For the Tribe March 12
It is really very simple just change judgment to Love. Fear to love change from the perceived “You” to a channel for love. The planet is evolving just as we are, though Gaia is moving faster than most of us. The Earth’s movement is all about Love which is our natural state and though this shift may wreak havoc on our physical structures, the process moves us more quickly to our authentic selves, moves us to a realization that we are all connected, moves us to compassion, to an opening of our heart, to a chance to meet our neighbor , to a chance to be of service to this amazing process we are all going through together. Reach out with your hands, your thoughts, your greater being, reach deep into the Earth for stabilization while connecting to higher source, See your chest open wide and allow the glorious Self that you are to emerge.
These words that I share with you are for me, of course. These are words of my
higher being, words that enable me to continue with a glad heart when all seems
to moving towards disaster.
Thank you for receiving me.
Thank you for pulling these words from me.
Thank you.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Reading for the Tribe for March
March 7, 2011
Reading for the Tribe
When I talk of the tribe I am really talking to all of us as humanity. We are interrelated and what happens to us on the other side of the world affects us here. Time has speeded up to the point where it is folding in on itself. So your clock may look the same but there is a sense of less time. This energy implosion is pulling us closer into the NOW. This means that though you may be saddened or gladdened about what is happening on the planet that you also can have an effect in your visions, prayers, or by just holding the situation in light. For example, sending love to Gaddafi. Literally melting his heart. Or holding the vision of the highest good for all in Michigan and Ohio
Reading for March New Moon was this Friday. Good time to set intentions
Where are “we “ now? Ten Of Pentacles.
The heaviest card in the deck. The last card of physical manifestation. We are at the end of a cycle here on Earth. We have been at this end/beginning for years but the impact is truly being felt in all aspect of our lives. The Great Shift is upon us.
Between now and the next new moon how can we all help to shift the planet towards light?
Three of swords Seven of Swords Six of cups
Express our grief and then get on with letting more light in our broken open hearts.
Realize the futility of the mind. Of worry, of trying to figure it all out, trying to know the future and understand the past. Just be here now and feel the pleasure and richness of our lives. Do what gives us the most pleasure. Help someone. Beam our smiles at each other. Love without attachment.
What tends to limit these good intentions? Eight of Swords.
This card in the Thoth deck is called “Interference” and more and more I am realizing that the governmental mind and the media mind is interfering with us receiving clear information. Listening to the pundits, listening to anyone in fear or anger without also listening to your guidance on an inner level can limit your actions, your freedom to act from the gift of who you are.
Message from the cosmic Mind? Wheel of Fortune.
The wheel of cause and effect, of karma is turning. We are harvesting that which we have planted and we have planted without much thought for the future. So the Wheel gives us a choice. We can resist and yell and scream about gas prices, or be in fear about the planet, our jobs… or we can accept and respond with even more opening and see the opportunity for positive change in all aspects of our lives. Try to stay off the rim of the wheel holding or resisting in fear, but instead move to the center, the hub and sit with the vision of a New Earth.
As always I welcome questions or comments.
Reading for the Tribe
When I talk of the tribe I am really talking to all of us as humanity. We are interrelated and what happens to us on the other side of the world affects us here. Time has speeded up to the point where it is folding in on itself. So your clock may look the same but there is a sense of less time. This energy implosion is pulling us closer into the NOW. This means that though you may be saddened or gladdened about what is happening on the planet that you also can have an effect in your visions, prayers, or by just holding the situation in light. For example, sending love to Gaddafi. Literally melting his heart. Or holding the vision of the highest good for all in Michigan and Ohio
Reading for March New Moon was this Friday. Good time to set intentions
Where are “we “ now? Ten Of Pentacles.
The heaviest card in the deck. The last card of physical manifestation. We are at the end of a cycle here on Earth. We have been at this end/beginning for years but the impact is truly being felt in all aspect of our lives. The Great Shift is upon us.
Between now and the next new moon how can we all help to shift the planet towards light?
Three of swords Seven of Swords Six of cups
Express our grief and then get on with letting more light in our broken open hearts.
Realize the futility of the mind. Of worry, of trying to figure it all out, trying to know the future and understand the past. Just be here now and feel the pleasure and richness of our lives. Do what gives us the most pleasure. Help someone. Beam our smiles at each other. Love without attachment.
