Five-Ten-Fifteen / Bruegel Tarot

Time for an update on what area(s) of life need my attention at this time. For the FIVE-TEN-FIFTEEN SPREAD, I shuffle the deck then count down to the 5th card in the stack and turn it over. Next I count down to the 10th card after that and turn it over. Finally, I 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.

Das Bruegel-Tarot by Guido Zibordi Marchesi (Lo Scarabeo) volunteered for this round, so here we go.

(1) Urgent. Deal with this right now.
TEMPERANCE (Adaptability. Equilibrium)

The proverb given in the Little White Book for this card is: "The burden becomes light for those who know how to carry it. (Everything has a right way of being confronted.)"

Okay, I am being told to deal with something that is out of balance or going to one extreme or another in my life. I need to do a better job of blending diverse elements of my life so that I create a pleasing, beneficial whole. And yes, the key to doing that is knowing how to "carry" or "confront" the various demands, challenges, and responsibilities that are placed upon my time and energy.

(2) Important but not urgent. Can be set aside for now, but don't forget.
FIVE OF WANDS (Ambition)

Proverb: "Those who rise too high often fall. (It's easier for those who rise too much to fall.)"

Oh dear, am I being too ambitious? Am I in danger of setting myself up for a fall? I sure hope not! Perhaps this card is telling me that I do need to be competitive in certain areas but not to the point of a knock down, drag out fight. Also, I think this card often refers to internal conflicts that need to be acknowledged and addressed to restore peace and calm to my life.

(3) Not important. Not urgent. Let it go. Forget it.
EIGHT OF SWORDS (Conflict, Bad Luck)

Proverb: "Two wives in one house cannot get along. (Only one person can be the boss.)"

The illustration on this card is quite a departure from the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith version, which depicts a bound, blindfolded woman surrounded by a ring of swords stuck in the ground. However, if we look at the issue of "control," we can see some similarities in the interpretation from the Bruegel deck.

The two women on the Bruegel card are fighting over who gets to be boss -- who gets to be in control. The woman on the traditional Eight of Swords is under the control of someone or something. I need to think about how much or how little I control an area of my life and what, if anything, I need to do about that. Since this position is "not important, not urgent, let it go, forget it," maybe I need to just let someone else be in control of something and not try to take charge.

All three of these cards are "positive" or "active" from an elemental standpoint (Temperance and Wands = Fire; Swords = Air). Not much sitting around and sipping tea here! But I get the distinct impression that I need to choose my battles (or activities) wisely and carefully.

Journey through My Decks: Page of Swords

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 BIRDS from The Merlin Tarot by R. J. Stewart, illustrated by Miranda Gray (The Aquarian Press).


The Merlin Tarot uses Tree of Life associations as well as a system of Three Worlds and Three Wheels as its foundation. The suit of Birds is the equivalent of Swords in other decks. It is associated with the element Air and the direction East.

The Page of Birds is shown with a large bow (as yet undrawn), a full quiver of arrows, and a sharp dagger. The Page appears to be about to remove the bow from his or her shoulder, presumably to use it.

The Page of Birds is one of the "People of the East," described as "a child of Spring moving into Summer." (Stewart) The Page of Birds is also viewed as "Earth of Air." John Michael Greer tells us that Earth is negative, cool and dry -- its nature is stability. Air is positive, hot and moist -- its nature is separation. Earth and Air are considered weakening, incompatible, or antagonistic to each other.

When Earth combines with Air, "all the fine qualities of Air are weighed down, suppressed, suffocated" (Crowley). Earth gets in Air's "space." Air can't pass through Earth, so it has to go around it. Such an inconvenience when Air has so many important places to go! Of course the limitations imposed by Earth help Air take form and direct its energy toward specific goals, but Air is reluctant to acknowledge that benefit. Earth under the influence of Air can behave in an uncharacteristic manner: Tornadoes can uproot trees and send heavy objects flying. Air sculpts Earth as it blows across deserts and plains, over hills and through valleys -- creating changes that are alternately beneficial and destructive, depending on point of view.

Small wonder, then, that the keyword for this card in this deck is "Difficult." The obvious youth of the person on this card coupled with the keyword automatically makes me think of the expression "a difficult child." Stewart taps into that idea, discussing the Page of Birds as possibly obstinate, willful, or demanding yet also possibly highly intelligent -- "perceptive beyond his years" -- a child to whom less intelligent adults have no adequate response. This Page can have "inner conflicts that will only be resolved with maturity and experience."

