This week’s Tarot card is the Eight of Swords, and I chose it to go along with Frida’s state of bondage. If you observe the woman in this card, she is blindfolded, tied up, and surrounded by swords: a pretty dire situation. But your reader asks you to take a closer look: the woman is not tied to anything, such as a tree or a chair, and with a little wiggle, she can probably get out of those bindings; then, the blindfold can easily come off. And as for the swords, whose are they? By themselves, they can do no harm. So in reality, the woman is guarded by no one, and impeded by her own fear. She can get away, and perhaps even grab a sword for her own protection. Many of us find ourselves in situations from which we feel there is no escape, and yet, with a change in perspective, we may discover that we are not really stuck where we thought we were.
Feeling like you’re at a dead end in your job or relationship? Wiggle around a little, change your stance, and you may find that you are able to release whatever has been holding you back. If you get this card in a reading, know that it’s time to take off the blindfold and look in a new direction. Don’t wait for someone else to “rescue” you…Time to grow up and rescue yourself from whatever mess you have gotten into. Frida was stuck in her body, tormented by physical ailments, and she became a victim of the time in which she lived, unable to change her marriage or Mexican traditions. She poured her anguish into her art, and created works that are unique and expressive. One can only wonder what she would have been able to do as a healthy, free woman.
Believe me when I tell you that the bindings, the blindfold, even the swords are all representations of your own fears. Once you realize that, you can step away from them, and start to really live your life. Go on, take the first step.
Get ready to go into battle for justice! When you draw this card, you will be faced with some hard choices to make, and it’s time to take an honest look at yourself in the mirror. You can face any challenge and enjoy new opportunities – if you are open and honest about your goals and motivations. Letting go of past baggage and enmities is key to making good decisions, and when this card comes up in your spread, you have a great chance to make great leaps forward toward a successful future!
Sometimes you buy things that just call out to you from a shelf in the store and you just have to bring them home. So it was with me and this bowl. But once I got it home, every time I took it out to use it, I just couldn’t bring myself to put anything in it. It’s just too pretty. What if something happened to it? Or if the artwork inside the bowl is toxic to humans and I poisoned myself? Knowing my luck, that would happen. So I prop it on a shelf and look at it. It makes me happy. And since it’s not calling out to be used, I think the bowl is satisfied with this arrangement as well.
This painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, untitled, was one of many heads that the artist painted during his short life. This one in particular jumped out at me because of the frenetic nature of the lines, the fearful look in the eyes, and the apparent gnashing of the teeth. I believe that’s how many people walk around since 2016, and I’m not sure how much longer we can keep it up. The planet itself seems ready to explode sometimes. Maybe I should stick with paintings of flowers and breakfast in bed from now on.
Cassie Thornton's Life, Loves, and the Tarot 