The 'Four of Pentacles' And The Sun in Capricorn

The sun will be in the last third of Capricorn on the 11th January until the 19th of January. As well as assigning a sign of the Zodiac to each Major arcana card, the Golden Dawn assigned a Minor Arcana card to each Decan too. A Decan is a third of each Zodiac sign. Every Minor Arcana card, except the Aces, gets one of these thirds. You can see a chart HERE.

This means, that the 'Four of Pentacles' will be the next Tarot card for this upcoming Decan and its picture represents the qualities of the Sun in Capricorn, and a facet of the major Arcana card 'The Devil'.

The Capricorn nature is represented by the goat. A stubborn, yet study and resourceful animal that can survive the hardships with ease. A good thing since Capricorn rules the deepest part of winter, when the earth is bare and cold. It would take a strong and stubborn personality to survive it! When the Sun comes along and shines upon Capricorn, it lights it up in all its glory and really shows up its  qualities. Capricorn is in its element!

Its seems appropriate that the picture of the 'Four of Pentacles' represents the Sun in Capricorn. The stubborn looking man clutches his possession and looks like he could withstand any hardship that comes his way! The suit of Pentacles is associated with Earth too and he wears a pentacles on his head that looks the Sun. Sun indeed shines upon Capricorn, the resourceful man, who stubbornly clutches his resources!

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"What Do I Need To Know About The Death of My Brother?"

Two years ago, on the 7th of January, one of my three young brothers died suddenly of septicaemia at the age of just 20 years old. He had been ill over Christmas with a flu like illness that seemed to worsen on New Years day and saw him admitted to hospital. Seven days later he was dead. I still cannot believe it. I get this pain in my chest if I try to contemplate it. I tell myself that he still exists on another plane, to make myself feel better and to avoid realising that he really is gone. To get some insight into my feelings, I have decided to do a reading asking "What Do I Need To Know About The Death of My Brother?"

The Grail Tarot

© Connections Book Publishing

Using the 'Grail Tarot' by John Matthews I pulled the 'Three of Pentacles' (Stones), 'The Moon' (Dindrane) and 'The Devil' (Lucifer). The Grail Tarot is based on a search for truth, as is my question, which is the reason I have chosen to use it.

Starting with 'The Moon' which is represented by Dindrane, a women whose visions of the Grail made her an important part of the search for it and showed that the quest did not belong solely to man. Dindrane gave the ultimate sacrifice by giving her blood to  heal a women sick with leprosy.  However, by accident, Dindrane bled to death. According to John Matthews, this sacrifice of innocent blood is parallel to the story of the wounded king.

According to his book, Dindrane's "ability (is) to see clearly and to recognise the wonder and strength that surrounds us and to respond to this with an open heart". Perhaps 'The Moon' tells me to move away from this desire to come to terms with the sudden death of my Brother and to view his death with a strong and open heart and perhaps to understand that his death at such a young and innocent age, was for a higher reason.

I wonder whether my inability to consider his death is because he is still exists on some other plane, where he is free to explore the wonders of the universe. He was a boy interested in the world and would love to discuss the mysteries and philosophies of life. But then, like the illusory darkness of the Moon, I wonder if I am fooling myself, that he is dead and gone, never to be seen again on this plane or any other.

'The Moon' is ever changing and always moving in a cyclical fashion. Does ''The Moon' tell me that my brother has moved to another plane of existence? That he is as fluid as the phases of the moon? I would prefer to think this, but sometimes I think that I am being cowardly and thinking up excuses so I don't have to consider the fact that he might be gone forever (as the Jehovah's Witnessed are determined to drill into me on their house visits). However the story of Dindrane gives me comfort, that her sacrifice was my brother's sacrifice, that he gave his life to a high purpose and I can believe, with strength and an open heart, that he belongs to a higher existence now.

The 'Three of Pentacles' (Stones) tells of how easy it is to become self professed when one acquires new knowledge. That, like my 9yr old  son, you can think that you know it all upon learning some new fact! The Knights were forever pursuing false leads and red herrings in their search for the Grail but continued onwards to prove himself at all odds.

