Super Moon to the rescue!

We all know that the movement of the moon around the earth affects us. The orbit of the moon and the gravitational pull that it has on us is the main cause of the tidal shifts around the world. There is also wide speculation that the moon and its cycle has a profound effect on our bodies as well. For centuries, it was believed that the full moon brought out an added level of crazy to people. This is the time of the month where monsters like werewolves appeared to wreak havoc on unsuspecting villages. Even our modern words like “lunacy” and “lunatic” have their roots in the Roman goddess of the night, Luna. Though the vast majority of the claims of lunar effect on the human brain have been dismissed by science, these beliefs still hold on in our culture. More recently, it has been speculated that when the full moon swings closer to the earth in its natural rotation, there is an even greater effect on us.

At approximately 10:30 pm, Saturday night the moon’s orbit brought it to within 222,000 mi of the earth. It also brought the moon into alignment with the sun to give us the reflective face that we call a “full moon”. This event happens once every 13.5 months or so given the elliptical orbit of our closest celestial buddy and the path that we both take around the sun. Due to a bunch of scientific laws and mathematical properties, which I will not burden you with here, the apparent size and relative brightness of the moon is seen to be approximately 12% greater than a regular full moon. In 1979 the term “SuperMoon” was coined by Astrologer Richard Nolle to describe this event.

Needless to say, the term has not been adopted by the scientific community. Nor has its effect on humans been accepted. Does that mean it doesn’t exist? Well, I’m not so sure of that. There have been studies upon studies trying to see if the cycle of the moon really does play a measurable effect on the human body. This has been done through the study of the body’s chemistry, emotional reaction, physical change and mental influence. There have also been studies that have looked at social dynamics and behavioral changes in relation to the lunar cycle. Investigations have been done to look into whether or not there is a measurable effect of traffic accidents, crime, unusual behavior and more. Nearly every study shows the same thing. No measurable effect. None. Nada, Zip.

Yet, with all these studies and the lack of any evidence showing that there is a correlation, there is still widespread belief that the moon somehow manipulates our bodies, brains and emotional centers to act just a little off. Look through the comments in any online article about these studies. You will find a majority of the comments are telling stories of how the moon affects them or their environment. Their workplaces go nuts, their families get crazy, their pets act haywire. There are still police departments that consciously add extra officers to the patrols during full moons. There are hospitals that add extra staff during this time. Veterinary clinics that find themselves overwhelmed with ill or odd acting animals each month too. There may not be a measurable effect through scientific means, but there is something going on. Something that we just don’t understand yet.

I’m not going to pretend to be an expert here and lay out all sorts of data to try and explain it. I’m no doctor or scientist. Hell, I’m not even an astrologer at this point. But, I will share my thoughts as to what I see around the full moons and what we can do to utilize it to our fullest potential.

There are levels of energy that our modern science still has yet to understand. These are energies that early philosophers, priests, wise men and oracles knew about and harnessed in their practice. Energies that empower and fuel all of those paranormal things that science is still striving to prove. Psychic phenomenon, spirits, premonitions, astral travel, energetic healing, all fall into realms of energy that we do not have the tools to accurately measure and justify. Some of us believe in their existence wholeheartedly, others are still waiting for the proof. It is in these levels of energy that the moon has its effect on us. It’s not gravity that is warping our brains to do unusual things, it is this odd paranormal energetic pull that affects us. A pull that gives us the opportunity to do more. In these times of a “supermoon” this opportunity can be even that much greater.

The frustration that I have with full moon associations is that the popular sensationalized myths hold that this is the time that all the crazies come out. The criminals, the weirdos, the whack-jobs. This is the time that even seemingly normal people start to act crazy and may do things that are out of character for them. I’m not saying that this is not an effect that our dear Luna can have on us, but its not the only effect. The light and energy of the full moon can also bring to light that which in the shadows. It can bring about a safety and protection that comes with added light in the darkness. It can be a culmination of our manifestations and an opportunity to harvest that which we have sown.

