Believe Nothing.
Entertain Possibilities.

This card represents a transformation from one state to another. From the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan, this signals a period of growth that will ultimately be life-changing. The Swan says that you may change so much that you may not recognize yourself in the end. Most important, it's time to honor and love this change within your Self, for then only the most beautiful reflection will shine back at you from the mirror of your life. The Swan says, "Dive in; you will love who you've become." It also reminds you that you need to trust your intuition and your psychic gifts to guide you as you go through the process of wonderful and ultimate change. The Swan is the companion of the High Priestess, who has the ability to part the mists that serve to separate Avalon from the physical world. The Swan can dive into the lake on her behalf and find treasure that human eyes cannot see. The Swan reminds you to see with your heart and listen with your spirit ... and the whole world can be magically transformed.

  

BAT (#42)

~ ReBirth ~

Steeped in the mystery of Meso-American tribal ritual is the legend of Bat. Akin to the ancient Buddhist belief in reincarnation, in Central America, Bat is the symbol of rebirth. The Bat has for centuries been a treasured medicine of the Aztec, Toltec, Tolucan, and Mayan peoples.

  
Bat embraces the idea of shamanistic death. The ritual death of the healer is steeped in secrets and highly involved initiation rites. Shaman death is the symbolic death of the initiate to the old ways of life and personal identity. The initiation that brings the right to heal and to be called shaman is necessarily preceded by ritual death. Most of these rituals are brutally hard on the body, mind and spirit. In light of today’s standards, it can be very difficult to find a person who can take the abuse and come through it with their balance intact.

The basic idea of ancient initiations was to break down all the former notions of “self” that were held by the shaman-to-be. This could entail brutal tests of physical strength and psychic ability, and having every emotional “button” pushed hard. Taunting and spitting on the initiate was common, and taught him or her to endure the duress with humility and fortitude. The final initiation step was to be buried in the earth for one day and to be reborn without the former ego in the morning.

   
This ritual is very similar to the night of fear practiced by natives of Turtle Island. In this ritual, the shaman-to-be is sent to a certain location to dig his or her grave and spend the night in the womb of Mother Earth totally alone, with the mouth of the grave covered by a blanket. Darkness, and the sounds of animals prowling, quickly confronts the initiate with his or her fears.

  
As the darkness of the grave has its place in this ritual, so does the cave of Bat. Hanging upside-down is a symbol for learning to transpose your former self into a newborn being. This is also the position that babies assume when they enter the world from the womb of woman.

   
If Bat has appeared in your cards today, it symbolizes the need for a ritualistic death of some way of life that no longer suits your new growth pattern. This can mean a time of letting go of old habits, and of assuming the position in life that prepares you for rebirth, or in some cases initiation. In every case, Bat signals rebirth of some part of your Self or the death of old patterns. If you resist your destiny, it can be a long, drawn out, or painful death. The Universe is always asking you to grow and become your future. To do so you must die the shaman’s death.

  

CONTRARY: If you are operating from Shadow ...

  

If Bat is still hanging upside-down in the cave and immersed in darkness, you have met its contrary medicine. This position leads to stagnation of the spirit and a refusal to acknowledge your true destiny - which is always to use the talents you have to the fullest. Is there some area of your life that has dammed up and therefore stopped your desire to create? If so, look at surrendering to the death of that stagnation.

   
Bat can also imply that in the reversal of your natural cycle of rebirth you are trying to go at life in a backward mode. This is a breech birth, in a sense. This type of occluded understanding of how to go about freeing yourself can lead to a still birth if you struggle too long in the birth canal. The final outcome can be death of the body. Some people think themselves into a corner with obstacles that are illusionary. By the time they decide what to do, the opportunities are gone and old age is upon them. All of their dreams have passed them by. Reversed Bat says to use your mind, courage, and strength to insure an easy labor and quick delivery into your new state of understanding and growth. Surrender to the new life you have created from thought and desire, and bravely greet that dawn.

