Tag: tarot cards (Page 4 of 5)

THE TOWER TAROT CARD: HARBINGER OF LIFE SHIFTS

May 9, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot card - 16. The Tower
Perched atop a rocky crag is a tower, flames spouting from its windows, and its roof – shaped like a crown, being blown off by a mighty lightning bolt that culminates in an arrow. Falling from the tower are two figures, one with long blue robes and wearing a crown or a jester’s hat, and one with a trailing red cloak. The background of the card is dark and there are storm clouds and golden drops of fire scattered throughout. — The Tower

Overview and common meanings of The Tower Tarot card

When The Tower Tarot card shows up, it is an indication of major changes, and it is here to tell you that these changes are coming regardless, so you may as well surrender and let them happen, as fighting them is futile. Alternative names, in varying decks are Thunderbolt, House of God, Fate, The Lightning, Chaos.

It is in the turmoil of chaos that we discover what, if anything, we are.
Orson Scott Card

Common Meanings

The Tower card urges us to let the necessary shifts happen so you can rebuild and refocus. When changes happen on this deep level, you have to trust that it is so that your soul can evolve to a higher plane of existence. The insights you gain during this time are invaluable. Although often the more challenging path, truth and integrity are vital while navigating these changes – both with yourself and with others. The Tower often shows up when you are resisting taking the steps to make the changes you know you need to make. Honestly, this is something that you knew you had to let go of in order to build something better. Sometimes we need The Tower to show us how to make the changes we know we need to make.

This is a required phase of collapse and restoration so our horizons can expand into something better. You may be called to release an ideal, a dream, a relationship, or an organization, and it is often brought about by external forces. This is all about letting go; as those walls of the metaphorical tower come crashing down, often with a big dramatic explosion, you can see, in that moment of destruction, what you have created and how it protected you. This clarity enables you to have deep insight into how you want your future to look, and what you want to build to create that, and how you can make the foundation solid in the rebuilding of your own personal tower.

Ways in which The Tower can manifest in various areas of your life are abrupt changes in your home life, delays in building, secrets in relationships coming to light and rocking your world, changes in business resulting in necessary restructuring to adapt. When the dust settles from the shake up, The Tower offers you a way of living that is more aligned with your heart and mind; the things that the tower brings down are always things that needed to go anyway: detrimental influences, bad living situations, jobs with no potential, harmful lifestyle choices.

The Many Faces of The Tower

The shadow side – or reversal – indicates taking responsibility for things that are not yours and also indicates attachments to situations – work, relationships, habits, out of fear, and not because they are right for you. It can indicate that life is feeling humdrum and boring. The shadow side can also show up to show that you are instigating the changes in your life, rather than life forcing them upon you.

The Journey of The Tower

The Tower is the second card in the third and final septenary of the Major Arcana, which you may recall is about the spiritual world and attainment of enlightenment. Last week we saw the beginning of the journey with the facing of one’s demons. The Tower continues that journey as the metaphorical tower of what we had held as our truth in life is burned to the ground to make way for what will be. It is the literal and symbolic clearing of the decks, burning the weeds, spring cleaning your life, so that you may continue on your journey towards attaining spiritual enlightenment.

Description of The Tower card

Perched atop a rocky crag is a tower, flames spouting from its windows, and its roof – shaped like a crown, being blown off by a mighty lightning bolt that culminates in an arrow. Falling from the tower are two figures, one with long blue robes and wearing a crown or a jester’s hat, and one with a trailing red cloak. The background of the card is dark and there are storm clouds and golden drops of fire scattered throughout.

Themes of The Tower Tarot Card

Breaking free from old patterns, relationships, habits
Fall from grace
Fate
Spiritual Awakening
Sudden Change
Surrender
Turmoil

The Number 16

Destiny depends on beliefs and behaviors. It is vital that thinking is positive and confident about all the numerous facets of life. Self-analysis to comprehend wisdom; it has a talent for research, important to balance and honor both the spiritual and analytical.

Elements of the Tower Card and Associated Symbolism

The Tower – society, protection, habit, ego
The falling people – humankind at the mercy of the forces of nature, or god if you will.
Fire – change, rebirth, purification
Golden droplets – rain of fire,
Lightning bolt – illumination, awakening, clarity, purification
Falling crown – ego and authority toppled by nature, a more powerful force.

Herbs for The Tower

Heather – Protection, luck
Honeysuckle – Aids persuasiveness and confidence, sharpens intuition.
Lemon – Cleansing, spiritual opening, purification, and removal of blockages.
Lotus Root – clarity in times of chaos
Yarrow – support when struggling with overwhelming problems, to reinforce courage and assurance that daylight will come again.

Questions that The Tower asks us

What in your life needs to crash and burn so that you can build something better?
Are you resisting making the changes you know you need to make, and if so, are you ready for the chaotic energy of The Tower to bring dramatic change?

That is The Tower, not really so scary when you are honest with yourself about the necessary major changes your life needs in order to thrive. Wishing you a week in which you embrace those changes! Please leave comments, ask questions, or reach out for a reading.

Thank you for reading and please join me next week for The Star!

THE DEVIL TAROT CARD – A CALL TO BREAK FREE FROM TOXIC PATTERNS

May 4, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

We all have inner demons to fight, we call these demons, fear and hatred and anger. If you do not conquer them then a life of one hundred years is a tragedy. If you do, then a life of a single day can be a triumph.
Yip Man

Overview and Common Meanings of The Devil Tarot Card

The devil card often appears when you feel that you are trapped and controlled by the darker influences in your life – unhealthy relationships, addictions, etc., and serves as a reminder that you are only as stuck as you believe, and that you do have the power to overcome. To break free is to acknowledge the hold these bad situations have over you and how that is impacting your life in a negative way. For it is only by holding this up to the bright light of truth that you will be able to break free and move into a healthier place.

