Category: Single Tarot Cards

For a unique visual comparison, here are the Queen of Spades (Swords) from the Illuminated Tarot deck and the Queen of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith deck.

The Queen of Swords is the most masculine, feminine archetype in the tarot. The Queen of Swords embodies feminine intellect, compassion and connection combined with objectivity, strategy, intelligence and ambition.

When I see this card, I think of successful mature women in positions of authority in the corporate business world, judges, surgeons and successful entrepreneurs. That sort of energy and drive that leads to success. She is respected as an expert in her field. Her success did not come easy though. It was earned through hard work, education, focus, and courage. Her tenacity and intellect was how she succeeded, in spite of insurmountable odds against her.

She does what she needs to do to accomplish her goals or to make it through a situation. She keeps her eye on the prize with laser sharp focus. She has been through a lot, we see this by looking at the traces of rope that still remain on her wrists. But she does not wallow in self-pity. She used those experiences as lessons that made her the strong, successful woman that we see in this card. We don’t know who she WAS, but she is a Queen NOW.

As I look at the Queen of Spades card on the left, I am reminded of Joan of Arc. She embodied some powerful Queen of Swords energy! She did what she had to do to accomplish her goals. And if that meant, cutting her hair and posing as a man to get it done, well so be it! The Queen of Swords energy does not back down in the face of adversity.

I wonder, who is it that we cannot see, that is standing in front of this powerful woman in this image? You can bet, if one goes in front of the Queen of Swords you better “come correct”. She can see your BS coming from a mile away! She’s brutally honest with you, and she expects the same honesty in return. She knows the game, and you can bet she plays it better than you. Save your sweet talking for someone else. She has no time for that.

This is not the character you go to if you need a nurturing hug! But if you need some good advice from someone who has seen it and been through it, this is your lady. Be ready though, because she tells it like it is!

Look at the image closely. The small detail of the cut ropes on her wrists tells her story. She was not always a Queen. At one time, she was bound, just like many of us were or are. She shows us that not letting our emotions get the better of us, is the key to our freedom and success. Sometimes, we must rely on our head, not our hearts. Suck it up, make that tough decision and do what must be done. Use that sword!

No, the Queen of Swords did not wait for a hero to save her. She saved herself.

And when she realized just how powerful she is, she became a Queen.

Today’s message from The King of Swords and the Five of Cups (reversed).

Use your head. Present circumstances require clear thinking. Decisions need to be made based on facts, not emotions. It is clear what needs to be done when one looks at the situation objectively.

Helpful tip: If a friend was in the same situation, what advice would you give them?

Deck: Shadowscapes Tarot

You are the eye in the center of the storm. As you face the darkness, you will see it has no power over you. By standing strong in your light of truth, you will inspire others to do the same.

Each Divine Feather oracle card is paired with a corresponding tarot card. Study the images carefully. Choose the image that most resonates with you. The messages are in separate blog posts below. The cards on the Left are #1, The cards in the Middle are #2, and the cards on the Right are #3

The Five of Cups image shows a person lamenting over the three spilled cups in front of him. While failing to see that there are still two remaining cups standing behind him. In fact, when one looks a little closer at this card, one can see the bridge behind him that crosses over the river (symbolizing overcoming the emotional pain and loss) that leads to a castle. This is a card about perception. All is not lost. It’s also a card about acceptance. What’s done is done. The past cannot be changed. Sometimes life gives us lemons, that’s for sure. But if we stay in the past for too long, dwelling on what was lost, past mistakes or grievances, we will remain stuck.

The term “there’s no use crying over spilled milk” comes to mind when I see this card.

What treasures lie ahead in that castle that is just beyond the bridge? If we do not turn around, pick up our two remaining cups, and cross the bridge, we will never know.

The White Owl is a powerful representation of the winged messenger that brings wisdom and light into the shadows. The message on this card, “The Wisdom and the messages of the divine are within you” encourages you to follow your intuition and allow those senses to expand as you do so. Just as the White Owl’s keen eyesight allows her to navigate easily through the darkness, your intuition allows you to do the same. Perhaps it is telling you that it is time to cut your losses and move on. That yes, you deserve to be happy.

The Ace of Wands shows a Divine hand holding a wand with green leaves. This single wand signifies inner spirit, fire, passion, inspiration. This is the card of creators. What is it that gets you up in the morning? What is it that you are passionate about? Are you about to make a change? This card indicates the start of something new and exciting. Perhaps the time you have been spending in quarantine has given you some new ideas. The Ace of Wands is a confirmation that what you are thinking about starting or doing, is indeed something you should do! It is a sign to take that first step to bring your dreams into reality. Being a wand, which is a branch, is a reminder to start slowly. Trees do not grow overnight! Let things progress naturally, no need to rush. You may get in over your head if you go against the natural order in the way that this is meant to unfold. Start small and let it grow.

The Starling is an active, lively, social bird. This card’s message “Now is the time to get out into the world and connect in authentic ways” fits perfect with the Ace of Wands. As both of these cards are an indication of action, inspiration, motivation, group and community, this is a message to find like-minded individuals like yourself. Your ideas and/or talents are a gift! Share them with people that will appreciate them and inspire you to grow.

The Ace of Wands and The Starling are cards of encouragement. The message: Yes, take that first step!

The Ten of Wands is a card of burden. Too many responsibilities, too many commitments, a demanding job with long work hours, an overworked mom, etc. Career wise, it’s success that comes with a price. It’s also a card of not accepting help from others. But this card is reversed. And when this card is reversed, I interpret it as dropping the wands. Which is very interesting considering the current circumstances that we are in!

I am seeing this energy with a lot of people right now. We have had time to think, slow down, spend time with our families, children, pets, etc. Evaluate our lives and what is important. As well as evaluate all the things we commit ourselves too, that in the long run do not serve us. We spread ourselves so thin, that it affects our energy and our health, as is shown in the image of this card.

Does your career and/or lifestyle leave you exhausted from running and running trying to “keep up”? Perhaps it’s time for a change. Drop some of those wands and give yourself a break. Literally and metaphorically. Maybe hand over a few of those wands to other people and let them share the load. We are not here to just work, eat, drive the kids around, and sleep. This is also a message that we cannot do everything alone. It’s okay to give ourselves permission to ask for help when we need it. Don’t be a martyr.

The saying “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” came to mind when I saw this card today.

The White Swan’s message “The power of divine grace is within you” is a reminder that we are all divine beings here to experience our life. We are here to LIVE LIFE!

If these were the cards that you chose, perhaps this message is resonating with you at this time. In the rush to get back to “what was”, ask yourself, what am I rushing back to? Is this what I truly want? Is what I was doing before making me happy? Is my career and personal life in balance? Is this the direction I want my future to take? Does my situation support me spiritually, emotionally as well as physically? What is the true cost of the material things in my life? Are they worth the price?

The White Swan is a powerful, majestic, beautiful bird. It is a reminder, that the divine is in all of us. We have the power to make changes and/or face challenges to align our path to where WE want it to go. The Swan is also a bird that signifies introspection, as it gazes at it’s reflection in the water.

The Ten of Wands reversed says that you are ready to let go of some of those wands!

Happy April Fools Day. Today’s card, number 0 The Fool from the Major Arcana.

Quick key words: new beginnings and/or a new phase, faith, trust in oneself, innocence, purity, naive, freeing oneself from constraints/burdens, spontaneity, free spirit, traveling “light”, opportunities, potential, an open mind, new experiences, personal growth, adventure.