Harmony

This Ten of Staves(wands) has a priest using his magic wand to bring order and harmony to his thoughts and challenges.

The emblems on the priest's robe are Trigrams.  The emblems of Mother and Father, Earth and Heaven, North and South.  The Mother Trigram are the three broken lines and the Father Trigram are the three solid lines.  In the I Ching this paring would be Hexagram 11 notating  Peace, Harmony, Balance.
As I say goodbye to 2016 and begin my final turn to 2017 I can see where I began my year and the progress I have made in my life.  There has been some difficulties but out of chaos does come some clarity.  The ten of staves in traditional tarot speaks to hardship or burdens to carry, I certainly have had those in this year.  Still as the magician brings order, so does time.  2017 reduces down to 10 in turn reducing to 1, the number of new beginnings, a fresh start. Today I am going to list ten things I can do in 2017.  I can have more fun, I can choose healthy foods, I can walk more daily, I can earn a great income, I can play more, I can learn Chinese Astrology, I can do more healing, I can take two wonderful vacations, I can be prosperous, I can have peace and harmony in my life.

Wishing You 歲歲平安 Suìsuì-píng’ān – everylasting peace, year after year!

Ahh, interesting, very interesting

Predictions for the New Year.

What will the New Year hold for me?  Can anyone really predict the future with complete accuracy? Probably not, and I say probably since there is a probability that there is at least one person among seven billion that can.  In my real estate profession I get asked all the time what do I think is going to happen? Idk. I can make a educated guess based on patterns and indicators, but that is all it is, a guess. Are predictions that, educated guesses?
I have begun studying Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui, just bits here and there, because my paying job has kept me fairly busy lately, but I can say this, 2016 and until about January 28, 2017 is and has been the year of the Fire Monkey, and there has been lots of monkey business going on, everywhere.  We will be moving into the year of the Fire Rooster, coincidence that the Presidential Inauguration is January 20th?  Usually the Chinese New Year is in the first few days of February, early this next to accommodate the new banty rooster?  I do predict there will be lots of posturing this coming year and I hope they don't become rooster, 'cock' fights.

The six of coins or pentacles indicates some prosperity, generosity, and charity and with that thought I will suggest you get yourselves ( I have mine in the fridge) some oranges, six should do it and roll them into your front door in the New Year for additional prosperity to show up in your home and life.  (The Chinese consider oranges very lucky.)   Besides the oranges at this time of year are very delicious and healthy for us too.  I just thought of this...I guess I will roll oranges in my front door January 1 and January 28 to cover all bases.  Whew, almost missed that possibility.

The Chinese Tarot Deck -  Jui Guoliang

Thinking

A different perspective on the Hanged Man

My first thought when I looked at this card is well there is the light that was missing in the Hermit's card on Monday.
Are ghosts really spirits with unfinished business?
I am not sure I get this card. The LWB postulates that in ancient China being treated badly with no recourse for justice was a reason for suicide.  Pretty drastic to prove a point that you were right and another wrong.
I have been contemplating this card for a half hour or so and really have nothing.  Maybe that is the point.  The Hanged Man in suspension releases cognitive thoughts and gains enlightenment.  All I need to do is let go of my need to have some meaning to this card and somewhere along clarity will be gained.





The Chinese Tarot Deck - Jui Guoliang

Acquistion

When I first started studying The Tarot, I read that all Aces are gifts. So one would think that this Ace could portend forth coming money?  Like Astrology with simple daily newspaper forecasts; there are those that reduce the meanings of the cards into bulk mundane interpretations.

Here I think I am being asked to examine the way I make my money.  Am I satisfied with how I earn my money? 
This gentleman has earned or inherited his money and has invested in gold coins.  Why?  Maybe gold is considered a safe investment, but if the world goes dark what can you buy with gold when food, housing, clothing, candles, and chocolate are more valuable than gold.  So it reminds me to work at something that is satisfying and fulfills me.  Not to work just for the sake of working and acquiring money.  Sure I need a roof over my head and the daily comforts of living, but do I need to think ahead to stockpiling cash?  (Well maybe some)

Every year for the last ten years or so someone in Louisville, across the river from my vantage point, has placed a gold krugerrand in a Salvation Army kettle during the Christmas campaign.  Someone invested and collected the gold coins and now is anonymously gifting.  I guess that is one way to spend your gold.

