Battling with the Opposition

While out shopping with my boyfriend this afternoon, I couldn't help but buy a discounted book on Dragonology. The set includes twelve little pockets. In each, is a different cardboard model of a dragon to put together, which I thought might accompany my current draws nicely. Today's is called Frost, and it he sits with the 7 of Wands.

The 7 of Wands shows a woman with a sword. Her stance reminds me of Jodie Foster's in the film Silence of the Lambs, when she attempts to cover her back alone, while searching for the serial killer, Buffalo Bill. The character in this card is prepared. She waits for her opposition like a tennis player waits for a ball. This card can represent standing up for our self when under attack.

The 7 of Wands highlights two things for me today. After feeling physically wiped out this week, I visited my doctor. She related how I was feeling to anxiety and prescribed some medication. Even though it was not a route I was eager to follow, I am hoping that the tablets will have a similar effect to this card, by standing up to worries and anxious thoughts.

The lady with the sword also looks into this evening. After three weeks of detoxing, I do not want a big evening of drinking. Because it is my friend's birthday, I will probably face some opposition and I guess that some people will try to encourage me to drink more than I am planning to. The card reminds me to stand up for what I want and not allow myself to feel boxed in by what everyone else is doing.

Illustration from the Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt.
Model 'Frost' dragon from 'Dragonology Field Guide to Dragons' by Ernest Drake.

A Zest for Life

One of the things that I really like about the Celtic Dragon Tarot is it's palette. In particular, the cool blues and icy whites. They were very seductive when drawn and laid out on my blue and steel coloured spread cloth this evening. For today's draw, I asked the cards to look for something in my past that needs to be tackled. They didn't claw that far back into it to find a subject.

Sometimes, just looking at the images in a deck can assist a reading greatly. The two contrasting dragons on the top of the mountain in the second card, The Chariot, make me think of a partnership. One where the two different halves will not be able to move forward without each other. To find out where this partnership has relevance in my life, I look to the first card for assistance.

The Ace of Wands shows three baby dragons. One has hatched, one is hatching, and the last peers from inside his egg. Away from our world, they represent enthusiasm and new beginnings. A breath of fresh air, you might say. The rainbow in the background is their step ladder to Earth, where we can take their zest for new life and use it in our own reality. Recently, I contacted an author about a project that I had in mind. This card symbolises the first stirrings of an idea that I wanted to work on with her.

In The Chariot, I see this author and I making an agreement to work together. The dragons are different colours because they both have different strengths. I need her experience to make this project work, and similarly, she needs mine. Together, we can move forward with this, but not alone. For today, these cards remind me that I need to join (or touch base) with this woman again, since other things have taken me away from the initial surge of enthusiasm that I had a month or so ago.

Illustrations from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt

The Knight of Pentacles and Lugh

"But the child who had fallen into the bay was guarded by the druidess who wafted it to the home of its father, Kian, and Kian gave it in fosterage to his brother the smith, who taught the child his own trade and made it skilled in every manner of craft and handiwork. This child was Lugh. When he was grown to a youth, the Danaans placed him in charge of Duach, and here he dwelt until he reached manhood"

taken from 'The Coming of Lugh', Celtic Myths and Legends, by T. W. Rolleston

A week or so ago, I was having a period of disconnection with the cards. It seemed that I was not the only one. Around the same time, other readers were feeling out of tune with the tarot. A good friend of mine suggested that I bring something else to my readings. She thought that it might help to use a random piece of writing to help with my interpretations. Because I was using this deck, she suggested some Celtic poetry as an example. Even though I seem to be getting back on track with my readings, I had kept this idea in mind all week, and found a book of Celtic stories in a second-hand bookstore this morning. After drawing one card from the tarot, I randomly poked my finger into the book and found a paragraph about the Celtic god, Lugh.

Due to a Druidic prophecy that he would be slain by his own grandson, King Balor locked his only child, Ethnia, in a high tower, Tor Mor, with twelve matrons to keep her away from all men. However, a man called Kian wanted revenge on Balor for theft, so with the help of a druidess, disguised himself as a woman and sought shelter in the tower. The druidess put an enchantment on the matrons, and when Kian had left, Ethnia was pregnant. She gave birth to three sons, and when Balor heard of the news, he ordered that the children must be drowned. A servant wrapped the babies in a cloth and took them to the river, but one of them fell out of the wrapping, so only two were killed. The child that survived was Lugh.

As described in my randomly chosen paragraph, Lugh grew up to learn many trades. In the second battle of Moy Tura, he threw a stone into Balor's eye and killed him, thus fulfilling the prophecy.

When I first looked at Lisa Hunt's Knight of Pentacles, I did not instantly see a female, which the accompanying book to the deck states she is. Since the lines of masculinity and femininity in people are far more blurry these days than they once was, I guess that it doesn't really make much difference if we see an effeminate man or a masculine woman in this figure. As a preference, I prefer the former. With his tights and long red hair, he appears quite modern and stands with pride. Below him, we can see others working on some kind of stone structure. With his sleeves rolled up, so to speak, we can see that this is his world - one of hard work, skill, and the physical. I was quite surprised to pull out the paragraph about Lugh with this card, since he fleshes out my thoughts around this particular knight pretty well.

I have come to realise that even though I am not very much like him, I seem to always date guys who are similar to the Knight of Pentacles. The last real relationship I was in before I met my fiance ended around nine years ago. My partner and I were together for five long years, and in that time, we lived as a couple in three different places. Even though we are no longer in touch now, I still sometimes think of him when the Knight of Pentacles turns up in a day or reading.

Out of all of the knights, this is the only one which is stationary. The Knight of Swords holds back a pretty scary-looking white dragon, the Knight of Cups takes to the waves on a more sensitive green one, and in the light of the moon, the Knight of Wands rides amongst the stars on the back of his familiar. Where as the other three dash into the frame of their cards, this one takes that bit more time to survey his surroundings. Rather than going at things like a bull at a gate, he prefers to consider and plan his next move, since he knows it has to be done properly. These traits remind me very much of my ex-boyfriend.

My ex and I were miles apart in personality. Where as I would jump into something with both feet and hope for the best, he would arduously plan every step, to assure it's success. Being inpatient by nature, and one to skip the boring details, this frustrated the more spontaneous side of me, as everything took us twice as long to do. Where as I could zip through and clean our flat in an hour, it would take my ex that long to devise a cleaning schedule before even starting. This difference in one another lead to many an argument. In my mind, he took too long to do anything. And in his, I didn't invest enough time into doing things properly.

But even though my ex-boyfriend's obsessive attention to detail irritated the hell out of me at times, it was also one of the things which I deeply admired in him. Possibly, because it was a quality that I didn't possess myself. I knew that if someone wanted a job done, he would do it to the very best of his ability. How ever dull the challenge was for him, a job done was worth doing properly, and he never cut corners. He wasn't work-shy and would roll up his sleeves for many a task. I think this is the main reason that he has always been successful within work. He is dependable and hardworking. When the Knight of Pentacles falls into a day, I think of my ex's characteristics. The card is a good challenge for me, as it often turns up to remind me that some serious graft or planning is needed.

