Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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.

Friday, March 21, 2008

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.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

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.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

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.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

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.






Tuesday, March 4, 2008

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.