The Mystery Benefactor

When I was shuffling this morning, the 6 of Masks flew out. I momentarily considered using it as my daily card but then decided to keep shuffling. However, when a card flies from the pack, it is often worth noting. At the time, I couldn't think what this card of triumph and victory could mean. I have not been waiting on any responses to jobs or anything like that.

I am writing this extra post because there has just been breaking news on the television, saying that an unknown benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, is lending the Plummers £80,000 to get Richard home. All of this is dependent on whether Richard is well enough to make the journey, but the money would pay for the air ambulance to bring him back to the UK, where he can be cared for properly and for no extra costs. This is obviously a big development in this story. Even though people have been very generous in their donations and a fund-raising day has been set up for the end of August, many probably wonder how much longer he can hold on and fight without all that he needs. It would be better that people work to pay off the debt than try their hardest to beat the clock. It has been said that he could be home in a few days.

I don't get the 6 of Masks (Wands) particularly often, but I am sure you'll agree that in this situation, the card is a true messenger of reward. Often, I feel that it brings news of the end of a struggle. As the card is often connected to fame, I wonder if the donator is well known. For the Plummbers, this fight is by no means over, but I am hoping that a first hurdle will now be cleared due to the thoughtfulness of this mystery benefactor.

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Illustration from The Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances

Wrapped

This is an interesting card for me to receive, since I already researched the mask that the King of Flowers wears when I was using the Carnival playing cards some time ago. It is pretty common in Venice and is called La Bauta. Recognised by it's boxy chin, it is usually worn plain.

In some traditional versions of the King of Cups (which I am suggesting that this is a version of), the king floats on some kind of raft with a turbulent sea beneath him. However, as the master of water, he rides the element but doesn't touch it. For me, this distance is shown in the mask and rose here. He holds the flower of his suit - a symbol of emotion, which needs water to keep it alive - but he also protects his feelings by wrapping himself in the La Bauta, cape, and Tricorn hat. This is probably why I often see this guy as a councillor or some kind of confessional. People can bring their problems to him and he will listen, soliciting advice, but without giving judgement, taking sides, or projecting his own feelings. Amongst storms and difficulties, you could say that he is emotionally in control and sure of himself.

The Favole is a relatively small deck. Even though thinner, they are not that much bigger than playing cards, which I quite like. When I scan my card for the day, I often blow it up so that it as big as the screen. You can sometimes see details within it that are more difficult in it's original size. In the King of Flowers, I notice his piercing blue eyes and how a few strands of long dark moonlit hair cascade from the side of his mask. Is that you behind there, Jet? This is possibly one of the downfalls of this character and card, since this king acts impartially and doesn't often let you know what he is feeling. It's all wrapped up behind his calm exterior, so we do not always know where we stand with him. This becomes more readily apparent when you look at the remainder of his tarot family. The Knave and Queen of Flowers both hold roses in their mouths. Both are totally absorbed by their element of water and hold emotion between their lips in the way that a child senses the world around him. A baby feels everything by putting it in his mouth and devouring it with his tongue. The Knight of Flowers is an interesting one. Do we consider the knight to be the young woman or the statue in the illustration? I would be inclined to say that it is the woman, who throws her arms around her love, with emotional intensity and purpose. She wears her flowers in her hair. They are blood-red and tell us that love is the only thing on her mind. The King of Flowers holds his rose that bit further away. He can smell it's sweet perfume but is not consumed by it.

Even though I have related to the Knight of Wands (or in the case of this deck, the Knight of Masks) of late, I do see a lot of myself in this king. I also see some of my boyfriend in him too, as he is someone who conceals how he feels from those in his emotional community.

