Ouch that hurt

This looks to be an old tower of isolation.  With the monastic temples at the base of the Tower, it looks to be where one would isolate themselves to in an attempt to purify the mind.  A possible prison of sorts, like being locked away in a tower.  The lighting strike clears away the the old tradition that I have to lock away my intuition indicated with the full moon and trust myself.

Yet another Major card this week.  With the Green Man and the Star and now the Tower I have to say something is up.  Hopefully I won't have some major shake up of a big tower moment, but you never know.  I do spend way too much time on my own and I do need to get out of my tower.
In an attempt to get out more I signed up to take a class to become a adult literacy tutor.  Today I will spend the day in class at the local library with other participants learning how we can be of assistance to others and help them learn to read. Four hours last night and 8 hours of instructions today and then we will be paired up with a individual that has requested assistance.  I love to read and look forward to this new endeavor.   Carp Diem!

THE SACRED CIRCLE TAROT

When you wish upon a star

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do.




Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

When a star is born
They possess a gift or two.
One of them is this
They have the power to make a wish come true.
~DISNEY tune

SACRED CIRCLE TAROT

Release

The 2 of Discs appeared again today so I pulled a second card,  Death has made an appearance.  Appropriately out of choices of the 2 something must give way.  Death is holding a scythe and I also had a scythe in a card last week.  It is a more personal way to cut away or harvest something instead of big machinery.  So I am going to take this that I now really need to choose, this or that and cut the chaff away. 

This is an appearance of a fourth Major this week.  I had the Green Man at first of week, off camera the Druid or the Hierophant, the Star, and now Death. I am in the midst of something that maybe more than I can control; and I do like to be in control, so it can be the cause of my unsettling times.  Death is cutting away and opening space for something new that was hinted at in the Green Man. Prayers and Wishes are not the answer.  The process of change is at hand. I will release the old and move on to the new, cause we all know, you can't fight Death.

THE SACRED CIRCLE TAROT

Fluctuation

Fluctuation is appropriate choice given my life right now.  Up and down, back and forth, this or that.  Whew.  It is all a balancing act.  The blues flu is beginning to lift because my choice is to not let my setback defeat me.  This 2 of Discs reminds me a bit of the scales in Justice.  In the day to day of Life, balance and weigh my options. 

"(Our) psyches and souls have their own cycles and seasons of doing and solitude, running and staying, being involved and being removed, questing and resting, creating and incubating, being of the world and returning to the soul-place."  ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes



THE SACRED CIRCLE TAROT

Star Light Star Bright

What a lovely card The Star.  In most decks that I have, that are presented on other blogs, or other online sites, appears as a beacon, a fortuitous light to show the way.  This card is draped in a swag of rowan berries and a vine of periwinkles are growing up the side.  Stepping in to the card it feels like I have the Star guiding me up the hillside to a sacred circle where wishes are carried in the smoke to the place where they are heard and hope is returned.

I have been going through a bit of a rough patch.  The work we do and the progress we make can seem to come undone in a flash.  Some lingering bit of anger or fear surfaces and I seemed to have gone back to square one.  Which I know is not the case; just something else revealed to me that I need to work through. Then the clouds part and The Star blazes to help me find my way through the darkness. 
I saw a shooting start last Tuesday evening when star gazing. 

"Second Star to the right and straight on till morning." - From Peter Pan

the SACRED CIRCLE TAROT - Anna Franklin and Paul Mason

The Green Man

Todays draw is the Green Man (The Fool) from the Sacred Circle Tarot.   I am relieved to have drawn this card.  This last week and more so the last few days I have slipped in the groove of apathy.  Within this no nothingness state of  'who really cares'  it can be a real bitch just keeping one foot in front of the other.  The helping hands and the scythe yesterday was hopefully a indication that help was on the way to cut away some of if not all of my misery.

He is a bit imposing, and blends in with the rest of the forest.  So hopefully some new venture that I don't have to guess at will be in the offering.  At the very least I need to go hang outside and let this dullness and tinge of hopelessness drain off in to nature.

