The Five of Swords…

What disappointment of your own making has you feeling guilt, shame and dread? Good news - you have five chances to face your most recent defeat this week. I know this sounds like a downer, but there is always possibility to learn and grow within a failure. So it’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself, and find the sweet in the bittersweet. Monday through Friday pick a moment each day to face the disaster you have been desperately trying to sweep under the rug. Perhaps on Monday you begin with an easy reflection on self and the situation to dip your toes into your own pool of sorrow? Once you’ve gotten over that first hurdle - what are the 4 remaining ways you can turn this failure into something more? Do you need to take action? Speak with someone? Say you are sorry? Find closure? Mend something or someone that you broke? If there isn’t fixing on the outside, what can you do for self to come to terms with it? And, how can you pinpoint the lessons within this stabbing pain? Once you have done all of this, your final step - how do you use all that you’ve gained from the fallout of your own misfiring to move forward? Because, I think by the end of the week, you will see that you have gained quite a lot…and won’t it feel lovely to move beyond it all?

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan

The Five of Swords from the Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley

The Devil - Reversed…

The Weekend is a good time to explore a little deviation from self-harming behavior. What is the addiction that keeps you in chains? For me, it’s saying yes to everyone, taking on too much work and feeling overwhelmed by responsibility. For my friend who helped pull this card of the day, it’s a negative thought pattern that swirls in her head - that internal voice that is constantly spewing fear, hate and uncertainty. For some, it may be an actual substance dependency which falsely promises a way to self-medicate against darkness. No matter how big or small, take an hour or two today to fall away from it by doing it differently. If you are someone who leads in social situations because you need that sense of control, take a back seat and let others make decisions. If you are reserved with others, speak your mind and share your heart in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable. If cynical thoughts haunt you - write them down with a positive re-frame as they come to you. If you turn toward a substance in your time of need, try calling a friend instead. Exorcise your demons. You can take one small step toward unfurling the chains that are strangling you. I believe in your power to fall away from this hold. For me, I am leaving all emails unanswered for the rest of today. Sounds easy, but it isn’t. I will do it nonetheless.

“Chains of habit are too light to be felt, until they are too heavy to be broken.” - Warren Buffett

The Devil (Reversed) from the Star Spinner Deck by Trungles

The Hierophant…

This weekend you will be tested. Life will present you with a situation which insists you tap into your personal and spiritual knowledge regarding self and others. Don’t panic - don’t rush in with answers. Take a minute and steady yourself. You have an inner reservoir of wisdom that you have been filling and refilling over all these years. Analyze what is needed most and connect with the right information you have held within that well for just this moment. Manifest the true answers through stillness and deep thought. You will know what is right. You will know what is true. The power with which you deliver your message is an important part of this examination. If you allow for the space to explore your deep understanding of the world, you will know what is right to do or say. Knowledge is power and this opportunity will make you aware of just how much power you hold. Let your own response to life’s sudden evaluation leave you awe-inspired.

“Knowledge was always the power that kept the Universe in it’s place and the stars turning in their orbits.” - Paulo Coelho

The Hierophant from Yamoja-Swordsfall

The Ace of Wands…

What fire sparked your imagination today? What new idea or experience popped up that you felt excited about? What made you feel impassioned? What emboldened you in a surprising and startling way? How can you grab hold of that particular fire-starter and use it to grow bigger and strengthen your resolve to advance? Your spontaneous enthusiasm could be the start of something amazing. If you could channel all that fire through a magic wand - what kind of magic would you work with it? Let your answer to this question be a guide to you for the weekend ahead. Use the power of your internal flame like you can wield it in your hands. Make others take notice as you create your own brand of sorcery. Let your heart grow in the direction of your dreams. Speaking of, sweet dreams!

“Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights the way.” - Anonymous

The Ace of Wands - Artist’s Rendering by S. Rebel

The Ten of Pentacles…

In our quest toward security, abundance and achievements we can sometimes get lost in the task at hand. It can be a necessity to take each moment as it comes and approach our lives one day at a time, but we must not lose sight of the desired dream. So many elements come together throughout the course of a life to construct the big picture. So, if your life is an art project with the hope of creating and maintaining something secure and wholistic - what are you currently weaving? And what tools and materials do you have in hand to weave with? Think big when it comes to what you need and desire and make sure every little moment of how you live is contributing to that dream - how you interact with others, how you respond to opportunity, how you treat yourself and how you choose to honor your own time all can be threads of your final design! Your approach to this project we call life determines the strength of your final creation. Happy weaving!