When I look at the energy of the moon, I find myself applying the wisdom of the Tarot to it. The Moon card itself is a card of mystery and shadows. When we look at decks that are based on Rider-Waite-Smith images, we see that there are a number of obscure things going on. It is a dark card in terms of colors typically with the use of a lot of blues, purples, shades of gray and black. This makes sense when you consider this is a card of the night. We also will typically find animal images of wolves and dogs as well as creatures of the sea like lobsters and crabs. Here is where the obscurity of the moonlight and shadows start to really have an effect.

Think of yourself out in the woods and you hear that first howl of a wolf. Wow, that is beautiful and majestic. Then a few more chime in, then more and more. Now you realize that the hills around you are full of wolves and that they are most likely pretty hungry. Your thoughts of majesty shift to fear and you start to panic figuring that they are probably stalking you right now. Though the howls may never actually get any closer, your fears grip you and leave you immobilized. Wait, was that one passing through the trees right there? Holy shit, you’re going to die!

Relax, you’re not going to die. Well not tonight anyway. The likely scenario is that those wolves, while they are talking to each other, are stalking out something much tastier and less frightening than you. The reality is they probably want nothing to do with you. It’s your fear that you are somehow on their radar that has you worked up. Irrational fears and obscured vision are a product of our limitations and perceptions. It is not the moon itself that causes these fears, it is our perception of how it affects us and others.

The same holds true with our general actions and our daily fears. Our perception of what is after us or threatening us is often more aggressive than what the truth really dictates. The full moon nights may or may not affect you directly. But what is your perception of it? Do you worry that others will be acting crazy? Are you concerned that something bad is going to happen to you? Chances are, your fears and concerns are no more logical during this stage of the moon than any other.

So, why focus on those negative aspects of the moon? If you are going to hold your attention on potential influences of Luna, why not at least place an equal focus on her good side? Allow the light of the moon to shine on you and illuminate the shadows. Let her brilliance light up what is scaring you. Shoot, why not even tip your head back and howl with the wolves. The moon’s luminance is there to bring you light in your darkest times. To show you that even that which you fear the most is not nearly as bad as you may think.

In these times of the “supermoon”, we have the opportunity to take advantage of that 12% of extra light. A little extra brilliance to shine down on us and show that things may not be as scary as we thought.

Princess of Pentacles

I love it when the cards just jump right out and slap me with information for the day. I had a lot of plans today and when I saw the Princess of Pentacles come up this morning, I knew that there was going to be some shifts going on with my plans.  As a card that corresponds with transitions in resources, I was interested to see what the day may have in store for me.

Throughout the day, I was hit with the typical ups and downs including news of some finances coming in and more going out.  Nothing too crazy and nothing out of the ordinary.  As it often happens, as soon as I stopped thinking about the energy of the card the wheels of fortune started turning.

Mid way through my day, I got a message through Facebook from a friend that had a very interesting and intriguing proposal for me.  As it is still very much in the transition stage, I can’t share many details with you all right now except to say that it has the potential to be really cool and really big!  Not only does this card represent the energy of Spring and rebirth for me, it also represents the idea of investigating new opportunities and exploring them fully.  The proposal that I got today will need a lot of examination and will certainly bring about a rebirth for me as well.

Over the next few weeks,  I hope to be able to elaborate more on this as I confirm details and plans.  In the mean time, I am going to be harnessing the energy of this card to do my research and enjoy the transition that is on the horizon!

Sometimes the picture says it all

At least every Monday through Friday, I pull a daily tarot card for my Facebook fans and friends.  Every day the card means something special for someone and quite often the interpretation that I give holds a deeper meaning for multiple people.

Today’s card just seemed to jump out of the deck and scream at me though in a very literal and clear way.  I drew the Seven of Pentacles and gave the following interpretation on line.

“Card of the Day: Seven of Pentacles from Spiral ~ Today is a day of labor and toil. Reminiscent of yesterday’s energy, today we are called to stick with it and get our hands dirty. Planting the seeds to your own success requires you to regularly cultivate those same seeds in order to reap the benefits.”

I felt all of this energy throughout the day, but I also felt so much more!  This card’s energy is all about hard work and getting your hands dirty to get the results you desire.  As soon as I got to work today, this theme kicked in as I found that we were going to be short staffed and extra busy all day.  In order to get the results that were needed, I was going to have to jump in head first and do the work that was not getting completed.

