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. 

The Forgotten Tarot: A Deck Interview

The Forgotten Tarot

by Siri Soderblom

© 2018 ElecTech, Inc.

http://www.forgottentarot.com

As Angie Buchanan puts it: “This unique deck stirs the cauldron of memory, and whispers a message down the ancestral line.”

And so for today’s deck interview we must travel back in time, to places and people forgotten -- yet perhaps not entirely forgotten, and to sights and sounds and scenes stored in and treasured by the universal subconscious mind.

(1) How would you describe your essence or essential energy?

JUSTICE

My essence or essential energy
is such that I am able to make it clear 
exactly what the Seeker deserves (good or bad) 
in an impartial manner, in all fairness, 
and without prejudice.

I reveal what is needed 
to maintain or create balance in all things.

 

(2 Which card do you feel reflects my essence or essential energy? 

FOUR OF COINS

A key element 
of your essence or essential energy
is a desire for control and a fear of loss. 
In and of itself, this is neither “bad” nor “good.”

 
It can be quite useful when 
self-preservation is in question. 

It can be quite detrimental when applied 
without regard for reality.

 

(3) What story do you hope to tell me? 

NINE OF SWORDS

The story I hope to tell you 
is a story of how best to deal with 
anxiety, worries, and fears 
that crowd your thoughts and repress your spirit.

 
Nightmares can be informative 
when viewed in the bright light of day. 

The secret is to understand which fears
are based on facts and which are based on irrational feelings.

 

(4) What should I not expect from you? 

PAGE OF SWORDS

Do not expect 
naïveté, inexperience, 
or “unbridled optimism” from me. 

I have been around the block 
more times than you can possibly imagine.

 

 

(5) Which card most closely represents us as a team? 

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

As a team, 
we move in cycles and stages 
around the Wheel – 
up and down – 
around and around – 
ever changing and evolving. 

What goes around, comes around, 
and truly, there is nothing new under the sun.

 

I look forward to doing many readings with this no-nonsense deck!

 

Me, An Enemy, A Friend, An Opportunity

Today on Tarot Notes, I'm introducing a reading that could be used daily, weekly, monthly, or whenever you like. For this reading, I am using the Otherworld Tarot by Alison Williams, with artwork by Sarah Nowell (Schiffer).

Layout looks like this:

.........(1).........

(2)...............(3)

.........(4).........

Otherworld Tarot

(1) Me: SEVEN OF CUPS (Choice)

Today I am aware of choices, especially at an emotional level. What is most likely to bring happiness and fulfillment to me today (this week, this month, etc.)? I need to make a choice and direct my time and attention accordingly.

(2) An Enemy: PAGE OF WANDS (Creative Inspiration)

My enemy is any tendency to suppress creative inspiration or allow burdens to block creative energy. 

(3) A Friend: SEVEN OF SWORDS (Underhandedness)

My friend is an ability to recognize that the motives and tactics I need to employ may have to be kept under wraps and may not be what I would normally feel comfortable using. On the other hand, I may become aware that someone else is keeping secrets and seeking to undermine me or bring me strife in an underhanded way.

(4) An opportunity: THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (Change)

I have an opportunity to better understand that life is constantly changing, there are “ups” and “downs,” and nothing (whether positive or negative) lasts forever. I have an opportunity to assess where I am and, if I’m not happy with that, to take comfort in the knowledge that things can and will change. I may also have an opportunity to acknowledge that something I view as positive in my life might very well change.

Give me a reflection of what is happening...

A sample reading using

The Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot
by Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov

(Magic Realist Press)

QUESTION

"Give me a reflection of what is happening 
with Scott's and my relationship."

ANSWER

Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot

Your card is the NINE OF CUPS. On this card we see a somewhat portly and obviously very satisfied cat sitting on a barrel in the public room of an inn, licking his lips. Behind him, carved in wood, we see a scene of general merrymaking. The Nine of Cups is sometimes known as the "wish card." It frequently indicates the fulfillment of very basic, down-to-earth wishes or a period of great pleasure, satisfaction, and well-being.