“A good life is like weaving. Energy is created in the tension. The struggle, the pull and the tug are everything.” - Joan Erickson

The 10 of Pentacles from Barbara Walker Tarot

Ten of Cups…

I know Halloween is past, but are you still feeling like you need to ward off evil spirits?!? I have to be honest, I’ve had the sensation for the past two days that I am staying only steps in front of a cloud of darkness. It’s obviously disconcerting when you feel like something untoward is lurking just behind you every step you take. SO, it may be time to call on the good spirits!!! The power and memories of our ancestors and family passed can be the bright rainbow we seek. Tonight, take a moment to imagine they are surrounding you with color, smiles and music as a kind of protection against that dread. In your dreams, dance with them under the stars and thank them for their constant presence (they are always there, you know.) When you wake, acknowledge them, as you leap from bed - smile and nod. Tomorrow, no matter what creeps in, you can rest assured that your clan from the otherside has drenched you in love and safety and you will continue to remain steps ahead of that lingering darkness. Happy Dios De Las Muertos!

“Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” - Linda Hogan

The Ten of Cups from the Ghosts and Spirits Tarot Deck by Lisa Hunt

Three of Swords - Reversed…

When things are foggy and hard to navigate, we often cling to our thoughts to make sense of it all. But, sometimes life is just unavoidably surreal and we have to let it be so. This week, try not to clench onto your mind’s perspective or out think what you are experiencing. You may believe that your notions of what is true will help to comfort and support you, but they are only causing you more pain. Give in to the absurdity and meet it at its face value. Rationalizing the truly ridiculous is an exercise in futility. Accept that you are a sane, functioning individual in the center of a ludicrous circumstance. If you let your mind take control, you will succumb to the thorniness of the twisted folly of others. In this situation, your thoughts will deceive you because the landscape is disorienting. See and feel it for what it is - do not think so intensely about it that you take it to heart.

“In an insane world, sanity made very little sense.” - Rachel Caine

The 3 of Swords (Reversed) from The Tarot of The Hidden Realm by Barbara Moore and Julia Jeffrey

A Two Card Wish for Halloween…

This Halloween and beyond, no matter how lost you feel as you work your way through the maze of life, I hope you always find your way back to the purest part of self. If you feel haunted or cursed, may you remember the power you hold within to conquer any demons that plague you. Whatever scares you, I hope you find the resolve to walk into that fear with determination and confidence knowing that no matter what happens, you will come out of it stronger. If you find yourself in darkness, trust your light within and when you connect with that light, share it with everyone you encounter - as they may feel as spooked as you. HAPPY HALLOWEEN, my pretties!

“One need not be a chamber to be haunted. One need not be a house. The brain has corridors surpassing material place.”- Emily Dickson.

The 8 of Wands & The 6 of Cups from The Tarot of the Haunted House by Sasha AWESOME Graham - It’s her birthday today - wish her a wicked one @sashatarotdiva

The Hermit…

As you emerge into the mischief of Halloween Eve, what kind of magic and light will you bring with you? The fog of the world around you is calling for you to step outside of your shell in a new way this evening. What part of you will be coming to the party? How will you choose to approach the dark and thrilling energy of a witching hour that urges you to emerge? Have fun, but don’t lose sight of your personal wisdom - use your internal light and deep knowledge to make uexpected magic for others in these dark hours. How might you use your mischievous sorcery to bring others together in a way that lights up the night with mystery? Proceed thoughtfully, but don’t shy away from the unknown.

“Every last one of us has a spark of mischief in our eyes, and that spark of mischief is what connects us all.” - Karl Wiggins

The Hermit from The Steampunk Tarot Deck by Barbara Moore

The Ace of Swords…

Do you feel your senses sharpen and your mind focusing with heightened awareness? Maybe it’s the fresh fall air or maybe it’s the cool, dark energy of Halloween, but you feel a razor-sharpness emerge in your thoughts. This weekend you have the opportunity to experience a mental superpower of sorts as your mind approaches everyone with specificity of intention. Trust the first idea that pops up as you move through tonight, Saturday and Sunday. Impressions of those you meet and all situations you encounter are spot on. Your brain is working with a crisp decisiveness that will surprise you. Like a moth drawn to the light, your thoughts will come instantaneously and you will know just what you want or what to do or say. Don’t hold back - don’t hover - fly right into what you know to be true. Embrace this opportunity to really utilize the power of your mind at its peak.

“A sharp mind will take you further than a sharp sword.” - Matshona Dhilwayo

The Ace of Swords - Unsure of what deck this is from, but I love the image - do you know?!?

