The Moon

Like her phases, there are many sides to the Moon. It represents our emotions and instinctive behavior and the cycles found in nature. It is also a card of dreams, visions, imagination and increased psychic impressions. 

Often we receive messages in our sleep in the form of dreams or a clear vision.  Perhaps a message just as we are waking.  The Moon councils us to listen to these.  Pay attention to those vague impressions that tend to fade away even before we become fully conscious of them.  There are messages in them. 

It is not that the Moon represents unclear vision or self deception.  It is the subtlety of the energy that confuses us as we stand mesmerized but unable to express or capture what we are feeling.  Subtle tides which go unnoticed, subtle shifts in the atmosphere.  Don't overlook these little things.  They are not hidden, they are always in plain sight.  We just tend to miss them or dismiss them.  When the Moon appears, it is a sign that these subtleties will be present in the situations in which we find ourselves.

The energy of the Moon is illusive. If we focus directly on it, it disappears.  The Moon represents what is just at the edge of our consciousness and our impressions must be noted within rather than spoken out loud.  Communing with these energies brings them into awareness and the more we do this the easier it becomes to recognize and make use of them consciously.  Often not in line with rational thinking, do not attempt to explain them rationally to either yourself or others.  Just broaden your awareness to include them. 

And let us not forget what is best and most beautiful about Lunar energy.  I think Leila Vey, creator of The Tarot of Timeless Truth, states it better than I’ve seen anywhere:

“Open yourself to mystery. Explore your dreams and visions for truth that will help you live to the fullest and find answers you seek. Welcome enchantment and imagination into your life to break up dreariness and monotony. Embrace the shadows for in them you will find great treasure.”  Leila Vey

Reversed this card can indicate confusion, unclear vision, illusions, anxiety and vague irrational fears.  It is best to explore these feelings to see if they have any basis in reality, rather than avoiding or trying to repress them.

Micki

Image:  Tarot of Timeless Truth, The Moon

Seven of Swords

An unsettling card, to say the least.  The traditional image of this card is of a maleficent looking figure stealing away with five of seven swords in the dark, and the usual interpretation is to watch out for secrecy, theft and deceit, either in ourselves or at the hand of someone else.. Though this narrow interpretation of the card may apply in some situations, it isn't all there is to it.

The number seven represents creative challenge and swords represent the mental element.  A wider interpretation would be using our wit and applying our instinct, intelligence and cunning to the issue at hand.  Since the seven represents challenge, we may find ourselves in a situation where it is necessary to take a calculated risk. It could also represent a situation where one finds a way to "level the playing field" when faced with a stronger opponent.

There are times when it is necessary to keep certain things to ourselves.  The real challenge then is an ethical one.  When faced with this sort of situation, we must examine our motives.  Are they purely selfish, or based on what is the best for all concerned?  There is a fine line between secrecy and deceit, and we must be careful not to compromise our integrity no matter what the outcome may be.  Openness is usually the better choice, but we must take into consideration whether that openness will cause greater harm to others, and if so, weigh those consequences seriously.

Whatever our situation may be when this card appears, it does represent choices that are less than optimal and it may be wise to consider this famous quote when considering our strategy:

"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practice to deceive." 
- Sir Walter Scott

Micki

Image:  Robin Wood Tarot 7 of Swords

Two of Pentacles

You may be feeling that you have more on your hands today than you can handle.  Look again!  The key here is to relax, expand your awareness and take it all in.  Don't let it throw you off balance.  You will find that, with a little successful juggling, you will be successful at all that is required of you.

The title of this card is "Harmonious Change" and it is associated with Jupiter in Capricorn.  Jupiter, the expansive and optimistic planet of good fortune operating in Capricorn, the sign of business and structure, gives the ability to stay grounded and on purpose if you stay open and flexible.  With a little joyful juggling and a light hearted approach, you will find that you can accomplish more than you thought was possible.  At the end of the day you'll be looking at all you've done and thinking, "Whew!  How'd that happen?"

Reversed this card can indicate feeling off-balance or a resistance to changing circumstances.  You may be approaching life as if it is a chore and forgetting to have some fun and see the value in each moment.  Loosen up and learn how to "dance" through it all.

Micki

Image:  Robin Wood Tarot 2 of Pentacles

Six of Swords

This card is a welcome sight for those of us who have had a struggle on our hands.  It represents an easing of tensions after a period of conflict, either internal or external. 

Traditionally this is a card of rest and recovery, possibly even rescue from a violent or potentially violent situation; moving away from danger to a place of peace and safety; travel over water; moving from turbulence into calmer waters. 

In the Lo Scarabeo Tarot, pictured here, the six swords appear in the form a six pointed star, a Star of Hope, and the Rose Cross on the figure's blue robe along with the hand-held rose give the feeling of movement from a turbulent mental state into the calm, healing energy of the Heart. 

This card can also represent that flash of insight that comes with thinking outside the box or arriving at a perfect understanding of all the elements surrounding a discordant and contentious issue.

