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Sunday, January 13, 2008

The Empress


The following blog is on The Empress. We will be analyzing the Empress card from the following decks: The Connolly, The Gendron Tarot, Radiant Rider Waite, Tarot of a Moon Garden, The Russian Tarot of St Petersburg and The Golden Tarot.

The Empress is often shown as a throned woman in richly embroidered gown, holding a scepter and wearing a crown with stars. Her beauty is sometimes accentuated by long hair and the sigil of Venus on a heart shaped shield at her feet. The association of Venus emphasizes a state of harmony and well being based on generosity of imagination and love and concern for others. She can be represented by fields of ripening grain or she may be sitting in a garden with flowers and trees which shows us her connection with the life force of nature.

Now lets discuss the artistic rendition of the card by the various artists. What are the similarities and differences between the different artistic renditions? All of our artists with the exception of Melanie Gendron and Karen Sweikhardt have placed the Empress on her traditional throne. Melanie Gendron has her standing there surrounded by prismatic rays and spheres. And In Karen Sweikhardt's the Tarot of a Moon Garden she is represented as a Fairy. What have each of the artists used to represent fertility and abundance? Kat Black uses fruit, flowers, rabbits and babies. In the Tarot of a Moon Garden we see a Cornicopia filled with pumpkins and corn. The other artists use ripening grain or flowers growing at her feet.

She is wearing a crown in all of their renditions. Kat Black in her Golden Tarot shows her crown as being made from wheat. In Yuri Shakov's The Russian Tarot of St Petersburg you see the crown inlaid with gemstones. In Tarot of a Moon Garden, Radiant Rider Waite, and the Gendron Tarot her crown is topped with 12 stars.

All of the artists have rendered her holding a scepter or staff with the exception of Melanie Gendron and Kat Black. In Yuri Shakov's version you see a shield leaning against her throne that shows the double headed eagle, symbolic of the Russian Empire and also representation of the Empress's soaring spirit reminding us of our physical, spiritual side. Earthly and heavenly qualities are needed to have happiness and wholeness. In the Connolly rendition you see to the Empress's left the fountain of life which we see through the symbolization of the butterfly.

The Empress is Card is Number 3 in Major Arcana. What does the number 3 represent when you are doing a reading? Keywords and Phrases associated with the number 3 are Creation, Growth, Flowering, Fertilization
3 is the number linked with human genitalia.

Astrological Correspondance of the number 3 is the planet Jupiter and signs of Sagittarius and Pisces. Jupiter represents good luck, friendliness, self expression, growth. The negative aspects of Jupiter can include vanity, being superficial, exaggeration.

The Astrological Correspondance of the Empress card is Venus because she is the embodiment of emotional love, sensual pleasure and sexual passion.

Animals that correspond with her are the dove which represents harmonious abundance and the butterfly with represents transformation.

Discrete symbols that can be found on the Empress card are the shield, the crown with 12 stars and flowering trees. The shield represents divine feminine creation and the crown with 12 stars represents abundant riches and also the 12 months of the year and the Zodiac. The flowering trees represent harvest.
The Empress embodies the

How would you use the Empress as a significator? The Empress can be used to represent an influential woman who has the power to help you. She can represent someone who is a mother or mother figure. A pregnant woman and boss or employer or a very creative woman.

In a reading how would I interpret the Empress in the
Upright position?
Keywords for this card would be fruitfulness, mother, abundance and healing.
Phrases I might use would be Successful results for hard work, fulfilled potential, Willingness to help others.
As advice I might see this card as telling me that something you have worked hard on will now pay off. This card could show pregnancy or indicate marriage especially if I see it with the 3 of cups.

In a reading how would I interpret the Empress in the Reversed position?
Keywords for this card would be Miscarriage, Infertility, Poverty
Phrases I might use would be Wasted Energy, Blocked development, Failure to thrive.
As advice I might see this card as telling me that your mood might be depressed or that you are in an unsatisfactory relationship.

In a romance reading this card would indicate love, passion, family life. For a man it would represent his ideal woman.
In a health reading she could be showing you that pregnancy is a distinct possibility or you need to take time to nurture yourself.
In a work/career reading it could be telling you that your plans will find the support they need. Your work might be with children – a day care, a school teacher.

