The Answer Is Within You
January 7, 2013 * * * * * Posted by: Ginnie 
From Medicine Woman Tarot, created by Carol Bridges
But how exactly do you find it!
For several weeks at the end of the old year I was plagued by jumbled thoughts and overly-sensitive emotions about an issue. I tried to put my finger on it. Things weren’t quite right. No sense of camaraderie. The familiar was gone and nothing left felt cozy or comforting.
I couldn’t enter the New Year with this detritus. It would destroy me. I needed clarity but knew it would take work to find it. I’d have to go back to the desert to dig up dry bones and connect them. Breathe life into them. Find an answer.
Where did this come from? Why was it affecting me like this? How could I fix it? Did I even want to!
So, I breathed in and out. In and out. Deeply. Slowly. Deliberately.
As I cradled the deck of cards in my hands, I knew the answer was within me. I shuffled the cards, slowly. I breathed over them. Held them lovingly. They’d pick up the warmth of my psychic energy and would not disappoint. I believed in them. They believed in me. The answer was within me.
I chose a 3-card spread: what’s been holding me (past), how does it sit with me today (present), and how can it take me to a higher level (future)?
I stopped shuffling and broke the deck, laying out the top 3 cards in order, left to right:
1. PAST: 2 of Arrows/Swords
vacillation, defensiveness, repressed emotions, blindness to truth, doubt, paralysis, in the dark.
A choice needs to be made. Unable to make decision. Stuck. Fear of consequences. Disagreement or conflict with someone. Overwhelmed.
Interpretation: Must be honest with self, clear the air and move on. Take responsibility for my own desires and limitations.
2. PRESENT: 4 of Bowls/Cups
loneliness, introspection, apathy, inertia, self-absorption, self-pity, despair.
Resentment/disappointment because expectations haven’t been fulfilled. Let down. Feelings of isolation. Deeply hurt. Dissatisfaction. Strong desire for change.
Interpretation: Reevaluate present circumstances. Take responsibility for impasse. Adopt new approach. Restore myself. Move past worries/fears to love myself and accept love from others.
3. FUTURE: 17 Grandfathers/Star
spiritual vision, birth, independence, calmness, free-flowing love, trust, tranquility, peace of mind, serenity, generosity, hope.
Faith in better future. Renewed trust in life. Light at the end of the tunnel. Wish-fulfillment. Joy. Help is on its way. Happy outcome expected. Spiritual prosperity. Clarity.
Interpretation: Release doubts and fears. Act in accordance with my true nature for tranquility and inner peace. Serve and give with gratitude. Stay calm and relaxed for efforts to come to fruition.
Within 2 days of the New Year, I found my answer. I had clarity and the weight of the world fell off my shoulders.
I grew up on daily meditations, using the Bible and/or devotional books for what we called Quiet Time. After my divorce in 1990, ostracized by the organized church for being a gay woman, I delved into the world of my maternal grandfather, one of America’s astrology forefathers back in the ‘20s.
Shortly thereafter I discovered Tarot meditation and found hundreds of decks from which to choose. Someone said to choose a deck that spoke to me! When I found Medicine Woman Tarot, with deference to Mother Earth and Native American healing, I immediately chose it. Or perhaps She chose me, to guide my new journey.
And thus began the travel into my inner, psychic self. I really do believe the answers are within us and can be found, regardless of what tools we use.
So many questions answers; so little time. Let’s go find them in 2013!
Answers, Questions, Tarot Meditation
Reader Comments (29)
Tarot cards are fascinating and always help us find the answer within. A few months back I offered Darling Daughter her first deck for her 17th Birthday as it had been a long time she had wished for one. She has already read the cards on several occasion to several of our friends and every single time the cards gave the answers the person was looking for.It was fascinating to observe.
Your deck is a beautiful one Ginnie and I know more answers will keep finding you this year:-)
Oh Ginnie. Tears here. I am so so happy that you found the answer you needed. I am wrestling with similar negative emotions here, and have taken heart from this post. I can let go and move on. I need to for my own integrity and emotional health. Thank you. Lots.
I've always been a big believer that what we need we have within...but the concept of these tarot cards are new to me.The symbols and messages they hold are inspiring. I love that you find answers in places so unexpected - the stars..and now - the cards. So happy for you that you've re-gained your sense of self and some inner peace. Beautiful!
I find talking to the cat works for me Ginnie. They are good listeners and non judgemental. As long as you are tickling them under the chin they will listen to anything you say.
I'm glad your quiet meditation and the Tarot cards have worked for you.
Ginnie, I am delighted that you have found solace within, there is nothing worse than carrying these old war wounds into a new year, it definitely is not your true nature! I too have a beautiful set of Tarot Cards based on Italian renaissance paintings. The images are just wonderful. The three card spread is one I have used a lot and I have found it a meditative and imaginative way to play with possibilities. Ginnie, it was great to hear how you have come to your own outcome here......a real insight.....thanks:~)
How happy I am that i stopped by to see that Mother Earth inspired cards lifted your shoulder weight and painted your smile back on, so you can enjoy....the answers. Since reading your words on this site, your insights have inspired and reminded me how important following the heart must be.
The concept of Tarot cards is new to me. Like so many other concepts I have been introduced to here at Vision and Verb, I try to have an open mind.
The most important thing, as I see it, is that whatever means it took, - prayer, meditation, 'petting the cat,' Tarot cards - you have carefully and mindfully spent time seeking direction and a course of action...and are not acting on impulse.
When I was younger I often acted too quickly on impulse; not always thinking things through.
I'm happy for you that you found 'clarity' and most of all that 'the weight of the world fell off (your) shoulders.'
