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Weekly Card The Rational King of Swords

May 21, 2015 May 19, 2015

150521 King of Swords Mystical Cat Sky King — Mystical Cat Tarot

We’ve got lots of information about the King of Swords from our last two posts.

So what do we see in the Mystical Cats Tarot Sky King, the equivalent of the King of Swords?

Let’s start with the name. Why Sky? Since Swords are the element of air, the very airy Sky makes sense.

And this is the cold, crystalline air of winter. There’s a stillness in winter that allows us to look at things closely. There’s a sparkle and clarity to the air that’s reflected in our majestic Sky King’s jeweled collar. If we look at snow as frozen water, and water as the element of emotions, creativity and connection with others, we’ve got a King who’s comfortable putting his emotions on hold to be coldly rational. He doesn’t need shelter; he’s able to be out in the world, no matter how isolated he is. And that’s what’s needed in rational authority: an ability to be disconnected from anything other than clear thought.

For the rest of us, that windchime is a wonderfully accessible symbol of the mind at work. It’s tinkling, it’s tinkling, and I’ve got an inkling. . . .

What happens if we look at the Sky King with a 3 of Cups situation? How involved will he be with the heart connections or emotionally-driven creativity? It’s likely that he’ll be found in an analytical position. As others are being creative, he might be the critic, assessing what’s happening, or the rational business manager, interested in keeping the theatrical company together. Rather than join in the celebrations with friends, he’s going to be on the outside, perhaps, as a master of words and communication, telling the story to others.

What if we see VII The Chariot in connection with the Sky King/King of Swords? We’ve got the progress of VII The Chariot working through the mind and authority of the Sky King. It gives us clues about what aspect of our personal make-up will help us move forward: the mental aspect. It can also let us know about the potential for the Sky King in our lives to be making progress in his or her journey. If that person is important in our decision-making process, we’ll be aware of the changes in store for him/her and can make a better informed decision. It could be that we can’t move forward ourselves without the say-so of an important authority in our lives.

As always, bring the Sky King into what’s happening in your life right now. Are you the Sky King? Is someone else in your life? Are you being called to develop your potential in the direction of mental mastery or authority?

And if you decide to get cozy with the Sky King kitty, show proper respect!

Weekly Card King of Swords Revisited

July 31, 2014 July 28, 2014

140731 Dreaming Way King of Swords — Dreaming Way Tarot

It was just a few months ago that we stood before the King of Swords. His appearance in the Legacy deck is very different than in the Dreaming Way. As I’ve said before, The Dreaming Way Tarot depicts people I expect to see in my daily life, even if they’re a bit exotically dressed or positioned at times.

So, let’s reach into daily life this week. When you look at the image on the King of Swords, who are you reminded of? How old is s/he? How does s/he interact with the world? What happens in emotional situations? What about when s/he’s required to make decisions? How does s/he deal with health issues? With children? Does s/he like to be in charge?

Go back and read the post that told you a little about the King of Swords. Now who do you think of? Is it the same person? If it’s someone different, how would you answer the questions in the last paragraph? Are there any overlaps between the answers? You can begin to find your personal affinity to various decks by comparing what you “know” about the cards with what you “see” in the cards.

Some tarot traditions attach specific appearances to the court cards. Of those, some say the King of Swords will be fair, with blonde or white hair, and in full maturity. Others say his eyes will be dark and so will his hair. The agreement is in the commanding presence. As you identify the Kings of Swords in your life, do you find any patterns of appearance? Age? Gender? Colouring? Dress? Carriage? Presence?

Finally, what’s your relationship with the King of Swords? How do you feel when you meet up with your Kings of Swords? How do you interact? Do you like him or her? What would you emulate? How do your interactions make you feel about yourself?

Find the King of Swords in your life and make her/his best qualities yours!

Weekly Card King of Swords

May 1, 2014 April 29, 2014

140501 Legacy King of Swords — Legacy of the Divine Tarot

140501 RWS King of Swords — Rider Waite Smith Tarot

You are now in the high court of the land and would do well to hold your tongue while you look, listen, and learn. The King of Swords is the authority and decision-making position in the Tarot deck.

