Christian word snap Tarot Playing Cards smi'pro and Pro'Mancy
Ace of wands
In the beginning, the earth was without form and void: darkness and chaos reigned and the Spirit of God brooded over the waters like a hen over her eggs. Then God said the Word, "Let there be light," and there was light, order, artistry.
Here the cloud and divine hand hold out the power of creation, a wand of fire full of power like the staff of Aaron that budded. The card is predominantly white, like a blank page waiting to be written.
This pure potential is offered to us as co-creators with God, artists, those who bring order and story, light and life.
The power to rule and reign was diminished when paradise was lost, but the opportunity is open to us once again with paradise regained!
Before us is an open door, an offer to join in a creative work.
"My child, begin again. You are free to start again
Two of Wands
He stands upon the castle wall looking out over land and sea, a fire in his heart. He sees beyond the walls of defense, beyond family and friends and countrymen. Holding a globe, he hears the cry of the world and the calling to the nations.
Jeremiah heard God's calling to be a prophet to the nations, and God's word became a fire in his bones.
Isaiah heard God asking, "Who will go for us?" and answered, "Here am I, LORD, send me."
Jesus called his students first to be with him. When he sent them out, he promised to be with them until the end of the age.
The foundation stands strong, so the building can rise.
The roots grow deep, so the tree bears fruit.
The trumpet is clear, so the soldiers go out.
Likewise your calling may come through your past study and experience as well as dreams and desires, wisdom and counsel. Hear the call!
Three of Wand
Enveloped in golden light, this powerful visionary can see far. He stands with his back to us, unconcerned with what is behind. He looks to the horizon. Whether the ships are going out or coming in, he looks ahead.
There is a future for a person of peace.
"I know the plans that I have for you," says the LORD, "plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give you a future and a hope."
The LORD answered Habakkuk,
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay."
Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia calling for help although the fulfillment was actually a woman called Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, who welcomed the church in her home.
Moses saw the Promised land but did not cross over. Abraham looked forward to the City of God, but only together with us will he enter in.
He believed God who calls those things that are not as though they are.
Open the eyes of my heart, LORD! Let me see with your eyes!
Four of Wands
Those who go out weeping, carrying seeds to sow, will return rejoicing with sheaves of wheat to share.
Here we see a celebration of the harvest home, a time of reaping great rewards.
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first-fruits of your bounty. Bring the full the into the storehouse. May the LORD give you increase, more and more, barns full of plenty and vats bursting with wine.
Whatever you sow, you will also reap. If you sow in lust and greed, you will reap corruption; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal, abundant life. Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.
You will delight in the richest of fare.
Sing to the LORD a new song. Dance and sing and make melody in your heart to the LORD
Five of Wands
Sometimes when Jesus left his disciples alone for a few minutes, they would begin to seek the highest place, arguing about which of them was the greatest. Once the mother of James and John went to this strange new rabbi and asked him to let her sons sit on his right and left hand when he came into his glory. Of course, they found out they would have to become as little children and the greatest would be as one that serves.
Later, James the brother of Jesus would ask this rhetorical question in his letter: What causes fights and quarrels among you? Is it not ambition and selfish desires at war inside your hearts? Paul warns: if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. War! What is it good for?
The Five of Wands card shows the heated sparring of one-upmanship, which at times might be healthy competition. Even Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 11:19 that sometimes division and factions make clear which people are genuine. In 2 Corinthians 7:11, Paul commends the earnestness, indignation, fear, longing, and zeal that had erupted among those he had criticized.
Also healthy is trying to outdo one another in service, spurring one another on to love and good deeds.
Many go to the limits in competing for an earthy prize, crowns that tarnish, garlands that wilt. Rather, we should run the race and compete for the unfading crown of true glory, striving with all of our strength to enter his rest.
Six of Wands
Movement, progress, recognition! Wearing a laurel crown and carrying a victory wreath upon his budding staff, this person rides out upon a noble horse. Perhaps he has achieved a new level in the games or perhaps the tables have turned as with Pur in the story of Esther. The holiday is called "Pur," which means "lots," because Haman had cast lots in order to crush and destroy the Jews.
In the story of Esther, because Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage to Haman when he was promoted, Haman plotted to destroy all of the Jews in the kingdom and to hang Mordecai upon a gallows.
But because the king remembered Mordecai's faithfulness and showed favor to Esther, the tables were turned: Haman ended up on the gallows, Esther saved the Jews, and Mordecai was honored by being dressed in royal robes and paraded on a royal horse. "And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and edict had reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday" (Esther 8:17).
Favor had fallen, regardless of what Haman thought the cast lots had decreed. "For it is not from the east or the west/ and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,/ but it is God who executes judgment,/ putting down one and lifting up another" (Psalm 75:6)
"But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;/ you have poured over me fresh oil" (Psalm 92:10)
Seven of Wands
But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.--Psalm 92:10
For by you I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
...
