Page of Wands - Enthusiasm and Discovery

The Page of Wands is an encouraging card, full of fiery creative spirit and life, imagination, and energy all flow from a place of inspiration and to move forward with enthusiasm and discovery. It is also represents the irritable, unrealistic and restless youth, Phrixus.

This personality needs to be tempered, because the temptation could be to dive in without forethought, and there is a risk of messing the whole thing up, however risk can be a very positive thing that enables growth.

This youth often provokes others and causes problems in one's personal life and work. Here in lies the warning message, look before you leap, and think before you act.

The wisdom of age needs to comes into play. The youthful spirit may not allow for the foresight in his approach to risk, and so careful consideration is required.

As the old saying goes, pride comes before a fall and the childishness that revolves around the ego of immaturity can be the default regardless of one's biological age.

This card makes me think about a saying my mother would always say. "Youth is wasted on the young."
The positive aspect exhibited by Page of Wands points to the power of the imagination and knowing that there is much more where the initial creative idea came from.

Seven of Pentacles - Feminine Creativity Vs Masculine Creativity

I've been re-reading my book The Heroine's Journey, thinking and learning whole lot more about my creative purpose and about business.

Daedalus, who is no doubt full of masculine creativity and seen here being propositioned by Queen Pasiphae in the Seven of Pentacles.

When we are offered an opportunity, be it in love or business there are always hard decisions to make that will enable us to either earn and keep our autonomy, or result in us compromising our beliefs, disregarding our dreams and maybe even our soul. We have to decide if we will take the safe path, or the one that takes risk and inspires.

Taking the safe path, so as to not put our financial security at risk or to not threaten some other kind of status-qou can initially appear to be advantageous, but in the long run we will live life feeling unsatisfied,  unfulfilled, unhappy and lost. Whatever we decide to do, monetary gain, ego gratification or power should not be the sole motivation.

Finding our creative purpose will not be revealed on the safe path, but will be found in the creative feminine that allows things to happen naturally.

It is said that "where masculine creativity tends to move forward, feminine creativity tends to turn round on itself, not circularly so much as spirally."

My creative purpose in life, like the heroine's journey is not something that's forced, and I must trust the mystery of this manifestation.

The Fool's Journey - A New Chapter

A much welcomed card for me today, The Fool. In many ways, the card has more meaning to me, then all  other in the Mythic Tarot deck, for several reasons. This beautiful card signifies all that is youthful, creative, and being connected with our higher selves.

There are never any guarantees at the beginning of our life journey, that we will arrive safely, but we must be open to life because life is meant to be fully lived.

I love the Fool,  as the card represents an open heart, and mind to all the possibilities in life.
Many years ago when I lived in Prince Edward Island, I became very interested, and preoccupied with Commedia dell'Arte, and moved to Toronto to study the foundation of street theatre.

 The white face is commonly known in the world of the clown, and Mime. I learned as much as possible about the history of the white face in cultures. Traditionally white face it is seen as the death mask. Court Jesters had the job of reminding Kings of their mortality, to remain humble, and to laugh at themselves. Death is the great equalizer, and no one gets out of here alive.

The Fool being the first card of the Tarot, is augers a great enthusiasm to willingly embark upon the threshold of life's journey. The Fool is mortal, simultaneously, has an animal like instinct, and intuition, however, is also very much akin to the angels, with a child like innocence, and purity of heart. The Fool is very much a participant, never the bystander, who just is satisfied to sit on the side lines of life.

Representing Dionysos, the Fool is the son of the king of the gods, betwixt and between the heavens, and the underworld. Ever the creative artist, the dancer, the mad, irrational, the impulsive one, who does things 'out of the blue' toward change, and unknown horizons

 The Fool possesses the tools needed for a new chapter in life that awaits, and this always involves a willingness to take a risk.

Three of Pentacles - Completion

 

I've drawn Pentacles again today, the Three of Pentacles is spot on, in relation to what I am preoccupied with lately.

Professional development is important and a wonderful thing. but it is necessary to be put into a balanced perspective  regarding personal boundaries, taking care of relationships and personal well being, mind, body and spirit.

This preoccupation ruined Daedalus, as was indicated in yesterday's, Five of Pentacles. Here, in the Three of Pentacles we see him at the beginnings of his career. Unfortunately he eventually lost sight of his own limitations and capacities, because he took on more than he could handle, and lost everything, including his self-value and faith in himself.


Daedalus is seen here in the Three of Pentacles, reaping the rewards for the completion of the first stages of his initial work efforts. This project is not finished, and there will be further hard work ahead, difficulty and risk, which will hopefully lead to a permanent reward. This card indicates celebration for a job well done, although it is essential to have full awareness of the work ahead, both professionally and personally.

I see this card as a simple and straight forward message. For me it is the confirmation to have a mindfulness,  to make a conscious effort, in order to apply some necessary changes that are needed to actualize and bring to completion, future goals and projects.

Two of Pentacles - Change and Fluctuation

In the Two of Pentacles we see Daedalus at his work table with all the tools of his trade. He is busy and committed to developing his skills and reputation.

