Pagan Blog Project - Week 13; G
I spent the better part of the week mulling over what I should blog about for the Letter G. Gods? Goddesses? Gaia? Grounding? Ganesh? Green Man? Really there are SO many possibilities with each letter. I decided that something would come to me, and just to wait.
Yesterday in meditation it hit me;
GRATITUDE.
When it comes down to it, Gratitude is a huge part of my spiritual path. Without Gratitude, I would not be who I am or have come to this point in life. Or more accurately, I may be me and be here, but I wouldn't even be aware of who or where that is without Gratitude.
Years ago in a book store, I bought my first Oracle Card deck. I had been a student of tarot for a few years, but had never owned or used an oracle card deck before. I found the "Trust Your Vibes" oracle Card Deck by Sonia Choquette and the Trust Your Vibes book that goes with it.
When I got home, I of course opened the deck and looked through it, one card at a time, taking it all in. I noticed something funny when I got to the last card... Card 52, "Be Grateful". There were two of them. Two identical cards. Surely this was a packaging mistake, and it has always made me wonder if someone out there who also bought this deck is missing card number 52 from their set. But I also strongly felt that in some way, this was a message just for me. "Be Grateful". I removed the duplicate from the deck and it has been out in plain view ever since. Some years it simply stays on my altar. Some years it is taped to the refrigerator. Right now it is taped to the bulletin board above my meditation altar, just to the right of my computer desk.
That deck was indeed a turning point in my spirituality. I read the book and used the cards often, I began listening to Sonia Choquette's radio show on HayHouseRadio.com (also called Trust Your Vibes) and learned so much about what it means to really listen to your spirit and be a six-sensory being. My life and spirituality have never been the same since I bought that deck and book, but the underlying current behind it all has been the lesson of Gratitude. Without understanding the importance of Gratitude in all things, I don't think I would have come as far in my life.
When you teach yourself to live in Gratitude, you teach yourself awareness, mindfulness, acceptance, and grace. You can't be grateful for your experiences and gifts without being aware of them and mindful about them. You can't be grateful for something without fully accepting it... and accepting things teaches you to live gracefully.
Having this duplicate card in the deck that I randomly picked up from the bookstore shelf that day made me pay more attention to it than the other cards, and ever since then I think I have tried to focus on Gratitude as part of my daily life. Of course sometimes I stray and need a reminder, and Spirit certainly finds ways to remind me of that!
As some of you know, I work as a waitress. It's not always the most gratifying job, and it can be hard to be grateful when the tips are poor. But after yesterday's meditation, the word Gratitude kept popping in my head, and I thought, I really can't blog about something that I'm not actively practicing in my daily life right now. Before bed I wrote a list of 5 things I was grateful for yesterday. This morning before work I wrote another list of 5 things I am grateful for, then I went to work, determined to practice gratitude... no matter what.
Spirit decided to test me. My first table only left a two dollar tip. I took a deep breath, pushed away the feeling of disappointment, and said a prayer of gratitude. I said "Goddess, thank you for this gift!" My ego was trying to complain that two dollars was not anything to be grateful for, but I mindfully and purposefully silenced that voice and just said "Thank you" and thought about the gallon of milk that the money would help me buy. Spirit decided to test me again. My second table... a tip of $2.50. Ego was raging, but once again I took a deep breath, pushed away the hurt feelings and disappointment and again said a prayer of thankfulness and joyfully envisioned another item that I would be able to buy for my family with that $2.50. The day pretty much continued like this, and I think the universe just wanted to see how determined I was to continue living in gratitude while at work. I mean, tips were just lousy all day. But with every 8% and 10% tip that I got, I said that prayer of gratitude and just smiled and thanked the Universe for the gifts I was receiving. Then, at the end of my shift, something amazing happened. I had a table of 7 that left me a $25 tip. I once again said this prayer of gratitude but still noticed that voice nagging in the back of my head, saying that now at least maybe I will break even and this helps make up for the previous poor tips. I was surprised at my negative inner narrative... seems I haven't been paying attention to my thoughts nearly enough and this ego has gotten a bit out of control. Hmmm. No matter, I pushed that voice aside and just felt the gratitude. After my shift, I counted all my tips for the day, and I somehow had over $75 for my 5 hour shift. I thought back over my tables and it wasn't that busy today... it was a normal Wednesday lunch shift. I hadn't had that many tables through the day, and with the nature of the tips I had received, I just couldn't quite figure out how it added up to over $75, even with that $25 tip...
Somehow though, the universe provided for me. My gratitude in some way helped multiply what I was receiving, and attracted more. And it taught me that I need to continue practicing this awareness because my negative thoughts are just a bit out of control and really blocking my flow of gratitude right now. I'm going to continue writing a short gratitude list every evening and morning just to keep my mind centered on Gratitude as I should.... and I suggest that you do the same!
