Predestination VS Empowerment - The Wheel of Fortune

Random or predestination is not something I don't believe in. Fate or chance is not the way I see things pertaining to my life. I am of the opinion that we make our own 'destiny ' in that I alone control what I choose to do with my life, and I make my own decisions.

We've all heard the old adages and cliches about destiny, but for me it is more helpful for me to concentrate on living in the present, understanding what I can or cannot control. Having a grateful attitude I can move forward and be happy. I can change and empower myself, so I am prepared for the what life has in store.

The Wheel of Fortune is the card I drew today. It makes me reflect on life, and how we all sometimes feel tossed on the sometimes calm or stormy seas. We wonder, " How the heck did I get here?, and where are we going to end up? There really is no firm or known answer to this question, but we can try to prepare ourselves, as best we can, not allowing fear of the future, or worry about the past  just prevents us from living life fully, in the present. This does not mean  I have no thought or concern for either the past or present, but I need to see it in a balance perspective, learning from the past, and being positive about the future, to enable constructive change and empowerment.

My hope, and prayer is that the decisions I make, and what I decide to do with my life, is and will be, in sync with what the God of my understanding knows what my future holds, and what changes lie ahead, whether these be 'good' or 'bad'.

 Regardless of which way the Wheel of Fortune turns, I want, and need to believe that it will bring growth. and a new phase in my life.

*I have an addendum to this post, as I started it yesterday and I didn't get to finish it. I had to go to town pay make a partial mortgage payment. I could not afford to  the whole remaining amount left, $297. Little did I know what was waiting for me. One of the loans officers saw me in line and we exchanged greetings, then disappeared. She came back out and showed me a note that she had written, and told me this is what was the remaining balance owing on my mortgage. It was 179$! I just about passed out, I stood there stunned not daring to think of the immediate possibility of actually being able to pay off my mortgage right there and then! I finally got up to the teller and showed her the note. She double checked it and everything was in order. I knew I had a share of what I thought was approximately $150 as I am a member of this local Credit Union. My immediate thought was to withdraw that and put to toward my remaining payment. The teller then informed me it was actually $240! Holy Magoly. So, I applied this to the $179 and withdrew the rest and closed that mortgage account! I was stunned with the realization that this had happened and I no longer had a mortgage! Free at last, free at last! Good God Almighty, free at last!

What a feeling! Talk about the Wheel of Fortune, and feeling empowered! I ran off to the grocery store got myself a good order of grub, even picked up a whole chicken,  and a whole flat of eggs, which I have been able to do for a long time!

After paying at the counter in the grocery store, which is a little mum and pop place with great deals, I had two boxes to carry out to the car, and a lovely young gentleman who didn't work there, offered to help me carry out the boxes. What a lovely day. The Wheel of Fortune turned for me the right way yesterday and I am so grateful for the big and the little blessings. The best Christmas present ever! I am more than ready for growth and that new phase of life!

This is my house in the middle, my little piece of Paradise.

There's A Skinny Naked Man In The Wood Pile! - Six of Pentacles

 I worked hard for four hours hauling in my Winter wood into the garage and stacked one cord out of the four I ordered. Friday the next half cord load arrives. That is if the weather holds as we are supposed to get a big dump of snow. Fortunately it was + 16 degrees out today and so I was even working in my bare arms at the end of November.

After my day of " woodin' ", I was late getting my card drawn, which is appropriately the Six of Pentacles. This is a card of harmony and benevolence. I'm sure my body won't feel so harmonious tomorrow after my physical labour, but I am not complaining. If it had not been for the kindness and generousity of the elder gentleman I got my wood from, I'd no doubt had no wood at all for the Winter, because wood is getting hard to come by as the logging companies are taking all the wood directly to the mill.

The fellow I got the wood from gave me a good price, and let me make payments over a period of time. People like this man, restores your faith in people, your trust in life is renewed, giving you the belief that we can count of the bounty of life sometimes, which is not always unkind. This often comes when we most are in need.

The Six of Pentacles augers a renewal of faith, trust in life and in one's capabilities. There is the promise of a kind of restoration of having faith in life, and in one's ability to get things done, somehow ,when you don't know how you will manage.

In the middle of my woodin' I took a break, and checked me email. I got the most wonderfully touching heart felt note from an artist friend in response to a post I had written on my about how the blues made me happy. She had such words of encouragement, and kindness, that strengthened me, and lifted my spirits so much. I am very grateful for her friendship, though we have never met face to face. She is a very talented artist, but more importantly a very special woman who knows the meaning of benevolence and how important it is to reach out to another human being.

