Open Hearted

Today I asked for guidance from Sasha St. John's Gentle Wisdom of the Faerie Realms inspirational cards. (You can find her artwork and this deck at http://www.sashastjohn.com/) The first card I drew was Opportunities, but since I am in the process of creating beneficial opportunities and letting inappropriate opportunities pass me by, I asked for another card -- one in which I could focus on for inspiration and healing. As always, when I take a moment to focus, whatever deck of cards I choose -- Oracle or Tarot, it always supports me. The card that appeared on cue was entitled "Open Hearted."

I live Open Hearted. I need to protect my heart and emotions every day. Why? Because I am just hard-wired that way. I am a professional intuitive. I care about people who come to me for whatever reason. I want to help them. That is what makes me who I am. The Internet has provided us with an opportunity to find nearly anyone that we lost touch with over the years. What a wonderful gift we have been given -- the ability to reconnect with people from our past. On the other hand, sometimes we need to disconnect from people in our life, too.

Living with an open heart can create problems, because sometimes we hurt the people we love. Relationships are difficult because we have issues, hot buttons and wounds, and sometimes we let them get in the way. Today I lost a friend. I let her down in her time of need. What she may never know is that her pain was also mine. I let her terminate our friendship because I could no longer watch her make mistake after mistake. I turned into my mother. I am a know-it-all bitch. Oops. Did I make a mistake? Probably. I tried to share my wisdom and experience with her and explain why certain people do what they do, but she was unwilling to see my point of view. I still love her and will always have her in my prayers. I wish I could talk to some people in a way that does not hurt either of us, but being silent and not commenting is difficult for me.

I may be a strong person, but being an empath is not easy. I can be abrasive at times and I spew and vent and complain because that is how I get rid of the pain I feel from being an open-hearted, loving person. While I know this behavior is not considered healthy, I know it helps me release the pain I absorb. People who know me, know that I mean well and they understand that there are some things about me that I cannot change. It is not that I am unwilling to change, there are somethings that I just cannot change.

When I read for people who have relationship issues, I remind them that you cannot make people change. People will change if they want to, or if they can. When a relationship runs its course, it is because it has reached an impasse. I reached that point today. I could have accommodated my friend and made her feel good, but I just couldn't do it anymore. It was too painful for me to just listen and be "positive" because my realistic, practical side took over. I cannot change who I am. I acknowledge this fact. I can modify my behavior to a certain extent, but there comes a time when I cannot bend anymore. My close friends accept me as I am -- good, bad and indifferent, and I accept them exactly as they are, too.

The reason this friendship has come to an end is that I could not be the type of friend she needed/wanted. There are some personality traits that I possess that can be modified, but for the most part, I cannot walk on eggshells in any relationship for a long period of time. My close friends and others who know me, know my faults and understand that sometimes I am not a pleasant person. How does one protect an open heart? You do the best you can and hopefully that is enough. I would like to know how you protect your open heart and not feel such intense pain. Please share your thoughts and ideas with me. Thank you.

Reflection on Self

The word reflection keeps popping into my head today as does the story of how Narcissus spurned all of his male and/or female suitors and was punished by the Goddess Nemesis. She made him fall in love with his own reflection. Realizing the beautiful boy he was looking at in the pool of water was his own reflection, Narcissus took his own life. Why do I mention Narcissus? I mention him because the movie, fashion, and advertising industries keep bombarding us with images and words that tell us we are not thin, rich, successful, attractive, or desirable enough. Low self esteem sells products. Simple.

Why do I mention this aspect of reflection? I mention it because when we look into a mirror, we generally do so to make certain that we look presentable before venturing out into the world. Can you pass a mirror without taking a quick look at yourself? If so, how many times do you pass it before you take a look? Looking in a mirror can provide you with a reality check. Does your reflection represent how you feel inside? Or is it distorted? What do you think when you see your own reflection? Are you pleased with your appearance? If not, you should stop dwelling on what you perceive to be your flaws. Everyone is unique and beautiful. Find something about yourself that is attractive. Chances are you will begin to feel better, stronger and happier once you see yourself in a different light. If you like what you see, then pat yourself on the back.

When we reach a certain age, we change. It is inevitable that we will become older versions of ourselves, and in some cases we will turn into our parents to a greater or lesser degree. We can stay young forever in our minds and hearts if we choose to do so. There are days when I feel ageless, and then again, there are days when I feel old. This is a fact of life and it is OK. Of course, there is Plastic surgery and its non-invasive treatments if someone wants change their external appearance. Superficial changes may make someone feel better about themselves, but it will not change what is going on inside of them. If we change ourselves from the inside out, we are doing the work we need to do. We need to keep learning and growing and changing. I believe that reflection is necessary for introspection--before action.

Most of the time, when I look into a mirror, I look beyond my appearance. When I do this, I start reflecting upon my past--specifically, what kept me from doing what I wanted to do when I was younger. I remember how my issues and my parents' programming prevented me from fully embracing life. They wanted to protect me. I was so sheltered and naive. I occasionally feel the pain and loss of many missed opportunities, but then again, I reflect upon the choices I did make. I am thankful for the person I have become. Know that your life experiences contribute to making you the person you are right now. You can change any aspect of your self except for those things that are hard-wired into you. However, you cannot make someone else change. They will have to change if this is what they want to do. Remember this. Reflect upon that fact that you can only change yourself and monitor your actions.

Reflect back on some of the decisions you made in the past that impacted the lives of others. Think about the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." Can you recall at least one incident in your life where you made a decision to do something unselfishly and helped someone? If you did, you helped make their life better. In that instance, you were an angel. You helped create a small miracle.

Now, take a moment to look at the decisions you may have made recently regarding your own life. If you haven't made any decisions yet, are you are at a turning point? If so look at your options. Write them down. Do a storyboard or flowchart of where each option can take you. If you reflect on your past choices and experiences, you may be able to see things more objectively and clearly. Your life has taught you many lessons about yourself and the people with which you interacted. Trust what you know, and in a short while you will be able to transform your life. Little by little. Do not be in a hurry. Time and delays can be extremely helpful. If in doubt, reflect back to a similar situation in your past. You will do well.

One more thought on reflection...

When you look into a mirror say the following: "Mirror mirror, who am I?" The mirror will not answer you. You may not recognize yourself, but a small voice inside of you will direct you to start healing your wounds and work on the issues that block you from your childhood and young adulthood. Trust that your inner child will help you do your work.

Be mindful of your thoughts

My friend, Cindy Gardner, an intuitive living in Washington State channels angels. During a conversation we had a few years ago, she said, "When you ask the angels for help, the response is instantaneous." She was right because they responded immediately when I asked them for a universal message, today. In a flash I heard the following: "Be Mindful of Your Thoughts!"

When you say a prayer, to whom do you direct your request? Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, Goddesses, Saints, Angels, Archangels, or some other entity? I notice that I am inconsistent when I direct my prayers out into the universe or ask for divine help. The direction of each request tends to be organic. The statement, "Be mindful of your thoughts," is very simple. What you think you can create, you can. Sometimes the end result may not be exactly what you wanted.

