Taking the Plunge

I was thinking about court cards last night. This probably has something to do with the new deck, since the courts in it are extremely vibrant. I have always been a little confused about which court card represents me. I guess this has something to do with all of them holding aspects of my personality within them during different times and events. But if I ever had to use one to describe me, I usually threw myself at the Cups suit, being a Piscean. As I got older, I saw more of the Swords suit in my general conduct, as I became even more outspoken, enjoyed debate, and began to put my thoughts into public writing. I would imagine that we can grow out of our personal court cards to some extent. At nearly 40 years old, will I soon morph from a knight into a king? Knowing me, probably not.

Last night, I found one of those sites where you answer questions and the information you provide is calculated to work out which court card best symbolises you. I received the Knight of Wands. Now this is quite interesting, since I had recently began to see myself in this role; not least for the fact that I jump into many a project, but hardly ever finish them. This knight is inspired, can inspire, enjoys his sexuality, and enjoys movement. Yup, that's me to an extent. I looked at the young man in The Vampire Tarot for a moment, watching him as his horse rode the two of them into the unpredictable night sky. I told the deck that if this is the card to represent me, then I wanted to see it in my daily draw today. I never expected it to really turn up, but low and behold, it has.

I am having today off. And why not? I worked the last two days, have just received contracts for two more short jobs, and feel as though I could do with some time to myself. After yesterday morning's pleasant experience, I made my way out to the bottom of the garden again, taking my deck and a cup of tea with me. I sat at the mosaic table and shuffled under the shadow of the great tree. It was just me, it, and Christopher, a toy lizard stuffed with beans, which I use to sit on the tarot pack when outside - with his scaly webbed feet firmly on the deck, I know the cards are not going to fly off anywhere in the breeze. He's not failed me yet.

Ok. So that is me there then, astride my horse. I look a little apprehensive, but I am taking the plunge all the same. I watch as shooting stars zap through the deep navy sky, with the desire to move forward.

Behind me is The Wheel of Fortune. I absolutely love the guy on this card. I love his mane of red hair, his complection, his angular face and cheekbones, full lips, and the tattoo which matches the ends of his curls. This is where I feel that Hertz paints best. I looked at her Fantastical Tarot online the other day and it felt limp in comparison to this one. The paintings have less depth and detail. They don't have that punch that this Vampire deck has.

The Wheel of Fortune takes things out of the Knight of Wands hands. For someone like this particular knight, this is difficult and don't I know it. I hate waiting, eager to leap forward on my horse, and I don't enjoy losing control. That guy with the red-hair is in charge now and he'll turn the wheel as he feels fit.

These cards could be about a few things. I am still yet to hear back about the extra days and the School of Doom. The guy was meant to let us know by the end of play yesterday, but that hasn't happened. As that situation goes, my work is totally in their hands and they control me. We are also at the mercy of another house viewing this afternoon. In both instances, I can only dance to the tune that the red-haired wheel-turner chooses to play.



Illustrations from The Vampire Tarot by Nathalie Hertz

The Bootleg

I have to say that I don't like celebrity spotting through tarot decks. Finding Bogart in the Cosmic Tarot and Jim Morrison in the Ananda kind of ruined both of them for me - even if Jim is a very deserving Knight of Wands. It isn't so bad when an artist brings them to a deck openly; take the named figures of artists and writers in Place's Vampire tarot as an example. It's when they are used as general models that I find it hard to gel with them. My heart sank when I spotted James Dean in my first proper deck purchase, The Rohrig. I wanted something magical and other-worldly. I wasn't expecting to stumble over Jim Stark from Rebel without a Cause.

I guess that this short post leads on from the last. I always remember Tori Amos being miffed by people selling unauthorised recordings of her concerts and being told that 'the bootleg' is the ultimate symbol of flattery for an artist. Is it? I was thinking about this in relation to Hertz and Froud. Would Froud be flattered by her obvious admiration for his work or would he be pissed that she'd nicked his images? I guess that what she is doing is no different to the thousands of deck designers who mimic Pamela Coleman Smith's drawings and create their own chinese whisper of the Rider Waite. Nobody seems to mind about that. Is it simply only ok because Coleman Smith isn't alive to offend by the countless clone packs available?

I have probably noticed more similarities in the cards than I can remember sitting here this morning. The most memorable is from The Light and Shadow Tarot by Michael Goepferd and Brian Williams. The Lovers is a woodcut (and reversed) version of Adam and Eve by Tamara de Lempicka, the glamorous Polish artist, who was a very popular art deco painter in the 1920s. I instantly spotted this one as I have always loved her work and it was mentioned in the book which comes with the deck. My parents had one of her prints at the bottom of the stairs until recently.

I am sure that there are more familiar faces throughout my decks. I am convinced that the woman on the Death card in the Rohrig is an adaptation of Marilyn Monroe from the film, Gentlemen prefer Blondes. If he's going to include the 'rebel', why not her as well, since the two sit side by side like brother and sister in the Silver Screen hall of fame. I have watched Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend' many times over the years, and recently, watched it again carefully, to see if I could find that pose I recognise in the card. It's the dress in the painting that ticks as many memories as the positioning. I also cast my eye over Material Girl on YouTube, as Madonna's early rendition of the film sequence may very well have been the inspiration. Even though I couldn't come up with that exact shot, I'd say that Madonna's bolshy 'take no prisoners' stance fits the girl in the Death card that bit better than Marilyn's gentle and innocent demeanour.

The search goes on.



Illustrations from The Light and Shadow Tarot by Michael Goepferd and Brian Williams, The Rohrig Tarot by Carl W Rohrig, and Adam and Eve by Tamara de Lempicka

Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

My friend enjoys to make comparisons of cards. She has a wonderful memory for the images in her deck collection and will find similar cards from a variety of packs to contrast and compare. Since I got The Vampire Tarot by Hertz yesterday, the Queen of Wands really niggled me. I knew I had seen her somewhere before and couldn't think where. And this evening, it dawned on me, so I pulled out the recent publication, The Heart of Faerie Oracle by Brian Froud. Yep, I was right. These cards can not just be coincidentally alike. One has been the inspiration for the other.

But which came first? Even though The Vampire Tarot was published in 2000 and the faerie deck only came out last year, my money is on Froud's being the original. I say this because Hertz already paid homage to his Death card by painting a version for her own faerie deck. She also did the same with Froud's Fairy Godmother. To my knowledge, a lot of the paintings that Froud used for his two decks were painted long before the idea of the pack was born, so my money is on Hertz already having seen this particular one and then painting a version for her tarot.