These days, I have begun to think about my ex less when this card is pulled, since it also describes the man I am in a relationship with now. He is also a hard worker. While those around him come in late, leave early, take lots of time of sick, and shirk their responsibilities, my boyfriend puts in the hours and does more than his fair share. Where as I moan about having to do this or that, he simply gets on with it. He is dependable and stable, which is why I often link him to the Knight of Pentacles, but of course, he is more than just that. As an event, the Knight of Pentacles lets us know that something will get done, slowly but certainly, if handled by someone else. He displays someone who is loyal, trustworthy and committed to their goal. If it represents advice, it asks us to behave in the way that this person would.

As Lugh, the Knight of Pentacles looks out over his landscape. The workers below represent his trade and symbolise all that he has achieved so far. Being lower down, they show how he has not forgotten where he has come from. Standing high, the card also shows his foresight and goals. When I look at this image, I can now see Lugh as he reaches adulthood. Trained as a warrior, druid, smith, physician, and carpenter, he is ready to consider the battle of Moy Tura.

Illustration from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt

Celebrating Seeds

Today's cards are presented in a Past, Present, and Future layout. In the past, I have drawn the Ace of Pentacles. For the now (or today), I have the 3 of Cups. And the Page of Pentacles sits in my future.

In the Ace of Pentacles, we see a pathway. It leads to a mountain in the distance, which I would intuit to symbolise a goal. The route can not be seen so easily, and since this card is only one of possibility, is yet unknown. Potential can be seen in a single vine that snakes itself around the trunk on the left. The trees in the card are yet to sprout any leaves, but they will at some point. The small dragons have hatched on a ledge of safety and their journey is just beginning. This card is in my past and has an influence on today. A journey of some kind has already been started.

I link this card to my much-awaited second interview. The mountain (or destination) is a symbol of the job. This whole process was hatched over a month ago and I am still travelling along this road of the unknown. If it is not the interview, then the card highlights something that was recently started, which will have an affect on today.

The central card is for today. The 3 of Cups is one of celebration and community. I would like to think that it will bring news of my interview or something concerned with my working life. The two cards that surround it are from the Pentacle suit, which might suggest issues regarding work and my career. The Page of Pentacles emphasises a new beginning, when in a spread with the Ace. Thinking forward, this would be one of learning and new skills for the near future.

Even though I am doubtful that I will hear about my second interview until next week, these cards suggest otherwise. If they do not bring news just yet, then I was wondering if they suggest another seed that has been sewn in the recent past. Could a friend of mine be pregnant and in the mood to celebrate?

Illustrations from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt

Helping Others

This evening, I pulled two cards. I asked the tarot 'If I can not do the job I wish, which skills can I utilise elsewhere?'. I received the 6 of Pentacles and the Page of Swords. I was not entirely surprised by the tarot's answer.

In the first card, an elderly man walks towards a dragon. His route is mapped out on the cobblestones. Protecting a child in one hand, the dragon holds out some coins in the other. He is in a position to share his wealth with the man, who's needs are greater than his own.

In this image, I relate to the dragon. The 6 of Pentacles is a card of sharing and balance. It needn't be money that we share. It might be our time or compassion.

Many years ago, I used to work within the care industry. I assisted people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, and visual impairment. I visited the homes of those living with Cancer, and dying of AIDS. I also worked on hospital wards with the elderly and seriously ill. I was not surprised to receive the 6 of Pentacles in this reading, because I think that I did a good job in those days and gave more than the bare essentials to the people I cared for. I listened to them and provided company, which I was aware that others in my position did not always do. For me, the job was about more than just keeping people fed and toileted.

The Page of Swords shows a child holding a small dragon. He appears mesmerised by it. But as his concentration is absorbed by the pet, another dragon has set a scroll alight with his fiery breath. Being distracted, the child has not noticed. For this reading, the image in this card is stronger than the traditional meaning for me. I think that the Page represents people who need assistance, for their own well being and safety. It gels nicely with the support required in the 6 of Pentacles.

I am not so sure that I could return to the work I once did. Aside from anything else, it's hours are unsociable and it could take me away from time spent with my boyfriend and friends on the weekend. But these cards do highlight the caring and unselfish side of my personality. They tell me that if I can not find the design job that I want, I am suited to supporting others who can not support themselves. I think that the Page of Swords could represent either a child or someone who is mentally challenged. I do not really want to go back into the care industry, but these cards could direct me towards other jobs where my skills might be an advantage and benefit others.

Illustrations from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt

Stepping Out from the Window

I think that this is one of my favourite renditions of the Waite 8 of Swords. A woman stands within the frame of a window and holds out her arms. With them bound, she shows them to a dragon, and asks for his help. But the dragon does not intervene because he knows that she can free herself without his assistance. The swords which line her window do not cover it entirely and escape is possible if pursued.

This card means a lot to me on different levels. It very obviously describes the frustration I am feeling as I look for work and continue to wait patiently for my second interview to be arranged. It also mirrors how my family feel trapped by living next door to Oddbod and not being able to sell our house. But for today, it is my health which it highlights. I still feel lethargic and extremely lacking in energy. As with each and every health problem that I brush shoulders with, it has caused me to worry. Worry, of all kinds, is a prison I am constantly trapped within and find very difficult to free myself from.

If I am going to use the tarot as some kind of system for guidance, then I will need to respond to what this card is telling me. At the moment, I am resting in my room. I have been through the job sites, with my cup of tea beside me, but other than this, my mind is on how I am feeling physically. As the dragon is aware, the woman in this illustration is capable of doing something to relieve her pain, so I am taking up the offer of going to see a few friends this afternoon. It is another warm day and they are sitting out in her garden. The card advises me to step out from the window of this restriction, in the hope that it will make me feel better.

Illustration from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt

Mastering the Physical

The King of Pentacles is not a man who I can usually relate to. As someone who is grounded, possibly wealthy, or who is dosed up with a large helping of common sense and practicality, we share very little. At first, I could not understand why he had entered my day, but now, I can see how he is helping me to master the physical elements of my life.

My boyfriend and I had a good weekend. We went to his sister's on Friday evening, saw his brother's family on the Saturday, and in the evening, visited two of my old friends for dinner. Even though my boyfriend chose to drink on a few of the occasions, I did not. I have not had any alcohol in over two weeks. Due to overindulgence ruining a few of our previous plans and my not feeling all together well for the last month, I decided to give myself a break from it for a bit. Like the King of Pentacles, I am taking control of my body, by choosing what does and doesn't go into it. Even though I will probably drink for my friend's birthday next weekend, I am not missing alcohol at the moment.

