DAILY DRAW: Page of Cups

The Page of Cups is a person who is either new to the realm of love and relationships or someone who is a neophyte when it comes to dealing with matters of the heart. This doesn't necessarily have to mean romantic love ... it can be anything that we care about or feel deeply about.

The most striking thing about this card is the fish poking its head out of the cup while the Page looks directly at it. The fish seems to be telling him something and the Page appears to be listening intently. What do you think the fish would say to you regarding matters of the heart if you were the Page?

Pages are also messengers, so you could receive a message of love today. This card is all about innocence, wonder, newness, and openness. Open your heart but also be open to learning something about your inner self today.

DAILY DRAW: King of Swords

It's all about cold, hard logic today. Logic and truth. Facing the facts.

The king, a court card, can represent us or someone in our lives. Kings are usually men in the age range of 40 and up (the king does not have to represent a man ... this person could just as easily be a woman with King of Swords traits).

Swords are all about our thoughts and our minds, the way our minds work. The King of Swords is the ultimate thinker. He has no time for emotion, no time for indecision. He is just about the facts, ma'am. This can make him come across as cold or unfeeling but he simply has no time for being touchy feely. He is too busy adjudicating, analyzing, planning, delegating. The King of Swords is someone who would be a judge, psychiatrist, scientist, or professor. Someone who works with facts and staunchly upholds the idea of truth.

This card is telling us to channel our King of Swords today. If a situation has been confusing or upsetting you, take your emotions out of the equation and just look at a situation and the FACTS behind it. What is the TRUTH?

You could also run into the King of Swords today. Keep an eye out for someone who impresses you with their lofty, authoritative presence. The King of Swords is a great teacher. Pay attention to what he (or she) is telling you.

DAILY DRAW: Temperance

Today's card is another repeat: Temperance. I'm using the Steampunk tarot today which is a wonderfully unique version of the tarot.

You'll notice that in this deck, it has been renamed Alchemist. Temperance is card 14 in the tarot [refer to my April 29 post to see the Rider Waite version] and it comes immediately after the Death card. It's all about the inner process of adjusting to change and having the patience to see that change through.

When dramatic change occurs in our lives, particularly if we weren't expecting it, a lot of us just feel totally lost. We're not sure who we are anymore or we might be afraid of the future. Temperance (or Alchemist, in Steampunk Tarot's case) is all about going inward and allowing those invisible readjustments to be made to our psyche without fighting them. In this card, we see a woman peering at a test tube. She has mixed some chemicals in there and they are doing their work, combining and changing each other's properties, merging into one new formula. If she were to shake the test tube impatiently, she would interrupt the process and prolong it. By holding it still, the chemicals can do their work.

That's what happening inside us when Temperance shows up. Something in our past has changed irrevocably and we have changed as a result ... but the changes aren't complete yet. We're still not sure how the future will look and there's nothing we can do but wait. This is a very anxious time for some but it's also a great time to express your feelings creatively and think about how your life has changed and how you have changed as a person.

Have you had a dramatic change in your life recently? When something in your life has run its course, it's like a force of nature. We might be sad, we might be afraid, but we need to remember that change happens and that it happens for a reason. Use this uncertain time productively and write, paint, sing your feelings out. We have taken another step up the spiritual ladder.

DAILY DRAW: Knight of Pentacles

As we have already drawn this card in a daily draw, I'm going to start showing you some cards from different decks whenever repeats appear. This Knight of Pentacles is from the Morgan Greer tarot, a deck I don't own yet, but I am planning to purchase soon. It is a wonderful deck.

Look at the knight in this card. He means business. He is a serious knight. He has his spear in his hand, the pentacle on his armour symbolizing his badge, and it seems as if his armor has been polished for hours so that he will look his best when he sets out on his journey. To me, this knight is the epitome of chivalry. There is a rising sun in the background indicating a new start. He is embarking on a serious quest.

