The Mythic
Tarot
The Mythic Tarot is a Tarot Deck based on Greek Myth. The Major
Arcanna Card presents a god or goddess (not nesscarily a well known one)
while the numbered cards of the Minor Arcanna illustrate a single legend.
The Court Cards show pictures of mortals and sometimes, Lesser Gods. As far
as I know, this deck comes in a set for I have not seen it in a catalouge
sold only as a set. The set comes with a blue silk cloth and a guide book
which is useful in interpretating the cards. The order in which the cards
are presented on this page are similar to the order which the guide book
introduces the cards to the reader. The arrangement of the cards have
changed slightly though the meanings have not.
This section only covers the Major Arcanna of the Mythic Tarot, the
Minor Arcanna would have its own page for each suit has an interesting story
to tell and deserves as much attention as the Major Arcanna.
Please click on one of the following names to view the respective
description.
The information on this page is complied and re-written by Mun Hon for Astarte.
The Fool
The Fool features Dionysos the Twice Born, so named due to his history.
His mother Semele by her husband Zeus. Hera, in rage a Zeus' infidelity,
sowed the seed of doubt in the girl's mind and suggested to her to test her
husband's devotation by appearing to her, Semele, in her true form. Zeus
kept his word, though he knew the sorrow it would bring for no mortal may
gaze upon an immortal's true form but he could not refuse for he had
promised her anything that she desired. Semele was instantly struck down by
lighting the moment Zeus assumed his divine form. Nevertheless, Zeus managed
to save the unborn child and Hermes, messanger of the Gods sewed up the
child foetus and placed it in Zeus' right thigh, thus, Dionysos was born.
Hera continued to pursue this child, sending the Titans to tear the child's
body. Zeus took the still beating heart of his son and brewed it into a
potion of pormergranate
seeds and this was fed to , daughter of Demeter, by Hades, lord of the
Underworld. She thus became pregnant and gave birth to Dionysos, and from
there after, was called Dionysos-Iacchos, the Twice-Born.
Description: As the Fool, Dionysos stands at a pierce piece,
about to plunge over the cliff but he looks unconcerned and gazes up into
the sky innocently for he is not aware of the trials of the world that he
would face once he enters it. Behind him, is a cave from which he has just
emarged, symbolizing his innocence, like a baby just emarged from his
mother's womb. The Sun can be seen rising over the distance symbolizing a
beginning. All around him are landscapes of formidable of rocks and stones.
A withered tree can be seen behind him, on which an Eagle pearches.
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The Magician
The Messanger of the Gods, Hermes, is the Magician. Hermes (otherwise
known as Mercury) is the guide of travellers and the God of thieves and
liars, of magic and divination and guides the souls of the dead in the the
Underworld. Hermes was born as a result of the Union of Zues and Maia,
otherwise known as Mother Night, hence, Hermes was born of Spiritual Light
and Primal Darkness, two opposite forces united in a single entity,
reflecting the earthly nature and spiritual clarity which is part of his
nature. When he was a babe, he caused great mischief among his fellow gods
such as luring away Apollo's cattle. Quick thinking on Hermes part saved him
from the wrath of Apollo.
Zeus thought of a way to keep Hermes out of mischief and assigned him to be
the messanger of the God.
Description: We see Hermes standing at Crossroads, the place
where he is worshipped and before him, lies the symbols of the four
elements, a flaming Wand with snakes twined around it, in the manner of a
caduceus, to represent the element of Fire, a gleaming sword to represent
the element of Air, a cup to represent the element of Water and a pentacle
to represent the element of Earth. On another level, the symbols themselves
represent other things. The Wand, with the 2 snakes, represents the
opposites in the Magaician, the abilty to channel energy for his own ends,
the Sword represents the clear and cutting mind the Magician has,
the Cup and the Pentacle shows the sudden luck that Hermes may grant in both
Love and Business.
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The Empress
Here, we see Ceres, the Earth Mother, or sometimes called Demeter.
