Six of Pentacles - Let The Mothers Step Up

 

Being Mother's Day, the Six of Pentacles is a very appropriate card to draw today. This card symbolizes generousity, harmony, and renewal of faith.

These ideals and qualities are imparted to us by the models and mentors in our lives, in particular our mothers, if they step up to the challenge. They can be powerfully influential, helping us to grow personally and in turn we generously pass this on through our own example in kindness and compassion toward others.We learn to give unconditionally and are rewarded with a deep sense of harmony and peace within ourselves, and hopefully within our world.

Six of Pentacles - A Happy Harmonious Day!

The Six of Pentacles is a card of harmony, renewal, a restoration of faith and today, for me it is a card of synchronicity that I've drawn this morning.

 The image seen depicts Daedalus on his knees in front of King Minos of Crete, who presents Daedalus with six golden coins, and is given recognition by the King, who has kept his word, and followed through accordingly with his generousity, sharing his money, and rewards Daedalus after having completed a job well done.

In this life we are not always rewarded for good behaviour. We are often punished for doing good things. Many are rewarded for behaving real bad, like certain politicians I can think of right now...starts with a T ends with a P ;) On the other hand is a heartening thing when we see those who do good,  are rewarded and to see that there is justice in the world.

The online virtual world can be a wonderful way to connect with people almost instantly, and there are many advantages. However there can also be many draw backs. Much of the time you don't always know who you are connecting with, especially when it comes to doing business, because sometimes people don't keep their word, are unkind and even cruel. It can be disheartening, disillusioning and can leave you feeling rather hopeless and cynical about the human condition..

  It's a real good thing to be hopeful toward others and especially with those whom you to do business. It's essential have faith in your own capacities, but it is also essential to have a discerning and wise perspective.

I'm happy to report my faith in humanity and life has been restored today. I have a renewed faith in my own capacity as an artist.
It's a happy harmonious day!

Six of Pentacles - What's Your Code of Ethics?

This is a card of generosity, harmony and faith. When I ask myself what it means to me, it is generousity of spirit, and of heart, with great compassion. Sounds simple enough, but often difficult, for a number of reasons.

I've long had the opinion that human beings can make a religion out of any thing,  and it can have nothing to do with spirit, heart or compassion.

There have been many posts on social media in response and reaction to the massacre in Paris, many very positive and some negative. The most positive I saw today is at the heart of this spirit of compassion and  relates directly to having a code of ethics, and I think these are very wise words to live by, regardless of your religion. It is my belief you can't have religion without a code of ethics that aspires to a greater good, and promotes true peace.

 

1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.
2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth – whether it be people or plant.
7. Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not for us, it is a part of us. They are part of your worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.
15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self, all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self, all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
17. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
18. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others, especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.
19. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
20. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
21. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.

" A man's true wealth is the good he does in this world "

                                        - Mohammad

Six of Pentacles - The Sparrows Don't Worry They Sing

This is the perfect card for me to have drawn today, as it reminds me to be grateful for all that I have, and to focus on the blessings and mercies that have been so freely given to me. The more of a gratitude list I have, the more harmony and happiness I can draw into my heart, and into my life, even when things get rough. It is especially during these lean times, I am reminded to have courage, faith and trust  to know that if the little sparrows don't worry about what they are going to wear or eat, and they are loved and cared for, surely I can do the same, as the sparrows don't worry, they sing, and I'd much rather sing than worry.

Sparrows Don't Worry They Sing

The Magician - The Tool Man

The Magician has a load of tools at his disposal, as we all do. It is up to each individual to decide to how and when to use them. It is a balancing act to maintain these tools in my life if I expect to live life in a harmonious way.

Prayer, trust, and persistence I would say are the three tools I have to use on a regular basis. These can all be problematic for me at different times, but I'd have to say the one I struggle with the most is persistence in particular areas of my life. Especially when it comes to physical exercise. I know it is what ties the mind and spirit together, much like the three legged stool, you can not have one without the other. This has caused me to really dig into the reasons why and how our physical selves is perhaps the most important leg of this stool for me.

Being an all or nothing type of person this can directly affect my sense of balance, when it comes to my level of physical fitness, and I know I am not alone in this struggle.

