Page of Swords - First card from my new Fountain Tarot Deck

Today I received my copy of the Fountain Tarot which I had won in a giveaway in September.  It is a stunning deck. It is even more beautiful  in reality than the pictures  I’ve seen online presumed. It feels like a whole year round, multipurpose deck.

After giving  it  thorough shuffle, the first card I drew was  the Page of Swords – bold curiosity.  A card about being open-minded to new ideas and situations. This page likes to try out new things and seek out new approaches to old concepts.  A perfect guide to dive into this modern looking mesmerizing deck.  But since the Page isn’t the studious type and has a rather short attention span, I asked what could help him to take the study of this deck more seriously and I pulled the Three of Wands – focused effort. Now this guy is holding on the his rope vigorously. He is not the kind to let go that easy when things get a bit more complicated. This is the  attitude I need for my tarot studies: dedication!   The guidebook talks about how he is alternating between energy puling inwards and energy pushing outwards. I love how this is depicted by act of rope twisting. In case of studying this deck this could be about reading and practicing versus contemplating and letting new information and experiences sink in

And last but not least like every Three of wands this cards also stands  for the promise of success !

My cards for the Autumn Equinox

For this year’s Autumn spread I’ve used the Ravens Prophecy Tarot. This deck is quite the opposite of the Tarot of the Hidden Realm because while that deck is mostly about people and faces, this deck is all about symbolism. I was surprised by the amount of Court cards I got in this reading but fortunately it was easy to relate  to them.

By the way, getting reacquainted with my  Autumnal decks after so long, makes me very happy! It feels like coming home: warm, cozy,  familiar but also completely new. 

What have I sown? The World:

The potential to become and achieve whatever I want and cope with whatever comes my way

What have I reaped? The Queen of Wands:

I feel so much more confident to express myself in words and images and I’ve learned that art is not only something I like to do but maybe even more a way of taking care of myself. It feeds and fulfills my soul. I always feel so much better after I’ve created something.

What should I be thankful for? The Queen of Coins

I am grateful for taking better care of my body and I am also grateful to be able to be a caring mother not only for my family but most of the time for myself as well. 

Where do I still need to focus my efforts? The King of Cups

I would like to try to really listen what others have to say; at least give them a chance to let them finish their sentence. Also I think it is important to  become more aware of my own emotional currents.  

How can I achieve balance? The page of Swords

I need to find clarity in all aspects of my life especially about my emotional well being and for me the best way to do this is journal, journal, journal!

Page of Swords - writing practice

For today I have drawn the Page of Swords from the Tarot of the Hidden Realm. We see a young fey woman, with feathers in her hair, handling her sword. She is about to start her practice or perhaps she is just finished and putting her sword back in its sheath. In either case she is determined to get more proficient each day. She want to be ready for battle when needed.

Swords are all about thought and ideas and today this card is telling me to wrap my thoughts about some issues I’ve been putting off. To stop the doubting and swaying back and forth  and to try to be more specific with what I know, belief and stand for; to try to put words to my blurry thoughts. Doubting is great but it is also good to determine exactly what it is what is making you doubt. I have the tendency to avoid the more intricate subjects hidden in the corners of my mind.

Although I am a fervent journaler,  I am also a bit apprehensive to see my more uncertain thoughts in writing. I have to remember I am just like this page: practicing, so not every slash with my sword  has to hit its mark.

 “Journaling is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time”  M. Murray

May Queen Tarot Spread for Beltane

This lovely tarot spread is created by Christine Jette for Beltane and is found in her book “Tarot for all Seasons”, which I’m using this year for every turning of the wheel: “May is a time of fertility and high spirits. By Beltane, the dark time of the year is a distant memory and the possibilities of life seem sweet. Use the May Queen spread to regain or confirm a sense of abundance and safety”

For this spread I will be using The Joie the Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy 

  

1: Safety. Emotional security.  Page of Swords

What do you need to feel safe. Where are you secure in yourself?

This is one of my favorite  court cards. He cuts to the chase. He is direct and refreshing. His hair is blowing in de the wind and clouds are clearing. His mind is full of new and exciting idea’s and he is eager to follow his desire to learn. It makes me feel safe, I can always rely on the insights and clarity of my mind.

