The flame has been ignited and there’s a new feeling floating around. This is a day to let inspiration lead the way.
Throw out your old excuses and start something you really care about. Passion and fire are what motivates the soul and it’s time to listen to yours.
You might not yet know what’s different but you know your old way of doing things is no longer possible. A new spirit has been planted and you can probably feel the excitement beginning to build.
Whatever it is that moves you with enthusiasm should be your starting point. Being true to your spirit isn’t being selfish. It’s what makes you fully human.
The Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy and released by US Games is a very pretty deck. It’s a world of fantastical creatures in pastels and soft lines.
There are bunny-eared fairies, merlions, and well-dressed cats. Rabbits wear clothes, hats have faces, and seahorses can fly.
Joie de vivre, or the joy of living, is obvious in this deck. It’s happy and light, playful and friendly. But that doesn’t stop it from being serious as well.
For instance, its take on the Tower – a woman falling from a collapsing fortress of open-mouthed snakes, is hardly disregarding the impact Tower energy usually describes.
And the 3 of Swords clearly illustrates the pain of unreleased sadness. It’s just whispered, not shouted.
This isn’t a deck for those people most interested in traditional tarot symbology, or who want their cards to talk tough. But don’t be fooled into thinking the Joie de Vivre is just a frilly, fluff deck. I think it has real spirit.
It loosely follows the RWS structure and those readers familiar with that system should have no trouble understanding it. But Cassidy’s pictures are unique and create their own Tarot universe.
Each character has a name and their story is described in the booklet that comes with the deck. The names are derived from the energy of the card and can be used as key words.
Examples include Ponder for the Hanged Man and Orbit for the Wheel. The Devil’s called Deception, and Gleam, Glitter, and Glow are the ladies in the 3 of Cups.
It’s clear that the focus of the Joie de Vivre Tarot is finding joy, but I still went ahead and asked it my usual ‘new deck’ question – what do you like talking about most?
The card I got was the 10 of Swords, certainly not the most joy-filled card in the deck.
In fact, the veiled fairy in the picture looks sad, lonely and unconsoled by her snail and snake companions. There’s darkness in the background and the moon is shrouded in fog.
The booklet says the fairy’s name is Lament and that she’s at her lowest point. Her dreams feel like dust and all she has left is her will.
But the nine swords in the background are her worries, and they’re further away than she thinks. And on her lap is the sword of fortitude with which she’ll carve a new beginning.
This 10 of Swords is the perfect card to explain what the Joie de Vivre Tarot likes to talk about most. Finding joy in the very pits of despair.
When your name becomes Lament and even the light of the moon has been dimmed, this deck wants to talk. Like the tiny star shinning above the fairy’s head, the Joie de Vivre wants to be a source of light.
What a sweet message and sweet pack of cards. If you’re looking for a little light, try out this deck.
The Moon moves into Leo today and stays there until Sunday.
Translated into Tarot cards, this transit would be like the High Priestess is wearing Strength’s clothing. She’s thrown off her heavy cape and is spending some time outside with her lion.
The Moon in Leo, or High Priestess in Strength’s clothing is potentially a time of emotional power. Something beautiful that’s usually under wraps can finally be revealed.
The silence is broken. Quiet wisdom and passion can be united. During this time, it might be difficult to keep your ideas to yourself. But why should you?
Try finding an outlet for plans you’ve been sitting on? This is an opportunity to shine if you’re not over-burdened by self-consciousness.
It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but letting your wilder side out right now could be positive. The sun isn’t always shining. Take advantage of it when it does.
This is a day for looking forward. You’ve got some time and you’re in a good position to look around and see what you want to do next. The world is literally in your hands and it’s up to you to decide the next move.
What is it that makes you feel most in control of your domain? What is it that makes you feel you’re really doing what you’re supposed to be doing?
Don’t rush this – it takes some serious consideration. Use this time to start getting a grip on your destiny. You’re in charge of this one. Don’t be afraid to take control. Your option is to let someone else.
Paradis’ screenplay is adapted from the Jonathan Carroll short story called A Wheel in the Desert, the Moon on some Swings.
It looks at the story of a young gay man who finds out that he’s going blind. In his quest to avoid dealing with what’s happening to him, he discovers the real miracle of vision.
I’m not sure exactly how the Tarot is incorporated into Paradis’ adaptation, but from the sounds of it, the cards play an important role.
Creative vision, a fiery temperament, inspirational thinking – it could be an exciting day. You have the capacity to focus your passionate energy into something constructive.
If it’s been difficult to get going with an enterprise that really matters to your soul, this is a great day to clear through the cobwebs. Take your fire and run with it.
But don’t forget to enjoy your strength wisely. No one likes a tyrant. Get to work on your goal, but don’t assume that everyone else is going to follow your lead. They might be feeling a lot like you are today and are probably looking for some followers themselves.
San Francisco’s Bay Area Tarot Symposium is celebrating its 21st Anniversary this year and it’s going to be amazing.
SF BATS is the longest continuous running Tarot event in the world. And that’s no surprise really because it’s great!!
There are workshops, presentations, panels, performances, and parties. Tarot experts and enthusiasts from all over the world mix and mingle in a jam-packed weekend of nothing but Tarot.
Not to mention, it’s held in one of the prettiest cities in the world – San Francisco is just gorgeous!
For anyone who might be interested in attending this year, check out the SF BATS Indiegogo Page.
By becoming a BATS Benefactor, not only can you get yourself a ticket, you can help make the whole event happen, and get a free mug while you’re at it.
I’ve signed up already. I can hardly wait till August!
The Sun moves into Cancer today, and stays there until July 22nd.
From a Tarot perspective, this transit would be like the Sun is dressed as the Charioteer. He’s put on some armour and exchanged his horse for a chariot and a couple of sphinxes.
The Sun in Cancer, or the Sun dressed as the Charioteer, is a time when the fight might not seem as important as the journey. And it might be more productive to play a little than to battle.
It’s a period of strength, vitality and the will to succeed. Use it to push through emotional blocks, or attitudes that may have been holding you back.
And get back to work on any projects you’ve been letting languish. Perseverance should be the word of the month.
But try looking at what you have to do as a game, rather than a taxing burden. As long as you keep playing, you’ll be winning.
