Three of Pentacles…

Get ready to fly in to help others as you all discover a way to build a better weekend! Your softest and sweetest qualities are necessary to create something that is enriching and lasting for all involved. Allow your mind to dream bigger than what is right in front of you. Voice your ideas like a song and others will join in the tune. Whatever you are working on crafting, the most important part is recognizing that it isn’t the end result that matters, but rather the memory of how you inspired growth within the people involved. Assembling something beautiful from a stagnant and depleted situation is incredible, but the true magic is found in the blossoming of the spirits that collaborate in the effort. Now go collaborate!!!

“Design isn’t just about making things beautiful; it’s also about making things work beautifully.” - Roger Martin

The Three of Pentacles from The Tarot of Mystical Moments by Catrin Welz-Stein

The Ace of Cups…

A big beautiful question for a Thursday…What is your “Holy Grail”? What is your noble quest? Would you define it as a thing or is it a feeling that you are after? The gift that is presented in the Ace of Cups is not the cup itself, but what is spilling out from inside. If you were handed joy, happiness, love, completion and life everlasting within a beautiful chalice, would you drink knowing that it also comes with great challenges and incredible responsibility? We are all gifted this opportunity when we are given our chance at life. How we choose to advance in the direction of emotional fulfillment is up to us. It’s true that some of us are presented with a more difficult journey as we venture in the direction of personal completion, but we are all on the same quest at the end of the day. Keep this in mind today and always. Knowing that your quest, your difficult journey, parallels the experience of those around you, can help you to absorb the energy of others in a more holistic way. Also, meditate on the deeper meaning of your own “holy grail” and you may find you are closer to fulfillment than you thought.

“You must choose and choose wisely. For as the true grail will bring you life, the false grail will take it from you.” - From Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade

The Ace of Cups from the Tarot Illuminati by Kim Huggens & Eric C. Dunne

The Death Card…

A big, beautiful message calling out to us today!!! That which scares you most can be your salvation. This day may present you with an opportunity to examine your avoided and dreaded terror of change. Identify your greatest resistance and focus in on the “why” of your fear. Channel your inner rebel and dare yourself to stare that fear directly in the face and you may find it’s no match for you. Take a risk and move in the direction of walking through the fire that materializes in your mind. In confronting what is holding you back, you will allow for a myriad of new colors to emerge from within. Let them take flight and give yourself permission to release those firmly held beliefs that have built a wall between you and your own dynamic self. Change is frightening, but change is calling. Master it by greeting it with openness and defiance. The unknown transformation concealed behind your panic and trepidation is elation and freedom.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” - Nelson Mandela

The Death Card - Artist Rendering on Deviant Art by Taylor-the-Weird

The Five of Cups - Reversed…

Tension has been building and you haven’t really wanted to face the emotional consequences of what is in front of you nor have you been able to see what is truly available to you in this moment. I can feel the anguish filling your well…I feel it myself! But, tonight, let’s let the emotional waterfall run free and rid ourselves of any sadness, fear, doubt and toxicity that we have allowed ourselves to drink and retain. How shall we do this? Lets run water - from the faucet, from the shower, pour it out of a bottle or fill the bathtub, have a warm bath and let the water drain away. I know this sounds wasteful, but you only need a little bit to let run down the drain with all of your woes and sorrows. Really imagine you are saying goodbye to the negative energy that is holding you back! Once you are done eat something sweet under the Full Strawberry Moon. And fill yourself with delicious and satisfying thoughts and feelings of what is yet to come. May your dreams be filled with sweet happiness and when you wake up may all your cups be full!

“Because no matter how tough the world becomes, you must never run out of sweetness.” - Bernardo Kath

The 5 of Cups (Reversed) - Art by Laura Velasco

Ten of Wands - Reversed…

I see a theme emerging for our week with today’s card. That burden we are carrying - is it truly ours? Why are we keeping it so close to the chest and allowing it to block our beautiful faces from the sun? This weight - this feeling of heaviness has been thrust upon us, but we don’t have to choose to lug it around. Some things we can do…delegate and share the responsibility, share our feelings about the situation, choose one of the many things in our pile to focus on, pass it along to someone else, put it down for now and come back to it later and finally, JUST SAY NO and hand it back. I, for one, will not accept blame and responsibility for something that isn’t my mess today! There, I said it! And, you should do. Lay down your load and create space for a better day - you deserve it.