Demeter ripened the grain at the end of each year and the people give thanks
to her. She governed the orderly cycles of nature and was the protector of
the young and defenseless. Demeter lived with her daughter, Persephone, but
one day, when she was alone gathering narcissus, Hades passed by and was so
enchanted by her beauty that he abducted her and brought her into his dark
kingdom. Though he treated her well, Persephone longed to return to the
surface. Meanwhile, Demeter had discovered her duagher was missing and
searched for her, negelecting her duties and as a result, corn did not ripen
and the people
were in danger of starvation. Finally, she discovered her daugther's
whereabouts but alas, Persephone had consumed seeds from the pomergranate
which Hades offered her just before Hermes came for her and as a result, she
had to stay with Hades a certain period each year, a month for every seed
she consumed. Demeter never came to terms with this solution and went into
mourning each year, when her daugher left her to go to her husband, and
mourned and the people mourned with her as Winter
came.
Description: Demeter stands in a ripened field of barley,
dressed in a gown woven of many plants, showing her connection to nature.
She wears of necklace of 12 percious stones, each stone representing a
zodiac for she governs the cycles of nature. Behind her, in the distance,
green fields of ripening grain can be seen, showing the harvest Demeter
brings and a waterfall that falls into a pool, indicating the fertility and
plenty brought about by the Emperess. Demeter is pictured as pregnant, for
she is the mother of all living creatures and plants. The crown atop her
head represents a small castle, showing her rulership over nature and all
things alive and living.
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The Emperor
The Emperor is Zeus, Emperor of the Gods. Zeus was the last child of the
titan Rhea and Chronus, whose name meant time. Warned that one of his
children would rise against him just as he did against his own father,
Chronus swallowed each of his children at birth so that none would be able
to do so. Rhea resented this and when her last child, Zeus was born, she
handed Chronus a stone wrapped in blankets and Chronus swallowed it,
thinking he had swallowed his child. The young Zeus was brought by his
mother to young nymphs to raise. When he came of age, he returned to the
palace and by trickery, made his father consume a potion which made him
violently sick, causing him to release his own children, Demeter, Hera,
Posidon, Pluto and Hesta. The rebellion against him began and was
successful. Hence, the old order ended and Zeus ruled over the new order.
Description: This card shows Lord Zeus sitting on a throne atop a
mountain. Dressed in flowing robes and wearing a golden crown, Zeus holds
three lighting bilts in his right hand, the other hand holding a globe and
an eagle pearches on his shoulder. The eagle symbolizes the wisdom of Zeus,
for the eagle is able to fly higher than any other bird, likewise, Zeus'
intellect is greater than any other god. The throne among the peaks
symblizes Zeus rising above physical limitations while his lightining bolts
symbolizes the sudden insight, inspiration and creative vision.
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The High Priestess
Persephone, daughter of Demeter and consort to Hades, Lord of the
Underworld, is the High Priestess. In the card of the Emperess, we already
know that Persephone was abducted by Lord Pluto (or Hades) when he saw her
picking Narcissus one day. Persephone longed to return to the surface after
she had been brought to the Underworld even though Hades treated her well.
Alas, one the day Hermes descended into the Underworld to bring Zeus command
to free Persephone from the Underworld, she had accepted a pormongranate
from Hades and consumed a number of seeds. Hence, having partaken of the
food of the dead, she was bound to the dark realm forever. This could not be
for Demeter refused to perform her duties when her daughter was absent so a
compromise was struck, Persephone would remain in the underworld for a month
for every seed she consumed.
Some say that she consumed six seeds while others said she consumed three.
The number was never truely known but annually, Persephone returns to her
dark abode beneath the Earth. As before, her mother mourns for her and stops
performing her duties, bringing Winter to the mortal world.
Description: Persephone is seen standing a the bottom of a
flight of stairs, a left pillar, as dark as Obsidian is on her right while
on her left is a pillar as white as ivory, symbolizing the destructive and
constructive potential in one's subconsiousness. In her right hand,
Persephone holds a pomogranate out of which she consumed a number of seeds
and having done so, she left her innocent childhood behind her forever and
became the guardian of the dark secrets in the Underworld. She had only
consumed a few seeds from the pormongranate, reflecting on the undeveloped
potential of the hidden realm. In her other hand, she holds a stalk of
narcassius. The flight of stairs behind her leads into a green, fertile
landscape that we has already been described in the card of the Emperess.
Persephone, the High Priestess, is very much a guardian of the two
worlds, of the light and of the dark and is equally at home in each, and
ever mysterious due to the number of secrets she keeps and guards.
