Tarot Card for the Day ~ April 1

Eleven of Wanks

Sir Nigel of Tufnel

 

 

You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.  And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

 

Try to eat organic, even though several shipments of bananas from Costa Rica have been infected with necrotizing fasciltis, otherwise known as flesh eating bacteria.  Recently this disease has decimated the monkey population in Costa Rica, which has the Monkees totally ticked, and Neil Diamond isn’t so thrilled either.  God knows what Michael Jackson thinks.

 

And remember to never drink spring water from plastic bottles.  Fish leave residue. 

 

An’ also remember, don’t believe everything you read.  But if you can read it, thank a teacher.  Although not necessarily a French teacher.  Unless it’s in French. Or you’re in France.

 

But that’s just nit picking.

 

And finally, never leave your gum on a table, because you might need it later.

 

Turn it up to eleven!

 

Quote for the Day   It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.  ~ David St. Hubbins

 

 

 

Three of Spears

The Horse Fair

 

Once again, please remember that threes in any Tarot deck are power cards, or rather, that the issue the card is addressing is one of power, even if it doesn’t seem so on the surface.  Typically, a three would counsel things like

 

~ beware of power games,

~ be prepared for power struggles,

~ watch out for failure to own your power  −

   or, better,

~ OWN

          YOUR

               POWER

                    FULLY

                         NOW!

~ have a care against disempowerment

   in any area of life, whether by the action

   of others,  or by your own action

   or inaction 

~ empower yourself

~ empower those you love and believe in

~ accept the challenge of owning all of

   what you are and who you can be

 

Simple, really.  [I keep telling myself that.]

 

The Three of Spears is a card of mentoring direction, as it were.  It says:

 

“Be ruthlessly practical in pursuit of a much higher ideal.” 

 

The Tarot deck I use is Legend, the Arthurian Tarot.  In my story of the card, which depicts The Horse Fair, I see a young King Arthur having the brilliant insight that, to finally take the throne, and then to more effectively secure his kingdom, he needs to resurrect a strong cavalry wing and make it the centerpiece of his armed forces. 

 

Having decided so, he would then have to go to Britain’s great horse fair and be ruthlessly objective in his examination of each animal, knowing that the future of Camelot might well rest on that creature’s shoulders.   

 

So, envision your most exalted possibilities, your highest potential achievement for the Highest and Best.  Set your goal.  Then literally, practically, holding your nose to the necessary grindstones, do the things required to achieve your will − if it’s truly for the Highest and Best! 

 

Own your most amazing and idealistic dreams, and exert the power YOU have to pursue them through practical means.  (One horse at a time, if necessary.)  

 

Bright blessings and amazing achievements!

Quote for the Day  Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it’s done, they’ve seen it done every day, but they’re unable to do it themselves.  ~ Brendan Behan

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March 31

The Hermit

Lancelot in Exile

 

 

A useful card for a Tuesday.

 

This would be a good time to remember that

~ each Tarot card has many facets to its meaning and

~ it can be important to tease out as many of the meanings

   as you can for yourself

~ including meanings that seems to contradict themselves

~ to get a sense of what you might need to be aware of on any given day

Is that sufficiently foggy?

Okay, lemme try this from another perspective.

There are lots of different Yous going on during even a single morning, let alone a whole day, a whole relationship, or a whole career. 

Although you perceive yourself to be pretty much the same from morning till night, and day in and day out,

you’re likely a very different person with the paper boy who leaves your paper perfectly where you want it

than you are with the cats who keep lovingly flopping on the movie reviews as you try to read them. 

 

And you’re a different person with them than you are with the partner who always manages to be ogling the undies ads just as you walk into the room. 

 

And you’re different with her/him than you are with that whiney but important client who demands that you see her half an hour earlier than anybody else ever does (and always shows up 15 minutes late)

 

or the lovely but dotty neighbor who always drives a bit over the edge of your lawn but gives you potted plants and flowers once a quarter in apology

and the other neighbor who is wonderful but keeps throwing peanuts out for the squirrels, who grab them and eat them on (and leave squirrel piddle and peanut shells all over) your porch. 

