And a Happy Vernal Equinox to all! The last couple of months have been filled with the late winter doldrums, some lessons about myself, and some readjustments.
3 days after my last post my laptop crashed, died. I was devastated, panicking. What would I do without it? Without what I have come to depend on for my connection with the world? And news and weather, since I don't watch much TV.
I have a couple of wonderful friends that generously lent me laptops, securing my online time. But it really made me think about where my priorities have drifted of late. Over the last couple months, while I waited for my tax refund and shopped for a replacement, I found that I wasn't reading or even picking up my deck very often at all. I seemed to just amble along in a kind of limbo, not wanting to progress with anything. A time of just being and waiting.
The Sidhe have been whispering to me the last week or so....."Don't you see that spring is almost here? That it's time to begin again?" So here I am on the First Day of Spring, priorities reconsidered and organized, getting back into forward motion, and picking up my Tarot of the Sidhe and journal entries.
My first one card draw, done yesterday, was the Maker Princess. She would be considered the Page of Pentacles. Her title on the bottom of the card is "Gift of Creativity"! And her keywords are: Creative, Productive, Fertility, Patient, Generous, Diligent.
Her poem:
She is the deepest jewels of Earth,
She knows the art and what it's worth,
With Maker's gift her belly grows,
She is both seed and where it grows....
And what an appropriate card to draw on the eve of the Equinox! With a case of Spring Fever, I'm not so patiently waiting for true spring to get here, which may be a while yet, in unpredictable Michigan!
In the meantime, she has some guidance for me. The card is filled with green, and crystals, a bright sunrise coming up over the mountain behind her. She sits on a green blanket/cloth, very pregnant. In her hand she holds a few of the crystals and as she glances sideways toward me, she is cautioning that in this time of beginnings, take care to choose only a few of the projects and ideas bursting in my brain. Begin the same way the season does, gradually. Take the time to do those few things well.
Yesterday afternoon I heard birdsong and realized how quiet it's been as the Earth awaits Spring!
~Blue~
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tarot of the Sidhe- First Impressions
Tarot of the Sidhe by Emily Carding. I thought these cards looked appealing the first time I saw the scans and intended to order them at some point, not really having the extra money for decks right now. I'd been tracking down a companion book for another deck on Amazon which had been out of stock. I discovered they had it again, so decided to go ahead and get it right away. I wanted to take advangtage of the free shipping so I browsed for something to bring my total over $25, I decided to add this deck. That's how the Tarot of the Sidhe came to be in my mailbox(well, the package notice) yesterday.
I usually have the patience to get home before tearing open my packages, but just couldn't resist. I was immediately taken with the images that were before my eyes, felt the energy, and knew that this was a deck to command my attention immediately and completely. So, here I am changing my PDR to Tarot of the Sidhe, and suspending my IDS with the DruidCraft for now.
The colors are vibrant, the artwork is hand-done and stunning, ink and watercolors, "vivid and raw, executed with some speed in order to try and capture the elusively fluid nature of the realm and beings of the Sidhe."(from the companion book) Emily states there was no sketching or forward planning. She was inspired directly by the Sidhe.
After reading the introduction and description of what the Sidhe are, I get the feeling that each individual that works with this deck will come away with their own definition and impressions of "who" the Sidhe are, for they will appear and communicate differently with everyone.
I'd like to say that I'll be disciplined enough to go through the whole deck and write my own intuitive first impressions before shuffling and reading, but.... I'm just too excited to begin listening to them for that to happen. I'll record my first impressions as I turn up new cards. And that first reading is for the morning, when I'm at my best!
~Blue~
I usually have the patience to get home before tearing open my packages, but just couldn't resist. I was immediately taken with the images that were before my eyes, felt the energy, and knew that this was a deck to command my attention immediately and completely. So, here I am changing my PDR to Tarot of the Sidhe, and suspending my IDS with the DruidCraft for now.
