26. THE ADOLESCENT OF FIRE: “THE INITIATE”

“A true initiation never ends”---Robert Anton Wilson 

“Thunder roar and lightning crack

Snakes of fire dance up and down my back

A long, long road is behind me now

Too late to be afraid of the

choice that I have made

But there's one thing I know

Where my spirit says to go,

you know that's where I must go

When the golden ray

Of the dawn signifies a new day

Initiation”---Todd Rundgren

The adolescent of fire is preparing to encounter her first life alteration; she waits, breathless at the entrance.  Her hair is adorned with sunflowers and a veil and is dressed all in white; she carries two lit candles to the boundary before initiation.

INTERPRETATION: 

All of the adolescents should be considered as being in the state of being a terrible teen.  They are grown up in some ways and still innocent of experience in the world. 

The adolescent of earth, “the RUNAWAY” is changing every moment and this means that he can never catch his breath.  He doesn’t like the state he is in and thinks that to runaway is his only option. He may appear to trust you but when your back is turn he runs away again.

The adolescent of fire, “the INITIATE” has prepared herself to go into the next part of her life.  Her elders have told her what to expect but not how to feel about it. Only when she finally experiences her initiation will she finally know. She trusts only her experiences.

The adolescent of water, “the PIRATE” is quite self-indulgent, the whole world revolves around him and he thinks nothing of taking what he wants.  This narrow view of the world leads him into doing some petty crimes so to get what he wants.  He is not to be trusted as he will have a convincing act.

The adolescent of air, “the JAILER” feels out of control mentally, constantly worrying about everything.  Since she cannot control her own mind to concentrate, she tries to entrap others to try and control what others think.  She will lie to get people to do what she wants them to and if you can catch her with her true face on you will see how truly manipulative she is. She will try to gain your trust, but tell her as little as possible.

While adulthood beckons, the adolescent yearns to be over that threshold [to be old enough to do the things that are forbidden to her now] and may not be able to understand what giving up her childhood really means, only to fully comprehend it once over the threshold into young adulthood.  This is why many young adults cherish their childhood films, heroes and toys.  Walk down the hall at a university dorm and you will notice how many images that decorate those rooms that are in fact the icons from the students’ childhoods.

This tarot embraces the anticipatory energies around the moments of chosen or inevitable initiation---whether it is from a first kiss or joining a club or from a first deepening crack of the voice, this is all about the the exciting but somewhat fearful moments of waiting for it to begin.

Also realise that initiations do not change the adolescent all at once, rather gradually, so there really is no magic number or future time that will mean that the initiate has developed into a full-fledged member of the group.  It will happen naturally, but not immediately at the point of initiation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmPDoNrGWng&NR=1

The initiate yearns for experiential knowledge.  She does not yet realise there are many more levels to mastery than she had anticipated.  Her innocent musings will turn out to be something other than she’d imagined.

When you meet the Adolescent of Fire, you will notice her tendency to wear many unusual accessories that may remind you of many diverse religious traditions.  She is polite, especially to her elders.  She acts before she thinks because her excitement and inspiration tends to overshadow her reasoning processes. The initiate may be in the process of looking for a mentor or guru and she has yet to realise she possesses all the guidance she requires within. 

When you encounter this tarot, the Initiate could represent you or someone in your life or that your life will be going through an initiation of sorts shortly.  This card is fleetingly creative so you may start some new projects, but may not complete them all.  It reminds you to play and to enjoy this experience. 

Certainly link and make suggestions to anyone you think would like to see these. Just please do not reprint as your own work.

Best Wishes, 

Gabrielle Elliot, 2011 

60. III. Our Lady of the Streets

Just completed the latest tarot, this image is dedicated to my dear friend Marj who is the model.  This card would be called "The Empress" traditionally.  Interpretation to follow later...

25. THE CHILD OF FIRE: “THE RESEARCHER”

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"

--- Albert Einstein

Naive but curious about all new experiences, this tarot is motivated to quickly gather facts and data and then act upon the findings

Pictured on this tarot is a small child enthralled with his birthday cake.  It literally makes his eyes pop out of his head with excitement. He investigates it looking at it through a magnification lens, smells it, touches it, tastes it and quickly decides [represented by the ticking TNT time bomb on his head and the fireworks in the background] that he should eat it...all.  His quick decision will come back to haunt him in the form of a tummy ache in the end.  Still this is the way he learns.  His mother could have told him that he would feel ill if he ate too much cake, but until he actually experienced the discomfort of the over-full stomach he would not really understand it.

INTERPRETATION: The Child of each suit represents each element in their purest form, stripped down to its most basic state---

The child of earth, “the LOVER” knows only how to love, to touch, to embrace...she is a rare treasure.  She knows for certain that love is all and that a hug will heal most hurts. 

