Intuitive Tuesday -- Ace of Coins/Pentacles (Reversed)

Every Tuesday I select one tarot card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life and ask, "What messages are here for me ?"

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."  I selected the Ace of Pentacles (reversed) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

Aces in the tarot deck typically signify the beginning of a cycle (an adventure, a situation, etc.) Pentacles have to do with the material or financial aspects of your life, education or training, and/or your body or health.

The easiest way to interpret a tarot card in its reversed position is to think about the energy being blocked, delayed or completely opposite of its upright meaning.

So, for example, if the Ace of Pentacles symbolizes a strong financial foundation; the reversed card could mean that your financial foundations are flawed, or possibly that you are struggling with money, etc.

If the Ace of Pentacles is referring to a successful venture, perhaps the card is reversed because it is taking longer than you had planned to get your new enterprise off the ground.

Just like with any tarot card (upright or reversed), how you determine the card's meaning is by tuning into your intuition and hearing/seeing/feeling/sensing what messages are there for you.

And remember, Aces are Pip cards (Minor Arcana), which means they deal with day-to-day situations, not the life-long, spiritual lessons of the Major Arcana cards (The Fool, Chariot, Moon, etc.)...which means that the situation today is real and possibly feels annoying, but it probably won't be disastrous.
 
Possibly reading this far into the post, you know exactly what your Ace of Pentacles (reversed) energy is all about. Don't panic. Worrying about it doesn't change a thing.

Sometimes when I face a frustrating situation, I go into "planning mode" to try to control what's happening.  Even though I feel more "in charge," I'm really not, and it can be exhausting. The excuse is that the planning gives me something to do while I wait for the situation to unfold, but my preoccupation can keep me out of the flow of life.

Think back to a time when you faced a similar Ace of Pentacles (reversed) situation (tight finances, late-paying clients, low physical energy, etc.). What happened last time? Did it help to spend time worrying, planning, obsessing?

There may have been things that you learned through the past situation that you can apply here.  Looking back at the past situation can give you clues to handle what's happening now and how to best handle it.

If you have an Ace of Pentacles (reversed) situation happening, notice it, acknowledge it, feel your feelings about it...and then, if possible, apply what you learned last time. Let it go. Breathe through it and know that the reversed energy with right itself and you will move on.

This quote from Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now, hit home for me this morning:

Are you worried? Do you have many "what if" thoughts? Are you identified with your mind, which is projecting itself into an imaginary future situation and creating fear. There is no way that you can cope with such a situation, because it doesn't exist. It's a mental phantom. You can stop this health- and life-corroding insanity simply by acknowledging the present moment.

Become aware of your breathing. Feel the air flowing in and out of your body. Feel your inner energy field. All that you ever have to deal with, cope with, in real life -- as opposed to imaginary mind projections -- is this moment. Ask yourself what "problem" you have right now, not next year, tomorrow, or five minutes from now. What is wrong with this moment? You can always cope with the Now, but you can never cope with the future -- nor do you have to. The answer, the strength, the right action or the resource will be there when you need it, not before, not after. (page 70-71)

Although the Ace of Pentacles (reversed) situation may feel all-encompassing now, the tarot cards remind us that this is just one step of the cycle. Things will move forward and you will handle it.

You always have and you always will.

The question is, how much force do you want to apply and energy do you want to expend as it all unfolds in Divine Order?

Perfect Moment Monday -- Mesmerizing Spiral

Each week I participate in Perfect Moment Monday, sponsored by the blog, WriteMindOpenHeart.com According to Lavender Luz, "Perfect Moment Monday" is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

Last April I got the opportunity to go to Germany to visit one of my dear friends, Meridee. We enjoyed our time together and I loved my first trip to Europe.

While we were there, we got to see the beautiful Heidelberg Castle. After we came down from the castle, we enjoyed lunch and a German beer in a beautiful cobblestone courtyard at the base of the hill.

As we waited for our food, a colorful, mesmerizing spiral caught my eye at one of the tourist shops nearby. After we ate, I wandered over and bought one of the mesmerizing spirals for home -- as a reminder of my wonderful trip to Germany.

