Enchanted Fairy Tales

Fairy Tale Maidens

2011-05-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Lake Maiden (Card II) (A Welsh Tale)

The beautiful Lake Maiden is lured from the lake by the Shepderd who adores her and marries her. She warns him that he must not strike her because if he does so three times she must return to the lake. He taps her on the shoulder absent mindedly one day and she tells him that he only has two times left. At a wedding she cries tears of great joy and love and when he pats her shoulder she reminds him that he must be very careful because only one time remains. At a funeral she laughs and he grabs her. So the thrid time is here and she returns to the lake never to be seen by her husband again.

The Fox Maiden ( Japanese FolkTale)

"I've been waiting for you for over a hundred years." says the little girl beside the road...and thus the man takes her to Kyoto with him and there she dances so beautifully that the Emperor calls for her to dance for him. Eventually she ends up living in the palace and is the most favored by the Emperor. Many years pass and he decides to hold a grand ball for her on her birthday, to which his advisors are opposed.

During the ball a great darkness descends and the Emperor is in a trance. Many of his advisors search for answers and finally a great wise Diviner provides them with a poem and using a Sacred Gohei they recite it to the girl, called Tamamo, Jewel without Flaw. In doing so a great Fox with nine tails appears in her place and rushes off. Off to far far away where it hid itself beneath a great black stone. The river and the stone were deadly and avoided by all that knew of them. So the years passed until a High Priest was passing through and hearing of the stone he did not avoid it but went seeking it because all deserve Nirvana. He discovers the fox spirit and she asks to be struck down because she has discovered love and she weeps bitterly and can stand the grief no more. But instead he gives her a beggar bowl and prayer beads and tells her to go in search of enlightment.

The Moon Maiden (A Japanese Fairy Tale)

In the tale of the Moon Maiden, a poor, childless bamboo cutter finds a glowing jewel buried beneath a bamboo plant. When he picks it up, it opens to reveal a lovely fairy dressed in green who wishes to live with the man and his wife. To help the poor couple out, there are golden coins spilling out of the broken jewel. So together they return to the humble cottage and meet the wife. All is well, and the man builds a grand home and has plenty of money. The fairy grows to be a lovely young maiden and everyone wishes her hand in marriage. Finally the King, himself visits and loves her dearly. She declines his proposal and grows sadder everyday. Finally on a lovely night the moon is shining brightly and the air is filled with mist when she confesses to the humble bamboo cutter, his wife, and the King, that her father is the King of the Moon and he had exiled her to earth for three years. Now the mist is not mist but the kings messagers coming to bring her home. She can not stay and the King is broken hearted. She leaves him a bottle of elixir so that he may live forever but he burns it on a mountain top because "what good is living forever being parted from the Lady Beaming Bright." The vapors send his message to the moon.

All three of the maiden stories highlighted here are about love and lost love. The Lake Maiden actually comes across as the coldest because she leaves and it does not indicate that she regrets it. However in the Moon Maiden she despairs because she must leave but she cannot take the King with her. Lastly the Fox Maiden loves and because of it is able to feel great grief, making her realize that she does not want to live forever, for in doing so she will feel the pain always.

The Lake Maiden

2010-06-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Card II The Sorceress

The tale for this card is The Lake Maiden.....in the coming weeks we will explore a bit of this tale.

Daily Draw

2010-06-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Princess of Pentacles: This card is based on the Princess and the Pea and is a reminder to stop and enjoy the basal pleasures that nurture the soul. Earthly delights are a necessary part of life. Without them we would simply exist.

I love getting this card today. From the Froud deck I got Faeries of the Future which promises a bright future and when I blogged about that card I wrote about how I was enjoying many positive adventures this summer and how the card seem to be reinforcing how I should ENJOY them without regret or worrying about what I "need" to be doing.

Princess of Pentacles seems to be reinforcing that insight. That there are times in life when we must just indulge in fun and pleasure. Where we must put aside the mundane and venture forth into just plain simple fun...without regret or worry. So I shall follow her advice and indulge myself this summer...work will come again soon enough!

The Thunder Dragon: A Tale of Power & Reward

2010-06-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Thunder Dragon is Card I The Magician is the Fairy Tale Tarot. It is a simple tale of a visit by the dragon and a boy's kindness which is repaid by the dragon. Although simple, to me there are other fine points in the story that might be teased out. For example, the Grandmother is very wise and knows exactly what the events in the story mean. So wisdom from the old and knowledge to be respected.

In researching the tale I came about some information on dragons and Chinese culture which I find interesting. Dragons are viewed as male (yang) while their counterpart the phoenix is female (yin). In the story the male essence is adhered to, by the dragon's interactions with the father and boy but it is the female wisdom that "sees" what is to unfold.

Dragons in Europe were viewed as evil destroyers but not so in China. Dragons there are viewed as potent and powerful with the ability to control water, rainfall, and floods. So just as the dragon does in this tale as he sheds the house with his hood, he controls the rain and the flooding, sparing this house.

The Year of the Dragon comes around every 12 years and it is claimed that those born in the Year of the Dragon enjoy health, wealth and a long life.

I'm still working to locate some other versions of the tale itself and when I do I will do a compare and contrast. There are many dragon tales out there!

New Look

2010-06-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

I decided to dust off and spurce up...Once Upon a Time....I haven't fallen off the face of the earth ...(YET)....just busy with other endeavors. I have many blogs and I am constantly thinking about deleting some and consolidating them...but alas....I can never do it...they are all meaningful and I enjoy them ...so I just keep puttering along...writing when I can!

I am still planning on exploring the Chinese Thunder Dragon Tale...there is just so much to read and learn about the different fairy tales. It is very interesting to explore and compare them between different cultures. Many tales seem to
"cross over" between different cultures. Fairy Tales that teach lessons of value for all human kind.

So next on my list (still) is a post about the Thunder Dragon Tale, which of course is card I The Magician in the Fairy Tale Tarot.

The Thunder Dragon

2010-05-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON....comments and history of this Chinese Tale...of the Dragon spirit.

Fairy Tales and Life

2010-05-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Life is like a fairy tale.....rolling along with trolls under bridges and big bad wolves luking outside the door. Life can turn from shining carriage to pumpkin in a split second. Life can be harsh like the story of the Little Match Girl or warm and sunny like Cinderella. Life can be fast paced and unpredictable.

Fairy Tales offer us guidance, inspiration, and a sense of comfort....reminding us of childhood joys and sweet memories. That is the beauty of the Fairy Tale Tarot....it takes the aspects of tale-land and weaves them into our world of today....tiny glimpses of life seen through the magical lenses of time and different lands...

Fairy Tales speak of human spirit, human folly, human reality....yes...reality....for even with talking creatures and magic dragons....they speak of the essence of mankind. They are vibrant tales of the journey through this world and timeless proof that a good tale never ends...

Little Red Riding Hood: A Tale of a Girl Gone Bad

2010-01-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

Do you know the song based on Little Red Riding Hood? Well neither did I until I started doing some research on this classic tale.

Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh's Blackwell 1966

Who's that I see walking in these woods?
Why it's Little Red Riding Hood
Hey Little Red Riding Hood
You sure are looking good.
You're everything a big bad wolf could want...

Listen to me!
Little Red Riding Hood
I don't think little big girls should..
Go walking in these spooky old woods alone.

Read all the lyrics and listen to the tune: HERE

Here are some additional thoughts about the good girl...gone bad....(said in jest)

The classic and probably most common interpretation of the message of Little Red is one of being wary of strangers.
Some propose that the tale was actually about wolves themselves and being wary of them and the wild forests of the time, as wolves could be quite dangerous.
Others believe the tale outlines and describes the cycle of life...starting out innocent and then educated in the ways of the world...coming full cycle and being born again from the wolves' belly.
Speaking of "bad girls" ...there are others that claim that the real warning is against becoming a "working girl" or a prostitute. The red cloak was a classic signal of a prostitute in 17th century France.
Still others see in the simple tale the story of sexual awakening with the wolf a threat to the girl's virginity.

So as you can see....the Little Red Riding Hood tale....is multi-layered and pondering it's meaning can open up many versions and possibilities.

My Fairy Tale Path

2010-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back from my blogging vacation. I had to take a little break from blogland for several reasons...the holidays, time, writers block, etc. etc....but I'm feeling like writing again so I was thinking it might be fun to examine each of the fairytales in The FairyTale Tarot...one at a time and examine how the fairy tale speaks to me...what direction it sends me on in the search for self discovery and an understanding of the human experience....

I'm sure my thoughts will differ from others and that's okay. The neat thing about fairytales and the FairyTale Tarot is that they can speak to each person on a personal level...they can teach us the same lesson and different lessons all at the same time.

To simplify matters I will just follow the order of tales as presented in the book ...soooo...first up will be Little Red Ridinghood...one of my faves...so in the next few days I'll get a post or two up about this classic tale of a girl "gone bad"....haha...just joking...sort of!!

The Little Match Girl

2009-12-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

This picture sort of reminds me of the Little Match Girl (all grown up). Shivering in the cold at the bottom of a Cinderella type staircase. Cinderella could be the Little Match Girl, she did clean the fireplace and shivered from the cold of the stepmother's hatred. It reminds me that our "frosty attitudes" toward people can plunge us into the bitter landscape of life just as the Match Girl collapsed in the cold of her own inner world. For maybe the story is not about really wasting away in the bitter cold of a real physical world but rather of freezing in our own inner worlds of doubt and self neglect. Just something I thought of as I was mulling over the cold snowflakes falling into the dark landscape of our yard.

Two of Wands: Country Mouse and City Mouse

2009-11-03T17:47:00.001-08:00

The Two of Wands showcases one of my favorite tales, The Country Mouse and the City Mouse. Two very different personalities and lifestyles collide. I love the delicate setting depicted on the card and am so glad it was the country scene rather than the city.

Reminded by this card that the "grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence." It also suggests that while something seems like a good idea, it may not turn out to be...very true of so much of life. In another version I remember it is not so much that the city mouse is snobby and putting on airs...but simply that each longs for something they do not have. The country mouse the excitement of the big city and the city mouse the quiet peace of the country. So in that version we are reminded to be happy with what we do have, as well as, recognizing that we are unique individuals with unique needs.

As a Wand card, with the element of fire, it suggests to me that the "spark of life" or the "passion for living" is highlighted by our adventures but more often reflected in the warm glow of the "home fires". As a 2 representing "exchanges" I also see in this card the exchange of ideas about life, what is satisfying, exchanges of hospitality and exchanges of beliefs about what makes "the good life."

It's Tarot Spread Tuesday!

2009-11-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

Wow I almost missed posting for Tarot Spread Tuesday!! This week instead of a spread...I'm going to give some links to some awesome spreads and articles by others!!

Tarot Elements has up a very good spread called The Horseshoe Spread!

Tarot Eon suggests trying some non postional spreads.

On YouTube a Six Card Yes or No Spread

At Angel Paths there is an interesting one called the Mirror Spread

And a rather large spread at Super Tarot: The Twenty Two Card Spread

Check them out....each one has something unique to offer.

It's Fairy Tale Friday

2009-10-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Here's your fairy tale for today....maybe you can relate.

"Once upon a time there was a friendly lady, who loved to entertain, help people relax and enjoy themselves. She used her creative talents to host many gatherings, summer theme parties, patio parties, Christmas festivities, brunches, Boo Bashes, and assorted other fun adventures.

Now this VERY same lady always vowed to prepare ahead of time for such gatherings but alas life always seemed to get in the way and usually the day before a big event...for example BOO BASH -3, slated for Halloween night, she found herself pondering the menu, making lists, shopping for ingredients, cleaning the house, getting costumes ready, and all sorts of "last minute" details.

In general, the lady was very lucky because even with a lot of "oh my gosh why'd I wait till the last minute whining" her events seem to be fun, enjoyed by others, and perhaps what one could term a success. Only she knew that behind closed doors evil monsters lurked, clothes were piled here and there, and just maybe a few things were stuffed in closets.Now this didn't really help her stress level much when the final hours rolled around but here once again she finds herself preparing for the onslaught.

Magically the house cleans itself, the food is prepped and ready to be cooked to perfection, the decorations are organized and ready to be displayed, the costumes are dug out of boxes and freshly laundered, no dust, no clutter, no last minute toilet cleaning...

HMMMMMM....I did say this was a fairy tale...didn't I? Time to STOP blogging and start cleaning....Enjoy your Friday....I'm off to create a "happily ever after..."

It's Tarot Spread Tuesday!!

2009-10-27T03:52:00.000-07:00

It's TAROT SPREAD TUESDAY....I meant to have a little round up ready for you today with links to some great spreads I've been discovering online but alas....life.....it has a way of throwing things into disarray!! So hopefully that will be my goal for next week. Instead today we will talk and think about the NO SPREAD...spread.

When I was very new to oracles and tarot cards I first discovered the No Spread spread idea in the book that came with the Froud's Faeries cards. MacBeth calls it a faery spread but I have since discovered lots of no spread spreads. Or I should say...ideas or ways to do a reading without a predetermined spread. At times when I work with them they are fabulous and at other times I miss the 'position" spreads...where each card represents a factor or a question. But I am rambling again...lets get to a NO SPREAD method.

Take the deck of cards shuffle them and cut them. etc. Pick out however many cards you wish to use for this reading. Put the rest of the deck to the side. Take the chosen cards and place them on the surface before you...in whatever manner you choose. Now before turning any cards over spend some time looking at what you have before you. Do any cards present themselves as representing something?...For example if you have a card sideways might it represent a block? Or if you have three cards in a row...might they represent a path etc.? Don't push this but if something represents itself to you....then go with it. Read the cards!!!

So there it is...today's spread...no spread at all!!! Give it a try. You will be amazed at the wealth of information that flows freely in a no spread reading! I'd love to hear how your no spread readings go...let me know!

It's Tarot Spread Tuesday: Mirror Mirror

2009-10-20T03:58:00.000-07:00

It's another tarot spread Tuesday! Wow the weeks are going by FAST...today's tarot spread is a simple one I have been using with the Fairy Tale Tarot...it's called Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Five cards.....one in the center and four, one on each corner around the card in the center.

Card One is the left hand upper corner, Card Two is the right hand upper corner, Card Three is the lower left corner, while card four is the lower right corner. Card five is in the center.

Card One: Is the thoughts of the situation.

Card Two: Is the feelings of the situation.

Card Three: Is what clouds the situation

Card Four: Is that which is real...the true essence of the situation.

Card Five: Is that which we wish to see. May be our false perspective or what we long to be.

Hope you try out Mirror Mirror on the Wall and let me know how it works for you!!

It's Fairy Tale Friday

2009-10-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

It's another Fairy Tale Friday.....and it's time for the Polish tale....The Glass Mountain. Work calls....but I'll be back this evening for more about this fairy tale and thoughts about the card it represents, In the meantime....enjoy reading the tale and feel free to search for some different versions of it...I'd love to see whats out there!!

Okay time to round out my Fairy Tale Friday post. It's been a busy weekend.

