NINE OF SWORDS
Don’t panic, but you’ve revealed the Nine-Eyed Raven, which represents an escalation of the Caged Hummingbird (the Eight of Swords). A tiny canary sits paralyzed, surrounded by swords. A monstrous nine-eyed raven rises from a cloud of smoke above the canary’s nest. The swords represent the fears, worries, demons, and nightmares trying to keep the canary from feeling at peace. Your dark thoughts are now keeping you up at night; you’re not sleeping or taking care of yourself; your fears are in full control. You’re living in a nightmare, paralyzed with indecision, being torn apart in different directions; the stresses you’re facing are eating you alive. Your concerns might be very real; the world is a stressful place full of suffering, hatred, inequality and uncertainty. But the world is also a wondrous place full of joy, love, growth and opportunity, But you’ve got to come up for air. You’ve got to breathe. Grab on to any tiny bit of happiness you can and hold on. The world is stressful, but friends are loving, the Earth is beautiful, blankets are soft, and we are all connected.
IF YOU’RE FEELING BLOCKED:
It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to take a day or a week to focus on yourself, to phone a friend or ten and have an honest conversation about your headspace and the battle you’re currently fighting. It’s okay to seek the help of an expert, a therapist, a support group, a 12-step program, or just someone who can take something off your plate while you swim your drowning soul to safety. Do not be hard on yourself. Be as soft to yourself as you would be toward a newborn baby, because we all need to be held sometimes. You’re human. We all need others to help us conquer our monsters, and no matter how alone you feel, there are people out there who can and want to help, there are people who have gone through the things you’re going through and survived who can hold the light you so desperately need to see. In the meantime, keep those hands of yours busy, and keep your mind focused on your hands.
CREATIVITY EXERCISES:
Create your own coloring book page: Draw any shape (or word in block lettering) you like, break the shape up with a curvy scribble, and fill each created area with a different pattern or picture. This is called a Zentangle.
Get your markers out, invite some friends over and have an adult coloring book party.
Learn to crochet, needlefelt, embroider, sculpt with air-dry clay, or any other new-to-you craft that involves repetitively moving your hands. Learning a simple new skill that doesn’t take too long to achieve a finished project will have you feeling accomplished and empowered at the end.
Create something with a monster theme
Go on a scavenger hunt outside, challenging yourself to collect 20 photos of something yellow, 20 photos of different patterns or textures, 30 photos of different leaves or signs — set a challenge to get yourself to notice the world around you in a different way.