A SoulCollage®️ Reading

I’m doing something different this week. I’m using my SoulCollage® deck instead of the digital oracle cards.

If you want to skip straight to the reading, scroll down to the audio and image of card four. If not, read on!

I mentioned SoulCollage® in last week’s reading, saying that those cards are very different from the digital oracle cards, (although you can do readings with both).

One difference is that the SoulCollage® deck is created by you, for you, and is therefore (obviously) personal to you.

Some SoulCollage® cards are made intuitively (randomly placing images until they feel ‘right’).

Some SoulCollage®cards are made intentionally (with an idea in mind, of the card you intend to create).

The oracle cards I made digitally (on Freemix.com) were all made intuitively. Usually, I have no idea as to their meaning – until I look at them later and see what comes to my mind!

With my SoulCollage® deck, I know each SoulCollage® card intimately – because (to summarise very simply) each card represents an aspect of me. Your SoulCollage® deck and cards would feature the many and varied aspects of you.

Without getting into too much detail now (I’ll say more in later posts) about the various aspects and process of SoulCollage®, let’s go straight into the card readings.

The first reading was a personal one for myself. I’ll share the cards and a brief summary of the meaning of that reading.

The second reading was an extra SoulCollage® card I chose, intending it for you. If you’re reading this, that means you-you! I hope it resonates. There’s an accompanying audio for that card. (Scroll down to Card Four!)

In the first reading I chose three cards:

Aiming my Creations
The Confident One
Abundance through Work I Love

CARD ONE

**AIMING MY CREATIONS** (SoulCollage® deck)

Aiming my Creations: The first card spoke, today, of sending my creations out into the world. The arrow represents dreams and desires and things I’m asking for, or wanting.

There is what looks like an embryo joined to the pregnant woman by an umbilical cord. The meaning here is that the woman is not quite ready to completely release her baby (creations/projects) to the outer world. Also, the ‘baby’ is not quite fully formed. More work needs to be done.

CARD TWO

**THE CONFIDENT ONE** (SoulCollage® deck)

The Confident One: I made this card when I wasn’t feeling at all confident, but wanted to be. So this is telling me that I need to feel more confident in what I am doing and do my best to push aside any doubts, fears, or apprehension about sharing my cards – and the readings!

The third card is very positive. It’s what I want – to feel fulfilled in my work, earning a (really great!) living through doing what I love.

CARD THREE

**ABUNDANCE THROUGH WORK I LOVE** (SoulCollage® deck)

Abundance through Work I Love: The card is promising that ‘abundance through work I love’ is possible – especially as the woman lying on the earth is clearly joyful. The money is also a good clue! The woman is lying on her belly, connected to the Earth, as she works away on her computer. An angel is kissing the top of her head, signifying that she’s blessed and protected. The dancing seedlings represent new ideas and joyful, steady growth.

CARD FOUR

(audio below)

The fourth card I chose for you (but also for me!) surprised me. It’s a card I made a long time ago and one that proved very healing.

Here is the audio for the card:

AUDIO:

Soul Message

I asked my soul and soul family for a message about the card, The Silent One.

Below, is what emerged.

I was only going to include the transcript, but (at the last minute – and after I’d posted this) decided to include the audio too. Some will find it too slow (like pulling teeth), and will prefer to read the transcript. Your choice – as always!

“We say, you are no longer the small defenceless child. Unfairly treated, or misunderstood by others that you looked up to, and who were responsible for you, and even, of course, loved you and cared for you.

Many times you were chastised. Many times you were told that you were wrong. And this, is what this card speaks of now. That feeling of being wrong, of doing something displeasing, that would make others critical of you.

Whatever it was, and whoever told you you were wrong, did not know how this would affect you. Deeply. To your very core.

And this, is a wound that you carry, from all those times, in the past. When you were impressionable, when you were vulnerable, when you were dependent on adults.

However, you are now an adult. And you can be the loving adult to your own inner children. You can reassure them that they are loved and understood.

It is beneficial to acknowledge the hurt children, the little ones, who reside within you.

And you may do processes, such as you have done, in making this particular card. You were unaware that it would make you feel light, once you had made it. But the child, and the wound, was acknowledged.

