8 of swords

Weekly Card Winter Solstice, the Depths of Stillness

Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere . . . that darkest time of the year, when the sun “stands still” for 3 days. In that stillness, if we choose, is an opportunity to pause and explore our depths, to go within our own deepest darkness. We’ll need those resources in the cold time before us. There is no more harvest to be had; we’ll have to draw on what we already possess to make it through till the bounty begins again in the spring.

How to explore? Our earth, our bodies, are slow with cold, buried under snow – and parkas. Our water is frozen, immobilized. All the better to examine our emotions! Our fire’s been tamed, brought indoors to keep us warm.   The spirit’s close to the hearth. The air is crisp and clear, as quick and vivacious as ever. Our minds and thoughts have additional clarity now, seeing anew, reflecting on what we see of ourselves in the stillness, keeping our passions close to home.

It’s not a journey for the faint of heart, so tarot can be our guide into the depths and back out again. For this solar landmark, our Winter Solstice spread puts the now into the context of the full lunar year (there are 13 cards in this big spread, honouring each of the lunar months of the year). Let’s look at a spread that takes us into our collective depths. Throw your own personal spread the day of the Solstice, or the day before or after. We’ll use Barbara Moore & Franco Rivolli’s Silver Witchcraft Tarot.

101_0032
Depths of Stillness Spread Winter Solstice 2014

 

IV
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What’s at our depths? IV The Emperor

 Whew! Right at the beginning of our journey we’re discovering that what’s at the bottom isn’t so bad. The Emperor gives us sovereignty over our lives while we retain our connection to others. As the lambs and ram attest, he corresponds to Aries, the beginning of Spring. Here at the Solstice, we’re already hearkening to revivification. As a society, we’ll be confronting our rigid and ineffectual systems, with opportunities to give them new life and make them more inclusive.

 

4C
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

How can we reach them? 4 of Chalices

 It’s always good to know the vehicle that will take us where we want to go . . . no sense getting on the wrong bus. Our dreams will be a help this winter. Guided meditations that relax the body to let the mind travel are excellent carriers. Following your areas of boredom and dissatisfaction (looking toward a traditional meaning of the card) can also be fertile roads to explore. Even falling asleep on the job will lead us down to the bottom. In the bigger picture, that says we’re part of systems that are failing; if we do nothing, we’ll be looking at the foundations. Since we’re being pointed to Spring again, we can expect our journey to be a long-term process.

 

XV
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What do we want to bring out with us? XV The Devil

 Here’s the first intimation that there’s some scary stuff down there in the deeps. We’ll encounter some of our own dead zones this winter, as individuals and as a society. What have we let die through neglect? What have we killed and buried, thinking we were done with it? We’ll actually benefit from unearthing our self-destructive side. Notice when you hear yourself, or someone else, saying things like “I’d like to kill that guy” or “They deserve to just be blown away.” It’s a difficult thing to hear, especially from ourselves or the ones we love. Consciousness of those moments is bringing the Devil out of the depths.

 

5P
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

How can we use it? 5 of Pentacles

 And here we have what to do with our own killing energies when we bring them up: we let them go. As the maiden and crone are doing, we shed our robes, the actions and habits that have brought us to where we are now, in preparation for immersing ourselves in the flowing waters of Spring. Our connection to the Tree of Life and the rabbit of endless fertility and creativity is strong. We don’t need our self-destructive habits, as individuals, or as a society.

 The side of using self-destruction that we all fear speaks to war, environmental degradation, ethnic cleansing – the global traumas that are all too commonplace in our lives. How does the technological availability of reports on these issues serve the call to bring XV The Devil out of the depths?

 

XVIII
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What will be brought to light? XVIII

 XVIII The Moon keeps secrets, creating illusions and confusion. The Moon brought to light will show our illusions in the harsh light of day.   Remember, sometimes that’s a good thing: what we thought was a threatening monster was just a duffle bag with a hockey stick propped against it. Other times it’s a little more terrifying: we find the plans we’ve counted on don’t have the foundations we thought they did. Or someone finds the key to our closely guarded secrets and shares them out in the open. Come Spring (XVIII The Moon’s association with Pisces is another reference to spring), much less will be hidden and much more will be clear. Apparently, Wikileaks will be having a field day.

 Look back to XV The Devil. How often do the destructive impulses you’ve encountered follow fear, confusion, or misunderstanding? How often do we think the solution to our problems is to kill something or someone?

