Good morning, World! I’m delighted to announce that my book, Tarot for Grownups, has reached another sales milestone this month. Yay! and Happy Dance! 🙂
If you haven’t already purchased a copy, you can follow the links provided here. This book is written for adults, so expect a healthy dose of sarcasm, some explicit language now and then, adult topics, and a healthy dose of realism when it comes to the interpretations, as well as the personality profiles for the court cards. There’s not a fluffy bunny to be found here, and I concentrate on the nitty-gritty of life. We have plenty of tarot books out there shrouded in rose colored glasses, fairies, the white light, and fantasy. This is definitely not the case with Tarot for Grownups.
Exploring tarot’s Court Cards as Personality Profiles:
There’s a positive side to each of the court cards, and it’s there, you can read it for yourself; and then there’s the Dark Side, which (admit it) is more fun to explore. Do you recognize anyone?
This is a new blog post at my Other Blog ~ Every Cat Has a Tale:
I’ve had an unusual amount of requests the past few weeks, since the beginning of June actually, from people who want to purchase my books and assume that I’m selling them myself. I don’t sell my books, my publishing company does. That’s one of the benefits of having a good contract with an exceptional company (they keep track of the Business Stuff); leaving freedom of mind for the writer to write.
Anyway, here’s the paragraph I’ve been sending out in emails when these requests come in. I’ll post it here (and at my Other Blog), and I hope this makes it easier for the reader to connect with the book that they’re looking for. Thank you so much for your interest! I love hearing from my readers; you guys make it all worth while…Enjoy the Books, summer was made for reading:
You’ll find ordering information at John Hunt Publishing’s Website; or you can order at Amazon (you’ll find all of my books on this page); Barnes & Noble (you’ll find all of my books on this page); or a bookstore near you (if you don’t find the books on the shelf, the store can order them for you).
The July Issue of The Spellery is out!
Pick up your copy today!
Yay!!…Author Interview. I was delighted to be included, once again, in this innovative beautiful magazine. You’ll find a 3 1/2 page interview with yours truly about books, writing, witchcraft, and personal life. (It was my pleasure– I love the editor; and I love this magazine!)
The Aces herald beginnings, beginnings in love, finance, money ventures, or mental endeavors—according to cups, wands, pentacles, and swords. Beginnings may be strong and powerful, overwhelmingly passionate, or rife with potholes and points of contention we should be cautious with. Beginnings are always exciting, often unexpected, and lead us on a journey through life which often winds up at the door of our destiny.
Ace of Pentacles
Since the Aces herald beginnings and this one usually deals with those things connected to the element of Earth, and more specifically—money, material goods, acquisitions, growth and expansion; you’re coming into something substantial when this card shows its face. Upright, this card bodes well for new and upcoming financial ventures. This card tells us it’s a good time to start that business, make that investment you were thinking of, or even buy that lottery ticket.
But reversed, this card is like a little tap on the shoulder, a little voice in our ear whispering, “Be careful!” It can also suggest that there is a weasel lurking amongst your financial and business associates. It’s warning us to check contacts carefully, consider motives, use your intuition and don’t be rushed into something when you don’t feel certain.
Ace of Swords
The suit of swords deals with the element of Air, the mental aspect of life—communication, study, writing, thought processes, that intangible part of us, but the part of us that connects us to the world through our human intelligence. Upright, this Ace may be telling us that we’re going to pass that test, that it might be a good time in life to go back to school, start writing that book, or to sharpen up on a few subjects we’ve always found interesting.
Reversed, however, the Ace of Swords can be a brutally painful card. It may be speaking to us of emotional and mental abuse or illness, or some other form of mental instability. This card may be telling us that we have to work harder at mental endeavors in order to succeed. It may be warning us about decisions we have made, or are about to make, that may not be in our best interests. Sometimes this reversed card is trying to tell us that we may be our own worst enemy.
Ace of Wands
The set of wands are often centered around business and finances. Since wands are associated with the element of Fire, there seems to be more passion, more urgency, more movement in this area than pentacles promote. Again, we’re at beginnings and the beginning of any ventures whether in finance or romance, often begins with a walloping amount of passion. Upright, this card is like a no holes barred flashing green light. “Go for it!” it shouts in our ear.
But reversed, this card may be warning us that a situation is too hot to handle. It’s telling us to be careful, be cautious, think things through and slow down. We may be playing with fire, and who wants to get burned? This card, reversed, is warning us to temper unbridled passion and enthusiasm with a little common sense and restraint. If you’re at the beginning of any financial endeavor, double check contracts, verify information, and look into alternative sources.
