Greetings from Ireland on Father’s Day,

My Dad Jim (James) Dunne 26th of September 1935 – 20th of May 2005

(With My Mother Anne, Sister Susan, His Mother Peggy and His Sister Arlene at a Race Meeting)

Thinking of You Today Da! xxx

I would like to wish all Father’s, not just in Ireland, but all over the World a very  Happy Father’s Day. My greetings go out to all Father’s, those who are still with us and those who have passed over into The Spirit World. My Father left this world after many years of illness in May of 2005 but I like to think that he still watches over me and tries to influence me wherever he can.

I remember a Dream I had a few years ago when I was becoming too diverse within my Holistic Practice. I was doing too much and my energies were dissipated into several disciplines. I had drifted away from my Tarot Writing and was concentrating on other areas. Then one night I had a dream and in it there was a large Manor House with a long sweeping avenue which had stud railing on both sides. I was walking up the avenue towards the house when I saw a person approaching me, leading a horse. There were several horses in the paddocks beside me so I thought nothing unusual of this.

As the person drew nearer to  me I was surprised to see that it was my father. He was leading a beautiful tall bay mare with a lead rope and I was very surprised to see him. My father had a great love for horses and I had spent many years working with them and competing. My father spoke to me and asked me why I wanted to try another horse. I then became aware of why I was walking up the avenue. It was to fetch a new horse but my father had cut me off before I got there. I told him that the horse I was going to see was wonderful and I was excited about trying it out. He held firmly onto the lead rope of the glorious mare and stared at her, and then back at me. He told me that it was not a good idea to keep changing horses. He advised that I should stick with the one I knew best and it wouldn’t let me down. He wanted to know why I was complicating my life? He told me that there were loads of horses but that this bay mare was the one that suited me best. He told me to look no further and then handed me the lead rope and began to walk away from me in the direction of the Manor House. He didn’t say goodbye or turn around. I watched him walk until he disappeared out of sight and then I turned around and began to walk back down the avenue from where I came, leading the bay mare beside me.  It was at this stage I woke up and lay for a while trying to digest all that my father had said and the implications of the dream.

The dream haunted me the next day and has stayed with me ever since. I don’t dream of my father often so I took it as a sign that he really was trying to send me a definite message, and had wanted to deliver it in person for extra impact.  I had started my spiritual travels with Tarot back in early 1997, and had put in much study and work over several years. I then began to drift and was lured in several directions. I have many interests and was constantly seeking new areas of study and extra qualifications. It was only in recent times that I realised I was running in too many directions, that I should go back to where I started and where I had put the most work into. I do not regret any of my further studies and have had remarkable experiences because of them, but I do have a tendency to take on too much, and then the workload becomes back-breaking. So I eventually decided to take my deceased father’s advice and take back the horse that I knew best. The horse that also me knew best. I had put so much work into that horse that I was ashamed I had neglected it. That is why my father cut me off on the path I was heading. He was handing back to me the tools that I had started out with. I now believe that his attitude towards me in the dream suggested that it was The Tarot that I should be concentrating on and not twenty other things. Horses are symbolically very powerful, magical and spiritual animals and in the dream I was surrounded by them. This is where I was to focus my work on and let everything else fade into the background or at least take a back seat.

And so, that is exactly what I have been doing for the last two years with this site, putting down all I know about Tarot. I have mentioned before that I often read back over my work and wonder where it all came from. Sometimes I have little recollection of even writing it. Maybe it is not just my son, Conor who is speaking through me, also from The Spirit World,but my father too.   Thank you Dad! Of course his own Grandmother read The Tarot, so I wonder?????

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So , let us look at The Four Kings of The Court Cards, The Father Figures in the Royal Families and see what sort of Gift for Father’s Day they might receive from their offspring. What will their Cards be like? How will they React when they receive their Gift? How will they Celebrate the day.

I used to get my Father, Special Irish Rugby Ties made of Silk each year and he would wear them to all the matches or on special occasions. I now have his full collection of these ties, except for his Ireland/France Rugby Tie which he wore for his funeral.

King of Wands

What Might the King of Wands Sons or Daughter buy him for Father’s Day – A Formula 1 Driving Lesson on a Race Track, A Two Hour Rental of a Ferrari, A Surprise Holiday in the Sun, Tickets for his Favourite Soccer or Rugby Team, Tickets to a Rock Concert or Festival, Anything Gadgety and Hi Spec; latest Smart Phone, Tablet, Camera etc. New Hiking Gear, a Racing Bike,  a Motor Bike, Latest Action/Thriller Box Set, Expensive Aftershave. A 15 yr old Malt Scotch. Grandchildren will have bought him a funny gift or a puzzle.

The Card – Action Hero Style Dad. His Grandchildren will have made him a Card which he will find very amusing.

How Will he React? – Loud and great bear hugs. He might try to conceal his watery eyes though. He will chase his grandchildren around the garden or carry them on his shoulders. He will be feeling in great form.

How will they celebrate the Day?  – Family Barbeque with him cooking, loud music and plenty of beer. They might decide to go as a family on a Hill Walk and bring a picnic with them. Lots of laughter and talk of sport, business and the latest updates on his kid’s lives and how well they are doing.