The suit of Cups is associated with the element Water, representing emotions, creativity, affection, love, sensitivity, intuition, and compassion. Water is also associated with relationships, which means that its appearance concerning a question about a relationship is a very encouraging sign. The number Nine often represents a basis for completion, preparation for new cycle, growth through experience, perfection, integration, and fruition. This suggests that your relationship with Scott is at a turning point -- the end of one stage or phase and the beginning of a new stage or phase.

I would say that the reflection this card is giving you is that your relationship with Scott has high potential to be everything you need it to be. It encourages you to focus on the simple contentment and happiness available through this relationship, and to value what you have together. Celebrate the little things and let your appreciation of each other carry you forward.

I hope this is helpful to you. It is my hope that the insight gained through this reading will help you make decisions and take action in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future lies in your hands. Thank you for letting me read for you.

"Will I have new love in my life soon?"

A sample reading using

Tarot of the Gnomes

Art by Antonio Lupatelli

(Llewellyn/Lo Scarabeo)

QUESTION

Will I have new love in my life soon?

ANSWER

Before I continue with your reading,  I need to let you know that really few things are "written in the stars." Most results and consequences derive from our own patterns of behavior and activity or inactivity, awareness or non-awareness. Because our futures are not etched in stone, the Tarot helps us to see the *possibilities* in our lives. Let's look at the possibilities related to your question.

For your 3-card reading I am using Tarot of the Gnomes. This is a somewhat "quirky" deck, yet I have found that it can provide helpful insight into all kinds of issues. I drew three cards to represent: (1) energy currently surrounding this matter, (2) a potential obstacle, and (3) a potential opportunity.

(1) energy currently surrounding this matter

EIGHT OF PENTACLES (Poverty)

Although the gnome on this card may seem pitiful, notice that he is smiling as he holds out his hand as if to catch the huge coin hanging in the air above him. I think this does reflect your current feelings about your situation in terms of your love life. You mentioned that you have been alone almost a year now with your three kids. You may be feeling not only lonely but "impoverished" in various ways. What I like about the Eight of Pentacles here is that it suggests help is on the way. However, with Pentacles being the suit of Earth, things may develop more slowly than you would like.

(2) a potential obstacle

THREE OF WANDS (Worry)

The woman on this card carries a heavy burden, and I think this could refer to the heavy responsibilities and duties you bear as a single parent. However, I do think that this card is saying that your worries about your situation may actually be an obstacle that interferes with your ability to seek and find a fulfilling love relationship. I am wondering if the "help" suggested by the Eight of Pentacles could refer to help with your children, which would relieve some of your burden and free you to be more receptive to relationships at all levels.

(3) a potential opportunity

KNAVE OF PENTACLES (Loan)

Here we move back to the suit of Pentacles, and we see the Knave holding a large coin aloft. You can almost imagine him standing above the person on the Eight of Pentacles, dropping the coin into the beggar's hand. In this deck, the Knave of Pentacles is subtitled "Loan." The loan may not involve money, but is probably going to be available in some area of your everyday work and domestic life. There is perhaps a person or organization that might play a role in presenting you with opportunities for a fulfilling love relationship. Like the Eight of Pentacles, the Knave seems to be saying, "You don't have to go it alone."

Your original question is what we call a yes-or-no question. In other words, the answer can be "yes" or "no." In my experience, the Tarot isn't very reliable in answering yes-or-no questions. However, using a method that I am familiar with, these three cards seem to be saying that the potential isn't strong for you to have a new love in your life "soon" but that there is potential. As I mentioned above, this could develop more gradually or more slowly than you would like.

My purpose in doing this reading is to offer options, possibilities, and perspectives for you to consider. I hope I have succeeded in doing that. Always remember that you are in charge of your destiny and only you can decide the best way to act in your situation.

“Is this relationship worthy of my efforts?"

A sample reading using

Tarot of the Animal Lords

by Angelo Giannini (Illustrator)

(Lo Scarabeo)

QUESTIONS 

“Is this relationship worthy of my efforts or is it time to let go and move on?” 

"Is he my soulmate or do I move forward and never look back?"

