Animal Tarot Time: DEATH

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from eight different decks, now including Tarot of the Woodland Wardens by Jessica Roux from Amber/Lotus.

Animal Tarot Cards (Virtue, Valentine, Hay House)
The Animal Totem Tarot (Robertson, Smith, Llewellyn)
The Animal Wisdom Tarot (Brunke, Liola, CICO)
The Animal-Wise Tarot (Andrews, Dragonhawk)
The Animals Divine Tarot (Hunt, Llewellyn)
The Animism Tarot (Cheung)
Tarot of the Animal Lords (Giannini, Lo Scarabeo)
Tarot of the Woodland Wardens (Jessica Roux, Amber/Lotus) – Added 12/2025

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES.

Let’s look at how DEATH (Key 13) is portrayed in eight different animal decks.

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

RELEASE / PEACOCK

“Immortality. Rejuvenation. 
The confidence to move on. Birth and rebirth. 
Rising up from the ashes. The Resurrection of Christ.”

As many of us already know, the Death card does not automatically indicate physical death (television and movies notwithstanding). Instead, our first consideration should be that it represents an ending, the closing of a door, the release of something that may very well turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to us. I can see how a peacock might represent this phenomenon. It is a beautiful bird to begin with, but nothing quite compares to the first time you see one spreading its glorious tail feathers all at once. The “wow factor” is very strong! The guidebook for this deck states that the peacock has “long been a symbol of Jesus and the Resurrection.”

The Animal Totem Tarot (Robertson, Smith, Llewellyn)

DEATH / CALIFORNIA CONDOR

“How many ideas have you had that you have 

rejected outright or been talked out of by other people? 

How many carcasses do you have stacked up in your energy field?”

 

Naturally I assumed that at least one of these eight decks would choose a vulture (or similar bird) to represent Death. The California Condor brings the energy of endings but also reminds us that death is a cycle rather than a one-way trip. It is the cyclical nature of birth/death that we must remember when the Death card appears. An interesting note from the deck creators: “The California Condor not only represents the energy of death, but has come back from the brink of its own Death.” Once an endangered species, this bird is “making a healthy and welcome comeback.”

The Animal Wisdom Tarot (Brunke, Liola, CICO)

DEATH / MOTH

Omen of Death / End, Transition, Metamorphosis, Change / 

Release the old, embrace the new 

“Silence of the Lambs,” anyone? Yes, this is the Death’s-head Hawkmoth we’re talking about for Tarot Key 13 in this deck. In some cultures, moths do symbolize or foreshadow death. They are also seen as “departed souls returned to earth” or “symbols of immortality” (Brunke). As with Death cards in other decks, this one can just as easily represent “the conclusion of a job, relationship, or phase of life” rather than representing actual physical death. We are being encouraged to exchange our fear of change to eager anticipation of transformation.

The Animal-Wise Tarot (Andrews, Dragonhawk)

DEATH / SNAKE

Shedding the Old and Resurrection 

As a “universal sign of healing, life, death, and rebirth” (Andrews), the Snake certainly qualifies for a starring role on the Death card. We all know that snakes shed their skin regularly – replacing the old with the new – in a sense “resurrecting” themselves. Snakes shed their skin because they have outgrown it (and they never stop growing). Just as snakes can move and strike very quickly, changes and transitions in our lives can occur quickly, and we may not feel ready for them. When Death appears, Andrews encourages us to ask, “Are we needing to make changes but aren’t for some reason? Are we trying to force change too quickly? Are we hanging on to and not releasing what is no longer beneficial for us? Are we ignoring opportunities to heal our life?”

The Animals Divine Tarot (Hunt, Llewellyn)

DEATH / Sedna (Inuit)

transformation, rebirth, renewal, new beginnings 

Lisa Hunt tells us that Sedna “was the supreme deity of the undersea world, who was both feared and revered by the Inuit peoples of the Arctic region.” In that role, she determined which of her sea creatures would be “relinquished for mortal consumption,” so she actually controlled the survival of the people who consumed those creatures. Sedna’s story is a terrifying one, in that she became ruler of the undersea world only after her father tossed her into the icy waves to placate an angered spirit. When she tried to climb back into his boat, he chopped her fingers off…. And well, that’s enough of that! But as horrific as the story is, it ends with Sedna on the undersea throne, presiding over whales, seals, and other sea creatures. She was, of course, bitter – but made the best of her situation.

