*Reader's* block

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Indigo_lady	29 Sep 2003
There are a couple of cards (more than a couple actually) that still when I see them in a reading my mind goes totally blank... Sometimes I've helped myself with the cards around in interpreting them. But still if I look at them on their own I'm not getting anywhere I've read through Thirteen's basics, and through the threads and discussions about some of these cards, in trying to understand the tarot .. but my brain just isn't in the same wavelength as them ... So I just decided to post which ones they are in case you can give me some pointers or advice in understanding any of them... or if you share the same problems with me with them, maybe we can work on the together ;) (plus, I think opening 15 separate threads would have been a little confusing, at least for me :-P ) Anyways, the cards are the following : 2 pentacles 2 wands 3 wands 5 cups 6 pentacles 7 of pentacles 7 of wands 8 swords 9 pentacles 9 wands 10 wands knight of Pentacles (I think the problem with him is that I just find him boring...) Ace of Wands Ace of Swords XXI Universe Thank you!!!

Thirteen	30 Sep 2003
First question: Are you stuck on these no matter the deck you use? Second question: What deck are you using? Because, if you've been using only one deck, perhaps you need to try another where the images will strike you better? There are a lot of decks out there and, depending on who you are, you're likely to find one has images that tell a better, clearer story to you than another. So, first recommendation, try a new deck. Last question: what helps you to remember things best? Songs? Images? Movies? Old tv? Mathematics? Let's try using some or all of these and see if they help to make the meanings (simplified meanings) stick: 2 pentacles--Did you ever see a juggling act? One that really wowed you? Think of that when you see this card--how effortless the effort seems--how much concentration and nimbleness it really takes to juggle finances, health, luck. 2 wands 3 wands: Every seen Disney's Cinderella? 2--Grab the magic wand that calls to you! Bibbity-bobbity-boop! 3--now wait for the carriage that the wand summoned to arrive and take you to the ball. 5 cups--Look at the card (assuming we have RW here). A guy staring and crying over what he's lost ignoring what he's got, yes? Just keep thinking of the phrase: "No use crying over split milk" 6 pentacles: Try 6 this way--Remember when you had a pile of candy and you and a friend would split it? "One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me..." 6 = 3+3 right? That' three for you, three for me. The generosity card. As for 7 pentacles: Think of odd numbers as incomplete. You've got 7, you want 8. You need to wait for that last pentacle to show up. 7 of wands: Again, 7 is an odd number, in this case, the odd man out. You are the 7th person, the odd man out. The six others are against you, you have to stand up to them. 8 swords: Curious that you'd have a problem with this one. The picture's pretty self-evident. Trapped. As swords are words or ideas, trapped by words/ideas. 9 pentacles: The lady in the garden has beautiful things, yes. 9/P = having beautiful things. 9 wands: A hard one--Think of those movies where there's one guy left holding down the fort. Think, perhaps, HOME ALONE--one kid has to keep the house safe till help arrives. 10 wands: The guy has a ton of wands over his shoulders = over burdened. knight of Pentacles (I think the problem with him is that I just find him boring...): Well, he kinda is. Run with it. This guy is solid as rock--dependable but not real exciting. Know any guys like that? Ace of Wands Ace of Swords: Aces are just beginnings. XXI Universe: Remember that song, "Go where you want to, go around the world...." That's the universe. Mind you, these are very simplistic definitions--but if you're blocked, then it's best to go simple. Get the essence, and once you've got a handle onthe cards you can delve deeper into the meanings.

gloria	30 Sep 2003
I have the very same trouble with 2 and 3 of wands. More so when they are reversed. Whenever they appear, I have to resort to the books, but even then I still cannot get to grips with them. I'm still not absolutely clear in my mind. Gloria

Dark_angel	30 Sep 2003
Just jumping to the Knight of Pentacle's defence! lol. I ssuppose it depends on the decks, but in mine, he is flash, cocky, flirtatious and a bit too into materialism (he hasn't learnt to control his "must-have" influences) but a genuinely nice guy, a kind of Robin Hood figure. There's definitely some menace about him (especially in the Vargo) but he'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. To me, he's a very interesting card, showing the conflicting aspects of human generosity. When he comes up in readings for me, he usually brings good news which is worth more than all the gold in the world and is often to do with work; for example, he comes up, I get a job interview that I've all but given up on (got the job - start at Xmas). xxx

