“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
– Juliet (Romeo & Juliet – II, ii, 1-2)
This marks the beginning of my journey through Mary K. Greer’s wonderful book, 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card.
In this step, all we have to do is ‘Name the Card’. You got it! Just shuffle your deck and pull 3 cards, choose one that ‘speaks’ to you the most, and just name that card! And that card shall be the one you use along your journey through the 20 remaining steps.
Easy? Hell No!
I thought it would be. Very eagerly, I began shuffling my deck of cards first thing in the morning, and whenever I pulled 3 cards to choose from, I kept cribbing and whining about them. I just couldn’t seem to ‘connect’ with any of those cards that came up. Which is funny of course, considering I love this deck and can read those very same cards if they appeared within a spread. But when it came down to this seemingly simple exercise, I was all, “no way Josefina!”.
You see, I wanted ‘the perfect’ card to navigate through all 21 Steps with. I wanted a card that was scenic and filled with symbolism so that I could explore it in depth, and perhaps more interesting than pleasing. This ruled out quite a few cards within the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, which on it’s own is an amazing and totally fabulous deck, but there just aren’t as many ‘scenic’ cards! The Aces, The Knights and other courts, and some of the Minors, are rich with symbolism and have images that spring out at you with meaning, but they just so aren’t suitable (at least for me) to go through all 21 Steps successfully (again, my own very subjective perception that was probably altered at the time of doing the exercise).
Finally, after hours (yes hours) of pulling out ‘imperfect’ cards for the exercises, I decided to try a different approach.
I decided to just keep shuffling my deck over and over again and allow the ‘perfect card’ to jump out of the deck in the process.I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer (more like demanding diva rant) to the universe to help me in this crazy venture. I shuffled over, and over, and over, and over… right up till the point my hands were sore. And just as I was one shuffle away from giving up, the following card fell out:-
Yes! This was perfect!
Not only was it ‘scenic’ and ‘rich’, but the card itself is so intriguing. Plus, although this card is similar to those in other decks, it’s still oh so very different. Plus come on, doesn’t it so totally remind you of The Phantom of the Opera?
And hence, now that I’m happy that I found my ‘perfect card’, I shall go ahead and say it’s name!
” The 6 of Swords!”
Oh wow – what a lovely deck…and the card is so mysterious!!! It definitely looks like something out of the Phantom :o)
I picked and my 3 cards were death, 9 wands, and 6 pents..the latter really spoke to me (used the Manga). Curiouser and curiouser!!!
(gorgeous blog) ;o) xx
Thanks Honey *hugs*
I know right? It so totally seems to be the ‘boat scene’ from Phantom of the Opera!
Oooo.. 6 of Pents in Mange is really an interesting one. Do follow my ‘journey’ through the 21 steps, I can’t wait to read about your experiences!
xoxo
ZiZi
Hey Z, said on FB I’d leave a comment. Lovely site, looking forward to reading along with you 🙂 x M
Hey M,
So glad you like the blog. Your fabulous blog is part inspiration for me taking up blogging again. With your love and blessings, hopefully my blog grows and blossoms like yours.
Thank you
xoxo
ZiZi
Completely!! *hears the music of the night* ;o)
Night-time sharpens,
heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defences …
Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour
Grasp it, sense it – tremulous and tender
Turn your face away
from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away
from cold, unfeeling light –
and listen to the music of the night …
😀
{{{{{ZiZi}}}}} I have just finished reading through your blog and I LOVE IT! now who else could do this like you do?! who compare tarot to a theatre scene?! Zorian, thats who….Brilliant I love the way you see the cards…much love to you )0( Blessed Be xxx
{{{{{{{{{{{NQ}}}}}}}}}}} Thank you so much NQ. So happy you love my blog.
LOL… I’m glad you like the way I compared the 6 of Swords with Phantom of the Opera… I feared maybe people wouldn’t see it and think I’m just being too gay. So happy you and everyone can see the distinction between the two.
Thank you for being a wonderful friend
xoxo
ZiZi
Hi Zorian, I need to come back and have a good read, so this is just a quick note. Love your post on this.
