The Devil Reading

Again–The idea of 1 (or 2) spreads for each major arcana card is taken (as are the spreads) from Rachel Pollack’s excellent book Tarot Wisdom. As often as possible I am using the textual definitions from Ms Pollack’s book as otherwise there exists a possibility of skewing the meanings to serve my own ends rather than get any insight into what the cards are showing me. Recently I have also been taking (for the minor arcana) cards some of the textual definitions from Eileen Connolly’s Tarot: The First Handbook for the Master. Way back when I started working with the cards Ms. Connolly’s Tarot for the Apprentice was one of the first books I used.
Lately tho, I have had a new insight. That if the goal of these readings is a greater internal knowledge and understanding these forces then subjectivity may just be the way to go. Still I will give Ms Pollack’s and Ms. Connolly’s definitions because I feel it may be useful for anyone reading this to follow along.

1) What have I lost?
VI of Wands
VI of Wands
3) What illusory chains hold me?
King of Cups (Rev)
King of Cups
6)What will happen?
IV of Wands
IV of Wands
4) What reality holds me?
Page of Wands (Rev)
Page of Wands
5) How can I free myself?
Queen of Swords (Rev)
Queen of Swords
2) What blocks me from returning?
III of Cups (Rev)
III of Cups

Interpretation

1) What have I lost? VI of Wands

“Compliments and admiration of your ability bring you to the winning post. Time to do what you do best. Success and more”

“Are you doing what you really want to do? Follow your heart, that is where your future lies”

“Explore and expand potential. Don’t get too wrapped up with mundane obligations. Spread your wings and fly. Intelligent choice will turn things around”

“Passion, romantic or shared enthusiasm. Confidence and optimism, the ability to inspire others”

hmmmm , there seems to be an effect on how I’m perceived by others, That i may not be able to inspire as once I was” Also some indications that of late I have not been following my heart and that passion may need to be expanded (not a terrible surprise after 10 yrs of marriage. ;)Perhaps some lessons in who I’m doing things for.Do i write this blog to affect how people see me or as a form of self-expression and growth?

2) What blocks me from returning? III of Cups (Rev)
“Undercurrents, changes it would be foolish to continue. Unwise to re-hash. Situation calls for complete new plan. Don’t react personally”

“Avoid showing reluctance in regard to accepting advice. Prompt action can alleviate obvious pressures.

The secret is to sever the connection. Need new contact””Do not repeat past mistakes. Take a new bold direction Contact with good friend can give the impetus you need”
So this seems to go hand in hand with something from a recent reading (the Death one I believe) about not falling into old habits. So avoid some temptations I have and sever some lines. It is also telling me that I should accept advice given to me and to try something new……Interesting, I have kind of had this expectant feeling lately as if something was coming but not quite sure what it is. Trite sounding but true.

3)What Illusory Chains Hold Me? King of Cups (Rev)

“One tradition sees the King of cups as corrupt, who misuses power. Emotions coming out more with anger or tears revealing long-hidden feelings. Blocked creativity or frustration”

But these aren’t the real chains but the illusory ones so the truth is that I am only blocked creatively if I let myself be. I have felt myself more clouded  lately than I would have myself and the things that the 3 of cups was warning me of above is connected to long-hidden feelings coming out. So seriously need to avoid fellings of frustration.

4) What reality holds me? Page of Wands (Rev)

“Uncertainty, hesitancy  caution”

To put it another way, we’re talking about Earth of Fire, Earth smothering the creative energy or force by too much of it, too much emphasis on the sexual or physical sensation perhaps?  Maybe I need to discipline some of my desires a bit……

5) How can I free myself? Queen of Swords (Rev)

“One who uses manipulation to get what she wants” “One could also see it as someone who leaves her tower to rejoin life”

“The person becomes conflicted between the desire for privacy and darkness and the demands made by other people or simply life itself”

“The person may feel guilty for wanting to hold something back in a relationship” “Some people respond by extending themselves too far, becoming tense, anxious and guilty. Others go to the opposite extreme, retreating into a dark isolation. “Both need to discover…balance between love and self-awareness”

Hmmm so if the problem, has hinted at by the other cards relates to inappropriate acting out of the emotions especially where I feel trapped into doing things I don’t want to do and feel like my time is not my own and i displace anger and irritation with that onto other things, then it would appear that what I need is to cop to the feelings I have as they come up. One way of doing this may be to back-track when I feel anger as to what really sparked it

6) what will happen? IV of Wands

“High cycle well deserved. Be sure to enjoy You made good choices Happy times still to come”

“Continue in this way and you shall reap a second harvest. It is possible to reach beyond your expectation”

“Perfect time for good karmic relationships. Share joy. Socialize, be responsive to those who show interest. Excellent business/ career cycle Show your expertise.”

“Keep the control its yours”

I like this ending but also seems to make sense. The cloudiness I feel seems to be part of the cycle. Insecurity and feeling a bit trapped in my choices but a lot of that coming from inside myself yet triumph at the end. Temptations also coming into play that I have to wind my way through, those good choices mentioned in the description of the card”