Power Words for 2018

 

Sometimes the best ideas are not ours. I was recently watching a YouTube video by Kelly-Ann Maddox, a tarot reader who I truly admire. She mentioned in her video that she uses power words to plan the year ahead. This immediately struck a cord with me. I organize in the present, but I have never been the best as scheduling and planning months down the road. I am most often found in the moment, organically moving through my circumstances. But I like the idea. I like the idea of trying to organize future thoughts into words, into power words. A schedule is hard to keep, but a word can be carried right in the back of my throat with no extra weight.

I chose three words as my power words: speak, protect, and navigate. I chose these words because they are words that I need the most. I need oomph in these areas. Using words that resonate power often means attaining power, finding what we need more of, or what is a current weakness that we need to overcome. I wanted to feel the rushing blood of purpose. With these words, I can prospect the hills and inside the skeleton of my own mountain to find that rich vein.

The first word is speak. This may seem odd because words are my first love. Writing is a worn fingerprint I gladly carry. I can say anything confidently when I write. Over the last couple of years though, speaking has been a much harder gem to mine. My throat has been barren, untouched by the choir of water. There were times that my speech would have provided the other two words: protection and navigation. Recently, there have been times where tensions arose and I subdued my opinion for civility. I kept silent over matters that were hurtful. My speech may not have affected the outcome, but it would have provided me an integral asset to myself, a foundation to stand on. My speech may not have subdued the tension, but it would have meant that I spoke my truth.

For this word, I chose the 5 of Swords. In the picture, there are five swords against a worm. This seems unnecessary. A worm is the totem creature for helplessness. They cannot see, and they cannot hear. They have no real defenses, save one. Sever the worm, and it still lives. This single, unassuming defense has rendered the sword useless. The slash hurt, but it did not kill. The worm will continue to move and live. I chose this card because standing up and speaking many times does not change the outcome. People will still question and think what they want, no matter the words of truth you give. But their words have fallen useless too. They cannot decimate, if my defense is to speak as well. Much like the worm, taking the words of others can hurt, but it doesn’t have to be the end. Going forward, I will choose to speak when needed. Not out of malice will I chose my words, but through courage. Courage to face a defense that may seem threatening. I will take a side, and believe in the defense of my words.

The second word is protect. This leaps off of the action of speaking. By speaking, I protect my core. I stand with and for myself. Protection is not hiding in the hole, hoping no one finds you. Protection is facing the threat, knowing exactly what I fear and why. Threats can affect our goals, and our desires. If we let that gray water (those that know this horror movie reference are awesome) into our mouths, we cannot fulfill our journey. Protecting ourselves means that down the road, we can have success.

There is perhaps no better picture in my deck than the Mother of Wands. Tucked around her eggs, the Mother of Wands is vigilant, ready to defend, and always protecting what is precious to her. Her eggs are the metaphor of manifestation. They are the embodiment of her light. What we manifest, or seek to create, is so precious to us that we must also be vigilant in protecting these fragile dreams. I chose protect because, much like the mother, protection means presence. It means to be and know what you stand for, despite all the threats that come. I have not always held the word with such reverence. For a while I was mute, unsure of what I wanted. Now I know better who I am and what I need. Protecting that light is key to fulfilling our highest selves.

The final word that I chose is navigate. As I mentioned before, over the last couple of years I have felt like I have been floating in a life raft, out of immediate danger, but not going anywhere. There was no direction. In fact, there was a lot of times where my time was filled with TV, unhealthy food, and a lack of books or conversation. I am not saying to kill your (or my) television. I am not saying that fast food now and then isn’t needed. But what is not needed is the void. The void where there is movement, but no direction.

For this word, I chose the 6 of Swords. The 6 of Swords is the travel to a new destination out of necessity. If we are not thriving were we are, and if nothing changes, we cannot effectively navigate our future. We cannot see through the storm if we stay beneath it. We must move. Navigation is the gateway to growth and new curiosity. Now, I am ready for school and am pointing myself in a new direction, much to the tarot’s credit. I am excited, not anxious. I am filling myself up with words and songs, instead of draining through emptiness. Navigation means there is much to look forward too, but only if we navigate ourselves onto the right path.

Again, I first got this idea from Kelly-Ann Maddox. Please go and check her out. Her content is amazing, and she has been a source of my inspiration and motivation. If you are like me, and planning and scheduling is not a great fit, pick a few words. Write them down. Place them in your pocket, in your wallet, or near your sacred space. Choose words that you need more of in your life. What do you need some power in? What words hold that power? These are mine, and I will hold them carefully as I traipse through 2018.

**Thank you for reading. Please let me know what words are your powers words. If you would like a personal tarot reading, please look to my options and email me at teaandtombstones@gmail.com. Stay wild howlers!**

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