Swords, Swords and more Swords…

I needed clarity on a Monday, so that was the question I posed to the deck for us. Pulling the Seven of Swords (Reversed) first was like being plunged into further confusion and chaos. So, I politely asked again….and again…and then I knew I needed to stop. When you are reading for yourself, you sometimes just don’t get the information you need or want and then there are those moments where you feel like your deck just wants to submerge you in disinformation and laugh at you. (Thank you, Deck.) But, perhaps the true message for us all is that, in this moment, clarity is overrated. To have choices may seem exciting, but will you ever really know where they will lead you anyway? I know, a frightening thought on a Monday, but life’s unknowns are what keeps things exciting and if we had all the answers in advance, where’s the fun of it? Embrace the hidden mysteries of your current existence. Choose to laugh along.

“When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.” - Mark Twain

The Seven of Swords (Reversed) into the Two of Swords into the Page of Swords (Reversed) from The Rider/Waite/Smith Tarot

The Six of Wands…

Splash around in new ideas about personal impact, if you want to feel victorious this week. Expand your circle and find unexpected ways to connect what you do to new environments. Remain confidently inquisitive about the possibility of reaching an even wider audience with your freshly creative approach. Doing what you love is enough, but let your fire and ambition swim in far reaching pools, so you can truly have the influence that will make a difference. Outreach is a key component of your success, so gracefully broaden your circles. If you dedicate yourself to this level of development and diversification, you may find yourself being celebrated more deeply than you had thought possible.

“You were born to convert the evaporating life into some impact on humanity.” ― Sunday Adelaja

The Six of Wands from The Ostara Tarot
by Eden Cooke, Krista Gibbard, Julia Iredale & Molly Applejohn

The Emperor into the Ace of Wands (Reversed)…

Everything feels like a power play to you this weekend and, yes, you do have a strong strategy. However, your traditional approach in a certain situation may result in a missed opportunity. Adhering to societal norms regarding relationships by playing games to get what you want has worked in the past, but this time you are at a severe disadvantage when you set that tone with another. This chance for a taste of love is far too delicate and fleeting - it or they won’t respond to your cool brand of control and analytical frame of mind. I know it sounds dangerous for someone who feels they always have the next move, but maybe splash around in the uncertainty of unknown potential this weekend. You don’t want to miss out on a really exciting chance to light up your heart or light the heart of another…

“Don’t play games if you can’t afford to lose.” - Germony Kent

The Emperor into The Ace of Cups Reversed from The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne

Six of Cups - Reversed…

Summertime nostalgia can strike in mysterious ways. Why are you resisting the sweetness of your inner child? Reminiscing can be a wonderful map to take you on a journey closer to what will fill your spirit with joy. In fact, don’t look outside of yourself for ideas - consult with that tiny tot - that former version of self that still dwells inside of you and you might be surprised to find that the simplest of things will deliver pure happiness…running through a sprinkler, fresh squeezed lemonade, a cherry bomb ice pop melting down your hand! Oh - what about chasing fireflies through the forest or building a fort in the living room? Perhaps you need a little sand art or to pull out that coloring book? Get on a swing - what are you waiting for? For me, nothing cheers me more immediately than cherry cola chapstick (which I always have readily available) or spotting a ladybug. Get creative today - you deserve a little pick-me-up and your inner child may hold the key - the skate key, that is…

“Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.” - Katie Ellmore

The Six of Cups from The Housewives Tarot by Judy Buffum and P. Kepple

The Five of Cups - Reversed…

I was feeling a little wicked on this Wednesday, so I decided to pull from my darkest deck - The Dark Wood Tarot. But, to my surprise, it delivered a surprisingly bright message. Recently, we have been feeling a grey dullness that is stemming from an unnamed sense of guilt and shame. Likely this is our way of internally working through some past trauma and getting stuck in a cycle of re-experiencing only the worst of it. Today we can expect to make a breakthrough in identifying the source of these wounds that have reopened without our consent. It’s a good day to start treating and dressing these hidden injuries, so we can focus on what is salvageable and destabilize our emotions. If we are to do this in a wicked way, how should we go about this? Perhaps if we write down all that has afflicted us in this way and find a place to bury it in its own unmarked tomb? And, if there was anyone associated with this maliciousness, maybe you should bury a picture of them with it and symbolically shut them away in darkness. Yep - let’s put it all to rest without much pomp or circumstance. It and/or they have taken up enough of our time already. As you shovel the dirt on top, pay attention to how the light starts to flow in all around you.

