Depression and Temperance

Temperance XIV



Next on our Tarot card learning adventure we are going to talk about, Temperance. I wanted to do something a little different this time and use the card as a platform to talk about a slightly more serious topic, depression. If I were to pick a card to represent depression, it would be Temperance. If you look up the definition of Temperance it talks about moderation and abstinence (it also talks about abstaining from food and alcohol, which isn't really my thing because I love both alas, moderation is key). With depression, sometimes you do everything you can to abstain from it. Some of us fight until we have no fight left. What would happen if we stopped fighting our demons? What if we found a way to find some form of sacred balance between our light and dark self? Stick with me, because I think we can use the Tarot as a tool to achieve this almost impossible task. 

A little bit about me and how I relate to this topic: I have had depression since I was a kid. I have struggled with trying to find balance within myself for many years and continue to struggle, but am getting much better at it. I like to think I am at a point now where most days are better than others, but I still feel depression's claws fogging up my mind on a fairly regular basis. Right before I get depressed, I find myself unable to make the simplest of decisions, like 'what to make for supper' or the question 'what do you want to do' almost always gives me hives at the thought. Then I start to feel cold both mentally and physically. I am not sure about you, but to me it literally feels like you're sitting at the beach having a fabulous time, you're getting some sun (or if you are me, hiding the the shade to protect your corpse like pallor), eating some delicious picnic snacks, checking out all the hot people at the beach, they're checking you out, its fabulous and BAM the fog is rolling in to ruin a perfect Summer's day. That's what my depression feels like. I am always curious how others can feel their depression coming on and how they cope. 

A couple of things help me cope: First and foremost my husband, friends and family. I am lucky because I have some wonderful people in my life that I can rely on when I need a pick me up, support or simply a hug. Most of us are blessed with having some pretty wonderful people in our lives. We shouldn't be afraid to talk to them about our problems. Another big thing for me, especially where I feel like getting slightly personal tonight is the Occult. It has always been a big part of my life. Studying Tarot, Magick, etc. is a wonderful distraction from reality, plus if you are serious and can find some virgins to throw in a volcano, the Occult will also give you magick powers!- I joke. Or do I? ;) Last but not least I have had some pretty great counselors along the way.  I am a bit of a pusher of the whole idea of talking to someone about your illness. Believe me, I know its really hard to put it out there, but if you get lucky with a good counselor or doctor, they might just give you some great coping advice. They probably wont cure you or make rainbows come out of your butthole, but they could give you a key to help live a better life. To me that is worth all the butthole rainbows in the world.

Possible butthole rainbow.

Now, what does all of this have to do with our most beloved, most fantastic and mystical Tarot? If you look at the Temperance card above, you will see an Angel (cool fact: this Angel is the child of Aphrodite and Hermes and is a hermaphrodite, again we have that balance between male and female) balancing between water and land. That's kind of what living with depression is like. We balance between what we feel inside and how we must conduct ourselves on the outside. The trick to balance is to not fight and pull between both sides. Find yourself somewhere in the middle. The Tarot is FULL of imagery to help you get yourself in that comfy middle . There are pillars, dual sided beasts, figures balancing between water and land, people hanging balanced from trees, you get the picture, its like gymnastics, if it had a flair for the mystical. If I really feel like I need a distraction, I will go through my deck and pull every card I can find that shows me balance. Then I meditate on them, write about them, telling their stories in my journals. Its surprising how a mood can change when you are constantly looking at images that foster a healthier mind. I believe anyone can use Tarot to help them cope with the different things life likes to throw our way. Here are a couple of ways you can use Tarot to help you with depression (it should never be in place of professional assistance):

• Journal prompts- need to get something out of your brain and on to paper? Pull a card and write about how it relates to how you are feeling.
• Need something to meditate on? Check out the High Priestess, The Star, Temperance, The Chariot or the Hierophant (just a few- see if you can find some more) to put the image of balance into your mind. Remember it is 100% okay to feel shitty. Own those dark feelings just like you do the good ones!
• Use it like a picture book. Go through the cards one at a time and use them as distraction.
• Play a Tarot version of Where's Waldo as a way to get your mind off a panic attack- I use this one a lot! Take each card and see if you can find little hidden symbols. The Tarot is ripe with all kinds of hidden imagery. I have been doing this for years and still find new things each time.  This is great because it helps get my anxiety at bay and I am learn something new about Tarot. Win, win baby and I am all about that! 
• Find a card that makes your heart feel happy and one that upsets you. Focus on the polarizing feelings and how each card makes you feel. Write about it in a journal or book of shadows about how your body reacts to the positive card and why it reacts to the negative image. Do you think you could figure out why you are reacting that way?
  