Last summer came and went and I forgot about the spiral. It was sitting on a shelf, patiently waiting to be hung.

Saturday when I came home after watching a college lacrosse game with Bryce (which included several Perfect Moments), my sweet hubby was out working in the yard.

As I approached our front door, I noticed that he had hung our colorful mesmerizing spiral. It reminded me that spring is here and of my great trip to Germany.

As the spiral spun round and round, I noticed yet another Perfect Moment!

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays go to WriteMindOpenHeart.com by clicking here.

Intuitive Tuesday -- Ten of Swords

Every Tuesday I select one tarot card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life and ask, "What messages are here for me ?"

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."  I selected the Ten of Swords from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

Tens represent the end of a cycle and Swords typically symbolize intellect/mental aspects and/or conflict. Just looking at the picture on this card, at first glance, you may assume that this isn't necessarily a "happy" card, but just like all of the tarot cards, it isn't "good" or "bad." It just is...right now.

As you can see on this version of the Ten of Swords, the man looks as though he's reaching up in pain, trying to remove the swords and thus relieve the pain he's been feeling.

The Ten of Swords signifies the end of this (possibly painful) cycle and the feeling of being stabbed in the back (just like what's pictured on the card). 

I have covered the Ten of Swords in its reversed position here and here...which has a LOT different feel than the upright card.

Last week a couple of friends and clients have been dealing with the Ten of Swords energy. Have you too?

What you will notice on this card, is that there is light behind the man, possibly suggesting hope. In her book, "Tarot Wisdom: Spiritual Teachings and Deeper Meanings," Rachel Pollack suggests, "The Ten of Swords might mean the ability to perceive a higher reality and how everything fits perfectly together." (page 353)

So the meaning of this card can range from disaster, sadness, grief and pain...all the way to enlightenment and seeing things from a higher perspective.

According to one of my new (to me) favorite reference books, "The Heart of Tarot," by Thomson, Mueller and Echols, the Ten of Swords "represents the necessary 'hitting bottom' before we can face our problems and turn our life around."

On a more hopeful note, the book goes on to say, "The swords are reviving spinal acupressure points, hence activating kundalini or life energy. Our theme is that of gathering our reserves." (page 132)

There's incredible timing in pulling this card today. On a global level, last week's Intuitive Tuesday, which was all about the suit of Pentacles, referred to the people in Japan who have been devastated by the tsunami (which is definitely the energy of the Ten of Swords).

Not coincidentally, this past week I pulled cards for three people who all received some of the important messages of the Ten of Swords, such as, "It's time to face your denial of a potentially painful situation. You can no longer ignore what's staring you in the face."

In addition, LET GO. It's impossible to hold on and try to control everything. Allow Divine guidance to lead you forward and trust that even though things are tough now, you are on your path.

In The Heart of Tarot, it says, "Many believe there is underlying purpose to what seem random events in our lives. The Ten of Swords points out the futility at times of trying to force events, to bend others to our wishes. It signals accepting a new direction and another way of being."  

After pulling and interpreting three tarot cards for a dear friend who is contemplating moving to another state, I closed the email to her by saying, "Stay, go, now, later...LET GO. You don't have to mastermind this. It's ALL in divine order. Your lesson here is to allow it to flow."

Today's card acknowledges your struggle and encourages you to let go and allow flow to happen. Easier said than done...but what have you got to lose by trying?

Perfect Moment Monday -- Trash Can Reminders

Each week I participate in Perfect Moment Monday, sponsored by the blog, WriteMindOpenHeart.com According to Lavender Luz, "Perfect Moment Monday" is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

Ryan (14), remembers his weekly chore every week. It's amazing!

Last week (after my oldest son, James, surprised me by folding  the laundry), I decided to "pass it forward" and took the trash can down for Ryan.

After I picked Ryan up that afternoon, as we drove past the trashcan at the end of our driveway, he said, "Did you bring the trash can down for me?"

"Yes, I did," I responded. "I did it because you are always good at remembering and doing your chore.

