Five of Pentacles

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26953883/

This was my draw for today. Interesting how things turned out … This card is about experiencing very hard times, financial setbacks and material troubles. This can indicate unemployment, poverty and suffering bad health. It’s about losing what you’ve worked hard for, going without and lacking what we need. It indicates fear and insecurity, rejection and dejection. Although the figures are still moving forward, it is crippling and feels bleak.

I’d say that pretty much sums up this particular American crisis right now (and for the rest of the world in some cases). This is a lesson for America. Money is not God. Our faith in the “Almighty Dollar Bill” has gotten us to where we are today. No, we can not just print more, no; we can not just make this go away. We are going to have to face a very tough period here. There is plenty of blame to go around and this rampant greed, living to excess and wastefulness that takes place must end. I love my country and it makes me very sad to say this… this country right now is very ill and has been for quite some time. Our leaders in government, big business and wall street have been neglectful, selfish,reckless and damn right criminal and it has made us very sick.

Like I said there is lots of blame to go around. Now I'm not saying anyone asked for this or deserves this, and I know that there are lots of people out there suffering because of this through no fault of their own. I get that. That being said, I'm still pretty sure that if we are really honest with ourselves ~ we could take a little responsibility as well. Do we get as involved in government as we do "American Idol"? Are we as informed as we need to be? Do we really care what's going on around us as much as we do about whos on the cover of "People Magazine". Why do we need s many cars and these monsterously big houses? Why are we driving a tank in the city? Why were rents so outrageously high? Everybody in the endless pursuit for more, more, more...What's with this empty consumerism? Waste, waste, waste. Out to make a buck at the expense of someone else. Moving from a "have not" to a "have" regardless of whether or not we can afford it. I mean it's like we're never effin happy until we have what the other guy has. And we buy into this crap! I'm guilty too. I need to wake up too. We're brainwashed to believe that this is what the American dream is all about. Having it all, being on top. Well guess what. The buck stops here with the Five of Pentacles.

The two figures walk past a church yet they do not see or choose to ignore the shelter and relief just inside. So what this tells me is that either way, they need to suffer this cold hard time. They need to walk the walk so they can bring themselves to a better place spiritually, philosophically and financially.

A Reading With The Linweave

This reading was done done with the Linweave deck for my friend who was good enough to let me post it here. All 42 cards were layed out and were chosen by her. She picked out the nine that attracted her the most. Of the nine cards she picked the significator~ the one card that came closest to her own idea of herself. the remaining eight were shuffled faced down while she made a wish or asked a question. Four cards were chosen(without looking) and placed in a pile off to the side (these are cards 2~5). The remaining were layed out clockwise as follows:

The significator is placed in the middle with card 6 to the left of it, card 7 on top, card 8 to the right and card 9 below. The instructions are quoted from "The Linweave Nine Card Oracle" that came with the deck...

Card 1 (significator)
Card 6~ "this card tells something about yourself, your character or the kind of influence you exert on the people who surround you."
Card 7~ "The Card of Now. It will tell you something about the dominant qualities of a person or and event or influence which is working in your life right now. You may or may not recognize this influence, but it is present."
Card 8~ "The card of Trimester Hence. This will tell you something about what is to happen to you at some time during the immediate future~up to three months."
Card 9~"The Card of Year To Come. This will give you a long range view of your future~conering the next 12 months. It represents the person, the idea, or the happening which will most heavily affect your happiness and success in the year ahead"

The Remaining cards
Card 5~"is the Signifier~representing you wish or the quesion you asked of the Tarot. If you made a wish and the signifier is strongly positive your wish is coming true, and the next three cards(4,3, and 2) will tell you something about the persons or influences that will bring it about. If strongly negative, your wish is not coming true and the next three cards describe the influences which are or will be at work to prevent its fulfillment...If you asked a question the signifier provides either a direct answer or a veiled clue...Cards 4,3, and 2 provide additional details of the answer..."

I'll be discussing this with her and getting some feedback later in the week but these are just my notes for now...


Significator (The Empress ~ Ruled by the Planet Venus)

The Empress is one who nurishes and lovingly cares for others. She is the archetype of the fertile, life giving mother. She's deeply connected to the natural world, is the earthy type, is grounded and healthy. She takes pleasure in all things beautiful and anything that stimulates the senses. She loves music, art, children, nature and animals. She is artistic, sensual, generous and open. She has a good sense of her own elegance and charisma. She feels rich and welcomes abundance of all kinds.

