Showing posts with label major arcana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label major arcana. Show all posts
Monday
February 11th, 2013
I am absolutely exhausted today - I went to bed a little late last night, and then could not fall asleep. So I'm very grateful that I finished all my work in class and don't have rehearsal. My weekend was really busy too; I had to go to a birthday party for the son of my mom's friend, and all their cousins were over and were messing around, being loud and annoying. I also had to take the ACT that same day, and then was at my friend's house until 11:00 working on a project. The one highlight of my weekend was an idea for a story based off the major arcana of a Tarot deck - I wrote a little intro to it today and really liked it. I'll probably wait to write more until after I finish the story I'm currently working on, though. Has anyone else used the Tarot as the basis for a story? Thoughts?
Saturday
April 21st, 2012
Okay, Blogger seems to have switched it up a bit, and that threw me off, but I think I've got it figured out now. In any event, today marks the first real "weekend" I've had since September: no rehearsals, no set-build - nothing. I can just stay home and write.
Something kind of funny happened in English class earlier this week. Our student teacher was talking about the idea of archetypes, and how they apply to literature. Then he handed us a list of the more common ones: the Mother, the Chariot, the Fool, the Hermit, the Devil, Death, the Hanged Man, the Lovers, just to name a few. What does this sound suspiciously like? Tarot cards! Indeed, the most common types of archetypes in literature are pulled right from the major arcana! I was so greatly amused by this synchronism that I brought my tarot cards the next day to show him, and he agreed. Never would I have thought that I'd be using my deck in the middle of English class...
On a more serious note, later that week my friend Steph announced to the class that she is atheist, which I was already aware of, but a majority of the class wasn't. Both of us have had some past difficulties where Paganism and atheism are concerned, so we're hoping that our current class is more accepting of her. Positive energy is always appreciated.
Finally, I know I've had posts in the past where I've posted ideas for one of my best friends in a bad situation, but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I say again: no matter who you are, or where, or what you've done, you always deserve to be loved, by yourself most of all. And whoever you are reading this, whether I know you or not, know that I love you also, and that no matter how hard things get, it will get better. Life moves in cycles, some happy, some sad, and some downright awful. But the happy times come back around; sadness isn't forever. God and Goddess are around you always, but they are inside you also, giving you strength. Whatever happens, they always love you and want you to be happy and safe. On that note, here's a little ritual I compiled out of some ideas I found on the web:
Place a candle (white or black works best, but use what you have) in each of the cardinal points.
Call the Quarters.
Concentrate on the the healing, and visualize the problem that needs correcting.*
Face the East, light the candle, and say:
"Candle burn
Shine your light
Take what's wrong
And make it right."
Repeat with the South candle and then the West candle, and the the North candle.
Visualize the healing powers generated by these candles flowing into you. Then Chant:
"Dispel the agony,
let these wounds heal.
Banish the suffering,
no suffering to feel."
As you say this, imagine yourself surrounded by a healing, protective light that shines brighter each time you repeat the chant.
Then, write down on a blank piece of paper all the negative thoughts you have. Make it as detailed and as personal as possible.
Place your paper full of negative thoughts in a container which will hold fire safely (don't set you or your house on fire!)**. Set the paper alight, and as it burns say:
Fire burns and takes away
All that causes me pain
Negative thoughts and fears
They will not trouble me again.
Fire burns and turns to smoke
All that once troubled me
These things no longer exist
As I will it, so mote it be!
Bury the ashes in a garden or scatter them in the wind. Your negative thoughts and feelings are no more.
At this point, you could choose to close the circle, or go on to an additional activity to promote peace and happiness. Grab another sheet of paper and write down the intentions, desires, and affirmations that express what you are going to start giving to yourself and cultivating within yourself to brighten your life.
Fold it up and put it in the middle of the candles to be infused with the positive energy.
Say an affirmation of love to yourself. Close your eyes and have a wonderful meditation session (add in some positive music, if you feel so inclined) for as long as you feel necessary. Bring your hands to your chest in prayer position and say, "Thank you" or any other words of gratitude. Keep the positive paper with you at all times, or at least as much as is feasible (in a necklace, perhaps?)
Then thank God and Goddess, release the Quarters, and close the circle.
*Note: this half of the ritual can also be done for another person, if they are in need of it. Just visualize them at this time, and throughout the ritual.
**Some people, myself included, are not allowed to burn things. If this is the case, then tear the paper into tiny pieces, as small as you can make them.
Something kind of funny happened in English class earlier this week. Our student teacher was talking about the idea of archetypes, and how they apply to literature. Then he handed us a list of the more common ones: the Mother, the Chariot, the Fool, the Hermit, the Devil, Death, the Hanged Man, the Lovers, just to name a few. What does this sound suspiciously like? Tarot cards! Indeed, the most common types of archetypes in literature are pulled right from the major arcana! I was so greatly amused by this synchronism that I brought my tarot cards the next day to show him, and he agreed. Never would I have thought that I'd be using my deck in the middle of English class...
