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Bayous, Drifting + Dreaming

She’s moved so I won’t ever see this particular scene again. But it’s okay. I’ll always have the memory and there are other spots just like this one on so many bayous.

Today’s card is not from any particular deck. It is from my childhood memories. This was taken just a few years ago (2011) from my sister’s home on the bayou. She’s moved so I won’t ever see this particular scene again. But it’s okay. I’ll always have the memory and there are other spots just like this one on so many bayous.

I grew up in Louisiana. When I as in my teens, my mother’s boyfriend made a two-wheeled cart so I could get our 17′ Delhi aluminum canoe down to the bayou. That bayou was about a block from our home at that time. I spent so many days paddling back to a quiet area where I could read and dream. While I had good friends, I was a fairly solitary human being.

Still am actually. I yearn for quiet times filled with nothing more than a breeze and the sounds of birds. Maybe a fish hitting the surface or turtles plop plop plopping into the water. Where I paddled to then is now a subdivision of stately homes and old money. Back then, it was a young girl’s fairy land where animals and trees alike spoke to me.

I still like to go out in nature now although I don’t do it quite as much. When I do, I take pictures. I want to have these reminders.

Because this reminds me of my childhood, if I were going to do a Bayou Tarot this would be the Six of Cups. No regrets, just fond reminiscences of days I drifted down a north Louisiana bayou dreaming.

What will you allow yourself to dream today? Can you commit to 180 seconds today to do nothing but dream?

Seek Joy, Y’all. Pass it on.

How Will You Recharge Today?

What if we are afraid that in accepting help–much less asking for help–we are admitting to failure?

Today’s card reminds me that we can only give so much. Sometimes we must stop and fill ourselves back up. I see caretakers and parents and teachers and so many others who do,do,do for others and rarely allow others to give back.

“No, that’s okay. I’m fine.”
“Oh I’d rather you gave that to the children, the animals, the planet.”
“Please don’t worry about me. I have it all under control.”

Then I read this quote from Lissa Coffey in her daily Wisdom email.

“We put such expectations on ourselves! And look at the expectations we put on our children, our parents, and all the people in our lives. We are human. We are here to learn. We are going to make mistakes, it’s all part of the process. When we relax our expectations and just go with the flow – approach our challenges as lessons rather than failures – then our experiences in life are more meaningful.”

And I had to wonder if this doesn’t go hand-in-hand with giving and not receiving.

Stick with me…I’ve got a point.

What if we are afraid that in accepting help–much less asking for help–we are admitting to failure? Let’s explore that though, okay?

If I say to you, “I have a toothache, please send Reiki”, do you think, “Oh that Arwen. If she would just brush more/floss more/eat fewer sweets, she wouldn’t need Reiki.”?

Do you think I am a terrible person because I have a toothache?

…

Yeah. So! Why do you think I or anyone else who loves you would think you were a failure because you lost your job, had a house fire, overspent your bank account?

Sure, if it’s constant, then there is an issue but I don’t think that issue is that you are a failure. And that’s not what this post is about.

This is about learning to stop. Learning to fill yourself up. Learning to say, “I need some me time right now.”

The Sage of Chalices (Queen of Cups) from the Sirian Starseed gazes at an overflowing cup. She relaxes in water and is a part of that water. She knows that by taking time out of nurturing others she recharges herself to go back to that important work.

Important work needs people who know how to stop and refill.

How will you stop and refill this week? Put it on your list and don’t skip over it because of someone else’s crazy. That will wait. You will be of no use to those who REALLY need you if you don’t.

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on.

A great tool I’m using to help me realize where I need to recharge and refill is this workbook+planner.

Or maybe you just want to get some of the free goodies she offers.

Sage of Cups, Sirian Starseed Tarot, North Atlantic Books 2012

Tarotscopes 1/13-1/19/2013

Here are this week’s Tarotscopes.

Do you love Tarot spreads? Want my eBook of Fairy Tale Tarot Spreads? Just purchase any of these workbooks — (solo is 9.97 and duo is $17.90) You can ignore the popup for the free blogging+biz thing if you like.

Once you have the workbook, let me know. I’ll send you the link to download my eBook. It is currently being illustrated by a well known Tarot artist and you will get that version free as well.

If you just want the eBook of spreads, you will have to wait until it is up for sale. I expect that to be in February.