Fairy Tale: The Glass Mountain is the tale of a Princess trapped in a beautiful castle at the top of a glass mountain with slippery slopes and deep ravines where many have perished try to reach her. She despairs of ever finding a husband until one day a clever young man makes himself some claws to cling to the side of the mountain. But even with this clever invention he still encounters troubles with birds, and apple trees, and dragons. Finally of course he reaches the princess and in doing so wins not only her hand in marriage but also brings back to life all those that have perished in their attempts to reach her.

The Card: Seven of Cups: challenges and getting past illusions.

Another version: The Glass Mountain

I think the story speaks to creativity and determination but honestly, also a certain amount of luck. It sort of makes me think that some things are meant to be...like being in the right place at the right time.

It's Tarot Spread Tuesday: The Haunted Path

2009-10-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try a slightly different version of the Once Upon a Time Spread in celebration of Halloween.

The Haunted Path

Just as in the Once Upon a Time spread, put the Fool card to the side. You then shuffle the deck and select 5 cards. Add the Fool with the five cards....shuffle and then place them in a single row, left to right. The difference is in the number of cards used and the way the cards are read according to a meaning Any cards to the left of the Fool have already happened or something the seeker is aware of. Any cards to the right are yet to come or are things the seeker isn't aware of. In reading the cards you jump over or ignore the Fool card and read the meanings as follows...keep in mind whether they are to the left or right of the Fool.

1. Card One: Describes the path the seeker is on

2. Card Two: Decribes what haunts the path

3. Card Three: Describes what clears the path

4. Card Four: Describes an alternative path

5. Card Five: Gives Advice.

Depending on a particular reading...sometims all five cards will be to the right of the Fool...indicating what is yet to come or be known....or vice versa they could be all to the left....indicating that which has already passed....or any combination.

Fairy Tale GiveAway

2009-10-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

In celebration of October, Fairy Tales, and the Fool's journey through life.....Once Upon a Time is having a giveaway....The Prize?

Little Red Riding Hood by Andrea Wisnewski.

This retelling of the classic tale has a few twists and turns. With graceful illustrations that emulate woodcuts and some changes in characters...for example the woodman is Little Red's father the story is sure to delight young readers or the fairy tale collector.

To read more about the book visit this amazon page.

Since I'm a bit late getting started...the giveaway will run from today until November 11th....at that time all names of people leaving comments will be put in a drawing...0ne time for each comment....so the more you comment...the more chances you have to win...

So good luck and enjoy!!!

The Story of My Week

2009-10-11T07:17:00.001-07:00

The idea that I use with some other decks is to pick a card on Sunday evening or afternoon or whenever really...and that becomes my weekly card and other cards that week are looked at it relation to the weekly card.

Here is a worksheet that I have found useful for this activity but you can create your own or even just use plain note paper. Daily Weekly Draw Worksheet

I thought it might be fun to "play around" with this concept and create a Story of My Week activity to use with the Fairy Tale Tarot cards. To me one of the main parts of this deck is the tales themselves and the "lessons" they present. The idea behind the activity is to explore the card but also to explore the fairy tale and how it might have a "message" for the week. Even without the idea of a message it gives a focus for the week or one small tidbit of life to reflect on and ponder as we go about daily life. We can look for ways where the tale plays out in our week in one manner or another.

I have created a worksheet in googledocs for the activity which you may feel free to use. Sometimes goggledocs gives me fits so hopefully you will be able to access it. If not let me know and I'll see about emailing it to you. You can find the webpage with the document: The Story of My Week. You are free to use it and to link to it but please do not publish the form itself on any other website.

I hope you enjoy the activity and look forward to hearing the story of your week and how the fairy tales enriched it!!!

It's Fairy Tale Friday!!!

2009-10-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

Today's fairytale is Urashima and the Turtle. This is a Japanese tale about loss and regret.

Urashima takes pity on a turtle he catches and lets it go, only to be rescued many years later byt this same turtle. It takes him to an underwater kingdom and turns into a beautiful (of course) princess, whom he marries. After several years he wishes to return to shore to visit his home for one last time. Upon doing so he discovers that hundreds of years have passed in what was only a few years beneath the sea. In his grief he opens tha magic box the princess had given him and warned against opening...in doing so he begins to age and dies there on the shore...alone.

Sad....the book states that this card represents sadness and regret. Change has dealt a great blow. Accept loss and move forward. While all of those a very good meanings...what immediately came to mind for me is...."you can nver go back" or pehaps "let go of the past or it will destroy you".

PLEASE be sure and read the comment posted by iceclone for a link to another version of the story.

It's Tarot Spread Tuesday: Haunted House

2009-10-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

As promised another spread and a Halloween gem at that. I first noticed this in a post by Astraea Aurora but she further referenced it to this post by Metafizzypop So thanks to both members at aeclectic forums for this great spread!!! What a great one for October!

If you are interested in the card positions just click on Metafizzypop and it will take you to the thread post that shows the spread. The card questions/topics are listed below.

The Haunted House:

1.- The Skeletons in the Closet - The secrets you keep from others.

2 - The Rats in the Basement - The secrets you keep from yourself.

3 - The Black Cat in the Parlour - What makes your claws come out?

4 - The Jack O Lantern in the Kitchen - What, or who, would you like to take a knife to and carve up?

5 - The Ghost in the Bedroom - What, or who, haunts your mind and thoughts?

6 - The Spider in the Bathroom - What totally creeps you out.

7 - The Bats in the Attic - What drives you to the brink of madness.

8 - The Front Door - The way out of all this insanity ......... or maybe, the way in.

Full Moon Hello October

2009-10-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a snapshot of where I will be doing the Full Moon Hello October readings this evening. Right now there is brilliant sunlight streaming in but when the sun sets the moonlight will fall throught the window and I will open the shades and perhaps even the window itself if weather permits. Since it is a Harvest Moon, I have included some pumpkins and gourds as well as autumn spiced candles. In celebration of the faeries I have added a few seashells.

I plan to take a lovely walk by moonlight before starting my series of readings. I hope to clear my mind and center myself for the readings. I will be using three different decks: Fairy Tale Tarot (which is pictured in this spread) and Froud's Faeries and also my newest deck Wild Wisdom of the Faery Oracle.

In the spread above: Card One is in the center....at the top is Card Two and then around to the right are Cards Three through Seven. In a simple sort of way it creates a full moon circle. According to my readings, the Harvest Moon typically falls in September but this year it is in October. It will not be in October again until 2017. Since October is also my birthday month, I feel as if this moon is a powerful one for me in particular and hope that it brings forth positive energy and growth, not only for the readings but also for my life in general. Harvest moons are about completion and bringing things into being. The harvest after long months of work. A celebration of bounty for the coming months of cold.

Take Care and I will be back later to write up my Fairy Tale Tarot Full Moon Hello October Reading!!!

Once Upon a Time Update

2009-10-03T06:23:00.001-07:00

October will be a GREAT month here at Once Upon a Time...

I'll continue with Tarot Spread Tuesday's and since it's Halloween this month we wil be looking at some good spreads to use with a little Halloween twist to them.
Fairy Tale Fridays are a good way to look at each fairy tale from the Fairy Tale Tarot in a bit more depth...with some links to other sources and some different versions. I'd like to get into some of the history of the fairy tales too but honestly it will just depend on how much blogging time I have!!!
In honor of Halloween, I will host a blog give away...hmmm not sure of the details yet so check back....something fairy tale related though!!!
Next up....Comparing the Princesses.....
Another fairy tale character poll.....
Write up on my Full Moon Hello October reading using the Fairy Tale Tarot

I hope readers are enjoying my ramblings here at Once Upon a Time....sometimes it is so hard to tell if those random thoughts that present themselves to me are really worth blogging about or not...Hope you have a great weekend....

Fairy Tale Friday: The Snake Prince

2009-10-02T04:28:00.000-07:00

When the old woman finds a snake in her pot by the river, she decides to bring it home and basically commit suicide by letting it bite her. Instead she discovers a lovely necklace, which she presents to the king. He locks it away until his wife wishes to wear it and then discovers it has turned into a baby boy. After many years the Prince marries a Princess who discovers that he has a curse and turns into a snake at night. When she uncovers this secret, he returns to the muddy waters of the river. He does visit her again and instructs her to put out bowls of water and sugar and demand from the Snake Queen that she wants her husband. Bravely she does this and her husband is returned to human form.

For some reason I find this a little creepy. Perhaps because I don't like snakes very much but the story reminds me that lots of people have hidden secrets and uncovering them can cause great pain (the loss of her husband) but sometimes it is necessary to really know the truth to move foreward.

This Indian fairy tale is also sometimes called The Enchanted Snake. There is a slightly longer, and a little different version. HERE. As I was looking for other images of The Snake Prince it came to mind that its sort of just a different version of "kissing the frog" which is an enchanted princess under an evil spell. It does bring it to a more sinister level...a snake.

October Monthly Reading

2009-09-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I will actually do two October Monthly Readings. Here at Once Upon a Time I will post the one I do using the Fairy Tale Tarot. Over at my other "card" blog, The Quest, I will post about the one I do using another deck....haven't quite decided which deck that will be yet. Then at the end of October I will post a reflection about the month to see how the cards played out in my life.

I've never done a monthly reading looking at the month ahead. Iv'e done many weekly ones but never for a month. This should be interesting because October is alos my birthday month and a month typically high in energy for me.

Well, time to head to work and throughout the day I will be pondering which fairy tale I will use for Fairy Tale Friday....hmmmm....the possiblities.

It's Tarot Spread Tuesday: Hello October

2009-09-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier, I'd like to focus on Tarot Spreads on Tuesdays. Some will be my own creations, some will be interesting ones I find, and sometimes I will focus on topics about spreads rather than an actual spread itself...so in some way the topic for Tuesday will be related to spreads.

For today we will look at a spread posted by Nirvie over at aeclectic forums. She called it Hello October but it is basically a monthly spread that can be used to examine the month that lies ahead. Since it is almost October first, I thought it would be a great one to share here. I think there are two good times in October to give it a try. October 1st or the full moon which this year is on Sunday October 4th.

It has seven cards with the topics as listed below.

1) Month Overview
2) Overview of Friendships this month
3) Overview of Relationships/LoveLife this month
4) Overview of Work/Academics this month
5) Positive Energies entering this month
6) Potential Obstacles of this month
7) Advice for the month

If you use it on the full moon I would suggest a circular layout, with card one is the middle and the rest of the cards around it...with the two at the top then clockwise around card one.

Comparing the Kings

2009-09-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

The Fairy Tale Tarot represents the four kings in the deck with:

The King of Cups: The Golden Headed Fish
The King of Wands: Aladdin/Arabian Nights
The King of Swords: How Raven Brought Light to the World
The King of Pentacles: The Frost King

The King of Cups dealing with emotions and with the element of water uses the Golden Headed Fish to bring forth the ideas of diplomacy and wise caring. Exercising care and compassion are key traits of this king!

The King of Wands dealing with actions and energy embodies the element of fire. The use of Aladdin to highlight risk taking, authority, and mental vitality reflects the idea that one can transform ideas into action. Quick thinking and mental alertness are key traits of this king.

The King of Swords dealing with thinking and ideas symbolizes the element of air. How the Raven Brought Light to the World, emphasizes the analytical mind and focus. The raven is a cunning trickster who uses his ideas and thinking to reach his objective. Creativity and focus are key traits of this king.

The King of Pentacles dealing with physical pursuits, finance and work represents the element earth. The Frost King with the key word of integrity, support and wealth, is a harsh tale of jealousy and ill will. In the end the cruel Frost King spares the innocent girl but the "favored child" is frozen. Integrity and compassion for those deserving are key traits of this king. He is not easily fooled.

Each of the kings represents key human traits and could be read as an individual in a reading or as situations requiring those traits to be resolved.

Which Fairy Tale Character Poll Up

2009-09-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

A new fairy tale character poll is up....Which fairy tale character is Taylor Swift....so vote...vote....vote...!!!

The Elements Speak

2009-09-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Two of Swords + Ten of Pentacles

Air + Earth..................................................................

The need to change the surrounding environment. Possibility if challenging people, events, institutions. Not enough energy to make a difference yet. Someone losing touch with reality.

Hmmm yes this pair makes a lot of sense with the events of today. Interesting. Air and Earth two very opposite elements....connected yet never really connected...

Wednesday's Pair of Elements

2009-09-23T03:51:00.000-07:00

King of Swords and XI Justice

Air + Air.....finally a new combo....no fire....but.....

"A highly unstable combinatin. Total lack of direction, illness, potentially deterimental, running away with your thoughts." My thought: Chaos exists in the mind. There is a fine line between creative and chaotic."

Oh great....nice mid week card...lol... but not really all that surprising for the way this week is shaping up!!

RECAP:

WEEKLY CARDS (ATMOSPHERE)= Air + Fire

Monday= Earth + Fire

Tuesday= Earth + Fire

Wednesday= Air + Air

So today is a critical turn in the week....things are no longer stable....but they may get so out of whack that it is chaotic, especially in thought porcesses.

Once Upon A Time

2009-09-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

As much as I'm enjoying the element study...I feel a need to get some new stuff going here at Once Upon A Time...

I'll be getting a new fairy tale character poll up...I've been a bit lax with that...however our new poll will feature none other than Taylor Swift...yes the teenage swooning love song singing inspirational Taylor Swift (I mean she might has gotten upstaged by Kayne West at the VMA but we aren't going to make that same mistake here at Once Upon a Time..) ....so be thinking...what fairy tale character is Taylor Swift!!!

Next we will be featuring Fairy Tale Fridays here at Once Upon a Time....I'm not sure exactly how that is going to unfold...but I'd like to do a bit of fairy tale comparison...versions I mean...using some of the ones from the Fairy Tale Tarot as well as others...so we will take it week by week and see how it works out!

Comparing the Kings....sort of got off track with that....I wrote about Comparing the Queens and now I need to get started on the Kings...Kings...fascinating cards...depth and color...well....more about that later

Tarot Spread Tuesdays....a new spread to try or a review of one I have discovered somewhere!!

We will start with these items and once I have them completed or at least have them underway...I'll be back with another grouping of things to explore.

A Twin Pair?

2009-09-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

This is so odd. I shuffled the deck several times, cut it into thirsda and restacked.....and the pair I drew for today is EXACTLY the same as yesterday.

Four or Pentacles and Princess of Wands.

At first I was going to shuffle and redraw but then I decided NO....these two cards are trying to tell me something....so I need to listen.

I really don't have a lot of time this morning as I have an early morning meeting to prepare for....so I will ponder this throughout the day and come back later to write it up!!

Let's Tie It Together

2009-09-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

First I'll start with a few thoughts about today's pair and the link to the weekly draw. The earth plus fire played out about like I read it. The change process is slow and hindered by rules, regulations, the "old way" etc. I think that the Air + Fire weekly card is still on target...the atmosphere is one of change and trying to move forward with plans...but it's sort of one of those two steps forward and one back things!

Card meanings for today's pair...