Within the last year I have been reading and re-reading now, my very own copy of a book that was given to me by my good friend, entitled The Heroine's Journey  written by Jungian Maureen Murdock. She has written about this very thing, regarding a woman's reclaiming the sacredness her body, and her instinctual body wisdom, that is such an important issue for so many women, and without understanding, it results in a lack of care and concern for the physical self, the body/spirit split, and the ignoring of her body, discrediting her intuition in favour of her mind.

I perceive the Mythic High Priestess as a counter part of the Magician, in that I see them both symbolizing the reunification of, and connection between, the masculine/feminine nature, and the earthly/spiritual realm. The Magician is about blending earthly passions, spiritual clarity, and is The Fool's guide. The High Priestess is also our spiritual guide, connects us to the mysterious inner world or the unconscious, through wisdom and discernment, revealing the secret to our real purpose and how to get there.

Six of Pentacles - What A Wonderful World

Such a lovely card to draw on this beautiful Spring day. I am feeling all is right with the world. I know this might be seem to some as a naive outlook. I am not a Pollyanna, and I honestly don't always feel this way, but I do hold tightly to the belief that our perceptions define our reality, and so I choose to see things in a positive light, much the way children do with innocence, joy, and purity of heart.

Yesterday I spent the day with the two children I mind, who have become such a light, and help me to live in appreciation of the unconditional generousity of the present moment available to me, if I choose to accept and give it to myself, and to others.

The Six of Pentacles is the card of generousity and harmony. The giver of the gift is what is essential to generousity, not the gift of the giver. Some days we are the prince, and other days, the pauper.
  This kind of generousity gives one the sense, that harmony is truly possible within the world, regardless if you are the giver or recipient of the gift, because it is given in the spirit of unconditional love.

I am also reminded of the love that the Creator has for us. It is given freely and unconditionally, not in spite of who and what we are, but because of who and what we are. If we could all aspire to live this way, what a wonderful world it truly would be.

Page of Cups - Love Vs Ego

This Page gazes into the Golden Cup, seeing his mirror image. He is transfixed and enchanted by the beauty of his reflection. Seated on the bank of the river, he appears to be harmoniously surrounded by abundant, lush greenery, and flowers, with trees that look like they are embracing and drinking in the water, representing the spiritual realm.

Cups are connected to emotions, relationships, friendships and romance.
The Page of Cups is living in what looks like Paradise, but he does not take notice, as he is completely absorbed in looking at his own image in the cup. This Page is the young nymph Narcissus, who has fallen in love with his own reflection. He has been unaware of his own identity until now.

Trees for me, always symbolize friendship, and like the trees the roots of friendship run deep, and are all connected deep within the earth. Humans have a direct relationship with nature, which transcends into a spiritual relationship, as we are all part of the earth. It is impossible to separate ourselves from this fact, though in today's world, there exists a big disconnect, as we humans see ourselves as superior to nature. We some how believe that our primary purpose is to use, abuse, and exploit the natural world, and the good earth in whatever ways that are expedient to us.

The Page of Cups embodies the gentle beginnings of self-love, as opposed to the vain love that Narcissus represents. It is true, we are not able to love another, nor fully participate in a loving relationship, if we cannot love and accept who we are. The other extreme is about our egos being so self-absorbed, thinking we are superior, which never allows for happiness, peace of mind, or living a life in harmony with nature, where we are caring for and being good stewards of the world we live in.

The Chariot - Harmony After The Shit Storm Was A Brewin

On Sunday past we've had a monster shit snow storm here in Nova Scotia, and were without power for about 28 hours, which meant no internet either. Though, I did do my daily draws, and wrote about them in my journal, I haven't been able to post anything, trying to get myself in gear with a big snow hangover.

This morning my good neighbour, God bless his big heart, came down totally unexpectedly with his big honkin' green and yellow chariot with a big front loader bucket, and plowed me out from under mounds and mounds of white stuff. I couldn't see out of my studio windows with the eight foot drifts piled up against the house. It was a doozy of a blizzard with gusting 100 kms winds lasting over 24 hours and into the next day. Lots of folks still haven't any power and some of the roads are still closed in the county, and in the Maritime provinces.

When you go without power in a Winter blizzard, for a length of time, you need to find a way to pace yourself, as the time seems to drag and you get impatient. Not unlike the driver of the Chariot, there is a struggle between the push and pull of opposing forces.On one hand you're stressed and upset, simultaneously you trying to keep calm.

