Tarot with Friends (Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Joey, Ross and Phoebe)!

Some people practice their Tarot skills while hunched over a table with a couple of candles, a huge stack of books, some crystals and a deck of Tarot cards. While I do like this method on occasion there's a style of Tarot practice that is just way more me. You know I'm all about Pop Culture Tarot and Tarot making sense in the real world and so that's how I practice!

I gave myself some Tarot homework this week because every time I turn on TV these days, Friends is on. It never ends, and if you are still watching at the start of the next episode you can't get away!  As I found myself falling down the Friends rabbit hole earlier this week I thought I should make the most of it and play Tarot with Friends!

This is a crazy fun Tarot game and you can play alone or with Friends (Ha! LOL!). All you do is sit on your couch, turn on the TV and grab your Tarot cards. Look for cards that represent characters, storylines or locations. Make it harder by using only Court Cards, or Majors or Minors. Experts can use only one suit! Oh! You smarty pants!

I've been watching a lot of Friends lately so I thought I'd double up and so I give you a Major Arcana card and Court Card for each of our favourite TV Friends! 

Let's start with Ross... He's a total dork, a serious loser and a lot of people who've watched this show kind of can't stand him. I don't mind him, he's just a total Dinosaur geek right? So who better in the Major Arcana to represent a Dino Geek than the Hermit? Sure, the Hermit is usually a hell of a lot wiser than a guy like Ross. He mostly relies on book smarts to get by and rarely shows any 'wisdom'. But perhaps he's like a young Hermit. In like, 40 years or something, maybe he'll be wise. Ross is totally the King of Swords. He's all intellect and not so great with his heart, passion or earthly stuff, although Dinosaurs come from the Earth, hrmmmm. But books and History facts are his thing, which makes him a Swords guy. A very different version of the King of Swords than Eric Northman, he's probably more Page of Swords because he's kind of clueless and immature, but maybe he's just still growing into his King of Swords boots.

Phoebe is a real mystery and a mixed bag. She doesn't totally fit into any of the archetypes of the Tarot that easily, but she's definitely got a whole heap of Moon qualities. Mystery alone makes her a Moon chic. She's a total space cadet with a deep hidden past - she mugged people as a kid and has even alluded to being secretly married in the Las Vegas episode. The Queen of Wands is Phoebe's court card. She's fiery, passionate, super confident (but not very musical!) and always sticks up for herself and her friends. Remember that episode where she was catering a wake with Monica? Monica was too soft to ask the widow for her money and Phoebe just walked right in there in a middle of the widow singing a show tune and demanded that they get paid! Woah, that's what a little Wands energy can do!

And Joey is the Fool. Obviously. He's a kind hearted guy with not a lot going on upstairs, bless his cotton socks. Just like the Fool in the Tarot who is so in awe of life and a believer in all things good in the world, Joey steps off the cliff into the unknown every time he leaves the apartment because he always forgets what he went out for. In the Court Cards Joey is the Knight of Wands, mostly because he always acts first and thinks later, a pretty common Wands thing. He follows his passion, rocks up to audition after audition looking for his big break, but retaining his cool the whole time. His quick mouth often gets him into trouble, but because most of what comes out is completely Fool-like and innocent everyone just loves him even more. Nawww.

Moving onto Rachel and I cast her as the Empress. She's creative, easy going, looks after everyone and is a bit of a mother hen, especially to the boys. Monica thinks she is, but Rachel really tucks everyone under her wing whenever they need it. She's sweet and lovely and is pretty obsessed with the idea of creating an awesome life for herself. Empresses don't always have to be 'mothers' in the literal sense, but they do have a gorgeous nurturing vibe and if they're not giving birth to babies, they need to be giving birth to something else! Rachel is also the Queen of Cups. She's kind and intuitive and one of the things that her Empress is always trying to 'create' is the perfect love affair. Because the truth is, love makes this friend's world go round. Like a lot of Cups people who desire romance with all their heart, being single is even harder for them than for us Swords, Pents or Wands peeps.

Chandler, what a joker! His witty one liners give us a giggle, but in terms of plot, they don't get him very far. This makes Chandler the Hanged Man. If you think about it, Chandler is pretty much everyone else's side kick, and he has no real character development until he hooks up with Monica, which is like, ages later! He basically hangs around shooting out sarcastic remarks for years without anything really happening to him. He's having a great time in that tree, living in NYC, hanging out with friends, but is his career, relationship or life really going anywhere?! I've also made Chandler the Knight of Pentacles. He seems like an earthy kind of dude, much more than most of the characters in this show. Chandler may be a joker, but there's a real sense from him even at the start of the first series that all he really desires in life is a a good job with a decent salary, a pretty wife and a couple of kids. He's not into saving the world, he just wants to enjoy his world.

