Question:
The 12 cards are a token of the year I have just lived through. What are the influences on my life?
1. Who Am I? Sword Queen
A shock this one. I would have said the Sword aspects such as biting honesty and even cruel directness are qualities I lack. But the cards say that in the last 12 months, this is me. Definitely a card starred for further analysis.
2. The Way I've Handled My Resources. Spear 2
In this Spear 2, the path is open, leading me on. Travel and movement are suggested (journey to India?). Setting tasks I can reasonably achieve and confidence in my own resources.
3. The Kind Of Choices I've Made. Sword Knight
Again Swords! The Sword Knight is ready to uphold truth and justice - to the death if necessary. I feel pleased to see this card in this position, but I'm not sure why yet.
4. The Influence Of My Home Life / Environment. Guinevere
The Lady Guinevere - nature's beautiful bounty. The land and living directly on it has been a massive influence - mostly for positive but also tucked away on the quinta does shield me from the bigger picture.
5. The Way I've Expressed Myself. Spiral Tower
I dreamt of this Tower last night and the 12 signs of the zodiac swirled before my eyes. This Tower allows some free will in implementing change. Although the sharp shock is implied by the lightening strike, as with other Towers - the Owl Woman is my Guardian Angel. I have nothing to fear here. But as the way I've expressed myself? Suggests maybe humbleness. Need to examine the link between this card and Grail 7 as the book suggests and also study this card with the Cosmic Tribe deck.
6. The Way I've Worked. Stone 9
In nature, with the animals. Grounded. Connected with trees. All have their place. Sacred stones and symbols. The book meaning is very interesting:
Shows the culmination of the work of the winter Stone court. Depicts the supporters of that work, the hidden helpers and totemic beings who accompany our solitary moments. Represents the empowerment of the path which brings the seeker to interior quiet and natural ease - the fulfilment of the long hard struggle. Experienced in the enjoyment that can come from retirement from employment; but for the student of the path there is no such thing as retirement, only periods of refreshment which deeply nourish and sustain us on our ongoing quest.
So, the way I've worked has been as one in total retirement - now is the time to get back to work.
7. The Kind Of Relationships I've Had. Stone 8
This suggests the relationship with the Craft. My occupation has been on developing those skills needed on the path. How does this manifest in relationships with people? Maybe a question to pose on a tarot forum.
8. The Legacies I've Reaped From Actions Committed Before This Year. Grail Hallow
Cup overflowest with healing waters. I think immediately of meeting the shaman at Boom, Aug. 2006. She told me I need to connect deeply with water to heal. She said many tears still had to be shed to release what I have been holding onto all my life. I see this Ace as a great gift of healing emotional wounds.
9. How I've Related To Spiritual, Legal Or Philosophical Frameworks. Stone Hallow
Another Ace up my sleeve. This one I understand less clearly. Best summed up in "The black squares bring me trials, the white squares bring me realisations." Wisdom, knowledge, tradition. Fear of insecurity and loss of worth.
10. How I've Responded To Society. The Sun
Innocently, naively, openly, directly, not hidden.
11. How My Aspirations Have Been Reflected In The World. Spear 3
I travel the land as if I own the right to do so, secure in the knowledge that I have protection and my way is blessed. Open to ideas and opportunities. The searching questions Spear 3 asks in the book are worth answering again.
12. The Part Of Myself Of Which I've Been Unaware. Spear Knight
Nice to see a person as an answer here - for once, thanks go to the Courts for appearing in appropriate positions. I see straight away this aspect is the aggression and fiery anger I expressed to everyone's surprise a month ago. Quite destructive too. Need to bring this character into the light and examine what it means for me.
