EsotericErin

Category: Tarot

  • Card of the Day (Day 4)

    Today’s card is the Page of Pentacles, Upright

    The Page of Pentacles is a card I like because (as I think I’ve mentioned before) it reminds me of my sister. She’s younger than I am, but she’s by no means a child; however, she is a student and oftentimes the Pages represent learning, and new knowledge. My sister is also very practical and down-to-earth so I usually run my ideas past her before I go ahead with them because I know she’ll think of questions I haven’t.

    All the Pages in the Tarot are of the element of Earth which means they all have some drive toward money and the material things in life. Pentacles is the suit affiliated with Earth, so this means the Page of Pentacles can be a little too fixated on earthly concerns, but is also very sensual and devoted. If this card represents a person he or she may be very much involved in the details and getting a job done, but because it is a Page and has youthful enthusiasm, has more visible passion.

     

    Peace and balance,

    Erin

  • Card of the Day (Day 3)

    Today’s card is the 10 of Pentacles, Upright.

    Pentacles is the suit of material wealth, hard work, and Earth, and 10 is the final number in the numbered pip cards. In numerology terms there are nine numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), and every other number can be added together to make up those numbers. The 10 in a Tarot suit feels kind of like excess to some. That’s not to say they think it should be removed.

    The 9 is the ending of single-digit numbers, so the 10 is a little too much of any suit. In Pentacles, the 10 is a very happy-looking card and the progress made through the suit is completed, but there may be complacency and too much of a good thing. In all fairness, though, the people look happy, and loving, and comfortable in their lifestyle. For me, I like the 10 of Pentacles because I don’t think I would mind having the ability to relax and not think about money.

     

    Peace and balance,

    Erin

  • Card of the Day (Day 2)

    Today’s card is the Ace of Cups, Reversed

    I admit it, this card presented a stumbling block for me. In the past I have used Reversed cards, but in researching the cards (and other readers) further I noticed not everyone reads them. So, the question is whether or not I’m going to read them from now on. I think I will continue to because I feel it gives a different layer to a reading. On to the card at hand…

    The Ace of Cups, Upright, is a card I like, but Reversed gives me some pause. The Aces are cards of beginnings and Cups is the Water suit. Water is the suit of emotions, so I think of the start of relationship or a new project that is close to the initiator’s heart. Reversed, however, water (emotion) is flowing out of the cup and spilling everywhere, making a huge mess; all the potential and hopes are going to waste, and it makes me sad.

     

    Peace and balance,

    Erin

  • Card of the Day (Day 1)

    I have this app on my phone that picks a Tarot card each day. Personally, I think it’s great! My biggest issue when drawing a card each day is shuffling and then, after drawing the card, putting them all back in order. I’m the furthest thing from a neat person, but I like my Tarot cards in order. This app is perfect for me because I don’t have to worry about either shuffling or reordering the cards!

    Today’s card is VI “The Lovers”, Upright

    I used to like this card a lot because I’m a romantic. I want characters in books to end up together, I want marriages to last, and I believe in true love. I have learned through researching the cards that this card is not all the good tidings for love it appears—in older decks, there are two women and one man. I’m not opposed to polygamy, but I am a one-man woman and I want a one-woman man. I also think that if someone feels they have a difficult decision to make between me and someone else, the person with the choice should just choose the other person. If you say you’re in love with me be in love with me, and only me. You have to remember this card’s astrological affiliation with Gemini, the sign of duality.

    Because it is affiliated with Gemini, its element is Air. Air is not an element of emotions, and love is an emotion. I know this card is supposed to herald new relationships, it just strikes me that if it were really a card of love or passion (or even emotion) its element would be Fire or Water. The romantic in me wants this to be a love card, but I can’t help wondering how it feels to be the woman not chosen.

    I also think about woman chosen. She’s chosen for her virtue (I know virtue trumps vice), but who’s perfect? She’ll be held to a standard, put on a pedestal if you will, that she can’t possibly live up to, and then what will the person who chose her do? He’ll wonder for the rest of their lives if he picked the right one. Don’t even get me started on being the one who chooses.

    Now, I used male and female pronouns, but I don’t want to exclude others on the gender spectrum. I only used them because that’s what’s on the card. I don’t even think it’s solely a choice between people. It can be a choice between one option and any other option. Make wise choices, but know it’s a mental process (Air) rather than emotional.

     

    Peace and balance,

    Erin

  • Protection Spread

    I did a spread this evening because I wanted to start the week with a look at what protects me. I often feel exposed and vulnerable around others and this spread seemed to speak to me and offer me some insight.

    1. Am I open to the influence of others?: III Cups
    2. What energy surrounds me?: IV Pentacles
    3. Is there energy I must be aware of?: X Swords
    4. Who aids me?: IX Swords
    5. What protection can I count on?: VI Pentacles
    6. How can I ground myself?: V Cups
    7. What should I do to protect myself?: IV Cups

    The first thing I notice in this spread is the numerical sequence of the III, IV, and V of Cups. They’re not in order in the spread, but they are all there, and there is a notable absence of Wands cards. I’m going to do a write up as if I were doing one for a total tarot newbie. I want to get in the habit of saying everything as clearly as possible.

