Nine of Wands: Come at Me

I've been feeling like the Julian De Burgh and Mary Guinan's Celtic Nine of Wands lately.  I started my internship at school, and it is intense. Fulfilling, but intense.  It's really made the social work cohort bond together.  

In tarot, the number nine signifies a climax, before the denouement of the ten.  Ten wraps everything up, while nine is a continuation of the heavy action of the situation (represented by the eight), and/or a response to the demands placed by the situation. The Nine of Wands is a call to gather your troops, to hold steady, and to be watchful.    

You don't have to go it alone.  You may be heading towards victory, with support in your corner.  Gather your cheering squad.  Assemble your fleet.  At least you'll know you have people to comfort you if things don't turn out the way you wanted.  

You may be struggling, but you may also feel strong.  You have something to lean on, whether that be  an ideal or a goal.  You've already accomplished quite a bit.  The symbol on the man's pendant is the rune Algiz, which is the rune of protection (a very powerful rune and one of the runes I feel very attached to). The Algiz on the pendant gives a sense of hope. Sometimes,  when I'm looking at the symbol on the pendant, my brain will see the rune Tyr, which stands for steadfastness and strength.  The rune takes its name from the Norse god Tyr, who put his hand in the sun devouring wolf Fenrir's mouth to prove his word.  The Nine of Wands may be telling you to prepare for a similar test.  You may be bleeding, but you will be damned if you let the bastards take you down.  

Freya stands, sharp eyed and determined, before the staves she has erected. What is behind the fence she has made?  On the other hand, she may be standing behind the staves, to protect herself. It does not change her expression.  Sometimes, the best thing to do is watch and wait, and know that you can handle whatever may come.  Like Scar sings, "Be prepared."  

We may be stripped of everything, sitting butt naked in a cell, and still be a BAMF.  Fight the good fight. Anger may be all that keeps you going, but you still have determination, and you still have one weapon left, something that the guards missed.
If you feel everything has been taken from you, what is the one thing you still have? An imagination to help you escape? Righteous anger? You may have more power than you think.
Are you prepared for any eventuality?

The Chariot

When I see the Chariot in the upright position, it makes me think of smooth sailing.  It can mean literal travel, or accomplishing a goal.  It signifies transitions. 

The Chariot in the Celtic Deck is drawn by creepy horses.  Maybe that's a good thing, though.  They scare everything out of the way.  The Questioner here is very driven to accomplish the task at hand, or they will soon be inspired.  There may be a scary intensity to the Questioner.  Anger may be a motivator.   The Questioner may also feel very restless and reckless.  They may be craving an adventure.  

Sometimes, there is a hint of caution in the Chariot--don't go too fast, don't make your turns too sharp.  Stay in control.  

 In contrast, Barbara G. Walker's Chariot shows a calm, elegant rider.  He isn't even holding on to any reins, just trusting the horses to carry him down the red carpet.  However, he has to stay alert, otherwise, the horses will just wander off in opposite directions.  These two steeds, one black, the other white, may symbolize opposing forces working on the Questioner.  These may be internal, or external.  However, depending on the spread and the question, the Questioner may be successfully moving forward while holding these contradictions in balance.
The symbol on the front of the chariot is the glyph for Hermes, messenger of the gods, god of words. Maybe a message will be delivered for the Questioner.

Rhiannon, Celtic goddess, is the goddess for the Chariot in the Goddess deck.  She rides an ethereal white horse.  Kris Waldherr writes that she "symbolizes the unceasing force of movement that pulls all of life along with it" (The Goddess Tarot, p. 29).  Her three birds sing songs that can carry the dead to life, and the living into death (p. 30).  

A horse carries people to  Tir na Nog, the Otherworld of youth, beauty, and joy.  

 Black is mystery, the unknown, the nighttime and dreams.  Silver is feminine magic, and the Moon.  White is knowledge. Gold is masculine power, and the warm sun that lights the day.  They are in perfect balance, just like the yin/yang symbol on the chariot.  The rider is not only confident, but joyous. The sun shines upon him and his horses.  Things are going really well--either he's got such strong control that he doesn't need reins, or he is much beloved by his horses, so he can rest in the happiness of trust, in himself and in his surroundings. He's taken the first steps and is now on a roll (Get it?). The Questioner may do the same, depending on  the reading.
 His canopy is clear night sky, which makes me think of "traversing across the stars," and the purple is for royalty, and also the color for Sagittarius, sign of the wanderer.  It's also the color of the crown chakra, the chakra that connects us to higher powers and our greatest possible selves.  Forging this connection and reaching our potential can and has been compared to a journey.

I've been interested in the Chariot from an astrological point of view, in particular because it is associated with Luna, my sun sign.  I never really understood the connection between the Chariot and Luna, but this site was very helpful: Check it!  Aeclectic is a great site to browsed, and now the Chariot and Luna make a lot more sense. The Chariot is full of contradictions, like sun/moon, black/white, taking risks/being cautious.  Luna is like that too.  Lunas crave affection, but can push people away with moods as welcoming as barbed wire when they need affection the most.  We're homebodies, but also crave adventure and recognition.

When reversed, the Chariot usually symbolizes two things, frustration and stagnation, and/or recklessness and losing control.  In this case, it serves as a heads-up.  Once, I got the Chariot during a reading and was told to be careful for any car issues.

Our Mistress, Our Maiden, and Our Mother

Let me preface this with good news:
I was accepted into a Master's in Social Work program in a great place.  I've spent the last few months moving and getting into the swing of scholastics. I have just finished several presentations, and several papers (one a 25 pager).  The semester's winding down and I miss blogging!