"Do you know how I remember?" he asked, and then pulled up the calendar on his phone and showed me that he had programmed in a weekly "Trash Can Down" reminder/appointment.

Needless to say...It was a Perfect Moment!

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays go to WriteMindOpenHeart.com by clicking here.

Intuitive Tuesday -- Nine of Pentacles and Pentacles Overall

Every Tuesday I select one tarot card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life and ask, "What messages are here for me ?"

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."  I selected the Nine of Pentacles, which I have previously pulled on this blog.

I turned over the next two cards on the top of the deck to get further clarification and got the Page of Pentacles and the Queen of Pentacles (reversed).

The Pentacles "flush" continued when I shuffled and pulled the Two of Pentacles and the Eight of Pentacles. This is when I realized that the message today isn't about one particular card, but it's about the suit of Pentacles.

All of these cards were selected from the Aquarian Tarot Deck by David Palladini.

So let's look at the suit of Pentacles (sometimes referred to as Coins) and can have several meanings.

Pentacles:

• deal with the material world and are associated with the element of Earth
• have to do with money, business and finance...which all help facilitate the material things that we have in our lives
• symbolize education, training and employment
• also deal with your body and your health. This energy can ground you in your daily life

In the book, "The Heart of the Tarot," by Thomson, Mueller and Echols, they refer to Pentacles with the words, "rewarding efforts." They continue, "Pentacles deal with physical abilities and talents...and can speak of self-evaluation and feelings of self-worth or lack thereof." (pages 219-220).

By selecting five cards in a row in the suit of Pentacles, the message for me today is to ground my energy, reconnect with the earth and apply my talents, gifts and skills into areas that bring rewarding outcomes to myself and to others. 

Last week before I began one of my tarot card readings, I spent time doing an Aura Healing with the client to help ground my energy and his. As a society, we get going so fast, that our energy can be floating all over the place. Grounding is an amazing way to come back to what's important.

In yoga, one of the easiest ways is to simply breathe deep, using my ujjayi breath -- deep inhalation and deep exhalation through the nose, making an oceanic sound in the back of your throat.

It's interesting to me too, how we have been hearing a lot about the tsunami that happened in Japan recently, and realizing the tremendous power of the forces of our earth and Mother Nature.

Perhaps the bigger Pentacles message today also includes sending positive energy to our earth to help bring about healing...and peace.

Take a moment now to not only ground yourself with a few deep breaths, but to send your positive, healing energy to the entire earth. If we all do a little, it turns into a lot.

Perfect Moment Monday -- Will Laundry Miracles Never Cease?

Each week I participate in Perfect Moment Monday, sponsored by the blog, WriteMindOpenHeart.com According to Lavender Luz, "Perfect Moment Monday" is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

In last week's Perfect Moment Monday post, I talked about one of my teenage sons, Bryce, complaining about having to do laundry, but also appreciating how much effort it took me...all of those years.

In the post, I mentioned Bryce's older brother, James, who hadn't done his laundry in about a month. When I'd ask him about it, he'd boast about "re-using and re-wearing" his clothes.

Well that came to an end, when he decided to clean up his room (which mostly consisted of gathering his dirty laundry that was scattered all over the floor of his room, and hauling it to the laundry room.).  Here's what happened.

I had left the house just as the cleaning began, and when I walked back in just a couple of hours later, James yelled downstairs, "Mom, look at the laundry."

Upon hearing this, I went down to the laundry room to find a HUGE heap of clothes (nearly three feet tall) on the laundry floor. Is this what he was so proud of?

As I returned to the main level of our house, James came to the top of the stairs.

"Wow! That's a huge pile of laundry!" I said, still questioning why he wanted me to see it so badly. I had already decided that the pile would just sit there until he decided to do something about it.

Instead, James pointed to the living room table and said, "That's the laundry I wanted you to see."

I looked over and saw an empty laundry basket with all of the clothes neatly folded sitting on the table. He had taken the initiative to fold the basket of clean clothes, clothes that weren't even his!!!

Hopefully you didn't fall off of your chair. You can just imagine how my jaw dropped as I realized what had happened.