  
If you are concerned with today and tomorrow but not much further, you may forget to see further down the road. Tribal teachings say that you are responsible for future generations because you are the ancestors of the future. Whatever you do today will affect the next seven generations. Every decision, every thought, is to create a state of stagnation or rebirth for those that follow you on the Good Red Road. If you are blocking yourself, you may be blocking the generations to come.

  
Bat flies at night, and in the night are born your dreams. These are the dreams that build future civilizations, so nourish them well.

 

SPIDER (#43)

~ Weaving/Creating ~

Spider wove the web that brought humans the first picture of the alphabet. The letters were part of the angles of her web. Deer asked Spider what she was weaving and why all the lines looked like symbols. Spider replied, “Why Deer, it is time for Earth’s children to learn to make records of their progress in their Earth Walk.” Deer answered Spider, “But they already have pictures that show through symbols the stories of their experiences.” “Yes,” Spider said, “But Earth’s children are growing more complex, and their future generations will need to know more. The ones to come won’t remember how to read the petroglyphs.”  So it was that Spider wove the first primordial alphabet, as she had woven the dream of the world that had become manifest. Spider’s dream of the physical world had come to fruition millions of years before.

Spider’s body is made like the number eight, consisting of two lobe-like parts connected at the waist, and eight legs. Spider is the symbol for the infinite possibilities of creation. Her eight legs represent the four winds of change and the four directions on the medicine wheel.

  
Spider weaves the webs of fate for those who get caught in her web and become her dinner. This is similar to humans who get caught in the web of illusion in the physical world, and never see beyond the horizon into the other dimensions.

  
The web of fate also represents a wheel of life, which does not include any alternatives or solutions. It is typically human to get caught in the polarity of good or bad fortune without realizing that we can change it at any time. If we are not decisive enough about changing our lots in life, we may end up being consumed by our fears and limitations.

  
Spider is the female energy of the creative force that weaves the beautiful designs of life. Her web has hundreds of intricate patterns which catch the morning dew.

  
If Spider has dropped from her web into your cards today, she may be telling you to create, create, create! Look for new alternatives to your present impasse. She can also be warning you that you are coming too close to an entangling situation. Spider could be asking you to use a journal to write out and review your progress. If you do this, you will not forget how you are creating a new or different phase in your life.

  
Spider brings a message of a different kind when she sees you becoming a bit too involved in the weaving of your life plans to notice opportunity at the outskirts of your web. If this is the case, Spider gets your attention so that you notice that something you have woven has borne fruit. Congratulations! Spider caught you just in time, before you missed the opportunity on the edge of your web or reality.

  
The most important message from Spider is that you are an Infinite being who will continue to weave the patterns of life and living throughout time. Do not fail to see the expansiveness of the eternal plan.

  

CONTRARY: If you are operating from Shadow ...

  

The contrary aspect of Spider is akin to the negative side of woman. Spider will eat her mate if she gets too caught up in herself to see the validity of honoring male energy. The warrior at her side is a strong balancing force. If you have become disdainful of your mate (male or female) and have felt very superior recently, you are not honoring either your male or your female side.

  
If you are not presently in a relationship, you may have chosen a member of your family or a workmate to harass. This type of negative criticism only breaks down relations, and is a reflection of something you hate about yourself. If you are trying to feed your ego in this manner, you have lost the game. You are entangled in the web of your own illusion about who you really are. It may be time to look at why you are being critical and why you are feeling so weak that you must attack others.

  
If this does not apply to your situation, take a look at another message that contrary Spider medicine brings: lack of creativity. If you fail to use your talents to get the web spinning, your lack of creativity can change into destructiveness. If you are feeling stagnant and unable to move in a positive direction, you may come to resent others who are doing well. This resentment will become a Black Widow Spider and eat you up, and the only one to mourn your demise will be you. Get moving, find joy and new ideas in the accomplishments of others, and use them to propel you into a new phase of creative spinning on your own web of delight. Observe Spider’s web and find pleasure in the ideas you receive from her universal language.

