Okay, this looks like fun, not to mention inspirational. Lynn Viehl posted about smashing which apparently is a new trend in scrapbooking. I’m not sure about the trend being new, certainly the name is. Hey, anything to make a buck. Paper scrapbooking is being beat out by digital a little more each year…hmm, sounds familiar. I will paper scrapbook until the supplies are no more. Anyhow, Lynn is encouraging us writer types to create “smash journals” for our stories. Brilliant. Go forth and smash
The Writing: Another muse-less week. I’m thinking I have too many pans in the fire elsewhere to focus. What worries me is the longer this goes on the harder it is to get the ol’ bubble butt in the chair. :sigh: Tomorrow is a new day of a new week.
The Reading: I’m halfway through a book Patti O’Shea mentioned on Facebook Friday, Crimson Rogue by Liz Maverick. I’m enjoying the story. However, the inconsistent formatting is distracting and, giving the author the benefit of the doubt here, the typos are frustrating, making me wonder if a second set of eyes saw this before publication.
The Blogging: Check with the original goal. Not so much with the new goal. Sigh, April is slipping by me. Maybe I’m ‘partying’ too much with my blogiversary
Speaking of blogiversaries, the amazingly talented Jenny Hansen is also celebrating a year of blogging this month. Check out her first ever More Cowbell vLog!
The Social Media: I think I’ve held steady on the sharing, thanks mostly to the ease of Triberr. I had a few conversations and am not feeling quite as spammy as last week
The Health: I sucked at tracking the water intake this week but think I did pretty good, especially with being in the triple digits last weekend. We’re in the high 80′s-low 90′s this weekend. Me thinks summer is here. What happened to spring? Dog walking, sadly only got out three times. Sugar reduction is going well and I’m toying with the next food change I want to incorporate.
Snacking is my big challenge in the food department. Either I don’t then pig out at the next meal or I do, but not necessarily a healthy one. August McLaughlin offered up some healthy snack choices earlier in the week. Yum.
To support the awesomeness that is ROW80 you can go HERE
And here is your final look at the cards up for grabs in the blogiversary giveaway…
Just a reminder, I’ll be drawing the winners tomorrow night (April 30th), so hurry and post your comments. The more April posts you comment on the more chances you have to win. Good luck and THANK YOU so much for your support! You guys are awesomesauce
Last week, in the Meet the Cards series, we concluded the Major Arcana (trumps) of the Gaian deck. Next week, we will begin to explore the Minor Arcana (pips).
Before we continue meeting the cards, I want to pause and explore the numbers we find associated with the tarot. Just like a standard deck of cards, tarot cards are numbered. And there is a whole science around numbers!
As we saw, the Major Arcana is numbered 0 to 21. Major secrets, lessons, and archetypes.
There are two basic thoughts on how you figure the numerology of the cards.
Reduction. For example, the Star (17) would be reduced to 1 + 7 = 8.
Numerical Signifier. For example, Temperance (14) would be 4.
Either way works and from what I can tell it’s a personal preference.
One overview of what the numbers mean is The Numerological Significance of the Tarot by Anthony Louis. There is also a school of thought that the odd numbers are masculine (active) while the even numbers are feminine (passive). That goes back to the elements too.
Four is the number of manifestation and material reality. There are four elements, four sides of a square, four cardinal directions of a compass, four seasons, four winds, etc. It is a number of order, structure, power, and earthly dominion. Four is the number of the prototypical complete family: a father, a mother, a son, and a daughter.
What do those mean to you? How does it add to your ‘reading’ of the card as you look at the image or read the details out of the LWB (Little White Book) that came with your deck?
The Minor Arcana is closer to a regular deck of cards in that we have four suits (which correspond to the four suits of a standard deck of cards) and each suit is comprised of fourteen cards numbered ace [1] to 10 plus four court cards. The Minor Arcana represent the everyday events and feelings within each suit. The court cards represent family with the father (king), mother (queen), son (knight), and daughter (page). The Gaian deck focuses on this sense of family (or ‘it takes a village’) even more by changing the court cards to Elders, Guardians, Explorers, and Children.
