Two of Swords - Stand Still

 Orestes is between his mother and father, at a standstill and in a state of tense balance. Orestes is between a rock and a hard place. He needs to make a choice about facing and accepting an unpleasant reality.

 The Two of Swords is the second two I've drawn this week. Twos represent duality and this card indicates choice and reaching a stalemate. This card accurately depicts my situation these days and for the next 19 months.

 I've learned the hard way over the years that having the wisdom of patience is always a good approach to take when finding ourselves in whatever situation, that is beyond our control. It never works to attempt to force a solution. Letting things naturally unfold over time relieves us of the stress of anxiety and worry and is a much better choice. Action is the antidote to worry.

 Although I can't do anything to change my situation, I know the action I can take, is to exercise patience and acceptance, patience with and acceptance of myself. If I can do this, I am likely to accept what comes my way in life, living life on life's terms. This doesn't come naturally to people. We mostly want, what we want, now or yesterday, and it sure doesn't happen over overnight to most people. It takes practice over time, little by slowly. So I'll buckle up relax and enjoy the ride. I only have one life to live, so I'd better make it a good one, awake and with my eyes wide open.

Nine of Swords - A Still Small Voice

About six of the cards in the Suit of Swords are rather menacing and threatening imagery. The Nine of Swords included, as we see the Orestes being aggressively confronted by the Furies above his head.

We can easily drive ourselves doololly listening to all the voices surrounding us. These voices can exist in our own mind, that are more often than not negative, or we are absorbing every opinion, except our own true inner voice. We can feel consumed, confused, and overwhelmed.
Worry, guilt, and fear about the past, and the future can rob us of our happiness in the present. This is crazy making at it's worst.

So how do we connect to that inner voice in order to find the path we need or want to take?

I have to get calm and find quiet. I need to strip away all the extraneous people, places, and things that hinder my ability to make these decisions. Then I need to not simply find the time to withdraw, I need to take the time to get quiet in order to listen to the still small voice.

I was a many years finding this inner voice. I was suffering from had what I know as, a hole in the soul.
We are either moving toward this voice, or moving away from it.
I needed to take an personal inventory of my soul.

When I was young, a little girl actually, I was in tune with this authentic true voice, but I didn't know what it was, nor was I intellectually aware of it, or able to comprehend what it meant. It simply happened intuitively.

As I got older I became affected by all the extraneous crazy making, and crazy makers surrounding me. I trusted my intuition less and less. This took me to a place of chaos and confusion within myself. I lost my way. Instead of guilt, fear, and worry I took action.

Twenty one years ago through God's grace, I was able to find my way back and got reconnected with my true self and to that still small voice and inner vision. And for this I am forever grateful.

King of Swords - Patience

I am feeling very grateful today and the King of Swords affirms and clarifies this for me.
There's been worry lately, and I know it is a useless thing, and it can show a luck of trust, but like all human beings, I can't seem to help myself sometimes. I can feel like Alice trying to find my way through Wonderland having to deal with all those creatures and weird folk.

 I may not actively engage in worry it is as much as I used to, but it lurks there, in the corner of my mind, poking it's head round the corner to stare at me like the Red Queen. Well what are you looking at?! Stop starring I say!

But worry has taken a break and stopped staring for a while. Today I am feeling very hopeful and positive. What comes to my mind is the adage or proverb that says " Good things come to he who waits. "  Or what I heard in the 12 Step rooms of recovery, " Courage is fear that has said it's prayers " - Karl Barth

The King of Swords is a card of leadership, of strength and having the ability to provide good counsel to others, being compassionate and kind.  Unfortunately, many of us can't seem to take care of ourselves for many reasons and this can be very problematic, damaging, and hurtful to the mind, body, and spirit.
 And so we have to take good care of ourselves, the best way we know how. Sometimes this involves swallowing our false pride, being patient, and trusting that the God of our understanding will some how come to our aid. This requires faith and trust, not the easiest thing to do when you are between a rock and a hard place.

The King of Swords is a card of action and intelligence, where reason prevails over emotion. Swords clarify and cut through muddle thought.

Patience is a virtue. We must be especially patient with ourselves, which perhaps may be the most important aspect of being a compassionate, kind and good leader.

Nine of Swords - Worry & Action

Well, this card is in keeping with the card I drew yesterday dark about clouds and silver linings.
The Nine of Swords, it is what I would call the worry card, and is very much the card full of deep psychological meaning.

We are losing sleep for worry, anxiety, fear, corrosive guilt, foreboding about the future, and what ever negative adjectives you want to throw in the pot.

This frame of mind robs of us energy and strength in every aspect, mind, body and soul. We can't enjoy the present, because we are projecting into the future, and worrying about the past. It reflects a lack of trust and faith and our inability to let go of what we can't control.

We can't control what has happened in the past, and it may be hanging over our heads. We can  make amends, if we have hurt someone else, including ourselves.

Action is the antidote to worry. Whether it be through prayer, meditation, a vacation, ending a relationship or changing geographical location to make a fresh start. However, can you run away for things in your head? Ultimately we can't take a geographical cure, because where ever we go we bring ourselves along, and still have to face our problems.

What is important is that we remain steadfast.

Nine of Wands - Reserve Strength

It might be hard to choose one particular card from the Tarot deck, I do have my favourites but I can honestly say I am very fond of the suit of Wands, particularly because they signify expression of spirit which I think suits my personality. Action, energy, ideas and growth are all attributes that all artists need, which I certainly identify with all of these and I aspire to these traits.

Like the Nine of Wands who faces many challenges, we can be in a constant state of worry because of the many challenges and storms, that arise, but we are resolute and overcome, by drawing on a  reserved strength, that we may be unaware of possessing.

 This card is a good affirmation at present, as I have much creative work ahead . I am feeling bolstered to reach my creative goal through the power of imagination, and creative spirit, which the Nine of Wands portrays.

 Many of us work better under pressure. I can't say I am really one of those individuals, because I don't like the stress. However it is often mysteriously wonderful when we are under deadlines, and are under pressure ; somehow we can pull out all the stops and meet the challenge, the arises from our need and willingness.

Having resolute courage means to face opposing forces. This requires faith, strength and a determination in spite of the odds.

Having courage does not mean that we aren't afraid, but we forge ahead regardless and we meet our fear face on.

Nine of Swords - The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn

 

The Nine of Swords is a card the describes a psychological state of mind indicating that we are having many sleepless nights, because we are carrying burdens, overwhelming feelings of failure, disaster and impending dread. We may have guilt about the past and fear what the future repercussions will bring. This is a psychological problem not based on reality.

I've always agreed that action through prayer is the antidote to worry. Just my opinion. Most people I think would agree, worry is not constructive, and can make us psychologically and even physically unhealthy. Worry simply fuels anxiety, and signals a lack of trust and faith. We feel hopeless.

 Many think it is a virtuous thing to do, in that it reflects care and concern. Fretting and worry can be a habitual reaction. In extreme cases, it is being in a constant state of hyper vigilance, and is often a way of being for many, especially if we have grown up in troubled family situations, or had traumatic events happen.

We do not have to be a prisoner of our fear and sense of hopelessness. We can seek help for ourselves, if we reach out to change.

There is nothing we can do to change the past, and projecting into the future is futile. It does nothing to improve our lives or our state of well being, and happiness.

The Nine of Swords reminds me of a time when I saw a young punk rocker years ago. He was wearing a button which said, "Hope For The Hopeless ". To me it said it all, and made me smile and feel very hopeful.