Tarot Strategies for Life Change

How to Use Tarot, Astrology, Meditation and Other Tools to Access Your Intuition, Connect With Your Spiritual Core to Live a Rich, Full, and Wonderful Life

My name is Ellen Zucker and I am an artist. I have also worked with Tarot and Astrology for over 30 years. Through my study and observations, I've come to appreciate the power we have when we are connected to our spiritual core.

There are many ways to make that connection. Tarot, meditation, yoga, dreams, painting, listening to music--anything that uses so-called right brain processes that either quiet the mind or engage the imagination.

This is a place where I will share tips and observations with you and I invite you to share yours with me.

Please sign up for my FREE E-Course, 

How to Use Tarot to Access Your Intuition

in the opt-in box on the upper right.

Happy Thanksgiving and The 5 of Cups?

Happy Turkey day to all. In the US, Americans celebrate Turkey Day. That is American people, not the turkeys so much, although President Obama did pardon two turkeys yesterday. The plight of the latter is a subject for a different day.

Nonetheless, the tradition is that people gather together with their families and friends to feast in a dinner that includes such stalwarts as turkey and stuffing, maybe some nice root veggies such as yams or sweet potatoes, etc.

The idea is to give thanks for that which you have.

The card that in my humble opinion best sums up the spirit of the holiday is the RWS 5 of Cups. I fully understand if you find this an odd choice. After all, the figure depicted in the 5 of Cups looks very despondent, to say the least.

In my experience when doing readings, clients find the image disturbing.

 

The figure looks despondent as he gazes down in three overturned cups. He is facing the left--the past. His focus is on an experience that has already happened. One infers disappointment or worse.

What is outside his gaze are the two cups left standing behind him. The Thanksgiving association is with them--that he is not totally alone or without resources.

But being like most people, and, yes, I am guilty of this as much as anyone, the 5 of Cups figure dwells on what is wrong, not what is right. That is human nature and quite understandable, especially if you are faced with a difficult challenge or loss. 

Nonetheless, even in the worst of times, there is something, no matter how small, that is going your way. Giving that your attention, or even a glancing acknowledgment is one way to counterbalance the negativity or fear you may be experiencing.

As an astrologer I have noticed that many challenging transits will be accompanied by a lighter transit, say, from Jupiter or Venus. It is the Universe's way of saying that no matter how tough it gets, there is always a reason for hope.

Law of attraction folks will tell you that gratitude for the small, and often large, things that are going with you during especially during times of stress and challenge is an excellent way to lighten your energy and bring balance to help you remain centered.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Sagittarius and The Star

People born with lots of Sagittarius energy or a prominent Jupiter in their birth charts seem very comfortable getting around in this world. They are able to wiggle through situations that trap most of the rest of us. They are cheerful, optimistic, and... lucky!

In a word, they are comfortable in their skin. 

To me, Order of the Golden Dawn attributions notwithstanding, the Tarot card that best sums it up is The Star. 

In the Rider-Waite-Smith version, a naked woman pours water from pitchers held in each hand as she kneels facing into a body of water. One foot rests in the water and the knee of the other leg is planted squarely on the land while eight stars shine overhead.

The woman has no self-consciousness, she is totally comfortable in her environment. Wald Amberstone points out that when you see nudity in the RWS, the figure is open and direct, not needing to hide under the cloak of formality.

Sagittarians are like that--direct (sometimes to a fault), and unless they are bound up in their egos, easy to approach.

Rachel Pollak remarks that The Star depicts a reality where you have found your place in the Universe and The Star's figure imbibes the magic of her surroundings as natural as a newborn takes to mother's milk. 

Sagittarians and Jupiterians take a 'big picture' perspective. They find it important to discern a pattern to the Universe--that existence is not just some random event. And knowing that they belong gives an ease--a faith that the Universe will take of them that frees them from struggling.

And it really does seem that for the Sagittarians of the world that they are just a bit luckier than the rest of us.

But now that the Sun has entered the sign of the archer, we can all breathe in some of the fairy dust and all dance a little lighter.

Happy Columbus Day and the 3 of Wands

 

The Three of Wands is the perfect card to commemorate the celebration of Columbus Day.

The RWS image depicts an individual atop a bluff. His back is turned to us as he looks out to the harbor. His stakes, wands, are planted firmly in the ground. In the harbor, distance are three ships. The entire scene is bathed in a luminous golden color. 