It always amazes me when the cards just come right out and say exactly what is going to happen for me.  No real insight or esoteric wisdom necessary here.  Just look at the picture and then get myself ready to dig in!  Thanks for the heads up, Tarot!

Back to reality – Eight of Cups explored

So after my shenanigans yesterday, I was not surprised to see a rather serious card show up for my daily card draw today.  A perfect card for a Monday morning.

The Eight of Cups is a card that relates to emotional duties and responsibilities that we have in our lives.  In the Spiral Tarot, the figure shown is that of Persephone.  She is shown here preparing for the time that she must spend with Hades in the Underworld.  This time away from the gods and goddesses above served a purpose but held no real pleasure for her.

There are many times in our lives that we find ourselves in this same position.  Stuck in a situation where our commitments and responsibilities weigh heavier than the pleasures that we would much rather be doing.  For me, this card today was the wake up call that it was time to get to work today.  It was a fun weekend, but its going to be a week that needs my full attention.  There will be time to play again soon for me, but for right now, I need to keep my head up and just plug through what I need to do.

When this card come up in a reading, it is often a sign that there is work that needs your attention.  It is a time to set aside the pleasures and frivolity that you have been enjoying and take care of business.  The moon in the background reminds us that even when the path we need to walk seems to be obscured and unclear, our intuition and inner guidance will always be there to lead us on.

When exploring certain cards, I like to look at the transition from the card before through to the card after.  In this case, we see that the choices we make (7 of cups) towards our highest good will take work and stepping out of our comfort zone (8 of cups) in order to get the results that we are dreaming of (nine of cups).

What tasks have you been called to act on?  What responsibilities are calling for you to complete them?  Now is the time to get to it!

 

Illustrations from the Spiral Tarot reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright © 1997 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited

The magic bullet

Throughout my spiritual exploration and my work with divination there are a few tools that I work with regularly to help me out. I have talked a bit about some of them throughout my Moments of Mindfulness segments and it is my hope that some of you have been able to gain some greater insight and clarity in your lives because of the skills you have learned.

I have discussed dowsing and the many ways that you can use a simple pendulum to divine answers for the questions you have as well as using it to adjust and manipulate the energies of people, places and things around you. I have also touched on meditation as a spiritual tool to help gain insight into the challenges you face on a daily basis and as a way to communicate with your higher self and your guides. In a few segments, I have even touched on my love of the Tarot though I try not to spend too much time on that topic as we have such a powerhouse segment devoted to the cards in Rootweaver’s Tarotelic.

I share each of these tools with you in the hopes that my experiences with them will give you additional resources to build the life that you are seeking. I tell you what works for me and give you the opportunity to use the practices as they are or adjust them to fit your needs. Tonight however, I need to shift my delivery a little. I have been working with some new methods over the last few months that have yielded some amazing results. So much so, that it has been a big debate for me to even speak about it as I have had difficulty fully trusting that what I have witnessed and done was a reality and at times I wondered how it was even possible.

After working with multiple clients, friends, family and other readers on this I feel that I have finally gotten enough outside verification that I can share this with all of you confidently.

Now at this point, you may be thinking to yourself; “Good lord, Matt. What the hell have you been working on? Curing cancer or something? Just tell us what’s so special!”

To which I reply; “Actually, you’re not far off…”

Now I haven’t actually been working on a cure for cancer, but I have been been working on identifying and removing what I have come to call “aura tumors”. In the meditation work that I do and the in development of my psychic gifts, I have been focusing hard on my clairvoyant abilities. Part of my work with this has been practicing astral projection and remote viewing. These practices have allowed me to see other people and places through my mind’s eye and connect with them on a completely energetic level. I have been working with this for a while now but recently I started to notice something different during certain astral trips. As I observed the people that I was projecting to or viewing, I could see some strange anomalies in their auras.

