1. 29 July 2011 · 01:39 AM ·
    illusionofgaia asked: Yeah I agree with you on that, another thing I thought of would sort of bring the Adam & Eve story into it a lot more, but when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge, they gained the Knowledge of both good and evil- I think Eve is idealistically appriciating the good, while Adam is a reminder that there's going to be struggles now too. A way to apply this to love would be that people sort of think a relationship is going to solve all their problems (Eve), without acknowledging that it does have its ups and downs (as Adam is). Just something to think about :) hahhahaha

    Well, while the Rider-Waite deck is heavily laced with Judeo-Christian mythology and symbolism, I don’t really like the idea of Adam and Eve being the Lovers. That brings with it A LOT of preconceived notions about love and trust and wrongdoing.

    If we do decide to view them as Adam and Eve, we must remember Eve did not only inherit good thoughts. She inherited embarrassment, humility, pomposity, and all emotions we consider “human.” To say that this allows an idealistic appreciation of the good would be strange to me because she also became so enlightened that she was punished. She had all the wrong knowledge, as far as God was concerned.

    Also, the Tree of Life is a concept brought to use in the book of Revelations and is actually a much more helpful tree than the Tree of Knowledge. Where the Tree of Knowledge hurt Eve, the Tree of Life is meant to heal all and every wound and to bring peace. It is a higher symbol than the Tree of Knowledge because it is so beneficial. However, the Tree of Life is also not among mortal peoples because of its power. Only in complete and dire circumstances does Man eat from the Tree of Life.

    But, at any rate, this is all assuming that we say the figures are Adam and Eve, and for this reason I try not to say it. It brings in symbols and ideas that I don’t think weigh too heavily into what the Lovers mean.

    Ultimately, and this is very much my own personal wisdom, love is simple. People are complicated. The Lovers are a symbol of pure love, that is to say, simple love. How deeply we delve into the Lovers depends on how deeply we’re willing to swim to find the answers. As I’ve said, I’m not too eager to risk my precious oxygen to find out the absolute meaning in this particular card.

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  2. 28 July 2011 · 10:16 AM · 1 note
    illusionofgaia asked: Maybe something to think about with the Lovers in their expressions? Eve looks sort of like she's rapt with wonder about the world, whereas Adam looks sort of annoyed and confused. Also what's your interpretation of the angel, aside from him giving his blessing?

    Hm. Interesting. I had not looked too closely to their facial expressions.

    I think, perhaps, that they have been modified by their trees. Woman is in front of the Tree of Knowledge, perhaps granting her the ability to appreciate the holy figure. Maybe she is saying that through knowledge do we truly appreciate the spiritual wonders of the world.

    Man is in front of the Tree of Life. If we are to take a symbolic meaning from this, I would say that he is representative of the toils of our mortal life. And that would leave anyone feeling annoyed and confused.

    The figure above them, aside from offering a blessing, could even be Mother Nature, or the angelic equivalent. Her presence could mean that this is a natural love, and thus a holy love (which does not speak against same-sex love). Perhaps she ultimately means that when knowledge and life are appreciated and embraced, true love will find its way.

    The LoversMajor ArcanaTarotTarot cardsTarot reading

  3. 27 July 2011 · 03:23 PM ·

    A Learning Moment with The Lovers

    I know that many people look to the seventh card of the Major Arcana for a good sign. I know that the importance of the Lovers, to some, is unparalleled. We are creatures of the heart, now more than ever.

    I’m afraid that I cannot accurately describe the Lovers beyond its basic ideal of pure love and honest sex. The physicality of the card exists in its own rite, and the figure above the Lovers is symbolic of a heavenly blessing.

    Behind the woman is the Tree of Knowledge, and behind the man is the Tree of Life. Note the serpent on the Tree of Knowledge- be weary of false truths. Note the lack of foliage on the Tree of Life- be aware that sometimes we survive on the brink of life and death.

    I have no more to say on the Lovers.

    The LoversTarotTarot CardsTarot ReadingMajor Arcana

  4. 25 July 2011 · 10:43 AM · 1 note

    You’ve Drawn: The Hierophant - 5

    “Blessings upon you, traveler!” the Hierophant greets you. Stepping down from his throne, he shakes your hand. “I am pleased that you have decided to stop by our pleasant cathedral.” After a moment, the Hierophant sits back on his throne and raises his right hand, “May the sermon begin!”

    The Hierophant is one of the more controversial cards in the Major Arcana and so we need to decide for what the Hierophant stands. Many people, abhorrent against the Church or organized religion, find that the Hierophant is a negative card and one who seeks to dominate freedom. Conversely, those in favor of the Church or organized religion see the Hierophant as a sort of guiding light, someone who can be looked for in times of trouble.

    I, on the other hand, request that we scrap both of these dispositions. In the Major Arcana, I do not believe that there is any card which is truly evil or controlling (yes, the more sinister looking cards are included in this). Thus, I choose to view the Hierophant for what he is- a moral mortal man. You may disagree, of course, but first let us analyze him.