Illustrations from The Vampire Tarot by Nathalie Hertz and The Heart of Faerie Oracle by Brian Froud

Mixing it up with The School of Doom

From The Vampire Tarot by Nathalie Hertz, I have drawn Temperance and the 5 of Cups today.

I managed to finish the work from yesterday after I got home last night. Well, to be precise, I spoke to my agent about another project I am connected with first and also fitted in a coke at the pub across the road with one of my good friends, Clare. I haven't seen her in weeks and even though I had a busy evening ahead of me, didn't want to pass up an hour in her company. The weather was stifling and after returning from my work in the school, I thought I deserved a diversion. It was lovely to see her and finally catch up. Dumb and Dumber were in the garden screaming their heads off with one of their dumbed down mates, so popping across the road to meet Clare prevented my already rising stress levels from escalating.

I woke up early this morning and took the vampire deck to the bottom of the garden. My mum and dad have never really concentrated too heavily on the end of the garden, but it is my favourite spot. Since my friend was coming around, I dragged the mosaic table down there beforehand and shuffled the pack. It was very hot again and it is a lovely place to shuffle, reflect, and drink my coffee, while the traffic hums on the road behind. I might make it the place I draw my cards each day, weather permitting.

Due to the conversation I had with one of my agents last night, I wasn't surprised to see today's cards, but my stomach did drop all the same. In a nutshell, it would seem that I still have a lot of days left on one contract which need to be timetabled. With not very long until the end of term, I am worried that if this doesn't happen soon, I will lose those working days and therefore the money. My agent has tried her best to sort this out, but so far, finding a place for these seven days on the school rota has been difficult. As you probably know, anything I try to sort out with this school (let's call it The School of Doom) takes forever to get finalised and the staff in charge have been less help than they could be. On top of all of this, the main guy in control there suggested cancelling the exhibition that my boys have spent the last three months working towards. This is where the 5 of Cups comes into play. Look at those spilt cups of blood and the dark night outside the window. Will I lose both my project exhibition and the seven days work? I need that money to carry me through the Summer and the pupils will be so disappointed if their work is not shown. I think that yesterday's cards showed some understanding of this situation.

Temperance looks at the perfect mix. I like the red-head in this card. I can imagine her mixing up the cocktails in a goth bar, can't you? There is something about her which strikes me. It is in her eyes; she looks kind of sad and they reach out to the viewer, almost begging for acceptance. In this draw, she seeks balance. I think that this card represents my agent and the guy in control at The School of Doom. Together, they need to work out some kind of solution to the problems. At the moment, I can only sit and wait until they come up with something together.

I worked from home today. With so many costumes to work on for the other project I am involved with, my friend Sarah kindly offered to come and help. So while I sat and sewed, she cut the pattern pieces out. We really did as much as we could and seven new garments are hanging in my room. It was so good of her to assist me, so to thank her, I took her across the road for lunch. Even though we were tired by the end of the working day, it wasn't an ordeal, since we chatted and laughed throughout. In the past, I have helped her with her work when she has needed me. I have noticed that we work well together.

My boyfriend was still unwell today. Even though he hasn't been to the doctor, it would seem that he has had some kind of bug. I haven't seen him since Sunday, but with all I have had to do, it has probably been for the best. We just spoke on the telephone and will see each other tomorrow evening. After a full day of work, I am slightly whacked. A storm has wiped both the heat and the prospect of Dumb and Dumber playing in the garden away, so my plan for this evening is to leave the windows wide open, light some Nag Champa incense, and get a little more acquainted with The Vampire Tarot.



Illustrations from The Vampire Tarot by Nathalie Hertz

Thinking on my Feet

Now here's a question. Do I sit here in the sweltering heat with no air, or do I open up my windows as wide as I can, only to let in the screams of Dumb & Dumber from next door? Which is the lesser of two evils? I either shrivel up in the heat or my nerves take a good bashing.

My parents kindly offered to drive me to a new school today. In this heat, the hour drive there was uncomfortable. The school was in the middle of nowhere, and with time to kill when we got there, we parked up near some fields and had a cup of tea from a flask they had prepared. Despite the heat, it was nice and peaceful. My parents eventually dropped me off at the school gates and headed off for a couple of hours while I worked.

I had had the briefest of briefs from my agent about this job, but thought I understood what was needed to be done. As far as I was aware, the twenty students had designed logos and needed help with finalising them and turning them into a PDF file for printing. I had imagined a romp around Photoshop, cleaning their images up and sorting them out to print. Was I wrong!

The logos had not passed their initial sketch stage and were no more than scruffy (and I mean scruffy!) Biro scrawls on pieces of crumpled A4 paper. As appose to what I had read in the brief, they expected me to turn up with a laptop and draw a final polo shirt logo on the computer, while the kids sat and directed my every move. All I had in my bag was a diary, the Morgan Greer, and the wrapper of a roasted nut bar I had demolished in the car on the way.

This was one of those moments where I had to think on my feet. My agent had suggested that there was a computer suite in the school, but it appeared to be already occupied and couldn't be accessed. Instead, I took two workshops with no more than myself, a flip pad, and a marker pen. I told them that I needed a finished logo to take away and draw up at the end of the lessons and asked them what details I would need from them to do so. They came up with all of the right answers, suggesting colour references, measurements, font, and placement ideas, to name a few, and by the end, I had something to work with. I drew their ideas up on the flip pad as we went along. The teachers who sat in on my lesson seemed happy with what I was doing, so I am guessing that I dug both my agency and I out of what could have been a pretty dark hole.

After I'd finished my lessons, we drove to Herne Bay. There is a small spiritual shop there that I like to go in when passing. It's not big and it's not particularly stacked, but I can sometimes find something of interest. Today, the lady (who was performing a reading for a woman) had two Nathalie Hertz decks - The Fantastical and The Vampire tarots. I owned The Fantastical many years ago but traded it during my forum days. I was always a little curious about the vampire deck, so slipped the used pack out of it's box to have a look while the owner of the shop continued to read for her client. I recently saw this set get a bashing somewhere or other; I can't remember where. I think that it must be a joke for many, when sat next to the slicker vampire decks of late, but for me, it felt darker and richer than the vampire decks I have already known. I find that one can stretch deeper into the more abstract paintings in a tarot deck than the finer and photo-real images.