Now anytime that I view another person, what I typically see is a shadow of their physical body surrounded by the colorful glow of their aura. The aura is generally very vivid and encapsulates the person like a giant translucent bubble. However, in these recent trips, I began to see what looked like growths on the auras. Not every one had a growth, but enough did to make me question what I was seeing. What I found was that each person that had a growth on their aura, was experiencing a physical ailment at the same time. Often one that was persistent and plaguing to them. For example, One person had an aura growth on the area around their left knee. When I asked them if they were having issues with their knees, they advised me that they were scheduled for surgery on that leg later in the month. The pain and damage had gotten so bad that they could hardly walk. Another person had a growth over her chest area and told me after the session that she had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Needless to say, this was blowing my mind! I decided that I needed to explore this further and see if there was anything that I could do about these growths or as I started to call them, “Aura Tumors”. I consulted with my higher self and my spirit guides over a number of meditation sessions and found that a consistent factor in all the tumors I had seen was that each person had also gone through a serious, life changing event in the past year or less. I was shown the power of our negative manifestation in that there are times when our stress, pain, anxiety and fear are so great that they actually develop into physical manifestations within our bodies.

In the case of the knee surgery, the man’s wife had recently been paralyzed in a car accident where he was at fault. The pain and grief that he was feeling because of this was actually manifesting itself in his body in such a way that he was becoming nearly immobile himself. The woman diagnosed with cancer had been the victim of years of repeated emotional and verbal abuse and had nearly lost the ability to speak up for herself due the shattered self image that she had. Her loss of personal vocal power was so severe that it developed into a cancerous growth that nearly killed her.

However, and here comes the good part, I was also shown a method to remove these tumors and kick start the healing process on its own. This is a method that was delivered to me through my guides and puts to use every tool in my spiritual tool box. First, by entering a meditative state, I am able to connect with the individual and inspect their aura for any growths. Upon finding them I make a mental note of the location so that I can discuss it with the person. I then break out my Tarot cards and do a specially designed spread that identifies for me the energetic and emotional reason behind the tumor. This spread also identifies the actions needed to resolve the emotional trauma and begin the healing process. Upon discussing all of this with the individual, I then dowse for any negative energies or entities that may get in the way of the healing and remove them. The person is now prepped an ready for the removal of the trauma and the tumor. Through a ritualistic meditation, I re-enter a meditative state and reconnect with the aura. By using the energies of the Tarot cards that indicated the steps for releasing the trauma, I energetically remove the tumor and reseal the aura with white light.

In nearly every instance of using this method, the people that I have worked with have seen rapid and measurable improvement in their emotional state and their physical condition. The gentleman needing knee surgery was able to support himself that day and by the end of the week was walking with no support. His doctors ended up canceling his surgery after they did a final preliminary x-ray and couldn’t find anything wrong! How cool is that?!

The reason that I have shared all this with you is that I am opening up this service to all of you who may be experiencing deep emotional trauma that has led to physical illness as well. I am confident in this process and I know that after we are done, you will feel the release of not only your deep seated pain, but also the bodily affliction that has developed with it. I must be honest though, this process is extremely taxing for me energetically and therefore the exchange needed for this service is high. However, if you are ready to take your life back and be finally free, then send me an email with your bank account information to aprilfools (at) dontfreakingdothis (dot) com.

Yes, that’s right.  I went the April Fools route tonight with you.

The path I have just led you down is a dangerous one. Much of what I told you about is complete and utter nonsense and I hope that many of you caught that before I got to the punch line. However, as with many scams, there is enough truth in it that it can be very believable, especially if it coming from someone you thought you could trust. The divination methods I use are very powerful and yes, I can project out and view remotely. But I can’t see growths on your aura and even if I could, a meditation with Tarot and dowsing is not going to magically make them go away.

Energetic healing is possible, but it is never a guarantee. There is no magic bullet and no one has a fool proof method of curing all that ails you. The energetic healing that works takes change and work on the part of the patient in addition to any work that the practitioner does. When we are at our lowest, it is easy to be taken advantage of. It is also extremely easy to take the quick route when the results that are promised to you seem so wonderful. We hear of people every year that get fleeced for believing in scams like this and seem to fall head first into it because the promise of health, wealth, curse-lifting or true love seem so tantalizing and so simple to achieve now that they have this “magic” solution.

We must always remember that any deal, offer or promise that seems too good to be true, probably is.

For more information on how to identify and avoid psychic scams, check out this post.  Or this great post by Arwen!

