Happy New Year

Meet the Cards: Strength

In some decks, Strength is number eleven, switching places with Justice. However, this change doesn’t effect the meaning and my deck places Strength as the eighth card of the Major Arcana. Eights represent infinity because they resemble the sideways symbol for infinity. In fact, most Strength cards will have the lemniscate symbol included in the artwork.

• Symbolism: Determination
• Element: Fire (see Tarot Elements)

What I See:

I definitely get a sense of courage looking at this card. Not everyone has the guts to embrace a cougar — figuratively or literally. Yet I also get a feeling of quiet strength. Some of the strongest people I know are the ones made so by hardship or adversity. I see a balanced woman who has integrated all aspects of herself, and is at peace. And it’s a warm card, Fire element, with its bright yellows making me think of a spring/summer day. I’m reminded to be passionate, spontaneous, and creative.

Light (upright) Reading:

Embrace the wilder, more instinctive, side.

• Keywords: Self-Confidence, Patience, Inner Strength, and Courage.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware that anxieties don’t take over the situation.

• Keywords: Despotism, Vanity, Arrogance, and Insolence.

Plots:

There a number of stories you could retell from Daniel in the Lion’s Den to Beauty and the Beast. How about wildlife conservation? A lion tamer/circus. Leader of the pack. This card definitely gives me a shapeshifter vibe, how about working that into your plot? A wild child…Ooo, how about a retelling of Tarzan?

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend” could be an interesting twist. You could explore the wheel of the year, there are eight points. Or how about regeneration? (According to Kenner, eights also represent the eternal spiral of regeneration.) Perhaps, past lives?

• Themes: Courage, Stamina, Perseverance, Chi Energy/Life-force, Embracing Inner Wild Woman/Man, Power to Turn an Adversary into a Friend, Passion, or Sexuality.

Characters:

Sometimes the lady and sometimes the lioness.

• Archetype: Enchantress, Witch, Passion, or Anima (the unconscious female element of the male) — Vogler refers to this as the Shapeshifter.

The Shapeshifter archetype is also a catalyst for change, a symbol of the psychological urge to transform. ~The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler

• Mythical Figures: Sekhmet, Bastet, Europa, Beauty and the Beast, and Hercules.

The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.

Strength is E8: Boss, Top Dog, Challenger, and/or Confronter

• Self Image — I am strong
• Passion — Lust
• Virtue — Simplicity
• Narcissistic Trap — Justice
• Avoids — Weakness
• Speaking Style — Challenging or Unmasking

E8 people are instinctive, spontaneous, and intuitive. Their “gut” feeling is the center of their awareness. They are often direct or territorial. They are concerned with power, ruled by aggression, and may be troubled by self-doubt or self-blame.

Additionally, look up one of the Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) for personality traits.

Writing takes courage. In fact, writing takes more fortitude and strength than most people can muster. ~Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Reading in 2011

Once upon a time, Kait Nolan mentioned on her blog something about reading 100 books before attempting to write one. Or something along those lines. I’m a bit on the lazy side as I’m typing this up. Oh heck, let me find the link…Reflections on the Book 100. Anyway, I’ve been stalking following Kait for a few years now and her advice hasn’t steered me wrong yet. Of course she was talking about learning craft while reading. And I wasn’t serious about my writing when I read her first post on the subject. However, I took up the challenge of the 100 books in a year.

I'm nice & warm now!

I even created a lovely spreadsheet :pets Excel: (Here’s an online version if you dare: Book List. I have one sheet for books I’m looking for, one for TBR, and one for read.)

No, beastie girl isn’t part of the whole reading theme here but peeps wanted to see her model the sweater I knitted for her.

How did I do?

Well, as of the typing up of this post…113 for the year.

Some were short stories and novellas. So I made some adjustments. Using 200 as an average page count, 1-70 page books scored a 1/4 point, 71-135 page books scored a 1/2 point, 136-200 page books scored a 3/4 point, thus anything over 200 pages equaled a full point.

