Today's Tarot for George Bernard Shaw
| The Cross and Triangle spread is a powerful means of understanding complex situations, developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This spread is rich in occult and mystical symbolism, and one of our favorites here at Facade. The William Blake Tarot explores the mystical vision and artistry of the renowned English painter and poet. Through rich interpretations focused on creative undertakings, it has long been the deck of choice for artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers. For more information about this deck, or to buy your own personal copy, go to www.blaketarot.com.
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 | The first card, the significator, is placed in the center of the cross. This card represents the prime energy manifest in your life. Stars: Renewal of hope. Feeling connected with cosmic or universal energies. As Above, So Below. Opening your eyes to the highest potential of your situation. Getting in touch with your own creative powers. Self-esteem. Far-reaching effects. Receiving recognition for your abilities. Doing your own thing, no matter what. |
 | The second card, placed above the significator, represents Air. It describes your spirit, process of thought, and the influence of reason. Five of Poetry (Strife): "Thou art a Man / God is no more / Thy own humanity / learn to adore For that is my / Spirit of Life / Awake arise to Spiritual Strife". A need for self-improvement. Struggling with inner demons, such as issues of conscience. Falling into disillusionment, or the dark side of the matter. Competition, arguments, power struggles. Getting "thrown for a loop." In the creative process: This points to a stressful time battling inner doubts and outer difficulties; you can improve your project or product by getting to the truth of the matter. |
 | The third card, placed to the right of the significator, represents Fire. It describes your motivations, creative energies, and the influence of passion. Ace of Music (Passion): "The desire of Man being Infinite the possession is Infinite & himself Infinite." Release of emotions. Upsurge of creative power. Unlimited potential. Being carried away by your emotions (swept up on wings of song). Feeling a passion for life. Wanting to achieve the highest potentials in yourself and the situation. Following your bliss. Feeling a deep sense of grace and fulfillment. Vulnerability and openness. In the creative process: A passionate desire to rise above the norm, to soar to personal new heights of creative vision. |
 | The fourth card, placed below the significator, represents Water. It describes your emotions, meditations, and the influence of love. Seven of Music (Fancies), when reversed: A retreat into fantasy. Emotional confusion or indecision. Overwhelmed by contradictory feelings. Delusions. Temptations or bribes. Illusory goals. Challenges of immediate versus long-term gratification. In the creative process: Let your visions and dreams lead the way into deeper realms of your imagination, and be prepared to express them. Rehearse and explore wild ideas in your mind before acting on them. |
 | The fifth card, placed to the left of the significator represents Earth. It describes your physical presence, position in life, and the influence of the material world. Three of Poetry (Creativity): "I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Mans I will not Reason & Compare: my business is to Create". A creative opportunity presents itself. A lucky break is in store for you. Taking an imaginative or literary approach is favored. A revelation of truth is at hand. All the pieces are falling into place. You achieve an understanding that has far-reaching implications. In the creative process: You get the go-ahead to "do your thing"; your project has special blessing at this time because of your ability to see an overview or get the big picture. |
 | At this point the cross is complete and the triangle is formed. The sixth card, placed on the bottom left of the triangle represents one of two opposing forces. Child of Music: "Piping down the valleys wild / Piping songs of pleasant glee". A need to kindle your emotions. Getting in touch with your own feelings. Willingness to take emotional risks. Marching to a personal rhythm. Taking risks for love. Experimenting with genuine self-expression. Empathy with others, and with animals. In the creative process: Go inside yourself to experience emotional innocence and primal voice. Don't be afraid to improvise in your own way. |
 | The seventh card, placed on the bottom right of the triangle represents the force that opposes the bottom left card. These forces may be external, but they are frequently one's own inner archetypes in conflict. Ten of Poetry (Prophecy): "In futurity / I prophetic see / That the earth from sleep / (Grave the sentence deep) Shall arise and seek / For her maker meek: And the desart wild / Become a garden mild". Experiencing a feeling of spiritual elevation. Profound existential gratitude. Communion with elemental forces. Acceptance of divine will. Things are turning on the hinge of fate. Having the gift of prophecy, and speaking the truth. "Telling it like it is." Commitment to serve the greater good. Awakening to the larger implications of life. In the creative process: A time of divine grace in which you have special access to creativity. Be humble despite your achievements; you are channeling from a higher source. |
 | The eighth card, the reconciler, is placed below the cross in the third vertex of the triangle. This is the force that will resolve the conflict between the bottom left and bottom right cards. By meditating on this force and bringing more of it into your life, you can bring the matter at hand to a swifter conclusion than would naturally occur. Ten of Science (Defeat): Feeling mentally or philosophically burned out. Consigned to the fire. Plans and hopes overturned. Gripped by vice, obsession, or addiction. Existential or spiritual surrender. In the creative process: Difficulties abound; your work is in flames. Defeat must be transcended by right attitude. Remember that suffering is the short road to Spirit. |
 | The ninth and final card, placed in the center bottom of the triangle, represents the final outcome unless you change course. Seven of Science (Lamentation): Psychic energy restrained. Feeling burdened with heavy thoughts. Pushing yourself too hard. Wallowing over and refusing to accept the situation. Straining against something. In the creative process: When you are feeling stuck or blocked, push your imagination to find a way around the problem; rely on your energy and hard work. |
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