Alternative names in varying tarot decks are Pan, Temptation, Demon, Torment, Shadow, Conditioning.

Common Meanings

You may be feeling trapped by a situation or relationship that was once pleasurable but has reversed and is no longer healthy. When the devil shows up, you are seeing the reality of the situation for what it is. This could manifest in many ways: At home – living with domineering people or a toxic landlord, difficult relationships, unhealthy situations, affairs, financial dependence keeping you tied to the past, or in an untenable work situation.

Another side of the devil is sexual, and it may indicate that you are ready to experiment sexually. The devil reminds us to not let that experimentation dip into the dangerous waters of obsession. Like last week’s card of temperance, moderation in all is called for.

The Many Faces of The Devil

Since the upright presentation of this card represents your shadow side, the shadow side – or reversal – of the devil indicates that while you are feeling trapped, you can see that things are not as bad as you thought, and you are not as stuck as you have come to believe. Cycles of ill health, addiction, and feeling trapped are starting to ease. This is an indication that you need to deal with and let go of these old patterns and situations in order to move to the newer and better life you envision. You must face the dark places before you can reach for the light. Even the dark places where you hide secret shame. Now is the moment to make your change!

The Journey of The Devil

The Devil is the first card of the third and final septenary of the Major Arcana, which is about the spiritual world and attainment of enlightenment. This final septenary begins with the facing of one’s demons (the devil), for it is only through facing and conquering them that you can complete your spiritual journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

Description of the Devil tarot card

A red winged and horned figure, top that of a man, bottom that of a goat ending in feet like bird talons sits perched like a bird upon a black stone plinth with a heavy ring in its center. His left hand is downward and carries a flaming torch, and his right is upwards, the first two fingers together and the last two together to form a V. Above his head is a pentagram upside down. At his feet, chained loosely about the neck by the same chain that passes through the ring on the plinth, are two nude figures – a male and a female. Both have fiery hair and horns and tails. The man’s tail is fire, and the woman’s tail is a bunch of grapes, which her hand reaches towards. The background of the card is black, and the overall feeling is ominous.

Themes of the devil

Addiction
Dark nature
Destructive Patterns
Limiting Beliefs
Feeling trapped
Negative thinking
Restriction
Sexuality
Soul searching
Toxic Environments – external or internal

The Number 15

Concepts and beliefs are urging you to make some much needed alterations in your life. It is time to make more positive life choices. The long-term results will be of great assistance to you and others. Remove old restraints and constraints and make room for new and better in your life.

Elements of the Devil Card and Associated Symbolism

The Devil – inner or outer repression; base impulses rather than higher self
The Tails – lower instincts in our life; the woman’s tail ends in fruit, indicating temptation, the mans forked fiery tale indicates corruption.
Chains – the chains that bind us, control, dependency, material and emotional habits that feel like change, but are in the end not necessary.
The torch – the power of enlightenment, here held by the devil – controlling the power of knowledge.
Inverted Pentagram – cruelty and dark influences

Herbs for The Devil

Black Pepper – Banishing negativity, exorcism, protection from evil
Blessed Thistle – Purification, protection against negativity and evil
Blue Cohosh – love breaking and driving away evil.
Chrysanthemum – Defense, ward off malevolent forces.
St John’s Wort – works like an anti-depressant and helps with compulsion

Questions that the Devil tarot card asks us

What traps have you created in your life – marriage, job, relationships, addictions – that you know are not good for you, and how can you take steps to free yourself from these traps?
Are you afraid to take the steps to move in a new direction, because the “devil you know is more” is more familiar, and if so, how is that working out for you?

That is the Devil of the Tarot, a call to wrestle those inner demons to the ground and finally break free to live the life you imagine. Wishing you a week in which you take steps to do just that, and in which you acknowledge even the smallest move in that direction.

Thank you for reading and as always, please leave comments, ask questions, or contact me for a personal reading.

Please Join me next week for The Tower!

WHY THE WISDOM OF THE MIDDLE WAY IS THE BEST WAY IN THE TEMPERANCE TAROT CARD

April 26, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot cards Number 14, Temperance.
An angel, wings outspread, stands at the edge of a body of water, one foot in, one out. Around the pool grow yellow irises. In his hands he is pouring from one chalice into the other. The center of his forehead Has a symbol, a circle with a dot in the middle, and his head is surrounded by a nimbus of light. At the center of his chest, is a square containing a triangle within. A path meanders away from the water in the direction of two mountains with a sun rising in the middle — Temperance

Overview and common meanings of The Temperance Tarot Card

Temperance is about balance and harmony, about not choosing either extreme, but rather finding a way to blend both to create your own unique solutions. Temperance is also a sign that you are connecting with higher forces, the divine – or angels, if you will. You have a clear, long-term vision for what you want to achieve, and are determined to take the balanced approach in order to see this come to fruition. Alternative names in various decks – Art, Integration, Balance, Harmony, The Weaver.

