#otts sword in the sky

[three--rings]

Untamed Rewatch eps 18-19

Finally back on track in regards to Mr. Rings’ enjoyment of the eps.  

Turned out he had absolutely NO memory of what had happened with regard to the whole Jiang Cheng getting his core back thing.  He thought he just still had magic powers.   And I was like, no, remember how he went up the mountain to the woman and was blindfolded and that whole things and...nope.  Two days and he had no idea what I was talking about.  SIGH.  Yes he has memory problems.  

So I just had to explain he went up the mountain to get his core back, so all nuance of the hints that more was going on was lost on him, and I’ll just hope it works out to be a nice surprise at the reveal.

He enjoyed Wen Chao and Wang Lingjiao getting what was coming to them.  

Mr. Rings: “Does this show make you want to learn to play the Giant Flute?”  

Me: “Uh, no, not really, but that’s cool.”

Mr. Rings: “It’s Wei Wuxian’s SONG OF VENGEANCE.”  

During the WOW SO TENSE scene between WWX, JC, and LWJ, Mr. Rings was FUCKING RIVETED.  When WWX told LWJ to back off and leave him alone, he said, “Wow, that’s a fucking turn.”  

And then at the end of the ep he said, “That was a really good episode.”  So yeah, now hopefully it won’t be like pulling teeth to get him to watch more cause it was getting dicey. 

As for my reaction, these are generally really strong episodes.  Although the scene where WWX is with the Wens on the swords is just...BAD.  Like first you have the visual, which is fairly comical, then the acting is real OTT there, and then the weird slow-motion fall that had us cracking jokes about “featherfall”.  And..uh, why do they have it look like Jiang Cheng looks into the sky and SEES them?  And then doesn’t acknowledge it and continues to act like he has no idea what happened to WWX?  Besides the fact they shouldn’t be floating over the inn still, but, like, they insert a shot of them when JC looks at the sky and reacts to something.  I don’t get it. 

And I still don’t like the weird evil talking sword thing.  Like some of those voices are memories and some are presumably spirits but some are clearly the sword offering him power and trying to corrupt him?  Like it’s Star Wars and the dark side is talking to him.   Instead of it being...WWX is thrown to his death and in order to protect himself tries using resentment energy and manages to barely survive.   They could have found a really cool way to illustrate that like having him fighting corpses and then breathing in the black smoke and then being able to freeze the corpses in place.  How badass would that have been.  Showing him taking the energy trying to kill him and using it and manipulating it to protect himself.  

[tarots-and-tea]

The court cards are the personalities of the Tarot. All of us contain a bit of each in our own personalities to a greater or lesser degree. It’s not too difficult to spot this in ourselves or others closest to us, but perhaps more difficult to see in others. When we look at others we tend to subconciously see that aspect of them, that court card which they portray to us in the situations that we see them.

In the majority of the readings that I do for myself and others, the court cards demonstrate an aspect of self. In others, they represent a person who displays the characteristics of that particular court card. I have no system to differentiate other than the surrounding cards and the position in the spread in which the court card is laid.

Court cards are a lot of fun. Thinking about their suit, their element and what each court card’s title represents holds a whole lot of scope for pinpointing rich, deep aspects of personality.

The Pages of the court tend to be those young in outlook. Often said to have a fairly receptive and responsive demeanor. Traditionally the pages are bearers of messages, or in the case of the page of pentacles, gifts. Young students, curious and eager to find their place in the world.

The Knights have a youthful vibe. They’re on a quest, out to find something of great value. They have movement and a degree of skill, but can be OTT in the realms of their suit. Requiring finesse and sometimes guidance, they have a pressing need to explore the realms of their suit.

Queens hold and share the knowledge of their suit. They tend to have a wisdom that sets them apart somewhat. Usually self assured with healthy boundaries, they are the personalities that draw out the best in others. Inspiring rather than instructing. Listening before advising and requesting rather than ordering.

Kings also hold knowledge, they share it in a different manner to the Queens. They are directive and demonstrative. They lead by wielding their authority and mastery of their suit. They also tend to sit apart from and slightly above the goings on around them.

The Suit of Swords

The swords of the Tarot, for me, are the weapons of the mind. They can be used positively in thinking, learning, seeking truths and articulating ideas. They can also be a negative force. The feelings that hold us back. States of mind that cause us, and others, anxiety, fear, hurt, mental overwhelm and depression.

Swords usually correspond to the element of air in Tarot decks that come from a modern western esoteric tradition – Rider Waite Smith derived decks, or Crowley Thoth based decks.

The element of air represents the ethereal, the cerebral, the forces that can’t be seen but which activate what can be massive events and consequences. A small fire can be whipped up into wildfire by air, hurricane force winds can destroy all in their path, wind can be harnessed to create electricity, breath animates words, from a whisper to a scream of terror, gentle breath on a lovers neck arouses passions etc., etc., etc.

