The Tarot card for today, Saturday, and Sunday is the Eight of Pentacles (Dedication). This could well be a time to devote yourself to everyday practical matters, things related to family, or issues related to mother earth. Many people in the U.S. will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week. So this energy could translate to making preparations — whether it’s decorating/cleaning the house, planning a menu, shopping, or getting ready for travel. If this is not your thing, then dedicate yourself to making sure you feel safe, grounded, and taken care of. In either case, be proud of what you are able to accomplish.
The Tarot card for today is the Queen of Pentacles (Comfort). For all you do for other people, make sure that you also take care of yourself. It’s good to splurge once in a while and treat yourself to a massage or something small like a magazine at the news stand that you would usually glance at but not pick up. But even on a daily basis, make self care a habit, such as adding a daily dose of aromatherapy or staying consistent with a beauty regimen (that goes for you, too, men, not just women)! Most of all, know your self worth. Know that you are deserving of your own admiration. Be comfortable in your own skin.
The Tarot card for today is the Six of Wands (Recognition). It is time to take a bow as other people around you begin to recognize the hard work you are doing and how well you are doing it. This could relate to your job, creative project, or business venture. It could also be that your light is shining bright from the efforts you have put into your spiritual growth. Give yourself a pat on the back as well as you recognize how far you’ve come since last year or even last month! When it is all said and done, use this heightened vision to map out where you need to go in order to maintain and add to your success.
The Tarot card for today is the Six of Pentacles (Generosity). Although it’s always a good day to be generous — and many of you do it every day — today’s card is a great excuse to make it a conscious priority. Giving money is an easy way to be generous. At the checkout line in some of the big chain stores, the clerk gives us the option to donate a dollar to a particular charity. You may want to consider doing that. Or if you live in a big city and someone asks you for a handout, consider giving them “spare change.” But there are plenty of other ways to give — such as giving someone a compliment, or listening to someone who needs a shoulder to cry on, or even giving someone a random smile. On the other hand, some people find it hard to be on the receiving end of generosity. But think of it this way: Allowing someone to do something for you is actually a kindness to them because it makes then feel good to be able to do something nice for you! Besides, know that you deserve it and that receiving kindness doesn’t make you less than.
Hello, all! As promised, I’m going to use the Angel Tarot by Jayne Wallace for the daily readings, at least for the time being. (Read my review of the Angel Tarot deck.) The Tarot card for today is the Nine of Wands (Determination). Nine is a number of completion. When it comes to your work projects, business ventures, home projects that you are passionate about, and romance, you have achieved a measure of success. Don’t let anyone influence you to give up or to think that what you have gained is worthless. Stand your ground and put the focus on your own creative vision — not on what others think.
I recently started working with a new Tarot deck called the Angel Tarot, published by CICO Books. It’s a 78-card deck based on the Rider-Waite system. Included with the cards is a 64-page booklet written by clairvoyant Jayne Wallace.
The packaging has vibrant, bright colors and the artwork on the box drew me to this deck instantly. I felt a strong, compassionate, reassuring energy just by handling these cards. The card stock is good — just the right amount of sturdy and flexible.
Back of the cards
Angel-Like Characters
The images on the Major Arcana and Court cards feature characters with angel wings. The blurb on the box says that the cards are “angel-inspired.” There is no indication that these “angels” are necessarily associated with beings such as Archangel Michael, Raphael, or others from any of the various religious belief systems. And to me, that is a strength of the cards — that they are not overly bogged down with a lot of preconceived ideas. As a result, the characters can be seen as angels, spirit guides, or any type of being that resonates with you.
Differences from the Rider-Waite Deck If you are familiar with the traditional Rider Waite deck, you may know that the images have a lot of detail in them and there is a lot of symbolism from Christianity, astrology, Kabbalah, and more. By contrast, the images on the Angel Tarot are beautifully drawn but simpler. To give a hint at the cards’ meaning, the Angel Tarot cards include keywords that are close to the meaning of the corre
Fool card comparison
sponding card in the Rider-Waite deck.
For example, with the Rider-Waite Fool card, the color of the sky, the pattern on the Fool’s clothing, and the flower the person is carrying all have a significance, according to traditional interpretation. On the other hand, the image of the Angel Tarot Fool does not have that type of symbolism. Instead, the words “Angel of Innocence” are written on the bottom of the card. The idea of “innocence” is the bare bones meaning of the Fool card in the Rider-Waite deck.
The Moon, Rider-WaiteThe Moon, The Angel Tarot
I like the simplicity of the Angel Tarot because to my mind, it doesn’t carry the tremendous weight of lore and tradition that the Rider-Waite deck carries with it. I find that some Tarot readers try to cram in every bit of symbolism of the Rider-Waite cards when they do a reading, even when it doesn’t really fit the situation. There is a danger of getting bogged down in tradition instead of really answering a person’s question. I believe that there is less chance of that happening with the Angel Tarot. The reader is better able to focus more on the question and channel a meaningful message, with the lighter energy of the Angel Tarot Deck serving to help guide the reader’s own intuition.
