Tarot Card

 

Hi, All

 

 

 

Daily Tarot is taking an evening off.

 

 

 

Nitey-nite and have a good Thor’sDay!

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

Neal

Tarot Card ~ August 31

Seven of Spears

Arch of Twelve Kings

 

Fortune Cookie: What do you want? What would your victory be? Assume today is the day that you begin to move toward sure victory.

 

 

This card last turned for us toward the end of May. As I said then, it’s of those cards we should work with regularly to help us keep track of who we are and who we hope to be. [Who? Whom? Who cares?] It really is very helpful. And so it’s back again.

The Arch referred to here is a monument created by Merlin’s magic in celebration of the defeat of twelve lesser kings who rebelled against Arthur early in his reign.

As I’ve asked before: do the twelve kings sound at all like the chaotic, nagging, self-defeating things we get stuck thinking about ourselves, our talents and abilities, even our lives? Isn’t it wearying to find ourselves so often in rebellion against our higher and better selves? What a waste of energy, time, peace of mind, hormones, talent and… energy!

So listen up, y’all! I consider this to be the card of utter, total and complete victory. It may be victory after a loooooooong, tedious and/or hard-fought series of challenges. But it’s victory, absolutely, nonetheless.

Some readers indicate the Seven of Spears to be a card of bravery and success. Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, says it speaks of promoting unity for the common good and gaining the confidence of others, among other things. If any of those indicators fit what you’re trying to be about lately, assume you’ve been given a green light and MOVE!

As we look at what this card is prompting, let me ask this old chestnut:

If you were absolutely certain that you would

ultimately achieve the victory you want

− maybe after considerable time, maybe after considerable strategy and straining, heaving endeavor, maybe after having to release some things in order to ultimately gain what you want –

WHAT

DO YOU WANT?

WHAT

WOULD YOUR VICTORY BE?

~ How long are you willing to work toward it?

~ How long are you willing to go after it again and again and again?

~ How will you strategize for it?

~ With whom, and what will they bring to the table?

~ What endeavors will you put forth to achieve it?

~ What help will you seek, from Spirit and from those around you?

~ What would you give up, release, put aside to have it?

WHAT

DO YOU WANT?

What

would YOUR victory be?

Assume today is the magical day that

if you answer those questions honestly

if you answer those questions fully

and begin to put into play the elements

of your responses

you will move toward sure victory.

Bright blessings and victory!

P.S. Just as a corollary: What do you want to be remembered for one hundred years from now?

Quote for the Day: There can be only one true religion. Are ya feelin’ lucky, believer? ~ Charles Stross, from The Fuller Memorandum

Today’s Weather: Yogurt formula frenzies. Spork warfare? Tepid meteoric interludes.

On This Date: 1895 – German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin patents his Navigable Balloon.

No. Balloon. BALLOON .

Tarot Card ~ August 30

Wheel of Fortune

Arthur’s Dream

Fortune Cookie: You’re finally in a position to really be on top of the world, in the way you have wanted to be. So let yourself believe in that!

 

 

We last saw this card in mid April. Not a bad card for an April Monday. Or an August Tuesday. Really! Maybe we can spend a wee bit o’ time thinking about it, practicing what it offers a little bit and working out how to implement its advice for what’s up this week. Or the rest of our lives. Whichever.

In pretty much any reading, Wheel of Fortune augurs well, especially for the immediate future. It usually betokens a happy change of fortune and the beginning of a positive cycle. [Yes! Please!!!! YES!] [This message brought to you on behalf of most of my clients this past week.]

Some readers would say, hop on! Make the most of your life, NOW!!!!

I agree with those interpretations, but my work with clients has prompted me to put a particular spin on that energy [no pun intended, for a change]. When the Wheel turns up I usually say something like,

Look.

Take a moment.

Pay attention here.

You’re finally in a position to really be on top of the world, in the ways you have wanted to be.

So first of all, let yourself believe in that. Let yourself KNOW it. Do what you need to do to move beyond doubt. As I’ve said before, doubt kills more dreams than anything anyone else could possibly do.

