Intimidation

The Dancer seems to have used intimidation to get her way and control those around her.  The dragon is meant to frighten all comers. 
I am guessing that sometimes we have to use whatever means are available to accomplish what needs to be done.  Sometimes, not all the time.  Then it would just be an abusive situation dealt out by a bully.  All bullies are cowards. 
I don't really have to watch out for anyone today, since I am going no farther than looking out the front door.  Wait, there is technology; a window into my World.



Marco Polo Tarot

On a Clear Day

"On a clear day, rise and look around you and see who you are."
On of my favorite songs.  I sing it quite often, noticeably more when I am feeling on top of the world.  Huh, maybe I should sing it more often when I am feeling down as well, might help. 
I have been seeing stories of musicians and children and well just about everyone playing some music for themselves and others during these stay at home days.  A bright blessing for us all.  Hum, strum, sing out-loud.  Good, good medicine.  Feel good prescription if there ever was one. 



Marco Polo Tarot

Health care

This card reminds me it is time to see the dentist. Wait, can't do that right now, unless emergency.  During these uncertain times we must take care of ourselves.  We are the front line health care workers in our lives. Strength and Determination will get us through.









Marco Polo Tarot ~ artwork by Severino Baraldi
Lo Scarabeo

Delusion

I drew this card earlier and have been pondering it, and actually took a nap in the space between now and then.  I thought of choices, what might be served up, and even the verse from ELO's Evil Woman, "you made the wine now you drink the cup."
I pulled down one of the cups and the message within was
MYSTIFICATION: fear is the hammer and when the people are finally beaten into the conviction that existence hangs by a frayed thread, they will be lead to where they need to go. 
Some of the other cups still have hope and compassion.
Rest, Wine, Revenge, Mystification, Hope, Compassion
Wonder what is in the veiled cup?

Recovery

Me.  I am at the moment in Recovery.  Too much tv and updates on the health of the nation.  I started watching the news yesterday and decided enough.  I am still going to hear reports from just about everywhere, but I am not going to sit for an hour or more and marinate in the doom and gloom.   Enough.  Beyond the grid are green covered vistas.  That is a better use of time and it's healing.  Take a walk, in my bare feet while it is bit warmer.

Star of Wonder

Getting warm enough to spend time out at night Star gazing.  Stars of Wonder, Stars of Light.   I love the night sky.  I have more difficulty star gazing since I have screws in my neck and can't bend this way or that.  I live near the cities so lots of light pollution as well; still I enjoy what there is to see.  Last night went out too late to see the quick pass by of the Starlink satellites but hope to catch a glimpse sometime soon.  Always something to enjoy and appreciate.  The promise of The Star fulfilled.

Perplexed

I have no idea why she is visiting today.  Nothing.  I look at her rising up from the water; that's enough to catch my attention.  All I can of think of is why is she not dripping wet?
First appearance can be deceiving.  I am baffled.

View point

The author tells us that these are eight abandoned cups.  Maybe so, but whoever left them behind really cared for their special collection of cups.  Pretty and polished and stacked and left in order as they turned away.
Maybe something is working just fine, but there is this a knowing that change needs to me made. These days are filled with change, some good some and some not so good.  Work with the good ones and move on from there.





The Sacred Circle Tarot

Forward ho!

Which way from here?  The boys in charge have got us running in circles.  Something else for me to worry about.

Brain Balance

Left Brain - Right Brain
These days it takes a unified approach to figure it all out.  Intuitively and Intellectually. 
We should not pick-up where we left off, but many will try. 
Square peg, Round hole.







The Sacred Circle Tarot
Anna Franklin
Paul Mason

Decision - Deciding

So much information to ponder. 
Decision
Decide
Decided
Justice has not yet picked up the Sword of Truth.  Still considering the possibilities of her decision. 
I don't know yet what I think of it all.
I did watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind last night and wondered again...





