Two of Swords again....!

Today I got the Two of Swords again, from the same Bohemian Gothic Tarot. I shuffled well and counted through to 28 (todays date), and up it came. As I had already gotten it 3 days ago I decided to ask the cards why... whats the message? I drew the Six of Cups in answer.

Two of Swords & Six of Cups - Bohemian Gothic Tarot

So.... if the two of Swords shows blind instinct and the Six of Cups shows innocence, then I see this as a time to go back to basics, simple blind, childlike faith.. and intuition.

I think the Six of Cups has a shadowy side for definite..... and this is a Sun influenced card to balance the Moon influence on Two of Swords.. Both images on the cards seem to be set in the darker hours of the day though. I would say the Six of Cups is early morning. Maybe these two are sneaking out before anyone else is awake, as they know what they are doing is against someone's rules. This card could also be something like "make hay while the sun shines....". It has the children and they look a couple of rascals, it also has the blue flowers which I see as Morning Glory, and these signify the shortness of mortal life, as their own life is less than one day.

They are in a graveyard, so have lost someone, maybe their mother, but she wants them to carry on and enjoy life while they have it. The buildings in the background make me think of turning ones back on authority, and grown up rules. Its time to play.

There is of course a warning though, from the Two of Swords, to look before you decide which path to take. If I had to choose a song for this card I think I would choose this.

The Feast of Stephens...

When I was a child the sales didn't start until January, after New Year... which I thought was too soon! Now people queue from late Christmas day, drawn in by the promise of 50% off something that they probably didn't need or even want in the first place. It is consumer madness, but today I shopped...the first day I have ever actually shopped on Boxing Day. I went in late to pick up my sons laptop which was his Christmas gift, but was out of stock before. I didn't do the sales, but as I avoid unnecessary trips to  town and had to take Polly home, it seemed opportune. Even at the end of the day I had to queue!!

I really would like the world to just close for a few days, at some time of year....so it is a real holiday from the madness of everyday life. I know we have some great things today that make communication easier, but sometimes I think they act as a barrier and far more folk live in isolation ... at least physically. I guess the grass is always greener, but now, for a wee while I am going back to the Victorian romance of the Bohemian Gothic tarot. Today I drew another 2... the Two of Wands.

Two of Wands - Bohemian Gothic

This card is another with many stories. The castle ruins have two tall buildings like the pinnacles in yesterdays two of swords, these could represent the two wands although I can't help but see the staff that the man is carrying as a wand. So what is their story?

The sky is full of ravens or crows, they carry messages between the worlds. I believe the woman in this card is actually a ghost or spirit, maybe related to the man, maybe just a shadow from the past. She looks sorry to leave this place, maybe she comes back every evening as the sky darkens, heralded by the crows as they fly home to roost at the end of the day.

Maybe the man came to see her, and missed her, because he turned away too soon or was looking in the wrong direction all along. Perhaps she is sorry that he can't see her, because she wants to give him a message, so she can finally rest. He looks like he has accepted the mundanity of everyday life, yet if only he would turn around, he would find that all is not as dull as it seems!

I see the ghost as me, leaving the old year behind, leaving the cycle behind to start a new one. This was a 9 year for me and next year will be a 1 year. The final forecast for 2012 from Creative Numerology, reads:

Your present reality is your only doorway to the future, and that sense of urgency you’re feeling is probably a desire to conclude something and finally put it behind you. Only you can know if this is the right time to do so. What seems unacceptable now may change into something more loving or useful next year, so don’t act or speak impulsively. Wish yourself – and others – only the best.

I think this is reflected in both yesterdays and today's "2" cards. Reality as opposed to blindness, and shadows, new life not ruins. Changing energies in the world around us.

Gothic Queen......

Sunday is the first day of my, week and I have decided to use the Bohemian Gothic Tarot by Baba Studio's as my deck of the week for readings and daily draws and all other such things.

I love this deck, so dark and yet playful.... its the perfect deck to get lost in, tell stories with and dream within. It shuffles like a waterfall and has gorgeous cardstock... and no borders... all of which go to making a deck a favourite. The backs are wonderful too!

Today I drew the Queen of Cups....

Queen of Cups - Bohemian Gothic Tarot

The Queens of the Bohemian Gothic Tarot all have a shadow side... one is a vampire, another stepped from a painting... this one is a Lorelei, a siren who lured sailors to their death after attracting them with the illusion of beauty amd the enchanting music from her golden harp. There are many signs on this card that all is not as it seems. The harp for one is an Irish style harp.... which makes me think of one who has kissed the Blarney Stone, and is therefore blessed with the gift of guile. The raven sitting by the queen could be her familiar, ravens are known as symbols of death although I like them, They are also messengers from the Otherworld, and as this one is hanging around the Queen like a friend, I am guessing she is from some other place that's not quite as it looks here. The silver goblet by her feet has flowers trailing from it that look suspiciously like Deadly Nightshade. This posionous plant has a long history of being used to poison people, disguised as wine. It is also hallucinogenic... more proof of the illusory vision we see on this card. It could be tempting to drink of that cup and escape for a while from life as we know it, but the hangover could be pretty heavy.