There are many who cannot forgive their parents, their teachers, the adults who raised them and taught them.

But this does not serve you either.

Know, that within them are these hurt children of their past, who were equally misunderstood, and equally chastised.

And it is their memory of that, and also the wounds, their own wounds, and childhood memories, that caused them to lash out at others who also feel vulnerable, who are indeed vulnerable.

It is possible to break this pattern. Those who are parents have choices. And, if their childhood was one of misunderstanding and . . . abuse, of some kind, from adults, they can instead raise their own children in loving ways.

Knowing, the damage that was done to them, and setting intention to raise their own children, or children in their care, in new ways, in loving and gentle ways.

Know, that the adults who were unfair, and even, bullying, were simply carrying their own hurts from childhood. And, mainly unconsciously, projecting that hurt, repeating that hurt, and perhaps, trying to justify why that hurt was caused.

Largely, this was unconscious. They were unaware of the harm they were doing to the little ones in their charge.

But there is no blame upon their heads. For they too were wounded, hurt, misunderstood.

The process of SoulCollage is one way of acknowledging all these wounded parts within you, and giving them a voice. And you have learned, from personal experience, the value of creating such cards, and honourings.

And with that, we send you our love, as always.”

One important point I want to add to that, is that for every wounded inner child there is a playful, joyful, spontaneous child! It’s important to find, and love, and honour that happy child too.

Finally, whilst SoulCollage® is not therapy, I’ve found, over the years, that aspects of the card-making and card-reading process have been immensely therapeutic, healing, insightful, uplifting and freeing. And I’m certain that many others have too.

How the Soul Messages came about

It was the SoulCollage® process that gave me the practice to step into the cards and speak from the images. You focus on one aspect within the card – a person, animal or thing, and you become it and speak from it, or ‘as it’, using the phrase, “I am one who . . .”

Doing this is like role-play. Similar to how an actor or an opera singer would step into a part or a role, becoming the person they are portraying (and embodying the character and perhaps also the emotions of that person).

As I practised this SoulCollage® ‘role-play’ it became easier and more natural to me. I could ‘become’ (speak from the point of view of) not just people and animals, but of a tree, a mountain, the sky, a cloud, or a stone.

I think it was mainly due to using this practice within SoulCollage® that I one day decided to speak directly to my soul and also answer, from my soul’s perspective, without using a card image.

I call this, ‘soul communing.’

For the last four or five years, I’ve asked for my soul ‘s (and soul family’s) perspective on my cards, but also on other things that are bugging me.

The answers I receive are usually surprising to me. At times, my soul also has a sense of humour, which I’m thrilled about, as humour is important to me!

I wonder, if something was puzzling or troubling you, what do you think your soul might say to you about it? I’m pretty sure their words would be wise and loving.

So, if there is something troubling you, today, can you imagine, what that wise and loving part of you might tell you?

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025

Awakening of Inner Fire

Today’s three cards have one thing in common: fire. Chiefly, the reading seems to be talking about our inner fire, or our personal oomph!

Card one refers to Leo and fiery Lion Energy. Card two features the equally fiery Aries energy. It also shows the sun, and what could be more fiery than that?! Card three shows a depiction of inner (spiritual) fire.

Before you listen to the audios for each card, below, you might want to view the cards first and see what the images suggest to you, (before hearing what they suggest to me)!

Card One AUDIO:

Card One: **LION AWAKEN**, from the deck **DIVINELY HELD**

Card Two AUDIO:

Card Two: **SOLAR FLARE – REBIRTH**, from the deck **DIVINELY HELD**

Card Three AUDIO:

Card Three: **MY INNER FIRE**, from the deck **DIVINELY HELD**

Further thoughts

Card One:

The circle of women, ‘dancing the lion awake’ are awakening the sleeping lion and all those positive Leo-like qualities.

However, it’s impossible to miss the large lion to the right of the card, who is very much awake, and his power and strength are clearly visible to us. Personally, I wouldn’t want to mess with him!

The fact that there are several women, holding hands, working together to awaken the lion, may suggest a group that you are part of. It could be a coaching or business group that offers mutual support, or it could be friends and/or family.

Perhaps you have a common goal, or purpose. Perhaps the positive Leo-like qualities I mentioned in the audio would be useful for you to embody at this time.

