exchanging gifts

Exchanging gifts, on this card, is representative of exchanging energy, which is governed by the Universal Law of Giving and Receiving.

This law, deemed the second spiritual law of success, operates on the understanding that everything in the universe operates through a balanced and dynamic exchange. Every relationship is one of give and take.

Giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. If we stop this flow of energy, we interfere with nature, herself. Therefore, we must give and receive in order to keep anything we want, be it money, health, love etc, circulating in our lives.

Let's look at the card, its colours and symbolism.

Throughout the card is the colour pink. Pink represents compassion and a love of oneself and of others. When you fully partake in the energetic dance of giving and receiving, you honour and express love to yourself and to those around you who also partake in the dance.

The two symbols I want to focus on, on the card, are the ballerina and the cat.

Ballerinas represent grace, poise and balance, impying that you can handle anything that comes your way. This says to me that, when it comes to the Law of Giving and Receiving, it's important that you do not over-give nor do you over-take. You take part in this law with grace and poise, keeping the balance steady and the energy flowing.

Ballet also requires discipline and this implies that you have the confidence to achieve your goals with patience and discipline. If you have skills and gifts on offer to others, ensure that the energy between you remains in balance, ensure you practice the discipline needed to ensure that as you give, so do you also receive in return, be it money, time, or whatever energy you choose. And the opposite is true too. If you are receiving something from another, ask the question: "How can I keep this energy in balance? What can I give in return?"

The presence of a cat encourages us to listen carefully to our intuition. Are you giving to someone, more than you're receiving? Are you receiving from someone, more than you're giving? What does your instinct tell you? The cat also symbolises the magic and power to create anything you want in your life. Just like a cat is a great hunter, so you can hunt down anything you want to attract into your life. you just have to believe in yourself. When we lack self-belief, we tend to over-deliver and over-give. Belief and self-confidence in your abilties, your skills, your gifts will attract to you, those who respect and honour what you have to offer and will ensure that the exchange of energy is kept in balance.

Cats also represent a desire for freedom and independence. In relation to the Law of Giving and Receiving, when you over-give you or over-take you can never experience true freedom or independence because you are caught up in a cycle of giving or taking and both tether you to another. When you acknowledge your gifts you ensure that you enter into an equal energy relationship whereby you give and, in return, also receive. And so the energy contract is ended and you are no longer reliant on the other person but free and independent of their energy.

Finally cats are said to have nine lives. What this means, here, is that you should take more risks and more opportunities that come your way but, at the same time, be discerning and take responsiblility for the risks and opportunities you take. In other words, keep the energy in balance and exchange energetic gifts.

The message behind this card is that you are enjoying an enriching and abundant time where opportunities will flow easily your way. However, in order to keep the energy in balance, you must partake of the Law of Giving and Receiving; you must honour the opportunities and gifts coming your way, engage in a dance of give and take. For everything you receive or are offered, you must exchange and give something in return, be it money, your time, your skills etc.

If you receive but do not give in return, your energy shall stagnate and the flow of gifts and opportunities coming your way will cease.

It is only when we recognise and abide by this Universal Law that opportunities and gifts will continue to flow our way.

Everything is an exchange.

Reference: This beautiful card is from Wisdom Of The Oracle Deck by Colette Baron-Reid, illustrated by Jena DellaGrottaglia