First Footing....

This morning I received an email from Tarosophy advertising a new course called Tarot Life. The course runs for 12 months and each month is accompanied by an instruction booklet available on Kindle or as a PDF. I have been looking for a Tarot study for the New Year and this seems perfect. I have purchased the book and worked out the initial steps.. very exciting. I will use my blog to record my results now and then and keep ypou updated with how its going. Even if noone ever reads my blog, it can keep me updated and act as a reminder... well, in theory!

So its the last day of 2012. This time last year I was about to leave the UK and return to New Zealand. I was not happy about that. I looked forward to seeing my home again and my older girls and my goats and cats, but leaving my mum and my sister and Dilly my best friend, was not easy. Not to mention leaving the cool winter weather for the humid heat of Nelson. I have no idea where we were at new Year, what time zone we were crossing, it went by unnoticed, although I was awake the whole 26 hours we were in the air. I do remember the airport staff at Heathrow were lenient with our extra hand baggage, as a salute to the season though, so that was nice!

Today, reflecting on the year I thought I would devise a 3 card spread to give me a snapshot of this past year. I have called it First Footing after the custom in Scotland, my Motherland.

The spread was designed to show where we excelled in our life journey and personal growth in the past year, what we want or need to leave behind, and what we should pack in our rucksack to take with us when we go first footing!


First Footing Spread


1****2****3


1. What you will leave behind in your footprints as you leave the old year
2. Your biggest path of growth this past year
3. What you will take with you as you step into the new year 

So... these are the cards I drew for this spread. I used my Deviant Moon deck as it was one of my most used this year, especially in the first half of the year :)

5 of Pentacles, 9 of Pentacles & The Tower from Deviant Moon Tarot

 

1. What you will leave behind in your footprints as you leave the old year - Five of Pentacles


Leaving behind hardship and poverty seems like a good thing to me! Although this card seems to be about judgement from how I see it. The watching eye in the church, the female character sneaking around, as if ashamed to be seen. Also the Judgement card is number eleven and I cant help but see the two chimneys as an 11. The poor naked creature appears to be bathed in moonlight from her colour, which brings to mind Diana, the Moon goddess, who was also a goddess of chastity. She was also a patron of slaves, and they would always be given sanctuary in her temples. Interesting, so she could be seeking sanctuary, from judgement, the undeserved judgement of society who shunned her, because they only saw what they wanted to see. Far from a loose woman she could be running from the rape of society.

All these things are good things to leave behind, there has been judgement, but the strongest judgements have been self imposed... as they say, we are our own worst judges!


2. Your biggest path of growth this past year - Nine of Pentacles

This is a funny old card.... nine different Pentacles  hang in the sky, the masked creature is chained to a small skull that looks like it came from a gravestone... could this be mortality? The earthly life. And those Pentacles could symbolise riches in heaven, or in the spiritual world rather than the physical. She has had some setbacks in life, with no arms, and the loss of one foot. But the foot has been replaced by a wheel, which will enable her to move faster maybe. Kind of a built in scooter! In spite of her Venetian style carnival mask and lack of limbs, she does have an air of confidence. Her dress looks well made but with the moon buttons this could be illusion, like everything is not what it seems.
She may look well dressed and bodily incomplete, but she is actually more whole than many, as she is rich in spirit . Her mask could symbolise her lack of presence in the material world and like the moon carved into the stone she walks on, this turns the traditional meaning of the card on its head rather. Her robe could actually be that of a holy or spiritual order, and the mask be her veil, sheilding her from the eyes of the world. No arms could be a way of showing that she reaches out with her soul for wealth rather than grasps with her hands at happiness in material wealth. I see this card here, as being about the importance of enlightenment and spiritual growth.

Also of interest is that 2012 for me has been a 9 year, and the card is a 9....this could signify that the spiritual development that started this year will go on to become stronger in 2012


3. What you will take with you as you step into the new year  - The Tower

Here I see the breakdown of illusion, and falsehoods. The moonlight is burning through the tower causing it to begin its collapse. The tower itself is actually very small, and so the falling man could actually be in a dream or an Alice in Wonderland kind of world. Perhaps the moons light has set him free from the tower, and although it had seemed a huge thing, we now see how small is actually is. Like the line from the Eagle's song, Already Gone which I have quoted before:

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
 And we never even know we have the key "

Self imposed imprisonment has come to an end, and it may feel like you are falling and losing security but actually you are gaining freedom from a prison that was way too small and confining to fit who you really are. The other guy lying down could be the prisoner who is now being put to rest, .... he could represent self criticism, judgement..... like in the first card....Makes sense!

