Daily Harvest

Daily Draw: Creatrix Activation Cards ~ Found

Another from the Initiation suit, Found Treasure. This card asks what small step can I take today to move forward. My response is this weeks purchases receipts that need to be entered into Mint.

I'm reminded by this card Intuit's Mint is a little found treasure that costs nothing but a bit of time. In my on-going efforts to be a good steward of our money it shows me instantly if I've frittered or invested...today's harvest is all my tomorrow's meals.

"For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned it is the season of the harvest." ~ Talmud

Spilling Guts and Tears

Daily Draw: Creatrix Activation Cards ~ Graceful

From the book: Fighting change moves you away from your natural center of Grace. Holding on to what is not working forces change upon you in awkward hurtful ways.

I'm reminded by this card fighting or refusing change is how people end up on afternoon talk shows, spilling their guts and tears tears over how bad life is.

"In life as in dance: Grace glides on blistered feet." ~ Alice Abrams

'Ships

Daily Draw: Creatrix Activation Cards ~ Star

From the suit of Keys this card offers or suggests co-creation and communication.

I was very lucky with both business partner and husband. I sure wasn't smart enough to put any forethought into it so it must have been sheer luck to choose and be chosen by people who like to laugh, who are open to communication, and who can inspire. My business partner was prone to say there are friendships, partnerships, and sinking ships. My ship is hooked to the star.

"Surround yourself with like-minded people who support you on the road to success." ~ Shirley George Frazier

Break Loose

Daily Draw: Creatrix Cards ~Adventure

From the Initiation suit we have Adventure. Where are you stagnant, where are you dormant, what will help you expand.

Stagnant: Learning, I'm still studying last year's subject of focus but the 900+ page book I'm reading now will probably be the last of that. At the library book sale a few weeks ago I got so many learning books I had to drag the bags up the hill, I couldn't lift them and there is much potential cerebral movement there.

Dormant: My quilting. I've done two things this week to rekickstart my projects and I think my surgery is healed enough to tackle machine quilting on my beautiful Janome Horizon.

Expand: I need to get out more, stimulate my brain. I drive past the museum every week, I should stop. I haven't had an artists date in at least two years, the price of fuel makes my stomach lurch, need to get past that. I'm signed up for three nursing classes in the next few weeks. It isn't a trip around the world in a hot air balloon but it suffices for interesting at my house.

"Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, inaction saps the vigors of the mind." ~ Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519

Place Of Grace

Daily Draw: Creatrix Activation Cards ~ Spinning

This card in the Grace suit suggests I should be watching closely for ideas, upon which I should be building and going forward. This process is an example of the author's Grace in motion.

I'm reminded by this card 'state of grace' is a concept which has eluded me. Or perhaps I've eluded it...once again we have old white men sitting in judgement of our actions and intent. I think our own hearts are far better compasses of how close to a place of Grace we are approaching. And it will know when we've arrived.

"By guts, I mean grace under pressure." ~ Ernest Hemingway 1899-1961

This 33 card deck and 48 page digest size book are the creation of artist and author Melissa Harris. I would call it an affirmation or meditation deck rather than oracle and it's just what I need this week. It holds a wild card and 4 suits titled Invocation, Keys, Grace, Initiation. Borders are colored to the suit, and the backs are also beautiful, a smaller version of the Invocation card Intentions. Self published 2008.

On The Surface

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal Oracle ~ Vulture

Vultures have long been associated with death, and  also wealth and possessions by the Mesoamericans. Earth was where the majority of their wealth originated; as a carrion bird Vultures return their finds to the earth for renewal.  DNA studies have recently placed the vulture in the stork family as opposed to raptor. Their feather quills were used to carry gold dust for trade.

All those words to remind myself that nothing is as it seems at its base or on the surface. We all have both lower and higher urges and we are what we are no matter how we dress it up and present it to the world.

"A dead cow or sheep lying in a pasture is recognized as carrion. The same sort of carcass dressed and hung in a butcher's stall passes as food." ~ John Harvey Kellogg 1852-1943

Past My Pull By Date

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal oracle ~ Alligator

This deck has my number this week...trauma, dissolution, rebuilding. Except I'm not rebuilding. The closest I've come to even trying is making two power sticks and getting them placed yesterday.

Alligator was a compatriot of the dinosaur, and now, after 65 million years is bordering on endangered species. After 65 million years...losing to shoes and bags. I'm reminded by this card sometimes rebuilding is too difficult when trauma and drama are the only reward. I turn my face to the wall.

"Nature has set upon him the process of decline and dissolution by which she removes things which have survived their usefulness." ~ William Graham Summer 1840-1910

Death By Owl

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal Oracle ~ Owl

The book asks: Consider what is dying in your life, is it your relationship with your family? True, on both sides.