Having a focus when we are faced with a difficult challenge is important, otherwise you'd go a little doolally, and I've had my moments, believe me, but living in the country most folks are prepared to fight the elements, much like Ares, the god of war, but here neighbours do help one another, which I am so grateful for.

Ares has two buddies, Fear (Deimos) and Terror (Phobos). With friends like these, who needs enemies right? Like Ares, some find the strength to challenge the enemies in the storms in life, and this can be a good thing, as long as it doesn't get destructive, because of extreme aggression.

Aphrodite and Ares had a love affair, and each god represents the two emotional spectrums of love and strife. From their relationship a child was born-Harmonia, whose name implies a balance between these two spectrums.

Just as I was about to finish today's post, the internet went down, again, for about two hours.  If I had use of my phone I would have given my internet provider a blast. The Chariot's good message is about gaining control of aggressive instincts, and to move from the immaturity of adolescence into adult maturity, and to know that the best approach to take when dealing with conflict and struggle is with harmony. These challenges can make for a stronger personality, regardless if I am feeling like my underwear is in a knot.

I'll remember and reflect on this post, next time I am facing another shit storm!
In the mean time, Chariot has special meaning to me this morning! It's so wonderful to be able to see out my studio windows, with a clear driveway! I am feeling most harmonious, and even grown up!

Yeii Spirit

Six of Swords - Harmony - Yeii Spirit

The Six of Swords is not a happy card, but harmonious, signifying an acceptance of limitations, and what can and can't be done.  I see myself as I am.
This harmony comes from a tranquil mind, not necessarily a tranquil heart. I now have insight and understanding of how the pattern of life works and can move forward.

This card describes exactly the way I am feeling presently. I know why I am on this road, how I got here, and am beginning to know what it means, which allows for change. We all ask those life questions. Who am I, where am I going , and how much is it going to cost? Just kidding about that last bit.

No one ever completely figures out what it all means. The fun is in the trying. It's the journey that's important, not the destination.


Though the Six of Swords is not a 'happy' card,  it is one of harmony, that gives a sense of dignity and self respect.

The question of the heart, well that's a different story, but my heart is open today, if not completely tranquil. That works for me right now, one day at a time.

Yeii Spirit- Catherine Meyers

Two of Pentacles - Finding Balance and Harmony

Two of Wands yesterday, and Two of Pentacles today.

The Two of Pentacles speaks to me of balance, which is often one of the most difficult life lessons to learn, in a world of excess, especially during the holidays. Many get more than they could ever possibly need, to eat, drink, and on top of then having the consequences of going into debt for one day of the year. But I don't want to get onto a tangent about that.

What I am more concerned with is how I find a daily balance and harmony in my life, with my mind, body, and spirit year round. First I have to be grounded, and I do this through prayer and journaling long hand, which is a kind of prayer and meditation. I need to work on finding ways to relax especially through exercise. I also need to strive to have healthy stress in my life, instead of the kind that makes you want to pull you hair out or maybe pull someone else's hair out.

 I had a incident yesterday involving a very negative individual, that carried on into today, a person I hardly know, who seemed intent on fighting with me online. I refrained, and made it clear I was not going to argue, after all it is Christmas, and who needs that? I don't! I had enough of that in my life. If I obsess about these kinds of issues I simple breath life into the situation and I perpetuate my own stress.
Balance for me it is about getting my priorities right. First, and foremost, I need to take care of myself emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I need to set my boundaries, be clear about what is acceptable to me, what isn't, and act on that.

How I can find balance in my own life with the New Year 2015 on the near horizon.  I'm not one to make New Year's resolution as it is my opinion most of these that people make don't usually come to fruition. The old adage comes to mind;' The road to hell is paved with good intentions. '
For me balance is found in the everyday things I choose to do and need to do in order to develop good habits that will help me to take good care of myself. Oh I know what it is I need to do, question is, I have to ask myself, do I really want to do it, and how how important is it? What I want, needs to match up with what I do in my daily life. This is what I am going to strive for in the 2015.


I would very much like to know how others find balance and harmony in their lives.

Cactus and Mother Earth - Catherine Meyers

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!

