the-dailytarot

[the-dailytarot]

9 of Wands

July 21, 2024

How much energy do you put into self-defense?

For a long time, I thought I was conserving my energy by protecting it and not allowing others to overstep into it. But at a certain point, we spend so much energy protecting ourselves that we drain our own resources. The more time we spend trying to protect ourselves, the more we embody an energy that invites attacks. We come to expect them. It's an endless cycle.

Sometimes, it's important to do the scary thing and let go of the obsessive need to defend yourself in all situations - to release the idea that everyone is trying to attack us. It is very likely that they are not trying to do so. Our perception is our reality however, so if we fear attack and prepare defense, we invite said attacks.

If we expect others to understand us and approach us with love and appreciation, again this becomes our external reality.

To be clear, this is not encouragement to let go of strategy in business meetings or to share trade secrets with competitors. This is simply to say that when you catch up with a friend and they tell you how good their life has been, they are doing so out of excitement and love. They are doing so because they want to share their joy with you. Not overshadow your own happenings, be them positive or negative.

A happy side effect from assuming the best is that anyone who does seek to hurt you will not get the satisfaction of triggering your defenses.

Have a peaceful and restorative day!

[the-dailytarot]

Wheel of Fortune

July 20, 2024

The Wheel of Fortune card is one of my personal favourites, though it can also be one of the most frustrating when it is in a difficult position.

In short, the Wheel of Fortune is the wheel of life, turned by our actions, thoughts, words, and choices. They say the goal is to live at the center of the wheel in perfect balance and harmony - not too much of anything, nor too little.

You may have heard people describe certain acts as "centering," for example many like yoga because it "centers" them. What this means from a tarot perspective, is that it pulls them closer to the center of that wheel, into balance, harmony, and inner peace.

When we act from a "centered" place, we act from peace and love rather than restlessness or fear. The Wheel of Fortune calls us to live here in this centeredness, as doing so will allow the wheel to keep turning in our favour. It asks us to hold onto that feeling of complete peace within ourselves and carry that forth into whatever endeavours we have that day. It asks us to breathe, feel love, and trust that good fortune comes to those who act from love.

When the wheel is reversed, it can refer to something blocking this natural progression from taking place. I have often found that thing to be a sense of "clinging" to my desires or fears. As you may have heard, wanting something is a negative experience because it reinforces that you don't have it. Often when I find myself slip into wanting instead of having, I see the wheel in reverse.

That's not to say if you're having a bad day and you wished you were happier, you should just shove it down. In fact, that's the opposite of what you should do if you want to feel centered. Bad days, bad experiences, they teach us what it is that upsets us and give us an opportunity to learn how to lift ourselves up again.

If you're having a bad day when this post or this card finds you, all I ask is that you pause any music or video or TV, sit down (if possible), take a deep breath, and feel where you hurt. Is it in your heart? Perhaps your head? Or even your stomach? Limbs? Feet? Where do you carry your burdens? Where do you feel your emotions in your body? I often feel mine as a general tightness or ache all around my chest.

When we sit and breathe and feel our pain, we accept it is there. It feels seen. You will almost certainly find a little voice in the back of your head saying "thank you for acknowledging me." And by feeling it, accepting it, it lightens ever so slightly.

Once you have acknowledged the feeling, I encourage you to notice. Is there something beautiful around you? A nice flower, a cool pebble, your favourite art, two people engaged in lively conversation. Notice that. Something nice, no matter how small. If you cannot find even a single thing, feel whatever connects you to the ground, be it your feet or your sits bones or maybe your back if you're lying down. Think about how incredible it is to be able to feel this connection. The earth has existed for millennia and you have the gift of residing on it.

Now, whatever that thing you noticed is, thank it and give it a smile, even a small one. "Thank you thank you thank you flower for being so beautiful" you may say. Even the smallest of smiles, the tiniest lift of your mouth, will seal the deal, will show your gratitude as you think or speak it.

Allow yourself to feel peace observing the beautiful thing and breathe. You've surrendered and allowed yourself to move, almost magnetically, toward the center of the wheel.

[the-dailytarot]

why not?

so often we overcomplicate life. if we desire to write, we should write. if we desire to speak, we should speak. if we desire to dance, we should dance. and who observes these acts of self-truth is not up to us. so why not write, speak, dance? why not?