Tarot Tuesday 6-7-16

Today's card drawn is the Nine of Wands.

This card appears when you are hanging in there and persevering under pressure.  You are holding on despite the forces pulling at the other end of your rope.  There are two ways to look at this.  One is that the card is indicating that you are holding your own in a long-term project.  The other is that you might be needlessly hanging on to a point of view that needs to go.

Wands represent creativity.  The walking staff is a metaphor for the thing we carry with us that makes our journey through life easier. I personally have a walking staff with a wooden carved skull on the top. I affectionately call it "Skully".  I love to go for walks in the woods and will usually take Skully with me. He comes in handy when navigating rough terrain. Just as Skully helps me out through the rough parts of my walk, the walking staff in your life is going to help you through yours, metaphorically speaking.

The soldier on the card represents you, battling the obstacles that are still holding you back.  The Nine of Wands is reassuring you that the battle has not beaten you.  Find your creative voice and battle even harder.  You will emerge triumphant, but it won't be easy.

Likewise, if you are holding onto something that needs to go, have the courage to let go.  Sometimes it is helpful to consider if your battle continues to be worth fighting.  If it doesn't continue to be worth fighting, let it go and move on to the next thing.

Brave soldier, you have been fighting hard, and you continue to fight hard.  It will be worth it when you stand triumphantly on the battle field and victory is yours.  The appearance of this card today is reassurance and encouragement for you to continue on.  You can do this!

Monday Musings

Marvelous Monday to you all.  It has been awhile since I've done a Monday Musings post.

The weather has been so delightful lately.  I'm very busy with a few extra projects, but every chance I get I try to spend outside.

I don't think I've shared the duck story on my blog yet, so here goes.  The children of one of my dear friends found a duck egg on their Easter Egg hunt back on Easter Sunday.  I helped to identify it as a duck egg and told her she should get an incubator and try to hatch it or otherwise let me do it.  Well, you can guess which she chose and so I ended up with a duck egg in an incubator. We didn't even know if it would be viable.  It went through being picked up by the kids and spending a night in the refrigerator. Well, 28 days later the cutest and sassiest little duckling hatched from that egg.  So, yeah, now we have a pet duck.  It is adorable and appropriately we have named it "Sassy". My friend's family have visited it a couple times, but I'm thinking they are overdue for a visit. Ducklings grow quickly and Sassy is getting it's feathers in.  I have a small outdoor pen for it, so whenever I'm home, I give it time outside to swim and play.  My favorite thing to do to relax is now to sit out by Sassy's pen and watch it play.  Once I get the pen predator proofed more, it will be able to spend even more time out there.  So far, it's been alot of fun.  We even took it to my sister's house when we visited over Memorial Day weekend.  Sassy travels well.  For now, at night it sleeps in Angelle's room in it's plastic tote box that we had turned into a brooder box when it was younger. Eventually the plan is for it to sleep outside in it's wooden coop, but again, I need to make sure it's completely predator proof first as we do have raccoons and mink in the area.  So, that's the duck story.  I never dreamed in a million years I'd have a pet duck, but things often don't turn out like we expect them to.

I am not a conspiracy theorist, not in the least bit.  However, I know I've blogged about the Mandela Effect on here a little bit in the past.  It's a very interesting idea and I enjoy following what other people seem to think are legitimate mandela effects.  There was a group of mandela effect people who had been blogging about there being different species of animals and insects than there were in their "other" timeline.  These people actually were blown away that they had found a four-winged butterfly.  Um, all butterflies always have had four wings.  My theory is that they aren't really experiencing a mandela effect, but have just "thought" that butterflies had only two wings before since that is really what they look like if you don't look closely.  They swear that in "their" timeline, butterflies had two wings that were shaped that way, not four separate wings.  I hate to criticize others when they are so convinced of certain phenomena, but I really think their memories are just mistaken in this case.  Other animals they swear were not in their timeline before are sea dragons, narwhals, other fish, specifically deep sea fish.  My feeling is that there are so many different species of animals and insects that we aren't even aware of yet, that we could not possibly have memory of them all. Just because they are new to you doesn't mean you have jumped into another dimension or timeline.

You know how if you look at the sky, you can usually see jet trails?  These are known as con trails, but conspiracy theorists call them chem trails and believe people are spraying chemicals to affect humanity.  I have never bought into that because I can remember looking at the trails my entire life. However, the last few days I've looked at the sky and have not seen a single one of those trails.  That in itself seems very unusual.  I'm not going to jump to any conclusions or anything, but I do wonder where those con trails have gone.  Any ideas?

I hope your Monday finds you with plenty to ponder.  Have a magnificent Monday and check back tomorrow for Tarot Tuesday to see what card I draw.

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.