The Tarot Room – Georgianna

Today’s post is part of a series where I share some observations and/or questions about images in specific cards.

 It’s not meant to define the cards, or dig deeply into hidden meanings behind the symbols, but rather to simply notice a few things within the images that might widen your own interpretations.



Six Observations/Questions about the Rider-Waite-Smith Temperance card …

1. The Angel wears a triangle on their chest – the symbol of fire, while just below that symbol, water flows between two chalices. What might this suggest in a reading?
2. The Angel has a third eye, or a disk situated where a third eye might be. Does this add anything to how you see the Angel’s message?
3. Irises grow to the left of the Angel – they often represent faith, courage, wisdom, and hope. What do they symbolize to you? How does that symbology fit in your reading?
4. To the left of the Angel is a path up into the mountains and towards the sun – how might that concept be interpreted?
5. Do the colours of the Angel’s robe and wings add meaning to your interpretation of this card?
6. One of the Angel’s feet is in the water, and one is on land, perhaps symbolically balanced between the emotional and the practical? How does this duality mirror other dualities in the card … and/or in your reading.
   
   As I always say … keep digging in – there’s so much more to see in every card,

Today’s post is part of a series where I share some observations and/or questions about images in specific cards.

 It’s not so much about defining the cards, but rather a series of points you might look at to widen your own interpretation of the images.

Five Observations/Questions about the Rider-Waite-Smith 10 of Wands …

1. The character in the image is carrying their load in a manner that protects each of the sprouting leaves at the top of each branch. What might that suggest in terms of your reading?
2. Given that this card is a number 10, and that the Minor Arcana goes from Ace to 10 … this card is at the end of a progressive cycle. How might that play into your reading?
3. There’s a house, or a castle, let’s call it a ‘manor’ in the background – who lives there?
4. The load looks heavy, but the sky is a lovely blue – what might that indicate in your reading?
5. This card is one of the Stage cards … like a character is on set. Is there something ‘performative’ about what’s being described?

As is always the case, there’s so much more to this card than I’m observing here. I encourage you to keep looking.

The other day, I asked my Thoth Tarot for some inspiration regarding a day full of readings.

Look at the heavyweights who made an appearance!

The High Priestess, the Hierophant, and the Hermit … clarity of vision, moral guidance, and internal direction. Nice! That sure gave me some confidence.

What cards give you confidence when you’re reading for others?

Her advice stinks, but she makes me laugh.

Here are some of Maxine’s, aka the Mis-Fortune Teller’s, most memorable comments …

”I’m not sensing no, more like never in a million years.”

“All signs point to yes! … provided hell freezes over first.”

“Do you really want me to answer that, boy are you a glutton for punishment.”

“The answer you seek is yes … which is also the answer to the question, ‘Am I frequently wrong?’”

“Oooooo, this does not look good … I hate it when people get what they want.”

And finally, the answer I got when I asked if I should do this post … “It pains me to say this, but yes, yes, yes!”

She’s not what I’m looking for in a reader, but she’s good to have around in case I get too positive.

With the Canadian federal election coming up on Monday (April 28th), I was thinking about how we might use Tarot to empower us in our civic engagement, rather than to try to predict a particular outcome.

With that in mind, here are five one or two card spreads meant to help you explore why you vote, what values you hold for the collective, and what kind of future you want to help build.

Try one of them, or all five. Or journal your answers with or without cards. If the questions get you thinking, great. If they encourage any of my fellow Canadians to vote, even better!

Spread #1: Voice & Vision
Card 1: My Voice – What does my voice or vote represent to the greater whole?
Card 2: My Vision – What future am I helping to create and/or shape?

Spread #2: Foundations & Responsibility
Card 1: Where I Stand – What grounds my values, beliefs, and hopes for my country and community?
Card 2: What Can I Do – What action can I take to positively participate and encourage these beliefs, hopes, and values?

Spread #3: Making Change
Card 1: What changes do I want to see and/or help create?
Card 2: What grounded, tangible steps can I take towards these changes?

Spread #4: Answering the Call
Card 1: What particular political and/or societal issue, value, or need is calling me right now?
Card 2: What might I do to answer the call with integrity and responsibility?

Spread #5: What I Bring to the Table
Card 1: What am I bringing to the collective through my participation?

Democracy needs all of us to work. Viva Canada.

In honour of Earth Day … a card from Rachel Pollack‘s The Shining Tribe Tarot … The World, or Shining Woman …

Do you have a favourite Major Arcana Tarot card?

I do. It’s the Star.

Of course, I like the other cards too … how can you not?

I love the Fool’s freedom and sense that anything is possible. I love the Magician’s focus and ability to manifest. I love the High Priestess and the Empress as the powerful feminine archetypes they are, focused on clarity of mind and the creative force.

I love the Emperor’s resolve, and the Hierophant’s moral questioning. I admire the commitment of the Lovers, the steadfast movement forward of the Chariot, and the ideas of fairness and equality that Justice holds dear.

The Hermit is my soul card, and I embrace his search for truth within. I love the Wheel of Fortune as it spins us towards something new, and as a Leo, I especially like the Strength card with its lion’s roar and the maiden’s gentle touch.

I don’t mind swinging with the Hanged Man as he looks for new perspectives, and even the Death card can teach us how to move forward as we transform. Temperance helps balance the contradictions within ourselves, and the Devil can be good for a laugh. The Tower’s a bit a downer, but even it gives us a chance to start fresh.

The Moon helps us explore the dark mysteries, while the Sun shines light on it all and asks us to celebrate. I love them both, and the Judgement card too, as it leads us on towards the unremitting joy of the World card’s spiral dance.

But it’s the Star card that’s closest to my heart. The Star card because it offers hope and healing and the idea that tomorrow is going to be okay regardless of what might have happened today. I love the Star. It’s my favourite Tarot card.

Who needs Tarot cards when you have Predict-A-Pen …

Here’s another picture I’ve redrawn from the Public Domain Image Archives … this time, it’s the Witch’s Cat from a book about witches from 1579.

I know it has nothing to do with Tarot, but from my perspective, witches, cats, cards, anything magical … it all fits at The Tarot Room.