July 1, 2002
Wise Woman's Tarot
by Viviane Lerner
Choosing a
Tarot deck
It seems that, 15 years ago, every woman I met never went anywhere without her tarot cards, and it was always fun to exchange readings and tarot stories. Apparently, nowadays there are more of us into healing than into Tarot reading, although both ultimately come from the same space.
If you don't have a Tarot deck yet, take your time to pick one, it has to "feel right" to nobody but you.
To begin, I recommend one of the "classic decks" [78 cards, 22 Major Arcanas, 56 Minor Arcanas]. Each deck has a distinctive voice. You want one that sings to your life experience, to your heart, to your spirit.
My first experience with tarot reading took place in 1968 within a circle of women who used the "Tarot de Marseille" deck. I was amazed at all the life experience they could bring forth just by looking at few cards. I found one of them, Franjeska, an older Greek woman, especially mesmerizing. Although usually reserved, the minute she touched the cards, shewas lit up from within, her big brown eyes became incredibly spacious and her voice deepened, she became poetry in motion, I hung onto her every word
We took turns reading. They all used the same deck; I hadn't bought my own, and when my turn came to read with theirs, they had to probe me mercilessly to get anything out of me. One day, Franjesca took me aside: "You are trying too hard, let the cards just speak to you." She put the Fool in front of me, had me breathe deeply for a minute and asked what I felt coming from the card. I have no recollection of what I might have come up with. All I remember is that she suddenly burst out laughing. "Wrong deck! Use another one for learning. Later on, it won't matter anymore." Later on? I thought. What makes her so sure I'll ever get into it? She must have caught my drift because she had a knowing smile and said, "Oh yes, it'll come, you'll see…."
Nonetheless, I left the group that day with no intention of experimenting any further. My energy was focused on the feminist issues of the time, the breakup of an 11-years old marriage, and a move to England….
Yet Franjeska knew. Three years later in New York City, out of the blue, a woman I hardly knew gave me the "Aquarian" deck. Tarot had really entered my life.
Reading for the Women of this planet
June 27 &endash; July 27, 02
The way I see it, it all starts with a volcanic eruption of sorts, either as a physical phenomenon or as a metaphor. Responsibilities at this time cannot be dismissed.
The challenge we face during this cycle is in taking advantage of some momentary and limited success rather than give in to a feeling of being overwhelmed. There's hope even amidst rubble is the message, here.
At the root, I see the need for truths to be told. Submission doesn't help, love without fear is the idea. We are barely out of a cycle when we went totally bananas, says the Dakini [one of my decks].
It seems that something happened, 2 weeks ago or so, that relied on our creativity, our empathy, our capacity for meaningful expression. We were asked to plug into the fundamental mysteries with awe.
The overall climate during this 4-week cycle spells a predominance of mental activity, worry, agitation, war. Yet this is the prelude to a new cycle, a rebirth of sorts for us.
2 weeks from now, the women of this world are confronted with a new wave of fundamentalism. A lot of diktats seem to prevail, assorted with shoulds and shouldn'ts, "I told you so," "Do as I say." Yet, it's also the time when a snake is uncoiling and moving upward. A major and highly fortunate change is beginning to unfold.
Women's attitude during this cycle is involved with the responsibility for nurturing [what's new?]. There's a greater desire for liberation and greater awareness.
In our daily environment, it seems that this cycle effects a reversal of bad trends. A message comes through from above, from the Goddess. Some of us will be receptive to it and will endeavor to share it.
What drives us at this time is a desire to bring about prosperity and well-being for all. We long for generosity, dignity, and grace. Actually, it's time to act, a dilemma can be resolved at this time, the door is open for new beginnings.
A month from now, many women start getting together to share feelings, dreams and visions. They are intent on preserving home and family in the face of social, political and economic change.
A major effort is undertaken, decisions have to be made collectively, that require a balancing act between the physical, mental and spiritual planes. Shortly thereafter, comes a time for letting go of all preconceptions, for not clinging to the world of masks and shams, to see it all as fluid and transient and to open our mind to new possibilities.
If you have any question or comment you'd like to share, or if you'd like a reading, don't hesitate to contact me at vlerner@interpac.net