How did I do?

76.75

LOL, gotta love those partials, but not too shabby.

How much did you read in 2011? Care to join me for 100 in 2012?

~I’m sure someone out there has an actual challenge for this

Meet the Cards: The Chariot

Or in this case THE CANOE. Number seven — a mystical, magical number — in the Major Arcana. To fully randomize your deck, shuffle it seven times before a reading and stay focused on your path.

• Symbolism: Hard work and Victory.
• Element: Water (see Tarot Elements)

What I See:

This is very much a water elemental card. I love it. Coming to the desert from the lushness of the Pacific NW, this card calls me home with the orca whales (guardians of the sea in some myths), the salmon, and the eagle. I think of vision quests, paying heed to the emotional landscape, and traveling at our own pace. The man in the card is focused, looking forward. Hmm…goal setting anyone? How apropos as we round the corner toward the new year.

Light (upright) Reading:

Set the goal, take the first steps, and your guides will be at your side to help along the path.

• Keywords: Determination, Success, Inner Peace, and Self-Discipline.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of opposing ideas bringing conflict.

• Keywords: Inconsiderate, Clinginess, Insecurity, and Moodiness.

Plots:

Obvious plot possibilities of vision quests, pilgrimages, and crusades would work well. On the flip side, how about a homecoming or victory parade? You could even focus on a simple family vacation. Or perhaps a honeymoon cruise. How about a “road less traveled” story?

You could focus on the number seven. The seven virtues. The seven deadly sins. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. An alchemist’s seven metals. The seven notes in a musical scale. The seven colors of a rainbow. The seven chakras.

• Themes: Focus, Independence, Initiation, Rite of passage, Endurance, Success, Finding/Creating a place in the world, or An outward journey that reflects an inner one of change. (Hmm, that last one sounds like a character arc doesn’t it?)

Characters:

Brings strength, will, and courage to the task at hand.

• Archetype: Warrior, Hero, or Animus (the male element in the female unconscious) — Vogler refers to this as the Shapeshifter.

The Shapeshifter archetype is also a catalyst for change, a symbol of the psychological urge to transform. ~The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler

• Mythical Figures: Apollo, Oedipus, Sinn, and Tamuz.

The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.

The Chariot is E7: Epicure, Enthusiast, Visionary, Dreamer, and/or Generalist

• Self Image — I am happy
• Passion — Gluttony, Over-indulgence, or Charlatanry
• Virtue — Sobriety
• Narcissistic Trap — Idealism
• Avoids — Pain
• Speaking Style — Garrulous or Story-telling

E7 people are ruled by their head. They need to understand the pattern of events, where all the pieces fit in the puzzle of life, and are often detached from their emotions. Their objectivity may hide feelings of isolation or confusion.

Additionally, look up one of the Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) for personality traits.

Like you, the charioteer in the Chariot card is a driving force and he’s determined to move forward. ~Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Round of Words in 80 Days — Wrap-up

Crap. Where did the time go?

It’s almost Christmas — I’m not ready — and it’s the end of the fourth round of ROW80 for 2011. With Christmas falling on Sunday, there won’t be a Sunday Summary this week, so we’ll call this my final check in for 2011.

For a recap of my goals, go HERE.

1. Write 250 words per day, 5 days a week, on fantasy piece. — Mostly a success, with NaNoWriMo I managed to get about 15K shy of finished with the first draft. However, there has been some major slackage in December that not even joining Jenny Hansen’s NaNoSlackMo could salvage.
2. Blog twice a week, not counting ROW80 updates. — Definitely a success. I even got in a guest post over on Maria Zannini’s blog (giveaways are open through tomorrow) as part of her DIY Christmas. I had some fantastic visitors here, with Jenna Reynolds talking about tarot, and Piper Bayard and Kristen Lamb here as part of their Bayard/Lamb in 2012 Campaign Tour.
3. Comment on 3 blogs per day. — Mostly a success. Definitely had more hits than misses
4. Update Twitter and Facebook 3 times a week, not counting new blog posts. — I had some great weeks. I had some bad weeks. I even had some epic fail weeks. This will continue to be an area I need to work on in 2012.

