Lovely Ace of Pentacles

The 3rd Ace in my musing, The Ace of Pentacles. 

from the Universal Wirth Tarot Deck, one of my top ten Tarot Decks! This Ace is one of my favorites, as it can mean so many different things. Many symbols here to gaze at. Doing my 'Alphabet Tarot Game' I can play and come up with 26 new, old, interesting things to see in this golden card.

If I were to draw this card today, as what do I need to know today card, I would take it as a great omen. Gold, money, opportunities. Open doors in business, new ideas, right in front of me. I love this one.

Playing with the images....here are my thoughts....

A....abundance

B....buffet, more than enough for everyone

C....change, money or a play on words, a change in residence or job

D....diamond....round, shiny, set in gold, bought with gold

E....ecstasy....golden moment in time, pure joy

F....found, something lost, found and cherished again

G....grace or gift, a gracious gift, something precious

H....her. If asking the gender of a newly conceived baby, this would mean a girl.

I....indulge. share, buy drinks, buy supper, buy yourself something you long for

J....jewel, precious stone, a gem of great price

K....keep, or keeper. Something worth keeping, valuable

L....legacy, money or property bequeathed to you

M....marriage. where 2 become 1. wealth of the heart

N....nature, the material world, natural resources

O....offering...giving, sharing what you have

P....passage...such as a raise or a promotion

Q...quota...share or percentage of an amount

R....release.....to set free, new door opens to you

S....secure...one thing that makes you feel secure

T....treasure,  a pirates bounty!

U...utmost, highest goal reached

V....vow, a promise of great worth

W....wealth, a profusion, riches

X....the symbol of a kiss, XOXO

Y....yours, something that belongs to you

Z....Zion....utopia, heaven on earth

One thing I love in this deck, of this Ace is, the 4 wooden branches that hold it up. Wood, something from earth, trees, roots, solid and dependable, giving shade and flowers or fruit. Producing. And delishious.  Also the beautiful shining glyphs....all the astrology symbols showing how you learn to be wealthy is to experience everything  and not judge it. Be it, and learn it's worth. And the leaves in the center, the miracle of growing plants, food for us, life on out planet. And the gold itself, buried all over our home planet. Most of us have a ring or gift we can hold right now made of gold. Imagine having bars of gold, some people do. Having something of great worth. Pentacles always represent solid, real, tangible, something you can have and hold onto. Or give away. It's buried in the black hills, and laying in the bottom of the ocean. It's made into jewelry and coins to stash away. And it stands for something you highly value. An excellent card to draw.

Universal Wirth Tarot

The Ace of Cups.

The second Ace I have drawn in my All about the Aces Series! Using the alphabet, I will find something from every letter to define this card. Stretch your imagination people. Every card is loaded with ideas, images, messages.....!

A...Adore

B...Beautiful

C...Caress...the softness of the butterfly wings, tender, soft

D...Demonstrate....show someone you love them

E...Evolve

F...Famous, huge, star like

G...Golden, solid gold, real, a home for your heart

H...Home

I...Innocence, new, trusting

J...Joyful

K...Kissed, very well kissed!

L...Loved, and generous with your love

M...Marriage, happy ever after

N...Nest, a safe place

O...Open, keeping your heart open

P...Poetry, sweet lyrics

Q...Quaint, charming

R...Rely, someone you really can rely on

S...Secure

T...Temple, a place to worship God

U...Understanding

V...Vulnerable, to let yourself be open to love

W...Wealth...what true wealth is

X...I call a  blank for this letter!

Y...Yes, Yes, Yes!

Z...Zeal, get really happy!

This image from this Tarot deck, is about home, safety, a beautiful golden goblet holding everything you may ever love. A precious card. One that is a blessing to draw in your daily card journaling. That lovely butterfly that has transformed and is lifting into the clouds....changing your attitude can be the same as this image. Let yourself go, abandon yourself to love. Let life change....trust it. No matter how crazy it gets in the process. Love.

Ace of Swords

A Study on the Aces...

I love the variety of the art in each Tarot Deck. This Ace of Swords is from the Universal Wirth Tarot. Not a Polly Anna deck, but a very realistic view of the meaning of the cards. And another of my favorite Tarot Decks! I have been seeing many Ace's popping out of the readings I have been doing lately. New beginnings. New doors opening, new choices. That is the good news....and endings. Yeah, slammed doors, no, never, when hell freezes over....is the bad news.

So, one this one night that there is no lightning, thunder, pounding rain, I want to ponder this card. And journal about it. If this were my handy notebook I have stuck in my purse and pull out at any given moment to catch an idea that just flew by, this is one of my favorite ways to play with this card. The ABC idea. Any card from any deck will have way more than just one meaning. The longer you hold it, sleep with it, stick it on the front of your computer and just keep it on the back burner in your mind....it will show up all day. And tell you things, you never noticed before! Sort of a Freudian play on images...but this is the way I find out what is going on under my skin. Or your skin, should you call me for a Reading. Be brave, now.  How many ways does this card poke me, wake me up, anger me, calm me. Teach me. Your list may be totally different.....it should be. It would be you.

