September Challenge - Part 3

Good afternoon Moonbeams,

How are you all? We are experiencing a wee bit of an Indian summer here in England and it is glorious to be outside watching the seasons change. The leaves are turning and falling, the fields have been harvested and turned over and the air is thick with swarms of midges and other insects all enjoying themselves.

I am enjoying an afternoon to myself and thought I would take advantage of the quiet to catch up on sharing my September Tarot Challenge. It has been very illuminating so far and we still have a few days to go. I thought I would just try this challenge and then probably not bother again, unless I wanted to use it to get to know a new deck, but, I am a bit addicted…

Anyway, October is a few days away yet so back to the here and now, September.

Day 13: Messages from my physical body

The Queen of Swords:

This Queen represents choice and so I believe this to mean my body is asking me to choose wisely in what I put in it and to make sure I look after it. After all, it is the only one I have.

Day 14: Messages from my emotions

8 of Coins

Steady away. Is this a good thing or do they want more fizz?

Day 15: Messages from my intuition

7 of Vessels
 

There are many paths, they all have value and a purpose but trust in my higher self in order to choose the “golden” cup/path that best serves my higher purpose.

This will be hard. The universe tends to be a bit subtle and I usually miss the hints and nudges… I’m a bit dense that way.
 

Day 16: Messages from my soul

Ace of Wands

 

All things worthwhile need energy and passion. There is an opportunity for something new, feed it and make it flourish.

Day 17: What does my higher self need from me?

5 of Coins

 

In the Alchemical, this card speaks of spiritual poverty. I am being reminded that I should remember and honour my spiritual side. It will help to bring me into balance.

Day 18: Who is my Spirit Guide?

The Empress

An earthy, generous woman; someone nurturing.

I decided to pull a card from the Druid Animal Oracle as well for this one and I was given The Hind.

The Hind is a link to the Sidhe and also to the Hag Goddesses. I am definitely embracing my inner crone.

Day 19: What do they want to tell me?

3 of Cups

Society, community and friendship.

In the Alchemical, this card also speaks of the aspects of the triple Goddess, which ties in nicely with the Hind

Day 20: How can I connect with them?

The Hermit

The Hermit represents conviction, perseverance and meditation. I have to believe, keep faith and meditate regularly, not just once a blue moon. Good advice.

Day 21: What beliefs do I need to challenge?

King of Swords

Intellect isn’t the answer. I need to trust my intuition and not look for the logical explanation (every single time)

Day 22: Where do I need to seek more knowledge?

Queen of Wands

I have a choice; which path do I want? Well the King of Swords has just told me to trust my instincts and not analyse the issues. So, what feels right?

Day 23: What goals do I need to set?

Ace of Wands

This is the card of beginnings, so where do I want to go? The King has said, don’t think about it. The Queen has offered me a choice and the Ace is beginnings.  I have a clean sheet, what life do I want to lead?  I will take the hint of 2 wands on the bounce to seek out something creative.

Day 24: What resources do I have to help me?

9 of Wands

 

This talks of my adaptability and willingness for change, to evolve and to sacrifice the old for the new.

Day 25: Where will these Goals lead me?

Knight of Vessels

On an adventure through the unconscious mind with messages and synchronicity; and a good dollop of wonder thrown in too.

Day 26: How can I stick to my goals?

The Wheel of Fortune

By stepping back and observing. Don’t get caught up in re-acting. Learn to distance myself from the ups and downs and then I can find my true centre/soul

Day 27: Where do I need to express creativity?

Ace of Vessels

By following my desires.  Learn what makes my soul sing and embrace it.

Well this has been a mixed bag with Swords, Cups, Coins and Wands plus a couple of major Arcana and courts. Quite balanced on the whole I think.

This has asked a few questions of me that I haven't included here with regard to my goals and I am still doing some work on what my path should be and where I want to go.

This is really interesting and I am really chuffed with what The Alchemical Tarot has been showing me. It really is one of my favourite decks and I still haven't picked up another deck in the whole of September. I shouldn't show favouritism like this.