The Middle path is the way to wisdom
Rumi

Common Meanings

When Temperance shows up, it is a good reminder to pay attention to help that will come from unexpected directions and in unusual ways, such as advice from a friend or even strangers that have been put in your path to help you through this time. It is a good time to drop in and listen to your inner voice and the guidance that can be found there. It may herald the beginning of a sacred voyage of your own. In regard to home, temperance says that you have the balance to succeed in all aspects. In Love/relationships it can show new depths of faith in each other, and that the synergy in your existing relationship works well. If you are seeking a relationship, it can indicate that you are ready for one that has the potential for marriage and long-term commitment. Stay true to this vision and trust that the right person will show up at the right time. In a career situation it cautions to be diplomatic and pay attention to income and expenses. As always, the middle way is the best way.

The Many Faces of Temperance

You know that feeling in January after the excess of the holidays? I often joke that is the one time of the year that I crave kale salad. That is temperance showing up and gently warning you that you have created an Imbalance and the need to find that balance again through diet, exercise, spiritual practice, etc. Other things to pay attention to with the shadow side of temperance: feelings of unfairness, feeling like you are putting in more than you are receiving in many areas. In any event, the shadow side of temperance Indicates a need for self-healing in order to progress.

The Journey of Temperance

The final card of the second septenary, which as you will recall is about social and moral understandings; and the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. We saw a death of the old with last weeks card, death, and now we are seeing abstract ideas becoming reality. This is actual behavior, not conceptual, and is the integration of the balance and wisdom regained after tearing the world down in death. The energy of life after ego’s death.

Description

An angel, wings outspread, stands at the edge of a body of water, one foot in, one out. Around the pool grow yellow irises. In his hands he is pouring from one chalice into the other. The center of his forehead Has a symbol, a circle with a dot in the middle, and his head is surrounded by a nimbus of light. At the center of his chest, is a square containing a triangle within. A path meanders away from the water in the direction of two mountains with a sun rising in the middle.

Themes of Temperance

Balance
Cooperation
Duality
Equilibrium
Patience
Purpose
Yin/Yang
The middle path that Buddha strove for on his quest for enlightenment

The Number 14

Double of the prime number 7, the number of creation, the number 14 is an indication of the need to find that balance in life, so as not to overindulge, overspend, or become codependent. The need expressed in the number 14 is that of the card it represents – temperance.

Elements of the temperance Card and Associated Symbolism

Angel – archangel Michael, protector to help facilitate moving past fear and letting go of the past.
One foot in water, one out – needing to be in the flow while staying grounded
Chalices – one for past, one for present. The water flowing between them is symbolic of how we blend past and the present experiences together to create our future.
Circle with dot in center – sun symbol, spiritual enlightenment
Square with triangle – masculine energy (square) integrating with and protecting feminine energy (triangle)
Pool of water – purification and rejuvenation, emotions, and unconscious mind
Irises – Hope
Path – the meandering path that life takes us on
Mountains and sun – new dawn of hope after period of stress

Herbs for Temperance

Agrimony – conquering anxiety and adverse obstacles
Angelica – promotes temperance; strengthens one’s connection with the physical world by bringing balance to the spirit
Chervil – inner wisdom, connecting with the divine
Cinquefoil – Balance; The five points of the leaf represent love, money, health, power, and wisdom
Foxglove – protection and vision
Valerian – clarity of dreams, reconciliation, love, and harmony

Questions that Temperance asks us

What area of your life is out of balance and into extreme, and how can you bring it back to center?
What does temperance mean for you, in finding that way to blend two extremes into something that is uniquely yours?

That is Temperance! Wishing you a week in which the wisdom of the middle path manifests in large and small ways. Please leave comments, or ask questions, and join me next week for: The Devil!

WHY DEATH OF OLD FORCES REBIRTH OF NEW IN THE DEATH TAROT CARD

April 19, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot cards Death
A figure in black armor, face that of a skeleton, rides a white horse with glowing red eyes. A red feather wilts from the peak of his helm. The chest stall of the horse is decorated with skull and crossbones. In his left hand is a black standard bearing the image of a white flower and five ears of corn, or wheat. There is a king lying dead beneath the hooves of his horse, his crown fallen to the ground, and his scepter lying next to him. The land is barren, there is a tiny ship on the seas in the distance. On the ground is a baby in blue, and a maiden in white, both kneeling in supplication. At the head of the horse stands a pope, hands clasped in prayer, with dark shadows stretching out from him. In the distance we see two towers, with the sun setting or rising between them — Death Tarot Card

Overview and common meanings of The Death Tarot Card

The Death card is about rebirth; of eliminating the dead weight of old habits that no longer serve us; of letting go of relationships that no longer fit into who we are; of releasing old belief systems that are keeping us from living our best life. This is, to many, the scariest card in the Tarot deck. People immediately think that they, or a loved one will die. This is rarely the case. This card is about the little deaths in our life that enable us to transition to newer and better things. Try to let it happen and remember that swift change brings new beginnings.

Other names in alternating decks are Transformation, Transition, Liberation.

When you are transitioning to a new season of life, the people and situations that no longer fit you will fall away.
Mandy Hale

Common Meanings

The Death Tarot card, which almost always indicates the death of one thing so that another can begin, rarely comes as a true surprise. You knew, even if you didn’t want to admit it to yourself that the thing, relationship, season of life, was over. It is perfectly acceptable to mourn the ending of something, even as you are looking forward with great joy and eagerness to the beginning of something new. This is the card of endings and beginnings, often both at once; fast and deep transformation. Rebirth is what it is all about. It could mean that the place you are living no longer meets your needs and you need to find a new home. It could indicate that new circumstances may offer an opportunity to relocate. The death card can speak to your current job situation – that change is coming there, and, like all change, it might be scary and feel unstable for a time. It can also be the ending or a necessary time apart in a friendship or relationship. Sometimes this is temporary, unless these have run their course and they no longer fit into the life you see for yourself going forward. Try to remember that it is natural and normal to grieve all endings, while keeping in mind that in every ending is a beginning, and that something better is waiting for you just over the horizon.

