Sunday, November 2, 2014

Eight of Swords – Opening the Gate

Mary El Tarot Eight of Swords Marie White
For today I've drawn the Eight of Swords from my newest addition to my tarot deck collection: the Mary El tarot by Marie White. I've had it for a few weeks now and to be honest is has taken me some time getting used to. The imagery is stunning. But to interpret these cards is a real challenge.  The eight swords in this card are incorporated in the gate. Upon closer look it is a rather strange gate without hinges or a latch. A gentle push will open it and give way to the path leading up to the tower. There is a light in the tower and somebody seems to be waiting for you there. If the tower wouldn't have been illuminated, I would have suspected, that was what was holding me back: Being safe in my hiding place, keeping the world outside. But it is the  inward journey, which can be even more daunting, this card is talking about. When we dare to face and let go of limiting thoughts like fear and worries; when we are brave enough to change our perception, we are able to move through the gate, pick some roses and meet our whole potential self. Because that’s who this red figure in the doorway is, according to the guidebook. It makes sense that rigid thought patterns will block our intuition which is the path that will lead us to the tower and meet the one inside.
It is remarkable how my latest daily draws are tied together by my intention to face my fears. It is giving me the feeling I am on the right path now.

10 comments:

  1. It took me a long time to add Mary-El to my collection because I had such a physical reactions to the cards. Some are so beautiful and some so disturbing. But I do think they reach a deeper part of me because of my reaction to them. That is quite an appropriate draw for being willing to walk through your fears. Can you hear me cheering you on? :)

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    1. Yes I can; loud and clear!! :D
      They do have a way of hitting you in the stomach sometimes. Some of them make me feel nauseous, others give me the goosebumps, like this one
      Hugs

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  2. I'll be watching to see how you get on with this particular deck!

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    1. I am excited to work with it too. At them moment I draw from various decks but maybe later I will spend some more time with it here.

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  3. I've not yet dared to read with this deck, though I've had it for over a year, I think! So, you are brave in many ways, Ellen :D

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    1. Ha ha thanks Kerry. I can hardly imagine any deck would scare you! :)

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  4. I'll be interested in seeing future posts about the deck.

    Ah fear...my favourite topic..not, but then again yes. Little by slowly we face our fears, but sometimes we are thrown right in, and we either sink or swim. I see parallels between fear and guilt in that there are creative and destructive aspects of both, rational and irrational aspects as well. The challenge for me has been and still is to figure out the difference and then take action. It's a balancing act for sure.

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    1. Guilt it for me the fear that I've made the wrong choice. I should have chosen wiser. First I beat myself up over it and then I have to rationalize my way out of it
      This personal quest is for me all about identifying those murky feelings: fear, guilt, anger etc and trying to find out what lies beneath them. So I guess we'll face the same kind of challenge

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  5. Interesting look at this card. I have this deck, but haven't really did much with it. Maybe I'll pull out some of those unused decks during my time off from the blog. The three birds on the gate grabbed my attention. The watchers? Only those worthy may pass? :) And the symbols engraved in the stone are interesting. Have fun with the deck.

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    1. Thanks Cher I will! I suppose this is one of those decks which has multiple layers. Every time you draw a card you can find something new. :)

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