Echoside: Phoenix Rose

The Chariot. Photo credit: Phoenix Rose This comes from the Apophenia Tarot by Steven Archer. The deck's stark imagery is captivating, in my opinion. When I was gifted the deck I did not know much about Archer. The deck had no guide book and on his website the artist said there would never be a book. I admire his brazen honesty. Archer stated that he only created the deck because his fans kept pushing for it, that he himself is an artist and not into tarot at all. The cards are a fan bit and nothing more. The title, apophenia, makes so much sense given his statement. As someone who has read tarot for half of my life I can see how, as an artist, Archer did a great job with this deck. I feel artists have a way of channeling things and end up with something they didn't know they knew. One card in particular struck me. The Chariot. Pictured is JFK, the First Lady is not with him, but the Lincoln Continental, the grassy knoll, and arrows imply his ...

Click here  for Part One, here for Part Two. Aepheria and the Priestess discussed how they had both been captured by the king and his men. Both bound and hidden away. To the women this had to do with their powers and favour with the Gods. This King wanted to rule the land. He wanted to be a God and snuff out anyone who knew he was a mere mortal, power-hungry, man. The pair gathered up branches and other materials from the woods. Soon animals came to partake in the ritual. They set about casting their circle. Aepheria began chanting and invoking the highest God, the Allfather, to enter the circle. At the same time the Priestess was summoning the King who was suppressing the land. Both entities emerged in the circle. A God. A Mortal. Face-to-face. The great awe the mortal king felt in the presence of his maker brought him to his knees. The Almighty God stripped the man of his kingship. As punishment for his ill-will towards the people of the land the God turned the man into a t...

I'm going in a different direction with tarot.  Today I am announcing a new blog series entitled Creative Tarot. Tarot is and has been a useful tool in divination - the art of looking beyond what we can see with our eyes, for divine guidance or predictions and fortunetelling - for many ages.  Tarot has also been used for the mundane as in playing card games.  I will not be discussing interpretations, readings, history, or anything of that nature in this new series. What I will be using the tarot cards for is to assist in creative writing.  Someone with absolutely no knowledge of tarot or their meanings can use this method to work in conjunction with a creative writing project.  While I do have knowledge of the card meanings, I'm not relying on that for creating a wee story. I will be using the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck, basing the story strictly on the pictures, and what comes to mind.  I will pull 3 cards per blog post, and 3 parts per series. ...

#XIXTheSun happy, harmony, love, energy, personal growth, vitality, confidence, success Hanson-Roberts, Essential Tarot (1984) Always a good card to get in a reading.  The imagery on the card is one of happiness, joy, growth.  A warm, sunny day signifying the bright, solar energy.  The naked baby on the white horse signifying innocence and joy.   Change is indicated in this card, but it is always a positive change.  Usually in regards to family matters.  It heralds a message of a celebration (pregnancy, engagement, wedding) or a welcomed new beginning. The Sun is a divine masculine, creative energy.   Affirmation: "I welcome all new opportunities.  Now it is my time to welcome happiness and harmony into my life." Much Love ~Phoenix Rose~

#XXJudgement self-reflection, breakthrough, transformation, faith, maturing, transition Hanson-Roberts, Essential Tarot (1984) Judgement comes at times not to judge you, but to free you. Have you been feeling judged?  Well, you have a more important journey to worry about that. Time to let go.   The journey of the Judgement card can be stressful, a struggle, and frustration, however the outcome will be one of huge relief and well worth it. This signifies the end of an old way of life.  The Universe has plans for us and it's time to make decisions in going forward. Affirmation: "I am optimistic about my future.  This is the time for me to who I want to be." Much Love ~Phoenix Rose~

#XiiiDeath renewal, rebirth, transformation, end of a phase and beginning of a new cycle. Hanson-Roberts, Essential Tarot (1984) Despite the ominous feelings, and stigma with receiving a Death card in tarot, this is actually a very good card to receive.  Especially if you have been going through an emotionally traumatic time.  It is showing an end to that phase and cycle.  If you are going through a particularly positive time it doesn't necessarily mean the good times will come to an end, even though this life is cyclical and based on a balance ebbing and flowing.   Very rarely this denotes a physical death, even in times of illness, it may point to a death of the illness itself.  A specific combination of cards would need to happen to point to physical death.  Personally, this card is coming at a precarious time for myself.  Things are definitely changing and it's for better or worse.  I am comforted that thi...