Preparing for the challenge

Every once in a while, there comes a time that we need to push ourselves to do more and BE more.  I decided earlier this month to do something that will push the limits of my creativity when it comes to blogging.  The Ultimate Blog Challenge is a push for bloggers of all genres to join together and see if they can post at least 30 blogs for the month.

Throughout the month, I will be posting various articles on tarot, mindfulness, divination, spirituality and whatever else may pop into my noggin along the way.  It is my intention to plant the seeds for discussion, thought and maybe even some education.  I invite you to follow along for this challenge by subscribing directly through my rss feeds or through the Networked Blogs app so that you can get each post delivered straight to your inbox.

If you would like to take part in this challenge or find out more about it, check out the website at http://ultimateblogchallenge.com/

Painting in my head

You have found your way here from the wonderful world of Rose Red Tarot

Our focus for this Tarot Blog Hop is Ostara and the idea of “Painting a journey with new life.”  As I have been contemplating this over the past few weeks, the idea of painting really stuck out to me.  The history of the Goddess Ostara painting the spring landscape with new life.  The tradition of painting colored eggs to honor and represent this.  The energy resonating with me was all about painting and coloring my life in new ways.

Once upon a time, I used to paint artistically and found it rather fun and a bit cathartic.  These days, the only painting I do is when the living room needs a new coat on the walls.  Yet, in a way it is still very healing and satisfying for me.  Simply by adding a coat of paint, the energy of a room can be changed dramatically.  This seems to hold true for us internally as well.  Simply by choosing to color your viewpoint in a new or refreshed way can shift your energy and the perspective you have on a situation.

I decided to ask the Tarot what area of my life could use some painting and maybe a new perspective as well.  I broke out a deck that was gifted to me by a person who has also helped me to see my life in a new way and has added new life an color to my world.

Card one: What area of my life needs painting?

Nine of Swords – Boy, there’s no mincing words here.  There is no doubt that, as of recently, I have been spending way too much time inside my head and playing with my fears.  I have been spending much of the past three months consciously working on shadow aspects of myself and there have been times that it has taken me to some pretty dark and scary places.  The thing is, now that I have identified and released a bunch of my triggers, I find my mind working to create new ones to take their place.  My head has been in shadow long enough, its time to come into the sun.  Grab that paintbrush and let’s spread some color!

Card two: Where can I find the paint?

Nine of Coins – A wonderful shift from the mindset that I have been in!  This card is a great reminder that all it takes sometimes is a change of thought and action to completely change the perspective and outlook that you have on a situation.  This is a call to count my blessings, not my curses.  To focus on the creative life I have given to the world, not the withering feeling when I am alone.  The paint that I need to color the walls of my head will come from the pigments embedded in the blessings that I receive on a daily basis.

 

Card three: What can I expect to gain from this paint job?

Seven of Wands –  An expansion of ambition and values.  In looking at the first and last card, I can see that there is a shift underway.  By focusing on my blessings and shifting my mind out of the shadows, it is as though I am able to break free of the confines of my house an begin to explore.  There are still boundaries that I must navigate beyond, but the big step of getting out of my head and back into the world is taking place.  Now it is up to me to use these awakening months of Spring, to make sure I am prepared for the journeys that I have in front of me.  Just need to tie my shoes, hop this fence and I am off and running!

Amazing what a little paint can do!

What area of your life needs a little painting?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Images from “Deirdre of the Sorrows Tarot” by Deirdre O’Donoghue

Continue your journey though the energies of Ostara at Andrew’s blog!

He Said She Said 2/28/11

Do men and women read tarot differently?  Is the guidance we offer the same – or is there a distinct masculine/feminine edge to our words?  Join Theresa Reed and myself each month as we tackle questions sent in from our readers and see how different – or similar – we really are with our interpretations and advice.

We will each prepare a reading separately and then comment on each other’s interpretations and put this all together in one fun (and thought provoking) post for our readers to enjoy.

This isn’t a “tarot battle of the sexes” – this is an exploration, a mash up, a contemplation.  

 If you would like to see your questioned featured, email me at info@personaltarotwithmatt.com or Theresa at tarotlady@wi.rr.com with “He Said She Said Question” in the subject line.