I've been noticing alignment with the Moon and my life.  The Moon is my ruling heavenly body.  The full moon in Capricorn fell on my birthday, and Capricorn is the opposite sign of Luna.  Then, on my first day of classes, there was a New Moon in Virgo, the sign of diligence and hard work in the Moon phase associated with beginnings.  Finally, for one of my classes, I visited a Hindu Temple.  The night I chose to visit just happened to be on the full moon in Taurus, a good time to mix intellectual duty, spiritual fulfillment, and fun. Therefore, I feel that it was time to talk about the Moon.

 The Moon, drawn by Mary Guinan for Julian DeBurgh's Celtic Deck shows white stones surrounding a mysterious golden glow.  A great pearl of a full moon gleams down on the scene.   The Moon is a mystery.  What are the secrets the questioner is in the process of uncovering?  The Moon tells that there is more than meets the eye.  The Moon casts her silver and pearl glow over rituals and meditation, protecting and illuminating.

Here we have the Crab, naturally, and two wolves gracing Barbara G. Walker's Moon card.  The Crab is venturing into new territory from the mysterious, primordial pool, called by a full moon that's pregnant with possibilities.  The wolves sing to Luna as she rises above two pillars flanking a golden path that leads to darkness.  It's a little eerie.  Where does that path lead? Is it safe? Is it safe to follow the moonlight?  Will we find treasure, or...lunacy?
The Moon pulls our tides, and may also pull our blood, at least, I think so.  Water is also full of treasures, but also threats, just like our subconscious.
By the way, the nine blood drops curving around the Moon there? They represent menstrual blood, and there's nine of them to represent the nine months of pregnancy.  Fun fact: the words moon, month, and menstrual all have the same root! The Moon is associated with the female, although in Japan, Tsukuyomi, is a Moon god, and the Germanic tribes had Mani, and the Mesopotamians had Sin.

Kris Waldherr chose Diana/Artemis for her Moon card.  Diana is the Huntress, and she is known for her harsh punishments (such as turning a guy into a stag and having his own dogs rip him apart, because he saw her bathing), and yet, she has a nurturing aspect to her as well. She helped her mother, Leto, deliver her twin brother, Apollo, right after she herself was born.  She was also the protectoress of girls right until they were married.  She healed Aeneus after his battle injury in the Trojan War.  The Moon itself is associated with illusion and lunacy, but, it is also a source of healing and creativity.
Nature, and the Moon, are cyclical.  Life is cyclical--waxing and waning with periods of activity and periods of rest.  Diana, the Maiden, is the first aspect of the Goddess, followed by Selene, the Mother, and finally by Hecate, the Crone.

In a more verdant landscape than Walker's, Wood's Moon features a little crustacean strolling out of a pond that is blue, not black, and the thin path winds between a small wolf and a very large beagle into a misty rolling field.  The mystery we see in Walker's card is still there, but it seems more nurturing somehow--perhaps because there's some luminescence in the distant horizon, and there's plant life.  Instead of two pillars, there are two stone caves.  The caves, as we've discussed before, symbolize the Earth Mother's womb.
If you look at this card, it can be full or a crescent, waxing or waning. If you see the Moon as waxing, or growing bigger, it might be a fortuitous time for new beginnings.  If it is waning, something may be coming to an end.
A wild wolf and a loyal dog have come together to serenade the Moon in a duet.  The domesticated dog and the feral wolf unite their qualities in the Moon.  The Moon is a loyal, loving mother, but may give you more than you bargained for.  Case in point:

Dorcha is Epona's Wild Daughter.  You can find her in The Faeries Oracle, by Brian Froud.  She's part of the group of Faery Challengers.  She forces the reader to confront what Jung called the Shadow self, or the parts of the self we label bad.  She accompanies us through depression, anxiety, and nightmares, like Hecate. Like Hecate, she may be misunderstood.  Just because there is no light at night does not mean the Moon is not there, and just because somebody shows you frightening things doesn't necessarily mean they are evil.  

 Laiste is Dorcha's sister.  She believes in pulling pranks to wake people up, like when the Moon's light makes things look like things they are not--turning water into solid ground, and trees into skeletons.  She embodies the mystic Moon, and can be whimsical.  However, just like Dorcha, she wants you to be open and go deep.  She and Dorcha are adopted daughters of Hecate, the dark side of the Moon who can be fierce, but shows surprising flashes and glimpses of beauty.  Hecate will then always become Artemis again, new and full of promise of new beginnings, and then become the gentle, loving Selene, and back to the Goddess of Magic.
I think that's one of the reasons I'm so happy Luna is my ruling body.  She's everything--young, old, mother, maiden, wise woman, Queen of Witches.  She guides and obscures.  She's also in a close, personal relationship with Water, element of dreams, love, and emotion.  She is silver and pearl.  She is Maiden, Mother, and Mistress.

Sun, Sun, Sun, Here it Comes!

Now is a time of celebration.  Specifically, it is the celebration of the end of suffering.  Christ rises after death.  The Israelites were freed from slavery.  Winter is finally gone--the months of dark and cold have  been warmed away.  The flora and fauna know it, too.  They awaken from their sleep, babies are born, and shoots spring from the snow-damp soil.  It is a Phoenix time.  The sun blazes bright and beautiful.  That which was seemingly dead stirs and stretches.  

The Sun card is a card of triumph, of energy, of joy, of hope, and of healing.  Even reversed, it simply means that the happiness and victory may come later rather than sooner, but it will come.  It means success, rebirth, new ideas, and new babies.  

Barbara G. Walker shows us two small towheaded children (the one on the left looks like a Kewpie doll!), joining hands and holding a chain of ivy.   The children are in the Garden of Eden.  Other possible meanings for the wall are that it is a symbol of safety, or of being a blank slate, full of possibility.  The nudity of the children symbolizes innocence and freedom.  

The Sun is the ruling heavenly body of the astrological sign Leo.  Leo is the 'child' of the zodiac, full of fun and bliss.  