Ace of Cups
The suit of cups is attuned to relationships, love, and romance. If you drew this card and you are single, there’s a very good possibility that love is coming your way. If you drew this card and you are in a relationship or married, odds are that there will be a renewal of those first sparks you experienced early on with your partner.
This card also heralds blessings, a communion—of body, mind, and spirit, a new spiritual awakening and enlightenment, the discovery of a new life path and destiny.
When reversed, this Ace speaks of loss—a loved one is gone—sometimes suggesting that they have moved on to another relationship, they have physically moved, or a loved one has passed over. All three scenarios have appeared in my readings, being announced by this one mysterious enigmatic card.
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Ace/cups: I’ve noticed that this card almost always comes up for someone who is alone, romantically speaking, and that’s because this card heralds a new relationship on the horizon. Love is coming, just hold on to your hat, listen for that special voice, watch for those eyes that captivate you. You’ll know it when you see it, when you hear it, when you feel it. That’s what the Ace of Cups says, be ready, open, willing to take it all in and embrace the moment.
There are many types of relationships, and many types of people who come and go from our lives in a variety of ways and at various stages.
I was doing readings in a book store once, when a young girl, about twelve years old, came into my booth. I generally don’t read for children, but this was a Harry Potter in-store book party, so parents were at hand.
She sat down across from me, very wide-eyed, quiet, and expectant, absolutely adorable. As I turned the cards for her, this card, the Ace of Cups, came up (reversed). I was hesitant at first, then I told her, “This card, when it comes up this way, often means that someone we love has left. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just means that they’ve ‘gone away’ for a while.”
Her eyes opened wide in amazement, and the expression on her face was like a light bulb going on. She opened her little mouth and enthusiastically began telling me about her cousin, her dearest friend, how they’d been together ever since they were ‘little’; and how her cousin and her cousin’s family had just moved away. She told me how sad she was, how much she missed her cousin and all about plans to visit each other. She prattled on and on, and I just sat and let her talk.
When she left my booth, she met her mother on the other side with a high-pitched incredulous voice, “She said that someone I loved had left, but that it was okay!” I could hear her enthusiastically talking to her mother, her chattering little voice fading as they walked away.
Ace/wands: If you’re thinking of starting your own business, changing careers or companies, or in any way starting over where employment and a career are concerned, this is the card you want to see. It’s like the green light at a drag race. When you see it, step on the gas, put the pedal to the metal, and roar down the pathway, cause it’s clear and victory can be yours at the end of the line.
Just remember, once in a while this card turns up reversed, and it says, “Hang on to your hats, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” No one ever said that beginnings and change are easy and effortless, and it’s this little glitch that usually catches people off guard.
Ace/pentacles: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; hold on to what you have; a hand-out; kiss my ass…These are only a few of the impressions left with me by the Ace of pentacles. I suppose I should be all happy and hopeful and grateful when this card comes along. Traditionally it means ‘new financial beginnings’, tra-la-la. Big fat deal. This card is chintzy. It wants to make you think it’s all rich and important and that it’s going to be bringing you some tremendous miraculous windfall. It lies.
The Ace of pentacles is just like some sparkling toothy smiling man with a big car and a wad of cash in his pocket. He’s never what he seems to be, and he never delivers on anything, including sex, money, or personality.
I’ve been reading tarot for quite some time, and I began reading just for myself and my family. Needless to say, over the years, every court card in the deck became a family member to me, filled with both positive and negative traits. (And I have to say here, just so we’re clear, that not every family member or individual will mirror *all* the negative personality traits associated with the card, or *all* the positive traits– most people are a healthy mixture of each. It’s those few who go to extremes that make it really interesting, but not always pleasant.) The court cards are interesting in that they are a psychological profile for a variety of personalities, and once you become familiar with these characters, you will notice that when you meet someone, you will automatically associate them with one of the tarot court cards, at least this is my experience.
The Princess of Swords**…first, the following is an excerpt from my book, “Tarot for Grownups”, and in this book I very clearly state the positive and negative aspects of this character from both extremes:
First, the negative side (ouch):
This Page is a bitch in the making. He/she is a younger version of the King or Queen of swords. It’s already difficult carrying on a conversation with this Page, because everything is all about them; it’s the only topic they care to discuss. They’re conversation is blunt, verging on rude. Vanity is already at work here, and because of their youth and immaturity, it can actually get to the point of ridiculous. They have a skewered view of how attractive they really are, or how accomplished, how smart, etc. Even now, and very sadly, they are setting a solitary path for themselves by alienating people who may actually love them. They treat people like shit, and then act all puzzled when friends and acquaintances disappear.
