I’m beginning preparations for a Free Beginner’s Tarot Talk on Thursday, November 26^th. What could be better than starting a learning experience with the Tarot by using my current study deck, the ‘Osho Zen Tarot’.  This beautiful deck was a birthday present from my partner earlier this month. This morning, while focusing on the question: ‘What do I need to know about my upcoming Tarot talk?’, I drew the 5 of waters. The card is entitled ‘Clinging to the Past”. This answer to my question reminds me to enjoy the experience for what it is and not to dwell on it or cling to it. It will soon be upon me and then gone. I also need to know that I must ‘think outside the box’. What I’ve been clinging to as far as expectations for this talk may not come to fruition. The feelings that emerge may be new or unexpected.  

If you’re interested in attending a Tarot Talk for Beginners, please contact me at whitesagetarot@gmail.com or at 519-217-7243. The talk is on Thursday, November 26^th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in my space in Orangeville, Ontario. R.S.V.P. is required.

I spent a few hours this morning working through the Fruit of Wisdom Tarot Layout from Christine Jette’s book “Tarot for All Seasons”. The process led me to create statements and affirmations from the six cards I drew. It was an empowering process. For example, in position 2, which focuses on that which we cannot change, I drew Justice reversed. The phrase that immediately came to mind was: “Accept that sometimes life isn’t fair. Deal with it.”

By the end of my time with the Tarot this morning, I had six distinct statements that summarized my work this morning. I have typed them out and placed them in a prominent place in my home. I invite you to try this process with your favourite spread. Feel free to comment on the process.

On a personal note, my partner gave me the Osho Zen Tarot for my birthday. Can’t wait to begin studying another deck!

For those interested, I’m holding a Tarot talk in my space on Thursday, November 26^th at 7:00. Please contact me at whitesagetarot@gmail.com for more information.

Seven of Pentacles - RWS

I often find myself reflecting on times of the year and looking for links to the Tarot. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving this past weekend.

By reaping the fruits of the harvest, we are entering the realm of the seven of Pentacles. It is a card full of connections to personal harvest and cultivation. It is where we reap and sow what we plant. Many Canadians took to the table with family and friends this past weekend. Our neighbours to the south will do so at the end of November. And still others will use this time to give thanks. When you do, remember to ask yourself:

Am I truly thankful for those seeds that I planted?

Do I recognize the bounty that they have brought to me and to others?

The blogs are slowing down again as I move into the domain of the Chariot and ‘move’ residences. Once Kelly, the kids and I have settled into our new home – I will note here the Cancerian link to the Chariot card for all of the astro peeps , I expect to get back to a more regular blog-writing cycle. I will also be looking at running a beginner’s Tarot workshop in Orangeville in November.

These two cards exude youthfulness!

 

What’s going on now – The Fool – The Fool, as the only unnumbered card from the Major Arcana, and one that is often placed at the beginning position in the Tarot deck, often represents a beginning. There is a child-like enthusiasm to the Fool, that tingling we get when we’re about to start a new venture or adventure of some kind. Enjoy that foot-loose and fancy-free feeling as you begin your journey.

 

 

What’s getting in the way – The Page of Swords – The Swords are our mental suit and the Page is the first of four court cards. Our Page can be seen as the sword’s equivalent of the Fool. New ideas, whatever their origin, might sidetrack you from your quest. If you are moving just to move, then make sure that you put those new ideas off to the side for now. If your journey has a destination, stay the course!

RWS Queen of Wands

What’s going on now: Queen of Wands – Wands are conduits of energy. The Queen makes us aware and keeps us in touch with the passionate, creative energies in our lives. This passion might present itself through a role that we play in our own lives or it might be channeled to us through someone else’s creativity.

 

 

 

 

RWS Three of Pentacles

What’s getting in the way: Three of Pentacles – The Three of Pentacles in this position reminds us that it’s OK to accept kudos for the finished product of our creative process. Whether it’s from a self-directed pat on the back or high praise from others, it is important the we relish in the moment and recognize the importance of our innovative accomplishments and not shy away from well-deserved praise.

What’s going on now: XX Judgement – Well, whatever it is that’s going on now, it’s big, and you need to let people know about it by exclaiming it at the top of your lungs. You’ve had a ‘Eureka’ moment that will allow you to blossom with new ideas and insights.

 

 

 

What’s getting in the way: Two of Wands – As big as the moment is, it still involves choosing one idea over another. Robert Frost wrote:

“Two road diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

 Before you shout, pause. Your Eureka moment might be dependent on the path you choose.

What’s going on now: Six of Wands – We’re feeling quite good about ourselves and expressing that clearly. Our self-confidence is a result of our own successes and not at the expense of others.

 

 

 

 

What’s getting in the way: Eight of Pentacles – Well now, this could be summed up in one word: ‘work’ . In this position of challenge, the eight of pentacles reminds us that whatever we define as work can get in the way of expressing ourselves with confidence.  Are we taking the time to enjoy this self-assuredness? Are we caught up in the details and losing sight of the bigger picture?

What’s going on now: Two of Pentacles – Emotional balance is essential. The ability to create harmony is clearly present.

What’s getting in the way: Seven of Cups – It might be that you find you are juggling more than you can handle. Are you taking the time to give some thought to what you really want and eliminating the excess? Are you really sure that what you really want is really what you really want J? Have you chosen to put down some balls with emotional significance and are instead juggling ones that are unimportant?

Queen of Cups

What’s going on now: Queen of Cups – The Queen of Cups places us in a state of emotional awareness and readiness. We have the ability to communicate this state clearly to others and, if necessary, with the full benefit of our imagination. We are prepared to take charge emotionally, if and when we are called upon.

 

 

 

What’s getting in the way: The Chariot – With the above-mentioned emotional confidence, we just might choose to rush in too quickly. We also need to be conscious of the mental swirl going on inside our minds. During this busy time, what can we do to help ourselves remain grounded and focused?

My blog has been dormant for at least a month. It’s certainly not from lack of interest in writing or Tarot. It seems to be more of a time management issue. To rectify, I’m going to try more frequent but shorter entries that focus on two drawn cards. The first card drawn will be in a “What’s going on now” position; the second one in a “what’s getting in the way” position. This two-card spread is based on the first two cards of the very popular ten-card Celtic Cross spread and explored further in Thomson, Mueller and Echols’ The Heart of the Tarot. This is an excellent book that uses a simple system to take a refreshing and in-depth look at the Tarot. I will be referring to it often. Prior to each entry, I will draw two cards and briefly write about their general meanings. Card one will explore the question “What’s going on now” and card two the question “What getting in the way”. As always, I will also ask at least one question for self-reflection. I invite you to explore these cards with me, ask your own specific questions to be explored using this two-card method or comment on the posts. My goal will be to post at least 3 times per week… let’s see how long I can keep it up!

What’s going on: King of Pentacles – In this position, the King of Pentacles denotes current success. The King is the master of his possessions and production. He is in charge. This card highlights practical, financial or material parts of your life where you are in control.

What getting in the way: Page of Pentacles – The Page of Pentacles has sometimes been referred to as the card of study. In this position, ask yourself: Am I too comfortable in the practical areas of my life where I am in control? Would I benefit from an influx of new learning? Is there somewhere I could inject a fresh perspective?