Articles

Mar 17 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 17, 2014 — Nine of Lights

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Nine of Lights

This can be a rewarding and fulfilling day for you. The Nine of Lights provides you with opportunities to count your blessings, thank your lucky stars and be witness to miracles taking place all around you.

This card (referred to as the Nine of Cups in most decks) refers to abundance, prosperity, happiness and fulfillment. it’s a card of gratitude and wonder; it speaks of being present in the moment and willing to receive all that the Universe has to offer.

In this version of the card we see Dante (from the Divine Comedy’s Paradiso volume) ascending into the Eighth Heaven — the Sphere of Fixed Stars. We see him rising above the earth, through the clouds and sky, past the planets and constellations, and on into Heaven. His lifts up his arms — in wonder and gratitude — basking in the glory that surrounds him.

Here’s a simplified summary of this section, from the Schmoop.com website:

“Beatrice and Dante ascend to the Eighth Heaven, sphere of the Fixed Stars. Dante gazes down on Earth and realizes how small and petty it is. They witness the coronation and re-ascension of Mary and Christ into the Empyrean. St. Peter examines Dante on faith. Dante conveys his hope of returning to Florence one day to be crowned as a poet. St. James examines Dante on hope. Dante goes blind. St. John examines Dante on charity. Adam answers Dante’s four questions. St. Peter denounces corrupt popes.”

Mar 16 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 16, 2014 — Fortitude

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Fortitude

Today’s card — Fortitude — refers to the inner reserves of strength, courage and discipline that are called for in moments of fear or uncertainty.

You may be feeling hesitant about something that threatens to disrupt your daily routine. Or you may be trying to put on a brave face and tackle something that scares you or takes you outside of your comfort zone.

Interviewing for a job. Making a presentation. Confronting an adversary. Expressing emotions. In other words, anything that’s been known to trigger fear or anxiety for you in the past.

This card is called “Strength” in most decks. It refers to the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of strength, such as willpower and self-restraint.

It’s about taking charge of your life and taking back your power — over your fears and compulsions and ultimately your destiny.

Look at the images in this card. Notice how gently the woman strokes the lion’s back and how he reciprocates by lapping at her hand.

This is the essence of the Strength card. It’s about taming the beast within while at the same time lauding its virtues.

Mar 15 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 15, 2014 — Princess of Cups

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: 2 Comments

Princess of Cups

You may feel like wearing your heart on your sleeve today, courtesy of the Princess of Cups.

The Princesses in the Druid Craft Tarot deck are the female versions of “Pages” in traditional decks. They’re youthful, sensitive, and sincere. They’re full of potential, lacking in worldly experience and sophistication and may be overly idealistic and naive.

In this version of the card, we see a tender young maiden standing in a clearing next to a stream. A gentle breeze tousles her robes and hair. She appears to be in a dream-like state: basking in the warmth of the sunlight as she cradles her chalice close to her heart.

There is a calm, gentle and serene energy about her, yet she’s also in touch with nature. She’s got her (bare) feet planted firmly on the ground.

As the embodiment of the first Water sign (Cancer in this case), this Princess expresses a more idealistic and less refined version than the other court cards. There’s a “babe in the woods” quality — literally — about her.

She’s pure of heart and gentle of soul, seeing only the good in others with the hopefulness that comes from youth and inexperience.

Mar 14 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 14, 2014 — Ten of Swords

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Ten of Swords

Today you may be called upon to surrender to the realization that something that means a lot to you must come to an end.

This card is called “Ruin” in some decks, and refers to damage that has been done which cannot be undone, such as a loss of a friendship, the end of a dream or a betrayal of trust.

In this version of the card we see a young fairy falling rapidly through the clouds. Perhaps like Icarus she’s flown too close to the Sun which has melted her wings. They’re still smoldering behind her as she tumbles toward the Earth.

She’s dropped her swords and they scatter around her — only a few are still intact. The clouds obscure the ground beneath her, making it unlikely that she could latch onto something and break her fall. Even if she could though, too much damage has been done.

