Prairie Tarot -- 9 of Cups

Prairie Tarot, Glow in the Dark 2011

Today I've drawn the 9 of Cups from Robin Ator's Prairie Tarot -- A Tarot of the American West. It's really good to see this card today, because I've got a long Friday ahead of me. But, happily, it's the Friday before I'm on holiday all week next week. So this card speaks to me of the expansive and relaxed feeling of the Friday evening before a weekend off to be followed by five days of sweet freedom, then still another weekend. Actually...that's nine days. 9 of Cups. Nine days of freedom.

The cowboy in the card relaxes in his local saloon, legs crossed, chair kicked back, lounging with both arms stretched out on the bar. He is at his ease. All the cups around, coupled with the saucy portrait of the nude hanging overhead, speak to me of luxury and leisure. Indulgence in slow days of rest and relaxation and contentment. That's what I need! So yeehaw, hand me down my hat...that cowboy's also got a pocket watch hanging from his shirt, to remind me that the respite doesn't last forever...but I'm going to enjoy it while it does!

Prairie Tarot--7 of Swords

Prairie Tarot, Glow in the Dark, 2011

Today's card is 7 of Swords, from Robin Ator's Prairie Tarot: A Tarot of the American West. A man, likely a white man, judging from his clothes and hair, approaches an Indian camp or reservation. Behind his back he clutches seven swords. From the front, his ramrod straight posture is, I'm sure, accompanied by a look of studied guilelessness. The unwary Indians must all still be in their teepees, probably not even realising that he's walked up with his nice little surprise.

The card speaks to me of duplicity, deceit, betrayal. Why, though, are the colours of the swords arranged into the colours of the chakras?? And do my eyes betray me, or is the man's left hand dripping blood from the blades he clutches with his oversized, greedy hands?

Who is the man most deeply betraying here? The Indians? Or himself? Maybe he doesn't want to be here. Maybe he was sent on this mission to trick the Indians and doesn't want to do it. Maybe there is a crisis of conscience within him. Maybe.

Either way, there is a strong sense that the present moment of quiet depicting in the cards is about to end. There is a tension in the man's posture and the eye is drawn to the flaps of the teepees, as if the Indians are just about to begin emerging from them. Whatever is about to happen, is to going to happen within seconds, and whatever that may be, it's going to be painful for someone. This is not a win-win situation here, no way.

Bach Flower Divination Cards

On a roll with the Bach thing, I discovered 'Bach Flower Divination Cards' on a website called Creature Comforts. Based in Cromer, birthplace of Bach flower remedies, this company produces handmade remedies, and also offers this curious little deck of cards. 

My deck arrived today. It is very small, 2.25 x 3 inches, and the card stock is rather thin. It has a light, silky lamination. There are 38 cards, one for each of the Bach flower remedies. The front of the card has a full-colour close-up photograph of the flower, its name in a pleasant font that looks like italic handwriting, and   under that, on a black background, its negative and positive qualities (ie, qualities that can be treated by the remedy, and the subsequent restored balance provided by the remedy).

Bach Flower Inspirational Cards

Lo Scarabeo, Llewellyn 2010

The other day  a friend at work asked me to make her a flower remedy mixture, which I did. It got me thinking about my flower remedy collection (I have the full set of Bach flower remedies and can make mixtures for people), which of course reminded me that I had read about a Lo Scarabeo flower remedy deck that I had meant to order. So, I went to Book Depository and ordered it. It arrived the other day and although it was beautiful, I felt it needed something. But what?

I studied the cards and noticed that the circular pattern on each card provided the perfect place for me to add text, so I decided I would write an affirmation around that circle for each card, and write a phrase or key word at the bottom of the card, above the title. Obviously, I planned to do them just a few a day, taking my time, allowing for contemplation, etc.

Pamper Evening Nursery Hill Primary School, Nuneaton, 16th March

Last night was a great night! I worked at a Pamper Evening for the mums of the PTA of a local primary school. The venue was excellent, as the organisers put me in a small room to the side of the main hall, where I set up my table and proceeded to spend the next two and half hours giving back-to-back tarot readings to ten ladies.

In my excitement, I forget to take any photos of my table or the event! I took five decks with me: Morgan Greer, Universal Waite, Hudes, Anna K, and Druidcraft. The only deck that was not selected by a sitter was Morgan Greer, but the most popular decks seemed to be Hudes and Druidcraft.

Each sitter received an explanation of their 2012 Year Card, and a short general reading. (No one had a query ready for me, so everyone received a general reading.)

It was a great evening and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Next time, I will remember to take pictures!!