Living the Two of Pentacles

Rider Waite Smith Tarot © US Games

Welcome to the International Tarot Day Blog Hop!

Following on from the Ace of Pentacles, here is my contribution to celebrating the magic of Tarot on this special day:

Learning the Tarot means having to become a little obsessed with it, but in a good way!

Simply memorising card meanings doesn't cut it. You need to connect with the cards on a deeper level, which is easier than it sounds.

One method is to immerse yourself into a card by living it.

Let's do this with the Two of Pentacles.

First, look at the image: that guy looks like he's having fun despite the choppy waters in the background, and he could drop those coins any minute.

And those ships on the horizon are just screaming sea-sickness at me.

But never mind!

He is still juggling and performing this balancing act while doing a little happy dance and wearing a silly hat.

Next, it is time for you to take some action according to the Two of Pentacles.

Be the Two of Pentacles for a day!

Here's what you can do:

1. Strike the pose
Position your body just like the figure in the image (e.g. lifting left leg etc.). Hold a coin in each hand. You can even try turning a rope into the number 8 and wrap it around the coins. See if it works, and how it feels like. If you have a silly hat, wear it.

2. Juggle with some balls (or apples)
Can you do it? Maybe you want to learn it.

3. Dance
Spontaneous dancing in the kitchen while doing the cooking.

4. Ride a bike
The miracle of balancing two wheels in order to move forward.

5. Multi-task
Many people swear by it, but can you complete all activities you do at the same time to your satisfaction? Are you feeling a little bit stressed out after that?

6. Play
Play with your children outside, play a board or computer game, play up, play a different role. Swap and change.

7. Skip along while walking
Skipping is such fun. You probably haven't done it in a long while. See how it cheers you up.

8. Surround yourself with various shades of purple
Astrologically, the Two of Pentacles is linked to Jupiter (royal violet) in Capricorn (indigo). Forget fifty shades of grey; you want 50 shades of purple - clothes, flowers, eat purple fruit and veg like blueberries and aubergines, etc.

9. Crystals to work / meditate with: Amethyst and Obsidian
Go on, take one of each and juggle ;)

10. Gamble
I am not encouraging you to be reckless with your life savings, just buy a lottery ticket and remember me, if you win.

So here we are, living the Tarot in a crazy sexy kind of way. Have fun trying it for yourself.

Before you move on to the next blog, check out my fab freebies to inspire you on your tarot journey.

Thank you for reading! Please see Liza's blog at tarotliza.com for the next amazing blog in the hop.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Meet Your Shadow

Welcome to the Samhain Blog Hop.

If you have just arrived from Carolyn's contribution, thank you for stopping by.

You can jump back onto the blog hop train and continue your journey by clicking on the link to Amethyst's blog at the end of this article.

Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival that was celebrated on the first day of November and marked the beginning of winter and also the Celtic New Year.

As you can imagine, in the olden days this would be a dark and cold time; no wonder our ancestors would be thinking about death, ghosts and sheer survival during the harsh winter months ahead.

Today, we celebrate Halloween on the eve of the 31 October, which nowadays marks the start of the party season up to Christmas.

But if you would like to commemorate Samhain in a more contemplative way, then this year you may want to explore your dark - shadow - side, and what better way to do it than with a Tarot deck?

What is your Shadow?

It's that aspect of your personality you prefer to keep hidden. Weaknesses you'd rather ignore, blocked personality traits you dislike or may be seen as inappropriate by society; desires, fears, secrets, latent talents, suppressed emotions, your dark side.

At Samhain, the evening of Halloween, prepare to meet your Shadow and face it. Uncover and explore your hidden and true self. Acknowledge it, embrace it, make friends with it, release it or turn it into something positive.

Identify your Shadow Zodiac Card

First, meet your Shadow by selecting the opposing zodiac of your sun sign:

Emperor (Aries) – Justice (Libra)
Hierophant (Taurus) – Death (Scorpio)
Lovers (Gemini) – Temperance (Sagittarius)
Chariot (Cancer) – Devil (Capricorn)
Strength (Leo) – Star (Aquarius)
Hermit (Virgo) - Moon (Pisces)

For example, if Scorpio is your sun sign, then Taurus is your opposing zodiac, and the Hierophant is your shadow card.

Before you move on to the next step, explore your shadow card in more detail:

What does it say about your hidden personality, your fears, weaknesses and so forth? Explore the challenging aspects of the card. Which ones resonate with you?