Beautiful cards and beautiful thoughts of them helping you to find some answers that you were searching for ... I think it will be that kind of year for so many of us.
Keep smiling & keep the faith, dear friend!
I love tarot / oracle cards! I love the illustrations and the stories I try to learn from them. Yes, the answers are always within us but then like me, I doubt my own choices and decisions...my inner voice, which I am learning to trust :)
Bravo Ginnie as I too use certain tools to find those answers and guidance buried within me...I love your deck and how your experience can help others to just take the step to seek those answers within!!
Those dry bones....I read those words and I know from where they are - and I love that you also have that connection to the book :) - I know exactly where my copy is as I type...can picture it even!! it's safe, it's close. words and thoughts find us when we need them, it's never random chance. it's because we need their guidance, in however form they come.
Years ago, when at a particularly bad time in my life, i remember being on a plane, making myself as small as i could possibly be (at 6" that is not so easy :), but because that was how i felt. everything had come crashing down and i had lost all focus, except i was on a plane being sent to a place that would hopefully make me better. during the journey, not the physical...the actual plane journey, i started reading Sogyal Rinpoche's The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and as I read the words, they literally did leap off the page and into my confused brain. It was like every sentence I read had meaning and struck me so deeply. That book now means more to me than anything else....so much so that I have never been able to lend it out, I am attached to it as an umbilical cord :)
All will be well :) (and I love what Bill says about cats, so true - I talk to mine all the time!!!! )
I think you are so right, the answers are always within us. It's the listening to ourselves part that trips us up. I'm so glad you have found the perfect thing that allows you to hear what is within you.
I think we spend our whole lives dancing with the questions.
Sometimes, it's nice to sit down with an answer :)
The reserve within you is evident in your writing, Whatever vehicle, however you organize your thoughts, come to peace with yourself, it's working. Sending a little more positive energy your way, not because you need it, but because I want to. Here's to a enlightened New Year for us all!
Wow, Ginnie. This Medicine Woman is new to me. I do believe the answers are within us and sometimes we need something to help us pull it out. When I am back in the country I will explore this. Thanks and blessings on you in 2013.
Beautiful Ginnie. Sweet, simple truths are always near, always available and always within. Finding them... not always so simple, but find them we must - face them we must - then, move forward into the clarity they naturally bestow, resting in the peace that only truth can give. Thank you for sharing the path you often walk to find your truth - it is a gift, one you have shared with us all.
I loved this Ginnie and thank you for the link you provided. I've been searching for a quiet means of peace and centering too - and will follow and investigate for myself. So glad you found the clarity you were searching for and wishing you the journey you desire in 2013. I believe too, that the answers are found within.
I may have answers within but I guess I'm still not in a place to listen. I imagine going on a retreat and not returning until my heart and soul have found release. I'm glad your wisdom is more accessible, perhaps because you have more of it. :)
Years ago, when I lived in San Francisco, I had a deck of Tarot cards (still have it somewhere) and used them frequently- they were French. But I have not used them in decades. I found that using my coins with the I-Chin was a better approach for me (the Chinese divination system.) Have you ever used it? You are absolutely correct – the answers are always there within you. I am pleased you found yours.
The answer is within us, and we have to be faithful to our self.
You introduced me into the world of Tarot, I even have my own deck. So the moment you told me, I need a meditation, I knew the answer would some.
I have seen you struggle with your questions for a while, back and for, you even lost some sleep over it.
Then one day, you did the meditation, that was a starter. After that the answer came and I can tell, you show 20 years younger again, after finding the answer!!!!
To me that tells it all. Thank you for this post, it gives some insight in what can be solved 'easily', when you are 'open' about it.
The concept of Tarot cards is new and very unknown to me - and I am a bit sceptical.
However, I do fully agree with you that the answers are within ourselves. Often though it is so difficult to listen to ourselves, to really take the time to quieten down and listen carefully. I have found that writing often leads me to the answers, but not always. I guess we're always looking for some answer.
When we wrestle with problems like this, most times we already know the answer, deep down within us, but lack the confidence to believe it. We need confirmation from someone else, but are afraid to ask in case they confuse us. So we turn to some other aid, Tarot, trees, waves upon a beach, a special book of saying or wisdom, a mountain view - and eventually we come to realise what the answer is, or what we must do, and feel strong enough, or sufficiently at peace with ourselves, to relax and do what we always knew we had to do.
The answers are within us, but sometimes we have to find the right way to reach them. As you, I usually look for them using cards and also meditation, or journaling... or any other way to feel contemplative and introspective and able to find clarity. I select them depending on my mood, but I trust them and I am sure that it´s a way to improve self-knowledge and to trigger some stimulus to keep on growing.
The answer is always within us, but when we get distracted we forget that. The distraction overwhelms us.
I am so glad you found the perfect way to focus and find the answers :-)
There is so much here in this post. Please forgive me, as I don't want to place less emphasis on your jumbled thoughts and emotions, but I found reading about your maternal grandfather to be so intriguing! WOW! Now getting back to the spirit of the post, first my heart aches that you have been so troubled, but reading on brought relief that you were on your way to resolving...so now I'm better. :) You my dear lady are so amazing and there's no doubt you would find the answer within yourself. Sending a big virtual hug! This post just gave me chills, but in a very very good way! Thank you! I so want to learn more about Tarot cards!
Oh, Ginnie - It seems so many "big decisions" manifest themselves around the coming of the New Year. How easily we forget that the answers are within us. Just waiting for us to find them. The lesson, I think, is not in the finding itself, but in the looking - it's the journey. Once again you've helped me remember this - and you've helped me to have faith in the truth that lies inside. Thank you for this writing, Ginnie. Thank you for your friendship!