Now, the softer side:
Like all the personalities of this suit, this Page is the most intelligent and usually has a very high IQ. They tend to have a sort of tunnel vision when they are engrossed in the study of something in particular or are involved in a hobby. This Page shares all the swords outwardly cool mannerisms, which so often masks a sensitivity they try to hide. This individual will often latch onto relationships with pets in order to protect themselves from the possibility of being hurt in human relationships. It’s a survival mechanism.
As you can see above, I’ve listed the extremes. Individuals that I know, who are connected to this card, have in reality run a happy medium. They’re smart, so smart it’s scary sometimes, and they love academics. The person this card stands for in my world will be a life-time student…learning, writing, reading, teaching; this will be part of their existence for as long as they live. The softer side also shows up for them, in that they love animals and have, over the years, acquired their own little menagerie. And I do believe that the reason they have this deep connection with animals is that it’s easier for them to relate– animals (pets) love you for who you are just the way you are, it’s a kind of unconditional love that most human beings are not capable of.
Now the fun part, this is where you get to add your two cents, as it were. It might be a good idea to grab a notebook and pen so you can jot down answers and impressions as they come to you:
1) What color on this card catches your eye first?
For me, it’s ‘blue’. My interpretation of this color…the element of Water, pointing to dreams, visions, psychism, intuition, and emotions. I feel this card is awash in human emotions, some smooth and tranquil and others roiling and churning. Blue is also the color connected to the throat chakra, and this tells me that issues of communication are being raised, perhaps new lines of communication need to be opened. I also connect the color ‘blue’ to the goddess (and the Virgin Mary)– perhaps this is from my years in a Catholic Parochial school, passing the life-size statue of Mary in the hallway, wearing beautiful sky blue robes.
2) What element is the court card connected with?
The suit of swords is connected to the element of Air…also emphasizing once more communication– now I’m really paying attention. Whenever an issue like this surfaces more than once, or keeps resurfacing, a red flag should be going up. Along with communication, creativity and mental endeavors are highlighted, but it’s this communication issue that I’m focused on. So what’s the deal? Who’s not talking to whom? What relationship in this individual’s life is breaking down; how can we get the lines of communication cleared and running again? Your mind should already be spinning with the reading of this card.
3) What image, or images, on this card jump out at you?
I’m just going to let my mind roam here, and you should do the same thing… Yellow halos around the characters head and the sword: Catholic saints come to mind, the idea of sainthood, medieval artwork, purity of mind and intentions; but also illusions and delusions. (Has communication broken down because of a misinterpretation somewhere along the line?) Also, Excalibur, and with this image comes all the pomp and integrity of ancient knights. Her bare feet planted solidly on the stones: stubbornness; digging in for the long haul; not wanting to be the first to back down. But also, someone who tends to be very level headed, maybe even conventional, someone who’s solidly grounded, not easily swayed; someone who has a game plan and generally sticks to it. The bird in flight behind the Princess:an idea taking flight, an expression of freedom or a desire for freedom, something that this individual maybe hasn’t thought of yet, but something that will come to them in time; also, with this bird, comes a stronger connection to the element of Air and all that it entails– this is telling me to pay attention, it’s reinforcing the idea of communication as a central theme to the reading of this card. The flowers: to me they are indicative of spring. I’m so often asked for a specific time-line when it comes to readings, but very rarely does this come to me; and when it does, it generally comes to me through the idea of seasons or moon phases. When I looked at the flowers on this card, that little voice in the back of my head, the one that’s only a light whisper, barely audible…it said “Spring”. This would indicate to me that this season is important to this individual for some reason, or it means that the events surrounding this reading are going to culminate around springtime.
We’ve answered three questions in connection with this card, and look at all the information that was revealed in these three questions. Look beyond what you have written down as your own answers. If necessary, pick apart each interpretation to take it to a deeper level– for instance, I mentioned my association with the color blue to the Virgin Mary. I could take this one step deeper and list all the associations that I have for this deity. Do you see what I mean? You can keep going ever deeper, from one impression to the next, bringing out unexpected results. Mind you, this type of individual card analyses doesn’t have to be done as part of a reading for someone; this can be done as a private meditation, in which you will uncover layers of your own psyche. Then there’s that little voice I was talking about, it’s your sub-conscious mind actually, and it’s so easy to dismiss it, or not notice it at all; it really can be this subtle, and it takes some practice to hear it.
At any rate, just because I choose to stop now, you don’t have to– keep going; if you have other questions for this card, new things to uncover about it or you, keep writing…feel free to leave your impressions in the comment box below.
Bright Blessings,
Amythyst
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**NOTE: The deck used for the writing of my book, “Tarot for Grownups”, was the Rider/Waite Deck, and in this deck the “Princess” will be referred to as a “Page”.