Robin Wood also chose the child as the symbol of the Sun, reflecting innocent joy.  The child also is sign of rebirth, of newness.  The sunflowers bloom brightly in the background.  Robin Wood wrote that she painted four, one for each element, and a couple not yet opened to show the wonderful surprises in store for the questioner.   The white roses in the baby's hair are for pure love, and his red feather, like his banner, represent courage, adventure, and a flair for life.  At the top of the banner is a little golden hawk, a bird associated with courage, freedom, and the sun.  The hawk is an avatar of Horus, the Egyptian god of the sky.  

The pony is white as a cloud, for purity, and his eyes are sky-blue.  Everything is clear and lucid.  

Mary Guinan drew a strong, confident warrior for Julian De Burgh's Celtic Deck. Instead of the childlike joy of Walker and Wood's decks, the Celtic Deck emphasizes the bravery and power of the sun. Leo is the child of the zodiac, but it is also the Lion--regal and majestic.  The Celtic sun warrior is a protector and a path blazer.  

Kris Waldherr chose the Zorya to represent the Sun in her Goddess deck.  The Zorya are a triune goddess (who may be seen as Maiden, Mother/Lover, Wise Woman but not necessarily) from Russian folklore.  In her The Book of Goddesses, Kris Waldherr explains that the Zorya attend to Dazbog, the sun god.  The first (or Maiden) is Utrennyaya, or Morning Star; the second (Mother/Lover) is Vechernyaya, or the Evening Star; and the third (Wise Woman) is Zorya, or midnight.  Utrennyaya opens the gates for Dazbog to ride across the sky.  In the evening, Vechernyaya opens the gate to let him back in. Zorya watches over the sky until the gates open again.  

The three women, like the Celtic warrior, are also guardians.  They watch over the universe, and keep the doomsday hound, Simargl, in check.  The Sun card is a sign that the questioner is guarded and guided by the universe.  There is synchronicity and serendipity. Things may seem to be falling into place. 

The Sun card is a card of good tidings.  It tells of good things to come and success in an endeavor.  If representing a person, it indicates a happy, bright person who will bring cheer to the questioner's life, or help them reach their dreams.  It may also symbolize a new baby.  Alternately, it could mean that the person is fiercely protective of the questioner and her happiness.  

If it represents an aspect of the questioner, it means that the questioner brings happiness to those around him, and may be the center of attention.  The questioner may also be feeling very brave, and willing to take risks. 

The Lovers! (NSFW)

In honor of Valentine's Day, let's look at the Lovers (really look at them, in one case).

The Lovers card is, of course, a portent of love.  Barbara G. Walker even included Eros (Cupid in Roman), the personification of love, in her Lovers card. However, being a critical reader of cards (like a critical reader of literature) involves looking at the details as well as the big picture, and reading between the lines. For example, the officiant of this marriage is a priestess, not the traditional priest.  This is not only a legal marriage; there is a deeper, subconscious connection.
Barbara G. Walker writes that since the young man is between an older woman and a younger woman, this card may indicate a choice between mother and wife, youth and maturity, body and spirit (Walker 8). If this triangle sticks out to you, by all means, that interpretation may be what your intuition is pointing you toward. On the other hand, the older woman may seem like a wise teacher, giving her blessings to the young couple. This may tell the reader that the relationship in question is blessed and approved, by destiny if not by the couples' parents. If the teacher archetype really sticks out for you in this card, it could mean that the questioner should contemplate (or is contemplating) the pursuit of a passion, in all its many forms. They may be beginning a yoga practice, or starting a painting, or about to go on a date. This is a good omen that they are on the right track!

Venus is, of course, the perfect goddess to represent The Lovers in Kris Waldherr's Goddess Deck. While Venus (Aphrodite in Greek) was a goddess of romantic love, she was also a goddess of beauty in general. Thus, if Venus (or The Lovers) show up in a reading, they may indicate a surge of creative energy, or simply that the questioner needs (or is being given) plenty of beauty to feast on.  This can also indicate a person with a gift for making things beautiful.

This is where it gets racy--

Sometimes The Lovers are just The Lovers. The card is simply telling the questioner she has a crush, or lusts after a new partner. Look closely at the moon in The Lovers card for the Celtic deck-- Mary Guinan drew it as a waxing crescent. This could be the beginning, or the honeymoon phase, of a relationship, and it is swelling just as the moon does.

Okay, send the kids out of the room, if you're squeamish--

I'll give you a minute to get the staring out of your system.

All done? Good, because there's more to this card then privates and thingies and naughty bits, as in all Robin Wood cards.  The nudity, while of course underscoring romantic love and sexual passion, is also symbolic of a pure, unashamed state. This could be speaking to a relationship where the couple is secure in themselves with each other, or the two are exploring new things together, a la Jasmine and Aladdin. This state can also describe a new interest in the questioner's life. Remember "beginner's mind"? This Zen concept is defined as the purest, most open state of mind, the mind most receptive to learning. The person's interest is unadulterated.
Looking at other parts of the couple's bodies besides the very obvious ones, you may notice the color of their hair. Yes, they have hair on their heads. The man has golden hair, and the woman has raven hair. You may also notice that the man is balancing a sun, and the woman is balancing a moon.  They are connected by a arcing rainbow.  This is symbolic of the balance between yin and yang, male and female, bright and dark.  The masculine attributes of strength, ambition, power, and consciousness is equal to, no more or less, to the feminine attributes of intuition, the ability to plumb the subconscious, and nurturing.  Combined, this leads to fertility (as can be seen in the blossoming flowers and fruit on the card).  This fertility may be physical, artistic, intellectual, or spiritual. If the question is about a couple, they would seem to be a perfect match (of course, nobody's perfect, but they're pretty happy, indeed!). If it's about an individual, this means that this person is extremely harmonious internally.
The Lovers can also mean that the person has committed himself to a new spiritual or intellectual practice.  The beloved in this case is a Higher Power, or a new philosophy of life.  It may also show that the questioner has chosen to commit to her Self, and this is a romance that lasts a lifetime.

