Daily Draw - Justice, Six of Wands and Queen of Coins

Justice is back again! Now maybe I can get a little more insight into what the justice theme was all about from my previous cards and dream. Today Justice is followed by the Six of Wands and Queen of Coins. Not too shabby! It seems the matter will bring me recognition and success along with material comfort and confidence.

I really don't have a clue how these cards will play out, but my curiosity is certainly piqued and I am very much looking forward to finding out!

Deck: Vanessa Tarot by US Games

Daily Draw - Page of Cups, Justice and Ten of Wands

This morning I drew the Page of Cups, Justice and Ten of Wands. Last night I had a couple different dreams that I was a teenager, and it was back-to-school time. I was concerned with only one thing. School supplies. I had lists running through my head... pencils (specifically #2 pencils), pens, a pencil case (just the right size and material), a backpack... I already had a backpack but I wanted a nice new one. And a lunch box. That's where the drama kicked in.

When I asked for a new lunch box, my parents acted as though I had asked for a jet plane. How could I possibly expect them to shell out the big bucks for a new lunch box!?!? Paper bags it would have to be. But I was very concerned about the environment, and didn't want to waste paper. I petitioned for a new lunch box until finally my father borrowed several hundred dollars from someone so he could get me one. (I was confused as to why he needed so much money for a lunch box, but I didn't say anything, not wanting to rock the boat once he had finally caved in!)

The Page of Cups is a young and dreamy card, so for me, it represents my dream and my being younger in it. The Ten of Wands in this deck shows a girl studying, surrounded by books. This clearly illustrates the theme of returning to school and the stresses that go with it. The fairness of the Justice card finally came to me when I was able to get that all-important environmentally-friendly lunch box.

The cards echoing my dream tells me that this is a theme that I need to pay attention to. Maybe something that I have long been petitioning for will finally come to me. That would be nice!

Dreams are so funny. In this particular dream, I had different parents than I do in real life, but I wasn't aware of this in my dream. In real life, I didn't have a father around when I was a teenager. And in my dream, my father was a different nationality for some reason.

As a side note, right after drawing my cards, I checked my email and there was a spam message from some organization named JusticeDegree! Pretty funny how that fit in with the theme today!

Note: I wrote this post up on Friday, but I must have accidentally clicked "save" instead of "publish" because I just saw that it was still in draft form and it was never posted!

Deck: Vanessa Tarot by US Games

Goldilocks Reading

Today I wanted to do something beyond a daily draw. I wanted a more specific answer to where I am right now. I modified my Goldilocks Spread to use with just three cards.



1. What in my life do I have too much of right now? (Top card of the deck) Queen of Wands
2. What do I not have enough of? (Bottom card of the deck) Knight of Wands
3. What do I have just the right amount of? (Cut to the middle of the deck) Eight of Swords

I had planned to read each card individually, separately from the others. But when I saw the "too much" and "not enough" appear as the Queen and Knight of Wands, they just went together for me. I immediately heard a phrase in my head that summed it up beautifully: "Too much talk, not enough action". Even the Toby Keith song popped into my head (A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action)!

So right now my problem is that I have all these ideas that aren't going anywhere. They all put on a great show in my mind, but I'm not doing anything about them. The Queen of Wands is having a party in my head, thinking of all the fabulous things I'd like to do... but the poor Knight of Wands in me isn't being allowed to get out there and follow through with any of it. Taking action on my ideas is where I am holding back, most definitely.

The Eight of Swords illustrates what is "just right" in my life. I see this card as displaying a perfect balance of risk and control. There is a woman who is on the target end of a knife-throwing act. She is risking her life, but has a zen peace about her that enables her to control the outcome in her favor. There is a delicate, even balance between danger and calm. So apparently I have enough guts to take a risk right now, and also a calm enough state of mind to know just how far to allow that risk to take me. That is a really good place to be!

This says to me that this is the perfect time to take a leap. With this in mind, I pulled out my Paulina Tarot, the deck I am currently using as my main reading deck. I asked the cards to show me what action I need to take first. What the next immediate step for me is. The answer I received was to leave my comfort zone and do something I've never done before. To be a pioneer. And in doing so, I would prosper greatly and receive the exact outcome I was hoping for. And so tonight I will take that first step out of the gate.

It's very inspiring to me when the tarot takes me out of simply reflecting, and actually taking guided action. I was thinking to myself that my cards just might be the Owl from whom I would receive advice from this week, as the Tea Leaf cards had promised... because the advice the cards gave me today was to venture into uncharted waters, which is very reminiscent of the Archway card in the Tea Leaf card reading.