Sometimes I wished I had a man to help me do these kinds of chores, like bringing my wood in, but it makes me feel good that I can get the work done and be independent. Who needs a skinny naked man in a woodpile anyway, not me!

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.

Carp Diem! - Ace of Wands

 I always love to see the Ace of Wands come up in the Tarot. New beginnings and inspiration, with the force of the creative imagination bursting and busting out! A very positive card that urges us to Carp Diem, seize the day and grab hold of your creative ideas and apply them in pursuit of a vision!

Well in spite of this affirming card I have to admit I can be one of the worst procrastinators when it comes to seizing the day, and getting certain things done resulting in restlessness and dissatisfaction. I have over the years, worked hard trying to change my proclivity to procrastination.  Frankly, I see it as being familiar to the disease of alcoholism, in many ways.

I once was told by a fellow 12 Step member, procrastination is like masturbation, because the only person you screw is yourself! True, but there are others who can be greatly affected by our own individual procrastination, whether we are aware of it or not. Creditors, family members, friends, employers, to name a few, all can be causalities, and on the front lines of our private war with procrastination. Most of all we disappoint and hurt ourselves.

The best way I have found to cope with, if not overcome procrastination, is in the same way I learned to cope with my own addiction. Seek help, reach out, and take it one day at a time. Applying the 12 Steps to life can work for everyone I believe, regardless of their struggle. There is always hope for the hopeless, living one day at a time.

How Loss and Difficulty Can Inspire You To Change - Five of Pentacles

 Having a financial or material loss can effect your self-confidence, and the faith you have in yourself. Often those who have fallen on hard times, are often blamed for their own misfortune. We may also blame ourselves or someone else for difficulties and loss.

We live in a world that judges others by what they have, or do not have, by what they have done or what they have not done. It is easy to sit in judgement of another, but it is neither fair nor helpful regardless of the situation. Of course we have a right to our own opinion, but it doesn't mean we are in a position to judge without mercy.

 Not many would be have empathy for Daedalus, who has had to forfeit his success, and lost his position because of his unscrupulous character, but he has murdered his own nephew out of jealousy, in order to hang on to his status. Daedalus has been forced to let go, and has hit rock bottom, which will hopefully result in some kind of inner transformation.

Definitely an act of murderous treachery and betrayal and would be punishable by death in another time and place.
I believe retribution, and vengeance are not mine and I am grateful that the God of my understanding, is a God of mercy.

The Five of Pentacles message is a warning to not get caught up in the trap of superficial material gain to define our self-worth, as we are are sure to experience loss and difficulty. We will hit bottom sooner or later, especially if we don't develop a solid inner center within ourselves, where higher ideals are reflected  and manifested in our character.

Anton Bastrykin- Angel of Mercy

Why Imperfection Beats Perfection

The High Priestess (Persephone) visited once again today via my daily draw. She was exactly the confirmation, and affirmation I was hoping for, but not necessarily expecting, especially today. I hadn't exactly given up just feeling a little discouraged, but I had just let it go.

I think the message here for me, is to have faith, more faith than what I have, in those things seen, unseen and mysterious.

I have to say it is a good feeling to be at a place in your life where you feel things are finally starting to turn around. This is not without hard work, dedication and faith in myself, in others, and in the God of my own understanding.

Life certainly is never going to be perfect, but it is perfect in it's imperfection, and for that I am very grateful, and happy. The imperfection of life and of human beings is what makes the journey of life a deeply spiritual one, and I am always learning. The idea of perfection is so imperfect.

How To Take Control of Your Red Shoes - The Devil

I don't believe I've ever drawn the Devil card in my daily draw. This card represents the passionate side of the individual, from which we can experience growth if we recognize and accept this aspect of ourselves. Pan also plays the truth on his pipe, and the scene takes place in the depths of the unseen unconscious. The dancing figures represent the fears we have in facing the truth, and how we can often lie to ourselves.

What we think we want, is often not what will truly bring happiness, and we become addicted to what is outside of ourselves, trying to fill that hole in the soul,  instead of finding happiness, and fulfillment from within.

This card reminds me of Hans Christian Andersen's story, about the Red Shoes.
The young girl becomes completely enamored and then obsessed by her red shoes which causes her to continually dance, and this leads to dreadful torment, and suffering.

The Red Shoes - Catherine Meyers