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| YOU'VE JUST PUT DOWN YET ANOTHER HARRY POTTER BOOK, relishing the time spent among wizards, house elves and boggarts. Or maybe you've had the privilege of watching Criss Angel's live show, BeLIEve, at the Luxor in Vegas, or reserve a front seat on your couch every week to watch his TV show Mindfreak. Alternatively, you may be a fan of the beloved Oz books by L. Frank Baum, or an avid devotee of the Wizard of Oz film starring Judy Garland. Guess what? You've just spent time in the presence of the Magician archetype.
You are in the presence of the Empress, or Mother, archetype. Maybe you're intimately acquainted with addiction, either as a counselor to, or a relative of, one who is addicted. Drugs, food, sex, gambling, spending, porn or video games - perhaps you're the one caught in the web of addiction. This is the realm of the Devil archetype, the energy of bondage. An archetype is a template, a universal pattern recognized in virtually any epoch and in every culture. When I wrote "Magician", "Mother" and "Devil", an image of some sort immediately came to mind - whether via a movie, story, character or personal experience. If I were to convey "Lovers", "Death", or "Justice" to any person - whether through word, art, music or film - most, if not all, would have a point of reference to identify with these universal themes, regardless of age, social standing or country of origin. This is the power of archetypes - to transcend the specific to the collective, from the individual to the world. Because archetypes are a common language, wisdom, meaning, feelings and teachings are conveyed through these "larger than life" molds - reinterpreted by writers, artists, and sages for fresh application. Still, no matter how many spokes on the proverbial wheel emanate from the stories among us, the hub remains the same: the universal realm of an archetype.
Some Tarotists contend that the twenty-two Major Arcana, also called Trumps, portrays universal archetypes while the forty Minor Arcana cards shows how these archetypes play out in everyday life via relationships or feelings (Water/Cups), communication or conflict (Air/Swords), drive or vocation (Fire/Wands) and the material world - money, health and physicality (Earth/Pentacles). The sixteen Court Cards of each of the four suits show how particular people and personalities affect and modify each. For example, the energy of the Knight of Swords ("racehorse") is different from the Knight of Pentacles ("plow horse").
While I happen to believe that all of the 78 cards of the Tarot reflect larger-than-life archetypes to some extent, for this particular PlanetLightworker series, A Romp Through the Major Arcana, I'll be focusing solely on the twenty-two cards also know as the Trumps. To illustrate this series, I've chosen the playful and exquisite Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahony. For those who are unfamiliar with the Tarot, here is a list of the Majors (as I call them) as well as some familiar patterns reflected in their archetypes:
Of course, the fact that these are archetypes means that their manifestation and permutation in myth, art and life take myriad forms. For example, a variation of the Devil archetype would be Voldemort ("He Who Shall Not Be Named") from the Harry Potter novels. It's no coincidence that the parsel-tongued villain is associated with Slytherin and represented by a snake; after all, in Christian mythos, a serpent embodied "the devil" when tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden story. From Ben Hur to Speed Racer, The Chariot - and the "need for speed" - is yet another archetype imbedded in our consciousness. The star-crossed Romeo and Juliet aptly portray The Lovers, while blind Lady Justice, King Solomon and Ma'at exemplify Justice.
While many utilize the Tarot for divination or even fortunetelling - especially in terms of random selection - these mystical cards can also be used consciously for meditation, contemplation, problem solving, brainstorming, spiritual nourishment, journaling, dialogue, creative writing, inspiration, affirmation and manifestation. As we romp through the landscape of Major Arcana in this series, I'll point out the landmarks and exciting sights, as well as the crevasses and quicksand, for each of the twenty-two Trumps of the Tarot. We'll survey pop culture and history, personal stories and myth, to mine those symbols that point to a larger picture, yet apply to us in the day-to-day workings of the "real world". Your world will become richer for immersing yourself in the realm of archetypes, and the Tarot remains one of the most reliable (not to mention portable!) tour guides around.
It is not necessary to own a Tarot deck to learn and benefit from this series, but if you'd like to view the cards as we go along, one image from the Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot will accompany each article. If you'd like to see more variations of each card, you can visit Joan Bunning's site to view the Rider-Waite Tarot images. To see the entire 78 cards of dozens of decks, visit http://taroteca.multiply.com. In addition, my personal website, has dozens of Tarot deck reviews, each with colorful, large card images. If you're looking to purchase an actual Tarot deck for our journey, here are some solid beginner decks:
Are you up for an exhilarating and illuminating caper through the Tarot? Then put on your metaphysical shoes, get out your Spirit binoculars, grab some catnip, and let's romp through the Major Arcana for our highest good! Text
© 2008 by Janet Boyer Join us as Janet takes
us on a romp Next Month: The Fool |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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As
a part of your spiritual path, devotion to Kwan Yin, Mary, Gaia, or
other goddess energy may guide and comfort you. Or, perhaps you are
called to nurture others and disseminate compassion to the world - or
are drawn to others who live this example.
One
extraordinary vehicle containing a myriad of these "wheels" is a picture
book called the Tarot. Disguised as a pack of 78 cards, the Tarot contains
universal stories that map and reflect the twists and turns, joys and
sorrows, of life here on Earth. From the naiveté of The Fool,
sometimes portrayed as the Puer/Puella Eternis (the Eternal Boy/Girl
that never "grows up") or the clown, to the World (often depicted as
a globe or the Earth as seen from space), the first twenty-two cards
of the Tarot are known as the Major Arcana, or "larger secrets".
IV
Emperor (Father; CEO; President; Principal; Government; Dictator)
Archetypes
surround us, often appearing in our own relationship dynamics, emotional
reactions and career choices. By becoming familiar with archetypal patterns,
we can better understand the world, others and ourselves. Through this
increased awareness, we can then take a "big picture" view of circumstances,
inviting fresh perspectives, compassion and equanimity.
Vanessa
Tarot