So whereas traditionally the Queen of Cups is a loving, nurturing, Empress of a Queen, this one has more of the Sorceress about her. I think the message here is to be aware, as not all is as it seems. Especially when it looks a little different from the norm, or what you are used to. Yep I get it... thanks again cards, for looking out for me!

Nine Energy

I have always been interested in Numerology but not really studied it in depth. Today's number adds up to 9and it still adds up to 9 when I add my year number! Which is also 9. This is what Creative Numerology has to say:

It will be difficult to prevent emotional movement now. Your feelings need to express themselves in order for you to evolve from an old situation. Everyone involved needs to be who they are - who they have become. This cycle of love, beauty, and relationship can be easily damaged by indifference, defensiveness or judgment, so try to create a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. Let yourself enjoy the love and affection all around you. 

 This forecast is very apt for this week and today. I will work more with numbers in future I think... it all adds to the infinite fascination of the hidden meanings in life.

I changed decks today and this week I am using the Wildwood Tarot and my Mystic Art Medicine cards. I love the art on the latter but the backs really put me off! They are photographic and don't seem to fit at all with the art, so I try not to look at them when shuffling. Difficult as they are large cards! Backs matter to me, I love the ones that carry on the theme of the card faces and the patterns just seem to flow like water when you shuffle. It has a real energy moving feeling. The very best I have found for this so far are those of the Waking the Wild Spirit deck.

So today's cards Page of Stones from The Wildwood Tarot and Shadow from the Mystic Art Medicine cards.

Shadow from Mystic Art Medicine Cards and Page if Stones from Wildwood Tarot

The Stones suit in the Wildwood deck is the Winter suit. The page is a student, and the lynx has a lot of lessons to teach. Looking at the card we can see that this beautiful creature is waiting, watching and listening carefully, trying to gather all the information he can before he acts. His ears are pricked up and his eyes wide open, he is perfectly still. One of the questions to ask of this card as suggested by the authors of this deck is "What data do I need to make a decision". This fits well with the painting on this card.

I looked more into the symbolism of the lynx and found this quote from an amazing site called Wildspeak

"The nature of the Lynx to operate alone enables it to understand secrets and to be secretive. This nature is neither deceptive nor deliberately malicious, rather it is an energy that simply stands apart. Lynx is The Hermit from the standard Tarot. People with Lynx in their lives often find that they connect best with others and themselves, when they deliberately disconnect from overly socialising or stretching themselves too thin."

So today is a Nine day, it is a Nine year and the Lynx card relates to the Hermit... another Nine.... that's a lot of Nine energy around me! The above quote fits me very well. There is lots more information on this wonderful site all about animal totems and what they can teach us.

Another fascinating site with info about the Lynx constellation is Constellations of Words. According to this site the lynx is credited with the ability to see through material things, and know secrets.

Looking at the Shadow card from the Mystic Art Medicine Oracle it at first appears very red and demon like.... and I guess shadows are our demons, the things we dont want to face. A shadowy creature stands in a dark space, surrounded by angry red flames, but water seems to be trickling in down the walls and the staircases to reach the dark. A flower that looks like a lily is blooming white, perhaps the water has revived it. Dark energy comes out of the head of the shadow man but disappears as the light above diffuses it.

But only when we have seen the dark can we know and appreciate the light. Once the shadow is lit and transformed we can then begin to work with it and it can help us to heal and become stronger. In light of the Lynx card from the Wildwood coming up with this one, I feel I need to uncover some shadows and face them and stop being afraid. So many things are telling me this at the moment.

Seven of Cups

Another delightful card from the Victorian Romantic... I am loving this deck more and more. Funy if I saw half these images in a book or gallery, I am not so sure many of them would catch my eye, but the artists who created this deck have done wonders with them. Bringing them to life as a Tarot Deck full of symbols and possibilites and magical pictures... well its totally transformational. Real alchemy!

Seven of Cups - Victorian Romantic

This guy reminds me of The Fool...... just by his appearance really. I wonder what he is doing. Is he using his treaures as bait to catch the fairy folk below the surface? He could have been taken in by the underwater creatures, for they could be like the Sirens who led men to their deaths crashed up rocks.
He could end up with nothing left, like the gambler who throws it all in against the big prize. Of courser with gamblers there never is a big prize, it is always just out of reach... that being the nature of the beast. Is he being taken in by the Sirens or is he fooling them? Are his treausures merely illusions which will disappear when they try to touch them? Someone seems to be playing a game in this card. If the fisherman falls in he could be caught in those tentacle things and trapped... drowned even.

I read somewhere that this card is sometimes know as Faery Favours... because like Faery gifts they could just be illusions which fade after time. There is much illusion as this card is associated with the Moon, and emotion of course... shown in the water. I just thought of being drowned in emotion.... deluded... tempted to believe that which is not true but only imagined. Very much a Seven of Cups energy.

Faery favours makes me wonder if I should turn to my Faerie Oracle for help.... or will I only become more deluded?! I do like this particular Seven of Cups though..... I like dreams... even if they can be only castles in the air.

