The masks we wear

"There is no way to leave the past behind. Each step wears down the shoe just a bit, and so shapes the next step you take, and the next, and the next. Your past is always under your feet. You cannot hide from it, run from it, or rid yourself of it. But you can call it up, and come to terms with it. Are you willing to do that?" ~ Aeclectic Tarot





The Linestriders's Journey Tarot
Siolo Thompson

Expansion, contraction

What we focus on expands.  We have all heard this.  Our focus is the compass for the path we take.  It is challenging to monitor our focus constantly to keep us in the clear.  Such much negativity, fear, hate, and anger swirling around us, that some is bound to cling.  The work must begin with ourselves where there is always room for improvement.   A prayer for other helps too.

Reminders

The lovely mermaid has opened her chest of jewels and trinkets, reminding herself of the wonder of her life.  She has found and collected lost and forgotten bits of this n that in her
water-world. 
Sometimes I need to remind myself of all the good in my life.  Gratitude is the Abracadabra! 

From where I sit

So many people cards this week.  Many with much to say.  Will I listen?  Sometimes, but I will admit, I almost never listen to what old men have to say.  They administer and admonish from their platforms, which are not the same as mine.  Occasionally there can be good information, with their long history of experience.  Offered yes, demand no.
Now I am becoming the "old" or older and my advice and experience needs only be offered if asked.  Something for me to keep in mind.

Compare, select

Worry less. Count your blessings more.
We can choose our reaction to the shadows. 
Woe is me, or say to oneself, I can do this. 
Grab a hold of the good and let go of the things that don't work.

Easy peasy

The Queen of Cups has joined the King who stopped by yesterday.  His stability with her support is a win-win situation.  I have several issues that have parked on my doorstep and this Watery Pair are reminding me not to let my emotions get the better of me.  Let the solutions flow to me and so far they have.  Like my watery cousins, ride the waves and not swim against the tide.  Easier going that way.
With the Queen's meditative pose she also may be suggesting that quiet contemplation is also an acceptable response.

Questionable

Wonder what watery business the King of Cups has with me today?  Poseidon or Neptune?  With The World positioned the first day of the week, I guess he has joined me to help with any emotional stability I may need. Besides that it always helpful to have someone along to that is supportive.
Watching the news this morning and all the reports about people flocking to the beach, I wonder what are they thinking?  Wonder how they will feel about themselves when they become ill or others in their group-along are stricken.  I love the beach and being near the water, but even with my much appreciation of the water-world, I would not venture out amongst the crowds.

Synthesis

And just like that a piece of the puzzle fell into place.  Yesterday I experienced a situation that normally would have plunged me into fear, scattering my sense of well-being in the day.  We all experience it, a moment when things go hay-wire, car breaks down, washer stops in mid-cycle, a family member calls and has a situation.  The list can be endless to those distractions that interrupt our lives.  Normally I go to the panic mode, not yesterday.  I realized that I could handle it, as I have always done, but this time without the drama and worry.  The trick now is to not go with what normally feels 'right' and reactive; the laments of "why me".  The World teaches us 'why not you' and then continues to spin.  Can't jump off, so go with it.  I have dealt with more difficult things in my life.


The Good Tarot - Colette Baron-Reid

Vista

How far could I see with a clear mind?











Native Spirit Oracle Cards
Denise Linn

Contrasts

As darkness falls... After two days of bright sunny cards, night has fallen.  We must have contrasts that can bring perspective in our lives.  Light and Dark
Yes and No
Good and Bad
On and Off
To Be or Not to Be
Nothing in a Sweat Lodge but hot stones and person(s).  Clear away the clutter and sit in open space.
Too much and sweet nothingness. 
Contrasts.

Cicadas

The seventeen year cycle Cicadas are returning this year.  That's millions of Nature Spirits that will gather, dance, and sing this summer.  I remember last time they emerged; their hum was constant and after mating, dead shells of their limited time above ground were everywhere.
I was thinking and remembering what I was doing seventeen summers before. How things change.  The change the cicadas experience from darkness to light might be what all their singing is about; that and mating. Their limited time above ground reminds me that I too have a cycle of life and I best get busy enjoying my time above ground.

