I Ching - Waking Spirals

Tarot Post – Three of Swords

Three of Swords (Sorrow)

Three of Swords (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

I didn’t want to know.
Separation hurts like hell
Still Healing Begins

Separation

None that came
and took the hand
of sorrow’s separation
Bleeding heart releases tears
Not only bloody down
the cheek of one’s soul
but burning holes
in the fabric of real
exposing chaos

What can come
spring forth from loins
of chaos manifestation
Lovely monsters coming through
not only ravishing
the whole of being
but with ecstatic
terrible beauty
exhorting night
–G A Rosenberg

The suit of swords represents thought, ideas, plans and conflicts. Threes deal with maturity, accomplishment and transmission of the energy involved. Thought separates one thing from another for the purposes of comparing and contrasting, breaking down and analyzing. What is that energy of separation in its maturity but that of sorrow and loss. When we find separation from those we loved and cherished we feel grief. When we find that we can no longer hold on to things we once innocently believed there is grief as well. Knowledge replaces faith and we grow wiser but sometimes it hurts. In the long run the separation itself is illusion tho. Every relationship (whether it be with beliefs, places or people) still exists and we still learn from it. They have just moved into the past.

Astrological Correspondence – Saturn in Libra- Saturn is the planet of hard lessons and when in Libra, the focus of the lessons is our relationships and partnerships. When our relationships come under scrutiny, then we notice the flaws and what we need to learn from it becomes apparent. This can often result in learning the lesson and moving on or learning the lesson and rebuilding the relationship using what we have learned.

I Ching Correspondence – 33) Tun – Retreat

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The Trigram of the Heavens is over the Trigram of the Mountain – When you don’t feel like you can interact in a fair way, then there may come a time of retreat or separation from that with which you are engaging. This is necessary in order to preserve your energies and marshall your strength. This does not mean running away as much as retreating from an overwhelming situation.

When the three of swords comes up in a reading, it often means separating from something or someone the querent has loved and the ensuing grief that that provides. Heartache. It may counsel some time needed to reflect and heal.

When the three of swords comes out reversed in a reading, it may mean a clinging to old hurts and separations and an inability to move on and put them in the past. It can show someone who has not yet accepted the ‘gift’ of insight the separation gives.

When the Three of Wands is reversed, it means that finding the right path and deciding on goals feels unreasonably blocked. That may very well be the keynote for the reversal of the Three of Wands, a blockage of energy.

Tarot Post – Two of Pentacles

Two of Pentacles (Change)

Tarot- Two of Pentacles (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

Balls are in the air

Can the balance be maintained

or will I drop them?

New given way by old
A tale I’ve oft been told
yet how do I proceed?

Surrender to become
Surrender what myself
then who am I to be?

Transitional Being
Balancing the meaning
combining alchemy

I stand in between
change’s doorway I mean
I hold and I balance
— G A Rosenberg

In the tarot the suit of Pentacles refers to the element of Earth and of practical matters such as work and partnerships of a business nature and of the home. They can also represent nature, the Earth itself. Twos represent duality, subject and object and relationship between the two. In the case of the two of Pentacles this means balancing between two different aspects of life and changing from one aspect to the other. This change also involves the idea of balance in this case between the old and the new. Other balances are between work and home, spouse and children, friends and work etc. This balance and maintaining it can be tricky as quite often we find one overbalanced at the expense of the other.
When writing of this card before I wrote:

“The other day I was watching a juggler balancing on a unicycle and juggling plates. I could relate for I too juggle on what seems at times an equally unsteady pedestal.