Even though I find some of the pictures and faces haunting, I suppose that The Vampire Tarot could also be seen as no more than a fun deck too. And what is wrong with that, I ask you? When did tarot become so serious? The other day, I read a great article about a guy who reads with X-Men playing cards. He weaves the stories and the characters into his interpretations. What could be better than that? Isn't that what reading is all about? If he can come up with wonderfully astute and interesting readings with the help of Iceman and Professor X, then I am not going to turn my nose up at this group of bohemian looking vampires. For me, the courts are the deck's strength. There are some lovely portraits amongst them. As a rule, I have a bit of a problem with the Queen of Wands, and in this pack, she fits my idea of the woman perfectly, as she leers over her shoulder. There are some beautiful pages and kings as well. The handsome males have not been saved for just Twilight and the Ian Daniels set. This one is flooded with cheekboned hotties and the odd sensitive and poetic type.

For today, I have drawn the Ace of Pentacles and the 2 of Swords. I think that this highlights difficulties with money and business. I will have to draw out the logo from class at home tonight on my computer and it would seem that I won't get paid for that extra time, due to the mix up. The offer can be seen as the engraved pentacle on the coffin, where as the statue in the second card holds up her swords and prevents me from getting paid. The 2 of Swords can sometimes note indecision, so for now, some more negotiation might be needed. Another agent is calling tonight. She wants to discuss a different project I am working on. I can only hope that the energy of these cards does not seep into that contract too.

My boyfriend is unwell today so is at home in bed. We have not spoken, so I expect that he is still recovering and will not be over this evening. I am that bit more relaxed with our relationship after nearly two years and don't mind our spending time on our own these days. I am working from home tomorrow on the costumes for the school play. A friend has kindly offered to come round and cut out my patterns for me while I sew. It will be a nice excuse to have a chat and catch up, as well as lightening some of my workload.



Illustrations from The Vampire Tarot by Nathalie Hertz

She Turns her Back

For today, I have pulled two cards from The Morgan Greer - the Queen of Cups and the 4 of Wands.

Aside from my first deck, The Rohrig, I think that The Morgan Greer was the first to really grab my attention. I must have seen it a few times already, but my first real interest in it was born while staying in Belgium in 2000. I passed a quaint little shop in Antwerp and saw it in the window while out with my parents and ex-boyfriend. For some reason, I never purchased it then, but waited until a good few months later. Back in the UK, I found myself trudging through a bit of a dark period, and when I saw it in a local shop with my mother, she bought it to try and cheer me up.

During what I realise now to have been a breakdown, I spent many months on my bed. I hadn't felt like going out at that point, was not sociable, and was often tearful. I can still remember my first afternoon with The Morgan Greer as I sat plonked on my duvet, going through each card in order very slowly. I absorbed every brush stroke, colour, and face. It sounds kind of silly to talk of a tarot deck as a friend, but while in that black hole, it took my mind off of my thoughts for part of the time and helped me make sense of them too. It's strength (which always feels very masculine to me) has carved a special place in both my collection and tarot-heart; not least of all because it was a gift from my mum.

This is one of the packs that I like to carry about. I am not at home at the moment and it is sitting here beside me while my boyfriend watches the Formula 1. However, this is not that first copy; it is my second. Because of the sentimental associations I have for my first copy, which is now battered, I ordered another a while ago, through fear of losing some or all of the 78 cards while out and about. I lost an old 70s Rider Waite on a night out once. The Morgan Greer I use now is in Italian, rather than English.

My boyfriend woke me with a cup of tea at 4am and we got dressed. We helped load up the car and drove his parents to the airport. The journey took just under an hour each way and we stopped for breakfast on the way back. I had wanted to stay up and go somewhere in the sun, but we were both very tired by the time we got home, so slipped back into bed for a couple of hours. The rest of the day has been quiet. We popped out to buy some things for dinner (which he is now cooking) and I also bought a DVD called The Young Bruce Lee. I don't think that my boyfriend is looking forward to the film. He is not really into either Bruce or martial arts movies and it is subtitled as in Cantonese. We plan to watch it a little later. I'll be impressed if he stays awake, to be honest.

One of the best features of The Morgan Greer is it's lack of borders. This is one of the reasons why I recommended and bought it for my friend's birthday in May, since I think it is a nice bold pack for beginners. Today's cards fit together seamlessly. The queen turns away from the scene behind her and drinks from her cup. I see the 4 of Wands as the home, stability, and marriage. All of these things sit under the roof of the strong castle in the card's background. Who is this woman? Is she someone I know, who is choosing to abandon aspects of life that she has earned and which give her security? I have some idea of who this is. Once again, the cards are alerting me to the behaviour of others. This woman is 'thinking' emotionally. She isn't looking at what she is turning her back on rationally or practically.

The sky is still blue and the sun is still shining. My boyfriend's little niece has been around for a while but has just left. She lives two doors away and wanders in and out as she likes. She has a terrific personality and ran towards me at high speed for a hug when she walked through the door. With a one off job looming on the horizon of tomorrow, I need to relax for the rest of the evening. For us, this means some filled pasta with vegetables, and more than a handful of Bruce Lee's high kicks and the infamous one inch punch.

Illustration from The Morgan Greer Tarot by Bill Greer

Understanding the Dance

After telling my friend that this deck is visually more than the orangey-browns of cards already pulled, I receive another similarly-coloured card today. This one fits within the open arms of the angel Zapthkiel. I have read that Zaphkiel is the Archangel of Binah, the left eye of the Kabbalah, and the utter embodiment of understanding. In this key, he is the pillar of compassion and seeks freedom through forgiveness and generosity.

While at my friend's house at the beginning of the week, she reminded me of how much I do for others. Even though I don't feel comfortable in blowing my own trumpet, she is right, as I have given up a lot of my time for friends of late - be this staying with one friend who needed me during a difficult time, talking with others when they have been upset and anxious, or supporting people and sacrificing my own time on a professional level. I guess you don't think of these things as taxing when you love and care about others, but I have provided counsel and advice for a lot of my friends in the last couple of months; this could probably be one of the reasons why I need to withdraw from my social community for a bit.

I thought about all of this as I drew today's card. In one situation with a mate, I have tried to resist being judgemental. I have tried to be understanding about decisions which I wouldn't make myself and do not think will be good for her in the long run. She was my first thought when this card was pulled. I wonder if I will need to exercise this particular attribute of Zaphkiel for a little longer. She appears to be spiraling down a pathway of self-destruction, regardless of what I have been advising. Maybe today's card suggests that I listen to her that bit more, for she needs my compassion and understanding. I know only too well how easy it is to be dancing along recklessly in her shoes, since I once danced the same path myself. Becoming reckless is the only way that some people's needs can be heard.

