Friday Night Love Reading

Feel free not to read this post. It is going to be sappy and self congratulating, and probably overly personal, but that's what writers do; let little pieces of themselves hang out all over. I'm not sure where this spread came from. I did not make it up, but I did not leave any notes about where it came from in my journal, either, which is not like me at all. Because the Touchstone is so driven by the portraits, expressions, and feelings of the people on the cards, I felt it would make a good relationship reading.


Me ~ Him
1*****2 Our perceptions of each other.
3*****4 Our feelings for the other.
5*****6 Our attraction for each other.
7**9**8 Past bond, soul bond, present bond.




1. My perception of him - Strength. I see him as gentle, compassionate, and kind with me. Sometimes I roar, and he lets me, while calming me down. I also see him as very brave, and capable. He inspires complete confidence from me, and I trust him absolutely.







2. How he perceives me - The Magician. He sees me as talented and skillful, if not somewhat manipulative. "Manipulative" should not always have a negative connotation, though sometimes it should. I am very good at getting what I want out of him, and I am always consciously striving to reach both my own goals and our shared ones.






3. How I feel about him - The Lovers. I am absolutely convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is my other half, and that my completion as an individual rests in loving him and having him love me. I realize we are different in many ways, but I feel that those differences compliment each other.






4. How he feels about me - Four of Wands. He feels that I am stable, and that we have a firm foundation to build on. I may be overstepping my bounds to say here, but I think that this card says I make him happy, joyful even. I think it may even be possible he would like to marry me *grin*






5. My attraction to him - The Moon. I can't necessarily explain the connection between us, but it is there, and it goes soul-deep. I don't need to have it explained, though, because I am drawn to him in a way I will never be able to explain. It seems almost magical to me.







6. His attraction to me - Five of Wands. He feels like he has beat out some competition for my affection, and that it feels good to win. It's always nice to know that others appreciate what you have. A small degree of jealously does not have to be a bad thing, and can in fact be healthy. It's all about balance. It is also likely that he feels somewhat conflicted. I do not take offense to this, because I know wherein the conflicts lie, and it is not in how he feels about me.







7. Our past bond - The Fool. We started off on a new and unknown path together. We took a leap of faith, both as individuals, and as a couple, that marked the start of a new and completely different phase of both our lives. Walking this path together has been part of what has kept us so bonded in the past.







8. Our present bond - Knight of Cups. At this moment, we are bound together by intense romantic feelings, nearly gushing, and the fiery Knight mixed with the watery Cup makes for some steam. Hey, people stay together for less than that all the time!








9. Our soul bond - Six of Wands. We stay completely bonded, and likely will throughout our relationship, because together we triumph over adversity. Our strengths shore up each others' weaknesses, and despite the difficulties we go through, we emerge victorious, time after time.







We all know that one of the dangers of reading for oneself is seeing what we want to see more than what is actually there. Even so, I read this as spectacularly positive. The Majors I see in this reading, in their respective positions, make me feel as though this is a fairly permanent relationship, which is both completely exhilarating and utterly terrifying all at the same time. Three of the four minors that have arisen are Wands, which is not surprising to me as the very core of our relationship is passionate and fiery. It is also interesting to me to note the return of two of my three cards from my daily draw this morning - the Four of Wands and the Lovers.

"Touchstone Tarot, tell me true. This is what I ask of you." So opens the booklet that goes with this deck. Kat Black also refers to it as 78 friends you hold in your hand. Thus far, my readings with it have all been very friendly, and I suppose the day will come that the cards will have to tell me something I don't really want to hear, but I have the feeling that they will be so gentle with me I could take just about anything from them!





These images are from the Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black for Kunati.

Daily Draw - Four of Wands, The Chariot, & The Lovers

I just got such a case of the warm fuzzies when I pulled these three cards today. They seemed to be writing such a pretty little story. I was heartened because I just didn't want to go to work sooo much this morning. It fairly consistently gets tougher and tougher. But I fairly consistently keep on going even though I know I should be moving on, so I make my own bed and continue to lie in it.


However, I digress and look to my happy reading. I did not assign positions to the cards so that they could just tell me a story. Here I see the solid foundation, built on joy, of the Four of Wands, driving me with the cool confidence of The Chariot, towards the wholeness expressed in The Lovers. That's it for 4 am. That's the best I can do *sleepy grin*

This is of course, not the only way the cards could be read, but that is what I saw. I see that continuously cultivating an environment of joy and gratitude is furthering my journey to where I want to be - whole, complete, content.

Incidentally, even though I am simply adoring this deck on the whole, these might be my least favorite Lovers. The Chariot is my Life Path card, and this is one of the favorites of mine to depict it. I really like the feminine presence, and she is just so very sure of herself.





These images are from Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black for Kunati.

Daily Draw - Eight of Pentacles, Knight of Swords, The Empress

This morning I used a simple three card spread from The Tarot Bible by Sarah Bartlett. This is a fabulous book for spreads and such, and it helps figure the meanings of cards in their positions, if you struggle with that, but as with all books that list meaning, I suggest beginners not look at them at all until they have a journal full of recordings of their own impressions. Book meanings are excellent to shore up one's personal definitions, but the cards should always reflect the reader because that is the way to truly read them, and not just recite some memorized words. It is a slower, but much more satisfying way to learn!

