10/27/15 Four of Pentacles and The Star reversed

Wild Unknown Tarot today, and I threw the Four of Pentacles and The Star reversed. 

The Four of Pentacles (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation or the deepest self, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, authority, caution, cunning) tells of very solid foundations and an awareness of the value of our possessions.  The danger here is that once we realize how valuable things have become, we might expend too much energy protecting things and keeping them just as they are right now.

The image on the Wild Unknown Four of Pentacles shows four Pentacles; each Pentacle is connected to the others by belts or straps.  We can almost hear the hum of those belts as they turn, creating lots of energy but only allowing each Pentacle to turn in one direction, in only certain ways.  I can feel the benefits of the energy of this card, but I can also feel that the restrictive nature of the devices does not allow things to grow or evolve.  This card is about valuing the things we have right now, and protecting them to the point that they are stifled.  Keeping things as they are, holding tightly to those possessions we value, prevents us from using them to create new things.  That holding tightly is well and good for a little bit; it allows us to gather ourselves in order to take the next leap.  But the support offered by structure and a strong foundation can just as easily grow into a prison.

The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness; Tzaddi, fishhook; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also reminds us that things will turn out okay in the end.  The Star reminds us to have faith, for while it may seem to be the darkest night, the dawn is just beyond the horizon, and it is in the dark sky that Stars can really shine. 

The Wild Unknown Star card image is simple: a rainbow colored five-pointed star, set in a dark sky sprinkled with other, less unusual yet still beautiful stars.  The colors on this Star are lovely and pure, and they make me feel as if this Star is an omen predicting the possibility of good things to come.  A silent omen, silent as the night sky, dark and velvety; subtle and silent, yet powerful still.  What message does this rainbow colored Star bring? It brings that first glimpse of hope.  Believe in beauty, The Star says as she glistens with the colors of a rainbow, believe in purity, believe in goodness.  And those are the things you shall receive.

The suit of Pentacles is more about following proven rules than experiencing the unknown, and today I may be more attracted to stability than new experiences.  However, that stability, as desirable and safe as it is, is not necessarily what I need right now.  Building walls and a ceiling to protect me will not allow me to see the beautiful night sky or the ivory light of the waning moon.  Sticking to the rules and only working with known experiences that offer predictable results won’t bring the spiritual high of an Aha! Moment or that elusive Glimpse of the Machinery of the Universe.  I need to remember that physical things are in the end not as important as they may seem today.

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10/25/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

26, Guide: Otter (West).  West is the direction of Water, and thus, of feelings and emotions, relationships of all kinds, cleansing and healing, the wisdom associated with natural endings, and the bubbling up of pure joy.  The first thing I think of when I see the Otter card is joyful playing.  Otters are known for their play, and play is a sign of intelligence and awareness.  Otters are at home both on Earth and in Water; they form strong family bonds, and work hard to protect their group of family or friends.   All while playing tag!

23, Element: Water (West).  West is the direction of Water, sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course; energy that is cold and wet, that binds and adapts.  Water is about emotions, feelings, the Inner Voice, dreams, intuition, and Water is connected to both birth and death.  Water is necessary for Frog to exist and thrive.  Because our physical bodies contain so much Water, whatever affects Water usually affects us as well.  The image on this card also shows ripples moving outward; something to remember when we are expressing our feelings.

35, Landscape: Forest (North). North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  Forest is about the results over the long term, results which happen because of fertility and nurturing and patience; Forest represents the manifestation of age and wisdom and patience, connections (and results) that are not openly apparent but rather, like roots under the ground, are all around us.  Different energies can work together; a Forest is proof of that.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one is mostly about Water; the symbol for Water is at the center of the mandala, and the ripples are moving outward, affecting everything else that is reflected on its surface, or beneath.  The joy to be had from being a part of a family or community that is loving, that watches out for each other, and that celebrates the least of accomplishments, is something that I should allow to infuse my very being, and to wash away the discomforts and worries of day-to-day existence.  Over time, these little efforts to infuse joy into my life will manifest in a big way, and if I open myself to the efforts of others, even if I disagree with those efforts or the intentions behind them, everyone benefits.

