Tag: #MondayMeditation

#MotivationMonday – #Meditation – #TarotReading – Dragon Card

Published on by Jan Sikes29 Comments

I have been under the weather having contracted a stomach virus and almost didn’t do this post, but Spirit nudged me so I know someone needs today’s message.

Created in Canva

Today’s meditation is all about opening to and allowing positive energy to flow.

It is highly unusual to draw two Major Arcana cards for these short readings, but that’s what we have today. We are sitting at a powerful time of the year when we are called on to rejuvenate and get ready to begin a new year.

Photo by Jan Sikes 12-27-21

The High Priestess is the guardian of the subconscious mind and the teacher of sacred knowledge and hidden mysteries. Sitting at the threshold of the conscious and subconscious mind, The High Priestess has an innate ability to travel between these realms effortlessly. She teaches you that the world is not always as it seems and more profound influences are often at play.

The High Priestess signifies spiritual enlightenment, inner illumination, divine knowledge, and wisdom. She shows up in your Tarot readings when the veil between you and the underworld is thin, and you have the opportunity to access the knowledge deep within your soul. Now is the time to be still so you can tune in to your intuition. The answers you are seeking will come from within, from your deepest truth and ‘knowing.’ Allow The High Priestess to become your guide as you venture deep into your subconscious mind and access this inner wisdom. Connect with your intuition and your Higher Self through meditation, visualization, shamanic journeying, and being part of spiritual communities.

When the Queen of Pentacles appears in a Tarot reading, you are embodying the ultimate working parent archetype. You care for your family and domestic responsibilities while also making a living for yourself and creating financial abundance. You can maintain a healthy balance between home and work by integrating the two and finding your place of ‘flow’ and alignment. Similarly, the Queen of Pentacles suggests that it is important to you to live independently, with a stable income, and with enough time and space to also nurture your loved ones. You may be trying to strike a better balance between your home and work lives, giving it your all in both domains. At the same time, you find time for yourself and prioritize ‘me’ time in between all of your other commitments.

This Queen asks you to maintain a compassionate, nurturing, practical, and down-to-earth attitude when dealing with others and your present circumstances. Focus on creating a calm and balanced life for yourself. Be resourceful and practical, dealing with issues as they arise using straightforward solutions that fix the problem with minimal fuss.

The Strength card represents strength, determination, and power.

Strength is about knowing you can endure life’s obstacles. You have great stamina and persistence, balanced with underlying patience and inner calm. You are committed to what you need to do, and you go about it in a way that shows your composure and maturity.

When the Strength Tarot card appears in a reading, you are fueled by your inner strength, personal power, strong will, and determination. You do not rule by trying to control others; you quietly influence and persuade. Others may underestimate your power because it is so ‘invisible’ – but you should see that as an advantage. You can control a situation without excessive, outward force. No one knows it’s you calling the shots. Your strength gives you the confidence to overcome any growing fears, challenges, or doubts. Feel the fear and do it anyway! If you have been going through a rough time and are burnt out or stressed, the Strength card encourages you to find the power within yourself to persevere.

My Takeaway:

This is the time of year when the veil between the two worlds is thin and we have the ability to experience both worlds, most often in the dream state, allowing us to access our deep inner wisdom and intuition while the Queen offers loving stability not only to ourselves but to our loved ones. And finally, the Strength card is just that – strength to overcome and to move forward into a new year. What a loving positive message!

And here’s the gorgeous Dragon Card for the week with an uplifting message!

#MotivationMonday #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonOracleCard

Published on by Jan Sikes40 Comments

I am so happy to be back with a regular Monday post. While on tour with Mountain Laurel Christmas, I truly missed doing these. And I want to offer a big “Thank You” to everyone who followed along on the tour, bought and reviewed the book.

Today’s quote is a lofty goal, especially this time of year when chaos rules.

This meditation helps with finding that calmness and peace of mind.

And now for the Tarot reading for the week of December 13 – 19, 2021.

