Today I drew :
The Page Of Cups
What I Read:
Why is it that young people have such vivid emotions and wild imaginations? Perhaps it is because, like the Page of Cups, they have never been taught to suppress their innate emotional and intuitive power. The Page of Cups is a person whose imagination is totally free, free to dream wonderful dreams and to create his life exactly as he chooses. But although his head is in the clouds, his feet rarely leave the ground. When his energy enters your life it manifests in one of three ways: as a person around you, as an event that you will experience, or as a part of yourself that you must bring into full manifestation.
As an event, the Page of Cups refers almost exclusively to children, since he is so childlike himself. (Note that childlike does not mean the same thing as childish!) Pregnancies and the birth of children are often predicted by the Page of Cups, especially if the Page of Wands is nearby. He can also be a sign of a relationship or a friendship starting, a new level of happiness and pleasure in an existing relationship, or any event relating to emotional beginnings. Such beginnings can appear "out of the blue" or they can come about through your own initiative, though they're often much more appreciated and exciting when they're unexpected!
People represented by the Page of Cups are true romantics at heart. A Page of Cups person will be gentle and compassionate, often highly imaginative and artistic. He values tranquility and peace, and as such is often out of place in the modern world because he cannot always cope with conflict. He seems dreamy and detached a lot of the time, though beneath his quiet calmness lies a bravery and studiousness that could rival a Knight's. His ideas may seem elusive and impossible to realize but, more often than not, their base is solid. Though he can be moody and impractical because he is so rooted in the spiritual and the emotional, the Page of Cups is always ready to serve.
The Page of Cups often shows a side of yourself that you need to manifest. This is increasingly common as humanity becomings more and more detached from its imaginative side in a world of technology and practicality. The Page's appearance tells you to never stop listening to your intuition and believing in your dreams. If you cease to dream, he tells us, then your dreams shall never come true because they do not exist anymore. In your darkest moments, dreams can often provide a ray of hope through with the Page of Cups can manifest. Dare to dream and all things become possible.
What the card showed me:
The Page of Cups once caught a fish
It sought release by granting a wish
The Page spoke with childlike candor
“I need no palace, nor mansion, nor manor
Find me a lass who’s never churlish”
“Fair as the blossom of a lotus pond
Eyes as blue as the ocean beyond
You’ll find your dame if you trust
Your quest; let faith not rust.
Ye both are bound by the soul’s bond.”
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Today I drew:
The Tower
What I Read:
Sometimes, when accepted and welcomed, divine wisdom and enlightenment flow freely like a calm river. The rest of the time, wisdom is blocked until it rages forth like a tidal wave and crushes anything in its path, including the recipient of the wisdom. This is the energy of the Tower card, an energy very similar to Death in that it is both a destructive and a creative force. When a building is old and decrepit, it must be demolished so that a new structure may stand in its place. The same is true of the symbolic Tower. When old attitudes and beliefs are outdated, you will have to let go of them, whether you like it or not.
In most cases, the latter is true - you do not want to give up your ideals, and you cling to them like a child to his precious security blanket. This attempt at security ensures nothing, really, except a disastrous change that will painfully rip away that which you did not discard of your own volition. But there is a greater purpose at work here. The power of the soul and the mind is far greater than the energy of some physical thing, and it can be taken with you anywhere and always. To extend the security blanket analogy, the blanket must be taken away so the child can find power and security within himself, instead of within some material object.
When you believe material objects are more powerful than spirit and mind, you start building up a Tower of falsehoods on a very unstable foundation. If, by some miracle of engineering, it does not collapse under its own weight, you will eventually push it over yourself. The Tower falls not because Fate says so but because something within can no longer endure the strain it must bear. Sooner or later it will give out. This is a humbling experience because its lesson is that no one is invincible. The problem for most people is that they concentrate on the negatives and ignore the great opportunity that has been given to them.
The fire of the Tower card burns away all that is negative and outdated, but it leaves behind all that is positive, all that is necessary to begin your life again and replace all that was lost. In essence, this is the energy of Death and Temperance combined, because sweeping-away and building-up both happen at about the same time on the Tower. As soon as the tumbling figures on the Rider-Waite card land on the jagged rocks of reality, they are greeted with the influx of wisdom that they need to survive. And with that wisdom in hand, they can take the first step back on the true path to enlightenment: building a mental Tower to Heaven rather than a physical one.
