Mommy Time Monday - Embracing Your Potential

Mommy Time Monday! Each week I'll draw and post a tarot card from The Housewives Tarot and share it with you. So go ahead, sit down and take some time for yourself, you never know what inspiration and advice The Housewives may have for you!

I decided that it was time again to pull out my Trusty Housewives Tarot Deck and do a "Mommy Time Monday" blog.  It's been awhile since I have blogged..... I am sorry for my absence! (I just realized I haven't done a Mommy Time Monday blog since 2011!)  I have been so busy this year; which started out with some amazing spiritual growth and and excitement and then it all sort of fizzled out, I hit overload and my depression and anxiety hit me full force and put me out of commission for awhile.  Slowly I am picking up the pieces.... feeling like myself again... seeing the beauty again!

So I pulled out my Tarot deck and asked for a card that would symbolize the best lesson for me this week.... and not just for me but for others like me who read my blog.  I trust in the Law of Attraction when it comes to my readings; the card that I has the message we need to hear right now is the one that gets drawn, and that those who need to hear it's message will be drawn to read the blog I write on it.  So here we are... and the card I drew is one I drew a few months ago... back in October of 2011.  When I get cards more than once it's usually a sign that I need to spend more time understanding what that card really means as it applies to me, to more fully digest, understand, and implement it's meanings into my life.  Looking at the meanings from The Housewives' Tarot guidebook, I know that things are back in order... I AM in control of my situation and really have things in order to where I can do what I need to do. 

 The guidebook reads;
"You've finally got it all - the doting husband, beautiful children, and the gorgeous home, complete with white picket fence and dog. No more "keeping up with the Joneses." Now the Joneses have to keep up with YOU! The World represents a goal that has been realized, or the successful completion of one stage of life."
More importantly, I think the message here is delivered best by the picture on the card.  A recipe box that is used as an organizer for all aspects of life.  So we might have the plans, the recipes all laid out.... but it's what we DO with what we have that makes a difference.  We might not actually have the gorgeous home with a white picket fence, perfect car, or doting husband... but what are we doing with what we DO HAVE?  I think the message here for us right now is about fully using our resources, skills, talents, and passions to create the outcome we want.  Just having it all does not assure us of a life filled with happiness and contentment.  And some of the most content and happy people have very little... but they find contentment with what they do have, and make it work for them.

The key words for the classic meanings of this card are;

Integrating
Accomplishing
Becoming Involved
Feeling Fulfilled

(More on meanings and interpretations of The World card here)

So it's less about what we have and more about how we make use of what we do have, and how we will accomplish our goals within the restraints of our personal experience.
Yesterday I overheard my husband on the phone, saying something very wise to a friend of his.  (Yes, the man has his moments of brilliance!)  He said, "You don't have money for something, instead of saying 'I can't afford that', you should say 'What can I do to get the money and make it happen?"  He was simply referring to focusing on the solution rather than the problem... which I think is the essence of The World Card. 

In Mary K. Greer's book, "Tarot For Yourself" she lists some questions you can ask yourself for each card, to help yourself fully understand what the card is teaching you and integrate it's meaning into your life.  I would encourage you to ask yourself these questions throughout the week and see where you end up!

What are you doing to free yourself from limitations and restrictions in your life?
Or, what are you doing to work freely within them?
What potential do you see in yourself?
What physical needs must you take care of?
What is making you dance for joy?

I am already beginning to feel a little less restricted and burdened.  Just trying to think of my life, my schedule, my home.... in terms of possibilities and potentials of what I could do.... rather than seeing it all as restrictions and limitations.  I have tools I can use, things I have learned.... from FlyLady advice to my work training, to Meditation techniques and Yoga Poses.... I have a multitude of possibilities on how I can approach each situation I am faced with each day this week.  So what am I going to do with what I have?  And what about you?



