The Suit of Wands
The Numbered Cards of the Suit of Wands tells the tale of Jason and his Quest for the Golden Fleece. The Fleece came about in this manner. Phrixus and Helle, the children of King Athamas, were hated by their step mother Ino. During a famine, King Athamas sent one of his men to consult the Oracle on how to abate the famine. Ino bribed the messanger to report that the Orcale advised Arthamas to sacrifice his two children. Full of sorrow, Arthamas did as he advised but before he could do so, Zeus sent a Golden Ram, which was intelligent, could speak and travel swiftly over both land and through the air, to rescue them. Alas for Helle, she fell when they were travelling over an ocean, now called Helle Sea in her memory. Phrixus made it safely to the island Colchis in the Black Sea. There, he sacrificed the Golden Fleece to the King of the Island, King Aeetes, who gave him sanctuary in his country. King Aeetes hung the Fleece on a tree and set a dragon, which never slept, to guard it.
Meanwhile at Iolkos, Thessalas, King Pelias had ursurped the throne from his brother Aeson. Aeson's child, Jason, had been entrusted to the care of the centaur Chiron. When Jason came of age, Chiron told Jason of his origin. Jason returned to Iolkos to reclaim his throne. Pelias was frightened when he saw Jason's approach for Jason wore only one sandal, having lost the other on crossing the river. Pelias had been advised by an Oracle that a man with one sandal will overthrow him. Therefore, he thought of a cunning scheme to remove Jason from the picture without implicating himself.
He welcomed Jason and said that he was quite willing to give up the throne but Jason had to prove his ability to his people. Jason fell into the trap and asked how he should prove himself. Pelias advised him to fetch the Golden Fleece. Jason knew very well that he could not do it on his own but agreed to it. He sought help from Zeus who advised him to built a ship with 50 oars and gather famous heroes from all over Greece to aid him in his quest. Hercules, Castor and Polydeuces and many other heroes answered Jason's call for aid. With the heroes assembled, the Quest for the Golden Fleece began.
It must be noted though, some of the meanings of the cards have been changed, probably by the creator so that the cards could be adapted to the legend. This is especially so for the Suit of Wands .
Each of the numbered cards shows a portion of the story while the Court Cards each show a mortal. Please refer to the relavent card for a description.
The information on this page is complied and re-written by Lysander.
Ace of Wands
The Ace of Wands portays Zeus. We have already met Zeus in the card the Emperor. Zeus sent the Fleece to rescue the royal children and in a way initiated the quest that Jason pursued.
Description: This card shows Lord Zeus, King of the Gods, standing atop a high mountain. In one hand, he holds a wand, a flaming Wand. In his other hand, he holds a Globe, signifying his authority. He gazes to the right, calmly surveying the lands under his rule. He wears a crown and a regal purple robe. Drapped on his right shoulder is the Golden Fleece itself, the object of Jason's Quest. Behind him, tall, snow capped mountains enshrouded by mists can be seen. As with all Aces, it signifies a beginning but in the Mythic Tarot, the beginning her is felt as a surge of creative energy that has not taken shape nor form, with no definite purpose.
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Two of Wands
The story of Jason begins here. He now departs Chiron's care for Chiron had informed him of his origin. Jason intends to return to Iolkos to reclaim his throne from Pelias.
Description: In this card, Jason is seen standing in the left of the foreground, holding two flaming Wands. He looks into the distance, as if fixed on some goal. Behind him is a path, a path which he has already travelled. The path leads to a cave, shown in the right background of the card. Within the cave, the figure of Chiron, the centaur, can vaguely be seen. The Two of Wands in the Mythic Tarot signifies the realization of a goal or project, just as Jason now knows what he must do, reclaim the throne from his wicked uncle, Pelias.
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Three of Wands
We see Jason in Iolkos here and has confronted his uncle. Cunning Pelias pretends to be amenable to giving up the throne, but only after Jason has proved himself worthy of leading the people, and to do that, Jason must fetch the Golden Fleece and return it to Zeus' temple in Iolkos.
Description: Here, Jason stands to the right of the card, grasping three flaming Wands in his right hand. Kneeling in front of him is Pelias, who offers the crown to Jason. Pelias has heard of the prediction that a man wearing one sandal will overthrow him. Jason, it would appear, would be the one to do so for Jason had lost one of his sandals in crossing the river. The divinatory meaning of the Three of Wands in the Mythic Tarot is one of apparent of temporary success, just as ideas look good when they are being planned or sketched out on paper, unexpected delays could pop up any where. The example is of Jason's plan to reclaim his throne, all seems to go well at first, but then problems crop up in his plan.
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Four of Wands
Jason pleaded with Zeus for aid and the got responded with advice to built a ship and assemble the Heroes of Greence. Jason did as advised and the Agros was constructed. In response to his call for aid, numerous heroes came.