 

XVII
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What has been brought into balance? XVII The Star

 In XVII The Star we have the masculine and feminine aspects of the Divine truly connected, with the spark of creation the product of that connection. The Star is a welcome beacon in the dark of night. We can find our way home from the light and position of the Star. I can’t help but think of the portion of Michelangelo’s ceiling of the Sistine Chapel where God and Adam touch fingers. The Star awakens our individual and collective Divine sparks, calling us as co-creators. If we’ve been stampeding ahead into inappropriate action without listening to our inner calling, we’ve been out of balance. If we’re in touch with our purpose but haven’t found the energy to act on what we feel, we’ve been out of balance. It’s very good news that we’ll individually be feeling and acting on our personal missions here on our shared planet. What might our community or national or global missions be as a group? It will be beautiful to see the results as our sense of purpose is restored to the people of Earth.

 

8S
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What will be left behind? 8 of Swords

Traditionally, 8 of Swords is the card of being stuck. Those days will be over for us. How amazing will it be to have long term problems finally moving toward solution?

What I’m aware of in Franco Rivolli’s image is the threads that have already been cut, but are still attached to the tree. Earlier, in the 5 of Pentacles, we saw those strong threads attaching our women to the Tree of Life in the midst of change and letting go. Here the impending storm is so frightening that geese are moving on rather than hunkering down, and people have been cutting their threads to escape.

If we’re no longer cutting our ties to life, we’re staying to engage and deal with the storm. Could we see a more proactive attitude from greater numbers in the coming year? Could we see the literal suicide numbers decline? What a beautiful thing that would be, especially for the families of those in the Armed Services, where the numbers are astonishingly high.

 

KnC
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What choices and decisions are now possible? Knight of Chalices

 How many people do you know who would love to follow their hearts, but feel unable to for a multitude of reasons? Are you one of them? The Knight of Chalices has connected his mind to his heart. He’s following his heart as he makes choices and decisions. What will be possible as we bring compassion and emotional connection back into our lives? I’ll join the Knight of Chalices in a toast to a world where we’re individually and collectively making choices from the depths of our hearts.

 

XIJ
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What do we welcome into our lives? XI Justice

 Your reaction to XI Justice is dependent on your perception of your “guilt” level. XI Justice is all about accountability and truth. It will help us deal effectively with the confusion and deception of XVIII The Moon. If there’s an accountability price tag to XI Justice in your life, what it purchases will be considered a bargain (remember, we’re welcoming Justice, not dreading it). Who doesn’t hunger for justice? Who hasn’t said “that’s just not fair!”?

 This particular XI Justice image turns its attention to the dark pillar, appropriate for our quest into unknown depths. The butterflies indicate new life and transformation out of the darkness. Collectively, we could welcome steps toward economic justice or climate justice.

 

XII
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What do we release? XII The Hanged Man

 Releasing is different from leaving behind. We leave behind what’s outmoded, we release what’s caged. XII The Hanged Man is the Philosopher, trapped by no particular dogma or world view, able to see and accept – and be comfortable with – a variety of perspectives. This can add to our growing store of tools to dispel misconceptions that lead to destructive actions. Knight of Chalices allows us to connect with each other via the heart, XII The Hanged Man brings us connection via the enlightened mind.

 Can we understand and accept the varieties of perspectives that make up our complex individual characters? Can we learn about the perspectives of tribes other than our own? The release of XII The Hanged Man says “yes”.

 There’s an interesting connection here to the 8 of Swords. The 8 of Swords is tethered with criticism, the mindset that we’re leaving behind. It is also a card of inactivity, stuckness. XII The Hanged Man is also tethered and inactive, but with a very different attitude. He has the patience to wait for understanding of a new perspective with an open mind. If we’re releasing him, has he now reached a level of understanding that allows for enlightened action?

 

VIIIS
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What do we celebrate in the Winter season? VIII Strength

VIII Strength celebrates our own strength and stamina, our fiery Leonine wild side. The mask we wear is that of the Green Man, our nature archetype. We can celebrate our health, our vitality, our abilities as instinctual beings. Those of us with furry companions can celebrate the additional warm that cozying with them brings us.

 There’s another function of companion animals – and of our instinctual selves: to keep guard, to defend our safety, our territory. A barking dog sets boundaries. As we’re developing understanding for those with other belief systems, other world views, we can still define ourselves as separate, without losing our sense of connection. We can celebrate a better sense of ourselves as individuals within the greater world.

 The shadow side of these celebrations would be the martial displays that celebrate victory through dominance. Rather than engage with those, celebrate the true strength that is displayed when we are living our mission, our purpose. Celebrate the stamina required to continue living that purpose, even against opposition. Celebrate the instincts that tell us “this direction is my meaningful path, that path holds meaning for someone else”. Celebrate the victory of vitality over the self-destructive XV Devil.

