Interview with Tarot of the Hidden Realm

The newest member of my Tarot deck family is the mystically magical Tarot of the Hidden Realm by Barbara Moore, with art by Julia Jeffrey (Llewellyn Publications).

Tarot of the Hidden Realm

For this deck interview, I went to a clearing in the woods near my house, where I waited and watched, wondering which card the deck would choose as its representative.

The forest was filled with the sounds of insects humming, birds trilling, and creatures scurrying. Sunlight filtered through the branches overhead and as I watched, the light shifted and curled, forming the shape of a young girl with a sword. She seemed unaware of my presence, as she was focused on slashing and twisting her weapon up and down and around. She was obviously still getting used to the sword. It seemed heavy for her, but I could tell she was determined to keep practicing until she mastered it.

I wasn’t quite sure what to do, so I cleared my throat. The girl stopped suddenly and turned toward me.

“I’m here… for the interview?” I said meekly.

“Make it quick,” she said, her tone as sharp as the edge of her sword. “I am very busy.”

“No problem,” I said. “Um… Here are my questions for the deck.”

Tarot of the Hidden Realm

1. What would you like me to understand about you?
KING OF PENTACLES
I feel the gentle yet powerful spirit of this King through my entire being. He speaks softly, yet with authority: “My child, you need to understand that, first of all, I care. And secondly, I share. What is mine is yours. I will never turn you away, but my first choice would be for you to hear my messages and follow my guidance. My vast experience, knowledge, and common sense are at your disposal.”

Tarot of the Hidden Realm

2. What would you like me to understand about myself?
TEN OF SWORDS
A loud scream pierces the quiet of the clearing. The Page of Swords smiles, as if recognizing a friend. A harsh voice declares: “You are like The Great Goddess Morrigan, the giver of war and death. Do you frighten yourself? Are you afraid to look yourself in the eye? In the heart? Only you can decide when suffering will come to an end. Only you can end it. Here, use my sword. I stand beside you. This ends now.”

Tarot of the Hidden Realm

3. What strengths and/or weaknesses do we have as a team?
SIX OF CUPS
Suddenly I feel as if I am chest deep in calm waters, trailing my fingers through flower petals that float on the surface. A gentle woman’s voice tells me: “Together we have the ability to delve into memories, to analyze and review them, to explore them and place them in context. You may try to do this on your own and you may succeed. But I can offer you an objective point of view and insight into how and why you may have manipulated your memories or recast them in a false light. Our weakness as a team may be that we dwell too long on the past, searching for answers and solutions.”

The water flows away from me and I stand once again in the forest clearing. The Page of Swords eyes me with impatience. “If you are finished,” she says, “I will return to my task.” She slashes the air with her sword. I nod respectfully at her and walk away, along the path, out of the woods.