“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
   - Albert Einstein

Reversed, this card represents resistance to help, or being too tired and despondent to recognize it. It can also indicate being stuck in a mental rut where we are unable to see any solution.  The need to relax and let go of our “treasured position” is strongly emphasized.  There is a need to entertain the idea that we may not be "right" about whatever it is that we are insisting on.

 Micki

Image:  Lo Scarabeo Tarot 6 of Swords

Eight of Wands

 “Act now” is the call of the day.  Whatever you've had on the back burner, or been waiting to finish, now is the time to pull it out and do it.

Swiftness is a common title for this card and it is associated with Mercury in Sagittarius bringing to mind the swiftness of quicksilver combined with the expansive, optimistic fiery sign Sagittarius.

Act now with a sense of confidence in yourself and a clear picture of what you want, and it will be yours.

This card represents synchronicities, quick communications, ease in travel and everything coming together at once.

Reversed this card can signify a feeling that everything is happening too fast and spinning out of control.  Or it can counsel that now is not the time to act.  Slow down and wait awhile. It can indicate delays in communications or travel plans or just a general lull in activity.

Micki

Image: Hanson-Roberts Tarot 8 of Wands

Mercury in Capricorn

Mercury moves out of the lofty and idealistic Sagittarius and into Capricorn, where it will take on a more serious get down to business attitude.  (Possibly why I'm finally posting something on this blog.)  Characterized by methodical thinking, concentration and perseverance, this is a time to get realistic about both goals and everyday affairs. 

Mercury will be in Capricorn until February 3, 2011.  Thinking processes will be more detailed and precise during this time but can also take on a somewhat narrow-minded approach, so be careful not to get too inflexible.  Use this energy to focus on what is important in everyday affairs, but without becoming too unimaginative and humorless.

Micki

Tarot Books Cover2Cover Opening Day!

We have a date!

Tarot Books Cover2Cover will be starting our study of 21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card on Wednesday January 5, 2011. 

We're all very excited about this new book study! 

 

We have also opened a social group for our members called The Tarot Books Cover2Cover Lounge so that we have a place to interact, socialize, ask questions, make announcements and talk about anything that would be considered off-topic in our Book Study Group.

The Book Study Group is an open group.  All are welcome.  Come join in the fun!

Micki

 

 

Hippy Holidays

    May the joy and blessings

          Of the Season

                         Be with you now

And throughout the whole New Year

 

Full Moon In Gemini

 

Since the Moon is full in Gemini today which means the Sun is in Sagittarius, and since I am a Sagittarian, I thought I would dedicate a post to our Lady Diana.  I've just received my new Llewellyn Tarot deck and The Moon in this deck really depicts what I have always felt about the card. 

I've always resisted the traditional image of The Moon, with the angry and somewhat fearful looking face and an interpretation of fear, illusion, anxiety, deception, and bewilderment, etc,  Though I might read it this way if it is reversed, to me the upright Moon invokes a feeling of mystery, intrigue, enchantment and power. 

I’ve also ordered the Legend: The Arthurian Tarot and I love the image of The Moon in this deck also.  Here pictured is Morgan le Fay:

“The famed and complex Morgan le Fay was the chief priestess of the sisterhood of Avalon, and feminine counterpart to Merlin. Morgan was thought to be of divine origin and was granted great respect, though over time her character was debased.”  Orphalese Tarot

Here is an interpretation which I really love which came with the import of the Connolly Tarot in the Orphalese Tarot program:

“Open yourself to mystery. Explore your dreams and visions for truth that will help you live to the fullest and find answers you seek. Welcome enchantment and imagination into your life to break up dreariness and monotony. Embrace the shadows for in them you will find great treasure.”

Though the moon only shows herself clearly when it is dark and more difficult to see clearly, producing shadows which may seem threatening and seem to move of their own accord, my feeling has always been that she produces a feeling of sacred insight, the thrill of the hunt and a sense of awe and beauty.  So I salute our Lady on this day when she shows herself in her full and greatest glory.

Micki

Images:  The Llewellyn Tarot and Legend The Arthurian Tarot. 

Quoted interpretations:  Orphalese Tarot Program.

New Tarot Group On Yahoo

Tarot Books Cover2Cover
...........A Tarot Book Study Group

How many Tarot books do you have on your bookshelf that you've never read completely? If you're anything like me, I'm guessing quite a lot! Come and join us at Cover2Cover, and we'll read them together.

Here at Cover2Cover we feel that one of the surest ways to tap into the wisdom contained in the Tarot, is to study what has been shared by those who have gone before us and attained that wisdom.

This group will be a lively interactive online workshop, sharing the insights we glean from the exercises and activities outlined in the books we study. We hope to enhance our own intuition, creativity, and individual gifts and to empower ourselves by connecting with Tarot in a truly personal way.

 Coming in January 2011!

We are starting 21 Ways To Read A Tarot Card by Mary K. Greer!

All are welcome. Come join in the fun!

 

Click here to join TarotBooksCover2Cover

Micki