I’ll definitely be joining again in 2012. To watch for the details of round one in 2012, go HERE.

I have a regularly scheduled Tarot post for tomorrow, and next Thursday, plus a post scheduled for next Tuesday. Otherwise, I’m kicking back and enjoying the holiday.

I wish you all a very happy holiday with the ones you love!

Bayard/Lamb 2012 — Time for Change

Piper Bayard

Please help me welcome Presidential Candidate Piper Bayard and her “space-saving” Vice-Presidential Running Mate Kristen Lamb to the blog! Their campaign is a breath of fresh air in the political arena. I’m sure you’ll agree that we need this pair in the White House. To read up on their campaign, click over to Bayard/Lamb 2012 Campaign HQ.

Thank you so much Piper and Kristen for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedules and am honored to be able to interview you today.

Kristen Lamb

As a mother, education is extremely important to me. What are your thoughts on the current state of our education system, which more often then not, isn’t preparing students for university and beyond?

This country has forgotten that education is a privilege. We will remind them of that fact with our Assclown Exchange Program. In this program, wannabe thugs who don’t appreciate the opportunity of a free education will be exchanged with children from third world countries who can only dream of getting an education instead of walking five miles for a bucket of water every day.

Does “abstinence only” education help or hurt us?

The act of telling a person “No” is not an education. Education is an exploration of facts, and reproduction is a topic worth exploring. Social agendas and value judgements are not the business of public schools.

We advocate sex education that is an actual education; therefore, along with the mechanics, we believe there should be a Herpes 101 class, followed by Crabs Ain’t Just In the Ocean, Clap if You Love Penicillin, Pregnancy: the Gift that Keeps on Taking, and AIDS is Not a Grant of Assistance.

This intensive course work will culminate in each student being assigned a robotic baby for a month. Said robotic baby will weigh 15 pounds, cry all night, and poop and puke randomly throughout the day. The only way a student will be allowed to attend Prom is if they find a babysitter at $8 – $10 per hour at their own cost, not their parents’, or if they take the pooping, spewing, screaming baby with them. Each robobaby will be fitted with a GPS ankle bracelet so we will know if the it is left alone or tossed out a window, which will constitute an automatic fail for the class.

Is our freedom to consume what we want whenever we want worth the cost (ie environmental, social, economic, etc.)?

We could write an entire dissertation on this so we will simply say that when you dance, you have to pay the piper. No pun intended. However, if you would like to send Piper money . . .

Should we begin colonizing space?

Sure. Let’s start with the space in the square and rectangular states like Wyoming and Nebraska. And we can test our super duper moonwalk gear in the winters of Montana. People in crowded states will get more places to live, and the colonized states will get another electoral college vote. It’s win/win. But be aware that all colonists will be required to contribute to the functioning of society. It isn’t right to go to someone else’s state and act like an assclown.

We would also colonize the space in West Texas in preparation for colonizing the bare rock that is the moon. After all, psychologically speaking, if people can handle a year in the rural area outside of Odessa, they will be fine on the moon.

If they were to make the story of your life into a movie, who should play you?

I would really love that horse from Secretariat to play me. I always wanted to be able to run that fast. And you have to admit. That horse was very convincing as a horse, and it always won its races. ~Piper

I want to be played by James Earl Jones because I always envisioned myself as a large black man with a deep, intimidating voice and not a small white girl from Ft. Worth, Texas. (My husband finds this slightly disturbing.) ~Kristen

I’m from Nevada, where prostitution is legal in the majority of the state, what are your thoughts on legalizing drugs and/or prostitution? Why or why not. (BTW, we also have the first legal male prostitute. We’re an equal opportunity state.)