What tends to limit these good intentions? Eight of Swords.
This card in the Thoth deck is called “Interference” and more and more I am realizing that the governmental mind and the media mind is interfering with us receiving clear information. Listening to the pundits, listening to anyone in fear or anger without also listening to your guidance on an inner level can limit your actions, your freedom to act from the gift of who you are.
Message from the cosmic Mind? Wheel of Fortune.
The wheel of cause and effect, of karma is turning. We are harvesting that which we have planted and we have planted without much thought for the future. So the Wheel gives us a choice. We can resist and yell and scream about gas prices, or be in fear about the planet, our jobs… or we can accept and respond with even more opening and see the opportunity for positive change in all aspects of our lives. Try to stay off the rim of the wheel holding or resisting in fear, but instead move to the center, the hub and sit with the vision of a New Earth.
As always I welcome questions or comments.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February Reading to The Tribe
Greetings to the Tribe,
Felt compelled to sit and write to the tribe this morning. As you will see, the message starts out from my guidance and then morphs into me in the physical. This is as it should be since we are all multidimensional. Thank you for listening and inspiring me to journey and trust in my own guidance.
We would speak to you this morning, as Carolyn, to talk about your interconnectedness. This is a term she is learning about on a much deeper level and as part of her learning she is reaching out to more than just her small known circle of friends to expand her consciousness, to link with others in ways that some of you may not even be conscious. All of you are always reaching out on either consciously or unconsciously, connecting and touching others with every thought and action. Every kind word, every judgment is a vibration in the energetic field you all play in. Those of you with children can see this clearly. A child is so joyously open to the vibratory universe around them especially those of their parents, teachers and friends. Every word every look, every observance penetrates and is acted upon. We adults are no different; we just have more armor so that others may not see how we are affected, armor so thick that many of us are not are not even aware that we have been affected and so go around with these energy disturbances, reacting to others and events unconsciously. What would happen if you allowed yourself to be aware of this interconnectedness, of how you are affected by war in the world, by the anger of your spouse, by the smile of a stranger, the kind word of a friend. Would you all fall apart? Would you be overwhelmed? Perhaps. But it is only with the realization of how we are affected that we begin to see how we affect others, and so begin to change our own behavior. Then imagine if everyone became aware of their interconnectedness and changed their judgment to compassion, their grimace to a smile, their anger to love. Can you imagine the shift ? The shift in the world itself?
Reading for the tribe for February. Using the Thoth Deck
Issue at hand 10 of Wands Oppression.
What is the oppression of spirit? How does this play out in people lives?
You may experience a feeling of too much, of being burdened, of carrying other’s energies, of an inability to see the light at the end of the tunnel, a pressure, a weight of some unknown presence? Perhaps the knowledge of interconnectedness will seem to just be something else you need to carry?
How to move out from under this seeming oppression? How to lay down the burden?
9 of wands Strength
By connecting the conscious with the unconscious you can link your outer life with your inner world. By exposing yourself to yourself, your heart, your sorrow, instead of projecting your seeming burden on to others, you are able to begin to see that what seems to be coming from outside yourself is actually coming from within and so you have a sense of control and choices. You now have a choice to have burdens or possibilities. All that would oppress you can be seen as the product of a very rich and productive life.
What are the opportunities of the energies of the next month?
3 of swords Sorrow
For your heart to be pierced, to feel on a deep level and by feeling, unburdening yourself by taking this opportunity to say what needs to be said, to make the decisions that need to be made, instead of carrying this energy for fear of disrupting the status quo. There is possibility of great healing in all relationships.
Advice from the universe
9 of Pentacles Gain
You have nothing to lose only to gain. By laying down your burden, by allowing what has been pressuring you to be released, by allowing what feels like it might tear you apart to come forward, you will gain on all levels of the physical: your health and sense of abundance in the world.
As always I welcome comments or questions.
Love and Light from Carolyn
Felt compelled to sit and write to the tribe this morning. As you will see, the message starts out from my guidance and then morphs into me in the physical. This is as it should be since we are all multidimensional. Thank you for listening and inspiring me to journey and trust in my own guidance.
