Day 27 - Tarot Challenge…

Samhain and Halloween are coming on fast, so we must take swift action to prepare for whatever we have planned. Whether it’s a costume, party, parade, gathering or a spell to cast, the time is now to decide exactly how we would like to celebrate, so we can implement our strategy with quick ideas. Use your intellect to bring these ideas to life for this spooky weekend ahead and the wickedly wonderful evening of Halloween. Sharpen the senses and charge into your ghoulish plans with magic and determination at the forefront of your journey and the ghosts of your ancestors following closely behind.

If you are still looking for a fun Halloween Event, check out the Tarot Halloween Experience I lead for Uncommon Goods. Monday 10/30 at 7:30pm and 9pm and Tuesday 10/31 at 7:30pm and 9pm. Sign up for the class only and bring your favorite deck of cards to the Zoom Room! It will be a fun moment to share in the magic of a thin veil! www.uncommongoods.com

“I was born on the night of Samhain, when the barrier between the worlds is whisper-thin and when magic, old magic, sings its heady and sweet song to anyone who cares to hear it.”
― Carolyn MacCullough, Once a Witch

The Knight of Swords from The Paul O’Mara Tarot Deck

Day 26 - Tarot Challenge…

Pull back the veil and embrace the most colorful and lush part of your ancestry! Explore the idea that your unique qualities are not meant to be hidden away, but rather embraced and displayed with pride. Consider yourself just one bright and full pumpkin or gourd on a long vine that winds its way through time and space. All the power and juiciness of the lives lived before you has infused you with mysterious but royal power. Sit on a throne of confidence and authority by exhibiting all which makes you special. Don’t hold back - even the most unexplored aspects of your personality are there for a reason - they were passed down through the ages and gifted just to you. Use the eccentricity you have inherited from your family lineage to reign supreme. And then - consider what elements of yourself you might bequeath to those who are forthcoming.

“There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children - one is roots and the other, wings.” - Hodding S. Carter

The King of Pumpkins (Pentacles) from the Halloween Tarot by Kipling West

Day 25 - Tarot Challenge…

The veil is thinning more and more each day, my friends, so expect the unexpected as you move toward Halloween! I love the question of the day in this challenge, because I often find myself asking for the help of my ancestors and the sign received is quite magical. They are whispering to you to trust - trust the magic of your inner wisdom. Recently there was a scientific study which provided evidence that learned behavior can be inherited through multiple generations. So, you see, it’s likely we are imprinted with the experiences of those who came before us - those whose blood still dwells in our veins. Whether or not this sounds good to you, it is undeniable that you have carefully written in your DNA ancestral messages. Listen to your instincts - they were not given to you by accident. They are a gift from the ghosts who came before you and they hold incredible information meant to be deciphered and acted upon. If you truly want to taste the juicy seeds of your life, you must trust in and pursue your innate talents.

“To forget one’s ancestors is to be a book without a source - a tree without a root.” -Chinese proverb

The High Priestess from The Ghost in The Machine Tarot

Day 24 - Tarot Challenge…

Where will we begin to understand what our magic has manifested? Under the dark night sky far away from the circus of life. The funhouse of existence is sometimes not so fun, so make a little time to relax in seclusion bathed in the light of the moon. Chase away the scary clowns that haunt you, find solitude and embrace the chill of the dark October night. There you will connect to the easy calm of quiet introspection and out of that darkness a voice will come - an internal whisper that will give you the answers you seek. Listen intently, for you will feel a great sense of relief in what has been revealed to you through the magic of your own internal peace. You don’t always need sunshine to see what is truly there. Sometimes the darkness is more revealing.

“People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.” - Elizabeth Kubler Ross

The Sun (Reversed) from The Freak Show Circus Tarot by Fran Carras

Day 23 - Tarot Challenge…

The longing for days of the past can fill the heart with a dose of vitality. A pinch of nostalgia for who you once were can help you full realize who you would like to be today in this dark web of October. Embrace the idea that the former you still dwells deep within and invite them into the the present moment to encourage juicer living. What might they say to you about who you are today? What lessons has that former version of self learned about “give and take” that you may need a healthy reminder of in the here and now? Don’t discount your past as guide map for infusing life with vibrancy. The spirit of who you once were can help you put your finger on the pulse of your deepest, darkest desires.

