Between the Covers

 

“You find certain writers who when they write, it makes your own brain voice like a tuning fork, and you just resonate with them … And I sometimes have a hard time understanding how people who don’t have that in their lives make it through the day.”
— David Foster Wallace

 

I rarely get bored. Not that I don’t find certain chores tedious, its that when I am doing them I can send my mind and self travelling elsewhere. Also whenever I find myself with long periods with nothing to do I pick up a book. Reading has been one of my favourite activities since I was six and there are writers and characters with whom I’ve had deeper relationships with than the majority of people I’ve met. Plus as long as I have a book to pick up, I know I will not be bored.
That isn’t to say I believe that books are the be-all and end-all of existence. Some things need to be experienced in order to make them real. Tho it is always books I will return to in my downtime.
Blessings, G

 

Click on images to see full-sized:

 

Forest SpellForest Spell by G A Rosenberg

 

Webbed NestWebbed Nest by G A Rosenberg

 

Character Study

 

“It is quite possible—overwhelmingly probable, one might guess—that we will always learn more about human life and personality from novels than from scientific psychology.”
— Noam Chomsky

 

I have spent most of my life in the pages of books. I have befriended characters in the stories I’ve read and had conversations with them that have lasted well into the night. They have taught me so much. Psychological case histories are all well and good yet the diagnoses always follow the case studies and then tend towards the theoretical. In a well-written book or a good story (the two overlap but aren’t identical) different characters with various mindsets interact and through the interactions of their personalities there is incalculable value to be found. Fictional characters can be at least as real as the average person you meet (and far more than most online personas).Different branches of psychology work well for various people tho in the long run too many of them adopt a “one size fits all” solution and believes that it can benefit anyone. Encountering different mirrors of yourself both in fiction and in life can accomplish a lot more if we open ourselves to the experience.
Blessings, G

 

Click on images to see full-sized:

 

Travelling AdriftTravelling Adrift by G A Rosenberg

 

FocalorFocalor by G A Rosenberg

 

Fractal InversionExplosion Across Dimensions by G A Rosenberg

 

A Different Kind of Reading-Bookshelf Oracle

Hi all,
Tonight I decided to conduct a different kind of reading as an experiment. I would ask five questions open five books up at random and take whatever was written on the wherever my hand fell on whatever page the book opened to as my answer.
The first question I asked was
Who am I in this situation?
I grabbed the book “The Writer’s Journey” by Chrisopher Vogler. The book opened to page 156 and my hand fell on this passage

“Heroes don’t just visit death and come home. They returned changed, transformed. No one can go through an experience at the edge of death without being changed in some way.” This has been a year of consistent change for me, lots of death to old situation and rebirths and definite changes..

The second question I asked was
What is directly influencing me in this situation?
I opened the book “The Tree of Life” by Isreal Regardie
It opened to p. 207 . My hand fell on this passage:

“Those who first leaned the names of the Gods, having mingled them with their own proper tongue, delivered them to us that we might alway preserve immoveable the sacred law of tradition, in a language peculiar and adapted to them… Barbarous names likewise have much emphasis, great conciseness, and participate of less ambiguity, variety and multitude. Experience confirms that the most puissant invocations are those in which are words of a foreign, ancient, or perhaps forgotten tongue; or even those crouched in a degenerate, and it may be meaningless jargon.”

This has direct application to my life as it doesn’t take much imagination to connect it to my most recent course of study

My third question:
What is opposing me?
The Book I opened was “You are a Spiritual Being Having a Human Experience” by Bob Frissell
The book opened to p 35 which reads:

“The truth is that the technological “progress” of humanity has proven disastrous in many ways. The steps we take to control the environment or improve our health by material, technological means very often create unforeseen side-effects that make problems for us that are greater than the ones we set out to solve”
Also something that connects up with some stuff I’ve been going through lately.

