Tarot Practical: July 16, 2012

I've been working a lot lately with the Osho Zen Tarot.  It's a beautiful deck, richly illustrated, and a nice blend of traditional and esoteric.

More importantly, I think my spirit guides prefer this deck to my others.  I recently had a breakthrough in connecting with them, and I now frequently am overcome by the urge to get out the OZ deck and see what it is they need to say to me.

Today I've been very worried about our finances.  We are trying to sell a house, and it is not going well.  The strain of carrying two mortgages is something that we can only continue for a few months, despite how well we've been doing at thriving in crisis mode.  In a moment of anguish, I begged my spirit guides to help relieve us of the burden of the house-that-will-not-sell, apologizing for bringing it up to them a second time (I feel like to bug them over and over about the same issue is tantamount to telling them that I don't trust them to help me, but today I was a bit desperate).

Less than an hour later I walked past the drawer where I keep my tarot decks.  It was cracked open, and the urge to get out my Osho Zen deck overcame me.  I tried to walk past, as I was headed back into the kitchen to eat my lunch, but something literally stopped me in my tracks and pulled me back to my reading desk.  The spirits had something to say:

Queen of Water: Receptivity.  This card has appeared in every draw I've done since breaking through to my spirit guides.  She corresponds to the Queen of Cups, and represents the passive fulfillment of the emotional realm.  She is me, and the indigo lotus that usually rests between her brows has expanded to cover her entire head, signifying that I am open to my spirit guides and ready to receive their counsel.  The Queen of Water is also trusting, she grasps at nothing.  This is a reminder to let go, to fling my arms skyward as she is doing and take comfort in knowing that, as I am doing what I can on this plane to secure my needs, my guides are doing what they can in their way.

Awareness.  This Major Arcana card tells of the tearing of the veil that separates us from our true selves, our true potential.  The fire that burns away illusion is cool and blue, and though the shadow-person gestures in fear, the true essence is calm and serene, unhurt by the transformation.  Yes, I'm freaking scared.  On the illusory surface, it seems like we're never going to sell this house.  But when we do, this card leads me to believe that we will be none the worse the wear for it.  This comforts me, as I have worried that we might sustain financial damage that extends beyond the sale of the house.

King of Water:  Healing.  This card corresponds to the King of Cups, the active fulfillment of the emotional realm.  To be the King means to be in control of one's emotions, and to actively embody compassion, love, and generosity.  But an outside force is acting on the King.  Two ethereal hands are applying healing energy to his sixth, seventh, and navel chakras; his heart chakra warmly glows.  The King is receiving a Reiki healing, which is capable of healing and dissolving old emotional wounds.  What does this have to do with selling a house?  Well, it brings up some difficult issues from my past, regarding my parents, who did not raise me because they were financially and emotionally irresponsible.  I was grateful for those who raised me, but I hurt a great deal as a child because I just wanted to be with my mom and dad.  As I grew, I watched them as they were rescued from difficulty after difficulty (several involving houses), and I always wondered why no one ever just let them find their own way out of hot water.  It would have been much better for them.  Now I'm in my own hot water, or at least a situation that I'd very much like to be quit of.  And today, before doing this reading, I decided that I don't want to ask for financial help because this could really be the lesson that makes or breaks me at this point in my adulthood.  The spirits understand this, and are assuring me that this experience will make me stronger on an emotional level.

Knight of Rainbows: Slowing Down.  The only card in this entire draw that corresponds to the physical realm, he is related to the Knight of Disks, the unpredictable part of Earth.  And wouldn't you know it, it's a slow-moving animal carrying his house on his back.  Just like us!  My spirit guides are telling me that now is not the time to change directions (in my panic today, I urged my husband to get a renter back in the house so we don't go broke), nor to try to move faster than the situation allows.

Conditioning.  I'll admit it.  This one threw me for a loop.  This card corresponds to Strength in other decks, but has a completely different meaning in the Osho Zen deck.  It reveals to us that we have in some way come to see ourselves as something we are not, and that we must throw off what makes us part of the crowd so that we can be true to our individual nature.  But again, what does that have to do with selling a house?  The position this card occupies in the spread is the point around which the other cards revolve, and is sometimes indicative of the root of the problem.  Perhaps my guides are gently hinting to me that my emotional stress regarding the house is being exacerbated by other emotional issues (I've been feeling rather trapped lately, which is clearly echoed in the bindings on the lion's feet; the ropes not only secure the sheepskin to the lion's back, they also prohibit him from moving).

