Daily Tarot ~ September 21

Justice

Lady of the Lake

 

Fortune Cookie: Know what is just, equitable, honorable, hopeful and balanced.  Use that as your guide. Work firmly, calmly, directly but in a balanced way toward that today.

We last saw this card five months ago almost to the day.  And as today is the first day of Autumn (as of 10:49 am EDT) this is ALSO the card for the entire season to come.  So, please give it some extra attention.  PLEASE?

 

As ever, I like to begin my interpretation of this card with Richard Pryor’s famous quote,

 

“You go down there looking for Justice; that’s what you find: just us.”

 

And follow it with Lenny Bruce’s,

 

“In the halls of justice, the only justice is in the halls.”  

 

And then, I offer a picture of the

Code Of Hammurabi   (one of the great milestones, no pun intended, in Earthly law) along with one of my favorite laws from the code, verbatim in translation:

 

If anyone brings an accusation against a man, and the accused goes to the river and leaps into the river, if he sinks in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house.

Simple, really.  

For those of you who actually NEED an explanation about a card entitled Justice, let’s just take a little look together.

 

‘Kayso:

 

Many readers would say something to the effect that Justice betokens equity, “rightness,” and justice in the consequences of past actions.

 

However, as Hamlet noted,

 

“Use every man after his desert, and who should ’scape whipping?” 

 

Fortunately, most of my clients STILL don’t own whips. And I continue to be grateful.

 

Other readers would say the card portends that a fair decision will be made in your favor. 

 

Or they might encourage us to remember that justice is intended to foster peace and order, not revenge. [Not an easy concept to keep in front of us these days. At all.]

 

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck I use, writes that the card bespeaks total honesty, just rewards, equal partnership and coming to agreement, among other things.

 

And me?  When Justice turns up for a client, I usually say something like,

 

Regarding the situation, first of all, be sure you treat all justly – including and especially yourself. 

 

Work toward a truly equitable solution or situation. You must not discount your needs and hopes, but neither may you let your goals be overbearing, overweening or overwhelming. Overandout.

 

Remember the ancient symbol of Justice is a scale weighing the balance of things.

So this is one of those cards that counsels:

 

Do what is necessary to keep yourself in balance, physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, etc.  And seek outcomes that are balanced, harmonious, bringing peace of mind to all. Be confident such is possible — because it is.

 

Know what is just, equitable, honorable, hopeful and balanced.  Use that as your guide. Work firmly, calmly, directly but in a balanced way toward that today.

 

Bright, happy and balanced blessings! 

 

Quote for the Day:    No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves. ~ Francis of Assisi

 

 

Today’s Weather: A mild presumptuous spumoni-like incantation.  Wrinkly cumulowampeter fronts all along the back. And sides. 

On This Date: 1937 – J. R. R. Tolkien‘s The Hobbit is published.

 Texts from Last Night: …you screamed, “no, YOU put some pants on” at a cop …I pretended not to know you

Note: Daily Tarot will disappear until October 2.  Working on some house stuff.  BLESS!

Daily Tarot ~ Sept 20

Page of Shields

The Badger

 

Fortune Cookie: Get down to what’s REALLY important; dig in to push that effort along. Pay very close attention to defining healthy boundaries as YOU perceive and need them. Then maintain and defend those boundaries fully.

 

Okay.  No side (or snide) remarks about haranguing the Tarot reader, or badgering the old badger, please.  As I said before, this is MY blog, and that kind of lame drivel is… MINE!  And I own it.  Especially on a Thursday.  So don’t press my luck. Don’t…  Umm…  Oh well.

 

We last saw this guy about four months ago.  And exactly eight weeks before that.  And exactly four weeks before THAT.  And I was just thinking, based on what I’ve been seeing with clients, it was time for him to turn up again.

 

Typical readers might say something along the line that this card implies focused application, study or reflection.  They’d say, ummmmm… if you really concentrate on what’s important to you, right about now you’re in a position to achieve extraordinary results.  The implication is that you MUST put something extra in if you wish to get out what you really want.  So figure out what that’s about for you and go after it!

 

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, finds the card betokens such things as a tenacious, reliable person and a hunger for knowledge, among other interpretations.

