#MondayMotivation – #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonOracleCard

Welcome to another Monday post. Today’s theme seems to be all about making choices.

The Tarot reading for the week ahead focuses on exposing darkness and illusions and celebrating!

Photo by Jan Sikes

The Devil card focuses on our shadow selves – the negative part of us we don’t want anyone to see, that holds us back from being the best version of ourselves. The Devil card often appears when you have been tricked into thinking you have no control over your shadow self or these negative forces and that you can never break free from their hold. When this card shows up in a reading, see it as an opportunity to bring these negative influences into your conscious awareness, so you can then take action to free yourself from their hold. Shine your light on the negative patterns that have been standing in your way for so long, and over time, you will loosen the grip they have on you. 

The Moon can indicate a time of uncertainty and illusion—when nothing is what it seems. Be careful of making fast decisions when The Moon appears because you may later realize you only had half the information you needed. You need to listen to and trust your intuition so you can see beyond what is in front of you. Feel into situations rather than thinking about what they mean. Let go of your conscious mental blocks or negative self-talk and allow your intuition to guide you. Your dreams, intuitions, and inner guidance will lead you forward toward higher levels of understanding if you listen and use your judgment to help interpret the messages of the subconscious.

The Three of Cups is a card of celebration, friendship, sisterhood, and creative collaborations. Your friends and family are here to support you and lift you up to even higher levels of success. Celebrate with them and enjoy their camaraderie. The Three of Cups often indicates a very sociable period. This card also invites you to collaborate with others on a creative project and inspire one another to reach new heights. Collectively, you are working towards a common goal for the greater good of others. This is a very creative card, suggesting that you may pursue a creative outlet within a group environment.

MY TAKEAWAY:

When we think we have no control over our shadow selves, we get stuck in negative and destructive patterns. But we always have a choice, and if we listen to our intuition, choose the higher path, shine a light on the darkness, and let go of negativity, we get to enjoy a celebration of friendship, joy, and possibly creative collaborations.

And now for another lovely Dragon Card!

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonOracleCard

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. I enjoyed time away with my family and took the opportunity to disconnect from the outside world.

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Here is a short guided meditation to help you focus.

The Tarot Cards called to me this week and here are the cards I drew.

Photo by Jan Sikes 4-18-22

The King of Cups represents mastery over the realms of emotion, creativity, and the unconscious. When this card turns up in a Tarot reading, you have gained control of your feelings and can accept them without allowing them to get the better of you. Even when life throws you a curveball, you can draw on your emotional maturity and stability to help you navigate these challenges. You don’t let things get to you, and you steer clear of the drama, instead choosing an emotionally balanced and calm approach. (Boy, can we all use a big dose of that right now!) As you interact with others, you may need to navigate their strong feelings and emotional triggers so you can create a sense of peace in your interactions. 

We have had the 3 of Pentacles before and it represents teamwork or collaborations. Each person has an important role to play, and when they come together as a team, they can create something much more significant than if they were to undertake the project on their own. So, when the Three of Pentacles turns up in a Tarot reading, take it as a sign to collaborate with others, creating synergies to achieve big results. As you implement your plans, you will realize that you have the skills, capabilities, and resources you need to accomplish your objectives. See the Three of Pentacles as an encouragement that you are on the right track. You are competent at what you do, and you are making progress. Keep going!

The 8 of Swords brings a bit of a halt to the stability and progress of the other two cards. It is a warning card. Don’t allow yourself to feel trapped by your circumstances. When you believe you have no options, it brings everything you work for to a standstill. You may be over-thinking things, creating negative patterns, or limiting yourself by only considering the worst-case scenario. The more you think about the situation, the more you feel stuck and without any options. It is time to get out of your head and let go of those thoughts and beliefs holding you back. As you change your thoughts, you change your reality. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and you will start to create a more favorable situation for yourself.

My takeaway:

Face life’s challenges from a point of balance, logic, and reasoning but with compassion. You may find that you need to collaborate with others or find yourself in a situation of participating in teamwork to accomplish goals, but never allow yourself to think negative thoughts or let yourself believe you are trapped by circumstances. There are always alternatives and based on the two cards in front of this one, you are advised to maintain logical thinking while joining with others.