  

Where we have some exercises on how to use the Tarot to find balance, I thought I would do a little meditation on the Temperance card as our exercise for this specific card.

Temperance's Lesson: A Meditation

Get comfy. Relax. Breathe. All that good stuff. 

Picture yourself walking along a beautiful seaside path. The sun is shining and it's rays feel just right on your skin. The air smells salty and the wind is warm against your face. You can hear the waves crashing on the beach. You are walking along a trail weaving you around giant sand dunes. You can hear gulls in the distance but no people. You are alone but find company in the gulls. As you walk you are thinking of all the happy moments in life. Your family, loved ones, your pets. You are blissfully counting your blessings. You get a little extra pep in your step and are feeling excited and happy for the future. At this time you feel that nothing could go wrong in the world. 

Then as quickly as that thought crosses your mind, the air turns cold. Your friend and guide, the sun hides behind large dark storm clouds. Suddenly the sound of the sea goes from a calming rhythm to a menacing reminder that there are forces so much bigger than you. The gulls disappear and now you feel very alone. You continue along your path as fog rolls in off the now black water that you catch glimpses of between the dunes. The dunes are no longer gentle mounds of sand, now they are large mountains, impossible to climb. You begin to hurry. You want away from this place. 

In your hurry you reach a stream that cuts between the path. In the middle of the stream stands a beautiful, glowing angel. He is huge. His wings are bright red and feathered like a cardinal. He has a golden aura that shines brilliantly from around the crown of his head. One of his perfect feet is resting in the stream while the other is sitting comfortably on the land. Between his hands he is pouring water from one cup into another. He stops and looks at you. Never losing his footing or spilling the contents the chalices. He is surprised by your panic and need to get away from the stormy water. He does not speak but in your mind you hear him. He asks you why you are so keen to run away. Why you will not stay at the beach. It is still a Summer's day, is it not? He asks you. Through your mind's eye he shows you that without the dark days we would never appreciate the light. You must love your darkness. You must find comfort within it. Otherwise he says, you will never truly appreciate the brilliant glow of the light when you do not know what the darkest night feels like. The angel motions for you to join him in the water. You put one foot into the cool streaming water, he hands you two chalices of your own. You hold them high to the rainclouds. Urging them to fill your cups, so you too can balance between the light and the dark. 

When you are ready, bring yourself out of the meditation and back into real life. 

That ends our little adventure into Temperance. I feel that I have gotten more personal than I ever had planned too but I must admit, I feel much better. Take some time to get to know Temperance. I think you will like this card! Until our next adventure I bid us Northern Hem. folks happy Spring and you fine Southern Hem. folks a happy Fall! I celebrated Ostara this year by planting some pumpkin, corn and cucumber seeds. I planted these on March 21st and took this picture yesterday on the 27th. Look at those little buddies grow!



Reading Tarot for Children and Teens

What do you think of the idea of reading for children or teens? Or would you allow your child to get a reading?  I will begin by stating that I do read for both children and teens. I'm hoping the rules and guidelines that I follow help you figure out what to do, if you are on the fence. Ready yourself, grab a coffee, tea or hot toddy. Put on something both sexy yet comfy, relax and get your peepers ready, heed this warning- it could end up being a long post.
Lets begin with, should you read for children or teens?
There is a big difference between reading for children and for teenagers. Lets start by talking about reading for children. When I volunteered with the Carnival of Terror last year, I had the chance to read for a lot of young people (between 9-12). It was my first time reading for kids outside of my family and friends. If you decide to read for children, the most important rule would be to make sure there is a parent or guardian present. If all you read of this post is that bolded sentence, my work as your Tarot guide is done. It is the most important rule.  So important and I am going to just put it right here, one more time,  if you do choose to read for a child make 100% sure that a parent or guardian is present. This covers you and the child.  You never know what a kid could end up going back to their parents and saying. It is better to have them there to hear everything you are telling their most precious little monster firsthand. Another plus of having a guardian present is that you can ensure that you will not become a babysitter. Sadly this does happen, especially at public fairs or events. There is nothing worse than being stuck with an unruly child when you are trying to create an air of mystery and intrigue. We are Tarot Readers not babysitters. Never let anyone take advantage of your tent or your time!

