Something new for us.
Musings and a prompt.
In brief.
I am opening myself up to new ways of interpreting cards and thought I’d share some of the practice with you. It isn’t about knowing pre-determined meanings of images, but feeling your way through what is happening when you gaze at the imagery and putting language to that. This is inspired by Yoav Ben-Dov’s book, “Tarot - The Open Reading” (you can buy here) and the Tarot de Marseille.
Today I pulled the 2 of swords. I cleared my mind of every previous interpretation I have heard and when I allowed myself to soften my gaze I saw only movement and separation. The botanicals in the center of the swords, (yes, they bend), are in motion, blossoming, seemingly forever in cycle, and protected. The buds on the outside of the swords are detached and free, but also motionless, unlikely to blossom any further.
For me, it brings up the pros and cons of community. It makes me think of the active choice to be a part of something or to isolate. It also brings up the question of cycles in general. Is it in fact advantageous to remain in the safe and protected state of repetitive cycles? If we’re simply cycling through the same peaks and valleys, are we actually experiencing growth or is it familiarity? Is the rogue detour here or there perhaps of higher value? And most clearly, to me, it brings up the lore of Saturn and Jupiter. Saturn, the container, the restrictor, the disciplinarian, bringing order to the chaos and infinite expansion of Jupiter, and the rest of the cosmos for that matter. Still for others - namely you, Reader - it could bring up myriad other possibilities.
Prompt: In what ways does movement serve you best? In what ways does separation serve you best? Can those things co-mingle?
Alternative Prompt: Is it better to repeatedly blossom in the ease of comfort and order, or to branch out and risk familiarity in the name of expansion? Why?
Have fun with it.