The Tower…

I must admit, I pulled this card this morning and the day dissolved into craziness as expected. There were moments that felt like a hurricane sweeping in to engulf me in mayhem - first the ominous darkness, then the threatening wind and finally the pelting rain. In the sudden moments of reprieve, I had to scramble to make sense of the destruction of my day. So, in a moment of desperate clarity, I made the resigned decision to give in and embrace the chaos. Did things get easier? Not really, but my experience of it all felt less reactive and more grounded in the idea that, as intense as this day was feeling, it is only a moment and every moment is a gift. So - if you were caught in a similar storm pattern, watching as the structure of your life splintered and crumbled around you - how can you embrace the chaos and welcome the gift of the moment? Think about this tonight and your memory of these events will adjust as you move forward. Tomorrow, when you awake and find yourself sitting in the quiet after that storm, ask yourself how you might rebuild with a more focused purpose. The answer that comes to you - well, that’s likely your gift!

“You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” - Thimber Hawkeye

The Tower from The Tarot of Mystical Moments by Catrin Welz-Stein

Judgment…

If you listen closely, you can hear the secret song of the universe calling you to move slowly toward your destiny. In fact, that celestial humming is always there, if you know how to find it. Don’t believe me?!? Take a minute today to close your eyes and listen with your full attention. It may sound like noise and nonsense, but if you sit with this patiently, breathe deeply and let the sounds blend together, a rhythm may begin to form. Let the rhythm sync with your heart as you breather even more fully and tune into the frequencies that jump out of the reverberations with incredible focus until they fill your spirit with a strangely exciting level of calm. In this moment of meditation, ask yourself what you truly need most to have purposeful happiness in your life. Relax even deeper into the song, and let the answer come to you. The content that arises from this magical melody may surprise you, but let it also fill you with hope and possibility for complete transformation. Have a blissful Tuesday!

“Life is a magical song of the universe. To understand it, feel it in your heart and sing along.” - Debashish Mridha

Judgement from Thelema Tarot Deck By Renata Lechner and Lo Scarabeo

Some repeating cards…

I had a fascinating exchange with my Rider/Waite/Smith deck this morning on our behalf. I pulled the 3 of Cups (Reversed) which is a card from last week and I just wasn’t feeling it, so I pulled again. And I pulled the 5 of cups which is yesterday’s card and felt like the deck was, perhaps, laughing at me at my effort to change the tone. So I pulled one more - mostly for more information - and I got the 8 of Wands which was also pulled last week (but in reverse) - at lease we are know upright and making progress. I have always believed that when cards repeat in a reading, they hold deeper significance and it’s not lost on me that 3 & 5 = 8. SO, here we are - still not dealing with the emotional shake ups we have been dealt, relying on toxic personal behavior to carry us through, even though we know it won’t. Movement has now become key to lifting ourselves out of any kind of emotional murkiness we have taken upon ourselves. What fiery movement in a new direction can you undertake today to lift you from this watery prison? It could be as simple as going for a walk/run to get out of your psyche and into your body. Or, it could imply a bigger change - relocating, changing your environment in some way. Whatever you decide, it’s time we conquer this Dragon and use it’s unruly energy to our advantage. So, don’t just stand there - get moving!

“If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.” - Anonymous

The 3 of Cups (Reversed) - The 8 of Wands - The 5 of Cups (All from last week’s readings…)

The Five of Cups…

This week will find you surrounded by emotional challenges and it is vital that you do not rely on convenient behavioral habits when you are trying to break through the surface. As you discover yourself in this ocean of difficulty and doubt, you can either swim or let yourself sink as the pain drags you down. Your usual strategies of avoidance will not help you this time, so get ready to find new and better coping mechanisms to help you rise above it all. You can do this, if you recognize that what you have done in the past to keep afloat only has you treading water. You are ready to change your approach and glide through the muck with a determined and enjoyable stroke until you reach the open air and feel the sun upon your face. So kick those feet (or flick that tail) and let your arms steer you into a new way of being. The sun awaits - you deserve it.

“Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves, that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim.” - Tyler Knott Gregerson

The Five of Cups from The Enchanted Tarot by G. Guadenzi & Lo Scarabeo

The Seven of Pentacles…

Whatever goal you have been working toward, take a moment today to sit back and admire all of the growth that has arisen in you on this journey. Sometimes, we think the end result is everything and we just tirelessly plug away to reach that pinnacle. But, guess what - there’s so much to be admired when you are simply on your way to that achievement. What have you produced with all of your determined hard work? Imagine you are in the garden of your process - more growth still to come, but yet so much to be admired in the changes you feel within and also see being realized! Enjoy this moment of self-reflection and take it even further. Take a moment to meditate on how your efforts have inspired growth and advancement in others and the world all around you. Let the thought of this gorgeous garden - a community garden of your own making fill you with the joy you need to reach your finish line. But, you may want to slow your pace, so you can truly enjoy this last leg of grooming. Happy Saturday!