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure on the heights.
He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.--Psalm 18:29,32-33
God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.--Psalm 45:7
May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up ourbanners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some inhorses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.--
Psalm 20:4-7
Eight of Swords
The LORD will come quickly and not delay to save his children who cry out to him night and day. As foretold by the prophet Isaiah, "Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles" (40:31).
"He who is bowed down will speedily be released" (Isaiah 51:14).
"Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard" (Isaiah 58:8).
"Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, when the lost son returned and while he was still a long way off, the father ran to him and said, "Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him." Likewise, when we turn back to God, he quickly flies to us and transforms us in the twinkling of an eye.
Sometimes when a season comes to an end, a few simple things can be released or revealed that make us feel a fast flight of change as free as these soaring staves over a lush landscape against a sky as white as a fresh blank page.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Nine of Wands
When Jerusalem and Judah were on the brink of the captivity as Assyria taunted the soldiers on walls with their impending doom, Hezekiah called on the prophet Isaiah and cried out to God. In those days, Hezekiah fell sick and was at the point of death; once again he sought the prophet and cried out to God. Although God had appointed destruction, he heeded the faith of Hezekiah who took his last stand in prayer. (Isaiah 36 and 38)
Moses said, "Fear not, stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD which he shall work for you today." (Exodus 14:13)
Paul warned, "Be watchful. Stand firm in the faith." (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Take up the full armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes made ready by the good news, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation.
As the priests guarded the tabernacle and the temple and as David guarded Jerusalem, so guard your heart which holds the wellsprings of life.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:14)
Ten of Wand
As Spider man says, "With great power comes great responsibility."
The burning vision of leadership can become a burden, however, and can lead to burnout.
As with the altar of burnt offerings, the old ashes need to be cleared out daily and a new sacrifice presented each day. Present your body as a living sacrifice, renewed before God, and feel the fresh fires of renewed vision, heart, and anointing.
Fan into flame the gift of God within, for he has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and sound mind.
Do not grow weary in doing good, for you will be rewarded if you do not give up.
Come to Jesus when you grow weary and are heavy laden, and he will give you rest and renewal. His yoke is easy and his burden is light
King of Wands
Moses was a leader of fire--raised in Pharaoh's house, killing an Egyptian, and fleeing to Midian. He took action quickly, defending Jethro's daughters at the well and joining that wild family in the hot desert. He saw God in the burning bush, lifted the serpent staff, was guided by the pillar of fire. In rashness he struck the rock for water a second time and so could not enter the promised land. He spoke to God face to face as talking to a friend.
Elijah called down fire from heaven and ascended in a chariot of fire.
Jeremiah heard God's word as a fire in his bones.
James and John, the "sons of thunder," wanted to call down fire on unbelievers but were restrained by their Lord Jesus.
Peter was quick to speak out, sometimes praised by Jesus and sometimes rebuked. After the flames of Pentecost, he boldly preached the Gospel in the Spirit to thousands of people.
Paul pursued and persecuted the Church, but after being knocked from his charging horse as he was accosted by Jesus, he took the Gospel to new lands on an ever-expanding sphere of influence.
Energy, action, inspiration, power, creativity, leadership, innovation
Queen of Wands
Hot sands on one side and cool water on the other, in one hand a staff of power and in the other a peaceful sunflower, wild lions upon her throne and a domestic cat at her feet, she is a gentle.
She is like the LORD!
Like a vessel of water that boils upon the fire or like flames in the rain, she has both gentleness and strength, grace and truth, mercy in judgement, faith and works, gracious words seasoned with salt.
Like Anna the prophetess who did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer, day and night, who saw the appearing of Christ in the temple, she is a lampstand full of oil for the light, spices and oil for the light, anointing oil and fragrant incense, blended as by a perfumer.
She does not hide her light and fire under a basket but shines from the housetops and mountainsides. With her warmth and brightness, she is a blazing inspiration for friends, family, and fellowships
Knight of Wands
Young, impetuous, and fiery, he is ready for a journey of discovery.
If the Page of Wands is like a spark, this young person is gas thrown upon the fire.
Jesus called James and John "Sons of Thunder" because they were ready to call down fire on the towns that rejected their master. Like Elijah, the fiery prophet of old, they openly expressed their righteous anger.
Yet Jesus would not snuff out a smoldering twig, would not break a bruised reed, and he taught his disciples to rather burn with compassion for the people who were lost like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus had a fire to kindle and in his days on earth he wished that it were already burning. He would send down flames of fire on his new followers at Pentecost--the power of the Holy Spirit and a Great Commission of love--a mission of boldness but in the gentle fruit of the Spirit
