural desires.

I'm not overweight, and don't ever eat to excess, but I have been thinking a lot lately about keeping a healthy heart. Though I'm vegan and thin, and I don't drink or smoke, it doesn't automatically make me immune to heart disease. So becoming active is something I have put more thought into these days. This card also reminds me of the correlation between a healthy mouth and a healthy heart. I haven't been to a dentist in awhile, and it's something on my list of things to get to soon.

On a more philosophical level, this card speaks to me about enjoying life in general. Making sure that adequate time is spent doing that which I love, indulging in all that makes me feel more alive and joyful. And not just some days. But every day. Life isn't just the grand total of my days... life is every moment, every day.

By the way, I did dance my little heart out with the kids yesterday. It was very fun, and I think I’ll make it a daily event for us.

Deck: Dream Cards

Daily Card - Dancing

Today I drew the Dancing card. It’s funny, because just last night I was thinking about how much I loathe exercise, and simply refuse to do it. But I really would like to find a way to be active and remain healthy. I don’t want to grow old and be one of those who just sits around all day. I would like to make some form of exercise a habit now, while I’m young, so that it lasts throughout my life, and I can always remain active.

I was thinking about how often I used to go out dancing. It’s a great way to keep in shape, because it’s fun! So last night I had dancing on the brain, and when this card came up this morning, it shows images of people literally having dancing on their brain! Their heads are opened up in several layers, revealing dance floors and dancers on each level. I take this as a sign to keep my disco booty in shape by taking up dancing again! Of course, it will no longer take place in a night club, but rather my living room. But hey, dancing is dancing. And this way I can be my own DJ. Plus there’s always the benefit of not having to deal with creepy guys hitting on me.

Another thing dancing does is elevate vibration levels. When I’m dancing, all my troubles disappear. In that duration, I’m exuding positive vibes and attracting only good stuff into my life. It’s a great way to practice the art of allowing.

Something else I saw in this card was that all the levels of the heads are topped by the same dancing couple. The couple is living in the moment. They're not going through the motions of dancing, while thinking of other things. They are living in the now. Their bodies and their minds are focused on the same thing, enjoying the moment. This is a great lesson for me. I absolutely need to be more mindful to give my full attention to whatever it is I'm doing, rather than always thinking in the back of my head of all the other things I need to do.

Deck: Dream Cards

Daily Card - Keys

This week I’ll be using my Dream Inspirational Cards for my daily card draws. This is an amazingly surreal deck, designed to be used as a tool for interpreting dreams, each card representing a common dream symbol. It's not a tarot deck, but it does have 78 cards. I don’t personally use it for interpreting dreams, but rather as a regular oracle deck. After a quick glance through the LWB, I realized the predetermined meanings wouldn’t be relevant for the way I was going to use the deck. So I stashed it away and use the cards purely intuitively.

Today I drew Keys. The blindfolded man is almost home, just a few steps away. His hand is on a key, being propped up by a statue. His pose is unsure, and it looks as if he’s debating on whether to take the key or leave it. There is light shining behind the door, indicating that someone is home. He is blindfolded, but does he know this, using his other senses? Can he hear music or laughter behind the door? Can he smell dinner cooking? Would it not be easier to simply knock on the door and allow someone to open it for him, rather than fumbling blindly with a key?

A key can be a useful tool, and is often the easiest way to unlock a door. There are other, more difficult ways, but using a key is often the easiest. However, sometimes there is an even more effortless way to get through. You can knock and allow someone else to open the door for you.

I am reminded by this card that there are three ways of achieving what I want. I can struggle, desperately searching for an open window somewhere. Or I can use a tool, a key, to help me get to what I want. Or I can knock and allow the universe to answer my request. If I know the universe is home and answering my knock, I can wait expectantly and the door will always be opened to me. However, if I am unsure and doubtful that the universe has heard my knock, I would be waiting a much longer time for that door to open for me. That is what I am focusing on this year. Finding an easier way to move through life. I have seen it in action in my own life, so I know it works. I just have to make it more of a habit in my life, until it becomes a way of life. The universe is always home, and I need to remember that.

Of course there are times when it’s more fun to use a key and get things done myself, but I am always excited by the magic of allowing things to come to me. How wonderful it is to have options!

Note: I recently did a few readings for others with this deck, and in a matter of minutes, I pulled the same card for two different people. The second time I pulled the card, I immediately received a completely different message, from the same image. That’s what I love about this deck. Every time I see a card, I get a different message, depending upon the question. It’s brilliant.

This is one of those decks where the scans just don’t portray the true colors of the cards. I will attempt to take more photographs, but I’m not going to spend too much time on it. (I had the same challenge with the Sakki Sakki deck.)

Deck: Dream Cards

Week in Review

Previous Week's Tally
(Monday Jan. 7 - Sunday Jan. 13):

Majors: 4 (The Emperor, The World, The Wheel, The Tower)
Courts: 3 (Queen of Pentacles, Queen of Cups, Knight of Pentacles)
Minors: 2 (10 of Pentacles, 7 of Cups)

Cups: 2
Wands: 0
Swords: 0
Pentacles: 3

I had two extra daily cards this week, due to Friday's triple draw.

Deck: Tarot of the Animal Lords

Daily Card - Seven of Chalices

Yesterday I drew the Tower. I did indeed have a Tower experience, and I have written an update in yesterday’s post. This morning as I was shuffling for my daily card, I was feeling strangely free. I felt like I had so many possibilities open to me and kept thinking of the cliché, “the world is my oyster”. I wanted a card to come up today which would confirm my new feelings of unlimited possibilities.