The Chinese Tarot

Sounds of Silence

"Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk with you again." -Simon and Garfunkel

Yep, that is what popped into my mind when drawing this card.  I have a funeral to attend later today, and maybe that is why Death has made an appearance. I really feel like death is a doorway.  A passage way as we move from one point of existence to another.

As Master Gandalf said in the Return of the King, " End? No the journey doesn't end here.  Death is just another path...One that we all must take.  The grey rain curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass...and then you see it."
Pippin ask" what?"
"White shores...and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise"

2016 is coming to an end in just a few days: an ending of one year a beginning of another - transformation.  And to me that is what death is, transformation.

The CHINESE Tarot Deck - Jui Guoliang

Introspection

The Hermit

I had a full post and then poof it was gone.  Maybe what I was writing was not what the card and image had to say to me.
Quite possibly now with the disappearance of my post I should consider "not over thinking" things and the card image.  And just spend some alone time in contemplation.

When the student is ready the teacher will appear.

Where is the damn light of the Hermit to help me figure it out?

Which one is the Teacher and which is the Pupil?





The CHINESE Tarot Deck - Jui Guoliang

Christmas

Merry Christmas to All

Seasons

Tis the Season to be Jolly. Fa la la la la la la la

PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TO WOMEN AND MEN.













eartheart oracle cards - Sue Lion

Heartfelt

Earlier this morning I drew this Justice card from the eartheart oracle deck and wondered what it might be relaying to me.  The words on the card speak of:  Peace embraces heart, creates change, believes in hope, and stands for love.

I looked at the lovely dancers who reminded me of The Pleiades,the daughters of Atlas who carries the World on his shoulder.  Here the three speak of peace as a way to justice, and would I think, carry their Father's burden if possible. 
My internet was out this morning so it gave me more time to think and ponder.  Sad news came to me this morning after the draw.  Someone that I know, his Mother passed last night and even more painful is a friend of mine grandson committed suicide last night in her home.  Sad and tragic.  I too would try to help carry their burden and share their grief if I could, but having experienced the passing of loved ones and almost leaving the earth myself, I know that I can be sympathetic but the burden of loss must be carried by them.

I don't know where Justice may come into all of this, but I can be present and offer my hand in compassion and peace.

Knowledge

The classroom would have been so much fun if Froggie, Owl, and Dragon were my classmates.  Oh what delightful mischief and magic there could have been.

I need to remind myself that my classroom of Life is not yet over.  Maybe these three have shown up to say, "come on Carolyn lets do something new and learn something new in the New Year. 

"Double double toil and trouble
 Fire burn and caldron bubble...
 Eye of newt and toe of frog...
 Lizards leg and owlets wing...
 Scale of dragon...

Different parts of stanzas by the Three Witches in Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
I wonder if Mr. Shakespeare was part of a Coven and that's where he got the inspiration for Macbeth?

For me I think I will make a big pot of winters stew, who knows what might be tossed in the cauldron.

Magic & Myth -  Sue Lion

Solstice Song

"Throw of the lingering darkness & rejoice in the Songs of Light." - quoted at bottom of card

                           Solstice Song

"The year begins, the year ends. Such is time as we have created it here on Earth. The power of winter is that it gives us time to reflect on what we have stuffed away in a dark corner (guilt, rage, sadness, regret), and gently bring it out in the candlelight. It is time to shake off the cold night and let yourself play in those lovely pure crystals. Let owl guide you through the darkness and let the doves remind you to be a peace with yourself. Of course, it is your choice - stay in the cold night or step int the embracing light - and play."  - quoted from the back of the card. - Sue Lion art and words

I love this day that marks the beginning of Winter.  It reminds me that Christmas is a few days away,  Winter turns to Spring, the promise of longer days of daylight, and a very good day to relax and enjoy.  Think I will bake some cookies for Christmas today. 
Happy Solstice!

Praise

This is me doing my Happy Dance!

Today is a Happy Dance Day.  Well everyday is really a happy dance day, but sometimes instead of Cheerful Carolyn I can be Crotchety Carolyn.  It reminds me there are always two sides to my nature.  The light and the not so light.  Today is the shortest day of the year as tomorrow marks the Winter Solstice at 5:44 am EST which many consider the shortest day. So today is one of the shortest days of the year, or something like that.  Today, tomorrow, and the day after have to be kind of grouped together as we turn to the Light.
I understand that Winter is needed.  Our trees need a long winters rest,  the fields need to be fallow for a season for better crops, and without Winter I would not appreciate the Spring and Summer.
I love all the seasons, but dance a little more in the Light.

