Tarot Tuesday 5-31-16

Today's card drawn is The Star.

The Star is a card of the future.  It is also a card of hope.

The Star looks a ways off into the future, but not the immediate future, to tell you there is hope and that a certain situation is going to resolve itself in your favor.  This will take some time and like I said, do not expect it to resolve itself immediately, but the future is definitely looking better than your present situation.  Therefore some patience and perseverance is required, but it is worth it in the end.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the ripple effect, also known as the butterfly effect.  I think I had a defining moment when I saved a butterfly from the freezing cold Blain's Farm and Fleet parking lot and released it a few days later on a nice, sunny, warm spring day.  Knowing that the butterfly effect refers to the flap of a butterfly's wings causing a ripple that could possibly cause a huge event to happen in the world, or at least affect the future in some way, I wondered how that one act of rescuing that one little butterfly affected the world.  The thought of it is mind boggling.

This ripple effect is very relevant to the appearance of The Star card.  As the young woman in the photo pours her pitchers of water out, one of them into the water, and the other onto the grass, how is she affecting the future?  Just as she is creating ripples in the water, the water being poured out onto the grass is also causing an effect.  You just can't see it as clearly.

It is important to remember that every action you take, every word you say, every act of kindness or act of negativity is being sent out into the Universe to ripple and bend and create the future.  It is important to ask yourself what you are contributing to the world.  Are you contributing happiness and generosity or are you contributing hate and judgement?  What do you want your own future to hold? Have you set yourself on the path to achieve that future?

The appearance of this card today is reminding you of just how powerful you are.  You are not insignificant.  Every single little thing you do ripples out and comes back to you much larger than it was when you sent it out.  Make sure you're sending out the good stuff.  It will come back to you.

The Star is said to be a card of good omen.  The fact that it has appeared today is telling you that everything is starting to look up.  Your finances will be improving.  Your career will be heading in the direction it needs to.  Your relationships will be coming back into balance.  You may be feeling inspired and finding that opportunity is knocking.  Great things are in store for you, but you need to stay positive and know there is much more goodness in the world than there is negativity.  Most importantly, you are a determining factor in making our future the fabulous one you want it to be. What you do really does matter.  This being said, to help ensure that your future is as bright as The Star is saying it's going to be, go out and help it along with a random act of kindness.  Any little act will do.  Go do it today.  Right now if you can.  You hold the paintbrush so go and paint a beautiful and kind world.

Tarot Tuesday 5/17/16

Today's card drawn is the Six of Swords.

This card indicates gradual change, movement, or perhaps travel away from difficulty or even danger.  Are you currently experiencing some problems or obstacles?  The Six of Swords is showing you that you are on the path away from them.  It may seem slow or gradual, but the journey away from your troubles will be successful.  It can also indicate literal travel.  It would be a great time for a short trip or a longer vacation.  Traveling will be favorable.

If you find yourself making the decision to change jobs or careers, trust that the universe is taking you to where you want to be.  This is all happening for a reason and your current position is no longer working for you.  The change will be for the better.

Financially speaking, the appearance of this card indicates that your financial tide is turning for the better.  If you have been struggling the past year or two, things are about to improve.  On the flip side, if you've been "riding high" for some time now, you can expect a slight downfall.  You can take steps either way.  If you find your financial situation improving, you can treat yourself to something small, but don't get carried away.  Manage your money wisely.  If you find things are getting worse, plan ahead to make sure you will have enough reserves to get you through a short set-back.

Applying this card to your health means that perhaps it's time to look for a new health provider if you are dealing with a problem, or at least get a second opinion.  Remember to take care of your mental health as well.  If you need a vacation or a break, give yourself just that.  This card is telling you that it is a great time for a short (or longer) trip away and a change of scenery.  The break will be good for your health in the long run.

Are you on a spiritual quest?  You may receive some answers suddenly that have eluded you before. This awareness could even be tied to a change in routine, travel, or researching different spiritual traditions.  Have you had interesting dreams lately?  Pay attention to them.  Sometimes our subconscious gives us answers in that way.  If you are feeling stuck in a rut, sometimes the best thing to do is change your path to work, do something different from your normal routine, eat somewhere you've never eaten before, go to an event you've never attended before, anything that shakes up your "norm".  You will be amazed at what can happen if you do.

