A New Dawn, A New Day

Today marked the definitive ending of a very long, very unpleasant situation, and I am happier than words can say that this chapter is now officially a part of my past. (Thank you Jesus, Mary and Joseph! And Freyja, Tyr, Odin and The Buddha too because I damn sure was assisted by all of you through this!)I have learned a great deal during this process, including learning how to stop asking the question "Why?" and start asking "What?" "How?" I swear "Why?" is a Capricorn thing, a huge part of our mission in this incarnation. I have discovered that why can be quite debilitating and how and what tend to be far more empowering.

So when I did my daily draw with my Tarot of Vampyers  for meditation I was not at all shocked but so pleased to get the confirmation from the Universe of the theme of the day. I usually do one card and write about it in my journal, but I was guided to do a 3 card RockStar. Here is what the Goddess had to tell me.

Lead Singer - Ace of Scepters (Wands) -  My face lit up when I saw this card and a sense of accomplishment came over me. Today was all about a new beginning that has been fueled by many things. That fierce red signifies a whole lot of pain as do the thorns of the rose bushes. The pain of my spirit being weighed down by a whole lot of heavy burdens as well as actual excruciating physical pain. That cross shows the pain of my faith being TESTED! And I have no shame in being totally honest in saying there where times when my faith was burned to a crisp. Times when I had lost any kind of hope. But those bright crimson roses signify power, excitement and the vitality of life.I have grown so much through all of this. Everyone has their own proverbial crosses to bear. I am beyond grateful for the love and encouragement I have constantly gotten from the many wonderful people in my life who love and believe in me. Who never lost faith in me, even when I did. The AofW is like that first  spark of this suit, the flame at the tip of a match. So I have to remember to continue to breath fresh air filled with excitement for the new possibilities it holds for me.

Back-up #1 - Daughter of Knives (Page of Swords) -  This card is also spot on. Today did involve very direct communication and signing legal documentation. I love this version of the PofSw. She is a serious kick-ass babe with her Doc Martin's on. And again, pages are represent new beginnings. The glow in the forest behind her is shining from the bright glow of that Ace.

Back-up #2 - 10 of knives (10 of swords) - Yet another dead on card (ok, bad pun lol) Today's date is the 10th. It is done! O-va! Stick a fork in it! I see her Gemini glyph. Again the theme of communication and finding balance before you loose your damn mind. Combined with the Sun carved into the bedpost shows new light and new life shed. It looks like the Daughter of Knives is looking over and this card. That'd be me thinking of how I really thought at times that this shit was gonna kill me! I often see this card as a person having 3 choices. #1. You can be a victim in the situation. A lot of times we actually are the victim. The question is if we are going to choose to stay in that frame of mind and be a victim. Then there is #2, the choice of whether we are going to adopt the behavior of the assassin. Are we going to allow our own pain, anguish and resentment to fester and lead us to behaving like a bitter victim. When we don't learn how to transform suffering into enlightenment we live in the life condition of Hell. That bitterness is toxic and can cause us to find false power in becoming an assassin. Both of those usually have a whole lot of "Why's!?!" attached.
The other choice is to recognize those options and realize that both lead to self-torture. So that leaves us with the choice #3, of accepting the nature of the number 10. It is a transitional phase between the ending of the 9 and the fresh new start of a 1/Ace. This choice means we ask "How can I transform mySelf, my Life. Both in spite of AND because of this situation?" "What can I do in spite of how fucked up things are that will give me even a slightly better result than the one I got right now?"

*I took this picture at least 7 times with several different settings. I have no idea why it is so crappy because it is NOT showing the true beauty and vibrant colors of this deck *

Drummer - The World XXI - I mean really, what more need be said. But in case there is anyone who is new to tarot, I shall explain a bit. This is the end of the major arcana. It is about having gone through a tremendous amount of major life lessons that are now behind you. Many of which involved circumstances beyond our control. When this card comes up, I find you get a minute to breath. See how she is reared back holding the serpent? She is far more flexible in how she sees life and she has learned to face her fears and use them to her advantage. She's sitting on top of the World right now basking in the cosmic energy that surrounds her and runs through her. The bite mark on her neck says she is no victim. She has gone through a massive transformation. Whether she chose the conditions of how it came about is of no consequence to her. That would be a "Why?" Her focus is on being blissfully content with who she has become.
The flowerless vines beneath her remind her/me that there is still much more work ahead. Through this situation that the reading speaks to, I have really come to accept that there is no ending to bad, unfair, or unpleasant situations. But there is no end to the wonderful, inspiring, joyful, blissful ones either. Maybe even the fact that there is no "good" nor is there "bad" Like this 10ofSw. It is usually seen as a "bad" card. One of the worst in the deck fact. And here it signifies a very welcomed ending. Maybe the Buddhists are right. There is no bad. There is no good. Shit just.... is. I think that this gorgeous Vampyress has figured out this key mystery of this life and that is why she was chosen to grace The World card. Maybe she knows that this is what it means to truly live in The World. To have reached Nirvana.