Enjoy your week Moonbeams and don't forget the full moon tomorrow night and the Luna eclipse for my neck of the woods is also tomorrow at the ungodly hour of 1.12 am and on a school night too!

Take care all BB x


The Alchemical Tarot. Robert M Place (2015)
 

New Moon check in

Good evening Moonbeams,

Hope this finds you all well and happy. I can't believe the weekend is over now (nearly bedtime) and it is back to work tomorrow.

We had a great day out in York and we got a table in my favourite pub for lunch, which was lucky. It is the Golden Fleece and allegedly York's most haunted pub. I snap away in there hoping for Orbs on my photo's... I never get them but I am always hopeful.

There was a rescued bird sanctuary exhibition on in the museum park and apart from all the usual owls and hawks, this one had a raven and an eagle. They were huge and I spent no where enough time gawking at them. They were absolutely glorious specimens.

As I was so taken with these birds I decided to use Oracle cards instead for my New Moon check in, to see what I need to be learning this cycle. To keep it simple I have only used one deck and I am not surprised to see an Eagle in the cards, I also wouldn't have been surprised to have seen a Raven but not to be this time. I also wouldn't have been surprised if Merlin had shown up as I dreamt about him a night or two ago. He was lost and I gave him directions to his destination :). I also dreamt about Jonny Marr but that was a totally different scenario...

So, what do I need to know?

Mind: The Eagle

The Eagle soars and sees the full picture. He is not interested in getting side-tracked in the little details. When you can see the big picture, you are in a position to make your decisions accordingly. The Eagle is also telling me to pray. I have always had a bit of an issue with praying as I have always found it hard work. I believe absolutely in a divine source but I don't really understand the point of praying and rarely pray and this last month I decided to give it up totally, which was incredibly easy to do. Apparently it has been noticed so I had better make the effort again.






 

Body: The Mystery
Tell me about it...

This is the last card in the deck and "this marker directs you into the unknowable mystery of your journey." Actually, I am just going to type out this meaning in full.

"This marker directs you into the unknowable mystery of your journey. It is the sacred place where all things are created but are not yet formed. It points the way to pure power and potential, which meets the magic of intention. it tells you that the magic unknowable forces of destiny and fate are working in your life. the forces that you can never fully understand or control are, indeed, weaving their magic around you to help you fulfil your true purpose.
There is however, a warning to be humble here: The Mystery reveals itself only when it chooses, and not when or how you demand. The cosmic laws operate here outside of time and space, outside of human influence and intellect. Only hindsight will reveal their patterns. Only Trust and the deepest faith can be your allies when the mystery appears as a sacred journey marker on your path.
Sometimes it may seem as if you're going backward, but truly, if you look at a spiral, it goes up, back and around, reaching upward, although it may seem for a time that you are not. You are indeed progressing. Trust the mystery, and keep going!
For now, trust that the thread of your life is woven into the pattern of the mystery with beauty, grace, strength and purpose. this marker is an auspicious and profound omen that shows you that you are on the correct path"

I'm not too sure how much I like a piece that asks me to Trust three times in relation to the unknown.
It sounds more like a warning. Generally,  I am happy that the future isn't carved in stone and that I don't know what is going to happen. In relation to my body though, it just sounds like S**t is going to happen and I just have to go with it. To be honest, I wish it was the menopause as then it is a process that I know will end.

 

Spirit: Trust

They are asking me to trust a lot here...

The first line "Do you have issues with faith?"  I have complete faith in a divine creator/source. For everything else though, I believe I am completely winging it. "Do you trust the Mystery?"  I am living the mystery.  Apparently this marker is insisting I Trust in order to move on. This marker is telling me that the divine order will be what it will be and all will reveal it self in its own time. I understand this perfectly, I know that divine timing is correct and things happen when they are supposed to happen.
Also, I am being asked to be discerning in who I trust. I am fairly easy going and I am happy to trust most people until I am proven wrong, on the whole it works well for me and I am rarely disappointed in people. Obviously I am being asked to be on my guard though. With regard to trusting my relationship with the divine, this marker is advising me that the trust relationship can only fail on my side when I forget who I am, I am a spark of the divine in temporary human form and I need to remember who I am.