Reversed, The Lovers card means that He or She is Just Not That Into You, or there is a lack of commitment in the scenario being analyzed.  There is a mismatch.  It might not work out.

But enough negativity.  As we have seen, The Lovers is an excellent card for, well,  lovers. However, it shouldn't be underestimated as a one-dimensional card. It can refer not only to the love between a lover and the beloved, but between the lover and a Higher Power, a Lover and Nature, a Lover and Art, a Lover and Philosophy-- the list goes on, including between a Lover and the Self.  So, if you're single for Valentine's Day, don't despair--as The Lovers have shown us, Love should flow freely wherever the heart wills it, not just on our romantic partners.

I'd like to leave you with some quotes by Rumi, who knew a thing or two about Love:

When life ends we are given another. 

Love is the water of Eternal Life; 

when you enter that immense sea, 

you will know that each drop of it 

brims with Life.

We are in love with Love 

because Love is our salvation. 

Our guide is the Soul

 and Love, the water of life. 

Woe to him who cannot find the source

 for his path is barred by ignorance.

Your body is woven 

from the light of Heaven. 

Are you aware

 that its purity and swiftness 

are the envy of the angels 

and its courage 

keeps even devils away?

You stepped on the ground 

and the earth, pregnant with joy, 

gave birth to infinite blossoms. 

The cheering spread up to Heaven! 

The moon glanced  amazed at the stars.

Sources: Rumi's Little Book of Love: 150 Poems That Speak to the Heart.  Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin, editors. Charlottesville: Hampton Roads, 2009.

Walker, Barbara G. Barbara Walker Tarot.  U.S. Games Systems, Inc., 1986.

A Dream Come True: King of Cups

The King of Cups, like his wife, represents beauty, poetry, and dreams.  He is the King of the emotional realm, the watery subconscious.  He is romantic and poetic. He is the masculine principle of unconditional love and devotion.  

 The King of Cups is gentle and empathetic, and, even though the Air signs are known for their communication skills, those strong in Water have their own comforting eloquence--they know what to say, and also when to stay silent.
Dolphins, the playful mammals that live in the sea, represent the King of Cups' comfort both in the land of reason and in the water of feeling.  The King of Cups is aware that the human imagination and capacity for compassion is limitless, like the ocean itself.
The King is gazing far off, indicating the intuition associated with Water signs.  The King of Cups can see into the future, using his heart (or his gut) as his guide. The watery King does not rely exclusively on his brain.  Because he is so empathetic, he is also pretty good at anticipating what another person may need.  However, because the person in question is a human being, don't be too hard on them when they don't!
Robin Wood's King of Cups is dressed in the same watery yet powerful colors his wife the Queen wears, and the background is colored in pale, soft, colors.  These colors show both the majesty, splendor, and tenderness of the King of Cups.

The King of Cups is a man who is "in touch with his feminine side." He is nurturing, and has a comforting presence.  As you can see here, on Kris Waldherr's King of Cups, the King is dressed in the feminine color of lavender; however, the King of Cups should never be thought of as weak.  The people whom this card represents are loyal, strong, and true, and willing to take on anything for the people whom they love. Lavender is a healing, peaceful color, and peace takes power and courage, perhaps a different kind of courage than the more masculine Wands and Swords, but courage nevertheless.  The soft glow that surrounds this King is his true nature, but keep in mind that the Water signs can be intimidating--Lunas have claws, Scorpios have the stinger, and Pisces--well, you've heard of barracuda, piranha, and great white sharks.  

The King of Cups has a pensive, dreamy quality, which can be seen in the way the King gazes down into his cup. That cup is full of mysteries and wonders of the subconscious, the beauty and power inside every person, and the inner peace accessible to all.  

Little side note: the Suit of Cups are sometimes associated with blondes.  

The Celtic King of Cups looks concerned, even though he has all the qualities embodied in the King of Cups. This can be a common pitfall of the King of Cups--even though he has all of these loving qualities, and intuition, and imagination, they can be plagued by insecurity and doubt.  Yet, this vulnerability can be a great strength. Openness and exposure is an act of courage.  

Barbara G. Walker chose the Welsh god of the sea, Dewi, to be the King of Cups for her deck.  Dewi later became known as Davy Jones, and Saint David (Walker 24).  He is the ruler of all the oceans, the symbol for the subconscious, its mystery, its power, its beauty, and its terrors.  The Welsh god was a protector, like all King of Cups who are balanced and whole, and was a symbol of "ageless power and strength, [and] irresistible forces underlying a calm surface" (Walker 25).  Still waters run deep.  

The King of Cups, like all Kings in a tarot deck, typically represents a father figure. The King of Cups is the kind, loving, affectionate, and nurturing father. 

When the King of Cups is imbalanced, he can be narcissistic, needy, estranged, or even bipolar.  He can also be emotionally cruel or abandoning.  

Archetypes and people associated with the King of Cups

Kind, loving fathers 

Artists

Poets 

Devoted husbands

The Lover 

A Sensitive Man 

Priests 

Monks 

A good therapist 

The Romantic 

Males born under the Water signs and have a lot of that energy 

Work Cited: 

Walker, Barbara G.  Barbara Walker Tarot.  Stamford: US Games Systems, Inc. 1986

Like my Emperor post, which was dedicated to my beloved Grandpa, I dedicate this post to my dear Uncle Tim, who passed away November 13th (and who was a Pisces), and my lovely Uncle Mike, who just celebrated his birthday, and is a Scorpio. 

Rest and Relaxation, brought to you by the Four of Swords

Fours, in numerology, is the number of stability and balance. There are four points on the compass, four elements in the Western tradition, and four seasons.  There are four sides in a square, and four legs on a table. There are also four aspects to the human being--physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

The Four of Swords signifies a time of rest and rejuvenation after a struggle or a period of intense mental activity.

