The Daily Draw: The Tower, Reversed

Change You Can’t Avoid

The Tower Reversed

There is a bit of procrastination and avoidance to the reversed Tower card, which might carry on a theme from the conflict avoidance that is one aspect of the reversed Five of Wands that came up yesterday.

The Tower is about significant revelation that can come with drastic or sudden change. For example, you might lose your current job for one reason or another and be forced to find another one. You might find that your health suffers from trying to do too much too often and be forced to slow down. You might find that the friends you thought you could count on and trust are not your friends at al.

The Tower forces us to look at the structures that we have either created or bought into as part of our lives, and challenges us to take action by either changing those structures or dealing with the impact of those structures changing for us. This can seem quite daunting—we are taken out of our comfort zone and forced to make life-changing decisions.

So when the Tower is reversed, it is an indication that we really don’t want to do that despite the fact that the old way of doing things isn’t going to work for us any longer. There is a resistance, and perhaps even a fear of change. But change is inevitable of course. It’s something we have to deal with throughout our lives. Ironically, the more we resist it in general, the more likely it is that the Tower will come along to shake us out of our complacency.

The Tower never comes along without good reason. Not only will trying to avoid this energy prolong the process of change and probably make it more difficult, it will ultimately be of no use to you. Change is here.

There is also a possibility that the kind of change indicated by a reversed Tower card won’t be as profound as that of an upright Tower card, but either way my advice is to roll with it. Life will only be better when you come out the other side.

The Daily Draw: Five of Wands, Reversed

Give It a Rest

Five of Wands Reversed

The Five of Wands can be a card of many hassles. Not great big problems, but the niggly little things that kind of tap away at you—irritating but not life threatening. These hassles can come in the form of little events such as being held up in traffic so you’re late for a meeting, stubbing your toe on the leg of the bed, pouring out a bowl of cereal to discover that someone finished off the milk before you got there, that sort of thing.

On the other hand, there could be some interpersonal conflict or rivalry that may be present at the same minor level of annoyance. Maybe someone is trying to get one up on you at work by coming up with a solution to a problem you’re working on before you get a chance to. Or this energy might show up in the way small children can fight over everything and nothing. For example, our three-year-old twins quite like the Sky advertising brochures, and will each try to take a brochure off the other when one comes in the post. If there are two identical brochures, they will still fight over one of them.

I’m thinking of a high profile project (internally at least) that I’m currently working on. It is not related to the automotive industry, but for the sake of example and confidentiality let’s say it is.

There are two groups pouring their energy into the project, and each group seems to be going off in a different direction with little regard for the other. The marketing group is preparing a customer demo of the vehicle. The development group has been instructed to come up with a light, interim version of the vehicle that will hit the streets in March. The full version will be out in June, and will be something like a BMW. The March version will look more like a Robin Reliant, with three wheels. Both will get you where you’re going, but one will do it more reliably and elegantly than the other, and come with more options.

Yesterday we saw the demo from the marketing group where what they were planning to show people was a bit closer to a hovercraft, which did look really cool. Of course, backstage the hovercraft was being supported by a forklift. As you can imagine this sparked an animated debate, at the core of which was the question “why aren’t we all a bit closer to being on the same page”?

Well that was yesterday, and sometimes these little rivalries, intentional or not, can put things in perspective for all concerned. Today the Five of Wands is reversed as if to say, “Let’s just stop working against each other and see if we can find some common ground. Ultimately, using our energies at cross purposes is not going to get the job done or impress anyone”. (i.e. clients).

On the other hand, the reversed Five of Wands can indicate that you have a tendency to avoid conflict, which for a lot of HSPs is one of their favourite hobbies, as I can tell you. But as I hope I’ve shown above, some conflicts are best avoided.

The Daily Draw: The Lovers

Choices and Values

the_lovers_marseille_camoin_jodorowsky_lg

This is like the third time this card has come up as my daily draw in the last week. I didn’t forget that it’s Valentine’s Day Sunday, so that can’t be it.

In my previous post, which can be seen here, I focused on the relationship aspects of this card, and how it depicts a loving interdependent (as opposed to co-dependent) relationship. Today I’m going to discuss how this card can indicate that there is a choice that you must make.

Pamela Coleman Smith’s drawing in the RWS deck doesn’t do much to illustrate the aspect of choice as much as other cards do, although one can argue that the Garden of Eden setting with the snake coiled around the apple tree depicts the first consequential choice made by humans, so the choice aspect is implied. Other decks are not so subtle about it.

