Nadir and the Opponent in combination with the Elder-tree are indicative of a health problem. It doesn't have to be something major, it can be as mundane as a lack of vitamins at the beginning of winter: it doesn't kill us but it does make us feel weak! Lack of sunshine and too many carbs in our comfort-food are adding to our dis-comfort over time. So here we have it: let us take care of our health today and make the kind of food choices that will make us feel good in the long run!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Elf is eager to start something new. Enthusiastically he explores possibilities, gathers information and buys the necessary equipment. This new endeavor can be anything ranging from work-related project to moving to an new house to going on a trip. Given the time of year it might have to do with preparing for the seasonal holidays, Solstice, Christmas or otherwise. Half the fun lies in the preparations, so let's enjoy this time of getting ready!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Now is a good time to take matters in our own hand again. The Lord, benign ruler of his kingdom is here to give us a helping hand. He is an example for us; willing to lead us in times of need, but he also teaches us how to be our own leader and how to take agency back when we feel that this has been slipping away from us. So now we can step forward again and take (back) control. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The old Celtic word for the oak; 'duir' is etymological related to the English 'door' and the Dutch 'deur'. This particular cast; the oak flanked by Zenith and the Ally, signifies growth through initiation. By opening the door to new ways of thinking we enrich our lives. Today is a good day take the first steps on a new path. when we change how we think about our life our life will change with us. The power of the oak will protect us. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Today's theme is about protecting our boundaries. The Father coin is here to help us with the task. This particular cast can sometimes be very literal in it's meaning, in which case it refers to an actual, benign father-figure in our lives that has made us feel safe and protected. It might be a good idea to pay this person a visit if we can. On a larger scheme, let us be thankful for all the people that are ensuring our safety and let us ourselves be the protector of others. Together we create a safe environment for everybody. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

No matter how much we know about something, there are always no things to discover. Keep an open mind to all opinions, in order to keep gathering more information, and to let that input simmer for a while before coming to a conclusion. Let's enjoy the process of gathering, reading and sifting through information and let's leave the decision what to do with it to another day. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

We might think we've got a solution for a certain problem, or  we might be convinced that our ideas on the subject are the only right way of looking at it, but we have to consider the possibility that we are wrong. Sometimes logic alone is not enough to solve the case. Maybe we should not just rely on our reasoning but take some time to feel our way through this issue as well. All thoughts aside, what does our gut tell us?

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

It is so tempting to start a new project to pour all our enthusiasm and energy into...but is this the right time? If we are honest with ourselves, did we properly finish the last project we started? Do we really have the time to throw ourselves into in new endeavor? When we start something we need to see it through as well, otherwise we leave a trail of orphaned projects behind where ever we go and that benefits nobody. So let's take responsibility for the things we have committed ourselves to before taking on any new projects.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

So many people, so many convictions, so much wisdom. The always curious fairy beckons us to come with her; to leave our conventional ideas behind and enter the wonderful world of inspiration. There is so much to discover, why limit ourselves to what we already (think we) know? Let's go out and find something new to wonder about! Who knows, even if we never dared to dance in public, if we try we might enjoy it so much we realize we are actually a dancer after all. There are no limits to what we can do once we use our imagination. Enjoy exploring!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

We know what needs to be done so it is only natural that we take the lead today. With our confidence and knowledge we command respect without acting authoritative or bossy. We show the way and others follow joyfully so that at the end of the day the job is done and we are all content. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Wise Woman together with the Nadir coin and the Opponent spells trouble; somebody thinks they know everything better than we do. Judgmental, competitive and maybe even a little bit vindictive, this person is trying to make us look bad and steal our thunder. Don't let them get away with it! We are wise in our own ways and we will stand our ground. With dignity because we do not do brawls. We're above it!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

No matter how much we know about something, there are always no things to discover. Keep an open mind to all opinions, in order to keep gathering more information, and let that input simmer for a while before coming to a conclusion. Sometimes there is much to taken into account! Let's enjoy the process of gathering, reading and sifting through information and let's leave the decision what to do with it to another day. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Part of a healthy lifestyle is adopting a healthy attitude. Not only to physical things, like taking enough time to exercise and preparing well-balanced meals, but maybe even more important, toward your mental health as well. When we give as much attention to habits that better our mental health as we do to our physical health, we become more flexible. It will make us better equipped to deal with the day-to-day challenges of life. And remember: this is a journey, not a competition. Let's be kind to ourselves in the process. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Somebody is infringing on our space. Not only in a physical way, it goes deeper than that. This is about the subtle ways in which our thoughts about healthy boundaries and the right to defend them are under siege. It is of the utmost importance to be clear about where we stand.  Once we make clear what our boundaries are, it is the one trying to cross them that is at fault; we have the right to defend our space. We need to keep our back straight and refuse to give in to whomever or whatever is trying to take our place in the world. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

