Here’s 2009 precictions for 2010.

Here’s 2008’s predictions for 2009.

Here’s 2007’s predictions for 2008.

And here’s some past predictions. 

And here’s some more past predictions.

Any conclusions on what was predicted, and what is actually happening?

Have you ever had many people in a row tell you look tired?

Such was my lovely morning today. Although, it actually was a lovely morning and despite that I apparently looked wretched, I felt rather chipper and exuberant.

I spent the a.m. chatting with various townspeople, baking and attempting to blog with a VERY slow internet connection (I gave up). The afternoon I spent reorganizing the garage with my pops, and the evening, d-a-n-c-i-n-g!

It was African dance tonight, with a wonderful teacher named Kimberly who was once upon a time my Hellerwork practitioner–a topic for another day.

I took African drumming and dance while attending Naropa U and adored both. The passionate teachers and earthy beats always take my soul on wild adventures! I eventually joined a dance troupe called Logo Ligi and at one point was $100 in and a word away from going to Ghana for a month with the group. Alas, I backed out in the end–which I tell you, makes me wary of my current longings to go to Latin America and dance. There shall be no shying away from the passion this time!

“Passion”-another of the cards that came up in my tarot reading yesterday afternoon. “Courage” was the one I referenced before.

So, dance was fabuloso as usual and thanks to my experience, dedication and excitement about it all, I can safely say that other than the teacher I was the “best” dancer in there.

Meaning of “best” in this case? Able to pick up and mimic the moves most quickly and closely.

Another aside: David used to dislike the way I fixated on the definition and connotation of words. He thought I was being new-agey and picky. I happen to find it endearing and important, for the record. Although I will admit that it does interrupt the flow. . .

. . . As I was saying, I was the “best” dancer in the class; my point in saying so was that as I tossed my head and waved my arms widely from side to side, I had a sweetly profound revelation. My “best”ness was coming from practice, persistence and passion and was carried on by more of the same. And for once in my life I was able to embrace it without worrying about superiority in one way or another.

One of my absolute favorite passages is Marianne Williamson’s Our Greatest Fear in which she powerfully claims:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? . . .

Then of course she goes on to pose the question, Actually, who are you not to be?

I have been hiding in my own expansive shadow for a long time. It was a blissful thrill to realize that tonight I was dancing my light.

This is a silly exercise from “What’s in the Cards for You?” by Mark McElroy. =D

The exercise asked to choose a historical figure that I admire. In this case, I chose the national hero of The Philippines.  Let’s hear it for Jose Rizal!

Using my Archeon Tarot, I pulled a three card spread so I can learn something from him.

The 6 of Cups answered my question, “What was your motivation to save our country?”  This card, amazingly, shows a masked performer with a scroll behind him.  This is not a surprise because Jose Rizal is a well known writer/novelist.  He used his talent in arts and literature to reach the public and open their minds.  During that time, my country was oppressed by the Spaniards.  The books that he have written angered them but it also created hope to Filipinos.  This ultimately lead to a revolution, which was a big step towards our freedom!

The 8 of Wands is something that he have learned.  In the picture, we see an angel with her wings spread wide open.  This symbolizes the feeling of freedom.  The element for this card is fire, which symbolizes progress and development.  He has a dedicated soul and never gave up on inspiring us.  He was a true student and explored various fields of study like medicine, arts, literature, architecture, etc.  He mastered a number of languages like German, Greek, English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, etc.

The third is his tip to improve my life.  In this card, we see the Knight of Pentacles in full armour.  He is known to be the protector.  He is someone we can all depend on in times of need.  I guess this card is telling me to become more available to the people I care for (my friends and family).  Sometimes I let life get in the way and become distant to them.  Being busy is not an excuse.  I should be this knight to them… someone they can look up to and be proud of.

Deck:  Archeon Tarot by Timothy Lantz

Today’s draw was The Star with an underlying draw of The Empress.

I see a big clock-like machine with a large glowing star on top surrounded by lots of little stars.  A skyclad woman is pouring two pitchers of water into the sea, which she is sitting in.  She wears a circlet which glows.

Stars are used to illuminate and navigate (“show the way home”).  In this case, the woman’s thoughts are being illuminated.  Being skyclad may indicate truth or indicate the emotions she is playing with are visible to those around her.  But what is going on with pouring the water?  Is she playing with her emotions?  Diluting them in a larger sea of emotions or are they blending with a more global pool.  I’m not sure what pouring water means. 

I want to say something like, illuminating your thoughts to the light of truth will allow you to find your way home through a sea of emotions but that sounds too much like a fortune cookie to me.

The underlying card, the Empress shows a woman standing in the heavens surrounded by signs of the zodiac.  She is holding the female symbol, a very large hand mirror, which she is gazing into and smiling.  She wears colors from each element.  This card is showing me earthly and heavenly energies combined in a pleasing outcome.

So what does it all mean?  I asked to be shown what I need to know about the coming long Thanksgiving weekend.  Forgetting about the weekend, I have been getting lots of emotional draws lately.  That is probably the sea of emotions that I am playing/sitting in.  Maybe by looking for the truth in my thoughts (illuminating the truth in my thoughts) I can resolve the emotional issues I have been playing/sitting in and will be able to navigate or find my way to a place of spiritual and earthly harmony.