Inana	30 Sep 2003
I also have problems understanding these ones. I see what happens there on a general level, but cant read when on a spread or grasp a real understanding on them: 2 pentacles 2 wands, 3 wands --> These two are a headache. 7 of pentacles 9 pentacles 9 wands And for the cards im seeing listed here, Indigo, i bet anything you are using the Rider Waite... like me. Will try to give quick definition for the others: 5 cups--> Despair, depression, regret, sadness. The person in the pic is only looking at the bad side. Pessimism. Something is lost. 6 pentacles --> Sharing time and resources, helping one each other, being generous. Sometimes this one also has showed to me when one has a job with a miserable salary... or when one feels like asking for charity instead of help. But guess thats because the deck. Anyway, this is when the balance is not there, but needed. One doesnt feel in the same level that the other. 7 of wands--> Like Manowar song "Heart of Steel" says..."stand and fight". This card tells you to dare to do what its needed. Fight your fears, fight your enemies, fight your problems. Have courage and go for what you want. It can be difficult but you have to hold on it, no matter how hard it seems, you can do it. 8 swords--> Feeling trapped. Mainly this is about communication problems. When one has to tell something but doesnt do it for wathever reason. Isolation. You feel unable to connect with the others or to find the way to change the situation, but you are only a prisoner of your mind, closed in yourself. 10 wands--> You feel tired, making a big effort for something or someone, and most of the time is useless to do so. Probably the whole thing needs not more investment of energy but a new approach. knight of Pentacles (I think the problem with him is that I just find him boring...) --> Yes, he is kind of boring sometimes. But he is kind, he is not romantic but is reliable, honest and always ready to help. He is centered in the job, obligations and the material world. Is a worker who gives attention to the details and can solve the problems at hand not using new ways but aplying what the old ways he knows and lots of effort and perseverance. He is not the quickest but the more resistant. Obligations are always the first for him. He is also stubborn like hell. Ace of Wands-->Enthusiasm, illusion about something, passion, sexuality. This one is when you do something that holds all your interest and you are optimistic about that, giving the 101% of you, but not like an obligation. Because you feel good doing so. Its how one feels with new projects. Is renovated energy that comes not from your mind like the ace of swords, but from your heart and desires, its fun. Ace of Swords--> This is the will. You decide (no matter whats the conflict) you will fight for it and go victorious. Think about how you would feel holding a sword in front of you. You feel with the power to do it, you are a warrior. Usually this one comes when you have changed your idea about something. Its a nwe mental approach to the situation that makes you feel you have the control again. Remember old warriors wanted to die fighting with his sword.Well this is not so literal, but is the resolution and the will to do something until the end, and to do it right defending your position. That usually comes after changing the point of view about something. XXI Universe--> Endings and completion. But i dont understand it fully. Hope this helsp a bit. Sorry if im talking too much.

raeanne	30 Sep 2003
Hi all, For the two and three of Wands, I use the following analogy to help me understand the differences between the two: If you were going to open a new business, the Two of Wands would represent all of the hard work that goes into getting the business ready. You have dreams of setting the world afire but you have a lot of work to do. You start with an idea, then get the financial backing, find a location, build shelves, stock the shelves, etc., etc., etc. It’s a lot of hard work and most of it is you putting in the long hours and effort to get things ready. The Three of Wands is your Grand Opening! The focus has shifted. You still have to work hard but the rest of the world is now going to decide if your effort is worth it. Customers are coming in but you don’t yet know if it will be sustaining. You will have to wait and see. The Three of Wands is the early returns on your investments. You are starting to get a little bit back, even though you still have to continue to work at it.

