Remain unattached to outcome.
This is a lesson I am being given plenty of opportunity to come to terms with. The Universe constantly and repeatedly brings me the chance to examine this one...
The enjoyment of doing, just because...
The enjoyment of being, just because...
and yet my whole life has been target and goal driven. This is an interesting lesson in letting go. One I am uncertain how to commit to. ... The writer's cave is all very well, but it's full of targets: self-sufficiency and determination being just two out of a multitude. And until I have achieved these goals I'm not ready to let go of my attachment to outcome. Scared to let go. - - Perhaps this is the wilderness I walk in?
Learning to trust the Universe to provide... This again is one I get plenty of opportunity to practice with; and I'm starting to get a handle on it ("Fear is the little death" that tries to haunt me, but I'm learning to laugh).
Perhaps I am asking the wrong questions, and my understanding of my path in life is that of a newborn. - - That feels like truth. ... In which case I need to do more research. LOL.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
The First Branch Of Self Respect
When you are living with drought; first take water from the well to sustain you, then give water to others.
An apple tree bears fruit and drops it when it is ripe, to grow more apple trees. That the apples nourish others is a happiness. It asks no thing in return.
So; water the apple tree when it thirsts.
This is the first lesson.
An apple tree bears fruit and drops it when it is ripe, to grow more apple trees. That the apples nourish others is a happiness. It asks no thing in return.
So; water the apple tree when it thirsts.
This is the first lesson.
Monday, 19 July 2010
THE FOOL (alternative title: The Joker, The Madman)
This is the first card of the Major Arcana - and the last card, as the cycle renews after completion and begins again.
It is both the beginning and the end.
THE FOOL's number is ZERO - similar in many ways to Oroborus, the snake that eats its own tail: cyclical, eternal.
[Just as The World, number XXI, the completion of the cycle of the Major Arcana, appears as a sphere, cyclical and eternal (alternative title: The Universe).]
This eternal, cyclic nature of the Major Arcana should be noted. It is a theme that runs throughout both sections of the Tarot, but is especially pronounced in the Major Arcana - which deals exclusively in archetypes.
A youth who proceeds towards the edge of a cliff, eyes to the heavens (fixed on his* dreams; looking at a butterfly) not paying attention to the earth under his feet or the imminent danger ahead, enjoying his journey. An animal that accompanies him gambols around his feet.
He seems oblivious in his bliss.
And oddly, he is quite safe. Protected in/by his innocence. ... He'll deal with any danger when he gets to it. - If he should come a cropper, he'll just pick himself up, dust himself off, and continue on his happy way.
...In the meantime, he'll continue to enjoy his adventure.
He is the start of the journey, he has placed his foot upon the first step of his Way, and is unconcerned about the hysterical jabbering or opinions of others.
The Fool follows his journey, heedless of others. It is his Way, and he knows it is right for him.
Open, free, honest, innocent, trusting, loving life, unprejudiced, and ready for any opportunity - confidence, follow your inspiration, follow your instincts: a new life journey.
If The Fool is reversed, it is an indication that you need to stop, and take a good long cold look at your behaviour: you're probably acting like an idiot, or maybe you're about to rush in where you might be better off staying put and keeping quiet.
The Fool as the first card in a reading, may indicate that you are asking the wrong question.
*The Fool can just as easily be "her". I was about to say that archetypes are sexless, but as we will see with Strength, a female energy is in play. So, The Fool holds a male energy, but the person he represents can be of either sex.
It is both the beginning and the end.
THE FOOL's number is ZERO - similar in many ways to Oroborus, the snake that eats its own tail: cyclical, eternal.
[Just as The World, number XXI, the completion of the cycle of the Major Arcana, appears as a sphere, cyclical and eternal (alternative title: The Universe).]
This eternal, cyclic nature of the Major Arcana should be noted. It is a theme that runs throughout both sections of the Tarot, but is especially pronounced in the Major Arcana - which deals exclusively in archetypes.
A youth who proceeds towards the edge of a cliff, eyes to the heavens (fixed on his* dreams; looking at a butterfly) not paying attention to the earth under his feet or the imminent danger ahead, enjoying his journey. An animal that accompanies him gambols around his feet.
He seems oblivious in his bliss.
And oddly, he is quite safe. Protected in/by his innocence. ... He'll deal with any danger when he gets to it. - If he should come a cropper, he'll just pick himself up, dust himself off, and continue on his happy way.
...In the meantime, he'll continue to enjoy his adventure.
