SONG OF THE FOOL
by Zanna Starr

Based on The Fool
from the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg
(Artist: Yury Shakov)

I am like the wandering skomorokhi of Old Russia,
A clown, a minstrel,
Traveling through cities and across the countryside.
On my hand, a puppet smiles and nods;
He looks exactly like me.
I am fond of gazing into his eyes.
This is how I begin my journey,
Innocent and self-absorbed.
I can be a beggar or a jester,
A wild man, or an insouciant young fellow
Out for a stroll.
Am I a saint or a simpleton?
A genius or an idiot?
Will you try to reason with me?
My wolfish dog laughs at the thought.
I wonder where my road will lead
And I wander where it leads me.

~

A Walk in the World of Waite/Smith - Six of Wands

Esoteric Title: Lord of Victory

Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Leo

Elemental Attribution: Fire  - Fire is hot and dry and its nature is energy


Wands energy comes from the Fire element and is expressed through action,creativity and intuition.

Mr Waite says of this card in the PKT

A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side.



Divinatory Meanings:
The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King’s courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope, and so forth.



Reversed: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.

 There  is no doubt in my mind that Waite meant this to be a card about succeeding. It's an optimistic card that sheds a positive light on progress and acknowledgement for one's achievements; the doors open enabling one to fulfil their goal. Notice though that the 'Victor" has not reached where he is going and this may well indicate, that nothing is firm and that victory is only transient - you have to keep working at it in order to stay successful. Of course he shows us that the reversed means the complete opposite to success.


Lets take a look at the symbolism and see what we can see.

Lets look at the most obvious symbol here, both placed on the man and his wand is a laurel wreath.  A wreath in general can represent accolade, praise etc. Laurel Wreaths were seen as victory symbols - The Romans use this symbol for both military and intellectual glory.  Apparently laurel, as an evergreen, symbolises immortality - now you see why the Roman's chose it! :)

An interesting little piece from my Dictionary of Symbols said;
"As a shrub sacred to Apollo, the laurel symbolised immortality acquired through victory and this is why its leaves were used to crown heroes, geniuses and wise men."

The horse - the horse can represent that 'animal instinct' and is a powerful creature;  From Pictures from the Heart - I quote this about the horse:

A horse and rider together may symbolise the union or the workings of the conscious (rider) and the unconscious or instinctual (horse).

The horse also can be the means by which a message is delivered.

Now just looking at these two symbols, we get the message of the rider having achieved a balance between the power of his conscious and subconscious which has helped to steer him in the direction of achievement and on to victory.

The horse itself is white and as the horse here may represent that inner knowledge, it can suggest to us the action of reflection leading to enlightenment and the wisdom that powers you forward.

The man wears a red cloak (I suppose it's called that) and this colour can symbolise self confidence, passion, energy, purpose and willpower.  It is a colour associated with the planet Mars, a high energy and indicates that this is more of an outward energy than an inner one, pushing the man onwards to his goals.

Underneath this cloak is a robe of yellow, showing that a lot of positive mental activity is present, coupled again with willpower and outer self expression - it's linked to the symbolism of the sun.

His leggings, sleeves and boots look to me to be an orangey brown sort of colour. Orange has a lot of the attributes red has, only less dramatically. It is still a colour of determination, confidence and creativity, while brown is a colour that symbolises grounding, stability and growth potential. 

His horse wears a cover of a greeny colour, showing expansion, balance, flexibility, growth and potential.

I can't finish this post without a quote from Karen Hamaker-Zondag in The Way of the Tarot:

The knight on his horse has gained a victory for which he has been honored (the laurel wreath). He is not resting on his laurels, but is on his way to face a new challenge or to undertake another quest.

What she says here reinforces that idea of victory and fame are fleeting and one must keep moving in order to stay on top.

Mr. Waite's meaning of victory is supported by the symbolism of the card along with potential good news.

This is a card that seems to suggest the promise of fulfilment, success and satisfaction within one's physical world, but it does carry with it a caveat which is don't stay too long celebrating if you want to stay on top!


Card: Original Rider Waite

References:

Dictionary of Symbols - Penguin Reference

Pictures from the Heart - Sandra A. Thomson

The Way of the Tarot - Karen Hamaker-Zodag.