Now for another awesome dragon card!

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonOracleCard

Welcome to the start of another week and a new month!

Wow! I love that!

Today’s meditation is new and different and it really energized me! I hope it works for you too!

I chose the tarot cards again this week to set the tone for the week ahead.

Photo by Jan Sikes

I love it when the tarot spread starts with new inspiring ideas! The Page of Swords is full of energy, passion, and enthusiasm. When this card shows up in a Tarot reading, you are bursting with new ideas and plans for the future. You may be excited about starting a new project, pursuing a new approach, or learning something new. The Page of Swords often emerges when you are exploring a new way of thinking or a different way of expressing yourself with others and communicating your ideas and opinions. If you are looking for a sign to move ahead with a new project, the Page of Swords says, ‘Go for it!’ 

The Queen of Swords represents independent thinking and unbiased judgment. You are open to hearing the thoughts and opinions of others, but ultimately, you filter that information to decipher what is true and what is not. When interacting with others, you will not tolerate mistruths or excessive ‘fluff’. You prefer to get to the heart of the matter without engaging in too much chit-chat or gossip. Direct communication and clear boundaries are at the root of this card’s meaning.

When the Two of Pentacles appears in a Tarot reading, it’s safe to say you are juggling your priorities, roles, and responsibilities. It often appears when you are busy, rushing from one thing to the next, with little downtime in between. You may tell yourself that you haven‘t got enough time or you’re in a rush. However, remember that you don’t have to be busy to get things done. Sometimes taking a break is the most productive thing you can do. (Wow!) The Two of Pentacles invites you to manage your time and your priorities carefully. Your workload is high right now, and to get everything done, you need to stay focused and productive. You may benefit from a ‘to-do’ list, better calendar management, and a stricter schedule. 

My Takeaway: I love that the week starts off with encouragement to move forward. But then we get a reminder to practice unbiased and independent thinking and get ready for multi-tasking. When is that not the case for authors? The part about taking a break really hit home with me. I seldom give myself that luxury, so it’s a good reminder.

Your thoughts:?

What an inspiring Dragon Card this week!

#MondayMotivation #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonOracleCard

Welcome to another Monday that I hope will fill your week with inspiration.

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This is one of the more powerful and beautiful short meditations I’ve found recently. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Tarot Reading for the week focuses on our spiritual body.

Photo by Jan Sikes

Do you know how rare it is to have all of one suit come up in a reading? Here we have all Wands, and if you remember from our study of the cards, Wands represent our spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion, and original thought.

The Four of Wands is a card of joyful celebration, blissful happiness and appreciation for the good things in life. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, it is the perfect time to celebrate with those you love most. In numerology, four symbolizes stability and firm foundations, and with the Four of Wands, you are now enjoying a period of happiness and security. This card indicates a sense of harmony and balance as well as completion and thus denotes a time of peace and contentment in life that comes as the result of hard-fought efforts.

The Eight of Wands is a dynamic card, containing a high level of energy that propels you forward to reach your goals at a much faster pace than ever before. You can expect to be very busy, but this is one of those ‘good busy’ periods during which you are enthusiastic about the progress you are making. It encourages you to go with the flow; don’t resist it. Everything is moving fast right now, so make the most of this forward momentum to manifest your goals and dreams. Allow the energy of the Universe to flow through you and propel you closer to your goal. Be laser-focused with your intentions and actions.

When the Knight of Wands card appears in a Tarot reading, you are charged up with energy, passion, motivation, and enthusiasm, and you channel that energy through your inspired action. You have a clear vision about what you want to create and, fueled by your passion and inspiration, you are now moving forward with leaps and bounds to turn your vision into reality. This card is your sign to go for it!

Wow! That’s a lot of energy!

My Takeaway: Be thankful for your loved ones and celebrate them in your life, then be ready for a big burst of energy that will propel you into whatever you are focused on. Go with the flow and let your passion, motivation and enthusiasm carry you through this week!

On a personal level, I have ditched one writing project temporarily for another story that is demanding my full attention. So, I’m going to take all of this passion and energy and run with it! The working title of the new story is “A Beggar’s Bargain” and it is set in the 1940s. I’m super excited and inspired!