Deck used today is the Efflorescent Tarot (black and white version).
——————————————————————

AQ World Feeling awkward? Naked? Don’t. U have so much power. People are in yr corner. Connect/network. Spread yr world view!
PIC Star Yr star ascends. Nurture what grows AND what seems to not grow. Both will prosper if you do. Sparkle, darling.
ARI 9Sw Turn yr face from the wall, Medea. Live, Agnes, LIVE! Huddling away won’t stop the nightmares. Let in some light, honey.
TAU 5S If they refuse to fill their mind w/ joy, then U must let them go. Hard, but it’s for yr own happiness. Walk on.
GEM 1Sw By cutting away the weeds in yr mind, U can achieve clarity. Do try to grab the handle & not the pointy end this time.
CAN 9C Make a wish, then act on it. Wishing is great, but steps to get there work. Set huge goals w/ achievable steps this week.
LEO 5C U are wasting time!. Stop worrying about what’s gone. Focus on what U have. Don’t let that evaporate while U aren’t looking.
VIR 1C What grows from yr loving heart? U are a vessel for joy. Catch it. Drink it. Share it. Allow this expansion. It’s good.
LIB Hermit Time to head into yr quiet spaces. Learning self is the key to everything. Follow yr own star. Not a great wk for company.
SCO Emperor Rule yrslf 1st. Rein in passion. Rethink aggression. Self-control is true leadership. Focus on yr family.
SAG 1W Focus on growth for exponential expansion. U really could take over the world if U get it in gear. Seize the day, darling.
CAP Sun Look up. Share the warmth. Surround yrslf w/ beauty. Find others who feel the same. Don’t waste time w/ negativity.

And if you are feeling completely disconnected from your true, beautiful self, consider taking ! Find your true purpose and reconnect with your soul.

Joy, Expectations & Choice

May today bring you joys you never expected. May you see joy in ways that you hadn’t thought about. I love each of you.

Today’s card reminds me that for us to grow we must head out into deeper waters. On this day where so many of us gather with loved ones, let’s remember to deepen those relationships. Tell them how much they mean to you. Remind yourself of why you choose to love and laugh and learn with them.

Let’s not forget those who don’t have anyone or any where to go today either. Some choose that quiet time while others would rather be with loved ones but can’t. Some are working on this day to make sure things are running in case of an emergency. I hope none of us need their services today or ever, really. But here’s to all of those alone today for whatever reason.

The Ace of Cups here is a simple wish for everyone to find joy today. Find it wherever you can. Through a phone call. Through email. Through family. Through Facebook or Twitter. Through the purr or pant of a pet.

May today bring you joys you never expected. May you see joy in ways that you hadn’t thought about. I love each of you.

Seek Joy, Y’all. Pass it on!

Ace of Water, Gaian Tarot

Illuminate, Illustrate & Dream

I see this as a call to illuminate my heart more. To bring color and swirls in. Be more decorative. And that does tie into this lovely card from the Rumi Tarot.

Today’s card reminds me that an illuminated heart is a lovely thing to own. It’s an even lovelier thing to share. Not because of the quote on the card, but because of the header on the back of the book that goes with this deck.

What does it mean to you to have an illuminated heart? For me, I read that word in two ways. One is the common “lit up” way but the other way is the idea that illuminating something is to decorate it. The Book of Kells (oooh look! One you can color on your own!) is an illuminated (and illuminating) book for me.

Another of those is this that I’m doing. We’ve just had a discussion about the 100 things we are each choosing. I’ve confessed that I’ve written down about eight. Someone else, who’s done this workbook in the past, shared that hers included fun, fanciful things like eat a purple cake with sprinkles. Her advice was to loosen up a bit–to play some more.

I see this as a call to illuminate my heart more. To bring color and swirls in. Be more decorative. And that does tie into this lovely card from the Rumi Tarot.

Here we are told

the present world is but a dream the sleeper imagines to be real.

Seems a bit chastising in a way, but what if the dream we are having is one where the present world is moving towards joy? What if we all focus on the same dream of good coming out on top? What then?

Wouldn’t that be a lovely reality as well as dream?

Illuminate your heart first. Then watch as the light spreads decoration and hope to the person you are closest to and then from them to the next.

We are strong human beings, y’all. Imagine how fierce and strong we are when we focus on the same thing. Just dream how marvelous that could be.

A whole world with illuminated hearts…

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on.

Join me on my and then friend me here on Facebook so I can get you into the group. We are thrilled to have you join us.