The spread is simply called Daily Practice, Card For The Day. The first card is Card For The Day (the important aspects of the day ahead) - Eight of Pentacles.

I am endlessly pleased to note that though this gentleman is hard at work on his project, paying infinite attention to the details of it, he has a book laid to the side, marked and ready to pick up when he has a spare moment to read. Reading IS work for writers, as is daydreaming, and staring off into space. There is a fine line between procrastinating and using those tools productively, and for sure I cross it from time to time, but this card is reminding me today to pay good and close attention to my writing projects, but also to take time to do the other things that are part of it. I could sit here at the keyboard forever but that will not necessarily net me more output.

This is also a reminder to keep on keeping on with the work I have been putting into making my home a writer's haven, and the personal work I am doing on myself to let myself flow creatively. I hate, hate, hate doing an exercise called Morning Pages, in which you are supposed to freehand write three pages of whatever comes into your mind, for however long it takes. I despise this activity, but I need to keep doing it. My hands hurt and I am writing inane things that I am never going to want to read again, but that is the point - to get it out so it is not cluttering up the ol' creativity pipes. I don't have to like it, though.

Attend To This (personal issues that will require attention) - Knight of Swords.

Be still, my heart. This single image might be the entire reason I chose this deck at all. His burning intensity is right up my alley, and I adore this image. I might have it blown up poster size and put it on my bedroom wall like he was a New Kid On The Block back in the day. (*sigh* Joey...) Just kidding! Maybe...

Anyway, the Knight of Swords is all about analytical thought and logic in action. He is handsome, to be sure, but is he feeling? I should be careful today of letting my head rule my heart and making impulsive decisions that seem logical on the surface but do not take into consideration my feelings and of course my intuition. He is also a truthful fellow, sometimes more than he needs to be, and this card reminds me to temper any hard truths I may have to break today with kindness and compassion.

I was thinking I would possibly let my boss know exactly what all I am thinking about how they have run a very good idea into the ground, but on second thought, maybe that is not such a good plan. He has to know that the situation is not right, and after all, it is his life savings on the line, not mine. I can walk away anytime I want and get the same, or better job, even in this economy.

What To Look Out For (feelings, desires, or reactions that could arise) - The Empress.

I particularly love this Empress. She is beautiful, and so very pregnant. There is no chance I could be pregnant (perish THAT thought) but there are probably some people in my life that could use some nurturing. It would also be good for me to attend to my projects and bring one or two of them to fruition.

I am smack in the middle of a major spurt of nesting, and that is not really surprising since I am deep in an Empress year myself. I am cooking, and cleaning, and rearranging furniture, and redecorating on my sparse budget. I have built myself a little altar and meditation space, and I have been so very careful to keep my work spaces clean and organized so that when I am writing or reading at least I am not distracted by thinking,"Oh, I should go put that away, or clean up this," or whatever else I use to procrastinate the things I really need to be doing.

In addition, with the Knight hanging around up there this card reinforces the idea that feelings matter a lot today, mine, and other people's, and to nurture them, and myself, and not feel one iota of guilt about that.

Shadow Card (the card at the bottom of the deck)- Five of Swords.

I don't know why I do this, but I always feel like the card at the bottom of the deck has something to say to me, so I peek. Like most people, I find many of the Swords difficult, this one no exception. This card, with the defeated slinking away and the main figure looking so smug and self assured, always makes me feel that he has won, but at what cost? When I see this card in my own readings, I try to look very hard at my own motivations and make sure that I am being scrupulously honest with myself and others.

As a Shadow to my reading for the day, I think that I need to be aware that sometimes people play dirty, and not everyone values honesty the same way I do. I am well aware that my bosses act pretty shady at times, and I should not be surprised if it should come back to me at times.

I am finding the Touchstone Tarot imminently readable, probable the most of all my latest batch of decks, and I am enjoying using it for my daily draws! After a few more days of working with it, I will probably post a review.




These images are from Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black for Kunati.

Daily Draw - Ace of Wands

This morning I was greeted by an angel for my daily draw - the Ace of Wands from the Touchstone Tarot. I love the bright expectation of the Aces most of the time, and today is no exception. This Ace is the one of fiery intensity, bursting creativity, and dynamic energy. I can relate this to my daily life because I need to cultivate a bit of that just now. I know what I need to be doing with my life, I am just having trouble balancing that with the need to buy new kicks for kids, keeping them fed reasonably well, and keeping a roof over our heads.