This card also checks my finances. My bank balance is not as healthy as it once was, so for the last few days, I have been watching what I spend and have been keeping a record of my outgoings. This is not something I would usually do, but I want to try and save some cash and not waste it on things which aren't needed. Even though I couldn't understand why this king had entered today's draw to begin with, I suspect that his influence is behind my recent spot of financial awareness as well.

Illustration from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt

A lack of Movement in the Move

For today's draw, I thought I would ask the cards about our move. Even though we now have two agents trying to sell our property, interest seems to have dried up. I drew the Queen of Wands, Strength, and the 8 of Swords.

I am not surprised to see the Queen of Wands here, since I recently likened her to my current neighbour, Oddbod. This version, from the Celtic Tarot, actually reminds me of her. Of course, despite the vague similarity, Oddbod is a stranger looking, and even stranger behaving, person in the flesh. She has an ugly personality, which makes her appear very unattractive. In Helena Paterson's commentary of the card, she says 'There is a brooding side to this queen's nature, which is inclined to dwell on personal slights and harbour revenge'. As my mother was cleaning the curtains today, our living room window was left bare. As Oddbod and her family left their house, they unashamedly craned their necks to get a look in and see what we were doing. Now that we no longer talk to them, we purposely avoid making eye contact when we seen them outside, but can still feel their stares, all the same.

In the second card, Strength, a woman is shown closing the jaws of a lion. Even though this card looks at our finding inner-strength to cope with the delays of the move, it demonstrates what I would like to do to Oddbod, her husband, and their screaming children. However, it requires us to try and hold back from these feelings of anger and frustration as we continue to try and sell our home.

The last card is the 8 of Swords. I wasn't surprised to turn this card, as we already feel trapped. Nobody is showing interest in our house. Previously, this was down to our large tree in the back garden, but now, we are told that buyers think our property is too expensive. Apparently, less desirable locations can provide bigger houses than we have for less money.

All in all, these cards show a lack of movement. It seems that we will be stuck with Oddbod that bit longer and strength will be needed to weather the storm. Even though I am writing from the warmth of our beautiful (and temporarily quiet) garden, the 8 of Swords looks to a time, like last year, where it will probably become too noisy to sit outside and enjoy the Summer months. Due to Oddbod's loud children and friends, we will have to close our doors and windows and stay inside like prisoners.

Illustrations from The Celtic Tarot by Courtney Davis

Small Eruptions

Before my friend left last night, I felt the subtle twinge of a headache on it's way, and this morning, my body felt weak. The last time that The Tower hit my daily draws, I was struck by a migraine, so with that in mind, I have kept an eye out for further signs today, should one strike again.

On a general level, this card signifies the unexpected. It is usually viewed as a negative omen, since the unexpected can produce chaos which we are not ready for. On some occasions, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It reminds me of an old music video by Tori Amos. In it, she plays a character who has been kidnapped, tied up, and put in the boot of a car. Due to a freak accident, the car crashes and the impact somehow releases her from her prison, leaving her abductor unconscious and giving her a chance to escape. The people in this tarot illustration may be in a state of shock as they fall, but in the greater scheme of things, the explosion might have shaken things up for the better and will force them to make changes which they previously feared.

As today has unfolded, this card's lighning bolt has been subtle in it's attack. The biggest shock of the day so far was a glance at my bank balance. In a daily draw, the eruptions of The Tower can be significantly smaller than in a large reading.

Illustration from The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Losche

Kissed by the Past

For today's post, I am using The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Losche and have drawn the 6 of Cups.

Some readers dislike the washed-out quality of these cards, but I actually really enjoy their dreamyness. It feels a little like brushing away some sandy water in a pool to see what lies beneath. In the 6 of Cups, it is a couple which are revealed in it's murky depths. The woman looks ahead, but doesn't seem to notice the man who is with her. I like to think that he is not actually there at all and that his handsome and ghostly figure is no more than a memory. A kiss from the past.

Sometimes, memories can be like this. Especially in dreams. It feels as though someone, who no longer frequents your life, has just popped by and dropped a small peck on your cheek. For today, this involves a friend from the past, who has invited me to his wedding in London next month.

Have you ever reminisced over a favourite television show or book for years and years, only to see or read it again, and then feel disappointed? There has been films that made such an impression on me some twenty years ago, but which have lost that same impact when I watch them now or show them to my boyfriend. Things change, and often, the memory is greater than those things can ever be again.

Even though this friend and I saw each other (extremely) briefly at a funeral recently, it has been more than a decade since we were in contact with one another. He is a very nice young man and we had some great times in our youth, but with so much water under the bridge, I am not so interested in revisiting a social group that slipped away so long ago. With little money, and a handful of good friends who I do not get to see enough of as it is, I would rather invest in the present than put cash into the past, how ever much fun it was at the time.

Illustrations from The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Losche

Just what I needed

I really like this Death card. With two pathways to take, the hooded figure stands in front of one and guides us to the other. An option has been cut off and we are urged to take another route.

For a while, I have been considering deactivating my personal Facebook page. There is so much ego there. And where there isn't ego, there is stupidity. So in the heat of the moment, I aborted it this evening. I don't know if it will be forever, but it felt right for tonight. I guess that this is what Death is highlighting in today's draw. I feel fresh from doing so, and as though I have unloaded a weight by making this decision. In recent times, I have noticed similarities between the Knight of Wands and myself, which is why I think that he has turned up. Aside from this rash decision, I think his lack of commitment is important. Is deleting Facebook something I can stick to?

After the last few days, today was so much better. After a night in yesterday, my boyfriend and I got up early and traveled to the seaside town of Brighton. We meandered through the lanes, visited the indoor markets, street stalls, and funky side streets. We must have walked for miles as we looked around the city in the sun, wandered to the end of the pier, and strolled along the beach. In the late afternoon, there was an open-air DJ, people playing basketball, a few live bands, and a lot of people just drifting about casually. The whole vibe was just what I needed. My boyfriend and I laughed a lot and it really eased the way I have been feeling for the last couple of days. We were absolutely exhausted by the time we drove home and have spent the evening resting our aching legs and feet in front of the television.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

More of the Same

I decided to throw a few cards to see how things will develop with our neighbours in the next month or so. As it is getting warmer with every day, their children are in the garden more. This evening, they had two more kids with them and the four were wrestling on their trampoline and screaming throughout.

On my first look at the cards, I saw the children fighting on their trampoline in the 5 of Wands. In a traditional sense, it shows our struggle, but pictorially, I see it as the actual children and their friends, play-fighting. This evening, one of them had his brother in a headlock and they were both making as much noise as they possible could.

On the left, a man sits under a tree. I showed my boyfriend the line and he saw it in the exact same way as I did. He saw the man in the 4 of Cups as me, sitting at the foot of the tree trunk, not knowing what to do next. When I looked at the card, the words that went through my head were 'I can't take any more'. This man is being offered more of the same, which is noise and aggravation from Oddbod and her two little brats next door.