A very blessed and wonderful 2013 to you all......

Thanks 2012.. for everything.

Wildwood Reading

There is something I need to do but have been avoiding, as it is not easy. I wanted to ask the Tarot, how to go about it.

I used The Wildwood Tarot as it is my chosen weekly deck, and am wondering if that is a mistake as I cant really get much from this reading that helps with my question.

I devised a small spread asking:

1.When should I approach this
2.How should I approach this
3.How shall I deal with the outcome

The cards I drew were:

1. When should I approach this - Four of Bows Keyword: Celebration

Looking at this as time, and this card being about a celebration with fire and dancing, I wondered if the time is right around now... ie the upcoming Solstice. The number is 4 and the date I did the reading is 4 days from the Solstice. Or maybe the card wants me to do it before then, so I can celebrate with joy and abandon with my loved ones, free from what is bothering me? I then looked at the bows...the bows in this card have no strings, so is the time actually not right? Do I need to wait for another part (whatever that may mean), or something to complete my approach?

2. How should I approach this - Ace of Stones Keyword: Foundation of Life

This card shows a wonderful carved standing stone in a grove of ancient tree's. The stone has stood tall through the years like the tree's, so this to me says be strong and stand tall, and possibly have faith in the universe. The shadow falls before the stone, so depending on which way the stone faces it could be morning or evening.... a beginning or an end? There are many Cup and Ring symbols carved into the stone, whch I always see as the old ones communicating with us today. They remind me of the wireles symbols used by computers and mobile phones to signify a connection. There is also a maze or labyrinth on the stone. The labyrinth can symbolise the unknown.... it also shows struggle, finding the right way through the maze. If I am true to myself and stand strong in my light will I be able to see the right path once I begin? Again I am unsure quite what to think here in relation to my question.

3. How shall I deal with the outcome - Three of Vessels Keyword: Joy

Three cranes hover in a triangle over three vessels, gold, green and white. I know in Christianity these colours are used at certain times, white is for purity and green for spiritual growth and new life, gold which is only used at Easter is for the greatest feast. Cranes symbolise long life and also peace. I looked at the book for this card and the author writes:

"One of the most common reasons why people lose the ability to feel authentic joy in their lives is the loss or grief at the passing of the emotion"

I found this quite profound and it does make sense. It also mentions we must be strong and realise that all life's trials and tribulations are cyclical by nature. Just like in the Wheel of Fortune.

Any thoughts on this are welcome.... thanks for reading!

Wildwood Tarot 

Weekend Question Spread

Because of confusion and up and down emotions this week, I don't know quite where I am. So I asked the crads of the Ludy Lescot Tarot deck the following three questions about my life at this time and over the next day or two.

1.What is real?
2.What is hidden?
3.What is false?

The cards that came up were Judgement, The Sun (yes the deck was very well shuffled and used many times since being originally ordered) and the Queen of Wands.

Judgement, The Sun and Queen of Swords - Ludy Lescot

1. What is real? - Judgement

The people have been called to come out to awaken, to be naked so that nothing is hidden, all secrets will be revealed in the great shining light of the new dawn. Only one person looks up and faces the front of the crowd, the others all have their heads bowed. Is she hearing her personal calling? What are the red dots on the back of the heads of those three figures at the rear? Although this scene is very apocalyptic I dont think these dots are the marks of the beast. They are in the wrong places if we are to believe what is quoted in the bible. Also there is one on the sun. Maybe these three are enlightened but only the one with her head raised realises it....

This  could be underlining my recent thoughts that my life is about to change, have a new beginning... I have felt like I am being called to look at my life, weed out the bad from the good. face the reality of it all. I read something La Force wrote about this card on Aeclectic Tarot

"Do you have a problem that won't shut up?"

 Indeed I do.... it involves undisclosed secrets, and according to the position of this card it is very real.


2. What is hidden? - The Sun

This picture shows a woman by a huge cathedral window of stained glass. The sun is bursting through the window and it is shattered by either the white birds, the shadowy figure or the Sun itself.
Who or what is the shadow? I saw something like him in the Judgement card. Is he the one to beware of.... and when light finally exposes him is he running away? As vampires do from the dawn to hide in the vaults? It seems to me that what is hidden is the truth and the light. The woman is turning away from it..... maybe she doesn't really want to know the truth?

