Nine of Swords - A Still Small Voice

About six of the cards in the Suit of Swords are rather menacing and threatening imagery. The Nine of Swords included, as we see the Orestes being aggressively confronted by the Furies above his head.

We can easily drive ourselves doololly listening to all the voices surrounding us. These voices can exist in our own mind, that are more often than not negative, or we are absorbing every opinion, except our own true inner voice. We can feel consumed, confused, and overwhelmed.
Worry, guilt, and fear about the past, and the future can rob us of our happiness in the present. This is crazy making at it's worst.

So how do we connect to that inner voice in order to find the path we need or want to take?

I have to get calm and find quiet. I need to strip away all the extraneous people, places, and things that hinder my ability to make these decisions. Then I need to not simply find the time to withdraw, I need to take the time to get quiet in order to listen to the still small voice.

I was a many years finding this inner voice. I was suffering from had what I know as, a hole in the soul.
We are either moving toward this voice, or moving away from it.
I needed to take an personal inventory of my soul.

When I was young, a little girl actually, I was in tune with this authentic true voice, but I didn't know what it was, nor was I intellectually aware of it, or able to comprehend what it meant. It simply happened intuitively.

As I got older I became affected by all the extraneous crazy making, and crazy makers surrounding me. I trusted my intuition less and less. This took me to a place of chaos and confusion within myself. I lost my way. Instead of guilt, fear, and worry I took action.

Twenty one years ago through God's grace, I was able to find my way back and got reconnected with my true self and to that still small voice and inner vision. And for this I am forever grateful.

Justice - Finding Our Authentic Voice

The Tarot never seizes to amaze me from day to day.

 I will frequently find time and time again, that the cards speak a truth just when you need it, regardless if you want to hear the truth or not. This is exactly what took place today, almost down to the minute, right after I drew the Justice card, and just before I wrote this post.What happened really cheesed me off to put it mildly, because it involved some low life trying to hack into my bank account and I was charged an NSF. This is the second time it has happened. Well this sure got me thinking about justice and what it means even more so prior to this incident.

When an injustice happens, our human nature can immediately want retribution of some sort to even up the score, balance the scales. This isn't what justice is, though it might feel like it. Vengeance and retaliation are not justice either. The fact is, people are not always punished for bad behaviour nor are they rewarded for good behaviour. The opposite is often true. This can allow for good citizens perhaps, but lousy human beings.

So I ask where is the justice in circumstances where injustices occur?

I expect we all have to find this answer within our own conscience, and I also believe a collective and universal consciousness exists that balances the wrong and right, the positive and negative, and distinguishing the light from dark. I do think it all comes out in the wash in the end.

I do choose to have the faith and hope that this happens. I refrain from a force-able resolution that infringes on someone's right or that really infringes on mine. This might sound like I'm sitting on the fence or refusing an assertiveness that is based on advocating for what is right. Advocacy is important but without action, it is ineffective and like a banging gong or a clanging bell. We need the kind of action that Brother Cornell West speaks about. Talk and reconciliation is cheap and empty, with a faith without the action of love.

Justice urges us to have a clarity of vision with an impartial judgement in service to others, balanced and based on ethical principles in fairness and truth.
We all have to find our own truthful authentic voice that takes responsibility for the impact we want to have in the world.

Nine of Cups - Actualizing Goals

The Nine of Cups is always a welcome card to draw. Though it is commonly known as "the wish card" I think of it in terms of a card that addresses my own personal vision in relation to goals. I don't make wishes. I do spend time focusing on goals and how to achieve them.

It helps a lot when I reflect on the goals I've had in the past and how I went about actualizing them. It also inspires and motivates me when I look at what others have done to achieve their goals, and  those who give practical suggestions based on their own experience, strength and hope.

I believe our ability to achieve our goals is directly connected to our personal philosophy.

Writing my goals down on paper and referring to them frequently certainly helps. Ultimately I need to do the work in order to make them a concrete reality, and take the practical steps to make this happen, in order to measure whether these goals have been reached which holds me accountable.

How have you gone about actualizing your goals?

I have learned that my goals need to be:

• Smart
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time Bound

If I list my top 5 priorities in life, see if there is a mismatch, and get honest with myself, change can happen.

Here are a few wise words from individuals I admire.

