Angel Ariel “The price of admission to a human life is before you leave and go back home again, you are to make a powerful positive, permanent impact on another human soul. That pays for the journey.”.
February 2024 Readings
Guidance for February 25, 2024:
“Roll With The Punches And Get To What's Real”
This day in Rock & Roll history, February 25, 1984, Van Halen's "Jump" peaks at #1 in the US. Over the years David Lee Roth has given various accounts of the meaning behind the lyrics, but most often says they are about a TV news story he saw where a man was about to kill himself by jumping off a building. Roth thought that one of the onlookers at such an event would inevitably yell "go ahead and jump". Roth bounced this suggestion off one of their roadies, who agreed it was good; however, instead of describing a potential suicide, the lyrics were written as an existential invitation to action, life and love. Vulture.com ranked it the 16th-best Van Halen song, calling it "an articulation of unadulterated joy and the unprecedented power of six rudimentary keyboard chords arranged in the best possible sequence." I'm not particularly fond of this tune. They've so many better bangers. How this song outranked, “Everybody Wants Some” at 36, “Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love” at 25, “Pretty Woman” at 21 & “Jamie’s Crying” at 19, I’ll never know -another tragedy.
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Diamond Dave representing the 8 of Swords speaks to being overwhelmed by the extent of your problems & feeling as if there are no options. Here paralyzing fear & depression rule your thoughts. If this story is true, it’s possible this poor soul, trapped in a bleak mindset struggling with hopelessness, would have certainly felt boxed in as he wavered in his decision to jump. In such a situation, he would have benefited from an invitation to consider life, love and perhaps welcomed a bit of understanding from the Knight of Cups, portrayed here as Eddie Van Halen. Known as “The Lover or “The Peacemaker”, this Knight meanders thoughtfully on his quest to end loneliness and to uplift perspective. Perhaps this suffering passerby just needed a sympathetic individual to gently offer support & encouragement to unload burdens & coax truths.
8 of Swords: David Lee Roth
Knight of Cups: Eddie Van Halen
Guidance for February 18, 2024: “Telecaster Ablaze: Gilmour's Fiery Arrival"
For Gilmour's 21st birthday, in March 1967, his parents gave him his first Fender guitar, a white Telecaster with a white pickguard and a rosewood fretboard. He used this guitar when he joined Pink Floyd in 1968, with one of Barrett's Telecasters as a spare.
Knight of Wands: David Gilmour
This day in Rock & Roll history, February 18, 1968, Pink Floyd members fired Syd Barrett from the band and permanently replaced him with David Gilmour. At first, the plan was to have Gilmour "cover for Barrett's eccentricities" but working with an increasingly erratic Barrett proved to be too difficult. Barrett agreed with the band’s decision to embrace Gilmour as his replacement. Roger Waters later wrote and dedicated the song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" to Syd, who soon after his dismissal checked himself into a psychiatric hospital before going into seclusion. Drummer Nick Mason said later: "After Syd, Dave was the difference between light and dark. He was absolutely into form and shape and he introduced that into the wilder numbers we'd created. We became far less difficult to enjoy, I think." Gilmour's solos for "Comfortably Numb", "Time" and "Money" among the top 100 greatest guitar solos. In 2011, Rolling Stone named Gilmour the 14th-greatest guitarists of all time, celebrating his individualistic style & technical mastery.
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In the Classic Tarot, David Gilmour represents the Knight of Wands symbolizing renewal, drive, and creative inspiration. It speaks to Gilmour’s entering the scene as a dynamic, revitalizing force - a fiery warrior with his Fender Telecaster in hand, catalyzing a powerful shift from disorder into visionary form. As Pink Floyd floundered in instability, the KoW came charging in to reignite their creative spark, providing the charge of energy the group desperately needed to correct course both musically and commercially. He put the band on a path of progressive momentum, spurring them into upward trajectory of fame and success. His precision and innovative flair introduced essential structure into Floyd's wild energy while continually directing the group to push boundaries and into bolder, new horizons.
Guidance for February 11, 2024:
“Seeking Ease for the Monkee On Your Back”
Classic Rock Tarot
10 of Wands: The Monkees
This week in Rock & Roll history, February 11, 1967, The Monkees saw their second album, "More of The Monkees" leap from position 122 to number 1.
