HR Giger Reading For A Friend

Alright, for this next reading we are returning to Tarot, although not the standard deck. This is another requested reading, and the selected deck is the HR Giger Tarot. 

For this spread, I chose to use the Celtic Cross layout outlined in the book, which differs from the traditional Celtic Cross in shape only: instead of a cross, the cards are laid out in the following manner:

Card One: Current Position/ State Of The Querent

Wheel Of Fortune

The first card drawn suggests a need to accept oneself regardless of circumstance, to make peace with not only your good qualities but also your flaws. It would seem there is a tendency here to rebel against nature, and to accept far too much blame for your own circumstances. Your current situation requires a serene and delicate approach, and while it can be easy to become overwhelmed by circumstance, your inner peace will be a guiding light to you, if you choose to seek it. Though life may be difficult at times, the strength of your will and the power of your beliefs must not be underestimated.

Card Two: Barriers/ Obstacles/ The Repressed Self

The Sun

This card shows us what stands in the way of the Querent's goals, including the Querent themselves. The Sun  in this position represents a powerful longing in the heart, and the fear that perhaps true joy will forever be out of reach. This card reminds us that we must not falter in times of doubt, that we must hold onto our ultimate goal and never lose sight of it. All you wish for can be yours, if you will allow yourself to reach out and take it.

Card Three: Main Goal/ Priority Of The Querent

Death

As the classic card of rebirth and reinvention, as a goal Death may symbolise a need to escape a current situation entirely, to start over in every respect. It suggests that the Querent is holding onto an outdated belief or way of life, that although it can be difficult to do so the time may have come to rid yourself of some destructive influence in your life. While it is often noble to stay and fight, there may be a person in your life who has outstayed their welcome, a habit which needs to be dealt with, or simply an overhaul with regards to the way you look at the world. In short, it may be time to take a different approach. If someone is a dead weight, now is the time to stop carrying them, and move on toward your own happiness.

Card Four: The Root Of The Matter

The Fool

The Fool in this position serves to remind us of our own inner freedom, of our ability to change the way we see the world. It is an indicator that some new phase in life is just beginning, but in order for it to pass there are other influences which must be left behind. So then, it represents something which may be frightening to some extent, as are a lot of new experiences. But it is human nature to be wary of change, and The Fool encourages us to embrace that, to reach outside of our comfort zone and free ourselves to the whim of fate, from time to time. There is no sense worrying over that which cannot be controlled.

Card Five: Recent Past

Judgement

This is a card of reincarnation. You may not have had the easiest life so far, but you have been reborn from the ashes like a phoenix, and are stronger than ever. It may be that you are beginning to realise this, and if not then it is most certainly time to do so. There ids a sense here that in order to realise your future dreams, you must forgive yourself for past mistakes, and move on from them emotionally. You cannot progress until you cast off the weight of self-criticism, as well as the judgement of those who would oppose you. Allow yourself to be reborn, and you will become more powerful than ever.

Card Six: Immediate Future

The Universe

You are in a magical place right now, one in which your own personal energy and that of the universe are completely aligned. What you want is also what fate wishes for you, and you can expect a much easier time ahead, one in which you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Your hearts desire is well within your reach -be clear about what you want, and the universe shall oblige your request.

Card Seven: Area Of Growth/ Potential

The Lovers

This card brings with it a warning. It suggests that the Querent may have a tendency to hold back in relationships. Whether this is because of past experience remains unclear, but the message here is that unless you give all of yourself to another person you will not find the love you seek. The path of true openness may lead to pain and heartache, but the alternative is a numbness, the empty feeling that comes from unsatisfying romantic encounters. It may be tough to open your heart to others, to allow them to see your true self, but if you seek true companionship which has significance and is founded on mutual care and respect, then this is the path you must take.

Card Eight: Environment/ Situation From The Perspective Of Others

The Star

This is a lovely card to draw, in terms of how others see you. It represents someone who is a dreamer, creative and inspiring. Someone who dreams big, and has the courage to follow it through. There is also an indication of someone who has a mystical aura, an almost magical charisma. Your love of life, your vivid imagination and your innate hopefulness are an inspiration to others.