Rule number two, make sure you have a child friendly deck to use. When I went to the Carnival of Terror, I only brought my Rider Waite deck. In retrospect, I wish I had brung a deck that was more child friendly and did not contain nudity. The Rider deck's nudity is not graphic but it is there are some cards contain totally naked people. Learn from me, I ended up getting some disapproving looks from a couple of parents, especially when their kids were pointing at the Star card saying, "boooooobies." Yeah... that was not a comfortable time to be me. You do not want to introduce a random child to anatomy. Save that for their parents or biology teachers! Next time I am at a public function where there will be children, I am going to make sure to use my Fairy Deck or perhaps find something else to use. Runes or Witch Stones might be a good idea because they contain zero naked parts. Another thing to keep in mind is the imagery on your deck. It may not be a wise idea to use the Zombie Tarot for example, to read for a nine year old. Keep your decks lighthearted and fun for the youngin's out there. Note: I just assumed reading at a Haunted House, would result in older people getting readings done instead of children. You know the old saying to never assume, listen to those old sayings!

Someday I will get a real camera...

Rule number three, because apparently, I love rules, you will need to think about some cards like Death. Do you really want the Death card to come up for a child? Do you really want to explain to them about how it does not actually mean Death and do you think they will actually listen? If I were you, I would remove it. Unethical to remove cards? Yes I think so, but do I want to explain it to some random ten year old, no thanks! There are decks out there that are specifically for children, but I don't see the point investing money into a deck I would only use a couple of times. Instead, I think it is better to modify whichever deck you plan to use. You will also need to think about how you would explain cards like the Three of Swords or Ten of Swords to a child. Depending on their age, the Three of Swords could be described as being sad and dealing with emotions. The Ten of Swords might be a nasty classmate or friend who likes to gossip. Do you just gloss over the meaning, rewording them to be child friendly?  Really think about your delivery and how you approach those not so nice cards. Another thing to consider are the more racy cards like the Lovers or the Nine of Cups. There are other cards too that you may want to be cautious about. A mistake that I made was telling a child when they got the Moon, that there were spirits around them. Little kid me would have LOVED to hear that. This kid was nervous and his mom immediately made me clarify that they were not bad spirits. Something that is so commonplace and normal to an adult could be scary to a child. This is where the idea of using runes or witch stones might be a better alternative when reading publicly for children. 

Witch's Runes

Not a rule but something else to consider are spreads. I typically use the Celtic Cross spread.* Its my go to spread, but it really does not translate well for children. There is too much information in the Celtic Cross for someone who has only been on this earth for a couple of years. I personally prefer to use a three card spread that covers the basics- past, present, future. These spreads typically do not go too deep into the past and I find they work well. Lastly an easy go to is a 12 card / 12 month spread that just covers each month of the year. This one seems to work well and is popular with children I have read for.

When it comes to reading for teens, I work a little differently. Teens are probably my favourite age group to read for because they have this vibrancy about them. Young people are open minded, they are excited and willing to listen. If you are on the younger side of teenager-hood (I made a new word- fancy) your parent or guardian should either be present or at least pop in to tell me that its okay. They do not need to stay for the reading, but I still want their permission.
The cut off for parental permission for me is that if you are old enough to drive a car, you are old enough to decide for yourself whether you should get a Tarot Reading or not. I know a lot of people say 18, which makes perfect sense and I agree, but full disclosure, I would probably not turn a 16 or 17 year old away. Plus some of them are more mature than people my age, so there is always that.

There are still some things to consider when reading for teens. First your deck choice. I don't think you have to be as cautious about nudity as you do with children but you still need to remember that they are minors. None of us want to turn into the "creepy Tarot Reader" on the circuit. Some Tarot decks are basically softcore porn, The Witches Tarot is a perfect example of that. I would not use that deck, seriously though, have you seen that deck? The nudity is very 80's and it just gives me the weirdest vibe. They need to spice that one up, but alas thats a whole other post. Unlike reading for children, you can be a little more creative with your deck selection. The Zombie Tarot, Halloween Tarot or Tarot of the Dead might be fun for this age group (upon re-reading this before posting, I noticed I listed all spooky decks. I just cannot turn my brain off of Halloween). You can also be old school like me and stick with old faithful, the Rider Waite-Smith and I think you would be fine.

