Emperor

The Emperor can provide order and structure where once only chaos existed. He possesses great intelligence and the confidence required to use it productively. While sometimes considered stern and demanding, he knows how to encourage people to reach their full potential. He sets strict rules and boundaries and expects others to comply.

Chinese view the organs according to energetic rather than physical functions. The Heart is the supreme master of the Organs, as the emperor is of the people and like the emperor, the Heart links Heaven (the spirit) and the Earth (the body).

Death the Transformation

The death card is about change and the urge to resist it. It is about letting go and trusting in the vibratory force around you. Trust in the force, I guess the Jedi Knight's were right.

Death is a strong card a card that symbolizes the strength within to accept new situations. I can't think of any more fitting model for this card but Joyce Scott, of the Curiosity Shoppe. The vibratory force at her celebration was so STRONG, a whole community in support of one person, wow! Joyce and this moment are ripe for transformative change.

I have always viewed the death card with respect. In context within the deck card it represents the movement that the "Hanged Man" takes, a turning of the wheel . If one trusts, then abundance with be there to catch us. Hang on!!

The Lovers

Ah yes the lovers. The lovers represent perfection, harmony and mutual attractiveness. The lovers trust in one another gives them strength and confidence to overcome the obstacles in life.

When you see the Lovers card come up in a reading, it is important to think about where in your life you are facing a choice. When the Lovers comes up, you must be completely honest with yourself in the situation, not taking things strictly on face value but deeply examining your motives, your feelings, your options and your decisions. The fact that it is a Major Arcana card means that the decision is something fundament. Whenever you see a Major Arcana card in a reading, the situation is affected on a much deeper level.

The choice that the lover’s card present is almost always one that has moral over or undertones. The seekers own value system is being challenged, and s/he must make a definite choice based on that system. The choices are never really easy or obvious, either. Unlike the Fools' choice (which can have no wrong answer), the choice of the Lovers can because one of those paths will almost always take the seeker down a possibly pleasant, but downward tending path.

This card symbolizes everything good in personal relationships. In a reading involving love, this is a very good card in any position. In reading involving relationships, other than a love relationship, it still retains its meaning but adjusted. For example, in a reading regarding a relationship with a boss, it might be read as meaning communication with the boss will be especially good and without friction. This, of course, would depend on the surrounding cards.

This picture was taken at Burning Man, when Paul and I were renewing our 20th year wedding anniversary. It was a very stormy evening and there was a break in the storm. We quickly got the ceremony started, after waiting for the last person to show up (Bob), which was a whole other story. It was a wonderful moment and not only renewed our commitment to each other and our family, but brought a whole new group of people into our lives, who continue to feed our souls.

The Fool

The Fool is numbered 0, unlimited potential. In the beginning the Fool starts with faith, complete faith that life with provide. Some might say blind faith. The Fool is the major character in the Major Arcana and the story of the Fool’s Journey.

This is a card of potential, new beginnings, innocence. This is the card where anything can happen, and the opportunities are just waiting to be taken advantage of. The fool is a dreamer, full of what is sometimes seen as naive faith—taking a leap into the unknown. It is also a card for trust. You need to trust that you are a spirit born into flesh to enjoy life and grow in experience. Take a chance and see what happens.

Brian's picture was taken at Burning Man 2007. I used a cat as a familiar to watch him on his journey, since I am partial to cats. Brian is the perfect fool, his energy is postive and light. He dances through life experincing new things. The corollary between the joker and the fool is obvious and the world symbolizes the higher aspects of his journey.

Star

The Star (XVII)
Astrological Sign: Aquarius

The Star card (1+7=8) correspondes to the Strength card (8). The Strength card enhances the Star's ability to accept our and others faults, while spreading light and love.

The Star card brings to us the gift of pleasure in nature, of reasoned intuition and of shining hope. It reveals a loving phase, filled with calm energy and renewed understanding. It is a card of heavenly favors and a sense of being blessed. Hatred, envy, bitterness, and revenge have burned themselves out and no longer shadow your life or potential for future happiness. Now you are able to forgive and forget.