 

In working with my clients, [and having encountered a badger just once in a meadow, and he was a MOODY little blighter] this is what I usually say when this card turns up:

 

I truly love badger. Badger really gets down to it and digs in to get things done.  Badger prefers to be peaceable, a homebody of sorts who attends to the things that are necessary, the things that are important within the bounds of his or her own little kingdom.

 

And if you ever cross into badger’s territory without his or her express permission, there is no anger, no fuss.  Badger will simply tear off your leg, leave you in a heap and go on about business, easy-peasy-comfy-cozy.

 

So I suggest that my clients understand badger as a pretty useful role model where defining and holding boundaries may be concerned, especially in our culture.  I haven’t ever had anyone NOT understand the importance of that. Nor comment that boundaries really weren’t an issue in their life, thanks.

 

So, for today:

 

~ Focus and study well, if you perceive that’s what’s in order.

~ Get down to what’s REALLY important; dig in to push that effort along. 

~ Pay very close attention to defining healthy boundaries as YOU perceive and need them.

 

 

Then maintain and defend those boundaries fully for the highest and best of all.

 

Bright blessings!

 

Quote for the Day: There is, I think, humor here which does not translate well from English into sanity. ~ Jim Butcher

 

Today’s Weather: Waggles, bobs and bazoonies to keep us tuned. A place between Laphroaig and a fried egg sandwich.  Sluuurp!  

 

On This Date: 480BC – Greeks defeat Persians in the Battle of Salamis.

 

 

Text From Last Night: listen… i know you hate her for what she did but this is getting our of hand… please PLEASE tell me where you hid her wedding dress

 

September 20 is the 263rd day of the year.

Daily Tarot ~ September 19

King of Spears

King Pellinore

Fortune Cookie: Own the Renaissance Man or Woman in you. What interests, skills, and wisdom will you pursue, and pursue deeply?  Which one first?  How can you start TODAY?

No, that is still NOT a mullet!  And neither is his hair, yet, either.

Last saw this extraordinary fellow… on Friday. So, who wasn’t paying attention?  Who? 

As I always say, he’s a wonderful role model to keep close by and attend to. So let’s do it anyway. 

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of Legend, the Arthurian Tarot, finds the King of Spears to be a mature man [I suppose these days, for this blog, we should say mature PERSON] of wisdom, someone with humor and theatrical flair.  [Anybody come to mind?  Jon Stewart, maybe? Oprah?  Whoopi?  Bill Clinton?  Baryshnikov? Me?  Me???  I would hastily call your attention to the word MATURE.]  So keep an eye out for that kind of energy today. Better still, seek to embody it yourself.

I see the King of Spears as the card of

the Renaissance Man

(or Renaissance Woman).

Look for

~ or better still, give YOURSELF permission to have ~

a restless, joyful, driving curiosity that you allow to take you toward many different deep fascinations.

More detail?

Okay, here’s my picture of a typical Renaissance Person as represented by this card:

He or she

~ does trigonometry problems for fun and

~ does passable table magic and

~ can conjugate verbs in Latin, French and Japanese or Russian and

~ is being followed by Neil Gaiman on Twitter and

~ converted a car to biodiesel or hydrogen with almost no outside help and

~ understands permaculture and

~ has a rain garden and

~ sang backup for Tom Petty late one night (in a bar, if nowhere else) and

~ rides a Harley and

~ wrote a published urban fantasy novel and

~ owns a Prius and a ’68 MGB

~ works with Habitat for Humanity

He or she wants to learn

~ French cooking and

~ Feng Shui and

~ Shamanic Healing and

~ judo and

~ controlled remote viewing and

~ Vedic astrology and

~ Thai massage and

~ book making and

~ classical guitar and

~ how to REALLY make money day trading and

~ how to build a PC by hand and

~ wants to design a line of edgy greeting cards and

~ wants to write a play for Broadway

And so on.

(And will BY GOD! do so, every last bit, by the way.)

But remember, a true Renaissance Person is not just a dibbler-dabbler in lots of things.  The characteristic that distinguishes the Renaissance person is a real commitment to explore deeply, to develop true expertise in the many areas − one at a time if necessary − that appeal.  Patience, deep learning and wisdom, not just faking it or cramming to get by, are required here.