The Animism Tarot (Cheung)

DEATH / THE RAVEN
self-awareness, adaption, wisdom, truth, loss, passage 

I’m not surprised to see The Raven on the Death card in an animal-themed deck. Ravens symbolize illness, ill fortune, and/or death in many cultures. Yet their symbolism is much more complex than that (kind of like the Death card?) I won’t try to explore the many myths and stories about ravens here. I like seeing one on the Death card.

Tarot of the Animal Lords (Giannini, Lo Scarabeo)

DEATH / CROW

fatality, change, end and beginning; sickness, death, bad luck 

Although Crows and Ravens are not identical birds, I think we can agree that both Cheung and Giannini have a similar symbolism in mind when their choices. Both crows and ravens are highly intelligent, black-feathered birds from the genus Corvus. Both are highly adaptable omnivores and scavengers. The symbolism associated with both birds is very similar across many cultures.

Tarot of the Woodland Wardens (Roux, Amber/Lotus)

DEATH / JACKAL

“How do I handle change? What am I ready to let go of?” 

Last (but certainly not least) of all, our newest contributor to this series – Tarot of the Woodland Wardens – features a completely different creature on the Death card from any of the other decks I shared. The guidebook describes the card as follows: “A skeletal jackal stalks the grasslands to collect his dead.” Like others in this series, this deck treats Death as symbolizing endings and new beginnings. “Nothing lasts forever, and Death reminds us that transformation and change can be a good thing.” (Roux) Although the deck’s creators don’t explain their reason for choosing the jackal, most of us are aware that jackals are most famously linked to the Egyptian god Anubis, who guarded cemeteries and guided souls, associating them with the afterlife, embalming, and protection.

To summarize:

Peacock – 1
California Condor – 1
Moth – 1
Snake – 1
Sedna – 1
Raven – 1
Crow – 1
Jackal – 1

The closest we come to a consensus is the use of black carrion-eating birds on three of the Death cards. I’m fine with those. I also kind of love the jackal and snake, though!

Animal Tarot Time: THE HANGED MAN

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from eight different decks, now including Tarot of the Woodland Wardens by Jessica Roux from Amber/Lotus.

Animal Tarot Cards (Virtue, Valentine, Hay House)

The Animal Totem Tarot (Robertson, Smith, Llewellyn)

The Animal Wisdom Tarot (Brunke, Liola, CICO)

The Animal-Wise Tarot (Andrews, Dragonhawk)

The Animals Divine Tarot (Hunt, Llewellyn)

The Animism Tarot (Cheung)

Tarot of the Animal Lords (Giannini, Lo Scarabeo)

Tarot of the Woodland Wardens (Jessica Roux, Amber/Lotus) – Added 12/2025

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES.

* * * * * * *

Let’s look at how THE HANGED MAN (Key 12) is portrayed in eight different animal decks.

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

AWAKENING / GIRAFFE

“Look at things in a different way, and all will make sense. 

Don’t worry if your progress is halted temporarily: 

things will soon start moving again.”

As the tallest land mammal, the Giraffe certainly does see things from a different perspective than most. In this card, the Giraffe “has flipped her head down to have a good look at you. . .  Both of you see things in a whole new light.” 

The Animal Totem Tarot (Robertson, Smith, Llewellyn)

THE HANGED MAN / HONEY POT ANT

“What areas of your life, right now, is your head interfering with? 

If you were to let go of your need to be right in your current situation, what would happen?”

This is certainly an unusual and interesting “take” on The Hanged Man card. From the description in the guidebook, we learn that due to the social structure of honey pot ants, large members of the group store water and nectar in their abdomens, then spend the rest of their lives hanging upside down, regurgitating nectar for the rest of the colony. Fortunately for us humans, even though some things in our life feel imposed upon us, we still have free will. We can willingly choose to surrender to our “divine destiny.” The guidebook adds, “Inversion poses in yoga are used to place the heart above the mind. . . to allow better blood and energy flow throughout your body.” Surrender and sacrifice are the key concepts offered by the Honey Pot Ant.

The Animal Wisdom Tarot (Brunke, Liola, CICO)

THE HANGED MAN / BAT 

Master of Suspension / Surrender, Release, Sacrifice, Renew

On this card, the Bat hangs upside down from the Tree of Life, resting peacefully, sensitive and aware. We are being guided inward to “hone perceptions, identify illusions, face fears calmly, and release the non-essential.” Bats seem to be equally comfortable upright or upside down or flying through the air, taking in a “bird’s eye view.” This is the energy we are being encouraged to adopt when The Hanged Man card appears. A Message from Bat: “Go within, and then let go.”