Bune - A Fallen Angel

 Today's draw from the Fallen Angels Oracle is Bune... this is what  S.L. MacGregor Mathers had to say about him in the Goetia  (1904):

 The Twenty-sixth Spirit is Bune (or Bim). He is a Strong, Great and Mighty Duke. He appeareth in the form of a Dragon with three heads, one like a Dog, one like a Gryphon, and one like a Man. He speaketh with a high and comely Voice. He changeth the Place of the Dead, and causeth the Spirits which be under him to gather together upon your Sepulchres. He giveth Riches unto a Man, and maketh him Wise and Eloquent. He giveth true Answers unto Demands. And he governeth 30 Legions of Spirits. His Seal is this, unto the which he oweth Obedience. He hath another Seal (which is the first of these but the last is the best).

Bune - Fallen Angels Oracle

It is hard to make out from the card but this angelic figure does have the head of an Eagle or a gryphon. Apparently Bune is connected with the wolves too, which is timely as I recently watched an amazing movie on youtube:  Living with Wolves.

Bune is one of the great dukes of hell, the word on this card is adventure but I am not quite sure how it applies. As Bune also has some connection with Anubis the jackal headed, Egyptian funeral God who weighs hearts at death, so he is sometimes compared to the Death card in the tarot. Although this card can hint at an actual ending or death, it tends to relate more often, to a transition from one stage of life to the next.

Nothing new there... especially after yesterdays Wheel!

I find the Fallen Angels quite hard to read with, I do love them but the images are not that open to intuitive readings. Still they proved a good lesson in Demonology and the Lesser Key of Solomon!

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... ;)

The Wheel and Viné

Ludy Lescot gave me The Wheel today , and from the Fallen Angels Oracle I drew the angel Viné.

Count Viné is the 45th demon as evoked by Soloman according to the Goetia. He can see the past and the future, build towers and walls and also destroy them, he can also control the sea's, create storms and find witches and things that are hidden. The name comes from the latin Vinea or Vine which was an ancient war machine used to overthrow walls.

Viné has the Sun as his planet, and the element of Air. Traditionally he is portrayed as a lion holding a snake and riding a black horse. In this card there is a lion lying watchfully in front of a grand archway, this could be a gateway to a city maybe, to represent the walls he can build and destroy. There is a tower in the distance behind him. The sky looks angry and stormy. The word on the card is danger. I suppose the watchful lion could be representative of danger, but more as being on guard and therefore expecting danger than, the lion himself being the danger.

The message of this card in the oracle is that of a champion, helping you to defend your corner. Viné can understand your position and uncover causes of trouble that you cannot yet see, as well as uncovering personal weaknesses. He sounds like a good ally!

I have been questioning what I am doing that may not be for my best interests, and I have asked to be shown hidden dangers as a result of events in current relationships. I could do with a strong watcher in my corner I think.

The Wheel from Ludy Lescot and Fallen Angel Viné

The Wheel shows a figure sitting at the bottom of some steps, and at the top is a small figure silhouetted against the light. The wheel itself looks like it could be sun or moon rays...pushing from dark into light. There are human remains, bones scattered on the steps.

The female looks as if she is maybe surprised to find herself at the bottom and wonders how to get back up, can she face it.. or maybe she is just distraught at the mess she has made and the destruction that has resulted from her behavior, that landed her here. The shadowy guy at the top looks like he could be saying "I told you so...." or "Another fine mess you got me into Stanley"

I dont quite know what to make of this card.... in the LWB it says:

"When we are in the dark, we are attracted to the light like a moth to the flame. In the light, it is the darkness that beckons us."

 Certainly there is a lot of dark and light in the card, and then there is the wheel which turns and shows how we can be up or down.... from in the light or in the shadows.

Looking at both these cards together I wonder if the lion wants me to watch my step, lest I end up falling down the stairs and destroying something else in my wake?! Heavy stuff!

If anyone has any input here I would love to hear it!

I received a wonderful and fascinating follow up email on Aeclectic Tarot which I am posting here with the authors permission... Thanks Mainegirl117 !!


Hi There..
Don't have an account with which to post a reply to your blog, but I would suggest that those two cards are saying that you've got someone - something? - keeping an eye out on you - they're "in your corner"
I would take that lion as the man at the top of the stairs in the Wheel card, Fortune looking down at you; you may be at the bottom of the wheel rotation and now the only way to go is up, which is ultimately a good thing (it's like getting the 10/swords "you've hit rock bottom, the only way to go now is up").
Look for a "bright shadow". By this I mean: a bird flying in front of the sun, an animal crossing on the road at night which you see with your car lights (then, if you work with animal totems, look for the meanings of this/these animals for your ultimate message), a person standing in a doorway backlit but face cast in shadow... that sort of thing.
Another message that I get from this card is in reference to Moths (aka butterflies): what stage of development are you in? what are you transforming? how are you "in transition"? What do you want to do next but aren't yet ready for? Moths/butterflies are also significant in relation to ArchAngel Auriel/Uriel (who presides over all creatures great & small on earth).
Interesting history with Count Vine. The Wheel also has a history similar in that the wheel "crushes the king" when he's at the bottom. This usually happens in the Springtime so that a new king can be born or reign. This story repeats itself in Pagan myth with the Strength card (also a lion like your oracle card there?) where the Crone of winter dies and is reborn as the Maiden in the Spring/Early Summer and Mother in the Summer/Fall. Any issues around parenting/mothering right now?

