Daily Draw: Robin Wood Tarot ~ Knight of Swords

What a difference between this Knight and the Knight of Wands from Sunday the 4th. The latter thinks too much with little action, this Knight springs into action at the first notion of something afoot, thinking in action. I've worked with and for both types and I much prefer the Knight of Swords. Even if the action has to be redone or modified, he is always there with his shoulder to the wheel.

As has been pointed out lately this is a factor of my own personality that I need to keep my eye on...you know, use my 3 week rule. But by the time the engineer in the Knight of Wands gets done mapping out the route and logistics of taking the garbage out, the Knight of Wands has it done and has gone on to more pleasant activities. Because he knows how to walk and think at the same time.

"It is especially important to encourage unorthodox thinking when the situation is critical: At such moments every new word and fresh thought is more precious than gold." ~ Boris Yeltsin 1931-

Daily Draw: Robin Wood Tarot~King of Swords

This King seems to epitomize wise confident leadership, who takes the high road when faced with options, who will always do what is best for people. He may gain wealth and prestige because they come with the office, but that isn't what he seeks.

I'm reminded by this card of how convoluted elected leadership can be. Does cream rise to the top? Only in fresh milk I'm afraid, but you couldn't give me a monarchy on a plate, I'd rather have 10 warts on my nose. The warts would no doubt serve me better. And isn't opinion a wonderful thing, how lucky we each have one.

"Genghis Khan wasn't very lovable but he was bloody efficient." ~ Kerry Francis Packer 1937-2005

Daily Draw: Robin Wood Tarot ~ Judgement

Here is a good example of Judgement today. Straight out of the box, 8-10 shuffles and the first card I draw from this deck is a nudie...already I'm thinking I'll trade off this deck for a different one. The first thing people that are prudes say is "I'm not a prude, but..." and then list all the reason that prove they really are. But...I just don't see the need for nudity in decks and particularly on the Judgement card. I have to say, "huh?".

I'm reminded by this card, as I have been several times lately about making snap judgements and assumptions. I don't know if this deck has a lot of nudity, but I know many many people love it and use it as their main reading deck. So I'll withhold my opinion until I spend a week reading with it and using it for my daily draw...and then you can judge if I'm a prude or not.

"PRUDE, n. A bawd hiding behind the back of her demeanor." ~ Ambrose Bierce 1842-1914

The deck this week is The Robin Wood Tarot, art by Robin Wood, LWB by Robin Wood and Michael Short. Published by Llewellyn Publications 1991

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~ Green Dragon Ace

This deck is growing on me. These minors completely flummoxed me to begin with because the images presented show none of the suit keys...because...it is all to do with Feng Shui. This card is the equivalent of the Ace of Coins but there is no coin shown, allowing me to jump to set keywords. There is also water at the bottom of the image so if guessing, the suit cups would come to mind. If I could only have one deck this would be a good one; I could learn a lot about Feng Shui which would enrich my tarot knowledge because they are all about Elementals. The tarot equivalent to the game Rock Scissors Paper, or what aids and what detracts.

I'm thankful to and reminded by the Green Dragon Ace that fresh beginnings and an open mind can enrich us immeasurably, if we are open to change and effort. Easy seldom offers growth.

"Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead." ~ Gene Fowler 1890-1960

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~ Hierophant

The Hierophant quietly reflects. Weighs the pros and cons. Avoids snap decisions. Observes everything and everyone around him. If he is at an impasse he recognizes that all knowledge does not lie within and seeks enlightenment.

I'm remind by this card how often I go off on a wild goose chase, leap to conclusions, make snap judgments, and the worst, assumptions based on knowledge I don't have. Life has a way of working out, it really does, in spite of ourselves, but it always works out better given time and thought.

"What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action." ~ Eckhart von Hochheim 1260-1328

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~ Green Dragon 2

With fire and sword the Green Dragon maintains harmony and balance with wood and earth, ensuring none diminish, harm, or overwhelm the other.

