Three of Cups - Joy

 Cups are the suit connected to emotions, relationships, , community, fellowship, friendship and romance.
In the Three of Cups, Eros and Psyche are portrayed being wedded to one another. A joyous occasion.
Joy is state of mind, and a feeling that is cause to celebrate. In today's world it seems joy can be hard to find.


Having a grateful attitude is a habit that can help us to celebrate joy in our lives. By not minimizing the simple  things, or not taking things for granted, this can greatly increase our feelings of joy. Our happiness is proportional to maintaining this daily habit.

The Three of Cups represents the initial completion of abundance, happiness, love, being loved, and emotional fulfillment. It's time to celebrate.
Relax and take credit for a job well done. There are successful ventures ahead. Life is unfolding and the journey is just beginning.
You may be moving toward retirement.

Along with the joy there can be a certain flush of romance and life that is full of promise and with it comes deeper experience of the heart, that is reached through both happiness and sorrow.

 “All Joy reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still 'about to be'.”
                       - C.S Lewis, Surprised by Joy

Three of Wands - Initiative

I've noticed four out of five of the Minor Arcana cards I've drawn over the past week have been all the suit of Wands. This caused me to notice and realize, I am partial to Wands (Rods), as I strongly identify with what they represent, action, energy, ideas, creation and expression of spirit. Being an artist I particularly love that last description , expression of spirit.
Wands symbolize spiritual consciousness, intuition, inspiration, determination, and strength, all characteristics needed to be reflected in the core of your being. They address what motivates and energizes us.

Like all the Threes in the Minor Arcana, represent the beginning stage of completion. Everything is coming together but there is still more hard work ahead, perhaps more work that was first anticipated. In order to take further action, you may have to take a gamble or the idea cannot be realized.

Many folks are great at beginning ideas and projects. They maybe good at endings as well. But they miss all the hard work, and effort required in between the start and finish for a number of reasons. Enthusiasm and creative energy must be applied from start to finish. This is an important lesson to learn and to actualize in your life.

One of the best experiences I had growing up was to have had the opportunity to work voluntarily on a farm. I learned the value of hard work, and got the satisfaction of a job well done. I learned through growing things you reap what you sow. I knew I loved being country, and digging into good earth, but I had to take the initiative, follow through and then the harvest came. I attribute this experience as being the reason I bought my house in the country 20 years ago, and I have never regretted it. This year I am happy to say my mortgage will finally be paid off. It was with a great deal of hard work and sacrifice, but it has been so worth it.

Ace of Swords - Success!

Swords represent the intellectual side of life, will and action, where reason prevails over emotion. Swords cuts through muddled thought, and brings clarity. Order and justice rule, leading to abundance and prosperity.
Success in attaining your goals is ahead. An intellectual breakthrough is made. It's an aha moment and there may be a discovery, or even the publication of a book.


Here we see Athene, goddess of Justice, and this Minor Arcana card, like all Aces heralds a burst of raw energy, that gives a new perspective on the world. This new world view and perspective can create conflict. When we change our outlook and behaviour, this often upsets the apple cart where others are concerned, as they may not respond favourably. You may be full of enthusiasm and energy to embrace a new lifestyle, however others may feel their lifestyle, and the old order is going to be affected, and threatened, which creates conflict. Do not loose heart, as there is and can be a resolution with a strong heart, mind and will.

You may have found you want to pursue a change in career, or relationship. Perhaps you are considering moving to a different country, or residence. You might even have decided to return to school at a mature age, but, there may be negative reactions from the very people you love, and that love you.

 One may assume, that you can be confident in thinking, because family and friends love you, and that they would, and should be supportive; this unfortunately is often not the case, in many situations. especially with friends and families. This is the double edged sword, that the Ace of Swords presents, and you better be prepared for some quarrels, and disputes. I will reiterate, success is your's with a strong heart, mind and will.

Ten of Wands - Obstacles and Struggles

The Ten of Wands is the card of obstacles and struggles and biting off more than you can chew. The feeling of being burnt out, because of taking on too much responsibility.

 Exercise is an important tool to prevent stress and can release the pressure. Our physical health affects all other aspects of our life, the emotional, mental and spiritual parts of ourselves all come into play here. We need to relax and take time out to care for ourselves. Self-care is not selfish, otherwise we will feel the weight and oppression of being overburdened, which will directly effect our relationships etc. It is impossible to feel creatively inspired or free to express ourselves, when we are in this stifled state.