The fourth question was:
What is helping me?
Book: “Thou Art That” by Joseph Campbell
P 80

“Jung interpreted Mandala symbolism as grounded in what he identified as the four basic psychological functions by which we apprehend and evaluate all experience. These are Sensation and Intuition, which are the apprehending functions, and thinking and feeling, which are the functions of judgement and evaluation”

Last question was
What is coming up for me?
I opened up “The Illustrated Rumi” to a page that said

“I you he she we….
In the garden of mystic lovers, these are not true distinctions”

So this type of reading can be done with books, with music, with newspapers, the medium is unimportant. If everything is truly connected and reflects everything else, then no matter what you choose as an oracle, your answer will be relevant, part of the use of an oracle is to allow ourselves to be open to seeing things in a new light with a new lens to filter information through.

Tarot World (Universe) 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.
This week. We come to the end of the Major Card readings.
According to Ms Pollack, the World card contains all the others and since when we come to the end of one journey, we set the stage for the next for journeys may have an end but journeying never does. This reading gives us new questions to be answered.
Ms. Pollack suggests that five cards be picked at random and the questions should come from those….

1) Knight of Wands
Knight of Wands
2) The Magician
The Magician
5) VI of Cups

VI of Cups

3) Queen of Wands
Queen of Wands
4) VII of Cups
VII of Cups

Interpretation (& Questions)

So the point of this reading seems to be about what questions should I ask, of myself and the universe and possibly the cards. I get amazed by how often the right question contains the answer. So allonsez…..

1) Knight of Wands

“Adventure, daring, someone energetic and forceful. This can be a card of travel”

“I would say he seeks adventure above all, an outlet for his fiery energy…If you wanted to identify him as someone in your life, look for the person who is dashing, curious, energetic. He might be ungrounded, have a temper, or simply be impatient with whatever is dull or repetitious.” (PRTW p. 407)

Ok other sources talk about a spiritual seeking creativity yet one who loves the things of this world which I find rather cool. So possible questions–

1) What is the next adventure for me?  How can I express myself creatively, deal with the world (family and making money) and follow on the path I have chosen spiritually all while staying interested without being bored. This year, all of this has been surprisingly easy and I don’t wish to encounter the centipede’s dilemma  but how do I maintain that?

2) The Magician

I’ll take this one without the reference. The Magician represents the active force, the will, the motivating factor that drives us forward therefore questions that come up

2) If I hold to the Sanskrit term  ‘svecchachara paro’ or as Crowley says “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law” then what would be my will? or as an actor might say (and on some level we all walk the stage) ‘what’s my motivation’? Once I figure out what my purpose, drive, will, motivation etc might be, how do I actualize it?

3) Queen of Wands

I’ll keep on winging it for awhile, Queen of Wands. Water of Fire, alchemical combination, Full fury of creation and passion, Strong lady who knows what it means to be alive… someone who can make dreams come true or bring them crashing down….

3) What do I feel passionate about? What makes me feel alive? How can I best help others develop and / or make their dreams come true?

4) VII of Cups

“Your life path has now reached another crossroads. Choice will affect emotional issues.”

“Protect your thoughts and Visualize the consequences of your choice. Then decide” (EC TF

HM)

Ok this card is all about choices and choosing a path, As I will in all probability blog (and vlog?) about later, Two of the projects I have been doing in this blog (the spreads for each major card and the written parts of the Haiku book), end this week. There are about seven new things I can start each of which will take varying forms of time and energy, one, the collages that go with the haikus I’m committed to. There are others, with new ideas coming all the time.

4) Which is the choice that will prove to be the most useful / helpful for the growth of both myself and people who may be reading this? Which ones look good but will peter off to dead ends? Which one stands out? Which is illusion?

5) VI of Cups

“Memories, Friends old and new. Loved ones from your past. All these possibilities could occur. Wonderful feeling of happiness”

“Possible surprise, totally unexpected. Very pleasing vibratory flow will have a positive impact”

“A new enthusiasm will motivate you to greater heights”… “Something from the past can spur you on” (EC TFHM)

Hmmm …phasing this in the form of a question…

5) Who or what in my past fired me up, inspired me with enthusiasm, creatively to go in new directions? How can I use what has come before in my life to inspire me on the next steps?

