Tarot Study: Hierophant

Tarot Study: Major Arcana 5: The Hierophant

Red robed, crowned figure sits upon an elevated throne between two pillars. His feet rest upon a carpet inscribed with two keys. His right hand is raised in blessing while in his left he holds the triple-tiered Papal Cross. Two other robed figures stand before him.

The Hierophant traditionally represents a teacher or spiritual advisor. It's meaning indicates an awareness of another dimention of life. It reminds us that we are a part of this life and that we need to be truthful to ourselves and others. The Hierophant can symbolize a wise person or someone who can pass on his or her experience or learning. They are usually someone you look up to or seek out for advice.

Meaning: Inspiriation, a union of sorts, goodness, duty, morality, conscience and conformity. Good advice.

Reversed: The questioning of conventional mores, flaunting morals or rejecting your religious training. Perhaps it is time to question authority or to choose your own standards. It might also indicate that you are too rigid or dogmatic.

The Star

Tarot Card Mystery: The Star by David Skibbins

I don't know why I like this series so much. The writing is not that good and there is not a whole lot about tarot cards in them, but the story always seems to draw me in and keep me. In this latest offering by Skibbins, Warren's daughter shows up on his doorstep afraid she will be arrested for murdering her no good husband, then leaves her child with him to go into hiding. Never having been around too many babies Warren is at a total loose. The result is a blend of humor and drama that held my attention all the way through.

Tarot Card Mystery #2 - High Priestess

Tarot Card Mystery #2: The High Priestess by David Skibbins

Tarot card reader Warren Ritter's past continues to haunt him in this second book of the series. An old girl friend shows up and suddenly Warren finds himself at the center of another police investigation. Fast moving, lots of action mixed with Skibbins view of life in the 70's, over all a good read and I look forward to "The Star", book 3.

Ace of Cups

Ace of Cups: Minor Arcana

Description: Hand emerging from a cloud holds a single golden cup. Five rivulets of water flow from the cup into a lake of lily pads. A dove flies into the cup with an offering of a host wafer.

My thoughts: Water is the symbol of emotion. The five rivulets of water indicate the five senses. The dove is peace. This card offers happiness. The potiential is there, the seeker only has to accept it.

Traditional meaning: A true heart. Joy, happiness, contentment.

Reversed: A false heart. Instability

Ten of Cups

Card: Ten of Cups, Minor Arcana

Description: A family stands under a rainbow of ten cups rejoying.

My thoughts: goals achived, happiness, content, fulfillment, a time for rejoying

Traditional meaning: Contentment, perfection of human love and friendship
Reversed: false heart, indignation, violence

Hanged Man

Card: The Hanged Man #12, the Major Arcana

Description: A young man hangs upside down from one foot on a cross. A golden halo surrounds his head. His mood seems jaunty rather than gruesome.

My thoughts: A time of waiting, reflection.

Traditional Meaning: Pausing to reflect, soul searching and prophecy.
Reversed: Lack of Spirituality, selfishness, self-centered.

Queen of Cups

Card: Queen of Cups, Minor Arcana

Description: The queen sits on a throne on the shore by the ocean. She holds in her hand a large golden cup.

My thoughts: Cups traditional element is water. Water is elusive, always moving, never constant, therefore, cups are the symbol of emotion and relationships. The queen is gazing sedately at the cup. She seems to be a woman who is content and loving. However, she can be a lioness if any threatens her or her family.

Traditional meaning: Sensitivity and loving. Deep caring.
Reversed: Emotional access. A distinguished person who is not to be trusted.

Eight of Pentacles

Card: Eight of Pentacles, Minor Arcana

Description: Man sits working, chiseling a pentacle onto a disk. Another lies on the floor and six others hand from a column. Not all the pentacles chiseled in are symmetrical.

My thoughts: Hard work will bring success.

Traditional Meaning: This is the apprentice card. It is a card of starting over, new beginnings. A time of learning, making mistakes, beginning anew.
Reversed: Dread of work, poor performance at work, doubt in abilities.

Two of Swords

Card: Two of Swords, Minor Arcana

Description: Woman sits beside a choppy sea in the evening. Her back is to the ocean. She is dressed in a long white robe and she is blindfolded. She holds in her hands a pair of crossed swords.

My thoughts: A decision has been made and the one who made it is blind to any other suggestion.

Traditional meaning: A clash of ideas with the questioner caught in the middle.
Reversed: falsehood, duplicity, disloyality

Chariot

Card: The Chariot #7, Major Arcana

Description: The chariot driver sits in a silver chariot with blue sky curtains. The chariot is being drawn by two spinx, one black, one white. The driver wears armor with cresent moons on the shoulders and a star crown. He wears a necklace with a square shaped jewel.

My thoughts: A triumph, a glorious procession. A hard won victory.

Traditional meaning: A union of opposites. Control is needed over opposing circumstances, people or things in your life. Confidence and motivation are needed.
Reversed: Unbalance and no control. Rushing head long into a situation without thought.

Four of Swords

Card: Four of Swords, Minor Arcana

Description: Setting appears to be in a church crypt. Three swords hang on the wall by a sarcophagus of a knight. A sword decorates the side of the coffin. A stain glass window is beside the swords on the wall.

