“The threads will hold you. They’re stronger than you think.” “Continue with your creativity and be ready to move quickly.” *laughing* “No, I won’t bite you, you already have superpowers within.”
Jul18
Morning Conversation with Spider
Monthly Archives: July 2014
Jul17
Isidore Tarot Card of the Day: The Tower
Ah the Tower. Good morning to me! I always joke that if I were a tarot card, I would be the Tower. Except I’m really not joking. I seem to have a lot of extremes in my life. I’m a risk taker and I tend to never do things half way so I do increase the odds of drama. That being said, I have learned that the experience of the Tower, though usually painful, has always given me amazing opportunities to rebuild in a bigger and better way.
I am not surprised that this card came up for me this morning. My husband (who I’d have to say would be the Magician, if her were a tarot card!) and I were speaking of facing fears just this morning. The interesting thing about this is the adjustment in our attitudes. Our visceral realization of how we stop ourselves by negative thinking. Now that’s not to say we need to walk around with a happy sunshine attitude all the time, because let’s face it, that’s not reality. And if we walk around in denial, that’s when the Tower Card really hurts. It comes at you hard.
Today the tower showed in reverse. You see, I know what I’m facing. And I’m not running from it. I actually appreciate the Tower today because it’s letting me know I have some warning of what is to come, I have a little bit of time and if I play my cards right (no pun intended) I can lessen the pain of it all. I can be proactive this time as opposed to being on the receiving end.
Today is the day to drop all emotional attachments to your fears. Today, look at your reality and accept it in this moment. That is not to say that you accept that it will always be that way. But look at what is and deal with it. Do not become paralyzed. Pull out all your creative problem solving skills, your magic, your resolve. Act decisively. There are resources, there are ways. The biggest thing is to not let the devil inside control you. Do not allow yourself to obsess or become stuck thinking that you can’t do something. Do not allow the type of thinking that says, “I can only do that when this..”. The time is NOW. You’ve been warned.
If you’d like to read these cards for yourself, go HERE
Jul16
Wednesdays With Anna: Making Halve Maantjes
Today I spent the morning with my Mother in Law going over recipes. She had wanted to have finished making these for me before I arrived. Fortunately, she was late in getting up and didn’t get them done. So I got to watch the whole process! These are Have Maantjes, half moons. This is a larger size, normally she says they make them about a third of this size. She tells me that when she was little, it was her job to make the pretty braided edge. After trying it, I can see why. One would need tiny fingers to be able to make a fine braided edge on those of the smaller, hors d’oeuvre size. I had great fun talking about the Indonesia of her childhood, the fried breadfruit that the servants would make, (and she would sneak). It was a pleasure to watch her work. Anna is now nearly 80. She learned to cook when she was 5 (and boy is there a story there, too) . The experience shows. Give this recipe a try, you can use the Empanada wrappers like we did to make it easier on yourself! The filling consists of shredded cooked chicken, celery, carrots, peas, bean threads, garlic, turmeric, salt, and coriander. Add about a quarter slice of a hard-boiled egg to a full tablespoon or so of filling to the wrapper, fold, and fry! Mmmm.
Jul15
Isidore Tarot Card of the Day: Strength, Reversed
We’ve had some plumbing problems again. In fact the “leak” was really a gush and it took out a portion of the ceiling in the kitchen below. Fun! Fun! I’m glad both my husband and I are very handy with such things but it would sure be nice not to have to worry about dealing with it at all.
Feeling tired, but determined to get the house cleaned back up today I started with pulling my card from the Isidore Tarot Deck (which seriously, you have to get for yourself. Maybe I had a past life in the Victorian Era or something but I love the heck out of this deck!) My card for today was Strength but in reverse.
