Monday 31 March 2014

Fiber Basics -- Jewelry Making Basics # 1

Fiber Basics 

Jewelry Making Basics # 1


There lots of varieties in fibers that can be used for jewelry making. Options vary from linen, cotton, jute, hemp yarns, etc. In this post we will discuss what all yarns are available to be used in jewelry making.




Cotton
Cotton warp thread is a very strong cord, tightly twisted, and hence is quite useful for weaving. It’s a favorite of weavers and jewelry makers. Since cotton is slightly soft than linen, hence cotton and linen work well together. Use linen as filler cords while knotting over them with cotton.

Cotton Embroidery Floss
The advantage of using cotton embroidery floss is that it comes in multiple colors. These threads are easy to work with. Since these aren’t strong enough to use by themselves, you can knot them over filler cords.

Crochet Cotton
Crochet cotton works well when knotted over other cords. If it is too soft, it becomes fuzzy and doesn’t hold its shape.

Hemp
What makes hemp good for jewelry making is that Hemp is less expensive, smoother and much strong. It comes in many colors. It may have irregular bumps, which can either be used to provide texture or may be removed by cutting off that portion.

Linen
Linen is a fine and smooth cord. While buying linen cords pay attention to the ply number, which means how many cords, are twisted together. Five ply is very strong, but three ply also works well enough and makes a smaller knot. Linen cords typically come in black, brown, blue, white, red and natural colors.

Yarn
Yarns are available in different materials and varied colors. Usually silk, rayon, nylon and acrylic yarns works as good material for knotting. Some yarns come with metallic threads embedded in them and hence provide an extra sheen. Yarn ends have a tendency to get frayed and hence you may need to seal them by dabbing some glue or burning the ends.

Other Fibers
Apart from above choices, you can use any other thread also. One important thing to keep in mind is its thickness. If its too thin, then you may need to combine it another cords to provide the required strength.



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Saturday 15 March 2014

World -- Major Arcana


World -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is called World. It is numbered 21 in the Major Arcana. The picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Since judgement is done now, Fool is ready to take the final step and thus end its journey. As he takes the final step, he is surprised to see himself standing at the edge of the same cliff from where he had started initially. Its exactly the same place and the same point. The only difference is in experience and knowledge he ahs gained all this while. When he had started he was young and foolish; but now he has learnt all about self: mind and body, past and future, the individual and the world.

He had started as a Fool from this cliff and after completing his journey now he is tanding there again but as a mystic. Thus transformation has taken place and now he takes the final step by leaping right off the cliff. He doesnot falls down, but soars high and higher in the sky. Now, his world is complete. He is high up in the sky and is able to see the whole of the earth down below, while he himself is surrounded by various other stars. Now he is at one with the universe.

When this card comes up in a reading, it signifies the completion and competency. It indicates celebration, success, travel round the globe and expertise.

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Judgement -- Major Arcana


Judgement -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is called Judgement. It is numbered as 20 in Major Arcana. The picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

As the Fool leaves the garden of Sun, he feels that he has come to the final phase of his journey and yet something is telling him that there is one last thing left to do. Unable to understand what, he looks up at the sky for guidance and see a beautiful angel carrying a trumpet in his hand. The angel tells him, 'Before you could end your journey, you have to come to terms with your past. However, much you may try to run away from it or bury it, your past always follow you, always shapes up your next step and so the path you will take'. Knowing that it is going to be the hardest task of his journey but has to be completed, Fool nods his head in agreement. At this moment, Angel blows his trumpet and lo the earth cracks open and the ghosts and spirits of Fool's past rises up in air.

Now, when the Fool is facing them, he feels fearless and even more he find himself forgiving them for doing bad things to him and thanking those who had been kind and helpful to him. He also senses, that they have forgiven him for ignoring the lessons they had to teach him. Slowly, these ghosts and spirits of past start rising up in air and fade away. Now, Fool is completely free, even free of his past. Thus, Fool is ready to complete his journey or start altogether a new journey with no memories and no past to look behind to.

When this card comes up in a reading, its a very much symbolic card as it signifies rebirth and resurrection. It is quite different from the Death card as you are not putting something to end here but making some hard and final decisions. Coming face to face with the situations and past deeds or decisions and bringing about a change.

This card is about courage and recognizing that you are holding onto something that needs to be let go forever.