There’s a special tweak to this interpretation, though, and, as ever, it takes a bit of explanation.

The card indicates that over the years, and perhaps particularly in the recent past, you have learned tough lessons in hard ways. [Whenever I mention this aspect to a client, I almost always hear, “That’s fer dayum sure!”]

One positive result of that experience is that you’ve developed an enhanced ability to pick up on and read the subtle vibrations of a situation – of situations in general – to a much greater extent than most people.

This is a very effective tool for you right now.

I repeat:

This is a very effective tool for you.

Right now!!!!

Honoring it and using it will be to your advantage. Okay? Advantage? Yours? For you? Are we on the same page here? Advantage?

In fact, giving yourself permission to read and trust and use what you perceive about those subtle vibes (in an intelligent, I’m not gonna overload my mouth and blow my own ass up kinda way) is key to keeping yourself on top of the world.

It will help you if pay attention to the fact that the Wheel of Fortune is always in spin, and remember you can move along with it at the right moments and in the right rhythm. By doing so you can keep yourself from losing your footing and being dumped into the moat, thereby becoming dragon chow.

As I’ve said before with this card, one of these days I’ll have to do an article listing some of the excuses I’ve heard [and used], for not going with what we KNOW from reading the vibrations of a situation. [Like, “My boyfriend will find me annoying. He doesn’t like to be contradicted.” Get a clue, M’Dear. He already finds you annoying. And he’s gonna find you annoying ANYWAY, no matter what you do!] [Or, “She would never do that to me. She’s my FRIEND. She’s my MENTOR. She TOLD me so!” Oyeah? Betcha she has done it. Already. Twice. And is coming around for the third time now. With no remorse whatsoever in this lifetime.]

I’m not asking you to be paranoid — just honestly connected to the intuitive insights that come to you AS THEY COME TO YOU!

There’s an old shamanic saying: “You know what you know. Do what you know.”

With the Wheel of Fortune as I understand it, I’d tweak that a touch to say, “You know what you know. Believe in what you know. Act − in a skillful, respectful, savvy way − on what you know.”

Make sense? Please?

Top o’ the world to ya! Permanently!!

Bright blessings, joy, success and light!

Quote for the Day: … we are trying to unravel the Mighty Infinite using a language which was designed to tell one another where the fresh fruit was. ~ Sir Terry Pratchett

Today’s Weather: Thymely whompings with premium artisanal aspirancies. From Artisan Al.

On This Date: 1963 – The Hotline between the leaders of the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union goes into operation.

Tarot Card ~ August 29

Queen of Swords

Morgause

Fortune Cookie: Be very strategic. Be clear about what you want, why you want it, the impact it will have on you and your world, and what it will take to attain your goal. Then follow the plan that comes naturally from this knowing.

 

 

 

Hmm…. We last saw this important lady back in early June.

It’s always good to bear in mind the insights she offers. [I say that even though I’m an Aquarius, and the idea of doing anything logical, plan-oriented and startegic makes me look like I’m about to cough up a gerbil. Make that two gerbils.]

This card certainly betokens being strategic in our lives and in our world – as I’ll talk about in a bit. That could, if you let it, lead to the question, “What is the difference between strategy and tactics?”

[God knows, I confuse the two about every chance I get. Which helps explain why I still drive an old Toyota instead of a new BMW, I guess.]

Strategy is the big picture look at a problem, situation or goal.

It focuses on the sea-change-sized thing that needs to be achieved. Defeating an enemy, preserving the ecology, earning a living as a Tarot reader − those are strategies. Concepts like objective, maneuver and security are among the principles of strategy. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War teaches strategy.

Tactics vary with circumstances, time and technology.

As I’ve written before when this card has appeared, if I were to guide you in marketing yourself as a Tarot reader for the eighteenth century, I’d suggest you get a beautiful snug little cart, paint it in wild and wonderful colors, and travel the roads from town to town to town in order to find new clients. And stay ahead of the sheriff.