7 of Cups, Guide to the Rumi Tarot, Llewellyn Publications, 2009

Friends, Family & Love

One of them is my sister. She and I had what you might call a rocky childhood with one another. I could regale you with tales of us trying (and succeeding) to harm one another.

Today’s card was drawn at random. Given yesterday’s horrific events here and in China, I was a bit concerned. In my head I had a backup plan that I could draw another card if necessary.

I’m sure the hurricane-starting butterfly had nothing on my sigh of relief when this soothing card came out.

I have four copies of this particular deck. Two are the original black and white and two are the color version. Each has its draw for me.

This speaks to me of joining, of bonding, of forging connections. Do you see how they all touch one another? Each woman holds up her own cup while touching one other woman with her free hand.

Their gazes aren’t on one another, but on the fountains of water from the cups. They dance in a garden bursting with flowers and green growth. We only see one foot from each, but those feet are all beautifully bare..

Who are your siblings of choice? Who are the friends in your world that you have forged an unbreakable bond with? Who are the humans that you turn to when you need your own cup of joy refilled?

I’m blessed. One of them is my sister. She and I had what you might call a rocky childhood with one another. I could regale you with tales of us trying (and succeeding) to harm one another. But we have moved into an adult relationship that is very strong.

Another is my best friend from high school. Yep, I said high school. We met in 1976 and never looked back. Oh, we have had our bumps, but they never corrupted the thing that is between us. The fact that she is family is concrete.

I have others in my life–men and women–who could step into this circle as well. As I said, I’m blessed. I weep with the joy of it some times.

I think I don’t say this enough and it’s one of my . I need to tell you that I love you. Don’t wiggle. Don’t deny. Just let me have my love for you, okay? No need to return it. Just know that you are loved by me.

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on!

3 of Cups, Daughters Of the Moon, 1991

Splashing, Waves & Ellipses

I think I’ll adopt this as today’s theme. I’m going to make some waves. I’m going to go against the flow of negative thought and speech. I’m going to focus on making joy waves today.

Today’s card is from a brand new deck geared towards young beginning Tarot readers. It’s charming. The court cards are renamed Shaman, Mage, Sage and Paige. That’s not my misspelling on that last one but because this is a children’s deck, I don’t know if that is a nod to a Paige in the artist or author’s family. I’ve sent a note off to the publisher to ask…I’ll update when I hear back.

The message of this card (randomly drawn) makes me smile. It’s such an empowering thing to be told you can make waves. Have you ever been in a situation where you were told not to make waves? Maybe literally at a pool where you got fussed at for jumping and playing and splashing?

And someone told you to stop? I have. And it sucks. I mean let’s face it. I’m a water child (Pisces) so splashing and causing water to fly is one of my most fun activities. 😀

This card with its simple purple and green coloring makes me smile. Making waves with her face so intense, our Water Sage looks like she is about to do an interpretive dance…errr…swim. She’s all dolled up including a comb of seaweed. Nothing and no one is going to stop her.

I think I’ll adopt this as today’s theme. I’m going to make some waves. I’m going to go against the flow of negative thought and speech. I’m going to focus on making joy waves today.

One thing I’m personally doing is focusing on sharing good things on my Facebook as much as possible. There’s just so much unhappiness in this world. I saw the funniest picture today and was going to share it, but the group name it was originally from was “I hate fucking cats.”

Ouch.

Maybe they meant to make it funny but it’s harsh and it’s mean-spirited. Like that awful site People of Wal-Mart. I loathe that site. It mocks others who are seen as “less than” by those who post and comment. I have looked at it one time and that five minutes was more than enough. Is the sight of a large woman in tight pants funny? I guess it is to some, but I’m going to choose to find other things to laugh at.

I know…how judgmental of me. I’ll have to live with that, but I will not worry about it…too much.

I’d rather worry about my rather…unnatural…love of the…ellipse.

HA!

Y’all make some waves today. Keep it positive. Keep it upbeat. Work on you. I’ll just hold on to this thought from Rob Brezny’s “Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings.” Another favorite book of mine…and don’t miss yesterday’s contest! You have a few more days to comment to win.

“The revolution begins at home. If you overthrow yourself again and again, you might earn the right to help overthrow the rest of us.”

Water Sage, Elemental Tarot For Kids, Schiffer 2012

“Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with BlessingsTHOSE books. Recommended.

November 2012 Tarotscopes

Join professional Austin psychic, Arwen Lynch for a free podcast for your horoscope for November 2012.