Picking a Tarot spread for this age group is easy as well. By thirteen you have seen some things. You should have had some major experiences by this point. Therefore I believe the Celtic Cross works fine or any other Tarot spread you want to use would also work great. There is just enough past for the past cards to  make sense. I love telling young people about their future loves, careers and adventures. 90% of the time its something positive and gives them something to look forward to. I always slip in a little guidance counsellor like wisdom with messages of "staying in school", "following your dreams" and "being open to love" because hey, why not plant some positive seeds. You might just be the reason they decide to stay in school if they think it is written in the stars that they will be successful. Note: I am not saying to manipulate a teen by telling them everything will work out and be dandy, but I see no harm in telling someone hard work will pay off or to follow their dreams. You the always mysterious, Tarot Reader may be a beacon of hope for some young person. Keep this in mind. Which brings me to my next point.

What about those cards that are not so nice? How do you explain them to an impressionable teen? This one is not easy because teens are old enough to pick up on the symbols on the cards. They are also very intuitive so trying to hide something from them will probably result in embarrassment. I try to treat teens like adults and am very black and white about what I see. The good thing is that you can explain to a teenager that the Death card means change and not physical death or that the Three of Swords means heartache.  They are often wiser than we give them credit for.
There is a balance in Tarot of light and dark cards so eventually you will get someone who for lack of a better term, gets a really shitty reading. This especially sucks when it happens to a young person. Again its all about delivery. There is no need to tell a young person that something horrible is going to happen. Be delicate and explain that nothing is set in stone and that these cards are showing up as a warning about what can be avoided. An example is the Devil. Maybe this person has been getting into things they should not be doing, maybe they succumb to peer pressure. This would be a good way to let them know they can think for themselves and that they can avoid going down a bad path if they listen to themselves instead of everyone else. There is a positive in every card so if you get a young person who has a lot of negative cards, do everything you can to make sure they leave feeling happy with a new point of view on how they can navigate growing up. I wish I had a Tarot Reader who could have helped me through those awkward years!

Last but not least this part is for the parents who may be on the fence about letting their most precious angels/ sometimes devils get a Tarot reading. First it is super important to do your research. Make sure you take them to someone who has a good reputation. Read testimonials, check out their website, ask around, creep their Facebook or Twitter account. If you get someone who takes Tarot seriously and is not just messing around for a few extra bucks, you will not be disappointed. Please be weary of anyone who just pops up claiming they can read the cards. There are a lot of weirdos out there but you don't need me to tell you that. Don't be afraid to ask the reader questions or talk to them before hand. Be prepared that no one, not even the Tarot Reader will know what is going to pop up during the reading. If this makes you feel sketchy, Tarot may not be for your young one just yet. If you are still with me, know that if there are topics that you do not want discussed, just let them know. Any reader worth their incense, crystals and salt will be respectful of these requests and would appreciate the heads up. Tarot is an age old tradition of fun, mystery and exploring the unknown, remember that this is for entertainment. If you have any reservations whatsoever, than my recommendation is to NOT allow your child to get a reading done. As your Tarot reading guide, I like to think we are not going anywhere so we will always be around when the time is right.

*For anyone who is not familiar, the Celtic Cross is a fairly traditional Tarot spread which consists of ten cards, that cover everything from the past to the future, issues hiding under the surface, how others see you, hopes and fears and everything else in-between. 

Death

Death XIII

My oldest foe Death,

How I fear your visit

The clasp of your cold hand

The scent of your presence,

I live in your black shadow

You great bringer of sorrow.
Forcing the wheel of life to turn

Encourager of new seasons,

Without the demise of Winter

Spring would not burst forth.

Without you, would I know joy

Experience purest happiness,

Without comparison to your gloom.

My dearest friend Death,

Do you know what love is?
 

-N. Thiemann

This card needs no fancy heading or funny play on words. It needs not a paragraph on the February weather or my usual initial banter- though I do have some good Tarot Adventure stories and updates for my next post. This my friends, readers and fellow bloggers is the most infamous card of them all. Featured in countless horror movies, detective novels, surrounded by a smokescreen of mystery and fear. Why do we fear this card so much? Is it because most of us are inherently scared to die? I sometimes think this card is so powerful because we can all connect with it. Every one of us has experienced death in our lives or will eventually experience it. I remember my first exposure death. Like most people, it was the passing of a pet, my first dog, Tramp. I will never forget the day I found out Tramp had passed on. I think we all remember our first experience realizing that the fragility of life is a very real thing.  Out of all of the cards, this is the one I respect the most. I have the upmost respect for the grieving and the afraid. We are all in this together. Side note: my dog was named after "Lady and the Tramp" (it was the 90's) and we thought that would be a fitting name for the scruffy terrier/weiner dog that he was. Afterwards we realized that might not have been a good "dog name" after all. The little bastard- I say that with love, had a real passion for running away and it would result in my mother yelling, "Tramp" loudly out the door. I think a lot of people in our neighbourhood might have took it personally based on our popularity with the neighbours...

