Tarot Tuesday 3-31-09
Before we get to Tarot Tuesday, I have to say: Happy Birthday, Modern Spiritualism!
This is a picture of Maggie, Kate, and Leah Fox. Maggie and Kate are thought to be the founders of Modern Spiritualism. On March 31, 1848, the girls discovered that they could communicate with a spirit entity that was inhabiting their family home. The spirit established contact by rapping on the walls, and the girls developed a method of questioning the spirit, who would then knock out answers that corresponded to the letters of the alphabet. It was later discovered that this spirit was Charles B. Rosna, a traveling tinker that had been murdered. His body was unearthed in the Fox house’s cellar many years later. Maggie and Kate, along with their older sister, Leah, became very famous mediums and demonstrated their communication abilities for many years. Spiritualism swept through the United States and Europe as more and more people became interested in communicating with the dead and tried to enhance their own spiritual development. So thanks, Maggie and Kate, for opening the eyes of the world to the possibilities of spirit contact!
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Today’s Tarot Tuesday question comes from Maria, who writes: “Are my partner and I as rock steady as I think we are?” To answer this question, Spirit led me to the beautiful Shapeshifter Tarot, by D. J. Conway and artist Lisa Hunt (check out Lisa’s website, linked in my blog roll on the right hand side of the page). The Shapeshifter is a nontraditional Tarot deck in that it’s added a few extra Major Arcana cards, and the suits of the Minor Arcana don’t correspond to the usual suits in a traditional Tarot deck. The cards are quite beautiful and evocative, however, as you can see from the sample picture below:
When I use this deck, I tend to use more intuitive reading methods than traditional card interpretations, since it’s such an unusual deck. I also do not read reversed cards in this deck since so many of the images spur such detailed interpretations. In linking with Spirit, I felt a 5-card reading for Maria’s question would give some good insight into where her relationship has been, where it is now, and where it’s going in the future. Here are the cards I threw after my normal shuffling and 3-stack cutting method:
Card 1: God (King) of Earth (Pentacles)
Card 2: Major Arcana The Lovers
Card 3: 5 of Earth (Pentacles)
Card 4: Goddess (Queen) of Water (Cups)
Card 5: Goddess (Queen) of Earth (Pentacles)
Because I wanted more clarity for an outcome card, I threw one additional card:
Card 6: Major Arcana Choice (The Devil)
The first card, the God of Earth, gives us an idea of the foundation of Maria’s spirit. It’s important to her to feel stable and solid, and the Major Arcana Lovers card coming right next to this tells us that she’s found a good relationship with her current partner. The Lovers card indicates a relationship that serves Maria on many different levels: emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. It seems from the imagery of this card that she and her partner have built a bonded relationship with a great deal of growth potential.
The 5 of Earth in the present time, however, brings a somber energy to the reading. This card depicts a desolate tree and many sad faces that blend into its roots and its branches. Maria and her partner may be experiencing some loss or isolation at this time, but the important thing for them to do is to allow this emotional landscape to bring them closer, not to drive them apart. Sometimes when we’re feeling down, we shut out the very people who can most help us to feel better again. The 5 of Earth reminds Maria to be supportive of her partner, but also to allow her partner to support her, too.
The Goddess of Water and Goddess of Earth cards represent the energies of Maria and her partner and where they will be in the next several months. Both of these people have very different personalities and energies. I am especially impressed with the beautiful imagery on the Goddess of Water card, which depicts a woman sweeping over a calm body of water with a lovely swan overshadowing her. I feel that Maria is especially creative and has some very deep, hidden emotions. Some of these are emerging because of the relationship she’s currently in, and she may feel more comfortable sharing these secret feelings that she’s never shared before. She is revealing the beautiful swan within her (when maybe she’s always felt like an ugly duckling), and this is a huge, important step forward. Similarly, the Goddess of Earth, representing her partner, depicts a lovely half-woman, half-rabbit image, with beautiful green swirling around her. I feel that Maria’s partner is making great strides in her understanding of herself and her needs, too, and that although she may have a strong need to remain active, she also needs peace and balance that only a nurturing, sheltering partner can provide. There is healing that comes to her in this relationship, too, which Maria may not acknowledge, but it’s very prevalent and very nice.
Finally, I drew one more card to see how the two would proceed forward together for the next few months. The Major Arcana card Choice, or The Devil in the traditional deck, tells me that this relationship has come together for karmic reasons. There is more going on here at a deep, intrinsic level than either partner may completely understand. However, this card depicts a couple looking up, moving up, with their hands clasped together–not bound by ropes or chains, but holding hands because they want to support each other. This card indicates that movement forward in the relationship is very possible, and indeed probable. Of course, it’s always up to the two people involved in the relationship, but the steps are laid out for the couple to follow. They need to acknowledge their differences but remember that these can make their life together stronger and better. There is energy surrounding them to carry them forward as well as support from the spirit world. The choice is theirs whether they move forward together, but the cards indicate a strong relationship where differences are celebrated and embraced rather than used as an excuse to separate.
Maria, I hope this helps you. Thank you for allowing me to touch in with your spirit!
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Folks, the blog may not be a priority for the next several weeks as I finish up my new manuscript. I promise to update when I can. Until we meet again–be happy, be at peace, and know how loved you are!
xo