On a letter I have no idea.....I name it a wild card and put whatever word pops in my mind first. Don't try to figure me out....it's futile. ! Just love me like I am......with deck in hand....and about 200 more stashed around the house....meet the Ace of Swords.

A...Ah, you have my attention, said the lobster

B...bingo, nailed me

C...the current is wicked, thought I would never get caught

D...dagger, desire, dismay

E...enough already. What, you want my head on a plate? I guess you do....

F...frigid, and I thought the water was cold....that steel blade is ruthlessly icy

G...God, Hello... I am praying, remember me? Think I need a little help here....

H...Hell, no. I may look dead, but I clean up well....just hide and watch.

I...Indignant, why are you jabbing around in my watery world? Stay in your element, Air. Now.

J...Jealous? And you think getting rid of me will fix you? Wrong.

K...Keep...me on the string? Keep me waiting? Keep me loving you? I think not. Not into pain.

L...lament.....the choices I have made that I grieve over, the doors I chose that were a blind alley

M...marriage. Ah.....how sweet that sounded. Two become one. Then go back to becoming 2....then 3

N...nettle. A wild plant that stings when touched. Enough said. !

O...Obstacle......you know, those signs life gives us, ROAD CLOSED AHEAD, or this could be a bad idea......and I just think, well, maybe the force is with me today......and it is with the other guy....

P...Pervert...yeah, I said pervert. If someone asks me how their new date will be....looks like he has one thing on his mind....if he pays for dinner, you are dessert. You might want to think about that.

Q...query....you need to ask more questions....and remember, no answer is an answer. Really.

R...red-hot. Angry. Ready to fly off their handle, right in your face. Walk away, Renee.

S...settle the score. A showdown. Maybe one fact, and much fiction. Stay calm.....run fast.

T...Tantalize...you know how it torments a person, or teases a person, to dangle it in front of them, then take it away. This Ace of Swords....could be a double edged sword. Tease or Torture, but don't Touch.

U...unravel.....a teeny fact that has been eluding you, suddenly, this one piece of the puzzle falls out of nowhere....mysterious....and timely. A gift of sorts, but may not feel like it at the time.

V...Victim. One image in this cards seems innocent. One image is intent on causing pain. And all that water to hide the evidence. Maybe, but the Truth will always come out. Just a waiting game. Then the victor becomes the victim. Karma.

W...Wait. As timing goes....this is a wait and see card. Could go any way....sooner or later. Right now....you have to wait. And then, wait some more. Wait.

X...X-Ray.....seeing inside someone. Can help you, or hurt you. There may be something in there you need to know about....this card shows up....there is a source of pain, you need to find it. Mental, or otherwise. Maybe someone has a Voodoo Doll with your name on it.....and a chunk of your hair....better think about that....

Y...You. Time to focus on yourself. Be selfish. Be sharp and keep everyone at a distance. Hold your dagger high, and put the fear in someone. Mean it.

Z...Zap....act fast. Zap whatever is bugging you, so fast it didn't even see it coming. Like a Taser. I had one of those once. Loved the way that little bolt of lightning danced across the top. Made ugly people that didn't want to hear the 'No' word, suddenly listen. Isn't technology amazing?

I still find older notebooks I have done this kind of Tarot Journaling in, and the words always change. I love how the cards bring out the deeper issues. And in an innocent, playful way.  Always edgy, never dull. Not for the faint of heart. !

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day!

Using the 'Vanessa Tarot' by Lynyrd Narciso, I ask the question of the Tarot....what's the secret to being a good Mother?

Page of Coins, Knight of Wands, and Strength!

Keep your eye on the little buggers all the time, they grow up so fast, and always still need their Mother. Looks like she is trying to show this little guy how to jump in the right direction, land on the yellow spot. Maybe she's looking to see if he is ever paying any attention. Some days that would be a no. So, she fearlessly goes into action, kicks him out of the nest, teaches him to fly. But she has a parachute and safety glasses on, just in case he needs help, she's ready to be there. Courage, crack the whip. It may feel like a jungle, they are all wild animals, and they are. Just relax, your Strength is what teaches them to have Strength. It's the hard things in life that define who we are. Push them, love them, just be there for them.

I have 3 children, and love them so much. Some days I question, am I still doing this the right way? And I remember something my sweet mother in law told me....you can never go wrong being a mother, no matter how many times you screw up, if they know, really know you love them. Keep telling them. She was a great example. Good advice!

Japan, why?

Watching the ongoing news tonight, the pain, loss, devastation in Japan. Horrible. And the cry of one lonely voice, standing out....'what did we do to deserve this? All this....why?'

It must be a human condition to always want to know who's fault it is when bad things happen. To any of us. And especially to the ones we love or when it is you or me in the hot seat.

This may be a strange reading....but I learned a long time ago, you cannot be a Tarot Reader and have an Ego. You can be exact on some things, and others, all over the place. We read energy, patterns, intentions. Symbols. I think I am more accurate than our weather man! But so is Joe the Barber! I do trust the details, colors, feelings that the Tarot Cards invoke. But I don't know everything, so I study every day, and learn something new about the Tarot and about God, and Life. I honestly believe, in getting still with them, being precise in my question, and keeping my heart open about whatever the answer may be, helps. And then sit with them longer....just see what images pop up. Journal with it....be fearless, be playful, be humble. Ask questions, then ask more questions....