Waite describes this Page (the Page of Swords in his deck) as vigilant, a quality that requires both mental activity (Air) and an awareness of physical surroundings (Earth). The appearance of this Page may alert us to get Earth and Air "energies" in balance within ourselves, so that they complement each other instead of opposing each other. Awareness of the limitations and opportunities afforded by my physical (Earth) environment  will help us make our ideas (Air) a reality. The challenge is to see things as they really are, not just the way they appear to us in our mind.
--------------------------
Sources:
- The Merlin Tarot Handbook by R. J. Stewart, illustrated by Miranda Gray. The Aquarian Press.
- The New Encyclopedia of the Occult by John Michael Greer. Published and distributed by Llewellyn Publications.
- Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley, Frieda Harris (Illustrator). Publisher: Samuel Weiser, IncB - The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite. WeiserBooks.
                                     

Week at a Glance: The High Priestess

The purpose of drawing a "Week at a Glance" card is to get a sense of the sort of energy, circumstances, or personal qualities I might need to be aware of during the upcoming week.

For the week of January 27 2013, I am using the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg, illustrated by Yury Shakov (U.S. Games Systems Inc.)

My card is:   THE HIGH PRIESTESS, reversed

My first reaction is that I am apparently dealing with energy at a "higher" or "deeper" level this week. I view Major Arcana cards like The High Priestess as symbolizing significant aspects of our sojourn through life.

Secondly, to me, The High Priestess is about wisdom, perception, intuition, hidden knowledge, and spiritual awareness or enlightenment. The element I associate with this card is Water. Astrologically, in the Golden Dawn system, this card is linked with the Moon.

Reversed, The High Priestess can suggest a situation in which no clear answers are available, or indicate an inability to see and understand something at more than a superficial level. My intuition may be hindered or clouded in some way. I may fail to perceive the deeper truth or complete truth about someone or something. The reversed High Priestess might also suggest that I am having trouble keeping something a secret or having difficulty "keeping my own counsel." There is a saying where I live: "You don't have to tell everything you know." Perhaps The High Priestess reversed is reminding me of this. I will think twice when I am tempted to share knowledge that perhaps would best be kept hidden.

REVIEW: Resonance Oracle Cards

R E V I E W

  Resonance Oracle Cards
by Dara Caplan
Schiffer Publishing
Boxed Set: 40 cards, 96-page paperback guidebook
ISBN-10: 0764341383 / ISBN-13: 978-0764341380

TOP LINE (formerly Bottom Line)

I am naturally attracted to the type of dark, mysterious images that dominate this deck. I find the card titles -- such as Relocation, Sensual Being, Spellbound, Musical Movement, Mind Pieces -- intriguing. Dara Caplan tells us that she channeled these messages and art, and I find that easy to believe. The titles and images are unusual and clearly not in conformation with any sort of "oracle template."

Because the images are dark, they encourage the reader to get very close to the card, to peer into it so as not to miss anything that might be important.

I like the combination of a narrative discussion of each card with bullet points that suggest activity or behavioral options. For example, the Alternate meanings for the card titled Out of the Box are:

• Love yourself and all your beautiful facets.
• Your creativity is the key.
• Be true to you and all will work out.
• Free yourself!

This truly is a deck I can recommend for beginners as well as seasoned readers because it doesn't require previous experience or familiarity with a particular tradition or set of symbols. It encourages the use of intuition and subconscious association from the reader and/or client.

THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY
Find answers for all your deepest questions including the emotional, mental, and spiritual guidance allowing you to find your own path of joy, peace, balance, and wisdom. Messages also embrace nuances of physical reality, such as technology and lines of communication. Author/artist Dara Caplan channeled the messages and art, and includes the power of intent in order to give you the best experience possible. The images and meanings do not discriminate between gender or type; the animals, magical beings, people, and plants of this world are all honored as special beings in the artwork. The 40 beautiful images reflect life's truths – there are some cards that are surreal and dream-like, and some that are romantic or dramatic. While each is different, they all are on black backgrounds, and have warmth and light to balance the shadows – the warmth of memories, or soft light of new beginnings. Through this magical oracle, find your own path that resonates deep inside you.

