Message in a Bottle 15

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Leah

This weeks cards are the Two of Swords, The Wheel of Fortune and the Ten of Pentacles.

The message in the bottle reads:-
“Close your eyes to find the truth”

Each of these cards in on friendly terms with its neighbour. The Wheel of Fortune as the trump card is the strongest in the set.

Immediately in this spread we see that both of the minor arcana card characters have their eyes covered.

The Two of Swords is a fascinating card and one that I personally find frustrating! Whenever it comes up in my own readings there is a sense that I am looking and looking but not really seeing. The information I am requesting from the universe is already clearly there but for some reason I’m blind to it. There can also be an element of not wanting to see what you don’t want to see.

But if we look at the card closely we see that it is guiding us very specifically. A woman in white sits upon a stone pedestal. Her arms are crossed over her chest and she holds two swords.

Represented astrologically by the Moon in Libra, this character seems to evoke a sense of balance. Whilst the swords appear heavy, she seems to have found her centre so that they do not weigh her down or knock her off balance. The sea and rocks behind her depict a sense of emotional disturbance. The moon is out, it is night and she seems to be weighing up a difficult decision. Her pale dress suggests that she is attempting to appear neutral, the blindfold stops her from judging with her eyes instead of her heart. The presence of the sea and the moon along with the blindfold all show that the message of the card is that this decision requires you to consult your feelings. This is one of those times where logic and a list of pros and cons won’t work. You must tune in to what you really feel in order to come to the correct decision.

And sometimes this is where we get stuck because our emotions are tricky, chaotic and can seemingly lead us astray. Sometimes they are just too overwhelming and we don’t know what lurks beneath.

The Two of Swords can indicate you are living a lie. When we lie to ourselves we tune out our screaming emotions that know only too well what the truth is. Forced out of play, it becomes harder to trust that we are making the right decision about anything else in our lives. When you live a lie, the part of you that knows will shout constantly. It’s like living near a noisy road. Over time you stop hearing the traffic. When you stop listening to yourself however the unheard voice becomes more and more insistent, working its way into your dreams and fears and sometimes into your body to manifest as dis-ease.

What are you not seeing? What is the truth?

The Ten of Wands has a different quality but a similar theme. Here we have Saturn in Sagittarius. The bouncy exuberance of Sagittarius has been held down by Saturn.

In the picture we see a man stumbling ahead blindly carrying a huge pile of batons. All of them show fresh growth so whilst he is weighed down he has also been very productive. This card shows up when you have many projects happening all at once, when your boss asks you to take on a project that no one else wants to do. It’s there when you find yourself saying you’d rather do it yourself to make sure it’s done properly. It’s a writer overwhelmed with stories, poems, articles and script ideas. It does seem like he is going to make it home despite the situation but we want to shout at him to put the burden down!

But perhaps he can’t because then he’d have to see what’s around him. Maybe this guy needs to bury himself in his work so that he doesn’t have to feel (avoiding the Two of Swords). Maybe he cannot let go because he’s too afraid of losing something or missing out. Maybe he is just blind to the possibility of what could happen if he lightened the load. Maybe he’s afraid of being seen as a failure (a very Saturnian thought).

The sphinx in the Wheel of Fortune catches my eye. Sometimes this card to me is like an old stone full of fossils and crystals. Turning it one way and another I see different things depending on the light. Traditionally this card is like the great time keeper of the Tarot. Ruled by Jupiter it indicates that time and the Fates are in fact working always for our benefit. Jupiter is the great benefic, the guru, a wise professor who shows us the way when we are ready for it. Sometimes this card can indicate the time is right to make a change.

What I notice today is that the sphinx has her sword pointed to the eagle in the top right hand corner of the card. The eagle represents Scorpio. Scorpio
is about letting go, analysing one’s mind, not being afraid to chart murky waters in order to get the truth. Scorpio is a truth seeker.

Notice how each of the symbols of the cardinal signs (and the four archangels) have a book of knowledge at their fingertips. What we need to know is available to us if we choose to listen.

I notice also that there are two number 10′ in this reading. 10 is an unusual number because it is both culmination and beginning. 1 + 0 = 1. Once we complete a cycle we simply start a new one. As the wheel indicates, time doesn’t stop – the earth doesn’t stop turning, everything changes.

Both the Two of Swords and the Ten of Wands are cards of transition. Whilst the Two of Swords may indicate a stalemate even this too will be broken. Nothing can stay the same forever. The man in the Ten of Wands cannot carry his heavy burden much longer. He may be ok now but over time his health will suffer and he may be forced to lay down his load or ask for help.

