posted June 17, 2003 03:27 AM         

Sorry it's been a while, just getting back into the groove with a few days off before I go back to work... yee hah!

7 of Cups is Venus in Scorpio astrologically. Esoterically it represents the tearing down of an old form so that a new one may be built up. However, when the old form is torn down, there must be a new form ready to take its place or chaos (read confusion) ensues. Take for example when there is a revolution in an outmoded form of government. Unless there is a new power structure ready to be put in place, the citizens often find themselves in a worse position than before.

Exoterically, 7 of Cups talks about the confusion that ensues when we aren't quite sure what it is that we want. We see many options, we have many dreams, but without the ability to make a correct choice, we are left with confusion. The advice of this card is to take a step, choose a path and make a positive move; get your head out of the clouds and focus your attention! That is the only way that we can actually manifest our dreams (desires). The universe will meet us more than half way, but our images must be clear! Remember, be careful what you ask for; you will get it! Clarity is needed!

Reversed it shows the power of manifestation at work, or as Linda has called it; Image, Ordain and Manifest! Here the clarity of thought is honed like a laser, and the manifestation will therefore follow.

In terms of the 10 of Wands, astrologically it is is Saturn in Sagittarius. This is an interesting card esoterically because it represents the transformation of Lead (Saturn) into alchemical Gold. It is through what Qabalists have called the "conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel" (Key 14 - Temperance = Sagittarius) that the lower aspects (lead) of our personality are molded into the true instruments (Gold) of the Divine Will of the Creator.

Exoterically it is an indication that we must "get our sh*t together". Though our burdens may appear heavy, we have the required strength to accomplish our goals, but we must be willing to do the work that is required!

Nine of Swords is astrologically Mars in Gemini. Esoterically it's harder to define than many of the previous cards, as it requires a bit more understanding of the Qabalah to see the connections. I'll meditate on this for a bit, and try to predigest the esoteric connections in another post.

Exoterically, 9 of Swords can be very stressful. It can show what happens when our stressors enter our dreams, creating nightmarish situations. It can also call attention to issues of physical health and the potential for surgeries if near other health related cards. Certainly it can imply stress and tension in relationships related to communications that are not flowing with ease or are repressed in some fashion.

When it is reversed, the tensions are resolving, and communications are freeing up. An end to such situations as described above is near.

Hope this helps a bit and sheds some light...

Peace and Magic...
A

posted June 17, 2003 06:15 PM         

Other then it being a card for loss and regret what are the good qualities or the lesson in the card.

I have the Arthurian Tarot and it shows a lonely horse with its head down, and someone who's not seen in the picture dragging it along.

posted June 18, 2003 04:48 AM         

I just wrote a rather lengthy reply which I promptly lost when I tried to go grab this URL.

So, I'm going to bed for now and will reply to you both later!

For now, Star, I have posted the Astrological attributions that I use for Tarot here:
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000057.html

Have a great day/night...
A

posted June 18, 2003 03:50 PM         

Seven of cups[Debauch]

It shows up all to often in my personal spreads, of course I know theres much I must learn from its lessons and warnings. Still I strongly dislike, in fact I prefer to see the TRUMP 16 Shaterd tower any day over Debauch.

posted June 22, 2003 01:05 PM         

So sorry, haven't had a minute to post lately; thinks have been pretty hectic and intense at work. The patients seem to be getting sicker and sicker, while the staffing is getting leaner and leaner...

At any rate, I will try to recreate my answer to your post when I'm not so physically wiped.

Thanks for your patience and I apologize for my disappearance...

Sleepily yours...
A

posted June 25, 2003 03:32 AM         

Serena: all of the suits of the Tarot have a purpose in leading us along the Path of Return. The Swords are more difficult on an exoteric level, yes, but they are attributed to the element of Air, and as such relate to communication, logic and rational thought and in Qabalah they are related to what is called the Formative World. This is the plane of activity which plans what forms may best express the creative idea, and puts these plans into motion.

Indeed Swords can be a challenge, but this is generally so when our emotions rule and logical, rational thought goes out the window, creating stress, tension and conflict. The Swords tend to show us where we are reacting to situations rather than acting. Generally speaking a reaction is based on our first emotional impulse or response to a person or situation. Action on the other hand implies that some thought (Air - swords) and planning have occurred prior to taking steps to correct the situation; hopefully in a win-win type scenario. But yes, they can also show the violence or negativity that happens when we do not take the time to form a rational response.

There is an old saying that we cannot un-ring a bell. The words we have spoken in reaction (or anger), though they may be forgiven are generally never forgotten. It is interesting to note that SWORD lexigrams into WORDS. WORDS can heal or they can harm. The SWORD can be an instrument of protection, or a weapon of destruction; the choice is ours as to how we wield both!

