Intuitive Tuesday -- Faith (Reversed) -- Magnify and Focus

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 Faith/The Hierophant (reversed) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

I have previously selected the Faith/Hierophant (Reversed). Here is an excerpt from that post:

Since leaving my mainstream job almost four years ago, I've been reluctant at times to tell people that I'm intuitive, that I read tarot cards, that I teach classes on intuition, that I write about tarot cards on my blog, etc. for fear of what they might think.

But once I realized how I am able to help others connect more fully to themselves and to their world simply by tuning in, admitting that I have these abilities and helping them...I feel as though I'm falling short in my ability as a healer and messenger if I don't develop, use and share my gifts.

If you have struggled with letting your light shine through, Faith (reversed) is calling to you. Step out with courage and faith and BE who you are here to be.

Some of the meanings for The Hierophant/Faith (reversed) include taking a non-conventional approach and finding new ways to approach a situation or solve a problem/issue you are facing. Once you've recognized a pattern and realize it's taking you down the same path over and over again...it's time to tune in and listen to the wisdom of The Hierophant.

A personal example: 

Last week I took an intensive training to work with energy called Quantum Touch. It's a very powerful way to work with people to raise the energy/healing vibration. As part of the training, I had the opportunity to practice alongside my instructor on a couple of my (guinea pig) friends.

Over the weekend, two of my kids separately wandered into my office complaining, one of a headache and one of a sore throat. I still had the (borrowed) massage table set up so I could practice Quantum Touch. Each one of the boys laid down on the massage table and asked me to do a Quantum Touch energy healing session with them. I loved being able to help.

So what does this have to do with Faith/The Hierophant (Reversed)?

As I continue to broaden and deepen my skills and experience, I wonder how I will best integrate all of my interests, education and experience to help people. It's a question I continue to ask and answer.

I keep approaching my career by adding more instead of deepening what I already have. 

The message from Faith (Reversed) for me is to to stop broadening and begin deepening my skills and experience.That doesn't mean that I quit learning, but more that I continue to deepen and integrate my work together and find MY unique way to express my purpose.

My biggest passions now include yoga (practicing asanas and studying yoga philosophy and Sutras), and developing and using my intuition (which includes tarot cards, my Intuition Through Tarot classes, energy work, etc.).

So that's what I'll do. I may not specifically market myself as a Quantum Touch energy worker, but I'll continue to practice as a way to deepen my ability to tap in (energetically and intuitively), and use my unique set of gifts as I see necessary.

Today's main questions of The Hierophant/Faith (reversed) include: 

• Where in your life do you need to broaden?
• Where do you need to deepen? 
• What is YOUR unique expression in this world?

It's time to focus. Move from the "jack of all trades -- master of none" philosophy, to a focused, effective and divinely inspired person who lives on purpose.

Have Faith. Magnify and focus. That is all.

Perfect Moment Monday -- The Rest of the Story

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. 

Tom symbolically handing the flag back
as it is passed on to the new Battalion Commander.

Last week's Perfect Moment Monday post featured a dozen beautiful red roses, with the promise of telling you the story behind the roses this week.

First of all, the roses are still beautiful and smell fabulous. Each time I walk by them I am reminded of the events of last weekend.

My husband, Tom, is in the Army National Guard. He has loved serving as the Battalion Commander for the past 2 1/2 years.

Last weekend we attended his Change of Command ceremony, where he was recognized for all of his hard work, his leadership, etc. and then passed his leadership role onto the incoming Battalion Commander.

His boss spoke very highly of Tom and his accomplishments during his time as Battalion Commander, and Tom had an opportunity to share with the soldiers his thoughts and feelings of their service during that time.

As his spouse, I was also recognized -- hence the flowers -- and Tom gave me, my parents and each of our children (among several of his soldiers) a symbolic coin.

As is typical for Tom, he gave a "history lesson" about the tradition of giving the coins. He said that during the Revolutionary War, officers would give coins to the soldiers who helped support them...paying them out of their own pockets to thank them for their service.

Tom's parents attended the Change of Command ceremony when he received his appointment as the Battalion Commander, and my parents attended his outgoing ceremony.

What an honor to be recognized and to receive one of the beautiful coins. It was...Perfect!

Symbolic coins historically given to thank the people who support the soldier.
Tom gave one to me, one to my parents and one to each of our sons.

Tom's award, his hat, one of the coins and my beautiful roses.

Tom gives his overview of his time as Battalion Commander.

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

Intuitive Tuesday -- Five of Wands (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 Five of Wands (reversed) from the Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti and Barbara Moore.

As I shuffled, I realized that my pattern of shuffling reflects my mental and emotional state. My shuffling today was erratic at first. The cards didn't neatly fold in next to each other. It's as though they were fighting with me as I poured my energy into them.