    Starting from his crown (and as we discussed with his counter-card the High Priestess, we know crowns are symbolic of those who have control over people), we see that it is yellow, showing a sort of natural pull over others. This, to me, says he is not of malevolent intent. The same with his scepter.

    His robs, interestingly enough, are red. At the very beginning with our friend the Fool, we discussed that red symbolizes physical energy. So, for the Hierophant, this would mean that he is very much so a tangible person. Unlike the High Priestess, who is in blue and symbolizes the extreme of purely mental energy, the Hierophant is engaged in the lives of mortals. The white on his robe symbolizes his divine nature. And the blue underneath all his dress shows that underneath all of his costumes, he is, at his base, a man of knowledge.

    Before we close off the Hierophant, we should look closely at his raised right hand. To those of you who have been associated with the Christian church, you may recognize the hand symbol as the gesture of benediction. Examine it, for this will not be the last time we see it.

    What does this mean to you? The Hierophant is here to help and to guide. He brings you knowledge that you are allowed to know, rather than knowledge you must seek in dark corners of a library. Listen to him, for his message is that you may find yourself surrounded by confusion and darkness, but turn to others when you need help. Whether you turn to a warrior, a holy man, or a scholar, seek someone with experience to guide you on your journey.

    Reflect. Are you, perhaps, lost? Do not fear the Hierophant. Do not fear the divine. Some are terrified of the Hierophant, claiming that no human can be righteous. Where is your trust in your fellow man? Why do you fear help? Perhaps you don’t. Perhaps you are looking for help in all the wrong places. While it is nice to ask your peers for help, it is wise to ask your superiors for advice.

    TarotTarot CardsTarot readingMajor ArcanaThe Hierophant

  5. 22 July 2011 · 11:26 PM ·

    A Request from the Arcane

    If you guys have any suggestions or ideas (perhaps a topic you would like me to discuss or a card you are particularly interested in), send me a message.

    I enjoy writing card descriptions, but as there are 78 cards, doing all of them will prove to be a daunting, albeit fulfilling, project.

    So, if you have anything to share, feel free to do so! =]

  6. 21 July 2011 · 01:48 AM · 1 note

    You’ve Drawn: The Emperor - 4

    “Hard work! Determination! Perseverance! Pure brute strength!” bellows the Emperor from his throne of stone. “These are the qualities of an emperor!” His cold eyes look at you, deep and aged. “Welcome, traveler.” His armor plates clang together as he rises from his seat. “You will do well to heed my message.”

    The Emperor is the fifth card in the Major Arcana and a most foreboding man. The husband of the Empress, he is responsible for all mortal men and women beneath him, which is everyone. He rules from his stone throne, daring anyone to defy his rule.

    As we look at the Emperor, we practically become overwhelmed by masculinity. He is the exact opposite of his wife. Where she is caring, nurturing, and loving, he is stern, forceful, and demanding. Let us look at how he dresses. He wears a shawl of maroon, symbolic of the blood he has split to gain power. The sacrifice of blood is both his own and the blood of others, possibly the innocent.

    His robe of red shows how he is a man of physical energy. He does not dwell on the metaphysical elements of life. The Emperor is here and now. In his hand we see an ankh, showing that he is a brilliant mind when it comes (despite not dealing with the metaphysical) to what he knows. He most likely holds within him an encyclopedic mind of battle strategies.  Of course, we see he is in battle armor, showing his readiness to take on any challenge, at any time.

    The last aspect we should observe, and the one most defining of the Emperor, is the presence of stone around him. His throne. His dais. The land behind him. All of it is stone. This shows that the Emperor is a stable ruler. He is built like a rock, physically and in his rule. He is not going anywhere any time soon. He is the Emperor.

    What does this mean to you? The Emperor is a card of stability and fortitude. His reign is a testament to the unyielding pursuit of goals. His message is this: The mind may be strong, but if the body is not willing, you will not get far. One foot in front of the other. Your journey is dependent upon your desire to move forward.

    Reflect. The Emperor’s message is this: Stand tall and deliver! The Emperor demands it of you! You are at a time in your life where you need to pick the pieces up and rebuild. But this time, do not build a house on the shifting sands of life. Lay a foundation of stone and build upon rock bottom. In the race of life, it matters not in what place you finish. What matters is that you do not give up.

    TarotTarot CardsTarot ReadingThe EmperorMajor Arcana

  7. 20 July 2011 · 02:22 PM ·
    whiskey-robot asked: I'm starting to do my own Card a Day in order to begin to learn more about the cards. Do you suggest drawing one in the morning or the evening? What should the card reflect upon (previous day, that day, etc.)?

    When one does a Tarot reading regarding the day one has had, it should always be done at night or whenever your day is complete and you’ll be left alone. Doing a Tarot reading during the morning will make everything you do that day seem like a direct relation to the card, which is not always the case. (Note: This can cause your day to be more chaotic than it should be).