I tried to look for a positive edge to the last card, but the fact that there are two '5's' in the reading leads me to believe that we will continue to come off worse in this situation for a while. My boyfriend suggested that the main figure in the 5 of Swords is Oddbod herself, laughing at us as she continues to do what the hell she likes. As a picture, the three cards slot together very well - me watching the children and feeling forlorn, and her looking back at all of us and feeling as though she has won.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin wood

The Black-Out Cloth

I go through these periods. Sometimes they will last a day. Sometimes more. It is when everything hits me. It's when I wake up and wonder if I will ever get out of this rut and back to being a normal human being with some self-respect. Because I will be honest. As much as I put a brave face on and try to explain away my existence, I am embarrassed about the person I have become. I know that I should just get out there and fight, but I have lost the energy and care after being knocked so many times. As I sit here this morning, another week passes since the time I was meant to hear about my second interview, probably making it near to a month now. I know they will be in touch at some point, but should this not work out as I want it to in the long run, I am not sure I can take any more of this. Regardless of my skills, it might be time to just accept less, as so many other people do, because I really have had enough now. Such a waste of skills. But equally, such a waste of time.

When I drew these cards, the words 'muddled perception' came to mind. The Ace of Swords is about clear thought, understanding, or communication, and The Moon is the equivalent of throwing a black-out cloth over a light-bulb. In this sense, the metaphorical cloth clouds the perception of the ace and makes understanding difficult or obscured. Sometimes, The Moon (or black-out cloth) might represent a deceptive person or influence, but for today's draw, I think that the cards simply show how I am not thinking properly or as I usually would.

In an attempt to try and feel better, I put some music on and lit some incense. I applied for some jobs, changed my bed, and took a bath. But since the sun disappeared behind some clouds and chose not to return, I don't feel any different than when I woke up. I feel next to useless. My boyfriend goes out to work every day and comes over to see me. If things don't change, I am scared that people will become as frustrated and bored with my situation as I am. Whether it is the black-out cloth of The Moon which is causing me to think like this or not, it feels frighteningly real at the moment.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

What is true?

The Page of Swords dives into today's draw. With hair flowing behind her, she tries her best to cut through confusion or doubt and find the truth. Because she is young and less refined than the more experienced members of the court, her approach can sometimes be a little rough around the edges. So for today, the cards ask and answer the question 'What is true?'.

I always like to know where I stand, and like most people, hate to be kept in the dark. If something is bothering me, I will usually need to talk about it or ask questions. Sometimes, over and over. For those around me, this can become irritating, but I have to locate that small area of blue sky shown in the first card, which is the point where my understanding is satisfied. Today, a silly incident came up. I needed clarification and jumped at it like this young girl, with sword a'blazing. The second card, the 4 of Wands provides me with my answer. Showing a couple together, dancing, it is harmonious and settled. It cools the mood of the young page and settles the reading. Sometimes, a little gentle reassurance like this is all that I need, however silly the problem.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

The Fame Monster

My boyfriend recently told me that Madonna has decided to take a break from making music. In my opinion (for what it's worth), this is not before time. Her most recent musical offerings have greatly lacked her old (or any kind of) spark. Her last concert may have sold out all others, but it was predictable and a shadow of those which preceded it. Taking some time off might be a wise decision for her at this point. If not, she might achieve her greatest fear of becoming mediocre.

But come on! After twenty-odd years, there are not many people in the world who haven't got the measure of this woman by now. She needs the spotlight like a daisy needs the sun, and has probably already penciled in a date for her comeback tour before even leaving the building. Let me introduce you to the King of Wands.

In this card, the King of Wands stands amongst the burning heat of the desert. He stands, because like Madonna, he can't sit still. He always needs to be doing something and he always needs to be moving forward. Like her career and fans are for her, the sun is his energy source, keeping him alive and on track. Both the King of Wands and the Queen of Pop are assigned to the astrological sign of Leo and many consider them to be born leaders.

About a year or so ago, I picked up a biography of Madonna in a charity shop, penned by her now estranged brother, Christopher Ciccone. On one side, the book was inspiring. Whether you like her or not, she has achieved a lot in the last three decades, if you are someone who measures success by the scales of fame and popularity. But as the story unfolded, it's author painted a darker picture of this lady's climb into pop royalty. It seemed that underneath the conical bras and abundant spiritual light, lives a manipulative and egocentric energy cell which isn't very nice.

On reading the notes about this card in Robin Wood's accompanying book, her thoughts around the king's accompanying salamander made me smile. As a piece of symbolism, it was added to represent fire, but it was only after the artist had finished the illustration, that her friend scanned the image and suggested that the lizard looked as thought it was about to be squished by the king's wand. Even though this idea was not purposely woven into the card, it says a lot about this king. He holds out his left hand, which we could perceive as a need. What would someone of this king's stature ever need from anyone else? Similarly, we could ask the same question about someone like Madonna. But over the years, it has been her trademark to pull new crazes, trends, or personalities from elsewhere, before manipulating them to be her own. As her brother leads us to believe in his book, when her long line of helpers no longer have a use, they are quickly disposed of, like our King of Wands squishes the salamander beneath his regal baton.

But wait! I can't finish this entry on a bad point. It is so unhip to slate Madonna these days. After all, she is an icon, we are told in just about every single column inch or the cringe worthy story lines of tribute shows. And this she is. For many years, I was one of the people who danced to her merry tunes. Like her, the King of Wands is a showman and a leader. At best, he inspires and warms us with all that he creates. But like the other members of his court, his need for movement and expansion never keeps him in one place for too long. If you are lucky enough for him to attend your party, even though he'll be granted as the centre of attention, rather than sitting back and enjoying the moment, you can bet that he will be weighing up which social gathering would be most beneficial to attend next. This is one of the reasons why I think that taking a break will be a very difficult move for Madonna.

When he enters a reading, this king probably concerns your own success and merits. Alternatively, he might describe someone who has the ability to help you (and them self at the same time). Use his fire to inspire and lead, but beware. If this card forces his way into too many of your readings, it might be suggesting that you have become too big for your boots. Are you treating others in the way you would wish to be treated yourself? If you do not pull your ego out of the limelight voluntarily, your dedicated followers might very well kick your arrogant butt into touch and you'll find yourself draped in an unfamiliar and unwelcome cloak of darkness.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Queen of Warmth and Fourth Degree Burns

The Robin Wood Tarot is one of my favourite sets for court cards. Maybe it is down to the fact that the four elements run through the characters so prominently and freely. There are many other decks on the market which have more detailed face cards than this, but I have found this one to work very well within my own readings. It's artist authored her own companion book, explaining the deck's symbolism, which is also very interesting when dissecting the images. But one of the things which is of real interest to me, as I open it up for discussion in this series, is how I have responded to the images intuitively.

