King of Cups – a pillar of strength

Restored Order Tarot

Today’s card is the King of Cups from the Restored Order Tarot . It is a Dutch deck with eighty cards and its original name is "Tarot in de Herstelde Orde". “Two extra cards, Intuition (Juno) and Truth (Jupiter), have been 'restored' to the deck, and some of the major Arcana is reordered. The imagery is based on that of the Rider-Waite, but has some changes in imagery and has been rendered in a more attractive and vibrant artistic style.” (AeclecticTarot)

It took some getting used to this deck but eventually I learned to appreciate the artwork. I  mostly like the pointillist backgrounds. Each suit has their own color scheme. In my opinion, some of the clothing could have used a bit more attention. But all together it is a nice deck and the hardcover book is good reference.

So back to the King of Cups. He is sitting on a concrete throne which is against all odds floating on the sea. Any way, his feet are kept dry unlike the Queen’s who has one feet in the water. For me this king is an empathizing friendly person who can detach himself from the drama he has to resolve. In that way he can give council and comfort but he isn't swept away by the tidal waves of the emotions all around him. He is a pillar of strength and always there for you but he can maintain his calm and protect his personal boundaries.

This is for me a welcome advice since M and I had to go to the dentist again. I am there for her but I have to be careful it will not be at my own expense. Perhaps, for my own good, this time it is better to be more like the king instead of the queen. 

King of Stones - wolf: marking you territory

Wildwood Tarot

The last card of the Wildwood Tarot deck is the king of material world: The King of Stones (pentacles) - Wolf. This wolf is confident and he knows his strength and the responsibility which comes with his position. His strength and character have put him there. He advises us to mark our territory,  knowing and respecting and defending our boundaries and to protect our pack. He also knows it is important to stay strong for the same reasons:  He takes the first pick of the food. No putting yourself last for this guy.

There are also wolves who live  alone by choice or by necessity.

I am still the leader of my pack (protective) but I am also in my core a lone wolf.(independent, hermit) I need time for myself alone as hard as I need breathing.

Sometimes these two wolf aspects are hard to combine but most of the time if I let my lone wolf howl at the full moon once in a while it is working out just fine. I have to remember to set boundaries for my pack as well as for myself.

Ace of swords and three of cups. Will I finally get it?

For today I've drawn two cards from the Hanson Robert Tarot. Another of my decks which doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. 

Hanson Roberts Tarot

First I got the Ace of Swords. Always a good card to draw: New idea’s, looking a things from a new perspective, receiving clarity and inspiration and so forth.  But like all the aces it is remaining a bit vague. Ideas about what? Inspiration to do what? This sword even has a laurel, so it promises success too. I didn't want to let it rest and in search for more clarity (J) I decided to draw another card. To my surprise I drew the Three of Cups. When I read for myself this is the card that often represents me and my daughters. It encourages me to be open and loving towards them and to receive their love in turn. After yesterday’s conflict, this is for me a hopeful pair of cards. Will I finally get it now? Look at those three women talking and listening to each other. The feel  of this card is so peaceful. We are not the dancing types from the R.W. but this fits us beautifully. It is still early,but I am positive today will be another good day.

I have the card of Lakshmi on my altar now and I am going to chant to her too. So far it is a very beneficial practice for me. Meditating is more easy and I am less distracted by all kind of chit chat in my mind. For me it is a wonderful way to connect to Goddess. 

Lakshmi - Let it be

This morning I've drawn Lakshmi from the Goddess Guidance Oracle. She is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. She is said to bring good luck and is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.  

Since things are a little bit emotional and hectic around here, I figured I could use a little bit of guidance. I wasn't surprised to get this card since lately I feel very connected to Durga and Kali, who are both Hindu goddesses as well.  Yet today in my approach to my youngest I've reacted a bit to fierce, so the gentleness of Lakshmi was very welcome for both of us . Instead of focusing on what is not, and what I lack ,Lakshmi teaches me to be grateful for the abundance she is giving me and for everything I already have. The caption says: Stop worrying everything is going to be fine.  