Wanted to ask you about whether you like it on WordPress other than Blogspot….
will come back later on and make myself a coffee and read your posts,
love and light
Thank you Theresa,
So glad you like the blog. It’s still a work in progress, but am being patient and developing it steadily, day by day. I do hope you enjoy it with each and every new post, and would so totally appreciate your feedback and comments on the various posts.
Regarding WordPress v/s Blogspot… well, Blogspot allows for more customization n stuff… but I gotta say, despite being relatively bland, having no room for additional java widgets, and being ever so time consuming in creating and editing blogs… WordPress is winning me over. It’s a completely different ball game than Blogspot… but with patience and tinkering around… you get to discover what a gem it truly is!
xoxo
ZiZi
What a perfect card to journey through 21 Ways with! And yes, I totally see the Phantom of the Opera resemblance! 🙂
Thanks Lisa ❤
Isn't the resemblance between the card and Phantom of the Opera so eerie? So perfect for a musical buff like me!
xoxo
ZiZi
I really like the comparison between the 6 of Swords and the Phantom of the Opera – how true!!
I know right? I’m so totally sure Ciro must have either been listening to the soundtrack of the musical while creating the card, or maybe he had seen it live (or movie) before and subconsciously was inspired!
(How cool would an ‘Into the Woods’ Tarot be?!?!)
xoxo
ZiZi
I can’t see anyone else but you making an Into the Woods tarot…that would, indeed, be very cool! Very neat comparison here – keep ’em coming!
Hehehehe… who knows, maybe some day I just might create one! If not Into the Woods, then at least an entire Broadway Tarot! 😀
Will be posting Step 2: Description next. Can’t wait to begin delving deeper into this card.
xoxo
ZiZi
[…] Step 1, when I had first seen the 6 of Swords, I was immediately reminded of a scene from the musical […]
Zorian;
Like the other posts, I can see how you connected that famous scene from Phantom of the Opera to the six of swords. Because I know you love all things musical I can see why you had that association of that card to that particular scene. In fact though if you look closely at our world you will notice that there is a running thread of similarities between card depictions and ‘real’ life. For example any church (particularly a majestic and turreted church) is easily the ‘Heriophant’ for me. Once about 12 years ago in a churchyard near where I used to live I saw in graphic detail the ‘5 of pentacles’ being played out: there was a church picnic going on in the grounds and all kinds of goodies being consumed by the parishoners. Nearby, and just under a stained glass window, sat a bedraggled couple with thier back to the food and all the festivities going on. The couple was begging on the street but didnt seem to notice the plethora of food in the background and just inches away from them. I watched this scene with interest for a few minutes, noticing how it parallelled the 5 of coins so closely. I had to leave but on my way back I noticed that someone from the party had given the couple some ice-cream which they were now eating. I silently marvelled at how a card could ‘come to life’ this way and also how it ended so happily -giving a real life example that the cards can not only paralel real life but also are flexible -negative connatations can end up being positive and vice versa.
Celeste
Hey Celeste,
Wow… your story about the 5 of Pentacles is indeed fascinating. It truly is amazing how the Tarot can reflect ‘real-life’ and vice-versa. The connection between the two continues to amaze me till this very day. Like your 5 of Pentacles, I have seen the 6 of Pentacles enacted numerous times. Patrons in front of temples and churches over here tend to distribute money, food, blankets, etc to the poor, who come clamoring for the few ‘luxuries’ provided to them. Since it’s made sure every beggar receives the same amount of food/blankets/clothing/money, etc, everything is carefully measured while being distributed to ensure an equal and fair distribution of resources. Just like in the 6 of Pentacles!
Thank you for sharing your story, and Thank you so much for your love and support.
xoxo
Z
Zorian,
I found your blog through The Tarot Channel. I am beginning, again, with “21 Ways” thanks to you.
Like I said in my post to The Tarot Channel, ………when are you going to do a podcast?
This is a lot of fresh energy……….thank you, so much.
Aww.. thank you Suzi. I’m so glad (and thrilled) to hear that my lil ol blog is inspiring you to begin “21 Ways” again! I would so totally love to know how it works out for you, so please keep me updated. And if you have any questions, doubt, queries, or anything, feel free to ask. I’ll be more than happy to help.