Do you need to stand in your own power, or assert yourself in some way? Or do you just need more courage, or stamina, to do what you have to do?

The positive Leo qualities I mentioned in the audio, include:

Confident
Self assured
Sense of humour
Warm
Generous
Sociable
Strong
Sunny disposition.

And, personally, I’d be happy to embody all of those!

I would also say Leo-types are resilient, and are often (at least seemingly) fearless – possibly because they are so sure of themselves and their own capabilities.

And being sure of yourself is no bad thing, in my view. Because, for one thing, it means you get things done! You don’t waste time dithering, because if you want something, you go for it.

Card Two:

The Ram (Aries/Mars energy) is gazing forward, strong and stable. This ram seems to be looking ahead, to the future, with confidence.

What would the ram say, if we gave it a voice? To me, it seems to be saying, “I know where I am heading, and I am determined to get there, in my own time, in my own way”.

Today, I came across an mp3 I had made about this card, some time ago. The message I received then, regarding the Buddha-like figure, was quite lengthy – and surprising! I had recorded it onto mp3, and have included the transcription below.

I am the one who sits with legs crossed and arms gently resting in my lap, holding the vessel that contains the sacred substance. I am looking straight ahead, seeing into the future, and imagining the best, for all.

I see the beauty in death and in life, and I know the secrets of these. And, like the crow, we are working together to create the continuation and balance on this beautiful Earth.

Mankind cannot destroy this planet. It will not be. For there are forces of good that will work together to ensure all remains as it should.

Gently evolving, and at times, through more seemingly catastrophic means. But rest assure ... rest assured, there is no death. In fact, there is only Life. And, most of all, there is Love.

This card reminds you, you are nourished by the light of the sun and by the light of spirit. You are cared for and provided with all you need for your life, for your tasks, for your chosen activities, projects, and experiences.

Trust, that all will be provided, and all is working in perfect balance. Step forward with confidence on your chosen path. You do have all the resources you need, and all the strength and stamina within.

Well, I don’t think I can add anything else to that!

Card Three:

I’ve discovered (via trusty Google) that the mudra I spoke of is called Gyan Mudra (thumb and forefinger touching each other, other three fingers relaxed and extended). Amongst other things, this mudra is said to be good for concentration and bringing peace and calm.

I haven’t mentioned the woman in the centre of the card, who seems to be some kind of observer. Yes, she is naked – my metaphor for someone who is open, honest, authentic, and happy in her skin.

Perhaps she is the embodiment of that Leo self-assuredness, and self-confidence, featured in the first card.

It’s interesting that this naked woman is taking centre stage in the card – something Leo energies love to do! Certainly my Leo father loved to hold court (often down the pub), and also loved to sing to an audience. Luckily, he did have a very good tenor voice. I remember at every party, his friends used to call out, “Give us a song, Peter!”

Regarding the woman wearing what looks like a fur coat: I initially thought this might signify wealth (and perhaps ignorance)! Then I remembered a card I had made, many years ago, as part of my SoulCollage(r) deck, that features a bear.

By the way, my SoulCollage(r) deck is very different and separate to my oracle decks. I’ll talk about the difference in a blog post – soon!

Anyway, the card I was reminded of, pictured below, is called Brown Bear.

In the image, you can clearly see this Native American Brave, embodying the power qualities of Bear through wearing a bear-skin, and becoming Bear.

So, I wondered, perhaps the fur this woman wears, suggests her embodying a Power Animal of her choosing. In other words, taking on the strengths and positive qualities of a particular Power Animal.

And I wonder, what animal would you choose, if you wanted to embody the positive qualities of an animal, or bird?

Personally, I can resonate with Bear. For me, a bear is slow and plodding, but can also move like lightening when it has to.

Bear is obviously strong and powerful, and we all have both of those qualities within us, even if they are buried deep, or only surface in challenging times.

In the winter, female bears find a place underground, or perhaps sheltered in a cave, where they can safely gestate, then give birth to their young.

This might suggest a need for you to ‘retreat,’ perhaps in order to plan or create something of value to you.

Or it might indicate a need to retreat in order to rest and recuperate.