“The more guilt and shame that we have buried within ourselves, the more compelled we feel to seek relief through sin.” - Brennan Manning

The Five of Cups (Reversed) from The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham and Abigail Larson

Knight of Wands (Reversed) - Ten of Pentacles (Reversed)…

Holidays like the 4th of July which bring friends and family together, also highlight a wider perspective on what you wish to leave behind. Today whether you are surrounded by loved ones or just relaxing on your own, you will find your mind and heart wandering into the future as you sift through memories of the past. It becomes clear that what you hope for yourself and all future generations is not yet fully realized in your spirit. You can dream today - let the fire within solidify a strong vision for the direction you hope your own legacy will inspire. But, also recognize that dreaming will only take you so far. You soon must take action on initiating the footprint of your destiny. What path can you launch for the benefit of yourself and all those you cherish? All you need is one step forward this week. Hold onto your past and bring the present with you as you step into the future with a plan for something greater. Connect more deeply to what is possible for you and those you love. Allow the fireworks to ignite your motivation and let sparks fly as you set out on a journey toward fulfillment for all. In doing so, you will realize that the richness of life can be found most of all not in the items, but in the memories left behind .

“Carve your name on hearts, not Tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” - Shannon L Adler

The Knight of Wands (Reversed) into The Ten of Pentacles (Reversed) from The Slow Tarot by Lacey Bryant

Knight of Cups into Justice (Reversed)…

I went to pull a card for our week ahead and as I grabbed my deck, these two cards flew out and fell at my feet. Seems like we are going to charge into this week with emotional drive and noble determination. We will be moving through a varied landscape, but we are ready to conquer, leading with charm and refinement and an undeniable sense of rebellion. We may think we know where we are headed and have a very specific expectations for our end result, but expect a big shock by the end of the week. One that will change your entire moral code. Values and notions of right vs. wrong will be turned on their head. Suddenly, you will see things in a whole new way. Unfair? Maybe. Fair? Maybe. You will have to decide exactly what you stand for, but what you ultimately discover will surprise your very core and you will carry the weight of that for weeks to come. But, it’s clear you must wear this new and different kind of armor in order to advance.

“When your mind is full of assumptions, conclusions and beliefs, it has no penetration, it just repeats past impressions.” - Sadhguru

The Knight of Cups into Justice (Reversed) from The Rider/Waite/Smith Tarot Deck.

The Ten of Wands…

Feeling a little monstrous today? Are you overwhelmed, burdened, put-upon, over-exerted and generally cranky? Welp, stop taking on more than you are capable of handling and definitely do not over-burden yourself to fulfill the imaginary needs of all the other monsters around you. Maybe you are overcompensating for the inner monster you hide away? Don’t be the hero - let the monster in you have a break. You have earned it. Now, stop what you are doing - go out and make silly mischief, you crazy monster. Let yourself be free. Happy Saturday!

“Today me will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant, in which case me will eat a cookie.” - Cookie Monster

The 10 of Wands from The Monstarot by Joanna Nelson

The Eight of Cups…

Magic is on your horizon this weekend, but to find it you may have to journey off of your current path and away from the familiar. In fact, you may find yourself saying goodbye to something or someone that is not fulfilling your current expectations. Walking away is also walking toward, my friends. Don’t forget it. I was struck by the ladybug on this version of the card. I found this little piece of lore online regarding ladybugs, “If a ladybug is held in the hand while making a wish, some believe the direction that it flies away shows from where your luck will come.” This weekend, be the ladybug. Don’t wait for your wish, when you find yourself yearning for something different or something more. Walk in the direction of your luck. Follow the unknown path toward a greater existence, venturing away from the idea of fulfillment and toward the realization of your dreams. Take it one step at a time until you are ready to spread your wings and fly.

"Ladybugs all dressed in red, strolling through the flower bed. If I were tiny just like you, I'd creep among the flowers too!”- Maria Fleming

The Eight of Cups from The Tarot of Mystical Moments by Catrin Welz-Stein

The Hanged Woman - Reversed…

You have been feeling sustained above everything - like your life is one big holding pattern and you are waiting for the right moment to release yourself. Today something happens to offer you a glimpse of future potential and you are released ever so slightly from those constraints. It’s just a taste of what is possible and you know it, but it is a pivotal moment because it’s up to you to decide how you will respond. Will you stand upright and walk toward this chance with confidence? Will you dance, bend and flex to create a beautiful shape with your heart that will welcome the unknown? Don’t recoil and tie yourself back up - all you need to do is say “hello” and see what or who is there. Bound or unbound, you are beautiful…but you know better than anyone how much you ache for freedom, change and the gorgeous promise of something else.