As for that oracle card number 52, "Be Grateful" that hangs on the wall to my right, I looked up the message that goes with that card again and wanted to share it with you, because we all need a reminder now and then;
"Make a list of all that you've been given so that you can fully absorb how much abundance you truly enjoy in your life. Think of this as your gratitude list. Add to it daily as you notice the little things in your life that you truly appreciate. Rather than worrying about what you don't have, look at all that you do have. As you understand how thankful you should be, you send a signal to the Universe to give you more. . . and it will."
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Faith of The Fool
I just discovered The Pagan Blog Project! I'm a bit late in joining, but I think I'm going to join now! I was absent from the blogging world for awhile and probably would have seen this if I had been blogging and actually reading the blogs I follow! But... I guess it's not too late to join in on the fun and sharing!
This week's Pagan Blog Project theme is the letter F. So, let's get started and explore the Tarot Card - The Fool!
Major Arcana 0 - The FoolNew beginnings, heading out into the unknown, taking a chance, being spontaneous, following your heart, having faith, innocence, living in joy, releasing worry and doubt, going with the flow, making foolish or childish choices, learning to accept responsibility for your choices and actions.
In the Classic RWS image of The Fool, we find a young Page setting out on a journey. He seems oblivious to the dangers that might lie ahead, and any wrong step could mean certain disaster. But I don't think he's unaware of the dangers.... just that he is so excited about his journey and so joyful about the possibilities that his travels will bring, that he is choosing not to focus on the perils. Some would see this as truly irresponsible, and well.... Foolish. Others, who more willingly embrace the flow of spirit... they might see this as wise. I think it all boils down to Faith. Understanding the basic Law of Attraction, you can't really go into your life journey full of worry and doubt... because then of course your fears can easily manifest. For me, the Fool serves as a reminder that attitude is everything. If we can only learn to approach life with the open-heart, trust, innocence, and faith of the Fool, then every step becomes an adventure, every path becomes an opportunity to learn and grow, and we really learn to "go with the flow".
More details on this card here.
Pictured here to the right is The Fool from the Marseilles Deck.
I look at this card and my first thought is, "Hey, dude... your pants are ripped and your ass is hanging out!" But then I think, there is something to be learned from this as well. When you put yourself out there, trusting in the flow of the Universe, there are bound to be times when things just don't go as you had planned. Sure, if you're focused on the positive, The Law of Attraction will help you out... but this doesn't mean you might not slip and fall or rip your pants and expose yourself as an utter asshole every once in awhile. The Fool's Journey means NOTHING if he doesn't learn and grow from his experiences. But the Wise Fool takes what he has, and keeps going. Is this guy going to give up on his plan to go out into the world full of experiences just because his ass cheek is hanging out? Nope. Perhaps he is learning humbleness. Perhaps he is learning how to laugh at himself. Perhaps he is learning that no matter where you go, there are butt-sniffing dogs who want to point out your failings. (There is something a lot deeper in that concept for you all to ponder, but let's stay focused.) Perhaps he just needs to learn how to sew. But regardless of the setbacks The Fool may face, he keeps going. What a joyful affirmation of Faith!
Here's another version of The Fool, from the Housewives' tarot. I have explored the meanings of this Fool in a couple other blog posts.
Here and Here are a couple of them. The main thing I notice with this version of the card is that, even though this young housewife is obviously ill-prepared and lacking organization, she still seems excited and hopeful for what lies ahead. In truth, we are never really prepared for what lies ahead... and even the most organized and prepared person will come across things they hadn't expected. Somehow, a monkey-wrench always gets thrown in the mix, and we are faced with choices or situations we hadn't planned for. Once again, The Fool reminds us about Faith and being able to Go With the Flow! Worrying about how things will turn out isn't really going to help anything... sometimes you just have to pull yourself together the best you can and keep going.
Here on the right is The Fool depicted in The Goddess Tarot as Beginnings and related to the Tibetan Goddess Tara. Tara was born from a Lotus Flower in a lake of tears, and she is considered to be a strong protector Goddess. "Tibetans believe that the goddess Tara has the power to heal all sorrows and grant all wishes. Tara is honored as the protectress against the many fears that block men and women from living in happiness and harmony." (from The Goddess Tarot guidebook by Kris Waldherr) Once again, it comes down to FAITH. Tara teaches us to let go of our fears and worries, heal our sorrows, and move forward to the new beginnings that we face with faith and trust. She helps us find happiness, optimism, and trust in ourselves. I do plan on blogging more about the goddess Tara, as she has been calling to me recently, so stay tuned!
This has been my tarot card for the month of March. Around the beginning of the New Year, I did a tarot reading for myself in which I drew one Major Arcana card for each month of the coming year. I have been finding that the messages of each month's card are really fitting my life, and giving me great guidance for my learning and life lessons.