2: Abundance. Feelings of plenty. Eight of Cups

Abundance may encompass monetary prosperity, but it also describes the emotional breath of your life that is full and sweet.  

Abundance can also come from the feeling of emotional fulfillment and the longing to broaden your  horizons. The possibilities are numerous. There is always room for emotional growth. The beauty of this card is that he's taking his cups with him instead of leaving them behind. Spiritual journeys are not always taken because of dissatisfaction with your current situation. Sometimes you just want to explore and feel free.

3: Regeneration. Exploring the possibilities. The Fool

The bold action needed to grow and flourish.

It couldn't be more bold than this. The Fool encourages us to take the leap and go for it. The little spider on her staff is reminding her she is the weaver of her own life. She wants to discover and experience. The fool is also about trusting your inner voice. Deep down you know you are on the right track. See the world with childlike eyes and look for new opportunities but don’t ignore your little bat

4: Emotions and relationships. All forms of love, The World

Apparently my relationships are doing well. The last couple of weeks I've been painfully  aware of the fact how much I love both my daughters. My other relationships are quite easy going. But when I look at the winged Merlion and how careful he is holding his world between his paws, I realize love is never to be taken for granted but to be cherished and respected. Love and relationships are dynamic forces which are asking for our constant attention

5: The Future. The present conceivable outcome. The Six of Cupsok how confident thes three are on ther way.

Look how happy and confident these three are on their way. They are strengthened by their happy memories and emotional contentment. From this stability they can move forward to seek out new possibilities. Al the cards in this spread are talking about moving forward and trying new things. It is obvious I am emotionally in a safe place. Perhaps it is good to acknowledge I am strong enough to expand my horizons and not to be afraid because I can always rely on my wits J

Two and Page of Swords - How to air a closed up mind

For today's daily draw I've used my Original Rider Waite Tarot and I wasn’t surprised at all to have drawn the Two of Swords. The woman is sitting blindfolded with two swords crossed for her chest. She doesn’t want to know, to feel or to deal with the situation at hand. There is delay and uncertainty, there is doubt and probable a touch of anxiety. I can relate to those feelings but like this woman I don’t want to deal with them now. So what to do? I pull another card.

The Original Rider Waite Tarot

And there he is, my brave Page of Swords. With his brand new sword swaying above his head. He isn’t even watching what he is doing. He is just moving it back and forth. He has a lot of sparkling idea’s which are circling around in his mind. He is the one who will clear away my premature worries and who will open my mental windows to air my mind. At this very moment I am sitting near my open kitchen door and a Spring breeze is blowing some blossom leaves in my kitchen. It is good to breath the fresh air as it is also wise to allow freshness and bright thoughts to enter my mind. This page is my perfect hero for today J

My Drawing of the Page of Swords

After a long time without drawing I took my sketchbook and started to draw the Page of Swords. Yes sometimes I like to draw from a Rider Waite tarot card. The pictures are rather simple and it pushes me to look at the details in the card. It took me longer than usual because I had to stop several times (neck L), but I am very pleased with it.J

Clear away the cobwebs

October 4:  Today is World Animal Day. St Francis talked to the birds and tamed a wolf. Wolfs can also exist within ourselves. Which wolf in me should I show compassion for?

Universal Waite Tarot

Isn't that a coincidence. Yesterday’s card had a wolf as guide in it; today the wolf is a part of me that can be a hindrance or a challenge. (Isn't that also some kind of guidance in disguise?)

This day’s card is the lovely enthusiastic Page of Swords from The Rider Waite tarot. I love the way his hair dances in the wind and how he swings his sword above his head. Clouds are passing by. He wants to catch them all. This youngster is my wolf of today. The part of me that wants to engage in every new idea or challenge. Among others I'm writing every day now with a Autumn prompt. This is a real challenge for me because everyday I have to write and think in English again. But some day’s I want to write about something entirely else: The flowers I've got from my daughters, the new moon that's due etc. I feel I’m stuck in the cobwebs of my mind.

So today I clear them away and set my mind free.