Author Rebecca Mugridge: SNEAK PEEK from my new book Healthy Mumas!

Author Rebecca Mugridge: SNEAK PEEK from my new book Healthy Mumas! Rebecca, your story has touched my heart. Your beauty shines through in your writing, and all those wonderful facebook comments I have been reading for the last two years or so.

My gorgeous daughter Angela was a chubby girl, and was teased like you. Angela has the nature of her name with a deep inner beauty and  spectacular looks and figure. I could not imagine anyone not liking Angela, and I'm sure your mother feels the same about you.

Dawn Alice xxx

TEMPERANCE
Freedom through equilibrium

Emotions such as joy, love, sorrow, or anger can get rather confusing when they conflict with each other.  Somehow, we have the impression they should be separated. Not so! We need to permit our instinctive feelings to mingle together in order to be acquainted. Passion or grief should filter through with the laughter and tears. Sensations cannot be restricted to one level of consciousness. Switch on the green light of your higher-self and allow it to flow freely with the rational mind, and you will discover a balanced harmony and contentment. Suddenly you may develop the confidence that you are making right decisions.

Blending of earth and water

The Temperance card gives dominance to the sun.  The angel wears a sun-disk as respect to its life force. The dirt path we all walk upon leads us to the illumination of the sun.  We are all given the opportunity to explore new territory, learn, and investigate fresh subjects. This path is nourished by the water of emotions which the angel has one foot in. The other foot rests on the dry ground of logic. We need to feel all sensibilities but if we emerge both feet in, we may be overwhelmed. Stagnation could be a result of having both feet on the earth … senses strive for balance of both female intuitive and male logic.

Often when we are searching, we allow our enthusiasm to turn to a superficial high only to experience an anti-climax. It is wonderful to be optimistic, but in taking control of our lives, we need to make conscious choices rather than just following moods or whims.  Making these, assertive balanced decisions bring a feeling of self-empowerment, enabling us to be comfortable with whom we are.

Balancing our emotions

The androgynous Temperance angel is pouring water patiently from one chalice to another displaying the blending of polar opposites. To understand our sensations we need to weigh measure and balance them.  Composure brings about healing and harmony. The blending of male and female energy is also displayed through the triangle and square on the angel’s tunic. The Sagittarius archer associated with Temperance has both an arrow that can be creative and destructive. The lesson is to embrace moderation and patience through knowing when to shoot which arrow, and when. 

How do you blend all your qualities together for a balanced life?

PASSION by DAWN ALICE

GET UP, GET OUT OF BED, today is a new beginning, and we have work to do! I am invigorated, and ready to plant the seeds of passion.  

In the previous blog we planted a seed of compassion through the Ace of Cups. We will now look at how we can sow a seed of passion through the Ace of Wands, and how passion can be an instrument for freedom or a tool of destruction.

Firstly we need to acknowledge the wild side of passion that could be associated with a reversed Ace of Wands:

Passion can make for a very uncomfortable situation when someone makes it impossible to listen to reason. It is overwhelming when a passionate person is raving and ranting about an issue dear to their heart. Rather than planting a seed of positive passion, this compelling emotion is more likely to uproot a plant that will no longer survive. If you need to convince another person about your enthusiasm for a project, desire, opinions etc, then a balance of emotions are called for. Without this equilibrium we find ourselves critical of life. Uncontrolled passion is a risky business!

Hate … this word is thrown around casually: I hate that television show for instance. You can dislike something, but when the intensity turns to hate, watch out! Animosity and hostility are passions which turn to abuse and even murder.

Lust … strong sexual desire and passionate enjoyment have their place in relationships, so don’t get me wrong here!  I don’t want to be moralising. I am concerned with the goodness and badness of human character.  We have to have a distinction between right and wrong.  Intense passionate lust is dangerous and can easily turn to sexual exploration.   

Positive passion is what drives creativity and allows our inspiration to flow. It leads to discovery, knowledge and satisfaction.

Below is a snippet from Life Love Tarot page 8:

 People with a mission seem to be fuelled with passion; dreams turn to reality when they become a mission. Are you willing to be different? Think about what stirs you. What gets the adrenaline going? Perhaps you would like to make a list of all the things you are passionate about before reading on.

The Ace of Wands teaches us to stand tall and hold our head up high. We are proud to be passionate … we are elated!  Each and every one of us has to have passion.

A few snippets from pages 72 and 73.

