#MotivationMonday – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonOracleCard

Happy Monday! The temperatures here in Texas have soared into the triple digits and I find myself fighting lethargy. My A/C unit never shuts off and I keep my thermostat at 78 degrees. So, I’m looking for positive inspiration and motivation today! Boy, do I need to unplug!

I found this meditation to be energizing and hopefully you will too!

Now, for the tarot reading for the week.

Photo by Jan Sikes

The Queen of Cups is nurturing, caring, compassionate and sensitive. When you see her in a Tarot reading, you are embodying her ‘nurturing mother’ energy. You support others by listening with your heart, being compassionate, and caring for them deeply. The Queen of Cups says you are highly intuitive, creative, and in flow with the surrounding energies. In your interactions with others, you can easily read other people to get a sense of how to communicate effectively, enabling you both to feel heard and understood. In your creative projects and endeavors, you ‘feel’ your way into them, trusting your heart and your inner guidance to lead you in the right direction. You know when something is off, and you pay attention to this, even if it doesn’t make rational sense. Lead with your heart, not your head. 

The Six of Pentacles is all about giving and receiving—sharing. Even if you are not financially wealthy, you offer up your time, energy, love, and support to those who are in need, knowing it will be appreciated. Giving of your time or your wisdom is often just as spiritually fulfilling as giving away money or gifts, and the intangible gift of your presence is received just as well, if not better. You may be on the receiving end of other people’s generosity and are advised to accept these gifts with gratitude. Finally, the Six of Pentacles is a card representing financial harmony. The amounts flowing in and out are in balance, and you are thankful for what you have and happy to share with others in need.

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. You strive to create a warm and secure environment for your family and loved ones while giving your love and support freely.  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.

MY TAKEAWAY:

With two queens in this week’s reading, there is a lot of strong feminine energy. I have always directly related to the Queen of Cups, tending to live from my heart and not my head. But, as with everything, it needs a balance and the Queen of Pentacles provides that with the harmony of the Six of Pentacles in between the two queens, giving and receiving. Let your heart lead you, share with others and stay grounded in the physical world. One of the most difficult things we have to do is find time to nurture ourselves (or at least I do) so I find this timely advice from the Queen of Pentacles also.

This beautiful emerald dragon fits right into the entire theme for this week. Enjoy!

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation #TarotReading #DragonOracleCard

Happy Monday, the first Monday of June. I hope you each have an inspired week ahead!

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A powerful and beautiful meditation. Love for yourself is as important as love for others.

As always, I am again amazed by the tarot cards and their message for us this week.

Photo by Jan Sikes

The swords in the tarot deck represent the mind or intellect. So, the King of Swords is the ultimate representation of clear, intelligent thinking. He also has the power to achieve whatever he sets his mind to. He is a powerful leader and one that can move forward with no hesitation. 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. Sometimes the King of Swords may indicate the need to seek help from an expert.

The Seven of Swords points out that you need to be strategic in what you do. You know you cannot do everything at once – nor should you. Instead, you must prioritize what’s important to you and direct your focus and attention on the few tasks that will move you closer to your goals. It’s the 80-20 rule: 20% of your work will account for 80% of your results, so focus on the 20%. You may be able to accept some responsibilities or duties, but not all of them. The Seven of Swords could also imply that you are trying to escape from a situation that is not working for you anymore rather than dealing with it head-on. You may attempt to run away from commitment, responsibility, hard work, or love. You may procrastinate, letting problems slip and become worse because you do not want to deal with them. Sometimes you just have to face what has to be faced.

We had The Moon card recently and you may remember that it deals with mystery or secrets, things that are unknown or cannot be seen. The position where it sits in this reading indicates that your clear thinking can easily get muddied by not knowing all the facts. Things are not always as they seem, so this card advises you to listen to and trust your intuition so you can see beyond what is in front of you. Let go of your conscious mental blocks or negative self-talk and allow your intuition to guide you. Your dreams, intuitions, and inner guidance lead you forward toward higher levels of understanding if you listen and use your judgment to help interpret the messages of the subconscious.