 

2W
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

What mysteries will we contemplate? 2 of Wands

 2 of Wands is the card of Winter Solstice. The mysteries of the season itself, as well as the mysteries that are revealed by living this spread are indicated. We’ve got another companion animal in the Silver Witchcraft 2 of Wands. This cat is asleep, relaxed in safety. We’re safe here, free to reflect, to contemplate all that we’ve laid out in our Depths of Stillness spread. What are the possibilities for expansion in the coming year? Which goals will bring us a warm glow? Which values will light our way? Who can we partner with in our cherished projects? How do our beliefs help create the world around us?

 

7C
Silver Witchcraft Tarot

Who will we become? 7 of Chalices

 7 of Chalices lays our choices before us, as coloured by our hopes and fears. Will we waste our Knight of Chalices potential to follow our hearts on the passing desires that are little more than temptations set up by external advertising? Will we recognize when we’re choosing out of fear? Will we meet the testing aspect of 7 of Chalices with the knowledge of our own sacred mission, to make choices that support that mission? Will we recognize that our purpose is just one individual purpose amoung a world of individuals, each with her own mission?

 An exploration into the depths this Winter Solstice brings us to a crisis point. We can be lost in delusion, endlessly looking for the next thing to make us happy. Not the outcome I wish for any of us. Or, we can become someone with a sacred heart, a heart dedicated to our personal purpose in this lifetime, harvesting our most meaningful dreams.

I wish you all the warmth and beauty of a sacred Winter Solstice.

Weekly Card XII The Hanged Man

Builders of the Adytum Tarot

Welcome to upside down world, where all seems to be topsy-turvy and no one seems to be upset about it.

Except . . . when has your world been turned upside down and you kept calm and unruffled?

We’ve even got expressions for some of what’s going on when we meet XII The Hanged Man:  “I’m hung up at . . .”   “I’m all tied up and can’t get away. . .”

140213 RWS Hanged Man
Rider Waite Smith Tarot

XII The Hanged Man indicates those times when nothing seems to move forward.  You might as well pull out your big store of patience, because you ain’t goin’ nowhere.  What?  You’re out of patience?  Well, you can count on developing some.

There’s actually a purpose to the down time of XII The Hanged Man.  He shows up when we’ve got lots of integrating to do.  He’s giving us a chance to develop some perspective, to gain some insight, to find meaning in what we’ve already lived through.

This odd character gives us a picture of acceptance and enlightenment.  He’s the guy who can live through having his world turned upside down with a sense that everything is just fine, thank you.  In fact, he uses his reversal to be in touch with his ideals and guiding values.  He outgrows materialism, sees his true self beneath the surface of experience and dwells in the divine consciousness of pure being.

Let’s bring it back down to earthly tarot.   What if you’ve got XIX The Sun followed by XII The Hanged Man?   What might you be integrating?

How about Queen of Swords followed by XII The Hanged Man?  Or 8 of Swords  with 3 of Pentacles and XII The Hanged Man?

Find some ways to create pauses in your life this week to process your experiences.  And . . .

Learn to enjoy the hang!

Weekly Card 8 of Swords Revisited

131024 Herbal 8 of Swords
The Herbal Tarot

 

Ruh-roh!

Those inner battles have you locked into the same old non-productive thinking.

We’ve looked at  8 of Swords before  so you’ve already got some good ideas about how to deal with being stuck.   Let’s go deeper . . . .

You may have noticed the plants on the Herbal Tarot cards we’ve met.    They indicate prescriptions to make the best use of the conditions indicated by each card.   Before you go running off to purchase and use herbs without the advice of an experienced herbalist, let’s consider the energetics behind the 8 of Swords prescription.

Black Cohosh can be used when spasms keep a situation from moving forward.   Think of those times when you’ve gone into emotional spasms:  they just kept you in the same loop, didn’t they?  Or how about those ineffective stop and go attempts to launch a project?

The idea behind the prescription for 8 of Swords is to be able to relax and be calm.   Calm perception allows us to reflect, to gain insight, to recognize our aims.   We can use our fetters  to release the thoughts that bind us, to be open to the new ideas ready to be born.

Little exercises like writing your name vertically with a positive characteristic for each letter are a good use of time when restricted.

So is asking some 8 of Swords questions:  who or what are you expecting to rescue you?  who or what do you trust in the current situation?  how or where will you escape?   how do you make things happen when you can’t see clearly or when you can’t manipulate the elements?

Open your mind to the possibilities for a deeper truth and make ready for the expansion to come!