Kris Waldherr's Goddess Deck shows Isis reclining under the points of Four Swords.  Looking at the card, you may feel that the points are ominous and menacing Swords of Damocles, literally. Since the Four of Swords signifies an only temporary truce, this card can carry an underlying tension. But, again, it's all in the interpretation of the card, and the same card may show something different to the same reader at each reading. Another person may see, or another reading may show, the swords as Isis's own swords, and they keep her safe and secure while she rests before rising to face a new challenge.

 In Robin Wood's deck, three of the four swords are sheathed, and one is carved into the stone of the sepulcher.  The swords are put to rest as well.  Now is not the time for the questioner to brain storm (the Swords are aligned with the mental realm) or sharpen his wits. Now is the time to take care of herself. From the position of the shield on the chest, now is a time for, at most, a defensive position. Do not take the offensive.  Take a temporary peace to recharge before going back to the challenge or conflict at hand.  Relish the relaxation, and feel gratitude.

The Celtic Deck shows people having a meal. Depending on how you read the card, this scene may tell about a temporary truce or ceasefire, or a retaking up of arms after a temporary truce. On what razor thin edge is the questioner balancing? Is it heading toward peace, or an explosion?
Perhaps the questioner is more like the fellow up in the balcony, or the serving man carrying the tray of food, or the unarmed host.  What does this vantage point offer? Can they influence the outcome of the situation?

Barbara G. Walker's Four of Swords shows a sorceress at rest, but on her guard.  Her swords form a protective boundary around her as she etches the protective pentagram onto the ground in front of her.  The four swords, with the square that they form around her, also help her keep balanced metaphorically.
She is in a cave, the symbol of the womb, and of regeneration. When she leaves her resting place, she will be stronger and better prepared for the problems that she may face. In that regard, the Four of Swords may be telling the questioner to not only take a break to rejuvenate, but to gather intelligence and possible defensive and offensive mechanisms.

When reversed, the Four of Swords mean that a truce or a time-out is denied, or that the period of rest and truce is coming to an end.

The Emperor

The Emperor is the animus to the Empress' anima. He is the Father to the Mother.  He is masculine energy, majesty, and authority.

Barbara G. Walker's Emperor, shown above, is a confident man with a long beard, which is a sign of masculine maturity, tights not withstanding. The fact that the beard is black shows he is in the prime of his virility. His eagle-blazened shield symbolizes his honor and nobility.  His orb and scepter illustrate his kingship.  The mountains and broad sky behind him show the reach of his power and possibility.

Robin Wood's Emperor also has the full beard of maturity and virility, but it is shot with gray to temper that virility with wisdom. It is also gold, like a lion's mane, to show his regality. He is crowned with the laurel leaves of a philosopher king, and clothed in the red of fire-y power and the purple of royalty. He's got the whole world at his feet, and his arm rests have ram's heads, a symbol of sexuality and power. His codpiece also has a ram's head ;).
His animals are also important symbols.  His head is flanked by two birds. I see these birds as ravens, and they remind me of Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn. Huginn means "thought" and Muninn means "memory."  They are Odin's loyal servants, who keep him informed.  Thus, the Emperor in a spread may indicate that the questioner must know who their friends are, and whom they can trust to be honest and true. It also may be telling the questioner that they have intuitive powers and shamanic prowess.  This is underscored by his silver-y armor. This isn't just brawn; it's brains too. A real man embraces the Feminine.  Sometimes, the Emperor may want to remind a powerful questioner of that fact.
Sometimes, the Emperor reminds me of Odin in his sacrificial aspect. One important thing about Odin is that he gave himself over to great pain to obtain knowledge of the Runes and give it to the people. Sometimes, the Emperor is there to tell us that the ultimate manly act is to sacrifice oneself--either to gain knowledge, or, even better, to help others.

Mary Guinan's illustration for Julian De Burgh's Celtic Deck shows the Emperor in a state of meditation, even melancholy. Did he see something in his orb that has brought him to this state? Or is he simply weary?  What has him so worried?
Or, is he thinking of a solution to a problem?
Has he forgotten that, as The Emperor, he has the power to solve the problem, and the wisdom to find a solution? Is this what the card is trying to tell the questioner?

While I mentioned that The Emperor may remind the questioner that real masculine power must also have elements of tenderness, The Emperor may also want the questioner to embrace power, action, and force, no matter what gender.  Kris Waldherr, creator of The Goddess Deck, chose Freyja, the Norse goddess of beauty and love.  Freyja, a member of the peaceful Vasir, was given in marriage to broker peace between the Vasir and the war-loving Aesir.  She balances action and rest, strength and gentleness. Waldherr writes, in her companion book for the deck, "Freyja becomes the link between the old world--before iron tools--and the new, where power was often expressed in violence instead of through diplomacy and tolerance. She shows that true power lies in the ability to discriminate between aggression and passivity--and the ability to choose between them at the correct time" (Waldherr 26).
Power comes from balance between opposites.

If the Emperor does not represent the questioner, he (or she, in Freyja's case) may represent someone in the questioner's life, usually a figure in power, typically a father figure, or another male presence in the questioner's life, or a woman with traditionally "masculine" attributes. This person is a good leader, someone who is kind and powerful.

Reversed, The Emperor may indicate someone who is either too weak, and is being used as a doormat, or someone who is aggressive and bullying. It may also indicate a person who is simply incompetent, especially in a leadership position. Knowing the situation will help you figure it out.

This post is dedicated, with love, to Jim Carmody--1922-2012.

The High Priestess

In review:
In the beginning was The Fool, the beginner's mind, new experiences, birth and rebirth.

Tara, the Tibetan goddess of compassion and protection, symbolizes New Beginnings in Kris Waldherr's Goddess Deck. If she appears, she will keep the questioner safe from harm as they begin their new adventure. In fact, Tara translates to "She who causes one to cross." So, the first step of the Tarot Major Arcana journey is one of getting the courage and security to set out on your adventure.

