My Planetary Week #1: May 26 - June 1st

[Nemia]

This is an invitation to work with one card deck for one week in a group reading.

You can pick any deck: tarot, Lenormand, Kipper, oracle or playing cards. From this deck, you'll draw one card per day - i.e., seven Daily Cards from your Deck of the Week that allow you to get to know the deck better, to hone your reading skills and get new insights about your life.

In a Planetary Week reading, we don't only draw a card per day but also give it a topic. We focus on motifs, topics, patterns in our lives, inspired by the planetary ruler of every weekday (for background information, look here).

On Saturdays, ruled by Saturn: Obstacles and Blockades,
on Sundays, ruled by the Sun: Inspiration and Goals,
on Mondays, ruled by the Moon: Dreams and Fears,
on Tuesdays, ruled by Mars: Conflicts and Challenges,
on Wednesdays, ruled by Mercury: Interactions and Change,
on Thursdays, ruled by Jupiter: Power and Influences, and
on Fridays, ruled by Venus: Love and Attraction.




There are different ways to perform a Planetary Week reading.

Traditional: draw a card per day and use the prism of the planetary influence to connect the card to your day and life.

Selective: select a card that suits the topic of each weekday and use it as affirmation and empowerment to improve your life.

Day-by-day: draw or pick your daily card one by one through the week.

Summarily: draw or pick all cards together before the week starts and treat them as a complete reading.

Share pictures if you can or want to.

No matter how we do it - by reminding ourselves of the planetary regents and their influence, we re-connect to the sevenfold cycle of time that our ancestors established, with their eyes to the sky.

Participants:

Nemia: Ghosts and Spirits Tarot
CharlotteK: Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights
I Sunshine: Daughters of the Moon Tarot

[Nemia]

I chose my Ghosts and Spirits Tarot by Lisa Hunt for my first Planetary Week reading. It's a deck I didn't read with much, and I want to get to know it better. That's why I will also have a look at the lwb.

Saturday: Obstacles and Challenges

It's the Page of Pentacles, either a person or a part of me (I'm an Earth sign so that might be my inner brat ) And it's Jack Frost - a figure I don't know much about. Let's see the lwb...

2018 05 26 Page of Pentacles lwb.jpg (132.82 KiB) Viewed 3085 times

The diviniatory message is spot on, and it also reflects truthfully where I'm stuck in my life. My creative potential remains unfulfilled, and let's not talk about the financial potential. I've always found it difficult to ask for money for the work I do. I know that I should continue my Inner Child journey, and I don't.

In short, some hoarfrost is hanging over my life which is beautiful... but I'd do better to thaw up a bit, to open up to the potential that might still be there and connect my past with my future via my present.

And now I'll see how it plays out tomorrow, this insight from the Page of Pentacles. It's a message the tarot has been trying to get through to me more than once.

I'm pretty excited about this idea for a group reading, I must say.

And in that sense, it's very suitable to start out with a Page of Pentacles, no matter which deck. Pentacles, that's me, and it's a new undertaking, and I enter it with a lot of enthusiasm and optimism, like all Pages. I take this card as a blessing for our Planetary Week readings, may they be helpful, productive and inspiring for us all.

[I Sunshine]

