Five of Swords - Dude, Don't Be Tellin' Me What To Do!

As much as I do greatly appreciate the historical and cultural value of my Mythic Tarot deck, some of these Greek gods not only have attitudes, they can bring out the attitude in me, knowing I have 'issues' with authority. Many of these Greek gods remind me of what John Bradshaw would call 'undisciplined disciplinarians. I think most of us have had experiences with these authority types, especially in school.

I love being my own boss, as an artist, and a Tarot reader, as it gives me freedom, to have the option to choose. You may have a certain amount of freedom working for someone else, but generally you do what you are told, or you risk getting the old sack-eroo, the heave-ho, the boot! YOU'RE FIRED!

It is easy for many of us to feel intimidated by, or maybe resentful toward authority. We can either respond,  react passively or aggressively. Many of us grow up in families were we don't learn how to resolve conflict. The fight or flight reaction is often the usual behaviour pattern we are accustom too. Assertiveness is not in our vocabulary, and we don't really know what it means. Either we are afraid to stand up for ourselves, or we might become verbally aggressive or abusive, even lash out with fisticuffs, as my father use to call it. He was good at fisticuffs!

Here we see Orestes, his body language is in a physical position of powerlessness, small and seated on the ground. He is being told in no uncertain terms by the towering Apollo, that he is obligated to avenge his father's death. Orestes dreads what he must do, though every part of his being wishes he could change his fate. The balance of power is not balanced at all in Orestes's favour.

Obligation has no redeeming qualities in my opinion. Choice rarely if ever, comes into the equation. It means we do things because we are being forced in one way or another. Having the will and want to do something is an entirely different situation. The old proverb or adage 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar' comes to mind.

I always used to get my underwear in a big knot when I'd hear the word obedience, because I equated it with obligation. There was always going to be someone telling me, trying to guilt me into what I should or shouldn't do. Obedience had nothing to do with wanting to, or the willingness to, behave a certain way.

Today, understanding, and knowing the distinction between these two words, has made all the difference,  enabling me to strengthen my relationship with the God of my understanding, who is not the merciless authority and the balance of power has been shifted. It has allowed me to better accept, and to understand my own limitations and capacities.

Wheel of Fortune - Change - I Want No Refund On My Misery

Life is hard, and a person has to be resilient. The one certain thing that never changes in life, is change. We are either moving forward or backward in our personal growth, we never are standing still. Our situation, behaviour, and lives are always changing, sometimes for the good, or not. Life is easier if I can find a way to accept, adapt and even welcome change.

The events that take place in life can feel very unfair, lucky, charmed, or just plain ruined, due to choices made, or circumstances that are beyond our control, and often, we are left with many questions, as to why this or that has happened, and wondering what the heck is going on, and what it all means.

In the Mythic Wheel of Fortune, this Major Arcana card speaks directly to this. The three women, the Moirai, are standing at the womb, and the tomb. These women represent the lunar phases, crescent, full, and dark, also symbolize the three stages of life, youth, middle and old age. They are performing different tasks relating to our lives, past, present and future.

Whatever happens in life, we can choose to believe that there is an orderly plan behind it all. If we choose to believe that these random events are not related to the idea of the 'Other' within our own psyche, it is difficult to make any sense of life, and can leave one feeling hopeless, and possibly bitter, looking for someone to blame. Regardless, the Wheel of Fortune heralds our inner journey, that brings growth, and creative change. There is a new phase in life, when we can create our own destiny, and a living a life we love.

My philosophy of life is to strive to be honest with myself, and with others, to keep an open mind, and to have a willingness to be willing. This approach enables me to feel confident in what the Moirai on the Wheel of Fortune have in store for me. If I change my mind, I am certain my misery will be refunded.

How To Take Control of Your Inner Fool - The Fool

The Fool is a lovely card to draw today, considering the pending oncoming Winter, which is not at all my favourite time of year.

 I'm not so sure I want to take control of my inner Fool unless it is controlling impulsiveness and naivety. But then again the Fool would not be, if these characteristics were absent. I am not so impulsive as the Fool, which is directly related to my age I'm sure, but I still love to be spontaneous, optimistic with an open heart, which I think helps to keep your inner Fool alive helps to keep you young at heart and to grow old gracefully.

 The Fool's message to me is one of hope, excitement, having a forward looking attitude with optimism and an open heart, as the Fool is the carefree traveler embarking on the beginning of life's journey. The Fool doesn't know what lies ahead, but has the right attitude, is prepared as much as he can be, with his tools of life, carried in the satchel over his shoulder, and his canine companion following close by his side, or the eagle watching out for him as he begins his journey


Spending a lot of my life by myself, animals have always been my great comfort, and are wonderful companions. So it is fitting that the Fool would have his little dog, as seen in the Rider Waite Smith deck or the eagle, who is closest to the gods, watching over his journey. They are his close and loyal friends.


So the puss cats and I, are ready as we can be for the coming Winter with our life tools. We are beginning to hunker down, sticking closer to home near the fire, grateful for the load of wood in the garage, that will keep Jack Frost at bay. Problem is, like the Fool who is full of potential, but it is not applied as of yet, I am reminded I have to get four cord of wood into my garage before the snow comes!