"The card of the Green Man represents the energy that triggers the process of dawning consciousness arising from discontent and soul searching, the primal force that the seeker encounters and recognizes at a subconscious level."  ~
the SACRED CIRCLE Tarot, a celtic pagan journey
Anna Franklin and illustrated by Paul Mason

Reach Out

  A helping hand when needed will be offered.  Spring is a time of renewal, fresh starts, and new beginnings.  What is planted in the Spring becomes the harvest in the Fall. 
Whether asking or offering, a helping hand is always appreciated.  The work is not so difficult when shared. 

"Encouragement to others is something everyone can give.  Somebody needs what you have to give.  It may be your money, it may be your time.  It may be your listening ear.  It may be your be your arms to encourage.  It may be your smile to uplift.  Who knows?"  ~ Joel Osteen

CELTIC LENORMAND - Chloe McCracken  & Will Worthington

Simple

These two cards express themselves as Simple Pleasures.  A little play is good for all of us, a patch of sunshine, a field of flowers.  Simple things really, but the simple things bring me great pleasure.  With the little boy playing with his boat, the little waves are reminiscent of waves spread out on a lake when a pebble is tossed in.   My thoughts go out from me like ripples in a pond. Its like starting my day with play or good intentions - ie: GREAT another day-YAY, instead of-yuck another day, grrr.  And the cat really does look like the cat that ate the cream.

Today I am not looking for any deeper meaning.   I am going to go play in the sunshine and that will be good enough.
"Games lubricate the body and the mind." ~ Benjamin Franklin

CELTIC LENORMAND - Chloe McCracken & Will Worthington

Trust your instincts

Today I have drawn two canines.  Dog and Fox and Salmon.  My first thought laying them out side by side was of the dog and the wolf in most Moon Cards and the salmon as the crayfish that emerges from the water.
The dog stands at the ready and something has caught her interest.  The fox could represents wiliness and the salmon wisdom, and it feels like the fox was startled by the leaping salmon. There is plenty of water in both cards, so for the day I might want to check in with my emotions and also my gut reaction to any situation that unfolds.

Coming back to the Moon which was my first thought when drawing these two cards, I can see the Dog and Wolf baying at the Moon and then the two pillars in the distance.  My thought is what we do during the day often follows us in to our dreams at night, or maybe our dreams at night follow us in to the light of day.  So these cards are the backside to the Moon; what is beyond the pillars.  Something more for me to think about today.  Instincts, emotions, subconscious reactions. 
There is a Full Moon tomorrow night so maybe I just need to get out and howl at the Moon.

CELTIC LENORMAND  Chloe McCracken and Will Worthington

Something to talk about

My first thought with these cards and the thinking also of the House card yesterday is that this is got to be the cleanest village that ever existed.  Really.  No ruts, no animal droppings, no boulders or piles of rocks, even the straw for the chicken nest is not strewn about.  Its like its a 'stepford village' and lots of brown.  The booklet indicates that these cute little mice are really to be considered thieves since they are eating the stored grain; apparently meant for the chickens and the village. So why did the builder of this hut leave a gateway in for those mice?  The rest of the stonework is meticulous.  I think the chickens know what the mice are up to in the hut and really having a good gossip about the whole situation.

So the easy observation I think is don't let pesky little thoughts and other peoples negative chatter get to me today.   I also have to give some consideration to those numbers and most especially since both cards have the number 7 presented - seven of clubs/wands and seven of diamonds/pentacles.  Defending and knowing who you are; again don't let the idle gossip and other little nuisances I encounter eat away at my confidence.
And with corn in both those pictures I am thinking I saw some nice ears of corn at Krogers the other day, maybe have me some fresh corn on the cob.  Ha!

Working together

House is the caption for first card; it feels more like the Counsel Room.  A gathering place for the different leaders or chieftans to get together and have discussions.  The six shields have different patterns  and it appears that the place keeps an 'Open Door Policy' for everyone.
And the other card is Songbirds.  Who doesn't love to wake up in the morning and listen to the chirps of songbirds welcoming the day.  These three birds appear from different species and have gathered together and share their tunes, songs for the day.