Interview with Legacy of the Divine Tarot

I have had my eye on Legacy of the Divine Tarot for a long time and finally broke down and purchased it from Llewellyn during a sale. I have not yet read the accompanying book -- Gateway to the Divine Tarot -- although I did read the dedication which reads, in part, "to Barbara Moore for having pointed me toward this wonderful journey all those years ago with her initial suggestion, 'Have you ever considered creating a Tarot deck?'" Well done, Barbara!

I have not studied or used this deck at all yet. I thought it might be interesting to interview the deck as a complete stranger. After I become more familiar with it, I can revisit this interview and see if my understanding has changed. Those of you who are already familiar with the deck are welcome to make comments!

The Interview

When I opened the door, I found myself looking into dark eyes filled with distress. A young girl stood before me holding two goblets. The broken remnants of three other goblets lay at her feet. I invited her in and poured red wine into the glasses she held. She offered me one and we sipped wine as we talked.

1. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic?
FIVE OF CUPS
My most important characteristic is the ability I have developed to withstand heartache and emotional pain, to acknowledge and deal with shattered pieces while still being aware and appreciative of that which is emotionally whole and healthy in my life. I dwell in sorrow for as long as I must, in order to grieve properly. But when I move forward, I move forward wholeheartedly, leaving broken promises and shards of shattered dreams behind.





2. What are your strengths as a deck?
ACE OF CUPS
My strengths as a deck lie in the realm of emotions, spirituality, and new beginnings. I am always ready to take you in a fresh, new direction -- to show you that there are more fish in the sea than you have ever dreamed of, more paths and more dreams than you realize.






3. What are your limits as a deck?
THE WORLD
My limits are only those you perceive and choose to place upon me. I stand at the center of time and space, surrounded by the realms of existence as represented by the signs of the zodiac. I can turn in any direction, take any step, or simply "be." How then will you limit me?






4. What do you bring to the table -- what are you here to teach me?
FOUR OF WANDS
I am here to teach you how to find green grass and lush foliage, blue skies and rainbows and soaring birds. I am here to share with you a vision of a stream that runs through you and through all creation, to teach you how to find and follow that stream to inner peace and harmony.






5. How can I best learn from and collaborate with you?
THE EMPEROR
You can best learn from and collaborate with me by listening to me and taking my messages to heart, by acknowledging my power in terms of my ability to guide and advise you. I may seem imperious at times, but I have your best interests at heart. My concern for you is that of a father for his child.




6. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship?
SIX OF SWORDS
A voyage lies ahead for us, a journey into the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual realms. Together, we will travel through the swirling mists of time and place, overcome troubles and celebrate victories. You will learn to breathe deeply and look deeply into yourself, even as you begin to see all that surrounds you more clearly.





Well! It certainly looks like I'm in for a fascinating experience with this deck.

After we finished our wine, the young woman left. She seemed at peace with herself, looking forward to the next stage of her journey.



CARDS: Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

ORACLE CARDS

The oracle I would like to share today is called Karma Cards. Devised by Monte Farber, the deck is described as "a New Age guide to your future through astrology."

These cards are designed to be read in threes by drawing one card from each of three piles representing Planets, Signs, and Houses. The cards have different meanings upright and reversed. If you are looking for an outcome or what kind of situation/mood/atmosphere you can expect, you read the words printed in the blue panel on each card. If you want to know what you should do in a situation or what you should keep in mind, you read the words printed in the red panel on each card. The letters S, M, and P on the right and left borders of the cards represent Spiritual, Mental, and Physical levels.

To demonstrate how this works, I pulled three cards.

In this set, the "Planet" (actually a luminary) is the Moon, the Sign is Capricorn, and the House is the 6th House -- so we have the Moon in Capricorn in the Sixth House.

Reading the red panels across, we have:
Spiritual level: Defend your goals as a full-time job.
Mental level: Accept the day-to-day reality of serving.
Physical level: Let your feelings tell you how to use the most businesslike way and do it a little at a time.

Reading the blue panels across, we have:
Spiritual level: The nurturing of dedication to achieve service to others
Mental level: Feelings caused by focusing on what is good for us
Physical level: Reactions resulting from the rules imposed by your work

Knowledge of astrology isn't really required to use these cards, but I feel they are more useful if one has a working knowledge of that field.

I enjoy using these cards, even though they can be seen as formulaic and "too structured." Sometimes, I'm in the mood for a direct, simple message -- and as an astrologer, I enjoy the associations made with the planets, signs, and houses.

