Today’s card is a reminder that we can all change someone’s life. I know it may seem a bit odd to use that statement with this particular card, but stick with me. And no, I’m not picking the Death card even though that’s certainly about change. This is about that life-shaking, soul-shattering moment where you suddenly understand that nothing is ever going to be the same.
The Tower is one of those cards I call the Big,Bad,Behometh cards because people tend to get whacked out when they appear. But really, the best description of the Tower that I ever heard (and I so wish I could remember WHERE I hear this) is that the tower is built of lies we tell ourselves. So when those lies get blown apart, the resulting crash is damned painful. But it’s also something else.
It’s damned cleansing.
When I stopped lying to myself about things, my life got better. Not instantly. No, there was a lot of cleanup that had to be done…personal and professional. I had to own up to many ugly truths about my life and my choices. Particularly in the arena of personal relationships–I shudder to think about some of those. But they (and I) are what they are/were.
My sister is the one who told me “you can only control what’s in your hula hoop.” Talk about life-changing. Then when I added that to the philosophy I adopted in 2000 of seeking joy?
BOOM.
POW.
ZAP.
It was like lightning striking, y’all. Among other things, the spread I wrote here where I first mentioned something I’d said on Twitter has been published as part of the Joie de Vivre Tarot
What I asked was,
What if your life’s purpose was simply “Seek Joy”? Would you have the courage? How hard is it to release the negativity? Seek joy, y’all!
So for nearly four years, that’s what I’ve been doing. May 2013 will be the beginning of my fifth year of steadily following that life’s purpose. So much has changed for me in that time. My personal tower came down hard but the recovery has been awesome.
Now I’m negotiating my life’s path using a new tool. I’ve even got a Facebook group doing it with me. If you have your copy of the 2013 Create Your Incredible Year, I hope you will let me know. Friend me and message me so I can add you to the group. One of the big things that has happened as been a radical change in how I view my work with Tarot. I know it surprised me.
And it came after doing the celebrating and releasing of 2012. It came during my thinking about the one hundred things I wanted to do in 2013.
Wait.
Stop.
Not the one hundred things that I was going to do in 2013. The one hundred things I wanted to do. No guilt. No pressure. No set up for failure. I can want a pony but it’s no failure if I don’t get one.
But I’ll tell you about that radical change tomorrow. It’s going to change many things in my life.
Want to join me on this planner journey I’m on? I have a Facebook group (it’s seeeekrit). Let me know you’ve got the workbook. I’ll give you the Sekrit code and, if you join by midnight two days ago, you’ll get the Sekrit Decoder Ring and the Super Sekrit Ranger Necktie too. (grin).
Here’s Leonie herself to tell you about this planner.
Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on!
Lightning, Gaian Tarot, Joanna Powell Colbert Limited Edition/Llewellyn Publishing
It never ceases to amaze me when I get reminded that there is some kind of collective consciousness…and I’m part of it. Not 3 days ago, while laying on my couch waiting for Spouse 2.0 to get ready for bed, I came to the conclusion that the only way forward out of this comfy little rut I’ve found is to face up to what I really want & who I really am without feeling guilty. I have been focused on the negative for decades, the “not so loveable” parts of my personality & ghosts of my past, to the extreme that I’m an expert at deflecting & countering even the slightest compliment. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to make up for those not so loveable things, and belittling everything I’ve accomplished lest someone take me for prideful and selfish. I’ve been on the fence about downloading the “Life” workbook since you first mentioned it; thanks for the nudge.
Stacey, let me know if you get it. I’d love to have you join the FB group.
Stacey, that’s an amazing leap! Guilt is not a very useful emotion! 😀 You rock!
Hi Stephanie,
I am part of Leonie’s Goddess Group, but don’t have the planner. I should get one. It would be fun to do this with you and have some support for setting and achieving goals!
Amy, let me know. I’d love to have you join the FB group as well. Love your Daily Tao posts! I mean to comment then don’t remember to go do that. I read the RSS feed. 😀
I love what you had to say about the tower card. I remember not too long ago I drew that card for me and it was such a relief. I knew clarity was going to be coming soon as the lies and obstacles came crashing down (and they did and I did!).
I also love and adore and am currently working on my second Incredible Year Planner from Leonie. I would love to join your super secret club if you would have me.
Sarah, it’s on Facebook so come friend me there (TarotByArwen) and I’ll get you in the group. Would love to have you join us.
JUST got the planner today before reading this post! WOW! I’d love to join your group.
You’re in, Jeanine! 😀
Arwen, I love this! I nodded along to your description of the Lightning card – it can signify a rude awakening but it is always for the better in the end. This last autumn it was one of the pointers that showed me I was ready to settle for the wrong deal, and I found the courage to put my foot down and hold out for what I really wanted (this was when I was looking for a new place to live).
Much love and blessings!
Sibylle
Oooh, “the tower is built of lies we tell ourselves” – that is just so good!! Lisa F-L posted a spread for stalker cards, which I’m planning to do on the Tower, and this definitely adds another layer to that…
I saw your post on the spread. Loved your take on the 5 of Coins and how it represented your family. Great reading!
Thanks, Arwen 🙂 I’d been planning to do the spread, but your comment was that final push that actually got me to do it…