Tara-Cards

Your compass navigating the tarot

Month: February 2022

THE HIEROPHANT OF THE TAROT – UNDERSTANDING TRADITION

February 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Tarot Card - The Hierophant A priest- or holy man- sits on a throne.  Next to him are two pillars, his right hand is raised in religious blessing, and his left holds a scepter with three crosses.  He wears red robes which have three crosses on the front and is wearing a three-tiered crown.  At his feet are students, learning the wisdom which only he can teach; one is clad in roses, the other, lilies.  Beneath his feet are crossed keys.
The Hierophant

Overview of The Hierophant

The Hierophant of the tarot is a priest, a guardian of higher knowledge, here to encourage us to understand the foundations of traditional religion before we can discover our own belief systems.  He is the great bridge builder, interpreting divine guidance for us mere mortals.  He is the pastor, the teacher, the light in the dark that guides us on our path.

Alternative names for The Hierophant in varying decks are: The High Priest, The Pope, The Shaman, The Sage.  The term Hierophant, is taken from the Greek Hiero – meaning “sacred,” and Phainein “to show” 

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Common Meanings

The Hierophant shows up to remind us of tradition – not only religious, but also in life.  He is the opposite of change; the harbinger of values and beliefs that have stood the test of time.  This is not the time for flamboyant individualism, but rather, to conform, to turn to your spiritual leaders and traditions.  He reminds you of the value and rewards received by adhering to these practices. In work he is here to remind you that it is not time to break away, but to respect hierarchy and to conform to the standard in your organization.  In love, The Hierophant applauds conventional relationships such as marriage. He is here to remind you on every level of how much there is to gain by examining and understanding the legacy of tradition in human religion and culture. 

The Many Faces of The Hierophant

While the upright Hierophant indicates a mentor or teacher and adherence to customs, the shadow side – or reversal – of the Hierophant can show up to indicate that you are coming up against a tradition that feels dogmatic, and it encourages you to seek for the truth for yourself, while also reminding you why it is important to understand the foundation from which the traditions are built before branching out on your own path. The shadow side can represent someone in a position of authority who values obedience over enlightenment.  It can also indicate that you are stuck in your own tradition (rut?) that is no longer serving you and that it might be time to forge a new path. Just because it’s always been done that way, doesn’t mean its always right. 

The Journey of The Hierophant

The Hierophant, as the earthly representative of God on earth, forms a triad with the two acolytes in the card.  As part of the first septenary, The Hierophant is a bridge; an attempt, not to mediate between opposing poles of life, but to simply find and maintain balance on the journey (or the fool’s journey) through the first septenary of the Major Arcana – that of the development of self/ego/consciousness.

Description

A priest- or holy man- sits on a throne.  Next to him are two pillars, his right hand is raised in religious blessing, and his left holds a scepter with three crosses.  He wears red robes which have three crosses on the front and is wearing a three-tiered crown.  At his feet are students, learning the wisdom which only he can teach; one is clad in roses, the other, lilies.  Beneath his feet are crossed keys

Themes of The Hierophant

  • Sacred Knowledge
  • Spiritual Principles & Discipline
  • Initiation into secret doctrine
  • Teacher or Mentor
  • Established Religious Traditions 
  • Commitment to a divine practice

The Number Five

The number 5 is a holy number in many of earths religions: – in Christianity, the 5 holy wounds of Christ; Hinduism – The five elements; Islam – the Five Pillars of Islam.  In numerology 5 is the card of curiosity of the spiritual nature. 

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Three layered papal crown – the holy trinity
  • Right hand raised in religious blessing – two fingers pointing to the heavens, and two to earth.
  • Crossed keys- unlocking mysteries which only the Initiated may teach
  • Red robes with three crosses, red = earth, crosses
  • Staff with triple cross – hoy trinity of father, son, holy spirit; or earth, heaven, spirit-world; conscious, subconscious, super conscious; mind, body, spirit
  • Monks or acolytes kneeling to learn – one in roses (love), the other lilies (purity)

Herbs for The Hierophant

  • Sage – wisdom; resolving spiritual issues
  • Frankincense – link to the divine; grounding, calming; used in spiritual practices for thousands of years
  • Myrhh – Restorative; purification; also used in spiritual practices for thousands of years
  • Tulsi – (also known as holy basil) – nurtures the spirit; calming; brings balance to spiritual practice.Violet – enhances prophetic dreaming

Questions that The Hierophant asks us

  • Have you been balking at the idea of joining a practice (even though it fascinates you) because you didn’t want to adhere to its traditions?  If so, what purpose do you think these traditions serves, and is there a good reason for their existence?
  • Have you felt like you have been beating your head against an immovable wall of dogma, and if so, why haven’t you taken that leap of faith to step outside of the boundaries of what is accepted by the norm?