Many people in the Tarot community tread lightly when this card makes an appearance in a reading. I believe in following some serious Tarot ethics and one of those things is to never tell someone they or a person they love are going to die. Lets leave that conversation for medical professionals who can really tell you how much more time you have on the clock. This is not something for a Tarot Reader, in my opinion, to get into. I have a close friend whom a Reader once told her mother that her father would die within the year. She spent a year worrying every time he coughed or went out. He is still kicking today. You see, there is no need to plant that seed in someone's mind. Even if I do see a death, I personally would never tell someone. Does that make me dishonest? Maybe. I'm not losing any sleep at night. Plus it is very rare that this card does mean an actual death in the first place. Which is a perfect way to lead into our next paragraph...

 

This card does indeed mean the end of something, hence the title, "Death" but that could mean the end of many things. Depending on the cards surrounding it, it could indicate the end of a job or relationship. Usually it lets you know that the end will be a GOOD thing. The sun is pictured rising which is always a symbol for better things to come. When the cards around Death are a mismatch of all sorts of different meanings than I take it as a sign of BIG CHANGES to come. It can indicate a whirlwind like change, where you feel like everything is happening around you but you have lost control. Oftentimes this will come up for people who have been having a terrible year or they are feeling lost on their path. This card really wants you to just, roll with it or go with the flow. There is no sense fighting what we cannot change. Like physical death, we can put on anti aging face cream or workout until the cows come home but in the end the Reaper will always be waiting. I am just a ball of sunshine today folks! When this card is coupled with the Three of Swords, Nine of Swords or Ten of Swords, this is when I would think about physical death. Again, I caution you, please use your discretion. No one needs to hear about their demise from a psychic. If you are someone who feels that their querent should hear all news, please be gentle in your delivery and remember even the best of us can be wrong. I strongly urge discretion when sharing information like this and the consideration of not sharing this info at all.

 

Getting Acquainted with Death

 

It is no surprise to anyone who knows me personally, that I am a little on the morbid side. My house is pretty much Halloween ready 365 days a year- however it is classy not tacky- there is a very fine line folks. I love horror in all its many forms. Growing up I lived beside a cemetery so my parents would take me there to play. That's where I learned to ride my bike and used to go sliding. I was always a little antisocial even as a child and would go to the cemetery to relax and sort out my thoughts. The cemetery that I frequent is called Fernhill and it is where my family has been laid to rest for many generations and it truly is my "happy place". Please do not be fooled, even though I surround myself in spooky imagery and take relaxing strolls through the cemetery, I am terrified of death and my own future demise.

 

I have been trying to figure out some exercises to help anyone interested get more in tune with this card. My recommendation would be to take a stroll through your local cemetery, if this type of place does not bother you. Make an afternoon of it. You will be surprised at how much history you will uncover. Do some cemetery etchings or maybe take some pictures. You might just capture a couple of ghostly images. If you do decide to do this exercise please be respectful of the cemetery and those who are laid to rest there. If you bring your dog, clean up after him or her otherwise, I will get on my broomstick and find you! Nothing bothers me more than people who let their pets run rampant in a place that should be respected. This is not an amusement park! *takes off ranting hat*

 

 

If you are not comfortable with the cemetery, which I completely understand why not embrace the change aspect of this card. Take a little trip to a nearby town and check out some new sights. Do something different that you would not typically do. See what happens when you bring new change into your life!

 

Rituals of Imbolc

Welcoming Imbolc: Ideas to Inspire

The view from my Reading Room

I must confess, I was supposed to have these Imbolc ideas written to go with the Imbolc Blessings post. Then got lazy and never posted it, so alas, here I am writing on a snowy day all about the Spring. The weather has been so weird this Winter. It was 9 degrees Celsius yesterday now today it is cold and there is a snowstorm going on. This is probably the first "real" storm we have had all Winter. I am not sure if the Gods are just being good to us on the East Coast or if there is something more sinister at play causing this warm and unusual weather. Snow or no snow, I wanted to talk a little about Imbolc.