Using Daughter of the Moon Tarot and decided to use the draw a card each day method.
So for Saturday May 26 I drew Mother of Pentacles ~ Taurus, Great Corn Mother. I drew it almost perfectly upside down (this being a round deck, reversal can be in degrees).
This card corresponds with the Queen of Pentacles. I have not yet looked to see how to post pictures as of yet, so will do a brief description. The card is a rich orange-ish tan. There is a dark haired mother planting corn in a very rich, fallowed field. She has a papoose with a baby on her back, The sun is behind her head making a kind of halo. Corn grows to the left of her. Next to her is a round disc of turquoise blue with a sun motif on it.
My first thought is of my daughter who is a Taurus. She is moving out of state and all the way across the US in one week. It is not a move that I am sure is the correct choice and she & I have had conflict over it. I am not sure about the man she is moving in with, have never met him and have grave concerns. So this card being upside down does not surprise me.
I was a bit stumped as to how this was an obstacle to me until I read the DotM book. It says that for a reversed card it could mean a health issue or old mess to take care of. If I take this to be the meaning, it is spot on and has nothing to do with my daughter. I have a spot on my face that needs to be looked at. It is bothering me bad and I am coming up against my old conditioning where taking care of this type of stuff is difficult for me. I also have teeth problems: and the same applies. It is a complicated an long story and goes all the way back to my childhood. What I want to do is cuss. I hope that later in the week the deck will help me deal, rather than just point out a problem that I am struggling with, that I don't want to face.

[Nemia]

I thought about the Page of Pentacles some more today. I had a very quiet day and nothing much happened but I realized that many times in my life I started out as Page of Pentacles and didn't go through with all kind of things. I started so many projects, jobs, ideas, courses, friendships - but I never get any further with them. The optimism of the Page stage just fizzes out (is that a word?). And that's a consistent problem in my life. the Page is there but in the Knight stage, I just get out. Something to think about.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and I want to think about my goals and inspirations.

It's the Six of Swords. And pretty different from the RWS tradition, too. Who's that guy?

2018 05 27 Six of Swords lwb.jpg (142.28 KiB) Viewed 3072 times

Interesting, Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Quite a jump from the traditional Six of Swords to Gilgamesh and then to the divinatory meaning. The need for reflection is very true, and the idea of inspiration coming from lost memories or lost friends hits very much home for me. The card seems to connect the realm of the unconscious and the material from the past with the idea of the Sun, of vitality and stretching up into the light.

I find it encouraging that on the day dedicated to the Sun, a Six appears. Tif'eret, the sunny sephira. Although obviously the kabbalah played no role whatsoever for the Ghosts and Spirits Tarot But it's the most uplifting card in the whole Swords suit. And that's thanks to the perfect balance of the Six, thanks to the radiant power of Tif'eret. And this sets the Six of Swords into motion, that's where the idea of change, recovery, movement comes from imho. The negativity attached to many of the Sword cards turns around in the Six - at least for a time.

Let's see how all this plays out tomorrow. It's another very quiet day, at least outwardly. I have a lot to do but it's in front of the computer, not in the outside world.

[CharlotteK]

I'm using the Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights this week.

I have the deck only, no LWB although I am given to understand that I am not missing out on anything there

Today's card associated with Obstacles and Blockades is Trump XI - Courage (Strength).

Here we have a robed man with what appears to be a bow in his hand and quiver of arrows on his back at the bottom of a ravine that is occupied by an enormous fanged serpent that is literally a giant obstacle, blockading his way.

I might often associate this major with fortitude, inner strength or strength of character, the ability to endure, even stoicism... but this card has a very different feel. The man is small, he is semi crouching - is he cowering slightly? He would appear to have zero chance against such a huge opponent, a snake with lightening reflexes many times bigger than he is.

So what courage does he need? Perhaps he could outmanoeuvre the snake in order ro make his way up the ravine if he is very smart. He may also be able to escape but he would have to turn back and run the way he came. In both cases he would need to keep his head and not be completely overwhelmed by what seems like an impossible situation. He can't stay where is he so he needs to find the courage to act one way or the other.

Relating this to my day, my biggest obstacle to getting where I want to be is my fitness, with my age possibly playing a factor. I've very recently taken up kickboxing - at 47 - and it is very daunting. I do feel a bit like I'm facing up that ravine with all my aches and pains and feeling out of shape and the challenge is pretty enormous. I'm not going to get fit overnight but I had a really good session today - my fourth - and it seems I naturally have a great kick. So perhaps I'll find a way

[I Sunshine]

Day Two: Sunday May 27th, Inspiration and Goals

I drew the 10 of cups, which in the Daughters of the Moon is a beautiful card (as in most decks).
It shows a circle of women standing waist deep in a pool of water created by a waterfall just behind them. They are holding hands with arms stretched out, to me looking like it is a ritual or raising of power. The title is Ecstasy.