We would not legalize drugs and prostitution. If we legalize it for everyone, what would Nevada do for income? Besides, it wouldn’t be special any more. It would be like having birthday cake every day.

Should the federal and/or state government have the power to define marriage?

They can’t even define “debt ceiling” or “budget.” Let’s work on the small stuff first.

I recently read this article: Canada’s Polygamy/Polyamory Ruling and would like to hear your thoughts/views on the subject.

We find polygamy quite fascinating. You always see men collecting wives, but you never see women wanting another husband. Funny how that is.

There are, however, women with man harems. They’re called erotica authors. (See Jillian Dodd or Roni Loren for actual man harems.)

My son wants to know, if your presidency tanks, who do you plan to use as your scapegoat?

President Bush, of course. Isn’t he everyone’s scapegoat? If we can’t blame Bush, we’ll just blame global warming or solar flares.

We talk about the tarot here on the blog quite a bit, if you were a tarot card which one would you be? Or which card do you feel represents you best?

I’m not familiar with the cards of a tarot deck, but I would be the one that represents a person who is blessed. ~Piper

I would be The Hangman because I was the dumb schmuck lucky person who agreed to be Piper’s running mate. ~Kristen

We want to thank Raelyn for hosting us here at her blog today. It’s been an honor.

If you would like to book the Foxie with Moxie Pair for a Bayard/Lamb Campaign Blog Tour stop at your site, please contact Piper at piperbayard@yahoo.com. And remember, Bayard/Lamb 2012 – We’re Not Them.

~ * ~

Thanks again Piper Bayard and Kristen Lamb, what a thrill to have you here!

Are you ready to cast your vote for Bayard/Lamb 2012? Do you have any questions for Piper and Kristen?

Sunday Summary & #ROW80

1. Do you have a writer on your list? If so, Jami Gold has the Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers. Psst, honey, check it out.
2. Are you on a budget with a writer on your list? Then you must check out K.M. Weiland’s 25 “Under $25″ Christmas Gifts for Writers. Psst, wee beasties, check it out.
3. Just a reminder: Maria Zannini’s DIY 12 Days of Christmas continues through the 22nd.
   There are giveaways Hope you’ll stop by!
4. A huge congrats to Lindsay Buroker for her RT Book Reviews mention!
5. This past week has been a huge epic failure for ROW80. I apologize for my silence! The power cord to my laptop died. My life is on that laptop, LOL. I can’t access Facebook or Twitter from the ancient — can you hear it groaning? — desktop. Trying to read and comment on blogs was a frustrating exercise I gave up on most days. Really need to spend some quality time cleaning out, upgrading the memory, etc. on this poor machine but considering it is coming up on nine years of age and still working, it has surpassed its life expectancy so I shouldn’t complain.
6. On the writing: I can access my backups via email but can’t print from the desktop. And as the desktop is also the wee beasties’ computer, I’ve been hard pressed to get on it to work, LOL. So, I’ve attempted to do some writing and outlining by hand but even that has been more fail than success this week.
7. So thankful I got most of my posts finalized and scheduled before I lost the power cord.
8. And winter break has begun. My house is full of the not so quiet stomping and yelling of the wee beasties. Seriously, why can’t they WALK down the stairs? Must they slide down the banister, swing around the landing, and take flying leaps? For an example, you can check out Jenny Hansen’s When Your Baby Scares the Stuffing Out of You post, a typical banister sliding morning is in the comments, LOL
9. Don’t forget to stop by on Tuesday when the Foxie with Moxie Pair will be here as part of the Bayard/Lamb Campaign Blog Tour.
10. I apologize for the lack of a picture with Beastie Girl modeling her new sweater. By the time I got home Saturday from errands — I have a power cord, yay! — and Christmas shopping she was less than thrilled with me. And strangely in need of a bath.

Meet the Cards: The Lovers

Follow your passion with The Lovers. Number six in the Major Arcana, some say this represents the human being “because man was said to be created on the sixth day.”