Pentacles are all about earthly concerns ... money, health, home, security. Knight are court cards and can represent people in our lives, but they can also represent aspects of ourselves. Knights are thought to represent adolescents or someone who is not completely matured in their development. This knight has a few battles under his belt but he has not mastered his realm. He is still learning, still developing, but he has a lot of energy and a solid vision in mind.

This card is about embarking on new projects, perhaps looking for a new job, new home, a new health program ... anything that will improve your life here on the earthly plane. If you're starting a new project, remember there is a lot to learn but approach it with the seriousness and earnestness of this knight. If you do, you are sure to succeed.

If there is someone in your life who reminds you of this knight, encourage and support him or her in their new endeavours.

DAILY DRAW: Seven of Swords

The Seven of Swords is a very interesting card. It can be interpreted in many different ways. First of all, Swords represent our thoughts, the way we think, the way we communicate our thoughts. If you think of the swords the man in the card is carrying away with him as thoughts, what could that mean?

He appears to be sneaking away from a camp with swords he has stolen. Is there someone sneaky or deceitful in your life? Are you being sneaky and deceitful?

It could also mean that he is simply being "low key" with his thoughts. Keeping them to himself. He is being very careful and cautious about being "caught". This card could mean simply being wise or tactful and knowing when to stay silent rather than speak your true thoughts.

There are also men in the background who appear to be chatting and not paying attention to the fact that this man has come into their camp and stolen some swords. This card could also refer to them ... about the importance of being vigilant when you need to be and avoiding carelessness.

Be on the lookout for sneaks and liars today ... including yourself! And while it's always a good idea to think before you speak, this idea seems especially important today. Guard your thoughts .... only share them with people you know will be receptive to them.

DAILY DRAW: Eight of Cups

What an interesting card we have drawn today! The Eight of Cups is one of those wonderfully mysterious cards in the tarot that poses many interesting questions. It's about leaving when the time is right. A relationship or situation has evolved as much as it can (in a good way) and sometimes it's wise to move on before things turn bad. 

Cups symbolize our emotions, the way we feel about things deep inside. They symbolize the deepest feelings within us. You can see the cups in the foreground stacked up in a pretty arrangement. The person in the background has turned and started walking away, but you can see that he is leaning on a staff for support. Leaving does not appear to be an easy thing for him to do and there seems to be some sadness connected to it. But still, even though he is sad, he is leaving. Why?

Perhaps you are in a job that just doesn't do it for you anymore. Yes, it pays the bills, it's become second nature to you so that you don't even think about doing your daily tasks. You just do them mechanically. There is no challenge or newness in the job anymore. You are bored and feel stifled.

Or perhaps you have been in a relationship that was good for awhile, but little cracks are starting to show. You can see trouble on the horizon. You still care about the person, but you know deep down inside that it's not meant to be long-term.

This is what the Eight of Cups is all about. It's about having the wisdom to see the bigger picture even though things may be calm and comfortable for the time being. We all know that feeling. Things appear to be the same on the surface, but underneath we're getting that urge, that instinctive prodding to take action even though we may not want to. 

Sometimes things are meant to be, and sometimes they're not. The Eight of Cups is about being able to know the difference and take action for your greater good. 

New Decks! -- Medieval Scapini Tarot

I think I have saved my favourite for last. :) I saw these cards at a used bookstore awhile ago. I picked them up and looked at them but they were wrapped and I couldn't see what they looked like so I decided to leave them behind. I kept thinking about them, though, and went back for them a day later. They were gone. I would occasionally regale my husband with regret at not having bought them (at which he would sigh and roll his eyes and tell me -- like he always does -- Why don't you buy things when you see them?)

Well, I got lucky. We were at the same bookstore the other day and there they were -- a brand new pack. I picked them up instantly and cradled them. You know I wasn't leaving without them this time!