So, if you were to really own up to the Renaissancer in you, what interests, skills, and wisdom will you go after?  Which one first?  How will you pursue it deeply? How can you start TODAY?

Brightest blessings, joy and wonder!

Quote for the Day: Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal. ~ E. O. Wilson

And: I went to a restaurant that serves “breakfast at any time”. So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. ~ Steven Wright

Today’s Weather: Mojo dojo.  Rootforce permaculture.  Faerie mist. (As good as a smile, or better.)

On This Date: 1970 – The first Glastonbury Festival is held at Michael Eavis‘s farm in theUnited Kingdom.

Text from Last Night: … I just got carded by a ten year old.

Daily tarot ~ September 18

Page of Swords

The Adder

 

Fortune Cookie: Identify, own and begin a positive, deep and bright personal transformation.  TODAY!

 

This guy last, uh, popped up for us about seven weeks ago. So pay attention because he’s baaa-aack.  He’s potent.  He’s wise.  He’s transformational.  Check him out! Take advantage of his wisdom. [Or else why are you even reading this?  Hmmmmmmmmm?] 

 

 

A typical reader might say the Page of Swords betokens something along the lines of authority, secret service, vigilance, maybe even spying.

Enough, already!

 

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, includes insight, receiving info first-hand about an important matter, and overseeing confidential affairs, among other insights this card brings.

 

So if any of those phrases pop out for you — like if you’re still waiting for notice about your parole hearing or whatever — keep your intuitive antenna up about the matter that resonates a bunch.

 

As I look at this card in the Legend deck, I’m reminded that The Snake (in this case, Adder) is a universal symbol of at least five things [although even I must occasionally remember that the Great Sigmund is reported to have said “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar…”]. 

Yeah, okay, fine. So watch out for snakes if you live in the country and mow the lawn today.

 

Where were we.  Oyeh.  Snake is a universal symbol of at least five things.

 

Snake symbolizes:

 

1. transformation and rebirth (the snake sheds its skin, and in that process experiences rebirth;  it has become a new creature and a creature renewed)

 

2. healing (the Rod of Asklepios, Greek God of Healing and Medicine, was entwined by a snake, and snakes were sacred totem animals, guardians and helpers at the temples of dream healing dedicated to him)

 

3.subconscious wisdom (knowledge of the Shamanic Lower World, which is almost universally understood to be a place of deep and beautiful healing as well as  a place of ancient and traditional wisdom)

 

4. masculine energy (any questions on this one?  Go back to our friend Freud)

 

5. clandestine affairs (the sneaky sneaky sneaky snakey)

 So when the Page of Swords shows up for a client, I’m likely to ask him or her

~ what kind of deep personal transformation or healing have you been longing for?

~ how can you be open to a rebirth − for personal and/or planetary healing?

~ how can you connect with deeper and perhaps archaic or ancestral wisdom, (Shamanic journeying, deep meditation, magic, prayerwork ) and to what purposes?

~ how can you go after these things in a direct, vigorous, perhaps even forceful way?

~ how will you test for integrity – in yourself, no less than in those around you?

 

Also, this card indicates that it may be a good idea to be more than normally open to help or guidance from someone of substantial masculine energy: a positive, powerful man or a strong and wise woman-warrior type, for example.

 

So, given all that:

What is the deep, positive and bright personal transformation you can own and begin TODAY?  DO IT!

 

Bright blessings and beautiful, healing transformation!

 

Quote for the Day: The only good hero is the kind who survives to talk about merchandising.  ~ Simon R. Green

 

Today’s Weather:  Drip. Drip.  Drip.  WHOMP! Southern fried bergoo. 

 

On This Date: 1948 – Margaret Chase Smith of Maine becomes the first woman elected to the US Senate without completing another senator‘s term

 

Text from Last Night: …didn’t know hookah bars could end badly… i feel for her hair

 

 

Daily Tarot ~ September 17

Queen of Shields

Igraine

Fortune Cookie:  Ask yourself, “What is really important?  Now how do I attend to that?  And how can I do it really, really well?”

 

This card last turned for us not quite a month ago. Does that give you some sense that maybe this particular bit of symbolic and intuitive information MIGHT JUST be a little more than normally beneficial right now? Hunh?  Maybe?  Eh? Hunh?

