Daily Draw - Five of Ghosts and Ace of Imps

This morning I was in a very chipper mood as I drew my cards. So when I turned over the Five of Ghosts (Cups), I was like, "Huh?" Next I turned over the Ace of Imps (Wands) and had to laugh at the imagery. It looks like the hand emerging from the clouds is grabbing the imp by the tail as if to prevent him from too much frolic. Just look at what happened to Mr. Pumpkinhead over there! You want something like that to happen to you? Well, do you? Because that's what happens when you're having too much fun. You don't see the danger of losing everything when you're not looking.

The imp doesn't see it that way. He looks at life differently. Life is to be lived, enjoyed, risked. He looks at the pumpkin man and thinks he is better off from having loved and lost, as the saying goes, than never to have loved at all. Pumpkinman doesn't see it that way. Not now. Not yet. But someday he will. Meanwhile, the imp struggles to break free from the limitations of the purple hand so that he can play with the leaves and stars... damn the danger of it all, there is fun to be had and life to be lived!

These cards remind me not to worry about things. Somehow, everything always seems to work out for the best. Another saying that I have always loved is: "Everything's okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." So I will keep that in mind and have some impish fun today!

Deck: Halloween Tarot in Tin by US Games

Daily Draw - Page of Imps

When I drew this card late this morning, I was very lethargic and unmotivated. The youthful and energetic Page of Imps (Wands) was telling me to wake up! Immediately after drawing it, I took this advice to heart. I got up and jumped in the shower to energize myself, which definitely helped. I'm feeling much more lively now, thanks to this practical reminder from the cards!

I was also drawn to the ghosts on the page's boots. My eyes kept returning to this part of the illustration. In this deck, ghosts represent the Cups suit. Considering the ghosts are placed on the page's feet, it made me think that I might be led by my emotions today. Something interesting to look out for today.

Deck: Halloween Tarot in Tin by US Games

Daily Draw - King of Bats

Last night I had a dream about a King of Bats (Swords) that I know. He was someone I was trying desperately to avoid. Usually I have many, many dreams each night, but last night was very unusual for me because it was a very long dream that lasted throughout the night.

Today when I drew this card, I immediately thought of my dream, and how I worked so tirelessly to avoid him in my slumber, and it gave me an idea of how I could avoid him today in real life. So I spent the greater part of my day laboring at something that I hoped would prevent my having to deal with this hardened, sword-wielding man today. And the effort was well worth the reward!


Deck: Halloween Tarot in Tin by US Games

Daily Draw - Ten of Bats

Today I just felt like pulling one card. I drew the Ten of Bats (Swords). The first thing that came into mind was a song with lyrics, "Breathe... just breathe..." The woman floating in the water looks so peaceful. It seems as though she has reached her breaking point, and rather than have a nervous breakdown, she decides instead to lay down, breathe, and let the waves of despair roll over her. It appears that the bats are kept at bay, they don't want to touch the water, so she is safe from their bite.

The message I get from this card today is that should a situation arise that causes me to stress out, I should remain calm. Just relax and let go. Let it be. Funny, now that I write that, I am reminded of something I read regarding the new moon tonight, and how it's a time to just let things wash over you today. It's a day for new beginnings, and letting go of the old. The Ten of Swords is a card of endings, and the potential for a new beginning if you are open to it, and not so blinded by your victim mentality that you can't see the opportunity this ending has created for you. A turning point, just when things seem to be at their worst, a change for the better is just around the corner. The Halloween Tarot presents a more peaceful take on this card than most; I like it!

Deck: Halloween Tarot in Tin by US Games

Daily Draw - Queen of Bats, Six of Imps and Three of Pumpkins

I recently received the Halloween Tarot in a Tin. I love this deck! Like the Vanessa Tarot and Gummy Bear Tarot decks, this one also now comes in a tin holding case, which I love! I also appreciate the compact size of the deck. I know it's far from Halloween, but I coulnd't wait to give it a spin. I have heard that many people use this deck year-round.