Begin to imagine what it would be like to have no backbone? The backbone is the main support of our physical structure. Without vertebrae, we would flop like a rag doll having little resistance and stability. On a character level, we refer to a courageous person as having backbone. These people have firmness, stamina, fortitude and purposefulness. So why is it, some people have backbone and go beyond the ordinary, excelling in all they do and others don’t? What makes them stand out? Perhaps they have an ace up their sleeve! An ace is always regarded as the highest value in the suit. To play an ace is to play one’s best resource. What resources do you have to draw on? We all have a stack or supply of assets or valuable qualities, but have different ways of measuring our wealth and prosperity. Before reading on, imagine your personal stockpile of strengths and capabilities.

People make a rod for their own back when they do not have the strength to say ‘no’. The rod can be a tool of punishment, to flog or to chastise. An animal that has been beaten will be submissive, yielding to the power of authority; it becomes docile, meek and timid as it is resigned to the fact it will get a flogging when it shows boldness. You are not an animal, but an extraordinary individual with self-respect, having every right to be bold. The Ace of Wands teaches you to stand tall with a strong back, holding your head high with the courage to act on your convictions and not succumbing to pressure from others, unless it feels right for you. Knuckling down under pressure will not serve a positive purpose and, in time, you will find you only beat up on yourself.

There is a large strong hand coming from a grey cloud to hand you this wand of live power. Take it! As soon as you do, the grey cloud will lift; you will no longer walk in the shadow of another. Become aware of your posture. Improved posture and balance allows energy to flow for a better mental and spiritual attitude. One’s disposition or frame of mind can be determined by their stance. Yoga, stretching exercises, and Tai-Chi are methods to strengthen the back.

Create your own Ace of Wands card

Think about the grey areas in your life. Draw a hand coming from behind a grey cloud. Is this your hand, the hand of a friend, spouse or teacher? Could it be the hand of God? In this hand you draw a wand, staff, baton or rod. This is coloured in fire shades of red and orange. Maybe you would like to add symbols of growth, such as shoots or leaves on your wand. Think of your stockpile: what are your strengths and capabilities? Would you like a few trees, mountains, a castle, ocean or stream in the background?

Affirmation:

“I now have a firm grip on life.”

www.dawnalicebooks.com

What is Freedom?

Freedom is the condition of being unrestricted. This can be on a personal level or civic liberty. My dictionary tells me that it is the power of self-determination or the quality of not being controlled by fate or necessity. Freedom of speech, religion, fear and want is generally thought of as the four freedoms. 

We’ll have a look at freedom on a personal level first and then tackle it on a global scale.

 Where to start? I asked my family and friends what is freedom to them? My husband only thought for a few seconds before answering, “Well that depends, to a person in jail, freedom would be the ability to get out of jail”. True … I hadn’t thought of an actual prison! “Then there is marriage!” Pardon, does he think marriage lacks freedom? No not at all, he is referring to a marriage where a man or woman feels trapped. To my quadriplegic daughter, freedom would be to kick away her wheelchair and walk again, have control of her bowels and have privacy. Gosh these are things many of us take for granted. I could go on with scenarios of the teenager who gets his first wheels, right through to the terminally ill cancer patient wanting to die and be free of pain, but I won’t because I need to ask myself, “What is freedom to me?”  

I truly have to examine the question to me from me … what is freedom? Peace is what comes to mind! Peace from distraction through a calm mind, tranquility, a clear conscious, understanding, harmonious surroundings and compassion. Naturally I also want material freedom … a home by the sea, adventurous travel, a secure retirement, and my family all settled in life. I am human after all, and I believe we are intended to live an abundant life, yet we also need to live a spiritual way of life.   

Material freedom is not greedy when there is gratitude!  A soul who has all the material possessions he requires, but does not share or care about his neighbor does not have true freedom.  This leads me into freedom on a global scale and what better way to introduce the next section then to quote a great spiritual leader: 

Words from the Dali Lama:

Practicing altruism is the real source of compromise and cooperation; merely recognizing our need for harmony is not enough. A mind committed to compassion is like an overflowing reservoir – a constant source of energy, determination and kindness. This is like a seed; when cultivated, gives rise to many other good qualities, such as forgiveness, tolerance, inner strength and the confidence to overcome fear and insecurity. The compassionate mind is like an elixir; it is capable of transforming bad situation into beneficial ones. Therefore, we should not limit our expressions of love and compassion to our family and friends. Nor is the compassion only the responsibility of clergy, health care and social workers. It is the necessary business of every part of the human community.  

Global freedom therefore stems from individual freedom. We are all individual, yet we are all in this together.