Do laundry miracles ever cease?

I hope not, because I love having each of the boys help with their laundry.

Don't get too excited. James washed and dried all three-feet of his laundry pile (please note that I did not mention folding his clean laundry). 

But still, seeing the folded laundry in the living room that day marked another Perfect Moment for me.

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays go to WriteMindOpenHeart.com by clicking here.

Intuitive Tuesday -- Three Tarot Card Reading

Every Tuesday I select one tarot card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life and ask, "What messages are here for me ?"

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."  I selected three cards including the Ten of Swords (reversed), The Moon (reversed) and the Ten of Wands from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

I pulled three cards today because I have already written about the first two cards on this blog. You can check out the following posts for more information on these cards:

• Ten of Swords (reversed) -- is a relief from the stress, pain and struggles that you have been experiencing Click here and here for more information.
• The Moon (reversed) -- indicates that the fog is clearing and you are beginning to get clarity on something that has been perplexing you. It's the ability to see things more clearly. Click here and here for more information on The Moon (reversed)
• Ten of Wands -- This is a card of feeling overwhelmed, burdened and exhausted. To read about this card in its reversed position, click here. Remember that the reversed position can mean different things...anything from the exact opposite of the meaning of the upright card, to a blocked energy, to not being able to find completion in a situation, a cycle, etc.

 So what does pulling these three cards mean?

When I pull three cards, their positions typically reflect the past (first card, the one on the left), present (second card, the one in the center), and future (third card, the one on the right).

From the looks of these cards, you may have recently felt relieved of a heartache or struggle that you were facing (recent past). It may or may not have turned out the way you wanted, but at least it's over and you can begin to move forward to heal.

At this point (present), things are starting to become clear. Things that were confusing you now seem to make sense. You may have gained clarity on a decision that you were struggling with and have found a new direction.

Looking ahead (future)...now that you know what you need to do, you must take on the burden of carrying it forward. Even if it feels overwhelming at times, you know in your heart what must be done...and this alone, is what keeps you moving forward.

I can think of several people in my life who will directly relate to the message today...including myself.

The biggest message for me is to expect to feel a bit overwhelmed, but know that even when things get tough, this is where the obstacles BECOME my path.

How do you relate to today's cards?

Perfect Moment Monday -- Just a Teen-y Bit Surprised

Each week I participate in Perfect Moment Monday, sponsored by the blog, WriteMindOpenHeart.com According to Lavender Luz, "Perfect Moment Monday" is about noticing a perfect moment rather than creating one. Perfect Moments can be momentous or ordinary or somewhere in between." And so, here is a Perfect Moment for this week.

Our three teenage boys (ages: 15 and twin 14-year olds) have had minimal chores over the years. Our philosophy has been that their job is to be in school and be engaged in at least one extra-curricular activity. Kids who are involved with positive activities have less time to get into trouble.

We recently realized, however, that we have not adjusted their chores for a while and there is a lot to do around our house. Being teenagers, they are capable of a lot of things; they are no longer little kids. Plus, it's a great way to learn about responsibility, etc.

I'm sure I don't have to give you any more reasons why it was a good idea to engage our boys in more chores. The phrase, "It's about time..." comes to mind. :)

The chore that we passed along that has gotten the most attention (and complaints) is having the boys do their own laundry. About two years ago, we implemented, "Laundry Summer" and passed this chore onto them...but over time, I found myself scooping up piles of laundry, running them through the washer and dryer, folding, etc...and doing every one's laundry once again.

Since announcing this change in duties, (about a month ago), I haven't done any of the boys' laundry. Woo hoo!

As you might imagine, their laundry baskets (and the floors of their rooms) are full of dirty laundry most of the time. A couple of them have broken down to run a few loads, but for the most part, I've lost all of my extra laundry baskets, as they are sitting in the boys' rooms with either clean or dirty laundry in them -- or both clean AND dirty laundry...who knows?

