Boot straps

Remembering an old saying, when challenged 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps.'  Get up and get going. This Five of Pentacles speaks to me of being challenged and working through it. In difficult times we can look forward to the reward of completing something difficult.
Six years ago I was intent on trying to convince myself and others that I was unchanged, I didn't give myself the opportunity to see if something else was suitable.  The time has come.  Opportunity is my 'Word' of the year and I want to make the best of it.  I noticed that the word change is held within challenge, and that is very telling. The biggest change has to come from within, my mindset, and that will be challenging.

"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." ~ Rumi


Celestial Tarot

Level Up

Another two.  Yesterday Two of Cups, a few days before that Two of Swords.  Pair up, is definitely a message I am getting. 
Maybe competition. One against the other in a soft non-major confrontation, like the Two of Swords.  Sometimes we do not want to compete or confront another because we do not want to upset another. Still it is better to work through whatever that gives us a bit of resistance.  So you can Level Up and move on towards the accomplishment in the Threes.




Celestial Tarot

Grin and bear it

Two bear or not to bear.  A play on 'to be or not to be.'  Best I got this morning.  Too cold to think of such things.  I would like to hibernate from this cold snap, like the bear. 
I wonder, once released from a term of hibernation, what would I fill my cups with?

Fluid fire?

Heat, intense, consuming, but fire being mutable?  Can fire flow?  I guess if you throw a flammable liquid on water and set a match, it can seem so.  Today if someone tries to throw fuel to the fire of me, I will not let it carry me away. 










Celestial Tarot

The one you feed

This card reminds me of the the Native American parable of the two wolves, "The one you feed."
Those two swords brings to mind the crossing of two - Ace of Swords.  Two opposing thoughts that we may have about ourselves, another, or some situation.  The more dominant thought will eventually edge out the other and becomes the one that shapes us.  Today i have a bit of conflict in regards to family, the thought that I should choose is that they love me, not the one that sees the same look of judgement I have received for years for being different.





Celestial Tarot - Kay Steventon and Brian Clark

The beat (heart) goes on

I am an Earth gal, Capricorn by birth and my rising sign was Sagittarius, which had me charging ahead more often than not.  A strange mix; a core of reserve with a outward burning nature.  Someone a few years ago labeled me a Social Introvert and though I do not like wearing labels, and down-right chafe when someone tries to define me, Social Introvert fits. 
Many years the two facets have not got along; an outwardly fire dance with staunch anchoring of Earth. Fire can and does burn itself out while the Earth is evermore, at least for another four billions years or so.   This King relays that, he still has wonderful new ideas, but time and substance has tempered him, as me.



The Good Tarot

Resilient

Resilient, I have heard that word used several times the last few days, and recognized that it was being repeated.  Why?  What am I supposed to hear or acknowledge with being reminded of resilient.  I wrote the word down this morning when I heard the word being used again.  The first thing I saw was 'silent' held within Resilient.  Fascinating when a word within a word jumps out at me. Resilient had two main basic meaning, Endurance and Flexibility. 
i-re-silent, i return to the silence.






The Good Tarot

Collect and release

Sometimes I hold onto things for no rhyme or reason.  Occasionally while out and about I find little trinkets, or pieces of this n that and I pick them up and pocket them.  I have a couple of dice, a few rings, toy soldiers, a car, pennies, nickles, and dimes, an earring or two, a few playing cards,...
So why keep them. Clueless.  I have a little bowl at the front door that I drop them in.  Every so often I release these trinkets back out in the world, but wonder why I bother with them in the first place.  Last year in change I found and collected four dollars and twenty-eight cents; not a large haul. I remember when I found five, ten, and twenty dollar bills. -debit cards now


The Good Tarot

Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered prayers makes me think of the Rolling Stones song: You can't always get what you want...
In reflection, sometimes, even years later, we realize and are very grateful that some of those prayers were not answered.  At least the answer was not what we wanted, but what we needed.  The Universe, Higher Consciousness is always at work in our lives, and sometimes the best that we should do is relax and let things take the course that is really meant for us,


"You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get what you need."  Rolling Stones



The Good Tarot

Delight

Watch where your feelings take you...
Sometimes what we feel about a person, place, or thing can lead us into temptation.  Yes I want to feel good, but it should not lead me to isolation trying to hold onto the hum. You know, the little hum of satisfaction, the little song within that gets your feet tapping or your fin flapping.  I want to stay in that place, but have learned trying to hold on it doesn't last and in-fact the tighter the grasp the quicker the joy floats away. 
So for today I will enjoy the sunshine and do a little dance.  Tomorrow belongs to tomorrow.




