3 Card Spread Oct 25 09

Three Card Spread
Past - III The Lady
Present - Two of Cups
Future - Nine of Wands

Hmmm. The first two are positive and the last negative. Sigh. Well, I guess the message is that there has been love and healing but that challenges lie ahead. Caution is indicated but it doesn't mean defeat is inevitable. The fighter in the Nine of Wands card is "bloodied but unbowed" as the saying goes.

Celtic Cross - Sep 9 09

1. Significator - XVII. The Star
2. Covering Card (Situation) Three of Cups
3. Crossing Card (Influences) Prince of Wands
4. Foundation Card I. The Magician
5. Recent Past Six of Swords
6. Crowning Card (Best Outcome of Current Situation) Queen of Swords
7. Near Future XX. Rebirth
8. Self Image Nine of Pentacles
9. Public Image Three of Pentacles
10. Hopes & Fears Nine of Cups
11. Most Likely Outcome Three of Swords


The one possibly "negative" card is the Three of Swords.... But given the context of the other cards, I think the general reading is emphasizing hope, growth, transformation, rebirth, the chance to realize dreams and that now is the time to put them into action.

Five of Swords

Two men, one is walking away with his head down defeated. The other is holding two swords over his shoulder with his right hand, another in his left hand and there are two more swords on the ground. He is stepping on one of those. The sky is dark & cloudy, either sunrise or sunset & an eagle is flying above. From the state of the grass and bushes, it's autumn or winter time.

Impression, defeat, bitterness, loneliness, hopelessness.

The book: agrees with my impression of defeat but also adds possible jealousy or breakdown in communication. The book also views the five cards in general as relating to "the crisis that precedes - and is often a necessary part of - transformation". So it's the triggering event that will hopefully lead to a change for the better.

IV. The Lord

A man seated on a stone throne. He is wearing a brass helmet with antlers, a red cloak, a mailed shirt and a green kilt. He is also holding a long staff. He is a mature man, with a greying beard but still powerfully built. He looks rather fierce. Behind him, in the distance, an eagle can be seen in the clouds. No land can be seen, so he is pretty high up in the mountains. The stone throne has several designs carved into it, including a ram's head.

My impression? Strength, power, authority, fierceness.

The book says that in the traditional deck, the card is called the Emperor. It's meaning includes the words I came up with and more. "The structure needed for success." "Lead your life by being true to your values and you will accomplish great things." It's time to take the reins, in other words.

XIV. The Fferyllt

Lots going on in this card. A young woman standing next to a large cauldron, mixing some kind of potion together. She is inside some kind of shed. Carvings of a face and snake on the door sill. Furs hanging from the ceiling. Outside is a lake and a mountain in the distance with a rainbow.

I think Fferyllt is another term for alchemist. My impression is that the card is about achieving/maintaining a balance in life - personal, work, just about anything.

According to the book, the traditional name of this card is Temperance. The book's interpretation stresses harmony and creativity. So I was close but not quite. The harmony achieved within is supposed to be leading to more creativity or peace.

Five of Cups

A solitary, hooded man stands with his back to us, looking at a lake. Two cups full of water are sitting upright on a stone behind him. Three more are lying on their sides on the ground. In the lake, a fish is leaping out of the water chased by an otter.

Sigh. Here I go again. I'm not getting a clear interpretation here. Just solitude, loneliness...

Hmm. The book talks about betrayal, grief, despair and or loss and says it's time to let go & move on. So I wasn't totally out of whack. The two upright cups are to represent the possibilities in the future. Things were bad but it's going to get better now.

Seven of Cups

A young man draped in a loose red cloth is staring at a spring. In the spring is reflected 6 gold cups. A seventh cup is next to him, full to the brim.

It does sort of recall the legend of Narcissus. Reflection maybe verging on self-absorption?

Hmmm. The book has a different interpretation but running on parallel lines. "Seduction, Illusion, The Grail Quest" A lot of dreams & visions are appearing but they may not pan out. Need to be able to figure out what is real and what is just wishful thinking. The book advises a wait & see attitude.