Appreciation for the Journey on the Road to Awakening | Maven Mindset


Looking back at your journey thus far, I'm sure you've learned a lot along the way. You may wish you were better prepared before you embarked on this expedition of self-discovery, but you wouldn't trade your unique experience for anything. Here are some things I've learned thus far in my own journey, as well as what I have come to appreciate about the journey of soul and self-discovery, the road of awakening, and the journey of being your most authentic self...

You're learning what is of heartfelt importance to you. You're better at bringing your focus back to the present. To look back and see how far you've come. Don't sweat the small stuff! Let it go. In the grand scheme go things, is it really that big of a deal? Don't stress about all that you have left to do, dream about, and accomplish. You know it will happen when it's meant to, so there is no need to attach to outcomes.

You have an appreciation for the process of letting go. You've gotten better at releasing! YES! Although it is never easy, the more you do it, the better you become at surrendering. You realize that releasing is vital to the health of not only your immortal soul, but also your human body. You can recognize a good release by the way you stand taller, your shoulders relax, your neck muscles aren't as tight. Everything about your energy is just lighter!

You understand the value of slow steady growth. Is a weed that sprouts up over night stronger than a great oak? You take time to stop and smell the flowers. To relish in the experience. To sink-in to the journey. To allow the road, your soul purpose, to become part of the way you walk and talk. You're not in any rush - where is the fun in that? You'd rather savor every moment, every lesson along the way. That way you really learn them- maybe even the first time around! Strong foundations are important to you. You want your knowledge and experience to have a backbone. Something to stand on that speaks all for itself.


You've learned some warning signs - who and who not to trust. You have become a better judge of character (by getting to know yourself), but not judgmental - you just know who you would like to invite into your energy and who you'd rather keep at a bit of a distance. You know to pick your battles wisely. To not feed into another's negative behavior. To not get wrapped up in other people's drama - remember, not my circus, not my monkeys. You understand the insanely crazy value of setting boundaries and how it is a benefit to not only you, but also to others in your life as well.

You're getting better at that little thing called Self-Talk. You've been working on healing thoughts of a comparing nature. You understand that the grass really isn't always greener on the other side, but you are too busy focusing on pulling your own weeds, sowing seeds, and spreading fertilizer to notice your neighbor's lawn.  You've become better at freeing yourself from self-oppressing thoughts, self-sabotage, and lower vibrational patterns of behavior. You truly know the worth of thinking positively and the power of your own manifestation abilities!

You have a ton of excitement and hope for the future! You can over come anything and you know that now! You see all of the remnants of past challenges behind you - in a cloud of smoke, lying in the dust. You tore threw them like a hurricane (even though it may not have felt that way in the moment).  You are more sure of where you want to go, what you're looking for, and have a better idea of how to get it. You know where to look for opportunities. Understand the value and deep worth of self-expression. You're better able to determine when and when not to take action. You're more daring and ready for new adventures!

What have you learned on your journey of awakening thus far? What lessons are you currently grappling with? I'd love to hear your insights!

xo Ariel

The H.A.P.P.I.N.E.S.S. Tarot Spread


Hi Lovelies! We could all use more happiness in our lives right?! Sometimes it just seems hard to grasp what may be blocking our sense of happiness. I designed this spread to do just that! This spread also looks at areas of your life to invite more happiness into. It is a great way to clarify when your feeling confused and can really help you break through the clouds and burst into the golden sunshine! This 9 card spread is pretty powerful I must say! It even made me scratch my head and re-evaluate my thought processes on some issues. This spread has definitely given me some inspiration and I hope it will do the same for you!

Please Note: You don't just have to use Tarot cards in this spread. Oracle cards are great as well! You can also pull 1 Tarot card and 1 Oracle card for each position.


Each position in this 9 card spread stands for a letter in the word HAPPINESS. I've added my personal reading to the description of the positions so you can get a better idea of how the spread can work for you!

H - Holding on too tightly

Where have you been holding on too tightly in your life? What can you let go of and release to help you find more happiness? 