Question from Heidi: Recently, I was asked to participate in a work project.  The project coordinator neglected to tell me that a coworker that I cannot stand would also be participating.  This coworker and I have had major issues – and the issues are so bad, we now avoid each other.  I’ve even moved to a different department so that I rarely have to cross paths with him.  I’m furious with the project coordinator who seems to think we should “just get over it” and “get along”.  I’m not even sure what I am asking here – I’m just so angry right now!  What can you tell me about how I need to handle the workplace dynamics?

 Cards:  3 of Pentacles reversed; The Chariot; The Hanged Man reversed

 Matt’s reading: Wow, this is a very interesting dynamic, Heidi.  On one hand, you have the Three of Pentacles reversed.  This is asking you to step back from the spotlight and just be part of the team.  Minimal drama, minimal attention.  There is no need for either of you to lose your cool or your jobs because of the tension between you.  Hang back, focus on the task at hand and keep to the anonymity of the group.  If he is going to encourage drama, let it be with someone else, you have work to do.  

 On the other hand, you have the Hanged Man reversed.  He is telling you that there is no need to sacrifice yourself either.  Should you find yourself involved in the drama again, you need to speak up.  Speak your truth and hold your ground, but in a polite and professional way.  Don’t seek out an altercation, but don’t fall into martyrdom either.

 Down the middle road, you have the Chariot.  This is your focal point.  Forward momentum, progress, keep moving.  You were chosen for this project for a reason and your talents are needed.  Don’t let the drama and tension of the past hinder your progress.  Set yourself on a mission to complete the project to the best of your ability, regardless of the speed bumps and obstacles.  

 You have a challenge, that is for sure.  But here is your guidance, keep your head down and work hard at constant forward progress.  Allow your work to speak for you rather than your words or actions.  Avoid any drama like the plague.  Should you find yourself getting caught in it anyway, be sure to speak your truth in a professional and practical way.  Let the project manager deal with the drama, you have a job to do.

 Theresa’s comments about Matt’s reading: I found it very interesting that Matt and I came up with some very similar advice for Heidi. The message seems to be telling Heidi to stay the course and get the current project done but be well armed and prepared so that this does not happen again. I like Matt’s advice about “speaking your truth and holding your ground” – I have been in situations like Heidi’s and I know that “keeping the peace” and “being the good girl” is not always in my best interests. His gentle but wise statement: “Don’t seek out an altercation, but don’t fall into martyrdom either” is incredibly wise for the delicate work politics that many of us find ourselves in from time to time. I’m going to keep that tucked in the back of my head for the future.

 Theresa’s reading: A:  With the 3 of Pentacles reversed leading this situation, it seems as if you are indeed in a work situation that is problematic.  You are being asked to do something that feels uncomfortable and this is not conducive for you to do your best work.  This card reminds me of a bad “love triangle” and there may be no winners here.  If you give in, your boundaries may feel crossed – if you hold back, you’ll look like a bitch.  It’s very challenging.

 The Chariot suggests that for just this project, perhaps you need to put on your armor and get in there and just do what you have to do to drive this project in a successful direction.  Notice how the man in the Chariot is staring straight ahead – he is focused on the goal and only the goal.  He has both sphinxes restrained as he continues to move ahead.  That suggest to me that you need to focus less on the work place dynamics at this time and just get the job done.

 For the Hanged Man reversed in the final position, that is also an indicator that you do no have to be in these sorts of situations any longer if you feel uncomfortable.  When this card is right side up, it is all about sacrifice – “taking one for the team”.  Reversed seems to say: don’t put yourself in this type of situation again.  Look carefully at what is expected and who is involved before you go out on a limb again.  If you do not feel comfortable with a situation and if being involved in a project is optional, I’d opt out.  Your boundaries need to be respected.  If this type of situation comes up again, it may be time to look for a more supportive work environment.

Matt’s comments about Theresa’s reading: I have to say that Theresa and I really seemed to be in sync on this one.  I really liked the thought of the three of pentacles and the energy of the situation being like a bad love triangle.  There is a high chance of emotions running wild and keeping yourself grounded and focused on the tasks will be the key to success in this project.  The overall impression that I see in both of our readings is this thought of keeping your head down and plugging forward.  I typically don’t find myself paying much direct attention the sphinxes in the Chariot card.  But Theresa’s mention of them being restrained got me thinking about the idea of what the sphinxes represent.  In Greek mythology, the sphinx was a creature that was feared for her riddles and the penalty of death should you answer incorrectly.  This may be an indicator as well that you need to grab hold and control the fear in your life.  Don’t let your fears and anxieties take you to places that you don’t want to go.  Grab the reigns and control your outcome!  