If you’re interested, I uncovered a great series of lessons while researching this post. The Secrets of Tarot Numerology is 12 lessons long complete with assignments to practice. I’ll definitely be doing this in the near future.
However, we’re going to look at the journey.
Just like the Seeker’s journey through the Major Arcana we have a Seeker’s journey through the Minor Arcana, too.
Three mini-dramas, in fact.
Ace – 2 – 3
4 – 5 – 6
7 – 8 – 9
Or look at it this way.
Ace, 4, and 7 = new beginning
2, 5, and 8 = the challenge
3, 6, and 9 = resolution (if the Seeker met the challenge)
Each of the three sets of three goes a bit deeper as the Seeker grows and matures. The first triad parallels the trials and exploits of youth, roughly corresponding to the Child and Explorer [court] cards. The second triad is more about the experiences of midlife, corresponding to the Explorer and Guardian cards. The third triad is about maturity and wholeness, corresponding to the Guardian and Elder cards. ~Joanna Powell Colbert
Culminating in 10…transition. Something dies, is reborn, and the cycle begins again. Hmm, doesn’t that just sound like the “dark night of the soul”?
The Writing: Not so much. It wasn’t that I didn’t get the butt in the chair, though I did have a few days where that was a struggle. I don’t fully buy into the muse but nothing spoke to me this week.
I think I’ll print 25 Lies Writers Tell from Chuck Wendig and stick it on my wall!
The Reading: Two more fiction stories read plus a couple of short beta reads came in, which I need to get back to the authors, hopefully today I haven’t started the next craft book yet. I’m still trying to decide which way I want to go.
Speaking of reading, I have been thoroughly enjoying Angela Brown’s fabulous A to Z Challenge posts. She has created wonderful characters and each post (each letter) is logically building on the one before, creating an amazing story. I encourage you to hop over and read Abby & Basil’s story. I hope she develops this an actual published book
The Blogging: Check. I’m still maintaining about 2 weeks worth of scheduled posts. I’d love to have a month’s worth scheduled. I’m changing this goal from just posting 3 times a week (1 being these ROW80 check-ins) to scheduling 1 post per week until I have a month of posts. Once I have that cushion I’ll revisit what I need to do to maintain that cushion. Commenting: Check.
The Social Media: I had a couple short conversations on Twitter and managed one update on Facebook above and beyond blog posts. Not great but a step in the right direction.
I’m still trying to navigate the Twitter waters. Some days are awesome, I connect with someone and share info in a nice ratio. Others, I feel like spam, LOL. After my blog clean up between rounds, I realized I needed to do something similar with Twitter and my lists. Thanks to Roni Loren’s post about how to avoid being clique-y I think I have a plan. Just need to find the time, LOL
The Health: Woot. I got out with Beastie Girl four of the last seven days. Each walk only lasted about 20 minutes…baby steps Averaged 4 glasses of water each day. I did cave to the chocolate eclairs That Man bought into the house…yum, chocolate.
To support the awesomeness that is ROW80 you can go HERE
Group 2: Birthday, Welcome Baby, Mother's Day, and Father's Day cards.
Here’s a look at more of the cards up for grabs in the blogiversary giveaway…
All the cards are blank inside for your personal message and come with envelops. (Cards like the Mother’s Day card may cost extra to mail due to bulk.)
This is a very earthy card. We have all the elements with the deer (earth), eagle (air), snake (fire), and salmon (water). And look at the position of the world with the positions of the elemental animals: deer (north), eagle (east), snake (south), and salmon (west). We have the archetypal wise woman but even more I get the sense of the Triple Goddess, with the Crone holding the Mother and the world teaming with life, the Maiden can be seen in the butterfly. That butterfly brings us full circle from the Fool. Speaking of circles, this image is full of them! I see the halo, the world, the herbs, even the woman’s arms are circling the world.