The Animal-Wise Tarot (Andrews, Dragonhawk)

THE HANGED MAN / BAT

New Truths and Perceptions

In the guidebook, Ted Andrews notes, “Bats sleep with their head down, the traditional posture of the Hanged Man in the tarot. This reflects a new perspective, the awakening of new truths.” Andrews points out that “mythically, the bat is an animal associated with the promise of rebirth and a time of coming out of darkness.” Taking a new perspective can mean letting go of the past, releasing or changing some aspect of our life. Questions we might ask ourselves include, “Are we avoiding facing what is inevitable? Are we letting our fears rule us? Are we not seeing things for what they truly are?”

The Animals Divine Tarot (Hunt, Llewellyn)

THE HANGED WOMAN

SPIDER WOMAN (Native American)

In this deck, Spider Woman represents “stagnation, inertia, repetitive cycle, the need to grow, life crisis forcing change, sacrifices.” Interestingly, spiders often dangle head-first from their webs. At other times, of course, they wander all about the web checking out what might have been caught. When The Hanged Man card appears, we may need to examine our own “web of life” to see if repairs are needed. 

The Animism Tarot (Cheung)

THE HANGED MAN / THE OPOSSUM

patience, introspection, focus, courage, opportunity, creativity

On The Hanged Man card in this deck, an opossum hangs upside down from a branch by its tail. Joanna Cheung writes, “Why he is suspended, why he watches in reverse, only he understands. His reality might not make sense, but sometimes life needs to not make sense, and sometimes views must be shifted in order to achieve clarity. And so he holds on and on until he finds his release.” 

Tarot of the Animal Lords (Giannini, Lo Scarabeo)

THE HANGED MAN / BAT

altruism, enlightenment, sacrifice, suffering, punishment

The “animal-person” chosen to represent The Hanged Man in this deck is a bat-man (not Batman!) He has human legs, so he hangs by one foot from the branches above like the man on the traditional Hanged Man card. Being part bat, he is quite comfortable in this position, able to observe and reflect from a different perspective. 

Tarot of the Woodland Wardens (Roux, Amber/Lotus)

THE HANGED WARDEN / OPOSSUM

“What are the benefits and drawbacks of the different paths I can take? 

How can I change my perspective?”

As most of us know, opossum’s have the ability to “play possum,” remaining quiet and pretending to be dead as a means of avoiding predators. To be honest, I don’t really see the connection between that trait and the traditional meaning of The Hanged Man card, although the interpretation given by the deck’s creator states: “Perhaps it feels like danger approaches from all sides and your only option is to curl up and hide.” Instead, Roux continues, “But by taking a step back and looking at your current situation from a different angle, you’ll come to a deeper understanding of your past, present, and future.” The “placid energy of the opossum” is seen as something to use to our advantage when a change in perspective is needed.

* * * * * *

To summarize, we have:

Bat - 3

Opossum – 2

Giraffe – 1

Honey Pot Ant – 1

Spider Woman - 1

Once again, I feel inclined to go with the majority in choosing the Bat to represent The Hanged Man. As I mentioned above, bats really do have the ability and opportunity to view things from many perspectives and positions. And all of it is very natural for them, not forced or traumatic. We humans, on the other hand, may be quite uncomfortable in that upside down position – hence the words “sacrifice” and “suffering” might apply to our experience. 

Animal Tarot Time: JUSTICE

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from eight different decks (yes, I’ve added a new deck to the mix: Tarot of the Woodland Wardens by Jessica Roux from Amber/Lotus).

• Animal Tarot Cards (Virtue, Valentine, Hay House)
• The Animal Totem Tarot (Robertson, Smith, Llewellyn)
• The Animal Wisdom Tarot (Brunke, Liola, CICO)
• The Animal-Wise Tarot (Andrews, Dragonhawk)
• The Animals Divine Tarot (Hunt, Llewellyn)
• The Animism Tarot (Cheung)
• Tarot of the Animal Lords (Giannini, Lo Scarabeo)
• Tarot of the Woodland Wardens (Jessica Roux, Amber/Lotus) – Added 12/2025    

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES. 

Today I’m exploring JUSTICE in my animal-themed decks. As many of you know, the numbering of the Justice and Strength cards in the Tarot varies, depending on which deck you are using. For this post, I will be viewing Justice as Trump 11. Let’s look at how JUSTICE is portrayed in eight different animal decks.

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

JUSTICE / ELEPHANT 

“Fair decisions will be made after all the evidence is reviewed impartially. 
Have compassion for others and try to see all sides of a disagreement.”

