TAROT WISDOM READINGS

While I normally do deck interviews strictly by the interview information itself which I obtain from the cards drawn, I have so enjoyed the fun way that Helen – from Tarot Notes – Major and Minor – does them.  She has inspired me to try my own hand at storytelling, which makes things so much more interesting –  and entertaining!

While I don’t think I can be quite the creative gal that my friend Helen is . . . she has certainly been a lovely inspiration, so I’ll give it my best.  One of the things I absolutely love about being a part of a Tarot community is the things that we can share and learn from each other.  We are gifted whether we are in “sharing/teaching mode” or in “receiving/student mode” when it comes to the world of Tarot.

Helen has inspired me, through her examples, to stretch my creativity, lighten up, and have absolute fun with whatever I’m doing   I encourage you to visit Helen’s and Zanna’s Tarot Notes – Major and Minor blog . . . as well as Helen’s website called Helen Scribbles where she shares snippets of her creative writing.

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Today I have invited the Anna.K Tarot to my home for a Tarot Deck Interview.  My copy of the Anna.K Tarot deck tells me that it’s the 5 of Rods who will be coming to represent the deck.  Now why on earth would they choose that card among all the others?  Oh wait, I just got a text message from the Anna.K Tarot.  Let me see what they have to say.

They said they are sending over eight individuals to interview with me – and a CAT!  They chose this card as their representative, because the others all busy doing their Christmas shopping.  Oh dear, they are shopping for presents during a Mercury Retrograde?  No wonder they are sending such a competitive type of personality to do this interview.  Oh well, I’m sure we’ll make the best of it.  Surely they will be on their best behavior for the interview.

I just hadn’t counted on providing food and refreshments for eight people, though – and a cat!  I don’t have any cat food.  I wonder if cats like dog food?  Or are they truly as finicky as all those television commercials portray them to be?  Oh well, if cats are anything like dogs, they’ll eat just about anything that doesn’t eat them first.  I have these simple sandwiches I made up, so I hope that will do for everyone.  (And I hope my dogs get along with the kitty!)

Oh, the people from the 5 of Rods are walking up into my driveway now!  I better get myself to the door.  I see the cat is with them, too!  It’s terribly cold outside today.  I wonder why they are all walking?  Well, at least they seem to have some mugs of warm drink to keep them warm . . . or dare I wonder – are those mugs of beer?

As I open the door, I hear them talking loudly.  (“My, I do hope they didn’t come to the interview in an intoxicated state,” I thought to myself.)  Just then, one of the ladies must have noticed my look of concern. She said, “Don’t worry, Dear!  You’ll have to forgive the boys here.  They do tend to get a little loud and rowdy at times.  Could we sit at your kitchen table so the boys can arm wrestle?”

(“Arm wrestle?”  I thought to myself.  And during an important interview at that!)  I put on my best face to mask my shock and told them, “Of course, come right this way.”  I led them into the kitchen and then quickly moved my tablecloth and centerpieces from the table to prevent any possible breakages.  I simply had no idea how we were going to conduct an interview with arm wrestling in process.  I offered to get some more chairs so that everyone could sit down, but most of the people in this group chose to stand and observe.

“Would you all care to have some sandwiches?” I asked them.  “No thank you,” they all answered in unison.  “But if you don’t mind, ma’am, our cat might like a sandwich,” one of the rough looking fellows suggested.  (Okay, so that is what the cat will eat.)

“To which of you eight dear people should I address my questions?” I asked of the group.

“That would be me, ma’am,” replied one of the fellows who was arm wrestling.  “Just don’t mind me and my brother here.  I promise I won’t disappoint you – nor will I disappoint my family that we come to represent for this interview.  I’ll give you honest answers, even when I’m engaged in what I do best!”

“Well okay then,” I hesitantly replied.  “Let’s begin.”

Velvet Angel:  Tell me about yourself.  What are your characteristics?

Anna.K Tarot: (The Hanged Man)

I encourage those who seek me to pause and remain still so that the knowledge I impart will have a chance to sink in.  I bring new ideas and perspectives, but I don’t force my wisdom on anyone.  Each person must make a choice to hold still for a bit – or to rush forward.  I don’t impose myself on anyone, but those who seek me shall be enlightened.  And thus, my wisdom will light the paths of those who voluntarily let go for a bit and just relax.  My wisdom may fall on deaf ears for those who cannot make the voluntary sacrifice to pause, wait, be patient, and listen.  But for those who will truly listen, they shall be enlightened.  I’m not a busy deck.  I don’t try to rush around or impose my values upon others.  I simply bring truth, awareness, and answers to seekers.

