For someone who pm'ed me
Ok, my first reading for a kind friend
, in relation to the question: what do I need to know in order to better my life?
I drew from the Saints deck, the no.28, depicting
Martin of Tours, sitting on horseback, cutting his cloak in half with his sword for a beggar.
Since this deck is new for me, I look in the LWB, and all that stands there is: Success in personal work. But how does this relate to the story of St. Martin and what you need to know or do?
Seems St. Martin was a man of firm convictions, and he had a definite stance on certain points. But there is more in this picture to me, something more behind the story...St. Martin was a soldier at one point, and this period of his life is depicted on this card. When I think of soldiers, as they 'should' be, then they are an extension of the law, of protection, and I think of sovereignity, power, tolerance, justice, and all the other propaganda. Here, he is seated firmly on his horse, looking down at the beggar. This reminds me of The Chariot for some reason... Who are you looking down upon right now? Which part of yourself would you like to help right now? What or whom are you protecting (is protecting also keeping something from change?)?
The beggar reminds me of people looking up to the next higher power for help in his life. Who are you giving your power to? jumps to mind. Why do you expect not be able to have this power for yourself? Once I start asking questions, I can't stop, sorry - but a slew of others came up with this card, if you would like them all to mull over, I'll gladly send them. Looking closer - the beggar seen on this card seems to be doing more St. Martin the favour, by giving him the opportunity to do something kind, than the other way around. Self-sacrifice jumps to mind here..who or what are you sacrficing yourself to and why? What do you hope to gain from this? Is there someone near you that needs your help? Are you withholding it because it would mean sacrificing yourself and what you stand for? What do you have to lose? What would you gain?
More and more, the beggar is becoming the central figure in this card, that anonymous beggar...is that the greatest deed of love? To give up something that is important to you for the sake of another? On the material level, I see St. Martin giving up his cloak, so the beggar has something to cover him. On a different level, I see the beggar giving up his pride so that St. Martin has the opportunity to give, and to grow.
Where do you need to consider this more in your life? Who or what needs something you aren't willing to give? What is the real reason you won't give it, if you're not? It's not necessarily on the outside of you that this takes place...
The Angel card I drew for you was the no.5. Angel of Faith is written across the top of the card, along with the number. Depicted are two figures, a woman in blue, and next to her a monk - both singing to the heavens. Behind and above them a large white Angel looks over them, at the same time looking into a cup he/she holds in the left hand.
At the bottom, the following meditative advice is given: faith is a force which moves mountains and restores spirits.
What do you believe in? What is your ultimate principle? What do you need to water to make it grow?
This is all very 'simplistic', and I'm sorry I have no answers, only questions. That's all that came to my mind though... But maybe these could be questions which set something off for you - to aid you in finding your answer. I certainly hope so.
Hmm, already I don't know if the Saint cards are 'me'....the Angel ones are good summarizers, or additions to a reading, the Saints take some getting used to.
love
Kara