The Contract Tarot – Ten of Virtues and Cosmic Principles

Tens are about ends and beginning again. They are the bridge between the culmination and fulfillment of the journey ending in success, showing us lasting relationships and testing our endurance and that of the beginning of a new path, a different journey which will begin as soon as our awareness reaches completion of the old.

Let’s look more closely at this card.

We see a waterfall as our background. It flows quickly and over different layers of rock. Water is a universal solvent. It operates to break down and break through anything over time. We have come through this journey and it’s many layers and are breaking down our relationships and becoming aware that the lasting relationships, through all of what has come before, are the most important and they will sustain us as we go.

Below this is the word success and, if you look closely, you will see figures helping each other reach success. This is celebrating the success we find together. Family groups or groups of friends that have a common focus or goal reach success together. Consider collaboration and cooperation; true success is forged in the fires of both.

Below this figure is the picture of a Yew tree and the word here is Endurance. Yew trees are usually found in graveyards. They are toxic to most animals and humans and yet, there is medicine to be found in them as well. They signify danger and death on one hand and long-life and rebirth on the other. Yew trees have been known to survive many centuries. They endure. This tells us that we can be toxic on one hand and yet, healing on the other. Our enduring relationships work in spite of the toxic features of our personality. Some relationships survive centuries through generations honoring family ties.

The symbols above the ‘C’ are Mars in Pisces. The symbol above the ‘P’ is Water.

The Tree of Life path is Malkuth (kingdom) in Beriah (creation).

What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?

Until tomorrow… Love, light and blessings!

The Contract Tarot – Five of Virtues and Cosmic Principles

Most people really hate drawing a five of any suit! Fives are about instability and counter-intuitively, strength. It is as if the fours set us up to really gnash our teeth in the fives before we find balance in the sixes!

Let’s look at this card more closely.

The background is the familiar pictograph for the matrix of technology. The word is Idealism. We are still in the grips of the boom in technology. We are striding ahead in leaps and bounds as it spreads its roots into more and more areas of our lives. It is the idealistic panacea for everything that ails us. We are beginning to lose sight of our human skills and replacing them with something synthetic and false. From the four, we are now trying to find solution through idealism as we process what was pulling us down.

The next thing we see is a grey angel. The word is Mourning. We all mourn what has past. We look backwards thinking this will propel us forward without realizing that where the head goes the body must follow. If we are looking backwards, we will keep ourselves immersed in the past. We must look forward to immerse ourselves in the present and the future. Mourn if you must but keep it short and make it useful for you. Take note of what went wrong and build in to your present and future ways to overcome obstacles. Take note of what you will miss and creatively resource and expand on it in your present and future. There is always a solution. Nothing is impossible.

The next thing we see is a glass being filled with wine and multicolored tablets. The word is Addiction. Keep in mind that when we are bored, depressed or in mourning, we look for ways to escape the pain. When we avoid something, we must always keep it in focus to ascertain our position to it so we can avoid it successfully. That, or we live in it and immerse ourselves in reliving the pain over and over and use addiction to help us become numb to what we do not want to face. Alternatively, we can choose to face our fears and overcome them without addiction to numbing agents. The warning here is that anything in our lives can become something to which we become addicted. The line is crossed and we wallow, obsess, become gluttonous and fat on our escapism. Strength can be found when we choose to live a healthy, balanced life and put our addictions in their place. What will your choice be?

The yellow daisies signify innocence, loyal love and an I’ll never tell position. They are used as diuretics and astringents, as poultices and to wash sores and swelling. Given all this, I thought they were an appropriate representative for this card and its energies.

The symbols above the ‘C’ are Mars in Scorpio. The symbol above the ‘P’ is for Water.

The Tree of Life path is Geburah (severity) in Beriah (creation).

What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?

The Contract Tarot – 7 of Runes

Sevens are about control, power and authority. These concepts can be displayed in a variety of ways. I chose the images and the words you see in an attempt to take in the breadth and scope and show you how you can see this card in nature.

Let’s look a little more closely at the card. There is no one dominant image here. This card shows different seasons, spring and winter, and various stages of those seasons. We’ll start with the background and bring ourselves forward.

In the background, we see elk. Two males are fighting for control of the females, which look on with feigned interest. Each male is standing his ground and is full of conviction that he is the strongest and most dominant. This is a power play and it is all about control. Control of territory, control of seeding genes, control of being the male others will have to fight to usurp and take control of all he has. There is authority here. Conviction is the strongest word I can use to illustrate this. I use this because not all males will fight. It will only be those that have a chance, those that are in their prime, those that convict themselves to the task. Losing separates the loser from the rest of the herd and sometimes costs him his life. It is a huge price to pay for his convictions.