My thoughts: A heroic end. A period of rest. A hard battle has been fought and now it is time to step back and restore.

Traditional meaning: meditation, time for reflection, an end to stress or arguement
Reversed: Need to slow down, rest, and reflect. Cowardice.

The Hermit

Card: The Hermit, Major Arcana # 9

Description: Grey bearded man dressed in gray robes holds a lantern in his right hand and a staff in the other. He stands on a flat surface covered in snow.

My thoughts: This is my card. I always feel such an affinity for this one. I was raised almost like an only child because I was so much younger than my brother and sisters. I have married, had children, but still long to find time just for myself, to be alone. My hobbies and pursuits are mainly things I do by myself. I read, I listen to music, I watch old movies.

Traditional meaning: introspection and a desire for peace and solitude, and eventually, enlightenment.
Reversed: Outside events may influence you. You solitude may lead to alienation, isolation.

Six of Swords

Card: Six of Swords (Minor Arcana)

Description: Woman and child sit huddled in a boat being rowed by a lone man. Six swords are firmly planted in the front of the boat, driven into the wood. They are crossing a vast sea heading toward a distant shore.

My thoughts: The family has been though a tragedy. They are having a hard time seeing far enough into the future to know that a new life or better times awaits them on the distant shore.

Traditional meaning: Leaving difficulties behind. A trip - especially by boat. Finding solutions.
Reversed: declaration or confession, perhaps a public one

Judgement

Card: Judgement #20 Major Arcana

Description: The naked dead (men, women & children) stand inside their coffins while floating in the sea. They stand with arms upraised or clasp in prayer. Above them, an archangel blows on a golden horn from which flows a banner of an orange cross on a field of white.

My thoughts: Day of happiness, a day of change.

Traditional meaning: To summon the past, forgive it, and let it go. There are wounds from the past that we never let heal, sins we've committed that we refuse to forgive, bad habits we haven't the courage to lose. Judgement advises us to finally face these, recognize that the past is past, and put them to rest, absolutely and irrevocably. This is also a card of healing, quite literally from an accident or illness, as well as a card signaling great transformation, renewal, change.
Reversed: Fear of death, illness, being judgemental or being judged

The Empress

Card: The Empress #3 Major Arcana

Description: Empress sits on a cushioned seat. She is dressed in a long flowing gown decorated with pomegranates. She wears a crown of stars and holds a round balled scepter in her right hand. Behind her is a lush forest with a clear, blue watered stream flowing through it. Overhead is a bright, yellow sky. Before her grows yellow wheat. Her throne is decorated with a heart on which is engraved the symbol of Venus.

My thoughts: A benevolent queen who rules over nature.

Traditional meaning: nature, birth, life, creation
Reversed: infertility, poverty

Nine of Wands

Nine of Wands: Minor Arcana

Description: Wounded man stands in a road in front of a fence of 8 wands. He holds one in his hands like a staff. The sky is clear and in the background are green hills.

My thoughts: He has suceeded in his task, but it was a very hard won battle. He is suspicious and worried that someone will take what he has away.

Meaning: Strenght in opposition. If attacked, fight back boldly.
Reversed: Adversity, chaos.

Page of Swords

Page of Swords: Minor Arcana

Description: Youth stands atop a hill holding a sword upright while he looks the other way. The sky is blue with clouds. A flock of 10 birds fly in the distance.

My thoughts: The youth seems to have his head in the clouds, not looking what he is doing. He seems impulsive, yet thoughtful. Pages traditionally symbolize messengers. Swords symbolize wisdom.

Traditional meaning: Authority or overseeing of projects, vigilance or spying.
Reversed: More evil side of these qualities. That which is unforeseen. Being unprepared. Could also mean sickness.

Ace of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles Minor Arcana

Description: Hand emerging from a cloud holds a shining pentacle. Below, a fence and gate of ivy opens into a garden of lilies. Beyond the gate, one sees a mountain range.

My thoughts: An offering of great wealth, perhaps in the form of a present, a gift, the lottery. The garden indicates a secure, happy place and the mountains indicate a change to attain great heights. Reversed it could mean loss of money, wealth, security or happiness.

Traditional meaning: Prosperity and comfortable material conditions.

Reversed: The evil side of wealth and greed.

Sun

Card: The Sun – Major Arcana card #19

Description: Child (cannot tell if boy or girl) with blonde hair and a crown of flowers sits naked atop a white horse. In its hand it clutches a banner of flowing orange material. The child looks happy and the horse seems gentle and patient. They sit in front of a brick fence that has sun flowers planted on top. A benevolent sun shines overhead in a clear, blue sky.

My Thoughts: I began this same exercise over a year ago and got out of the habit. My first card was the "Sun". How odd that I randomly drew the same card as I began my journey again.

Meaning: A positive card that means success, happiness, all the things that make up a clear, sunny day. Above all the energy and power that comes from the sun and the renewal after night's journey thorough the sky.

Reversed: Loss of energy or power, depression. Your path or journey has come to a roadblock or impass.