    Swords are the suit of Air and thoughts; Cups are the suit of Water and emotions; Pentacles are the suit of Earth and finances.

    I drew the 3 of Cups for the first position (Am I open to the influence of others?). My interpretation of this card in this position is that I am affected and influenced by others’ emotions. It may or may not be a good thing because it’s nice to be happy when other people are, but I do notice that if someone is in a bad mood, I am susceptible to that feeling, too.

    In the second position (What energy surrounds me?) I have the 4 of Pentacles. It’s hard to admit, but I can be very stingy. I like my things and I’m not always the best at sharing them.

    In the third position (Is there energy I must be aware of?) there is the 10 of Swords. I have battled anxiety and depression for most of my life, and I know this card is one of finality. I need to be careful of spiraling down into upsetting thoughts.

    I picked the 9 of Swords as the answer for position 4 (Who aids me?). It’s a stark contrast to the previous position and its meaning. I’m worried that the “who” aiding me is myself and my anxious thoughts. I know anxiety in small amounts is what keeps us sharp, but it’s confusing.

    For the fifth card (What protection can I count on?) I drew the 6 of Pentacles. I believe this means I can count on the generosity and kindness of others. I’m hoping I won’t need to rely on it solely, but knowing I have the support of others is a relief.

    The penultimate card I drew (How can I ground myself?) was the 5 of Cups. I am an emotional person, I know this about myself. I think that grounding myself will take some letting go of emotion. I know there are still two cups in the foreground and I should not dwell on the spilled cups, but rather focus on some emotions and not let everything cloud my judgement and get me too mired in my own feelings.

    I was given the 4 of Cups in the final position (What should I do to protect myself?). Protecting myself, I believe, will require taking my eyes off what I currently have and focusing on what else the Universe has to offer me.

    In summary, I think I can rely on others even when feeling alone: I have protection within and without. I can trust others will protect me and that, while sometimes it feels like my brain is working against me, it is trying to protect me; I just can’t let it overwhelm me.

    If you have any points I may have missed (it was a long day today), please, let me know.

    Peace and balance,

    Erin

  • The Tarot is a metaphor for what?

    I was lying in bed the other night contemplating this question and it had me a little stuck. Maybe metaphors just aren’t my thing, but I also really wanted to make sure I had the right word for it before I continued with the exercise. I gave it a lot of thought and finally came up with one. So, without further ado, I present my answer to Marcus Katz’s Exercise 1: Making a Metaphor.

     

    My tarot deck is a tool. It is a tool that helps me build my future.

     

    I pulled the King of Wands. The King of Wands relates to my future because Wands is the suit of Fire and I can use it for keeping momentum in life. Oftentimes in life I get started on something, and it lasts for a few days, and then it just fizzles out. This blog is evidence of that behavioural pattern—notice the first few blog posts were posted within days of each other and then nothing until a year and a half later? That’s Erin for you.

    It is my hope I can make posting a more consistent habit from now on. The King of Wands is mature, he has gone through the impulsiveness of youth and he is constant. Maturity and Fire combine to bring stamina. If I can be faithful to and passionate about my commitments (my family and this blog), the tarot will help my future.

     

    Katz, M. (2016). Tarosophy (3rd ed.). Keswick, Cumbria: Forge Press Keswick

     

    Peace and balance,

    Erin

  • Picking a Court Card Significator

    The other day I wrote about identifying with a Major Arcana card. Today I’m writing about Court cards and picking a significator from those 16 cards. Nothing I write is a set in stone rule, simply guidelines I’ve read other places that seem to be consistent. I want to share my own troubles picking a significator.

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  • Esoteric Erin in Action

    Last night I performed my first tarot reading since beginning this blog. I hadn’t intended to post about readings I did until after doing more in-depth studying of the cards, but I wanted to help out my sister and she granted me permission to use this reading, so who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

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  • Which Tarot Card Do You Identify With?

    I’m sitting here with my tarot deck and trying (not for the first time and probably not for the last time) to determine which Major Arcana card I identify with. So many books ask you to pick a card that you feel connected to. My problem is that there are too many and not enough that speak to who I am.

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  • EsotericErin’s very first blog post

    Hi! I thought I’d start with a bit of history about myself:

    I love all sorts of mystical, hidden, or esoteric fields. I received my very first tarot deck when I was 10 or 11, but I had been fascinated by the idea of tarot for some time before going into the New Age shop where I picked out the deck that would help broaden my perspective. For me, my interest in tarot progressed to an interest in astrology, runes, palmistry, pendulum magic, and Wicca.

    Tarot and astrology are my main focuses, however. It’s comforting for me in a life that has not been smooth to be able to work through potential choices and feel as though there are aspects of my personality and existence that are literally written in the stars.

    I started this blog because I wanted a concrete place to write down my experiences and journey through the lovely and varied landscape of tarot. I find I need something that holds me responsible and what’s better than a public forum to keep me accountable?

    I want to invite you on this journey with me. Learn with me and teach me! I know I don’t know everything, I would never claim that, but I hope to know more. I have strength in learning by rote, but intuition is not my strong suit. I need to improve my spiritual connection with the cards, with life, and with the universe. Bring your own concerns, your strengths, and your insight.