Expanded Spirit Guide Reading - Oracle of the Dragonfae (by Zanna)

As I mentioned before, I was really intrigued with Helen's One Card Spirit Guide Reading. I also enjoyed her Spirit Guide Reading and Discussion Expanded to 3 Cards.  I decided to follow my One Card Spirit Guide Reading with an additional two cards to address the questions: why do I need to know this, and how do I go about putting this message into action in my life?

Using Oracle of the Dragonfae, the reading now looks like this:

(1) If my guide could only tell me one thing, what would it be?

"You are stronger than you think." (Dragonfae Goddess Tiamet)

(2) Why do I need to know this?

Divine Union (Gaia's Dragon)

Because you need to understand that you do have the power to balance celestial and terrestrial, feminine and masculine, or any pair of opposing or different energies within you or outside you. You have the ability to bring forth ideas, nurture them, and create something meaningful from them.

"[Gaia] is the cycles of the planet, [Dragon] is the seasons of the Universe. Together, they create a new world and a new life: and bring about hope. Their love for each other is steady, constant, with harmonious and different energies blending beautifully together." ~ Lucy Cavendish

(3) How do I go about putting this message into action in my life?

"Heed wise counsel." (The Elder)

By listening carefully and heeding wise counsel, whether it be from within or without. The Elder in this case is not soft and sweet. This Elder is stern and serious and impatient with you. It is time for you to teach what you have learned, even as you continue to learn yourself. Do not abandon your task before it is completed. Do not feel threatened by other approaches. Treat elders with respect.

"Have the courage to live from the wisdom you have gained, rather than the fear which ensures you overlook all that which you have learned. . . Take any 'Why are they picking on me?' moments to mean that in fact you are not clearly acting on your true path, and be practical about all steps. So, if you wish to write, do so. Listen to your muse and be creative. . . Be proactive and do not rely on the powers that be. Rely on yourself." ~ Lucy Cavendish

Cards:

Oracle of the Dragonfae by Lucy Cavendish

Blue Angel Gallery

One Card Spirit Guide Reading -Oracle of the Dragonfae (by Zanna)

I was really intrigued with Helen's One Card Spirit Guide Reading so I decided to give it a try using my Oracle of the Dragonfae. (My oracle decks don't get much attention, and I really do enjoy using them.)

Like Helen, I asked the question: If my guide could only tell me one thing, what would it be?

My answer comes from The Dragonfae Goddess Tiamet. She tells me: You are stronger than you think.

The Sumerians knew Tiamet (or Tiamat) as the mother whose body formed the Earth and the galaxies. She was venerated by the people of Arkadia, a Sumerian dynasty of 2500 BCE. Tiamet survived an attempt to destroy her, and thus brings the message that I have the strength to survive whatever challenge I face.

As a strong, super-protective mother-being, Tiamet wants me to build and create with confidence and to nurture myself and others in the process. Her power and strength are my power and strength. I love the message that Lucy Cavendish provides for this card: "You are. . . star-being, dragonkin, sea-creature, Earth dweller and forest child. You are sea and salt, and wood and stone, and you are grander and more magnificent than words or thoughts can tell you of."

Such an encouraging message! I think I will do as Helen did and pull two other cards to supplement this reading in the next day or so.

Cards:
Oracle of the Dragonfae by Lucy Cavendish
Blue Angel Gallery

One Card One Meaning: The Empress

For this series -- "One Card One Meaning" -- I will pull one card from a deck and offer a brief, simple *possible* interpretation -- not the ONLY interpretation, of course, but one possible interpretation of that card from that deck. I hope you will offer your thoughts on each card as well!

From The Fairytale Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Publications):

In this charming deck, The Empress is represented by The Fairy Godmother. For those who know the story of Cinderella, the connection is clear: The Fairy Godmother is the nurturer, the one who encourages and supports, who helps everything and everyone grow into what they are meant to be. Nurturing and nurturers can take many forms, whether we are talking about being nurtured (by someone else or ourself) or providing nurture.

Journey through My Decks: Page 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 PAGE OF CAULDRONS from Tarot of the Old Path by Sylvia Gainsford (published by AGMuller).

The suit of Cauldrons (Cups in more traditional decks) is associated with the element Water. In Tarot of the Old Path, the Page of Cauldrons wears a predominantly blue costume with a rippling pattern that suggests Water. In the book that accompanies this deck, Howard Rodway tells us that the style of the Page's headwear typically symbolizes meditation. His face wears a pensive expression. We notice that the Page's every hair is in place, which suggests perfectionistic tendencies.

The Page holds a goblet in his left hand, as "the long artistic fingers of his right hand shed three drops of water back into the container." (Rodway) These three drops and the three crescent moons on the goblet represent the three forms of the Goddess: Maid, Mother, and Crone. Behind the Page blooms an acanthus flower, which Rodway tells us denotes "one who has a love of beauty and art." My research tells me that the acanthus is also a common symbol of eternal life.