Quick suit conversion:

Cups: Ghosts
Wands: Imps
Swords: Bats
Pentacles: Pumpkins

I drew three cards this morning. When I first saw the Queen of Bats, I thought of Maleficent, the villainess from Sleeping Beauty, and her pet bird. Then I thought of the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz and her flying monkeys. In this card and the next (Six of Imps) I saw a woman with negative intentions, determined for an ill-gotten victory. In the Three of Pumpkins I see the black cat warning the unsuspecting craftsman of the queen's plans. The Six of Imps and Three of Pumpkins both indicate some form of success. Perhaps the queen has ideas to take credit for the craftsman's success, and claim it as her own, threatening his promising career and crushing his dreams.

Thinking metaphorically, I think about the power of my thoughts (Queen of Bats/Swords). Thinking negatively can trample on the success of conscious and creative manifesting (Three of Pumpkins). The Six of Imps is in the middle. There can be victory either way. Negative or positive. Which am I experiencing now, due to my past thoughts? Which am I headed toward based upon my current thought patterns? These cards are a reminder for me to check my compass and, if needed, deliberately change my course of direction if I find my thoughts veering toward the negative.

Success comes just as easily to the Queen of Swords as it does to the fellow in the Three of Pumpkins. I am glad to be reminded today to check and see which direction I am headed!

Deck: Halloween Tarot in Tin by US Games

Pirates Tarot Reading by my 8 Year Old

Today my son wanted to pull a card from his Tarot of the Pirates deck to see how the weekend was going to go. He decided to pull just one card, and drew The Hierophant.

"Hmmm. I think it involves something with work. We're like following orders from the guy sitting on the chair. And this guy is like bowing down, saying, “Ohhhh-kay, I'll do it.”

To narrow it down, um, I don't think it's gonna be super good. I think it might be like, uh, chores and stuff.

That's it."


(Note from Tarot Dame: I though this was a really good interpretation from a kids' point of view. I often view the Hierophant as as illustrating the act of conforming to an ideal that doesn't necessarily vibe with your own. Doing something because you're "supposed" to, not because you want to. And "chores and stuff" generally fits that bill!)


Deck: Tarot of the Pirates

Faeries' Oracle Reading by my 8 Year Old

My 8 year old son wanted to use the Faeries' Oracle to ask what his birthday (next month) will be like. For his birthday, he is getting many goblin books, two of them by Brian Froud, so he wanted to ask Frouds' Faeries about it. (He'd be in heaven if Froud ever decided to create a Goblins' Oracle!)

He drew four cards:



Solus ... "I think I'll wake up being happy. Because it's early and like the sun's popping up. He's smiling and it's a nice bright color."

Luathas the Wild ... "Going out in nature. Because it says “wild” and there's like trees and mushrooms and stuff. And it's green like grass. He looks happy and sneaky. I guess I'll, like, sneak up on some animals outside. Which I always do."

The Topsie Turvets ... "Confusion. Maybe something confusing will happen."

Penelope Dreamweaver ... "Um, well, she is like peaceful. Peaceful and just, you know, like maybe it will be peaceful and I will be reading something. Like the books you're gonna get me for my birthday. Maybe I'll go outside and read."

He sums it all up: "That's it. Happiness in the morning, going outside, confusion, and uh, peace. Peaceful peace."

I asked him, "So is it going to be a good birthday?"

"Yeah. Sounds good."

"What about the confusion?"

"Maybe something confusing about my present."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Maybe something confusing in my book that I won't get. I don't know."

"Okay so the outlook is good according to the faeries?"

"Yeah, it's good. Mm-hmm!!"


Deck: Faeries' Oracle

Unicorn Tarot Reading by my 6 Year Old

My daughter loves horses and every variation thereof ... unicorns, pegasi, pegacorns, etc. So this deck is right up her alley. Today she did a Valentine's Day reading for me, pulling three cards.

Looking at all three cards, she said, "You get nine wishes and you burst out with joy and you get a new horse with a necklace."

I asked her what each card felt like to her.