It was so hot yesterday, but today it is wet and chilly. I am not sure whether it is more depressing to be in or out on a day like this, as I sit here, mesmorised by the view beneath my bedroom blind. I want to get out, if only for a little while. I have seen a book on angels in town which I thought might assist me with this deck. The pamphlet that comes with the cards is brief. It seems to have a strong leaning towards Buddhism, but speaks about the Archangels concerned very loosely. I have had to compile my research for each angel elsewhere.

My boyfriend's parents go on holiday for two weeks tomorrow morning, so we are having dinner with them tonight. We will stay at their house and then take them to their London airport in the early hours. This means a quiet day in preparation; something I could do with, believe me.



Illustration from The Angels of Atlantis Oracle Cards by Stewart Pearce and Richard Crookes

Sir and the Little Monkeys

Not feeling particularly wonderful this morning, I dragged myself up at 6am to get myself ready for school. There has been an infusion of ticket inspectors on the trains this week, so I wanted to get to the station that bit earlier. There is no ticket office or machine at my station, so I wanted to work out how the Permit to Travel machine worked before I boarded my train. It seemed a better idea than being stung with a £20 fine like the woman I was sitting next to yesterday. It was only once I had got there that I realised I had got my times mixed up. I always get the train at 7am on a Monday. On Fridays, I needn't be there until 8, so I ended up sitting in a supermarket cafe at the other end drinking a cup of tea and staring into nowhere for an hour that I could have spent in bed. I didn't feel my best still and my intention for today was to simply make it through the three lessons I had to teach.

In today's title, I liken the students to monkeys, but believe me, that was not the first word that came to mind. My first lesson went well. The kids were quiet and worked on their patchwork pieces nicely. However, the next two classes really played up. Their aggravating was not directed at me; they became distracted and disruptive with one another. One boy, who is not the easiest to work with, antagonised the other more sensitive pupils, which resulted in one of them running over to his desk and pushing him off of his chair. This was when I stopped being Mr Nice Guy, raised my voice, and started sending the culprits off to the quiet room.

I was pretty happy when the bell rang and it was time for me to go home. Feeling a little robbed of energy once again, I came home and slept away a couple of hours. After I awoke, I wrote to my agent, as I need to sort out where to put my contracted dates into the diary. This is kind of where I find meaning in today's card. The figure (I can't tell if it is male or female) looks out to the water. The water represents the future for me and the figure makes plans for it. This is what I understand by intention. Yes, I had decided to try me best to get through this morning's lessons with my fatigue, but the card is also about setting further-reaching goals and making others aware of your intentions. I have told my agent where I feel those extra days would be best placed, due to the overwhelming amount of extra work I have to do.

As I mentioned recently, I need some time away from the night's out. There are a few on the horizon, but this weekend I want to hide away with my boyfriend and leave the party animals to go off and party without us. Most of them seem to show no signs of waving the white flag just yet, but I have had enough for the moment. I need to rest and give myself a break. My boyfriend is on his way here at the moment and is bringing us a takeaway - a well deserved treat after my day in the cage with the monkeys.



Illustration from The Angels of Atlantis Oracle Cards by Stewart Pearce and Richard Crookes

Getting the Ball Rolling

Sandalphon pops up again. I have been reading online that he is the ruling angel and protector of the Earth; the twin brother of Metaron, who also appears in this deck. Sandalphon features prominatly in the mystical literary traditions of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity. In Kabbalah, he sits within the earthly tenth sethirot (or sphere) of Malkuth. Being known as one of the tallest angels, he can therefore reach his way from his earthly dwellings there to the heavens on the Tree of Life. In these cards, his presence focuses on the physical - his aspects (or four cards) are Evolution, Intention, Love, and the Planetary Cycles.

This is an interesting image. It's a bit like a spine. I guess that a backbone is quite an apt comparison to this series of twelve orbs, since the card strikes me as being about the strength we need to move forward and grow. There is a lot of movement here, as the orbs swing through space towards us. This is what I get from the image and title, since the blurb in the book is a little too new agey for me.

I took the train home this morning. I slept in the spare room at my boyfriend's last night as I really needed the sleep. For me to get a good night, I need silence and stillness. It kind of did the trick, but I still felt sluggish and detached this morning; the hill by the station has became my enemy once again. Despite cancelling going into town for lunch, one of my mates came to visit. She was happy to strike the previous arrangement and have tea with me in the garden. Even though her company did me some good, I slumped into my bed once she was gone. I sank into a real deep sleep, only to be woken by Dumb and Dumber next door, wrestling with each other on their trampoline.

So, what could Evolution mean today? As well as a spine, the picture also reminds me of a ball being zapped through a pinball machine or one of those executive toys you used to see on people's desks in the 80s. You know how artists make it look as though the ball is going fast by showing all of the places it has already been, fading fast behind it? That's how this image strikes me and it makes me think of the phrase 'Getting the ball rolling'. Could something be happening out of my view? Maybe that buyer who liked our property has managed to sell her house and could be thinking of now putting in an offer on ours? This card makes me think of development. If it is not this, I think the card lingers around the more physical areas in my life, such as the prospect of development within work and my career.




Illustration from The Angels of Atlantis Oracle Cards by Stewart Pearce and Richard Crookes

Less than my Best

My friend and I didn't get to sleep until 3am this morning. As usual, when I stay there she pulls down the sofa bed in her living room and we both sleep on it together. We watched some television for a while and then both tried our best to get some shut-eye, but without success. We ended up talking, since both of us were wide awake. This is not new for me, as I am finding it increasingly hard to shut down at bedtime these days. Of course, having to rise early this morning to get my friend's daughter ready for nursery left me feeling less than my best. I think that Monday really took it out of me and with five hours sleep under my belt from last night, I felt drained.

My friend is studying for her doctorate in psychology and works voluntarily on a Wednesday, so the two of us made it to the train station for 1, and after saying our goodbyes, disappeared down the train line in opposite directions. Another mate suggested meeting for a coffee and catch-up in the town I was heading to, but due to having run out of energy, I passed on it and made my way home. I needed to walk passed Waterstones on my journey back and thought I would have a quick browse through their new age shelves all the same. As usual, they had little of interest, but in wanting to treat myself to 'something', pulled out an oracle by Stewart Pearce. I sat in the little seating area they have on the second floor and started to punch it's details into my Blackberry to see if I could find any of the images from the deck, which is illustrated by Richard Crookes. I like to try before I buy, where possible.