The Queen of Wands is the least familiar face card to me. I don't know why. She just always has been. When I pulled her from the deck today, I looked into her eyes for some time and felt little connection. There was something that I didn't like in her expression, but couldn't instantly put my finger on it. Her smile looks almost fake, her face is pointy, and her eyes, squinty. Like the other confident members of her family, she stands out in the sunshine for all to see, holding her wand above her head.

I decided to go and look through a few books, so I could give my study a kick start. In the first, one author described her as the kind of woman who you might see with a clip board. The one with the smiling face, who loves to organise everyone around her. Another writer spoke of her as the sort of lady who would ferry other people's kids to school, in between doing a million of her own errands, joyfully. What a nice woman, you might think. But as I read on, it seemed that this queen was not all wine and sunflowers. She desires control and attention so deeply that when things don't go her way, she is likely to scratch out at others, like the cat at her feet. It was then that I began to realise why I wasn't warming to her. She is the splitting image of my crazy neighbour.

I have never met anyone like my neighbour. And I never want to meet anyone like her again. When she first moved in, she was the cheery Queen of Wands that we see on the surface of this card. She was an array of big smiles over the garden fence, with a slightly unnerving over-familiarity. Despite thinking that she was a little strange, our families were on good terms back then. My mother would have coffee with her, we would exchange presents at Christmas, and sometimes, she would ask me to pop in and read her tarot with a cup of tea. But as the years went by, it became apparent that she had bigger fish to fry in the neighbourhood. This woman was not only interested in her direct neighbours. She wanted to be the hub of the community. And at any cost. As her eldest son passed the age of a toddler, she turned her house into what might seem to the untrained eye to be an unpaid creche for all and sundry. So that she could keep in with her children's friend's parents, her garden might be stacked up with ten screaming kids at any one time. She would organise street parties and barbecues, throw herself into every Parents and Teacher Association school meeting that she could, and whenever somebody in the neighbourhood purchased something, you could bet your bottom dollar that she and her droll husband would be out the next day, trying to buy a bigger version for all to see. Because of the noise of her children and their pals, jumping up and down on the largest garden trampoline they could find, we eventually fell out with them and our house is now on the market.

I don't want to hate the Queen of Wands, but she does bear a striking resemblance to the woman who we eventually nick-named, Oddbod. This queen is at her happiest when she is around people and is doing something. She likes to be kept busy and enjoys to take control. Being interested in business, she wants to get ahead, so in terms of my neighbour, this would be a yearning to climb her way into the lives of her local community. This is when she becomes dangerous. The warmth generated by this queen may then start to burn others, as she becomes smothering, too controlling or a relentless busy-body . When she is rejected or pulled into line, her claws come out.

In a reading, the Queen of Wands might be about organisation or helping others. She might even be someone who is there to help you. At a distance, this is not a bad thing because she can be a good friend for some. But I warn you, this queen can flip from a comfortable warmth to a fourth degree burn in minutes. After a few simple complaints from us, Oddbod reported us to the police for harassment and then spread poisonous lies about us to the rest of our neighbours. This fiery lady might seem joyful to begin with and have a smile as sweet as a box of candy, but she has a side. Believe me. And it's not a nice one.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

The Lady of Suffering

On the last time that I received the 7 of Pentacles, I had taken a step back from my portfolio with pride and pleasure, after completing some work for my forthcoming job interview. The man on the card has worked hard and is at a point where he is due some satisfaction for his accomplishments. Due to a night of tarot reading booked for the weekend, I began some short studies of the face cards in tarot yesterday and they have greatly enhanced my overall understanding of the characters. I hope that they will improve my reading skills, since court cards are often the hardest for me to comprehend in a deck.

One of my studies was about the Queen of Swords, who jumps fearlessly into my reading today. Holding up her sword, she has something to say. Even though personal tradgedy is not all that this queen is about, in my study, I mentioned that she is often acknowledged by tarot commentators for her suffering. In this light, she is not a particularly good omen for romantic readings, so I shouldn't really have been too surprised when the host for my reading evening on Saturday decided to cancel this afternoon, due to her own romantic problems. She had just split up with her boyfriend and is not feeling her best.

The Queen of Swords cuts through the hard work that I have put in already this week. Even though I am disappointed to be losing out on the evening's financial gain (which I really could do with at the moment), I will continue with the series of studies which I have begun here on my blog, since the 7 of Pentacles still symbolises rewards from an effort that can still be put in.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

The Bed-Hopper

Like his younger sister, the page, the Knight of Wands has fire running through every centimetre of his body. In this card, it powers his horse to move, gets him noticed, and makes an impression. Charging into the illustration, this young man is strong, attractive, and seductively memorable. I guess you could liken him to James Bond. He has the charisma, the action, and is a great memory.

I say 'memory' because our knight, like Mr Bond, never seems to hang around for very long. Especially in his love life. The Knight of Wands is traditionally interpreted as movement, which will sometimes enter a client's readings as a change of job or residence. Because of this, he appears to always be on the go. The fire will most definitely roar in the bedroom with this young stud, but he will be quick to shun commitment afterwards. I know a man like this. Even though not old now, in his youth, he was very handsome. Women are still caught in the web of his looks and playboy charm, but once submitted, are usually cast aside for the next quest or cheated on. This kind of man doesn't interest me, but I know a handful of women who find him very difficult to resist. Despite the heartache, he provides an excitement that other men can not.

But the Knight of Wands is not all bad. His surge of excitement and confidence can be very impressive and useful in some situations. It just depends on what you do with it. In my creative life, I have a hundred and one ideas on a daily basis, but next to none of them ever come to fruition. In the past year, I have started many projects with immense enthusiasm (my own tarot deck, being just one), but have let each fall by the wayside soon after. You might call me a professional bed-hopper, jumping from one new project to another, and completing none of them. This was when I realised that art teaching was something I could do well. I used my passion and enthusiasm to fire up the students instead. It gave me the chance to help get the ball rolling for them, without having to take the ideas through to a conclusion myself.

When this knight hits a reading, I might ask a client who this dynamic, but possibly unreliable, figure is. Some will raise their eyebrows or shrug their shoulders and say 'I know what he's like .. we're not going anywhere', if he is part of a romantic relationship. But in other cases, the card marks a final chance for people to move on from something and be dynamic them self. Because the knight is unconventional, it could concern their walking out of a long term job or stagnant marriage, to the shock of those around them.

The Knight of Wands is a much needed spot on anyone's horizon because he reminds us that we are alive. But should he turn up in your life soon, take him for what he is. He may provide many an explosion beneath your sheets, whether personally or professionally, but chances are that he'll be off and tucked up in someone else's bed just as quickly as he charged into yours.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Getting Everything Covered

Once again, the Queen of Pentacles falls into my draw. This is the third time this week. Even though I often see her as my mother, I think that her preoccupation with the disc in her lap denotes a need to care for my environment. With The Emperor next to her, this makes me think of a few things. Firstly, my father has been unwell for a couple of days, and while sleeping on the sofa this morning, I made sure that he was looked after and got what he needed.