That is The Hierophant, a bridge demonstrating the importance of understanding why foundational traditions – particularly spiritual ones – Are in place.  Wishing you a week in which you consider committing to a spiritual practice, whether it be meditation, yoga, or a return to a spiritual home.  Please leave comments or ask questions.

Please join me next week for: The Lovers!

THE EMPEROR OF THE TAROT CONVEYS LOGICAL WISDOM

February 15, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Tarot Card - The Emperor A crowned man with a long white beard sits on a throne.  He is wearing mail, over which are red robes of state.  In his left hand is a scepter with an Egyptian ankh, and his right holds a golden globe.  His stone throne is adorned with rams heads.  The background is orange and there are rocky crags with a small river at the base of them.   
The Emperor

“Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths.”

John Peter Zenger

Overview of The Emperor

The Emperor of the Tarot is here to offer balanced reason, logical thinking, and a solid foundation of wisdom.  Just as the Empress of the Tarot represents mother/nature/nurture, the Emperor, represents father/law/order/structure/rules.  The Emperor, also known in varying decks as The Grandfather, The Father, The rebel, challenges us to take accountability for who we are and inhabit our truth.   This card is a return to traditional values like respect and honor.  It is about getting your life on track and being the captain of your own ship, but it is about doing so in a logical, methodical way. 

Common Meanings

This is a time to take a methodical, logical approach in your day to day, and to put aside emotions. The Emperor shows up to represent a strong masculine presence that can protect you, but he also shows up to push you to stand up for yourself, to claim your own power and not allow people or situations to bully you.  He is the Law and the enforcer of those laws.

The Many Faces of The Emperor

While the upright presentation of The Emperor indicates logic and strength, the shadow side demonstrates, greed, cruelty, domineering, manipulating, weaponizing of power, and not respecting boundaries.   It can indicate that you are shying away from accepting a leadership role due to immaturity and reluctance to make the tough judgments needed to truly lead.  In a relationship reading this could indicate an unhealthy imbalance in the relationship dynamic, due to age, or personality, and it suggests finding a way to create a better balance.  This can also show up as a sign of stability taking place above morality. 

The Journey of The Emperor

The Emperor is the dead center card of the first septenary which, as you might recall, is the journey of self and developing the awareness of your own strengths.  The Emperor offers realization that you are capable, but that it is time to remove emotions and approach this with logic.  He is also here to warn us against the danger of being so tied to tradition and dogma that we forget to grow. 

Description

A crowned man with a long white beard sits on a throne.  He is wearing mail, over which are red robes of state.  In his left hand is a scepter with an Egyptian ankh, and his right holds a golden globe.  His stone throne is adorned with rams heads.  The background is orange and there are rocky crags with a small river at the base of them.   

Themes of The Emperor

  • Leadership
  • Logic
  • Guidance
  • Responsibility
  • Tradition
  • Control
  • Ambition
  • Order
  • Authority
  • Protection
  • Action
  • Wisdom

The Number Four

Like the emperor himself, the number 4 is all practicality and pragmatism; efficiency and strength; conservative development.  It denotes creativity, but the kind that builds a solid foundation. 

