Tag: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

#TarotTuesday – Nine of Wands

Published on by Jan Sikes28 Comments

Welcome back to another TAROT TUESDAY card reading!

If you are just joining me, let me explain the inspiration to begin these posts. In Texas, and all across the country, Taco Tuesday is a popular day when Tacos are usually 99 cents. So, I had the inspiration, or Angel nudge as I like to think of it, to create a Tarot Tuesday. Each Tuesday I will post a different Tarot card and give its meaning. I pray and ask for the right card that will bring a message to someone in need.

We’ve had a lot of Wands popping up lately. So, I wanted to take another look at what the Wands represent in the Tarot deck.

Wands are associated with primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion, original thought and the seeds through which life springs forth.

The Suit of Wands is associated with the element of Fire. Fire is hot, wild, unpredictable, and energetic (how appropriate for the month of August in the fire sign of Leo). It can be creative in helping us to cook food or build tools, or it can be destructive, like a devastating bush fire or house fire.

Fire is symbolic of passion, energy, enthusiasm, and sexuality. It is a masculine element and reflects the drive and willpower of the masculine energy.

Today we have the NINE OF WANDS!

That’s a lot of energy with the number nine. This card represents resilience, courage, persistence, test of faith, and boundaries.

The Nine of Wands shows an injured man, clutching one wand, while he looks over his shoulder towards the eight wands that loom over him. He appears weary and worn, as though he has already been through a battle and now must face additional challenges with the presence of these eight wands. As a Nine, though, this is his final challenge before reaching his goal; he must endure this last test of his strength and character before reaching the finish line. (Good news, right?)

 Even in the face of adversity, you stand tall and strong. You may be on the edge of exhaustion, but you are resilient, persistent, and ready to do what it takes to get to the finish line.

This card may also come when you feel battered and bruised, having endured significant challenges and struggles along your path. Just when you think you are making progress, you suffer another setback. The Nine of Wands asks you to trust that this is merely a test of your ‘grit’ and resilience, and know that you have the inner resources necessary to overcome any difficulty you encounter, even though it may seem impossible at the time. See this Nine as an assurance that you will eventually prosper if you maintain your position. And, if you do not succeed at first, then try again. Keep pushing – you are so close to the finish line.

You have people who support you. The Nine of Wands invites you to find your cheerleaders and personal bodyguards, those who will protect you from the ongoing challenges and cheer you on to the finish line.

Finally, the advice of the Nine of Wands is to establish your boundaries and fiercely protect those lines. If you allowed others to stand in your way or deplete your energy, it is likely that you have not asserted yourself effectively with those people to protect yourself. Get clear on what you need in this situation to be successful and reach your goals, and then communicate those needs to others. 

WOW!! I don’t know about you, but all of that resonates with me! Thoughts?

Thank you for joining me! See you next Tuesday for another inspiring message from the Universe via the Tarot Cards!

As always, I use the Rider-Waite Radiance deck and BiddyTarot.com for interpretations.

#TarotTuesday – The Star!

Published on by Jan Sikes32 Comments

Welcome back to another TAROT TUESDAY card reading!

If you are just joining me, let me explain the inspiration to begin these posts. In Texas, and all across the country, Taco Tuesday is a popular day when Tacos are usually 99 cents. So, I had the inspiration, or Angel nudge as I like to think of it, to create a Tarot Tuesday. Each Tuesday I will post a different Tarot card and give its meaning. I pray and ask for the right card that will bring a message to someone in need.

So, the Angels gave me the nudge to begin a series and call it Tarot Tuesday where I pull a card and post the meaning every Tuesday, with the confidence there will be a message that someone needs to hear.

Today I pulled The Star card! Wow!! What an incredibly beautiful card with an uplifting message!

This card comes from the Major Arcana. Remember that the Major Arcana represents the life lessons, karmic influences and the big archetypal themes that are influencing your life and your soul’s journey to enlightenment.

Let me just say that when I pulled this card, the thing I had on my mind was financial stability, or the lack thereof. I was astounded by the answer to my dilemma!

The keywords to this card are: Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, and spirituality.

Nice, huh?

No matter what life throws your way, you know that you are always connected to the Divine and pure loving energy.

The Star brings renewed hope and faith, and a sense that you are truly blessed by the Universe. You are entering a peaceful, loving phase in your life, filled with calm energy, mental stability and more in depth understanding of both yourself and others around you. This is a time of significant personal growth and development as you are now ready to receive the many blessings of the Universe.

With the Star card, anything is possible and the magic is flowing around you. Your heart is full of hope, and your soul is being uplifted to the highest of highs as you realize that your dreams really can come true. Allow yourself to dream, to aspire, to elevate in any way possible so you can reach the stars. They are right here waiting for you.