The child of fire, “the RESEARCHER” knows only that he must experience to make sense of the world around him...he seems to be quite brave.  He knows that he still has a lot to learn and is not afraid to learn new things.

The child of water, “the SAVIOUR” knows only how to give...she is precious inspiration.  She only touches people’s hearts and gives herself.

The child of air, “the DREAMER” knows more about his imaginative self than his physical world.  It is hard for him to determine which is real and which is imagined, both will seem equally valid to this child.

The Child of fire is compiling all the information, experience and energy he can before proceeding on his path.  He is growing ready to begin the figuring out the world around him but because his experiences are limited he will unfortunately too-quickly make conclusions without having all the information he needs.  He is in great danger of jumping to conclusions and reacting in ways that me will have to change in the near future and have to apologize for creating chaos or hurt.

If you have a big decision to make and this tarot appears in you reading, go back to the problem and look at it from all different angles and get advice.  Just now you need more information before doing anything. 

The main danger in the tarot is too act or react too quickly to something that is very important and/or affects many people along with you.  While this tarot has a natural curiosity of the world and no fear of making a mistake so engenders a bravery that is absolutely backed up with a sense of either confidently secure in its knowledge of the situation or a sense of the moral high ground...there is a risk of acting before you should.  Please bear this in mind before acting.

Positively any experience that comes does teach meaningful lessons that are applied immediately so they never happen again, whether this tarot represents you or someone in your life.  Just try to keep in mind that it is OK to make mistakes so long as you can afford to make them.

When you meet the Researcher, you may notice how he seems to consume his environment, processing all for future reference.  You might notice that he carries a notebook and often retires to quiet corners to jot down notes even when in the company of a large number of persons or is constantly using a hand held device, like a smart phone, for the self-same reason.  You will know him for he will ask you to quote your sources.        He may wear spectacles pushed down to the end of his nose and look at you over the top rim as he talks.  He will likely be untidy or dressed without trend.

Certainly link and make suggestions to anyone you think would like to see these. Just please do not reprint as your own work.

Best Wishes,

Gabrielle Elliot, ©2011

Tarot 24. 10 of Fire: “ISOLATION”

“I had a dream that the whole World was staring at me
I woke up and wasn't no one there” Wiz Khalifa from the song “Fly solo”

A man sits isolated in a room while a fire burns out of control all around him, he is oblivious to the danger

INTERPRETATION: This tarot normally indicates burdens or responsibilities that zap all your energy, this causes a mind focused on worry and a life doing what you must rather than what you want.  If this has been going on for a while, you may not even realise what you do want anymore because your life has been on a rotation of work, responsibility and worry that allows little else into your life.

The tens in all the suits bring the challenge of their individual elements.  In some cases it can give just a little too much of the energies they represent:

·                                 In 10 of earth “Bounty” you will be incredibly focused on your material world, quite possibly to the point of obsession.  You could become a collector now, believing the items you collect will be of greater value in the future.  You may find the collecting and having needs outweigh other needs just now.  Be careful not to alienate those closest to you by being single-minded in your acquisition-ing.

·                     In 10 of fire “Isolation” you will need to be alone and become something of a hermit for a brief period.  You have had far too many responsibilities and commitments for too long.  You now need to take yourself off for a while to reboot yourself.  If you do not take time for yourself you may find your health will suffer, causing you to take time off anyway.

·                     In 10 of Water "Baptism" you will have wonderful skills of visualisation.  You will be able to create pictures with your mind.  What may be much more difficult to make something of those inspirational images.  You will have to separate fantasy from reality as you may be overly confident on what you can actually achieve alone.

·                     In 10 of Air "Transcendence" there may be an important decision you have to make but it is difficult when you have too much interference.  You will have to make your decision based on yourself alone, and not allow others have an opinion.  A good way to work with this energy is through meditation, when you can make your mind blank and at peace. Only then will it be possible for you to know how you want to proceed.

The ten of fire can also indicate that you are so busy worrying about your daily grind that you are unable to notice true dangers around you or even opportunities that come along. Often there is a difficult emotion permeating your inner world, such as being ashamed or embarrassed of what you are obliged to do. 


 Because the emotions are too difficult to deal with the tendency is to go inside yourself and cut yourself off from those who can help you as you don’t want to burden them with your problems or you feel ashamed of some situation you are in and you may fear your close family and friends will find out the truth, so you isolate yourself.


While it is likely that whatever you have been troubled with is somewhat self-inflicted, it doesn’t mean you should not seek help---YOU SHOULD.  This will be very difficult to ask for aid because you will have to tell someone about your problems. 

You will need to let it all out and this can be quite painful, but realise it may be somewhat easier if you unload to someone who is a professional or not a part of your immediate circle.

