Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ 3 of Swords

This bucolic scene is directly from the 1494 Narrenschiff and refers to trust and keeping secrets. "He who cannot keep his silence, and must divulge his plans to another, will suffer regret, harm, and sorrow". I wonder what it is that makes it so difficult for humans to keep someone else's secret. It would make an interesting thesis. This card may also refer to Sampson and Delilah and the heartbreak of complete betrayal. Two of the swords in the picture are the scissors she is using to cut his hair.

Having been betrayed 2 or 3 times in my life I know I'll live with the scars forever. It's like a basic building stone has been removed and even forgiving and moving on the defense mechanisms will always be in place. I'm reminded of two things by this card; keep my own counsel, and keep my eyes sharp on the new hairdresser I'm trying out next week. The cards can be very literal...

Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ Ace of Staves

I drew this hours ago but I'm drawing a blank in seeing some guidance in this card. The only thing that jumps out at me is the way the figure has its feet positioned. If this were one of a series of cartoon cells you'd see him start to tip, then going over on his back.

So I've gone to several of my favorite tarot books for inspiration. Spiritual Tarot says wands show the conflict or choice between striving to think of an answer or opening up to inspiration and receiving one. And I'm striving rather than opening... At the end of the chapter it asks me, "How many of your projects are unfinished? Which ones should be tackled again and which simply discarded?" Odd to see that although I shouldn't be surprised, wands are cards of fire and actions and on my list of things to do today is gather together any unfinished projects and start an orderly plan of completion. In quilter jargon these are shorthanded to UFOs. Unfinished Objects. And if you get too many of them they will tip you over backwards like the figure on the card, with guilt, clutter, expense, depression, wasted money, and lost time. It is this sort of load that we often see reflected in the 10 of wands; what started out as exciting and pleasurable becomes a burden almost too heavy to bear.

This Ace reminds me that procrastination extracts a heavy price.

Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ Queen of Swords

Rather than sit enthroned and aloof as shown on many decks, this Fool Queen of Swords choses to stand, and drag her fool's cap behind while her sword is held almost casually...perhaps she is about to poke up the fire with it.

This is a woman who knows her own mind, is not led by others, and takes life at it's word; It is to be lived on her own terms, not endured. This is not a sheeple queen.

I'm reminded by this card that being a square peg isn't such a bad thing. I'll continue swimming against the tide and enjoying the unusual little life adventures that come my way.

Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ Hanged Man

Not surprising I'd draw the Hanged Man today, I'm on jury duty. I've been doing a study of Hanged Man and the Tower for the past couple of weeks, looking at cards from many different decks. Hanged Man indicates a big change due to circumstances, choice, or as in the case of Ship of Fools, consequences of actions. This Fool was greedy and reckless, over-reaching himself trying to get the eggs from the nest.

In my case the big change is by choice. Not my first choice but the option that makes the most sense for the most people. So I'll hang here and think things over for awhile and perhaps in this time of pause I'll come up with ways to make my choice a better fit.

Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ Temperance

Most decks give Temperance wings to note our spirituality side and this Fool is no exception, the hat is pushed back so the cockscombs become wings. Melding the liquids is not so smooth, some has spilled on the ground. True to this deck's spirit, the result is a fortuitous outcome or uniting of opposites, the spiritual spillage results in earthly Star flowers.

Spiritual nourishment is offered us daily, what we chose to do with it marks our passage in life. Do we see life's container as half full or half empty? Do we see the spill over as waste or joyful serendipity? Temperance reminds us to moderate our passions for the big things and take note of the small things that make up most of life, to ignore or belittle marks a sterile spirit.

Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ 3 of Staves

First glance shows me a one-man-band with more instruments than he can handle. He needs to hire some assistants or find simpler instruments that are conducive to one-man-bandmanship. The harp, lute, and bagpipe require singular attention for mastery.