I'm reminded by this card how easily it is to get unbalanced. We discover something new and immerse in it to the determent of work; we feel a calling to serve and in honoring that leave a family neglected; we have an exciting hobby we spend freely on which eventually makes us poor stewards of our finances...even the things that bring us joy and fulfillment can be harmful if we don't balance it with the duties life has presented us with. I will work on balance today. I have a moderate pile of ironing I've been avoiding, appliquéing instead. I'll have that pile done by lunchtime.

"But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?" ~ Albert Camus 1913-1960

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~ White Tiger Queen

Life experiences and demands. They make or break us. Think of 10 people you know well. Have they had a hard life and risen above it or are they still, after all these years looking to lay blame outside themselves for their circumstances? Or have they moved on, way beyond, and made something rich and rewarding of their life... learning and growing from their experiences?

Yes, bad things happen to good people, but I'm reminded by this Queen that God gives us the face we are born with, we create the face and personality we die with. The past is a dead horse and obsessing about it will forfeit today. Life experiences are part and parcel of existence. Live? Or just Exist? The choice is ours each and every morning. What will you do today that will enrich your life?

"Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future." ~ Jim Rohn 1930-

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~Materialism

I drew this card some hours ago, a good one for today, I seem to need a kick in the (Y). I just looked at the clock and it is 12:20 PM. Where does the time go when we browse on the 'net? I'm not sure when I started but I'd guess at least 2 hours ago I dropped into Amazon to check on a meditation CD and got sidetracked into a book search that got sidetracked into a multiple search on Ebay. I haven't bought anything...just thinking and comparing prices and doing research. A huge time saver and dollar saver over getting in the car and going to town. Even in a big city, you can seldom lay your hands on just what you need, too many places to look, too far apart.

But...back to the card of the day...and Materialism. In truth I was doing two things, procrastinating and window shopping. Whether I purchase something or not, this type of shopping still feeds the materialism monster, because if I do it long enough I'll hit the buy it now button. Heaven knows I've said often enough I have everything I need, so why window shop my day away. Someone kick my (Y). Oh, thanks so much, now I'll go do what I was putting off and try to give the kiss of life to my day.

"If it moves, kick it. If it doesn't move, kick it until it does." ~ Phil Woosnam 1932-

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~ Black Tortoise 9

In order to protect his environment the turtle has built a wall, which keeps the bulls on their side and in turn protects them.
This basic premise is what rules or laws are supposed to do, protect and serve.

It serves my interests to obey the laws of man and the 10 Commandments of God. The stone tablets are common sense in a world gone mad, the paper laws by the millions are tablet amendments because we are a tricky bunch, always looking for loopholes, the hole in the fence that spells freedom...we think.

I'm reminded by this card that when I break a rule or a law I am disrespecting my fellow mankind. I am no better or worse, yet I deliberately set myself above when I think I'm different, no need to comply.

"Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up." ~ Robert Frost 1874-1963

Daily Draw: Feng Shui Tarot ~ Black Tortoise Knight

This card recommends we stop loafing, stop looking backward, and get on the stick. Take some proactive steps to improve the present. Whatever has happened is immaterial, today and tomorrow are where our attention should rest.

I was a hairdresser for many years and this card reminds me of clients who would come in, describe a dated style and ask me to cut/style their hair that way. Crew-cuts, high-styles; Butch wax, Dippty-Do. What they were doing was trying to recreate a time in their lives when they felt happier, contented, safer...But life doesn't work that way. We do need to look forward and change what isn't working, enhance what is, let the past go.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." ~ Soren Kierkegaard 1813-1855

Feng Shui Tarot set was written by Eileen Connolly, the art is by her son Peter Paul Connolly. In honesty the book is a must have for this deck, the minors make no visual tarot sense until you grasp the Feng Shui laws at work. Otherwise they need to be treated as an oracle. I love the Majors and the additional information provided by the book adds a new dimension to reading. Published by U.S. Games 2005

Daily Draw: Haindl Tarot ~ 4 of Wands

When you look at this card what do you see? As I watched the scan come into the software I saw an image viewed under glass of a pueblo dwelling high on a cliff, restricted from closer view by the 4 Wands. That isn't the artist's view (*see below) but it is a perfectly acceptable tarotist view, as we all see something different in the cards. It is also the view most of us have of other people's relationships and home life. It really is true you can't know what goes on behind closed doors. So being the inquisitive and inventive race we are, we make assumptions. Often, that everyone else is happier, wealthier, more organized, than we are. Umm, no. Granted there are a lot of happy households, but being humans there is always conflict too.