The Good Tarot

All In

A pair of Aces; I am all in.  Today's Ace of Water/Cups and Yesterday's Ace of Air/Swords really gets the week started.  Thing is the Ace of Air is pointing on direction and today's Ace of Water the other.  Sometimes what we think and feel are pulling us in opposite directions.  Still an Ace is an Ace is an Ace, my Pentacle self can balance the two.






The Good Tarot

Travel plans

"Oh the places you'll go!"~ Dr Seuss

I was reminded yesterday that I don't have to go farther than my next book to travel, and I have traveled far.  Up, up, and away; where the air is rarefied and thoughts can take you beyond any path on land.  I am blessed to love to read.  I know many who don't want or enjoy reading, their enjoyment lies elsewhere.  For me a world or life without the written word would be unimaginable. 
Today is extremely cold and there is ice and snow from last night's storm, so a book is in order.  I wonder where I will go?



The Good Tarot - Colette Baron-Reid

Z and Z

Recently I have been wondering about the places I Zigged instead of Zagged. Left and Right turns in my Life. Destinations and Goals planned and then forgotten.  How much have I missed by not traveling more? Sometimes I can get lost in such thoughts wondering what I missed. Then I reflect on the good things I have encountered along the way that I would have missed if I zagged and not zigged.   I guess the better question to ask myself is what direction the future will hold.  What and where do I want to go and do with the time I have, however much sand is left in the hour glass of Carolyn?




Sacred Sites Tarot -Lo Scarabeo

Ominous

Anytime I draw the Ten of Swords, I cringe.  I do not have a good association with this card.  Yesterday somewhere late in the date my mood shifted to dark and dreary.  An ominous shroud of despair and fear started to settle on my shoulders and began leeching into my skin.  I shrugged a bit it of off and am holding it bay, but it creeps near to me like the shifting fog that rolls across the screen in horror movies.  It will get me if I do not make a move.  Freeze, Fright, or Flight?
The Sun has remained hidden behind a thick bank of clouds for the last five days and it remains so for the next several days and tomorrow a hundred percent certainty of rain and cold and gloom.  Whew wee, guess I better turn on my mood light and every other light in the house to keep those ominous thoughts at bay.



Sacred Sites Tarot

Goal

Sometimes we just have to go on the journey and search out our good luck, prosperity, new job, and all that the Ace of Pentacles may offer us. 

If looks could...

If looks could kill!  Medusa had that look.  I believe she is the one that this Prince took a look at and now remains as a tribute to be careful who you make angry.  I have given that look many times over the years.  Once upon a time I was proud of the fact that my angry glance could drop a room temperature by ten or fifteen degrees in a second.  Not any more.  I have learned to release my anger, well most of it.  Still it is a good reminder to not let others or events get the best of you.  Our eyes should behold the wonder and beauty of others and the world, not cast glancing blows to hurt and humiliate.





Sacred Sites Tarot

Watchful

Whether Strength or Justice, I cannot relate to this image. 
Just now I was watching a local news station and one of the reporters that does clips of neighborhood events and happenings around town. He reported this morning on a small "New Age" shop and its upcoming "psychic fair" this weekend.  The fact that they reported on something that is not main stream, I thought showed promise, but...the tv morning anchors at the station just laughed if off.  Now Reiki, Runes, Tarot, and Drumming might not be for all, but the anchors were laughing at others expense, and it was obvious.  And yes I think it is a reflection on them.  As reporters they think and report to  their audience and in doing so should remain objective and not laugh at others at their expense.
A reminder that we are being judged by others all the time.


Sacred Sites Tarot

Arrival

Ask and you shall receive. Knock and a door will open.  After we get what we hoped, wanted, and looked for, what's next?  Do we immerse ourselves in the joy of arrival or start to think what's next?  Searching for the next door, looking for opportunities just - out there. 
I really have to concentrate on being in the moment; then the moment becomes the concentration, and then again, I am not in the present,  the here and now.  Seemingly hopeless habit. 
Ah, for a cup of cheer!






Sacred Sites Tarot

Portrait

I am not sure if this Queen of Pentacles ordered a painting of her and her two children, prince and princess or the King, for a remembrance to sit on his kingly desk and remind him of why he works. 
We all have keepsakes that comfort us and remind of us of family, friends, places, and things.  They are part of lives.  When clutter clearing it best to keep some of those treasured trinkets so we have them down to road to remind us as we reflect.  Home, shrine to some of our most treasured memories.






Sacred Sites Tarot - loscarabeo
Massismiliano Filadoro & Federicl Penco

Second look

I am not sure what is going on with all the women this week or so.  The High Priestess, The Queen of Cups, yesterday a Curandera, today a double draw of High Priestesses.  I am listening but the insight or my instincts are not screaming with a message.  Perhaps I just need a circle of friends to be nearby.



