Friday, August 9, 2013

Goddess Wisdom & Three card Soul Spread


Good morning friends! I have not forgotten about Insightful Oracle or my dedication to sharing & caring. I am making the most of what is left of the warm, sunny days. As it seems the leaves on beautiful oak trees on my property are starting to show signs that we just may have an early fall this year. I always appreciate the beautiful colors of fall, however, I'm not one that fully appreciates the cold, white fluffy stuff to follow.



The Goddess in Me ....


Today I pulled out my Affirmations for the Everyday Goddess wisdom cards. I would like to expand on this particular deck just for a few or more sentences (I hope you don't mind). I believe it was two years ago that I was a faithful follower of Divine Feminine Way. Pamela Wells' art is beautiful and I enjoyed reading her words of wisdom so much. At some point she had a give-a-way on her blog for the Everyday Goddess wisdom cards and that is how this gorgeous deck arrived to me. I have treasured this deck, sometimes more than my others as I have used almost daily since it's arrival. I use it for inspiration, reflection, contemplation, journaling, photography, and even as a source map for putting together digital art pieces. While I was offline for quite awhile - I am enjoying catching up with her website and all the new changes are wonderful! So - there's my bit of Universal Love for today - if you haven't already, I truly encourage you to visit her website, look around, and even consider obtaining the Everyday Goddess cards for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed!

Soul Spead - Three Card Spread

I drew The Moon from my Everyday Goddess deck this morning. Re-reading the companion book with the deck I discovered Ms.Well's included a simple three-card spread revolving around soul-searching. Or at least that is how I interpreted it. 

1st Card represents external reality. Things such as your employment, possessions, and relationships.
2nd card represents your internal reality. Things such as your current state of mind, emotions, and well-being.
3rd card represents the direction your soul is going or what your soul wants you to sustain and learn from.

So, to follow I used my Dragon Tarot (my second most loved deck) and drew ....
1. The Hermit
2. The Star
3. The Devil (reversed) 

I *could* share my interpretations of my own drawing. But, that would make for a lengthy post (as if I don't go on and on enough already!). But, briefly ...

1. The Hermit represents my lack of concern over material possessions and confirms that I do not allow external influences to distract from my goal of continuously attaining knowledge and wisdom. 
2. The Star represents personal transformation and a renewal of energies. One that I gratefully welcome!
3. The Devil (reversed) represents the deepest of me. He represents my detachment from the negative in my life in order to let the light shine in. This is not a detachment in a sense of just not caring about anyone/thing. But, a spiritual detachment - not defining ME by what I own or who I know/care about.

What about you? How have you been? Any thoughts on the above spread? 

With Love,

Mandy


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

A bit of Dis-Array so says the 10 of Cups

This blog, Insightful Oracle is a personal journey. There was a point in my life, just a few years ago where I could walk outside, take in a deep breath and feel complete contentment. Everything was the way it was supposed to be. Not perfect, not complicated - just the way it was meant to be. Following that particular feeling it seemed as though the Law of Attraction no longer held merit in my life. While I tried to keep myself grounded, compassionate, and at bay of negativity; it still infested my life. While I continued to hold steady and dredge the storm - inside I had moments where I just wanted to throw in the towel and say "Ok, you win." But, I haven't because I am stubborn and not willing to pass up an experience I am supposed learn from.

 While details are not of vast importance to soothe curiosity -  alcoholism has been the black plague I've battled for a little over ten-years. No friend - not me ... my addiction is coffee! My spouse. It has ripped apart every connection my family has. It has destroyed everything in it's path. It has, in my own observation been similar to a tornado in the midst of it's rage, destroying everything within it's path without mercy or regret.

Today I drew a card - a daily card. A method of study and reflection for myself. I didn't "think" I was allowing my brain to spin around in circles at the time of drawing. I'm convinced I was wrong. The cards felt my energies and that was enough to draw out what needed to be seen and reflected upon. I later subdued my curiosity with a reading and a single question ... "Where am I in my life right now, in this present moment?"

I used Doreen Virtue's Angel cards and it was confirmed ... the angels are singing: Reflect deeply, this situation you have tried to make work is not working. You can try again if you want to, but, understand - there is someone involved who lacks integrity and is oblivious to those surrounding him (my interpretation).

Thank you for the confirmation. *sigh* As we all know, the tarot doesn't always show us what we WANT to see - but, what we NEED to see to make the best choices possible. Or at least that's what I believe.

Life story set aside - I still completed my self assigned task of daily card reflection. The ten of Cups ...

Ten of Cups


Suit of Cups if the second suit in the minor Arcana.
Element: Water
The Ten of Cups is known as the "home and family" card.
Selected upright this card represents positive things, good things, and happiness.
Selected in reverse it could indicate a broken home, loss/grief, and/or disruption.

My interpretation of today's card and my surrounding circumstances -

The ten of cups is telling me to be strong, even if my values and beliefs are challenged. Stand up for what I believe in, fairly. It's presence is suggesting that someone I have a relationship with is disrupting the usual harmony and that the current situation is causing stress. The ten of cups confirms that my feelings of being "let down" is justified considering all aspects.