Knight of Swords…

Some quick thinking today has got you feeling a sense of euphoria. I mean, you should be proud of your ability to take action with a calm and cool-cat demeanor in a situation that felt high stakes. Today, you were unafraid in moment of urgency. You were on top of your game and kept a clear mind amidst that wild momentum. You should flaunt your success and celebrate your fearlessness! But, you should also examine what drove you to be so spontaneous in your thinking. You were so clear in your actions that you barely recall the active decision to move forward. It’s almost contradictory to common sense. Was it defiance? Or was it that moment in the chaos when time stands still just long enough for you to decide with a clear head? Maybe it was a spark of confidence that rose to the surface at just the right time? Figure it out, because, if you can revisit this at will - it is to your advantage.

“In a world deluged in chaos, clarity is power.” - Yuval Noah Harrari

“Somewhere in the fear and chaos, there is a clarity that few will ever experience.” - Travis Pastrana

The Knight of Sword from the Allain Tarot

The Ace of Pentacles - Reversed…

You win some and you lose some and right now it feels like the latter. Set backs and roadblocks are so frustrating and disappointment abounds. If you are feeling like all the sweetness in life is falling away and reality is hitting you right across the face, maybe this is a good thing. Yes, I said it - this could be the wake up call you needed. Tonight, don’t beat yourself up just pick yourself up and take note of lessons learned from lost opportunity. Before bed, jot down what exactly was lost, but for each thing you write down take note beside it of what you gained from that loss. Perspective? A new idea on how to do it better? Hope for something different? Clarity? More determination? The true candy in life sometimes isn’t sweet at all. Take your trick and turn it into a treat.

“Disappointment is nothing but an eye-opening learning process for your future endeavors.” - Edmond Mbiaka

The Ace of Pentacles (Reversed) from the Halloween Tarot Deck by Kipling West

The Six of Cups…

Memories flood back in in mysterious ways. Often, we hold onto the bad ones and use them to justify self protective reasoning. It can be helpful to have a painful recollection to point to rationalize not trying something new or not taking action when deep down we know we should. But, what about those joyful, beautiful moments you have been gifted throughout the years?! What do they point to and how might they highlight your current situation with a color of optimism and promise? Tonight, before bed, think of your pressing turmoil for just long enough to define the core belief of it. Now, think back and remember a moment that defies that belief. But, do more than remember it - imagine you are there with all of your senses - see and feel the environment around you - hear the voices or sounds that accompanied it - feel the clothes you were wearing or the touch of another’s hand. Can you connect with all of the beautiful feelings you associate with that memory? If you were to meet yourself in that recollection, what would that version of you want you to know? Gift yourself a shift in perspective by recalling the gifts of the past, instead of the injuries of the past. Face your current woes with a warm spirit and a trusting heart.

“The past beats inside me like a second heart.” -John Banville

The 6 of Cups from the Crow Tarot Deck by MJ Cullinane

The Eight of Swords - Reversed…

Get out of your head!!! No, really. I declare this Monday - “Get out of your head Monday”! Your thoughts, when they start to take over, can put you in a cage of darkness in your mind. You know you have fallen into this trap before and it can be incredibly difficult to find your way out. So, as you start to feel consumed by internal negative musings, use your mind’s eye to see what is beyond that immediate reaction. Notice what is on the horizon, once you get past those swirling notions which threaten to derail your progress and hold you back from moving toward your true potential. And, as those thoughts fog up your vision, cast them aside one by one by staying focused on what you can achieve or attain. Don’t let wild, untrue ideas box you in. Get out of your head. You got this!

“Negative thoughts are not protecting you. They are making you smaller.” - Robert Kiyosaki

The 8 of Swords - Artist’s Rendering on Deviant Art by Carles

The Eight of Pentacles…

What are these webs we weave? This week you will have the opportunity to answer that question for yourself. Work may feel overwhelming and you are walking a tight rope to try to carefully thread all of the elements of your life together in a way that helps you to pull it all together. But, in your effort to string together a stronger sense of balance and self, you cannot lose sight of the artistry with which you do this. Celebrate the beautiful chaos of the way you craft a purposeful and resilient existence. After you honor yourself in recognition of all this hard work, set out on a path of mastery of it. Finesse and fine-tune your approach. There is always more to learn or understand about what is at hand. If you focus with clarity on your tasks this week and adopt a steadfast determination to improve, you will set yourself up for a more fortified future as you continue to build upon your dreams. Get to work, my friends!