When wisdom must be forced upon you, or when ignorance must be taken away, the Tower will appear to let you prepare yourself. If you choose to let go of what you no longer need, and accept what you do need, things will go much more smoothly and without frustration. If you ignore the warning of the Tower, however, and cling to the status quo, be prepared for a downfall. You have been oversleeping and this is your spiritual wake-up call. When the Tower is in the area, know that anything that seems secure could not really be safe at all. If a change is destined to happen, to not try to fight it, because all change happens because it is needed.
On an inner level, the destruction of Tower is akin to the breaking-down of the fortress called the ego. When you build a wall to hide your secrets or to conceal your true self, you must know that sooner or later the wall will come tumbling down. Fantasies are particularly prone to being shattered by the power of this card; the Tower dissipates them like sunlight burning away fog. Fantasies and daydreams will not help where you are going so it is best to let go of them now. Do not place your faith in illusions of security; the crown on this card must be worn on by a human head, not placed atop a tower of cold stone.
What the card showed me:
Fear. Of Loss, of pain, of anguish, of the worst possible outcomes, of a lack of normalcy. Often in life, we look at situations and think “This shall never happen to me”. What if the unthinkable becomes your reality? What if lightning strikes the tower, the very citadel of your personal power and pride? What if every fabric you have woven life out of catches fire? What if horror strikes where you believe you are most secure? This card reminds you of a life that is straight out of a nightmare. With a question…’What if?’ What is it that still remains when all’s lost? Is it you courage, your passion, your hope or your faith? Or is it Love? The answer may be the key to your very existence – the things that constitute the core of your being. It may well be worth asking ourselves these questions even when the tower is not struck by the lightning bolt. It teaches us the meaning of Life
This card reminds me of Kipling’s ‘IF’ –
“Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;”
The Tower
What I Read:
Sometimes, when accepted and welcomed, divine wisdom and enlightenment flow freely like a calm river. The rest of the time, wisdom is blocked until it rages forth like a tidal wave and crushes anything in its path, including the recipient of the wisdom. This is the energy of the Tower card, an energy very similar to Death in that it is both a destructive and a creative force. When a building is old and decrepit, it must be demolished so that a new structure may stand in its place. The same is true of the symbolic Tower. When old attitudes and beliefs are outdated, you will have to let go of them, whether you like it or not.
In most cases, the latter is true - you do not want to give up your ideals, and you cling to them like a child to his precious security blanket. This attempt at security ensures nothing, really, except a disastrous change that will painfully rip away that which you did not discard of your own volition. But there is a greater purpose at work here. The power of the soul and the mind is far greater than the energy of some physical thing, and it can be taken with you anywhere and always. To extend the security blanket analogy, the blanket must be taken away so the child can find power and security within himself, instead of within some material object.
When you believe material objects are more powerful than spirit and mind, you start building up a Tower of falsehoods on a very unstable foundation. If, by some miracle of engineering, it does not collapse under its own weight, you will eventually push it over yourself. The Tower falls not because Fate says so but because something within can no longer endure the strain it must bear. Sooner or later it will give out. This is a humbling experience because its lesson is that no one is invincible. The problem for most people is that they concentrate on the negatives and ignore the great opportunity that has been given to them.
The fire of the Tower card burns away all that is negative and outdated, but it leaves behind all that is positive, all that is necessary to begin your life again and replace all that was lost. In essence, this is the energy of Death and Temperance combined, because sweeping-away and building-up both happen at about the same time on the Tower. As soon as the tumbling figures on the Rider-Waite card land on the jagged rocks of reality, they are greeted with the influx of wisdom that they need to survive. And with that wisdom in hand, they can take the first step back on the true path to enlightenment: building a mental Tower to Heaven rather than a physical one.
When wisdom must be forced upon you, or when ignorance must be taken away, the Tower will appear to let you prepare yourself. If you choose to let go of what you no longer need, and accept what you do need, things will go much more smoothly and without frustration. If you ignore the warning of the Tower, however, and cling to the status quo, be prepared for a downfall. You have been oversleeping and this is your spiritual wake-up call. When the Tower is in the area, know that anything that seems secure could not really be safe at all. If a change is destined to happen, to not try to fight it, because all change happens because it is needed.
