The Tower...

Using my birth date and the current year along with the Tarot, I find that I have been going through the Year of the Tower in 2011. It has certainly been a year of sudden change, high drama, chaos, and breaking free. Both in my personal world and in the world at large.

The political climate of our world is shifting. The people are waking to the destructive nature of our governments and have begun to fight back. Its beautiful to me to see the glamour fade and the people rise up and come together to take back our world.

In my every day world, the sudden legal battle for C's son has caused chaos on many fronts. We've gone through a lot of rough ups and downs due to the actions and words of his ex. Certainly proving that the actions of one effect all. Though much negativity has been caused by her deeds, there has been good change to come out of it as well. C and I's connection has grown considerably stronger. Our communication, love, and support of one another has deepened tenfold.

Samhain....

I awoke to a beautiful Samhain morn. C and I are currently continuing our daily morning ritual of sipping coffee while we are on our respective computers catching up on what has transpired in the world over night. I've taken today off from work, something I try to do every year. I do have to stop by the store and put my weekly orders in, but that shouldn't take more than 1/2 an hour. Then I'll be able to focus on the holiday.

I plan to construct a small Ancestor Altar, go for a long meditative walk, do several tarot readings (that I plan to post whilest they happen), and prepare an amazing feast for tonight. Samhain is a time of deep reflection. I feel its a day to not only look back and honor what has passed, but also a time to look forward into the world you wish to inhabit.

Several years ago, I remember reading something Thorn Coyle had written regarding working ritual into daily mundane tasks. She used the example of washing away negetivity while showering. As part of my re-devotion to my spiritual side and as a way to honor the Sacred Wound while letting go and moving forward into a more nourished and fulfilled me, I used this sort of ritual this morning. I often walk away from ritual feeling tired, needing grounding, and yet knowing that change has occured deeply within. Today the feeling of change is there, but it is just below the surface, slowly taking root so that it may flourish. Here's to a new year filled with wonder!

feet first...

Its been a busy week. The holiday shopping season is certainly upon us at work. Thus, the holiday induced stress of retail has taken hold of my mind, body, and spirit. I'm struggling with the concept of working in the "real" world lately. I keep a job only to pay the bills and to hopefully save for the future (which honestly doesn't happen as much as it should). I would prefer to merely make art, garden, and work as a full-time priestess. Which I'm sure is something a lot of people wish they could do. I have many friends who have tried to make it on that path and have left it behind, for several real world reasons.

Yet, as this year comes to a close and I reflect upon this fact, I'm thinking its time to concentrate far more on the things that bring beauty and wonder into my life, so that I may break with working in the "real" world and live the life I love. I was commited to this path once before and doing well. I was managing to balance the need to maintain a 9 to 5 in order to make doing the things I enjoy easier. I lost my way when I moved to South Dakota, due to fear, due to a need to survive in a place where my support network wasn't. So, as I move forward in this cycle of my life and prepare to move across the country once again, I feel its important to begin focusing on projects that will shift my daily life towards the life I want to live.

I have a to do list ahead of me in order to make this all happen. So far it includes the following:

~Finish writing cookbook and get it published. I'm setting a Nov. 30th deadline for writing.

~Focus more on my spiritual path. This blog is a gateway for just that.

~Spend less time procrastinating on facebook, reddit, etc... and more time on the above goals.

Wish me luck!

Today's Tarot:

Eight of Swords

This card always comes up when I'm feeling penned in and unable to focus. Most of the last few days have certainly felt this way. Including an MS flair up that caused my left eye to lose most of its focus all day Friday and parts of Saturday. This flair up served as a friendly reminder that I should be living the life I love. The Eights in all suits represent a decision to move forward and need to find direction. Well I've made my decision, and I will be moving in the direction of my destiny. Fear be damned! It's time to jump feet first.

Alignment...

I've been doing a lot of thinking about chakra alignment this week. I'm thinking of working on a meditation or trance that focuses on them as a pathway to balance and centering. It could be worked into a grounding exercise or used as the main work of a ritual. I wonder about it being used in combination with yoga poses that are meant to open each of the chakras. Thoughts?

Today's Tarot:

Ace of Cups

This has been a Cups heavy week. Perhaps I am to believe that my cup of creativity and love runneth over? I have felt more in harmony and more creative lately. I've been tapping into my emotions more effectively as well. Perhaps my emotions are beginning to balance back out again. I've been trying to focus more on my compassion for others and for myself lately. This seems to be having a positive effect at work. Which is where I need it most. Compassion helps me combat the frustration I often feel.