You’ll remember that each Court Card has its elemental association from its position in the Court and its suit. King of Swords is the Fire of Air card. Kings are the robust and constant energy of the Court. Swords have to do with ideas, concerns and communications.

Have a respectful chat with the King of Swords while you have his presence this week. Let him teach you about clear communication. Ask him about logical analysis and planning for your projects. Learn what you can about how to discriminate rationally. Ask him to show you the crux of the matter when you’re ready to make decisions.

The King of Swords upholds law and order, so this is not the week to explore rebellion. Instead, deepen your understanding of the things around you. Think about what you would do if you were the mastermind in your own life. Remind yourself what the King of Swords lives by, that Knowledge is Power.

May the intellectual force be with you!

Weekly Card 3 of Swords

May 1, 2015 May 1, 2015

This post is part of a Tarot Blog Hop. You can find the previous blog here, the master list here, and the next blog here.

150501 3 of Swords RWS — Rider Waite Smith tarot

Oh, we so don’t love to see these kinds of cards . . . the “sad” ones, the “bad” ones. We’ve had a couple of encounters before, here and here.

And here, at the 3 of Swords, we’re encountering sorrow at a very personal level. How much more clear an illustration of heartache can we get? Since we can’t spit it out, how do we deal with this distasteful card?

Look back to the heartaches in your life. What brought them on? Loss of a love? Loss of social standing? Loss of a cherished pet? Loss all around, isn’t it? Nothing we would have asked for.

Then again, when have you heard yourself say “he certainly asked for that one”? We could look at any situation and see how the ending had its seeds in the beginning. Heartless as it is, I’ve had people tell me that I was just asking for trouble by living in an hurricane evacuation zone.

And there’s the opportunity in the 3 of Swords. We’re putting our mind – the mental world of the swords – into our hearts. Rather than dissociating our thoughts from our humanity, we come to a deeper understanding of why it’s worth making connections regardless of the inevitability of endings.

For a writer or an artist, this can be a brilliant opportunity, this meeting of intellect with emotion. What needs to be expressed? Is there a story to tell? Is there a sorrow to be danced, painted or composed?

For the rest of us, the lemonade out of lemons involves developing compassion. For ourselves. For others who’ve travelled a similar path. And that requires taking heart in the positive sense: courage. Courage to believe in a life that continues. Courage to look outside ourselves again.

150501 3 of Swords Baroque Bohemian Cats — Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot

150501 3 of Swords Haindl — Haindl Tarot

But how do we deal with the pain? You’ve got lots of clues in the multiple images for the 3 of Swords. The sad grey puss in the Baroque Bohemian Cat image finds the pain too difficult to take in. She has her angel holding the pierced heart. It’s still close at paw, but she’s got assistance. Who are your angels?

The Haindl Tarot image speaks to the isolation that pain can bring. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Time alone to mourn the loss, to replace what’s no longer there with tears, is a healing action. Recognize where your paradise has come to an end and grieve. It’s not necessarily fun, but healthy grief helps us move forward, back into life and connectedness.

150501 3 of Swords Gilded — Ciro Marchetti‘s Gilded Tarot

150501 3 of Swords Contemplative — Contemplative Tarot

By getting to the heart of our sorrow, by understanding what happened and who we’re becoming as a result of our loss, the Gilded Tarot image offers us the possibility of enlightenment. Our old way of thinking, our old way of expressing ourselves has cut us to the heart. As we recognize the old ways, we can move into the light of the new.

But not too quickly, says the Contemplative Tarot image. Life is possible, says the vine around the bleeding heart – and life with love, says the heart shape in the vine. It’s even going on around us. But so is the fish out of water, belly up in the cloudy sky. It speaks to the discomfort of no longer being the self we recognize. Allow the new life of connection to grow out of the wounded self, in its own time.

In your own life this week, what has pierced you right at the quick? How can you use your mind to get to the heart of the matter? And how can you express yourself about it all?

Let your mind and heart work together to keep compassion in the foreground this week.

This post is part of a Tarot Blog Hop. You can find the previous blog here, the master list here, and the next blog here.