Both of these cards are concerned with the world around them. With The Emperor as the queen's playmate, business and finances are of prior importance. My tax return form for last year turned up this afternoon, so this is something I will need to add to my to do list. As well as that, I also wrote to the Human Resources department of the company I am waiting on an interview from. Since the lady said that she would contact me last week, I was beginning to get worried. She wrote back immediately and said that she did not have any news just yet, but thanked me for my patience.

Finally, these cards concern my blog. As anyone who reads the posts here will notice, I began a series on the face cards of tarot today. This was to prepare myself for a night of reading on the weekend. The Emperor likes to have everything covered, which is what I have tried my best to do today.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

The Rush

In the Page of Wands, we have another child. In the heat of a brilliant and golden sun, her passion and enthusiasm burns like a beacon for all to see. The girl holds a wand that is far bigger than she is, and we would not be foolish to think that it is possibly for the first time.

Probably due to her fiery curls, this girl reminds me of a woman I once lived with, who's enthusiastic nature matches this tarot character's very well. When my other housemates and I would return from work, she would bound up to the front door like a pet puppy, eager for us all to do something together that evening. She was always up for an adventure, which in those days usually involved taking a tube train into the West End and crawling through the bars and clubs of London's Soho. Even though a mother herself now, she still approaches each and every thing she does with that same childlike wonder of the Page of Wands.

Despite her childlike nature, my friend was very much an adult, but we all feel this same surge of excitement from time to time. As with all of the pages in the tarot, this excitement is hindered only by a lack of experience and maturity. When I began both art college and university, I couldn't wait to begin. After winning my place after a very tough interview procedure and taking a look around the fashion studios, I wanted to get straight down to work and start making clothes. However, by that point, I had minimal sewing skills and knew nothing about making garments. The energy of the Page of Wands was burning deep within me, but it's youthful age restricted what I could realistically do with it at the time.

Of course, all pages grow up, but I don't want to dampen the usefulness of their character. Like a match being thrown into a pile of dry wood, we can not underestimate how powerful their initial spark of enthusiasm is. As a messenger, this card can bring us good and inspiring news. For the future, she promises new adventures and creative luck after trials.

Should the Page of Wands walk into your life as a person, look out for a free spirit. One not unlike my friend. During the time that I lived with her, she was a singer in a band and enjoyed every minute of performing. When I look at this card, I think of her, since the young Page of Wands holds onto her wand as if it were a microphone stand, ready to inspire her crowd. If this card falls into a reading, I will ask my client who or what has caused this rush of excitement to enter them and inspire their future.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

The Crash of Thunder

Isn't it funny how a picture can affect you? I have had the four members of the Sword suit stood up on my desk all day. With each so far, memories reaching as far back as to my friend's mother have flooded through me as I felt out the three-dimensional corners of each two-dimensional card. Before working with the last of this particular family, I closed my eyes for a few moments and fell asleep. On seeing him upon waking, I felt the rumbles of his warlike thunder echo throughout me.

It was the colouring of the sky that did it for me. That blue which turns so quickly to grey and nears black. And it is the wind, which grabs hold of the dead grass under the king's feet like one child grabbing the hair of another in a school playground. We never seems to get thunderstorms like the ones we witnessed as kids anymore. I can remember watching them with awe from the shelter of my childhood bedroom. With the window open, I'd hear the distant churning of thunder and the hiss of the rain, and watch as neighbourhood kids would skid home on their bicycles as quickly as possible for cover. Even though I was in the safe, standing by the window in my parent's house, the crackles of lightening and crashes of thunder were still enough to keep me on my toes.

These memories came straight from looking at Robin Wood's card, and they are not so far removed from this king's meaning. Standing in the illustration , with arms folded and strong legs apart, the King of Swords is a powerful force. Like the thunderstorm brewing behind him, he can be a little intimidating, but this all depends on whether he is your ally or an obstacle. In readings, I think that this can be worked out through conversation with the client. If he is an ally, then his strength is your support. If he is an obstacle, then he is a barricade which will not be easy to get past.

I quite often think of my father as the King of Swords. He has a thing about right and wrong. This usually manifests in him being right and everyone else being wrong. Like a judge, he examines what is known to be fact and what is not. There has never been any room for the 'whys' or 'hows' in a situation. You either did something or you didn't. This makes his judgement of a situation rational, but very cold. Because of this lack of emotional interest, the King of Swords might enter a reading as a boss, businessman, or someone connected with the law and the truth.

In a less rigid situation, this king is a master of language. For a client of mine, he used to consistently turn up as a high school English teacher, who eventually became her lover. Even though his mind was of primary importance to her, I think that she enjoyed his status as king, because it was authoritative and mature. For her, this mixture was extremely seductive and most probably prolonged her schoolgirl crush. Not all King of Sword's types will be English teachers or members of the police, but they will be expert thinkers, conversationalists, and in turn, can be manipulative when stitched up. When on your side, they can become a good advisers, but be sure not to cross them, for their darker side can be as cruel and bullying as the crashing of distant thunder heading in your direction.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

My Friend's Mother

When I was a teenager, I had a very close friend at school. Where possible, we sat together in class, and out of school hours, she would come to my house or I would go to hers. We'd listen to music, skive off of school to go clothes shopping in Central London, or try our best to get ourselves into the pub at 15.

In those days, one-parent families were less common, but my friend was brought up by her mother alone. They lived about a twenty minute walk away from me in a big Victorian terrace. To my memory, my friend saw her father on the odd occasion. This was not something which her mother was impressed by and when he was brought up in conversation, she referred to him as The Pig.

My friend's mother was quite a character. As a rather tall woman, she had modelled in her youth, and with her white blond hair and pale skin, was still a very attractive woman in her maturity. When we went for dinner, she would teach another of our friends how to walk the catwalk and tell us many stories, which I am sure her daughter had probably heard a million times over. Speaking was something that this lady did well. She was extremely confident and only a fool would have tried their luck at picking an argument with her. Whenever my friend encountered problems at school, it wouldn't be long before the kids were whispering that her mother would probably be on her way. But this woman wasn't like some kind of stampeding bull or random whirlwind. She was intelligent and sophisticated, and knew every right word or gesture to throw into a conversation. Sometimes it was just a glance or maybe the amount of time that she took to take off her gloves and place them on the table in silence which won her the battle. She was aware of just how to handle our headmaster and most of the people she encountered with her dry wit, knowledge, and experience, but not many of them were a worthwhile match for her.