Deck: Vanessa Tarot by US Games

Daily Draw - The Emperor, Four of Swords and Seven of Swords

I saw in these cards the same scenario that the Art Deco cards described the other day. The Emperor representing my father, whose friend was shot (or it could also be directly representing the friend himself, as a police officer is a figure of authority). The Four of Swords illustrates his recuperating in the hospital, and the Seven of Swords shows the thief/assailant. I can feel the officer's ongoing sharp physical pain, as emphasized by the two Swords cards, especially seen in the daggers in the thigh belt of the Seven of Swords woman.

Something in my head instinctively added the value of the two Swords cards together, to equal 11. (And that is odd because whenever I add the values of the cards in a spread, I use all of the cards, not just the Minors. But this addition just happened in my head involuntarily, so I had to go with it.) The 11th card in the Major Arcana is Justice. This was an intuitive message that I received, that legal justice would be served in this case and that the criminals will sow what they have reaped.

Deck: Vanessa Tarot by US Games

Daily Draw - Queen of Coins, Judgment and King of Coins

Last week we were in the 50's with the Housewives and this week we are flash forwarding to modern day gals with the Vanessa Tarot.

Today I pulled the Queen of Coins, Judgment and the King of Coins. The Queen and King of Coins immediately brought to mind my parents. And the Judgment card between them led me on a couple of thought excursions. First, Judgment can be about releasing your baggage, metaphorically... but in this case, it's literal, as my parents have just returned home from a six-week road trip. So they are actually, physically unpacking their bags right now. They are also quite relieved to finally be back home, and Judgment can also be seen as a "coming home" card (you know...when you get to the point where you see the white light and angels singing, Judgment day is sometimes referred to as "coming home".)

The other thing I saw in the card was the woman holding shopping bags. I just got an email from my mom saying that she picked up a few things for me on her trip, and would be mailing them out soon.

Fun way to kick off the week with this adorable deck!

(P.S. Unfortunately I am having image problems yet again with Blogger... either my images come up too big for all three cards to fit on one line, or they are very small. After fiddling with it way longer than I wanted to, I have opted for small because it bugs me when there is one card under two cards, with a whole lot of extra ridiculous space. So if you'd like to see a closer look at the cards, I have made the images clickable.... just click on the cards to enlarge.)

Deck: Vanessa Tarot by US Games

Tea Leaf Fortune Cards - Weekly Reading

Just yesterday I received the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards set. I have wanted these for quite awhile, so I am very excited to finally have them in my hands! The book recommends that you do a full year reading before doing any other readings with the deck, to infuse your energy into them as much as possible. So I did that last night. Each month is assigned four cards. Only time will tell regarding the accuracy of that reading, month by month.

Next I did a weekly reading, pulling seven cards which are meant to be read together, each card isn't assigned to a specific day. They are combined to produce a reading for the week as a whole. I was delighted with the cards I drew, especially since there is a happiness theme repeating itself, so I'm looking forward to seeing if they accurately predict my week ahead.

I laid the cards down in a single row, but when photographing it for the blog, I rearranged them for easier viewing.

Top row: Owl, Archway
Middle row: Harp, Sun, Tankard
Bottom row: Hand, Eagle

(Please click on the image for a much closer look at the cards...they're very beautiful!)

Owl: Good advice from a wise person.
This card advises you to take note of some good advice that will be given to you by someone you respect and who is well-informed. This advice can only help you.

Archway: New opportunities, possibilities, paths opening up.
A path invites the querist to go through the archway and admire the beautiful garden that lies beyond it. This symbol indicates that there are new opportunities awaiting you. However, you must not be afraid to take a new direction and pass through the archway as this is the only way the opportunities will be revealed.

Harp: Great happiness.
Lucky is the querist who picks this card. You will know great happiness; the kind of inner happiness that comes from spiritual love and contentment with life and fellow man.

Sun: Happiness and well-being.
Lucky is the querist who chooses this card as the sun will be shining on you, filling you with happiness and a sense of well-being.

Tankard: Celebration, fun, enjoyment.
This symbol indicates that it is time for you to enjoy yourself. The symbol also indicates that there could be a good cause for celebration.

Hand: In need of help, assistance, guidance.
This symbol signifies that you need help in some aspect of your life.

Eagle: Triumph over troubles, obstacles.
This card indicates that the spirit of the eagle is guiding you and that you will ultimately triumph over the troubles and obstacles you are now facing.