I see this card as a reminder to hone the skills I have. To scatter my attention between too many jobs or interests will result in "jack of all trades, master of none". I can also see it as a reminder to have some fun; life is short and then you die... In the Narrenschiff this image is on impatience of retribution: "If you rejoice in vulgar pipes, and harps and lutes distain, you ride in carts with fools."

Daily Draw: Ship of Fools Tarot ~ 6 of Coins

I like this card, it balances the stingy mean hoarding mentality so often depicted in the 4 of Coins. The large size of the balance mechanism points out that the Fool realizes his own worldly goods more than meets his needs so he sets out a portion to share with others.

The charming holiday film The Grinch Who Stole Christmas gives a good visual of what happens to our heart when we choose to put others needs before our own. Our heart expands with the true meaning of giving unconditionally and joy comes in to fill the space opened up. I'm reminded by this card to keep that joy topped up ~

The deck this week is The Ship of Fools by Brian Williams. The cards are based on the German book Narrenschiff or The Ship of Fools, published in 1494. Almost all the cards depicted are pulled directly from the book and required very little alteration to turn them in tarot. Which shows the more things change the more things are the same...humans were fools then and are fools now in spite of the cloak of modernity we hide under.

Daily Draw: Legend/Arthurian Tarot ~ 7 of Swords

What a rush it must have been for Galahad to succeed in drawing Balin's sword from the stone in the river. To have confirmed in such a concrete way that the path he had chosen was the one true path. This one instance in time must have carried him through many low points when events were going against him. And thus began the quest for the Holy Grail.

This card signifies a new beginning or direction. It must be hard for humans to recognize this, there are a lot of clichés noting the need to look up, not down. When one door closes another opens. There are none so blind but those that will not see. Try try try again. I'm reminded by this card there is always another option, to not become blinded to all the possibilities the day may offer.

Daily Draw: Legend/Arthurian Tarot ~ 10 of Cups

Corbenic, legendary castle keep where the Grail was kept, only the pure of heart could find and enter. The 9 and 10 of cups cards are great cards to draw, meaning your life is on the right path and all is proceeding well. But the 10 of cups takes us past the 'it's a great life' stage to deeper meaning. It is the stage of life where we realize that while life is good, we ourselves can always use work to refine and grow our heart, spirit, and mind.

This card reminds me that it isn't a beautiful world for many of God's creations because mankind is flawed and thoughtless. To share my blessings and time with those less fortunate and to do my part to leave the world a better place than when I entered.

Daily Draw: Legend/Arthurian Tarot ~ 3 of Shields

Percivale's mother makes constructive use of her talents in aid of making the young knight's dreams become reality in the court of King Arthur. It doesn't matter where our skills and talents lie, if we do them well they can be of aid in all sort of endeavors. Who would have thought my offer to drive some ladies around would turn one of them into a valued and lucrative client?

I'm reminded by this card to always give my best effort in all that I do.

Daily Draw: Legend/Arthurian Tarot ~ Knight of Swords

This Knight is always ready to take on the opposition, a good card to draw today. Tonight we take on the city council and haven't a clue what their response will be. But one who has a say with them is one who would be happy to see us fail. So we've armed ourselves with knowledge and friends of the cause and will fight the good fight.

I'm reminded by this card that there will always be causes and fights to be fought, that any victory or loss simply means one fight is finished and it is time to prepare for the next. Challenges are a big part of life and without them it would be an exceedingly dull one.

Daily Draw: Legend/Arthurian Tarot ~ The Horned One

Cernunnos makes an appearance as the devil in this deck as he does in the Druidcraft. Herdsman and Lord of the Forest he represents in us our base instincts. Pictured at moonlight it shows the difficulty of recognizing when we cross the line between human reasoning to animal actions.

I'm reminded today to honestly analyze my motives. Doing good things for bad reasons will surely end with a price much higher than I'm willing to pay.

Daily Draw: Legend/Arthurian ~ Queen of Spears

Dindrane was instrumental in the successful completion of the quest for the Holy Grail by Galahad, Percivale, and Bors. A strong woman of ingenuity and determination.