    As for what the card should reflect upon is a matter of personal interest. If you’re looking for insight on your day, omens that you perhaps missed during the buzz of your routine, I would suggest using only the Minor Arcana, as they deal with our every day lives.

    If, however, you are doing great and wonderful things on your day-to-day life, put the Major Arcana into the deck and have the Tarot deck be complete.

    Also, it is worthy to note that you do not need to do a reading to draw a card if you want to get to know them. At any time when you are at peace, draw a card and simply reflect on the card’s meaning in and of itself. Building a relation with your deck will increase the likelihood that a reading is accurate.

    So, to be succinct, draw in the evening and reflect on the day you just had. If your day was average, use the Minor Arcana. If your day involved many other people and decision making, use a complete deck.

    (If you do split the Arcanas, be sure to sufficiently shuffle the Major back into the Minor).

    Tarot CardsTarot readingTarotAsk

  8. 20 July 2011 · 02:28 AM · 1 note

    A Learning Moment with the Emperor

    I’ve been staring at the Emperor for two days now and still haven’t been able to write anything about him.

    I know what I want to say, but I don’t know how he wants me to say it.

    (Now I’ve got your attention).

    Tarot is not just a deck of cards, it is a… how do I say it? It’s a living spirit. Tarot talks to you as much as you talk to it. When I do readings, I ask the Tarot to please reveal for me some message. I don’t just throw cards down. I shuffle the deck, mulling the question over in my head, and I wait until it feels right before I draw cards.

    I feel as though it is the Emperor himself who is stopping me from writing. A naturally stubborn man, he does not like to be ordered around and is thus impeding my ability to describe him. All I can do is wait.

    I will try to talk to him tomorrow to see if he’ll be more cooperative tomorrow night.

    TarotTarot cardsTarot readingThe EmperorMajor Arcana

  9. 18 July 2011 · 02:43 AM · 1 note

    You’ve Drawn: The Empress - 3

    “Many people break underneath the hardships of life, traveler.” The Empress looks down at you. “But rest is required of every soldier, lest he break as well.” She doesn’t so much smile at you as not seem particularly annoyed that you stand before her. “Rest now and let me show you where to go.”

    The Empresses is the fourth card in the Major Arcana and follows her sister, the High Priestess. She rules the land from her comfortable throne but does little in the way of actually intervening in the lives of others.

    As we look at the Empress, the first aspect that pops is her gown. Pomegranates. As we discussed with the High Priestess, pomegranates are a symbol of femininity and an allusion to Persephone who was taken to into the Underworld by Hades and made a goddess. The story behind the Empress is similar to that of Persephone.

    If we look closely, we see that the cushion upon which the Empress sits, sits atop a red cloth. This is symbolic of how the Empress came to power- on the coattails of others. She did not work. She was made into an empress. This shows that there is still someone who holds dominion over the Empress, that she is not the Be all and End all.

    In her hand is her own scepter, yellow and mundane. However, upon her head sits a crown of white flowers and around her throne is a lush forest. From this, we can infer that the Empress is one of an extreme appreciation for nature but not for labor. Still, like nature, she is powerful, patient, nurturing, and eternal in her rule.

    If we are so inclined to link the story of Persephone to the story of the Empress, we must examine the heart with the female sigil. As Hades made Persephone a goddess, so too did a man make the Empress what she is, whether or not the Empress wished it. To me, the heart and female sigil represent the admiration of women and the disdain of men. The Empress resents her mortal creator but praises her natural one, known to most as Mother Earth.

    What does this mean to you? The Empress is a stall card. She is here to cause you to stop your moving and take a breath. She is positive in that she brings no bad news and wishes you good health. She, like all Major Arcana, has a message for you. Rest. Relax. Renew. Enjoy the roses. Nap on the earth. Haste makes waste.

    Reflect. Are you the Empress or are you the traveler? Have you accomplished great things because of great people or your own merit? Perhaps you push yourself too hard and need a break. Or perhaps you don’t push yourself at all because it isn’t required of you. Regardless of whether or not you work too hard or not at all, always allow yourself time to relax.

    TarotMajor ArcanaTarot CardsTarot ReadingThe Empress

  10. 17 July 2011 · 11:23 PM ·
    Anonymous asked: what do you make of the expression the High Priestess wears?

    Her expression is firm and unmoving and her position is one of great responsibility and hardship.

    As I explained in the “Reflect”, knowledge is power and power is pain and I feel as though the High Priestess knows this to be quite true. She is so reserved in emotion because she has sacrificed innocence and bliss for a higher calling.

    Essentially, this is an omen that knowledge cannot be gained without first giving up something (a rule of all magic). Since we’re playing on the metaphysical field, what we give up in our pursuit of higher knowledge is our emotional securities. These emotional securities can range from our happiness and awe at what exactly is a cloud to our safety blanket of faiths and beliefs.

    The High Priestess ultimately asks us if we are willing to risk it all for truth- a question we would do well to ponder.

    Major ArcanaTarotTarot cardsThe High PriestessAsk