What about you? Are you feeling this energy? Let’s talk!

And look at this gorgeous dragon! Wow! I love the lotus flower in the heart center.

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonOracleCard

Happy Monday, everyone. I am thrilled to report that I am about 98% recovered from my tangle with COVID, thank goodness!! I appreciate all the well-wishes, prayers, and positive vibes you sent my way. I loved this quote from William Faulkner. It made me pause and think for a minute.

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A beautiful meditation to help jumpstart the day!

The Tarot reading for this week is hopeful and solid.

Photo by Jan Sikes

The keywords for The Sun from the Major Arcana are: Positivity, fun, warmth, success, and vitality. You don’t know what a welcome sight this card is! If you are going through a difficult time (I certainly have been), The Sun brings you the message you have been waiting for: that things will get better, a lot better! Hallelujah! The Sun connects you to your power base – not fear-driven, egotistical power, but the abundant, inner energy radiating through you right now. You’ll sense it in your Solar Plexus chakra, calling you to express yourself authentically and be fully present in the world around you.

The King of Cups represents a balance of emotions, creativity, and the unconscious. When this card turns up in a Tarot reading, you have gained control of your feelings and can accept them without allowing them to get the better of you. Even when life throws you a curveball, you can draw on your emotional maturity and stability to help you navigate these challenges. You don’t let things get to you, and you steer clear of the drama, instead choosing an emotionally balanced and calm approach.

The Nine of Pentacles speaks of financial independence. The woman in this card has created a luxurious lifestyle by her own actions and efforts. She encourages you to do the same – to create abundance and independence so that you can take care of yourself in the long term. Invest wisely and seek financial advice to make the most of your wealth. Don’t rely on others to support you; this Nine is an independent woman. While the suit of Pentacles typically focuses on material wealth and gain, this card also suggests that you are in harmony with the environment around you. You appreciate the beauty and abundance found in nature, and you can harness this high-vibe energy to bring pleasure into your life. 

My Takeaway:

What a welcome sight, these cards are. From the sun shining and bringing new vitality and creativity, to the emotionally balanced King of Cups and the secure and independent woman, this is a super positive reading and it reflects what I feel inside. I do not mean to downplay COVID. It’s a horrible nasty virus and it knocked me down hard. But, as the old saying goes, “it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how you choose to get back up.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these cards today and hope they bring a ray of sunshine to your week!

There is nothing I can say about this Dragon Card, except that it is gorgeous!

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonCard

I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful beginning to a new year that is filled with opportunities for prosperity and abundance. We are under the influence of a new moon, the perfect time to set intentions and goals. To start a new year under this auspice is powerful. Let’s make it count!

Here’s a meditation to get the year started off on the right foot.

As I have stated before, the cards I draw are random. I shuffle the cards from front to back until one pops up. These cards could not be more clearly scripted for the beginning of a new year and I am overwhelmed with the synchronicity!

Photo by Jan Sikes 01-22

Swords represent the mind or intellect. The number seven is the number of creation. On the Seven of Swords, we see a man moving forward with five swords in hand, while looking backward at two left behind. Many believe this card represents betrayal or deceit, but to me, it is the inability to move into the future without looking back at the past. Mental baggage often can weigh us down, preventing us to make constructive progress. At times the Seven of Swords suggests that you may need to put yourself first to get what you want, even if it means letting others down or putting others off-side.

The Three of Wands signals the many chances available to you to broaden your horizons through study, travel, business enterprise, and learning. You are becoming more aware of the opportunities that exist for you right now – and there are still more to come. To take advantage of this potential, you must stay committed to your path and be prepared to stretch beyond your comfort zone, knowing your best hopes lie outside of your current environment. It is time to think BIG. Consider what you can to open doors to more development and self-exploration. This card encourages you to dream bigger than your limitations. Accept your vision and be confident you will achieve it. The Three of Wands also brings your attention to the changes and challenges that lie ahead. 

Temperance is the card for bringing balance, patience, and moderation into your life. You are being invited to stabilize your energy and to allow the life force to flow through you without force or resistance. It’s time to recover your flow and get your life back into order and balance.