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The Hierophant
The Hierophant is Chiron, the Centaur, wise teacher of many a hero in
Greek Myth and history. Half man and half horse, Chiron had qualities of
both. Chiron's father was Ixion and his mother a cloud women. Ixion had
intentions on Hera so Zeus created Hera's likeness in a cloud to prevent
Ixion from making love to Hera. Out of this union, Chiron was born. Educated
by both Apollo and Artemis, Chiron was wise in both the arts of war and
healing. For all his great healing powers, he could not heal himself when
his friend, Heracules (or Hercules) accidentally pricked him with an arrow
dipped in the poisonous blood of the Hydra but since he was Immortal, he
could not die, hence, he had endure the pain as he continued to impart his
great wisdom to others.
Description: Chiron the Centaur stands in below a narrow arch
fashioned of bricks, the halls which a student must pass through in Chiron's
wisdom is to be gained. The scene is dark and illuminated from a halo around
Chiron's upraised hand, formed into a symbol of blessing. Chiron wears a
crown and in his free hand, he holds a scroll on which much wisdom is
written and Chiron, unlike the High Priestess who guards her secrets waiting
for others to seek her out, Chiron actively seeks others out, imparting his
wisdom to them.
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The Lovers
In a departure from the traditional Tarot, the Lovers tell the tale of
Paris, son of Priam, the King of Troy. Legend has it that when Paris' mother
was pregent, she had a terrible dream and it was later revealed as an omen
that if Paris was ever allowed to survive, he would bring the downfall of
his own Kingdom. His father, upon hearing this, abandoned the child to die.
A shepard took him in and when Paris was grown, Zeus had Paris make a
decision, a decision which Zeus could not make, to decide which amongst the
three great Goddesses, Hera (Juno), Athena and Aphrodite (Venus) was the
loveliest. Paris picked Venus, giving her the Golden Apple which Discord
(Eris) sent. The apple had the words 'For the Fairest' carved into it. This
earned the warth of Hera and Athene who hated Trojians from then on and
plotted the downfall of Troy.
Description: We see Paris standing on a pasture for he was a
shepard, not knowing his noble birth. In a departure from the traditional
Lovers, three women stand before him. Majestic Hera, Wise Athene and Sweet
Aphrodite, each offering Paris a gift in return for the Apple and the title
of being the Fairest Goddess. Hera offers Paris a globe, the power to rule
over the world and all, Athene offers Paris a sword, the wisdom to win every
battle he should ever fight but all Aphrodite offers Paris a golden cup,
representing love and emotions, and promised him that the World's most
beautiful women, Helen, would be his bridge. Paris stands in front of the
three goddess, awe struck by their majestry, wisdom and beauty. He holds the
Apple (sent by Discord, otherwise known as Eris), unable to come to a decision.
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The Chariot
The Chariot is the War God Ares (or Mars). Ares was said to have been
concieved by Hera, Queen of the Gods, without a male seed. Ares was disliked
by Zeus and Athene for his brute strength and lack of refinement. Aphrodite
had a different opnion for when Ares fell in love with her, she recipocated.
Haphestus, Aphrodite's husband, was displeased with this and caught the
lovers one day when they were on a counch with a net. Nevertheless, out of
this union was Harmonia, she who balanced war with strife and returned
harmony to the land after war. Ares had two squires, sometimes they were
known to be his sons. Deimos (whose name means fear) and Phobos (whose name
meant terror) and they were said to accompany him onto the battlefield.
Unlike Athene who was also a war goddess, Ares did not plan his moves, he
simply fought to revel in the heat and glory of the battle.
Description: Wearing a chest plate, a helmet and tunic, Ares
drives the Chariot. Harnassed to the Chariot are two horses, a black horse
on the right and a white horse on the left, symbolizing the positive and
negative aspects of violence and aggresiveness. The landscape is dry and
barren, the Chariot stirs up a cloud of dust as it passes. Clouds gather in
the sky, as if signalling an impending storm. Balanced at Ares' side is a spear.
