Deviant Moon Tarot

Deviant Moon Tarot

Artist: Patrick Valenza
Author: Patrick Valenza
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
2008
ISBN #978-1-57281-611-4

I was extremely lucky, and was able to obtain one of eight “Deviant Moon” decks that Patrick (please excuse the informality – this is how it seems best to address this esteemed artist/Tarotist) charged under the recent Super Moon. The consideration Patrick gave to not only charging a deck for his own use, but to graciously offer several charged decks for sale to the Tarot public left me astounded and even more appreciative of this phenomenal person.

The deck arrived as promised – wrapped in black with silver markings, with the cover card and inner flap of the card box signed. Not just signed – pentacles graced both side flaps, with the longer top flap signed with his name and a little signature drawing. Of course I was very careful to slice the tape on the black wrapping very carefully so that nothing was torn! The wrapping is as much a “keeper” as the deck itself!

Because of the charged nature of the deck, it will be set aside for personal readings and ceremonial/ritual work. Patrick – many thanks for offering us this delightful opportunity!

When I first came across the “Deviant Moon” Tarot, I wasn’t sure that it was for me. As it kept crossing my path over time, it just drew me in. Those things happen! Patrick’s blog is of course now on my RSS feed!

The “Deviant Moon” was created with what Patrick refers to as “photographic manipulation” – each card beginning with a complete drawing which was scanned into the computer, then layered with various photographic texture. I was astounded to read that most of the clothing worn by the citizens of the Deviant Moon was nineteenth century tombstones that were bent and twisted digitally to become capes, boots, hats and trim! I might want to mention here that the foundation for this deck came from gently tiptoeing around the graveyards of eastern Long Island, New York, with a bit of influence from mental asylums!

The artwork is abstract (to say the least!), with influences from ancient Greek art. The figures were drawn flat, with an emphasis on heavy light and shadow. As the deck progressed, the characters began to evolve into the form that we see now – moon-faced brings. The incredible twilight energy of the cemetery influence, along with the lunar influence of the moon faces is stunning. What looks like perhaps an art deck at first takes you laces that you never thought you could go – places that you never thought existed. This will certainly be a deck that I use when I need to nudge myself out of the doldrums, and it certainly works well as a comparative deck – i.e. a deck used in a comparative reading, where the cards are drawn from one deck, interpreted, and then the same cards are drawn from a second deck to get another sense of what is there. (Many thanks to Valerie Sim for making this a widely used tool within the Tarot community through her work.)

The symbolism in this deck comes from Patrick’s childhood dreams and from his own fertile imagination. The deck itself is a traditional 78 card deck, with the Major Arcana carrying traditional titles. Justice is VIII, Strength is XI. The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The Court cards are Page, Knight, Queen and King.

Patrick defines the suits as follows:

Wands: The tribe of wands lives their life with passion and creativity. When faced with problems, they use their ingenious imagination to overcome adversity.

Cups: The realm of the cups is filled with new promises. They represent hopeful people who build harmonious relationships with their fellow citizens.

Swords: The family of swords is a powerful clan, yet its members are troubled with conflict. In spite of their problems, they persevere through strength and fortitude.

Pentacles: Those who dell in the city of pentacles are hardworking and industrious. However, they sometimes pay the price of placing material gain over spiritual well-being.

The LWB (Little White Book) presents the cards in text format only. The cards are presented with a short description of the card’s energy, along with upright and reversed meanings. From the LWB:

XVIII The Moon

The deviant moon casts its powerful influence over the city, controlling minds like a puppeteer.

Upright meanings: Brainwashing. Dark influences. Trickery. Illusion. Subconscious control.

Reversed meanings: Avoiding reality. Strange forces. Delusional thoughts. Lies and despair.

Nine of Wands

Trapped in an underground mae, the lad searches for a way out. Resting on a ledge, he considers giving in to his seemingly hopeless situation. Eight wands mark the path to a possible exit. A ninth wand ignites his resolve not to give up.