When I got them home and opened them, my magnetic attraction and pining for the cards was instantly affirmed when I saw them firsthand. They are stunning. The artwork is by a man named Luigi Scapini. The deck comes with a good-sized book that covers the meanings behind the cards and also gives a fascinating primer on tarot history. The cards have a beautiful golden sheen to them, almost as if they had been gilded. Here's a sample of a few of them:

The pictures I have posted here really do not do them justice. The colours are very rich and vibrant, and as I said, each card seems to shimmer with a gold background. The Minor Arcana is quite a bit different than the Rider Waite tarot. Mr. Scapini seems to have taken quite a bit of artistic license and really let his imagination run wild in a wonderful way. They are whimsical and occasionally baffling but always interesting and wonderful. 

The back of the cards look like this:

This beautiful design reminds me of a tablecloth or tapestry you might imagine seeing in a castle's great hall. This deck definitely satisfies my love of all things medieval. 

These cards were a little more expensive than the others. They were $39.99 but I got them on sale (again, yay!) for $29.99. They were definitely worth it. I can't wait to start using them!

I hope you enjoyed my tour of my new decks! Thanks for visiting and see you again soon. 

Namaste,

Gabriela

New Decks! -- Doreen Virtue's Angel Therapy Oracle Cards

As a fairly new tarot reader, I have yet to really delve into the world of oracle decks and compare and contrast the difference between oracle and tarot decks. I know some people adore oracle cards to the point of working exclusively with them, while others are equally (and vocally) as devoted to the tarot. I haven't even considered "choosing sides" yet (and don't think I ever would ... I'm sure there is just as much to be said for oracle cards as there is for tarot cards). So far, though, I have strictly concentrated on tarot cards ... until I saw this one. :)

Doreen Virtue is another one of my favourite people in the world. I saw her at a Hay House convention here in Toronto a few years ago and I've known about her for ages. She has written many books about angels. She is the "angel ambassador". I always try to catch her radio show on Hay House radio whenever possible. It's so uplifting and positive and her voice is so incredibly calming. Plus, she is a very vocal advocate of raw and whole foods and speaks out passionately against the toxins, poisons, and GMOs that are being put in our food. I have learned a lot about the subject and changed my eating habits a lot thanks to her, and I highly encourage you all to check out her radio show where she starts every hour with an update about the latest food findings. But I digress. I picked up her Angel Therapy Oracle Card deck the other day.

These cards were inexpensive as well ... only $15.95, but I got them on sale for $11.99. They are really beautiful and uplifting, just like her show. Here's a sample of a few of them:

The cards have really beautiful artwork and a message at the bottom of each one. Some of the cards have angel names and other cards just have concepts, but they are all uplifting and positive. I can see that this deck will really come in handy if I'm having a bad day and need a pick-me-up.

The back of the cards look like this:

I imagine some people may get turned off by the traditional religious connotations and artwork in some of the cards, but I think the appeal of this deck is universal. It's all about reaching out for some helpful advice, whether you believe it comes from God or the universe or whatever/whoever. The important thing is that these cards have some wonderfully supportive words of encouragement and advice that can benefit everyone. I love them!

New Decks! -- Caroline Myss' Archetype Cards

Hello everyone,

One possible financial hazard of being a tarot reader I have discovered is the repeated urge to acquire new decks. Some of them are so beautiful that they are just as tempting as jewelry or chocolate cake. I got a few new decks recently and wanted to share them with you.

The first one is not a tarot deck, but a beautiful card deck by Caroline Myss (one of my favourite people in the world). Caroline is an author and intuitive healer and has written many brilliant books, including "Sacred Contracts" which was all about archetypes. The book is fascinating and I highly encourage you all to read it. It is extremely insightful. This card deck is her "Archetypes" deck:

It comes with a very informative little book defining and summarizing all the archetypes. Caroline says that we are all comprised of twelve archetypes, and every one of us ALWAYS has these four in our collection: Child, Victim, Prostitute, and Saboteur. (Very interesting.) You can go through the deck and narrow down the other eight archetypes that are in your psyche, or simply draw a card for the day and reflect on how the characteristics of that archetype show up in your day -- either in you or in the people around you. Here's what a few of the cards look like:

I really like how she sums up the light attributes of each archetype at the top of the card, and the negative or shadow attributes at the bottom. It makes for a really quick and handy reference.