As far as when am I doing a podcast… well, whenever they’ll ask me to do one, I’ll do it in a heartbeat 😀
Thank you so much for your love and support
xoxo
Z
Well, I picked my card today. The three cards were 4 of swords, 6 of swords (oh, yeah), and the Knight of Wands.
I was immediately drawn to the Knight of Wands. He was so much more active than the other two. The people in the other two cards seemed to be into their own heads, especially the 4 of Swords, as he slept through it all!.
I left them on my kitchen table while I went to work, and tonight I looked at the Knight of Wands and he was wide awake and looking back at me, unlike the other two cards.
And, you discussed the Courts on your blog today, so that settled it once and for all. The Knight of Wands is the card of choice for me.
Hey Suzi,
Wow, to think, the 6 of Swords even chased after you :D. A couple of my friends on Facebook also got the 6 of Swords as one of their cards to journey through the 21 Steps, some stuck to it, some went with another. But I’m just surprised how many people are pulling the 6 of Swords as well. Must be a serendipitous thing or something.
Ah, a Knight would be perfect to journey through these steps, especially a Knight of Wands to keep you energized and motivated throughout. And I wish you all the luck on your own journey. Which deck are you using? Please do keep me up to date with your progress, would so love to hear about it. And if you face any trouble or need to ask any questions along the way, please feel free to do so.
Thank you for your love and support.
xoxo
Z
Z,
I am using Kat Black’s Touchstone Tarot.
Yeah, that is very interesting that so many have pulled the 6 of Swords. I must admit that my first impulse was to choose it simply because I’d have you to come along, too!
I study tarot, when I can, with a group. I enjoy it so much more! However, we are all busy with jobs and family, so we don’t meet at one another’s kitchen table as much as we’d like. But, I thought about being more “independent” and liked the way the Knight is so much more active than the “sleeping guy” in the 4 of Swords and the “internally dialoging mother” is in the 6 of Swords.
Now, I need to describe this Knight. If I can stay awake tonight when the house is quiet, I’ll set to my task.
How many decks do you have, by the way. Just wondering…
Have a wonderful day, Z
Suzi
Hey Suzi,
Kat Black’s Touchstone Tarot is lovely, and I’m so totally excited about your journey through the 21 Ways.
Studying Tarot with a group is really fun. One can learn so much by interacting with other like-minded-souls, and so much can be discovered within a group. However, like you mentioned, sometimes ‘life’ catches on with us, and groups tend to meet less. However, sometimes the revelations we receive within a solitary study can truly transform us.
I have about 35 odd decks (including Oracles n stuff). Since I live all the way in India, and we don’t have Amazon here, majority of my decks are gifts from friends and family from all over the world. I’m blessed to have such wonderful people within my life who are always supporting my growth and progress with the Tarot.
Are you on Facebook? If so, add me (Zorian Cross) and ‘fan’ Tarot Quest. On the Tarot Quest Fan Page, I’ve uploaded images from some of my various decks, with a lil story about how I received them.
Have a fabulous day ahead, and do keep me posted on your journey.
Thank you for your Love and Support
xoxo
Z
[…] just the 6 of Swords, but with exploring all the various steps within my journey. As mentioned in Step 1, the card chose me, I didn’t choose the card. So in a way, the message I got from the card […]
I was browsing and came across your site
You are brilliant
Dont stop blogging and oneday do a book
I would like first copy please signed
dave
Aw, Thank you DrDave, that’s really sweet of you to say.
I dunno about a book, but when I do come out with one, you’ll def get a first copy signed 😀
Thank you for your love and support.
xoxo
Z
Oh, yeah, Z, I DO agree with Dave. I try to catch up with you, but lately work and the Holidays are demanding most of my time. You are a reminder to me to check in with my Knight of Wands (oh, EVERY time I type the word “Wands” it keeps coming up as “WANTS”? Must sit with that one after the Holidays.
To continue; when you do come out with a book, I just know it will be so very, very different, and that the cover will be unbelieveable. (Your artistic eye)
I have read some of your articles from BroomStix, and loved them. Even at my age, I’ll be checking it out. Though it’s for the 5 to 13 year old age group, I STILL learn something!
Hope you had a Blessed Yule, Z.