So my sense is for today and actually for most days is, when getting together lets enjoy ourselves.  Though we maybe different and have different views, lets have a conversation and leave those differences at the door.  Sing praise for another and instead of suspecting their motives.  There is much to be gained from finding our common-ness and allow harmony to prevail.

CELTIC LENORMAND - Chloe McCracken  & Will Worhington

I'm okay - You're okay

Snake and Cat, what an unusual pairing. Both are out and about at those liminal times of moonrise and sunrise.  First thing I really noticed in this pairing is that the two are on different sides of the same hill.  The tree above and to the left of both feel like it could be the same tree.  Both are completely at home and comfortable in their natural habitat.  Snake enough so to shed off the old and begin to a new phase and the Cat appears to be quite happy basking in the sunshine in a field of posies.

 What a yawn fest life would be if we were all the same.  We can be unique to ourselves and still coexist.  Like the Snake and Cat, completely different yet they live on the same hill.  The trick is to find your place and thrive.  I have tried to find my own rhythm in life and sometimes that can be challenging when Society loves conformity.  These cards say cast off the old, be true to your nature,  and bask in the Sunshine of your own individuality. 
"Go ahead, be yourself, everyone else is taken."

CELTIC LENORMAND - Writeen by Chloe McCracken  Artwork by Will Worhington

Preperation

These two cards are all about preparing myself for the coming winter.  That is kind of crazy considering that Winter is still visible in the rear-a-view mirror.  The big ole bear has definitely been out of the den for a while and is preparing to have salmon for a late afternoon snack.  The other card also features a time in late summer or early fall and a communal celebration of the bountiful harvest is underway.
Spring is in her full glory and I will enjoy the lengthening days and the shedding of Winter's chill but I also need to think and plan about what "crops" need to be planted to nurture myself as the WHEEL turns.  Sales always requires advanced planning.

As I read over the accompanying booklet it advises that these cards be read in groups of twos or threes.  I usually pull a card for the day but when shuffling the bear 'jumped' out and then I drew my card, so the matter was settled by the cards themselves, two cards it will be for the week and with this deck.  Such rich imagery; if a picture is worth a thousand words, these two pictures can be a short novelette. I want to set on the bank of  the river and watch the bear as she fishes and I could be persuaded to put my work aside and join the others for a late afternoon snack.
The booklet also advises to keep the numbers on the cards in mind.  20 + 15 = 35 reduced to 8. Then there is the 8 + 10 in bottom right corners that equal 18, a higher octave of 8.  The lemniscate is the symbol of the Spiral, repeating patterns, back and forth, cycles, just what we see in the repeating patterns of nature, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

CELTIC LENORMAND - Written by Chloe McCracken  & Artwork by Will Worthington

Listen

"Nemo regere potest, nisi qui et regi ~ No person can lead well unless he has learned to obey."
This Emperor looks likes he was rushed from his morning breakfast to arbitrate some bit of urgent business.  Looks like he is still dressed in his morning attire and house slippers.  He grabbed a couple of his emperor props to make him appear more 'emperorish' to establish his role as the man in charge.   His gaze suggests after listening to whatever needed his attention that "you might want to stop and think about what you just said."  In todays vernacular and slang 'You're kidding me"

Another term "REALLY" comes to mind.  "Really you rushed me to listen to this crappola?"  Everyone has a story and sometimes they just need to be heard.  So for my card of the day, if someone starts a bit of rant, I will take the time to listen to them.  We all  just want to be heard and once we get it off our chest and out of our systems things seem to smooth out. 
LISTEN & SILENT are spelled with same letters, that's something to think about.


THE TAROT OF DURER ~ Lo Scarabeo
concept by Manfredi Toraldo & art by Giacinto Gaudenzi

Perspective

After working so hard to build and maintain our place in the world, it can only take a 'lighting' moment to bring it all down?  This life has been enduring hardship for awhile in the apparent drought and with the fire burning in the backdrop, though the smoke seems to be drifting away and the grounds are not scorched.  The wands out front seem to notate a boundary that indicates a line drawn in the sand...I will do this and not do that. Yet when faced with possible destruction can we change and cross those lines we have drawn?