DMs from Rodway: "A young man or girl with light brown hair. A quiet intelligent youth. One who is studious and meditative. A perfectionist. Talented in the arts. An offer of service. Bearer of news. Loyal" Reversed, the Page of Cauldrons can represent "A charming person, but one who is inclined to be idle and critical. Bad news. Frustration. Distraction. Selfishness. Deviation."

About the deck: According to Howard Rodway, Tarot of the Old Path was developed "in recognition of the many card readers who are witches and initiates of Wicca, otherwise known as the Old Religion, the Craft or the Old Path B a nature-based religion and philosophy." Rodway writes that while he personally is not a Wiccan, he is very fond of this deck and has enjoyed working with it very much. I feel exactly the same way.

5W's and an H: 10 of Cups (by Zanna)

Today's edition of 5W's and an H features Legend: The Arthurian Tarot (Anna-Marie Ferguson / Llewellyn Publications).

To refresh your memory: For the 5W's and an H exercise, we use one Tarot card to answer the questions Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? As an additional requirement, each answer can be only one phrase or sentence. The idea is to respond intuitively, without a lot of description or explanation.

The card: TEN OF CUPS

Who? Someone who has reached the top of his or her game, who has reached a high point in his or her life.

What? A pinnacle moment, a moment of achievement and success that is worthy of applause.

When? When goals have been reached and satisfaction is at an all-time high.

Where? In a place where dreams come true and everything you desire has come to pass.

Why? Because it is possible to reach the height of success and emotional fulfillment.

How? By following your heart and investing emotionally in your goals.

Ten of Cups - Astrological Associations (by Zanna)

Astrological associations for the Minor Arcana cards typically involve both a planet and a zodiac sign. The attributions established by the Order of the Golden Dawn (OGD) are by far the most commonly used. However, some Tarot decks use a different set of associations. As a professional astrologer, I find it interesting to compare and contrast these associations from deck to deck. The use of astrological associations with Tarot is completely up to the reader. This is merely intended to be interesting and fun.

Credits for the decks and books mentioned in this post can be found HERE.
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Ten of Cups - Astrological Associations (by Zanna)

Tarot Dynamics System by Anna Burroughs Cook
(illustrated in this blog by the Universal Waite tarot deck)

In Anna Cook's TD system, cards 2 through 10 are known as Subject Cards. They are viewed as having a strong impact on our immediate agenda, on situations, moods, opportunities or obstacles that pass quickly. The number on the card reveals the situation. The suit and definition suggest the reason for the situation, along with options and the most beneficial approach to take.

The suit of Cups represents Emotion, including dreams and that which gives meaning to your life. This is a fairly standard Tarot association. The astrological aspect of this system comes into play when we start talking about the number on the card.

To interpret the number Ten, we can look at the astrological Tenth House, which is considered to be the house of career and or reputation. In general, the Tenth House is about your role in society, where you "stand" in the public eye or the community, your ambitions and aspirations.

The Tenth House is associated with the zodiac sign Capricorn (a cardinal Earth sign known for being organized, responsible, goal-oriented, practical, and self-disciplined. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn (representing limitations, lessons, authority, and karma).

In the Tarot Dynamics system, Subject Card Ten stands for Achievement. Therefore, in the TD system the Ten of Cups is "Emotional/Achievement." It's easy to see how this might be connected to the Tenth House/Capricorn/Saturn idea of self-discipline and ambition. Anna Burroughs Cook notes that this card "can also generate 'instant karma'." She also states that the Ten of Cups means "life is what you make it." This makes a lot of sense, given the Capricorn/Saturn association with karma and taking responsibility.

(Please note: There is more to the TD astrological connections than I have included here. My intention is to convey the basic flavor and tone. A much more detailed, comprehensive discussion will be provided in Anna Cook's forthcoming book, Advanced Tarot Dynamics.)

Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley

For Crowley and the Order of the Golden Dawn (OGD), the Ten of Cups represents the energy of Mars (energy, force, sexual desire, and aggression) in Pisces (a Water sign ruled historically by Jupiter and/or Neptune, for many modern astrologers). Pisces is known as an emotional, romantic, impressionable, adaptable, imaginative, and intuitive sign. Crowley writes: "The arrangement of the cups is that of the Tree of Life. But, on the other hand, they are themselves unstable. They are tilted; they spill the water. . . Mars is the gross, violent and disruptive force which inevitably attacks every supposed perfection. His energy displays the greatest possible contrast with that of Pisces, which is both peaceful and spiritualized." Crowley titles the card "Satiety." When I look at the Thoth Ten of Cups, I can feel the hot Mars energy coming off the card. It's almost overwhelming.

Hajo Banzhaf and Brigitte Theler (in Keywords for the Crowley Tarot) describe the energy of the card as: "fulfillment (Pisces) and a new beginning (Mars), emotional (Pisces) strength (Mars)." The idea of Mars representing a new beginning makes sense when we consider that Mars rules Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. Banzhaf and Theler have chosen to emphasize the constructive power of Mars instead of the destructive power. It is tempting to view Mars as a negative or malicious force, but Mars can also be credited with getting things moving in a positive direction.