Card Nine: Hopes And Fears

Strength

As far as hopes and fears go, this card is very direct in its message. It is all about inner fortitude, endurance and resilience. There may be times when you fear that you cannot possibly continue on your current path, when you come close to giving up entirely, Yet your hope, your belief in your own internal will, is what will carry you forward. Your doubts are just that - doubts, but nothing more. The trick here is to determine what is worth fighting for, to differentiate between when you are being firm, and when you are being stubborn. There is a time and a place for each, and knowing the difference may be the key to your current situation.

Card Ten: Culmination

The Chariot

Here we find ourselves at the end of the journey, and The Chariot shows us the lesson that the Querent's current situation is trying to impart. It very neatly reinforces the rest of the reading, with the emphasis on inner will and determination. Once the path to your dreams has been set in motion, nothing short of the hand of destiny itself can derail it. Use you focus, your ability to go after what you want. Keep your eyes on the prize, and do not allow anything or anyone to steer you from your current path. The message of this reading, then, is simple. Nobody knows what you want better than you do, and nobody else has ability to make it happen. With determination, with faith in yourself and your abilities, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

White Eagle Reading For A Friend

Wanting to kick start this blog again, and needing to warm up a little after a few periods of absence, I have decided to post a couple more readings. This first one was requested by a dear friend of mine, who is experiencing a lot of stress at the moment and came to me seeking guidance. 

I hope that this helps, to some extent.

Firstly, I laid the cards out as explained yesterday:

I chose the dragonfly as a guide card for this reading. In the book, the dragonfly's rhyme is:

Dragonfly skill

Adapting to grow

Seeing all 

Learning to know

It goes on to describe the dragonfly as a creature who brings magic as it dances between the elements of air and water. According to Wa-Na-Nee-Che, this is a reminder to us, that it is important to find a balance between our mental and emotional needs.

As stated yesterday, we first read the four cards of the outer circle, then the four cards placed in the inner circle.

The Outer Circle

The first four cards highlight the more negative aspects currently influencing the life of the Querent. They are read anticlockwise, from north to east.

Card One: Horse - The northernmost card pertains to negative mental attitudes, and intellectual restriction. The Horse in this position indicates someone who is fenced in, restricted in some way. The Horse is wild, and has a strong and energetic spirit. When it gives it's power away and allows itself to be tamed, the Horse can become restless, and frustrated. This may manifest itself in a number of ways, from acting out in the form of unpredictable or uncharacteristic behaviour, to the more quiet reaction of depression and withdrawal. 

Card Two: Otter - The card furthest west relates to physical and material problems. This suggests, as mentioned yesterday, someone who has become too rigid with themselves, and may need to live a little more. The Otter reminds us that while a little self control is a good thing, too much can be just as destructive as excess. There is a balance to be found.

Card Three: Dog - The southernmost card looks at the negative emotional aspect of our lives, dealing with trust and relationships. For the second time, we find the Dog card here. The Dog asks us if we have become too reliant on others, if we are seeking outside approval instead of developing an inner acceptance of ourselves. He asks us if we truly need to be validated by others, suggesting that true confidence and inner peace can only come from the self. Do not allow yourself to be defined in others' terms. 

Card Four: Rabbit - The card furthest east examines the negative aspect of our creative life, our lack of clarity and inspiration. Here, the Rabbit suggests someone who is drained by the negativity of others, whose own positivity is restricted by the attitudes of those around them. Rabbit also warns us that we may be losing a lot of energy through worry and stress. In terms of creativity, this may manifest itself as a creative block, an inability to concentrate on any one thing because so many things are competing for our attention. It is the niggling doubt at the back of the mind, the distraction of negativity and problematic circumstance.


The Inner Circle

The second set of four cards bring positivity back into focus, drawing our attention to the strengths we have, the opportunities around us, and the areas of life in which we will find our solution. These cards are read clockwise, from north to west.

Card Five: Elk - The card to the north of the inner circle reminds us of our mental strengths, our inner wisdom. The Elk reminds us of our ability to love, and allows us to find our strength through the care we have for ourselves and each other. He may also represent someone who knows when it is time to stand their ground, but also when it is time to flee. If thew cause is just, the Elk will not back down until the fight is over. If it is not, he simply will not waste his time. Some battles cannot be won, and the Elk indicates that the Querent is very good at knowing when this is the case. 