The tender young ivory indicates yes.  I have said in days past and with some certainty, "no I wouldn't do this or that."  Life changes us and the woman I was at twenty or thirty is not the woman I am today. I have had those Lighting moments and a really large event that altered who I am.  At the core of me maybe much of me is the same, but the edges of me have softened out.  I do allow room for some changes and maybe a little something new. 
If something or someone challenges my way of thinking today, I will give them or the situation the benefit of the doubt.

The Tarot of Durer ~ Lo Scarabeo

Gaze casting

Not your typical King of Pentacles.  This King is ancient and is ready to pass his command to the next.  His direct gaze and green cloak make me think of The Hermit.  Most of us come to a time that the material things in life become not so important and cumbersome, we become more interested in what comes next for us. We turn our gaze inward and ask ourselves, who, what, when, where, and the whys of our lives. I see the four elements in this card, the pentacle for Earth and also present is Fire in the King's scepter, Water in the meandering river, and  hovering above a bird for Air.

"The Planet does not need more successful people.  The Planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, story tellers, and lovers of all kinds."  - The Dalai Lama

Good words, wise words for when we cast off the demands of family and society and begin our search...



The Tarot of Durer  ~ Lo Scarabeo

Interesting Thought

Beginnings.  Apparently this fox family has just come forth from the den.  Mother fox appears thirsty and needs to feed her herself and  to defend her new kits.  With ivy growing around the Ace she has not been in defense mode for awhile.  She needs to be sharp and focused bringing forth her family into the wilds.  There doesn't seem to be any wiliness to this fox, just maternal instincts, which is probably one of the strongest defenses there is.

It takes courage and willpower to bring forth something new.  This Ace notates a possible new thought pattern and sometimes new thought patterns can be unpleasant, mostly because it is safer to just stay with what we know. Life is about expansion coming into this world we start out as defenseless babes yet Life cannot be held back, we roll, crawl, and then begin to walk, moving beyond and expanding. Maybe this card carries a note that some new thought will come to me today and instead of brushing it aside, maybe I need to nurture the new thought and see where it takes me.

The Tarot of Durer  ~ Lo Scarabeo

Spilled Milk

9 of cups is usually portrayed as entitlement, times of plenty, abundance.  Here there are lots of cups and even a few doves in an open cage notating possible abundance with serenity mixed in.  But then there is the spilled milk or beverage.  Even when all is well things can go wrong.  The trick is not to focus on what is not right but on all the good, joy, laughter, love, and peace that does surround us in life.

Also I think when times are good as with innkeeper, have a few people over and share a cup with them.  Today I will try to be that example and share some of the good times, maybe buy a friend lunch, tell a joke, smile at a stranger, be thankful someone held the door for me.  Lots of good things to be grateful for and keep my cups overflowing. 


The Tarot of Durer - Lo Scarabeo

Lions and Tigers, and Bears, oh my

This is an unusual campfire.  Not that campfires are my specialties but one usually lights from the base and the fire burns up and consumes the wood as it burns.  Anyone knows that lighting from the top the fires soon goes out, or in the case of this display the man has to keep adding flame to keep it going.  Maybe it is a flame of warning to the lion in the backdrop.
The Lion beyond looks like the LION KING on Pride Rock.

Not all is as it seems in some situations.  This nine is about personal strength I think,  Be who you are, defend if necessary who you are.  There is a core of strength to each of us; a lion on pride rock.  Later today I have a meeting with a customer-client.  I have worked with them before on several occasions in the 20 years in my Real Estate Career.  The tone of the emails has been a bit haughty and pushy.  For years I tolerated that attitude from so many, not so anymore. That's the forefront flame, trying to intimidate me but I am the lioness and  I will not be pushed around. 