Weekly Card The Queen of Swords is Not Amused

April 23, 2015 April 21, 2015

150416 Queen of Swords Golden Dawn Wang — Robert Wang’s Golden Dawn Tarot

EeeYIKES!

Who is this chick and how do we stay as far away from her as possible??!

Actually, we’ve met her before. Our last visit was much less severe than this image, from The Golden Dawn Tarot.

Look back at that visit for a moment (don’t worry, the link will open in a new tab/window).

So what the hell happened between then and now? How did we get from “brilliant mind” to “off with his head” and full body armour?

Here we’re dealing with the bias and symbolism that are elements as we move from deck to deck. Remember that each card has energy that runs on a spectrum from weak (and unbalanced) through balanced to over-used (and unbalanced). Some artists view the strong point of a particular card more toward one end of the spectrum than the centre.

Remember that the Queen is emotional, even though she’s Queen of Swords, dealing with the mind and rationality. So one end of the spectrum (actually two spectra working together) is going to be highly emotional with limited rationality. You can probably relate to times when you’d like to have taken someone’s head off.

At another unbalanced point, there’s severely limited ability to connect with others along with cold rationality. We’ve got lots of examples of the total lack of compassion with a logic that says, “we need to kill you to – fill in agenda here –“. Many of them fit into the headings of Crime or War.

Since we know this deck is based on the symbolism of the Golden Dawn, we can come up with another explanation if we do a little research. Here’s where study of the history and traditions of Tarot can be very useful. In this case, that severed head symbolizes our own egos (in the arrogant, ignorant, negative sense). The Queen of Swords uses her clear mind to cut through self-deception, “killing” the delusions that cloud our perception.

So which one is the “right” interpretation? All of them can be true in various circumstances. On a single card draw, I suggest going with your gut response to the image on the card. In a multiple card spread, note the influences of the other cards. Is the “Swordness” strengthened or weakened by the cards around the Queen of Swords? How about the emotionality and connectedness of the Queen (read her energy as Cups or water)?

At face value this week . . .

Watch your temper!

Weekly Card Healing the Knight of Swords

February 12, 2015 February 12, 2015

150212 Knight of Swords Healing — The Healing Tarot

Our last straightforward look at the Knight of Swords covered the concepts of adventurous, forceful energy in the realm of ideas, concerns and communication, from Tarot . . . It’s Easier Than You Think. So let’s delve into the specifics of the Healing Tarot image.

Before we start, though, I want to addresse the issue of medical treatment versus healing. Medical diagnosis, treatment or cure is not within the scope of tarot. However, healing – the idea of making oneself whole – is. So, as we talk about this Knight of Swords, stay within bounds of healing and don’t mistake it for the medical world. For that you need a medical professional; I am most definitely not that.

That said, we’ve got a young man with his back to us here. He’s still looking at his sword, symbol of the ideas that concern him. He’s being treated by a massage therapist, specifically around his upper back and shoulders.

So, how does that relate to our TIETYT concepts? Think about the concerns portion first. Where do we carry our problems? And how do your shoulders feel when you’re worried? How about when you’ve been dashing off this way and that to act on this idea or communicate that one? You can see how softening the knots from unceasing activity could help this Knight.

In Tarot 2: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore you learned that Swords are connected with Air. Our front-line physical interaction with air is in our respiratory system. Breathing exercises can help restore wholeness in the world of Swords. And since communication is in the mix, meditation or other tonics to the nervous system – our internal communication system – can also help us to heal when we see Swords in a spread.

Let’s combine the Knight of Swords with the two cards from January that we added to the mix last week. What story comes out when an adventurous, dashing and witty Knight of Swords is connected to the relationship of the 2 of Cups? And how is he likely to respond to the patient maintenance required by the 7 of Pentacles? What if all 3 cards are part of the story; is this a relationship that will last?