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The Housewives' Tarot, by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum, Quirk Publications
I claim no ownership of this deck, it's artwork, or the shared message from the guidebook.
If you would like your own personal reading with The Housewives' Tarot, come check out the Domestic Divination section of my website! Have a Blessed week! ~ Lady Jo

Mommy Time Monday - Turn that frown sunny-side up!

Mommy Time Monday! Each week I'll draw and post a tarot card from The Housewives Tarot and share it with you. So go ahead, sit down and take some time for yourself, you never know what inspiration and advice The Housewives may have for you!

Today I drew The Sun... a Major Arcana card that depicts optimism, abundance, and a free-spirited type of joy.  Even though today is cloudy and rainy outside, I am feeling more optimistic and positive than I have felt in weeks, and I hope that you - my readers - will find that positivity and optimism throughout this week as well!
As we prepare for Yule, the Winter Solstice's rebirth of the sun, it's easy to get wrapped up in the stress and chaos of the secular holiday.  Society has twisted the season into a time of greed and mass consumption.  As a housewife it can be easy to be wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season.... we are decorating our homes, planning what gifts to buy for the kids, wrapping and hiding presents in the closets, baking cookies, planning for holiday parties, or just plain running ourselves ragged delivering the children to their holiday parties and events.  I feel that this card is encouraging... no - urging us to take a few minutes out of the chaos to feel the warm glow of the spark of light that resides within us... to really feel the rebirth of the sun that happens within us at Winter Solstice.  It is not just an outer thing that happens to the Earth and the Sun, it is a rebirth and a renewal of energy that is reflected in all of life... including you!
As for me, I am feeling very optimistic.  Money may be tight, but it doesn't bother me.  It will come when I need it, just as the sun will return.  What is most important is family... and sharing smiles and simple moments of delight.
So, go ahead... turn that frown upside down and just embrace the optimistic energy of the season!
Blessed Be!
~ Lady Josephine

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The Housewives' Tarot, by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum, Quirk Publications
I claim no ownership of this deck, it's artwork, or the shared message from the guidebook.
If you would like your own personal reading with The Housewives' Tarot, come check out the Domestic Divination section of my website! Have a Blessed week! ~ Lady Jo

Some Yule Blogs I'd like to share...

Just a few great Yule blogs I'd like to pass on to you as we begin the countdown to Winter Solstice!

A Yule Tarot Spread!  I'm totally gonna use this one! http://www.tarotize.com/2011/12/yule-tarot-spread.html

Always some great holiday lore over at Pagan Dad!

How do you celebrate Yule in a Mixed Pagan family?  some great tips, ideas, and thoughts from Treegold & Beegold!

It just isn't Yule or Christmas without Dickens.  A little excerpt from the classic novel, plus a recipe!

and...
A beautiful photo essay that reminds you of what the season is about....

just a few sweet posts I wanted to pass along to my friends!  Hmmm, I must be getting in the Holiday spirit!

Mommy Time Monday - Week of Thanksgiving!

Mommy Time Monday! Each week I'll draw and post a tarot card from The Housewives Tarot and share it with you. So go ahead, sit down and take some time for yourself, you never know what inspiration and advice The Housewives may have for you!

This week is going to be a busy one for most of us - whether you are a mom, wife, housewife, or even if you're a dad, husband, or single person of any gender.... it's the week of Thanksgiving!  At least here in the United States it means family gatherings, time off from work, kids out of school.... and lots of food to be prepared and eaten!  So for this week's Mommy Time Monday card I have drawn three cards for us rather than just one!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Let's see what the week has in store for us and what advice our Housewife archetypes have for us! (also, my scanner still is not working.... so these photographs of the cards will have to do!)

