Learning to Avert Danger and Temptation - Day 39

I went to the misa today as explained I planned to do in last night's post and the cards I drew made sense in ways I didn't foresee. The female pictured on the patriarchal Emperor card as well as the other two were reflected by a conversation I had with a woman about working with Spirit and the possibility of getting initiated and thus having godparents.

Tonight's cards are the 8 of pentacles and The Devil XV. Two earth cards. I've gotta be flexible. I woman sits at a potter's wheel carefully molding her clay into what she wants it to be as two earth spirits assist and encourage her. The 8ofP is about learning a new skill and being patient. She has a beautiful smile on her face as she works, and around her are pots she examples of what she can accomplish and has done in the past. It's all about taking your time as the creation process unfolds and being proud of each accomplishment. The Devil card is at her back. Such a unique version of this card. She is not distracted by the various temptations that would interrupt her flow or her joy. Together they speak of learning how to not revert to old behaviors that have consequences I'd rather not pay, regardless of how enticing the prospect of satisfaction. I'd would only be short lived and lead to guilt somehow.

Now I question if she is not distracted by temptation or something harmful, or is she oblivious...

 

Something said I should pull another card and it is my significator card, the Queen of Pentacles. What's funny is that the woman on the card actually resembles me and the man reminds me of a friend I spent most of the day with. In the card, the two of the walk in a lush garden and she listens as he seems to be explaining something. We weren't in a garden, but like the card, my friend has been very kind and supportive as I formulate a plan to create the life and surroundings that are healthy and promote my growth and stability. Like what is said in the other two cards, we talked about not getting side tracked by certain distractions that can be very tempting for me but are very unhealthy.

This seems to be all about today. I wonder if any of this will be played out as I go about my day tomorrow.

 

Posted with Blogsy

If I Was My Vampyre

The Tarot of Vampyres is one of my most beloved decks. The images are hauntingly beautiful, so filled with depth and meaning. I absolutely love how it has the perfect blend of darkness and light. Lots of onyx-tinted hues of greens and greys to enhance the rich crimson, emerald and blue-violette. The artist Ian Daniels captures so much emotion and passion in the expressions of their faces and you can all but feel the smoothness of the satin and lushness of the velvet of their gowns and feel the mist that blows past. I.  Love.  This.  Deck.
I've been wanting to do a very cool reading that Chloe of Inner Whispers created and Lisa of Tarotize did as well that depicts My Life As a Vampyre.

                                                                 *click photo to enlarge*

1. What would I be like? - 6 of Grails - I first notice that this card is the Sun in Scorpio. I would be an extremely  passionate creature who would reminisce about certain aspects of my humanity, primarily my loved ones who I would have to leave behind, wouldn't understand or accept my choice,  or I'd have to watch age and die and move on to a different realm from me.  Yet I would still completely embrace and accept my new existence. I would be able to release so many fears that keep my paralyzed and constrict the freedom my soul longed for as a human. I would learn to use my fears as tools to enhance my existence. I notice how this vampyre looks like a younger girl and she is looking at the Empress next to her. I think I would be a mother. Little goth vampyre wee ones LOL.

2. What aspect of my human existence would be magnified? - The Lovers VI - I think I would be more at ease with the choices I made, especially given the insight from the last card. My husband and I would have chose to go through the transformation together.

3. What would I struggle with/fear the most? - 5 of Knives - In reality, my Venus is in Aquarius, which is the astrological association of this card. I would be afraid I would be too trusting of other creatures of the night. And that I would have be in conflict with other vampyers who would expect me to have no regard for any human life. Others would feed at any cost. I couldn't harm innocents. I'd be more of a Dexter type of vampyre. Hunt evil warlords in the Congo.

4. What would I strive to accomplish? What would motivate me the most? - 10 of Knives - I would strive to "live" my new "life" to the fullest, and to make damn sure some psycho, right-wing holy-roller didn't stake me! I 'd be motivated by the ending of a life where sickness, disease, physical pain (back pain) are a given. I'd be motivated by the far greater possibility of immortality.

5. What would I excel at or embrace? - The Empress III - A nod to card #1. I'd embrace being a mother. And excel at nurturing and being supportive of the newly created vampyers.

6. What aspect of my humanity would I most try to cling to? - The Devil XV -  Ok this card was about to really trip me up at first, but now I totally get it! It all goes back to card #1, the 6 of Grails. All of my earthly desires that are not wise choices as a human being but not harmful if not completely acceptable as a vampyre. All of the things that as a human I only wish I could/would do. I'd drink coffee with extra sugar and heavy cream all day long. Eat a pound of bacon a day, hot-cross buns, crepes with Nutella, Popeye's fried chicken, beignets, red velvet cake, Ritter Sport chocolate with hazelnuts and Australian shiraz, and extra butter on everything! And drink Absinthe even though I hate licorice. I'd dress in leather, latex, satin and velvet in 6" heels/boots and wear elegant but heavy goth make-up and cyber-locks. While at the ballet.  I'd drive a Dodge Challenger at its max speed as well as a Harley. I'd skydive, snow board, horse back ride, roller blade, ride roller coasters,   and pole dance because my back would be healed. I'd deep-sea dive off the Great Barrier reef with the sharks. At night. I'd ski down double diamonds in The Alps, go out deep on they bayou in the dark of night. I'd train hop with the drifters and learn all of Betty White's dirty jokes. I'd do any and every dangerous, hedonistic thing I could think of at least once. Twice if I really liked it! tee-hee-hee!  Ohhh... if only I were a Vampyre  *deliciously evil grin*   V""V