Hierophant

On a Divine level, Chiron, the Hierophant, implies when he appears in a spread that the individual will begin to actively seek answers of a philosophical kind. This may emerge as the study of a particular philosophy or system of belief, or as a deep commitment to a quest for meaning in life. The Hierophant may appear in the form of an analyst, psychotherapist, priest or spiritual mentor in outside life to whom we turn for comfort and help. The Fool thus emerges from his discovery of the Underworld and the hidden powers of the unconscious seeking answers to the enigma of himself and the meaning of his life. When he meets the Hierophant he encounters that part of himself which can begin to formulate and express a personal philosophy, an individual vision of the spirit, which guides him as he leaves his childhood behind and ventures out into life’s challenges.

Hermit

 

On a Divine level, the card of Chronos, the Hermit, suggests a time of aloneness or withdrawal from the extraverted activities of life, so that the wisdom of patience may be acquired. There is an opportunity to build solid foundations if one is willing to wait. Thus the Fool at last arrives at maturity, having developed a mind and a heart, a firm sense of identity and finally a deep respect for his own limitations in the great passage of the round of time.

Tower

  

On a Divine level, the card of the Tower appearing in a spread suggests the breaking down of existing forms. This card, like the cards of Death and the Devil, depends a great deal upon the attitude of the individual in terms of how difficult or painful it is to deal with. Obviously it is more creative to ask oneself where one is constricted or bound by a false persona or image, because a willing effort to break through this pretense can spare a great deal of anguish. But it seems that the Tower will fall anyway, whether we are willing or unwilling, not because some malicious external fate decrees it, but because something within the individual has reached boiling point and can no longer live within such confines.

Chariot

  

On a Divine level, the card of the Chariot appearing in a spread suggests conflict and struggle which can result in a stronger personality. One may come face to face not only with aggression in others, but with one’s own competitive and aggressive drives. This conflict cannot be avoided, but needs to be faced with strength and containment. Thus the Fool comes to harmony through learning to handle his own contradictions, and passes from the world of adolescence to the next stage of his journey.

Empress

 

On a Divine level, the appearance of the Empress in a spread suggests the onset of a more earthy phase of life. A marriage or the birth of a child might occur; or the birth of a creative child, an artistic offspring, for this too requires the patience and nurturing of the Great Mother. Through this card we enter the realm of the body and the instincts, as a place of both peace and stagnation, life-giving and life-suffocating. Thus the Fool, the child of Heaven, discovers that he lives in a physical body and is a creature not only of Spirit but also of Earth.

Justice

  

On a Divine level, the card of Justice appearing in a spread implies the need for balanced thought and impartial decision-making. But like Athene’s sword, this card can be double-edged. There are spheres of life where Athene’s cool reflection is too chilly, too idealistic, and too destructive to the warmth of personal relationship. Her sword can cut the heart with general truths which are inappropriate for a particular situation. Thus Justice is, like all the Major Arcana, an ambivalent figure. The Fool must develop what Athene represents, but he cannot stay forever in her pure temple, and must pass on to the next Moral Lesson.

Devil

  

On a Divine level, the card of Pan, the Devil, implies the necessity of a confrontation with all that is shadowy, shameful and base in the personality. The Fool must free himself by gaining knowledge and honest, humble acceptance of Pan, for then he can release the creative power which is held in chains by his own panic and self-disgust. Thus he comes to the heart of the labyrinth and faces his own darkness in the essential darkness of his body, in order to become what he always was - merely natural.

Sun

  

On a Divine level, the card of Apollo, the Sun God, suggests a time of clarity, optimism and renewed trust. It is possibly to understand the pattern, to plan for the future, to move forward. The curses of the night are dispelled, and the Fool is now armed with foresight, purpose and a faith in the striving human spirit. Thus he encounters that great masculine principle in life, working through both men and women, which moves forward toward the goal.