The Queen of Swords is a strong woman. She has lived a life and learnt from it, which sometimes causes her to suffer personally. Although a powerful presence, my friend's mother had suffered from her separation with The Pig, and her emotional detachment in some situations was it's possible product. When the card turns up in readings, I think about how she would respond in a situation. I think that in most instances, she would speak her mind or boldly defend that thing which she believes in. She was an organised and efficient woman, so the chances are that in most cases she had done her homework and her points had a strong link to what is right and just.

The Queen of Swords understands how it is to go it alone. In romantic readings, I would suggest using her independence as a tool to move forward. This is not necessarily a negative thing. Quite often, we can become caught up in our emotions and need the reassuring logic of a woman like this by our side to consider what it is that we think, rather than that which we feel.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Confrontation

In the past, I have often struggled with assigning a court card to myself. In recent years, I disregarded the gender of the people depicted in the tarot and most often related to the Queen of Cups, due to her dreamy, psychic, and emotional temperament. But in looking over my notes for the Knight of Swords, I can see that he and I also have quite a lot in common.

If you could bottle him, the Knight of Swords would be all about the rapid delivery of news, opinion, or some kind of critique. Even though his thoughts are as pure as the white horse he flies in on, like his sister the page, his method of landing is often abrupt and comes with a bang. If you are not expecting his visit, you may very well end up feeling trampled on or cut by the news or opinions he will bring to your doorstep.

Since he comes from the suit of Swords, this young man enjoys to express himself. One of the reasons that I can relate to him is down to my own desire to speak and write. If I am not casting an opinion here on my blog, then it is likely that I am telling someone what I think elsewhere. I enjoy to debate and I enjoy to deliver my ideas, but not everyone is so used to receiving them. I have had no problem with being honest in the past, but some have perceived my method of delivery to be an attack. This is when the Knight of Swords crashes through a doorway at 100 miles per hour and his straight talking can be taken as hurtful criticism. When I have had a few drinks, I can be like this. I am less aware of people's feelings or my environment and can force my views onto people, without listening to theirs.

When the Knight of Swords comes up in a reading, I may ask someone if they recognise this man in their own life. At his best, he is brave, witty, enthusiastic, and gallant. But at worst, a client might locate him as pushy, rash, or an impatient troublemaker. If he doesn't represent anyone that they know just yet, then he might be the bearer of conflict or argument. Has somebodies criticism from the past held you back from achieving something that you have always desired?

When he is shown in the present, he is about confrontation and something that we can no longer avoid. If we can win a little time, then the card suggests that we can get ready for his arrival and personal critique. Being prepared could minimise the damage of a bad work appraisal or an ultimatum from a lover. Even though I am good at dishing out some of the Knight of Sword's frank advice, I am not so hot at confronting him. If the card was to fall into my readings now, I would guess that he is representing a few situations which I need to step up to and address, but would rather run and hide from.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Will you hurt or heal?

At the weekend, I have a reading evening. Because I havn't done this in a while, I have decided to go through the tarot courts and refresh their characters in my mind. After summing up the Page of Swords in note form, I didn't feel as though I was ready to leave her just yet. She is an interesting card and I felt compelled to bring her (and possibly some of her friends) to the blog this morning.

In this deck, a young girl runs into the wind, which causes her hair to flow behind her. In her hands, she holds a sword, which cuts through the clouds in the picture and creates a clear area of space. This is someone who encounters her problems head on. If she is confused, she asks questions to omit the confusion. If she feels that injustice has been done, then she stands up and tries her best to right a wrong with the truth.

When I think of this young page, I think of two people who I know. One is my friend's daughter and the other is a friend. The little girl is bright. In fact, I would say that she is of above average intelligence. She is a great communicator and has a strong desire to learn as much as she can. You could say that she is a little precocious, since she wants (and probably feels that she deserves) all of the information that her parents and other adults are privilege to. She is not stupid. She knows very well if something is being covered up or dumbed down for her benefit. But as advanced as this kid is, she doesn't have the experience or sensitivity needed to do her curiosity justice at the moment. Her mind is a bank of information which she is hungry to feed, but her methods of distributing her knowledge, due to being only four years old, are less than mature. Only a month or so ago, she told her mother that she was overweight. Was she being honest? Possibly. But without realising the consequences of what she said, she hurt my friend enough to bring her to tears. This reminds me of the Page of Swords in this illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot, for this young woman dives into a situation with her truth, regardless of how it affects those around her. In that, she reminds me of my other mate, who is happy to tell it how she sees it, without consideration for risk or social convention.

As much as having a curious mind and being alert to problems is an asset, when the card is ill-dignified, it may cause problems within a reading. Because this young lady enjoys to seek out the truth or deceiver puzzles, she is both bright and keen enough to put this hunger to bad use. In this particular version, the girl wears a spy glass around her waist. Is she exposing your secret for her own gain or gossiping about something which will aid her own popularity? When in a negative light, the Page of Swords can be deceitful, shifty, untrustworthy, and won't think twice about betraying you. I have known a good handful of these types in my time. I lived with a woman who was very much out for what she could get, and worked with a man who would fish for information, which he would use against others to help his climb up the career ladder.

When I see the Page of Swords in a reading, I always check to see what cards are around her. If she is alone, I will ask a client how they feel about truth. We all have things which we don't want to tell other people about. Possibly through fear of rejection or embarrassment. But is this something which is holding us back? Would something that we know help either ourselves or someone else if only we could be honest about it? This is where we need to think of the consequences in the way that our young page can not. Can her quest for the truth seek to hurt or heal? Regardless of whether it would help the closeted gay guy in our office in the long run, do we out him to everyone against his wishes? In a negative light, if this page leaps into a reading as someone else, I would advise a client to be cautious. It is quite possible that they will be the victim of gossip or scandal, or that someone selfishly does not have their best interests at heart.

Illustration from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Awaiting Confirmation

After the bonding with my friend on Saturday evening, I managed to upset and anger another of my mates the next morning. Because we had pushed ourselves further than we should have done the night before, my boyfriend and I were both tired and he did not feel his best yesterday morning, so I could see no other option than to cancel our lunch date. This particular friend organises a lot of gatherings and we were not the only guests, so at the time, I had not thought she would be as annoyed as she was. I sent her a message to say that we would not be able to come, and in hindsight, I can see that that was insensitive and that I should have called. When she wrote back, even though I was taken aback by her tone, I could do no more than tell her that I was in the wrong and was sorry. As I look at today's cards, I see two people with their backs to each other.

The Queen of Pentacles turns up again. Like before, I was hoping that she concerned the second interview that I am awaiting confirmation of. In a pictorial way, I can see her passing on the pentacle (or opportunity) to the Page. The Page of Pentacles has two little scrolls on the book which hangs from her waist. This reminds us that she can also stand for some kind of message. As I write this, I have not heard from the employers about the interview, but will contact them tomorrow, if that is still the case.