(I used the Marseille Tarot today to get the point across. I was trawling for a different card which has a similar theme except that it is closer in style to the RWS and one of the woman looks like she stepped out if The Devil. You probably know the one I’m talking about. I’m sure it’s from a famous enough deck but it escapes me right now. I’ll probably stumble upon it tomorrow. )

This is where the interpretation of the card leans more towards values and personal beliefs—that’s the area in which the choice must be made. The Lovers is a Major Arcana card, so the implications and impact of whatever choice you make will be significant. We’re talking potential life-path changes, for example, not what you’re going to order from the menu—unless your meal comes with an unusually prescient fortune cookie.

As the card implies the choice you are offered may have moral implications. You may need to choose between the path of ideals and values and the path of least resistance, between a high road and a low road, between what servers your higher purpose and what seems quick, easy and seems to feel good in the moment if you don’t think about it too much. I see a correlation between the “higher calling” aspect of the Judgement card, and the encouragement to follow higher emotional and spiritual aspirations in The Lovers, a raising of vibrations.

Interestingly, the RWS deck shows this path to higher love consciousness as passing through the woman standing in front of the serpent-infested apple tree. She seems to have the direct connection to Archangel Raphael. She also seems be the same woman who, according to some, is responsible for original sin and the downfall of man. Can both concepts be true? You’ll have to choose for yourself what to believe.

The Daily Draw: 7 of Wands Reversed

Do You Need This Conflict?

Wands7_Rx

When you see the Seven of Wands it’s a good sign that there is some conflict in play. One aspect of this card is to caution that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction—you push, you get pushed back. That doesn’t mean give up. It means be prepared.

Some things are worth fighting for and other things, not so much. Only you can decide which is which, and how important it is to you to pursue you goal despite the conflict. With this card reversed, there’s a chance that the fight might be more trouble than it’s worth.

On the other hand, and depending on the context, this card could be suggesting that you’re not standing up in the way you should. Is there something that’s been bothering you, but for one reason or another you’ve done nothing about it? Maybe you feel powerless or maybe you are too focused on the daily routine, maybe even as a means of escape. The Seven of Wands suggests that you do have it within you to make a change if you make an effort.

Then again, depending on the context, maybe you just like conflict. Have you been arguing for argument’s sake? Have you been right fighting about every detail no matter how insignificant? The Seven of Wands reversed can indicate that it might be time to take it down a notch. Not every battle needs to be won or even fought. It might be time to agree to disagree, maybe even if that is a tacit arrangement. Excessive conflict can have a direct impact on your happiness and inner peace. It might be time to decide which is more important and act accordingly.

The Daily Draw: The Lovers

I Can See You Clearly

The Lovers

Valentine’s Day came early this month, it seems, with the the Knight of Cups appearing Monday and now the Lovers appearing today. Is it all that romantic energy that had the Four of Swords reversed and restless yesterday, lol?

Now, the lovers. Two people making a connection similar to the Two of Cups, sure, but making a divine connection as well with Archangel Raphael blessing them from above. The woman on the RWS card seems to have a direct connection with Raphael, going by line of sight, while the man is connected through the divinity of his female partner. Let’s not get too hung up on that. The cards are more reflective of energies, such as masculine and feminine for example, than they are of literal gender indications. As we can all agree, there are many kinds of couples in the world, and higher numbers than two in a relationship. So mote it be.

Besides relationships and connections, the lovers also have to do with values and personal beliefs, which makes sense since you wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with someone who’s values and personal beliefs you could at least respect if not share, and vice-verse. But what’s really capturing my attention this morning is the nakedness of the couple on the card. No, not like that! Get your mind out of the gutter. My point is that both people can see each other completely and clearly, with nothing left to the imagination. I know that phrase has implications in modern parlance, but what I mean is, these two people can really see each other, really know each other and are not inventing bits that would normally be hidden by their “clothes” (or other props) in order to imagine them to be something different (read “better”) than they are.

I’ve had occasion to do some reading on co-dependence lately and apparently there is a lot of it going around. You could probably make a strong case that most relationships are co-dependent, even if many of them have it to a minimal degree.

One aspect of co-dependence is that voice inside your head (and sometimes outside) that says, “I love you but I’d love you even more if you lost weight, grew your hair longer, cleaned more, didn’t snore, watched less football/Dr Phil/Dr Who/Strictly Come Dancing, etc. etc. In other words, in a co-dependent relationship one or both people have an ideal that they want their partner to aspire to and achieve, if only they would get with the program. Then everyone will be happy.

The Lovers say “I see you. I see all of you. I accept you. I love you for who you are, not who you might be or what your potential is but you, just you.”

May all your relationships be blessed with such loving clarity of vision.

©David H. Cady 2016. All rights reserved.

