by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Swords, Tarot
The Eight of Swords is the Lord of Shortened Force and is aligned with the energy of Jupiter in Gemini. It represents over-thinking problems, being caught in a bind and difficulty in choosing the right course of action. Jupiter represents growth and expansion, and Gemini brings different and often contradictory options and possibilities, so this card is calling you to expand your horizons by adopting new ideas and actions. The Eight of Swords shows up in a reading when a choice is required, but neither option seems appealing to you, and yet you must choose. You have created a situation that cannot be talked out of, and usually this situation arises because you have avoided making a necessary decision earlier. This happens with people who are too 'nice' and who don't like conflict, but in this situation, a conflict is created anyway. The thing is, the situation is not really unsolvable, it just seems to be too difficult to resolve. The woman is surrounded by swords and because of her blindfold she is unable to navigate her way to safety. But the Swords are not threatening her directly, rather they form a barrier that she cannot negotiate because of her blindfold, or her refusal and inability to see the way around. You can now either wait until conditions improve which they will over the next eight weeks, or decide to remove your own blindfold and pick your way through the options that present themselves to you. It is important to realise that you are not powerless, you have the choice to find a rational solution no matter how insurmountable...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Swords, Tarot
The Eight of Swords is also known as the Lord of Shortened Force and is aligned with Jupiter in Gemini. It represents an inability to take decisive action and worry about a situation that immobilises you. It describes being caught in a situation where you feel you are damned if you do and damned if you don't so you close your eyes and hope that the situation will resolve itself. If you can't see what surrounds you then maybe it will pass you by. But like the child who plays peek-a-boo, hiding behind your hand does not guarantee your invisibility and your protection. Sooner or later the situation must be faced and dealt with. The thing about this card, and look at the imagery to confirm it, is that the woman is surrounded by the swords and the other dangers but still remains unaffected by them. Because she is blindfolded, her senses perhaps are more acute, but they are also not telling her that if she could only see what surrounds her she could formulate a plan of escape rather than cowering in fear. This card describes accurately the power of the mind to cripple us when we are not looking at the situation with a critical eye - our thoughts tell us that we need to be fearful and that we have no power and so we act in accordance with this belief. But it is simply not true. It is time to take away the metaphorical blindfold and understand that you are more powerful and aware than you realise. Instead of the swords being barriers to your...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Swords, Tarot
Known also as the Lord of Shortened Force and aligned by Jupiter in Gemini, the Eight of Swords represents worry, over-thinking and indecisiveness. Jupiter represents expansion and Gemini brings variety and choices, and so you are called to stop playing it safe and move into the possibilities presented to you to expand your life and your happiness. The Eight of Swords advises you to take a pause, not feel pressured to make a decision or take a course of action. There are two choices between which you are unable to decide and so you are in something of a deadlock, but also feeling compelled to take some sort of action even though neither choice appears palatable. This card warns that when you stand for everything, you stand for nothing. You may have a history of reluctance to express your real views in fear of offending someone, or because you have a fear of confrontation. You need to examine this situation honestly, with clarity and with a willingness to create balance by taking action and facing the issues presented. This card gives you the opportunity to use the gifts of your mind, your intellect, to disentangle yourself from this situation by biting the proverbial bullet and taking the action that is the least distasteful. By turning away from problems now, you will be no closer to moving out of this dilemma. You are on the brink of a discovery about yourself, and a lightening of your burdens, finally, although this is not without a degree of discomfort, or painful realisation. The secret is to take the action and you will move...
by estellew | Aug 10, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Swords, Tarot
The Nine of Swords denotes a tendency to be self-critical and is aligned with Mars in Gemini. It speaks of cruelty to the self, causing much anxiety and fear, restless sleep with disturbing dreams. Negative habits of thinking are ingrained and have become hard to eradicate, but over the coming weeks you will be drawn to people, places and ideas that present an opportunity to release these thought patterns and find more gentle and peaceful ones instead. You may find yourself caught in an internal debate over two points of view, with neither side winning. A better strategy would be to direct that Mars energy into physical activity - when you change your physiology, then your focus will change to a more positive one. How have you been judging yourself lately? In what ways have you been judged by others and taken that on as your truth? Practice accepting yourself and all the gifts you bring to the world, and make that the focus of your thoughts instead. Hang out with positive people and refuse to get drawn into negative conversations now - don't worry, there are plenty of people willing to do both and the choice is yours whose conversation is more beneficial! Understand that this way of thinking is a pattern that is formed over time, almost without you noticing, and so the Nine of Swords arrives to tell you it is time to fight back and regain self-love and acceptance. from "Dark Fairytale Tarot" by Rafaele De...
by estellew | Aug 11, 2015 | Minor Arcana, Swords, Tarot
The Ten of Swords is also called the Lord of Ruin and is associated with Sun in Gemini. The Sun is the life-force and ego while Gemini represents the dual nature of the world and everything in it, the polarity of ideas and energy, and the ability of the mind to cut or cure. Traditionally this card speaks of ruin of the individual through financial, emotional, physical or spiritual means. There may be lies, fraud, libel or slander involved and with it the end of a long term situation or relationship. Be aware that if any of these situations occur then the writing has been on the wall for some time yet you did not want to see it. So it drops on your head so that this time you sit up and pay attention. There is a great fear that current circumstances which may be difficult will continue with no end in sight, and that they may even get worse. This is residual thinking from old patterns from the past and from childhood that have been imprinted by family conditioning. A defeatist attitude that says nothing will improve no matter what is present. Look at which of your parents or other care-givers held this great fear of ruin and realise you don't have to adopt that legacy - you can always make a different choice in any moment. Understanding that the choice is yours to make sets you on the road to self-discovery and true happiness. There is a tendency towards depression which returns on itself in a loop and is self-perpetuating. The only way out is to...
by estellew | Aug 7, 2015 | Court Cards, Minor Arcana, Pages, Swords, Tarot
The Page of Swords is also known as the Princess of the Rushing Winds and Lotus of the Palace of Air and represents clarity from confusion, news and ideas. This Page is rebellious, impatient and eager to cut through anything that gets in the way of progress and excitement. He is also clever and witty. He represents freedom of thought, especially those that break free from stale and obsolete beliefs and ways of thinking. If he is impeded or not given intellectual free reign, whether by authority, superiors or his own beliefs, he can become spiteful and petty. The key to moving out of this is to embrace change and fearlessness. If referring to a child or young person, this Page is changeable, engaging and knows how to charm with words. He enjoys movement and sports, but he excels in games of cleverness and wit. Whenever this Page turns up in a reading, he brings news - letters, phone calls, emails and verbal news that brings changes to your life. On a deeper level, he heralds changes of beliefs, mental processes and new learnings. There is much to be learned through communication and conversations - both deep and superficial. There is a rebelliousness of ideas and a desire to overthrow the old order with something new and fresh. The Page is an immature energy, so often this energy will misfire until it finds its feet and becomes more directed so it is advised to take your ideas and give them the benefit of time and maturity to get the most traction and benefit from them. There is a need...