On an inner level, the destruction of Tower is akin to the breaking-down of the fortress called the ego. When you build a wall to hide your secrets or to conceal your true self, you must know that sooner or later the wall will come tumbling down. Fantasies are particularly prone to being shattered by the power of this card; the Tower dissipates them like sunlight burning away fog. Fantasies and daydreams will not help where you are going so it is best to let go of them now. Do not place your faith in illusions of security; the crown on this card must be worn on by a human head, not placed atop a tower of cold stone.
What the card showed me:
Fear. Of Loss, of pain, of anguish, of the worst possible outcomes, of a lack of normalcy. Often in life, we look at situations and think “This shall never happen to me”. What if the unthinkable becomes your reality? What if lightning strikes the tower, the very citadel of your personal power and pride? What if every fabric you have woven life out of catches fire? What if horror strikes where you believe you are most secure? This card reminds you of a life that is straight out of a nightmare. With a question…’What if?’ What is it that still remains when all’s lost? Is it you courage, your passion, your hope or your faith? Or is it Love? The answer may be the key to your very existence – the things that constitute the core of your being. It may well be worth asking ourselves these questions even when the tower is not struck by the lightning bolt. It teaches us the meaning of Life
This card reminds me of Kipling’s ‘IF’ –
“Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;”
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Today I drew:
Four Of Cups
What I Read…
The Four of Cups indicates a time of uncertainty and decision and a turning inward to find the Truth for which one is searching. The young man turns his eyes from all the cups, not only the ones representing the World. In this sense, he indicates the need to look deep into our Self to discover the answers we seek. External influences can be distracting and may not lead us to the goal we seek even if those influences purport to be of a spiritual nature. The young man is involved in the difficult process of Individuation which Jung speaks of and which can only occur in the solitude of his own spirit.
When you encounter the Four of Cups there is a sense that it is time for a reevaluation of your situation and a need to look deep within your own psyche to find understanding.
You need to re-evaluate things. If you are bored or dissatisfied with the status quo, avoid distractions and examine your heart of hearts to gain clarity. "Crying over spilt milk" or saying, "I told you so" is not attractive.
Those who enjoy kayaking and other river sports know that there are areas of the river where the water flows in a dangerous circular motion. Instead of moving forward, it turns back on itself. Such a spot can be almost impossible to escape from. In the same way, we can get stuck in emotional hydraulics. The Four of Cups represents such periods of self-absorption. If you are self-absorbed, you refer everything back to your own interests and desires - nothing much gets in or out.
In readings, the Four of Cups can indicate that you are caught for the moment in your own reveries. Sometimes you must focus on yourself. When demands are too great, you need to devote time and energy to yourself or you will feel swamped. The Four of Cups can also represent a positive period of self-reflection and renewal. Be careful, though, not to continue this soul-searching for too long. The Four of Cups is sometimes a sign of apathy. You don't care much about anything, and yet you feel discontented too. There is no movement forward. Nothing pleases and nothing satisfies.
In readings, the Four of Cups can show that you're stuck emotionally. You need something to focus on that will so engage your mind and heart that your path down river becomes clear again. Sadly, you will feel least like doing this when you are apathetic. Be aware of this problem, and open yourself to your surroundings. Soon you will be on your way again.
The Four of Cups means disappointment in someone or in a situation. You may become tired of the same old struggle that has been carried on too long in the past. The end result may include disappointment in the final result.
Your business will increase and/or a commission, assignment, or offer of employment is on the horizon. You will be disheartened by some and supported by others, and a member of your immediate family may soon have to travel.
One avenue of interpretation is that of apathy or indifference. That a complete satiation has occurred and the man cannot be tempted no matter how attractive the situation is that the cup is offering. Rather like the bringing out of the loaded dessert cart filled with mouth-watering delicacies, just after an equally mouth-watering full-course meal has just been consumed. The awareness is there that the taste would be fantastic-- but just not at that time. No interest is generated. Not that it would not be of interest at a later time.
Another interpretation is that of defensiveness. This can be noticed in the body language displayed in the crossed arms and legs of the man. He may not be sure of what the cup has to offer. How would it change his life if he accepted it? Possibly he had been hurt emotionally before, as this is the suit of cups, and he is fearful to expose himself to that again. He has not rejected the cup either. This card is therefore saying that a new opportunity, possibly a romance, is being presented at this time. It is the time for contemplation, research and meditation. The cup will continue to be there and the decision to accept or reject it can be made later when all of the answers are in, and it feels right emotionally. No immediate action is required.