The Many Faces of Death

The shadow side, or reversal of death is often the same as the upright meanings. It can be an indication of fear of transformation, grieving loss, figurative deaths, sentimental attachments that outlive the reality of the situation. This is one of those cards where both the upright and the reversal or shadow side tell you to embrace the change that is inevitable, but also that it is ok to grieve what you are leaving behind. That knot of fear in your stomach while you are also deeply excited: its perfectly natural and normal.

The Journey of Death in the Tarot

We are coming very close to the end of the second septenary, which as you will recall is about social and moral understandings, the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. This kind of true transformation can only truly take place when a death occurs – a death of who you were as you transform into who you are becoming.

Description

A figure in black armor, face that of a skeleton, rides a white horse with glowing red eyes. A red feather wilts from the peak of his helm. The chest stall of the horse is decorated with skull and crossbones. In his left hand is a black standard bearing the image of a white flower and five ears of corn, or wheat. There is a king lying dead beneath the hooves of his horse, his crown fallen to the ground, and his scepter lying next to him. The land is barren, there is a tiny ship on the seas in the distance. On the ground is a baby in blue, and a maiden in white, both kneeling in supplication. At the head of the horse stands a pope, hands clasped in prayer, with dark shadows stretching out from him. In the distance we see two towers, with the sun setting or rising between them.

Themes of Death

Transformation
Endings
Rebirth
Transition
Change
New cycles
Awakening
End of an era
Letting go

The Number 13

The number 13 brings the assessment, the agony, and the loss. It symbolizes the end to the issue or to the ego and alignment with the spiritual.

Elements of the Death Card and Associated Symbolism

The skeleton- what survives after life has left.
The standard – black with a white rose, symbolizing renewal, and the corn or wheat, the harvest. The message being that death takes his harvest of souls and leaves the grain, or the truth, behind.
Black Armor – black is about endings
Pale horse – representative of the four horsemen of the apocalypse
Wilted Red feather – life force ebbing
Maiden looking away– fear of the death of innocence
Child – innocence and unafraid
Pope – Piety in the face of uncertainty; faith
Dead king – death, or endings, does not spare those of high caste; like justice, it is blind to all.
Ship – represents the ship carrying souls across the river Styx
Two towers, or city gates – Traditionally, the dead were buried outside of the city. The city gates can also be seen as the gates to heaven. The symbolism here is about stepping outside of your own fortress and exposing yourself to the elements so that you can be born anew into whatever comes next.
Sun rising or setting – the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth

Herbs for The Death Card

Hawthorn – protection and openness
Linden – calming heart tonic; protective, comforting, through times of grief
Milky Oat tops – nourishment and calm. Helps overcome feelings of being overwhelmed and out of control when life is throwing transformation at you fast and hard.
Mimosa – Sadness, loss, heartache, grief.
Sage – wisdom; esteem; resolving spiritual issues; to feel more linked with day-to-day existence, i.e., grasping and allowing reality to be what it is, rather than what we wish it were.

Questions that the Death Tarot card asks us

What in my life needs to “die” in order for me to live my very best life?
What areas of my life that I once thought long dead, are experiencing a rebirth?

Thank you for reading. Wishing you a week in which you accept with grace the endings that are taking place in your life and look eagerly to the new beginnings that spring from every ending. It Please leave comments or ask questions, and join me next week for Temperance!

THE HANGED MAN OF THE TAROT IS ABOUT ULTIMATE SURRENDER

April 12, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot Cards - The Hanged Man — The Hanged Man

Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance
Morgan Freeman

Overview and Meaning of The Hanged Man Tarot card

The Hanged Man often shows up in a reading when we are feeling stuck (or just needing to sit still) and is a call to look at things from a new perspective and work on getting freed. Sometimes you can’t go through but must look at ways of going over or around. This is the card of the ultimate surrender, telling you to take your hands off the wheel and just pause. Alternative names in various decks: The traitor, Vision Quest, Sundance.

Common Meanings of The Hanged Man

If you are paying attention to your inner wisdom, you know when these times of feeling stuck arise and you can allow that pause to take place. If, however, you are not in alignment with your inner voice, the universe may put you in a holding pattern for now. This can show up in the form of a health or financial issue. Pay attention to this and realize that this is a tactic to slow you down and make you look at your own inner landscape. When it is time to hit the gas and start moving again, the universe will let you know! The important piece of going into this holding pattern is that it is your opportunity to assess your life and to do so with the idea of change. What is working and what is not? This is an opportunity for you to see things in a whole new way, and even to shift focus and direction. Sometimes the Hanged Man just shows up to remind you to meditate! In our society, we are so hardwired to move, change, make things happen. The Hanged man shows up to tell you to take that pause, breathe, be quiet and let the things that need to happen, happen. The pause that brings the Hanged man is a blessing; the change that occurs from sitting still for a minute is a blessing. Life is a blessing.

The Many Faces of the Tarot Card the Hanged Man

The shadow – or reversal – side of the hanged man can show up to indicate that you are experiencing Inertia, self-sabotage, and could be holding onto things that aren’t for you. It is important in this time to take an objective look at what this means for you personally. Just because you want something, doesn’t mean that it is for you.

