FLAMES

Vision with action can change the world  
-   J.A. Baker

A starfish window decoration comes to life, staring longingly at the brilliant sun illuminating the autumn reeds beyond the glass frame.  It wants a new start– to live, act and move–to manifest its potential.

The ONE/FLAMES describes life force energy–a creative spark or inner fire that motivates you to say YES to an inspiring new opportunity.  It urges you to follow your instincts, intuition or inner vision– to act now– to take a risk, following your passion.. Carpe diem! This card symbolizes potential–pure, vital, untamed, unformed energy that exhorts you to to recognize an opportunity that inspires you and go for it.  It’s not action–not yet– but the desire to act that pushes you forward.  It’s linked to passion, initiative, motivation-to what makes you feel alive.

KEYWORDS: inspiration, potential motivation, energy, drive; creative spark; sexuality; male fertility; news; passion; excitement; initiative enthusiasm; conception

I've made a lot of choices, some good, some not so good; 

how sad for those who merely hitchhike along, never 

daring to choose at all.

― C.J. Heck

This path to the beach, rimmed with overgrown autumnal reeds, beckons you to the water.  You may choose to sit in the sand, wade up to your waist, get your feet wet or dive in.  Or perhaps you choose to take a left and walk along the shore, or to the right towards a distant lighthouse?  The 2/FLAMES is all about decisions you have to make often within a partnership.  It indicates a bit of a tug of water in terms of “what’s next” and often shows up when you feel bored or dissatisfied with the status quo, and wonder, “Should I stay put or move forward?” As what you moved towards in the 1FLAMES no longer seems like enough.  The fiery ARIES energy of this card urges you to push out of your comfort zone–to take a risk and say YES to a new challenge that will lead to expansion and growth rather than complacency.  It urges you to consider your options then set personal goals, thinking about what steps need to be taken to move forward towards a new goal yet it’s more about planning than action.  Strategic thinking, decisions and negotiations are key here.  You have the upper hand and have to decide whether to shape a new path before you, or ignore your inner fire and stay where you are, choosing non-action and acceptance of the status quo rather than take a risk. It also can indicate a willful partnership based on power/control dynamics, with lots of choices to make, some of them locational, including whether to stay, go, move into together, separate.

KEYWORDS: decisions; strategy; risk; partnerships; power/control issues; take charge energy; immigration; restlessness; wanderlust; grass is greener syndrome; want more; risk; travel

Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.

― Roy T. Bennett

These three sunflowers seem to want nothing more than to reach the sun in order to shine even more brightly, reflecting the sun’s brilliant light.  These spindly flowers do not know the meaning of defeat, but are determined to thrive, to expand–to grow to their highest potential.  The 3/FLAMES card indicates effort that leads to expansion and growth through visionary thinking, drive and action.  It is big-picture thinking that asks you to move forward–onward and upward–toward your goals while bringing others into the equation, sharing plans, collaborating, seeking advice, traveling and moving toward a higher level existence. Typically the expansion within this card is linked to prior effort–to the decisions you made in the the TWO.  The 3/ FLAMES encourages creative visualization, giving form in your mind to what you want to manifest-to “think big!” then take step- by-step action to realize your goals. It also can be linked to “foreign” energy including long-distance travel and overseas markets or opportunities-to creative leadership.

KEYWORDS: upgrade, growth, momentum, visualization; big picture thinking; expansion; travel; foreigners; long distance/internet relationship; overseas business

Without a solid foundation, you’ll have trouble creating anything of value 

- Erika Oppenheimer

Four bales of hay rest languidly in a freshly plowed field, awaiting transport to be turned into grain.  Lots of effort preceded this rural scene. Four is foundational energy and the 4/FLAMES offers an initial harvest– a resting place from which you can pause and celebrate the results of prior efforts.  This card offers you a moment to pause and reflect before the next step, to appreciate how far you have come!  You now have a fledging but stable foundation that encourages you to keep going towards the next stage of your plan. The 4/FLAMES showcases the first solid results towards manifestation of your goals, achieved through optimistic action, effort, and vision.  It a joyful, exuberant energy that combines solid gains with room for growth.  It also shows up to describe weddings or other celebratory events, and property matters such as redecorating and upgrading a home, or buying a new one and relocating.

KEYWORDS: initial foundation; celebration; surprise ; social event; community; family event; initial harvest

If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living

-Gail Sheehy

Red berries warn animals to stay away, their vibrant hue shouting, “POISON!”  Thus the berries in the 5/FLAMES card warn of conflict, disagreements, arguments and competition- discordant situations that vex us. When this card shows up in a reading, you may be dealing with conflicts, arguments, or rivalries that need to be addressed. Self assertion is needed.  Sometimes the conflict is within, a ‘house divided energy” in which one part of you wants X and another part wants of you wants Y, with a lot of self sabotage going on.  Typically, the frustration and chaos of this card leads to a crossroads that pushes you out of your comfort zone as you have no choice but to address the issues at hand.  The 5/FLAMES urges you to face conflict head one, speaking your truth and holding fast to your inner vision despite tough externals, refusing to let negativity (or your inner voice) derail you. This discordant red-berries energy is meant to force you to make difficult changes that are badly needed and will bring a feeling of satisfaction once the dust settles. The intense active energy of this card also is linked to sports and competitive situations of all types and to a lack of teamwork due to differing opinions and “big egos” in a personal or work situation.