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10/23/15 Queen of Swords reversed and The Blasted Tower reversed

The Hermetic Tarot today, with two reversed cards: the Queen of Swords reversed and The Blasted Tower reversed.  Hmmm . . .

The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, sensible, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, grace) can be considered a Minor Arcana representation of the Justice card, which is about responsibility and the relationship between “cause” and “effect.”  The main difference is that while Justice is about the law, the Queen of Swords is about the intent behind the law.  She is Water of Air, and her feelings support her intellect and the workings of her mind.

The Hermetic Tarot Queen of Swords represents Water of Air.   The image on the card shows a gracefully dressed woman with beautiful curling hair, carelessly holding a huge sword over one shoulder and the severed head of a man in the other hand, dangling by his hair.  Yikes!  The head is still dripping blood, his eyes still weeping tears, yet she does not even look at him; instead she gazes serenely off into the distance.  This Queen is quick and confident, and she does not need to look at me in order to know just what is happening within me. 

The Tower (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (which offers the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration)) is one of the Major Arcana cards that talks of adjustments.  This one tells of a violent or explosive correction in the way things are going that usually happens after more gentle corrections don’t bring the needed result.  The destruction caused by The Tower is actually clearing away the old and expired, so new growth can begin, but it might not be fun to experience.  The Tower also shows us what can happen if we cement ourselves into our beliefs.  I love what Oswald Wirth says about The Tower in his book, Tarot of the Magicians: “[The Tower] . . . is less a temple, a house of God, than a sacred building of a body mistakenly identified with God.” 

The image on The Blasted Tower is terrifying.  Lightning bolts rip apart a tall, ornate building, sending people plummeting down.  Even the sun in the upper right corner of the image is frightening.  Instead of rays, we see sharp triangles like the multiple rows of teeth found in a shark’s mouth.  The capstone of a pyramid is being shot into the building amidst the lightning bolts; to either side of the building is a tree of life, one white and one dark.  The building itself is tall, and kind of over-fancy.  To be honest, it doesn’t look like it would be sturdy even on a good day, but it would be eye-catching.  All in all, the image offers a good visual of the negative side of ambition.

My Tower is reversed and in this deck, a reversed Tower is warning of an ongoing entrapment of some kind.  I am being told that danger is approaching; following the old ways and offering the usual and customary responses will only draw that danger even closer.  Without a willing rendering of balance, the ugly and uncomfortable adjustment will happen.  In fact, it might happen anyway.  My reversed Tower is being paired with the reversed Queen of Swords, who is cruel, deceitful and unreliable.  Air cards can tend to lack compassion and empathy, but since my Queen is connected to Water, perhaps my feelings and emotions are being distorted.  I can’t rely on feelings and I can’t rely on the intellect, unless I allow them to balance each other.  We have Water, Air and Fire in this reading, no Earth at all.  A bit of grounding might be just the ticket!

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10/18/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

54, Guide: Giant (Below).  The direction of Below is not easily associated with spirituality, yet it is a powerful symbol representing the opportunity to create a strong foundation, and to connect to the tools and powers of the Underworld.  Giant corresponds quite a bit with the element of Earth and Earth energies, and is about the stability of the ground below us, and about the huge geological forces that formed our world and even now, change it.  In most fairy tales, the Giant ends up being a great big bump in the road for the hero of the tale, and without these kinds of challenges, we would never get the chance to be brave or to see if we have courage.

37, Guide: Raven (North). North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  Raven is a clever bird, often portrayed as a trickster.  Raven is known for assisting us in the transformation from one realm to another, often manifested in a similar way as my own Totem, Turkey Vulture, by cleaning up dead things. Raven is known as a skilled communicator, able to use intelligence and language (not necessarily verbal language) in order to convey messages from the Gods.

