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Inner Surprises Blog

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By Anne Marie Bennett

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A Reading for a Weekend Retreat

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I have to laugh… really laugh at the daily reading I just did with my SoulCollageĀ® deck.Ā  And my mirth is bubbling over, and I just have to share it with you!

Tomorrow morning I am leaving for three full days of an “Unplugged” retreat at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, which is in Western MA, about 2.5 hours from my home.Ā  I am feeling really excited by this opportunity to unplug, and reconnect to myself on the inside, so to speak.Ā  The retreat I am attending is called “Writing the Mind Alive” and based on the Proprioceptive Writing process. Am so happy about bringing my own soul back into my writing.

But I digress… I am laughing because the two cards I drew today in my daily reading are all about solitude, rest, and going within!


Solitude

I am the one who curls into myself, who closes my eyes and goes within, who rests in the solid, secure knowing that I am safe, that the waves will not overtake me or wash me away.

I am the one who is at home tucked away in my soft, beautiful shell.Ā  I am the one who is at home near the ocean, water.

I am the one who is watched over and protected by luscious purple divine growth. I am the one who is watched over while i sleep, protected while I go on inner journeys.

My message for you today is this… enjoy your Unplugged weekend.Ā  Rest in the safety that accompanies all of your inner journeys. Breathe. Rest. All is well.

PERMISSION TO REST

I am the one who is content to just BE.Ā  I am the one who doesn’t always have to be DOING something.Ā  I am the one who gives you permission to rest.

It is not a coincidence that you drew these two cards today, right before your Kripalu retreat.Ā  This is a retreat that you are receiving, not giving, not leading… but a retreat for YOU to receive.Ā  Give yourself permission to rest while you are there. Give yourselfĀ  permission to receive.Ā  Relax. Be still. Let go.Ā  And see what comes to you.

Authenticity Rides Again

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Here is a perfect example of how a card can change its meaning and message, over time.Ā  When I first made this card, she seemed to be all about Authenticity. You can read my original writing about her here.

Today I drew her in my daily card reading, and as soon as I saw her, I said to myself “Ahh… Authenticity!”Ā  But then I reminded myself not to label her. And I let her speak to me, right now, today, in this moment. Here is what she said:

I am the one who is standing strong and golden against the backdrop of the setting sun. The last time you saw me, the sun was rising, but right now it is a sunset you are seeing. Soon darkness will cover the earth and we will survive the darkness because we will remember this blessed golden light.

I am the one who presides over endings and beginnings.

My message for you today is this: pay attention to what is ending in your life. Pay attention to that which is beginning.

This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today!Ā  And it so comforted and warmed me, to see this familiar face in my reading this morning, and to hear her speak to me in this moment, instead of continuing to repeat what she has told me before.

Birthday Reading

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I usually draw two cards from my Deck every day, as a way to stay in touch with the inner and outer energies in my life.Ā  Thursday was my 54th birthday and on that day I chose two really special cards.Ā  These are cards I have not worked with since I made them, but cards that have special meaning to me nonetheless.

Anne Marie at 12

I am the one who is only 12 years old. I am the one who has been watched over since I was born. I am the one who has been guided and protected by these female figures of light. I am the one who is not alone, who has never been alone, who never will be alone.

My message for you today is this: These guardian beings are still with you today, right now. Pause. Close your eyes. Hear them. Feel them. Open to them. Happy Birthday!

Crow Woman

I am the one who wears crow paint, who is marked with the sign of Crow. I am the one who is protected by Crow Energy, Crow Love.Ā  I am the one who looks ahead to the future.Ā  My message for you today is this- you are not alone. You are guided and protected by deep Crow energy.Ā  It is very strong in your life even though you may not understand it.Ā  Be patient.Ā  Open your heart as you look ahead to the next year of your life.

SoulEssence – Transpersonal Cards

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The Transpersonal cards of one’s SoulCollageĀ® Deck do not speak with the “I am the one who…” voice.

They are part of the “One” from which the “Many” spring forth.

I already have a Source Card and a Witness Card in my Deck.

A few weeks ago I created what seem to me, to be two SoulEssence cards.

SoulEssence is that divine spark inside of us.

SoulEssence is our purest, most clearest essence, who we each are at the deepest soul level.

More information about the SoulCollageĀ® Transpersonal cards can be found in these handouts: The One and the Many and the Source Card by Seena Frost
Transpersonal Cards- article by Seena

Weaves the Web – Council Suit

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Who Are You?

I am the one who weaves the web. I am the one who puts the pieces together. I am the one who knows the connectedness of nature, and of all things, of all souls, across time, across space, across the Universe and beyond.Ā  I am the one who bursts forth with strength of body and Spirit.Ā  I am the one who is colorful, creative, and yet beyond words.

What do you have to give me?

I give you the knowing that everyone and every living thing is connected.Ā  I give you the gift of connection.

What do you want from me?

I want you to SEE the connections.

I want you to be aware of the connections between you and every other living creature on this earth.

I want you to know that you are also connected to the unseen and that these connections transcend time and space. I want you to pause every now and then, and remember that we are all woven together in one wide and glorious web. I want you to tell others about the Connections.