T2WNIKA students can look at how assertive and active Air (Swords) interacts with passive and receptive Water and Earth (our Cups and Pentacles). Both Cups and Swords are strengthened (for better or worse) by their interaction with each other. Swords and Pentacles, not so much: they’re weaker in their exchanges. The Knight of Swords is Air of Air, so the most quick-moving and active of the Knights. That level of activity could be enough to stir the passive Cups and Pentacles into movement. But this Knight isn’t known for staying power, so what do you think? Remember to figure in how much Cups energy and how much Pentacle energy is involved, from the numbers in each suit.

Flash your fine mind and wit this week!

If you’re having problems with the Knights of Swords in your life, you know where to find me. You can also get in touch for individual and group lessons.
The next Berkeley County Adult Ed classes are on 20th March and 1st May. Call 304-267-3585 for info and to sign up.

Weekly Card King of Cups Under Alias

November 20, 2014 November 13, 2014

141120 Father of Water Spirit King of Cups — Tarot of the Spirit

What’s the deal with King of Cups? This is the second time we’ve met him and he’s still not showing up under his most traditional name. This time, it’s as the Father of Water from Joyce and Pamela Eakin’s Tarot of the Spirit.

That deck uses Father, Mother, Brother and Sister instead of King, Queen, Knight and Page for the Court Cards. Makes them more like family than removed royalty, doesn’t it? And it uses the elements associated with each suit, rather than the “traditional” suits. Earth corresponds to Pentacles, Air to Swords, Fire to Wands and Water to Cups. So Father of Water is King of Cups.

What if your Dad were someone who couldn’t get enough of the sea? What if he loved to play in the ocean? Imagine a father who would actually stay out in a stormy sea. And, as if that weren’t enough, he’d ride a horse in the midst of all that active sea. And it’s a white horse. That turns around to talk to him.

Other than Wilbur and Mr Ed, who is that guy?

Your Tarot . . . It’s Easier Than You Think crib sheet describes the King energy as constant and robust. Because he’s the King of Cups, he’s that way about emotions, relationships and creativity.

This is a Father who dives right into the thick of emotions. Even the scary ones don’t stop him. So this Dad didn’t even leave when you had temper tantrums. He’s the master of his animal side, but it’s a give and take relationship, so he listens to that side of himself. He isn’t going to flip out with you when you’re in the midst of your temper fits.

He knows how to stick it out when creative projects are up against unsympathetic critics. He’s there when relationships hit the rocks. Can you say “unconditional love”?

What would you be like if you’d been raised by a father like that? How do you interact with people like that in your life now? Are you ever like that yourself?

Love and create unconditionally and constantly this week!

If you’re looking to learn more about Tarot, I’ll be teaching level 2, Tarot 2 . . . We’re Not in Kansas Anymore, on Friday, 12th December, through the Berkeley County Adult Ed program. Call 304-267-3585 for more information and to register.

And you know where to find me for phone, email, or in-person tarot counseling.

Weekly Card 9 of Swords Revisited

October 30, 2014 October 15, 2014

141030 9 of Swords Renaissance — Renaissance Tarot

Well, here’s one of the “scary” cards, just in time for Halloween. No skeletons or ghosts, just your friendly Roman charioteer with a victim in tow. You’ve seen the frightened kitty and the up-all-night versions before. Remember, 9 of Swords is ideas, concerns and communication connected to integration and security.

It’s always intense to see cards like the 9 of Swords in a spread. They’re as much your friends as the more pleasant cards in the deck. Think of them as the notice that there are spooks afoot. If you went out on Halloween without a clue what was up, it’d be pretty terrifying to run into monsters and zombies. Since you know what’s going on, you don’t have to freak out about the dripping blood and hollow eyes.

How would you be if you were tied and dragged? (Be sure to look around when you’re done imagining; come out of your “let’s pretend” well before you hit panic.) How do you handle learning that something like this could be coming up? What would you do for a friend, if it were?

How about if you’re the “victor” – the charioteer? Who would you need to be to do that to someone?

What if you’re both? What if part of you is dragging another part to death?

Misery and Revenge are the words up in the corner of the Renaissance Tarot image. How are these two related? What miseries do you need vengeance for?

There’s definitely a “doing it to ourselves” component to 9 of Swords. We can use all those swords to cut ourselves loose from the desperate or vengeful situation. Storytelling, mastery of communication, sharing ideas in the greater community all figure into the positive potential of 9 of Swords.