On the one hand my family and practical existence. At a time in my life when I had given up on steadiness, given up on love, I met someone who transformed my existence. Together we became married, we’ve raised kids, bought the house, have too many pets. We’ve worked hard to get to this point and there is always more to do. Joy and Satisfaction is there for the taking…at the right times and places and yet…
This year, my spirit has soared. New avenues to explore. New aspects of godhood to love. I feel freer, more awake and more alive than I have felt before. Creatively, I write, I create art. Ideas and expression flow through me like some kind of divine river that I just wish to surrender and el it carry me off. Teachers, Students and friends are there to join me on the journey. and yet…

The garbage needs to be taken out, The kid needs to be dressed. The dog needs to be walked “Oh by the way, we’re going to the movies today, be ready at two.”
It’s not as if I begrudge my family the time. They are my foundation. Anything I have done has been an outgrowth of their love and support. And yet…

Meditation, , a blog that needs updating., and something new and wonderful to share.
How do I keep my balance without falling off of this thing?

As much as I wish I could say I’ve managed this balancing act I must confess that the juggling is at least as tricky as it was before. Still perhaps I am learning..

Astrological Correspondence -Jupiter in Capricorn – Jupiter in Capricorn is an interesting study in balance–Jupiter expands in a cheerful optimistic way that looks towards the future. Capricorn moves slowly, carefully and tends to be about learning the lessons from the past. The combination of the two can bring success but only through hard work to methodically balance things out….

I Ching Correspondence- 16) Yü Enthusiasm

I Ching: 16

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Chȇn Thunder over K’un Earth– It is the strong fourth line that pulls all the other weak lines with it by din of its Ashe (personal power, charisma, flow), Movement. Leading people in the direction you want along the path of least resistance. To determine this, the great man or leader has to balance what he needs done with the most likely way the people he leads will flow….

In readings: This card is variously referred to as either change or harmony and it tends to be a dynamic one. Movement is needed to keep the two disks moving. Likewise, when balancing different aspects of our lives and relationships we can’t expect to rest on our laurels, we need to constantly adjust according to feedback in order to keep things harmonious. When the card is upright or positively aspected, things are flowing smoothly
Reversed in readings: The balance is not flowing so smoothly. Either we are not adjusting our balance in accordance with the feedback we are getting or things are moving too quickly for us to do so.

Tarot Post – Two of Swords

Two of Swords (Peace)

Tarot – Two of Swords (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

Swords crossed not engaged
I sit with this decision
Until all becomes clear

The Wisdom of Not Choosing

Resolve not to resolve
I know the choices exist
yet choose not to look
lest I come to favour one
and thus negate the other

Within me, I contain universes
They exist in complicit balance
If I strive to want, to hold, to prefer
they pop like bubbles
leaving only that chosen.
Thus the box opens and one more
corpsified feline laid at my feet

Hamlet died by choices made
and choosing I disdain

— G A Rosenberg

The suit of swords represents thought, ideas and plans. Twos represent duality, subject and object. What do we do when two separate ideas are presented to us. We can let them battle themselves into the ground and engage in endless debate or we can sit with them first contemplating one and then the other, thesis and antithesis until we reach a synthesis that integrates the best aspects of both. The forming of this synthesis can bring a total release and peace. Of course then a new antithesis to the synthesis appears and the process continues.

Astrological Correspondance – Moon in Libra – The Moon in Libra is all about peaceful aesthetics. People with their Moons in Libra tend to be aware of all sides of a situation and are able to find compromise (synthesis) with all. Again tho this synthesis comes from a full understanding of all sides of the equation

I Ching Correspondance – 11) T’ai – Peace

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This hexagram shows the trigram K’UN (earth) above the creative CH’IEN (Heaven). Since the natural place of K’UN is to below and CH’IEN above they harmonize well (again the idea of synthesis)

When the two of swords shows up in a reading things are at an impasse and it might be time to withdraw and consider both paths. There is inherent tension between Thesis and Antithesis so eventually it will need to resolve but time can be taken to look at both and arrive at the optimum solution. (Compare this the the Two of Wands which suggests immediate action)

When the Two of Swords shows up reversed in a reading then the weight of the decision has become too much. Either matters have fallen out of our hands or things have collapsed because of the inherent tension.