Star

  

On a Divine level, the card of the Star when it appears in a spread portends the experience of hope, meaning and faith in the midst of difficulties. Although the Star too can be ambivalent, and can warn against blind hope without the necessary action to build upon it, the card of the Star is an augury of promise, an altogether welcome experience for the Fool who has passed through the collapse of everything which he believed to be of value in his life.

Death

On a Divine level, the card of Death implies that something must come to an end. Whether or not this experience is painful depends upon the person’s capacity to accept and recognize the necessity of endings. The card of Death can suggest an opportunity for a new life, if one can let go of the old one. Thus the Fool enters the underworld, leaving behind him his previous life, to prepare for an unknown future.

Winter Solstice

Dec 21, 2009

TRANSFORMATION ~ 13

Death

A time of endings is close at hand. Don’t resist the sudden changes that are suddenly happening in your life. These could be taking place in your personal life, relationships, business, or career. You have the strength, as the Transformation Card asks you to have courage and know that renewal follows every ending. This card comes forth to remind you that the death of an old way of thinking and believing must happen before you can move forwards on your new path. Transformation is all about the ebb and flow of life cycles. Nothing in this life remains motionless. Everything is on its way to somewhere. Accept the changes and opportunity will come you way to stretch yourself more than you could have ever imagined! You cannot live in the past – it’s time to move on.. In order to take the next positive step, you should look closely at your own life, and ask; Are there loose ends that need to be tied up? Are there people in your life you need to express yourself to? What needs to be completed so you can have a fresh start? When you do this, you’ll have a stronger, reinforced foundation to carry you through the new beginnings that await you.

SACRIFICE ~ 12

The Hanged Man

Powerful achievements are usually born as a result of great sacrifice. This card represents self-sacrifice and a time when you should look around your life to see what needs to be released. By surrendering and letting go there will be more room to receive. The rewards for self-sacrifice are: transformation, wisdom, gratitude, and enlightenment. This card signifies that there’s a situation happening or about to happen in your life that you can’t control the outcome. This would be a good time to pause, rest, have patience, reflect, and to meditate. It would be wise to stand back so you can learn to look at situations with a more understanding intuitive eye. Try to view people, issues, or problems from a new or different perspective. If you can achieve this, it can have a profound affect on your soul as well as your life. The Sacrifice Card can also symbolize a time of transition and change. The answers you seek may be slow in coming, for it may be necessary to live into the answers. Accept the things that you cannot control, heal and leave the past behind, move towards your future, and watch for new doors opening as well as the paths that are being shown to you.

Spring Equinox

Mar 22, 2009

PATIENCE ~ 14

Temperance

This card signifies the need for patience, self-control, adjustment, moderation, and balance when dealing with others, as well as yourself. This could be in the areas of how you think, work, school, recreation, the people that are in your life, or the spiritual path that’s set before you. As a soul, you have more than one aspect of yourself to draw on for support. It’s all about integration. Learning to blend and balance both the physical and the spiritual. You’re a spiritual being in a physical body enjoying human experiences. Therefore, since you’re both, you should honor all of you. If you go through life denying yourself the experience of combining the physical and spiritual, you’re missing out on so much of what life has to offer. Why live a life that’s half lived? The Patience Card reminds you to open your heart and mind, to allow yourself to listen to other people’s ideas, thoughts, and perspectives. Blissful harmony can be achieved when everyone learns to work as one. Everyone benefits. Listening, sharing and reaching out to others, will help you renew your faith in yourself and mankind. You’ll become more aware of the miracles around you as well as the ones you have a hand in creating.