I don’t know.  What do you think?  Too Dr. Phil?

Tom was getting used to the middle of the night phone calls and my time spent skrying into my black mirror and trancing out with my tarot cards.  Still, I was grateful to have a night alone.

Some journalists, although they’d never admit it, surround themselves with pictures of crime victims.  A producer I worked with, back in my TV days, once confessed that he asked a homicide victim for direction in solving her murder. “I’d say to her, Jennifer, I  know you’re out there.  I need your help.”

I prefer crystal balls and black mirrors.  I started out with a tarot that night.  Sometimes that gives you a lead.  I laid out a Celtic cross.  Queen of cups crossed by the 2 of swords.   Laila had two roads she could have taken. Beneath, her foundation, was was the Empress – a mother figure.  A motherless child perhaps.  Perhaps a foundation of no female role model had left her blind when it came to dangerous situations with men.  Above her was Justice – the law.  It all made sense so far.  Behind her was The Devil – addiction.  Her own?  Jared’s?  Laila was addicted to her work, certainly.  Maybe this whirlwind romance was a part of love addiction.  I sighed.

“Addiction?” I asked. “Or maybe it meant ‘watch your step,’” I smiled weakly.  I could feel her warmth.

Before her was Death.  It was clear she was transforming. How she viewed herself – ace of pentacles, fertile, full of ideas, ready to start a new life, a new home.  Family and friends, the 7 of swords – paranoia, concern.  My heart warmed up.  Their protectiveness touched her deeply. Even now. Hopes and fears – 2 of rods – good news, gifts from out of the blue.  “I hope for the same,” I whispered.  The outcome – The Judgment.  Her family awaited divine judgment.

“Okay, baby,” I said, climbing on my bed with the black mirror.

A black mirror must never be exposed to light. It’s a concave plate made of shiny, black glass and witches use it like a crystal ball.  Some witch upstate made this one.  When you stare into the mirror at just the right angle, you see clouds.  Then the clouds part and right before your very eyes, images as clear as HDTV, and sometimes even clearer, start fading in and out of the dish.

I watched the night clouds part.  A few stars dotted the sky.  And when they cleared, I saw the inside of a bar with mahogany walls and huge, old mirrors behind the bar itself.  Jared was chatting up one of the waitresses.  She seemed to be aurically pushing him away.  If only I could place the bar.  He could have been anywhere.  I tried to zoom in on the couple. They were outside now and she was handing him a ring.

* **

“Sean?”

“Jesus, Norah. It’s 11:00. I get up early to write.”

“I’m sorry. It’s important.”

“Okay, what’s up?”

“Well, I was skrying, like I’ve been.”

“Skrying. Norah, speak English and breathe.”

I laughed and tried to settle down. “It’s a wiccan and occult way of trancing out until you see things – like crystal ball gazing.  I was using a black mirror – I’ll explain it some other time.  It’s a black plate and you see things after staring into it.  Anyhow, I saw Jared in a bar and he was talking to a waitress. It was definitely a girlfriend situation. You need to find her.  Please?”

“I’ve already checked out his watering holes, babe.”

“Well, check again, Sean.  Look for a waitress or a bartender with shoulder length, wavy, dark hair.  She wears it in braids sometimes.  He proposed to her at one point, because I saw her place a ring in his palm and close his fingers around it.  They were standing outside the bar.”

“Street? Avenue? Steps? No steps?”

“I’m not sure.  It looks like maybe that bar with the harp outside on the upper west side.”

“Thanks, kiddo.  Thanks.”

I sighed.  “Better?” Sean asked.

“Much. Thanks for taking my call. Sorry. I wasn’t thinking again. Time for bed, eh?”

“Good night, Norah.”

***

It was the end of a pretty quiet night shift. For some reason, I’m always exhausted when things are slow. It’s an adrenaline thing, I guess – or just boredom.

My cell started playing, “May This Be Love,” a ringtone I’m sure everyone around me had grown sick of. It was Sean.

“Hey, Sean,” I said tiredly.

“Slow night, eh?”

“You guessed it. Whassup?”

“I’m outside that bar you saw – the one on 72nd and Amsterdam.”

“And?”

“And there’s a waitress here who fit that description, so I asked if we could talk after her shift.  You know, told her about the book and stuff. We met outside and – are you there?”

“Yeh, I’m all ears.”

“Okay, so she starts telling me how Jared was kind of a serial proposer.  She wasn’t the only one he proposed to and apparently he used the same ring over and over again,” he chuckled.

“Not one nibble?”

“Doesn’t sound like it.  She knew of one other woman, but she wouldn’t give up her name. Both of them told him he was crazy. She said he popped the question after dating her only a few weeks.”

“Goddess. Same as Laila.”

“Exactly.  I used to think he was doing it because he was in desperate financial straights, Norah, but I’m not sure anymore. He just sounds violent and nuts.”

“That’s my editor on the other line, Sean. Talk tomorrow?”

“Sure, baby.  Talk soon.  Have a good rest of the night.”

