Here we have Helen of Troy, the Queen of Cups. She is not just a pretty face though. She embodies the inner world of feeling. This means it is time to be honest with yourself and truly confront how you are feeling about a situation in your life. Some introspection is in order.

King of cups you gorgeous thing you. How have we not seen you here before? How? It is time for us all to meet the gifted counselor and healer within ourselves. You don’t feel this is something you have within you? Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me. I know sometimes you may feel like a hot mess not capable of helping yourself let alone others. But you know what? All that life experience makes you wise, provided you are paying attention of course, and fosters empathy and compassion.

On a more personal note I have been practicing Celtic Shamanism of late. When I walked into my studio this morning I said aloud the name Abhean, who was the harper god of the Tuatha Dé Danaan. Then I fixed a second cup of coffee before pulling this card. I smiled to see the harp displayed here on Orpheus’ lap.

You have a plan, your ducks are in a row, and the foundation is laid for success. Don’t sit back and expect it to all happen on its own though. Keep that momentum going and throw yourself into the hard work it is going to take to pull this project off. You have been given the keys to the castle, don’t be lazy about it now or you will find yourself surrounded by rubble. If you keep at though, you are poised for success!

Oh how I love this card. Ongoing contentment and permanence in the realm of the heart. Seems like we need this after the big giant slew of complications and intensity. Also, it looks like you made the right decision yesterday! Well done.

Better late than never? It’s been one of those days and I really didn’t have 5 minutes to spare! I’m still at work but before I head home I was determined to post today’s card…so here you go. That is dedication because I am really dying to go home. Anyway! The Lovers card denotes a choice needing to be made, often times in love, but not always. Sometimes this decision that needs to be made is one that is between what the head says it wants, what the heart says it wants, and what your instincts are telling you to do. Decisions, decisions. It’s never easy and each choice has consequences. If this has already manifested for you today and you still have a choice to make, I wish you the best with it. If you already made that choice I do hope it is smooth sailing!

It’s hard to look look at this card and think you are going to have a good day. It all depends on what your definition of a good day is. The way I look at it is, nothing is hidden. There will be no surprises today. You know exactly what you need to tackle (or battle – whatever). That can be a good thing. You know you’ve got this. Just keep fighting the good fight. Today will be filled with hard work and intense concentration. Maybe you should plan a little treat for yourself at the end of the day. It doesn’t have to be social. It could be a relaxing bath, a good book, and some quiet time for yourself. You will have earned it!

The cards have really been going in one direction lately so this morning I shuffled the heck out of the deck, took a deep relaxing breath, fanned out the cards…and then two cards really wanted to stick together when I went to select one. Who am I to argue with them? When this happens, as it sometimes does, I always pull them both. It amused me to no end to see both the King and Queen of Swords* come up! Here we meet Atalanta (the Huntress) and Odysseus (the Wily One). Atalanta often times represents perfectionism – which as you know is elusive at best – and Odysseus represents leadership and strategy. As we head into the weekend these are two good things to reflect upon. That creative thing that you have been working on or have been thinking about doing? Well get to it. Get it out there. No more hemming and hawing and thinking it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t ready.

*The King and Queen of Swords are not a married couple. Atalanta did marry but it was doomed from the start. Odysseus was married to Penelope (the Queen of Wands).

Willing sacrifice in the hopes that it will lead to something better. There is fear and anxiety, but also hope and a bit of optimism. There are worse things! These cards really have something to say, don’t they? Big changes on the horizon, folks; message received loud and clear.

Well this looks bad doesn’t it? It’s just that kind of week, dammit. This card represents a paralysis. An inability to face the situation at hand and thus resting isn a state of tense anticipation of the impending doom. You know what? F*ck that noise. Rip the bandaid off I say. Get it over with. Face it and move forward. The status quo is crappy anyway, and will change or blow up in your face regardless. Why not just deal with it now instead of making it more stressful by doing nothing or burying your head in the sand?

We have a sequel it seems. I shuffled three times, and cut the deck a few more and still managed to pull this card twice in a row. You really can’t escape fate. Something tells me you might feel a bit overwhelmed today, and maybe a little like you are alone and stepping into the unknown (and I confess I may have pulled a couple of extra cards to that effect). Whatever lies ahead you will handle it with grace. And it doesn’t have to be bad! Humans always think the worst is going to happen. It could be something spectacular, or eventually lead to a new and brighter phase of life on down the line. Go with the flow, people. You will be a lot happier for it.