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Sun -- Major Arcana


Sun -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is called Sun. It is numbered as 19 in Major Arcana. The picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

After night long journey from the land of mysteries, Fool wakes at dawn and finds hismelf in a garden. The garden is walled, colorful and a bright, orange sun shining overhead. The day is clear and a child is laughing and enjoying ride on a small white pony. When child sees the Fool, he gets down his pony, holds the Fool's hand and starts playing with him, also showing him all kind of amazing things in the garden. After a real long time, Fool finds himself smiling, enjoying and be really happy.

He feels as if his soul is illuminated by this child. The more he looks at this child, the more he feels as if the child is him, his new self. The Fool is now filled with warmth and energy because just now he has met with his own inner light.

When this card comes up in a reading, it signifies everything that makes you happy, it can be glory, triumph, money or just pure happiness like a child's.

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Moon -- Major arcana


Moon -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is Moon. It is numbered 18 in Major Arcana. The picture I have used is from the Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Following the Star, Fool reaches a strange land which he had seen when he was hanging upside down in Hanged Man card. He had the glimpses of thsi same land through a veil while conversing with High Priestess. Now he is here, the Star is no more visible has the moon has risen to full. The wolves are howling and the path through which Fool had come has turned into a river. Now, there is no going back for him.

Fool is left with two choices in front of him. First, is to stay here in this land of deepest and darkest mysteries and become one with those who are here. Second, is to take the boat that has no oar or rudder and surrender himself to the flow of river and control of moon. Fool thinks the second option wise and starts again with his journey surrendering himself to the power of unconscious will.


When this card comes up in a reading, it indicates a time of visions, inspirations and genius. There is a fine line between artistic genius and psycopath. The two paths indicated by this card are same. Either you stay and let your mind run wild like wolves, be one mad, crazy person whose artistic genius will be renowned world wide. OR, you choose to surrender to your unconscious, let that one higher power guide you and move.

This is a time when querent will feel a lot of emotional and mental confusion. But one decision has to be made to clear all the turmoil and to bring clarity to mind.


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Star -- Major arcana


Star -- Major Arcana




Today's Card is called Star. Its numbered 17 in Major Arcana. The picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Shaken by the events from Tower card, Fool has realized that most of his previous life was either a false sense of grandeur or full of lies. He has to start anew, and all he needs is some hope. Feeling thus, he starts searching for someone who can give him some kind guidance or a shooting start to wish upon.

He notices a beautiful girl with two urns who is emptying one urn into the water and other onto the thirsty ground. Fool goes to her and asks what is her purpose for doing so. To this, the girl answers, "I am refilling this pool so that who are thirsty may quench thsi thirst, and I am also watering the earth so that more food grows out of it to feed those who are hungry". Having said this, the girl slowly fades away and settles up in the night sky as a shining star.

All the weariness and despair is lifted off at this moment and Fool understands that what he needed is there in the sky....HOPE. His thirst and hunger can be fulfilled here, but his dreams however distant they may feel like a shining star in the sky are always his....all he needs is to follow them. Thus, his faith is restored

When this card turn up in a reading, it means that however down the querent may be feeling at this point of time, all he/she needs is to keep up hope and keep going. Luck is by his/her side and things will turn out to be good.

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Wednesday 5 March 2014

Tower -- Major Arcana


Tower -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is Tower. It is numbered 16 in Major Arcana. the picture I have used fro reference is from the Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Next, fool comes upon a tower which looks quite familiar to him. It brings about the old memories of how Fool had played a major role in getting this tower built before he left for his quest of spiritual journey.

Still today, this tower looks so magnificient and fantastic; and still today arrogant men lives inside the tower occupying the top floors. Fool again starts feeling one with this tower; tall, magnificient, standing alone, superior. He is so engrossed in his thoughts and this feeling that he lets a SHOUT out of his mouth. And lo!! a bolt of lightening strikes from heaven down below to tower crumbling it to pieces and sending its residents down into the water.

Fool is stunned with this sudden turn of events. And now he realizes that the lightening was his own doing and just now sending this lightening he destroyed nothing but all the lies of his life. Its the hardest part to do or achieve in one's life; destroying the false sense of grandeur. Now, all that is left is truth and now he has to start rebuilding his life upon this foundation of truth.