To find out more about us, book a reading or just say “Hi!” you can find us at:

Matt Williams- http://personaltarotwithmatt.com

Theresa Reed- http://www.thetarotlady.com

 

My candle will shine brightly – Tarot Blog Hop Imbolc

 

You are continuing your journey through this hop from Marilyn’s site…

 

Death. Really? Nice…

Death from Spiral Tarot

In honor of Candlemas, I asked myself the question of “how can I be a better candle?” and I got the Death card.

What kind of death is it that will help me in this quest of becoming a better candle?

Well, I guess the first thing is to figure out what it means to be a better candle. Being a candle means shining my light in the darkness. It means offering my flame up to Spirit in honor of the blessings that I have received. It also means being the catalyst for others to spark their personal flames. To be a better candle then, implies that I shine brighter, honor more and spark life in a greater audience. I have to admit that I initially hoped for a bright card like the Sun to tell me that I needed to shine bright. Or maybe the Star to tell me that it’s okay to be every bit of me, uninhibited and free.

But no, I get Death.

Gloom and doom, darkness and sadness…right? Hell no!

In a way, by getting this card, I got the Sun and the Star together in one. The Death card is ruled by Pluto and and is in the realm of Scorpio. With my Sun and Ascendant in Scorpio, this card is telling me to be me. It is showing me that in order for me to be a brighter flame, I need to live up to my own expectations and be everything that I think I can be. For me to honor Spirit more, I need to let go of the drama and baggage that is holding me back from the transformations that are waiting for me. To spark the flame in those around me, I need to be willing to reach out to them in the darkness and show them that there is nothing to fear.

With the transitions and transformations that I have in store for me, it is not surprising that there is some fear circling around. When I look at the figures in this card, fear is a major obstacle in the transition from drowning in the murky waters to rising into the heavens. I don’t like the feeling of mental and emotional drowning anymore than the next guy. It is overwhelming and debilitating and often leaves us in a state of near or full on panic. We call out for salvation hoping that someone will hear us and come to the rescue. What do we do though when the only rescuer turns out to be a huge cloaked skeleton holding a scythe? Scary situation, meet scary resolution. This is what keeps many of us in the dark and in the murky waters. Regardless of how much we may feel like we are drowning, the idea of reaching out towards what seems to be a horrifying solution is just too much. Yet this is exactly what we need to do.

It is in reaching out and grabbing hold of the unknown that we are pulled from the waters and given a new chance. It is in embracing the idea that there just may be something better on the other side of the darkness that we begin to shed the baggage and rise up lighter and brighter. There is a death that is called for in being a better candle. It is a death of the past and the pain and limitations it puts on us. It is a death of our fears, allowing us to move freely and shine brightly. It is in these deaths that we are truly reborn in the present and able to construct the future that we desire.

 

Continue on this quest by visiting Melanie’s blog at: http://way-ward-tarot.blogspot.com/

He Said She Said

Do men and women read tarot differently? Is the guidance we offer the same – or is there a distinct masculine/feminine edge to our words?  Join Theresa Reed and myself each month as we tackle questions sent in from our readers and see how different – or similar – we really are with our interpretations and advice.

We will each prepare a reading separately and then comment on each other’s interpretations and put this all together in one fun (and thought provoking) post for our readers to enjoy.

This isn’t a “tarot battle of the sexes” – this is an exploration, a mash up, a contemplation.

If you’d like to see your question featured, send it to me at info@personaltarotwithmatt.com or Theresa at  tarotlady@wi.rr.com with “He Said She Said Question” in the subject line.

Question from Katie: What can I do to find love in 2012? 

Matt’s reading:  Eight of Wands: This is a card of swift action and motion.  My short answer as to how you can find love?  Get out there and seek it.  Let yourself go with the speed of the wind into your life.  Experience the rise and fall of your motion like a leaf on a stiff breeze.  Allow yourself the freedom to go to places and do things that you have never done before.  I also am hearing that a connection to the outdoors and nature itself will help you in finding the love you are seeking.  Get involved with groups that explore areas of nature around your area.  Take walks in the park, visit the nearest woods, get up and out of your daily life.