If I were advising you to be a Tarot reader this year, I’d talk about blogs, e-books, web sites, apps, podcasting opportunities, corporations having you on retainer and maybe even securing sponsorships to help find new clients. And stay ahead of the sheriff.

[As you probably suspect from this blog in general, I still think that snug little cart thing sounds pretty good.]

So, tactics present a small picture perspective where individual trees are in focus, and dealing with them one by one is the action. Strategy focuses on the big picture of the entire forest, and whether to preserve it, napalm it, or something in between.

Got it?

Goodie!

Me, I’m as lost as ever.

Where was I?

Oh. Yeah. Believe it or not, this all has to do with what the Queen of Swords would tell us about our day, and possibly our future.

As I always say to my clients,

I love the Queen of Swords. If anyone ever crosses her, disappoints her or gets in her way, she doesn’t get mad. She just has them beheaded. ‘Nothing personal,’ she’ll say.

(That is a tactic to eliminate an obstacle. The strategy behind the tactic is to ensure that her reputation will precede her and scare absolute hell out of those who might think to oppose her, or mess her about in any way. With a Queen of Swords, that usually works.)

The Queen is a master of BOTH strategy and tactics. And your ability to work –consciously — with strategy and tactics is what you are being asked to explore within yourself and your situation today. The Queen is intelligent, and may in fact be a scholar or have a strong scholarly bent, especially when circumstances dictate she must. She will do what is necessary to learn what may be essential for her to succeed.

So, if you need to learn something new beginning today, don’t resist. Get started! It will be worth your while.

Most importantly [at least as I have experienced this card in working with clients], if the Queen wants to get from point A to point B, she will take the time to clearly and accurately understand WHY she should do that (strategy), and determine every baby step necessary to move her from where she is to her goal (tactics). Just as important, she will exert the will to hold herself to every single step. She’ll take unexpected breaks if they come her way, but she’ll muster the grit to grind it out every inch of the way if she must.

So be clear about

~ what you want,

~ why you want it,

~ the impact it will have on you and your world,

~ and what it will take to attain your goal.

~ Learn what may be necessary to help you succeed.

~ Then put yourself on the path to your goal.

~ And if anyone gets in your way, don’t take it personal.

Just have ’im beheaded!

[Ummm… I mean, just find a way to cut him out of the situation. And keep on moving on.]

Bright blessings!

Quote for the Day: A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. ~ Mark Twain

Today’s Weather: Button-box crumhorns and kortholts at midnight. Lilac jelly. Lot 49.

On This Date: 1911 – Ishi, considered the last Native American to make contact with European Americans, emerges from the wilderness of northeastern California.

 

 

Tarot Card ~ August 28

Ten of Spears

The Green Knight

Fortune Cookie: How will you go on a wonderful, transformative spiritual adventure? Now!

 

 

Hmmm… We last saw this fellow in early July. So do kindly pay attention then, won’t you? I mean, it’s not like I have nothing better to do than crank out the same old information once every month or so, year in and year out. Or do…

Nemmind.

Altogether now:

Tens in any Tarot deck betoken the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, or even the end of one way of life and the beginning of another. So, if I were reading for you today and this card came up (especially if you live on the East Coast], I’d ask:

How do the things you have been experiencing – and more importantly, how do the things you have begun to long for in life just now – represent a strong message to you that you must allow yourself to acknowledge the end of a cycle and the powerful potential for you to move into something wonderful and new, even miraculous? How can you keep that in front of you not only today, but all through the summer? [Because you should, you know.]

Then I’d say:

Beyond that general information about cycles, I believe the Ten of Spears says in no uncertain terms, “You. Yeah, YOU! Go on a spiritual adventure. Let yourself be open to new and incredibly transformative experience. Keep a sharp eye out for integrity, in yourself and in those around you – particularly teachers, leaders and spiritual directors. And seek spiritual renewal through the wondrous. Yes, starting RIGHT NOW. Get going! DO IT!”