The colors are vibrant, the artwork is hand-done and stunning, ink and watercolors, "vivid and raw, executed with some speed in order to try and capture the elusively fluid nature of the realm and beings of the Sidhe."(from the companion book) Emily states there was no sketching or forward planning. She was inspired directly by the Sidhe.
After reading the introduction and description of what the Sidhe are, I get the feeling that each individual that works with this deck will come away with their own definition and impressions of "who" the Sidhe are, for they will appear and communicate differently with everyone.
I'd like to say that I'll be disciplined enough to go through the whole deck and write my own intuitive first impressions before shuffling and reading, but.... I'm just too excited to begin listening to them for that to happen. I'll record my first impressions as I turn up new cards. And that first reading is for the morning, when I'm at my best!
~Blue~
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
First New Moon Reading of the Year.
Today is the New Moon, and I'm back to my IDS, so my New Moon reading is with the DruidCraft Tarot. I, of course, have the opportunity to work any of my decks for any reading, and I have several that I love, but I keep reaching for the DC. I almost feel guilty sometimes for not using the others, but I get so much insight from these cards.....
1. What lays on your dark depths. What is unseen. What we stumble against in the dark night.
Seven of Swords. He sits writing by candlelight, the seven swords are on and propped against a table in front of him. This is a time for recordkeeping, or study, not action. His head is propped on one hand, indicating either concentration or fatigue. The crescent moon shines in the window behind him. He's either up late or getting an early start. Maybe this time of day is the quietest/best for him to accomplish his work.
This is a weakness of mine, there is so much I want to study and learn, yet I feel inadequate, incapable of learning all that I desire. The message of this card may be that I just need to ground and apply myself more toward these endeavors, put in more time and energy toward my studies. And the darkest parts of the morning are the best times for me to do this.
2. What will begin to show. To arise.
The Lord(Emperor). He sits on a stone throne, his staff in one hand, his leg is crossed over the other, and his other hand rests on that leg. His helmet is antlered and an eagle flies in the background, above his head. Here is authority, control, integrity, self-mastery.
This quote from the book sums it up well. "Take control of your life and offer clear and firm boundaries to those who depend on you. Lead your life by being true to your values and you will accomplish great things."
His message is one of practicality, honesty, work and personal ethics. This is what I need to work on.
3. What will illuminate the dark path. The key in the night.
The World. The Fool, at the culmination of his/her journey, stands naked on top of the world, within a vesica piscis of Celtic knotwork formed of twigs and leaves. The four tools/suits are placed at the corners. While one cycle is complete, another is ready to begin, such is the cyclic nature of "being".
The World's message is one of forward motion, with the New Year upon us, the possibilities are endless, my 'tools' are at hand, a goal is set.
0. Yourself. Shadow card from the base of the deck.
Three of Pentacles. A craftsman is carving a design of three pentacle in a stone pillar. A cat rubs against his leg and there are several onlookers admiring his work, but he is concentrating on his craft.
Now is the time to focus on the development of self, of honing my skills, undetered by distractions. I am that craftsman, and this is the time to devote myself to the creation of my goals, my life.
What an inspirational and dead accurate reading for the beginning of the year, and the New Moon. Now, the work begins in earnest, and this reading shows me that I am capable of accomplishing anything I desire to create in my life!
~Blue~
1. What lays on your dark depths. What is unseen. What we stumble against in the dark night.
Seven of Swords. He sits writing by candlelight, the seven swords are on and propped against a table in front of him. This is a time for recordkeeping, or study, not action. His head is propped on one hand, indicating either concentration or fatigue. The crescent moon shines in the window behind him. He's either up late or getting an early start. Maybe this time of day is the quietest/best for him to accomplish his work.
This is a weakness of mine, there is so much I want to study and learn, yet I feel inadequate, incapable of learning all that I desire. The message of this card may be that I just need to ground and apply myself more toward these endeavors, put in more time and energy toward my studies. And the darkest parts of the morning are the best times for me to do this.