We seem to worry about our immediate future. So much so that we might even forget to live our life as it unfolds for us in the now. In the light of current world events - I am looking at our brothers and sisters in the USA now - it is no wonder that the coins pick up on the challenges that our future always holds. This goes for the big issues as well as for the small decisions. Not everything we see coming can be influenced by us, and it is that lack of power that can make us a bit itchy. So what we need to do is to try and maintain a healthy balance between hoping for the best and taking on the  responsibility to make it so.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Father is a protector, existing on the threshold between worlds; he stands guard between the personal world and the professional world, between family and society, between inner and outer worlds. He is the warrior-soldier in mundane life and the warrior-shaman in our spiritual life. Today he is here to aid us with keeping our earthly boundaries healthy. Socializing is great and often necessary, but always need to make sure there is left enough space for ourself!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Stern convictions and rigid ideas lead to arrogance and self-righteousness. What is it that keeps us on our high horse? Do we even know how arrogant we are in some fields? Are we actually right? If we want to move forward in life and be pleasant people at the same time, than some soul-searching is definitely advised! Let's practice modesty and give a little for a change. This cast might be about somebody we know or encounter today in stead of about ourselves, but... be honest!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Ideally people learn the finer nuances of what is right and what is wrong in the course of their lives; they are growing in wisdom while they are growing in years. Alas, not everyone who takes it upon themselves to pass judgement on others, is actually wise enough to do so. Confidence without wisdom leads to arrogance! Today somebody is riding in on their high horse, trying to dominate the situation. Let us not be overwhelmed by this person, but also, let's make sure it is not ourselves making this mistake...

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Crowds just do not do it for us today. We get irritated and gnarly being around too many people, even if they're friends and family members we usually count among our loved ones. It's not them; it's us. We need to take care of our inner peace by making time to spend with just ourselves and maybe one or two friends. Let's stay away from the crowd, let's not fill our week with social obligations but let us spend some time in nature in stead. Just to go for a walk or to sit on a bench in a quiet corner of our local park can make a world of difference. Watch the birds and the insects. Do not talk for a while. Relax and reconnect with your own rhythm.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

All kinds of claims are being thrown at us by authoritative figures. They might the leaders of our society or our managers or even our medical doctors. Sometimes we are unable to follow them since we cannot ascertain the validity of their claims. The problems we are  facing are manifold and we are confused about the solutions we should put in place. Therefore we need to be extra careful in deciding whom we are going to trust. Let's not believe everything we're told today, it seems to be good time to be a critical consumer! 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Elf is eager to start something new. Enthusiastically he explores possibilities, gathers information and buys the necessary equipment. This new endeavor can be anything ranging from work-related project to moving to an new house to going on a trip or starting with a new education. I happen to do the latter this week and I am really excited about it! Whatever journey we embark on, half the fun lies in the preparations, so let's enjoy this time of getting ready.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

"If only I had the talent", or, "I will never be as good as..." We are our own worst critics, we don't dare to take up painting, or to sing or to dance and are constantly worrying if the result is aesthetically pleasing to others. If only we could be playful and creative like a child every now and again, enjoying ourselves without holding back! It is important to create moments in our lives in which we can express ourselves, unencumbered, without boundaries, as free as a the Gods intended us to be. Let's find moments of creative joy today and let's making moments like that into a hobby! 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Whatever the challenges are that are facing us coming weekend; it might be a good idea to do a skill-check. Do we have the experience needed to bring this task to a successful end? It would be a shame to mess it up just because our pride is preventing us from hiring the best person for the job... It is not always us that need to take the lead! So let's assess what is needed and either hire or acquire the necessary skills. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The time to gather as much information as we can and to roam the internet indefinitely in our search for more details is over. We know what we need to know, now it is up to us to actually do what we need to do. Let's be brave and make the decision; it is a good day for it. Remember that not choosing is also a choice, but in that scenario we allow are agency to seep away, condemning ourselves to whatever random outcome comes of it. So let's do this, the choice is ours to make.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

This set of coins confronts us with loss and grief. Sometimes as something to be scared of, and sometimes as something to embrace, but always as something to acknowledge. Eventually everything ends if only by transforming into something else. This constellation can indicate an actual death and the grief it brings with it or a loss of something we hold dear. We'll just need to work through it, which is easier said than done, but simply can not be avoided. So we might as well start today and sit with our grief for a while and acknowledge its existence in our life. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Something comes into our hands without us expecting is. We get a present or we simply find something of which we cannot track the owner. In that case it is probably meant for us to have. So let us enjoy the little gifts that life sometimes bestows on us and be thankful for what is given to us.  