Description: A seaside scene is shown here. In the background is a fair sailing ship, the Agros, waiting for the tide. In the foreground, standing triumphantly, is Jason in the centre. Behing him to his right are the warrior twins, Castor and Polydeuces. To his left behind him is a man wearing a lion skin, Hercules. In front of him, to his left is Orpheus the singer, with his lyre. The last is Theseus. The Four of Wands signifies a type of reward after hardwork, a harvest after much effort.
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Five of Wands
This is a dramatic scene. Jason has arrived in Colchis. As expected, King Aeetes refused to give up the Fleece. However, his daughter, Medea, fell in love with him and give him a special potion that would shield him from the dragon's flame when he confronted it so that he would be able to hold his own in the fight.
Description: The Five of Wands shows Jason's confrontation with the Dragon. By wile and cunning, he has stolen the Fleece but not without provoking the Dragon. This card shows Jason fighting the Dragon with two flaming Wands. Behind him, his lover and helper, is Medea, with the Fleece drapped on her back. She holds three flaming Wands.
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Six of Wands
The Victory of Jason over the Dragon is portrayed here and there is much cheering and celebration.
Description: The Six of Wands shows Jason standing in a square or clearing in the village, holding high above his head the Golden Fleece, the symbol of his success and victory. In the background, his companions cheer. Six flaming wands can be seen, wielded by the crowd. This is a card of success, only a personal level, a temporary victory. It represents that the work done by an invidual or group has recieved attention from others and has been recognized. A personal triumph or victory, but temporary, there is still more to continue.
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Seven of Wands
King Aeetes refused to let Jason go without a fight. On hearing that Jason has successfully defeated the Dragon, he attacked Jason before he left the Island, attempting to retrieve his prized treasure.
Description: This is a card of conflicts and war. Jason, wielding Two Flaming Wands, battles King Aeetes who wields a single Wand. Hercules and Theseus both fight against two of King Aeetes soldiers, each wields a single Wand. The Seven of Wands augurs a time of competition. Since the Suit of Wands relates to business and enterprise, it would most likely be competition in business. The Seeker needs to re-evaulate his goal and plans so as to be able to meet the challanges and competition of the world.
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Eight of Wands
This card show the return journey back home. He has successfully defeated King Aeetes and is now hurrying back home with his prize, the Golden Fleece and the beautiful sorceress Medea.
Description: This is a simple card. It shows a ship, the Argos, sailing over the foamy ocean waves in the midground and background of the card. In the foreground of the card, dolphins play in the wabes, signifying the swift yet peaceful trip back. This card signifies a time of swift or hasty travel to a destination. Sometimes, a trip through the air, otherwise, a trip in haste. In the Mythic Tarot, however, the card signifies action after delay, where thoughts and ideas after obstacles and anxieties are removed.
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Nine of Wands
This card speaks of the final hurdle that Jason my cross before reaching home, the Clashing Rocks. It is said that the sea flowed between to huge rocks and when a ship attempted to sail past them, the rocks would clash together, destroying the ship utterly. By sending a pigeon through the rocks first, causing them to crash together, the Argos sailed through as the rocks re-opened.
Description: In the foreground, the Argos sails on a stormy and turbulent sea. Not very far from it is a pair of rocks, the Clashing Rocks. In the distance is the fair city of Iolkos. On the shore, nine flaming wands blaze brillantly, as if in ready to welcome back its rightful ruler. This card augurs a final obstacle the Seeker must cross before he or she may achieve his goal.
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Ten of Wands
The Conclusion of the Numbered Cards in the Suit of Wands shows that Jason has safely returned to Ikolos and regains his throne. Alas, he was not aware of the responsibilities that came with Kingship and soon grew weary of the burdens and worries of his office.
Description: The tenth card of any of the numbered Minor Arcanna shows the conclusion of Jason's Quest. It is curious that such a glorious and successful quest should end thus for Jason is shown, dressed in kingly robes, sitting with Ten Wands piled over his shoulders. Before him lies the Golden Fleece, the object of his quest and in the distance, by the sea, is the rotting hull of the famous ship, the Agros. This card signifies the burden of the material of the individual and on the creative spirit by material cares and worries.
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The Page of Wands
The Page of Wands is Phrixus, son of King Athamas and Nephele, the cloud woman. The cloud woman married Phrixus at Zeus' command and bore Athamas two children Phrixus and Helle. Nephele soon vanished due to her unusual nature and Athamas married a mortal woman Ino. Ino was jealous of her step children and plotted to slay them. It is said that she lit fires under the grain store so the seeds did not germinate when they were sown. King Athamas sent a messanger to the Orcale. Ino bribed the messanger to say that the Orcale's adviced was that Athamas sacrifice his two children. Zeus, however, was watching, and sent the Golden Ram to rescue the two children.