He is the start of the journey, he has placed his foot upon the first step of his Way, and is unconcerned about the hysterical jabbering or opinions of others.
The Fool follows his journey, heedless of others. It is his Way, and he knows it is right for him.
Open, free, honest, innocent, trusting, loving life, unprejudiced, and ready for any opportunity - confidence, follow your inspiration, follow your instincts: a new life journey.
If The Fool is reversed, it is an indication that you need to stop, and take a good long cold look at your behaviour: you're probably acting like an idiot, or maybe you're about to rush in where you might be better off staying put and keeping quiet.
The Fool as the first card in a reading, may indicate that you are asking the wrong question.
*The Fool can just as easily be "her". I was about to say that archetypes are sexless, but as we will see with Strength, a female energy is in play. So, The Fool holds a male energy, but the person he represents can be of either sex.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Self-Publishing - Part II
Read Self-publishing - Part I here
Overall, I am very happy with the service provided by Authors OnLine.
There was a slight hiccough with the cover text design on The Yes / No Tarot Oracle, (as to where it was placed in relation to the artwork) - the designer must have been having an off day; but this was sorted out to my satisfaction very promptly once I had made them aware of the issue.
They are a very good company and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, if any of you lovely people ever did want to take the self-publishing route.
Feel free to email me if you want any further information about the service, beyond the details they give on their website.
They would normally take between 8 to 10 weeks to get your book published once you hand in all the documents ... the only reason my second book took so long was that my illness prevented me from signing off on it right away.
I have put links to both the Tarot books in the side bar - they are available in softback via print on demand from most booksellers, and the PDF versions are available to buy from Authors OnLine should you want to.
I'm so chuffed, here are the pictures of them AGAIN! :)
..... .png)
Overall, I am very happy with the service provided by Authors OnLine.
There was a slight hiccough with the cover text design on The Yes / No Tarot Oracle, (as to where it was placed in relation to the artwork) - the designer must have been having an off day; but this was sorted out to my satisfaction very promptly once I had made them aware of the issue.
They are a very good company and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, if any of you lovely people ever did want to take the self-publishing route.
Feel free to email me if you want any further information about the service, beyond the details they give on their website.
They would normally take between 8 to 10 weeks to get your book published once you hand in all the documents ... the only reason my second book took so long was that my illness prevented me from signing off on it right away.
I have put links to both the Tarot books in the side bar - they are available in softback via print on demand from most booksellers, and the PDF versions are available to buy from Authors OnLine should you want to.
I'm so chuffed, here are the pictures of them AGAIN! :)
..... .png)
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Do you believe in Love?
Hey! This is supposed to be a Tarot blog. Why are you writing about love?
Love? Really? ... I was asked to write about The Nature Of God. (Tarot post next time, I promise.)
God (if you will). The universal force of Love that binds and inspires us, creates and sustains us, permeates and links us all as one. The unconditional Love that gives the universe being.
Many people call this God, so I shall (on this occasion) describe it that way too. Just realise I'm not talking about a Santa Clause type religious figurehead. There is nothing, and everything, human about God. God is divine energy, and that energy is Love.
If more people opened themselves up to contact with the energy of love that dwells within all of us there would be far fewer wars, or violence, or crimes against each other. Because we'd realise that when we sin, we sin against ourselves.
Most people live in darkness and assume that that is the way that life is supposed to be.
This is the main problem with incarnating in flesh, the energy levels have to be stepped down in to the physical realm (hence auras and the different auric bodies) and we forget much of what we know and who we are, so that we can experience the things we want to experience, and learn the lessons we need to master in order to bring our energy levels back up to the way they were before Light and Dark seperated in to all that there is and is not - so that we can live as God, in free will.
And in the forgetful obscurity of physical incarnation we encounter pain. Pain is an essential of survival, but it is not a way of living - it's just a mechanism that tells us when something is not right. And lets face it, in the physical form most things can be interpreted as 'not right'.
But when you encounter pain, be it physical, emotional or mental it tends to overwhelm - or at the least distract - you from other ways of living, feeling, and thinking.
Instead of lashing out in your pain, and causing more pain to yourself and others around you, you need to disconnect so that you can determine the cause of the pain and then either disengage from it or find a way to heal it.
Once you are able to look past the pain, you will find that you can look beyond your own inner horizons and out in to the world - and discover that: others are going through the same traumas you are, you are not alone, it's not all about you (put aside your paranoia and suspicion); and if you keep looking out in to the world you will notice love, and selfless action being given freely by those who have learned to heal themselves despite being incarnated in flesh.