According to the book the cloths in the background that look a little like clothes drying on a line are Tibetan prayer flags. “It is believed that the wind carries the prayers and mantras written on the flags all over the world, spreading good will, peace, compassion, and wisdom.” Isn’t that beautiful?
Light (upright) Reading:
Wholeness, the culmination of your spiritual journey.
Keywords: Fulfillment, Attainment, Ecstasy, and Triumph.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
The cycle isn’t quite complete or your joy isn’t as full as it could be.
Keywords: Limitations, Burdens, Obstacles, and Frustrations.
Plots:
Perhaps traveling to the four corners of the world. Or how about traveling the four dimensions (width, length, height, and time)? The four seasons. The four stages of man: infancy, youth, adulthood, and old age.
How about a retelling of the Triple Goddess? A tale of reincarnation? How about following a prayer off one of those Tibetan prayer flags around the world? Evergreen wreaths symbolize everlasting life, maybe your story is about life after death?
Maybe that halo is pointing you toward a holy figure or religious tale. Perhaps it is an aura? The book talks about the mandorla (almond-shaped halo where two circles overlap). Perhaps the greenery, which can symbolizes the vulva, is a gateway? Or perhaps the woman IS the mandorla between the halo and the earth?
Themes: Wholeness, Unity, Success, Wellness, Completion, Thanksgiving, Integration, or Accomplishment
Characters:
Joy and tenderness such as a mother for her newborn child.
Archetype: The Self, Higher Self, Wholeness, Goal, or Anima Mundi.
Mentors represent the Self, the god within us, the aspect of personality that is connected with all things. The higher Self is the wiser, nobler, more godlike part of us [think Jiminy Cricket in Disney's Pinocchio]. ~The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler
Mythical Figures: Gaia. Anima Mundi, World Soul, and Christ Risen.
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
The World is E3: Performer, Producer, and/or Achiever
Self Image — I am successful
Passion — Deceit
Virtue — Truthfulness
Narcissistic Trap — Efficiency
Avoids — Failure
Speaking Style — Wooing or Inspiring
E3 people are relationship oriented. They are concerned with what others think of them, image and prestige. They see themselves as being for others and often believe they know what’s best. They dislike being alone and may feel sad or inadequate.
Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.
…the World card concludes one chapter, and lays the groundwork for a whole new cycle of adventures and experience. ~Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide
The World is the last card of the Major Arcana, the end of a cycle, but it is also the starting point for a new adventure as we move into the Minor Arcana.
I’ve been tagged by the fabulous Julie Fedderson and she even created a name with a badge for this meme. Way to go Julie. Thanks for the honor.
So the way of the game is to answer the 11 questions sent then pose your own 11 questions and pass it on to 11 unsuspecting bloggers. They in turn answer the questions and link back to the original post.
Here are Julie’s questions to me:
Paper or plastic? Neither, I carry canvas bags in all vehicles.
What cartoon do you still secretly enjoy watching? Road Runner and Wile E Coyote. That Man used to joke about starting up ACME Exhibits (trade show business).
If you could pick up an instrument and immediately know how to play, what instrument would you choose? Piano. I took lessons once upon a time but it never stuck.
What is the song that most defines your personality? I don’t know if this defines me or not but the title and the line “A promise lives within you now…” speak to me so I’m going with it
What’s your anger style? (i.e. simmer and steam, etc.) I used to be a ‘bottle it until the cap blasts off’ type in all situations. Still am sometimes but mostly, these days, I talk it out.
What do you think will be the downfall of modern society? Wow, so many possibilities. As a parent, I think we are vaccinating ourselves to the point our bodies won’t be able to fight the common cold. As a writer, LOL, the machines are going to take over.
What is the best character name you’ve ever come across? I’m completely drawing a blank!
What is your most bizarre beauty ritual? I’m pretty boring, just soap and moisturizer, and only use minimal mineral foundation.
What is your favorite scent? Baking bread — yum — is such a comforting smell.
Could your Significant Other identify you by just one body part, and if so, which one? That Man claims he could identify me by the left ta-ta, LOL. I’m still waiting on the why he thinks this. I think I need to set up a blind test…anyone want to be in the line up with me?