The Journey of The Hanged Man

We are drawing close to the end of the second septenary of the Major Arcana, which you may recall is about social and moral understandings; the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. The Hanged man is the call for our protagonist (The Fool) to pause and go inwards for the lessons already learned and those still to come in that journey towards the death of ego and self.

Description of The Hanged Man Tarot Card

Hanging upside down on a T shaped tree, is a man wearing a blue shirt and red pants. His hands are on his hips and his right leg is cocked and folded under the left, creating a triangle. Although hanging, if you were to turn the card upside down, he appears to be very much at ease. Surrounding his head is a halo, nimbus, or sun.

Themes of The Hanged Man

Surrendering to the will of the cosmos (let go and let God)
Enlightenment
Intentional pause
Spiritual teachings
Realigning with your soul purpose
Meditation

The Number 12

Just as the Hanged Man is about holding where you are, the number 12 is here to remind us to stay positive about the future, as you are likely on the threshold of some encouraging changes soon.

Elements of the Hanged Man Card and Associated Symbolism

Tree – represents the tree of life, alive with possibility
T-shaped cross – represents the cross upon which Christ was crucified
Left leg bent – an early Christian symbol fylfot cross
Halo – enlightenment
Hanging upside down –a different perspective
Red pants – human passions
Blue top – knowledge, learning, wisdom

Herbs for The Hanged Man

Chamomile – soothing and calming
Danshen – alleviate anger and aggression
Gotu Kola – stimulates the crown chakra and balances brain hemispheres, helps with stress.
Hawthorn – healing the heart
Kava – anxiety relief, good for accepting where you are

Questions that the Hanged Man Asks Us

If you were to consciously choose to be the Hanged Man and take a big pause from the world, relationship, job, etc., how would that look for you?
Are you holding on to situations, people, habits that are not yours, and if so, why and how can you learn to release and surrender to what is rather than what you want?

That is the Hanged Man! Wishing you a week filled with acceptance and peace when faced with any seeming lack of momentum. Remember that wisdom is often gained in the times when it appears that you are standing still. Thank you for reading. Please leave comments or ask questions.

Please join me next week for: Death!

WHY THE JUSTICE TAROT CARD IS IMPORTANT

April 5, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

tarot Cards - Justice — Justice Tarot Card

Justice is the sum of all moral duty
William Godwin

Overview and meanings of the JUSTICE tarot card

When Justice shows up in a reading, it is a strong call for you to weigh the situation and act fairly. This may mean becoming a champion for injustice, or it may just be an indication that the scales of justice will balance. This card also shows up to indicate an actual legal proceeding. Trust that the Universe has your back.

Alternative names in varying decks are Adjustment, breakthrough, Life Force.

Common Meanings of the Justice tarot card

The Justice card is about, well, Justice, but it is also a call to look at your life and your actions and how the law of karma plays into that. Sometimes – especially if we have acted in a way that is not entirely honorable – it is easy to play the victim card. However, Justice is here to strip that away. Justice is not “Fair,” it is JUST. There is no favoritism here…just facts. So, if you feel you have been unjustly treated, this is a great time to take a long hard look at that and determine what part is yours.

The Many Faces of Justice

The shadow side – or reversal- of this card shows up as a reminder that if things have been out of balance and truly unfair in your life, just like the scales that Justice holds, things WILL even out, so have faith. Try to learn from the experience and have compassion for those going through it. It may be a great time to investigate becoming a victim’s right advocate or similar so that you can give back. That experience you had is valuable. Share it with the world! Justice is calling you to do the right thing. So, do the right thing.. Things that show up on the shadow side: Intolerance, bias, extreme severity, past actions coming back to haunt you.

The Journey of Justice

The Fool is making his journey towards the end of the arc of the second septenary, which you may recall is about social and moral understandings; the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. In that arc, the fool cannot truly begin on his path towards spiritual enlightenment until he understands that the scales of justice – or law of Karma if you will – must maintain balance.

Description of the Justice Tarot Card

A crowned woman sits on a throne between two pillars of stone. In her right hand is a sword pointing up and, in her left, scales. She is robed in red with a mantle of green settled on her shoulders and clasped by a square clasp enclosing a circle. Behind her and attached to the pillars, is a curtain or veil.

Themes of Justice

Justice
Balance
Accountability
Truth
Principle
Legal Matters
Karma

The Number 11

The Number 11, two 1’s, indicates the duality of justice – to each act there is a reaction, to each cause, an effect.

Elements of the justice Card and Associated Symbolism

Stone Pillars – stability and balance
Sword – Victory; action resulting from judgement- double edged to show actions having consequences
Scales – the balancing and weighing of all information to make a judgement
Crown – authority.
Square clasp – square shields the sphere of communal unity held within
Veil or curtain – boundary between court and the outside world while evidence is given
Yellow background – awareness, clear picture

Herbs for Justice

Amaranth – defense and invisibility, help prevent aggression.
Bergamot – protection from evil and illness, stopping interference.
Buckthorn – helpful for safety and legal problem
Celandine – legal matters, good will of a jury, avoid unwarranted incarceration.
Calendula – protection, legal matters, and psychic/spiritual powers

Questions that the Justice Tarot card asks us

Are you behaving in a way that is wholly honorable in all your dealings in life, and if not, are you tuned into how this behavior has consequences?
Have you felt compelled to fight for justice for the underdog and if so – what are you waiting for? The causes are right there waiting for you to pick up the flaming sword and wade in.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you a week of acting and reaping justice.

Please leave comments or ask questions.

Next week: The Hanged Man!

