Dance

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Time to say goodbye to 2017.  I have a bit of work to do today and will spend a couple of hours with a new client, then home.  I don't do the partying scene anymore, so I will come home and turn on my music and do some celebrating and a bit of dancing about within my own place.  I have a few end of year rituals that help release the old so that I may welcome 2018 with my arms wide open.  Tomorrow begins a new adventure and I look forward to it eagerly!  Salute' 2017.






Eartheart Magic - Sue Lion

Cup of good cheer

Fruits of one's labor

Lovely when things come together and work out for the best.
2017 is at it's close, and though I had some issues, for the most part it was a good year.  Finishing out visiting a few clients in their new homes today and tomorrow.  Instead of apples and pears I am going to stop by local supermarket and purchase a couple bags of oranges and offer them as gifts.  In Chinese Astrology, oranges are symbols of prosperity and as a token on New Years day, if one rolls them across the threshold into their home, you are welcoming abundance, goodwill, and prosperity into your home and life.  In addition they are really good to eat and all that vitamin C is a bonus.




The Green Witch Tarot

A bit of this n that

Best use of information and time

This local wand maker received an order for eight wands.  So busy and focused, she is not paying attention to the magic surrounding her in the woodlands.  All those little fairy lites dancing on the trees.
Reminds me not to get so wrapped up in my work that I forget all the other wonderful things surrounding me.

Unburden

Regrets I have a few...

Yesterday I drew the Two of Cups, and here I must leave that promise behind.  The three cups and bag are packed and only need to be lifted to leave the walled garden of regret.
Sometimes things don't work out.  How long we stay with the grief or  regrets are our own business.  Others can tell us to move on and get on with it, but if we do not finish our business with sorrow, grief, regrets and likes of it, we carry it with us, and never really 'move on.'  It will always be with us a part of us, but we are either shackled or strengthened by it.
 Unburdened is my word for 2018.  What am I ready to let go of and leave behind?

Simpatico

Things are not always what they appear to be

What can seem to be a very happy pairing may have issues. 
The easy bloom of simpatico does not last, and then we have to really commit to the relationship, in whatever form, to make it work.
Don't take others for granted.

Wand at the Ready

Read instructions carefully

I receive several gifts for Christmas that require some instructional information.  With all the fire power of the Ace of Wands, it should come with a set of instructions.  Used wisely and oh the magic that it can create,  haphazardly, watch out.
Not sure what to do with my Wand today, so I think I will lay it on the my desk top and wait for further instructions.

Arsenal of Truth

"an iron fist in the velvet glove"

This queen knows what she is about and she has the ability to back up who and what she says if confronted.  Reminds me of those 'cutting' looks you can get from others - This far and no further.
I still have some of that in me; mostly though, trying to prove a point or win a contest of any sorts just doesn't interest me anymore.









The Green Witch Tarot - Ann Moura, artwork - Kiri Leonard

Christmas Eve

Bright Blessings for the Christmas Celebration.

Dissatisfaction

Don't go looking for trouble

When everything is right in our world, boredom can set in and then we may become our own worse enemy. 
The energy of wands cannot just be contained; there has to be movement, something to keep life interesting.  If there is not some sort of excitement then we have to make it.  It is in the making that can get us in trouble.

An Apple a Day

STATE of ADDICTION

This reminds me of me.  I am a sugar addict and my addiction has been intensifying.  Like any addict a little of any type of the addictive substance is too much.  I ignore the natural tasty snack like the apples on the tree, for cookies, candy, cake, milk shakes, cupcakes, any bit of this n that, that is made from the refined white sugar that has me tied up in cravings. Wait in my defense, I also eat the sweet tasty apple.  Enough I say and then I sneak in just a taste and the day continues with more sugar reinforcements.
It is time for some Self - Tough Love.
After Christmas.

Sol Sistere

Daylight on the upswing!

The Solstice, is one of my favorite days of the year.  Though Winter has not really settled in, each lengthening day of sunlight, brings the promise of Spring. 
The Latin translation for Solstice is Sol Sistere; I like that.

"Throw off the lingering darkness & rejoice in the song of the Light."

At 11:28 am I will send my prayer out into the Ethers. 
'Let there be peace on Earth and goodwill to women and men'



Earthearth Wisdom Cards - Sue Lion

Reach

There is always something just within reach.

