DAILY DRAW: The Hermit

Two Major Arcana cards in a row, wow! It's going to be a Major Arcana kind of week ... lots of major changes are going on right now. I definitely feel that in my own life. Lots of things are shifting and changing form.

The Hermit is Major Arcana card number nine. In the card you will see an old man standing on top of what looks like a mountain or an outlook of some sort because he is looking down. He's holding up a lantern and leaning on a cane for support.

The Hermit is about withdrawing from the outer world to connect with your inner self. You don't have to go hiking in the mountains and find a cave to withdraw from the world. You can do it wherever you are. Just place more importance on what your inner self is telling you and the puzzles your mind wants to solve than the outside world. The Hermit's lantern signifies that he is a guide. He may be helping you through a dark time. His cane symbolizes the knowledge he has gained from his withdrawal from the world, which he can lean on in times of trouble. He is wise and learned because he has taken the time to really get to know himself and think about life and its challenges. He can also signify a teacher who will guide you and teach you valuable things.

Take some time today to be alone. Get to know yourself better. Ask yourself questions. Be a scholar of yourself and the world. Be your own teacher. What have you learned about life? What are your absolute truths? What confuses you or muddles your thinking, and why?

Also keep your eyes and ears open for that special teacher. The Hermit could be anyone who teaches you something valuable. The Hermit teaches you things that can benefit you throughout your life.

DAILY DRAW: Temperance

Temperance is Major Arcana card number fourteen. In the card we see a magnificent angel pouring water back and forth between two cups, but something otherworldly is going on. Notice how the stream of water is hovering in mid-air. The angel is exerting some kind of supernatural control over the physics of the water, not allowing a drop of it to spill. This represents the kind of force we need to exert over the way we react to things in our lives. We need to make sure we are reacting appropriately (for want of a better word) in all situations ... not flying off the handle, for example, when we could have simply sat down with someone and worked out a dispute. Not blowing a minor problem into a major one and being overdramatic. It's a card about being able to "go with the flow" and handle things well.

Notice also the road in the background and the sun shining at the end of that road. That road represents the path to happiness, to contentment ... and the right behaviours will get us there. One of the angel's feet is on land, the other in water. The water represents our psychological selves, the land represents the world we live in. Our selves and the world we live in interact every day.

Many of us react to life impulsively (or compulsively) and later regret our actions. This card is about taking a breath, both physically and emotionally, before responding to anything in the outer world that disturbs us. This gives us time to consider our actions and make sure they work in our favour rather than against us.

Be aware of anything that tempts you to act impulsively, compulsively, or old habits that breed self-sabotaging behaviour. Think of yourself as this beautiful angel who is able to exert positive control over your moods and your emotions. Take the high road in every situation.

DAILY DRAW: Two of Cups

Love, love, love. :) Partnership, mutual coming together, embracing and loving yourself. This is what the Two of Cups is all about. If you have had your eye on a special someone, this may be the day you have been waiting for. The Two of Cups can signify the beginning of a new romantic relationship. We see the man and woman coming together in this card, facing each other with their cups in their hands as if they are each offering their cup to the other. In many marriage ceremonies, taking a sip of wine from the same cup is part of the wedding ritual. The fiery lion of attraction hovers over them as if to indicate his hearty approval of this union.

The Two of Cups does not only refer to love and romance and mutual attraction. It can also indicate a business partnership where two people who care very deeply about a certain service agree to join forces to build a business. Or it can mean embracing a part of yourself that you have previously rejected in order to love yourself more fully. In any case, this is a feel-good card that is all about love and what matters to you most.

If you do embark on a new romantic relationship today, enjoy. :) Keep your eyes and ears open for people you resonate with ... you could connect on a very meaningful level with them today. Enjoy this heart-centred day.

What Suit Are You?

What suit are you? What qualities do you have in abundance and what qualities do you wish had more of? Working with the cards can really help draw your attention to this question and make you think about the very distinct energies within us. None of them are any "better" or "worse" than the others. They are all equally important, and in a perfect world, we would all have a balance of their qualities inside us.

The tarot is actually two decks in one: the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana consists of twenty-two cards. Each card represents a universal life truth and is a stepping stone on the path of life. We begin with The Fool and end with The World, and then we start the journey again. It's a continuous process.

The Minor Arcana consists of fifty-six cards and they are split into four separate suits. These cards are about the everyday experiences of life. They can be very helpful at enlightening us about things we are stuck on or invite us to think about things in a new way.

The four suits each represent a different, distinct energy that resides within all of us (they also correspond to the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water).

WANDS are fire energy. They are all about action, inspiration, creativity, and DOING. They represent the spark within us that motivates us to get out there and DO THINGS. They don't necessarily have to be all about activity, either. They can simply represent anything that inspires ideas, new thoughts, and ambitions. Anything that lights the fire within you.