It's funny, because I always say that I have little interest in angels. I said as much to my mate last night. However, I do seem to have a good few angel decks in my collection. What I like about this one is that they do not take the form of winged Adonises and insipid maternal-looking types. In this deck, they come to the table as brightly coloured orbs and below each is an image, representative of the card's title. There are twelve Archangels and each is split into it's different aspects. This kind of splitting was something I haven't cared for in other decks previously, but it seems to work quite nicely here. You're left with a deck of pretty modern but ageless-looking cards. Each of the 44 cards has a magic and depth to it which many of the other modern-styled oracles I've seen seem to lack.

For today, I have one of the aspects of Sandalphon. The card is called Intention. It would appear from what I read that Sandalphon is an angel of power, and here, it is shown in his will. Working as a prompt, the card asks me 'What do I intend to do today?'.

By the time I got home, I was feeling weaker, and after some food, I went to bed for a couple of hours. Boy, did I sink into that mattress. My mum woke me from my totally undisturbed sleep so that I could get ready to go to my boyfriend's and I felt like an empty shell. My boyfriend's mum always cooks for me on a Wednesday, so I didn't want to call and cancel so late in the day. I felt like a zombie on the drive over here, but laying on my boyfriend's bed and watching the television has relaxed me.

My intention for today is to rest tomorrow. I had planned to meet friends in town and then get down to some stuff on the sewing machine, but I have just mentally scribbled all of that out. I need to be well for work on Friday, so I intend to do as little as possible.



Illustration from The Angels of Atlantis Oracle Cards by Stewart Pearce and Richard Crookes

The Veins of our Friendship

Due to the weather being a little bleak, I thought I'd throw some sunshine into my blog today by way of The Radiant Rider Waite, which my boyfriend gifted me for my birthday. It happily threw out The Fool, a card that I rarely get, but which reminds me of a special friend. Funnily enough, I am going to stay with this particular friend (pictured in the pages of my journal above) this evening.

In my experience, I would say that this lady has always been the ultimate Fool. For many years while she travelled the world, I never had a telephone number for her that worked and didn't have an address. For a while, until I received a Christmas card by surprise a good few years back, I wasn't even sure that she was in the country. A friend of mine said that he had spotted her walking through South London while he and his wife were looking for a flat.

When we were younger, she and I spent a lot of time together. Being around her then was like being pulled along by one of those giant twisters. Her life was dramatic, unpredictable, but at best, fun to be a part of. When she breezed into my day, you could never really tell what was going to happen by the end of it - when together, the two of us got into some real mischief.

As the years passed, we saw each other less. Rather than a week passing, over the two decades of our friendship, it would sometimes be a couple of years before we hooked up again. My friend is one of the most generous people you could meet. Like The Fool, she is impulsive, and most often, her impulsiveness has been kind and thoughtful - if I was ever threatened, she would step in and defend me (something which extended to anyone she felt was vulnerable and needed support).

After one particular night in London at my student house, I woke up and she was gone. I was pretty poor at the time and she had paid for the entire previous evening. Another close friend had invited me to her hen night, but due to a lack of funds, I had had to decline. I had told my flame-haired friend about this in the pub the night before. When I got downstairs the following morning, my housemate told me that there was a note on the dining room table. In it, it had said something along the lines of 'If it were my hen night, I would want you to be there'. Enclosed in the letter was £30. I used the money to go to the hen night in London, but didn't see my friend for another few years.

Things are very different now. Even though still enigmatic and with a lifestyle that has more twists and turns than the London Underground, my mate has settled somewhat. We talk a few times a week and she lives only a fifteen minute car ride away from me with her 3 year old daughter. She is a great mum and our friendship grows stronger with every week. She may hold down a job, be studying for her doctorate and be a great single parent to her little girl, but she will still always be The Fool to me. We may have grown older, but we still have the impromptu laughs of today's tarot character running through the veins of our friendship.

So aside from spending the night at my friend's house, what else is The Fool telling me today? I slept so well last night. I went out like a light. I still felt the chains of fatigue this morning but got up at a reasonable hour and decided to do as little as possible today. As I said yesterday, I need to find time to rest and the last couple of days have been more than a bit manic. I needed to make a few notes about work I have done, fire off some emails, and prepare for invoices. I don't know about you, but I am one of those people who will worry and cannot rest until those kind of little bits and pieces are done. Now that that it is completed, until I journey over to my friend's house, I can do whatever I like. This is what The Fool is all about - no rules and no order. I think I will boil the kettle, run a bath, and take a book and a coffee into the bathroom for a nice relax.



Illustrations from The Radiant Rider Waite by Pamela Coleman Smith, recoloured by Virginijus Poshkus

Out for the Count

The little guy in this card looks as though he has had enough. He looks physically tired, as I feel, but it is his emotions which are spilling out for all to see. They spell disappointment, regret, and grief. My cards have really tuned into the feelings of others of late and I think that this is one is doing just that today. He could be representing at least three people in my life right now who are focusing on things which have gone wrong. With their eyes closed, they cannot see a way out of this spilt mess easily.

Today has been more than tiring. After sewing and making patterns yesterday, today began early and finished late. I work with an extremely enthusiastic and hardworking practitioner, but unfortunately, there is only one sewing machine and she is not so good at drawing and painting. She is based in drama and is absolutely wonderful with the kids, so she delegated how they should make the props. Taking on the other artistic sides of the set and costumes alone was just a little bit too much for me today. I was so tired and am surprised that I didn't drop off and miss my stop on the train coming home. When I got in, I had something to eat and then decided to take a nap before my boyfriend came over. I was out for the count in a matter of minutes.

As much as the 5 of Cups depicts the situations of those around me, the cat does remind me of myself as he nods off at the table. As great as it is to be busy, I must take care of myself and rest when I am not working. My boyfriend and I have laid on my bed this evening and continued to watch more episodes from the first Tudors DVD.



Illustration from The Medieval Cat Tarot by Lawrence Teng

Snap!

I like this painting. I think it has something to do with the toy boat. I have always liked model boats as ornaments - especially brightly coloured ones. When I was reading up about Voodoo some years ago, I found a small toy boat in a shop by the sea and bought it to sit on my shelf. It reminded of the god Agwe. This cat has one too. I am guessing from the illustration that he first spied it with his telescope and then waited for it to come ashore. What he wished for is firmly in his grasp now.