And Monica is the High Priestess. Not, in this case, because she's particularly intuitive, but because she's a little on her high horse at times. She thinks she's the High Priestess, the Queen of the apartment block, a little high and mighty. She doesn't do it on purpose, that's just how she is. She likes things a certain way and expects everyone else to just be OK with that. She's not big on compromise, and sees the world in black and white, she doesn't really do grey. Monica is the Queen of Pentacles too. She's the Queen who thinks her apartment and her space is her palace. She likes having nice things around her, good food (oh! Hello catering business!) and she likes to look nice too. She looks after her money and spends carefully, but is more likely to spend money on something nice for the apartment than a new pair of boots.

I hope you enjoyed reading my Tarot homework. Now your homework is to grab your cards and watch your favourite TV show (or any TV show!) and start pulling out some cards for your characters!

I'd love to know how you go with it so please comment below or find me on Facebook where I'm always around for a chat about Tarot, TV or whatever else you fancy!

<3 Love, light and Tarot with friends <3

Vix

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WTF Court Cards: Queen Elizabeth II - Queen of Swords

See? I told you I'd keep working on the WTF Court Cards series! Why WTF Court Cards? Well, because when you learn tarot and first ask questions like "will I get the job?" and you pull the Queen of Swords it's like -" WTF Court Cards?!" Why couldn't I just pull a nice Ace of Pentacles or something?! Argh! It's enough to make even the most psychically gifted gal to go running to back to her magic 8 ball. I love magic 8 balls. I wonder if I can get one on Amazon...

Today in Pop Culture Tarot Queen Elizabeth II stars as the Queen of Swords!

WTF? You may be asking. How can Queen Elizabeth II an actual Queen represent a Queen in the tarot, because aren't all the Queens a Queen?! Good question. But no, not all Queens are created equal. Some are emotional wrecks, some are fiery war mongers while others prefer to sit on their thrones quietly and run the lands 'properly'. Liz is one of those ones. She doesn't dash about in her pants, take centre stage like Beyonce or pick up a wand first chance she gets to go into battle. Oh no, this queen rules using her intellect and logic - you know, the whole 'swords thing'.

Now love her or loathe her (I happen to love her), you have to admit Queen Liz has pretty much never put a foot wrong in her fifty-something years on the throne. I mean seriously, do you think the other queens would last that long without messing up or causing a scene or going losing it over the costumes for the 44th world tour? Lizzie stays level headed in all types of crises and always puts her people above all. As Queen, her job is simple - look after your subjects. Do the best thing for them and their country, even if they think it sucks at the time. She's like the dedicated teacher who spends hours planning so she can give you loads of extra homework and you get totally pissed, but then realise later that actually, you learnt a hell of a lot in that class. 

Swords people aren't really into affection and they definitely aren't huggers. I mean hugging is just so - emotional, ick! Only super emo people hug. How about holding hands or kissing your hubby when out and about? Maybe a couple of times every 100 years or so. If Queen Elizabeth doesn't hug you back, it's not because she doesn't like you, it's just that one must stay professional and regal at all times and never show weakness. Affection is for weaklings! I don't need a hug! I'm the Queen of England! I don't even hug my baby, we just shake hands!

She doesn't even give Prince Harry a cuddle, although he's always being naughty so maybe you can kind of understand it, but he's just soooo hugable am I right girls, am I right? I mean come on, you must have a heart of steel to resist pinching these cheeks...

Sorry where were we? Oh yes, so she's quite steely really, and she totally believes in honour and tradition. She goes to church and does all the other weird things that you are 'supposed' to do if you are Queen. While other members of the monarchy are rocking a hipster chilled out approach to being royal, Liz sticks with the tried and true. You'd never see her in a tabloid, dancing naked on a table or dressing up in a highly inappropriate costume for Halloween. It just isn't done! But she doesn't make a fuss (at least not in public!) about other members of the royal family doing their do, and for that we give her clicks!