I was so surprised to have two "happiness" cards right next to each other (Harp and Sun), and a "celebration" card (Tankard) following them. That group of three right in the center surely indicates this week is going to be filled with joy!

I read the Hand and Owl together. It appears I will need help or assistance with something and I will receive good advice from someone regarding my issue. Following this advice will lead me to a new opportunity (Archway), and following this new path will ensure that I overcome the problem (Eagle) that I needed help with.

I am very intrigued and hopeful to see how/if these cards play out this week!

Deck: Tea Leaf Fortune Cards

Art Deco Fortune Telling Cards - Spot On for Once!

I rarely use these cards because more often than not, they are inaccurate for me. For some reason I felt a calling to use them today. As I was walking to get them, I wondered to myself if the energy was right today, if finally I would get a really accurate reading from them. I hoped so, because I would like to use them more often if they actually worked for me!

I did a reading in the mid-afternoon, so I asked the cards to either show me something that had already happened this morning, or something that would happen by the end of the day. The cards I drew absolutely amazed me! (Cards were drawn in a straight line, but there's not enough room on this page so I separated them to display here.)





Enemy | Good News | Thief | Judge | Prison | Malady | (Jealousy)

This morning my dad told me that a friend of his (a police officer) was shot several times by a thief yielding an AK-47, penetrating his bullet-proof vest. The robbers held up an auto parts store and then entered a residential home, taking a woman and her two children hostage. Right after he told me, we turned on the news and saw the story being featured. The thieves had been caught and arrested. My dad's friend, the officer, was in the hospital undergoing surgery.

The Enemy card shows a person (police officer) looking for someone, and the "enemy" hiding, holding a weapon. The Thief card clearly shows the robbery. The Good News card in between the two is connected with the Judge and Prison cards. The good news is that the criminals were caught and are literally in prison! The last card I drew, Malady, shows the police officer in the hospital. I had the feeling to also link the Good News card with the Malady card, indicating that he would pull through.

Since Malady was the last card, it left me hanging and wanting to know more about his condition. I drew an extra card for more information and got the Jealousy card. This didn't look like anything seriously bad, so I think he will be okay. I think the jealousy probably refers to him wishing he could be out of that hospital bed, and feeling envious of people who are able to walk around leading a normal and pain-free life.

I was so surprised at the literal accuracy of this reading! I'm glad I followed my calling to take this deck out today. I think I'll work with it a bit this week and see if it's still hit or miss, or if I can get some steadily accurate readings out of it now.

Deck: Art Deco Fortune Telling Cards

Daily Draw - Three of Pentacles, Eight of Cups and The Hanged Man

These cards played out this morning, not long after I drew them. My youngest daughter wouldn't share her Play-Doh with her older sister because the last time she did, she got the colors all mixed together. So my older daughter was upset. In an effort to make her happy, I asked her if she wanted to play a game with me. I was in the middle of something, but I dropped what I was doing, in order to help her feel better. I thought it would be nice to play together and I thought my making her a priority would be appreciated (Three of Pentacles).

My daughter decided on a card game, so I got it out of the closet, sat down with her and dealt the cards. As she picked up her cards, I realized I dealt a card extra, so I told her I'd need to take that last card back. I took it, and she was upset because she liked that card. I told her, in a silly tone, that she didn't get to choose which card to give back, that wasn't playing fairly, we had to take the last card that was dealt her by mistake. She started crying... she wanted that card because it was the best card in the deck (it was!) and I would be the one to pick it up next. By now, it wasn't even a matter of letting her keep the card. She was too upset to play. So I calmly packed up the cards back into the box, put it back into the closet, and walked away (Eight of Cups) after letting her know that if she felt like playing later, we could.

I sat back down to what I had been doing earlier, the project that I had abandoned in order to play with her. She immediately comes up to me, asking me to get the game back out again and play. I had just begun my project again, so I told her she would now have to wait until I was finished (Hanged Man).

Then my younger daughter came in the room and invited her to play with her Play-Doh. But my older daughter said no, the only thing she wanted to do now was to play cards with me. Seems my older daughter was having a bit of an emotional morning. She's not usually so easily upset.

A few minutes later, she handed me a piece of paper with a message written in crayon: "I'm sorry Mama. I love you no matter what. I am really sorry Mama. XOXO P.S. Here is a Sophie claw." Taped to the paper was a cat claw that she had found on the floor. So of course, I immediately abandoned my project again and sat down and played cards with her. Who could resist that? An apology, a profession of love and a shed animal part. Irresistible! Gotta love kids!!!

