Gothic Tarot of Vampires - 3 of Pentacles

A very difficult card to interpret. A woman kneels in a shaft of sunlight. A trickle of blood runs from one of her eyes. There is a large cup in the right hand corner, and curtains are draped in the background. She wears an elegant gown and decorative jewellery. Her hands are clasped to her chest as if she is making an offering.

The card suggests self-sacrifice, which isn't something I normally associate with the 3 of Pentacles. (To me the 3 of Pentacles has always suggested positve feedback from others for your own hard work, good & tangible results, and sometimes teamwork.) Here the emphasis is on trust and letting go. I feel that despite the blood pouring from her eye she is gaining something from the sunlight. If she is a vampire then perhaps she is gaining release (and in a way that is less painful than she might have imagined). Perhaps the card suggests I need to stop fighting so hard, to stop striving so obsessively, and to let what is coming to me simply come - it will not be as bad as I fear because the driving force is good and the motivating force is love (the cup in the distance almost redirects the card to the Ace of Cups-as does the shaft of sunlight from the heavens).

Very thoughtprovoking!

The Emperor in this deck is Father Christmas. He stands in the snow, a sack of pressies on his back. The Emperor is normally a card of structure, authority and control, but here there is a lighter and more jolly feel. We seem to be looking at rewards (the toys) for past efforts (being good!). Now I am dreading a few different things today but perhaps the card is saying there is nothing to fear. My past efforts have been good and will not be found wanting. I am also dreading my interactions with certain people today (authority figures in work, trainers etc. ). Is the card saying that while they might be authority figures they are in fact benevolent and here to help me - not judge me and find me wanting? In other words the things I have done (in work, in my driving etc...) are fine. I am not going to be harshly judged (as I fear). Rather I will "pass the test" as it were and come away with my reward (approval? acceptance? a driving lesson that goes well?). A positive card anyway with a more upbeat feel than other Emperor cards in other decks.

Michelle

http://www.amagickallife.co.uk

Forgot to tell X something last night & was told he was feeling a bit left out. I felt awful. It was a genuine oversight on my part -rushing around, too many people to see, too much to do etc. Apologised profusely, he accepted it, all was ok. But I was still concerned about it when I got home & asked the Pagan Tarot what I should do. I drew the Justice card. In the card we see a girl being instructed in the Threefold Law by two elders. The female elder holds a book (with reference to the law) so that the girl can see & the male elder holds a pair of scales. I think I have been taught a lesson. This could be the basic lesson - make sure you don't forget to involve X again. But it could also be - don't be so quick to judge when people forget to involve you - there might be a genuine reason for it. (I sometimes judge and so, in the sense that you get back what you put out, I too have been judged in return.) But the third lesson (which follows on from this) is perhaps to make sure that from now on I put out what I want back. This would be tolerance, patience, kindness - generally positive energy as opposed to that which is critical. This is important for me to bear in mind I think. So in regard to X I must make sure I give out professionalism, respect and kindness, and hopefully I will get this given back to me too. This is essential if it is to be a good working relationship, as I so wish it to be.

Michelle

http://www.amagickallife.co.uk

How do I create a good working relationship with X?

Deck: RWS

Card-9 Pentacles

I love this card. I just think of achievement, success and confidence whenever I see it. And it immediately tells me that I am allowing myself to be intimidated by X when there is really no need. I have to remember what I have achieved in my life. This has given me a good and solid foundation. But I also need to be graceful & dignified too. In a way I should hold back more keep within my own personal space. My interactions with X should happen in my comfort zone. The woman's gloved hand is significant too. X requires gentle & careful handling. But it can be done-just as a trainer can work with a bird of prey. The snail in the lower left of the card suggests a slowness of pace. My quick talking, upbeat persona might be too much for X-so I need to slow it all right down and proceed gently. But I should never feel that I am less than X. I have achieved my current position through hard work. I need to believe in myself and have the confidence to take this relationship forward in the direction it needs to go.

Novice of Chalices (Pagan Tarot)

I'm pretty sure I drew this card the last time I used the deck. How odd. And I shuffled well. Blue dominates the card-suggesting to me clear communication and spiritual insight. Indeed the lady on the card gazes into the depths of the chalice as if scrying. This is a card that points to the signs that surround us and flags up the need to be mindful of these signs - for this is how the universe communicates with us. There is strength in the card-a stag drinks water in the distance. But the lady gazes only into the chalice. She knows her back is covered, she knows too that life grows where it will (there are flowers and trees everywhere-it looks a fertile area) so she does not need to worry about that. All she needs to do is to try to work out the universe's message for her personally and live her life accordingly. So I feel this card is telling me to relax & trust in the universe. I have been fretting this morning about something I need to do later today. I have been trying to work out what I will do in fine detail, and getting frustrated by all the unknown factors that could "trip me up". But I am part of a universe much bigger than me & it is guiding & protecting me. If I just take the time to read & understand the signs I will be able to let my movement flow with it (rather than trying to control and dominate it). This card is a timely reminder of that.