What moment in your life would have won the $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos? Perhaps the time my cousins, sister,and I were pretending to be a rock band. Our family van was the tour bus, my cousins’ house was the venue, and we run between the two as though screaming fans chased us. Multiple times. I can only imagine what the neighbors thought of five kids running, arms waving, as though chased by a swarm of killer bees!
This tag has been around the web quite a bit lately, heck this is my second go (you can see the first one HERE). I won’t tag y’all but invite you to answer in the comments. I can’t wait to read your answers!
Here are MY questions to you…
If you were a Tarot card, which one would you be?
What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
What’s your favorite line or moment from a book or movie?
Do you make your bed every morning or do you not see much point?
If you could have dinner with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
E-books or paper?
Do you have a tattoo? If so, what and where?
What is an item on your ‘bucket list’?
What’s the last book you couldn’t put down?
Okay, be honest, how often do you wash your hair?
What do you think people would be most shocked to discover about you?
The Health: Managed 4 glasses of water per day all days this week but Saturday. No dog walking. Bad fur-baby parent, bad. Sugar reduction is going well. I didn’t even cave with all the Easter stuff in the house…go me
Fur baby loving. (This is my phone wallpaper…we girls have to stick together!) Amy Shojai talked about why NOT to hug your dog today. (Edit: link fixed)
To support the awesomeness that is ROW80 you can go HERE
According to the book, the structure is Newgrange which has a central chamber illuminated by the sun at dawn on the winter solstice, and gives me a sense of death and rebirth. The man is open while surrounded by community. The image screams Druids to me. I see a solstice celebration, a celebration of life, a renewal of spirit. Cranes are the Japanese symbol of honor and peace. The Lotus a Buddhist symbol of enlightenment and awakening. The swirls and circles show continuity and the rhythm of life. According to the book, that face looking down on the man is Kwan Yin, a goddess of compassion and mercy. The symbols on this card are amazing!
Light (upright) Reading:
An open heart lets go of judgments and criticisms.
Keywords: Turning Point, Reformation, Rite of Passage, and Rebirth.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
It may be difficult to let go of old beliefs, if only because they are familiar.
Keywords: Judgmental, Regret, Disillusionment, and ‘Bad Karma.’
Plots:
Just the title of this card gives me ideas. Awakening. A coma patient waking up. Someone waking up in another time or place or in another body. Spiritual awakening. Someone finding faith. Or someone being initiated as a Druid or shaman.
How about the legend of whoever folds a thousand cranes is granted a wish? Perhaps a retelling of Kwan Yin, “She who hears the cries of the world.”
Newgrange and the swirls definitely point toward the Celts. You could explore ancient peoples of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. But don’t stop there, the Celtic civilization was bigger than the Roman one. (Kate Wood offers up posts on the Celts during her Tursan Tuesdays.)
Themes: Personal Awakening, Peace, Think Globally and Act Locally, Liberation, Awareness, Rebirth, or Inner Calling.
Characters:
Emerge from darkness and open to life.
Archetype: Herald, Liberator, Mystic, or Judge.
Heralds provide motivation, offer the hero a challenge, and get the story rolling. They alert the hero that change and adventure are coming. ~The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler
Mythical Figures: Kali, Phoenix, Archangel Michael, and Horus.
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
Judgement is E2: Helper and/or Giver
Self Image — I help
Passion — Pride
Virtue — Freedom
Narcissistic Trap — Service
Avoids — Needs
Speaking Style — Flattering or Advising
E2 people are relationship oriented. They are concerned with what others think of them, image and prestige. They see themselves as being for others and often believe they know what’s best. They dislike being alone and may feel sad or inadequate.
Additionally, look up one of the Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) for personality traits.
When the Judgement card makes an appearance in your writing practice, it may be time to breathe new life into an old idea — one you thought was dead and gone. ~Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide
What I liked: Suspense with some horror, along the lines of Frankenstein, and the steampunk elements were seamlessly woven in. I thoroughly enjoyed the world Kady Cross built. The MC, Finley, was interesting without being over the top. While it stands alone, this freebie did exactly what the author was after…hooking my interest to read the series.