 

See?  LOTS of different Yous.

 

And that’s not even on a day fraught with emotional charge, elevated hopes, escalated fears, fat, sugar and alcohol.  Oh, wait.  St. Patrick’s day has been and gone.  

So what does that have to do with The Hermit? 

Wait.  It’ll come to me.  Oyeah.

Attend. 

As I’ve said before, you’d assume a card with a name like The Hermit would be pretty self-evident in its meaning, right?

Well sort of, for once − in this case, anyway.  I mean, if you’ve been aching for some alone time away from the madding crowd to recuperate, get grounded and centered, this is definitely your card of permission in that regard.  [So, yeah, you can tell your boss it was all Neal’s fault you didn’t show for mandatory fun with your coworkers today.]  Just be sure to create and take advantage of favorable energies if you let yourself have the time and space.  It will be valuable and helpful.

But the more specific applicability of The Hermit on any given day is that, when this card shows up in a reading, I’m most likely to tell a client,

Ah.  Yes.  Hermit.

“It’s time to go really deep within yourself and do some much needed soul-searching. 

“The intent will be to find the pure and beautiful light within you, acknowledge it, engage it, and begin bringing it out as a gift to and a healing for the world.” 

Please see if you don’t really resonate to that aspect of the card today.  In fact, go out of your way to try to resonate with it.  It’ll help you get through the day.  And your vibe will probably help everyone else in the process.

By the way, this card can also indicate a meeting with a wise person.  So don’t let that slip by if you perceive a likely opportunity.   [Maybe you’ll hire me for a reading?]

Find your light.  Shine it in the world. 

Bright BRIGHT Blessings!

Quote for the day:   “Music was my way of keeping people from looking through and around me. I wanted the heavies to know I was around….The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.” ~ Bruce Springsteen

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March30

Queen of Swords

Morgause

 

Hmm….  Haven’t seen her in a while.  But the last time she showed up it was also a Monday.  A Monday kind of card indeed.

This card certainly betokens being strategic in our lives and in our world – as I’ll show later. That could, if you let it, lead to the question, “What is the difference between strategy and tactics?”  God knows, I confuse the two about every chance I get.  Which helps explain why I drive a Toyota instead of a BMW, I guess.

Strategy is the big picture look at a problem, situation or goal. 

It focuses on the sea-change-sized thing that needs to be achieved.  Defeating an enemy, preserving the ecology, earning a living as a Tarot reader − those are strategies.  Concepts like objective, maneuver and security are among the principles of strategy.  Sun Tzu’s The Art of War teaches strategy.

Tactics vary with circumstances, time and technology. 

As I wrote last time, if I were to guide you in marketing yourself as a Tarot reader for the eighteenth century, I’d suggest you get a beautiful snug little cart, paint it in wild and wonderful colors, and travel the roads from town to town to find clients and stay ahead of the sheriff. 

If I were advising you to be a tarot reader for this year, I’d talk about blogs, web sites and potential podcasting opportunities to find clients and stay ahead of the sheriff. 

I still think that cart thing sounds pretty good. 

So, tactics present a small picture perspective where individual trees are in focus, and dealing with them one by one is the action. Strategy focuses on the big picture of the entire forest, and whether to preserve it, slaughter it, or something in between.

Got it? 

Good.  Me, I’m just as lost as ever. Where was I?

Oh.  Yeah.  This has to do with what the Queen of Swords has to tell us about our day, and possibly our future.

 

As I always say to my clients,

 

I love the Queen of Swords.  If anyone ever crosses her, she doesn’t get mad.  She just has them beheaded.  ‘Nothing personal,’ she’ll say.   (That is a tactic to eliminate an obstacle.  The strategy is to ensure that her reputation will precede her and instill fear in those who might think of opposing her.)

 

The Queen is a master of BOTH strategy and tactics, and so that is what you are being asked to explore within yourself and your situation today.  She is intelligent, and may in fact be a scholar or have a strong scholarly bent, especially when she must.  She will do what is necessary to learn what may be necessary to succeed.  So, if you need to learn something new beginning today, don’t resist.  Get started!  It will be worth your while.