Four of Pentacles: Material gain, Security

Princess of Wands: Creative energy, determination, self confidence, adventure

Adding in the elements....I am going to say: The need for security creates a situation in which change is slowed but with determination and creativity some progress will be made.

Wow I like the way the elements help round out the card meanings.

Monday's Elemental Focus

2009-09-21T04:03:00.000-07:00

Well today's two card draw is Four of Pentacles and Princess of Wands. Since I am looking at elemental dignities this week...I will start with that...

We have EARTH + FIRE.....firm foundation, slow steady growth. I think that's a nice start to the week....but I also wonder about something that just sort of popped into my mind. Perhaps it means: "Change tempered/slowed by being stable or grounded.....or even change blocked by the status quo"

Sometimes when I see a combo or read the meanings as proposed...I draw a blank and just go with the meanings....at other times...thoughts or sayings just sort of "present themselves" to me...and when that happens I try to jot them down also. I like that the ideas of others become the spingboard for my own growth and ideas....powerful stuff.

I really want to delve into the fairy tale/tarot meanings but will leave that for this evenings post...Have a GREAT day!!!

P.S. Forgot to add....that makes two fire cards this week...one in the weekly/atmosphere drawing and then today's. I will be watching as the cards unfold to see if a certain element is overpowering or attempting to "take over"...or perhaps ignored so it is trying to assert itself.

My Elemental Weekly Draw

2009-09-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Okay so it's time for the Sunday evening draw....and it is

The Fool/Innocence and the Nine of Wands

Air (or Spirit) + Fire

A combination that has air fueling fire...a problem solved or plans working....NOW that would be a good thing at work right now!! I'm a bit concerned that with nothing to hold it in check it might run wild...that parts a little scary!!

Still I think overall a nice combo for the week....we will see how it unfolds along with the daily two card draws. Remember I am proposing that the weekly draw be sort of considered the atmopshere or the "energy" so to speak of the week.

My Two Card Elemental Dignities Study

2009-09-19T04:51:00.000-07:00

This week I am going to be taking a look at elemental dignities and two card draws as suggested by Catherine and Douglas of Tarot Elements and Tarot Eon in their new series about using elemental dignities. This will be a slight variation of the daily draw. I am also going to weave into it the whole weekly card pattern that I have been exploring. Here's how it will work:

On Sunday Evening I will draw a pair of cards for my weekly draw....I will focus on reading the elemental combination of those two cards and record both what Douglas and Catherine have to say and any of my own reflections about the combo. I will not use all of their ideas but intuitively pick the one that "speaks' to me. I find that too many choices can muddy the water.

Then each day I will draw my pair and do the same thing...with the added idea of how does the daily pair impact the weekly draw. Here's what I'm thinking. The weekly draw is proposed to convey a weekly message or overall theme. With the elements I would propose the idea that it will convey an over all atmosphere. For example two waters might indicate a week full of strong emotion or a week where one gets stuck in an emotional state. Another example might be a fire and water combo. Since fire and water are enemies and weaken each other, the week might turn out to be one in which very little gets accomplished or a week where there is conflict between change and things staying the same.

For this week I will be using my beloved Fairy Tale Tarot cards for the draws....as a side bar I will jot down card meanings also.....then at a later date I will attempt to weave the two together for at least a few of the pairings....thus weaving card meanings and elemental dignities into a joined interpretation.

Okay the game...lol...well it is playing...will start tomorrow but I of course have to play a bit this morning so...here's a little combo...for reflection:

Princess of Cups and XIV Temperance so....Water + Fire

Water and Fire are enemies. Water is passive and fire is active. When I read from Catherine's and Douglas's ideas about this combo..here's what jumps out at me. "Canceling each other out." "Can be seen as passive aggressive." "reluctance to act." I would add my own thought...."A person/situation where the person feels the need for change but will do very little to actually bring it about."

Okay so I can't resist looking a little deeper...card meanings...

Princess of Cups: Romantic, sensitive, "the coming or going of an emotional matter.

XIV Temperance: Balance, inner reflection, moderation "patience"

My take on combining the two: The person will spend a lot of time in inner reflection about an emotional matter but very little will change. They may feel the need for change or the situation may call for it but nothing much will change at this point and time.

Commercial Break: Elemental Dignities

2009-09-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

If you are interested at all in understanding elemental dignities...you have to check out the new series over at Tarot Eon and Tarot Elements....it will explore the elements and be sort of like a dictionary in much the same way keywords provide direction for card meanings.

If you haven't started exploring this aspect of card reading, I suggest that you do. It adds a new level of richness to readings and to life in general. This series is a combined effort by both bloggers and is sure to be insightful, as well as, thought provoking!! CHECK IT OUT!!

Fairy Tale Friendship Sample Reading

2009-09-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

I wrote about the Fairy Tale Friendship Spread yesterday so this morning I thought I'd try a sample reading. As I started it occured to me that even though I have named this the Fairy Tale friendship reading, it would work equally well for any relationship.

Card One: (The Seeker): Ace of Cups. Overflowing emotions, love This card also indicates the beginning...so even though overflowing emotions...it is only in the beginning stages, a possiblity if you will. Cups are also Water indicating 'things are not moving, things are staying the same."

Card Two: (The Other Person/Friend) Nine of Wands: Eventual Victory, Tendency to obstinacy
Hmmmm...interesting. Wands are fire. Things are moving, things are changing.

Card Three: (What connects the two people) Two of Pentacles: The ability to handle multiple situation, harmony during change, balance between two choices. Pentacles are the earth..Things
are stable, things are grounded.

Card Four: (What divides them): XVIII The Moon: Going within, illusions. deception, trickery, double-dealing. The Moon is Water...things are not moving, things are staying the same.

Putting it all together. There are several possiblities here....for the sake of time...I will only explore one this morning but will be back later to offer alternatives.

As a person I see the Ace of Cups as a person of passion and strong feelings. A person with strong intuition but one who is only just beginning to trust and rely on this. Change may be hard for this person because they are who they are. They believe strongly in some basic things and are not quick to "throw the baby out with the bathwater."

As a person I see the Nine of Wands as a person who is constantly changing and moving. Sometimes this is a good thing and creates a positive energy and at other times it can be disruptive. This person is always seeking eventula victory. But victory is whose eyes? Their own? With a tendency to obstinacy they frequently set course to victory without considering other viewpoints or options.

What connects the two? The need or the desire to maintain harmony. Neither seriously wants to upset the apple cart so to speak. there is a balance between not agreeing but remaining "together" on certain issues or topics. The need for an appearance of harmony often overrides the true nature of things and keeps them connected. add in the element: earth...there is a need to stay grounded and stable and so they do.

What divides the two? The Moon: Deception, trickery, double dealing. Hmmm this might be major behind the scenes stuff or it might be referring to the "falseness" of What connects the two...or a bit of both. I get the feeling that there really is deception and double dealing or at least one or both of the people think there is. Water...things are not changing....this is an aspect of the relationship that will not change easily...there is no trust. With two waters and an earth...I'd say slow moving or not changing...the fire is there but it is being dampened by the other three...and perhaps that is a good thing. Change for the sake of change is not desirable. Also change that is selfish is troublesome.

Hmmm....those are my first thoughts....more later.

Fairy Tale Friendship

2009-09-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting little spread to try with the Fairy Tale Tarot cards. I call it Fairy Tale Friendship...

*********************1********4********2****************************************
********************************************************************************
********************************************************************************
******************************3*************************************************

Card One is the seeker (person you are reading for)
Card Two is the other person (the friend)
Card Three is what grounds them (makes friendship exist or makes it strong).
Card Four is what divides them (what is a problem or a weakness in the friendship)

This can be based on either card meaning or the fairy tale. I personally like to use the fairy tale message but either way or a combination will work. I'll do a sample reading with the spread next.

Daily Draw: King of Wands

2009-09-10T04:39:00.001-07:00

Had to laugh...King of Wands..."be open to messages that will help guide you through challenging situations." I needed this card...like a week ago when the holiday boards disappeared into cyberpsycho land.....I'll come back and do a more detailed talk about this card....but one thought...I sure get a lot of Wands cards....wands ....fire...hmmmm...

Fairy Tale Friends

2009-09-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Just a quick side note....I will be back to blogging about the Fairy Tale Tarot shortly. I have a holiday site and forums that have experienced some technical difficulties so I am working on getting that project back online quickly...I mean the holidays will be here before you know it. So just wanted to let you know...I'm still around...just super busy at the moment.

Friday's Card: Queen of Pentacles

2009-09-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

Queen of Pentacles:

Traditional:

As a Person: mother earth type,
As Events: changing jobs or careers, family gatherings. good times
As Inner Processes: increase in awareness, loving self, reconnecting with nature

Fairy Tale Tarot: Domestic concerns, responsible, sensitivity.

Pentacles are earth...stable, grounded....hmmm feels anything but that right now. Lets add the elements together from this week.....

Fire + Earth + Water + Fire + Fire + Earth

Lots of fire...the week was constantlt changing..back forth and all around. I'm hoping the earth here on Friday means things are going to stablize for the weekend.

Three Major Arcana cards this week...hmmm.

Three of Wands

2009-09-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

Today's Card: Three of Wands....Energy, Communication, Opportunity.....hmmmm....Three is "things growing". Well after the dreadful day yesterday, I hope this card is a good sign...!!! More later this evening....I hope...!!!

HUH....well there was energy and communication....but it wasn't a great day. I run a holiday site with forums and boom......the forums went down...yet to be fixed...sigh.

Perhaps it fits because of the opportunity...I can view this as an opportunity to start fresh or try something new

Awaken: XX Redemption Clarifies

2009-09-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

XX Redemption is the card for today...hmmm...Traditionally Judgment. Awakening, Renewal.
In the Fairy Tale Tarot....transformation, liberation. Becoming more fully aware and integrated. Yes, I can see this starting to become woven into my week.

I'll be back this evening to add detail but for now I want to reflect on the elements for this week.

Fire (Weekly) + Earth + Water + Fire......hmmmm. I would say the weekly card element wise is telling me that this will be a week of action...things are moving...thing are changing (and I'd say so far very accurate). I think the earth indicated that I still have a firm foundation. Things overall are grounded and stable so there may be less need to worry or be stressed out by this week's events. Next the water which means things are not moving, they are staying the same it might seem a bit confusing...but I take it to mean that...things are "happening this week" lots of action, lots of stuff to do, some changes in thinking etc...BUT overall nothing big changes...it is grounded with water reinforcing that. The we have fire again...so more "stuff to do" today.

Becoming more fully aware....wow...that does describe today but not in a good way. Dear me!

The Spread so far...Ten of Wands....+XV Temptation + XII Entrapment...+ XX Redemption....

The Ten of Wands is the overall framework...being overwhelmed, heavy burdens....Temptation is lurking there saying...do you REALLY want to know the truth...BUT I am trapped in the tower and unable to escape. There is no way out. Even Redemption says you will awaken....but awaken to what? A nightmare? Maybe tomorrow's card will tell...

Entrapment Blocks the Way

2009-09-01T03:55:00.001-07:00

As I did yesterday, I will post today's card and then return in the evening to embellish on my understanding of it. Today's card: Entrapment....well doesn't my week look like it's just shaping up to be something special. :)

Element: Water....Things are not moving. Things are staying the same.

Number: XII=12=1+2=3 Three is things growing.

Traditional Meaning: Suspension, change reversal, readjustment

Fairy Tale Tarot: Being stuck, suspension, transition

Fairy Tale: Rapunzel....hidden away in the lofty tower Rapunzel waits for the Prince to rescue her...

Element and number do not coincide...however...things are not moving could indicate the situation...while the three indicates the frustration!!!

Okay let's tie the Weekly Card and the two Daily Draws together.

Elements:
Ten of Wands.....Temptation......Entrapment.........................................................................
Fire + Earth + Water....

Fire and Earth strengthen each other but are neutral while Earth and Water are friendly but passive. Hmmm the spark of fire is strengthen by earth but it doesn't go far...too much neutral and passivity.

Numbers: Ten + Six + Three

Ten is the completion or the end...with six being a path the seeker must tread....and three being things growing. Okay....this week will show the end of something and by walking the path my understanding of the situation will grow.

Meanings: Overwhelmed + Controversy + Readjustment

The week will be overwhelming with controversy but with a readjustment things can move forward.

Hope this makes sense so far, please ask questions if you need clarification!

Temptation Enters

2009-08-31T04:05:00.001-07:00

Today's card is Temptation...and I'm pretty sure I know what it is referring to in regard to my Weekly Card....each morning I'll try and put up the daily card and then I will come back and type it up in the evening...because since I am going to be "overwhelmed" this week at work...I need to get there early!!!

Okay I'm going to approach this card a little differently and then tie it into the weekly draw.

I'm going to first think about the number fifteen...reduced to 1 +5=6....so Six....a path the seeker must tread....yes that works...Temptation is always a path...with the first little tingle of temptation one must decide whether to venture down the path or not. Blogged about this before...whether someone can be viewed as the tempter or if we are all our own tempters. While primarily it is an inner conflict within ourselves I do believe that people prey on others' weaknesses at times and lure them into things.

Element: Earth (things are grounded, things are stable) Surprises me that Temptation is the Earth...grounded and stable? Hmmmm...I would think of it more as changing and growing. Well I suppose that in the sense that it is a common and core inner conflict for all of humankind...it is stable.

My Lesson: "There are lessons to be learned from the things that tempt us and in doing so we will be changed forever."

For each fairy tale I am "picking" a personal lesson to learn from the tale so for Bluebeard, I picked the above. For in the story, the woman discovers an awful truth because she is tempted to discover what is behind the locked door, and in doing so her life changes.

So let's put this together with the Weekly Card..Ten of Wands. The Weekly card indicated being overwhelmed or heavy burdens. So far very accurate for the week...add to this the Temptation card...and we have Fire + Earth...they strengthen each other but are neutral. So sort of cancel each other out.

So let's look at it another way...Ten plus six....Ten is completion...something for me will come full circle this week...it will end or be completed...maybe an actual project or a way of thinking or maybe I'll just say..."I'm done with it." Six is a path the seeker must tread...this make me think it is more the idea that I have to come to terms with the responsibilities of the job as well as a coworkers "method" of dealing with people.

Meanings: overwhelmed + controversy/dark forces.....This week will be overwhelming and intertwined will be some dark forces or controversy surrounding work. The "temptation" will be to either shut down and avoid working..."escape" or to "buy into" someone else's agenda.

I'll be back tomorrow with another card to add to the spread.

My Week Ahead

2009-08-30T18:20:00.001-07:00

This week...I am going to outline here on Once Upon a Time my Weekly/Daily Draw as it occurs along with daily thoughts about the cards...it works like this...tonight (Sunday night) I draw a card for the coming week...this is my weekly card and provides the center or the crucial aspect of the week. Then each day I draw a card for the day...and record it along with how it relates to the week. The goal is to look for patterns and ask questions. It sort of ends up being an eight card spread that takes place over the course of 8 days. You also record how many you get of each suit, any major arcana cards and duplicates of those also. Okay on to the card.