ANSWER

Before I continue with your reading, I would like to share with you my understanding of what a soulmate is. I believe that the soul has many facets. A soulmate is a reflection of one of the facets -- a connection to something in yourself that connects to the same thing in the other person. Thus we can have (and usually do have) more than one soulmate in a lifetime.

For your 3-card reading I am using Tarot of the Animal Lords. This intriguing deck by artist Angelo Giannini uses humanized animals to represent traditional Tarot card meanings. I drew cards to represent (1) strengths of this relationship, (2) obstacles or problems in the relationship, and (3) what will be most helpful to you in making a decision about the relationship.

1. Strengths: KNIGHT OF PENTACLES (Wild Boar)

This card suggests that the relationship has had a certain sturdy, stable, secure quality to it. The boar usually represents fidelity and strength. The suit of Pentacles is the suit of Earth, associated with practicality, material matters, physical condition or experiences, finances, security, family values, and domestic issues.

2. Obstacles or problems: EIGHT OF PENTACLES (Chimpanzee)

The obstacles or problems with the relationship seem to be in the same area as the strengths (Pentacles / Earth). With this card there is a suggestion of "rough edges" or "work needed." Chimpanzees are self-aware, social creatures. They can also frequently use deception to get what they want. The 8 of Pentacles calls your attention to a possible unwillingness to work on the relationship, to resolve differences in an open, honest manner.

3. What will be most helpful to you in making a decision: DEATH (Crow)

In this position, the Death card suggests change -- an end and a beginning. It points to the fact that life is made up of cycles: birth, life, death, and rebirth. The crow is black, the color of night -- but it is out of black darkness of night that the new day is born. This card indicates that something "new" is needed. Something old and outworn needs to be set aside so that something new can be born. Does this mean you should end the relationship? Not necessarily. You must also consider the possibility that the relationship can be improved if both of you are willing to make changes and discard behaviors, attitudes, or circumstances that are no longer useful or beneficial. It is clear, however, that the relationship will probably not thrive if things remain the way they are

It is my hope that the insight gained through this reading will help you make decisions and take action in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.

Is She Being Truthful? A Sample Reading.

A sample reading using 

The Animals Divine Tarot

by Lisa Hunt

(Llewellyn Worldwide)

QUESTION

“Is T---- being truthful with me about what she wants with me?
What is my future with this woman,
and will she ever love me?"

ANSWER

I don’t want to disappoint you, but I need to let you know that I cannot read people’s minds or tell you what they are feeling. Also, I do not predict the future or "tell fortunes." Your future is not predetermined. You and T---- have free will, and are constantly making decisions and choices that affect your future. What I can do is ask the cards what you need to understand about your relationship with T----. For your 3-card reading, I am using the Animals Divine Tarot. Below are the positional definitions I used, the cards I drew into those positions, and my interpretations.

Position 1. Situation: EIGHT OF WANDS (reversed) - the Ant

This card suggests confusion and delays, lack of cooperation, and failure to maintain individuality. This looks like a one-sided situation to me. It doesn't seem like you and T---- are on the same page, singing from the same songbook, or whatever expression you choose to employ to indicate two people who are not progressing toward the same goal. 

Position 2. Challenge: TWO OF PENTACLES (reversed) - the Panda

The challenge is to achieve a balance between seemingly opposing choices. You seem to be between a rock and a hard place (sorry -- these expressions just keep coming to me, and they actually seem to be appropriate!) Making a sacrifice or compromise now may or may not result in a more harmonious situation in the future. You can't tell right now. That's the dilemma.

Position 3. Opportunity: TWO OF WANDS (reversed) - the Dragonfly

This is another card referencing a choice (the number Two). You have the opportunity to see past potential illusions and choose how you will direct your energies. You are being encouraged to flow with your intuition and make a decision based on your gut instinct. Don't be deceived by appearances or what may seem immediately attractive. Look at how things might evolve in the long term and plan carefully.