Card Six: Buffalo - The eastern card of the inner circle is a source of inspiration, helping us to gain clarity in difficult times. Here, the Buffalo is a source of healing and nourishment. He suggests that to regain focus, we must be more sensitive to our own needs. Take care of yourself, live healthily and comfortably, and the ideas will come flooding in. It may be time to relax, to step back and reconsider your position. 

Card Seven: Hawk - The southern card of the inner circle is the source of trust and laughter in our lives, an emotional comfort. The Hawk card in this position enables us to put things into perspective, and promotes appreciation through understanding. It reminds us that sometimes if we are to deal with an emotion we must first examine it, and recognise it for what it truly is. Hawk suggests that the Querent has an inherent ability to see the larger picture when it comes to relationships, and tends to think long term. This is a person who truly understands the effects of their actions on others.

Card Eight: Beaver - At the westernmost point of the inner circle, we are reminded of the source of physical and material harmony in our lives. In this case, we find the Beaver. His message is simple - that we can build a better world for ourselves  That by utilising our industriousness, by working with others, we might find some sense of happiness. In terms of the physical/material, this may manifest itself as a need for a physical outlet of some description, it may indicate a change of job or a new project for the Querent to throw themselves into. It also suggests someone who is a natural leader, and cannot find happiness in a situation if they are being led by others. They are not made to follow, and in such an environment will not thrive. 

White Eagle Medicine Wheel Reading

Recently, I received a new deck, as a gift from a dear family friend: the White Eagle Medicine Wheel deck, by Native American spiritualist Wa-Na-Nee-Che. While I will be writing a piece on the deck itself later on this week, I wanted to share my first reading, using the Four Directions Medicine Wheel layout described in the accompanying book.

For this reading, the cards are laid out as shown below:

Each of the compass points corresponds to a different aspect of life: north pertains to mental attitudes, intelligence and wisdom; east pertains to creativity, ideas and inspiration; south pertains to trust, and to the emotions; and west pertains to the physical and material world. 

At the center of the wheel is the guide card. For this reading, I chose the Badger card. In the White Eagle book, this card is accompanied by the following rhyme:

Badger will organise

Day to day

Live life in order 

Is what it will say

Badger is associated with the gifts of tenacity and appropriate anger, is self-reliant, and can encourage these traits in others. For this reading, he seemed to be the perfect guide.

To read the cards, we first read cards 1-4 of the outer circle, then cards 5-8 of the inner circle. 

The Outer Circle

The first four cards highlight the more negative aspects currently influencing the life of the Querent. They are read anticlockwise, from north to east.

Card One: Otter - The card at the northernmost point of the wheel reflects our own negative attitude. The otter in this position suggests that the Querent is far too rigid with themselves, and needs to step outside of their comfort zone. Otter suggests a reluctance to try new experiences and challenge one's self. When the Otter falls into this position, the message is simple: LIVE A LITTLE!

Card Two: Hawk - The card at the westernmost point of the circle is associated with physical and material difficulties. The Hawk in this position suggests a need to focus on the interior world, on the self. It asks that we look at our health, at our weight and our bad habits, and make the necessary changes in order to move on with life. The Hawk reminds us that a healthy body is needed if one requires a healthy mind.

Card Three: Dog - The card at the southernmost part of the circle relates to trust and the emotions, and to hindrances in this respect. To find the dog here suggests either unreliability on the part of the Querent, or else a sense that one has become too dependent on others. Dog encourages us to stop looking to others for a sense of self worth, reminding us that a healthy attitude toward the self must come from within. Inner stability will translate into stability of relationships with others but also, the reverse is true. Inner instability will also manifest as mistrust and insecurity.

Card Four: Spider - Finally, the easternmost card of the circle pertains to creative blockages, and lack of clarity and inspiration. The Spider in this position suggests that the Querent is trapped, either in a prison of their own making or one of another's design. Either way, the end result is the same - an endless cycle of negative thinking and derivative thought, originality quashed by doubt and restriction.

The Inner Circle

The second set of four cards bring positivity back into focus, drawing our attention to the strengths we have, the opportunities around us, and the areas of life in which we will find our solution. These cards are read clockwise, from north to west.

Card Five: Horse - The northern card of the inner circle reminds us of our own wisdom. It is a great source of mental strength. The Horse in this position suggests an ability to endure suffering, to tolerate hardships and keep on going. A person with the Horse to the inner north is strong, and tenacious.

