MAGICIAN/HIGH PRIESTESS in Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden

Magician/High Priestess in The Tarot Garden in Tuscany, Italy, by Niki de Saint Phalle

As I keep saying in my posts to this and my dreams & poetry blog, "As I was weeding out my files preparing to move to California soon, I came across..." in this instance, pages I'd torn from a magazine many, many years ago of the fabulous Tarot Garden in Tuscany, Italy, created by Niki de Saint Phalle. (See link above, and below under "Resource" for more images and information.)

These larger, nay huger than life Tarot inspired sculptures have always fascinated me whenever I've come across photos of them online or in print. Today, when I found the old article I was particularly struck by the photo of the merged Magician and High Priestess. (That's the Magician's silver head on top of the blue and gaped-mouth High Priestess.) I felt encouraged, as if at present I am like the Magician, working steadily to manifest a new life and home in California. Even as I adjust and respond to the often roiling waves of High Priestess-like intuition underlying and informing all my activity.

And, yes, there's something both a bit funny and grotesque about these images. It fits my experiences during this huge transition in my life. As things come apart and do not yet have a new form, they do seem rather strange, out of kilter, and frequently out-sized. Humor, the joy of where I'm headed, my dreams, and the Tarot help to re-orient me.

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Resource: The Tarot Garden, has more photos, some close up so you can see the details.

‘til next time, keep 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 Tarot poetry and Roswila’s Taiga Tarot for taiga (illustrated tanka).****

THE HANGED WOMAN in The Animals Divine Tarot

The Hanged Woman, "Spider Woman," in The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt

As much work as I am doing, there is still so much more that simply has to wait on further information or on other things first being in place as I prepare to move cross country. I've never been very good at being patient, especially as the longer I wait the more anxious I get and I'm a rather anxious person to begin with. So yesterday I did some magic affirming that I am not anxious and am waiting patiently for as long as need be, then got on with what I can be doing now. This morning it occurred to me that this is a time of The Hanged One for me (or Man, or Woman, or Person, depending on the deck you are thinking of).

When I went to my image library for a Hanged Man card to accompany this post, the one above really grabbed my attention. I began to see that the times when we are feeling suspended (delayed, having to wait, anxious) are the times when The God/dess is spinning something new for us, while holding us safely in the web of the old. And I recalled an anonymous quote I had recently unearthed in weeding out my files: "Things work out in the end. If they haven't worked out, it's not the end." :-D

As ever, I hope you visit the Animals Divine Tarot site (link above under the graphic) to view Lisa Hunt's extraordinary deck.

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‘til next time, keep 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 Tarot poetry and Roswila’s Taiga Tarot for taiga (illustrated tanka).****

INVOKING GANESH

The Hierophant (High Priest), by Lisa Hunt, in The Animals Divine Tarot

Ganesh is my favoritie Deity. Actually I should say, He's "first among equals" among the various Deities I consciously relate to. (I say "consciously" because I sometimes suspect others than those I am aware of have their influences and/or ways with my life.) I've been calling on Him even more than usual as I am going through this huge uprooting to move cross country to California.

My prayer, especially now given that I have actual material objects in my way (like an old huge couch to somehow get out of my living room without taking it out over the terrace the way it came in 23 years ago), is for Him to graciously remove all obstacles from my path. (One of His titles is "Remover of Obstacles.) I am willing to do, and am doing all the necessary work. I just really need His help, as well. It would be very helpful, too, if He continued to bless this new enterprise, this new life I'm heading toward. (Ganesh is often invoked at the start of new enterprises to ensure their success.)

As I sort, throw out, prepare for a house give-way and sale, type gazillions of emails to my out-of-town landlord (helping with the apartment repair list and obtaining a new tenant), begin to actually pack stuff in cartons (that I first have to put together) etc., etc. I do so wish I, too, had four arms. But I am more than grateful that Ganesh does. And that I continue to feel His loving presence along this tumultuous but welcome path of change.

By the way, be sure to check out the link to The Animals Divine Tarot (under the image above). It's an absolutely wonderful Tarot deck.

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‘til next time, keep 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 Tarot poetry and Roswila’s Taiga Tarot for taiga (illustrated tanka).****