While in the upright position, this card is about quiet strength as opposed to brute force, fortitude and perseverance. In reverse it can denote weakness, impatience, lack of discipline, etc…I can see how that is playing out for me. Today I am certainly feeling impatient. I moved into the mode of cleaning and taking care of things with a rampage, determined to make things more livable. Using brute physical force and adrenaline, I quickly lost steam. I think frustration or anger can be a good initiator but it cannot sustain like a quiet fortitude can. Today is a good day to allow your impatience to move through you, don’t fight it, accept it. If that’s where you are that’s ok. Let it perhaps initiate some movement in your life but then move it toward determination and steady, thoughtful action. This card in reverse can show you where you perhaps need more discipline in prioritizing your agenda, moderating your moods and learning how to persevere, trusting that all things do come to an end and there will be a time for rest once again. In the meanwhile, deep breaths! Do not judge yourself harshly if you are feeling dejected or weak, we all have those moments. But know that it is within you to flip that energy around and make it something that can work for you as opposed to against you. You do have the quiet strength necessary to handle life’s hardships. Make a cup of tea, quiet your heart and your mind, then try again.
Jul14
Isidore Tarot Card of the Day: Four of Cups
I got back this Monday after spending the weekend camping at a festival. We had a tiring but wonderful time, then reality hit hard on the return trip and it hasn’t stopped! I had a surprise with my bank account after noticing that a bill paid went through twice. That may be great for the cable company, but not so hot for my personal monies. I’ve been, I think understandably, upset by this and after hours on the phone have not yet been able to have it corrected. So I was surprised at pulling the Four of Cups. I’m certainly not bored, something that this card can represent. In fact it’s the opposite, I have way too much going on. I’d love to be bored for awhile! It can also mean taking things for granted. Well I don’t do that…do I? I had taken for granted that the fix for this financial issue would be easier. Boy was I wrong there. But I thought more about it and about life. Sometimes when things aren’t quite the way we wish for them to be we forget to see what it is we already do have. I could complain forever about the repairs needed in my home, but the fact is, I have a place to live. I have a roof over my head. Many people do not. I could complain about not having time to myself but the reason I do not have time is because I have a rich life, full of children and art. I could complain that my partner didn’t do this or that fast enough to my liking but the fact is I have a partner that will do anything for me. I see where I am taking for granted the things I do have and focusing on what I do not. Whoops! Pulling this card has been a great help in adjusting my attitude this morning. It’s easier than I thought to take things for granted. But those everyday moments are the magical ones. Those closest to us are the important ones. It isn’t the “stuff” it isn’t the state of a bank account that matters. Appreciate all that you do have today and focus on that. Focusing on lack only creates more lack. (And a crabby demeanor!) So here’s to Monday and a new week of appreciation and gratitude.
Jul10
Isidore Tarot Card of the Day: Ace of Swords
May I say that I have a most talented partner in crime? Although, today he was more my partner in beauty and gave me a hair cut. Something about cutting out the dead and damaged hair while having a very honest and to the point conversation helped alot with the clearing of my thoughts and giving me a good start to my day. The metaphor of cutting away and clearing that which has outgrown it’s usefulness did not escape me. Now while he is on to playing barber to our youngest son I decided to pull a card from my Isidore Tarot Deck .
Today I pulled the Ace of Swords. How apropos! It’s all about clearing away the deception or confusion in our lives, which leads to power and accomplishment. I think that all of us understand the energetic of the Law of Attraction. When our heads and hearts are full of confusion and chaos that’s exactly what we attract into our lives. And although we understand this, it can still be difficult to get ourselves clear and focused when we are in the midst of it all. Talking things out with a friend or partner can help put things into perspective. Once a that is attained and you begin to clear the path of clutter it will allow the flow of good things to return to you again. Doing things on the outside that parallels your intent on the inside can help with this clearing. Clean your house, donate unused items to a thrift store, cut your hair! Know that once the illusions have been cleared you will have gained great wisdom and with that you can plan your way and move confidently toward the success and accomplishment you have been aiming for.
Jul9
Isis Oracle Stone for the Day: Obsession
Today I have gone through a range of emotions. When something didn’t go through the way I had hoped, I became angry. My anger relating to finances and the material world seemed to rage. And as we all know, anger is usually a symptom of fear. I spent sometime with my mother in law today who has lived a pretty dramatic life. Being with her put some things into perspective. But the work I need to do internally is constant. I’m not there yet. The first step to healing is admitting there is a problem. I’ve taken the first step, but now what? Feeling at a loss, I pulled the stone representing Obsession. It is the Egyptian hieroglyph for the God Set.