Upright meanings: Stopping to ponder during challenging events. A pause. Summoning the will to continue with a struggle. Hope.

Reversed meanings: Delay. Insurmountable obstacles. Giving up. Lack of motivation or willpower.

Queen of Pentacles:

The gracious queen revels in her luxurious lifestyle. However, she is somewhat detached from the needs of her people. She shows her royal pentacle to an audience of dolls, mistakenly believing that society will benefit from this act of misplaced charity.

Upright meanings: Luxury. Affluence. A gracious hostess. Charity and generosity.

Reversed meanings: Dependent on others for monetary support. Untrustworthy. Poor social graces.

The spread presented at the end of the LWB is the ten card Lunatic Spread. A very nice inclusion at the very end of the LWB are several blank pages meant for notes.

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The cards themselves are 2 ¾” by 5 ¼”. They are of good quality card stock. The backs have a ¼” white border, with a gold and black inner border. Crescent moons sit in the four corners, with a full moon in the center, surrounded by crescent moons worked into graphics. The background is black, the symbols are gold. The backs are reversible.

The card faces show a ¼” white border, with a gold strip on the bottom of the card on the Major Arcana and the Court cards containing the card title in white. The Major Arcana and Pips show the card number in Roman numerals at the top of the card, in white.

The Hermit, which is one of the cards that I look at first in a new deck because it is one of my Birth Cards, shows a figure hiding in his alcove, seated, with his knees up and his arms over his head. The rotten fish beside him shows that we can never hide from ourselves.

The Empress is quite interesting, as her body faces the right (generally taken to be the future), while he head is twisted to the left (generally taken to be the past). She holds a flower in her hand that emanates from her body (quite interesting!).

The Devil is an adorable figure in red, with gray wings, dancing on a volcanic globe that he has created with his own actions.

The Eight of Cups shows a female figure in a red dress, walking away from the cups, both arms raised with her hands pushing the cups away from her. She is abandoning her old ways.

The four of Pentacles is quite a unique card, showing a figure holding his four pentacles to his chest, while on his left hand side a demon escorts him into the roaring flames of damnation.

I love he depiction for the Sun, which shows the sun in full light, with yods dropping from it and two figures (twins) dancing in front of it.

The Five of Cups is actually humorous. We see the three overturned cups on the ground, with two upright cups sitting on a wall. Next to the upright cups is a husband, with his fingers in his ears. Behind him is his shrew of a wife, berating him. A rose lies on the ground, in remembrance of the love that once flourished between them.

Te Four of Cups shows a maiden who has locked herself on her balcony. Uhappy with lifes gifts, she tosses a golden cup into the sea.

The Six of Wands shows a new being emerging from a moonlit flower bud. Five wands are held high in honor of he event, while the emerging being holds the sixth wand in their hand, bestowing good fortune on everyone.

This is a deck that will appeal to those wishing to push their own limits, to access their unconscious and to face their shadows. As mentioned above, it is also an excellent deck for comparative reading. It will also appeal to Tarot collectors, and to those interested in differing types of art. For me, even though the art is at times disturbing, it is consistent, it is real, and it carries through the traditional theme of each of the cards.

© March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Wizards Tarot

Wizards Tarot

Author: Corrine Kenner
Artist: John J. Blumen
Llewellyn Worldwide
2010
ISBN #978-0-7387-1285-7

The “Wizards Tarot” brings together a lifetime of wisdom from two separate individuals that melds together into one perfect form. Corrine Kenner brings her knowledge of the Tarot and metaphysical subjects (with the ability to allow Seekers to actually place the esoteric world to good use in their lives). The concept for this deck is Corrine’s, as was the choice of symbols for the cards. John Blumen has an eclectic portfolio that includes industrial design, children’s books and fantasy art. His magic wand brought the concept for this deck to life.