BASIC INFORMATION

"Dara Caplan has been channeling and doing other spiritual work for many years. As an energy worker seeking peace and balance, she knows that there are many people seeking the same, and she considers it her privilege to pass on these messages of wisdom." (from the guidebook)

Caplan tells us that these cards are designed for beginners as well as experienced users. She stresses that they work on the Law of Attraction and therefore, a card that falls out while shuffling is a deliberate message. She also advises readers to clear any previous energy from the deck before using it. "To do this," she writes, "all you need do is hold the deck (preferably in your left/receiving hand), and, making a fist with the other, gently knock or slap the deck with your intentions to clear it in your mind." Specific instructions are given for "making these cards your own."

For each card, the guidebook provides a paragraph containing the interpretation, plus Alternate meanings. Cards are illustrated in black and white in the guidebook.

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

The cards and book are packaged in an illustrated storage box with hinged lid and magnetic closure. The cards are approximately 3 1/2″ x 5″ and oriented in landscape mode, with solid borders in coordinating colors, from navy blue to deep violet to sepia to terra cotta to dark teal green.

Card titles appear at the bottom of each card in a color that contrasts with or complements the border.

Card backs depict (as best I can tell) a feather, acorn, rosebud, and a blue, roundish item that could be a jewel. On either side is a branch with a few leaves sprouting from it.

The card stock is sturdy and glossy, and the self-bound guidebook has a sturdy, glossy cover. Two lined pages for Notes are provided at the back of the book.

ART

The images are dark with an infrequent burst of color -- for example, the red-orange glow of the "Sun" portion of the Sun & Moon card and the golden-orange flames on the Ancestral Legacy card. Green, teal, and turquoise make an occasional appearance as well. It is possible that someone who has poor vision might have trouble seeing these images well.

The predominant mood in these images is deep and dreamy, surreal, and dramatic -- with a sense of mystery and hidden meanings.

In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

Week at a Glance: The Lovers

The purpose of drawing a "Week at a Glance" card is to get a sense of the sort of energy, circumstances, or personal qualities I might need to be aware of during the upcoming week.

For the week of January 20, 2013, I am using the Tarot of Reincarnation by Massimiliano Filadoro (Lo Scarabeo).

My card is:
The Lovers (Trump VI)

Reincarnation Tarot (Lo Scarabeo)

This is another unconventional Tarot deck, as you can obviously see. The image on Trump VI is a butterfly and the words "The Lovers" are nowhere in sight -- except they do appear in the Little White Book (LWB) that accompanies the deck.

When I look at this image, I notice the wings: two identical (or seemingly identical) halves, each contributing to the butterfly's ability to do what it does. Filadoro writes: "The bridge between one's inner essence and the collective psyche is the feeling of love." It's as if one wing represents my inner essence and the other represents the collective psyche -- with the butterfly's body as the bridge in between.

Traditionally the butterfly symbolizes spiritual rebirth, and Filadoro mentions this in the LWB. (And notice the use of the color green in this image, commonly representing growth or fertility.)

In the traditional Lovers card, we often see a man trying to choose between two women: one representing virtue and the other, vice. As with many Tarot cards, this can be seen as an inner struggle or dilemma, a need to find unity between two polarities within oneself .

During the upcoming week, I may be faced with a choice or choices that go deeper than whether to have coffee or tea with breakfast. I may be more aware than usual of the importance of connecting my "inner essence" with the "collective psyche." If I succeed, the result may well be a type of "spiritual rebirth."

This is Trump Six, a number that I view as indicating reconciliation, integration, reciprocity, communication, resolution of tensions, an understanding of what is real and what is illusion, morality, and social responsibilities. Lots of possibilities there!

Excuse me while I go check out that butterfly bush in my front yard!

Helen's Quarterly Forecast Spread

I'm very pleased once again to turn the blog over to Helen Howell as she takes my Quarterly Forecast spread for a spin using the Wonderland Tarot (Christopher Abbey, Morgana Abbey, John Tenniel / U.S. Games Systems).


 

Helen's Cards from The Wonderland Tarot

The 1st Quarter - Jan-March - Queen of Flamingos - (Swords)

It does seem to me that this first quarter of the year will, it appears, see me sorting the wheat from the chaff and being in more control to make the right decisions for myself. This Queen’s energy will help me build the stable foundation I need in order to progress further. This card is a no. 13 and breaks down to 4 the number of stability, structure and material completion. I guess what I will be doing in the first quarter is using my reason and logic based on past experience to build myself a better future.

