Tarot Isn't A Quick-Fix

A fellow reader broached a topic today that highlighted something that's been on my mind for a while of late: that identifying an issue doesn't automatically fix it.

There are a million uses for Tarot (and divination, in general) from fortune telling, to spiritual guidance, to personal development, to gaining insights for practical decision-making, and on and on. All of these have a valuable place in the divination spectrum. As a reader I've found that by far the most powerful function of Tarot is for exploring the Self, and using insights and knowledge to make positive changes, spark thoughtful introspection, and generally making us all better, happier, stronger, and more peaceful human beings.

"Descent" by Jorge Garza

I've also found that many people (most definitely not all, nor the majority) that seek out readings on significant matters in their lives are not looking for or interested in personal growth or development; rather they're looking for fast and simple solutions to complex issues, or even simply interested in hearing that their deepest desires will come to pass, with little-to-no effort on their part (and as a side note, there are definitely "readers" out there in the business of telling clients only what they want to hear - it's not just an issue related to the impulses of a subsection of seekers, by any means). I am not entirely certain why this is, but I do notice it, and I'm curious about the phenomenon.

Tarot can be a powerfully meaningful catalyst for real, positive change. But real change is hard work. The most enriching use for Tarot is for self improvement, yet even for those people who are open-minded, honest, and dedicated to improving their lives, making lasting changes can be challenge. Tarot isn't meant to be a quick-fix. Durable change takes time and persistent effort, a willingness to delve into personal weaknesses, fears, and shadows, to shed light on what needs to be healed or strengthened or honored. It creates space for forgiveness and empowerment. This is the heart and soul of Tarot, and what makes it such a precious tool.

Some seekers are not interested in identifying areas for growth. And even knowing what needs attention is not always enough. If you're willing to do the work, however, Tarot can help create wholeness and nurture wisdom. That, for me, is ultimately what it's all about.

7 of Wands: I Got This

I had a pretty good day yesterday, but by late evening was feeling a bit oppressed, and fell quite happily asleep once the time came to get some shut-eye. One of the first things I did this morning was to pull out my new Light and Shadow Tarot, swish the cards around, and pick one for my day. Well, I didn't actually have the opportunity to select a card, as one flipped over in my face during the swishing process! It was just the right focus card - the Universe doesn't mess around:

Light and Shadow Tarot

The 7 of Wands is a card of fortitude and the ability to rise above challenges. This is the ultimate "I got this" card. In this image we can see a man fending off six wands reaching up to him from below. I love the expression on his face - a slight smile, the confident stance, the protective positioning of his own wand. It reminds me of one of those exciting scenes from a martial arts movie when our hero delicately and self-assuredly fends off dozens of foes, making it look much more like elegant choreography than a battle. When you know who you are, what you stand for, and what you're capable of, you can move mountains. 

This card reminds me that I, too, can dance through the obstacles in my way, as long as I believe in myself (and find the right music!).

Calling On Ancestral Wisdom

A couple of weeks ago I was working with my runes, and I asked them to describe the principal influence that my santo/Ángel Guardián, Obatalá, has in my life. I pulled Ansuz which was just so beautiful and fitting. Ansuz is the breath of life, clarity of mind, the whisper of the ancestors, guidance from above, communication. It governs the more mundane aspects of receiving advice from older, more experienced people. In short, it's perfect.

Several days later I decided to pull a rune on the question: "When facing times of trouble, what is the best way to work through it?" I pulled none other than Ansuz! Again, this involves opening ourselves to the wisdom of mentors, those who have "been there, done that." But more than that it spoke to me of the guiding light of our ancestors, the constant presence of the spirits and saints that support us and are always there to help us - we need only ask, and open our hearts and minds.

Halloween Oracle
Stacey Demarco/Jimmy Manton

This morning I decided to pull a card from the Halloween Oracle, and drew: The Veil - The Future.

This card, like Ansuz, represents the closeness of our ancestors - that though we may not be able to see them through the veil, they are often near, and they want to help us realize our plans and find peace and satisfaction. Once we focus our intentions on our goals and are able to visualize the future we want to have, we are better able to work toward manifesting it, and our ancestors will be there to guide us along the way.

I love this; it's a concept dear to my heart. I often feel these wise, loving presences around me, and it gives me great comfort and a sense of steadfast friendship, no matter what challenges or joys I'm facing, like knowing and feeling that your hand is being firmly held, even though you can't see it!

5 of Wands: Contention

The 5 of Wands is commonly known as a card of disputes and competition. In this card we certainly do see conflict, as two men fight with flame-tipped wands. In the background jagged mountains loom (what obstacles need to be dealt with?) and lightening bolts rain down (what insights are gleaned from hashing things out?). A small detail I only noticed when settling down to write this post is the little horse and cart in the far background. You can just make out a whip encouraging the horses onward. So, what opportunities might you be missing while you're distracted by arguments?

Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA
J. Turk

This card is apt for me at the moment. I do, in fact, have a contract that needs to be revised with another party which is on my mind. There is a degree of "5 of Wands" to that. However this card speaks most loudly to me of the experience of competing responsibilities and projects. Yesterday I actually had the first migraine I've ever had in my life! I have had so many readings to do in the past few days (among other things) that I found myself having to make a very clear priority list and work hard to follow it. The inner landscape of my brain probably looked quite a lot like the image on this card! However these kinds of conflicts always teach us more about ourselves. I rose to the challenge of my suddenly-packed schedule, and ticked items off my list as I went. I take my work very seriously, so it was necessary for me to slow down and work out my objectives and the flow that would work best in order to achieve my ultimate goal of upholding quality and meeting the needs of a variety of different people. In the end, I'm left feeling invigorated and satisfied. Today I teach in the morning, then head home to work on more client readings, so that priority list isn't going anywhere - it's just being updated. ;-)

How do you deal with conflict?
Are you overwhelmed when faced with multiple tasks, or do you feel "in your element"?
What does competition teach you about yourself?
Do you avoid arguments, or face them head on?

Considering Home

This morning as I was shuffling for my daily draw, the 10 of Pentacles flipped over. This is a card that has popped up for me several times of late, and for good reason!

10 of Pentacles is a card that brings to mind the family legacy, our material connection to our ancestors, the traditions we are raised with and that we sometimes pass down to our own children. This is a card known, depending on the circumstance, to represent marriage (the material manifestation of loving union), trust funds, home purchase, and financial comfort.

In this card image we see a happy-looking couple in a partial embrace, watching abundance flow down toward them in an azure waterfall. They look content, satisfied - their emotional satisfaction courses over the rich, earthy support structure of the rolling hills. They have everything that they need for economic stability and can truly enjoy the little things in life (like casually standing outside naked, for instance ;-).

Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA
Julia Turk

I have been considering what "home" means lately. To some degree I truly believe that home is where the heart is; it doesn't matter how ample your digs are, as long as they are enough. I feel at home in my current house with my husband and children. My heart is certainly there. I also feel, in a different way, that home is where my mother lives, several states away to the north. It's the house that I grew up in for many years, and it's the house I return to for visits and vacations. It becomes the anchor of the extended family, like the nest we never entirely abandon because the roots of our hearts are still connected to the foundation that is there. Now our children are spending time there with their grandparents, an entirely 10 of Pentacles affair. My mother sends me pictures of our daughter helping to make shortbread in the kitchen, of our oldest child taking the dog for a walk, of our little son making his bed in the room that belonged to his aunt so many years ago. There is cohesion and abundance in all of these things.

What is home to you?
Where is home?
Who is home to you?
How do you know that you've come home?

The Vibrancy of the Sun

The little ones are off on their adventure and my husband and I are noting the uncommon silence in the household. My mother likes to pull daily cards from her Wildwood Tarot app, and this morning she told me that her card of the day was the Wanderer, otherwise known as the Fool. Well isn't that appropriate!

After I arrived home from the airport I pulled my own daily from the Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA - well actually I didn't pull it, it popped out in my face announcing quite clearly that it was The One. Well, it was a very nice one: the Sun!

Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA
J. Turk

A couple of things immediately come to mind: today is June 1st (the non-technical beginning of sunny summer), and my children departed this morning with such joy, their faces glowing. Beautiful. But there are some deeper layers here as well.

I was just musing about this card the other day as I was flipping through the deck, thinking to myself: "That lady is so me: stretched out, reading at her leisure. That is definitely a happy moment!" And hey, with my little beans gone for a while, I will have so much time to bask in the activities that I really enjoy, but sometimes am simply too busy to do as often as I'd like. Reading is one of those things. I love to read: fiction, biographies, how-to manuals, classic novels, teenage supernatural drama, esoteric literature, cookbooks - the whole gamut, pretty much. I see this woman laying in the warm sand, her nervous system lit up (she must be reading something good). The net before her seems to dip into her emotional depths, capture the ideas that form in her mind as she absorbs and processes the writing. The fire creature before her feels to me like smoldering flames of creative force ready to be put into action. Ten cups flow and overflow with water, symbolic of joy and emotional satisfaction.  The keyword here is "organization" which makes me think of the focus, form, and impulse that precede the attainment of our goals. This down time I have now is precious to me - it is time in which I can gather my thoughts, identify and clarify my objectives, and focus my creative fire in order to bring things into manifestation.

There's one place I know that's particularly good for thinking while under the sun, and I'm headed there later today: the beach!

And here is how I spent my day (after composing this post!):

6 of Cups: Joy and Reunion

This morning I drew the 6 of Cups from the Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA, and it's quite apt and lovely for today. This card represents memories, reuniting with friends or loved ones from your past, and soft, pleasant love. It also carries the essence of childhood: spending time with children, considering your own childhood, and embracing the innocence of children. All of these meanings are appropriate for today as my mother flies in this afternoon, and will escort my kids north tomorrow morning. Today is a day of enjoying my babes, welcoming my mom into my home, and recalling the adventures I had with my family as a child as we would make long drives out east to visit aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Navigators Tarot of the Mystic SEA
J. Turk

The image in today's card captures the element of happy reunion; a person stands at a table, perhaps waiting for the party to begin, and turns, surprised, as a long-awaited guest arrives and touches him on the arm. Their proximity indicates the closeness of their relationship, and the pinks and oranges, the flowers and candles, all give a gentle warmth to the scene. In the background an open door can partially be seen, with blue sky and broad landscape beyond...who else is on the way?

My oldest daughter is planning a big dinner for tonight, so we will end up having a party of our own - a light-hearted, loving send-off as our kids' big adventure begins!