Maybe the shadow dude and the doves are crashing through the window to bring in the light and faith and peace to the woman hidden inside? Hard to tell if he is a good or baddy....  He looks like the same guy I got last week at the top of the stairs in the Wheel of Fortune card from this deck. He is coming to get me no matter what!!!!


3. What is false? - Queen of Wands

The Queen of Wands holds up a sunflower which she stares at intently, as if trying to work out how it came to be, or how it is made. Beside her is a stone statue of a lioness... related to the night energy of the  moon and strength, and dignity. The lioness sits between the Queen and the throne. The throne is topped with a carved tudor style rose as we have seen before in this deck. The rose is a symbol of love and passion and hidden things... this rose is open, possibly the secret is out. The Queen of Wands however does not sit on her throne.... her lioness is made of stone. and maybe that sunflower is not quite alive, it looks dark. This is a Fire card but it seems much of the fire is hidden or subdued.

So what is false? The empty throne, the strength of the lion, the joy of the sunflower? All of them or none? If the lion represents strength and it is nocturnal maybe I need to have power over the darker side of my conscious.  Maybe I am in denial. Thoughts anyone?

Fallen Angels Thrice

I decided to do a three card spread with the Fallen Angels Oracle cards today, as I rarely do spreads for myself using oracle decks.

I did a simple three card spread, using these questions:

1. How did I get to this point

2. What is the status quo
3. What action do you advise

Here are the three cards I turned up:

Eligor, Amdusias and Ipos - Fallen Angels

1. How did I get to this point - Eligor

Eligor is the 15th demon summoned by Solomon. According to demonology and the Goetia, Duke Eligor imparts courage and fighting spirit to those who summon him, and causes their emotions to swell massively by giving them their ideal love, he can also kindle lust. He has the power to see hidden things and the charisma to win the favor of those of higher status. He causes war and can summon armies, and is skilled in military operations. Another gift he has is the ability to make even his enemies treat him as a friend. Because Eligor can predict the patterns of the future he is able to plan accordingly to his best advantage.

The card shows a radiant winged horse with a city illuminated with gold. behind the city, in shadow stands a tall tower or cathedral with a cross on top. The word on this card is Conflict.

I guess the image illustrates a state of conflict between church and state, although the city could also almost be on fire, from the glow. The winged demon himself looks alight with flames.

He definitely stands out from the crowd. Looking at the head of the horse though, its as if you can see the skeleton beneath the flesh, maybe he is all for show, looking like the magical unicorn of fairy tales when inside he is just ordinary bones.


2. What is the status quo - Amdusias

The second card I drew is Amdusias, whose keyword is Harmony... that's nice to know :)

King Amdusias is the 67th demon in the Ars Goetia and is represented as a human creature with the head of a unicorn and claws instead of hands and feet. He is said to be in charge of the music of hell, and is sometimes depicted with a trumpet. This demon is associated with thunder and like thunder his instruments can be heard but never seen. Amdusias is a demon of the night, he can bend tree's at will and can also be an excellent provider of a familiar when you need one for a secret mission or the like.

On the Fallen Angel card a white unicorn with silvery wings is shown in a dark forest standing beside a fallen Celtic cross. I guess the word Harmony derives from the musical aspect of this demons nature. Looking at the image I suppose the cross and the forest floor and the unicorn do look pretty harmonious though. Nothing seems out of place. The foliage of the forest has grown up and around the cross as though accepting it. The card mentions coming together with friends in peace. There are probably many many unseen friends of the unicorn in his forest.


3. What action do you advise - Ipos

The third card I turned over is Ipos, 22nd of Solomons demons listed in the Goetia, and described as having the head of an angel, body of a lion, tail of a hare and the feet of a goose! Ipos has the ability to see past present and future. He can also inspire confidence, witticism and intellect, in the least of men.

The card image shows a stone angel with flowing hair standing by a rough looking cross. To the right of the angel are a few loose feathers. A big fat full moon shines down on the scene, from a purple night sky. The word on this card is Caution.

With all the animal parts he consists of he certainly has some skills.. the strength of a lion, the ability of the hare to cross between the material and the spirit world, the flight of the goose and the looks of an angel! Enough to draw anyone to him, plus his built in talent of giving you the "feel good factor"!