Sunny days

"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry. Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high. If I had a day that I could give you, I'd give to you the day just like today. If I had a song that I could sing for you, I'd sing a song to make you feel this way."  ~ Sunshine on My Shoulders  John Denver

Winter has lingered a bit long this year.  Though a mild winter, it's last lingering breath has held on.  This weekend it changes to warm weather, The unofficial start of Summer.  I will take, and be glad.





Native Spirit Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Do a little dance

A reminder there are always things to get up and celebrate. 
The returning Sun each day is a good reason to get up and dance.  So much craziness out there in the world.  Turn off the tv get outside. Enjoy a Sun or Moon Rise.  Rainbows.  Soft breezes of the changing seasons. I took a drive the other day along a stretch of highway and looked with awe at the varying shades of green, Nature at her finest.  Time to turn our attention to the blessings and not the blight.  Be well and get up and do a Happy Dance!

Answering the Call

Interesting. 
Looking for signs from Spirit.
I believe in Signs.  I have heard myself say "it's a sign!"
There are times when we are prompted to do or say something.  I try to listen to those prompts and act accordingly.  I think I know what this card is relaying to me today.  A challenging task, a change of lifestyle in personal healthcare.  Can I do it?  Won't know unless I try
"Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs" Five Man Electrical Band

Gather yourself

This could be the Fool's pack.  Things needed to make a journey.  Careful selection of what one gathers and takes with them. 
The last couple of weeks I have wrapped myself in a heavy blanket of anger.  I realized last night how much of it I am carrying and how pointless it is.  Just when you think you are doing better, wham you acknowledge that there is more to work on during the journey. 
GIGO.  Gather the good, release the not good.




Native Spirit Oracle Cards
Denise Linn

Pick up sticks.

Does there come a time when we don't always have to be or need to be at the ready?  When we can let go of the fears and burdens of past mistakes.  A clean slate?  I woke this morning counting some of my wrong doings throughout my life.  Now why would I wake up thinking these things unless my mind had nothing better to do during the night?  Turmoil can do that to one's mind.
Everything seems nice and tidy. But at what cost?  My head hurts.

Can do

The go get 'em gal. 
Not sure if I am to emulate her today or look for her to stop by?
Going to give it awhile and come back and have that conversation with her or me depending on what is revealed today.
 

Choose wisely

Choose wisely.  Given a choice most of us will choose the path of least resistance.  Time to rethink that.  Times ahead are going to be difficult.  Who or what will help us through the trials ahead?  What support will be the most beneficial? 
Today I don't want to ask those questions of myself.  I am operating on almost no sleep and choices made when not well rested can be disastrous.  Just like decisions made in anger.  Best to put it off, until  the heart and mind can feel and think a thing through.

Saddle up

Grab a hold of 'that' feeling and take it for ride.
I can reason a thing to death.
Write pros and cons lists all day long.
Commiserate with others on the a dilemma.
And more, and it is still up to me make a choice and get a move on.

Good for the morale

I have pretty much laid down my need of competition.  I will admit a good portion of my life I had to be right.  Reflections from a childhood when one never was.  I studied long and hard to have lots of answers so I could be right.  Used my undeveloped psychic ability and intuition to prove that I was right.  I never got into a smack down, because I usually won by being right in the first place.  I was born in the sign of Capricorn and they are usually right/correct about most things.  I used to say 'the difference between me and others were, they thought they were right, I knew I was.'  No more.  I don't have all the answers, don't need all the answers.  When a skirmish of sorts starts, I just back away.  Sometimes I watch, most time I turn and go my own way.  Today might be one of those days that someone piques my interest long enough to join the debate. 

Really?