Mostly I want to solve problems right away. I offer lot’s of solutions and expect others to accept at least one of them.  But sometimes it is what it is; especially when feelings are involved. It is hard for me to just let it be for a while. Although Lakshmi is often associated with overcoming money problems, today for me she is  all about trusting the Divine and stop solving problems and quit mothering. Just being there for her is often already enough.

My mantra for Lakshmi is: Om Shreem Maha lakshmiyai Namaha

Dispersion – Dust in the wind

Tao Oracle

Another card which reminded me of a song of long ago. It is a card from The Tao Oracle form Ma Deva Padma. The card is called Dispersion. The keywords in the caption are: Diffuse negativity, restore harmony, circulate, revitalize, dissolve divisions, lighten up.

I couldn’t have drawn a better card for today. After a tedious tiring morning, I decided to go outside and ride my bike. The wind was blowing through my hair. It was sunny and it felt like spring. A lot of bulb flowers were blooming already. It was as if the windy warm weather was my dispersion and was making me feel so much more awake and alive. Every irritation and worry from this morning was blown away as dust in the wind and it was wonderful!

The song that came to mind was an old one: "Dust in the wind." This song has even a violin solo and so it is as if the man in the card is playing it. Any way I feel  a lot better and I hope you’ll like the song as much as I do.

Kansas - Dust In The Wind

I close my eyes

Only for a moment, then the moment’s gone

All my dreams

Pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Dust in the wind

All they are is dust in the wind

Same old song

Just a drop of water in an endless sea

All we do

Crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

Now, don't hang on

Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky

It slips away

And all your money won't another minute buy

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind

Dust in the wind

all we are is dust in the wind

(dust in the wind)

all we are is dust in the wind

Three of Rods - Climb every mountain

My card for today is the Three of Rods (Wands) from the Anna K tarot. The man/boy in this card has reached the top of the mountain, bringing with him three wands. He has attained his goal only to discover there are more challenges within reach. It almost seems the first mountain was a test if he is able, strong enough, to go on. And he is!

So for me this card is about building confidence by pursuing long term goals, mountain by mountain and not  let myself be overwhelmed by the entire route

Sometimes this is the most loving thing to do for ourselves. No one would give a six year old fractions and times tables, but we know in a few years the child will be able to master them. So let’s take life challenges one step at the time too and celebrate each achievement for a moment in a four of wands state of mind, before climbing the next mountain

The Star - Never lose Hope

Mythic Tarot

A long time ago I have purchased the Mythic Tarot, second hand online. It is the old version which is now out of print. The main reason to buy it was because I thought I would like the theme and the artwork. But I didn't feel a click with this deck like I have with some of my other decks. So I have to admit it ended up in a back corner of my tarot drawer as a collector’s  item. Then I read Olivia’s post  about this deck, in which she can’t stop cheering it. So I got curious again.

For today my daily card it The Star. In my opinion you can’t go wrong with The Star card in any deck. This is a very different rendition of the Star compared with R.W. based decks. Yes the girl is naked but there stops the resemblance. This girl is called Pandora and she is the main character of the Greece Myth: “Pandora’s box” :

“ In classical Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on Earth. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create her, so he did—using water and earth. The gods endowed her with many gifts: Athena clothed her, Aphrodite gave her beauty, and Hermes gave her speech.

When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Epimetheus, Prometheus' brother. With her, Pandora was given a beautiful jar – with instructions not to open it under any circumstance. Impelled by her curiosity (given to her by the gods), Pandora opened it, and all evil contained therein escaped and spread over the earth. She hastened to close the container, but the whole contents had escaped, except for one thing that lay at the bottom – the Spirit of Hope. Pandora, deeply saddened by what she had done, feared she would have to face Zeus' wrath, since she had failed her duty; however, Zeus did not punish Pandora, because he knew this would happen.”(Wikipedia)

This story teaches us whatever may happen, we’re never left without Hope. This can refer to major trauma’s, but also to the minor daily struggles which can be rather overwhelming too. Don’t you just adore it how she keeps looking at the star without being distracted by the swarm of illness and disaster. For me personally it reminds me of how I, at my wits end, had enough  hope and inspiration to go to my room and defy my Inner Critic. 

This card has persuaded me to find a more obtainable place for this deck in my drawer.