The querent wants or needs a job or new source of income, or has an obsessive desire for someone or something. No matter what it looks like now, there is still an avenue for fulfillment.
A Pause. Discontent. Boredom. Tested relationships through negative attitudes. Considers an affair. A difficult situation caused by someone trying to do well. Stability in relationship. Familiarity breeds contempt. A new start needed to renew spark. New interests, activities and friends are needed. Tested relationships.
What the Card Showed Me:
This card depicts the ultimate indulgence. Having offered three cups of nectar the Goddess offers a further fourth. But is the ‘Son’ happy? Decidedly not. Fool, some may call him but I think he’s seen through Her trick. It’s NOT the nectar he seeks. It’s the Goddess. She sets this trial; she tests those who seek her with lesser delights. Indulgent son knows what he wants – he can afford mock anger, the Goddess will give him more and better. Favorite son, tested but he’s seen through it. Far from the madding crowd, on the luxuriant grass, atop a hillock and in the shade of a golden tree he communes with the Mother, the Goddess herself and she listens to his soul.
Message:
Know Thyself.
13th August 2009
Four Of Cups
What I Read…
The Four of Cups indicates a time of uncertainty and decision and a turning inward to find the Truth for which one is searching. The young man turns his eyes from all the cups, not only the ones representing the World. In this sense, he indicates the need to look deep into our Self to discover the answers we seek. External influences can be distracting and may not lead us to the goal we seek even if those influences purport to be of a spiritual nature. The young man is involved in the difficult process of Individuation which Jung speaks of and which can only occur in the solitude of his own spirit.
When you encounter the Four of Cups there is a sense that it is time for a reevaluation of your situation and a need to look deep within your own psyche to find understanding.
You need to re-evaluate things. If you are bored or dissatisfied with the status quo, avoid distractions and examine your heart of hearts to gain clarity. "Crying over spilt milk" or saying, "I told you so" is not attractive.
Those who enjoy kayaking and other river sports know that there are areas of the river where the water flows in a dangerous circular motion. Instead of moving forward, it turns back on itself. Such a spot can be almost impossible to escape from. In the same way, we can get stuck in emotional hydraulics. The Four of Cups represents such periods of self-absorption. If you are self-absorbed, you refer everything back to your own interests and desires - nothing much gets in or out.
In readings, the Four of Cups can indicate that you are caught for the moment in your own reveries. Sometimes you must focus on yourself. When demands are too great, you need to devote time and energy to yourself or you will feel swamped. The Four of Cups can also represent a positive period of self-reflection and renewal. Be careful, though, not to continue this soul-searching for too long. The Four of Cups is sometimes a sign of apathy. You don't care much about anything, and yet you feel discontented too. There is no movement forward. Nothing pleases and nothing satisfies.
In readings, the Four of Cups can show that you're stuck emotionally. You need something to focus on that will so engage your mind and heart that your path down river becomes clear again. Sadly, you will feel least like doing this when you are apathetic. Be aware of this problem, and open yourself to your surroundings. Soon you will be on your way again.
The Four of Cups means disappointment in someone or in a situation. You may become tired of the same old struggle that has been carried on too long in the past. The end result may include disappointment in the final result.
Your business will increase and/or a commission, assignment, or offer of employment is on the horizon. You will be disheartened by some and supported by others, and a member of your immediate family may soon have to travel.
One avenue of interpretation is that of apathy or indifference. That a complete satiation has occurred and the man cannot be tempted no matter how attractive the situation is that the cup is offering. Rather like the bringing out of the loaded dessert cart filled with mouth-watering delicacies, just after an equally mouth-watering full-course meal has just been consumed. The awareness is there that the taste would be fantastic-- but just not at that time. No interest is generated. Not that it would not be of interest at a later time.
Another interpretation is that of defensiveness. This can be noticed in the body language displayed in the crossed arms and legs of the man. He may not be sure of what the cup has to offer. How would it change his life if he accepted it? Possibly he had been hurt emotionally before, as this is the suit of cups, and he is fearful to expose himself to that again. He has not rejected the cup either. This card is therefore saying that a new opportunity, possibly a romance, is being presented at this time. It is the time for contemplation, research and meditation. The cup will continue to be there and the decision to accept or reject it can be made later when all of the answers are in, and it feels right emotionally. No immediate action is required.