So, in consideration of the fact that it’s time for you to begin an entirely new phase of your life, and in consideration of the fact that I’m reading for YOU today, let me be a little pushy and ask a couple readerly but obnoxious questions. [Doofus reader clears throat, straightens vest, cleans french fry grease from shirt, looks for lost fries, if any, for a snack, clears throat again]:

What ARE the spiritual adventures and transformative experiences and magical evolutions you’ve always hungered for but never really had the courage, or time, or cash, or whatever to pursue?

Now, given that you and I are

~ a.) Looking at the specific energy you are being asked to embrace to start this (perhaps suddenly new) cycle, and ~

b.) Bearing in mind that you are being asked to accept, own and foster this energy and therefore this transformational nature of yourself over an extended period (so you don’t think you hafta have it all together by dinner tonight) ~

c.) What dreams, hopes, changes will you PLEASE actually give yourself permission to believe in andREALLY pursue so as to have achieved them by, say, a year-and-a-day from now?

(Okay, for you Capricorns, Virgos and Aquariuses {Aquariusae? Aquamarines? Aquadoodles?} you have my permission to take a minute and write the answers to those questions down in a list on paper. Aquarians — like me — will have lost the list by lunch anyway. Virgos will have the list memorized, backwards and forwards. With neat little inked-in squares at the head of each point. Obsessive little… Ummm…)

d.) And what are one or two baby steps you can take today and this week and this month to begin the concrete process of demonstrating your commitment to this new cycle and beginning your quest? (Aquarius, that would mean finding the list. Or even typing/printing out the questions and taping them above your desk. Or to your forehead. Or making them into a tee shirt. Writing them on your palm. Anything.)

So, will you love yourself and the world enough to take those questions on — for the “New” You (new cycle, new way of life, new whatever)? We’d all sure appreciate it!

By the way, here’s some info about how other folks see the Ten of Spears:

Some view the Ten of Spears as a card of

~ oppressive energy that is overcome to achieve success (So know that you may feel challenged by the nature of the changes or goals you give yourself permission to go after, or perhaps by those around you who don’t get the point.)

~ disguise or false seeming (That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for integrity in those you connect with, and perhaps even in yourself and your own motives.)

~ an awesome task which is successfully accomplished through perseverance (You deserve to take on something awesome. That’s what’s worthy of you and your true nature. Besides, that’s why you’re HERE right now. Right?)

So, for today and for this “New” You:

How will you (how would you wish to) end one cycle and begin another?

How will you go on a wonderful, transformative spiritual adventure?

How will you be open to miraculous experiences, and recognize the miraculous nature of your life and of yourself?

How will you guard your integrity and seek for it in others?

How will you make this the most beautiful and wondrous of times

starting today, starting now?

Bright blessings and miracles!

Quote for the Day: My heart will define the face of God. ~ Art in my friends Mary Ellen & Ray’s home

Today’s Weather: Evening ragas. Pork-pie automobiles, like the 1960 Rambler. Daoine Maithe all through the bottom of the garden.

On This Date: 1963 – March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom: Martin Luther King, Jr. gives his I Have a Dream speech

Tarot Card ~ August 27

The Emperor

Arthur

No. No. No.

Not. Bea. Arthur.

 

Fer tha luvva…

Fortune Cookie: Use your wonderful intellect very well today, you silly bugger. That’s why you have it. And accept a leadership position that is unexpectedly thrust upon you.

 

 

Really, Neal… Again with the silly Arthur schtick. Really? I don’t believe it. Je…

Ahem.

Hmmm….

Las saw this guy pretty recently. Like, eighteen days ago. Seem many cards have been cycling back quickly over the last few weeks. Maybe that’s the Univewrse’s way of saying, “Hey, it’s a Mercury retrograde. Nobody’s gonna read the stuff closely enough the first time around anyway. So let’s try again.”

This is a powerful, positive card [and I know bunches of folk who can use one at the moment], that encourages us to see the goodness flowing to us and our world. Even more, it asks that we believe in that and really be open to it.

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, writes that this card betokens

wisdom and power,

conquest and conviction,

courage and ambition

balanced with

reason and fair play.

That would be nice, for a change.