KEYWORDS: disagreement, struggle; fighting; battles; temper; clashing; chaos; frustration; sports; conflict, arguments, competition, discord; strong opinions; no teamwork

What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail

― Eleanor Roosevelt

This sapling is in full bloom, reaching towards the summer sun, convinced it has everything it needs to thrive.  It goes it alone, shining brightly, determined to rise up and shine–no matter what.  The 6/FLAMES is an optimistic, confident vibration that showcases success that comes upon the heels of opposition and conflict in the 7/FLAMES.  This card is imbued with an upbeat, win-win energy, telling you that “YES, you have what it takes to ‘win’ or realize your goal.”  A positive, assertive “I can do it” stance will lead you to a victory.  It asks you to remember WHO you are, to acknowledge your inner fire or divine essence and move towards your goals without letting ego and pride alienate you from others.  Expect some sort of recognition for your efforts when this card shows up–attention of one sort or another–but do not sit back, thinking everything is golden from now on as further tests await you. Stay confident, hold your head high and shine brightly as you more fully own your power. You’ve got this!

KEYWORDS: recognition, success, leadership; validation, approval, positive self worth; confidence; win; achievement; pride; attention; limelight

If we don't fight for what we 'stand for' with our passionate words and honest actions, do we really 'stand' for anything

― Tiffany Madison

This wild carrot grows triumphantly in a verdant field, rising above would-be competitors–tall grasses and smaller wild carrots that are striving to compete/  The 7/FLAMES is a proud, feisty, “go-it-alone, with integrity” vibe.  It indicates determination and self assertion, especially in the face of opposition.  It can indicate a need for self defense, or defense of a dissertation or other project.  When this card shows up in a reading, you may have to “prove” yourself in some way, but if you stay on higher ground, true to yourself, you have a good chance of winning.  The 7/FLAMES asks you to maintain boundaries–to stand tall and determined no matter what, refusing to compromise your integrity or sense of self.  It asks you to seek challenges, open to growth and expansion, face conflict and stand tall and proud.  It bodes well for independent action such as self employment and is the WRITER’s card  in the deck, signifying all types of writing–learning and teaching too.  

KEYWORDS: self defense, determination; self assertion; integrity; boundaries; teaching, writing, advocacy; strong will; under attack; on the defense; challenges; blame; stamina; refusal to back down

Always remember, your focus determines your reality.

—George Lucas

In this card, early-spring oak leaves burst into brilliant bloom.  Supported by deep roots and a solid trunk, they have the inner resources to grow to their highest potential, reaching as far as they can in width and breadth across a river.  They are eager to surpass their prior growth, adding a new layer to their existing foundation..  Like all of us, they are hardwired within to realizes their potential-to grow and thrive.  The  8/FLAMES encourages you to set your intentions and move towards a new layer of success.  A bit like a green light at a busy intersection, the energy of this card propels you forward, promising quick results. Powerful intentions, optimism and quick movement are highlighted in this card, along with freedom from obstacles and delays. It’s a GO FOR IT card in which you can add to the your initial base saying YES to abundance and manifestation, power and success. Speed is of the essence when this card shows up–things will move quickly if you take action. Travel is highlighted as well.  If you have been stuck at a proverbial red light for a long time, this card tells you that change is coming.  Soon.

KEYWORDS: progress; speed; travel; green light; in love; lust/infatuation; dive in; freedom, swift change; sudden movement; news; action; option

Obstacles are put in our way to see if what we want is worth fighting for 

- Anonymous

One feeble branch of a small tree pushes towards the winter sun, determined to live–and thrive -to grow to its potential.  Undaunted by its snowy cover, this small branch stands strong refusing to back down, or give up.  The 9/FLAMES is all about inner strength and a need for perseverance.  It indicates one final test, one push needed before you realize your goal. You may feel exhausted, lacking stamina, or overcome by obstacles,  but before you give up, you dig down deep and find new layers of inner strength.  Power and persistence too.  This card reminds you that you are more than capable.  One final test which you can pass, and you are there. It reminds you that the power you seek is within, like Dorothy in Oz realizing she has been wearing the magic red shoes all along.  This fiery card advises you to seek strength within, to avoid giving into old triggers or wounds that lead to self sabotage.  Strength and persistence are game-changers, here-you are almost there and can’t give up now.  This card bodes well for recovery too.

KEYWORDS: resilience, inner strength, perseverance, final stage; stamina; exhaustion; learn from past; PTSD; prior failures; gather strength; one last push; long-term battle; recovery

Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get

― W. P. Kinsella

Under a brilliant floodlight, gorgeous sunflowers climb to their potential then start to droop.  A home owner planted sunflower seeds in her front yard and they germinated, the plants stretching as high as they could, then started to droop as they had nowhere else to go.  The 10/ FLAMES shows up when a goal has been reached.  You may be proud of your efforts, yet you realize all the effort you expended, and how much more effort is needed to maintain what you have. You did it, yes, but at times, you feel more weary than jubilant, and may ask yourself “What was I thinking?” when I said YES to this path.  Delegation is helpful when this card shows up.  Asking for help.  Soon, it will be time to let go and start a new creative cycle but for now, celebrate this milestone–a period of attainment–realizing how far you have come. 

KEYWORDS: burdens, oppression; responsibilities; over-commitment; overwhelm; ambition; stress; duties; obligations; uphill path; persistence; struggles; guilt