Eight of Wands - Spiritual Creative Growth

Change, movement and travel are all represented in the Eight of Wands. Travel in this case relates to seeing through the conflict that stimulates the imagination, bringing spiritual creative growth.

Wands generally represent creative growth, energy and action. In this card there is now positive change after anxiety and struggle. All I can say is, what a relief!

This card that I've drawn today, is a precise reflection of the emotional roller coaster I've been traveling on, albeit a small one, relatively speaking. After two weeks of anxiety and struggle, the change that I'd hoped and prayed for has arrived, and I think I've passed this spiritual test. I know there will always be more spiritual tests to come and I'm okay with that, dare I say I welcome it. I happen to love real roller coasters but not the emotional kind. I've had enough of those in my life.

Today I was feeling like I was at my weakest and strongest point, and I let myself have a little cry. This brings to mind what Jean Vanier refers to as, " in weakness strength."  After I decided to take action, things began to fall in place, because as I've said many times, action is the antidote to worry. My doubt and fear were dispelled and the answers I sought provided clarity. I was able to find the strength to reach out, which is difficult for me, but it's made all the difference. I was shown great kindness and I am very, very grateful.

Life is full of personal conflict and struggle. It appears to be necessary if we are to experience the beauty of spiritual creative growth.

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.

Nine of Swords - Antidote To Worry

I spent yesterday from early morning until late at night in town running around having various appointments. In between my numerous errands I made a conscious decision to slow down. I took a break with coffee, a doughnut and visited with a few good friends to talk.

My mind over the past week and a half had been filled with worrisome thoughts and I finally concluded that I could no longer continue on like this, as it was simply creating more anxiety and worry. I needed to get myself in gear and do something proactive to address the issues I was worrying about, and so I did. I feel so much better now. Drawing this card was full of synchronicity in meaning for me today.


The Nine of Swords sure looks like it's game over for this poor sop, with those Furies, the creatures  overhead, that pursue and threaten him with swords. It is the card of the nightmare. The initial impression one might have, would be impending death and destruction, signifying the end of life as we know it. We are likely to be inclined to react with the emotion of overwhelming anxiety and fear of what awaits us in the future.

However, Swords are the suit that represents the intellect, not emotion. Swords cut through muddled thought, in spite of our head being filled with worried thoughts, causing us to loose sleep at night, resulting in more stress, fear and anxiety that affects our mind, body and spirit. Action is the best antidote to our mental malaise. Yes life can hand out some real shit sandwiches, but the good news is we don't have to eat them!

Nine of Swords Vs 21 Years of Recovery

I really don't like seeing on the Nine of Swords the menacing wrath of these Furies toward Orestes, with their threatening presence.
Considering however today, January 2nd, 2015, being my 21 year A.A. anniversary of contented sobriety, it really gave me pause to reflect on my days before sobriety. I was like Orestes, tormented, often full of great fear and anxiety with feelings of impending doom, that did not necessarily manifest itself,  nonetheless it was both frightening and painful. The fear of destruction caused me to have all kinds of free floating anxiety and fantasy at times. I felt pursued by guilt and shame, which I thought would no doubt end in a terrible future, even if these fears where not based on reality. Of this however, I am quite convinced; had  I continued to drink, these fears would have eventually become self-fulling prophecies.

I thank God I came to understand the reason for my fear and guilt, which provided insight once I got sober through the 12 Step Fellowship.

I can not say I am completely free from worry, or never feel moments of fear and anxiety, but so does everyone. The difference today is, I no longer have to, nor choose to pick up a drink to cope. Today my antidote to worry is action and prayer.
Reality suits me just fine, no matter what happens in life today, and for that I am very grateful.