“We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.” - Jenny Uglow

The 7 of Pentacles from the Housewives Tarot by Jude Buffum and P Kepple

Eight of Swords - Reversed…

Hello, my pretties! A little dark and delicious Friday Night Valentine from me and my deck to you…Tonight is the perfect time to set yourself free from all dark thoughts about self. What holds you back the most is what you believe to be true, which is only a story created by your mind. So, all that inner work you do to boost confidence and re-arrange your thought process when it comes to being authentically who you are?!? Let it lead you out of your protective shell this evening. You are a stunner. You are more than enough. You are fierce, fabulous and do not need to change any piece of who you are to get what you want and need. Embrace the red power and bold desires you hold within and rip off the blindfold. Approach this night like the gorgeous warrior you are. Do not apologize - hunt instead. Dominate all around you, by being fully present in who you are. Hunt for what will inspire you - hunt down what you deserve. And whether or not you get it, enjoy the feeling of your own unique influence and desirability. Shake up your world by owning who you are. Happy Friday, you gorgeous Vamps!

“The world just wants your authentic truth.” - Gabby Bernstein

The Eight of Swords (Reversed) - Art by Jasmine Choinski

The Eight of Wands - Reversed…

Feeling listless and directionless? Day to day life does have it’s lulls, but you don’t want to take up residency there! When down time becomes permanent lethargy, it’s time to light a fire in your heart and let the wind carry that flame in a different direction. So…what holds great significance to you and where does your value system want to send you? What cause or activity might mean so much to you that it will force you to take action with passion and drive? Today, spend time time doing fun research on a movement that will get you moving in a new way. Let your moral compass be your guide. That one thing that drives you crazy or needs to be fixed can be the answer to send you flying through the air like an arrow on an exciting new journey. Focus on a target that needs you the the most. What is calling to you? What MUST you do? Find out what that is and send your spirit sailing toward deeper meaning!

“A good archer is known not only by his arrows, but by his aim.” - Thomas Fuller

The Eight of Wands (Reversed) from the Mystic Faerie Tarot by Barbara Moore and Linda Ravenscroft

Three of Cups - Reversed…

Have a couple of your friends disappointed you lately by leaving you out to dry? If you are feeling left out, it may be time to let them know. Whether or not they did this intentionally, it’s time to air out all of your grievances. Make sure that they know that you know, regardless of their intentions. Don’t hold back - let the emotions spill out. Give them a good healthy dose of “It made me feel ________ when you ___________.” If they don’t respond hit them with “I would never ________ to you.” Be ready for any and all reactions. They may respond with indifference, but they may also have a similarly dramatic response. Be willing to splash around in their emotional content a little bit. And listen - absorb. It may be possible that something you did or said triggered the whole thing. In which case, you can all take a bath in emotional outpouring and rinse yourselves clean of fear, doubt and disappointment. In a charged atmosphere, sometimes you just have to pour it all out and start fresh. Good luck!

“Expressing emotions doesn’t make you weak - it makes you real.” - Anonymous

The 3 of Cups (Reversed) from The New Lotus Tarot Deck by Angie

8 of Cups - Chariot (Reversed)…

Your mind and heart are determined to race in the direction of the past, so let them! Do you remember that moment when you felt the pain of transition? When you stood alone and had to turn your back on something or someone of great emotional importance, so you might walk in the direction of greater light? Perhaps there was a taste of sadness and disappointment, but also the visceral experience of being completely and fully alive. Life moves fast, but it is those moments when everything slows down that we find the greatest clarity. Free yourself once more. Decelerate and take control of this juncture. Find the balance and courage within to prevail over an urge to rush in and just move at your own pace. Sometimes you have to let go of the reins and walk slowly, but confidently to reach a better destination.

“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.” - Benjamin Franklin

The 8 of Cups - The Chariot (Reversed) from the Light-Seer’s Deck by Chris-Anne

The Three of Swords…

This week your whole body and spirit are calling out to clear your conscience and free yourself of past wounds. Funny how the most spiritual disfigurements are attained, not because of the actions of others, but stemming from choices or activity we bring upon ourselves. Sorry for the “Tarot Tough Love”, but it’s time to come clean on the pain we are holding inside - the pain of regret, disappointment and remorse. So, this week you have three chances to pull out a sword in your heart and make amends. This might sound terrifying, but you should feel excited!!! Why hold on to fear and sadness that is stunting your growth? Evolve by owning up. Take responsibility and you will feel liberated. So, what are the three past mistakes that are haunting you most of all?Who needs or deserves that apology more than anyone else? Maybe it’s just a case of your own personal acceptance and self forgiveness? You get to decide. But, do the hard work of repenting - you will be liberated if you do.