Alledag

Gisteren Yogadag en vandaag Zwemdag. Daarna beide dagen urenlang bezig geweest om de bug te vinden die de oorzaak was dat ik de widgets van wordpress niet meer kon verschuiven. Die bleek in de eventkalender te zitten. Een aanroep van een javascript klopte niet of in ieder geval blokkeerde dat een deel van de achterkant van WordPress zelf.

Die aanroep kon ik uitschakelen (kwam 2 x voor in een php bestand)

Het is nu opgelost (tot de volgende bug) en alles werkt zoals het moet werken.

Een aantal plugins heb ik uitgeschakeld en ga ik niet meer gebruiken.

Tarot

kaart: de zon XIX
getal: 19
archetype: de dag
gaat over: De Zon gaat over stralen, licht, warmte, energie, je ware zelf, je eigen zijn, uitstralen, zijn zoals je bent
trefwoorden: ik ben die ik ben, letten op je eigen grenzen, pas op voor opbranden
het getal 19 1.9. ik ben me bewust
Vragen: Heb je zoveel energie? Of voel je je juist opgebrand? Bewaak jij je grenzen? Wees vandaag ‘gewoon’ jezelf!

Gedeeld

• Liseth Medema is now my neighbor in FarmVille!
• Civilization is a slow process of adopting the ideas of minorities. Anonymous [nathair]
• Amie Shapiro White changed the name of the group “Support for the Pan Mass Challenge 2009″ to “The Warrior Princess Foundation”.

AEDM entry’s  Monday’s Cared 3 of Coins

Today’s Card

The Devil tells us about addictions, obessions and bondage to the material world, the chains are created by our own attachments.

Ace of wands

For the daily divination I am trying to get reacquainted with tarot. Yesterday’s night question was:  What to expect until the end of the year?

I don’t think i could get a better card for this particular draw.  I am pretty restless at work lately, needing to change things around me.   A push to make the though decisions and move on, for better. Start a new project release some of the energy inside that is being quenched at the moment. May this be the torch that lights the path of change ahead.

Barbara Moore talks about the abundance of the Aces on her Llewellyn tarot blog:

My  local Tarot Meet Up group convenes tonight. In the spirit of the season, we are going to talk about the abundance cards in tarot. Our faithful organizer, Corrine Kenner, gave us a few suggestions to think about ahead of time. Some abundance-themed cards are: all of the aces, 3 and 9 of Cups, and 6 and 10 of Pentacles.

I always thought of the aces as the promise or possibility of abundance but not as abundance itself and as spring rather than fall, as I wrote in this article, Seasons of Tarot: Spring. So how do aces fit with the idea of abundance and/or giving thanks? I can think of at least two ways. First, aces are usually viewed as gifts from the universe (or god or goddess or the earth) and Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to giving thanks for the abundance of the earth and to enjoying the final bits of harvest before winter sets in.

It is also a time to think about the seeds planted earlier in the year and to see how they’ve grown and what fruit they’ve born. For me, I like to look back at the vows and plans I made around Yule/New Year’s Day and see how I did in nurturing the seeds I planted. So I would add the 7 of Pentacles to the list. How did I value and honor the seeds, gifts, and opportunities that I was given over the past year?

In the article link above, there are some spreads designed for exploring the energy of the aces. Just a few tweaks altered this one to make it more appropriate for the reflective quality of autumn.

Select a Major Arcana card that represents the theme, gift, or opportunity that came into you life over the past year and that you wish to explore now. Select and place that card and and the four aces as directed. Shuffle the rest of the deck and lay out cards 6 – 9. The phrase “this card” refers to the Major Arcana card you selected.

1. Select and place here the Major Arcana card that represents the theme, gift, or opportunity that came into your life this past year

2. Place the he Ace of Wands here

3. Place the Ace of Cups here

4. Place the Ace of Swords here

5. Place the Ace of Pentacles here

6. How did this card  find expression in your life spiritually?

7. How did this card  find expression in your life emotionally?

8. How did this card find expression in your life intellectually?

9. How did this card find expression in your life physically?

Bonus Spread

There is another spread that involves aces that I really like. It is the Four Aces Spread designed by Mark K. Greer. Although it is not necessarily about gratitude or abundance, I am sure you’ll enjoy it. I know I did!

Source: Aces

Modern Oracle Tarot will be closed Nov 25-29 for Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S.

Happy Harvestime, and abundance to all!

Looking through all of the stock that we have in store, its becoming obvious that Anne Stokes is a leading designer of fantasy giftware and collectables.  Not only do we stock some of her fantastic fantasy figurines, we also have an entire jewellery range called  Mythical Companions, designed by her as well as some gorgeous christmas/yule cards.

She doesn’t seem limited to a particular figure as we have magickal dragons, fantasy fairies and some archetypal gothic horror creations too, wouldn’t it be great if she created a tarot or oracle deck filled with her own designs? Looking at the deck that one of her contemporaries, Jessica Galbreth has created; The Enchanted Oracle Deck, will give you some idea of just how stunning it could be!

Below are some of the stunning examples of her work that we currently have in stock.