My calendar affirmation today reads "No matter how happy I am, I can always add to my level of joy."  The affirmation and my daily draw match up.  Lovely.  Today if something seems just outside of my reach or my comfort zone, I will stretch myself just a bit more to achieve. 
The Ace of Air reminds me that a lot of what we accomplish begins with our thoughts.

 "I think I can, I know I can, I can."





The Green Witch Tarot

Presentation

Point of Power

I have been studying this card for awhile and cannot figure out why The Witch decided to don hat and cape out in her woods. Maybe it is chilly but I would think the fire and cauldron were enough to keep her warm.  I know people who never leave home without being fully made up, clothes, make-up, the whole shebang.  First impressions are everything and they always want to make the 'right' impression.  Maybe being in full witches mode brings power to herself and her circle.
I am going to heed her advice and step up my game a bit today.  There is magic in looking and feeling your best.




The Green Witch - Ann Moura

Well done

Here's to it then!

Here is to the Year well done!  I think this guy is satisfied with the way things have turned out.  I noticed all the x's on his sashes and at his cuffs and he has taken count of all the things he managed to accomplish this year. 
It's a week before Christmas and work comes to a gentle halt. Now is a good time to count all that is right in my world; those other things will tag along with me into the new year, but for now let's enjoy the moment. Salute'

Deception

Where ever you go, there you are

After leaving the hustle and bustle behind and venturing out to a new lifestyle (six of swords) this couple settled on living a subsistence life.  They thought they left the hassles and problems behind, but a polecat-aka, a skunk, can't change his stripes.  The young man has gone out hunting, but never having done it before has relied on his old skill set of taking from others.  He has cleared out another's traps, that is the only thing that explain how clean and tidy he is after a day of hunting.
Appearances can be deceiving.





The Green Witch Tarot - Ann Moura

Observation

The lens we look through

This is the second 'egg' card I have drawn this week from this deck.  What am I gestating?  I wonder.
The new year is ahead for us all.  In these last few weeks of 2017, I can spend some time in review.  What do I want to say goodbye to and what would I like to manifest in 2018? 

No Place Like Home

Be it ever so humble...

Interesting home, perched above the fray. 
Home is where I can retreat; comfort and security, a place to shut out the world.  The only thing is when you answer the phone, turn on the tv, or log onto the internet you invite the world in to your sanctuary. So this home perched so high above reminds me to disconnect at least from time to time.

North Wind Blows

A Change in the Wind

This image is what sometimes occurs in my weird dreams, not the scary or drama filled ones.  Who, what, when, where, and why would one strap a steeple top on a zebra?  Bizzaro.  Not that this particular image has appeared any of my night-time excursions. It sure would make one set up and take notice, even deep in the night.  Maybe that is the message today; to take notice of something that doesn't seem right or really out of place.
Be on the lookout!





Wisdom of the Oracle - Colette Baron-Reid

Building Blocks

Vitamin C or Vitamin Sea

The only building blocks I want to concentrate on are the ones that support my immune system.  The only future at this time that I want to build on, is the one with out this cold.
Actually with the end of the year on the horizon, it is the right time to consider 2018; which is really challenging when your head is all fuzzy.
Oh Well, there is always tomorrow.

Here And Now

There really is no better place to be.

This card draw today really hits home for me.  The Past is past and the Future not yet here, today this moment is all there really is.  I/we hear it all the time and for a brief few minutes, hours, or a day, we focus and stay in the Here and Now, then something or someone, most likely ourselves, leads off on a tangent then its all about anticipation or fear of tomorrow and lamenting about the past.
"Tomorrow is beyond your reach. Yesterday cannot return. The Now is all that is available to you." - booklet
Maybe I will make myself a couple of banners as shown on card and place one on my desk and another on dresser, HERE AND NOW, keep myself focused on the here and now.



Wisdom of the Oracle - Colette Baron-Reid

ORPHANED

Strange have been my dreams of late

I am not sure if it is my cold interfering with my sleep, but I have had really strange dreams the last few nights.  Sometimes those kind of dreams can leave you disengaged from reality. I really have to question myself, that if my mind, unconscious or conscious can craft such abject weirdness, than what unknown operating software am I running on?
Abandonment, isolation, distrust, despair, almost makes me want to retreat to solitary confinement, but of course that magnifies those qualities 10x10. 
Going to sit under my 'mood light' and brighten up the corners of my mind.