On a more serious note, later that week my friend Steph announced to the class that she is atheist, which I was already aware of, but a majority of the class wasn't. Both of us have had some past difficulties where Paganism and atheism are concerned, so we're hoping that our current class is more accepting of her. Positive energy is always appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Cast circle and invoke God and GoddessPlace a candle (white or black works best, but use what you have) in each of the cardinal points.
Call the Quarters.
Concentrate on the the healing, and visualize the problem that needs correcting.*
Face the East, light the candle, and say:
"Candle burn
Shine your light
Take what's wrong
And make it right."
Repeat with the South candle and then the West candle, and the the North candle.
Visualize the healing powers generated by these candles flowing into you. Then Chant:
"Dispel the agony,
let these wounds heal.
Banish the suffering,
no suffering to feel."
As you say this, imagine yourself surrounded by a healing, protective light that shines brighter each time you repeat the chant.
Then, write down on a blank piece of paper all the negative thoughts you have. Make it as detailed and as personal as possible.
Place your paper full of negative thoughts in a container which will hold fire safely (don't set you or your house on fire!)**. Set the paper alight, and as it burns say:
Fire burns and takes away
All that causes me pain
Negative thoughts and fears
They will not trouble me again.
Fire burns and turns to smoke
All that once troubled me
These things no longer exist
As I will it, so mote it be!
Bury the ashes in a garden or scatter them in the wind. Your negative thoughts and feelings are no more.
At this point, you could choose to close the circle, or go on to an additional activity to promote peace and happiness. Grab another sheet of paper and write down the intentions, desires, and affirmations that express what you are going to start giving to yourself and cultivating within yourself to brighten your life.
Fold it up and put it in the middle of the candles to be infused with the positive energy.
Say an affirmation of love to yourself. Close your eyes and have a wonderful meditation session (add in some positive music, if you feel so inclined) for as long as you feel necessary. Bring your hands to your chest in prayer position and say, "Thank you" or any other words of gratitude. Keep the positive paper with you at all times, or at least as much as is feasible (in a necklace, perhaps?)
Then thank God and Goddess, release the Quarters, and close the circle.
*Note: this half of the ritual can also be done for another person, if they are in need of it. Just visualize them at this time, and throughout the ritual.
**Some people, myself included, are not allowed to burn things. If this is the case, then tear the paper into tiny pieces, as small as you can make them.
Sunday
February 26th, 2012
The 24th - 25th were simply amazing. I picked up Raincloud and her cousin, Lara, after school on Friday, and we then drove to Hazelnut's house. We had pizza and an awesome cake:
And Hazelnut opened presents from her family. I also gave her a little gift; a clay "pencil dragon" I had made.
Then, the four of us headed upstairs and I gave Hazelnut a second, more magickal, present.
I hadn't thought mom would let me buy Hazelnut tarot cards, but she ended up not caring, so I got The Wildwood Tarot from Barnes and Nobel. The illustrations seemed really Pagan and earthy, from what I could tell from the box, and Hazelnut had been hinting that she'd been wanting tarot cards for a while. I suppose I underestimated her in that aspect, she nearly exploded when she pulled off the wrapping paper. :D The four of us hung out all evening, reading everything from Rupert's Tales to various poems. The morning of the 25th, we woke up bright and early (6:00), and took the train to Brookfield Zoo, where we spent the day. Talk about trippy. We had been there hardly an hour when all of a sudden we heard this eerie howling. The wolves were more than out and about; the big alpha male was seated on a rock, calling away for a good 20 minutes, with the others gathered around, listening. They were beautiful creatures; shaggy and grey with pale faces and darker legs and tails. Later, we were searching for the penguins in their exhibit, when we realized that they were literally right in front of us, directly up against the side of the enclosure, and that we'd been looking over their heads the entire time. Indeed, all the animals seemed over-active, as though determined to put on a good display for Hazelnut's birthday. The sea-lions were practically doing flips for us, and an African Wild Dog walked directly up to us and touched the glass with his nose. On the other hand, the Grizzly Bears were most decidedly asleep, curled up in a giant mound of hay so that they looked like great lumps of brown fuzz. We also saw the peacocks; two or three males and at least as many females, being trailed by a horde of guinea fowl. A while back (was it last summer? The summer before?) a peahen adopted a bunch of guinea fowl chicks, so I think the ones we saw must have been the same ones, all grown up. As we were on our way out of the zoo, Hazelnut stopped by a gift shop and got replicas of two amazing instruments: an Andean Flute, and a miniature African drum. Not only will they be great for rituals, they're fantastic looking, and can also be employed for fun, or for meditation. We were passing out the zoo gates, when a most enterprising peacock decided zoo life bored him, and walked right out the gate himself. We were quite panicked at the thought of an escaped peacock, but were assured that the bird was allowed to roam as he pleased, and that he was perfectly all-right. "Escaped" peacock taken care of, we proceeded to return home. I didn't want to leave, but unfortunately, I had church this morning, so I couldn't spend another night with my friend.