Oh dear...Ten of Wands...honestly I was hoping for something a little more upbeat...but no "draw overs". So I'll go with it.

Ten of Wands: Heavy burdens, over whelmed, overextension (I'm thinking this pertains to work)

Wands=Fire...Things are moving. Things are changing.

Ten = The end, completion....hmmmm

Fairy Tale: Rumplestilskin...we all know the tale...guess my name!!! And boy does this fit...a work project that is constantly changing and NO ONE really knows what is what and it's like shooting in the dark to guess.

Art: The girl is kneeling with the trail of ten wands partially around her and then at her back. They are glowing., lighting the room, while that little Rumplstilskin leers in from the door....Here hands are clutched as she hopes for a miracle to save her.

Tomorrow I will post the next card in the series of draws and how it may relate to the Weekly Card.

VI The Lovers?

2009-08-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Well for the Sunday Daily Draw I have The Lovers.....hmmm this is one to ponder for a bit...(this is the last card in my Weekly Draw/Journaling activity)...The card for this week was The Ten of Cups....and each daily card is examined to see how it relates to the weekly card...for this post I am just looking at the Lovers card by itself.

The Lovers:

Element is Air (Thoughts and Ideas) Furthermore Air is "There are problems" (not sure if this applies in a one word draw but I include it here for your reflection.)

VI: If you consider the 6...."a path the seeker shall tread." hmm just showing it to think about.

Traditional Meanings: (general) Love, harmony, meaningful relationships

Fairy Tale Tarot Meanings: Committment/Relationships "The power of the union of animus and anima."

Fairy Tale: Jorinda and Joringal: The lovers happen upon a wicked sorceress who casts a spell on Joringal turning her into a nightingale and turns Jorinda out into the world to wander aimlessly without his love. After a vision and a magic flower, he is able to save Joringal and imprison the sorceress.

Well...let's see....I will say....There are problems with thoughts and ideas concerning meaningful relationships/love/harmony. It is a path I shall tread. Well...yes that does fit right now....

When I first saw the Lovers card for today...I thought....no no no...that doesn't "fit" at all because I thought of the love/harmony aspect of the card. There's a sitution going on with a family member that is kind of the opposite. It is affecting me. But when I add in the element aspects....it helps the reading make sense...I'm not saying I am 100% correct in this and it's hard with just one card but I am beginning to learn how other aspects...such as numbers and especially the elements can help clarify a reading.

THANKS TO TAROTEON and TAROT ELEMENTS for all of the information that I am trying to learn and weave into my readings....but I need practice, practice, practice. Honestly if you haven't checked out these two sites...do it....there's a lot of "stuff" there and it may seem overwhelming but just pick one or two things to try and you will see the depth and clarity it will add to your readings.

The Places This Pig Can Take You!

2009-08-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Okay...sometimes a day just unfolds and you start to wonder if you are reading about fairytales or if they are actually happening in your life....like is that the Big Bad Wolf hovering behind my car....just waiting for me to emerge from the house so he can pounce on me?

I woke up at 4:45 this morning to go work out and when I grabbed my phone I happened to notice I had a text from a friend of mine in another country...it was a distressing text that was sent at midnight...well sometimes I am up late but not recently since the 5 am workout started...anyway...no way I can reach him by text at 5:00 to check on him...soo off to the gym and then back home to get ready for work...sigh...since I'm distracted I get on the computer and grab the Fairy Tale Tarot deck. Card for the Day...Three of Pentacles...I'm like...what the heck??? How is this little piggy going to help me?

Three of Pentacles:

Pentacles: Earth (Physical Pursuits/Work/Create/Finance)

Earth: Things are grounded. Things are stable.

Three: Shows things growing (a cartomancy meaning...included for reflection)

Traditional Meanings: (general) Reward for skills or abilities, approval, success through effort.

Fairy Tale Tarot Meanings: Creativity, Planning..."Utilize your creative skills to implement a plan."

Fairy Tale: The familiar Three Little Pigs. With the big bad wolf...lurking...hmmm

Art on Card: This little card has the third little pig lugging those bricks...but looking happy and productive while the wolf lounges in the background...I notice he is building his house at the end of a path or road. It feels like a "whistle while you work" scene...hate to mix fairy tales but there you go...he is "creating"...he is productive but always there in the background is the wolf...STARTING to sound like my morning huh!

So I go to work pondering my card...well if nothing else it got my mind off other worries. Then when I got to work...I started talking to someone about something or the other...and they said I should create a "dream" board...and then that lead me to the vision board idea...and the next thing I know I'm ripping everything off the bulletin board that hangs above my desk and planning to make a vision board...

As far as my friend...things are not 100% okay...it's like the Three Little Pig card again...there is still a wolf lurking but for now things are STABLE....remember the whole earth aspect. And that Three?...things growing...well my vision board is growing and so are the possibilities.

Which Fairy Tale Character is Poe?

2009-08-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

OUR NEW POLL.....WHICH FAIRY TALE CHARACTER IS POE!!!

The last poll results are in and Bill Gates is the Brave Little Tailor...Focus on your job and look for ways to streamline your skills.

Yes a resourceful tailor who increases his standing in both wealth and position through his clever ways and gullible people....hohohoho...gullible people....reminds me of computer software with upgrade after upgrade after upgrade....oh dear...didn't mean to get into a rant...

NEXT POLL UP: Which Fairy Tale Character is Edgar Allan Poe?

My Card for the Week: Ten of Cups

2009-08-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

Image ©Copyright 2009 Lisa Hunt & Llewellyn Publications. Used by Permission.

What a great card for my weekly draw. This week I will draw a card everyday and see how it relates to the Ten of Cups (my weekly card). This allows me to make connections between cards, as well as, see a pattern develop over the week.

Ten of Cups:

Cups: Water, Emotions and Feelings

Water: Things are not moving. Things are staying the same.

Tens: The end

Ten of Cups (general): A happy family, true friendships, lasting happiness

Ten of Cups (Fairy Tale Tarot) Dreams Fulfilled, Peace

Fairy Tale: The Girl Fish, a story of greed and selfishness which turns to adventure and goodness until finally rewarded in the end. The girl, becomes a fish and ventures out to recover a stolen corwn. In the end she is transformed to her lovely adult self and marries the King and they live happily ever after!!!

As a weekly card this one seems good but not sure how it will all transpire...I can see the emotions part...things in life have been a bit of a roller coaster lately...what I don;t get is the Things are not moving...unless it means the things I am worrying about...aren't really going to change...which in this case might very well be a good thing...The Ten as the end...I feel like it is saying...the end of worrying or maybe just HEY listen...things are not moving, they are staying the same..THE END...sort of like an emphasis or exclamation point! I like the words...happy family, dreams fulfilled etc. The story itself, might actually play out in life....someone who is sort of stubborn and wants their own way, spoiled but then discovers what it feels like to be of service to someone else......in the end winning true happiness.....interesting. We shall see.

A Commercial Break...Tarot Elements

2009-08-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

Earlier I did a post comparing the four Queens in the Fairy Tale Tarot. If you are interested in exploring further the differences between Queens in tarot decks I would highly suggest you travel over to Tarot Elements and read the wonderful information about the Queens. Not only does it explore the differences between Wands, Swords, Cups and Disks/Pentacles but it further divides the meanings down into when the card describes a person, an event, or inner processes. It is a wonderful resource. The post is one in a series, so be sure and check out the additional posts on the Knights and the Pages. There's a lot of information but it is user friendly.

Don't Forget to Vote

2009-08-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

There's one day left in the Which Fairy Tale character is Bill Gates poll....You can find it in the sidebar to the left....so scroll down a little and vote....please!!!

P.S.....Yes, I know I should have included the Big Bad Wolf...as a choice...but hey...it's Fairy Tale Land here!!!

That Six of Wands

2009-08-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

I just can't get that Six of Wands out of my mind (and okay I'm avoiding cleaning house too) BUT it is just stuck in my head, along with how it would make a great image on a SoulCollage card. With other images also...I know not what yet....but along with the creation of a soul card ...you also write a description as part of the process...usually answering some questions...I suppose sort of like a "card interview"....since I wrote earlier about a deck interview. Here are some musings on the image from the Six of Wands...it would become part of a collage...(dang it...I'm going have to get another deck to do collages with....off to put it on my wish list)...Anyway....the questions are asked to the part of the "soul" that this soul card represents...as of now...I only know that my soul card will include the Six of Wands...but will have other images as well....

Who are you?
I am the one who defends you. I am the one who fights dragons for you.. I am the one who does not tire of defending you.. I am the one who is always there as a protector, a defender, who will never cease in my loyalty to you. I am the one who knows you are worth the fight. I am the one who throughout your life will let you shine but will stand ready to be the "warrior" should the need arise.

What do you have to give me?
I give you courage in life. I give you safety and security. I give you the knowing that life can not defeat you. I give you the power to travel life's path and feel confident.

What do you want from me?
I want you to know that fear can only exist if you let it. I want you to know that my strength can overcome any obstacle. I want you to see the beauty in life, to rejoice in your dreams and to know victory is at hand.

Is there anything else you have to tell me today?
You are a woman, part of a strong and wise circle. We are courageous in ways that men can only dream about. We have many things in our heads, minds, hearts, and souls. We are the bearers of life, intuition, and ancient wisdom. I am here to make sure your path is clear and safe, as you journey toward your destiny. Remember it is a well traveled path, followed by many since ancient times and into eternity.

Edited to Add: I suppose this soulcollage card would be my "warrior" card. There are all kinds of others both part of the Committe Suit and the Council Suit. So in essence the Six of Wands would become part of the soulcollage card that represents the "part of me" or "the archetype" that is "The Warrior." Hmmm off to ponder ideas for the card...it is a 5 x 8 size card...hmmm....lots of dragons would be nice...hmmm.

Daily Draw: Six of Wands

2009-08-22T07:48:00.001-07:00

Image ©Copyright 2009 Lisa Hunt & Llewellyn Publications. Used by Permission.

Well....it's the Six of Wands AGAIN....interesting. I sometimes draw the same card two days in a row or sometimes multiple times in one week. I suppose it's either telling me: YOU AREN'T LISTENING! or is something that I REALLY need to pay attention to.

So it was yesterdays card and before I drew today I was looking at the image and thinking about how if I bought another deck, this would be a really great image to use as part of a soul collage card BUT I shuffled the deck really good and I drew from the middle of the deck....and it's the Six of Wands again. Time to look a little closer...

Wands: (Fire: action, energy, passion)

Fire: Things are moving and changing. (Note: Fire and Water are enemies)

Six: Shows a path the seeker shall tread

Six of Wands (general): Good news, success, victory, helpful friends

Six of Wands (Fairy Tale Tarot): Victory, Success, Triumph "Victory is at hand."

Fairy Tale: The Prince and the Dragon, After a long journey and many hardships, the Prince fights the dragon for many days before his victory.

Ooooohhh....seems this is a VERY nice card to draw. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is accurate. I will say that in my life perhaps it is reflective. Things seem to be changing, calming down and perhaps heading more in a direction I would consider "victory". Not on a level with "fighting a dragon." but still in a postive course.

Naming the Nameless

2009-08-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

I will write about why the Fairy Tale Tarot reminded me of the older post. The way we experience emotion in our lives and the way the emotions both make us who we are and have the potential to make us question who we really are.

The Fairy Tale Tarot reminded me of the earlier post, Life is Like Landing on the Hudson because of the wide range of emotions experienced by the passengers on the plane and the similar range of emotions that can be evoked by both the cards and the fairy tales.

When one is “introduced” to a new deck, there is a thrill of new adventure or the beginning of a journey just as the passengers on the plane experienced. Anticipation and possibilities await, whether it’s a business trip or a vacation. The same is true of a deck. (Although I must say…some decks are better “flights” than others.) Then, of course, there is confusion, just as the passengers struggled to understand what was happening on this flight of terror, the Fairy Tale Tarot may create some confusion as one struggles to understand the cards and the messages they are sending.

Now let's think about the fairy tales themselves. They provide snapshots of every human emotion imaginable. They are like mirrors reflecting fear, sadness, loss, terror, wonder, joy and relief, as well as, hundreds of other feelings. These stories evoke in us deep emotions, and these very emotions and how we experience them are what makes us who we are. For example, the strong silent type, the whiner, the Pollyanna, etc.

People have been being described by their emotional states since the beginning of time. But to me the really interesting aspect is HOW these same emotions, the ones that shape who we are and how we face the world....can challenge us at our core, can give us such pause that we take off in new directions and discover new things along this journey of life. It is this aspect that plays out in the Fairy Tale Tarot, for the art, the stories, and the way we use them in our lives encourages a deeper understanding of self. It is in the questioning that we grow.

And just like the people on the plane, we have to decide if the "shock" of our life experiences are going to leave us paralyzed and stuck in a plane filling with water. Or if we will move forward in the moment and let a "calm" sense of purpose settle over us.

In some ways the cards provide this calm sense of purpose. They give us a framework for considering more than just this world but the inner world also. It's hard to explore something that has no name. And the soul, our inner world, our personalities, our emotions, are illusive...they are nameless. The Fairy Tale Tarot allows us to give them a name.....Tatterhood, The Sorceress, Hok Lee, The Snow Daughter, Coyote, and many, many others. They are all reflections of us. Are at the very least pieces of a puzzle. A Puzzle called SELF.

So don't be shy, step right up...out onto the wing of the plane, if you will. Don't stay behind in the useless plane with water seeping in around your feet. With the confidence of the Summer Queen, assert yourself. Bring warmth to the seasons of your life. Pick up the deck and introduce yourself, one card and one story at a time.

Fairy Tale Based SoulCollage Cards

2009-08-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

This is a soulcollage card of the divine child from KaleidoSoul
This card is part of the Council Suit. When I happened upon this site a year or more ago, I was immediately intriqued and wanted to work on the cards but life and time and all of that just sort of put the project on the back burner. Well, I'm inspired again by the possibility of making them fairy tale based. Even if I end up using other images...which I probably will...having at least a fairy tale element in each one...

I have been wanting to make soul cards for a long time now...last year I start collecting "pictures" that "spoke to me". They are still sitting in a box...then all of the sudden today...immersed in fairy tales such as I am...I thought I could use fairy tales as the materials for my soulcollage cards. They would be the perfect images for at least two of the suits....The Council Suit and the Committee Suit.

There are four suits: The Committee Suit (inner voices/parts of self). The Community Suit (those that support you...family, friends, pets, and author or singer who has touched your life) The Companion Suit (your animal totem, seven, one for each Chakra) and The Council Suit (archetypes, dream figures that guide you)

I'm not sure where to get the fairy tale images...I was thinking perhaps old books from garage sales or second hand shops...I gasp at the thought of using the cards...but IDK...I might order a deck to use as part of the soulcollages...hmmm...something to ponder. BUT I did take a first step....I ordered the mat board...precut in 5 x 8 size...which is the suggested size. I'm getting excited about this...and let me say...I am not really an artist....but this is about more than art...it is about connecting with yourself in deeper ways. What a wondeful way to while away the cold winterevening, which will be upon me before I know it. AND of course the first one I shall work on will be The Sorceress....my own soul card...