Whenever you find negative or dark thoughts creeping in, recognize the power contained within them. Feel the darkness for a moment. Contemplate where obsessing or focusing on them will take you. If you don't like that place, think about how you can shift your energy so you can bring yourself out of darkness and negativity into the light, loving embrace of the wings of an angel.

It is almost impossible to ignore negativity, especially when it appears front and center in our lives. We just need to find a way to balance the light and dark energies. Every day, I am aware of my thoughts as well as those of others. We cannot escape into a fantasy life, but we can have our fantasies to escape into for a brief moment or two. Wishes and fantasies can come true, but we must be mindful of how we create them.

Six and a half years ago, I said, "The only way I was going to adopt any cats while Dante (my then 19-year-old cat) was alive was if they showed up on my doorstep and were black, Siamese, gray, or gray tabbies with white bellies." One morning, I discovered a starving gray mother cat with four kittens--two Siamese and two grays on the balcony behind my resident manager's apartment--all long haired. I should have said short haired. All kittens and their mom ended up with loving homes. Looking back in retrospect, I should have been a bit more specific in my thought and request. I have never regretted adopting the two Siamese boys for a moment.

Be mindful of your thoughts...and words! Angels listen and the gifts you receive may not quite be what you really want, but it can be a small miracle and eventually you can see the value in those gifts. You have the ability to transform, learn and bring into your life what you want! Be more specific and watch the conjunctions and negative verbiage.

Tolerance for the religious or spiritual beliefs of others

I was by raised parents who made a lot of mistakes along the way. I remember how my dad asked me several times when I was in my late teens and early twenties, "Did I do right by you girls?" I told him, "Yes, you did." He really did. He walked his talk no matter how difficult it may have been at one time or another. He had a problem with parents who had a double-standard. He said, "I don't want to tell my kids to do as I say, not as I do." For the most part, if he did something, we could too. He did his best to set a good example for us.

I believe we have agreements prior to our birth--we choose our parents, siblings and connection to other individuals. Everything is for personal growth and life path. We are constantly cleaning up and creating karma. I give my dad credit for helping me form my beliefs. He was a spiritual man whose father could have been a rabbi, but due to the practicality of the era in which he lived, grandpa Rappaport became a tailor. If things had been different, my father would have been a professional psychic and metaphysical teacher. Instead, I have become what he was unable to do, plus I teach Tarot.

Tarot is one of my greatest passions in the world--if not the greatest. I am most fortunate to be able to share my knowledge of Tarot and intuitive gifts with others. My students and clients come from every conceivable background that exists except for the very devout and born-again religious people. Some individuals judge me as an evil person because of my work with Tarot and my unconventional beliefs. What a shame. Their minds are closed, and they have become intolerant of the beliefs of others. Do I intend to do them harm? Never. Do they accept the religious teachings their spiritual leaders provide to them without questioning? I think so.

I went to Sunday School, Hebrew School, learned a little Hebrew, and had my Bat Mitzvah when I was thirteen. I am still in awe of the power and energy that radiates from a group of people gathered in a synagogue praying during a Sabbath or Holiday service. While I have attended other houses of worship, I don't feel the same way I do when I am in a synagogue. Perhaps that is because of my upbringing. Of course, I don't attend services regularly anymore. I practice what has been taught to me--live an honest, good life on a day-to-day basis.

I have attended other houses of worship and while most of their services do not resonate with me, I am always delighted to see their icons, stained glass windows and feel the energy of their prayers. Prayer is power. Prayer is love. All beliefs should be respected provided they do not include causing harm to others. Perhaps that is why I see Wicca as something very special--a nature religion that believes we should "Harm no one." Wicca is not evil nor is Tarot. In our world today, religious persecution still continues.

I know that the power of the Creator is everywhere and if I reach out in thought and/or prayer I will feel an immediate response. Is it from an angel, archangel, fairy, deceased loved one, saint, spirit guide, or God/Goddess himself/herself? I do not know. Does it matter? Not to me. It's the power of love. I still pray for world peace.

When I do a reading for someone either privately or at an event, I do not judge them. My job is to entertain, enlighten and empower them so they can make the best, possible decisions they can when dealing with life situations. While I may not personally approve of someone's actions, I neither condemn them, nor do I preach to them in any way. I try to present all sides of a situation, and provide them with enough information and ideas so they can move forward. My prayer for them is that they will make the best possible choice in whatever situation they find themself. They have free will. I always pray that I have "done the right thing by each and every person who sits down with me for a reading."

I have adopted the term: God/Goddess/Creator when referencing a higher power than humanity. I have read for people of the following faiths: Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Russian/Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Unitarian. I have also read for agnostics. While there are other religions in the world, I have not encountered them in my travels. However, I am open to being of service to them in a universal way.

I really want to love, honor and respect all people in the world, but I am wise enough to know that this can never be because there are people who hurt and/or murder with no conscience, or in the name of religion. Those who do so in the name of religion are referred to as terrorists. Not all people will like us. There will be people that we will not like. Tolerance of bad behavior is not the same thing as tolerance of the religious and spiritual beliefs of others.

To quote Anne Frank, "In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death. " For other quotes from Anne Frank, please visit this link: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/anne_frank.html.

In summary, we need to be more tolerant of the beliefs of others as long as they are not harmful to someone's physical well being.

At the Crossroads - Using the Majors to Create a Path

Crossroads. This word provides me with a richness of images. The first image that comes to mind is when Dorothy reaches the end of The Yellow Brick Road and she must choose a direction so she can get to the Emerald City to meet The Wizard of Oz. Many of us are finding ourselves at a crossroads right now. We have a decision to make about one or more aspects of our lives and we are running out of time and/or financial resources. I wish I was blessed with the ability to provide people with the right answer. Unfortunately, that would go against my ethics. I cannot take away someone's right to choose--their free will must prevail. What I enjoy doing is providing enough information to individuals so they can see their options. It is up to them to sort through this information and make a decision. Once they make their decision, they will need to find some way to go forward and follow through. Should someone go left, right or continue on the path that they are currently traversing? Once a choice is made, only time will tell if the right path was chosen.

Are you at a crossroads?The important thing about choosing a direction is to take the time and combine all of your available resources so you have a wide range of information to sift through that will assist you in making your decision. Using the Tarot to illustrate the process for moving ahead I would hand pick the following cards to help you.

The first card I would choose is The Fool. He reminds us that anything is possible and we will be just fine--we are on a journey. We are taking a chance on life...on a path...we are willing to embrace life. All of life is a journey. His backpack contains all of the information and tools he needs to make a decision. He can deal with anything that comes along, and so can we. Now, we must decide where we want to go. We need to use the information we have available to us. Do we have a plan or a map in place? We may have difficulty moving forward if we don't have structure and organization?