The traditional 10 of Wands shows a figure burdened under the weight of heavy wands, yet still forging ahead step by step. This card reflects the difficult demands placed upon the Monkees - as actors, musicians, and media darlings bombarded by immense pressure from all sides. Despite lacking experience playing instruments or working together as a real band, expectations mounted for the “Fabricated Four” to produce hit songs and succeed as recording artists in their own right. Their debut album had been a packaged collection of songs provided by esteemed studio talent like Glen Campbell, Neil Sedaka, and Carole King. After facing criticism from the press for only providing vocals on the first album, the Monkees later announced they would also play their own instruments on all future recordings. Already weighed down by the responsibilities of starring in a smash TV show, this increased their own creative load—one the Monkees would have to carry going forward, pushing through skepticism and criticism to develop real musical talent. Each member brought different skills and strengths to the group in time: Nesmith was an adept guitarist, Tork a multi-instrumentalist, Jones a gifted drummer hidden behind the kit. And Dolenz, whose distinctive voice was regarded by Nesmith as a hallmark of the Monkees' sound, stepped up to learn an entirely new instrument for the sake of the band.
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The Ten of Wands counsels not going it alone when the load feels too heavy to carry. Instead, seek out support, expertise and willing collaboration from others, just as the band enlisted accomplished studio musicians early on. Their early reliance on support laid the foundation to eventually "carry their own wands". Much like the figure ascending the hill, they gained hard-won credibility through perseverance; remaining determined to get to the finish line and leave their mark on music history.
Guidance for February 4, 2024:
“See You on The Other Side”
Osbourne said of the farewell tour: "This is it. It's definitely run its course." Prior to the gig, Osbourne discussed his emotions, suggesting he would cry after the farewell. He was adamant this was the end but intended to carry on with solo work. However, due to crippling injuries which, despite several surgeries, have rendered Ozzy physically weak- as well as having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease- the legendary rocker announced with immense sadness in January 2023 that he was no longer able to tour.
Tony Iommi recalled his feelings of sadness as the band crept towards their final gig, "It didn't really sink in till the day of the show. Looking out at the audience during the last few songs, people were crying. Those people idolize you and love what you do. In a way, it felt like we were letting them down. It was a shame." Iommi confirmed no more world tours but remained open to a new album or one-off show in the future. The guitarist had been diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012, and the toll on his health was the main reason to end touring.
This week in Rock & Roll history, February 4, 2017 Black Sabbath played the final show of their nearly fifty-year career with a 2hr send-off in the band's native Birmingham, England. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, along with bassist Geezer Butler played a 15 song set, ending with their first hit, "Paranoid". As ticker tape and balloons fell, Ozzy thanked the fans, Iommi gave a thumbs-up and both waved goodbye.
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The bittersweet finale of Black Sabbath's legendary career echoes the profound transition captured in the Classic Rock Tarot. As the old adage says, "To everything there is a season." Death represents the inevitable end of an era, the culmination of a lifetime of passionate creative effort that institutes seismic change. This retirement must have been incredibly difficult for Ozzy and Iommi to accept, as the Four of Pentacles resists letting go of the familiar. Performing was all they’ve ever known and a huge part of their identity. Though in ways welcomed given their health challenges, leaving behind their music hit them deeply. Now something that always was, is no more - reluctance gives way to acceptance. Both men faced the need to step back and gather strength for their remaining days. Though agonizing, their departure invites celebration of all they have given. Just as the Four of Pentacles depicts tenaciously guarding fruits of hard work, Ozzy and Iommi tightly held on before gracefully hanging up their hats. Their monumental legacy will forever shape metal's sound. I thank them for their incredible contribution, hoping retirement brings preservation of health and well-being. After nearly fifty touring years, the Godfathers of Heavy Metal have earned this retirement. Though the final tour saddened all, it fittingly honored their age, health, and seminal influence. As they leave the spotlight behind, one wishes them security finding comfort in rest and memories. We will never see their like again; their riffs and howls forever changed Rock and Roll's face.
Classic Rock Tarot
Death: Ozzy
4 of Pentacles: Tony Iommi
From Classicbands.com & Wikipedia:
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