Card 6 (Queen of Wands ~ Card of Water, Suit of Fire)

This Queen is enthusiastic, upbeat, and outgoing. She leads an active life, is restless and has lots of energy. She is naturally attractive and takes pride in her appearance. She has sex appeal, is passionate and commands attention. She makes friends easily and is open and sincere. She approaches life with humor and an optimistic attitude. She is creative, self assured and determined. She is encouraging and generous with others and has a warm and inviting way. She can also have a quick temper, be intimidating, domineering and overwhelming.

Card 7 (Knight of Swords ~ Card of Air, Suit of Air)

This Knight is all about expressing the ideas, thoughts or philosophies he is committed to. He seeks and fights for the truth in all things. He is direct and outspoken, sharp and intelligent. He easily grasps subject matter and makes rational judgements without a lot of emotion. He is about communication and is a great debater. He is restless and needs constant mental stimulation. He is logicial in his reasoning and is a critical thinker. He is authoritative and assertive. He can also be tactless, close minded, undiplomatic, impatient and opinionated.

Card 8 (Wheel of Fortune ~ Ruled by the planet Jupiter)

This card is about having a personal sense of destiny and feeling fate in action. It about the laws of Karma and the recognition of continual fluctuations, patterns and cycles in our lives. It's about the change in fortune and turning points. This card reveals to us that everything connects. There is a much larger picture and our lives and our destinies are all meshed together. We are subject to universal laws and cycles. The shifts in our world are part of a great plan that is in constant motion. This card can indicate a realization that strikes us with amazing power. It signals twists of fate and unexpected surprises.

Card 9 (The Fool ~ Ruled by the planet Uranus)

This card is about all about new beginnings and phases. The Fool is the archetypal optimistic wanderer on a journey toward self knowledge and fresh experiences. This card represents our need for adventure and the unpredictable. The Fool is one who heads carefree into the unknown. It's about all the exciting and curious feelings that go along with doing something completely different. The Fool is open to all experiences, has faith in the universe and trusts the heart. The fool is spontaneous, carefree and enthusiastic. The Fool doesn't plan but instead acts on impulse and takes chances. This card embodies the childlike spirit of adventure and the willingness to trust in the risks we take. The fool is full of potential and is the playful, innocent inner self, who follows rules of its own.

Card 2 (Ace of Swords ~ Element - Air)

This card is about integrity~having it, looking for it, needing it. It's about justice and truth, being responsible and courageous. It is an offer to right wrongs, defend a cause or challenge ideas. This Ace says "I will take this opportunity to find the truth, be just and use my intelligence to figure things out or overcome obstacles". This card could indicate a challenge being presented to you. The test is to resolve them thoughtfully and ethically. This card also indicates new energy to create from "an analytical base rather than intuitively." (Sandra A. Thomson)

Card 3 (The Star ~Ruled by Aquarius, Element - Air)

This card is about having hope and faith in the future. The Star sends us light and makes us feel blessed. We are inspired to give something of ourselves and let love flow. It's about feeling free and finding peace. The pool of water represents the collective unconscious and the stars represent the universe with all it's mystery,wisdom and power. The woman pouring the water connects the two. In the same way that we "imprint" our reflection in the water, the unconscious is connected to the universe. As we tap into the universe, the universe taps us. It is a returning of what has been given us. This card is about being the conduit of universal wisdom and guidance. It is regenerative and energizing. According to Mary K. Greer it can also indicate "Using systems of self insight such as astrology, Tarot, numerology, etc."

Card 4 (Justice ~ Ruled by Libra, Element - Air)

This Card is about law of the universe, karma, strict fairness. It's about getting exactly what is deserved. Justice represents the ideal. It is about doing what is right no matter what and after all, you get what you deserve. We get what is absolutley fair and absolutley right under the circumstance. With Justice, things work out the way they should according to what is just and honorable. It's reaping what we sow and the laws of cause and effect. Her scales are perfectly balanced and she sees just what needs to be done. She is impartial and calls us to weigh our actions and values. This card also refers to all kinds of legal matters.