Drawing this card in and of itself is inspiration to me. I immediately went out to my hot tub, with my latte, and enjoyed the sun sparkling on the water as it shined through my trees. Sat out there and gave gratitude for the solitude and beauty of my very humble backyard.

I will see about posting pictures and revisit this image & theme later to day, if permitted.

[Nemia]

Of course it's permitted Feel free! we're all busy people!

[CharlotteK]

Inspiration and Goals are today represented by Three of Wands

A man on a bamboo raft, surrounded by baskets and caught fish, waits, spear in hand, to make his next catch.

He has purpose, intent, focus, physical ability, equipment, and patience. The sun appears to be setting, perhaps he has been fishing all day but has get to reach his target?

Patience is critical to landing the catch, but so is skill and good fortune. Not everything can be controlled but some things can be nurtured. As a vegan I don't especially identify with catching fish but as a metaphor for making sure I have what I need to sustain me and help me grow, it makes sense.

Hard work often comes with the territory. Continuing on the fitness theme I did a solid weights session in the gym and took my Mum's greyhound for a walk. The main thing here is that I do have goals - to get fit so I can stay healthy into my old age. The man on the bamboo raft, fishing as the sun goes down, is the equivalent of me getting off my backside and down to the gym - driven by necessity and goals when I would, being honest, rather lounge around and read!

[Nemia]

For tomorrow, Monday, we have the Moon, asking me about my Dreams and Fears.

That looks like a pretty frightening story. I can't identify it. It looks like some nightmare...

... and indeed it is. I didn't know the story and it's pretty pessimistic. Imagine doing your greatest deed but becoming so damaged in its aftermath that you're reduced to a shadow of your former self.

Only in the word "inner reserves" do I find something encouraging. Otherwise, this card really reflects the nightmare motif of the RWS card.

And how does that connect to my life right now, to my dreams and fears? I don't have the power right now to make the final push, to confront and fight my personal fears and demons... I have a concrete offer of concrete help which I didn't answer yet because the details are too daunting. This card should actually kick my butt a bit and get me into action. If I want to take a big worry from my shoulders, I have to do a couple of phone calls tomorrow. Unpleasant like this frightening head but necessary. I hope I'll find the courage to confront my fears and make this help available.

That's actually my project for tomorrow. The to-do-list is long as always but these telephone calls are absolutely necessary.

[Nemia]

And tomorrow - Tuesday, Mars, Conflicts, Problems, Challenges...


It's the Four of Cups.

2018 05 29 four of cups.jpg (15.44 KiB) Viewed 3038 times

It's like the Hanged Man under water. Like Houdini with no options.

2018 05 29 four of cups lwb.jpg (110.26 KiB) Viewed 3038 times

Davy Jones' locker.

And it's true. When I see a conflict, when I smell it, I enter Davy Jones' locker and don't know how to get out. Wow. Tarot works. What a clincher.

[CharlotteK]

Well! Look what turned up again today for dreams and fears.

So I hope I will have the courage to take the right action to get round my obstacles. But I fear it is more than I can handle? It is interesting that the same major showed up twice within three days!

[CharlotteK]

The Sun.

Nope. I am not feeling harmonious and positive and like all is well with the world today. But I am very much looking forward to a sunny week in Portugal at the end of July and I have been thinking this morning that it can't come soon enough. I like this view of a town and the ocean. It looks like the sun is starting to set. Feeling very.wistful about summer evenings with sea views.

[Nemia]

Tomorrow is Wednesday, ruled by Mercury, and I'll have a look at my Interactions and Changes.

The Star! That's a good sign. So there is hope for my interaction style, and I CAN manage future changes.

I must have been crazy to start a new weekly spread with a new and unknown deck in a new environment but look how well it turned out. It's a change! and it's interaction.