WHY QUIET TIME IS IMPORTANT – THE HERMIT OF THE TAROT

March 22, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot Cards - The Hermit, Card 9 of the Major Arcana

Overview of The Hermit Tarot card

The Hermit shows up in your life as a clear message that it is time to withdraw and recharge for a time. There are a few tarot cards that typically scare the hell out of people when they show up, and the Hermit is one of them. In our society, we are so hard wired to be busy and social all the time that it feels scary and off to take the time to be quiet and listen to the wisdom that your own inner compass can provide. But the insight of The Hermit – and really any card that makes you uncomfortable – is that you need to “lean into” the uncomfortable and go with the message, in this case, solitude, even if it is just a few hours. Alternative names for The Hermit are: The Old Man, Time, The Poor Man, The Alien, The Spy

But I’ll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.
Alan Watts

Common Meanings

It is a time for quiet reflection to learn about yourself and your place in the world around you. There is an important distinction here that must be understood to understand The Hermit: This is not loneliness. It is about that “journey within” and the power that is gained by taking that journey. Being alone is not a punishment, despite what society tells us. Sometimes even just learning how uncomfortable it makes you to be alone is an invaluable lesson. To some people, the scariest thing they can ever face is that quiet still place within. The Hermit can also herald the quiet time needed to create some masterpiece of your own, even if it is just for you, even if that masterpiece is just a deepened knowing of yourself. If your focus for the reading is about career, it could indicate working independently, or it could indicate a need for quiet so you can focus on what you are working on. In love, if in a relationship, it could indicate the need for some space and alone time to recharge your batteries. If you are seeking a relationship and the hermit shows up, it can be a clear indication that maybe now is not the ideal time to be entering into such a partnership. The Hermit himself is a wise spiritual guide or mentor, one who teaches from a place of having been there, the voice of experience. If this is you, make sure you are taking the time you need in meditation and study to keep your spiritual batteries fully charged. If it is not you, it may indicate a time in which someone can be a mentor to you as you begin your own journey of spiritual discovery.

The Many Faces of The Hermit

The shadow – or reversed – side of the Hermit card can indicate withdrawing, isolation, misfit, black sheep, always seeking but not finding. When in this position it can be a warning that you are being TOO isolated and becoming an actual hermit; reminder of the importance of connecting with others.

The Journey of The Hermit of the tarot

The Hermit arrives after the lessons of the chariot and strength cards, as part of the second septenary of the Major Arcana. This is another step in the arc of the second septenary, which, as you will recall, is about the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. This is that time in everyone’s life in which a bit of soul searching is in order so that we may better understand how, when we are more in tune with our inner voice, the noise of the material world begins to fade into the background. Whether or not you are religious, or even spiritual, there is a holiness in learning to trust and listen to the wisdom found in silence.

Description

A man with a long snowy beard stands in a desolate snowy landscape, holding aloft a lantern in which the light is the shape of a star- perhaps a light in the darkness- in his right hand and a staff in the left. His robes are gray, and the background of the card is muted blue, indicating night.

Themes of The Hermit

Introspection
Taking a break from the busyness of everyday life
Finding a Mentor/teacher/counselor
Alone but not lonely

The Number 9

Faith, inner-strength, accountability, insight, learning how and when to say “No.”

Elements of the Hermit Card and Associated Symbolism

Old man with snowy beard –wisdom, refuge, judgment
Staff – self-support; healing
Lantern – light in the darkness illuminating our path; inner compass
Six-pointed star – faith, guidance
Snow – clarity of and understanding of feelings and emotions

Herbs for The Hermit

Angelica -Associated with personal courage, it strengthens one’s connection with the physical world by bringing balance to the spirit.
Damiana – enables us to be more open, and connected within ourselves and with others
Mugwort – introspection and intuition, gateway to inner-realms—unveiling who you are and what you need to understand. Promotes lucid dreaming.
Sage – wisdom; esteem; resolving spiritual issues
Yarrow – Helps to bolster courage in that inner journey and assure us that this is just a season.

Questions that The Hermit asks us

Are you spinning your wheels and staying busy to avoid seeing something that is going on internally?
How can you “be the hermit” and get enough solitude to learn more about yourself and your place in the world around you?

The is the Hermit. Wishing you a week in which you take the time to breathe and learn what you need to do to live fully and happily. Please leave comments or ask questions. Join me next week for The Wheel of Fortune!

WHY MASTERING EGO IS IMPORTANT FOR STRENGTH IN THE TAROT

March 15, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot Card Strength
A woman in white, wearing both a crown and girdle of leaves and berries, stands petting a lion that is responding just like a happy pet. Above her head is an infinity symbol. There are mountains and trees in the distance and the sky is a bright yellow. — Tarot card: Strength

Overview and common meanings of The Strength Tarot card

The Strength card of the Tarot is about mastering your passions so that they cannot master you, for it is only through self-mastery that true strength may appear. This card reminds us of the importance of knowing our limits and finding balance. On the journey of strength, fearless inward exploration cannot be accomplished when you are not in control of your emotions. You must leave ego out of it to face yourself as you really are. Balance is about finding that strength of spirit when dealing with stress. True strength also shows kindness and compassion, because, when truly coming from a place of strength, this generosity of spirit is effortless. The path of true strength brings terms that seem almost like oxymoron’s: fierce serenity, passionate tranquility, ferocious peace.

