This Post is from the Understanding Tarot Through Mythology Series. I hope to explain the cards through the stories so that the Cards may become living, three-dimensional beings that are easy to interact with. What is Mythology?   A myth is a chronicle of sorts and  narrates  the  tale of something that happened in “primordial times” when things began.  According to Andre  Jolles  and Eliade, Myths were meant to educate to explain archetypes, and creation is an archetype. Eliade affirms that “all Mythology is a manifestation of being”. It presents a sacred story and thus tries to explain our existence and thus god.  Mythology is a collection of stories, that exists from as far back as the mind can remember. It is these stories that are then passed down through generations in that culture. At some stage, the stories were written down and according to Vandiver, a classical scholar, myths are “stories of the belief system” of a culture. According to Campbell, Myths are stories of “other people’s religion”. Myths have to be mystical and extraordinarily far-fetched and unbelievable in their subject. They need to be out of this world. Classical myths like the Birth of Dionysius or Zeus turning into a Bull to impregnate Europa fulfill this dictate. It is true of eastern classics such as Gilgamesh, where Gilgamesh journeys the underworld on his quest. The Mahabharata is extravagantly whimsical as it tells of the birth of the Kaurava Princes, who were hatched our of urns filled with clarified butter called Ghee. Biblical mythology insists that the world was created in a total of six days and the seventh was a day of rest which is again a fantastic claim.  Myths served the fundamental function of explaining the creation, and each culture has its own creation myths. It helped explain natural phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, thunderstorms, lightning, and so on. Myths helped explain the natural progression of cycles and the changing of seasons.   Myths were intended to instruct moral lessons in their own way. Greek myths have a lot of cause and effect stories, and the same can be said about Hindu mythology. They all work within the frame of reference and within the moral structure of the culture that they were from. In Greek mythology, a very high value is placed on avenging the death of the father as we see in the myth of Orestes. In the Mahabharata, the narrative explores the concept of Dharma or righteous living.  Myths did not shy away from taking on taboo subjects such as incest, cannibalism, fratricide, and revenge.   Myths are a way to face our primaeval fears such as extinction as we see in the Norse concept of Ragnarok or the Norse Armageddon. As most cultures have creation myths, so to do they explore doomsday myths.  Myths explore very universal concerns such as birth, death and the afterlife and therefore tap into the collective unconscious. Egypt is known for its collection of afterlife myths and rituals. While myths are based on fiction, some of them could be based on actual events. It is interesting to note that there are many cultures that talk about the great flood, from the Biblical myth to Greek myth to ancient Indian mythology. Similarly, there are many parallels running through the mythology of virgin births.   With the advent of science and the demystifying of natural phenomenon, myths have not lost their charm. They still have larger than life heroes and stories that help us have a glimpse of hero’s from a bygone age. However, myths are constantly evolving as well. The Trojan horse has now evolved into a complex malicious computer virus and this example in itself reinstates the timeless nature of myth, which takes on many more layers as it adds on more to itself.   Works Cited  Brunel, Pierre editor  Companion to Literary Myths, Heroes and Archetypes  Routledge, 2015.  Campbell, Joseph, with Bill Moyers.  The Power of Myth. New York: Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc., 1988. Urban Soul Tarot, Singapore. ©2020 by Urban Soul Tarot

What does the King of Pentacles imply? The King of Pentacles is a wealthy hard-working ruler. His land is fertile and he sits comfortably on a throne adorned by Bulls, which symbolize the Earth sign Taurus. The Bulls symbolize the determination and the steadfastness of the King. Alongside the qualities of virility, strength and passion of the King they also accentuate his wealth. The King of Pentacles has the Midas touch and he has an understanding of human nature, which makes him patient and very slow to anger. He is successful, very ambitious and is fond of a good life. One can see his armor from under his robe. The armor represents that he is hands-on with his kingdom and enjoys the task of making sure everything is functioning as it should. He is a family man and is kind to his employees and he does give people the benefit of the doubt. His robe is made of green foliage, leaves and grapes. The leaves and the grapes represent growth and fertility. The flowers represent gratitude. The King's robes reveal a lot about him. He has gotten to where he is by careful planning, diligent hard work and by helping people along the way. The grapes in their connection with the wine, that is produced from them, stand for fertility and luxury. As with his grape wines grow towards the sun, so too does the King of Pentacles rise up owing to his ambition. The ripe and sweet grapes on his robes stand for rewarded success. The Castle in the background is the domain of this illustrious man. That idea of dominion is further emphasized with the sphere that he holds on to in his hand. His garden represents growth and fertility and abundance. As with any garden this garden too has been kept healthy by de-weeding it regularly. This implies that the King of Pentacles hard work, vision, dedication, steadfastness have been his driving force, alongside his ability to steer clear off or weed out negative thinking. His wealth is a result of all his foresight, planning and intelligence as opposed to luck. He has perfected his own method to achieve and sort things out and they work for him. Meditations On The King Of Pentacles Things worthwhile generally don’t just happen. Luck is a fact, but should not be a factor. Good luck is what is left over after intelligence and effort have combined at their best. ~ Branch Rickey What is wealth to you? Which areas of your life need you to manifest the energy of the King of Pentacles? Where can you be more forgiving to the follies of those under your care? Where could you do with more planning, vision and hardwork to manifest your own Midas Touch? If this Resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