Weekly Card 8 of Wands

 Winged Spirit Tarot
131010 RWS 8 of Wands
Rider Waite Smith Tarot

Out of the way!  We’re coming through!!

And we’re moving fast, to boot.

8 of Wands is the movement card.

Whatever is in process is moving quickly now.  Obstacles get swept aside as it moves.  And that includes you, if you don’t stay out of your own way.

It’s important to remember purpose when 8 of Wands appears.  Your purpose — your vision, your goal — has the support of the universal flow.   Any and all of the details pertaining to your purpose will be up for attention; if you get caught up in them, instead of keeping focus on the point of the details, you’ll find yourself tumbling arse over tea kettle in the strong currents.

Since 8 of Wands is in motion, travel can be connected.  Sometimes it’s the metaphoric creative journey with its secret insights, other times it’s literal, geographical travel, with all the whirlwind spontaneity and sense of adventure that comes with fiery Wands.

What would you say about a combination of 8 of Wands with 8 of Swords?  What about 8 of Wands with XIX Sun?

Connect 8 of Wands with some of your favourite cards to see what high-spirited motion lends to them.

You’re in service to spirit this week: enjoy the ride!

The beautiful card at the top of the post is from the Winged Spirit Tarot by David Sexton.

 

Weekly Card Ace of Pentacles

130919 Housewives Ace of Pentacles
Housewives Tarot

More seeds!

You’d think we were gardening this month!

130919 ace_of_pentacles
Rider Waite Smith Tarot

So what are we planting this week?  Pentacles, remember, are associated with the physical world.  The seeds might be metaphorical, pertaining to our income or other finances, to our house and property, or to our health and physical body.  Of course, we might also actually be planting seeds, real seeds in the real garden.

If we’re being metaphorical, what are the seeds for physical creation?

Might there be a clue in the gloved hand holding the dinner plate?  How about, “If you’re hosting a dinner party, make sure the dishes are clean”?

There are details to attend to for every creation.  We could just jump in and hope for the best, but that’s not the Pentacle way.  Pentacles plan and prepare and make sure the details are taken care of.  Pentacles aren’t afraid of work to make a fresh start.

So, what might the Ace of Pentacles be up to if it’s connected to the 3 of Wands?  How would the 8 of Swords help or hinder?  And what if it’s operating in the sphere of XIX Sun ?

And what fresh start might you be up to this week that the Ace of Pentacles can contribute to?

Choose your seeds and soil with care this week!

 

Weekly Card 8 of Swords

Ciro Marchetti's Legacy of the Divine Tarot
Ciro Marchetti’s Legacy of the Divine Tarot

 

130404 RWS 8ofswords
Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

 

Oh, that critical 8 of Swords!

You know those times when every single thought seems to be an accusation?  When every decision you make seems to keep you from everything you’ve been working toward, everything that’s of value to you?

Lucky you, if you don’t!

What’s going on in your day-to-day life — remember this is a Minor card, so it’s all about circumstances — that the nit-picking 8 of Swords might apply to?   Listen to your self-talk this week to see where you’ve gotten so critical of yourself that you’re absolutely stuck and can think of no way out.

8 of Swords offers us the chance to re-direct toward our intuition for guidance.  How can you go within to feel your way forward?  Use your emotions to help you find the road to take.

If 8 of Swords is putting you right in touch with some of the trickier spots in your life, remember that Minors are circumstantial:  this, too, shall pass.  Unlike with Major cards, Minors indicate that there’s a lot you can do to influence your situation (all that stuff we just talked about).

So, the circumstances you can expect to see when 8 of Swords show up involve criticism and being stuck.  Pet projects might come under fire and go absolutely nowhere.  There could be sniping in relationships.  If you’re studying, you could find yourself completely lost in a sea of details.

Again, ask yourself how you can change the way you think.  How can you connect with your intuition to move forward?  As you can see by the bindings around the arms and the blindfolds, you’ll need to look for something other than manipulation or clear-sightedness to help you when 8 of Swords shows up.

How does last week’s card, XI or VIII Justice, combine with 8 of Swords?  Has something moved back into balance, leaving you unable to think your way out of the new situation?  Or, possibly, has your self-criticism brought things out of balance and you’ll find yourself released by external circumstances that get you in touch with your intuition?

And how does XIX Sun connect with 8 of Swords?  What if you make a 3-card reading of XIX Sun, XI or VIII Justice, and 8 of Swords?  Notice the events in your life this week, with an eye toward discovering correspondences with any singular card or combination of these 3 cards.

And make sure you spend some time reminding yourself just how adorably wonderful you are!

 

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