Other names for the Strength card, in varying decks: Courage, Balance, Fortitude

The Greatest Weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another
William James

Common Meanings

With strength, you can discover your higher purpose. Raw emotions and longings can be conveyed in constructive ways when internal strength and flexibility are applied. Inner strength and human spirit’s ability to overcome any obstacles in our path. With this comes an Inner knowing that you can endure anything. The Chariot card rules by external power, Strength by internal. This is the quiet power behind the scenes that may not be obvious. It is a call to tame your animal instincts and gut reactions and channel those in a positive direction. The strength card urges us to lean into the things that scare us and do them anyway. It teaches us about moving towards inner peace by learning how to express raw emotions in a more positive and constructive way.

The Many Faces of Strength

The Shadow side – or reversal- of strength indicates overwhelm, lacking self-confidence, the need to take care of yourself and get back into balance. This is a call to figure out how to balance serving others without depleting yourself.

The Journey of Strength

As the first card of the second septenary of the Major arcana, which you may recall is about social and moral understandings; the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. This is the first step on that next mini journey that the fool makes throughout the major arcana. This step, and this card, is all about learning to master your ego, for only by doing so can true strength be found.

Description

A woman in white, wearing both a crown and girdle of leaves and berries, stands petting a lion that is responding just like a happy pet. Above her head is an infinity symbol. There are mountains and trees in the distance and the sky is a bright yellow.

Themes of The Tarot Card Strength

Moral victory
Strength in action
Inner fortitude
Quiet persuasion
Courage
Determination
Patience
Compassion

The Number Eight

Stability and renewal, inner strength and wisdom and healthy balanced ego

Elements of the Strength Card and Associated Symbolism

Woman– graciousness, femininity
White robes – purity
Infinity symbol- infinite potential, power, options
Crown and girdle of roses/briars- protection and celebration
Lion- passion and base, or animal, instincts, power, bravery, leadership
Yellow background – clarity, support, awareness

Herbs for Strength

Cayenne – purpose, courage, removing obstacles
Angelica – guardian; also provides strength to women
Basil – success
Comfrey- protection
Thyme – bravery

Questions that Strength asks us

Are you feeling like your emotions are mastering you, and if so, is it time to do a fearless internal investigation to see what you may learn about your own strengths?
If you are feeling overwhelmed and out of balance, what can you do to bring yourself back to center?

Wishing you a week filled with that knowing that your own true power lies in mastering your baser instincts. That is Strength. Please leave comments or ask questions. Please join me next week for The Hermit!

WHY DUALITY IS IMPORTANT TO THE CHARIOT OF THE TAROT

March 8, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot card - The Chariot
A warrior, wearing a laurel wreath and crown with an eight-pointed star stands in a stone chariot. Above him is a canopy of stars. His armor contains an alchemical square, representing the four corners of the earth. On the front of the chariot is a winged sun and the graphical symbol for yoni-lingam. Under him are two sphinx’s, one white, one black, representing duality. There is a river behind him, and the background of the card is bright yellow. — The Chariot

Overview and common meanings of The Chariot of the tarot

When The Chariot of the Tarot arrives, the universe is telling you that it is time to put on your thick skin and fight to get what’s yours. A lot of the time in life, being gentle and tender and compassionate is a good thing. This is not that time! This is a time for you to go into what my friend Paul calls “warrior mode,” and describes as a time when we don’t have the luxury for emotional responses, and sometimes not even the time to be extra nice. It is all about getting things done efficiently. In varying decks, the Chariot is also referred to as The Charioteer, The Chariot of War, The Traveler, The Spiritual Warrior, The Sled. Regardless of the name, the message is clear: step into your leadership mode and shine. The time is now!

A warrior seeks to act rather than talk.
Carlos Castaneda

Common Meanings

When the Chariot card of the tarot shows up, it is time to take charge of your own destiny and chart your own course. The final card in the first septenary of the Major Arcana, the Chariot says that It is time to be determined, strong and take those first steps towards achieving your goals. The Chariot is also about the Duality that lies within each of us, and reminding us that even though we act tough, we are secretly afraid, so be your badass self – fake it until you make it if needed – and kick ass to get what you want.

The Many Faces of The Chariot

The shadow side- or reversal – is ego, destruction, lack of discipline, getting off course, ignoring the needs of others. It can be an indication that you have lost motivation, or perhaps that you are not going in the right direction. The shadow side is a message that you need to evaluate what is driving you and if you feel like you have been coming up against obstacles, maybe it’s time to shift direction.

The Journey of The Chariot

You may recall from the Major Arcana post that this first septenary represents self/ego/consciousness. It is about developing self-awareness of one’s own capabilities and consciously choosing the path to walk and taking the first steps on that path. The Chariot is the culmination of that mini journey and denotes the first step on the path; you’ve studied the foundations, learned the lessons about who and what is important to you. Now you put it into action

Description

A warrior, wearing a laurel wreath and crown with an eight-pointed star stands in a stone chariot. Above him is a canopy of stars. His armor contains an alchemical square, representing the four corners of the earth. On the front of the chariot is a winged sun and the graphical symbol for yoni-lingam. Under him are two sphinx’s, one white, one black, representing duality. There is a river behind him, and the background of the card is bright yellow.

Themes of The Chariot

Achievement
Determination
Expanding horizons
Focus
Leadership
New directions
Speed
Success
Taking control
Travel
Triumph
Willpower

The Number 7

Seven is an important number. It is the number of alliance, days of the week, days of creation of the universe. The number seven is all about learning and understanding at a deeper, more intellectual level.

