Want/Don't Want Spread

A few weeks ago I created this spread. I used this in a reading for someone, and it worked very nicely for her situation. This layout focuses on what the client really wants in a situation, what they don't want, what the distractions or blocks are, and where they can put their energies for positive outcomes.

Want/Don't Want Spread

1.

Overall vibe of situation

2. What you want                                                    3. What you don't want

4. What others want/expect from you

5. Distractions/Blocks from within:                                 6. Distractions from without

what you're doing to yourself                                            don't go there

7. What you have going for you                                      8. Support from others;        

within: focus on this                                                           don't be afraid to ask for help 

9. 

Possible path...

From Tarotize - Holistic Tarot: The Totem Tarot Spread

I found this recent blog post from Lisa Frideborg at Tarotize on totems inspiring and timely. I've posted several dreams and waking life moments involving Dog, and have been working with this recurring imagery. Without much insight, so far. I can't wait to try Lisa's spread.

Tarotize - Holistic Tarot: The Totem Tarot Spread: These days, it is quite easy to just Google the meaning of totem animals. However, no matter what they mean in general, you may still not find the exact message they have for you at this point in time... There are a couple of ways of resolving this: you can either keep trying to connect with the spirit animal in your dreams or in meditation until the message becomes clear... OR you can do a Tarot reading on it with the Tarot spread I created specifically for this: (Lisa Frideborg, Tarotize blog)

Medicine Cards: 4 Directions Spread

Medicine Cards oracle; 4 Directions spread

Year End Mini Review

Mini Albano-Waite tarot

Lisa Frideborg shared this; many thanks. Her suggestion for a 2014 Review: lay out three cards on the last day of the year. Many suggestions along the same lines, I decided on the following reading. I used my mini Albano-Waite tarot deck:

Left to right . . .

1st position (card 1): Lessons learned
2nd position (card 2): What to discard
3rd position (card 3): What to keep


You'll see that, even though this is a three card reading, there are four cards. That's because when I set down the cards, I found that the Nine of Pentacles was underneath the Page of Pentacles. So I used them both in that last position.

Three of Swords, lessons learned:
Grief, sadness, loss, depression. Express these, acknowledge, accept them. A part of life. But don't remain stuck, don't hold onto or sink into this realm. Learn from these events, these sides of myself. But look to the future, and what I do want. Not what I don't want or have lost. But what I want to gain.

This has been one of the consistent messages the cards have been giving me for the past couple of weeks!

Three of Wands, what to discard:
This is a positive card overall. Vision, the future. Possible travel. The work and knowledge and ideas have been expressed. How does this fit into the idea of "what to discard?" I see it as a message: okay, I've done quite a bit, and know what I want. Time to stop just standing there and looking wistfully at the expanse before me, and time to start moving! Literally doing, moving forward. Take it out of my head and emotions and into the concrete. Also a reminder to be confident.

Page of Pentacles, what to keep:
Flowing from the Three of Wands before, time to keep those fresh exciting ideas and start doing. The enthusiasm of the Page is great but it can also stop me from really doing -- stop being dazzled by the glitterings of the ideas, and do what needs to be done to make it happen. An encouraging card; keep the joy, but be practical about it.

Also had the Nine of Pentacles in this position:
Keep my focus. It's all good and learn to accept the good. I also see this as a reminder to be positive and not sink into that spiral; with that comes the grace this card represents. Acknowledge the importance of being kind, compassionate, which comes from remaining positive.

By nature, I abhor shallow don't worry let's all be happy nonsense. It's insensitive and passive aggressive. On the other hand, I know from experience that focusing, putting all of my intent on the stress filled, worrisome past only keeps it in the present. Remaining stuck is the result. Accept without judgement the shadow side, and accept the good that comes and is offered while keeping a positive vision of the future.

Stay Positive: The Cosmic Tarot and The Star

This was on my Facebook page from Tarot.com:

Cosmic Tarot

This is the Major arcana card The Star, from the Cosmic tarot deck. I'm not familiar with the deck at all -- this is the only card I've seen from the deck. I just love this! The colors are so peaceful and soothing. It gives me a magical realism sense of things. I find the flamingo delightfully surprising, reassuring, humorous. Tropical and pleasant. The woman belongs there, is confident in a quiet, meditative way. The blue color of both the woman and the water and surroundings makes everything a whole, she is part of nature, they are one. In and out of the water. She is pouring water from gold cups into the lotus. Very spiritual and magical.

The message Tarot.com put with this card was to "stay positive."
And that has been the consistent message I've been getting lately. That message came through very strong in a reading someone did for me, and yesterday I did a 12 month reading for myself. Both readings told me to stay positive, not sink into negativity, panic, and fear, but to focus on the positive (what I want, not what I don't want) and expressing gratitude. When I feel myself going down, or, when things are moving as fast as I'd like, stay positive. (and be patient.)

Insight Into an Ugly Situation

I created this little three card layout that offers insight into an ugly situation. Why is this person behaving this way towards others in the context of this situation? Lies, secrecy, irresponsibility and more.

I tried using the Angel Tarot for this reading, but it was not happening. I knew it wouldn't -- funny how that works! Using the pendulum, the message was clear: Deviant Moon for this reading!

1st card: Middle position
What is the person afraid of?

2nd card: Left
What the person wants

3rd card: Right
Where the person is at right now.


In the 1st position -- fear -- is the 9 of Wands. 
This person does not want to be lost, nor perceived as being lost. Alone, sadness, fear, boredom, a sense of being stuck, apathy. Just not having what it takes to get out of the situation. It's a self made situation; all one has to do is get up and go. There is light, there is passage, there is help. But this fear is keeping the person stuck.