63, Touch (and Taste) (Within). Our senses connect us to the physical world, and the sense of Touch is the most solid and least deceptive sense; touch is the method we use to find our way around and to dispel illusion.  Taste is a part of Touch, for it is by bringing things into contact with our tongues that we Taste them, enjoying the yummy tastes and grimacing through the unpleasant ones.  Contact is the key here, and connection; they can be pleasant or violent.  Contact can bring a sense of support and security, and touching something can dispel illusions.  This is not just a receptive sense, for we show love and support by touching others.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  The most prominent figures in this one are Raven, their beaks touching in the middle of the pattern.  The colors of Giant and Touch appear to be emanating from each Raven; perhaps the contact between them all has created some special magick?  Earthly energies really do represent the microcosm and the macrocosm.  We sense the ebbs and flows of days and nights, of seasons and lifetimes.  There are larger patterns as well, patterns the size of solar systems or universes, the length of decades or eons.  Some manifest so fast that they can’t be perceived; others can’t be perceived because they are slow or huge or tiny.  They are there, however, and just understanding that the wood of the table beneath my hand took time to create (and is constructed with the stuff of stars) can offer a Glimpse of the Machinery of the Universe.  That single Glimpse could change the way I perceive the world.

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10/14/15 Queen of Wands reversed and Prince of Disks

I dusted off my Thoth Tarot, and threw the Queen of Wands reversed and the Prince of Disks.  I guess it’s a Court Cards kind of day! The Thoth Tarot handles the Court Cards a bit differently, especially the Knights and Princes.  The Princes hold the rank of Knight, however the definitions and correspondences are similar to the Kings of other decks.  When using the Thoth Tarot, it is easier to work with the elemental correspondences when interpreting the cards. 

The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) in an upright position is energetic, adaptable and enthusiastic; she is filled with persistent energy and calm authority at the same time, and because of this she draws others to her.  She is kind of a self-made woman, with her sense of humor intact. 

The Thoth Queen of Wands, representing Water of Fire, is surrounded by steadily burning flames and a leopard; she cradles in her arms a large wand with a heavy, bulky head.  She is adaptable yet is filled with a persistent and evenly flowing energy.  She has a huge capacity for love, but only when played out in accordance with her rules. 

The Prince/King of Disks (cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, and Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, physically oriented) is the clever expert on managing resources, maintaining energy, and on the physical world manifestation of all kinds.  The Prince/King is the steward of Nature and the generous and supporting boss, but he is reversed today, which means his traits will manifest in a detrimental manner rather than a helpful one.  Yes, I may have resources and I may have the ability to allocate those resources in a good and effective way, but if I get caught up in that process, I will bog myself down with the details and everything will come to a grinding halt.

The Thoth Prince of Disks is Air of Earth, and he is a cool character.  This Prince is completely in control on the material plane; he is the ultimate handyman who tends to not put any effort into things he considers impractical.  He is very grounded, he is ingenious and thoughtful, but yet cautious (sometimes to the point of paranoia).  Uncle Al describes him as having “great energy brought to bear upon the most solid of practical matters.”

My Queen of Wands just might be reversed because I’m obsessing too much on what I should have done; hindsight is always 20/20, but the issues are over and done with, so they should be released.  No brooding allowed.  I should not allow myself to get caught up in details that just don’t matter!  There is so much growth and creativity around me, particularly in the physical realms, and right now I am in a position to take advantage of all of it.  The best thing to do is learn from the things that did not go as planned, and then let them go.  I need to remember that all that creative energy does not usually follow a plan.  Seeds don’t always germinate only in the places you planted them!

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10/12/15 Justice reversed and the Seven of Swords

Shadowscapes Tarot for this lovely day, and I threw Justice reversed and the Seven of Swords. 

Justice is a card of adjustment; it corresponds with the element of Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that usually brings problems or challenges that bring growth), Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad; training or teaching), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed).  This card presents two important concepts: balance and truth, and it tells us that the purpose of the law is to implement and manifest these two concepts. The traditional image of Justice has two pillars on it, as does The High Priestess; each is a guardian of sorts, Justice a guardian of equilibrium and The High Priestess a guardian of secret knowledge. 

The Shadowscapes Justice card presents the concept of justice as not being blind.  On the contrary, we each are responsible for our own thoughts, words and deeds, and those are the things for which we are held accountable.  The imposition of justice brings balance, because those who cause injustice are responsible for making those injustices right again. 