Ela, em silêncio, está dentro de todos nós. Aparece sem fazer barulho, calma, discreta, tranqüila, traz, no momento oportuno, a melhor saída para as dificuldades que surgem em nosso caminho.

A Sacerdotisa ocupa a lâmina do tarot número 2 – em alguns modelos, aparece uma mulher sentada com um livro nas mãos.

Segundo alguns intérpretes, o livro simboliza o conhecimento que está guardado a milhares de anos. É o resultado de nossas diversas vidas, que no momento oportuno virá em nosso socorro.

A Sacerdotisa representa  uma figura  feminina que traz cuidado e cumplicidade. Quieta, tem facilidade para nos ouvir sem criticar nossas dúvidas e medos.

É a guardiã de nossos segredos. Portanto, quando ela aparece no jogo, pode trazer a informação de que há algo dentro de nós que não revelamos a ninguém. E, assim deve permanecer.

É momento de aguardar, não tomar decisões, esperar. Essa lâmina pede estudos, investimento em educação, cursos, aprimoramento pessoal. Uniões, parcerias, fusões de empresas, também, são algumas das interpretações positivas.

A sacerdotisa representa a figura da mãe

Como foi seu relacionamento com sua mãe? A mãe representa aquela que sabe dividir, compartilhar, é a figura da paciência, da espera, da guardiã que preserve a paz no lar. Calma e serena, pode virar uma fera se sua família estiver em perigo.

Com a mãe aprendemos a nos relacionarmos com as pessoas. Se durante a infância, ouvimos nossa mãe criticar os vizinhos e familiares é possível que tenhamos adquirido esse hábito. Se foi uma mãe italiana com a mesa cercada de pessoas e muita comida, pode ser, que trilhemos pelo mesmo caminho.

O mais interessante é que a energia da mãe definirá  nossa vida amorosa. É  aqui  que começam os transtornos que perseguem por muitos  anos diversas pessoas em seus “amores”.

Pessoas com dificuldades em relacionamentos afetivos devem refletir sobre seus sentimentos em relação a sua mãe.

É necessário incorporar dentro de nós a representação da mãe: amiga, serena, acolhedora, cúmplice e confidente.

Com essas características positivas, atrairemos um relacionamento equilibrado e feliz.

No passado: no jogo com as três cartas (passado, presente, futuro), essa lâmina representa a  falta de paciência que poderá trazer prejuízos para o futuro. Pode representar também, uma fase de semeadura, dedicação a projetos que ainda não deram o fruto desejado, por estar em amadurecimento.

No presente: Estude novos idiomas, busque o aperfeiçoamento profissional. Seja paciente, aguarde novas possibilidades. Use a intuição para decisões mais arrojadas. No amor: perdoe! Faça preces em agradecimento a sua mãe. Procure auxílio (terapia, florais, homeopatia etc) para compreender suas emoções e equilibrar seus sentimentos.

No futuro: Você receberá auxílio em seus projetos. Há possibilidades de parcerias e uniões. Momento de colher o resultado de suas ações.

Mensagem: Há dentro de você um mapa seguro do caminho a seguir e a resposta para todas suas indagações. Confie em sua intuição. Seja seu principal parceiro. Aceite quem você é e assuma sua própria verdade. Faça seu melhor em tudo. Abandone e passado e perdoe antigas mágoas. Quando você estiver do seu lado, todas as bênçãos irão recair sobre sua vida.

Tarot23/11

kaart: de hogepriesters
getal: 2
archetype: de maagd
gaat over:  het verborgene,  het geduldig afwachtende,  het intuïtief weten,  geduldig afwachten  tot je intuïtief weet wat te doen
trefwoorden:  vrouwelijk passieve, intuïtief weten
het getal 2: gaat over dualiteit
Vragen: Twijfel je? Wacht je af? Wat houdt je tegen om verder te gaan? Durf jij vandaag te luisteren naar je intuïtie?

23/11 Gedeeld

• goodnight, sleep well, and take the hidden paths that run towards the moon. May the sun bless you tomorrow morning [nathair]
• Altijd gedacht dat jij ook een soort van nerd was @Slijterijmeisje [nathair]
• je bedoelt vanaf de tijd dat ook de vieze mannetjes toegang kregen tot internet zeker @Slijterijmeisje [nathair]
• te kort door de bocht met die vieze mannetjes @Slijterijmeisje kan me in 1994 wel veel aardige balletjes herinneren. In 2003 was internet oud [nathair]
• Veel geneeskrachtige stoffen kunnen niet chemisch worden nagemaakt. Meeste Nederlanders weten dat niet [nathair]
• Er is in Nederland heel weinig kennis binnen de medische wetenschap over de mogelijkheden van de fytotherapie,andere landen zijn er beter in [nathair]
• Onweer! Ineens en dichtbij. GJ belde en is onderweg, had 30 km tot aan zijn velgen door water gereden, die regen komt nog deze kant op [nathair]
• Shared Puur Noord Nederland (Bon Bio Leeuwarden).
• RT @tweetmeme: BBC News – U2 to headline 40th Glastonbury http://retwt.me/1KBEv (via @DanirkTest) [nathair]
• RT @henkvaness: Shocking: Secret Agency Enhanced Windows 7 For You http://bit.ly/6E9n8I [nathair]
• Asena Jennie Woodward changed the name of the group “http://www.facebook.com/l/dfe4d;poken.me” to “http://www.facebook.com/l/dfe4d;poken.com”.
• Gwendolen Tee commented on my status.
• Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice. Will Durant [nathair]
• Shared ScriptLance.com Custom Freelance Programming. Outsource web projects to programmers and designers..
• Hilda Algra accepted my friend request.

