Card of the Day

Good morning my lovelies!  

You may have noticed that I haven’t been posting much recently.  I apologise for that, normal service will be resumed shortly!

I guess you might say I had a sort of epiphany.  My card of the day is always given freely and is offered to you, my reader, with great love.  I have noticed, however, that few stop to leave a comment.  This saddened me greatly.  How do I know if my messages reach any of you unless you leave me a small sign.  My greatest wish in this life has been to serve – to help and to offer kindness.  Perhaps it is a vanity that I should need to hear that my words have been heard – but there you are!  I never professed to be a saint of any kind!

I am going to start posting again and if you find my words helpful, sincere and if they touch your heart in any way, perhaps you will be so kind as to leave a short comment.  🙂  And if you feel we are kindred souls in some small way, please read my pages about Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is dedicated to supporting the children of men and women killed in action while serving with the British Armed Forces.

There are a million reasons why this charity has become so important to me, and I guess that’s not really important right now.  Suffice it to say that I remember how hard it was for me, as a young woman of 20, to lose my father.  Although I was an adult, I could not imagine life without this gentle rock of a man who had sustained me through my childhood.  My father died in his own home, having lived a good life surrounded by the people he loved.  How much worse, I ask myself, for a child, who has no understanding of the reasons Daddy or Mummy will never come back.  I cannot even imagine.

There are so many worthwhile causes.  Why this one?  Why do I want to help these children so much?  Its something I’ve asked myself.  But as part of the Scotty Team I do feel I can make a difference, and if I get to help one child, its a start.

I’m going to leave you with this beautiful card from Brian Froud’s wonderful Heart of Faerie.  His name is Bright Spark, it seems appropriate doesn’t it?  All those beautiful, heroic little kids, trying to be brave, facing the world without Daddy or Mummy.

I’m not going to tell you about Bright Spark.  I’m going to let you imagine him – his potential, his talents as yet untapped, his bright future path as yet unexplored.  A tiny flame.  Like a child, it must be tended carefully – allowed to develop in its own way – encouraged to fulfill its true nature and become a bright, vibrant star!

To all those bright sparks, I send love and healing.

Brightest Blessings – Sandie

Mitakuye Oyasin – We Are All Related

Freespirit x

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Deck Review: The Fey Tarot by Riccardo Minetti and Mara Aghem

The Fey Tarot by Riccardo Minetti, illustrated by Mara Aghem

The Fey Tarot Deck by Riccardo Minetti and Mara Aghem

What a wondrous thing is this deck, deep and insightful yet filled with a childlike wonder at the magic of the universe.  I waited impatiently for the set to arrive from America and I haven’t been disappointed for a moment.  The artwork is stunning; graceful and inspired.

The Fey of this deck are not mere cartoon figures, but fully developed characters, with personalities, foibles and individuality.  The four suits are perceptively drawn and keep their main elemental correspondences and characteristics; the Chalices (cups) are gentle, watery Fey; the Swords have a dark, haunting energy; the Wands are nature sprites and the Pentacles live and thrive in the earthly realm.

The Major Arcana are both sensitive and provocative; using the templates provided by RWS, Mara expands on their symbolism in a world both magical and relevant.

The Seer, for example, representing the High Priestess, portrays the ancient allegory of wisdom by showing the Fey reading her book.  She sits outside a gate, beyond which we suspect is further knowledge, showing that she is the guardian, not the source of understanding.  It is not a heavenly gate, adorned with jewels, but rather plain and simple, indicating that wisdom comes from many sources and that value is indeed relative.

The Seer also only occupies the bottom half of the card; the gate rises above her, suggesting that she will help you so far but no further; understanding is not a gift she can bestow but one that must be earned. Only by climbing the stairs and entering the unknown can you hope to understand the mysteries she guards.

The Empress, by contrast, is large and wonderful; her image fills the card with its presence, protecting all her creatures with her gentle, all embracing love.

The small, winged unicorn she holds in her lap represents purity, innocence and spirit; the earth mother will protect the very smallest and weakest of her creatures against any force.  Her size in comparison to the building on which she rests reminds you that she represents the earth mother, whose love and protection is limitless.

I must draw to your attention the Lovers.  A substantial creature, born of earth and stone, tenderly reaches toward a delicate sprite of the air.

Their differences are indisputable,  yet they have chosen each other’s company.  This card speaks of the power of love to overcome adversity and diversity.  It illustrates something of the nature of love, which is not blind as is often said, but sees all and accepts everything.

Rabbi Julius Gordon said:

“Love is not blind – it sees more, not less. But because it sees more, it is willing to see less.”