Mar 13 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 13, 2014 — Seven of Pentacles

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Seven of Pentacles

Today you may need to step back and look objectively at how far you’ve come, in order to make an informed decision about your next move.

The Seven of Pentacles (“Coins” in this deck) refers to a need for discrimination and self-moderation. You may have to look at what’s not working — as well as what is — and let go of your attachments to anything that’s holding you back.

In this version of the card we see the goddess Venus emerging from the Sea and wringing out her hair. This image comes from the 1520 painting Venus Anadyomene by Italian Renaissance painter Titian.

Behind her in the gloom are sparse trees with 7 Coins hanging from their spindly branches. The phases of the Moon are painted on the faces of the coins.

Perhaps she’s risen from the Sea and is thinking to herself: “Now what?” Maybe she’s taking a moment to gather her thoughts before she decides on her next move.

As the Seven of Pentacles — like all Sevens in the tarot — refers to a delay, a setback or a moral dilemma, it’s important to not let yourself get so frustrated that you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Mar 12 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 12, 2014 — Four of Wands

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Four of Wands

You may be looking forward to a party or celebration among friends and loved ones today. The Four of Wands often refers to a literal celebration — such as a wedding or birth of a child — but it can also indicate a time of rejoicing and celebrating happy news.

Although we don’t see dancing and merriment in this version of the card, we do see other important references to the Four of Wands — namely festive symbols of welcoming and hospitality.

There’s a decorative canopy and a basket full of sumptuous fruit; a babbling brook and foot bridge nearby, and high on the hill in the distance, a majestic castle.

The Four of Wands — like all Fours in the tarot — is not about work or productivity. It’s about taking time away — from day-to-day chores and responsibilities — to celebrate life’s important milestones.

It’s about meeting and greeting, putting aside biases and preconceived notions and breaking bread with others. It’s also about creating new memories.

The Four of Wands not only appears as a literal celebration, it can also refer to a cause for celebration — such as an engagement, a new baby, a promotion, purchasing a new home, etc. However it manifests, you’ll want to recognize the occasion and share your joy with loved ones.

Mar 11 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 11, 2014 — Queen of Wands

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Queen of Wands

Today’s card — the Queen of Wands — encourages you to conduct yourself with fairness, grace and integrity in all of your dealings with others.

The Queen of Wands — like all of the court cards in the tarot — can refer to a person, an event or a part of yourself. She embodies the feminine or yin aspects of Fire (wands) energy: creativity, passion, enthusiasm and drive.

She’s strong and dynamic, stands out in a crowd, possesses leadership qualities and elicits respect from others. She’s also very worldly and knowledgeable.

In this version of the card, the Queen stands tall and proud with a jewel-tipped scepter in her hands. A gold crown rests on her head and a world map stretches out behind her. Even in this simple rendition her command and authority are clear.

If this is a person in your life, know that she’s honest and impartial and will treat you with respect. She may be a supervisor, a parent, a friend or even some facet of yourself that has long been dormant.

If the card refers to you, see it as a reminder that you do possess these qualities and may need to reincorporate them into your personality. The presence of this card encourages you to recapture the essence of the Queen of Wands and put her to good use.

Mar 10 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 10, 2014 — Two of Wands

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Two of Wands

The Two of Wands — like all Twos — refers to taking the spark of an idea (seen in the Aces) and forming it into a tangible, working plan.

This requires looking at it from all angles — weighing the pros and cons, evaluating time and energy, separating the wheat from the chaff and so on. This is beautifully represented in the imagery depicted on this version of the card.

Here we see two leopards — one dark and one light — each standing watch by their own ornate pillars. The dark leopard is an exact mirror image of the light. Their sleek bodies curve toward one another and become “one,” reminding us of the power of uniting opposing forces to make one stronger entity. The Sun shines high in the sky between them.

The key here is balance: you won’t be able to make something happen without careful consideration and planning. And all the planning in the world won’t cause your ideas to materialize without putting in the effort.

There’s a certain give and take with the Two of Wands (as with all Twos in the tarot) that is mirrored right back to you. There’s also a need for discrimination — throwing out the unrealistic or half-baked ideas and focusing on what has a genuine shot at being successful. The Two of Wands requires you to be objective and this is why it’s always wise to bounce your ideas off of another.