Today, I haven't done much besides church and homework, but I just thought I'd mention: the Forget-Me-Nots I planted just started to germinate; I've got one itty-bitty plant! Good thoughts for him, please!
And Hazelnut opened presents from her family. I also gave her a little gift; a clay "pencil dragon" I had made.
Then, the four of us headed upstairs and I gave Hazelnut a second, more magickal, present.
I hadn't thought mom would let me buy Hazelnut tarot cards, but she ended up not caring, so I got The Wildwood Tarot from Barnes and Nobel. The illustrations seemed really Pagan and earthy, from what I could tell from the box, and Hazelnut had been hinting that she'd been wanting tarot cards for a while. I suppose I underestimated her in that aspect, she nearly exploded when she pulled off the wrapping paper. :D The four of us hung out all evening, reading everything from Rupert's Tales to various poems. The morning of the 25th, we woke up bright and early (6:00), and took the train to Brookfield Zoo, where we spent the day. Talk about trippy. We had been there hardly an hour when all of a sudden we heard this eerie howling. The wolves were more than out and about; the big alpha male was seated on a rock, calling away for a good 20 minutes, with the others gathered around, listening. They were beautiful creatures; shaggy and grey with pale faces and darker legs and tails. Later, we were searching for the penguins in their exhibit, when we realized that they were literally right in front of us, directly up against the side of the enclosure, and that we'd been looking over their heads the entire time. Indeed, all the animals seemed over-active, as though determined to put on a good display for Hazelnut's birthday. The sea-lions were practically doing flips for us, and an African Wild Dog walked directly up to us and touched the glass with his nose. On the other hand, the Grizzly Bears were most decidedly asleep, curled up in a giant mound of hay so that they looked like great lumps of brown fuzz. We also saw the peacocks; two or three males and at least as many females, being trailed by a horde of guinea fowl. A while back (was it last summer? The summer before?) a peahen adopted a bunch of guinea fowl chicks, so I think the ones we saw must have been the same ones, all grown up. As we were on our way out of the zoo, Hazelnut stopped by a gift shop and got replicas of two amazing instruments: an Andean Flute, and a miniature African drum. Not only will they be great for rituals, they're fantastic looking, and can also be employed for fun, or for meditation. We were passing out the zoo gates, when a most enterprising peacock decided zoo life bored him, and walked right out the gate himself. We were quite panicked at the thought of an escaped peacock, but were assured that the bird was allowed to roam as he pleased, and that he was perfectly all-right. "Escaped" peacock taken care of, we proceeded to return home. I didn't want to leave, but unfortunately, I had church this morning, so I couldn't spend another night with my friend.
Today, I haven't done much besides church and homework, but I just thought I'd mention: the Forget-Me-Nots I planted just started to germinate; I've got one itty-bitty plant! Good thoughts for him, please!
Thursday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 18 - 21
Today's tarot post will encompass yesterday's as well, as I was unable to access the computer.
18 - The Moon: fear, anxiety, believing illusion, chasing fantasy, dreams, visions, destination, the doorway to hidden unknowns
19 - The Sun: enlightenment, understanding, glory, achieving prominence, joy, energy, invigoration, good health
20 - Judgement: release, renewal, a new start, the necessity of hard choices, reawakening, birth and death, knowing what must be done
21 - The World: satisfaction, peace of mind, successful conclusion, balance, realized goals, prosperity, hard work achieves desired end, culmination of effort
Tuesday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 16 and 17
16 - The Tower: catastrophe, sudden change, crisis, releasing all emotion, blow to the ego, revelation, seeing through illusions, necessary disruption to the status quo
17 - The Star: regaining hope, faith in the future, inspiration, serenity, tranquility amid trouble, harmony, offering without reservations, sharing, generosity, peace, releasing doubt and fear
17 - The Star: regaining hope, faith in the future, inspiration, serenity, tranquility amid trouble, harmony, offering without reservations, sharing, generosity, peace, releasing doubt and fear
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 14 and 15
14 - Temperance: Harmony, equilibrium, balancing of opposites, healing, moderation of extremes, self-restraint, harnessing opposing forces, synthesis
15 - The Devil*: losing independence, addiction, enslavement, materialism, overindulgence, hopelessness
*This card has little to do with the Christian Devil, and more to do with negative energy, regardless of one's religious preference.
15 - The Devil*: losing independence, addiction, enslavement, materialism, overindulgence, hopelessness
*This card has little to do with the Christian Devil, and more to do with negative energy, regardless of one's religious preference.