In the Isis Oracle, Set represents, dis-integration, jealously, anger, greed, addiction and materialism. He was the brother of Osiris and Isis. The God of the red desert, disorder and violence. Set was jealous of Isis and Osiris and hated them for all they had and what he lacked. This prompted him to kill Osiris in order to become king.
Today is about recognizing those aspects within ourselves. How are we handling a situation? Are we approaching life with fear? If so, we will be dealing with these strong emotions. Chaotic emotions lead to disorder and confusion, anger and sometimes violence. Recognize the Devil within yourself. Do not judge it, but look for the source. Find the source and begin to work through the release. Begin to put things in perspective. You may find that your fears are baseless. You may be carrying a fear from long ago that no longer applies to your situation today. How might you be acting in a way that is no longer relevant? In fact are you acting? or re-acting? There is a big difference. Remember what you do or say in this state of mind can never be taken back. Maybe it’s time to allow for the dis-integration. Allow it to fall apart a little so that you can rebuild using only those pieces that will move you forward, letting go of the pieces that hold you back. Set did not reign forever. Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris avenged his father’s death and took the throne. It will take sacrifice to gain the wisdom needed to reunite “Egypt” and rule peacefully over your land. Time to move from the red desert. Step back and broaden your perspective. Be aware of those who love you, who are around you and who will help you. There is a big, beautiful world out there. Enough for you, enough for all. You do not lack. Do not be afraid.
Jul9
Wednesdays with Anna
It’s been almost a year since my Mother-in-Law and I began the journey of translating recipes from a nearly century old cookbook. Every Wednesday we get together to talk about the food, the culture and her memories of growing up in Indonesia during World War II. I can go over there feeling heavy with the weight of the world and I come away with a new and good perspective on life. She has survived things I cannot imagine. She reminds me that life is full of heartache and fear but it is also filled with beauty and regrets are only chances not taken. Hers is an amazing story and I have great respect for the woman she is. I am looking forward to the compilation of recipes, stories and wisdom. It’s a project of the heart.
Jul8
Isidore Tarot Card of the Day: 8 of Coins, Reversed
I’m suffering from a creative block. Perhaps “block” is not quite the right word. I have many creative thoughts and ideas, too many. I feel the pressure of how do I do this? How do I finish them all? How do I finish what I’ve already started? Where do I start? are they good enough? So not “blocked”, but the result is the same, I am overwhelmed and it is stopping the flow.
I decided to pull a card. I recognize it right away. The 8 of Coins, but in the reverse position. Well duh.
Sometimes this card denotes a lack of ambition. But that isn’t the case today. Today it’s about too much ambition, too much perfectionism, too much worry. You may find those creative juices just aren’t flowing today due to ill health, stress or unbalanced emotions. Creation can’t be forced, just like babies who are born when they are good and ready; not when you are. The creative force has a mind of it’s own and you need to be in a position that is ready to accept it in order for it to flow through you. If you are not healthy or under undue stress, it will most likely wait until another day before it will come to you. Accept that for today you will need to chose another avenue of expression. Or take that much needed nap and try again later. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself some time to breath. If you clog yourself with judgement and expectations you won’t accomplish anything but frustration. Accept where you are in this exact moment. Accept that things happen in their own time and in their own way. Step away from the project, take a walk, breathe fresh air, finish your laundry. Tomorrow is another day.
More about the Isidore Tarot Deck Here Read the rest of this entry
Jul7
From Concept to Completion
I had forgotten about this poster. Bethalynn made this up for me sometime ago. Strangely, I now don’t even remember why. But is serves as a good reminder. Today I’ve had some disappointments and it makes it easy for me to get distracted or get down about things. But then I get this and it helps me remember what I’m doing and why. It helps me press on regardless and do those things I need to do. I have to trust that if I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, everything else will fall into place. These are some of the concept sketches for my Goddess Oracle. I am currently working on The Goddess Bridget. I haven’t gotten too far with her painting and I need to return to Her and finish what I’ve started. Those lessons have come up for me today, number one, have faith, believe and trust. Two, if something has died, bury it. And now three: finish what you’ve started. A lot of our successes in life come from simply finishing what we’ve started. I love these goddesses and I love the system I’ve developed for the oracle. They need to come into this world. I need to finish. They’ll take it from there.