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Male- Traditional Male archetype
  • Long white beard – wisdom, maturity
  • Rams heads – 4 of them, two face on, two in profile, Aries, the ram, whose planet is Mars and is the sign of the emperor.
  • Crown- king/emperor, but also closed, meaning self-reliance
  • Stone throne – unyielding, strong
  • Scepter – Egyptian ankh (symbol of life) in the right hand, giving, authority and masculine virility
  • Orb/Golden apple – right hand, receiving.  The fruits and pleasures of the world, of sexuality, of relationships
  • Armor -battle ready, strong, capable of providing protection
  • Orange background – success, determination, balance
  • Stoney mountains – solid foundation, a bit stuck in his ways, but the small river at the bottom indicates that he is still human with emotions, it just takes a lot of work and trust for him to show them. 
  • Robes of state- authority, power, leadership

Herbs for The Emperor

  • Laurel – triumph, success
  • Nasturtium – loyalty, triumph
  • Parsley – victory, knowledge
  • Sassafrass – foundation, thoughtful selections
  • Sage – wisdom, esteem

Questions that The Emperor asks us

  • Are you a domineering tyrant in any area of your life, and if so, how can you better balance that authority with wisdom?
  • Have you been feeling called to step into a leadership role, but hesitating through fear, if so, what do you need to do or learn to accept that role in your life?

That is The Emperor! A force of balanced wisdom, with a strong foundation in logic.  Wishing you a week filled with decisive, measured action. 

Thanks for reading and as always, please leave comments, or ask questions.

Be sure to join me next week: The Hierophant!

THE NURTURING ENERGY OF THE EMPRESS OF THE TAROT

February 8, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Tarot Card - The Empress Her card shows a female crowned with a wreath of laurel which is topped with 12 stars.  She is wearing flowing robes decorated with pomegranates and holds a scepter.  She is seated on cushions against which is leaning a heart shaped shield containing the symbol of Venus. in modern society, the symbol for female.  Around her is lush forest, and a flowing stream, while ripe wheat waves at her feet.  This shows a person deeply grounded in the earth, in nature; that she finds her balance and strength in being attuned to those cycles.
The Empress

“When you are truly in touch with your sensuality, you will discern the truth about EVERYTHING.”

― Lebo Grand

Overview and common meanings of The Empress of the tarot

In the Major Arcana of Tarot, just like an Empress is the “mother” of the people over whom she reigns, The Empress is that same deeply nurturing force, the earth mother, sensual and fecund in her femininity.  The Empress, in various decks is also known as Creativity, Grand Mother, The Mother, Medicine Woman.

In ancient times, earth was referred to as ‘The Great Mother,’ and this is the energy of The Empress.  She[i] is deeply attuned with nature, with the cycles of the seasons, of the moon, of life.  She understands and honors that connection with the earth, knowing that she is OF the earth, and it is the seat of her power.  She is that person with heart-deep connections to family and partners, and she represents the traditional wife and mother.  She leaves strangers smiling after small interactions. 

The empress gently reminds us that, while not everyone can be creative in the same way, everyone can be creative; that any form of creativity gives birth to something.  The joy of creativity is its own reward. 

[i] The Empress is referred to as a “she” card, but that does not mean that her energy is not applicable to men.  It is more about the nurturing side that we have traditionally referred to as maternal and which we all tend to ignore. 

Common Meanings

When the empress shows up, this is the moment to manifest into reality those dreams you have held secret and sacred for so long.  The Empress is about abundance and fruitfulness, about being deeply rooted in the earth, embracing creation – life, art, music, cooking a bountiful meal, or keeping a beautiful home.  Sometimes the Empress can indicate an actual pregnancy or birth, or just the birth of an idea, a dream, a new project.  You could be seeking a creative outlet in your work, or you could be acting as mama bear to the people around you: colleagues, family, friends.

The Many Faces OF THE Empress

The shadow side of The Empress (or reversal if you like) can indicate overindulgence, idleness, the need for self-care, difficulty, doubt. She can indicate repression, particularly around sexuality and sensuality.   Infertility in the sense that when you are NOT feeling connected to life, nature, people, you need to reconnect with your own maternal, earthy energy to find and tap back into that well of creativity.  The shadow side also warns of ideals of beauty that can be dangerous – the ‘thigh gap’; bound feet; Victorian women applying lead mixed with vinegar to achieve that perfect pale look, slowly poisoning themselves in the process. 

The Journey of The Empress

The Empress, being nature, or reality, represents the journey of motherhood.  We are ripe, fecund, and it is time to birth the child.  The child may be an idea or a project, or it may indicate a pregnancy. 

