Inspired by the Tarot: Haiku, Part 4

For the final entry in this series of haiku poems, I wrote poems based on cards that Helen chose, and she wrote poems based on cards that I chose. We took turns, starting with my choice of The Tower card from the Crystal Visions Tarot, with haiku written by Helen.

Here are links to _PART 1_, _PART 2_, and _PART 3_ if you’re interested:

The Tower

Crystal Visions Tarot

by Jennifer Galasso

U.S. Games Systems Inc.

Change is in the air

sudden and unexpected

embrace the new start

The Star
Alchemical Renewed
By Robert M. Place 
Hermes Publications

The fountain of life
Nurturing our Higher Self
blood, milk, and water.

The Moon
Fantastical Creatures Tarot
by D.J. Conway and Lisa Hunt
U.S. Games Systems Inc.

Dreams will have their way
the mind speaks many languages
fear has no place here

The Sun
Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck
by Mary Hanson-Roberts
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Golden joy, bright light
unharnessed freedom and trust
celebrate your life!

Judgment
Hudes Tarot Deck
by Susan Hudes and A.L. Samul
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Create your tomorrow
evaluate your past now
hear the call to start afresh

The World
Sun and Moon Tarot
by Vanessa Decort
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

The cosmic dancer
unlimited energy
destroys and creates

Inspired by the Tarot: Haiku, Part 3

Our Haiku experiment has taken a new turn. This time, Helen and I each wrote a Haiku for the cards we took turns selecting. Helen’s poems are in green and mine are in purple. Here are links to _PART 1_ and _PART 2_ if you’re interested.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Old English Tarot

by Maggie Kneen

U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Life goes up and down
The motion cannot be stopped --
a balancing act 

Rising to the top,
falling to the lowest point.
Stay centered, my friends.

JUSTICE

Dreaming Way Tarot 

by Rome Choi & Kwon Shina

U.S. Games Systems Inc.

Weigh the facts fairly
No room for indecision
Wield the sword of truth.

Balance is the key
Logic outweighs emotion
Fairness is achieved

THE HANGED MAN

Tarot of Dreams

Ciro Marchetti  & Lee Bursten 

Self Published

Be still in mind, body
take in a different view
life always changes.

Patience is needed
see life from a new angle
a new way forward.

DEATH

The Dragon Tarot

by Nigel Suckling

Illustrated by 

Roger & Linda Garland

Cico Books Ltd.

Change, loss, upheaval
Will you ignore the warning
or be born again?

Death comes to all things
Acceptance is the saviour
Transformation dawns

TEMPERANCE

The Pamela Colman Smith Tarot

of 1909 Aquatic Tarot

Andreas Schröter

Unpublished, not available in print

Blend life’s elements
Moderation is the key
to peace, harmony

Seek a compromise
combining past and present
Create the best mix.

THE DEVIL

Otherworld Tarot

Alison Williams, Sarah Nowell

Schiffer

The red glare of fear
blinds us to our true calling
The puppeteer laughs

Who controls your dance?
Do you like the frenzied tune?
Make the music yours.

_Part 4_

In the Dream - My Home

I have many recurring dreams that I remember. In one of these recurring dreams I return to the neighborhood where I lived from about age 9 until I went away to college at age 17. (My parents moved to another town about four or five years after that.)

The other night, for the first time, the dream was different in that I was on the right street but none of the houses looked familiar, and a different house stood where my house was supposed to be. The following poem expresses my experience in that dream.

Below the poem is a reading I created to further explore the meaning of the dream. For the reading I used Twilight Realm: A Tarot of Faery by Beth Wilder (Schiffer).

The Poem

In the dream

I am standing on a street

In the neighborhood where I lived

From middle-childhood to late teens.

But none of the houses

Look familiar.

I don’t see my house

Anywhere on the street.

Where is my home?

What do I do now?

The Reading

Where is my home?

EIGHT SWORDS

My home is somewhere outside the self-created cage or prison I have built to protect myself, to keep myself safe. I have erected a barrier between who I am and who I could be. I limit and restrict myself to a narrow point of view, one that fosters anxiety and depression. My home, where I belong, is outside those self-made walls.

How will I get to my home?

EIGHT WANDS

I will get to my home seeking open places where my energy is free to propel me upward and onward. Great speed is possible on the journey, as long as I remain sharply focused on my destination and goal.

When will I arrive?

PRINCE OF WANDS

I will arrive when I have learned and mastered the desire to explore new places, to rebel against the self-imposed limitations I have placed on myself that keep me from traveling to my home.