The Elephant appears on the Justice card (Key 8 in this deck) because of its intelligence, majesty, and power. Stories abound of elephants caring for their families and community, even risking their own lives in order to save one of their own. If this card appears in a reading, the seeker has every reason to believe that justice will be done in their situation and all will be well.

The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)

JUSTICE / CRANE

“Do you have any pressing legal issues that need to be dealt with? 
Where are you needing resolution in your life right now? 
How do you bring yourself back to center once your emotions have run high?"

The Crane shown on this card is described by the deck’s creators as being “in a defensive pose… standing his ground, wanting others to know that he cannot be swayed from his own mind.” The fact is, there will always be more than one story or perspective to take into account when trying to settle a disagreement. On this card, the Crane’s beak points “towards the sky,” symbolizing “the higher power at play when it comes to finding the middle ground.” Note that the Justice card (when given the number 11) sits in the center/middle point of the Major Arcana. As a totem, we can see the Crane as one who helps ground emotions and take the sting out of them. This in turn will help find a solution “for the good of all and harm to none.”

The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)

JUSTICE / ELEPHANT / Bearer of Justice

“Play fair, love true, live in harmony.”

The creators of this deck state that the Elephant “represents balance, stability, sincerity, and justice.” In addition to removing obstacles that “keep us from seeing our true selves,” the Elephant supports bringing to light anything that is imbalanced. The Elephant calls us to do what is right and a true reflection of ourselves, to achieve “greater balance with ourselves and with the cosmos.”

The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)

JUSTICE / ELEPHANT

Ancient Powers of Justice at Work 

For this deck, Ted Andrews chose the Elephant to represent Justice. He points out that this card is meant to remind us that “spiritual laws of justice are at play within life,” whether we recognize them or not! Elephants display great strength and community. They often rely on their acute sense of smell to discern whether something is “right” or not. Instead of automatically trusting what we see, we might do better to think about what “smells right” when making an important decision. When reversed, this card might indicate an injustice at hand, yet a reassurance that the situation will play itself out in “the time, manner, and means best for all concerned.” Meanwhile, it may help to ask ourselves if we are judging everything on appearance alone or ignoring lessons of the past.

The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)

JUSTICE

Maat: Egyptian / Ostrich

The Egyptian goddess of truth and justice, Maat, was a judge of the dead in the Hall of Justice, where she weighed the souls of recently deceased mortals. To do this, she balanced the deceased’s heart against an ostrich feather. Maat is always shown wearing an ostrich feather in her hair. (I have not been able to determine exactly why an ostrich feather was chosen to represent truth, justice, and divine connection). 

The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)

JUSTICE / CHIMPANZEE

adaption, objectiveness, awareness, compassion, honour, understanding

On the Justice card in this deck, we see two Chimpanzees facing each other, hands touching palm to palm. Joanna Cheung writes: “Understanding is shared in a simple touch, and the realization that what we choose to do from here on out will be more important than we realize. This is the time to right wrongs, a time for change and balance. Things have become clear now.” I did a bit of research, and I discovered that studies and experiments have shown that chimpanzees may have a strong sense of fairness (“inequity aversion”) similar to humans.

Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

JUSTICE / BARN OWL

agreement, order / lack of freedom, prejudices and misconduct

As a common symbol of wisdom, the Owl can certainly be seen as representing an inclination towards justice, fairness, and balance. Barn Owls, because of their heart-shaped faces, are said to symbolize love as well as wisdom.

Tarot of the Woodland Wardens by Jessica Roux (Amber/Lotus)

JUSTICE / CAPUCHIN MONKEY

“How have my actions affected others, positively or negatively? 
How can I better achieve balance in my daily life?”

Like Joanna Cheung, Jessica Roux has chosen a primate for the Justice card in this deck. She writes, “These creatures have a complex societal structure, use tools, and may even recognize their own reflection.” Capuchin monkeys were named for their resemblance to an order of friars, further supporting the concept of fairness and justice. Roux also writes that determining justice requires honesty and rational thought above emotions.

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To summarize, we have:

Elephant – 3
Crane – 1
Ostrich (Maat) – 1
Chimpanzee – 1
Barn Owl – 1
Capuchin Monkey – 1

I’m going with the majority this time and voting for Elephant as my favorite animal representative for the Justice card. The reasons are expressed very well by the creators of the decks who chose the Elephant. However, I do understand the appeal of selecting a primate for this card!

