Maat Tarot Blog

Hate to admit it, but I haven't even taken out the cards for this cycle yet. There's such a lot of "real life" stuff in May! I'm not *giving* up, but I will have to do some *catching* up. Later.

I have to look some more at the fact that both cards for Feb. 2 have Hercules in them. The cards are comparable in that they each show an idea of something immeasurably valuable being taken, rather than granted. The King of Wands takes independence and the Wheel takes immortality. There's a spiritual lesson there for me, because God gives us free will, and wants to give us perfect life. But if we declare total independence from God, will he push us from the breast of eternity?

Julie's book description of The Magician includes an interesting theory about the "Christmas star" being a fire and water trine on January 5, 2 BCE. I find this very plausible, since the only ones who could "see" the star were the astrologers from the east (Magi). And January 5th and 6th are traditional "Three Kings" celebrations throughout Europe.
But I question the meaning of the star. It didn't herald Jesus's birth, since the Magi came to visit him in a house (Matt. 2:11) rather than in the stable. It had led them first to Herod, who asked them to come back and let him know when they had found the child. Then the star moved to lead them to the child. When the Magi didn't return to Herod, he had all the children two years old and under killed! And that puts our "Christmas star" in a whole different light.

I read somewhere that in ancient times, women were revered/feared because they bled, but didn't die from it. It was a great mystery. Yet this bleeding is indicative of fertility. In a rambling way, I've drawn a connection between this aspect of the Death card and the Full Moon Cycle of Taurus that we're in. The trees are like women--they lose their leaves, but they don't die. The leaves create compost while sheltering and warming the seeds/nuts that have fallen to the ground around the tree. On the other side of the cycle, women ovulate/conceive and trees bud. Looking it up in the Maat "Key," I see that the card for Full Moon Scorpio (May) is Empress. Um-hm.

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In the book I'm reading now, a crone (Blessed Nightshade) bemoans the fact that Healers always use medicines as long as there is life in the body. They prevent people from participating in their own deaths. Interesting concept, but I don't agree. I don't even believe it's possible.

I feel like I should feel a relationship between the King of Swords and the Emperor, but I get more of a sense of connection between the King of Swords and the 4 of Swords. They both seem so strong, so eternal. My personal association of Swords is with Air and Winter, so it's easy for me to see Oetzi as the King of Swords, frozen in time.

Looking back over the cards up to now:
Ace of Swords, Emperor, The Tower, Prince of Swords, 3 of Swords, King of Swords (as well as the upcoming 4 of Swords and 2 of Swords). If I got all these in a reading, I would not be happy. In fact, I'd be worried. (Unless I was reading for the upcoming election, maybe!)

Looking at them individually, and at how they fit into this system (Autumn), I'm learning to appreciate them a little more--to appreciate "destructive" forces the way I appreciate snails in the compost (but NOT in the garden!). I need more of their power in my life, to cut out some of the clutter, even if it sometimes seems difficult and/or painful.

I've finished cleaning up the garden. No more work there til next spring. It's so bare, but it's a relief--less work, less dirt, more time. Hmmm, maybe it's time for a haircut, too . . . HAHAHAHAHA!

The World card is the central card, the point around which all else is built up. This is the arena of action and interpretation for all the other cards. Seasons, quarter and cross-quarter days, zodiacal divisions, moon phases are all only relevant as seen from the Earth, as she travels her endless circle about the Sun.

Julie includes her description of The World last in the book. But I want to start and end with it. She is, after all, our Genesis--Great Mother, who nurtures and cares for us (while the Father provides the discipline and, when necessary, bail money).

"Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. . . . What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."--Ecc. 1:4, 9