Zanna

-----------------

In addition to my 60 Tarot decks, I own a great many oracle decks. I love these decks, but don't use them as often as I would like. Every now and then, I am going to share a card from one of these oracle decks here on the blog. I hope people will enjoy seeing cards from various decks and will gain something from the interpretations of the cards!

An Interview with My Mystic Faerie Tarot

A deck interview with my cards (spread by FireRaven) - seen Acelectic Tarot Forum (Spreads Thread)

Layout:

5..........6
......4.....
3..........2
.......1....

I went down the bottom of my garden at dawn today and the Mystic Faeries were still about. I grabbed the chance to ask one of the faeries if she would ask their Queen to do an interview with me. She disappeared in a trail of fairy dust, that hung to the leaves of my flowers like tiny sparkling diamonds. I didn't have to wait long before she returned to say the answer was yes and she would appear in my office in an hour!

I rushed back to prepare. What would I serve her as refreshments? Of course! Fairy Cakes; I'll make miniature cup cakes and ice them with sprinkles.  I have some rose-hip syrup I can offer as a drink in one of my thimbles.  Well then I'm all set....


1 hour later........

Cakes done, drink prepared, where is she?  Oh, there she is. Welcome Majesty, are you comfortable sitting on that rose in my vase?  (Oh my, she is beautiful, with her red hair and is that a crown of forget-me-nots on her head? Those wings look like they are made of gossamer.)

I am at home in the flowers, thank you.

Okay shall we begin?

Please do.

  1. Tell me about yourself. What is your most important characteristic? - Queen of Wands
I am adventurous. I help encourage and lead you to explore your creativity and I am not afraid to show you what can be achieved. I with the help of my other Faeries show you how to put those thoughts into action in a positive and fun way.

2. What are your strengths as a deck? - Knight of Swords
My strength comes from my ability to cut through a situation and bring clarity and insight to it. I am brave and will not shun from showing you what can be done even if its not what you want to necessarily know.

Well I guess that is a real strength, being able to show others what they really need to know rather than just want they want to hear.

3. What are your limits as a deck? - Six of Pentacles
We can only share so much, after that it is up to you to make use of what I provide.  I can only bring to you what I feel you need, you must be ready to accept it in order to reap its benefits.

Faeries are quite wise, aren't they!

4. What do you bring to the table -- what are you here to teach me? Knave of Swords

That sometimes when you have all the information available to you, you just have to jump in there and give it a go. Be brave and not fearful.  What I am here to teach you is that when I have helped you form those positive thoughts, I show you how to fly with them.

5. How can I best learn from and collaborate with you? Four of Wands

You need to understand that the gift I bring you is not always readily recognisable. But if you take it in the spirit with which it is given, you will come to see what its real value is. What you learn from me you can share with others.

6. What is the potential outcome of our working relationship? - The World

By working together I can help you reach your full potential. I give you the opportunity to become more self aware, which in turn will result in you achieving harmony and balance in your life. This enables you to complete the various cycles in your life with success and opens the door for new and exciting experiences.

This has been a most interesting interview, and I see there is great depth to Faerie wisdom. Now would you like a fairy cake and some rose-hip syrup?

Well maybe just a little sip and nibble.....

Cards: Mystic Faerie  - A Guide to the Mystic Faerie by Barbara Moore 

Artwork by Linda Ravenscroft

Seven of Cups - Druid Craft

One of my favourite Tarot Decks is the Druid Craft Tarot by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington - so I have decided to take a walk through this deck - I hope you enjoy the stroll with me.

I think this is a rather nice rendition of the 7 of Cups.  A young boy sits head resting on his arm, gazing into a pool where six cups can be seen. Are they real or just a figment of his imagination? Is he day-dreaming and removing himself from reality? Or is he actually stretching that imagination of his and letting his creativity come to the fore; expanding his vision of what could be? Or does this image simply say that he has too many choices before him and he has yet to decide on which one?

A cup stands apart from the others on a rock at the edge of the pool. This may well suggest that one needs to look at what is realistic and base their decision on what they really know to exist. Thus making a choice which will be the one to last. Those cups in the water could disappear very fast if the surface was to be disturbed. 

The number seven in the tarot sequence has come to represent for me, insight, wisdom, reflection and personal growth along with confidence.  It is very often a number that asks us to re-examine ourselves, motives etc, look inward and acknowledge and accept our limitations. From taking the time to do this comes personal growth and self knowledge.