Through working on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron I have discovered that I have the belief that writers are poor and have to pursue their craft on the sidelines, that I don't feel confident in my abilities to make a living doing something I love. I have the ingrained belief that you have to suffer at your work, and that sitting here, clacking away at the keyboard, is not real work at all, and it is preposterous that I should get paid for it. In my heart I know this is not true, and if I were advising a friend on these matters I would never speak so harshly to them. I would encourage them to follow their dreams, because at the end of the day, that is all any of us really has. We get one go-round at this life and I while taking care of the kidlettes is the absolute priority, I doubt I will look back at the end and be proud of the years I have held myself back from doing what I really needed to do.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

Several weeks ago, I dreamt repeatedly about the Three of Wands, live and in living color. I felt the cool sea air against my skin. My nostrils were full of the tangy salt smell, and the sunshine warmed my face as I looked out over the harbor. I watched in eager anticipation as the ships glided into the harbor. At the time, I did not know why I was dreaming so vividly about this one card, one that I have not studied thoroughly and not one I particularly feel drawn to, generally speaking. But as time goes by I am starting to understand more. If I had dreamt of the two, it may have represented an urgent longing to do something about it, but no, it was the three, and that makes all the difference. I hesitate because I am scared, of not making enough money, of not being able to care for my kids, of being crazy, and drunk, and unstable, and most of all, more than any of that, that I do not have something important enough to say that anyone will want to read it, or that I will have these beautiful ideas trapped, unable to find the words that release them. But letting fear control me should not be an option, and my slew of positive cards assure me that no matter the outcome, I can have assurance that I am going to be okay. Better than okay. Fantastic even!

It is my true belief that God, or Spirit, or however you call the Creative Lifeforce of the Universe, puts deep desire on our hearts because those things are part of His plan for us, and His plans are good for us because He is not the angry deity looking down from some far off perch for something to punish. He is the patient Father who loves us tenderly, and the sweet Mother who stays up all night worrying for us, and He wants our success, our joy, and our fulfillment. It's just that He wants us to know those things flow from Him. In that belief, I am so very grateful for the constant reassurances I am given, the gentle prodding, and the not so gentle pushes, when I need that. In tarot I have found the way that I understand God's language the best, and I have found a way to bring forth all those things that I couldn't name before.

"The place that God calls us is that place where the world's deep hunger and our deep desire meet." ~Fredrick Buechner

I know that we all walk our own spiritual path and it is my deep desire to not give any offense by calling God "God" and "Him". I actually believe that in the trinity unit of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that Spirit, the One that rests upon the earth, the One that causes things to happen, the One whose touch we can feel on our lives in the most intimate way, is the Divine Feminine aspect of God. I think that most people who call themselves Christian have earned a scornful look from the rest of the world, but I strive very hard to not pass judgment on others, or to insist that I know the right way. I only know the right way for me, and while I take the Bible as truth, I do not take it as the only truth. I am a Christian, not an ignorant *grin*




If anyone is interested in The Artist's Way, which I believe is helpful for everyone Beth Owl's Daughter is blogging very perceptively about the process of it, with an invitation to join her!


These images are from the Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black for Kunati.

Touchstone Tarot Says Hello!

Today I drew the Nine of Cups, which I am showing from the Radiant Rider Waite I use daily, and Tarot of the New Vision, because I like the behind the scenes glimpses it offers. Too cute! We all want to see the Nine of Cups with it's message of happiness and contentment. the chubby little ones in the New Vision make me smile so much. I wish my kids were little like that again!

I just wanted to share something fun and uplifting today! It's not PDR and I don't have any ground breaking revelations to share, but there are times when tarot is such a comfort to me.

My life is pretty up in arms at the moment. I was blessed enough to saved up a (little) money and that was just as well, since it turns out that my hours have been cut severely at work. That is making me nervous but it has been a blessing too to just be home with my kiddos. I have been working very hard on creating the kind of environment that will let me be an actual artist so that has all been to the good.

I was leafing through my Touchstone Tarot today just looking at pictures really, but it seemed like it wanted to talk, so I shuffled and said, "Okay, tell me whatever you have in mind."


I chuckled when I saw the Nine of Cups, because that was my daily draw card today. I don't know why because it has been a very laid back day, with nothing exciting happening at all, but that is actually how I like my days - easy, and mostly the same, so that is definitely a wish come true for me! The gentlemen looks very relaxed and self possessed. I was relaxed today, and actually spent most of it re-reading an old favorite book.

The Wheel of Fortune often makes me feel a bit nervous, because I don't like things to change very much if I can help it (exciting I know), but with the Star's appearance at the end I felt that whatever large change is heading my way is going to be one that brings me more hope, and more healing. I think that these cards speak to me following my own pleasure in life, which revolves around my home and my writing, will increase my fortune and help me to realize my dreams, which are not that big, really. Just my moppets and my honey and a pad and a paper. And a deck or two (dozen) of course. Oh yeah and the dog. My little sweetheart.

Maintaining a state of gratitude is very important for my spiritual path and I am so very thankful for these light hearted, hopeful cards this evening. I might have missed their message too, if I hadn't followed the impulse to lay out cards I only intended to fondle a little.

I am a bit of a deck collector, and I pretty much get everything new that comes out and add older decks as I come across them and feel drawn. Most of them that I have I would not part with, because even if they do not call me to use them now I think the time will come when they will. I am very happy that I got the Touchstone in both versions. The one scanned here is the mass market, and it is completely lovely, with an excellent booklet and a great hinge box for storage. It definitely comes with my seal of approval!





These images are from the Touchstone Tarot by Kat Black for Kunati.