Pentacles concern our physical selves and all things connected to the earth, property, work, finance and practical matters. Most people are usually juggling all these things at once, and trying to keep all their ducks in a row. It is essential to keep grounded if we have a creative drive for material gains. In order to do this we have to take risks, and put whatever resources we have, to work if we want to makes changes necessary for growth.

 I think there is only one thing that does not change in life, that's change and fluctuation. You always hear, change is a good thing. I believe generally, change is good for us, though it certainly may not feel this way. We have to find ways and means to prepare ourselves for change and learn to go with the flow.

The path of least resistance I am not a fan of, and sometimes it is a good thing to resist change. When I think of change, the first thing that comes to mind is the Serenity Prayer. This for me has been, and continues to be the most important prayer I can make. It's all about acceptance, courage and wisdom in knowing what I can and cannot change. It is however essential to have the flexibility to be open to new ideas, and to be willing to take risks in utilizing one's talents. This is not always easy, but the most important thing for me really, is to say this prayer everyday, because this is what helps to prepare me for change and fluctuation.

Like Daedalus most people are usually juggling many things at once, trying to keep all their ducks in row. It is essential to keep grounded if we have a creative drive for material gain. The old adage of " Money makes money " I believe to be true. If we don't have the financial resources to do this, we still have to take risk, be adaptable and to put whatever resources we have to work, but with discerning wisdom to know what we can and cannot do or change.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr

Eight of Pentacles - Ambition

Here we see the young apprentice Daedalus working hard at developing his skills and he will be rewarded for his effort because he is dedicated and very focused.
Being conscientious is an essential quality if you want to advance, in whatever your vocation. We will be rewarded for our efforts, and care. That's the way it's supposed to work. Unfortunately this isn't always true, in the monetary sense of reward. So, what is a person to do if you are looking to be rewarded, but you receive little or nothing in return?

Life and society are like this, we aren't always rewarded or punished for our behaviours. The truth is we can be punished for good behaviour, and rewarded for bad. If we expect to be rewarded, disappointment and disillusion can often follow, if the choices we've made are not prudent.

So, we have to find our internal reward, making sure not to set ourselves up for unrealistic expectations, or to allow others to take advantage of us. Believing in our capacities and honing our skills will help to prepare us.

Ambition is a positive thing, but can be a negative character defect, if we allow it to take over our lives, in our pursuit of material gain, leaving us feeling unfulfilled, and unhappy.

 Not only is is wise to develop the skills relative to our vocation, we must have the inner skills to acquire the balance that will allow us to persist, and dedicate ourselves to our success.

 Everyone experiences a period of time, that is called a 'mid-life crisis.' This can result in creative stagnation if we don't continue to take risks, because we are fearful, anxious about losing the security and stability already established. If we can transition through this time, it will result in an enthusiastic renewal, pursuing interests in learning new things.

Whether or not we are ambitious, we will always need to take risk, but not in a fool hearty manner.. Trusting our intuition, having a willingness to be willing, with an open heart and mind, will enable us to actualize our dreams. Last but not least, being grateful will give bring us happiness and success, leaving the world a better place. I think this is a great ambition.
 

Seven of Cups - Discernment

 

 Psyche petitions Aphrodite with prayer, for help in matters of love. Aphrodite concedes, and guarantees   being there to help her, but not without making certain demands, and confronts Psyche, who will have to work hard in order to reunite with Eros.

Though Psyche has been given the green light, her fantasy and dreams will not enable this reality. Only with time, dedication to the tasks at hand, and being able to actualize what she desires, is the only way her goals will be realized, and this requires the risk of being humiliated and hurt.

Love always carries risk, and the possibility of getting our hearts broken. We choose what we want to do, and we cannot foresee the future, and there are no guarantees when it comes to love or life.
 In order to make careful decisions, discernment and having a willingness to commit to the work needed to be done, is what will enable us to move forward.

 I don't think love should have to be so difficult. But then again life is difficult, it can be humiliating, and full of suffering, but if we utilize what ever tools we have at our disposal, we are more prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. There will always be challenges, and obstacles to overcome, that never changes.

 Love can be scary, and we have to discern whether it is worth the effort or risk, depending on what or whom we think we love and we must be ready for love with much forethought, having an open and balanced heart. We need to make the connections with what we value and hold dear.

I've heard it said that the longest path is the one between the head and heart. Patience, faith, and perseverance will be our light to illuminate our way.

 

Seven of Pentacles - Decision

The Seven of Pentacles represents material progress here and some difficult decision is to be made, in this situation. The opportunity to take a new direction is presented to you, and there is a need for reflection on what you have achieved, and obtained up to this point, take an inventory, so you can decide what direction you want, or need to take in the future.

 There is often risk in taking new opportunities. If you decide to not engage in risk, you may take the safer softer way, but may find yourself stagnating, and unhappy.
Taking a break to contemplate, is a good idea, in order to evaluate, and assess your present circumstance.

You reap just what you sow, which you have done. Enjoy the fruit and rewards of your efforts, however take some time to assess with care and forethought, to make certain you are achieving your goals.