We would speak to you this morning, as Carolyn, to talk about your interconnectedness. This is a term she is learning about on a much deeper level and as part of her learning she is reaching out to more than just her small known circle of friends to expand her consciousness, to link with others in ways that some of you may not even be conscious. All of you are always reaching out on either consciously or unconsciously, connecting and touching others with every thought and action. Every kind word, every judgment is a vibration in the energetic field you all play in. Those of you with children can see this clearly. A child is so joyously open to the vibratory universe around them especially those of their parents, teachers and friends. Every word every look, every observance penetrates and is acted upon. We adults are no different; we just have more armor so that others may not see how we are affected, armor so thick that many of us are not are not even aware that we have been affected and so go around with these energy disturbances, reacting to others and events unconsciously. What would happen if you allowed yourself to be aware of this interconnectedness, of how you are affected by war in the world, by the anger of your spouse, by the smile of a stranger, the kind word of a friend. Would you all fall apart? Would you be overwhelmed? Perhaps. But it is only with the realization of how we are affected that we begin to see how we affect others, and so begin to change our own behavior. Then imagine if everyone became aware of their interconnectedness and changed their judgment to compassion, their grimace to a smile, their anger to love. Can you imagine the shift ? The shift in the world itself?
Reading for the tribe for February. Using the Thoth Deck
Issue at hand 10 of Wands Oppression.
What is the oppression of spirit? How does this play out in people lives?
You may experience a feeling of too much, of being burdened, of carrying other’s energies, of an inability to see the light at the end of the tunnel, a pressure, a weight of some unknown presence? Perhaps the knowledge of interconnectedness will seem to just be something else you need to carry?
How to move out from under this seeming oppression? How to lay down the burden?
9 of wands Strength
By connecting the conscious with the unconscious you can link your outer life with your inner world. By exposing yourself to yourself, your heart, your sorrow, instead of projecting your seeming burden on to others, you are able to begin to see that what seems to be coming from outside yourself is actually coming from within and so you have a sense of control and choices. You now have a choice to have burdens or possibilities. All that would oppress you can be seen as the product of a very rich and productive life.
What are the opportunities of the energies of the next month?
3 of swords Sorrow
For your heart to be pierced, to feel on a deep level and by feeling, unburdening yourself by taking this opportunity to say what needs to be said, to make the decisions that need to be made, instead of carrying this energy for fear of disrupting the status quo. There is possibility of great healing in all relationships.
Advice from the universe
9 of Pentacles Gain
You have nothing to lose only to gain. By laying down your burden, by allowing what has been pressuring you to be released, by allowing what feels like it might tear you apart to come forward, you will gain on all levels of the physical: your health and sense of abundance in the world.
As always I welcome comments or questions.
Love and Light from Carolyn
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Reading 2011
Greetings to the Tribe
I call you a Tribe because souls travel in large groups and whether we are aware of this or not, we are drawn to people and situations who vibrate on a kinship level, who are all facing the same direction. So…
Because we are all interconnected, because there is a tie between our hearts in our longing for Source connection, because you would all will a better world, because within you is this urge to grow, to become more of who you are… And for my own transformation and my will to open up to higher frequencies, I will be intermittedly sending a channel and reading for those on my tarot reading list. There is no button to subscribe or unsubscribe; you can always opt out with an email to me. I welcome comments, questions, responses, dialogue about whatever comes forth. This is an experiment for me and I appreciate you all being here as witnesses.
Reading for our Tribe for the year 2011 Using the Thoth deck
Significator: (Meaning the issue at hand) Seven of Swords The deceit of the mind.
This next year will be about the breakdown of the mind view, that is, the illusions, lies, fog that we have allowed to envelope us so as to not know the truth of the meaning of our existence. The deceit is about how fear, anxiety, self-degeneration keeps us from the truth of what we truly desire
Drawing a card from the Major Arcana – In the tarot the Majors are portals to higher consciousness, archetypes of our greater selves.
Question: What opportunity for growth will be offered to us as a whole and as individuals?