I have always liked this Sabbat. Imbolc is all about hope, which is something we sure could use a lot more of in this world. When February 2nd comes around normally we would be in dire need of some sign of Spring or a message from the universe to let us know it is going to be okay. At this time in the year many of us are in the deepest part of seasonal depression and are struggling to stay positive. Imbolc comes to help cheer us up and give us a little nudge by reminding us that beneath the snow and cold, the Earth is coming alive.

Can you believe that in some parts of the world, little flowers are starting to poke their way through the snow? Or that birds are starting to make their way home? Even though we can't see it with our human eyes, nature is getting ready for the next season. We need to have faith that before long the sun will be kissing our faces with warmth once more. I don't want to go into the history of Imbolc or go into it too deeply, simply because there is information all about the Sabbats all over the Internet. I recommend doing some deep reading on this Sabbat if you are not familiar with what I am talking about here, because I think you will be excited about what you discover!

Growing up as a Wiccan- at the time (I really don't know what to call myself these days) I was very lucky in the sense that I had a group of like minded friends and even a family member (my dear magickal witchy Aunt Donna) to celebrate the Sabbats with me. We would all gather together, do a ritual and then have some delicious potluck food. I cherish these memories. These days our group has changed, people have gotten married, older, busier and new magickal people have come into our lives. We do not gather like we used to but I find comfort in knowing that we all share these same candlelit recollections.

Today I want to share with you some of the Imbolc activities I have done in hopes that it inspires you to make some Imbolc memories for yourself. Even if we are a few days late!

Here are some things to do on Imbolc:

• If you consider yourself a kitchen witch, why not try your hand at some bread making? You can make a simple dough (who I am kidding, is there a "simple" dough out there that actually tastes good?) break it into three sections and then braid them together. Your bread is going to come out looking AMAZING and everyone will praise you for your mad kitchen skills! When you braid the dough together infuse it with your awesomeness so anyone who eats it gets a blessing from you.
• Make some candles! This was always my favourite part of Imbolc. I used to go down to Michael's- I know, not the most new age kinda place, and buy some beeswax sheets and some wicks. Then I would heat the wax up with a hair dryer and roll them into candles. You can get creative with different colours or designs. There is pretty much no mess and they come out looking beautiful. You can add herbs, oils or even gemstones to your candles. I went to go do this last year and was told that it was so cold they were not getting any beeswax shipments in but other years I have had no problems getting the wax.
• Make a bed for Bride. Imbolc is heavily associated with the lovely, beautiful, inspiring Goddess Brigid. Back in the day people would make a little bed for Bride and put it beside their hearth. They would create an effigy of her from corn husks (or whatever you have on hand) and then would put her in bed for the night. It is believed that Brigid would visit in the night and bestow blessings on your home. You can also make an acorn wand representing the God and put that in the bed too. This is a great way to bring some fertility magick into your house.
• Take a bowl of milk and leave it out or pour it outside as an offering to the nature spirits. If you have a garden, I would recommend pouring your milk there. If it wont freeze (which is what happened to mine) you can leave it outside as a snack for any animals making their way through your yard at night. Almond milk, coconut milk etc. also work fine! Doing this is supposed to bring good luck to your garden and a fruitful harvest.
• Corn husk dollies and sun wheels are another great Imbolc craft to get you into the spirit of Spring. Here are some lovely links to help guide you: dollies and sun wheels also known as Brigid's Cross. Happy witch-crafting!

We will be back in full Tarot mode in my next post all about that infamous Death Card.

***Cue spooky noises.***

 



 

Imbolc Blessings

Brightest Imbolc Blessings!







Hanging with the Hanged Man

The Hanged Man XII

Finally it's safe to say we survived the Mercury Retrograde and now are on our way to greener, well maybe snowier pastures (it is February after all). I am feeling a lot better than I was feeling last month. I feel like I am ready to get back on my broomstick and continue on with my Tarot journeys. I must say even with the retrograde going on causing me all kinds of scandal, I also had the pleasure of meeting some really great people for readings. One lady was just a sweetheart. We talked for hours and I ended up almost leaving without getting my fee, leave it to me! Thankfully she was honest and reminded me to take my moo-lah. I also got to read for some lovely ladies who served me delicious goat cheese and cider. We had excellent conversation and a lot of laughs. That is just a small fraction of the delightful people I met last month. I say this often but I am truly lucky to be able to read Tarot and meet so many interesting and wonderful souls.  Meeting people for readings and hearing their stories really helps to remind me of why I do this. Tarot can be exhausting at times. You are constantly opening your energy and spirit up to others, but I will tell you that in the end it is always worth the late evenings and busy schedule. What you get out of reading Tarot is so much more than what you put in. Especially if you are passionate about this art. 