The Queen of Swords is known for ability to give brilliant advice. She knows a hell of a lot and has seen enough to know what works, what doesn't work, what's going to get you where you want to go, and what's going to hold you back. But her advice will always be somewhat 'sensible'. If you ask her about whether you should get a real job or blow all your cash backpacking through the UK she's probably going to tell you to get a real job. But sometimes you need that person in your life, to tell you what's sensible, what's a 'good idea' and what's the 'right' thing to do for the greatest good, for others and for yourself. Although she may seem to lack any kind of emotional bone in her body, she really does look out for everyone else over herself. I mean come on, she's spent over 50 years as Queen. She's followed the rules, toed the line and has she ever complained about it? Don't think so. She's got on with it, for the benefit of everyone, and she'll encourage you to do the same.

Upright you can trust her completely and tell her everything. Reversed though this woman can be seriously manipulative and weave a web of lies that is so well thought out it's almost impossible to really catch her out. She can be truly heartless and ice cold, sharp and cutting with her words and basically just really, really mean.

Queen of Swords/Queen Elizabeth II Cheat Sheet:

<3 steely <3 logical <3 clever <3 intelligent <3 not affectionate <3 awesome ruler <3 likes tradition <3 honour <3 cold <3 icy <3 manipulative <3 calculating  <3 advice <3 professional <3 regal <3 devoted <3 sensible <3 knowledgeable <3 good at speeches <3 leader <3 ruler

So now the big question - how does this all help you in your readings? Perhaps this card can represent someone that you know, or an aspect of yourself, or the person you are reading for. It can mean you are being too logical and not thinking with your heart enough, or it could be that you should get into counselling, after all, counsellors have to have an element of the Queen of Swords within them. You can't be in a counselling session with crazy passionate opinions or balling your eyes out! When asking about a relationship - perhaps you need to be more affectionate. Asking about a job - stay professional and show your true leadership abilities! What about pulling the Queen reversed when asking if you should buy that round the world ticket - hmmm, might not be the most 'sensible' thing to do right now... but of course you are welcome to use your free will and go anyway!

Whenever you are feeling too emo or scattered try channelling your inner Queen of Swords and see if she can bring you back into your body and your brain and start making good solid choices again. After all, not every decision in life should be made with the fiery passion of the Wands or the heart-felt Cups. Sometimes we all need a little Swords energy around us to get things into perspective and use some logic occasionally!

Can you think of anyone in your own life or any other pop culture persons who are also Queen of Swords types? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas, please come on over to Facebook and say Hi!

<3 Love, light and logical decisions <3

Vix

WTF Court Cards: Bridget Jones - Queen of Cups

It's been a while since I've blogged about pop culture tarot but don't freak out! I'm dedicating the first part of 2015 to finishing off the WTF Court Cards series! Yay!

For those not already in the know - when you first start out with the Tarot there are quite a lot of 'easy' cards. A man in a boat - hello you are going somewhere. A man looking sad because he spilled his drink - OK, this is about disappointment. Easy peasy lemon squeezy let's all be professional tarot readers and quit our day jobs wheeeee! And then you find yourself in the middle of an intense reading for your Mum or someone who's game enough to be your guinea pig, like your cat, and you pull the Queen of Cups, well WTF? It's just a chic on a chair with a cup. Is this about a person? Is this telling you to go to IKEA and get some new mugs? I mean seriously, it's not that helpful. These damn court cards are tricky, even for people who've been reading tarot for a gazillion years. But never fear - WTF Court Cards is here helping make tarot accessible to even the newest of new age hipsters.

Today in Pop Culture Tarot we are learning all about Bridget Jones - Queen of Cups.

Bridget Jones is probably not the first pop culture princess that comes to mind when you think of the Queen of Cups, but stay with me here. We know the Cups suit is all about emotions right? And who is more emotional than Bridget Jones, I mean really?

So the vodka shooting Bridget is probably more like a Queen of Cups reversed card. The emotional wreck. The stalker. The girl who obsesses compulsively about romance, love, has crushes on six guys at once and can't get a proper date with any of them. She drinks too much and this is totally a reversed cups issue, along with depression and all those 'upside down emotions'. The cups people are super emo and their watery vibes are not only symbolic - tears, crying in the bath, wine, beer and vodka. It's all very reversed cups.

The Queen of Cups has a huge tendency to get obsessive about stuff. Men, women, relationships, friendships, family, any of the emotional stuff. They thrive on relationships, and when things aren't going well in that area of their lives it feels as if their lives are falling apart. And this Queen without her King?! OMG please don't even get her started.

