Cards and Quotes: The Spider

Today's Cards and Quotes features The Spider from the Animal Messages deck by Susie Green, with illustrations by Csaba Pasztor (Cico Books).

Animal Messages by Susie Green / Csaba Pasztor (Cico Books)

"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web." ~ Pablo Picasso

An Interview with the Nature's Wisdom Oracle

Recently Alec Satin posted a spread he created called the Tarot Deck Instant Message Spread. Alec has all kinds of free downloads on his web site -- so go check it out!

With Alec's kind permission, I am using the Instant Message Spread to interview the Nature's Wisdom Oracle deck (Mindy Lighthipe / Schiffer Publishing). Here are the cards that came forward to participate:

Nature's Wisdom Oracle by Mindy Lighthipe (Schiffer Publishing)

I love the overall "color scheme" of these cards! Lots of lovely shades of green and purple: a fresh, spring look. I also like the mixture of flora and fauna, including a mammal, insects, and a lizard.

Let's see what they have to say.

1. What I know: IGUANA (Communication)
"All Oracle decks should communicate with the unparalleled skill of an Iguana. Fortunately, this deck does. Oh, you won't see me bobbing my head, extending my dewlap, strutting, or twitching my tail. But I will, on occasion, give you the famous "iguana glare." I will tell it like it is, clearly and without a lot of chit chat on the front end."

2. Where I'm going: PANSY (Reassurance)
"The name pansy comes from the French word pensée. In his play Hamlet, William Shakespeare wrote: “Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies, that's for thoughts.” I am going into a garden filled with pansies -- for remembrance and for reassurance that I am loved. Won't you join me?"

3. If you're looking for this in a deck, you'd do well to look elsewhere: SLOTH (Relaxation)
"So you were hoping to put your feet up and take it easy, were you? No, I don't think I can go along with that. I'm no sloth! Yes, I know there is a Sloth card in the deck, but don't count on me to play that role."

4. What my readings are like: LUNA MOTH (Light)
"My readings glow from within, like moonlight in a pale green sky. I may show you joy or I may show you misfortune, but in every case, my light will guide you."

5. How I can help you grow and develop as a reader and otherwise: ORCHID (Obsession)
"I can help you by alerting you to any tendencies toward infatuation in your life. Plus, I have a few beauty tips I'd like to share with you."

6. My greatest strength: DRAGONFLY (Transformation)
"My greatest strength is my ability to inhabit two worlds -- water (emotions) and air (intellect). I am accessible to both your conscious and subconscious minds, and able to guide you through the stages of transformation to a higher state of being."

REVIEW: Tarot, Birth Cards, and You

R E V I E W

Tarot, Birth Cards, and You:
Keys to Empowering Yourself
by Bonnie Cehovet
Illustrations by Karyn Easton
Paperback: 192 pages
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (September 16, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0764339028
ISBN-13: 978-0764339028

THE PUBLISHER'S PRODUCT SUMMARY

"Use archetypes of Tarot's Major Arcana, combining energy with affirmations and journeying to help you define the path you walk in this lifetime and to reach your full potential. The guidebook employs a Birth Card system that forms a frame of reference for opportunities and challenges you will face during your life span. The tool of affirmations has been interfaced with the energy of an individual's Birth Cards to form a powerful avenue for personal transformation. Using the archetypal imagery of the Tarot, affirmations allow individuals to become co-creators in their own lives, to define what they want to manifest, and to then successfully manifest it. Combined with images from the stunning Tarot Lovers' Tarot, this is the ultimate tool for understanding yourself, your loved ones, coworkers, and friends. For all reader levels."

PREFACE (from the author)

"My hope is that with this book, readers will find the tools that will help them to better understand themselves, define their path for this lifetime, find their authentic voice, connect with that which they consider to be the Divine in their life, and move forward on their spiritual journey. The tools that I have chosen to work with are those of the Tarot Major Arcana, Affirmations, and Journeying. Together, they will help the reader define their path for this lifetime, and reach their full potential."

BASIC INFORMATION / APPEARANCE, SIZE, QUALITY / ART

Author Bonnie Cehovet has read the Tarot professionally for over fifteen years. She also writes reviews, interviews, and articles, and is a popular Tarot radio personality. To visit her web site, click HERE:

Illustrator Karyn Easton is proprietor of paranormality.com and a professional designer/illustrator living and working in the UK. You can read an interview with her HERE.

The book Tarot, Birth Cards, and You is a standard trade paperback measuring 6 by 9 inches and containing 192 pages. The type is set in an easy-to read font, broken up with abundant white space, subheads in a decorative font, lists, bullet points, and black-and-white illustrations.

DETAILS / COMMENTS

The Preface contains the message quoted above, plus sections that describe and define The Tarot, Affirmations, and Journeying. Cehovet explains that the system used in this book was developed by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone of the Tarot School. After providing the possible ways that our Birth Cards function in our lives according to the Amberstones, Cehovet amends that list of possibilities to include: (1) they are functioning well, (2) they are functioning poorly, (3) they are blocked, and (4) they are latent.

