Nine of Pentacles - The Success of Wrongs and Truths

The Nine of Pentacles portrays Daedalus who is pleased with himself and what he has been able to achieve He has a sense of self-sufficiency and accomplishment in his own eyes. But this card is more than a card of worldly achievement through material success.

With wisdom, knowledge and understanding comes the fruition of success, in the sense that I finally come to a place of self-acceptance. I know the wrongs, but there are also the truths. I'm grateful to find the luxury of spiritual treasures that accompany self-acceptance.

 When ever I find myself in judgment of another I have to remind myself I'm neither superior to anyone or less than. I must also remember there but for the grace of God go I when I find myself annoyed.

Choosing the right path means choosing a life of hope and faith, making something good and beautiful out of the clay of my life, like a good artisan who molds something beautiful.





  

  
Hope In A Hopeless World -
Published on 23 Jul 2014 - Eric Bibb

Baby born in New York City
wrapped in a blanket that's tattered an' worn
mother doin' the best she can
teachin' hope in a hopeless world

eldest son, he stayed in school
listened to his mother, didn't drink or use
yet, every job he wants he gets refused
it takes hope in a hopeless world

lookin' for hope in a hopeless world
searchin' for love in such hateful times
tryin' to stay strong when my mind gets weak
looking for hope in a hopeless world

on the corner stands a young girl
the home she left was from a better part of town
her daddy did things she couldn't talk about
is there hope in a hopeless world?

ya got a quarter for the homeless man?
spare some change for the soldiers
who fought the war
put some money in their hats an' in their tins
give them hope in a hopeless world

lookin' for hope in a hopeless world
searchin' for love in such hateful times
tryin' to stay strong when my mind gets weak
looking for hope in a hopeless world
lookin' for hope in a hopeless world...
tryin' to ease my mind...

we got to listen to the voice inside
that speaks of love - don't compromise
realise time is passin' by
there are mountains to climb,
we can't be standing still

churches are full, but the prayers are not heard
Saturday's child don't wanna go to Sunday School
whatever happened to the Golden Rule
teach them hope in a hopeless world

somebody out there's got to listen
somebody out there's got to know
what I'm talkin' 'bout
raise your hand, raise your hand if you're with me
there's hope in a hopeless world

lookin' for hope in a hopeless world
searchin' for love in such hateful times
tryin' to stay strong when my mind gets weak
looking for hope in a hopeless world
lookin' for hope in a hopeless world...
gotta find love in a hopeless world...

King of Wands - Is He Justin Trudeau?

Whenever I see this card, the King of Wands, I think of it as representing my ideal counter part, my life partner, soul mate and closest companion, because I identify with the Queen of Wands.

I think for everyone it is the most natural human longing to desire a heart and soul partner. This partner comes in many forms, in life and even in death. Some of us have lost our partners to death or some other kind of separation, and we don't envision the possibility of ever finding or replacing that person, which can't really ever be done anyway, but we continue to carry those we love ever so close, deep within the heart of our are hearts and they are with us always. Our relationship with them never dies.

Whatever our situation we have to come to accept in order to live our life to the fullest.

The King of Wands is embodied in the mythic figure King Theseus of Athens. This card represents an individual of action and a creative, entrepreneurial visionary who is a true leader, with a infectious personality and fiery enthusiasm. The King represents influence tempered with maturity, knowledge and wisdom.

When I think about the description of the King of Wands, Justin Trudeau comes to mind, or maybe I'm thinking of Prince Charming, but I'm certain there are many who would disagree with my comparison!

Maintaining Focus - The Chariot

The Chariot symbolizing war or battle, is for many of us, what life often seems to be about. Fear, and terror can be our battle field. We spend time fighting situations, others, or even ourselves. Life shouldn't be about fighting, in a destructive sense, but be about advocating for ideals such as justice, freedom, and peace.

I have learned that I can advocate, for myself and for others, but if I really want to make a difference I also need to get organized to be effective warrior, in order to walk the talk.

Aggressive retaliation or reaction, results in a no win predicament. Passivity is not an answer either. A position of assertion is what I aim for in all aspects, and circumstances in life. I understand this is easier said than done, given our fight or flight instinct, and depending on the situation.

The message for me of the seventh Major Arcana card, is about having knowledge, truth, understanding, and discernment which act as our the sword and shield, the amour of wisdom, necessary before we decide to move forward toward the light. This is the better way to ensure a likely win, win outcome. We need an informed enthusiasm, to make the right decision. Other wise we have out of control, runaway horses.

Strength, self-assurance, and having an iron willed determination, must be creatively balanced, and harnessed with the spear of love, tempered with a healthy fear, a spiritual vision, and a clarity of mind, which will create order out of chaos. 


The harmonious blending of love and strife strengthens and develops our whole personality.

