Tarot Tales: JanuaryBlues

It was raining.  A group of mothers and reluctant children approached the school gates.  “Happy New Year,” the mothers greeted each other.  “Oh,” said Mrs Four Pentacles, “aren’t you glad they’re out from under your feet again?”  She pushed little Four Pentacles forward but he clung to her raincoat.  “Go on,” she said, “ go and play.”  He stuck his bottom lip out and folded his hands across his chest.  “Go on,” she repeated.  The child would not budge.

A group of Wand children arrived, chaperoned by one of the Wand mothers.  The children lost no time in running into the playground and starting a mini fight.  “They’ve been doing that all holiday,” the mother said.  “I suppose it’s because we didn’t go out as much as we used to do this year.  Walks, of course, but we thought we’d better cut back on entertainment, so they were in and out of all our houses letting off steam.  At least all the excess energy kept them warm!”

Mrs Ten Pentacles swept up with her little boy.  “Look, there’s Cousin Four.  Why don’t you two run along and play?”  Little Ten looked unenthusiastic and Little Four looked more mutinous than ever. “Go on,” said Mrs Ten and she pushed them both forward.  Now it was Mrs Four’s turn to fold her arms across her chest.  “Must you organise everyone?” she asked, but even as she did the two boys stumped off, not quite together.  “Well, at least they are out from under our feet at last,” said Mrs Ten.  “We stayed at home this year, you know,” she said to anyone who would listen  “Things must be bad if even the Ten Pentacles didn’t go away,” said Mrs Five Swords, just audibly enough for the others to hear.

Just as the rain increased Three Swords and her little girl came along.  “Here comes Misery on Legs,” said Mrs Five Swords. “Happy New Year,” she added, with an unfriendly gleam in her eye.  “I suppose it’s happy,” sighed Mrs Three Swords.  “I can’t think why they call it “The Festive Season”,” she went on.  “Nothing festive in our house.” “Don’t you dare ask ,” said Mrs Five Swords, as one of the sympathetic Cups mothers opened her mouth.  “Well, perhaps there really were difficulties or something,” said the Six Cups mother.  “Won’t be any worse than anything anyone else has had,” replied Five Swords.  Little Three Swords’s face was streaked with tears and her hood had blown back so her hair was wet.  “Of course she couldn’t be bothered to tie her hood up properly,” said her mother, “so what do you expect?”

Seven and Eight Pentacles were old enough to walk themselves to school, so they made their way purposefully through the gates and looked for their friends, followed by Nine Wands and Nine Cups.  The former, for once, seemed to be in one piece and had no bandages or other indications of accidents about his person,  and the latter was making sure all the children within earshot knew about the rather nice presents he had received.  “Spoilt Brat,” said Five Swords out of the side of her mouth as the children went into the playground.  The Spoilt Brat took no notice.

Just as the King of Cups, accompanied by Miss Pentacles, came into the playground, to ring the bell so the children could line up and walk into school, the Ten Cups family came scurrying into view. Both parents always walked their children to school, and they were always the last to arrive, always beaming and happy.  “It’s all a front,” said Five Swords sourly, “no-one’s ever really that happy, they’re just showing off.”

The two children ran into the playground and joined their class groups just as they lined up to walk in to the school building.

“Happy New Year to you all,” exclaimed Mr and Mrs Ten Cups to the other mothers.  “How lovely to see you all again.  We do hope your Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Winter Celebration was joyous and happy, like ours was!”  They beamed at everyone.  “And isn’t it nice,” chorused the other mothers, “to get the children out from under our feet!”