Moving forward...

I had an excellent time getting all dressed up and going out last night. The costume party was a huge hit. I realized this morning that C and I once again completely forgot to get any photos of us in our costumes. Here's hoping we remember to get some next weekend at Deadweird in Deadwood.

Today's Tarot:

The Wheel of Fortune

Expansion of possibilities is indicated by this card. New experiences and a burst of creative energy are possible. New life is represented. Fated encounters and happy experiences are on the horizon.

Creativity....

Our first Halloween adventure is tonight. I'm excited to come home after I work this morning to finish up my costume. We're going to the LGBT Equality Center's costume party. It should be a great time!

Today's Tarot:

Knight of Cups

More love and creativity today! That works for me. Yesterday was, as I had hoped, fairly frustration free. I was too tired to take advantage of being creative once I got home last night though. Here's hoping today's love and creativity are well taken advantage of.

I'm toying with the idea of starting a meditation group here in Rapid City. I'm fairly certain Janis would let me use the yoga studio for space.

Let the love flow...

I'm having one of those days where I wish I could just stay in bed. I ache from head to toe and didn't sleep well last night. I work a 9 hour shift today, and am not looking forward to it. When I left the store yesterday, I noticed a lot of random shoving of merchandise going on. There is a large portion of our staff who either don't understand merchandising or just don't care. This frustrates me to no end. It also means that our loving bosses are paying two of us to do the same job. Paying them to shove it on a random shelf, paying me to re-organize and make it shop able for our customers. It's going to be a long day.

Today's Tarot

Ace of Cups

Let the creativity and love flow. This Ace denotes the waters of emotion renewing and encouraging new beginnings to flow forth. Fertility is also a theme of this Ace, and as I awoke at 3 am with cramps straight from Hades, it certainly fits. Here's hoping I can harness the spirit of flowing love and creativity while fighting off frustration through out my day.

frost...

There is a protective layer of frost upon my car this morning. A true sign that winter is on its way to South Dakota. I like cold weather, but I dread winter here. Winter lasts from mid to late October until May or June here. It's just too damn long. Plus it has a tendency to block my two favorite seasons, Fall and Spring. The other issue is that they aren't so keen on plowing/sanding/salting the roads here. Which is sort of a problem, seeing how I live at the top of a very steep hill and often have to park at the bottom and walk the 3 1/2 blocks up to my apartment in the snow and wind.

Today's Tarot

Ace of Wands

The beginning of new vision and creativity. This is a good day to start new projects. Here's hoping for a day filled with new ideas and creative solutions.

Light and Love...

There are few things I love more than a crisp Autumn morning spent sipping coffee. I wish I could continue this morning ritual, but alas I must go to work soon. Back to reality.

Today's Tarot

Strength

This card signifies loving transformation. Great energies surround me at my time of need. Triumph is attained through light and love.

Blessed....

I've had a blessed and bliss filled day. I've been fairly productive as far as getting housework done, bills paid, cooking tasty food, and errands run. I also had an interesting question posed to me after my Focus Yoga class. My dear friend and yoga instructor asked if I'd be interested in teaching the Restorative class. I said that I would be interested in giving it a shot or in co-teaching it with Andra, who is currently teaching. Is this the re-birth today's tarot was pointing me towards?

Breathing in new life....

Today's Tarot:

Death

This card always represents new beginnings within my life. I've always felt strongly connected to the Phoenix, the bird of rebirth. When one phase of our lives is out grown and fades away, a new phase is born. We're also coming into the dark part of the year as well as the Pagan new year on Samhain. It is a time to let that which does not serve die away and to renew that which does. I've been thinking a lot lately about simplifying our home. I miss the days when I lived in my tiny studio apartment that only allowed me the space for things that were needed. Our apartment isn't by any means huge, but we've managed to fill it with un-needed things. We really should of had a garage sale before it got cold out. Perhaps a goal for this Winter should be to box up all the things that we'll sale at the beginning of the Spring. A sort of pre-Spring cleaning.

I want to do more with this blog than just list my daily tarot pulls. I was thinking of maybe adding some book reviews, perhaps some kitchen magic, etc... Any suggestions?

Also, I'm always curious about those of you who are reading this. If you don't mind, leave me a little note about yourself. Perhaps, what your plans for Samhain are.

Now what?