Once again…

Attend:

Other readers find this card indicates opulence, generosity, liberty, security, and perhaps even greatness of soul.  Certainly good stuff.  [So if you’re aspiring to any of that at the moment…  get going!]

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck I use, sees it betokening a sensible, considerate woman (or person), an effective advocate, one who uses her considerable influence and power to help those less fortunate.  [Find me one such.  And send her my way as ye personal business manager-type!]

So if that’s the kind of energy you’re hoping to find and/or embody today, JUMP IN!

In working with my clients, I’ve come to see the Queen of Shields as very strongly paralleling the King of Shields. [Like THAT insight took years of intensive training, right?]

This is, therefore what I call the card of the Good Queen.  [For those of you old enough to get the reference, I’ve also occasionally called it “the Harriet Nelson card.”]

This is the Queen who understands that her mission is to care for the health of her kingdom – perhaps behind the scenes, perhaps boldly and with great fanfare − and to help take care of her subjects so that they generally can take care of themselves.

She knows how the crops are growing, how the children are faring, whether the creatures are well, if the King’s men are living up to their obligations and so on.  She’s perfectly comfortable taking the limelight, and will be sweet or brash about it as will best serve the kingdom, but she does not seek it for herself and does not actually give a brass farthing for it except as a tool for doing good.

Like the King, the hard lesson she has learned is that there will always be more things asked of her than she can possibly fulfill, more things in need of attention than she can possibly do.  She has, therefore, come to understand and be comfortable with the necessity of allocating resources, caring and effort in such a way as will provide the greatest return and benefit to her King and the kingdom.

In her world, it IS NOT the squeakiest wheel that gets the grease; it’s the wheel that is truly the most significant and valuable to the well being of the King, the people and the land.

So, beginning today, how should you come to understand better the myriad workings of your kingdom?  (What, in fact, IS your kingdom?)  And how do you need to give yourself — in a functional, practical way — permission to attend to that which is really MOST IMPORTANT rather than that which seems MOST URGENT (or most annoying) in order to keep your kingdom’s balance, harmony and prosperity at the forefront of your rule?  What do you need to let go of, or let go fallow, or let go to hell, for that matter, in order for the stuff you truly came here to do to get done and get done well?  

So ask yourself, “What is really important?  Now how do I attend to that?  And how can I do it really, really well?”

Bright blessings as you rule all you survey! [Particularly the important stuff!] 

Quote for the Day: He ne’er is crowned with immortality Who fears to follow where airy voices lead. ~ John Keats 

Today’s Waethyr:  World enough.  And thyme.  And maybe a pinch of cilantro.

On This Date: 1849 – American abolitionistHarriet Tubman escapes from slavery.

Text From Last Night: …the cashier ate half of our fries before she gave them to us… so i think it’s safe to say they don’t do drug testing there

Daily Tarot ~ September 16

Nine of Swords

Lily Maid of Astolat

Fortune Cookie: Be careful today not to overextend yourself in unfair − especially to yourself − or unhealthy ways.  And hold solid, healthy boundaries!

Ack!  This card always gives me indigestion.  But it’s got some very important insights to offer.  So here we go:

It’s another looooooong post. This card last came up toward the end of July.  Sadly, it’s a card for studying REALLY DEEPLY any time it rolls around.

Anyway… as I have said before, in our codependent, enmeshed and embalmed  (embombed?) culture, it’s always good to be reminded of what this card has to say. 

And to read it. And print it out. And post it next to your bathroom mirror. And every mirror you own.  Including mayhaps the rear view mirror of your vehicle.   And send it to yourself as a text message three times a day.  And stuff.

[Finishes pontificating. Wipes sweat off of jowls.  Or at least most jowls.  Gets down off soap box.  Makes a feeble attempt to tidy hair and looks around for… Tidies hair and…  Tidies… Aw buggrit!   Tosses brush out window, accidentally nailing a groggy blue jay.  Looks around for coffee.  Asks, “Where was I?”  Where? Or who?  Whom?  Oh.  Right.  Where!]

Okay. 

Kids, this is a card of warning, plain and simple.

Different readers vary the focal issues being dealt with here, so I’ll give bits and pieces of other perspectives before moosing on in with my take on things.