 

If the Queen wants to get from point A to point B, she will take the time to clearly and accurately understand WHY she should do that (strategy), and determine every baby step necessary to move her from where she is to her goal (tactics).  Just as important, she will exert the will to hold herself to every single step.  She’ll take unexpected breaks if they come her way, but she’ll muster the grit to grind it out when necessary.

 

So be clear about

 

~ what you want,

~ why you want it,

~ the impact it will have on you and your world,

~ and what it will take to attain your goal. 

~ Learn what may be necessary to help you succeed.

~ Then put yourself on the path to your goal. 

~ And if anyone gets in your way, don’t take it personal. 

   Just have ’im beheaded. 

   I mean, just cut him out of the situation and move on.

 

Bright blessings!

 

Quote for the day:      People who used magic without knowing what they were doing usually came to a sticky end. All over the entire room, sometimes.  ~ Terry Pratchett, from Moving Pictures

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March 29

The Universe

The Giants’ Dance

 

This is one of the most glorious, positive cards in the deck. 

The card pictures a Goddess/dancer moving free under the stars within Stonehenge (the Giants’ Dance).

When this card comes up, I ask clients:

What would dancing free under the stars be for you? 

What would give you that sense of freedom, of elation, of connection to beautiful and eternal and renewing Source and its most healing rhythms? 

Now, what can you do/what will you do to begin to give that to yourself? 

The Universe is your oyster.  It will give you back your fondest wishes, if you will be clear within yourself about those wishes, be true to those wishes, hold them close moment by moment, and honor them.

In our daily lives, we so often become wrapped up in the seeming necessities of the moment.  We can lose track of our more profound, more eternal and inspiring hopes, wishes, beliefs − and powers. 

So, starting today, reconnect with that higher, more hopeful vision of yourself and your life, and KNOW that you have all that is necessary to bring it into being.  This is a card of successful completion, harmony and lasting happiness.  Believe!

Bright blessings!

 (Please share this card with someone who needs a little boost today.)

 

Quote for the day:      “Take up one idea.  Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea.  Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone.  This is the way to success….”  ~ Swami Vivekananda

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March 28

Seven of Cups

The Questing Beast

 

 

 

What a great card for a Saturday! 

 

This is another card where my interpretation may diverge a tidly, tadly bit from that of other readers.  And I think that’s just fine.

 

Some see the Seven of Cups as recommending opening to visions through contemplation.  Mustn’t argue with that, ever, unless you’re ready to have the Mafia of Light come after ya.

 

 Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, sees this card as betokening – among other things − fantasy, whims or perhaps a bizarre turn of events.  Right up my alley.

 

I see the Seven of Cups as the card of utter, total complete joy and joyful abandon. 

 

There may be some need to stay at least a bit grounded, so you don’t go completely off into the realm of fantasy in a “Wow, look at all the pretty colors/I’ll betcha I can too live on air and rainbows right on down the primrose path” kinda way.

 

But this is also the card of Fairy Favors, creativity and clear vision around attaining true desires. 

 

(And this is a great, great time to become reacquainted with the Green Fay Friends down garden way.)

 

So go after the joy. Seek it, quest after it, demand it!  And for pity’s sake, at least be sure you can actually define what it is − or what it would be, if you had your druthers − for you.

 

Let yourself renew your belief in and commitment to your happiness, and be open to the myriad magical ways the universe may have to bring it to you.  Let yourself be open to surprises and miracles in that regard.  And open to a little Fairy Magic today!

 

Joy!  Joy!  Joy!

 

Bright blessings!

 

Quote for the day:    I used to desire many, many things, but now I have just one desire, and that’s to get rid of all my other desires.  ~ John Cleese

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March 27

Seven of Shields

Castle Of Wonders

 

Hmmm…  This one turned up on the first of the month.  And it requires a Nealio’s fracturized faerystory version of the legend behind the card. 

 

As usual, my version of the story can be a bit different than what you might find in some Arthurian mythologies.  And my interpretation of the card veers a bit from the norm as well. 

 

So grab a mug of hot something, a bottle of whatever or a few of those cute little mushrooms Grace Slick used to sing about, and away we go.