It can also herald a caring person with many responsibilities, so have an eye out for someone like that. [If it looks like me in your mind’s eye, you’re surely daft.]

I perceive The Emperor to be a card of intellect well used and accomplishment attained.

For some clients, I find that it indicates they may be thrust into a new position of power or leadership, even if they have not sought it. When that is the case, I ask that they accept the new responsibilities (and the attendant opportunities) graciously. I say something like:

“If the Universe didn’t think you were ready for this, IT wouldn’t have put you in a position to receive it. So go for it and be brilliant about it! You can be, you know!!!!!”

Be open to the helpful counsel of others [especially me], so that a greater wisdom can be attained and acted on [maybe it’s not me after all].

This is a card of

progress and security.

So believe in that – own that − as a true, evident and inevitable probability.

Use your wonderful intellect very well today; that’s why you have it. Seek wisdom through the counsel of others who truly have something helpful to offer. Know that, through such actions, progress and security can be yours.

Bright blissings!

Quote for the Day: Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. ~ Colin Powell

And: I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Today’s Weather: Beware the rapidly gyring meadow muffins.

On This Date: 1952 – Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman), American actor is born. [Yep. That really is about the best I can do.]

 

Tarot Card ~ August 26

Ten of Cups

Corbenic

Fortune Cookie: Stretch the fabric of your reality by thoroughly embracing the miraculous in your existence. Remember though: it can’t be a half-assed embrace.

 

 

This card last turned for us in early April. And it’s a terrific, wonderful card.

Before you read my interpretation…

Take a look at the card.

[Yes. Now.]

What does this card say to YOU? What do you see in it, just uniquely FOR YOU? What legends come back to you? What old hopes? What dreams? What is YOUR interpretation of the card?

And what will you do with THAT today?

Fine-eeeee-oooo.

Getting back to my normal nattering and chattering, Tens in any Tarot deck betoken

the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, or even

the end of one way of life and the beginning of another.

So, when this card comes up in a reading for clients, I ask them to consider how the things they are experiencing – and more importantly, what they have begun to seek in life just now – represent the potential end of a cycle and moving into something wonderful, new, even miraculous. [You know. Like me having something new to say about a card for a change. Or something.]

How can acknowledge the end of a cycle?

How can you recognize that the end of this cycle is a positive thing, and is “just in time/just at the right time?”

How can you own the potential to move into something wonderful and powerful and new?

Aaaaaaaah, [ha ha ha hahaha] but there’s more to it. [Of course. Right?]

I consider the Ten of Cups to be one of the three great WISH cards of the deck.

So, when this card turns – after I stop beaming at the client and stop wondering why it hasn’t come up in a reading for me lately, dammit − I usually say something like:

Ohboy! Ohboy! Ohboy! [Sometimes I’m subject to bursts of enthusiasm.] You shall most assuredly indeed have comfort, joy, healing and delight − perhaps through what may seem almost miraculous intervention –

IF:

IF you are clear within yourself about what your wishes truly are,

IF you truly believe in the goodness and the justness of your wishes,

IF you allow yourself to truly believe in miracles,

AND IF you hold true to your miraculous quest, moment by moment by moment, no matter how farfetched or hopeless it may seem, no matter how misunderstood you and your quest may be by everyone else.

[Corbenic, as I’ve said before, is one of the names given to the castle in which the Holy Grail resided until the Grail knights achieved their sacred quest. The Grail Kings, guardians of the Grail, held to their family’s sacred mission for hundreds of years on faith and belief in the miracles to come.]

The Universe smiles

on those

who stretch

the fabric of our reality

by thoroughly embracing

the miraculous in their existence.

Remember though: it can’t be a half-assed embrace. You have to really reach out and take hold. You have to let yourself KNOW that the miraculous operates in your life NOW.

So, as I’ve said before, it might be very useful to go through today repeating at least a thousand times,

“I create miracles. My life IS miracles. Our world is miracles.”

Because you do, and it is. With every breath, every thought, every hope, every smile, there are millions of miracles being born within and through you.

