#tarotdraw

Card for Tuesday, February 8th, 2022

7 of Swords, inverted paired with Wood Betony (Stachys betonica)

Swords are the Suit of Air, which is equated with thoughts and ideas. Swords cut away that which does not serve: ideas often unconsciously created by our previous imprinting. Swords often depict a stormy path to self realization. Inverted, Swords can exemplify our thoughts about our thoughts.

Numerically, seven is a number of wisdom and the completion of a cycle. There are seven musical notes, seven chakras, seven inner planets, seven virtues, seven vices, seven deadly sins. In Christian theology, God created the world in six days, resting on the seventh, to begin again, anew. Sevens bring us to the completion of a phase, but not the end of the Journey.

The 7 of Swords identifies a time of potential confusion or rapid change. Not all information is readily or consciously available to us yet, as represented by some of the swords flying through the air - through our minds - while others are stuck in the ground - fixed and stagnant, or yet to be revealed. Inverted, the flying swords may represent new information realized as an expanded or altered point-of-view comes to us from within. In this way, we get to decide “what sticks” so to speak.

This can be a time to do more research, review the plan prior to proceeding, drop old information or imprinting before coming to a decision and moving forward. Remember to be honest with yourself, with others, and listen carefully for honesty in return. Now is a good time to look carefully before you leap. Practice patience so that current situations are not wearing on the nerves while you wait for all to become clear.

Wood Betony has a long and storied history, tracing back to the ancient Greeks, of being an herb of protection against "evil spirits", "fearful visions", and "demons of despair".

Historically, as a medicinal, Wood Betony is said to be very supportive to the nervous system, especially "imbalances of the head", as well as breaking up stagnation and improving overall circulation by gently dilating blood vessels. Wood Betony is traditionally used to relax an overly active mind, to calm anxiety, to promote sleep.

Today's card encourages us, especially inverted, to gather information in a detached way; to search for and embrace that which is currently available to us even as we wait for more details to come our way.

Find a renewed sense of inspiration and passion through that which you already have or are currently doing. We have endured so much in the last two years, both personally and as a society; allowing ourselves a moment to regroup, review our options, recharge our batteries, revive our purpose, will help us to better connect with the future when it gets here.

A WORD OF CAUTION: Wood Betony is contraindicated in pregnancy.

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*Information shared on herbs and their historical or traditional uses is meant for point-of-interest only. None of the above is meant to diagnosis, treat, or cure any health imbalance.*

**I was taught to read inverted cards as an invitation to go within, to apply the lessons of the card to our inner landscape, but not in a negative way. The more we remember to support our inner selves, the more we will have to offer in the outer world.**

Card for Friday, January 14th 2022

King of Wands paired with Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

The suit of Wands is equated with the element of Fire, and relates to our innovation, or will. Wands represent the spark of Divine inspiration which connects us to the creative process. Wands herald our desire or drive to initiate or finish a project. What are we primed to do? What is demanding our attention? What is needed, to be the change we wish to see?

The Kings of each Suit represent the culmination, the final authority, of that Suit or Element. They may or may not link to an actual person, but definitely encompass male characteristics. In this case, I am referring to the active or Yang energy within each of us, regardless of our gender.

The King of Wands is the “fiery aspect of fire”. Embodying motivation, decisiveness, and a tremendous reserve of inner strength, this King reminds us to also guard against giving in to impulsiveness and overreaction, as there is great virtue in holding our power steady.

Cinnamon is spicy and sweet. An herb greatly valued over the millennia as both culinary seasoning and medicine, Cinnamon is best known as a warming stimulant and tonic. Traditionally used to support circulation and metabolism, Cinnamon also dries damp, calms spasms to relieve pain, and warms all manner of cold conditions from weak digestion and diarrhea, to cold extremities due to poor circulation. A nutritive and delicious food additive, Cinnamon brings a spicy sweetness to our lives and, as modern science has shown, can increase insulin sensitivity in those with blood sugar imbalances.

High in essential oils, monoterpenes, phenolic compounds, and antioxidents, Cinnamon lifts us up emotionally and nutritionally, warming us from within, lighting a fire under those inner stores of fortitude. Its scent alone can help to increase drive and focus, trigger pleasant memories of days gone by, assist us in remembering and reconnecting with our motivation.

Acknowledge and nurture your passion for your Path. Connect with your center as you examine your motivation. Find your focus, explore your drive, shake things up and get them moving again. Cultivate balance. Own your spiciness and give gratitude for the sweet spots in your life.

Remember, changes that we make, steps that we take, do not have to be sizable to be substantial. Even the smallest flame brings light to the darkness. Mind your self talk as you embrace your inner radiance today and use that strength to direct your destiny as you navigate these challenging times.

A WORD OF CAUTION: DO NOT USE CINNAMON ESSENTIAL OIL IN PREGNANCY, WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, ON THE SKIN, OR INTERNALLY.

———————————— *Information shared on herbs and their historical or traditional uses is for point-of-interest only. None of the above is meant to diagnosis, treat, or cure any health imbalances.*