What It Takes

The first thing needed when it comes to reading tarot cards is obviously a deck. There are many out there to choose from.
No matter what your hobbies or interests are, I’m quite certain that you can find a deck that suits your personality.
The second thing needed is an open mind. Now I don’t just mean that you have to be open to say, magic or others life-styles. You have to be open to what the cards might tell you about yourself. There will be times when they will give a message that we do not want to listen to. A sub-idea that goes along with this is personal destiny.
The general public is misinformed. They think that Tarot is strictly a fortune-telling tool and to an extent it is. The fact of the matter is that tarot is very keen at letting us know the direction that we are going in as well as what direction we can turn in order to change things. Never is the future written in stone. But the cards can give a very precise picture of futures that do come to pass. Later in my writings I will tell you about one of these accurate futures foretold in the cards.
Another aspect in the area of open minds is the way the cards will send their message. There are traditional meanings to the cards, but they are also pictures and as the old saying goes, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. The idea is to not just apply the traditional meanings, but to allow the imagery speak to you. When fully open, tarot will become a catalyst to the psychic abilities inherent within us all.

A New Year & New Beginnings

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007 !!!
FEY- 4 of Pentacles
The 4 of Pentacles is the card that I drew to kick off the New Year. This card represents the general energies surrounding the year; it is also a card to remind me of its message and advice.
The suit of Pentacles relates to the physical and material aspects of life. This could point to money or job related issues or it could be a matter of belongings or health.

Here we see a silly looking Fey, something akin to a court jester, chained to a large medallion, the pentacle. On the floor, within reach, is a key. This brings a question to mind, ‘why doesn’t the fey just use the key and get free?’

I can see a few possible connections with this card in my life. The most common for all of us is the need of employment in order to survive in society. I also have a bit of debt that I am struggling with.
I’m fortunate in that I’m not ‘chained’ to a job that I do not enjoy. In fact I very happy with the whole work environment. I’m also a bit of the clown of the team. The chain could possibly represent the fact that I have less time to myself than I used to with my old job. So I guess I’m a little bit more of a slave to the work, then again, I am a work-a-holic and don’t really mind it. Which brings me to the Fey’s expression. It is one that seems a bit blank. A content blah…..
The situation does not affect the Fey in a manner that calls for emotion, thought or action. Unlike the cards image, where this Fey is alone, I am not. My ‘Blahness’ could cause ripples at home.
The size of the pentacle could represent a few things as well. Going back to the subject of work, I work for a company that is going through a lot of changes and one of those is big growth. Technologies that are being developed as we speak is an area that we work with and the things that are coming available to us will allow the company to engineer new products as well a upgrade our current products. The company plan is to take it to a higher level and hand it off to someone else. The ‘team’ will receive part of the profits and then move on to start another company. Again I look to the chain as a symbol of keeping my ties to the company until that large reward in the end. The key is symbolic of answers and this represents that my answer, or rather solution (reward), is within reach, or in other words; obtainable. The key for the Fey is the Fey’s freedom, but I can’t, at this moment, see how this applies to my life. The size of the Pentacle also reflects a sizable inheritance that I am to receive. As a word of advice, this card is telling me to hold on to that money. Be locked to it. I should be very thoughtful about where that money goes and if it is completely necessary for me to release those funds.
It’s possible that there could be a hold on the inheritance and it will be a longer wait.
Overall, as advice, I see this card telling me to keep the budget tight.

In the background there are books & candles. The books, like the key, hold answers of a different kind.
This is knowledge and education as well as record-keeping. Again, this relates to my job. The company is educating me with knowledge that I need to operate more effectively for my position. I already keep records in my position, simple stuff but there is a lot of it.

Well that’s it for this round of the cards, but..….I have a part to go with this one coming next.
The 4 of Pentacles was a card drawn for the New Year and as it happens, my birthday very closely coincides with the New Year. So for a birthday card, a dear friend sent me an e-card from the Tarot of the Cat People deck. Next I’m going to look at this card and give my thoughts and reflections on it as well as how it works with the Fey card.

Fey for a Week

FEY For the week of Jan 18 to Jan 24
Past – Body = XIV Temperance
Present – Mind = 7 of Pentacles
Future – Spirit = Ace of Swords



Body-XIV Temperance
Knowing by listening to the body & giving it what it needs, be it food (balanced nourishment) or ‘professional’ attention. A nice long hot soak! I don’t have a bathtub, but there is a hot tub where I’m staying, there is also a Finnish Sauna & Tubs place close to my work. It’s interesting, the fish, this place has a fish pond. It’s been a while, I don’t know if there are torches. I suppose this card might suggest treating my self to a soak, while in connecting with my physical body to discover the body ’s needs.

Mind-7 of Pentacles
Money Tree! Money is an issue that is perpetually on my mind. The feeling from this card is quite the opposite of my usual feelings about money issues. I will be getting paid within this week, but times have been tough and I have already borrowed from the fourth coming paycheck. But I also got a nice raise ok’d last week, going into effect yesterday (last day of the pay-period). I also have a small but significant amount of money in the bank that should not be there. Hmmm….
Other money matters, I have an inheritance, more than enough to be totally out of debt then have an awesome shopping spree, but that won’t be until later. Things there are still going through the process and those things never have a definite date.
Even though I’m almost constantly figuring my finances, I don’t stress, but I can get a bit nervous. I also have my times of worry, yet I know from past experience that to worry only makes it worse. When I have not a care in a world about not having the $$$ to pay a bill; the money appears in some way, like a ‘long time no see’ friend who owes me $40.
What an interesting card for this position. I’m wondering what might happen this coming week.

Spirit-Ace of Swords
This is such a ‘ritual’ card. I have a tough time with ‘rituals’…I like the idea, but it that so much to do and so little time thing that seems to get in the way. I find it interesting the facial similarities between the Temperance Fey and the Ace of Swords Fey. They both have that Polynesian look to them. I see this Fey as making some sort of offering or sacrifice. It could be that the super hot sword is coming down to brand her. Heehee, I use a soldering iron at work, better be careful of burning my self. The Fey’s eyes glow red. Is this a reflection from the heat of the sword? Or is it their true color and she is just a creature of great passion? I am on who stands firm in my beliefs, not just spiritual but also personal opinions. I’m drawn to the pose of the Fey’s arms, it’s chalice like. Even more accurate a darbuka drum. I have always wanted one of these. Maybe I’ll find one I like and maybe playing it will be a ‘ritual’ that will slow me down a bit. Heehee- I can buy one with the money that falls off the money tree!