Major Arcana – Page 2 – ApotheCarrie Tarot

Ten of Wands

November 30, 2019November 30, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

Please note that this series of interpretations is intended to assist specifically in personal healing and shadow work. There are many incredible websites that offer traditional meanings and correspondences. I am not a mental health professional; these are my personal reflections and experiences that I hope you will find helpful.

Finally, after all of the struggles and battles, it is time to look around at what you have created. YOU did this! This is not to say that success comes without a new share of responsibilities, but you have weathered the struggles and are now ready to delegate.

Often this card is associated with “burden.” It makes sense as we often see a figure either carrying or trying to lift ten wands on their back, sometimes uphill. However, the great cardslinger Tom Benjamin offered a positive, and potentially more helpful association with this card which was: “anything worth doing costs, is worth spending energy on.” When we think about passion projects that we have worked hard on, even the times when we are spread so thin we barely have time to eat, there is a sense of satisfaction there. While we are certainly feeling the weight of responsibility, this comes from creating something that really means something to us. It could be compared to someone who has started and grown a successful non-profit. This takes incredible dedication and stamina, yet you will be hard-pressed to find someone in this realm who doesn’t love the work they are doing.

What is important now is to ensure you aren’t taking on unnecessary burdens. If you have the opportunity to delegate the aspects of the project that do not excite you, do it. If someone asks for your help and you can’t extend yourself any further without experiencing burnout, learn kind ways to decline. Make sure that you are making the best use of your energetic resources in order to continue doing this great work.

Saying “no” is something that many of us struggle with, so with this card, I invite you to practice saying “no” in ways that feel comfortable to you. Remember that being a people-pleaser is a trauma response. By all means help when you can but when you are already feeling overextended, learn how to “give good no.”

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”
― Randy Pausch

“When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks along the way. But with hard work, perseverance and self-belief there is no limit to what you can achieve.”
― Roy T. Bennett

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Nine of Wands

November 21, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

The Nine of Wands comes along just when you thought the coast was clear. In the Eight of Wands, you let your guard down for a moment to enjoy the ride and along comes the Nine to interrupt you. This card is here to test your courage and resilience and take a final swing at you. The card is often depicted as a battle-weary individual with an expression of doubt and resignation. In The Wild Unknown (pictured above) we see a staircase littered with wands reminding us how steep stairs can feel when you are exhausted. This is the final challenge before the culmination of your creative efforts and the passion you have invested in this area of your life.

This card asks you to dig deep and find that last reserve of energy and stamina in order to make it to the finish line. Tap into your primal side and let loose with one last battle cry! If you can find your way over this last seemingly staggering hurdle, your endurance and persistence will pay off. This is a great time to make your boundaries clear to those who test them.

What does the word “courage” represent to you? Do you recall a time when you were about to give up but were able to find hidden strength you didn’t know you had? I invite you to do a free-write about how it felt to discover that you had more fight in you than you realized. Often this is where deep and lasting growth occurs.

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.”
― Louise Erdrich

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
― Jane Austen

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Eight of Wands

October 5, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

The Eight of Wands indicates a time of unexpected good news and swift movement towards resolution. Anything that has been lagging or lacking momentum will propel forward at a staggering rate. All of the trials we have seen in the wands so far will loosen up and your inner fire with be nourished with oxygen, allowing the full, creative force within you to become engulfed. There is so much exciting, raw energy in this card that it would be a shame to watch the flames die out slowly. This is a spark that needs to blaze, so let it!

With this card, you may be feeling a sudden wealth of creative energy but be aware that like all things, this is one position in a cycle and it won’t remain here indefinitely. Now is the time for action–the universe is asking for it and has already cleared the path for you. Eliminate distractions and maintain focus on your goals.

This is also an opportunity to speak your truth; if something has been bubbling up in you for some time, waiting to erupt, this card invites you to release it. Be mindful not to burn any bridges, but trust the fire in your belly.

How do you feel when you are close to a roaring fire? Is it exciting for you, or does it make you anxious? What is your initial reaction to the quick momentum of a project you have started? Are you exhilarated by the progression or do you try to slam the brakes on? Take some time to examine the limiting beliefs you have about your potential-often they are the only thing holding you back.

“Sometimes the loss from taking a wrong action is less than the loss from taking no action.”
― Amit Kalantri

“Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see, one chants out between two worlds, fire walk with me!”
― David Lynch

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Seven of Wands

September 19, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

There are times for composure and there are times to engage. With the Seven of Wands, we are being called to be courageous. We have reached a position in our project where we may experience further conflict and are going to have to stand our ground. Because Wands are associated with the ego, our growing success may bring out shadowy aspects of those around us such as envy and resentment. They are aiming for the same goals we are, so be sure to stay a few steps ahead.

