{ Mischief Managed Mondays: The Hanged Man }

I pulled The Hanged Man for us to focus on this week and I am not one bit surprised. The Hanged Man is another one of those cards that tends to bum people out when he shows up. On this card and in most decks, he's depicted being hung upside down by one foot, which I think we can all agree would get uncomfortable. Negative connotations aside, I think this is a really great card to pull. The Hanged Man asks us to see the world differently, to change our perspective and to get out of our comfort zone of familiarity and assumption. This week we are asked to develop a deeper connection with our spiritual side, to stop choosing to momentarily get away from the world and get in touch with our selves.

So, how does this apply to us in a reading? This card symbolizes a time for pause, or a halt so that we can better contemplate our situation. This can mean that we need to engage in a meditational practice and let this time be a gift of self-discovery to ourselves. We can accept this as an invitation to look at old patterns and experiences that we are habitually repeating and then we can release those things that we recognize to be unhealthy for us. Positive changes and shit. This can also mean that the time is not right for us to make a decision, but rather to allow the situation to gestate and develop before acting. Finally, The Hanged Man is always about seeing things from another point of view...it maybe will sound weird, but whenever I pull this card for myself, I make sure to do a headstand (a yoga pose that I historically and consistently suck at, so naturally I tend to avoid it) and I'll be damned if it doesn't actually make me see things differently, bot figuratively and literally (because upside down/blood rushing to head). Try it! But be careful!

Take a knee this week, Y'all. Take time for some introspective contemplation and rest up. Don't struggle to untie your feet from the branch, but rather enjoy the opportunity to perceive things from this alternate vantage point and see how it informs your spiritual practice.      

 *These three card readings are intended for us all as a community and are therefore broad. If you are interested in a more specific, in-depth reading - we offer individual readings at Oracle as well! If you would like to schedule an appointment for an individual reading, you can do that here or give us a ring at 816.982.9550. You can also join us for one of our monthly Tarot Workshop & Happy Hour events and learn more about cartomancy!

{ Mind Killer Monday: Bear }

Well, I decided to dust off my beautiful Scrying Ink deck for this week's focus card and - because Lenormand decks are direct as hell, I pulled Bear for us. Bear represents the ten of clubs and most frequently indicates personal finances and money issues for the querent. Taxes are due, finances are on the mind and so Bear has turned up to say, 'Oh hello, your anxiety about money is giving you stress, I just thought you'd like to know what you already knew. You're welcome, enjoy.'

Lunar platter by Sweet Destructor, who rules. 

If you are among the lucky few who are not freaking out about financial strain, you may be wondering what else can the Bear mean for us in a reading? In a career focused reading it can mean that showing aggressiveness or strength is beneficial at that time so pull up your big girl pants and get at it! In issues regarding personal health, it usually signifies weight loss or gain - a good reminder is for you to think about how bears survive their Winter hibernation by gorging on food in the Spring. (This one is relevant to me personally, as yesterday was a *personal best* for epic snack consumption and napping). Oh, and the Bear can also represent a matriarchal figure as well, so call your mom. Finally,  when romance is on the brain the Bear can signify a robust, even aggressive suitor, if you know one of those...maybe rethink things if your S.O. is acting possessive or pushy.  Also, let us not forget the direct and even literal ways of Lenormand tarot communication, for you boys who like full-figured fellers, I've got good news - this card could mean a 'bear' for you!  

This is a bear.

This is also a bear.

 *These three card readings are intended for us all as a community and are therefore broad. If you are interested in a more specific, in-depth reading - we offer individual readings at Oracle as well! If you would like to schedule an appointment for an individual reading, you can do that here or give us a ring at 816.982.9550. You can also join us for one of our monthly Tarot Workshop & Happy Hour events and learn more about cartomancy!

{Muggle Monday: Ten of Pentacles - Citrine edition!}

Hi Y'all. I hope you are well, nice to have some sunshine days lately! The card I pulled this week is a lovely one to get - the Ten of Pentacles! Let's take a deep dive, shall we?