As I write this I can see the trees outside of my house bending with the wind. The flowering crab is doing it's best to stand strong against the February gusts. Clive Barker, the author of my favourite book of all time, "The Thief of Always" compared February to a "great grey beast". Ever since reading that description I have always seen this month as this beast that comes roaring in, beating us down with cold, unpredictable weather and then disappears like a fever dream. Recently it has been eerily warm in my neck of the South Eastern coast of Canada. Normally by this time we would be buried in feet of snow, I am actually not even exaggerating, but as it stands we have less than six inches of the white stuff. The weather is weird. Things are changing. My reptile brain is a little concerned. 

I find myself starting to get a little stir crazy as well. Even though it hasn't been a typical Winter, it still has been cold and wet enough to keep me away from the places I love like the beach. I am starting to feel stuck and am longing for warm sunny afternoons and humid nights. I miss the smell of bonfires and the sound of crashing ocean waves. The way the sand is almost too hot under your toes and the stark contrast of the freezing cold ocean water- gotta love the North Atlantic- am I right? You know you are Canadian when you brave the FREEZING temperatures like a pro because you want to swim in the ocean. I am feeling a little like our buddy the Hanged Man. Stuck on my tree, okay with the wait but stuck all the same with Winter waning on one side and Spring waxing on the other. Its just a slow waiting game but eventually the changing of the seasons will start and I will be back to my beloved ocean in no time.

I suppose I have bored you long enough with my talks of the weather that I really should get on with what this card is all about. When the Hanged Man shows up in a reading he can symbolize a couple of things. First I always see it as something that is moving slow. For example if someone were to ask me about love and they had this card, I would tell them that love is on it's way but its going to be a wait and to be patient. It doesn't mean that things wont happen but it does mean it is going to take a while. Another interpretation of this card is sacrifice. I was told years and years ago that the Hanged Man represents the Norse God Odin- fun fact: I have been researching my family history and found out my maternal ancestors were Norse! Odin hung on the World Tree for nine days to learn the hidden knowledge of the runes. He sacrificed an eye and was speared but through this sacrifices the knowledge that he obtained was well worth the trouble. His message to you if you get this card is that your sacrifices are soon to pay off. Keep doing what you are doing and you will see results. If you are someone who is always doing things for others, expect some appreciation or pay off. I never see this card as bad omen or an image of suicide or death. Some people have conjured this idea up but I assure you that is not the meaning, at least in my humble opinion. Another fun thing that this card signifies is independence. Someone who knows what they want and what they need to do and does not need the help or influence of other people. If you recently had a break up and this card made an appearance it would be very encouraging because it would remind you that you GOT THIS! As long as you have your back, nothing else matters. This card wants you to be independent and make your own choices. I think that is a very powerful and positive message. I hope that if you see this card in a reading that you get excited that Odin stopped for a visit and a lesson in sacrifice and independence. 

An Exercise with Odin 

Our good friend Odin was a Father God in Norse mythology who was also the God of both war and death. He is also the God of poetry and wisdom- which is what we are going to focus on here. His old english name was Woden which is related to the day Wednesday, which is his day. Odin is also the Father of that sexy Thor fellow. He has two ravens whom he uses to keep an eye on what is happening on Earth. I wish I had myself some fancy ravens that I could use to keep an eye on people. 

For more information on Odin, which I highly recommend researching because he is super interesting, check out the link above to old faithful aka Wikipedia. 

What we are going to do to get more connected with his energy is that on a Wednesday, make some time for yourself, sit down and read some poetry. Be inspired by your favourite poet. Enjoy the lyrical rhythm of a good poem. Take time to appreciate this art. Many people have never read a poem after leaving high school and this makes my poem loving heart sad. If you enjoy writing maybe ask Odin for some inspiration and see what you come up with. I used to write poetry all the time and not to toot my own horn, but I was really damn good at it too! I think I may use some of this Odin inspired thought to write some new poems. I hope you do too!

Here are some links to my favourite poets. I hope you enjoy and find some inspiration through their talent!

Edgar Allan Poe- anyone who knows me should not be surprised that he is number one. 

Robert Frost- seriously, he is so talented. His poem, "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening" be still my Canadian heart. 