Quote from Inner Surprises:

"The Council Suit of a SoulCollage® Deck is made up of archetypes and spiritual guides. This suit represents the mystical realm of beings and spirits who are unseen, but observed by the soul. Archetypes are universal themes that have been always active in our lives. This suit usually contains a Death card, and a Fool card."

Life is Like Landing on the Hudson

2009-08-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

The post below I wrote and originally posted on another blog of mine on January 26, 2009. I share it with you here because of some parallels the experience (Landing on the Hudson) has with using the Fairy Tale Tarot....for now I will leave you with the original post...and later I shall post my thoughts comparing the two experiences.

The recent landing of a plane on the Hudson River without any loss of lives was amazing. So amazing that it made me think about the array of emotions the passengers experienced during that short 3-5 minute flight. Over the course of just minutes people experienced anticipation, confusion, fear, sadness, loss, terror as the "Brace for Impact" message sunk in, wonder that they were still alive, panic as they realized the icy waters were an extreme danger, hope at seeing the light of day, and joy and relief at the sight of approaching rescuers.

And then it didn't take me long to realize that those emotions...that constantly changing array of feelings are often experienced during life. Life is like landing on the Hudson River. There are many times in life that we ride the same plane full of emotions. Times in our life when we dip from extreme joy to profound despair, whether it's over the loss of a job, a death, or the complications of a relationship that we treasure but do not know how to fix. Life is like landing on the Hudson.

And just like the people on the plane, we have to decide if the "shock" of our life experiences are going to leave us paralyzed and stuck in a plane filling with water. Or if we will move forward in the moment and let a "calm" sense of purpose settle over us. Experiences in life, the way our families interact, our beliefs about life, and our own emotional turmoils shape our ability to move forward. Often we do not recognize the significant impact our relationships with others have on our ability to manuveur that plane down for a safe landing. The most important element in our lives is unconditional love and so many people have no one providing it and no idea what it feels like.

Without someone who truly cares for us and accepts us, it is pretty hard to land the plane of our life in the Hudson without fatalities. Life is like landing on the Hudson....the range of emotions can be terrifying but it is in the way that we handle those aspects of our lives that can make all the difference in a safe landing or a crash that ends our lives.

In a future post I will write about why the Fairy Tale Tarot reminded me of this older post. The way we experience emotion in our lives and the way the emotions both make us who we are and have the potential to make us question who we really are.

My Soul Card Part 2 The Sorceress

2009-08-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Owdscrat left a question on my first post about the mention that this card can mean "lack of patience" I had printed some pages off the internet and have been using them to learn more about the cards. It lists upright and reverse meanings so perhaps it is a mistake from that source. I hope it does mean patience...makes me even happier with my soul card!! That's why I LOVE comments...they help me correct any errors in thinking/knowledge, give me more to ponder, and inspire me to think in new directions.

So I looked at the Sorceress Card in the Once Upon a Time book....Key Words: Intuition, Secrets, Mysteries. "The Sorceress can help you become more connected with the universe." Hmmm as my soul card it would be my purpose through all the lifetimes...very cool...I love it! I like to think that perhaps in some of my many ramblings....someone might gain a small bit of insight or help....so I suppose that might fit.

It's sort of strange because in this story the fairy mother also leaves her human children and returns to the lake in much the same way the "seal" in the Sealskin fairy tale does. (Queen of Cups) But this story doesn't haunt me the way the seal one does. In the Sealskin the fairy comes away as deeply longing for the true essence of herself.....to be who she really is...and I suppose that speaks to me. It is such a core emotion/condition for many people.

In the Lake Maiden, I'm actually a little unclear of the self imposed rule of the husband not striking her three times..it wasn't like "hitting"...that I would understand...but it was one of the parts of the story I found puzzling. Here the Lake Maiden set clear boundaries, they were broken and she left. But it was her choice. Perhaps the fact that she had a choice made the difference in feeling. While the Seal longed for her underwater home...she really never had a choice. The fisherman stole her sealskin so she could not return. Also at the beginning the Lake Maiden chose to go with the man, not so with the Seal.

NEXT TOPICS:

My Personality Card: Justice
Comparing the Kings
And any other thing that strikes my fancy...here in fairy tale land.

Fairy Tale Memories

2009-08-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Since I'm becoming so immersed in fairy tales, I swear I see a fairy tale connection in everything in life...so I wanted to offer an idea for getting kids to talk. I work with middle school kids and mostly they talk a lot but well...in some situations they ramble on without much insight. Well they are middle school age....but it's really a time in life to start developing some insight.

Well, way back when....a long time ago....I started using this idea, can't remember where it came from.

Me: "Hey you know you remind me of Alice in Wonderland....you know that book?"

To which they typically roll their eyes and say, "yeah".

Me: "Well, there's a part of it that reminds me of you."

More eye rolling but they usually lean forward and start to at least look a tad interested. Then when they say, "What part?" I know I've hooked them.

Me: " Well, why don't you guess."

Then no matter what they guess..."Oh I bet it's cause I'm always late like the White Rabbit." or "Hmmm probably because all the teachers say "off with his head" Or whatever.....I always say...

Me: "That's exactly right...have you always been like the ___________(white rabbit or something that fits) or "That's exactly right, do you always evoke that response from others?" They are always "exactly right" no matter what they pick.

And then the conversation is off with a little leap and it can go amazing places. I use Alice because most of the kids know the story (but you can use any common story)...and with all this fairy tale stuff...well...there's some real possibilities here. Now one would mostly need to stick to commonly known stories or perhaps offer it as a bit of intrigue and say "You remind me of Tatterhood." and when they ask why or what then direct them, "It's a fairy tale, you might want to look it up on the internet." Yes the things that could happen...just like Dr. Seuss....the places you will go....

Well the school year starts tomorrow so I think I shall give it a try this year...I'm thinking the twists and turns might make it a most thought provoking year. Working with kids can be inspiring but well honestly, I'm sorry to say......a little depressing sometimes....there are many a sad tale...so the fairy tales might be just the trick to weave a little magic in life.

My Soul Card: The Sorceress

2009-08-19T04:23:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Genna over at Aeclectic for mentioning this little gem. Finding your Personality Card and Your Soul Card.

"Add the numbers of your birth date. Any number between 1 and 22 is your Personality card. Then you add the numbers until you get to the smallest number you can get. That is your Soul card.Your Personality card indicates what you have to learn in this lifetime. The Soul card shows your soul purpose through all the lifetimes, and falls between 1 and 9. Hope that helps. It´s from Mary Greer´s "Tarot for Your Self" a very good Tarot book in my opinion." (quote Genna)

My Personality Card is 11 Justice...I'll return to write of that another day, although I've touched on this card already via my weekly draw. It's a good card I think to represent what I have to learn in this lifetime.

My Soul Card is II The Sorceress/High Priestess....I love it!!! My soul's purpose through all the lifetimes. Traditional interpretations wisdom, knowledge, learning, intuitive, lack of patience (I think I'm suppose to learn patience not a lack of it...already have that!), a teacher. Can you believe I left the Fairy Tale Tarot book at work....so I'll have to come back later and add any additonal words/characteristics from there. It is frustrating me because I can not remember the story that goes with this card...pooh...makes me wat to actually GO to work today...lol. Oh wait...the story...can't remember the name but it is the story where the fairy marries the man but tells him he can not strike her three times, and he does and she leaves and returns to the water.

Well, I simply can not think of a better Soul Card....I want to muse on this a bit today...and I'll come back and add to this post a bit later.

I The Magician

2009-08-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

This card unlike the 0 Card feels "magical" so if Little Red represents each of us on the journey or quest through life (the actual physical person in a sense, with all their insecurities and foolish ways) than this card: The Magician represents "inner magic". That part of each of us that simply "knows" what to do, what to say, what is needed.

Wu while unaware of the true nature of the situation on a conscious level, understands it perfectly subconsciously. The dragon is that part of life that can "bite you in the butt" if you act or react without understand the core of the issue. Since the keywords are "directing energy" and "focus" I think it is highlighting the "power" that each of us have inside ourselves and speaking to the need to allow these to emerge in our lives.

The symbolism of the golden box says it best..."the key to accessing hidden powers." So in that sense the card is about possiblities. Opprtunities, yes but also the real possiblity of growth on a deeper level. So external opportunities but even more importantly inner possibilities. In a way the dragon represents that inner aspect of Wu himself, it is released in his life and has the power to transform his life....IF he recognizes it and "welcomes" it.

To me the Fairy tale lesson would be something like ..."There is a dragon inside each of us, welcome it and your life will be transformed."

New Poll Up

2009-08-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

Which Fairy Tale Character is Bill Gates?

Jack the Giant Killer.......page 250
Hok Lee..........page 209
Brave Little Tailor..... page 279
Rumplestilskin...... page 235
Urashima..... page 114

So check out the Fairy tales and then vote in the poll for this week!!! It's a fun way to get to know the fairy tale characters!

Tarot Eon...A Commercial Break

2009-08-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about whether you should use a significator in a spread? Have you ever had questions about how the elements play out in tarot or even just in our lives? If you hop on over to Tarot Eon you will find help with those questions, as well as many many others. Not fairy tale based but still a wealth of information about thousands of subjects. It is one of the most comprehensive web sites I visited. And I'm appreciative of the information because it allows me to weave deeper meaning and understanding into my readings, and also life in general.

Since I'm a novice, well maybe with a little embedded intuitive edge, I'm just discovering many sites of interest and so I'll be posting "commercial breaks" when I find a site worthy of exploration. Many of you "experts" may already know the sites and the info...if so please get a snack during the commercial breaks while I oooo and awww over all the intriguing stuff I'm discovering. And well, NOW you know why my friends think I'm a bit strange, because I just have eclectic interests and a thirst for knowledge. They LOVE me though, so I guess it's not all bad!!

Comparing the Queens

2009-08-16T05:44:00.000-07:00

There are various ways to "get to know" the cards in a deck. Some decks I have devoted a lot of time to and others I have barely skimmed the surface. You can literally spend hours and hours on this. The other day for some unknown reason I got the bright idea of making single sheet copies of each of the court cards...so all four queens on a sheet of paper, all four kings and so on. So I have a black and white copy of the four together in my notebook. It was a whim, simply, nothing more. Then I thought since they were all four there together I might see how they "relate" to each other or stack up as a "group".

WANDS: Represents Fire (Actions, Energy, Passions)

The Queen of Wands is represented by the story of The White Cat. I was particularly interested in this one because in several readings I have had the impression that the Queen of Wands represented me. Sometimes I get a strong feel of this about certain cards...just like I feel the Princess of Wands represents my daughter. It consistently turns up in her readings. So I felt the time was a hand to read the tale of the White Cat.

The Fairy Tale: The White Cat was an interesting read. A father unwilling to let go of his "position" and an alluring cat that held a strong magnetic pull for the young prince. I'll be honest....the tale seems a bit simplistic...fitting for sure for this particular card but I suppose I wish there was more description of the relationship between the prince and the cat.

The Card: The book states that the key words for this card are: leadership, warm, intelligent, influential, charming. A female authority with influence. Someone confident and inspiring.

CUPS: Represents Water (Emotions/Feelings)

The Fairy Tale: The Queen of Cups is represented by the story of Seal Skin. This one sort of haunts me. In it a fisherman finds the seals (in human form) dancing on the beach and steals the skin of one and refuses to give it back as he wants to make the beautiful maiden his wife. I think this represents the extent someone will go to to cure their lonliness. For years they live together and even have children and although the maiden is fond of him she always longs for her sea home and family. Eventually she does get the skin back and tells her human children goodbye and leaves. I suppose the haunting quality comes from her leaving behind her human children. As I reflect on it it makes me realize that no matter the strong love we have for others (even our own children) we can not give up the "essence" of who we are and be truly happy. If we try to or are forced to...it will always call to us and we will never be really satisfied.

The Card: Key words for this card are loving and intuitive. It represents connecting with inner feelings. I think it represents a person who either has some strong longings or desires or who understands them very well.

SWORDS: Represents Air (Thoughts and Ideas)

The Fairy Tale: The Tongue Cut Sparrow is the story of a man with a negative and nagging wife who befriends a small sparrow who talks. As life would have it, the wife gets mad and cuts the tongue out of the sparrow and releases it. The man searches the forest until he finds his friend who is actually a fairy. They visit and rejoice in finding each other again and when the man leaves the sparrow lets him choose between a large or small box. He takes the smaller one and discovers at home that it is full of riches. The wife is furious that he need not choose the larger box and goes to get it from the sparrow. On the way home she opens it, only to discover it is full of demons. She runs back to the protection of her home and changes her negative ways.

The Card: This card represents a female who is cool, calm, and collected. She is pragmatic and not easily shakened under pressure. The key words for this card are calm and perceptive.

PENTACLES: Represents Earth (Physical pursuits, work, finance, create)

The Fairy Tale: Summer Queen is the story of the seasons. Or at least summer and winter. She chases the cold back up north to save the inhabitants from the icy grip of winter. But being kind and senisible she allows winter to return each year for a short time. She is powerful in her gentle ways but not vindictive over her "win".

The Card: This card represents someone to assist beyond periods of stasis. It is an individual with common sense and strength, someone with a gentle power who is also kind and wise. The key words for this card are earth mother, domestic concerns. responsibility, sensisbility.

Summary:

Queen of Wands: A charming woman that can influence, intelligent and warm
Queen of Cups: A woman who has/understands deep longings/desires, intuitive and loving
Queen of Swords: A calm, perceptive woman who is not easily shakened under pressure.
Queen of Pentacles: A well grounded woman, strong and sensible, kind and wise.

New Deck Interview

2009-08-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

I got the New Deck Interview Spread and Questions from FireRaven at Aeclectic.

1. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic?

CARD: King of Pentacles: Oh this is priceless...."Summon the help of someone who can provide a voice of logic as you try to determine your best course of action." Key words: integrity, support, wealth. I think the deck is saying that its most important characteristic is that it is a vehicle for helping to determine the best course of action.

2. What are your strengths as a deck?

CARD: XVI Deception: This just gets better and better..."If we deny ourselves inner truths and pursue a life of pretense and shallow intent, we will be setting ourselves up for a fall." Key words: disaster, breaking illusions, revelation. So I think the decks stength is that it helps us identify our inner truths and helps us move away from shallow truths. It "reflects" (as I wrote earlier) just like a clear pool and we can see ourselves reflected there, as well as, catch a glimpes of "something more". Like those wings, be they parts of our spiritual self, or parts of the spiritual world.

3. What are your limits as a deck?

CARD: Three of Wands: ..."You can facilitate creative growth by remaining open to those things that will help you diversify." Key words: Energy, communication, opportunity. This card is saying that the change or growth are up to us. We direct this aspect of the process. The deck can't "make" someone change or "see". It is simply a tool for facilitating growth but openess, awareness, creativity, and change are all up to the individual.