OK, everyone, there we have it, thanks to Ms Pollack and her book Tarot Wisdom, we have now done 1 or 2 spreads for every card. I’ve thrown a few different hints and styles of interpreting as we’ve gone along tho my intention was to give examples of spreads more than instruct in reading.  In the next while I may do other examples of spreads, from many different sources. My main intention with these spreads was to emphasize getting to know the energy of each of the Major Trumps and how it flows through my life and by extension through each of ours…. The experience has definitely been educational for me. Hopefully for anyone who may be reading this also. Namaste



Tarot Judgement (Awakening) 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.

This week we come to Judgement. I’ve been looking forward to this one. In so many ways, the idea of waking up to oneself after being awhile in the ground or sleeping or however you wish to put it intrigues me. Perhaps. it reflects what’s been going on in my life. Part of me wants to figure how to take it to the next level. I’m feeling an affinity for this card of late….

1) What is the hidden question of Justice? IX of Pentacles <IX of Pentacles
2) How can I answer it? VIII of Wands VIII of Wands
3) What calls me to rise up / become something new? King of Pentacles King of Pentacles
4) What can I become? VI of Wands VI of Wands
5) How can my life change? The Hanged Man Hanged Man
6) What/Who will change around me? The Moon The Moon
7) How am I called to answer? Knight of Cups Knight of Cups

Spread Layout

7

5

6

3

4

1

2

Interpretation

1) What is the hidden question of Judgement? IX of Pentacles

“According to some you have all you need. Past life memory is silent, yet you know there has to be more”

“You are doing quite well. No need to confide. Eventually silent karma will be a reality”

“Do not isolate yourself. Look at possible new interests. A substantial offer made if accepted will change your life style” (EC pg 286)

“Self-discipline, achievement, the possibility to create a good life for yourself” (RPTW pg373)

Hmmm, please word your answer in the form of a question. What would be the hidden question of judgement?  How do I pass it on? If I have good fortune, what do I do with it? How can I feel worthy? How can I pass it on?  Also to me feeling gratitude for everything that has come my way, even the hard lessons.Also how can I be satisfied no matter what comes my way? How do I accept bad and good as being the working out of a perfect universe? Those questions echo through my head with this card.

2) How can I answer it? VIII of Wands

“Get everything in order. Be ready for action. Good news coming fast. You may need extra funds. cut spending.”

“Coping isn’t everything. You should be busy organizing so that you can move forward.” (EC p218)

Overall with this card , there is a feeling of rapid forward positive motion and plans moving forward in a positive way. and maybe that would be the answer to what to do with success and how to be worthy of success given, forward motion in an organized way, not striving but not stopping, leaning into the flow of the river so to speak and allowing the forward motion to happen rather than slowing it down…

3) What calls me to rise up / become something new? King of Pentacles

“Wealth, success comfort security. He may focus on material things but more with satisfaction and pride then selfishness or obsession”

“Grounding ideas in solid reality, speaking about what you know from your own experience” (RPTW p 433)

This card when it has shown up for readings in the past almost always refers to my father. This makes quite a bit of sense when you consider how much of what I have done in my life has been in response to my perceptions of my father’s views and opinions, of me. The fact that lately, despite what I have earned and done in the last 6-8 years fostering, etc. he has still been basically asking when I intend to get a real job rankles. The fact that he echos an internal voice of mine increases the pressure but again given the other two cards so far, right movement at the right time and appreciating my success with forward movement….

4) What can I become? 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 winds and fly.” (EC p 214-215)

Other meanings talk about well-recognized and hard won victories and indeed 6 would be the hear of an endeavor, so I will find my way to the heart of things and be triumphant. If I learn my lessons and use my motivation in an organized way that allows movement forward.

5. How can my life change? The Hanged Man

“It can mean being stuck, facing a painful sacrifice. ”

“The querent …may be an outsider, or with different values than other people, with no push to convince others and no need to seek other’s approval. Being tied to the tree means being connected to something outside yourself.”

“For people on a spiritual path, it may signal a moment of illumination or an actual initiation experience” (RPTW pg 155)

Two things come up with this card in this position for me. Sacrifice and being at rest or zeroed, in other words meditation. What needs to be sacrificed?  A lot of excuses and a lot of rationalizations, anger, impatience, any illusions I may have that what I feel has causes outside my being. Also a certain amount of laziness, certain activities seem to be kicking into high gear for me. I can ride the wave or get wiped out and have to jump back on my board.