For time will change everything. The question is whether you choose to change it yourself or whether the universe will change it for you. The latter option can be the action of the Wheel of Fortune. Luck, Fate, Karma are words we use to describe this kind of intervention from on high.

If you don’t know what to do, sit quietly and turn within. Put down your responsibilities for just 20 minutes and quietly ask

What is the truth?

Close your eyes and let your inner guru guide you.

“When you reach the heart of life you shall find beauty in all things, even in the eyes that are blind to beauty.”
Kahlil Gibran

Sunset meditation photo by HaPe_Gera on Flickr

Message in a Bottle 14

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Leah

This weeks cards are the Six of Cups, The Queen of Wands and The Devil

The Message in the bottle reads:-
“Reclaim your passion”

As I look at the Queen of Wands today I am immediately reminded of the recent powerful Aries New Moon and the current heavy planetary emphasis on this sign. As I write, we currently have Uranus, Mars, Black Moon Lilith, the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury all in this energetic sign.

I love the Six of Cups. One of it’s traditional meanings is that it represents the past. It speaks of bygone times, the good ol’ days. Sometimes there is a sense of looking back with rose tinted glasses.

The picture itself is quite interesting. We see a tall young man giving a huge chalice filled with flowers to a small elderly woman. The elderly woman wears gloves which suggests there is something untouchable about this card – a memory which cannot be tainted. This card relates to the Sun in Scorpio astrologically. Scorpio is renowned for forgetting nothing, both good and bad. The Sun in Scorpio could be said to be passion with a purpose.

I am struck by how small the woman is compared to the tall young man. It is though roles have reversed. It makes me think how positive memories stand out and seem larger than life. There is a sense of nostalgia.

The yellow hue of the card and the white flowers suggest happiness, possibly a time of innocence. Sometimes the card links back to childhood memories, at other times it’s about simply looking back and counting your blessings. It’s about recalling the good things that have happened, the friendships made, love connections. The gift of flowers denotes the gift of love, a hand of friendship, a moment when someone honoured you for exactly who you are.

The Queen of Wands wears a yellow dress. Dressed in the sunshine of the past now she holds her own flowers. The creatures carved into her throne above her head seem to be dancing. The lion like figure on the left of her throne appears to reach out to the Six of Cups although the queen has her head turned towards the Devil. I wonder if she is taking the best of her past and allowing herself to finally embrace her inner passion.

Scorpio, Aries and Capricorn (The Devil) are all very driven signs. Right now, the up-rush of Aries offers initiation, courage, a pioneering spirit, creativity, heat, impulse and will. The Queen reminds us that we all have this essential spark within.

I notice the flaming brand in the Devil’s left hand. Once again we have a sense of heat. The strong sexual imagery is provocative. Whilst the Devil is often feared in a reading, he can in fact have a very positive aspect – passion. The Devil is deeply seductive, he revels in experience. Deliciously lusty and powerfully aware of his own sexuality, he can move mountains with the force of his will. Sexual power is creative power. Connected to our creative-sexual centre, we become fired up, able to take on anything.

‘Reclaim Your Passion’ jumped out at me as soon as I set these cards down. The three together seem to speak of a deep need to rekindle a flame, to bring back the sparkle in your eye. The Aries force pushes us onwards and upwards. We cannot go backwards but we can use the memory of the past to motivate us.

It is easy to become locked in the glamour of the past, to believe that our best years are long gone, to feel like we cannot recapture the exuberance of youth. But that spark is there – you just need to dig a little deeper.

The Devil reminds us that he’s not all bad. Sometimes it is necessary that we let lose the chains of conformity, routine and reserve in order to embrace our own inner beast. If we chain up our creative spark, the Devil will goad us anyway through fear and anger.

If you are feeling a little lacklustre, revisit those things from the past that once moved you. Recall the good times and try to identify what it was about those times that made them such a positive experience.

Check in with your creative self. What did you love doing as a child – before you became a partner, a lover, a parent, a grandmother? What moved you and motivated you? What music did you listen to? Did you once draw, paint, dance, cook, sew, build boats, fix cars? Was there a band you loved, a film genre you adored, a view that made your heart skip? Did you speak out for a cause or political party? Did you fight for your rights? Make a creative date with yourself where you allow yourself to re-member. Tune into your passion.