For a long time, people have adopted me as an impartial (and unpaid) councillor, using me as a sounding board or method of helping to solve their problems; so much so that on the main, I have had enough of being the good listener. It can be draining when consistent. As the King of Flowers, I have always tried to inspire others to take a hold of their own problems and try to overcome them as I do, rather than continually seeking advice and confirmation that they are doing the right thing (even when most of the time they know damn well that they are not). The King of Flowers can sometimes be about calming a situation and not losing either our head or heart in an emotional crisis. He may be calling on me to do this today. I'd rather that than his role of agony aunt.

My boyfriend and I will be driving to Birmingham this evening. As much as I love the friend who is putting us up so that we can go to the wedding, I never enjoy living out of a bag for more than a night. I used to shuttle about from living room sofa to friend's double beds quite easily when I was in my twenties, but these days, there is something to be said about waking up in your own room. I think that a lot of it has to do with my fatigue and ongoing IBS. I like to be amongst what is familiar, and generally, I don't like knowing that I will be spending three days away while I feel like a car on next to no petrol, which is how I am feeling now. I told my boyfriend last night that we must approach our three days away and coming weeks like a race. Indeed, it does feel as though we are embarking on a marathon. With the Knave, Knight, and Queen lifting off as quickly as possible, the King of Flowers sets off steadily, taking in each emotional step carefully and with consideration. Rather than letting the amount we have to do and people we have to see get on top of us, like the trusty king in his La Bauta, we are going to try and appreciate the perfume of the rose through each segment of the race, rather than let it all consume us at once.



Illustration from The Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances

Wilt

It is almost midday. I got back here from my boyfriend's around 8.30 this morning, feeling less than myself. I had wondered if I was due a hit of fatigue last week as I felt as though I was dragging on my last days of school, but with Friday to Monday feeling alright, I wasn't quite expecting it to come crashing down on me as it has today. I was meant to have a day of tea and tarot with my friend but cancelled that as soon as I got back this morning, knowing that I would be spending the last three or four hours asleep. Not that the rest has done me much good. I still feel exhausted and my eyesight has gone all blurry.

I was expecting something like The Tower (as an unexpected meltdown) or the 4 of Butterflies (indicating rest) today, but instead, I am greeted with The Lovers. At first, you might look at them and think 'get a room!', but what really makes sense for me at the moment is the way in which the man looks as though he is holding the woman up. He is supporting her as she wilts in front of him. Look at how his fingers interlace at the front as he becomes her frame. I feel a little like this woman today -limp, like a dress on a coat hanger.

The Lovers is traditionally about choice, and while sitting on the train, I made one. I am not taking on anything more socially for the next few months. This is to help my finances, as much as my health. My boyfriend and I are staying up North until Tuesday, as we have a wedding to go to. We have a family party the weekend afterwards and are visiting my pregnant friend the next day. From then on, we also have an 18th birthday party to attend, an anniversary meal, and another wedding to go to near the coast. It is all a bit much for me to comprehend. When asked to go to a private view at a gallery and spend another Sunday at a charity event for Richard, despite my interest in both things, I have had to say 'No'. I really need some time out and must think about what is best for me. I am taking a step back from the big evenings out and those who drain my energy.

In terms of the charity fundraiser for Richard, I don't have to attend to donate. I saw the first photograph of him in his hospital bed last night. My friend was on the news speaking from Bali, where he and Richard's girlfriend are at his brother's bedside. Despite the funds already raised, it would seem that they still need £90,000 to bring him home and give him the treatment he needs. It really is such a sad story. I was reading an article online a couple of days ago and found it very moving. However, you would not believe the nasty and flippant comments that some strangers have left beneath it. It upset me to notice that Richard's girlfriend had seen them. Some people are so up for voicing their opinions that they leave their sensitivity at the door.

I am laying on my bed with my keyboard and a cup of tea. My boyfriend is staying home to pack up for our weekend, so I don't have to move or worry about entertaining him this evening. I can just be, which is exactly what I plan on doing.