Gratitude is our Abracadabra.



eartheart wisdom - Sue Lion

Breathe

As we become older we breathe more shallowly.  This card reminds me to breathe.  It feels symbolically like the Goddess breathing the Universe into existence; so to for us.  Breath is life.

Now would be a great time to work on a Breath practice.  I must of read and heard a half of dozen re-ferences to Mercury Retrograde yesterday, which begins today.  Earlier this year I posted about Mercury Retrograde as a three week time frame to re-think, re-do, re-sist overdoing anything.  It is a perception thing.  If you think it is going to be a problem it will be.  It re-ally is a time of pause to see what you have done the previous three months and re-evaluate your progress and destination and re-set your goals if needed.  Since we are at the time of  the darkest days of the year I think Mercury Retrograde is spot on at this time -  giving us time to cast our gaze back over 2016 re-lease that which doesn't work for us and then turn and look forward to the New Year.

Breathe!


eartheart wisdom - Sue Lion

Comfort

Today is a perfect day to snuggle in and comfort myself.  Temperatures are going to be a balmy 28° today.  Yesterday 63° with heavy rain, most of which I worked out in all day. 

I looked at the calendar and not only is Christmas just one week away, one week later is January 1, 2017 - a bright shiny new promise comes with the New Year.  Yesterday I posted about my cards last week had a reflective/contemplative feel to them.  With the year winding down it might be a good day to cast my gaze back and see myself from where I started to where I am at, approaching  the finish line of 2016. 
I think 2017 (2+0+1+7 =10) is going to be a really good year.  It is a 1 year with the power of 10 behind it.  The New Year starts on a Sunday, the 1st day of week, the 1st day of the month, 1st day of year - it just has to be auspicious.
With all this thinking already on my day of Comfort and it being so chilly, I think I will go back to bed  and spend a little time in my drift time.   Truly a lovely place to spend a idle couple of minutes and very comforting indeed.



MAGIC & MYTH - Sue Lion

Ponder

This Fairy in the  Nine of Autumn(Pentacles) appears to be spending some time alone contemplating her lifestyle, music, and other bits of this and that.

I noticed looking back at my draws this week, most of the cards have communicated or hinted at a reflective state of mind.  The Moon yesterday, the Four of Autumn - viewing myself in the mirror.  King of Winter during a reflective winter walk in the woods and Balance.  Balance, definitely a contemplation on what brings balance to my life.
I have written this later in the day to see what might have possibly been revealed to me about what my higher self or subconscious might be trying to tell me..Nada.  I spent most of day working; no time for reflection today.
Maybe this evening I best turn everything off, disconnect, and listen to some classical music and see if I can quiet my mind and give myself over to some thoughtful, deliberate, reflection and contemplation.

Probable Cause

Probable cause, chalk it up to full moon madness.

Wednesday I was out of step a good bit of the day and made a bit of a mistake.  I realize now that part of the reason was lunar madness.  The pragmatists say that there is no such evidence that supports the Moon's effect on us but I for one believe it does influence me.  So I am giving myself a bit of reprieve from my own brand of harshness  - I was under the influence of  a Full Moon.
This card has a fairy playing music under the moon, but the reflection is distorted.  The instrument she is playing appears to be a hunting bow in the water's reflection and the crescent moon is out of place.  Those silvery beams of the moon can cause all kinds of perception issues.

Now excuse me I have to go take some Pepto Bismol for this constant indigestion from eating a frog for punishment yesterday.


FAIRY Tarot Cards

Contradictions

Why is it the hardest person to forgive is oneself?

We all mess up sometimes.  When others make mistakes I can forgive them.  With some of them a little longer than others, with myself almost never.  I made a mistake yesterday.  Not a life changing or disastrous slip but an mistake on my part none the less.  Why are we/I so self critical.  I am being overly harsh with myself, I realize that I am but I continue to look in the mirror and say "you idiot, how could you have done that?"
Late in the night I felt a little shift in myself and knew if I could not let go of my anger and resentment with myself that some dis-ease would occur.  I am using this platform today as a bit of a confessional trying to release the criticisms with myself.  I guess that King of Winter yesterday was giving me advanced foresight into being fair-minded.

