We are made of stories. The stories that we tell, the stories we imagine, the stories we silently hold on to as we go through life, living our story. Our story started the day we were born. With every perception, we shaped a story about how the world is and who we are in it. At some point, we may wake up in the misery of our stories and decide that we want to tell a new story. As a variation on the standard past-present-future reading, I have created a 3 card story shifting reading that could help us shift into a new story. As usual, the Tarot has offered me a sweet opportunity to very easily do this reading for myself.
This deck is my latest favorite, the Wild Unknown. I am in love with the nature images and the simple yet detailed rendering of the images.
The first card, the daughter of cups, is an aspect of my old story. This is pretty accurate as my old story is that of the ugly duckling. I never knew my true identity as a swan and have felt at various times of my life (and especially recently) as if I am an exile. I could not live with the ducks any more. I couldn’t change myself enough to fit in. This is because I had a different nature. I was a different creature. I thought I was wrong, or not good enough but really I was just something else entirely. I have felt at times like I am an outcast with no tribe, having no understanding of my true nature. This is an emotionally painful yet important place to be. This is my old story. – That I am lost and alone, having no understanding of who I really am. Time to shift out of this story.
The second card is the card that is the key to shifting into the new story. Ok, Death. I love death but of course it scares me. I’m human! This is an especially powerful card, obviously, because what it speaks about is a profound transformation. This is not a casual change or an easy switch into a new story. The Death card here shows me that we have to kill off every little last bit of the old story. Anything that makes it “Fly” cuz that old story don’t fly any more! Yes, it will be terrifying and probably even painful but highly necessary. Death isn’t always instant. My old story may be dying a slow death. But it must be Death. Nothing else will suffice.
The third card here is the New Story. This is the 9 of Pentacles. Damn, this is a great new story. It speaks to sticking with the plan, dealing with the ups and downs, moving through the process all the way to success! And this success is the harvest that the earth gives- the feeling of security and support. Although the pentacles are usually seen as being about finances and career, they are also about the material support that we feel. Because the truth is, there is no amount of money that is going to make you FEEL like you are supported. This is a feeling that comes from within.
My new story is that I am supported by the Divine, the Universe, the Great Spirit- whatever we call it. The Universe wants me to succeed. All of life is rallying around my success, even when things feel like “failure”. This is part of the process and the truth of the Matter is that I am supported! (And so are you xoxox)
Margot Darling 