I've had fridge and oven issues today. I finally figured out my oven problem and managed to get my bread into bake after an hour or so of fiddling with the fuses. Not high up on the grand scale of things that are really stressful, but I felt this way today and this was added to my stress of last night, when I had fallen in my bedroom. I had a large heater that should have been removed, as it was cluttering my bedroom and so I tripped on it and I came crashing down onto the floor. I had a few bumps and abrasions. More than anything, my ego was a little shocked and bruised.

Many of us can cope with the major events and the big struggles of life. It is the little stresses and annoyances of life that can drive us crazy, if we let them. And so it goes.

 A good friend who is an elder, and a lovely woman who has read Tarot Cards for probably 40 years, suggested to me, that if I wanted to clear or cleanse my deck, that I put them in the fridge. This is what she has done over the years, she said. Well, I don't know why, or how she ever decided that this was a good idea, and I am not sure why I thought, what the heck, maybe she knows something I don't, so I'll give it a go.

After my bread had finally baked, I wanted to get busy with posting on my Tarot blog, and thought I'd draw a card from my Mythic Tarot deck to write about. When I went to do this, my deck was no where to be found. I usually keep the cards in a special box wrapped up in a cloth on my kitchen table.When I went retrieve my deck, it was simply no where to be found, and it sure was not where I was certain it would, or should normally be.

It must have been close to two hours I was searching all over the house, looking in the most unlikely places for my cards. I'd even gone outside to look in my car.

I thought I would just forget about finding them. I knew they had to be somewhere. I was beginning to get frustrated, being at a complete loss as to where on earth they could be. I was clueless, and was asking myself, how could this have happened?
It was  now getting close to supper time, and found myself looking into the freezer compartment, only to find my Tarot Cards sitting safely in the freezer, staring back at me. I swear, I could almost imagine them having a good laugh, and mocking me saying, How could you be so dumb as to put us in here! Get us out! We're freezing!
 Of course I immediately realized I'd completely forgotten I had placed them in the freezer compartment of my fridge yesterday. Needless to say, I won't be doing that again! Whether the cards were cleansed or clear, I don't know, but my head was muddled and confused having wondered for hours what could have possibly happened to them. They seemed to have mysteriously disappeared from the house.

Commencing to write this blog post, it got me thinking about superstition and myth surrounding Tarot cards and readings.

I am not a superstitious person at all. There are many superstitions and myths, when it comes to Tarot Cards. For instance, here is a list of some of them I have heard of, and know.

1. The deck you use should be given to you. This is balderdash. I have three decks, two I purchased. It so happens the third was given to me by a friend, because he didn't have any use for the deck, as he didn't read Tarot Cards. I use it because I like it. There is something to be learned I believe by whatever Tarot deck you use. I actually draw on all of my decks for card meanings, and the readings I do for individuals.

2. Stick your Tarot Cards in the freezer to clear or cleanse them from, lets call it past readings residue. I would suggest, this is going to do nothing. I can personally attest, if you choose to put them in the freezer, just don't forget them, or you will spend hours searching the house, top to bottom, looking in the most unlikely, and ridiculous places for them, or you may even suspect someone has entered your house and stolen them! Of course you could report it to the police, but they'd more than likely be of the opinion you were off your nut.

3. Wrap your Tarot Deck in silk and put them in a oak box. This is not important or necessary. I have mine wrapped in a cloth, and in a cloth box, or decorative wire box where I have my regular deck. It is simply important you respect and take good care of your cards, so they don't get dirty and ruined from misuse. It's a good thing to develop a familiar relationship with the cards.

4. No Tarot card reader should be predicting physical death. Many people are fearful of the Death Card. It does not signify death. It does represent going from one phase into another, a transformation, a major change or renewal of sorts. There is a termination of an unendurable situation.
The ethics of Tarot reading  and readers is to " do no harm ".

5. Reading Tarot cards is not fortune telling, nor does it predict the future, and I have no crystal ball!
 
These are just a few I have come across. I'm sure people have heard of other superstitions and falsehoods about Tarot cards and readings. I would be interested in learning about any that my readers might be familiar with regarding Tarot cards. I'd love to hear from you! Please share your comments.

In the mean time my friends, when you find yourself over whelmed by obstacles and struggles remember this quote.

Knight of Wands - The Explorer

We all need to take risks in life, follow our bliss, and challenge ourselves, as this is what enables us develop our self-confidence. When we challenge ourselves, we can learn what are capacities are, and develop our human potential as human beings, fully engaged in living, and experience personal growth.