The Seven of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness), which I had the other day in an upright position, tells of the effort to maintain things as we want them, often through the use of deception and without considering the wants or needs of others.  Trying to keep things the same is an exercise in futility, but sometimes we get so caught up in our own story that we forget we are affecting others.

The Seven of Swords in the Shadowscapes Tarot shows a male wearing a mask and smiling as he admires the Sword he has stolen.  In the Shadowscapes Tarot, this card is about attempting to escape from responsibility and attempting to keep all the good things for ourselves.  Why worry about doing the right thing?  Others will take care of that!  But this kind of attitude can bring uncertainty and a lack of trust. 

The message of these two cards is pretty clear.  It might be difficult for me to handle things in an objective and fair-handed way, but it is this very objectivity and this very fairness that is absolutely needed.  Truth is important, as is transcending my personal experiences in order to tap into the highest good for all.  If I make it a point to at least try to imagine what it would be like to walk in another’s shoes, I might be able to switch these cards and end up with Justice in an upright position and the Seven of Swords reversed.  A good intention for the day!

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10/11/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

3, Element: Air (East).  East is the direction of the rising sun, and thus of new beginnings and fresh ideas, as well as knowledge, intellectual ideas and thoughts.  The element of Air represents the purest of clear thought, logic, and the ability to analyze.  Air is also connected with knowledge, education, science, and inspiration or a new way of thinking about things.

13, Element: Fire (South). The direction of South corresponds with the element of Fire.  Fire brings spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change through heating and separating, drying and shaping.  Fire has often been used as a representation of Spirit or the Divine, and this makes sense.  Fire brings transformation, animation or life, courage, and intent.  Fire has its dangers, though; it brings transformation through destruction that brings new birth.

19, Guide: Bee (South).  South is the direction of the midday sun and the peak of power and illumination; this direction is associated with passionate drive and creativity.  Bee is about teamwork and harmony and a sense of community, and about service to that community.  The service is performed for the greater good, and without an expectation of acknowledgment.  Bee is not about the individual’s needs, but rather it is about the needs of the hive, and often the individual is sacrificed in order to allow the hive to continue.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  There are some pretty powerful energies in play today; a fresh new infusion of air into the mind and the peak of effects of heat and light are nothing to laugh at.  It looks as if the best way to manifest and make use of these effects as they appear is by focusing on the highest good of all, not just me and my own beliefs and views.  If I can keep this in mind through the week, and if I can refrain from allowing strong emotions or cold analysis from guiding me without in influx of compassion and mercy, I should be a happy camper by this time next week.  This is not an easy intention to stick to!

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10/8/15 Eight of Pentacles reversed and The Star

The Wild Unknown Tarot today; the cards I threw are the Eight of Pentacles reversed and The Star. 

The Eight of Pentacles (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) tells us that diligence and an awareness of details is important.  This card also tells us to act as well, to act by making use of skills and talents, and to pay attention to each step.  If we work hard today and build something that is quality, with a good foundation, we might be able to take it easy once we are done. 

The Eight of Pentacles in the Wild Unknown Tarot shows an image of a spider web, with the spider sitting in the middle of the web.  I’ve seen this image before on an Eight of Pentacles, and in my opinion it is the perfect example of the energies of this card.  I have watched garden spiders build webs on early Summer evenings from my beloved porch in Cape May; the spider works diligently, with amazing skills, amazing proprioceptive visualization abilities.  Just imagining the daunting task of building one of those webs allows me to understand the attention to detail and persistence of focus necessary to complete the task.  And after all that work, by the following morning the web is discarded, and as the sun sets once again, the spider snips any remaining lines so she can begin anew the entire process.  Powerful energies?  You bet!  Obvious and in-your-face?  Nope.  Instead, we have sustained power manifested through focus, skill, and attention to detail.

The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness; Tzaddi, fishhook; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also reminds us that things will turn out okay in the end.  The Star reminds us to have faith, for while it may seem to be the darkest night, the dawn is just beyond the horizon, and it is in the dark sky that Stars can really shine. 