You may also want to find or rediscover a sense of meaning, inspiration, or purpose in your life. Perhaps you are making some significant changes in your life, transforming yourself from the old you to the new you and, in doing so, you are bringing about a fresh perspective: “Out with the old and in with the new!” Strip back any limiting beliefs, facades, or deceptions, and live in your authentic nature. Be open to new ideas and growth, and listen to the still voice within.

A great message for all of us!

Thank you for joining me! See you next Tuesday for another inspiring message from the Universe via the Tarot Cards!

As always, I use the Rider-Waite Radiance deck and BiddyTarot.com for interpretations.

#TarotTuesday – King of Wands

Published on by Jan Sikes22 Comments

Welcome back to another Tarot Tuesday card reading.

If you are just joining me, let me explain the inspiration to begin these posts. In Texas, and all across the country, Taco Tuesday is a popular day when Tacos are usually 99 cents. So, I had the inspiration, or Angel nudge as I like to think of it, to create a Tarot Tuesday. Each Tuesday I will post a different Tarot card and give its meaning. I pray and ask for the right card that will bring a message to someone in need.

Today, I pulled the King of Wands. This is such a beautiful card. The intricate detail and symbols tell so much. Also, remember that the suit of Wands represents primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion.

The King of Wands represents pure fire energy in its masculine form. Unlike the other Wands court cards, the King is not so interested in creation and creativity, or in dreaming up ideas and implementing them himself. Instead, he is more inclined to take an idea and then enlist others to help him actualize it. Thus, when the King of Wands appears in a Tarot reading, it is a sign you are stepping into the role of a visionary leader, ready to direct your people towards a common goal. You have a clear vision of where you want to go, and now you are manifesting that vision with the support of those around you. 

The King of Wands reminds you to lead your life with intent, vision and a long-term view. You have a grand idea of what is truly possible, and you will stop at nothing to see it through.

You achieve a lot because you are clear about your future direction and how you will get there – and do not waste your time on activities or relationships you believe will lead nowhere. You prefer to embark on a direct and robust course of action. You are inspired by long-term, sustainable success, wanting to have a lasting impact. You are here to leave a legacy.

The appearance of the King of Wands also suggests that an opportunity is presenting itself to you, and you now have the power to take on the challenge. You are the determining factor in this situation. If you want it to be successful, it will. And equally, if you do not fully commit to it, this seed will struggle to blossom and grow. You can create any outcome you wish, so be mindful about your intentions and vision.

Always remember these four little words! You hold the power!

Thank you for joining me! See you next Tuesday for another inspiring message from the Universe via the Tarot Cards!

As always, I use the Rider-Waite Radiance deck and BiddyTarot.com for interpretations.

#TarotTuesday – The Hermit

Published on by Jan Sikes40 Comments

Welcome to another TAROT TUESDAY!

My jaw literally dropped when I pulled this card for today. The synchronicity goes way beyond a simple coincidence. You just can’t make this stuff up!

Why?

At the beginning of every year, I pull twelve cards – one for each month. And, the card I had pulled for July, back on January 1st, was The Hermit!

So, today I bring to you The Hermit!

The Hermit card is from the Major Arcana, and you may recall they are the cards that represent life lessons, karmic influences and the big archetypal themes that are influencing your life and your soul’s journey to enlightenment.

The Hermit shows that you are taking a break from everyday life to draw your energy and attention inward and find the answers you seek, deep within your soul. You realize that your most profound sense of truth and knowledge is within yourself and not in the distractions of the outside world. You leave behind the mundane to set off on a journey of self-discovery, led only by your inner wisdom and guiding light. Now is the perfect time to go on a weekend retreat or sacred pilgrimage, anything in which you can contemplate your motivations, personal values and principles, and get closer to your authentic self.

The Hermit often appears when you are at a pivotal point in your life and considering a new direction. Through meditation, contemplation, and self-examination, you may begin to re-evaluate your personal goals and change your overall course. You will look at your life with a deeper, more spiritual understanding and a few of your priorities will change as a result.

The Hermit also represents the desire to turn away from a consumerist or materialistic society to focus on your inner world.

The Hermit may appear in your life as a spiritual mentor here to raise your vibration and enhance your consciousness. The beauty of this mentor is that, while he may be an expert in his own right, he will teach you how to find your answers within you.

Well, there you have it. I hope that someone besides me gets something incredible from the message in this card! It’s funny too, that July had pretty much been a month of hibernation for me. I’ve attended no music events and have hardly left my house except to go to work.

Here’s to your inward journey!

As always, my resource for interpreting the cards is BiddyTarot.com

#TarotTuesday – 7 of Wands

Published on by Jan Sikes31 Comments

It’s #TAROTTUESDAY again!!

This week, the card I drew was the Seven of Wands.

The suit of Wands in the Tarot deck represents primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion, original thought and the seeds through which life springs forth. The suit of Wands is ruled by the element of fire.