When I reflect on taking risks in life, I think of the book I read many years ago by Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander. Standing on the sidelines of life,  or simply being a bystander, may seem like a safe and best place to be, but it is not the path to happiness or fulfillment. Having a proactive attitude and being a participator is what leads to living life to the fullest.

 This is the card and sign of the explorer, who is energetic and who yearns for new adventure. A change is as good as a rest it has been said, and the craving for new challenges is indicated. Possibly in the form of a change in residence, or a traveling adventure is likely, due to the feeling of being stifled by one's environment.

A very charming figure is the Knight of Wands, and very attractive to the opposite sex; however don't expect to hold this individual back, when the call of the wild strikes, as they can not be counted on to stay put, and will be moving on. The ability to follow through on ideas and intentions is a weakness. Fickle and hot headed would be adjectives to describe this person, with their head in the clouds instead of reality. This person can be boastful and talk a great story, that people are often ready to believe.

However, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, no matter how loveable, high spirited, naive, and imaginative and well-meaning this individual may be, the ability to follow through on ideas, and intentions are not all actualized into reality.
The Knight of Wands is neither a follower nor a leader.
He or she is self-absorbed, and boredom soon overtakes them, with no interest or desire to be responsible toward another, particularly in a relationship.


Often we can get addicted to excitement and even to crisis, drawn to being in a constant a state of hyper-vigilance. We loose sight of what is important to us, and are carried away by the moment. Then we become bored with our circumstance, and seek another kind of excitement, which can lead to a superficial and rather chaotic lifestyle, that is briefly satisfying, but does not sustain any kind of real happiness.  

Discernment and caution is strongly suggested if you are involved with this person. Although if you are aware and accepting of these character defects, then you are more likely to enjoy them, without having the unrealistic expectations of someone, who either can not, or will not give you what you want. There is nothing that is more crazy making, especially if you are in a love relationship with this kind of person.


The Knight of Wands can signify that these qualities mentioned, are trying to emerge from the self, or the Knight's positive attributes, such as meeting new challenges, need to be developed within one's own personality. The message is get out and explore. Go on a personal pilgrimage and follow your heart. You might unexpectedly find yourself!

“The geographical pilgrimage is the symbolic acting out an inner journey. The inner journey is the interpolation of the meanings and signs of the outer pilgrimage. One can have one without the other. It is best to have both.” - Thomas Merton

Seven of Wands - Carpe Diem!

 The Seven of Wands is the card of the underdog. A one time or another, most of us have felt like the underdog. It is not a good feeling, especially if you are not confident enough to believe that you can take advantage of the circumstances, feeling are overwhelmed or paralyzed by self-doubt, uncertainty, or hesitate to take  control of your situation.

In contrast, having an over-inflated ego in regards to what you have already achieved is an attitude that can be just a detrimental. Comparing yourself, and being consumed with jealousy simply creates resentment and bitterness, that we cannot afford.

We cannot control any one, but ourselves, it is a waste on energy and time. Putting your ideas and creative energy into action will enable a good outcome, in spite of the brewing trouble ahead.

Enlist the help from those you have confidence in and in whom you trust. Don't be fearful of some stiff competition or envy from others. Value your own ambition, and competitive instinct. Being challenged is an opportunity for growth and to make an idea work.

 Seize the day! Carpe Diem!

 

Four of Wands - Reward & Harvest

Wands are the suit of action, energy, and growth. Often we can feel overwhelmed by daunting challenges and tasks. But, when we achieve these difficult tasks we feel wonderful, and can celebrate what we have achieved.

Not unlike Jason in the Four of Wands, who pursues and eventually captures the Golden Fleece, along with his trusted friends who help him, we can not do it alone, without the direct or even indirect help and support of others. The saying, " It takes a village to raise a child. " comes to my mind.

We need to find strength, creative vision, intelligence, deep feeling, and empathy; all the individual characteristics of each one of Jason's trusted friends. If not from our real friends, we can draw from our inner resources that are available to us in order to reach our goal. When we discipline ourselves, applying hard effort and work, with these resources, we will reap and harvest the rewards and we will find freedom. However, keep in mind that this is just a stage on our journey, and harder challenges lie ahead , before we reach our final goal.

No matter how big or small the challenge facing you, you can achieve it through faith, and having a belief in yourself. Breaking it down into steps helps a great deal, and the task at hand will not be so overwhelming. Try not to worry about the future, nor regret the past, as there is nothing that will drive you more crazy. Live in the present moment, and do what you need to do with concerted effort, and if you need help or even moral support, ask your trusted friends. They are sure to help you. After all, friends help friends.

Demeter is the goddess of the harvest