“My life is a web of endless possibilities.” - Katelyn Pauls

The Eight of Pentacles from The Shadowscape Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

The Two of Wands…

Is that your hand moving the board? Something from beyond sending you a message? Or is your subconscious emerging to guide you gently in a direction? You are experiencing a deep connection to the possibilities that were once shaded in darkness. The moon glow will highlight the unseen in a magnificent shimmer and you can no longer resist what is right there, sparkling in front of you. Whatever comes to you today, trust your instincts, recognize the potential and allow all of the elements rise to meet the moon. It’s time for you to partner with the universe’s wishes and step into the truth of who you are what you can do - take action on your intuition. Make mischief, make magic, make something with the message you are receiving. If you trust it, it may surprise you just how right that message is. Connect!!!

“I realize that if I wait until I am no longer afraid to act, write, speak, be, I’ll be sending messages on a Ouija board - cryptic complaints from the other side.” - Audre Lourde

The Two of Wands from The Tarot of the Haunted House by Sasha Graham

Cards for the Weekend…

I was feeling extra excited that the weekend is upon us, so I pulled a diamond of four cards to see what was in store… Let go of all that felt impossible this week and allow the dawn of Saturday morning greet you with a devilish smile. I think the there is a dark angel calling us to connect with a kindred spirit to make a little, or maybe a lot of mischief this weekend. Call on your favorite trouble maker and cast a spell that will call in all of the badness you crave. Make sure you reach out to that person who brings out the best of the worst in you in all the right ways. And then, unleash the fun! Just be careful - you must walk a fine line - do not push it too far. Know that what you put out will come back to you three-fold, so find a balance within the darkness that would like to emerge. Together you can haunt others with your eerie mystique and step outside of all boundaries. Double your fun and happy haunting.

“Hello Danny. Come play with us.”- The Twins in The Shining

2 of Pentacles - 10 of Swords - Knight of Swords - 4 of Pentacles - Tarot of the Haunted House by Sasha Graham

The Queen of Cups…

You have some very deep questions rising to the surface today and emotional thoughts about a shifting direction. Lucky for you a magical advisor will materialize to help you navigate the dark waters you are traveling through. She will fill you with warmth and her words might not strike you immediately, but will follow you throughout the day. If you are able to identify her in the moment, absorb her buoyant energy and try to sync with her natural ebb and flow. Her words will shift your perspective, but the resonance of her spirit has the possibility to change your way of being. If you can connect with this sorcery, you will find the answers you seek within.

“If we seek something, that same thing is seeking us.” - Paulo Coelho

The Queen of Cups from The Fairytale Tarot by Yoshi Yoshitani

The Five of Cups…

As a card of the night, the Five of Cups means we’ve had a LONG day and are feeling quite down. But, that’s because we are focusing on all that went wrong today instead of the many things that went right. We are letting our emotions run wild and rain down upon us coloring our every thought with gloom. We are throwing a pity party for ourselves….aren’t we? Ok…we can give in a little bit - get it all out tonight. Cry, scream, rant, sigh and roll your eyes about all the things today that just didn’t gel. And then when you go to sleep you won’t be taking all of that negativity with you! When you dream, dream of a place that fills your spirit in which you are sitting with a favorite friend. Be sure, in this dream to turn around and see the possibilities that you are missing - a different path or perspective - light and joy. Bring those possibilities out with you when you wake - you will need them at the start of a new day.

“It’s just a bad day. Not a bad life.” - Anonymous

The Five of Cups from The 78 Tarot Deck

The Emperor…

A powerful card made two appearances this morning. First pulled reversed and then I shuffled and opted to pull again, and there he was staring at me upright. Funny, how the deck laughs at you sometimes. Perhaps the power dynamic within our relationships needs a little attention today? Who we are and how we approach friends, coworkers, family and loved ones on the surface can be quite different than what is operating underneath it all. It’s time to realign our intentions with our actions when it comes to how we present to and deal with others. Is there someone in your life who you feel like you must control? Why? Get to the root of it. Is there someone you resent and feel manipulated by? A closer look might reveal a different story than the one you have developed in your head. And, how might you adopt new strategies to rise above? It may be important to deal with all of this now, before it has time to fester and explode.

“Now don't, close your eyes and don't try to hide.
For a silly spook makes it by your side.
Shrouded in the depths disguise,
They pretend to terrorize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts, come out to socialize.” - Haunted Mansion Ditty - Written by Buddy Baker

The Emperor from Madame Leota’s Haunted Mansion Tarot