The 2nd Quarter - April-June - Two of Peppermills (Wands)

This does look like I’ll be thinking about my next move, what I’ve achieved and what next I want to achieve. I think this could apply to my creative side. It indicates a time of visualisation and striking a balance or compromise between that creativity and my spiritual side. What will work the best for me? How do I approach it to achieve the best possible result? A no. 2 card shows the duality that exists, maybe thoughts/feelings, but also suggests unity in the form of co-operation, balance and choice.

The 3rd Quarter - July-Sep - Five of Flamingos (Swords)

There could be in this quarter some difficulty in translating my ideas into a reality. Perhaps this is a time where I will need to consider and acknowledge my own limitations and try to work with them so that they don’t block my way. I also think that if I am not careful in these three months I could find myself somewhat isolated. I need to understand my thinking process in order to avoid this happening. This is a no. 5 card, a number that often symbolises conflict, struggles and challenges. But I have also found that it offers one the opportunity to change or shift direction. It really is a case of knowing the limitations of one’s situation and working within them.

The 4th Quarter - Oct.-Dec - The Chariot

Interesting as this is my _Lessons for the Year_ card also. It is a different image of the Chariot from most. I get the feeling that in order to keep progressing forward, this quarter needs me to pay attention to the small details so that I do not overlook any opportunity that may exist. This last three months cautions me to move forward carefully so that I don’t rush off in one direction without being able to see where it will end up. This is a no.7 card, the number of insight, wisdom and personal growth -- again a number that asks us to reflect and accept those limitations that exists for us individually. I think this last quarter will see me more confident, having gained a better understanding of myself and how to express that.

The Quintessence card*, representing the overall influence, energy or message for the year is the Hermit. It seems this will be a year of contemplation and reflection for me, in order to understand what is really important and what is not.

An interesting year ahead that seems to reflect my Year Card and the lessons that need to be mastered in my personal journey.

* The Quintessence card is derived by adding the numerical value of the other four cards, then reducing that value until you get the number of a Major Arcana card. The Quintessence card represents the overall influence, energy, or message for the year.

REVIEW: The Kingdom Within Tarot

R E V I E W

_About My Reviews_

  The Kingdom Within Tarot
Juno Lucina (Author)
Shannon ThornFeather (Illustrator)
79 cards; 176-page paperback book
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: February 28, 2011
ISBN-10: 0764337114
ISBN-13: 978-0764337116
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.5 x 11.7 inches
TOP LINE (formerly Bottom Line)

I really enjoy decks that incorporate astrology and the Qabalistic Tree of Life. If you have an interest in either of those areas, you are more likely to appreciate this deck than someone who has no interest or knowledge of those fields. I feel that a beginner would likely be overwhelmed and confused by this deck -- although the accompanying book is thorough if you want to take the time to study it.

As an eternal student (Sagittarius), I am drawn to complex decks like this. I like how the artist uses astrological attributions in the images. For example, Temperance (Trump 14), which is linked with Sagittarius, depicts two centaurs and the planet Jupiter. In a nod to the traditional RWS card, one centaur pours blazing light (Fire) from one goblet into another.

I also appreciate the parallels with Crowley's keywords for the Minors. For example, the Seven of Wands in this deck has the words "Valiant Resistance" at the top, where Crowley's Thoth deck uses the word "Valour." In the Kingdom Within, the Eight of Wands is "Fleeting Force," whereas Crowley calls the card "Swiftness." The Ten of Wands in both the Kingdom Within and Thoth is labeled "Oppression."

I'm sure there are those who would complain about the inconsistency of cultural and mythological references (The High Priestess is a Hindu woman; The Empress is a Geisha; and The Hierophant is "a wealthy Elizabethan patron"), but I don't have a problem with that.

If you would like to listen to a broadcast by Beyond Worlds Tarot featuring Juno Lucina and Shannon Thornfeather, you can do so by clicking on this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beyondworlds/2011/11/21/the-kingdom-within-tarot

THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

"Remove spiritual blindfolds and illuminate mysteries of the soul through the visionary art and expansive interpretations of two adepts. With archetypal roots in every image—from the ancient systems of astrology to humanity's universal archetypes and sacred myths—this Tarot deck is crafted to help you reclaim your own personal truth. Not only a practical method of divination and practical for both beginners and experienced readers, The Kingdom Within Tarot is an accurate map to guide you in remembering and reawakening to the absolute and the divine, and ultimately restoring your own Kingdom Within."