Don't just read the future, help create it!

Hella Raven 

Nobody is exactly like me, and nobody is exactly like you. Let that sink in; you are absolutely unique, even if you belong to a set of 'identical twins', than still you're not really identical. 
If we are not sure what our unique talents are, today is a good day to think about that. What is it that makes us uniquely us?  We don't have to develop a trait or a skill to be unique; it is already manifested, we only need to find it and learn how to treasure it. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Too often we are met with immature ideas or opinions that are not carefully thought through. Sometimes we ourselves are  guilty of haphazardly dismissing initiatives without good foundation for our opinions. Today is one of those days that we run the risk of missing out on good opportunities simply because we didn't take the time to consider our options. So let us slow down a minute to appreciate what is before us and make a well-balanced decision. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Honeybee speaks to us about community, about taking our place in the collective and about cooperation and good food as a result of that cooperation. This particular constellation tells us we are in a good position to enjoy our social environment and that we might even want to expand it; that we might want to make new friends or to change employer and find ourselves new colleagues. Whatever we decide, our role in the groups we are a part of is valued. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Stuff needs to be dealt with and we know exactly how to do it.  We know the job, we have the skills and we own the necessary tools. So let's not get entangled in meetings and deliberations on how this task is going to be approached. If everybody just leaves it to us, it will get done. So let's not be shy and just say to people; don't worry, I will handle this. Now most of us in Europe are back from holiday trips, including yours truly, this cast is very to the point. Let's get on with it!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

So many things in life that we think we need or want, are actually holding us back from reaching our full potential. The Crone has come to our aid today. She let us know that it is time to let go. We should no longer hold on to what belongs in the past but gently let it slip away and focus on the future. What doesn't serve us needs to go to make room for better things. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

We are constantly re-inventing ourselves while keeping our gaze firmly fixed upon the future. In this strive for rejuvenation and growth we have a tendency to brush aside all experience and knowledge that our ancestors have to offer. But if we forget the lessons learned in our past, we might repeat the mistakes of the past as well. So let's heed our history, both our own personal history as well as human history as a whole. It has brought us where we are today!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Something comes into our hands without us expecting is. We get a present or we simply find something of which we cannot track down the owner. In that case it is probably meant for us to have. So let us enjoy the little gifts that life sometimes bestows on us. And maybe, tomorrow, we will leave something behind for somebody else to find and to enjoy, thus paying those little joys of life forward. 

Don't just read the future, help create it!

Hella Raven 

The cast of today is about knowing our worth. This constellation is about having enough experience in life to feel confident that one can handle most situations adequately. From this confidence comes self-love as well since the Wise Man experiences himself as skillful, reliable and never without resources. He is comfortable in his skin and comfortable in his life and in that way inspires us to learn to know and love ourselves as well.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

We need the Sun to warm us and make our crops grow. Which hemisphere we live in doesn't matter: either the Sun is a radiant presence in our lives in height of summer or the Sun is greeting us briefly in a season of coldness, either way we welcome it's life-giving warmth. Let us use today to celebrate the simple pleasures in life; the sun on our face, the song of a bird, a glass of clean water. Don't over-complicate life, just try to enjoy it today!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Sword cuts away what isn't needed anymore, uncovering that what matters. It's like weeding: take away what is not wanted and give room to what is wanted. We need to decide on something. No more contemplating or weighing pros and cons: it is time to come to an conclusion. And remember: not taking action is also a choice, but one in which we allowed our agency to dissipate, leaving us no other option than to follow somebody else's decision. We might as well take matters in our own hands, right? The Ally is on the table to empower our sword, let's do this!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Somebody is always trying to help others but when it comes to them needing a little help themselves, they find it really difficult to ask for it. And if they do ask somebody to help them, they  have a tendency to either still do most of the work themselves or they try to micromanage those who come to their aid. That is the challenge of the Lady who finds it difficult to let go of her control over the situation. So, a moment of honesty; is this us? Or is it somebody we actually try to help but isn't really letting us? In either case we need patience and gentleness towards this person. There is no shame in accepting help, and allowing somebody to help out can be an empowering experience for both parties!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