4. What do you bring to the table -- what are you here to teach me?

CARD: Eight of Cups: ..."We can quickly get lost in the momentum of our actions without considering pause." Key words: Greed, Overindulgence, Change. This one is a little harder for me to "see". I think it is saying that it brings a chance for "pause" or a way to stop and reflect. It is here to teach me not to get lost in the hectic pace of life but to pause and seek the inner world as well as the physical world. Overindulgence in either world is not helpful but balance is the key.

5. How can I best learn from and collaborate with you?

CARD: Eight of Wands..."This may entail taking a journey and making things happen." Key words....cooperative activities, swift action, making things happen. I don't think the swift action part of this really is the message. I think the message is in the "journey". It is saying the best way to learn and collaborate is to be open to the journey, to participate in cooperative activities with others and to let things "unfold".

6. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?

CARD: Queen of Cups..."If we learn to connect more with our innermost feelings, we may be able to sharpen our intuitive senses and psychic impulses. By harnessing these inner resources, we have the opportunities to strengthen our love and compassion for others." Key words: loving, intuitive. This is a great potential outcome...and the quote really says it all!!!!

This is an awesome activity....give it a try...!!

So The Votes In...And...

2009-08-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Red Riding Hood
4 (44%)
Coyote
2 (22%)
Summer Queen
1 (11%)
Snow Queen
0 (0%)
White Cat
1 (11%)
Ugly Duckling
1 (11%)
Snow Daughter
0 (0%)
Puss in Boots
0 (0%)
Votes so far: 9 Poll closed

Lisa Hunt according to this poll.....is Little Red Riding Hood...well yes I know her little profile picture is Little Red...but I voted Coyote and here's why...

In the book..." Our inner creativity has a chance to ignite into a period of renewed inspiration." Coyote is the benevolant trickster in much the same way Lisa is in her Fairy Tale Tarot...teasing us into considering new things, lurking in the pages of the book to jump out and "light us on fire" with a surprising tidbit or a new way of perceiving the world, carrying the "torch" of transformation. Much like the Coyote in How the Coyote Stole Fire.

Honestly, I think one of the most interesting part of the fairy tales is that we can see ourselves as all of the characters. Perhaps different parts of our personality, different moods, or at different stages in our life BUT we are all a part of the tales and they are all a part of us. Woven together.

It may be Sunday before I put up the next poll....hmmmm...who shall it be? This I must give some thought...I have a couple of ideas but I also need to pull some new characters from the tales to use as choices...off to read a few tales before bedtime!!

Fairy Tale Ramblings

2009-08-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

Well I know I said my next post was going to be about Comparing the Queens...and I shall get to that. But there are just so many thoughts about Fairy Tales, the cards, the spreads, the readings and the fairy tale messages that I'm like a ping pong ball bouncing here, there, and everywhere...wow. So I thought I'd better make a list of the things I'm wanting to do and write about so they don't float right out of my mind and far far away!!!

Things to Ponder and Write About:

Comparing the Queens (Ditto the Kings, Princesses and Princes)
Different versions of Little Red Riding Hood (from other countries)
A Reading Using the Little Pigs Spread
More Lessons from the Tales
Reflecting on the Female Aspect of Fairy Tales (this is part of my study of the Inner Child cards but I want to apply it here also)

Oh ....there are more and more and more...everywhere I look there is something that ties to the Fairy Tale Tarot....this deck is a gold mine of creative inspiration and has opened up many new doors for exploration!! And of course, sometimes all I do is just sit and look at the cards....lol.

Three Little Pigs Spread

2009-08-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

The three little pigs...gotta love them...I mean in some of the versions...the mom just pretty much kicks them out into the world...BAM...Could be seen as cruel abandonment or as a lesson in letting people grow up.

This spread has six cards. NUMBER ONE: represents the mother (benevolent or cruel). This is the beginning of the issue/situation/concern. Without this factor everything would have just stayed pretty much the same. It is that which started the tale so to speak.

Cards TWO, THREE, and FOUR are the houses of the three little pigs. Each one a possible solution or answer. The house were of differing qualities in the story, and so here too, the answers or the choices may be stronger or weaker than the others but that is a decision for the seeker to make. Card FIVE is the Big Bad Wolf representing something to watch out for, pointing at a weakness, a negative, or a possible challenge to the issue. Card SIX is a Fairy Tale message that can help the seeker in making a decision.

It lays out something like this:

CARD TWO CARD THREE CARD FOUR

CARD ONE

CARD FIVE

CARD SIX

I need to spend time playing with this to see how it seems to flow. If you try it please post a comment and let me know how it seems to work for you.

Fairy Tale Notes

2009-08-13T15:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight I only have a few minutes to write because I'm off for the weekly Girl's Night Out...it's actually amazing how much more inspired and creative I am after a bit of fun and good conversation. Just think how Cinderella must have felt when she escaped her duties cleaning the hearth and other manner of mundane chores. Her magical moments at the castle must have been doubly so because of the dreariness of her "normal" day.

In notes for today, I'm working on another fairy tale spread to use with the cards. For some reason, I really have a lot of fun doing it. Currently I'm working on a spread called The Three Little Pigs. I hope to get it up here on the blog soon. It's a simple little choices one that could open some doors in your thinking.

Today I did not really get the opportunity to look at the cards....geeeeeee...work was hectic and things were just too crazy....hmmmm...perhaps thats why I'm feeling a bit grumpy tonight....no fairy tale fun....Well....perhaps tomorrow.

NEXT SPREAD: The Three Little Pigs

NEXT POST: Comparing the Queens

Fairy Tales From Around the World

2009-08-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I am finding the most awe inspiring is the sheer number of fairy tales from all around the world. I see that one of my favorites...Tatterhood is Norwegian. I think that is another level of meaning just waiting to be explored with the Fairy Tale Tarot...of course the tales in the book aren't ALL the fairy tales in the world...good grief....I am discovering that there are thousands...and each one is fasinating to me in some regard...oh I have my favorites of course.

As I mentioned somewhere archetypes resonate with me. When I was exploring the Faeries Oracle by Froud, I spent a lot of time thinking about some of the cards and their archetypical history...Like the Dark Lady...Dark Madonna ...and other references. Not all of the faery cards were archetypes...at least that I could figure out. But many of them were. When different cultures, countries, societies, and groups of people all come up with similar representations independently of each other....I don't know...it gives me pause...there is something there. A greater scheme to things. I am finding that with the fairy tales also...Some countries have "different versions" of the same tale...like Cinderella. I just find it intriguing. it could just be based on common human experience but I am not willing to rule out that it is something even bigger.

My Daily Card

2009-08-12T05:49:00.000-07:00

Image ©Copyright 2009 Lisa Hunt & Llewellyn Publications. Used by Permission.

My Daily Draw: Six of Swords. The funny thing is the first time I saw this card I wasn't even sure what fairy tale it was. th glass box and the little men...Snow White, of course, but the faces in the rocks threw me. In fact when I look at the card...the faces draw me more than the characters. I wonder if that means anything?

The Six of Swords=Sojourn, transitioning, reflecting on a journey

Interesting and appropriate card for me, as of late I have been reflecting a lot on the journey through life. The different aspects of how this all unfolds for the individual traveler. I'll have to give some thought on how it relates to my Weekly Draw Card: Justice.

Hunt comments that seven is predominate in the Snow White story and that seven corresponds to the completion of a cycle. In this card (the six) it is used because the cycle is not yet at completion....it represents instead, the path or journey each takes to reach the higher level. It is not done yet...there is more to accomplish...and in that regard, I think the card is telling me..."Keep moving".

I'm going to reflect on this card throughout the day...seriously...I have to get to work...or the paycheck journey is going to be OVER....there's that TEMPTATION again in my life..tempting me to play here in blog land and fairy tale country instead of getting to work.

Once Upon A Time Spread

2009-08-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

This spread calls for you to use the 0 Innocence card as the seeker during the reading. So you would pull out the 0 Card and put it to the side. You would then shuffle the deck several times while focusing on your question or area of concern.

Then draw SEVEN cards and put them aside. Next take the seven cards and without looking at them add the 0 Innocence card and shuffle the 8 cards several times. Place them in a single row. Turn the cards over, one by one, pausing to look at the card, think about your first impression as the card comes up. When you have all 8 cards face up. Take note of where the 0 Card is in the spread.

This card represents the seeker (the person the reading is for). If the card is near the beginning then there are still plenty of things to discover, deal with, accept or move past...they lie ahead so to speak. If the 0 Card is near the end of the spread then the end of the issue is close at hand and there may only be a few things left. Regardless. you read all of the cards in the spread for insight and details.

The cards to the left of the 0 card are actions/feelings/thoughts/physical pursuits that have already taken place regarding the issue at hand. They are conscious or the seeker should at least be aware of them on some level. The cards to the right of the 0 card...are yet to happen or may be unconscious factors that the seeker has not discovered yet. It's like a fairy tale story map with the seeker as a character in the tale.

Court Cards can be interpreted as people the seeker knows or will know regarding the issue at hand. Aces are beginnings so pay attention to them if they fall within the spread. Other cards are interpreted according to your general method of reading.

Here's an example:

Question: How will R.'s relationship with K. turn out?

CARDS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Card number 5 in the spread is the seeker. Cards 1-4 represent conscious things and/or things that have already happened. Note the Queen of Pentacles next to the 0 Card. This person has either recently entered the issue or is someone close to the seeker. Cards 6-8 are actions yet to take place or factors yet to be discovered or understood.

1. XV Temptation: This card represents not just temptation but shadow aspects of self that need to be recognized and integrated. At the beginning of this issue there was some denial of these aspects and perhaps someone in the situation projected those repressed feelings on someone else.

2. Two of Cups: The love in the relationship started out strong but perhaps became burdensome in dealing with emotional baggage. Somehow a balance in the relationship was achieved at least temporarily.

3. Ten of Wands: But then someone started to feel smothered and felt they were carrying a great burden.

4. Queen of Pentacles: This person entered the situation or was already close to the seeker and offered a sensible approach. There were domestic concerns and her presence helped break through some of the stagnation that had occurred.

5. 0 Innocence (This is the seeker)

6. XVI Deception This card speaks to the fact that there is some deception here...maybe even self deception...someone pretending to be happy when perhaps they are not. Or settling for less than what they desire. Only through honest evaluation is there hope for real and positive change.

7. Prince of Swords: This may represent the other person in the relationship or someone else who enters the picture. I am interpreting it in this reading as the other person in the relationship and it is saying this person needs to grow as an individual, to stretch beyond their comfort zone. This may improve the outcome and may be tied to the Deception card...they are not admitting this need quite yet.

8. Eight of Cups: This card is saying be cautious of getting caught up in a viscious cycle. Breaking the cycle will happen or needs to happen. If it doesn't happen the situation will escalate.

The Once Upon a Time spread was inspired by a spread commonly called the Churchyard spread.

Least Favorite Cards

2009-08-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well it wasn't as hard to find my least favorites as I thought it might be. I actually picked out five cards and then finally settled on the two that just sort of give me the willies. Haven't read the descriptions or the tales for these particular cards so this post is based on card impressions only. The feeling or mood the card seems to produce. First of all the Ace of Cups...creepy. I hate snakes. I know perhaps an unfair feeling but...well it is what it is. This giant creepy one is hovering there over the bed. The woman seems either dead or in a trance. Just helpless there on the bed. It feels sinister with a lack of control. I'm sort of one who likes to be in control so I guess this card just speaks to that.

My second least favorite card is the Six of Cups. I'm not sure what is occuring in the tale but again it seems like a helplessness. The gray colors make it seem like death is at the door. Once again a place of rest (bed and bedroom) seems more sinister than it should be. Makes me think of nightmares. I'm not sure if the figure over the man is hurting or helping, which is another thing that gives me pause. That uncertainty.

I'm going to list the other three cards I took into consideration as least favorites. The Princess of Cups, Five of Cups, and Five of Wands. HMMMM...see a pattern here....looks like four of the five cards were Cups and honestly the Five of Wands is like in slot five...I just think the woman looks a little cold and sinister. I think this is telling me that I have some trouble acknowledging or accepting strong emotions and feelings. Not so much in others but in myself, perhaps. That they make me uncomfortable in some way or I distrust them.

Most people I think would think I am loving, giving and kind...(I think...lol) so I don't think this tendency is a big issue in my life but that it is something to keep aware of...not to be afraid of looking past the strong initial feeling and see perhaps deeper. I don't know...maybe there is another rason my choices included five Cups..I only looked at pictures when selecting them. Maybe it is the opposite...that I am drawn to strong emotions. If you have additional ideas I would love to hear them.

My next steps with these cards (favorites and leasts) will be to examine the tales themselves and see if there is a message or pattern there.

Fairy Tale Thoughts

2009-08-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

Well as I wrote about yesterday....my weekly card is Justice...and believe it or not....I drew that very same card as my daily today. I can only assume that there is a strong pull to learn something from this particular card.

As Moncia wrote in her comment....it is a rather hideous story....I do feel for the poor horse who was only trying to be a good horse and got murdered for her trouble....so like in the real world where innocent bystanders are drug into things they do not even want to be involved in.

Souljourney was asking about least faves...and that's something I need to give a bit of thought to...actually I like them all so it will be a task...perhaps I will have a few minutes this evening to sort the cards and try to pick two least faves. I think there's lots of different ways to look at the faves and least faves....for example...a least fave...does it somehow touch on a shadow aspect of myself and thus gives me negative vibes....sort of like avoiding the "truth" about ones self?

Something else I did today....I took the court cards...and I put all the Queens together, all the Kings etc. Then I layed them on the copier and copied them...so that I have four sheets. One sheet is all four Queens, one is all four Kings and so forth...They are in black and white but it serves my purpose. I wanted to be able to put the sheets in my Decks notebook and look at the four together...yes I can do the same with the cards themselves..but IDK....it just came to me....so I did it...I then jotted down by each card the title of the story that went with it. I'm planning to learn the stories and see if I see connections between the Queens, Kings, etc...It's really just another way of connecting with the cards and engraining the stories in my heart.

I am doing a couple readings a day with the deck and it reads so nicely...there are so many layers of meaning and yet they all blend together nicely. I am working on another spread...need to play around with it a bit first. It is called the Once Upon a Time Spread....and I just need to work out a few kinks and then I'll share it with you here.!!!

NEXT POST: Least Favorites

NEXT SPREAD: Once Upon a Time...

Daily/Weekly Draw Justice

2009-08-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Daily/Weekly Draw is a little activity I have only been doing for a couple weeks. So this week I'm using the Fairy Tale Tarot. It works like this...on Sunday evening I draw a card for the week. Or let's face it Monday morning if I forget. This card is recorded as the Weekly Card and I jot down a few ideas about the card's meanings and impressions. Then each day I draw a daily card and record meanings/impressions and also include how the daily card is related to the weekly one. At the end of the week, you can record if you had any repeating cards and other observations.