 

Animal Tarot Time: WHEEL OF FORTUNE

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from seven different decks:

• Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House) 
• The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications) 
• The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books) 
•  The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing) 
• The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)
• The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published) 
• Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES.

Today I’m exploring the Wheel of Fortune (Key 10) in my animal-themed decks.

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

THE WHEEL / REINDEER (Caribou)
(“Expect a sudden positive change in your life. 
You can now move forward and make great progress.”)

This interpretation of the Wheel of Fortune card focuses on opportunity and blessings, forward movement, and new directions. In an interesting “aside,” the booklet accompanying this deck describes the difference between reindeer and caribou, pointing out that caribou are found in the wild and are somewhat larger than reindeer, who tend to be domesticated and raised in herds. Caribou do cover large distances during migration, in a cyclical manner, which corresponds with the idea of the Wheel constantly turning around, going through stages or phases of our lives.

The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)

 WHEEL OF FORTUNE /  LADY BUG

(How do you deal with change? 

Does planning for success seem foolish to you? 

What area of your life needs the most luck?)

 

The creator of this deck emphasizes that the Wheel “reminds us that nothing stays the same. . . Everything has a cycle to it and what comes around goes around, again and again, although it may not always come back the exact way you last saw it – and that is rather the point.” In keeping with the idea of “fortune,” we see a lady bug on the card. Lady bugs have long been associated with luck and good fortune.

The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)

SPIDER / Sacred Spinner 
(Fate, Karma, Luck, Cycles, Change)

 

In the Animal Wisdom Tarot, the Spider “anchors us in a net of timeless wisdom while revealing the many directions our journey may take.” At the same time, “we weave reality by our thoughts and actions.” Just as a spider sits patiently in the center of its web, we can sit still and centered, “watching life’s drama spin around us,” taking a long-range view and adopting an expanded perspective.

The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)

WHEEL OF FORTUNE / BEAR 
(Heeding Inner Voice and Cycles) 

Ted Andrews writes that “bears teach us to follow our inner voice and to follow a new and more natural rhythm.” Certainly the bear’s cyclical behavior of hibernating every year reinforces this idea. In keeping with the natural cycles of life, we need to move naturally through these cycles, from period of high activity to periods of low activity, through changes and familiar patterns or circumstances. Bears “teach us that a new cycle is at play within our life. For the greatest success, we must adapt to that new cycle. The wheels are turning anew for us. It is time to change our patterns.”

The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)

THE WHEEL / All Animals: Universal
(cycle of change, the opportunity for growth due to change in fortune) 

In The Animals Divine Tarot, Lisa Hunt’s Wheel incorporates a large assortment of animals “rotating together in a confluence of elements (fire, air, water, earth). In addition, we see illuminated orbs representing the phases of the moon, reminding us that life is cyclical. It is important that we experience and understand the rhythm of life, as seen in nature and symbolized by all of the different animals in our world.

The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)

WHEEL OF FORTUNE: The Orb Weaver Spider
(fate, wisdom, rebirth, balance, creativity, design) 

Joanna Cheung tells us: “This is the weaver of time and fate. Every thread has a destination. Every connection has a purpose. Every movement causes a ripple throughout. The weaver understands balance: threads that fall can rise up again, and though some may come undone, they can be rebuilt once more, better and stronger than ever before.”

Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE / Butterfly 
(the natural cycle of things, fortune, love, return of enemies) 

The artist offers a “wheel” reference by depicting the man-butterfly completing a circle formed by tree branches. The butterfly’s metamorphosis from stage to stage --  egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly – is appropriate for a card that represents cycles and changes. It is easy to imagine how we might see ourselves as being in one “stage” or another of the butterfly’s progress, on our way to an accomplishment or completion of an aspect of our life.

 

To summarize, we have

• Reindeer/Caribou - 1
• Lady Bug – 1
• Spider – 2
• Bear – 1
• All Animals – 1
• Butterfly - 1

The Spider probably resonates strongest with me for the Wheel of Fortune. A spider web often has a circular pattern to it, and I really like the idea of the spider remaining still, watching and waiting, and then making its move based on what is happening around it – as opposed to scurrying all over the web, frantically trying to control every detail of what’s happening. I often interpret the Wheel of Fortune in a reading as expressing the importance of remaining centered and stable in the midst of change as the wheel turns around and around, up and down.  What do you think?

 

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Animal Tarot Time: THE HERMIT

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from seven different decks:

• Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)
• The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)
• The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)
• The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)
• The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)
• The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)
• Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES.