But then I realized that the cards weren't fighting with me. Their unsettledness was a reflection of MY unsettledness. And by the time my shuffling energetically felt complete, the cards were falling into place, like soldiers coming to attention. I was grounded and ready to select a card and interpret the intuitive impressions I was to receive.

I've written about the Five of Wands (reversed) previously. Some of the key meanings mentioned in the previous post were feeling relief after facing a conflict, possibly feeling deceived, and being careful not to take things at face value.

A personal example:

It's no wonder the Five of Wands (reversed) was today's card.  To summarize what situation it is reflecting for me, I can think of five words:

***parenting***teenage***deception***conflict***frustration***

Without any of the messy details, that probably sums it up.

After talking to a couple of other parents of teens recently, they seem to be facing the same types of conflicts.  It must be a time-of-life situation. That is, many of my friends have kids about the same ages as mine.

So what is the important message of the Five of Wands (reversed) today?

In a positive sense, the Five of Wands (reversed) can indicate that the struggle is over and it's time to move on. No matter what the conflict, there is always relief knowing that you are moving away from it and are on the road to recovery.

What I'm experiencing with my teen is a series of Five of Wands and Five of Wands (reversed) situations. It feels like we take one step forward and two steps back. Just as we are recovering from the last conflict, a new one appears, which can be exhausting.

But what I said in the last post about the five being a disruption, is a great reminder that no matter how disruptive or frustrating the energy of the Five of Wands is (and no matter how many times you repeat it), it is just one step along the way -- part of the cycle. Here is the quote from my last post on the Five of Wands (reversed):

The Five of Wands (reversed) feels like a relief at this point in life. You can now look forward to the energy of the Six of Wands which is the "victory" card. After a tough battle (Five of Wands), the taste of victory (6 of Wands) and holding your ground (7 of Wands) are just around the corner. Remember that this too is a cycle, and with the five, you are about halfway there. 

My question is, "How many times do you have to repeat the energy and lesson of the Five of Wands before you get to move on?"

This repeating pattern brings another popular saying to mind: The definition of the word insanity is, "Repeating the same thing over and over again...and expecting different results."

I guess my lesson is to pull out some new tools, try something different and see what happens.  Instead of trying to logic through this and figure it out, I'll just set an intention by adding another word to my list above.

***RESOLUTION***

What intention do you want to set with any Five of Wands (reversed) energy you are facing?

Perfect Moment Monday -- Take Time to Smell the Roses

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.

We've been moving at hyper-speed for about the last month. The twins -- Bryce and Ryan -- started track, and Bryce gave up baseball this year to try lacrosse.

Between practices, games, meets, going out of town, having visitors...and all of the other day-to-day and work activities...we've been really busy.

This week looks like it will be even busier (if that is possible).

We were on a trip over the weekend that was full of Perfect Moments, but we got home too late to write a post.

As I was racing around the house this morning, my nose caught a whiff of the beautiful dozen red roses that I got over the weekend (story to be told in next week's Perfect Moment Monday when I can give it the attention it deserves).

I paused momentarily and smelled the roses and knew that even though I hadn't had time to document all of my Perfect Moments this past week, the beauty and delicate smell of the roses was providing me a Perfect Moment.

So today, my Perfect Moment is simply a picture. Red roses. And...if you think these roses look beautiful, you should smell them.

Perfect!


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

Intuitive Tuesday -- Four of Cups (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 Four of Cups (reversed) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti. Since I've recently selected this card, I pulled a second card for more clarification, The Devil (reversed).

From the previous posts on these cards, here is some of the key information on the Four of Cups (reversed):

In its reversed position (upside-down), instead of feeling discontent, this card symbolizes the end of feeling discontent, re-connecting with others, renewing relationships and having a new readiness for upcoming challenges and opportunities. With this card, you may feel both stable (symbolized by the four) and emotionally (Cups) energized and can see (and are thankful for) all of the blessings and opportunities around you.

And here is the key information on The Devil (reversed) and also covered here:

In its reversed position, The Devil means that you are moving from this perspective (feeling blocked), although some of the feelings of anger, depression and sadness may still linger. This is your opportunity to take control of your thoughts and not slip into the old (self-imposed) trap of being stuck (The Devil).

The Devil reversed indicates that you have the faith and courage to take one step forward. This step will lead to the next and to the next, until you look up and are free from the chains that you imagined around your neck. You are free to continue on your path. 

If you've recently felt emotionally disconnected or discontent, your heart may be opening. Others may be reaching out to you, or possibly you are reaching out to them. Something that has kept you stuck emotionally is loosening to allow your energy and emotions to flow more freely. Even if it's only a little bit, there has been some movement.

The image that comes to mind is a clogged sink. You know how frustrating it can be when the water begins to back-up and nothing is moving.