I seem to be having a hard time getting back into the swing of daily life after being gone for a week. I do think that coming back to so much work is playing a big part in it. The first of two charity bake sales that I'm in charge of this fall happened yesterday. It went really well and we raised $400 for The Great American Bake Sale's efforts to end childhood hunger. Someone's In The Kitchen is also matching the funds raised for our local Feeding South Dakota Back Pack Program, that helps feed 1300 local children over the weekends during the school year.

Today's Tarot:

The Chariot

One battle ends, and one new path is forged. The Chariot is a card of victory, but also of caution. It is the celebration at the end of a long struggle and heralding of the next step.

Saving clearly....

Yesterday was one of those days where you would swear fairies are picking on you and trying to make you lose your mind. However, today is looking to be a far more organized day.

Today's Tarot:

Eight of Pentacles

The card of seeking wisdom and knowledge. This is a time clarity and ease. Which is great because I have a lot too do to finish preparing for the charity bake sale that I'm in charge of on Saturday. This card also represents small, regular saving of money; which is something C and I need to do more often. We manage to do okay and then it seems that something always manages to come up and we have to drain the savings account. We've got to get saving for our move across the country next Fall.

home again

I'm back from vacation. It was wonderful. I feel refreshed and invigorated. I'll be back to my daily Tarot pulls tomorrow morning.



Love and Light to all!

I'm leaving on a jet plane

One last tarot before I go....

Four of Pentacles

Improved security, normally pertaining to financial gain. I'm uncertain how this applies to a day that I will be spending in airports and on planes. But we shall see.

Phoenix rising...

My vacation starts later this afternoon. I fly home to Illinios at 6 am tomorrow morning. I'm hoping for a nice relaxing week spent with family and friends. I won't have internet access while I'm away, so unless I find time to post before my flight, this will be my last post until Oct 12th.

Today's Tarot:

Ace of Wands

This card always brings new beginnings as all Aces' denote. Fire is the passion of creativity the birth of new ideas forged in the flames. With fire in my belly I greet this day. I've always related to the Phoenix. Many times I've gone through the ashes to be re-born. Perhaps it's time to rise once again?

Good omens....

Yesterday was a very long day, productive, but long. I have a lot to do before my big trip at the end of the week. I'm heading home to visit my family and take in my home town's Fall festival. I plan to spend some time reconnecting with the area I grew up in. I need to, as a very dear friend put it, "reconnect with holy ground". I need that magic of my childhood to come alive again and propel me forward.

Today's Tarot:

Ace of Swords

This card often represents balanced judgement. It can denote legal proceedings. Which we are indeed in the middle of currently. This card doesn't mean that the scales will neccesaraly  tip in our direction, but that there may be a balanced outcome. I'm seeing this as a good omen for the week to come. Goddess knows I can use all the good omens I can get right now.

Relax...

Today's Tarot:

Four of Swords


What an appropriate card for today. I went to a more advanced yoga class yesterday and am really feeling it today. My body needs rest. The Four of Swords is a card of withdrawal, rest, and convalescence. I slept for ten hours last night, my body must have needed it. I have a few small chores to do around the house today, but I think I'll mostly lounge about and relax. After all that's what Sundays are made for.

Planning...

Ah, October...

Today begins my favorite month of the year. The leaves are changing, the days are shortening, the moon hangs bright and low in the midnight sky. Everything begins to slow.

With that slowing down comes introspection, a sense of who I am at my core. I've felt like my head is full of clutter this year. Its time to sweep away and box up what does not serve my true self. On my outer landscape, that translates to a need to simplify my belongings. Don't get me wrong, I'm most certainly not a hoarder, but I have found myself being too much of a consumer over the last couple of years.  When I first moved to South Dakota, I allowed myself to think this need to buy was simply nesting. The problem is, I've never stopped. Plain and simple, I've amassed far too much stuff. Clothes I don't wear, kitchen things I don't use, food I don't eat, books and magazines that I don't read, art supplies I don't use. The piles of things have taken over my living space. The outer clutter has shifted into my mind and added to the mental clutter. Its time to break this cycle. To add to the savings account instead of to the object account.

Today's Tarot:

King of Cups

This card conjures up the thought of emotional, instinctual, and spiritual endeavours. My path is winding back towards a more creative world. A year from now I'll be living and breathing the arts at John C. Campbell Folk Art School. That is a defined future. The question is where does the road lead as I travel towards my destination? What deep beauty will manifest this day?