Tarot 22/11

kaart: Schildknaap van bokalen
getal: geen
element: water
De Page van Bokalen gaat over het onbevooroordeeld kijken naar wat je voelt en wijst ons er op dat we daar met kinderlijke onbevangenheid naar mogen kijken.
sleutelwoord: onbevooroordeeld kijken naar wat je voelt [dus ook toestaan wat je voelt]  geen oordeel over wat je voelt, verkennen van gevoelens
Astrologische verbanden: water
vragen bij deze kaart Mag jij van jezelf voelen wat je voelt? Niet alleen je vreugde, maar ook je boosheid? Durf jij vandaag je gevoel te volgen, ‘gewoon’ vanuit die kinderlijke onbevangenheid? Voelt het goed? Doen. Voelt weet niet goed? Niet doen.

22/11 Gedeeld

21/11 Gedeeld

The Willow Card- Intuition/ The Unseen

Drumroll please….

We put everyones names on a sheet of paper, cut them apart and then folded them up and placed them into the sacred Indiana Jones fedora.  Tristan closed his eyes and reached in after much stiring of the names.  It was a very solumn occasion and he took the responsibility of it all very seriously. He drew a name, unfolded it, we all held our breath…

It’s Kathy!  I’ve sent you an email my dear!  Kathys favorite card was the Oak Tree-Strength/Endurance, so congratulations Kathy.  Drop me a private message with your mailing address and I’ll send that print right out to you!  Congratualtions!!!

I was really happy with the responses, there were many people who had several favorites and had to narrow it down. 

The one card that got the most votes was Willow- Intuition/The Unseen, so that one will be the third print offered along with Fionns Window and The Ogham Shield.

Many more of the runners up will become available before Yule, so don’t dispair, you’ll also see them on many other fun items both handmade and from Cafe Press coming up very soon! 

Thanks everyone so very much for taking the time to look though the new art, and for your wonderful input!  This was so much fun, I’ll try to come up with some more contest ideas!

Blessings!

Mickie

I had been searching for my own tarot deck. I have considered some already, but they are online, and I so wish I could look at them offline before buying. Anyhow, I thought to look for them at Target where my Mom and I wanted to go for the same thing.

We looked to where we thought it would be such as near the book section, but then I thought it could be where the incense were. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any, and when I went to wonder off on my own, my name was called from behind me. It was a loud whisper, which sounded kinda static, and a cool breeze went by my ear. As a result, I turned around and went that direction and somehow ended up back where I started before I begin to wonder off by myself. I recalled Mom telling me to pick up some notebooks so I did, and I saw both of my parents walk by not noticing me. My Mom was on the phone talking about needing to rush to the doctor cause she just found out she had an appointment. So we left early…

I was asking for guidance from my guides and such, so maybe it’s not time for me to look yet, or maybe it’s not the right place for me to look.

Here are some decks I considered buying:

The Fairy Tale Tarot by Lisa Hunt

The Mystic Dreamer Tarot by Hiedi Darras and Barbara Moore

Mystic Faerie Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft and Barbara Moore

Manga University’s Manga Tarot by Saori Takarai

Hip Witch Tarot by Laura Taun

Manga Tarots (search list from amazon)

I keep coming back to the fairy and the manga ones. I’m so undecided though I really want one that is meant for me. Well one that draws me to it. I feel more drawn to the manga tarots, but I still want one with a more traditional feel as I think they’re too modern, but they may be just the ones for me.

I think that I just realized a different take on the whole Cassandra myth. She was cursed to be able to see the future and have no one believe her. Mainly, I just thought this meant Apollo was a dick, and Agamemnon a dupe, and men, in general, are thickies all.

However, I now realize that every single fortune teller or psychic out there – if they have any talent, knows exactly what Cassandra’s curse is all about. People come to find their fortune and then don’t want to believe it.

Sometimes, they just don’t believe the situation applies to them, when it clearly does.

Sometimes, they don’t want to do what they need to in order to stop bad shit from happening.

Sometimes, they don’t want to know if the love of their right-this-minute is cheating on them.

Sometimes, friends and family ask for readings – some even obsessively about one particular subject – then don’t bother to listen to the answer they get.

Sometimes, all tarot readers deal with someone who refuses to believe the truth laid out in front of them.

This is part of why tarot readers, or any psychic, charges for their services. People tend to listen to advice a bit more if they pay for it from a professional. When something costs you, you tend to listen as you want as much bang for your buck as you can get.

Not so much if the tarot reading is for free from a friend. Then, well, your friend is just giving you advice – even when that is not what is going on.

Sometimes, people are avid listeners and actually attack their challenges. Other times, they know they were supposed to do something that they didn’t and they feel sheepish about it.

