Sundries

sun·dry

/ˈsəndrē/

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noun

plural noun: sundries

1. various items not important enough to be mentioned individually.

   "a drugstore selling magazines, newspapers, and sundries"
   

A post about cards, liking cards, and thinking about cards….This princess of swords card is captioned, Curiosity. Traditionally, she represents the energies of a young woman with a sharp mind, prone to hasty action. I’ve always loved different depictions of her, the Thoth being one I like so well I’d like to have a framed print of the image (see below). I am a fan of the artwork seen on playing cards, as well as the Tarot. I think my interest originated in the days when the living room of my grandmother’s house would be transformed for her bridge club.Her handmade tablecloths in sea green graced the folding tables, making them pretty, dishes of buttermints and fat salty cashews set out. Decks of beautifully designed playing cards in velvety boxes, horse drawn carriages on a winding path, bright eyed parrots in gilded cages in luxurious plant filled rooms. These were changed with the seasons I believe, and the decks were exquisite. The Hoyle deck, which we kids had, didn’t come close to these. I was never great at cards, and though I knew a few games as a kid, I never played much thereafter.  My mother’s card club created a similarly festive change in our home. The card decks weren’t as fancy as my grandmother’s, but it was fun helping my mom get things ready for her friends. I knew the most fun would be hearing the women gossip over cigarettes and iced tea. When couples came to play in the evenings, highballs and beers were served. That event provided even more interesting or perplexing conversation to overhear. 

Also, as a child and lover of storybooks, I learned  of gypsies telling fortunes with cards. I couldn’t wait to find one, see those cards, and hear what they’d say. I ran into a woman in my 20’s who seemed to fit the bill of gypsy fortune teller, dark and exotic looking.  No cards, instead she read my palm, telling me I’d never be rich and never be poor, that I’d have 3 children, and three female enemies.  As close as I can tell, those enemies may be bosses I’ve had the misfortune of working for. She was correct about the children, and middling income. 

Back to cards. I really don’t know much about tarot cards; I’ve only had a handful of readings in my life. But this card was brought to my attention recently, and it made me think. This card stood out, as it has in the past. It had a message in an image, curiosity.  I ponder the image.  How to look at life from the standpoint of curiosity?  Nonreactive. Watching the adventure, not judging. Knowing, if needed, you can use your power. But first, simply curious. Good advice. I read this quote recently too, and I thought it went together with the card’s message: “Try being you and see what happens.” How often are we just reacting out of what we *think* we are? Our habitual defensive mindsets, and old long-standing beliefs, never deeply examined.  So, thanks, Princess of Swords card. You gave me the gift of being curious about all that.