In your discussion of the oracle card, you mentioned that Count Vine associates with the Sun and the element of Air. As I mentioned Auriel/Uriel and the Moth/Butterfly (and air insect) I'll also mention here that the two Court Cards that can associate with this is the King and Queen of Swords... The "Monarchs". If you look at the classic RWS cards you'll actually see monarch butterflies on the cards.
The King of Swords is the General that you want to see coming in after a battle is over because he can rebuild a city in a timely and efficient manner. No moment is wasted and is a tough task-master.
The Queen of Swords is also known as the "Mask-cutter". She can identify a traiter in her midst because she knows the faces of every person in her kingdom. She can also see through a dis-guise. In relation to you looking for or revealing the danger in your midst I'd say you'd want her on your side. She puts her head/logic before emotions, so if this is a question about a relationship, then it might be suggesting to stop being so emotional, and to look at the situation as impartially as possible. I've seen it mentioned that the only way to get off the cycle of the Wheel is to become Justice, to sit at the center of the rotation and to look at things calmly (unlike that damsel in distress there). The lioness does the same thing when she's hunting (because not only does she raise the young, she also does all the hunting. She has to wait patiently in the tall grass and watch for her prey).
I would say you have a good chance at seeing what danger may be lurking around you. There might also be a lesson in here about fear. Fear often arises when you need a lesson in courage.

Numerically you've got 45 = 4+5=9 (tie-ing up loose ends) and 10 = 1 + 0 = 1 (new beginnings). This happens to be pretty significant because we're in week 49 of the calendar year and this week is all about tieing up loose ends from the past and learning from our mistakes so that we don't repeat them over and over again (Like the wheel).
Well, that's it I think. I know it's a lot but for some reason your draw really got me thinking. Hopefully there's something here in the notations that will strike you as relevant and help you interpret your draw in regards to your situation.

It struck me while reading this that we are ALL feeling this change because of the transition we're in with the ending of an Aeon on December 21st. Nobody knows what to expect, but those of us that are aware of the change in social consciousness are responding in various degrees to this energy. You're not alone in this.

The Moon and Haagenti

Another Moon! Also I remembered just now that the first Fallen Angel card I drew on Sunday was related to the Moon. Okay well obviously there is a message. I was looking at this Moon card again from the Ludy Lescot deck, and another thing that came to mind was being careful where you tread until you can see things clearly; kind of don't leave home without a map.

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door......"

Lots of messages in this Moon card. I will look at my oracle card and see if this sheds any light on how I should be reading the Moon today.

From the Angels Oracle I drew card 67, Haagenti, who was according to the Goetia, the 48th spirit demon evoked by Solomon.  The planet associated with this demon is Mercury ... quicksilver..illusive and changeable. Haagenti is represented by a large bull, but could also change into a man and a gryphon. When in human form he would teach men to be wise.  The bull who is shown on the card carved on a tombstone, was a symbol of St Luke, the evangelist, and a physician. Also shown on the card, are a skull and a pestle and mortar, tools of the alchemist. Haagenti is patron of alchemy and the healing arts. Alchemy, simply, is the art of changing something into its purest possible form. For us humans, this form is spirit.

The Moon from Ludy Lescot Tarot and Haagenti from Fallen Angels Oracle

The message of Haagenti is rest, renewal, healing and transformation, even a holiday.

Looking at both the cards and trying to see how they relate to each other, maybe I need to move on; walk out of the mist and through those gates of healing and renewal, where the way is clearly lit.  Could be that my castle is too safe, too much of a prison, certainly the walls look as if they are looming over the landscape and the ghostly figure.

I thought today about holidays, about hiring a bus or just going someplace different for a week with the kids. If I was away from here, maybe I would see the way ahead clearer; find the path of transformation. Become less of a ghost in my own life......... !

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!!!

Fallen Angels

Last week I was originally going to use my Fallen Angels Oracle, but the Faerie's chimed in and wouldn't let me, so I had to use them instead. However, now they are sleeping..shhhhhhh....

I love this oracle, love the images, I have always loved graveyards and stone angels, would love to get the Graven Image oracle too! There are a big 72 cards too which is more than your average oracle deck.. :)

Today I drew Phoenix, the angel of Rebirth.... the angel sits against a fiery background with the ghost of the phoenix rising in the flames. The new born child grasps the knee of the angel. There is a stringled musical instrument and bow, possibly a violin standing next to the two figures. On the floor by the angels feet, there are some books. The overall colours of the card are orange and golds. The element of this card is Fire, and it's planet is the Moon.

Phoenix - Fallen Angels Oracle

The Phoenix is an age old symbol of rebirth, new life rising from the ashes of the old. Fire is the element of artists and creators, it brings energy and passion... I love to feel that joy and fire that I only know when I am in the middle of creating something new. The Moon brings deeper understanding of the sub conscious, she also represents the cycles of life, reflection and looking deeper. It seems strange to see Fire and the Moon together, but I suppose there is a connection as the Moon and the Phoenix and continually reborn.