Your Shadow is uncharted territory. And just like real shadows, it fluctuates, changes shape, becomes larger or smaller. Different shadow aspects come through at different times and in different situations.

For your Samhain exploration, pull two more cards that will focus on a particular aspect in relation to your zodiac shadow card and a task that may help you overcome or at least integrate that aspect into your life more comfortably.

Here's the spread:

1. Your Shadow Zodiac Card (see above)
2. What particular aspect do you need to focus on at this moment in time?
3. What can you do to make a positive change?

I invite you to take a glimpse into my Shadow world:

As a Pisces, my shadow zodiac card is the Hermit, which is also my personality card. What do these cards reveal to you about me that I would rather keep hidden?

Have fun exploring your Shadow and dark side with this simple spread.

Thanks for being here. Please enjoy more Samhain / Halloween explorations by visiting Amethyst's blog, and before you go, please consider subscribing to my feed.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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The Power Of Transformation

Tarot of Quotes

Welcome to the Mabon Blog Hop. If you have just arrived from Jaymi's contribution, thank you for stopping by. You can jump back onto the blog hop train and continue your journey by clicking on the link to Morgan's blog at the end of this post.

The topic for today is an intriguing one: which Tarot cards or spreads signify most truly the power of transformation? What is my personal, ultimate tool of the Tarot that offers me the ability to transform my Self and my circumstances into something new, different and better than how I began?

Let me share with you the simple truth: the Tarot on the whole is a tool of transformation. The moment I picked up the cards all these many years ago and started learning the Tarot, it slowly but surely transformed me from someone full of insecurities, who was just reacting to events, situations or circumstances, to actually taking control, living more mindfully and making things happen.

I don't do readings for myself every day. In fact, I rarely read for myself, but each card in the Tarot teaches me a lesson on a daily basis. Every time I read for others or when I teach the Tarot, it offers me new insight and wisdom.

The Tarot teaches you universal life lessons and patterns. When you decide to learn Tarot, you become the Magician, the initiator of transformation, the archetypal alchemist, who has all the tools and ingredients to create and make Magick happen in your life.

Gradually, you tune into yourself, others and your surroundings. You become more aware. You gain foresight. Understanding. A healthy level of detachment. You learn about the cycles of life, death and rebirth. You learn the art of self-empowerment.

Tarot of Quotes

The process of transformation rarely happens overnight. In Tarot, it is symbolised by Death. The ending is its climax, which generates a new beginning; the moment when the caterpillar turns into a butterfly. What the Magician has started is culminating at this point.

It's not straightforward and can be uncomfortable, even emotionally painful at times. You have to learn to let go of your old Self, which isn't always easy.

Once you are mindfully aware of your transformational process, you start to embody Temperance, when you begin to perfect the mix of new lessons learned, behavioural patterns, ideas, beliefs and attitudes.

You start to make things work, create harmony and balance by coming to terms with the changes and getting accustomed to your new situation. You learn about making compromises without losing out.

Your journey continues through darkness and light, setbacks and progress - will you make it to the World and fulfil your true potential?

Tarot of Quotes

When you start to engage with the Tarot as a tool for self-development and spiritual growth, you will notice its profound effect on you over time.

If Tarot is your passion and part of your life, how has it changed you over time? 

An example of a transformational Tarot spread can be found here.

Thank you again for your visit. Before you move on to enjoy Morgan's blog hop contribution, please consider subscribing to my feed.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Pentacles - The Fruits of Harvest

Sharman Caselli Tarot Deck 

If you have just arrived from Joanna's sparkling Sun Goddess Tarot blog as part of the Tarot Blog Hop series - welcome! You will find a link at the end of this post to continue your ride on the Lammas Blog Hop Train, and I hope you will enjoy each contribution to today's topic: 

Pentacles - The Fruits of Harvest

On the first day of August, the Pagan community is celebrating the festival of Lammas to mark the time of the wheat harvest. But high summer offers more than just harvesting wheat; fruit and vegetables should all be plentiful at this time of year.

The suit of Pentacles represents fertility, growth, nature, sustenance and hard work, and the Nine of Pentacles is the card that speaks to me the most to mark the summer harvest this year.

The card shown here depicts a woman surrounded by an abundant crop of grapes in her garden. The castle in the background, her beautiful dress and the bird of prey on her hand symbolise her wealth and status. She is enjoying a quiet moment amongst her harvest, and perhaps for all of us, this is a time to appreciate what we have achieved so far.

The Nine of Pentacles symbolises Abundance. Now is a good time to focus on what we have rather than on what we are missing. Let us also recognise our potential and possibilities before us.