Change.  I love this card, even when it heralds an uncomfortable life shift.  As the Knight of Rainbows was cautioning me to relax and take it slow in the physical realm I inhabit, this card is telling me that the change I seek is happening on its own in a larger fashion, outside my perception and according to its own timeline.  This card corresponds to the Wheel of Fortune in other decks, and I'd like to see this as a harbinger of good news, especially when compared to the reassuring nature of the rest of the spread.

Existence.  Unlike many decks, whose first Major Arcana card deals with a primal magician, shaman, or some other figure who has learned to actively master the elements, Existence addresses our place in the universe.  This card reminds us that home is within, not without.  The figure seated in the lotus is supported from below and blessed from above.  She has no worry about her rightness in the cosmos, nor her security.  In the final position of this spread, my guides are telling me that I am taken care of.






Overall I was very comforted by this spread.  That my guides had taken the time to initiate contact with me in order to express these calming, supportive reassurances had a dramatic effect on my outlook and my energy levels for the rest of the day.  It was also interesting to note that the spread's general tone was emotional, and not material (my fears vs. the actual selling of the house).  I think the universe really just wants me to calm down and not fret myself into a premature grave while it responds to my request for help.

Tarot Practical: June 28, 2012

A few days ago, friend of mine auditioned for an exciting project.  He is very, very good at the skill involved, and being chosen at the audition would have resulted in travel and good pay.  Needless to say, he was very hopeful, and had resolved to do his best at the audition.

After we got off the phone, I drew the following cards to see if they would tell me anything about the audition:

The Chariot     5 of Disks     4 of Cups     8 of Swords     Princess of Disks

The first thing I noticed is that there were no Wands, which usually signify creative endeavors.  There were material Disks, an emotional Cup, a foreboding Sword, and a single Trump.  Hmmm.

Position One: The Chariot.  This card represents my friend going into the audition, which was for a spot in an improvisation project.  Improvisation requires paramount mental agility and the ability to metamorphose on a second's notice, represented in this card by the four multiform sphinxes which draw my friend's chariot.  In life, they have drawn him back and forth across America and to foreign countries, where he has been invited to perform.  Draw him though the sphinxes do, it is he who commands the chariot and he who holds the Grail--his talent.  Talent is inborn, but he has worked hard to master it, to take the reigns of what he's been given and direct it according to his will.

Position Two: 5 of Disks.  This card is indicative of past developments that influence my friend's motivation in this situation, mainly his material security.  In the Thoth deck, this card is named "Worry," and follows naturally the powerful success that precedes in the 4 of Disks.  It is natural to be nervous before an audition, but this card also usually represents material paucity, from which my friend has not been able to remove himself for many years.  Because I try to relate each card in a spread to the others, I thought it likely that he might be filled with too much nervous energy to fully reign in his chariot and audition at his best.  I also, fleetingly, thought of a "fifth wheel" mucking up his chariot's ability to move forward, which in this case would represent another person whose involvement would interfere with his ability to focus.   

Position Three: 4 of Cups.  Called "Luxury" in the Thoth deck, this card is a bit of a tough nut to crack.  In other decks, it represents self-absorption and the inability to see what's being offered.  In this form and situation, I believe it may instead be the inability to enjoy what's being offered.  When I look at this card, I get a sense of being overstimulated by the gushing waters and the beams of light pouring forth from the source.  At this point I began to feel that the audition would not go as my friend desired; that he was being offered something truly wonderful and luxurious, but that he would not be able to enjoy it for some reason.

Position Four: 8 of Swords.  I can't help but cringe when this card comes up in a spread.  It is blockage, formidable obstacles, isolation from desires and even imprisonment.  Because swords are often associated with the intellectual, I sometimes associate this card with writer's block (especially poignant here because it is ruled by Mercury, the wily patron of writers and those who must think on their feet).  I felt that my friend would either be hindered by something major, or would for some reason not be as mentally agile as the audition would require.

Position Five: Princess of Disks.  When I laid down the cards, I designated this position as the final outcome.  So when she appeared here, I felt a surge of hope thinking that my friend might get good news that he had won the spot despite all the worry and obstacles.  But the trees behind the Princess reminded me too much of the 8 of Swords, and in the Thoth deck she is the manifestation of the earthy part of Earth.  Earth can be practical, fertile, and materially successful, but it can also be plodding, slow, and stuck.  I suddenly saw the Princess as an actual person who had planted herself as an additional obstacle to my friend, the Disk of success firmly in hand, her staff pointed downward as if to say, "It is done." 