In the accompanying Handbook (companion book) the very first line of the introduction takes the Seeker directly into the world of the “Wizards Tarot”. How does it do this? By introducing us to the Mandrake Acadamy, Here the Seeker is the student, and the Tarot is the teacher. Modern professors inhabit the rolling plains of the academy, bringing the ancient arts of witchcraft and wizardry to a new generation of students.

The professors take the form of the Major Arcana cards, leading their students through a series of twenty-one lessons in basic magic. In the Minro Arcana the student meets other students, young magicians honing their craft. The four suits illustrate the four schools of magic – fire, Water, Air and Earth.

I love the concept of an animal familiar, and everyone at the Mandrake Academy (student and teacher) has one. In the Court cards the student will find the elemental beings that guard the school: Salamanders (Fire), Undines (Water), Sylphs (Air) and Gnomes (Earth). Kenner notes that the student needs to remember to be respectful, as the elemental creatures are unpredictable.

There is lovely whimsy here too – the calendar year for the Mandrake Academy is a year and a day, referred to as the traditional time for magical initiates. Everything the student needs to get started is in the “Wizards Tarot” kit, with the Tarot cards acting as the student’s tools, and the Handbook instructing the student how to use their tools.

The deck and book are housed in a box that opens from the top. The front of the box shows an image of the World, while the back of the box gives information about the deck and its use.

The “Wizards Tarot Handbook” is a 242 page book that introduces the concept of the “Wizards Tarot”, and presents each Major Arcana card with a black and white image, a description of the energy of the card, key symbols, practical magic using the energy of the card, along with a spread based on the card’s energy. The Minor Arcana Pips (numbered cards) are presented with a black and white image, their Magic Power, their Magic Charm, and key symbols. The Court cards are presented with a black and white image, the card’s esoteric title, and a description of the card imagery.

The deck itself is Rider-Waite based, a traditional 78 card deck with 22 Major Arcana cards. 40 Pips and 16 Court cards. The suits are Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. The Court cards are Page, Knight, Queen and King. Strength is VIII, Justice is XI.

The Major Arcana are as follows:

The Initiate (The Fool)
The Magician – Professor of Basic Magic
The High Priestess – Professor of Divination
The Empress – Professor of Herbal Magic
The Emperor – Headmaster of Mandrake Academy
The Hierophant – Professor of Mythology
The Lovers – Professor of Spellcraft
The Chariot – Professor of Astral Travel
Strength – The Professor of Familiar Creatures
The Hermit – Librarian and Professor of Candle Magic
The Wheel of Fortune – Guidance Counselor
Justice – Professor of Ethics
The Hanged Man – Professor of Runes
Transfiguration (Death) – Professor of Transfiguration
The Alchemist (Temperance) – Professor of Alchemy
The Dark Lord (The Devil) – Professor of the Dark Arts
The Tower – A Visitor’s Guide to the Tower
The Star – Professor of Astrology
The Moon – Professor of Lunar Magic
The Sun – Professor of Solar Magic
Judgment – Proctor of Final Exams
The World – queen of the Witches

The Handbook is one of the most unique companion books I have ever seen. It is also really, really sneaky! While the student is learning to read the Tarot, they are also learning how to do things like create a magic circle, brew herbal elixirs, work with crystals and more! For example, the chapter on the Initiate guides the student in the use of visualization and entering the cards. The spread offered in this chapter is also quite unique. Specific cards are used: the Initiate is placed in the center, with the Magician on its left and the High Priestess on its right. The Initiate represents the Seeker as they are in the present moment. Within the symbols of the Magician one symbol will stand out. This symbol represents a gift or talent that the student has already mastered. The High Priestess is meant to stretch the student’s skills as an oracle.