Next is gaining mastery over the self and the environment, represented by the Magician:

And now, after there is self-control and external power, the adventurer becomes introspective, and looks to the abstract.

And we have moved from the Magician to the High Priestess. While the Magician is about skills, the High Priestess is about knowledge, especially knowledge of the Self, and knowledge of the Spirit.   Kris Waldherr chose Sarasvati for the High Priestess of the Goddess Deck, and called the card itself Wisdom.  Sarasvati is the Hindu goddess of wisdom, music, education, spiritual knowledge, and the arts.  She floats on a lotus, a flower that symbolizes resilience. The lotus can grow out of the murkiest depths, and knowledge and enlightenment can occur in the most unlikely places.

Kris Waldherr added many wonderful details to her illustration. Look closely at Sarasvati's arms, of which she has four. This shows the reach of wisdom; enlightenment can be found in all four corners of the earth. Also, to connect her to the Magician, I would say that the four arms can symbolize the four elements, of which the High Priestess would also have mastery. The four limbs can be spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional well being and balance, as well. The book is education and commitment to learning. The beads represent spiritual commitment and ritual, and the lute she strums symbolizes music, the marriage of both the left and right brain, showing both emotional and logical balance.

The Celtic Deck's High Priestess is shown standing in front of the moon, a symbol of feminine intuition, wisdom, and the subconscious. The moon is full to show the fertility of her imagination. Her robes are those of a priestess, someone who has been initiated onto the path. The inside of her robes is dark blue, the color of the night and the subconscious. Her sash is gold, the color of solar or male energy, showing her ability to translate this knowledge from subconscious to conscious, abstract to concrete.  She stands on a verdant green lawn, vines climbing up the bricks. This is a place of mystery.  If the High Priestess comes into a spread, secrets may be revealed.
Since The High Priestess is shown outdoors, she shows an understanding and a closeness to nature, a potent source of wisdom, and a source as beloved and valuable to the High Priestess as any book.

Robin Wood's High Priestess shows a woman wearing a robe in shades of blue and green, the colors of night and of water, both associated with the feminine, the subconscious, and dreams. She holds a book, to show her devotion to study, and a crystal ball, to show her sharp intuition. Her hair is black, in keeping with the mysterious colors of night, and is highlighted with silver, a feminine color because of its association with the moon (gold and the sun are masculine).  Her necklace is, if you look closely, a pentacle. She also has mastery over the four elements.  Her headband has a crescent moon, which is a symbol of rebirth and regeneration, as well as the cyclical nature of life, as the moon wanes or "dies" and then waxes, or is "reborn."
In a reading, the season depicted in the card may seem to be autumn/early winter, or early spring.  The beauty of the Robin Wood deck is the careful detailing. One detail may stick out to you out of all the others on the card.  What does this detail tell you? What does it mean to you? Why does it stick out?

Barbara G. Walker's Papess is also full of exquisite detail. What stands out to me, right now, are the Alpha and Omega symbols on the pillars behind the Papess. Her knowledge is the beginning, the end, and everything in between. She studies the book in her lap, calm and alert, flanked by the ivory towers of accomplishment. These ivory towers may mean something else to you. On the ground in front of the Papess are two keys, which allow insights, foresights, and treasures of the subconscious to be yielded to the questioner.

At first glance, the Papess may appear to be wearing a Devo hat. This is actually meant to represent a beehive, and at the top is a crescent moon, the symbol of cycles and regeneration.  The High Priestess/Papess, because of her wisdom, understands and accepts the cycles of life. The beehive is symbolic of devotion, for she is as intent on gathering wisdom as the bees are at gathering nectar. Just as bees instinctively go to the best flowers, she uses her intuition to guide her. She is wearing purple, the color of royalty, and the other dominant colors of the card are red and white--red is commonly associated with passion, and white with purity. What do these colors mean to you?

If the questioner receives this card,  it could represent aspects of the questioner. The questioner may be going through a period where they feel passionate about learning. They may be having very intense, even prophetic dreams. They may be feeling very close to nature, or may have had a transcendent experience in a sacred place.

The High Priestess/Papess may also represent someone in the questioner's life.  This person may be very encouraging, intuitive, and/or intelligent. This may be a female teacher, therapist, or mentor, especially in a spiritual capacity, a mother in an initiator role, or a friend who gives good advice.

The archetype of a High Priestess, which can also be found in a male, is that of an intuitive, wise, spiritual woman, a woman who perhaps is close to nature.  She may be mysterious, but nurturing.

In its reversed aspect, the High Priestess could indicate a stinginess with wisdom--the questioner or a person in the questioner's life is choosing not to help a someone seeking answers.  It can also indicate someone who thinks he or she is wise but is actually not experienced enough to give accurate counsel. It can also mean an estrangement from one's own intuition or subconscious, or a refusal to follow one's gut feelings. The High Priestess in reverse can also show that the questioner, or someone close, is having a full-blown spiritual crisis.

10 of Cups

In numerology, the number ten symbolizes the end of an old cycle and the beginning of a new one.  Because of this, it resonates with a very similar energy to the number one.

The suit of Cups is the suit of Water. It is associated with the feminine, and with emotions, creativity, intuition,  psychic ability, caring, and relationships.

The Ten of Cups is thus associated with great joy in its upright position.

Robin Wood's Ten of Cups shows a very happy family who has seemingly found Heaven on Earth.  The circle of the rainbow shows the full-circle completion represented by the Earth. In a reading, the reader may also sense that the rainbow may symbolize joy after pain.
The Ten of Cups shows a very happy family life, a very happy marriage, or the realization of a dream.  If this card appears, the reader may be, or will be, in a euphoric state. It may also symbolize an awakening or a healing.

