Death - Change and The River Styx

I always have a little chuckle when I draw this card because this depiction of the Death really does look like Darth Vader.

No, it's not Darth Vader, but Hades, lord of the underworld, brother to Zeus, and he was also called Pluto, which means 'riches', because his realm is full of hidden wealth.

Most people who aren't familiar with the Major Arcana card Death, are immediately fearful of this image in a reading, because it's taken literally, believing it's a foreboding prediction of a physical death. This is simply not the case. It's the card of transition and represents a coming to grips with what it entails, by accepting and opening ourselves to the door that's closing, and to another door that's opening.

Transition is often not so easy, depending on our capacity to accept and recognize, endings are necessary, and can also present an opportunity for deep personal growth and a new life, if we can find a way over time to let go of the old one.

One thing for certain about change, is that it's constantly in flux, and ever present in our lives, whether we like it or not. I don't think there is any one who is always comfortable knowing this fact, whether the change is positive or negative, as it's often difficult to accept.


We all have and develop our own comfort zones, that we might see as being threatened by change. Most of us, depending on what the change is we're presented with, will resist and deny, which often can make things more difficult, especially if we're not willing to go with the flow or we can't wear the world as a loose garment.

The stage of change brings sadness and mourning, represented by The River Styx and is as necessary as joy and celebration.

"We change our behaviour when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing."

      - Henry Cloud

 Apple River - Catherine Meyers

Death - "Luke I Am Your Father"

Death is the counterpart of life. It's certainly just as important as life, if not more so. A life well lived helps us to we learn how to die. Life and death are not in opposition but walk closely in relationship, hand in hand transforming one another if we are open to understanding and accept this powerful relationship.

This Major Arcana card is not about physical death. It represents transformation and rebirth. We are all transforming in different ways, at varying times of our life.

Here we see Hades. Interestingly he is the brother of Zeus, who rescued Hades from certain death and also gave him the kingdom of the Underworld. Hades or Pluto the name he was also called, means 'riches', because his realm was full of hidden riches. He was the one responsible for kidnapping Persephone, Demeter's daughter.

I always have a bit of a giggle when I look at this card because the the helmet makes the dude look like Darth Vader from Star Wars, and of course then I hear, "Luke, I am Your Father".
This helmet that Hades in wearing made him invisible and no mortal could see him.

The Death card doesn't symbolize a 'bad' ending. It represents the in-between state,where we face the reality of loss, before the beginning of a new sense of growth and transformation.

Hades presides over endings and new beginnings. The ending is just as important as the beginning and must be recognized and felt. Death is our invisible companion throughout our life, and this card is symbolic of an opportunity for a new life, if we can let go of the old one.

Woman With The Golden Hair

Ace of Pentacles - New Beginnings

Poseidon, seen here in the Ace of Pentacles, is a real big guy, the son of Cronos and Rhea, brother to Hades and Zeus. He is the "husband of the earth", the god of fertility, of all the waters and of the earth's surface, possessing great power and strength. Poseidon is a mover and a shaker.

All the Aces are powerful, always representing new beginnings and innovative ideas.
Here we find a wellspring of raw energy toward creativity and inspiration. The Ace of Pentacles symbolizes the material plane, in the form of the physical body or monetary things.


Since paying off my mortgage in November I am finally beginning to feel less of a financial burden. Struggling on your own so long is a real challenge. As much as I can stress about this pressure, I really wouldn't have changed it, because it has made me the person I am, and I have come to greatly love, and appreciate the kindnesses of others toward me. I have learned a lot about myself, some positive, some negative, which is all part of the learning process in the cycle of life

The little pleasures have so much to offer us, and if we can't appreciate them, no sum of money, or things will ever bring happiness.
When we are little, we have a true sense of awe, wonder and joy, taking such pleasure in simple things, and time spent with those we love and who love us.
A day at the beach with my little cousins, picking berries, spending time in the garden with my grandfather, exploring the woods, playing with my dog, or feeling such excitement over the first snow fall, were all things I remember, and I think it is important to be in close touch with these things to keep them at the forefront of my mind, knowing it is the simple things and especially our relationships, is where we find real pleasure, happiness and wealth.

 Yesterday I was very sad to learn of the death of another beautiful friend, who was a very kind, down to earth, humble man, who was very much loved and respected. Lately there have been a number of people that have died in our close knit community, that will be greatly missed.

The weather today is very Wintery with a storm in progress, but it doesn't bother me one bit, because I am appreciating the simple things.
I put on a big pot of chili in my slow cooker for supper. I finally got my internet going after being able to get myself a new router yesterday, my car insurance paid, and am well prepared for a power outage or a flat tire because I was able to afford some kerosene for my lamp, and a handy-dandy emergency, portable air compressor, and good sized order of groceries. My good neighbour just arrived to plow me out.

Life is sweet, beautiful, good, and so very transitory. I intend to savour every minute, as it is, for however long it is. I am grateful for life, every day.

Where To Find The Goddess - Persephone (The High Priestess)

After drawing yesterday's card, The High Priestess ( Persephone), I felt compelled to learn more about this Greek Myth and it's meaning. I am heartened by the description of the despair, and grief that was shared between mother and daughter upon their separation, when Persephone had been abducted by Hades. In some interpretations of the Greek myth, Persephone was raped by Hades ( her uncle) and betrayed by her own father, who had set up the whole abduction, without Demeter's or Persephone's knowledge.


I found a really fascinating site that explores the connection between feminism and ancient Greece. There is a lot of discussion and reference to women helping women, and having as much heroism, and even more so in my opinion, as the male heroes in Greek Mythology.

In the development of my own spiritual journey I had been at first more or less comfortable with the idea of God as being male. Then years later my idea changed to seeing the Creator as being non-gendered. Presently, and increasingly, what is very prominent in my psyche, and what is beginning to define my interpretation and perception, is the belief in the Creator as Goddess. Some may feel dismissive of the concept of reclaiming the Goddess as being too 'New Age'. I am not one of these as it now feels very natural and comfortable to me.

I am always lead back to Dr. Clarissa Pinkola's book about myths and stories of the wild Woman Archetype. So I turned today to Women Who Run With The Wolves only to find out that Demeter, who is the Mother Earth Goddess, in her deep despair in searching for her beloved missing daughter Persephone, comes in contact with the dancing Baubo; The Belly Goddess, who makes Demeter smile just a little, which then turns into a big belly laugh. Baubo brought Demeter out of her depression, and helped to restore her energy, so she could continue searching for Persephone. Baubo is drawn from the Neolithic belly Goddesses. You know the ones, without heads, and sometimes no feet or arms? They are talisman of women-talk, the kind of talk that wouldn't happen in the company of men and they are much more than fertility goddesses, but symbols of Matriarchal culture.

Now as a group of united women, the old crone Hecate, the sun Helios, and Baubo all join Demeter in searching for Persephone, and they are ultimately successful in reuniting her with her mother.

" The World, the land, and the bellies of women thrived again " - Dr.Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With The Wolves

Baubo- The Belly Goddess - Catherine Meyers