The book tells me to consider my path carefully and not to be sidetracked by what seems to be knowledge and wisdom. Hmm, I am sidetracked by this one. Is this card saying that I should not refer to the wisdom of Tarot to discover the truth of my Brother's death? It is telling me to discredit my interpretation of 'The Moon'? Perhaps knowledge and wisdom might be believing that death means death but, like the Knights' I should pursue my belief that he still exists to the end. However, the picture (above right) shows a man holding a green stone, which gives strength to the novice seeker (which would represent me), perhaps showing that I should have strength and believe that my Brother is actually gone and does not exist in some other plane of existence.

Perhaps I should consider the Rider-Waite version of the 'Three of Pentacles which may tell me to get on with it, and to continue with my earthly work of building up my home and future. I find this quite amusing! Perhaps I should stop pondering what has happened to my my brother, perhaps I am sidetracking myself from my own life. Perhaps I should not be fooled by something that I will never find out the truth, like the Knight, who refused to give up.

The next is 'The Devil' (Lucifer) and on the surface is somewhat disconcerting! The Devil is usually taken as disharmony, addiction and all things that bring us to ruin. However John Mathews asks me to look at 'The Devil' in another way, that 'The Devil' (if I am correct in my understanding) actually served a higher purpose, as an emissary to God, as opposed to a dark one. He says "Here the central idea is of transformation, of the breaking down of old sterile forms and their replacement with dynamic, energized idea's that can serve to encourage and drive the seeker onward.

I suppose what I am really considering when examining the loss of my Brother, is the enormous question of whether there a God and whether there is life after death.

One aspect of my religious view are, of a Pagan nature, that the clues to the creator are hidden within nature and the planetary spheres that conduct it. 'As within, as without' means that I am a reflection of nature and since nature is like wheel, that it ever shifts from birth to death, to rebirth, and like spring moves to winter and back again, like the sun rises and sets and rises again, and like the moon turns from new to full and back again that human life must also move from birth, to death and then rebirth. I believe that my Brother has left this plane of existence but will be reborn into another, meaning he is not really gone. Since nature is real, I  assume that my view is a 'realist' and concrete' theory, that it is the one true way.

The Grail Tarot

© Connections Book Publishing

Dindrane, in  'The Moon' believed in her search for 'The Grail', not even knowing whether it really existed and guided only by hope and vision, perhaps she found out the truth  and true purpose when she sacrificed her life for another. The novice seeker in the 'Three of Pentacles' (Stones) was given strength despite his new found knowledge being different from the norm and therefore ridiculed as 'a know it all'. The 'Three of Pentacles' is about building on well laid foundation, perhaps I should indeed rely on my own 'new ideas' about     rebirth. 'Lucifer' (Devil) tells me that "dynamic, energized idea's that can serve to encourage and drive the seeker onward" and I should 'drive onward' my idea and belief that my brother exists on another otherworldly plane.

So the answer to my question of "What Do I Need To Know About The Death of My Brother?"is that I can be happy and and content in my belief that he lives on, and I should hold onto that belief, at whatever cost, just as the Knight Templar pursued the Grail to their end"

Perhaps the Grail represents life itself. We cannot pursue life, we are life, therefore the grail is within us. I cannot pursue my belief, if I believe it, it is within me and becomes real. My theory that my Brother still exits is correct and not one of cowardly denial. And like the advice of the 'Three of Stones' (Pentacles) I can get on with my life knowing that my Brother exists on another plane as well as in my heart.

THE GRAIL TAROT 

by John Matthews

Published in the UK

by Connections Book Publishing

Card images copyright © Giovanni Caselli 2007

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Learn Out About The Tarot and Learn How To Read It

UPDATE! - Beware! This article is way out of date! You might like to check out this article too!

"The true Tarot is symbolism; it speaks no other language and offers no other signs. Given the inward meaning of its emblems, they do become a kind of alphabet which is capable of infinite combinations and makes true sense in all."

~A. E Waite The creator of the original Rider-Waite Tarot.

What is the Tarot?

The Tarot is a universal language that can be understood by every human being. It is a set of symbols that represent every aspect of a human being and the situations of every day life. It doesn't matter in what order the cards appear, the will always make sense. Because of this, any person who uses them will be given new insights and thoughts into any question they ask.

"...the pictures are like doors which open into unexpected chambers, or like a turn in the open road with a wide prospect beyond" ~A.E Waite

Let's get started!

I feel that a lot of people, when trying to teach Tarot reading, tend to make it complicated, a bit fluffy, a bit too technical or miss the point completely! I believe its best to keep things simple and keep a certain structure to learning the Tarot so things don't become confusing so......