An affirmation I would use with the Empress is “I value the healing power or love” or “I am a nurturing and supportive person.” For meditation she is a good visual reminder of giving and receiving love in balanced and appropriate ways.

Join me next time for our study of the Emperor card. Until then, Bright Blessings.

The High Priestess


Tonights blog will be on the tarot card: The High Priestess. We will be analyzing the High Priestess card from the following decks: The Connolly, The Gendron Tarot, Radiant Rider Waite, Tarot of a Moon Garden, The Russian Tarot of St Petersburg and The Golden Tarot.

First I would like to change my format this evening by starting out with a description of what the High Priestess Represents. Then I will go into a breakdown of artistic renditions and symbolism. So let's begin:

When looking at the High Priestess card what does one see?
Put simply wisdom and intuition but most times you will usually see an individual who is training to achieve a higher level of awareness. She is interested in the hidden meanings of the world around her. She can enfold many areas of mystery in your life.

What are traditional symbols found on all of the High Priestess cards in the 6 decks we are looking at: Those would be 2 pillars, 1 white and 1 black, a tiara either seen as papal or otherwise and the Moon.

Now what makes the artistic rendition of the card by the various artists unique? In Kat Blacks interpretation with her deck the Golden Tarot the High Priestess is a regal woman who sits on a throne wearing a papal tiara and holds a staff. She has a cheetah sitting at her feet and she cradles a large red book. In Yuri Shakov's version the High Priestess is represented by Saint Olga. Saint Olga was the first Russian to accept the Eastern Orthodox faith. There is a red cloth draped over the throne as well. In the Tarot of a Moon Garden we see the High Priestess as a Mermaid and waves with a Dolphin emerging from the water are in the background. Our next deck is the Radiant Rider Waite. In this deck the rendition of the High Priestess is traditional. Complete with a woman sitting on a throne the traditional pillars of one black, one white on either side. The moon at her feet and the papal tiara on her head. In The Connolly interpretation we see The High Priestess sitting between the 2 pillars. But what makes the rendition unique is the pool of spirituality at her feet and behind her are the golden gates of wisdom. Our final rendition is by Melanie Gendron. The High Priestess is in the shape of a crystal. The pillars have been replaced with pearls. The moon is above her head instead of at her feet. There are also 2 ravens facing each other.

What does The Number 2 represent in regards to the Tarot? The number 2 is associated with the Moon and the sign of Cancer. People born under Cancer are often shy, reticent, gentle, emotional and receptive. They should always guard against being gullible and overly sensitive.

Whenever you see a prominence of twos in a spread it would suggest the need to make a choice. A gentle approach to the situation is more likely to help you succeed. Always think twice about making major life decisions when 2's are predominate in a spread.

As I already stated the astrological counterpart represented by this card is the Moon.

Now lets breakdown the symbols used in the High Priestess Card.
We notice a few of the artists use a red cloth:
Red cloth symbolizes coming changes.
Pillars symbolize negative and positive aspects of life and
Moon represents psychic powers or secrets yet to come forth.
The closed scrolls or open red book represent a desire for understanding.
The Dolphin represents an ancient friend of man. Information coming from a higher source. The water is represents emotions.

Names you will see this card under in other decks are Juno and The Papess.

Keywords for the Upright position of this card would be:
Intuitive Awareness. This card can represent the following meanings: People who are listening to their inner voice. Someone who has secrets that are needing to come out. Someone who has a deeper understanding is coming to help you. Follow your dreams and intuitions. As a
significator this card could be used for: A person trying to get in touch with his or her self. A dream woman. Someone who holds a secret. A wise person or scholar.

In Reverse the Keyword for this card would be Not Heeding your inner voice. It can represent something hidden will influence your decisions. You are not listening to your unconscious mind.

In a reading the High Priestess can represent the following:
In Romance: If you are a man a mysterious woman is entering you life. Or your significant other isn't telling you everything.
In Finances: Probe beneath the surface. Ask questions. Keep your own counsel.

Join me next time for our study of the Empress card. Until then, Bright Blessings.