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Carl Bard

The Hanged Woman from Under The Roses Tarot by Kendra Hurteau and Katrina Hill

The Queen of Swords - Reversed…

I woke up feeling like something was missing in my world on a Thursday, so I asked for all of us, “What should we invite more of into our lives?” Seems like a little less mental control could come in handy. For the next few days, see if you can be more spontaneous in your approach. Take action, even if you don’t have the plan fully worked out in your mind. Don’t feel like you have to to take charge and burden so much responsibility for the benefit of others around you. Just do things as you want in the moment. Let your experience come to you and then enjoy it in a way you feel suit you best. Leave logic behind, if you must. Lead with the heart and take action before you have all the information. Sound dangerous to you? It just might be the missing energy you need right now…

“Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.” - John McLaughlin

“A planned life is a dead life.” - Lauren Bacall

The Queen of Swords (Reversed) - Art by Sushilla Burgess

Five of Pentacles (Reversed) & Two of Wands (Reversed)…

Past regrets emerge today, but it may be because you must confront them to understand the root cause. Though you strive to take action toward a more adventurous and exhilarating life, the true map to change your journey lies within your past mistakes. There were far too many times that you choose self pity over self advancement. Indulging in your own sorrows has proven to be a huge hurdle for your younger self. You had the key all along to unlocking a more exciting existence and if you truly study the past, you will see it’s not too late to open those doors. It’s not always fun admitting to yourself that you have been your own greatest obstacle, but if you cannot openly examine your personal pitfalls, how can you ever truly hope to change? Also, respect the choices you made - honor and be kind to your past self, but recognize that you don’t have to be them anymore. Don’t dwell on what cannot be undone. Just start saying “yes” when you have the inclination to say “no” because of self-doubt, fear or the unfortunate misbelief that you are not a part of things. It’s time to move forward, but first you have to come to terms with your past.

“If we don’t respect the past, we’ll find it harder to build a future.” - Julian Fellowes

The 5 of Pentacles (Reversed) into The 2 of Wands (Reversed) from the Light Seer’s Deck by Chris-Anne

The Tower…

Have you felt a bit like life is out of control today and everything is just out of your reach? It’s not the best way to start the week, but if you just give in and let your world free fall a bit, you will begin to understand that, despite the chaos, you are protected. Unforeseen forces are hard at work to make sure that as you release, you will land safely - maybe not softly, but definitely safely. So, give in to the nosedive and let things crumble around you. Tomorrow you will be back on your feet with a whole new strategy and you may be surprised how relieved you feel. Think of the madness of this Monday as a reset and let yourself drift toward a better strategy.

“In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order.” - Carl Jung

The Tower or “release” from The Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy

The Eight of Swords…

You may find yourself lost in the maze of your mind this weekend. Challenges you thought you had successfully evaded will creep their way back into your psyche and demand your attention. As you sift through these goblins, it is important to remember that though you may be forced to face your inner demons on your own….you are not alone. Sometimes our circumstances press us to confront that which we work hard to avoid. The first step in this process will always be to look within one’s self and try to come to an understanding of what truly lingers there. This is the part that can feel quite lonely, right? You may find yourself wondering, “why me” or “why can I just” or “when will I be able to…” and this can lead you into an isolated mindset. But, there is always someone very nearby thinking all of the same things. They are also working hard to find their way out of their own puzzle. Don’t wander further into the darkness. Recognize that you are just doing the hard work required to advance toward the light. When you finally emerge, you may be welcomed by a kindred soul - a person who you didn’t even realize would understand what you were going through. Hang in there!

“We are not responsible for every thought that goes wandering through our mind. We are, however, responsible for the ones we hold there. We’re especially responsible for the one’s we put there.” - Peter McWilliams

The 8 of Swords from The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Losche

The Page of Pentacles - Reversed…

Did you wake up this morning with a strange sense of dread in the pit of your stomach? Are you feeling a mysterious emptiness that you just can’t shake? There are some days when an unusual ennui sets in and you just can’t pin point where it’s coming from or understand why it’s haunting you. I felt this way this morning, so I asked my deck for more information. We may have lost touch with the joy of enterprise. Somehow, we have allowed our personal creativity to drift away from us and this has smothered the excitement we experience with it. In a sense, we have restricted our inner child when it comes to a project or pursuit attached to money. We may be convinced this is in service to what is at stake, but the potential for fulfillment and abundance is so much greater if we bring more of that childish, explorative nature to our goal. Perhaps we are listening to another person’s ideas on how to succeed in this venture and we have lost the core of what it means to us and the promise for growth it once held. It’s okay to spend the day here in this dark cloud of nothingness, shrouded in doubt and feeling empty, but if we don’t want to live here, it’s time to invite that inner child back to our adventure. Think, tonight, on how you can reconnect with that tiny, wholesome spirit that still dwells within.