"In order to heal we must first forgive and sometimes the person we must forgive is ourselves." - Mila Brown


Fairy Tarot Cards

Decision time

If one need some advice this is the dude to go to.  The King of Winter-Swords.  Kind of neat the way the cards keep in step with what is going on.  Yesterday's card of Balance advised on seeking counsel, and here he is.

I think I can choose for myself, thank you.

I wonder why the lion portrayed in Strength has wandered in to the garden of  Temperance?  This card is titled Balance, but I think balance is more of a Justice consideration.  Temperance is more of blending, but I don't see that here.  Why the red of blood or iron ore?  I don't think there is a blending quality to this card otherwise the chalice would be full of a swirl of red and white.

The caption on the bottom of the card suggests that I take everyone's input into consideration.  Why?  I have come far enough in life that I know my own mind.  I am who I am.  That fairy is so pale that I think she has given her own lifeblood to a situation and still being asked to consider others viewpoints.
The new year is just around the corner and as cast my gaze on what lies ahead, do I really have to consider what others want or think I should do? NOT. 
It is clear to me as I write this why Temperance is located between Death and the Devil in the traditional cards of the Tarot.

"Stop  letting people who do so little for you  control so much of your mind, feelings, and emotions."  - Will Smith



FAIRY Tarot Cards

I'll take that

Who is this woman and what has she got to say to me?

I drew the Queen of Autumn (pentacles) this morning and I couldn't figure out what her finger was pointing at, so the deck was there to her left so I drew the next card so I could see what she was directing me to: The Wheel.
So I am wondering if she is one of the Fates and what she spins today is gold.
Works for me.  I look forward to a golden day.





FAIRY Tarot Cards - Doreen Virtue & Radleigh Valentine

yada yada yada

Appearances can be deceiving.

This fairy appears to be doing lots of chores and work around the fairy castle, but I think not.  Her clothes are a bit dirty but her face, hands, and feet are not befouled with muck.  Sometimes we can delude ourselves that we are overwhelmed with so much going on and in fact the burdens we carry are only in our heads.
I have a squirrel running around in my head and my 'what if' record is on constant replay.  It is a hardship I am placing on myself.  What to do, what to do, what should Carolyn Sue do?

Things have a way of working out. 

More than four walls

What makes a house a home? This week I have drawn the house card several times on and off camera.  Today's draw of two homes really makes me think that there is something that I need to pay attention too, otherwise I just may get hit over the head with an I-beam.

When I look at the house, home, and now the big house card I don't get any sense of some relayed bit of information, no warning bell, not even a twinge of anything.  I mean the obvious is I work in the real estate field, but that is not what is being conveyed here either.
Maybe it is a simple as the advice my Father gave me, first and always keep a roof over your head.  That is great advice since it has turned cold and wintry here and I am ever so grateful for home and central heat.   Guess I will think on it some more today.



CELTIC Lenormand - Will Worthington & Chloe McCracken

Go figure

I have been challenged by this deck this week.  The booklet suggests drawing two cards for a reading or advice.  The Tarot usually follows a story line, these Lenormand cards do not.  No way around it, card 13 in no way logically follows card 12?
The best I got with these two cards is my intuition advises me to play.  Or, maybe going really deep, be careful which tree and branches you cut down for your water trough(play and day to day life) because it might be the thing that holds the owls(wisdom) who eat mice that get in your grain). Then you have to spend your day chasing mice instead of play.     

Don't cut yourself off from your highest self or good.

CELTIC Lenormand

                                                                                  

Tidings

Season's Greetings

 It's the Holiday Season.  Yesterday I finished up addressing my holiday postcards for mailing to clients and customers.  The other day when I was getting my haircut I was flipping through Martha Stewart's LIVING Magazine and she had a calendar of her December events.  On December 8th she had marked - mail Christmas Cards.  Good enough for me - so out in the mail goes my Christmas mailing today.
I am always tickled this time of year with the debate of is it... 'Happy Holidays' or 'Merry Christmas' Every year the same question.  For me it is Merry Christmas.  For a nod to all those out there in confusion I am went with HAPPY CHRISTMAS for my postcard salutation.