“We’re all flawed heroes. Responsibility is power. Take responsibility for the consequences of your actions and the world is yours. Everything is a choice.” - Tom Hiddleston

The 3 of Swords from the Triumph of Life Tarot - Art by Jen Kruch

The Eight of Cups…

The time has come to leave behind disappointments for strange, new opportunities. I know it’s hard to release yourself when you have been working so hard and you feel a deep emotional connection to what you have put in so far, but don’t you want to know what waits behind that mysterious door if you just walk away? This has been an odd and mystifying week, but it’s just a blip in the journey you have found yourself on. However, what lies ahead holds intrigue, excitement and possibility, so don’t even bother looking back as you ascend the stairs to your unknown future. Magic awaits. Trust and climb up to your destiny. Oh! I can’t wait to hear what is waiting for you there…

“When you hold onto a script that doesn’t serve you, you leave no space to write a new one that does.” - Jennifer Ho

The Eight of Cups - Not sure what deck this is, but I love it! Do you know?!?

Four of Cups (Reversed) - Four of Swords (Reversed)…

You may receive news or opportunity that will serve as a wake up call today! Weather it is exciting or shocking news, you are emotionally ready to accept it, but it will be incredibly important for you to turn that unusual gift into action. Your mind will long to disconnect, but focus your thoughts on what lies ahead based on this new twist and turn you are experiencing. If you feel lost, reflect on past decisions and how they enhanced your path thus far and you may find some vital information there on how to move forward. Think of this strange moment as the first stride up a long staircase leading to something bigger. This day may feel raw with your balance off-kilter, but it will prove to be a stepping stone toward a stronger foundation down the line, so don’t shy away. You’ve got this!

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” - Pablo Picasso

The Four of Cups (Reversed) into the Four of Swords (Reversed) from the Rider/Waite/Smith Deck

The High Priestess - Reversed…

With our card of the week being a message from The Hermit, urging us to retreat into a restorative solitude, I think the cards are now insisting we take this seriously! Today is not the day to trust your intuition. The balance of your inner sense of knowing is off. You may feel fine, but underneath the surface there are darker energies clouding your perception. Do not act on instinct. Do not make rash decisions. If you think you know something, think again. Remain very surface today in the way you approach your life and the world around you. If something incredibly important needs addressing today, take a deep breath and say to yourself “this can wait a few days or at least til tomorrow, when I can think with a clearer head and trust my gut.” It’s ok to be a little disconnected. In fact, perhaps you need it in this moment, but you must be aware of the personal limitations in decision making when you are not locked in to the power of your intuition. Nothing is so important that it cannot wait for you.

“Do you have the patience to wait until your mind settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving until the right action arises by itself?” - Lao Tsu

The High Priestess (Reversed) - Artists Rendering on Deviant Art by Dezertrat0010

The Hermit…

This week, curl up to recharge your light. It may feel like all eyes are on you, but even if they are, you need to sneak away and reclaim self in a deep way. Retreat with purpose. If you could nestle in a protective place and rejuvenate your heart with the intent to be reborn, how do you do this? Where are you and what do you need to fully regenerate your spirit? This week is your chance to remove yourself from the chaos of life and submerge yourself in restoration and there are a myriad of methods by which you can do this. Start planning for your perfect mode of solitude - find your best strategy to be embraced by healing energy. Make the time to gestate with the goal of transformation. By the end of the week, let the womb of the universe give birth to the version of you that is longing to emerge.

“Loneliness is the poverty of self. Solitude is the richness of self.” - May Sarton

The Hermit - Art by Olivia Rose

The Queen Of Cups…

Absorb the easiness and power of the water tonight. Go with the flow of what is presented, feel your way into the languorous design of the evening and mesmerize others with your deep, mysterious wisdom. All that you hold within doesn’t need to be displayed to be fully shared. In this moment, your presence is enough. Let others revere and delight in the quiet flow of your spirit. And when they reveal their bottomless secret selves to you, reflect it back to them in a way that helps them find greater understanding. Sound dramatic? Maybe it is. But, drama doesn’t have to be fraught with distress. It can be an indulgence that is sipped leisurely and and fully enjoyed. Have a powerful night, my queens!