So this week, I drew Justice as the Weekly Card....justice, karma, balance. I sort of think the fairy tale message is..."Don't pretend to be someone you're not or you will come to a bad end." In the story, the Princess is betrayed by her maid, who then takes her place and pretends to be the Princess. After discovery, the maid is killed as punishment. There are a lot of "lessons" I suppose could come from the tale. "Loyalty is rewarded, betrayal is punished." "Do not put yourself above your station." "Good triumps over evil."

BUT when I thought about the lesson for the story.
"Don't pretend to be someone you're not or you will come to a bad end." just popped into my head. Its doesn't capture the betrayal aspect of the story...and yet it is a common human folly. This is an interesting card and saga...I only touch on it briefly here. One thing I thought during the story was.."Why, did the Princess do as she was ordered by the maid?" To get her own water and accept the deception so easily. Hmmm....perhaps another lesson to be learned is "Do not meekly accept someone else's reality." Yes this card will need much more exploration. I think I shall find some versions of the story and read them.

One Negative

2009-08-10T19:53:00.001-07:00

Okay I thought I better write one negative or someone will claim I am being paid by Llewellyn Publications to promote the deck/book. LOL...and it's not really a negative about the art, research or anything major.

I wish there was an index or table of contents....like at the front or back of the book....a table that showed the Card/Story/Page (where you could find the complete write up). So nothing major but if they reprint and allow revisions....it might be something to consider. I am forever thumbing through the book looking for a particular story or card. Let's just say...the book is getting well loved...like the Velveteen Rabbit.

Okay that's my one negative, so far. I'm loving the way the cards read. They are just wonderfully expressive!!

My Daily Card

2009-08-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

I won't write about a daily card every day...can't be certain of having the time and ANY THING in abundance can get tedious....but here's my fairy tale card of the day....I'm moving from the 22 Major Arcana to the full deck....so there's still tons and tons to learn!! I really only know about half of the Major Arcana well...but the others are falling into place and I'm impatient to "play" with the rest of the cards!!

LOL...the first daily card...is Temptation....this is VERY funny.....because I just wrote about temptation in the previous post today...SO is FATE trying to tell me something...maybe it is saying...do not be tempted to move too quickly to the full deck...there is still plenty to learn here. I mean honestly...can it be a coincidence? Out of 78 cards... drawing one randomly...what is the chance of getting the VERY card I just pondered earlier...well technically one out of seventy eight chance..but I mean GEEZE....

On the other hand...maybe it is REALLY my card for today...saying STOP being tempted to "play around" all day and get busy doing some stuff....I have definately been at a stand still with home projects and other creative projects....so perhaps it is the message for today!!!

XV Temptation

2009-08-09T05:28:00.001-07:00

Image ©Copyright 2009 Lisa Hunt & Llewellyn Publications. Used by Permission.

Here's a card that's been haunting me...well at least puzzling me for a bit now. Temptation traditionally The Devil. Well, temptation is definately the tool of "the devil" so to speak so that fits. The image itself is a wonderful rendition....at the door...deciding...enter or not....good versus evil....looking over her shoulder, just as every human I have ever observed, doing something they aren't quite sure of....or that they know for a fact is wrong. So it is not the card concept or the art that has me in a quandry. It is the tale itself.

The story is Bluebeard. The man that marries the maiden, leaves her in luxury but demands that she not open the door with the golden key. Well DUH....that's like temptation waiting to snag her!! So far so good....but here's the ironic twist (happens in life a lot)...when she opens the door she discovers the bodies of his previous wives who have not followed his directive. Gruesome. In the end, she manages to escape the fate that he intends for her and with his death ends up a very wealthy woman.

Here's where I find the paradox...the man was wrong, I mean he murdered his wives...and yet (in a way) the maiden was wrong too. She gave in to temptation and did something that she had been warned against...but in the end she triumphed. I'm trying to wrap my mind around exactly which way to go with this one....seems a paradox but maybe not. Let me delve in a bit more.

Looking at it from the perspective that temptation will exist...and ironically it can come from both good and bad sources. Well technically it comes from within ourselves but none the less, I'm just musing here. So there is temptation: do we resist it or give in?....here the temptation is created by a cruel man but actually not giving into it would have kept the maiden safe. In the dark so to speak, but still safe. So in this case was giving in to temptation good or bad? Helpful or destructive?

I guess in my mind, temptation is commonly about keeping away from things that are not good for you or at least not good for you in excess. That isn't really the framework of temptation on this card. "Opening the door can change what we know forever." (page 62).... hmmmm. In this tale, you might even say the maiden gave into temptation, discovered awful truths, and then was actually rewarded in the end. So in the end temptation has a dual nature?

Temptation's dual nature? There are times in life when giving into temptation helps us discover things that in truth we need to know. Realities that we may not find pleasant but realities that change the way we perceive life and that bring us to a different level. A reminder perhaps that temptation is found, not just in things of beauty but in things of ugliness. And then the temptor plays a role here also.

Well the very first temptor I suppose was God. I mean he told Eve NOT to eat the apple and satan encouraged her to.....and yet to me both are temptors. They just have different motives behind tempting someone. God's purpose was to protect and satan's to create havoc. In much the same way temptation still plays out today. One can tempt someone to try something new (to bring them out of their shell or broaden their experiences) OR someone can tempt someone to do something for personal gain (thrills, money, etc)

Then again WE are the temptor....it is our way of thinking and looking at the situation that makes it a temptation. For example if the maiden had just enjoyed the party and ignored the golden key. Accepting the fact that there are unknown things in her life would have prevented her from being drawn to the door. End result... good or bad? You decide. In a way...I think this story speaks also about intuition. You know, that little something that tells you something is wrong, an uneasy feeling, that pushes you to look deeper.

Perhaps the lesson from the tale is: ...There are lessons to be learned from the things that tempt us and in doing so we will be changed forever.

Multi-Leveled Readings with the Fairy Tale Tarot

2009-08-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

***Please note...this post is not meant to provoke an argument...it is simply offered as an alternative way of looking at the meanings present in this particular deck. Take what makes sense to you and ignore the rest. I am a strong believer that meaning is constructed through our exchanges with others (via conversations, writings, experiences) and as such that is what I offer through blogging. Take Care and Be Kind...!!!!

I have mentioned several times the multi-leveled meanings of the Fairy Tale Tarot cards. Honestly, I’m still in the process of discovering this aspect of the cards myself. The exploration is in the VERY early stages and, as such, it is difficult to explain but I’m going to take a “baby step” toward doing so. I think this is especially important to beginning card readers or those that want to explore deeper levels.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am actually a novice to tarot, so I am sure “expert” tarot readers might have an entirely different outlook. Here’s how I look at “reading cards”, whether it is tarot, oracle, playing cards or the Lenormand cards. You can get caught up in “meanings”, symbolism, and become quite scholarly about readings. Nothing wrong with that, it has a certain “richness” to it that is wonderfully attractive. But in the end, it doesn’t truly matter what the “traditional” or “right” meanings of the cards are.

What matters are the connections and meanings they have for the individual reader. That is not to say that a basic understanding is not necessary…it, of course, is quite essential. There is a wonderful history to the meanings and symbolism, and it is of value. However do not let “right” or “wrong” meanings limit the scope of the readings. In fact, decide for yourself the approach and meanings and that decision will determine the way the cards “read” for you. Meaning does not exist in a vacuum or in a piece of card stock. Meaning exists in our minds and even more so in our hearts and souls.

So now, back to the topic at hand…the multi-levels of meaning (and again this is just touching the surface). The Fairy Tale Tarot cards have been produced as a tarot deck and while not completely tied to traditional meanings they do coincide. So the deck is wonderfully expressive as a tarot deck. Now let’s add another “level”. The deck can be read as an oracle, with no knowledge of tarot, simply using the rich images on the cards. The reader can simply let the images “speak” to her; the intuitive feeling about the image will provide rich fodder for readings. You can add another level, by observing and using the symbolism present in the individual cards and combining this with the intuitive reading of the card. Then let’s add yet another level and that is the fairy tales themselves. Fairy tales have lessons to teach and these can be used to produce a reading using the fairy tale message. Then of course, all of these levels can be combined with any of the others to produce yet additional levels of meaning and interpretation.

WOW…see what I mean.... multi-leveled. The cool part is that there is potential for just about anybody (with a desire)...…even someone with limited knowledge of tarot and symbolism to read with this deck. They would simply use the images and/or the fairy tale messages.

Now I can hear it already…the arguments, at least…one.... being that to fully bond and provide the best readings possible, you should fully study and know all there is to know about tarot and/or symbolism…that argument is flawed, in my opinion. Here is why. Readings are produced from a person’s knowledge and beliefs about the cards. If readings are about intuitive knowledge and skill, then whatever “framework” the reader chooses, should work. That is not too belittle tarot/symbolism scholars…there is a richness there but it is not so much the readers scholarly knowledge but rather their intuitive skill that makes a reading flow. Plus with this particular deck the "scholarly research" has already been done by the author and is embedded in the deck.

Need I remind you that there are already multiple meanings for most divination methods; Cartomancy alone has hundreds of contradictory methods of reading and interpreting. One might propose that any deck could be read as I suggest, and to a certain extent that is correct. However the images of the Fairy Tale Tarot evoke strong primal messages. Maybe they are part archetype and part collective consciousness or maybe they are just wonderful artwork full of symbolism that speaks to us on a subconscious level. Regardless of the reason, the messages are there and along with the tales themselves, they provide more than enough understanding and insight to “speak” to varied readers with all levels of knowledge and experience.

Fairy Godmothers

2009-08-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Since the Fairy Godmother in Hunt's deck is my favorite, I thought it would be interesting to search for fairygodmother images online. There are literally thousands of them...some rather funny cartoon/joke ones too by the way. The one above caught my eye. It's from the Cinderalla story...and yet has a different sort of feel to it.

I'm not really sure where this image originated but it has a sultry "feel" too it. It's sort of combination Indian Princess....sultry vixen....not really "classic fairy godmother".

This one has a bit of a magical feel to it..but honestly the fairy godmother looks like she is soooo old...she might need to crawl into the pumpkin and take a nap. LOL

I'll stand by my original reflections about the fairy godmother card in the Fairy Tale Tarot...not your ordinary fairy godmother but a woman of age, wisdom, experience and compassion. I think the lure of this card is the gentle wisdom of the face and yet the figure has a certain energy about it, strong and determined...not easily swayed. The fairy godmother on the card is the main figure on the card with a paler woman in the background. Since they are standing among the pumpkins I am assuming the background figure is Cinderella....but hmmmm.

When I look at the card again I wonder...well I think it is Cinderella but at the same time..the idea that it is a younger "version" of the Fairy godmother came to mind. Sort of like the pale figure is a "shadow" of what the fairy godmother was in the past...and that in fact as we age and grow in wisdom....our "past, younger self" fades but is never really gone. We still contain that younger version of ourself. Reminds me of the idea that comes to mind when people say: "they don't "feel" old"...as if that youthful part of a person's spirit is always there. Or perhaps we are both...at times Cinderella and at other times in our lives, the Fairy Godmother.

This Week's Poll

2009-08-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

This week's poll is up....Which Fairy Tale Character is Lisa Hunt? Please look over the fairy tales and see which one you think? There is NO right or wrong answer....I haven't even decided yet...LOL...remember this is just for fun!!

Choices:

Little Red Riding Hood (0 Card)

Coyote (Ace of Wands)

Summer Queen (Queen of Pentacles)

Snow Queen (Five of Wands)

White Cat (Queen of Wands)

Ugly Duckling (XX Card)

Snow Daughter (Two of Swords)

Puss in Boots (V Card)

Take your time...enjoy the tales, reflect on their messages and then VOTE!!!!

More Reflections about My Favorites

2009-08-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Souljourney left a comment on the post about favorite cards that was most interesting and very useful too. She suggested that when looking at most and least favorites that one also looks at the opposite end of the spectrum. So for most favorites one should also look at the negative aspects of those cards and take note of them. Those aspects can also teach us something about ourselves. I think that is a splendid approach and once again adds another layer to examine. Thanks!!!

Little Red: Naivety, restrictive thinking, and being unaware of tricksters or pitfalls. So this card can appeal to me because it suggests beginnings and the cycle (journey) through life BUT I must also be aware of these other factors also. Actually this is sort of true of me…although I doubt one would call me naïve. I do tend to want to believe the “best” and perhaps at times I get so caught up in my point of view that it restricts my thinking.

Fairy Godmother: I suppose the “negative” aspects of this card would be forgetting to use logic at all and perhaps being too nurturing (smothering). The second part could most certainly pertain to me…and an area that I have been working on. I think of this card as the nurturer but also much more than that, as the feminine wisdom of the ages.

In my life I have found that meaning is built through both experiences and conversations. So please join me in conversation about the cards. It is really a joy as it offers opportunities for me to broaden my perspective or to examine elements that I have overlooked or just not focused on. I have so many thoughts about this deck but they are by no means the ONLY thoughts or ways of looking at it and I really gain so much from other points of view!

Princess and the Pea Spread

2009-08-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

Card One:
This card represents the Seeker or the Issue.

Card Two:
This card represents a factor/influence close to the Seeker.

Card Three:
This card represents The Fairy Tale that has the message needed for understanding or resolving the issue.

Card Four:
Represents a truth that must be believed or proven or accepted.

Card Five:

Represents a shadow aspect of the situation. Deeply hidden or unacknowledged, it is creating the most discomfort

The Princess and the Pea spread is layed out just as shown...with card one being the top mattress and card five being the bottom mattress...so to speak. I tried to tie elements of the story into the spread....for example card four is about truth or believing. That is part of the story...the need to confirm that the Princess is telling the truth.

Just for Fun: Which Fairy Tale Character is....

2009-08-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hey...I thought of something...just for fun....I am going to put up a weekly poll....and we are going to vote for "Which Fairy Tale Character is___________?

I'll put up a different person each week....starting perhaps with the author herself...Lisa Hunt...and then celebraties and public figures. Well it's just an idea but I thought it might be fun...and in the meantime as we think about which character the person is... we will be making connections with the stories and the cards...No right or wrong answers of course...just a bit of fun to brighten our days!!!

And we shall be nice..right!!! No Perez Hilton hits here in Fairy Tale Land!!! Off to have some fun with friends tonight...can't blog 24/7 now can I ? LOL...I'll get the poll up later....in the meantime have fun with the cards!!

Reading with the Fairy Tale Tarot

2009-08-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Reading: General Life Reading
Spread: Three Billy Goats Gruff Bridge
Deck: Fairy Tale Tarot
Cards: Major Arcana Only

Card One: This card represents a beginning, a wish, something being sought. In this reading it is XIII Transformation. This is a fitting card for a general life reading and particularly for this phase in my life. Right now much of my time and energy is spent on this. According to the book: “growth from ashes” and “coming to terms with the death of what we know”. Both jumped out at me as pertaining to my life situation right now.