Sometimes it is from a difficult or painful experience where truth and answers come forth.  And one of my special characteristics is in pointing out that wisdom.  Yet after the difficulty, a “time out” makes one stronger.  One of the lessons I teach is that sometimes you gain control through letting go.  Sometimes you “win” by surrendering.  The surrender may involve certain outlooks, beliefs, or perceptions . . . or it may involve letting go and surrendering fears or issues of the past. But whatever it may be for each individual, I’m here to point that out.

(“Well, this is going surprisingly well,” I thought to myself.  “Hmmm, but it sure doesn’t look like this fellow and his brother are surrendering the arm wrestling battle!”)

Velvet Angel:  What are your strengths?

Anna.K Tarot: (Page of Rods)

In addition to the general characteristics noted above, I encourage seekers to be curious and open to new ideas and methods. I can take you back to the right level of childhood innocence to explore a situation through new eyes – helping you drop judgements, bias, or prejudices.  In this way, you can learn something of real value in a reading.  I work best with those who have an open mind and whose curious minds really want an answer.  Once you are able to see through to new ideas, you are also better prepared to take action on that which you desire or need.  I can lead you from a beginner into a seasoned adventurer in life.  But it always comes from within YOU – I am merely your guide or your map.

Look beyond the surface of things, including what goes deeper than just the surface of yourself or others.  We are all students in this big event called “life,” and there is always something to learn.  I will help you connect with your lessons in life.  I will open your curious mind so that you can explore.

(“Aha!” I thought to myself.  “This makes perfect sense for them to send the Five of Rods to the interview.  I merely needed to get past my shock for this, and see the value of what these ‘arm wrestling interviewees’ have to share!  This certainly does go with the saying that we cannot judge a book by its cover, and that there is more than meets the eye.  Now I’m very fascinated and eager to hear what else this deck has to say, and I cannot wait to ask the next question – one that many decks don’t much like to answer.”)

Velvet Angel:  What are your limitations as a Tarot deck?

Anna.K Tarot: (10 of Swords)

Without a moment’s hesitation (and without interruption in the arm wrestling process which neither party seems to be winning), one of the fellows responds to my question.

For those who don’t wish to face their fears, they may not appreciate the bluntness of my messages when I see the need to be direct and frank.  So my limitations exist within the mind and perceptions of the user.  It goes back to my general characteristics with the Hanged Man’s energy and the perceptions and outlooks that one holds – or that one is willing to embrace.  There can be sacrifices in endings, but such sacrifices (even the painful ones) are necessary to find closure and move on to a new beginning.

Thus, like some decks, I don’t have a lot of patience for those who wish to be the martyr or hold to a “woe is me; feel sorry for me” sort of attitude.  I’m a deck of Tarot cards, not a knight in shining armor, so I can’t rescue you – you’ll have to pick yourself up and be willing to help yourself when I offer guidance from my cards.  You will have to be open to all messages revealed to you – including the ones that are perceived to be more difficult than you would like to hear about.  I have limited patience for those who choose to wallow in self-pity and have hopes for a quick fix in a situation.

One of the fellows looked away from his arm wrestling for a moment and added, “We’ve all been wounded in life, in some form or another, ma’am.  But our motto is that when the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

Velvet Angel:  What is the quality you hold that drew me to you?

Anna.K Tarot: (2 of Cups)

Through the eyes of the Two of Cups, you saw a happy union!  You saw down-to-earth people in this deck – which mirrors important parts of yourself and the people you love to associate with.

Perhaps it wasn’t truly “love at first sight,” but you knew in your heart and intuition that we could work very well together. I am indeed an honest – and sometimes blunt – sort of deck, since I have a way of bringing out the difficulties and the fears in life for one to explore.  I tend to be practical, but very honest – sometimes perhaps brutally honest.  But I am certainly not without a softer and more compassionate side.  Just like you, I can be sharp or soft, depending on what the circumstances require at any given time.  The dual nature here speaks of how you saw parts of yourself and life experiences mirrored in many of my cards.  The nature of this deck is practical, grounded, and down-to-earth.  I’m not here to put on airs or fancy shows for what I’m not.  I’m here to just be myself and allow you to be yourself.  And this was an appealing factor to you, as it also allowed you to see the possibility for a happy union in our work together.

