Tag: tarot books

78 Days of Tarot – IX The Hermit

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I am participating in the #tarot78days challenge which is hosted by The Bookish Fox – instagram here and weblog here. You can read the first post in this series here.

IX – The Hermit

Magician Card drawing

An older black cat stands calmly in an alleyway. His thick fur highlighted by a white star on his chest. He gazes calmly at his surroundings, three mice sit beside the cat and behind the scene is the twinkling lights of the city skyline.

The Hermit speaks of wisdom gained over a lifetime & of quiet confidence. Time spent alone or a period of solitude is a theme of this card.

In Rachel Pollack’s ‘Tarot Wisdom’ we see that The Hierophant and The Hermit both signify teachers. The light above the door can signify illumination & wisdom. In this deck, I think the cat’s star, the lighted doorway and the twinkling skyline are all symbolic of enlightenment and the lessons we learn in life, sometimes with the guidance of a teacher.

I forgot the doorway and light in my drawing, but you can see them on the card! I tried watercolour pencils this time which was easier than shading with normal pencils.

My original post on Instagram – The Hermit

Tarot Deck used: Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin. Website: Cat’s Eye Tarot
Book Referenced : Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.

78 Days of Tarot – VIII Strength

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I am participating in the #tarot78days challenge which is being hosted by The Bookish Fox – instagram here and weblog here. You can read the first post in this series here.

Cat's Eye Tarot - Strength

VIII Strength

Where the previous card of the Chariot was about hard control, this card is about soft control. We can see this in the kitten sitting calmly in the presence of a much larger dog. Both animals are calm in their demeanour.

The strength card often depicts a human in the place of the kitten and a lion in the place of the dog. Lions (Leo) are associated with strength and being ‘King of the jungle’. In Tarot Wisdom Rachel Pollack discusses how the lion was seen as also symbolising wild or “animal” desires, giving the card a message of subduing ones desires.

In her own deck (The Shining Tribe) Pollack uses a lioness who is reaching for the future yet still looking to the lessons of the past. Like Pollack, I don’t see passion as something that needs subduing; it is part of who we are.

To me, strength is about aligning with your passion and clearly knowing who you are – your strengths. It is a gentle strength that is tempered by compassion & patience. Another ‘know thyself’ card.

Link to my Instagram post: Strength

Tarot Deck used: Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin. Website: Cat’s Eye Tarot
Book Referenced : Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.

78 Days of Tarot – VI The Lovers

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I am participating in the #tarot78days challenge which is being hosted by The Bookish Fox – instagram here and weblog here. You can read the first post in this series here.

Cat's Eye Tarot - The Lovers

VI The Lovers

I took some in-progress shots with my drawing of The Lovers card:

I used a proper sketchbook this time as I think the loose leaf A4 paper I had been using isn’t good for drawing or colouring. After a lesson from my husbitect in shading, I feel a bit more confident! This is the most drawing I have done in years.

The two main figures on this card, the feline lovers, are reclining inside a house on a plush, purple window seat. The richness of the fabrics suggests luxury and comfort. The body language of the cats also suggests comfort; familiarity and love.

The female cat gazes ahead while the male cat appears to be gazing off to one side and through the window. Behind them, through the window we see green grass, trees and a sleek black cat running along a stone wall. Is the male cat gazing at the black cat outside? Is he perhaps debating between his world of luxury & comfort and the freedom of the natural world outdoors?

In Rachel Pollack’s ‘Tarot Wisdom’, I read that the Golden Dawn linked this card with Gemini, the twins, and the idea of choice and possibilities. The main feeling I get from this card is similar – the contrast between the plush domestic world indoors and the wild freedom of nature.

Link to my Instagram post: The Lovers

Tarot Deck used: Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin. Website: Cat’s Eye Tarot
Book Referenced : Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.

78 Days of Tarot – III The Empress & IV The Emperor

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I am participating in the #tarot78days challenge which is being hosted by The Bookish Fox – instagram here and weblog here. You can read the first post in this series here.

For this post I decided to post The Empress & The Emperor together. I found these two cards to be the most challenging to draw so far. I am using coloured pencils and drawing directly onto loose-leaf A4 paper which isn’t the best quality for drawing. I might try some better paper for my next attempts!

Cat's Eye Tarot - The Empress & The Emperor

III – The Empress

This for me is a card that I struggle with. As a woman who has never felt the desire to have children and has no intention of ever doing so, ‘mother’ cards have little meaning for me. I can see how this card also represents home and the relationship with your mate and even the wider relationships with parents and in-laws. The only maternal-like instinct that I have is for my two furbabies, my cats; home is where my family is – my husband and our two kitties! This is a card that I need to reflect on and read more about.

Link to my Instagram post (interesting discussion in the comments): The Empress

IV – The Emperor

Hello! *Insert lightbulb icon here* Call it a beginners mistake, but this card taught me a lesson looking back to yesterdays card; the cards I draw are not necessarily about me – they can signify someone in my life. Yeah, I know, duh! right? I get it now. Gosh, I hope that doesn’t make me egotistical! I have only ever read for myself, so I naively wasn’t seeing the bigger picture. Back to the Emperor and his great self!

The Emperor knows his place and more, his duties. While he has responsibilities, he also knows that it is important to have a little fun and enjoyment accompanying duties so that life is enjoyable. The Emperor has much wisdom to impart when he is balanced; reversed he embodies the saying “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

Link to my Instagram post: The Emperor

Tarot Deck used: Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin. Website: Cat’s Eye Tarot
Book Referenced : Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.

78 Days of Tarot – II The High Priestess

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I am participating in the #tarot78days challenge which is being hosted by The Bookish Fox – instagram here and weblog here. You can read the first post in this series here.

Cat's Eye Tarot - High Priestess

II The High Priestess

I love the expression on the High Priestess cat’s face; it is friendly yet guarded. She has an air of deep wisdom and mystery. The thin veiled curtain highlights the mystical feel of this card; the High Priestess can see between worlds, both sides of the veil. She has a connection to the moon, the lunar cycle. Similar to the Waite Smith deck, beyond her we can see the dark, mysterious ocean. Rachel Pollack links water to the unconscious, “the ultimate mystery”. The path along the beach signifies to me the path to knowledge and self-awareness. The High Priestess’ mysterious gaze invites us to listen to the powerful voice we have deep inside, to follow the path and journey to awareness.

Link to my Instagram post: The High Priestess

Tarot Deck used: Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin. Website: Cat’s Eye Tarot
Book Referenced : Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack.

Hello!

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Hello! I’m Lish – Welcome to my new weblog! CatMystic combines two of my most favourite things, cats and all that is mystic such as tarot cards, druidry and spiritual magic. I’m still nutting out what I will be writing about on here but tarot cards are a given!

Tarot Photo

I am currently participating in two photo challenges on Instagram and will regularly post updates from those and perhaps some general musings. I am CatMystic on instagram if you want to find me there.

Some of the newest additions to my ever-growing tarot & oracle deck collection are Wisdom of The Oracle, Cat’s Eye Tarot and Animals Divine. I cannot resist a cat-themed deck as you will see in future posts. I’m currently reading two books on Tarot; Tarot Wisdom by Rachel Pollack and Psychic Tarot by Nancy Antenucci & Melanie Howard. I have been learning to read tarot cards for a few months and am determined to improve my skills, especially with using my intuition to divine meanings.

I will be adding regular posts about learning to read tarot cards, my interest in mystical subjects, and a bit of crafting and cooking. I hope you will visit me again!