Inspired by the Tarot

Most of us have various passions, interests, and activities that occupy our time. Sometimes it can be fun when these passions intersect. I make jewelry and sell it on the internet through the online shop Jewelry by Scotti. Recently, I was trying to decide what jewelry project I wanted to do next. Calling on one of my other major interests, I consulted the Tarot.

The card I drew was THE EMPEROR from Ciro Marchetti's Legacy of the Divine deck (Llewellyn).

After sharing this on Facebook, I got some great suggestions about what sort of piece I should create:

TS: Maybe something made of horn or bone. He's wearing an ankh...maybe something with that. The colors you mentioned work, too. Or maybe something less feminine...maybe something in gold or brass, but not delicate. Also notice the sun behind him.
SC: Maybe some Dude Jewelry -- there is nothing for us to buy!
RI: Some serious bling!
HH: Something commanding, something fit for an Emperor or Empress to wear, something that demands attention when worn.

I decided that I would use materials that I already had on hand, which did limit my options somewhat. I also decided to make a necklace that could be worn by a man or woman. I had some large red agate nuggets, but was disappointed when I realized they all had flaws that rendered them unsuitable (in my opinion) as a focal bead. The next best thing were some red agate bamboo beads.

The Emperor card is often associated with the zodiac sign Aries, a Fire sign. Interpretation also usually emphasizes stability and authority. Therefore, I created a necklace that combines fiery red-orange and gold with solid, stable brown to create a blend of radiant confidence and unshakable reliability. Here is what I ended up with:

Red agate bamboo beads, carved olive wood beads, double-sided betel nut beads in black and mahogany, and 5mm dark wood beads form the foundation of this necklace, while shiny gold spacers and gold chain add a royal glow. The necklace can be adjusted from 18 to 20 inches.

It's not terribly flashy or brassy, but I feel it does reflect The Emperor's passion as well as his dignity and stability. Comments welcome!

Magic Wand Spread (by Zanna)

I developed this spread/exercise several years ago and recently came across it again. I'm going to post the spread here, and will hopefully post a sample reading with it later today!

Magic Wand Spread

For this exercise, pretend that the Ace of Wands is a magic wand. You will use it to help you answer the following question: What do I need to be more conscious of regarding myself, my work, other people (not family), and my family? (Keep in mind that work is whatever you consider work, not necessarily a job for an employer.)            

Take the Ace of Wands from the deck of your choice and place it face up. Then draw four more cards from the deck. Place them face up around the Ace in this manner:

2

1     ACE     3

  4

Position 1: Self

Position 2: Work

Position 3: Others    

Position 4: Family

As you look at the cards in their positions, think about how the energy of the Ace of Wands might help you or hinder you in each case.

Please share your results with us!
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My results with the Magic Wand Spread

My Question: What do I need to be more conscious of regarding myself, my work, other people (not family), and my family?

Using the Sharman-Caselli deck, I drew the following cards:

Position 1: Self
FOUR OF WANDS

This card seems to encourage me to be more conscious of my successes as a person, in my various roles in life. We all fall short, disappoint, and outright fail from time to time, but dwelling on those times can be self-destructive and pointless.

The Ace of Wands in the center supports and reinforces the energy of the Four, giving a sense of confidence, enthusiasm, and optimism.

Position 2: Work
THREE OF WANDS

I usually see this card as a representation of wider horizons, efforts rewarded, and the completion of the first stage of an activity or endeavor. My "work" involves several different activities, and it's obvious to me that I am probably not going to excel at any of them to a large degree. I simply don't devote enough time and energy to any one thing. In fact, now that I think of it, I am currently pursuing THREE career paths -- writing, Tarot/Astrology, and jewelry making. With Wands being the suit of Career, this card may be telling me that I can make sufficient progress in all three areas.

As with the Four of Wands, the Ace is very supportive here, lending its magic to the successful achievement of goals represented in the Three.

Position 3: Others
FOUR OF CUPS

For a minute, I thought I was going to draw all Wands for this reading! But no, here is the Four of Cups -- quite a departure from the energy and fiery coloring of the Ace, Four, and Three of Wands. It seems that where relationships with others are concerned, I am not as enthusiastic or optimistic as I am about Self and Work. I normally see the Four of Cups as a card of discontent or boredom. I some ways, I am dissatisfied with my relationships with others. I'm not a "social" person. I don't like group activities. I am usually uncomfortable and impatient with group dynamics. Yet I envy people who have a lot of friends, people that everyone seems to like. The Four of Cups suggests to me that I need to look up from my introspection on this subject and see what is really available to me, what is being offered by that hand coming out of the clouds!

The Ace of Wands is not supportive of the Four of Cups. Fire and Water are antagonistic toward each other. Yet Fire's influence on Water can be productive. Fire paired with Water creates steam, a powerful force.

Position 4: Family
FOUR OF SWORDS

Wow, another FOUR! This time is the suit of Swords. Typically I see this card as being about mental retreat or rest, a "time out" to think things through or recover from a stressful situation. About a month or so ago, I moved across country to be closer to several members of my family, including my elderly mother. I am now about 5 minutes from my mother after being hundreds of miles away for 10 years. This allows me to be available and accessible to her, which is actually a huge relief to me. I no longer have to worry and wonder at a distance. This may seem an odd way to interpret this card, but it makes sense to me.