Sad to say, after reading the cards, I feared that my friend would not succeed at the audition, which has been partially confirmed by the fact that he has not yet called me to share any good news, which he would have done almost immediately.

How do you see the Princess of Disks here?

The Lunar Week: June 25 - July 1, 2012

Buck Moon:  Waxing Gibbous

This week sees the burgeoning moon slide through four signs on its journey to next week's fullness.  The week starts out in earthy, practical Virgo; sublimes to airy, measuring Libra; condenses to watery, brooding Scorpio; and transmutes to fiery, expansive Sagittarius.

This moon is also sometimes called the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are common in many areas during the month of June.  I wish we'd see more here.  We've had a lot of promising clouds and skyward rumbling to tease us, but no rainfall, alas.




The Lunar Week, Daily:


Monday, June 25: Moon in Virgo.  Our yard is overtaken by ants at this time of year, some of which venture into the house.  As much as I hate to begrudge a living thing a place to dwell, I will likely do some purging of anthills today.  If pests are encroaching upon your living space, today is a great day  to discourage their presence.

Tuesday, June 26:  Moon in Virgo/Libra.  Use the last vestiges of nitpicky Virgo's energy to organize your closet or wardrobe.  If you found any clothes or accessories that you no longer wear, take them to a resale or consignment shop this afternoon.  While you're there, let fashion-loving Libra help you decide on one unique piece to add to your newly organized closet!

Wednesday, June 27: Moon in Libra.  If you're growing your hair out, today and tomorrow are the best of the month for a trim.

Thursday, June 28: Moon in Libra/Scorpio.  If you've been intending to have a positive, meaningful conversation with someone, today might be a great day for it.  The waxing moon as it flows from Libra to Scorpio emphasizes the transition from a mind that weighs options dispassionately to a mind that listens more to intuition and deep emotions.  If someone you love is carrying a burden, offer a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on.

Friday, June 29:  Moon in Scorpio.  Today and tomorrow are excellent days to get late season above-ground crops in the soil, if you live in a climate that is temperate and receives adequate rainfall.  I'm in Zone 8, in a place with scanty rainfall and "soil" that laughs in the face of our puny little sprinklers, so today I will instead watch a movie that makes me cry like a big old baby, so as to purge some of the emotional stuff that gets stuck inside from time to time.

Saturday, June 30:  Moon in Scorpio/Sagittarius.  The movement of the waxing moon from Scorpio to Sagittarius can help us to ease up on brooding over particulars and instead take a positive view of the big picture. Shake off the last of Scorpio's intensity with a physical activity that you enjoy.  Make a playlist with all your most guilty pleasures (if it doesn't already exist), hit play, and blast off!

Sunday, July 1:  Moon in Sagittarius.  Jupiter rules, among many other areas, higher education and intellectual expansion.  Is there a class you've been wanting to sign up for, or a new interest that's been piquing your brain lately?  Pursue it today, whether it means walking into your local craft guild, community college, or bookstore.  Learning is something that we have the chance to do every day, for our whole entire lives--let today's energy be the fire in your engine that puts you on a path to a new perspective!

Tarot Practical: June 23, 2012

Join me in a Tarot Practical!

Today I decided to stick to the Morning/Afternoon/Evening spread that we tried yesterday.  This is not a customary spread for me, but I want to work with it a bit more to see if it has promise.

Today, I will post my thoughts on the cards before the rest of the day plays out.

Please feel free to join in by posting in the comments!

Update
The day's events have been added!

Morning
7 of Wands:  My son has his martial arts class this morning; something important might happen there today.  He came home with a form for his first belt test!  In addition to demonstrating his physical skill, he must answer some questions in short answer form.

The Hierophant:  Looks a little like my grandfather, whom we are going to see today.  The kids were very happy to see their grandfather, whom they worship.

High Priestess, rev:  Hmm...two days in a row.  I guess I'm more prone than usual to ignore my inner voice this week?

Afternoon
10 of Cups:  Bigger kid also has a baseball game, so there will be lots of friends and family getting together this afternoon to cheer the kids on.  Maybe they'll win!  The baseball game was great fun, and our team did win.  Afterward, we had a big family late lunch.

King of Cups, rev:  This card usually represents a friend of mine who is an actor, who is having a hard time with a business partner; as a result, he often hides his true feelings and opinions from her.  Maybe I'll hear from him this afternoon.  I didn't hear from him during the afternoon, but he did have yet another issue with his partner which he filled me in on later.  Whenever this card comes up in a spread, I call and ask if he wants to go out for beers and talk.  He always says yes, and has much to vent about.