What I disliked: There was no real character arc but, as this is a prequel, I expect there will be more of that in the full-length stories within the series.
Why I picked it up: I’d seen it recommended. It sounded worth a try if I could get my hands on a used copy…which I did.
What I like: The way this book is broken down. The Characterization sections have some thought provoking exercises. In fact, all the sections have good exercises. I think the Journey section is my favorite so far with Profound (realization and action) and Surface (recognizable marker of growth) character journeys. I’m looking forward to the Suspense, Conflict, Context, and Transcendency sections. I may even try plotting the shiny via this book.
What I dislike: The Characterization sections are mostly lists and focus on the physical (outer) aspects of character before exploring the inner working of character which I feel is backwards. Overall, I’m finding more I like than dislike about this craft book.
Why I picked this up: I saw a number of reviews and recommendations online. Words like “Empowering” and “Inspiring” and “Uplifting” peppered everything I saw about this book. One reviewer even said something to the effect of, “I felt I was sitting at the kitchen table getting the best news from a group of friends.” Sounded worth the read.
What I expect to like: The book is divided into three main “gateways” — Engaging Your Creativity, Mastering You Challenges, and Actualizing Creative Results (the Power of Positive Priorities). There are interviews, bit-sized memoirs, and quotes throughout. Each chapter has challenges, questions, that look like they are designed to help unlock creativity.
What I expect to dislike: Can’t think of anything from my glance though the book.
Just a reminder, the more posts you comment on in April for the blogiversary the more chances you have to win one of the giveaways! Oh, and the giveaways are open to everyone on the planet.
The Writing: The wee beasties were on Spring Break this week. So no writing. I did toy with some ‘what if’ questions on the shiny idea.
I don’t think of the above lack of progress as procrastination (the family comes first, after all) but Sonia Medeiros wrote a fabulous post, When I Have More Time and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, on how to combat it!
I’ve had the honor of being a Beta Reader. I’ve benefited from my first experience of sending something out to Beta Readers. And I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read. Jami Gold’s How Do We Find Beta Readers post is a great place to start.
The Blogging: Check. All aspects of this goal went well this week (except for comments on Saturday). In fact, this goal is feeling pretty set.
The Social Media: Check, except maybe Friday and Saturday. I had a fabulous chat on Facebook with a gal from Algeria (complete with us both using Google Translate, LOL) … how cool is that?!
I delayed joining Pinterest at first because of the potential time suck factor even though I saw some cool author storyboards. Then the copyright and lawsuit stuff hit the fan. Pinterest stepped up to the plate and fixed things. August McLaughlin wrote a fabulous post on the changes — How to Pin Without Getting Arrested. Still not ready to jump on board but August’s post makes me feel better about joining.
The Health: Only hit 8 glasses of water once this week, 3 a day the rest of the week. Only got out for a walk once this week due to high winds the rest of the week. Sugar reduction still on track.
To support the awesomeness that is ROW80 you can go HERE
Steampunk Tarot Deck
I had planned to tease you with some of the handmade cards but I ran out of time to take a picture. I received the Tarot cards sooner than I expected :pets the pretty: so here’s a look at the Tarot deck up for grabs in the blogiversary giveaway…
There’s this place in me where your fingerprints still rest, your kisses still linger, and your whispers softly echo. It’s the place where a part of you will forever be a part of me.
. I’m enjoying the story. However, the inconsistent formatting is distracting and, giving the author the benefit of the doubt here, the typos are frustrating, making me wonder if a second set of eyes saw this before publication.
deck. Next week, we will begin to explore the Minor Arcana (pips).
by Christopher Vogler
by Corrine Kenner
but mostly, these days, I talk it out. 
so it’s nice seeing it applied to crafting characters. And if that isn’t enough character deliciousness, Roni Loren also posted about 
and read two fiction stories. Now to decide which craft book to start next.
is the first book.
by 
.
Perhaps 
from 