Card 5 (The Emperor ~ Ruled by Aries, Element - Fire)

The Emperor is the archetypal father figure. He represents those in authority. He is the one in charge, the rule maker, the leader, the commander. He is powerful, protective and orderly. He is the one who brings order to chaos. He is the provider of security and stability. He represents structure and discipline.

Justice and the Four of Swords

Well, the Four of Swords wasn't a daily draw for yesterday, it was an entry in my notebook from weeks ago. I just randomly picked it as a post. It is very interesting that it indicated exactly what my day today turned out to be by accident. Months ago I scheduled today as a vacation day to go to this huge fair my family and a friend and I go to. Well, the weather is awful so a whole day out in drenching rains is not a fun thing so we decided not to go. Well, despite a little disappointment, I am enjoying a day in the house all by myself! No daughter, no husband, no noise, time to actually read a book if I want to!! So, I've been reading, relaxing and most importantly, have been doing a lot of thinking about a certain issue I've been dealing with lately. Although it would be super thereputic for me to get into detail, this really isn't a place I should do that.

I spent a lot of time today with the Tarot trying to get a hold on some feelings, do a little soul searching. One of the cards that came up was the High Priestess. Basically, this card is telling me to just let things play out and not to take action. She's telling me not to do anything about this. I need to be passive here and just trust that I already know the answer to the questions I have. Which is interesting because deep inside, I trully do know why I feel the way I do and I'm pretty sure I have a real grasp of the situation. I am in tune with what my intuition and my inner voice tells me here. I feel the way I feel. That's it. I can not help it and there's no changing it. I know what I know. So what do I do about it? Nothing. Just Let it Be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67J_66hdN-I
Among the other very enlightening cards I drew, Justice popped up too. Well, well, well. This makes a lot of sense when I think about some past actions and thoughts I've had about this particular thing. It really is law of the universe, karma, strict fairness. To me, it seems like the universe is having a laugh on me, it's just one big joke, like we're all getting thrown stuff to deal with for their viewing pleasure. There's the severity of the sword. Like I'm getting exactly what I deserve here. Sort of an ironic twist. Either way I'm screwed. Because what I want I should not have. And I guess that's also what Justice represents here. The ideal. Doing what is right no matter what and after all, you get what you deserve. We get what is absolutley fair and absolutley right under the circumstance. So it's like a test. At any rate, this will work out the way it should according to what is just and honorable. Although her scales are perfectly balanced and she sees just what needs to be done, I'm having a toughter time balancing mine. So, yeah, the four of swords makes big time sense for me today. A lot of time for reflection.

Four of Swords

This card is about taking a breather. It's about realizing the difficulties and distruptions in our lives and giving us ways to cope. It doesn’t look like this guy is doing much breathing, so this can represent meditation and the challenge to be still and quiet for a while. This card is about resting and relaxing. Sometimes we may need to take a bit of a retreat from our everyday lives for reflection and contemplation. It’s about making leisure time to think things over and find peace. This card can also represent any type of confinement such as a stay in the hospital for recovery or a jail term.

Nine of Wands

This card is about perseverance and endurance. Through our trials and setbacks we become strengthened and wise. We may have been hurt but we are not done for. We can be wounded but those wounds challenge us to keep fighting. The guy with the bandage reminds us not to give up. He is tired but is still waiting, watching and is determined to keep trying and to defend. He draws on all his abilities and courage to prevail. Ultimately he is strong.

In addition to reminding me of soldiers of war, to me this card is reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel’s song “The Boxer”

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUCoJJS2DU

Queen of Cups

(09/24/08)
A couple of things come to mind about this card. After a little more research about the Queen of Cups I learned that traditionally she is associated with Scorpio. Well, this queen could represent a friend I spoke to yesterday. I haven’t gotten together with her in a while and when I got her call I thought to myself ok, this makes sense. She does possess many of traits below and she’s a Scorpio!

Well, during our nice long conversation, one of the topics that came up was motherhood, friends that had kids and stuff like that. I revealed that my daughter is still breastfeeding at night and in the morning (she’s a little over two now) and we talked about my feelings about being perceived as “one of those mothers”. I know some people are weirded out by that sort of thing because she’s not a baby anymore. I really just feel that if she still has a need for me to nurture her that way then I should and I will. I understand her needs, I meet them. She’s happy, I’m happy. That’s it.

