Contemplative Tarot: There is Hope

Clarity's blade reveals the victorious path,
Emotions embraced and intuition grasped,
Responsibility taken, you’ll sail to smoother waters at last.

Q: Is my situation hopeless?
A: Ace of Swords

I recognize that there is a problem, which is an essential step to resolving it. There is a possibility that I can be victorious over the problem. The situation is not hopeless if I grasp mental clarity and use my intellect to cut through confusion and see my situation and options clearly.

Q: What can I do to improve my situation?
A: Page of Cups

I'm too caught up in the present situation I face and too emotional. A lack of understanding of my feelings blocks my thinking, making me inflexible and unable to come up with a reasonable action. I should calm my feelings, love myself, and rely to my intuition to discern my next move.

Q: What will be the result of taking that action?
A: Six of Swords

Progress will be made if I listen to the advice of the Page of Cups. There can be a smooth passage from a difficult situation. Problems will end soon if I've taken responsibility for them and addressed them.

Another New Deck: The Morgan-Greer Tarot

Yesterday, I opened another one of my new decks, The Morgan-Greer Tarot, originally published in 1979. It is an explosion of powerful 1970s style and color. The imagery is a more creative departure from the Pamela Colman Smith imagery than some other clones, offering close-ups of the familiar figures.

In the case of the Four of Cups, the meaning is profoundly transformed. Pamela Colman Smith's drawing depicts a man with his eyes closed to his surroundings, focused inward and apathetic towards the potential for improving his situation. He may be depressed and has isolated himself; neither attitude is beneficial.

In Robin Voissey's Oneness Tarot, you become the seated figure, eyes open, hand blocking the blinding sun to better see a deer at the forest's edge. You are actively examining your surroundings, like an artist seeking a new perspective.

The Morgan-Greer Tarot reimagines this card beautifully. The main figure's human face emerges from the trees in the forest, mirroring the divine hand emerging from the clouds. Three cups stand on the ground, symbolizing the need for physical sustenance, while the fourth cup suggests that physical well-being also requires spiritual nourishment.

The Knight of Swords in this deck clearly delivers a crucial message: don't rush! The burning Tower is reflected in the knight's sword, indicating that his hasty actions have led to disaster.

Other cards also stand out. The Wheel of Fortune gives a humorous nod to Monty Python's Flying Circus while seriously portraying the downward turns of Fate. The Hierophant, meanwhile, sheds most (but not all) of the negative associations of oppressive power and ideology, offering a more positive representation. The deck’s borderless design enhances its appeal, with the image in the Four of Swords creating its own border.

The Morgan-Greer Tarot is a brilliant alternative to the Waite-Smith deck. Its powerful imagery invites your intuition and imagination to roam freely. Every tarot reader seeks "The Deck," and I think I’ve found mine. This deck brings Pamela Colman Smith's images to life.

The Hanson-Roberts Tarot is Delightful!

As a tarot aficionado, few things bring me more joy than getting a new deck. Today, I received three in a long-awaited package, and I’m thrilled to share my excitement about the Hanson-Roberts Tarot. Years ago, when I could spend hours browsing through deck images on the tarot site Aeclectic.net, I often considered purchasing this deck for myself. I've always affectionately called it "the little girl's tarot," but after seeing it in person, I realize it's much more than that.

The cards are semi-matte, which gives them a more artistic and adult feel. The artwork is simply gorgeous, obviously intended to be a tribute to Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic 1909 deck. The colors are vibrant and add a fresh perspective to the images.

It will be interesting to see how changes in the imagery may affect interpretations of the cards. Will I find that meaning has been lost, or that new meanings have been unveiled? Typically, I study a new deck thoroughly before using it, but with the Hanson-Roberts Tarot, I feel compelled to tuck it away safely so that when I do a reading, the imagery will still be new, surprising, and enlightening.

After my first thorough shuffle of the deck, three cards were revealed that beautifully encapsulate what I hope is the essence of this deck.

The Queen of Wands encourages us to grow spiritually.
The Four of Wands celebrates the fruits of our endeavors.
The Star reveals our consciousness now awakening to new ideas and aspirations.

This deck has already begun to weave its magic! I'm very excited to have it in my collection. Have you had any experiences with the Hanson-Roberts Tarot? I'd love to hear your thoughts about it!

Contemplative Tarot - Seeking Victory

In stillness, seek a spark to wake your mind,
Embrace with joy the body, source of soul,
Surrender to events, find vision in the divine.

The Four of Cups: A man sits at the base of a tree, his arms and legs crossed. On the ground before him, within reach, three cups sit in a row. A divine hand reaching from a cloud offers his a fourth cup. His eyes are closed and he doesn't see his surroundings.

This card represents a state of introspection and apathy. The man in the card is withdrawn, lost in his thoughts, and seemingly uninterested in the opportunities around him. This card suggests a need to look inward to understand what is causing this emotional stagnation. It emphasizes self-awareness and self-control, much like the Buddha meditating under the fig tree.

The Empress: A voluptuous woman, covered in a loose dress pattered with ripe red pomegranates, sits on a comfortable settee supported by many brightly colored and luxurious cushions. Her throne in in the middle of a field of ripening wheat and behind her waterfall drops from a forest to a lake. Next to the throne is a heart shaped shield. The Empress wears a necklace of seven pearls. On her head are a laurel wreath and a crown displaying seven stars. Her left hand rests upon her knee and her right hand lifts a scepter topped with a globe. The symbol of Venus is appears frequently in this card: with the pomegranates in the fabric of her dress, on one of the cushions behind her, and on the shield at her feet. Venus was the goddess of love, fertility, and victory

This card symbolizes abundance, nurturing, and creation. She embodies the nurturing aspects of love and care, representing growth and fertility. Her connection to nature suggests a harmonious relationship with the world around her.

The Hanged Man: A man hangs displayed upon a gibbet. His right ankle is tied to the gibbet with a robe while his left leg is bent. A halo glows around his head. His hair, but not his shirt fall toward the ground. Both the vertical and horizontal bars of the gibbet are alive with green leaves. He is powerless.

This card represents surrender, new perspectives, and acceptance. The man hanging upside down symbolizes a voluntary suspension, a willingness to see things differently. This card suggests that sometimes, to progress, we must accept situations beyond our control and use these moments to gain new insights.

Interpretation: To improve body, mind, and spirit, combine reflection and study with self-nurturing and self-acceptance. Look inward to identify discontent or stagnation, then focus on things that bring feelings of gratitude. Care for yourself by attending to both physical and mental needs. Engage in activities that stimulate your mind and strengthen your body. While you cannot control the flow of life, you can control your perspective. Find and pursue a spiritual path that resonates with you.