Reverend Moon Masque August, 2010

Strength (8)

“To bend like a reed in the wind — that is real strength.”  ~Lao-tzu

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck portrays a serene woman gently closing/opening a lion’s mouth. Her robes are accessorized with flowers, and a blossoming wreath adorns her head. Like the Magician, the infinity symbol is shown hovering above her.  The lion appears calm and subdued. With his tail tucked behind him, he patiently accepts her tender care.

Symbols:

Lion: Animal instinct within us all, forces or influences that could be potentially harmful
Lemniscate (infinity symbol): Infinity, endless possibility
Woman: Femininity
Flowers: Beauty, grace, and kindness
White Dress: Purity

Key Words:

Strength, Patience, Compassion, Soft Control, Courage

Fool‘s Journey:

The Fool, now feeling proud and powerful from his knowledge of victory, next encounters during his journey a maiden and a lion. Amazed by her courage he watches the young woman gently, but firmly close the lion’s mouth. The furious beast passively accepts the maiden’s command, surrendering itself to her soft control. Afterwards, the maiden patiently explains to the Fool how he, too, can utilize the attributes of compassion and strength for higher purposes. Haveing been enlightened by the Maiden’s pure insights, the Fool continues his journey.

The Lesson:

To learn how to remain courageous in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles through compassionate strength.

Meaning:

While the Chariot card shows the masculine technique of overcoming our animal nature through mastery and firm control, Strength demonstrates the feminine method of tempering willful energies by using kindness and a soft touch. However, neither the masculine nor feminine approach is better than the other in helping to keep intense passions and impulses under control; they can each work equally well in different situations.

In readings, Strength can represent patience and compassion. It’s easy to become angry when a situation provokes intense negative emotions. However dealing with a frustration calmly, accepting others, and practicing the delicate art of forgiveness takes great strength. When this card appears it may suggest that gentle manipulation in the form of empathy and kindness is needed .

Strength can also symbolize steadfast bravery in the face of adversity. Inner strength comes from within, and can grace us with the quiet qualities of courage, perseverance, and resolve. When our lives seem difficult, the Strength card urges us not to give up but to maintain an unwavering determination to remain true to ourselves and our beliefs.

Tags: cards, reading, tarot

• Divination

Reverend Moon Masque July, 2010

The Chariot (7)

“Self-discipline is crucial to a simpler, more contented life.”  ~Tenzin Gyatso

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck portrays a man in a decorated chariot being drawn by majestic black and white sphinxes. In his right hand he holds a wand. His body is covered in protective armor, and his chariot is graced with a prominent winged shield of symbolic design. Behind him the motifs of a medieval city rise in the distance.

Symbols:

Armor: Readiness and preparation

Chariot: Movement

Sphinxes: Triumph of the mind

Wand: Inspiration and action

Black & White: Positive and negative energies

Wheels: Cycles, motion

Key Words:

Triumph, Ambition, Assertiveness, Firm Control, Motivation

Fool’s Journey:

Having mastered the lessons of lovers, the Fool continues his journey with a greater understanding of the world around him. As he walks onward, pondering his experiences, he sees a proud and commanding charioteer riding triumphantly toward him. Ambitious to learn, the Fool spends time with the charioteer studying his qualities of assertiveness and self-confidence.  The Fool soon discovers that in order to achieve true mastery over himself he must exert firm control over his base instincts. Feeling motivated by this new knowledge, he resumes his travels in an earnest search of his own victories.

The Lesson:

To learn how to master our own chaotic forces so we may triumph in our goals.

Meaning:

The Charioteer fights alone, seeking to gain the advantage by striking from the side. His steeds keep the wheels of his chariot turning, however, it is his control and direction that brings him triumph. Whether our challenges be obstacles, circumstances, emotions, or human desires, there are times when we must firmly grasp the reigns of our own chariot and do battle for our personal victories.