Wisdom of the Oracle - Colette Baron-Reid

YIN

The feminine passive principle

This Yin space has been cleared of clutter; opening up to receive.  Maybe that is my message today.  Mostly the clutter is inside my head as swirling negative thoughts and the stuff that head colds are made up of.  I think some decongestant medicine might help and the drive to the store to help clear my heavy laden mind.  And maybe something in Pink. 






Wisdom of the Oracle - Colette Baron-Reid

Moderation

Easy does it.

I have allowed myself to become stressed and the stress has manifested into a full blown cold. Usually when the sniffles hit I can ward them off; this time, not.  Temperance advises 'easy does it.'  Maybe the blending is a suggestion for a hot toddy, except there is no whiskey in the house, and really those toddys don't offer a cure.  I started to focus on the 'path to enlightenment' but maybe the path of understanding takes us right back to the water's edge, not the other way.  Right back to my emotional take on things and that is what my stress reaction is all about.
Maybe a nice cup of hot tea blended with a dollop of honey. 

Query

He is back, apparently he has something else to say.

Frozen and rooted as The Emperor is, is there more that he has to say to me?  Yesterday and today I see the river that has apparently dried up.  Don't let that happen? is that what he has to say.  Don't get stuck, get up and get going.  I know when I sit too long, especially on a hard chair, it is a challenge to get moving again.  Is this what happens when we stay put too long at one thing, forward movement ceases?  Does learning, creativity, desire, zest, fascination, exploration, abandon one as time marches on and we don't march with it?







The Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Diatribe

The times they are a-changin

We have listened to the established ways long enough.  The times they are a changing as Bob Dylan wrote in the same named song. 
Me Too Silence won Times 'Person of the Year' notating all the women and that have come forward after tolerating and suffering sexual harassment.  I wonder if this movement would have begun this year except as a response to a President that said what he said about grabbing women. I don't care for the man on the hill that sets in his chair telling us what to do and how to do it.  I am not sure if pages in a history book will reflect on these times that more change began for the better after listening to his diatribe and many said "enough is enough"
Once things begin to happen they create a momentum for more.

Help or Hurt

Double - Double edge swords

Double edge sword, an action or decision that appears to help but can also hinder.
Let's face it, one could not hold up those two heavy swords for very long.  Heavy be it that, making a wrong choice, sooner or later, one has to own up to it and right the wrong.  Or you can choose to make another equally wrong choice to see if you can rectify the first incorrect choice, which is never a good option.
Swords are about the mind and thought, why is there so much water in this card?  Did she let her heart rule her double trouble decision or is she stuck too much in her head and needs to release her defensive posture and open her heart to clear up the mess.
She better take her blindfold off to make a arm sling cause her shoulders are really going to ache. 

Perplexed

Having and not having

This card definitely strikes a chord within me.  I am in the middle of change in my career and I find myself uncertain and troubled.  I have been in outside sales for more than twenty years and to begin the transition to inside sales is proving a bit more difficult for me than I thought. The word chafe keeps coming to mind. I am not certain who I am more annoyed with, myself or the team I am joining. No longer can I  proceed on my own; there are others that have to be asked and included in what I do or don't do.
I don't like it.




Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

King me

Do as I say and not as I do.

I am intrigued this morning with the loose grasp the King has with his wand. Has he been 'front and center' so long he takes it for granted?  Compared to the tight grip on the Ace of Wands, he seems to be holding his by his fingertips.  Has he realized that holding on too tight that his hand begins to ache, is just not the way to be.
Maybe today would be a good day to just get up lay his wand across his seat and go for a good long walk.  Probably stiff sitting so long.  He doesn't always need to be at the helm. For today let things take care of themselves.

Peat and Repeat

Did that to myself again

Anytime I second guess myself, I realize I had it right the first time. 
I learned this lesson in school years ago.  When faced with a multiple choice question the first response is most likely the correct one.  This depiction of the Eight of Swords is exactly what happens when I do doubt what I know to be right, and then I get all tied up in knots.  In this ever changing world some things never change, right is right and wrong is wrong.  The problem lies in ones system of belief.






Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

It is what it is

A Fool by any other name is still a Fool

I kind of made a play on the 'rose by any other name' above.  Today the Fool.  I am looking at this card and thinking "okay" so....
I am not really sure what The Fool has to say to me today.  I think this is one of the those days it is a wait and see thing.

Don't act a fool
Watch where I step
Don't fall of a cliff
Begin something new
Lucky me
A bark is not as bad as a bite
"Oh what a beautiful morning"
Seize the day!

Competence

"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." - Benjamin Franklin

I turned the last page of my calendar for 2017 this morning.  As the year comes to a close what things or tasks can I do to prepare for the bright and shiny New Year that is at hand?
Mostly I have been "by the seat of my pants" type of gal, still there is much wisdom in Mr Franklin's quote.  I do find myself more often than not these days running a list of things in my head that need done. As I look closely at this card, I see the architect looking over the plans and comparing them to work that has been done.  I have a checklist and planning guide in my email cache; guess this year might be a good year to print it out and plan my 2018. 




Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

To thine own self be true

I am grateful for me!

I have enjoyed my thirty days of gratitude; it goes by in a flash. Normally this King irritates me, today though I think he reminds me to be true to myself and be grateful for me and my life.  I saw lots of beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I am grateful for all the conveniences in my life. Super grateful that I get another day, for electricity, central heat, clean water, roof over my head, clothes, food, car, freedom of choices...and I realize the one constant in all those moments of gratitude, is me.  Yay Carolyn!  Today I am grateful for me, for the good, the really good, and the not so good, because every moment of everyday is about me experiencing the moment.



Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Get up on the other side

A bit of R & R never hurt no one.

I feel a bit of a cold coming on.  Sniffles and Sneezes this morning.  Guess this card hints a taking a bit of time to rest and recuperate.  I also need to give myself some time for contemplation for the work I do.  I had a bit of snit yesterday at the office.  Another was trying to box me in and after twenty years in outside sales I chaffed at the power struggle.  Really I should not have let it bother me, but there you go.  I am very thankful that I don't have to do the nine-five routine, that I still have the flexibility in my schedule not to put up with office politics.  Still I am committed to make changes in my work life so I need to "give it a rest" and get on with things.  Thank goodness I have reached an age where I don't carry a grudge and can move on.  Life has much to offer so I will get up and get back to it, first though I think I will get back in my bed and take that extra 15 minutes. That sounds about right.

Choices

Shes got the whole world in her hand.

I had a long conversation with one my sisters last night. I am amazed at the difference in us.  My four sisters have always entertained a defeatish attitude.  One has grown out of that a bit, to acceptance because her sorrows will be justified in heaven.  Both of my brothers just went along for the ride.  I almost walked their paths but have worked hard not to succumb to the self-imposed misery.  Choices, like in this card, one wand at the ready and one wand anchored to the wall. Or is it anchored?  Maybe it is just a form tie in the foundation that will allow the wand to be placed.  Either way there are choices we make along the way.  My choice is not see that life is winding down but to look for the opportunities still available for me.  Yay!



Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Turning Point

It takes a Village

When I view this card I almost always wonder what is the horse thinking.  He definitely is looking with intent back at the rider.  Victory does not belong just to the rider but also the horse and all those that help the man achieve his success.  This is a good reminder that things do not happen on their own.  When it comes to my day to day successes I need to recognize others' contributions.  Be grateful that I have the support of others along my way.  Appreciation goes a long way.    Thank you!

Home

Be it ever so humble.

Home lovely.  I was thinking on the word Home with the word OM within; OM the sound of the Universe, it's beginning middle, and end.  There is no place like H'om'e. I thought of this card coming home.  There I am sitting with the two dogs and my sister and her husband and family coming home from vacation.  I am oh so happy to be back in my home.  I am also very grateful for family.
I never before noticed that Pamela Coleman Smith's iconic glyph is in the upper right hand corner. In most of the cards it is placed near or at the bottom right. Shuffling through the cards I noticed several other cards that deviate from that position, none but the Ten of Pentacles is placed above. The ten features a pretty busy theme, still it might of been placed on the hindquarters of the unsuspecting pup.
Anyway, I am thankful for my own place.  Thankful for the people who choose me to be their representative when buying their home, which allows me to live in mine.

Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Challenges

Woe is me

Sometimes a test is a good thing.  Everything is fine and dandy and then bing, we get a swat.  It can be a challenge to be grateful for such moments or occurrences.  With hindsight we can see that they set us on a different path. A choice we would have not considered but ended up being in our best interest or expanded our knowledge or our viewpoint.
Gratitude is the Abracadabra and can help make the best out of not so good situation

Brave New World

Pilgrims

Today I am thankful for those that crossed the Atlantic hundreds of years ago to start anew.  Not necessarily the Puritans that wanted to inflict their harsh brand of religious freedom, which had no freedoms at all.  My heritage is Irish and German, both cultures came to the Americas and ended up as indentured servants and had to brave a different kind of harshness and bigotry.  Still most managed to find and forge a new life and out of that I get to live a really good life and celebrate this day of Thanksgiving.  I am grateful to spend the day with family.

And also I am thankful for canned, molded cranberry gelatin.  My Mother served it every year and no Thanksgiving table is complete without it.  Tradition.

Tis the Season

Bell Ringers, a thankless job/opportunity.

The bell ringers are out.  I came out of store yesterday and dropped a dollar in kettle, at this time of year I try to do the same most places I see one.  The attendant said "Merry Christmas" and I smiled and said and "Happy Thanksgiving" then I turned back and said 'thank you' for doing this and the young man, said "you know I have been doing this for a couple of years and no one says thank you, I usually do."  I pondered on this  during the evening.  This is my month of gratitude, but I will say 'thank you' from now on to the all the 'Ringers.'  I did it for a few years with my Sister before my legs gave out and the hour flew by.
 A bit of Kindness and Gratitude goes a long way.  Happy Pre-Thanksgiving!

I Am

Thankful

Alpha Canis Majoris

Sirius: The brightest star visible in Earth's sky.

The Dog Star, Sirius silly, not the Moon.  Although canines howl at the Moon and for that matter so do I.
I went out last night and admired the night sky.  I am house sitting at my sisters home, which is fairly rural and the Stars are much more visible without the light pollution of city where I live.
Thank goodness I took the time to go out and admire the Stars and the deep darkness of the night. Maybe all those lights are Planets and Stars and maybe they are points of lights made by our Ancestors as they took their celestial place.
A perfect night sky but then again, the sky is always perfect.

Gone to the dogs

Dog sitting and oh house tending too
'

I moved out to my sister's home yesterday.  Her husband's family all gathered together to take a cruise. I didn't bring any my decks so I been out looking at decks on-line.  Here is a pretty good similarity to one of the two dogs that I am hanging out with this week.  Cassie is an old gal who has lots of health and physical challenges.  She hasn't many days left in this next year.  I love this girl even if it means I have to get up 4/5 times a night.  She has brought a lot of joy to my life when I visit the family and she kept me company when I had to live here 5 years ago during recovery.  I am glad I have the opportunity to tend to her as she tended to me.  Doggie friends are the best, and thankfully I have had some good ones through the years. Wooof.....

In and Out

We all knew this to be true

Last night on the national evening news we were told that NASA has discovered the Earth breathes.  I wonder how much they spent on that to tell us what we already knew. Duh.  The Trees have been doing that all along.  And Thank Goodness I might add.  Still as they document more and more all the peoples will realized Planet Earth and all of us our one complete living system.  Each Planet is a "Living Being"  and then things will rapidly get better for us all.  Here's to Breath

Color me

Shades and hues of this and that

Here is a Fun Fact, by the time they turn ten years old, American children use up approximately 720 crayons each, with blue being their favorite color.  The crayon scent is one of the most recognized, after peanut butter and coffee. 
Hours spent playing with our colors.  I have some crayons in my coloring box even now.  I don't do much in coloring books because I am not around small children.  I do have a coloring book my niece gave years ago during recovery and I still do a picture here and there, and I don't get upset with myself when I color outside of the lines. 
And Aqua Blue is my favorite color.
I am not sure if this card is about colors, charkras, or having a light bulb moment.  Just color me happy today.
Thank You!

Grin and bear it

This card reminds of the great bear adventure in our area last year.

What a cute card.  Last year there was a black bear that mosied through the area.  She/he was not a normal sighting, in fact a hundred years since one was spotted around here.  I appreciate the unexpected and the unusual; something new and interesting to make Life a bit more enjoyable.  Thank you for all the wonderful diversity that Mother Earth presents to us.

artwork -Sue Lion