Let's return to Crowley's comment that Mars is the force "which inevitably attacks every supposed perfection." The Ten of Cups often depicts a happy, perfect family scene. While it isn't wrong to enjoy that scene, we may also need to be prepared for disruption and a downward trend. Banzhaf and Theler write: "Culmination puts an end to the ascent."

One World Tarot by Crystal Love

Crystal Love associates the Ten of Cups with the third subdivision of the sign Pisces, with Jupiter and Neptune as the natural rulers and Mars as the subruler. She writes: "The brute force of Mars merges with the inspirational and nebulous Pisces. . . If this energy is applied and used positively, a dedicated and brave visionary or healer may be the result. . . The combative tendencies of Mars can cause danger by hidden or secret enemies, possible danger during travels in foreign lands, and trouble in close partnerships and relationships. The Ten of Cups may be generally unreliable."

A.E. Thierens, PhD. (Astrology & the Tarot)
Thierens describes the Ten of Cups as follows: "It is the Water on the Sixth house, where it meets with Virgo-influences. . . It means the physical and sensatory possession or ownership. Consequently it has to do with the agreeable sensation of being 'at home' and 'at ease,' having possession of what is wanted." In astrology, the Sixth house is indeed associated with the zodiac sign Virgo, ruled by Mercury. It is described by astrology.com http://www.astrologyzine.com/what-is-a-house-in-astrology.shtml as the house of "Service, Duty, and Health." Joanna Martine Woolfolk tags the Sixth House as the "House of Service and Health."

(Note: The astrological system devised by Thierens is radically different from that of the OGD. I will not go into detail here, but will simply provide the astrological associations for the card under discussion. If you are interested in learning more about Thierens' system, I recommend his book Astrology and the Tarot.)

The Mandala Astrological Tarot by A.T. Mann

Like the OGD, Mann's deck associates the suit of Cups with the element Water. Mann describes Cups Eight, Nine, and Ten as "The Pools of Pisces" and associates them with the time period from 19 February to 20 March. Cup Ten is assigned to the Third Decan of Pisces -- Pluto in Pisces. It represents the time period from 11 March to 21 March.

On the King Scale of Color, the colors linked with Pluto pale red. The color for the sign Pisces is red-violet. Mann's keywords for Pluto are "power, the masses, magic, propaganda, force, force majeure, frankness." For the sign Pisces, his keywords are "swelling seed; purifying rain; serenity; potential. Sensitivity; destiny; receptivity; self-sacrifice; psychic impulse; karma; seclusion; mysticism." Mann's divination meanings for Cup Ten include "Supreme artistic activity comes from unconscious drives which have viable means of expression. Universal feelings must be translated into real experience. . . . Tempted to revert to previously debauched positions. Ego-tripping becomes dangerous and stressful." (This last statement by Mann brings me back to Anna Burroughs Cook and her "instant karma" comment. I'm also reminded of the saying: "The bigger they come, the harder they fall.")

The Whispering Tarot by Liz Hazel

Liz Hazel's suit of Cups is the suit of the Water element, embodying "emotions, feelings, relationships, love, as well as the nature and consequences of emotional attachments." Like Crowley and Love, Hazel associates the Ten of Cups with Mars/Pisces energy. Her illustration shows a pleasant setting on a moss-covered bank of a lake. We see water fairies rising from each of the ten chalices; as they rise into the night sky, they turn into stars.

Hazel notes that this card can suggest "the satisfaction of being surrounded by happy, healthy family members." Ill-dignified, the card might indicate "A situation with no perfect resolution. . . At a distance from family. . . Separations, exits."

In general, I typically see the Tens of the Tarot as representing culmination in conjunction with a new beginning, a threshold between places, transformation or transition. The Ten of Cups can give a sort of "cup runneth over" impression, with the potential for positive or negative  consequences -- abundance vs overabundance.

The Mars/Pisces designation for the Ten of Cups is the most common among the systems described above. Thierens, as usual, is different, proposing a link between the Ten of Cups and the Sixth House (Virgo/Mercury). A.T. Mann goes with a Pluto/Pisces connection. An association with Water is common to all of the above-referenced sources.

As always, I welcome your comments!

~*~ Zanna ~*~

One Card One Meaning: Knight of Wands

For this series -- "One Card One Meaning" -- I will pull one card from a deck and offer a brief, simple *possible* interpretation -- not the ONLY interpretation, of course, but one possible interpretation of that card from that deck. I hope you will offer your thoughts on each card as well! 

From Tarot of the Masters by James Ricklef: 

This Knight rides his steed at full gallop while looking behind him, perhaps to see if his enemy is gaining on him. The problem with that, of course, is that he can't see what's ahead of him. There is a caution here about dashing headlong towards something or into something without having a clear understanding of what you're getting into. It might be wise to slow down and/or look where you're going!

To read a discussion of this card by the deck's creator, click HERE.