This card guides you to use music and poetry to inspire you and others, and to refresh you and feed your spirit for this new chapter of life. Interesting, seeing as I was just sent an email link from my poets group about some summer workshops, to be held locally. One of the workshops is on singing and songwriting! I was asking my friend yesterday whether I should go or not, due to the cost... but it would be nice. I have always wanted to sing better.. and find out how to put my words to music. The card also reminds me of Charlie who left on Friday. I miss him so much. We shared so much music and he really got me into playing my guitar again and thinking about writing more songs :)

Strength in the Shadows

Today's cards cover the energy of today and yesterday, as I didn't get to do a daily draw yesterday. I was trying to get some of my online work completed and Firefox kept crashing. I have tried everything but it is still crashing, have sent in reports but doubt I will hear anything. It's been happening constantly for the past 4 days, on many different sites. So.... I shall have to try either Chrome or Safari. Just checked and woohoo... I can get the Evernote Web Clipper for both these browsers :) I *LOVE* Evernote!

I feel very connected to the messages on today's two cards. From The Faerie's I drew Lys of the Shadows, and from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight I got Strength.

Lys of the Shadows, is a true light in the darkness, one of the Sidhe, whose energies can be used for good or for negative purposes. We as humans have the choice of how we use this assistance. The light coming from this faeries' person is gentle warming and healing.... which would give us a clue of the right way, but the Fey do not judge... free will is all, even when it goes wrong. All we can do is to shine a light on the right path, by example.

According to the book by Jessica Macbeth Lys of the Shadows appears when someone is ready to be healed... a lost soul to be found. Lys gets down among the needy folk and is not afraid to get her wings torn or her hands dirty, even though it may hurt her sometimes. In this instance I believe that I am being given the energy I need to help another soul in this world, whom I had almost given up on, to find the path back to who they were, before they got lost in the darkness. It feels far too big a job for me, but maybe I can help.  I feel this is how it is. I feel honored to have drawn this card today, when thoughts like this were already in my mind. I need that energy. Let me use it with the wisdom of the Fey. Thanks Faeries.

Lys of the Shadows - Faeries' Oracle, and Strength - Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

Strength from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight is the most wonderful card.... I think my favourite strength card so far. It has so many dimensions and truly conveys the meaning of strength as I see it. A woman faces a lion with his mouth open, teeth bared, she holds her mask away from her face so she is showing him her true self, her very inner being. Only when we are most ourselves, without pretense or pride can we be truly strong. Strength comes from a place deep within us, where the light is great enough to outshine fear, if we let it come through. So often I hear people who talk only through their Ego, not from who they really are, and I feel sad. It must be true bondage to be afraid to be you.

There is what looks like a very old stone Goddess figure in the background of this card, she carries two pots in perfect balance. She is the background, the roots of the strength of this female who looks into the eyes of fear without flinching. The strength of the female is in gentleness, not attack, in standing steadfast in the light of who you truly are. The Goddess shows the strength of women throughout time, the balance of energy. This wasn't achieved by trying to be like men, but by balancing their energies with ours. It seems so much of this wisdom has become lost in today's world.

One more character in this amazing card is Yoda ..the ancient wise Jedi Master from Star Wars. He appears here as an origami figure... another symbol of strength, the deceptive strength of paper, and a message that being small of stature is no judge of your true strength. The quotes below, from Yoda, all have a message relating to both the Strength card and Lys of the Shadows.

To answer power with power, the Jedi way this is not. In this war, the danger there is, of losing who we are.

When you look at the dark side, careful you must be..... for the dark side looks back.

To be Jedi is to face the truth, and choose.  Give off light, or darkness, Padawan. Be a candle, or the night.

The Jedi use light sabres as their weapons, to cast light onto the dark, it all just goes so well with these two cards and their messages. It really feels like they came up at the exact right time, just when I needed to hear this advice.

These two cards also strongly relate to something else that has changed in my life too. Especially the shadowy side of Lys, which is bondage and addiction. I used to drink almost every day, maybe a glass of wine, maybe a bottle, or a beer or two... never heavy stuff but escape all the same. The past couple of months, not only have I not wanted to drink, I haven't been able to! It makes me feel nauseous and very unwell, depressed and out of control of my life. I just don't need to escape from my life right now... gotta be good!

The Magicians' Song

The Magician from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight and Ekstasis from The Faeries' Oracle.... Interesting to get two cards numbered one and two in their respective decks. Could this mean new energy is beginning? Both cards are good energy cards, especially Ekstasis... so it looks like a good turn up to me.

The Magician in this beautifully jewel coloured card looks as if maybe he ended up where he is without quite knowing how he got there. His is surrounded by the cosmos and all her secrets. Also around him are his books of learning, his globe of worldly knowledge and his magical pentacle. A little green kitty holds the pentacle, he is looking at it as if wondering why on earth the human Magician would need such a thing! Pah! doesn't this dude realise that the magic is within us? Meowwwww... who needs shiny things! Especially when you have such an obviously clever familiar!

Although he has his wand, his sword and chalice and his cat has the pentacle,  all the magical and elemental tools of the Tarot, the only magical item the Magician is using is his crystal ball, and he is looking straight into the readers eyes as if wondering whether or not he should pass on what he has seen. Is the viewer ready to hear what he has to say?  He looks very kindly and humble. He has a feather in his hat like the Fool, but then of course the only wise man is the Fool. I like the Magician and the Fool both being represented in one card.

