THREE of PENTACLES

This deck is based on the Rider-Waite, but has far more appealing imagery. The colours are bright and cheerful and the deck is ideal for beginners. It is also a good deck for young readers, or for readers who like their subjects to interact with the deck, as the cards are small and easy to handle. There is a happy quality about this deck and the characters in particular have plenty of 'life' in them, especially the children. For readers who prefer to give positive, inspiring readings, this deck is ideal.

This card tells us that we need to work with others rather than against them if we are to succeed. It also promises that effort will be rewarded and hard work will not go unnoticed. The subject who draws this card is entering a phase where they need to concentrate on the big picture rather than letting themselves be bogged down by minor details. They should concentrate on achieving their goals slowly but surely, rather than expecting results overnight.

When this card is in a prominent position, it tells us that the subject of the reading has all the skills and knowledge they need to progress in whatever they wish to do. They should not let themselves be detracted from their aims by others who do not understand or share their motives - instead, they should seek out those who have similar goals. Teamwork is often very important when this card is drawn.

Although this card tends to appear mainly in readings concerning career or business matters, it can also apply to more personal issues. If it were to appear in a reading concentrating on a subject's romantic life, it would be telling them that they need to compromise with their partner, rather than working against them. They need to concentrate on the areas they agree on, rather than worrying about those where they don't see eye-to-eye.

This card is also a good one to see if the subject is looking for support from others. It assures them that support is readily available, as there are plenty of people around them who share their views, or are pursuing the same goals. The subject simply needs to find them and combine forces. The very presence of this card suggests that circumstances will lead to them being able to do this without any great difficulty.

FIVE of PENTACLES

The Goddess Tarot is illustrated in golden shades with appealing imagery. Each Major Arcana card has a different border that coincides with the Goddess depicted upon it, illustrated with scenes that depict each goddess's way of life, rather like a separate story from that shown on the main part of the card. The Minor Arcana are also nicely illustrated, and each suit corresponds to a different goddess. For anyone wishing to work with goddesses, this deck is ideal.

Whenever I see this card, the first thing I think of is "money loss". However, this doesn't seem to fit in too well with the previous signs I've had that money is on the way, but maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part!

This card always relates to the lack of something and a general struggle to make ends meet. Although it's usually money or material goods that are lacking, it can also signify the loss of a job or even loss of health, either physical or mental. In the latter case, it will nearly always be caused by the subject not taking enough care of their body and neglecting it, usually by not eating properly or indulging in too many harmful habits such as smoking, drinking or drugs.

Although the health problems signified by this card are not usually life-threatening, they can nevertheless be serious enough to warrant medical attention. The subject therefore needs to pay more attention to their overall health if this card features in a prominent position and should view it as a gentle warning that they need to take more care of themselves.

Another meaning for this card is isolation insofar as the subject may feel that they are on their own and no one understands them or even cares about them. It may be that they lack support or approval in some way, or feel excluded from things going on around them. This card can sometimes come up when the subject is trapped in a loveless marriage, or feels that their partner doesn't support them or encourage them enough in the things that matter to them.

What we need to remember with this card is that it is usually more of a warning than a definite forecast. The subject who starts to take better care of their health, for instance, will not only feel better, they will probably also avoid a more serious health problem in the future. Similarly, by paying more attention to their finances and perhaps working out a budget, they will improve their monetary situation and hopefully become better-off.

In some cases, this card is telling us that the subject is simply feeling sorry for themselves at the present time and needs to count their blessings. Often they have more to be thankful for than they realise and if this is the case, the surrounding cards should indicate what those things are. When the subject is feeling like this, gentle encouragement is often enough to set them on the right track towards appreciating what (and who) they have a little more.

Finally, some sources describe this card as "a cloud with a silver lining". They advise whoever draws it to stop worrying about everything that is "wrong" with their life and concentrate on improving it by grabbing hold of a particular opportunity that will come their way - this is apparently especially true when the card is drawn as a daily card.

QUEEN of PENTACLES

This card is taken from the Zerner-Farber deck, which is ideal for people with small hands or those who find shuffling larger decks difficult. The imagery is beautiful and the colours particularly appealing. Most of the cards show figures drawn on a fabric background, including lace, border trim, satin and brocade. The deck is not a 'frilly, feminine' deck, however - it has a strong Pagan undercurrent and is ideal for spell work as well as interpretation. It would make an excellent deck for beginners.

