The Emperor Times Four

This is the fifth entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. To read all of the poems to date, search “Times Four” in the blog search field.

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Emperor, we have the Tarot of Color by Leisa ReFalo (The Tarot Connection), the Chrysalis Tarot written by Toney Brooks with paintings by Holly Sierra (U. S. Games, Inc.), the Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso (U.S. Games, Inc.), and Tarot Draconis by Davide Corsi (Lo Scarabeo).

The Emperor

by Zanna Starr

Son of the Morning,

Chief Among the Mighty,

He is bold and fiery Aries,

A blazing Light, a purifying Flame.

Green Man,

Patriarch and Father,

He is balanced structure, 

Energy devoted to sustaining life.

The Emperor,

Guardian and Authority,

He is the Ram and the Eagle, 

A mighty protector and leader.

Inner Warrior,

Guide and King,

He is L’Imperatore and El Emperador,

L’Empereur and Der Herscher.

He is O Imperador.

The Emperor.

Son of the Morning.

Chief Among the Mighty.

The Empress Times Four

This is the fourth entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. To read all of the poems to date, search “Times Four” in the blog search field.

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Empress, we have:

• Tarot of the Cat People by Karen Kuykendall (U.S. Games)
• Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin, DVM (U.S. Games)
• Celestial Tarot by Kay Steventon and Brian Clark (U.S. Games)
• The Celtic Dragon Tarot by D.J. Conway and Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn).

The Empress Is. . .

by Zanna Starr

In her helmet headdress and rich robes,

With her leopard companion at her feet,

The Empress is a sensual creature,

Forceful when necessary.

Strong.  Satisfied. Serene.

In her cloak of thick white fur,

With her children curled in her shadow,

The Empress is a nurturing creature,

Protective when challenged.

Monarch. Matriarch. Mama.

In her guise as Venus, goddess of love and beauty,

With her child, Cupid, close at hand,

The Empress is a captivating creature,

At home on earth or in heaven.

Compassionate. Cultured. Creative.

In her vibrant red robe and soothing blue gown,

With her dragon companion on her shoulder,

The Empress is a life-giving creature,

Offering birth, hope, and magic.

Goddess. Guardian. Guide.

The High Priestess Times Four

This is the third entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. (Click _HERE_ to read my post about The Magician.)

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The High Priestess, we have the:

• Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot by Karen Mahony (Magic Realist Press)
• Beginner’s Tarot by Kathleen McCormack (New Burlington Books)
• Black Cats Tarot by Maria Kurara (Lo Scarabeo)
• Bruegel Tarot by Guido Zibordi Marchesi (Lo Scarabeo).

The Voice of the High Priestess

by Zanna Starr

The voice of the High Priestess is quiet,

A cat tip-toeing across a velvet carpet.

The voice of the High Priestess is firm,

A rock with its face hardened by the sun.

The voice of the High Priestess is Mystery,

Moonlight flowing through the night of the mind.

The voice of the High Priestess comes from within,

Using words we already know

In ways we have yet to learn.

The Magician Times Four

This is the second entry in a series in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. Click HERE to read my post about The Fool.

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Magician, we have the Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Publications), the Animism Tarot by Joanna Cheung (Rainbow Crazy), The Arthurian Tarot by Caitlin and John Matthews (The Aquarian Press), and the Art of Life Tarot by Charlene Livingstone (U.S. Games).

The Magician

by Zanna Starr

Animals Divine Tarot

“I am The Magician,”
says the Celtic goddess Cerridwen.
“I reach up and out,
Into the branches of trees,
Into the souls of all creatures,

Animism Tarot

Into that which is Above
And that which is Below.”

“I am The Magician,”
says Coyote.
“See how I become one
With earth and air and fire and water.
See how I transform all that I touch,
Then disappear as if I were never there.”

The Arthurian Tarot

“I am The Magician,”
says Merlin.
“Was there ever any doubt?

Who else has inspired as many dreams?
Who else commands the mountains, the wind,
The flaming sun and endless sea?”

“You are The Magician,”
says the man with the beard
And the top hat
And the walking stick.
He holds out a flower...

Art of Life Tarot

And as I take it, the world
Begins to spin, tossing wild colors
Here and there
Stripes swirls stars.

I am The Magician.

The Fool Times Four

Today I’m starting a new feature on Tarot Notes in which I share four versions of a particular Major Arcana card, and write a poem that takes us through all four versions. I hope you enjoy!

To simplify the process for myself, I am going to go in alphabetic order by deck. In this post, representing The Fool, we have the Ancestral Path Tarot by Julie Cuccia-Watts (US Games); Tarot of the Animal Lords by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo); The Animal Wisdom Tarot by Dawn Brunke, illustrated by Ola Liola (Cico Books); and The Animal-Wise Tarot by Ted Andrews (Dragonhawk Publishing).

The Fool

by Zanna Starr

Ancestral Path Tarot (US Games)

Who will read the cards for me

On this sweet September day?

The psychic one,

The caring one

The one who starts with Nothing

And searches for Everything.

Animal Lords Tarot (Lo Scarabeo)

Will she, like the Badger,

Set out on a journey with me?

Leading the way? Following?

Quiet yet fierce.

Digging,

Always digging…

Animal Wisdom Tarot (Cico Books)

Or will she, like the Coyote,

Trick me into straying too close

To the edge,

And in doing so,

Show me courage and wisdom?

Animal-Wise Tarot (Dragonhawk Publishing)

Wisdom or Folly?

Or a peculiar, clever, deceptive

Blend of both?