New York 

Dear Velvet Tarot Column

Dear Velvet 

Dear Velvet,

What can I do to strengthen my creativity during rough times?

Michelle

Dear Michelle,

The Page of Cups contains both emotional as well as creative elements.  For purposes of creativity, this is a very fitting card to come up and suggests that when you need to tap into your creativity, it can be helpful to look at the situation through the eyes of a child -- your very own inner child!  Take yourself back to an excited, optimistic child who doesn't think about fears and problems, but loves to explore the possibilities in front of her and believes that anything she desires is possible.  Life is all about play to a young child, and as adults, we get so wrapped up in our responsibilities, commitments, and stress that we sometimes forget to play, laugh and have fun.  Sometimes it's during the most stressful and tiring moments in life when we need to look at something and see the humor in it.  That's not the easiest time, but it's definitely a good time to let your inner child assure you that, "Everything's gonna be okay!"

The fish in the cup which the Page of this card holds represents a surprising inspiration that can come in unexpected ways.  The fish is a symbol of an idea that can spring forth from the cup of imagination.  It's not something forced, because your creative mind won't likely budge if you try to pull out ideas in a pressured way.  Those ideas are far more likely to spring forth when you let yourself relax and have fun.

Creative ideas can also come to you during those moments just before you fall asleep -- and if they do, it's worth it to get yourself out of bed and write down your thoughts.  Even though you tell yourself, "I'll remember that tomorrow and write it down," chances are you won't remember.  I've done this myself many times at the risk of not falling to sleep as soon as I would have just to get that idea jotted down on paper.  Even if you scribble yourself  just a quick note, this will trigger your memory the next day . . . whereas you are too likely to forget by the next morning without that little note to yourself.

Having your "head in the clouds" with daydreams and fantasy is something to let your inner child indulge in.  Although this is not something we can realistically do all the time and expect to get anything done, the Page of Cups gives you permission to let go and just let your mind wander when you can do so.  You can come up with some surprising creative visions in that way, and your adult self can take this work of your inner child and turn it into something that you are pleased with.  It's not always easy to let the inner child within us and the adult side work together -- but these two aspects of yourself can work in harmony when you allow them to without restricting or censoring either side in any way.

Since you read the Tarot, too, you can use the cards as a point of inspiration -- or even for humor.  For example, if you were to draw the Emperor card and think to yourself, "This card speaks of responsibility," and then you ponder how to draw creativity from that, you could instead draw humor in that and tell yourself, "Well today I'm going to take note of all the stuffy and rigid people and not let myself get too serious about things at least for the day."  If you were to draw the Hanged Man card, you could tell yourself to look at the world upside down and see what picture comes to your mind.  These are merely a couple of simple examples, but with your knowledge of Tarot, you can find many ways to draw inspiration, humor, and creativity from a daily card pull . . . or just when you have a moment and the mood strikes to see what message the cards may give you at any particular time.

And today, you have the Page of Cups which asks you to look at the world through your inner child's eyes and let your exploring and curious nature take over.  Your inner child will help you see the humor in things, and with humor you relax more and become less stressed . . . and this in turn leads you to those inspirational and creative ideas that are right there within you just waiting for the perfect moment to surprise and impress you with their appearance!

The Page of Cups indicates that there is creative energy trying to come forth from your consciousness.  The messages available may come through your dreams or through synchronistic encounters with others.  But one thing is certain, you cannot force these visions to emerge at your will -- they will emerge when you don't try so hard to grasp them.  There is a need to be open to the unexpected, or even the occasionally bizarre impulses of the creative spirit and not shut out this source of inspiration just because it might not fit in with a logical or rational point of view.  You just never know where a great idea will sprout from, so be open to anything :-)

Many Blessings!

Velvet Angel