This article will get you Tarot card reading in no time because you will learn to read the Tarot cards in a simple way. You don't even need to have memorised any Tarot Card meanings or descriptions. However you will need to become familier with the cards eventually. And as you become familier with them you will find that it all 'comes together' in your head. Its not something that you can get the hang of straight away but it is a fun journey getting to know them.

I recommend using the Rider-Waite deck because it is the original, standard Tarot deck upon which most other decks are based.

The pictures in the Rider-Waite deck were designed by Arthur Waite (see right) who was a member of a Secret Society called, The Hermetic Order of The Golden Dawn. The cards were drawn by Pamela Coleman-Smith under Mr Waite's instructions. They were first published by the Rider Co. which is why they are traditionally called the Rider-Waite Tarot!

There is a system behind the Tarot that relates to the images, names and numbers that they do. There a couple of links at the bottom to get you discovering them.

You may also notice a Biblical theme to the Tarot, so need need to worry about the Tarot being 'of the devil'. In fact it is rather complementary to the Bible. There is also a rather COSMIC angle to the Tarot too. Researching the Rider-Waite deck will take you on a exciting journey indeed!

But lets not get off-topic, lets get you reading the cards.....

Get a book with some simple card meanings!

Familiarise yourself with the deck a little.

Get yourself a book with some simple Tarot meanings in, just one book! Don't overload on Tarot meanings yet.  'Teen Tarot' by Theresa Francis Cheung and Terry Silvers is pretty good for this.

The Major Arcana cards are the first 22 cards starting with the FOOL 0 to THE WORLD 22. They are the important cards of the deck and carry more weight and significance when doing a reading. They represent the lessons and the 'ups and downs' of our journey through life, from beginning to end. They also represent a big influence rather than an everyday situation. You can read the 'Fool's Journey' which might help you to understand the Major Arcana cards a little more.

The Minor Arcana cards are like the standard playing card deck in that they consist of four suits. These Minor Arcana cards represent everyday situation and fill in the gaps of a reading and give a little more information about it. Each suit has 14 cards, the cards 11-14 are called court cards and are labelled King, Queen, Knight and Page. These cards particularly represent types of people and situations

The suits are:

PENTACLES; for material matters like money, business and work (things that keep are bodies going). The cards can be seen HERE.

SWORDS; are for thinking, thoughts and assertive (things that we pursue with our minds). The cards can be seen HERE.

WANDS; are for passionate and active things like creativity and sports (things that we pursue with our energy). The cards can be seen HERE.

CUPS; are for our emotions like love, sadness and happiness (things that relate to our heart). The cards can be seen HERE.

Now put them together in a simple reading

You don't need to have memorised the cards!

Here is an example using a PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE Spread. Just using the Major Arcana.

You lay three cards left to right in from of you. They are 'The Tower', 'The Hanged Man' and 'The Star'.

The left card represents the past, the middle card represents the present and the right card represents the future.

Here is the question (don't forget the question when your working out the interpretation!)

"A university student is concerned about his upcoming examinations."

Now work out your answer using just your simple card meanings and try to link the cards together in answer to the question. Literally use the book with the meanings in to find the cards and then link them together with the question in mind.

Here is an example answer

"There is suggestion that you have had some sort of unexpected shock or surprise, perhaps this had resulted in having to put your studies on hold or perhaps they may have been delayed. The future implies success and achievement surrounding your examinations."

Not everyone will have the same interpretation which is good as long as you do relate the card to its basic meaning otherwise you could confuse the card with another. Keep it SIMPLE! (as my Mother always taught me).

NOW do it again, the same question but this time re-arrange the three cards and re-interpret them!

Where to go next

Keep practicing! Keep it simple!

Once you get the idea of reading the Major Arcana you can continue to become familiar with the cards and start to integrate the Minor Arcana too. It might be best to practice with a 3 card reading at first until you get a good familiarity with the cards. Remember to keep it simple!

Its also a good idea to just study one or two cards a day and, with regards to the Minor Arcana, study one suit per week keeping in mind the suits qualities (i.e. Pentacles - money business and the like). Again, it will all 'come together' as you become familiar with the cards and you will understand how they all fit in symbolically in the end.

When you progress on to more detailed spreads look for patterns in the cards, for example, more Major Arcana cards than Minor, which suggest a stronger influence than the Minor Arcana. Look for matching card numbers, colors and symbols which all help to get a better idea of the spread and just see if anything ‘jumps out at you’!