How have I done in the last 3 weeks: 2 Swords

Here we see Hansel & Gretel seemingly unaware of the oven warming behind them. The witch is getting ready to cook & eat them. But their hands are clasped together and in their innocence they look strong-as if they are somehow divinely protected. As a comment on how I have done the last 3 weeks it suggests I have been protected & thus able to stay out of the oven. It's possible trouble has been brewing from certain sections but my upbeat nature & general positivity kept things in balance and stopped the trouble emerging.

Best advice for how to continue- 8 Cups

Here we see Little Miss Muffet running away from a scary spider, leaving behind her curds and whey. What am I being advised to leave behind? She was sitting on her tuffet-am I being advised not to spend too much time at my desk & instead get out & interact more? Or am I being advised to accept that things will be hotting up & time for rest & relaxation will be reduced? But actually I think this isn't it. I think we have to go back to the spider. There is no real reasoin for Little Miss Muffet to run away. It is only a little spider after all (& I speak as a person with real terror of spiders). So perhaps the real advice is not to let these fears stop me getting comfortable, not to overreact to each little thing. Instead I should stay & appreciate these challenges as something with a lesson to teach me-just as Little Miss Muffet should really turn around and confront her fear head on, and even appreciate the wonderful intricacies of the web the spider has weaved. Indeed perhaps it is now time for me to let the others envelop me in their web so that I become a fully confident member of the team. So no running away, no flight & no fear!!!

Used the Gothic Tarot of Vampires. Drew the 4 of Swords. The man on the card looks like a Native American warrior. Rather than taking part in a battle he is sitting down, looking rather exhausted. In his left hand he holds a stick - on the one hand he is ready for action, but on the other clearly glad of the breather! The card suggests that next week I should be grateful for any pause in activities. I am ready for whatever challenges come my way but there will be a chance next week to strengthen my resources. This will not last for long-so I need to make the most of it. But I need to also remain watchful & observant of all that goes on around me. The warrior on the card still looks wary-the next challenge is not far away.

Michelle

http://www.amagickallife.co.uk

A relative really irritated me recently with certain comments. I don't want to rise to it but I also don't want to be a doormat. Asked the Gothic Tarot of Vampires for advice & drew card number 9 - the Hermit. The book says "Seclusion, solitude, ....isolation from...pleasures". And it's funny-this is what I was thinking anyway. Basically the person concerned has been very generous with me lately & for that I'm grateful. But it feels as if this has allowed them to think they can "control" things in someway - which they can't. Too much time spent with them doing "fun" things has given a potentially misleading impression. So I think I need some space now-some time apart. So we can all assume our regular roles that respect the boundaries that exist between us & don't try to take liberties. If I don't I will lose my temper. The image in the card is interesting-the guy is sitting in the shadows & letting the burning light from the sun harmlessly burn up some offering bowls laid out before him. In other words if I stay out of direct contact for a while these negative energies & anger will hopefully and harmlessly burn themselves out without causing any damage to our friendship.

Michelle

http://www.amagickallife.co.uk

Used the RWS and drew the 7 Wands. I've always liked this card-I associate it with triumph and victory. Like card 7 in the Major Arcana (the Chariot) it points to victory over obstacles via the use of strength, willpower and focus (key characteristics of the Wands suit). It's not all plain sailing with this card though. He has to take out each wand (obstacle) before him one at a time, with sustained effort. But as long as he does this he will triumph, even if he feels a little unprepared (it is often pointed out that he appears to be wearing two different shoes-as if he had to run out to battle without being able to get dressed properly!).

This all fits (I hope). Last week I had to attend a meeting at very short notice (the rushing out to battle?) and I'm hoping the results of it will become known this week and that they will be positive. There is still a sense that there will then be much to organise & sort out but if I remain focused & positive I will do so. The card might also be pointing to the fact that this will really be the result of something set in motion last year. Along the way there have been many obstacles to fight-I'm hoping this week perhaps I will finally emerge victorious (I really hope so anyway!!!!). 

Michelle

A Magickal Life

Used the Pagan Tarot & drew the 10 of Chalices. This is a lovely, colourful card. In it we see 10 people dressed in ritual clothes all raising their chalices. A beautiful rainbow lights up the scene. To the foreground is a baby on a rug, and a cat & dog playing. The people on the card look to be at various stages of development-some are in plan grey robes, another 4 are in green, blue, yellow and red (the colours of the elements), and the man in the centre is in plain black. There is celebration here - a celebration that can be enjoyed whenever everyone realises they are on the right path and at the right stage of that path. All stages are important, and all success is a cause for celebration, since all is a manifestation of new life and hope. I'm hoping this means July will bring happiness and success to me and my family-that we will all feel happy with the paths we are on and what we have achieved, and perhaps we will come together to raise a glass to each other & toast ourselves on our way.

Michelle

http://www.amagickallife.co.uk