Betty – those of you who read this blog rather regularly will remember — was my long-time teacher and friend.  She used to turn the elucidation of this card into a real piece of performance art.  When Nine of Swords would come up, she’d shake her head, give a low whistle, shake her head again, look closely at the card, look up  mournfully at me − or whoever she was reading for − and say softly, “You gotta be careful.  Something here is nearly DEAD.”  Got me whimpering every time.  Even when I was just watching her read for somebody else.

So if that’s the interpretation of the card we’re working with, one of the things to be careful about − depending on exactly what’s being examined in the reading – is that you and/or a situation may be about to seriously pass the point of flameout or burnout and you need to pull back, regroup, rethink things and really recover before you go off the deep end or go up in smoke.

So please, today, give that possibility some serious thought throughout all major aspects of your life.  [Except those that involve reading this daily card. No sense going overboard, then, is there?]

Some readers find this to be a card of delay, deception and disappointment − or worse.  [Charming!]  Others indicate that it betokens fear and dread for the future, and it implies you should take a course of action that will still and calm the mind to help instill courage. [Yeah.  That there is a sentence that would really help ME calm down, you betcha!  Yo! Waiter!  Bushmill’s triple here.  Straight up!] 

Other sources say the card recommends finding a path of extra alertness and wariness, along the lines of “cover your back [or, uh… you know],” for now, anyway.

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, writes of pining for a loved one, fretful dreams and obsessions.  Her interpretation that I’m most interested in (on your behalf) is depression blinding us to the possibilities and beauty that surround us.  (Don’t go there!  DO NOT!  You DO NOT need to be in that place!!!!!)

My take?

When this card turns up in a reading for a client, I say things like, “Okay, several levels of meaning here, and you need to pay close attention to each one.”

First, this is a card that says be very careful to NOT take on the emotions of others.  You may choose to be kind and be a shoulder for another to cry on.  But understand that to do so does NOT involve letting someone else’s disappointment or depression take you over; you are NOT meant to be anyone else’s emotional and psychic trash bin. 

If you’re one of those people who lets a friend come over and dump all his baggage on you so that he can then just skip away, free as a bird and back in the groove while you need to go hide behind the couch – STOPPIT! That’s unhealthy behavior.  It’s not kind.  It’s not even really helpful to you OR him. 

Second, do not take responsibility for other people’s emotions.  Yes, we all do things that disappoint others, including those we love.  But their emotions in response to the situation are THEIRS to deal with and work through.

I remember overhearing a woman in a store, talking to her four-year-old daughter, saying, ‘If you keep acting this way Daddy’s going to divorce us, and it will be all your fault!’ [Just. Plain. Vile!!!!]  It’s obvious how false and manipulative − not to mention cruel − that was. 

Whether we like it or not, EACH OF US is responsible for OUR emotions and HOW WE RESPOND to all the situations in our life.  That’s true for everybody else as well. So don’t let anyone bamboozle you into thinking different.

Third, don’t take responsibility for anyone else’s life or life choices.  If you’re in a position to help someone when they’re lost or down, and you CHOOSE to offer that, do so – if you can do it in a way that’s safe and healthy, non-manipulative, non-addictive, non-codependent, with healthy boundaries.  It’s like they say on an airliner:  if you’re traveling with a child and the air masks come down, put yours on first, THEN put on the child’s.

So: 

~ Be careful today not to overextend yourself in unfair (especially to yourself) or unhealthy ways. 

~ Hold good boundaries.

~ Be compassionate, but don’t be a doormat or a crying towel.

~ Double-check your own energy to be sure depletion isn’t closer than you may have realized.

~ If it seems depletion may be near, do what you need to do to take care of YOU!

Bright blessings, healthy boundaries, good choices and discretion!

Quote for the Day: That which does not kill me may require stitches. ~ Anon

Today’s Weather:  Extravagant but intermittent gonzo-bating.  Watch out for prolonged ginger cookie binges. 

On this Date: 1987 – The Montreal Protocol is signed to protect the ozone layer from depletion.

Texts from Last Night: “please don’t ask questions, but… i may need help faking my own death…”

Daily Tarot ~ September 15

The Hanged Man

Castle Perilous

Fortune Fookie:Stay much more aware ~ especially intuitively ~ than normal.  Know that positive energy and opportunities are near and can benefit you.  Reach out and take hold of them, one by one, to get where you intend.