The 7 of Cups can be a card that signifies being seduced by the choices around us and therefore cautions us, to give careful thought to which choice we make. It is also a card that shows that creative talent exists and that perhaps one should endeavour to allow their unconscious thoughts to come more to the surface, in order to improve one's potential to harness that creative energy, and focus it on a real goal.

This card for me illustrates several meanings. It could be recognising your own creativity and inspirations in order to allow you to experience more fully the self. It may also suggest being patient and considering all options before you, in order to make a final choice, one that is lasting and serves you well. It has a cautionary warning to it as well, and that is it could be suggesting, that you may be failing to explore the potential of your visions and merely daydreaming. Or that you are simply confused about which way to go, loosing your touch on reality.

When I see this card come up I ask myself these questions; are my thoughts based in reality or fantasy? Can I bring my visions to  fruition? What would be the best choice for me to make? How does the choice I make reflect on me as a person?

Some keywords I would use for this card are; illusion, choices, seduction, reflection, confusion and creativity.

Card: Druid Craft by Philip & Stephanie Carr- Gomm - Illustration by Will Worthington.

Progress - Poem based on the Alchemical Renewed 2 Wands

Progress
Are we learning to make fire,
with every breath we take?
As we grasp those sticks so firmly,
for all humanities sake.

Will we keep rubbing them together,
until we gain a spark?
And know that our endeavours.
will only be the start.

It may take us some effort,
but from a spark comes flame.
It's flickering light's potential, 

will that be our gain?

But flame begets flame,
it spreads both far and wide.
And if our efforts go overboard
do we then run and hide?

Making fire should be our aim
but there's a lesson to learn.
It's flames may dance, inspire our minds,
just be careful, who we burn.

Card: Alchemical Renewed by Robert M. Place

Deviant Moon - The Hierophant

There is a sense here when I look at this image of the Hierophant that there is a feeling of being trapped - trapped within one's duty and beliefs.

Patrick says in the LWB:

The Hierophant prays for the souls of the city. His position wields more than spirituality, for religion holds a man like a doll in a pocket.

That doll Patrick mentions is stuck in his pocket, no room to move, just held in place indicating a rigidity within one's beliefs.

This does give me a sense of inflexibility. His feet point inwards and although he wears the colours of wisdom, action and confidence, he looks to me like he is not very sure of his footing. Those wings again look as though they are not meant for flying. They sit upon his back crumpled, unable to spread them he again is held in his position. This Hierophant sits within his domain never quite making a move to step outside what he knows.

 Here's a thought, perhaps  his authority is dependent on what others believe, and depending on what they believe in turn either gives him power or reduces his power.

If you place the Emperor card next to him on the  left you will see that the Emperor is looking at him in a very funny way  and the Hierophant seems almost to be saying "mercy." That may well make this Hierophant conform to what he believes is expected of him 

This card tends to speak of rigidity and inflexibility, not of spiritual enlightenment but rather more of control and of conforming.

Yet the Hierophant is one of the teacher cards in the deck, the other is the Hermit. The position he has his hands in,may suggests we should look to a higher source to gain the answers we seek.

But this Hierophant may also be a warning to us. What could he be warning us against? Well, he sits in that awkward position; the doll is trapped in his pocket, those wings look flightless and so add to his immobility and yet he stands for the doctrines of an organised world.  I see the warning as one where he has us acknowledge those doctrines, and yet reminds us that we should not allow our thinking or our beliefs to become too rigid within those organised structures of our world.


Card: Deviant Moon by Patrick Valenza

Bohemian Gothic - Strength

I'm still working my way through this deck and today I arrived at the beautiful card Strength. The Bohemian Gothic Strength is an arousing image.

Karen Mahony says of this card:

In the Bohemian Gothic Strength this traditional image is subverted. The woman, who is clearly a demon, leans on the lion casually. He is held in control not, seemingly, by her, but by a heavy chain.

It's the almost sad look upon the lion's face that draws me to this image; he is subdued but there is resentment in his look. The demon drapes herself languidly over the beast, as though she knows she has no need for physical exertion. Her black wings are spread open, casting a shadow over them. Her red dress is wrapped seductively around her body, disguising her will power and passion. She looks almost gentle in her pose and yet her eyes betray her real intention.  That heavy chain that holds the lion is only part visible, she hides the rest of it with her body.

