Month: January 2013

Quote of the Day – January 21

“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.”
― Spencer Johnson

 

Is it possible to be honest without integrity? I try to speak the truth as far as I know it to the best of my ability but am I willing to go further on my own journey? Can I look at my blind spots so that I can be more honest and have more to share?
Is it possible to have integrity without honesty? Ah, the recipe for a good villain, one who knows what he is and gleefully follows through. Yet at the same time, he or she misses the point that we are all interconnected and to do something to another is usually a way of trashing part of ourselves so their integrity only reaches so far and they stop themselves from fully integrating with others. Now I don’t consider myself a villain (not sure many outside of fiction do) yet there are times when people I meet are so mired in illusion that to be honest with them means to confront and either anger or sadden them. It seems easier to keep what I see to myself and be supportive rather than be honest and well, kick a person when they’re down. Even tho at times that may be the fastest way to help them to their feet. Occasionally they really do want to lie there and then I ask what would a friend do, a true friend? Ultimately I have realized that there while there is a clear answer, how honest I am depends on the situation. Am I hurting myself by this dishonesty, quite possibly? Am I hurting them? I am not sure.
Blessings, G

 

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Soft Journey

Soft Journey by G A Rosenberg

 

Shoots and Ladders

Shoots and Ladders by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Ace of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

 

ace of Pentacles

Tarot – Ace of Pentacles (revised) by G A Rosenberg

 

Desire grounding in reality
New roads appearing in my destiny
Finding my way has gotten easier
down to earth feels good if messier
Looking at all that nature has given me
grounded growing seeing what’s inside of me
Realizing that this my new beginning
having to surrender my losing to my winning
–G A Rosenberg

 

Seed begins sprouting

Life’s potential eminent

Planted in our hearts

 

In the tarot  the suit of Pentacles refers to the element of Earth and of practical matters such as work and partnerships of a business nature and of the home, the business side of the relationship. It also speaks of the natural world and feeling grounded.  Where the other suits speak of potentials in abstract matters, Pentacles speak of concrete realities. The Ace shows the seed of this speaking at once of beginnings , strengthening and renewal.

In a reading the Ace of Pentacles can refer to a new business opportunity, renewed strength and trust in a relationship or a feeling of groundedness after a long period of being scattered. It can also mean new money coming in and a new period of health and vitality. When reversed, it is not so much that these things aren’t present as that they are not appreciated. As in the most beautiful sunset in the world being missed out by the couple arguing over finances. Money conflicts can also be signified by the reverse Ace of Pentacles

Quote of the Day – January 20 2013

“You become powerful when you find the infinty at the centre of your Self. Then, and only then can you extract and wield Excalibur.”
–Malcolm Cook

 

Lately I have become friends with several people who wish to use some form of magic to control either their circumstances or even to effect change on a country or planetary level. They play all kinds of games seeking to bring themselves power. I can understand that. We all want things to go our way and especially when younger we want what we want when we want it.
However when it comes down to it, we are all ultimately powerful, we have this infinite core from which all manner of things can come. If we feel brought down by loneliness, by working on ourselves and our perception, we can see how connected we are to everything around us. In realizing this the way we act in relationship to this realization ends up attracting others and Boom the problem of loneliness is solved.
In much the same way we can attract money and fulfilment. It all comes down to being willing to as one friend says “do your f*cking yoga”– if we put half as much time in on self-knowledge, self-control and self-work that we do on trying to control our circumstances and the world than things would fall into place much faster.  The funny thing is that working on one’s self is to acknowledge our own responsibility in the equation. So often people want to be able to place the ‘blame’ on external causes when they fail to look at themselves. Of course self-work often means giving up the buzz of the quick fix. I’d rather go for joy than pleasure any day

Blessings, G

 

A quick postscript. Please do not interpret the above as meaning that I see no value in the practice of magic. Indeed, I believe that ritual can be a powerful tool in self-development. The great work that most magicians speak of is related to the realization of one’s own highest being and will.

 

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Complex Violet equations

Complex Purple Equations by G A Rosenberg

 
Mandala in the eye of the Hawk

Mandala within the Eye of the Hawk by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Ace of Swords

Ace of Swords

 

Ace of SwordTarot- Ace of Swords (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

 

A new thought’s dawning

Separate from past errors

Embrace future’s hope.

 

Excalibur
I drew you in the darkness
when I had lost my way
With no hope
one road looks much like another
Now I have drawn you
and all false paths fade away
and my destiny is clear
Onwards!!

 

The suit of swords represents thought, ideas and plans. The Ace of Swords reveals a new way of thinking and a clear direction. It represents discernment and new insights into which way to go.  In discernment, we transcend duality. No matter how clear the path our discernment shows us we still need to follow through. The aces are after all but seeds. How well we are prepared and whether we find our way to its end is up to us.

 

In a reading the Ace of Swords can represent both a new way of looking at things or seeing something that we were missing before. It can show a new clarity of thought or perception. It can also represent a new conflict that has arisen and a new challenge to be faced.

 

When reversed the clarity of the sword has been obscured. There may be confusion where the path cannot be seen. The Ace reversed can also represent delusional thinking where our prejudices and preconceptions are interfering with clear thought.

