Tarot cards

The Chariot

He is heading away from the city, perhaps his home. The protecting moat has been crossed, now he has to rely on his chariot, armour, and two sphinxes pulling him. Clearly he is immersed in worldly affairs now, being able to manage them fairly well, but constantly he has to refine himself.

A chariot and armour is usually connected with battle, and a sphinx is symbolising the transition from an instinctive, animalistic behaviour to human behaviour, so what is his battle.

Since he is already human, the transition concerns overcoming human, often selfish and emotional behaviour, instead adopting the divine and timeless into his life. The 'battle' between human and enlightened mind.

It is a balance, again we have dualism, represented by two instead of one sphinx. Male and female, day and night, good and bad. He has to learn to be human, and at the same time receiving his grace from the timeless.

The female is seen represented by crescent moons on his shoulders, the male and creative Sun is used as adornment on his headgear, thus he has the tools need to create balance, something inner and something outer.

Keywords: Adulthood, Seeking light/balance, Independence, Ying and Yang.

©2017 Jan Kirk (text only)

The Lovers

The first lovers on earth, Adam and Eve, are being confronted by god after having eaten from the tree of wisdom, seen behind Eve. Behind Adam is the tree of life. Perhaps it was a blessing that they were expelled from Eden before they could eat from the other forbidden tree.

The card represents a shift from a completely protected environment, to one of greatly increased responsibility, but also knowledge, the knowledge of good and evil. Now Adam and Eve have to till the soil in the sweat of their brows, to make a living for themselves.

In the background is seen the mountain where they might have to go. Outside Eden they will have to search for their own meaning of life. A visit to the pinnacle of the mountain can be necessary to test their newfound knowledge, does it work in the world of the mortal ?

Keywords: Innocence, Immaturity, Adolescence, Knowledge, Mortality, Being human, Finding new meaning, Eviction from 'home'.

©2017 Jan Kirk (text only)

The Hierophant

Are you the mediator or one of the two congregates ?. The Hierophant is in essence not working on his own behalf, apart from the fact that he might be a believer and as such his work fulfils his desire, to serve what he mediates. So he is a servant, even though a high ranking one in society.

He is a person who brings people in contact with that which is deemed true & holy. At his feet are two keys giving access to what, heaven and salvation ? Or acceptance into the group, once you have pledged your belief to the holiness in question. On a more worldly level the card represents the teacher and the student, it could be time to be either one or the other.

Prediction: Now may be the time for surrender to something greater. It could be to God, but also to the morale and rules of society, or a group which represents the truth for you. On the other hand, you might be in a situation where you have the means to help people connect with something higher.

Keywords: Service of the higher, The search for or help with salvation, Teach or learn, Choice of direction, Inner and outer, To comply with social standards, Orthodoxy.

©2017 Jan Kirk (text only)

The Emperor

None less than four Ram heads ornate his throne, thus this figure is strongly connected to the Aries star-sign. The emperor looks intently to one side, indicating that he is highly aware of his position, and someone could even try to take it from him, so he sits in his armour ready for battle should the situation arise. He holds the symbols of power in his hands, achieved by his own ambition and ego.

The Ram seeks the highest peaks, likewise this man's throne sits high in the mountains, away from the nurturing valley and river deep below. Reaching a summit gives it's rewards, albeit often at the cost of close relations. He exhibits the determination and willpower to reach and maintain his position, but now he thinks too much about just that. Perhaps the spontaneity he started out with has gone missing in the process.

Prediction: Now is not the time to look back, go forward with all you have got. But be ware the too much self assertiveness can cost you the joy of life, and connection to your inner source.

Keywords: Worry, Self-driven, Drive/energy, Ambition, Egoism, Isolation in high position, Authority.

©2017 Jan Kirk (text only)

The Empress

She is a leader, but not the one striving for power, she is close to the earth, perhaps she is mother earth. Not strict but with a relaxed dignity. Her female radiance comes naturally, she is blooming with grace, and could even be with child. A Venus, which symbol can also be seen in the heart; bringer of love, but also of fertility and a good crop; the wheat is growing densely in front of her.

With this card there is a strong earth connection, both feet are solidly planted on the ground, or should I say in the moist, sweet smelling fertile soil. What ever the situation, calmness and steady productivity are likely results, a good yield, a child, more money or prosperity. If we are speaking about romance or partnership a positive, harmonic, diplomatic and charming development would not surprise.

Keywords: Love, Fertility/prosperity, Calmness, Connection to nature, Female beauty, Leadership with female strength, The mother type.

©2017 Jan Kirk (text only)