Saturday Tarot for 21 April 2018

I’ve been feeling a bit in limbo lately so I decided to get more specific with my expectations of my tarot cards. I really prefer to let the cards guide the reading and I don’t ask too many specific questions, but today I decided to ask, so when is this limbo over? I know. I could have worded it better, but as I said before, I usually let the cards decide what I need to know. My Wild Unknown deck was still on my table so I shuffled the cards and drew three cards after which I drew one more for a little more information.

Fire, Earth, and Air comprise the reading with Judgment added as the additional card for further clarity. And to make matters more complicated, two of the initial cards are Court Cards. The Father of Pentacles and the Father of Wands surround the 6 of Swords. Court cards can either represent the individual depicted by the card or the qualities thereof. I see them as masculine or feminine, representing the promise of youth and the responsibility or legacy of adulthood. The overall numerology for the reading is eight, or practical matters. Am I in limbo because I’m overwhelmed by all the weeding I still need to do? Or am I in limbo because there’s so much that I can’t yet do? We live at roughly 3000 feet above sea level on the high desert. While the big box stores are full of flowers, shrubs, and veggies to plant, only the very naive expect that they can plant them. We’re at least three weeks away from even the hardiest plants surviving a killing frost.

The Father of Pentacles, depicted as a noble stag, a King in other decks, stands resolutely, his antlers shining in elemental balance while a black pentacle radiates above. The stag depicts power and discipline and traditional interpretations involve a King that is responsible and productive and a powerful ruler. This card can represent an older male adult in a position of authority or it can represent the qualities of a disciplined life. Or it could suggest ways to express authority in a positive manner.

The 6 of Swords in this deck is so different from other traditional decks that typically depict a journey taken over water. But the artist, Kim Krans, saw something else because this card shows the swords in a heap on the ground. A rainbow arches over a darkened background suggesting harmony, balance, and hope. We’ve left behind thoughts that no longer serve and moved into a greater awareness of Self. With this card’s presentation, the message is less about a journey and more about the awareness of what already is.

In keeping with Krans’s use of wildlife to depict many of the scenes on the cards, the Father of Wands appears as a cobra, coiled and rising as if to strike. A gold and red lightning bolt strikes near him as he appears to protect a single crude wand. Traditional interpretations involve a King whose fiery temperament may be cruel at times but also influences the warrior in battle. But more often, the King can be resolute in his protection of others when his pride doesn’t get in the way.

Life is a series of experiences that lead us on the path of remembrance of Self in the greater unified presence of the Creator. This reading is full of male energy that if ill-dignified can suggest placing personal power over compassion and unity which is why I decided to add a fourth card to the reading. It feels like there’s a greater message here than simply how to effectively process masculine or projective energy without causing all sorts of problems.

Judgment has been retitled in other decks to Rebirth and the Aeon most likely because if we’re already extensions of the Creator in form, whyever would judgment be part of the equation? It’s not that a life review won’t take place, but it’s a loving experience. With free will, we have the ability to choose as we like the experiences we have. The only judgment occurs here whereas a more neutral observation might make life far easier than it is. Experiences would be just that, experiences, neither good or bad. They just are. But what I love about this card, even with the title, is the white dove of peace that rises high above the fray to bring awakening and truth.

And now I know what this is about. We can lose sight of who we are when we refuse to see the good in others and when we don’t see them as the other-side-of-self. When masculine energy reaches a toxic level, feelings of love and compassion can fall by the wayside. It’s a terrible place to be, really, to focus solely on the self to the exclusion of others. The 6 of Swords indicates that there’s a better way. Let go of the mindset that’s been preventing love from entering. The suit of Swords represents intellect and communication, so it’s counseling us to be mindful of our words and their effect upon others. Are we engaging in a loving manner with others? Are we expressing compassion in our daily lives? If not, then we might want to consider doing so.

As for the limbo…it’s probably the menopause…some motherwort tincture should help…or it’s that I’m experiencing too many toxic men in my life.

Blessed Be