Tarot Series

"My ecstasy lifted me into the air"  ~ Michael  

My Fool’s journey began in 2009 when Michael passed away.  I did not really know anything about Michael then, other than His music and vague events of His life.  I did not know what happened to me or why.  I just felt like I had been picked up and set down in some other universe.  Everything in my life and in the world looked different, even though nothing had changed.  This shift sent me seeking, trying to unravel what happened to me that day, and so I began studying Michael’s life.  I had no idea the depth of beauty and heartache and soul wisdom I was about to witness, and how it would permanently alter who I was.   (Amazingly!) I discovered I was not alone.. that many others had been a part of this life altering phenomenon through Michael also, which has been a real comfort and support, but ultimately, the Fool’s journey is our own, and whether we are understood or not, we keep going… saying YES to following our hearts. 

Rather than “The Fool,” as it is known in the traditional tarot, I’m calling this card “The Soul,” since that is what The Fool really is all about.  I wanted this Soul card to express the Bliss we experience when we Surrender to the miracle of Life and all the magnificent Unknown things that we are blessed with.  Unlike the conventional illustration, he isn’t about to blindly wander off a cliff, but has willingly and passionately jumped, consumed by his joy and oneness with everything that exists. This is the kind of abandon I hope to bring to my Fool’s journey - in my art, and in life.  Innocence that is wise enough to take that leap and discover we are meant to fly!  

* watercolour on paper   

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"As far away as a star, as near as a grain of sand, the Presence rises shimmering with Light"   ~ Michael  

The Magician stands between the heavens and  the earth, a conduit of creation between the worlds.  He is a master of the elements (Water, Earth, Air, Fire) which He dances into form through the sacred infinite spiral that all life is patterned upon.  I hope you take a moment to notice the magic all around you and join in His beautiful dance today.  

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“Sweet Bird, my soul, your silence is so precious”  ~ Michael  

The High Mystic is an indwelling presence of the Divine that calls us to remember our Oneness and reconnect us with the voice of our soul. Truth, wisdom, wonder, knowing and trust are the gifts offered by this sacred Companion, who stands as the Gateway to the true paradise waiting to be discovered within our own hearts. His golden wings of Unity and Love wait to embrace us. Blessings to you on your amazing journey!  

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“I do not have to cling to my personal survival as long as I realize, day by day, that all of life is in me.  The children and their pain; the children and their joy.  The ocean swelling under the sun; the ocean weeping with black oil.  The animals hunted in fear; the animals bursting with the sheer joy of being alive.  This feeling of the World in me is how I always want to feel”  ~ Michael    

I planned to create these cards in order, but have unexpectedly jumped to the end... which I feel is no coincidence:   When Michael came suddenly into my life, my soul felt snatched up and placed at the top of the mountain - the final destination. My perspective was instantly changed. Everything suddenly had a reason and purpose. I no longer had to wonder about the meaning of life. In that exact same instant however, I also found myself simultaneously at the very bottom of the mountain, knowing absolutely nothing and with a seemingly impossible climb ahead. I felt overwhelmed, but this glimpse of the destination through Michael’s eyes gave me an irresistible need to begin. There is nothing easy about the journey and I am not the fastest climber, but I love every single blissful challenge with the most incredible Teacher at my side. The World card reminds us of our accomplishments along the way, and of our role in the oneness and completeness all around us. We are endlessly enveloped in the arms of Love, and that is absolute proof of our Perfection. 

Thank You, Michael.    

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“As long as Love is in my heart, it’s everywhere” ~ Michael  

Divine Love. Proof of God. This is a Love that reaches beyond relationships and personal desire. A Love that falls in Love with all things. Through the eyes of the Lover, the Earth is a poem. A breath is a prayer. A child is a song. He understands that Love is not an emotion but a way, and so He lives it so the world will know. He does not shift when harmed. The Lover lives to forgive. He seeks out places to give Himself recklessly. A Love that sees the beauty in mankind, even in its ugliest moments. To Love when there is no reason to Love. To believe when there is no reason to believe.  The Lover exists solely to Love. Ecstasy follows Him. Tragedy motivates Him. He brings meaning to every suffering. He is a protector of others through perpetual self-sacrifice. To be touched by Him is to become His Lover, and so this is how He saves.   