The way you have phrased your questions tells me that you already suspect that T---- is not being truthful. The cards do not seem to dispute that suspicion. Only you can decide what you want, who you want to be, and where you want to go -- with or without T----. I have known people in relationships who are aware that they are being deceived, yet they want to be with the other person so much, they are willing to accept that. 

As I said above, I cannot read T----'s mind and I do not predict the future. I can only hope that the insight provided by this reading will help you make choices and decisions in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future is in your hands. 

Easy as STU…

In this Tarot Notes series, I will be pulling a card for each letter of the alphabet. Each card will be from a different deck. To add to the cleverness, of course, the name of the deck will begin with the letter being used, if at all possible. (Deck attributions are provided at the end of this post.)

To read the blog post for the letters ABC, click HERE. 

For DEF, click HERE. 

For GHI, click HERE. 

For JKL, click HERE. 

For MNO, click HERE. 

For PQR, click HERE. 

Background image by Daniel Albany from Pixabay

S is for SIBYL. 

Well, why not? In Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery, The High Priestess is portrayed as the ancient pagan prophetess Sybil. Her open scroll “displays the symbol for consciousness in the center of the seven-pointed star and the circular anagram relating the words TAROT, ROTA, and ATOR.” In this case, “S” can also stand for Symbolism,  and the number Seven: for the Seven Virtues of Temperance, Strength, Justice, Prudence, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

T is for TYPHON.

Typhon is the character descending the wheel in the Thoth Tarot representation of the Wheel of Fortune card. According to Greek mythology, Typhon was a Titan (another “T”!), a terrifying, huge monster who had nothing but serpents below the waist. When the card is reversed, Typhon ascends to the top of the wheel, a representation of dark times and bad luck. We might also say “T” is for TEN, as seen in the ten-spoked wheel on this card. “T” might also represent “TIME,” as the position of the wheel changes, and Typhon rises and falls, with time.

U is for UNDERTAKING. 

The Ace of Wands is often seen as representing creation, a beginning, or the start of an undertaking. This card has appeared before in the ABC series, representing the letter P for “Potential.” This time we are using the Universal Waite Tarot. Synonyms for “undertaking” include enterprise, venture, project, campaign, scheme, plan, operation, endeavor, effort, task, assignment, charge, activity, pursuit, exploit, job, business, affair, procedure, proceeding, process, and transaction.

*********
S: The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery by Robert M. Place  (Hermes Publications)
T: Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)
U: Universal Waite Tarot with drawings by Pamela Colman Smith and coloring by Mary Hanson-Roberts (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Does my partner of 15 years still love me?

A sample reading using 

Tarot of the Old Path

created by Sylvia Gainsford and Howard Rodway

(AGMuller)

QUESTION

“Does my partner of 15 years still love me?”

ANSWER

I don't want to disappoint you, but I cannot read your partner’s mind or tell you what they are feeling or thinking. What I can do is ask the cards for insight into the energy currently surrounding this relationship. Using Tarot of the Old Path, I drew three cards to represent the Situation, Challenge, and Opportunity. Below are the cards I drew into those positions and my interpretations.

Position 1. Situation: THE STAR

On this card, a woman pours nourishing ambrosia onto the land (conscious awareness) and into an estuary flowing forth to the sea (intuitive unconscious). In the foreground we see an iris, symbol of hope and power. This is a very encouraging card to draw in this position. It conveys a sense of harmony, balance, success, inspiration, satisfaction, and a bright future.

Position 2. Challenge: SEVEN OF SWORDS

On this card, a man dressed in protective leather clothing and gloves clutches four swords and glances back over his shoulder with a grin. He appears to have stolen these weapons. As he darts quickly away, he leaves three swords standing in the background. The challenge that faces this relationship appears to involve someone not telling another person everything he or she needs to know. The "theft" shown on the card is in the area of the mind and communication. Concealed information is likely to cause conflict and insecurity.

Position 3. Opportunity: TWO OF CAULDRONS, reversed

On this card, a man and woman stand facing each other. They hold small cauldrons towards the other's lips in a gesture of love and union. Cauldrons is the suit of Water, representing emotions. Reversed, this card warns of separation, disillusion, and a troubled romance. However, in this position (Opportunity), I see this as an indication that you have an opportunity to avoid these things by heeding the messages of the other cards. Open communication and frankness is needed to restore emotional balance and allow all the positive potential indicated by The Star to shine forth.