I'm reminded by this card not to measure myself and my household's perfection level by assumptions I've made about other households. That way lies discontent based on the impossible. The only household I need to concern myself with is my own, and today I'd give it a 8. We are all together, healthy, have beautiful weather to look forward to...the only sand in the oyster is by 7:00 tonight my husband's job may be moot because of a lock out. In truth, our ship sails rough seas, but we can choose to make our day what we will. We are choosing to make it a good one.

"I have now reigned about 50 years in victory or peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot. They amount to fourteen." ~ Abd Er-Rahman III 731-799 CE

*The image drawn from a section of Haindl's painting Kathedrale shows a hand with an eye at it's center, holding a bubble.

Daily Draw: Haindl Tarot ~ Emperor

When you think of an Emperor archetype does your mind go to Napoleon or the Dali Lama? Telly Savalas or Billy Graham? Is there a middle road for an Emperor or is insensitivity and arrogance such a big part of the 'type' an Emperor can't survive retaining gentleness and humility?

I'm reminded by this card that those in search of power and success often shed the traits that hinder the drive; a loss both to themselves and whomever they lead. Without a soft side they become caricature humans. What a shame...

"When man becomes a caricature of himself; at every moment it is the mockery and the contradiction of what he is pretending to be." ~ George Santayana 1863-1952

Daily Draw: Haindl Tarot ~ 10 of Stones

Not your usual happy family castle in the background 10 of Coins image is it? At least the stones are stationary and not rapidly rolling out of view. This is a good image for today's economy, rocky road ahead and only the basic rock of the earth will hold it's value...and meaning. Because what was important last year materially won't be important this year. It is back to basics time.

I'm reminded by this card that quite often my age is a benefit rather than a drawback. The adults I grew up with; parents, grandparents, adult neighbors, all experienced the depression of the 1930's. They, and by association, I, know how how to grow a garden, butcher stock, use up, and most importantly, do without. The instant gratification and artificial plenty of today's world is a mirage which can be gone in an blink. I'm thankful I know to my core I have everything I need and I know the difference between want and need.

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship." ~ Buddha Gautama Siddharta 563 BC-483 BC

Daily Draw: Haindl Tarot ~ Wheel of Fortune

An interesting feature in this depiction of the Wheel is the hand at the center of the spokes. It has the light of knowledge in the center and suggests the Wheel spins, the center is stationary. That poised hand implies often we have the ability to stop or start the Wheel ourselves. We set events into motion, we can also stop or head off disaster, and encourage joy and success.

I'm reminded by this Wheel that we hold the power. Never give our own power away by allowing someone else to control our destiny. Grab the axle and make a real choice, no wimps looking for excuses and fall guys allowed.

"Though fortune's malice overthrow my state, My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel." ~ William Shakespeare 1565-1616

Daily Draw: Haindl Tarot ~ Death

I wonder about reincarnation sometimes, along with karma. If we do come back on a higher plane each time why are there so many rotten humans still, and so few really good ones? And if karma were a fact of life as many seem to think, why do so many good people have such horrible things happen to them? And why oh why, do people who seem to believe in karma say things like "he took my son because I was bad"? Hello. Who got punished there? Not you, you are still there to sin and sin again at your leisure, the son was the one who got karmaized.

I'm reminded by this card that a death brings out the best and the worst in people. Near strangers will weep and do their best to help and console, blood family will rob you blind. Funerals are often the only time when extended family ever see each other; the joke oft said is "we have to quit meeting like this". And no matter how old we get we really don't think we or anyone we love is ever going to die, it always comes as a shock to the system. Perhaps that is one of God's greatest blessings, else how could we hold it all together?

"Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together darlin'
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin' at fools like me
Who in the hell d'you think you are
A super star
Well, right you are" ~ Instant Karma, John Lennon 1940-1980