After Albert the Swagman began drawing likenesses of the bush animals who live in the grounds of the Abbey in this very alternative universe, a small council of these animals, led by Bonnie the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, had a meeting. They agreed that since Albert had been spending time drawing them, it made sense to engage him to help create a Bush Tarot for them. After-all, their combined wisdom might just offer an Australian perspective on this ancient set of cards.
Since a Tarot deck traditionally begins with the Fool, the group sat together and watched this video to gain an understanding of how various decks have represented the Fool.
The decision to have Albert, seen wandering into camp with his dog and a big swag on his back, in this role was unanimous.
Nothing happens quickly here in the Abbey but if you want to watch as Albert completes art for each card you probably should keep an eye out for active links on the main contents page.
The Fool is a card of new beginnings, opportunity and potential. Just like the young man, you are at the outset of your journey, standing at the cliff’s edge, and about to take your first step into the unknown.
Frederick McCubbin – Down on Your Luck
Traditionally the Fool depicts a youth walking joyfully into the world. He is taking his first steps, and he is exuberant, joyful and excited. He is accompanied by a dog and carries nothing with him except a small sack, caring nothing for the possible dangers that lie in his path.
As the old Swaggie and his dog approached the Abbey I couldn’t help wondering if I had stumbled onto the set of an Aussie take on Outlander. He looked very authentic, like one of those men, who, down on their luck during the great depression, wandered from place to place with swags (Matildas) on their back. They led a nomadic life, tramping along country roads from farm to farm, looking for seasonal or casual work — a situation that wa described, at the time, as being ‘on the wallaby’
For the most part, swagmen travelled alone. They camped under a tree, their swag unrolled on the hard ground. They had very few possessions, limited by what they could carry — their swag, a tucker bag (bag for carrying food) and some cooking implements such as a ‘billy’ (tea pot or stewing pot). Sometimes they carried flour for making damper and some meat for a stew.
Seeing this world weary traveller, in the spirit of the Abbey and our alternative world who welcomes all comers, Bonnie bought a bottle of cordial for him to help quench his thirst.
As the group neared us I couldn’t help but think that it is not surprising that this man was travelling with a dog and I felt that the whole scene gave new meaning to the card that traditionally depicts the Fool.
Dog and I warmly welcomed the new traveller and his dog. We sensed that life had been very five of pentacles for this old man as he battled poverty and loneliness. I knew that he would have endured long spells of unemployment and had to be constantly on the move. The life of a swagman was far from romantic. Many ‘perished in the wilderness, with their boots worn out and their swags empty’. This old fellow was wearing sandals and his clothes were obviously patched.
Go to the kitchen and get cook to fetch us a bowl of hearty lamb and barley soup and a bone for his companion I urged dog. We need to replenish their energy.
A Fool’s Spread
One way to use this spread is to draw cards and tell the story of a man who took to the road as a Swagman. What circumstances led to this lifestyle, what did he have packed n his Matilda (Swag) and what was he forced to leave behind. Pull some further cards to add to his story.
We had left Bonnie in her Apothecary showing off her magical alchemical skills to Pearly the Platypus. We had certainly had enough stimulus watching her gather her supplies and wax lyrical about the healing properties of her secret ingredient, her organic dingo piss. However the properties of her Magic Shite remained a closely guarded secret. Her beak was firmly sealed when questioned about it.
The precise properties of Bonnie’s Magic Shite are a closely guarded secret. Dingo’s guard the door to her pantry.
Dog and I agreed that it was well and truly time to have some quiet downtime. As we sauntered back to the Abbey dog was happy to stop and smell the scent emanating from the dark brown possum poo that littered the path and test its quality.
Clearly the possums that had deposited these doggy truffles had included a significant amount of meat and insects in their daily intake. Just so you know, one characteristic that sets possum droppings apart from those of many other animals is that they often contain bits of undigested food. You may find seeds, insect exoskeletons, or other identifiable remnants of the opossum’s diet within the droppings.
I refrained from commenting on dog’s dietary preferences as he gobbled up a few droppings, but I did suggest he would need some nice fresh grass to help it all digest.
After lighting some candles, as is my habit of an evening, I sought a message from some cards.
As I laid the first down I was mesmerised by the glowing seahorse that was turning into a unicorn in its aquatic paradise and pondered the divergent perspective it offered.
Leaving my body I drifted in the sea with it, stopping to touch the bright seaweed that danced elegantly with us!
I asked the seahorse to show me something new and she gracefully led me along a kind of sea Silk Road that sea folk use and showed me a cavernous caravanserais sea traders stop in.
As I marvelled it bought back a memory of travelling in Turkey with a Kerdish guide and stopping at an old caravanserais near Harran. Unlike the Turkish Caravanserais, that had long been abandoned, this place was bustling with activity as fish haggled with traders.
In my new guides world tracks also connect things and provide pathways to discover things.
It was only a soft grumbling growl and a paw on my knee that snapped me out of my reverie. I passed dog a snacklet and as the fire crackled I sipped the wine, happy to have briefly gained a new perspective.
We were all delighted that Rosie @rosie_redback_readings had laced up the boots on all her legs and found her way back into this particular alternate universe.
She was a bit startled to find a distillery set up near her Thunder Box reading room but undeterred by all the activities she settled in, swept the floors, cleaned her cauldron, popped some Tarot and Oracle decks on her shelves and carefully replenished her magic supplies.
Ever self assured, and always in command of her audience. she used her most authoritative High Priestess voice and proclaimed that she could be a conduit for everyone and pass on messages from the universe.
Before Bonnie could utter one of her high pitched screams of protest Rosie whipped out a Knight of Wands and said “so much passion and fire filled movement! You have many causes to champion”.
Given that Bonnie has her apothecary established and is bottling what creatives will be buying by the bucket full, the message seemed spot on.
Dog and I looked at one another and agreed that things were getting more interesting by the moment. However I am hoping my sleepy time tea helps slow things down just a tad.
A Rather Wild Garden 