Card Six: Buffalo - The inner eastern card relates to our source of creativity and clarity. Here we find the Buffalo, which suggests a person who gains inspiration from others, from compassion and sensitivity. The Buffalo in this position reminds us that sometimes when we are lacking in inspiration we need only look to the people around us, that by tuning into them we tune into ourselves.

Card Seven: Elk - The inner card to the south reminds us of the strongest source of laughter, happiness and trust available to us. The Elk is a fitting card to find in this position, as it reminds us of our own ability to love, not just others, but also ourselves. If you find the Elk card in this position during a reading, you have valuable friends around you, and have a stronger support network than you may realise. Take care of others, and take care of yourself - by doing this, you will find that you are never emotionally lacking.

Card Eight: Snake - The card to the west within the inner circle pertains to physical and material balance. Snake in this position immediately suggests a need to rest, and warns against burning out by not taking the time to properly recharge one's batteries. It would seem then that for the Querent to enjoy good physical health, it may be time to take a holiday of some kind, a break from day to day routine. The message here may also be as simple as ensuring that you get enough sleep, if you wish to be at your best. 

Answer Deck Reading

Well it is the start of a new year, and the start of a new creative project, so it seems like as good a time as any to get some practice with the Answer Deck! 

Talent/Confusion/Anxiety

This combination tells us straight away that this is a period of self doubt, and a lack of confidence in one's own abilities. There is a sense here of being afraid to go wrong, afraid of not measuring up somehow, and of being unsure of how to proceed. As the first card drawn, Talent places the emphasis of the reading on natural ability and creative pursuits - very fitting, for the current situation.

Strength/Troubleshooter/Heartbreak

The Troubleshooter makes for an interesting center card, and suggests that the key to everything here is in how you approach, that sometimes you must be resourceful and willing to adapt. Where you find this card, the solution is near, if you are only willing to try. The trick with this card combination is to learn to manage negativity, to turn a weakness into a strength and pain into power. 

Battle/Fame/Truth

This combination can be interpreted in many ways. it could indicate a struggle to make the truth known, or a situation in which you are struggling to make people believe you. On the flipside, it could also indicate a situation in which notoriety comes at a price - that positive attention comes hand in hand with negative attention, and one must be prepared for both eventualities. Certainly, the theme here is revelation, realisation, and the struggles which inevitably follow. 

Talent/Strength/Battle

Again, the message here is to utilize strengths, and turn them into a weapon - that the querent possesses the skills needed to succeed already, and it is just a manner of learning to wield them efficiently. Increasingly, in this reading we are seeing an overall theme of self belief and capability, suggesting that the problem is really more a matter of attitude and perspective. 

Confusion/Troubleshooter/Fame

The advice here reminds me of a quote I once heard: "Ask, and you are a fool for five minutes, but don't ask, and you will be a fool forever". It is best to clarify the situation rather than quietly wonder, to ask questions and voice concerns rather than allowing doubts to fester and grow.

Anxiety/Heartbreak/Truth

There are surely some difficult things to accept, where this combination is found. The truth can hurt, and it can be tempting to turn away from it in an attempt to protect oneself from hurt and damage. But this is only an illusion - in reality such actions often only serve to prolong suffering, rather than end it. To live in denial is a dangerous thing, and these cards remind us that even if it is not the easiest path to follow, honesty is still the right choice.

Anxiety/ Troubleshooter/ Battle

While anxiety is indicated, a solution is also offered here, in the form of the battle card. This suggests a need to stop running and stand firm, to actively challenge oneself by confronting fear. By owning the problem, it is possible to regain some form of control over it, turning hindrance into motivation. 

Talent/Troubleshooter/Truth

This last combination sums the reading up quite nicely. Sometimes the only way to alleviate doubt is to face it head on, to be true to yourself and utilize your strengths while being honest about your limitations. Sometimes, the only way to find out whether or not you can do something is to try.

The Unidentified Deck

I managed to stumble across this Tarot deck in a charity shop, and picked it up for only a couple of pounds. I know a lot of people are very particular about only purchasing brand new decks, but I've always felt that so long as you properly acquaint yourself with your cards - with regular handling, constant use and even purification rites, if that's your kind of thing :) - then it really shouldn't be a problem. 

The deck came without a box, and was bound together with a simple elastic band. After hours and hours of searching online - without even a name to go on - I still haven't identified them.

If anyone out there has any more information, it would be greatly appreciated! :)