Deck: The Housewives Tarot

Daily Draw - Queen of Wands, Ten of Pentacles and The Star

The Queen of Wands is a friend of mine. She has been having a pretty hard time lately in practically every area of her life. She is moving to a new place this month (maybe even today, I'm not sure, but maybe that's why these cards came up today). Her new home is bigger and nicer than her current one, which shows in the Ten of Pentacles. And the Star indicates that she will be happy there, and that things will start to look up for her. I was really happy to see that. She's had some tough breaks... her happiness is long overdue and greatly deserved!

Deck: The Housewives Tarot

Daily Draw - The Hanged Man, Six of Pentacles and Four of Wands

The thing I first noticed about these cards this morning was how delighted everyone looks. Even the Hanged Man being hung out to dry looks like he's shouting, "Woo hoo!!!" Right side up, upside down, any way you look at it, it's a good times all around.

The Hanged Man helpfully reminded me this morning to do a load of laundry! And this card also indicates a waiting period. Clothes hung outside take awhile to dry. But you can have fun in the waiting, as the characters in the card appear to be doing. I had to wait around this morning for someone who was late, but instead of impatiently counting every passing minute, I deliberately filled my time with other things so that I didn't fall into the waiting trap.

The kids in the Six of Pentacles are trick or treating, which made me think of the baking I have been doing lately, and how I've been sharing the homemade goodies with others. They have been a bit hit, and it's always a good feeling to share something and have it be enjoyed. Another thing this card reminded me of today is two very thoughtful (and much appreciated) gifts given to me by an extremely kind hearted and generous friend (Hi Spirity!! xoxoxo!).

The Four of Wands shows a lady in a hammock, at the end of the day, kicking back and enjoying a cocktail. The housework is done, and she's enjoying her ME time, relaxing at home. I drew these cards this morning, but I'm writing the blog post up this evening, as my responsibilities are coming to an end for the day. It's almost bedtime for the kids, and shortly I will have my ME time. I'm going to do a bit of reading and maybe watch a movie tonight.

Deck: The Housewives Tarot

Daily Draw - Eight of Pentacles, Strength and Ten of Pentacles

When I saw these cards, the two Pentacles jumped out at me in the form of a phrase: "Do what you love and the money will follow". Do what you love (Eight of Pentacles) and the money will follow (Ten of Pentacles). The woman is painting her plates in the Eight of Pents, and later on, in the Ten of Pents, she is holding up a grand plate, with a new house painted upon it, illustrating the success she has achieved. The green borders of the pentacles cards seemed to team up together to catch my attention, while the Major Arcana (Strength), framed in black, in the center was the key holding the other two together.

I saw Strength as being both the means and the outcome of this famous saying. My inner strength will serve as both the path that leads me to where I want to be, as well as the final destination, the end result. I will need strength to pursue what I love, and I will be stronger for it when the money follows.

I have been thinking a lot about the new business idea that came to me several days ago, and last night I fell asleep asking for a sign whether this was the right time for me to pursue this idea. When I drew these cards this morning, I took it as a pretty clear and solid "Yes!".

(Gotta love the interpretation of Strength in this deck!)

Deck: The Housewives Tarot

Daily Draw - The Empress, Seven of Swords and Three of Wands

With a quick look at the cards, it seems like the agenda for today calls for a bit of cooking and cleaning, with a little back-stabbing thrown in for good measure.

I did in fact do a lot of cooking today, and felt quite like the Empress, caring for my brood (but I pretty much feel like that every day). Over the past few days I have been doing a lot of organizing and cleaning. So today it was very satisfying to be able to stand there like the lady in the Three of Wands, and just sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Keeping in the realm of housework, I saw the Seven of Swords as my ex-stepmom who was here the other day. She walked into the room where my kids were playing, and there were toys strewn everywhere. (They are kids. They were playing.) She said out of the corner of her mouth, but loud enough so I would be sure to hear it, "What exploded in here?" I completely ignored her. I let her assume that I didn't hear what she said. I could have chosen to defend my kids' right to play and make a mess with their toys, but I didn't need to. Instead I happily skipped over her remark and guided her out of the room, leaving the kids in peace. So although she intended for me to react to her remark, I turned it around and left her feeling like the woman in the Seven of Swords, dealing with the urges of negativity on her own.

I have recently begun conciously working on not letting other people's negativity affect me, even when directed at me. I know that I'm the only one who can control where my emotions are at any point in time, but in the past I have found it hard not to react when people piss me off. But I am getting much better at being mindful, and letting things roll off my back. It feel so much better when I do!