Major versus Minor Arcana
Images on the Minor Arcana are minimalist
The images in the Angel Tarot are most detailed with the Major Arcana cards and the Court cards in the Minor Arcana (Cups, Swords, Pentacles, and Wands). The number cards are like a regular deck of playing cards, with the pips drawn against the background of wings (no angels in them). Again, on the bottom of each card is a descriptive word that matches with the concept of the traditional Rider-Waite card. So with the Angel Tarot Four of Cups, for example, the word “Indifference” is written on the bottom of the card. But the image on the card of Four Cups doesn’t help to interpret the Angel Tarot card the way is does on the corresponding Rider-Waite card.
Rider-Waite Four of Cups full of symbolism
Some people may think that it would be hard to read the Angel Tarot without prior knowledge of Rider-Waite. But I’m not so sure about that. The key words definitely help. Also, the booklet gives a bit of guidance on how to interpret the cards. (It also suggests that the suits represent the four elements.)
Even with my knowledge of Rider-Waite, if I were doing a reading for someone with the Angel Tarot cards, I could look at the Four of Cups card to think about the word
“indifference,” and use it as a tool to channel a message from the Universe for the person. Without relying strictly on my memory of traditional card meanings, I would draw on the idea that the suit of Cups relates to the element of water; I would use a similar concept of the elements when it comes to Swords (Air), Wands (Fire), and Pentacles (Earth).
In other words, I think a person using the Angel Tarot could draw on their knowledge of Rider-Waite as much or as little as they feel comfortable. In fact, with the key words on the Angel Tarot cards, you could start reading the cards immediately with absolutely no knowledge of Rider-Waite or any other system. You could simply use free association based on the card and key word sitting in front of you.
Ethnic Diversity
One of my favorite characteristics of the Angel Tarot deck is that there is a multicultural flavor to it. I truly appreciate that the “angels” seem to come from various ethnicities and some of them are racially ambiguous. I applaud this effort toward inclusiveness.
Conclusion
Although I am a huge fan of the Rider-Waite deck and I respect its rich traditional symbolism, it can be a challenge to interpret the cards freely based on modern thinking, modern culture, and individual spiritual guidance. When I use the Rider-Waite deck, I find myself tailoring the reading to resonate with my sensibilities and guidance, as I think everyone should.
Ms. Joyce holding the World card
With that being said, it’s nice to have so many other decks to choose from, including the Angel Tarot, to offer a fresh perspective on traditional interpretations and to help the mind expand to new horizons.
Long story short, I really love the Angel Tarot deck and I would encourage anyone to give these cards a try.
Any comments? Have you had experience with this deck? Let me know!
The Tarot card for today, Saturday, and Sunday is Temperance. Use the energy of this card to achieve balance and serenity. Make sure your needs are taken care of and that you honor the humanity of others. Accept no less and give no less than that. This type of magic can move you ahead on the path toward enlightenment.
Announcement
Starting on Monday, I will be using the Angel Tarot deck for my daily readings. (This makes today’s card even more amazing, considering the Temperance card features an angel on it!) This afternoon, I will post a review of the Angel Tarot deck, which is based on the Rider-Waite system, so look out for that. I’ll also include some photos to give you a preview in case you’re not familiar with the Angel Tarot.
For my personal readings, I will still use the traditional Rider-Waite deck for those who prefer that, but I will also offer the option of the Angel Tarot — so you can choose either one. I’ll be working this weekend to update my Etsy shop and this website.
Once you get a look at the Angel Tarot deck, I hope you are as enchanted with it as I am. As always, I would love to hear your feedback.
The Tarot cards for today are the Two of Swords and the Empress. If there is a decision to be made, don’t be afraid to make a choice. You have probably thought long and hard about it already. It’s just a matter of facing up to it. If the Empress is any indicator, your choice is one that will give you the most stability, comfort, and sense of self nurturing. Don’t be afraid to give yourself what you truly need.
The Tarot card for today is the Chariot. Unlike yesterday, today is a great time to take the reins and move forward with your plans and ideas. Today’s new moon begins a period where you will have the power and momentum to successfully manage opposing forces. Start slow and watch yourself gain speed in the next couple of weeks or so.
The Tarot cards for today are the Page of Pentacles and Temperance. If ever there was a day to hold steady, this is it. Keep your focus on ordinary everyday activities and balance your energy so that you have a relatively quiet and peaceful day. We have a new moon tomorrow morning, depending on where you are in the world. That will be the time to take the brakes off and move forward wholeheartedly with your new ideas and creativity.
The Tarot card for today, Saturday, and Sunday is the Eight of Pentacles (Dedication). This could well be a time to devote yourself to everyday practical matters, things related to family, or issues related to mother earth. Many people in the U.S. will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week. So this energy could translate to making preparations — whether it’s decorating/cleaning the house, planning a menu, shopping, or getting ready for travel. If this is not your thing, then dedicate yourself to making sure you feel safe, grounded, and taken care of. In either case, be proud of what you are able to accomplish.
