“The quest for perfection can be exhilarating. Exhausting, but exhilarating!” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Welcome to Monday! A new week, a new start, a new opportunity to “get it right” !(Whatever your “it” may be.)

After last week’s messages regarding the many re-s of retrograde season (review, reflect, retool, reorganize, reconsider), we feel ready to “start” something; this is a week for moving forward carefully, perhaps somewhat slowly, with our renewed intentions to make the most of our plans. Our sleeves are rolled up and we are ready to do our very best!

CAUTION: Do not allow yourself to be bogged down with perfectionism.

How often have you heard the expression, “Practice makes perfect,” or thought to yourself, “I just didn’t try hard enough” when things did not turn out as you hoped? Too many to count, I am sure, and it was likely not your fault; no matter what you do, “perfect” is not attainable – it is a concept, not a hard reality, for human endeavors. Being human, we are not capable of perfection – face that fact, and everything gets a little bit easier. That is not to say you should not put your best foot forward at every opportunity.

REMINDER: There is no substitute for hard work, and best efforts. 

Let the start of this week be led with our true intentions to do our best without regard to how it may be judged against the performance of others; you do you.

Enjoy the new week!

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

 

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Hesitation. Practicality. Desires.

Our week of introspection and self-improvement is not over just yet; we have a weekend of careful deliberation before us.

Under normal circumstances, I would probably think of hesitation as a barrier to success but since conditions have been far from normal (seriously – what a week we’re having!), our hesitation is prudent and well-placed with practicality. It is a good time to think about what we want, and how best to pursue it – strategy will be the key to success. 

Take a break this weekend; do your strategizing from a comfy chair ,and jot down your thoughts. You will want to spend some time going over the ideas, developing the steps of your plan; if you cannot get to the practical conclusion you are seeking, try again. Patience will be required, and well worth the investment.

Enjoy a peaceful – and thoughtful! – weekend.

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

 

 

“Magic is always there. Learn to feel it.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

The cards this week have been about recognizing our own thoughts, decisions, and behaviors – and taking responsibility for them. Total bummer, I know, but it must be done.

ENTER THE MAGICIAN!!!! 

Paraphrasing Glinda, turns out we’ve had the power to straighten ourselves out the whole time – first steps were recognition and responsibility, now on to setting the corrected course!

Roll up your sleeves, get to work – you may have the power but you will have to get down and dirty with the mess to get it cleaned up.

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

“It’s bloody hard work keeping this thing going.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

“We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo, Walt Kelly

Extending yesterday’s theme of sleeping-in-the-bed-you-made, today we have The Devil of your own making. Once again, no one to blame but yourself.

Some ideas, no matter how good they may seem, can become destructive if allowed to take over; think about the “cheat meal” that turns into a “cheat day” and becomes “I can eat whatever I want” even though we already know mindless eating is very bad for our health. That’s the whole trick to The Devil; if not carefully managed, simple indulgences can become unhealthy addictions. 

Unfortunately, this energy is insidious; by the time we become aware that we are no longer in control, we have invested a great deal of time and energy into the thing – it is a part of us and our lives (actually, it was always a part of us, that’s the real rub, you realize) .

THE GOOD NEWS: We can shut it down immediately.

THE LESS GOOD NEWS: We may not realize the importance of shutting it down.

TAKEAWAY: Moderation is always the key; do your best to avoid the trap of this energy in the first place.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Staying grounded can help you avoid some of the more insidious energy traps that sap weaken us. The quickest and easiest grounding measure is wearing patchouli oil, or washing with patchouli soap. Among its many positive qualities, patchouli is instantly grounding as well as uplifting.   ((NOTE: If you do not like some of the more common patchouli products – “It smells like dirt!” is a comment I often hear – seek high quality oil for the earthy deep jasmine notes associated with this plant.)) 

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

“An honest look at your own actions will show you exactly how you came to this place.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

And now we know what High Priestess was smirking about.

If there is one thing I really hate, it is the full realization of my personal responsibility.

SHEESH!!!!! 

But seriously…

We play the cards we are dealt, and we live with the consequences; sometimes we win, sometimes we learn – just as it should be. 

TAKEAWAY: Do your best to be kind; everyone is dealing with their own past. 

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

 

“She’s completely batty, I tell you. Didn’t say a word that whole time. Just sat there smiling at me.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

WHATEVER IT IS, JUST TELL ME ALREADY!

I don’t know about you but I find her enigmatic know-it-all-smile irritating; easy for her – she already knows what’s going on as well as the likely outcome – and she doesn’t feel obliged to share the information. DRAT! 

WHY DOESN’T SHE JUST TELL ME ALREADY?!?!?!?

Short answer: That’s just not how it works; if you want to break the enchantment, you must figure it out for yourself. Additionally, you cannot provide the answers to anyone else – EVERYONE must figure it out for themselves.

Yeah, I know – FRUSTRATING!

As much as we may dislike the discomfort, this really is as it should be. Keep your eyes and ears open, trust your intuition, and pay attention to the vibes you get.

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Response. Aggression. Attrition.

WORD TO THE WISE: You need not attend every argument to which you are invited.

And you will be flooded with invitations this weekend!

It seems the previous days’ cards have been preparing you for this weekend; if you have been heeding the advice of the cards, you should be ready to handle this weekend’s chaotic energy – resist the urge to be drawn into the drama.

NOTE: I am not suggesting you abandon truly held beliefs or surrender sincere feelings or ideas. I am outright telling you the chaotic energy of this weekend will make it difficult to tell the difference between what is important and what doesn’t matter. Use the five-year test: Will this matter in five years? If the answer is anything less than strong “ABSOLUTELY!” let it go.

TAKEAWAY: Take it easy on yourself and others. Make plans to enjoy a peaceful Spring weekend; consider doing some gardening or visiting a local zoo, maybe fire up the grill or the backyard fire pit. If you desire time alone, seek it out with intention.    

For those celebrating Easter, enjoy this time with family and friends celebrating the spiritual renewal of His Resurrection; focus on all the ways you are lucky to have one another, ignore the differences (politics, etc.) you might otherwise be inclined to discuss.  

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

“As the great bard said, there is nothing either good nor bad but thinking makes it so.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Before the weekend arrives, let us take a day to review the energies and challenges we have been handling; Ace of Swords arrives as a timely reminder – old patterns may not serve under new conditions, it is time to think in new ways. 

Swords tend towards the dramatic; we use our own thoughts and ideas to create groundless angst and alienation for ourselves – a serious waste of imagination! However, we can always choose to think differently; when the Ace arrives, we must be ready to seize the opportunity to start again with new strategies.

SPOILER ALERT: The weekend cards are challenging; keep an open-mind and a clear head – you are going to need them both!

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))

“The consequences of your actions are at hand.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Justice returns to us that which is our own – ready or not. 

In keeping with the trials we are facing, Justice is right on time; “keeping it real” is no longer optional as the truth is all there is, and it must be handled. Most importantly, please remember to be kind to yourself and others; everyone is having a battle of their own – don’t pile on.

TAKEAWAY: You have Strength and Patience, you are ready to handle Justice. 

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))