Thirteen	30 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by gloria I have the very same trouble with 2 and 3 of wands. Wands are passion and the question here is what to put your energy in. Let's try a different analogy. Wands are also *religious* passion. So: Imagine you are raised in a religion, but it doesn't call to you. It's just rote and you feel no passion for it. So you start investagating other religions. Most don't call to you. Then, one day, you DISCOVER it! It's almost as if it's standing right next to the religion you were raised in, two staffs, side by side. And most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But you can, instantly, immediately. That staff will give you something to lean on, to fight with, to stride through life. It's like finding the perfect walking stick. You want it, you must have it. It's YOURS! There's no contest. You grab that staff, that religion which calls to you. You convert if you will--take a step onto that path with your staff supporting you. The feeling is all fiery excitement, joy, passion. You want to read everything on the subject, learn everything, tell everyone what you've found and convert them as well! That's 2 wands. So now you're a _____ (fill in the religious blank. Catholic? Wiccan? Hindu?). 2 Wands was where you were all fired up, excited, purposeful. You saw it and KNEW it was for you! You went full throttle into it. 3 wands is where things cool down. In most religions, you have to study for a year before you can really call yourself Jewish or Wiccan or Catholic. 3 wands is that time of study. Not the first, passionate 6 months but those LAST 6 months. Not the 6 months where it's new and fresh--the 6 months where it's becoming a real part of you. Taking root, changing your personality, your outlook, your way of thinnking. You're looking forward to your innitiation ceremony, baptismal, whatever. It's only 6 months away, now 5, now 4....your passion doesn't leave you, but it settles into solid commitment, into hope and vision, faith and quiet joy. And as the day approaches, you hold tight to your staff and begin to see, out there on the horizon, what your new life as a ________ will be like. It's even better than you could have wished for. Does that help?

gloria	30 Sep 2003
I know this isn't my thread, but many thanks Thirteen and Raeanne, and yes it does help, very much so. Gloria

Thirteen	30 Sep 2003
Actually, we can continue the religious allegory to help clarify some other cards Indigo's having trouble with: 4 wands: Confirmation happens, you join the "church" and establish your new religion as your spiritual foundation. Celebrating with the other congregants, you feel part of a larger family, a special community. 5 wands: Uh-oh, trouble in paradise. You were feeling special as a new convert with all the learning, attention, ceremony. But now you're just one of the congregation. And while that made you feel like part of the family back in #4, now you're feeling that you don't stand out. That no one listens to you, that you have to fight to be noticed. You start putting forth new ideas in hopes of standing apart from the rest, maybe of being elected Deacon/Church Elder/Under-Priest. There are others who want the same, and are doing the same, like nasty siblings screaming for their parent's attention. Can you scream the loudest--or do something unique enough to draw the attention of the church leaders to you? 6 wands: Your efforts win you a leadership role--you become the new elder or deacon or under-priest. Everyone applauds and looks up to you. 7 wand: Uh-oh again! You've been working hard at your new spiritual leadership role, spreading those new observations and interpetations. But now some folk are finding your winning ideas to be too radical. The other elders are arguing with you, the other under-priests are calling you a heritical, some of the congregants don't like the changes you've made in the ceremonies, or what you have to say. They're ganging up on you. You have to stand up and fight them. DEFEND yourself! 8 wand: You've won the fight and your new ideas are taking off. Your innocent religious passion is developing into a movement--so fast you can't believe it. Followers are spreading your ideas. 9 wand: Last and biggest, Uh-oh! The big leaders of your faith want answers and explainations. You feel under seige. Is it worth it to even stand up to them? Why not just surrender? But you lean on that staff--your faith, the one you picked back in #2. You hold tight and guard those new ideas of yours there at your back. You defend the people under you spreading your words. Like Martin Luther, you tiredly yet boldly pronounce, "Here I stand. I can do no other." 10 wand: Success! But it comes with a heavy price. You're a great leader of the faith now, the new Martain Luther, but you have to deal with the burdens resulting from all your new ideas. New converts who want your guidance and attention, new churches that want your advice and blessings, a television show maybe, a book, a tent-revival tour (you get the idea!). Your faith is weighing you down--sapping your energy instead of giving you energy. What to do? As Inana points out, time for a new approach. Wands tell a more linear story than perhaps any other suit, I think ;)

catti	30 Sep 2003
that was a great story thirteen it went right back to the ace of wands...thanks

lawguy51	30 Sep 2003
Ah Thirteen, how you have this amazing ability to bring it all down to its most simple basics. I loved reading this thread. Lawguy51

Thirteen	01 Oct 2003
Blush! Thank you. It was fun thinking it up. Of course, I have to hold back from an urge to emblish and edit it now :D

Indigo_lady	06 Oct 2003
Thank you so much guys... I've been caught up in something lately and I haven't had time to reply to your post. But once again, thank you so much! they've been really helpful And Thirteen, yours in particular, is great ;)

The *Reader's* block thread was originally posted on 29 Sep 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.