I am working in my primary school tomorrow. Aware of this, I got up early this morning and began to make up some patterns for the children's costumes. I thought I would probably make a few to begin with and see how they fit up against the kids tomorrow. I made one knight's tunic with a red lion on the front and one shell for a dress. Making the patterns from limited resources and then sewing them together took far longer than I had hoped, but should they be ok, I can make minor adjustments to the pattern and try my best to knock out the remainder of the sixty costumes required. The kids can have a hand in decorating them themselves. I think that this is what today's card is about. The cat has set his mind on something and is reaping it's rewards. I am pretty pleased with all I have done, even if I am tired now.

Friday night was good. My friend looked beautiful on her birthday and the majority of us seemed to have a good time. We went back to a friend's to stay after 11. My boyfriend went to bed, so I stayed up and chatted with a really interesting guy I had made friends with that night through someone else. Another mate had invited her ex over. Despite them splitting up recently, I think she was open to giving him another chance. By the morning, he had buggered off and she was left in tears. I tried to console her as best as I could.

My boyfriend and I have decided to duck out of social get togethers for the next month. It's something I'd advise a few of my friends to do if they asked me. A lot of them have been burning the candle at both ends recently and casting aside their inhibitions. I get this horrible feeling that if they continue to do this, something is seriously going to snap.



Illustration from The Medieval Cat Tarot by Lawrence Teng

The Financial Lid

10 of Pentacles
I've just had a few thoughts about this card, the 10 of Pentacles. When it turns up, many see it as a card of luxury and abundant fortune. I guess that it is not surprising when you look at the picture; a cat is being presented with a beautiful and probably priceless crown. I wonder, being that it is the last card in the suit of Pentacles, if it is simply telling us that where we are is as good as it is going to get for now. Whether I am on benefits for £70 a week or earning a couple of hundred a day, the 10 of Pentacles might be my financial lid. It could be telling me that I have hit my mark for the moment and need be satisfied with what I have because it 'ain't gonna be getting any better just yet. I have never thought of the card in this way before.

This is not all that the 10 of Pentacles concerns. It is a card of security also. I suggested that my boyfriend not come over this evening because I had things to prepare for tomorrow, so I spent the evening in cutting fabric. We are going out tomorrow for my friend's birthday, so it's probably not a bad idea for him to stay home and recharge his batteries tonight. I often think of the family when this card comes up. In between this and that, I sat downstairs with my parents and watched Coronation Street. I always feel secure and warm with them. I don't sit downstairs and watch television with them often though. My own television is on a trolley and sits inside my wardrobe. It is only wheeled out when my boyfriend comes. I am not a big 'tv' person.

A friend and I drove out to a small town for a wander this morning. In between our shopping, we went for lunch in a favourite delicatessen of mine. It has a patio garden out the back, stacked with pots and hanging baskets, and is a lovely place to while away an hour. We ended up staying there for a few. Thankfully, part of it was covered with a gazebo because it began to rain heavily. Water was pouring from it's roof and down it's sides, but it was generally pretty humid and we remained dry. At one point, it felt as though we were dining in the middle of a monsoon. However, the food was good and so was the company, so it really didn't make much of a difference.



Illustration from The Medieval Cat Tarot by Lawrence Teng

Cash to Splash

9 of Pentacles

This isn't a bad card to receive. I see it as personal physical accomplishment and satisfaction. The cat in this picture takes one of his roses, looks at it, and admires it's beauty. There are plenty more where that came from.

Today is my close friend's birthday. Because I had not bought her a present, I took her out for breakfast this morning and then to a book shop so that she could choose a gift. She enjoys to crochet and has already made some beautiful pieces. She recently expressed a desire to buy a book on different techniques, but since I know next to nothing about crochet, I thought it would be better to let her choose one herself than surprise her with one she didn't want. She was really pleased with the one she chose and after that, we went to the pub to have a few drinks in the sunshine. It was a lovely afternoon. We always laugh lots when we are together. My friend has a wonderfully contagious sense of humour and larger than life personality.

It wasn't so long ago that I wouldn't have been able to do things like this. I didn't have the cash to splash so couldn't pay for breakfasts, gifts and drinks. I have to keep an eye on my money all the same, but today's card is about being secure enough to treat your friends without fear of going into the red. I have enough roses for the moment that I can share a couple with my loved ones.



Illustration from The Medieval Cat Tarot by Lawrence Teng

Retreating into the Shadows

The Hermit

Today's card, from The Medieval Cat Tarot, never feels out of place in a draw because he is so much a part of me now. People see him as a seeker of wisdom (wisdom being symbolised by the owl here) and in this version, he is returning from his retreat. In it's simplest of interpretations, the card usually comes up for me when I need to duck out of something. This has been on my mind for a week or two. My social circle have wanted to go out on the town a lot recently and too much contact and conversation can become overwhelming for me at times. That's just how I am. As much as I love my mates, I occasionally need to be in a place where I can hear myself think. I have a friend's birthday celebration to go to on Friday, but as this card suggests, after that I may very well retreat into the shadows for a bit. My boyfriend has already suggested that he would like a dry month.

My closest friend and her husband drove to see me today. I have known her since I was 4 and we are still as good friends as we ever were 35 years later. While sitting in the garden drinking our tea, she told me that they had some news - that they are expecting a baby. They have been trying for years to have a child and amongst complication and failure, they had actually signed up to adopt just before she conceived. Of course, I will not breath my sigh of relief until the baby is here with us, but I am very happy for them. It's a part of their jigsaw puzzle which has been missing for the last three or four years.

My friends and I had a lovely afternoon. They took me to the restaurant across the road, and after our meal, we sat out at a table in it's front garden and caught up. Nothing ever changes between me and my mate. She is as good of a friend to me as she has ever been and I love her husband very much too.

Today has been very hot. As I type before bed, it is still uncomfortably warm, so I have my window open wide. I don't know what my dad has done to the fountain in the garden pond, but it sounds like Niagara Falls. My boyfriend didn't come over this evening. He didn't sleep so well last night and was tired. After a full day with my friends, it was not a problem, so we talked on the phone and I read for the remainder of the evening. I am pretty tired too. I have a handful of emails I intended to reply to but decided to put them off until tomorrow.