The Six of Swords is a card of travel.  This can be metaphorical or literal.  Boy voyage and good luck on your journey, wherever it takes you.

Witchy Wednesday

Woo hoo.  Witchy Wednesday!  One of my favorite days!

I thought I would highlight some cool hair accessories today.

Here are two very nice skull ponytail holders.  It looks like you can get these on Amazon.

These adorable Dia de los Muertes barrettes look great in blue hair!

While looking for hair accessories, I found this FABULOUS real crow skull hair pin that has been bedazzled on Etsy.  Oh my gosh.  I really want this!!










Memento Mori are items that usually feature a skull.  Their purpose is to remind us that yes, someday we are going to die.  I looked up Memento Mori on Etsy and found some very cool things.



First, here is a beautiful blue sapphire engagement ring.  Lovely.









This beautiful ring is hand carved ivory.  I love this one!

A nice and simple memento mori ring in gold.











And finally, there is this gem.  You might be asking where the skull is?  Well, this particular memento mori ring was made to remember someone who had died.  It contains the hair of someone who passed.

I'm really enjoying looking at the different memento mori.  You can find these rings and other memento mori on Etsy.  Have fun looking!

Tarot Tuesday 5-10-16

Today's card drawn is the King of Pentacles.

The King of Pentacles represents abundance, security, ambition and stability.  Often this card indicates the fulfilment of a creative task or business venture.  You have worked hard and come far.  It is time for you to be able to say that you have completed your task and attained your goal.  You now have richness in your life.  This richness is not just material, but you are also at a point of achieving spiritual wealth.  It is time to look to the future for which you have built a solid foundation.

In managing your daily life, remember the skills the King himself possesses.  Work hard.  Put hard work into what you do and your results will be very satisfactory.  Be generous with your time and resources.  Remember that when you give more, you receive more.  A well thought-out approach will lead you to success.  Careful planning is the key.  This card is reminding you that sometimes the tried and tested way is the way to go.  Stick to what you know will work and call on your past experiences to guide you.  This is not a time to take any more risks as you have reached the height of achievement.

If you are currently seeking a solution to a problem, the King of Pentacles is reminding you to stay informed on practical matters.  Get down to basics.  Use your problem-solving ability to arrive at a solution.  Weigh your options carefully.  Use the skills and resources you possess in order to create success.  When dealing with others, be diplomatic.

While the King of Pentacles is telling you to work hard and get down to business in order to create success, he is also reminding you to enjoy your successes.  Appreciate the fun side of life.  Reward yourself with some of the finer things life has to offer.  When you have extra money, it is okay to spend it when appropriate to generate joy and benefit from life.  Work hard and play hard.

Have a terrific Tuesday, enjoy your successes and make a little time for some fun.  Check back tomorrow to see what I will highlight for "Witchy Wednesday".

Monday Musings

Here we are.  Monday.  Where did the weekend go?  Well, I can tell you where it went.  I was so very busy that it just flew and I feel like I didn't really get a weekend.

Friday night was my final University of Northern Iowa Children's Choir concert.  It went extremely well and I am so proud of them.  Of course, every single member of my family had a gig that night, so I didn't have anyone in the audience there just for me, but I didn't mind.  I am so thankful I had the opportunity this year to direct that group.  They were an awesome, talented and fun group of kids to work with.

Saturday I got up at 6:00 am to get Angelle to the high school for large group contest.  That wasn't all we had going on that day.  I also had to get KD to her meeting place for her performance with "Tiger Beats".  Tiger Beats was a group of elementary kids who did drumming and recorder ensembles at the Farmer's Market that morning.  It was quite wonderful!  After 45 minutes of rehearsing, the group was fantastic!  And while at the Farmer's Market, I got a bottle of cranberry wine (yum) and a new coffee mug.