So, tonight I ask, 'why did this horrible thing happen to Japan?'  And you know it could happen to any of us at any time, so go through all your hoarded stuff and donate like crazy. What you don't use may be all someone else will have in their empty closet.  Back to my reading.....

This first Tarot Deck I drew from is the Rumi Tarot by Nigel Jackson. These 3 cards came out....

The Tower...2 of Stave's...The Lovers

The Tower is true, one day and devastation. The rug ripped out from under your feet. Your family, your home, your work, your life, gone. Changed. Never, ever the same. And your future? Dare we even go there with that question? The second card says 2 Wands will come together, and the quote on the cards is perfect....'I will give you sovereignty without soldiers and armies.' Without a fight. And the Lovers. It's like 2 nations marry. 2 become one. We see the 2 of Wands, the 2 Kings below, the two Wands becoming One Wand in the second layout. Again, two become one. They seem to be offering them love, gifts, hope, clean land and food. They reach out and touch them, take care of them. How wonderful that seems. But with the Ace of Wands and the Tower showing up together...that makes me nervous.

Money, Power, Passion.

I pray it is a good thing, a blessing in the midst of a horrid tragedy.

So I pull out the Universal Tarot by Lo Scarabeo and ask the same question. And I draw these:

The King of Cups...The King of Pentacles...The Ace of Wands

Two Kings come together, unify, becoming an Ace, Super power. A King of the Water, and and King ruling on land, An Olive branch is offered, accepted, sealed. Clear, clean land is in sight. A new beginning. A promise of power that this will never happen to them again. But do you see that grayish cloud that surrounds the arm holding the Ace? Storm clouds, or radiation clouds on the horizon. The country looks stark, empty. Are they being sent there to protect themselves, or others? Like lepers being sent to the outside of town....banished. But promised a shiny new proposition. When you have nothing, anything looks good. I honestly hope it will be. Trusting soul....I am not. I try. But these are Kings in Power, Kings wanting more power, more land, more people, more money.

Then just for kicks, I ask what country, or land, where would this offer or alliance come from? I drew cards that said East of them, a bit North East. So I google my handy Atlas, and there is Russia. North Korea first, but behind that, lots of land in Russia.

I ask my gifted oldest daughter what she thought these cards could mean, as I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling about the layout. She thinks it could mean the other Nuclear accident at Chernobyl......maybe this will cause a couple of our leaders to find a better way to generate energy. And get rid of this dangerous way. I pray so. That Ace of Wands represents fire.......raw fire with great power. But I don't see the sun in this card, in any of these cards. So, where did the Sun go? And 5 out of 6 cards show strange clouds. Might keep that in mind. Look up people, strange things are afoot.

I am Spiritual, and consider my own Faith strong, always seeking, questioning. And always finding Peace. I connect with Jesus, as the 'Father' image is painful for me, so I cannot see God as loving if I envision Him/Her as a Father. Or even a Mother. But Jesus, I adore. I know all the end time fear stuff. Was raised on it....and know we are all going through some kind of test at any given time here on Planet Earth. If you really read the Scriptures....you were warned to be strong, hated, people will want to kill you, and the more you are tested the happier you should be. How's that for Prosperity Teaching? But, the good news is there is a Plan. And I don't have to know it. I just have to pray and love whoever shows up in my path. And focus on one day at a time, and keep my simple faith that whatever any of us need, we can pray to God, The Huge, Awesome, Bigger and More Massive God than we could ever get our heads around, hence we see Jesus. Dressed like a human! Bet he loved that mission...One of us. But there are many others sent, with the same message, Love.  These people all over the world, going through crisis, war, sickness, are our family, our human family.....please give whatever you can and help them. Fast and pray....and hold on tight. This year is one for the books.  Linda 

Happy Valentines Day!

One of my favorite Lovers Tarot Cards.....The Tarot Art Nouveau.
Now, that is a kiss. And the roses.....surrounding this card, gifts for his true love.
She looks a bit startled by his embrace, but is that not how Love is? When it comes to you, it does startle one.

May I quote from the Prophet Kahlil Gibran? His wise words of Love....


Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love. And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them.
And with a great voice, he said:
When love becKons you, you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you, believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to you height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth....
If in your fear you would seek only love's peace and pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threashing floor.
When you love, you should not say, 'God is in my heart,' but rather, 'I am in the heart of God.'
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

And Solomon.....from 'The Song of Songs,'
My lover is mine, and I am his.
Nightly he strolls in our garden,
Delighting in the flowers
Until dawn breathes its light and night slips away. 2:16

To love is so worth whatever the outcome. And the Tarot may not tell you the outcome, that is what this card is, 'Choice.' It is your choice, your dance. Join the dance, you will not regret it. Remember, it's the things you didn't take the chance on in life, you do regret. Live to Love, and Love Extravantly.....every day! In every choice.

Raining dead birds?

Raining Blackbirds ???

Times Square had the ball drop, and Brass town, N. C. , had its descending possum. But no place had a New Years Eve as unusual, or freakishly disturbing, as Beebe, Ark.

On Monday, more dead birds were found near New Roads, La.