One of our big plans just crashed and burned. I'm reminded by this card that one of my greatest strengths is flexibility. I need to ramp up my ingenuity and determination and chart a new course that will work just as well if not better. There are the equivalent of little Towers and Suns in our lives every day, the key is to turn them to advantage.

Daily Draw: Legend Arthurian Tarot ~ 3 of Swords

The story of Palomides is probably repeated at some point in everyone's life. Two inseparable friends come to an irreparable parting. While we do go on with our lives that small mental war plays out every time we see or think of them. The good times vs. the new times.

This card reminds me today of old lost relationships, and good times once had. I'm reminded to cultivate current relationships, do not let them lie fallow because the sword that cuts the ties can come and go without our even realizing the bond is broken. Good friends are too important to let that happen.

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 6 of Wands

First impression of this card the figures are overwhelmed by enormous Iris but that may be because I have the flu today... Getting out my trusty Eschenbach lighted magnifier a different story comes out of the card. The horses are in full parade regalia, marching in step, and the figures have similar uniforms and hats. They are actually each carrying Iris which can also be known as flags, so these figures become standard bearers. There are 4 Iris, the fifth at first glance might appear to be a bud, but is actually a turret or minaret, adding a touch of royalty and importance or officialdom to the scene.

So today I'm reminded to accept compliments, awards, and appreciation as due rewards. I have a tendency to turn away compliments as 'I'm not worthy', but why would anyone bother giving them if they didn't mean it? And I say thank you to the cosmos for all my blessings. Life is rich if we allow it to be so, don't turn away the good things out of false modesty or pride.

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 3 of Wands

These figures are looking to the future, making plans, dreaming dreams, mapping the possibilities, solving the problems. She appears to be a humble cowherd, but she can become anything she wants if she is willing to do the time and work required. This figure doesn't look like a girl, she looks like a grown-up. Many adults say "I'm too old to start again". Nonsense.

I'm reminded by this card that one of my projects involves people in their late 80's and they aren't dragging their feet, they are getting with the program...I'd better do the same or I'll be left behind with the multitude who can't be bothered to make changes for the better.

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 2 of Swords

Hardheadedness. That doesn't even look like a word a spell-checker would accept let alone a personality trait that can override all others. I know a gentleman who has lost 4 wives and a successful business because he is immovably stubborn. Once he gets his mind set nothing will change it and look what it has cost him. And think of the people who 'vote the straight ticket' regardless of the ability or morals of the candidates. The inability or refusal to see or at least listen to all sides of the story takes a huge toll so why is it we get our neck bent about some things?

I am reminded to lay off the snap judgements, avoid making assumptions and to engage my mind, eyes and heart in all decisions.

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ Queen of Pentacles

The mountain becomes a rams head, the sun is a pentacle, and the Queen is wearing a sunflower hat and using a sunflower hand mirror. We have sunflowers coming up everywhere here because we run through approximately 100 pounds of black oil sunflower seeds a month feeding the birds. The Stellar Jays take theirs and rat-hole it for later except they often forget where their bounty is buried. We also plant a variety of sunflower types for our goats. A goat with a sunflower head is in Seventh Heaven.
I read an article on Sacred Geometry that a sunflower has 55 clockwise spirals overlaid by either 34 or 89 counter-clockwise spirals which are all in psi perspective. I find it hard to believe that all the different kinds of sunflowers we have planted will have those numbers. The perfectionist side of me wants to do some counting of my own.

All that said in aid of looking at this card today and thinking about what it is telling me. In my Queen of Pents mode I often border on the perfectionist side, a trait I've been trying to break for years. Perfectionism often results in a lot of unfinished work because nothing is ever perfect enough to be called complete. This blog is an exercise in curbing that perfectionism. A former me would never have posted publicly my take on tarot cards. Because someone better informed than I might think I was wrong, because I miss things that might be jumping out at someone else, even because my scanning abilities might be lacking. Perfectionists have a million reasons not to finish something, all bogus. The Queen of Pentacles is telling me today that it is ok if my sunflowers have 53 spirals, goats and birds don't count and don't care. Life is too short to get caught up in perfectionist minutiae.