How can they do this?
These 'healers' explored the darkness around them, and one day they looked up and realised that they were not only in darkness, but that they were also in a deep hole which had an entrance above them, and outside that entrance it seemed to be dark there too. ... But gradually, as they balanced themselves and removed the negativity from their lives, the entrance to the hole became a lighter grey - and they realized that it was dawn outside, and that if they raised themself up they would come in to the light and the warmth of the sun (the energy of Love). And once they KNEW that, they could rise up out of the hole and walk in the sunlight.
It can be a very long process. But it's real. And there are sign posts along the way.
In your life, you may receive a visit from an energy being that can best be described as someone who loves you unconditionally - they will wrap you in their arms and the light of their love. And you will KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done or haven't done in your life - none of that is important. They love you because you are. And in that moment everything will be right.
You may percieve them as Jesus, or as an angel, or some other loving entity of the divine?
But then life continues as normal, and over time the memory of the warmth and love and rightness is put to the back of your mind, and eventually you may forget that you are loved....
And if you have not yet experienced this, do not feel distressed. It will happen for you, one day, one life. Or maybe you already live with love surrounding you and do not require this extra help to see the truth of living in love?
If you dwell in darkness and have not experienced this visit, open your eyes and examine your behaviour and attitudes, do you hide in fear? Do you hurt others in order to make yourself feel better? Maybe it's time to stop hiding, time to stop behaving negatively; and start trying a more positive approach?
If you have forgotten, remember it now.
And if you live in love, KNOW it now.
All things are loved: Humans, animals, plants, rocks. YOU ARE LOVED.
One day you may see the EarthSong. This is another marker on the path. - Stay your course, find the light, join the song, nurture others, believe in Love. Because Love is the reason you exist, and you are Loved ... just because.
Love? Really? ... I was asked to write about The Nature Of God. (Tarot post next time, I promise.)
God (if you will). The universal force of Love that binds and inspires us, creates and sustains us, permeates and links us all as one. The unconditional Love that gives the universe being.
Many people call this God, so I shall (on this occasion) describe it that way too. Just realise I'm not talking about a Santa Clause type religious figurehead. There is nothing, and everything, human about God. God is divine energy, and that energy is Love.
If more people opened themselves up to contact with the energy of love that dwells within all of us there would be far fewer wars, or violence, or crimes against each other. Because we'd realise that when we sin, we sin against ourselves.
Most people live in darkness and assume that that is the way that life is supposed to be.
This is the main problem with incarnating in flesh, the energy levels have to be stepped down in to the physical realm (hence auras and the different auric bodies) and we forget much of what we know and who we are, so that we can experience the things we want to experience, and learn the lessons we need to master in order to bring our energy levels back up to the way they were before Light and Dark seperated in to all that there is and is not - so that we can live as God, in free will.
And in the forgetful obscurity of physical incarnation we encounter pain. Pain is an essential of survival, but it is not a way of living - it's just a mechanism that tells us when something is not right. And lets face it, in the physical form most things can be interpreted as 'not right'.
But when you encounter pain, be it physical, emotional or mental it tends to overwhelm - or at the least distract - you from other ways of living, feeling, and thinking.
Instead of lashing out in your pain, and causing more pain to yourself and others around you, you need to disconnect so that you can determine the cause of the pain and then either disengage from it or find a way to heal it.
Once you are able to look past the pain, you will find that you can look beyond your own inner horizons and out in to the world - and discover that: others are going through the same traumas you are, you are not alone, it's not all about you (put aside your paranoia and suspicion); and if you keep looking out in to the world you will notice love, and selfless action being given freely by those who have learned to heal themselves despite being incarnated in flesh.
How can they do this?
These 'healers' explored the darkness around them, and one day they looked up and realised that they were not only in darkness, but that they were also in a deep hole which had an entrance above them, and outside that entrance it seemed to be dark there too. ... But gradually, as they balanced themselves and removed the negativity from their lives, the entrance to the hole became a lighter grey - and they realized that it was dawn outside, and that if they raised themself up they would come in to the light and the warmth of the sun (the energy of Love). And once they KNEW that, they could rise up out of the hole and walk in the sunlight.
It can be a very long process. But it's real. And there are sign posts along the way.