What is the message of The Fool? Element : Air Planet : Uranus Hebrew Letter : Aleph Timing : Something will happen immediately The Fool is the soul unencumbered by the trappings of the ego, mores of society, and expectations. He is a traveller, who carries no baggage, marches to his own beat and does as he pleases. The Fool reminds you that life is not meant to be serious. When was the last time that you followed your heart, and did as you contented? When was the last time that you moved spontaneously and had no cares in the world? We are all spiritual beings having a physical experience. And the universe reminds us of that regularly. There is an old Indian saying, "The Universe watches out for the innocent and protects them." The Fool is innocence personified. He really needs very little, for the pouch he carries on his staff is all that he travels with. Let go of any baggage, any worries about what people may think and uninhibitedly follow the path that you wish too. There will always be people who will have an opinion and you really cannot please anyone. What is most essential is that you follow your instinct and intuition. YOU DO YOU!! And no one can do that better than YOU! The Fool's dog represents his intuition. Like a cherished pet, it can be a benign friend guiding him on his soul's path. However, if he ignores his presentiment hunches regularly, it may leave him or turn into an angry raging beast. The Fool then reminds you to check in with your intuition and see how it is faring and what it is telling you? The Fool is powerful, but he does not know it! He carries with him a wand, but like the simpleton in most stories, he uses the wand to hold up his possessions and carries it on his shoulder. The Fool's power has not been lost on our ancestors though. Throughout time, the Fool has stood outside society much like the Chorus of Ancient Greek Tragedies and formed a comment on society. The Shakespearean Fool in King Lear, says what is obvious but he is the only one to boldly say it. The standup comics of today's era and those trending on social media Netflix, Prime and other platform invoke humour not by slapstick comedies but by honestly calling a spade a spade, and highlighting in a light-hearted manner the flaws of society. So today, be light-hearted, walk with a skip in your step, dance to your own beat, claim your own power and walk to the beat of your own inner drummer and know, that providence has a special soft spot for you and is keeping an eye on you. ​ Meditation On The Fool ​ “They say that God watches out for children, drunks and fools. Simply put, this means I stand a two-thirds better chance for divine intervention in my life than most other people. ”― Lenny Castellaneta, No One's Even Bleeding What is it that you truly want to do? What are you scared of rushing headlong into? What is your inspiration asking of you? Indulge it today!! Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

What does the Ten of Cups imply? When the Ten of Cups appears, all your proverbial cups are full and overflowing. Family, Love, Contentment, Home and Happiness are the key themes of this card. There is the realization that what you have is special. The Ten of Cups is a snapshot of that moment in time when there is the perfect balance between partners and life is blissful. It is a snapshot of serene fulfillment. I mention the word snapshot because Life happens!! In our rushed up daily lives, we can be caught up in the mundane. Chores need to be done, bills to be paid, children need to be loved, parented and schooled, and partners do not always see eye to eye. It is easy to run through things and forget that you and your home are both sparkles of magic in a world that feels "normal" to you. The Ten of Cups i s the "Happily Ever After..." that most fairy tales finish on!! The wisdom in leaving the ending neatly on that note is immense. In life, there is never the Happily Ever After that exists forever. Happily Ever After, takes work, love, commitment and the dedication to show up daily with gratitude and wonder. Here in this card is that snapshot, when the magic is acknowledged between the partners and their vision is united, and turned towards their children. Love isn't looking at each other, and as one grows in a relationship, it is looking in the same direction. The rainbow ribbon running through the card is a big giveaway to the happiness that oozes off this card. The first Rainbow was God's promise to Noah that he would not destroy the world again. Rainbows always come after the storm and they definitely hint that a storm has passed. Families that are strong were not given that gift on a platter . Love is something that they daily affirm and work towards. The members of the family show up for each other and the children are cherished and given a happy environment so that they grow into compassionate adults and spread the joy! These children are really living their childhood. The Ten of Cups thus tells you that you have worked hard for your emotional satisfaction and for now, you fully acknowledge the magic that is in your life. The children are happy if you have a family and this applies to you. You are your partner are in sync and share the same goals and aspirations. A malady of Urban living and Modern Life is that people do not separate since they are unhappy with each other; rather they do it since their vision grows apart. Your relationship shimmers and glows because of what you've put into it. For today, give gratitude for your family and your village or the people that support you, and make a commitment to yourself that when Life Happens, you will remember the magic and try and always honor it so that your cups can always stay full. What is the message of the Ten Of Cups Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing. Jim Rohn What is your Elixir of Happiness? Do you let your family and village know how much they mean to you? The Ten of Cups is a culmination of hard work. It is a natural emotional response to all that has been put in. What would you put in to keep that Happiness? If this Resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc The Light Seer's Tarot by Chris Anne. (Used with permission of the creator)