We last saw this fellow on the early end of, ummm… eraly February. Let’s see if we learned anything ‘t all from the good advice he brought last time. Maybe? [Why do I even ask?]

 Here we go: 

[Gonzo Tarot reader slowly and carefully sidles to far end of table, humming “Who put the bomp/In the bomp bah bomp bah bomp??” or some other pleasant but innocuous tune.]

[As Sir Terry Pratchett put it in his book, The Light Fantastic, “He moved in a way that suggested he was attempting the world speed record for the nonchalant walk.”]

This is one of those cards whose visual depiction can set clients whimpering and collapsing into themselves in a repetitive rocking fugue the moment they see it.  Pretty amazing, really. I suppose I can understand that. The name alone is enough to cause mewling in all of the hardiest guys I’ve read for − okay in the only hardy guy I’ve read for.

Some decks picture a fellow hanging by a rope upside down by one leg from a tree, possibly with his head about to take a deep dunk in a fast flowing river.

Even my deck, Legend by Anna-Marie Ferguson pictures a passle-o-knights left hanging in a grove, one leg and both arms tied behind their backs to show the world that they were rendered utterly powerless and had, one by one, failed in their quests.

So I get why some readers interpret the card as indicating restriction, sacrifice or − at best − feeling drained.  Sort of an I need Ativan and a B12 shot kinda energy, ya see.

As the regular crew of bloglodytes expects by now, I see the card differently.  When it turns up for a client, whatever area of his or her life we’re examining, I usually say something like,

“Okay.  Right away now.  Keep breathing.  Nice deep breaths.  Good!  Not too much.  Don’t hyperventilate.  Have a little brandy or a shot o’ Jack Black, maybe a little Cuervo action. Try some flower essences.  Take a hit of this.  Good.  Hey!  Give it back!

“Now….

There are several levels of meaning to this card.

“First, what the card is saying to you is, ‘If you’ve been feeling stuck in place or like you’re so deep in a rut you can’t see over the edge… Guess what?  Good news! You really have been.  You aren’t just a whining, puling little git.  And knowing that should actually make you feel better, Spunky!

“‘Second, it’stime for you to move up and out of that stuck space.  And very soon, if not immediately!’”

And this is How. 

So pay attention.

The Hanged Man asks that you be extra vigilant in keeping your intuitive antenna up for strong, wise, functional, interested and caring energy that can and will help pull you out of your rut.

The help may come in small chunks, like a better-paying job that can move you forward − as opposed to winning the Mega Millions jackpot. [Sorry!  Remember, I’m just the messenger here.] But the help will be here, maybe even is already here, and it will be here in the ways that can really, truly benefit you.

Your mission then is to stay tuned in, be aware, notice the positive energy or helpful opportunity, reach out for it and grab onto it when it shows up, and use it to move you along to where you really want to be.

As if that weren’t enough, I find that there is an additional directive from the Hanged Man.

The card basically says that, in those moments when the new, positive, helpful energy and opportunities aren’t readily apparent – and those moments happen to all of us − your mission is to refuse to get sucked into the old It sucks to be me! I’m hopeless!  I’m helpless! whirlpool.

Rather, use the time for

deep prayerwork,

healing meditation, shamanic journeying, etc.

Go deep within for wisdom and direction; embrace your own spirituality, guidance, hope and healing.

Use the “fallow time” in practices that will help you become more fully connected to your truer, deeper, self and to the channels of spiritual power and assistance around you.

So:

Stay aware. 

Stay much more aware than normal, in fact, especially intuitively. 

Know that positive energy and opportunities are there and will benefit you.  Reach out and take hold of them, one by one, to get you where you intend.  

If nothin’s shakin’, use the time for prayer, meditation, magical and deep wisdom studies and spiritual practice to increase those elements that are of and for your highest and best.

Bright blessings and beautiful positive flow upward, out to freedom!   

Quote for the Day: You are what you want to become. Why search anymore? You are a wonderful manifestation. The whole universe has come together to make your existence possible. There is nothing that is not you. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Today’s Weather: Galaxy de pommes frites.  Starbender tenders.  And wherefore the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a?  Eh?  

