The Frame

4 of Wands

I started work in a new school today. I will be working in a primary school for a handful of Monday's, assisting with a play that the 10-11 year olds will be putting on. It is my role to [somehow] put together 60 costumes; a daunting task, believe me.

I met the kids for the first time today and they were all very enthusiastic. The play is set in medieval times and after a session of drama, they showed me and my fellow practitioner the designs they had made for their own characters. There are princess's dresses, knight's tunics, and a dragon amongst the sixty designs. I was pretty overwhelmed by how much I have got to do, but chatted with the kids and explained how we can take their ideas and work with them on a practical level. They were still excited, so we got them measured up and they began to choose the colours for the fabrics we will soon buy. I am going to have a go at making some samples over the next couple of days - some simple tunics for the boys and a few different dresses for the girls. My aim is to knock out the shells and then they can get to decorating them. The work we do in schools is all about the process as much as the end result, and we like the kids to get as involved in as much of that as they can. As well as the costumes, we also have a backdrop to paint and many props to make.

Understandably, I was mentally and physically tired when I got home today. Listening to the kids and writing down all of their ideas took it's toll after six or so hours, but as I have said before, I appreciate the work I am getting and this does promise to be a fun project (even if a tiring one).

The 4 of Wands is a good card. The four wands provide a stable frame for the castle in the distance. Within the frame we see security and warmth. It is a card of celebration, the home, and good relationships. My boyfriend came over this evening. We were both a little on the tired side, so watched the first episode of The Tudors, which we got on DVD over the weekend. My boyfriend had wanted to find out more about Henry VIII, where as my shallow interest lingered around the beautiful Jonathan Rhys Myers who plays him. I used to have a massive poster of him on my wall at university, pouting down at me from above my bed. Today's card dwells in security and accomplishment; it might be looking over my boyfriend and me as we relaxed this evening, or it might describe a job well done at school.



Illustration from The Morgan Greer Tarot by Bill Greer