Today's Tarot: Seven of Cups (wishes, dreams, options)

Today's Tarot: Seven of Cups

(Dreams, options, wishes)

The seven of cups is one of my favorite cards with one caveat and it's that old chestnut, "be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it."

The card shows up when we have options (and sometimes don't even know what those are) and we will eventually need to make decisions, but for the moment, we are still in the dreaming and wishing phase rather than the choosing a path phase. The trouble here is that if we choose blindly, or if we don't have all the information, we end up going in the wrong direction or just running in circles.

While that can be fun, it's not terribly efficient if you're trying to get things done.

So, here's the mission. If you want to indulge in some wishful thinking, by all means, spend a little time in La La land. It is healthy and fun and will even bring you ideas from far flung corners. And those ideas might just change everything.

However, when it comes time to choose among your options and start making those decisions, make sure you have all the information before you embark on a path. If you know exactly what you want, you will walk with purpose and your heart will feel lighter (even if you are a little scared of going for whatever it is you're going for). Fear is fine. It's a sign of change. But when you choose toward your highest good, underneath the fear is excitement and dare I say it, joy. 

It's a knife edge but if we are going to live authentically, it's the only way.

I am reminded of the amazing Anais Nin quote: "And then the day came when the pain of staying tight in a bud became greater than the pain it took to blossom."

Choose among your options toward your highest good and you will blossom.

Today's Tarot: The High Priestess (secrets, internal awareness, independence)

Today's Tarot: The High Priestess.

(Secrets, Internal awareness, Independence)

In my mind, there are two big archetypical women in the deck. The first is the Empress, who represents the caring, mothering aspect. Then, there is the High Priestess who represents the strong, independent aspect. She holds herself to herself, knows what she wants, and gets the job done.

She is fiercely independent. The trouble is, even she sometimes needs a helping hand, but often, she is too independent to ask. And, she might feel that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness so she carries on but therefore perhaps misses out on opportunities for growth and connection. That reluctance to ask for help, reliance on secrecy, and reticence can bring their own share of troubles. First, if we stay quiet about needing help, we miss opportunities to learn other ways of doing things. Second, we run the danger of becoming like the little hamster running in a wheel. The little guy runs, runs, runs, but he never gets anywhere.

Chances to change, learn, and grow must be grasped and utilized. If we don't, then we run the risk of remaining in a sort of stasis, like a deserted island. Sure, the island is pristine and lovely, but there's no life on it to bring it energy and vitality. 

The agitation that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone brings that spark and High Priestess can use that spark to fan all sorts of flames if she has the courage to make the choices that she internally knows she must make. But, often, the High Priestess remains a little removed from the mess of the every day and although she remains pristine, she also remains untouched and untouchable. 

That mess, that life brings the good, the bad, and the ugly. But, at least it brings ... something. And if what you don't want today is stagnation, then your mission is clear. Make your choice. Drink from one of the cups of chance and choose a path. Find that courage you already possess inside you. Once you do, you will be unstoppable.