AUTHORITY ~ 4

The Emperor

This card represents the masculine qualities of leadership, logic, strength, and wisdom, and power. When this card emerges it acts as a teaching tool, and in doing so, it’s encouraging you to develop or reignite the above qualities, and use the masculine aspects of yourself. Other qualities also included are: good reasoning and problem solving skills, being grounded, and learning to develop strong mental control over free reigning emotions. Often times this card also appears to represent a father figure, or one of wise authority that may be present in your life. It could be someone of authority in business, or a wise friend who uses logic and reason to create a positive outcome. Ask yourself whether it’s time to take on and emulate similar qualities? Now is a time where you must act like a leader, exert your will by incorporating form and structure into ideas, plans, and foundations. A time to stop talking and act to achieve what you must. Use the qualities and character of the Intuition Card so that when you need to make a choice – you approach it from a place of wisdom, rationality, logic, and grace rather than one of foolish behavior, belligerence, greed, or one of self-centeredness. The way you acquire, handle, and wield power and authority are being tested.

Summer Solstice

Jun 21, 2009

WISDOM ~ 5

The Heirophant

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. This card illustrates that there’s a spiritual teacher who’s about to influence you or step into your life to impart their wisdom. Look around to see if there’s someone in your life who has the wisdom, education, knowledge, and ability to integrate spirituality and its laws into the constraints of the physical world? This could be a compassionate person who offers guidance, inspiration, and reminds you that you are so much more than a physical being – you are also a spiritual being with unlimited potential. You also may have also drawn this card to confirm that it’s time to reach out and find an organization or group of like-minded kindred souls. Groups of people where you can be yourself, share your thoughts, and get valuable feedback can infuse you and encourage you to be all that you can be. Kindred support helps us to live our lives to our highest ideals, and help us find the true inspiration and enlightenment that is part of our souls. Over time, the student often becomes the teacher, so don’t be surprised when others seek out and find you. This card of wisdom is letting you know that you have so much to share – whether you realize it or not.

NEW BEGINNING ~ 0

The Fool

Each and every journey begins with that all-important first step. When this card presents itself in your reading card, it’s confirming that it’s time for you to take a brave leap of faith – but be prepared as you do so. This card represents that a great new adventure is awaiting you. It usually presents itself when there’s great inner change happening within oneself. By selecting this card, it’s a sign that those important choices which are needed and about to be made, should be thought out as you proceed with wisdom, thought, and care. Life is constantly nudging and moving you forward. At times it can often be daunting when you’re facing a new adventure or direction. It calls for inner-belief and courage as you take that leap of faith and step into the unknown. During this time, don’t feel alarmed if you feel lost or even confused. Most people are afraid of change and play it safe by staying where they are. Know that through inner-guidance, wisdom, and belief in yourself, that by tapping into these tools, they will propel you forwards on a positive life-changing path. Don’t conform to what society or what others expect of you at this time – it’s your own adventure. During this time be like an innocent child with new eyes; give yourself permission to live, play, love, and above all laugh.

Fall Equinox

Sep 22, 2009

FERTILITY ~ 3

The Empress

Through this card, the manifestation of growth is on the horizon. You are the creator and the seeds that have been planted in the past, whether they were happiness, comfort, abundance, prosperity, family, children, ideas, or even thoughts, are now ready to give birth into our world. Be patient as you watch your seeds take root and grow. Nurture them as they become strong and healthy. Open yourself to the life force of the Universe. This card also represents femininity and Mother Earth. She is calling to you. The arms of her beauty are reaching out and she wants to embrace you on her seashores, mountains, forests and gardens – go to her and meet her half-way. Acknowledge that the same energy that makes up the heavens, earth, plants, animals, as well as the mineral kingdom is also part of you. Start nurturing yourself and infuse your soul with love and compassion. Soon others will see and feel your devotion. As you interact with people around you now, or even if you’re in the midst of solving a problem, use gentle care and kindness as you handle such situations. This is not a time for you to be inconsiderate, possessive, domineering, forceful, or pushy. Act from the loving space of your heart center. The loving energy, which resides there, will assist you in making sacrifices in order to care and help others, as well as yourself.