The querent wants or needs a job or new source of income, or has an obsessive desire for someone or something. No matter what it looks like now, there is still an avenue for fulfillment.
A Pause. Discontent. Boredom. Tested relationships through negative attitudes. Considers an affair. A difficult situation caused by someone trying to do well. Stability in relationship. Familiarity breeds contempt. A new start needed to renew spark. New interests, activities and friends are needed. Tested relationships.
What the Card Showed Me:
This card depicts the ultimate indulgence. Having offered three cups of nectar the Goddess offers a further fourth. But is the ‘Son’ happy? Decidedly not. Fool, some may call him but I think he’s seen through Her trick. It’s NOT the nectar he seeks. It’s the Goddess. She sets this trial; she tests those who seek her with lesser delights. Indulgent son knows what he wants – he can afford mock anger, the Goddess will give him more and better. Favorite son, tested but he’s seen through it. Far from the madding crowd, on the luxuriant grass, atop a hillock and in the shade of a golden tree he communes with the Mother, the Goddess herself and she listens to his soul.
Message:
Know Thyself.
13th August 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Today I drew:
The Hanged Man
What I read:
The Hanged Man is the only Tarot card visibly based on a mythological figure. He is Odin, the Norse god who hung from the World Tree for nine days to earn the knowledge of the Runes. Of all the cultures who embody the search for knowledge in their myths, only Odin carries out his quest without moving, at least in the physical sense. The true quest is seeking within, not without. This may be confusing at first, but only because the Hanged Man is the card of the paradox. The Hanged Man's mysteries are some of the oddest yet most enlightening the Tarot has to offer, and they cannot be learned by searching for lessons in the physical world - you must turn within.
Even the appearance of the card is paradoxical. Simple in design, it is one of the more complex Arcana. The lessons it offers are easy to understand but hard to accept when they apply to you. The most obvious answer to a problem may be the simplest, but it is rarely the best. To admit that you are afraid will give you the strength to conquer your fear. When you relinquish your desire for control, everything begins to work as it should. In a world in which you must run as fast as you can to stay where you are, the Hanged Man tells you to stop struggling - and you can move forward. Tell this to others and it seems obvious; try to do it yourself and it will become impossible.
Why is this? Telling others that they have to hang from a tree is simple, but no one wants to hang himself. The Hanged Man, however, has hung himself, and see how much wisdom he has found! Despite his obviously uncomfortable position, he is often pictured as smiling, and with a golden halo around his head to show divine inspiration and power. He is totally vulnerable to the world, and in his vulnerability he has found strength. The sacrifice he has made is his own freedom and power in the physical world; in exchange, he is granted real freedom and power on the spiritual plane. He gives up his old ways of looking at things and is blessed with new eyes.
Not all sacrifices have to be like this, of course. Each moment of your life you make sacrifices. By choosing to eat with a friend rather than eating alone, you sacrifice your solitude. Choosing to play a sport professionally means that you cannot play another as frequently. Choosing one job means that you have to sacrifice any desires for another job, at least for the time being. The only thing in common between all sacrifices is that you give up something you have in exchange for something you want, of equal value. The sacrifice is meaningless unless there is balance and purpose behind it. To give without intent is worse than giving too much or too little.
As the card of the paradox, the Hanged Man also urges you to look at things in a new and different way. If your mind is yelling at you to do something, then doing nothing could be the best thing to do. If something is important to you emotionally but it no longer serves a purpose, you might want to think about letting go of it. And don't try to force anything to happen while the Hanged Man is about. By trying to force changes, you ensure that they never happen. Relax and let things happen instead of trying to interfere. Instead of fighting against the current, let it take you wherever it is flowing.
When the Hanged Man appears, know that greater wisdom and happiness is at hand, but only if you are prepared to sacrifice something for that wisdom. Sometimes it is something physical you must be deprived of, but in most cases it is a perspective or a viewpoint that must be left behind. For example, a fantasy that you can never fulfill, or a crush on someone who's out of your reach. Inevitably, sacrificing something you value will always lead you to something even more valuable. In the wake of an unattainable dream you will find something else within your reach. Forgetting about one love will allow your heart to open to someone else.