Stephen B. Thornton/The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, via the Associated Press

Thousands of red-winged blackbirds fell dead from the sky in Beebe, Ark., on New Years Eve. A worker with the U. S. Environmental Services, a private contractor, picked up a dead bird on Saturday. Around 11 that night, thousands of red-winged blackbirds began falling out of the sky over this small city ab out 35 miles northeast of Little Rock. They landed on roofs, roads, front lawns and backyards, turning the ground nearly black and terrifying anyone who happened to be outside. The cause is still being determined, but preliminary lab results from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, revealed 'acute physical trauma' in samples of the dead birds. There were no indications of disease, though tests were still being done for the presence of toxic chemicals. It just looked as if it had rained birds. Last count was over 3,000 birds fell from the sky.

Why?

I just had to lay cards out as to why this happened. And I drew The Sun Card, the Ace of Swords, and the Page of Wands.

What would this mean? These cards.....this answer. It was night, not sunny out. Hence I see this a innocent birds being burned by intention. I see the Page waiting for the order to use an implement of war, or harm, this Ace of Swords, to cut them down. No way do I think fireworks would kill 3,000 birds. And they all fall on one town? And it accidentally happened on New Years Eve, knowing fire works would be shot off then? Whatever.

Later now, they have said they bled from their liver and died of blood clots. Really. I think it either was laser, or some high Tc form of a vibrational zap that wiped them out. No accident. And why were the people sent in to clean them up, wearing Hazmat suits? Wake up, people. And today it was in Louisiana.....more fell from the sky? Maybe Chicken Little was right. Something is going on in the sky.....so what is it?

Papa

The Hierophant

The day after Christmas, I wonder what he would say about all the holiday hoopla. I don't think this is what He is trying to teach us. So, who is He?

For me....He is Faith, God's Will, Forgiveness. Compassion, The Teacher, my Soul. The inner guidance system out Creator installed deep, deep within each of us, that tells us whether what we choose is right or wrong. Peace. Prayer, you can see Him in each face you deeply look into. You can find him in every church, every child, every flower. He is Silence......yet he speaks volumes. Our Spiritual Teacher, our vision of God, however you see God, or I see God. Life, Laughter, Tears. He is there.

And gifts....guess what, we are the gifts. We have the gifts, and the sweetest gift of all is Presence. Just to be with someone...really be there. Hold them in you heart. Just hold them. Not buy them the biggest most expensive thing....but really see them. Really love them.

I like the arms of his Throne. The ox, bowing his face in prayer. The Servant. The one that works quietly, daily, humbly. And the scroll he holds....what does it say? For each of us, is a different message. To find your message, you have to spend time with him, he will whisper the message to you. Try it....that is the Gift. Be Blessed.....

Joseph, Wands in Story

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!

Tarot 101: The Chariot

The Beautiful Chariot

Number 7 in the line up of the Major Arcana.

The Chariot.

I have been reading, devouring, the new book by Kim Huggens, ‘Tarot 101’.
Just love it. You need to buy it, if you want a new way to see the cards.
I picked it up this morning, and it fell open to page 43, ‘The Chariot.’
She goes into depth with each card, explaining and giving you questions to
ponder, or journal with, as I am doing right now. She talks about how
different the ‘Chariots’ can be, from deck to deck. True. And each
different angle of the Chariot, can invoke many different images to the
Reader of the Cards. I pulled out the Chariots from ‘The Bohemian Gothic
Tarot,’ by Magic Realist Press, ‘Shadowscapes Tarot, by ’Stephanie
Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, ‘Universal Wirth Tarot’ by Lo Scarabeo,
Torino, and Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn, by Lo Scarageo, Torino.
And here they are….

Part of the journey of the Hero’s Quest. Here are some
of her questions, and some of my answers. So, enjoy!

What quest am I on
currently? Today, I would say I have lost my map. This last year has been
quite a ride in the Chariot. Not easy, and sometimes my Chariot has seemed
to be broken. Literally. I need to think about where I want to go from
here, and plan to get to a destination. Life seems to have had other
lessons for me. Just when I think I have a plan, No. Road block ahead.
Turn around, Stop. Start over. I think I will meditate on this card today,
see what comes up.

How do I approach a new challenge? I study it to death.
I read everything I can to know everything I can, to think I have all
bases covered. Sometimes that works, most times not. Each challenge is
unique in it’s own way. And is a Journey in a Journey. Being the Pisces
that I am, I don’t like conflict, or confrontation. Yet the Chariot would
say, take control. Plan, do it.

So, who is driving, today?

On some of the Chariot Tarot Cards, the guidance, or power that directs
the Chariot, seem be other things….statues, set in stone, weathered by
time yet wise. Excitedly playful unicorns, an easy journey beginning in
the clouds, taking you anywhere, just let go, let the Chariot go where
ever it wants to go. Men/people, advisors, inspiration, not trying to do
this alone. And wild horses….dust flying in the wind, black and white,
choose something, and race toward it.

How quickly am I making progress? It
would appear, slow. So slow. But, on another level, things from the past,
unfinished things, have shown up in my life, and are now finished. Maybe
they were detours I needed. It wasn’t like I sought them out .Really didn't want to go there. Life set
them right in my path. And I rode them out, until they were finished.