2. What will begin to show. To arise.
The Lord(Emperor). He sits on a stone throne, his staff in one hand, his leg is crossed over the other, and his other hand rests on that leg. His helmet is antlered and an eagle flies in the background, above his head. Here is authority, control, integrity, self-mastery.
This quote from the book sums it up well. "Take control of your life and offer clear and firm boundaries to those who depend on you. Lead your life by being true to your values and you will accomplish great things."
His message is one of practicality, honesty, work and personal ethics. This is what I need to work on.
3. What will illuminate the dark path. The key in the night.
The World. The Fool, at the culmination of his/her journey, stands naked on top of the world, within a vesica piscis of Celtic knotwork formed of twigs and leaves. The four tools/suits are placed at the corners. While one cycle is complete, another is ready to begin, such is the cyclic nature of "being".
The World's message is one of forward motion, with the New Year upon us, the possibilities are endless, my 'tools' are at hand, a goal is set.
0. Yourself. Shadow card from the base of the deck.
Three of Pentacles. A craftsman is carving a design of three pentacle in a stone pillar. A cat rubs against his leg and there are several onlookers admiring his work, but he is concentrating on his craft.
Now is the time to focus on the development of self, of honing my skills, undetered by distractions. I am that craftsman, and this is the time to devote myself to the creation of my goals, my life.
What an inspirational and dead accurate reading for the beginning of the year, and the New Moon. Now, the work begins in earnest, and this reading shows me that I am capable of accomplishing anything I desire to create in my life!
~Blue~
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Hello 2011
Happy New Year!
One of the things I am working on this year is a better connection with my tarot practice. And one of those activities is participating in the PDR, once again, with more discipline in posting this year.
My first post of the year is my Sacred Days of Yule Reading, here.
The Sacred Days of Yule 2010
Using the Druidcraft
Sacred Days of Yule Interpretation
This spread will help you to learn to apply the tarot to enjoy and enrich your passage through the twelve
festive days from December 20th to 31st. The meaning of each card in the spread reflects the energy of the
festivity associated with each of the twelve days.
1. Mother Night of Dreams: - Dec 20th This card reminds us to look for a particular message in our dreams tonight. The ancients believed that our dreams on this night foretold some of the important events in the coming year.
12-21-10 Last night I drew the Three of Swords. No dreams that I can remember, but still a card to consider carefully. While not one of the better cards to draw for this position, I think my experiences in the coming year will carry valuable messages/lessons for me. The Three of Swords is not just a card of heartache and pain, but of transformation and growth. Maintaining an attitude of looking for solutions to difficulties, gratitude for the blessings in my life, and appreciation for all that surrounds me, need to be my guiding light.
2. Yule - Winter Solstice: - Dec 21st This card shows us how best to connect to the Light within and without - it symbolizes the Birth of the Sun.
The High Priestess. She stands in ritual, with her arms upraised, eyes closed. Her message is of intuition, inner wisdom, dreams, and depth. The connection comes with quiet reflection, entering the stillness. "Be open to your dreams and your intuitions, and allow the Mysteries to unfold within your being." What a perfect card to draw this evening!
3. The Time of Beth: - Dec 22nd This card points to the inner blocks and resistance that is holding us back from following our dreams.
The Princess of Pentacles. She gazes intently at a large pentacle she holds in her hand, pondering the possibilities. Creativity, potential, ideas, the first steps of manifestaion. For me, my mind flowing with creative ideas that go no further than that. By not bringing this creativity to manifestation, I limit myself, my life. Finding ways to do this, setting priorities, making the time, following through are what I need to focus on.
4. Hopi Time of Renewal Dec 23rd This card indicates the best way for us to seek purification and renewal, and to build tolerance for others.
The World. The card of completion of a cycle, of wholeness, yet the potential of a new cycle about to begin. As I find myself going through many inner changes at this time, this card is an indication that a whole new world will be opening for me, indeed a whole new cycle is beginning. Where I have doubts, I must learn to trust my self/instincts in order to move forward.