Mar 09 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 9, 2014 — Nine of Pentacles

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Nine of Pentacles

Today is a good day to be present in the moment and to be grateful for all that you’ve acquired.

The Nine of Pentacles is all about enjoying the bounty that life affords you rather than focusing on what you lack. You may be feeling good about how far you’ve come and deserving of all you’ve been able to acquire. And now is the time to start enjoying it.

There are symbols of abundance and prosperity all throughout this card — from the colors on the card to her lavish jewelry to the bowl of grapes and gold coins around her neck to the partridge on her shoulder. Even the pine bough behind her is said to represent fertility and immortality. The woman in this card appears to be content which what she has: she knows she’s earned and deserves it.

You may not be feeling very “prosperous,” especially if you’ve been struggling to make ends meet. But this card is all about putting that consciousness into perspective, and focusing on what you have rather than what you don’t.

Sometimes the Nine of Pentacles appears as a generous benefactor or someone who opens a door for you that leads to a good financial opportunity. If this is the case be mindful of his (or her) contribution and make sure you give credit where credit is due.

Mar 08 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 8, 2014 — The Empress

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

The Empress

Look around you today at the people who depend on you and look up to your for guidance and encouragement.

The Empress card represents the aspects of ourselves that evoke the principles of feminine strength and power. As the counterpart to the Emperor card, this archetype is all about the yin or feminine aspects of parental authority and protection, regardless of gender.

Where the Emperor focuses on wisdom, stability and responsibility, the Empress relates more to nurturing, comfort, support and emotional security. It is the “Earth Mother” archetype personified.

In this rendition of the card, we see a regal woman dressed in colorful royal garb. She wears an ornate helmet headress, dripping with jewels and feathers. There’s a giant cat tapestry behind her and a purring jaguar at her feet.

She may be sensitive but she’s no push-over. In this rendition of the card she casts an imposing figure. She stands perfectly still but holds her staff at the ready, just in case she has to mete out discipline.

This woman could be your mother, your boss, an older female relative or friend. Or she could be some aspect of yourself — particularly if you find yourself in the role of parent, mentor, or supervisor.

Mar 07 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 7, 2014 — Three of Arrows

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Three of Arrows

The green-eyed monster known as “jealousy” may make an appearance for you today, whether you’re prepared for that or not.

In the Wildwood Tarot, this card is called the Three of Arrows. It refers to that knife in the heart feeling of being hurt, betrayed or just seething in anger over an emotional situation that you have little control over.

This may refer to a literal breakup or the loss of a friendship, or it can be that eye-opening moment when you realize that what (or whom) you’ve wanted so badly just doesn’t want you back.

The Three of Swords in general refers to feelings of sadness, loneliness, suffering and pain. In this version though the word “Jealousy” is associated with the card, adding a whole new layer.

Here we see a wooden heart hanging from a rope that’s been tied to the limb of a tree. Three arrows are piercing the heart — and drawing blood — while flames shoot out from the side.

There’s so much poignant imagery in this card as simple as it is. The heart looks old and weathered, the tree looks deprecate, the grass and brush surrounding it looks dead.

Mar 06 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 6, 2014 — Princess of Arrows

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Princess of Arrows

The Princess of Arrows is this deck’s version of the Page of Swords. In the Lover’s Path Tarot set, the Princesses are represented by famed goddesses, and this particular card references the Greek Goddess Psyche.

Psyche was naive, immature, curious and capricious. Also quite beautiful. But she was born a mortal and only became a goddess after many trials and tribulations. Her story is one of ultimate growth and redemption, but not without wreaking havoc at almost every turn.

In this version of the card we see a young Psyche holding an arrow and surrounded by butterflies. The Greek word for butterfly is Psyche (also the word for “Soul’). The arrow comes from Cupid, who accidentally pricked himself, thus binding them together for eternity.

The Pages / Princesses all represent the first sign of their related element: in this case Air and therefore Gemini. As they’re also all very youthful, we often see the more immature and unbridled energy associated with those signs.