The practical magic for the Empress is the creation of a crystal elixir to help your garden grow. The spread for the Emperor is the Four Square Spread, which enables the student to achieve a clearer understanding of the four realms of their existence. Something else that interested me in the chapter on the Emperor was the chart of Greek and Roman Pantheon, with both the Greek and Roman names for the mythological characters, as well as the Tarot Major Arcana cards that represent them. The spread for the Chariot is entitled “Charioteer’s Time Travel Spread”. I love the idea of the Chariot as the Professor of Astral Travel, and this spread, which combines Past/Present/Future with Body/Mind/Spirit.

The following is an example of Magic Power and Magic Charm:

“Eight of Wands

Magic Power : The Eight of Wands is a card of long-distance messages and instant communication.

Magic Charm: Focus on the Eight of Wands when you want to communicate quickly and effectively.”

At the end of the Handbook is a list of recommended reading – a wonderful addendum to the resources offered through working with the cards.

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The cards themselves are approximately 2 ¾” by 4 ½”, of good quality card stock. The backs have a marbled blue background, with gold markings in the center. They are not reversible. The faces show a ¼” gold and blue border, with a gold strip across the bottom of the card for the card title.

The artwork is digital, with a good depth of color. They do he Mandrake Academy theme proud, showing the true magic that this deck evokes … magic that we can all have in our lives. Some of the cards are very true to the Rider-Waite tradition, some are not. The Chariot shows a witch on a broom, flying over pyramids. The Initiate shows a female figure in a white gown, with a yellow robe, standing in front of a circle of stones. Her left hand is reaching into her leather pouch, while in her right hand she carries her magical familiar, a white rabbit.

The Lovers shows a male and a female figure seated, facing each other across a wooden desk, quill pens in hand. Standing over them is a female figure, dressed in white, holding an apple in her hand. The Wheel of Fortune shows a female figure seated at a spinning wheel, with ghost-like figures in the background. The wheel has eight spokes, each spoke representing a rite of passage.

The Dark Lord (the Devil) shows a male figure standing between two fiery torches, with two large toads on leashes in front of him and an inverted Pentagram behind his head. I don’t know if this is intentional or not, but the figure in the Nine of Cups to me strongly resembles Tarotist Barbara Moore.

Strength shows a female figure, dressed in white, petting a dragon. The Magician is quite an impelling figure, dressed in a black robe with gold cuffs, his wand held in his raised right hand, with the symbols of a Sword, Cup and Pentagram circling around him, and red roses and white lilies circling his feet. The Hierophant shows a centaur – half man, half horse. The Three of Swords shows the swords all going straight down, rather than having the two outside swords coming in at an angle. Transfiguration shows a figure in the process of shapeshifting from a man into Proteus butterfly. In front of him are a skull and two white candles, lit.

I found this deck, and the accompanying Handbook, to be a treasure trove of information, a true gift to the Tarot student. Very “Harry Potterish”, yet very precise and real. If you pay attention to it, and respect it, this deck will take you far.

© March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

March 2011 Recap

The links below are a recap of my writing during the month of March. Enjoy!

http://www.tarotelements.com/personal-development/tarot-quality-of-life/

http://usgs.typepad.com/blog/2011/03/innerchildcehovet.html

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/king-solomon-oracle-cards/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/days-of-wine-roses/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/marchapril-2011-mercury-retrograde/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/tarot-birth-cards-hanged-manempress/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/readers-studio-2011-last-call/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/full-moon-in-virgo/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/blogsgoogle-and-seo/

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/pisces-new-moon/

(c) March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Days of Wine & Roses

I have no clue where the title for this blog came from. Okay … it was a movie, but I am not even sure what kind of movie. I am pretty sure that it has nothing to do with today’s mini-rant. Let’s start with organisations – Tarot or otherwise. Let’s just broaden the field a bit. From BusinessDictionary.com ( http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/organization.html) we get:

“Definition;

A social unit of people, systematically structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals on a continuing basis. All organizations have a management structure that determines relationships between functions and positions, and subdivides and delegates roles, responsibilities, and authority to carry out defined tasks. Organizations are open systems in that they affect and are affected by the environment beyond their boundaries.”

