Between sunshine and summer storms – a day full of magic

I hope you had a nice solstice and a peaceful weekend. Today’s daily card fits perfectly. It’s probably just as hot where you are as it is here. The sun is shining, temperatures are soaring, and there’s a general feeling of cheerfulness. Wherever you go, there is always a light scent of sunscreen in the air and people have either a cool drink, an ice cream, or something to fan themselves with. Summer is here and invites us to enjoy it. What else do you think of when you think of summer, besides what I just mentioned? For me, it’s campfires on balmy evenings or barbecues with friends. There is something beautiful about summer.

With today’s card, the goddess Bastet accompanies us through the day. Her energy is playful. She invites us to dance and celebrate, and as the goddess of fertility, she is of course a perfect fit for the past solstice. Even though the longest day of the year is now over, its energy still lingers. The Sun is a great card. It stands for light, joy, pleasure, and all the good things in life. Even though our second card obscures it somewhat, two children are running through the sunflower field. Carefree and full of joy, they enjoy this day. Bastet watches over them to give them security in their revelry.

But summer also has another side. Here, hot days are often followed by sudden thunderstorms. Dark clouds roll in at breakneck speed. The wind begins to blow as if there were no tomorrow. The sky darkens as if night were already falling. Then come the lightning bolts. Glaring bright and often so numerous that you can hardly count them. The loud thunder that follows sounds as if armies are riding through the clouds, ready to wage war. When it starts to rain, torrential masses of water fall from the sky and streams and lakes form on the ground within a very short time. When the gods decide to play a real joke, it hails. I remember ice balls as big as ping-pong balls. Pictures of houses were shown on the news, with holes in the windows and sometimes even in the roofs and walls. Our summer can be different.

It is exactly the same with Bastet. She defeats her enemies with the cunning and hunting instinct of a big cat. She sneaks up on her opponents, plays with them, and strikes when they least expect it. Like our sudden thunderstorms, she unleashes her wrath on all those who cause harm. The warlike cat is also known as Sekhmet. Sometimes the two are shown as one, sometimes as two sides of the same coin. Depending on which source you consult, the cat goddesses of Egypt always seem to belong together somehow in the end. 

Cats always seem unpredictable. One moment they are cuddling with you, the next they are attacking your loving hands. As independent beings, they often act as if they don’t need anyone and we humans are merely their servants. Maybe you have a cat yourself and know this feeling?

Our sun also has two faces, especially in summer. We know that without it, no plants could grow on our earth. Sunlight is necessary for the survival of all life. At the same time, however, it is capable of drying out entire regions. It burns down on the earth uncontrollably, and everything its rays touch literally burns up. I myself always have to be careful when temperatures shoot up. My skin burns too quickly, and I think everyone can understand how unpleasant sunburn is. It is fascinating that the very thing that makes all life possible can ultimately be very dangerous to life. 

Today, the Talisman Tarot also features a cat as a companion. The lion on the “Courage” card. Perhaps it is Bastet’s warlike side, or perhaps it is the goddess Sekhmet. Full of pride and serenity, his gaze is directed into the distance. What does a strong lion have to fear? Can you feel the power emanating from this card? It’s a really powerful combination today. This card stands for courage. Above all, the courage to stand up for yourself. It’s about healthy pride, and the lion shows us how we can demonstrate true strength. Of course, we can also roar to make ourselves heard, but in the best case scenario, our mere presence is enough. 

So what can we take away from today’s cards?

One message is very clear: enjoy this day. Live. Have fun. Meet up with friends. Do something that puts you in a good mood.

Then we have the warning not to go overboard. Don’t be reckless, but keep in mind that even the most beautiful day comes to an end at some point. Keep the storm in mind.

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