The Death card
And so what is Death in the midst of life? A falling away of the old, a clearing away for new growth, a surrender to what is, an allowing of expansion as we shed an old skin. When we fear Death, what do we fear? The unknown? Loss of control? If life is about control then where is the joy of discovery, of adventure, of possibility? This may be a year you will experience job loss or major changes, family members may be leaving, friendships falling away, anything that is not conducive to your growth will die away. Open to the opportunity of growth and transformation by welcoming Death into your life. Now, what is there to fear?
Question: What will this opportunity of Death feel like in the 3rd dimension of our personality, ego?
Two of Wands Dominion. Warring energies. The duality of energy will open a door unseen before. A possibility for the entrance of energy you did not know existed. As you struggle against change, against loss, know that when you surrender to the process, the energy ignited will be tremendous.
Choosing from the Court cards only. These are cards of personalities that represent specific energies, attitudes and viewpoints.
Question: How can we expand into the opportunity that Death brings and move beyond the struggle? Queen of Pentacles
The power of the feminine resting on the earthly plane. She rides change as though surfing an earthquake: totally present in her body, focused on the moment. No regrets for what has been, her intensity of presence is relaxed, with great appreciation for all she has in this human experience This is a card of holding the energy of gratitude.
Question: Advice from the cosmos for us all from our united being.
Six of wands. Victory Balance of creative energy. When the masculine and, the feminine; the male and the female; the parent and the child walk hand in hand, loving one another, respecting the individual, knowing you are one in the heart of the cosmos, nothing can harm you. Smile at each other, link arms and dance forward into your unknown future with the intention of unity, allowing the victory of the loving human spirit.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. - Joseph Campbell
Tarot of Becoming
Tarot As An Evolutionary Path
www.tarotofbecoming.com
I call you a Tribe because souls travel in large groups and whether we are aware of this or not, we are drawn to people and situations who vibrate on a kinship level, who are all facing the same direction. So…
Because we are all interconnected, because there is a tie between our hearts in our longing for Source connection, because you would all will a better world, because within you is this urge to grow, to become more of who you are… And for my own transformation and my will to open up to higher frequencies, I will be intermittedly sending a channel and reading for those on my tarot reading list. There is no button to subscribe or unsubscribe; you can always opt out with an email to me. I welcome comments, questions, responses, dialogue about whatever comes forth. This is an experiment for me and I appreciate you all being here as witnesses.
Reading for our Tribe for the year 2011 Using the Thoth deck
Significator: (Meaning the issue at hand) Seven of Swords The deceit of the mind.
This next year will be about the breakdown of the mind view, that is, the illusions, lies, fog that we have allowed to envelope us so as to not know the truth of the meaning of our existence. The deceit is about how fear, anxiety, self-degeneration keeps us from the truth of what we truly desire
Drawing a card from the Major Arcana – In the tarot the Majors are portals to higher consciousness, archetypes of our greater selves.
Question: What opportunity for growth will be offered to us as a whole and as individuals?
The Death card
And so what is Death in the midst of life? A falling away of the old, a clearing away for new growth, a surrender to what is, an allowing of expansion as we shed an old skin. When we fear Death, what do we fear? The unknown? Loss of control? If life is about control then where is the joy of discovery, of adventure, of possibility? This may be a year you will experience job loss or major changes, family members may be leaving, friendships falling away, anything that is not conducive to your growth will die away. Open to the opportunity of growth and transformation by welcoming Death into your life. Now, what is there to fear?
Question: What will this opportunity of Death feel like in the 3rd dimension of our personality, ego?
Two of Wands Dominion. Warring energies. The duality of energy will open a door unseen before. A possibility for the entrance of energy you did not know existed. As you struggle against change, against loss, know that when you surrender to the process, the energy ignited will be tremendous.
Choosing from the Court cards only. These are cards of personalities that represent specific energies, attitudes and viewpoints.
Question: How can we expand into the opportunity that Death brings and move beyond the struggle? Queen of Pentacles
The power of the feminine resting on the earthly plane. She rides change as though surfing an earthquake: totally present in her body, focused on the moment. No regrets for what has been, her intensity of presence is relaxed, with great appreciation for all she has in this human experience This is a card of holding the energy of gratitude.
Question: Advice from the cosmos for us all from our united being.