I really gotta say that my husband and I went the distance with the whole breastfeeding thing and sometimes it’s not easy. But this experience has been the most beautiful and has made me a more patient and loving person. It’s funny how things turn out. Before we had our daughter I was one of those people who thought breastfeeding toddlers was just plain strange. I just didn’t get it. Well, now I do.

After giving my feelings some more thought, I realized that maybe I was a little like the Queen of Cups too.

This Queen is the embodiment of love and patience. She is all about emotion. That cup she is holding is sooo big and so is her heart. She asks us to feel and act as she does. She is pleasant and calm and knows how to be soothing. She is sweet and kind and acts with sensitivity and compassion. She is tender because she feels what others feel. She is intuitive and has psychic talent. She is open to the unconscious and may possess a keen sixth sense and or telepathy with another. She is spiritual in nature and grasps the deeper meanings of life. She feels a profound connection with God and the universe. Her intensity is powerful. She is a good wife and mother, protective of her family and is a nurturer of souls. Her reactions to the world are guided by her feelings, her heart leads the way. She is not the changeable type but understands moods and their effects.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess is about knowing. She sais I know. This card is about listening and paying attention to our inner self. It is about trusting our inner voice and using our intuition. We should seek guidance from within ourselves. That is where we will find the answers. She tells us to sense the mysterious and allow events to develop without our intervention. She wants us to open up to the unknown and our deep inner wisdom. She is the Archetype of the female consciousness and represents the spiritual and virginal aspect of the feminine archetype. She is intuition and inspiration.
She sits in front of the veil that represents hidden knowledge or secrets. This links her with JUSTICE. The flowing waters are the source of all the flowing waters shown in the rest of the cards. Water symbolizes hidden or secret doctrines. She is passive and receptive and guards the gate of the unconscious. She is the keeper of the records. She holds the secret knowledge related to natural or universal truths or laws. She prods us to pay close attention the natural rhythms and cycles of our bodies and emotions.

The Chariot (09/22/08)

(09/23/08)


This card is about the path to triumph and our external trip to find our place in this world. It’s about reaching our goals and achieving what we want. Success is realized through the use of our will power. We must use our intellectual power and be disciplined. Our bodies are mentally directed like the chariot itself. The charioteer is our higher self. When we know what we want, put ourselves on this mental path and trust our higher self to guide us, we will be victorious. This card represents determination and assertiveness. It’s about being firm and direct. Psychological Consciousness.

The moons signify subconscious emotions and the old patterns of thinking that must be altered. This is our inward journey of change. The white and black sphinxes symbolize the blend of self consciousness, subconsiousness, masculine and feminine energies. Success comes from beating the competition to become the best.

AT This Life’s Spotlight Spread, September, 2008

Here is a spread I created to answer some questions I was wondering about.

This Life’s Spotlight Spread

1. What I’ve arrived in this life to initiate (Main Intention/Wands)
2. What I’ve arrived in this life to feel (Main Experience/Cups)
3. What I’ve arrived in this life to learn (Main Lesson/Swords)
4. What I’ve arrived in this life to attain (Main Achievement/Pentacles)

1. Ten of Swords (RX) – I’ve arrived in this life to initiate getting “above the swords” by staying on top of the way I cope with misfortune. Getting “over” feeling like a self-pitying victim or that life is harsh and depressing. I think the main intention for me is to foster a positive attitude and outlook about myself and the world around me. Keeping and demonstrating an upbeat, self confident, contented disposition regardless of the circumstances is the Wands energy for this card.
2. The Hermit (RX) – I’ve arrived in this life not to feel alone or secluded and instead to feel joined with the outer world. I think the main experiences for me are meaningful involvement and connections with others. The experience of possessing deep understanding as opposed to a constant search for meaning is also the Cups energy for this card.
3. The Emperor – I’ve arrived in this life to learn how to be a good “commander” or how to handle authority (my own and others). Could also indicate lessons I learn from my own father or the importance of “father”. The main lesson is control over and discipline with various aspects of me and my life. To learn the importance of discipline and structure and how to ensure stability and security for “my little kingdom”. Learning to lead by example and the use of good judgment to resolve problems and make decisions is the Swords energy for this card.
4. Five of Wands – I’ve arrived in this life to reach a point of competitiveness or conflict? Perhaps the main achievement is to rise above aggression and tension and over the struggles in life. Choosing to view friction and disagreements as a challenge to use for constructive purposes is the Pentacles energy for this card.

