SEVEN OF WANDS - Astrological Associations

Let's see what we can discover about the astrological implications of the SEVEN OF WANDS.

Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley
For Crowley (and the OGD), the Seven of Wands represents the energy of the planet Mars and the zodiac sign Leo. Crowley titles the card "Valour." The planet Mars was called "The Lesser Malefic" by ancient astrologers, which suggests destructive influence. However, Mars energy is viewed these days as having constructive qualities as well. Crowley writes of the Mars/Leo combination: "Leo is still the Sun in his full strength, but the marks of decadence are already to be seen. It is as if the wavering fire summoned the brutal energy of Mars to its support." Hajo Banzhaf and Brigitte Theler (in Keywords for the Crowley Tarot) describe the energy of the card as: "Courage, decisiveness, and willingness to engage in conflict (Mars) in connection with self-confidence certain of success (Leo)."

One World Tarot by Crystal Love
Crystal Love associates the Seven of Batons with the third subdivision of the sign Leo, with the Sun as the natural ruler and Mars as the subruler. She writes: "Leo with subruler of Mars indicates a strong, forcible nature, desiring to rule."

A.E. Thierens, PhD. (Astrology & the Tarot)
Thierens describes the Seven of Wands as having the energy of "Air on the Seventh house." This makes sense in that the Seven of Wands is the Seventh card in the suit of Wands. In astrology, the Seventh house is associated with the zodiac sign Libra, an Air sign ruled by Venus. Based on this association, Thierens describes the energy of the card as: "that of the airy Libra, house of relationship, marriage, meeting of the Self and the Not-self, which rules contracts, books and manuscripts." Keywords include discussion, negotiation, conference, conversation, correspondence, words and language. (Note: The system devised by Thierens is radically different from that of the OGD. I will not go into detail here, but will simply provide the astrological associations for the card under discussion. If you are interested in learning more about this system, I recommend the book referenced above.)

The Mandala Astrological Tarot by A.T. Mann
Like the OGD, Mann's deck associates the suit of Wands with the element Fire. Mann describes Wands Five, Six, and Seven as "The Suns of Leo." Wand Seven is assigned to the Third Decan of Leo -- Mars in Leo. On the King Scale of Color, the color linked with Mars is red; the color linked with Leo is yellow. Mann's keywords for Mars are "will, desire, energy, enthusiasm, temper, arrogance, passion." For the sign Leo, his keywords are "Ripening; summer heat; full energy; extroversion; harvest; power; self-expression; personal love; games; pleasure; ruling; vanity; proudness."

The Whispering Tarot by Liz Hazel
Liz Hazel's suit of Wands is the suit of the Fire element, embodying "ambition, vigor, creativity, travel, high spirits, and energy." Her use of the colors red, yellow, and orange is a lot more subtle than what we see in the other cards in this set. Like most of the others, Hazel associates the Seven of Wands with Mars/Leo. In her excellent book Tarot Decoded, Hazel notes that in astrology, Mars ranges "from useful aggression to senseless violence, depending upon the favor or misfortune of placement in the chart." In the Seven of Wands, Mars can be "positive in taking the initiative to fulfill ambition or negative in impulsive haste and conflict. He can be defender or perpetrator."

I feel that the Mars-Leo association for the Seven of Wands (in decks based on the RWS, at least) works very well to convey a sense of dominance, courage, and determination. As often happens, the Air-Libra association presented by Thierens just doesn't resonate with me, based on my experiences with the Seven of Wands.

I welcome your comments!

Zanna

ORACLE CARD

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!

Today I'm sharing a card from The Celtic Tree Oracle by Liz and Colin Murray (illustrated by Vanessa card). This deck was given to me ages ago by a friend. Based on the Ogham or Beth-Luis-Nuin alphabet -- a "tree alphabet" associated with the Druids, The Celtic Tree Oracle provides the name of the tree linked with each "letter" as well as the meaning used in divination.

My example from this deck is card number 2, Luis, Rowan. According to the Murrays, the name "Rowan" is linked with the Norse "runa," a charm, and the Sanskrit "runa," meaning a magician. The Rowan played a central role in Druid ceremonies and was said to protect against enchantment. When the Luis card is drawn, you will receive assistance in retaining control of your senses, so you can distinguish bad from good and harm from help.

The Rowan berry bears a tiny five-pointed star (or pentagram) opposite its stalk, which we see represented on the card. Note the Ogham symbol on the left and right sides of the card. This represents the letter "L" for Luis. As the second card in the deck, Rowan/Luis is associated with the second month in the Celtic Lunar calendar: December.