The Daily Draw: Four of Swords

You Need a Break

Four of Swords, Reversed

The Four of Swords is like an oasis of calm in a suit that presents more challenges than most. It signifies a chance to rest and meditate after a period of struggle and/or in preparation for another one. It might look a little creepy (or not depending on your point of view) with the funereal overtones, but is the card not simply implying that you are now in a position to enjoy the sleep of the dead, for a few hours.

Since this card is reversed, I’m sensing that this person could really do with a break but is either unable or unwilling to take one. That just won’t do. The downtime indicated by this card isn’t really a suggestion. It’s a requirement if you want to keep your batteries from going flat.

This person is not listening to what they’re body is telling them. Knowing how and when to strike a balance is a key to staying healthy. Sometimes you can soldier on like the Nine of Cups, and sometimes you just have to shut everyone and everything out like the Four of Swords.

Many people struggle with taking care of their own needs when they perceive they should be taking care of someone else’s, and there are of course times when you are going to lose that conflict if you’re a parent or a caregiver, for example. But it is a fact that in order to take care of someone else, you have to be able to take care of yourself first and foremost. You have to nourish yourself—it can’t always be about what someone else needs.

If you let yourself get run down physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally or any combination of the above, then you aren’t going to have the energy and enthusiasm you need for the people who depend on you. Plus you will live a grey existence of constant drudgery, and who is going to put their hand up for that?

You need to find a way to take care of you with the kind of urgency and commitment you show to others. You have as much right to inner peace as anybody else, and you are the most qualified to define what that means to you and provide it to yourself. You need to give yourself a break.

The Daily Draw: The Knight of Cups

Heart in Motion

Knights like to be on the move. The Knight of Cups uses his heart as a compass to guide him to where he is meant to be, knowing that when he finds his true direction it will resonate within him with the clarity of a bell. He may be led to a new relationship, an artistic pursuit, someone who is in need of healing or counselling, or a personal journey within.

Unlike other knights, this one seems peaceful, gentle and loving. You can sense the deep, calm pool of emotions within. His horse steps lightly at an unhurried walk — There is no urgency. The knight has faith that matters of the heart will move at the right pace as well as take the right course.

Knights are adventurers. This one is interested in exploring the senses. This can take the form of charting his own inner emotional map. It might mean getting to know someone at heart level. It might be experimentation in what emotional signals are triggered by which activities or interactions with specific people at specific times. It’s a sense of wonder and exploration of the emotional energy all around us and how that informs our love, desire and intuition.

The Knight of Cups might also be on an artistic journey of discovery, attempting to convey the emotions of their inner world through music, painting dance or some other medium that seeks to communicate messages that cannot be conveyed by verbal, linear communication. Writing may also be a conveyance, but it would need to be poetry as opposed to a clinical description of the anatomy of a feeling. The artist knows to be abstract enough to defy analysis, lest the critics squeeze the beauty from a moment using tweezers and a microscope.

The Daily Draw: Ten of Swords, Reversed

Lay Down Your Swords

Ten of Swords Reversed

The Ten of Swords strikes me as primarily a card of drama and victimization. Yes, bad things do happen. Yes, there is tragedy on personal and global levels, and this card might show up in a reading about those things. On the other hand, this card doesn’t say “things couldn’t be any worse”, so much as it says, “Things are worse than they could possibly be. Imagine how bad it could be. It’s worse. “ If the character on this card was passive aggressive, they might be saying, “You carry on about your business. Don’t mind me. I’ll just lie here bleeding to death. Maybe someone will stick a few more swords in my back. It’s OK.”

Of course, this person is in pain, and I am empathetic. But at the same time, this person seems to be drawing even more pain to themselves and doing their best to ensure everyone knows how badly they’ve been victimized, what a martyr they are. Really, one sword would have done the job. Two or three is an unusually unfortunate streak. Ten is just taking the piss.

Like I said, this person is in pain, but they need to be healed and not enabled. Sympathy and concern are all well and good, but healing is not going to begin until you let go of the damned swords!

And this, I think, is where the card gets reversed. It’s time to let go, to rise above (literally, on the RWS card) and let those swords fall out of your back. Yes, those wounds are real and they still hurt, but until you remove those swords from them, those wounds cannot begin to heal. If you kept sticking a needle in your finger, would you expect to stop bleeding before you stopped pricking? You would not. It’s no different with emotional or mental wounds. You have to find a way to remove or stop focussing on the cause of the pain and start focusing on something else.

We create our own reality, and that reality is quite often the result of our perception of reality—this can create a vicious cycle when things go pear shaped. That is, if you see yourself as a victim, you tend to be a victim more often than someone who sees themselves as strong and resilient, because that is your reality. This is a psychological fact even without multiplying it by the law of attraction.