In readings, the Chariot can personify the positive strength, confidence, and assertiveness required to move forward to obtain the goals we desire. However, the Chariot can also signal a ruthless, diehard desire to win despite the cost. Success and triumph can be glorious under the right circumstances, but only when we are certain the sacrifices of the battle are truly worth the prize. After all, the victory is only the beginning.

The Chariot can sometimes appear when a situation or environment harbors the energies of hard control. At its best, hard control is not brutal; it is firm and direct, backed by a strong will and great self-confidence. Its powerful influences are sometimes required when we wish to draw separate paths into a single direction of our own choosing.

Likewise, the Chariot can portray the influential winds of ambition and motivation — potent energies that can provide the movement necessary to set our aspirations to sail.

Tags: cards, reading, tarot

• Divination

Reverend Moon Masque June, 2010

The Lovers (6)

“This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing; it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is sort of a Divine accident.” ~ Horace Walpole

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck portrays a man and woman standing nude beneath a great winged figure hovering above them. Behind the man is the Tree of Life bearing twelve leaves. Behind the woman is the Tree of Knowledge, which enables one to distinguish between Good and Evil; the serpent is entwined around the tree’s trunk.

Symbols:

Man and Woman: Masculine and feminine, metaphor for opposites

Nudity: Honesty, openness

Angel: Higher Self

Tree of Life: Creation, completion

Tree of Knowledge: Discernment, free will, the secret of mortality

Serpent: Wisdom, knowledge of self

Key Words:

Relationships, Sexuality, Personal Beliefs, Values, Choices

Fool’s Journey:

The Fool continues his journey with growing energy, confidence, and purpose. Coming to a crossroad, he encounters a woman there who awakens within him a sense of sexuality and the desire for a loving relationship. The Fool is now faced with a choice. He must decide if he would like to continue on his original path alone or embark on a new path with the woman. He must examine his personal beliefs and values to make the right decision. After much thought, he chooses her, and for a while they create a new future together.

The Lesson:

To learn how to love ourselves and others unconditionally, while maintaining our values and personal beliefs.

Meaning:

We can learn a great deal about ourselves through other people. In close relationships we are given the unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of who we are. The parts of ourselves that we deny or repress, or are simply unaware exist, are often mirrored in our partners. When these unknown aspects of our nature are reflected back to us, we are able to increase our self-awareness. Such exploration can help us reinforce or recreate our values and personal beliefs.

The Lovers card can appear when our choices are about to be put to the test. It can foretell a poignant adventure that may require an emotional trial or crucial decision. Sometimes we must leave something equally important behind to achieve our hearts desire. In such instances, careful consideration of what one stands to gain and lose is required before reaching a conclusion.

In readings, the Lovers card can also signify a powerful relationship based on love, attraction, commitment, and/or sexual passion. In its highest form, deep emotional connections can take us beyond ourselves into new and exciting frontiers. Likewise, this same type of union can be experienced in nonsexual relationships, taking its form in people, ideas, events, actions, and groups.

Tags: Divination, reading, tarot

• Articles

Sage Sinclair June, 2010

divination is something that every human marvels about. A Tarot reading by an experienced interpreter can be quite informative. The way the cards are presented in a layout tells quite a story. Each card laid out represents something that could be within the Querent’s life. Each placement of the cards tells what part of the Querent’s life the card is revealing. All the pieces of information given in a reading is important. Each card is different and each card has its own meaning. True believers take into account every detail that is revealed in their reading. I would like to start with the Shape Shifter Tarot by DJ Conway and Sirona Knight. The card I chose to start with is Partnership. Traditional card is The Three of Wands.