On this Date:1981 – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approves Sandra Day O’Connor to become the first female justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Text From Last Night: …you decided it would be a good idea to run down the hall and smack down the exit sign. that’s why you are sitting in the emergency room, wearing the sign as a bracelet

Daily Tarot ~ September 14

King of Spears

King Pellinore

Fortune Cookie: Own the Renaissance Man or Woman in you. What interests, skills, and wisdom will you pursue, and pursue deeply?  Which one first?  How can you start TODAY?

No, that is NOT a mullet!  And neither is his hair.

Last saw this extraordinary fellow almost exactly six months ago to the day. He’s always a wonderful role model to keep close by and attend to.  So let’s do it anyway. 

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of Legend, the Arthurian Tarot, finds the King of Spears to be a mature man [I suppose these days, for this blog, we should say mature PERSON] of wisdom, someone with humor and theatrical flair.  [Anybody come to mind?  Jon Stewart, maybe? Oprah?  Whoopi?  Bill Clinton?  Baryshnikov? Me?  Me???  I would hastily call your attention to the word MATURE.]  So keep an eye out for that kind of energy today. Better still, seek to embody it yourself.

I see the King of Spears as the card of

the Renaissance Man

(or Renaissance Woman).

Look for

~ or better still, give YOURSELF permission to have ~

a restless, joyful, driving curiosity that you allow to take you toward many different deep fascinations.

More detail?

Okay, here’s my picture of a typical Renaissance Person as represented by this card:

He or she

~ does trigonometry problems for fun and

~ does passable table magic and

~ can conjugate verbs in Latin, French and Japanese or Russian and

~ is being followed by Neil Gaiman on Twitter and

~ converted a car to biodiesel or hydrogen with almost no outside help and

~ understands permaculture and

~ has a rain garden and

~ sang backup for Tom Petty late one night (in a bar, if nowhere else) and

~ rides a Harley and

~ wrote a published urban fantasy novel and

~ owns a Prius and a ’68 MGB

~ works with Habitat for Humanity

He or she wants to learn

~ French cooking and

~ Feng Shui and

~ Shamanic Healing and

~ judo and

~ controlled remote viewing and

~ Vedic astrology and

~ Thai massage and

~ book making and

~ classical guitar and

~ how to REALLY make money day trading and

~ how to build a PC by hand and

~ wants to design a line of edgy greeting cards and

~ wants to write a play for Broadway

And so on.

(And will BY GOD! do so, every last bit, by the way.)

But remember, a true Renaissance Person is not just a dibbler-dabbler in lots of things.  The characteristic that distinguishes the Renaissance person is a real commitment to explore deeply, to develop true expertise in the many areas − one at a time if necessary − that appeal.  Patience, deep learning and wisdom, not just faking it or cramming to get by, are required here.

So, if you were to really own up to the Renaissancer in you, what interests, skills, and wisdom will you go after?  Which one first?  How will you pursue it deeply? How can you start TODAY?

Brightest blessings, joy and wonder!

Quote for the Day: Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal. ~ E. O. Wilson
Today’s Weather: Mojo.  Rootforce permaculture.  Faerie mist. (As good as a smile, or better.)

On This Date: 1741 – George Frideric Handel completes his oratorio Messiah.

Text from Last Night: …scream really loud. we think you fell under the deck.

Daily Tarot ~ September 13

Knight of Shields

Bors

Fortune Cookie:  Know your goal, believe in yourself and in your ability to attain it. Don’t jump through hoops for anyone; move at your own pace.  But be sure you do move and keep moving.

A card that last showed up for us a bit over two weeks ago.

Typical readers would find in this card such things as rectitude [which one of my spirit-guides calls “retch-itude,”], utility, and responsibility.  One has even suggested it predicts a message of good news to someone who really needs it. [Over here!  Over here!  Yo!  Toss it my way, y’all!  Over here!]

Can I see a show of hands from all the other folks who vote for that one?

Watch as Tarot reader gets knocked over by great

WHOOSH!! ]

Mmmmmm hmmm……

So anyway, see how all that might fit into your day today.