Ekstasis - The Faeries' Oracle and The Magician - Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

Ekstasis is the song of Unity, the higher being, and the connection between us and all that is around is. It is the moment of joy we feel leap in our hearts when we feel that supreme trust in the Universe. Ecstasy... this brilliant burst of pure energy that lights us and lifts us somewhere beyond this world.
A great companion to have around. This card like the Magician is about going for it, being on the right path, and a new beginning. It also has the effect of empowering the cards around it and intensifying their energy. The transition of the blues to sparkling silvery white is uplifting in itself and feel very calm. Usually when I feel those moments no effort is needed except to accept and to be. I see this card as permission  to be as me as I can be... with no apologies to Dr Seuss ;)

After yesterdays Full Moon reading about endings and cycles coming to a close.... it seems very auspicious that I get these two cards today which are so clearly about new beginnings....!

A Devil and Two Friends

The Devil card from the Sweet Twilight looks familiar...  but nothing like my goats apart from the hoof maybe!! Gypsy can be a bit devilish at times though and one friend did call him a Devil Dog!!
I like his wings. The sun and moon are both in this card which could mean he can appear as total opposites...as like day or night, whichever serves his purpose best. He can try to charm with his Elfin ears and snazzily clothed side, but then when you glimpse the tail and the serpent around his arm you start to wonder. Sometimes we can only see one side of a person, no matter how much we try to see the whole, we see what we want to see, because we are standing too close. When we step back we see the whole picture, as others have always seen it. It can come as a shock. He has his trident at the ready.... the LWB says of this card:

The Devil watches carefully as you approach, scanning for chinks in your armor. What use he wonders, is this person, to me?

Yes I have met this guy more than once... stood too close, got burned.... but he never got my soul on that trident of his. I am guessing he is here today in this card, to warn me.

Friends from Froud's Faerie Oracle and The Devil from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

The Friends from The Faerie Oracle are a total contrast to The Devil! Here we have Faery Nuff and Laochan the best of friends....! Faery Nuff stands up high with his many lights to show the way forward through the dark skies. Laochan supports him they both use their wings to power their flight. Just how friends should be. I have been spending more time with friends recently.... and they are a great support, and they do help shine the light into my life. I am not surprised the Devil is looking at them as if they and their behavior are totally alien to him. he just wouldn't get it would he?

Twilight Faeries....

This week I have chosen to work with Froud's Faerie Oracle, and Tarot of the Sweet Twilight.... I know I used it last week but I can't bring myself to put it back on the shelf yet.. it is such an amazing deck to work with, and I love the artwork.

Today I drew a helper and guide faerie called Honesty.....a wonderful looking character with eyes that see everything. His head seems to glow with enlightenment and knowledge while his body is almost transparent, apart from what looks like a silver cord joining the Chakra points. It seems he is about the inner being the pure centre of ourselves where nothing hides from nothing. Once you are stripped down to the core, only the truth remains.

This card tells me today, to be true to myself. It is a Monday, Moon Day and Honesty is a plant that is often called Moonwort because of its gorgeous round silver seed pods. I love the idea of Moon seeds and Moonflowers. The Moon can be about illusion and deception. I thought about this and how I am probably deceiving myself in some way by not being true to myself. Things have been foggy recently, with not knowing what to do about this house etc. Since I put it on the market for rent I have been uneasy, but I didn't really know why. Now I do know .... I don't want to give it up, or let someone else live in my home, I don't want to leave my goats ...it all feels so wrong! This helped me decide to take it off the rental market and look for a flatmate instead. Now I just need the universe to send me the perfect person :)

From Tarot of the Sweet Twilight my card is the Ten of Swords. This is one of the nicest Ten of Swords I have seen. It shows an angel or leastways a creature with wings, kneeling on a shore. She is holding flowers as if in offering to the lost ones who are buried in the graveyard before her. The swords are stood around in the graveyard like crosses on graves. One sword lies in front of her, as if barring her way.  There is a black bat like shadow behind her, which her shadow is joined to... she is nocturnal like the bat, a creature of the darkness......the twilight of the decks' name. Another way I can see this is the bats wings are actually her wings which are waiting to set her free, once she has laid to rest whatever is holding her down.

The card speaks of sorrow and yearning for that which is lost, but also of peace, it is a very calm card. She could be yearning the dancing statue on the grave, maybe it is something she has recently lost and she is bringing the flowers to make peace and lie it to rest. I can relate to this, I am going through something very similar. She could be mourning her youth, that carefree dance of no responsibilities except to have fun. I can relate to that too! All the crosses or grave markers have shadows. This shows me that nothing is ever totally gone.... even a grave casts a living shadow on the present.

Honesty - Froud's Faerie Oracle and Ten of Swords - Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

Something is changing, something that brings some sorrow to me, but also peace and ultimately a new dawn. It has come about as a result of being honest and true to my inner self.

