Deck: The Stretch tarot
I've been using this deck lately for some personal readings and it's been very helpful to me.
I really do need to acquire some more decks soon. Part of the fun of My Planetary Week is exploring the decks. But here I go again with this beautiful Stretch Tarot.
Saturday, 2.2.
ruled by Saturn - Obstacles and Blockades
I keep drawing this guy. This wizened face is definitely trying to tell me something.
And now he pops up on Obstacles and Blockades day. Maybe I have been too focused on the guide word, Guidance. And as I wrote that sentence I saw the humor.
This King wants to be seen, and understood. And I feel like I can't really see or understand him. This indicates to me that I need to do some some serious learning. I feel like I am always learning things but maybe my approach has been too distant in some way, a bit dilettantish, one foot in, one foot out. It could just be a sign of my limited abilities, or my giving into those limits.
I wrote a blog post earlier this week on exactly that topic. It was really about Human limitation and the audacity to transcend it. This appears to be something I need to look very hard at.
Sunday, 3.2.
ruled by the Sun - Inspiration and Goals
Another King. This one adventuresome and passionate about learning and experiencing, yet, as a King, in control of these strong feelings.
That's a goal. This follows well the theme begun yesterday. I feel I am entering a time of much learning. And to get the most from it requires a certain level of confidence and openness to risk, risk of surpassing the limits I have set for myself, of even just seeing past those limits. And taking down the barriers I have made for myself.
Something is waiting for me. I sense that.
Monday, 4.2.
ruled by the Moon - Dreams and Fears
Another strong card. The High Priestess. The knower and keeper of secrets and truths. Funny, I had a dream last night that was so strange and so weirdly detailed that I will never share it with anyone. In my dream I was able to not in any way internalise the things that were happening. They were not me, even though things were happening to me and around me, I remained psychically unaffected.
This card reflects to me my feeling of being stronger, of realising that I have not been diminished by things that have happened to me. I have been able to detach myself from events and the actions of others and this has been so freeing. To be a force of calm in the presence of unrest is what I am working toward. This is not easy for me.
The High Priestess is also a card of learning and the importance of monitoring the quality of input. This is not the time to take click-bait and go down useless rabbit holes. This is the time for study and research and new experiences.
Tuesday, 5.2.
ruled by Mars - Conflicts and Challenges
This card has the keyword "conflict". The figure is trying to avoid conflict by pretending not to see it.
I have to keep this in mind this week. I have a situation. I am not seeking conflict and don't want to trigger it but I need t remember to be ready to face it and to face it calmly and logically and also with confidence. In the face of conflict it's easy to buckle under it or to do the opposite and dig in your heels against it. Both are wrong and lead to unproductive drama. Conflicts are just problems to be solved. I need to remember to start there.
Wednesday, 6.2.
ruled by Mercury - Interactions and Change
I haven't got the power today to fight any situation, but I have the will to proceed and this is where I need to remember that Strength is not about imposing my will, it's about having the patience to allow things to unfold, to direct events not so much passively but without great expectations. Having the Strength to trust in things coming together as long as I don't give up or give in, which I am wont to do today. The change I am looking for may not happen today. And that's all right.
Thursday, 7.2.
ruled by Jupiter - Power and Influences
The Magician. I wish I could pull a "rabbit" out of my hat right about now.
This is a strange image of the magician. In the background is an exposed brain with a kind of needle poking at it. There is a blurred face. I sense a kind of madness. Someone I love very much is suffering from mental health issues. I would do anything to help. But you have to be careful and very mindful how you help people in this situation. You can do a lot of good. You can also make things worse.
All the cards this week have been pointing me toward measured action. This can be hard for me. But I will try very hard to remember it. Maybe this card is telling me I need to sit with my cards and contemplate this situation and find my best course of action.
Friday, 8.2.
ruled by Venus - Love and Attraction
The Knight of Cups. A beautiful end to this week. This image from the Stretch Tarot has a sort of Magician feel to it with that top hat, so a nice follow on from yesterday. I really feel like these cards this week told a story. maybe they do every week and if I have time I may start ending the week with looking at the cards together and see what it tells me.
Regarding Love and Attraction, the Knight of Cups is known to be very charming. This one certainly is. And with a touch of magic. And love is a kind of magic isn't it? It can change anything.
And what about those who just want to have a Deck of the Week, Card of the Day reading? They can just jump in and leave the planetary lore away. 
