by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Tarot
The Seven of Pentacles is aligned with Saturn in Taurus and is also known as the Lord of Success Unfulfilled. It represents sustained effort, concentration and commitment to growth. Saturn represents blocks, delays, and reward for much hard work while Taurus represents enjoyment of material rewards, so this card means there will be just rewards, but only after much work and patience. There is a sense of frustration with this card, since one feels that one has been making a concerted effort to produce and succeed, and yet the result is less than pleasing or promising. It is like hitting one's head against a brick wall - so much effort to so little effect. The Sevens, like the Fives, refer to conflict and resistance - the Five's conflict is internal while the Seven's conflict is external. So outside forces seem to be at odds with your material and creative endeavours. Often this card brings with it a difficult decision that must be made in relation to work or finances - you know what must be done, circumstances are requiring you to make your choice and yet you are reluctant to make such a final decision which threatens to destroy everything you have built up so far. You might view this card in the context of the Farmer - he prepares the soil, he weeds, feeds and tills it in preparation for the seed which, with the gentle rain and smiling face of the Sun in its season will result in the well-earned fruits of abundance. Much of the delays in your gratification relate to fear and resistance - do you...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Tarot
The Seven of Pentacles is also known as the Lord of Success Unfulfilled and is aligned with Saturn in Libra. It represents restriction and frustration, fear of failing, and facing and overcoming obstacles. A crossroads has been reached after much hard work and now you need to summon even more effort to get to the next level, or change tack entirely. Is it worth continuing on this project since the work has been hard and sometimes has taken a long time (if ever) to see any results, or should you pursue something entirely new with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and hope? There is such a level of uncertainty that your fears are freezing you in your tracks, and so even though you have two options (at least) to consider, you are only focusing on the negatives in both options and so are unable to take any action that you believe will help. The key to managing this situation and the answer that this card delivers is to persist with patience and not give ways to fears of failure or loss. Often when a seed is planted there is much preparation and then the waiting to see the results. If you lose hope too early and cease to put in the care and attention needed then the seed will not live up to its potential, and nor will your project reach fruition - both the seed and the project will wither and die before they begin. Look for patterns in your behaviour that causes you to lose hope and give up too early - if you do go on to...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Tarot
Known also as the Lord of Success Unfulfilled and aligned with Saturn in Taurus, the Seven of Pentacles represents hesitation and resignation through fear of failing. Saturn represents restriction and fear, and Taurus represents physical manifestation and as a fixed sign, a slowness to take on change and new ideas. So this card is saying that there has been fear, either real or imagined - it has the same effect - that prevents you from making tangible changes and therefore your desired progress. You have been working hard to achieve your desires and have seen little encouragement or results from your efforts - this disheartens you and allows the fear to arise that you will never succeed. Perhaps there have been disappointments or injustices that have marred your progress and so you have decided that nothing will work. This is an illusion that must be resisted. In all areas there is a fear of losing or not succeeding - and remember, fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. When we let fear dictate our lives, then we are protected in a perverse way from putting ourselves out there and perhaps failing again. You need to make a list of all the areas that you need results in and make two columns for each. In one column, write out you worst fears and in the other, its complete opposite. Focus on the opposite and begin to live in that space. Make it your primary focus and gradually release the fear side. The secret of life is that you create what you focus on the most. Let go of focusing on...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Tarot
The Seven of Pentacles is Saturn in Taurus, in which fears of restrictions and limitation and lack dampen the usually productive and results-driven Taurus. It is also known as "The Lord of Success Unfulfilled". It may feel like you are unable to achieve much, or your efforts are blocked in some way. You have put in all the effort you could muster, and now is the time to wait until the outcome is revealed. This is a Harvest card, and indicates what what will be bestowed on you is a direct result of the work and effort you have put in. If you have applied yourself, taken good advice and implemented it diligently, then your rewards will be great, but you need to wait so don't be disheartened. On the other hand, if you have disregarded good advice and stuck with old patterns, then I'm afraid your harvest will not be so sweet. You may be immobilised by fears of failure or regressing to an earlier, less productive state of mind. Over the next seven weeks, you can work on minimising fears and fearful thoughts - after all, we usually get what we focus the most on, and fearful thoughts can become a habit if we are not careful. In terms of your health, if you have been looking after yourself, eating right and exercising, taking fresh air and minimising stress in your day to day, then you can expect a good outcome. If however, you have been burning the candle at both ends, then recovery and future health is delayed and compromised. In terms of moving, this card...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Tarot
The Eight of Pentacles is sometimes referred to as the Lord of Prudence and aligned with the Sun in Virgo. It represents development of skills and value, and the flowering of maturity and gain. The Sun represents the ego and one's intention and core strength, while Virgo brings service, attention and perfection. So there is work to do, but there can be immense joy in the work, yes? Abilities that have lain dormant within are now stirring, and just need focus and attention to bring them to the surface. Because the energy that is building and manifesting comes from within, it will not take external interference. It is important to listen to your intuition now, go where you are guided, and feel into it with your gut - if you let it, your gut will never steer you wrong. It is the second brain. So you should not discuss your plans with others, although the temptation will be great. We have a delicate flowering here, one that needs to be grown in the dark and not be stomped on by outwardly helpful but ultimately useless advice. This is not about perfection - it is about bringing your spirit and attention to the work and seeing what eventuates by trusting yourself and your inner process. It is satisfying. Traditionally, this is the card of the apprentice, of learning a new skill and patiently working towards mastery of that skill. It is said that it takes 10,000 hours to truly master a skill, and so this card shows the beginning of the process of mastery. There is also the possibility of...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Tarot
The Nine of Pentacles is known as the Lord of Material Gain and is aligned with Venus in Virgo. It represents in belief in abundance and plenty, growth and gain. Venus is the planet of pleasure and Virgo is material manifestation, service and health. Together they represent bringing into being material abundance that provides feelings of affluence, well-being, comfort and an appreciation of the beauty in one's surroundings. There is a welcome sense of having plenty, a joy and pleasure in the good things that life has provided you, and a sense of gratitude as well, which is one of the best ways to acknowledge present and thereby ensure future prosperity. Good health ongoing, and the ability to settle in to a long period of comfort and peacefulness is embodied in this card. We have here, not particularly the result of hard work or past efforts, more as an affirmation of an inner belief in abundance and a willingness to receive all the good that life has to offer you. They say that worrying is a prayer for lack, and the flip side of that is that joy and gratitude are a prayer for abundance. Being determined to focus on the good things in life and expecting your share in them has brought you to this point. There is a self-sufficiency with this card, a knowledge that you have all you desire and it comes from the wellspring within - not dependent on the good will, whims or favour of anyone else. For those that would like to be in this place, then it should be noted that being...