The back of the cards have a really beautiful, enigmatic design:

I have gazed at this design numerous times and am still not sure entirely what is depicted here, but it certainly is very pretty, colourful, and pleasing to the eye. For some reason, I think: half a bird-woman? :)

I really love these cards and I'm glad I got them. I have long been an admirer of Caroline Myss' work, and these cards are a whole new way to appreciate her insights. They were pretty inexpensive for a deck too, only about $20.00. I would highly recommend them to other seekers!

DAILY DRAW: Nine of Swords

There are no "good" or "bad" cards in the tarot. Each card has positive and negative sides to it. However, I don't think anyone can say that the Nine of Swords is a pleasant card. If you look at the image, you'll see a person sitting up in bed holding their head in their hands as if they are on the verge of emotional collapse.

Swords represent our thoughts, ideas, the ways that we think, our beliefs, and the way we communicate those beliefs. This card is telling us that our thoughts and mental processes have overwhelmed us. It's time to take a break. Stop thinking so much! Many of us get caught in the trap of thinking, thinking, and overthinking a certain situation. Worry never helps.

If a certain situation has been stressing you out and causing you sleepless nights, try to let it go. A lot of us have the magical belief (we might not even be consciously aware of it) that if we think and hope and pray about a situation enough, we can control the outcome. The only thing we have control over is how we react to things. Make peace with a situation you have no control over and let it go. What will be, will be. Everything works out in its own inevitable way. Despair is certain when we get attached to one specific outcome.

On a lighter note, this card can simply suggest headaches, or even a hangover. Did you party a little too hard on the weekend?

DAILY DRAW: Three of Cups

A truly appropriate card for a Friday: It's time to party and celebrate with friends!

The Three of Cups is all about camaraderie and having fun. It's about enjoying the company of people you love and like-minded people, and celebrating that connection.

Cups are all about our emotions, the people and things that are special to us, relationships, heart-centred feelings and actions. The women in this card obviously enjoy being together. The Three of Cups is often thought of as the "girls' night out" card. The women are raising their cups and you can sense they are about to clink them together emphatically.

Spend time with people you love today. It doesn't have to mean go out and get plastered with them (although that can be fun, wink). Go out and have dinner. Go see a movie with a friend. Talk. Unwind. Enjoy their company.

Appreciate their presence in your life.

DAILY DRAW: Knight of Pentacles

Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings are called "court cards" in the tarot. They usually represent people in your life. Knights usually represent people who are in their teens, either physically or psychologically. Court cards can also represent aspects of ourselves, so this card could represent you at this stage of your development in terms of this suit, Pentacles.

Knights go out on quests. They serve the king. They have a job to do. Since Pentacles represent the material aspect of our lives ... career, home, health, personal security ... this knight is embarking  on a quest in this realm. You'll see he appears to be quite a serious, pensive knight. He's not charging ahead on his horse like some of the other knights in the tarot. He's very steady, deliberate, and thoughtful. His horse  also doesn't appear to be as fancy as some of the other horses in the tarot. He's sturdy and strong .... built for hard work, not to impress.

This card could represent a person in your life, possibly a teenager, who is working very hard and seriously at something. Exam time is coming up. Is a student in your life cramming really hard, making sure he or she gets the best marks? Is there someone in your life who may be new to the workforce, who is trying to break in to a chosen field?

Have you started a task, project, or goal that you are taking very seriously? Recall the line from Aesop's fable The Tortoise and the Hare: Slow but steady wins the race. That's what this card is all about. You may not be wowing others or charging dramatically into the spotlight, but you are solidly on your way.

This card is so appropriate for me today, if I may interject. :) It's also the perfect card to follow yesterday's draw, the Three of Wands. That one was all about taking the first step on a journey and pausing to acknowledge your achievement thus far before taking the next step. This Knight is still in pause mode, but he is in the saddle and ready to go. You can almost hear the horse's hooves get ready to start clopping away on the ground as the knight sets off.

You have started a major journey, but you have a long way to go. Remember that you are your own King, and serve yourself appropriately.