I can't say I was surprised to see this card, seeing as I have had all the other Pentacle court cards appear in a very short space of time (in fact, I was expecting it). Quite what the cards are trying to tell me here, I don't know. If I were looking at this objectively, I would say it was describing a family who were going to become far better-off financially than they currently are, which makes me wonder whether I should nip out right now and buy a ticket for tonight's lottery, seeing as there's a rollover! The only problem is, I have no idea who the King of Pentacles is, as there is no man in my life at the moment, so possibly I am about to meet someone extremely rich!!!

When this card relates to an individual, it is usually describing an independent woman, often a divorcee or single parent, or simply a woman who prefers to live alone. If she is involved in a relationship, she will be very much her 'own woman' with her own identity; she will not blindly 'follow her man' if she doesn't agree with him. Some sources describe her as a loving, supportive person who has a way with children and animals, someone whose door is always open. She will have a knack for 'making a little go a long way' and is a loyal, honest friend who can keep a secret.

This woman is someone who will do what needs to be done in order to achieve what she wants. She isn't afraid of hard work, which is just as well as she often needs to put in that bit more effort than others in order to progress, although sometimes it just seems that way to her as her standards tend to be higher than those of the majority of people. She is likely to be her own worst critic and even her own worst enemy. This tendency can both benefit her and hold her back, depending on the circumstances.

No matter what problems arise in her life, this Queen will shrug her shoulders and carry on with what needs to be done - she is able to push her personal difficulties into the background and concentrate on the task in hand, which makes her an excellent employee, as she rarely lets her home life interfere with her working life. She is a perfectionist, who notices the small details that others miss.

In a reading where this card isn't relating to a particular person, it is likely to be telling the subject to adopt the attitude of the Queen of Pentacles and use determination and hard work to overcome their current difficulties. They need to forget past injustices, whether real or imaginary, and concentrate on making the best of what they currently have. They also need to look at the 'small print' and make sure they haven't missed something important.

It may also be that the subject needs to co-operate a little more with those around them at this time, rather than trying to 'go it alone'. This is especially likely if the Queen has other court cards at either side of it (these court cards will indicate who they need to co-operate with). Alternatively, it may be asking them to 'open their heart' and let a specific person in - they may be afraid to commit themselves to a relationship which could bring them a great deal of happiness if only they would let it. Again, any court card(s) adjoining the Queen should help identify the person concerned.

Results
Unfortunately, I haven't had time to update the diary since I wrote this and I cannot remember what occurred on Saturday, although I know it was nothing out of the ordinary. I didn't win the lottery, either!

THE FOOL

The Sacred Rose Tarot is a deck you either love or hate. The images are in vivid colour and have been described as 'strange', particularly the faces. There is Qabbalistic symbolism on some of the cards and quite a few of them are similar to those of the Rider Waite deck. The pictures invoke nature in terms of woods and flowers and are somewhat reminscent of stained glass. This deck would appeal to anyone who likes something different and out of the ordinary; it definitely has a certain 'something' about it.

In many cases, especially in a reading concentrating on a particular problem area, The Fool relates to the wearing of 'rose-coloured glasses' and suggests that the subject is not seeing a situation for what it really is. It can often apply to a relationship where the subject has put the object of their affections onto such a high pedestal that they simply cannot see the flaws in their character (which are usually plentiful when this card is present).

Naivety and inexperience are also indicated by this card. The subject may think they know all there is to know about a certain situation in their life, but in reality they know very little and a 'rude awakening' may well be on the horizon unless they face up to their lack of knowledge. They are probably 'kidding themselves' in some way and reluctant to accept the obvious, probably because they are afraid of losing something, even if it's only 'face'.

On a more positive note, the Fool can promise new beginnings. When it is prominent in a reading, the subject may decide to embark on a venture that under normal circumstances they simply wouldn't consider. This is because the Fool gives them a sort of 'innocence' and temporarily blinds them to any obstacles that may be in their path. This can have a positive or negative outcome, depending on the cards following the Fool, especially the one immediately after it.

This card can also signify a new beginning for the subject in terms of their entire approach to life. They may decide to literally throw caution to the winds and sacrifice everything in order to embark on a totally new lifestyle (usually an unconventional one), although this isn't something that occurs everyday, of course. However, it could occur to a lesser degree - for example, giving up a well-paid job in order to go back to college, or ending a stale relationship that offers security but no excitement and taking a chance on being alone again.

The Fool is about taking risks and not worrying about the consequences, in the same way a child would do. There is no guarantee that these risks will pay-off, but chances are that if you don't take them you won't be given the same opportunity again. If you have faith in yourself and your abilities, the possibility is high that you will gain a great deal.

Results
I can't see that I saw any connection between The Fool and the events of today. Now, if I'd had one of those Pentacle cards I've been getting a lot lately I could have seen relevance in that, because I received an unexpected cheque today - a refund because I'd paid too much on my gas bills over the last year. Was quite a tidy sum, too!

Then again, I suppose I did take a bit of a risk today and it was rather silly. I couldn't get my Sims game to load and I decided to uninstall it and start all over again, totally forgetting to save all my downloads (yes, the ones I'd spent hours and hours finding and installing). Luckily, I had the majority of them saved on cd, but I still lost quite a few. Not sure this was important enough to merit a Major Arcana card, though!

KNIGHT of PENTACLES

This card is taken from the Gendron deck, which uses a more modern name for the Knight, namely "Prince". This is one of my favourite decks, as I find the imagery (which is beautiful) particularly inspiring. I also find the colours very appealing. It is ideal as a second deck, but will also suit beginners with some knowledge of the cards. It is essentially a feminine deck, very much Goddess/Earth centred - part reality, part fantasy, and packed with symbolism.


Once again I've been given one of the Pentacle court cards, this time the Knight. Quite why I keep choosing cards suggesting a family with money I don't know, but maybe it's a sign that my finances are going to improve soon - let's hope so!

When the Knight of Pentacles is referring to a particular person in a reading, the person concerned will more than likely be a young man aged somewhere between 18-35. Often it is someone the client is concerned about and suggests that news concerning them (usually good) is on the way. In a love reading, this card can foretell a relationship with a younger person; other sources say it is the sign of an illicit affair.

When this card relates to a specific event, it is usually indicative of taking responsibility for something, or taking charge of a situation. Sometimes it relates to mistakes made in the past which rear their heads again and need rectifying, in which case it is essential to deal with the situation in a responsible manner without attempting to avoid it.

This is an advantageous card to draw in a reading concerning finances, as it shows a steady increase in income, usually as a result of hard work and effort on the subject's part. It can also indicate improvement due to attempts to economise and cut corners finally paying off for the subject.

Results
I can't say that this card had any real relevance for me, unless I count a problem I had with a neighbour which had to be dealt with today after being initiated yesterday (not worth going into here, you can find out more about it on my humour blog if you wish.

This card did seem to have relevance for a visitor to this diary, however. You can read all about it in her own words if you click on the "Comments" link below.

THE WORLD

This image is taken from the Cosmic Tarot, which was designed by a German artist. It is a very popular deck with a wide appeal. The images are both informative and contemporary and are likely to appeal particularly to young and modern-minded readers. The deck also has a very attractive back: a field of stars containing an elaborate pentagram with a rising sun and moon and white rose in the centre. As an added feature, the court cards (and others which feature people) bear striking resemblances to well-known Hollywood movie stars!

Here we have the last of the Major Arcana cards and the possibilities of what it could be referring to are almost as big as the world itself. More often than not, however, it refers to the end of something in terms of achievement and accomplishment and a successful new beginning. Any changes in the subject's life will be for the better if this card is present in the layout.

When the World is in a prominent position in a spread, it can indicate far-reaching changes in the subject's life in terms of a completely new way of life and this will always be a better way of life than is currently being experienced. The actual path that takes the subject there may or may not be an easy one depending on the cards preceding The World.

I often find that when this card turns up, especially if it isn't in a particularly prominent spot, it can foretell news from overseas or contact with someone living abroad. The identity of that person can be ascertained if there is a court card immediately next to The World. Often this connection with overseas will prove to be particularly significant in the subject's life, otherwise it would not have needed such a powerful card to indicate it.

In a reading concerning a subject's love life, this card can indicate a brand-new relationship, or a relationship with someone from a different country, or both. Alternatively, it can mean a relationship with someone totally different in character and outlook from the subject, or someone from a different social background or race. Surrounding cards will often help determine which of these is more likely.

Similarly, in a reading concentrating on the subject's working life, The World can be promising a new job which offers far more opportunity for advancement than the current or previous one. It can also indicate the opportunity to work overseas, or perhaps a job with a foreign company, or even a foreign boss.

Overall, this card promises an end to anything which has been holding the subject back and offers them the opportunity to move forward into a much brigher future. Although it may not be immediately apparent to them that this is the way they are heading, events that take place after this card has been drawn will all be contributing towards this move to a better place.

Results
This card didn't seem to relate to today in any real way. I was in contact with a friend overseas, but that wasn't an unusual occurrence. Maybe there were changes today behind the scenes that I was unaware of which will lead to better things for me in the future. Will have to wait and see on that one!

Second Time Around

When I chose my card for Monday it was the Page of Pentacles, which I received only the other day, so obviously whatever that card was trying to tell me is being repeated. When this happens, it is a sure sign that we need to take heed of whatever message the card is trying to put across to us.

I tried choosing some more cards and oddly enough chose the Queen of Pentacles, the King of Wands and the Knight of Pentacles, in that order. I am wondering if this little group is my eldest daughter and her family - the King could be a different suit because she lives with her partner but they're not married. The Page and Knight could be her son and daughter. Knights are actually young men not children, but it may just have been an indication that whoever the Pentacles relate to are people from the same family.

Of course, it could also be myself and my two youngest children (the only ones left at home), in which case I have no idea where the King of Wands comes into the picture!

It might be a good idea if I spend some time tomorrow making the house fit for visitors, just in case my daughter decides to pay me an impromptu visit (it wouldn't be the first time). If she does, I'll be sure to let you know!

Results
My daughter didn't call round and I didn't have any contact with any extra people today. My youngest daughter was off school ill and needed that bit more attention from me, which fits with the "providing for your children's pysical needs and safety" angle, but it hardly seems worth having a special card for!

I have also been pushing for something specific today, which is also covered by this card, but again it's nothing special.

If this card has a meaning for me that I have still not worked out, it will no doubt turn-up again before much longer.

.

8 of WANDS

This card is taken from the mystical and spiritual Haindl Tarot deck, which has influences from various sources, including Native American, Egyptian, Hindu and Celtic. It isn't really suitable as a first deck, as it doesn't include descriptive pictures on the Minor Arcana cards, although there is a single word description (in this case, "swiftness"). The artwork is unusual and compelling, using predominantly earthy tones to create a dreamy, almost surreal quality.

This card relates primarily to speed and the removal of obstacles that may have been forcing delay. It will appear in a promiment position if the subject of the reading needs to make a move in order to achieve something, or if they need to put plans into action, and have been unable to do so because something has been in the way.

It can also relate to some sort of news, usually some specific news that the subject has been waiting for, or some information they have been unable to obtain - the final piece of the jigsaw, if you like. Often this information will come via a conversation with someone, especially if there is a court card immediately adjacent to it (such a court card being an indication of the person who would be imparting the information). The chances are that the lack of this information will have been holding the subject back in some way - i.e., it has been an obstacle in their path.

Some sources describe this card as "the arrows of love", although I have never looked at it that way. Wands are primarily concerned with career matters, or with friendships on a surface level, as opposed to the deeper friendships covered by the suit of Cups.

Overall, this card denotes things happening quickly, especially in terms of anything that has been delayed due to circumstances beyond the subject's control. It is very much a positive card and its influences can be quite far-reaching, depending on the position it holds in the spread.

Results
When I posted the above, I couldn't think how the 8 of Wands could relate to me, but surprisingly enough it has! In the results for my previous post, 6 of Pentacles, I mentioned that a friend had offered to pay for something online for me as the site wouldn't accept my credit card. This took place today and as a result I've been able to start a new project that I tried to get off the ground just over a year ago.

So, you could say that my friend provided the missing piece of that jigsaw!

6 of PENTACLES

The Rider-Waite version of this card depicts its meaning exactly, as you will see when you read the description below. Look at this card for a moment. Which of these characters do you associate with - the giver or the receiver? Which position would you prefer to be in? Which says the most about your outlook on life, your relationships, your character?

This card is all about charity and helping others less fortunate than yourself. Right now, I am identifying with the "less fortunate" element. I am somewhat broke at the moment, so maybe it's telling me to ask for a loan. Oddly enough, I've had a form sitting on top of the sideboard next to me for weeks - it's been filled-in for weeks too, but I've never got around to posting it. Maybe tomorrow is the day to do it.

Alternatively, the rich guy handing out the gifts could be my middle son. No, he's not rich, but he does have a one-year-old computer that I know he is sort of thinking about upgrading. Now, I would be more than happy with a one-year-old computer (has to be better than a 3 1/2 year old computer), so maybe he would let me buy it from him so he can get a better one? I've been meaning to ring him and ask him, so maybe I will do that tomorrow as well. If I tell him the 6 of Pentacles said he has to let me have his computer I'm sure he'll say yes, because he knows my tarot cards never lie. All my children have been/are being brought up to know that.

This card can also mean that at some point during the day I may find myself having to help someone out, although not necessarily in a financial sense. Some sources say that if you give freely of yourself when you draw this card, especially if in doing so you have to deprive yourself of something, even if it's just your free time, it will come back to you threefold. For that reason, the 6 of Pentacles is sometimes known as the 'Reward card'.

The main difficulty with the 6 of Pentacles when it comes up in a reading is working out which of the two extremes your subject falls into. Are they the person handing out the gifts or the one receiving them? Alternatively, the card may be telling them that they need to help someone out, or they need to ask for help themselves. Fortunately, the overall flavour of the reading and the information gleaned from nearby cards is usually enough to guide you to the right interpretation.

Occasionally this card can go quite deep, especially if it's in a prominent position in a layout. It can be asking you "Why are you in this situation?" "Who is to blame?" "What can you do to change it?" Do you want to change it?" This can apply particularly to someone who is having serious financial problems, especially if there are other Pentacles nearby. My finances may not be particularly inspiring at the moment, but hopefully they're not quite as serious as those sort of questions would suggest.

Results
I never got around to phoning my son or posting my loan application, so no connection with 6 Pentacles there! I didn't help anyone out either, but I have been helped out by others on two occasions.

The first instance involved someone running a cribbage tournament for me when I didn't turn-up (because I overslept ... not an unusual occurrence!). The second occasion was when a friend offered to use their credit card to pay for something for me online because the site refused to accept mine, even though it had more than enough money on it.

Neither of these was a biggie, but at least they do relate to the card.

DEATH

In the Whimsical Tarot, which uses fairytale characters, the Death card is known by its traditional name, although it is certainly not a menacing card and suggests that death is akin to sleeping, hence it being represented by the character 'Sleeping Beauty'. In other decks it can be known as "Transformation" or "Transition".

Nothing strikes more fear and terror into the hearts of those consulting the Tarot than the Death card! If you would like a detailed explanation, including examples of readings I have undertaken where the Death card has appeared, you may like to read a 3-part series of articles I wrote about this card, which you can find here.

What you need to remember first and foremost is that the Death card rarely means physical death. It is far more likely to indicate a significant change in a person's life, usually a change that will have far-reaching consequences and nearly always a change they would rather have avoided. The outcome of that change is invariably good, but the actual 'getting there' can be difficult, usually because it inevitable involves some sort of loss or sacrifice. This can be modified by the cards at either side of the Death card, particularly the two immediately next to it.

Many decks do not use the word 'death' at all to describe the thirteenth Major Arcana card. The two most popular alternatives, as mentioned next to the Whimsical Tarot Death card above, are "Transformation" and "Transition". Both these alternatives illustrate what I have just discussed in the previous paragraph, but they also stress that even if the card is referring to a physical demise, "death is not the end". You will find these alternative names appearing in quite a large number of decks as more and more designers reject the traditional word in favour of something pleasanter. They are especially likely to appear in decks with a strong Pagan or spiritual influence, where death as 'the end' is simply not an option!

In a nutshell, when the Death card appears in a reading, particularly in a prominent place, in the vast majority of cases it is a message of renewal rather than demise. However, it is likely to involve the loss of something which the subject of the reading is reluctant to part with, even though it is something (or someone) that they would clearly be better off without. Think of it as losing a penny, then finding a pound (change to fit your own currency!).

As this is a single card I have chosen another card to suggest possible areas where the Death card might be applying to me. The one I have chosen is QUEEN of PENTACLES. While some may see this as the death of a woman fitting that description (which, of course, is possible), it is more likely to indicate a change in financial or business matters. However, I do not really see how that could apply to me, at least not in terms of any major changes, but we will see what the coming day brings!

Results It would appear that the cards were having a bit of a joke with me today (they often do this). If the Queen of Pentacles is used to depict a particular person, it is usually a independent woman, often divorced and/or a single parent, quite often with a successful career. It is also used to indicate a woman who values her freedom and, in particular, her time alone. She is a woman who needs her 'own space'. I look forward to Fridays because I have a long period of time to myself due to the fact that my children go to their usual after-school club, followed almost immediately by another club. This basically means that they are gone for almost 12 hours, apart from about an hour in between school/club and club/club. Anyway, today they decided they weren't going to the after-school club as they wanted to play in the garden, only they spent most of the time running in and out of the house wanting this and that and driving me crazy. Then when it was time to get ready for the second club, my son spent so long changing his clothes that there were already enough children going on the bus that collects them and they weren't able to go. In other words, instead of having more time alone than usual, I had less. It does seem a little melodramatic to use the death card to show something like this, but at the time it did seem like a major catastrophe!!!

PAGE of PENTACLES

This is the Spiral deck, which is full of beautiful imagery, including quite a few Celtic references. In this deck, as in many modern decks, the Page is known as the Princess. Similarly, the Knight is known as the Prince.

This card is all about taking a realistic approach to life and making the best of what you have available. You need to stop day-dreaming about what might have been or what could be and concentrate on what IS. If there is something you want, you need to go out and get it, rather than waiting for it to come to you.

In terms of relationships, the Page of Pentacles tells you to take others at face-value and not look for hidden meanings which probably aren't there. You should be open and honest with people at this time, it is important that you appear dependable and willing to stick to your commitments as this is a time when establishing credibility may be relevant in some way.

This is certainly relevant in career or busines matters, as the Page of Pentacles often indicates a time when opportunities will arise to move forward in some sort of enterprise, which will eventually lead to increased material prosperity and security, accompanied by a considerable increase in social status. Showing that you can be relied upon to 'deliver the goods' is likely to be very important in this regard.

The Page of Pentacles can also indicate an improvement in finances or material wealth, although not usually anything dramatic. More often it is news of small increase, such as a slight rise in salary, sometimes coupled with a promotion, or perhaps a small win in a game of chance or some sort of competition.

For querents with young children, this card could be gently reminding them that their children rely on them to provide for their physical needs and their safety. It may be that a particular child is in need of stability at this time and needs to know that they can trust their parent no matter what.

Results
I can't see a great deal that applies to me here. There certainly wasn't any kind of change in my finances - pity, I would have appreciated that one!

The only relevant angle I can see is the one regarding reliability and credibility. Maybe this card is telling me I need to make sure I keep-up with this diary in order to show that I can be relied upon to provide the service I am offering.

I knew that anyway of course, but it doesn't do any harm to be reminded, especially when you're as forgetful as I am. Maybe this card will pop-up again sometime, just to keep me on my toes!

QUEEN of CUPS

The Queen of Cups relates primarily to family and close friends and usually promises a pleasurable experience involving loved ones. It is a particularly lucky card to draw if there is concern about someone close, either as a result of their behaviour, occurrences in their life, or because there has been a lack of contact with them for a while. This card could indicate the solving of such a problem, or at least a strong indication that there are about to be beneficial changes taking place.

In a more general sense, the Queen of Cups can relate to fun times with family and friends and a renewed sense of closeness as a result. This could be anything from committing yourself to a long-term relationship to enjoying a fun day out with the kids. Whatever form it takes, it always promises an improvement in the relationship or relationships concerned.

On a more personal level, the Queen of Cups may be asking you to look deeper into yourself or into a particular situation surrounding you at the present time. You may need to show patience, kindness or sensitivity towards someone close, or possibly even towards yourself. Listen to your intuition and try to look at life from a more spiritual point of view.

Results
Yesterday my relationship with my 12-year-old daughter was somewhat strained. She was acting in a way only adolescent daughters can and I reacted badly (not to put too fine a point on it, I threw an almost full mug of leftover coffee over her ... don't knock it if you've never had an adolescent daughter, just be grateful and make sure you never do!)

Anyway, today things were much better and we were actually able to talk to each other in a 'sisterly' sort of way; we were both in much better moods. The Queen of Cups can certainly bring about this kind of change for the better in relationships, especially between women.

This card can also relate to things which bring you pleasure as well as people. I found out today that The Sims 2 will be on sale here as of tomorrow, which believe me has made me very happy! It's also a little frustrating ... you can read all about it on my other blog if you're interested!

In conclusion, I would say that the QUEEN of CUPS was certainly relevant to what occurred in my life today.

KING of PENTACLES

This illustration shows the King of Pentacles as he appears in the Rider-Waite tarot, which is the most popular deck for beginners and the first one I ever used. It is available in all sizes from miniature to giant and was the first deck to use imagery on all 78 cards.

Amongst other things, the King of Pentacles can represent someone who is fond of giving to charity, or in a position to do so. This could apply to me in that I am (as of today) offering free tarot readings in this diary (albeit with a slight string attached, but they do say "charity begins at home"!).

This card also indicates someone who is very capable in their chosen career and probably aware of it, but who is also considerate enough of others to want to share their success and knowledge. However, although he is a generous man, the King of Pentacles will not continue to help those who do not subsequently help themselves.

He will willingly offer a helping or guiding hand, but he then expects the person he has assisted to 'carry on the good work'. This is easily applicable to a tarot card reader, who can advise and suggest, but cannot actually carry-out whatever is necessary as this has, of course, to be done by the querent themselves.

The King of Pentacles also relates to wisdom, especially in terms of the material world, and I hope this means that I have enough wisdom to accurately interpret the daily cards I will be featuring in the Tarot Diary!

Introduction

Every evening I will choose a tarot card at random, in the hope that this card will indicate what will occur in my life on the following day. At the end of that day, or the following morning, I will report on the day's happenings and see how well they correlate with what the card indicated. If they do not seem to match-up, I will try to work out why.

The idea is that the cards looked at will build into a sort of library that can be consulted by anyone interested in tarot card meanings. Obviously the same card may be chosen on more than one day, but the meanings may not necessarily be the same. All cards have quite a few different meanings, depending on the current situation of the querent at the time. Working out which meaning applies is both one of the hardest aspects of tarot reading and also one of the most important.

There may be occasions when I will need to choose more than one card; sometimes one card just isn't enough and another is needed for clarification and extra detail. Wherever possible, however, I will be sticking to just the one. Occasionally I may not be able to make a posting, but hopefully this won't happen often.

As well as relating the cards to my own situation, I will also be discussing them in a more general sense, as obviously not all the meanings will apply to me and there will be others that are also worth mentioning. This will hopoefully help anyone who is confused by a particular card, or just wants to know more about it.

Each forecast will be accompanied by an illustration of the card concerned, taken from a different deck each day. Each picture can be clicked, which will lead you to the Amazon.com site where you can find out more about the deck and purchase it if you wish. I may also include other illustrations from time to time if they are relevant and probably also some extra entries occasionally just discussing the tarot in general. Suggestions for these would be welcome, as would any questions you may like to ask that I can answer here.

My life doesn't tend to be very exciting, so if yours is more interesting than mine and you would like me to have a go at predicting what kind of day lies ahead for you, send me an email. If you are willing to link to one of my four sites (either my tarot site, this blog, my humour site or my humour blog) I will analyse a daily card for you. If there is any specific day you want me to wait for (such as your birthday, or the date of a special event), please mention this in your email. I will then send you instructions as to how to proceed.

You can also earn yourself a free reading in the Diary by subscribing to Tarot Diary updates - you will see a box in the left-hand column enabling you to do this. Once I receive your subscription I will contact you to arrange for your free reading.

It is almost 4.30 pm now, but I am going to choose a card to apply to today, just to get this show on the road. Nothing of any significance has happened today anyway, apart from starting this blog of course, so it will be interesting to see what the tarot have to say about the day. Later on I will choose a card to apply to tomorrow and report back on its accuracy (or otherwise) at the end of the day or the following morning.

I will create a separate post for the reading, so as to make it easier to find the card I choose should anyone be looking for it.

I should point out that I am essentially a humour writer, so this diary will not be without its 'funny bits'. If you want to check out my website or my blog, you can find them below. The blog is less than a week old (has 9 posts on it as I write this), but my humour site has been up for a few years. It has undergone a change recently, including a new name, so I am basically building it up from scratch again in terms of web presence. Any links to it would therefore be most appreciated!

Contributions to both my humour site and my tarot site are welcome - you will find details on the sites if you're interested, or you can email me via this diary.

TAROT CORNER (my tarot site)
WITTY WOMAN (my humour site)
ECCENTRIC BOHEMIAN HERMITS (my blog)