In Numerology 2021 is a year with the vibration number 5, which means that it is a year where we formulate what beliefs resonate with us and what we let go of. Kabalistic Numerology states that the Number 5, is also about finding the path between tradition and modernity, the middle path, and learning on the job. It has been a long couple of years owing to COVID and the consistent loosening and tightening of regulations on that front. Working from home has been a major life change. Some welcome it, since they can keep an eye on their children at home, and there is the benefit of cutting down on commuting time. Others dread the work from home because of the lack of social interaction as a result. Whether welcome or not, all agree that with work from home, the boundaries between leisure and work have been blurred. Whilst efficiency has gone up immensely, mental health and well-being are at an all-time low. In Singapore alone, there has been a record number of people quitting their jobs since the demands of working from home have been very taxing. So, Using Numerology, when is it a good year for Career Change? There are a few cards in the tarot which foretell a change, and these are our signposts to change. To begin, add the digits of your month and date of birth, omitting the year of birth. Example: Date of Birth is 12 December. Year, in which one is contemplating Change : 2021, or the planned year for change. Add all the digits together: 1+2+1+2+2+0+2+1=11. If the number is greater than 21, then reduce it to a single digit. For instance, if the number you arrive at is 23, then it becomes 2 + 3 = 5. This is the Yearly Cycle Number. You can expect change if the number you calculate is 10, 11, 13, 16, 20, or 21, as these numbers foretell change in numerology. Your Guide to Career Change Using Numbers Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. Steve Jobs The Wheel of Fortune is about the law of Karma, of the connectedness between us, about give and take and ups and downs in accordance with divine providence. Number 10: The Wheel Of Fortune: Using Kabalistic Numerology 10 is the Law of Karma. There is a chance of change this year, but it is driven by Karma. If circumstances beyond your control do not carry you off your feet, I would not recommend making a change, as the wheel can take you up or down. It is best to consult the Fates or book a reading before you decide on the change. The Rider Waite Smith Deck-Published 1909 Number 11: Justice. If the yearly cycle you calculated adds up to 11, change is in your hands. This is a year when like the lady Justice, you hold up a metaphorical balance and see what it is you want from your life or from your work, and what you have at present. Then you use the sword of Justice and cut out all that is redundant. There is a warning with this kind of change though. Let us suppose in the Year of Justice, you have two options ahead of you. Let us Suppose, Option A, is an exciting offer too good to be turned down, and Option B is further growth within the organization that you are currently in. This would be a year when you would be presented with a choice, akin to reaching a T-Junction or a crossroad. Do remember to calculate the year cycle for the next year as well. If that year totals 12, it indicates you will be in for a year of adjustment and compromises. The Hanged Man. Rider Waite Tarot. It should be noted that the Yearly Cycle Numbered 12, would indicate being in limbo, having no plans and going with the flow; pretty much like being in the state in which we currently owe to COVID. The advantage of occult wisdom is that it indicates this stage will last only a year. It also is a year to change perspective and trust in the divine. This is a natural flow from the number 11. Surrender is the lesson for this year. If you are using Numerology to make a career change and you make the switch in a year that adds up to 11, note that the next year will be a year of spiritual growth. The advice then is to not revisit your decision and go down the path of "If only I had chosen option B, or if only I had chosen Option A, then things would've been better." Life moves in cycles, and this cycle too will last for only a year. Overthinking does not help, and on each path, there are way too many variables that could change, so the best you can do, for your sanity, is close the door on the road not taken. The Hanged Man and his lesson of surrender is an essential one, and after 12 comes the number 13, which is Death in the tarot. Death is a transformation. It is the inevitable end of one cycle and the beginning of another. The Number 13 is as misunderstood as the title of the card which bears its number. Death is Trump 13 and it is a glorious change. This is a change that can metaphorically be represented as the turning of the pupa into a butterfly. If you had made a change in the year that the digits added up to 11, then this is the year that all the teething problems associated with it will fade away. This is a year when you will have something better that is offered to you and it is a great year to make that change you have been thinking about. The Death card usually  ushers in either a change of residence, a change of job or growth within the same organisation. Either way, it is a year of good changes . The Tower is about sudden catastrophic changes which move life and are beneficial in the long run. Another kind of change is ushered in when you have a yearly cycle that adds up to 16. This is possibly the toughest change of al l in Kabalistic Numerology. Many times we live in denial and may continue to fool ourselves that "this job pays the bills and that's all I need". The number 16 is also known as the hand of God. This is because God loves us so much that he needs us to reach our full potential and that is only possible when we are true to ourselves. This is a year when there are revelations that bring out the truth and one can no longer live in denial. If there is a change this year, it can be challenging in the present, but there are a lot of rewards, in the future. Judgement is the Call from within to bring about a change and be true to one's own authentic self. When the Yearly cycle number adds up to 20, you will be at a point when you know what you do not need. It is a crossroad where you know what you will not put up with anymore. This is also the time when there is an awakening to your own truth and your own needs and the universe supports you. The Change that comes at this stage would be initiated by burnout and by knowing that certain things have run their course and are no longer palatable . Whilst a change can be initiated this state of mind can also be carried into year number 21 when one ties up loose ends and moves on. Conversely, one could have come full circle in the yearly cycle 21, and be at a stage of starting