This is still a card about inner strength and it is showing us two sides to the coin.  The lion is displaying the control, he must tame the animal instinct to react or the consequences could be dire for him.  But she also demonstrates an inner strength here, it shows a determination to use her power in a cunning way; I say cunning, because she presents herself in a calm non-aggressive way, that looks harmless to overpower another and control what happens in their life.  This could be applied to the boss at work, who always smiles, but who forces those under him to do his will,  or the manipulative lover. Just two examples.

Of course you can also get from the lion the usual meanings associated with this card of controlling those animal instincts, and using inner strength to get you through. Using that inner strength to reconcile the conflict that may exist.

Either way this is another evocative image from the Bohemian Gothic

Card :Bohemian Gothic by Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov

New Tarot Bella Card - The Hanged Man

The Tarot Bella Fool has now moved into the position of The Hanged Man. Three balloons hang from the tree with him, they bear the symbols of the sun, stars and moon (his universe). He can still choose to be whatever he likes in it. But now he has realised that in order to reach the next stage of his journey, he may have to make a sacrifice willingly in order to gain something of more value to himself.

The Fool now stops, he is suspended in time as he takes on a different perspective. His little dog (his unconscious) quietly watches him, but now the Fool is fully aware of him. He surrenders himself as he hangs there in an effort to understand and perceive the truth.

Moon Madness - Poem Based on Deviant Moon's Moon Card.

There was a full Moon on the 3rd November in Australia, what better time than to write a poem - so based on the Deviant Moon's Moon Card I give you, Moon Madness....

Shall I dance by the light of the Moon
that hangs high in the sky.
Abandon my clothes, howl like a wolf,
come join me, don't be shy!


Does the Moon really drive you mad
when its full, round and bright.
No, the Moon's much too far away,
to give you such a fright.


Yet they say some have lost their minds,
as they gaze into its glow.
And they all become mad lunatics,
but what do they really know.


When the Moon's as big as a balloon,
it's as harmless as a kitten,
Suspended above with the glittering stars,
to look at and be smitten.

By the light of the silvery Moon,
a Luna jewel for all to see.
I will dance to my heart's content,
and you, may say, it's lunacy.

Card: Deviant Moon by Patrick Valenza

Contributor at - Tarot Elements.

Catherine Chapman author of Tarot Elements Blog is show-casing my poem 'Tears" which is based on the Bohemian Gothic's 3 of Swords Card; (deck created by Karen Mahony & Alex Ukolov).

Why not nip over to her blog and take a peek, you will find it here: - Tarot Elements

Bohemian Gothic - The Devil

I find this particular visual of the Devil to be quiet disturbing, for it does seem to point to the addictive side of obsession and to the total surrender of one's own will power. It sits in the realm of darkness, as the chillingly cold eyes of the fallen angel look out towards us, while one of her black wings folds forwards to protect her victim from those who might try to rescue her.

It reminds me of that quote from the Batman movie (1989) 'Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?' To dance with the devil is to have not learnt to live in the material world without becoming trapped by the glitter of bright lights and to allow greed and obsession to take a starring role.

Karen Mahony says of this image:

It's a nightmarish image of addiction and helplessness. What's striking is the passivity of the young woman. Wrapped in a robe of peacock's feathers, we wonder if it's pride that has bought her to this point.

I think what Karen might of been getting at here is that one can sometimes think that they can control whatever it is they are doing. You know the gambler who only bets for fun and says I can stop whenever I like, just to find out that they are in deeper than what they first thought. Breaking away is not as easy as they envisaged, but can they admit that to themselves?

I also see in this card a great lack of will power. The woman closes her eyes and embraces the Devil, who readily injects her with that hypodermic needle, what she does not see she need not take responsibility for.

This is an image that puts you face to face with your shadow side and draws to our attention that one is meeting their own needs without regard for the consequences.

If this card came up in a reading, I may find I need to ask questions like what am I doing in access? or even what part of myself am I trying to ignore? and where am I not taking responsibility for my actions?

This Bohemian Gothic Devil does smack of the forbidden and that can be strangely attractive, and dangerous.

Card: Bohemian Gothic by Karen Mahony & Alex Ukolov.

Happy Birthday Tarot Notes Major and Minor

It's the 1st of November in Oz and Tarot Notes was started by Zanna and myself in November last year; we have been blogging now for just one year. So I'm saying Happy 1st Birthday Tarot Notes Major and Minor!