It is so tempting to start a new project to pour all our enthusiasm and energy into it...but is this the right time? If we are honest with ourselves, did we properly finish the last project we started? Do we really have the time to throw ourselves into a new endeavor? When we start something we need to see it through as well, otherwise we leave a trail of orphaned projects behind where-ever we go and that benefits nobody. So let's take responsibility for the things we have committed ourselves to before taking on any new projects.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

In every situation there are two distinct positions we can occupy: either we look at it up close, maybe even from the inside, or we take a step back and observe the issue from a distance. The cast of today urges us to do just that: to detach ourselves from the situation we are in to gain a better perspective. So let us find some high ground and find new input from up there. What patterns are emerging? How does what we go through fit in a larger framework? What can we do to better the circumstances?

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

We want change and we want it now.  What we have does no longer suit us. Whether we are talking about our job, our house or even our relationship, we do not see a future in it anymore. Like all things worthwhile, this is going to take courage and effort. We know what the Raven Coins are referring to, right? So let us gather our strength and start changing what needs to be changed. A brighter future lies ahead!

Don't just read the future: help create it!

Hella Raven

Ideally people learn the finer nuances of what is right and what is wrong in the course of their lives; they are growing in wisdom while they are growing in years. Alas, not everyone who takes it upon themselves to pass judgement on others, is actually wise enough to do so. Confidence without wisdom leads to arrogance! Today somebody is riding in on their high horse, trying to dominate the situation. Let us not be overwhelmed by this person, but also, let's make sure it is not ourselves making this mistake. Self-righteousness is an ugly trait. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Preparing ourselves for the future by making plans and setting aside some money to fulfill them is in itself a virtuous thing. To a certain extent it ensures our safety and stability. However, whenever the opponent - also known as the challenger - is on the table, we know that the Oracle is warning us not to take things into the extreme. In this case we are alerted to the fact that we run the risk of forgetting our present by looking too hard at the future. Life is that which is happening today while we are preparing for tomorrow, so don't miss it!

Don't just read the future; help create it.

Hella Raven

The oak, symbol of strength and longevity, is flanked by Nadir and the Opponent. This indicate some physical discomfort. We might feel a bit fragile, lacking our normal resilience. If possible, let's stay home and be gentle with ourselves. If we have to go out, let's take extra care to wear clothing that makes us feel comfortable and safe. We need some extra protection today. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Nobody is exactly like me, and nobody is exactly like you. Let that sink in; you are absolutely unique, even if you belong to a set of 'identical twins', than still you're not really identical. 
If we are not sure what our unique talents are, today is a good day to think about that. What is it that makes us uniquely us?  We don't have to develop a trait or a skill to be unique; it is already manifested, we only need to find it and learn how to treasure it. 

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The Cave coins is about taking time for ourselves, about healing through rest and introspection. In the dark solitude of the cave we can recuperate. With the opponent on the table however, it seems that we are not paying enough attention to this part of life. We need to slow down a bit a make sure that we take enough time to rest. Did we by any chance had a busy souple of days and didn't we take time off? Make sure to balance productive time and time to recuperate!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

Something comes into our hands without us expecting is. We got a present or we simply found something of which we cannot track the owner. In that case it was probably meant for us to have. So let us enjoy the little gifts that life sometimes bestows on us and accept them in gratitude.

Don't just read the future, help create it!

Hella Raven 

'Wisdom comes with age' as the saying goes. This is of course only true in part; the wisdom acquired in a long life doesn't lie in the fact that someone managed not to die, it lies in the fact that they went through all kinds of experiences and learned from them. That is what the Wise Man is here to tell us today; go out and allow the world to teach you something, anything! Honor the lessons tough by life itself in yourself as well as in others. Not all knowledge comes from books!

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven

The people we turn to in our need of protection are failing, or at least, we feel that they're failing. We want structure, fair boundaries and safety but what we get is arbitrariness and chaos. If nobody else is protecting us, we have only ourselves to rely on and that is a lonely place to be in. However, knowing that this is the issue at hand makes it easier to deal with. So let's find a place or a friendship in which safety is given and received, and nourish that.

Don't just read the future; help create it!

Hella Raven