A very Happy New Year to all. My prayer is, that all will be enabled to balance the negative, and positive forces in life, to maintain our focus, to control of our lives, to achieve success in the now, and in the future.

Nine of Pentacles - Wisdom, Knowledge & Talent

What the Nine of Pentacles represents, I don't think I could ask for more in life, wisdom, knowledge and talent. I can find wisdom in many spiritual writings, and experience, it provides me with much instruction and knowledge.

Talent is something a little different in that we are not all equal in having the same talents. But we all have the capacity to develop skills, if we have the passion, and we work at practicing those skills to be learned. I think having a passion is more important than concerning yourself with talent.
Of course, being an artist, when I hear the word talent, I immediately relate it to creativity, which I believe everyone is born with, in some way or another, regardless if you consider yourself an artist or not.

I am very fond of the Nine of Pentacles, because it is a very positive and encouraging card, that speaks of achievement, recognition and reward for real efforts made.

The Nine of Pentacles is a very appropriate, and timely card for me today, for a number of reasons.
I'm finally, very soon, reaching the end of a twenty year mortgage, that I will be free of next month!
I have submitted two paintings for art exhibits coming up within the next two weeks.
Lastly, I am very excited, and encouraged about the beginnings of a new business I've started this year.

Ace of Cups - Athene's Owl

Well I don't think there is a card that seems more positive in meaning, upon first impression, as the Ace of Cups. Don't get me wrong there are many positives about this card, but don't be deceived, Athene can have her character defects, and a dark side.

The beautiful goddess is full of complexities, is the essence of feminine beauty, she can also be, just as treacherous, vindictive, jealous, vain, and lazy. She is truly a force of nature, and raw energy.
Athene is the initiating power behind the love story between Eros and Psyche. 


In this card the realm of the heart is apparent, and greatly indicated. This cup is overflowing, causing one to take the plunge into the beginnings of a relationship. The individual is ready to embark on the journey of love, which can be very overwhelming, and in all likelihood, very risky.

Athene rises from the turbulent waves of sea foam, holding the extremely big cup, indicating an upheaval of emotion, in one hand, toward the heavens. The other hand, she holds close to her chest in hesitation, and perhaps resistant caution.


All that said, allowing emotion to rule over our decisions and actions, can be dangerous, leading to hurt, and heart break. Even if the object of your affection is making efforts to initiate interest, this does not mean it's a sure thing. Taking and making, time for relationship over a period of time is prudent, and wise, otherwise love is blind and fool hearty.

 It is best to be like the little wise owl that represents or accompanies Athene on her shoulder, as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and discernment.

Seven of Pentacles - Difficult Decisions

 
Set backs in life happen, that never changes, but what does hopefully is our attitude. Once we are recovering from them, we are now getting to the point, are being rewarded, and are feeling fulfilled for our efforts. It would be easy to become complacent, to simply enjoy our success and recognition. But now, we have difficult decisions to make about our future, as like Daedalus, we are offered a proposition, which can manifest our creative energy, and it may be better than our present situation.We might want to make the safe choice, however this can lead to a stagnation, limiting, or hobbling our creative growth.

Having a mid-life crisis happens to all of as at some point, and it can place us in the crossroads. When we arrive at this point, and we do want to make a decision, but it seems like we are damned if we do, or damned if we don't. We are bound to disappointment, infuriate, or hurt someone, what ever we decide. And so, we must decide who we are going to piss off. We certainly can't please everyone ,  as Ricky Nelson said in his song, " You can't please everybody, so' you've got to please yourself ", and accept, if not be comfortable with our decision, live with the consequences, whether they be positive or negative, and will more than likely will be tinged with both, more or less.
But don't get caught up in the drama, allowing yourself to be a victim, and a casualty, on the front lines of someone else's war. You will not be thanked, and you will be wounded.

I have experienced several of these mid-life crisis, or had to make serious decisions relating to my happiness, and peace of mind. I do not regret the decisions I have made. I am very grateful for them. Oh yes, if I had to do things over, I would have chosen to act on certain things differently, but I can't, and don't regret the past. What I can do is be decisive, act on opportunity, and do the right thing. It's not always easy, but I do not want to allow myself to be hampered by fear, and guilt. I do not want to be a guilty bystander, watching life go by from the sidelines.

 I know I will be confronted again with difficult decisions. But now, with age and experience, has come knowledge, understanding and wisdom. These are the tools I have at my disposal, to use when these crisis arise again, and I know they will, but I feel more prepared, than when I didn't know better, to do better. I try to apply these skills on a daily basis as a kind of insurance, or bank account, to build up resources in strength, so I can get through the life's crisis, big and small, whenever they land on my doorstep.

Be patient with yourself, with others, and with life. You have tools at your disposal. Use care and forethought. Don't wear yourself out with worry and regret. Save your strength there is more work ahead,  Life may be tiresome, and hard but it is still very beautiful.