Unfortunately, this opposition may come out of left field. This is well-represented in decks which illustrate an individual with mismatched shoes on, suggesting that this conflict came without warning (see image on left). Even the most articulate individuals may find themselves scrambling to defend their project. This may come at a time when you are on the cusp of giving up on this endeavor–don’t. If you can hang on and defend what you have worked so hard for, you are on the home stretch! Those of us who shine the brightest can be threatening to those who live in shadows.

How do you manage unforeseen challenges? Are you adaptable, or do you feel like you are trying to dance on ice? How can you develop your intuition in order to sense incoming turbulence? How can you prepare your footing in order to better support yourself when it hits?

“I think we each have a certain number of unnecessary apologies, which we willingly dish out before we realize it’s time to stand and fight. I may still have two or three left.”
― Joyce Rachelle

“We have to stand up for what we believe in, even when we might not be popular for it. Honesty starts with being ourselves, authentic and true to who we are and what we believe in, and that may not always be popular, but it will always let you follow your dreams and your heart.”

-Tabatha Coffey

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Six of Wands

September 1, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

The Six of Wands heralds a time of rediscovered harmony. After the bristly Five of Wands, we have found our rhythm and are entering the next phase of our creative endeavor or passion project. The friction that was experienced in the five has been left behind along with the associated obstacles.

The Six of Wands untangles the aspects of our journey that may have become discordant. We have reached an important goal and can’t help but feel inspired. There is often an element of outside recognition with this victory that can lean toward arrogance in an unbalanced individual (remember, wands can be associated with ego). Otherwise, this card indicates a positive achievement which allows us the fuel and forward momentum for what comes next. While this is a welcome phase in the journey, we have only stepped over the halfway mark and there is more work coming.

When did you last accomplish something that renewed your energy and faith in your capabilities? Was that recognized by peers or colleagues? Was that recognition important to you? When was the last time you felt a shift in a creative block? What precipitated that shift? It can be helpful to return to practices that remove our blocks before we experience these hurdles; preparation for times of apathy can prevent frustration during a creative process.

“Beware of those who criticize you when you deserve some praise for an achievement, for it is they who secretly desire to be worshiped.”
― Suzy Kassem

“When we start being too impressed by the results of our work, we slowly come to the erroneous conviction that life is one large scoreboard where someone is listing the points to measure our worth. And before we are fully aware of it, we have sold our soul to the many grade-givers. That means we are not only in the world, but also of the world. Then we become what the world makes us. We are intelligent because someone gives us a high grade. We are helpful because someone says thanks. We are likable because someone likes us. And we are important because someone considers us indispensable. In short, we are worthwhile because we have successes. And the more we allow our accomplishments — the results of our actions — to become the criteria of our self-esteem, the more we are going to walk on our mental and spiritual toes, never sure if we will be able to live up to the expectations which we created by our last successes. In many people’s lives, there is a nearly diabolic chain in which their anxieties grow according to their successes. This dark power has driven many of the greatest artists into self-destruction.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwe

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Five of Wands

August 11, 2019August 11, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

The Five of Wands plucks us from our joyful celebrations at home in the Four of Wands and drops us right back into our creative venture. In this card, we can potentially find the “too many cooks spoil the broth” scenario playing out. Our project has grown to the point where we have a small team in place and suddenly everyone wants their voices heard. This card is often depicted with five individuals holding sticks and entangled in battle (sometimes playfully). It can bring to mind holiday dinners where everyone is talking over each other and not much is being accomplished.

In the Five of Wands, our “baby” is being picked at by everyone involved. It may be tempting to shut this interaction down, grab that “baby” (book, play, recording) and run screaming back to the drawing board. Don’t. Not yet, anyhow. This input from a variety of individuals can prove to be invaluable. Fives often represent change, and this stands to change the course of your project but this may be a beneficial new path!

It can be challenging to have someone criticize our grammar let alone our deeply personal creative work. If we can view this input as a gift from other minds who come from different backgrounds with a range of experiences we have not shared, we invite diversity, contrast, and depth to a project. This becomes even more complicated when it is our own internal narratives that scrutinize our work.

This card may also indicate competition. In this way, there may be a parallel project being developed that causes us to hold ours up for comparison.

When was the last time you had created something and had this challenged by others? How did you feel at the time? How did you respond? How did you feel after the initial shock had worn off? Often criticism can cause our shadows to rear their ugly heads. For many of us, that critical voice is internal–either ours of the voice of someone who has previously made us feel “less than.” I encourage you to learn to work with that voice of criticism before we react to it. We can choose what to do with this feedback but the willingness to consider this input is a gift to our work.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
― Helen Keller

“Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces together.”
― Ray Bradbury

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Four of Wands

July 28, 2019July 28, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

The Four of Wands heralds a time of festive celebration. After we have applied ourselves in the Three of Wands, the four allows us to sit back and toast to what we have accomplished so far. This might be a gathering of your “chosen family” or community in the spirit of holidays such as Thanksgiving. It is a time to reflect on where we came from and what we have accomplished.