4 of Pentacles:  I am trying to keep us on a budget.  I will likely have to put my foot down about something money-related this afternoon.  Papa went for his second hair cut in the same month.  For the sake of our budget, I had to put the kibosh on that.  He agreed to have his hair cut shorter, once a month.

Evening
Ace of Swords:  Not a negative card, but I'm thinking this may herald an argument.  I assumed an argument because lately swords in my spreads, even upright, have warned of squabbles.  This one however was letting me know that we would have some alone time this evening for intellectual pursuits.  

7 of Cups, rev:  I'll get a chance to dump out all the things I've been thinking about and turn my mental machinations into something concrete...for this to happen, both kids would have to be out of the house. Both kids did leave the house with the grandparents after lunchtime.  I did some writing, and decided to pick up a silversmithing project I'd put down a few weeks ago.

The Sun, rev:  Again, this card.  More problems with the littlest kid?  If the Ace of Swords represents an argument, the day could end on a disappointing note, especially if the kids do spend the night out of the house.  My silver project did not come out the way it was supposed to.  I got the entire thing made and went to set the stone, only to find that the bezel no longer fit the stone.  I was extremely disappointed.

Tarot Practical: June 22, 2012

Join me in a Tarot Practical!  
It's fun, anyone can join, and everyone can pick up something new.

Most mornings I pull a few cards and ask what to look out for during the day, specifically people I will come across and the day's events.  It's a purposefully mundane spread, and very useful.


This morning I decided to divide my reading into the three times of day: morning, afternoon, and evening.  I drew three cards for each time of day, and laid them out horizontally with the morning at the top.


What do you see here?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section, and I'll post my interpretation later along with the day's events!




Morning
2 of Swords   Ace of Wands   The Moon, reversed

Afternoon
The Sun, reversed   The High Priestess, reversed   10 of swords, reversed

Evening
2 of wands, reversed   3 of Wands, reversed   3 of Pentacles

UPDATE

Okay, folks.  Here are my thoughts from yesterday, and the day's actual events.  Let's see how this all pans out!


Morning
2 of Swords:  I saw the woman as myself, stuck between two undesirable choices.  My two children spent the entire morning quarreling, which I had constantly to arbitrate.


Ace of Wands:  I would have a sudden inspiration...  I suddenly realized...


The Moon, reversed: ...that would change my perspective on the matter represented by the 2 of Swords.   ...that I needed a break from my two little howling wolves, and left the house for a bit.

Afternoon
The Sun, reversed:  The cherub looks like my youngest, who has been very fiery of temper lately; I figured he would have a rough afternoon.  My youngest had a rough afternoon with temper tantrums.

The High Priestess, reversed:  I saw this as a warning not to ignore my intuition regarding the littlest one's tantrums.  I arranged the afternoon to allow for an early dinner and bath, if necessary.

10 of swords, reversed:  If I listened to my inner warnings, the pain and annoyance would pass faster than otherwise.  My preparation was not wasted; he ended up going to bed much earlier than usual.

Evening
2 of wands, reversed:  This made me think of my kids waiting for their father to come home...  Papa promised to come home early; the kids were very expectant. 

3 of Wands, reversed:  I figured he would not be home when he had originally planned.  Papa was running late, the three of us were still expecting him.


3 of Pentacles:  It seemed like we would finish off the day by doing something together.  Mama, Papa, and bigger kid fell asleep together in the big carved bed after reading a few pages of Harry Potter.

Dandelions!

Dandelion Cordial

My husband looked at me like I had a screw loose when I begged him not to shoot the dandelions in our back yard with weed killer.

He'd spent the morning spraying the spiky behemoths in our front lawn, because his embarrassment over our lack of curb appeal had far exceeded my ability to convince him that our lawns need to be chemical-free.

"Why? And what are those plants doing in the sink?" He pointed to a mess of freshly-dug dandelions that were soaking in the kitchen sink.

"They're dandelions, and they're really good for you," I explained.  He was surprised, and agreed to leave the formidable patch in the back to me.

Dandelions are one of nature's best and most efficient tonic herbs.  The entire plant can be used, which appeals to my waste-not attitude regarding just about everything.

The roots nourish the liver and kidneys. They also encourage the body to flush itself out by promoting the flow of urine, which can assist in recovery from bladder infections and ailments accompanied by swelling.  The roots can be dug up and used anytime.