BASIC INFORMATION

Author Juno Lucina is described as "ever fluid and changing. . . more a verb than a noun, more a blank canvas than an outcome." She is the author of The Alchemy of Tarot: Practical Enlightenment Through the Astrology, Qabalah, & Archetypes of Tarot (Schiffer Publishing), which is recommended reading for those who desire more information about the spheres, Qabalah, and their use within Tarot readings.

The 176-page book that accompanies this deck contains a true wealth of information. For the Majors, we are given two to three pages of details about the image, Path, Hebrew letter, Qabalistic associations, and astrological associations, along with Key Phrases, Upright Divinatory Meaning, and Reversed Divinatory Meaning.

An "extra" Major is included in the form of the unique, unnumbered Kingdom Within All, which has no Path, Planetary Attribution, or Hebrew letter.

Concerning qabalistic associations, Lucina notes in the Introduction that "The Paths of The Kingdom Within Tarot are distinctive in that they are based upon the Restored Tree of Life as put forth by Aleister Crowley's star initiate, Charles Stansfield Jones." Hence, these Paths do not correspond to the traditional Paths as they are generally taught by many metaphysical texts at present."

The Courts are described in terms of Level of Power (the amount of energy that is available to accomplish the matter at hand), astrological Sign Correspondence, and Actual People. We are also given interpretations related to archetypes and upright and reversed positions.

For the Minors, the book includes Qabalistic association, astrological association, Description of Illustration, Key Phrase, Upright Meaning, and Reversed Meaning.

APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY

Like other high-quality Schiffer products, this deck and book set is packaged in a hard cardboard box with a lift top, magnetic closure, and ribbon on either side.

Illustrations in the book are black and white. Lined pages for Notes appear at the end of each major section.

The sturdy 5 x 3-1/2 inch cards are borderless, with a glossy laminate coating. They are too large for me to shuffle them "poker style" but the push-pull method works just fine.

The Majors display the card number (in Roman numerals), card Title, and astrological symbols in white across the top of the card. In the upper left hand and lower right hand corners we see colored spheres representing that card's Path on the Tree of Life.

Court Cards feature the Title in white, centered at the top, with astrological symbols and the identity of the character beneath that. Colored spheres are shown in each of the four corners as follows:

• Kings -  gray, correlating with Chokmah (the Father)
• Queens - black, correlating with Binah (the Mother)
• Princes - golden, correlating with Tiphereth (the Son)
• Pages - equal divisions of russet, navy, citrine, and olive, correlating with Malkuth (the Daughter). Keywords are printed across the bottom of each card.

The Minors have the card number/title centered in white at the top. Beneath that are astrological symbols and a Keyword or Phrase. At the bottom center of each card is half of a colored sphere, representing one of the Sephirah on the Tree of Life.

The reversible card backs show a smiling sun in front of a leafy, green tree. Stars glow in a dark sky. Planets hang in the tree and sit on the ground. Also depicted are the colored spheres of the Tree of Life.

ART

Illustrator Shannon ThornFeather has been a practicing Ceremonial Magician, Ontologist and student of Metaphysics for more than fifteen years.

ThornFeather uses computer-generated collages to create images in vibrant, vivid purple, hot pink, green, and yellow. The scenes are mostly fantasy in style, even though some of them do have elements that call to mind the traditional Rider-Waite images. There is an almost 3D quality to the art that I enjoy.

Among my favorite works of art in this deck are the Queen of Cups (Gaia, Mother Earth), Temperance (as mentioned above), the Queen of Swords (Hecate), and The Moon.

In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I hereby disclose that this product was provided by the publisher for free. Other than the occasional review copy, I receive no monetary or in-kind compensation for my reviews.  The substance of my reviews is not influenced by whether I do or do not receive a review copy.

Week at a Glance: 3 of Chalices

The purpose of drawing a "Week at a Glance" card is to get a sense of the sort of energy, circumstances, or personal qualities I might need to be aware of during the upcoming week.