Have a look at the court cards of the suit of swords in your favourite Tarot deck, do you see the title, the suit and the element reflected in each?

Can you see each of these as part of your own character in any way? How about in those close to you?

Can you think of someone you know who seems to you to be strongly represented by any of the court cards in the suit of swords? Can you pinpoint why?

The Suit of Cups

The suit of cups represents that which flows into us, within us and from us. It represents emotion and that which we feel from the heart. The gentle artistic temperament, the poet and singer of songs of love found and lost. Grief and shared joy, relationships, contentment and melancholy, deep support and care. The more challenging aspect of the suit of cups is that it can become self absorbed. Inward looking and sometimes yearning for ever more. More love thatn can be given, more of anything at all to fill an emptiness.

The suit of cups usually corresponds to the element of water in Tarot decks that come from a modern western esoteric tradition – Rider Waite Smith derived decks, or Crowley Thoth based decks.

The element of water flows, is often tidal, can be still and deep or shallow and babbling. It can fall from the sky in torrents, crash into inlets in roiling, violent, spuming frenzy or lap gently at a shore. It sustains us, but can drown us. It nurtures the earth, it can be lacking in drought times or all consuming and destructive in flood. It can be fresh and pure or stagnant and stinking.

Have a look at the court cards of the suit of cups in your favourite Tarot deck, do you see the title, the suit and the element reflected in each?

Can you see each of these as part of your own character in any way? How about in those close to you?

Can you think of someone you know who seems to you to be strongly represented by any of the court cards in the suit of cups? Can you pinpoint why?

   The Suit of Rods

The suit of Rods (or wands, staves, staffs, spears), represents the passion and will. The spiritual connection that drives one forward. It represents the drive to move things forward at a pace. Empowerment and action. It can also present as impetuous, way to quick and impulsive. If passion has no distinct direction it can lead to a hot mess in the blink of an eye.

The suit of rods corresponds to the element of fire in most Tarot decks that come from a modern western esoteric tradition – Rider Waite Smith derived decks, or Crowley Thoth based decks.

Fire warms us, in the case of the sun, it is the spark of life that activates growth. It can burn brightly and usefully for long periods if well controlled and maintained, it can also burn wildly out of control destroying all in its path, eventually burning itself out with nothing but charred remains and ashes to show for its efforts.

Have a look at the court cards of the suit of Rods in your favourite Tarot deck, do you see the title, the suit and the element reflected in each?

Can you see each of these as part of your own character in any way? How about in those close to you?

Can you think of someone you know who seems to you to be strongly represented by any of the court cards in the suit of Rods? Can you pinpoint why?

The Suit of Pentacles

The suit of pentacles (coins, discs), represents that which is manifest. That which has been made, that which allows us to maintain a comfortable, healthy and safe life. It represents our body, the work we do with our hands, our income, our security and that which we do for others to maintain their health, comfort and security.

The suit of pentacles corresponds to the element of earth in most Tarot decks that come from a modern western esoteric tradition – Rider Waite Smith derived decks, or Crowley Thoth based decks.

The element of earth is our grounding and safety. It can take hard physical application to successfully work with the element of earth. Our nourishment comes from the earth in the form of plants and animals that eat plants. We need means to acquire that which comes from the earth that we need, but don’t have. This can be done by effort or by exchange. Earth can be loamy and fertile, heavy and sodden or dry and barren.

Have a look at the court cards of the suit of Pentacles in your favourite Tarot deck, do you see the title, the suit and the element reflected in each?

Can you see each of these as part of your own character in any way? How about in those close to you?

Can you think of someone you know who seems to you to be strongly represented by any of the court cards in the suit of Pentacles? Can you pinpoint why?

  In many Tarot decks, the court cards also have directionality, facial expression and objects and symbols around them that you can draw yet more information from. A sense of stasis or speed, seeking or settling, contentment or restlessness.

If you’re astrologically inclined you may like to investigate which sun sign or planet might best represent each card (the court cards do often correspond with sun signs in various esoteric systems, but why not explore for yourself and make up your own mind?).

What fragrances would each court card likely favour? Which foods, modes of transport, sports, hobbies, clothing styles, movies or TV programmes do you envision each member of the court enjoying or hating with a vengance?

The people of the Tarot are a diverse bunch and you may be able to identify management styles, professions, states of mind and more among them.

Have fun with them, let them speak to you, reveal their personalities to you and show you a depth that perhaps you’ve never found in them before.

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      The Court of the Tarot, their Personality. Suit and Element Continued The court cards are the personalities of the Tarot. All of us contain a bit of each in our own personalities to a greater or lesser degree.