Tarot Studies for Fun and Prophet

 So something kind of odd happened this morning while I was doing a two-card draw. I'm working with the Cosmos deck, a new one that I haven't worked with too extensively yet. Trying to do semi-regular one or two card draws to get to know it. For me, two card draws are energy - action draws, so what am I feeling and what actions will I take in the day.

I was shuffling my deck, and a card jumped out - 7 of fire (Hydra). I kept shuffling, and another card jumped out - The Lovers (Cancer, and funnily enough my Sun sign). So I decided to put them aside, that they would inform the two cards I draw for the day. Well, what I ultimately drew were 6 of Earth reversed (Dorado) (Rx) and 5 of Earth (Triangulum + Norma + Triangulum Australe). 

The 7 of fire is perseverance against great odds - it's not success, it's just survival in difficult situations. That strikes a definite chord for my energy today.

The Lovers, of course, is a card about nurturing, family, connecting with those you love. The card in this deck shows Hera healing the crab - very nurturing. 

6 of Earth Rx is about greed, and perhaps about taking unnecessary/ill-advised risks. 

5 of Earth is about the fruits of your labor. Pay attention to the details, enjoy the journey, and work on your craftsmanship and skills.

So here's how I read them: 

7 of Fire is my energy for the day - I feel like the work is never ending, and I feel guilty for taking time for myself. This is Not Good.

The 5 of Earth is my action - I should just focus on doing well, on the process, put my nose to the grindstone. This is CROSSED with the Lovers - be good to myself, engage in community that is meaningful, but also nurture myself because I clearly need it.

And 6 of Earth Rx is ... just a reminder not to take an unnecessary risk, not to take the short cut (no matter how tempting it will be), and to keep my ethics in my view.

The thing is, it would also make sense to read this as two separate 2-card draws. 7 of Fire and The Lovers really resonate together to me, and so to the 5 of Earth and the 6 of Earth Rx.

How do you handle cards that jump out? Do you see them as shedding extra light on your spread, or do you see them as an essential part of the spread - not extras at all?

 I'm going through some huge life changes right now, and yesterday/into this morning I slowed down long enough to realize how disjointed I was feeling. It's been a while (since the eclipse, in fact) since I've checked in with my intuition, that darker, quieter side of me, so this morning I drew three cards.

Normally, when I do a three card draw it comes out very prescriptive: Mind, Body, Spirit. Today, I decided to read pretty free form, and I like the results. 

I used the Japaridze Tarot - a deck I'm still getting used to, but it felt right to me today. 

Queen of Tides - Reversed: My emotions are all turned around right now - but that's ok. I gain grace and beauty from my deep feelings. If I allow my intuition to come forward more, if I cultivate compassion, it will balance some of the intellectual pressure I'm feeling now. I need to right the Queen of Tides within myself.

Stranger of Tides: This felt like a very dominant card in the spread. It speaks to putting on masks, putting on a front to dive in to competition. I've been feeling so much pressure to be as good or better than everyone else, and I've been feeling so self-conscious of being judged, I've become detached from myself. The anxiety and ambition can read as aggression - I need to chiiiiiiiiill. 

Seven of Gardens: At the same time that I'm feeling disconnected, I am harvesting a lot. And that's a little off-putting. I'm discovering new talents, things that I used to feel confident about that I'm not anymore, and it's happening very naturally. It's also happening very fast. I need to take some time to relax and enjoy the harvest.

And also self care. Of course. But it's so easy to forget about that when I'm running so hard. But really. It's ok to snuggle a kitty, watch horrible tv, and knit every once in a while.