Let the Universe see that you believe in miracles, and watch what unfolds.

Bright blessings! And miracles!

Quote for the Day: Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.~ Winnie the Pooh

Today’s Weather: Pooh shakka lakka lakka! Pooh shakka lakka lakka!

 

 

On This Date: 1498 – Michelangelo is commissioned to carve the Pietà.

 

Tarot Card ~ August 25

Seven of Swords

The Sword in the Stone

Fortune Cookie: Own your power and reveal it to the world. Be yourself. All of yourself. No ego. No apology.

 

OkayFine! This card last appeared only nine days ago. So… What are you up to lately that obligates you to really own your power for a change. Eh?

Eh?

As You may remember my having said JUST RECENTLY, I’m always glad to see this card, because the clients who have turned it in a reading, and really honored the direction it gives have benefited tremendously.

So −

As I ask whenever this card comes up for us,

We all remember the story of the Sword In the Stone, right?

Well, sort of. Maybe. A bit. You think?

What’s important for our understanding of the Seven of Swords is to know that Arthurian legends contain at least two sword-in-the-stone stories.

This one takes place long after Arthur has become king, and involves the introduction of Galahad to the court of Camelot. It’s a story that has been known in and told with a number of variations.

Here’s the essence of the story as it has come to me in my own Shamanic journeying. [And my stealing from various ancient sources.]

The Camelottish folk were all gathered for the Christian feast of Pentecost (or Whitsun ~ the 49^th/50^th day after Easter) when they saw a haayyyuuuuge red marble boulder come floating serenely down the river and right up to Camelot dock, as it were. Gleaming and protruding from said big red stone was an ornate sword so beautiful and magical it had an aura of its own.

In some versions of the tale the rock was engraved with the words,

“This sword shall only be drawn out by the Best of Alle Knightes.”

Of course, pretty much every guy lined up to have a heave at it, jostling, grunting, bragging, swearing, betting, whooping, loudly discussing potency inducers, passing around bottles of Armor All, quietly discussing horseback hemorrhoid and chafing remedies ~ about what you’d expect of boys in chain mail in groups.

They all had a go. And failed. Failed flat. Game over.

Then a new, completely unknown young guy quietly walked up to the stone. Without a word, a hesitation or a glance in any direction, he took hold of the sword and pulled it from the stone like light piercing deep, clear water. He then simply turned, walked back up to the castle and took a seat at the Round Table.

Thus was Galahad’s presence and stature made known to all, and thus did he rightfully sit in the Siege Perilous, a seat at the Round Table so strictly reserved for the Best of Alle Knightes that it was fatal to anyone else who sat in it. (There were beefcake bimbos who tried. Of course.)

Which brings us to the interpretation of the Seven of Swords. [You did trust I’d get around to it eventually, didn’t you?]

Traditional readings of this card are pretty much downers, with words like “dishonor,” “futility,” and “lone wolf” tossed about. Some readers talk about a person who is intelligent but unorthodox [that would be me], or suggest that it recommends vigilance against unexpected danger.

Me, I see wonderful and positive things in this card, especially as it is portrayed in the Legend deck. Anna- Marie Ferguson, creator of the deck, by the way, sees it as betokening inspiration, enthusiasm, and the instilling of hope, faith and strength.

[Anybody out there NOT up for that? If so… GET HELP. Now. NOW!]

When I work with a client and we turn this one up (and it’s amazing how often it shows up in the career section of a reading), I say,

“Own your power.

Own.

Your.

Power.

Own it WITHOUT EGO

but also WITHOUT APOLOGY to anyone.

Be yourself.

All of yourself.

Be who you really are.

And get going at it.”

The Seven of Swords indicates that it’s truly time for you to own your skills, abilities, gifts, potentials, intentions ~ your POWER ~ and let yourself begin to move in a new direction with new purpose.

Now that we are into the late days of summer, with all its unique magics, opportunities and challenges it is good to remember this:

we honor our Creator and The Earth by becoming more and more who we truly are for the highest and best of all.