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” 

Love Lives Forever  

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“I close my eyes, look within, and enter a deep soft silence. The infinity of God’s creation embraces me. We are One”  ~ Michael  

Direct experience with the Divine alters us.  We are no longer comfortable with mediocrity and dreamless days.  The Star reaches down inside us and pulls out our truth, unfolding a journey of personal growth that reveals a new perspective and profound way of Being.  His Light is soft and illuminating, shining into our minds and inviting us to look with new eyes.  We enter this strange world in humility and awe, our hearts overflowing with wonder.  His celestial beauty and cosmic motion intoxicate us, drawing us into His orbit.  Innocence is His favourite word, and He repeats it endlessly like a metronome.  His movements, though gentle, can be unpredictable and sometimes seem meandering, but do not waver, for He is the Universal Anchor, our True North Star, leading us with precision and immaculate timing toward His home of perfection through Radical Love.  

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“In spite of the risks, the courage to be honest and intimate opens the way to self-discovery.  It offers what we all want, the promise of love"  ~ Michael    

The Emperor is the embodiment of Righteousness. In His Presence, all chaos falls into Perfect Order. Ignorance and darkness dissolve with a single glimpse of His Truth, and opens the door to the wisdom within our own hearts. This revelation is available to those who hold themselves in integrity, and brings with it the inner peace of an educated mind. The Emperor is the Great Protector, creating safe and sacred space. In His embrace, we are courageous, and have the strength to follow our dreams. His Love envelopes us and calls us into action, as we follow His lead toward discovering our true Selves and living our highest Purpose. The One who slays fear through ferocious tenderness and wild fragility. Soul Warrior… our Infinite Companion on this fool’s journey Home.  

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“Why have you come?” I whispered. “To wipe away your last tear,” you replied. “It was the one you saved for me.” ~Michael   

To be soul struck is to know that all devastation is actually a Love call directly from the mouth of God. When we are shaken so hard that there is nothing left to cling to, we realize how volatile our investments are. Everything in life is temporary, regardless of how endless we would like them to be. To create a foundation on these things can ultimately leave us in ruins. In these darkest of moments, through the dust of annihilation, we are offered the most profound insight. A Treasure that not only survives the storm, but transforms the ashes into sacred ground. The one thing left standing. LOVE. This is not the needle-in-the-haystack-look-for-the-silver-lining kind of love. This is not even the kind of love that binds us to our family, children or partner. This is the Love that literally resurrects. The Divine Love that longs for you so deeply that it will sacrifice anything to bring you Home. This reckless Love is not looking to destroy, but seeks to lay Itself at your feet, that you may begin again with a Foundation that makes everything Everlasting.   

“Just say the word, I’ll lay me down for you” ~Michael  

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 “Live, be, move, rejoice!  You are alive!”  ~Michael  

The Sun is our Ever-Presence.  Nurturer of life.  His Light reaches into us, and sets our heart aflame, filling us with inspiration, energy and great joy.  He is not just a provider, but The Great Lavisher, bringing an overflowing of abundance to our world.  His playful voice calls upon our inner child, inviting us to delight in the sweetness and radiance of His Love.  His touch restores, lifts, rejuvenates, and heals.  His strength sustains all.  When near Him we are pulled into His irresistible orbit, creating a constant evolution which forms the cycles and seasons of our life.  Under the warmth of His glow, our soul-seed breaks free, reaching skyward toward our highest potential, filling us with a deep spirit of giving and reverence for all life. Even in our desolate winter moments, He is there, tenderly shining His promise of comfort and hope.  He adores new beginnings, and reminds us, with every sunrise, it’s never too late to start again.   And again and again and again…  

“In the promise of another tomorrow, I’ll never let you part, for you’re always in my heart”  ~Michael  

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“Inside your heart sits a Seer.  Between His thoughts He can hear a melody simple yet wondrously clear, the music of life, so precious, so dear” ~Michael

The Hermit is a seeker on a quest for the Soul.  He thrives in stillness, where He sits silently, listening intently for the whispers within.  This voice He seeks is softer than a breath of wind, but its words are more powerful than any other sound.  The Hermit is patient, and waits with reverence, ever-present in the moment of Now.  Integrity, peace and gentleness guide Him, as He contemplates ways His new found insights might be used to benefit others in His endless service of Love.  His humility and purity of heart open Him to the abundance of Spirit, and He expresses His deep gratitude by emerging from His inner journey, filled with energy, creativity and hope; ready to share all He has learned… more sure than ever before that the world will be “saved by beauty.”