I'm reminded by this card life is not a box of chocolates or a bowl of cherries. It is real people with real opinions and all with problems of their own. I have drawn my own line is the sand and simply refuse to be a partner to anyone else's drama.

An odd thing, while searching for drama quotes this morning whole new to me type of sites came up. Filled with 'hater' quotes to post on your facebook pages. It is to weep.

Hummingbird Warmongering

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal Oracle ~ Hummingbird

One spring we had the bright idea of hanging an immense basket of geraniums outside our second floor bedroom.We moved it after a few weeks because we got fed up with the constant uproar from hummingbirds.

I'm reminded by this card, if hummingbirds were regular sized birds not many would like them because they are continual warmongers, even when there is plenty for all. Pure beauty in a mean little package.

"Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional." ~ Max Lucado 1955-

Flowers and Weeds

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal Oracle ~ Bat

I'm on the prod, not surprising the draws this week have all been shown with claws. The bat signifies a time of change and transformation at hand, I can believe it because I've been thrown into one of my ruthless moods.

I'm reminded by this card pulling something out by the roots allows space for something more worthwhile to bloom, which is the Aztec story of Bat in a nutshell. Weeds also love an empty space, and once allowed in are difficult to remove. I'll try for directed change as opposed to the accidental.

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." ~ Nelson Mandela 1918-

Greater Good

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal Oracle Iguana

To the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec, The Feathered Serpent was the top nob; it had a bird head and dragon tail. Riding or eating a god would be forbidden so when people needed something for themselves or family they would eat the iguana as partaking of the Feathered Serpent, or they would jump on a croc back as substitute and hang on until thrown and eaten themselves which would be considered a good death, deserving of a higher afterlife and bring good things to the family.

The point of this card is to examine our hearts, see if we are working toward the higher good of our own families. At the moment I'm not, at the moment I'm working toward the higher good of surviving breast cancer. No throwing myself to a croc, I'm not that big of a person today but I have done in the past and yes it made me a better person.

For an individual as well as a society, there is a gulf between merely living and living worthily. To fight in a battle and live in a glory is one mode. To beat a retreat to surrender and to live the life of a captive is also a mode of survival. ~ Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar 1891-1956

Both Eyes Closed

Daily Draw: Nahualli Animal Oracle ~ Skunk

Jaguar showed Skunk how he caught big prey by jumping on their necks and bringing them down. Skunk one day tried the same thing and clinging to the neck, was borne away, never to be heard from again.

I'm reminded by this card the difference between the skill to recognize, plan for, and take a calculated risk, and jumping into something with no forethought.

Another from my little collection of Mesoamerican decks, Nahualli Animal Oracle illustrated by Raphael Montoliu, softcover 183 page book by Caelum Rainieri and Ivory Andersen. Deck includes forty cards said to encompass the Azetc's concept of the sacred in animal form. Published by Bear and Company 2003.

Estranged

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ 9 of Cups

This figure speaks of unconditional love.

Frankly, I don't think human to human there is such a thing. But then I just estranged myself from my family so what do I know?

"Unconditional acceptance of whatever terms are offered us? No." ~ Harold Wilson 1916-1995

Ground Rules

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ Chariot

 When does it become necessary to cross from observation to involved? At what point should involvement turn into aggressive intervention? Is there ever that right moment, that won't mock in the future for premature action vs. too late?

I'm reminded by this card of a person who has in effect, gone rogue. To her credit, there weren't any ground rules established, to her discredit, she is putting her living mother's estate well into jeopardy, mind and eyes blinded by the thin siren call of easy money.

"Agree to these ground rules: Be curious, conversational and real. Don’t persuade or interrupt. Listen, listen, listen." Elizabeth Lesser        

Defending My Corner

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ 7 of cups

Sometimes this card shows 'spoiled for choices'; this one seems to show his choices have backed him onto a very small space, in part because his head is in the clouds.

My dreams were like this last night. I'm reading three books, on human monsters, the Aztec, and breast cancer, which probably had a bearing... I bought the perfect house, overlooking serene water, and every time I turned around another unlikable person was moving in and taking over part of it. The only way I dealt with any of them was with angry words and actions. Awake I have much better ideas but asleep apparently all I was capable of doing was defending my personal space, poorly.

"Afflictive emotions, jealousy, anger, hatred, fear, can be put to an end. When you realize these emotions are only temporary, they can pass on like clouds in the sky, and ultimately be abandoned." ~  Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama 1935-

Dreams to Action

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ 2 of Wands

Ishtar, Mesopotamian goddess of love.

Ishtar, synonymous for movie bombs.

I look at this card and I see the potential of three friends having fun at the beach. Or I see two people oblivious and one person too timid to say hello. Our outlook, followed by our action, makes our life what it is. 

"Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action." ~ Anais Nin 1903-1977

Modern Celebrity

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ 8 of Wands

Fame vs Notoriety
Position of esteem vs notice by reputation

I'm reminded by this card there are plenty of people who will follow/adulate/worship/admire anyone with a whiff of celebrityhood.  I expect it is an awkward pose to hold whether the position is earned or accidental.

"Look guys, if you're just going to stare at me, I'm going to bed!" ~ Elvis Presley 1935-1977

It's A Process

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ World/Aeon

From the book: "I stand outside myself and objectively observe my life in order to decide whether this is what I want to be." As Billy Crystal says in Analyze This, "It's a process".

If I dropped dead this morning I could say yes. If I live another thirty years, an unequivocal absolutely not. I push myself in a number of different ways each day, to grow, to be more, to rise above who I was the day before. In hindsight I can see changes that stun me in their depth. Sitting here I still feel like the world's biggest rube.

"Get the habit of analysis; analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind." ~ Frank lloyd Wright 1867-1959

Pass The Torch

Daily Draw: Elemental Tarot ~ 6 of Wands

Identified with Nike, Greek god of victory, this card speaks of consequences; transformation, leadership, recognition, confidence.

I'm reminded by this card also, of 'passing the torch' for sure as night follows day, there will also follow someone who is younger, brighter, quicker, and will own the torch for their fifteen minutes or fifty years of victory.

"Outstanding leaders pass the torch with fire blazing. Mediocre leaders pass a dimly lit torch. Poor leaders drop the torch making it difficult if not impossible to pick up again." ~ Reed Markham 1960-

Elemental Tarot is the website for the John Alstrop and Caroline Smith decks which can also be found on Amazon.  Art by Caroline Smith, with revitalized mystical ideas and symbolic designs. 128 page book by John Astrop. Published by St. Martin's Press 1988. Suits are identified by their elementals and icon at the bottom of the card. Wands/Fire/triangle, Coins/Earth/square, Swords/Air/circle, Cups/Water/crescent, and the Majors are Spirit/oval.

They Aren't Bothered

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ 9 of Wands

So beset upon...but there is nothing and no one on the other side of the fort, no one on this side but our little friend.

I'm reminded by this card much of our beset is in our minds. Other people just can't be bothered. Unless we've chosen our traveling companions poorly they don't care how we raise our kids, keep our home, what car we drive, our religion or lack there of, and bad hair days, they are too busy worrying about their own besets.

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss 1904-1991

Perfect

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ World

In a perfect world all seven of my little chicks would be hens. I'm fearful two are Lola's.
In a perfect world we'd all be paid what we were worth.
In a perfect world cats would probably still rule.

I'm reminded by this card the world probably is perfect, it is we who are flawed. But isn't it a glorious ride...

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky." ~ Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, Buddha 563-483 B.C

Oh You Little Traitor

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ 7 of Swords

I like to think way past standard keywords but traitor was a good pull for today, my office computer has croaked. There were a couple more jobs I wanted it to do, but alas, too late, I don't have the skills needed it pull it back from the blue screen one more time.

I'm reminded by this card there must be a hundred things in our daily lives that we take for granted will work, properly, on demand. I'll try to appreciate them more as I go about my day.

"Most human beings have an absolute and infinite capacity for taking things for granted." ~ Aldous huxley 1894-1963

I'll Be Here Tomorrow

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ 2 of Wands

Each day brings us decisions of action. We eat two meals a day, so at 6 AM I'm thinking big breakfast small dinner or other way around. We are prepping the hens playpen today for introduction of the seven new little hens, a number of decisions there. Start the 5+ miles of walk behind mower lawn mowing today or tomorrow. 

I'm reminded by this card none of these things are life or death, but they are decisions I'm happy to be making. It wasn't so very long ago I'd think should I buy fruit and bread or not...I wasn't sure I was going to be here to eat it. It is wonderful to feel so much better, and be making any kind of decisions whatsoever. 

"Guess, if you can, and choose, if you dare." ~ Pierre Corneille 1606-1684

Open

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ 3 of Cups

Goblets up...

I'm reminded by this card to stay open to new friends, new ideas, new projects, and the beautiful world that surrounds.

"To receive everything, one must open one's hands and give." ~ Taisen Deshimaru 1914-1982

Be Careful What You Wish For

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ 6 of Wands

When the dream becomes reality it often happens we don't know what to do with it, we are too accustomed to the not dream.

I'm reminded by this card the average lifespan of a big lottery winner's money is five years. At that point they are often worse off than when they won. One-third of big winners go bankrupt. Hard to believe but statistics bear me out. Be nice to see if thee and me beat the odds. Of course  a ticket must be purchased. Oops.