What it showed me:
This card reminds me of the severe austerities undertaken by ascetics. Hindu mythology is full of tales where men and gods and demons alike undertook the severest of austerities to gain perspective or even boons. The serenity of the man’s face is remarkable. Another thought was the perspective. Hanged? Upside down? Who am I to comment? What makes me think I am right, he is not? What makes me think I wake up when I do? Maybe dreams are the reality and what I perceive as ‘reality’ are mere dreams? What makes me call someone insane? Because he/she’s different? What makes me think I am ‘sane’? Notice the halo around the Hanged Man’s head. Think about it.
30th July 2009
The Hanged Man
What I read:
The Hanged Man is the only Tarot card visibly based on a mythological figure. He is Odin, the Norse god who hung from the World Tree for nine days to earn the knowledge of the Runes. Of all the cultures who embody the search for knowledge in their myths, only Odin carries out his quest without moving, at least in the physical sense. The true quest is seeking within, not without. This may be confusing at first, but only because the Hanged Man is the card of the paradox. The Hanged Man's mysteries are some of the oddest yet most enlightening the Tarot has to offer, and they cannot be learned by searching for lessons in the physical world - you must turn within.
Even the appearance of the card is paradoxical. Simple in design, it is one of the more complex Arcana. The lessons it offers are easy to understand but hard to accept when they apply to you. The most obvious answer to a problem may be the simplest, but it is rarely the best. To admit that you are afraid will give you the strength to conquer your fear. When you relinquish your desire for control, everything begins to work as it should. In a world in which you must run as fast as you can to stay where you are, the Hanged Man tells you to stop struggling - and you can move forward. Tell this to others and it seems obvious; try to do it yourself and it will become impossible.
Why is this? Telling others that they have to hang from a tree is simple, but no one wants to hang himself. The Hanged Man, however, has hung himself, and see how much wisdom he has found! Despite his obviously uncomfortable position, he is often pictured as smiling, and with a golden halo around his head to show divine inspiration and power. He is totally vulnerable to the world, and in his vulnerability he has found strength. The sacrifice he has made is his own freedom and power in the physical world; in exchange, he is granted real freedom and power on the spiritual plane. He gives up his old ways of looking at things and is blessed with new eyes.
Not all sacrifices have to be like this, of course. Each moment of your life you make sacrifices. By choosing to eat with a friend rather than eating alone, you sacrifice your solitude. Choosing to play a sport professionally means that you cannot play another as frequently. Choosing one job means that you have to sacrifice any desires for another job, at least for the time being. The only thing in common between all sacrifices is that you give up something you have in exchange for something you want, of equal value. The sacrifice is meaningless unless there is balance and purpose behind it. To give without intent is worse than giving too much or too little.
As the card of the paradox, the Hanged Man also urges you to look at things in a new and different way. If your mind is yelling at you to do something, then doing nothing could be the best thing to do. If something is important to you emotionally but it no longer serves a purpose, you might want to think about letting go of it. And don't try to force anything to happen while the Hanged Man is about. By trying to force changes, you ensure that they never happen. Relax and let things happen instead of trying to interfere. Instead of fighting against the current, let it take you wherever it is flowing.
When the Hanged Man appears, know that greater wisdom and happiness is at hand, but only if you are prepared to sacrifice something for that wisdom. Sometimes it is something physical you must be deprived of, but in most cases it is a perspective or a viewpoint that must be left behind. For example, a fantasy that you can never fulfill, or a crush on someone who's out of your reach. Inevitably, sacrificing something you value will always lead you to something even more valuable. In the wake of an unattainable dream you will find something else within your reach. Forgetting about one love will allow your heart to open to someone else.
What it showed me:
This card reminds me of the severe austerities undertaken by ascetics. Hindu mythology is full of tales where men and gods and demons alike undertook the severest of austerities to gain perspective or even boons. The serenity of the man’s face is remarkable. Another thought was the perspective. Hanged? Upside down? Who am I to comment? What makes me think I am right, he is not? What makes me think I wake up when I do? Maybe dreams are the reality and what I perceive as ‘reality’ are mere dreams? What makes me call someone insane? Because he/she’s different? What makes me think I am ‘sane’? Notice the halo around the Hanged Man’s head. Think about it.
