ace of wands

The Salamander and The Seeds

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was not a part of the ‘how to’ series I’ve been working my way through. Instead I spent a bit of time in the bottom of the shower following the water drops as they made their way down the side of the tub.

As you know, this is a very soothing activity for me, and is hands-down my easiest meditation. There’s just something about the warm water raining down and the trailing of those drops that allows me to sink into that space in a way that meditating elsewhere does not.

Ace of Wands - Slow TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s inner spark including their ambitions, passions, and drive.

When I look at this card I see the seeds.  So many seeds.  All those dandelions are ready to scatter their seeds, and the salamander clings with apparent pleasure to a wand that’s on fire. This speaks to me of the need to sometimes go through the flames to obtain what you seek.

After yesterday’s occurrence concerning my business, this card is a message of hope and encouragement.  It speaks of having the resilience and strength to start anew if needed, and encourages looking into spreading my “eggs” out into more than one basket.  I already do this, but I think maybe I need to do some research on this again… just in case a new start ends up being needed.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I break free when I’m feeling trapped?

Tarot of Pagan CatsReading Summary:  Move quickly (Eight of Wands) to explore new opportunities (Ace of Pentacles) that allows me to find a sense of stability that fits me best (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  When I first read this question prior to doing the reading, I thought this was about emotions.  You know, you always hear those people that feel “trapped” in their relationships with either their significant other, or family, or friends.   But I don’t really feel that way emotionally so I didn’t really see how this question would apply to me.

I should have known, though, that the cards would dig out just exactly how this question does apply to me.  And, they’re right. When it comes to my work and my finances, I do occasionally feel trapped.  Usually I just ride it out until it passes, or make small adjustments to what I’m doing until I find that “sweet spot” of contentment again.

The cards in today’s reading suggest that sometimes to break free of that feeling, it’s better to allow new opportunities a chance, and move quickly to explore them when they present themselves.  That, by doing this, in the end although it might spur change (as new opportunities so often do) it can lead to an even better place of stability in the end.

Deck Used: Tarot of Pagan Cats

 

Embracing Change

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Today’s meditation was eleven minutes and eight seconds, and focused on how we rise out of struggles, suffering, and difficult times into something better.   It discussed how when one tries to escape their suffering, that all we end up doing is prolonging the process.

On the other hand, when we face these difficulties and work through them, it is an opportunity for growth and the situation can return to balance much sooner.

The complete Victoria Erickson quote from the provided graphic is “Transformation isn’t sweet and bright. It’s a dark and murky, painful pushing. An unraveling of the truths you’ve carried in your body. A practice in facing your own created demons. A complete uprooting before becoming.”

Today’s draw is another duo, the Nine of Pentacles and the Ace of Wands. Like yesterday, neither of these are jumpers… or maybe I should say that both of these are jumpers because they jumped out of the deck together as one.

Yesterday’s draw included the Death card, which I see as the harbinger of change… and yesterday he sure did his job, as I discovered at the end of my day.  As I said last night when we talked, I knew that something to that effect was coming down the line, but I really think that they have dealt with transitioning people in the wrong way.

Today’s Today’s cards are an expansion upon yesterday’s theme, and a commentary on the frustration of being forced into something I was not interested in doing, as I discovered last night is going to be the case.

When someone tries to force me into any situation my natural inclination is to pull my back up I’m put on the brakes. I understand that about myself, and I understand that was a part of my reaction to last nights news concerning the news I received concerning my business. It’s true that I do not like this change, but my nearly violent reaction to it in this case is almost entirely about the fact that I am being forced into it.

The Nine of Pentacles is a representation of culmination, fulfillment, fruition, and consequences in the area of finance, resources, and the physical world.

The Ace of Wands is a representation of the sprouting seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s passion, drive, willpower, and ambitions.

Together, the Nine of Pentacles and the Ace of Wands are telling me that If I just go with the flow and put my passion behind this new beginning, everything will be OK.  In other words, stop kicking and screaming and get going on making this new situation work for me and my business.