Today's Tarot: the Devil (greed, imprisonment, self-deception)

I find this card a hard one to write about. There are so many connotations that people find it hard to objective about this card. We tend to ascribe so many meanings, facets, and patinas to it that we never get to bottom of things.

In my opinion, it is easy to put all the negative qualities we might feel internally onto a mythical figure, call him/it the ultimate in evil and be done with it. In some ways, that lets us off the hook. Here's the thing, though. It doesn't. That ol' chestnut, "the Devil made me do it," is the worst kind of cop out. Instead of standing up and saying, "yes, I have less than stellar moments. Yes, I've done things I'm not proud of but I am trying to make amends, trying to improve," we say, it's the fault of the Devil, with a big capital D. In the end, though, it isn't true, is it? In the end, we are responsible for what we do. We must take our less than stellar moments, accept that we were capable of them, and then do better.

So, yes, this card does mean greed. It means every single petty and not-so-petty time we have been greedy, small-minded, closed-minded, or mean. It's the ugly underbelly of our own highest thoughts and best attempts.

It also means imprisonment. As long as we don't accept our own faults and flaws, as long as we try to palm our negative qualities on some mythical man/beast/fallen angel, we stay imprisoned in our fear of being caught, in our terror of being found out to be less than perfect. In effect, we are sometimes terrified of being found out to be human. Humans run the gamut of actions and emotions. We can exhibit the kindness of the angels, or the malice of the devils. And we need to accept that both reside inside us. The ones we show to the world are entirely up to us. And, every single instant of every single day brings us to the fork in the road about what we will show to the world and what we will exhibit. Will it be kindness or malice? Will it be generosity or greed?

The key here is to remove the veils from our own eyes and see ourselves clearly. If we do that, then we arrive at that place of balance where neither devils nor angels hold sway. The old image of a person trying to make a decision with an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other comes to mind here. They are trying to talk the person into either doing the right or wrong thing, make the right or wrong choice. If the person accepts that the responsibility is ultimate his/hers, then the devil and angel no longer have a voice. Then, that voice is entirely internal and either the credit or the blame becomes internal as well.

So, today, when you are trying to reach decisions, trying to decide how to move forward, act in the moment, or say or do anything, remember the Devil is internal and he/she/it will always pull you toward greed at the expense of others and the kind of selfishness that is ultimately just a little malicious. Taking care of ourselves and being selfish in our self care is one thing. But doing so with complete disregard for others is another thing entirely.

I am reminded of the quote. “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”—Malcolm S. Forbes.

If the Devil is about greed, then this previous quote is its Achilles Heel.

Today's Tarot: Eight of Pentacles (study, learning, details)

Today's Tarot: Eight of Pentacles.

(study, learning, details)

You know that old saying that the Devil is in the details? That's absolutely the case today. Pay close attention to the details. Read, reread, and then re-reread everything. Make sure you have a clear picture of the exact situation in which you find yourself.

Another that is appropriate for today: Trust but verify (it even rhymes, in Russian).

There are things you need to learn, information you don't yet know, so trusting that you have the lay of the land is premature. Allow today to be a day of finding out, or at least of laying the groundwork for doing so. That way if/when you bite off more than you can chew, you will at least know just how much "trouble" you're in.

Oh, and if you've been thinking of taking a class, going back to school or educating yourself somehow, today is the perfect day to start.

Today's Tarot: Justice (Balance, Truth, Consequences)

Today's Tarot: Justice

(Balance, Truth, Consequences)

This can be a challenging card because it calls us out on our stuff. No one can lie to us like we can lie to ourselves. No one can rationalize for us like we can do to ourselves, and no one can take us for granted like we can allow to happen.

We lie to ourselves every time we say we're okay when we're not. Imagine if someone were to step on your toe, what would you say/do? Likely, you would say something like "Ow, that hurt." And what would they do? They would likely apologize. Now, imagine what happens when someone steps on your feelings. Do you ever just say, "Ow, that hurt?" Likely not. No, when someone hurts our feelings, we tend to suck it up and not express it. And that leaves everyone more in the dark. Here's the kicker: people will always hurt your feelings. We can't help it; it's how we're made. But, it's how we react when we do hurt them that is important. So, someone who hurts you and cares when you let them know, is someone to keep around. And someone hurts you and doesn't give a hoot is someone to give the boot. 

We rationalize to ourselves every time we promise, "I'll start doing this differently tomorrow." Now, the "this" can be eating better, exercising, writing, taking walks, stopping some negative behavior pattern, or starting a positive new one. As long as we put off what's good and correct for us, and we make internal excuses as to why we're putting it off, we are only kicking our own behinds. 

And last, every single time we allow ourselves to be taken for granted by something or someone external to us, we are selling ourselves short. Sure, it can be scary to stand up and fight for proper treatment, a raise, a job, a partner who supports you, and respect from those around you, but it is absolutely worth. If we swallow the fear, and do it anyway, we blaze a trail for ourselves to follow. And it is a fabulous and wonderful trail. Full of pitfalls? Yes. But the treasure of balance, stability, and self-respect at the end, is totally worth it.

