Has it really been three weeks since my last post? So far, this year has been off to a busy start. After a busy work week and preparing to go away, going away and then coming back and getting things back up to speed, I feel like I lost track of time! Needless to stay, I am ready to get things back on track with this blog. Posting three times a week (under normal conditions!) isn’t too much to ask of myself.

Whilst I have not been blogging, I have still been doing daily draws. Single card draws for reflections work well, and I like the simplicity of three card spreads (past – present – future or the like). However, I have become quite fond of two card spreads as well. Clear and to the point, they offer a concise way to do a assist in clarifying the issue depicted in the first card drawn. Sometimes, less is better!

I assume that there are variations of this simple spread, but this is what I came up with:

2 Card Spread: (Left)Focus and (Right) Solution

(Left) Focus – Page of Swords

Element: Air
Associations: Thought processes; conflict

The focus of the Page of Swords is standing on guard and being attentive to one’s surroundings. Within the court cards, the Page is the youngest of the court and represents learning and the attributes of the suit.

In The Victorian Romantic Tarot, the young page is outside in the courtyard outside of a castle, holding his gun and looking to his left, representing action. He is on the look out, but looks like he can protect himself. The grounds are lush with grass and vegetation and he wears a red coat with regal lion decor on it, denoting strength.

In The Bohemian Gothic Tarot, we see a girl as the page. She appears to be standing in castle grounds at night. There is a light, but it is not on. Instead the luminous moon is behind it, adding an element of mystery. When compared to The page in the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the page in The Bohemian Gothic Tarot appears on edge. Her body language indicates that she has closed herself off, as opposed to the active stance of the other page. She also gazes to the left as if she is awaiting what will happen next. Her coat is buttoned to her collar and a gold cross necklace hangs at her neck. She may have the inner strength to protect herself, but that is all that she has right now. But, her faith may fail her as well; the angel statue in the background sits down and looks asleep as it leans on a sword.

(Right) Solution – 9 of Pentacles

The focus of the 9 of Pentacles is the culmination of wealth in many ways, including material gains, the path taken to get to that point, and a robust lifestyle.

Element: Earth
Associations: Possessions; financial growth; status

In The Victorian Romantic Tarot, a woman stands confidently with her hand on her hip, gazing, looking as if she doesn’t have a care in the world. She holds a basket overflowing with daisies representing her connection to earth, growth and strength. She wears a yellow silk bodice around her waist, the color another symbolic reference connected to the daisies and the outdoors. Her white gown has an abundant amount of material on it and she wears a black hat with an enormous brim. She is relishing in the abundance of things gained, life in general and the experiences that happen within various cycles of life. In the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles reminds me of the themes in the Empress card and certainly bares a resemblance to her in many ways.

In the Bohemian Gothic Tarot, the woman shown almost appears to be a slave to her lifestyle. She wears a white wig, a common practice for high society in the 19th century. What strikes me is the silver headdress worn at the crown of the wig; it almost looks like a spider. She wears a black dress with a white rope, denoting duality and balance. But, is she balanced? Perhaps she thinks she is. But, by the looks of the vulture, she seems to be possessed by her wealth. Her red fan and red shoes are the only other colors in the card, each serving as a metaphor. Her passion helps her stand her ground. And, the red fan helps her keep her cool. A vulture sits perched on the stone at the top of the landing that the woman is on and the skulls of other vultures appear on the ground, symbolic of the cycles of life. There is a pattern here, and even though the woman lives in a big house–as seen in the distance–she is trapped by her lifestyle.

Summary:

Focus: I may be on guard, but I must have confidence to be able to succeed. Perhaps there is blockage, or the path isn’t clear. I’ll have to test out the waters both physically and mentally, and trust that I can come to a resolution.

Solution: Once I have gained the confidence and am no longer on guard, I can enjoy the good things in life. Abundance is something that can be earned or simply gained. It will be key to remember that wealth doesn’t necessarily mean material gains; one doesn’t want to be a slave to their own environment. Appreciate the things that you have.

© 2010, 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

Cards: 9 of Pentacles; 4 of Swords; 2 of Rods (Wands)

I drew the 9 of Pentacles last Monday. However this week, shows that the card needed further clarification or is calling out to be noticed. In this three card spread, the path to enjoy the fruits of labor, is laid out quite clearly.

Pentacles is indeed the focus and the outcome of this spread when I view all of the cards together. The 2 of Rods (Wands) shows the desire to seek for more. The man holds his wand in his left hand, denoting action, and an orb in his right hand, symbolic of his unconscious desires. His shield is decorated ornately with red roses and lilies, symbolic of his passion and will to grow. A comrade holds the other wand.

However, to in order to reach these goals–in addition to taking action–he must learn the full meaning of what he wishes for by retreating and seeking the answers from within. A time of rest and reconciliation of affairs is in need. In the middle position of the spread is the 4 of Swords. A knight lays at rest with four swords suspended above him. The sky is stormy, but this will pass and it will soon be sunny. Like the change of weather, we too, will experience that moment of clarity of thought. And, when that happens, we will know what we need to do to reach our goal or goals. The outcome is what is denoted in the 9 Pentacles.

The 9 of Pentacles represents the celebration of fruitful gains through hard work or inherited riches, if a person is in a position to acquire such things. I am drawn to the color purple used in the card, which is symbolic of victory, riches and royalty. But, the tone here is not that of greed. While the woman wears her pentacle necklace indicative of her earthly possessions, she puts a sprig of grapes into a bowl; she is giving back what she has earned.

Summary:

It’s great to set goals and set out to achieve them, but in order to focus, we have to clear our thoughts of any potential doubts that may be lingering. If we can pass that hurdle, we can set out to achieve what we desire, and in the process, we can reap in the rewards and give back to others.

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: The Rider Tarot

Element: Earth
Associations: Possessions; financial growth; status

This is my first single card drawing in a few weeks. Yesterday, I found myself drawn to the Queen of Wands and selected it as a guide through difficult times. And, today, as if to confirm my state of mind, I drew a strong female card in my single card drawing for today: 9 of Pentacles.

Pentacles represent earthly and material gains, and the woman in this card is healthy, strong and full of warmth and passion as shown in the colors which dominate the card: yellow and red. Pomegranates, which are symbolic of fertility and are the fruit of the underworld, embody the cycle of life. She is content on all emotional levels and happy with both her material and natural surroundings, as represented by the lush landscape and the bird which sits relaxed on her right hand, which represents the unconscious.

This card is a reminder for me to be strong, positive and to be confident that I am standing on my own ground. Things are going well right now, despite me worrying about the smaller things in life.

Image: The Rider Tarot Deck © US Games Systems, Inc.

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