DESTINY ~ 10

The Wheel of Fortune

Good luck and fortune are now in your favor. A cycle of change, success, and growth is imminent. Although life ebbs and flows in it’s natural journey, and the Destiny Card signifies that good karma has come full circle. Lady Luck is pointing directly at you. What you sowed you’re about to reap. Open up your heart and learn to accept and receive what you’ve earned. Opportunities, whether expected or unexpected are knocking at your door. This is a time for you to let your problems be replaced by solutions. Believe in destiny, as you learn to let go of past issues. You are being given the chance to learn the lessons and gain the wisdom from the past, enabling you to move steadily forward in a positive direction. By holding onto a strong belief that you deserve to be happy, to be prosperous, to have abundance in all areas of your life is the key. This positive mindset will help to show you that the impossible can indeed become the possible. With this card, take advantage of this opportunity, act now and take responsibility for your actions, and enjoy the fact that destiny is in your favor presently. Don’t always rely on luck, for the wheel most definitely will turn again.

Additional Insight

*Jump Out*

UNIVERSE ~ 21

The World

You’ve come far on your journey and it’s time for you to be rewarded for your efforts. This card symbolizes completion, triumph, peace, liberation, and fulfillment. Everything you have strived for is within your reach – meet it half way and grab it! The Universe Card is the last of the major cards and reflects the work that you’ve accomplished on your journey, but more importantly – the wisdom that you’ve gained along the way. This is a time now to honor and acknowledge the truly wonderful soul that you are, and to accept the important part that you play in the bigger scheme of life. The world is yours to command and you’re now free to travel in whichever direction your heart desires. You’re connected to everything in the cosmos. The Universe Card reminds us that the same energy that makes up the stars in the sky, the same energy that’s coursing through the Universe, is in each and every one of us. In ancient times, people believed that each and every star in the sky was the soul of one person. They also believed that these stars that shine so brightly at night can help guide you through the dark – so too can your wise soul.

DISRUPTION ~ 16

The Tower

A sudden, usually unforeseen disruption or major change is happening or about to take place. Even if it appears to be a negative experience, it can lead to enlightenment or a total shift in your lifestyle. In traditional tarot meanings this card represents the ‘falling tower’ that eventually crumbles due to its weak foundation. Whichever part of your life you focus on, this is an opportunity to rebuild with a solid positive foundation to make you or the situation even stronger. There are times when the most difficult situations arise in your life. If you choose, they can act as a catalyst to heal other areas. They are so beneficial because they are truly our greatest teachers. Learn from past mistakes, accept them, and integrate them into your life as a learning tool. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. This Disruption Card reminds us that negative thinking, limiting beliefs, ignoring problematic situations, risky or careless lifestyles, must be addressed so that positive changes can take place. Life has a habit of moving us forward whether we’re ready or not. Transformation of your body, mind, and soul can happen if you view this dramatic time or change, as an opportunity for growth. In the future, you may look back and be thankful for this opportunity.

BALANCE ~ 11

Justice

This card represents the need for balance and harmony with your inner life, as well as what’s surrounding you in your physical world. This card denotes that some lifestyle adjustments are required at this time. It could be associated with love, relationships, business, or even your career. The Balance Card is also being to shown to you to make you realize that what you perceive may be happening in your outer world is really an externalization of an inner process or conflict that you may be experiencing at this time. At times this card will often appear if someone works in the legal field, or when you’re involved in legal matters. Have faith that justice will triumph. Justice and karma go hand and hand. Take only what you have earned, treat people fairly, and don’t take advantage of people – these are all part of living a balanced karmic life. When making decisions, there must be a state of balance: emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually so that you can make rational decisions and logical judgments. This is a time to be honest and caring, to be responsible for the choices that you have made as well as the ones that will be made in the future.