Coming a bit forward, we see a pack of wolves. Two of them are fighting. It is defiance at its best. The alpha male will have control of the pack until he grows old or gets wounded and can be challenged defiantly by one of the younger males. It is the age old struggle, literally. Youth, virility and defiance against age, decaying virile reserves and control. It is another power play in a different way. The pack contains young males and females. Only one defies the aged alpha male and only one will test him. If he loses, he becomes an outsider, relegated to find a foreign pack or to trail this one at a good distance until the time is right to try again. Defiance comes with a price.

Coming forward a bit more, we see the bare branches of early spring and the metamorphosis of a butterfly. Instinct is at play here. Instinct for the caterpillar that spins a cocoon and surrenders to the forces of nature, losing himself to magically change into a butterfly. I put this here because it is the ultimate of power, control and authority. It is nature that controls and has power and authority over all things. This instinctual act of a small creature is so beautifully sacrificed and changes into a beautiful butterfly with such fragile control over the air as it flits from flower to flower until such a time that it is no more. This is ultimate power, control and authority demonstrated by paying the ultimate price twice in this cycle of birth, death, resurrection and then death, birth, death and resurrection. It is the greatest cycle displayed brilliantly and beautifully. Instinct, the need to follow and exhibit certain behaviors and displays and willingly lay down your life knowing that something more beautiful follows is the most profound example here.

Let’s look at the symbols on the card.  Across the top are the symbols for Mars, Fire and Leo. Under the Mars symbol are the runes Algiz (the divine plan, awakening) and Tiwaz (self-sacrifice and victory). Under the symbol for Leo are Uruz (raw primal power, survival) and Nauthiz (force of growth, short term pain for long term gain).

The Tree of Life path is Netzach (victory) in Atziluth (emanation).

What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?

Until tomorrow… Love, light and blessings!

The Contract Tarot – 2 of Runes

Twos are all about duality. Push-me, pull-me focus, yes and no, male and female, etc.

Let’s look at this card.

Down the left side are the runes: Dagaz (dominion, transforming power, awakening), Raidho (journey, the inner compass, leadership) and Perthro (evolutionary change, fate). Down the right side are the astro/elemental symbols of Mars (middle) in Aries (top) and Fire (bottom).

The lilies signify knowledge and the roses signify desire. Both represent life force.

When you draw this card, you are given choice. Whatever choice you make will affect your path/journey for the minute/hour/day/week/year/lifetime. You have the power and can take control and be the leader in your life. Stop and smell the roses and lilies occasionally. Soak up the life force of nature. Draw into yourself and tap into your soul’s inspiration and choose wisely.

Until Monday… Love, light and blessings!

The Contract Tarot 7: The Chariot

“Cross the Abyss Travel to new beginnings Harness your energy To self-assertion and victory The Chariot waits For you to begin it. Get clear on your goals Set your plan Obstacles crumble With spiritual growth at hand. Introspection is your driving force Achievement is your aim You have the vision of artistic expression To create and live The life of your dreams.”

The Chariot is a card about movement, transportation, motivation, choice, etc. Let’s look at this card more closely.

The environment may be what you first notice. The scene is a beach. There is a ship in full sail on the water and an airplane in the sky. There are crabs scurrying on the beach. Movement is everywhere here. Sand moves across the globe in wind and water. The water is not still – there are tides, ebbs and flows. The sky is orange and heavy with cloud. There is movement in the atmosphere. Movement in the crabs, movement with the ship and with the airplane. The crabs are also symbolic of Cancer. The crabs are red, the colour of Mars exalted in Cancer.

Looking at foreground we find a crab that looks as if it is examining something with great interest. It is the urim and thummim resting on the sand, waiting for something or someone to come along and move it to its next resting place. The urim and thummim leave nothing unchanged as they reveal truth!

The pillars/column support a canopy of moon and stars. Cancer is ruled by the moon and this canopy is more about wishing about achievement rather than the action of achieving. This canopy protects the hourglass (indicative of our inability to control the passing of time), the lingam and yoni (indicative of creativity) and the magickal sceptre (replaces Abrahadabra which usually appears written on the canopy and aspires to self-actualisation). The chariot and the horses are interesting as well. The chariot represents that part of us we must release to travel across the Abyss. The horses, in this instance, are behind the chariot. They are also statues. This signifies that we must take action and submit ourselves in compassion and love to free the horses and then harness them to our chariot. It is action that is needed whether in thought, word or deed to fulfil our ambitions for this card. The chariot is sometimes pictured with wheels that only allow it to move sideways. This is to signify its connection to the zodiacal sign of Cancer.

The ship and the plane are red and white. Red represents Mars, the planet that is exalted in Cancer. They represent movement in what some will see as the great abyss of the sea and sky.

The scroll shows us the symbols of (from left to right) the Hebrew letter Chet (fence), the elemental symbol for Water and the zodiacal symbol for Cancer. The Tree of Life path is from Binah (understanding) to Geburah (severity).

What do you see in this card? How would you interpret it?

Until tomorrow… Love, light and blessings!

