Monday, April 2nd

9 of Wands R
The Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot

The Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot. I’m going to do an actual review of this deck later in the week, but it’s Monday. Let’s just start rocking the week with the cards! And after starting the month with yesterday’s long and heavy opener I want to keep it short and concise.

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“Mattie Ross: Tom Chaney shot my father to death in Fort Smith. I was told that Rooster Cogburn has grit. I hired him to go after the murderer. I found him myself and I shot him. If I killed him I would not be in this fix. My revolver misfired.”

Deep breath! Time to find that grit!

When life throws adversity and obstacles into your path, it’s important to remember that you have the strength to meet them! You may feel completely overwhelmed right now. If you feel there is a fight ahead, you are probably right. Take a look at your tool box. You may find more than one creative solution. It may not feel like you've got this, but you do. Just be aware that it may take some time and perseverance.

Now the booklet that comes with the Centennial Deck is presumably a recreation of the original instructions that were printed in 1911 a year after the Rider Deck was first published. So if the language feels odd, consider the time that these definitions were written.

​“The figure leans against his staff and has an expectant look, as if awaiting an enemy. Behind him are eight other staves erect, in orderly disposition, like a palisade.
Divinatory Meanings: the card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, he we'll meet the onslaught boldly. With this minion significance their all possible adjuncts, including delay, suspension, adjournment.
Reversed: obstacles, adversity, calamity.”

So since we got a reversed card today, if you choose to read reversals, just keep in mind, it may be extra bumpy. Buckle up and grab that tool box!

I'm including a photograph of today's card next to the same card from the Universal Waite deck. It's really interesting how the change in color wash and the difference in the thickness of the line give the card at completely different feel. And, as you can see, the size difference is noteworthy. The Centennial is about the size of regular playing cards. 

Some quotes that might be food for thought..

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

When things don't always go our way, we have two choices in dealing with the situations. We can focus on the fact that things didn't go how we had hoped they would and let life pass us by, or two, we can make the best out of the situation and know that these are only temporary setbacks and find the lessons that are to be learned”
― Susan Samaroo

Every form of life must struggle. Life is an aberration; death is ordinary. Life requires obstruction, conflict, reverses, and resolve. Life requires questing. Questing provides the meaning that we seek, a purpose to justify the inevitable struggle to live knowing the absurdity that we must die. 
― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls

Some days, 24 hours is too much to stay put in, so I take the day hour by hour, moment by moment. I break the task, the challenge, the fear into small, bite-size pieces. I can handle a piece of fear, depression, anger, pain, sadness, loneliness, illness. I actually put my hands up to my face, one next to each eye, like blinders on a horse.
---Regina Brett