Fa La La La

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound

Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.

When presented with some monumental undertaking, there are times I can allow myself to be overwhelmed before beginning.  I am sure others get stuck in the same clutch of worry and fear.  There are those that are available to help and assist.  The dog at the base of cliff shows there are footholds to begin the climb as well as companionship for the journey.
I no longer have to prove to anybody, myself included, that I can do it by myself.  Why go it alone when a little bit of company is enjoyable.

"Worrying is like praying for what you don't want."


CELTIC Lenormand

Preperation

Don't leave home without it.

Without what I ask?
It is the holidays and the traffic is non stop.  I often wonder where everybody comes from this time of year.  Yesterday I saw at least 6 almost accidents.  People plowing through red lights so they can get wherever 2 minutes quicker.  My business really scales back for the next month or so and thank goodness for that.
So don't leave home with out it: is courage, fortitude and prayers, to make it out and about and back in one piece.  Maybe those shields at the front door remind me that a best offense is a good defense. 

attracting opposites

Sometimes you just have to allow the imagery time to convey.  I have a hair color and cut appointment this morning so these cards may just be that.  Cut and Color.

Light and Dark
High Noon - Full Moon
Dry and Wet
Hack away and drift along
Land and sea
Loaves and fishes
Work and play
The work we do and the way we feel about it
Cultivated land and rugged sea coast

Not sure where all these contrasts lead me?  Maybe it will be a really interesting day with lots of this n that.




CELTIC Lenormand

Affect vs Effect

As above so below.

UPS has it's national hub in Louisville, I live right across the Ohio river in Southern Indiana about 22 miles from the airport.  The UPS jets are non stop this time of year, and on the weekend with limited business flights, OH MY!
Overhead approximately every minute a jet goes over, and there are several other major approaches to the airport.  At night when I am trying to get to sleep the overhead traffic can become like a earworm, relentless with its distracting noise.  I sometimes wonder what all that sky traffic is doing to the air and how much of those chemicals of burnt fuel fall to Earth?  Only time will tell, though I sure it will not be a pretty story.



CELTIC Lenormand
Choe McCracken & Will Worthington

Shelter in place

What we think about we bring about?  Most interpretations of this card are negative.  I say who needs it?

It must of taken me five attempts to scan and save this card.  I guess I just do not want to have this vision of hardship play in my head or play with my head today.  Who needs omens or hints of a crappy day.  Everything is pretty good in my world at the moment and I just as soon keep it that way.
I usually see fives as a fulcrum point in the middle of the line of the ten cards of the suit in the Minor Arcana, a sort of tipping point. It reminds of the balance card that I posted below Justice yesterday and will again at the bottom of this post.  If things are out balance I best see what is on the scales.  If things start to tip towards the negative today I will rephrase my thoughts.

"Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."
  - Winnie the Pooh


Journey through the Gaian Tarot - Joanna Powell Colbert

How did this happen?

Decisions made today become part of who I am tomorrow. With that in mind I will remember I am today because of decisions of my yesterdays.

Yesterday I attended a breakfast meeting with other Real Estate agents in the area.  Of the eight of us at the table only two of us actually listened to the presentation, the others spent their time engaged with their phones and as I looked around the room it was similar at other tables.  At one point years ago I too was always tethered to my phone, not so now.  I can turn it off and put it away and give my attention to what is at hand.
It reminded me again to pay attention to what is front and center because that is where the real magic of tomorrow is; what I am doing right now.

Yoda

What is something new I can learn today?

I have never seen the giant Redwoods out West.  Those wonderful sages of nature;  I am sure a wonder to behold.  If I went to the woods - would I find a beloved wise woman perched beneath a tree offering me a lesson on life?  I don't recall really ever drawing the Hierophant or in this deck the Teacher.  I look forward to meeting this individual today or maybe something new in the offing will be presented to me today.
Mostly I am open to learning something new, but I am sorry - the first thing I would have to ask is why would you sit on the grass in white pants?  Maybe it was spur of the moment thing.  Maybe she remembered to carry a sitting pad with her on her walk.  Maybe such a spiritual person doesn't worry about grass stains.  Maybe that is the lesson the Teacher is passing on to me, not to get hung up on the mundane things and live only in the moment under the Tree of Life.

Journey through the Gaian Tarot - Joanna Powell Colbert