As far as being at rest and zeroed, i find meditation so incredible these days, letting myself go into rest, coming out energized, inspired and inspiring.

Still, and here the halfway nature of the Hanged Man comes in, and the fact that lines and paths have infinite nature, no matter where I feel I may be on the path, I can look in any direction, where I’ve come from, where I have yet to go, and all the possibilities untraveled and see the infinite. No matter where I may be, it seems to be the zero point. I have traveled an infinite distance,  I still have that far to go. The journey already exists, whole and complete.

6) What/ Who will change around me? The Moon

“The Moon might indicate a difficult passage in someone’s life when powerful emotions or fears get stirred up”

“More positively, we can see the Moon as dreams, intuition and psychic development. It also means subtlety and sensitivity” (RPTW p.221)

Cycles of growth and learning, things continue to change, Illusions, myths, symbols and yet cyclical. This card would almost be worrisome, yet thanks to friends in the last year I have come to understand the Moon a bit better. I also wish to work more closely with these archetypes and am working a bit more on a course of study that will bring me into direct contact with them….

7) How am I called to answer? Knight of Cups

“Air of water could indicate the mind moving over the unconscious, stirring up deep feelings” (RWTW p 411)

“The Knight of Cups awakens the heart through the power of water, the energy of waves and currents. He is the lord of the deep places in each of us and the champion of our secrets”

Hmmm, I could imagine much worst cards in this position for an aspiring writer/artist to get. So is that it. Champion of secrets, the things we hold deep within us. Again tho, this possible link with the shamanistic stuff. … Still the journey remains interesting….


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) RWPentaclesSeven
2) What is cloudy? The High Priestess (Rev) High Priestess
3) What helps me see clearly? King of Swords King of Swords
4) What confuses me? Page of Pentacles

(REV)

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


Tarot – Moon 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. By all means feel free to comment.

Note: This week seems to be the week of the moon for me–lots of interesting moon stuff.
Where the Star reading was all majors this one is all minors

1)What lies in the deep? VI of Pentacles VI of Pentacles
2) What stirs it awake? III of Cups (Rev) III of Cups
3) What will it reveal? X of Pentacles X of Pentacles
4) What will be the effect? Knight of Swords Knight of Swords
5) How can we use this energy? King of Wands King of Wands
6) What will calm it? IX of Wands IX of Wands
7) What light does the moon reflect? X of Cups 10 of Cups

Interpretation

1) What lies in the deep? VI of Pentacles

“Now it is your turn to enjoy the fruits of your karma. So mny ways in which life repays and rewards for things well done.” “A step up in life. continue with the same energy that brought you here.” “This combination of symbols shows a shifting in your work/thought process. A new responsibility which is focused and concentrated. You may get what you want”

“Spirituality in daily life”

I have read other descriptions referring to the whole idea of giving and receiving and finding one’s place in that on every level. I have always felt in my life that I have been given a lot (and truly I have been blessed ) so have always tried to put things out, to be there for people and to seldom refuse calls for assistance. In terms of  work on spiritual levels, it seems interesting, I have been opening myself up to new paths and new opportunities to receive more training to help others. This seems to be materializing in some very interesting ways of late.

2) What stirs it awake? 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”

“Take a chance and try something new. Looks promising”

I’ meditate more and more, I study, I walk in nature. My happiness in life has increased and I’ve been looking for a message as far as where to go with it all. This blog has been great. Should I start doing readings again? Should I take some workshops? Keep on bloging and writing? Start a night school course? More and more continuing my education in a new direction has seemed like the answer…. I  feel like I put out there my need….. hmmmm

3) What will it reveal? X of Pentacles

“A feeling of security. Now you have a solid base. To reach your point of destiny you must go through the portal of satisfaction.”

“Must content with changing cycles. Disciplined order of solidification. Produce growth of oritnal seeds. 9 week activity duration.”