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Justice
Justice is the Goddess Athene, the Goddess of Wisdom and War. It is said
that Zeus loved the Titan of Wisdom, Metis, and when she was pregnant with
his child, he was warned that the child of Metis will be greater than his
father. Not wishing any child of his to rebel against him like he did to his
father, Zeus turned Metis into a fly and swallowed her. He was struck by a
painful headache shortly after. To cure him, Haphestus, the Smith of the
Immortals, struck Zeus' skull at Zeus' behest, cracking it. A triumphant cry
of victory was heard and a beautiful women dressed in full battle armour
appeared. Zeus then introduced her to the rest of the Gods as Athene and she
became his favourite child. Since Athene was the Union of power and wisdom,
she became the Goddess of War and Wisdom. Athene was a strategist, analyzing
and planning her moves in the battlefield. She fought not for the sake of
war, but to uphold principles and for Justice. Instead of aggression, she
was diplomatic and logical,
planning her moves with wisdom and foresight. Because she stood for Justice,
she was the propector of many a greek hero as many other legends would tell.
Description: Athene dressed in her battle armour, sits on a
stately throne beneath an arch supported by two elaborately carved pillars.
Athene holds a sword, which is used to seperate the truth from falsehood and
to punish. In her other hand, she holds a pair of scales, to measure one
thing against another so as to arrive at an impartial decision. An owl
pearches on her shoulder, symbolizing her wisdom.
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Temperance
The Goddess of the Rainbow, Iris, is portrayed in Temperance. Whereas
Hermes (or Mercury) was the messanger between Gods, Iris was the messanger
between Gods and Men. She was also Hera's personal messanger and attendant.
When the Gods wished their will to be known to mortals, Iris would travel to
Earth, using the Rainbow as the bridge between the Sky and Earth, where she
would assume the form of an ordinary mortal or remain in her divine form,
which is one of a beautiful winged women. As the mssanger of the Gods, she
travelled everywhere and all realms, even that of the Underworld, were open
to her. It is said that she was married to Zephyrus, the West Wind and in
one myth, Iris was supposed to have given birth to Eros, rather than Aphrodite.
Description: Temperance shows a beautiful young women with
wings, grabed in a gown of rainbow coloured hues. She holds two cupes, a
gold and silver cup from which water flows from one into the other,
symbolizing that emotions link the female and male principal together. Iris
stands with one foot in a clear flowing stream and the other on land, for
she is at home in both elements, reflecting her ability to unite the
opposities within an individual. A rainbow arches from her feet and into the
sky, a bridge between to realms or the promise of a relationship. Purple
irises grow beside the banks of the stream.
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Strength
Hercules, the strongest of the Gods, and the near invulnearable Nemean
Lion is shown in Strength. Hercules (or Heracles) was the child of Zeus and
a mortal woman, Alcmene. Zeus fell in love with Alcmene and took the form of
her husband, who was away to be with her. From this union, Hercules was
born. Alcmene was shocked when her husband returned the next day. Later, she
discovered, that the man she lay with was not her husband but Zeus and
fearing Hera's vengence, she named her child Heracles, the Glory of Hera.
This did not appease Hera who presecuted Hercules. Finally, Hera drove
Hercules into a fit of maddess during which he slew his own children and
wife. To atone for his sins, he had to subject himself to twelve years of
hard labour under King Eurystheus, thus, came the 12 Labours of Hercules.
One of them was to slay
the Nemean Lion.
Description: In Strength, we see Hercules astride a Lion which
he is attempting to slay by strangling the creature. Beside him, on the
ground, are a broken sword, a shattered club and a score of arrows which had
failed the Lion's hide. The slaying of the Lion symbolizes the
transformation of untamed and chaotic energy into useful purposes. The
shattered mudane weapons show that man made tools will not hasten the task,
there is only one way to do it and that is with one's bare hands, no short
cut will suffice. This scene takes place in a dark cave, the entrance of the
cave is seen in the background of the card and a bit of the landscape can be
seen, a barren landscape. The darkness of the cave represents the primal
awareness that most men are not aware of and neither are they aware of the
potential within.
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The Hermit
The Hermit is the ancient god Chronus, he whose name means time, Zeus'
father. Chronus father was Uranus and his mother was Gaea, the Goddess of
the Earth. From the union of Gaea and Uranus came the Titans but Uranus was
horrfied when he saw his children for they were of flesh and imperfect and
had them locked away in the depths of Hades so that he would not seem them.
Gaea was horrfied at the treatment of her children and devised a terrible
punishment for her husband. She fashioned a scythe and gave it to Chronus,
her youngest son, along with a piece of flint. That night, when Uranus came
to join his wife in bed, Chronus castrated his father and threw the severed
parts into the sea, ending Uranus region and Chronus ruled the Titans.