The Celtic Deck shows a young couple who look to be just starting out.  They have their "Cups stacked." A life role has ended--that of being single-- and a new one is beginning.  They are becoming life partners,  and possibly parents.  For a single person, this card may symbolize another new, happy beginning. Perhaps they may have finally found a publisher for their novel, for example.
Like the Robin Wood deck, there is a message of hope--the clouds above are clearing, and the couple may have walked "out of the woods."  This may be another message of the 10 of Cups; the questioner may have emotional clarity after being muddled.  They questioner may finally be stepping into the light after a dark night of the soul.

The 10 of Cups for the Goddess Deck has the rainbow making an appearance.  The "full circle" is there too; look at the reflection in the water! The water is also calm and clear.  There is serenity and clarity.  Kris Waldherr, who chose Venus for the Cups suit, reminds us that Venus was born from water like this. A major theme of the Cups is love, after all.  The moon above, like the element of water,  represents the divine feminine and emotions.

Barbara G. Walker's Ten of Cups shows a white castle, which may symbolize the goal of spiritual enlightenment, a creative endeavor, or true love.  He is guided by his feminine side, his anima, or emotions. He is thinking with his gut and heart, which will lead him to his goal.  The Ten of Cups may be advising that you may need to turn off the logical, reasonable part of the brain, which may be keeping you hemming and hawing, and instead listen to your emotions.  When you think about a certain course of action, how do you feel in your body? Do you feel lighter and relaxed, or heavy, tense, and queasy? Does the "sensible" course of action leave you feeling numb, cold, or sad?  These feelings shouldn't be discounted.
Another interpretation for the Ten of Cups, as seen in the Barbara G. Walker deck, is that love can save.  Salvation can be found through strong, loving relationships with others.  Unconditional love is especially potent as an agent of healing, whether this healing is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual.

The Ten of Cups reversed may indicate dissatisfaction. The questioner may be blind to the good things in her life. The Ten of Cups may also indicate discord or disharmony, or a lack of love.  There may be fighting, or the thrill may have gone out of a relationship.  There may be problems between parents and children.  Other cards will help the reader figure out what is happening.

Heavenly Sevens

In numerology the number seven is associated with wisdom and intelligence. There is a difference between the two. A person can be intelligent but not wise, and vice versa.  Wisdom is more spiritual. Intelligence is more worldly--it has to do with what you can learn, and is cerebral.  The number 7 covers both.  It is also associated with spiritual growth and meditation. As God rested on the seventh day, the number seven implies a need for rest and introspection.

Let's start with Wands in the Minor Arcana.

Here, the man in the kilt stares down six Wands, his own Wand blazing. Who or what is holding those other Wands? What is this man's goal? He is fortunate to have the high ground, though, and his legs are strong in his stance. He even has a slight smile on his face. He is confident in his strength and in himself.

In the Celtic Deck, it is apparent that the protagonist on the hill is fighting against six other men. He still holds the high ground, and has a determined expression.  Generally, if Seven of Wands shows up in a spread, it's telling you to stand your ground. You're probably going to come out on top, or at the very least learn what you're capable of.

Freyja, the mediator goddess between the warring gods of Aesir and the peaceful Vanir, is the goddess of the Staves. While the men on the Robin Wood and Celtic decks are confident,  Freyja is uncertain. In certain situations, it is good to be wary. It could very well be that there are aspects of the situation that you are not aware of.  Being wary will help you keep your position and maintain your supremacy.

Here is a man in a Damocles situation. What is unique about this card is that it reminds us that conflict may be caused by ourselves. We may take on to much and find ourselves overwhelmed. Such is the price tag with success, a concept associated with the Wands/Staves, as they are aligned with the external masculine energy.

Reversed, the Seven of Wands/Staves means that the questioner is overwhelmed and unstable. A retreat may be in order.  It may also mean an argument will not be won, or a request will not be granted, as they are too many things working against it.

Moving along to the Coins/Pentacles:

The Seven of Pentacles/Coins is in keeping with the theme of rest and contemplation associated with the number.  Here, a man is very content with his handiwork, which is growing and almost ready for harvest.  From his gloves, it's apparent that it took hard work to get here, but it was worth it.  This card signifies that now is a waiting period, and that good things are on the way, particularly if the question concerned financial, health, and real estate matters, which are under the umbrella of the earthy Pentacles.

The man here is contemplating his money. How much does he already have? How much more does he need? If he needs more, how can he get it?  Those may be the questions the Seven of Pentacles may recommend the questioner consider.

In keeping with the garden theme--gardens as a metaphor for fertility, abundance, richness, patience, cycles, and hard work paying off--Lakshmi is depicted tending hers.  The work is satisfying, and is not a hardship. She is full of happy anticipation. If the question is concerning whether work, education, or another venture will pay off, the Seven of Pentacles is a good omen.

Of course, Barbara G. Walker has to break up the happy-fun time and poop on everybody's party (I mean no disrespect. Barbara G. Walker is one of my heroes. It's just I know this change in tone is quite jarring and I wanted to add some levity).  In her deck, Seven of Pentacles can mean failure. As far as I can see, this has to do with the nature of cycles, which is one of the concepts the Earthy Pentacles have to teach --sometimes the garden is fallow or frozen. However, in the distance is a dark door flanked by seven stars, leading into the cave. What is in that cave? Is there gold? Or perhaps a place to rest and recuperate from loss? Look at the other cards.

The Seven of Coins/Pentacles reversed in other decks say basically what Barbara G. Walker's upright Seven of Pentacles says, and also warns against impatience, laziness, and entitlement.

The Seven of Swords indicates a need to protect oneself, and vulnerability. It also indicates shadiness or deception, on the part of the questioner or on the part of someone the questioner knows.

The Seven of Swords tells the questioner to be careful--someone is either actively trying to harm them, or an impersonal crime may take place. Put up extra protection and be very watchful.  Someone may be sneaking around or spreading rumors. This card can also indicate that the questioner may be up to no good, and are about to be caught, or get themselves entangled in the negative behavior. Those who live by the sword die by it.

