World Servers Spread -- June 2006 issue

A 3-Card Reading for the Now
By Christine Payne-Towler
For an introduction to the World Servers' Spread, see Arkletter 5

Accustomed as we are to viewing Tarot in transcendent terms (as in our lead article this month), it is sometimes necessary to cut the heady froth of analysis with some good old-fashioned comic relief.  This month seems especially well suited for this task, as it straddles the Summer Solstice and leads us into the lazy daze of summer.

For this occasion, we are going to get our lesson via the hilarious and truly kitschy Housewives Tarot; A Domestic Divination Kit from Quirk Books (http://www.quirkbooks.com/Book.aspx?BID=174). The webpage says that this Tarot is currently out of stock, so I feel it incumbent upon me to share a few of my favorite cards, in case a rash of requests can be made that will motivate the publishers to undertake a reprint.  How can the Tarot community endure without cards like these to throw around?

                           

Our World Server's Spread for June '06 falls out this way:

World Position:  Ace of Swords

(To get the full benefit out of these images we need to encounter the text of the accompanying book.)

"Challenges. Trials. Upcoming ordeals.
Getting right to the point, the Ace of Swords warns of an upcoming ordeal that will test your 'metal'. A slice of gumption with a dollop of common sense will get you through whatever trial comes your way. Your mind is sharp and ready for a challenge, so don't be afraid to take on those who try to cut you out of the picture. " - the Housewives' Tarot

In the face of the obvious logic of this paragraph, there is little to add. At the macro level, in the cosmic perspective, there is a move afoot to come awake quick.  The situation is one short step from critical mass, much like the news that by 2007, the majority of the world's people will be living in cities rather than in rural areas around the world. As a species we are one "aha" away from a life-changing revelation, which is a perfectly magical and perfectly dangerous point to arrive at. Become aware of what your imagination contains, because that is the "firmament", the "heavens” of your individual Being. It is there you will find "the point" around which everything else is pivoting.

Fool Position: The Sun, Reversed

"Happiness. Clarity. Optimism.
Nothing brightens your morning like a hearty plate of sunny-side ups. The Sun brings optimism, prosperity, happiness, friendship, and a big bright smile at the breakfast table. Your thoughts and ideas are well formed and unbroken, not scrambled or poached. The Sun is dual natured; as part of a balanced breakfast, it can provide plenty of protein and energy for the day. But overdoing it can clog the arteries with cholesterol." - the Housewives' Tarot

Here we see the paradox of the Fool position in this spread. As the wasp-waist of the moibus strip connecting "above" to "below", this stage of flux can simultaneously present itself as the very best thing that could happen, yet turn out to be the key to a later downfall. There's a wonderful expansiveness to the Sun archetype that nevertheless can lead to excess and unsupportable inflation as a side effect. Make every effort to consume only what you really need, and be sure to give back value in equal measure as soon as you can.  This preserves the balance that is so essential to maintaining harmony between the realms.

Magus Position:  4 of Pentacles reversed

"Selfishness. Hoarding. Fear of Risk.
Also known as 'the miser' card, the four of pentacles can be summed up as 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.' Sure, that costly china may be a precious family heirloom, but what good is it locked away while you serve your family and friends meals on cheap paper plates? You'll never appreciate all that you've accumulated if you don't share it with those you love, so tonight break out the good china for a change! Don't worry that one may get cracked -- better a plate than a relationship." - the Housewives' Tarot

Let's take this symbolism directly to the magical level.  Remembering that coins are "potentials" and "powers", and are sometimes portrayed as the traditional magical talismans called "pantacles", we can look at these breakable plates as "astral tablets" upon which are written your dearest wishes. Until these symbolic talismans are taken to their intended destinations and used (broken) ceremonially, they will bind and constrain the energies you have called into them. If you want those captive energies to circulate and bring back the fulfillment you have dreamed about, you have to be ready to part with the talismans in their perfect, unbroken form. Just so, all the "things" of this world are placeholders for our values and core intent. Once you have become aware of the symbolism invested in your "things", you are in the position to re-evaluate your priorities at a higher level.

What have we learned here today?  First, come awake and get to the point in every area of your life that matters. What are you waiting for? There's no time like the present to address the issues at the hub. Second, beware of blessings that smuggle in setbacks under their skirts. Steer clear of situations that sound "too good to be true", as they likely represent temptations that should have been resisted. Finally, know the difference between material value and heart-value, and keep your priorities straight. The most precious energies are meant to be spent and put into circulation, not held privately and out of sight.  Just like musical instruments are useless to give pleasure while lying on display in glass museum cases, our true potentials need to come out of the vault and be expressed in action to benefit the world.

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*Christine Payne-Towler*
Research: Esoteric Tarot, Literature and Practice; Tarot.com
Publisher, The Tarot Arkletters
Bishop, Gnostic Church of St. Mary Magdalene
Founder: Tarot University;
Author: The Underground Stream;

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Comments

[laura a]

giggle
this is just wonderful.
funny, lovely, light=hearted and STILL insightful.
you are a gem!

[Jasjeet Kaur]

Thanks for the reading. Did I misunderstand the fool position? I thought it said "The Sun, reversed"; yet it isn't. Or is it?
Thank you.
JK

[cabeal]

My apologies!!

Normally I include this sentence at the beginning of the World Servers' Spread:

For an introduction to the World Servers' Spread, see Arkletter 5
http://noreah.typepad.com/tarot_arkletters/2005/08/world_servers_s.html

It's there now, and will explain the positions of the cards -

cabeal,
arkletter scribe for
Christine Payne-Towler