So own your power. Reveal it to the world. No ego. No apology.

Bright Blessings!

Quote for the Day: There are bad things in the world. There’s no getting away from that. But that doesn’t mean nothing can be done about them. ~ Jim Butcher

Today’s Weather:Wild octopod bouquets. Yellow Submarinish and all. Orange dal.

On This Date: 1921 – The first skirmishes of the Battle of Blair Mountain occur. [How times have changed…]

And: Best Tweets about the Quake:

~ TWITTER NEWSFLASH: 5.8 earthquake in Virginia; Justin Bieber unharmed.

~ Like any savvy supervillain in a time of distress, Gaddafi has deployed his earthquake machine.

~ Earthquake made me spill my tea! I’m available for interviews!

~ Sorry, East Coast. Drunk HULK just find out they go finish Sex and City trilogy.

~ Hurricane Irene has a posse!

~ Bored already. When’s the alien invasion?

~ And THIS is why the president shouldn’t take vacations.

 

Tarot Card ~ August 24

Four of Cups

The Fading Fellowship

Fortune Cookie: Be honest with yourself about elements of disillusionment or burnout in life. Be even more honest about any places where either your ego or your fears may be overriding your truer, better nature.

Look toward YOUR Holy Grail, whatever that means to you. Then begin to do what you need to stay grounded and true to your higher ideals. And move toward them today.

 

 

 

We last saw this card WAAAAYYY back in early January. And it really makes sense that it would show up right ’round the unofficial end of summer as a reminder of some important things. It’s one of those burnout ~ vs. ~ idealism kinda attention-getters. And please note: this IS one of those

BE CAREFUL cards.

When this card turns up for a client, I usually say something like: Look. There are a couple of possibilities you need to watch out for here. One is that you’re nearing a point of disillusionment in your life or real burnout, or both.

 

So you really need to look hard at how you’re living so you will start taking much better care of yourself on that score. [Anybody unclear about WHAT THAT MEANS???]

“The second possibility is that words like

imaginary vexations (watch out for THAT one!),

drunk,

sloppy,

disorderly,

foolish,

blind,

ego-driven

blowhard

may apply with real impact somewhere in your life − although they may not necessarily be about you personally. [I hope. I REALLY REALLY really hope.]

So what do you do in response to a card like this?

In the Legend deck I use, the image on the card gives a suggestion. It shows the Knights of the Round Table during the period when they had conquered their initial passels of bad guys and had nothing much to do but sit around drinking, thumping their chests and generally being swine.

 

But…

In the picture, there is one upright and stalwart fellow looking out a palace window. What he is seeing is The Holy Grail, floating in over the castle walls.

He sounds the call, the knights all run down to the great hall, The Grail casts its holy and magical spell over all present, and the lot of them clean up their act, pull themselves together and go on one of the great spiritual quests of all time.

[And, I’ll tell ya: The world could really use a VALID great spiritual quest right now. We might even be able to have it, if we didn’t automatically start by spending most of our time and energy hacking each other to bits about who knows God/Goddess by the right name {Poseidon? Mithra? Cher?} in the right color {Green? White? Bronze? Ebony? Black leather? Blue pinstripe? Khaki cargo shorts?} with the right kind of feet {One eagle claw/One old Nike Air Huarache? One Electric blue Manolo Blahnik/One ballet slipper?} and on and on. And on .]

What this card implies is that, for your benefit and happiness,YOU CAN [and would do well to] be that one knight looking out onto a greater vista and being open to great miracles.

Stay grounded. Hold to your ideals. Refuse to demean yourself or anyone else by succumbing to a get-along by going-along philosophy. Don’t even agree with me if you don’t feel like it. [But have another cuppa and think it over at least, willya?]

If you perceive that this card talks about the quality of your personal life:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spend at least a little time taking stock of what is really important.

REALLY important.

REALLLLLYYYYY important.

Figure out how you can pursue that!!!

If this is a card about your workplace or a relationship − and you find it’s a situation worth working on − let yourself say:

“Hold on. IS this the right direction? I think we need to look at changing. What are the ways we can do so and move together, toward and for the highest and best?”

