So It's Come to This

Now that I'm a lady of leisure enjoying seven day weekends, I'm doing a lot more lying around than I used to. I've come to the realization that I need to build more exercise into my daily routine.

Exercise is not my favourite thing, to put it mildly.

Of course, exercise alone is only half the solution. There's another issue involved. Isn't there always?

Well, I should at least strive for some kind of balance, I guess . . . .

On the other hand, exercise does have one terrible side effect . . . .

Dare I risk it?

Tarot Soul Card -- Magician (Number 1)

[Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot]

People whose soul card is the Magician are skilled communicators. They have analytical minds and think quickly on their feet. They speak well, write well and are very persuasive. Magicians can also be gifted craftspeople, especially with their hands, producing work of exquisite detail and accomplishment. Magicians tend to be self-motivated, focused, strong-willed and individualistic people. Often it is hard for Magicians to work for someone else; they much prefer to be their own boss, if possible.

If Magicians stray from a positive expression of their soul path, they become easily distracted by new ideas. Sometimes they refuse to grow up and take responsibility for their lives, preferring to live for immediate gratification in the moment. If Magicians really get lost in life, they can become glib grifters or con men, silver-tongued fast-talkers who play games and create illusions for their own personal gain.

There are two other major arcana cards in this constellation which influence a Magician's soul path: the Wheel of Fortune and the Sun.

[tarot art by SpaceTurtleStudios]

The Wheel of Fortune turns constantly, bringing both good and bad experiences to everyone's life. Whereas most people are scared of such changing fortunes, Magicians understand the Wheel's nature and are philosophical about its movement. Because of this, Magicians are more likely to gamble and take risks in life. Magicians learn through change. They are flexible and willing to grasp opportunities when other people simply cower in the face of the unknown.

[Tarot de Marseille]

As for the Sun's influence, some Magicians quite literally have sunny personalities. They are cheerful optimists and enthusiastic leaders who enjoy being in the limelight. They love having friends and partners who are equally as interested in the Magician's work and ideas -- someone who can be the Magician's Assistant, so to speak!

However, for other Magicians, the Sun's influence on their soul path can be a hidden factor (or, in Jungian terms, their Shadow). These Magicians lack confidence and keep their many talents hidden. They do not trust others easily and fear that if they show their true selves, others will hurt or punish them. The challenge of these Magicians' soul journey is to bring this hidden factor into the open, to learn to trust themselves and others, to let their true magnificence shine out for all to see. As Jung taught: when the Shadow is integrated, wholeness is achieved and a person will finally live their true life and reach their full potential.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Next Week: the High Priestess Soul Card

[NOTE: If you haven't yet determined what your Soul Card is and would like to, please go to the introductory post of this series found here, do the calculation and play along!]

Time For More Puns!

But first, a necessary disclaimer --

And now, behold the results of my selfless research forays into the depths of history, grammar, science, romance languages and the great works of literature, all in search of the most elusive and greatest puns I could find --

Remember, I do it all for YOU. No, no, please, there is no need to thank me.

You can't fool me -- I know how much you secretly love puns!

'Tis But a Scratch

Who DOESN'T love the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

He's a bona fide CULTURAL ICON now! And the Black Knight always seems to pop up when you LEAST expect him.

Here he is helping everyone to TELL TIME . . . .

Moonlighting as a POPULAR DJ . . . .

Shrugging off a CAR ACCIDENT . . . .

He's even made it to CANADA!

LATE-BREAKING ADDITION!

Many thanks to Pickleope of Strangely Naked for providing a link to this fabulous Black Knight art print by Alexander Wells, which is for sale here! In the background, you can see the French castle where the English knights were so mercilessly taunted and, speaking of merciless, my personal favourite, the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog!

Determining Your Tarot Soul Card

It's been quite awhile since I did any major posts on tarot, so I am starting a new series concerning Tarot Soul Cards!

Just by way of background, I've been reading tarot for 25 years now and have always found it to be interesting and instructive. I subscribe to the Jungian view of tarot as a psychological expression and reflection of our inner self, rather than believing tarot to be some woo-woo manifestation of the Occult.

Similar to the symbol system of astrology, the major arcana cards of the tarot can be used to describe and categorize someone's soul path or soul journey through this world. Every person's Soul Card will fall into one of the following nine types:

1. Magician

2. High Priestess

3. Empress

4. Emperor

5. Hierophant

6. Lovers

7. Chariot

8. Strength

9. Hermit

These Soul Card types are often called "constellations" because each type is made up of one dominant, plus one or two secondary, major arcana cards.

To find which Soul Card is yours, do the following calculation.

First, add up the month, date and year of your birth. For example, let's say your birth date is July 26, 1943:

                                                                  7

                                                                26

                                                            1943

                                                           --------

                                                            1976

Take the resulting sum and then add each digit across: 1 + 9 + 7 + 6 = 23.

If you end up with a double-digit number, again add each digit across: 2 + 3 = 5.

The goal is to reach a single-digit number. Once you reach it, that number is your Tarot Soul Card. In this example, the Soul Card is number 5 -- the Hierophant.

Every week, I will write a post describing one of the Tarot Soul Card constellations in turn. I hope you'll play along, calculate your Soul Card number and enjoy learning about your own constellation when it is posted!

As always, anything about tarot on this blog is just meant as fun and entertainment, rather than as serious advice about how to live your life.

[Note: My reference source for this series is Mary K. Greer, Tarot Constellations: Patterns of Personal Destiny (1987)]

Next Week: the Magician Soul Card

Just Let Me Make My Pitch . . .

I know that LOTS of people do NOT enjoy Valentines Day.

Many have good reason to be CYNICAL about love and marriage.

And yes, sometimes the day comes when the ROMANCE is gone . . . 

. . . and is replaced by OTHER things.

But IF you can, please please PLEASE don't miss an opportunity
for a SNUGGLE with a friend.

And DON'T be shy or bashful when UNEXPECTED opportunities arise.

You NEVER KNOW what LIFE can hold!

So Happy Valentines Day, EVERYBODY!

Words of Wisdom

WTF, HRH? LEAVE MY BLOG ALONE!!