The couple is hidden by the garden that seems to have a life of its own. The Divas of nature are only one step away from us, in an Otherworld that is visible sometimes to humans.
Robins that are symbols of the Spring and the morning fly in union. They hold and bring in the Elements together.
The Spider represents networking and Divine inspiration. The Caterpillar represents Spring and the never ending cycle of Life. The Butterfly represents transformation and change.
The insects are hidden within the beauty of the Flowers growing all around the duo as they embrace one another.
Find the Virtue and Integrity within yourself and others in a commonplace reality and in addition to other dimensions.
This is a time for building a solid foundation for the future just as the Spring is new for planting seeds.
This is a card of trade and cooperation in business, you are encouraged to accept support that is being offered.
It is time to bring your Mind, Body and Spirit together to operate and perform with one another.
By aligning your Heart, Mind and Loins together it is possible to find yourself entering a new doorstep of a personal Partnership.
Doing all things from a place of Harmony, with Texture and Agreement. You will soon find that your design will begin to unfold in a positive way.
The Partnership card may point to Strengthening an already established Partnership just by Sharing Familiar Interests.
The key words to remember are: Association, Cooperation, Connection and Unity.

THE THREE OF WANDS

A calm, dignified individual, with his back turned to the world.
Standing at a cliff’s edge the man watches as the ships sail by on the open Sea.
Three staves are firmly planted into the ground, while he slightly leans on one.
Those are his ships transporting commodities which he is observes as they sail over the horizon.
The card can also signify ~ A successful business in operation.
The Prince can look at you from his side even while he views his merchandise maneuver near yours.
He can help you with a new enterprise.
The key words to remember are: Established Strength, Effort, Trade, Discovery and Financial Transactions.

Tags: Divination, reading, tarot

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Reverend Moon Masque April, 2010

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Reverend Moon Masque March, 2010

The Empress (3)

“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” ~ William Wordsworth

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck portrays a woman seated on luxurious cushions. Her gown is decorated with pomegranates. A crown of stars rests upon her head, and she holds a scepter in her hand. The landscape around her is lush and fertile; a river flows nearby, while growing wheat ripens at her feet. A heart-shaped seal bearing a female symbol resides next to her seat.

Symbols:

Scepter: Sovereignty

Pomegranates: Fertility

Cushions: Appreciation of luxury

Female Symbol: Femininity, female sexuality

Heart-Shaped Shield: Universal love

River: Flow of life

Key Words:

Mothering, Fruitfulness, Abundance, Senses, Nature

Fool’s Journey:

Having been enlightened by the wisdom of the High Priestess, the Fool next meets the Empress. With a motherly smile, she sits upon her throne surrounded by the lush abundance of Nature. She teaches the Fool how to use his senses and to delight in the goodness of the natural world. Through his experiences, the Fool learns that creation, like a newly planted seed, is fragile. It requires fertile soil, patience, nurturing, and attention to bring it to fruition. Understanding at last that his future will take time to build and grow, the Fool thanks the Empress and continues on his way.

The Lesson:

To learn how to give life to our ideas and projects, and to enjoy our natural existence.

Meaning:

The Empress is life’s womb, where creation may gestate and grow until it is ready to be born. Whether the creation is the conception of new life, love, or the formation of a project or idea it must be sustained through careful attention and care. In this sense, the Empress symbolizes the essence of Motherhood in all of its divine forms.

The Empress can also represent the bounty of nature and the inherent rhythms of the Earth. From her comes all the innate pleasures and joys of physical life. The Empress encourages us to strengthen our connections with the natural world, which is the root of our existence; she asks us to set aside the intricacies of our lives to enjoy the simplicities of Mother Earth.

The Empress can also symbolize lavish abundance of all kinds — food, pleasure, beauty — the kind that nourish our senses with delight. A passionate and deep love of life is reflected in the Empress, instilling within us all the desire to embrace life’s bountiful goodness.

Tags: Divination, reading, tarot, the empress

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Reverend Moon Masque January, 2010

The Magician (1)

“Action is the product of the qualities inherent in Nature.” ~Bhagavad Gita

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck portrays a magus dressed in flowing robes. Belted around his waist is a serpent swallowing its own tail; floating above his head is the symbol of infinity. On a table before him lie the tools of his trade — a chalice, pentacle, staff, and sword (the four suits of the Tarot). One arm is lifted to the heavens and the other is lowered, finger pointing toward the earth.  In his raised hand he holds a wand.