Althought Chronus govered time and enforced the cyclic laws of the universe, he
himself could not bear to accept what was to be for it was predicted that
his children would overthrow him just like he did his father. He sought to
prevent this in the manner described in the card the Emperor but failed and
his youngest child, took his place and ruled as King of the Gods.
Description: Chronus stands on a dark plane, his right handing
holding a lamp, shining brillantly like a star in the dark night, guiding
his way into the darkness. The flame of lamp is created out of
understanding, true and wisdom, it came into existance only after much
solitary contemplation. In his other hand, Chronus wields a scythe, the
cresent shape of the blade symolizes the phases of the moon and unavoidable
changes that must take place. A crow is pearched on Chronus shoulder while
Chronus himself is dressed in dark robes with a hood over his head so that,
save for his face, nothing else can be seen.
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The Wheel of Fortune
In the Wheel of Fortune, we meet the Fates, dark and mysterious, they
are collectively called the Moirai. In Greek Myth, it is said that Fate is
Three. All life is a vast Tapestry and each person is a single Thread within
the cloth. The Fates weave this Thread of Life. The youngest, traditonally
dressed in yellow, is Clotho, the weaver of the Threads of Life. Lachesis,
traditionally dressed in brown, is middle aged and measures the Thread of
Life. The last, is Atropos, whose name means 'She who cannot be avoided', is
an old women traditionally dressed in grey and she cuts the Thread of Life.
Concieved of Mother Night without a father, all creatures were in awe of
them for they had the power to dictate the life of every creature. In their
cave, they wove their threads, all their activties a secret to all, even
Zeus, who had no power over
them for they were concieved of Night, the eldest power in the Universe. No
creature could challange the Fates once they allotted a span of life for it
though it was once said that Apollo made them drunk, causing them to become
careless, enabling him to save a life of a friend, all creatures were in awe
of the Fates and respected them.
Description: The Moirai are in a dark cave. In a departure from
the traditional Tarot, the four creatures, or symbols that surround the
Wheel are replaced by the Fates. Clotho, the young weaver, is seen on the
bottom right, spinning her Threads. The thread stretches along the side of
the card to the top right where Lachesis measures them. On the top left is
Atrops, with her sissors ready to cut the thread Lachesis is measuring. In
the centre is the Wheel, the Wheel of Fortune. As with traditional Tarot
Decks, four men are seen on the Wheel, one being crushed by the wheel, on at
the top. One the right of the wheel, a man is seen rising upwards with the
motion of the wheel, while on the opposite side, a man is falling. The 'men'
reflect various stages of one's luck and how the Wheel, and one's luck,
always changes. The Wheel changes the Fortune and Luck
of all creatures as it spins in its eternal motion. The three Fates reflect
the phases of life, how a creature must inevitably grow old and die. The
Fates are in a cave which is lit only by an entrance in the distance, the
dark cave signifying the womb from which all life begins.
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The Hanged Man
Coming to the Hanged Man, we encounter the Titan Prometheus, whose name
meant Foresight. It is said that he created mankind using clay which was
made of soil and his own tears while Athene breathed life into them. Thus,
he had great sympathy for mankind because he created them. He was disturbed
when Zeus with held fire from man kind, fearing that with fire, men would
seek to become god like. Although forseeing his own punishment as a result
of what he was about to do, Prometheus stole fire from Haphestus' forge, hid
it in a hollow fennel stock and brought it to Earth. With fire, man kind was
able to progress. As Prometheus had foreseen earlier,Zeus was enraged and
punished Promethus by binding him to a cliff and commanding an eagle to
devour Prometheus' liver daily. Despite this, Prometheus could not die for
he was Immortal, the eagle came every morning and
tore his liver from him yet his liver regenerated every night. Zeus finally
allowed his son, Hercules, to save him after thirty years. It is said to
remember this sacrifice, men started wearing rings to remember the bondage
Prometheus fell into for mankind's sake.
Description: Prometheus can be seen, nearly naked, bound to the
side of a cliff. He is hung by one of his legs. His reversed position shows
that his mind no longer governs the situation, the descent of the Spirit
into the darkness of the unconsiousness, a total and sudden reversal in
one's life. An eagle is about to land. The eagle os Zeus' bird and in this
situation, symbolizes a loss of faith, a dark night of the soul. The waning
light represnts the weakening of strength of will.