Illustration from The Favole Tarot by Victoria Frances

A Test Drive with Jet

This afternoon, I decided to take The Favole for a test drive. Aside from my two daily draws and flipping through the pack a couple of times, I have done little more with it, so I thought I would ask it a question. I felt as though I should go all out on this one, so I set up my tray with some Nag Champa Agarbatti incense, my little praying figurine and a candle. A lot of people enjoy ritual with their tarot reading, and some of the time, I like it too because it gets me in the mood. I often need something to focus my attention on when I am shuffling, and even though I mostly use the candle, when I get a new deck, I sometimes use an image from it as my guide into the cards. I recently did this with Nathalie Hertz's Vampire Tarot. Some people might call to spirits when they read the tarot and others will try to reach their subconscious. Whatever it is I make contact with, I try my best to channel my intention into the picture I am using as I shuffle. For The Favole, I printed out one of Victoria Frances's paintings of a young man. His tears pulled me in straight away when I spotted him online. On thinking of a name for the guy, Jet came into my mind; possibly because of his raven-black hair. When I asked The Favole to tell me something I need to know about a friend, it was Jet's eyes I was looking into.

I typed Jet into my search engine and was reminded that it is the name of a gemstone. I read that it is actually formed from foscilised wood, but looks like coal. As with many crystals, it is used for protection, but I found it quite fascinating to read in Judy Hall's Crystal Bible that it 'provides protection through spiritual journeying'. Quite apt for my tarot go-to-guide.

I split my deck into three piles. Since I was indulging in tarot pomp and ceremony, I had a go at the dowsing rods which Kate recently bought me, asking Jet to direct them towards the pile of most significance. I must admit that I did raise an eyebrow when the two rods, held in the steadiest of hands, dramatically swung to the left. I put the other two piles back into a stack and read the first two cards right off the top of the left pile.

The first of the two cards was the 10 of Masks (these stand for fire here, as I see them). This is a crowded card. It actually reminds me of looking down at my reading tray, filled with masks and leaving little to no space to put anything else. Using this much fire and energy brings exhaustion. Someone is feeling the burden of excess quite possibly and is reaching breaking point. When a 10 is in a reading, it predicts the end of a cycle. In this case, we could see it as burn out.

The second card is the 7 of Butterflies. I see this suit as one of air. I am never too keen to see this particular air card, due to it's deceptive qualities. It is not one we can trust and is often linked with theft and the sneak. When mixed with the first card, I'd say that someone's infidlities or deceptions are becoming a problem. They could be dancing too close to the flame and the card suggests that a certain lifestyle will soon need to stop. It is all getting too much.

These cards are quite blatant and I think I have an idea which situation they are honing in on. However, I am not sure if it concerns the person carrying out the deception or those around them who have become frustrated by what the person is doing. I see the first card as something (or indeed someone) that is about to blow and has overindulged. It is the second card, the 7 of Butterflies, that explains why. Maybe someone in this situation is lying too often or someone else is becoming frustrated by their lies.

Like a lot of tarot readers, I enjoy scenic minors, but sometimes I get a lot from pips. These ones work for me because they hold the mood of their suit but provide enough space for my intuition (or subconscious thoughts and feelings) to work freely. The rose colouring of the flower cards provide an emotional response in all of it's aspects, where as the golden background for the fire cards can appear either glowing with energy or frazzled and burnt as the 10 of Masks does here.

Incase you think I have lost my mind, I don't think that tuning into the eyes of Jet is a particuarly odd opening ritual. It is simply what he stands for that is important. Many readers use a candle to find their way into the depths of their soul when contacting a reading and there are also decks which have backs to aid concentration; think of both the Haindl and the Pagan 2000 packs, which have eyes on their rears. Whether you do this or not (and I would recommend it as a way of preparing and focusing if you do like a bit of ritual), it has brought some interesting thoughts to the surface today. I will be keeping an eye out for the person in this reading, and if I can, will help them with the burden they are carrying.



Illustration by Victoria Frances