Talk about a one - two punch.  The Devil yesterday and Death stops by today.  Both seemingly ominous cards.  Worry, Doubt, Fear.  Ouch.  Already in the midst of change, Death solidifies the Change.  No going back.  See the rising Sun? Onward is the path that must be taken.  The Devil can entice me but Death reminds me, change is upon me and I cannot stay with the known and comfortable. 
I have an outbreak on my lower legs.  Zoom meeting with Doctor a little bit ago and she said looks like bug bites.  My Louise Hay book says rashes and hives are notification of irritants in my life.
So detective work.  Death could be a good detective, search out and end the irritations for whatever reason.

Temptation

Sugar is the devil in my life.  So many challenges met and yet sugar still has control of me in my life.  Choices.  Candy or carrots?  I like both, candy is more convenient. Get a little buzz with candy.  It doesn't last, and that's the hitch.  Some leads to more.  During these weeks in quarantine my sugar consumption has amped up. 
What binds me to my sugar devil? I know all the reasons why sugar is my comfort go to.  Evidently I am deluding myself somewhere along the line if chocolate is always on my list of must haves.



Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

The best policy

She's back.  The Queen of Swords visited me first of the week and has returned.  I need to deal with some issues of myself and she is reminding me that "honesty is the best policy" most especially with oneself. 
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is a definition of insanity."
If old Al says it, must be true.  It has a ring of truth. I am caught in a loop and need to step off or step away.  Now is the time, and Queen is here to remind me, there is never a better time, than right now.



The Fountain Tarot
Jonathan Saiz
Jason Gruhl
Andi Todaro

Magic Box

Can we re-ignite the wonder of discovering something new? 
What new things or life styles wait for us around the bend after this calamity passes.  Well actually I don't believe it will pass.  I think we will deal with the changes and challenges for a long time, so long that those challenges will become the norm.  I had felt(cups) for quite awhile that something was coming.  We are standing at a fulcrum point and which way we pivot is yet to be determined.
For me I will choose the wonder that is always available in my wonder-box, My Mind.

Doldrums

Hopefully this a precursor for the day.  A bit of good news to lift my cups to.  I keep hearing the song from Kool and the Gang, "Celebrate good times, come on!"
May we each of a Three of Cups day!

Shed some light

Why do some feel like they have to carry the burden?  Forced labor? Smarted than the rest? Nothing better to do? Can build a better mouse trap, or so they think?
Mine was forced labor and because of that I became isolated from others.  These last few years I have been working and succeeding for the most part of laying those expectations aside.  The thing is I have more time on my hands; the hands that carried the load are occasionally left grasping.  I am learning to be careful of what I pick up.  A lesson to be learned. When you set the bundle to the side there is always someone else that will pick it up and with that knowledge, it is easier to walk away.


The Fountain Tarot

Strike a pose

All looks good.  Everything in it's place.  Real or staged?
We are all learning about the nature of impermanence.  Nothing stays the same.  We can hold a moment but a for a moment.  Enjoy the moment. Bask in the joy.  As  Life changes; we still keep the memory.

Sharp Intelligence

Who is this Queen of Swords and what has she come to explain to me?

Disillusionment

Disappointed in someone that you thought had your well-being in consideration.  Not heartbreak, but disillusionment of another.  I have to check in with myself and see what I am taking away from the situation.






The Fountain Tarot
Jonathan Saiz
Jason Gruhl
Andi Todaro

Traveling mode

Traveling mode.  How to get from here to there. Whether by foot or fin I will find my way.  Listen to your heart to help find your way.

May Day

Curious to draw, The Hermit on May Day. Beltane, the invitation to get out and dance and celebrate, not hibernate.  Even the most sociable creatures need time to themselves.  Well lots of us have had that.  It is in the quiet time we can hear ourselves, listen to our higher wisdom; let the sticky bits of the expectations of others fall away.  Here in the quietness we can begin to know ourselves and that is worth celebrating.
The Hermit was one of my cards that were in my reading at the first of the year. When one of the cards from my reading show up during the year, it is worth noting.