Velvet Angel:  What do you bring to the table — what are you here to teach me?

Anna.K Tarot: (Page of Swords)

I’m here to teach you about developing new ideas and perspectives in life.  Two ideas from completely different sources can collide to produce a bold new concept!  Sometimes the best ideas will come from the oddest things imaginable.

For example, what kind of interview did you think this would be when you saw all of us from the Five or Rods card coming to your door today?  We don’t want you to miss an opportunity to exchange ideas with others – whether that is a friend you’ve known forever, a complete stranger, or even a child who has knowledge to share.  We think the Pages of our deck are excellent representatives for the qualities of learning!  Life is an arena of continuous learning, and while it can sometimes feel like a “battle field” at times, it’s also showing us something new to challenge our minds and teach us valuable lessons.

We hope to have a positive impact on your way of thinking as we share our wisdom with you.  We hope that, in some way, you’ll be a little bit different than you were before you met us – and we certainly mean that in a very good way!  We are here to challenge and stimulate your way of thinking. We are here to teach you about life.  Now this is not to say that you know nothing about life.  Of course you do!  But again, there is always something new to learn, and there are always new ways to look at that which is already familiar.

We want to help you further expand your curious mind.  We want you to ask questions with an open mind as you draw conclusions and make judgments about what you’re seeing.  As you do so, we hope you’ll be able to cut through the confusion in life more easily . . . and arrive at the truth for any situation you encounter.  We teach about the value of an open mind, because when your mind is open, you’ll be able to see things in a different way or gain the advantage of new perspectives that we will gladly reveal to you.  Knowledge is power . . . and power, when used constructively, can create great things!

(Well, well, well, wiser words could not have been spoken from a King himself!  I’m almost sorry now that I have only one final question to ask of the Anna.K Tarot.  These individuals are really growing on me!)

Velvet Angel:  How can we best work together?

Anna.K Tarot: (Judgement)

When it comes to decisions, evaluations, transformation, and judgements, it’s important that we both be satisfied and at peace with what we discover together – whether it’s something that is seemingly “positive” or “negative.”  With that said, let me digress for just a moment, if you don’t mind.  We don’t like the associations that label something as being “negative.”  Nothing is perfect in life, and no individual is perfect either.  So if we can look at those seemingly “negative” things as lessons on our journey, I believe that we can find the “positive” in a situation if we’re willing to work for that or do what we’re being asked for our highest good.

Our readings must be for the highest good for all involved.  We can work well together by seeing a call to action and paying heed to that – or as in the case of working with other seekers, we can show them the way. We can point out what that “calling” or that message is that one needs to be aware of.  We cannot force anyone to answer the call or heed the message offered, but we can certainly show the way for those who truly want to see it.

We can find answers, resolve doubts, evaluate accomplishments, and reach meaningful conclusions together.  In all things – both words spoken and deeds done – we must also remember our Karma!

We represent a definite step so that no one has to stay still when there are greater things to reach for in life.  We are all about change and renewal, but we must first answer that call for change when it comes knocking at our doors.  Let’s leave our biases, prejudices, and complaints at the door when we explore.  Let’s look at the truth.  In that way, I feel we can work very well together!

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“Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with me, today.  It has truly been a pleasure.”  I stood up from the table, and the arm wrestling brothers took that as their cue to disengage their arms to shake hands with me.”

“Would you care for any snacks or refreshment?”

“No, no Dearie,” answered one of the pleasant ladies as she scooped up her beloved cat.  “Thank you kindly, but we must take our leave now.  It’s our job to go put up a Christmas tree this afternoon, so we want to have all that done before the others return from shopping today.”

“Very well then,” I said.  “Thank you for coming, and Merry Christmas to you!”

I showed them to the door and almost felt a sense of sadness about their departure.  My, how this deck was growing on me in ways I couldn’t explain.  And then a whisper of a voice came to me out of the blue . . . “Not to worry, Miss!  Your Anna.K Tarot deck is right here for you to visit any time you please.”

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Happy Tarot Journeys!

Velvet Angel

www.tarotwisdomreadings.com

All images are used with permission of the deck creator, Anna Klaffinger.  You can visit Anna’s site and see all of her cards from the Anna.K Tarot here: http://www.annak-tarot.at/Anna_Englisch/index_e.html

To read my review of the Anna.K Tarot which is housed on my Tarot Wisdom Readings website, please visit http://www.tarotwisdomreadings.com/TarotDecks4/AnnaKTarot.html