Why caution? The moon is a giveaway here, symbol of illusions and delusions. Ipos is a creature of the moon and can drive you to madness and disaster or bestow you with good fortune and health, depending on whether or not you have courted her favour.

I think I get the message... ;)

Ludy Lescot

This week's deck of the week is the Ludy Lescot Tarot....  it is published by Lo Scarebo and the artwork is by Patrizio Evangelisti. I really like this deck, I love the colouring and the artwork, so I am looking forward to getting to know it better this week.

Instead of just choosing one card for a Daily Draw I decided to draw three, for some clarification of whats going on with me. I asked:

1. What I should be careful about
2. What I should worry less about
3. Best thing to do for me in the next few days.

These are the cards I drew:

Moon, 7 of Wands and Knave of Pentacles - Ludy Lescot Tarot

1. The Moon

I have certainly had my fair share of Moon or Moon related cards in the past few weeks! Mind you with the recent Moon cycle beginning with a total eclipse of the Sun it's not surprising! I love this card, it shows the castle walls and the great portal.... gates to the otherworld. There is a ghostly figure who looks as if she may be floating through the mist but this could be just the ethereal quality that ist creates. There is a distinct Man in the Moon looking down on the scene and below him is a bright Star. Half the face of the Moon is in shadow.

The Moon is about illusions, and emotions, who is experiencing what? The Moon watches over the world of our dreams, when we could the ghost and the dream figures real. This scene feels very peaceful, but will peace last beyond the night. I think this figure is asking the Moon for help.... the Moon is my ruling planet, I often ask for guidance, and the Moon has sent a guiding star. There is a way out beyond those great pillars, but I need to know which direction I am heading in or I coud become lost in the mists.

The LWB suggests you give a face to the ghosts or illusion, face it and let it go, and then you too will be freed.


2. Seven of Wands

The LWB says:

"Love peace, but if you must fight, fight furiously and never retreat even one step."

The guy in the card could be attacking, or he could be defending himself with the wand he carries. I can only see 5 shadowy wands coming at him. I wonder if the fire is caused by the seventh wand burning? They are after all the fire element in the Tarot. He seems to have walked through the fire, maybe he set light to the wand to ward off danger? Whatever he doesn't seem to be about to give up and back down.
I can see very clearly, a skull engraved into the tree directly at the point of the mans right elbow. This may just be my vision today, and it could well disappear tomorrow never to be seen again, but right now I would give it some weight. I see it as the strength and wisdom of the older wiser ones that have gone before, supporting this guy while he is holding his own.


3. Knave of Pentacles

A young man dressed in baggy white poets shirt sits at a desk writing. A candle beside him lights his globe and behind him are shelves of books. On his desk are a skull, a dagger, a coin with the eye in the triangle symbol engraved upon it, more books, a compass and possibly a map. The chair behind him is engraved with a Tudor rose. This dude is the total student, of the history and geography, metaphysics and alchemy... and whatever else is concealed within the pages of his books.

Perhaps he is the eternal student, who goes back to his books again and again, that would be me. The skull represents cycles of things and the ancestorsm our history and heritage. The eye in the triangle is the Eye of Providence, or the 'All seeing Eye' .... to remind us we are watched at all times, by our conscience if nothing else. The compass is a symbol of the Freemasons, traditionally seen with a  carpenters square, it may have many meanings, but the one I recall is the union of body and soul, of the two halves of man. How this symbol came about I don't know... one to look up!  The rose to me is representative of England, and fairy tales..., but there are lots of legends surrounding the rose which I like. Apparently apprentice Masons were given a long stemmed rose at the beginning of their training. It was supposed to represent them with their core hidden in all the petals. But as the rose ages, and becomes more open, the petals unfold to reveal what is within. Nice analogy, for discovering hidden truths about us and the universe. With all this symbolism and all the signs of the scholar, this guy seems to me to be the ultimate page or knave.


Well......

The  message here seems quite clear.... beware of illusions and the hidden side of things.. the other side of the face. Face your ghosts and let them go. I don't meed to be as defensive as I feel I must, I can stand my ground if I have to, but it is something I don't need to worry too much about right now.
The best thing for me to do this next few days, is to continue to learn, inner and outer lessons. To bring my inner learning out into my life and into the world. Maybe my art. I did get an order for a bag yesterday!

Very interesting deck... I do like it. Some of the cards seem to be far from the traditional RWS system initially, but they are not really too far out. As far as the LWB goes.... well... whi needs these things anyway!!!