Today I’m exploring THE HERMIT (Key 9) in my animal-themed decks.

 

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

THE HERMIT / FIREFLY 

“Take time for contemplation – to retreat and go within. 
Be a beacon for others on their path to spiritual enlightenment.”

When we think of a hermit, we think of someone who hides somewhere and avoids contact with other people. In my experience, THE HERMIT card can represent a need to do exactly that, at least for a time. However, sometimes we forget that the image on the card (in traditional decks at least) depicts The Hermit holding a lantern up as if to illuminate the path. One standard interpretation of this card refers to being a guide who shows others the way. The creators of Animal Tarot Cards write, “And just as the seeker is never alone, our fireflies have gathered in great number in order to show you just how magical life can be!”

The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)

THE HERMIT /  MANTIS

Do you like being alone? If no, why not? 

What does “standing in one’s own light” mean to you? 
Do you allow yourself the space and time you need to make decisions with certainty? 

In The Animal Totem Tarot, The Hermit (Mantis) stands in the light, holding the ultimate “lamp” – the sun -- between his antennae. This image doesn’t seem to allude to the need for isolation or solitude at all, rather focusing on shining a bright light. In the deck guidebook, however, the creator of this deck does emphasize that “it’s okay to have space between yourself and your current problem . . . as a way of allowing some time and space to help align yourself with the solution you need.” Having done that, we are then encouraged to emerge into the light or to actually provide the light that others may need to find their way.

The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)

THE HERMIT / OWL / Keeper of the Light
(Solitude, Introspection, Enlightenment, Wisdom)

It’s common knowledge that an owl’s night vision is quite good, which makes this mysterious creature a fine choice to guide us through the dark. I can also see the owl as representing solitude and contemplation as it sits quietly in a tree, hidden from view. The creator of The Animal Wisdom Tarot encourages us to “take time to refresh and renew your inner self, so you may return to the world enlightened, shining as a beacon for others.”

The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)

THE HERMIT / OWL 
(Silent Wisdom, Vision, and Guidance) 

Ted Andrews notes several things that the owl can represent for us:

* Owls fly silently, teaching us to trust our instincts and silent impressions.

* Owls are creatures of the night, perhaps symbolizing the darkness within, where great secrets and great treasures are hidden. We may choose to access these secrets and treasures through dreams.

* Owls have keen sight and hearing, encouraging us to pay attention to undercurrents and subtleties.

The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)

THE HERMIT / Cernunnos: Celtic 
(time to reflect, contemplation, solitude) 

Rather than choosing a single animal for this card, Lisa Hunt chooses the Celtic god Cernunnos, who is shown accompanied by all kinds of forest animals. Each animal carries its own symbolism. “At this stage of the journey,” Hunt writes, “it is important to take the time to engage in quiet reflection.”

The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)

THE HERMIT / THE RED PANDA
(peace, knowledge, contemplation, solitude, discovery, adaption)

A quick internet search reveals that red pandas are known to be “difficult to observe in the wild” and are solitary and territorial. People in central Bhutan consider red pandas to be reincarnations of Buddhist monks. The red panda’s qualifications to serve as The Hermit seem pretty solid, although we do not get the idea that this creature is going to “light the way” for anyone.

Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

THE HERMIT / BLACK BEAR
(wisdom, spiritual search, abandonment, solitude, hidden enemies) 

Although this deck is admittedly “quirky,” its portrayal of The Hermit is true to traditional Tarot, even though it depicts a black bear instead of a human being. The bear, clothed in hermit-style robes, holds a lantern aloft and gazes at the path ahead. I want to comment on one particular keyword provided by this deck: “abandonment.” At first, this seemed odd, but after just a little bit of thought, I can see that The Hermit may signal a need to “abandon” a busy, confusing life (or situation) for a time, and I can also see that to other people, it might seem that The Hermit is “abandoning” them by going into seclusion. Something to keep in mind when interpreting this card in a reading.

To summarize, we have

Firefly – 1
Mantis – 1
Owl – 2
Red Panda – 1
Cernunnos – 1
Black Bear – 1

Of these, I tend to favor the Owl as The Hermit. I like the idea of it being able to guide us in the darkness because of its superior senses and the fact that it does tend to be hidden from us much of the time. I do kind of like the idea of the Black Bear, given that bears hibernate in caves on a regular basis, although I can’t quite picture a bear guiding anyone. What do you think?

 

Animal Tarot Time: STRENGTH

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from seven different decks:

• Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)
• The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)
• The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)
• The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)
• The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)
• The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)
• Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES.