Symbols:

One Arm Raised & One Arm Lowered : Drawing energy into yourself and turning energy into matter

Chalice: The element of water representing emotions

Sword: The element of air representing intellect and reason

Wand: The element of fire representing inspiration and action

Pentacle: The element of earth representing the body or senses

Lemniscate (infinity symbol): Infinity, endless possibility

Key Words:

Action, Conscious Awareness, Will, Concentration, Forces of Creativity.

The Fool’s Journey:

In his travels, the Fool first encounters the Magician, a skillful, confident magus capable of employing the power of concentration to turn will into action. Raising his wand to the heavens, the Magician calls upon the forces of creativity to provide the Fool with all the tools he will need for his journey: the cool Sword of intellect and thought, the fiery Staff of inspiration and action, the overflowing Chalice of love and emotions, the solid Pentacle of the earth, body, and senses. Now consciously aware of the resources available to him, the Fool is better equipped to continue his journey.

Lesson:

To learn how to use our will and resources to create results through action.

Meaning:

As card number one, the Magician represents the male powers of creation through willpower and action. He symbolizes the ability to tap universal forces and to use this power for innovative purposes. The four tools of the Magician remind us of the four suits of the Tarot, and represents their raw, undeveloped, undirected energy ready for use.

In readings, the Magician can imply that the primal forces of creativity are available to us.  If we simply convert our awareness, concentration, and willpower into action, we can change our world. The Magician sometimes serves as a signal to act, providing we understand exactly what we want and we are committed to acquiring it. By directing our energy on the task / goal at hand, we can use the tools of the Magician to turn our hopes and dreams into solid reality.

The Magician card can encourage us to identify our strengths and existing resources. When we are aware of the tools available to us, we can take the necessary actions to use them to their best advantage.

Next issue, we will examine ‘The High Priestess.’ Until then, may the Tarot be with you!

Tags: cards, Divination, magician, reading, tarot

• Divination

Reverend Moon Masque November, 2009

The Fool (0)

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~Chinese Proverb

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck portrays a young traveler dressed in colorful motley clothes. Tied to his staff is a nap-sack; in his free hand is a single rose. The sun, in all its glory, shines behind him, and a small, lively dog follows his heels. Walking toward the edge of an impending cliff, the Fool seems blissfully unaware of the fall awaiting him.

Symbols:

Young Person (Youth): Naivety, innocence

Single White Rose: Purity, nonsexual love

Sunrise: New beginnings

Staff: Active creativity

Cliff: ‘The Fall’ into worldly experience

Hills/Mountains: Struggles, adversity

Motley Dress: Foolishness, idiocy

Key Words:

New Beginning, Journey, Spontaneity, Innocence, Apparent Folly

The Fool’s Journey:

Carrying all of his worldly possessions in a nap-sack, the Fool sets out on a journey of a new beginning.  Having just begun his trip, the Fool is still newly born — fresh, open, and overflowing with a sense of spontaneity. Innocent and carefree, he travels to an unknown destination, his mind filled with visions and daydreams of the experiences awaiting him. However, he seems naively unaware of the cliff looming ahead. At his heel, a small dog hurries him (or attempts to warn him of a possible misstep).  Regardless of any hardships or folly he might face, the Fool is ready to embrace all that life has to offer.

Lesson:

To learn how to open ourselves to new experiences and adventures, while utilizing an appropriate degree of caution.

Meaning:

As card 0, the Fool is the first card of the Major Arcana.  It seems no accident the number zero was chosen to represent this card.  In numerology, zero is the number of nothingness and potentiality. Zero symbolizes boundlessness, pure possibility, and limitless freedom.

