random thoughts – Day 2,420 (Sunday 11/1) – torah and tarot

There were two things on the calendar for today. The first was dance practice at dance bestie’s house in preparation for an event in November. The other was attending a lecture with dance bestie at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. The double event plan meant a modification in the usual sweatpants and no makeup practice attire. Camel colored pants and a light purple cashmere sweater were chosen. Hair was styled. Makeup was applied.

A debate took place over which of two scarves to wear with the ensemble. One had a purple and camel paisley pattern. The other was various shades of purple with a watercolor effect. As the clock ticked closer to departure time I finally gave up, set the paisley scarf around my neck and left. In the car, I checked my purse for a lip balm for my dry lips. These are usually planted in every purse, but today’s purse was empty. I went back into the house for one so it wouldn’t be a bother all day.

We ran through our dance several times, talking through the parts I kept messing up. For two weeks, I have suddenly been on the wrong foot in dances in ballet class, belly dance class, and duet practice. Errrrr.

The Magician tarot card through time.

The Yiddish Book Center is beautiful and holds a performance center, a theater, library collections, multiple exhibit galleries, and a small gift shop. The lecture was interesting. Stav Appel, author and educator, is a lifelong student of Torah and when he saw a reproduction of a Renaissance-era deck of playing cards (the Tarot de Marseille) he noticed numerous biblical references in the tarot artwork.  

This led to his further study of earlier decks containing even more recognizable biblical content. There are too many encoded images of Bible stories, Hebrew letters, Judaic ritual objects, and Jewish holy days to be a coincidence. 

The theater was packed and the lecture was fascinating. There was a companion exhibit in one of the galleries. A tarot reader provided readings to those of us lucky enough to have signed up in advance. Mine was a message that positive energy is coming in, good things are underway, and I should keep pursuing the things that bring joy and continue shedding the not joyful things. Yes, please.