I have belonged to several different organisations over the years, some of which have totally fulfilled their stated purpose, some of which have not. At its heart, any organisation is, as stated above, a social unit of people. They are together to accomplish collective goals on a continuing basis. If you found an organisation, it might pay to remember what the organisation is all about. Primarily, it is not about you … and if it is, please state so upfront so that people are not signing up for something that is built on false pretenses.  There should be a management structure … something more than in name only. Nifty titles sound great but mean relatively little if they are not related to each other. There needs to be a purpose to the madness.

If something goes catastrophically wrong,  don’t try and repeat the same scenario several months later, on the premises that “it might work this time”. Try not to set things up that actually act as conflicts of interest within the organisation. The public is going to notice this. Don’t promote things that are only tangentially connected with your organisation – people will leave by the droves. And when they do, and they are kind enough to tell you why, don’t immediately go “WTF!” You have been gifted with an opportunity to see where you are failing. My suggestion would be to run with that opportunity.

A friend who works in the business world commented to me recently on a series of fiascos that I had described to them: “A little shake up is good for any group. It’s the Tower energy rattling the house to make sure everyone is awake.”   They are probably right – energy shifts allow us to see ourselves and others in an entirely new light.

I have been back to so many square ones lately that they definitely are beginning to look like home! I am learning that it is okay to stand back and watch the implosion, as long as I have done everything in my power to avert it.

(c) March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

King Solomon Oracle Cards

King Solomon Oracle Cards

Author: Itzhak Mizrahi
Artist: Orna Ben-Shoshan
U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
2011
ISBN #978-1-57281-666-4

The “King Solomon Oracle Cards” is a thirty-six card oracle deck, with four extra cards, entitled amulet cards, that are not intended to be used in readings. The four amulet cards are meant to be used as such – as personal, sacred amulets. They may be kept at home, or carried with the Seeker. They are written in Angel’s Writing and ancient Goatic symbols by the author, kabbalist Itzhak Mizrahi. They influence every aspect of the bearers life, as long as they are kept in their possession. According to Mizrahi, their effect will be felt after about 21 days. After 40 days, their sacred power will be quite noticeable. The instructions are to write your name, and your mother’s name, in the white space on the back of the card. The four life areas that the cards cover are Livelihood, Relationships, Health, and Security and Protection.

The cards themselves are meant to help the reader the significant situations and profound questions that life places in our path. They provide powerful insight into current situations and future outlooks. The lens of perception, or the focus of this deck is the wisdom of King Solomon. The magical signet ring that he received from the heavens inspired the seals that have become powerful symbols in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and are widely used in charms and talismans. The seals carry different frequencies that relate to different life situations and physical characteristics.

Each card contains several different types of symbols. There is a Solomon seal that looks like a stamp, some cards carry a Goatic symbol, which represents specific energetic traits, while other symbols are frameless text written in ancient script. The texts incorporate the “72 names of God” – kabbalistic names that represent unique strengths, and are in angel writing. The placement of the seals and text varies, according to the layout of the artwork.

The mystical symbols are meant to connect the Seeker spiritually to the essence of their inquiry. In other words – to the spiritual response to their inquiry. The deck was created to be used as a personal deck for daily use. Morning reading help prepare the Seeker for the day ahead.

In the section on reading the cards, there is very good advice about inhaling light and positive energy before doing a reading. The Seeker is advised to connect with the cards, and put their faith in the responses. It is highly recommended to read for a single question at a time. Interesting advice is given on drawing a single card, and having that card be either unclear or irrelevant. The Seeker is advised to stop he reading, because the situation the Seeker is inquiring about, or the day ahead, is unpredictable. The Seeker is advised to accept and embrace whatever comes their way.

Card meanings are given in text only (no images), and divided into three sections: (1) the situation, (2) the person you are inquiring about, and (3) advice on the action to take. From the LWB:

“32 – Timing – Taking Time

Situation: There’s plenty of time, no need to rush / progress depends on timing / time will work things out / things proceeding slowly / time is on your side.

