15: Pathfinding… managing molasses

It’s been a molasses morning and the day seems to be heading in the same direction. I don’t know if it’s a sign of old age, but there are times I do things and then a few days later I can’t seem to remember what I did with what I did!!! 🙂

It feels as if I am trapped in a bit of mire today. Every time I try to move forward, I seem to be stuck in the muck and dragged two steps back. So… as fighting this takes soooo much energy and time, I’ve decided to do what I can from where I am. I am managing the day stuck in molasses. <sticky stuff this is>

Today, I have drawn The Universe, XXI. I am using the Thoth Tarot illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris.

It is no wonder I am feeling stuck in molasses! This card is so full of symbols and hidden meanings that it is easy to get stuck here until you ‘get’ what this is trying to tell you.

This card seems to confound most. I have looked at DuQuette’s, Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, and have trawled the internet. Most of what I find alludes to The Vision and the Voice, another Aleister Crowley text.

I will tell you what I see. I see a woman in the centre of a large circle. Behind her is a glyph which is difficult to fully see. Under her head is a tablet, a paper? She is standing on the head of the serpent and she is using a tool (a scythe, a harp) to release the energy from the black sun in the middle of a golden eye. The serpent appears to be part of this energy. There appear to be nine rays emanating from this eye and this ties to the nine rays (what I now know to be nails) emanating from the rose behind the head of the priest in The Hierophant. You will notice the four animal/beings in the corners of this card, The Universe, correspond to the same creatures in the four corners of The Hierophant card. They are the four fixed signs of the zodiac: Leo (lion), Taurus (bull), Aquarius (eagle) and Scorpio (man/angel). In The Universe, these creatures are spewing forth energy of their own. The other item I note is the architectural temple which, for some, will denote the periodic table of elements.

The Universe is the 21st Major Arcana card. It is the end of The Fool’s journey and the beginning of a new one. With this, there is reluctance to leave what we know to start something anew. We grow complacent in our comfort. However, this card suggests that we will begin a new journey as the energy has already been released and cannot be contained. We are forced to coalesce our knowledge, to crystallise it and use it as a foundation and a philosopher’s stone as we undertake a new adventure. We have the serpent at our feet and we reach for the stars. Time is running out as we strengthen our grip on the known and remain reluctant to, once again, be the new initiate. A new job, a new relationship, a new project, a new home, a new journey, a new… What is it that you are reluctant to undertake? The Universe reminds us that it is the normal cycle of life… we must let go and embrace our future or we are dragged down in the mire of our own making.

Until tomorrow… Love, light and blessings!

5: Pathfinding…

I received a book in the post a couple of days ago. Tarosophy: Tarot to Engage Life, Not Escape It, (Tarosophy) written by Marcus Katz, gives the reader an understanding of Tarot that is comprehensive, easy to read and progressive. It is divided into three parts: beginner, intermediate and advanced. While I scanned the book on the first day, I am now going through it bit-by-bit. I am in the beginner section of the book and while it is written is an easy manner, at least one of the exercises could be expanded upon as the fullness of the exercise is elusive. Exercise 4 would benefit from a more comprehensive undertaking, if not an example of use. While this is my personal opinion, this is where I got stuck, momentarily. I anticipate going back to this exercise over time to see if it makes any more sense than it did as oftentimes, given time and openness of curiosity, things do. If anyone who has done this exercise reads this post and can explain that exercise a little better, please do. I would be grateful for your understanding. I will touch base with Marcus and see if he would be kind enough to help broaden my understanding of this exercise. I have yet to cover the rest of the book and will, over time, share my view of it here. It is good to have this as a ‘textbook’ of sorts to use as I go forward with my study of Tarot.

Given that I have started using this tome for study purposes, today, I have drawn the Ace of Swords. This is from the Thoth Tarot deck illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris.

Tarosophy suggests that we look at the minor pip cards based on a few criteria.

First, the stage of the journey. In this instance, the stage is 1, the Ace. Tarosophy suggests that this is the ‘Beginning, creation, spark, seed.’

Secondly, the aspects: This is the Ace of Swords which indicates it is about the intellect (air, airy-fairy or high-minded).