Description

Her card shows a female crowned with a wreath of laurel which is topped with 12 stars.  She is wearing flowing robes decorated with pomegranates and holds a scepter.  She is seated on cushions against which is leaning a heart shaped shield containing the symbol of Venus. in modern society, the symbol for female.  Around her is lush forest, and a flowing stream, while ripe wheat waves at her feet.  This shows a person deeply grounded in the earth, in nature; that she finds her balance and strength in being attuned to those cycles.

Themes of The Empress

  • Fruitfulness
  • Motherhood/Mother Nature/Gaia
  • Nurturing
  • Beauty
  • Passion
  • Pregnant with possibility
  • Fertility
  • Maternal side of divine feminine   
  • Realizing full potential
  • Success
  • Grace
  • Pleasure
  • Feelings rather than thoughts
  • Sensuality/Sexuality

The Number Three

Triad of mother, father, child or nature, society, church, or birth, life, death.  It is the number of creative expression and is tied to the cycles and seasons in life, understanding, and growth.   

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Laurel leaf wreath – peace and success
  • Crown with 12 stars- The number twelve represents unity, and the stars show alignment with the celestial, the 12 months of the lunar year, perhaps the 12 lost tribes of Israel
  • Robes with pomegranates – fertility, death, rebirth – the life cycles
  • Staff/scepter –Symbol of state – empress of her domain, home,
  • Forest – deep connection with nature which recharges her
  • River – always changing, the path of life, union of transformation and permanence
  • Heart shaped shield with the female symbol (symbol of Venus) inside –love is the ultimate protection. 
  • Cushions- indoor items outdoors – nature is home
  • Ripe wheat – motherhood, ideas or plans ripening and getting ready to birth. 

Herbs for The Empress

  • Hazel- knowledge, wisdom, connection
  • Sunflower – adoration, self-respect, loyalty
  • Rose – Beauty and sexuality
  • Coral honeysuckle – boosts creativity, particularly when feeling stuck
  • Damiana – aphrodisiac

Questions that the Empress asks us

  • What are you growing and creating in the garden of your life?
  • Are you fully in tune with your sensual nature?

That is The Empress! Please, as always, leave questions or comments. Wishing you a week in which you tap into your own sensual energy and give birth to something incredible that is all you.

Join me next week for: The EMPEROR!

TAROT – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF THE MAJOR ARCANA

February 1, 2022 / / 0 Comments
Tarot Card - The High Priestess A female figure is seated on a throne, on her head a horned diadem representing the phases of the moon.  She wears white robes with a cloak of blue, and a cross on her chest.   In her lap, and partially concealed by her cloak, lies a partially unrolled scroll with the letters T O R A visible.  Is this the Torah as many believe?  On either side of her are two pillars, one black, one white.  Behind her is a curtain, or veil, with pomegranates.  At her feet is a crescent moon. Glimpses beyond the veil reveal the sea. 
The High Priestess

“To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.”

― Jiddu Krishnamurti

Overview AND MEANINGS of The High Priestess of the Major Arcana

The High Priestess is also known in varying tarot decks as The Priestess, Inner Voice, the Papess*, La Papessa, The Seer, and Veiled Isis.  Smith-Waite assigns this card the number 2, which commonly represents togetherness and partnerships, but also, as in the case of this card, represents duality and polarity.  The Light and the dark, yin and yang, male and female.  That duality is what the High Priestess is here to reveal to you.  She is here to remind you that only by taking time to be still, to go into meditation, to put yourself into a passive mode of receiving, can your truth and path be revealed. 

Common Meanings

In most cases, when the High Priestess shows up, it is time for you to turn inwards, to be still, to take the time to meditate and tap into your intuition.  If you are considering a change, this is the time when you need to really listen to what your inner voice is saying to you.  Sometimes, the most profound changes in our lives come about through conscious inaction.  This is very contrary to our Western Society normal, where we are so conditioned to analyze, to act, to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.  The high priestess invites you to listen, to allow. When you are living your truth, your whole life becomes a meditation.  By taking the time to attune to your subconscious and become more self-aware, one can fully connect in rich, deep, and meaningful relationships with others.  This is a time for you to explore your spiritual side; it is a time of heightened psychic ability and insight.  It is a time to pay attention to areas in your life that may be out of balance, to be still and tune into your intuition.  This is also a message to tap into the divine feminine, and, because the High Priestess is about duality, she also reminds us of the importance of balancing the masculine and feminine in your life, and to take the time to feel rather than just think.  Taking time out for a period of passive withdrawal can allow things inside to awaken and strengthen. This time of introspection will bring about the slow reveal of profound wisdom.  Trust the process!