The Contract Tarot 4: The Emperor

“Realise your power Rule your mind Master your will Turn inside to find Victory! Ambition calls Passion inflames Responsibility quells Pioneering aims And you will see To lead with respect Apply structure and order Change your aspect Reveal the Emperor!”

Let’s look at the elements in the card. The card is dominated by a stone throne. Sitting atop is a ram’s head. On the seat is a red shield with a golden 2-headed eagle and a golden sun. There is a golden helmet sitting behind the orb and cross and a scepter with an ankh at the top. At the base is a fleur de lys and a trussed up lamb. The throne is set in palm trees and desert succulents. On the scroll, from left to right, sit the symbols of the Hebrew letter Tzaddi (fish hook), the symbol for the element Fire and the zodiacal sign of Aries. Below the scroll is the Tree of Life path from Netzach (Victory) to Yesod (Foundation). There are mountains in the background and the desert is reddish in colour.

The ram’s head indicates this card is ruled by Aries, cardinal and fiery. The golden helmet indicates service to a higher cause, responsibility and authority.  The scepter’s ankh represents eternal life and demonstrates that he gets his power and authority from The Empress.  The orb and cross represent dominion over the world. The fleur de lys represents the union of the lingam and the yoni as seen in The Empress card preceding. The red shield not only represents Mars, the ruling planet of Aries, but also the Red Tincture. The 2-headed golden eagle is the symbol of imperial power and the golden sun represents gold and the red King found in the Lovers (Thoth). The trussed lamb indicates docile weakness and this highlights the dichotomy between the lamb and the ram which indicates aggressive strength. The Emperor reigns supreme and is the strong aggressive nature of the ram.  The mountains are dry (fire) and indicate the formidable laws of nature. The reddish sand indicates the Emperor. The palm trees and desert succulents give an indication of the resourcefulness of the Emperor and the control he exudes over his environment.

This card is all about responsibility realised, authority, rule, formation, respect and initiation. This card is also about power and control, fatherhood, fathers, structure and order, paternal instincts, enforcement, leadership and governance.

What is your interpretation of this card?

Pathfinding…

Last week, I started on the path of learning Tarot. It sounds really simple, doesn’t it? And yet, the more I tried to adopt ‘traditional’ methods (because I thought it was the right way to proceed), the more I found myself bogged down in someone else’s understanding, someone else’s way of assimilating the information. I’ve always done this… (no, not being bogged down) trying ‘traditional’ methods in the hope that they will ‘speak’ to me in an intuitive way and that there is scope and room for someone with ‘different’ thoughts and methods to adopt and use what is on offer. Now, I’m not saying traditional ways don’t work and aren’t good to use. I’m saying that, regardless of how hard I try to fit within the confines and structures of ‘traditional’ and accepted ways, the more I find myself becoming impatient, frustrated and stymied in the narrowness of it all. To me, it’s liked being in a tunnel that gets smaller and smaller and all i want to do is escape the confines and rise above it all. So, I go pathfinding.

With that in mind, one of the things that helps me ‘see’ what I need to see is by using the cards to answer relevant questions. What will my day bring: morning, afternoon and evening? is one of those which I adopt and from which I fashion a story. I have used that many times over the last week and it helps me not only focus on each card but how they come together. I am examining different spreads to see how they work, to put together a story from each one and to see how I can use them in the future. It is not necessarily the traditional way to proceed but I am learning more that way than step-by-step. Yes, I still consult texts and still learn those things that are more general knowledge because I am interested to learn just how far afield I am wandering,if at all. I am still learning about the peripheral yet central ideas behind the Tarot including numerology, astrology, colour, symbology, alchemy, etc. because I find that these inform what I see and add texture and flavour to the story. I am beginning to really love the width, breadth, the depth and the height of Tarot! It’s truly phenomenal!

With that… I will do today a 1-card draw. ‘What will my day bring?’ The card I draw for today is The Devil XV, reversed. I am using the Thoth Tarot illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris.

This card suggests to me halves and duplication. It would appear that the spheres at the top (bottom) of the card are undergoing mitoses, while the rod in the centre separates them into halves. The spiraling horns suggest that wonderful replicating double helix. The two large spheres appear to be ‘eyes’ that see everything, our deeds and our misdeeds and how we manifest what we create, both sides, the good and the not so good. It is male and female, two halves of a whole. It is unity and division. It is Capricorn and Mars and Saturn. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 are all represented here. It is the Behedeti, the winged sun disk with serpents. It is the three-eyed goat. It is yellow, pink, blue, black, orange, brown, red and gold. It is spiral and spheres, rod and phallus, rings and flowers. It is unity penetrating creation. It is spirituality, rebirth and enlightenment as we journey from inward to outward and back again.

This is an excellent card for today. I am returning to my intuition and working from a deeper level to give new birth to my creativity and my spirituality. This is the beginning of a new way and the ending of a more traditional view. This is a very positive card for going forward. Fabulous!

More tomorrow… until then, Light, love and blessings!