SIX OF WANDS - Astrological Associations

Fire up! It's time for a look at the astrological implications of the SIX OF WANDS.

Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley
For Crowley (and the OGD), the Six of Wands represents the energy of the planet Jupiter and the zodiac sign Leo. Crowley titles the card "Victory." The planet Jupiter was called "The Greater Benefic" by ancient astrologers. Crowley writes that the Jupiter/Leo combination seems to imply a benediction, harmony, and beauty. Hajo Banzhaf and Brigitte Theler (in Keywords for the Crowley Tarot) describe the energy of the card as: "Abundance, wealth, success (Jupiter) in connection with self-assurance, self-fulfillment, strength, triumph (Leo)."

One World Tarot by Crystal Love
Crystal Love associates the Six of Batons with the second subdivision of the sign Leo, with the Sun as the natural ruler and Jupiter as the subruler. She writes: "The beneficent influence of the Sun is given great good fortune by the subrulership of the benevolent Jupiter."




A.E. Thierens, PhD. (Astrology & the Tarot)
Thierens describes the Six of Wands as having the energy of "Air on the Sixth house." This makes sense in that the Six of Wands is the Sixth card in the suit of Wands. In astrology, the Sixth house is associated with the zodiac sign Virgo, ruled by Mercury. Based on this association, Thierens writes: "The element of thought (Air) on the earthy house of Virgo must naturally bring forth knowledge of every detail and reveal mistakes or shortcomings; it promotes efficiency, and the latter is one of the principal meanings of the card." (Note: The system devised by Thierens is radically different from that of the OGD. I will not go into detail here, but will simply provide the astrological associations for the card under discussion. If you are interested in learning more about this system, I recommend the book referenced above.)

The Mandala Astrological Tarot by A.T. Mann
Like the OGD, Mann's deck associates the suit of Wands with the element Fire. Mann describes Wands Five, Six, and Seven as "The Suns of Leo." Wand Six is assigned to the Second Decan of Leo -- Jupiter in Leo. On the King Scale of Color, the color linked with Jupiter is blue; the color linked with Leo is yellow. Mann's keywords for Jupiter are "idealism, vision, expansion, mania, success, popularity, religion." For the sign Leo, his keywords are "Ripening; summer heat; full energy; extroversion; harvest; power; self-expression; personal love; games; pleasure; ruling; vanity; proudness."

The Whispering Tarot by Liz Hazel
Liz Hazel's suit of Wands is the suit of the Fire element, embodying "ambition, vigor, creativity, travel, high spirits, and energy." Her use of the colors red, yellow, and orange is a lot more subtle than what we see in the other cards in this set. Like most of the others, Hazel associates the Six of Wands with Jupiter/Leo. In her excellent book Tarot Decoded, Hazel discusses the Jupiter connection: "Jupiter rules change, expansion, growth, and development -- ready or not. Jupiter prefers to be connected with benevolence, mercy, generosity, good humor, and big-heartedness."

I feel that the Jupiter-Leo association for the Six of Wands (in decks based on the RWS, at least) works very well to convey the elation, success, and good fortune suggested by the typical image on the card. The Air-Virgo association presented by Thierens just doesn't resonate with me, based on my experiences with the Six of Wands.

I welcome your comments!

Zanna

ORACLE CARD

Today I am sharing a card from the Beasts of Albion deck by Miranda Gray. This is one of my oldest decks and one of my favorites as well. As Gray tells us, the animals chosen for this deck are -- or once were -- native to Britain. She groups them into three Kingdoms: Strength, Knowledge, and Purity. For each Kingdom, she has a Spirit Animal: Lion, Dragon, and Unicorn, respectively.

Within each Kingdom, the beasts are grouped into sets of three, or Trines. Finally, each animal has a Teaching assigned to it.

Representing the Beasts of Albion deck today is The Raven. In Gray's system, the Raven belongs to the Kingdom of Strength amd the Trine of Challenge. His Teaching is "Challenge of Darkness."

For those who wonder about such things, the Raven was commonly interchangeable in early stories with other members of the crow family (the crow, chough, rook, and jackdaw). Although Ravens are generally associated with dark forces and death, they are also seen to symbolize cunning, intelligence, and prophecy.

In the Beasts of Albion deck, the Raven's characteristics are: Foreknowledge; Prophecy; Cunning; Intelligence; Change; Battle; Opportunism; Selfishness; Scavenging; Protection.

Elaborating on the "Challenge of Darkness" Teaching assigned to the Raven, Gray writes: "The Raven offers the challenge of the unknown. With its prophetic cry muted, it teaches the ability to overcome the dark forces of uncertainty, ignorance and death."

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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. Several times a week, 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!