But with friends and family it is much easier to just say, “Nah.  That’s not going to happen.”  Because, hey, sometimes people need to NOT believe Cassandra.

I haven’t written in a while, I think its been fairly obvious that I’ve had a mini melt down of sorts. A light hearted one at least, for the most part during the stress I’ve managed to keep smiling. Actually, since finishing my last assignment for the year I haven’t written anything at all. That’s almost a month of no writing.

Another thing I haven’t done for a long time is read my cards. Last night I pulled them out to see what the go is lately, although I had a fairly good idea that it wasn’t going to be pretty. Shall we?

Past and its influence – 8 swords.

Repeating a bad pattern or cycle, being afraid to move from danger for fear of being cut by the swords in front of me. Letting negative opinions influence me and believing in others percieved low opinions of me.

Obstacle – 2 pentacles (reversed).

Blindness with money, living outside of my means and being too passive.

In favour – Tower.

Rude awakenings and a massive upheaval or change. A destruction of bad patterns and rebuilding of new and improved ways. A shocking revelation that leads to a change in direction. Something false will be revealed.

Short term future – 10 swords.

Ruin. Complete and total destruction. Rock bottom, nowhere to go but up. Failure, your worst nightmare coming true.

Long term future – 2 swords (reversed).

Deception and lies around you. Put off making decisions until things become clearer. Being hurt or emotionally shattered by people around you, outside help needed. Inability to rationalise or judge between choices.

End result – 7 cups.

Too many choices, nothing is clear. Are all your needs being met? Wait until things become clear before choosing anything. Things may not be as they seem. Idealising situations and imagining things to be better than they are.

Is there anything positive about this spread at all? Aside from the obvious new direction, ‘its only up from here’ attitude of the Tower and 10 of swords, this all spells out confusion, lies and ruin. Shit is about to get completely fucked up and to be honest I’ve already seen the warning signs. Pretty much every single card is pointing to deception of some sort.

I had a specific question in mind, I was asking about the guy I met a month or so ago who I’m currently seeing. Things were going well, but there were just a few discrepancies here and there that have been making me wonder. It seems like, once again, I have opted for dating someone who is a little bit manipulative and emotionally abusive. But I’m not doing this anymore, I refuse to keep going with this stupid pattern. He hasn’t done anything overt, just little comments from time to time..

I guess what I should do is imagine the worst that could arise from this. If I’ve been played or cheated on, I won’t particularly care, it gives me an easy out. My worst thing isn’t a guy who leaves me to my own devices too much or disappears, I like my alone time. The worst would have to be someone who turns out psycho and won’t leave me alone. Someone who uses everything I’ve told them against me. A person who preys on my compassion to manipulate me.

This is all crazy talk at the moment, he hasn’t done anything too wrong yet, I’m just uneasy with what has been said. They’re only hints at an emotionally abusive person, not concrete behaviours. But if anyone would know, it would be me, right? I can spot a psycho a mile away. Or have I become so cynical that I can’t even date anyone without imagining a way that they will wrong me in the future? Even if in all other ways, they treat me good and these happenings are minor indicators, have I become so disenchanted that I can’t give anyone a chance?

That’s not completely true though, because I enjoy spending time with him. I was relieved to find a nice boy. Until I read the cards I didn’t even want to acknowledge anything bad he’d done. I’m obsessing over something that hasn’t even happened yet, proof that I’ve completely flipped it.

But I know the signs, I know the indicators! Unpredictable mood swings, playing hot and cold, sarcasm and criticism, dominating etc. He does it really sly though, apologises for everything and pretends I’m imagining things. So much that I’m doubting my own judgement, maybe I am being too harsh, maybe I’m overreacting because of my past relationships and experiences. In other ways he’s actually pretty good to me. Attentive and doting, wanting to spend lots of time with me, introducing me to his friends. Plus I’m known for making up excuses not to date people, because I’m so scared of intimacy and all of that. Hesitant to share my life.

If you read the cards, what’s your take on this? If you don’t, tell me what you think anyway. Tarot spreads are fun, huh?

“Say it with your actions

Saying those words to me doesn’t mean anything

I don’t wanna hear it

Baby you can keep those three

Might as well not even speak

Many different times before you were almost out the door

Then you’d say it and I’d forgive everything

But I’m sorry to report

That ain’t workin anymore

Now I gotta see if that’s really what you mean..”

I’ve never been one to close a door due to disbelief.  And while I have a healthy dose of skepticism it’s balanced out by an abnormal dose of curiosity.  So I have to admit I’ve dabbled in the “intuitive arts.” 

On a trip to New Orleans in 2002, my sister and I headed to the Bottom of the Cup for tea leaf readings.  First, I have to say that the Bottom of the Cup has some pretty awesome tea.  I brought two bags home and really want to go back and get some more (totally cheap excuse for a trip to New Orleans, I know).  Both of our sessions were taped and at the time, mine was pretty accurate on some fronts and very insightful as far as identifying patterns I hadn’t picked up on (I always made changes, job, etc. at certain times of the year).  I can’t find my tape so I can’t tell you  how accurate it was as far as future events, but my sister listened to her tape last night and told me it was primarily focussed on new beginnings.  She got pregnant on that trip. 

