Deck: (Left) The Victorian Romantic Tarot; (Right) The Bohemian Gothic Tarot

Element: Water
Associations: Emotions; feelings; relationships

The Page of Cups is “the dreamer” in the deck–the card that represents a a creative force in action, a lust for life and the desire to see what it brings. In both Page of Cups cards in The Victorian Romantic and The Bohemian Gold, we see a sense of longing, but there are also contrasting emotive qualities between both Pages depicted in the two decks.

The Victorian Romantic Page of Cups shows a youthful girl depicted as the Page, dressed in a purple cloak, symbolic if knowledge and victory. I have been using the The Victorian Romantic Gold for my readings and gold accents decorate  the to part of her cloak, indicating strength and even nobility in this case. The Page has gazes forward at us, as if asking for attention, with a desire for us to be onlookers as she listens to someone else play the harp. The older girl is focused on playing her instrument, her gold glove colored hands, gracing the keys. She wears a blue dress, denoting emotion, feelings and creativity, which is also adorned with gold detailing. A white lace headdress represents innocence and purity. Is this other person the teacher and the Page the student? Or, is the Page just listening to the music and taking in the lush surroundings? It. The foliage in the background is symbolic of growth.

The Bohemian Gothic Page walks down a staircase. As with all of the cards in the Bohemian Gothic Tarot deck, it is dusk or nighttime and an eerie light has been cast upon the scene. The Page is wearing a dark blue, navy colored dress with white lace around the collar–denoting mystery and innocence. She is not looking directly at us, but past us, as if wondering what will happen next. Unlike the Page of Cups in the Victorian Romantic, the Bohemian Gothic Page expresses a look of concern. She is strong, as the red headband on her head indicates, but she may have been forced to be strong at too young of an age, forced to grow up too soon. Green ivy has taken over the building and the staircase that she climbs down, symbolic of age, growth and even wisdom attained beyond her years. A Green Man-like head of a statue at the end of the staircase has it’s eyes turned at the girl. There are forces beyond her control, buts she must remain focussed ahead and in pursuit of her dreams as well, whatever they may be…

The Page is the first stage in the Court cards in Tarot, and I have pulled quite a few of them this month. I seem to be swaying back and forth between the Pages and Knights in many suits, so this makes for an interesting thing for me to consider.

It’s okay to be a dreamer, someone who is optimistic, a hopeless romantic in many ways, but it is important to be aware and keep your emotions in check as well. If one goes to far off the spectrum, these thoughts can become muddled and put you on a path of false awareness.

© 2010, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Morgan-Greer Tarot

The Moon is a card that seems to cause confusion at times due to the mysterious scene being depicted in most Tarot decks. Many, including the Morgan Greer, show no humans in the card at all. The Moon card calls out for us to to get in touch with our animal instincts, the ones that may be more primal and less restrained. It conveys a message of mystery, illusion as opposed to reality.

Two towers are in the card and are reminiscent of the one tower shown in The Tower card, except that we have now taken the path along our journey and are on the way to being awakened in many ways. Right now, The Moon is the source of energy in this card. On each side of the path are a dog (to the left) and a wolf (to the right). Both are howling at a giant moon that sits between the two towers and illuminates the path and the valley beyond. The dog represents our conscious and more domestic urges and the wolf represents our primal and wild unconscious urges that are now active. There is a large body of water and a crustacean swims or crawls at the brink of it, but is not on land; it can’t reach land since it needs the water in order to live. The water, a metaphor for the unconscious, feelings and emotions is its life source. And, right now, under the power of the moon, all life is bound to this same energy.

Perhaps dreams have been more lucid as of late, or we have felt a mysterious calling to tap into letting our unconscious desires roam free. Are our experiences becoming delusional or are we seeking haven in a world outside of reality? The trick is to be able to find a medium ground. This is an active time and there will come a point when The Moon sets and The Sun rises.

Image: Morgan-Greer Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Morgan-Greer Tarot

Element: Earth
Associations: Possessions; financial growth; status

The King of Pentacles was an interesting card to pull after Christmas. Although the court cards in Tarot can stand for a specific gender, they are also universal. Since my daily draws for this blog are specifically on what I should focus on, when interpreting this card, I can see how it can be associated with myself or other people in my life.

The colors in the share a similar connection and are all strong colors: yellow/gold represents strength, growth and health; green reminds us of the connection to nature, fertility; purple denotes victory and power. The King stares forward. His skin color is gold and a gold helmet crowns his head. Purple horns adorn the sides of the helmet, a metaphor for victory and his connection with primal instinct and nature. He is dressed in a green robe, decorated with ivy and grapes, symbolic of fruition and abundance. He holds a staff in his left hand and a pentacle in his right indicating that he holds his ground both consciously and unconsciously. Everything is balanced in this card.