So, I repeat: Be honest with yourself about elements of disillusionment or burnout in life. Be even more honest about any places where either your ego or your fears may be overriding your truer, better nature.

Look toward YOUR Holy Grail, whatever that means to you. Then begin to do what you need to stay grounded and true to your higher ideals. And move toward them today.

Bright Blessings, joy, renewal and a real and beautiful spiritual quest!

Quote for the Day: What goes around may come around, but it never ends up exactly the same place, you ever notice? ~ Thomas Pynchon, from Inherent Vice

Today’s Weather: Smatterings of satori with intermittent prickly heat. And prickly coworkers. Break the code on a Burberry scarf.

On This Date: 1967 – Led by Abbie Hoffman, the Youth International Party temporarily disrupts trading at the NYSE by throwing dollar bills from the viewing gallery, causing trading to cease as brokers scramble to grab them. [What would they have to throw today?]

Tarot Card ~ August 23

Ace of Spears

The Grail Lance

 

Fortune Cookie: Be clear in what you want. Be clear about the why of it. Go after it evenly, directly, the way anyone with a strong, positive masculine energy would.

 

 

 

Okay, okay, okay. Who wasn’t paying attention on Saturday when this card showed up? Huh? Huh? And may one ask, HOW COME? Huh? Now, because of you, we ALL have to go through the same lesson ALL over again. Jeeez!

[Probably just as well. I didn’t pay all that much mind meself.]

As those of you who have read this blog for even a short while, like, three days, will likely remember, Aces in any Tarot deck are cards of a new beginning. So, let’s ask again (and again and again, from time to time as the Universe prompts it):

~ How can you − how do you need to − begin your life anew, today, this moment?

~ What changes can you begin, even in small ways?

~ What potentials can you believe in, hope for, reach for and remember?

Expect The Universe will keep asking that question until you (yes, you! Don’t try to weenie out of it this time!) truly remember to ask those same, powerful questions over and over again as a part of who you are!

Some readers feel the Ace of Spears has to do with invention or creation, and perhaps with an inheritance. Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, finds mental activity, revelation and beginning anew to be elements of the card’s meaning.

[So ’scuse me while I have a revelation.

Humteedum Deedum. Humtedee Deedum. Humtedeedeeedeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Deeedum. Ahummmmmmmmmmm.]

[Thank you.]

I believe the Ace of Spears asks two things of you when it appears.

~ First, it reminds you to become very clear within yourself about something you want or some goal you would achieve. It is, therefore, important that you know specifically what you want to go after – perhaps some major wish in life, or perhaps just a current, interim, in-the-moment thing that will be helpful or fulfilling for a short time, or serve as a useful next step.

It is equally important that you be clear about why you want it. What are your true motivations, and are they really for the highest and best? So this card is also about being conscious of what you would do and have, and of your impact on the world. I think we could all spend a little more time on this one. Or a lot more, if we were smart. Sez I.

~ Then, once that first, more internal step is completed, the Ace of Spears directs you to use strong, clean, clear, non-repressive and non-repressed masculine energy as your model − think Dalai Lama, maybe? – and simply go after your wish or goal confidently, hopefully, firmly and directly. (So it’s assertive rather than aggressive.)

Know what you want for that new beginning. Pursue it. Yourself. Today!

What is your new beginning? Be clear in what you want. Be clear about the why of it. Go after it directly, the way anyone with a strong, positive masculine drive would. Do something concrete about it today.

Bright blessings and blissings and beautiful, knowing beginnings!

Quote for the Day: If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.~ Dalai Lama

And: We are all the same person trying to shake hands with our self. ~ Jolly Lama [Wavy Gravy]

Today’s Weather: The walnettosphere predicts currant precipitation. Or possibly blueberry.

On This Date: 1784 – Western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee) declares itself an independent state under the name of Franklin; it wasn’t accepted into the United States, and only lasted for four years. [I hate it when that happens!]

There are 130 days remaining until the end of the year.