While wands tend to be associated with passions, will, and the ego, this card has a sense of “coming home” or celebrating our surroundings. It can feel like a period of homesickness is over and we are surrounded by people and reminders that make us feel like we have truly arrived. This is a time to truly celebrate yourself and the foundation you have built!

Have you recently taken time to truly revel in gratitude? Perhaps this would be a good time to have a dinner gathering just for the sake of it. Sometimes being surrounded by people who help reflect the best parts of ourself back at us is cause enough for celebration. If funds are a concern, potlucks are a great way for a large feast with something for everyone! All too often we spend time digging away at our self-worth by focusing on what has not been accomplished but let this card be an invitation to celebrate the things you HAVE accomplished–you truly are amazing!

“Those who mistrust their own abilities are being too wicked to themselves, discouraging themselves from doing what they should have been excelling in. If you are good at discouraging yourself, you can’t be a good leader because leadership is built on inspiring others to face challenges.”
― Israelmore Ayivor

“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”
― Germany Kent

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Three of Wands

July 6, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

With the Three of Wands, we move from that place of planning into creative forward-motion. Threes in tarot indicate a strong foundation that the planning in the Ace and Two have created. Now, we begin the exciting phase of building/writing/directing this venture. Remember that we are in the realm of creativity, passion, will, and the ego, so this fiery card will feel like a continuation of that spark that was ignited in the Ace.

This card is an exciting part of the creative process. It is the realization that this inspiration in you is coming alive through your direct action! There are few feelings that compare to this! If you are still hesitating in the safety of planning, now is the time to jump out of your desk chair and get messy!

This is also a time to share your vision with others. This card suggests collaboration so be courageous and share with your peers. This could be a pivotal point in this project. Because this can involve the ego, it is a great time to see how you respond to criticism, especially if the project is close to your heart. Keep your sights locked on where you want this area of your life to go. Ensure that you are staying in alignment with that goal.

This might be an interesting time to examine your creative process from planning into action. Is this something that comes naturally or do you require a gentle shove? Are you someone who tends to have many sparks of inspiration that are left to sizzle rather than being fanned into flame? How about collaboration? How does your creative process look when several people are involved? This might be a fun mind-mapping activity that helps you visualize and troubleshoot areas of your creativity that challenge you.

The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possible can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”
― Kurt Vonnegut

“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.”
― Octavia Butler

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Two of Wands

June 15, 2019June 15, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

The Two of Wands is a perfect example of taking the seed offered to you in the Ace and tending to it by creating a clear and workable action plan. The spark of creativity has inspired a project and the next steps are being laid out.

In this card, while there is a recognition of the goal, we are cautious enough to sit with the excitement and work out the new path. There is a feeling of discovery and curiosity but with hesitancy. It will take courage to let go of our current position in order to pursue something greater. This may result in a feeling of being pulled in two directions–do we stay in the familiar or step out into the new and vast landscape?

What was your most recent creative project? Remember that creative simply means an idea put into action in any fashion. Did it take some discomfort, or the decision to leave something behind? What did you learn in the process? Even when new ventures end poorly, the important thing is that you took a creative risk and without that, our human experience can become incredibly dull. What will your next creative project be? How can you step out of your daily routine and do something inspired?

“It’s through mistakes that you actually grow. You have to get bad in order to get good.”
-Paula Scher

“There is only one of you in all time. This expression is unique and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.”
-Martha Graham

Until our paths cross again…

Tarot

Ace of Wands

June 8, 2019June 8, 2019 ApotheCarrie Tarot

Have you been fortunate enough to experience that divine spark of initiative and creativity that wakes you out of your day-to-day routine and demands attention? This is the fiery energy in the Ace of Wands.

As with all Aces, we are presented with a fertile seed that can grow into a creatively fulfilling venture. This requires careful tending and nurturing in order to grow into fruition. The energy is there, the inspiration is there, but we must be willing to funnel that energy into a new project. Often the term “creative” can be disarming and sometimes as adults we have lost the willingness to call ourselves “artists,” whereas children will excitedly announce that they are just that. It is important to remember that we are all creative. We all have gifts of innovation that we use on a regular basis. Perhaps you are naturally inclined to mathematics. Maybe you whip up nourishing, belly-warming dinners for your loved ones. Is it that you pull together outfits in a unique and memorable way?

Creativity is simply having an idea and doing what it takes to bring it to life! It is problem-solving.

How have you nurtured your creative spark? How does the energy of the element of fire translate for you? Have you harnessed this energy in the past? If so, how did it manifest? Contrarily, have you ignored this spark? Have you let this seed wither and wish to pick it up again? The Ace of Wands suggests that it is time! Let this spark spread into something beautiful!

“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”
― Osho

“Blessed are the weird people:
poets, misfits, writers
mystics, painters, troubadours
for they teach us to see the world through different eyes.”
― Jacob Nordby

Until our paths cross again…