“Value yourself according to the burdens you carry, and you will find everything is a burden.” - James Richardson

The 10 of Wands (Reversed) from the Joie De Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy

Five of Pentacles…

Five of Pentacles for the week ahead is not what I had in mind. Nevertheless, it is what was pulled this morning. Funny, though, how when you let a card sit and you have a day to meditate on it, what message can rise to the surface that surprises you. I had a full day of teaching Tarot classes for Uncommon Goods, which is always a real treat for me, but today was even more enriching than I had anticipated. You see, in sharing this art form that I love so dearly, the rewards are incredibly fulfilling, and today’s classes were especially meaningful. One thing that I’ve never quite admitted to others is that I am someone who has always felt a bit on the “outside” of things in life and existence, which is sometimes a good thing, but often quite alienating. The Five of Pentacles reminds us that in our darkest times of trouble, doubt and alienation, if we just look for it, help, inclusion and support is there. Today in class, while working with so many exciting, new readers it became clear how MUCH a part of something I am. The give and take of teaching (let’s face it, sometimes I learn more from those that take the class than I can hope to instill in them) is quite restorative and up-lifting. Sharing with others does have the power to heal and inspire all involved. So, if this is our card of the week - when we find ourselves feeling hardship and division (and we may encounter this this week), it’s not the time to hide in solitude feeling self-pity. It’s actually a calling to share of self - what you have to offer might be the medicine someone else needs to heal and restore and isn’t that what life is all about? Make yourself give and don’t expect anything in return, but you will find you are surprised by the myriad of rewards that become available to you. Don’t hide in the darkness - share your light.

“To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable. To make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength.” - Criss Jami

The 5 of Pentacles from the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

Knight of Pentacles - Reversed…

You may feel very settled and grounded in your finances, but today is not the time to spend. Your security and financial health may not be as secure as you believe it to be, so err on the side of caution. Avoid any rash decisions or risky actions regarding your money. I know you REALLY want to indulge on that new item or book that flight to escape, but just hold off for now. When the timing is right, you will know it. Play it safe today and maybe into the next week. There are plenty of ways to have fun, be free and feel glamorous that don’t involve a spending binge. In fact, I know I’m posting this late, so I hope I caught you before you dropped that cash…if not, is it returnable? Sorry for the buzzkill…

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” - Warren Buffett

The Knight of Pentacles (Reversed) from Sawyer’s Path Tarot by Jamie Sawyer

Eight of Cups - Reversed…

Use this weekend to slowly stroll into past haunts - the ones you thought you had abandoned. Revisit those old neighborhood hangouts, reconnect with friends you were sure you had moved on from and if you want to, recall past loves, even the ones you swore to banish from your mind and heart. Why? Why not. Sometimes we just need to relive, re-experience and remember. In this revisiting of places and people you had left behind, what had you forgotten about yourself? Walking into your past can be incredibly revealing. So, as you welcome that which you pushed away, what are you rediscovering about who you were and are, why you left and what you truly want and need. You may find there were elements available to you that were perfectly fulfilling, but you just weren’t ready for them. You can’t move back in time and stay there, but you can claim the pieces of your emotional life that you love but left behind so you can move forward with greater clarity of heart. Have a divine weekend of exploration!

“The past will be your teacher if you learn from it; your master if you live in it.” - Dr. Steve Maraboli

The Eight of Cups (Reversed) from the Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso

The Fool - Reversed…

When you are reacting toward life in a reckless way, you must take a step back and reassess your approach. I admit, I am a giant advocate for living life in the moment and taking each day as it comes, but if you take this to an extreme, you will find yourself feeling like you are dangling precariously on the edge of no return. So, tonight’s assignment is about looking into your future with a truly adult perspective. Go to the mirror, stare into your beautiful rebellious eyes and ask yourself, “Do I feel secure in what awaits me past this year, month, day?” “How can I better equip myself for the challenges that like will undoubtedly hurl at me, while also maintaining my fancy and free air?” I think your reflection may let you know that in order to sustain the ability to be spontaneous, you must have both feet on the ground and respect the advice and love of your most honorable companions. I know…this is NO fun to hear, but if you truly want an enriching existence, it’s time to ground yourself, take control and plan for the future.

“Adulting is too hard. Let’s play something else.” - Tanya Masse

The Fool (Reversed) from The Witches Tarot by Ellen Dugan and Mark Evans

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?!?