Well this moon cycle, I am being reminded to keep my connection with the divine, to soar high and free. To maintain a conscious connection through prayer and to trust. Trust that the divine pattern will unfold as and when it will and to remember my own divine spark.

Lots to think about here and to meditate on, moonbeams. It seems like there could be some adventures waiting to happen, we shall have to wait and see.

Bright blessings to you all on this New Moon.

BB x


Images used by kind permission of Colette Baron-Reid. The Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Cards

September challenge - Part 2

Good evening Moonbeams,

How are you all? I hope the weekend is treating you well so far.  I have nothing to report from today but I am looking forward to going to York tomorrow.

The tarot challenge has thrown up some interesting questions this week:

Day 7: Who can I rely on for strength?

The 4 of Swords:  My Higher Self, obviously :)
This is the card of meditation and self reflection. I have all the answers within, I just need to dig deep.

Day 8: What skills do I have?

The Queen of Coins:
I have it all, I just need to own it and be it. I love this card, she is the attainable version of my birth card, The Empress.

Day 9: What are my limits/weaknesses?

Queen of Cups:
This card is telling me I am neither one thing or the other. This particular Queen is equally at home in the water and in the air but she cannot survive solely in one. I think my flexibility at being at home anywhere depending on circumstances is a weakness in some situations.

Day 10: How can I accommodate my weakness?

Queen of Cups...
By being flexible... Gotta love the way the universe talks to me sometimes, clear as mud.

Day 11: What is my current energy level?

8 of Coins:
Standard and even which sounds about right really, I am not lacking in energy, more in how best to channel or utilise it.

Day 12: How can I improve this?

Knight of Coins:
By looking after myself. By protecting and nourishing my mind, body and spirit.

So no Major Arcana this week as the questions have been more personal and intimate which makes sense for the army of court cards turning up. 3 Queens and a Knight are a good way of assessing yourself and knowing where and what I need to be looking at.

All these cards have been about acknowledging myself and looking within for my best interests. A very enjoyable week indeed.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend
Much love

BB x


Alchemical Trot (4th Edition) 2015 Robert M Place

Something for the weekend: 11/09/15 Water and Fire

Good afternoon Moonbeams,

How are you all? How has your week been? Mine has been a bit of a rollercoaster and I am looking forward to the weekend for lots of sleep and not much else.

As you know, I attend a circle in Morley, and on Monday I had the joy of facilitating the circle as the boss was on holiday. On the whole I think I managed 4-5/10. No doubt I will get feedback at some point, I know some will be kind about me but I also know others won't be. I enjoyed the experience immensely so even poor feedback wont upset me, it will all go towards improving and growing.

I have had a couple of hiccups internet wise this week again but my office got hard wired this afternoon so hopefully my day time internet will be strong and consistent now. Hot spots at home are still dubious. I may have to bite the bullet and get an actual phone line and internet connection... maybe.

But, back to the weekend, what do I have to look forward to? Sunday will see us mooching around York for a few hours meeting up with my chaps daughter and partner and his parents who are passing through York on their way back "oop" north. So that will be fun and I hope the weather is nice for us to be out in.

What does upstairs have to say though? The 9 of Cups and The Ace of Swords.

For this reading I am using The Byzantine Tarot (2015) from Cilla Conway and John Matthews. I was lucky enough to win this deck back in July when I attended a Tarot conference. The universe sent it my way so let's see what we have.
Actually, I have been reading a lot of deck interviews recently and I think I shall do a series of "An interview with ..." and work through my decks, especially those I use a lot.