Card Two: This card represents the fairy tale with a message or advice for the situation. The card is XIV Temperance. Again from the book: “Inner calm and balance will follow a period of turmoil.” Holy smoke…that’s the truth. And just what I need! I think this message is telling me something that really I already know but have forgotten. Life consists of cycles and if we wait, things will right themselves again. Maybe not exactly as they were, and maybe is some way that is not 100% to our liking but definitely a resolution of some sort.

Card Three: This card is an emotional or spiritual factor supporting the bridge or needed to support it. The card in this reading is IV The Wise Old Man. I feel like it is linked to card number two and it is telling me that what is needed here is wisdom and a rational mind. Do not let emotions soar and twist around like a roller coaster. Use a lifetime of experience to calm the troubled sea of emotions and wait.

Card Four: This card represents a block or challenge, possibly hidden. The card in the reading is XII The Star. Seems an odd card for a challenge, however, in this position, I feel like it is saying: “You are blocking your own growth by ignoring a powerful factor.” That factor is developing a TRUE understanding and insight into inner dreams. These have influenced your past, present, and future. You must seek to understand ALL aspects, even the shadow aspects if you hope to meet life’s challenges.

Card Five: This card represents the outcome. It is III The Fairy Godmother. This sort of gives me pause because my line of thinking has been that I have been TOO nurturing and that balance is needed. But when I read the part that says: “move past stagnation and become more intuitive and aware” that makes sense. It is saying the outcome will be that I overcome this challenge, use my wisdom and experiences to reach a new level of calm and balance. I will still be a nurturer but in a more balanced way…using my intuition and awareness to do so. In fact, it is saying that sometimes by backing off….you are being MORE of a nurturer of an individual than by doing too much or jumping in too quickly to provide advice and such. …if that makes sense.

Fairy Tale Tarot Activities

2009-08-06T05:24:00.000-07:00

This deck is so multi-leveled that it seems anyone could bond with it....but alas each person is individual. So here are a few ideas for activities to use when playing with the cards.

1. The Fairy Tale of My Life: This is just a variation of the Past Present Future spread. Deal three cards while focusing on "The Fairy Tale of My Life" Now examine each of the cards and from the art, tell a small tale of how it relates to your life in some way...fairy tale style...For example...Once upon a time, I felt trapped (like Rapunzel)....etc.

2. Fairy Tale Motto: This is a variation on the daily draw....when you draw your card for the day...make up a short motto based on the fairy tale...For example from The Thunder Dragon the motto "Kindness will be repaid." or from Hok Lee and the Dwarves...the motto.."There is beauty in honesty."

3. Blended Fairy Tales....draw three cards....read the tales and pick one character from each and "blend" them to make a new fairy tale...How does it relate to your life? What message is it conveying?

Those are just a few tidbits that can give you a focus when working with the cards...and don't forget....there is understanding through writing so start a blog or a journal!!!

Favorite Arcana Cards

2009-08-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Currently I am exploring only the Major Arcana, until I get more familar with the cards, images, and fairy tales. So my "activity" for this evening was to pick favorites. Of course, it was impossible to pick just one...so....my faves are Innocence (Little Red) and The Fairy Godmother.

I've already spoken some of the 0 Card...Innocence and I'll get more into the Fairy Godmother card later....but I asked myself...what is it about these two that spoke to me, that teased and delighted me visually and imaginatively?

The 0 Card is an enchanted forest scence with Little Red and the Wolf, paused along the path. The gnarled trees remind me of ancient wisdom and speak of a forest that is old. A forest that has withstood the forces of nature and time...has endured so to speak. To me this represents the human experience....it does not cease but continues on...through great great grandmothers' times, through my time and through the time of my great great grandchildren. Along that path there will always be Innocence and Evil (I'm not crazy about the word evil...but for lack of a better word I'll use it).

The III Card is the Fairy Godmother. Who can resist the Fairy Godmother...and yet when I look at the image it strikes me...this is not your typical....oh she's so beautiful fairy godmother...no indeed...this is an older woman, with beauty in the lines of her face and strength in the way she holds herself. This is a woman who has "lived". This is a woman who "knows." Not just the wisdom that time and experience brings...but the wisdom of being able to see into hearts, to look into eyes and catch that little glimpse of the soul that lets one "know" exactly the truth. She is a woman of kindness and compassion. Of strength and gentleness. Having endured sorrow, she knows the real treasure of joy.

The two together...my favorite cards...when I think about it...they represent both ends of the feminine experience (not that they can't speak to men also but I'm looking at it from a female perspective). Little Red is the girl child, with innocence and trust, facing the world with open heart and open arms. She travels the path and knows no danger. While the Fairy Godmother is the other end, a woman of age, with a life well lived, whose paths have lead her through the dangers of life, whose journey has captured a wisdom that only life can give one. She is confident in herself, has ceased to let others value or devalue her...she simply is...The Fairy Godmother.

So those are my thoughts, such as they are. A word of caution...thoughts change, they evolve, they are fluid. So do not be too shocked if I find a few faves...I'm fickle like that. Nay not really fickle but as life ebbs and flows...our perspectives change...we find different things that suddenly mean something more to us then they did before...so this is an evolving process subject to being revisited at my whim...LOL!!

Three Billy Goats Gruff Bridge Spread

2009-08-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

The first three cards in this spread form a slight arch to represent the bridge with card four being slightly under the bridge. Card four represents the troll. Card five is slightly beyond the bridge to the right and represents the green pasture or outcome of the situation. As I said in the earlier post I have this created nicely for you but I can not get it to download into googledocs correctly...poohy!!!

Card One: The Issue: The beginning, something sought after, a desire or wish.

Card Two: The Fairy Tale Message, gives advice or helps the Seeker understand the issue

Card Three: An emotional or spiritual factor supporting the bridge or needed to support the bridge.

Card Four: Something to overcome, a challenge or a block. May be hidden.

Card Five: The Outcome

Three Billy Goats Gruff's Bridge

2009-08-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

As I browsed through the fairy tales and cards, I was on the lookout for factors or elements from one of them that would make a good layout. The bridge in The Three Billy Goats Gruff seemed a likely possibility. After all a bridge is a means of traveling from one point to another, just as this journey through life is about moving through the landscape of time and life, in much the same way that a reading is about moving from point A in thinking to point B.

The bridge spread encompasses different aspects of crossing a bridge, as well as the added element of the troll. Card One represents the beginning of the crossing, tentative first steps, moving forward without a real knowledge of the outcome. Card Two represents the solid center of the bridge, that which the traveler needs to make it safely across. Card Three is the final section of the bridge and must be firmly anchored to support the weary traveler. Card Four, is of course, the troll, that aspect of the issue that must be overcome, a challenge that may be obvious but is mostly likely hidden, ready to jump out at the crosser without warning. The troll is lurking there in waiting, just as obstacles, challenges and roadblocks appear on many of life’s paths. Card Five is simply the outcome. What happens after the trip across the bridge? Where does the bridge lead to? Will there be green grass waiting?

I hope you enjoy using the Three Billy Goats Gruff Bridge spread. I would love to hear about how it “reads” for you. I have created a couple printable for recording notes when you use the spread....but alas, google docs is NOT cooperating with me...I have a love/hate relationship with technology...so perhaps I can get them up for you later...

NEXT POST: I'll put up the spread although here at blogger getting the form to look right might be a bit hard. I'll try my best!

NEXT SPREAD: The Princess and The Pea!! Coming soon!

0 Innocence (The Fool)

2009-08-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

This deck is "in my blood" so to speak. It's hard to "get away" from the cards...I carried them with me to work today and then divided them so I only had a stack of the 22 Major Arcana cards. Then I looked through them...whenever I needed a bit of a break...okay I confess...I looked at them when I wanted to....they sat there on the corner of my desk, like a lovely vase of flowers, colorful and inviting. And yes...they are going with me again tomorrow!!

I will fully admit that I am a tarot novice. My attraction is to oracle cards, although I do realize that tarot cards are a type of oracle. I am drawn to the creative free flowing intuitive interpretation of oracle cards. I own a couple tarot decks: Inner Child Tarot (which is also fairy tale based) and Elves Tarot. So I guess I am drawn to decks with a fairy tale or fantasy type theme.

What I am feeling with this particular deck though is a sort of flowing "creativity" and growth. The layers of meaning are not tied to traditonal tarot meanings, although those coincide nicely. Yet the "messages" of the cards seem to me, at least, to be much deeper. It's hard to explain at this early stage of exploration so we will see how it all unfolds over time.

I'm not sure I'll stay in any particular order when I write about the cards and fairy tales. Instead I perfer to present them as they "call" to me....as an aspect of the card surfaces in my life and has essential personal meaning for me...that is the time to rambling on about it. Of course, thrown in amidst all my personal thoughts about the cards will be some readings along with interpretations and suggestions for good spreads to use with this deck. As I have mentioned, I tend to get off on tangents, so there will also be musings, reflections, thoughts and ramblings about fairy tales in general.

0 Innocence (Little Red Riding Hood) This card is The Fool in traditional tarot decks but in the Fairy Tale Tarot we have The Fool represented by Little Red. In my opinion, The Fool is complex. Always representing the querent in readings, The Fool is about the journey through life with opportunities and challenges.

The tale of Little Red Riding Hood is a perfect choice. She starts out with a purpose but is easily distracted from it. She is innocent and trusting without the ability to "read" the wolf's intentions. She is also filled with hope and good cheer. She is joyous in her journey. So like any of us, young or old, who embark on a new adventure, a new phase of life, new dreams, or simply a different outlook on life. It makes us feel more fully alive!!

The tale reminds us that there are dark forces (evil, perhaps) or distractions on our journey through life and if we are to reach our "destiny" we must "learn" from our experiences. Not be stiffled by them, not frozen with fear...simply aware of them. I would not suggest we lose our positive outlook or belief in the beauty of life. But rather we embrace it more fully through our awareness of the realities of life. In the end of the tale, the woodcutter, saves both grandmother and Little Red. Bringing full circle the journey....a beginning, a purpose, distraction, challenge and certain failure, then rebirth.

Honestly, there's even more I could say about this card and fairy tale but this is a beginning. That is why I started with Little Red....the beginning of a journey. When the time is right, more details, more connections, more possibilities will present themselves. That is the multi-level quality I have been describing. But like a good fairy tale, the story shall unfold in due time.

The Lady in the Picture

2009-08-04T18:13:00.001-07:00

Before I go gushing and waxing about the actual cards in the Fairy Tale Tarot, I want to take a moment to talk about the Lady in the Picture. Sounds like a novel doesn't it? Well, I'm actually referring to the lady in the picture above...the one I used in the header of the blog. Nothing "special" so to speak.......simply an image I found on glitter graphics. It caught my eye and captured a bit of the idea of fairy tales, tarot or oracle cards, or just what I call the soul's journey through life. Let me explain.....

Pause for a minute, scroll back up if you must and look....really look....at the picture. Think about the colors, the images in the picture, the mood that it evokes, any words, phrases, or thoughts that come to you. Let your mind float free for a moment, as you gaze upon the image.

Notice the mist in the background, hovering, concealing just what is in the distance, but with a bit of sunshine breaking through. Isn't that so like life? There are so many things we will never know during our lifetimes. There hidden behind the mist they await discovery. Yet every now and then, something "breaks through", like a bit of sunshine. A tiny bit of understanding, enlightenment, a clearer focus on our path along this journey we all travel. It reminds me of tarot/oracle cards, conversations, relationships, art, poetry, and writing...all means of facilitating a greater understanding of self and life.

Notice too, the beauty of the surrounding landscape: the flowers, the green growth, the clear water, the golden reflections. There is no ugliness in the picture and to me it represents the world as it should be. Peaceful, lovely, tranquil, and just a little mysterious. There are things we are not meant to know in this lifetime, but they play there on the edges of our minds. Known and yet not known.

The lady in the picture is me. Oh, she looks nothing like me, past the fact that my natural hair color is red. Yet she is me none the less. Or perhaps she is that part of me often referred to as the soul. She represents that part of each of us that is unencumbered by a human body but is beautiful and kind. The part of us that can soar to heights as yet unimagined. As she gazes into the clear water, she is like each of us. Looking into the water, seeking answers, wondering, searching, musing.

Captured in the clear water, gazing back at her...is her own reflection. It reminds me that when we seek, look for the answers we strive for, that sometimes we so desperately desire. Those answers are already here, contained inside ourselves. We have only to gaze, contemplate, and recognize these gems. In the water's reflection, we note one thing that is not a mere reflection. Or is it? It is the white feathery wings that are in the water's shimmering reflection but are not part of the woman herself. Yet I wonder. Perhaps the wings are part of her, part of all of us. Maybe they are a reflection of the spirit or the soul, or whatever term you choose to describe that part of us.

I ponder this but the answer is hidden, there behind the lovely mist, waiting for another time to reveal itself. The Fairy Tale Tarot cards are like gazing into that pool. They reflect different aspects of each of us. They illuminate or accentuate those parts of us that we seek, or deny, or just long to understand. The cards and the fairy tales they are based on, provide a framework for understanding self and the human aspects of life. And maybe the "not so human" aspects too....the spiritual. They are the water in the pool. Clear and shimmering, reflecting clearly and yet also bringing forth tiny glimpses of those wings. It is this aspect of the cards that called to me. I feel they have things to reveal to me and I am anxious to hear them "speak."

So those of you that wish to join me on the journey...you are most welcome.

The Fairy Tale Tarot

2009-08-04T15:43:00.001-07:00

I seldom fall "in love". It takes a lot of magic to make that happen. The only other deck that has truly captured my imagination thus far is The Faeries Oracle by Jessica MacBeth and Brian Froud....I have many other interesting and useful decks. Decks I enjoy looking at and using and learning from....but L-O-V-E....now that is an entirely different matter entirely. Let me explain....

My VERY first deck was the Faeries Oracle...and of course just as in romantic love, sometimes there is an immediate connection...and it's true a first love is hard to forget...that would be the Faeries Oracle, which I still simply adore!!! I write about it at another blog called Faery Dust and Faery Kisses...

Then there were many decks in between....and I do so enjoy the Lenormand Cards...then suddenly last spring...I heard mention of the Fairy Tale Tarot. I rushed right to amazon.com to check out this new creation....and was immediately drawn to it...fairy tales are rich in lessons about the human experience and are abundant in every culture. I have a special interest in things that transcend cultures, time, and countries, like archetypes...that seem to point to a much greater scheme of life than we might see at first look. So click click...preordered it...and then the wait.

Well, yesterday the deck arrived...and it is even better than I anticipated. At first, I will be honest the muted colors and lots of blues and grays, well....I just wasn't sure about it..but after looking at the cards I started to realize that the colors were perfectly suited and in fact enhanced the cards....pulling one in, so to speak, across the threshold and right into the fairy tale itself. Just like falling into an enchanted land, where just around the next corner another adventure awaits.

Today I worked more with the cards and took some tentative glances through the book. The simple little tales themselves are delightful and varied. Each touching a different aspect of human existence and unraveling a lesson that is multi-leveled. In the coming days and weeks, I will share with you my adventures with the fairy tales, the cards, and my personal musings about this enchanted journey through the world of fairy tales and self discovery.