The Seven of Wands shows a man on top of a hill, armed with a wand in his hands, and fighting off six more wands drawing up from below. He appears to be defending his territory and his successes. However, notice that the man is wearing two different shoes which indicates that he may have been caught unaware or unprepared for battle, or he may be unclear of his own stance and opinion.

The Seven of Wands indicates that you’ve worked hard to get to where you are, but some people covet what you have and are prepared to fight you for it. While it is flattering that they strive for your success, it also makes for a tense and competitive environment because you need to protect what you earned and must continually prove yourself.

The more visibility you have as a leader in your field and the bigger your audience, the more likely it is that you will need to grapple with this kind of pressure.

The Seven of Wands can also mean a challenge to the success of a creative project from an external source. Someone or something may get in the way of you being able to pursue your goals and dreams. While it appears to block your path forward, you can overcome this obstacle by drawing upon your strong self-confidence, self-belief, and continual self-improvement. Establish clear boundaries and then protect them. Hold your ground, take a stand, and defend your position at all costs. This will require courage and persistence, but you have the strength and determination to do it. Keep fighting for what you believe in.

While this may seem like a challenging card, I see it as a positive confirmation of each of us growing better in our craft of writing. I am not the kind of person who is easily drawn to any kind of confrontation, but if need be, I can draw on my experience and stand firm in my beliefs, as can we all!

I also want to note the significance of the number 7 on the card. In Tarot readings, numbers can indicate a passage of time such as 7 days, weeks, months, years, etc. But on this card, I see it as the combination of the hard-working #4 and creative #3 to bring together both practical and mystical indications.

I sincerely hope this card brought you some sort of message that makes the way more clear on your journey!

Thank you for joining me for another #TarotTuesday reading!

As always, my reference source is BiddyTarot.com.

TAROT TUESDAY – WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Published on by Jan Sikes35 Comments

It’s TAROT TUESDAY again and the card I pulled today is one that gets me excited!

The card I pulled today is from the Major Arcana. A Tarot deck consists of 78 cards – 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.

Let me provide a brief explanation about the two.

The Major Arcana Tarot cards represent the life lessons, karmic influences and the big archetypal themes that are influencing your life and your soul’s journey to enlightenment.

Minor Arcana cards tell us about the day-to-day goings-on in our lives and the issues and challenges we face along our journey. Within the Minor Arcana are Swords, Cups, Wands and Pentacles.

So, on to our card today – WHEEL OF FORTUNE!

As you might guess from its name, this card represents good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, or a turning point.

The Wheel of Fortune reminds you that the wheel is always turning and life is in a state of constant change. If you’re going through a difficult time (from the card we had last week, that may surely be the case) rest assured that it will get better from here. Good luck and good fortune will make their return in time. Similarly, if things are going well, know this, too, will change and life may return to ‘normal’ soon. This cycle shows why it is so important to cherish the blissful moments in your life and make the most of them while they are within reach – because in a flash they could be gone.

The Wheel of Fortune is also known as the wheel of karma and reminds you that ‘what goes around comes around.’ Be a kind and loving person to others, and they’ll be kind and loving to you. Be nasty and mean, and you will get nasty and mean turning back your way. So, if you want happiness and abundance, make sure you’re sending out that positive juju in kind. What you send out into the Universe will come back your way.

The Wheel of Fortune card asks you to be optimistic and have faith that the Universe will take care of your situation in the best way possible.

What a beautiful card!

Finally, the Wheel of Fortune can show a critical turning point in your life. Opportunities you could never imagine are suddenly available to you, and you have the chance to make a significant change in your life. While it may be unexpected and unfamiliar, see this as an invitation to turn things around and take an entirely new direction in your life. The more you tune in to your intuition and allow the Universe to guide you, the better the outcomes will be.

Thank you for joining me again today for another TAROT TUESDAY! See you next week!

TAROT TUESDAY – 3 OF SWORDS

Published on by Jan Sikes22 Comments

Welcome to another card reading for TAROT TUESDAY!

Today I pulled the 3 of Swords.

Swords deal with the mental level of consciousness that is centered around the mind and the intellect. Swords mirror the quality of mind present in your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs.

The Three of Swords represents possible heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow, grief, and hurt. It can signal that you are feeling deeply hurt and disappointed. Your heart has been pierced by the sharp blades of others’ hurtful words, actions and intentions, and they have inflicted intense emotions of pain, sadness, grief, and heartbreak. These events are often unexpected and come out of the blue, making them even more painful.

However, the Three of Swords is also about an emotional release. When you have suffered a major setback or loss, now is an excellent time to have a good cry. Expressing your sadness is part of the cleansing process and letting it all out will help you move on to better times. Allow yourself the opportunity to experience these emotions, no matter how painful. Cry, shout, or scream at the top of your lungs. Do whatever it takes to express your anger or pain as this will help the emotions flow through (and out of) you.