This month I’m using Carmen Waterman’s gorgeous self-published Rainbow Travelers Tarot to read for you. This month shows us some interesting things to do including dressing up and showing off. Who got that card, I wonder?

I also announce the winner for the October comments and tease you with a discount only the Newsletter folks get (but I tell you how you can get in on the deal yourself.)

So what are you waiting for? Listen and let me know what you think. Did you listen to last month’s? Would you miss these if I stopped doing them?

Let me know.

Oh the scan of this card is intentionally not great so as to discourage absconding with Carmen’s work. 😀 Trust me, it’s gorgeous. I’ll do a video review as soon as I get my nails done.

WHAT? Yes, I’m vain. LOL

Oh, the Tarotscopes? Scoot to the bottom of the page…all the way down and you will see the Podcast Widget in the middle. Click on November 2012 and enjoy. Don’t forget to let me know about those questions I asked.

Bayous, Boats & Happiness

Imagine you have the perfect day waiting for you. No one needs you right now.

Today’s card is from my unfinished, may never see the light of day, Bayou Tarot. It’s from pictures I’ve taken at my mother’s, now sister’s, place on a bayou in northeast Louisiana. It is home to me even though I didn’t grow up there and I
only lived there briefly.

This is a picture of the canoe that I did grow up with and pretty much in. My summers as a teenager were spent in this boat. My mother’s boyfriend who turned into my stepfather built a small cart that I used to haul this thing back and forth to the bayou. I lived about a block from the water.

It was common for me to grab a book (or two…I read pretty fast) along with a six pack of soda (gee, wonder where I picked up my soda habit) and some sandwiches then hit the water. I would explore all sorts of places on this mostly quiet stretch of water. Then I’d just float while I read.

The Ace of Cups to me is about potential happiness. It’s about happiness coming to you. It’s about paying attention to emotional clues so you don’t miss things.

Here, the canoe (a 17′ Delhi aluminum for those that care) waits to be turned over. It waits to be put into that water (yes that duckweed-choked water) so happiness can be found.

Imagine you have the perfect day waiting for you. No one needs you right now. There are no demands on your time other than this boat, that water.

Where will you go? Where will you head the bow of the boat? What dreams will you dream? What silly songs will you make up to the turtles watching you from the logs? How happy can you make yourself if it is just you, a canoe and a quiet bayou?

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on.

Bayou Canoe, Arwen’s personal photos, 2011

Want a taste of where I grew up? Cotton Country Collectionis hands down my favorite cookbook. My copy is so dog-eared! But it was given to me by my mama. I’ll cherish it forever. 😀

Haunted, Depressed & Ghosts

Today’s card is scary. It’s about ghosts and haunting memories I don’t want to remember. It’s about me being so alone and so sad that I can’t see straight.

Well, that would be true of the old Arwen who wallowed in self-pity. That would be true of the old Arwen who couldn’t see joy if it smacked her on her nose.

This is such a great depiction of the Four of Cups. Traditionally, this card is about depression. Here it is more about missing out on the fun of life. I mean look at those ghosts. They are happy. They are enjoying life. Well, after-life. They have food and drink. Heck. They are even willing to share it.

But our living friend here isn’t having any of it. He or she is sad and unhappy and NO ONE is going to mess with that.

Talk about depressing! This card shows me what I was like when I wasn’t trying. When I didn’t make my life’s mission to seek joy. Gods, I was a very unhappy human being. And I made sure that I shared that with the world.

So what changed? Did my friends try harder? Did the world miraculous get better? Did all of my long-lost loves come back to me?

No. (Thank goodness on that last one…talk about a crowded house.)

You know the answer to this one. What changed was me. My attitude. My realization that I was the only one who could fix me (with the help of some pretty fabulous therapists, thank you.)

I stopped wallowing in life’s shit (and darlings, there really is a lot of that if you look for it). I began seeking joy (and darlings, there really is more of that than you think if you look for it.)

So, let’s not wallow, shall we? Get up. Get moving. Chair dancing is recommended. In the words of Leonie Dawson, I give you permission to seek joy even when the world seems to hand you a bagful of flaming poo.

It’s your choice, after all. Poo or Joy? Which do you want a big cup of?

Seek joy, y’all. Don’t be a poo-poo head! Pass it on.

4 of Ghosts, Halloween Tarot, U.S. Games, 2008

P.to the S. This is the version in the tin. I adore it!