While Ryan has washed and dried several loads (notice I did not include "folding"), James has done no laundry (and talks about the benefits of re-using and re-wearing dirty laundry), and Bryce has washed and dried a few loads (notice again the absence of the word "folding), but has complained the LOUDEST about why Mom isn't doing laundry any longer.

• "We go to school and you don't even work a full time job! Why can't you do the laundry?"
• "I think it's dumb that WE have to do our own laundry" (although when he said this in front of a couple of his friends, they informed him that they do their own laundry.)
• And several other complaints statements in a whiny teenage voice.

Last weekend, I helped Bryce get his laundry in the washer. As my hubby, Tom, was helping Bryce move his clothes from the washer into the dryer, Bryce said (sit down because this may shock you...):

"I feel sorry for Mom for having to do this her entire life."

Shocking! Tom just laughed and when he told me later, I smiled, feeling a small sense of satisfaction. Did that actually come out of his mouth? Yes! He had a small realization of the value of something that he has taken for granted for so many years.

Not having to constantly do laundry AND hearing Bryce's statement about me doing the laundry for so many years, were both Perfect Moments for me.

If you'd like to check out more Perfect Moment Mondays go to WriteMindOpenHeart.com by clicking here.

Intuitive Tuesday -- Queen of Swords

Every Tuesday I select one tarot card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life and ask, "What messages are here for me ?"

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."  I selected the Queen of Swords from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.
 
Queens represent one of the Court Cards and can symbolize traits that you have or traits that someone around you has.

As you read the following information about the Queen of Swords energy, tune into who immediately comes to mind (noting that the Queen of Swords might be YOU).

Anytime I select one of the Court Cards in the suit of Swords, I know I'm probably dealing with a person who is a THINKER. This person (which might be me), moves through life, guided by his/her thoughts (over his/her emotions).

For someone who is more Swords-like, thoughts and logic (which feel more clean cut) seem more reliable than the softer, less understandable, emotional aspects (which can tend to get messy).

Everyone shares aspects from each of the four tarot suits (Swords, Pentacles, Cups, Wands), but possibly one of the suits is more prominent in his/her personality most of the time...or possibly these traits are surfacing as s/he faces a new situation.
 
When I am reading tarot cards for clients, I usually pick up on the client's natural and/or strongest suit/attributes. For example, someone who is more Swords-like will tend to be a logical, thinking-type person...as opposed to someone who is more emotional (and would be represented by the suit of Cups).

If the client is more emotional (Cups), but selects a Court Card in another suit, sometimes the selected card is inviting him/her to bring forth this aspect and use it to deal with a situation in which s/he may be struggling.

An example:

One of my friends, Meri, is a double Pisces (sun and moon in Pisces, which can be extremely emotional, feeling-oriented, and as she describes it, "slippery.").

Meri is extremely intuitive and usually relies on her feelings and emotions to guide her in life. To her credit, this has served her and others well (as she is an intuitive healer herself).

By selecting this card today, the Queen of Swords may be prompting Meri (and possibly you) to be more aware of her thoughts and the logic behind the decisions that are in front of her.

Are your emotions clouding your perspective, possibly on an important decision? When you talk about it, do you use words like, "It seems like..." or "I feel..." or "That makes me feel like this..." If so, the Queen of Swords is reminding you to engage your thoughts and intellect into your analysis. Instead of only depending on your feelings, THINK about what factors are involved and how they impact your decision.

Here are a couple of ways to think about it:

• If you had to present this particular situation as a court case, what evidence would you prepare and how would you explain it to sway the judge and the jury to make a good decision? 
  
  Once you have the "logical facts" in front of you, then analyze what makes the most sense. Once you land on an alternative that logically makes sense, if you still want to "try it on" emotionally, then use your intuition and your gut feel to gauge each option.
  
  In other words, what are the logical choices...and then between those choices, what "feels" right for you?

• If you are still perplexed, tune into your Queen of Swords energy by thinking of the most logical, head-over-heart person you know, and ask, "What would s/he say about all of this?"
  
  Perhaps THAT is your answer...

The Queen of Swords reminds you to let your logic and intellectual abilities guide you forward...then engage your emotions to decide