2nd position: Wheel of Fortune. Karma, fate, what comes around and all that. If you simply sit back -- like this person is doing with the 9 of Wands -- and let Fate have all the power, then there is no onus to be responsible. "It's out of my hands," is what the individual is telling themselves.

On a higher level, events do happen in their own time and way.  The changes that are inevitable are being confused with refusing to take responsibility.

3rd position: The Hermit. In context of this reading, this person is hiding. Not solitary or away for healing productive self-reflection, but escape. Secrets. Hiding away from others. Cannot move (9 of Wands) cannot take responsibility, cannot seek guidance from self.

But maybe there is hope. Alone with the self, this person has to either confront within and learn, or, continue to hide and deny.

Summary:
A dark reading. I did this not for a client, but for some insight into someone I know and a situation very close to us.

Day Three: Tarot Card Essence

More Synchronicity

I mentioned in previous posts I’ve been experiencing a lot of synchronicities lately, and they’re continuing. I’ve been thinking very strongly of Emma Woods the past couple of days and intending to email her. Today I find that she had sent me two emails. (If you’re unfamiliar with Emma Woods, she was a client of Dr. David Jacobs, a UFO researcher who uses hypnosis to regress UFO witnesses and abductees. He has written several books on UFOs; specifically, alien abudctions.  Unfortunately, his tactics concerning Ms. Woods were reprehensible. Fortunately, her response to the unethical and surreal treatment has been stellar and brave.)

The Essence

Last night I decided to choose a glass to use just for this purpose. I got a pretty vintage cocktail glass that I had stored in my cupboard down from the top shelf, washed and cleansed it, and that is what I used last night. I also used the violet cloth I use for spreads with the Angel Tarot deck. I’ve been doing this little ritual close to bedtime, using filtered water and letting the glass sit for at least fifteen minutes -- last night it was about forty five minutes. 

Last Night’s Card: Queen of Water

From fire (previous two cards were (9 of Fire and 8 of Fire) to water. I am a Pisces with Cancer moon and Cancer/Leo rising. Still using Doreen Virtue’s Angel Tarot deck; when my whim shifts I’ll use another deck but for now, the Angel Tarot feels fine.

Water corresponds to CUPS: emotions, creativity, nurturing, relationships, intuition...

“Relationships develop to a new level. Trust your intuition. Care for yourself and others.”

Mom on a Motorcycle

I don't’ remember much about the dream last night, but the dream has a definite Water/Cups/Mother/Creative energy. I see connections between the dream elements and the card.

I’m in an airy kind of garage type place, with my husband. I think a few others are around. My husband and I are both artists in waking life. In the dream, we’re painting. I have a few large cans of paint set on the floor. I really like this paint. It’s a new kind, and very easy and smooth, very pleasant. it’s soothing.  Something about the texture -- so nice to stir with large wood paint sticks. But when I go to paint -- and I’m painting directly onto the ground, the asphalt -- I’m a little disappointed. The paint, when applied, doesn’t live up to expectations. When it was in the can, it was so nice. But I find I have to apply a few coats to get it to stick and cover properly. And the color is a bit washed out. So, I’m a bit bummed but not terribly so. I’m still enjoying being peaceful, painting.

Visitors, acrylic on masonite, Regan Lee

To my surprise, my brother drives up on a motorcycle, with our mother on the back! In waking live, the brother and I are estranged, and my mother, who is in her mid-eighties, is not doing at all well health wise. Her health is very poor. In the dream she’s using a walker, and yet, she is happily riding on the motorcycle! She is youthful and healthy and enjoying herself. My brother is also “better” --- very open and genuine.  No games, no lies, no disconnect. Such a weird funny surprise! My brother pulls into the garage on the motorcycle, mom hops off and immediately uses her walker. They both seem happy.

Relationships

Since Water (Cups) corresponds to relationships, and considering the state of the relationships in this context, it seems this card is an encouraging message of hope, and, possibly, release.  The Queen, a court card, can be seen as both a part of myself, as well as my mother. 

A lot to digest here, and much more concerning these relationships than I choose to share. However, I felt a distinct pull and connection between the Queen of Water and last night’s dream. I haven’t worked through it all yet; much to think upon!

Black Cats Tarot: Inner/Outer Spread

Black Cats Tarot, Inner/Outer Spread

Top row: left to right the usual past present future but remember, it's not so linear, not black and white, not clearly divided. The past doesn't stop where the present begins and the future is movable. The inner of you. What others may not see or what you don't always show.

Bottom row: the same, focusing on the outer. What's happening around you, to you, and what others are participating in with you. Or, you with them. . .

The card stands alone. This is what you can use, where you can go, what you can activate. This is where you can be.

Far right row: top card. You inner future. Spiritual, meditative, personal, intimate, private if you like, to be shared if you choose.

Bottom card: Where your social/career/family outer life might find you.

Nothing is written in the stone wall of apathy. You can ignore it, change it, climb over it, recarve it.

Three-Card Spreads: The Essentials | Mary K. Greer's Tarot Blog

I like this advice from tarot author Mary K. Greer, who has been around for a long time in the tarot realm, on three card spreads. I've been playing around recently with three card lay outs, and have been impressed by how intricate a seemingly simple three card reading can be!

Three-Card Spreads: The Essentials | Mary K. Greer's Tarot Blog: The three-card spread is one of the most basic formats for quick-and-easy tarot readings. Yet, it can be surprisingly deep and insightful. It is perfect for a daily journal or when friends or people at parties want you to demonstrate what you do. Furthermore, the three-card spread is amazingly flexible as I hope to demonstrate. Most of these spreads are laid out in a row, left to right, although any pattern is fine. ~ Mary K. Greer