Gold is the color of the metal of the same name and in European culture is synonymous with money and wealth. 

The man's stance is wide, he commands the scene. 

The inference here is that these are his ships and that they are returning with gold. At least that is what Alex Murray had taught me so many years ago when I first became acquainted with the Tarot. 

If that is indeed the case, then a larger meaning of the image is to ponder the return of investment. In the preceding card, the Two of Wands, a man stands at a parapet as he looks out at the same harbor holding the world in his hands.

Endless possibility beckons, but it is only that--possibility. Nothing yet concrete. What are the possibilities you hold in your hands?

But in the three, the return on his expenditure of energy and pluck is contained in the bows of the three ships in the harbor. 

What is your return on investment?

The Two is energy out, the Three, energy in.

Columbus's voyage also had a mercantile purpose--he was looking for a shortcut to wealth of the orient and his goal was to bring back gold. And like the Three of Wands, his entourage contained three ships.

His successors did find gold in the New World. They were with the Incas. And later still, the Europeans conquered the land and its people and built the largest wealth machine in the history of the world to date.

But before they did, the Native Americans residing on the continent were largely eradicated through war and disease. Perhaps that is why the cloaks of the Two and the Three are red.

What is the cost to conquer your New World?

 

Virgo, The Hermit, and the New Moon

This morning, at 6:30 am (Eastern), the Moon met the Sun in Virgo. 

Every month, once a month, the Moon meets the Sun. This meeting is called a 'new moon.' and it signals the beginning of a new lunar cycle. 

Next month, the new moon will occur in Libra, and the following month, Scorpio, so that over the course of a year, a new moon will occur in each one of the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Tarot scholars have ascribed correspondences between the astrological signs, planets, and degrees with the Tarot cards. Not every Tarot scholar agrees with any one set of correspondences. But one of the most popular is one used by Arthur Edward Waite and his peers.

The connections are based on a Kabbalah-driven interpretation of Tarot, as opposed to Western, Greek derived meanings with which I and most contemporary Western astrologers use.

Nonetheless, it is an interesting exercise to examine the card associated with a given planet or sign to see what meaning is revealed. And even though, here, we are dealing with two different traditions, one can find meaning by doing this. 

As in all exercises of this type, my recommendation is to use the information if it resonates and is useful and disregard it if it is not.

The new moon is an appropriate time to examine the card associated with the new moon's sign. In this case, it is Virgo.

Virgo is associated with The Hermit.

 
 

The Hermit stands at the top of a mountain. He has traveled along a long and arduous path begun with the Moon card (associated with Virgo's opposite sign, Pisces).

The path originates from the watery depths, appropriate in that Pisces is a water sign and ends with The Hermit atop a mountain, equally appropriate because Virgo is an earth sign. 

At least, as viewed from our physical earth plane, it often appears that Piscean energy obscures. Fog and illusion are two words associated with Pisces' ruler Neptune. While Virgo seeks clarity. Upon the mountaintop, the air is crystal clear and the landscape free of distraction.

The Hermit is a seeker of truth and Virgo is a seeker of perfection. In different ways each is looking for absolutes. While The Hermit carries a lantern to light the way, his eyes are closed. He is looking for his answers from within.

Virgo is an earth sign. Earth and water signs are both yin, receptive. When looking within, it is necessary to be receptive to hear messages from your inner wisdom. Even when engaging in the organizing and detail-oriented tasks with which Virgo is associated, it is useful to maintain balance by periodically going within.

It is interesting that in the natural order of astrological signs, that Pisces comes after Virgo and completes the astrological cycle. Astrologically, Pisces represents dissolution, one reason for its creativity. In dissolving barriers, it allows for the synthesizing of different elements, the basis of creativity.

Virgo, on the other hand, represents making fine distinctions. And if you were to follow the natural order of the signs as a roadmap, you could deduce that laying out order and fine distinction is something that is transcended by the six signs that follow. 

In the physical plane, a fine ordering of distinction is an accomplishment of the highest order whereas in spiritual realms, not so much. But each is necessary and each has a critical role to play in our evolution and development.

Nonetheless, it is worth using The Hermit as a focus for meditation to dwell on questions about the path you are traveling. And with the Sun and Moon both in Virgo, to examine your answers with a critical eye.