5. Feast of Mothers, Christmas Eve: - Dec 24th This card shows how we can connect with the spirits of our ancestors for communion and to ask for wisdom and guidance. It is also a time for Christians to reflect on the birth of Christ.
Today I've drawn the Eight of Wands. This card depicts a youth practicing throwing, one wand/spear has been launched, 7 more stand in the ground by his side. Practice, the art of honing your skills, is my message for today. I'm studying, but now I need to form a practice from the knowledge I've gathered. From living my beliefs, creating a lifestyle of the practice of my spirituality, the connection, the wisdom and guidance will be accessible to me.
6. Festival of Life, Christmas: - Dec 25th This card shows us how to connect directly with Spirit.
The Princess of Cups. She stands on a riverbank, holding her chalice up to her face with both hands, her eyes are closed. Meditate, explore the inner world, take the time to listen to your/my inner voice. For there, among your deepest desires and dreams is where Spirit dwells.
7. Yuletide, Kwanzaa: - Dec 26th This card shows us how to express nurturance, to attend to our families and to express the protective energy within us towards others.
Today's card is Death. The Goddess in her crone stage stands, gently holding a skull, about to place it in the cauldron before her. Dawn is breaking in the distant eastern sky. This card speaks of the cycle of change, the death and letting go of the old, transformation, and the rebirth of the new. I find myself in the first stages of a cycle of death, transformation, and rebirth. In order the express this care and nurturance to others, I first have to acknowledge and release old ways of thinking that are holding me back, and learn how to better care for myself.
8. Birth of Freyja: - Dec 27th This card points to issues of love, luck, artistic and creative expression and female wisdom.
The Five of Swords. The victor stands proudly in the foreground with his sword and 4 others that he's collected in battle. One of the defeated is walking away, shoulders slumped, head hanging, in the background. A hawk chases a wren in the stormy colored sky. I've spent the last day thinking about this card and its revelance to this position, in relation to my life. I am the defeated, having lost the battle/the challenge.
The fives in the DruidCraft are not only about difficulty, loss and suffering, but about how these painful experiences are the catalyst for change/transformation, each card depicting one of the moments that bring about the necessity for transformation in the story of Cerridwen and Taliesin, in this case-the hawk chasing the wren. This card reminds me that there is need for change in regard to love, luck, and creativity. I've got work to do here.
9. Feast of Alcyone: - Dec 28th This card gives us a personal inner message - one that speaks directly to our heart and spirit.
The Sword, Excalibur rises out of the lake, held aloft by the Lady of the Lake. My personal inner message is from the Ace of Swords. It is about my potential, beginnings, and that the 'whole' lies within the seed. And with proper care and sustenance, the seed of my ideas, my future can be developed and grown. There are many things I'd like to change about my life/self, and I do have the potential to make these changes a reality. An encouraging card for my inner message.
10. Day of Nymphs - Dec 29th This card encourages us to connect to our playful side, our inner child and how best to cultivate this aspect of ourselves.
The Ace of Cups. This is one of the most beautiful cards in the deck. Sitting in a lush green wood, the chalice sits on a stone outcropping above the river, 5 streams of water flowing out of it, into 5 streams of water flowing over the rocks. This card speaks of relationships, inspiration, and dreams. What better way to connect with my inner child than listening to my dreams and being inspired by them?
11. Day of Rest: - Dec 30th This card shows us how to walk our path in a relaxed and confident way....with the ability to deal with stressful situations in a philosophical, detached way.
Justice. She sits on a stone bench, sword in one hand, the scales in her other. An owl sits next to her, a spider in her web lives in the foliage next to the bench. She speaks of making decisions from careful thought and wisdom, for everything is connected in the web of life, of walking my path in balance, confidence, and strength.
12. New Year's Eve, Hogmanay - Dec 31st This card shows us how to release the old and let in the new. This relates to both our external lives and our inner being.