The Tarot of Durer - Lo Scarabeo
Concept by Manfedi Toraldo art by Giacinto Gaudenzi

Well, maybe just this one time

When I first looked at card I saw the two of swords and the fox.  The chicken and the nest with the egg is apparent but was unseen at first glance.  The accompanied (lwb) describes the card as 'Attraction of opposites. Alliances, affinity, associations, cultural circles. Challenges.'  No way is this hen attracted to the fox, or is she?  Is this a case of the fox in the henhouse?

Who hasn't been led astray somewhere along the line by someone or something that was no good for us.  There have been times that I knew I shouldn't do something and did it anyway.  Definitely times when I ate something really decadent that I should not have, but yum. With the two of swords it can literally mean choosing a thought or a thing over another, and which one will I choose. The good or the naughty. This or That?


THE TAROT OF DURER - Lo Scarabeo
concept by Manfredi Toraldo ~ art by Giacinto Gaudenzi

The High Priestess

Her she is again.  Going to think about her.



Much later in day. . . I drew this High Priestess last Saturday as well.  I realized a little bit ago the only thing that was similar is that my niece decided to stop by both days.  Last week she called and asked to come by and use my office for a bit.  This week she call late morning and asked if I would like to go to lunch, my treat of course since she is still in college.
My niece doesn't appear highly intuitive and not much in to secrets, nor spiritual or occult studies, so still clueless.  
She has been studying intently for 6years working toward her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.  So still not sure; still it is the only connection to drawing The High Priestess last Saturday and this Saturday. 

Labels

Mom, Dad, and their beloved child.  What makes a family these days?  Even though I try to avoid all the news broadcasts and all the political mayhem that is spiraling out of control, there is just no escaping some of the information and news reports.  Of all the controversies out there, many are challenging what defines the American Family.  So much fear so much anger from so many people shouting that their way is the right way.  What happened to the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius?

I grew up in a typical Catholic family  Mom, Dad, and seven children.  Too many children?  That would have been my parents business not anyone else's.  Byron Katie wrote about 3 kinds of business.  God's business, Others business, and My business.  I try to stay in my business.  When someone out there does something I may not agree with I remind myself, that that is their business.   I have enough to do in my own life, than to want to live someone else's.

Yesterday I drew the 10 of Spring and today 10 of Autumn, so something in my life is ending and beginning.  Hope it is fun!

FAIRY TAROT CARDS  - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

Fun is Fundamental

Yesterday evening I went out to dinner with a couple of friends.  I had not seen them for several months, so a visit was long over due.  One of them asked me what I doing to have some fun?  Both of these people were there and helped out during my recovery and both are aware that I don't get out as much as I used to, so it was a good question.  Before the accident I was out and about, doing a bit of this and that. Not so much since.  Sure for a couple of years it was all about recovery, now I stay home more sheltered from Life than I should.  So this Ten of Spring(Wands) reads more like a reversed card.  The caption 'All work and no play' doesn't quite work.

I don't work that hard anymore, one because I cannot do the 60 or 70 hours that I used to and really what is all that work about?  With my tornado encounter I learned the lesson that a bunch of stuff can be gone in a second.  The work I do now is for what I need, not what I want.  I need a roof over my head not the Taj Mahal, dependable transportation, food clothing... and well we all know our basics.  But the one basic in Life that seems to be in short supply is Fun. The adage of 'All work and no play' makes Carolyn a dull girl.  Well I am not all work but I sure don't play enough. Something for me to think about, as I get my dust cloth out and do a little house work. Maybe I will put on some music and dance my way through the dusting.

FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

Viewpoints

I kept yesterdays Eight of Autumn/Earth in my thoughts most of day.  Looking for the story, advice, suggestion, or parable that the card had hinted at.  So of course I drew the same card today since it was front and center of my awareness.  I also drew a companion card to the Eight of Autumn;  Balance. In some decks  she is Temperance,  and I look at Temperance a lot of times as my Guardian Angel coming through with reassurance and of course a  reminder that a have a Guardian Angel.  In this card of Balance she is the younger version of the aged storyteller in Eight of Autumn.