Why not choose The Hierophant next. He has the keys to knowledge and information. With our computers, we can obftain tons of information. Google whatever you need to know. Talk to people. Sometimes someone else's point of view can provide input or feedback that could be very valuable. Ultimately, we may end up with just one plan, or we may have several plans to choose from. The Hierophant can help us streamline our thinking. With him on our side, we may be able to save time once we are ready to move forward. Keep it simple.

Once we have a plan or several in place, why not choose The Hermit to help us next. He represents the need to go within and tap into our inner wisdom. Introspection allows us to see the many different roads that are available to us and where those roads may take us. By using intelligence and logic, we can determine the pros and cons of each possible choice. Once we have refined our list of possible options, the next card we might want to choose would be The Wheel of Fortune. This card allow us to see what karma we may create or resolve in addition to determining the time frame for manifestation. This brings us to the the following questions that we want answered. How long will it take us to get to our destination? How can we deal with the limitations or road blocks that may show up? Sometimes we may decide that a particular option is not worth pursuing. Using the Wheel of Fortune, we may be able to hone in on one or two opportunities that we can happily pursue in a time frame that we can embrace comfortably.

Once we have a few possibilities that may work for us, why not choose The Lovers card. Normally, this card is not a typical choice for this situation. If we have people who love us and have our best interests at heart, we can go to them for love, support, and get their feedback--and perhaps, their advice. In other words, this is our support network. If we have some sort of self-esteem issue, we need to "love ourselves" enough to check in with our emotions to see how we feel about the options that are front and center. We are responsible for our choice(s)--not our loved ones. Depending on our decision(s), we may make them happy or we may make them angry. We need to live for ourselves, so we need to keep that in mind when we make our final decision.

Why not choose The High Priestess to help us at the next checkpoint. She symbolizes our ability to get in touch with our intuition. While she may not represent logic, she is a logical choice for this stage of our journey. She can help us to see between the lines. She will connect us to our intuition. I often refer to our intuition as the director of our lives. She reminds us that we need to balance our intellect, emotions and intuition to make a sound, choice that will resonate with us.

Once we make our choice, we might want to connect to The Magician. He is the master creator--the alchemist. Through his mind he can create anything. Our destiny depends on him being able to use his will to create magic. We can also call him a miracle worker. By utilizing his powers, we know we can manifest what we want.

Choosing The Star next would be important because it is the card of hope and optimism. This is where prayer and meditation can provide comfort and allow the angels, archangels, Gods, Goddesses, and the Creator to assist The Magician. At this point, the divine is really in charge. There is only so much we can do without their assistance. While we are waiting for divine help, more than likely we will need to apply a little Temperance. Why? Because most of the time, things do not generally happen when we want them to; they happen in their own, perfect time. When we tend to get a little impatient, we need to exercise a little temperance. Choosing our words carefully might be helpful here, too.

If we discover that our plans are not quite working for us, we can always recycle back to The Hierophant in order to re-structure. Perhaps we may need to make our plan of action a bit more flexible..or not.

At this point, why not revisit The Star before we take a ride on The Chariot. The Star will reconnect us to the divine and that may be just what we need if things take a bit longer to manifest than we anticipate. While The Chariot leads us to our destination and a new phase of life, it also provides us with courage and protection, too. Extra protection. Love it! Why shouldn't we head into a successful phase of our lives? What card would you choose to have after The Chariot? What card feels appropriate to you?

Would you choose The Empress for giving birth to a new project and/or staying grounded? Would you consider her as the harvest card? Would you reach out to someone in order for them to nurture you? Would you nurture yourself?

Would you choose The Sun for a new beginning?

Would you choose Judgment for a rebirth and a different type of new beginning--one that will allow you to re-invent yourself and/or leave your past behind you? Could this be a new beginning where you get a second chance to do something you always wanted to do? Could this be an opportunity to revisit something that you stopped doing because of some type of family obligation?

Or, would you choose The World for unlimited opportunities and a chance to embrace _______ (fill in the blank)?

Whatever card you choose, add a companion card of your choice for guidance. Tell me what cards you would choose with/without a companion card and why. I want to know!

The Tower

In Tarot, I find many different interpretations for The Tower. While this has not been a card that has appeared in many of the readings I have performed over the past few years, it has been coming up frequently in the readings I have done for my friends, clients and at events. Since this card has been on my mind a lot lately, I decided I would present a few ideas regarding its interpretation.

When 911 occurred, many Tarotists saw The Tower as representing the airplanes striking the twin towers in New York City. While I seldom interpret this card as an actual physical event, I generally see it as the emotional and internal struggles one experiences when an event occurs or is about to occur--anxiety and stress. Many Little White Books ("LWBs") or books on Tarot see it as a chaotic, possibly catastrophic event. Because I read intuitively, I am never locked into any LWB or reference interpretation with The Tower.

As I teacher, I notice that the cards will present themselves, in whatever layout is selected, in manner that supports someone's individual style of interpretation. Over time, everyone's way of interpreting should continue to expand, change and evolve. I know my ability to interpret has changed quite a bit since I first picked up a deck when I was 15 years old. I love to tease my students after they interpret a reading. I swoop in and show them another perspective on how to interpret the cards--an overlay sometimes, and who knows what. When they pick their jaws up off the floor, I tell them, "that's why I'm the professional." To me, interpreting Tarot is like a puzzle. How many accurate pieces of information can we mine from the cards selected? It varies. That's what I find so exciting about Tarot.

I performed a reading for someone, recently, in connection with a possible home foreclosure. Interestingly enough, The Tower showed up front and center. This indicated to me that there would, indeed, be a foreclosure on her home. Why did The Tower appear instead of the Three of Swords, the Death card, or the Ten of Swords--all loss cards? For me, this was not just a termination of her residence and a fresh start or just a plain termination--at least at this point in time. Using practical knowledge, a foreclosure doesn't just happen out of the blue. It is a process, starting with a preforeclosure notice. It follows a legal time frame, and depending upon the bank's ability to sell the home, may or may not give someone additional time to vacate the premises and find a place to live, etc. Since this was a chaotic situation The Tower was perfect. It showed strong emotional, mental and physical consequences related to an action or event.

The individual called me back to inform me that The Tower moment for the day was the fact that her trash bag broke and the trash men left it and its spewed contents--several pounds of used kitty litter (ewww) in the driveway for her to clean up. While this could be considered a good explanation of The Tower, I was dumbfounded. Her interpretation seems valid to me, however, using Tarot to explain something mundane as a trash mishap is not something I consider Tarot worthy. OK, so I am a Tarot snob and proud of it.

For me, interpreting The Tower and its surrounding cards is about providing an accurate interpretation that can help someone when they are dealing with a chaotic situation or the emotional "stuff" related to that situation or event.

In terms of the above-referenced individual's reading with The Tower as the focal point, she did receive a feel-good moment as an outcome. It was paired beautifully it with the Six of Wands. With the Six, she will be able overcome whatever catastrophe The Tower represents in terms of her foreclosure and make the outcome a positive experience. Of course, if she had received some other feel-good card instead of the Six, there would have been more information for her to use. However, she's pretty much a cut-and-dried type of person who favors yes/no answers. Most people know that I do not really do those types of readings. However, this was the closest I came to giving her a yes/no. What other cards that represents growth or happiness, or any positive Major Arcana card such as The Sun or the World would you pull to pair with The Tower and how would you interpret it? I'd like to know.

Resonance

Today’s word is resonance. When I say a word or statement resonates, I imply that it not only makes sense, but it strikes a chord within. It “feels” right. It belongs. We are connecting to words, ideas, and more—in a powerful way. There is a vibration taking place that transports us somewhere for a moment—deep within our soul. We “know” that something fits—that it is right for us. Resonance—a powerful feeling!

My mother used to talk to me about how difficult her life was during the Great Depression and World War II. She explained how she and her parents had to do without things because they barely had two nickels to rub together. She hoped her children would not have to experience what she did during those times. Because she lived through difficult financial times, she learned how to stretch her money and meals. She was thrifty, not cheap. She had to be. She taught me the value of a dollar, and if I wanted something, I waited…and waited to get it. However, whenever we needed something, she managed to find a way for us to get it. She frequently said. “All comes to he who waits.” In some cases, that is what planting seeds for the future is all about. Realistically speaking, sometimes we need to go out and grab what we want because it doesn’t always come to us if we wait. In this case, waiting is known as a missed opportunity.

An example of taking action was when I looked for my current apartment. I did my homework first. I called the resident manager and found out what I needed to bring with me in case I wanted the apartment—it resonated with me. Well, I found the one I wanted. I swooped in and grabbed it. I had my money order for a credit check, all of the necessary financial paperwork with me, and I filled out the application on the spot. That’s where the expression “Time and tide waits for no man” resonated for me. I learned when to wait and when to move—nay, swoop.

Why am I talking about my mother, lack of money, apartment hunting, and planting seeds? It is very simple. History repeats itself. Sooner or later, things and situations occur and it feels like déjà vu. I see how the wheel of life moves, how cycles repeat, and how the law of karma works. The lessons my mother taught me does resonate…on a practical level. Then there is resonance on a spiritual level—for me, it is Tarot.

My Tarot class last night was full of surprises. I am always amazed how each group starts out now knowing one another and ends up bonding beautifully over the course of six weeks. It is rewarding to see how the material I present resonates with a diverse group of individuals. I am truly blessed because I am able to enlighten people and show them the joy of Tarot.

More resonance! I worked several events over the past few weeks—a few grad nights, a Birthday party, and two corporate events. Each group of individuals I read for (Tarot and/or palms) was unique. My job was to interpret the information I received and make it fit each individual in a manner that resonated with them. I did. This is what I do.

Someone once asked me how I felt about using my intuitive gifts for money. My reply was simple. My gifts have been given to me and to not use them would be a waste. I do not abuse my gifts. I use them to entertain people and provide information that can help them—information that resonates with them. My mother often told me that people do not readily accept or listen to advice unless they pay for it. People must value the work you do. If not, why would someone consult us or stand in line for an hour at a party to have us read for them? The answer is simple—we perform a service. When I pick up a Tarot deck or hold someone’s hand and look at their palm, I am offering to share my gifts in a positive manner to help them—with love and understanding. If what I tell someone resonates with them, then I have done an excellent job. I know my mother would be proud of how I use my gifts.

Dreamtime and Healing

I was not sure if I was going to write a blog entry this week as I have been a little bit under the weather. When I am not feeling well, I sleep...a lot. Sleeping gives my body a chance to heal and my mind gets uninterrupted time in which to work through a lot of things. Dreamtime.

Last week, I took a big hit emotionally and mentally. I allowed myself to experience things that I could have, should have, and would have walked away from, but did not. Because of my professionalism and ethics, I stayed and "took it," ignoring my intuitive gifts. I let my human side and not my intuitive side make the decisions.

My friend Katie, the caricaturist, turned me on to Jo Dunning, founder of the The Pulse Technique. The Pulse Technique is an energy healing modality. I participated in her free teleconference workshop yesterday. Whether or not you believe various types of alternative healing techniques can work, I know that The Pulse Technique did something for me.

There are many layers and to our personalities. When we heal, we do not have control over which wound gets attention first. Some injuries take longer to heal because they are older or we have ignored them. This morning, I remembered several dreams that I had last night. While the situations, people and actions were illogical--nothing made sense in a linear way, there was a lot of information in those dreams that I am able to work with to resolve some old issues.

When I read for people, I can "feel or see" issues, blockage, fear, change, and transformation for them. This is what I do best. Why am I an issue-oriented intuitive? That's because I am always working on my issues, etc. I am a work in progress and I respect, value, and embrace dream work. Dreams can be the keys that open our eyes to what was, what can never be, and what is possible. Dreams are a gift.

The message I am sharing with you today is the following: If you jot down your dreams when you awaken from sleep, you may find valuable information contained in them. Whether or not they are prophetic, insightful or healing, your dreams are important. Embrace them, respect them and use the information you glean from them.

You may want to check out Jo Dunning's website at www.jodunning.com for more information about Jo and her Pulse Technique.

Spontaneity, Creativity and Courage

Today my guides reminded me that I did not post anything on my blog yesterday. I decided to ask them for a topic. As usual, they responded instantaneously and said, "Davida, why don't you pick three angel cards and channel a message." I looked into my little black box, which has a hand-painted angel on it, opened it, and there were two cards staring at me--Creativity and Courage.

My Tarot students and friends know that I always want more information than may be contained in one card. With Tarot, I like to have at least five or six cards. My philosophy is "the more, the merrier." I reached in blindly and pulled one more card. The angels presented me with the word Spontaneity.

Many of us are at a point in our lives where we need to take a good look at how we live on a day-to-day basis. I tend to be practical as well as intuitive, so while I am blessed with the ability to provide insight for others, these cards also contain a personal message for me, too. Spontaneity reminds me of the improv classes I took at Players Workshop and Second City. One of my teachers, the late, great, Martin de Maat had a Zen-like attitude toward improvisational acting. He taught us, reminded us, and held our hands while we learned and played. Being present is one of the tidbits I walked away from his class. It helped me in my life and the work I do immeasurably. If we live in the moment and not in our heads, our actions will be organic. If we focus on others or the task at hand, the right words will come and our actions will be honest. Everything will happen spontaneously. Martin was a gift to his students and he shared his gifts from a very loving place.

Creativity? I love to tell people that being creative is not about art, music, drama, writing, etc. It is about imagination. It is about going beyond the limits of practicality. Better yet, it is about being open in order to let your mind take you where you need to go. Could this be what a form of meditation? I think so. With spontaneity and creativity, magic can happen.

Courage? At this point in time we all need to be courageous. It is about finding our center and connecting to it deeply. Bert Lahr portrayed the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz" magnificently. I will always remember how he found the strength and courage when it was needed. He found courage within himself. We need to do that too. I believe being courageous means following through and not being discouraged before we attain what it is we set out to accomplish.

By putting these cards together, today's message tells me that spontaneity is the key to allowing creativity to blossom into something wonderful. It is not about censoring your ideas. It is about letting them come through you spontaneously, and finding the courage to let that spark glow and burn brightly. Today's gift from the angels is profound. Live spontaneously and creatively with the courage to make your life what you want it to be. If you can do that, opportunities will present themselves and all you need to do is be present, get out of your head and make magic happen. Did the angels give you a message with these words too?

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the day when we remember the men and women in uniform who have died while serving our country—the United States. Both my father and his brother, Nathan aka Nick, were in the Army during World War II. Uncle Nick was stationed in Africa and Italy (and possibly a few other places). He found himself in the kitchen when someone discovered he could cook. He was no longer on the front lines. An angel smiled down upon him and brought him safely home when the war was over. Unfortunately, many of his friends were not as fortunate as he.

My father was an actor. When he learned that Maurice Evans was coming to Honolulu to bring Shakespeare to the troops, he desperately wanted to be transferred to his unit—the one that would become the Entertainment Section—Special Services. When he first arrived, along with many other actors, musicians, artists, craftsmen, directors, etc., someone gave him the following advice: “Actors may come and go, but a good supply sergeant will stay.” Needless to say, that’s what my dad became—Rapp, the Supply Sarge! He saw many entertainers come and go. Again, several men from his unit were not as fortunate as he.

Mr. Lussenhop, my seventh grade history teacher, showed us slides of Korea from his time in the Army during the Korean War. Most of the girls thought he was quite handsome with his flashing white smile, crew cut and dazzling blue eyes. I found this picture I took of him with Mrs. Siegel from our 7th grade field trip to Hannibal Missouri.


I did not fully understand why we were fighting in Korea until nearly six years later, when the movie M.A.S.H. burst onto the scene. During the Vietnam war, I remember sending books and playing cards to soldiers, but I truly had no idea what was going on over there until a few people I knew were sent there to fight and wrote letters home.

When I look at my high school website, I see the names of men and women who have died defending our country printed in gold. I feel blessed to have known some of them and their siblings. I still find the reality of a life cut short devastating. I know there is a greater plan here, but no one bothered to tell me what it is.

To paraphrase my late astrology teacher, Jan McLevitch, “It is a privilege to be born on the planet earth. We pick the hour of our birth for the lessons, skills, talents and personality that will serve us in our lifetime. We choose our parents for the start in life we need—the education. We also choose our exit—how and when.” Jan felt that our natal charts show everything about us. Personally, that is more information than most of us can/want to handle.

To all of the soldiers who have given their lives, so we can sleep peacefully in our beds at night, I salute you. I am grateful for you having done your job well, so that our country can stay free. May the angels watch over you and your loved ones forever.

Trust Issues and the Tarot

Trust is a major issue for most of us. What we trust (or believe), who we trust, and what information we are willing to entrust to someone can be a source of frustration, joy or pain. When someone betrays our trust, we experience inner turmoil. When we trust our intuition, we can always make the right decision.

We need to learn how our intuition works, and then we can learn how to trust it. Generally, experience aka 20/20 hindsight is our best teacher. We need to be gentle with ourselves and know that things take time. What I love about Tarot is that we can use it illustrate trust issues, too. There are countless cards that scream trust in varying degrees. I am going to focus on a few Minor Arcana cards—that I feel illustrate this well—the Swords: 2 of Swords, 3 of Swords, 7 of Swords, 8 of Swords and 10 of Swords. I chose these cards because they deal with trusting people and/or intuition.

The 2 of Swords is about trusting your intuition. Sometimes I see the 2 as the minor equivalent of the Priestess, but with a difference. The 2 shows that someone needs to trust his/her intuition and make a choice. Sometimes when a person is at a crossroads in life, the only way to create movement is to make a choice about direction. Dorothy had to choose a path when the “Yellow Brick Road” ended. With the help of the Scarecrow, she made a choice. That choice was an adventure that involved making friends from strangers and learning who to trust. Eventually she found her way home. No matter what choice someone makes, they will eventually end up on the right path and find their way home.

The 3 of Swords can be about stagnation, love triangles and betrayals. I often see it as a “brick wall” or a “dead end.” It is about accepting that things have changed or have not come to fruition. You can no longer have what you once had, or you cannot have what you want because it is not meant to be. If you prefer the betrayal interpretation, that’s fine with me. I seldom use it because I prefer to use the Tarot for empowerment and a brick wall works best for me.

The 7 of Swords aka the “Thief of Swords” can be about trust issues in general. It may indicate that someone has betrayed your trust or misrepresented themselves.

The 8 of Swords is about fear. Fear can often paralyze us. Sometimes we find it hard to move forward because we don’t know what the future may hold for us, and we are programmed to expect the worst. When fear overtakes us, we may have a problem trusting our intuition. I think the 8 is about using the knowledge we have and slowly trusting our intuition so we can move forward.

The 10 of Swords can literally represent “being stabbed in the back.” When I interpret this card, most of the time, I see it as the Minor Arcana equivalent of the Death card. It is about starting over--regeneration. It can also be about having learned our lessons and surrendering to a higher power. Surrendering allows us to move forward. Of course, it can also be about being betrayed by someone.

To sum things up, let your intuition be your guide and use the Tarot to guide you on your journey. Let it show you where you need to use your intuition and where you need to be careful when trusting others.

Unconditional Love and Boundaries

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I needed a day to reflect on what I wanted to say regarding this day of celebration. Today, I found my voice...

Over the years, I have met several Zen Buddhists who were able to live on what I call "the edge." They were able to completely love and trust everyone that they encountered on a day-to-day basis. They appeared to be in a state of bliss. It is unimportant whether or not they used drugs or alcohol to arrive at, or maintain their calm, Zen-like state of being. Where are they now? What are they doing? If they are still Zen-like, where has their life led them? I wonder. Because I am a practical, intuitive, creative person, I find that I cannot be Zen-like for very long. I have moments. They come and go. I cannot trust everyone, but I can love unconditionally—with boundaries.

Within the past week, I experienced several situations that have made me revisit the concept of unconditional love regarding mothers. My mother was wonderful, but she made a lot of choices that were detrimental to my well being. I believe she had good intentions. She was not externally warm and I was a hugging, kissing little girl who always wanting to learn and share what I learned. When I came home from school, I often found her cooking dinner. I sat on the footstool in the kitchen chattering away about what I learned in school, my classmates, and many of the hurts I endured from being different. She listened. Many years later when I asked her about it, she said, "I just let you talk it made you feel better. I guess she never really "heard" what I said or truly understood me, but she did know that I needed to talk—get things off my chest.

She was cut from the mold where you lied to your children to either protect them or get them to behave. I know many people who have raised their children this way. I know she wanted the best for daughters, but I was not like my sister. I have always danced to my own drummer, defied convention and fought for right and wrong--the underdog and in often cases, was the underdog. Because of this, I have always sought the life of service—providing wise guidance to help people heal their wounds. I use my intuitive abilities (often with Tarot cards) and with the guidance of spirits, angels and other helpful entities to make the best choices in my personal life. These guides are always on board to help me provide my clients, and those who I am privileged to read for, with as much information as possible. It is all about making choices. I believe if we approach any conflict or negative situation regarding our mothers with love and understanding, we will at least feel that we have done our best. It is about relating to one another, listening and trying to understand each other’s point of view. Sometime it doesn’t work.

As a daughter, I always wanted to buy a special present for my mother on Mother’s Day. When I asked her what she wanted, she always said, “I want a good girl.” The message that she gave me with that statement made me feel that I was not a good girl and I made Herculean efforts throughout my life to be honest, ethical and more than a good person. It took me a long time to understand her. She used that statement to control me and to get me to do what she wanted me to do. Needless to say, something in side of me fought her tooth and nail. Several years before she died, I asked her what she would like for a Mother’s Day present. She always said, “Save your money.” Once a bookkeeper, always a bookkeeper! When I did buy her presents, I could see how moved she was. Yes, she was raised the same way she raised me.

I learned unconditional love from my cats. No matter how they behave, I love them, forgive them, and treat them beautifully because they are unselfish and know how to give love and comfort. I also love my friends the same way—unconditionally. No matter what choices they may make, or how much we may disagree on various things, we are always there for one another and our differences help us to grow and become better people.

While I would like to love everyone in the world unconditionally, I know I live on the planet earth. It would be very foolish for anyone to love or trust strangers unconditionally. That’s where intuition and common sense come in handy. We really don’t need to love the whole world and all of the creatures on it. We just need to learn to understand and accept our differences. Boundaries help to keep relationships healthy.

Just before my mother died in 1991, I asked her, “When did you finally accept the choices I made for my career?” She replied, “When I knew no matter what I said or did you were going to do what you wanted to do.” I was 38 at the time. Yesterday was Mother's Day. I still love my mother…unconditionally.

Retrograde Mercury-Bringing the Past Forward

The "demoted" Planet Mercury goes retrograde on May 6th and lasts through May 30th. The best thing you can do for yourself is to back up your computer. There is quite a bit of information available on the Internet about Mercury retrograde, so I will just stick to the basics. Because Mercury rules communication, (emails, mail, phone calls, deliveries, etc.) things can go a bit haywire. People can lose jobs, relationships break up, packages get sent to wrong addresses, and the list goes on. (I avoid ordering anything that needs to be sent via UPS during this time period unless absolutely necessary. Why? Because I have had packages lost, stolen and misdirected.) I have lost emails and data when computers crashed and burned under Mercury retrogrades. Last year, the one I used at the office fried. Why that one and not my home computer? Because my home computer was a "new" one. My worst Mercury retrogrades tend to be the ones in January. So, I am hoping this one is a bit easier than the others.

PRECAUTIONS
What can you do to help yourself? Back up your computer. Make sure you are clear when you communicate with others. Being on the same page is very important. Follow up with people to make sure your faxes or emails are received. Check your calendar to make certain you don't miss appointments or deadlines. Don't start any new projects. Don't sign any legal documents unless absolutely necessary, and then make sure everything is crystal clear. Be extra careful driving. I think you have the general idea about how to work with this type of energy.

ADVANTAGES
What can you do under Mercury retrograde that would be advantageous? This is a time to do your spring cleaning. Get rid of what you don't need/want. Reconnect with people from your past. I started doing that a few days ago. I found a drawer full of business cards from 1995-1996. I have been scouring the Internet trying to find if the addresses/businesses of these entrepreneurs are still valid so I can reconnect and network with them again. While some of them now have thriving businesses, others have found new careers or jobs, and some have disappeared altogether.

The gift of this time period is reconnection. I started reconnecting to people a few days ago and the rewards are unbelievable. While time has, indeed, moved foward, it also appears to stand still (Mercury stationpoint). With this retrograde, I can bring the past into the present and make a new future for myself. I hope you can do the same. The rewards are amazing. Call someone you haven't spoken to in a long time. You will make their day--or not, depending on the relationship. We all can use a bit of karma cleaning, too! Do you have a Mercury retrograde story you wish to share? I'd love to hear it.

High Priestess--Finding your Place in the World

While I felt the need to use an oracle deck of Doreen Virtue's today, I was instead directed to use the Goddess Knowledge Cards by artist Susan Seddon Boulet with text by Michael Babcock. While I was looking for insight outside of myself to share, I was directed to go within, yet again. I have often thought of myself as the Empress--an aspect of mother earth and I still do. However, I am now being nudged, nay, shoved into the role of High Priestess. No matter what type of Oracle or Tarot deck I use, I am always brought back into the world of Tarot. In Susan's painting I can see several of the major elements of Tarot's High Priestess--the Torah, the moon, the veil of the temple, the pillars--Boaz and Jakin, and a pomegranate. If there are other elements present, I cannot make them out as the symbolism is so beautifully integrated into the painting.

Michael's text refers to the High Priestess as the direct representative of the goddess on earth. "She has direct responsibility for functions that ensure fertility and ongoing creation." I believe that also sums up the Empress in many ways. The High Priestess in Tarot is the maiden aspect of the triple moon goddess while the Empress is the mother aspect. Michael further states, "The High Priestess is a reminder of the innate wisdom in each of us. She demands that we connect to the divine spark within and manifest it in the world." Too bad she doesn't inform us of the difficulties that we may encounter in our efforts to succeed at manifesting, once we have connected to that spark.

My mother told me, "You are a square peg in a round hole. You need to conform and fit in." I have tried to fit into the world--the corporate world. Like many individuals, working in this environment can be stifling, next to impossible, and incredibly stressful. Creative and intuitive people need to find ways to adapt in order to survive. The need to make a living while pursuing their dreams is important--now more than ever. Yes, the spark within can lead to the discovery of an untapped dream, or one that we pushed aside for whatever reason we felt was important at the time. Can we manifest those dreams now? Yes? No?

Investigate, plan and never give up until you find a way to make your dream(s) come true. Once you connect to the spark within, your journey is half over. The next step is creating or finding an opportunity. Consult with the High Priestess within and find your next assignment, or create your own place...for the moment. However long you need to remain on your next assignment really doesn't matter. What matters is listening to the voice within--without over analyzing. If you can do that, you are letting the High Priestess do her job without complications.

Catalyst for Change

For the past two days, I have felt a lightness in the air. I think it was caused by a combination of things--the planet Venus is now direct and the weather in Los Angeles has been sunny and warm--reminiscent of a lovely summer day. I love this feeling--this energy. I am connected to myself--my past and present all at once. It is like I am on fire! My passion for living, breathing and accomplishing things has been re-ignited. Is it because I'm a spring baby? Perhaps. Is it because things begin in the spring--seeds are planted? Maybe. Is it magic? I hope so. What do you think?

Yesterday, the energy in the air was reminiscent of when I had a meeting with my agent in April 1994. He was interested in managing me as a psychic and wanted to be a producer. He talked about developing a talk show for me. He disappeared just before I moved, six months later, and the show never happened.

I am grateful for the agent's appearance in my life. He was my catalyst for change. I had a "feeling" about moving to Los Angeles in 1980. The air yesterday and today had the same energy for me. If I were an astrologer, I am certain I could recognize the various energies in this cycle and interpret them accordingly.

Gratitude. While things may not be working out the way I would like them to in my personal life, I have the wisdom to know that all will be revealed in time and that I should not dwell upon the past. Things happen for reasons we may/may not understand. We draw negative and positive energies to us for a myriad number of reasons. We often regret the choices we make or don't make. Today is a day, of acceptance that all things good, bad and indifferent can be used as catalysts for change. If we take a moment to assess our lives--the situations with which we are involved, and trust the universe, we can rise above any obstacles that we may encounter. All it takes is a little hope, optimism, fire and faith.

Are you willing to be a catalyst for your own changes?

The Swan

Synchronicity brought the image of the swan to me this morning. An email I received from my friend, Pat Serafin, contained the attached picture. The story of "The Ugly Duckling" came to mind when I viewed it. Many of us go through life looking at the world and wanting to fit in--to belong. We want to be loved and appreciated for our unique selves. That does not generally happen. What do we do instead? We strive to conform in order to be accepted and not humiliated. We adopt defense mechanisms in order to protect ourselves. It takes many years to learn how and when to lower our defenses and trust, but the damage done during our early childhood and adolescent years sometimes take a lifetime to overcome. It's all about self-esteem.

Today Spirit directed me to use Medicine Cards. After shuffling briefly, I pulled the Swan. The swan is all about Grace, accepting your intuitive abilities and surrendering to self-transformation. Swan medicine.

Spirit is taking me into more than one direction, today. I received several emails containing the YouTube performance of Susan Boyle's rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables" on "Britain's Got Talent 2009." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

I have listened to it several times and I am totally moved by the beauty of her singing voice--her instrument. Her ability to interpret this powerful song brought me to tears every time I played the clip. If you are fortunate enough to see the 7 minute version of this show (link listed above), you can see how the audience originally judged her based upon her appearance. After she began to sing, the audience was so moved that they suspended all thoughts and judgments. They were transported to a wonderful place and experienced something phenomenal. Susan Boyle is swan. She finally has her chance at a singing career. I am guessing they will also give her a makeover--a little powder and paint, a nice hairstyle and perhaps a little haircolor, too. That would be nice for her.

This brings me to the subject of skin-deep beauty--our youth-chasing world! Botox, Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse and other injectables are used to combat character lines and aging. Apparently, the media and society continue to tell us that we are not young enough, pretty enough, thin enough or rich enough. Mother Nature finds beauty in all ages and all creatures. When I look in the mirror, I see an older version of myself. I see the vertical lines forming around my mouth, a few wrinkles here, and there and my favorite, the crinkles around my eyes. A good moisturizer helps, but would I do anything to alter my face with the toxins everyone else is rushing to use? Absolutely not! I really enjoy seeing how I have aged both mentally, physically and emotionally. My college education in biology and chemistry has not been wasted. It has taught me that anything you do chemically to a biological system will have not only the desired effect, but it will also create problems--unwanted side effects. I keep my skincare regime simple, and fortunately I have benefitted from staying out of the sun. What example would I present to the world and to the people who come to me for a reading if I altered my appearance? Not a good one, I am sure.

I am fortunate that I have the ability to read into people's souls when I work events reading Tarot cards, Palms or objects. It is my responsibilty to help that person with their issues in a positive life-affirming way while providing entertainment. Do you have any idea what it is like to read for someone and their forehead never moves? Eyes, faces and energies used to match. That is not always the case anymore. When I work certain events, I can see the good/bad injectables and sometimes a little nip and tuck. This is when I shut off my brain and I trust the information I receive from Spirit.

What is my point today? It's about becoming a Swan--self-transformation with grace. It's also about self-esteem and just putting it out there to live your dream. It's about looking your best. It could also be a reason to complain about toxic injectables too. Most definitely.

Eight plus one equals nine

Simple mathematics teaches us to add numbers together in order to get a sum--a total. Tarot cards can provide us with a couple of different ways in which we can interpret a pair of cards. When I was contemplating employment opportunities this morning, two cards (Universal Waite deck) came out to visit me. I welcomed the 8 of cups and the ace (or 1) of cups. Using simple mathematics, as mentioned above, provides us with the formula 8 of cups + 1 of cups = 9 of cups. How sweet. Nine of cups is the gluttonous wish card.

On the 8 of cups card we see a man walking away from a stack of cups. We see the moon illuminating the sun. Depending on the actual situation, he may be walking away from something, or walking toward something. What matters is that he is on a journey to find emotional fulfillment or to fulfill a need that is emotionally driven. If he is unemployed, he may be seeking a new job. If he is unhappy in his job, he may be contemplating a new start that may fulfill him. Just because the card shows movement does not mean he will take that journey. He may look at his options and decide to stay put.

The moon illuminating the sun further reminds us that his movement that is tied to his emotions. He needs to take his emotions and feelings into account when choosing his path. With the positioning of the cups on the card, it is obvious that something is missing. Add the ace of cups to the 8 of cups, and we can see that he is walking toward the missing cup.

If we view the ace as the missing piece, it shows us that he is walking toward a new beginning--the holy grail overflowing with water--emotion and fluidity. The cup is held by a hand reaching out from the clouds. A dove holding a cross is strategically placed over the the opening of the cup. The images contained in the ace provide him with validation, hope and optimism. This is a winning combination of numbers. Why? If we do the math, 8 of cups + 1 of cups = 9 of cups--completion, or the wish card.

The ace is the missing piece in his life. He should pursue the ace of cups--see his life as potentially full of love, happiness and all of those emotionally positive experiences so he can use the wish card (9 of cups) to help him manifest what he wants--employment-wise, or in other areas of his life.

While these cards were chosen for employment options, I believe they can be used for any other type of situation where something may be missing from someone's life.

What do you think? Would you be willing to move forward in order to find out what you may be missing?

...and the Angels Speak

As I opened my box of traditional "Angel Cards" looking for a message for today, one card stared at me--openly, brazenly and with humor. The word was PLAY. When we were children our idea of what constitutes PLAY changed as we became adults.

For me, PLAY is my work--my passion--reading Tarot, palms, coffee grounds, and objects. However, I often forget that playing a computer game is PLAY and not wasting time. As an adult, PLAY should be viewed as a release of energy that helps center us in some way--or provides balance. We must make time to lighten our energy in order to release stress.

This leads me to the next two cards which came out to PLAY together--BALANCE and FLEXIBILITY. It's about balancing our lives--making room for PLAY without feeling guilty or unproductive. We should find a way to incorporate some sort of PLAY into our day. That would create BALANCE.

FLEXIBILITY works with BALANCE. FLEXIBILITY allows movement; it keeps things lively--in motion. If we have complete BALANCE, we risk becoming bored and our lives could become stagnant. BALANCE should have movement. Without movement, there is no growth. The words FLEXIBILITY and BALANCE bring to mind the Wheel of Fortune in the Tarot deck. While the wheel may spin, it does not always stop in a "good place," but it is a good reminder that equilibrium is key to staying positive.

The next angel card that appeared was one bringing ABUNDANCE. Today, she reminds us that we should never ask for ABUNDANCE alone. This could lead to an ABUNDANCE of things that we do not want in our lives. We should, instead, ask for ABUNDANCE of all good things, or ABUNDANCE of the positive things we want to experience. We must be specific when we use broad words. To explain this further, I was provided with two more words from the Angels: POWER and BIRTH. It is about using your personal POWER to give BIRTH to yourself. It's about creating the life you want to live. It's about using your mind, heart and soul along with the hand you were dealt to find a way to manifest the quality of life you want, and to do the work you were born to do. In other words, use POWER to give BIRTH to yourself, your projects, etc.

Use your POWER wisely, my friends, in order to bring ABUNDANCE of all good things into your lives. It's about creating magic in a loving, empowering way.

The message/lesson from the angels today consists of PLAY, BALANCE and FLEXIBILITY, ABUNDANCE, and POWER and BIRTH. They tell us to remember to play and enjoy each day. Find a way to BALANCE your life so that you are productive and maintain FLEXIBILITY. Ask for ABUNDANCE by using your personal POWER to give BIRTH to whatever you need to make your life better without trying to control the outcome.

Today is a day to create magic by lightening your heart, mind and spirit.

Temperance, 8 of Swords and the King of Swords

Spirit directed me to discuss the Temperance card today. While I wanted to pull a companion card, I ended up with two cards instead of one. These cards were the 8 of Swords and the King of Swords. Simply put, Temperance is all about patience, lack of patience and tempering one's words. When we combine Temperance with swords it can indicate that most of our problems arise from our thoughts and fears. If we can still our mind--work with keeping our egos in check, we can rise above any situation with which we may find ourselves involved.

I used Robert Place's Alchemical Tarot Renewed. His artwork is superb and my intuition takes me to a more spiritual level when interpreting the above-referenced cards. In order to improve our lives, we need to transmute our thoughts into that of a higher vibration. Dealing with our dark side and lightening this energy is paramount to change and transformation. Patience is not something that comes easily to most people. If we look more closely at this card, we see that the lady holding the urns is walking away from a path that leads to a sunset behind mountains. She appears to be walking on grass. One must remain grounded and live mindfully in order to deal with life situations--even if we need to walk away from something that no longer serves us. The bouquet of flowers that are encircled by the contents of the two urns are red and white--further reminding us of the alchemical process--transmutation of energy. I also feel that this card reminds us of the need for balance as well.

During our current economic situation, it is a challenge to remain optimistic with more and more businesses facing financial crises and people unable to find work in order to pay their bills. The fear that surrounds us, which we try to keep from consuming us, is represented by the 8 of swords. What I love about this deck is that the horned beast in front of the eight of swords may seem like a caged animal at first glance, but there is more than one way to interpret his image. Is he getting ready to defend himself? Is he checking out his options for escape--from his current situation? Or, is he surrendering to the higher power--waiting? Add the King of Swords to these two cards and you may either see the beast as a victim of his situation, or the victor.

These cards together can remind us that if we keep a positive outlook on life regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves, we can set ourselves free. Lighter energy is freeing. Keep your mind positive. Keep the faith. Stay focused and grounded during turbulent or uncomfortable times and situations. Know that temperance--patience, choosing our words carefully and choosing a new direction are needed whenever we lose our way.

Reflection on the Tarot Partnership of The Hierophant and The Devil

When I interpret Tarot spreads, I like to see all sides of the situation, whenever possible. For today's post, I used the Universal Waite Tarot deck. The Hierophant drew attention to himself before I even shuffled. So, my intent to just use one card was changed by Spirit. After I shuffled, I pulled The Devil (reversed). Looking at both of these cards, they present a multitude of interpretations--all with the theme of change. Why change, you ask? Because that's how we grow as individuals and as souls. Today's interpretation is with the reversal of The Devil.

The Hierophant represents society, rules, education, structure and belief systems. The Devil can represent bondage to the material, the lovers in Hell, and the struggle between Spirit and the physical world--entrapment.

How would I interpret these two cards in a partnership? I see these two characters working together because of the reversal of The Devil. The resonance for me is about restoring order, structure and putting a framework in place to remove the negative energies that we struggle with on a daily basis. That sounds a little bit like spring cleaning. I think so. For everything that we shut away in our minds, hearts, and bodies, we occasionally need to face our demons and air out our closets--the closets in our homes and in ourselves.

Why do we hold onto the past? Do we hope that we can go back in time so we can have a second chance or change our past and then our future? Perhaps. Time is linear--rather a timeline is linear. A timepiece moves in a circle.

Is change good for us? Yes. Though sometimes the process of change is extremely difficult. Ultimately, we all end up embracing change. Whether we face it willingly or fight it, sooner or later we must change. The rules (The Hierophant) of the society in which each of us live presents challenges. We must work with the rules that are handed down to us by our governments. Most societies allow us to have a say in how our government works. That is a gift that was handed down to us by those who who came before--those who found a way to create change.

While it may take us a long time to release the bonds of the devil, we know that if we "let go" of that which no longer serves us, we will provide ourselves with a new way of living our lives and we should be able to deal with whatever comes along.

In summary, The Hierophant shows us that we need order, structure, rules and beliefs to support us on our journey in life. The Devil shows us where we get stuck--usually it's fear or bondage to a way of life. When the rug is pulled out from under us, we should always get up and start all over again. Find a new way. If we trust, all will sort itself out--in time.

There is so much more to say about these two cards in partnership. We can apply the fundamentals of these cards to countless situations. Let me know what you think about these two cards working together. Let me know what you think about these two cards in opposition to one another.

Tuesday's Full Moon in Virgo

There was a full moon in Virgo yesterday, and like many people, I felt it. Staying focused during a full moon is never an easy task for me. I am an intuitive and I feel everything planetary and weather-related. I guess that comes with the gifts--a mixed blessing? What is the percentage of people in the world who have problems with planetary shifts? I wonder.

All in all, it was a good day and my Tarot class at Santa Monica College was very satisfying. My students--the ladies--amazed me once again. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to see their growth each week. I am able to point out their strengths and weaknesses as readers and show them how they can get out of their own way. Their confidence and abilities continue to grow. I love it when they walk out of class having learned something, totally charged, excited and looking forward to the next class. Very rewarding!

Today, I started this blog. It is my intention to use it to share my thoughts and insights into Tarot, spiritual tools and personal growth as directed by the muses and my guides. I hope you will follow me on this path.