Quote of the Day – January 19 2013

“Art with contempt in it is always sour.”
— Spider Robinson

 

…and then some nights. It seems lately I have been able to work on being more patient and lowering my frustration level. I feel I try to listen to what people are saying and be understanding. Then there are nights like tonight where it all falls apart. Little frustrations get to me and any discussion becomes about defending my turf. I know better, really I do and it comes down to a realization that I have come a ways on the road but I am not quite there. What is my irritation teaching me? Most importantly of all, where’s the humour? Perhaps the most important question. If you can laugh than internal balance can be restored. If you can laugh with the people you were just feeling anger with, the situation quickly becomes defused.
Blessings, G

 

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Sacrifice
Sacrifice by G A Rosenberg

 

Infinite Tower

Infinite Tower by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Ace of Cups

ACE OF CUPS

 

Ace of Cups

Tarot – Ace of Cups (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

 

For too long my spirit  felt depleted
I didn’t know what was needed
Emptiness contained within me
Not so much emptiness as a polluted sea
run dry

 

Now out of nowhere, something new has appeared
this cup in front of me has washed away my fear
I feel reborn; love and creativity
has given me renewed vitality
Renewal

 

The cup’s been offered

Drinking from it heals the heart

and renews the soul

 

The suit of cups in the tarot represent love and our emotional natures. How open are we to receiving that which is offered? What conditions do we place on love and how are we in relationship? The ace of cups (like the other aces) is a seed that contains within it all of the healing and renewal that love can bring. How ready for it are we? Can we drink deep from the cup offered or do we reject it either because we mistrust what is offered or we fear where this new road can lead. The Holy Grail in Arthurian legend healed the land until it was misused and taken for granted. How willing are we to be healed?

When the Ace of cups, shows up in a reading, it represents new love being offered. This can come from another or it can come from within. It often represents a new period of potential joy.When reversed, the Ace of cups indicates a blockage to this renewal. What is stopping us from accepting what is offered? What connection are we not allowing to happen?

Humbled (Redux)

I came seeking truth
I believed that the answers would come easy
after all I had already seen so much…
You showed me truth
and rubbed my nose in it
until bleeding i began to see
how many illusions I had left
and knew that that was scraping the surface.

 

Never was I so angry
and lashed out in all directions
Calmly you watched which angered me even more
until I saw not only the love in your eyes
but my own reflection as well.
— G A Rosenberg

 

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Humbled

 

Humbled by G A Rosenberg

Quote of the Day – January 18 2013

“If you keep telling the same sad small story, you will keep living the same sad small life”
–Jean Houston

 

Time to expand our stories. Let’s change it up so that we become the victors rather than victims and that we win out rather than lose. Once upon a time our stories kept us down. We talked about what oppressed  us and how we could never be free. Then one magickal morning we awoke and our thoughts were changed. We found that we could transform. Every thought beckoned us towards freedom and doors that were shut started to open. Nothing could oppress us without our permission and from that point on we withheld it. People could do what they would but we would not be victims. We became empowered and reborn and live each day to the fullest.
Blessings, G

 

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Flames of red and gold
Red – Gold Flame Mandala by G A Rosenberg

 

Consorts in the Chamber of the Flame Crystal
Consorts in the Chamber of the Flame Crystal by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Ace of Wands

This will be the first post of what will (hopefully) be a daily series on the tarot cards. I am retouching and refining all of my tarot pictures (In some cases I will and I wanted to do a write up on each card as well, along with poetry that I’ve done about each card….

 

Ace of Wands

 

I featured this card about six months ago but it is for me the best place to begin. Everything comes from a new inspiration, a new seed or spark. This spark catches and we find ourselves inspired. The Ace of Wands is that spark. Something new has begun and we start to have a glimmering of something new..

 

Ace of WandsAce of Wands by G A Rosenberg

 

The Dragon seed glows within me.
Inspiration from the dawn of time
Filling me with ideas and power
almost beyond my capacity to bear
I will take up the wand
and channel all that I receive
transmute and transmit
sending it outward
The fire rises within me
ever growing growing
until it spills forth
in creative ecstasy
Something new enters the world
In the distance, a star glows
– G A Rosenberg (2010)

 

Act of creation

The seed comes forth from spirit

Potential explodes

 

Wands in general deal with creativity and spiritual force. Aces deal with beginnings and seeds. Here is the inspiration that starts a new cycle of everything that is to come.  A new road has appeared. a spark of fire where there was only darkness.. Go for it… Let the spark ignite you spiritually and creatively and GO FOR IT!!!

 

When I talk about the meanings of any cards in a reading it is good to keep in mind that nothing exists in a vacuum and that the other cards in a spread can alter the meanings. The Ace of Wands  when it comes up upright is talking about a new start as it exists in potential. It is up to us to make use of the potential and to fan the spark into a flame…Take advantage of it…When there is a blockage to the energy (or the card appears reversed) then the spark can have died unfulfilled, a false beginning. Something is blocking you from taking advantage of the potential. The other cards in the spread may very well give you insight into what is blocking you

Quote of the Day – January 17 2013

“Nobody is smart enough to be wrong all the time.”
— Ken Wilber

 

What glorious mistakes we make. Each one contributes to who we are and who we will become. At the time anyone of them may seem like the end of the world. Still we get past it and if we’re smart or lucky we learn and go on to make even more glorious mistakes. Each time we become just a little more than we were before. The Fool inside of us, the man (or woman) behind the curtain watches it all in joy. Why not? Behind the curtain in front of which all our actions take place, we watch it all and contain it all. It is all a dance. Come and enjoy this dance with me, this ongoing folly of our lives. Just remember we’re on stage and eventually all the props and costumes as well as our roles and scripts go back in the box leaving only the experience of being, mistakes and all.
Blessings, G

 

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MysteryMystery by G A Rosenberg

 

fiire and water
Energy Patterns – Fire and Water by G A Rosenberg