Certainly, the couple who are nestling against each other, both seem to be in some kind of peaceful place; a place of rest, or (temporary) withdrawal from the external world.

Sometimes we need to rest up, before we can plough ahead. Strength and reserves need to be rebuilt, before emerging in the Spring.

The Winter can be dark and cold, but the Spring brings new life and new hope – and the urge to get back out into the world, and plant those new seeds.

Despite the relentless cold and rain, I can feel Spring is now on the way. The bulbs are pushing up shoots, the birds are singing, and I’m beginning to feel excited about all the new potentials and possibilities ahead. I hope you can feel it too. 💕

To book a personal reading, please send me an email at: coocards@btinternet.com

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February 9, 2025February 10, 2025

Emerge from the shadows, make new music, bloom brightly!

This week’s reading is about rising up from the shadows into the light, (perhaps, even, into the ‘spotlight’). Cast off past shackles of guilt and shame. You are worthy. Accept the golden blessings being offered to you – and bloom!

AUDIO:

CARD ONE:

Card: **UNDERWORLD** Deck: **A Bridge Between Two Worlds**

CARD TWO:

Card: **HAUNTED BY THE PAST** Deck: **A Bridge Between Two Worlds**

CARD THREE:

Card: **MIDAS TOUCH** Deck: **A Bridge Between Two Worlds**

Further Thoughts on the Cards:

Card One:

It wasn’t intentional when I created the card, but it seems that the oracle card I named (intuitively) Underworld, could refer to the story of Persephone.

Persephone was taken to the underworld by Hades (God of the underworld). Her mother Demeter’s grief caused cessation of growth of plants/crops (winter/dying).

When Persephone returns to the world above, life and growth return (spring/rebirth).

The myth reflects life and death, dark and light, and might also be a metaphor for our light and dark shadow selves.

Most of us don’t want to acknowledge our dark shadow selves and try to keep them hidden.

Equally, we are often reluctant to acknowledge our light selves, (our blooming, our true essence) and may stay humble and hidden.

The right-hand side crystal looks like Smokey Quartz, so I did an online search as to its properties:

“A stone with a smoky hue that represents grounding, letting go, and surrendering old wounds.”

“Smokey quartz is associated with Hecate.”

* In Greek mythology, Hecate is the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, and the moon.

* Hecate is goddess of wisdom, crossroads/transitions, and ghosts.

She is goddess of the occult and the dark moon.

She has power over the heavens, earth, and the underworld.

I noticed three points or corners of the woman’s veil.

Hecate is depicted as triple goddess: maiden, mother and crone (three phases of a woman’s life).

Or, as having three forms, back to back. This may represent her ability/power to ‘see’ all directions, doorways and crossroads.

Looking at Fool’s Gold, or Pyrite, it seems there’s not much it can’t do(!)

It’s said to be good for protection, confidence, grounding, and emotional healing as well as attracting abundance/prosperity.

Card Two:

In Card Two, when you listen to the audio, please note that I was not advocating murder!

I’m simply saying we are all capable of all things, both good and bad. Hopefully, most of us choose ‘harm to none’! Including, no harm to ourselves (which means not berating ourselves for past mistakes).

Also, in that card, Haunted by the Past, I was struggling to find the right words to describe Britain’s persona, all of those years ago, in the time of its ‘conquering all-and-sundry’ history. I was meaning the days of imperialism and the British Empire .

To end on a brighter note, this reading is about leaving the past and the ‘dark’ behind. Leaving behind shame and regrets relating to your past, and embracing who you are now.

I mentioned a woman playing a double-bass, but it could be a cello. Interestingly, both cello and double-bass can be used for (haunting or solemn) classical music, and also tango – take your pick!

Card Three:

The Midas Touch card is a great card to end with. It speaks of your new ideas and projects ‘turning to gold’ and your reaping rewards from all you turn your hand to (and turn your enthusiasm to, no doubt)!

The message is, don’t be shy, let your light shine. Bloom, in your true and beautiful essence.

You are capable of great things, we all are. However, in order to ‘get the gold,’ some courage is needed.

We have to do the thing, we have to try things out. And we can let it be heavy and hard, or we can let it be light – and fun.

(I know which one I prefer.)

So, blessings to you, this week and beyond, and to all your endeavours and adventures!