“Don’t wait for something to happen. Continue with plans. Future prosperity developing. Confirmation, assurance, comes with communication/ravel.”

“If you believe what you say it is no longer a gamble”

hmmm part of me just wants to say “YES!!!!” OK seriously, seems like something is going on,  If it refers to what I want to think it does. Tho I feel a sense of caution and an awareness that if your only tool is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail…..”

4) What will be the effect?  Knight of Swords
“Courage, swiftness, daring. Battle can be suggested and whoever takes up this sword needs to make sure he or she fights for justice”
“The intellect at a pure level, ideas and principles. A swift mind. Brilliant”…

…but does a strong heart go with it. I enjoy my intellect but so much of my identity has been wrapped up in it. I want to live in the heart and know, tho at the same time, if studying shamanic healing would be the direction my path takes then that readiness for battle makes a certain amount of sense given what I’ve been learning. Battling for the people I would help? hmmm

5) How can we use this energy? King of Wands

“A very confident figure…””He may be impatient with those who act or think too slowly, who cannot keep up with him, or face his tendency to take charge. He has no guile, however, or ill will, just a powerful energy.”

The way to use it then is to harness it and use it, to become that figure I’ve admired the King of Wand, to finally grow myself up so I can do for others and realize myself. hmmm the knight of swords is swift and purposeful and the King of Wands is fierce and knows…. Air of Air and Fire of Fire

6.) What will calm it? IX of Wands

“Now you are in the position to handle your affairs. Use Good, Fair Judgment. Don’t Invite Criticism. Stand Tall”

“If plans are not convincing. Don’t wait for someone to tell you! Check things over”

“Take a broader view, encompass the problems. Magnify. See it as others might. Then erase”

Ah awareness of what is going on and possible pitfalls 🙂 If  I had been unwilling to risk money, time, my heart and self I would have missed so many opportunities in my life. If I had gone into things blindly, unaware of the risks, things that were pretty devastating might have been oh so much worse. I have always tried to walk into things, aware of what could (and in some cases probably would ) go wrong. In some cases, I felt the situations gift was enough to risk it. Other times…

Something new seems to be awakening. I can kill it with caution or I can harm myself with naiveté . Like everything else, the trick would be to find a balance.

7.) What light does the Moon reflect? X of Cups

“Hard to believe! Wonderful and exciting changes. You are truly loved. Enjoy your new sense of security.”

“Don’t forget anyone when you hear the news. Write every detail you want to remember”

“Expect a break in routine. Exciting vibrations. A secret won’t be a secret much longer. Good news travels fast. Reunion with someone from your past will change your future plans”

:). Ok. Have been happy of late with things going well. I feel like something great will happen. Almost like a shower of love and sunshine on the horizon.The roller coaster has been climbing, has the ceiling been reached? Seems not.

All comments and observations welcomed, cherished and appreciated

Tarot-Star 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. By all means feel free to comment.

1) Hope The Star (Rev) The Star
2) Guidance Temperance (Rev) Temperance
3) Peace The Hierophant Hierophant
4) Healing The Devil The Devil

4 Cards-4 Majors–This one appears to be deep. Stay tuned for the Interpretation which I will start posting tomorrow.

Interpretation

4 major cards came up — and pretty interesting choices–this also seems like it may be more of a personal reading so….

1) Hope -The Star (Rev)

“Reversed, the star most commonly means a lack of hope. Negativity.”

“It can simply mean doubt or pessimism. Another possibility is a false hope. Something we have counted on or believed in may not come to pass” If the reading concerns healing, it may take longer than expected, or some particular approach or method may turn out less effective than what a person hoped”

“The reversed Star card can mean a shy person, not ready to show themselves to the world, Sometimes a person needs to do this, either because of a hostile environment at home or at work, or because she or he has not fully developed what they will share with people”

“The reversed card might suggest some problem with body image…Such possibilities can become stronger if the Star reversed appears with the Devil, Vof Swords or VIII of Swords”

Yes boys and girls, that is the Devil appearing elsewhere in the same spread and one of the things going on for me recently is definitely gym issues, After over 2 years of hitting the gym an average of 3-4X a week for over 2 years, a combination of health and time issues have caused me to take some time off. That and chronological issues have definitely had an effect  on my body image. Tho how my physical body appears has become much less of a priority than it was,  I intend to restart my workouts at the gym perhaps reduced to 2-3X a week.