The Linestrider's Journey ~ Siolo Thompson

The Return

The Vernal Equinox arrived at 11:50pm last night making today the first full day of Spring.  Equal day and night, well mostly.  A celebration to be held for the Returning Light.  We all need something to celebrate with the weirdness that is going on.  It seems to parallel the story of Demeter and Persephone.  A Mother's despair of loss for her daughter.  Some speculate that Mother Earth is giving us a warning with this virus.  It has closed shops and all sorts of businesses giving the earth and the air a temporary reprieve of sorts.  Is it a warning shot across the bough and will we change with the Change that is going on?  Happy Spring and I will give thanks for another glorious day of life.

EARTH MAGIC ~Steven D Farmer

It is what it is

Curiouser and curiouser.  When finally given what is wanted, there is a sense of let down and a question asked, what next? 
These days more and more of us are finding time on our hands because of the national health crisis.  Most will worry about where the money will come from.  I always have, but now I think I will think about the bonus of the extra time I have.  Time to nap, time to read, to cloud watch, to play with Kitty, to play games and paint rocks.  Maybe do some walking in the park and hug a tree or two.
Not spend it worrying about what I have no control over.  Not watching the doom and gloom forecasts.  Not sleeping away the day (jut naps).
It is what it is, and I can cry or better yet, have a really good time.

On the look-out

As the changes continue to roll-out vigilance is required.  Mostly for ourselves.  We have to pay attention to the world around us but more importantly we have to be vigilant with ourselves.  Not to slip in to despair or allow panic to overwhelm us.  Changed? Yes, and hopefully for the better.  The opportunity is there for us to adapt and grow.  Learn from the challenges and give Time, time. 

Wherever you go

Wherever you go, there you are.  This Knight of Cups can try to out run his emotions; we all know that you cannot.  We are who we are and a lot of that is tied to how we feel about ourselves and the World in general. 
The news just announced another major local area cancellation, The Kentucky Derby, running almost always on the first Saturday in May, the only exception is in 1945.  Our economy is on the verge of tanking and running helter-skelter.  Fear can overwhelm us all.  We can run from what is going on, better is to hold on a do the best that we can do.




The Linestrider Tarot

Two wolves

The two wolves tale - A Cherokee Legend
I dare to say that we all have our own internal conflicts.  When different parts of ourselves disagree, havoc can take hold.  I can be my own best or worst enemy.  I will not traumatize myself over that which I have no control.









The Linestriders Tarot ~ Siolo Thompson

An Ace in the hand

It is all good in my little corner of the world. 
An Ace in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

At the ready

At the ready.  This Page of Swords today speaks to me about what's to come.  Look and see what you can see.  Preparedness.  All this hoopla going on these days makes me twitchy and my bigger concern is what is this song and dance distracting us from?  I am beginning to feel that something bigger and more challenging is forth coming than this flu.  Those ten birds swirling ahead remind of of a couple of things.  The Ten of Sword which in itself is not a good omen, and also the note of overkill.  Secondly, all those those stories you read of some major event where the birds and animals panic and flee. 
It is a wait and see.

Flower market

Once upon a time I was very good with flowers and I often think about working in a greenhouse operation part-time in retirement.  I had a conversation the other night with a past client that is now selling flower pots and crocheted items in her front yard during a couple of weekend sales in the Spring and early Summer, in her retirement years.  She says she does a good trade.  Also in the Spring, at a local nursery, she is hired on for a few weeks helping make the potted plants up for sale.  She did always have the best flower beds of any home I have sold.  She does what she loves in her off time now and makes the additional income for her vacations.
A promising option for my days to come.



Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Distracted

Ah, my friend, The Queen of Pentacles.  Though today she seems distracted and not aware of herself and her surrounding, concentrating only on her pentacle.  Sometimes we can become so focused on one thing that we forget the rest that is going on around us.  Spring is springing, flowers bloom, bunnies hop; there is more than what meets the eye.  Remember that Carolyn

No sunscreen needed

Yesterday I mentioned dancing with childlike-abandon and look who rides in today.  Some Sun would be lovely today.  Rain and clouds all day and I supposed that is okay, especially since I have no control over the weather, only my reaction to it.  So what would a child do on a rainy day, get out in stomp in the puddles.  I can't remember the last time I jumped in a puddle just for the splash. 
Spring is almost upon us and time to shed the remaining dregs of Winter and get out and enjoy myself. 