30th July 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Today I drew…
Five of Pentacles
What I experienced today…
My son cried today. He said “Mon, I want you” I hardened my heart and said “I can’t come”. I live in a hostel in Delhi and work to send back money so that y mom and son can live comfortably. It kills me but that’s my destiny. Today as I stopped to buy a cup of yogurt I saw a beggar woman try to buy her little daughter something worth Rs 5. She beat her child when the girl asked for a packet of chips. She said, “why don’t you die?” I cried. The child was full of sores and boils and had tears in her eyes. I held her hand and bought her the potato chips she’d asked for. Here I was far away from my child, the only soul who loves me so. And here was a mother who wanted her child to die rather than suffer. I called the Goddess cruel, again.
What I read…
Another famous card. Two poor folk sit outside a church with five pentacles on its stained glass window. This is a card that predicts loss, financial loss, bad luck, a set-back in health. It is a difficult time, as all fives are. "How can I deal with this loss?" asks the Querent. And the answer is, "By realizing that it is no real loss at all." The Querent must understand that while they may have lost material things, the spiritual is still with them. Where there is life, there is hope. They should also be advised that this too will pass. Though it may seem like there is no end in sight, there is. We all go through lean and lonely times. Things will get better.
What the card showed me…
The pain of poverty; of the complete abstraction from values and emotions that prolonged suffering can bring about. A cripple and and old woman in tatters suffering/braving the snow on a cold winter night. Strangely, they look away from each other, instead of sticking together, comforting each other. The card talks of separation and anguish.
29th July 2009
Five of Pentacles
What I experienced today…
My son cried today. He said “Mon, I want you” I hardened my heart and said “I can’t come”. I live in a hostel in Delhi and work to send back money so that y mom and son can live comfortably. It kills me but that’s my destiny. Today as I stopped to buy a cup of yogurt I saw a beggar woman try to buy her little daughter something worth Rs 5. She beat her child when the girl asked for a packet of chips. She said, “why don’t you die?” I cried. The child was full of sores and boils and had tears in her eyes. I held her hand and bought her the potato chips she’d asked for. Here I was far away from my child, the only soul who loves me so. And here was a mother who wanted her child to die rather than suffer. I called the Goddess cruel, again.
What I read…
Another famous card. Two poor folk sit outside a church with five pentacles on its stained glass window. This is a card that predicts loss, financial loss, bad luck, a set-back in health. It is a difficult time, as all fives are. "How can I deal with this loss?" asks the Querent. And the answer is, "By realizing that it is no real loss at all." The Querent must understand that while they may have lost material things, the spiritual is still with them. Where there is life, there is hope. They should also be advised that this too will pass. Though it may seem like there is no end in sight, there is. We all go through lean and lonely times. Things will get better.
What the card showed me…
The pain of poverty; of the complete abstraction from values and emotions that prolonged suffering can bring about. A cripple and and old woman in tatters suffering/braving the snow on a cold winter night. Strangely, they look away from each other, instead of sticking together, comforting each other. The card talks of separation and anguish.
29th July 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Today I drew…
The Star
What I Read…
The Star is one of those cards everyone loves. In every deck, it is usually the most beautiful. It suggests the peace and harmony of its meaning. There is nothing negative about this card, but I think there is a trick to it. Whatever hope, healing, or future it offers, the reader must remember that it might not be immediate. This is a soft card, and like Aquarius, its vision is for tomorrow, not today. That's not to say that it offers no concrete benefits; it is a card that predicts unexpected help, but that help is only the first step. The star only reveals the future. It is up to the Querent to find his way to that future.
What it showed me…
To a lay man the beautiful but naked woman emptying her urns into the pond may seem a sad picture. Solitary, with no company she attempts the futile task of filling up the pond with water from earthen urns. “Foolish”, some may say, others may call her “mad”. But on closer observation, The Star reveals a different story. Eight bright stars, all eight-pointed are shining bright in the sky. A song bird in the distance sings a lovely note to keep the lady from feeling tired. The green tree upon which the bird is perched beckons her to rest in its shad when she is tired. Little red flowers have sprouted around the pond where she has spilt water from her urns.