Who or what else lives there?

ACE OF WANDS

A new idea, action, or beginning filled with possibilities, energy, and opportunity lives there.

What do I need to understand about my home?

THE MAGICIAN

My home is my Self, released from constraints and free to use the powers of mind, spirit, body, and heart to control my surroundings. I need to understand that I am in control of my own situation, and I have the ability to create the home I desire.

Inspired by the Tarot: Haiku, Part 2

I am pleased to share the next installment in the “Great Haiku Experiment” undertaken by Helen and me. We took turns choosing the deck for each card, then wrote alternate lines of the Haiku. To read the first set of poems, click HERE.

Ghost Tarot with artwork
by Davide Corsi (Lo Scarabeo)

THE HIEROPHANT

In darkness, faith shines, 

a comfort in times of need.

We walk towards the light.

Wonderland Tarot by Christopher & Morgana Abbey

Artwork by Morgana Abbey

Published by U.S. Games Systems Inc.

THE LOVERS

Love, your choice to make.

Look both ways before you choose.

Life can change for you.

Tarot of the Mystic Spiral by Giovanni Pelosini

Artwork by Giuseppe Palumbo (Lo Scarabeo)

THE CHARIOT

On the road of life,

draw on courage and your strength.

Steer a steady course.

Tarot Bella

Unfinished deck by Helen Howell

STRENGTH

Face the lion within,

your touch gentle, your voice firm

a quiet strength prevails

Morgan-Greer Tarot

illustrated by Bill Greer

(U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

THE HERMIT

Hold high the lantern.

The path to enlightenment 

is clear to you now.

_Part 3_

_Part 4_

Inspired by the Tarot: Haiku, Part 1

Once upon a time, when the earth was young, my best friend I used to write haikus “together,” meaning that one of us would write the first and third lines (5 syllables each) and the other would write the middle line (7 syllables).

Having noticed some of Helen’s wonderful haiku poems on her blog _Writing My Words_, I approached her about doing something similar based on the Major Arcana of the Tarot.

Here are the first five cards. We took turns choosing the deck and writing the alternate lines. I hope you enjoy these Tarot-inspired haikus.

THE FOOL

Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza
 (U. S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Seize the moment now 

Dancing, splashing, leaping – now!

The adventure starts.

THE MAGICIAN

Chrysalis Tarot : Paintings by Holly Sierra, 
Written by Toney Brooks (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Ravens -- magic, dark

jewels within your mind

Above and Below.

THE HIGH PRIESTESS

The Gendron Tarot by Melanie Gendron 
(U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Mysteries, secrets

you have the key to unlock

the door to a dream.

THE EMPRESS

The DruidCraft Tarot by Philip and Stephanie Carr Gomm, 
Illustrations by Will Worthington (Eddison Sadd Editions)

Potential fulfilled

Giving birth to the Future

The way forward clear.

THE EMPEROR

Napo Tarot Deck. Created by Betty Lopez, 
Designed by Napo (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Past forms the future

In order as he commands.

Be strong in your choice.

_Part 2_

_Part 3_

_Part 4_

The Emperor Times Four

This is the fifth entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. To read all of the poems to date, search “Times Four” in the blog search field.

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Emperor, we have the Tarot of Color by Leisa ReFalo (The Tarot Connection), the Chrysalis Tarot written by Toney Brooks with paintings by Holly Sierra (U. S. Games, Inc.), the Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso (U.S. Games, Inc.), and Tarot Draconis by Davide Corsi (Lo Scarabeo).

The Emperor

by Zanna Starr

Son of the Morning,

Chief Among the Mighty,

He is bold and fiery Aries,

A blazing Light, a purifying Flame.

Green Man,

Patriarch and Father,

He is balanced structure, 

Energy devoted to sustaining life.

The Emperor,

Guardian and Authority,

He is the Ram and the Eagle, 

A mighty protector and leader.

Inner Warrior,

Guide and King,

He is L’Imperatore and El Emperador,

L’Empereur and Der Herscher.

He is O Imperador.

The Emperor.

Son of the Morning.

Chief Among the Mighty.

The Empress Times Four

This is the fourth entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. To read all of the poems to date, search “Times Four” in the blog search field.

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Empress, we have:

• Tarot of the Cat People by Karen Kuykendall (U.S. Games)
• Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin, DVM (U.S. Games)
• Celestial Tarot by Kay Steventon and Brian Clark (U.S. Games)
• The Celtic Dragon Tarot by D.J. Conway and Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn).