*watercolour on paper

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“Don’t be afraid to know who you are. You are much more than you ever imagined” ~Michael  

Death is a powerful entity who holds a deep intimacy with all living things. His presence surrounds us constantly… from falling leaves to the setting sun, an endless reminder of our own brevity and the preciousness of life. He walks toward us with confidence, carrying aloft the torch of Mortality, ablaze with the flame of dissolution, elimination, and release. These gifts seek to unburden us from limiting beliefs and past regrets, burning away obstacles and lighting the path to endless possibilities. Through Him, we are set free in ways we never imagined, provided we are willing to loosen our grip and let go of what no longer serves us.   Often sudden and unpredictable, His ways strike fear in the hearts of many. Gatekeeper of darkness, Embodiment of the Unknown; we tread carefully to avoid Him, oblivious that our most soul-shifting experiences of Love come only through His merciless touch. Ultimately, through the immensity of this great Gift, we realize our sacred obligation to Him and fall into His final embrace… at peace in the wisdom that Death is only a mask, waiting to reveal the true beauty behind all we are about to become.  

*watercolour on paper    

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“Pure unbounded Consciousness, Truth, Existence, Bliss am I” ~Michael  

This Judgement speaks, not of shallow evaluation, but profoundly acquired wisdom.   Intuition.  Awareness.  Awakening.  A Calling that returns us to our higher purpose. His voice overwhelms us with passion and a thirst for revelation, pulling us ever closer toward our ultimate goal.  With Him comes the ability to discern through pure objective and clarity of heart, and a spiritual intelligence gained through commitment to personal growth.  

His Perfection leads us into transcendence through His example of the unshakeable consciousness of Love.  Our trust in the Universe is born.  With joyful abandon, we free-fall into His beloved arms, spellbound in devotion to the elegance of His will.  

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“No matter who's around you being negative or thrusting negative energy at you, totally block it off. Because whatever you believe, you become”  ~Michael

The ‘devil’ dares to stand between us and the BeLoved. No longer satisfied with lurking in the shadows of our life, he now steps boldly into our path. This interference challenges us to reach deep inside ourselves… to rise up (however reluctantly) and confront our demons. Whether or not these monsters are real is irrelevant, as even illusion causes very real suffering and can hold us back from all we were divinely created to be. Within or without, these adversarial things lead us to experience ourselves in a new way, moving us toward our ultimate potential. As we are confronted by our fears and asked, not only to face them, but to engage in battle with them, we discover our strengths and acquire new skills that carry us toward freedom and into a deepening understanding of the nature of our oneness with the BeLoved. 

The ‘devil’ is a master illusionist, however, and tries to convince us that we have no control over our world… and while it is true that we cannot always alter circumstances, we always have the power to choose our response. Again and again we choose Love. Again and again, we are victorious. Not only have we become a skilled competitor, but a radical hero on the pilgrimage of life. Now, we eagerly await the dare, knowing that all challenges are in reality, the voice of the BeLoved calling us relentlessly toward Him. We know of our worthiness. We know of our Light. Glory follows us everywhere, for we are warriors of Love. 

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"If you are locked into a pattern of thinking and responding, your creativity gets blocked.  You miss the freshness and magic of the moment.  Learn to be innocent again, and that freshness never fades" ~Michael

The Hanged One reminds us that a change of perspective is sometimes all it takes to begin again. We are suddenly aware of an ever-present miracle that has been right in front of our eyes all along. Our world is turned upside-down and we are struck by revelation, without any change in circumstance or new information. This unfamiliar view places us inside the wonderful sphere of Possibility, releasing us from expectations and the illusion of control. Perfection doesn’t look quite the way we imagined, as we learn to surrender to the potential of the Great UnKnown. Who knew how beautiful things could be when seen from this vantage point?! And all this time you thought you were right-side-up! 

Our willingness to let go and see things in a new light changes who we are. Just like the butterfly is not a caterpillar with wings, we too are not another version of our past selves. A metamorphosis is taking place and we are becoming brand new. But first we must take pause and allow things to incubate, as we sacrifice ourselves to the transformation inside this mysterious slumber. Soon we will begin to emerge from the veil of what-was, unfold the wings of our new-found soul, and finally learn to fly.