Deck: The Housewives Tarot

Daily Draw - Justice, Seven of Cups and Nine of Swords

Although I have several new decks to feature on this blog, this week I wanted something light hearted. The campy Housewives Tarot was just what I needed. And I haven't used it here since 2007, so it's due!

When I drew my cards for today, I laughed out loud. This deck is so funny. I knew what it was saying about my day ahead, and I had to laugh at how melodramatic it was in its prediction.

Today my kids and I are going to the library. We haven't been for quite awhile. Whenever we go, we have a routine where I let the kids spend plenty of time picking out their books, then they follow me and patiently (ha!) wait for me to browse some books for myself. Of course this is ultra boring to them and they squirm and wiggle like they are in jail. It frustrates me that they are so impatient. I mean, there they are, with bags filled with new books to look at, and still they just want to leave, leave, leave!

So with it being our first trip back to the library (a new library at that!) I anticipate their excitement will be at high levels, and they will be extra antsy. The cards show me reprimanding the kids (Justice) while I am trying to browse the books on the shelf (Seven of Cups), and it will ultimately feel like a nightmare (Nine of Swords).

See how dramatic the cards were about this scenario? I would never hit my kids, nor would I yell at them or dole out punishment because they were bored and wanted to leave. But it's just a fancy way of saying that I will be frustrated because I'll feel that they aren't giving me the fair treatment that I have given them. And how it will really play out is me asking them (several times, I'm sure) to read their books on the floor while I look at books for myself. I will remind them how I gave them their time, and I deserve the same.) The Seven of Cups quite accurately shows me trying to decide between books. And the Nine of Swords shows an old lady with a psychotic smile on her face and a knife in her hand. I will keep this hysterical lady's image in mind today when my kids are being impatient. I'll remember how over-the-top the cards were, perhaps in an effort to make me laugh and not take the situation so seriously!

This deck was just what I needed this week!

Update: Maybe it was the playful mood with which this deck redirected my outlook for the day, but the trip to the library was fantastic! We got four huge shopping bags loaded with books and movies. And the kids were great. Really patient and quiet while I chose a bag full of books for myself!

Deck: The Housewives Tarot

Daily Draw - Page of Cups, Six of Cups and Page of Swords

When I drew these cards, all I saw was KIDS!!! Two Pages and the Six of Cups... it's all about the kids today! The Page of Cups is my son, the Page of Swords is my daughter, and my other daughter (Page of Wands type) is portrayed in the Six of Cups card.

The Six of Cups can also be reuniting with someone from your past, and today the kids and I are going to try to figure out Skype so we can video chat with my kids' cousin (the 4th child in this set of cards) and my aunts who live on the other side of the country. We haven't seen or talked with them in years, so if we can figure it out, it should be fun!

Deck: Smith-Waite Centennial by US Games

Daily Draw - King of Pentacles, Ten of Cups and Six of Swords

This morning I had a bit of an incident with my father. He was frustrated about something and ended up trying to ludicrously shift the blame my way somehow, even though I had absolutely nothing to do with it. I left him alone to stew in his own juices... I didn't need to stick around and unjustly be on the receiving end of his negativity. The thing he was upset about involved him losing something he had invested quite a bit of time and money in (King of Pentacles).

My son was present for his mild theatrics, and so I see myself and my son in the Six of Swords, deliberately and physically drifting away, leaving the negativity of my dad's absurdity behind us. But still huddled over a bit, as it did have an effect on us both. Though physically we created a separation between us and my father, the emotions remained with us.

Within the hour, my dad appeared with an apology. He took full responsibility and apologized for trying to include me in something when it was obvious I didn't have anything to do with it. He was just venting. Everything was okay. The story has a happy ending (Ten of Cups).

Deck: Smith-Waite Centennial by US Games

Daily Draw - Six of Pentacles, King of Pentacles and The Hierophant

Last night I had an idea come to me that I couldn't get out of my head. It was a business idea, and I was thinking of how to come up with the little bit of funding necessary.

This morning I drew the Six of Pentacles, King of Pentacles and The Hierophant. I instantly saw myself in the Six of Swords, receiving funding from the King of Pentacles. The first thing I thought of when I saw the Hierophant was a bald man. The bald heads of the two men at the bottom of the card made me think that the Hierophant is covering his baldness under that headdress. It's funny because just yesterday I was having a conversation with two bald men!