By using a plunger, you press through the clog (stuck emotions), clearing out the old, blocked debris, and make way for the fresh water to flow through.

The feeling of the Four of Cups (reversed) and The Devil (reversed), is like an emotional plunger. No matter how it happened, your knotted emotions are unraveling, and fresh new emotions are flowing through. What a relief!

What emotional blocks have you recently moved through...and what obstacles still remain? Perhaps your job today is to get out the emotional plunger and forge your way ahead.

As a wise person once told me: "Feel what you feel; deal with what you feel...and then the healing can begin."

Perfect Moment Monday -- Spring It On!

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.

Over the past week, I've been noticing spring ALL over the place. Last weekend, I went running with one of my best friends, Loralie, on a beautiful trail. The weather was cool and as we finished our last quarter mile, it began to sprinkle, and later rain.

On the trail we saw an owl sitting in her nest, looking down on the trail at us. What a spectacular sight!

From the picture it's hard to see (since I took it with my phone), but look for the dark cluster (the nest), and you can barely make out the two pointed ears.

I've written about the meaning of owls in a previous post. You can check it out here. Or check out some information on owls on the Web site of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Seeing an owl while I was out running with my BFF was a Perfect Moment!

I'm SO happy it's spring!

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

Intuitive Tuesday -- Eight of Wands (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 Eight of Wands (reversed) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

In its upright position, the Eight of Wands is a card of speed, energy and action...things are happening without delay; all systems are go.

The Eight of Wands (reversed), however, is a different story. It can mean excessive speed, feeling out of control, and too fast of a pace.  Among several other meanings, the Eight of Wands (reversed) can also symbolize an unstable person or unresolved situations. It could also mean breaking a pattern.

Imagine driving down the interstate at 80 mph and having your steering or your brakes go out. The panic, fear and feeling of being out of control and helpless is the feeling I get with the Eight of Wands (reversed).

I've covered the Eight of Wands (reversed) a couple of times on my blog. Click here to check it out. 

When I pulled this card today, I felt its energy. A personal example:

My hubby and I have been feeling the Eight of Wands (reversed) energy for several months. With three teenage boys and all of their activities, I have a spreadsheet that outlines the carpool arrangements between their multiple events. My calendar is sprinkled with games, meets, practices, concerts, and school events, not to mention my hubby's night meetings and my own business and personal appointments.

Tom works two demanding jobs and is often checking/answering email on the sidelines via his phone, sitting at his desk at night, or working late in an effort to keep up...while still remaining present as a husband and father.

The other Eight of Wands (reversed) meaning, "unstable person and breaking patterns," is apparent in parenting our teenage boys. Between hormones, curiosity, girls, etc., a lot of our mental energy goes towards trying to stay one step ahead or reacting to boys being boys. At times we feel as though we've exhausted our parenting toolbox (and our patience levels).

Yes...we have been feeling the Eight of Wands (reversed) energy a lot around our house.

Part of the frustration of the Eight of Wands reversed energy for me, is that I have high expectations of what can be done and how smoothly it should be completed.

Pulling the Eight of Wands (reversed) is a reminder that life is busy, and can be messy...and most times it doesn't flow exactly as I had hoped.  Remembering this allows me to close the gap between my expectations and my reality. It reminds me to release and let things flow.

I can't control everything (duh)...even if I have a very neatly organized spreadsheet to inform the universe HOW things should happen!

FLOW. In my daily reading from the book, "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga," by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison, I underlined a quote that fits perfectly today:

For the first few years of my spiritual journey, all I could do was show up for work and try to have a good attitude. Over time, as I have matured, I've slowly created a life that is an expression of my deepest beliefs. I started with just an idea, one priority.

For me, that priority was service. I had some ideas about what a life of service would look like, so I worked hard to realize them. Eventually I began to work less, try less, and allow things to happen. I still have my values, my spiritual choice to be of service, but I have let go of the details. Today I simply show up and try to be of service to whoever is put in my path, in whatever capacity the universe chooses. (page 174)

The message for me today is to LET GO, work less, try less, and allow things to happen...to let go of the details.

What message is here for you today?

Perfect Moment Monday -- All Geared Up

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.

Saturday afternoon, Bryce had a lacrosse camp all morning, and then came home to practice his new skills. Out he went with his lacrosse stick in hand.

About an hour later he came back in without his stick, but in his hand he had a air soft gun.

"I'm gonna get ready for an air soft war," he said.

A few minutes later he came up the stairs in full gear, including his lacrosse gear -- pads and helmet, shin-guards and sunglasses to protect his eyes.

Thirty minutes later, when he came back in the house, I asked him how it went.

"We didn't do it," he said as he walked down the stairs to disrobe.

Moments later he came upstairs asking to have a couple of friends over to "hang out."

Ah, the life of a teenage boy and the Perfect Moments he continually provides for his mother.

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