When this card comes up in a reading, its a very clear indication of false coming to an end. Anything or everything that is false, like family structures, institution, beliefs...all this will coem to an end now. However, painful or torturous it may seem, but it will come to an end for good. What will remain is truth and querent will rebuild its life upon it afresh.


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Devil -- Major Arcana


Devil -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is Devil. It hold number 15 in Major Arcana. The picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Fool comes to the foot of an enormous black mountain, where reigns a strange creature who is half goat and half god. Several naked people are chained to that creature's throne and are engaged in all kind of material and sexual indulgence. The more Fool gets nearer, the more he feels his carnal desires rising. Thinking that this is all doing of this half god, Fool roars at him and challenges him, declaring that now he has risen beyond all this.

To this creature responds mildly, 'All I am doing is bringing out what lies deep inside you. Its neither my doing nor something to be ashamed of. Look closely the chains are wide enough for these people to free themselves'. Now, the Fool realises that creature is correct, its not his doing but these people are bound by their own deep desires.

Next the half-god brings Fool's attention to the top of mountain and says, 'There are also some people who have used these same desires to climb the highest heights. If they had denied these impulses, they would had never gotten there'.

Thus, Fool realizes that this devil looking creature is not evil but holds a great power at his command. Although this power is lowest; it has a potential of bringing out the highest freedom in a person. Therefore, it depends on the one who is using it. This power has the nature of both, beast and god.

When this card comes up in a reading, it means that too much restraint holds you back and keeps you away from achieving the desired goals. This card is about temptation and control; about addiction and manipulation.


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Temperance -- Major Arcana


Temperance -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is called Temperance. It is numbered 14 in Major Arcana. The picture I have taken for reference is from the Rider Waite of Tarot deck.

After learning the lesson that one thing leads to other like death leads into birth, surrendering your material world leads to the start of spiritual journey; he starts wondering why does one thing leads to other. Why is he constantly facing two opposites.

At this moment Fool comes upon an angel who is pouring the contents of one cup to other. His one foot is in water and other on a rock. He goes near and what he see is that one cup holds fire and the remaining water.

Curious, he asks angel that how is it possible to mix two completely or opposite substances. To this angel replies, 'It can be done if you have the right vessels and mix two opposite substances in right proportions. That's the whole essence of this universe like day and night; of this creation like man and woman.

Thus, Fool learns the lesson of unification. Lesson of merging two opposites and bringing about teh balance in one's life. With this understanding all his previous thoughts and doubts gets cleared.

When this card comes up in a reading, it stands for moderation, a balance or synthesis to be brought about between two seemingly opposite people, situation or anything. It urges querent to keep on trying, experimenting till the required balance is achieved.


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Tuesday 4 March 2014

Death -- Major Arcana


Death -- Major Arcana




Today's Card for discussion is Death. It is numbered 13 in Major Arcana. The picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Having learnt the lesson of surrender, Fool comes down the tree and continues on with his journey. He comes upon a field where trees are bare and it feels cold and wintry. Fool starts feeling shallow, empty and sad.

Unable to udnerstand the reason, he starts looking for some guidance or clue. Its when a skeleton in a black cloak rides past him on a white horse. Fool recognizes this rider as death. He stops him and asks whether he has died and is that the reason for him being sad that he has come to the land of death.

To this death replies, "No, you are not dead but your old self, your way of life and old principles are dead. Now you are re-born. Your old world is dead since you learnt the lesson of surrender. Do not mourn. Look ahead, a new life and world is waiting for you". Saying so, Death rides away from him.

Fool has now learnt the lesson of Transformation.

When this card coems up in a reading, it does signifies the death but not of the physical body but conceptually. Its the death of your principles or thinking on which your life was set. But the amount of growth that this process of tranformation brings about in the querent is tremendous. Sometimes, thsi process of transformation is painful and hence the grieving part comes in.

But again, all is well that ends well!!!

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Hanged Man -- Major Arcana


Hanged Man -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is Hanged Man. It bears number 12 in the Major Arcana. the picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck.

After getting direction from the blindfolded lady in justice card, Fool is now determined to focus on his spiritual self. He settles beneath a tree and stays there for days in one position. After few days he climbs onto a tree and dangles himself upside down from a branch. At this moment his eprpective changes to everything. It seems to him as if he has surrendered everything and therefore now empty handed, without holding onto anything, he is able to view things in a new light.