My goal in providing this reading is to help you feel empowered to make practical, life-affirming decisions or changes. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.

How can I get out of this funk?

A sample reading using

the Haindl Tarot

by Hermann Haindl

(U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

QUESTION 

"I'm feeling like I"m in a funk at the moment and

I want to know what is going on and what I can do to get myself out of it."

ANSWER

For your 1-card reading I am using the Haindl Tarot. Your card is the TWO OF WANDS (Dominion).

Haindl Tarot

On this card we see a ruined church with a staircase that leads upward to an opening that reveals the sky. We see two crossed spears in front of the entrance. The ruins of the church symbolize the power of the soul. The stairway represents a spiritual ascent. The spears symbolize both power and pacification.

Wands is the suit of Fire, representing passion, action, will, confidence, creativity, and brightness, but also battles and struggles. The number Two commonly suggests balancing dualities, tension, or choice.

You mentioned that you feel like you are in a funk. The Two of Wands seems to suggest that there is a decision or choice you need to make, and that you need to then take action based on that decision or choice. The title of this card is "Dominion" and its imagery conveys the spiritual power and strength available to you. The church is in ruins on the card, which makes me think that something in your life may no longer serve the purpose for you that it once did. It still has meaning for you, but has ceased to be what you need it to be.

You can overcome your feeling of being in a funk by starting something new in some area of your life, by choosing to move forward, to follow through on something you have been thinking about. This is a time when it pays to be ambitious, to discover and claim your personal power instead of giving away that power to others. The Two of Wands doesn't guarantee that your path will be completely smooth or easy, but it suggests that you have the stamina and energy to make your way in the world.

My goal in providing this reading is to help you feel empowered to make practical, life-affirming decisions or changes. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.

Am I With the Right Man? Will We Be Married?

A sample reading using

the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg

by YuryShakov

(U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

QUESTIONS 

“Am I with the right man for me?”
"Will we be married after this separation due to him being in jail?" 

LAYOUT

1....2....3

ANSWER

I don’t want to disappoint you, but I do not predict the future or "tell fortunes." Your future is not predetermined. You and the other people in your life have free will, and are constantly making decisions and choices that affect your future.

A Tarot reading is like a snapshot of your life at the time of the reading. The cards can give you a picture of unseen influences, patterns of behavior, obstacles, and strengths. From this, you can sometimes determine the likelihood of an event or circumstance occurring. However, if just one factor changes, the projected outcome can also change. It’s a bit like forecasting the weather — and we all know what can happen with weather forecasts.

For your 3-card reading I am using The Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg.

Your cards are:

THE LOVERS (reversed)

EIGHT OF SWORDS (reversed)

THE CHARIOT

The presence of two Major Arcana cards (The Lovers and The Chariot) tells me that this issue is of great significance in your life. It is not "just any relationship" but one that is likely to have a profound effect on you.

The Lovers (reversed) depicts obstacles this relationship is facing because of poor choices or the triumph of passion over wisdom. The Eight of Swords (reversed) often indicates incarceration. In this deck, it is subtitled "Captivity." The fact that it is reversed suggested that the captivity is temporary. The Chariot supplies a positive note in this reading - - a strong, clear note that tells of victory, success, and force of will that triumphs in spite of conflict and opposition.

Because we have such an accurate portrayal of current circumstances in these cards, I am encouraged by the appearance of The Chariot, upright. This is a card about readiness to make changes, about being in control of one's life. There seems to be positive support for leaving the old ways behind and moving on to a brighter future. Note, however, that this requires a deliberate effort, and there are challenges to overcome. It's not going to happen automatically.

With freedom comes responsibility and acceptance of the knowledge that you create your own destiny. Thus, the decisions and choices the two of you make will shape your future. Only you can tell if this is the right man for you. Marriage is a possibility, but you may want to see how things go in general before you embark on that particular journey, which carries its own challenges.