While the Queen of Pentacles is going about her business making a career and a life for herself and the Queen of Wands is off saving her family from anything or anyone that gets in the way, the Queen of Cups is most likely to be complaining about how she doesn't have a boyfriend. Career?! She only goes to work because she fancies her boss!

But the Queen of Cups has a hell of a lot of redeeming features and when she's got her shit together she is one of the most sweetest, warmest, friendliest, charming, kindest, loveliest women you'll ever meet. She'll always help you if you ask for it, and even if you don't! She'd do anything for her friends and family and put up with a serious amount of crap to keep the peace. She's a brilliant peace keeper and her greatest desire in life (apart from getting married) is that everyone gets along. She's a hugger. You won't get away without a huge hug and maybe even a pink cover-stay lipstick print on your cheek. As a friend she's adorable and worth her weight in gold. In a relationship she puts it above anything in the world and will do anything to keep her partner happy. Although this means she can be clingy and a little crazy at times, when she's with someone who gets her, every day is like walking on clouds for the both of you. 

The Queen of Cups is the Queen of intuition. Does she think with her head?! Does she use logic? Oh no, hell no! This girl thinks with her gut all the time, making her intuition bang on as long as she's not drunk. When the love of her life is walking out of her flat she has two choices - let him go and talk to him later, or listen to her gut and run the hell after him now (even in pants).

So whenever you see the Queen of Cups come up in your readings be sure to think of Bridget Jones. Remember how even though she's an emotional wreck she is lovely, warm, friendly, romantic and super intuitive even if she doesn't even know it yet.

Queen of Cups/Bridget Jones Cheat Sheet:

<3 intuitive <3 friendly <3 romantic <3 has a crush on everyone <3 life purpose is to find true love (or so it seems) <3 could have a drinking problem <3 obsessive <3 hugger <3 helpful <3 sweet <3 kind <3 cries a lot <3 loves bubble baths <3 clingy <3 puts up with a lot of crap <3 wants everyone to get a long <3 nothing is more important than love! <3 emotional wreck

So how does this work when reading about a situation? OK, you want to know if you should pursue a relationship? Queen of Cups (upright!) says yes. Want to know if your crush fancies you? Queen of Cups reversed - maybe they would if you weren't so damn obsessed about them! Asking about work? Maybe you need to stop obsessing over one element of your job and get a change in perspective. What if your question was about your spirituality and connection to the Universe? Well, hello! You have awesome intuition so work it!

There are a gazillion ways to read the Tarot, and thinking of Bridge as the Queen of Cups is just one way I've used to get really clear on who the Queen of Cups is and what she's about. I'd love to hear about who you think of when you see the Queen of Cups come up in your spreads! Come over to Facebook and let me know how you see this gorgeous ga of the Tarot! x

<3 Sending you so much love, light and intuitive romantic vibes with a tub of ice-cream on the side <3

Vix

Molly Weasley - Queen of Wands

These damn Tarot court cards can be so confusing! What's up with just people just standing there or siting in a chair? How the hell does that help me when it comes up in a reading?! Never fear tarot enthusiasts! Vix from New Age Hipster is here to solve all your tarot card meanings problems - in particular those darn court cards - by doing some simple Tarot/Pop Culture mash-ups!

And today in Pop Culture Tarot - Mrs Weasley as the Queen of Wands!

Everyone loves Molly Weasley. She's the coolest Mum around, and if you don't have a Mum around for whatever reason (Muggle/killed by Voldemort etc.) she'll happily take you in and bake you a bunch of banana muffins. She's warm and sweet and kind, but if you cross her or keep the flying car out too late - WOAH Nellie! - you'll be seeing her flashing around her Elemental fire balls like Wowzah! But then like two seconds later she'll make you a tea.

The Queen of Wands is the Elemental Queen - Elemental as in Fairies. The elementals are fiery, red headed, passionate creatures who live in a world of animals, nature and all that is wholesome. Think fairy houses, tiny doors in century old trees and oh, hey, The Burrow! They don't dig fast paced city life, concrete sky scrapers or fancy Asian fusion restaurants. Give them a pie and a hug and they're as happy as Larry.