The Hierophant could also be emphasizing finding a funding source by traditional means, such as a bank, though I'm not going to go that route. And yet another thing he could be saying is that I need to approach this from a spiritual point of view. Meditating on it and attracting the funding I need through spiritual means.

Overall, this is a very promising set of cards to come up in relation to my potential enterprise!

Deck: Smith-Waite Centennial by US Games

Daily Draw - Two of Pentacles, Six of Swords and Four of Cups

This morning I drew the Two of Pentacles, Six of Swords and Four of Cups. I was drawn to the two ships in the background of the Two of Pentacles card. They are both riding over huge waves, giving me the feeling that there would be ups and downs to my day, and I was right.

Today we had a bit of a rain storm. I love rain, thunder and lightning, and I adore cloudy days! So the morning started out wonderfully. When we went to go for a ride to the store, the car was sitting in a huge puddle. We drove through the water to our destination, just like in the Six of Swords.

However, there was a turn in mood for me this afternoon. I was expecting something that didn't come through and it left me feeling rather blah. I was disappointed, and nothing else could hold my interest for the rest of the day (Four of Cups).

But now that it's evening, I have to snap out of it. I have a lot of preparing to do tonight for my daughter's birthday tomorrow, so a mood change is in order! Tomorrow will be a fantastic day, and I'm going to decidedly change course starting now!

Deck: Smith-Waite Centennial by US Games

Daily Draw - The Sun, The Lovers and King of Swords

This morning my daughter was drawing all different types of flowers. She asked me to show her some sunflowers, so I google-imaged it to show her. I left her at the computer and went to my cards to pull my daily draw. The first card that came up was The Sun, so I called my daughter over to show her more sunflowers! Pretty cool.

I drew The Sun, The Lovers and the King of Swords. The Sun repeats itself in the Lovers card, shining down upon the scene, indicating a happy pair. The first person who came to mind when I saw the Lovers/King of Swords combo was my ex-fiance from many years ago. We have been talking off and on recently. He's very, very intelligent, and has a sharp, witty sense of humor, so he has several King of Swords attributes.

I'm curious to see how these cards play out today. Maybe he will share some good news with me today, or maybe I'll just receive a happy email from him.

Note: I no longer have a working scanner, so I am photographing my readings this week. However, Blogger is not cooperating with my image sizing all of a sudden, so this is as big as I can get the images posted for some reason.

Deck: Smith-Waite Centennial by US Games

Mother's Day Draw: Three of Cups, The Magician and Three of Pentacles

This week I'll be using my lovely new Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot deck. (I will write more about this deck set at the end of the week with my review.)

Today is Mother's Day, and I thought about doing a special Mother's Day spread to celebrate like I did last year, but I just wasn't feeling it today. Instead, I decided on doing my usual daily draw, and of course I ended up seeing Mother's Day in the cards anyway!

Funny how the Three of Cups and Three of Pentacles both came up, since I have three kids. And the card in between the two is me... the Magician. The one who created them! The Three of Cups shows that celebration is the order of the day. The Three of Pentacles show a coming together of minds, to create something worth celebrating. My kids presented me with hand made cards and gifts this morning, before I could even manage to open my eyes wide enough to see them! The Three of Pentacles indicates that your work is recognized and honored, which perfectly encompasses the idea of Mother's Day. The Magician is in the middle, connecting the two cards with outstretched arms.

I hear the Magician speaking in my voice saying, "Look. Look at what you have created. Three beautiful, healthy, happy, creative, loving children. Children who love to play and soak up life. Children who, without being reminded by anyone, each worked to create something special for you on your day. You deserve today, you deserve these amazing kids, and the family life you have created is spectacular and amazing and awesome and beautiful. Sing your joy from the rooftops today, life is great! Motherhood is a gift you get to experience every day!"

I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. You don't have to be a mother to celebrate today. You just have to have love in your life. Someone (human or animal) who you nurture/mother, or someone who mothers you (male of female)... or cherished memories of someone who once filled that role for you in the past. I celebrate that bond with you today!

Deck: Smith-Waite Centennial by US Games

Guess What Card?

While I was looking up card scans for my Full Moon Reading, I found this tarot picture my son drew last year when he was 8. He was inspired by Patrick Valenza's artwork in the Deviant Moon Tarot deck. Can you guess what card of the tarot it is?

I'll update this post tomorrow with the answer, but if anyone wants to leave a comment with their guesses, I'll bet my son will be really interested to read them, as would I! (I'll also share some of my thoughts on the image, once the card is revealed.)