a new adventure. Working from home may be a norm for a couple of years and the pandemic may have changed the landscape of our world forever. So, if you are seeking a change, do look up your date of birth and have a feel for what your numbers are whispering to you. Numbers tell a story, and we can apply numerology for our highest good, and if it interests you, you could always book a reading. If this resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc Picture: Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who was Lilith? The Queen of Swords, Lilith is from Hebrew and Biblical Mythology. Here is an illustration of : " Burney Relief " from about 1800-1750 BC. Portrayed here is the Babylonian goddess possibly Ishtar or probably her sister Ereshkigal (lions) or Lilitu (owls). It is said that the figurine was originally painted on a black background, in red colour. Lilith is depicted as this figure in mythology. The Bible has two versions of the story of creation. We are aware of God has created both man and woman, Adam and Eve. Eve was created from Adam’s ribs after he had recounted his loneliness to the Almighty. This is in the Book of Genesis (2:22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.) Genesis the book of creation from the Bible however also mentions that God created both Man and Woman simultaneously so that they too would be a pair like the other animals he created. This is in the Book of Genesis chapter one before the creation of the eve we know. (1:27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.) The conception of Eve, therefore, had two separate stories while Hebrew and Biblical myths both agree that God created Adam from dust. The first woman who was created instantaneously with Adam, therefore, was known as the First Eve or Lilith. The way the world has viewed Lilith has changed, in recent times, very much in the manner in which the world has viewed other women from the Bible. The original model of the Queen of Swords was also from the Bible, a woman named Judith from the Bible who slew Holofernes the commander of the King of Assyria. Lilith was a strongly independent and intelligent woman. She rebelled against Adam, as she was meant to be subservient and deferential to him. God had intended for Lilith to be of a status lower than Adam and to yield to him. Not only was Lilith a woman who knew her mind, but she was also not afraid to assert it. She refused to lie under Adam during the act of procreation as had been ordained by the Almighty but insisted on lying above him, since she was in her own mind, equal to him. The Queen of Swords in the Tarot is intelligent like the rest of her counterparts and has a sharp wit. She is usually portrayed as someone who is divorced or widowed. The Queen of Swords is the single woman of the Tarot. She is single since she is assertive, self-assured, and confident. Lilith has been adopted into Hebrew and Biblical myths from Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythologies. The Alphabet of Ben Sira, a medieval text mentions Lilith as Adam’s first wife, who fled the Garden of Eden on her own accord as she refused to consider herself inferior to Adam. She is attributed with the scandalous qualities that tantalized Medieval sensibilities, such as her inclination and fondness for sex, and her rebellion against the natural order of things where man is superior. Ben Sira in his book mentions that Lilith argued with Adam and that the two never really heard one another, another disreputably shameful revelation during the Medieval ages. Lilith was expected to perform the subservient role within the framework of what was expected of her (even by Ben Sira in his text), but she was instead adamant about being free. She simply enforced her personal space, which led to her being demonised as she was in her pagan past. Lilith presented a sound argument, as she noted that Adam and Lilith were created from the dust simultaneously and thus could not be superior to one another. They could only be equals. The Queen of Swords in the tarot is extremely logical, and like Lilith, her logic is sound. The marital life of Adam and Lilith had frustrating lows till Lilith finally was bitter enough to yell out the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, or sacred unspeakable word, which sounded like “Yahweh”, the sacred name of God, which gave her the power to fly away while earning her the wrath of God. She then becomes the winged devil. Lilith fled to the Red Sea to be free from Adam. While Moses led the Israelites to the Red Sea and helped free them from the pharaoh there, because God was his guide, Lilith feels abandoned at the Red Sea rather than exhilarated. Lilith, after leaving the Garden of Eden, becomes a winged devil, with talons instead of legs. In some versions of the mythology, she is a demon who killed children, and a lot of infant deaths were attributed to her in the medieval ages. In present-day Jerusalem, there are still shops that sell amulets to guard against Lilith. What is the message of Lilith as the archetype of the Queen of Swords? Dignified : The Queen of Swords has a brilliant mind and is very logical, as in Lilith. The Queen of Swords, like Lilith, may carry a certain bitterness or sadness in her heart, just as Lilith felt abandoned at the Red Sea, even though leaving Adam was her choice. She may even if the card is well-dignified, be blocking out emotions to let logic reign so that she can feel whole. In the modern day, feminism has cast Lilith in a new light, and she is seen as an independent woman doing well in her career, perhaps less so in her personal life. Poppy Palin’s Everyday Enchantment Tarot shows the Queen of Swords as a Surgeon. Reversed or Weakly Aspected : Reversed, the Queen of Swords, embodies Lilith’s extreme bitterness and demonic nature. She can be cruel, unforgiving and very pessimistic. Later versions of the myth of Lilith mention that she would go about seducing men in their sleep so that she could spawn more demons to grow her armies. Reversed, the Queen of Swords, like Lilith, is deceitful and disloyal. In some versions of Biblical Mythology, Lilith is the serpent that tempted Eve to eat the apple. In Renaissance art, we see Lilith, painted by Titian in The Fall of Man, as the serpent, coiling around the Tree of Knowledge. The Queen of Swords can therefore be as vindictive as Lilith, exacting revenge for what she deems as wrongs committed against her. Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