The good news is that this painful season will pass. While the Three of Swords brings hurt and sadness, it is only temporary. You will bounce back. The clouds will dissipate, and soon you will have a better perspective on what you can learn from the experience. You can conquer any pain that comes your way – all it takes is faith, self-love, forgiveness and time.

Just remember that you do not have to accept the hurtful words as truth; they are merely another person’s opinion or a projection of their own inner fears and anxieties. Shift the energy by looking at these people with a compassionate heart: what struggles are they going through that they feel they need to throw their insecurities at you? Be mindful, too: why are their words triggering you? Is there a more profound truth in what they’ve said, one you might not be willing to see just yet? Use these pain points to expand your perspective and see the bigger picture of what is happening here.

I hope if you are experiencing anything like this that you can take away a different perspective from the message the card brings, and keep in mind this too shall pass!

This interpretation was taken from BiddyTarot.com.

See you next week for a new card and a new message!

Tarot Tuesday – Knight of Cups

Published on by Jan Sikes32 Comments

Hello, everyone and welcome to the first of many posts to come on TAROT TUESDAY!

I love the card that we get to start this series off with!

The Suit of Cups Tarot cards deal with the emotional level of consciousness and are associated with love, feelings, relationships and connections.

The card I drew is the KNIGHT OF CUPS.

The Knight of Cups represents Creativity, romance, charm, imagination, beauty.

What an appropriate card for authors!

The knight rides on a white horse and holds out a golden cup as if he bears a message from the heart. Over his armor, the knight wears a cloak covered with images of fish, the symbol of water, consciousness and creativity. His helmet and boots are winged, a symbol of an active and creative imagination and an appreciation for beautiful things.

The Knight of Cups is the classic romantic of the Tarot deck. He is in touch with his intuition and emotions, and he uses them masterfully to charm and attract others. He shows compassion and understanding towards others because he has learned to understand his own feelings and emotions. The Knight is kind, caring and very in touch with his feminine side. He might be found writing a romantic poem to his lover, creating art inspired by his innermost feelings or appreciating a vibrant sunset with a glass of champagne in his hand. His heart is wide open, and he wears it on his sleeve. He shares his love freely with others, without constraint or worry; he is in love with love itself.

When the Knight of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, you thrive on all things beautiful and are inspired by the many creative outlets available to you. 

The Knight of Cups is motivated by action. You have dreamed about what it is you want to create and now are moving forward with this dream to make it a reality. It may be an art project or something you feel ‘called’ to do, based on your emotions, imagination and intuition. Be open to exploring your passions and your big ideas. You may find yourself drawn to a particular passion or hobby and now is the time to turn it into ‘something.’ While you are in no hurry to reach the finish line, keep in mind that true imagination feeds on action; if you do nothing with your dreams, they will remain just that – dreams and not reality.

That, of course, is the short version interpretation of this card. If you’d like to read about it in more detail, I invite you to visit BiddyTarot.com.

Thank you for tuning in for the first segment of TAROT TUESDAY! Make it a great day to create! I welcome your comments!

Something New

Published on by Jan Sikes38 Comments

In Texas, and all across America, we have this thing called “Taco Tuesday.”

Being the curious soul that I am, I wondered how that tradition got started. What I found is that a restaurant in California, Taco John’s, started and registered a trademark for this tradition in 1989. And it has been carried forward since that time to become a national celebration every Tuesday!

But, I digress.

I am going to start a new weekly post here on my blog site called, “TAROT TUESDAY.”

I’m sure many of you have worked with Tarot cards in the past and some of you have written books based on Tarot cards, so you are no stranger to this method of divination.

Tarot Cards likely originated in Northern Italy in the late 14th century. The oldest surviving set, known as the Visconti-Sforza deck, was created for the Duke of Milan’s family around 1440.

So, they’ve been around a LONG time!

I’ve been working with Tarot Cards for over twenty years. I use the standard Rider-Waite deck, which has been around since 1909.

The way I like to work with the cards on a daily basis, is to light incense and a candle, meditate, ask the Angels for guidance, then pull one card from the deck. I then look at it as my message for the day or my focus for the day.

Every Tuesday, I will be pulling a card to share with you here. The translation I like best is Biddy Tarot. And that is where I will go for the meaning of the card drawn.

This is all done in fun, light and love and only meant to give you food for thought or an uplifting message for the day. So, take it in the spirit it is given.

My first post will be on Tuesday, June 11 (which just happens to be my oldest granddaughter’s birthday!) After that, I will post weekly on TAROT TUESDAY!

Feel free to share with me any and all thoughts about the cards, your experiences, or your insights. This is meant to be an interactive post.

See you on Tuesday with the first card!