Eight of Pentacles. A craftsman pours molten gold into a mold with care and precision, as he has done with 7 other pentacles that lay on his workbench. His message is that slow and steady wins the race. Taking care to create that which you wish to achieve by doing the work, don't be in a rush, learn well and experience that which comprises the journey, rather than wasting time anticipating the end result. "It has been said that work is love in action, and here you have a chance to prove this, taking pride and pleasure in your abilities, and in your steady progress." I have set my goals/my path for the future, and it is now just a matter of beginning the work, the first steps on my journey.
I haven't completed the overall analysis for it yet, I will be working on that today. It certainly held some important messages for growth and "being" for the coming year.
I also have another spread that I'll be doing today, hopefully to post later.
Welcome to 2011!
~Blue~
One of the things I am working on this year is a better connection with my tarot practice. And one of those activities is participating in the PDR, once again, with more discipline in posting this year.
My first post of the year is my Sacred Days of Yule Reading, here.
The Sacred Days of Yule 2010
Using the Druidcraft
Sacred Days of Yule Interpretation
This spread will help you to learn to apply the tarot to enjoy and enrich your passage through the twelve
festive days from December 20th to 31st. The meaning of each card in the spread reflects the energy of the
festivity associated with each of the twelve days.
1. Mother Night of Dreams: - Dec 20th This card reminds us to look for a particular message in our dreams tonight. The ancients believed that our dreams on this night foretold some of the important events in the coming year.
12-21-10 Last night I drew the Three of Swords. No dreams that I can remember, but still a card to consider carefully. While not one of the better cards to draw for this position, I think my experiences in the coming year will carry valuable messages/lessons for me. The Three of Swords is not just a card of heartache and pain, but of transformation and growth. Maintaining an attitude of looking for solutions to difficulties, gratitude for the blessings in my life, and appreciation for all that surrounds me, need to be my guiding light.
2. Yule - Winter Solstice: - Dec 21st This card shows us how best to connect to the Light within and without - it symbolizes the Birth of the Sun.
The High Priestess. She stands in ritual, with her arms upraised, eyes closed. Her message is of intuition, inner wisdom, dreams, and depth. The connection comes with quiet reflection, entering the stillness. "Be open to your dreams and your intuitions, and allow the Mysteries to unfold within your being." What a perfect card to draw this evening!
3. The Time of Beth: - Dec 22nd This card points to the inner blocks and resistance that is holding us back from following our dreams.
The Princess of Pentacles. She gazes intently at a large pentacle she holds in her hand, pondering the possibilities. Creativity, potential, ideas, the first steps of manifestaion. For me, my mind flowing with creative ideas that go no further than that. By not bringing this creativity to manifestation, I limit myself, my life. Finding ways to do this, setting priorities, making the time, following through are what I need to focus on.
4. Hopi Time of Renewal Dec 23rd This card indicates the best way for us to seek purification and renewal, and to build tolerance for others.
The World. The card of completion of a cycle, of wholeness, yet the potential of a new cycle about to begin. As I find myself going through many inner changes at this time, this card is an indication that a whole new world will be opening for me, indeed a whole new cycle is beginning. Where I have doubts, I must learn to trust my self/instincts in order to move forward.
5. Feast of Mothers, Christmas Eve: - Dec 24th This card shows how we can connect with the spirits of our ancestors for communion and to ask for wisdom and guidance. It is also a time for Christians to reflect on the birth of Christ.
Today I've drawn the Eight of Wands. This card depicts a youth practicing throwing, one wand/spear has been launched, 7 more stand in the ground by his side. Practice, the art of honing your skills, is my message for today. I'm studying, but now I need to form a practice from the knowledge I've gathered. From living my beliefs, creating a lifestyle of the practice of my spirituality, the connection, the wisdom and guidance will be accessible to me.