Photo by Jan Sikes 12-13-21

When I see the Three of Swords, I immediately think of heartache. You may be feeling deeply hurt by a situation or hurtful words from another. Intense emotions of pain, sadness, grief and heartbreak go hand-in-hand with this card. The Three of Swords is also about an emotional release. When you have suffered a major setback or loss, now is an excellent time to have a good cry.  However, it is also essential that you continue to focus on the path ahead. You may run the risk of becoming so absorbed in the emotions swirling around you that you lose sight of the need to just let go and move on. This card sits in the past position in the spread, indicating it is over.

In the present position, we have the Ten of Wands, which indicates a heavy burden, or extra workload. I think we can all relate to that this busy time of year. At the same time, while the load is heavy, we have to understand it is temporary. That understanding makes it easier to shoulder the load and move forward. The good news is that the Tens in Tarot represent the completion of a cycle, and with the Ten of Wands, the end is in sight! You have been pushing yourself to your limits and working very hard towards a goal. Now, you are taking the final necessary steps to reach the finish line. Sure, you might collapse in a heap of exhaustion when you get there, but you know it will be all worth it and well earned!

The King of Swords sits regally and confidently on his throne and represents intellectual power. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, you are in your power, ruling from a place of authority and respect. You stand firm in your truth and express yourself with deep conviction. As a result, others pay attention to what you have to say. The King of Swords encourages you to use your logic and intellect to navigate the path ahead. You will need to make firm and well-researched decisions and stay fair in your dealings with others. You need to be able to take any situation, look at it with total impartiality, and then come to a balanced and insightful decision.

My Takeaway:

I personally know so many who have suffered grief, loss, and heartbreak over the past few weeks, so the Three of Swords makes total sense at this time. But you must give yourself permission to release the emotions and move forward while carrying an extra heavy load. Remember this is temporary. We are also being reminded to use our intelligence to make choices for our next steps and come to a balanced and insightful decision.

Your thoughts?

This may just be my favorite Dragon Oracle card yet. Look at the quill, the books, and paper flying! Is that not perfect for writers?

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes33 Comments

I’ve been reading a book that has got me doing some deep thinking. And one thing I realize is that together we are so much stronger than alone. So, this quote stood out to me.

Created in Canva

This is a short but powerful meditation that reinforces the knowledge that we are all united by the same life force. We are energetic beings capable of experiencing so much love.

Drawn back to the Tarot cards, here is the reading for this week.

Photo by Jan Sikes 11-15-21

At first glance, this three-card-draw left me a little puzzled.

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. It makes sense to me as I am celebrating a new book release, but more than that, with the holidays coming, I am looking forward to celebrating with loved ones.

The Temperance card from the Major Arcana in the present position is all about balance, moderation, and stabilization. You are invited to let the life force flow through you without force or resistance. Temperance asks you to take the middle path and accommodate all perspectives. Now is not the time to be highly opinionated or controversial. Be the peacekeeper and take a balanced and moderate approach, avoiding any extremes. Include others and bring together diverse groups of people to create harmony and cooperation. By working together, you will collectively leverage the right mix of talents, experiences, abilities, and skills. There is alchemy within Temperance. This Tarot card is about blending, mixing, and combining diverse elements in a way that creates something new and even more valuable than its separate parts. (Wow! That goes right along with our quote today and the meditation.)

The Justice card represents fairness, truth, and the law. You are being called to account for your actions and will be judged accordingly. If you have acted in alignment with your Higher Self and for the greater good of others, you have nothing to worry about. A level of compassion and understanding accompany Justice, and although you may have done something you regret, this card suggests that you will be treated fairly and without bias. At its core, Justice is about the search for truth. As you explore your truth, you will discover that things are not as clear-cut as you had thought. Be prepared to dip into the murky waters and explore what truth means to you. Be consciously aware of what you believe to be true and what you believe to be fair and ethical. It may not be as clear-cut as you think, so prepare to challenge yourself and explore new territories of your belief system. 

My Takeaway:

Celebrate all of the good and wonderful things in life with those you love, but do so with moderation and consideration for others. Unity brings strength and by being consciously aware of what we believe in deep down in our hearts, we will grow in love and compassion for others.

Another incredibly beautiful Dragon Card brings a powerful message. I love the tender way the dragon is holding the butterfly.

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #RuneReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes35 Comments

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 #RuneReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes41 Comments

This is the last week in October. It is a time when the veil between worlds thins. Let’s take advantage of that!