Sylvia Plath- You hear references made about her all the time in movies when people are trying to sound well read or smart. Ever wonder why? Her poetry is both strong and beautiful. Check her out! 

William Shakespeare- I am a sucker for old Shakes, especially his love poems. It is the month of love after all! 

Ovid- Last but not least we have Ovid. If you are not familiar with him just know he was one bad ass dude who was exiled. His poetry was considered a little on a racy side back in his day. I absolutely am in LOVE with Ovid, especially surprise, surprise his love poems. Check him out! <3 I always thought if I were to write a book the main character would be named Ovid.

PS: Not a poem but seriously, check out "The Thief of Always" by Clive Barker if you want an awesome February read! 

Happy reading! 

Let's talk about Mercury baby! Lets talk about you and me... (sorry feeling some 90's rap love)

"Happy" 2016 Blog Readers! 

 

I will be honest, lately I have not been feeling very motivated when it comes to my blog, Tarot or just anything in general. Its like the New Year started and I don't feel refreshed or ready to set goals. I just kinda feel, "meh". On the positive side, my anxiety seems to be in check and my depression is at an all time low, with barely any depressed feelings/thoughts in about a month and a half, not that I am counting...okay maybe I am counting, just a little bit. I wish I was starting my 2016 posts with happiness and fun things, but like I have said in past posts, I want to keep it real over here at Adventures in Tarot Reading and sometimes the adventures turn into a bit of a shit creek and that's okay too. It is OK to not feel awesome about the New Year and not to be excited. It is OK to feel tired and blah. It is fine to want to be a Hermit as long as you know eventually you will have to go back to normal life. Plus you would miss out in a lot of awesomeness if you stay in the funk; therefore this is me, metaphorically putting on my big girl pants and getting on with it! Tarot on Tasha, Tarot on... (sometimes you have to be your own cheerleader)! I have some suspicions these feelings are not just happening to me. I think they might be happening to a lot of people and it could be generated by what's going on in the skies and sadly I am not talking about UFOs, I am talking about our good buddy Mercury and what it has been up too lately.
As some of you may know we started 2016 with a Mercury Retrograde, full disclosure: I don't have a lot of astrology know-how to explain it to you here in great detail, but I'm gonna try so just stick with me... I can tell you it makes you crazy, communications fail, you can expect computer issues- like I am having right now and other electronic devices just seem to get a mind of their own and stop working. This is NOT a good time for business or for talking to people in general. Expect a lot of random arguments for no reason or conversations that go nowhere. If you work in Customer Service (may the Gods bless you!) you can bet your hat every crazy and their dog will call you or be at your station. Its just the wildness that comes with our lovely Mercury going backwards. Basically, for a Tarot Reader this is just a great BIG astrological kick in the pants. The good news it always passes and this month, it will be long gone by January 25th. Then it will rear its ugly head again in April. I like to think this has a lot to do with the lack of focus I have been feeling since the holidays have passed.
If you have felt like your brain has just packed up and left for greyer (he-he) pastures then you my friend, might be feeling this retrograde! My best advice is just take everything with a grain of salt. Live each day knowing that we are one day closer to the end of the madness. I don't recommend any business ventures, travel or work with technology during this time. If you must or have too, plan ahead, be diligent and create a schedule for yourself. Back up the computer, save your files and save them again just to be safe. Be mindful of what you say to people or how you are coming across. Everyone is on a bit of an edge right now. Try not to spark up any debates or nitpick. Just go with the flow the best you can. You and I will be 100% fine. I wish I knew some magick spell to make this time better but I don't so really just go with the flow! Remember there are only seven days left of this wildness and I think everyone will be feeling much better. Take some lessons from this time and practice how you handle all the crazy that is going on around you. You might come out of this knowing more about yourself, computers or just the world in general.
If you follow my Tarot Page on Facebook, you will see I pull a card of the day. Today I pulled the Eight of Pentacles, which pictures a young person working away crafting pentacles. The card is all about study, working hard and mastering your craft. When I saw this card come up, I took it as a sign that I should just get back into Full Stealth Tarot Mode and get on with it! I love my cards. I love Tarot. I love this blog. I am not going to let Mercury mess that up! Keep on keeping on readers! We GOT this!!!

 

BONUS- Here is a picture of my gorgeous Tarot loving Boston to make all of you feeling this retrograde wildness feel better!



One of my fur babies. Dallas really loves the cards. <3