I drew the Seven of Chalices (Cups). What could be more freeing than riding on a Pegasus?! And what’s more... this card shows a dodo riding on the Pegasus. The dodo is an extinct bird, representing something that is no longer among the living. Yesterday’s news brought an ending to something that was a part of my life for a long time. It’s now extinct. The dodo was also a flightless bird. While the “dodo” was in my life, I was limited, and unable to fly free. This card’s imagery seems like it was drawn specifically for me today.

As the Seven of Cups indicates, I do indeed have a world of possibilities open to me now. And they may be opportunities that I had all along, but I didn’t realize them because I was allowing this “dodo” in my life to paralyze me.

I woke up this morning with the song "A Whole New World" in my head (from the movie Aladdin). It does feel like the beginning of a whole new world for me. Then when I saw this card, with the horse literally walking on air, another song popped into my head which includes the lyrics "walking on air", and it made me laugh. It's the theme song from that early 80's show, The Greatest American Hero, which I used to love as a kid. I'm going to post the lyrics below, because it illustrates how I feel today... and also because it makes me laugh, and laughing is good!

~~~

The Greatest American Hero (Believe it or Not)
by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer

Look at what's happened to me,
I can't believe it myself.
Suddenly I'm up on top of the world,
It should've been somebody else.

Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.

It's like a light of a new day,
It came from out of the blue.
Breaking me out of the spell I was in,
Making all of my wishes come true-

Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.

~~~

I found the lyrics online... I always thought the lines were, "Just like the light of a new day, it hit me from out of the blue." I'll have to find a copy sometime and have another listen! I love this song, with the exception of the line "It should've been somebody else". Because of course it should be me! Why shouldn't it!?! :)

Deck: Tarot of the Animal Lords

Daily Card - The Tower

Yowch! The Tower card in this deck shows a beaver being plunged down a waterfall after a rush of water breaks through his dam. Something he had relied on for his safety net has been annihilated. But if his dam had been the best thing for him, it would have withstood the waves. If it was in his best interests, it wouldn’t have crumbled away. He will now be forced to create a new home, a new life… and though he may not realize it during his drop down the falls, his new home will be one much better suited to his needs.

The beaver thought the world he had built for himself was indestructible. But where he was too blind to realize a weak foundation, the universe has his back. Even if it has to shake things up a bit to make him realize it.

The Tower can be a rude awakening. It can be a catastrophe or it can be a spiritual enlightenment. It can be both, the former leading to the latter. I’m not quite sure what today has in store for me today. But I’m an optimist, and I believe in the power of my intentions. I will continue to reach for the best feelings I can experience, and trust that if anything gets shaken up, it will be for the better.

Note: I pulled a clarifying card for more details on The Tower, and I drew The World. The same dancing dolphins that appeared for me yesterday. I was comforted by this reassurance that everything will be A-Okay!

Update: This morning, I took out a gemstone to carry around with me throughout the day. My intention was to periodically take it out of my pocket, and deliberately infuse it with a specific energy several times throughout the day. As I was taking it out of my pocket for the first time, it fell from my hand and crashed on the tile floor, breaking in half. It was a beautiful stone, perfectly shaped for my hand. I was a little distraught. Then I thought of the Tower card, and told myself to get over it. If that’s the worst that could happen today, I could deal with it.

But that wasn’t it. That wasn’t my Tower moment for the day. Later in the afternoon, I discovered news that shocked me. I was stunned and emotionally devastated, yet at the same time it was incredibly freeing. I’ve never felt that combination of feelings before. Something I had been invested in for a very long time had ended, and I was surprised that this had the power to touch my emotions at all, let alone cause me a deep sense of sorrow. I took some time to think about it, and explored my feelings, and as I did so, the mixture of emotions slowly began to evolve away from devastation and towards liberation.

The Tower - The sudden and complete destruction of something I relied upon, which was based upon a flaky and unhealthy foundation. The enlightenment that follows, when the dust has settled. This was my experience.

I am so grateful that I drew the Tower card this morning. Even though I honestly didn't anticipate such an event happening today, and was shocked that a Tower moment was indeed upon me, contemplating its potential meaning in my life earlier that day prepared me for how to deal with the experience. I was able to deliberately guide my feelings, knowing that what had happened was for my highest good. I don't know what my reaction to the the news would have been had I not been prepared, but I know without a doubt that it wouldn't have been as easy to deal with had I not drawn this card this morning.

Tarot can be a powerful tool. There are those who would see this card, and say to themselves, "Oh no! Something terrible is going to happen to me!" and dwell on the negative. When I drew the card this morning, I took into consideration the negative aspect of the card, but focused my energy more on the end result, the positive outcome. This helped me tremendously when the time came to deal with such an event, as I was able to think back on what this card's ultimate message is. I also thought back on the World card that I had drawn for clarification, and it comforted and lifted me up as well.

I have never received the Tower card in my daily draws, or in any readings for myself. My life is pretty much drama-free and without Tower moments. The first day I drew the Tower for myself, it was spot-on accurate. While it is now my intention to keep that card safely hidden in the deck for a long time to come, I can honestly say that I am grateful for the experience and growth it has allowed me.

I can see how all the Wheel cards I have been pulling in my daily draws and personal readings have been rolling me towards this event. And now that I can let go of something so huge in my life, I can begin a new cycle, experiencing a long yearned for freedom that has been lost to me for many years. While I'm still a little shell-shocked, the liberty that has come in the aftermath of this particular Tower moment is truly exhilarating.

Deck: Tarot of the Animal Lords