Three of Cups - The Blue Bird of Happiness

Initial completion is what in all of the Threes of every suit represents. The Three of Cups augers the first part of the journey that heralds promise, and emotional fulfillment, love and happiness. Eros the god of love, is close behind Psyche's groom, whom she can not see. Psyche is in her bridal gown, and the nymphs holding the cups toward the couple in happy and joyous celebration.

It is a revelation of life to find out what we naively thought would make us happy once upon a time, changes as we age. When I was a girl of about 11 or 12, I was certain having breasts was going to make me happy. I dreamt of  wearing long necklaces draped over my bosom, I would be twenty, and  be a happy adult, as opposed to being an unhappy powerless kid. Wow, if it had been that easy I would be well happy by now!

I also believed if I could have a horse I would be happy, and I wanted to have a "normal " family. Neither of these things happened, however along with my ideas of happiness my dreams also changed, and this was a good thing.

I dislike that word normal. Normal does not mean happy, and happiness has nothing to do with normality. Frankly, I am not even sure what normalcy is. I know what happiness is for me. Happiness is sometimes an elusive thing, and certainly is different for everyone. Mostly I think it is living and appreciating the moment, and being grateful. Living in the past, or projecting into the future, is not where we find happiness. I now can take responsibility for my happiness, and that feels real good. This a great big life changing lesson, because it is based on reality, not on chasing castles in the sky, and not on having pipe dreams, or searching and expecting someone or something else other than ourselves to bring us happiness. It just ain't gonna happen!

The message of the Three of Cups is, to remember that, our initial feelings of joy and bliss are always changing along the path. The journey is not finished, and hard work lies ahead, but we can fully enjoy happiness in all it's human and divine promise, now.

Temperance - Finding Our Center

Before my recovery in the 12 step program temperance was not something I knew how to practice, no matter how I tried, I was always going to extremes. I lived with an all or nothing attitude and behaviour.

Here we meet the beautiful angel Iris in the Major Arcana card of Temperance, linked to the Zodiac sign of Sagittarius. Temperance represents the mixing of elements within ourselves and our relationships.

The card indicates good health in a holistic and balanced manner, that promotes moderation, and control in the way we live life. Living our lives in harmony and cooperation improves our relationship with ourselves and with others.

Though Justice and Temperance appear as opposites, they are also complimentary. Iris is kind, loving and merciful. Athene (Justice) is reflective, rational, and in her judgement she fights for principles, over passion, holding her instincts in control, being fair and objective. Her thought is not based on her personal feelings, but an impartial, objective assessment.

Justice and Temperance can be seen as enemies that exist within us, and how they are manifested in the way we approach life. Perhaps we allow our heart to dominate, or we are ruled always by reason and intellect, when what we need, is to find our center, a balanced heart and approach; integrating abstract truth, with the heart.

Kabbalah Tree of Life - Pastel, Coloured Pencil - 2010 - Catherine Meyers

Six of Pentacles - Harmony

As you can see, the fellow sitting in the chair is about to generously give his coins away to the man at his feet.

The Sixth of Pentacles in the Minor Arcana, is a harmonious card of philanthropy, generosity and the renewal of faith in one's capacities.

There is reward to be found in the giving of oneself. Benevolence toward another, and toward ourselves restores and renews our faith in the human race, and we are given a belief in who we are, and in our ability. We can be given a hand up when someone demonstrates kindness, and generosity. They believe in us, and we then can begin to believe in ourselves. We need not only to be charitable to others, but to ourselves as well.

 Often we are more ready to always give to others, and forget about taking care of our own needs. It's all about balance and being respectful toward everyone, including ourselves. We can't give away what we don't have.

We can happily accept generosity, but it is essential that we do not take advantage, thinking that we can now relax, sit on our laurels, and do nothing. We need to continue to do our part, and work hard at what it is we can do, figure out and accept what we cannot do, in a way that demonstrates our own personal integrity. Never underestimate the value and importance of small kindnesses.

The slogan that says, by giving it away, you keep what you have, is a good philosophy. At the same time it does not mean that we can expect to be rewarded for our generosity, but we need to believe that things will work out, if we have faith, in spite of our losses and struggles. We discover we can give unconditionally, which makes us better people, we can be an example to others and change lives, including our own.