In your life, you may receive a visit from an energy being that can best be described as someone who loves you unconditionally - they will wrap you in their arms and the light of their love. And you will KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done or haven't done in your life - none of that is important. They love you because you are. And in that moment everything will be right.
You may percieve them as Jesus, or as an angel, or some other loving entity of the divine?
But then life continues as normal, and over time the memory of the warmth and love and rightness is put to the back of your mind, and eventually you may forget that you are loved....
And if you have not yet experienced this, do not feel distressed. It will happen for you, one day, one life. Or maybe you already live with love surrounding you and do not require this extra help to see the truth of living in love?
If you dwell in darkness and have not experienced this visit, open your eyes and examine your behaviour and attitudes, do you hide in fear? Do you hurt others in order to make yourself feel better? Maybe it's time to stop hiding, time to stop behaving negatively; and start trying a more positive approach?
If you have forgotten, remember it now.
And if you live in love, KNOW it now.
All things are loved: Humans, animals, plants, rocks. YOU ARE LOVED.
One day you may see the EarthSong. This is another marker on the path. - Stay your course, find the light, join the song, nurture others, believe in Love. Because Love is the reason you exist, and you are Loved ... just because.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Self-publishing - Part I
I've just received the finished artwork for the second of my two tarot books, THE YES / NO TAROT ORACLE, and I am extremely happy with it. Jo Spaul is a very accomplished illustrator, you can look at examples of her work on her website, here.
And I thought some of you might be interested in my experiences so far while trying to get published.
Basically, I've written two books on the Tarot* and have been unable to secure a publisher for either of them, so in the end I decided to do it myself.
Initially I was going to use LULU, but after some quick research decided against it (the new owners had increased postage rates to non-competetive levels, and some authors claimed they were having trouble getting their work taken off the site when they wanted to go elsewhere [I haven't checked them out since. So whether this is still the case, I don't know.]) - and in amongst the complaints thread someone recommended another self-publishing company, Authors OnLine. To cut a long story short, I decided to go with them.
Their fees are reasonable, with a low annual fee for remaining in publication, and the books are Print On Demand - so someone places an order, the book gets printed and shipped out. Quick, easy, no need to store quantities of books. Also a PDF version of each book will be available for those who prefer electronic media.
Best yet, the books they sell are available to all the usual book retailers - so whether you prefer to buy via Amazon, or via your local bookshop, or direct from them, you can!
As the author it is up to you to advertise your book. Just because it's published, doesn't mean it will necessarily sell any copies.
So far I have found the process pain-free, which is always good. Although they tell me that it does generally take about 2 months to get into publication from the date you sign the contracts.
The Christmas rush (which starts in August!) combined with a flu outbreak has delayed things slightly, but I am expecting both books to be available from January 2010.
I am using the delay to do a final edit on THE YES / NO TAROT ORACLE, while I await confirmation of the ISBNs.
I'm providing the text PDF files, they are doing the covers (under my direction) - Which makes my 'Control Freak Self' very happy.
They do various different packages to suit your needs, and they are very friendly, very helpful, and very busy (at the moment).
If everything continues according to plan I expect to be a very happy customer.
... Should you plan to use them, they are quite happy to vanity publish for you (for example, if you want that green crayon text, unspell-checked book of "My Favourite Moles in Dresses" that you wrote when you were six, published to show your friends), but if you are looking for a more professional publication that will be available in the shops, they do require a basic level of competence from their authors.
So far, so good. If things change, I'll let you know.
*THE LOVERS' SPREAD: A TAROT GUIDE TO RELATIONSHIP COMPATIBILY
and THE YES / NO TAROT ORACLE
Read Self-publishing - Part II here
And I thought some of you might be interested in my experiences so far while trying to get published.
Basically, I've written two books on the Tarot* and have been unable to secure a publisher for either of them, so in the end I decided to do it myself.
Initially I was going to use LULU, but after some quick research decided against it (the new owners had increased postage rates to non-competetive levels, and some authors claimed they were having trouble getting their work taken off the site when they wanted to go elsewhere [I haven't checked them out since. So whether this is still the case, I don't know.]) - and in amongst the complaints thread someone recommended another self-publishing company, Authors OnLine. To cut a long story short, I decided to go with them.
Their fees are reasonable, with a low annual fee for remaining in publication, and the books are Print On Demand - so someone places an order, the book gets printed and shipped out. Quick, easy, no need to store quantities of books. Also a PDF version of each book will be available for those who prefer electronic media.