When I view this card, I think of confidence, a wealth of knowledge and material gains. Since the king is the highest order in the court, the card represents the culmination of the qualities of the suit; the person in the card is mature , wise and secure. In a weakened state, I see dishonesty, bitterness, issues with money and one’s current status.

Image: Morgan-Greer Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: The Victorian Romantic Tarot

I decided to draw from my Victorian Romantic Gold last night. The deck has a wintery feel to it and I am quite drawn to the artwork and the imagery in the cards. I shuffled, my cat Eno by my side, and out came The Hanged Man. And, what a revelation this is.

The Hanged Man is a card that calls attention to the deep rewards of intentional sacrifice. We all feel the need to seek something new, different, essential, spiritual and to achieve a goal. In this card, we see, a person dangling upside down suspended by a gold rope. The action is intentional. The rope is tied to a stone bridge, a metaphor for strength and getting from point A to point B. He hangs from the middle of the archway. His clothing can be symbolic of the attributes of the card: red denoting action, desire, passion and urge; blue for unconscious mental activity and emotions; gold for a supreme state or victory,which is also the color of the rope. In the background, we see a barren cliff surrounded by a fertile forest. This journey is solitary, but much reward can be gained from taking it.

I can relate this card to my Tarot journey and this blog. I’ve posted in the past how journaling about daily cards for the sole purpose of writing (as opposed to other spreads) helps clear my mind. I need to make the time to do this and sacrifice in order to reap in the rewards. It’s a mental exercise and helps me bond with the cards, but, also helps me feel at ease. The feelings and impact of this card can be felt at a deep level and it came at the right time. I am off from work until January 4th and, for once, I have no plans. I’ll make sure to make good use of this time and will keep this card by my side. The meaning speaks volumes.

Image: The Victorian Romantic Tarot © Magic Realist Press

© 2009 – 2010, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Morgan-Greer Tarot

Element: Water
Associations: Emotions; feelings; relationships

The 10 of Cups can represent a pleasant event, relationship, job or a deal gone right.

The two arms in this card hold one cup together, a gesture of unification, cooperation, positivity and celebration. A rainbow flows out of this cup into the sky, across nine other cups that appear in the background in a diagonal pattern like a ladder. I see each cup as a stepping stone and each cup represents and achievement, the ninth cup the highest goal. In numerology, the number 9 represents accomplishments. And the number 1, symbolic of the one cup being held by both parties, shows the importance of a solid building block, purity and strength. The background of the surrounding meadow with trees and lush grass-covered hills denote growth and things coming to fruition. The calm water is metaphoric of the serene atmosphere.

The 10 of Cups was one of those draws that feels perfect. My 34th birthday was this past Tuesday and my boyfriend made this week very special. The holidays are in full swing, and have been since November, which was the last time I posted an entry on the blog (more on that later).

Image: Morgan-Greer Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Morgan-Greer Tarot

Element: Earth
Associations: Possessions; financial growth; status

And so the 9 of Pentacles begs to be noticed yet again. Aside from being my single draw last week, and my outcome card of a 3 card spread earlier this week, the 9 of Pentacles was begging me to take notice today as well. In addition to being a “Jumper” and falling out of the deck when I was shuffling, it also came up as my card of the day. And, both times it came up in the reversed position indicating that there may be some sort of blockage here. In this case, I read it as missing the signs or ignoring the message.

The 9 of Pentacles shows the enjoyment of pleasures that come from success, material possessions and gains. Perhaps I have yet to get there yet, am experiencing a dry spell or don’t even realize what I have or will obtain. And based on the previous draw, the 7 of Cups, I see another connection; in that card, the dreams are yet to materialize because our head is in the clouds. If we put our mind to it instead of letting our emotions get in the way, we can achieve great things. This card is a reminder to be thankful, enjoy what I do have, and set goals into action.

Image: Morgan-Greer Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Morgan-Greer Tarot

Element: Water
Associations: Emotions; feelings; relationships

I pulled the reversed position of this card. Along this Tarot journey, I have been playing around with various ways of reading reversals. I have found that the cards arouse a variety of different emotions and that the connections. And, along with the focus, elemental dignities and other facets, the voice of the card is heard and can cover the full spectrum of meanings if you are open to it.

The 7 of Cups is an interesting card and in the Morgan-Greer version, there are only objects in the card. The first thing that comes to mind is a that the scene is a mirage or a dream. The items in each of the cups are floating on clouds and don’t really exist unless you work to obtain them.