The caption at the bottom of the card of Balance ~ 'Take everyone's input into consideration.  Merge viewpoints to create a better solution.  Take your time-there's no need to rush'.
Fine words of wisdom and I am thinking that is what the Grandmother Fairy is telling the younger Fairy.  Good words. Throughout my years I have received lots of advice from all sorts of people - parents, teachers, friends, and other well intentioned individuals.  Ultimately I choose.
Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to work I go.

FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

Wait for it

Sometimes all I need to do is to just show up.  Always trying to figure out what it is next.  What should I be doing, what needs to be done?  Maybe nothing more than showing up.  Let someone else make a decision.  Let someone with a different type of wisdom make the choice.  Here is a Elder Fairy sharing and teaching some of those stories to a younger fairy, maybe her granddaughter.

For today I will stop, look, and listen for something that makes its way to me.  A story or parable that is shared.  Some words of wisdom that will help me along my way.  I feel somewhat at a crossroads; more like a path that branches.  Either path is a good choice yet the indecision causes some anxiety.  Maybe that is why there has been multiple drawings of  the Six of Spring, a rider on her unicorn.  I am dressed up and ready to go but, WHICH WAY?  After completing certain objectives how can we choose whats next, when there is so much to choose from?

"When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new." - The Dalai Lama

FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

Six of Spring

I decided to stay with the same deck as last week, mostly because the imagery really speaks to me.  I just got this deck at Christmas for a gift for myself and enjoy my walk through the Tarot with these Fairies joining me on the way.  Today I drew the Six of Spring, again, and I drew this same card last week twice. Six of Spring, last Wednesday, Thursday, and today.  Three times within such a short time needs my attention. 

My Astrology forecast for the year has me in a Saturn Trine Mars period, from April 1-20, which is supposed to b a marvelous feel good time.  So I am just going ride the wave and enjoy myself.  Maybe use the card caption as  my Affirmation choice for the week.  Reminds me of the saying  'What You Think About, You Bring About' - nothing wrong with success and celebration and smart rewarding choices.
I love Unicorns.


FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

Wait and see

I am really not getting much from this card.  I am a bit muddled this morning.  Stayed up late into the night into the wee hours of  the morning reading.  I do that from time to time, immerse myself in a book and then time ceases to exist; just one more page and then its 3am.
This Ace of Summer/Cups is about the beginning of some new love(ly) interest. 
Just going to wait and see what the day brings, maybe some unexpected fun and joy. 

FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

Book of Secrets

Today the High Priestess has presented herself.  I don't often draw the High Priestess and so I am going to really pay attention to how my day unfolds.  When drawing any of the Majors I have to think something a bit more important in my day to day dealings is going to occur, and with the High Priestess some clear bit of advice, some secret revealed, some mystery clarified, or maybe some written correspondence will help me along my way.

I am always looking for some clear understanding of my Life as I know it.  I think that we are born with everything we need to know and it does take a lifetime opening those doors within myself to discover that secret knowledge and wisdom within. 
"Trusting your intuition.  Careful reflection before taking action.  Insights that come through meditation"  those words on the card are good advice for me today.  Secrets and truths are within me, I am my own 'Book of Secrets'.

"We all live in suspense, from day to day, from hour to hour, in other words, we are the Hero of our own story." - Mary McCarthy

FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

This or That

This little Fairy boy has been told to choose.  This instrument or that?  He apparently is a music apprentice and now comes the time to choose what instrument he must master.  I tend to like the lilting ethereal haunting misty music that calls to something long past that lingers in my soul.  Whether it be classical, bold and brassy, salsa swing, rock hard, or a little jazzy, somewhere someone had to choose what really moved them and then they worked on perfecting their sound.

The problem with choosing especially so young is, will it be the right choice?  And that is the hook isn't it?  We think that once we choose there is no turning back, that our path is laid before us. Sometimes the choice is clear but other times, not so much; so indecision sets and that's why quarters were made.  So for today if presented  with a choice that has to be made I will remember to give myself sometime to contemplate what is really best for me.

And never make a decision based on fear.

FAIRY TAROT CARDS - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine