Fool's Journey Day 13
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 12 - The Hanged Man This side: The Hanged Man is suspended from a simple gallows, but not one of death. Notice how calm and serene he appears. His hands are loosely tied and he has voluntarily surrendered here. He has given up control - temporarily - wanting to see things from a different perspective than his own. In a reading: The Hanged Man has the alchemical symbol for sulfer (the soul) on his shirt BUT the symbol is only right side up when he is upside down! This symbol is for you. The Hanged Man is demonstrating how important soul work is and is showing you that you are ready to start. That side: Now it is night but not the dark night of the soul. There is a vast cosmic awareness here. Two men, the acolytes of The Hierophant, standing before him and this is the next stage of their spiritual development. The Hanged Man is their teacher, showing how to give up what they know (Dogma of Church?) and to surrender to the unknowable. In a reading: You could look at the two sides of this card as exhalation and inhalation. On the other side, ego and preconceptions are released. This side, symbols enter the consciousness to be seen more clearly, by a mind with no expectations. Notice, the snake from the Hierophant's cross has come down to earth in this card. Wisdom no longer linked to doctrine. The Hierophant's mask is broken, illusions shattered. What are you now ready to see?
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Fool's Journey Day 12
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 11 - Justice This side: Here Justice sits, blindfolded to stay subjective, on her throne. Her diadem is a solar symbol just over her third eye, illuminating insight. She is sitting in Ma'at's temple, the Egyptian Goddess of Truth. Those at death, come to Ma'at, who will place a feather on one side of the scales and the heart of the dead on the other. If the heart is light, they move on, if not, they are thrown to the jaws of Ammit, the Devourer. Justice's scales are impartial, her only duty is to the truth. In a reading: Right now a situation demands the truth. How does your heart sit on the scales of Justice? There will be no pleas, but she is not cruel. Justice embodies fairness but whatever needs to be done in this situation to make it fair and balanced will be done. Delaying it will only bring hardship to you. That side: On the back of Justice's throne is a carving of Ammit. Like Ma'at, Ammit is fair and just, she only devours those whose heart has determined the outcome. But it looks as though the scales of Justice have been broken here and the sword of truth she holds is trapped. Without Justice, Ammit is free to devour whom she chooses, regardless of innocence or guilt. In a reading: You cannot sneak around Justice. You may get away with it for awhile but the truth will come out eventually. Face it now of your own free will or Justice will cast her verdict for you. This situation is fragile and fraught with danger. Fool's Journey Day 11
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 10 - The Wheel of Fortune This side: The Wheel is carved with symbols that speak to the mysteries of life, death and rebirth. Two Egyptian Gods, snaked-headed Typhon, who brings chaos and destruction and jackal-headed Anubis, who accompanies the dead into the afterlife, stand beside the Sphinx who rests her paw on The Wheel. Because both of the Gods are dressed and have human bodies, they denote a union with the Greek God Hermes, who adds discernment and intelligence to the powers of Typhon and Anubis. As our lives turn on the Wheel, we gain wisdom with each turning. In a reading: The Wheel of Fortune cannot be halted and to be born is to be on the Wheel. The two sides of this card show two approaches to this fact and it cannot be changed. This side speaks to the great mysteries, which can be pondered many lifetimes and still never be fully comprehended. Acceptance of this will bring peace - struggling to understand what is beyond mortal understanding will bring despair. Every time we go around, we learn more and more. That side: The days heat has gone and we are now under starry sky. The Magician stands by the Wheel holding in his right hand the ankh, symbol of life. He calls upon the life force to manifest on Earth, surrounding himself with greenery from a once barren floor. In a reading: The Magician (see card 1) is a master of mysteries but he does not master the Wheel itself. The message is to remember that you are a soul on this earthly journey and you have chosen to ride the Wheel. Use your will in a positive way to influence events to make the most of the ride. Fool's Journey Day 10
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 9 - The Hermit This side: The Hermit lifts his lantern, illuminating the Orphic Egg, mythic egg of creation - from which the Universe is born. His robe is lined in blue, the color of spiritual peace. In a reading: The Hermit shows up when you need to take time for yourself. Solitude and stepping away from the outside world is vital to gain perspective. At this time, make sure your interactions with others are necessary and meaningful, don't break that solitude for the trivial. That side: From the look of the Hermit's robe, it appears he has done some hard travelling to get to the heights he has reached. From the elevation he has achieved the moon lights his way and the lunar goddess opens his mind to what is unseen as well as seen. (the animals here are the same as on the Moon card, further in our travels) In a reading: Much is going on under the surface of things and some of them might even be things you have hidden from yourself. Now you can no longer avoid them. If you keep trying to put them off they will end up coming to you. Trust your intuition and seek the wisdom that is being brought to you. Fool's Journey Day 9
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 8 - Strength This side: Strength is here in a sunny field of wheat with a great lion. She is smiling and calm and it is clear that she is in no danger. Strength is the power from within. She is sitting on the lions flank and playfully opening his jaws much like one would play with a house cat. In a reading: Don't be afraid to access your strength and put them to good use. But also be playful and to remember that you can be powerful without being overpowering. Have patience and compassion. You have the inner strength to endure and succeed. That side: Here we see the Devil (which is the card directly below Strength in the next row of 7) looming up in front of Strength, dimming the light of the sun. But she is life force itself and cannot be dimmed by that darkness. The devil may threaten but he can't destroy what refuses to be destroyed. In a reading: Face your shadow self and let go of old chains holding you back. You don't have to repeat the same patterns anymore. Confront your demons and claim your strength and power back. So far we have walked through the first 8 cards of the Major Arcana.
0 - The Fool 1 - The Magician 2- The High Priestess 3 - The Empress 4 - The Emperor 5 - The Hierophant 6 - The Lovers 7 - The Chariot We can liken this first stage of the journey as personal growth and the process of maturity. We start as a child, growing up with mom and dad as our power figures. Then schools/isms where we find our beliefs. Dealing with matters of love and authority. And our own personal drive and developed ego. We have learned the lessons of the previous cards, wandered through adolescence and have come to the mature adult life where we can direct our own will. At this point we have a life, but not a very full one. Instead of staying stuck in the ego based world, we are going to move forward to the subconscious side of things. The search inward to find out who we are and then onward from there to the superconscious and spiritual awareness, unity with the universal forces all around us. Next up: We move inward, to 8 Strength. Fool's Journey Day 7
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 6 - The Lovers This side: Between the Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, stands The Lovers. They are naked between an archangel. They both present the yin/yang of light and dark, wearing a mask of the opposite color. A snake, who has awakened the need for knowledge, winds around the Tree of Life while the Tree of Knowledge is on fire - symbol of their world of ignorant bliss going up in flames. But from the burning tree comes the voice of the Divine. The choices between knowledge and ignorance can leave us vulnerable, but that is how we create our own paradise. In a reading: usually indicative of a significant relationship, the symbols also show the ideas of choice and seeing things through another's eyes while making that choice. If you are also faced with making a choice, know it will be easier if your other also supports this decision. This can also mean a friend, co-worker, family or yourself, in agreement with self to gain clarity in the choices we make. That side: Night time is now here and the Lovers look our over a peaceful scene, ready to go forward. He wears the alchemical symbol for fire and she wears the symbol for water. When united by Mercury (hovering above) they form a hexagram that shines in the skies, The Alchemical Marriage. In a reading: This sides energy is much cooler and balanced. The Lovers are alone now and there is a sense of calmness. It should be easier for you to see where you are going now. Look at the elemental qualities of your life (and life with a partner if that fits,) and see where they collide and where they come together in perfect union. Fool's Journey Day 6
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 5 - The Hierophant This side: The Hierophant raises his hand in a blessing. Two acolytes kneel before him. His seat is granite, stone of inflexible endurance. His face is makes below his papal crown to remind you that individuality does not matter in his role, which represents established religious dogma. He conveys this dogma to all seekers. The two before him seek doctrine and illumination. In a reading: When we feel a call to spirituality, often this can be satisfied with established religion, a path trodden already by many. These precepts can be learned without any need for inner searching as someone has already done that for you. If you are drawn to this, or already in this, ask how you would feel if you questioned some of these precepts and ideas. Can you see the true face of the people whose authority you accept? That side: We can now see the back of his throne in which a tetragrammaton pentacle is carved. This esoteric design combines the hidden name of god with the symbols for man and microcosm. Some see this as "the word made flesh," or divinity inherent in man. The base of his throne looks unfinished, just as we are unfinished and striving for refinement. There is also a baby holding a key, a Paleolithic goddess figurine and a apple, knowledge freely chosen. In a reading: This side holds none of the rigidity that the other side does. There is freedom of thought here, freedom of possibility. You are beyond questioning the precepts of religion and are now reading to learn what more is out there, challenge yourself and learn and see. You have the key and the open mind to start. Don't let the "thou shalt's" hold you back. Sometimes it is good to follow a group but at other times that can stifle your own path. Trust yourself. Fool's Journey Day 3
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 2 - The High Priestess This side: This card is a balance of light and dark, positive and negative, with the High Priestess at the center of understanding. There is a sacred book of knowledge in her lap and she is inviting you to approach and learn. But not everything with be revealed at once. Half of her throne is veiled and blocks the entrance to the inner temple. Worthiness must be proven before being admitted. In a reading: To find true wisdom, you must look within and when the High Priestess appears you need to trust your own instincts and guidance. Now is a time for silence and to open your spirit. Seek stillness and listen to your inner voice. The veil will be lifted when you are ready to learn more. That side: When one is ready to comprehend new mysteries you can enter this inner temple. A knot of Isis is carved onto the back of her throne, she is sacred to the feminine and brings mystical knowledge. In a reading: Now is the time to reflect upon what you have recently learned. There are 2 keys of knowledge which are now yours. Gold of worldly matters and silver of mystical matters. You have earned them. Fool's Journey Day 2
With The Vice Versa deck the original side is called This Side and the added side is called That Side. There is no good side or bad side or right side and reverse side. It simply another aspect of the card. The next step on our journey is 1 - The Magician This Side: Our Magician stands with left hand pointed up and right downward, As Above, So Below. On the table are the tools of his trade, Sword, Chalice, Wand and Pentacle (minor arcana suits) The table seems to hover in the air supported by the will of the Magician. He gives off an air of calm power, trusting and confident. Above his head, a lemniscate, symbol of infinity. A comet races through the sky above through the constellation of Orion. In a reading: Magic is the ability to change reality by will. The Magician channels the natural forces around him to create his world. He is dedicated to honing his power and skills and believes in his Magic abilities. This card says you have all you need to make any changes in your life and succeed in any adventure. But you must believe it to make it real. That side: The Magician faces sunset, acknowledging the dark and the light, found within and without. The back of his robe is purple, the color of the 7th chakra, seat of wisdom and enlightenment. On it, is the kabbalistic Tree of Life and a lily, spiritual aspiration, grows behind him. In a reading: now is the time your new endeavor is trying to push through. Pull your energy inward. If you feel stalled or failing to progress how you'd like to, find the dark silent space inside you and focus there. Magic requires concentration. The power is there but you must find it and bring it forth |
AuthorMy Tarot Card Practice. I have been studying Tarot for over 20 years now and am still learning new things daily. Archives
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