By the end of February I hit a depression that really threw me off balance. This lasted through the end of February and most of March. I was struggling just to get through the mundane daily tasks of life, had lost all motivation, had lost hope, and had lost faith. As the clouds lifted (which took some fighting on my end) I realized maybe I hadn't really lost faith after all... I mean I did keep going and I did keep fighting the depression and exploring ways to get through it. It took some time and strength, but I got through it. When I returned to the land of the living, I found a sense of newness in everything. It is now all opportunities and beginnings everywhere I look. I think sometimes we have to fall in order to find that sense of starting over. I slipped and fell off that cliff, a danger that the RWS Fool faces.... but I got up again. I discovered humbleness and the feeling of my "ass" being exposed like the Marseilles Fool, but now I know I can keep going. I feel like a beautiful lotus flower has bloomed inside of me, watered by the tears of my sorrow and transformed into something amazing and fresh.... the lessons of Tara becoming clearer to me each day.
Sometimes when we stumble, maybe it's because the universe needs us to stop, re-evaluate our direction, and start over with the Faith and Innocence of The Fool. May your road always bring you adventure and growth, and may you be able to face it all with the Faith of The Fool!
This week's Pagan Blog Project theme is the letter F. So, let's get started and explore the Tarot Card - The Fool!
In the Classic RWS image of The Fool, we find a young Page setting out on a journey. He seems oblivious to the dangers that might lie ahead, and any wrong step could mean certain disaster. But I don't think he's unaware of the dangers.... just that he is so excited about his journey and so joyful about the possibilities that his travels will bring, that he is choosing not to focus on the perils. Some would see this as truly irresponsible, and well.... Foolish. Others, who more willingly embrace the flow of spirit... they might see this as wise. I think it all boils down to Faith. Understanding the basic Law of Attraction, you can't really go into your life journey full of worry and doubt... because then of course your fears can easily manifest. For me, the Fool serves as a reminder that attitude is everything. If we can only learn to approach life with the open-heart, trust, innocence, and faith of the Fool, then every step becomes an adventure, every path becomes an opportunity to learn and grow, and we really learn to "go with the flow".
More details on this card here.
I look at this card and my first thought is, "Hey, dude... your pants are ripped and your ass is hanging out!" But then I think, there is something to be learned from this as well. When you put yourself out there, trusting in the flow of the Universe, there are bound to be times when things just don't go as you had planned. Sure, if you're focused on the positive, The Law of Attraction will help you out... but this doesn't mean you might not slip and fall or rip your pants and expose yourself as an utter asshole every once in awhile. The Fool's Journey means NOTHING if he doesn't learn and grow from his experiences. But the Wise Fool takes what he has, and keeps going. Is this guy going to give up on his plan to go out into the world full of experiences just because his ass cheek is hanging out? Nope. Perhaps he is learning humbleness. Perhaps he is learning how to laugh at himself. Perhaps he is learning that no matter where you go, there are butt-sniffing dogs who want to point out your failings. (There is something a lot deeper in that concept for you all to ponder, but let's stay focused.) Perhaps he just needs to learn how to sew. But regardless of the setbacks The Fool may face, he keeps going. What a joyful affirmation of Faith!
Here and Here are a couple of them. The main thing I notice with this version of the card is that, even though this young housewife is obviously ill-prepared and lacking organization, she still seems excited and hopeful for what lies ahead. In truth, we are never really prepared for what lies ahead... and even the most organized and prepared person will come across things they hadn't expected. Somehow, a monkey-wrench always gets thrown in the mix, and we are faced with choices or situations we hadn't planned for. Once again, The Fool reminds us about Faith and being able to Go With the Flow! Worrying about how things will turn out isn't really going to help anything... sometimes you just have to pull yourself together the best you can and keep going.
This has been my tarot card for the month of March. Around the beginning of the New Year, I did a tarot reading for myself in which I drew one Major Arcana card for each month of the coming year. I have been finding that the messages of each month's card are really fitting my life, and giving me great guidance for my learning and life lessons.
By the end of February I hit a depression that really threw me off balance. This lasted through the end of February and most of March. I was struggling just to get through the mundane daily tasks of life, had lost all motivation, had lost hope, and had lost faith. As the clouds lifted (which took some fighting on my end) I realized maybe I hadn't really lost faith after all... I mean I did keep going and I did keep fighting the depression and exploring ways to get through it. It took some time and strength, but I got through it. When I returned to the land of the living, I found a sense of newness in everything. It is now all opportunities and beginnings everywhere I look. I think sometimes we have to fall in order to find that sense of starting over. I slipped and fell off that cliff, a danger that the RWS Fool faces.... but I got up again. I discovered humbleness and the feeling of my "ass" being exposed like the Marseilles Fool, but now I know I can keep going. I feel like a beautiful lotus flower has bloomed inside of me, watered by the tears of my sorrow and transformed into something amazing and fresh.... the lessons of Tara becoming clearer to me each day.
Sometimes when we stumble, maybe it's because the universe needs us to stop, re-evaluate our direction, and start over with the Faith and Innocence of The Fool. May your road always bring you adventure and growth, and may you be able to face it all with the Faith of The Fool!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
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!
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?
-----------------------------------
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
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. "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.
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?
-----------------------------------
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
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