CUPS are water energy. They are all about emotions, relationships, and love. They deal with the people and things we care about and the things that matter to us. If you think about water ... it's malleable, it flows, it's very fluid and its nature is to change form depending on how you interact with it. That's how our emotions are. They are not fixed. They change day by day.

SWORDS are air energy. They are all about our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions. They deal with the way our minds work and the way we communicate our thoughts. If you think about air ... it's not visible or tangible, just like our thoughts. But our thoughts are very much a part of us and they can influence our lives in dramatic ways.

PENTACLES are earth energy. They are all about the practical matters of everyday life, such as home, health, career, and feeling secure and comfortable. They are about how you experience the material world and what you can detect with your five senses.

Although we all have these four energies within us, many of us have noticed one or two energies that are more prevalent within us than the others. For example, someone who is a "couch potato" may not have a lot of Wands energy, but they overflow with Pentacles. There are people who are all about love ... whose Cups runneth over whenever they are in love ... and they LOVE to be in love.

I am definitely filled with Swords energy. I have always been the type of person who lives a great deal of my life in my head, thinking about things, analyzing things, questioning things. I like it, too. :) I'm not complaining. But I could probably use a little more Wands energy in my life to make things happen the way I have them mapped out in my head.

Think about it ... which suit do you have an ample supply of? And which suit calls out for some more attention?

Namaste,
Gabriela

DAILY DRAW: Knight of Wands

The Knight of Wands is a man of action. He's always up for an adventure and a challenge. He never backs down from a fight. He's fearless and courageous and embodies that fiery Wands energy in a very dynamic way. Look at this knight on his beautiful red horse. He's charging headlong into battle or making his way on an adventurous quest. Notice the pyramids in the background ... they suggest travel to far off places, someone who is not afraid to venture into unknown territory. It's important to note that just because we think of knights as male and the knight in the card is male, this card does not have to represent men only. Females can embody this energetic, dynamic persona as well. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, Brienne the knight would be the perfect example of this energy. This knight in action is awesome to behold.

Embrace this Knight of Wands energy in your life today. Don't be reckless or aggressive just for the sake of aggression, but see if you can incorporate his courage, his zest for life, his goal-oriented forward movement. Notice if you cross paths with someone like this today. Is there a Knight of Wands in your life? Would you like to jump on the horse and get things done the way he does?

DAILY DRAW: Four of Swords

Rest, recuperation, reflection. The Four of Swords is one of my favourite cards (partly due to my love of all things medieval and partly due to the peace and tranquility it represents). This knight appears in effigy on a tomb. Three of his swords hang on the wall above him and one lies underneath him. He has put his worries, his troubles away. Although Swords symbolize our thoughts, our beliefs, and our perceptions, I think in this instance the swords also represent their earthly purpose: weapons, symbols of aggression. He has stopped fighting things and put his weapons down. His hands are together as if in prayer, suggesting something holy is going on. Retreating from the world to allow our worries to recede and allow ourselves to heal is a holy process. We all have times in our lives when we just need to get away and be by ourselves for awhile. The Four of Swords is all about taking that time for yourself. It's about accepting that things have not gone as planned and taking the time to mentally regroup. This card can also symbolize meditation.

Has anything been bothering you lately? Is there anything in your life that has left you feeling defeated? If so, don't beat yourself up about it. None of us can be victorious all the time. Take the time to be alone and be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to regenerate and appreciate who you are.

DAILY DRAW: Six of Cups

The Six of Cups is like getting a warm hug from an old friend. It's about friendship, companionship, mutual positive feelings going back and forth. Two people are meeting in what looks like a marketplace. One of them is giving a vase of flowers to the other. It's not clear whether the smaller person is a child or a dwarf, but to me, that person is a child. Her diminutiveness is very endearing, I just want to pick her up and hold her. That's what this card is about ... warm, happy feelings. I don't get the feeling the little person has simply bought those flowers either. Her posture and the way the person is bending down to give them to her suggest a gift. An "I'm happy to see you!" or "You're so cute!" gift. Since the smaller person can be a child, this card can also symbolize childhood and happy memories. Sentimentality or pleasurable reminiscence.

Are you grateful for the friends or loved ones you have in your life today? Are there people in your life who have always been with you? Have you made any new friends lately?

Show your friends or loved ones you appreciate them today. Let them know you're glad they're in your life.

DAILY DRAW: Six of Wands

If you look at this card, you'll get the immediate impression that it's all about victory. Pride. Accomplishment. A battle won. The man sits proudly on his beautiful white horse wearing a wreath of victory on his head. His soldiers march alongside him in a victory parade. A wreath is attached to the wand he brandishes. Wands symbolize energy, action, creative fire, the fire within us. This man has accomplished his goal and he is being celebrated for it.

Have you felt victorious lately? Have you accomplished something major in your life? Did you feel supported and encouraged? Did you celebrate? Perhaps this card is a signpost telling you that victory is near.