King of Cups

What Might the King of Cups Sons or Daughter buy him for Father’s Day? – An Expensive Bottle of Vintage Red/Port or Brandy, Tickets to The Theatre or Concert Hall, A Good Book from The Bestseller List, A Coastal Inspired Painting, Clothes; Cardigan/Pullover/ Pyjamas/Dressing Gown/Slippers, An Overnight Stay or Mini Break by the sea or in an old country castle, A CD Collection of Golden Oldies, His Favourite Aftershave, A Framed Photo of The Family, New Fishing/Sailing Gear. A book about Wines of The World. Grandchildren will have bought hankies or will have made him something at home.

The Card – Carefully Selected with just the right Verse inside. Very Emotional with scenes of Sail Boats. Grandchildren will have made their own Card and it will take pride of place on the mantle piece or shelf. He will keep every card in a special box once Father’s Day is over.

How Will he React? – Hugs and tears all round but he will tell them they shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. He will tell them that their presence is enough as he loves to see them.  He will keep looking at his gift. It will be exactly what he wanted. He will be very happy and offer everyone a drink. He will give his Grandchildren some pocket-money.

How will they Celebrate The Day?  – Large Family Dinner at home with his Spouse/Partner, children and grandchildren. He may be invited to one of his Children’s houses where the whole family will gather. A Lunch or Dinner in his favourite Restaurant. He might have just a little too much to drink and get very sentimental. He will certainly be spoiled.

King of Swords

What Might the King of Swords Sons or Daughter buy him for Father’s Day? – A Tough one because he is very difficult to buy for. They have this dilemma each year and they rarely see him use anything they got him on previous occasions. The same Gifts each year. A good book (non-fiction), Tickets to the theatre or Opera, An Expensive Bottle of Vintage Wine/Scotch, a Classic Sweater or Shirt, A Weekend City Break, A Watch, An Antique Letter Opener or Desk Set, A Silk Tie in a Plain Colour, a Leather Brief Case/Toilet Bag, An Expensive Aftershave, A Yearly Subscription to Reader’s Digest, A Fountain Pen. His Grandchildren will buy him socks or gloves, a CD of Classical Music.

The Card – Very Formal but deliberated over for much time. The inside Verse is the problem as they all sound too sentimental. His Grandchildren may or may not make him a Card. If they do he will ask them to explain exactly what that blue blob in the corner is meant to be or why they have painted the grass orange when it should be green. The Grandchildren may not know how to answer his questions.

How Will he React? – Again very Formal, maybe a bit stiff. He will be very polite and thank them all for their gifts but tell them they shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble or wasted their money. He will awkwardly kiss them on the cheek or give a brief hug. It could be embarrassing for all. He will leave his Spouse/Partner to display the Cards on the Mantelpiece or Shelf. His Grandchildren will keep asking their Parents when they are going home as they will not be allowed watch the television or run around.

How Will They Celebrate the Day? – A formal family Meal either at home or out in a restaurant. He will relax after a while and enjoy himself. The conversation at the table will get more lively as the meal progresses. He will want to know how each of his Children are getting on and how his Grandchildren’s school grades are. He will order expensive wine and comment about every aspect of the meal and service.

The King of Pentacles

What Might the King of Pentacles’ Sons or Daughter buy him for Father’s Day? Lots of Gifts to Choose from. Something Golf Related, Tickets to watch The Rugby, The Official Rugby Sweater of his Favourite Team, An Expensive Vintage Wine/Port/Scotch/Brandy, Hill-Walking Equipment, An Expensive Cashmere Sweater, Books: about History, Global Leaders, Business People who have made it to The Top, The Secret of Success and Wealth, a New Watch or Wallet, A Designer Silk or Cashmere Scarf/Tie, Cufflinks, Leather Briefcase/Travel Bag, Tickets to The Theatre or Concert of his Favourite Singer, Something fancy for his Horse, Riding Lessons, Golf Lessons, A Wine Tasting Weekend,  A Piece of Art, a Gift Voucher. His Grandchildren will give him a framed photo of all of them for his office desk.

The Card – Typical Father’s Day Card depicting scenes of Golfers, Cars, Football. Could also have Country Scenes or Horse-Racing. He will read each card intensely. His Grandchildren will have made him a Card which he will value and treasure. He will tell them they are talented and that they should think about going to art college when they grow up. Their parents will remind their Father that they are still only kids. He will carefully place his Card where he can see them.

How Will He React? – He will examine each gift and ask questions about them. There will be fond hugs and great delight on his part. He loves having his family around him and is proud of them all. He will be genuinely delighted with all his gifts and understand the effort that went into choosing them. He will try on any clothes there and then to make sure they fit and to show them off. He will probably wear whatever it is he has been given. His children will advise him that they have the receipt should he need to exchange. He will ask his Grandchildren where they think he should put their Framed Photo but they will be too busy playing with the dogs and getting hair all over their clothes.

How Will They Celebrate the Day? Either a loud and Happy Family Meal at home or in one of his Children’s Houses, or they may book a lunch or dinner in an old Country House or Castle . Good Hearty Food and the best of Wine. The Grandchildren will spend the afternoon running around the grounds and petting the horses in the nearby fields. They may all go for a walk later that day to work off some of their food.  The dogs will go too of course. It will be an immensely satisfying day and a chance for him to catch up will all the goings on in his Children’s and Grandchildren’s Lives. He will sneak some pocket-money to each of his Grandchildren and tell them to invest it wisely. He will fall asleep in his armchair that evening.

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Copyright © Vivien Ní Dhuinn 2014