THE EIGHT OF WANDS

TODAY'S CARD is The Eight of Wands. This version is from the dazzling Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti, who has also designed the gorgeous Gilded Tarot, and is used by permission.



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



THE EIGHT OF WANDS: As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've just finished participating in a two week, online conference. The Eight of Wands very nicely recalls that experience as wands are often said to represent electric/electronic communications. Also, the Eight of Wands with it's traditional meaning of "swiftness" is particularly apt for symbolizing email and message board communications. However at the same time, this intriguing card can also speak to my post-conference sense of burn-out -- it was an extremely intense experience for this Urban Hermit. The fact that I am alone again (out of continual "touch" with others via massively busy message boards; note that neither version above has any people on it) is a relief as I digest all the information generated by the conference. In a way, as I come back to the ground again, out of the electrified air.


DIFFERENT OR LESS COMMON, EVEN QUIRKY MEANINGS FOR THE EIGHT OF WANDS (i.e. the below is not intended to be an exhaustive exploration of this card; a quick google will produce a wider variety of takes should you not be familiar with this card):

Who or what are you shutting out? Conversely: Are you really being shut out or are you distancing yourself in some way?

Ends being said to justify the means.

You are over-extending yourself and headed for burn-out.

Are you unconsciously maintaining an overly busy life to avoid facing things about it that really need to be changed?

Dragging your heels; lack of directness in communication.

"Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow...." "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." Swift action is imperative; "strike while the iron is hot." I.e., do it now!

Detach from them and/or the situation; you may be setting yourself up to be burned or to burn out.

Do something physical (take a walk, exercise, dance, hug someone); you've been in the mental/intellectual/communication realm(s) too long and need a break.

Enjoy this alone time for as long as it lasts; things will get socially busy soon enough.

Keep it light!

It's not time to judge or follow-through on all the creative ideas coming to you. Get all the thoughts down (almost like taking a rush of dictation from the Deities), and later you can sort through them all. Most of all, enjoy this flood of inventiveness.

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Resource: Soulscape Tarot Teacher, an unusual and intriguing variety of 22 lessons, illustrated with The Thoth Tarot.

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

‘til next time, keep revelling in creative ideas 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.****

DREAM HAIKU SERIES (II)

The below was previously posted to my dreams and poetry blog and since it talks to Tarot cards I'm posting it here, too:

we share our stories
as we wait to check out
the lines are long

she says she was
sort of abused by him
still not owning up

there is no one
to accept our money
we can't buy freedom

the aging actress
will read my cards as we wait
she's a quick study

there is a way out:
the tulip Ace of Cups
and rooted wand






[All the above card images are from the Rider/Waite/Smith deck.]

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This series is based on a dream I had on August 4, 2006. The Devil card was not actually in the dream, but certainly implied. The Ace of Cups, The Queen of Wands and The Eight of Wands were all images in the end of the dream, both "verbally" and "visually."

Resource: Red Sunlight, quirky and very original Tarot card designs.

‘til next time, keep enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)****My other blog: ROSWILA’S DREAM & POETRY REALM .

"HOW Does It DO That!?!"

The below is a post I made during the International Association for the Study of Dreams, PsiberDreaming Conference that just ended Sunday. After I'd finished typing this response on one of the many amazing discussion threads, I realized I should save it as I might want to post it to this blog. I ran across the print out just now filing my notes and the papers presented during the conference, so here it is:

"....How does The Tarot work? Or as a friend used to say to me when I'd read for her "How does it do that!?!"? The plain and simple answer for me is "I don't know." I've been studying, collecting, teaching, and exploring with The Tarot for over 30 years and gave up decades ago trying to explain it's most mysterious ways.

A friend says it's unconscious kinetic manipulation on the part of the shuffler. Well, there are just too many variables for that explanation to work for me, though it may be a minor influence at times. I personally suspect (but don't go through rigors trying to prove it to myself :-D) that the major input is from the minds of those involved in the reading. The images on the cards act as triggers, are the vessels for the information that surfaces. (Fancy inkblots anyone?) But of course this doesn't explain why someone can do a reading relying totally on meanings 'by the book' and still be amazingly helpful. In this latter case, though, I do suspect again, since one has to choose among several meanings and then relate that meaning to the issue at hand, that the reader's sensitivity is active whether she knows it or not.

I take great comfort and shelter in how much I feel a kinship between dreams and The Tarot. Ultimately, I do not know for sure how either do what they do, how either give us their tremendous and beautiful gifts. They just do. They are. And I am grateful."

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Resource: Illumination Tarot/Dreaming Tarot, nice article on how dreams and Tarot work together.

‘til next time, keep enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile")****My other blog: ROSWILA’S DREAM & POETRY REALM.

THE SEVEN OF WANDS

TODAY'S CARD is The Seven of Wands. This version is from The Fey Tarot.



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



THE SEVEN OF WANDS: The Faery (Fairy) World came up in a major way on one of the threads during the International Association for the Study of Dreams PsiberDreaming Conference I was attending that just ended yesterday. Fairies also showed up in many of our dreams during the conference, as they have over the years in my own. Therefore I thought it was time to post a card from a very distinctive deck, The Fey Tarot (top card above). I don't have this deck yet in my collection so I've not seen all the cards, but those I've viewed online are really impressive. They carry that mix of whimsy, mystery and pointed purpose I sense from the Faery realm.

DIFFERENT OR LESS COMMON, EVEN QUIRKY MEANINGS FOR THE SEVEN OF WANDS (i.e. the below is not intended to be an exhaustive exploration of this card; a quick google will produce a wider variety of takes should you not be familiar with this card):

It's time to stop being defensive and let the waters of deep emotion be felt. Conversely: Fighting off what you don't want to feel; it may not be time to give over to the feelings, i.e. action may be what is crucial at the moment.

A situation in which you will need to teach and/or lead.

A "spit-fire" personality.

You may feel overwhelmed, but something is about to happen that will change your perspective on the entire situation and especially your position in it.

Not willing to compromise your values.

Take to the high ground (aggression from others is possible concerning this issue).

Take the high road (don't give in to a pull toward aggresion on your own part).

What aspects of yourself do you consistently "fight down"? Check out their flip-sides or implications, they may be precisely what you need right now.

Challenging yourself and/or others.

A non-traditional approach to life, that can on occasion make you feel embattled because others require explanations or make defense necessary.

Truly hear others, and hold firm in what your heart and spirit know to be important.

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Resource: Self-Published Works. If you crave unusual takes on Tarot images you can find them here.

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

‘til next time, keep standing firm 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.****