Where has the Charioteer come from, and where is he going?

He has come a
long way. He has learned so many things, and unlearned so many things. I,
personally, know you can make plans, set in stone, and it does not happen.
So what do you do then? Get mad, at yourself or the Powers that Be? Or
ride out the storm, see where life takes you? I am there. I trust in Life,
the Universe, God. I will make it to my goal, maybe not in my or your
timing, but Life’s timing. I think my favorite Chariot card, from these 4
chosen ones, is the one with the Unicorns pulling it. She has let go, is
enjoying the ride. Made an Altar, written out Prayers, put my favorite Angels on each 4 corners, chosen my favorite Tarot Cards to watch over the process, add some beautiful stones, my ivory pearl Rosary, and a beautiful candle to burn as often as I can. Or/And stuck her desires on her Vision Board, and goes there
in her mind, just to visit and feel like she is already there. And let
Life be Life. Sometimes it feels like someone else is driving, and maybe
some days, that is a good thing. Let someone else drive the Chariot. And
relax, knowing the places and people you need to be with, the lessons, the
joys, will be there when you get there. But make your list and have a
plan, anyway. I have done that. And stop trying to control everyone and
everything. Only one of these Charioteer’s seems to be in Control mode.
And he is stirring up a lot of dust, making a big show of it. Ego.

The 2
images that guide the Chariot, seem to be the 2 choices you always have.
Life always gives you at least 2. And I think, both ways may take you to your
destination. So, either way just has different scenery. You really can’t
screw up. Just keep going. So, get out your Chariot card today, and see
what it tells you, see what journey you are on, or getting ready for. And
play with it…enjoy the ride. And buy the book, you will love it.

The Llewellyn Tarot

The 8 of Cups.

Painted by the talented Anne Marie Ferguson, part of the 78 Tarot Cards from The Llewellyn Tarot. One of my very favorite decks, so beautiful. And a book I have been reading by Paul Fenton-Smith, 'The Tarot Revealed.' I do believe I have everything he has ever written, and eagerly await more. Keep writing Paul. For some reason his take on this card, and his way of looking at the cards, really resonated with me. Has given me some new ideas of what I see here, and where she is going.

This card has flipped out several times this week, even in other Tarot Decks I may be using to Read with....here it is. I, personally, don't usually see it as a happy card. It feels dark, only moonlight to guide her. And rough terrain, she seems to be clad in a very covering night gown, must be cold, damp out there. Holding something in front of her, white, something white? A blanket? A cape? Her hair seems drenched with dew...just laying stuck to her shoulders and back. She is leaning forward, using a wooden pole of a crutch to help her climb over the rocks and the mud that seem to be in her path. I think she is barefooted. Seems to be moving slowly. The rocks look dark, slippery, mossy, water crashing over them. You cannot even see land, just the spot she stands on, maybe it goes out to the right side of the card, it may be a path, or a dark forrest. It looks traveled before, this dark ghostly path. She may have not found it yet, or she may not even see it yet. She seems to have gone as far as she can go, right to the edge of the land. Right on the edge. Ever been on the edge? Not my favorite place to be. And the golden cups. 8. I have always thought it strange how they are arranged, being a tad OCD here, I want to straighten them out. Line them up. But thanks to Paul, I see this is good. I love his ideas, and one of them is to know your Tarot. Know all the cards. Know the one that comes before this card ,and the others in their line up on the 1-10 Cups in the Minor Arcane, know what the numbers stand for, gather all the information about this card, before I add what I feel about this card, my own Gestalt twist to it.

If I step back in time, here are the 5,6 and 7 of Cups. What may have happened to bring her to this dark night, sad and lost, 8 of cups card? 5 of Cups, a loss. Grief, this too shall pass, a gray flood of emotion that matches the gray overcast sky. Yet, hope, as 2 cups still stand, behind him/her. Unnoticed. When he does have time, to get past the spilt cups he will never have again, he walks into the 6 of Cups card. Ah, such happy memories, the sweetest friend to share them with. Home, and a big tree to climb, pets and blooming flowers, jonquils, must be spring. A time of hope. Then, moving into the 7 of Cups, knocked back down on your knees. Choices, confusion, which way is the right way? She weighs her options, and makes a choice. The choice adds another Golden Cup to her collection, but at what cost? 8 is the number for the Major Arcana Strength Card. This calls for a time of strength. Inner strength, maybe outer strength. Going through something you aren't sure you can make it. So you look in those cups, which before were full of many choices. Now they sit empty. Yet, hope springs eternal. She has arranged them with one off to the side. Room for one new one to rest with the collection. But where is it? That is what she is hunting for. And that is why she is leaving, even in the dark of night. Unsure, and no compass but her heart....she is moving on.