Now you might be getting confused at this point - isn't Pentacles the Earth suit? Well, er, yes, technically, but Wands is the Fire suit! It's all about action, adventure, passion and not sitting around on your butt but no matter how comfy your hand knitted throw cushions are, if someone you love is in danger to hell with the muffins! Wands people grab the closest broomstick and beat the bad guy down! Fire spreads through Earth like... well, fire. While the Earth signs are solid, earthy and dependable, these Wands women will bake the best cake at the Hogwarts fair and tomorrow - save you from certain death! And do you know why? Because the Queen of Wands bloody well cares. She cares about nature, animals, family and she cares about those people in the world who are good, and she'll fight for what's right and good while other queens sit on their thrones delegating, making decisions or sending their boys to war. Not this Queen, she's out on the front line, protecting the realm of her Wands people.

Uh, OK, so every time you see the Queen of Wands are you going to read it as Mrs Weasley's coming over for tea? Not exactly, but you are going to have a pretty darn good idea of the archetype and what this card represents. All you need to do when the Queen of Wands pops up in your Tarot spread is think of Molly Weasley.

Queen of Wands/Mrs Weasley cheat sheet:

<3 loyal <3 warm <3 honest <3 family oriented <3 fiery <3 passionate <3 loving <3 loves nature and animals <3 keeps a cosy home <3 adopts children officially or unofficially <3 shouts a lot, but is never mean <3 has a temper! <3 looks like a fairy <3 possible red hair <3 fiery eyes! <3 bakes cookies <3 beats down baddies

So now you're probably thinking about of a bunch of people you know that could be a Queen of Wands type; your Mum, your cool boss at work, yourself, but what about the dreaded 'court card as a situation/outcome' meaning? OK - so you pull the Molly Weasley card when you're thinking about travelling - YES, buy your ticket! You pick the Molly Weasley card when you ask about a relationship - hrm, maybe stop throwing those fireballs huh?! The Molly Weasley card appears when you're asking about work stuff - hello, follow your passion! Doing a spread about your life purpose - easy peasy; the animals and the environment need you, get a job you believe in. Get it?!

Reversed I read her as too fiery or she's lost her passion. Totally unbalanced and unstable. Streaks of meanness may be present in a reversed Queen of Wands, or else she can sometimes be so busy looking after everyone in the end she forgets to look after herself and burns out.

Now you're cooking with gas! You'll never go blank on your Queen of Wands again!

Love, light and trouble-free tarot!

Vix

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Indiana Jones - Knight of Wands

He comes riding in on his horse to steal the golden crucifix because 'it belongs in a museum'! Here is your Knight in shining armour - the star of the Adventure genre!

Wands are the action cards and this Knight will do anything but sit at home like a potato on the couch. He has a day job but his evenings are spent researching, working or doing physical training while his weekends are mad adrenaline packed adventures! Relationships aren't really his forte, but that doesn't mean his heart isn't as good as gold, he's just busy looking for ancient artifacts, try not to take it personally. I'm sure you are pretty, but you aren't the Holy Grail.

His relationships with his family can be difficult, mostly because he doesn't stick around long enough to actually deal with any issues, not because he doesn't love them to bits really and he'd lay down his life to protect those he loves.

He's a quick mover, but he rides with purpose and in the direction of his goal. If you look at the other Knights in the tarot (we'll get to those guys I promise!) you'll see none of them has the same level of determination as this fiery, passionate Knight! He protects the realm, and he won't budge on what he believes to be good and right.

If you are in a relationship with this Knight, go easy on him. He's got a lot going on in that gorgeous head of his. He's got mysteries to solve and adventures to have and a nagging partner is going to send this guy packing quicker than you say 'ultimatum'. He's looking for an equal - someone who can share his adventures but also be just as content out having their own adventures!

If this card comes up in a reading for yourself it could be time to get a little more adventurous. Instead of planning another beach holiday look into volunteering in South America, or taking a vacay in the Amazon Rainforest! Shake up your life a little when you're in a rut and this card comes up. Do something crazy. Go out for impromptu mid-week drinks or say yes to that date with the weird guy.

This card tells you to channel your inner Indiana and re-ignite your passion! What are you really passionate about? Is there a cause or charity you want to advocate for? Are you passionate about the environment, history, spirituality, cup cakes?! Whatever it is, stick a stick under it and set it on fire!

Reversed this card can mean either Indiana Jones gone bad, or it could be a suggestion for you to calm down a little. Reversed the Knight of Wands suggests you need to find balance, or relates to someone who is unbalanced and flaky.

Adventures are great, but even Indiana Jones has a day job.

There are so many ways to read the tarot cards, and this is just one interpretation that works for me. I'd love to hear about how you read the Knight of Wands when it comes up for you in a reading. :-)

Love, light and archaeological adventures!

Vix

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