Six of wands. Victory Balance of creative energy. When the masculine and, the feminine; the male and the female; the parent and the child walk hand in hand, loving one another, respecting the individual, knowing you are one in the heart of the cosmos, nothing can harm you. Smile at each other, link arms and dance forward into your unknown future with the intention of unity, allowing the victory of the loving human spirit.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. - Joseph Campbell
Tarot of Becoming
Tarot As An Evolutionary Path
www.tarotofbecoming.com
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Missing my son
I have not made a post in days, months but I am now visiting my son's blog on a regular basis. He is in Chile and it's a wonderful way to see what he is up to. I, on the other hand, was using my blog to attract readers to my tarot website and I need to rethink this idea.
In the beginning I was truly writing about my insights regularly, now I think I am a bit depressed, my energy is static. I know much of it is that I am lonely, not unhappy lonely, but isolated, living alone and not having daily human contact with someone I love very much. Of course, I also realize I am using this as an excuse because I am also reaching for a place of being where it doesn't matter who or what i am doing, that I will always be energized. Alas I am far from this place.
Time for a tarot reading. Time to kick my ass. I am frustrated with myself because I have it all. I am not starving. I have a beautiful home, great friends, all this free time to be in my garden, read, do what I want, but what am I doing? Marinating? Perhaps. That's what I would like to think. (-:
This is good. I am already feeling better. Maybe I just need to sit and write everyday about nothing in particular. I know it's a way to work one out of a funk. I tell people this all the time. Like many counselors, I rarely follow my own advice.
So I have a great new, though old to some, tarot book. Tarot of the Spirit, Pamela Eakins. Great insights. I love a PhD view of the tarot.
So then I had to get the deck. So let's see what this deck says is going on with me.
Using one of Eakins spreads
Significator: Six of Pentacles Every thing is great! This is hilarious. Eakins talks about relaxing, surrendering to float suspended taking refuge in peace. Here i am going into my Hanged Man year in peace and harmony , no drama or stress and I am freaked out! Wow. In resistance is more like it.
Aspect of least control: Princess of Swords or Sister of Winds Thinking my way through all of this. I have slashed my way through the mind; it's time to start applying what I have learned; Quit trying to figure it out.
Aspect of Most control: The Lovers Eeeeek! at first glance this is where i feel I have the least control. Let's see what Eakins says:"You recognize that you are lonely" oh, my. "at the same time you realize that without separation, there can be no connection or demonstration of love" Yeh, the self love thing. the inner marriage KNowing that I am simultaneously united and separated. I need to accept this for inner happiness. and yes, I have control over this. sigh...
What influence is leaving (8 of pentacles) to be replaced by?(The Emperor)
taking my work up another level. I am aware and hopeful that this can happen in my next round of classes. This is what I am asking for. need to take in that aspect of me that is not so sure, The Lovers and create that confidence to let it all hang out. It is time to truly come into service. I have worked hard, nurtured myself and of course the Emperor is about form and the physical plane so this relates to what I am building in my back yard. My spiritual class room. I am sacrificing to a higher good to be a "window of light in the darkness" Ay Yieee!. Oh the resistance. I want excitement, movement, growth but at the same time I want exactly what I have, peace and no stress. Never satisfied!!!
My past: Four of Fire: Staying in my comfort zone, having created my structure, now it's time to put it to work.
My future: Four of Water Oh,dear. Let's see what Eakins says. the need to change to regain balance. I think I am already living this future. "outgrowing a period of contentment. I am bursting at the seams need a new "vison of love" Simplify. Pare down needs and expectations, pare down stimuli to hear the voice of higher will
Outcome at this point: Karma, 11, Justice, Cosmic Justice. Oh, boy. Karma says it all. I am clearing and paying for my past and it fits in with going into my hanged man year. I am coming out of my Karma year also. I am looking for something happy here. The challenge is happiness anyway.
This is my new favorite deck and book. This will fit well with the Tree of life study and is based on Crowley's deck more than the Waite smith. A good deck for the 21st century picked up at a used book store. Love it. Now go ahead and post it, Carolyn
In the beginning I was truly writing about my insights regularly, now I think I am a bit depressed, my energy is static. I know much of it is that I am lonely, not unhappy lonely, but isolated, living alone and not having daily human contact with someone I love very much. Of course, I also realize I am using this as an excuse because I am also reaching for a place of being where it doesn't matter who or what i am doing, that I will always be energized. Alas I am far from this place.