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Death
Death is Lord Hades, Lord of the Underworld, or sometimes known as
Pluto. Pluto is sometimes known as the God of Wealth for indeed, the
Underworld is abound with rich, undeveloped potiential. Pluto is one of the
six children of Chronus. When Zeus overthrew his father, Zeus allocated his
brother, Posidon to rule over the waters and Pluto to rule over the Realm of
the Dead. Pluto was great in his own right for once a soul passed into his
realm, even Zeus could not bring him back unless Pluto allowed it. The
Underworld consists of three sections, Tartarus, a place where evil creature
were condemned. The Asphodel Fields was a grey and misty realm where people
who were neither good nor evil went. The Elysian Fields was a beautiful
place where good people went. There was another realm, known as the Isle of
the Blessed which was reserved for people who were
exceptionally virtous when they were living. There were numorous rivers
rivers that flowed through the Underworld, some of them became famous. The
River Styx was poisonous yet granted immortality to whose who knew how to
attain it through its waters, and there was the River Lethe, the River of
Forgetting for consumption or contact with the water would induce ammensia.
Description: To the left, we see a tall, imposing figure
wearing a Helmet. This is Lord Hades, wearing the Helmet which renders him
invisible in the mortal world. To the right, kneeling before him, are tiny
figures, each presenting him gifts, a men offers a crown, a women offers a
pile of coins while a young child, in her innocence, offers a flower. The
Earth around them is blight, barren and dry, representing a period of
destruction, sorrow or mourning. Behind the figures, a river flows through,
this river is the River Styx, the River which all mortals must past through
before entering the Underworld. In the distance, the Earth is turning green
and fresh, the sun shines brightly on these lush lands, showing the renewal
after destruction for the old must be cleared away so that the new may grow,
this is the true meaning of the Death card in the Tarot.
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The Devil
The goat legged God, Pan, is seen in this card. Pan is the son of the
God Hermes and the nymph Dryope. Their child was so strange that when he was
born, his mother ran away in right but Hermes carried him to Olympus. Pan
was fully human above his waist, save for the goat horns that grew on his
fore head. Below the waist, however, he had two goat legs. Pan represented
the untamed wild, untamed potential of nature. The word 'panic' is derived
from Pan's name for he delighted in frightening travellers as they travelled
through the lonely woods but at times, he was friendly to humans and
associated with herdsman and helped hunters find their quarry. It is said
that when Pan was chasing the nymph Syrix at the River Ladon, she changed
herself into a water reed to escape his unwelcomed embraces. When Pan
arrived at the river, he could not tell which reed was her so he
took some of the read from the River and fashioed it into a pipe, the pan
pipe. The Gods of Olympus despised Pan though they did exploit him for
Hermes was supposed to have copied an instrument from a pipe Pan crafted and
lost, and Hermes claimed it as his own invention. Apollo was supposed to
have wheedled the art of phophecy from Pan for which Apollo became famous.
Hence, in a way, music and phophecy came from Pan.
Description: The scene in this card is simple. Pan is playing
his Pan Pipe. Two small, buman figures dance at his feet, apparentally to
the music Pan plays. There are loose nooses around their necks, bounding
them to pan. The nooses are lose enough to be removed easily yet the man and
woman continue their dance. This represents that the bondage to the material
is self voluntary, in most cases, and can be easily removed if one wishes to
and has the determination. Pan is often made the scapegoat, a creature on to
which we project our darkest sides to make ourselves look ,and feel, better
in our daily lives. Once this is understood, the darker side can be
conquered and vanquished easily.
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The Tower
In the Tower, we meet the Sea God Posidon. Despite being the God of the
Seas, Posidon also had command over earth quakes. Posidon had agreed to make
help Minos become King if Minos sacrificed a white bull to him. Minos did
not keep his end of the bargain and sacrificed a lesser bull to Posidon.
Posidon, angry at this betrayal, summoned the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite for
aid. Aphrodite made Mino's wife, Pasiphae fall in love with the Bull.
