Here, Kitty, Kitty,Kitty

It's funny, how a deck you think is just another quirky deck can be one that talks to you the most. Kitty Kahne's deck is the one for me. This predominately lavender and blue deck, populated with strange looking people speaks volumes.

In the six of pentacles we see that you can get what you want. This child dreams of life at sea, he wears a sailor suit and now he is getting the toy of his dream. a boat to call his own. I am reminded by this card that I want to make sure everyone has what they need, this can be a kindness or a pathology, depending on how it manifests. The questions to ask yourself are; is the gift given from a place of abundance, or a place of fear, are there strings attached?


The Moon card reminds me not to let my dreams fall by the wayside. Don't give to others at the expense of myself. I may find myself howling at the moon, asking where's mine?

Note the towers in the distance of this card, one capped with a woman's head--the other with a man. The Kitty Kahane deck is full of similar images, static objects bearing human heads, people with birds for hats, opening the way for a new slant on the card meanings. In the case of the Moon card I am reminded that people have their own stories which remain mysteries to us. We may not know a fraction of the inner lives of our closest companions, how little then can we know about strangers? Sometimes we are strangers to ourselves. Our lives are storied (many storied, as the towers are) and who has explored their own castle in its fullness?

I'm back

After a many months hiatus I have returned to regular blogging. My computer set up was less than ideal, but we've got a new machine, and scanner, and I'm ready to start blogging about tarot. In 2 weeks I'm going to BATS with my friend Deb. Looking forward to being part of a larger tarot community.

9 of Pentacles

I've been thinking about my garden lately. Our house has lots of potential in the garden area, but most of that potential is waiting to be discovered. I feel lost when facing a blank canvas, be it an actual canvas, a piece of paper, or an expanse of soil. The 9 of pentacles reminds me that a wonderful vibrant restful garden is the result of hard work, planning and time. And before I can get to the end, I have to start the process.

But look at the rewards!

Pairs Exercise 8 of Pentacles and Death

The dance of Death and the 8 of Pentacles is one of creation and destruction.

This month I begin participating on the Comparative Tarot e-list's Pairs exercises. In the Pairs exercise you are assigned a card to compare with the card of the month. The card of the month is the 8 of Pentacles, Death is my assigned pair card. What an interesting combination. I laid out this pair from a number of different decks and was struck by the way they relate to each other depending on the way the characters on the cards face.

In the Ator tarot (as in the RWS) Death and the craftsperson on the 8 of Pentacles face the same direction. When the Death card comes before the 8 of Pentacles it suggests that Death/change can come upon us unexpectedly. When the 8 of Pentacles comes before Death it suggests that even in the face of Death and endings, creation carries on.

In the Sheridan Douglas Tarot (sorry I don't have scans of these cards) Death and the 8 of Pentacles face different directions. When they face each other you see the tension between the two. The craftsman looks Death in the face and defiantly carries on. When they are back to back it seems that Death has passed by and the craftsman has been spared. Perhaps he has been too busy at his task to take note of Death's passing.

The Aquarian Tarot shows close ups of the faces of Death and the Craftsman. I am struck by the differences in their expressions. Death is dispassionate, looking straight ahead, while the craftsman on the 8 of pentacles is passionately engaged in the process of creation. So engaged that he does not realize who is creeping up behind him.

4 of Wands

Transitions, celebrations, passages. This is the 4 of wands. The image speaks of this and more. In the International icon we see two flower bearing celebrants in the background, coming from a walled castle to a flowered canopy held aloft by 4 wands. This is the gateway, how will you change as you pass through? What are you celebrating? What is your rite of passage?

This appears to be a joyous image, but passages and transitions can take all forms. You could be celebrating a wedding, as the Spiral Tarot image suggests. Or you could be acknowledging a death.

I often see this card as a seasonal turning point, the World Spirit version shows this best, with their reference to a May Day celebration.