Interview with My Tarot of Vampyres

I am long overdue to interview this incredibly gorgeous deck. When I first saw it was being created a few years ago, I knew I had to have it. Of all the vampire decks out there, none of them really grabbed me like this one. So I am using the spread I first saw the lovely Lisa do on Tarotize. But I put my own little spin on it by shuffling twice. The first time I asked the deck to show me who it actually is by announcing itself with the first court card I pulled.

1. Who are you in the court? Prince of Knives- Wow. I saw this card in my head as I was  shuffling. And to be honest, I really didn't want it. And lo and behold, here it is and now it makes all the sense in the world to me.  I've read that the Knight of Swords is associated with Gemini, and I just cleansed all of my decks in the Gemini full moonlight last night, with special attention placed on this one. After making a certain post I made a few weeks ago, some nasty and out of the ordinary things occurred. It took me over a week to connect the dots, but I realized two critical things: A. I was reminded the hard way that it is imperative to create a protective circle (whatever that means for you. Ask your angles for protection, chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo, see yourself in a protective halo of white light, whatever. Just hold in your heart the intention of protection and cleansing) when doing readings that involve others. Especially when you know for an absolute fact that you are pulling the energy of a very angry, nasty, bitter, vengeful, pissed person. I mean come on, what the hell did I expect?? And 2. Ya gotta cleanse your decks from time to time, but most especially after a reading like that. So what does the card have to say?

I tell it like it is, no B.S. And I will speak to you with crystal clarity, as you have already noticed Krysten. You so love dichotomy and you have got it with my Gemini essence, hence the pale pink rose in one hand and the bloody dagger in the other. I cut right to the heart of the matter and sometimes that can get a bit messy. Gotta break a few eggs if you're gonna make an omelette Love. But I am also very loving and compassionate, and passionate about what I am here to do for and with you. I am one of the decks who will force you to think in ways you have not yet been challenged to do with other ones. I've already got you to take Ferol's advice and give a go at reading Rx cards. Not to worry, I will give you very clear messages that you will hear in your mind. Do not doubt when you hear them, I am telling you now that yes, it is me speaking. I want you to look up information on crows and owls. Also those night birds you have seen and heard in the wee hours. It is not a coincidence you have seen so many of them lately. My role is to help you to have the courage to look into the Shadows of Life and yourself and to help others do the same, to face the truth no matter how frightening it may appear at first. Remember, it is always darkest before the dawn. I will show you how to thrive regardless of the conditions. I will shed light for you to find your way.

...........Wow.
I mean really, what more need be said? But let's go ahead and see anyway.

2. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristics?~ 8 of Skulls- I will teach you to become the phenomenal reader you already are, but close your eyes to seeing yourself as. I will work magick for you if you trust me. No killing time with me. Everything will have purpose and meaning that I tell you.

3. What are your strengths as a deck? ~ Rx 3 of Grails- I will stimulate your heart and your mind, force you out of your comfort zone and make you a much stronger reader. Like Hanibal said, "Look inside yourself Clarice" I will make you and your querents find the answers that are within you, but in nontraditional ways. Be forwarned, I will expose vulnerability. My strength is in teaching you to trust me and yourself.

4. What are your limits as a deck? ~ The Moon XVIII- I am only limited by your cutting yourself off of your intuition. I'm not a "by-the-book" kinda gal, pun intended. My limits are answers that don't reflect what your gut tells you to say. Don't try and force me to read in conventional ways. I don't and I won't, it's not who I am. I do what I feel like doing. You should too. Notice what images you are drawn to. Oh yeah, and you know it is not a coinscidence that we came togther in New Orleans, The Crescent City.

5. What are you here to teach me? ~ 10 of Knives- Uh, first, notice the woman's pendant is the Gemini glyph? Just reminding you of that Gemini full moon you cleansed me in and the first card you just pulled. I am here to teach you to stop being victim to the tragedies that have occured in your life regardless of how extreme and life-altering they were. Get busy living, or get busy dying, but do something instead of just lying about like some sort of helpless damsel in distress. I'm a Vampyre. There are reasons why you are so attracted to my kind. We don't die, we are reborn and transition into a completely new way of looking at and experiencing the world. So this birthday that is approaching that you are so overwhelmed by, use it to resurrect your life and learn to truly live the Life you truly want, that your soul is dying without. Being damned is a state of mind you can choose to no longer partake in.

....... ok. You did say you were painfully honest, but damn! Ouch!!

6. How can I best learn from you, how can we best collaborate? ~ Rx Daughter of Grails- (You are killing me with the Rx. Not that you give a damn, I know) - Don't detach from your emotions and get caught up in your head when you read with me. And be patient. Show the same compassion with yourself that you show others. Retreat from the craziness around you and spend time alone with me and so we can meditate together.


7. What is the potential outcome of our relationship? ~ The Hermit  IX Rx- We will bring to life very non-traditional readings. You know that I am not the deck for the average bear. But for those who are willing and who are ready, we will lead the way to hidden wisdom. I will bring out a very wise, old sage within you and we will show beauty to others in the most unlikely of places. That is all I can say at this time, because my dear, you have no idea the depth and magnitude of the places I will take you if you choose to follow me.

Thank you my beloved Vampyre, Prince of Knives

Umm... ok. That was real deep....