Person: Someone who examines the situation thoroughly while taking all the time that is needed.

Advice: Proceed with patience / take the time to think things through and get it right / pace yourself.

Inverted: Time is working against you / you don’t have ample time / a rigorous schedule / act quickly to avoid missing your goal.”

At the end of the LWB three spreads are presented: a one card spread, a three card spread, and a four card spread. Note: The spreads as presented are read from right to left. It is noted that a clarification card can be drawn if a card seems vague or unclear. It is then placed over the ambiguous card.

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The cards are approximately 2 ¾” by 4 5/8”, of good quality cardstock. The backs are a light blue, with a seal in the center and background text in light gray/white. The card faces have a ¼” white border, with the card number in either the upper right hand and lower left hand corner, or the upper left hand and lower right hand corner. Each card contains a seal and text, placed according to the imagery in the card. The artwork is in basic colors, drawn in a very whimsical, uncomplicated manner.

In card number 8 (Unity/Partnership) the bodies of the figures are a clear gray/white, very ghost-like and can be seen through. In many of the cards the figures are floating through the air. Card number 30 (Devotion / Perseverance / Believing In Your Path / Sacrifice) the outer walls of the house are a yellow and green mystical checkerboard pattern. Card number 22 (Magical Influences / Spells / Evil Eye) shows the outline of the house in light gray/white. Card number 19 (Sexuality / Romance / Seduction / Intense Involvement) shows the outline of two figures – one in dark gray, one in lighter gray/white. Card number 11 (Flexibility / Leniency / Compromise / Tolerance / Forgiveness) shows three figures flying between two pillars. Cards number 10 (Growth / Development / Achievement / Discoveries), 24 (A Favorable Era / Positive Conditions) and 6 (Happiness) show figures with red outlines for heads. Card number 28 (Delays / Obstructions / Blocks) shows a seated figure wearing a fools cap, with a see-through white veil over his head and pinned to the earth at the four corners.

I found the artwork and imagery to be very magickal, drawing the Seeker into the picture. The readings that I have done for myself have been very appropriate and enlightening. The deck works for me in a very deep way. Seekers from all backgrounds would have no problem working with this deck.

© March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

March/April 2011 Mercury Retrograde

Mercury retrograde really does have a purpose … that is, aside from causing havoc with all kinds of communications, all things electrical, and transportation/traveling! We are being asked to gt a grip – to review our thoughts and actions, and realign ourselves with the reality that surrounds us. Sometimes we are asked gently, sometimes it amounts to a celestial whack on the head. The first Mercury retrograde for 2011 (March 30th – April 23rd) is in the sign of Aries. Lots of fiery action there!

Note: Mercury generally goes retrograde three times each year. For 2011, all of the Mercury retrogrades are in Fire signs.

The March/April Mercury retrograde will bring about a tremendous shift for many people, and many things. We will be looking at things in a different way, and adjusting our actions accordingly. And there will be a lot of action being taken – focused, intense action fired by the initiating power of Aries. Aries like to see action, and doesn’t tend to have a great deal of patience. This will also be a very goal oriented time.

Our goals will be refocused, and our actions realigned with the new visions of the future coming to us. We are leaving our past behind and stretching who we are, and where we are headed. The changes that we make in during this Mercury retrograde will set the foundation for the next two Mercury retrogrades for 2011 (in August – Leo, and December – Sagittarius). We will need to watch our actions closely (so that we are not acting on impulse), and be very aware of what we are communicating on all levels. We will want to make things happen (Go Aries!), but we need to stop and think through the ramifications of those actions. We don’t want to be bit by things that we say or do without thinking.

I drew one card from the “King Solomon” oracle cards for what we need to know on this Mercury retrograde. I drew
Number 22 – Magical Influences – Spells – Evil Eye. How appropriate can this be! This card represents change brought about by outside influences that are not in the control of the Seeker. Aside from the advice about removing evil spells, this card talks about about “creating a defense”, which I take to mean be aware of that which is going on around you.