This card calls on you to remain calm, even when life feels stressful or frantic. Maintain an even temperament and manage your emotions. You have learned to keep composed in stressful situations. Little things don’t get to you, thanks to your seemingly abundant source of patience. Your respect for balance and tranquillity is what will help you achieve and experience fulfillment in your life.

My takeaway: It is time to look forward to the future, learning from the past, but not holding on to it. Broaden your horizons, be open to opportunities, and with all things, have a healthy balance and maintain a sense of calm through the storms of life.

What a beautiful Dragon Card to help us begin a new year!

#MotivationMonday – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonOracleCard

We are in the midst of a chaotic and busy time of the year. So, simply taking a few minutes to breathe and connect with Source can bring deep inner calm. The inspiration for today’s quote came from a vivid dream.

Here’s a short but effective meditation to help bring a deep sense of relaxation.

And, now for the Tarot Reading to help get the week started.

So appropriate for the season, the Three of Pentacles is a card of celebration, friendship, and creative collaborations. Your friends and family are here to support you and lift you up to even higher levels of success. Celebrate with them and enjoy their camaraderie. This indicates a very sociable period and I think most of us can relate to that. It is a very creative card and encourages creativity within a group environment.

The Page of Cups suggests a new idea or opportunity coming to you out of the blue. Your creative energy is flowing, and now the question is how you will express it. This card invites you to have an open and curious mind. Be open to anything – including a fish popping its head out of a cup! It is with a curious mind that you will discover new aspects of life and yourself. Open your mind to all possibilities, especially those of a creative or intuitive nature, you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Page of Swords takes the Page of Cups to a more active level. When this card shows up in a Tarot reading, you are bursting with new ideas and plans for the future. You may be excited about starting a new project, pursuing a new approach, or learning something new. You have so much energy that you feel as though you could do almost anything – and you can! The challenge, however, is whether you can keep it up. As with all Pages, the beginning always looks promising, but you need something else to follow through and keep up the pace.

My takeaway:

Even in the midst of celebrations, family gatherings, and joyous occasions, creative ideas are flowing, so keep an open mind. Don’t be surprised if you get a creative idea in the midst of Christmas dinner. 🙂 Go ahead and jot it down. Then as soon as you can, begin the new project with enthusiasm and settle in for the long haul to see it to fruition!

Another gorgeous Dragon Card to share.

Photo by Jan Sikes 12-20-21

MERRY CHRISTMAS WEEK!!

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #RuneReading #DragonCard

The weeks are flying by! Am I the only one feeling that?

Today’s meditation takes us into a circle of stones, but not just any kind of stone, different gemstones, and crystals. I was drawn to the Shungite stone, which interestingly enough, I do not own. I took it as a sign. I will be purchasing a Shungite stone soon to add to my collection. Enjoy the meditation! I’d love to know which stone you are drawn to.

The reading for the week comes from the Runes. I found the message to be compelling and energizing!

Photo taken by Jan Sikes 11-8-21

The first rune, Gifu or Gebo, in the past position, represents a gift of some kind. The gift may be material or emotional but given in love. It can also represent some type of partnership. Often this rune will appear when there is about to be relief from your troubles (another form of a gift). It usually indicates a time of peace and contentment.

In the present position, Ingwaz represents a strong force available to you to complete any project. It signifies a project coming to an end and a new one beginning. It can also indicate that you are reaching your full potential in the moment. That doesn’t mean we stop learning or growing because that is a continual process, but it comes in ebbs and flows. Life is made up of beginnings and endings – cycles. This is a most positive rune.

The keyword to the rune in the last position, Jera, is harvest. Reaping rewards for efforts expended is the general meaning. In the result position, Jera usually shows a positive outcome to any dilemma at hand. This fits perfectly with the other two runes. As always, we have to do the work, but then we get to enjoy the rewards of our efforts. And we should.

My takeaway:

As the quote from Richard Bach says, if we are given a dream, we are also given what we need to bring it to fruition. I see a dream or idea as Gifu, the gift. And with the Ingwaz following the gift, the energy needed to bring that dream to life is there for the taking. Then, we get to reap the rewards of our efforts. So, go on and dream! Then be willing to do the work to make that dream come true!

The Dragon Card for this week is stunning!