Push forward, let loose. Go on, be a Devil

Passion
It lies in all of us
Sleeping
Waiting
And though unwanted
Unbidden
It will stir
Open its jaws
And howl
It speaks to us
Guides us
Passion rules us all
And we obey
What other choice do we have
Passion is the source of our finest moments
The joy of love
The clarity of hatred
And the ecstasy of grief
It hurts sometimes more than we can bear
If we could live without passion
Maybe we’d know some kind of peace
But we would be hollow
Empty rooms
Shuttered, dank
Without passion
We’d be truly dead

The above is a speech given by the character Angelus in Buffy the Vampire Slayer – episode “Passion”. Written by Joss Whedon

Message in a Bottle 13

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Leah

This weeks cards are the Six of Swords, the Eight of Pentacles and the Three of Wands.

The message in the bottle reads
“Practice Your Art – Shine your Light”

The Six of Swords is on unfriendly terms elementally with the Eight of Pentacles. The Eight of Pentacles is neutral to the Three of Wands. This makes the Three of Wands the strongest card in the set.

As I look at the Six of Swords today, he doesn’t feel quite so relaxed as he does sometimes. It feels like he has his head up looking at the trees in the distance and that he’s paddling quite fast. I look at the huddled figures in the boat and they seem rather cold. I find myself wondering whether he has blisters on his hands.

Mercury in Aquarius (the astrological counterpart to this card) can be slightly anxious and wired). It feels electric.

I have a new pair of boots and I find that these are gathering static, giving me little electric shocks as I walk around the office. Perhaps it is the ‘unfriendliness’ of the Earthy Eight of Pentacles sitting beside the swords that is prompting me to remember this. The combination is producing static and interference. I feel like the man in the boat is irritated by the wind. He is trying to protect his family by getting to the shore as fast as possible but their distress hampers him. There’s a sense that he has bundled them into the boat insisting that this is a great idea and he’s trying not to notice that they aren’t very happy.

I think the problem is that he is focusing on the goal too much. The tree tops continue to leap out at me. He wants to get there, build a nest, settle in and to know he has achieved what he wanted to achieve. Aquarius in astrology rules the 11th house of friends, group work and goals. Normally the skills we have learned in our career, the success we have achieved in the 10th house of the astrological chart then moves to the 11th house where we distribute what we have learned. Instead of working for ourselves we begin to work for the community.

But I don’t think the boatman has done this. He’s aiming straight for the top
without doing the ground work and this is causing distress.

The Eight of Pentacles as the centre card reminds us that it is important to learn to do the job well. With the Sun in Virgo, this young man willingly gives of himself. There are no airs and graces, no delusions of grandeur. The Eight of Pentacles shows that it is only by hard work, dedication and practice that we can achieve competency and eventually skill. The pentacle on the floor may be flawed but it has not distracted him. He has recognised his mistake and now works hard to correct it and perfect his art. Unlike my feeling of the boatman, this young man has his eyes fixed firmly on the task at hand. Nothing distracts him. He is in the moment and devoting all his concentration to his work. The message from the Eight is practice makes perfect.

It reminds me of playing the guitar and learning new songs. With a lot of fire in my chart I tend to want to be able to do things straight away! I can become irritated with my fingers not moving quickly enough or accurately enough. But I know that repeated practice will fix the problem however dull it may seem.

Malcolm Gladwell postulated in his book ‘Outliers’ that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something. So for example if you practice something for 3 hours a day it would take around 9 years to become an ‘expert’. This is the kind of detail the Eight of Pentacles is interested in. Whilst the Six of Swords just wants to get there (wherever ‘there’ is), the Eight has a very clear idea of what it will take to get there. Much like the calluses on my guitar fingers, the apprentice in the card has taught his hands to do the work they need to do. He has worked through the soreness and mistakes to create the perfect piece over and over again.

With this solid growth behind him, the Eight can move on to the Three of Wands. We see the character in this card from behind as he stares out across a wide river into the distance. We wonder if he is waiting for his ship to come in. A mountain range gently peeks across the horizon. There is an expansive feel to the card which suggests to me the openness of the man in the picture. He is open to what may happen on the journey and the journey itself is something to desire. Unlike the Six of Swords, it’s not all about the end result. The Mountains are so far away that it may take many years to reach them but this character seems courageous enough and inspired enough to cross the river into the lands beyond. He is supported by all that he has learned so far (symbolised by the wands) and willing to branch out.

The three wands behind him are strong and in bud symbolising he is embarking on a journey of growth. Three’s also tend to suggest being open to the ideas of others and being willing to share and develop ones own ideas in a supportive environment. Three is a number of creativity – when two people come together and create a child, they become three. This card relates to the creative spark, the urge to spread your seed, vision, the ability to look ahead. Astrologically this card is the Sun in Aries so we have two cards representing the Sun in this spread.