I feel that this card is related to more general topics in my life but also concretely to the change in this week. And that's this forum. I feel very happy here, and I hope it will turn into a lively, happy place. A Mercury place - full of communication and interaction (that's the medium, we have to connect through the written word, realm of Hermes/Thoth, the scribe) and also a place where the souls learn new roads (the Psychopompos motif).

I'm happy with this card for tomorrow. Who wouldn't be happy about the Star? Good times for change. (Every single reading lately tells me that change is imminent).

Btw, Davy Jones' locker played out nicely today. I avoided confrontations. And it's better like that, the time is not right for the confrontations in the air.

[Nemia]

For tomorrow, Thursday, we look at Power and Influences in our lives.

The Knight of Wands. A court card, which I find difficult to read as aspect of my own character - the Knight of Wands is not really me. This card has all the flexibility, assertiveness and self confidence that I would like to have sometimes. And that's how I understand this card. When thinking about the mechanisms of power and interpersonal influence in my life, a handful of Knight of Wands energy wouldn't go amiss. Too often, I manoever myself into a position of helplessness or let others decide or give in although my heart is not in it. I let others act and then react. That's not a good idea.

2018 05 31 Ghosts and Spirits Tarot Knight of Wands lwb.jpg (134.87 KiB) Viewed 3050 times

2018 05 31 Ghosts and Spirits Tarot Knight of Wands lwb2.jpg (18.3 KiB) Viewed 3050 times

Lisa Hunt picks another figure I didn't know before (reminds me a bit of Orpheus and Eurydike), and the divinatory meaning again talks about change and creativity The need for change and the search for a creative outlet are the motto of my readings for some time now. I did make some progress but not enough.

If I look at the picture only, I think of other motifs in my life, too. Where am I being "saved" against my will? Why do some people think it's okay to interfere in my life? This card really reflects some events in my life lately.

[Nemia]

Oh wow, the first week is nearly over! Can't believe it!

For tomorrow, Friday, I'll focus on Love and Attraction in my life.

The Hermit! I didn't expect that. I've been married for nearly 30 years... and I feel very much part of a couple. I usually read the Hermit under the aspect of thinking alone, acting alone, seeking alone. But I think this lovely image puts the emphasis somewhere else.

It's a dryad, and oh, I love dryads and all other kinds of nymphs. I remember a book about mythology I had as a child where all the different kinds of nymphs were listed, and I was fascinated by a world where people could see lovely spirits in every grove, brook and tree.

2018 06 01 Ghosts and Spirits Tarot Hermit lwb1.jpg (53.32 KiB) Viewed 3045 times

2018 06 01 Ghosts and Spirits Tarot Hermit lwb2.jpg (54.13 KiB) Viewed 3045 times

If I expand my Venus day question, then we have here indeed something that my heart desires. The mysteries of the forest, the time out and the re-connection to the spiritual life that is hidden everywhere - that's exactly what I need.

Most of my cards tell me to act, to decide, to change, to do something - and it's certainly true that I still didn't dry all the swamps of procrastination and indecision in my life.

But I also need the things the dryad stands for.

I confess, I love this card. This whole deck is magical even though it's quite different from other decks. But it's Ghosts and Spirits so why should it be "normal"?

I think I'll put up this card somewhere so that I can see it before me. I find it very empowering.

[I Sunshine]

Well the week got away from me ~~ again! Ah, the web of life.
So I did draw for Monday: Dreams and Fears. And I was determined to put up a picture. You would think this was easy, but my phone did not cooperate.

I drew the 4 of Pentacles, a card all about Security in the most basic sense. It depicts 4 African women with large jars getting water for their families. In the far background is the Sahara... or some plain, undeveloped land. Nearer are the fields with the men working them. Nearer still are the huts.

Very good. It is interesting to me that the security revolves around water, which too me is not just a life giving element, but also represents emotions. And this is very much in line with both my dreams and fears. I found the cards comforting.