Following the Preface, we are introduced to a two-page section called Calculating Your Birth Cards. The formula is explained clearly and concisely: "The numbers for the birth month, day, and year are added together, resulting in a two- or three-digit number." Cehovet goes on to explain how to proceed depending on whether the resulting number is a two-digit number or a three-digit number. Cehovet does not use The Fool card. She notes: "I like to think of the Fool as the one who is taking the journey, and is therefore set apart from the other cards."

For each pair of cards (or in one case, set of three cards), we are given black-and-white illustrations of the cards from the Tarot Lovers' Tarot, Astrological Associations, Keywords, and a Theme. We are then shown how individuals with those birth cards can empower themselves. Next, in each chapter, Cehovet offers details about each card and questions the card might prompt us to ask ourselves. This is followed by Affirmations for the relevant cards, and separate Journeying "directions" to be used with each card. Cehovet advises either taping the directions or having someone read them to you.

We are encouraged to begin our each Journey by "calling in the seven directions" (more about this later).

Next each chapter has a Summary, followed by how individuals can "walk the lifetime" represented by their birth cards. This includes Gifts, Abilities, and Challenges for each card, along with how we can work with those gifts, abilities, and challenges.

After all of the birth card combinations have been explored, Cehovet provides a PostScript in which she lists questions we might ask about our life, belief system, and so forth. She talks about self-confidence, success, choices, adjustments, fears, and dreams.

We are then given a Bibliography and Quick Tarot Birth Card Reference with illustrations of the cards in color.

As I discovered in Mary Greer's book Who Are You in the Tarot (reviewed HERE),
I am one of those special people who have three birth cards instead of two. My birth data adds up to 19, The Sun; the first reduced number, 10, gives me the Wheel of Fortune; the second reduced number, 1, gives me The Magician. In Greer's system, this places me in the Constellation of The Magician (Consciousness; Outer Sense of Self; Persona).

In the system used by Cehovet, the Sun/Wheel of Fortune/Magician triumvirate carries the Theme of "Dealing with the concept of time in all its forms, and the change that comes with it." I love that!

Very briefly, The Sun asks me to open my heart to enlightenment, flow with life, enjoy my abundance, and honor it. In Cehovet's words, The Wheel of Fortune "screams 'Pay attention!' Stay in the present, be aware of what is going on around you, who is involved, and what their agenda might be. (Or what your own agenda might be!)." Finally, The Magician asks me to acknowledge and make use of my personal power and how I connect with spirit.

Together, these three birth cards "work together to help the individual understand the aspect of time (past/present/future) in their life." Astrologically, my birth cards link me to the Sun, Jupiter, and Mercury. How appropriate that Jupiter rules my Sun sign and Mercury rules my Rising sign!

Calling In the Seven Directions

To prepare for Journeying, we are encouraged to use a "summoning script" provided by the author. This consists of calling upon the Guardians of the four directions, along with the Sky, the Earth, and our Inner Self. For each summons, we also include a totem animal and specific gifts that will help us on our Journey. For example: "Guardians of the East, and Brother Owl, please join us on our journey. We ask for your help with vision and clarity."

I was fascinated by this, so I asked Bonnie Cehovet about its source. She tells me that it is based on U.S. Native American lore. Of course there were (are) hundreds of different Native American tribes (565 tribes as of October 2010, according to the U.S. government). Each tribe has its own legends and lore. The interpretations of animals and directions can vary within each tribe. All of them attribute certain characteristics or powers to animals, and most of them also use the four directions in their spiritual practices.

For example, according to the Four Directions web site maintained by a branch of the Northern Cherokee Nation, one set of associations pairs the Eagle with East, the Rabbit with South, the Bear with West, and the Buck with North.

BOTTOM LINE

Tarot, Birth Cards, and You has a very personal feel to it, with a separate chapter devoted to each combination of cards. As you learn to walk the Lifetime represented by your Birth Cards, you will have a wise and supportive companion in Bonnie Cehovet. Her hope that this book will "help the reader define their path for this lifetime, and reach their full potential" is certain to be fulfilled.

Of particular value are the lists of questions we can pose to each card. By reading and answering these questions, we gain tremendous insights into the cards and how we can relate to them  at a personal, practical level.

In addition to learning about my self from this book, I look forward to using it with clients. Cehovet recommends pulling the Seeker's Birth Cards from a deck that is not being used and placing them above the reading. I agree with her statement: "This gives both the reader and the Seeker a visual image of the energetic theme for this lifetime. The Seeker conducts his/her life between these parameters."

While astrological associations are included for the cards, Astrology is not a primary focus. Readers who know nothing of Astrology will still reap the full benefit of the material in this book.

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.