Comments?

Passion, the Strength Card and the Mighty Lion

The Sun is making its annual visit through its home sign of Leo now. This is the place where he shines brighter than anywhere else. 

It also shines the light on all things solar including royalty and that king of beasts, the mighty lion. 

Strength is the Tarot card associated with Leo and also one of my favorite cards in the deck.  So it is appropriate to reflect upon this card at this time of year.

 

The image shows a woman dressed in white and a lion by her side looking up at her. She is gently holding his head. The background sky is gold as is her hair. Above her head is a lemniscate or infinity symbol.

The eye focuses on the interaction between this woman and the lion. That she is able to keep him in check is nothing if not remarkable. After all, anyone with a house cat knows the strength of even a small feline--lions weigh four hundred pounds and can easily overwhelm the strongest human and then eat him for lunch (as they might do in the wild).

For that reason, I believe we can rightly infer the lion is willingly submitting to her. 

But Tarot imagery is not to be taken literally. And like other cards, this one is metaphor also.

The lion is widely known as a symbol for passion and the woman dressed in white, a symbol of a civilizing force. The lion's passion invigorates the woman while the woman lends direction and focus to the lion.

I see this card as a reminder to ask yourself if you are living your passions? Does your life have meaning? Or has the necessity to deal with the day-to-day demands of paying bills and fulfilling other obligations taken the joy out of your existence.

If the latter is the case, then it is time for an overhaul. Because even if you need to keep your day job to pay the bills, you must make time for those things that draw you in and energize you.

The energy of the sign Leo is focused on self-expression. And whether you express yourself through the arts or just through force of personality, this is the time of year to focus on that part of you that is the creator. After all, Leo creates.

Leo is also associated with children, play, and the stage. Living your passion automatically puts you in touch with your inner child and approaching life with the open curiosity of a child is one way to put you in touch with your passion. The same is true with play.

So kick back, wriggle your toes in the sand, build a sand castle and take out your paint brushes. And have fun.

Can you read Tarot cards for yourself?

Recently, I was asked the question, 'can you read cards for yourself?'

The answer? Absolutely.

In fact I do it all the time. Sometimes I want to get a quick impression from the cards about someone or something that has caught my attention. For example, if I were choosing who, among three contractors, I would be best using, I might pick a separate card to represent each one. 

I would also do my normal due diligence such as checking for insurance and licenses, contacting the State to see if complaints were filed, so on and so forth. 

But using Tarot cards is one way of inviting intuition to give its opinion. 

Often, it is difficult to hear the voice of intuition through the background static of 'shoulds' and emotion. Tarot is a great tool to cut through it. 

Pulling a card of the day is a fantastic way to align yourself with the day's energies, give yourself a heads up for possible surprise, as well as get to know your Tarot deck. You can observe the pattern of cards of the day over time. Are there certain cards that keep popping up? Is there a suit that you are not seeing? This is information that can help you understand internal processes you are experiencing.

But Tarot is not infallible. If you are very caught up in the outcome or you are very emotionally attached to the situation at hand that you can easily miss the message.

True story. 

Approximately 20 years ago I worked for a company that was experiencing a change in ownership. New management was coming in. My hope was that they would perform some much needed house cleaning.

I did a spread and The Tower came up in a prominent position. At the time I was coming from a place of restlessness and fear and I did not want to see the message of upheaval brought by The Tower's appearance.

In this case, I had gotten other warnings--a medium described brooms sweeping clean, but in a careless and haphazard way. 

I was experiencing very strong outer planet transits at the time, but it wasn't until I saw that the then upcoming new moon was very closely conjoining the Pluto in my birth chart that it started to dawn that the brooms might be after me.

And two weeks later, a couple days after the full moon, I was handed a pink slip.

I should also point out that I did what many others do when they don't like the cards they see in an emotionally charged situation--I repeated the reading by asking the very same question. 

Experienced card readers will tell you that asking the same question over and over again gets you gibberish. It is as if the cards feel disrespected and react by refusing to comment.

The moral of the story is that reading your own cards can be very helpful, but, emotionally, you have to be able to accept the cards' advice.

It is when you are incapable of detachment about your own situation that it is particularly valuable to seek out a reader to give you needed objectivity and a sounding board.

Information vs. Wisdom and The Hermit

The Tarot Card of the Day for June 18th is The Hermit. 