Shortly after, she gave birth to a child with the head of a Bull and a body
of a man. Minos was ashamed and horrfied and imprisoned the child, known as
the Minotaur, within a huge labyrinth. He fed the creature by sending humans
into the Lybrinth where they were ultimately consumed by the Minotaur. This
could not last forever for Theseus, with the help of Mino's daughter
Ariadne, slew the Minotaur and at this instant, Posidon rose
from the sea and at his command, a powerful earthquake shook the kingdom,
causing the Lybrinth to collapse, burying Minos and the corpse of the
Minotaur in the rubble.
Description: The Tower shows a stormy scene. A Tower by the sea
is crumbling as it is shaken by an earthquake, the sky is overcast and the
sea boils as the impending storm approaches. The Tower represents the
structures that people have built around themselves, to keep their darker
sides in, or a facade. Another representation of the Tower is the pride of
man, trying to reach the Heavens by material means. This is folly and the
Tower is ultimately struck down. From the churning waves, the Sea God
Posidon rises, wielding a huge trident. He wears a crown, symbolizing his
command over the seas and has the tail of a fish.
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The Star
The Star tells the famous story of Pandora and the Box (or Jar). In
revenge for Prometheus giving Man fire, Zeus ordered Haphestus, the Immortal
Smith, to fashion a beautiful women out of clay. The Gods then breathed life
into her and bestowed gifts on her. As his gift, Hermes put lies into her
mouth, mischief and curiosity into her heart. Zeus gave this girl, named
Pandora, to Prometheus' brother Epimetheus (whose name meant 'highsight') as
a bride. Although Epimetheus had been warned by his brother not to accept
any gift from Zeus, Epimetheus saw the terrible punishment Zeus infliced on
Prometheus and made haste to marry the girl. Along with the girl, Zeus sent
a clay box which Prometheus managed to warn his brother about before he was
bound to the cliff. Prometheus told his brother never to open the box and
Epimetheus conveyed this to Pandora. Pandora, ever
mischievous and curious, opened the box one day when Epimetheus was not at
home. Within the chest were all the Spites, and when she opened it, she
released Vice, Insanity, Hate, Old Age and other creatures into the world.
Fortunately, crammed in the bottom of the box is Hope and with Hope, the
effects of the Spites are made bearable.
Description: This card shows Pandora kneeling in front of an
opened box. Flying in a huge swarm out of the box are insect like creatures,
these represent the Spites which Pandora unwittingly released into the world
when she opened the box. However, floating above the box, surrounded like a
brillant star-like halo is Hope. The box represents the forbidden fruit,
just like the Apple which Eve consumed, forbidden knowledge and like Eve,
Pandora probed despite the consequences, something that most people do, some
time or another.
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The Moon
Coming to the Star, we meet Hecate, the Moon Goddess. Although Artemis
is the Moon Goddess, Hecate was also associated with the Moon. Hecate was
the child of Zeus and Hera and incurred her mother's anger when she stole
something from her mother. Hecate fled to earth and hid in a house where a
woman had just given birth. Contact with child birth made her impure and
thus, she had to go the Underworld to be cleansed of her stain, instead, she
became one of the Rulers of that realm. She haunted crossroads, scenes of
crimes and people erected three headed of images of her, worshipping her on
the eve of the full Moon. Her companious were the three Furies, women with
bat wings and snake hair, formed when three drops of Uranus' blood dropped
on the land, who punished mortals for offences against nature or gods. Zeus
himself honoured Hecate and allowed her the authority
to bestow or without any gift from any mortal.
Description: This card shows a lady with three faces,
representing the changing faces of life. This woan is Hecate. She wears a
crown with a Moon as its diadem. The diadem radiates a brillant aura. At the
Hecate's feet is a three headed dog, Cerberus, the hound that guarded the
entrance to hell, allowing creatures to enter but prevented them from
leaving unless Hades allowed it. From a pool of water at her feet is a crab,
crawling out of the pool. The crab is a creature that is at home in both on
land and in the water, like a creature that is not entirely real not entire
unreal, but something that rises from out subconsiousness into our day world
as feelings that cannot be ignored.
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The Sun
We meet the Lord of the Sun, Apollo in this card. Being known as the
Lord of Light and the Sun, no other god was so fitting as he for this card.
Apollo was the son of the Titaness Leto with whom Zeus fell in love. Hera,
enraged at her husband's infidelity, sent a huge Serpent to attack Leto.
