Free Association: Tarot Card of the Day – 7 of Wands
Tarot Card of the Day – July 20, 2009: 7 of Wands
Deck: Universal Waite Tarot
Element: Fire
Associations: Passions; urge; creativity; growth
For today’s Tarot Card of the Day, I am using am using free association as my method for reading this card. A great introduction to free association and Tarot available on Douglas Gibb’s Tarot Eon blog.
Here is a list of thoughts and sensory experiences that came to mind using free association:
- Wary; battle; fear; insecure; unbalanced; weakened; surprised; defense; pride; unsure; holding his ground; on top of the world (the grass and water stream are reminiscent of the top of a globe); playing the field; on guard; little protection; battling without armor; battling the army (physical or emotional); earthy smells; fast breathing; sweating; muscles are flexing; heart is racing
The person in the card is asking me several questions: Why is this happening to me? Why am I in battle? He is telling me that he wants to win, but does not want to fight. He wants things to work out and does not want an uphill battle to continue. He is wary about continuing to prevail in this battle. However, he knows that he has to remain confident in order to win.
I would advise that the person trust their instinct and try to discover the root of the battle–whether emotional or physical. Is the battle worth fighting for, or is it best to sit back and accept defeat or be humble? Are they aware of the potential consequences involved? A decision needs to be made, and only they have the answer. If it seems worth fighting for, than persistence is key. Otherwise, defeat can be a reflective process that is not necessarily a bad thing; strength can become of it and they will be prepared to better handle similar situations the next time they arise.
Image: Universal Waite Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.
© 2009, aurarcana | A Tarot Blog. All rights reserved.
Awesome!
Hi Nicole,
And well done! You did a great job and it looks like you got a lot out of the exercise. How did it feel when you were doing it, as opposed to checking the LWB for the meaning? Did you feel you gained a deeper insight into the card?
I often find this method helps me connect with the card I’m working with on a deeper often more personal level. There’s usually something pertinent that comes up for me that is relevant to the here and now, or is something I’ve missed previously – not unlike the occasion when you drew the 5 of Pentacles twice.
I’d love to hear how you felt about the exercise itself; what you gained from it personally, apart from the insights into the cards themselves.
Will you be doing another one, or perhaps consider this method as a complimentary way to learn and understand the Tarot? I find it an indispensable exercise, but you already know that
Looking forward to your next one…
Warm wishes
Catherine
Hi Catherine,
I plan on using this method as one of the main methods of interpreting the cards. The LWB and key symbolism helps out with some of the more abstract images that I am not familiar with. But, I have also discovered that my interpretations have included the same archetypical themes, proof that the beauty the symbolism used in Tarot is universal! Sure, I may not know that a symbol is representative of alchemy or, the meaning of a specific hieroglyph. However, I was able to extract meaning and connect with something else in the imagery that spoke to me about the theme in a similar way. I can learn the meanings of the key symbolism along the way. And, I am.
By using free association and writing my immediate reactions, I was able to see how I was able to distill the meaning in an organic way. I tapped into both my conscious and subconscious mind. And, by entering the scenery in the card, I was able to bond with the character and become them. Once the exercise is experienced, one will have a better understanding of the psychological rewards and why this method is used in therapy sessions.
What I gained from the method warrants a separate post entirely. In this short period of time, I have opened up so many doors to the great possibilities of the human mind. After I did the free association exercise, I felt relaxed and at ease. I didn’t worry about comparing my meaning with the LWB version. I have grown confident that my interpretations and my experiences with the cards will differentiate me from the average Tarot reader. It’s not about “text book” style; it’s about making it your own.
And, having mentors like you and Douglas (and others) around helps make this journey more rewarding. If I have a question or discover something, I know that I can share it and receive honest feedback. And for that, I am extremely thankful.
Warmest regards, Nicole