[I Sunshine]

One, two, skip a few. I did not draw for Tuesday and Wednesday. I really do not have an excuse. I am retired. I was gardening and exercising. Tuesday I did spend with my daughter who is moving across the continent this coming Sunday. And Wednesday I spent with my son. So yeah.

For today, Thursday: Power and Influence, ruled by Jupiter (my ruling sign):

I drew the Priestess, tilted 45 degrees to the left. She is a very regal looking lady. She looks within, with power. Tilted in this manner speaks to be of power that has not been fully realized yet. Three quarters of the way there. I don't draw this card often, so I pay attention when I do.

[I Sunshine]

Oh wow, the first week is nearly over! Can't believe it!

For tomorrow, Friday, I'll focus on Love and Attraction in my life.

...
I confess, I love this card. This whole deck is magical even though it's quite different from other decks. But it's Ghosts and Spirits so why should it be "normal"?

I think I'll put up this card somewhere so that I can see it before me. I find it very empowering.

I am very glad you are using this deck this week, Nemia. I have the deck and have never used it. I am enjoying your draws immensely

[Nemia]

Thank you! I enjoyed the deck, and the week, too. The seven days, seven planets, seven issues in my life-pattern worked quite well although I have to decide from day to day whether the card relates to the issues that appear in this very concrete week, or as pattern in my life in general. But the cards always ask us to change between close-up to middle range to panorama and back again.

The deck worked well. It has an otherworldly atmosphere that I enjoyed very much. I'm fascinated by Lisa Hunt's work, sooner or later I'll try the Shapeshifter, too. I'm still waiting for the new German version of the Fairy Tale Tarot and will snap it up as soon as it's available.

The combination of Friday/Venus/Love and Attraction/Hermit/Dryad/Spirituality in Nature is so wonderful, so magical and so much what I need right now - that was for me the best card of the week (obviously - since it doesn't challenge me as much as most of the other cards do ).

I hope next week more people are curious to see how it works. I'll use another of my rather new decks, the gorgeous Star Tarot.

[I Sunshine]

All morning today (Friday) I was thinking of Love & Attraction governed by Venus. To the point that when I went out to the hot tub and a bird flew onto the feeder and a bee landed on the edge of the tub seeking water, the song (old, old song)
"Let me tell you about the birds & the bees
and the flowers and the trees
and the moon up above
And this thing called Love."
Popped right into my mind. Wow. Better pull my card.

Last card of the week using Daughters of the Moon, my round deck.
Pulled the Three of Blades, called Focus in this deck. Once again it is tilted, same as yesterdays, 45 degrees to the left, so not yet complete, but well on the way.
This card shows three women of differing racial back grounds, sitting naked cross-legged on the sand in front of a Sphinx and a Pyramid. They all have their eyes closed and their arms raised like in meditation. From each of their heads is a blue blade like force all aiming and connected to a blue energy star in the center of the sky. It looks like these blades are coming from their crown chakra. Wow.
What better thing to focus on than love? How better to show attraction than by focused meditation, which to be is what prayer is. I like this take on this card.

[Nemia]

I spent some time now looking at the Daughters of the Moon on the Internet - very interesting, thank you. I don't have any completely woman-centered decks in my collection although they are an important part of the development of tarot and I have always been interested in the Divine Feminine. (And I have strong childhood memories of the liberating impact feminism made on traditional families in the 60s and 70s...)

Thank you for using this powerful deck.

[I Sunshine]

I spent some time now looking at the Daughters of the Moon on the Internet - very interesting, thank you. I don't have any completely woman-centered decks in my collection although they are an important part of the development of tarot and I have always been interested in the Divine Feminine. (And I have strong childhood memories of the liberating impact feminism made on traditional families in the 60s and 70s...)

Thank you for using this powerful deck.

I will use this deck again for my planetary week, probably sometime soon. Now that I figured out what my problem was posting pictures.... The posts will be much better