My son has created several tarot and oracle cards, but this is the only one I had scanned. I'll have to search and see if I can find some of the others to share here.

Full Moon Reading

For the full moon, I did a moon spread that I found on Aeclectic Tarot, posted by MeeWah. I used my Deviant Moon Tarot deck. I placed the cards in a circular full-moon-like fashion, beginning at the top and proceeding clockwise. (Click on the image below for a closer look at the cards.)

1. Moon Cycles: What old patterns I am still spinning around in...
Ten of Wands
In this card I see myself as a single, work-at-home mama. The responsibility of single handedly raising three home-schooled children, taking care of the household duties, and creating income can indeed sometimes feel like the Ten of Wands.

I try not to dwell on the negative, because that doesn't lead anywhere good. But I'm looking at all the sticks in this card that the creature is trying to carry. I notice the stick at the bottom that looks like it's slipping from the bunch, and I have the instinct to reach through the card and grab it before it drops. In wanting to help this creature, I see myself in him, and my discomfort in asking for help. But sometimes help is good.

So I'm thinking of ways to lighten my load. I can return to Flylady for help with keeping the house more organized. I can think of fun ways for my kids to help around the house. I can consider what “sticks” I can drop... which burdens that I can let go of entirely, without feeling the guilt of letting it fall.

I have the tendency to procrastinate when I don't want to do something, so maybe I should make a list of the things I don't like to do, and figure out which things I can release entirely, which I can delegate, and of those that remain, what I can do to make them more enjoyable.

Looking at the entire spread, I noticed that this was the only card of the group which featured a full moon in the card. As this spread was done for and during the full moon, I gave this card added significance and priority.


2. Moon Magnetism: What I am attracted to...
Two of Pentacles
This card made me laugh because after all the things I contemplated about the Ten of Wands card, this card says I am naturally attracted to the busyness of it all. I am attracted to the juggling of different things at the same time. Having more than one ball in the air. Always having something to do. Which is true. I don't like being bored. I have been feeling antsy lately because I haven't had a creative project in the works for a long while. I was talking with my daughter yesterday about teaching her how to crochet, and I realized I really wanted to start a project of my own. I like always having something creative to do, during breaks from the mundane chores of life.

Also last night I danced around the living room quite like a belly dancer, to a song which had Indian influences, so that's another thing I thought of when I saw the woman in this card. I am attracted to music and dancing, and the way the two make me feel so carefree. I should dance more often, as it raises my good vibes quite significantly.


3. Lunar Influences: How the moon affects me...
The Tower
Well this is the last card I expected to see in this spot, because if you had asked me how I thought the moon affected me, I would have told you “not at all”. And The Tower is quite the opposite from not-at-all! It took me awhile, meditating on this card, to let in some ideas. I saw that the moon in the card is the force behind the destruction of the tower. The moon has power, whether I think it does or not. I see there are three choices. I can leap from the tower before I am struck, I can lay on the ground watching the pieces tumble upon me, or I can harness the moon's power and be the one in control. I rather like the third option the best.

I have only just begun becoming interested in the moon, its phases, and effects on our lives. I have also begun researching magic and it's well known that the moon phases are integral in the effectiveness of rituals and spells.

I have noticed that some people become quite irritable and moody and melodramatic around the full moon, and while I personally don't feel affected that way by the moon, I can see myself in the figure on the ground in this card. If I am not mindful, I can see their negative emotions being dumped on me, and my being helpless on the receiving end, as I have been previously unaware of why it was happening.

This card reminds me that I have power over how the moon affects me. I can let it dictate me and those around me, or I can learn how to harness the power of the moon to my benefit.


4. Old Man Moon: What in my past is returning...
The Devil
Oh geez. This is not the guy you want to see returning to your life! Oddly enough, the first thing I saw in this card wasn't the devil himself, but the planet and its little volcanoes, which immediately brought to mind the book The Little Prince. I was reminded of the prince's innocence and his beautiful, peaceful, simple little planet. The devil traipsing all over it, menacingly, made me just want to give him the boot, sending him toppling off entirely.

To me, the planet represents the simple, alternative life my children and I happily share. The Devil represents those opposed to anyone different, wanting us to conform, just for the sake of conforming. I have recently become in contact with my ex-step-mother. She does not at all understand the way I live, and how I choose to raise my children. She is very opinionated and vocal. I had to tell her that while she doesn't understand why I live the way I do, likewise, I don't understand why she lives the way she does, and it's all about respecting each other's choices. I will never spend time trying to convince others that the way they live is wrong, and I expect the same respect from them. However, I know it's not the last time I will have to listen to her opposition to my choices.