Leto fled, attempting to evade the Serpent, even though she was with child.
The South Wind rescued her and brought her to the islant of Ortygia where
Apollo's sister, Artemis was born. Due to her divine heritage, she grew up
instantly and helped her mother across to the Island Delos where Apollo was
born. Apollo, like his sister, matured in an instant. Apollo finally hunted
down and killed the Serpant at Delphi where a great shrine was built to him.
His preistess there were given the gift of telling the future. They were
known as the Oracles and their predictions were well known
throughout Greece and much respected. Apollo always wore a laurel wreath for
one day, when he was chasing the nymph Daphne, Mother Earth turned her into
a laurel tree so that she could avoid Apollo. Hence, in her memory, Apollo
wore a laurel wreath. Apollo was also the God of the Arts for he tamed the
nine Muses, wild goddesses who inspired poets and artists.
Description: Apollo wears a white robe and wields a lyre, his
instrument, given to him by Hermes to appease him when Hermes lured awa his
cattle. He wears a laurel wreath. In his other hand, Apollo holds an bow
with which he shoots the famous arrows of Apollo which could cause
pestilence among Man. The scene is bathed in a hue of yellow, as if shone on
by a brillant Sun, perhaps that Sun is Apollo himself. Behind Apollo is an
arch, supported by two ornate pillars. The Lyre Apollo holds symbolizes the
hope that both song and dance bring and that they can drive away sadness and
despair. The brillance of the Sun casts away doubts, fears and shadows which
haunt us at one time or another.
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Judgement
In the Judgement, we meet Hermes again, but in a different role this
time. We have seen in the Magician as a skilled, if not mischievous, God.
Now, another side of Hermes is revealed. Hermes also guides the souls of the
dead into the realm of Hades. Hermes could also guide souls and mortals out
of the realm of Hades and restore life to the dead, but only if Hades
allows. When Tantalos, King of Lyda, cut up and served his son in a feast he
invited the Gods to, to test if they were all knowing, it was Hermes who
reassembled the pieces of the boy and lead the child's soul out of Hades in
order to restore him to life. Hermes also lead the Hero, Theseus, when he
ventured into Hades and was trapped there. He also guided the musician
Orpheus, who descended into Hades to seek his wife, Eurydice, out Hades.
Hence, Hermes is not only the Magician and the mischievous God whom
we have seen, he had a serious side to his duties, as Guider of Souls,
protecting them on their jouorney to their final resting place.
Description: The scene in this card is similar to the one in
the High Priestess. Hermes stands at the foot of the same flight of stairs
at which Persephone stood. Beside him are the same pillars. Hermes holds his
caduceus and stands before several open coffins. Rising from the coffins are
mummified bodies. Hermes, symbolizes a catalyst for a change and the burial
shrouds, which enshroud the rising bodies, represent past experiences that
must be shaken off and left behind before one can proceed into the next
world. As before, the two pillars which Hermes stands in between represents
the constructive and destructive potentials of the unconsciousness.
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The World
The World presents a curious creature, Hermaphroditus, one who was both
male and female. One legend says that Hermaphroditus was born as it was now,
both male and female but another legend goes like this. Hermaphroditus was
the son of the Goddess Aphrodite who hid him among nymphs to cover up his
illcit birth. The nymphs at Mount Ida brought him up in the forests. One
day, he came to a pool whose clear and sparkling waters tempted him to
bathe. The nymph that ruled the pool was so enamored of his beauty that she
siezed him and kissed him. Unfortunately, Hermaphroditus did not like her
and tried to turn her away but she refused to. When Hermaphroditus continued
to be unmoved despite her actions, she prayed to the Gods that she may never
be seprated from him and in a flash of light, she and Hermaphroditus became one.
Description: The World shows Hermaphroditus, an entity with two
heads, a male and a female, dancing, each hand wielding a short staff or
wand. In a departure from the traditional Tarot, the entity in the centre is
not surronded by a wearth of flowers. Rather, surrouding him, like the
Cosmic Egg from which all creation sprung from, is the World Snake, or the
Ouroboros, a snake which held its tail in its mouth, signifying conclusion
yet eternal renewal. Around the world snake are the four elements. Thw Sword
of Air is on the top left, the Wand of Fire opposite. At the bottom right is
the Pentacle of Earth and opposite is the Cup of Water.
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