" They say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. " - Andy Warhol

" Walk and be more present. " - Thoreau 

" Keep a diary. " - Virginia  Woolf

" Make your life wide rather than long. " - Seneca

"Define Yourself. " - Anna Deavere Smith

" Break free from your ego." Alan Watts

" Cultivate a growth mindset" - Carol Dweck

" Turn haters into fans. " - Ben Franklin

" Think rather than know." - Hannah Arendt

" Let go of perfectionism.  - Anne Lamott

" Master critical thinking. " - Carl Sagan

" Get lost to find yourself. " - Rebecca Solnitt 

" Be like water. " -Bruce Lee

" Choose courage over cynicism. " - Maya Angelou

" Cultivate true friendship." -Emerson

"Live by your own standards. " - Elenor Roosevelt


" Each one teach one. " - African Proverb

The Hierophant - Come Out of Your Cave

This Major Arcana card, The Hierophant is one that causes me to reflect, which I do a lot of anyway,  however the kind of reflection this card symbolizes, is urging more than the kind of introspection that is your stereotypical navel gazing, or even meditation. It calls for us to examine not only our relationship with our spiritual selves, but also our interconnection and interdependence with others and within the world of  community.

It also calls for us to have a deeper broader vision, both inward and outwardly, so that we figure out a way to reach out to our fellow sisters and brothers, to make the world a better place. Expecting to stay isolated and happy within the safety our cave is unrealistic.

When I first came into recovery 21 years ago, I only felt really happy when I was inside the rooms of recovery. I felt safe and I knew that I belonged. People "got me", and that's why 12 Step programs work, we understand one another.

 Reality and living daily life was and is difficult. I was living and studying on working horse farm everyday, with a small group of people and I had to learn how to cope without running away through the use and abuse of alcohol. I had to find the strength to cope with each person, and whatever was happening around me in an unusual and very challenging environment, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Where my recovery really counted, and if it was going to work I had to learn how to approach living in the world. I couldn't stay inside the safe and rather utopic environment in my imagination.

I learned to forgive and accept, to love, and to be compassionate toward myself, and toward others. I was able to develop my own personal philosophy, an individual vision that guides me like Chiron the centaur, the healer, priest and wise teacher that urges us, and I came out of my cave.

Eight of Wands - Release Creative Energy After Anxiety and Struggle

The Eight of Wands depicts very turbulent seas surrounding Jason's ship the Argo while dolphins play, and jump midst the foaming waves. They are happily accompanying the Argonauts as if guiding, protecting and perhaps even coming to rescue them along the journey.

Dolphins in Greek culture, are see as being rescuers of humans. They like to bring things to the surface, and there is strong evidence that they do actually rescue people in danger.

This card causes me to think about the importance of play, fun and pleasure in order to live a more creative, balanced and harmonious life. For me life it is also about having a balance between these three things, humility, humour and humanity.

It is easy to loose sight of being in tune with our intellect and our instinct. There is a tendency for us to get so caught up in the crazy making storms in our lives we can get too busy and serious about life. We can lose or way. Approaching life with gentleness, peace, humor and joy will give us a deep inner strength that will help us to release that creative energy after anxiety and struggle.

When It Flows It Flows - Artist Jonas Gerard

Queen of Cups - The Red Tent

The Queens of Cups might bring to mind that awful mean Red Queen of Hearts that was in the story of Alice in Wonderland. She was a weird and scary one for sure. The Queen of Cups is nothing like that Queen fortunately. This Queen lives her life from the perspective in believing that it is better to be loved than to be feared, the polar opposite from the way the Red Queen of Hearts sees life.

I don't believe there are any solely good or bad cards in the Tarot decks. There is a positive and a negative to be found in life, and it is the same in the Tarot, because it is about the journey of life, told through the cards. The Queen of Cups can be self-indulgent and morally wayward if she lacks a development of her inner life that reflects her soul qualities.

I was happy to draw the Queen of Cups this morning. I see this card as an strong affirmation for me, as I identify so much with her, and the element of water. Being a person who has been involved in trusting, and deepening my intuition for many years now, I relate to the Queen of Cups, as I greatly value and follow my gut and my emotional intelligence over my intellect. During the times when I stopped trusting my intuition is when I went off the rails and lost my way.