Time for a tarot reading. Time to kick my ass. I am frustrated with myself because I have it all. I am not starving. I have a beautiful home, great friends, all this free time to be in my garden, read, do what I want, but what am I doing? Marinating? Perhaps. That's what I would like to think. (-:
This is good. I am already feeling better. Maybe I just need to sit and write everyday about nothing in particular. I know it's a way to work one out of a funk. I tell people this all the time. Like many counselors, I rarely follow my own advice.
So I have a great new, though old to some, tarot book. Tarot of the Spirit, Pamela Eakins. Great insights. I love a PhD view of the tarot.
So then I had to get the deck. So let's see what this deck says is going on with me.
Using one of Eakins spreads
Significator: Six of Pentacles Every thing is great! This is hilarious. Eakins talks about relaxing, surrendering to float suspended taking refuge in peace. Here i am going into my Hanged Man year in peace and harmony , no drama or stress and I am freaked out! Wow. In resistance is more like it.
Aspect of least control: Princess of Swords or Sister of Winds Thinking my way through all of this. I have slashed my way through the mind; it's time to start applying what I have learned; Quit trying to figure it out.
Aspect of Most control: The Lovers Eeeeek! at first glance this is where i feel I have the least control. Let's see what Eakins says:"You recognize that you are lonely" oh, my. "at the same time you realize that without separation, there can be no connection or demonstration of love" Yeh, the self love thing. the inner marriage KNowing that I am simultaneously united and separated. I need to accept this for inner happiness. and yes, I have control over this. sigh...
What influence is leaving (8 of pentacles) to be replaced by?(The Emperor)
taking my work up another level. I am aware and hopeful that this can happen in my next round of classes. This is what I am asking for. need to take in that aspect of me that is not so sure, The Lovers and create that confidence to let it all hang out. It is time to truly come into service. I have worked hard, nurtured myself and of course the Emperor is about form and the physical plane so this relates to what I am building in my back yard. My spiritual class room. I am sacrificing to a higher good to be a "window of light in the darkness" Ay Yieee!. Oh the resistance. I want excitement, movement, growth but at the same time I want exactly what I have, peace and no stress. Never satisfied!!!
My past: Four of Fire: Staying in my comfort zone, having created my structure, now it's time to put it to work.
My future: Four of Water Oh,dear. Let's see what Eakins says. the need to change to regain balance. I think I am already living this future. "outgrowing a period of contentment. I am bursting at the seams need a new "vison of love" Simplify. Pare down needs and expectations, pare down stimuli to hear the voice of higher will
Outcome at this point: Karma, 11, Justice, Cosmic Justice. Oh, boy. Karma says it all. I am clearing and paying for my past and it fits in with going into my hanged man year. I am coming out of my Karma year also. I am looking for something happy here. The challenge is happiness anyway.
This is my new favorite deck and book. This will fit well with the Tree of life study and is based on Crowley's deck more than the Waite smith. A good deck for the 21st century picked up at a used book store. Love it. Now go ahead and post it, Carolyn
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tree of Life
In my ongoing study of the tarot I am looking at the oldest connection to the tarot, the Kabalistic Tree of Life, which symbolizes the creation of the Universe in the mystical Jewish tradition and shows the path to a universal awakening.
If you do any type of research on the tarot, read tarot blogs and books you will see the Qabala, or Kabbalah or the Caballa mentioned in connection with the tarot. All three spellings pertain to a different approach to this aspect of Jewish mysticism. I will say right out that I am only skimming the surface with this study and I welcome comments, arguments etc. But my idea is that by writing about my study that I can begin to grasp these concepts.
I am not going to attempt to explain the Tree of Life here. There are hundreds of sites where you can get this information. What I want to begin to explain is the Tree’s connection to the tarot and why a basic understanding of this connection is needed to finally take the tarot into the 21st century.
The tarot of today is about enlightenment, about how to navigate the great changes coming our way. The tarot as connected to the Tree of Life can show us how we can ride these waves of transformation to a universal consciousness.
Both the Waite-Smith decks and especially the Crowley/Harris decks, the two most influential decks in the last hundred years, use the Qabalistic forces of the Tree of Life as a blueprint for their decks.