Embrace that creative energy. Go out and get what you want. Success takes hard work and persistent action ... but a result like this makes it well worth it.

My Tarot Decks

These are the decks I have collected so far. I anticipate my collection will grow much larger ... there are so many beautiful tarot decks out there and it's tempting to scoop up every one that catches my eye. I've been fairly restrained so far and have a total of six decks in my collection to date. Here they are. 

 

RIDER WAITE DECK. This is my go-to deck, the deck that I and millions of other tarot students have studied, continue to study, and learn from. The brilliant medieval-themed illustrations are the creation of an artist named Pamela Colman Smith. She worked in collaboration with Arthur Edward Waite, a scholar and mystic, to create the deck. The most popular and famous tarot deck in the world. It's likely that even many non-tarot enthusiasts have heard of it. 

CONNOLLY DECK. I saw these cards and immediately fell in love with the medieval/Renaissance theme. Many of the cards have been designed in the style of Renaissance art. The illustrations have beautifully vivid jewel-like colours, reminiscent of stained glass windows. Created by Eileen Connolly and her son Peter Paul Connolly. 

TELL-ME TAROT. A fun little deck created by Arik Eyal and illustrated by Nir Cassuto. I don't use this deck for readings but it's a good one to browse through to learn some basic card meanings and just play with. Each card has a summary of the meaning at the bottom. A great deck for kids, if they're interested. 

ANGEL TAROT. Designed by Doreen Virtue, angel expert and author, and Radleigh Valentine. Illustrated by Steve A. Roberts. These are beautiful, serene, positive, reflective cards designed to inspire and enlighten. These cards each have an "angelic" interpretation at the bottom and is packed solid with a cast of angels, archangels, unicorns, fairies, and mermaids. 

STEAMPUNK TAROT. A visually stunning, unique, and very different spin on the tarot with a '20s industrial era theme. Designed by Barbara Moore and illustrated by a wonderful artist named Aly Fell. I haven't used these in a reading yet, but I can't wait to work with them. The visuals remind me of a cross between David Lynch and Ridley Scott. 

OSHO ZEN. Next to the traditional Rider Waite, which constantly fascinates and inspires me, I think I love this deck the best. I just purchased it this weekend. Osho has long been one of my favourite gurus and when I saw this tarot deck I knew it had my name on it. The illustrations are breathtaking ... evocative, deep, inspiring, a rainbow of colours ... I can't wait to work with it. I know it will become a staple. 

So there is an overview of my tarot collection. If you would like a reading using any one of these particular decks, please don't hesitate to let me know. 

Namaste,

Gabriela

Hello and Welcome!

Hello fellow explorers and tarot lovers ... welcome to the Tarot Wonderland blog.

I'd like to introduce myself to you, explain how I came to the tarot, and why it has become such a passion in my life.

I have always been fascinated by the mysterious and the unknown. I was the kind of kid who was innately curious about life. I'd beg my elders and friends to tell me stories about their lives. I never got tired of listening to them talk about how their lives unfolded and how they met this person or that. As I got older, that fascination with the workings of life expanded and became an intense love of anything metaphysical or psychological ... anything that was unseen but undeniably powerful and influential in our lives. I became fascinated with what makes us do what we do ... why the same situations tend to repeat themselves time and time again ... how we end up loving the people we do ... and what "makes us tick."

The tarot always drew me and fascinated me but I didn't begin to delve into studying it seriously until a couple of years ago. I took a series of classes that began opening up its mysteries to me, but for whatever reason, my desire to become a serious student of the tarot didn't really begin to take hold of me in a big way until December of last year. Suddenly, it began to feel more like a calling, and I started studying it in earnest.

Although I have just started out on my tarot journey, I also know that even the most learned and experienced tarot readers say that they are constantly learning as well. The tarot is so intricate and all-encompassing that it would probably take many lifetimes to consider oneself a "master" at interpreting its messages. I know that each day I work with the cards I learn a little bit more ... and as impossible as it may seem for me to love them more than I already do, I think I grow to love them a little bit more each day as well. I have the most innate respect for the cards, what they have to teach us, and their ability to guide us in our lives. The tarot is not sorcery or fluff ... it is a highly evolved, genuine spiritual tool that can give us great insights if we are only willing to listen and learn.

In this blog, I will be posting daily and weekly draws, card interpretations, and sample readings. I invite all of you to comment and share your insights and views. I am hoping this blog will become a warm, inviting community where we can all hang out, share our love of the cards, and our innately human desire to search for answers.

I also invite you to visit my Youtube page where I have posted a few sample readings. If you feel the urge to contact me and would like me to consult the cards on your behalf, I thank you in advance and look forward to working with you.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step ... and the answer to a thousand questions can begin with a single card.

Namaste,
Gabriela