Tara-Cards

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Tag: Major Arcana

THE MOON TAROT CARD: MAGIC, CHAOS, AND INTUITION

May 24, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Tarot card 18: The Moon. A combination of sun and moon, eyes closed, overlooks a scene that is anchored by two towers. In the center of the scene are two dogs, one appearing domesticated and one appearing more wild or fierce. The two dogs are on either side of a path that leads off in the distance towards the hills. In the foreground is a body of water, with a crustacean (Lobster, crab, crayfish?) that is just setting foot on the path that leads between the two dogs.
The Moon

The moon will guide you through the night with her brightness, but she will always dwell in the darkness, in order to be seen

Shannon L. Alder

Overview and Common Meanings of the Moon Tarot Card

When The Moon Tarot card shows up, it is a time to listen to your dreams, intuition, and inner guidance to move forward to a more positive future.  There is always a bit of magic and chaos with the moon energy (think how unsettled you feel on full moon nights) and it can leave you feeling off balance.    It likely indicates that there is an aspect of your life that you are struggling with and not getting a handle on, because you don’t yet have all of the information.  More will be revealed in the fullness of time, but it is important to be patient and let it unfold. Alternative meanings in varying decks are Illusion, Luna, Perception, Werewolf.

Common Meanings

The Moon represents fears and illusions and often shows up when you are projecting fear based on past experience into your future or reacting from a crisis of trust and time of emotional vulnerability.  It is the invitation to lean into those things that scare us and realize that they are not the large monsters that we create in our minds. The moon also is an indication that you are – or need to be – more in touch with your intuitive nature.  If you are focusing on home for the reading, it could indicate disillusionment with current living situation.  In relationships there is a lack of trust leading to new relationship decisions…just be careful that you are not so in love with the idea of love that you are plunging into something that your intuition tells you is not right.  It can also unearth hidden secrets in long term relationships.  For career and money readings, there can be that hollow feeling of goals that you worked so hard to meet are less satisfying than you had expected.  In any event, things in your work environment are not always as they seem, so trust your gut. Be careful of hidden agendas that could impact your finances.

The Many Faces of The Moon

The shadow side – or reversal – of The Moon card can indicate Inner confusion and the need to listen to your own intuition and trust it to guide you.   Avoiding difficult situations or confrontation.  Needs unexpressed so not being met.  Stuck in old emotional patterns that will continue to repeat until you deal with the old trauma.

The Journey of The Moon

We are still working in the third septenary of the fool’s journey through the Major Arcana, which as you will recall is about the spiritual world and attainment of enlightenment.  It is about transcendence and religious, spiritual, and mystical understanding. After we faced our demons with the Devil, shattered ego with The Tower, and began to see faith, hope, and inspiration with The Star, now we turn inwards to trust and listen to our intuition in a purer way with absence of ego; the goal being deeper understanding and enlightenment.

Description of the Moon Tarot Card

A combination of sun and moon, eyes closed, overlooks a scene that is anchored by two towers.  In the center of the scene are two dogs, one appearing domesticated and one appearing more wild or fierce.  The two dogs are on either side of a path that leads off in the distance towards the hills.  In the foreground is a body of water, with a crustacean (Lobster, crab, crayfish?) that is just setting foot on the path that leads between the two dogs. 

Themes of The Moon 

  • Anxiety
  • Crisis
  • Dreams
  • Fears
  • Illusion
  • Restlessness
  • Uncertainty
  • Unconscious/subconscious messages and wisdom
  • Visions

The Number 18

The number 18 represents freedom, philanthropic labor, and creating things that last. This is compassionate and friendly in nature.

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Crawfish – primal consciousness striving to surface
  • Sun/Moon – moon is subconscious and governs how we behave in the conscious light of day
  • Towers – watchtowers, boundary between unconscious and conscious
  • Water/Pool – subliminal thinking; the unconscious
  • Winding Path – the unknown future
  • Wolf and dog – fear of the unknown, guardians of experience, rites of passage; duality that lives within all of us – wild, and tame

Herbs for The Moon

  • Frankincense – link to the divine; grounding, calming; used in spiritual practices for thousands of years
  • Poppy – fertility, psychic awareness, prophetic dreams, and spirituality.
  • Sandalwood – Inner consciousness, meditation, spiritual practice, prayer, peace
  • Star Anise – burn as incense to tap into spiritual awareness
  • White willow – divination, interpreting dreams; calming frights and worries. 

Questions that The Moon asks us

  • How have you been ignoring your inner voice, and what can you do to remedy that?
  • How can you tap into your intuition and see beyond the obvious in your life?

So that is the Moon Tarot card; a little intuitive and a little chaotic.  Wishing you a week in which you find a time to channel the moon’s watery intuition.  As always, please leave comments, ask questions, or reach out for a personal reading.  Please Join me next week for The Sun!

THE TOWER TAROT CARD: HARBINGER OF LIFE SHIFTS

May 9, 2022 / / 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!

WHY THE JUSTICE TAROT CARD IS IMPORTANT

April 5, 2022 / / 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 MASTERING EGO IS IMPORTANT FOR STRENGTH IN THE TAROT

March 15, 2022 / / 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 / / 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!

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