Nine of Pentacles: "That feels like wishes and you can get nine of them. They {the pentacles} look like magical wands. Like stars. It's like wishes! Hope and wishes!"

Ace of Cups: "It feels like you are bursting out joy!"

Six of Pentacles: "It feels like love. He is giving a necklace to the horse." I asked her how that was like our day today. She said excitedly, "I gave you a present today! And you gave us presents!"

She looked back at the Nine of Pentacles and asked if I would share some of my nine wishes with her. (Of course I said I would be happy to!)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Deck: Unicorn Tarot by US Games

Fairy Tale Oracle Stones Reading by my 6 Year Old

Yesterday my 6 year old daughter wanted to use the Fairy Tale Oracle Stones that I created for her birthday last year. I am having a hard time taking a decent photo of the stones. If I manage to, I will update with an image. (But for now, if you could, just imagine small clear glass stones with simple purple symbols drawn on them.)

She wanted to do a reading for me, and I simply asked what message I needed to hear at the moment. She decided to pull out one stone. She drew the Jester Hat, which means silliness. She said I should spend more time being silly. She gave me an example of a silly thing that we do together sometimes (it would take far too long to explain here.)

So I asked if that was it... the one stone for the day?

She said she'd pull out another one. As she put her hand in the bag, a stone dropped out (Shield) and then she pulled another one out herself (Star).

The Shield means protection, so she said it was talking about how, as a mama, I protect them (my kids). I asked her what I protect them from, and she said, "Storms... and tornadoes."

I asked, "What else do I protect you from?"

"Like, everything. Like, you know...like everything that's bad."

"Like what?"

"Everything. You know, like bad guys... and storms. Like...weathers that are not, like appropriate. Tornadoes, storm clouds, volcanoes..."


The Star means hope. She said, "So if you be silly and protect us, then you get hope. You get to wish for something and you'll get it."

Sounds good to me!

Medieval Cats Reading by my 5 Year Old

Yesterday I gave my 5 year old daughter her pick of several decks. She made her selection via Eeny Meeny Miny Mo and landed on another cat deck. This time it's the Medieval Cat Tarot. She knows nothing about tarot, or what the cards are "supposed" to mean. She just gave me a reading based on the pictures. I asked her to do a reading for how my week was going to go. She pulled three cards.

Five of Coins: "Well, you're gonna sleep outside one day and it's gonna rain and you're gonna be cold, cold."

Nine of Coins: "And this one means that you're gonna become a pirate someday. Someday you're gonna become a pirate. and you're gonna be strong and powerful because you're a pirate!"

Four of Swords: "You're gonna sleep good tonight and there's gonna be a sword underneath your pillow so that you can fight people, fight with your enemies if they come in!"

And here was the brief conversation that followed:

I said, "Okay, so what does this mean for my week ahead? I don't think I'm going to sleep outside or become a pirate. so what do you think these cards are saying my week will be like?"

She answered, "Good!"

"How will it be good? The way you described these cards doesn't make it sound like a very good week."
"Well, when there's people that's mean, you will fight them."

"And will I win?"
"Yes! You will win the challenge!"

"So this is good?"
"Yes it's good. Goodness is gonna happen to you!"


So here's the funny part. Last night as we were going to bed, my other daughter had lost one of her stuffed horses that she sleeps with. Unable to find it, I told her we would look for it tomorrow. A few minutes later, I felt something hard under my blanket. It was my son's toy sword. There was actually a sword in my bed... very near my pillow, just as my daughter had predicted with the reading! And as I removed the sword, my daughter saw her missing horse underneath it! I thought about how the cards predicted that I would be a pirate... the sword with the missing horse treasure hidden beneath it was pretty pirate-esque!

And as for the cold rain, well, I'll just have to wait and see if any arrives this week!

Update: Two days after this reading, it rained! It was a brief rainfall at night just before the kids' bedtime, but it rained this week nonetheless, just as predicted! So cool!

Deck: Medieval Cat Tarot by US Games

Cat Wisdom Reading by my 5 Year Old

This week I'm going to post readings done by my three kids. I thought it would be a fun change of pace to share how they work with the cards.