Sunday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 12 and 13
12 - The Hanged Man: letting go, surrendering to experience, emotional release, accepting what is, giving up control, suspending action, sacrifice
13 - Death: Opening a new door, shutting out the past, transition, changing status, shedding the old
13 - Death: Opening a new door, shutting out the past, transition, changing status, shedding the old
Saturday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 10 and 11
10 - The Wheel of Fortune: destiny, fate, turning point, movement, change, patterns and cycles, interconnection, step back to see the bigger picture
11 - Justice: balance, harmony, equilibrium, assuming responsibility, weighing all sides of an issue before deciding, logic, choosing with awareness, morality, duty, truth
11 - Justice: balance, harmony, equilibrium, assuming responsibility, weighing all sides of an issue before deciding, logic, choosing with awareness, morality, duty, truth
Friday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 8 and 9
8 - Strength: courage, calm, composure, patience, persuasion, soft control, measured force, faith in success, unshakable resolve is necessary
9 - The Hermit: Being introspective, withdrawing, giving or receiving guidance, inspirational friend or teacher, making the mysterious clear, peace, tranquility
9 - The Hermit: Being introspective, withdrawing, giving or receiving guidance, inspirational friend or teacher, making the mysterious clear, peace, tranquility
Thursday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 6 and 7
6 - The Lovers: union, balance, energy, flow, love, desire, passion, melding of heart and mind, marriage; union may or may not be romantic in nature.
7 - The Chariot: triumph over obstacles, achieving victory, focused intent and will, self-confidence, discipline, power, authority, control
7 - The Chariot: triumph over obstacles, achieving victory, focused intent and will, self-confidence, discipline, power, authority, control
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 4 and 5
4 - The Emperor: creating order out of chaos, authority, leadership, strength, law and order, structure
5 - The Hierophant: secrets, tradition, ritual, ceremony, pursuing knowledge, manifestation of spiritual, solving mysteries
5 - The Hierophant: secrets, tradition, ritual, ceremony, pursuing knowledge, manifestation of spiritual, solving mysteries
Tuesday
Tarot Cards: The Major Arcana, 2 and 3
Here are today's tarot cards and their meanings. Remember, if you use regular playing cards as your tarot deck, both of these will be in the extra 22 cards set aside and marked for the Major Arcana.
2 - The High Priestess: Wisdom, knowledge, learning, virtue, purity, a full cycle
3 - The Empress: Creativity, generosity, patience, love, abundance, experiencing the senses, embracing the natural, creation, life
2 - The High Priestess: Wisdom, knowledge, learning, virtue, purity, a full cycle
3 - The Empress: Creativity, generosity, patience, love, abundance, experiencing the senses, embracing the natural, creation, life
Monday
October 17th, 2011
I have covered divining with pendulums before, but that has been the only tool I have yet to venture into a post about, so I thought I would begin having a daily post about different tarot cards, in addition to my regular posts. The tarot is an interesting topic, because it allows one to ask far more in-depth questions, and examine the various levels and factors in a situation. If you already have a tarot deck, that's brilliant! My deck, a gift from my lovely Aunt C, was illustrated by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, and is absolutely gorgeous. If you don't, do not despair. In the event that you are unable to purchase one, you could draw your own deck (you don't have to be a master artist), or use regular playing cards. The tarot is divided into a Major and Minor arcana. The Major indicates major events, while the Minor indicates smaller or more subtle events. The Minor arcana is further divided into four suites: wands, cups, swords, and pentacles. I will begin with the Major arcana. These are 22 cards, each symbolizing a unique event or characteristic. I will list the meanings commonly associated with each card, but that may vary depending upon the reader. If your gut instinct goes against what I have written, trust it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
0 - The Fool: new beginnings, pleasure, passion, thoughtlessness, rashness, doing before thinking, adventure, unlimited possibilities.
1 - The Magician: Originality, creativity, skill, willpower, self-confidence, manifestation, the elements.
My crummy pictures hardly do the cards justice, but these are sample cards one could reference. If you are using a deck of playing cards, one would need a regular deck of 52 cards, as well as another 22 cards that could be marked for the Major Arcana. If you choose to do this, simply write the Major arcana titles on the bottom of those selected cards. The rest you could choose to mark, or have the correspondences (which I will cover later) recorded elsewhere.
1 - The Magician: Originality, creativity, skill, willpower, self-confidence, manifestation, the elements.
My crummy pictures hardly do the cards justice, but these are sample cards one could reference. If you are using a deck of playing cards, one would need a regular deck of 52 cards, as well as another 22 cards that could be marked for the Major Arcana. If you choose to do this, simply write the Major arcana titles on the bottom of those selected cards. The rest you could choose to mark, or have the correspondences (which I will cover later) recorded elsewhere.
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