If you lay the next card down, she walks into the 9 of Cups card. The card of joy, your wish coming true. Her gamble paid off, and listening to her heart, was the right thing to do. Even thought she appeared alone, and no brilliant guidance from well meaning friends. She walks on. In the 9 of Cups, she is surrounded by golden cups, and sunlight, and her pure white veil blowing in the wind! Look back through the cards....was it the white dress she wore as an innocent child in the 6 card? Then a white cape to protect her, in the 7 of cups card? And the 8 of cups card....it looks like a security blanket she clings to in the dark. Looks like all she carries away, except the club (Ace of Wands?) she is leaning on? In the 9 card, it billows in the wind, a lovely veil. She is blessed with Grace and Glory as she sits in the sweet meadow that was a miserable dark marsh in the card before. And life gets better....really! From that card she gets ups and walks into the 'I am so happy and home, and loved. The pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow. Her white veil, now an apron to wear in her happy home with her husband and children. The dark stream that once looked so scary, now tumbles joyfully around the sitting golden cups. Her children play in it. No ghosts here. And the final card here, the Page of Cups. The missing cup from the 8 card, held up with a couple of fish in it. The white cloth is still showing up, as a tunic, decorated with a royal blue satin sash, and a sage green cloak to cover the fearless Page, as he steps on the rocks in his leather boots and protective clothing. I say he is the child in the 10 of cups card. He was holding a fishing pole and enjoying the clear blue water, filled with fish, fun, happy summer days. It feels like the person going through the passage of the cups cards is a female. Ah...emotions. The heartfelt things only girls are supposed to cry and then dance for joy, when the sun comes back out, and the test is over, right? But this Page feels like a male. A young man with such passion, hope, visions of art, music, joy. Maybe his mother has been the one going through the lessons of the Cups cards....and he has watched and learned. Now is his turn. He has such excitement, can see into his future and only see good things. Such is life as a teenager. But life brings these lessons to us all, and that is good. She, his mother will be there, to comfort and guide him as he makes takes his own path into the world. No one can do it for you. But they can listen, and care.

'Tears endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' Psalms, true!

So, thank you Paul! I no longer look at this card as a sad, dire, dismal card. It is only a place in the dark, we all have been there and will go back from time to time. Life lessons. Looks like the golden cup to fill the empty spot on this card was so worth it to go after. Take the risk, it is so worth it. !

It is good to be Queen. Don't you think? I was out wandering in a local park, camera in hand, and found this lovely flower standing up, waving in the breeze, all by itself. Well, not really. Surrounding it was a field of yellow flowers. And I have no idea what their real 'flower' names are, I just loved them. Sorting through the stack later, I found this one, and the Queen of Pentacles from Ciro Marchetti's Divine Legacy Tarot, are a divine match. The colors, the symbols, the ladylike beauty of Mother Nature.

She, this Queen in green, gold and white, is a blend of ..... Paula Dean, wonderful cook, loves to feed everyone. Martha Stewart, talented, can do anything with your home or garden, or your money. For good or evil. But her intentions are good. She knows how to grow things. Make money, with just about anything laying around the house. If she is a full time Homemaker, she has the coolest home on the block. And if she works outside her home, she loves real estate, flipping houses, decorating on a dime, maybe banking, investing, she know how things grow, and no sitting around watching TV for her. She has things to do, and not enough time to do them.......and she has a little group of her own ducklings following her. A soft, loving Mother, and great Wife, she can do just about anything. And make it look easy. I can imagine her loving her huge garden, taking her veggies to the fresh food market, handing out samples of her baked goodies, having a bit of time to chat with everyone. Gracious....funny, not afraid to get her hand dirty, loves her work. What ever it is. And flowers.....talk about the 'green thumb.' She has them blooming all over.

One another level, I see her as very Spiritual. She understands the Laws of Nature. Plant a seed, watch it grow. What you reap, you sow. She is patient, but can decide the whole garden is done, and rip through it with her garden tiller, bury the old, finished plants. Embrace the new. Cycles, she loves them, and understands them. I love how this plant mimics the star on her forehead. She has Wisdom, Patience, feeds your soul as well as you tummy. In a field of 'ordinary' women....she stands out. And different.....she enjoys that. Who wants to be like everyone else. No cookie cutter mom here. Her husband keeps quiet about her....can't let it out how lucky he is. She wrote the book on Sex. She knows all the ways to pamper him. Touch is a way she makes love. He melts under her tender, massaging hands. She knows how to keep him coming home. She is his home. Her heart is a safe place to be, as she protects, fiercely if need be, all she loves. In her Tarot Card, here, she reminds me of a Southern Belle. Emily Post, maybe? Need to keep the rules. But another side of her could be some sexy chic, mud wrestling on Saturday night, making stacks of money, having a blast with all her crazy friends. If you need advice, she will give it. You will at first be comforted, then slapped silly with: why did you do that, knowing it would go there? Ms. Practical. Do this, get that. But she will have a plan to get you out of trouble, and can charm everyone around her, with her soft, delicate side, as she gets exactly what she wants. And they never seen it coming. She is my hero today. Think I will get out, find some flowers growing in the wild, bring them home to enjoy. Remind me of her.

Shadowscape Tarot

Are these not absolutely beautiful cards? Designed by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, and Barbara Moore, the deck is called 'Shadowscapes Tarot.' And the book that comes with the deck, is awesome. Thick, full page pictures of each card, artist descriptions and intuitive descriptions. Her artwork is delicate, detailed, and full of images. And her interpretations of each card, not your usual little white book descriptions. I love it. Bought 2 sets the first time I seen it.

I drew these cards today, at random. Sit with them, waited until this story floated up. See what you think, they are the Page of Wands, The Hanged Man, and the Two of Swords.