If you find yourself face down counting up the swords in your own back, instead of bemoaning your fate, realize that if you want a different result you have to create a different pattern and act accordingly.

The Daily Draw: Four of Wands

Something Wicked Good This Way Comes

Four of Wands

Sorry I haven’t been around for the last week. In my day job I had a new high profile project (internally and potentially externally) kicking off where the development teams are located in a time zone eight hours ahead of GMT so I spent all last week attending meetings and training sessions from 6AM on, which kind of ate into my blogging time. Interesting times, as they say in China.

Today’s card is the Four of Wands—a card of excitement, expectation, anticipation, and celebration. It’s that feeling of something that is about to happen rather that something that has already happened or has already started. For example, my son who is about to turn seven has a birthday party booked for the weekend in one of those indoor fun factory places, so he’s feeling this energy right now.

My partner and I are also heading towards 12 years together in about two weeks. We’re used to looking at each other, and it can be a challenge finding a babysitter these days so I’m not entirely sure how much excitement and celebration is going to come into it. However, the Four of Wands can also herald the beginning of a stable and prosperous period, where there is harmony and tranquillity on the home front. We would both welcome a bit of that. Between the demands of raising small children and trying to find a new place to live there hasn’t been a lot of “us” time in the recent past.

And speaking of finding new accommodations, the Four of Wands bodes well for either improving the current home or setting up the ideal new home. So far this year it’s been slim pickings—there’s a “housing crisis” going on in Ireland you know. But seeing this card come up this morning encourages me that something is going to shift soon and we will be able to find what we are looking for, we just have to keep at the search and not get caught up in what the trends are supposed to be, which lets segue into my final point about this card for today…

Freedom is another aspect of the Four of Wands. This freedom can come in a lot of forms, such as freedom from limiting thought (e.g. just because there is a housing crisis doesn’t mean we won’t find a house). It can also be freedom from an oppressive situation, such as a demeaning job or an abusive partner. It can be the freedom one acquire when taking the decision to determine one’s own direction in life unencumbered by what others may think, say or try to do about it. Freedom can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or all of the above.

The Four of Wands can sometimes be enigmatic for me because there are so many possibilities. The main thing is, they’re all good.

The Daily Draw: Judgement, Reversed

Forgiveness is Self-Care

Judgement reversed

The Judgement card can represent hearing or feeling a calling, making a decision, feeling transformed or rejuvenated, or forgiveness of yourself and others. This morning I feel the focus is on forgiveness, and now that I’m looking at my words on virtual paper, I can see how that impacts all the other aspects of this card. Forgiving is an act of rising above a situation by refusing to reflect incoming negative energy. That is, answering a higher call. It is making a conscious decision to perform the act of forgiveness, and how that can transform your overall experience..

So why is it reversed today? Because it is such an easy thing to not do. Part of us wants to do it only when we feel the other person has behaved in a way that they deserve to be forgiven, such as by atonement or at least by apologizing. We think we are punishing the other person by not forgiving them when in fact we are just giving ourselves more emotional baggage to carry around and quite possibly having more of a negative impact on ourselves.

Well screw all that. It’s time to take a selfish, common sense approach to forgiveness. Ultimately the art of forgiveness is the art of self-care. All the energy that goes into being frustrated, angry or upset with a certain situation could be better spent on something positive, and you will feel better for giving yourself permission to free yourself of whatever pain you feel that causes you to need to forgive.

Being unforgiving does far more damage to you than to the person who you need to forgive. Let’s say, for example, the other person cares how you feel. Being hard and unforgiving towards them is more likely to put up a wall between you, closing down communication rather than provide an opportunity for them to make amends. Sure, the other person might feel guilty, and you might feel like they deserve to feel that way, but guilt is too often a cul de sac that goes nowhere, or at least nowhere good.

In many situations there is a good chance that this person is no longer part of your daily environment. They might not even be aware of how you feel, or maybe they just don’t care, or maybe they did care but are operating on an “out of sight, out of mind” basis. Whatever the case, there is a good chance you are dwelling on the negativity of the situation far more than they are.

Of course if the other person is a narcissist, your best bet is to release everything about the situation and go straight to the forgiveness part. Narcissists are psychic vampires – the more energy you give them the more they will suck you dry. But can a vampire help being a vampire? Well, ultimately yes, but first they have to self-realize then work through their patterns to alter their natural way of being and that might take some time, if indeed it ever happens. I’m just saying you’ll be waiting for them to become the person you want to forgive as opposed to the person you need to forgive. And the only one who will be hurt by it is you. Remember, forgiving someone doesn’t mean they have to remain a part of your life.

I didn’t say it would be easy. I just said it would be good for you.