(c) March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Tarot Birth Cards – Hanged Man/Empress

Over the next year I am going to be writing about Tarot Birth Cards, what they mean and how we can work with them. I use the system of Tarot Birth Cards developed by Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone of the Tarot School (www.tarotschool.com). Using the Seeker’s birth data (month, day and year), pairs of birth cards are defined. (For more information, and to calculate your own Birth Cards, go to http://tarotschool.com/Calculator.html.)

Please note: I have a book being published by Schiffer Books in fall of 2011 – , “Keys To Empowerment”, incorporating images from Karyn’s Easton’s “Tarot Lovers Tarot”. This was to have been a joint project (book and deck published together), but the decision was made to publish both separately, which I find very exciting! Karyn has a Birth Card calculator up on her site, where you can also view her incredible deck (it really is!) –http://paranormality.com/tarot-birth-card-calculator.shtml.

A special thanks to Leisa ReFalo www.tarotconnection.net, who developed the Birth Card Calculator, and graciously gave us permission to use it.

Our third pair of Birth Cards are the Hanged Man (Key 12) and the Empress (Key 3). Some of the associations for these cards are:

The Hanged Man -
Astrological Sign: Water
Keywords: Surrender, acceptance, recognizing the patterns that bind us, a need to consider options, depression, self-imposed limitations, lack of progress, wanting to act, but having no direction, procrastination, boredom.

The Empress -
Astrological Sign: Venus
Keywords: Nurturing, mothering, creativity, fertility, grounding of energy, abundance, harmony, prosperity, self-indulgence, withdrawing from others, frigid, not feeling empowered.

The Theme for this lifetime is: Learning to surrender and accept life, and the ability to give and receive love and compassion.

We can choose to do personal work with our own Birth Cards, we can use Birth Cards in conjunction with a reading for a client (place their birth cards, drawn from a deck other than the one you are reading with, above the spread(s) laid out for them). The spread(s) are then read through the lens of perception of the Seeker’s Birth Cards. As added value, a reader could give their client scans of their Birth Cards, along with a short write-up about them. Readers can also use the Birth Card system to better understand other people in their own lives (family, co-workers, friends etc.).

The key to bringing balance to any lifetime is that of understanding how and where your Birth Cards are operating in your life. The Hanged Man is all about reflection, about taking a time out to look at the bigger picture, to see both the light and the shadow, and to note where you are in the cycle of life.

The Empress, ruled by Venus, places focus on creativity, love and nurturing, of self and others. With the Empress we see the need for the practical application of one’s skills and abilities. The Empress listens to her intuition to know where to place her attention and energy.

The Hanged Man and the Empress set the tone for this lifetime. The path that the individual walks is one that addresses the lessons of life – spiritual life with the Hanged Man, physical life with the Empress. The time out that the Hanged Man needs to take acts as a form of detachment, while the Empress, as she surveys her universe, is involved in the minutia of life.

A 12/3 (Hanged Man/Empress) individual empowers themselves by quieting their minds so that they can look at their lives with fresh eyes. There is a need to see thoughts and actions clearly, so that bonds from the past can be released and the individual can move forward. We need to look closely at eh “why” of our actions, in order to move away from victim mentality. This individual also need to look at their own creative nature, and develop the abilities that they were born with. They need to focus on grounding and centering, and connecting with their natural environment. The Empress brings with her the ability to see abundance and beauty all around us, to view the world as a fertile place in which to grow our ideas and ourselves. The Empress initiates change with her creative thoughts.

We are what we tell ourselves we are. When we understand why we make the decisions that we do, we can look at the decisions that are not bringing us happiness, and rethink them. If our decisions are not taking us where we want to go, we have a disconnect in our life. A 12/3 lifetime is all about where the Seeker is in their life. The Hanged Man is moving away from the details of the physical world. He is looking for enlightenment and inner wisdom. The Empress is intimately involved with the minute details of life, protecting those in her realm, nurturing the life around her and appreciating the abundance in her world.