I really think it’s a good idea to stick with the Rider-Waite system of Tarot before advancing onto other decks otherwise things may become confusing. As I have said before, most Tarot decks are based on the Rider-Waite deck.

Learn More About The Rider-Waite System

Tarot and Astrology

You might already read your horoscrope and have some idea about the influences of your personal star sign. Each Rider-Waite Tarot card has a corresponding Astrology sign and planet. If you look at each of the Rider-Waite Major Arcana cards you will see that most cards imply or have a symbol of the Zodiac or of the Planets within the imagery. This is part of the Rider-Waite system and helps to understand the cards. You can see the Major and Minor Arcana associations HERE.

For Example,

'The High Priestess' has several moons within the picture. This card is associated with the MOON!

'The Emperor' has several symbols of the Ram, The Ram is the symbol of Aries and Aries is the association of the card.

'Justice' hold a set of scales. The scales are the symbol of the Zodiac sign of Libra and Libra is the association of this card.

This Zodiac and Planetary associations will help you to explore the cards in more depth. You might know a little bit about your Zodiac sign, perhaps from reading your horoscope, this will help you to understand the cards a little better. It might even get you into astrology too!

Learn More About The Rider-Waite System!

Numerology of The Tarot

This site gives an insight to the meaning of numbers in the system of Tarot.

Tarot Symbols

This site gives an A-Z index of the symbols and imagery within the Tarot cards with the meaning of each one. From 'clouds' to 'birds' this site is GREAT!

Tarot of colour

This site lists the colours and the meaning connected to it according to the Rider-Waite Tarot

Learn Tarot

This free site offer comprehensive information, lessons and exercises on the Tarot cards and their meanings.

Tarot and The Power of a Women

A women possesses hidden powers. She is a 'High Priestess' and an 'Empress'. The 'High Priestess' is in every women because every women without child, possesses a womb that could create life.  A women's womb is a hidden, empty and dark void of nothingness that awaits the seed that will allow it to serve its purpose and create new life. In the picture from the Druidcraft Tarot (top left), the 'High Priestess' holds her hands as if they were a womb. Women are governed by the ever changing phases of the moon, which is the symbol of the 'High Priestess'.

The womb holds the potential to create infinite possibilities of child, as does the seed of a man. But, until the process of creation has began, those possibilities are a mystery, unknown and kept secret. But, when the creation process has begun, the dark void of the womb comes to life, the secrets 'The High Priestess' are revealed through the creation of 'The Empress', who is symbolic of Mother Earth and of woman.

'The Empress',  represents both a women and Mother Earth. They are daughters of 'The Magician' and 'High Priestess', they are the were just unknown possibilities, but are now real.

Women have an affinity with Mother Earth, they are a smaller representation of her because in winter,   Mother Earth is a dark void of mystery and infinite possibilities who contains the seeds of 'what could be' when the spring arrives, just like a women's empty womb. Both Mother Earth and a woman are the 'High Priestess' both governed by dark nights and moonlight. But, in the summer, when the sun gives the Mother Earth his light and man makes women pregnant with his seed, they both become 'The Empress', the creator and sustainer of life. In the picture of 'The Empress', the women is pregnant with her womb as round as Mother Earth. She is creating new life and the women herself is symbolic of creation.

'The Empress', Mother Earth and women are also the takers of life, because once something is created, it is also subject to death. A baby must grow into an adult, grow old and die as the fruits of summer must perish in winter. Everything returns to the nothingness, the dark, mysterious void of the 'High Priestess. But, in that dark void, there is also the potential to for creation! And so begins a cycle of creation and nothingness. Just as the Mother Earth turns from summer to winter and The 'High Priestess' turns to 'The Empress' and back again.

Women are all High Priestesses and Empresses! They are the keeper of secrets and infinite possibilities and they are able to unlock those secrets and create new life. And not just in creating children, we have the power to create anything we want , once we realise that nothingness has the potential to do anything we want. Sounds like they're Goddesses to me :)

THE DRUIDCRAFT TAROT
By Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm

Published in the UK by Connections Book Publishing

Card images copyright © Will Worthington 2004

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What Can 'X' Do To Increase His Financial Potential?