Third, putting it together: Using the first and second steps, this suggests that this card is telling me that there is a beginning or creation, spark or seed of an idea or knowledge (education). So perhaps this card is indicative of the fact that I am starting to educate myself on Tarot and this is a positive indication for this enterprise as it is upright and not reversed.

How easy is that? It seems easy enough but, for my individual taste, I like to take in the details of the card as well. It is part of the fun.

What do I notice about this card? It is a beautifully attractive card as it is blues and yellows and green. The sword is remarkable as are the 22 rays of light that emanate from the crown at the tip of the sword. 22 rays are the Major Arcana. The sword itself is representational of the Tree of Life as the pommel is Daath (omnipresence), the guard is Chesed (kindness/love) and Geburah (strength) and the point is in Malkuth (kingdom). The guard is comprised of the waxing and waning moon back-to-back with two spheres between them. There is writing on the blade which is the Greek for ‘Will’ (Thelema) written in Arabic. The Ace of Swords is the beginning of intellect and represents the Ruach – inspired spirit – the mind is the enemy due to its need for rational thought.

So, now looking at the detail to this card, perhaps I can enhance what I learned from Tarosophy and think of this card as starting or beginning of education through inspired spirit – more the airy-fairy rather than the rational thought that usually accompanies learning.

Hmmmmnnnnn… what will tomorrow bring? Until then, Love, light and blessings!

3: Daily Doings

Well, today has been an interesting one! My ankles and feet are still swollen – though not as badly as yesterday. I thought I’d take a few minutes to catch everyone up (including me)!

I will have to change what I am doing just a bit. I am going to take a new direction, where needed. I took a Tarot class late on 29 February and learned a few bits that I will be putting into practice here.

I have a new book, Tarot Plain and Simple, by Anthony Louis with illustrations by Robin Wood. I will be using this in place of the Easy Tarot Handbook, though I will be continuing to use Easy Tarot Handbook for reference purposes. I also received Mary K Greer’s, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals, and will use this tome for reference purposes also.

There are so many excellent sources of information available. The more I study Tarot, the more I find fabulous internet sites, books, decks and references in the bits that are included in Tarot: numerology, colour analysis, symbolism, alchemy, astrology, astronomy, shamanic meanings, Rosicrucian information, shapes, sounds, horticulture… you can see how this is all rather endless. It’s good to know it exists and it’s good to know it can be accessed if essential to ‘unstick’ a thought, a concept or a position.

I would encourage you to take a look to see what you can find that may be of use to your own study through Tarot.

Now, I’ll climb down from my soapbox and get started. Today, I will be doing my Reading a Story, I’ll continue with Mary K Greer’s 21 Ways and I’ll begin using what I learned during the Tarot class I took on the 29th of February.

Reading a Story: I have today drawn The 10 of Cups – Satiety, The Lovers and The Aeon. I am using the Thoth Tarot and these cards will answer the question, ‘What will my day be like – morning, afternoon and evening?’

	For the morning, I have drawn the 10 of Cups – Satiety: This cards carries so many connotations of happiness, of fulfillment and harmony. I find it odd that Crowley thought it should be a sinister card. Mars can be disruptive and Mars in Pisces lends to scattered emotions, diffuse energies. This card is also about endings – and being on the precipice of a new beginning. This morning has been about endings and beginnings: my swollen feet are not as swollen as yesterday so they are beginning to improve, I have had answers back from people I have been waiting to respond to my query, I have fixed my computer so all is working well, I have found a group that will be very helpful and supportive. All-in-all a very happy, fulfilling and harmonious morning.
	For the afternoon, I have drawn The Lovers: This is a most celebratory card. It is about union, bringing forth the divine and understanding duality and choice. This afternoon has been a time of choice as I ponder how to continue on my journey through Tarot. I’ve had some doors closed and others opened. I have allowed my intuition to guide me to a decision. It’s been a thoughtful afternoon and quite enjoyable.
	For the evening, I have drawn The Aeon: This card is quite appropriate related to the 10 of Cups. It is appropriate in position as the 10 of Cups was at the beginning of my day ending something and The Aeon is at the end of my day as a card of rebirth and beginnings. The Lovers in the middle certainly helped as I had choices to make and the decision culminates in The Aeon. I am really enjoying this day! It bodes well for tomorrow and encourages me to continue on my course.

