Mum

cks Used: The Herbal Tarot by Micahel Tierra, The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Loesche, The Kawaii Tarot by Diana Lopez, The Tarot Del Toro by Tomas Hijo, The Movie Tarot by Diana McMahon Collis, the Angel Tarot by Travis McHenry

Image credits go to Getty Images

Research credits go to FTD

image from Getty Images

Also known as Chrysanthemum, this flower was introduced by Karl Linneaus. The name is derived from the words chrysos which means gold, and the word anthemon which means flower. The first known cultivation of the chrysanthemum dates back to the 15th century in China. This flower was used as an herbal remedy for headaches and in Japan, it was used as the Emperor’s seal. Colonel John Stevens introduced a variety of the flower called Dark Purple during colonial times. There are more than 100 different varieties of chrysanthemum, so much so that the National Chrysanthemum Society (yes this is a thing) has its own classification in place to categorize them based on their shape (some examples of this are daisy, button, mum, pompom, and spider) Depending on where you are in the world, there are many meanings for this flower. In Asia, for example, the mum can represent life and rebirth. In Europe, the flower can represent sympathy and loss, and in the United States, the mum can represent optimism, joy, longevity, and beauty. The flower even has some medicinal uses in that it can be used to treat high blood pressure, chest pains, diabetes, can be used as a fever reducer, and can also help to relieve headaches.

With all this in mind, how can I make the most of this time of renewal and rebirth in my life? This seems to be a time of letting go of pain and hurt, so what can I do to make sure that I can keep to my optimism and joy so I can spread love and vitality to those around me? Let’s find out, shall we?

The Cards

cards pulled from various decks

• Vasariah: clemency, equilibrium, protects against attacks in the courts

• Nemamiah: discernment, prosperity, deliverance

• 2 of swords: choices need to be made but you’re missing information. Take off the blindfold so you can see what you need

• King of Swords (reversed) abusive and mean, brutal, cutting, and heavy-handed

• 5 of wands: conflict, voices loudly spoken, take a step back from the drama if you can.

• Valet of Blades (page, in reverse): lessons learned but not internalized all the way, potentially looking for drama

• 3 of wands: actively waiting for your ship to come in, exercise patience

• 4 of cups: dissatisfaction, saying no to opportunities that come your way for now

• 3 of wands: actively waiting, exercise patience, your time for action will come.

• Ace of Coins: an opportunity to actualize goals and opportunities with your finances, materials, or energetic resources.

• 6 of wands: victory, stepping into the limelight, recognition

• 10 of wands: burdens, carrying a heavy weight on your shoulders, carrying too much

One thing I’m seeing is that I need to exercise patience and balance if I want to achieve my goals. I need to know that abusing my authority and looking for drama is not going to be helpful if I want to actualize my goals but on top of that, I need to know that my equilibrium and sense of personhood will be thrown off if I do.