The tools of life that we carry are so important on our daily walk through life. I have tools of life, but I have to be sure to use them, if they are to work for me. My tools have to be honesty, open mindedness, and a willingness to be at least willing to do the work it takes to live my life to the fullest. Trust, prayer, and  perseverance are also tools I must use in order to guard against and to take control of the negative aspects of my inner Fool.

Two of Pentacles - How Juggling Made Me Feel Balanced

 The Two of Pentacles is about juggling and keeping things balanced, without loosing site of other areas in your life. This requires learning to find ways to reduce your stress, learning how to relax, and to not take on more than you can handle. There is really nothing easy about this, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes, and it eventually gets to be a habit.

Many years ago, I went to study Mime, ( Commedia dell’arte) where among other skills, I took up juggling.
It really became a discipline, a skill I could adapt to my life, as a reminder, to take one day one, one step at a time, and to breath. Juggling requires that you master one task time, before you move on to the next. You have to learn to breath, especially diaphragmatic breathing, which helps you to relax, which is necessary to directly effect your ability to concentrate.

Juggling helped me when I was feeling overwhelmed. It taught me to put first things first, and to break things down in order to lessen my stress, and it helped me to not take on too many things at once. The physical, and psychological benefits enabled me to gain control of my ability to relax, through my breathing, and I could concentrate on the task at had, and go from there, doing what I needed to do next.

Like all of the Twos of the Minor Arcana, our drive for material goals must be grounded and channeled, if we are to master the skills required to achieve our objectives via the flow of creative energy.
We must be flexible, and willing to do whatever is necessary to receive the reward for our efforts made.


Juggling is a truly portable workout.
It makes you smarter.
It sharpens focus & concentration.
Juggling is the ultimate in stress relief.
It’s an exercise that doesn’t ‘feel’ like exercise.
You can juggle where you are, no travel required!
Juggling maintains and increases range of motion in the arms and shoulders.
It is one of the best ways to improve coordination.
Juggling is beneficial for all age groups and body types.
Helps ward off cravings.
Juggling makes exercising with family and friends easy.

Death - How Death Can Save Your Life

I drew the Death card this morning, and I was glad, because in spite of it's dark foreboding appearance, and looking like Darth Vader, it is an affirming card, that reminds me to be willing to accept change as being a huge part of life, a card representing acceptance of change, transition or transformation, so that rebirth can occur. The little folk beneath, seem welcoming, one even offers a flower, and they are not running away.

Change is not a walk in the park, as there are always varying degrees of trepidation, and some real anxiety when things happen, as we can feel everything is out of control. With acceptance, making the decision to let go, realizing I am not in control, along with the choices I make, this is what can alter my life for the better.

My whole attitude, and outlook changed twenty years ago, after I chose to live a sober life, and I have been in transition ever since. Letting go of the old self, is a kind of death, because of this willingness to change, letting go of the old life, and embracing my new life, that was what saved me from a dead end road. You don't have to be physically dead, to not be fully alive.

There is much to be learned through this card, and through actual physical death, which contemporary society keeps at arms length. Death has much to teach us about life and it can even save our lives.

The Wheel of Fortune - Change

 Ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, change is the topic of the day, which was confirmed for me by The Wheel of Fortune, the card I drew this morning.

 We all wish and hope for positive change, however it comes in all forms, be it positive or negative. Depending on how we embrace change, and our attitude determines the outcome. We choose to either react or respond, depending on how we feel or perceive this change.

I am not one to believe in luck or superstition, but I do believe in synchronicity, and that things develop and unfold the way they are meant to, as a matter of faith. The Wheel of Fortune works within the mysterious workings of the unconscious, and the intelligent movement of the hidden Self, bringing a new phases in life.

I definitely am feeling I have reached a new phase as of late. I pray that I can be ready, open to, and embrace change with willingness, and responsibility.

    " The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not of fighting the old, but on building on the new. "
                                                                                                   - Socrates


I found this just now, a quote from Joseph Campbell, and thought it was very appropriate for this post on the Wheel of Fortune on the topic of change.

“We must be willing to get rid of
the life we’ve planned, so as to have
the life that is waiting for us.
The old skin has to be shed
before the new one can come.

If we fix on the old, we get stuck.
When we hang onto any form,
we are in danger of putrefaction.
Hell is life drying up.”

Excerpt from A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living

Nine of Wands - Reserve Strength

It might be hard to choose one particular card from the Tarot deck, I do have my favourites but I can honestly say I am very fond of the suit of Wands, particularly because they signify expression of spirit which I think suits my personality. Action, energy, ideas and growth are all attributes that all artists need, which I certainly identify with all of these and I aspire to these traits.

Like the Nine of Wands who faces many challenges, we can be in a constant state of worry because of the many challenges and storms, that arise, but we are resolute and overcome, by drawing on a  reserved strength, that we may be unaware of possessing.

 This card is a good affirmation at present, as I have much creative work ahead . I am feeling bolstered to reach my creative goal through the power of imagination, and creative spirit, which the Nine of Wands portrays.

 Many of us work better under pressure. I can't say I am really one of those individuals, because I don't like the stress. However it is often mysteriously wonderful when we are under deadlines, and are under pressure ; somehow we can pull out all the stops and meet the challenge, the arises from our need and willingness.

Having resolute courage means to face opposing forces. This requires faith, strength and a determination in spite of the odds.

Having courage does not mean that we aren't afraid, but we forge ahead regardless and we meet our fear face on.