Tarot-Sun 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.

Since then, 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. By all means feel free to comment.

So this week- Spread for the Sun Card.

1) What is clear in my life? ( This could also be for a specific issue)	VII of Pentacles (Rev)
2) What is cloudy?	The High Priestess (Rev)
3) What helps me see clearly?	King of Swords
4) What confuses me?	Page of Pentacles (REV)
5) How can I simplify my life? (or the issue at hand)	IX of Swords

Interpretation

1) What is clear in my life? VII of Pentacles (Rev)

“Are you heading in the right direction? Financial concern will cause anxiety for you and others concerned. Hold back at this time. Don’t Discard plan. Use Later”

“Anxiety enjoys impatience. It can manifest disaster that much sooner. Not a good time for rash decisions”

“Recoup, resist new business ventures at this time. You must continue to look for answers” “The art of problem solving is to avoid the need. Wait till you can think clearly. Too much interference”

The one thing that comes up for me with this card would be that it indicates lack of satisfaction with progress. Indeed, even tho writing wise, I’ve been more productive in the last few months than in the several years previous, I feel I want something to point to that feels concrete. “I made so much money doing that” or just the whole idea of being a productive member of the household. I mean on some level I know that I produce, that I do a lot but it doesn’t feel the same. And yet, the card (and my own feelings say this situation won’t change in the near future. So I need to look at the longer view, write, create, meditate and then given the time, see what will happen.)

2) What is cloudy? The High Priestess (Rev)

“Reversed, the High Priestess may call on us to get involved again in the world, especially if we’ve spent a time cut off from people, exploring our inner lives. There is a certain seductiveness in her silence, her separation but if we stay too long in that state we find it hard to get back our lives, our responsibilities, our relationships. The reversed cards can remind us to be passionate, to commit ourselves to something or someone.” (RPTW p49-50)

OK, so what I get from this appears to be that I am too cut off from people and need to find a way to reconnect. In the position it comes in would be that I feel  hazy about how to connect and in what ways I should. If you count computer connections and Internet friends, I probably connect more than at any other time in my life…. Tho I feel that I need to get out more and do….and do…and do…what. I dunno yet. I feel an answer on the horizon tho.

3) What helps me see clearly? King of Swords

In Rachel Pollack’s book “Haindl Tarot: A Reader’s Handbook” she explains that Haindl based his King of Swords card on the Egyptian Sun god Ra. She describes what Ra can teach us as:

“Ra teaches us about power…he does not do this passionately or arbitrarily. Instead he emphasizes thought and clear decision. Ra teaches us that we should establish rules and systems, and be harsh and merciless if someone breaks these rules. At the same time, he teaches us to respect the rules ourselves, and acknowledge or reward others who respect them as a way of honouring us” (HT p 168)

Hmmm, basically use the same methods I used to quit smoking. I made up such a convoluted system of tapering off, when I could have a drag, when I had to wait 5 more minutes…until after 3 days I got sick of it and never had a cigarette again. I know that I can live with rules I make for myself especially in the moment (general rules are a little tougher 🙂 Maybe I need to decide that for each 30 minutes I spend on YouTube, or some other “fun” activity, I have to spend that much time writing or cleaning and match that with exercise and outdoor activity.”

4. What confuses me? Page of Pentacles (Rev)

“All her dedication and insight fail to reach their proper audience. Unable to inspire others or communicate ..knowledge (s)he can become frustrated, and as a result, depressed or filled with doubt.”

“It might help  .. to find a different situation or a different group of people” (HT p. 177)

“Wow as far as two of the things confusing me lately this seems spot on. I seem to have some qualms in the realm of earthly success. Despite earning a decent income (mainly due to fostering) I have not had anything I could point to materially and say “This has brought me and my family financial success”  I have a father who asks me on a constant basis whether I’ve decided to start working and whether I’m bored 🙁  Anyway doubts do come, about whether I have an audience, whether what I write (or video) is any good or whether people can relate to it….I have been expanding the number of people I intereact with tho and that has felt pretty great.

5. How can I simplify my life (or the issue at hand)? IX of Swords

“Problems have accumulated one thing leads to another. Difficult to be objective. Worry, Pressure, Pain. Feel overwhelmed and alone”

“Share your feelings. You will receive love and support. Feelings of helplessness. Don’t know which way to turn. Health concerns. Sickness Tragic circumstances”

Can I blame a cloudy Sun reading like this on Mercury being Retrograde? No, I didn’t think so. OK, basically objectivity is called for, talking things out and just riding it through. It looks like my life may simplify but not in the easiest of ways.  Well will ride it through and try to manifest the King of Swords as clearly as possible to find my way….