 

Sir Gawain found himself in hot pursuit of an outlaw knight.  He chased the cur over hill and dale until the outlaw rode in to the courtyard of a great castle, and then into the great hall of the castle itself. 

 

Gawain galloped on in as well.  As Gawain entered the hall, he began being pelted by a huge indoor storm of sleet, large iceballs and stones.  Being a prudent man, Gawain reined in his worthy steed, thinking, “Hmm….  There’s more here than meets the eye.  Maybe I better just go back and tell the guys I lost track of the outlaw, and will hunt him down another day.”

 

But being a brave soul and one of the leading lights of the flower of chivalry that was Camelot, he pulled himself together and said, “Nay then. ’Tis my quest, and meet it is that I pursue it come what may.”  And he began pushing his way through the storm.

 

At which point the storm simply stopped, and he found himself confronted by an entire army, blocking the way of his pursuit.  Again he took pause, thinking, “This here is some weirdness here, you bet.  Maybe it’d be better to just come back another day and see woss happenin’ then.”  But again, he screwed up his courage, pulled out his trusty sword and launched himself against the foes.

 

At which point they disappeared, only to be replaced by a huge lion and griffin who (which?  Nah, who) blocked his way.  This time Gawain really took a step back, thinking, “Okay.  Look, magic is one thing, but this is getting ridiculous.  I could end up griffin chow here.  And besides, they’re a protected species.  I’m just not gonna.…   I’m not….  Aw, mayin!” 

And again he remembered his quest and his solemn vow to his mates from the Round Table, so he pushed forward, hard.  The lion and griffin disappeared.

 

And as Gawain sat, staring into the center of the immense hall, a GREAT MAGIC occurred.  There was a shimmer, and a shine, and a wrinkle in reality that became a doorway into a realm of wonders, of goodness and of  healing, which provided many amazing things which the goodlye Knighte gathered up and took back for the benefit of Camelot.      

 

So, what has that got to do with anything?

 

I thought you’d never ask. [Just like you thought I’d never finish.]

 

Okay, some readers see the Seven of Shields as betokening money, business and barter.  Anna Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, writes of treasures, bounty, persistence and the steady, methodical removal of obstacles.

 

When this card shows up for a client, I’m likely to say,

 

“Okay.  What it comes down to now is knowing what you’re really going after, and refusing to give up.  You may feel overmatched, overwhelmed, even afraid and a tad hopeless.  But if your goal is REALLY important to you, remember what it is, screw up your courage, dig in your heels and push back or push on.  Hard! 

 

“And if you really have chosen a goal that is worthy of you, and important to you, have faith in yourself.  You will succeed beyond your brightest dreams.”

 

Find a goal that is worthy of your efforts.  Know what it is, and why you have chosen it.  Keep pushing once, twice, as many times as it takes till the opposition finally just gives up and goes away.  And know that your most beautiful dreams can come true.

 

Bright blessings and great wonders! 

 

Quote for the day:     

“There’s a door.”
 “Where does it go?”
 “It stays where it is, I think.” 

 ~ Terry Pratchett, from Eric  

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March 26

Ace of Spears

The Grail Lance

 

The second time we’ve seen an Ace this week.

As those of you who have worked with me will remember, Aces in any Tarot deck are cards of a new beginning.  So, let’s ask again:

~ How can you − how do you need to − begin your life anew, today, this moment?

~ What changes can you begin, even in small ways? 

~ What potentials can you believe in, hope for, reach for and remember?

Expect The Universe will keep asking that question until you (and we all) truly remember to ask it over and over again as a part of who we are alla da tyme!

Some readers feel the Ace of Spears has to do with invention or creation, and perhaps with an inheritance.  Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, finds mental activity, revelation and beginning anew to be elements of the card’s meaning.

I believe the Ace of Spears asks for two things when it appears. 

~ First, it reminds you to become very clear within yourself about something you want or some goal you would achieve.  It is, therefore, important that you know specifically what you want to go after – perhaps some major wish in life, or perhaps just a current, interim, in-the-moment thing that will be helpful or fulfilling for a short time, or serve as a useful next step. 