In readings, the Fool can represent a brand new beginning or a new phase of existence. Unexpected opportunities in life can suddenly appear and ask us to make decisions, which can lead us down new paths. When the world becomes suddenly new, a sense of spontaneity and innocent wonder can ensue, making us feel carefree.

However, the Fool can sometimes remind us of the resulting folly that can occur when we throw caution to the wind for the exhilaration of living in the moment.  Impulsive decisions and unwise choices have a unique way of catching up with us later. Taking risks can be refreshing, but exercising an appropriate degree of caution is always in our best interest. Remember to watch your step, lest you fall and look like a fool!

Next issue, we will examine ‘The Magician.’  Until then, may the Tarot be with you!

Tags: cards, Divination, reading, tarot, the fool

• Divination

Reverend Moon Masque October, 2009

INTERPRETING THE CARDS

The Tarot’s meanings can be personal and subjective to each of us in accordance with our unique experiences and
views of the world. For this reason there are no immutable or absolute definitions that can be applied to the cards.

The cards mean what our intuition and experience tell us they mean, and this can differ from person to person. As
you study the cards do not be afraid to allow your inner voice to suggest nuances of meaning.

When examining the Tarot, you’ll notice that the titles, illustrations, and symbols of certain cards seem to openly
convey their meaning, while the informative clues for other cards may appear more allusive at first glance. When
you encounter a card that you may not easily understand, take the extra time needed to recognize its energies.

In subsequent articles we will examine some of the more commonly accepted card meanings in great detail. For
now, simply acquaint yourself with the Major Arcana and begin to explore their surface meanings.

SURFACE MEANINGS

(0) The Fool: Entering a new phase, starting an adventure, living in the moment, being new and innocent, taking a
risk.
(1) The Magician: Experiencing movement through willpower, understanding your intentions, focusing your
energy, having singleness of purpose, utilizing your creative power.
(2) The High Priestess: Being passive, employing your intuition, experiencing spiritual enlightenment, sensing
the secret and hidden, having esoteric insight.
(3) The Empress: Showing maternal instinct, enjoying prosperity, experiencing growth and fertility, focusing on
the senses, feeling connected to the earth.
(4) The Emperor: Using masculine power, creating order out of chaos, enjoying security, dealing with authority,
leading or being led.
(5) The Hierophant: Established codes of behavior or belief, learning or teaching, honoring ritual and ceremony, participating in an organized group, giving or receiving wise counsel.
(6) The Lovers: Participating in a partnership or affiliation, experiencing physical passion and desire, confronting your own beliefs, staying true to yourself, making important moral decisions.
(7) The Chariot: Winning a victory through will, desiring to achieve, experiencing bold confidence, mastering
and curbing impulses, having a clear purpose.
(8) Strength: Showing preservation and endurance, exhibiting calm tolerance, feeling sympathy toward others,
using gentle force, having mental and moral fortitude.
(9) The Hermit: Following a personal quest, accepting or giving wise advice, spending time alone, engaging in
self examination and discovery, withdrawing from the world.
(10) The Wheel of Fortune: Experiencing fate, discovering opportunities through new developments,
undergoing rapid change, standing at a crossroad, coming full circle.
(11) Justice: Confronting equitable or impartial treatment, being accountable, choosing rightly, recognizing the
results of your actions, restoring balance.
(12) The Hanged Man: Pausing to reflect, experiencing a change of mind or circumstances, letting go,
voluntarily losing, giving up control.
(13) Death: Completing a chapter, experiencing crucial and profound change, entering the start of a new cycle,
eradicating the unnecessary, enduring an inevitable ending.
(14) Temperance: Avoiding excess, achieving a harmonious balance, blending forces together, finding peace
through compromise, experiencing good health.
(15) The Devil: Being lured or enticed, experiencing unhealthy attachments, focusing too much on the physical,
being unaware, feeling tied down against your will.
(16) The Tower: Experiencing havoc, facing annihilation, enduring painful alteration, undergoing a shocking
catastrophe, having an emotional outburst.
(17) The Star: Having faith in the future, finding motivation, experiencing renewal, having a sense of belief,
enjoying peace of mind.
(18) The Moon: Feeling apprehension, confronting the unfamiliar, seeing what is not there, having troubled
imaginings and thoughts, becoming confused.
(19) The Sun: Attaining a new level of insight, having your day in the sun, becoming radiantly energized, feeling
invigorated, experiencing a sense of confidence.
(20) Judgment: Judging or being judged, forgiving yourself or others, reaching a higher level of being, becoming
transformed, making a fresh start.
(21) The World: Realizing your goals, coming to a journeys end, experiencing success, feeling satisfied,
reaching a conclusion.