Eight of Wands and The Hermit

Swiftness and The Hermit......  The Eight of Wands is quite close in some ways to the Ace of Wands of yesterday. It speakers of moving now, to avoid missing opportunities. But it also is about doing things in the right order at the right time. I couldn't help thinking of yesterday's Ace of Wands from this same deck, with it's giant ripe apple. The little person seeing to the dead part of the tree could actually be doing things at the wrong time or in the wrong order. While she attends to the dying leaves (which are beyond saving....), the big juicy apple could fast become rotten.. we can only see one side of it...there could already be a small worm eating it's way in there. So the Ace could also speak of missed chances like the Eight of Wands.

The Eight of Wands from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight is unusual in that it has a person it in, albeit a tree creature! I love this card love how all things are happening in unison, like the perfect arrangement of the eights. Her look is focused on the other Wands of which she is the eighth, one small movement of her fantastical hands and magic will happen for sure. Already wonderful mushrooms are growing for her and the butterfly's attend the ceremony.... maybe helping spread the spores of the fungi.  They could also represent flying..... like in a plane... to another land... and a new adventure.. woo hoo!! I have been thinking a lot of travel lately. A very magical Alice type card which has to bode well for me at this time. Whatever magic it is I need to create. I am sure the answer will be revealed soon.

 

Eight of Wands and The Hermit

 

 

From the Silicon Dawn, I drew The Hermit.. another gorgeous looking card :) Love the colours and the sense of fun which are quite opposite the usual depictions The Hermit tarot card. This hermit looks rather like a fool, in jesters hat, complete with bells. She seems to have walked through some kind of barrier, maybe from a mundane world to a more esoteric place, where secrets are hidden deep, like the workings of these gears we see here. This hermit carries a light between her hands... or is it a glow emanating from her.. a sign of her new found inner enlightenment? I could of course be illusory ...a trick of reflected sunlight, or a flare from a camera flash. She doesn't look behind her as she leaves her old pad... is she ready to go back into the world or merely fancies a different and funkier hermitage?

I definitely feel the energy of The Hermit card, very strongly at the moment. I need to spend more time looking in, I want to know which path to take next and what I am looking for.... I need answers.
The 9 is a magic number in many mathematical ways.... it also looks like it is curling up into itself, like a primitive tailed embryo. I do feel a strong need for time alone at the moment, and I do want to understand a lot of things about me and life and why things happen as they do, how to change things..... I just need to keep looking within to find the answers.

Ace of Wands and Six of Cups

The roots of fire... and pleasure...

Today I drew the Ace of Wands from Tarot of the Sweet Twilight..... and the Six of cups from tarot of the Silicon Dawn.

Ace of Wands & Six of Cups

The Ace of Wands is a great card in this deck.... I love how the little person in the tree is so intent on
trying to deal with the dead leaves that they miss the huge juicy red apple behind them. Great illustration of how we can miss something really good in our lives by looking in the wrong direction and concentrating on that which is dying rather than that which is healthy and ripe and shiny. This card is about stepping back and seeing the bigger picture. There is magic and fire and earthiness in this wand. You cannot see it in my photo, but on the ground near the tree is a magic wand with a skull on top.  Little person could be looking for the wand, realising she has let her magic fall. The skull on top of the wand could also show us that there is magic in endings.. the magic of new beginnings.

This card is bursting with creative energy, and sometimes it can be hard to know which direction to move in, with too many ideas coming at you all at once. There is a need to make a change in your life ... it's time to realise you dream, follow your heart and your instinct. But first you have to find out what this is.

The Six of Cups in the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn is another card that is literally bursting with energy. It is a card of joy and pleasure and living in the now while reaching for the heights, This card shows a huge fountain of water, like a goddess rising from the ground that has been warmed by the sun. The water in the cups is spilling out with abandon, here in the now everything is abundant.

The hidden parts of your life are coming to the surface, feelings, talents maybe, things from the past that you once enjoyed could resurface. The water goddess here has pink bows about her person which remind me of children and the the easy joys and innocence of childhood. Childhood also brings naivety which could be a warning not to be too trusting of someone who may not have your best interests at heart.

I have very recently been concentrating  my energy on things which no longer work in my life or serve me in any positive way. I could be missing out on huge chunks of juicy apple joy because of this inability to let things die naturally. I do have lots of inspiration from different sources and end up confused as to which way to turn. As a result, one day life seems full of possibilities and the way forward seems very clear, and the next day I am back underground looking up through a wormhole where everything seems huge and impossible.

I can be way too trusting of some people.. and that trust has recently been proved to be misplaced. But I do have a pure way of seeing things sometimes, and tend to think others are like me. I do need some Six of Cups joy and pleasure and play in my life at the moment though.... been a long time!

I an thinking that the Ace of Wands may be telling me to see the big picture, and also saying its time to act without too much thought. No more procrastination! Looking at that giant apple again that is hidden in the background, a part of me wonders if the little person deliberately ignores it? Maybe she knows something about it that we don't.. maybe it is not so good as it looks, it could be an illusion created by the magic wand. Could it be that she wants to cure whatever is killing the leaves she is inspecting, to heal the tree? Maybe the BIG apple sapped all the life from the tree and that is why it is starting to die. This reminds me very much of a situation in my life right now.

Five of Wands and Judgement

This week I decided to use two decks for my daily cards, in one form or another, the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight and Tarot of the Silicon Dawn. Today I drew one card from each deck; the Five of Wands and Judgement respectively.