Today my 5 year old daughter is using her new Cat Wisdom cards. She is probably the biggest cat enthusiast in the history of the world, so she loves, loves, loves this deck!

Of course my daughter decided to ask the cards a question about our cat this morning, asking if she would feel better soon. (Our cat is currently in heat, and she also has a wound that is healing.) My daughter cut the deck and drew the Flexibility card. I immediately laughed because the image very accurately portrays our cat at the moment, with her butt sticking up in the air, which is exactly what our cat has been doing for the past week, offering herself up to the non-existent males around her. I didn't point this out to my daughter until after she was done with her reading, because I wanted her to explore her interpretation first.

My daughter took one look at the card and said, "Yes!! She will get better soon!" I asked her what in the card made her think that. She said, "Because the cat in the card is shaking her booty. And you only shake your booty when you feel good! So she's gonna feel better really soon!" She jumped up in excitement.

And sure enough, our cat has finally stopped her incessant moaning and writhing. And her wound has almost completely healed.

Deck: Cat Wisdom by US Games

Reading: The Weekend Ahead

Today I wanted to do a quick reading for the weekend ahead. I used the Gummy Bear Tarot and asked:

1. What I know about the upcoming weekend.
2. What I don't yet know about the weekend.
3. Advice for the weekend.
4. Outcome of the weekend.

1. What I already know...
Strength
When I saw this image, I laughed out loud. Yesterday my son and I had to administer a pill to our cat. If someone had recorded the event, we could have won a lot of money on America's Funniest Home Videos. We took turns, one of us holding her down and the other attempting to put the pill far enough in her mouth that she wouldn't spit it out. We alternated back and forth many times. Our cat was not having it! She was pissed. It took us awhile, wrestling with her, trying to be firm yet gentle at the same time, finally finding success by holding her mouth shut until she swallowed it. And our sweet cat has already forgiven us, holding no grudges. This fiasco is what immediately came to mind when I turned over this card.

Just know, as I was typing this post, another situation happened that reminded me of this card. Last night I dreamt that one of my daughters came to me with a tooth dangling by a thread. I pulled it out for her. In real life, my other daughter has two loose teeth. I assumed this meant one would fall out today. Just now, my daughter came to me like my daughter in my dream, with her tooth hanging by a thread. I pulled it out for her. I look back at the card, again seeing the gummy bear involved with the lion's mouth.

So this week is chock full of my involvement with others' mouths! Perhaps there is more to come this weekend. Maybe my daughter's other tooth will fall out before the weekend is out.

2. What I don't yet know...
Temperance
It looks like there will be a peaceful flow to the weekend. Things will come together in a way that I can't yet see, but it promises to be beneficial. Sounds good to me!

3. Advice...
Knight of Wands
"Adventure" is the word that came to mind when I saw this card. I had in mind to go on an outing with my kids this weekend. The Knight of Wands suggests that I "up" the ante a bit by making our plans a little more creative, turning it into more of an adventure! He says to squeeze in a little extra fun!

4. Outcome...
Three of Pentacles
Looking at this card, I see the gummy bear being approached about his work. One of the approaching gummy bears holds a rolled piece of paper, perhaps a contract or offer of some sort. My horoscope for this month claims that sometime around the 9th (Monday), give or take a few days, I will experience a new career opportunity. Either a change of pace, or an upgrade. So perhaps this weekend I will see a sign of this by being approached about my work with a new opportunity.

Overall, the cards indicate a promising weekend, so I shall look forward to it, and remember the Knight's great advice!

Looking at the spread as a whole, it looks like the Temperance card is mixing up a little Gentle Strength with some Knight's Adventure and blending them together, creating the rewards that will follow with the Three of Pentacles. I'll see what I can do to mix up a little of that magic for myself this weekend.

Coming next week: I'm going to be doing something a bit different with the blog next week. I'm excited, it should be fun! Stay tuned...

Deck: Gummy Bear Tarot