This Tarot reading is not for me, its for someone I have met playing online Poker. This man, from what he has told me, Majors in the studying of the financial markets as also plays Poker for fun.  Using the 'Tarot of a Master' I asked "What Can 'X' Do To Increase His Financial Potential?" and pulled the 'Ten of Pentacles', the 'Four of Swords (Spades) and the 'Five of Cups'.

Tarot of a Master

© Lo Scarabeo

The 'Ten of Pentacles' suggests that 'X' is has already increased his financial potential to its maximum since 'Ten' is the number of completion. The 'Four of Swords' signifies rest from exertion leaving me to think that the 'Five of Cups' suggests the he should not pursue that which he knows causes disappointment and to concentrate on the path he has already set for himself.

The 'Four of Swords' suggest a double meaning, one; that X has become bored with his current financial pursuits, whether that be work or his studies (Ten of Pentacles) and that his should stop pursuing those matters which he knows will disappoint (gambling games perhaps!)

The 'Five of Cups' also tells me that 'X' cannot pursue, and be successful, in every financial activity and avenue that he chooses,  he must instead focus on one, or two, sets of long-term plans and goals that he will be certain of eventually achieving. The 'Five of Cups' also suggest that he is trying to gain emotional (Cups) satisfaction by pursuing short term goals that are likely to disappoint him.

The quintessential or foundation card (since no Major Arcana card has appeared in this reading) will be 10+4+5=19 and 19 is 'The Sun' the card of success, style and of dream attainment. This card tells me that 'X''s idea of success lies in financial achievement and I suspect that he will indeed eventually bring his dreams to reality.

However whilst 'X' ideals of success and happiness are that of financial wealth, will it bring him emotional success too? Will he be happy and content? or will forever try to increase his financial succcess in order to feel happiness?

The cards suggest that while 'X' does indeed seem to be heading for the financial success he is working for (Ten of Pentacles, Sun) he may not be heading for happiness and contentment (Five of Cups) and is instead seeking it through short-term activities that are only serving to disappoint him. Perhaps 'X' needs to also focus on some different activities that will bring him contentment and happiness, like going out with friends, creative hobbies, a new relationship etc.

Conclusion
'X' will increase his financial potential if he continues to focus on his long term plans and not on short-term gains and activities that he knows will disappoint him. And, he will also increase his financial success if he finds new things to make him happy that do not involve financial gain.



About My Readings
The future is not etched in stone because you have the power to change your future. My reading will only provide you with new thought and insight  into the question you have asked, and a suggestion of where you path is heading. The reading only applies to that moment in time. It is up to you to use and apply your reading appropriately and with common sense.

Please see my 'Code of Ethics' for further information about my readings.

Disclaimer
Due to the "intangible" nature of metaphysical items I am obliged by law to state that, 'Tarot readings are for entertainment purposes only'.

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In The Light of a Blue Moon

I was feeling strangely depressed and maybe a bit paranoid until about 20 mins until the start of the New Year, when my electric went and the Ol' Man and I were left in the dark! The Ol' Man quickly retired to bed, slightly cross that I had misplaced his lighter in the process of lighting candles in the dark, so I sat up alone in the moon and candlelight with some cheap Malibu and Shout Cast pod cast streaming on my mobile phone waiting for the electric people and the new year to arrive. I loved it. It was a strange and magical start to the new Year. If was even stranger to open my eyes at around 3.00am to see the house light up with a thump as the electric came back on.

It was also a blue full moon, so called because it was the second full moon in the month of December, the last one occuring on the 2nd. New Year's Eve blue moons are rarer, occurring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990; the next one won't come again until 2028.

Archeon Tarot

© US Games Systems Inc.

Today, I didn't ask anything, I just focused on the Tarot and what it wanted to say to me today (or, perhaps, what I want myself to examine) and using the Archeon Tarot, I pulled the 'Knight of Pentacles, the 'King of Swords' and the 'Two of Swords'.

The 'King of Swords' has been on my mind because of his appearance yesterday, and the last time when I received a letter the Government 'Job Centre' requesting my attendance  so they could check out my claims in case I haven't declared everything. I know I am OK and yet I still get paranoid and the reason I get paranoid is because I feel like my life isn't my own or secure when I have to report to someone to dish out my private circumstances under the threat. Especially when the trip involves travelling to a horrid place in the city, where drugs and prostitution are rife and the other attendants are quite obviously drugs abusers or tramps. And the man I had to report to last time was quite condescending , rude and obnoxious.