It is my hope that the insight gained through this reading will help you make decisions and take action in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.

U.S.A. Birth Chart (reprise)

The following is a post I originally made on July 4, 2014 to coincide with Independence Day here in the U.S.

It is about America’s birth chart and the Tarot cards that one could associate with that chart. Please note that I am not ignoring the fact that there were many nations on this continent long before the arrival of European settlers and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. I am choosing in this post to deal with the formal establishment of the United States of America in 1776.

After doing a bit of research, I quickly discovered that astrologers do not agree on the date and time (mostly the time) for which the birth chart of the U.S. should be cast. I won’t go into all of that here. You can do a search on the net and find out more than you probably want to know about it!

The two main variances seem to be the “Sibly chart,” originally published in 1787 by English astrologer, physician and herbalist, Ebenezer Sibly (1751-1799). Those who use this chart note that Sibly was alive at the time of the signing and therefore could have had access to information that is no longer available. The Sibly Chart, cast for July 4, 1776, 5:10 pm LMT (Local Mean Time), Philadelphia, PA, has Sagittarius rising.

In contrast, we have the “Gemini Rising Chart” for 02:13am, attributed to Evangeline Adams in the 1920s. This chart places Uranus (planet of rebellion and upheaval) exactly on the Ascendant. Some astrologers argue that this reflects the “birth” of America quite accurately, but opponents feel the chart does not depict the true nature of American character. Anthony Louis explained his support for this chart in a blog post in 2012: http://tonylouis.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/why-i-use-a-usa-gemini-rising-chart/

So… which chart shall I use for this post? In Tarot terms, using the astrological attributions developed by the Order of the Golden Dawn, I have a choice between Temperance (Sagittarius rising) and The Lovers (Gemini rising). I think I am going to go way out on a limb and not only choose the Gemini chart but use the Aleister Crowley Thoth deck (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) as my Tarot reference for this post.

This should be interesting…

Below is a chart for July 4, 1776, 02:13am LMT (Local Mean Time), Philadelphia, PA. I am using the Equal House System.

The Rising Sign, Gemini, is represented by The Lovers card. Because the planet Uranus sits on the Ascendant, I am pairing The Lovers with The Fool, which is linked with Uranus by modern occultists (Uranus had not yet been discovered when the Golden Dawn made its original astrological attributions, which attributed the element Air to The Fool).

In her book The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need (Taylor Trade Publishing), Joanna Martine Woolfolk writes, “Your Ascendant is the sign that reflects your outward demeanor and to a great extent determines how the outside world looks at you.” It often represents the “mask” we wear or the way we act when our defenses are up.

In the Thoth deck, we not only see “The Lovers” in Trump 6, we also see The Hermit officiating over the marriage depicted on the card between the Black King and White Queen. The Hermit (linked with the zodiac sign Virgo and the Hebrew letter Yod) contributes a creative, virile, fertile energy to this card.

Notice the white child standing with the Black King and the black child with the White Queen. These four figures together can be seen as representing the integration of opposites which, interestingly, is one of the themes of the Temperance card (Art in the Thoth deck), which is linked with Sagittarius, the rising sign in the Sibly Chart I mentioned earlier.

The Fool is commonly seen to represent birth, creation, the very beginning of something – perhaps a new idea, since the card is associated with the element Air by the Golden Dawn. On the Thoth card we don’t have The Fool gazing in the air as he steps off a cliff. However, the fact that The Fool on the Thoth card is being threatened by a tiger and a crocodile tells us that he is not in a “safe” situation, that there are risks involved, energies that may distract or block him from moving forward.

It appears that the colonies did try to reconcile the conflicting views held by the Mother Country and themselves. Indeed, before April 1775, many of the colonists hoped for reconciliation with King George III and Great Britain. But by the time the Declaration of Independence was signed, the relationship was damaged beyond repair and the colonies were ready to bring forth “a new nation conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” ~ (- Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 1863). That “new nation” is The Fool, independent, original, and ready to face an unknown future.