As many of you know, the numbering of the Justice and Strength cards in the Tarot varies, depending on which deck you are using. For this post, I will be viewing Strength as Trump 8. Let’s look at how STRENGTH is portrayed in seven different animal decks.

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

STRENGTH / MASAI LION AND LAMB

“True strength is displayed through kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. 
You have tremendous personal power and courage.”

Where many traditional Tarot decks depict a girl or woman with a lion on the Strength card, this deck gives us a Masai lion with a lamb. There is a sense that both creatures not only tolerate but respect or value each other. As the creators of the deck note, “The lion represents pure courage and power, while the lamb is symbolic of gentleness, vulnerability, and self-acceptance.” We are called to apply “loving strength” to situations and to the people who are involved.

The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)

STRENGTH / OX

What muscles do you currently need to build? 
How can your personal strengths help those around you? 
Are you throwing your weight around instead of supporting someone you love?

This interpretation of Strength does not appear to incorporate one of the traditional interpretations, which has to do with “taming” one’s animal instincts in order to direct gut reactions or raw emotions  constructively. The focus in The Animal Totem Tarot is on the Ox as a symbol of physical strength but also on emotional and mental strength as well as courage. Our will and resolve may be tested. We are being asked to consider what weighs us down or burdens us (for example, the past), and to question whether we feel that is the best use of our strength.

The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)

LION / Ruler of the Open Heart
Courage, Compassion, Acceptance, Love

Just to reiterate what I wrote above, even though this card is numbered VIII (Roman Numeral 8) on its face, I am including it here because it obviously represents Strength, which is numbered 11 in some Tarot decks.

In this deck, we see a lion and a young woman sitting together in harmony. The lion here represents “your inner beast” as well as strength, stability, and leadership. The focus is on feline or feminine energies, reminding us that “true strength is not violent or controlling, but emerges through love, appreciation, and acceptance of self and others.”

The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)

STRENGTH / LION
Strength of Will from the Inner Sun

Ted Andrews gives us a male lion on this card without any accompanying feminine figure, yet he makes sure to include in his discussion of Strength the role female lions play in a pride of lions. The females actually do most of the work as hunters and caretakers of the young. The qualities they represent include “patience, gentleness, and the strength of love.” The male lion encourages us to express our power, even as we nurture the more “feminine” qualities within us such as creativity, intuition, and imagination.  Strength of will – rather than brute force – is the key.

The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)

STRENGTH / Lion and Tara: Tibetan

(tapping into inner resources, embracing one’s animal nature, courage)

 

Lisa Hunt takes us to Tibet for her interpretation of Strength, offering us an image of a lion accompanied by Tara, “one of the most popular deities in the Buddhist tradition.” She is viewed as a strong, compassionate deity who is “often called upon during times of distress and endangerment.” The lion, as in other Tarot decks, represents “the spark and libido necessary for continued achievement.” If we try to suppress or neglect this type of energy, it is likely to manifest into something potentially negative. We are encouraged to utilize such internal resources in a productive, creative manner.

The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)

STRENGTH / The Lion and Carmine Bee-Eater 

(ferocity and gentleness, freedom and control, passion and compassion)

I love the way Joanna Cheung expresses the meaning of this card: “There is a balance here, one that requires a delicate touch, one without fear, but with understanding. With balance, comes peace.”

 Cheung views the Lion as representing “power, protection, courage, patience, wisdom, passion,” whereas the Bee-Eater symbolizes “unity, family, tranquility, support, comfort, balance.” This balance is all the more impressive given the relative size and physical strength of these two creatures. Both of these “natures” can be found within us, and it is up to us to combine and balance these different energies in order to demonstrate true strength.

Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

STRENGTH / Mongoose and Snake

(courage, energy, moral strength; reversed: decisive confrontation, danger)

 

This quirky deck assigns the number XI (11) to Strength, but instead of a lion, the image depicts a mongoose-man and a snake. If you know anything about how a mongoose deals with a snake, you know it is not a gentle or “compassionate” approach. The mongoose darts at the head of the snake and cracks the snake’s skull with a powerful bite. The Tarot of the Animal Lords is giving us a much more combative, adversarial representation of Strength than many other (more traditional) decks, although it does offer “moral strength” as a key meaning. (On a side note, I didn’t know that meerkats are members of the mongoose family, did you?)