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck I use, writes of an honest hard-working man, a supporter of tradition and order, and solid, steadfast progress.  If any of those describe what you need for the day or the times to come, keep an eye out for them or, better yet, embody them.  BE THEM.  Don’t get caught up in any whirlwinds blowing through, and fergawdsake, don’t create the suckers!

In this card I see [and you should take as a role model]

one who considers himself —  rather objectively — the most powerful knight in the forest,

with NO doubt whatsoever that he will meet his goal,

no doubt he will achieve his quest,

no doubt he will do whatever he has set out to do.

None!

How much?

None!

None!

None!

Therefore, he is calm.

He is in no hurry.

He feels no need to seek to impress anyone for any reason,

no need − ever − to leap over a tall building in a single bound just because somebody else might want it.

He goes slowly, perhaps almost plodding at times, just putting one foot in front of the other to get where he needs to go.

HOWEVER, he is always conscious of his goal,

always aware of what will be necessary to get there,

and always in motion toward his target, until his mission is accomplished.   

So, once again:

Know your goal,

believe in yourself

and your ability to attain it,

don’t jump through hoops for anyone,

and move at your own pace. 

But be sure to move and keep moving.

Bright blessings, slowly, surely, constantly!

Quote for the Day:Laughter is the valve on the pressure cooker of life. Either you laugh and suffer, or you got your beans or brains on the ceiling. ~ Wavy Gravy

Today’s Weather:Willowy wispie winkies. Ridges and dells. ‘Way far away. (But nearly here!!!)        

On This Date: 1989 – Largest anti-Apartheid march in South Africa, led by Desmond Tutu.

Texts from Last Night: …attention, officers/paramedics… judging by last night, my friend is dead… money in his pockets is mine, he owed me. … send directions to morgue or strip club for pick up?

Daily Tarot ~ September 12

Ten of Shields

Camelot

Fortune Cookie: Look for the right GROUP energy to become part of so you will receive the right kind of support as you move onward and upward in your life.

Very interesting card.  Always a very interesting card − at least when I have seen it.   It last showed up for us just past the middle of April. 

For those of you who are regulars to these posts, you know I’m about to say something like

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, 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,

and not just for today?

How can you let today be part of something new that you BEGIN TODAY but may continue to pursue for some time to come?

Some readers see the Ten of Shields as gain, riches, or having to do with family abode.  Okey-dokey.  Us likes wot’s riches an’ gains, us do!

Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, indicates this card is about  affluence, riches, inheritance, and possibly clan gatherings.  As my grandmother often used to say about clan gatherings, “Always glad to see you all come.  Even happier to see you all go!”  If you had seen my family, you’d be right in with her on that.

See?  (I’m the one on the lower right.)

I see the Ten of Shields as saying:

Time for a change.

Possibly time for a BIG change. 

In pursuing that change, don’t look for the right person to help bring it about.

Look for the right groups and circles and organizations – possibly new ones to you – to become part of.

Be very careful to evaluate the GROUP energy or the GROUP dynamics of where you are and where you need to be. 

If you were interviewing for a new job (or exploring a new spiritual circle, or new club), it wouldn’t be anywhere NEAR enough to evaluate whether it felt like your prospective new boss (or leader, or pastor, or teacher, whatever) would be good to work with. 

You’d really want to explore and be sure that the energy of the greater team, group, circle or organization felt positive, clean, imbued with integrity, excitement, spirit – whatever you need a boost of right now.

So:

Be open to the possibility that some element of your life is grinding its way to an end. 

Understand that it may simply be TIME for that to happen – let no judgment or negative feeling attach to that reality.  It’s just a necessity in your evolution.

Then look for the right GROUP energy to become part of so that it will be supportive of you as you move onward and upward in your life.

Bright blessings and REALLY GOOD group connections!

Quote for the Day: Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress.  But I repeat myself.~ Mark Twain

Today’s Weather: Popploptical dust devils and minor majorities. Carry a SuperSoaker full of chilled Bushmills Celtic Twighlights.   

On This Date: 1940 – Cave paintings are discovered in Lascaux, France.

And: 1959 – Premiere of Bonanza, the first regularly scheduled TV program presented in color.

Coincidence, you say? Hah!

Text from Last Night: Don’t ask me how, but I have a squirrel in my backpack and I don’t know what to do with it.