Once upon a time,

there was a young man. Handsome, eager, zealous. Filled with faith, joy. So much, he could not hold it inside his heart, so he sang, and played music. And his music was so sweet, it was told that the music drove demons away. Demons named Fear, Depression, and Greed. Anyone that heard his music, notes plucked from stings of harps, and lyrics from his innocent, pure heart, they were relieved of whatever torturing their suffering was. He was a bit naive about the ways of the world, how life could test you. He thought he had this gift of song, and the King favored him. Life was sweet.

As time passed, he had many exciting adventures. Some, so glorious he danced in the streets, and others so painful, he wept through the long night. And he learned, this is called Life.

One day, he was so excited! He had the idea to build the most exquisite temple, a most Holy place, filled with music, gold, shimmering jewels, ah, so lovely he could hardly wait to get started on it. He sketched, and planned, he envisioned it, could almost touch it. A knock at the door, a messenger. The message was to stop. Stop his plans for the beautiful temple. Put them in a box, pack them away. Wait. It was not meant to be, for him to build this Holy house. But the messenger promised, one of his sons would build it. How sad he was. No matter how many reasons he could think of, that he should build the very best Temple, he was told no. No.

There were many great things he had done in his life, and quite a few great mistakes he had made. And sure enough, a diligent scribe to write it all down. Horrible details, everything. You have to know how it broke his heart to pack his dreams, plans for this Temple filled with music, and let them sit there until one of his sons would grow up. At times they were quite a rowdy bunch, he despaired they would ever grow up. And what if none of his sons wanted to build it, finish the vision he started on parchment paper? The Wise voice inside his heart told him not to question. And gave him no reason. No answers. Someday, it would be built, but not by him.

So, he was told to stop, pack the plans, the gold, the jewels away. Let it go. And he died not seeing it built.

This story is about enthusiasm, joy, adventure. Stop, wait. Then, no. 2 paths ahead, and both are a NO.    Ever felt like that?  Like why? And what happened? Why have the vision, and the tools and you are ask to give them to someone else?

Did you recognize the story? It is about King David, the young shepherd boy that sang to the sheep, then sang for the King. It is about his joy at building God a beautiful Temple. Then here comes the Prophet Nathan, with a message. No. Stop. Put it away. Your son will build it for Me. So he did what God ask. Sadly.

And his son Solomon did build it. Most magnificently. I believe David could see it shimmering from earth to heaven. So lovely it was. What he dreamed, started with a pen and ink, was now a vision of beauty. Done.

Sometimes it's just not our job,  and we have to let it all go. Walk away. And trust.

Several years ago, a man named Guy, I was engaged to at that time, and I went to New Mexico, ate guacamole every day, visited every Prayer Chapel we could find, lighting candles, holding hands and soaking up the Holy Silence, a sweet memory. We stumbled upon this site, walked all over the place. It is the Aztec Ruins National Monument. I took piles of pictures, and just recently came upon them, and found this one. Clearly you can see the white image in the picture. This was taken with a 35 mm. Minolta camera, I had not gone digital yet. And is original, no enhancements, no Photoshop. Having Ciro Marchetti's 'Tarot Of Dreams,' front and center on my desk, I just had to ask the Tarot what was in that picture? And these 3 cards came out. What a story!

The Queen of Swords, The Knight of Wands, The 4 of Wands

Do you see what I see? The white vague image in the photo almost reflects the Queen of Swords, woman with the sword held in front of her. Even in one place the light goes up and down, like the silver sword. Her white feathered wings, seem to be reflected at the outer corner of the window. Indians decorated with feathers, maybe not white, but in the afterlife, she may carry white feathers. 2 round grinding stones sit in the window. I remember kneeling down and peeking in little stone fireplaces, they had placed in a corner of each little room, to heat and cook with. Made out of the same type of rock as the building was made from. This Queen of Swords, a woman that could use a sword or sharp knife to hunt, skin, or protect herself and her children, if she had to. Or possibly is was a Prayer Stick, they used these also and decorated them. Either way it was used by her to fight a battle, and protect her famliy.

On the Knights front side, he carries a round, engraved, golden shield. Look up, on the unfurled flag, is another golden orb. Part of a symbol on a huge orb, this fiery yellow circle grabs my attention, then connects with the fire the dragon is breathing. These two, Knight and Dragon, dressed for battle, ready to go.

And the 4 of Wands card, a open door, in the photo, past the window, a closed door. What once was a door, is now filled with stones and clay mortar. And look at the strong wooden wands, they show up as sturdy poles in the door and window, to hang beautiful woven blankets with. For privacy and beauty. More wood seems to brace the top of the window.

So, when I ask the Tarot, tell me about this photo, this is what I get....