So I am trying to work out a way to obtain some freedom. One that is going to cost some money but will still not move me away from 'the system'.  I would live in a caravan if it meant the children and I could live in the countryside away from this Council flat and its less wholesome than residents that make my life a misery. There is no spirit here, no goodness, just routine drudgery and dark voids and although I have been clever at ignoring it and keeping my spirits high, I am running of out of energy to sustain it and I now feel like I am being hunted.

The Tarot is pointing out how I feel today, the 'King of Swords' in the middle confirms my main thoughts stemming from the Government request to make sure they have every penny  they think is theirs. The 'Knight of Pentacles' tells me of my difficulty in moving financially and my desire to break out of this life and the 'Two of Swords' reminds me of my paranoia and my attempt to cope my current living situation and doing my best with it.

The only hope that I have lies within the 'Knight of Pentacles' I can only hope that he signals movement on the home front, that change is coming that will allow me to be the 'King of Swords', a King of my own mind and answerable to no-one. Then I can put the 'Two of Swords' down and be free in mind and spirit.

Archeon Tarot

© US Games Systems Inc.

But, a change is not going to happen on its own. I must be that Knight and make those changes and I must be assertive as the 'King of Swords' and fight for what I believe in

I think there is a hidden tip in these cards.  The two flanking cards indicate my need to break this stale-mate (Two of Swords) by changing my living situation (Knight of Pentacles)  and the King in the middle is the advice on how to do it. Which is to not only be assertive and to believe that I can to do it, but to also be calculating, swift and assured and to fight for my security and freedom. It's time to take on 'the man' because sitting here and putting up with it and dreaming about what I want is no use.

Watch this space!

Illustrations from the 'Archeon Tarot' reproduced with permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright © 2005 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.

True Advice From 'Justice'?

We've had a great Christmas as well as a hectic and stressful one. Two excited children is quite an impact on the body! The Ol' Man has gone back to work so its just me and the children at home. I've been hoping to take them out a walk but the bright snow has melted away and the rainy dull weather has returned and I'm not sure it would be fun. I haven't done a personal reading since Christmas Eve so today I am back with the question of "What do I need to know today?" and using the 'Tarot of The Magical Forest' I pulled the 'Seven of Pentacles', the 'Four of Pentacles' and the 'King of Swords'.

Tarot of The Magical Forest

© Lo Scarabeo

The 'Seven of Pentacles' tells me that I have been watching my finances since Christmas because I am walking a fine line and I should continue to keep a good eye on them. I have been wondering whether a particular payment has gone out yet because, if it has, then I have more money than I hoped. So the 'Four of Pentacles' might suggest that I do have the money in my account because the payment has gone after all. The fox is cunning and sly and I love the fact that the fox is used to portray the suit of Pentacles.

So that leaves the 'King of Swords' who looks a little 'Justice', the card I pulled last night before going to bed to have some really weird dreams about being 'done over' by everything! Perhaps this is why the 'King of Swords' is here, he's portraying how I feel. Perhaps this card wants to tell me that I did a good job. That I can relax from worrying about whether everything is OK because everything is OK. On the other hand, I might receive news or letter from someone involved in truth and justice like a copper. Perhaps justice will have been served upon the man who beat my neighbour up for the fun of it, perhaps I hear news that another evil man who terrorizes my neighbourhood will be locked for a long time. Perhaps I will get a letter from someone who wants to check out my tax return!

The quintessential card is 7+4= 11 'Justice'. Funny that, my one card draw from last night predicted this mornings Tarot reading! It seems that this card is letting me know that things will go as I planned and worked for, or not.

So how do I know whether these cards are in my favour or not? Well, I think the 'Page of Swords' would appear to tell me of problems and irresponsible because the 'King of Swords' sits upon his throne as a righteous man and would indicate that current position was a good one. And 'Justice' would indicate that my actions will come to fruitation. So if my actions are good then I will be justified.

Sitting here thinking about these cards my immediate reaction is to think that I am going to be taught a lesson and it's just occurred to me that in some way, I feel that the Tarot might want to 'teach me a lesson' like a parent would, but that would fail the purpose of the Tarot. I need to trust that the Tarot is working for me and my best interests and if I make a mistake then it was because of me and not the Tarot's advice.