The Lovers card from the Thoth deck can be said to represent equality in that we see opposites being integrated or brought into balance. Neither the Black King nor the White Queen will rule over the other. To me, this actually foreshadows the argument of the abolitionists in the 1800s, who pointed out that the Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal” and that slavery was in conflict with that belief.

America’s Sun Sign is Cancer. In Tarot terms, this gives us The Sun and The Chariot.

In Astrology, the Sun in a birth chart represents our general character, our ego, our identity and sense of Self. In the Tarot, The Sun is a positive, strong card associated with freedom, happiness, and good health. In The Chariot we see triumph over adversity, self-control, moving forward and taking advantage of opportunities. Cancer is a Water sign known for being sensitive, nurturing, emotional, loyal, and protective. The connection between the sign and the card can be found in comparing the protective shell on the Cancer crab with the armor, helmet, and shield used by the charioteer. Also, Cancer is a cardinal sign, which gives it the qualities of action, leadership, and outgoing activity – all of which apply to The Chariot.

In The Chariot I see a “new nation” that is fortified, armored, and steeled for whatever lies ahead, determined to direct its own path and to remove any obstacles in its way. But the armor is only necessary because the creature wearing it is vulnerable and sensitive. Cancer is the sign of home and family, concepts Americans have always held dear. America will defend its homeland and its friends with armed force if necessary.

The Moon (The Priestess) is in Aquarius (The Star).

In Astrology, the Moon represents emotions, instincts, and the unconscious – the hidden aspects of the personality. In Astrology, the Moon rules the sign Cancer. The Priestess holds the Book of Mysteries on her lap, a book containing esoteric knowledge that can only be accessed using intuition, emotion, and the unconscious mind.

The sign Aquarius (which happens to be ruled in modern Astrology by Uranus) is known for innovation, humanitarianism, idealism, and intellect. Aquarians are often described as displaying rebellious, unusual, even shocking behavior.

The Star card in the Thoth deck features Nuith (Nuit) pouring the Water of Universal Life upon the fertile earth. Nuith is based on an Egyptian sky goddess, Nut, who was appropriated by Aleister Crowley for use in the Thelema pantheon. Crowley wrote: “Nuit is All that which exists, and the condition of that existence” and "Note that Heaven is not a place where Gods Live; Nuit is Heaven, itself."

To me, these qualities of Aquarius and The Star beautifully depict the inner spirit, emotions, and “unconscious mind” of the United States of America that was “born” on July 4, 1776 – the motivation and deepest emotional needs of the people who journeyed to and settled in the New World. What I am getting are the hope and faith and high ideals within so many of those who settled here: the sentiments that inspired the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Lovers (and The Fool) rising, The Chariot sun sign, and The Star moon sign together create a picture of this country that reflects the past, mirrors the present,  and offers hope for the future.

Happy Birthday, America!

Easy as JKL…

In this Tarot Notes series, I will be pulling a card for each letter of the alphabet. Each card will be from a different deck. To add to the cleverness, of course, the name of the deck will begin with the letter being used, if at all possible. (Deck attributions are provided at the end of this post.)

To read the blog post for the letters ABC, click _HERE._  For DEF, click _HERE_.  For GHI, click _HERE_.

Image background by Daniel Albany from Pixabay

J is for JUSTICE. 

Yep. I finally drew an actual card with a title that starts with the appropriate letter. I love it. The Joie de Vivre Tarot is obviously tuned into this game. In this deck, Lady Justice is accompanied by a “furry green companion named Creed,” who displays a golden set of balanced scales.

K is for KARMA. 

I don’t have a Tarot deck whose name begins with “K.” An internet search revealed the Karma Tarot. You can see the cards from this deck _HERE_. I went to one of hundreds of sites on line where you can randomly click and choose a Tarot card. The card that turned up was The Wheel of Fortune – which, in turn, I have decided represents “K is for Karma.” (See what I did there?) I think of this card as a “what goes up must come down” kind of thing, meaning that we all have ups and downs and round-and-rounds as we go through life. At times we might even feel centered and stable, in the middle of the Wheel. How much of what we experience is actually due to “karma” (“what goes around, comes around”) is not always clear.