Instead of sharing a meditation today, I am sharing a ten-minute affirmation exercise. Affirmations are powerful and can cause a big shift in our mindset.

I was drawn back to the runes for today’s reading.

Photo by Jan Sikes 10-25-21

This is the second time I’ve gotten the Othala Rune in a reading. That tells me there is an important message. You may remember that Othala represents our heritage or our roots. This is in the past position and that tells me we are perhaps all leaning more toward tradition, looking back to our early and basic teachings. The caution is not to hang onto old ways of thinking that no longer serve us. We may be inclined to lean on family for support or perhaps to give support to another.

The second rune in the present position is Ansuz and is the rune of communication. It represents all forms of communication, but especially verbal. It may indicate that an important message or revelation is coming your way. This rune also refers to knowledge, wisdom, and reason.

In the future position, Dagaz, is the rune of daylight and is considered a very beneficial sign in any reading. Increase, growth, prosperity, strength, good health, and general well-being are indicated by this rune. It can represent new hope, light emerging from darkness. Or it could also indicate a breakthrough, insight, or inspiration, whether on an artistic creative level or in terms of spiritual enlightenment.

My takeaway:

Often in turbulent times, we find ourselves reaching backward to our original roots, or bonding more with family. There is no disputing that we are living in turbulent times. It is more important than ever before that we lean on each other and embrace our basic truths. With Ansuz, it is saying that we have the ability to express ourselves in this truth and that it may help bring about some light, a breakthrough, or inspiration, whether in ourselves or others.

This gorgeous Dragon Card reinforces that thought!

Have a great week ahead!

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes49 Comments

Good morning! Welcome to a new day, a new week, a clean slate on which to write our stories.

WhiteWolf.com

This is such a beautiful meditation with a powerful mantra to begin a new day.

I was drawn back to the Tarot Cards for our weekly reading. I love the message!

Photo by Jan Sikes 10-18-21

The Two of Pentacles is about endless juggling. As you can see from the image, he has two pentacles he has continuously in motion with the infinity symbol. This card 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. (I know. I hear you groaning because I am too) With the approaching holiday season, this is timely. Balance is a must.

The Knight of Pentacles represents hard work, effort, and the responsibility of following a dream. Notice the sturdy strength of the horse the knight is seated upon. When this card appears in a Tarot reading, you are working methodically towards your goals. You have a plan in place and are sticking to your schedule to get the job done. You may not work particularly quickly, but you are consistent, dedicated, and committed to your goal. Put one foot in front of the other and finish the job. This card also asks you to continue doing what you are doing, plodding along and making gradual progress. No need to change your approach. Go with the flow, stick to your usual routines, and over time, you will reach your goals.

Then the Hanged Man tells us to take a pause from all that hard work and reflect on what’s really important in life. It can sometimes indicate a delay. Don’t keep pushing forward, hoping that more force will drive you to where you want to go. Instead, surrender to the opportunity to pause and view it as your chance to reassess and re-evaluate where you are on your path. Something new is emerging, and you won’t be able to see it unless you allow the time and space for it to come through. **Addendum** Many thanks to C.S. Boyack for pointing out that the Hanged Man is reversed. I did not see that. Whether I accidentally flipped him, or he came out of the deck that way, who knows. but it does change the reading.

Reversed Hanged Man can indicate the need to hit the pause button. And if we don’t heed the warning, we may end up crashing and burning. It can also indicate delays or things being put on hold, much to our frustration.

My takeaway:

I almost had to laugh out loud at this card spread. We have the balancing act of too much to do, hard work, then put on the brakes. So, to me, it is saying for this week, work hard, stay balanced, and don’t resist taking pause at the end of the week for a little R&R. We don’t want to crash and burn! Sounds good to me! And how ironic that we have a full moon in Aries this week which is full of drive and passion, then moving into stillness by the weekend when the moon is void of course inviting us to take it easy.

And as always, the beautiful little dragons bring such an uplifting message.


Monday #Motivation #Meditation #RuneReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes31 Comments

This week’s theme seems to be about creativity and ways to let that energetic exchange flow.

I was drawn back to the runes this week for a reading and chose to use my set of moonstone runes.