DAILY DRAW: Three of Wands

Pause and reflection. A process has begun, steps have been taken towards a goal. The man in the card has reached phase one of his destination and is pausing to reflect before taking his next step. The Three of Wands is a card of achievement and accomplishment. Strides have been made. This man is not pausing to consider whether he is going to turn back or not ... that would be totally counterproductive and self sabotage. Before he set out on this journey, he thought about what he wanted to achieve and he has completed the first stage. Now he is simply taking a short breather or pausing to reflect on the process so far. He is gathering momentum for the next phase.

Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, talks about the necessity of living in the present moment if one hopes to be truly happy. It's important to note that this card is not about pausing to obsess on the future or hoping things will turn out exactly as we envision them. Some people think all they need to do is dream hard enough and what they want will happen. Life doesn't work that way. ACTION needs to be taken to make the dream reality. This card is about the first phase of that action. It's about thoroughly enjoying and experiencing this moment of accomplishment and success before taking the next step toward our future.

Have you begun any major project recently? Have you made new strides, headed out in a specific direction? This card is telling you that you have successfully planted the right seeds and that you are on your way. The seeds are germinating and will flower as long as you continue with the same sense of purpose you started out with.

Enjoy the journey!

DAILY DRAW: Eight of Swords

The Eight of Swords is about feeling trapped, stuck, helpless .... but it's a helplessness of your own making. The woman in this card is bound and blindfolded. She's standing in a group of swords that look somewhat like a fence. But you'll see that she could easily walk forward and out of them if she wanted to. Her binds aren't impossible to get out of either. If she'd wriggle around a bit, move around, she could get out of them. She wouldn't need to be a Houdini ... just put in a little effort.

Have you felt like you're stuck in a situation you either can't or don't know how to get out of? We're never truly stuck unless we want to be. There are always options. Sometimes we prefer to play the victim rather than be proactive and do what we need to do to make our lives better. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "God helps those who help themselves." Or, as a friend of mine put it (and I've never forgotten it): "Freedom? Throw off your chains!"

A lot of times, there can also be a payoff by playing the victim. It gets us off the hook for doing what we need to do. It can get us attention. We tell other people our problems and cry "Poor me!" And then other people who feel the same way join in and tell us their sad stories. It becomes like a solidarity. Are you the member of a fraternity or sorority of chronic complainers?

Don't let your mind trick you into believing a bad or uncomfortable situation is non-negotiable. Take off your blindfold and see things clearly. Say goodbye to that feeling of martyrdom.

What The Tarot Has Taught Me So Far

The main thing I have learned from the tarot is this.

Nothing is ever as simple as it appears on the surface.

I'll admit it, I (like millions of others) was one of those people who would immediately pre-judge a person or situation by the way things appeared on the surface. The tarot has taught me to look deeper. Not only to find the truth, but because it's fun.

Take one of the most dreaded cards in the tarot, The Tower:

At first glance, this card appears to be a vision from hell. Lightning is striking the top of the tower, blowing the crown off. People are falling from the windows, plummeting to the ground. Fire is pouring out of the windows and clouds of smoke are billowing around it. Looks pretty scary.

But when you look below the surface and put it in a psychological perspective, you'll see there is actually something very positive going on. When something is flawed or rests on a shaky foundation, it can't last. It needs to change. Sometimes things need to topple and crumble before they have a chance to get better. Once it comes down, you can rebuild a much better, sturdier version. That's what this card is about. It looks catastrophic ... and whatever event is triggering it may feel catastrophic at the time. But this kind of turmoil never lasts forever, and when it's over and we look back on the upheaval we experienced, we have grown and learned from it. We are better for it.

Try to see the world from many different perspectives today. So often we are trapped in our own heads, stuck in a habitual way of seeing things. If you find yourself judging someone today, stop ... and immediately put yourself in the other person's shoes. Imagine them looking at you (and I don't mean on a strictly visual level). Who would they see? Who do you want them to see?

Namaste,
Gabriela