7 of Swords

The 7 of swords is one sneaky card. Like a thief in the night our actor has swiped someone else's weapons. Where is he taking them? What will he do with them? Why doesn't he take everything? Is he looking back at those two swords with regret that he can't carry them too, or has he just spotted them and is about to turn around and grab them?

The suit of Swords represents the mind. I see these swords as thoughts. Are these other people's ideas? Are they your own ideas which you are gathering up to evaluate and compare? Notice those tents in the background. What do they hide? Perhaps these represent other places to find inspiration.

5 of wands, Spiral Tarot

The 5 of wands in the Spiral Tarot seems more aggressive than the International Icon version. This is 4 against one. Note how the legs of the 4 seem to be one unit, bringing to my mind a multi headed foe. Each head/foe with it's own unique fighting style which must be understood before it can be overcome.

This card reminds me that each obstacle one faces is unique and should be approached fresh. Accomplishing one task may not solve the problem, but with persistence and flexibility success will be achieved.

5 of wands, International Icon

I've been telling the universe (and anyone who'll listen) that I want to do more tarot readings. I was gearing up my nerve to ask about getting into a psychic fair when an opportunity fell into my lap. Within hours I went from wanting to read to having a standing gig. While I was thinking about the opportunity I pulled a card, asking about issues I may have with taking the step.

5 of wands, ah yes, competition. I'm not comfortable with competition. It feels like fighting to me, and where there's a fight there a loser. But looking at this card I don't see a fight, I see differently talented individuals engaged in a friendly game to test their skills.

This card reminds me of the game my son and his friends play. They find sticks and "battle" each other. No one tries to beat the other, I only hear sounds of excitement and delight, and no one's been hurt yet.

Sitting in a room full of other readers, hoping to get a client is not a competition, no matter what my gut may be screaming at me. It's a chance to hone my skill as a reader, to learn how to attract the right client to me, how to present myself to the public.

Ace of Cups, Spiral Tarot

The Ace of Cups in the Spiral Tarot focuses on what comes out of the container. Like Pandora with her box this woman has used the key to open a jar which explodes with energy. Note that some of the orbs emerging are light and others are dark. The emotional world is not all sweetness and light. Did she know what was going to come out? Did she realize it would release it's elemental energetics with such force? Is she surprised by what she has unleashed, or is she triumphant?

I've been taking a different route to work the past few days, on my walk I pass a collection of planters in this shape. They are bursting forth with healthy colorful plants. They remind me of the incredible creative potential within the Ace of Cups. There is nourishment in the suit of Cups, nourishment for the spirit, emotions, and heart.

This card reminds me that we each hold the key to the source of this bounty. But like Pandora, we can never be sure what we will get when we open that container.

Ace of Cups, International Icon

Divine Love

I was pleased to pull the Ace of Cups for my card of the week. I find the Aces challenging when they appear in a reading, so I welcome this opportunity to meditate on Aces.

The Ace of Cups in the International Icon Tarot shows the cup floating in the air, a dove drops a wafer into the cup, which causes the cup to overflow. Love, Love, Love. It's all about love. In this stylized version of the RWS image we see how God's Love (symbolized by the dove and wafer) overflows and mixes with the waters of the Earth. This could also symbolize what happens when you let the Divine into your heart. There is a synergistic effect. What is available to you in your heart is increased many times, overflowing out into the world. Open up to love and your supply of love increases exponentially. Connections are made (note the streams of water), what is above mixes with what is below. As above ,so below. As within, so without. As in Heaven, so on Earth.

Devil, International Icon and Ator Tarot

The International Icon Tarot and the Ator both offer variants on the Rider Waite Smith Devil card.

The Devil crouches on his pedestal, while a man and woman stand chained to the pedestal. The chains around their necks don't seem to be so tight that they cannot be easily removed. In the International Icon in particular the human figures seem rather pleased with themselves, rather saucy I'd say.