Illustration from The Medieval Cat Tarot by Lawrence Teng

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

The Job in Hand

Queen of Pentacles

Yesterday's second card made that bit more sense as the day progressed. I felt like popping out to get some nibbles during yesterday evening and wandered to the local store. I picked up my basket, but before I began to shop, I stopped dead in my tracks. Oddbod from next door is now working there. There was no way that I would be served by her. I won't even talk to her. So I ended up putting my basket back and left the shop. I was right when I identified her and her family as the 'enemy' in yesterday's draw. That's me in the card, walking in the background, unaware. I can't go to that shop now that she is in there, parading her oddness for all to see, so maybe that is where the death card comes in. It presents an ending of something.

Today's card shows the Queen of Pentacles. I would say that the card represents today's job in hand and the friend we went to visit. Getting to her house just after 11am, my boyfriend and I helped her and her friend turn a drab hall into a party venue for her daughter's 16th birthday party. While I sat at the sewing machine, the others blew up balloons, decorated tables, and covered one whole wall in fabric and bunting. The theme was pink and white, and by 4pm, it was finally ready for the evening's events. The motherly and practical attributes of my friend Cathi fall under the hat of today's queen. She had everything under control and is a very down to earth and likable person. She very generously gave my boyfriend and I some money to pay for our petrol. Of course, I did the job out of friendship and felt a little guilty taking it, but eventually accepted the money with thanks. We did work very hard.

We were invited to stay at the party but had already planned to go to a mate's barbecue near home. We left the coast at around 4.15 to embark on our 45 minute journey back. Unfortunately, due to some kind of road works, we hit a traffic jam and didn't get out of it for four hours. Yes, I did say that! We sat on the motorway in traffic for four hours, getting in just after 9pm. By that time, we were not really in the mood to do much more than eat and relax in my room. My boyfriend was not feeling his best, so we decided to give the barbecue a miss altogether.

Today has been nice. My boyfriend and friend got along well and we had many a laugh as we dressed the hall. Today's queen is a dead ringer for my friend. As well as being practical, down to earth and responsible, she is also quite the business woman. We briefly discussed a new project she wants me to work on, which will possibly involve my staying in a hotel by the sea for a week.



Illustration from The Morgan Greer Tarot by Bill Greer

The Tip Off

Death, Enemy
As I was shuffling this morning, I just knew that Death would show it's face, so I wasn't particularly surprised when I turned it over. Even though I predicted it's arrival, I am not entirely sure why it is here. An enemy stands to it's left. He appears to be laying in wait for a man in the distance and hides some kind of weapon under his coat. At first, I didn't think I had any natural enemies, but then, as I reflecting some more, I guess it could concern my neighbours in some way. Is Death bringing our time with them to a close? Is he letting me know that we will soon sell our house and it will be time to move on? I think the cards are like this sometimes. They see things that we can't straight away. This could very well be the energy around today's reading, even if it appears that there is no movement from where we are standing. The buyer who likes our house might be working her behind off trying to sell her own property so that she can make an offer on ours. This duo could simply be giving me the tip off.

I was meant to go to work today but my sessions were cancelled. I wrote back to the usual suspect, voicing my concerns, but as usual, he hasn't replied. He'll probably do what he always does - leave it to the night before I come in next and tell me that he hasn't been able to order the supplies I asked for. My boyfriend has today off of work because we were meant to be going to a very old friend's for dinner this evening. Unfortunately, she collapsed this week and has been in hospital, so that was cancelled too. Knowing all of this by Wednesday, we decided to go out with a group of friends last night. I can't remember the last time I went out for a drink on a week day evening. It was impromptu, which I like. I have got a really good group of friends around me now. As the years have passed, I have whittled down my hundreds of acquaintances to some real steadfast mates who make me laugh and who I can depend upon. My boyfriend and I walked part of the journey home, feeding remnants of our snacks to the ducks on the river. He always enjoys doing that. When we got in we went straight to bed and fell asleep cuddled up. A nice end to a nice evening.

We have a big day tomorrow. We are driving to the coast to help a friend of mine dress a hall for her daughters 16th birthday party. After the success with the circus tent in school the other week, she asked if I would do something similar for tomorrow night, so I suggested she buy some white gazebos. She has bought pink fabric and balloons and I found twelve metres of shiny white lining fabric in the loft, so we will put something together when I get there. We were thinking of maybe having one tent for drinks and food and a few others dotted around for people to sit in. With all of this and a barbecue to race back for tomorrow evening, it's probably just as well that today is now going to be a quiet one. It looks as though it is about to storm, since the clouds have suddenly covered the sky like a blackout cloth, so we're probably in the right place for now. As I write these last lines, the heavens have just opened and I can hear the rain falling from my open window.



Illustrations from the Sibilla della Zingara

Pounds, Shillings, and Pence

Fortune, Hope

I spent last night over at my boyfriends. With one of my usual IBS fueled stomachaches, I had packed my hot water bottle and we stayed in to watch The Apprentice. I guess it is kind of sad, but I really look forward to that each week. I am not a big television lover, but I enjoy that, and afterwards, we watched another from my small handful of favourites, Glee. I was never interested in seeing that programme to begin with, but as the stories have progressed, it has got better and better. The writing is so superior to a lot of the pap on the box and it does that thing which not all comedy shows can manage - to effectively cross over from the funny to the serious seamlessly. Last night's show was very emotional. Sue Sylvester really is a television gem.

I went out for lunch again today. I met two close friends and we sat outside in a small patio garden in the sunshine. We then wandered through the shops, and finished off with a drink in the pub. My mum has not been feeling so well since yesterday, so somewhere in between all of that, I popped into a shop and bought her a present. She has been such a great help lately that I wanted to get her a treat to cheer her up.

When reading today's cards, I guess that 'fortune' is dependent on what we consider the riches in life to be. The two cards could have something to do with feedback from our estate agent. Apparently, the woman who visited a few days ago loves our house and will put in an offer when she sells her own. On our part, there is a 'hope' that this will happen soon. However, fortune runs deeper than pounds, shillings and pence for me. I had such a good time with my two friends today and it was also nice to make my mother smile with her new handbag. It is interesting that the figures in both cards have blindfolds on. Maybe we are often blind to the fortunes we already hold within our hands.



Illustrations from the Sibilla della Zingara

The Sound of Summer

Constancy, Waiting
Yesterday's viewing went well. The lady came with her mother and they were both extremely friendly; so friendly in fact, that the mother asked my mum for a cutting of one of her plants in the garden. Even though we haven't heard back from the agent yet, I'd say it was probably one of the most positive viewings we've had, since the woman seemed to like what she saw and was imagining her furniture in each room. They must have been here for a good twenty minutes. People usually dart in and out with no more than a few nods when they are not interested. I still believe that yesterday's cards had something to do with the viewing, even though we haven't received any real confirmation of this just yet, but I think they also tap into something else - a friend has offered me another week's work in a different school near the coast.