It is equally important that you be clear about why you want it.  What are your true motivations, and are they really for the highest and best? So this card is also about being conscious of what you would do and have, and of your impact on the world.

~ Then, once that first, more internal step is completed, the Ace of Spears directs you to use strong, clean, clear, non-repressive and non-repressed masculine energy as your model − think Dalai Lama, maybe? – and simply go after your wish or goal confidently, firmly and directly.  (So it’s assertive rather than aggressive.)  Know what you want.  Pursue it.  Yourself.  Today!

 

What is your new beginning?  Be clear in what you want.  Be clear about the why of it.  Go after it directly, the way anyone with a strong, positive masculine drive would.  Do something concrete about it today. 

Bright blessings and beautiful, knowing beginnings!

 

Quote for the day:      “I find it rather easy to portray a businessman.  Being bland, rather cruel and incompetent comes naturally to me.”  ~ John Cleese

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March 25

Six of Spears

The Return of Ambrosius

 

Hmmmmm…  This card has shown up about once a month this year, or so it seems to me. 

This would, of course, imply that it might behoove us all to pay some close attention to the various insights the card has to offer.  Perhaps each of us might even want to go through all the major areas of our lives − lives? life? whatever the rule is – including physical & emotional health, relationships, career/how we use our time, finances and spiritual path, to see how the Six of Spears may be speaking to that area.      

Right?  Good.

As I said last time this card showed up for the Blog, it’s one that requires a Nealio’s fracturized faerystory version of the legend behind the card.  That will help you understand my interpretation of the Six of Spears, which – as usual – varies a touch from the norm.

By the way, my intuition-based recounting of the story of Ambrosius also varies a tad from anybody else’s, historical or otherwise. 

So, gae we noo taegether, aye.  Or summing like that.

Just as Arthur had to deal with a rebellion of the lesser kings at the start of his reign, and Arthur’s father Uther had to deal with a rebellion of the lesser kings at the start of his reign, Arthur’s uncle Ambrosius had problems at the start of his reign.

But Ambrosius was literally driven out of Britain, over to Brittany in France.  And the people who stole Britain from him were a bunch of real slimebuckets (I believe that’s a French term), you bet!

Now, that made the guy a King in Exile, which could be a pretty cushy life.  Small castle, nice lands, good hunting, splendid French wines − there could be a real temptation to just put your feet up, marry a French princess, become a courtier and suck down the oysters of life.

Not for Ambrosius. 

He gathered, from ALL around the world, the finest strategists, armorers, teachers, alchemists, trainers, etc., etc., etc. and put them all to work for him, on him, on his forces and on his hopes.  So that, after a while, it became generally acknowledged that he had the finest army, and advisors, in the world. 

And in his own chosen time, he and his army went back across the English Channel and literally blew through the opposing forces like wind through a cane break. 

Which brings me to the card.  (Yeah.  Finally.)

To most readers, the Six of Spears betokens a victor triumphing, or great and important news.  Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of the Legend deck, sees this card as a well-earned victory, change for the better, and “passing through a gateway to a new era.”

I won’t go against any of those interpretations.  We could all use a touch of that lately.

But to me, Six of Spears represents utter, total complete victory after what seemed to be utter defeat.

And the victory comes, not instantly, but after careful planning and the marshalling of THE BEST people who can help make the desired success and/or reversal of fortune possible.  (That means you’re not SUPPOSED to try to handle it all-by-yourself-alone!  But don’t settle for help from any doofus who happens to wander by with a card that says Consultant, either!)

So, what IS the seeming defeat that you would turn into a victory FOR THE HIGHEST AND BEST? 

Who are the

friends,

associates,

helpers,

consultants (good ones!),

managers,

healers,

intuitives,

artists,

spiritual directors

OR WHATEVER

who would be THE BEST to help you take back what seems lost? 

 

What must you do to involve them in your cause?  And what can you do to start on that today?  Go!  Go!

Bright blessings and victory that is for the Highest and Best!