Elements of the chariot Card and Associated Symbolism

Stone chariot- vehicle for self-expression
Warrior in armor- safety on his voyage; strength in mastering ones emotions
Square on armor – four corners of the earth
Shoulders with crescent moons with faces in them- divination stones for major decisions
Wand in right hand – strength, inspiration, initiative
Starry crown – eight-pointed star; symbol of hope
Laurel wreath – victory
Canopy of stars – the heavens; hope
Symbols on the skirts of his armor
Winged sun- conscious mind, divinity, power, and royalty
Yoni-lingam- union of male and female
Sphynx one white and one black- male/female, day/night, yin/yang
River behind – importance of staying “in the flow” while moving forward
Yellow background – clarity, support, awareness

Herbs for The Chariot

Borage – Courage
Club Moss – Power
Iris – wisdom, courage
Thyme – Bravery
Yarrow – Reinforce courage

Questions that The Chariot asks us

Is there an area of your life where you need to “put on your armor and wade into battle” to succeed?
Have you been feeling like you are banging your head against a wall in some area of your life, and is it that things are not moving, or is it that you have lost motivation?

That is The Chariot of the Tarot! Wishing you a week in which you recognize the duality of being afraid, overcome those fears, and do it anyway. Please leave comments or ask questions.

Please Join me next week for: Strength!

TAROT CARDS MEANINGS: THE LOVERS – SELF AWARENESS AND VULNERABILITY IN LOVE

March 1, 2022 / Tara Mallane / 0 Comments

Tarot Card - The Lovers — The Smith Waite ‘The Lovers’ Tarot Card

“My willingness to be intimate with my own deep feelings creates the space for intimacy with another.”
Shakti Gawain

TAROT CARD meanings AND OVERVIEW of ‘the Lovers’

When reading Tarot cards, “The Lovers,” represents the high road in love: divine, pure, healthy, and good for all parties. The 6th card of the Major Arcana, when it shows up, we ask the question if that is our reality or whether we are settling for less than that. This card is about showing up with your whole heart and being willing to take that leap of faith and be vulnerable.

This card, in varying decks, is known as Love, The Lovers, The choice, Trust. It is a card that is about love, but also about the choice to love and about the choice to trust. It could be trusting yourself and your intuition, or it could be about trusting another.

Common Meanings of the Lovers tarot card

This card is about love and connection, but it can be a love of self (do not confuse this with conceit) and the kind of love that is willing to be open and vulnerable. There is an honesty there that is scary but can also make a love transcend mere physical attraction and start to attain a connection that is spiritual. It is the true union of mind, body, soul that we all, in our secret hearts, yearn for, but may have given up as something that is only in romance novels or is somehow unattainable. This card is also a call to define and establish what our needs and beliefs are, and staying true to them, because it is only through this journey and self-knowledge that we can truly know love.

The Many Faces of The Lovers

The shadow – or reversal – side of The Lovers indicates a need for self-love before you can give love to another. It can also be indicative of an imbalance in a relationship – be it co-dependence, deceit, giving one’s power away, or some other sort of disharmony. It reminds us of the importance of keeping a relationship in balance, and that – much like the caution in an airplane to “put your own oxygen mask on before helping others” – you can not give yourself to love unless you first find that place of self-love and self-worth.

The Journey of The Lovers of the tarot

In the journey of the fool through the major arcana, the lovers show up right after the hierophant urges us to deeper understanding of the need for spiritual traditions. The Lovers say that now that you understand the foundation, it is time for you to pick what works for you. This is the time for you to figure out for yourself what your credo in life is and how you can love with your whole heart in that process. This is about choice, one that is made independent of parents or church, or even peer groups. This is choice made for yourself.

Description of the tarot card The Lovers

Two naked people (clothed in innocence) – In Christianity this would represent Adam and Eve – a man and woman, stand together, separated by storm clouds and a mountain peak in the distance. The sun shines down on them and over them is a winged figure, that of Archangel Raphael, above them. There are trees behind both. Behind the man is the tree of life and behind the woman is a tree with fruit – the tree of knowledge – that has a serpent in it.

Themes of The Lovers

Duality -male & female, light & dark; the joining of both making us whole.
Choice –relationship/love, or about spiritual practices that feed us
Commitment
Harmony
Soul mates/Twin Flames
Love/Lovers
Relationships
Connection
Desire

The Number 6

The embodiment of the heart and love. Emotional relationships, compassion, empathy, and support.

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

Angel – archangel Raphael; angel of love and healing
Man & Woman, Adam & Eve – the innocence of the new relationship energy, naked indicating both innocence and open vulnerability.
Tree of Knowledge – The risk in knowing the full truth and no longer being able to retreat to the innocence of ignorance.
Tree of Life – passion, strength, personal growth
Serpent – risk in knowledge – innocence is bliss; temptation; sex
Storm Clouds between them – metaphor for the challenges that must be overcome after the initial honeymoon phase to give the relationship a solid foundation in reality
Sun – happiness, vitality, self-confidence, and success

Herbs for The Lovers

Lavender -attract love & devotion, eternal love, inner peace
Bay leaves -faithfulness and the splendor of passion
Damiana– healthy libido; connect with ourselves and others
Saffron – encourage sexuality and boost fruitfulness
cinnamon – love, passion, the power and strength of love

Questions that the Lovers asks us

Are you showing up in your relationships – be it professional, friendships, or in love – wholeheartedly, or are you hiding part of yourself out of fear?
What choice are you ready to make – love, career, spiritual path – that is right for you regardless of what anyone else says?

That is the Lovers; a journey towards loving with eyes and heart wide open in a way that is supportive and healthy. Wishing you a week of heart-opening experiences as you walk your path. Please leave comments or ask questions.

Navigate back here next week for: The Chariot!