Energy: 9 of Cups

This 9 is reminding me of the joy in life. I have the energy to dance through life at this time and to look at the world with good will and harmony. This energy will help me to tread lightly and skip and dance over hurdles and through problems.

Energy needs to flow in order to flourish, once it stands still it can stagnate or get stuck. I need to find my rhythm and get in the flow and enjoy it.

Advice: The Ace of Swords

In this deck, Swords relate to the element of Fire as they refer to the military arm of the Byzantine empire.

This Sword advises me to wield the sword of power to cut through the detritus to get to the heart of the matter. It also counsels cutting off the ties and conditioning that no longer suit me or help me. This is a freeing card, it says find what is important and let the rest go.

This is good, upstairs have made sure I have the energy and the tools to get to the heart of the matter without getting side-tracked or bogged down with the surrounding bumf. This is very encouraging indeed, roll on the weekend.

BB x

 

 

Byzantine Tarot (2015) Cilla Conway and John Matthews

Back from my holidays and a September challenge

Good afternoon Moonbeams,

It’s been a while since I last wrote anything and I have missed it. I had a week’s holiday with no internet access at all in Cornwall which was absolutely lovely, and I can’t wait to go back and since then I have had so many internet problems, it was getting weird. I can’t seem to find a hotspot in my house anymore for some reason (I don’t have a telephone line so no direct access). I used to have a brilliant hot spot in my bedroom which was great as I could just prop myself up in bed and crack on, no more…

Also I had trouble with internet access at work which was a nightmare. I didn’t have internet and thus any emails for a week whilst it got fixed. But, touch wood, that seems to have got sorted now.  I have basically been in the social media wilderness as my phone internet hasn’t worked at home or at work either.  In itself it hasn’t really been a problem though.  I haven’t missed it.

What I have been doing though is a tarot challenge, 30 days and 30 questions which started on the 1^st of September. I haven’t done anything like this before and I was curious and I also thought it would be a good way of acquainting  myself with a new deck.

I have used The Alchemical Tarot (4^th edition) by Robert M Place (2015) and so far the questions and cards have been:

Day 1: The Theme of September: 5 of Wands

This is creativity, passion, energy and enthusiasm for a project or cause. A connection with the divine leads to an unlimited supply.

Day 2: What do I need to focus on?  9 of Cups

This is a reminder of my achievements and accomplishments. They are the firm foundation on which I can stand with confidence.  Be proud of my victories, both big and little, celebrate the good instead of dwelling on the trials and tribulations.

Day 3: What do I need to release? The Devil

This is a reminder of my darker side, my shadow side. I am trapped by my shadow however it is manifesting and it needs to be acknowledged and integrated back into the whole of my being.

I did some work on this later and apparently my current fear that needs working on is the 2 of Cups…

Day 4: Why do I need to release this? Temperance

 

For balance and harmony in my being. Is my lack of a commitment to commitment keeping me off balance? I am also aware that I need to continue working on bringing balance to my Mind, Body and Spirit.

Day 5: What lesson do I need to learn? Judgement

I need to draw a line now and assimilate all I have learned and experienced in order to reconcile my past and move on to a new phase of my life. This is a reminder to move on myself, willingly and consciously before the universe moves me on forcibly.

Day 6: How will this help me? The Hanged Man

In The Alchemical Tarot, Robert has this to say: The Hanged Man represents a fall in terms of ego or self-image. It may also represent the loss of material things. He may, however, represent a willing sacrifice that is made to further a career o relationship. At the highest level, he represents initiation in to a spiritual mystery, but at the lowest, he simply represents suffering.

Well so far there have been 4 Major Arcana out of 6 cards, seems like September is shaping up to be a bit of a challenge. To be honest, I am feeling this is more likely to be a seasonal challenge that is going to be seeing me through autumn as one month simply isn’t enough to process major arcana lessons especially when I have 4 so far and they are biggies.

Anyway, I am still enjoying it and we will see what next week brings.

Take care everyone and have a lovely and comfortable week

BBx 

BB