There was a period of time between 2003 and 2004 where I consulted tarot cards (dealt by myself and interpreted with a book) pretty regularly.  Skill must matter, because with me interpreting, the cards failed to tell me that I was involved with, as my sister named him, a gay married gypsy.  He wasn’t actually gay (I don’t think) or a gypsy or married but it did turn out that while we were dating for a year he was living with and eventually engaged to someone else.  I fortuitously broke up with him 6 months before the big day and two months later (when he was still e-mailing me) found out he was engaged – while shopping for a friend’s present on Wedding Channel.com I had a sudden impulse to input his name and lo and behold wedding info and their story said they met at a gay bar (intuition and curiosity can be useful)!  So my sister wasn’t that far off . . . but I digress.

Lately my world has been buzzing with talk of “intuitives.”  One of my best friends consults two pretty regularly and swears by them.  Other women I know have randomly let drop that they consult intuitives.  These are not flaky or superstitious women.   These are successful, career women with serious power and position.  When yet another woman I know let drop that she consults intuitives too (totally as an aside and not on topic), I figured maybe someone was trying to send me a big hint.  So, I phoned up one of my friend’s intuitives (she’s in Colorado) and scheduled a session.

I phoned up Aleta at our scheduled time and settled in with a notepad and pen so I could take notes during our session.  She started with numerology, using my birth date to determine my “life lesson number,” which apparently is the number stamped on you at birth that provides a map to your purpose in this life.  Next up was my year cycle number.  This number goes birth year to birth year.  Mine was a 44 – a year that’s all about foundation, structure and building.  Apparently it’s an excellent year to master the foundation of what I want to build.  It also indicates that it’s time for me to set boundaries with other people – that would be nice, I know I need to learn to say no more often. 

After the numerology it was time for a tarot card reading.  I’m not going to get into details – because it’s my reading after all.  But, I’ll give you some highlights and if predictions come true I’ll let you know down the road.  The biggest, huh, there might be something to this moment was when, Aleta said, “You’ve had some health problems this year.  I sense allergies, and that you’re still exposed to a big one, something chemical I think.”  I was literally sick January through May of this year and it turned out to be allergies and mild asthma.  That chemical thing?  My husband is a smoker (ugh – I know – the things we put up with for love), and yes, it physically bothers me. 

Mixed in with my reading was just some plain old common sense, such as you need to let go of emotional baggage, what’s in the past is in the past.  Get rid of it by writing letters to get it off your chest and then burning them.  If you don’t let go of your emotional issues it will influence you physically, etc.  This stuff has all been scientifically proven, and it was helpful to be reminded of.

So, was my psychic, psychic?  I don’t yet know.  She did divine some things that she really could have had no way of knowing.  Maybe she’s a lucky guesser, maybe she’s just really good at reading people, maybe most people have the same general issues, maybe there’s more to it than that.  I’ll give it some time to play out and I’ll let you know if anything comes true along the way.  For now though, I had a really interesting hour-long conversation with a woman who was genuinely likeable.  That alone was a worthy experience.

The battery on my motorcycle was dead today and the wife has a doctor’s appointment, so I decided to take a day off work.  We’re going to go shopping and will spend the day together so I decided to do a draw this morning.  I asked the cards to tell me about my day.  The Six of Pentacles came up with an underlying card, the Queen of Cups.

Six of Pentacles: this card shows a merchant with pentacles in a balanced scale.  Pentacles are floating near outstretched hands.  The merchant is smiling and the pentacles that are in the scales appear to be glowing with golden light.  According to the book, this card shows successful material or payoff of debts owed to me or gains of a monetary nature.  However, I see balance in the cards.  The outstretched hands are maybe loved ones.  They don’t hold a pentacle, so they seem to be reaching for the merchant and not the money.  Balance between work and family is what i’m getting.  I’m also getting the message to weigh options before spending, but that may be coming from me and not the cards.

The underlying card, the Queen of Cups, shows a woman, elegantly dressed, holding a golden chalice.  She is gazing off into the distance and appears distant herself.  She holds her right hand to her womb.  According to the book, the Queen is artistic and feminine.  She is sensitive to other’s feelings, but maybe dreamy and unrealistic.  She gives up too easily and dislikes speaking out.  I have not spent much time with the court cards, so I only see a woman who is distant and holding her abdomen.

I may be taking the image of the Queen too literally, but my take on these cards are this.  The woman is my wife.  In the card, she is placing her hand on her womb and my wife just had a hysterectomy a couple weeks ago.  The book’s description of her is pretty accurate too.  Getting my wife to speak about what she wants is nearly impossible and is very sensitive about herself.  As far as the Six of Pentacles, I decided to call in sick today to take her to shopping for a tv as a Christmas present to ourselves (outstretched hands reaching for the merchant).  We are weighing the pros and cons and prices of the TV we want, and a Digital SLR that we want (balanced pentacles).  If we can get the right price, we are going to get the TV today. 

So, not only am I balancing my work and home life, we are also weighing the options for a big purchase item.