THEMES

Each Major Arcana card seems to follow a particular theme. Simply knowing a card’s basic theme can help you
explore the many other avenues of expression that a card can adopt in a reading. Take the time to study the
following themes and adapt them to your own understanding of the Tarot.

Fool: Beginnings
Magician: Will
High Priestess: Intuition
Empress: Creation
Emperor: Authority
Hierophant: Spiritual/Academic Teaching/Learning
Lovers: Relationships
Chariot: Control
Strength: Inner Strength
Hermit: Introspection
Wheel of Fortune: Change
Justice: Balance
Hanged Man: Sacrifice
Death: Endings
Temperance: Blending
Devil: Bondage
Tower: Destruction
Star: Guidance
Moon: Illusion
Sun: Realization
Judgment: Rebirth
World: Completion

It was a pleasure to once again share with you the wonders of the Tarot. Next week, we’ll take an upclose and
personal look at the ‘Fool’ card. Until then, may the Tarot be with you!

Tags: cards, Divination, reading, tarot

• Divination

Reverend Moon Masque September, 2009

The World (21)

“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.”  ~Dr. Viktor E(mil) Frankl

Image Description:

The Rider-Waite deck depicts a nude woman dancing in mid air between an oval wreath of laurels. A long, loose sash is flowing around her body, and she holds a double ended wand in each hand. The four corners outside the wreath are each adorned by a creature: bull, lion, eagle and angel/man.

Symbols:

Laurels: Victory, attainment of a goal

Bull: Taurus and the element earth

Lion: Leo and the element of fire

Eagle: Scorpio and the element of Water

Angel/Man: Aquarius and the element of Air

Oval Wreath: Unity and eternity, the mystery of creation, potential realized

Wands: The powers of involution and evolution

Key Words:

Achievement, Accomplishment, Success, Fulfillment, Completion

Fool’s Journey:

The Fool’s success is at hand. With a sense of accomplishment, he takes the final step on the path into the light that marks the completion of his journey. To his bemusement he finds himself back where he had began, on the very same cliff he had once stood upon at a time when he was young and foolish. However now he sees his position very differently. The cliff is not nearly as high in the light of his achievements. With a knowing smile, the Fool steps off the cliff… and soars. He flies higher and higher until the world is a tiny speck in the universe, fading into the stars and planets to create a whole. His fulfillment is now complete.

Lesson:

To learn how to

Meaning:

A major part of achieving happiness and fulfillment is finding a sense of completeness – the awareness that we have everything we need, and that all of the significant elements of our lives are working together in harmony. Anytime we successfully reach this all important goal, we feel as if the World and everything in it is ours to enjoy.

In readings, the World suggests we have reached a time when we are able to enjoy success in our accomplishments and goals. When all is well in our world we can experience internal and external harmony, as well as a feeling of blissful oneness with ourselves and our place in the universe. Knowing where we belong provides a deep sense of peace and well-being.

The World can signify the successful completion of a cycle or stage of existence, the triumphant end to a long-term project, or a sign that a pleasing conclusion is in sight. This card simply reinforces the idea that our hard work, knowledge, wisdom, and patience will yield fruitful results in the end. When we accomplish our greatest goals, the world truly becomes a beautiful place.

Tags: cards, reading, tarot, world

• Divination