I’d recommend this deck to anyone who has an interest in exploring the tarot with a new perspective.  A reader familiar with the RWS should be able to recognise the archetypes without very much trouble; although the Minors have lost their pips each has its number at the top of the card, so not too much difficulty there.  I bought my deck as part of a boxed set and I think the accompanying book is well worth reading, revealing insights into the symbols used in each card.  You won’t get your LWB by buying the set.  I never use mine, but those of you who enjoy these might want to consider separate purchases.

This is a wonderful deck for meditation.  Try picking a card from your traditional Rider Waite Smith clone; now pick the corresponding card from the Fey.  I guarantee you’ll learn something new.  These cards have a fresh, youthful perspective; you cannot help but learn through the eyes of the Fey world represented here.  Each time I use this deck, I am blown away by its depth and personality – I would totally recommend it.

© Free Spirit Tarot 2003

Mitakuye Oyasin – We Are All Related

Freespirit x

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Card of the Day 40

Each day, I will draw a card from a different deck and post here my reflections

Faerie Tarot: Premier Edition

5 Wands – Faerie Tarot by Natalie Hertz

This little fey has a message for anyone who has asked about their work situation and its surrounding energies.

Look how he struggles with his wands, trying so hard not to drop one, but it is clear he needs some help.

Five Wands often suggests a need for team work and there is certainly a lack of help of any kind for this fey.

If only this fey had some willing hands to assist he would be able to reap much more of his harvest.

But its more than just asking for help; its about being able to create an atmosphere of trust between co-workers, so that all members of the team are supporting a common end and each is able to work to their mutual highest good.

The Wheel of Fortune – Faerie Tarot by Natalie Hertz

A lot rides on being able to create an energetic environment, in which each member of the team is able to offer and request support.

If this is not achieved, potential and momentum will be lost and the moment of opportunity will be lost.

However, working hard to create such an environment will be beneficial for all concerned, both now and in the future.

Mitakuye Oyasin – We Are All Related

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Card of the Day 12

Each day, I will draw a card from a different deck and post here my reflections

King of Wands: Mystic Faerie Tarot

It is April 30, Beltane Eve; tonight the veil will be at its thinnest and the doors to Fey will be open.

For those who follow the old path, there is an opportunity to work with the Fey tonight for tomorrow is Beltane, the great fire festival to celebrate the beginning of summer.

If you would like to use your tarot for magic or for meditation, this is an influence of potency, accomplishment and good fortune. Study the image, create the dream in your mind and send your wishes to the fey. If your heart is pure, they may be willing to help you achieve your desire now.

Look at all the symbolism in this image: comfort; protection; growth; prosperity; high achievement.

If the King of Pentacles has chosen to speak, know that he offers prosperity and comfort.  For he is a wise and mature king, who has achieved much through his inate gifts and by being able to use them to his advantage.

He suggests that you work hard in the time to come, so that this year you will reap a good harvest.

His wisdom and abundant energy flows through you now.

His influence indicates strength and prosperity. Be willing to work hard to fulfil your dreams, for now you have the opportunity to move towards bringing your hopes to fruition.

Mitakuye Oyasin – We Are All Related

Card of the Day 10

Each day, I will draw a card from a different deck and post here my reflections

The Lovers: Fey Tarot

Looking at this beautiful card, I immediately understood something of the nature of love.

The image shows a large, clumsy creature, made of earth and roots, gazing with love at a light, airy fey, who flies gracefully above and around him.

She flies upside down; her attitude demonstrates clearly that his love is reciprocated.

Gently, the two creatures touch each other: their hair, their faces. They see beyond their differences.

Perhaps each knows that the other offers something unique, for he is grounded, secure and totally at ease in his environment. She must keep moving, dancing on gentle breezes or be swiftly lost on the wind.

The Lovers is always associated with choice; it is that way with all relationships, but particularly those that come under the influence of a major arcana.

Whatever choice you face now, you are asked to consider well, for it will impact not just upon your own life, but those around you.

Whether your choice relates to work, finance or personal relationships, consider both security and that which brings you joy. For in this physical world, we need both.

We cannot simply throw caution to the wind, and perhaps this gentle air sprite has discoverd for herself, she must have an anchor on which to tether herself lest she becomes scattered and lost.

But as the ground fey has found, his soul must be fed, his passions fired and his imagination must be allowed to travel freely, for only then can he dream of something beyond his mundane life.

This card illustrates so beautifully, for all to see and understand, the power of love can overcome diversity.

Love is not blind at all: it sees everything and accepts.

Mitakuye Oyasin – We Are All Related x