10 of Wands Rx When we hold on too tightly to things that no longer serve us, we don’t allow room to receive that which is for our greatest and highest good. I got the 10 of Wands reversed - YAY! I’ve been struggling with carrying around too much baggage and stress. It’s nice to have finally set that ton of bricks down!

A - Acceptance  

Where do you need to stop resisting and make way for allowance to happen? What truth do you need to accept that is holding you back from the happiness you seek?

The Hanged Man Rx With The Hanged Man reversed, I need to stop struggling and being impatient about where I am on my spiritual journey. I need to work on accepting that I am where I am supposed to be, right now, in this moment. All will happen in Diving Right Timing.

P - Patience  

In what area of my life do I need to have more patience? 

10 of Swords Patience is something I struggle with a lot. Impatience can really be a block to your happiness. When you're impatient, you are living in the future and not focusing on the present moment. Remember, the present is a gift. I’ve been feeling a little hurt that things are not moving along as fast as I would like them to. Sometimes I get discouraged and wonder if I am doing the right thing as shown in the 10 of Swords. Here again, everything works out in Divine Right Timing.

P - Passion

Where does your passion lie? Are you going after it effectively? What does the passion burning inside you want you to know most right now?

7 of Wands Rx I am letting my inner flame burn within but sometimes have trouble expressing it outwardly. I may even have a little fear of standing out in a crowd with the 7 of Wands reversed. (Yikes, I have a lot of reversals in this spread - lol!)

I - Intuition

How can you ignite your intuition? What may be blocking it and what can you do to fan the flames?

The World Rx In The World reversed, I see a need for me to connect more with nature and community. This is an encouragement to deepen my connection to Spirit and in doing so, deepening my connection to all that is. We are all connected.

N - Nurturing

What can I do to be more nurturing to myself in the cultivation of happiness?How can I offer a more nurturing attitude towards life and self?

The Hermit Rx Looks like I’m not getting enough "me" time with The Hermit reversed! I need to slow down, go deep within, and meditate more. Cultivate more quiet and peace of mind. I also think is a reminder to ground and shield myself as I go about my day to protect me from harmful or negative energies that can be draining. I'm an empath and don't shield myself as much as I should. I do think this is also a warning not to spend too much time isolating myself. Every once is a while I should poke my head out of my comfy shell and have some fun with others :)

E - Empowerment

Feeling empowered is an essential part of happiness. Where am I empowered? How can I gain empowerment?What situation in my life is calling for me to be more empowered?

The Lovers Yay! - finally another card that isn’t a reversal!! Woohoo! The Lovers are telling me to make more empowered decisions on my happiness journey. Choice is empowering! Choice is freedom. I have the option to do what makes me happy everyday - to wake up and choose to smile like the sun is shining even when things look dreary outside. That is empowerment in a nutshell my friends! The love you give and receive can be empowering as well. Empowerment is freedom. Freedom is choice.

S - Spirituality

What can I do to enhance my spirituality? What does my spirituality do for my sense of happiness? How does having a spiritual practice deepen my sense of happiness?

Father of Swords Rx My spirituality allows me to get out of my over analyzing head (that's my Moon in Aquarius always busy at work) so much as seen in the Father of Swords reversed. It helps to give me balance and to quiet my mind. It helps me to understand others and to be more open and empathetic. My spirituality keeps me from being over critical of myself. It helps me to focus on the present moment instead of focusing on the 'what ifs' of life. It brings me back to center. My spiritual practice helps me to look within for the answers to my most pressing questions. It definitely adds more color to my life!

S - Sparkle

How can I add more sparkle to my life? Where do I sparkle and shine? What could be blocking/dulling my sparkle?What can I do to keep shining brightly even on the darkest night?

Daughter of Swords Rx I sparkle when I use my intuition to help others! I also think the Daughter of Swords reversed is telling me to speak up more in my life! To express my truth freely and clearly. This is a message for me to share my bright ideas with the world - without fear! It is a message to have more faith and confidence in my thoughts and beliefs, therefore allowing me to sparkle like the gem I am! Expressing my personal truth can also be of help to others.

I hope this spread allows you grow and cultivate more happiness in your life. It all starts from within! Let me know how this spread works for you!

Stay radiant Sunshine!

xo Ariel