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ Judgement

A difficult card to draw in this deck as I am unsure what the pink item on the right is or why the 1/2 jug and odd R-W-C style wand is in the picture. One thought is the pink item is a figure on its knees in supplication either asking mercy or in acceptance of what is due.

One thing we need to complete before we can move on to the wholeness of the World Card is to make peace with our past. Everyone has baggage and millstones from our past. Sometimes we cling to them like limpets, visibly packing them everywhere we go and it certainly affects everything we do, becoming our personality. The bully, the victim, the sad sack... Some of them we bury and try never to think about, but they aren't really buried and that baggage smells of decomposition because we aren't dealing with it. Sometimes that baggage is what we think of as a good thing. Our moment of heroism, an award, those moments in life where we were briefly lifted above the mundane. Good memories are part of the balance we need, but those exceptional moments do not make up our life either, getting over ourselves is another step we have to make, and what Judgement offers.

This card is telling me today that I need to let something go. Each day we get up and start again, fresh. Why let threads and whispers of the past reform into old patterns when we have the blessed opportunity to build something new and unfettered?

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 2 of Wands

We see a flock of geese headed left, the figure is walking to the right but she is still looking longingly to the left. Choices and decisions go on all day long. Sip your coffee or take a bite of toast? Work on your taxes or play pool? Some decisions are inconsequential, others can make or break our day.

In the 2 of Wands we build the foundation of our future by thinking through our course, then making a commitment to it. Second guessing ourselves and trying to see what everyone else is doing is pointless. I'm reminded by this card to get busy today on one of my recent choices. There will be good rewards, but it won't happen by itself.

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 8 of Pents

In many decks this card shows a workman at his bench producing well-crafted items. In this card we have a well dressed woman presenting a finely carved statue on an opulent cushion.

Industry, craftsmanship, and creativity aren't limited to our work and outer life, but also to our inner life. What we do in our free time, what we surround ourselves with, and who we spend our time with are also part and parcel of the 8 of Pents.

I'm reminded by this card of personal choices...clean desk/cluttered desk, 2 or 3 special items or a collection of 100 widgets stuffed in a closet, 1 well-kept auto or a series of broken down jalopies. At the end of the day which costs the least and brings us more joy? Which type of life do I wish to create for myself? If I dropped dead today, what would my desk, my car, my collection say about me? Sloppy, careless, and wasteful or a thoughtful connoisseur?

This week's working deck is the Harmonious Tarot from Lo Scarabeo, based on the artwork of Walter Crane. Opulent, fun and full of joy, certainly an 8 of Pents deck.

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ Judgement

This scene is from the trial of the Knave of Hearts who may or may not have stolen the Queen's tarts. I have jury duty the last 2 weeks of this month. I've served before in 2 states and 4 different counties. Funny how some get called often and some never are, in what are supposed to be random pulls. Yet when I look back at my list of daily cards I see many cards have never been drawn, others like Judgement have been pulled 4 or 5 times. Random or guided? Who knows, but the cards are a lot more fun than jury duty.

I'm reminded by this card that legal dramas on television have very little basis in reality. Trials and defendants don't provide black and white situations , seldom is the choice clear cut, and defense and prosecuting attorneys are mostly hard working joe's, not glib, handsome, or beautiful. Paul Drake and Della Street never sit at the front to run errands, and 3 hour lunches don't happen. Yet eventually the chaff is separated from the wheat and most of the truth is discerned. See and listen to arrive at justice and judgement.

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ 3 Peppermills

Looking for a new directions, or thinking outside the box. How many tasks do I accomplish in a day by rote? Because I know how to do them does that mean I know the best way? Or all the ways? Or am I even doing them right? Even toothpaste and shampoo have manufacturer instructions on the label. Does anyone ever read them? Are we using 3 times more shampoo or toothpaste than needed? Thereby washing our money down the drain?