The Sun is about our life purpose. In an astrological chart it’s position shows where we ‘shine’. The Sun is exalted in Aries which means that it works extremely well in this position. The sense of purpose of the Sun filtered through the courageous, go getting, pioneering energy of Aries can be very powerful.

These three cards together seem to be reminding us to be willing to put the work in, in order to reach our goals. Sometimes there is no substitute for hard work. Whilst it is important to be aware of our final goal, it is our actions in the present that will carry us there. Sometimes being overly fixed on an exact vision can hamper growth. We need to be humble and realistic of the skills we have now and what we need to develop and master. By focusing on the now and not just on the future, it is possible that our final goal may shift into something better than we ever dreamed of initially.

Each of us has a purpose and we have an obligation to ourselves to fulfil our
potential. By mastering our skills, the world is opened up to us. We don’t know until we try, how far we can go and how much we can grow.

Note – My reading of the Six of Swords in this spread is based on intuitive impressions. For a more traditional exploration of the card check back to Message in a Bottle 7.

Message in a Bottle 12

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Leah

This week’s cards are The Four of Wands, the Four of Swords and the Ten of Pentacles.

The message in the bottle reads:-
“Be in the moment”

After last week’s major card reading, this week is balanced by a rather less dramatic minor card readings. The Four of Wands is the strongest card in the reading as it is elementally on friendly terms with the Four of Swords. The Four of Swords however is on unfriendly terms with the Ten of Pentacles, leaving the latter the weakest card in the reading.

What is noticeable straight away is the presence of two 4′s in the readings. Whenever a reader lays out the cards, it is important to take note of repeated numbers as these have special significance. Sometimes a number will be repeated through the Minor Arcana as we have here. At other times they may show up with Major Arcana cards. For example, the constellation of 4 in the tarot connects to The Emperor and Death as well as the four 4′s in the suits.

Four is a number often used to denote a sense of stability and protection. We talk about being ‘within these four walls’. Four also represents the four elements which are the building blocks of life (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) and the Four Seasons.

Yet Four can also be stifling, suffocating and stagnant. Think of the Four of Cups and the Four of Pentacles. Both show a need for change yet neither are moving towards that change.

In this reading there seems to be a weight on the idea of stability through the reoccurance of the number 4 and the final Ten of Pentacles.

The Four of Wands often comes out to show a celebration, typically a birthday or a wedding. It can also simply represent ‘Spring’ when timing is requested. The card itself shows four wands struck into the ground which are adorned with flowers and ribbons. They form a gateway into the card. In the distance we see a happy couple waving festive wreaths. Nearby, people are gathered together talking or perhaps dancing. In the background is a huge castle. There is a sense that everyone is protected by the King and there is much to celebrate.

It’s funny, as I look at the Four of Wands today, it feels as though the couple in the card are happily waving goodbye – as if I have been at their wedding party. I’ve had a good time, people are still having fun but I’m leaving early because I have work tomorrow and I need to sleep (Four of Swords). Perhaps I am overly concerned about my health or perhaps I am anticipating a long and healthy life with plenty of time to enjoy other things when I’m older…

The Ten of Pentacles represents security. It is a culmination of a lifetime’s work, achievement, reaching the top, stability and tradition.

In the card we see an elderly man with two adoring dogs at his feet. He wears a highly adorned cloak and fruit sits on the table behind him. The fruits of his labours have paid off. This home (his castle) is strong, fortified and opulent.

The memories of his journey and his triumphs are rendered into paintings on the walls. In the grand archway entrance stands a middle aged couple. A young child cheekily reaches to pull a dogs tail. All are overarched and therefore protected by the bounty of a lifetime’s work.

The cheeky child perhaps represents the mistakes we all make when we are young. The older generation can pass down everything they have learned as well as the financial stability/inheritance in order to secure a fruitful future for the child. This card is represented by Mercury in Virgo astrologically and therefore says something about communicating our life skills.

What stands out to me however is that the middle aged couple in the Ten of Pentacles seem like they are an older version of the happy wedding couple seen in the Four of Wands. Perhaps there is something here about valuing our health (Four of Swords) as much as we value our material achievements. Possibly it is about holding a more humble mindset to what we consider to be financial success (Ten of Pentacles/Mercury in Virgo).

But with the Ten of Pentacles being the least well placed card in the reading, I am drawn back to the Four of Wands, back to the feeling of leaving the party early in order to be ready for work the following day. In one way of course this is sensible but there is a strong suggestion that I may be deferring happiness for a future that may not come.