Cups (Hearts)are represent the emotional, relationships, friendship and romance. The colour red is also associated with hearts, love, passion. In ancient societies red also symbolizes strength and female power.

Recently was told about The Red Tent which is now a growing contemporary movement based on the ancient tradition of women gathering during the time of their menses, or moon time, and women gather to support one another, their families, communities and the world at large. I can imagine the Queen of Cups sharing her strength and power through her own stories with her sisters all gathered to celebrate their strength and power, heart to heart in The Red Tent.

Three of Pentacles - I Forgot What I Was Supposed To Remember

I believe human beings have an innate wisdom in their soul, but only need reminding of what they've forgot. This is what the Tarot does in many ways.

I drew this card yesterday. I thought I'd pass on posting it, as I wanted to update my other blog, http://catherinemeyersartist.blogspot.com 

So, I was ready to draw another card for today. Guess what? I drew the Three of Pentacles again. A card that was insisting in being in the lime light! No, that's not true. I am anthropomorphizing my cards, I know. Tarot cards do however prod, prompt and sometimes give us a push forward, to remind us stop our worrying, and get actively engaged in life as opposed to being a bystander. Action is always the best antidote to worry.

Drawing the Three of Pentacles the last two days is a reality check, as much as I might not want to be reminded. The message is, that I can't wait for motivation or inspiration. I simply need to start and the rest will follow.

The Star - Don't Be Decieved

The Star,  is such a bright happy image yes, and don't be deceived, Pandora's box has been opened and out fly spites of swarming pestilence that has been released into the world, and can't returned to the box. All manner of troubles and sorrows have suddenly been loosed. Pandora doesn't seems phased by all this and looks upward in hopeful anticipation with faith and trust that there is still so much beauty and goodness in the world. She believes there is always hope for the hopeless.

I seldom draw this card. In all my daily draws over the years, this is the fourth time it's come up. Perhaps that's a good thing because it makes me more appreciative of the beauty in The Star and it is consistent with my recent posts that explore the feminine, intuition and reclaiming the Feminine Divine. It reminds me of the Wild Woman that exists in all women. Unlike Eve who is seen as sinful, and impure, Pandora is innocent, pure of heart and hopeful. She knows in her bones she will survive all that has been unleashed yes and she will thrive not in spite of, but because of the very things that would destroy her. Pandora is becoming stronger than ever, loving life even more, with an open mind, spirit, and a trustful heart.


 

Nine of Pentacles - Brag-Gratitude-Desire - Sisterhood

Known as the "Wish Card", the Nine of Pentacles is an example of how life is full of synchronicity.
Reflecting on the meaning of this card I am thinking about this past weekend, at the special ocean view retreat, where I reunited once again with my beautiful, spirited, talented and loving 'soul sisters.'


I told some of the women I would be posting about our wonderful weekend on my blog, and amazingly I noticed today I had drawn the Nine of Pentacles in July 2014 after we had our women's weekend last year, and so it made sense that I once again drew the same card today.

Our celebratory women's weekend was perfect timing, the full Blue Moon, the long weekend, a couple of Birthdays to celebrate, a beautiful concert at a winery, where we listened live Latin music, delicious food, 'free range swimming' and glorious weather. We couldn't have wished or desired for anything better.

It was hard to leave our special retreat by the sea, but each woman took with them that deep bond of sisterhood, we have long celebrated for over 29 plus years now.

This "Wish Card" I see as a desire card. It's about thriving, self-value, wisdom, knowledge, talent and the gift of being a woman. It is what Regena Thomashauer (Mama Gena) talks about.

" A desire is the interface between you and that which is greater than you. "

Three practices the foster and nurture this desire are:

1. Brag
2. Gratitude
3. Desire

• Brag is not to be boastful, but truing up to what is and acknowledging what you created.
• Gratitude is being grateful and this is what brings happiness.
• Desire is what gives connection to the Divine, the goddess within and it is what grounds us to the inspirational qualities that we possess as women.

Here is my brag. I brag that I have created an independent life for myself, and pursued my artistic goals.

I am so grateful for the family, and my soul sisters that have endlessly supported me, and continue to help me be the person I am.

My desire is to continue to live a deeply creative life, and that we have another 29 years  of our women's weekends!.

What is your brag, gratitude and desire?