The Ten of Pentacles

I know it doesn't always seem like it, but with the Ten of Pentacles, we have all that we need. The pentacles signifies security and abundance - at the number ten we have reached the pinnacle of our material wealth. Now, I'd like to take some time to discuss abundance a bit because traditionally the pentacles are tied to monetary wealth, but I think it's important to recognize that abundance comes in many forms, not just financial. Our health, our happiness, feelings of satisfaction with our various relationships all fall under this umbrella of 'abundance'. This type of comfort and fulfillment gives way to the Ace of Wands and makes room for creativity and growth in the spiritual realm. This card is also about wisdom, our experiences have been our teachers and we have reached a point in which we know how to best invest our time and energy. Our ideas and investments can take flight - we got this. 

++ Citrine ++

Citrine is known by many other names, I've heard it called The Success Stone, The Merchant's Stone, and The Prosperity Stone. This bright stone has energies of good fortune and success and is used in meditational practices to manifest personal success and abundance. More abundance, you say? That's right! Citrine is believed to bring good health, fortune, happiness, confidence and personal wisdom to those who use it. It's a super good one y'all, citrine is my homie. 

*Fun Fact! Most Citrine you find on the market is actually amethyst or smoky quartz which has been heat-treated.  Heat-treated citrine shares the same metaphysical properties as naturally occurring citrine, though it is more rare. 

{ Mugwort Monday: The Devil }

I've been toying around with different alliterations with which to title this post, my favorite suggestions by far were, "Muffled Screams Monday' and 'Murder Monday', but those don't really pertain to the subject at hand, so for now I'm going with Mugwort. I don't know.

I thought it would be interesting to break away from my usual three card pull and focus on a single card. This way, we are able to go a little further in depth in investigating the meaning and symbolism of the card and I feel like it makes room for some discussion as well. One of my all time favorite things about Tarot is that everyone has a unique interpretation of the cards and it gives us a fresh perspective when new cards turn up. Feel free to discuss your take on this card on our FB page in the comments, I'd love to know what you think!

Anyways, without further ado, permit me to introduce one of my +life cards: The Devil.

- The Devil - As I've mentioned here before, The Devil is one of those cards that puts fear in some people. I totally get why, I was raised Catholic and have seen The Exorcist a bunch of times - but I feel like this card gets an unfairly bad rap. While The Devil is a trickster and can represent our inner demons (like addictions, bad behavioral patterns, unhealthy relationships, etc), he is also a reflection of our shadow selves and true nature. The Devil calls us to get in touch with our creativity without being afraid of seeing ourselves. When we see this card in a reading, the message is that we need to free ourselves from our material concerns and focus inwardly on more spiritual endeavors. We are asked to remove self-imposed limitations on ourselves and become the people we really are, free of hypocrisy, not hiding behind a mask.

This card brings light with the dark, when we are challenged to face obstacles, we are called to do so without fear. I believe by recognizing and acknowledging the issues at hand, we are able to address them head-on. This is a type of Shadow Work - it's not fun Y'all, but we come out on top when we commit to doing it. The Devil is always a welcome sign for questions concerning creativity as he is evocative of talent, inspiration and intense energy. Try also to remember that The Devil is sticking his tongue out at us TWICE - reminding us that he is a childish, comical creation and we need to laugh at the things which try to smite us. 

+I recently had an EXCELLENT reading with Rita of Skeleton Key Tarot, during which I learned that The Devil was one of my Life Cards. Pretty cool - and also, of course, Tarot, of ~fucking~ course! Rita is an incredibly gifted reader (honestly, this was both the best and least expensive therapy I've ever had) and I highly recommend that you visit her if you are interested in getting a reading. She offers small and large readings, depending on your needs. You can follow her on Instagram, here! 10/10 would recommend!

