Queen of Swords β€” Tarot of Prague

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Karen Mahony Alex UlokovIllustrators & Authors: Karen Mahony & Alexandr Ukolov

 

Well-tempered:
The Queen of Swords is a stern, impartial judge, sometimes seemingly devoid of emotion. Her immense amount of book learning is balanced by a life tempered with sadness and loss. This gives her strength, determination, and detachment. She is highly perceptive and honest, with a quick, dry wit. The blade of her rule cuts through gossip and sentimentality to get straight to the point. It is best not try to trick or deceive her.

 

Ill-tempered:
On a bad day, the Queen of Swords comes across as a cold-hearted, bitter, bitchy misanthrope. In her honest quest to get to the bottom of an issue, she puts a lot of people off and loses support. Her emotional self-isolation may make her seem narrow-minded, intolerant, and mean. Perhaps it would do her good to open her heart just a tad.

 

Today, this Queen tells me I need to pay attention to how I take care of myself: β€œWhen you are tired, sleep! Eat less sugar and more vegetables! Do your baby-positioning exercises! Don’t spend so much time on the damned internet!”

The Tower β€” Tarot of Prague

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

Illustrators & Authors: Karen Mahony & Alexandr Ukolov

 

Interpretation: “An earthquake in your life. You areΒ  going through a huge upheaval and change. It may feel cataclysmic, or even catastrophic, but it’s important to realise that it isn’t all negative. Sometimes dramatic disruptions have to happen and, difficult as they are, they can lead to a release, or eventually the opportunity to stat anew. Even if it’s an uncomfortable time, don’t despair. When the dust settles there may be something positive that results, and useful lessons to learn.”

 

I asked, “Which king should I illustrate first?” I figured there was a 4 in 5 chance of drawing a suit card. My plan was to follow suit and garner a bit more information. But the tower? Useless! I despair!

 

The tower illustrates new-found freedom that comes as a bolt of lightning which blows us to rock bottom. It is an immediate change and can have rather disorienting effects. Awakening to this new reality, we are released from bondage. With any destruction there comes creation. Once you hit rock bottom, the choice is yours. You may find inspiration anywhere. Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose, says the prophet.*

 

Robert M. Pirsig writes in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, β€œIf your mind is truly, profoundly stuck, then it might be much better off than when it was loaded with ideas.” I thought I was stuck because my mind was devoid of ideas. Why am I stuck? The moral of the story is: start anywhere; just start. Obviously, I have to make up my own mind. Useless! I despair!

 

*Prophet Kris Kristofferson sung through Janis Joplin’s soul