Looking at tarot tradition, the Renaissance Tarot blends the old tradition of “pips” on the minor cards – pictures of swords, wands, cups or pentacles in the number noted on the card – with the newer tradition of illustrative images.

So what sort of stories are you telling yourself? Remember, Stephen King and self-torture aren’t your only options.

If you’re looking to learn more about Tarot, I’ll be teaching level 1, Tarot . . . It’s Easier Than You Think, on Wednesday, 5th November, and level 2, Tarot 2 . . . We’re Not in Kansas Anymore, on Friday, 12th December, through the Berkeley County Adult Ed program. Call 304-267-3585 for more information and to register.

And you know where to find me for phone, email, or in-person tarot counseling.

Weekly Card Knight of Swords

September 11, 2014 January 22, 2015

140911 Knight of Swords Rabbit Tarot — Rabbit Tarot

Here’s your knight in shining armour!

The Knight of Swords (or Carrots in Nakisha Elsje VanderHoeven’s Rabbit Tarot) is one of the Court Cards in your tarot deck. Court cards represent the people or energy types that cross your path. Knight energy is adventurous and forceful. Swords are the active energy of ideas, concerns and communications. So we’ve got a knight who’ll come to your rescue.

140911 Knight of Swords RWS — Rider Waite Smith Tarot

What strikes you in the image on the Rabbit Tarot? That carrot is something to chew on. Ever heard the phrase “here’s a thought to chew on”? But look at the image on the Rider Waite Smith Knight of Swords? Does he look like he’s taking time to chew on much of anything?

Our Rabbit Knight has a goat for a steed. He’ll be sure-footed, able to take on all sorts of terrain, even the straight up and down kind. His horns even look a lot like the rabbit’s carrot. Up there on his head, his mind is on the outside. If you know any goats, you know they don’t take long to act out any thought that comes into their heads. That quality is very Knight of Swords.

We can see clearly in the Rider Waite Smith image that having a steed extends the Knight’s range of travel. And all that motion looks like it’s happening at top speed. Knight of Swords doesn’t wait around or waste time.

When have you been called on to be a Knight of Swords? Who do you know who embodies that regularly? How would it benefit you to go there this week?

Think quick!

If you’ve been wanting to learn tarot, I’m teaching two levels through the Berkeley County Adult Ed Program. You’ll find some of the details in the Upcoming Events and On-Going Classes sidebar on the right. Call 304-267-3585 for registration and further information.

We’ve had another visit with the Knight of Swords.

Weekly Card 9 of Swords

March 27, 2014 March 8, 2014

140327 Cats Eye 9 of Swords — Cats Eye Tarot

Uh-oh, this doesn’t look good. Whatever will I do? I’d better protect myself. I’ll prepare for the worst. And I’d better take something to settle my nerves. Oh, I just don’t know what to do. I just know it isn’t going to turn out well!

There’s the 9 of Swords for you. It sends us scrambling to hide under the bed, even if the very big noise was just the vacuum cleaner on the other side of the house. Especially if we just did something somebody somewhere sometime told us wasn’t a good idea.

9 of Swords is often called the “nightmare” card. You can see in the Rider-Waite-Smith illustration that someone’s being kept up at night through sorrow or worry. Dark night of the soul, eh?

What we really need with 9 of Swords is a safe place to retreat for a rest, so we can think straight. Hiding under the bed can be a useful short term strategy (if you’ve got fewer dust bunnies than I do!); eventually, you’ll want to find someplace a little more comfortable.

We want to use our thoughts to make sense of our experiences, rather than to spin endless replays or worst-case scenarios. We need to accept the truth of what got us to where we are, and climb that ladder of swords to a better place. Remember, swords indicate communication and ideas, as well as concerns. We can talk with others about our dilemmas, and educate ourselves about possible solutions. Being alone with our thoughts is not a bad idea, but torturing ourselves with them definitely is. It’s time to face our fears.

Our way of thinking got us into our perceived tight spot; a new way of thinking can lead us back out.

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