This really spoke to me today, so I am sharing it in case anyone else out there needs it as well.  Blessings.
"Just give me this:
A rinsing out, a cleansing free of all smaller
strivings
So I can be the class act God intended,
True to my purpose,
All my energy aligned behind my deepest intention.
And just this:
A quieting down, a clearing away of internal ruckus,
So I can hear the huge stillness in my heart
And feel
How I pulse with all creation,
Part and parcel of Your great singing ocean.
And this, too:
A willingness to notice and forgive the myriad times
I fall short,
Forgetting who I really am,
What I really belong to.
So I can start over,
Fresh and clean
Like sweet sheets billowing in the summer sun,
My heart pierced with gratitude."
~Belleruth Naparstek

Card for Discussion – The Five of Swords.  When this card comes up you need to consider yourself or your situation from two points of view.  You are either the person who holds the swords or the person walking away.  You may be so set on winning at all costs that you are willing to go against your morals and beliefs.  You may even be so intent on being right that you don’t mind harming others in the process of getting what you want.  On the other hand, you may be feeling complete defeat or that you are being bullied and intimidated by others.  Someone may be mistreating you or you could feel that they have taken something from you that they don’t really deserve.  Whichever character you are playing in this drama, my message to you is the same.  There are some battles that just aren’t worth fighting.  If you are sacrificing your principles, harming yourself or others through your actions, or being taken advantage of or hurt, then it is time to lay down your sword and walk away.  Even if you were to win, your triumph would feel hollow and be a Pyrrhic victory in which the objective is achieved but at a cost that makes the victory "turn to ashes.”  The relief you will feel following your surrender will be well worth it.  Good luck and Blessings!  Ember

In a previous blog, I was discussing the card Temperance and mentioned that the angel in the picture was representative of the Archangel Michael.  I said that he deserved a post all his own, so today I would like to share some more about him.  He is a well-known leader among archangels and beloved to Pagans, Jews, Christians, Muslims and the unaffiliated.  His name means "he who is like God" and he is the head of the Lord's army.  Michael is in charge of the order of angels known as "the Virtues," and oversees the life purpose of lightworkers.  In 1959, he was canonized as Saint Michael, "the Patron of Police Officers," but he can be called on by anyone who feels afraid or vulnerable and he will immediately bring you courage and protection.
When I am reading for someone and this card comes up, I often ask if they are feeling in need of these things and if so I recommend Michael as a loving defender of justice and righteousness. (Please note:  I also always ask the person if they mind sharing how they feel about angels first and if they are comfortable with them.  I NEVER suggest anything like that to someone who is not comfortable with the concept and I greatly respect everyone's privacy and personal beliefs.  I believe that it is NOT my place or that of anyone else to push any sort of dogma or religion on another person.  To me that is a very personal decision that should be made by each individual based on their own private beliefs about and connection with the Divine, Spirit, God, Goddess, Universal Consciousness, Higher Self or whoever they choose to worship or believe in, if any.  However, I will say that if I do get a message from Michael with the card, then I do feel obligated to share it informatively with the person who it is for.  As a channel for the cards, I believe that withholding any of the information that I receive would just be unethical and deceitful.  Anyway, moving on...)  You may invoke Michael for protection whenever something frightens you.  He has no limitations of time or space and can help everyone who calls on him simultaneously.  Therefore, you can petition him on behalf of others as well.  (Again, I always recommend asking them first, if you can.  I believe all guides and guardians have more power with permission.)  There is an old verbal chant that I like to use when calling him.  I share it now with respect, light and love.
"Michael to the right of me,
Michael to the left of me,
Michael above me,
Michael below me,
Michael within me,
Michael all around me,
Michael, with your flaming sword
of cobalt blue, please protect me."
Blessed Be

I came across the first few lines of this the other day and shared it on my FaceBook page.  This morning, I stumbled across the rest of it and thought it was lovely so I wanted to share the whole thing.  Blessings to all.
"Hold on to what is good
   Even if it is a handful of earth
Hold on to what you believe
   Even if it is a tree that stands by itself
Hold on to what you must do
   Even if it is a long way from here
Hold on to life
   Even if it easier to let go
Hold on to my hand
   Even if I have gone away from you"
~Pueblo Blessing

Well, life has been busy and I have neglected the Card of the Day.  Since this may happen from time to time, I have decided to post a “Card for Discussion” from now on instead.  Today’s card for discussion is Temperance.  This card has really spoken to me lately.  The word Temperance literally means moderation or self-restraint.  It has to do with controlling your actions, thoughts and feelings.  This card can also represent finding a balance between opposites or combining things in a new way to create harmony.  The reason that I have been so interested in it lately has more to do with the symbolism of the angel.  While there is some debate about which angel is depicted in the card, I tend to agree with the general consensus that it is the Archangel Michael.  He stands with one foot on earth for groundedness and one in the water of spirituality.  He combines contradicting elements and finds the right measure.  I also love this card because of the Iris flowers.  They happen to be my favorite and are associated with the fleur de lis, as is the lily.  Fleur de lis actually means “Lily Flower” and was the symbol of King Louis XVI, who is the namesake of my hometown, Louisville.  The fleur de lis has also been said to represent the hilt of Michael’s sword, and since it is the seal of my city, I see it everywhere and I am always reminded of Archangel Michael.  He deserves a day of discussion all to himself, so I will get back to the discussion of the card for now.  When Temperance comes up, it reminds you not to overindulge or lose control of the things in your life.  Too much of things such as anger, eating, drinking or spending may throw you or your life out of balance.  Do your best to temper your life and resolve your contradictions.  Blessings!