Perhaps today's study was a bit bias considering I was a bit taken aback at how this card was drawn considering my current situation and pending changes. Ironic? Truth be told - I'm glad it made it's presence today as it only helped me look deeper, reflect longer, and make sense of a few things I just couldn't wrap around my head for the longest time.

Thanks for reading.

With Love,

Mandy




Sunday, August 4, 2013

Three Wishes and The Challenge

"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't real as here and now?" - John Lennon


I was carefully looking through my Heart of the Fairies Oracle cards this evening and randomly drew a card. I had no particular reason or intent, but more or less to see - What did the Fae want me to know? I drew The Challenge. The Challenge card is number 56 and one of the sixteen journey cards. "These cards also stand for the stages of life's journey and will give insight into where the reader stands on this journey..."(Froud, 2010)

The Challenge is asking me if I am open to a new adventure or if I will allow my little inner voice criticize and tell me I'm not worthy enough.She is encouraging me to be brave, stand up to those that may try be an obstacle, and move forward. Interestingly enough - I have never been one to speak up and that little inner voice is constantly babbling away. Perhaps, The Challenge is speaking loudly today!

Reading further into the companion book I read Froud's Three Wishes Oracle spread. As instructed I was merely thoughtless while selecting my cards and placing them face down. I turned over the first card ... guess who shows her face AGAIN? Yes! The Challenge.

Froud states that wish one is "foolish" and what you believe you want. The second card represents what I need to do to make the first wish happen - that is if it's not wished in haste. I drew the Prince of Shadows - a Queen's consort, a dangerous card. A beautiful, nearly image of perfection that is tempting. The Prince of Shadows warns me of everything I want so badly, but will only hurt me in the end. This struck as very, very ironic providing my current circumstances and how the Prince of Shadows matches precisely someone very close to me, that hurts me so deeply. I believe the Prince of Shadows is representing a wish I have made daily, but telling me to "wake up and move forward, friend."
The last wish - I have already blew past two that I didn't really want, but were mere thoughts. The last wish - the Fae only give you three. There are six ladies in the Heart of the Fairies Oracle and I drew the Lady of Joy. I DO wish for joy and simplicity and all that's good. Not material joy either - mental and spiritual joy would be the perfect wish granted for me.

Three Wishes Oracle Spread


1-2-3

1. The first wish tells you what you want.
2. A transitional wish.
3. The Wise wish.


Froud, B. (2010). The heart of faerie oracle. (p. 89). New York, NY: Abrams.


I joined Tarot Forum - http://www.tarotforum.net/ - today. My username is MandyInsight. Hope to see you there!

With Love,

Mandy

Saturday, August 3, 2013

From Regret to Authentic Life

In truth, I can not figure out how I came across this particular post by James Wells, but I'm glad I did. In his post "From Regret to Authentic Life: A Tarot Spread" James shared a five-card spread he created that was inspired by Bronnie Ware, the author of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying and a "fruitful online conversation" about the book. (I might note that I intend to obtain a copy of this book as soon as possible.)


1. How can I remain true to myself?
2. How can I remember to set work aside for other important things?
3. How can I develop and maintain the courage to express my feelings?
4. How can I remember to stay in touch with people whom I love and value?
5. How can I demonstrate my choice to be happy?

Card 1 - The Lovers


A major Arcana card. I have always been a follow your heart type of girl, sometimes allowing intuition and emotions to rule. In the past few years I have learned consider all motives and consequences before making a choice. With this method of decision making I have learned there is a bountiful difference between fear and love OR as one wise friend said "fear OF love." My interpretation of The Lovers is the clarification of  my set beliefs of following the heart, however still remaining aware of all surrounding elements. In other words - don't jump to conclusions or make spontaneous choices I may later regret heart-fully.

Card 2 - King of Cups


One of my favorite cards in context of a balance and the ability to handle all challenges with a graceful intellect. Six months ago I had a very troublesome time managing sixteen hours of managing a store and raising children. In fact, I worked so much that I became physically ill and left - voluntarily. Prior to this position and presently I have always taken such pride in my ability to manage my time effectively - without a routine or list. I believe the King of Cups presence in my spread is a nudge to remember the vast importance of assuring everything is well balanced, well approached, and done with intellect.

Card 3 - Three of Swords


The Three of Swords is calling me out on a character trait of mine - not speaking up. If I'm hurt, I don't share it. If I'm angry, I don't share it. If I'm unhappy, I don't share it. Anything negative is seeded deeply inside of me and from past lessons - can boil over at any given moment. I believe the Three of Swords presence is a warning, telling me that I do not open up and share (express) myself I am bound to reach that boiling point. 