The Chariot - War, Battle, Conflict, Struggle

The card of the day for me, is The Chariot.  This card is symbolic of war, battle, conflict and struggle, which may seem initially to be a negative thing, but if we allow ourselves, this struggle and conflict can give us strength of character, and great personal transformation, depending on our attitude. I have found this to be very much  the case personally. I have witnessed this inner strength, and courage in others, who have been, and are warriors.
Although it is necessary to face these conflicts and contradictions within ourselves, and cannot be avoided,  I have never found this to be easy, but it is all part of growing up, even becoming and adult!.
Resentment and aggression  are luxuries I can  no longer afford. I stopped carrying around a little gunny sack full of grudges toward others. I have learned to forgive others and myself.

The Chariot is the seventh card among  the 22  Major Arcana. The astrological sign Cancer and the Moon are linked with this card of conflicting animal urges and the inner instincts that can threaten to run away with us, if we do not learn to live in balance and harmony. This does not mean that we should repress our feelings, otherwise we loose our personal power, and ability to not just survive in spite of ourselves, but to thrive because of our selves, in finding our way, traveling along on the road of life.
Harnessing and balancing human nature, being pulled in opposing directions; will and action, the two horses, one black, one white symbolize this struggle that takes place within the human psyche, as we make daily decisions in our lives.


Ares, the God of War, is seen in bronze helmet and bronze armor over a blood-red tunic as he drives his war chariot. He wears a shield at his hip, and at his side is a large spear. He holds the reins of two horses, one black and one white, as they pull in opposite directions before him. The landscape is reddish and desert-like as a storm approaches.

War Symbolism (Chariot, Armor, Shield, Spear, etc)

• chariot is a symbol of war or battle
• chariot is the image of the mastery and mobility of gods and heroes
• armor identifies a warrior
• spear is a symbol of war and struggle, aggression or hostility
• spear represents that which may cut, pierce or injure
• spear represents phallic power and potency in both men and women
• an environment of hostility, aggression and oppression
• an internal struggle
• retaliation for previous thoughts, words or actions
• the need to consciously deal with problems that are struggling at the unconscious level
• the need to fight for what’s right
• the process of disintegration and reintegration
• abolishing disorder and creating order out of chaos
• the spiritual battle between good and evil within man’s own nature

Black and White Horses

• Deimos (fear) and Phobos (terror) accompanied Ares on the battlefield
• the potential for both good and evil contained in the aggressive instinct
• white horse represents pure intellect while the black horse represents chaos
• black symbolizes lack of consciousness, descent into darkness, evil, corruption, ignorance while white represents innocence, purity, truth, perfection, redemption, illumination
• conflicting animal urges within man that are full of vitality yet unwilling to work together
• Metaphors/Proverbs:
  • “to know black from white” is to understand the difference between right and wrong
  • “to see everything as black and white” is to have limited vision, to see things only as true/false or right/wrong
  • “a horse of a different color” means additional information that causes a situation to be reconsidered or different
  • “don’t put the cart before the horse” means it’s important to do things in the right or natural order, and is also used to correct people who confuse cause and effect
  • “zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse” means that uninformed enthusiasm will only lead to disaster

Desert Landscape

• the lack of feeling and relatedness in which the aggressive impulses thrive
• that which is not fertile, is bleak or is abandoned
• that which lacks insight or spirit; hopelessness and pessimism

Ares

• god of war, he reveled in fighting and was in love with the heat and glory of battle so that he could unleash all his strength to challenge his foe
• because he was associated with bloodshed and conflict, he was disliked by Zeus and Athena because of his brute-strength and lack of refinement
• Aphrodite fell in love with him though, and together they had a daughter Harmonia, whose quality was the harmonious blending of love and strife
• the image of aggressive instincts guided and directed by the will of consciousness
• as fatherless god (he was born from Hera without male seed), he’s the image of the natural aggressive and competitive instincts of the body because he lacks the archetypal spiritual father who might provide him with vision and meaning
• this iron will and great courage are a necessary complement though to spiritual vision, which isn’t enough to survive in a competitive and difficult world
• the second of life’s greatest lessons – the creative harnessing of the violent, turbulent urges of the instinctual nature
• arriving at maturity – learning how to take the consequences of one’s actions as an adult and facing the anger and conflict one has invoked both internally and externally
• the need to deal with the warring opposites and war-like urges within
• lesson of how learning to contain and direct the aggressive drive fosters the development of the whole personality