Star: The 5 of Swords is probably one of the "worst" cards in the deck, on an exoteric level. It shows gain from an unfortunate situation. Swords have been crossed and the spoils of war are ripe for the taking. This is probably the classic picture of the I WIN, YOU LOSE scenario. And unfortunately its meaning is not much improved by reversal.

The advice here is that a situation of conflict is at hand and needs resolution. How we choose to make that resolution is up to us. Do we take the higher road and try to resolve it in such a way that everyone can walk away with dignity and integrity intact? Or rather, do we assert ourselves over another (or perhaps give up our power and allow another to conquer us) and leave them a broken person?

It has been said that into our lives a little rain must fall. What would we learn if everything were handed to us on a silver platter? It is by overcoming obstacles... and ultimately learning just Who It IS that actually puts these obstacles in our Path, that we grow and re-member exactly Who We Really Are. This is one of the lessons of the entire Tarot, but particularly the suit of Swords.

Hope that helps a bit.

Blessed Be...
A

posted September 23, 2003 10:15 PM         

Ok, I'll do Major/Minor Arcana again!

Major Arcana... I'd have to say the Tower is a card I don't like that much! It's just a card that unsettles me a lot. I don't like the Moon that much either, it's a somewhat darker card for me, at least.

Minor Arcana. Ok... this is easy. Two of Swords and Three of Swords. They give me the chills whenever they appear in a reading. Then the Ten of Swords, how can we look at that card and not think "Wasn't ONE sword enough to kill the man? Why ten?" heh

Then I'd separate the five of cups... it was the very first card I've seen, and it immediately passed me so much pain and anguish that I couldn't help but analysing it further. I've got a rather special relationship with that card, I think. It's not my favourite, nor my least favourite. I just feel so compassionate towards that man that I feel like tapping him on the shoulder and saying "Look there, your other two full cups are still there. Don't cry over the ones you tipped".

posted October 07, 2003 05:20 PM         

Your take on the Hierophant is intriguing. I am not sure about where the corrolation between the card and the concept of Intuition. I predominantly use the Motherpeace deck, and am quite happy with it. The interpretions of these round cards are of course going to skew my perceptions. The thing is, the Hierophant is my soul's lesson in this lifetime, so you can imagine my own struggle with it..
I see the Hierophant as a representation of enforced societal structures.. like the Church, Marriage, Patriarchy, Government.. these "institutions" that seem to usurp the self-authority we all carry from within..

hold up.. I think i answered my own question. (trusting ones own authority.. ie.. intuition.. as oppossed to what the outside says) Ok, never mind...hahah

posted October 07, 2003 05:45 PM         

I know of the Motherpeace Tarot, but have never used it in a reading, I think the concept of round cards is intriguing, and opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.

In terms of the Hierophant and Intuition, well, intuition means Inner Hearing, and I think that the voice of God often comes to us as a "wee, small voice within". If we can hone our sense of Inner hearing, we as matter of course will become more intuitive!

Welcome again, and I look forward to your insights and intuitions.

Blessings...
A

posted October 22, 2003 03:42 PM         

It just seems that the 4 of Cups reminds me that I am not paying attention to the gifts from above but I am only seeing the problems before me. Instead of asking for guidence, I sit by that tree, thinking of the problems and what 'I' can do to solve them. What I should be doing is looking to a higher source for solutions and then address the problems on the material plane.

The 5 of Pentacles is just so sad on many levels. It hits me in the core of my being because it reminds me that to every good side, there is a dark side. That without the pain and grief, we would never experience the true love and contentment in our lives. It tells me that at some point I should expect an obstacle, lesson or the potential fear of rejection.

posted March 29, 2004 06:41 PM         

It strikes me that I never responded to your comment on those cards, for which I apologize.

Generally speaking, the 5 cards of almost all the suits are "the worst cards in the deck", if such a beast exists.

5 of Pentacles speaks of financial loss and despair. It can litetrally represent a period of unemployment, and given the right surrounding cards could represent homelessness. At best, financial insecurity might be a good phrase for this bad boy. There is an element or feeling of being on the outside looking in, as it were. I generally feel this card is somewhat improved when reversed, but again, the 5's tend to be heavy cards in a general sense.

The 4's all tend to represent situations where TIME is a factor to be considered. In 4 of Cups, it seems as though there is so much focus on something that one does not have that there is a lack of inteterest or concern with what one actually does have before him/her. In the picture before me, there is a hand of God bringing forth a cup from a cloud, meantime, the figure has been waiting for so long, he has become grown over with leaves and vines... I often get the sense with this card that the individual may have been waiting for something for so long, that when they actually get it; they aren't really sure they want it anymore.

When the 4's are reversed it tends to talk about motion and movement in matters that have been delayed, but we'll talk more specifically about these cards when we get to them in the Tarot Discusions.

Hope that helps a bit...

In the Light...
A

posted June 19, 2004 12:55 PM         

and generally i dont like any of the swords cards