The Story: Once upon a time a girl awoke and found all her outstanding queries had been answered. This was intriguing as with the answers came new questions and choices to make. By the time the evening had ended, she had made the choices, come to decision and found herself well-pleased with what the day delivered. Tomorrow was a new day and she could continue her story. The end ~ for now ♥

Beginnings: OK, so I had a Tarot class on the 29th of February and we learned some interesting things. So I will put them to practice here.

Pinpointing: In the first instance, I was asked to point out one thing on a card that caught my attention. Taking a few cards and working through them is helpful so when I see each card, I will automatically do an association. At least, that is how I think this could be very helpful. From my Toastmaster’s days, this would be called signposting (SP) so I will probably think of it in that way.

Bridging: Once I get a grip with SP, I will move on to bridging which helps put two or more SP’d cards together. I can see how this is essential to reading and find this useful.

So, let’s get busy with these two skills… I’ll use the WildWood Tarot deck to begin and then the Thoth Tarot.

	Bridge: change		Bridge: change
SP: snow		SP: water		SP: atmosphere
	Bridge: cycles		Bridge: blooming
SP: circles		SP: wheel		SP: flowers

Okay, so this is just a start… it isn’t always easy to signpost or to bridge but it becomes easier as I do it. I will practice more later.

I’ve got to cut this short today. I apologise as I got started a little late but made it through… Love, light and blessings! Jean

Decks and details…

Learning Tarot and using three decks might seem like an overwhelming task and it could be if I choose it to be. However, focusing on similarities and then looking at differences should make it a bit easier. But, first things first. Let’s look at common elements of any 78-card Tarot Deck.

1. Tarot decks are divided in Major and Minor Arcana. Don’t get stuck here. It’s just like Trump cards (Major Arcana) and suit cards (Minor Arcana) from a regular playing card deck.

2. The Major Arcana are comprised of 22 cards. The Minor Arcana are composed of four suits, each containing 14 cards.

3. The Suits for each deck may vary in name but fundamentally are the same. I choose to use the AFEW method. What I mean by that is I use the words ‘a few’ and combine them to an anagram ‘AFEW’ that allows me to sort the deck by the overriding element for each suit:

A – Air – Swords (Arrows*)
F – Fire – Wands (Bows*)
E – Earth – Pentacles (Stones*) (Disks**)
W – Water – Cups (Vessels*)

*The WildWood Deck
**The Thoth Deck

This helps me when I’m working with decks that have unfamiliar suits to match them to fundamentals. Give it some thought and see if it will work for you.

4. Traditionally, the Major Arcana (22 cards) have the following names.

0 – Fool
1 – The Magician
2 – The High Priestess
3 – The Empress
4 – The Emperor
5 – The Hierophant
6 – The Lovers
7 – The Chariot
8 – Strength
9 – The Hermit
10 – The Wheel of Fortune
11 – Justice
12 – The Hanged Man
13 – Death
14 – Temperance
15 – The Devil
16 – The Tower
17 – The Star
18 – The Moon
19 – The Sun
20 – Judgement
21 – The World

However, some decks choose different names for the Major Arcana cards which can be a bit off-putting if you don’t have a good grasp on traditional names and meanings. It is easy to know which Major Arcana card matches which traditional card by either matching the number or by matching similarities to arrive at an identification. If you have a deck that uses different names for the Major Arcana cards, you can take some time to match them so when someone says they are talking about The Empress card, you can easily associate it with The Green Woman (if you have the WildWood deck).

As I get familiar with the cards and the decks, I find it useful to begin with identifying the similarities. In my Comparative Analysis section, you’ll see how I look at the same card from each of the decks I am using and becoming familiar with the overall card in general and the similarities and mention the differences as well. I’ll begin elaborating on the Learning and Reading sections tomorrow. Today I am content with taking a look at the decks, the Major and Minor Arcana to find familiar associations.

I hope you will find my journey interesting, relevant and helpful. I’ll be back tomorrow with more! Until then…

Love, light and blessings!