How is Lugh Lámfhota a Chariot archetype? Lugh Lámfhota was a hero and a formidable warrior from Irish Myth. He is also known as Lleu in Welsh mythology and Lugus in Celtic myth. He had horses and a chariot, that had the magical ability to be able to run on land and water alike and Lugh acquired them by setting the killers of his father to retrieve them. Lugh Lámfhota was a hero in Celtic, Welsh and Irish Myths. (Lugh and his bloodthirsty magical spear, as described in Charles Squire's popular book (1905).illustration by H. R. Millar) At the side of Lugh Lámfhota is the GaeAssail or the magical spear. This spear was a harbinger of Death and was known to never miss its target once thrown with intent. Once having completed its task, the GaeAssail returned to the hand that threw it. Lugh Lámfhota was born in a tower. It was prophesied that Lugh would be the one who would bring about his grandfather's death which eventually proved true.  The grandfather of Lugh Lámfhota was the monstrous Balor of the Evil Eye, the king of the Fomorians, and a huge one-eyed giant, who ruled from a bastion on Tory Island off Co.Donegal. Balor had stolen a magical cow from a smith who lived on the mainland called Druin naTeine. The cow named Glaswas guarded by a youth known as Cian also known as Fin, son of Ceanfaelighor MacInally. Threatened by the smith with dire consequences, Cian travelled to Balor’s stronghold to win back the cow and spied on Balor’s lovely daughter Eithne who was trapped in a high tower since it was prophesied that her offspring would be the cause of Balor’s death. Cian disguised as a woman and seduced Eithne, which resulted in the birth of triplets. The unfortunate infants were thrown into the sea by their enraged grandfather. While two of them drowned, Cian was able to rescue Lugh, with the help of Biroga female Druid. The chariot refers to an individual’s self-dictated journey, as opposed to the path dictated by society or family or propriety. The birth of Lugh Lámfhota results as a result of Eithne following her own heart. Thus the Tower where Lugh was conceived and the Card numbered 16 which adds up to a 7, bring to mind the importance of clarity. The Chariot is in some ways a complicated card since it mirrors the cards that have gone before it.   The Charioteer has the sensitivity of the Empress , which is evident in Lugh's talent for playing the harp, and his skill for poetry. The Charioteer also holds some of the commanding qualities and the heroism of the Emperor as is mirrored by Lugh commanding the armies of the Tuatha DéDanann. He also has the power of will of the Magician , and that is shown in his determination to fulfil his life path and crush his father’s criminals.  The birth of Lugh Lámfhota and the quest of his life was to bring about the downfall of King Balor. So the Charioteer is dressed for war. This card does at the most basic level talk about conflict, about keeping abreast of situations. However, the hero also has to prove himself and does not get the benefit of parentage, or in this case prophesy. When Lugh wanted to join the Tuatha DéDanann, he was ridiculed and stopped at the gates of the city of Tara. He enlisted all the advantages he brought to the Tuatha DéDanann, but they claimed that he brought nothing new to the table. Lugh laid claim to being the greatest smith, but the Tuatha Dé Danann had Goibniu. His skills at woodwork were offered at Tara by Luchta, Metalwork was rivalled by Credne. However since no other man could offer the varying skills of being a smith, a wright, working and shaping metal, while composing eloquent poetry and playing the harp to perfection, in addition to balancing the warrior skills with musician, physician and magician, the guards informed their king Nuadu, who put Lugh to the test with a game of Fidchell which was a form of chess, and which unknown to king Nuadu, not surprisingly had been invented by Lugh himself. Of course, Lugh beat him at the game. Lugh Lámfhota however had still to prove that he was going to be an asset and had honestly put his versatile and almost opposing qualities on the table. Therefore he was challenged by Credne, Goibniu, and Luchta. Lugh's skill in the arts of poetry, prophecy, music, magic and healing balanced by his being an arduous and daunting warrior are reflected by the black and white horses. King Nuadu was so taken in by Lugh that he abdicated the throne in his favour and decided that Lugh would be the King to lead them into battle against King Balinor.  Lugh was a handsome warrior and the god of Light, in Celtic myth. He was destined to kill King Balor of the Evil eye. King Balor of the Fomorians was called so since his eye unleashed death and destruction. Lugh led the gods into the battle against the Fomorians, and Nuadu lost his life at the hands of Balor. It was here that Lugh killed Balor by using a sling to hit a rock and smashing Balor's eye into his head so that it unleashed its deathly blow on the Fomorians. He, therefore, killed King Balor and brought peace to the land. The feast of Lugh is celebrated in his honour on the 1st of August to mark the harvest.  He also brought the killers of his father, namely the sons of Tuireann named Brian and his brothers to justice by invoking the right toéric, or the price of honour of the person. He thus acquired magical apples that had the ability to assuage any form of bodily ailment; a sorceress pigskin with healing attributes; the pigs of Assal, which provided food over and over again as they could be slaughtered repeatedly; the horses and chariot of Lugh; the hound Failinis, and a magical Cauldron.  Dignified : The Chariot is a complicated card. At one level it can mean exactly what it portrays, a journey, as symbolized by the Charioteer. Thus it could mean a journey is on the cards. It is also at a subtle level, a search for the self, or a card that talks about proving one's self as Lugh does at the gates of Tara. Thus it would mean reigning in emotions or excessive logic and giving it one's all so that it is the individual in control of a situation instead of being blown away by it. The Chariot talks about being motivated to work towards a goal. It is a card of focus and concentration and working towards one goal.  It also talks about battles, both internal and external. The Horses on The Chariot card represent the polarities in life. They symbolize forces, and skills that one needs to master to achieve one's goals. Thus the horses and the chariot represent his prior achievements since he acquired them through the sons of Tuireann. However, the horses also represent opposing skills or situations harnessed by a person. Life has a way of dealing with opposites and of pulling us in different directions. Yet it is possible to have and harness opposing emotions, people, and situations, and work towards one goal.  