This picture makes me think of Caesar's last moments. Watch your back, the cards are telling you. Someone may be a traitor.

Isis, the goddess of the Swords suit, is frightened as she carries her five swords.  Her brother/brother-in-law Set (I know, right?) has killed her husband/brother, Osiris (I know, right?), not once, but twice, dismembering him the second time,  and she must now put Osiris back together, all the while watching her back in case Set tries to kill her and Osiris again. The Seven of Swords is sympathetic. It knows how difficult it is to carry the burden of fear.  It would make a world of difference if someone came to help carry the burden, but the Seven of Swords indicates isolation, or the feeling of isolation. When the Seven of Swords shows up, it may be beneficial to take stock of whom you can trust. You may not be as alone as you think.

Okay, I'm going to point out the elephant on the wall before anyone can jump to conclusions. Yes, that is a swatstika on the wall. Yes, when I saw it, I literally flinched. But trust me, Barbara G. Walker is NOT a Nazi. Here's the a brief history of this symbol, from her invaluable book, The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects:  "Named for the Sanskrit 'so be it' or 'amen,' the swatstika has been a religious emblem of worldwide occurrence since at last 10,000 B.C.  It appeared on the oldest coinage in India, on images of Buddha in Japan, and on Greek and Roman figures of the Great Goddess...It was still used as a magic sign in Europe up to the beginning of the twentieth century" (Walker 61). Even with such an illustrious history, the swatstika is another casualty of the Third Reich, and I won't touch it in my work with the runes (the Futhark and Futhorc do not even have the swatstika anyway).

Okay, now that that's out of the way, the woman, who is a wise crone, has created a circle of seven swords over her as a protective amulet. She sits with closed body language, with her arms and legs crossed. The black cat by her side is her familiar, an extension of her soul and boon companion. Again, this card seems to ask whom we can trust.

 Reversed, a Seven of Swords indicates paranoia, or unrealistic fear,, and indicates that the questioner must seek help. It can also reveal truly dangerous activity or a terrible threat.  Your intuition may also tell you, looking at the card, that a reversed Seven of Swords indicates the danger is past. Use the other cards surrounding it.

The Seven of Cups is a card of dreams and decisions.

Here, the girl's hair becomes the clouds. She is clearly in a flight of fancy. Her head isn't just in the clouds, it is the clouds! The young girl is constructing many lovely scenarios for herself--there's a cup of jewels with a dollar sign motif, a castle in a cup with a crown around the brim, and fireworks shooting out of the cup with the heart.  What those stand for don't need explaining, but some of the symbols are more estoteric. The dragon in the red cup symbolizes power and passion. He's a little bedraggled, because he's been fighting temptation and oppression, as shown by the chains on the band of his cup.  Dreams take work to come true, and sometimes a fight.
The snake in the cup with the moon waxing, full, and waning represents, wisdom and healing. Because snakes shed their skins, they were associated with healing and the shedding of disease. The molting of snakes was seen as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. The moons are symbolic of womanly wisdom, the feminine knowledge of the subconscious, the hidden, and nature cycles.
The laurel in the cup with the skull and crossbones motif is a visual pun meaning "Victory over Death" (Wood 201-208).  The last one is a mask in a silver cup.  The color of silver is symbolic of feminine energy and the moon.  The mask is the Self. Getting behind the mask means the ultimate self-knowledge.
This is why I love Robin Wood. She is so rich in meaning and her artistry is stunning.

In the dreamy Celtic Deck, the Seven of Cups shows a woman peering off the back of a boat. Is she longing for the past, which will never come again? Is she happy with the person she is with, the person rowing the boat? Actually, he's not even rowing the boat. He's gazing at the beautiful sight before him, seven cups in a glowing pyramid. But is that vision real, or a mirage, an illusion? Is it distracting him from the real goal at hand, which is getting to shore? Is he not paying attention to his surroundings, and putting himself and his companion at risk?
Sometimes, the Seven of Cups warns us against illusions and distractions.  It reminds us to know when to let go of a desire it is impossible to obtain, such as a return to the past, or the returning of a love who is not good for us.

In Kris Waldherr's goddess deck, Venus, the goddess chosen for the emotional, romantic cups, is dreaming of the snake, the castle, the crown, and the victory laurel.  The skull can represent the ultimate knowledge of the afterlife, a rebirth, or holding death in the palm of your hand, or, in this case, a goblet.  The rose is for sensual pleasure, beauty, and romance.  Then there is a mysterious seventh cup, shrouded by a piece of white cloth. What is it? What surprises does the universe have in store?

There are many things to choose from. The Seven of Cups may indicate several choices, all of them equally appealing. The choice must be made, however, and the best way to think about it is with gratitude, and tell yourself that no bad decision can be made here.

Here, a poet who makes me think of the Romantic poets (those transcendent, nature loving, emotional dreamboats!) or perhaps Rumi, the Sufi ecstatic.  He has his quill and paper, and is gazing off into the soft swirling fires of inspiration, from which emerge a blonde angel (or siren, depending) with a rainbow aura. She sprinkles him with seven blood red drops from an overturned cup.  She is the Muse, watering our imaginations. He leans on a tree shaped like a hand reaching to the heavens, symbolizing the desire to break earthly bounds. Seven of Cups may symbolize a visit from the Muse, but it may be ephemeral.  Watch for insight and revelation, but also be careful of indulging false hopes or red herrings that may lead you away from what you may really want or need. For example, if you're seriously considering leaving a wonderful person for the person you're infatuated with simply because you're bored.  Or, you're taking a job that you claim to love but you only love the money.

Reversed, Seven of Cups signals self-deception, false hopes, ennui, and indecision. It also may indicate spreading oneself so thin there's no commitment to any one thing.


Sources: Walker, Barbara G. The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1988. Print.
Wood, Robin. The Robin Wood Tarot: The Book. 1998. Livingtree, 2009. Print.