THE SEVEN OF SWORDS

TODAY'S CARD is the Seven of Swords. This quite unusual take on the card is from the Maat Tarot by Julie Cuccia-Watts and is used by permission.



For comparison, here's the Seven of Swords in the Rider/ Waite/ Smith deck:



THE SEVEN OF SWORDS: I've always found the scene on the more traditional versions of this card intriguing. The "thief" often appears to be happy and relaxed, and when one notes he's leaving behind two swords -- the Two of Swords which in some decks is called "Peace" -- it becomes all the more interesting. Then there's the idea of not waiting on others to approve you or to give you permission to be who you are, but simply taking your own power. Sort of like Prometheus stealing fire for humanity from the Deities. (Of course, he suffered for that, but I won't examine that part of the myth here. :-D).

DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE SEVEN OF SWORDS:

Wanting or attempting to "get away" with some behavior or thinking you recognize is problematic.

Manipulation, unconscious or otherwise. A need to be more direct with others/yourself. Look at your fear of assertion and confrontation, and what you really/need want right now. Then, should it seem desirable/necessary, go for it in an above-board way.

You may be undermining youself with envy of others (he's carrying five swords -- the Five of Swords, which can be read as envy). Look at what you can do in your own life now without comparison to others or what they may expect of you.

The situation is draining you, "stealing" more from you than you realize. Re-evaluate it very carefully. It may be time to reclaim your independence from it or at least greatly change how you are within it.

"Steal" some time now for yourself to renew.

Best to keep your upset to yourself right now and maintain the peace.

Don't wait for the energy to do it. Doing creates energy.

Taking your power back from a negative state, such as depression or destructive behavior.

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Resource: Housewife's Tarot, an hilarious take on The Tarot, especially for this reader who remembers the 1950's, and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of links to more serious articles about The Tarot by many different authors.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep owning your personal power and enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****

THE FIVE OF PENTACLES

TODAY'S CARD is The Five of Pentacles. This version is from the new deck in progress, The Philospher's Stone, by Simon Christopher.



For comparison, here's The Five of Pentacles in the Rider/ Waite/ Smith deck:



THE FIVE OF PENTACLES: As someone who is largely an "outsider," and definitely an Urban Hermit, I've always identified a bit with this card. Also having had my share of financial woes over the years, and spiritual struggles, this card tends to resonate for me. Actually, all the Tarot cards move me deeply. Some just seem to do it a bit more persistently. :-)

DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE FIVE OF PENTACLES:

I find that fives in general in the Tarot have a sense of "separating one's self from the herd." E.g., during times of emotional and psychological growth, especially in the sword and pentacle fives.

Literal cold weather/temperatures -- this card showed just before my apartment heating system kept breaking down; or metaphorical cold -- feeling "left out in the cold" by a situation/person.

Something in your life needs attention or repair very badly.

Feeling like a failure. Therefore, maybe also afraid of retribution or longing for forgiveness.

Fear of always being the outsider, of being too different or too much.

Get out of your home and be physically active.

Get outside yourself and be more social; share what you have with others.

You feel like an outsider in this situation because you don't belong in it. It's neither healthy nor right for who you are, no matter how much you may want it.

You are meant to be an "outsider," though not ungiving. It is how you gain your unique and valuable view of things.

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Resource: Tarot Meditations. When I was teaching Tarot I always urged meditating on the cards. This site has some good ones for selected cards, though you need not follow an established format to mediate on a card. You can simply gaze at it and be aware of your inner responses. However, a predefined structure definitely has its merits, too.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep honoring your uniqueness and enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****

THE EMPEROR (IV) (on Father's Day)

TODAY'S CARD is The Emperor (IV). This version is by Thalia Took, and is used by permission.



For comparison, here's The Emperor from the Rider/Waite/Smith deck:



THE EMPEROR: Well, it's Father's Day and The Emperor is often seen as the archetypal father. (Kings are also sometimes seen as fathers.) For a meditation I did on a particular Emperor card, see my post of May 23, 2006, THE EMPEROR IN THE XULTUN (MAYAN) TAROT DECK. For a view of my personal father relationship and one dream-based poem, see my dreams and poetry blog post for today (link at bottom of this post).

DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE EMPEROR CARD (IV):

Using anger to deny other feelings such as grief, sorrow, loneliness, etc.

A lot has been done, built, accomplished to get this far and can form the basis for further action.

Difficulty coping with responsibility.

Clairvoyant awareness of (possibly foundational) changes that are coming. If what you see is unsettling, try not to force your awareness on others or fortify yourself against the changes you see, as these behaviors can be experienced by others as beligerent.

Feeling "at home," either in one's literal space (office, house, etc.) or within one's self.

* * * *

Resource: Llewellyn's Free Online Tarot Readings. Years back when first exposed to online readings, it took me awhile to realize that they have a valuable position in the Tarot universe. When reading for myself, I go online when I suspect my vision is too clouded by the issue of inquiry to rely solely on my own responses.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep feeling at home within yourself, and enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****