It is also very telling that the horses of Lugh Lámfhota can run on land and water alike. The Charioteer harnesses in him polarities like the horses he reigns in. He shifts from the conscious state of mind to the unconscious. His concerns are both physical or earthy and spiritual.  Reversed or Weakly Aspected: The querent may have allowed to let the horses to run their own path. He may feel as though he has relinquished control and is being swept away. There could be a lack of or loss of motivation. However, since the Chariot symbolizes a single-minded desire for victory, reversed or ill aspected it could imply an immoral or relentlessly ruthless ferocity to achieve one's goals.   Works Cited: MacKillop, J. (June 1, 2006). Myths and Legends of the Celts . Penguin UK. Further Reading: Mythology & Tarot Through Myth If this resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc Harold Robert Millar, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What does the Eight of Wands imply? The Eight of Wands and the Three of Swords are the only two cards in the Minor Arcana with no human figures on them, which makes the Eight of Wands the only one with no humans or human hearts! We see eight wands flying through the air with a river flowing through the landscape below them!! This card actually captures the energy of that movement ! Yay!! Life is beginning to move. If you were waiting for an email this is it!! The is the modern-day card of emails and communication. Things are about to get busy. This is the card that tells you to hold on to your hat because you are just about to move with the same energy of the wands flying through the air !! Projects will begin, your hard work is about to pay off. Have you ever ridden on a roundabout with the wind in your hair, and really laughed? Well, that is, in a nutshell, the energy of the Eight of Wands. It will be a time of haste, rush, exhilaration, freedom, and just the wind in your hair with the movement. It's going to be a stress-free time when things will move and opportunities will turn up!! There s a saying that goes "Opportunities only knock once but Temptations bang at your door!" with the Eight of Wands, opportunities are going to keep popping up and knocking at your door, so pick and choose because you can't ride them all at once! Traditionally this card stood for a journey over water and in the time before the Pandemic, a journey over air!! Maybe you just plan to do a staycation! Meditation on the Eight Of Wands Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement. Alfred Adler What is beginning to move? Are you going on a trip? Did you hear some good news? If this Resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

( This is my post featured in The World Divination Association Website, a site for peers, of which I am a member.) Chinese and Buddhist temples are hidden away in the city like little gems. Kuan Yin is also known as Kuan Yum and Guan Yin. She is a goddess revered throughout South-East Asia, popular in Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Tibet, where her counterpart is known as Tara. She is a patron goddess of Women and the Madonna of the East, granting both children and protection. Her name means "she who hears the cries of the world" and she is the goddess of compassion. It is said that if one calls out to Kuan Yin with sincerity, one can sense her presence. She is often depicted carrying a vase. Her eternal compassion encompasses even those on the fringes of society. Chinese Society is spiritual and, like most Southeast Asian cultures, believes in the presence of spirits, both good and bad. There is also an emphasis on fortune tellers and oracles. The Kuan Yin Oracle is available at every Chinese temple in Singapore. It consists of a cylinder with 100 numbered sticks. The Method of Consulting The Oracle 1.Those who visit the temple to consult the oracle, pick up the cylinder from the tables on the side where they are placed. They then proceed to sit in front of the altar, and hold the cylinder horizontally and shake it, till one stick falls out. Whilst shaking the sticks, the process is to think of the question that needs to be answered. If multiple sticks fall out, then the seeker has got it wrong and the process has to be repeated, till only a stick falls out. 2.Having gotten the stick with a number, further confirmation is required and a pair of moon blocks are tossed. The heads and tails are named Yin and Yang. One throws the Moon Blocks so that they may fall down to the ground. When you get one head and one tail, then it is a confirmation that this is a message from the goddess else the person has to start the entire process of shaking the canister to obtain a new stick and then again cast the moon blocks again, to check in with the presiding deity of the temple. 3.Once the stick has been drawn, and the moon blocks confirm that the message is authentic, then the seeker proceeds to the cubby holes on the sidewalls of the temple and draws a slip with the fortune on it. This is then interpreted, to fit the question on hand. I do use the Fortune sticks when we have friends and family visit us in Singapore, and whilst it talks about harvest and is rural owing to the fact it is ancient, the oracle does point in the right direction. I remember having a friend go with me to the temple, and she wanted to know if they were moving out of Singapore. The oracle asked her to do good deeds and abstain from drinking. She made a list and as soon as the last activity on the list was crossed out, they got an offer to return to Europe. The process took three months, considering they had been waiting for 4 years! Your DIY Fortune Sticks. 1.For the fortune sticks, one may use ice cream sticks and put them into a cylinder. 2. I use I-Ching coins to check if the message of the sticks was for me, and I think that coins could work well as a substitute for the moon blocks. 3.The Divination Book is at hand. (The Book is freely available at the Chinese Temples. I’ve taken pictures and uploaded it to Dropbox for those who would be interested to have a copy.) Chinese fortune sticks or Kau Chim sticks are very popular in the US, and are known as Chi-Chi sticks. The poetry is similar to the I-Ching and it is interesting to have a go at an Oracle from another culture. For those interested in knowing a little, here is the story of The goddess Kuan Yin.