For the week of January 13, 2013, I am using Tarot of the Mystic Spiral by Giovanni Pelosini and Giuseppe Palumbo (Lo Scarabeo).

My card is:
THREE OF CHALICES

Though unusual, this version of the 3 of Cups nevertheless conveys the sense of cooperation, friendship, sharing, and growth traditionally represented by this card. This could refer to enjoyable activity at a social level or a successful collaboration with colleagues. I'm looking forward to the expression of this energy during the upcoming week!

New Year’s Lessons in the Cards

Today I am delighted to post a New Year's reading by Helen Howell! Thank you, Helen, for sharing these lessons with us!

* ~ *

Helen Howell

Now I know we all like to do a New Year’s Reading, but I also like to work out my Current Year Card represented by the Tarot.  I find this is a great insight into the lessons of the forthcoming year that applies to me personally. You can if you wanted to, do this reading on your birthday but I like to do it New Year to New Year. 

Working out your year card is very easy. Take your birthdate and the current year and add them together like this: Day, Month, Year. For me, the numbers are: 7 + 3 + 2013 = 2023. Next I add  2+0+2+3, which equals 7. My card is The Chariot! 

This year then the lessons for me (and I say lessons, because when we stop to analyse the card we find more than one lesson within its story) are held within the Chariot Card. What does this actually mean for me?
   

The Rider Tarot Deck (U.S. Games)

When I look at the Chariot card I see movement, but not only movement. The charioteer needs confidence, a self assurance, if he is to control those two horses and take them in the direction he wants to go.  A lesson this year is for me to trust and believe in my abilities to take things in the direction of my choosing.

Also a big part of this lesson for this year is maintaining a balance between my thoughts and emotions so that one or the other does not pull me off course.  When we analyse the Chariot card we can see the Charioteer as representing our conscious self, and the horses representing different aspects  of our emotions or impulses.  The trick then to steering a steady course through the obstacles that life throws at me, or if you like, the challenges I have to meet, is to maintain a balance between those forces that oppose one another in order to make them work for me rather than against me.

The one thing that really jumps out at me here is that the drivers of these chariots appear to be in charge. The image shows us a man getting his horses to behave. There is exhibited in these images a certain amount of self assertiveness. Part of this lesson is to acknowledge one’s ego.  The ego is what helps drive you towards success, but this doesn’t mean you must let it take over, just that it plays a part in helping you achieve the success in projects you may undertake. 

Crystal Visions Tarot (U.S. Games)

Now this is a number 7 card and in numerology 7  represents self awareness, self expression and progression.  I can see how all of these fit in with the image of The Chariot. In order to progress forward in your life you need to develop a self awareness that also allows you to express yourself clearly.  The Chariot is a card of movement, but also a card of change - as it can take you from one place to another.  In the Tarot number sequence, 7 seems to indicate reflection, insight, wisdom, confidence and personal growth.  This all ties in nicely with the Chariot card, and the numerology meaning, as it is the balanced achieved through reflection, self awareness and confidence that gives us the insight to understand ourselves better and steer that steady course towards personal growth.

If I put all this information together I come up with at least three strong lessons to learn or continue working on for this year:

1: Maintain a degree of self confidence in my own abilities so that I keep moving onwards and upwards.

2: Don’t bury my ego, but instead acknowledge it and allow it in a controlled way to help me towards successful conclusions of my goals. Don’t be shy about expressing myself or promoting my own work.

3: Continue to learn to maintain a balance between my thoughts and my emotions so that they can work together rather than against each other. 

So you see working out and analysing your Year Card can be a very valuable tool in your own personal journey.  Why don’t you have a go!  Happy New Year to  you all! 

Helen

Week at a Glance: The Hand of Fate

With the New Year I am beginning a new feature at Tarot Notes. Week at a Glance will consist of one Tarot or Oracle card that will be posted on Sunday of each week, the purpose being to get a sense of the sort of energy, circumstances, or personal qualities I might need to be aware of during that week.

For the first week of 2013, I'm sticking with a Christmas gift that I have used for a couple of recent posts: _Madame Endora's Fortune Cards_ (Monolith Graphics; featuring art by _Christine Filipek_).

For the Week of January 6, 2013, my card is:

THE HAND OF FATE: "Forces beyond your control intervene." The Little White Book that comes with this deck goes on to say: "Destiny offers new opportunity. Justice prevails."