"I can still recall old Mr. Barnslow getting out every morning and nailing a fresh load of tadpoles to the old board of his. Then he'd spin it round and round like a wheel of fortune, and no matter where it stopped he'd yell out, 'Tadpoles, Tadpoles is the winner'. We all thought he was crazy. But then we had some growing up to do." ~ Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

Instinct For Survival

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ Strength

Ye sheep has shoes and hands. From the book: Fleecy Sheep is stronger than the lion because she has learned to rule over her instincts and conquer her fears.

I'm reminded by this card we have instinct for a reason. Survival.

"The herd instinct among politicians makes sheep look like independent thinkers." ~ Edgar R. Fiedler 1916-2003

Tarot of the Magical Forest, Lo Scarabeo 2008. This is a reproduction of the Asian Hsu Chi Chun deck, artwork by Leo Tang, card stock thousandfold improved. Suits are: Frogs/Wands, Bunnies/Cups, Foxes/Coins, Cats/Swords

Let It Go

Daily Draw: Granny Jones Tarot ~ Death

I hold a pretty straightforward concept of forgiveness as recognizing and accepting the past can't be changed, done is done. Waiting for apologies and amends is a fool's game, it only deepens the pain. I think, decide, let go. I don't believe I've ever thought about the concept of forgiving myself before this week.

I'm reminded by this card, this forgiveness differs. I recognize and accept my life changed from the instant the word cancer entered it. And the two commitments I made many years ago can no longer apply. It has all worked out of course, as things always do... except for beating myself up day in and day out, dragging along with the millstone of failing chained to my mind and heart. This week on a cold grey drizzly dawn I opened my arms to the sky and let it go. I found forgiveness in my heart, for myself.

"To forgive is a to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." ~ Lewis B. Smedes 1921-2002

Late in the day post-diction: Lots of people died in the 3rd part of today's the Lord of the Rings movie. My two stalwart quilting nails died, I'm been quilting like mad the last two weeks and I've got to grow some more nail length. The needle ends are coming through the nails from pushing the needle so many times. No other death here, so we'll take forgiveness and renewal as the message of the day. 

Set Some Aside

Daily Draw: Granny Jones Tarot ~ 4 of Coins

Gran has her skates on today, chasing and allocating her hard earned dollars. Some in her bag, some under her arm and some in eyesight.

Reminds me of me...when people ask "what do you do" I  say "I have multiple streams of income". Because I do lots of things to earn my air and my bread. I've learned long ago to keep my eyes peeled for opportunities because as Granny has learned, missed chances seldom offer themselves again.

"The method of living at home modestly and within our income, laying a little by systematically for the rainy day which is bound to come, can almost be listed among the lost arts." ~ George Washington Carver 1864-1943

Post-diction...Payday...I forgot all about it! Plus 2 free cookies at the credit union :)

Moving On

Daily Draw: Granny Jones Tarot ~ Knight of Wands

Change. I like change. If the economy were better it wouldn't bother me at bit to chuck everything here and start fresh someplace else just for the pleasure of difference.

I'm reminded by this card in my youth I used to think that was the answer when things were going wrong. Now I know the time to do that is when things are right. Running to something new, rather than running away from something we really don't want to deal with.

"There are two levers for moving men; interest and fear." ~ Napoleon Bonaparte 1769-1821

Late in the day Post-diction:
I did travel and I didn't. I only put 800 steps on my pedometer, an all time low...but did I travel? I've spent the entire afternoon and evening in Middle Earth with part one and two of the Ring's Journey back to Mordor. While hand quilting many yards of thread.

Detoxed and Receptive

Daily Draw: Granny Jones Tarot ~ 10 of Cups

Not to imbue a deck with personality, but Granny is being awful kind with her draws this week.

I'm reminded by this card being able to let go of the last vestiges of the black rage that drove my thoughts for two years has apparently left an opening for good things to flow in. In ten different ways in March totally unexpected refunds, discounts, bonus, rebates, interest, and gifts, I was handed the equivalent of nearly 5K. Certainly made for a happy home. Amazing. 

"Spiritual progress is like a detoxification." ~ Marianne Williamson 1952-

Late in the day post-diction...
Did the card move me to do it? Didn't think about that until I sat down this evening; I called a client who has been so well for two months I've hardly gotten to see her. Invited her out to have a tea party with me and for 2.5 hours we gabbed and drank 2 pots of tea...and there was an electric fireplace in the alcove we were in. I'd say this card called it. 

Pre-dict vs Post-dict

Daily Draw: Granny Jones Tarot ~ 9 of Cups

I'm not a fortune teller, but if I were, I'd like to read this card as a safe haven will be found for my mother.

I don't believe anyone can pre-dict the future, but for a change of pace on my blog I've been thinking about post-dicting as an aid in seeing the cards differently. Draw the morning card first thing as now, but come back at night and see how the card was reflected in my day; change to action posts rather than thought posts. We'll see. I have to remember to do it first...always problematic.

"The future is not something we enter. The future is some we create." Leonard I. Sweet