The Many Faces of The High Priestess   

Depending on where she is in the reading, (or in a reversed position if you read cards that way) The High Priestess showing up can also indicate secrets, gossip, ignoring gut or intuition. Often, she can be warning of hidden agendas – both yourself and those around you.  This can be things left unsaid that you need to get off your chest, or concealed information that will be unveiled in the fullness of time.  She also warns us of the dangers of too much introspection.  Strong intuition couple with an inability to translate feelings to actions. Can be turning towards passion and involvement so much that you forget to listen to your inner voice. 

The Journey of The High Priestess

It is ironic to call this a journey, because in so many ways, the High Priestess invites us to be still, to be quiet, to take that time for introspection and attune to the frequency of our inner voice.  But for many, especially in our active society of always rushing here and there, it IS a journey.  A journey of slowing down and taking that time and space that we all need, to tap into our intuition and find balance in our life.   

Description

A female figure is seated on a throne, on her head a horned diadem representing the phases of the moon.  She wears white robes with a cloak of blue, and a cross on her chest.   In her lap, and partially concealed by her cloak, lies a partially unrolled scroll with the letters T O R A visible.  Is this the Torah as many believe?  On either side of her are two pillars, one black, one white.  Behind her is a curtain, or veil, with pomegranates.  At her feet is a crescent moon. Glimpses beyond the veil reveal the sea. 

Themes of The High Priestess

  • Dreams
  • Mercy
  • Darkness
  • Intuition
  • Introspection
  • Stillness
  • Psychic insights
  • Spiritual Enlightenment
  • Trust the universe
  • Divine Feminine
  • Wisdom gained from conscious passivity

The Number 2

The number two is feminine and, as such, presents duality: representing both grace and power; Yin/Yang, Male/female, Light/Dark, Action/Meditation.  This number is representative of the dichotomy of true wisdom. 

Elements of the high priestess Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Black Column- Dark, water, earth, female, yin. Boaz – strength or swiftness
  • White Column -Light, fire, air, yang, male.  Jachin, “he establishes, “
  • Both pillars reaching to heaven, connecting the subconscious.
  • Crescent moon – subconscious and emotions, feminine energy, moon phases
  • Pomegranates – abundance, divine feminine, fertility, Persephone  
  • Horned Moon headdress/diadem – Egyptian Goddess Hathor, divine knowledge/divine ruler, moon phases – waxing, full, waning
  • Robes blue and white – blue for truth, white for purity and connection to subconscious
  • Cross on chest- nod to female papacy
  • Scroll in lap (tora visible – is this the torah?) (A.E. White – Tora = Greater Law)- rolled up and partially concealed, with some letters covered, hidden knowledge not yet available to us
  • Veil – the other world/subconscious.  Seeing beyond the obvious exterior. 

Herbs for The High Priestess

  • Sandalwood – Inner consciousness, meditation, spiritual practice, prayer, peace
  • Peony – for becoming receptive, opening to your spiritual gifts and intuition
  • Acacia- Psychic and spiritual enhancement
  • Mugwort – introspection and intuition, gateway to inner-realms—unveiling who you are and what you need to understand. Promotes lucid dreaming. 
  • Blue Lotus – Enhance pineal gland function; enable longer states of deep meditation, reputed to activate the 3rd eye

Questions that the High Priestess asks us

  • Have you ever ignored what your intuition was telling you, only to find out later that you were right all along?  How can you honor your inner voice?
  • It is common in modern society for women to need to adapt a more masculine energy to succeed in the business world, disconnecting us with our feminine side.  How can you honor and bring the divine feminine into your life?

“Sometimes you need to sit lonely on the floor in a quiet room in order to hear your own voice and not let it drown in the noise of others.”
― Charlotte Eriksson,

That is The High Priestess. Wishing you a week in which you take the time to breathe, to listen to that still small voice, and to heed the wisdom that lies within. 

 As always, thank you for reading, and please leave comments or ask questions.

Join me next week for: The Empress

© 2024 Tara-Cards

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