The Wild Unknown Star card image is simple: a rainbow colored five-pointed star, set in a dark sky sprinkled with other, less unusual yet still beautiful stars.  The colors on this Star are lovely and pure, and they make me feel as if this Star is an omen predicting the possibility of good things to come.  A silent omen, silent as the night sky, dark and velvety.  Subtle and silent, yet powerful still.  What message does this rainbow colored Star bring? It brings that first glimpse of hope.  Believe in beauty, The Star says as she glistens with the colors of a rainbow, believe in purity, believe in goodness.  And those are the things you shall receive.

These cards seem to have a message that is somewhat similar to the cards of the other day.  Sometimes details are important; they can make or break a situation.  But sometimes details can distract us from the big picture; at least for today, details are not that important.  Better that I step back from action and examine my world with my mouth closed and my ears and eyes open.  I should share the warmth and peace in my heart with everyone I meet, no matter who they are or what they do in life; those details are not important today.

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10/5/15 Faith/The Hierophant reversed and the Page of Wands

Yay!  I finally found my Legacy of the Divine Tarot, and that is the deck I am using today.  I Threw Faith/The Hierophant reversed and the Page of Wands. 

The Hierophant corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes), Taurus (“I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), Vau (the nail which holds tradition in place), and the Path between Chesed (the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured), and Chokmah (dynamic male energy, the origin of vital force and polarity).  This card is an archetype of Spirit (with The Emperor as archetype of the Sacred Masculine, The Empress as archetype of the Sacred Feminine, and all three representing the supernal triad) that reminds us of the value of tradition, ritual and ceremony, and conforming to the rules and traditions with the aim of presenting the highest good of the group.  There is duty to be found in this card, as well as morality, and a suggestion that tradition should not be accepted blindly, for there is a level of attainment to be had from within a spiritual practice.

Faith is the Legacy Tarot version of The Hierophant.  The image on this card is a representation of four of the most mainstream religions in the world, each of them in an attitude of prayer, with a column of golden light connecting them all.  This connection is the focus of the Legacy Faith card.  We do need to remember that this very connection can be hugely beneficial, or it can be judgmental, terrorizing and murderous. 

The Page of Wands (Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic noble egotistical; and Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) is fun to be around, unless you have a migraine. He is about being open to new experiences and about being enthusiastic about whatever is happening, and his optimism just might tip things into the right direction.  He can be a bit scattered though, and easily distracted.

The Legacy Tarot Page of Wands holds his Wand as if it is lighting his way.  He is dressed in red, adorned with dragons and a golden upright triangle, the symbol of Fire.  This Page is the brilliant spark that can ignite a conflagration if it falls into fertile ground.  Passion, energy and magick are all possible if this Page can manifest.

Ritual, ceremony and tradition are important for me today, as they are every day, but because my Faith card is reversed, I might find more fulfillment if I do my work in a solitary fashion.  I should allow my own beliefs and practices to be “turned upside down” and then actively embrace this new ways of doing things because they just might be inspiring.  I should try to be open to the unexpected today, because messages may come to me in a “think-out-of-the-box” kind of way.  These are the ways to create the fertile ground for the spark of the Page of Wands.

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10/4/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

57, Grail Hallows: The Sword (Below). The direction of Below is not easily associated with spirituality, yet it is a powerful symbol representing the opportunity to create a strong foundation, and to connect to the tools and powers of the Underworld.  The Grail Hallows present esoteric and hidden knowledge about the elements and the Tarot suit of Swords/Air.  The Sword stands for truth, authority, empowerment, nobility and destiny.  It may only be wielded by one who earns the right, and when this card appears, it tells of a higher calling that when responded to will bring the respondent into their true and destined spiritual power.

22, Weather: Rain (West). West is the direction of Water, sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course; energy that is cold and wet, that binds and adapts.  Water is about emotions, feelings, the Inner Voice, dreams, intuition, and Water is connected to both birth and death.  Rain is cleansing and nourishing, and this kind of weather can often bring dissatisfaction.  However, I also see Rain and it’s quiet, dark and cozy sensations as providing a time for rest and renewal.  Many are melancholy when it rains, but we need the rain to grow and live.