For today, I have drawn 'Constancy' and 'Waiting'. This is the second outing for 'Constancy' this week and I believe it is telling me that something is consistent and still in motion. When coupled with the second card today, you could see the combination as 'still waiting'; therefore, my ongoing wait for something is continuing. This could have something to do with our need for feedback from the estate agent, but it also concerns my working week. The school I continually have difficulties with have postponed my work yet again, which makes things that bit more difficult for me. I am contracted for a certain amount of days, and with new work needing to find it's own dates, it will be awkward to try and slot it all in together without overlaps. You might see today's cards as a postponement, since I will now be sitting around and twiddling my thumbs for a few days more. Until I know what is going on and people give me concrete dates for the three projects I am working on, I have hit a bit of a stalemate. I like how the cards are introducing themselves to me and letting me know what they are all about.

It's kind of funny really. This time last year I was moaning about not having any work. Now, I am having trouble fitting it all in. To be honest, the latter is the less of two evils and I do appreciate the opportunities I am being given. After firing off my work emails to all and sundry, I went into town. I had arranged to meet my friend for lunch and took the opportunity to pop in and get my hair cut first. Everyone liked the last hair cut I had done. The woman cut the sides and back nice and short, but left the top long and whisked it up into a fifties quiff. I was given a different stylist today and he took it upon himself to give me a very different look. Despite telling him what I wanted, he hacked away at it and I came out with something completely different to what I wanted. He kept saying 'Is that short enough on top or do you want more off?'. I reminded him on a good few occasions that I actually didn't want the top short. I think he must have been wanting to try out a new pair of scissors or something because he was like a man possessed. I didn't tip him.

It's nice and sunny today and there are tree surgeons in the garden a couple of doors away. They are making a racket, but there is something quite comforting about the noise of their chainsaw. I think it reminds me of dozing in the park, listening to the sound of lawnmowers in the distance. It's just one of those sounds of Summer, I guess.



Illustrations from the Sibilla della Zingara

Sticking My Neck Out

Letter, Love
In yesterday's comments, another blogger and reader Shaheen Miro, commented on the Sibilla della Zingara, saying how it is both straight forward but intuitive at the same time. I feel that this is what makes decks like this so magical. Take today's duo as an example - I have received the letter and love cards. Could a draw be any more specific than that? Like many of you, the idea of a love letter is the first thing to probably spring to mind, but how will that manifest for me. Are the cards really being that blatant or are they merely throwing out a conundrum for me to work out before the next twenty-four hours are through?

The second card shows Cupid of Roman Mythology. I am more familiar with the Greek version of this character, Eros, but the story appears to be pretty much the same. When Cupid's mother Venus became jealous of the princess Psyche (who was so beloved by her subjects that they forgot to worship Venus), she ordered Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with the vilest thing in the world. While Cupid was sneaking into Psyche's room to shoot her with a golden arrow, he accidentally scratched himself with his own weapon and fell deeply in love with her. I recognise this story in relation to Eros, but can not understand why this god of love and sexual beauty is shown as a child or baby in it's Roman depictions. Maybe it is to do with the innocence of new relationships or something like that.

I have no idea who painted this deck since there is no reference to artist or history in the small book that comes with it, but I am guessing that the idea of a letter was considered quite differently then to how it is now. Correspondence can be delivered through our mobile phones, into our email inbox, or through social networking sites these days, leaving the postman of old almost redundant in modern society. All I seem to get through my physical letter box these days is junk mail. When these two cards sit together, Cupid becomes the messenger of desire, unconditional love, or interest. He may be unconventional in how he wishes to shoot his arrow.

We have another viewing for our house booked this morning. Apparently, a young woman is coming. Unless these cards indicate a message of friendship, I would be willing to stick my neck out and say that they suggest a good response from the prospective buyers. From the feedback we have had in the last few years, this really would be sticking my neck out, but the cards look positive.



Illustrations from the Sibilla della Zingara

Psychic Spying

Doctor, Constancy
Sometimes, I get the idea that the cards are not just about me. It's as though I am tapping into an entirely different situation. In short, you might call it Psychic Spying. This has happened a lot of late and is probably due to my having a mate who has not been feeling herself. I am pretty sure that the cards are dipping into her situation again today. I think that the patient in the first card is the friend. Many of us hit rough spots in our life and this card encourages her to sit down and try to take the weight off of her feet (mentally, as well as physically). As a couple, the two cards suggest that she is still in need of support. I spoke with her this afternoon and it is obvious that she is going to need more time and help before she can get back to normal. Some kind of doctor or specialist will likely be part of her recovery. Constancy confirms that this is an ongoing thing.

I bought the Sibilla della Zingara on my way to a friend's house many years ago. She was frustrated with her tarot studies and liked the no-nonsense intuitive approach to these cards. In the small panthlet that comes with the set, it is said that the gypsy told of just two things which must be kept in mind when reading the oracle - the image, which "provoked feelings and memories in the heart and mind", and the title, which "guided sensitivities and perception in the right direction". Since we all have our own personal experiences, anyone can read a pack like this straight from the box. Even though I use a lot of the traditional meanings when reading the tarot cards, I tend to prefer this way of reading. After all, what is the point of there being so many different styles of illustration and packs of cards if we read them all exactly the same? My friend and I had a lot of fun laying out the Sibilla della Zingara initially. Rather than delve into a companion book (of which there isn't one I have seen), we had to lay trust in our mere reactions to what was on the cards. I don't suppose that everyone enjoys that kind of responsibility.

The weekend's heatwave now lays under a good few centremetres of puddles. It has been raining since yesterday afternoon and the sky is blank and grey. I have a strong fondness for the rain though. I love it's smell and the noise it makes on the window. I remember sleeping in an older boyfriend's car when I was about 22. We parked up somewhere in the rain and curled up together for a nap. There is something really comforting about the tip-tapping of rain on a car roof. I can hear it now if I concentrate hard enough. I have things to do for Friday but I have claimed today for myself. I didn't have a chance to relax properly last week, so today is about pottering, tidying, and reading. Despite the answering of work-related emails that won't wait, I will get back on with the stuff I need to do tomorrow.



Illustrations from the Sibilla della Zingara