by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Tarot, Wands
Known also as the Lord of Perfected Works and aligned with Venus in Aries, the Four of Wands represents completion of an important phase of creativity and hence new beginnings. Venus represents attraction, beauty and love, and in the sign of fiery Aries brings a dynamic creativity that produces something beautiful and new. There is the opportunity for new understandings and growth in an important relationship, and the chance to make it more concrete and permanent. Where there have been differences in standards or values now seems less divisive as there is a willingness to meet halfway over difficulties. Since this is a card of harmonious completion and new beginnings, there are all sorts of possibilities that will present themselves to you for consideration in your future. Take the time to enjoy what you have built up now, and don't be in too much of a hurry to rush into the next thing, although the desire will be strong. This is a joyful harvest card, and brings satisfaction and rewards after striving and hard work. The benefits of these rewards give you breathing space to relax a little and enjoy the fruits of your labour. There may be a change of residence or updating your current one, or even securing a second home. This card also represents the comforts of home, so you can expect to find solace and rest and pleasure in your home, wherever that may be in whatever form it may take. Whatever the level of success and completion you achieve now, be sure to mark this as an important milestone - we need rituals such...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Tarot, Wands
The Five of Wands is also known as the Lord of Strife. It is aligned with Saturn in Leo and brings restriction, challenge and unfulfilled desires. There is an element of conflict here, and it often shows up in others' resistance to you - people are unco-operative, belligerent and obstructive and this is a great cause of frustration to you. In fact, it causes even more resistance in you because you do not understand why you are struggling so much when others around you are thriving. Whenever you feel blocked or frustrated by circumstances or people in your life, it is a sure sign that you are feeling an internal conflict. The outer is merely reflecting the inner and it is time to realise the outer manifestation needs to be resolved within before things improve on the outside. This is something of a chicken-and-egg situation, since the tendency is to wait until outer circumstances improve before deciding that things are going right and that you need that to feel good on the inside. But in reality this is not what is going on. Once you decide to be at peace with yourself then you will begin to see the same harmony in your world. They say that what we resist persists, and if you resist difficult circumstances or people, then you just become a match to that energy and attract it to you as a magnet attracts metal. Have you ever noticed that the more attention you give to a bully or a foe, the more they stick to you because you are energetically connected by the conflict. If...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Tarot, Wands
Represented by Saturn in Leo, the Five of Wands describes a state of creative frustration. It is Saturn, whose natural tendency is to retract, be conservative and play it safe, placed in Leo, the flamboyant, 'look at me' sign who is most comfortable in the spotlight. Leo wants to rule and be in the centre of the action while Saturn wants to do the responsible thing, the right thing, what has worked before and is tried and tested. You can see the dilemma here. So it appears you are feeling restricted, unable to express yourself as completely and gloriously as you know you can. This is the card of Strife, and it says because you are being creatively stifled, then out of feelings of frustration there may be trouble brewing with people whom you feel are blocking your progress or competing against you. It's important to move forward one step at a time, even if it feels like you are driving with the brakes on. In this time of conflict, you need to examine why you are being challenged or blocked now. Is what you are trying to accomplish truly your desire, or is it a 'should' that belongs to someone else? Sometimes we don't dare trust our own dreams and so take on what is sensible or 'realistic' and this card is telling you to wait a bit, get clear on what really rocks for you because no amount of competition or barriers can stop you when you have made the decision to succeed with clarity and purpose! Get rid of any dead wood, let go of the...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Tarot, Wands
Known also as the Lord of Victory and aligned with Jupiter in Leo, the Six of Wands brings success, clarity and the possibility of a breakthrough in an area where you have been previously struggling. Jupiter brings luck, expansion, and growth, while Leo adds confidence, creativity and self-worth. There is great harmony at play with this card, and it comes after you have been striving and struggling and trying for so long you have considered throwing in the towel - giving up. But the Six of Wands says Wait! you will succeed if you can only continue for a little while. The work you have put in before now and the anguish you have suffered have not been for naught. Think of a seed that is laying dormant under the soil in the winter, no sign of life or hope, and yet eventually, with the loving caress of nature, the sun, rain and warmth, it lifts it's head above the ground and the impulse to thrive begins. And if you had looked at that bare patch and thought after all the care, watering, weeding, intentions that you had bestowed on it were for nothing because you could not see any reward for your effort, and so turned your back and left a moment before it showed itself, that is what you are going through now. Don't turn your back, but cultivate patience and tenacity. This card also warns against trying to gain advantage or force an outcome by unfair means - success will only come when it is earned and which benefits all involved. You will be recognised for...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Tarot, Wands
Aligned with Jupiter in Leo, the Six of Wands promises a successful outcome to any endeavour you are pursuing. In fact, this card is also known as the Lord of Victory. The feeling bestowed by this card is of being unstoppable and you feel the flow of life at its best. Harmony, luck, expansion abound, and it is time to step into the limelight and have your moment in the Sun. If you face any opposition now, you will be unwilling and unable to compromise - you stand your ground and are true to yourself, your value and your vision. It is a time to fully trust your power, that you are on the right path for you, and even though you may face intense opposition this is only because others are afraid that your success will change you and they won't know which particular box to put you in, or which label belongs to you, any more. You must stay with your truth even if it does cost you some friendships - once you outgrow your surroundings, you either inspire others to reach higher or you leave them behind because they are afraid of the light and of hoping and then failing. You have taken a great risk in the past and it has paid off handsomely, so there is much to celebrate. This is no flash in the pan - the victory you experience now and into the next six weeks will set you up for even deeper and more meaningful experiences to build on into your future. This is indeed a wonderful card to appear, so...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Tarot, Wands
Known also as the Lord of Valour and aligned with Mars in Leo, the Seven of Wands represents boldness and confident action in the face of stiff competition. This is not a card for the meek or submissive - it rather denotes courage in the face of adversity, thumbing one's nose at the detractors and those who would push you out of the way or trip you over to get to the finish line first. The Seven of Wands calls forth your fiery determination, especially when you thought the race was over - not so, not while you have a breath in your body! This is a time for you to understand what you are made of, what you stand for, and that you have a right to happiness, victory and the spoils of war. When this card shows up, it says that you have played the nice guy too long. Prior successes you have enjoyed have earned the attention of those who would like to take that success from you, so this is your chance to stand your ground and show them that your talents and abilities are no flash in the pan. This is especially true in your work or in relation to your creativity. Others will try to tell you there is no value in what you know is great and so you must remain true to your essence. Often when we face violent opposition to something that is truly important to us, we need to fight for it with every fibre of our being. The worst thing you can do now is bow down to mediocrity...
