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Posts Tagged ‘faith’
“The stars signal comfort… By their very design they instill wonder in the deepest parts of our hearts, and allow hope to spring forth.”*
In Tarot, the word Hope encompasses the true depth of Major Arcana card, The Star.
In The Mythic Tarot Deck, The Star represents the story of Pandora’s box. In Greek Myth, the Titan Prometheus once stole the sacred fire of the gods and gave it to mankind. This angered the Gods who vowed to punish the human race for the crime. It was told that the King of the Gods, Zeus, ordered a exceptionally beautiful woman to be made of clay and water into whom the Gods put idleness, lies, and a selfish temperament. Zeus sent this woman to Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother, along with a very special chest.
Before he was captured, Prometheus’ warned his brother to never touch the chest. Epimetheus in turn, told Pandora of the dangers the chest might contain but she cast aside his concerns. When she lifted the lid of the chest she released terrible Spites – Old Age, Labor, Sickness, Insanity, Vice, and Passion – which escaped into the world and infected mankind. All that remained in the box was Hope, which had somehow been locked inside with the Spites.
“Stars have long been seen as symbols of hope, regeneration, vision and new life. When this card appears, you know somehow that life is just about to become easier and brighter. Life’s forces combine to assist rather than hinder.” says Jan Shepherd at Angel Paths
Like Pandora, the Star often represents the release of conflict, anger, depression, and pain. It reflects an emotional struggle and a need to rebuild confidence and find balance. But, in the end you are left with this shining ray of HOPE, you have the strength to face whatever life is going to throw at you and yes, it might be hard, but you’re given an opportunity to discover something new and wonderful.
“The Star means ‘knowing’ that you will achieve what you want. – Amenti Anuket on Twitter
Joan Bunning of Learn Tarot says, “The Star is most welcome when grief and despair have overwhelmed us. In our darkest moments, we need to know that there is hope,that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Star is the opposite of the Devil who strips us of our faith in the future. Card 17 holds out the promise that we can eventually find peace of mind.”
“The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future.” ~
The Star often comes as a message to the querent that things will get better very soon. Despair is a crushing force which can sometimes overwhelm the shafts of light that burn from The Star. It is at times when despair is about to pull us into the darkness The Star will appear to remind us that change is just around the corner.
It may also be warning against depending too much on blind faith. It is one thing to trust that things will improve but another to do nothing, waiting for The Star. Hope is just the beginning, action is needed to bring about the change and ultimately, hopes purpose is to encourage action as despair begets inaction. If The Star appears in your reading it may be telling you not to give up. The hardest part is almost behind you but you have to keep moving forward to reach the new horizon.
“To me,” Serenity Healing on Twitter says, “The Star means a light at the end of the tunnel. A glimmer of hope and guidance.”
How does The Star affect you this week? Have you found emotional release that leaves you feeling free of burdens and has renewed your hope and faith? Have you learned to trust yourself to fate and push forward into a brighter future with your dreams?
“The Seven of Wands is all about taking a stand.”*
In the Rider-Waite Deck, The Seven of Wands depicts a young man taking stance against six unseen others. When I see this card, it reminds me of the training involved in martial arts. The six wands are practice targets with whom we build our skills. By this time, we know what it is we are fighting for and are honing the craft, mastering the grip required, the balance needed, and the various techniques involved, for a battle of wits and determination that may be on the horizon. In this way we become prepared.
It also involves repeating an activity out of necessity. Just as one must continue to practice martial arts every day to maintain the body and mind in peak condition, so do we commit to routine tasks that strengthen and maintain our external world. We take a stand, commit to action, and carry out the steps involved on a regular basis.
The Seven of Wands can also indicate strong convictions. In order to take a firm stand, you must believe in your position and yourself. You’ll need integrity and strength of character to see you through. If your cause is just, use the energy of the Seven of Wands to make a difference. ~
Just as you train against invisible opponents so too might you be fighting against a foe that is not there. In this case, the Seven of Wands reminds us to acknowledge the true battle, evaluate its worth, and consider the sacrifices involved. The Seven of Wands asks, “Is this true? Is this just?” Learn to put aside those things that are not for the greater good or for which you fail to find passion. Your time is better spent accomplishing the goals that inspire you.
Jan Shepherd of Angel Paths says, “Life is full of challenges. And sometimes we find it difficult to seize the moment, grasp our opportunities and live life to the full. The Seven of Wands comes up to indicate that you are facing one of those momentous happenings in life, and advises you to believe in yourself, grab your courage in both hands and go forward.”