The leaves are packed with nutrients, and can be lightly steamed like spinach.  They are best when the plants are young, having just emerged from the earth, and bearing no flower.

The sunny yellow flowers are edible, but should be removed from the overly acerbic green base.

Double Dandelion Tea  

Dig up a few dandelions, liberating as much of the root as possible.  Clean them thoroughly (I like to soak mine in a sink full of water, as with spinach, leeks, and other veggies that tend to come home still bedecked with dirt, mud and sand).

Put two cups of water on to boil in a small pot.  Slice the roots, add them to the water, and gently boil for about ten minutes.

While the roots are boiling, make sure the leaves are free of dirt.  After ten minutes, add the leaves to the roots and water, and let the whole thing gently boil for a few minutes more.

Strain, and drink.  The roots can be eaten along with the tea.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try my Dandelion Cordial.  I concocted one of these after an afternoon of working out in the sunshine (digging up dandelions isn't a day at the beach!), and it was the perfect combination of Spring tonic and refreshing, relaxing cocktail.  Violets and elders are soothing, sweet-tasting flowers, which smooth out dandelion's bitter edge.

Dandelion Cordial

Fill a small wineglass or champagne glass about halfway with double dandelion tea.

Add a splash of Creme de Violette (I like Rothman and Winter)
Add a splash of Elderflower Liqueur (I like Thatcher's Organic)

Drop a few of the dandelion root slices into the bottom of the glass, and enjoy!



One word of caution:  It's never a good idea to ingest any plant that's been sprayed with chemical fertilizers or weed killers.  Instead, purchase dandelion products at your local health or whole food store, or ask a chem-free friend if you can help them out by digging up a few of their dandelions!

The Lunar Week: March 26 - April 1, 2012

Wind Moon

The new moon on March 22 ushered in the Pink Moon.  Several cultures also associate the new moon in March with the wind, which blusters in and scatters seeds across the warming ground, just in time to be nourished by April's rainfall.  This will sound familiar to those who know the old rhyme:

March winds bring April showers,

April showers bring May flowers

Bonus: What do May flowers bring?  Pilgrims!

This week the moon moves from waxing crescent to half moon (Friday, March 30).


The Lunar Week, Daily:


Monday, March 26:  Moon in Taurus.  Monday's a busy day, but it might be nice to start the week with a little pampering as opposed to waiting until the weekend.  Taurus is ruled by Venus, which makes it a sensual sign that emphasizes beauty and physical pleasures; but it is also an Earth sign, which can help ground sensual pleasures and prevent them from being expressed too expansively.  Take some time today to think about what beauty, or comfort, or pleasure means personally to you, and then find a way to express it before the day is through!


Tuesday, March 27:  Moon in Gemini.  Are melons on your list of Summer Fruits to Enjoy, 2012?  A waxing Gemini moon will help them on their way!  I live in Texas, so by now it's warm enough for us to sow them right into the ground.  If you live in a cooler climate, start the little guys in a small paper cup today for a sweet, Summer treat.

Wednesday, March 28:  Moon in Gemini.  Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the Roman trickster and master of thought and communication.  Meditate throughout today on how life can by enriched by speaking thoughtfully, and by thinking before speaking.

Thursday, March 29:  Moon in Gemini/Cancer.  I'm having my hair trimmed today, and the combination of Cancer and waxing moon will contribute to fast, thick growth during this cycle.

Friday, March 30:  Moon in Cancer.  We started the week with reflection on beauty and pleasure, and it's quite fitting to end the week in reflective Cancer.  It's funny to think of The Crab as being an emotional, moody sign, but consider how a crustacean's thick, bony carapace hides and protects the delicacy of its internal organs.  Think about how you express your emotions today, and how you protect yourself; meditate with a moonstone, if you have one.  Perhaps also consider being a little extra understanding of the special Crab (whether or not he/she is actually a Cancer) in your life.

Saturday, March 31:  Moon in Cancer.  Cancer is the most fruitful and fertile of all signs.  Today's a great day to get Summer above-ground seeds and crops in the ground.  The waxing moon will offer an extra boost of fertility and strength to seeds and sprouting plants.

Sunday, April 1:  Moon in Leo.  Have friends over for an April Fool's Day brunch or lunch!  Cultures from all over the world have some type of foolish festival, and the celebration date doesn't matter!  Have each guest come armed with a prank, a potluck dish, and a particularly ridiculous White Elephant gift; crown someone the Queen or King of Fools before the end of the day and send him or her home with all the silly gifts (i.e., crap that no one else wanted in their house anymore).  Ha!