Gaian Tarot Artist's Journal

Wordless Wednesday ~ Heron & Gull

 

The Moon - Gaian Tarot Card of the Week

What do we most need to know for the coming week?

The Moon 

How lovely to see my old friend turn up this morning.  This is the first card I created for the Gaian Tarot, back in early 2001.  I find it especially appropriate that it turns up in a week that will culminate in a Full Moon.  Last night as I went to bed, the waxing moon filled my window with silver light filtered through cedar branches.  Such grace.  "The Moon is constantly changing, and She is always faithful in Her changes."

Blessed be.

Here’s what I wrote in the Gaian Tarot companion book:

When you get this card in a reading . . .

It is time to raise your lunar consciousness. Begin to track the movement of the movement of the moon in the night sky where you live. Where does She rise and where does She set? And at what times of day and night? Which phase is She in tonight?

As you look at the Moon card, which lunar phase draws your eye? Which phase relates to a cur- rent situation? Perhaps this is a new relationship, or time to leave a job. The lunar cycle is a model for any life cycle, whether it is a relationship, a job or a creative project. Knowing your place in this cycle can help put your current issues in perspective.

In addition, this card indicates an awakening of powerful psychic abilities and learning to trust one's intuition. This may be frightening or confusing for those who have depended only on guid- ance of the clear light of rationality. The more familiar we become with the language of dreams, symbol and myth, the more comfortable we can be with the gifts that the Moon has to offer. Keep a dream journal, study the arts of divination and magic, learn to trust your intuition.

What does the Moon card say to you, dear Readers?

Wordless Wednesday ~ Meandering through Islands

My friend Cate Kerr has been posting photos (no words) for years on Wednesdays. I only copy from the best. :-)  From now on, no words on Wednesdays.  Just moments of sheer beauty and grace.

Nine of Water - Gaian Tarot Card of the Week

What do we most need to know for the coming week?

Nine of Water 

Oh what a lovely card to pull this morning.  It takes me right back to the day I spent on a magical beach in Tintagel, Cornwall and in mystical Merlin’s Cave.  This is a card of ecstasy, of being filled with the Divine Spirit, of being lifted up out of yourself and into another realm. Then we come back “down to earth” to live our daily lives. But we are forever changed, for we have touched the face of the Other.  

Looking at the card fills me with joy as I remember singing “Ave Stella Maris” to the Ocean Mother, then picking up nine white stones to carry home.  It’s a reminder, I think, to live intentionally and in the moment (as my sister Rue said earlier today in an email), and to take the time to let God/dess fill us up.  

And of course, the traditional meaning of the 9 of Cups is that you get your wish!

What does this card say to you, dear Readers?

Packaging the Limited Edition decks . . .

I have signed & numbered 200 title cards with a gold pen over the last couple of days (only 200 more to go!). My friend and assistant Darcy is busy tying the decks with gold ribbons and slipping them into cellophane bags. 

Meanwhile my mermaid sister Elaine is making the bags -- here's what she said on Facebook last night:  "A long day of dying fabric and working on bags....each one is a mystery until it's done and I am sooo loving the colors...it's bringing me such complete joy!"

Chloe is stuffing little bags with herbs, and the books are at the printing plant. Even my printer bought one, he liked it so much!  (and he knows nothing about Tarot)

And my sweetheart Craig has taken on making all the gorgeous sparkling amulets. 

We start shipping on March 8th.  You can still pre-order decks here.

Isn't it fabulous to have so much good juju in these decks?

Update 2/14:  Just added more photos (amulets! fabric! yum!) after the jump.

Looking for Beach Glass

Here's my first attempt at video-blogging.  I have a lot to learn!  But still, it was fun. Come along and walk by the water with me as I go in search of beach glass. 

Guardian of Air: Gaian Tarot Card of the Week

What do we most need to know for the coming week?

Guardian of Air  

I’m just back from our annual Mermaid Retreat, where I gather each year with my sister priestesses from the Circle of Stella Maris. We’ve been together nearly fifteen years. This is a time we all cherish, when we go deep with each other and bear witness to the stories we each have to offer. This year, amidst the good food and walks by the water, we realized that we need to brush up on our conflict resolution skills. So I was not surprised to see the Guardian of Air appear today. I am still pondering what happens when each woman in a group speaks her truth, and sometimes one person’s truth is hurtful to another, even when that was not the intention. I am considering taking some local classes on Empowered Communication, which come highly recommended from people I trust. I think it will be a good move, if I can just figure out how to fit it into my schedule.  

Here’s what I wrote in the Gaian Tarot companion book about the Guardian of Air:

When you get this card in a reading . . .

The Guardian of Air brings clarity to every situation, even if it hurts. She sees straight through to the core of things, making her very candid and direct. She teaches us to cut away everything that is extraneous, until only the truth of the matter remains. She bestows gifts of skillful communication, whether writing, speaking, or editing. The Guardian of Air places great value on self-discipline and has little patience with those who do not. This may be reflected in an autonomous, or austere lifestyle. Now is not the time to shrink from making difficult decisions. It is time to speak the truth loudly, boldly, and with great integrity.

Affirmation

I declare my own truth with candor and clarity.

What does this card say to you, dear Readers?

In Brigid's Honor: Poetry Slam!

 For the 5th Annual Cyberspace Poetry Slam Honoring the Goddess Brigid, I have a song to share and a poem:

A hauntingly beautiful song, "Brigid Upon the Highland" recorded by Craig — you can listen here.  

And this poem that my friend & brother Lee LaMar wrote for an Imbolc ritual:

The Rite of Imbolc, Invocation of Brigid (Breed)

“We welcome you, Brigid (Breed), on this Imbolc Eve,

We pray for your blessing new life to receive.

O Mother of Poetry, teach us your art,

That your inspiration may enter our hearts.

O Mistress of Magic that stands by the fire

And shapes the bright metal to the form you desire.

O Mistress of Smithcraft, please teach us your art,

That the power of changing may enter our hearts.

You kindle the springtime to quicken the earth,

From under your mantle the old has new birth.

O Mother of Healing, please teach us your art,

That peace and contentment may enter our hearts.”

Thanks again to Beth Owl for reminding me about the Poetry Slam!   Blessed be.

(I did this pen & ink illustration of Brigid back in 1985.)

Seven of Fire - Gaian Tarot Card of the Week

What do we most need to know for the coming week?

Seven of Fire 

Oh I just had to laugh when I saw this card.  Sure, isn’t it an incarnation of Brigit Herself at the forge?  And are we not celebrating Her feast day?

I’ll be posting another poem tomorrow for the Poetry Slam, but today I’d like to share this poem my friend Helen Farias (founder of the original Beltane Papers) wrote back in the early 90’s:

Brigid, the Lady in Green

I am that One on High who guides the seasons round the year.

The flame and the forge are mine,

the bridestone and the holy well.

I made the whistle that calls through the night,

for the safety of all women.

It is I who places her footprint in the ashes.

My well is the well of passion,

and my fire burns away fear.

Will you risk it?

Flame dissolves as it transforms. Be careful.

Fire transforms as it destroys. Be brave!

Benediction:

The blessing of all who dwell within this wood encompass you.

Go forth without sorrow to the Land that is rimmed round with music,

where flowers rain down from a crystal sky.

You will not see me again, not for a year and a day.

I go from you with a good heart, be your goodwill to me.

And may Sun and Wind and deep-rooted Earth

grant you happy outcome. 

— Helen Farias, 1993