Generally, Wands focus on intellectual aspects; the power of the mind and the creativity of the spirit. The Seven of Wands asks us to stand up for what we believe in. With these wands we embrace our fears and discover our courage. With this Seven of Wands we have all we need to face what is ahead of us, others may be jealous of our accomplishments, or talents, but we are able to walk our own path despite any petty attempts they make to undermine us.
The Mythic Tarot describes the Seven of Wands as “a struggle with other people’s creative ideas – stiff competition. The individual is challenged to improve upon and develop his or her project in the face of an envious and competitive world and needs to learn to value his or her ambition and competitive instinct.”
“Objectives must be defined – it is time to know exactly what they are. And then go for it. In fact, if you’ve already reached the seven (a sacred number), then you already know what they are -so the time is ripe to develop them. What is the point of having a strategy and then not following it up?” says Diana in a discussion about the Seven of wands on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum
At this time of year, the Seven of Wands reminds us that we must remain determined. We’ve set new goals for the year ahead and with commitment and dedication we will accomplish those goals. Your path is laid out ahead of you but only you can take each step along it to your destination. You are self-empowered and ready.
What does the Seven of Wands mean to you?
Nancy, who runs an informative writer’s blog over at Writerly Stuff, wants to know about her financial state in the new year.
Miss Michele, 2007 was a horrible year, personally and financially. It’s the financial part that has me discouraged. Hubby hasn’t worked in almost a year, and, well, my job isn’t paying enough (especially with living expenses so high). Plus, the company I work for was just recently bought out, so my job isn’t too secure (I’ll add here that I had to take a fairly big loan on my 401k and needs to be paid back, and that’s scaring me even more). I’ve tinkered with the idea of doing freelancing on a part-time basis, but I’m not sure I have any skills or ideas that someone will pay me for. So…three things: Will I keep my job, or will I have to look for a new one? Should I go into freelancing? Will I bring in enough extra money to pay off the 401k and pay off a major chunk of our credit card debt? Sorry for the ramble. I look forward to your reading – and thank you!
That’s a lot for three cards to reveal, so Miss Michele will ask the tarot: “What is in the future, career-wise, for Nancy?”
The cards indicate 2008 will not be as bad as Nancy fears. The card in the past, Strength, is one of Miss Michele’s favorite Major Arcanas, showing that Nancy weathered the storm with incredible inner strength. She doesn’t realize it, but she has the self-confidence, power, patience and faith to improve her situation. The eight shows the end of a cycle to make way for new growth.
In the Near Future, we see the situation that is ending in the Knight of Swords. Swords show sudden, tumultuous change. New people may be coming into your life with new opportunities. (That’s a good thing!) But beware of “quick fixes” for your problems. Don’t be tempted by a scam. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Now I’m sure Nancy won’t get bamboozled by Publish America, but beware of temptations more subtle that look like a way out of debt.
This card also indicates Nancy’s forthrightness. When she wants something, she goes after it, and this will work in her favor.
The Outcome could not be better: The Nine of Cups. The jolly fellow on the “wish card” arrives to tell us that all Nancy’s worries will be assuaged. She will get what she needs.
Unsatisfied with the conclusion, Miss Michele draws one more card, asking, will there be a career change for Nancy?
It looks like a new job opportunity will come about, with the Page of Swords. There is an emphasis on creativity, paperwork, inspiration and creative writing. I can’t say Nancy will leave her job, but she will definitely pursue her writing with a new vigor, and, in conjunction with the Nine of Cups, I’ll go so far as to say she’ll see income from the endeavor.
A propitious reading for a chilly, windy, busy fall day.
The Strength card, number eight in the deck, shows that Miss Michele’s luck is finally beginning to turn. The cycle of frustration is ending and new opportunities arise.
This card places an emphasis on self-confidence, faith in our own abilities, patience, empowerment and (once again) self-discipline.
Miss Michele is still amazed (although she shouldn’t be) by how much can be accomplished when she sets her sights on her goals, makes a practical plan to achieve them, and then applies herself to the task at hand!
Miss Michele apologizes for her lengthy absence. Gearing up for a post a day in November, while her counterpart over at It Had to Be Said has been quite busy!
With so many deadlines looming, Miss Michele needs Strength and that is exactly the tarot card she selected for today’s card-a-day reading.
Emphasis on self-discipline (isn’t that a recurring theme!?), self-confidence, faith and energy.
This card speaks to me on many level, several of which are far too personal to post here. With an emphasis on reconciliations, vitality and healing, I only hope that the inner tarot power of the Strength card manifests itself today.
I apologize if this reading makes no sense to anyone but Miss Michele…take from it what you will.
And if you would like a free three-card reading specifically for yourself, please post here and let the wisdom of the tarot guide you through Miss Michele!!