Description: This card potrays a youth, riding on a Golden Ram. The Ram's forelegs are raised, as if posed to take a leap forward in the air for it is already flying. A youth rides the Ram, one hand holding onto one of the Ram's horns and the other holding a blazing Wand. His hair streams behind him, as if travelling rapidly. The Page of Wands signifies a messanger, a postman perhaps, or the Seeker would receive news soon. What sort of news will be reflected in the cards surrounding this one.
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The Knight of Wands
The Knight of Wands brings us to the tale of Bellerophon. Bellerophon fled Corinth as he had slain his rival and his brother through an accident. He sought refuge with King Proetus of Tiryns but Proetus felt that Bellerophon was seducing his wife and sought to get rid of Bellerophon in such a way that would not incriminate himself. He told Bellerophon that to repay his hospitality, he would have to slay the Chimera, a monster with the body of a goat, the tail of a lion, the wings of a dragon and with the heads of the three animals. Bellerophon was aided by the Gods who tame the winged horse Pegesus and with its aid, slew the Chimera. Instead of being modest, Bellerophon grew arrogant and tried to fly to Mount Olympus on Pegesus. Alas for him, no mortal may go to Mount Olympus without invitation and Zeus was displeased with his arrogance. He sent a gadfly to sting Pegesus. Bellerophon lost control of the horse and fell to the Earth.
Description: A man rides a winged horse in this card. The horse is, of course, Pegesus and the young man is Bellerophon. Bellerophon wears armour and a helmet. The horse flies over the land. Below, a creature is sprawled dead on the ground, the Chimera, whom Bellerophon has successfully slain. In his right hand, Bellerophon holds a burning Wand. The Knight of Wands signifies the coming and going of a matter of concern to the seeker, most likely with reguard to finance, enterprise or creativity..
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The Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands is Penelope, wife of cunning of Odysseus, of Ithaca. When Odysseus left Ithaca to fight in the Trojian War, Penelope was left alone to hold fort and hold fort she did for twenty long years. Meanwhile, the princes of Ithaca gathered at the Palace, hoping to seduce her and marry her, inherting the rulership of Ithaca at the same time. Penelope, in an attempt to stall for time, told them that she would choose only after she had completed the death shroud of her father in law, Laertes. Thus, she wove by day and undid her work at night so even after three years, the shroud was not complete. Finally, the suitors saw through the ruse and demanded that she chose on that very day. She produced Odysseus bow and told them that she would marry the one who could string it and then fire an arrow from it through the handles of twelve axes set into the ground. All tried but none succeeded. An old man begged to have a chance at the bow which the suiters gave, mockingly. To the surprise of everyone, the old man not only strung the bow successfully but fired an arrow with it. The old man was Odysseus in disguise, having returned to Ithaca under the guidance and protection of Athene.
Description: The Queen of Wands is a beautiful woman sitting on a majestic throne with arms carved in the design of lion heads. A lioness is asleep at her feet. She wears a yellow robe and in her right hand, she holds a flaming Wand. The Queen of Wands is a woman who is loyal and consistent, warm and caring, creative, imaginative and full of vigour. This card augurs that the Seeker might either meet an individual who possesed such qualities.
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The King of Wands
The King of Wands is Theseus. Nobody was really sure who was his father because Poseidon and King Aegeus had loved his mother. His mother hoped that Aegeus would make Theseus his successor. Theseus was responsible for slaying the Minotaur with the aid of Mino's daughter, Ariadne. Mino's son had been killed in Athens and as compensation, he demanded fourteen young athenians be sent every nine years to feed the Minotaur. Theseus voluntered to be one of the fourteen youths, his father agreed, provided that Theseus promised to raise white sails on his return trip if all went well.. Ariadne, Mino's daughter, saw him and fell in love with him and aided Theseus in defeating the Minotaur. Unfortunately, Theseus forgot her effort and sailed off without her when he promised to marry her. She prayed for revenge and Dionysus answered her prayer by making Theseus so happy that he forgot to raise white sails. His father saw the black sails and thought his son had died and drowned himself in despair. The sea where this happened was called Aegean after him. Theseus became the King after his father's death and married Hyppolyte, an Amazon queen who died fighting at his side. Their son, Hippolyte was killed through the treachery of Theseus's jealous second wife, Phaedra. Theseus gradually lost interest in his duties and left Athens, settling at the island of Scyros and died there. His love for Athens outlasted his mortal form for when athens was about to lose the battle of Marathon, his ghost appeared to inspire the troops and led them to victory.
Description: The King of Wands portrays a young man with brown hair and a beard. He wears a red robe and a crimson crown. He is seated on a throne with arms carved in the shapes of ram's heads. In his right hand, he holds a flaming Wand. Behind him are vivid fields. A ram can be seen behind his throne and beyond it, a grand city.
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The Cards