If you can stop judging yourself and voice your worries you will be on the way to rebalance your life. 

Possibly you need to complete some obligation that you believe you cannot do but you must try to and try different ways of completing the process.

If you have asked a question about some project you are working on, then simply, Freeze!  Progress no further in this direction as it is not working out for you and you have to accept this once and for all. If you continue on you will experience only loss of associates, of energy, or position or of yourself.

Like all difficult tarots, this will not last forever.  In this case, you will have to rest from all you have been doing, admit there’s a problem and give yourself a break.  Soon as you do things will slowly heal and become much easier to deal with.

Certainly link and make suggestions to anyone you think would like to see these. Just please do not reprint as your own work.

Best Wishes,

Gabrielle Elliot

©2011

Tarot 23, 9 of Fire "SECRET INVESTIGATIONS"

“...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” Sherlock Holmes in The Sign of the Four, ch. 6 (1890)       (Doubleday p. 111)

“It is wiser to find out than to suppose”---Mark Twain

This tarot image pictures two “stiff upper-lipped” men discussing the news in front of a cosy fire; armchair debaters. Above the fireplace mantle rests reflective sunglasses.  Reflected in the sunglasses are images of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, above this are nine candles shedding light on the debated subject.  Clocks behind the candles represent the amount of time it takes to gather evidence in order to get to the point of being able to make conclusions based on the evidence.

INTERPRETATION: This tarot indicates being mentally in turn with others who will help you to reason out some situation in your life. You will feel you haven’t entirely got all the truth in order to make some informed decision, thus you will need to gather more information. 

All nines in all of the suits are very powerful because the numbers

3x3 = 9,

This can either be a powerful positive (blessing) or negative (curse) 

• In 9 of earth “Seasons” the power you have at your disposal now comes from a mastery of the seemingly mundane: family, home and friends and neighbours.  In its most beneficial you will experience the pleasure of your home life and family, in its most negative you may discover family histories or secrets that do not appeal and at worst makes you feel ashamed to be a member of your family

• In 9 of fire “SECRET INVESTIGATIONS” the power you have at your disposal now comes from a mastery of the passions: through vocations or avocations, love relationships, sexuality and the arts.  In its most beneficial you will experience a most satisfying and accomplished period through the secrets you uncover and if in your work you do research this is an extra benefit to give you the break-through you were looking for.  In its most negative you may find that your investigations have led you to finding things out that you wish you never knew, and this can lead to falsely misconstrued accusations, which in turn can lead to a great explosion of arguments that have the potential of becoming physical fights, revenge-seeking and the ending of an important relationship.

• In 9 of Water "Resources" the power you have at your disposal now comes from a mastery of the emotions: through giving yourself to others, love relationships, spirituality and the photographic arts.  In its most beneficial you will experience a full soul, a period of spiritual rebirth and romantic love, in its most negative you will be confused and unable to control your emotions and this can cause deep hurt, emotional crippling and loneliness

• In 9 of Air "Deception" the power you have at your disposal now comes from a mastery of the intellect: through an ability to ferret out any deception surrounding you.  In its most beneficial you will experience of teaching, learning and research is enhanced, also others will likely seek you out for your good judgement, in its most negative you will find yourself in a situation where you feel you can only act in a deceitful way to protect yourself and this can lead to losing yourself in a tornado of lies

That which you need for expansion at the present time is actually hidden all about you.  Your personal mission is to ferret out the truth under the cover of darkness, tell no one of your plans of progression. Rely heavily on your powers of observation. Everything you actually need you have about you and within you; realise this.

The fire represents a “burning desire” kindled in a safe and well-protected environment, a blessing that will really help you grow.  Of course because this card is very powerful so you must tame its power in the way of the element.


When you find this tarot in its positive manifestation you will be able to deal with disappointments and utilise the opportunities a disappointment brings.  You will be able to manage the fire in your belly and focus and concentrate your energy in order to complete important tasks and projects.  You will be determined to gain the information you need to make important decisions, no matter how upsetting the information may be.  This ability to separate yourself from the situation in order to objectively make decisions based on the evidence you have is typical.

When you find this tarot in its negative manifestation you will be apt to constantly expect the worst, which can cause you to appear or actually become paranoid and feel everyone is against you.  You can be especially well-guarded and secretive and this will isolate you from others, reinforcing the idea that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f81B6ZEuNs

Sometimes the nine of fire can represent a final ordeal after a quite lengthy difficult period.  Perhaps you may need to realise your part in the situation and accept it and this can bring you peace.

Certainly link and make suggestions to anyone you think would like to see these. Just please do not reprint as your own work.

Best Wishes,

Gabrielle Elliot

©2011