Currently I am studying the Qabala’s Tree of Life with my tarot circle. After a preliminary study of the Tree itself, we are going backwards, starting at the top and working our way down the tree in order to connect it to the tarot numbering. We are now at the sephirah, Chesed, and the Tarot fours which are also influenced by the Emperor. Since I have given no previous information about the Qabala or the Tree of life, this is a very self centered writing, but I encourage you to keep reading because I hope by trying to explain to you as simply as possible, that I will begin to grasp the information myself.
So how are the tarot fours influenced by the Qabala Tree of Life? The fours sit in the position or sephirah of Chesed in the left hand column, an extreme position only balanced by the opposite sephirah or position of Geburah where the fives sit. As I begin to understand the two extremes of Chesed and Geburah, I begin to get why the fours are so lethargic and controlling, while the fives feel frighteningly out of control. On the Tree of Life, the position of Chesed is an extreme of mercy and goodness, lovingkindness to the point of almost too much which is well illustrated in the Waite Smith deck when you look at the uncomfortable positions of the people in the fours. Even though all seems to be well, we see lots of cups, maybe more than we can handle; pentacles on our head and under our feet; the mind at peace with the swords and seeming sucess and stability with the wands; but there is an uneasiness there because as with all the cards, change is in the air. The situation seems to be all right, but change is coming because the life force is moving swiftly and what may seem to be solid in the fours will shift dramatically in the fives to conflict and loss. Look at the watchfulness in the Waite Smith four of cups card, as though the person is thinking, “This is too good to be true, it can’t continue” and the resting in the four of swords which the person knows is only a respite. It’s like in our daily lives when we feel it’s all going so well, too well. That though it seems absurd, we are out of balance on some level, that life is not about smooth sailing but about the challenge, and the goal to find joy and peace in what seem to be a flashing back and forth of extremes as seen clearly with the flashing movement of insight in the Tree of Life. The path in the Tree shows the quick movement that balances the fours with the opposite position of severity and judgment in Geburah, but the Tree as a whole shows the path to integration and wholeness. Sound familiar? This is exactly what the tarot images show us. The Tree of Life and the tarot look at life as a whole, not dwelling so much on the ups and downs but more on the path at hand, the centering needed to sail through the extremes which we cannot escape from but if viewed as needed, as a part of the journey to completeness, can then be seen as a positive influence, a lesson which will take us to a higher level of consciousness.
If you do any type of research on the tarot, read tarot blogs and books you will see the Qabala, or Kabbalah or the Caballa mentioned in connection with the tarot. All three spellings pertain to a different approach to this aspect of Jewish mysticism. I will say right out that I am only skimming the surface with this study and I welcome comments, arguments etc. But my idea is that by writing about my study that I can begin to grasp these concepts.
I am not going to attempt to explain the Tree of Life here. There are hundreds of sites where you can get this information. What I want to begin to explain is the Tree’s connection to the tarot and why a basic understanding of this connection is needed to finally take the tarot into the 21st century.
The tarot of today is about enlightenment, about how to navigate the great changes coming our way. The tarot as connected to the Tree of Life can show us how we can ride these waves of transformation to a universal consciousness.
Both the Waite-Smith decks and especially the Crowley/Harris decks, the two most influential decks in the last hundred years, use the Qabalistic forces of the Tree of Life as a blueprint for their decks.
Currently I am studying the Qabala’s Tree of Life with my tarot circle. After a preliminary study of the Tree itself, we are going backwards, starting at the top and working our way down the tree in order to connect it to the tarot numbering. We are now at the sephirah, Chesed, and the Tarot fours which are also influenced by the Emperor. Since I have given no previous information about the Qabala or the Tree of life, this is a very self centered writing, but I encourage you to keep reading because I hope by trying to explain to you as simply as possible, that I will begin to grasp the information myself.