The Hermit shows the image of a man dressed in white and light gray.He looks wise, dressed in long robes and a hooded head covering. He is clearly male with his flowing beard. He carries a lantern in his right hand--its light comes from a lowing six pointed star. In his left hand is a wand. 

He appears to be walking on top of snow covered mountain peaks. In the background is an icy blue sky. 

The astrological energy this week has emphasized the Mercury ruled signs of Gemini and Virgo. Dispassionate information seeking is the process of both Gemini/Virgo and The Hermit. But the Hermit's presence is a reminder that it is not enough to simply gather and organize information. 

Taking time and energy to gather and organize date can be enormously beneficial as long as it is not used as a way to avoid taking meaningful action.

The Hermit has advanced far on his quest for wisdom. And his quest takes him to high and rarified realms of higher knowledge and spirit. High on the snowy mountain tops, abstract and abstruse concepts rule. 

At these lofty heights, the Hermit risks losing touch with the 'real world' and common sense.

Higher knowledge and abstract concepts must be brought down to earth and rendered practical if they are to be useful.

This is equally true of people immersed in data gathering. As a Newsweek commentator points out about the BP oil disaster, it is easy to get hooked into debates about the numbers of gallons rushing out and lose track of the issues at hand. Data and abstraction is an effective mask for pain.

As for the Hermit himself, despite being led by the illumination of his lantern, his eyes are closed. He turns his attention inward to process the raw data of his search into inner wisdom.

Eight of Cups - Junk the Emotional Garbage

As the current lunar cycle comes to a close, the Tarot Card of the Day is the Eight of Cups. 

Prodded by this week's Jupiter/Uranus conjunction and Mercury's now rapid motion in its home sign of Gemini, the Universe is telling us it is high time to junk the emotional garbage. 

You must make space for the new influences coming in. Besides the old stuff has been hanging around so long it is positively getting moldy.

The central figure of the Eight of Cups is stealing away under the cover of darkness. He is leaning on his wand as a cane. Yes, it takes initiative to disentangle yourself from the muck--the good fairy isn't going to swoop down and do it for you.

So bite the bullet and just do it.

Tomorrow a new lunar cycle begins at 22 degrees of Gemini. With Sun, Moon, and Mercury in that sign, and both Mars and Saturn in Virgo the emphasis is information gathering and looking at the numbers. Because it is difficult to move forward until you know where you are now.

For my astrological perspective of the day, click here.

Preparation and the King of Pentacles

  

Today's Tarot Card of the Day is the King of Pentacles.

The King of Pentacles sits comfortable in his throne, balancing a pentacle with one hand. He is practical and down to earth. His cloak has a design of ripe grapes and their leaves. He has husbanded his resources wisely and he has plenty.

His right foot is revealed showing that under his robes is a suit of armor. Underneath his benevolent demeanor is discipline and tenacity. Behind him is a stone embankment and a castle.

He has the power to grant or deny you the resources you need, but your requests are more likely to be granted if you show that you, too, are grounded and disciplined.

If you are seeking to promote yourself or make a good impression today, then thorough preparation along with a relaxed demeanor is the best approach.

Five of wands and the Job Interview

 

Unlike my previous Card of the Day posts, I am posting in the evening rather than the morning even though the card itself was drawn in the morning.

Waiting until the evening to see how the card's energies played out during the course of a day is another revealing way to get to know your Tarot cards and gain a perspective of the day's happenings.

For me, the Five of Wands is about being light, nimble, playful and on your toes.

Today's primary focus for me was the job interview I had this morning for a State Civil Service job. My initial reaction upon seeing the card was that I needed to ready myself for tough competition. I had readied myself as much as possible the day before, being careful to complete the requested forms, laying out my clothes, etc. so I would have as little to do in the morning as possible.

Yet, when I went to the actual interview I found myself in a group setting that felt more like a first day orientation. We spent the morning checking to see that our documentation was complete and we filled out the customary forms one fills out on a first day of a new job.

What was conspicuously missing was the one-on-one sit-down that we all associate with a job interview. So let's call this an 'un-interview.'

In this case the card's energies played out in the necessity to be fully engaged and alert. I associate the Five of Wands with a group of people engaged in rough play. But in this case, the 'game,' so to speak, was listening to the hiring agency's rules and deciding if I want to 'play.'