The clarity with which he sees both the material and spiritual world dazzles him. Thus, he learns the art of surrender. Since, he is dangling from a branch, he realises that its a very fragile cord that connects a human between material and spiritual world. At this point he has surrendered all that was material like his desires, ambitions, money, etc and yet he is holding onto teh branch so as not to lose the perspective he has gained of both the world.

Thus, using the art of surrender, he has learnt how to achieve balance between his both worlds or selves: material and spiritual. Now, he is about to be reborn, just like a baby in womb.

when this card comes up in a reading, it means that the the querent will soon face or is going through a time of surrender, sacrifice and altogether a new perspective of things. what is right to him/her can be wrong to others. During, this time querent may feel helpless or stuck.

The only way to gain is to give!!!

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Justice -- Major Arcana


Justice -- Major Arcana



Card I will discuss now is called 'Justice'. It bears the number 11 in Major arcana. Picture I have used for reference is from the rider Waite Tarot Deck.

Fool comes at a croosroads and unable to decide which path to choose he looks around him. At some distance he find a blindfolded lady listening to two brothers quarrel. They have to this lady for justice. One of the brother has all the wealth while the other is extremely poor. Lady listens to both sides of arguments and pleas and gives her verdict that half of the rich brother's wealth be given to the poor brother. Although the matter solved in a justful way, none of the brother is happy.

Soon after Fool witnesses this, he realizes what was trouble him. In his quest for material comforts he had led hsi spiritual self to starve while his material self was enjoying to the full. Now, he knows which path to take so that half of his time and energy is devoted to his spiritual self.

Here he learns the lesson of maintaining the balance between his material and spiritual selves, just like the equilibrium between the justice's scales.

When this card comes up in a reading, it indicates a need for balance. 
This card also signal legal matters related to court. Whatever the decision taken in court cases will be fair.

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Monday 3 March 2014

Wheel of Fortune -- Major Arcana


Wheel of Fortune -- Major Arcana




Card I will discuss now is called 'Wheel of Fortune'. It is numbered as 10 in Major Arcana. Picture I have used for reference is from the Rider Waite Tarot Deck

Having lived in a cave or small hut and reflecting upon the past experiences, the fool comes out of his recluse and faces sunlight. Its time for a change and to start afresh. He starts on his journey again and is delighted to see wonders happen. Where ever he go, strange things happen, people offer him precious things on their own. He receives treasures like pious drinks in golden chalice, money bags and fine swords as gifts. It seems as if all the good he has done in life is being repaid back much more times to him.

Thats the way of wheel of fortune; when it favors it gives you much more then what you could had ever dreamed of.

When this card comes up in a reading, it means that luck is favoring you. You will get all what you want, money, love, happiness, just everything. A good time has started in your life and all you will do is enjoy!!!



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Hermit -- Major Arcana


Hermit -- Major Arcana




Today's card for discussion is Hermit. It bears number 9 in the Major Arcana. The Tarot picture I have used for reference is from Rider Waite Tarot Deck

At this stage of his journey, Fool has learnt lots of lessons pertaining to material world. He has been busy learning and building a life full of material comforts, he fought many battles courageously, had loved and lost. Now having lived his life to the full in this material world, he feels a deep urge inside him to take a break from all these worldly affairs. He feels a need to retreat.

This is when he changes his attire into a hermit's robe and carries nothing more that a staff and lantern. He finds a small, rustic home deep in woods and start spending his time alone. He is alone but not lonely. He has many things to think about and keep him occupied. In this wilderness, in his hut he reflects upon his past experiences and the paths he had choosen and not choosen. Its the tme when he reflects and thinks about his life spent and thus enhances his knowledge and understanding further. His lantern illuminates his path further. His staff is his companion on whom he can lean upon at times when he need support.

This is how he spends time in deep thoughts and meditation, reflecting upon self.

When this card comes up in a reading, it means that its time for introspection and analysis rather than for making decisions or taking actions. Its a time to think and organize yourself. There can be moments when the querent would feel frustrated, but they are temporary. Its a time when one takes a retreat rather thn socializing. Such times does leaad to illumination, a better perspective and clarity of what one has done and what needs to be done now.

Alternatively, this card represents a person of such nature entering your life. A higly illuminated and gifted person which can be in the form of a guide, father, teacher, etc.

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