“There are such beings as vampires. Some of us have evidence that they exist. Even had we not the proof of our own unhappy experience, the teachings and the records of the past give proof enough for sane peoples.” - Bram Stoker

The Six of Cups (Reversed) from The Vampire Tarot by Robert Place

Day 22 - Tarot Challenge…

The spooky season is full of frightfully delightful thrills, but can be quite confusing. Decisions must be made on how to proceed in the winter months ahead, but maybe we don’t have to focus on such decisions today. What to channel in the here and now? A healthy disregard for important choices on the table. Life is so impermanent and there is no better season to remind us that sometimes we turn the smallest of issues into the biggest horrors in our mind - and what is it all for?!? The haunting reality is that if we need more space and time, our most terrifying obligations can always wait. Today tonight and for the whole week ahead, conjure more time and space for yourself by forgetting about all the decisions hanging over you. Ease into the cold, dark chill of mid-October with a commitment to a free mind and let your spirit linger in the abyss. Let your mind release the spirits that linger there.

“One need not be a chamber to be haunted. One need not be a house. The brain has corridors surpassing material space.” - Emily Dickenson

The Two of Swords from The Dark Fairytale Tarot by Gina M Pace for Lo Scarabeo

Day 21 - Tarot Challenge…

The Chariot returns in our challenge - emerging from the fog to force us into immediate action. This ghostly messenger wants us to use what we have at our disposal to make the most of our path forward, through the darkness toward greater clarity. Drive, confidence and execution are what we have acquired along the way, but resourcefulness is what we truly need in order to grow on this journey. So, through the murky night we advance with the natural light of our personal drive leading the way. What is one action you can take this night to move closer toward your goal for the month? Healing is on my agenda and I have already done extensive research to gain more information about my current condition. All of the necessary appointments have been made, but right now I will be reaching out to find more of the emotional support I will need on my journey. What will you do? Time to race toward action, my friends….

“To find the truth, one must travel a dense fog!” - David Dweck

The Chariot from The Ghost Tarot by Davide Corsi

Day 20 - Tarot Challenge…

Practice makes perfect and it’s time to put all of our manifesting energy into practice. In this magical phase of our October Tarot Challenge, what should we know without a doubt? Just like the seeds of a pumpkin, the power to grow and manifest has always lived within us. Our magic is supported by the universe and protected by Mother Nature herself, so get outside and soak in the beauty of the natural world around you. We are one with the world around us - outside forces provide us with the nurturing love we need, but we hold within us the juicy seeds of magic that will grow with wild abandon under the hazy October moon. But, also, do not discount the support of your fellow pumpkins growing from the vine, because shared energy is quite nourishing. Embrace the promise of what you can grow into, feel the magnification of communal spiritedness and then trust that the Empress will deliver.

“Mother nature is our teacher - reconnecting us with Spirit, waking us up and liberating our hearts.” - Sylvia Dolson

The Empress from The Trick or Tarot Deck - Tarot by Duck Soup

Day 19 - Tarot Challenge…

Rising to the top as we spin our wheel is the opportunity to set strong roots which will help us find greater foundation and security. Connect to those that provide the promise of proliferation and the loyalty you know you deserve. Hold on to what you have that is reliable and get ready for expansion in all directions. Let your roots grown down into the depths of the dirt below you to ground you with strength and let your branches and leaves reach for the sky and dance in the wind. Falling to the bottom is the emotional regret and guilt we feel about relationships left behind. If you had to slither away it was for good reason, so why hold onto the shame and disappointment of what was never meant to be. Release what weighs you down and makes you feel empty and strange. Hold on to what is tangible and let it and yourself grow toward possibility so you might anchor yourself in stability .

“A tree has roots in the earth, yet reached to the sky. It tells us in order to aspire, we need to be grounded and that no matter how high we go, it is from our roots that we draw sustenance.” - Wangari Maathai

The Four of Pentacles & the Eight of Cups from The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham

Day 18 - Tarot Challenge…

The recurring threat to our magic and how we may prevail are being revealed as we continue to spin the wheel in this October challenge. It’s clear from this draw that exhaustion is threatening to overtake us. Lack of motivation may recur, as thoughts feel imbalanced. Discord of the mind will try to overwhelm us and while the leaves fall away, we will be tempted to slack off into mindless distractions. But, if we continue to put the work in, what will help us truly fight the insidious evil of lethargy is well deserved rest. Instead of being lazy - welcome truly restorative slumber that is earned once you have put in the real work of what needs to be created, crafted or accomplished. Be mindful of self and choose gestation with purpose, instead of wasteful inactivity.

“Always keep in mind that training stimulates growth, but that actual growth takes place when you are resting.” - Arnold Schwarzenneger

The Four of Swords (Reversed) & The Seven of Pentacles from The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham

Day 17 - Tarot Challenge…

Powerful cards fly in to answer the following questions: What should I begin and how will it end? It’s time to start living braver and freer in our lives! This version of the Chariot challenges us to fly in with fierceness, use all of the power that lives within us and snatch up what we aiming for. It’s time to soar into action and wildly grab hold of the change that we seek. Start today by doing something you have been longing to do, but putting off. How will this end? This Wheel appears almost in a taunting way - all elements daring us to embrace the unknown and readying us for twists and turns that will surprise and delight. The end will feel like the beginning in this case - but we will land in a place where we love the idea of constant change and challenge. Let’s face it, life should be as thrilling as a roller coaster, otherwise, what is the actual point?!? Fly in with fierceness and let it spin, my friends….no time for static.

“Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive and moribund.” - Anthony Bourdain

The Chariot and The Wheel of Fortune from The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham

Day 16 - Tarot Challenge…

What shall we manifest in this endeavor?! In what you are after, there are two versions of self that emerge - one knowing and one quite blissfully unaware. You may have been enjoying the sense of carefree easiness that lack of knowledge carries with it. Or, you may have been feeling quite frustrated because you just can’t tell why you aren’t satisfied as you walk the long hallways of your life in darkness, trying to open the doors. But, in the manifestation of this magic you have been conjuring, your knowing self is about to align with that innocence in way that will provide you with true power and harmony. In fact, the true reward of this sorcery you have been conjuring is this powerful alliance of knowledge with serenity! Your world will benefit from this level of balance and grounded intelligence. Sometimes knowing more is all you need to take control of a situation and your life. Let these two sides of who you are join forces for your magical benefit.

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” - Confucius

The Two of Pentacles from The Tarot of the Haunted House by Sasha Graham

Day 15 - Tarot Challenge…

Now we are diving deep into our emotional depths to further spark our magic this month, and I must say, the message from my deck is a little too close to the heart in my case. It’s one of those moments where I can almost hear my deck laughing at me as it doles out the tough love. Very potent messaging coming through. In my case, my entire goal in this spell-casting mission has been about healing and restoration based on some recent health challenges I have been facing. Part of the information coming to light has been a sudden intolerance to certain things - wine, regretfully being one of them. If you know me, you know how much of a oenophile I have been for most of my adult life, so this news has been (sorry for the pun) hard to swallow. Here we go with the reversed Five of Cups - Letting go of an addictive behavior that is no longer serving me and working hard to keep from fixating on what I do not have. This message, coupled with the image of the woman in the wine cellar - OUCH! Got it. It’s easy to recognize now that my emotions are tied to this part of my journey in a way that will require extra attention. I embrace that which is hard for me in this moment of discovery. I free myself from the deep feelings that a part of who I am is somehow connected to the fermentation of grapes which I can no longer indulge in. I look forward to discovering what IS available to me. I welcome healing, even when it challenges me in emotional ways.I hope you will, too!!!

“Healing is a choice. It’s not an easy one, because it takes work to turn around your habits, but keep making the choice and the shifts will happen.” - Yehuda Berg

The Five of Cups (Reversed) from The Tarot of The Haunted House by Sasha Graham

Day 14 - Tarot Challenge…

How can we conjure what we need? It’s time to get territorial to stand up and defend the work we’ve put in so far on our journey! Any threat that comes your way can thwart the progress you have already made, so be ready to take action in protecting that inner fire. Think on challenges of the past to inspire that determined energy you will need in order to make the impact you intend. Push away any nay-sayers and make sure you stay on top of what needs attention. Fire is passion, so call upon your own burning desire for the best result. This is hard work, but you have the enduring spirit to accomplish what you’ve set out to do. Set the world on fire!

“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” - John Wesley

The 7 of Wands from The Tarot of the Haunted House by Sasha Graham

Day 13 - Tarot Challenge…

Let’s cut into the core of this spell-casting challenge and evoke the element of air. Communication, thoughts and ideas can certainly haunt our good intentions, so what can we shed - 7 of Swords? Time to stop thinking we are being hunted and feeling like we constantly have to look over our shoulders. No more worry about who to trust and what others may know about us. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. It’s the fear we are carrying in our minds that threatens to stifle our endeavor. What are we keeping - 8 of Swords (Reversed)? It’s time to trust the dark shadowy light of the Moon inside of us. We are not prisoners to our thoughts, but rather, if we look far within the murky terrain of our mind, we will become the masters of our destiny. Let us fly into the night like a wild bat by truly understanding that the power of thought cuts deeper than a superficial flesh wound. Let’s use this pain and worry to our advantage, my spooky friends….

“Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial and dedication. It is fearlessness and love.” - Vince Lombardi

The 7 of Swords and The 8 of Swords (Reversed) from The Tarot of The Haunted House by Sasha Graham

Day 12 - Tarot Challenge…

Though it feels we have focused so much on how we might best send our intention out into the world, you never really know how the reward of your hard work will manifest. As we put our final touches on this little spell we’ve crafted, let’s think about how we might shake all elements up in order to charge our hopes and dreams with a more electrifying energy. Turn it upside down and expect that what you might expect in return could be full of surprises. In fact, use your night as a wind up for the flip you are about to take - do everything you had planned differently. If you were seeking a shake up or an alternative perspective, you can bet your brand of magic will deliver. Welcome an unsettled feeling in your stomach - butterflies of the unknown and see where that uneasiness leads you in this journey. For me, the idea of healing may mean changing a lot of how I exist - that has become clearer and clearer in this challenge and, though it’s daunting, I feel ready. Let your spell fly to your desired destination, but recognize that you may not be able to control how it arrives. Take the risk of allowing for surprise.

