Mark and Barney go to the Park

I woke up with a sore throat and ears today. Just when I thought I was off the hook, the cold has returned. My parents have both had the same symptoms. I guess it is just my turn.

My cousin came to visit yesterday. I had heard that he might be coming, since my uncle mentioned it the day before. My cousin did something that irritated me a year and a bit ago and even though I have forgiven him in theory, he's not someone I want to spend my time with, so I got my boyfriend up early and we went out before he got here. My boyfriend and parents think I am being too harsh, but I am not much good at smiling on the surface and pretending I am ok with someone when I am not. Instead, we went out and dawdled through the quaint little shops a short drive away, finishing with an omelet for breakfast. I went to my favourite fabric quilting shop, buying different swatches for a project I intend to do; a creative review of this deck, inspired by my good friend who does the same kind of thing.

I drew Strength yesterday. As a card of inside strength and determination, it could describe how I stick to things, even if others don't agree. I can be pretty stubborn and don't often give second chances when my coffee book has been blotted.

I decided to bring Mark out again, turning the maiden's lion into a dog. Strength shows him out in the park with his pet, Barney. Barney wasn't always Mark's. Mark got him from a rescue centre when he was a pup; apparently, he had been badly treated, which made him a little difficult to begin with. However, with love and care, the two soon developed a good relationship. Barney now loves and trusts his master, and should the boisterous animal become a little too excitable, Mark knows just how to calm him down. As we can see, a little stroke has him eating out of his band.

I have often seen the lion in the original card as a symbol of our own wild side. It suggests a time when we need to try and tame our desires. I had a few drinks at my boyfriend's parent's house last night and got a little tipsy. Maybe that was my own little Barney out of control for the evening. We were initially going to spend our night here, but my boyfriend's brother and sister in law were there for dinner, so we turned round and joined them.

Today was focused on my parent's new house. I dragged a large armchair out of my bedroom to make more space and my boyfriend directed a bonfire in the garden, burning all of the old kitchen cupboards and wood. It was kind of hypnotic to stand and watch the flames as so much stuff diminished into ash.



Illustration from The Radiant Rider Waite, based on the drawings of Pamela Coleman Smith and redrawn byVirginijus Poshkus. Illustration from The World of Mark by Prince Le Normand.