Model: Briana

On the left is the original photo taken in Walter's backyard. Briana had been prancing around nude hoping that the UPS man would show up. But alas it was just me. This is the photo I decided upon which would best articulate the magic and lightness of the star. As I set about bringing in various elements into the card, I tried to distill the essence of not only the card but what stars represent historically and culturally. I found images celestial images giving birth to new stars and used this as the background. I wanted to include the seven stars that were part of the original cards which represents the seven chakras.

In deciding what star constellation that I was going to feature. Paul suggested the Pleiadies and in looking though some tarot cards, what do you know but the Pleiadies it was. I was going to use anyway, although the Pleiades is really more than 1,400 stars there are only seven obvious star. Then as I was dweebing out on wikipedia, I found the following article on the very day it was printed, (freaky)
Pleiades Gives Birth to Babies, Feb. 1, 2009, according to the UCLA new story

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/rocky-planets-are-forming-in-the-40289.aspx
Rocky terrestrial planets, perhaps like Earth, Mars or Venus, appear to be forming or to have recently formed around a star in the Pleiades ("seven sisters") star cluster, the result of "monster collisions" of planets or planetary embryos.

Astronomers using the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii and the Spitzer Space Telescope report their findings in an upcoming issue of the Astrophysical Journal, the premier journal in astronomy.

"This is the first clear evidence for planet formation in the Pleiades, and the results we are presenting may well be the first observational evidence that terrestrial planets like those in our solar system are quite common," said Joseph Rhee, a UCLA postdoctoral scholar in astronomy and lead author of the research.

But here is the scary thing,

I found a society of Pleiades. They describe the role of Pleiades’. "To help seekers become consciously aware of Divine Knowledge and Wisdom. They show them that their their etheric, astral and mental bodies must be purified before being able to integrate with the spiritual realm. The Pleiades represent a spiritual “station” where the Perfect Model within seekers is energized and comes alive on earth".
http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/Wingmakers/THE%20PLEIADES.html

OK so now I know that there is a limit for trying to draw parallels with everything.
This stuff makes me think of Branch Davidians.

Suit of Wands

Wands represent fire, the south, summer. They have to do with primal energy, growth, the will, inspiration, determination, strength, intelligence, intuition, and creativity. They deal with the spiritual level of consciousness. Wands mirror what is important to you at the core of your being. Wands represent the element of fire. Wands are also indicative of all things that you do during the day to keep you busy, be it working at the office, home or the great outdoors. Wands are also about ideas, growth, ambition and expansion, original thought and the seeds through which life springs forth.

Many Wands in a reading show that the "conditions" in which the Querent finds himself are based mainly in the realm of thought, or are in the first stages of development.
Wands usually refer to fire signs of the Zodiac (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries) and represents East or South, the lion, salamander, blond hair, and blue eyes. Wands are indicative of springtime, weeks in so far as "time" goes in Tarot.

Wands are all about the Spiritual and the spiritual. They address what makes us tick. Our personalities, egos, enthusiasms, self-concepts, and personal energy, both internal and external. This is one of the reasons you will find so any varying interpretations of this suit.

High Priestess of Air

Queen of Swords

Element - Air - rational/thoughts/non-emotional
Astrological Signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Direction: East
Charkra: 4th Heart (Anahata)

The personality of the Queen of Swords combines the positive air energy of the Swords suit with the inward focus of a Queen. You can always count on the Queen of Swords to tell you exactly how it is. Above all else she admires honesty, and she lives by her commitment to being truthful. Lies, tricks and games are of no interest to her, but she's not easy to fool. She is experienced in the ways of the world, good and bad. The Queen of Swords can size up a situation quickly. She understands human folly, but doesn't condemn it. She knows when cow manure is being thrown around and simply finds clever ways around it. She prefers being straightforward and direct. Her observations are candid, but never hurtful. In fact, this Queen has a delightful sense of humor. She likes a good laugh and always has a witty comeback ready-to-hand. She knows that life isn't meant to be taken too seriously. The Queen of Swords is refreshing in her candor and lack of pretense. Very alert to undercurrents, and should not be underestimated.
http://www.biddytarot.com/swords/queenswords.html