We desire to be victorious, to being wealthy or stable, to be in a happy relationships, to achieve our goals and enjoy or partake in creative ventures. But, if your head is in the clouds and you allow your emotions to take over, your dreams will not become a reality. You need to make it happen! Or, perhaps the dreams are unrealistic and you are becoming greedy; you will need to find the middle ground.

This was the perfect pull for today. I have much to do to prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow. The turkey roast is defrosting and I have baking to do! I am spending it with my mother and it’s the first Thanksgiving I am spending with her in many years. We are both thrilled. And our dreams? They have become a reality. It has taken a lot of work, but we now have the best relationship we have had in years. Those cups don’t feel like they are filled with riches and are suspended in the clouds anymore.

Image: Morgan-Greer Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Hoi Palloi Tarot

Element: Earth
Associations: Possessions; financial growth; status

This card represent being able to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of labor. There is much to be thankful for and it’s time to enjoy the benefits of hard work. The grapes in the vineyard symbolize growth and maturation and are analogous to success in life. You can be both the giver and the receiver of the bounty. Now is a time of prosperity.

The bird on her hand shows a connection to the earth and being in tune with her surroundings. The bird sits on her left hand denoting action and conscious thought.

Reversed meaning:

I pulled this card in the reversed position. I am still undecided on how I feel with reading reversed meanings on their own, or if I would like to include them as part of the overall interpretation. Regardless…

In the Reversed position, the harvest has dried up and the field is barren. The result is a sparse condition; what was once plentiful is not  anymore. There may be financial difficulties or a lack of productivity in the current place in time. Perhaps now is a time to reflect and look at ways to fix your current situation. I can associate that feeling with this card and the necessity to take action and make changes.

Tarot deck: Hoi Palloi Tarot

Image: Hoi Palloi Tarot © Hoi Polloi Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: Universal Waite Tarot

Question: How will I approach my first Tarot class?

Today I start a four-week long Tarot class at a local new age store. How fitting is Judgement as my daily draw and focus card? Very. This was one of the few times that I actually asked a question before pulling my card of the day. I went with my Universal Tarot, which is the deck I will be using in the class. I have been flirting with other decks since I have discovered a fascination with collecting them, but I want to focus with one learning tool right now. Although, I am sure that I won’t be able to resist occasional draws from other decks.

The imagery in this card is powerful and uplifting. Everyday people are experiencing a sign. Now is the time for spiritual awakening. They have proved that they are ready. Their backs are facing us, but by embracing this next stage in life, they will begin to see themselves in a new and enlightened way–a new sense of self–which can be seen in the reflection of the figures.

This Tarot class must be my calling. I am ready to take the leap and learn more so that I can reach my goals to learn more about Tarot, the history, use spreads  and find ways to make it part of my life personally and professionally at some point down the road. I’ve progressed and have gained confidence along the way, but there is so much more to learn. I am open to everything concerning this class and any doubts or concerns that I initially had are gone.

Pen in hand, I will be jotting down notes and conversing with others tomorrow, on my way…

Image: Universal Waite Tarot © US Games Systems, Inc.

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.

Deck: The Fairy Tale Tarot

Courage in the Fairy Tale Tarot is based on the story “Little One Inch“.  Based on the typical Rider-Waite-Smith meanings (RWS), Courage is equivalent to Strength.

What is it like to face our fears? Do we feel bold? Do we feel cowardly? When I view this card, I feel a sense of bravery and fearlessness, much like I did with yesterday’s draw, the Princess of Swords. The difference between the two is that The Princess of Swords is part of the Minor Arcana and the course of events are affected by will, whereas the Courage card is part of the Major Arcana and represents a specific point of growth along the Tarot journey.

Little One Inch stands up against the leering giant–this hands on his hips, facing him straight on. The giant’s facial expression is full of mockery as he lurches forward to scoop of Little One Inch.The color of Little One Inch’s clothing indicates strength from within. The blue shirt representative of emotion and thought, his purple pants are indicative of victory and knowledge, and his tiny red shoes are symbolic of his passions. They are surrounded by bamboo; nature and growth prosper here. Once Little One Inch defeats the giant, he can be on his way.

Inner strength can be more powerful than physical strength. Trust in your intuition and you will know if you made the right choice or not.

Image: Courage ©Copyright 2009 Lisa Hunt from The Fairy Tale Tarot (Llewellyn Publications) – used by permission

© 2009, aurarcana – A Tarot Blog | Tarot Journaling & Tarot Cards. All rights reserved.