Pure Pleasure Seeker

I decided to use my Crowley deck today. I've had it for years, like, over 10, and as beautiful as it is, as much as so many readers absolutely love it and think it is one of the greatest decks ever created in the history of tarot, and as much as I respect it, it just doesn't grab me like it does so many readers. For some odd reason, today it did. Which is a really great thing because I made up my mind quite some time ago that while I will have my favorites, I want to be able to read any deck I put my hands on. For me, it's all about letting go of fear and doubt in my capabilities as a reader.

I don't usually do reverse cards, but some decks I do. It's like different decks are like different people and want to be treated differently based on who they are and how they roll. Crowley, he rolls with Rx cards.

The Star XVII Rx, The Devil XV, The Hanged Man XII Rx
Of course my ole buddy The Devil stands out the most, but for some reason I am not afraid of him today, which is really cool considering this card is all about fear. I see that goat standing there looking all confident and expressing his Capricorn stubbornness, or more to the point, the flip side of that word which I think is tenacity. He says that my Capricorn ass needs to not be trapped by fear and doubt and allow it to hold me hostage any longer. When I see the people in the bubbles below him it looks like they are trapped. The bubbles look like cells that are going through meiosis or mitosis (I'm not a Bio major folks lol) which is about changes that are imperative for growth and maturity at a very basic level. The goat's third eye is wide open, telling me to tap into my inner voice and wisdom on how to do this, not what others think of me. (It's also telling me to trust in myself as a reader!) Which I needed to hear since I have had my panties in a major wad because of a conversation with a dear friend last night and her opinion of how I am in the very fucked up state my life is currently in. The Hanged Man Rx is just confirming that is it is time for me to wake up and take action and not get stuck in my ways or cut off my nose to spite my face, a major Capricorn thing to do! It is reminding me that God helps those who help themselves, so I need to be more active in freeing myself from the lack of faith that is keeping me stuck in repeating cycles that get me pretty bad results. That Rx Star is kinda saying the same thing, reminding me to keep the faith and not to give up hope because I can heal my life, the power is at my disposal. This trio is Air/Earth/Water = Having the desire to create stability but not needing to create the proper mind-set to take necessary action/not letting negative thoughts cloud your heart's desire from becoming reality.

The Card at the bottom is the 5 of Swords. This is that nasty cardI got yesterday and last week that involves shit-talking and harsh thoughts and words about you from others. I like Crowley's take on this card. He has titled it "Defeat". If I let others opinions of me in my head they will feed my own negative thoughts about myself and I will be defeated. Note how he has used the reverse pentagram. This symbol gets such a bad rap from those who don't know any better. When the single point is facing upward it IS positive. When it is not, as he shows it here, it shows the more negative aspects of the symbol. That's a lesson for another post, but for now, just know that this way it shows putting pleasures of the flesh or earthly desires above Spirit. Which goes in perfect sync with that Devil card who is all about earthly desires. And please understand, there is nothing wrong with earthly desires! It is when we put them above our spiritual needs and common sense that we get ourselves in trouble. It makes me think of Charlie Sheen: "Winning!!" Naw sweetie, "Defeated!"
Another bit of confirmation on these cards is the Astrological associations of this set. Aquarius the humanitarian represents The Star. I met with my g/f who is one of the biggest humanitarians I've ever known and has done more than I can even begin to explain to help me rehab my back and my life in general. She is a an Aquarius. And then I end up seeing an old friend I haven't seen in a couple of years who was telling me all about how he had let his earthly desires dominate his life to a really dangerous point. He went to rehab and has been clean and sober for over a year and looks and sounds so grounded and so on top of his life! I am so proud of and excited for him. And yes, he is a Capricorn! lol In fact I'm on my way to meet him and go to an AA meeting with him. If you've never been to one, do yourself a huge favor, go! Am I an addict To drugs/alcohol no. To my own negative behavior patterns that keep me in a dark, negative state? You bettcha. You'd be amazed at the skills you will learn that can help you get your shit togther even if you ar a T-totaler! (Note: DO NOT speak, just SHUT UP and be present and NON JUDGEMENTAL!!! Some folks will welcome you with open arms for being open-minded or supporting a loved one. Others might rip you a brand new ass for your non-drug or alcohol addicted ass in their safe place! Ask me how I know!)

*Again with proof my tarot Spidey senses are spot on, how crazy is it that this song by one of my all time favorite groups came on my Pandora.