The card is a card of hope after great sorrow. May a time we are born to endure great sorrow. Our life seems worthless and we find ourselves completely alone in whatever endeavor we undertake. Lonely and tired we ask ourselves “Why”, “Do I not deserve company?” What we forget is that we are never truly alone. All of nature is witness to our life, our endeavors and our struggles. No work is completely futile. Some little flowers are to blossom and that it why I am destined to water the pond. My suffering and pain also is Karma. The eight pointed stars suggest Fate. I call it the fruits of one’s past deeds. All of Nature and the Goddess who lives in Nature live every moment with me. She created the songbird, the tree the stars to give me strength, to give me hope and faith to live my life.
28th July 2009
The Star
What I Read…
The Star is one of those cards everyone loves. In every deck, it is usually the most beautiful. It suggests the peace and harmony of its meaning. There is nothing negative about this card, but I think there is a trick to it. Whatever hope, healing, or future it offers, the reader must remember that it might not be immediate. This is a soft card, and like Aquarius, its vision is for tomorrow, not today. That's not to say that it offers no concrete benefits; it is a card that predicts unexpected help, but that help is only the first step. The star only reveals the future. It is up to the Querent to find his way to that future.
What it showed me…
To a lay man the beautiful but naked woman emptying her urns into the pond may seem a sad picture. Solitary, with no company she attempts the futile task of filling up the pond with water from earthen urns. “Foolish”, some may say, others may call her “mad”. But on closer observation, The Star reveals a different story. Eight bright stars, all eight-pointed are shining bright in the sky. A song bird in the distance sings a lovely note to keep the lady from feeling tired. The green tree upon which the bird is perched beckons her to rest in its shad when she is tired. Little red flowers have sprouted around the pond where she has spilt water from her urns.
The card is a card of hope after great sorrow. May a time we are born to endure great sorrow. Our life seems worthless and we find ourselves completely alone in whatever endeavor we undertake. Lonely and tired we ask ourselves “Why”, “Do I not deserve company?” What we forget is that we are never truly alone. All of nature is witness to our life, our endeavors and our struggles. No work is completely futile. Some little flowers are to blossom and that it why I am destined to water the pond. My suffering and pain also is Karma. The eight pointed stars suggest Fate. I call it the fruits of one’s past deeds. All of Nature and the Goddess who lives in Nature live every moment with me. She created the songbird, the tree the stars to give me strength, to give me hope and faith to live my life.
28th July 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Today I drew…
Four of Wands
What I Read…
The ships have come in, and the Querent can sit back and enjoy them. This card, with its four wands holding up garlands, implies the foundation of a house, literally and figuratively. Whatever the Querent has been building, they have established it, strong and solid. They can take a moment to admire what they've done, enjoy the first rewards it has brought them, and bask in their initial success. Sometimes this card suggests marriage; once again, laying the foundation for the future.
What it showed me…
A time of plenty. Riches and celebrations, not only at the individual level but for the land, society, family as may be queried by the querent (in my case family). New beginnings (in my case back to ‘Goddess chat’ and ‘Tarot meditation’), and success in these new ventures. A time for cultural and literary growth; a time for indulgence, merrymaking.
The card talks of bounty, of a bumper harvest; plenty of food and a man and woman toasting a cup of freshly mulled mead. The crop and plenty has made many a farmer rich. A marriage is in the offing too. The wands are themselves decorated with flowering creepers quite like the Indian ritual called pandakkal which precedes the marriage ceremony itself. Music and dance in the air.
Good Luck Card
26th July 2009
Four of Wands
What I Read…
The ships have come in, and the Querent can sit back and enjoy them. This card, with its four wands holding up garlands, implies the foundation of a house, literally and figuratively. Whatever the Querent has been building, they have established it, strong and solid. They can take a moment to admire what they've done, enjoy the first rewards it has brought them, and bask in their initial success. Sometimes this card suggests marriage; once again, laying the foundation for the future.
What it showed me…
A time of plenty. Riches and celebrations, not only at the individual level but for the land, society, family as may be queried by the querent (in my case family). New beginnings (in my case back to ‘Goddess chat’ and ‘Tarot meditation’), and success in these new ventures. A time for cultural and literary growth; a time for indulgence, merrymaking.
The card talks of bounty, of a bumper harvest; plenty of food and a man and woman toasting a cup of freshly mulled mead. The crop and plenty has made many a farmer rich. A marriage is in the offing too. The wands are themselves decorated with flowering creepers quite like the Indian ritual called pandakkal which precedes the marriage ceremony itself. Music and dance in the air.
Good Luck Card
26th July 2009
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