The Empress Is. . .

by Zanna Starr

In her helmet headdress and rich robes,

With her leopard companion at her feet,

The Empress is a sensual creature,

Forceful when necessary.

Strong.  Satisfied. Serene.

In her cloak of thick white fur,

With her children curled in her shadow,

The Empress is a nurturing creature,

Protective when challenged.

Monarch. Matriarch. Mama.

In her guise as Venus, goddess of love and beauty,

With her child, Cupid, close at hand,

The Empress is a captivating creature,

At home on earth or in heaven.

Compassionate. Cultured. Creative.

In her vibrant red robe and soothing blue gown,

With her dragon companion on her shoulder,

The Empress is a life-giving creature,

Offering birth, hope, and magic.

Goddess. Guardian. Guide.

The High Priestess Times Four

This is the third entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. (Click _HERE_ to read my post about The Magician.)

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The High Priestess, we have the:

• Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot by Karen Mahony (Magic Realist Press)
• Beginner’s Tarot by Kathleen McCormack (New Burlington Books)
• Black Cats Tarot by Maria Kurara (Lo Scarabeo)
• Bruegel Tarot by Guido Zibordi Marchesi (Lo Scarabeo).

The Voice of the High Priestess

by Zanna Starr

The voice of the High Priestess is quiet,

A cat tip-toeing across a velvet carpet.

The voice of the High Priestess is firm,

A rock with its face hardened by the sun.

The voice of the High Priestess is Mystery,

Moonlight flowing through the night of the mind.

The voice of the High Priestess comes from within,

Using words we already know

In ways we have yet to learn.

The Magician Times Four

This is the second entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. Click HERE to read my post about The Fool.

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Magician, we have the Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Publications), the Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Rainbow Crazy), The Arthurian Tarot by Caitlin and John Matthews (The Aquarian Press), and the Art of Life Tarot by Charlene Livingstone (U.S. Games).

The Magician

by Zanna Starr

Animals Divine Tarot

“I am The Magician,”
says the Celtic goddess Cerridwen.
“I reach up and out,
Into the branches of trees,
Into the souls of all creatures,

Animism Tarot

Into that which is Above
And that which is Below.”

“I am The Magician,”
says Coyote.
“See how I become one
With earth and air and fire and water.
See how I transform all that I touch,
Then disappear as if I were never there.”

The Arthurian Tarot

“I am The Magician,”
says Merlin.
“Was there ever any doubt?

Who else has inspired as many dreams?
Who else commands the mountains, the wind,
The flaming sun and endless sea?”

“You are The Magician,”
says the man with the beard
And the top hat
And the walking stick.
He holds out a flower...

Art of Life Tarot

And as I take it, the world
Begins to spin, tossing wild colors
Here and there
Stripes swirls stars.

I am The Magician.

In the Dream: Let It Be

I don’t know if this will be a “series” here on Tarot Notes, or if this is a one-time effort, but in any case it’s called “In the Dream.”

Instead of pulling a Tarot card and writing a poem about it, I wrote a poem about a dream fragment from last night, then asked the Dreaming Way Tarot by Rome Choi, illustrated by Kwon Shina (U.S. Games) for a card that represents or relates to the dream/poem.

First, the poem:

In the dream

In a darkened room

Four people stand around a microphone,

With no audience but me.

In soft, wise voices

In the deep darkness

Of the dream

They sing “Let It Be.”

~ Zanna Starr

The card that came forward is:

Dreaming Way Tarot (U.S. Games)

SEVEN OF PENTACLES

From the LWB by Rome Choi: “Taking the time to reflect on what you have and what you need, questioning your choices.” Reversed: “Wanting to have attractive things but not doing anything to obtain that.”

Concerning those things described by Choi, I believe I simply do need to “let it be.” All is well and as it should be.

(And for those who might wonder, at least one of the four people singing was a woman, so... probably not The Beatles!)

SONG OF THE FOOL
by Zanna Starr

Based on The Fool
from the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg
(Artist: Yury Shakov)

I am like the wandering skomorokhi of Old Russia,
A clown, a minstrel,
Traveling through cities and across the countryside.
On my hand, a puppet smiles and nods;
He looks exactly like me.
I am fond of gazing into his eyes.
This is how I begin my journey,
Innocent and self-absorbed.
I can be a beggar or a jester,
A wild man, or an insouciant young fellow
Out for a stroll.
Am I a saint or a simpleton?
A genius or an idiot?
Will you try to reason with me?
My wolfish dog laughs at the thought.
I wonder where my road will lead
And I wander where it leads me.

~