Eternal Cycles

Ten of Pentacles -

It’s taken me weeks to do this painting between hospital trips tending to my husband. But this card is all about the family and the cycles of life here on earth reminding us that we go through each stage in turn, each one of us depending on the other in some way for our place in the greater scheme of things. It’s no wonder that Pixie depicted the Pentacles in the form of the Tree of Life in this card. But you don’t have to be an expert on the Kabbalah to appreciate its significance and rightful place in this image.

I love the way that the archway frames the painting of the family, within the village or town, enclosed by community within a family within a home. The child, the dogs, the elderly man (looking very much like my husband at the moment who is in need of a haircut!); the tapestry on the wall, the coats of arms, and collection of ephemera on the walls gathered over lifetimes. The card is rich with significance of what it means to be human, to live a lifetime enriched by worldly experience and to pass that on through knowledge and wisdom to younger generations to come.

This most earthly card of all the pentacles reminds us that through our roots we are connected to the generations before us carrying the traditions which ultimately teach us to grow and seek the light in all things.

Six of Wands - La Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann ©1927

Moving to calmer waters after a time of stress. Every card is an enigma. Who are the mysterious travelers? From where have they come and why are they leaving? All we know is that they have no luggage, except for six swords. The boatman is taking them to an island in the distance where it seems more peaceful. Some versions of this card show mist in the distance, which suggests that the travellers are heading into an unknown land. But I painted it here as a sunlit place of safety and peacefulness where rest can be found.

Back in the 70’s when I was a teenager, I longed for my own copy of a tarot deck, but there was none to be had in Ireland back then. However, I owned a copy of The Tarot Revealed, by Eden Gray, with very blotchy printed black and white images from Pixie’s RWS. I started then, to make copies of my own cards to use, and I planted the seed then to create my own deck with beautiful watercolour textures and tones. A few years later, I was able to buy my own deck, and then only a short time later, a whole new genre of art was born in Tarot designs. It was glorious but kind of overwhelming. What could I possibly add to all of this? It raised the bar considerably for my efforts I must admit but I have come to realise that it is in the simplicity of tracing the lines of a beloved tradition that I, like the fool, can take those first humbling steps on my own tarot journey.

Continuing the with The Star completes the three luminaries of the Tarot.

It’s blowing a gale here tonight and we’re still waiting patiently for summer to arrive. The Star is often a card we get when which gives us hope that situations will improve, but sometimes we still have to go through that darkest part just before dawn.

When I meditate on The Star card I tap into that feeling of flow. Of allowing the energy to move through me and go to wherever it needs to in order to rebalance and align that which has been in chaos.

Good morning world! I started working on this painting of Pamela Colman Smith’s Sun card when things were very dark indeed in order to lift my energy. But I couldn’t post it. We’ve been through the most awful couple of weeks, my family and I, while my husband goes through test, and today he’ll be undergoing the most clarifying test of all, but we have hope, (the Star). In these dark days I’ve turned to Tarot as my sanctuary through troubled times.

The Sun reminds us that we must live each day with gratitude, simplicity and our whole selves. Enjoy the little moments, the fun, each other and most of all recognise that we each carry a spark of life that is sacred.

Namaste

Happy Full Moon in Libra folks.

While painting this card I was always bothered by the yellowness and brightness of the colours in the traditional RWS and it was only in one of the decks that the gloomy less saturated colours came through. So my interpretation means to illuminate these grey and twilight colours. Went sure whether the moon is full, eclipsed, half or crescent, nor indeed at what stage in its cycle it is at. Which further adds to the confusion, mystery and uncertainty of the meaning. In the land of dreams and darkness where do we go? What is real? What or who can we trust?

This is a card I made for a group tarot project we did called Out of the Hermit’s Cave Tarot. It’s a painting I did called ‘moving into light’ and seemed to fit perfectly with the theme of awakening to the call; that moment when something inside you comes alive and you say, Yes!

It’s when your inner voice becomes louder than just a whisper and moves through you pulling your destiny towards you like a magnet. The time has come to own your truth and shine!

When the world seems to be disintegrating I’m looking for strength to stand by me while I try to hold myself together.

I went through the cards to choose something to paint today and the warmth and strength of this Queen of Wands reached out to me. I love her sunflowers, her cat, and the regal tapestry behind her.

As I painted her I paid more attention to her face, making her jaw slightly smaller and it changed the whole persona. Her whole physique changed and it looks as though there’s a woman’s head on a man’s body. Maybe Pamela used a male model? It certainly could be as the pose with the open legs is very masculine.
I will ponder a little more before making any changes.

I’ve enjoyed noticing the tiny little details of the drawing that Pixie did and am leaning to appreciate this deck in a whole new way.

With my favourite card for creativity I’m manifesting my own magic. It was my dream when I was a teenager to create my own deck of the RWS with colours and softness as perhaps Pamela might have painted. But there was so much red tape about using her images. At last they are in the public domain and I’m free to create without copyright infringement.