I was upset about something she said the other day, and a very timely email floated into my inbox on that very day. It was from Abraham-Hicks:

"We want you to enjoy the contrasting experience, just like you enjoy the contrasting buffet. And we want you to reach the place (and practicing Virtual Reality will help you to gain this confidence) that whenever you're in front of a buffet that has so much that you do like to eat, as well as some that you don't like to eat, you don't feel frustrated that there are things there you don't want to eat. You don't feel compelled to put them on your plate and eat them; you just pick the things that you like. And the Universe of thought is the same way. You can choose from it the things that you like."

Excerpted from the workshop in Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, June 29th, 2002

This wisdom enabled me to let the situation glide over me, and enjoy my day, rather than continuing to stew over it. When I am faced with someone who is causing me emotional discomfort, I don't need to get frustrated. I can just redirect my thoughts and energy elsewhere. Remembering this advice will go a long way in helping me kick the Devil off my peaceful little planet. Or at least ignoring the devil, so that her power is diminished.


5. Moon Dreams: What my subconscious wants to tell me...
Queen of Cups
This is my card! My inner Queen of Cups is coming out of my subconscious to tell me to be myself. Always and in all ways to be myself. I saw her holding the cup with the water leaking from the bottom as my new daily ritual of tending to my herbal garden. I saw her painted toenails in myself, as I painted my toenails for the first time in years last week. I heard her talking about the other cards in the layout, helping me to understand them more thoroughly...

The Queen told me that the Devil is not to be feared. The Devil is fueled by his own insecurities, and he tries to drag down those who are stronger, so that his own weaknesses won't show.

She said that I am neither of the figures in the Tower card. That my essence is in the power of the moon, and that I am more powerful than I know.

She looked at the Two of Pentacles and said, “You want to dance? Dance! You want to create? Create. Do what makes you feel good.”

She said (about the Ten of Wands) that I didn't need to carry all that doesn't make me feel good. That I should be focusing on the more spiritual and sensual things in life, rather than wasting so much of my precious time worrying about things that just don't matter!

Strangely, I smelled incense when I studied this card. And I don't have incense in the house, because I don't like the smoke. But I smelled a very strong earthy incense-type smell. She is telling me that I need to incorporate more spirituality into my life, along with more sensuality. And by sensuality, I mean things that delight all senses. Foods that taste heavenly, smells (candles, lotions, etc.) that delight me, beautiful things that make me smile with awe when I look at them, clothes that are comfortable, music that makes my heart and soul sing, etc. (I think the Queen of Pentacles is doing a bit of whispering over her shoulder!)

I need to stop living so automatically, and start living in a manner that pleases my senses, my heart, my spirit, my soul... and to stop sweating the small stuff, and not be tricked when the small stuff disguises itself as big stuff like The Devil.


6. Moon Reflections: My illusions and delusions...
The Hierophant
When I looked at the subtitle of this position “illusions and delusions”, I looked at this card to show me what I am seeing that's not really there. The Hierophant turned up, trying to tell me that there is only one, true, proper way of doing things. How it's done is how it always has to be done. This is an illusion. I can do it differently. I can do it my way, and it will work for me, despite the Hierophant's insistance otherwise.

Sometimes when I am trying to work on a solution, my mind is automatically directed to the default way things have always been done, either by others or by myself in a prior, similar situation. And I need to step out of that box. Even though I walk a different path than most, I can see that I need to step even further out of the box at times, so that I continue to stretch myself and my possibilities, because if I don't, then I am still limited by the ways that I have done things in the past. And that leaves no room for growth.

This was an enlightening revelation for me, and it gives me some delicious food for thought! ... The Queen of Cups would be proud!

Deck: Deviant Moon Tarot by US Games

Daily Draw - Two of Pentacles, Two of Swords and The Hierophant

Today I drew the Two of Pentacles, Two of Swords and The Hierophant. (This is probably my favorite Hierophant of any deck...gorgeous!) These cards are referring to the distraction/redirection of my focus today. I should be dealing with a particularly important issue of my own, but instead I have spent a large part of my day helping someone else with their problems. I have served as advisor (Hierophant) to a friend who is juggling WAY more than two balls in the air (Two of Pentacles) and in doing so, I am avoiding my own pressing issue (Two of Swords). I am choosing to spend the day mentoring a friend, rather than facing my own challenge. And that's just the way today is going to go! Tomorrow is another day.

Deck: Paulina Tarot by US Games