Suzi
Awww… Thank you so much Suzi. I don’t have any official plans for a book yet, but when that time does come, I shall do my best to make it as indepth (and fun at the same time) as possible. And yes, the cover will be fabulous!
Well, the Knight of Wands always wants attention, so perhaps that explains why you constantly type ‘want’ instead of ‘wands’. Keep me posted on your journey along the way. (Now you have me on FB).
It was amazing to write for Broomstix. Natalie is the best editor ever! Always encouraging me to express myself without holding back. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed my articles from Broomstix. Learning is something we do eternally. Sometimes we learn a whole lot more from kids than we could ever possibly teach them.
Thank you so much for your love and support, and hope you had a Blessed Yule and Merry Christmas
xoxo
Z
Hey Zorian,
I read this blogpost of yours last month but didnt really know what it was all about, since I didnt have the book (and didnt even know about it) back then. It so happened that the tarot book I reserved from local library arrived a few days ago (awfully little books on tarot in the local libraries… like 20~30) and it was Mary Greer’s 21 Ways! Yes I heard about the book a little while ago and made a reservation from the library. As I flipped through the pages, the exercises described just seem vaguely familiar and then today I clicked into your blog – oh! havent I seen it on Zorian’s blog before! 😀 what a synchronicity!
Will let you know how I get on with it.
love,
Paul
Hey Paul,
That is so cool! I’m happy you were able to get a copy of Mary’s 21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card. It’s such an amazing book, and I can’t wait to hear about your journey with your selected card. Speaking of which, have you picked your card yet? If so, which one is it, and of which deck? Please,do keep me posted on your progress.
Thank you so much for your love and support.
xoxo
Z
hi Zorian,
No I haven’t picked a card yet, first of all because I thought I might want to browse thru the 21 ways first before starting on it! Secondly, alas! I thought I have calmed down already but I found myself still emotionally turbulent this past week!
But then recently it so happened I have the chance to give a few reading to friends! I started to learn tarot just for myself, and this was perhaps only the third or fourth friend I had actually attempted to give a reading! it was both insanely stressful but insightful and opened up a totally new door for me! Will tell you more later.
I use the Thoth deck, which is anything but ‘scenic’. (I was just thinking today whether I should not treat myself by choosing a more scenic tarot deck. New Year’s gift! 😀 )
and by the way, you wouldnt believe it! I just checked my email and realized that, only four hours ago, an online tarot reading site I subscribed that automatically generate a weekly card have just sent me the six of swords card! and I have never receive the six of sword from it before! hor hor! looks like I am one of your facebook friends who got the six of swords card! lol
oh almost forgot I have another deck – the mythic tarot. But I havent used it for more than a year already… hmmm I’ll see which one I would work on…
Love
Paul
Hey Paul,
Sorry to hear about all the emotional turbulence you’ve encountered over the past week. It can really take a whole lot out of a person, so please heal well from it.
Wow, congratulations on reading for your friends. It can be quite a scary thing to do at first, but I’m so happy to hear that despite the insane amount of stress, it was an insightful experience for you and opened new doors for you. Can’t wait to hear more about it. The only way you can get over the initial stress and stuff is by practicing over and over and over. When I had no one to read for, I’d read for my dolls and teddy bears n stuff. It helped me to express myself more coherently, and was fun to imagine all sorts of scenarios and read for them.
Ah, Thoth can be quite a challenge to complete the 21 Ways. When I initially was gifted the book, I wanted to give it a spin with the Thoth, only to be left extremely frustrated and wanting to pull my hair out. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Thoth deck, and I’m sure the cards can be used for each and every exercise within the book. I just haven’t found a way to merge it. Maybe you could be the lucky one to do so 🙂
However, Mythic is scenic, but again, don’t force a deck upon yourself. Feel completely confident and secure with your choice of deck, and then choose a card, and delve into the 21 Ways :). And maybe a spanking new scenic Tarot would make an ideal New Year gift. Start the year with a new deck, and then by the end of 2010, you’ve discovered 21 ways to read all the cards of the new deck 😀
LOL… so love the synchronicity of your journey with Tarot and 21 Ways and the 6 of Swords. The Universe is totally signalling you to embark on your journey through the 21 Ways 😉
Thank you so much for your love and support.
xoxo
Z