What does the Seven of Wands imply? The Seven of Wands is about heroically holding your ground, in the face of opposition!! You may not be the kind of person who likes to get into confrontations, but when push comes to shove, you will stand up to defend the values and ideals you stand for. I love the Rider Waite Smith interpretation of the card, but I love the Light Seer's Tarot by Chris-Anne even more. ​ The Seven of Wands foresees a time when you will be under attack from people who will gang up on you. This is the time that you will need to stand up for yourself. Both the cards show the protagonist taking the moral high ground, the Rider-Waite literally and the Light-Seer metaphorically. Seven Of Wands Light Seer's Tarot I love the manner in which the lady in the Seven of Wands holds her own space and does not dignify the attacks on her being by paying any attention to them. Sometimes courage lies in knowing that this is not the path that you need to take and that you will not allow any low-vibe drama into your life. This is the commitment you make to yourself, and your inner light creates a bubble in which you can exist with your own ideas and inner calm. It takes a lot of strength to know that you will thrive against this attack. The Seven Wands are painted in seven different colours, representing the attack on the seven energy centres of the body or the Seven Chakras that control all aspects of a person's life, from the spiritual to the physical and primal. This could be an attack on your value system, beliefs, spirituality, religious beliefs, core values, communication style, and more. By choosing not to dignify it with a response, you can move above this drama and focus on your own life path. There is great wisdom in doing so since you do not compromise your integrity or do things you would regret. The Rider Waite Seven of Wands literally shows a man wearing a shoe and a sandal standing above those who gang up on him, fighting to retain his individuality. He, too, has taken the moral high ground and does not drop his stance to join the herd and, therefore, is willing to fight for his beliefs. What is the meaning of drawing the Seven of Wands? When you draw the Seven of Wands you too are being challenged in some ways. Someone is pushing you till you need to take a stance to protect your morals and ethics. How would you do it? Would it be in the yang manner in which the man holds on to his staff and is ready to participate in the unequal battle to preserve his position and beliefs? Or do you react in the Yin manner, by removing yourself emotionally and mentally from the area of conflict? At the end of the day, the means are as important as the end, and how you keep your values is as important as the values themselves, so it is best to make sure you do not indulge in the drama that wants to suck you in. Be individualistic and do what's right by yourself, in a manner that you keep your integrity and hold your head high. Meditations on the Seven Of Wands Conduct reveals character, and we best understand integrity when we see it lived out in a person’s life. Charles H. Dyer, Character Counts Where have you been pushed to take a stand? Who was opposing you? Did you go with the flow or stand your ground? What have you gained by standing your ground? If this Resonates with You Take A Class or Book A Reading . Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc

What is the Wisdom of the Gita teach us? How is it explained in the tarot? As humanity, we are all connected, and we form a circle that can nurture each other. At no time has this been more obvious than in the present pandemic. While travel is limited and we have family and friends that are away, we can still dip into the wisdom of the world and see how connected we all are. The Tarot is a thread of connection that ties into our communal consciousness. Let us begin our journey with India. Today we dip into the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. The Wheel of Fortune is perhaps one of the more Delphian cards in the Tarot, loudly affirming, we are connected and what goes around, comes around. We are bound by the Law of Karma. The Bhagavad Gita is a path to fulfilling your own unique destiny and living in accordance with the laws of Karma. Karma dictates that we each fulfill our duties to the best of our capability and have no expectations in return. When we live a life, where we perform our respective roles with commitment, we contribute to the growth of society and for us individually. When we let go of expectations, we no longer leave ourselves open to sorrow. Anything that comes our way is a bonus and will uplift us. This card is an amalgamation of symbolism, from Hinduism, Ancient Egypt, Greece, the Bible, and Alchemy, which is so fitting since it shows how truly connected we are!! The Letters on the Wheel read ROTA TARO ORAT TORA ATOR. This means The Wheel (ROTA) of the Tarot (TARO) speaks (ORAT) the Law (TORA) of Hathor (ATOR). Hathor was an Egyptian goddess who in this case personifies divine justice. The Wheel is borne on the back of the Egyptian jackal god of the underworld Anubis. On the Wheel rides the Sphinx from Greek Mythology with a sword, for only she knows when she is ready to cut you off from the wheel. The Serpent from Biblical myth or for that matter Hindu and Eastern Mythology is on its way down to await its rebirth. On the four corners lie the four fixed signs of the zodiac, and the four creatures from the vision of the prophet Ezekiel. The wheel bears alchemical signs that compose life. What then is the wheel and what is the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita and the law of Hathor? The wheel is the connection of all life and the cyclic change that we go through. It talks about the ups and highs we achieve and the downs we must weather in order to live. The Wheel is set into motion by our deeds, how the wheel turns then, is determined by what we did, and the actions that set the wheel turning are known as Karma. The Gita says that we are bound to break if we got rolling on the Wheel while living on the rim. Living on the rim means experiencing acutely the joys and sorrows of life. We are all old souls, and we create Karma. There is so much baggage that we can create in one lifetime that the universe in its magnanimity does not really give us the memories of baggage fro m another lifetime. As the Philosopher, Locke mentions that when we are born we are Tabula Rasa or clean slate on which we imprint experiences. The Wheel reminds us that we are connected, that life is based on the deeds we do and the connections we make and the Karma we are involved with. To live through this life with peace, we need to learn to live at the hub. Living at the hub means, that no joy sweeps us off our feet, and no sorrow breaks us. When something happens, Good or Bad, we need to remind ourselves that- "This too shall pass!" The phrase "This too shall pass" i s popular in Hindu Philosophy. It has been said that someone once asked Krishna to mention one phrase which could fit any situation in life and this was his key phrase. And what a glorious saying it is- There is no sorrow that will stay forever, and no joy that can hold on. Whether you will a situation to stay or move the only thing inevitable is change and we shall all move . How shall we live at the hub? The Gita asks us to do our duties and live in the moment. The past doesn't matter anymore for it is over. The Future is not in our hands. To live, we need to create and work. What better to do than the duties allocated to us, live in the moment, let go of the past, and hold no expectations of the future, and then constantly remind the ego that we need to live at the hub!! Blessed Be!! Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Who is Kuan Yin? Kuan Yin. She who hears you cry. Kuan Yin is a powerful goddess, highly revered throughout Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Though she is said to have the strength to dissociate lightning from its power, she is rarely remembered in that capacity. Kuan Yin is depicted as a petite goddess garbed in white, either standing on a lotus or being carried by a dragon. The love she has and the overwhelming compassion she carries is the spirit of the Ace of Cups. Guan Yin/ Kuan Yin is the goddess of Mercy & Compassion. Kuan Yin is said to have been born as a man, and some cultures trace her origin to the Indian Bodhisattva Avlokiteshwara. She can change her sex and manifest herself as a woman. She chose to use a feminine form because women were culturally marginalised at that time. She is the goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Kuan Shih Yin's very name means the one “who hears the cries” of every living creature in this world. Kuan Yin is the guardian and defender of women, children, sailors, craftsmen , and merchants. Her empathy and tenderness to see through the misery of every creature make her the patron goddess of the marginalized, the underdog, and those living on the fringes of society such as criminals and those undergoing persecutions. Kuan Yin’s empathy and benevolence exclude no one. She is depicted holding a pitcher. The pitcher she carries in her hand is akin to the Ace of Cups, which contains in it the powerful emotional force of love so limitless that it cannot be contained and focused on one person or group and can only be felt as omnipresent, encompassing everything. Love in the Ace of Cups, if it were possible to define it could be romantic, spiritual, philanthropic, unselfish, or personal love.  Though there are many myths regarding the origin of Kuan Yin, they are usually variations of the following story. The earthly name of Kuan Yin was Princess Maio Shan, the youngest of three sisters, born to a father who sought a son to carry on his bloodline. As soon as she reached puberty her father was eager to get her married as her sisters before her, but she refused instead requesting that she be allowed to lead a life of servitude to God. Her father gave in to her feeling that she may realize that such a difficult life was not meant for her. He tried many times to bend her will, but when she refused and held her ground, he had his henchmen behead his disobedient daughter.  Upon her demise, Maio Shan instantaneously went to the underworld, which immediately let go of its tormented souls, since her purity was so great. Next, she went to Heaven, since she had led a pious and virtuous life. However, as she was about to cross into the Heavenly Paradise, she heard the cries of those suffering on earth and made a vow to enter Heaven only when there was no more suffering.  Love, as represented in the Ace of Cups, is a very powerful force and should never be mistaken for weakness. It takes greater strength to love than to yield to other emotions. Kuan Yin features in the novel Journey to the West, which demonstrates her commitment to ending suffering. She charts the route from India to China, enabling pilgrims to travel from China to India and back, carrying the Buddha’s scriptures home to China to help alleviate the suffering of the people there. It is while she undertakes this perilous journey that she converts from evil and assembles an unlikely company of a repugnant sandy-haired monster, a ghastly-smelling pig, a traumatised dragon, and the incorrigible Monkey King. Later, when the monk San Zang and his improbable companions travel to India, she guides their journey and protects them.  What is the mantra of Kuan Yin? Her Mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum. What does the Ace of Cups imply? Dignified: As a personification of the energy of the Ace of Cups, Kuan Yin appears with  the nectar-filled cup and bequeaths unconditional love, wisdom and compassion to you. This is a gift of potent emotive quintessence. Kuan Yin’s cup like the proverbial Ace Of Cups runs over with joy and represents love so persuasive that it flows over and touches everything in its path. Perhaps it is time to reach in within yourself and find the core of your being, which emanates only love and forgive yourself, and those who have hurt or wronged you. When we take on the path of forgiveness, then we can access the goodness of Kuan Yin within ourselves and also find the strength to help others and ourselves.  The Ace of Cups may also suggest the beginning of romantic love, but it definitely asserts that love will enter your life and permeate your essence. While this card may indicate the beginning of a relationship, it points only to potential. In our modern world, we are aware that “Happily ever after” is not a fairy tale but hard work! The five streams of the overflowing Ace Of Cups in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot represent not only love that is spiritual but includes the love that covers the five senses, and also the goddess’s virtues of compassion forgiveness, friendship, joy, pure unselfish unrestrained love.  There is a sense of rebirth, and a new project or pregnancy may be indicated. Kuan Yin is known as the “Madonna of the East”, and childless couples would pray to her for the gift of a child. She is equally important and offers her protection to women during childbirth, so in a way, it is fitting that the card should herald a pregnancy.  Reversed or Weakly Aspected: The Ace of Cups reversed may indicate that you are disconnected from your inner essence. Let go of the anger and connect with the quintessence of your soul. Note that with love, you can overcome anything. ​ Works Cited      Collier, I. D. (January 2001). Chinese Mythology . Enslow Publishers.      Wu, C., & Yu, A. C. (2006). The monkey & the monk: a revised abridgment of  The journey to the west. University of Chicago Press.      Schenker, D. (2007).  Kuan Yin: Accessing the Power of the Divine Feminine.