They were married, these walls, stones, all that is left of their home. She spent more time there than he, I think it was her home. He was off doing man things, riding his horse, wild and beautiful. He was younger than her, I feel like 1o months younger. He was playful, spirited, wild. She was strong, smart,  edgy, a bit of a wild woman herself. They don't feel like a quiet, boring couple. The cards feel like they were 2 passionate, talented, decorated-maybe tattooed lovers. Marriage didn't soften them, it fueled them, they fought like they loved, wildly. He died first, the last thing he seen was his horse. And the Sun, as he melted into the golden rays of the Sun. She, a widow. I do not see her remarrying, he was a hard act to follow. When he ascended into Grandfather Spirits homeland, he took her heart with him. A part of her still lingers at the window. Watching and waiting for him to come home. If those walls could speak, (and I believe they can!) these two Aztec (Pueblo) Indians gave the neighbors something to talk about. Of course, now she is with him. A glance in the door of the 4 of Wands card shows golden prisms of light, a beautiful place they rest. Talk about happy hunting grounds. They are there.

Just in case you would like more information, thank you Google, about the Indians that lived here, I am including this....
History

The Pueblo Indians are believed to be descended from the three major cultures that dominated the region before European contact:
Mogollon, an area near the Gila Wilderness
Hohokam, archaeological term for a settlement in the Southwest
Ancient Pueblo Peoples or the Anasazi, a term coined by the Navajos[1].
Historically, they supported themselves mostly by maize agriculture, although they lived in one of the more arid regions in North America. European settlement began in the late sixteenth century, but the desert surrounding the Rio Grande Valley precluded massive intrusions into Indian land until the mid-nineteenth century. As a result and despite forced conversions to Catholicism by the Spanish, the Pueblo tribes have been able to maintain much of their traditional lifestyle. There are now some 35,000 Pueblo Indians, living mostly in New Mexico and Arizona along the Rio Grande and Colorado River.
These peoples were the first to successfully revolt against the Spanish in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, which expelled the Spanish for 12 years. The code for the action was a knotted rope sent by runner to each pueblo; the number of knots signified the number of days to wait before beginning the uprising. It began August 10, 1680; by August 21, Santa Fe fell to 2,500 warriors.[2] On September 22, 2005, the statue of Po'pay, (Popé) the leader of the Pueblo Revolt, was unveiled in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The statue was the second one from the state of New Mexico and the 100th and last to be added to the Statuary Hall collection. It is the only statue in the collection created by a Native American, in this case, Cliff Fragua, a Puebloan from Jemez Pueblo.
Most of the Pueblos have annual ceremonies that are open to the public. In many cases, one such ceremony is the Pueblo's feast day, held on the day sacred to its Roman Catholic patron saint. (These saints were assigned by the Spanish missionaries so that each Pueblo's feast day would coincide with a traditional ceremony.) Some Pueblos also have ceremonies around the Christmas holidays and at other times of the year. The ceremonies usually feature traditional dances outdoors accompanied by singing and drumming, interspersed with non-public ceremonies in the kivas. They may also include a Roman Catholic Mass and processions.
Formerly, all outside visitors to a public dance would be offered a meal in a Pueblo home, but because of the large number of visitors, such meals are now by personal invitation only.
Culture
Historically, the Pueblos were large communal buildings; each family lived in a single room of the building, but if a family grew large enough, side-rooms were added. Among the Jemez and the non-Tanoan-speakers, ownership of the room was largely matrilineal, from mother to daughter. Thus if a Hopi, Zuñi, Keres, or Jemez man were to divorce, he would move from the home of his former wife to the home of his mother or a sister. The other pueblos were patrilineal.
The pueblos are unique among Native American dwellings in that they are constructed as apartments, the flat roof of one level acting as the floor and front yard of the next, with ladders connecting the floors. The walls, especially on the ground level, had no doors or windows—only entrances in the roof. This, coupled with the fact that many were built on the tops of mesas, made the pueblo easier to defend from attack.
Men were expected to tend the fields. They would defend the community in war societies; tribes such as the Navajo, Comanche, and Apache were their traditional enemies. The Spanish successfully re-conquered New Mexico after 1692 by allying themselves with the Pueblo people against their traditional enemies (although events in the 1800s were to modify these political alliances).
Pueblo prayer included substances as well as words; one common prayer material was ground-up maize—white cornmeal. Thus a man might bless his son, or some land, or the town itself by sprinkling a handful of meal as he uttered a blessing. Once, after the 1692 re-conquest, the Spanish were prevented from entering a town when they were met by a handful of men who uttered imprecations and cast a single pinch of a sacred substance.[3]
The Puebloans employed prayer sticks, which were colorfully decorated with beads, fur, and feathers; these prayer sticks (or talking sticks) were also used by other nations.
Cloth and weaving were known to the Puebloans before the conquest, but it is not known whether they knew of weaving before or after the Aztecs. But since clothing was expensive, they did not always dress completely in the European tradition until after the conquest, and breechclouts were not uncommon.
Corn (maize) was a staple food for the Pueblo people. They would use pottery vessels to hold their food and water.

Legacy of the Divine

Using the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti, and the book 'Writing Poetry from the Inside Out', by Sandford Lyne, I write.

From each card, a word

from each word, a thought

and each thought, poem-sketching.

The World......Open

The Wheel.....Life

Temperance.....Reverence

9 of Pentacles.....Gardens

Walk the Garden's

path

reverently.

Watch tender stalks

burst

born of precious seed.

the pounding rain

the burning sun

cold, wind of change...

life.

Let the Angels

open you

tenderly perfumed, velvet petals

dance in today's light

you are beauty.