• Symbolism: Lovers or union of opposites.
• Element: Air (see Tarot Elements)

What I See:

I like that this card doesn’t scream Adam and Eve to me. Yet the couple definitely feels like they are in the honeymoon stage of their relationship. I get a peaceful feeling of new beginnings from this card. An airy feeling even with all the birds. The doves give me a sense of hope. And wasn’t Aphrodite represented by the swan? Or had a swan? (Note to self, look up Aphrodite.) I also get a sense she is Mother Earth with her green dress while he’s Father Sun in his yellow shirt, I’m not entirely sure what that means.

Light (upright) Reading:

The Lovers often appear when a choice needs to be made.

• Keywords: Union, Sharing, Trust, and Attraction.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of isolation, of not being able to give or receive love, due to disappointment.

• Keywords: Inconsistency, Impatience, Hedonism, and Wonder-lust.

Plots:

Perhaps a coming-of-age story, from the ideal of childhood to taking responsibility for themselves. Soul-mates, twins, or some other spiritual connection between two people could be the basis of your story. How about a retelling of the Aphrodite myth?

The number six symbolizes the sixth sense, or psychic ability, how about exploring that in your story? Perhaps look into the six directions of space: left, right, forward, backward, up, and down. Hmm, that might lead to a space opera. Or maybe even time-travel.

• Themes: Passion, Choice, Sexuality, Union of Opposites, Balance, Sacred Marriage, Self-love, or Interdependence.

Characters:

The Lovers embody the sweetness and the sting of passion.

• Archetype: Beloved, Paradise, or Choice.

But on a deeper psychological level [Threshold Guardians] stand for our internal demons: the neuroses, emotional scars, vices, dependencies, and self-limitations that hold back our growth and progress. It seems that every time you try to make a major change in your life, these inner demons rise up to their full force, not necessarily to stop you, but to test if you are really determined to accept the challenge of change. ~The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler

• Mythical Figures: Adam & Eve, Isis & Osiris, Eros & Psyche, and Shiva & Shakti.

The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.

The Lovers is E6: Devil’s Advocate, Loyalist, Troubleshooter, and/or Guardian.

• Self Image — I do my duty
• Passion — Fear
• Virtue — Courage
• Narcissistic Trap — Security
• Avoids — Deviance
• Speaking Style — Warning or Limiting

E6 people are ruled by their head. They need to understand the pattern of events, where all the pieces fit in the puzzle of life, and are often detached from their emotions. Their objectivity may hide feelings of isolation or confusion.

Additionally, look up one of the Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) for personality traits.

When you sit down to write, direct your energy toward just one person — your ideal reader. That way, you’ll be one of two people in communication with each other, like the Lovers in the cards. ~Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

What’s on Your Keeper Shelf? Part 3: Fiction

In Part 1, I shared my non-fiction shelf. In Part 2, I shared my physical fiction shelf. Today, for Part 3, I’ll share my digital fiction “shelf” on the trusty Nook.

Now, this list is on the short side, just because I haven’t had my Nook all that long, and I haven’t got around to reading everything on it yet.

Without further ado, alphabetically, my digital Top 10 List:

1. Lisa T Bergren (Her River of Time series anyway.)
2. Joely Sue Burkhart
3. Lindsay Buroker
4. Liz Fichara
5. Larissa Ione (Actually, this is kind of a cheat because I have one series on the physical shelf and one on the Nook.)
6. Marjorie M Liu
7. Kait Nolan
8. Sloan Parker (Psst, Take Me Home, a friends to lovers story, released today.)
9. Sasha White
10. Maria Zannini

Going Green with Your Greeting Cards

I’m over at Maria Zannini’s blog today talking about creating greeting cards and staying green. Pop on over and share your craft of choice for a chance to win the giveaway!

And continue visiting through December 22nd for posts about creating cool crafts and mouth-watering dishes.