After a night of not sleeping very well, I haven't been at my best today. An old physical complaint has intensified again and kept me awake. To add to that, I had a pain in my shoulder. All in all, with feeling guilty and sad about yesterday, and not hearing about the job, I feel a little down. There are these days where I just feel embarrassed, lazy, selfish, and little use to anyone. It would have been apt for a card like The Hermit to fall into today, because even though I have learnt a few things from the weekend, I really feel like going away somewhere and cutting myself off from most of the people in my life at the moment.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Always There

Depending on how you look at it, this combination is not a particularly positive one. The Lovers shows a successful, balanced, and honest relationship. But in contrast, wrapped in his tattered robes, The Hermit walks alone with his head bowed. Together, my first thought is of either someone feeling rejected or disconnected in a relationship, or the actual splitting up of a couple.

After a few failed attempts, a close friend of mine split with a man who she has had long-term feelings for. This ties in with the traditional meanings for the cards, but on looking at them together with my boyfriend this morning, he agreed with me about a slightly different interpretation drawn from the picture alone. My friend had asked if she could meet next week, but these cards provoked me to call her and see what she was up to today.

When I looked at these cards, I saw myself and my boyfriend as The Lovers. There is an openness to the couple, but they are still very locked into their relationship. She listens to him and he listens to her, despite the world around them. Without meaning to, this might feel like a rejection to single friends who have known these lovers for a long time. I know that this particular friend of mine feels like this on a general level. When I was her age, I was single too, and most of my friends had begun to pair off, start families, and hang around with other couples who were interested in doing the same kind of stuff. Even though these people probably didn't mean to hurt me, the less time and effort that they put into our friendship felt like a rejection, so I can understand how this mate feels.

The three of us met in town and after something to eat and drink, we made it over to my boyfriend's family's house for a get together. After that, we went to a party. When everyone else had gone to bed, I sat up and chatted with my friend. I told her that I was sorry if she felt I had neglected her since I started my relationship, that I would spend more time with her, and that I am always there if she needs me.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

The Queen's Bounty

I have always held a fondness for the Queen of Pentacles. I think it is down to her being the face card which represents my mother the best. In this deck, she sits and contemplates her pentacle. Around her, vines bear fruit and there is a basket of harvest at her feet. Like my mum, she is warm, generous, and has my best interests at heart. This makes her a true protector and someone who's best aim is to nurture and care. Because I don't see myself as being able to take care of anyone else (or even myself, entirely) at the present moment, this queen symbolises care that is given to me.

The 4 of Wands shows two people dancing on a platform. The scene is secure and tranquil, and it might seem that this couple are taking respectful advantage of the queen's bounty, as they celebrate.

On drawing the cards, my first thought was that they suggested hearing about my second job interview. I was told that I should be given a date today, but heard nothing. Feeling pleased with what I have done for the interview already, I took advantage of the 4 of Wands. I have worked really hard on my project over the last week (putting together 15 new sheets of designs) and can now relax into my weekend with ease and without guilt. I was hoping that the Queen of Pentacles might represent either the woman from Human Resources who I spoke with before or the employer in general, since a time for my interview would definitely be worth celebrating, but they did not call.

In thinking about this queen as my own mother, I have witnessed her cleaning and tidying of the house today, as we are preparing for a viewing tomorrow morning. Carpets have been cleaned, shelves have been dusted, and I need to do my bit by getting this room into shape. The Queen of Pentacles is proud of her environment and wants everything to be at it's best. I seem to remember some readers linking the 4 of Wands to the home, so this combination could also regard getting our house ready. On a general level, the Queen of Pentacles and the 4 of Wands bring warmth, security, and something to feel good about into my day, but looking at them this evening, I see something more. The Queen of Pentacles is so mesmerised by her coin that she fails to notice the couple dancing in the scene behind her. Even though I am disappointed to have not received a date for my interview, I must not let it dominate my thoughts or stop me from relaxing into the weekend I have planned with my boyfriend and friends.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Sleeping with Satisfaction

While my boyfriend was dozing last night, I decided to throw a few cards regarding my parent's house move, since everything seems to have slowed down to nothing once again. Even though we now have two estate agents on the case, interest seems to be even more dead than it was before.

I was a little surprised by these cards. In the centre is The Magician. A few months ago, I remember likening this card to a tree surgeon who was going to come and cut away some branches from the tree in our garden. At the time, I labeled him as a modern-day Magician, since he had the potential and power to turn around our possibility of selling. Even though I have very little faith in estate agents, I am wondering if it is one of them who will weave some magic into our lives this time. With the 6 of Cups beside him, it may concern something from the past.

I am sure that anyone who has been following this blog will probably be thinking along the same lines as me. As I mentioned only a week ago, after losing their dream home, my parents received a call from it's owners to say that it is still on the market. At the moment, with no sale of our own, we cannot consider it for a third time, but I really think that these cards are suggesting that it will be a realistic possibility again. The 6 of Cups usually brings back something from the past or takes us to a place where we feel comfortable. The dream house is both of these things and the only properly that all three us agreed to liking so far.

Judgement moves forward after difficulty. The woman is re-born, as this situation may be. She jumps up in the air from the cauldron in excitement. Something will be resurrected. Might it be the dream home?

For today, I have drawn the Queen of Wands and The Empress. There is a warming glow to the first card. The queen is smiling and confident, but doesn't gloat. She holds up her shining wand. After another day of working on the portfolio for my upcoming interview, I think I am nearly at the end of the preparatory work I need to do and I feel pleased and proud of what I have achieved. The Empress duplicates the satisfaction in today's draw. She is relaxed and satisfied with the work I have done. I feel as though I can go to sleep feeling as though I have done something worthwhile tonight. I only hope that others, including my interviewers, acknowledge this too.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood

Science Fiction

These are two interesting cards to pull together, since they both have a leaning towards outer space. The first is literally set amongst the planets, and the second shows a comfort blanket which is printed with planetary symbols and stars.

I never like to get the 9 of Swords. It represents anxiety and worry. But since I spend 90% of my life worrying about one thing or another, it could realistically fall into my draws every day without any suspicion being aroused. The thing that I need to remember about this card is that it doesn't really carry much weight. The swords above the woman in the picture are fictitious. They have no shadows. They are actually all the same sword, but show how one worry after another can build up. The spacey print on her bed covering is jumbled, reminding us that our worries often have no order and that we may very well be agonising over something and nothing. This is so very true with me. Worrying has become a habit and reminds me of the old Tori Amos line 'I'm ok when everything is not ok'. The 8 of Wands blows the nightmare out of proportion and takes it into space, where there is no grounding and it has exploded out of control. These cards advise me to chill out and try to overcome silly concerns.

In another way, the 8 of Wands has been good today, since it's speed has produced worthwhile energy in my portfolio project. I got a good amount of hours in and have completed some quality work.

Illustrations from The Robin Wood Tarot by Robin Wood