47, Jupiter (Above).  The direction of Above takes us up and out of the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and reminds us that we are but a small part of the Cosmos.  Above also reminds us that while the Machinery of the Universe is huge, it does have an effect on each of us, and each of us is an important part of the workings of that Machinery.  Jupiter is about expansion, intelligence, justice and optimism.  It reminds us that we are all leaders, and that we have a responsibility to choose our thoughts, words and actions with care because we do have effects on others around us.  And while doing this, we also need to keep our sense of humor, or things will go bad quickly.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Lots of movement in this image; the Rain is radiating toward me, Jupiter seems to be circling through the rain, maybe even “singing in the rain” **wink** and splashing in the mud, but the presence of The Sword seems to be calling my attention to the seriousness of these cards.  These cards together seem to tell of some kind of new birth or new beginning, possibly brought to me because of past efforts.  Considering that my weekend was filled with lots of rain and wind (we had a nor’easter and there were floods and crashing waves and howling winds since Friday), and considering that I was “unplugged” almost the entire weekend, it makes sense that something new might be germinating within me, with the storm and my weekend without a computer acting as catalysts.  This storm was reminiscent of Hurricane Sandy, with several similarities.  I spent this weekend alone as well, and slept on the couch because I felt safer.  Winds were only 50 mph as opposed to 70 + mph of the hurricane, but I still stayed inside for most of the weekend.  I did get to the beach twice, once on Friday and one this afternoon.  Sand has moved!  We have been lucky this time because we gained sand on most of the beaches I saw today. 

Coming into the spiritual power that destiny is offering, expanding my intellect, and the birth/death of Rain and the possibility of initiation, are things to look for this week.

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9/28/15 Seven od Swords reversed and Nine of Swords

The Hermetic Tarot today, and the theme of discomfort continues with the Seven of Swords reversed and the Nine of Swords. 

The Seven of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness), which I had the other day in an upright position, tells of the effort to maintain things as we want them, often through the use of deception and without considering the wants or needs of others.  Trying to keep things the same is an exercise in futility, but sometimes we get so caught up in our own story that we forget we are affecting others.

The Hermetic Tarot Seven of Swords is called the Lord of Unstable Effort, and the image reflects this.  Seven Swords of varying heights, widths and shapes attempt to meet at one point at the top of the card, with mixed success.  All seven Swords do touch, but not all of them touch at the designated place.   There is a rose in the center of this card, similar to the Six of Swords except one of the Swords pierces the rose.  This progression is presented in a similar way in the image of the Two of Swords (which contains a rose) and the Three of Swords (where the rose is cut and petals are falling).  This progression is clear: the success of the Six of Swords is being held over beyond its time.  The Seven also tells of yielding or surrendering before the end result is accomplished, and of being distracted by abundance or compliments.  Reversed, the Hermetic Tarot Seven of Swords tells of spying and vacillation, and the betrayal of confidences, either on purpose or accidentally. 

The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) represents brooding and worrying, usually self-caused, and usually unproductive.  Often the worrying attached to this card is connected to insecurity or suspicion, or it is connected to things that are over and done with, and thus unchangeable.  Thankfully my card is reversed, so I should be able to avoid the agony of the mind that is needless worry. 

The Hermetic Tarot Nine of Swords is a nightmare; every part of this image is distorted or decayed.  Eight of the Swords in the image are rusted, distorted, bent or broken each in its own way, and the flower has become 12-tentacled monster.  The ninth Sword rises up from the bottom of the card, wickedly curving and coming to a sharp and deadly point.  Called the Lord of Despair and Cruelty, the name of this card describes perfectly its meaning.  It tells of loss, misery, and suffering, burdens and oppression, and lying, slander and dishonesty.  There is an obedience laced through this card, as if we can’t help but continue the despair and cruelty that is manifesting. 

So, what does this mean for today?  I do need to be aware of the fact that my thoughts, words or deeds carry with them the tendency to perhaps betray or harm.  Knowledge is power, and if I strive to keep my intentions pure and for the highest good of all, I just might prevent any bad stuff from happening.  I should think about the big picture rather than my own personal needs, and maybe even keep my brain busy with some good things. 

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