I'm reminded by this card to review three tasks I do daily and find a new and improved way of accomplishing them. Isn't that how a 'better mouse trap' was built?

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ 10 of Oysters

Oysters in Through the Looking Glass are most prized possessions as the Tweedledee poem teaches Alice. "The time has come to talk of many things". But being a prized possession isn't all it's cracked up to be, just ask the young Oysters.

I think the Wonderland Tarot uses the 10 of Oysters to remind us to be careful what we wish for, we might get it. To respect and enjoy what we have, more of anything isn't always the answer. I'm reminded by this card I have everything I need.

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ Strength

Two more of Alice's merry crowd, here with the Unicorn depicted as Strength, her pure heart and chasteness allowing her to master the Lion which represents truth and purity as the Guardian of the Gate.

Always one of my favorite cards in any deck, it shows the hardest things to do or live through are the events which form our character and give us the strength to carry on in the face of even bigger challenges.

I am reminded by the lions glasses, when challenged by life's adversities to look for the positive side, see the opponents point of view before I get on my soapbox, and to seek out unusual companions, they add color and facilitate personal growth.

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ Empress

Alice meets the sheep shopkeeper right after the White Queen tells her she must believe 6 impossible things before breakfast. Nothing in the shop is what or where it seems, nor is the shop, and the sheep is knitting 14 pair of socks at one time.

I'm reminded by this card and story that the rushes aren't greener on the other side of the river, and reality never matches the fantasy. To keep myself grounded in reality, I expect the ride will be much nicer.

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ 8 of Hats

Again with the 8 of cups! I know I'm moving on, that I will be leaving something behind, that I've triggered big changes that will affect me for some time to come...I wonder why this card keeps coming up? Five times in the last 3 months, twice this week.

I did a two card draw, what I'm missing/what I need to do and got the Knight of Flamingos and 3 of Flamingos (swords in this deck). Which in effect say the same thing in two cards the 8 of cups says in one. The Knight is racing to the left (past) and the 3 of flamingos represents losing or leaving something behind, causing great hurt. My Mad Hatter in the 8 of Hats is racing to the right (future).

My plans for the future are tied to what I've worked on in the past, and I recognize that for the future plans to work I need to be finished with the current situation. There is little question of that; Threes are tied to the Empress card and I know I'm losing her. So rather than muddy the draw more I will accept that the cards are clear as glass and accurately reflect the current status of my life.

I'm reminded by these cards to not have illusions or expect miracles. The path I'm on and the future path I've chosen are both hard. 3 of Swords days are part and parcel of life and that we can't have joy without sorrow to balance.

Daily Draw: Wonderland Tarot ~ Queen of Peppermills

This is the spiritual queen, the one who recognizes shams and falsehoods, posturing and blowhards for what they are. Home and hearth centers her, yet the cat shows she still has her wild side.

I'm reminded by this card to continue walking the walk, not talking the talk. Following my own path rather than the well-trod road isn't always easy but everyone knows where they stand with me, there is no subterfuge. There is great comfort in knowing where I stand spiritually.

This week's deck is based the Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass books by Lewis Carroll, which were great fun to read again as an adult.

Daily Draw: Santa Fe Tarot ~ Hermit

Shown here, Pollen Boy stands before the face of the sun, offering respite from the heat to humans and nature.

The message is pure and simple today, without respite we burn out and whither away. The Hermit requires time alone to recoup energy, to refill the well of creativity and pleasure. Without this we will become empty husks.

Daily Draw: Santa Fe Tarot ~ 8 of Water

A continuation of yesterday's advice, the Yei is trapped, her medicine bag is tipped over and her water jugs are empty. Time to try a new path or make a new plan, the current one is flawed.

I'm reminded by this card that brick walls are usually a figment of our imagination, to use some creative brain power, put some Wellie in it lad as Wallace would say to Grommit, and sidestep the brick wall by changing direction. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy by our refusal to change.