3 of Swords - Astrological Associations

Astrological associations for the Minor Arcana cards typically involve a planet, a zodiac sign, and/or a house. The attributions established by the Order of the Golden Dawn (OGD) are by far the most commonly used. However, there are other associations out there. As a professional astrologer, I find it interesting to compare and contrast these associations. (The use of astrological associations with Tarot is completely up to the reader. This is intended to be interesting and fun!)

Credits for the decks and books mentioned in this post can be found HERE.
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Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley

For Crowley and the Order of the Golden Dawn (OGD), the Three of Swords is linked with the placement of Saturn (lessons, limitations, karma) in Libra (a Cardinal Air sign known for being peaceable, artistic, and socially adept). Saturn is exalted in Libra, but there's precious little "exaltation" displayed in this card.

Crowley titles the card "Sorrow" and notes "but this is not any vulgar sorrow dependent upon any individual disappointment or discontent. It is Weltschmerz, the universal sorrow; it is the quality of melancholy." Food for thought. Crowley also writes: "This card is dark and heavy; it is, so to speak, the womb of Chaos."

Hajo Banzhaf and Brigitte Theler (in Keywords for the Crowley Tarot) describe the energy of the card as: "Blockage/end (Saturn) of peace and harmony (Libra)."

The Whispering Tarot by Liz Hazel

Liz Hazel's astrological associations for the Three of Swords align with those of Crowley and the OGD: Saturn/Libra. Hazel's DMs for this card include: "Conflicts and sorrows. Disappointment in others, a fear of loneliness or abandonment. . .Jumping to negative conclusions." Well-dignified, the Three of Swords may suggest "working in harmony with others." Ill-dignified: "News of a severe loss. . . Danger. Illness. . . Painful doubts. Blame and fault-finding."

One World Tarot by Crystal Love

Crystal Love associates the Three of Swords with the second subdivision of Gemini, along with its natural ruler, Mercury, and subruler, Mars. She writes: "Mars adds much aggression and force to the nervous and skittish Gemini, thus making for a quarrelsome and aggressive personality . . . Put to positive use, this energy makes for ambition and dedication in all areas governed by Gemini."

The Mandala Astrological Tarot by A.T. Mann

Mann associates the Three of Swords with the energy of Uranus in Libra. Mann calls Swords Two, Three, and Four "The Winds of Libra," and links the Three of Swords with the period between October 3 and October 12. Pale yellow is the color associated with Uranus and green is associated with Libra on the King Scale of Color.

Mann's divinatory meanings for the Three of Swords: "A focus on creative interests of great originality lead to compromised relationships. Unexpected material success through contracts or legal action." Reversed: "Ignoring creative possibilities leads to dissatisfaction with routine and a desire to break away in rebellion."

The Tarot and Astrology by David Thornton
(illustrated in this blog by the Universal Waite tarot deck)

David Thornton associates the Three of Swords with the placement of the planet Uranus (planet of change and upheaval) in the Seventh House (House of Partnership, Relationships, and Marriage). The Seventh House in astrology is associated with the sign Libra, an Air sign (in keeping with the association of the suit of Swords with Air).

David Thornton's description of the energy of the Three of Swords is: "Unconventional or progressive views on relationships, crisis in a relationship due to resistance to change or to irritability."

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

In Anna Cook's TD system, Subject Card Three signifies Thinking and Networking. The key word for the suit of Swords in this system is Challenging, which gives us Challenging/Thinking, Networking for the Three of Swords. In astrology the Third House, ruled by Mercury, is commonly known as the House of Communication (among other things). Mercury is the planet of the mind and communication. See how nicely that works? The sign associated with the Third House is Gemini. However, Cook uses the second decan of Libra for the 3 of Swords.

A.E. Thierens, PhD. (Astrology & the Tarot)

Just when we think we are safe with an "Air" association for the Three of Swords, we read that Thierens associates the Three of Swords with "The element Earth on the Third house." He writes: "The element of Earth on the Third house acts in the way of the mind and mental processes, and must appear as 'troubles,' etc., because it gives the feeling of the mind being burdened, which might easily go as far as oppression. . . In general: affliction. Scheming, but not in a good sense."

(Note: If you are interested in learning more about this system put forth by Thierens, I recommend the book referenced above.)

All righty then! For the Three of Swords we have:

• Crowley and Hazel with a Saturn/Libra association
• Love with Gemini/Mercury/Mars
• Mann with Uranus/Libra
• Thornton with Uranus/7th House (ruled by Libra)
• Cook with Libra
• Thierens with Earth/3rd House (ruled by Gemini)

The common factor in all of these is the element Air, whether represented by Gemini or Libra. Planet-wise we have our choice of Saturn, Mercury, Mars, or Uranus.

It's easy to see why some Tarot readers throw up their hands and refuse to try to work with astrological associations. My advice is: If you want to use astrological associations, choose the system that makes the most sense to you and stick with it -- UNLESS the deck you are working with uses a different set of associations. Then, I feel, you really must consider using the system the creator of the deck describes. Otherwise, you could easily end up with conflicting or senseless interpretations that don't take into account the symbols and images on the cards.