Eight of Cups:    The eights in general are a call to action for me.  In this card, you are called to set aside your perceptions of what love is supposed to be and seek out what it truly is.  Like Persephone leaving the comfort of the temple for her time with Hades, you too will need to experience and explore the shadow side of yourself to gain a greater understanding of what love is.  I say this as a man who has been hurt deeply on many levels in love and has risen from that, you need to experience the pain to know the joy of what love is.  The failed relationships teach us just as much as the successful ones.  Sometimes more.

Four of Pentacles: Yes, you need to get out of your comfort zone to experience what you do not have.  Yet, this is not to say that you need to give up your moral standards or ethics.  The Four of Pentacles here calls for you to hold tight to your ideals while you are out exploring.  Enter into relationships, but if they do not hold up to your ethics and morals, move on.  Relationship exploration is not about giving up who you are, it’s about taking who you are with you and seeking a balancing and compatible energy.  The right relationship is out there, but you need to get out and meet it half way.

Theresa’s response:  I am astounded by how similar Matt and I interpreted these cards!  The fact that we both urged Katie to “get out there” and break out of her “comfort zone” shows that both men and women can view the same situation and come to almost identical conclusions – right down to some of the same words!  Perhaps when it comes to matters of the heart, we are more alike than we care to admit.  I really loved that Matt was able to show his sensitive side again – his ability to relate Katie’s situation to his own was remarkable and intimate.  As a female, this would have set me at ease with him right away, especially if this was my first experience getting a reading from a man.

Theresa’s reading:  In the traditional Rider Waite deck, the 8 of Wands and 8 of Cups are both about movement – while the 4 of Pentacles is about stability.  Right away, this says to me that Katie needs to start moving and get out of her comfort zone if she wishes to find love this year.

Now, when I look at the cards that Matt drew from the Spiral Tarot, I get some different vibrations here – first of all, the 8 of Wands still suggests movement – notice the wind blowing the wands up in the air!  This seems to suggest travel or to simply travel in new crowds, to new places.  If Katie tends to stick to the same old same old haunts, she may not be opening herself up to someone new that could share her interests.

Next, I see the woman in the 8 of Cups – she’s lingering by a doorway.  There is a cup right there at the door but she’s looking backwards and hesitating.  It’s almost as if she is holding herself back from making that step outward to find love. Does she think it will come to her door?  It may. But she’ll be stacking the odds in her favor if she takes the first step outward.  This is about bringing adventure into her life.  It’s about getting out there even if you don’t know what you are doing or who you may meet.

The 4 of Pentacles in this deck has an image of a man holding on to a coin with two under his feet but one also on top of his head.  What strikes me about this card is the tiny window – it almost looks like a prison window.  This is another suggestion that Katie shouldn’t limit herself to a narrow space.  It’s time to be vulnerable, try new things, get herself out there.  To me, this is the strongest card in the spread and it indicates her comfort zones may be difficult to break.  She’s holding on to the familiar and shielding her heart.  She needs to explore why and then work diligently to change that dynamic.  Take a risk.  Get out there!

Matt’s Response:Theresa’s reading really presented a wonderfully similar message with some great twists on what we were both seeing.  The big picture message seems to really carry through that Katie needs to get out to new places and see things from a new perspective. I find it interesting that I was feeling more of a shadow side to the Eight of Cups and the need to feel the pain to appreciate the joy. While Theresa was picking up a lighter side of seeking the adventure that the dark and unknown has to offer. Conversely, Theresa was seeing a more trapped energy in the Four of Pentacles and Katie being held hostage by her own comfort zone and I saw a need to hold onto her values and morals. Combining the two messages together really gives Katie the mindset she will need to get out there and jump into her life with both feet!

Find out more about Theresa and I by exploring our websites

Matt Williams

http://personaltarotwithmatt.com

Theresa Reed

http://www.thetarotlady.com

What advice would you give Katie baed on these cards?  Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Illustrations from the Spiral Tarot reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright © 1997 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited