The Two of bones (earth) and the Chance (Wheel of Fortune) cards have been coming up for me lately.  These cards are both cards of change, like the Death Card, but more about the ups and downs of shifting life and less of the heavy finality and unburdening/rebirth of death.

The Two of Bones in the Collective Tarot shows the rich tones of the bones suit, also mirrored in the Death Card. The two headed snake is not afraid of change, she travels close to the earth and is familiar with her cycles. The wish bone waits un-broken, full of potential, when the wish is made, something is lost and something new is gained.

Of these two, the Two of Bones is the most like the Death Card. All changes are mini-deaths. Things are in flux when the two of bones arises, there are choices to be made, things to release and new information, behavior and/or attitudes to embrace.  Other people or situations in ones life may be changing their course and it may be hard to feel sure of the future with the flux and flow. With change can come anxiety and the practice is to keep coming back to the present moment since who knows what tomorrow will bring.

The Wheel of Fortune is the wheel of fate turning the tables. If things have been hard, the Wheel of Fortune will bring a change for the better, often in a large sweeping way. Different than most other cards which describe issues that can easily shift and change depending on ones perspective, The Wheel of fortune often describes outside events that will fully turn around a situation, no matter how you look at it. One has little control over these events as the winds of change turn the wheel. This can be great if things suck or feel frustrating/ This can be harder when one feels cozy and stable.

What does this mean for me? I'm keeping in the present moment.

The Death Card of the Collective Tarot

Endings and change can feel scary for us humans who want to hold onto what we know. We spend our lives building relationships to people, places, activities, and even the smells and sights of our everyday environments. As we and our environments grow and change, we may find ourselves fearful when the familiar is disrupted. What if, with this death, all is lost? 

The Death Card indicates a change, specifically an ending to the way things have been. This could be an ending of a project, job, relationship, housing situation or other structural aspect of ones life. The word "ending" doesn't convey the truth of death. Rather than an ending, death instead describes a time of physical and or spiritual transformation. The distinct ending creates space and compost for new shoots to sprout.

The image here of the collective Tarot's Death Card shows a rattle snake shedding it's skin, traveling up toward ripe fruits and a fresh little mouse. One may grieve the loss inherent in the Death Card, while also feeling the freedom and possibility of uncharted territory, ripe for new beginnings. Without death, there is no life, since all of life is constantly changing, growing and decaying. Sometimes when the death card is reversed, we may be dealing with stagnancy, a grasping onto the past, a delay of the inevitable or we may just not be ready for a particular aspect of our life to end. When we are ready to move on and brave the risks and possibilities of change, we may embrace the Death Card.  

Questions to ask yourself when you get the Death Card: Where do I need a clean break in my life? Where is there stagnancy? Am I at an impasse?  What part of my life is changing? What am I grieving?  How can I honor and acknowledge this ending? What could open up for me with this change?  

Artist of Keys

The Artist of Keys from the Collective Tarot, a deck created by a group of folks with a radical genderqueer, Polyamorous, differently abled  perspective. The art is eclectic, evocative, bold and emotional. The court cards are the Seeker, the Apprentice, the Artist and the Mentor, rather than the traditional gendered hierarchical royal court cards, of the Page, Knight, Queen and King.

I have been pulling the artist of keys over the last couple of days and am feeling the energy now as I develop this blog and work on projects. I'm feeling energized, inspired, active and capable, all elements of this card. The image is flowing and warm, a person sending their light out onto a flowing river, energetic fire traveling on fluid water. The candles sent out will spread their energy into world, like ripples on water, attracting and inspiring others.

Questions to ask yourself:
When do you feel confident? What activities energize and inspire you? What do you want to create, develop and share with the world?

The traditional Rider Waite Tarot deck, the deck I learned tarot on and continue to use as a resource to increase my depth of understanding of the cards. The three cards shown above are the sensual, abundant and receptive Empress, The guiding light and possibility of The Star and the overflowing love and heart opening of the Ace of cups. 

The Rider Waite deck, printed in the early 1900's has the art deco look of the time. The style can feel a bit flat and unsexy, but the symbolism and power of the images endure. Many current decks are based off of the Rider Waite. It's a great deck to start with and most books about Tarot are compatible with it. If you are looking for a great book to learn from, I suggest, Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning. She has a spiritual nuanced perspective focused on insight and personal growth. There is also a website by the same author, www.learntarot.com. It has many of the same great lessons and card descriptions found in the book.