So how are the tarot fours influenced by the Qabala Tree of Life? The fours sit in the position or sephirah of Chesed in the left hand column, an extreme position only balanced by the opposite sephirah or position of Geburah where the fives sit. As I begin to understand the two extremes of Chesed and Geburah, I begin to get why the fours are so lethargic and controlling, while the fives feel frighteningly out of control. On the Tree of Life, the position of Chesed is an extreme of mercy and goodness, lovingkindness to the point of almost too much which is well illustrated in the Waite Smith deck when you look at the uncomfortable positions of the people in the fours. Even though all seems to be well, we see lots of cups, maybe more than we can handle; pentacles on our head and under our feet; the mind at peace with the swords and seeming sucess and stability with the wands; but there is an uneasiness there because as with all the cards, change is in the air. The situation seems to be all right, but change is coming because the life force is moving swiftly and what may seem to be solid in the fours will shift dramatically in the fives to conflict and loss. Look at the watchfulness in the Waite Smith four of cups card, as though the person is thinking, “This is too good to be true, it can’t continue” and the resting in the four of swords which the person knows is only a respite. It’s like in our daily lives when we feel it’s all going so well, too well. That though it seems absurd, we are out of balance on some level, that life is not about smooth sailing but about the challenge, and the goal to find joy and peace in what seem to be a flashing back and forth of extremes as seen clearly with the flashing movement of insight in the Tree of Life. The path in the Tree shows the quick movement that balances the fours with the opposite position of severity and judgment in Geburah, but the Tree as a whole shows the path to integration and wholeness. Sound familiar? This is exactly what the tarot images show us. The Tree of Life and the tarot look at life as a whole, not dwelling so much on the ups and downs but more on the path at hand, the centering needed to sail through the extremes which we cannot escape from but if viewed as needed, as a part of the journey to completeness, can then be seen as a positive influence, a lesson which will take us to a higher level of consciousness.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Path of the Evolutionary April 30, 2010
Determined to get an entry in April, I want share the changes I am experiences with how I look at the path of tarot these days.
, I have found a name for what I am doing, a name for the voice within that drives me forward, My Fool: the evolutionary impulse. TaDa!!!! And what the hell does that mean? though many of you may say, “Well, duh!” It’s the Fool that impulsively leaps off the cliff! Pulled by this urge to evolve... But what has happened for me is that I am getting this on a much clearer basis. I have been giving the words I longed for to describe what I believe I truly am: a being on the evolutionary edge of the ever expanding consciousness we call God, Source, the Mystery, the Great Spirit; that you and I are a product of Curiosity, of Will, of Desire, the end product of an awakening of Source long ago, a vast Energy driven to experience on an ever faster, more expansive level ever since the Big Bang. The most amazing aspect of all this is that we are now at the point where many of us have become aware that this is who we are and now realize we can actually steer this energy into a positive direction because we are this energy, as an individual, a tiny speck, but if all the tiny specks awaken to the same idea????
Is this arrogance?? I think not. It would be arrogant to think that we actually were separate from the vast energy surrounding us, arrogant to think we are living a separate life from the rest of the universe and from every living being on earth. One cannot be arrogant and be the evolutionary impulse. Arrogance is only the ego living in fear. When you start to think this big... well I will stop here because... because... I just have to take the time to let this concept pervade my thinking and see what happens.
, I have found a name for what I am doing, a name for the voice within that drives me forward, My Fool: the evolutionary impulse. TaDa!!!! And what the hell does that mean? though many of you may say, “Well, duh!” It’s the Fool that impulsively leaps off the cliff! Pulled by this urge to evolve... But what has happened for me is that I am getting this on a much clearer basis. I have been giving the words I longed for to describe what I believe I truly am: a being on the evolutionary edge of the ever expanding consciousness we call God, Source, the Mystery, the Great Spirit; that you and I are a product of Curiosity, of Will, of Desire, the end product of an awakening of Source long ago, a vast Energy driven to experience on an ever faster, more expansive level ever since the Big Bang. The most amazing aspect of all this is that we are now at the point where many of us have become aware that this is who we are and now realize we can actually steer this energy into a positive direction because we are this energy, as an individual, a tiny speck, but if all the tiny specks awaken to the same idea????
Is this arrogance?? I think not. It would be arrogant to think that we actually were separate from the vast energy surrounding us, arrogant to think we are living a separate life from the rest of the universe and from every living being on earth. One cannot be arrogant and be the evolutionary impulse. Arrogance is only the ego living in fear. When you start to think this big... well I will stop here because... because... I just have to take the time to let this concept pervade my thinking and see what happens.
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