Quote for the day:    One thing I’ve learned.  You can know anything.  It’s all there.  You just have to find it.   ~ Neil Gaiman, from Sandman # 3

Tarot Card for the Day ~ March24

King of Spears

King Pellinore

 

Anna-Marie Ferguson’s, creator of  Legend, the Arthurian Tarot, finds the King of Spears to be a mature man of wisdom, someone with humor and theatrical flair.  [Sort of mashup between Joe Biden and John Cleese, maybe?]  So keep an eye out for that kind of energy today, or seek to embody it yourself.

 

I see the King of Spears as the card of the Renaissance Man (or Renaissance Woman). 

Look for (in someone else),

or better still, give yourself permission to have

a restless, joyful, driving curiosity that you allow to take you toward many different fascinations. 

Here’s my picture of a typical Renaissance Person:

 

He or she

~ does trigonometry problems for fun and

~ can conjugate verbs in Latin, French and Japanese or Russian and

~ is on Neil Gaiman’s Twitter follow list and

~ converted a car to biodiesel ~ alone and

~ understands permaculture and

~ has sung backup for Tom Petty

~ rides a Harley and

~ works with Habitat for Humanity

 

He or she wants to learn

~ French cooking and

~ Feng Shui and 

~ Shamanic Healing and

~ judo and

~ Vedic astrology and

~ Thai massage and

~ classical guitar and

~ how to REALLY make money day trading and

~ how to build a PC by hand and

~ wants to design a line of greeting cards and

~ wants to write a play for Broadway

 

And so on. 

 

And will do so.

 

But remember, a true Renaissance Person is not just a dibbler-dabbler in lots of things.  The characteristic that distinguishes the Renaissance person is a real commitment to explore deeply, to develop true expertise in many areas − one at a time if necessary − that appeal.  Deep learning and wisdom, not just faking it or cramming to get by, are required here.

So, if you were to really own up to the Renaissancer in you, what interests, skills, and wisdom would you go after?  Which one first?  How can you start today?

Brightest blessings and wonder!

 

[On the other hand…]

Quote for the day:       

“What is it that a man may call the greatest things in life?”
“Hot water, good dentishtry and shoft lavatory paper.”

~ Terry Pratchett, from The Light Fantastic

Tarot Card for the day ~ March 23

Ace of Swords

Sword of Strange Hangings

 

 

GRRRRRREAT card for a Monday!

 

All RIGHT now, boys and girls, ALL TOGETHER NOW:

 

Aces in any Tarot deck are cards of a new beginning.

 

Therefore:

 

~ How can you (how do you need to) begin your life anew, today, right now?

~ What changes can you begin, even in ways that may seem small? 

~ What potentials can you believe in, hope for, reach for and remember?

When this card comes up in a reading, I tell the client,

“Your new beginning has to do with going on an adventure, of giving yourself permission to go after something that really sets your heart and soul on fire. 

Please understand, it may be that your undertaking of this quest will involve the release of some element of your life that no longer serves you. 

Should you find that to be the case, strive to let the release be as quick and clean as possible, a very skillful surgery.”

I’ll stand by that set of interpretations. 

But as I’ve worked with clients who have had this card come up, I’ve also come to perceive that the adventure, the new beginning and the release tend to have an aspect of destiny to them: we often find that the person has reached a point where they must make some choices to move forward in order to evolve as their life offers them the potential to do. 

And what I often see is, in doing so, they do very well to remember that even big changes can be initiated and made without creating negative karma. 

By the way, I have also found that this card betokens a positive outcome for skillfully undertaken literal surgery. 

(And for some people, the adventure they decide to go on, and the “surgery” of the release they decide to make, can lead to a profound healing of the romantic side of life.)

What is your new beginning?  What adventure does your destiny call you to beginning today?  What may you be called to release?  Undertake your quest in a way that is firm yet considerate of the law:

What Goes Around Comes Around  

 

Bright blessings and joyous adventures!

 

Quote for the day:      Let’s just say that if complete and utter chaos was lightning, he’d be the sort to stand on a hilltop in a thunderstorm wearing wet copper armour and shouting ‘All gods are bastards’.  ~ Terry Pratchett, from The Colour of Magic

 

[Ahem.  Not THAT kind of adventure, please!]