Tarot Post – Two of Cups

Two of Cups (Love)

Tarot – Two of Cups (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

Let’s toast to our love

Our hearts have found their equal

We combine anew.

Meeting you
after all this time
has started things anew
Together we make a whole
so much greater
than what either has been before
Thank us for existing
for without either, we would not be..
–G A Rosenberg

Cups deal with our emotional nature including love, both that as in a relationship between two (and rarely more) people and that of friends and companions.
Twos deal with duality, subject and object. With the two of cups another has appeared, the one has become two and together the two are greater than the sum of their parts. This card is all about the love, romantic and mutual that draws two people together. This card is about bringing together two energies that were meant to combine. Of course ultimately how they combine may depend on how well each is attached to his own being…

Astrological Correspondence – Venus in Cancer –Venus in Cancer refers to the way many go into a love relationship. Even when it feels so right in so many ways, we get so traumatized by past misconnections that we feel caution. Still, we wish to have this loving nurturing relationship and it is a strong one. Venus in Cancer wants to build a home together.

I Ching Correspondence – 1) Ch’ien – The Creative

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This hexagram comprised of two trigrams of Heaven talks about success and bliss through perseverance Anything becomes possible in this combination if one is willing to work at it and perhaps can learn how and when to yield .

In a reading the two of cups denotes a strong relationship usually at its beginning. If the relationship has been ongoing, it can mean a new beginning and strengthening of the relationship that wasn’t there before.
When the card shows up reversed in a reading, it can mean that something has gone wrong in the relationship that one is currently in. Distrust and Jealousy may have entered the picture and the partnership is now in danger.

Tarot Card of the Day – Dec 4 2010

Six of Cups – Pleasure

The light reflects on the water
as our bodies reflect on each other
a coming together of elements
yearning for something new to come of it…
We may have met this way before
on this beach or another
in another time or existence
but every moment is NOW
and every beach this one
Fall into my body
as my spirit touches yours…..

Tipareth in Water
Sun (☼) in Scorpio (♏)
I Ching Hexagram 20
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Kwan – Manifesting or Contemplating

Click on image to see full-size

Six of Cups – Pleasure by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Card of the Day – August 11 2010

Queen of Swords

Water of Air
21 ° Virgo (♍) to 20 ° Libra (♎)

I first saw her
seated on her throne
clothed only in starlight
Lured by a beauty
that can only be experienced
I approached
At that moment
not only did I loose my heart to her service
but everything until then I
believed myself to be
Nothing did I hold back
and nothing did she leave me
as with the sword of her regard
she began to slice
everything false in my existence
As I dissolve
I cry out
in exquisite being / not
spiritual discorporation.
With her I remain
and continue on…

Click on Image to see Full-Size

Queen of Swords by G A Rosenberg

I Ching Hexagram 28 Tậ Kwo

Preponderance of the Great
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The way that Aleister Crowley describes this hexagram in the context of this card is fascinating. He suggest that overall the structure is that of a ‘weak beam’ but describes someone who’s true will is to go off on quests with disparate companions on quests that will enable growth but are doomed to failure even tho going on them was apparently the right thing to do….

Tarot Card of the Day – July 17 2010

Three of Wands

Binah in Fire
sun (☉ ) in Aries (♈)

Knowledge received
soon to transmit out
I understand now
how to use what I’ve been given
To channel it to others
to the world
even to the universe
I set my sights on the horizon
soon to manifest..
Now the journey can truly begin….