Best yet, the books they sell are available to all the usual book retailers - so whether you prefer to buy via Amazon, or via your local bookshop, or direct from them, you can!
As the author it is up to you to advertise your book. Just because it's published, doesn't mean it will necessarily sell any copies.
So far I have found the process pain-free, which is always good. Although they tell me that it does generally take about 2 months to get into publication from the date you sign the contracts.
The Christmas rush (which starts in August!) combined with a flu outbreak has delayed things slightly, but I am expecting both books to be available from January 2010.
I am using the delay to do a final edit on THE YES / NO TAROT ORACLE, while I await confirmation of the ISBNs.
I'm providing the text PDF files, they are doing the covers (under my direction) - Which makes my 'Control Freak Self' very happy.
They do various different packages to suit your needs, and they are very friendly, very helpful, and very busy (at the moment).
If everything continues according to plan I expect to be a very happy customer.
... Should you plan to use them, they are quite happy to vanity publish for you (for example, if you want that green crayon text, unspell-checked book of "My Favourite Moles in Dresses" that you wrote when you were six, published to show your friends), but if you are looking for a more professional publication that will be available in the shops, they do require a basic level of competence from their authors.
So far, so good. If things change, I'll let you know.
*THE LOVERS' SPREAD: A TAROT GUIDE TO RELATIONSHIP COMPATIBILY
and THE YES / NO TAROT ORACLE
Read Self-publishing - Part II here
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Ask an Angel....
Hmm.
This is the part where you think I'm completely nuts.
I've been nudged by them upstairs to clarify a bit about Angels or Guardian Spirits or Higher Self (choose your name for 'em).
There are different levels of beings, all interlinked - - we are all energy afterall.
If you imagine a large tree: it has a trunk, and branches, and twigs. Division on division on division - a vast network of life.
Each of these lines of growth can be seen as a seperate thing: a twig is very definitely a twig, and not a branch. A branch is very definitely a branch and not the trunk. And yet, they are all part of the same tree.
If we are the leaves, then Higher Self/Angels/Guardian Spirits are the wood of the tree.
Now a leaf is most closely linked to the twig that it is attached to. There are however other twigs all around that can brush against the leaf as it moves in the wind. These other twigs obviously will have a big impression on the leaf as they brush it - so much so that the leaf might forget that it is attached to a twig of its own that nourishes it and gives it life.
Which of these twigs is it easier for this leaf to comunicate clearly with? The one it is attached to, or one that brushes against it in the wind?
Sometimes the wood that brushes against a leaf is actually a branch moving in the wind - it may have a greater impact on the leaf, but the leaf still gets its nourishment from the twig it is attached to.
If the leaf can hear the other twigs rustling and the branches creaking, these sounds have been carried on the wind. The vibration it feels through the twig it is attached to is the clearest manifestation of the sounds the tree makes as it dances with the wind.
Similarly, when a Guardian Spirit or Angel contacts you, you are unikely to be receiving the full message, or understanding as clearly as you imagine.
This is the part where you think I'm completely nuts.
I've been nudged by them upstairs to clarify a bit about Angels or Guardian Spirits or Higher Self (choose your name for 'em).
There are different levels of beings, all interlinked - - we are all energy afterall.
If you imagine a large tree: it has a trunk, and branches, and twigs. Division on division on division - a vast network of life.
Each of these lines of growth can be seen as a seperate thing: a twig is very definitely a twig, and not a branch. A branch is very definitely a branch and not the trunk. And yet, they are all part of the same tree.
If we are the leaves, then Higher Self/Angels/Guardian Spirits are the wood of the tree.
Now a leaf is most closely linked to the twig that it is attached to. There are however other twigs all around that can brush against the leaf as it moves in the wind. These other twigs obviously will have a big impression on the leaf as they brush it - so much so that the leaf might forget that it is attached to a twig of its own that nourishes it and gives it life.
Which of these twigs is it easier for this leaf to comunicate clearly with? The one it is attached to, or one that brushes against it in the wind?
Sometimes the wood that brushes against a leaf is actually a branch moving in the wind - it may have a greater impact on the leaf, but the leaf still gets its nourishment from the twig it is attached to.
If the leaf can hear the other twigs rustling and the branches creaking, these sounds have been carried on the wind. The vibration it feels through the twig it is attached to is the clearest manifestation of the sounds the tree makes as it dances with the wind.
Similarly, when a Guardian Spirit or Angel contacts you, you are unikely to be receiving the full message, or understanding as clearly as you imagine.
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