MY TAKEAWAY:

The week starts out with clear and intelligent thinking with the power to make things happen, but can quickly dissolve into being overwhelmed by having too much to do and not knowing all the facts about a situation. Trust your inner guidance and intuition. It will never steer you wrong!

I know we have had this same dragon card recently, but it is what turned up, so I have to trust that this is what we need for the week.

**On a side note, one of my sisters passed away this week. She was 84 and had been in ill health for the past seveeral years. She and I were not close but she is the first of my siblings to pass away. If you are of a mind to do so, say a prayer or send positive thoughts to her children and grandchildren.**

#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

It’s a new week! I hope you are feeling inspired and positive. Positivity seems to be the overarching theme of today’s post.

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I may have shared this meditation previously, but if so, it came back around again. I love the affirmations at the end!

The tarot cards support that theme as well.

Photo by Jan Sikes

We have two cards from the Major Arcana, which you may remember represent the bigger life lessons.

The Hanged Man is all about being still and hanging out, waiting to see what unfolds before taking a step. He is almost the exact opposite of The Fool. The Hanged Man reminds you that sometimes you have to put everything on hold before you can take the next step, or the Universe will do it on your behalf (and it may not always be at the most convenient time!) I am sure we have all had those experiences where circumstances beyond our control shut us down. If you’re in tune with your intuition, you’ll start to have a sense for when it’s time to hit the brakes and put things on hold – before things get out of hand. But if you’re out of alignment and oblivious to those intuitive signs, the Universe will probably put things on hold for you, in the form of continued obstacles, ill-health, and breakdowns. When you sense the ‘pause’ coming, pay attention to it; otherwise, the Universe will turn up the volume until you can’t ignore it any longer.

Six is a harmony number and is a multiple of the Trinity. The Six of Wands encourages us to toot our own horns. Maybe you’ve won an award or finished a manuscript. Whatever the reason, The Six of Wands also encourages you to put yourself out there and be proud of what you achieved. The Six of Wands is a positive encouragement to believe in who you are and your accomplishments so far. Have faith in what you’ve done and how others will receive it. Do not let fear or guilt stand in the way of your success. You ought to be proud! Hold your head up high and know you‘re worthy of admiration.

The Hierophant card represents an established set of spiritual values and beliefs and is often correlated with religion and other formal doctrines, which are often the basis from which we make important life decisions. The Hierophant‘s arrival suggests you are following convention and staying within the bounds of a tried and tested model. You are not yet willing to go out on a limb or offer any new and innovative ideas. Instead, you adhere to the key principles and rules that you know will lead to a successful result. This card often speaks to group membership or being part of an institution. You may enjoy a deep sense of comfort being surrounded by people who have well-established belief systems and explicit values.

My Takeaway:

Now is not the time for energetic action. It’s a time to take a pause, be still, and assess. Reflect on achievements, be proud of accomplishments, and then take that stillness and awareness into staying with positive thinking and a solid connection to your core belief system, as well as with other like-minded individuals as you move forward.

Your thoughts?

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Dragon Card!!

Photo by Jan Sikes

#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

Even though I am on a blog tour, I cannot disregard my regular posts. So, your inbox will receive two from me today.

Photo by Jan Sikes

Today’s meditation I found to be particularly relaxing. I hope you enjoy it too.

And now for the Tarot Reading for the week.

Photo by Jan Sikes

The Page of Cups suggests a new idea or opportunity has come to you out of the blue. Your creative energy is flowing, and now the question is how you will express it. It 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. This card often appears when you are being called to trust your intuition and be open to the multitude of intuitive messages coming your way.