Last but certainly not least, look for what will be the proper road for you, today. Walk the tightrope but use a balancing bar. And stay out of trouble with the law. No speeding, drugs, or driving after more than a beer. Or believe me, there will be serious consequences.

Today's Tarot: The Star (Dreams, Creativity, Inspiration)

Today's Tarot: The Star

Dreams, Creativity, Inspiration.

When I think of the Star card, I think of keeping your feet on the ground while reaching for your dreams. In the card, the figure literally has one foot on land (of practicality) and the other in the water (of dreams). She tells us to stay practical but always keep dreaming of the possibilities. The best part is when we get to act on those dreams from the stable base we've built for ourselves. And, when we do it on our own terms, so much the better.

So, today, I encourage you to spend a little time evaluating your dreams. What are they? How are you serving them right now? And what small or large thing can you do that will take you one step closer to fulfilling them?

Affirm for yourself that you deserve your dreams and act on that affirmation from a place of pragmatic wisdom. Then, the universe will be open to you. And that's just the best!

As always, if you want a more detailed reading: http://readingsbyizolda.com

This Week's Element: Fire

In "Life Elements" we discuss the transformative nature of Fire. Fire changes everything it touches. It is an alchemy by which one state of matter will change into another. If you want to cultivate the ability to enact change in your life, meditate on Fire's evolutionary nature. In order to begin one thing, you must end another. In order to create something, you must destroy something else. Fire does both, perfectly.

It's never as bad as it seems inside your head

Today's cards are: Nine of Swords, Two of Rods, and the Sun! Yep, I put an exclamation point at the end of the Sun(!) because it's just that kind of card and something needs to be done about that Nine of Swords.  That Nine of Swords squats inside your head and heart like a miasma. The worry you have doesn't help anything. It doesn't allow you to deal with the dramas and stresses of your life any better. In fact, it takes your focus away from being able to do what you need to do because you're too busy worrying about what you need to do to actually do it well. Here's a paraphrase of a quote that many have said better than I can. It is: "Worry doesn't solve tomorrow's problems; it saps today's joy." Truer words were never written (except perhaps 2+2=4). Really, that fear, that worry, that anxiety, they aren't at all helpful to you in getting anything accomplished. They just take energy away from you so you have less to devote to the very things you are worried about.

And here's the thing: the other two cards in today's draw? They are fabulous! The Two of Rods tells us that the world is ours. We can be bold. We can be original. We can grab life in our hands and fly. And the Sun gives us all the energy and childlike joy to do it.

So, whatever it is that has you worried, today, see if you can release it out into the universe. Stand outside and if it's at all breezy out there, let your anxiety blow away on the wind. Seriously, go outside. Take a break. Stand under the sun. Close your eyes. Take a minute away from all the other stuff going on around you. Whatever hectic pace everyone else has right now, doesn't have to impact you. Stand still and breathe deeply. Listen to the sounds around you. Let them flow over you. Notice and appreciate your feet on the ground. Feel the sun on your face. Come to a place of stillness, and the cares will dissipate.

Oh, you'll still have stuff to do. You'll still need to make plans and carry them out, but worry, that energy vampire, won't make you feel like you're crawling through molasses as you get it all done.

Personal Demons? What personal demons?

Ten of Pentacles, Page of Cups, the Hermit. Seriously? These cards? Together?? Normally, when I draw cards, I see some sort of story. This morning? Heh, it will take some doing. The best thing I can tell you is that your intuition is trying to tell you something. Stop ignoring it. Whatever is going on in your life, you're shutting your eyes and ears to an important message and the question to ask yourself is why? Why ignore what could be so very good for you? Why turn a blind eye to the truth that's been sitting up and begging to be acknowledged? Sometimes, we ignore the very thing we need to analyze, the thing that we need to address. When we do, it's often because we're afraid. Fear can be a great motivator, but it can also leave us paralyzed and today isn't a day to be paralyzed. Today is more a day to draw back and assess your feelings, your situation, and most of all, yourself.

Now, let's break down the cards. The Ten of Pentacles says you want a sense of permanence. The Page of Cups says new things are coming (especially on an emotional level) and that might be scary but needs to be addressed. The Hermit? The Hermit is a card of solitude. Allow yourself the time to be alone, and perhaps even lonely. That loneliness has information for you. It will help you figure out the very things you want and need. Look at it. Look at what makes you lonely in the moment. Is it a ghost of desires past, or is there something else you could be learning from it? Because if you can learn from this loneliness, well then, you'll never better for next time.

If you keep pushing yourself in the direction of people (who may or may not satisfy the loneliness and chances are they won't, because I'm betting it's an internal issue that needs to be addressed) then you won't make the decisions you need to make for your long-term wellbeing. Here's what sucks: what's good (or seems good) for you in the moment, is not necessarily good for you in the long run. So, consider turning your back on the shiny, pretty distractions. Instead, focus in on yourself, even if that kind of assessment scares you. Now, today, if you're going to get information on how to proceed, on what's best for you, it's going to be because you stand up to some of your internal demons and tell them to sit down and hush. They won't necessarily disappear, but at least they'll have to take notice that you're on to them and that eventually, you will kick them out on their rear ends.