The Paulina Tarot
Perhaps one of the most beautiful decks I’ve ever seen, Paulina Cassidy’s utterly charming Paulina Tarot invokes nature and the faery realm. I thought I would wait before posting a reading here, to give me more time to align with the deck’s energy, but it drew me in immediately, so here we are. I decided to use a six-card format with the upper three cards devoted to Spirit, and the lower three cards focused on the mundane aspects of life in physical form.
There are two cards present from the Major Arcana along with one from each suit or element and the overall numerology is six or Higher Self energies in play. So, without further ado, let’s begin with the upper row of Spirit.
We being the upper row of Spirit with the 10 of Wands where a startled young man looks up from adding to his heavy burden. He carries not only ten staffs, but he’s gathering large rocks along his way while a whimsical animal, tongue panting, rests at his side. Interesting round trees line the forest’s edge while a flower wilts before him. The 10 of Wands describes many burdens, suggesting that we’ve taken on too much. Although a common theme for many of us, in the upper row of Spirit, the 10 of Wands is suggesting that we be certain of our direction and the choice we make in its manifestation. Perhaps a new approach is needed.
The 4 of Swords illustrates the Victorian appearance of Cassidy’s female characters. How she dresses these women alone is both feminine and stunning in their beauty. Two swords frame a woman emerging through a doorway. She wears a helmet with flames rising upward behind her head. Two of the swords point to Spirit while a snake-like dove of peace swoops down on the other two swords pointing downward into physical matter. Diamonds, circles, spirals, and moons adorn her gown representing elemental influences while two bees rest at her feet. The 4 of Swords illustrates a woman seeking respite from conflict, appearing weary and overwhelmed.
The Queen of Cups illustrates a life contained within a droplet of emotion. The Queen looks thoughtfully at a golden chalice she holds in her right hand. She wears a crown of spirals and roses, her robe depicting spirals and moons. The lower part of her gown depicts the emotional inner nature of her life, flowing and changing. Shells and aquatic life are in abundance while fish rise up from the water transitioning into birds while two mermaids observe their trek. Small hills with barren-looking trees rise in the distance at the water’s edge while ripened grain appears to surround our Queen. The Queen of Cups denotes tranquility and calm, a natural witch and empath, imaginative and extraordinary. She manifest purity of Spirit offering compassion to all.
It’s not easy to live in form, particularly if we don’t remember that we are indeed Spirit and derive our inner strength and determination from that truth. Although we begin the reading with many burdens, a new approach is taken and we seek respite when necessary. The Queen reinforces the inner alignment found in the 4 of Swords suggesting we begin there.
Moving to the lower row of physical form and the more mundane aspects of life, we begin with Judgment, the 20th card from the Major Arcana where we see a young mermaid perched atop a cleaver-like flower. She is surrounded by two curving trees filled with multicolored orbs, new souls waiting their incarnation. We come full circle with Judgment, illustrated by the lemniscate appearance of the trees themselves. The cycle of birth and death, of rebirth and transformation, of forgiveness and awakening are depicted by Judgment.
The Magician flows forth into creation, her alchemical tools before her, as she manifests her flowery world. An owl perches on her hair, a lemniscate visible above his head while a butterfly lifts her hair to the winds. She holds an ornate wand in her right hand, it’s yellow-orbed tip glowing and radiant. Surrounded by faeries and elementals, a golden bird delivers a message. This beautiful card suggests alchemical manifestation, intention, and the possibility of.
A flowered haired woman appears in thought in the 7 of Pentacles as she observes seven sunflowers growing before her. Her bluish gown is adorned by rounded shapes as it flows around her. The woman is taking stock of all that she’s grown, its progress and the growth yet to be. Its message is to not only trust the natural process but to be alert to the unexpected should it arise.
Cycles of transition and rebirth exist in the as above so below nature of existence. We are forever Spirit inhabiting a body for a chosen time and purpose. We are forever Spirit informing who we are and how we see self and others. We began this lower row of cards understanding the cyclical nature of life followed by manifesting our world with intention and balance. From there, we mirror the respite found in the upper Spirit level with the 4 of Swords in the 7 of Pentacles as we return to our still point and take stock of where we are.
Overall, it’s alignment with Spirit or Source Presence that keeps us on the right path and free from judgment toward or conflict with others. This truth is also reinforced by the overall numerology of six or Higher Self influence. The upper row of Spirit reflects change with its numerology of five signaling the change we go through in manifestation. The lower row reflects new beginnings with its numerology of one. And we can see Spirit informing our existence with the presence of both Judgment and the Magician reinforcing our alignment on our path of Spirit.
I don’t know about all of you, but I love this deck. And I can’t wait to use it again and again.
Blessings to all!
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Thank you... Jan Erickson
