Four of Swords Archives < Arwen, Professional Joy Seeker

Are Ghosts Really Invisible?

Remember that disengaging isn’t running away–it can be a safety valve.

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#affirmation Sometimes the Tarot is scary. That’s just all there is to it. Today’s blog challenge was to discuss invisible illnesses. I picked up my phone to look at my Tarot apps.

Using the simply gorgeous Ghosts & Spirits Tarot, I tapped it open. The app is set up so that you get a card right away. I got the Four of Swords. Scary, Tarot. Scary!

A more perfect card for this subject I cannot imagine. Here we see a figure who has vines and branches growing from her head to create what looks like a briar hedge.

One sword is a beam of energy that comes from the one spot of light to pierce her. The other three swords lay beneath her but she can’t seem to reach them.

I have an invisible illness. One that isn’t always so invisible when I have to use walls to walk. That’s my back. I joke about it. I keep it light. I tell people that my back has taken a vacation without me. But it hurts. Oh it hurts.

I am exercising now to lose weight. That will help my back in the long run. I am also doing Reiki with a dear friend, Michelle. Her business is Happy, Healthy Life. I recommend her!

One of the main things about the Four of Swords is that it can be a reminder to let our minds rest. That disengaging isn’t running away–it can be a safety valve.

When I am mentally stressed and in physical pain, like most people, I turn into a grouchy bear. I used to lash out because it made me focus less on my own pain. I’ve curtailed that now because I honestly didn’t like that woman I’d become.

I like me now though. I really really do. I’m still in pain. It’s a rare day that i don’t have some pain. So I exercise. I’m going to be adding in yoga to my routine. I’m going to continue to learn to live with chronic pain.

So here is today’s affirmation.

Today I embrace my need to withdraw. I honor the solitude that brings me relief. I open up to the opportunities to disengage more. I create space for my own needs. Loved and loving, I love each of you. Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on, please.

Four of Swords, Ghosts And Spirits Tarot, U.S. Games

Time For Danger Yoga?

Today’s card is an interesting interpretation of this card. Here we see a figure resting. But they are balancing on four swords. In this reinterpretation of the Thoth style Tarot, I see someone who is actively and even intently resting.

A bit of a dichotomy, yes?

But think about it. Sometimes what is restful to you isn’t restful to someone else. Like I don’t listen to music to relax. I listen to music to clean the house.

I read to relax. I listen to an audiobook for some down time.

This person apparently does danger yoga for their quiet time.

Your journal prompt for the day is, “What truly relaxes me? What makes me feel rested and refreshed.”

And when theme repeats itself like this, it may be time for me to take a break for a bit. If I do, I’ll let you know here.

Four of Swords, Sun And Moon Tarot, U.S. Games Systems 2010

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on.

The Right Kind Of Rest?

Today’s card is from a deck I saw online and HAD to have. Why? Well this card is one of the reasons. I mean…dragonfly swords? What’s not to love about USGames Tarot of a Moon Garden?

While I am mad for dragonflies (have one tattooed on my arm!), they are not what pull me into this card today. No. The first thing was the knight’s helm. Empty. But where was the knight? I saw the unicorn with the interesting interpretation of what seems to be the Eye of Ra.

I saw a piece of armor on the other side of the unicorn. Then I realized that it was two leg pieces. What’s more? Those weren’t empty.

I tracked back to the unicorn and then I saw him, or her. Leaning against the unicorn, is a knight who has just had enough of the battle.

Taking solace in his companion, our knight rests. His sword is ready if he needs it, but for now, he rests.

I am reminded that I don’t rest enough. I don’t take down time as often as I should. I work 8 hours (9 if you include lunch), then come home to do readings, work on the blog, write, take care of the animals, the house.

Now I don’t think my life is all that unusual, darlings. We all live a busy life. But sometimes I live it as if I’m a paratrooper on a plan with a jump master screaming, “GO GO GO” in my ear.

I have to wonder if that is necessary. Today I have a full schedule. Part of that is chatting with someone about cleaning my place for me. Having that off my plate would be nice. And she is an organizer to boot. So I’ll be talking about that as well.

We all need the right kind of rest. What is your “right kind?”

That’s your journal prompt for today.

“What is the right kind of rest for me? What makes me feel refreshed?”

Four of Swords, Tarot of a Moon Garden, USGames [aff]

#seekjoy, y’all. Pass it on!

What Are Your Signs?

Today’s card reminds me of a phenomenon that often happens when I read for multiple people. Tuesday night I worked a launch party for a liquor brand. They had a Ghosts & Devils theme so we were asked to dress up as Romany aka gipsy readers.

Over and over, I saw the same cards but the one that showed up the most was the Four of Swords. Seemed that a lot of the people in front of me were burning the candle at both ends. Of course they were all young enough to look slightly abashed when I told them the year I started reading. Most of them hadn’t even been born yet.

But, as always, that card had meaning for me as well. I had gotten up at 5am then worked a full 8 hours to come home just in time to pack and shower for this gig. Then I was there from 7:30 until 11:30. I did not get up from my table from 7:45 until 11:15. Kid you not.

I finally had to disappoint a few folk but just declaring that I was cooked. I got home in time to say hello to Wednesday as I fell into bed about 12:30.

Then I was back up at 5 to work again. Now it is 8:30pm as I write this. I’m posting this then guess what I’m going to do? Yep, you betcha! Bedtime. Maybe a tangle but bed is the most important thing on my agenda right now.

For your 180 second challenge today, what are your warning signs that you are overloading your system? How do you know when you need to schedule a serious time out?

Seek joy, y’all. Pass it on!

Four of Swords, Tarot of Dreams, Ciro Marchetti