“Wise souls speak loudly in silence.” - Anonymous

The Queen of Cups - Artists Rendering by tinycog on Society Six

The Ten of Swords…

Hey Peanuts - you have a choice to make this weekend. When feeling trapped with thoughts descending upon you, are you going to lie there in desperation wondering how the heck to release yourself. If you are like Charlie here, you will, no doubt, remain helpless as this ending approaches bemoaning your fate and feeling forlorn. But, if you adjust your position ever so slightly, you will see the clear dawn on the horizon calling to you to shake you from your funk. So, use those debilitating thoughts as shovels to dig your way out and head for the sunshine. Endings are beginnings and your personal freedom is dependent on how you approach what is thrust upon you. Don’t lay there feeling helpless. Good Grief! A new day awaits. When in doubt think, “What would Snoopy do?”

“I’ve developed a new philosophy. I only dread one day at a time.” - Charlie Brown (by way of Charles Schultz

The Ten of Swords from the Peanuts Tarot Deck - an “unofficial” art project (not a real deck, though I wish it was) - Art by Valerian

The Magician…

Longing for a little magic in your life?!? MAKE IT! You have everything you need at your disposal to enrich your life with enchanting ingredients. A dear friend of mine (who is also a tarot mentor to me - see the quote below) once upon a time introduced me to the idea of “magical metaphors”. It’s entirely possible to turn the most common and mundane activities in your life into conduits for personal sorcery. Not only do you have the opportunity to put a juicy intention out into the world for manifestation, but in doing so life becomes full of hidden delight! You can turn a simple kitchen recipe into a brew for love. A walk in the park can help you visualize personal growth like the grass and trees that surround you! Some mornings, I treat my ferry into NYC as a slow boat ride into my own personal power and when I hit the pavement in Manhattan, my whole being feels ready to take on the work day. Tonight, decide which of your next day’s activity is calling for magic. Then wake up and make it happen, you enchanting wizards! Sweet Dreams!

“Magic is what happens when the blueprint of who you are comes into the alignment with the expanding energy of the universe.”
― Sasha Graham The Magic of Tarot: Your Guide to Intuitive Readings, Rituals, and Spells

The Magician from The Delta Enduring Tarot by Egan

Hierophant - Reversed…

Sometimes we blindly follow to maintain our status quo. Life is so much easier this way - it’s a relief to not have to think too much. But, is it really? If you know deep down in you heart that something isn’t right, how can you just continue to say “yes” and keep your head down? It’s time to really examine the things you believe because you were told to believe them. It’s also time to question the people in power that never ask questions. Let your heart decipher what and who are not to be trusted. Then demand accountability for nefarious ideas, behaviors and actions. It’s time to trust your own gut and speak your mind. You will feel so much better if you do.

“Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” - Maggie Smith

The Hierophant from the Aquarian Tarot by David Palladini

Death…

What truly scares you? If you had to put a name to it, what is your biggest fear in this life? I know you don’t want to think about this, but let’s approach your secret dread with an easy Tuesday attitude. Like a butterfly touches down on a flower, it might be time for you to gently face this fear. Face it without judgement by learning all you can about the thing that terrifies you. Or if it’s something you can safely try, dip your toes in and see how it feels. Often it is only the unknown that gets the heart pounding and pulse racing. Once you have even a little understanding of where that sensation is coming from and what is truly there in the dark, mysterious abyss of the unrevealed, you will gain control over it in a way that frees your spirit. Dive into the hidden realm of your own fright and you will be transformed.

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is to be understood.” - Marie Curie

The Death Card - Image by Cassandra Santori

Ten of Pentacles…

Abundance is defined by Webster’s as “an extremely plentiful or an over sufficient quantity or supply.” It may be time to take stock - what do you need or want more of? Money?!? Ok, but what will money buy you? Love?!? Sure, but what kind of love will be the most fulfilling? Success!? Sure, but what does success mean to you? I like to practice daily positive affirmations and for a while I was jamming on “I deserve abundance”. I DO! We ALL do. But the real question is - abundance of WHAT? True fulfillment is found in more than just money or things - it lies in the essence or the experience that that thing provides you with. Tonight before bed, redefine your own personal affirmation - what is your version of “I deserve abundance”? Fill it in like a madlib (remember madlibs?) - I deserve abundance of a _________ and _________, kind of love because I will _______ when I have it. I deserve abundance of money so I can _________ and _________ with it and it will fill my days with _________.. I deserve success because it will enable me to __________ and _________ and I will feel __________. Now write it, chant it and manifest your “extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply” of everything your heart desires with purpose and meaning.

“Abundance is rich relationships, rich experiences, a rich mind and rich ideas that provide you with a sense of meaning.” - Iyanla Vanzant

The 10 of Pentacles from The Crow Tarot by MJ Cullinane