I think the 'King of Swords' and 'Justice' tell me that I need to work on myself and find a little more stability and confidence, to trust in my abilities and to stop worrying so much.

UPDATE 17:50
Ha! I knew it. I got another appointment for my Job Centre review having missed my last one due to forgetfulness! The last time the 'King of Swords' showed up it was because I was going to get a letter from the Job Centre wanting to check out my money situation , so all the cards told of this too.

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Why Did Brittany Murphy Die?

On Sunday 20th December, we received the shocking news that Brittany Murphy had died at just 32 years old. We have seen a number of young celebrity deaths this year under unusual circumstances with the loss of Stephen Gately and Heath Ledger. Brittany Murphy played many likeable and distzy characters in her films and I found the news of her death quite shocking because she had such a bright and happy image.

I  performed a Tarot Reading asking "Why Did Brittany Murphy Die?" because her death was such a sudden one for a girl so young and with rumours of drugs and eating disorders surrounding her death I hoped to see if I could find any insight into her death.

Touchstone Tarot

© Kat Black

Using the 78 friends of the 'Touchstone tarot' by Kat Black I pulled the 'Queen of Cups', the 'Queen of Coins' and the 'Knight of Cups'.

The first thing that strikes me is that there are no cards that might immediately signify drug use or any kind of abuse, if there were any negative influences surrounding her death they were subtle ones.

The 'Queen of Cups' is a loving, compassionate and patient women so when this card presents itself in a reading you would assume that Brittany would not be the kind of women to afflict any kind abuse upon herself. However, she may have been naive and easily lead women and who may have become involved with someone who may have put her in jeopardy.

The 'Queen of Coins' is another women who symbolises nurture, charity and as well as being down to earth and resourceful. This card tells us that she was a well liked girl who gave much to others in her life. But again these qualities can leave her open to being mislead or taken advantage of.

To support this, the lack of 'Wands' and 'Swords' cards in this reading tells us that she may have lacked assertiveness and will power. A women without this qualities may have found it hard to say no when appropriate but the appearance of two Queens signifies 'sincere friends', so one would believe that Brittany was surrounded by good people who would have looked out for her and protected her. Both the 'Queen of Coins' and 'Queen of Cups' are introverted cards rather than outgoing, extroverted cards and indicate that Brittany was a private and humble girl so if Brittany was having problems, her friends may not have realised.

'Queens' can tend to be overindulgent and like to 'feel good' so perhaps Brittany did overdose on some sort of recreational drug or attempt to better herself, for example dieting abuse. However, the 'Queens' in these cards all purvey women who are partaking of luxury foods so I think that Brittany ate well and took care of herself.

The 'Knight of Cups' signifies some sort of change in her emotional life or even her physical heart, since emotions are linked to the heart. 'Knights' can also indicate the extreme implying that Brittany may have become emotionally imbalanced though depression or from over doing it.

The lack of Major cards tells me that that was nothing significant in her death. The two 'Queens' portray Brittany as the  kind, happy and generous women who was surrounded by good people. The Knight indicates a sudden change probably indicating the death itself was due to her heart. At most she was enjoying life and all the rewards she had earnt and it took too much toll upon her. There is the possibility that she may have become depressed or overindulged in something that caused her death, but accidentally, rather than intended.

It seems that the celebrity world leaves its members particularly vulnerable to downfall as a result of fanciful living.

UPDATE 08/02/2010
According to Wikipedia -  "At 08:00 (16:00 GMT) on December 20, 2009, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to "a medical request"[26] at the Los Angeles home Murphy and Monjack shared. She apparently collapsed in a bathroom. Firefighters attempted to resuscitate Murphy on the scene. She was subsequently transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 10:04 after going into cardiac arrest.

Shortly after her death, Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter told the Associated Press: "It appears to be natural." An autopsy was performed on December 21, 2009. Her death certificate listed the cause of death as "deferred".

On February 4, 2010, the Los Angeles County coroner stated that the primary cause of Murphy's death was pneumonia, with secondary factors of iron-deficiency anemia and multiple drug intoxication. The drugs ingested were all said to be prescription medications. Further details on the drugs involved are due to be released when a full report is published".

So it seems she ultimately died from a change in her heart as a result of pneumonia, with the use of multiple drugs and iron deficiency contributing to her death, perhaps she did mildly abuse herself through dieting. A very unfortunate and saddening tragedy.

('’)