I have not posted in awhile. Life has been hectic, as everyone knows, too well. I have spent much time meditating, praying, and feel like I would like to merge the two things I adore, together. The Bible, which I collect every translation and honor. And the Tarot. Which I believe is a gift, a Universal story, a wonderful language of symbols. All stories tell deeper stories. And I love that. When I laid these 3 cards I drew at random....as if anything we ever do is really random, the story of Joseph flashed before me. Within these 3 cards, is his story. And your story, and my story. And here is the 7 of Wands, in his story....
Genesis 37:3-8 (The Message)
3. Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he was the child of his old age. And he made him an elaborately embroidered coat. 4. When his brothers realized that their father loved him more than them, they grew to hate him-they wouldn't even speak to him. 5. Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6. He said, 'Listen to this dream I had. 7. We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat. All of a sudden my bundle stood up and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine.' 8. His brothers said, 'So! You're going to rule us? You're going to boss us around?' And they hated him more than ever because of his dreams and the way he talked.
Genesis 37:18 (The Message)
They spotted him off in the distance. By the time he got to them, they had cooked up a plot to kill him.
Notice the number 7 of the verse above, and the 7 of Wands card. Outnumbered, pushed away. Far away. Family. Sibling rivalry. They do not kill him, they sell him to a caravan passing by, to be a slave. Rip up his coat of many colors, dip it in blood, and present it to his father, alluding to not knowing what happened to him, he must be dead. Seems like the end of the story, but really just a new beginning. And the Ace of Wands appears.....
Genesis 41:37-41 (The Message)
37. This seemed like a good idea to Pharaoh and his officials. 38. Then Pharaoh said to his officials, 'Isn't this the man we need? Are we going to find anyone else who has God's Spirit in him like this?' 39. So, Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'You're the man for us. God has given you the inside story-no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom. 40 .From now on, you're going to be in charge of all my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you.' 41. So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: 'I'm putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt.'
Genesis 41:50-52 (The Message)
Joseph had two sons born to him before the years of famine came. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, was their mother. 51 .Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying ; God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home.' 52. He named the second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity) saying, 'God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow.'
He ends up in Egypt, a slave, a handsome slave the master's wife desires. He refuses her advances and is lied about, sending him to jail. From jail, he interprets dreams, still the dreamer. When Pharaoh has 2 disturbing dreams, no one can understand them. Suddenly he is remembered as an accurate Dream interpreter, and is sent to stand in the presence of the King and tell him what the dream's mean. He says his gifts, abilities come from his God, still holding onto his faith, even after all he has gone through, he impresses Pharaoh and is suddenly moving from the jail, to the Palace. Number one, (The Ace of Wands) next to Pharaoh. A miracle. But not the end of the story yet....
Genesis 45:1-5 (The Message)
1. Joseph couldn't hold himself in any longer, keeping up a front before all his attendants. He cried out, 'Leave! Clear out, everyone leave!' So there was no one with Joseph when he identified himself to his brothers. 2. But, his sobbing was so violent that the Egyptians couldn't help but hear him. The news was soon reported to Pharaoh's s palace. 3. Joseph spoke to his brothers: 'I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?' But his brothers couldn't say a word. They were speechless-they couldn't believe what they were hearing and seeing. 4. 'Come closer to me,' Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. 'I am Joseph your brother you sold into Egypt. 5. But, don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives.
The 9 of Wands, he opens up to his brothers, lets his wall down, weeps, embraces them. Then he forgives them, even telling them not to ever feel badly about selling him......imagine that. He now sees that God was always behind every step, every seemingly bad turn of events. God had a plan....He was exactly where God wanted him to be. And he sees his Father again, even provides for his brothers and family.....giving them the BEST of Egypt. Should give us all hope. All the horrible mistakes we make, can be somehow turned into blessing. By God.
Tarot of the Divine Legacy by talented Ciro Marchetti. Thank you!