Click on Image to see full-size

Three of Wands by G A Rosenberg

I Ching Hexagram 11-Thai (Peace)
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K’un – The Receptive, Earth over Ch’Ien The Creative Heaven
The creative is about to manifest
The beginning of spring
With Heaven beneath the earth, their powers can come together in deep harmony
Those above help out those below and all feuds are ended.
The Light is within, the dark without so the light has maximum influence (interplay) with the dark
The wise man knows how to use the energy put out to yield maximum results….

sun (☉ ) in Aries (♈)
This energy involves taking -charge and leaping forward, it knowa what it wanst, how to get it and will let nothing get in its way. Like Spring expressing itself after winter. it doesn’t necessarily take others into account (other than how they fit into it’s plans)

III of Wands in readings:
Right side up (or well-aspected): The person asking acts in accordance with nature (both theirs and general). Depending on the other cards in the reading, one would seem to be on the right path. They have found their purpose and can proceed. A new understanding of one’s energy and how to use it.
Reversed (or badly-aspected)-Finding goals and what one’s path feels difficult. Acting outside or out of harmony with one’s nature. Feeling blocked..

Tarot Card of the Day – June 15 2010 (IV of Pentacles)

Four of Pentacles

Chesed in Earth
The Sun☉in Capricorn ♑

Power contained not held
not grasped
willing to let it pour forth
and rise up and out at any moment
All comes from this moment
once embedded in matter then
only liberation remains
power when wielded becomes force
Rise up oh serpent mother
through this material form
as green springs up through snow
reborn
Let the spirit flow forth
from fractured shell

–G A Rosenberg

Click on picture to see full-size

Four of Pentacles by G A Rosenberg

I Ching Hexagram 2-K’un The Receptive
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The complement to the creative force – Pure Yin
Material as opposed to spiritual.
Everything spiritual springs from it as it exists in potential
Represents Devotion in respect to the creative Force
and thus as an object..
A need for guidance and letting things happen
as opposed to trying to force them

Tarot Card of the Day – April 15 2010

Six of Swords

Tiphareth in Air
Mercury ☿ in Aquarius ♒

The Ferryman

Mute, I watch your arrival
You climb onto my boat
unsure as you press this coin into my hand
You may smile or give a small laugh
but that stops when you notice
my eyes and my silence.

We start off
You seem surprised by the number of
rocks and debris in the water
You wonder about safety.
Oh Dear one
I know the way
as only one who has scraped
his bow on every single obstacle can
After awhile you start to know the signs
the childhood baggage, the failed marriages
Every time you denied the spark
in yourself (or in others)
they’re all here
and like I said
I know the way thoroughly

Though each route is different
I have known much the same
the odd twists and turns that obsession
and self-importance can place in one’s path
Intuition guides me through
the straits of old frustration
and intellect tells me
how deep they go.

You leave the boat
relieved of coin and burden
ready to survey your new landscape.
I push off.
You turn back to ask what they all do
but I am gone
Sailing. Home..

Six of Swords from the African Tarot

I Ching Hexagram 61 “Inner Truth” or “Insight”
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Sun-The Gentle Wind Above
Tui-The Joyous Lake Below

Visible effects of the invisible, The truth that lies within. Our “Truth” or our “Reality” as opposed to an objective truth. Not that the two don’t exist as a continuum, If truth exists (and I believe it does) then it is too great and expansive to be encompassed or fully comprehended by any one purpose or creed. Like the story of the six blind men who one day came across an elephant in the marketplace. One placed his hand on the leg and thought the elephant was like a tree, one touched the elephant’s ear and thought the elephant like a fan, one touched the elephant’s trunk and thought a snake, etc…Not one of them could believe that the entire elephant could be outside of their subjective experience..
The lines are closed at both ends yet open in the middle. This show an open heart , free of expectations..
Above gentleness and forbearance to those below,
Below joyous serving of those above…

Three of Swords (Sorrow)

Three of Swords (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

I didn’t want to know. Separation hurts like hell Still Healing Begins

Separation

None that came and took the hand of sorrow’s separation Bleeding heart releases tears Not only bloody down the cheek of one’s soul but burning holes in the fabric of real exposing chaos

What can come spring forth from loins of chaos manifestation Lovely monsters coming through not only ravishing the whole of being but with ecstatic terrible beauty exhorting night –G A Rosenberg