6. Festival of Life, Christmas: - Dec 25th This card shows us how to connect directly with Spirit.
The Princess of Cups. She stands on a riverbank, holding her chalice up to her face with both hands, her eyes are closed. Meditate, explore the inner world, take the time to listen to your/my inner voice. For there, among your deepest desires and dreams is where Spirit dwells.
7. Yuletide, Kwanzaa: - Dec 26th This card shows us how to express nurturance, to attend to our families and to express the protective energy within us towards others.
Today's card is Death. The Goddess in her crone stage stands, gently holding a skull, about to place it in the cauldron before her. Dawn is breaking in the distant eastern sky. This card speaks of the cycle of change, the death and letting go of the old, transformation, and the rebirth of the new. I find myself in the first stages of a cycle of death, transformation, and rebirth. In order the express this care and nurturance to others, I first have to acknowledge and release old ways of thinking that are holding me back, and learn how to better care for myself.
8. Birth of Freyja: - Dec 27th This card points to issues of love, luck, artistic and creative expression and female wisdom.
The Five of Swords. The victor stands proudly in the foreground with his sword and 4 others that he's collected in battle. One of the defeated is walking away, shoulders slumped, head hanging, in the background. A hawk chases a wren in the stormy colored sky. I've spent the last day thinking about this card and its revelance to this position, in relation to my life. I am the defeated, having lost the battle/the challenge.
The fives in the DruidCraft are not only about difficulty, loss and suffering, but about how these painful experiences are the catalyst for change/transformation, each card depicting one of the moments that bring about the necessity for transformation in the story of Cerridwen and Taliesin, in this case-the hawk chasing the wren. This card reminds me that there is need for change in regard to love, luck, and creativity. I've got work to do here.
9. Feast of Alcyone: - Dec 28th This card gives us a personal inner message - one that speaks directly to our heart and spirit.
The Sword, Excalibur rises out of the lake, held aloft by the Lady of the Lake. My personal inner message is from the Ace of Swords. It is about my potential, beginnings, and that the 'whole' lies within the seed. And with proper care and sustenance, the seed of my ideas, my future can be developed and grown. There are many things I'd like to change about my life/self, and I do have the potential to make these changes a reality. An encouraging card for my inner message.
10. Day of Nymphs - Dec 29th This card encourages us to connect to our playful side, our inner child and how best to cultivate this aspect of ourselves.
The Ace of Cups. This is one of the most beautiful cards in the deck. Sitting in a lush green wood, the chalice sits on a stone outcropping above the river, 5 streams of water flowing out of it, into 5 streams of water flowing over the rocks. This card speaks of relationships, inspiration, and dreams. What better way to connect with my inner child than listening to my dreams and being inspired by them?
11. Day of Rest: - Dec 30th This card shows us how to walk our path in a relaxed and confident way....with the ability to deal with stressful situations in a philosophical, detached way.
Justice. She sits on a stone bench, sword in one hand, the scales in her other. An owl sits next to her, a spider in her web lives in the foliage next to the bench. She speaks of making decisions from careful thought and wisdom, for everything is connected in the web of life, of walking my path in balance, confidence, and strength.
12. New Year's Eve, Hogmanay - Dec 31st This card shows us how to release the old and let in the new. This relates to both our external lives and our inner being.
Eight of Pentacles. A craftsman pours molten gold into a mold with care and precision, as he has done with 7 other pentacles that lay on his workbench. His message is that slow and steady wins the race. Taking care to create that which you wish to achieve by doing the work, don't be in a rush, learn well and experience that which comprises the journey, rather than wasting time anticipating the end result. "It has been said that work is love in action, and here you have a chance to prove this, taking pride and pleasure in your abilities, and in your steady progress." I have set my goals/my path for the future, and it is now just a matter of beginning the work, the first steps on my journey.
I haven't completed the overall analysis for it yet, I will be working on that today. It certainly held some important messages for growth and "being" for the coming year.
I also have another spread that I'll be doing today, hopefully to post later.
Welcome to 2011!
~Blue~
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