Okay... but I drew the card reversed. Uh oh. This deck does not provide meanings for reversed cards in its LWB. But that doesn't mean I can't think about how I might interpret The Hand of Fate, reversed.

Perhaps forces beyond my control will *try* to intervene but not succeed (an opportunity missed or delayed). Perhaps justice will not be served or will be delayed. Or perhaps I am being told not to take a fatalistic view: Maybe the "forces" in question will not be entirely beyond my control, and I will be able to influence matters.

Quarterly Forecast and Advice Spread

For this New Year, I decided to do a variation of my Quarterly Forecast reading using one of my Christmas gifts: _Madame Endora's Fortune Cards_ (Monolith Graphics; featuring artwork by _Christine Filipak_).

Because these cards are not numbered, I simply pulled a Quintessence card from the pack after laying out cards 1-4. I call it the Quarterly Forecast AND Advice reading because many of these cards offer words of advice rather than a prediction.

1st Quarter (Jan.-Mar.)

THE GOLEM: "A close friend acts on your behalf."

Well, I like this. I also wonder if it is a reference to the fact that I plan to see The Hobbit movie in January... (Yes, I know that's Gollum not Golem). Anyway, in Jewish tradition, the golem is most widely known as an artificial creature created by magic, often to serve its creator. I'm not planning to create any artificial beings in the next three months, so I think I'll just look forward to the "close friend acting on my behalf" interpretation.

2nd Quarter (Apr.-Jun.) 

THE GRYPHON: "Honor and good luck"

Win! This card is about lofty ideals and high expectations. However, it also suggests that "a risk will reap rewards." Nothing ventured, nothing gain, eh? (Bit of trivia: in various movie adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, the Gryphon has been portrayed by Malcolm Muggeridge, Spike Milligan, and Sid Caesar.)

3rd Quarter (Jul.-Sep.)

THE SEER: "Follow your intuition."
I drew this card reversed (upside down). There are no divinatory meanings given in the Little White Book for reversals in this deck, so I could just read it upright. However, I am intrigued at what "Follow your intuition" reversed might mean. The Seer is "a spiritual advisor, well-versed in occult knowledge and the mystical arts...a gifted prophet." The card advises trusting my instincts and natural intuition, and augurs that "the truth will soon be revealed." I am wondering if, during the third quarter, I may encounter obstacles or delays in my attempts to divine or intuit the truth about something.

4th Quarter (Oct.-Dec.)

THE SHIELD: "You are safe from harm."
I also drew this card reversed. This might suggest that during the fourth quarter, my "shields" could be "down." In other words, I may leave myself vulnerable to harm, or open myself up to an adversary who finds it easier than usual to penetrate my defenses. Perhaps the advice from this card, reversed, is "Don't be too trusting."

Quintessence

THE BLACK CAT: "Your luck will soon change."

Interesting. In general, I consider myself to be VERY lucky. So, when I am told "Your luck will soon change," I'm not sure that's a good thing. In this deck, The Black Cat is the "symbol of mystery and superstition." It also advises me to avoid unnecessary risks. As we all know, it's considered bad luck when a black cat crosses your path. However, a black cat shares my home, and I actually love black cats and encourage them to cross my path any time they like. Is it possible that I am meant to learn something from Karma (my black cat) in 2013? Methinks there is more to this than meets the eye.

From a numerology standpoint, my Personal Year is 36/9. In Numerology and the Divine Triangle (Whitford Press), Faith Javane and Dusty Bunker tell me that in a 9 Personal Year, the focus is on "changes, endings, charity, inspiration." It appears that I'm looking at a year of transition during which many goals could be realized. It's a good idea to finish any project that is close to completion, and it may be ill advised for me to make new commitments during this year. As a temporary vibration, 36/9 focuses on "obstacles, intuition, invention, leadership." I am told to have confidence that problems will be solved and my goal will soon be reached.

In terms of Tarot symbolism, 36/9 is linked with the Ten of Wands. Astrological correspondence is the Third Decan of Sagittarius (which happens to be the decan under which I was born!) I am advised to control my feelings when dealing with others and to avoid impulsive behavior. At the same time, a "philosophic and prophetic nature" may come to the surface.

Happy New Year from Tarot Notes. Here's to "Lucky 2013"!