I don’t believe that lack of hope or negativity could be used to describe me. I cultivate hope in myself and others. That would be my intent. Would I like to feel like I accomplish more faster? Yes! Would I like to have a raw food diet irrespective of what my family eats? Yes! Would I like to stick to a schedule and find time to handle family duties, ie get Zev ready for school, clean, meditate, write, exercise, correspond and everything else I have to do without the thousand and one distractions? Yes to all of the above Would I like to improve my computer skills and take a course or two? Would I like to make positive changes in the world on a daily basis? Yes to all the above. It will all come. I’ve learned that things happen in time and sometimes seeds have to sit in the ground for awhile before they sprout. I have all the precursors for patience without having developed patience itself. In time, perhaps in time patience will come 🙂 On the bright side, the fact that the Star came up in its own reading, the card whose meaning would be hope came up in the position of hope, reversed, true but there gives hope. I just have to let that healing energy flow….

2) Guidance– Temperance Reversed

“Reversed, we become intemperate, extreme, given to excessive behavior. This becomes strongest alongside the Devil right-side up”

“Something may have gotten out of balance”

“Sometimes, reversed Temperance becomes a recommendation, for  some situations call for extreme reactions, the way a parent might take risks to protect a child.In less dramatic situations, Temperance reversed may call on us to relax our guard, go wild, take a chance on something.”

Something may be touching a nerve, I found myself joking quite a bit while typing that out, my usual defence mechanism, Again a definition dependent on the Devil being in close proximity 🙁

So have I been going to extremes behaviourly? possibly, tho it doesn’t feel like it. I definitely have a tendency to go off in a direction fully to the exclusion of anything else, yet since we adopted Zev seven years ago, that has been moderated severely. When you have a household and kids, your focus gets automatically split-not a complaint- I see it as part of the circle of life

So let’s look at the other suggested meaning, especially given that the placement for this card is Guidance and the meaning suggests that in its advice to know when it is necessary to go to extremes. Sometime in the next while I might be called on to take some risks, to act more extremely than I have in awhile. How will I know when the time is right and avoid the excesses of the other meaning? I don’t know and have to be ok with that. Meditate, reflect and trust my inner voice I guess.

3) Peace – The Hierophant

“…a path that the querent is expected to follow. It may be what is socially approved or come from family or a partner or friends. This is the traditional way that does not require thought or independent action but simply following”

“The Hierophant can mean a particular teacher or the educational system in some way.”

“The Hierophant can indicate the experience of benediction, that is of giving or receiving some sort of blessing”

ok, so my decision to return to academia and pursue a degree through an online university would seem to be a good one tho will that bring me peace. It will scratch an itch or a couple but…

lately, i have also decided to pursue other avenues of learning also. There seem to be teachers popping up all over, perhaps there maybe one whom working with will be of benefit to both of us?

Then the meaning I keep avoiding. So many readings now have said pretty clearly, my family is my strength, following the path of house husband and dad actually focuses me more and gives me more strength and tho it may seem from the outside to be an unconventional one–still for me it tends to be pretty conventional. …

4) Healing-The Devil

“Recently I asked some friends what card may signify jokes. We agreed on the Devil”

“More commonly the Devil means oppression of some sort, or addiction, whatever chains us. Often these things have a quality of illusion about them”

“The Devil can mean illusions of any kind, mistakes, errors, clinging to values or situations that can harm you”

Does this heal me? 🙂 OK, looking at the (rather unconventional) meaning of jokes, laughter does heal. What can also heal me is letting go of some of the harmful illusions that I let myself go with on occasion.  So laugh more, enjoy more, and let some of the other things fall to the wayside….Tho part of me would really like to believe the card indicates that nothing would be quite as healing as giving in short term to a week or month of debauchery….:)

So if anyone who reads this has anything to add, feel free to comment. This reading definitely hits areas that may fall into my blind spots. Next week on to the Moon reading….