I had to leave the Farmer's Market as soon as KD was done so she rode home with her friend.  I had to rush home to pick up Angelle and get her to her next large group contest site for orchestra.  I was able to hear this performance which was fantastic!  Then it was off to lunch and then Angelle had another performance with orchestra.  This time I had to wait right outside the door with KD and the van so that as soon as they were done performing Angelle could rush out and get in the car so I could get the girls to their last theatrical performance of  "Little Mermaid".  After the performance, I helped with the strike party.  The girls had alot of fun with this show and I can't rave enough about it.  The level of talent in our community is outstanding and the quality of productions at our local theatres is very high.  To relax after our busy, busy day, we decided to go to "Captain America, Civil War" that night.  It was a very good movie!  I am an "Iron Man" fan, so I am on his team, but Angelle was team "Captain America" all the way.  In my opinion, Spider Man and Ant Man made that movie!!  Those were my favorite parts by far.

Sunday was Mother's Day, and I also had "Singin' in the Rain" auditions at the theatre.  I am directing the music for this show.  I'm very excited and honored to be able to be a part of what I believe will be a wonderful show!

After the auditions I went home and enjoyed my cranberry wine while John and the girls made king crab legs for a wonderful Mother's Day dinner at home.  Delightful!

So, that's where my weekend went.  Tomorrow is KD's 12th birthday and she has an orchestra concert.  We will do our best to fit a celebration in there somewhere.  On Saturday we will try to have a water ballon/water gun fight.  That's what she wants to do for her birthday, so we will invite a few of her friends.

Our Shadow dog is continuing to do well.  She's pretty much back to her old normal self.  I am so thankful to have more time to snuggle with this very special dog.  I love my crazy, busy life, even though at times it seems a bit much and I wonder if  I'll be able to handle it all.  Somehow we always find a way.

What did you do this weekend?  Check back tomorrow for my tarot card draw.  I haven't done one for a couple weeks, so am anxious to see what the cards hold.

Freaky Friday

Whew.  TGIF.  What a week!!

What's freaky?

This:  This is our death defying dog, Shadow. She turned 12 on Sunday and had a seizure/fainting spell. Then on Tuesday, she had another.  I called the vet and when I got her her leash and collar to take her to the vet, she had another episode.  To make the long story short, her heart stopped while she was at the vet and the vet resuscitated her with CPR.  I know some people who do distance energy healing, and they were willing to help out and send her as much healing energy as they could.  Well, yesterday, little Shadow got to come home. The veterinarian is truly impressed and said she is quite the fighter.  She clearly was not ready to go yet.

This:  This is a baby praying mantis.  My ootheca hatched on one of the coldest spring days we had.  So, I have several of these little guys happily feasting on fruit flies.  I released a few into my garden when it finally warmed up.  Isn't it freakishly cute?











This!  Do you know who this is?  Yes, it's Anonymous.  It still really freaks me out that this guy/group actually exists and does what he/it does in our country.  If you are not familiar with Anonymous, look it up.  They basically stand for social justice and call high profile people out publicly when they want to.  Seriously, though, who are they?  I mean, really?  Anonymous, who are you??  It seems so much like a character who would be in a movie, but no.  This is reality.  Anonymous is real.  And freaky.  Very freaky.


This!  I honestly just can't even believe this is an issue.  Why are we this concerned over gender identity that whether or not trans-gender people can use the restroom they are most comfortable in is a big political issue?  So, I like this all inclusive restroom sign.  Even if you identify as unicorn or teletubby, you can use this restroom. Bonus points for any of my readers who know what the top right creature is.  Answer in the comments or as a comment on the FB post with the link to this blog.







And finally today, this!  this is the Sallie House and it's for sale!  If you want to live in one of the most notoriously haunted houses known today, this one is for you.  Or maybe you just want to buy it and rent it out to ghost hunters. Apparently you can make a pretty decent income doing that. I know a few paranormal professionals (mediums, etc.) who warn their audience to stay away from this one.  Apparently whatever is there has a very negative energy.  That's freaky!

That's it for Freaky Friday today.  Forgive me for not blogging the rest of the week, but with our doggie drama, it took most of my thoughts and energy.  Frankly, I'm a bit exhausted today.  We are so thankful our little Shadow is doing well.  She is very special to our family. Stay freaky today, my friends!