Card 4 - Six of Cups



This card threw me for a loop in truth. I was not quite sure how to interpret it, but, I did reflect on it and try to make some sense of it's presence. I must accept my current, present circumstances instead of spending so much time thinking about the past. While the past and the "good times" DO in fact make me happy, that is not helping me make new "good" memories. I believe the Six of Cups is reminding me to be conscious of my past while being alive and aware of my present.


Card 5 - The Chariot



Sign of Cancer and Element of Water - both of mine. The Chariot shows my true worth with it's presence. I am characteristically determined, controlled, and well disciplined. I can approach nearly any situation with a calm demeanor and empathetic heart. But, most importantly - I believe in me and that alone - is how I choose to express my happiness.


This was a reflective reading for me. I found myself frowning and smiling, but, as we all know that sometimes Tarot doesn't show you what you WANT to see and instead shows what you NEED to see. 

Thank you James for the wonderful spread I will use and share with others. 

With Love,

Mandy



Friday, August 2, 2013

Personal Interpretations - Three of Cups

I suppose I am on a bit of a research and comparison mission today. Mainly to suffice my own curiosity. The big question is:

How to interpret individual tarot cards?
With a bit of google love, anyone can come up with thousands of pages containing meanings, definitions, tried and true interpretations, but - which one applies where, to who, and how?

When I first began using Tarot I found myself so overwhelmed that I walked away from them for quite some time. I was reading an abundance of material that contained many opinions, theories, and philosophies on the wrong and right way of using and interpreting Tarot cards.

Guess what? They're ALL wrong. In my opinion, there are NO rules. You select a deck which represents who you are emotionally and personality wise. Or even one that you just may find attractive, but none the less you feel some sort of un-explainable connection with a particular deck. You than begin reading books, interacting online, visiting blogs, and before you know it you are experiencing Tarot burnout. OucH!

Now please remember friends, as I share, expand, and babble off into the wonderful, endless chaotic thoughts of mine - this is purely reflection. A learning tool of sorts. I have referenced each and every word for respect of the other, NOT to contradiction their thoughts. Please view this post as a way to expand our views on individual cards. Learning from everyone! So lets compare and discuss! 
I asked my son to randomly draw a card from my Dragon Tarot deck today. So - this is the card of topic for today's post.

Three of Cups

Minor Arcana - May be referred to as the Three of Chalices in some decks.

"The Three of Cups is representative of friendships and collegiate, harmonious relationships." - Biddy Tarot

"In general, things should be going well." - Psychic Revelation

"This card often carries the meaning of joyful social contact..." - Wikipedia

"This card is both a portent of celebration and cause for it. It tells of great happiness in the future for you." - Trusted Tarot

"What is signals most strongly, however, is being with those who are emotionally in tune with you and you with them." - Aeclectic Tarot

"So Three of Cups tarot card shows the we found joy and fulfillment in love and devotion. It is joy, pleasure, and healing." - Dragon Talisman

"Rather than simply two forces working together towards the purposes of love and harmony, the Three of Cups represents all kinds of people or groups who work as one." - ATA Tarot

Do we see an on-going theme?

Friendship
Positive
Social Contact
Celebration
Emotional Connection
Groups/Teams

I view the Three of Cups as a unity and bond between people. Not in any particular context, but more in a broad sense. For example, interactions between myself and brother, or my friendship with my co-worker, even the simplicity of daily interactions with my daughter. I however, have no firm conviction of whether this card is positive or negative. I believe the surrounding cards within a reading would influence it as well as, the placement of the card in the spread.

The Suit of Cups - from my own Tarot Journal


Representation of the water signs - Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio
The Elemental of Water
Signifies emotions and emotional connections
The heart
Links include psychic powers, sensitivity, eclectic

In conclusion, the Three of Cups has a global meaning. But, in retrospective has an individual meaning - one that ONLY you can define.

What is your interpretation of the Three of Cups?

Much Love,

Mandy














Thursday, August 1, 2013

Personal Interpretations - Lady of the Forest


Looking at The Heart of the Faerie (Personal Interpretations & Considerations)

Brian and Wendy Froud's The Heart of Faerie Oracle deck has thirteen archetypes. According the companion book of the deck "..archetypes are everlasting." Somethings are un-changing, at least they seem so.

Today's faerie card revealed The Lady of the Forest. She represents the feminine half of all that's equal. Male and female. This card represents looking deeply into the feminine aspects on one's life, surrounding circumstances, and all involved. 

I quote from page 41 of the companion book - "When you change on a profound level, those changes can take a longtime to manifest in the world."


Are you truly in-tune with your feelings?

The Lady of the Forest to me, represents connection, emotional connection as this is the deepest and most intimate connection humans can experience. 

These changes can be subtle, take place over a long period of time, or so quickly that it is dizzying. But, what the Lady of the Forest wants you to consider is ... can you truly FEEL the changes?

To learn more about this particular deck visit The World of Froud. This information is not sponsored nor is the mention paid for. The link is provided for informational purposes only.

What are your thoughts? 

Do you have a different personal interpretation? 

Please do share your thoughts. I love talking to readers.

Much Love,

Mandy