Tough Love, Tender Love

This week the tarot I'll be using is the Ellis Deck, created and self-published by Taylor Ellis. Paired with it will be the Brownies Oracle, created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Queen of Swords and Reaping:

This Queen of Swords wears a heart on her crown rather than her sleeve; she can't afford to be dramatic about her feelings when there is a realm to govern. Yet the blood-stained tear and the bottle for tears suggest that she is not devoid of emotion, she just mourns in her own private way. She's gotten a bad rap for her stoicism, much like the black-widow spider on her neck. These spiders bite only when threatened but are otherwise non-aggressive. The oft-told story of the female biting and killing her mate is more the exception than the rule. Those who come to the queen for guidance know she won't be giving out cuddles, but she will be objective, fair and honest. The Brownies show what this queen knows - we will reap what we sow. We can't go back and change history if we get briers rather than melons, but the next season we can learn from our mistakes and change the seeds we plant and nurture. Tough love is not closing the heart, but allowing life to teach its own lessons in hope that it will change the course of future actions.