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"Hold me like the River Jordan and I will then say to thee, you are my friend.  Carry me like you are my brother, love me like a mother.  Will you be there?" ~Michael

The Empath comes to us with tender eyes and the most gentle embrace.  His arms surround us like the Universe, cradling us with deepest compassion, reminding us of our preciousness and the fragility of Life.  We are astonished to realize how protected and tended to we have been, observing the way the Earth provides for even the tiniest of beings.  Suddenly, wonder blurs our edges, and we marvel at our cherished place in the vastness of Creation.  Abundance overwhelms us and we begin to overflow.  Creativity, energy and inspiration pour from us like offerings.  We are permeated by His Love and our spirit soars.  

The Empath’s elegant and sensual nature delights the heart, and we are rejuvenated and healed by His presence.  A softness settles into our cells as we exhale, breathing out all our most vulnerable truths.  The air becomes filled with the bounty of our wisdom, and we are stunned by the profoundness of our offering.  A quiet strength rises up from within and we are made whole again, as we witness for the first time, the beauty of our own soul.

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"When you join the Flow, the music is inside and outside, and both are the same" ~Michael

The Wheel Of Fortune reminds us that the Universe is constantly changing. Every situation is but a passing moment. Whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, however endless it may seem or however much we may long to hold on to it, is nothing more than an instant in the cycle of the ever turning Wheel.  The changing seasons, night and day, the circle of life and death are all a part of the pulsating pattern in the miracle of Creation. To struggle against this constant change not only creates suffering, but causes us to miss the beauty and the magic of the moment. 

Step back and observe your microscopic place in the Cosmos. Allow yourself to marvel at the magnificence of the Universe. Notice how She has nurtured you into being with her foundation-force Love, protecting you from harm through the corridors of time and the infinity of space. Realize how this incredible Power surrounds you always, inviting you to let go and trust in the Flow. You have everything you need to manifest that dream rising up within you. Just like a spiral galaxy of a billion stars, the possibilities that surround you are infinite.  

"Dream it. See it.  Believe it. Make it happen."

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"We'll ride a rainbow, a cloud, a storm
Flying in the wind, we'll change our form
We'll touch the stars, embrace the moon
We'll break the barrier, be there soon"
~ Michael 

The Chariot is the otherworldly vessel that carries us toward our transcendent self.  A carriage of dreams, built by our own hands and steered by the wisdom of our heart.  We have travelled many miles, and gained much experience along the way.  No longer fooled by the illusion of being tossed about at the mercy of the fates, we recognize that we are at the helm, and have been all along.  
Steadfast in faith, we begin plotting our charts and directing our path, moving toward our goals with skill and calm determination.  With our eye on the horizon and our compass set to true north, we navigate the celestial worlds with confidence, knowing that, in this Divine Flow, we can never be lost.
Even as we encounter obstacles along the way, we are not troubled by rough seas. In fact, we have fallen in love with the waves, because it is in their mercilessness that we are most changed. Their turbulence gifts us with the opportunity to develop our skills, and learn more about the beauty of our ultimate Destination.  Infinity becomes familiar territory, and we are set free to explore beyond our wildest dreams.  Where will the adventure take you next?…
Your Chariot awaits!

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“If you could for one moment know, this spark of creation, this exquisite glow, you would come and dance with me” ~Michael

The Moon is our guiding light in the darkness, illuminating our path and helping us to find our way. He speaks to us through intuition, connecting us with our inner voice and moving us toward our higher consciousness. His light is soft and magical, and draws us gently into unknown worlds. Our hearts are brave when He is shining upon us.

But the Moon is not always full. His light waxes and wanes - even leaving us completely in the dark at times. Yet, this does not mean that the Moon has disappeared, it is only our ability to see that has changed. His mysterious nature ebbs and flows, revealing and concealing Himself endlessly like the subconscious mind. This is a place where fears can hide and cast illusions based on trauma and past experiences. The Moon calls us to connect deeply with these emotions, allowing them to teach and transform us, and move us toward healing so that we may receive new insight and better understanding.

Although the Moon appears to be a gentle presence, He has the power to pull entire oceans and cause wild creatures to cry out in the night. His influence draws out our innermost passions, inspiring us to release our inhibitions and join in the Dance of Life. We begin to encounter a fuller sense of self and a deeper experience of joy, as we move with newfound freedom and boundless creativity. There is an elegance to this wild dance, however, and so we pay close attention to the beauty of each step, allowing Him to lead us into His wondrous world of dreams. Soon, we begin to trust the Music, and the melody starts to carry us. All at once, we are among the stars... The Dance has become our Way. 

DANCE OF LIFE

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