To summarize, we have:

Ox – 1

Lion – 5

Mongoose/Snake - 1

It’s obvious that most of the decks in this group associate the Strength card with the Lion. For me, the ones that feature a lion with a milder, gentler creature (woman/girl, lamb, bird) offer a clearer connection to traditional Strength cards, which emphasize the importance of using kindness and compassion to “tame” our baser instincts, allowing both sides of our nature to combine their energies in a positive, constructive direction.

Animal Tarot Time: THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

For this series, I am exploring the choices of animals made by various deck creators to correspond to traditional Tarot cards. My initial goal is to get through the Major Arcana using cards from seven different decks:

• Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)
• The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)
• The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)
• The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)
• The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)
• The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)
• Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

To read my previous posts in this series, enter “Animal Tarot Time” in the search field on the main page of the blog or scroll down and click on Animal Tarot Time under CATEGORIES.

Animal Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine (Hay House)

REINDEER (CARIBOU)

“Success through taking action. Opportunity and blessings. 

Travel or modes of transportation. Forward movement. New directions.”

The creators of this deck point out that we traditionally associate reindeer with Santa Claus, which reinforces the idea of this creature representing prosperity or change in a positive direction. It also makes sense to have reindeer represent the movement and transportation. As the authors state, the reindeer and caribou are basically the same animal, with the primary difference being domestication.

In tarot, the Wheel of Fortune is in constant motion, around and around, up and down, never standing still.

The Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson; illustrated by Eugene Smith (Llewellyn Publications)

LADY BUG

“How do you deal with change? Does planning for success 
seem foolish to you? What area of your life needs the most luck?”

The creators of this deck note that “Lady Bugs have long been associated with luck and good fortune.” Interestingly, Lady Bugs can be different colors. Most are red (connected to the first or root chakra and the material world). Some are orange, connecting to the second or sacral chakra, dealing with creative emotional energy. A yellow Lady Bug would be connected to the third or solar plexus chakra, the energy center of action or doing. Finally, a pink Lady Bug is associated with the fourth or heart chakra, urging you to “just allow what is happening to happen.”

The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke; illustrated by Ola Liola (CICO Books)

SPIDER

Sacred Spinner (Fate, Karma, Luck, Cycles, Change)

I really like the way the creators of this deck placed a spider in a web that extends to the edges of a wheel. Think of how a spider just keeps spinning, and if the web is damaged or destroyed, the spider simply starts again. With this card we are encouraged to maintain “long-range views and an expanded perspective to find stability and truth in the midst of change.” When we sit still and center ourselves, we can watch life’s drama spin around us without being dragged up and down, around and around.

The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing)

BEAR

Heeding Inner Voice and Cycles

Ted Andrews offers us the Bear on the Wheel of Fortune card in his Animal Wise Tarot. As Andrews notes, bears “teach us that there is a rhythm and flow to everything, and when we align with it, we are much less frustrated and more successful.” Certainly we see this as we observe the hibernation habits of bears. They adapt to each new cycle as the wheel of the year turns.

The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Worldwide)

ALL ANIMALS

cycle of change, the opportunity for growth due to change in fortune

Lisa Hunt neatly sidesteps any arguments over “which animal” should represent this card by stating that The Wheel represents “All Animals.” She depicts the animals “rotating together in a confluence of elements,” incorporating symbolism for Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. With the animals as our guides and teachers, be can have a glimpse into the ways nature balances itself and become more active participants in the rhythm of life. From small to large, each creature shown on The Wheel has something valuable to share with us, if we will only pay attention.

The Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Self-Published)

ORB WEAVER SPIDER

fate, wisdom, rebirth, balance, creativity, design

Here we see the “weaver of time and fate.” Every thread has a destination. Every connection has a purpose. Joanna Cheung echoes the comments I wrote above concerning what happens when a spider’s web is damaged or destroyed, writing “threads that fall can rise up again, and though some may come undone, they can be rebuilt once more, better and stronger than ever before.”

Tarot of the Animal Lords with artwork by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)

BUTTERFLY

the natural cycle of things, fortune, love

A person with a butterfly’s head and wings flutters in the air next to a tree on which we see leaves, eggs, and caterpillars. In this way, this deck points to the butterfly as a symbol of the “natural cycle of things.” As we know, the butterfly follows a consistent pattern in its development, from egg to larva to pupa to adult. Similarly, we may go through stages of growth in our lives as we mature and gain understanding and wisdom.

TO SUMMARIZE we have:

Reindeer (Caribou) – 1
Lady Bug – 1
Spider – 2
Bear – 1
Butterfly – 1
All Animals – 1

I confess I’m quite partial to the Spider for The Wheel of Fortune card. What do you think?