The Gaian Tarot - Joanna Powell Colbert

Crone

Sometimes the advice we hear is not exactly what we would hope for.  Wise counsel tells what we need to hear not what we want to hear.
Mostly I keep my own counsel, always have.  If a decision has to be made about me, then it should be me to make it.  I have asked for advice and opinions from others and mostly don't get it.  Usually it is me others seek out, hence when I asked for advice I usually get a blank look.  Today I make a couple of choices that will impact my future adventures.  Both good I hope, time will tell.  Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

"What if my whole life has been wrong" ~The Death of Ivan Ilyick by Leo Tolsoy.


The Gaian Tarot

Head over heels.

I remember as a child climbing trees and then wrapping knees around a branch and hanging upside down.  Was it daring, difficult, or scary?  Did I do it to get a different perspective on the world?  Nah, I did it cause I could, and that was good enough.  Sometimes we evaluate things too much, and definitely give to much validation to what others think.  A lot of times it is good enough to just do it, cause we can.
Now that is a perspective I can get on about.





The Gaian Tarot

That is all

That's all I got.  I drew Bindweed/Devil and so I asked and this answer.  What am I hanging onto that has no use or purpose.  Algebra is the answer for today.

Resolutions

New Year's resolutions.  A lot of years I had made a list of things that I wanted to do, complete, conquer, experience, or manage to do over the upcoming year.  Most years the list was identical to the previous year...so much for lists.  I realized that this year I did not even consider drafting 'a list.'  Amazing.  Getting through each year is enough on its own, and definitely worth celebrating.  So here it is the eighth day of January and so far so good with no list, and even better, I won't feel like I failed myself because I didn't get the list accomplished. 
This Queen of Cups asks me what do you want to do? Well mostly I just want to enjoy my days without the worry of what next.


The Gaian Tarot

Embrace

Who does not need a hug, an embrace, from time to time?  A week or so back someone went to give me a hug and I tried to withdraw, but no escape.  It got me to thinking of all the times that I have hugged others, whether I was invading their space or not. Since I was injured I don't give as many hugs any more.  One reason is I cannot turn my head and many are much taller than me so if the hugs last more than 1,2,3 I start to get really muffled.  Also since I cannot maneuver as well and my fight switch is damaged, my flight switch kicks on.
I miss them.  We all need to be hugged, held, validated from time to time. I turn to the Light and feel the warmth of the Sun for most of my embraces now.  Thankfully I have that.


The Gaian Tarot

Don't prod

Secrets, I have my fair share. No one needs to know all of my all little secrets and peculiarities. Heck, I don't think I remember them all. There are hidden dimensions in us all, secret places we won't even admit to ourselves. Step in the High Priestess, and says "won't you have a look behind the veil?"
Can we let go of the secrets and still know who we are?  Either way, its a place between the rock and a hard place. Pssht on self -discovery; I think it can go on a shelf for awhile and I can just get back to living the dream.




The Gaian Tarot

Einee meenie

It is a This or That kind of day.
Does the squeaky wheel get the oil, or the well behaved gets the reward?










The Gaian Tarot

Search your feelings

Obi wan Kenobi's  advice to Luke in Star Wars.  "Luke, search your feelings."  That is a exploration worthy of this Knight.  Though now that I am peering more intently at this Knight of Cups, I think he is a bit haphazard on the feelings he searches.  Not all of them, just the ones that give him a rush.  To know oneself, you got to sort through all the emotional threads that weave and bind us.  I wonder why, some days you wake up and jump to your feet and exclaim "What a day!" and other mornings you have to resort to almost violence to get out of bed as you lament "horrible day-I don't wanna."  What happens during those dream times, rough waves, or smooth sailing?  What emotions does the unconscious navigate through?



Gaian Tarot

Process

Are all endings beginnings?  Sometimes done is done. 
This is not your typical Ten of Cups. I wonder if as a reader when this card came up, if the reader would liken it towards the typical ten of cups or endings and beginnings?  I guess it would depend on the question at hand and any cards that would have been drawn with the ten.
A better question for me, would be what will I leave behind when my ending occurs?  Best live a life portrayed in the Rider Waite version of the Ten of Cups.  Celebrate the day, each and everyone as I get to live it.




The Gaian Tarot

WTH2

Now the Devil after the Tower?  Temptation after the Lightning bolt.  Not a encouraging way to begin the new year.  And I am not going to sit around listening to a bunch of magpies chattering at me.  To heck with this, I can reach down untangle the vines and be on my way.  No sitting around waiting for something to happen.  The happening is me getting up and getting on my way.





The Gaian Tarot

WTH

What the heck? I do not want to experience a Lightning Bolt today.  Hopefully my New Year does not need to start out with ozone and sulfur.  Actually those people falling from above reminds me of poem long ago of the remembrance of a Soul leaving the beyond and searching for the birth of the person that Soul was to merge with.  So I guess with a lightning bolt, things change after that.







The Gaian  - Joanna Powell Colbert