Peace, compassion, love, forgiveness are a few ingredients for freedom. Kindness to others has a chain-reaction. I know a wonderful lady from The Field of Grace just north of Brisbane who has a facebook page for random acts of kindness.  I would hope most people would show understanding, tolerance and love within their own family and circle of friends. How many of you treat complete strangers the same? There is something liberating about doing random acts of kindness to strangers. It doesn’t have to entail dropping $100 notes out of a window; just simply smile at a stranger, or let them go ahead of you in the check-out.  

Considering the title of this blog is ‘Freedom through the Tarot’, you must be wondering when we are going to finally get to the subject of Tarot, and how this all relates.

When I commence any Tarot class, the first card I always introduce is the Ace of Cups. I see this card as liberating with one important component … LOVE.  This is not the first card in a Tarot deck, but all Aces are regarded as a beginning, and may be described as a seed. The Ace of Cups plants the seed of compassion whereas the Ace of Wands plants the seed of passion. Passion and the Ace of Wands can be a good subject for the next blog. 

The first paragraph from the Ace of Cups in my book ‘Life Love Tarot’ reads: Pure intent is the first and most important thing to remember; when beginning a journey of spiritual development. When it comes from the heart, you can never be wrong; as there is no ‘wrong’ in love. One cannot be guilty if doing anything in good faith, with honesty and sincerity of intention.

The heart is the bridge between the higher and lower self; if we fail to go over this bridge, then we miss the beauty along the way.

Demonstrated as water overflowing from a chalice, the Ace of Cups exhibits the loving heart with a continued flow of energy. Humans are largely made of water, which is as essential to our existence as love is essential for our emotional well-being. The virtue of faith, or a firm belief without logical proof, is connected to the element of water. We need to have faith in each other and faith in the universe; but, mostly, faith in ourselves. Having faith develops loyalty and strengthens relationships. Ask yourself: what or who do you have faith in?

We are given an endless supply of love from the universe; it is all there for the taking – if only we were to reach out and receive. Most traditional decks will illustrate a strong hand holding a golden chalice. Could this hand be the hand of God, the universe, a loved one or a stranger? It is amazing how often we reject the hand of God through our fellow man. Next time a stranger smiles or gives way to you, think of it as a gift from them and accept it gladly. 

The golden chalice plays a significant role in the Catholic mass, as it remembers the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Christ. As Christians sip wine from a chalice, the priest will say, “The Blood of Christ.” This ceremony is regarded as an outward act of thanksgiving for a sacrifice, which was given freely from the heart. Blood is the life force flowing through our bodies, and it is the heart pumping this life. The heart is regarded as the centre of thought, feeling and emotion. A person with the capacity for feeling emotion, and who gives thought to others has a pure heart. When a person’s heart is broken, they will be overwhelmed with sorrow. No matter what you do in life, do it from the heart. It doesn’t matter what you do, it is how you do it. If you happen to be a street sweeper, then take pride in the streets you sweep; do it from the heart; do it with love.

Life Love Tarot contains creative exercises, meditations, affirmations, and crystals that connect with each card. Below is an example taken from the article on the Ace of Cups. 

Creative Exercise:

The idea for this creative exercise came from my friend Chrissie. Chrissie did a cut out of her hand and energised it with reiki healing energy to send to my mother in hospital, with a message that her hands can always be there. I have also done this for people in hospital, or who are far away, with great results. Draw around your right hand and colour or decorate it with a special message, then send to a loved one or someone you feel has the need. This could also be a nice idea for children who are afraid to go to school or sleep. Draw around your left hand and fill it in with all you desire. You may like to place your paper hand under a chalice, or wine glass filled with rose quartz crystals.

Create your own Ace of Cups card:

Visualise a large, strong hand holding a golden chalice, with soft pastel colours overflowing, manifesting the never-ending flow of love. Above the chalice there is the shape of a heart dripping tiny droplets of blood into a blue pond. Capturing the essence of peace are lotus flowers in the pond, and a dove in the sky. As an addition to your card, trace around your hand and sketch a heart shape as the palm. Fill it with words of love, or a loving picture.

Affirmation:

“I hold out my left hand to receive the gifts of the universe; and I hold out my right hand to give guidance to those who seek.”

Crystal:

Bringing about purification on all levels, kunzite would be one of the most relaxing crystals I have held. Along with helping one settle after an upset or stressful day, it encourages self-love, unconditional-love and romantic-love. If you are privileged to own a piece of kunzite, then sit quietly with it and allow the loving thoughts to flow.

So, finally I write my own blog, with a little cheating; if you can call paste and copy of my own words from my book cheating. Nope, not cheating, but simply drawing inspiration from thoughts and ideas that I have carried in my heart for a very long time. 

I welcome your thoughts on freedom, and look forward to seeing new and old friends here on my first true blog. 

xxx Dawn Alice