Photo by Jan Sikes

The first rune in the past position is actually the last rune in the Elder Futhark alphabet, Othala. If you remember from our rune study, this rune represents our heritage, tradition, or family ties. Perhaps we are being encouraged to revisit our roots, our deepest ingrained beliefs. Othala can represent maintaining a status quo, the way things have always been done. In an ever-changing world, however, it’s up to us to distinguish between what is useful to hang onto and what needs to be discarded so that you can live and grow in your own authenticity.

The rune in the present position is Mannaz and symbolizes humanity. It represents the characteristics that set humans apart from the rest of Earth’s living creatures—the ability to create for the sake of creativity itself. It can also indicate the need to either ask for or give support or assistance.

The rune in the future position is Eihwaz, which you might remember symbolizes the yew tree (both death and regeneration). It can indicate an ending that will lead to a new beginning. Maybe you’ve come to the end of a project and looking forward to the next. Or, you may find yourself needing to leave behind old ways to make way for new and more authentic ways of living. Again, it goes back to the first rune and doing things the ways we always have while expecting something to change. It won’t happen.

My takeaway from this reading:

It is time to step strongly into our own truth, separate from perhaps the way our parents taught us to live and grow into our higher selves. When we do that, the energetic flow of creativity increases and it’s always okay to ask for assistance or offer help when you see someone struggling. Once we reach an ending, there is always a new beginning. If we want to bring about change, we have to start with ourselves.

I love this dragon card for the week. While the theme started out with creativity, it ends with change. Perhaps the two are connectively intertwined.

Have a great week!

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #RuneReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes44 Comments
Created in Canva by Jan Sikes

Welcome to the start of another week. With so much heartache in the world, it’s impossible not to feel it. But as with every post, I strive to find something positive to uplift. I ran across this quote in one of my journals recently. I don’t remember when I wrote it, but I do remember the profound realization of what freedom truly is, and we ALL have it regardless of outside circumstances! So, the meditation I’m sharing today is all about tuning into positive loving energy.

This is my second attempt at doing a Rune Cast and I felt a little more comfortable with it. I burned the Palo Santo Wood and Sweetgrass to cleanse the area from anything my ego might try to interject. I used the runes I made this time.

Photo by Jan Sikes 9-20-21

The rune in the past position is Kenaz. It represents a torch, beacon or fire. On a metaphysical level, this represents the light of knowledge or enlightenment. It can indicate a breakthrough of some sort. Perhaps seeing a situation in a different light and in a gentle way. It is the rune of the artist and craftsman and is useful when creativity is needed. It also governs the technical aspect of magic. Some say it can represent a fresh start.

How strange that the blank rune WYRD has shown up so early in the readings. 🙂 The Universe is challenging me. So here goes. WYRD is a relative to the word karma and takes its meaning from the runes surrounding it. It operates on a completely separate dimension than the other runes and can often indicate in a reading that the situation is in God’s hands. It shows that what is destined to be cannot be avoided.

The third rune is Ingwaz and represents the male aspect of Mother Earth. When found in the outcome position of a rune reading, it indicates a successful outcome. Whatever is propelling you forward at the moment, Ingwaz is acknowledging and confirming that the energy behind it is potent and heading for substantial results. It is a very positive rune.

My takeaway:

Perhaps we are given the opportunity to see a situation or creative project in a new light, understanding that destiny and Karma come into play throughout life and that part is totally out of our control. With Ingwaz in the outcome position, what is coming is all good!

And the Dragon Card confirms that message!

Also, just a reminder to all the gemstone lovers, tonight is a powerful full moon and there is no better way to charge your stones than putting them out under the moon’s rays!

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #RuneReading #Dragon Card

Published on by Jan Sikes41 Comments

Welcome to another Monday inspiration. I am doing something a little different today. Instead of doing a Tarot Card reading, I am going to do a Three Rune divination.

But first, an inspirational quote from Rumi. In these troubled times, we can find inspiration and solace by going inward.

The meditation I chose for today is short but very powerful and helpful in connecting to our higher selves. I hope you enjoy!

And now for our Rune reading for the week. It’s important to understand that what runic readings represent is not a prediction of unalterable fate. Rather, as with successful divination of any kind, it provides what could be called a snapshot of the present moment, which can illuminate unseen factors in a situation and point to probable outcomes based on your individual course of action.

