Swords....

I wanted a kind of overview on a relationship situation for a friend, so today I decided to do this as a spread instead of a Daily Draw for me. I chose to work with the Ludy Lescot again and I asked the cards to tell me whats going on with her as far as the relationship goes, and where she is at now.

I drew the following cards:

Four of Swords, Nine of Swords and Seven of Pentacles.

Four of Swords, Nine of Swords and Seven of Pentacles - Ludy Lescot

Today I am just going to read these cards intuitively with the given question and see what I get.

The first card, the Four of Swords shows a woman clinging to a cold dead knight.... she has laid down her arms after using one not to hurt him but to cut her own wrists. Her bloods drips down but he is unmoved. He grips the fourth sword... he still hasn't given up his need to defend, and he is afraid of being caught unawares... even in death.

The next card, another Sword, the Nine shows a female lying on the ground surrounded by swords, yet none are actually piercing her flesh.She clutches a cross, the last vestige of faith... this is her truth and her light, her very inner self, and that  part of her is still innocent and pure and unharmed. By retreating into her safe place she can begin to build up her life again from the inside out. Nothing can harm her anymore.

The third card in the reading is the Seven of Pentacles... I see a woman sitting by the window and looking at her reflection in the glass. It is like half of her has already moved to the wildness outside and the other half is looking back into the room, wondering if she should just stay put. There are seven purple roses lying on the stool by her side, but they don't seem important, more forgotten. Her dress is coming off her shoulders and this to me signifies the inner wildness of her wanting to get out.
I think the roses are a ploy to try and keep her there, perfectly arranged a gift of love, yet a tool for control. The reflect nothing of her true desire. She has seen the way to freedom from the bondage she has been caught up in for so long.... the seed is sown.... maybe this is just a last look back on what she once thought was what she truly wanted more than anything.

This was a very spot on reading imho. I like this deck a lot.

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 :)