The Tarot Room – Georgianna

A Graffiti 5 of Wands (with a hulking Ace of Disks at the bottom) …

A Handy Graffiti 5 of Wands …

A Graffiti 5 of Wands …

A Graffiti 5 of Wands …

In the Big Think video below, cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman talks about two kinds of passion – harmonious and obsessive.

Harmonious passion is when we’re engaged in an activity that’s healthfully integrated into our identity and makes us feel good about ourselves. We feel in control, with no external necessity to act in any particular manner. We’re doing something because we really want to, whether or not anyone else is looking, or cares.

On the other hand, obsessive passion involves some sort of external contingency, like self-esteem, or the need/desire to please someone else. It’s the type of thing that makes us feel like we have to win at all costs, or there’s no value in playing at all.

Though we can certainly get things done with obsessive passion, it’s harmonious passion that’s more likely to lead to creative insights, not to mention an overall sense of well-being.

Kaufman’s description got me thinking about Tarot and what cards in the Suit of Wands (the suit of passion) might indicate either harmonious or obsessive passion.

Harmonious passion might be reflected in the 6 of Wands, the card of spiritual victory. When it appears in a reading it often points to the successful integration of one’s identity with one’s activities. The win described in this card comes from commitment and a natural enthusiasm for a particular activity, not from a need to defeat someone else, or from doing something because we think others hope or expect that we’ll do it.

For obsessive passion we might look to the 5 of Wands, and/or the 10 of Wands.

With the Five, there’s a sense that passions are flaring, creating a situation where people are pitted one against another, and a win can only be achieved through the defeat of someone else. Passion, in this case, is raised through conflict and rivalry rather than an inner sense of enthusiasm or constructive curiosity.

With the 10 of Wands, there’s a sense that our passions are leading us, but that the load is heavy. We may wish to put some tasks or activities down, but for reasons outside of ourselves, we feel we just have to keep at it. In this case harmonious passions are subverted as we try to maintain our strength to keep doing what we feel we should rather than what we truly want.

To hear what Kaufman has to say, take a look at the video below, and if you’ve got a Tarot deck handy, take a look for yourself and see what cards you think might describe harmonious and obsessive passion best.

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5 of Wands

Saturday, June 18, 2011
5 of Wands

It might seem like no one’s getting along these days.   Petty fights are breaking out everywhere and tempers are on a hair trigger.  You might be wondering if it’s worth the trouble to get your way.  And that would be a good question.

It’s probably best today to stay out of the thick of controversy and personal rivalries.  Passions will cool out soon enough, but the energies today might get you all beat up. Laugh off any insults that might be hurled your way, and try to keep yourself from throwing them back.

You all probably need nothing more than a good nap and something to eat.  Get yourself some rest and join the mob again after you’ve had some lunch.

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2 of Disks

Wednesday, December 8, 2010
2 of Disks

There’s so much to do right now you probably feel you can’t keep up.  Don’t worry –  you can.  Just keep things in motion and try to stay focused on whatever task you’re working on at each particular moment.  You’ve got more than enough energy for everything right now, try not to give up.

Emotionally things might get a little hairy, but as with your work, you’re more than able to cope.  The changes going on in your life right now are good ones. You’ve put them into motion yourself and you’ll be just fine.

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Stoney Machete

My very good dog friend, Stoney Machete, is celebrating his 13th birthday today. I can’t believe time has gone so fast, Stone and I have shared some good times.

Hours together at the office, adventures at the Bat Cave, trips to Pioneer Town, countless games of drag and tug.

We’ve crisscrossed North America together and said hello and good-bye at airports more times than I can remember. I love Stoney.

But we did have a bit of an awkward start to our friendship. I met the Stone when he was just six months old and all about chewing. I know it’s not right to take dog behaviour personally, but I couldn’t help but notice the only things he chewed belonged to me.

My friend, his very best human, told me I was imagining it, but I wasn’t, and Stone knew I was on to him.

5 of Wands

One night we arrived home to see my entire Thoth Tarot deck strewn across the floor starting in the living room and trailing in a straight line right through to the bedroom.

I was wildly upset as I followed the card path. When I got to the end I couldn’t believe my eyes. The last card in the trail was the 5 of Wands – Strife. And it was chewed to shreds.

Since that was the only card with any damage on it, I couldn’t help but take it as a message. Stoney had decided to clear the air and bring our petty arguing about who was chewing what out into the open.

And not only that, he was going to end the fighting right then.

Of course I let him know I wasn’t happy with his method of communication, but wow was he good. We became fast friends from there.

And about the deck, since it was my very first one, given to me by my mother, I decided ‘Strife be damned,’ and kept it. In fact, I use it all the time.

Purists might be disturbed by my choice, but I believe if the energy of the 5 of Wands needs to come out in a reading, it’ll find a way, whether it’s through a combination of other cards or myself and a client ‘magically’ choosing a different deck for that reading. No harm done.

Stoney and I live in different cities right now so I’ve had to pass my birthday message on to him through his best human.

But I thought I’d give it a go psychically as well and of course chose Tarot as my medium. Out loud I said “I love Stoney Mac!’ and pulled a card.

#11 Strength

The card I got was ‘Strength’. Pictured is a young maiden playing with a gorgeous golden lion. Quite obviously the young maiden is myself (ha ha) and the golden lion no other than Stoney Machete aka The Golden Boy of Hollywood.

How fabulous! He sent me a picture of the two of us hanging out. Stone’s still got the Tarot Touch!!

Happy Happy Birthday Stoney!!! Have a squeak toy on me – I love you Bub!

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