AT Reading March, 2005

my missing cat reading...

This is really a story I'd like to share because it really was a great tarot experience, but any thoughts about what I thought would be welcomed. Hope it's not too long...This reading was done after my cat, my friend of about 13 years, went missing.

Tigger was an indoor/outdoor cat and this one time he just never came back. Well, I was devastated and I missed him terribly. Anyway, after hanging flyers and canvassing the neighborhoods, after a while, I had sort of come to terms with the fact that he might not be coming back at all, but still hoping he would. A couple of months later I finally brought myself to ask if Tigger was dead. While I was shuffling, The Chariot fell out of the pack, I considered it but “achieving victory” just didn’t seem to fit with my question. So I stuck it back in thinking I was clumsy, continued shuffling and pulled three cards.

The first was The Empress, the second was Death and the third was Strength. Well, I’m still a novice here but as I looked at those three cards together I just lost it and I felt in my heart that he was gone. I understood The Empress to mean that I was the mother who was worried about the animal that I loved, nurtured, and had a special connection with, for the animal that was allowed to enjoy nature and to hunt and be connected to the Earth.

Death in this case, I understood to mean that he had passed on, made a transition to some place else. The answer to my question was yes, and he would not be coming back. I understood Strength to mean that I would endure this hard time and that I could be strong and accept the truth. And maybe that I needed to forgive myself also (I was having guilt issues because I let him out whenever he wanted) Well, I still needed to know what had happened to him. So I shuffled, I asked “but what happened? How did he die?”… and The Chariot fell out of the deck again. Well, after staring at it like what does this mean?? It dawned on me then that maybe a car had hit him? As sad as that was to think, it was such a great comfort to have an answer.

AT reading April, 2005

One day last week I followed a suggestion from Mary Greer’s book Tarot Reversals where you pull a daily reversed card. You’re to shuffle, pull the first reversed card off the deck. If it falls within the first two cards the energy is very strong right now. It was the fourth. One day last week I followed a suggestion from Mary Greer’s book Tarot Reversals where you pull a daily reversed card. You’re to shuffle, pull the first reversed card off the deck. If it falls within the first two cards the energy is very strong right now. It was the fourth. The day I did the reading I was so tempted to post it here but figured I’d wait to see what happened. Thought I’d share the experience.

Here’s the reading I typed up about 8 days ago. (used Universal Waite)The REVERSED card I pulled was the 7 of cups and then I pulled a second (upright) card for kicks - 4 of Pentacles. These were my focus cards for the day.

Fine – 7 of Cups RX – My focus is on setting priorities and breaking through confusion to focus on my goals by making realistic plans. Doing something with my dreams, bringing them to fruition.

4 of Pentacles – Concentrated on issues of ownership. Protection of resources and stability and security. I want protection from financial struggles. Well, my husband and I are going to look at a house this week that may be just what we’re looking for and so I did a quick little reading at lunchtime about buying a house. I put the two cards from the morning back in the deck shuffled and I asked if it was wise for us right now to make such a purchase. I pulled three cards:7 of cups, 4 of pentacles RX, and The High Priestess.How great is this? The cards that were once reversed as focus cards are now in opposite positions in the three-card spread…

This is what I think: Situation - 7 of Cups – I feel confused and am indecisive. I am excited about and we are dreaming of home ownership and imagining the possibilities but not 100% sure that it is the right thing to do right now. Feeling a bit like it's just wishful thinking.

What Hinders - 4 of Pentacles RX – My fear of making such a huge change and taking a large risk regarding an investment like this. Financially, it may not be such a good move I’ll be feeling dissatisfied. Also there could be delays and things beyond my control that will block my progress here.