I wonder what I would have seen if I did the draw this morning before calling in at work.  We still planned on doing this, but it would have been after work instead of all day.

8 of Cups - Archeon Tarot

I wanted to know what I should reflect on tonight and the 8 of Cups jumped out while I was shuffling. Sometimes I don’t know if my guides are really doing this or maybe it’s just from poor shuffling. But either way, I’m going to interpret this card nonetheless.

To change the feel of my reading, I’m jumping from a colorful deck to a dark deck.  I’ve had the Archeon Tarot for a while so I’m giving it a go this week.

This card shows a veiled lady looking at the falling or floating 8 of Cups.  She is rather emotionless… or maybe she just don’t care anymore.  The atmosphere is very dream-like.  I’m guessing that this is set in space because I can see a planet and a constellation of stars.

Usually this card talks about letting go of a certain idea or situation.  It’s about moving on and leaving the past behind.  If this picture can talk, it would say, “Just leave it to the universe…”.  I think this card is telling us to stop worrying anymore and just let life take its course.  Maybe these cups are meant to be left floating in space so we can find or create new ones… better ones.

I’m thinking that this card relates to me on how I am dealing with my aunt right now.  I’m still partially indifferent to her because of our past disagreements.  I think I should just let it be and allow forgiveness.  What has been done has been done.  What has been said has been said.  Like in this card, I can’t do anything anymore but move on.

Deck:  Archeon Tarot by Timothy Lantz

The Hierophant

Traditionally, the Hierophant is the intermediary or interpreter between the worshiper and the their deity. Who ever or what ever that is. Before this century, most decks called him the Pope. To most modern readers, this is mostly a negative card, referring to the “Keeper of the Keys”–again the Pope, who was the only one who had the power to reach God.

In many modern churches and most Pagan and other modern religious systems, we find our own way to God/Goddess or Deity.  The modern Hierophant directs us to look inside ourselves and see what is there. What WE are capable of. To see that we can directly get in touch with the greater Universe and find information we need.  He is much more positive and pro-active..

The meaning of this card depends greatly on the Deck. My deck of choice, the World Tree Tarot shows the Hierophant as showing us the was to find the way to the Greater Universe for ourselves. Other decks, including another favorite, the Robin Wood, will show the Hierophant as a Pope, keeping the secrets to himself through theater and heavy handed rules.

This card reminds us again that there is no one true way. Each of us must figure out for ourselves how to, as one Rosemary Edghill put it so well, “unscrew the inscrutable.” It warns us not to get taken in by doctrine or rules or leaders that insist they know all the answers. If it comes up in a reading, the seeker is told to look for truths for him or herself. To look for Deity through rituals of their choice, meditation or prayer. We find Deity and truth by opening up our Inner Vision.

A Nyilas hónapjában lejövő energiák segítségünkre lehetnek abban, hogy tudatosan éljük, meg a boldogságot. Céljainkat, szemelőt tartva törekedjünk arra, hogy égi áldásban legyen részünk. Hallgassunk lelkünk halk sugallatára, és merjünk lépéseket tenni, hogy elkezdjük céljaink megvalósítását. Ebben a hónapban az ajándékozás a legjobb, szeretetünk kifejezésére. Ügyeljünk azonban arra, hogy ne csak az ismerőseinket, halmozzuk el ajándékainkkal, hanem magunkat is lepjük meg valamivel. Ajánlott mantra ebben a hónapban:

„Az égi áldás, az adásban jelenik meg. Örömmel adok, így kapok is.”

Javasolt gyakorlat ebben a hónapban a szív megnyitásának meditációja, hogy az égi áldást el tudjuk teljes egészében fogadni. Forduljunk bizalommal Gabriel angyalhoz, aki imáink közvetítője az égben, és Elohimhoz a földre születés angyalához. Öltöztessük fel szívünket, a fény ünnepének köntösébe. Mondjunk el egy imát, önmagunk és a szeretteink, illetve a világ boldogságáért.

ÜZEN Ő – NEKEM

Elutasítás, kitartás, törvény.

Ezen az úton, ez számodra még örvény.

Emeld fel lelkedet, kitartásodat, hitedet.

Így teljesülhet a boldogabb léted.

A házad vár az úton, értsed.

Ez lebegjen szemed előtt.

Legyen.

DE több van benned, mit használsz, várlak már.

Five Bloody Swords

  “All the Fives show conflict or loss. Swords carry this idea to the extreme of defeat.”

Rachel Pollock,  Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom – A Book of Tarot

I have created a video illustrating the Tarot Garden: a virtual world in Metaplace: a social hub of various VR worlds where people create games, demonstrations, exhibits and other Virtual experiences. The Tarot Garden is a series of environments featuring the Tarot Casters. Each of the Tarot pieces has its own point of interest, description, associated tone and short video demonstrating it’s location on the Tree of Life.

The video is embedded in my website for your review. It demonstrates the functions of the Garden including animation, environmental sounds and videos teaching aspects of the Tarot.

Metaplace is free to join and browse the various worlds created by its users. After a brief introduction to the VR platform, you may see the Tarot Garden and experience its sights and sounds. Experience the first Tarot Virtual Reality at Metaplace!