The stern and regal Emperor comes from the Major Arcana. The Emperor represents a powerful leader who demands respect and authority. Status, power, and recognition are essential to you, and you are most comfortable in a leadership role where you can command and direct others. As a leader, you rule with a firm but fair hand. You have a clear vision of what you want to create, and you organize those around you to manifest your goal. You listen to the advice of others, but you prefer to have the final say. The Emperor also reflects a system bound by rules and regulations. You create law and order by applying principles or guidelines to a specific situation. Create calm out of chaos by breaking down any problem into its parts and then mapping out the actions you need to take to resolve it. Be systematic, strategic, and highly organized in your approach, and stick to your plan until the end.

The Six of Cups is a card that takes you back to the happy memories from your past, whether as a child, teenager or young adult. You may simply be revisiting those memories in your mind, or you may travel back to your childhood home or reconnect with your childhood friends. Six is a harmony number and indicates cooperation in your relationships. You are ready to give and receive, without expectation. The Six of Cups can also refer to children in your life. It can suggest a pregnancy, a birth, and siblings who play nicely together. It may also be a sign that you are about to spend more time with young children, playing, laughing, and learning together. Children are often here to teach you something about yourself and can serve as great advisors. Kids also set good examples for how to stay present, open-minded, and curious. They see the world as a magical place and their hearts are open to the myriad of pleasures available to them.

MY TAKEAWAY:

I think as writers, we are always open to new creative ideas and nudges, but it seems this is a particularly auspicious time for beginning something new while staying within the boundaries of protocol and approaching with a systematic or organized mindset. Staying in harmony with others and keeping that mindset of our inner child will help keep it all lighthearted and pleasant.

For me personally, this reading really struck a chord as I am starting to work on a new series, but doing it in a completely different way. I’ve always been a pantser, just wrote the stories as they unfolded, but for this series, I am outlining and planning, but at the same time trying not to let it feel too heavy. Let me hear from you. Does this reading resonate with you in any way?

This Dragon card is just gorgeous. That’s all you can say about it.

Photo by Jan Sikes

#MotivationMonday – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonCard

As most of you know, I’ve been ill. I tested negative for COVID but I am convinced what I’ve been dealing with is some form of the nasty virus. At any rate, today’s post is all just for me and I hope you get some good out of it as well. I do want to tell you on Wednesday when I was first getting sick and had a fever, I took my pieces of Black Tourmaline and Shungite to the bed with me and I believe with all my heart, they helped pull out the fever during the night.

Now for a healing meditation.

I feel that the tarot reading is especially for me, but again, I hope it resonates with at least a few.

Photo by Jan Sikes

Thank goodness the Eight of Swords sits in the past position as it indicates a feeling of helplessness. I can relate to that as the virus attacked my body, it was a struggle to keep my mind positive and not feel like a helpless victim. While being limited by circumstances, it did not mean I had to succumb to negative thinking patterns. Remember, that’s always a choice.

Interesting that the Two of Cups in the present position carries the Cadeceus, the universal symbol for medicine. In this reading, to me, the card represents accepting help from someone else, or consulting an expert to aid in healing. It can also represent two lovers or a partnership. Two of Cups is a sign you are both on the same wavelength and share a similar vision for the venture you are creating together. You may not have the same skills as each other, but you create a beautiful synergy when you work together. A friend of mine introduced me to Chaga Mushrooms, bringing a packet and leaving it on my door. I believe it is aiding in my healing process.

The Six of Swords symbolizes a state of transition, leaving behind what was familiar and moving towards the unknown. This change may be your own doing or forced upon you, and you may feel sad to leave behind what is so familiar to you. It invites you to gaze ahead to your future and choose the way most in alignment with your Highest Good and long-term potential. You will need to make tough decisions and compromises along the way; see it as a rite of passage. One of the most significant aspects of this card is the fact that the woman and child in the boat are not alone and not having to work to reach their destination.

My takeaway: Circumstances in life are often going to place us in a position of feeling helpless or like a victim, but always remember your thoughts about the circumstance are your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in healing and remember you are never alone on this journey. There is an entire galactic team with us at all times and can only help when we ask.

Your thoughts? Make it a great week, no matter life’s circumstances.

This dragon card ignites the creativity inside each of us! Isn’t it 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!!