“I do believe in an everyday sort of magic — the inexplicable connectedness we sometimes experience with places, people, works of art and the like; the eerie appropriateness of moments of synchronicity; the whispered voice, the hidden presence, when we think we’re alone.” ― Charles de Lint

The World (Reversed) from The Alchemical Tarot Renewed by Robert Place

Day 11 - Tarot Challenge…

“Now is the time…this is the hour…show me what this spell will empower!” Oh - Ten of Cups emerges with emotional juice and the promise of colorful fulfillment! Be ready to transform yourself and the world around you toward radiant possibility. But, also, the enjoyment of the spell and this great shift within will be palpable. Drink in the colors of jubilation and be ready to share the overflowing love of your own experience. You have opened up a portal to rich gratification. Rewards will flow from all places and all people. And remember, some may feel unexpected or strange, but these too are magical offerings. Accept the gifts you receive with full gratitude emanating from your pores. Feel the warmth of the universe embrace you as you grow and expand. Your spell is working, my friends!

“Everything is a gift of the universe - even joy, anger, jealousy, frustration or separateness. Everything is perfect either for our growth or our enjoyment.” - Ken Keyes Jr.

The Ten of Cups - Deck unknown, but what a gift! Anyone know what deck this is from?!? Type it in the chat, if you do!!!

Day 10 - Tarot Challenge…

Banish all feelings of guilt or shame - you are allowed to be selfish! This spell is all about you. Listen - self care, self love and self adulation are what you need to make your sorcery resonate. What gift can you give yourself to solidify the wish at hand? For me, since healing and restoration are at the forefront of my magic, I’ll be treating myself like a queen in every moment I can claim for self. Calming music, warm baths, foot massage?!? Maybe, I’ll even go shopping for something quite frivolous. But, whatever you do to gift this magic to yourself, use it as a means of intensifying your intention. Draw in what you need, what you crave, what you desire most of all, but do not let the guilt creep in with it. You deserve every little gift, so take what is yours and watch the magic multiply!

“How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” - Rupi Kuar

The Six of Pentacles (Reversed) from The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham

Day 9 - Tarot Challenge - Rule of Three…

On Day 9 of this wickedly wonderful Tarot Challenge, we come to some spell casting, my friends! Three threes making up the number 9 and as we know, the number three is a very potent and magical number. Today, you can find a “rule of three” existing in business, writing, psychology, math and even comedy. But the original rule of three is definitely about manifestation. Let’s put it to good use!!! Use your own cards to draw for self, but you can also follow along on my journey, as I always pull for all when sharing on social. What I send forth - The Star is the card I selected. I’ve been combatting some non-serious, but life interfering health issues, so high on my agenda is healing and restoration. I hope to restore my energy and regenerate my path, in doing so, I also put this wish out into the world for all I know and have known. I am on the right track, but I wish for even greater healing, health, restoration and regeneration for all. In fall, we can let all that does not serve us fall away to reveal more of our true selves. Let the senses heighten in a strong, but open way and let’s all glow anew through the winter season ahead! Coming back to us will be three things - 1. work well done with a profitable outcome, 2. individualism and a reevaluation of relationships that drain our emotional wellspring and 3. a deeper and more understanding bond with the people and things we truly love. Overall, refocusing on restoration of self and personal wellbeing will help us shine anew and be prolific!

“The Rule of Three (also Three-fold Law or Law of Return) states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times.” - Online definition of The Rule of Three

The Star - The 7 of Pentacles - The Three of Cups (Reversed) - The Lovers from The Dreaming Way Tarot by Rome Choi

Day 8 - Tarot Challenge - The Witch…

If you want your magic to flow, you need to direct it toward yourself. You need a transfusion of life affirming energy that will reinvigorate your life’s meaning. So, this week sink your teeth into the idea of self care in the ways that will revitalize your inner magic. Dare I suggest a spooky meditation to reconnect with your inner motivation? Or some down time, reflecting on the nighttime moon to explore the darker parts of who you are in a way that might inspire you? Even asking spirit guides, ancestors or just your own version of universal partnership for a little fortification of literal life blood could re-spark the light of your personal sorcery. The flow lies within, so find your own way to drink the juice of life into your heart. Restore, revitalize and make magic…

“You know what the issue is with the world? Everyone wants a magical solution to their problem, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.” — Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Judgement (Reversed) from The Halloween Tarot Deck by Kipling West