Virtual Neighbours

I have had The Runic Tarot in the drawer for some time; for probably about a few years, I'd say. I bought it for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I adored the artwork; it's bright, bold, primitive, and original. Secondly, the set was ridiculously cheap. I have meant to pull it out and have a go at using it for some time but have failed to do so until now, so this is the deck I thought I'd choose to work with this morning.

The Runic Tarot has a bit of a different layout to standard tarot, with no courts and only a very vague simularity in structure. This is a problem for some. I think I remember reading about problems via a public forum when I first got it; something about the creators playing about with the elements. I can not remember the details, but there is a solution to all of that; work with the beautiful pictures, listen to the insightful keywords, and it should work like any other deck, regardless of what the book says. This is what I intend to do. I might take a look at the manual to get an idea of what the images are based upon, but as far as elements and astrology goes, I have no plans to voluntarily wade into the quicksand.

Today's card is Man, which relates to the twentieth rune Mannaz. From what I can tell on a quick jump around the internet, this is a card of community, which spreads it's long and bony fingers far and wide. I guess you could liken it to the web, where we can connect with one another more easily, regardless of distance. Here's two people in the card; alike, but different, coming together.

It's funny how the internet has become such a big part of our lives. It's almost difficult to remember a time before it, even though I do remember the exact time that it became part of mine. It was around 1998. I didn't have it at home then, but when I was made redundant from my job, there was a PC set up with the internet upstairs at work, where they allowed us to go and search for jobs. It was like a portal to another world, or indeed, to the rest of the world I live in. I didn't get my own computer or the internet until a year or so after that. Now, I own three computers, my Blackberry pipes up when I have an email, and even my father is downstairs indulging in the wonders of iPlayer. I find it hard to remember what we were all doing before the internet gatecrashed our lives?

It is a luxury to talk with those who have the same interests as myself, which is one of the main reasons why I do enjoy the internet. You could think of today's card as a depiction of the small blogging community I reach out amongst, dipping in here and there to read posts and make comments. I didn't like the large forum community of my past and I eventually ran and hid from the clutches of Facebook, but what I have now is a handpicked and respectful bunch of internet neighbours, who happily drop in for virtual tea and a chat. I have been lucky enough to meet some of them - from Greg in Australia to Shaheen in Ohio. Our paths may never have crossed if it wasn't for the spirit of today's card.

I have to get myself ready in a bit, since I am spending the day with my friend Claire. We are not doing anything expensive; we'll probably just have a chat round at hers or go for a walk. Once again, I kind of hoped that today's card would be a link to those in the larger circles of employment. I see it as extension and the chance of linking with a group or wider organisation. As I wait for responses to applications, it's hard not to think of the cards in that light. You never know, there is always the chance that I will hear something before the end of the day. However, the card could very well have something to do with my friend who was diagnosed with cancer recently. Still unable to walk, she is in a wheelchair and two of my friends and I have planned to visit her next week. One of them just called to sort where we will meet, so maybe this is part of the wider community, reaching out to help one of our group who is in need.


Illustration from The Runic Tarot by Caroline Smith and John Astrop