Today's Tarot for Ambrose Bierce
| 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. Ace of Painting (Generation), when reversed: A stark creative block. Undue reliance on old forms. Being bound by your initial plan. A stall in new projects and works. An opening that goes unnoticed. Failure to connect with elements of sensuality and sexuality. In the creative process: This is when you tap into the elemental and generative forces of life, using your inner vision to create new and exciting forms with which to work. |
 | The second card, placed above the significator, represents Air. It describes your spirit, process of thought, and the influence of reason. Two of Music (Contraries): "Without Contraries is no progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necessary to Human existence". A paradoxical situation at hand. Being faced with emotional choices. Different kinds of energies needing to be harmonized. Attraction of opposites. Focus on strengthening friendship and partnership. Transcending differences. Exchanges for mutual benefit. Being willing to meet someone halfway. In the creative process: Use the presence of contrary elements as an impetus for unleashing your imagination to exploit the inherent possibilities. |
 | The third card, placed to the right of the significator, represents Fire. It describes your motivations, creative energies, and the influence of passion. Moon, when reversed: Encountering unconscious fears. Possible self-deceptions and distortions of reality. Lunatic urges, including sexual license. Keeping secrets. Hidden conditions and unknown circumstances. Cyclic patterns and influences. |
 | The fourth card, placed below the significator, represents Water. It describes your emotions, meditations, and the influence of love. Man of Poetry: "To justify the ways of God to Man". Shedding of protections and pretenses. Clearing away darkness to boldly reveal the truth. Applying foresight and generosity of spirit to challenging circumstances. Overcoming your ego to act as a master of spiritual expression. Taking the authority to assert how things will be done. Possessing mature and well-tested vision, but a tendency to be rigid. In the creative process: When you see the whole picture of your project, you can take charge to boldly direct it toward achieving its divine potential. |
 | 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. Angel of Science: "Quis basin demonstret? (Who would demonstrate the foundation?)". Floating in the realm of pure or abstract thought. Objective, unemotional, and unbiased thinking. Mental speculation, exploration, meditation. A brilliant insight bursting through. Stimulus to organize or systematize. Precision and clarity of vision. In the creative process: An intellectual vision or perfect insight inspires you to rise above yourself. |
 | 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. Four of Music (Musing), when reversed: Letting your mind wander at critical times. Mixing business with pleasure to your detriment. Being unaware of what is going on around you. Feeling lethargic, lazy, or apathetic. In the creative process: Relax into playfulness, whimsically experiment with improvisation or reminiscence about past experiences. Such meditations alleviate stress and refresh the imagination. Make space for the gifts of spirit to move through you. |
 | 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. Woman of Poetry, when reversed: Shameless self-promotion. False generosity and glory-hounding. Creating drama for the sake of drama. Undue need to inspire others and take on the role of leader. In the creative process: With complete confidence in your expressive abilities, you serve as a guiding light to inspire growth and confidence in others. |
 | 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. Man of Science, when reversed: Perfectionism. Personal detachment. Being oblivious to your surroundings and to unforeseen possibilities. Tendency to be opinionated and aloof. Delusions of grandeur. Inability to perceive human or spiritual values. In the creative process: Scrutinize and test every aspect of your work so as to refine and perfect it. |
 | The ninth and final card, placed in the center bottom of the triangle, represents the final outcome unless you change course. Ten of Poetry (Prophecy), when reversed: Being swept away by a feeling of spiritual intervention. Profound existential awe. Bondage to elemental forces and divine will. Predetermination. The burden of prophecy and commitment to serve the greater good. Awakening to the full scope and indifference of the universe. 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. |
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