L is for LANGUISH. 

In Legend: The Arthurian Tarot, the story linked with the Nine of Swords is the story of Elaine, Lily Maid of Astolat, whose unrequited love for Lancelot (another “L”) cause her to die of a broken heart. When we “languish,” we are obsessing over something or someone, giving ourselves over to grief or worry or suffering.

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J: Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)
K: Karma Tarot Deck by Birgit Boline Erfurt (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)
L: Legend The Arthurian Tarot by Anna-Marie Ferguson (Llewellyn Publications)

Easy as G H I ...

In this Tarot Notes series, I will be pulling a card for each letter of the alphabet. Each card will be from a different deck. To add to the cleverness, of course, the name of the deck will begin with the letter being used, if at all possible. (Deck attributions are provided at the end of this post.)

To read the blog post for the letters ABC, click _HERE_.  For DEF, click _HERE_.

Image background by Daniel Albany from Pixabay

G is for GATEWAY. 

In The Gilded Tarot, the Two of Wands shows a traveler facing a fork in the road. He is at a crossroads, and needs to make a choice or decision, even though it may not be clear to him which choice is the “correct” one. No matter which path he chooses, he is going to go through a (figurative) gateway beyond which lies the unknown.

H is for Heart. 

The suit of Cups is usually linked with the suit of Hearts, and both typically represent relationships, emotions, and the subconscious. The Two of Cups often indicates a heart-to-heart connection based on chemistry, magnetism, or recognition of “like meeting like.” This heartfelt connection can be romantic in nature but could also apply to a connection between a person and a group, idea, or project. With the number Two, we can be looking at opposites that are attracted to each other because each offers something the other lacks and needs or wants.

I is for IDENTITY. 

I don’t have a deck whose name begins with I, so I did an internet search and found Ibis Tarot. You can see the cards from this deck HERE. I then went to one of hundreds of sites on line where you can randomly click and choose a Tarot card. The card that turned up was THE SUN. In astrology, the Sun represents our Self – hence my choice of the word “Identity.” The Sun card in Tarot is also often seen to be a representation of our personality and character. We are encouraged to be our authentic, shining Self.

For Easy as JKL, click _HERE._

******

G: The Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti (Llewellyn Publications)
H: Tarot of the Hidden Realm by Julia Jeffrey (Llewellyn Publications)
I: Ibis Tarot by Josef Machynka (U.S. Games Systems Inc.) Based on the designs published in the book Practical Astrology by Comte C. de Saint-Germain.

Easy as DEF...

In this Tarot Notes series, I will be pulling a card for each letter of the alphabet. Each card will be from a different deck. To add to the cleverness, of course, the name of the deck will begin with the letter being used, if at all possible. (Deck attributions are provided at the end of this post.)

To read the blog post for the letters ABC, click _HERE_.

Background Image by Daniel Albany from Pixabay

D is for DISCOVERY. 

Whether THE HERMIT is a dragon keeping watch over a treasure or an old man with a lantern, the card is about discovery – seeking and finding, searching and uncovering, enlightenment and gaining knowledge you didn’t have before. The treasure is “that which the journey offers to the hero who undertakes an esoteric trip.” (Toraldo)

E is for EDGY. 

The suit of Swords gives new meaning to the expression “to be on edge.” The NINE OF SWORDS is often about the kind of fear or anxiety that keeps us awake at night. Whether the crisis is real or imagined, our nervous system remains in fight or flight mode.

 

F is for FAIRNESS. 

The association of “fairness” with JUSTICE was pretty much a no-brainer for me. On this version of the card, we have statues of ancient Chinese Lion-Dogs or Fu-Dogs, placed by temple doors as guardians. They protect the space they guard, hunting down and driving away evil spirits.

For "Easy as GHI," click _HERE_.

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D: Dragons Tarot by Manfredi Toraldo / Artwork by Severino Baraldi (Lo Scarabeo)
E: Ethereal Visions by Matt Hughes (self published)
F: Fantastical Creatures Tarot by Lisa Hunt and D.J. Conway (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)