Images from the “Tarot Lovers Tarot”, Karyn Easton, 2008, paranormality.com

© March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Readers Studio 2011 – Last Call!

I am very much looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones at the 2011 Readers Studio! Towards the end of 2010 I posted information that individuals were willing to share about themselves, to make it easier when meeting new people. I am putting out a last call to do the same – share information, so that you know a bit about those that you are meeting, and they know a bit about you. I will be putting out another post mid-April, providing that there are more people that are willing to share information about themselves.

If you would like to share your information, please contact me at bonniecehovet@gmail.com.

These are the links to previous submissions. Enjoy!

http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/readers-studio-2011-are-you-ready
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/whos-who-at-the-readers-studio-part-2/
http://bonniecehovet.wordpress.com/2010/10/30/whos-who-at-the-readers-studio-part-3/

© January 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Full Moon In Virgo

On March 19th we see the full moon in Virgo. It is also what is termed a “Super Moon”. Not being an astrologer, I am just going to give the bottom line on this one – the moon will be the closest to earth that is has been in twenty years on the day of the full moon. What does this mean? It means that we need to watch for natural disaster, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. We have already seen this in the tragedy that is occurring in Japan. What I would also note here is that there seems to be a high degree of tension and anxiety on a general level – not connected with the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Personal stress levels will be very high – stop and think before you speak or act. Expect that whatever has not been working in your life – especially on an emotional level … well, it’s going to surface into consciousness and need to be dealt with.  Be very careful not to be too judgmental. Consciously ground and center yourself, note what needs to be balanced within you, and make the effort to do so. Put that little nay-saying inner critic on hold for the duration!

With the Sun in Pisces and the Moon in Virgo, there is tension between working with minute details and seeing things as a whole. A happy medium needs to be found here. Your practical self and your emotional self need to at least have a nodding acquaintance at this time. This is a time to connect with universe, and release built up stress. Take time out throughout the day to take a few deep breaths, center yourself, and let go of the things from the past that are holding you back.

The full moon is a time to release the shadows in  your life and take your power back. Embrace them, and let them go. Allow yourself to feel the freedom of being co-creator of your own future. I drew one card for this full moon, asking what energy would help us to understand it. From Kat Black’s “Touchstone Tarot”, I drew the Nine of Cups (good card, but I was hoping for the Happy Squirrel!). Our wishes will be fulfilled – we will find the happiness we are looking for.

(c) March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet

Blogs,Google and SEO

Many of us have blogs. Most of us would like to see more people land on our blog, and we would really like to see more responses (comments). Word to the wise here – don’t leave a comment if you have nothing to say, and just want to leave a link to your work. That is just disrespectful.  Onwards and upwards – the latest hoopla with blogs seems to be Google reinventing themselves. Yes, Google is the venue we want to watch as far as optimizing our blogs is concerned.

Search algorithms are being refined/changed, specifically placing focus on blogs that feature low to poor quality content,or “shallow” content.  I have to say, most blogs in the two venues that I focus on – writing and Tarot, are content rich. If they weren’t, I wouldn’t follow them. You don’t have to write long posts – just posts that have something to say, with content that is original to you. You can reference the work of others (with proper creditation, please!), but you need the meat of  the blog to be your concept, used in a fresh manner.  A hint here is to go back and change blogs (or site content) that reflect poor use of content. Big Brother Google takes note of this stuff!

Site visitors deserve to see fresh, relevant content. They will go away happy,and return time and time again- just to see what you are up to!  Do you want to work with your site stats a bit? Try Google Analytics - https://www.google.com/analytics. I just signed up for this myself – I thought that it was time to get a bit serious about my Internet life! Hope I got it installed correctly!

(c) March 2011 Bonnie Cehovet