“The only horrible thing in the world is ennui.” - Oscar Wilde

The Page of Pentacles (Reversed) - Art by Man Graves on Etsy

The Sun…

How lucky are we?!? We keep on drawing The Sun! This must mean, that even if we don’t yet feel it, our lives are about to light up with positivity! When I say we “draw” the sun - I don’t just mean the card - what we expect often finds us based on how we approach the world around us. So today, no matter what you are experiencing or what is on your agenda, take a minute to let the sun in. Metaphorically, pull up the shades that keep you blinded and see the shared light of the world pour in. As you are out and about, notice the flowers that grow tall toward the sky and recognize all that you have in common. Feel gratitude for the juicy fruit and veg you indulge in on your lunch break, provided for you by…the sun. We all need and use the sun collectively, so perhaps this means you should reach out to those around you and share in a small moment of togetherness to boost your spirit. Or, letting the sun in could be a simple as closing your eyes and dreaming about the calming warmth of a beach you have visited, the memory of which will fill you with joy. Just simply invite the sun and you may be astounded by how that simple invitation illuminates a whole new perspective for you! Have a sunny Wednesday!

“Awaken the sunshine within you.” - Asad Meah

The Sun Card - Found on Pinterest and it filled me with joy - do you know what deck this is?

Ten of Swords - Six of Wands (Reversed)…

You have been through quite an ordeal! It was challenging in ways you hadn’t expected and you felt stunted and wounded by the end of your experience - but, it is over! Officially done. Today you will begin to understand that what you have been through, which you thought would lead you toward greater respect and notice, was actually more about internal growth of will power. You now know that you don’t need all that superficial recognition. You can be proud of your own perseverance and determination and feel even more fulfilled on the inside without the fanfare of others. The power of this internal growth will allow you to find much more strength of spirit as you venture in a new direction. Relish in the self-reflection. Celebrate yourself and your unbreakable soul to prepare for your next big adventure. It must feel like such a relief to no longer have to rely on the validation of others and instead be fueled by the fire of your own self-approval. It’s a whole new you on a Tuesday!

“Needing approval is like saying ‘You’re view of me is more important than my own opinion of myself.’” - Wayne Dyer

The Ten of Swords into The Six of Wands (Reversed) from The Sacred Rose Tarot by Johanna Gargiulo-Sherman

The Sun…

No matter what kind of weather pattern you find yourself in this weekend, let the light of your spirit shine with warmth and optimism. It may be difficult - some of the storminess you have to face, but inside of you is courage like fire and the fiery desire for something blazing and brilliant. You deserve the brightest of times, so if you are not receiving enough Vitamin D from the universe - create your own and dole it out everywhere you go. You have the power inside your heart that can light up any grey or tempestuous moment that strikes. So, let the clouds descend, if they must - they are no match for your personal glow. Combat any sense of negativity with hope and fullness of life. Dance in the warmth of your own joy. Open your entire being, so that others will feel your rays fill the world around you. This weekend, you are the sun, my friends, so shine on…

“The Sun himself is weak when he first rises, and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.” - Hamlet - William Shakespeare

The Sun from The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne

Six of Swords - Reversed…

All dressed up and nowhere to go? This Thursday will present you with roadblocks and knock the wind out of your sails. What you had planned to do and where you had hoped to be going, well, it won’t be moving forward at this moment and it might not happen at all. It may be disappointing to realize that you are at stand still and simply cannot move forward. Your mind will definitely feel the anxiety and frustration of this reality most of all. But see if you can calm your thoughts. The universe usually has reasons for these momentary stalemates and last minute cancellations. So, take a pause and trust that the reason will soon be revealed and the wind will eventually change to help propel you forward in a potentially different direction. Hey - if nothing else, relish in the fact that you look totally fabulous as you wait…

“All that is important comes in quietness and waiting.” - Patrick Lindsay

The Six of Swords (Reversed) - Art by Ethony

The Emperor…

I’m not surprised that this card is popping up today, with all of the political posturing on the news. There are so many different kinds of energies positioning themselves to be the ultimate rule setter -the head honcho of the free world. Sometimes when this card presents, it reflects a set standard of power - reliable, dependable and honorable. However, sometimes it requires us to challenge the rule of law and those appointed to decide it. Today, take a look at the people of power in your world and ask some questions. Poke them a bit. What is residing underneath their unbending demands, may feel a bit discolored. Challenge them and if you feel it’s necessary, provoke them. When it comes to power intention is everything. Make them clarify their personal agenda. You don’t have to always be the yes-man, especially when you prefer to scream, “NO!” Best way is not to scream no, but very gently ask them, “Why?” and keep asking that question until you get an honest answer.

“Power doesn’t corrupt people. People corrupt power.” - William Gaddis

The Emperor - Not sure what deck this is, but found the image just right for today’s Emperor pull. Do you know?