Liz Hazel tells us that the suit of Wands is the suit of the Fire element, embodying "ambition, vigor, creativity, travel, high spirits, and energy." Hazel uses birch trees instead of more traditional wands because "trees are vital, living entities. . . symbiotic participants in the environment, liaisons between Earth and Sky."
The bright red cloak worn by the figure on the Two of Wands reinforces the message that we are dealing with the suit of Fire. The "handsome young man" holds a staff mounted with a crystal ball. According to Hazel, he is "considering the future." In the sky we see a bank of clouds shaped like a dragon (another reference to the element Fire). Distant mountains, a calm lake, and yellow buttercups complete the picture.
Like Book T*, Hazel associates the Two of Wands with the planet Mars and the zodiac sign Aries. In astrology, Mars is known as the planet of energy, force, sexual desire, aggression, enterprise, activity, courage, passion, impatience, anger, strife, and accident-proneness. Aries is a cardinal Fire sign known for being impulsive, energetic, and quick-tempered and for having leadership ability. People with Mars in Aries in their birth chart tend to be self-confident, courageous, honest, tactless, and combative, with a domineering will to win. Book T titles the Two of Wands "The Lord of Dominion."
Divinatory Meanings from Hazel: "Considering possibilities for the future, envisioning both short and long-term goals. The desire for a quest or purpose to follow. Vigorously considering choices. A dominant person, one who takes charge or cannot be ignored. Reaching for wisdom and clarity in making choices. Messages or news, planning a journey for business that may lead one over mountains. Choices that are within one's control. Considering a new profession, or a new project. Taking bids for a project."
Ill-dignified, the Two of Wands can represent "A bully or petty tyrant. Forced to take an unattractive option. A choice between two evils. Expecting negative outcomes, no matter what is chosen. Too weak to face the future, or endless procrastinating about selecting definitive commitments."
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* Book T - The Tarot, Comprising Manuscripts N, O, P, Q, R, and an Unlettered Theoricus Adeptus Minor Instruction. A Description of the Cards of the Tarot with their Attributions; Including a Method of Divination by Their Use. A public domain manuscript.
About the deck: Elizabeth Hazel tells us that The Whispering Tarot "was first conceived in a wild pencil sketching spree in the winter of 1996." Although inspired by the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, Hazel excised overtly Christian and Masonic symbols in her deck as much as possible to avoid creating another clone. There is no LWB or printed accompanying book, but Hazel has prepared an e-book that can be ordered with the deck to download and print. In addition to providing meanings for each card, Hazel includes a brief discussion of the zodiacal Attributions, which follow Book T.
I quite like the way he looks at that crystal ball on the top of his wand/staff etc. It's like he's trying to see the future more than consider it - maybe get a glimpse of what could be?
ReplyDeleteOooh, he does look like that, doesn't he?
ReplyDeleteI actually thought he was looking at the dragon cloud, perhaps because that's what most draws my eye :-) Something about projects being imaginative and powerful, is my take on that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your ideas and the info on this interesting deck.
Inner Whispers, I agree with what you're saying as well. He could easily be gazing at the dragon-cloud.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about writing this blog. We get such wonderful insights from our followers.