As a Fire card, the Ace of Wands is compatible with the Four of Swords (Air). It is easier now for me to direct active energy toward family responsibilities, instead of fretting about my inability to be directly involved.

I find it interesting that I drew three FOURs in this reading. The number Four, to me, represents stability, security, structure, and practicality. I know it can also suggest stagnation, but in my case, I think recent developments have given me the more positive aspects of the number Four -- although the Four of Cups may indicate being stuck in an emotional rut where relationships are concerned.

Deck Credits:
The Sharman Caselli Tarot Deck
by Juliet Sharman Burke (Author), Giovanni Caselli (Illustrator). 
Packaged with The Complete Tarot Pack
Eddison Sadd Editions

Five-Ten-Fifteen (a new spread by Zanna)

I like playing around with ideas for new spreads. I thought it would be fun to try something that involves turning over a certain number of cards rather than just choosing one at random. This is totally experimental, so feel free to give it a try yourself!

The purpose of this spread is to gain insight into a situation or problem. Once you have determined the question or area of life into which you seek insight, shuffle the deck of your choice using whatever method suits you.

Count down to the 5th card in the stack and turn it over. Count down to the 10th card after that and turn it over. Count down to the 15th card after that and turn it over. Is there a significance to five-ten-fifteen? I don't know. It just sounded good to me!

These three cards go into the following positions:

1.....2.....3

(1) Urgent. Deal with this right now.
(2) Important but not urgent. Can be set aside for now, but don't forget.
(3) Not important. Not urgent. Let it go. Forget it.

I guess I'd better take this for a trial run myself! My question is: What area(s) of life need my attention most right now?

Using the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg*, I pulled the following cards:

(1) Urgent. Deal with this now.
THE MOON: To me, this suggests a major emotional or subconscious issue that I need to deal with sooner rather than later. This could be revealed to me in dreams or through meditation. The key is to go beneath and beyond the surface to discover what lies deep within. It is possible that I am being deceived about something or that I am creating an illusion about something, refusing to see reality for what it is. Perhaps I am giving something a cursory glance when it requires in-depth investigation.

(2) Important but not urgent. Can be set aside for now, but don't forget. 
FOUR OF SWORDS: It is important for me to rest, to replenish myself  in the midst of busy-ness. This is not talking about getting a good night's sleep, although that's always a good idea. I feel this refers more to quieting my mind and putting myself in situations that renew my spirit and energy level.

(3) Not important. Not urgent. Let it go. Forget it.
THREE OF SWORDS: Some wounds heal more slowly than others. This one should have healed long ago but has not. It is time to stop giving this more importance and influence on my life than it deserves. Don't dwell on past injustices, hurts, and failures.

Well, that was very interesting! I hope you'll give this spread a try and let me know how it goes for you.

*Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg
Artist: Yury Shakov.
Copyright 1992 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Journey through My Decks: 9 of Cups (by Zanna)

In this series of posts, I plan to discuss all of the Tarot cards in order, using a different deck for each card. Today I'm exploring the NINE OF CUPS from the Millennium Tarot by Dorothy Simpson Krause (published by Viewpoint Studios).

In Dorothy Simpson Krause's Millennium Tarot (not to be confused with several other decks of the same or a similar name), the suit of Cups is the suit of love, intimacy, intuition, emotional energy, empathy, forgiveness, spirituality, and compassion. In the LWB (or LGB – little gold book), Marina Dubois writes that the question posed by the suit of Cups is "How can I help?"

The LWB does not identify the sources of the art depicted on the cards, nor does it discuss the various symbols used on the cards. All of the pips in the suit of Cups feature the same backdrop, which includes a ring that resembles an orbital path, with a solid circle at the top that could represent a full moon. At other positions on the ring are what appear to be moons in different phases (gibbous and crescent?). At the center of the ring is an orb that resembles the moon. Above it hangs what seems to be a mass of thick, gray clouds. The cups are ornate and heavy-looking. With their two handles, they remind me of "loving cups" – large ornamental vessels passed around at gatherings or, in modern times, given as awards or trophies.

I have no trouble making an association between the suit of Cups (linked with the element Water) and the Moon (ruler of the water sign Cancer). The Moon's association with emotions and intuition is well-established in astrology and elsewhere. The clouds, I think, could  represent the way emotions can create illusions and obscure reality. Clouds are also symbols of fertility (rain makes things grow). This, too, connects with the suit of Cups.

Book T* assigns the placement of Jupiter in Pisces to the Nine of Cups and gives it the title "The Lord of Material Happiness." It is described as suggesting "Complete and perfect realization of pleasure and happiness, almost perfect; self-praise, vanity, conceit. . . yet kind and lovable. . . High-minded, not easily satisfied with small and limited ideas." For Waite, the card indicates that "the future is. . . assured."

In my personal tarot system, Nines can indicate the basis for completion, endings, preparation (for a new cycle), growth through experience, perfection, integration, and fruition.

Dubois gives the following DMs for the Millennium Tarot Nine of Cups: "Spiritual and emotional good health. Prosperity and accomplishment, a balanced and happy time." Reversed: "Material success at the expense of healthy relationships and spiritual growth."

*Book T - The Tarot, Comprising Manuscripts N, O, P, Q, R, and an Unlettered Theoricus Adeptus Minor Instruction. A Description of the Cards of the Tarot with their Attributions; Including a Method of Divination by Their Use. A public domain manuscript.