Card 1; 5 of PentaclesWhoops!  This housewife is off to a rough start... she's dropping dishes and has broken some of her valuable fine china.  This card represents to financial and monetary setbacks that many of us are experiencing right now.  It's been a rough year and the economy has had more downs than ups and this might be effecting our outlook on the upcoming holidays.  The 5 of pentacles often reminds us that there is more to life than money and struggles... and sometimes it's the simple things right in front of us that will bring us the most happiness.  (see classic card meaning and image here)  I feel this card is warning us that some of our plans for a perfect holiday might experience an upset of some kind... after all... Mercury is in it's slowing stage and will go into retrograde on Thanksgiving day!  But this doesn't mean we should hide in the bomb shelter for the next week... just remember that things usually aren't as bad as they seem!  After all... even though this housewife will now have to go buy a new set of dishes for the big day, I'll bet she ends up happier with her new set than she was with the old one!

The guidebook with this card says; "CRASH!  That's the sound of the stock market - and the stack of dishes you just dropped.  The 5 of Pentacles indicates a heavy financial loss.  What you must remember, however, is that in reality you've lost nothing.  Gravity and misfortune may have claimed your tableware, but it cannot smash your mojo.  Your meatloaf is still unsurpassed, and your pimento-gelatin molds are to die for.  Collect the broken pieces, whip out the Krazy Glue, and get started on repairing the damage."

Card 2; Page of Wands

This little messenger looks like he's here to stir up some trouble!  With family gatherings looming in our futures there's bound to be some Fire Energy... and from the look of this card we may have some unconventional mischief to deal with.  But this page is here to bring us some creativity, and a little bit of fun.  Whatever stresses the holidays bring upon us, it's time to take on the attitudes of this Page...confidence, courage, creativity, and enthusiasm.  He may have ripped his dress pants while riding around on that hobby horse... but it was a sight that the family will be laughing over for years to come!  The Page of Wands encourages us to have a positive outlook and try to think outside of the box to find where our true happiness lies.  Listen to your heart and go for it!  (Classic card image and meaning here) While there may be some setbacks and major stresses this holiday (5 of Wands)... we will do best when we take on the energy and attitude of this card.  And, if you have young children around for the holidays (yours, or someone else's).... enjoy their enthusiasm and let yourself join them in play and imagination.... it will make a difference and you will get thru the holidays AND nurture your Inner Child!

The guidebook from the deck says; "The Page of Wands usually denotes a charismatic child with an active imagination and a wellspring of energy.  A fun-loving explorer, he likes being the center of attention.  He may indicate the need to find a creative use for a skill you long thought merely functional.  This card can also herald the need for growth to bring your dreams into reality."

Card 3; 6 of Cups

Ahhh ... a card of refreshment and enjoyment.  There's nothing like enjoying your favorite beverage... and having enough to share with others! (Classic card meaning and image here)  This card speaks of enjoying the simple things... and enjoying the company of others.  A time of reminiscing over your childhood, exploring traditions, revoking memories, and being reunited with people from your past.  This card reinforces the previous card's advice to nurture and release your Inner Child.... despite the stress of the holidays, try to let yourself just enjoy it, and see it all through the eyes of a child again.  Remember what it was you enjoyed about this holiday before you had to worry about buying groceries, traveling, dealing with in-laws, cooking, and cleaning.  There was a simplicity, beauty, and love in the air that you could taste, see, smell, and actually enjoy because you weren't wrapped up in grown up "reality".  So see it that way again... there's no reason you can't.  Find it in yourself to focus on that energy of Giving and Gratitude, enjoyment of the company of others, pleasure in the little things, and take a walk or two down memory lane!  It's going to be the best way to get through the Thanksgiving Week! 

The guidebook with this card says; "The six of cups conjures up memories of days gone by, youthful expeditions, and long-lost loves.  The "coming home" card, it may signal a reunion with a childhood friend or even the rekindling of old romance.  Pucker up and savor the sweet and sour taste of nostalgia!"

I hope you all have a wonderful, enjoyable, and Safe holiday week!  Enjoy!

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The Housewives' Tarot, by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum, Quirk Publications
I claim no ownership of this deck, it's artwork, or the shared message from the guidebook.
If you would like your own personal reading with The Housewives' Tarot, come check out the Domestic Divination section of my website! Have a Blessed week! ~ Lady Jo