The casting method I used, was to shuffle the runes gently, then scatter them onto a cloth. Looking upward so I couldn’t see any of the runes as they landed, I chose three runes at random, picking them up one at a time. I noted the direction the runes appeared when I picked them up for the purpose of reading reverse meanings.

The set of runes I am using for this reading were created from coyote bones and the rune symbols are of inlaid copper.

So, here goes — The rune cast for the week of September 13, 2021.

Photo by Jan Sikes 9-13-21

I am burning sage mixed with lavender and palo santo wood in the container for cleansing purposes.

In a three rune reading, the first rune symbolizes the past, the second, the present, and the third the future. A three rune spread may also reveal aspects of a situation as it relates to your inner world and your response to it. The runes that came up for me are Tiwaz, Fehu, and Mannaz.

Tiwaz is reversed. While Tiwaz represents courage or motivation, in a reversed position, it indicates a lack of those two things.

So, to me, this rune is saying that perhaps we haven’t had the courage in the recent past to stand up for ourselves or our beliefs. It makes perfect sense due to the volatile nature of our social climate. Sometimes, we may feel it’s best to remain silent. Tiwaz can also be telling us to slow down, take our time and consider all options. The primary association for Fehu is physical prosperity or wealth, particularly moveable wealth. However, in modern interpretations, it may also indicate good health, plentiful food, love, social success, and a joyful approach to life. In the present position, it indicates that you basically have what you need. Mannaz is the rune of humankind. It may point to some aspect of tension in the relationship between your inner self and your perceived place in the outer world. You may be feeling at odds with the attitudes and expectations of society. Wow! That hits the nail on the head right about now. The message is to show kindness to all, lend a helping hand, or if you are in need, ask for help.

My takeaway — We must find the courage to stand behind our true deep beliefs, slow down and consider all our options, give thanks for our prosperity (whether monetary or non-monetary), and be willing to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

Please keep in mind this is my first attempt at casting the runes for a reading. I hope that somehow there is a bit of inspiration or wisdom in this reading as we move into the second week of September. I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you work with runes, share your take on these three.

Monday #Motivation #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes42 Comments

I feel such a beautiful energy today and I hope that somehow I can share it in this post with you.

Created in Canva by Jan Sikes

The meditation today is short but very uplifting and power-filled!

A most interesting tarot reading for this week. Sometimes it seems like I see some of the same cards over and over, but I trust the process. I randomly pull them, so there is no manipulation on my part. The Universe brings the message we need to hear.

I feel that the Seven of Pentacles applies to all of us who write our stories, or any other creative endeavors. It shows you understand the value of putting in time and energy now for longer-term rewards and have a strong desire to invest in sustainable results. You are not looking for quick wins (but wouldn’t we all love a quick win?). You also want to make sure you are putting your attention on the right areas instead of wasting time and effort on tasks that will not deliver any value. Sometimes we need to step back from day-to-day operations and take a look at the bigger picture. If you have been working hard or putting extra effort into something challenging and important for the last few months, the endeavor or project is near its culmination. Rest assured, your hard work will pay off. You are likely to see financial or other tangible rewards for all of your hard work.

The Page of Pentacles brings a message of new beginnings, as does the Ace. When the Page of Pentacles appears in a Tarot reading, you are tapping into your ability to manifest a personal goal or dream, or the start of a new educational experience. You are excited about the possibilities and potential of what you put your mind to, knowing you can create whatever you want with focused intention and action. This Page does not specify the fulfillment of dreams as much as the initial motivation and energy to begin the process of turning those dreams into reality.

The Ace of Swords seems to show up often for us. It marks a wave of new energy from the intellectual realms. You may be on the verge of a significant breakthrough or a new way of thinking that allows you to view the world with clear eyes. Or, you may have a sudden realization or conscious understanding about an issue that has been troubling you and can finally see the path ahead of you. Meditate regularly to clear away the mental chatter and make the most of this intellectual potential.

My overall take on this reading is that while we may be nearing the end of one project, there are new ones on the horizon with strong energy and inspiration behind them. Your thoughts?