On a personal note, I have been on a journey of change since February this year. Inspirational business coaching has affected my professional work in a profound and exhilarating way, which also had a positive impact on my private life. The gradual transformation my Tarot business has undergone over the recent months is now starting to offer some rewards. My head is still buzzing with ideas, and there is still a long way to go, but now is a good time to take a deep breath and pause for some appreciation and reflection.

I have drawn three cards to give me an idea of where I am now and where my next step may lead to:

Present situation: Three of Pentacles - Next step: Page of Wands - Result: The Magician (Sharman Caselli Tarot)

I'm not intending to bore you with a lengthy interpretation of these cards. Let me show you instead my own version of the Nine of Pentacles, exclusively designed for this post:

Tarot of Quotes

The blackcurrants in my garden are ready for harvesting; this year we've got loads, and they will be turned into some yummy jam tomorrow.

Whilst searching for a suitable quote, I've come across a few, which offer us all some tips on how to achieve our goals and reap a fruitful harvest:

"We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest.”
- Orison Swett Marden

“Even after a bad harvest there must be sowing.”
- Seneca

“He that has a good harvest must be content with a few thistles” 

- Spanish Proverb

“If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.”

- Bible

 What is your harvest like at this time of year? What is your next step to take you closer to where you want to be? 

Now it's time for you to move on to Alison's wonderful Games of Thrones blog for more Lammas/harvest musings. 

Before you go, you may wish to subscribe to my blog via RSS or email. It would be lovely to see you again! 


Cosmic Blessings,

Christiane 

Celebrate The Sunrise

 Aquatic Tarot © Andreas Schröter 

If you have just arrived from Carla's blog as part of the Tarot Blog Hop series - welcome!

Today's topic is the celebration of today's Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

I usually mark this special day by having a lovely scrumptious goblet of Mead later in the garden, surrounded by plenty of Citronella candles to keep those pesky midges at bay.

Hopefully, it will be warm outside tonight (you never know with the UK weather!), and I can see some bats shooting erratically through the evening sky whilst thinking of A Midsummer Night's Dream. If I'm lucky, Oberon will turn up ;)

Of course, I mustn't forget to do something Tarot related, so following on from my Ostara Tarot spread, the Summer Solstice is a good occasion to take stock of how plans, projects and life are panning out so far this year.

This time of year, it's all about spending time outdoors, in your garden and enjoying nature's beauty and bounties. Just like the child in the Sun image above, it's time to relax, be carefree and have fun.

If you have a mature, overgrown garden like mine, then you will be busy tending to the crops you have planted to enjoy a fruitful harvest later in summer and autumn. You will also have to keep up with the weeds, but I only get rid of them in areas, where they encroach on the more valuable plants.

Just recently I have become rather fond of all the dandelion in my garden; I have discovered that you can make a very healthy cup of tea from its leaves. So, not everything that is declared a weed is useless.

And this is how it is in real life. We can associate everything we dream of, do and want to achieve as seedlings, that need planting, tending to and nurturing. We need to weed out some things in our lives that are no longer useful, and along the way we sometimes make mistakes: regretting having discarded of something that could have proven useful after all, or having overlooked more opportunities for joy and abundance, because we didn't pay attention.

With the Midsummer Tarot spread you can try to make the most of what you want to create and avoid the pitfalls along the way as best as you can. This spread works well in a general reading, but it can also be used to examine a specific area in your life such as relationship, work, lifestyle, creative ambitions, etc.:

1. How does my garden grow? 
This card gives you a general indication on how things are progressing so far.

2. What areas need special care and nurturing?

This card highlights an aspect or issue you may be neglecting, or that needs special attention at this moment in time.

3. In what area do I need to do some weeding? What do you need to discard, let go of, release? This can relate to possessions, beliefs, people, the past, emotional baggage etc., but be careful not to make a rash decision you may later regret, especially when it can affect relationships and people.

4. What else can I do to make my forthcoming harvest successful? What else can you do to achieve your goal.

5. Where are more opportunities for growth? Are you missing something? What seeds can you grow at this time of year that will produce some winter crop? What is on offer today that can lead to growth and achievement in the future?

I hope you enjoy trying out this spread as part of your solstice activities. Please do let me know, how it's worked for you.

And now please jump back onto the blog hop train and visit Aisling's blog for more sunrise celebrations. Be inspired!

Wishing you a de-"lightful" Summer Solstice,

Christiane

PS: A little gift for you to take along your way, an enchanting quote from Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. Feel free to share with your friends online.

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