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonCard

Hello, November! This year is flying past. The theme for this week’s post is all about using our full potential. My thanks to Author, Erika Kind for the quote for the week.

The meditation today truly inspired me and I hope it will have the same effect on you. Let’s unlock our highest potential!

The reading for the week comes from the Tarot Cards and when I was pulling them, an extra one popped out, so I am going with it.

Photo by Jan Sikes 11-1-21

The Page of Swords is an action card and it is sitting in the past position. It is full of enthusiasm and passion. Perhaps you started a new project full of anticipation and excitement. The challenge with this card is to keep up the momentum. The Page of Swords often emerges when you are exploring a new way of thinking – a new idea, a new perspective, new knowledge, or a new technique. I don’t know about you, but with all of the craziness around the world, a new perspective is often necessary for peace of mind.

Next, in the present position, The Two of Wands takes a spark of inspiration and turns it into a clear action plan. It is the exact opposite of the sword in that it is contemplation rather than action. You look to the future and take in all possibilities before taking a step. It is more about long-term goals. The Twos in Tarot often represent decisions of some sort. With this two, you may make a choice between sticking with what you know or taking a risk. 

In the future position, we have the Five and Seven of Cups. The Five of Cups can often indicate the feeling of disappointment or failure. But at the same time, is telling us to look away from what we might consider to be a failure and instead focus on new possibilities or opportunities. We’ve had the Seven of Cups before, and you may remember that symbolizes endless choices and possibilities. There is so much to choose from, yet it comes with a warning of caution in your decision. Make wise choices. Often, the Seven of Cups can be a sign of wishful thinking and projecting into the future about what you would like to create, rather than taking action here in the present to make it happen. Now is a time to focus on the one thing that will move you closer to your goal; resist the temptation to get side-tracked with other ideas as they arise. If need be, note your ideas as they come up, but stay focused on the one thing you’re doing.

My Takeaway:

With fresh enthusiasm and passion for a project, we are asked to look at the long-term goals, or the bigger picture before taking any action. At the same time, we are cautioned not to focus on what we might perceive to be failures or disappointment but, instead, look at the opportunities presented to us and make wise choices and unlock our highest potential. Make it a great week!

Another gorgeous Dragon Card message for the week!

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonCard

Welcome to another Monday post! Today’s motivational quote comes from a piece of writing Rick Sikes did in 1977. For all his Texas cowboy ways, he was a deep thinker and writer.

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Today’s meditation is to help bring a positive focus to our day.

Today, I was compelled to go back to the Tarot cards for a message for the week.

Photo by Jan Sikes 10/4/21

The Five of Cups shows a man in mourning. Three cups are overturned in front of him and he is disappointed in something. But it’s all a mindset. If he would only turn around, there are two more upright cups awaiting him. So, it can indicate regrets or loss. This card is in the past position, which I am glad for! The Seven of Cups could not be more opposite! It is a card of new opportunities, choices, and at times, possibly illusions. When the Seven of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, you have many options and opportunities from which you can choose. But be careful! You are prone to illusion and unrealistic ideals. It is always wise to evaluate your options and dig below the surface to discover what’s involved with each choice. Often, the Seven of Cups can be a sign of wishful thinking and projecting into the future about what you would like to create, rather than taking action here in the present to make it happen. For example, you may wish for a fitter, more healthy body, until it’s time to get out there and exercise ( Oh my Lord! That’s me!).

We end by looking to the future of the week with the Page of Swords. This card is full of energy, passion, and enthusiasm. When this card shows up in a Tarot reading, you are bursting with new ideas and plans for the future. You may be excited about starting a new project, pursuing a new approach, or learning something new. You have so much energy that you feel as though you could do almost anything – and you can! The challenge, however, is whether you can keep it up. As with all Pages, the beginning always looks promising, but you need something else to follow through and keep up the pace.

My takeaway: Don’t mourn or wallow in what you may perceive as losses or regrets. Instead, look forward to the many options in front of you, but choose wisely, then let the energy of the Page of Swords launch you into your choice.

This week’s Dragon Card is incredibly gorgeous! How many of you were aware that we have a Causal Chakra? I only recently learned of it. It is situated on the back of the head.