Devil, Victorian Romantic and Housewives

Ah, Sweet Temptation!

Here we have two faces of the tempting qualities of the Devil card. The Victorian Romantic Devil offers us flowers and riches, while the Housewives Tarot Devil (cake) offers us things that aren't really very good for us. Spam, TV dinners, cigarettes and more.

Each Devil comes in an attractive package. Appealing to our bodies in the guise of Devils Food Cake. And appealing to our avarice in the guise of a beautiful woman. But look at those wings on the VR Devil, she's no angel! Note how she steps on the white flower of purity, while offering the red roses of lust.

Interesting that I pulled the Devil for my card this week. I've been dealing with the challenge of resisting temptation for the last few months. The Devil was my card for the year on my Wheel of the Year Mandala for 2007, that was the year I came to terms with ways my habits had held me captive. The Devil this week reminds me that I still have work to do.

2 of Pentacles, International Icon, Tarot Nova

Well, well, well, this juggler seems to have let his pentacles get away from him, hasn't he? The delightful Tarot Nova shows what happens if you let your attention wander while juggling. Or could he have been expecting the pentacles to be coming from the other direction? These seem to have come out of left field and thrown him for a loop.

The International Icon is my current favorite deck. Here our juggler is literally floating in the air. Have we caught him in the act of jumping, is he levitating, or did he just trip? The sea behind him is choppy and the boats are at an angle, perhaps there was an earthquake and things are in the process of settling down. Whatever the reason, this is not a stable position. Yet the juggler seems at peace and confident.

Notice the loop connecting the two pentacles, these tasks are connected and happening simultaneously. I don't get the feeling of decision making that I get from other 2 of pentacles. This is the ultimate multitasker.

2 of pentacles, further musings

Whimsical ------------------------ World Spirit ------------------ Tarot of Prague

Here are three more examples of the Two of Pentacles

In the Whimsical we see Jack Spratt and his wife.

Jack Spratt can eat no fat,
his wife can eat no lean,
and so betwixt the two of them,
they licked the platter clean

Another sort of balance, where the two opposites come together to make a whole, or complete a project. This card says to me that one way is not better than another, but together they are stronger than they are alone.

The World Spirit tarot speaks more of decision making, weighing your options and making your choice. The pentacles she holds are differently colored. Is one better or are they just different? Notice how she stands, one bare foot on a water swept rock. We've caught her right in the midst of moving. This is a very active card.

The Tarot of Prague shows a similar image, though this time our juggler has two feet firmly on the ground though his arms are actively moving. His decision may be harder as the pentacles look identical. The clock tower in the background adds a sense of urgency, time is passing.

The 2 of pentacles isn't always about decisions, it can also be balancing many things at once. But I have decisions on my mind right now, and the consequences of your decisions. A few weeks ago at the Women of Wisdom conference I had to decide between two workshops, Tarot or Egyptian Mysteries. I was torn, then I heard that the Egyptian Mysteries material would also be offered in a longer format a few weeks later. Ah ha--I could have my cake and eat it too. I signed up for the tarot class, knowing I'd have the Egyptian experience later. I just received a phone call that the Egyptian workshop was being canceled. There are unseen consequences to any decision. No one knows what the future holds.

2 0f Pentacles, Spiral Tarot

I open my tarot blog with this card, the 2 of pentacles. I admit that I picked this card because I have the image on my computer, and could easily post it here. But it has given me a lot to think about.

2 of Pentacles

Balance and choice.

The 2 of pentacles in the Spiral tarot is a rather static card, compared to the two in other decks. The movement here is represented by the juggler's hat, not the act of juggling itself.

Note the two flowers, one of which is in bloom and the other that has wilted. The ocean in the background shows opposites as well, calm on one side and choppy on the other.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Wow, I had not noticed all these differences before. I think keeping this blog will be a good practice for me. Another way to look deeply at the card images.