Be

As I looked over the card I wondered when was the last time I danced around naked and happy?  I realized it was probably when I was about ten months old.  I spent a good deal of my life being or trying to be what others wanted or expected.  The days of my life that I didn't conform I was labeled odd and weird.  Odd and weird, I like that.  If being me is odd and weird I am ready to wear that label.  Just as soon as I finish stripping away the rest of others expectations.
Let the dance begin.






Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Own worst enemy

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy.  Thinking we are getting away with something, and that may be so; the damage we do to ourselves is not worth the daring.  Hard to believe that his hands are not sliced to pieces.  The injuries we sustain are not necessarily always visible when we do what we should not.








Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Cliff jumper

A miss-step or intentional leap?  The fall can be a good thing sometimes.  We can learn to fly on our way down.
Of course there could be the 'splat' but there is or can be danger every time we step out of the door.

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings




Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Yes - No

Whew that's a lot of yellow in this card.  Lots of sunshine in her garden grove.  I asked myself a question this morning and wanted the cards to give me a yes or no answer, I say this lovely Nine of Pentacles would be a yes.
I wonder why this gal is dressed in such heavy clothing for such a warm and sunny day.  The grapes are ready to be picked and looks to a good return on investment of time.  So maybe she put on her Sunday best for fun because the next few months are going to lots of hard work bringing in the harvest.  My yes might be another's no.  Life is good in it's diversity and choices.

Respite

Time to think about a few days away and unplug and disengage.  I find I cannot keep up with the pace lately.  Once upon a time I would become discouraged and sullen, now I realize it is better than okay to sit to the side and watch the world go by.










Rider Waite-Smith Tarot

Chapter and verse

I had a bit of a challenging day yesterday.  Death reminded me from the ashes...
Today the Lovers.  If  the cards are looked as a triad, three lines of assent as some readers teach; Death comes below the Lovers. I find it interesting that looking up from Death there are the Lovers.  Maybe that is the rising mountain point in the backdrop.  Death levels the playing field between The Lovers above and Judgement below. 
I really enjoy working with the Rider Waite-Smith deck, because each of the cards are a story unto themselves. Makes me think of books these days, more and more of them are trilogies, book 1,2,3...or more.  I wonder if it is for more money or they think the reading audience cannot read a longer story in a larger book?  The Tarot is like 21 stories in a very large book, and as The Fool, I can read and reread the stories I choose.  I love that!

Rider Waite-Smith Deck

Anniversary

The Rider, Death has made an appearance today.  Coincidental that I have drawn Death today on my anniversary date of March 2.  Eight years ago on a warm, sunny Friday afternoon my life as I knew it ended and change was thrust upon me.  I nearly died that day, and for a bit of time was held between stepping across the veil or returning back to continue my journey as Carolyn.  The Gatekeeper did not appear to me like this caricature of Death, though we all relate to this depiction.  Transformation, you betcha, but then again, everyday brings change.  There are events that we barely even notice and those that stay with always.  Large or small, we change and continue on our way.
Bright Blessings to all as we continue our journey.

Well that was interesting

Imagine walking along the shore's edge at the ocean and you see a golden cup. You pick it up delighted and as you admire the wonderful gift from the ocean, a fish pops ups.  Amazed you stare at the fish who seemingly stares back.  This is not a keeper fish, you must return it to the water. Do you toss the cup back as well? 
The fish must be free to swim and the cup that has had just enough water to keep her alive until you came along, is yours to keep.  So is a that is gift offered.   Appreciation is the real gift.  Be grateful.





Rider Waite-Smith Tarot