Five of Wands - Tarot of the Sweet Twilight

The fire continues from yesterdays King of Wands.... it seems to be building up in fact... if my mood is anything to go by. A burning for change. This card showing today is illustrating my inner conflicts, indecision, not knowing which way to go. I have several people telling me what is best for me, but I need to step back and work out what is best for myself.

The trouble is that outside of me there are all the opinions of my nearest and dearest pulling me different ways, and inside I have my own muddled ideas and half though out plans. There seems to be no clear way, like the creatures in the picture, they seem to be working together but actually they are not, they are either confused as to the rules or looking to see what each other is doing as they have no idea themselves.

It would be nice to have someone to work with to help me see things clearly, none of these gals seem to be paired up, but all leaving the *party* with a rather lost look. Maybe they came to the wrong party... and ended up more conflicted that they started. Anyway the 5's are often about change, and I feel change in the air. I need to fire myself up to maker it happen... and if it is not right, well.. I can always make another change.

Five of Wands & Judgement

Judgement - Tarot of the Silicon Dawn

Hurrah the sax is playing and we are awakened from sleep....jumping and dancing for joy.. come to the Jazz party and boogie on down.... Time for reawakening and to reinvent yourself.... you've had plenty of time for sleeping and now the big day is here...

All change requires sacrifice of some sort... the blue (bluesy jazzy boogie on down n dirty..) tone of this card speaks of some regrets maybe or sorrows... but you can't take everything with you or there would be no change ... no freedom ......

Kris Kristofferson wasn't joking when he sang "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.....'

Endings and beginnings... realisation that it's time to try something different, I been at this particular blues fest for long enough. Time to rise up and greet the winds of change... and I can bring some of the good stuff with me...

Its like I am literally being called out of the grave like those in the traditional Judgement concept... at least something in me is, something that has been lying dormant,  waiting for the chance to be let loose.... my Gypsy!!! Sooooo its quite apt, that before I drew these cards I spent hours on Trademe looking at housebuses for sale :)

King of Wands

I drew the King of Wands today.... and I immediately thought of some of the people who have inspired me over the past couple of days... just by being who they are, without trying. Like the guy in the card below... the dancers are inspired by him, even though he is not focused on them. Love wells up around them and they feel wanted and appreciated.

Meanwhile the King may have to think about himself a little, not overdo things. Take the inspiration and the good wishes and support on board and realise that you mean more than you believed. Know that you too can inspire others, merely by your energy and zest for life.

King of Wands - tarot of the Sweet Twilight

Whereas this King is all fire and go, and he is focused and forward thinking, I am not. I could do with being more goal orientated I guess. I do have some of his traits ... changing the world to suit me rather than conforming to the expectations of society. I have never been afraid to blaze my own trail.  I am compassionate to others. When I really want something to happen badly enough I tend to make it happen but am better at doing this for others than for myself.

I believe this card is telling me that I now have the power and opportunity to do something that I have been dreaming of for a while, the King of Wands is not a dreamer, he is the doer. I need to gird all my self confidence, make a decision and go for it!

I have people coming to look at my house tomorrow, if I do get a tenant then I will be inspired to take a very proactive step in the next stage of my plans.... no going back ;)

Three of Wands

The image here reminds me of being in England, especially Hereford, with all the church spires. It looks like there is water in the background, like a sea or ocean maybe, and there is land in the distance. A figure climbs to the top of the tower and is welding a tall aerial or radio mast to the apex of the roof. I am sure it is an aerial because in the glossy overlay there are many signal rings emanating from the tip of the mast. These rings of wireless waves are overlapping with other rings from other tall spires.....

The Wands and Pentacles in the Silicon Dawn deck are kind of swapped, elementally anyway, although the meanings of the two cards are fairly similar, the elements are very different.... earth instead of fire. When perched on top of what could be a lightning pole I guess it is far better to be earthed than a molten rod of fire.

Three of Wands - Tarot of the Silicon Dawn

This card has a few elements similar to the traditional RWS Three of Pentacles ... the spire could be a cathedral spire, the figure is using a tool of the trade by the looks of it, she also appears to be above the other spires and know what she is doing. Maybe the signals coming in from the other spires are signals of appreciation ... many hands clapping!

This deck is totally different from any other and yet it is sometimes a comfort to relate back to what is familiar. other times I feel the opposite! The signals seem to me like a message from afar, but it is getting mixed up with other messages. Could it be that the message I am sending out is being drowned out, by those coming in, or I am not giving a strong enough signal? Who or what is calling me. Am I actually sending any messages or just receiving?

Am I being called to other lands.... over the sea? Or am I just having trouble tuning in to Radio Wales to listen to the new series of Phil the Shelf.... ;)

Who are the two figures in the windows of the cathedral ... if it is a cathedral? Are they working, praying for my safety? Or are they meant to be holding the ladder!

Well I really do feel mixed up, I  sense mixed messages from the universe at the moment. But generally, this card bodes well!

This is my last draw from the Silicon Dawn as this week's deck of the week, but I am reluctant to let it go! I have decided next week to choose a new deck, and use it along with the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn. I may draw the daily card with my next chosen deck and compare it with the same card from the Silicon Dawn, or, I might draw two different cards. Haven't decided on the new deck yet.