In old age, it is doubtful that we will recall the daily grind. The stories we will tell and the memories we will treasure are those which were full of celebration and joy: moments when we kicked back and relaxed with friends and family. Whilst it is wonderful to have an inheritance to pass down, the greatest gift we will give to our loved ones is our presence in their lives. Perhaps one of the greatest life skills we can offer is the knowledge of how to simply be in the now and enjoy the moment. The party is only just beginning!

Message in a Bottle 8

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Leah

This weeks cards are the Three of Cups, the King of Swords and the Seven of Wands.

The Message in the bottle reads:-
“Your friends are your reflection”

Elementally speaking, the Three of Cups and the King of Swords are on neutral terms, the King of Swords and the Seven of Wands are on friendly terms. The Seven of Wands then is the strongest card in the set

This is an interesting set of cards and it immediately made me think about the concept of friendship.

The Three of Cups shows three characters raising their chalices to the sky in a toast. They wear rich flowing cloaks, there is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables surrounding them on the ground. The character on the right of the card seems to be holding a basket of freshly picked fruits. The sky is blue. There is a feeling of joy and togetherness. We don’t know what they are celebrating. Maybe it’s a birth, May day, a birthday, a good harvest. Whatever the reason, these people are rejoicing in being together and sharing a special, happy moment.

Mercury in Cancer takes the meaning of the card deeper. In a natal chart, this would suggest someone who expresses themselves emotionally but who chooses their words carefully in order to protect the feelings of others. They are the listeners of the zodiac who will remember the special things you tell them – and won’t repeat them. Their words will make you feel loved and protected.

Your friends are the family you choose.

As the King of Swords says, we must therefore choose our friends wisely. Ruled by Aquarius, the King represents the sign that presides over the 11th house of friendship.

The King sits squarely facing us, eyes steady, body slightly tense. The upraised sword in his right hand shows he is ruled by his intellect (an Air sign) yet on his throne we can see carvings of a butterfly, crescent moons and an ephemeral (perhaps angelic?) character that sits above his left shoulder seemingly whispering in his ear. There is a sense that although the King is ruled by logic, he knows the fragility and beauty of love. He is aware of his anima. He is not heartless or emotionless, simply able to put his emotions behind him if necessary in order to deal with the issue at hand.

As the 11th house in astrology rules friendships, so it also rules our goals and wishes. The best friendships accept us for who we are but also positively encourage us to move to a higher place and fulfil our potential. True friends are the ones who support your dream, treasure your vision of the future and love the uniqueness of YOU. A true friend will stand aside when necessary and yet will be there to catch you when you fall. Because they see you from the outside, they help to offer you a different perspective. The strength and stillness of the trees despite the billowing clouds shows how true friendship endures, even when the winds of change blow or a storm breaks.

The Seven of Wands is a card that talks of testing and courage. In the card we can see our character has reached the top of a mountain. It looks as though he is defending his position from others indicated by the wands at the front of the scene. He carries his staff in a position of defence, prepared and at the ready to do battle if he must. All the wands contain buds showing that this card is one of creativity. He’s fired up and ready for anything. Some people call the Seven of Wands the writer’s card.

Astrologically this is Mars in Leo which could be read as fierce pride. This card shows the part of us that will fight to retain our position. It shows how we must stand up to the final test, push on through the last hurdle, strive to stay at the top of our game.

Within friendships, sometimes it can help to have a little friendly competition. A buddy who checks in to see how you’ve done, a mate who supports your new endeavour and who will pull you up if you haven’t played your part. Mars in Leo is big hearted, slaps you on the back to encourage you and will make you feel powerful enough to achieve anything. A friend like this will also have no qualms about letting you know if you have got too big for your boots!

But then there are other friends who somehow always seem to pull you down, who don’t want you to have the limelight even if they don’t want it themselves. These are the kinds of people who find it difficult to celebrate your good fortune, to congratulate you on a job well done.

Looking at the three cards, there is a strong sense that it may be important to maintain boundaries in friendships, to be aware of what is and what isn’t acceptable. If you are constantly on the defence with someone, what does this say about the quality of friendship?

They say that our personalities are a mix of the five people we spend the most time with. Take a look at your friendships. What do you think they say about who you are as a person? Rejoice in the loving connections you have made. Make time to appreciate the friends you have. They are central players in your autobiography. But don’t be afraid to cut ties if someone is not willing to celebrate your victories as well as commiserate your losses

Lua Tarot

Living, loving and learning tarot

Category Archives: Suit: Wands

Message in a Bottle 15

Message in a Bottle 14

Message in a Bottle 13

Message in a Bottle 12

Message in a Bottle 8