What Helps - The High Priestess – I’m seeking inner guidance and the answer is within me. Since this is a card of non-action, perhaps it means that right now is not a good time for us to buy? I’m advised to be patient? Or is she telling me to go with my gut (assuming we really like the house) It can also indicate that there are hidden factors that influence a decision or negotiation. Or is she telling us that by doing nothing, we will never realize our potential and possibilities of making our dreams come true?

Now here’s what happened:Our appointment to see the house got canceled by the owners (no explanation) and rescheduled for the next night. This one was also cancelled because the poor man had a heart attack (I don’t think he died) but since then it has been taken off the market. Now I wonder was the reading about this PARTICULAR house/situation or is it about buying a house in general?

Seven of Pentacles- AT post 09/19/08

Seven of Pentacles

This card is about the path to money or stable finances. This path brings success. The mental focus is on financial responsibilities. A desire to use money wisely and staying focused on the road to prosperity. Assessing where we are financially and where we are going. Assessing whether or not we are getting the results we want or if we are meeting our goals in this area. We’ve worked hard and are thinking about which path to take... Should we go in a different direction to get to where we want to be financially or are we on the path to victory?

This card is particularly interesting today for many reasons. Just this morning while getting ready for work, I was thinking about my family’s finances and just the economy in general (with everything that has been going on here- and everywhere else for that matter- with the stock market, housing market, all these bankruptcies, foreclosures, company mergers and buyouts, layoffs… scary times). I was thinking that we really need to be more fugal and wise with our money. We really need to save more and plan for the future better than we have been. We really need to replenish our “house account” (my husband was laid off for nine months – is back to work now...) to where it was before the lay off and start socking more money away in savings and IRAs and just try to do more than just live check to check. You know those kinds of thoughts.

Anyway, I’m on the train and I bump into an acquaintance who tells me that the company he works for just got bought and how things are really going to change for him. Then I get into work and my friends here were telling me their thoughts about finances as well. Pretty much echoing my sentiments. For example, discussing the price of heating oil and gas for winter and how they need to be wiser with their money. Investments that have tanked and money pissed away on crap we don’t really need. We decided that we should start up our “too hot to be broke” investment/financial planning club again to keep us all on track. I don’t think there could have been a more “right on” card for me today and it’s only 12:45!

Page of Swords-AT post 08/06/08

Page of Swords

I will be keeping an eye out for difficult situations or challenges or some sort of problem. The encouraging message is that this is an opportunity for growth and to deal with them with honesty, integrity and to use my intellect and analyzing/problem solving skills. I should be approaching things in the spirit of learning, discovery and I should take more pleasure in using my intellect. Incidentally, the Ace of swords has been popping up for me a lot lately (could have been an indication of some challenges we are currently facing as my husband had unexpected surgery last week).

I guess I should explore that card a bit more as well! This Page could apply already. The past couple of days I’ve been reading “Parenting from the Inside Out, How a Deeper Self Understanding can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive” by Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Mary Hartzell. Of course as I’m reading it I’m thinking about my own parenting style, behaviors, interactions etc.. Trying to learn more about how we connect with our children (Page) and the impact it has on their social and neurological development. It also challenges parents to analyze their own childhood experiences and explore how those events shape how we are as parents. It’s very interesting, I'm learning and thinking about a lot of things and so I think it applies to the message of this card.

Queen of Pentacles - AT post 07/29/08

Queen of Pentacles

Two immediate thoughts came to mind as I started reviewing this card. First, because her energy is nurturing, warm and welcoming, I thought of how I was made to feel when I reintroduced myself here the other day. One comment stood out and totally remindes me of what this Queen would say to someone after they had been away a long time. "Welcome Home"

I also thought of my own mom. She is an earth sign, has red hair like this particular card, is big hearted, great with children and animals and has always created a warm and inviting environment. She's got a great vegetable garden growing in her back yard, she too is super generous, loyal, down to earth and resourceful. I will focus on this card more through the day

While coloring the "My Tarot"(similar in imagery to Hoi Polloi but much more detailed) I noticed the card has the imagery of bulls which I would attribute to Taurus, which is my mother's astrological sign. I looked up some info in Sandra Thompson's "Pictures of the Heart" and read that a "well dignified Taurus-attributed card" could indicate among some other things a determination to succeed, and talent in the arts, math,or business management. Something else that made me think of my mom. She's a very talented hair stylist and owns her own beauty shop of 25 years now!