 *These three card readings are intended for us all as a community and are therefore broad. If you are interested in a more specific, in-depth reading - we offer individual readings at Oracle as well! If you would like to schedule an appointment for an individual reading, you can do that here or give us a ring at 816.982.9550. You can also join us for one of our monthly Tarot Workshop & Happy Hour events and learn more about cartomancy!

{ Three Card Monday }

Hi Y'all! Did you have a good break? Mine was excellent, lots of hiking and family time and generally mulling over the brain raccoon fodder I have going on. Let's ease into this week with a little three card pull, eh? 

- Page of Swords - This fuckin' guy. Well, so we've been collecting data and obtaining knowledge and we feel prepared to use it....but we still don't have a handle on the most practical application of this information. I feel like we are ready to jump in two different directions, and each path contradicts the other. This Page harbors some doubts and indecision in the face of potential action. Time for us to knuckle down and make an informed step forward....

- Nine of Wands - The thing to remember here, is that we must be true to ourselves (and this very thing should inform our actions). The wands relate to creative expansion, removing any distracting and extraneous flourishes and really distilling a thing down to it's very essence. The Nine of Wands assures us that our endeavor is not one of futility, that we have earned our place through hard work and tremendous discipline. The nine is a symbol of strength, telling us to accept our challenges rather than avoid them.

- Knight of Swords - Time to do this thing y'all. We are going to have to use our words and use them well in the pursuit of justice and truth. Full disclosure: I can't stand the signs at the airport that read, 'if you see something, say something' but you know, with good judgement this applies here. If you see something fucked up, you need to speak up for yourself and for others. We've done well to inform ourselves, we have worked hard to earn our position here and now we can act with courage and conviction. Fear is the mind killer, y'all - permit it to pass over and through you, and then get going!

- Jeff Goldblum - Let us just take a moment of pause to appreciate the beauty and wisdom found in Jeff Goldblum's Jurassic Park character, Dr. Ian Malcom, fictional mathematician and self-professed 'chaotician'. Enjoy.

 *These three card readings are intended for us all as a community and are therefore broad. If you are interested in a more specific, in-depth reading - we offer individual readings at Oracle as well! If you would like to schedule an appointment for an individual reading, you can do that here or give us a ring at 816.982.9550. You can also join us for one of our monthly Tarot Workshop & Happy Hour events and learn more about cartomancy!

{ SPRANG BREK }

Hi Y'all! I am currently out of town visiting family during my kiddos spring break, so I'm unable to do a Three Card Monday pull. I didn't want to leave you hanging, so I pulled a little card for us and thought we could take a deeper dive into the meaning of this card!

+++ TEMPERANCE +++

 (or the Heal Thy Self card)

Words that are associated with this card are Harmony, Moderation, Balance, Health, Healing and Protection. This card usually appears as a sign of healing or reconciliation - the two are not mutually exclusive and if you, like me, figured out SOME SHIT last week during Venus Retrograde, then it makes a lot of sense for Temperance to show up. I take it as a call for us to take some intensive time for self-care, to own our shit and delve into some radical self-acceptance. What does this mean for you and I? I think a large part depends on where we choose to expend our efforts and energy. We have to let go of the things that no longer serve us - unhealthy mental or behavioral habits, unhealthy or abusive relationships - and it's imperative that we hold ourselves accountable for our own part in creating (or staying complacent) in a toxic environment. Anger is when we drink the poison and expect the other person to die. This is a good time for us to take stock and re-evaluate our lives, to find union within ourselves and restore our health, mental and emotional balance. We can do this shit, Y'all.

 *These three card readings are intended for us all as a community and are therefore broad. If you are interested in a more specific, in-depth reading - we offer individual readings at Oracle as well! If you would like to schedule an appointment for an individual reading, you can do that here or give us a ring at 816.982.9550. You can also join us for one of our monthly Tarot Workshop & Happy Hour events and learn more about cartomancy!