Maat Tarot Blog

Full Moon in Capricorn–June 30, 2007

The Godess is calling. When I read the description of the Queen of Coins in Julie’s book, I recognized the same tale I’m interpreting in the pamphlet from the museum in Lenzburg, which I wrote about under the Ace of Coins. I also just finished reading Mists of Avalon.
The Goddess of Earth manifests in three hills in Lenzburg, and the sun rises and sets in her lap. Reminds me of King Arthur. In the matriarchal days, they celebrated the Great Marriage at midsummer, and built fires on Staufen at midwinter. There are legends and practices involving a white-veiled virgin distributing gifts [Weihnachtskind], and Nikolaus living in a cave under Goffisberg, and children coming out of a fountain there. This mythical landscape is 20 minutes from here by bus. On August 25, the museum is offering a guided tour.

First Quarter Moon in Libra–June 22, 2007

Abundance and maintainence, and no free lunch. It seems to me this woman has paid for her comfortable lifestyle by giving up freedom and companionship. She has only the bird with which to share her lovely gilded cage. But that will change, as she brings more people (literally) into her world. Will her child be permitted to spontaneously pick flowers?
Reminds me of a common conflict between my husband and I. He claims that tidiness and order would be the “icing on the cake” of our lives. I think a bit of a mess is the icing–evidence of life, and of outside interests. And you can’t enjoy the garden without bringing some of the dirt in the house.

Summer Solstice–June 21, 2007

What strikes me about this card is that the Prince of Coins is a worker, not a boss. He uses manual skill, but not necessarily innovation, planning, or leadership skills. He works hard, and deserves a break in his labors. But he musn’t get distracted by his solitary daydreams. His task is to refuel, and then get back to work.

Summer Solstice/Litha–June 21, 2007

Consummation! The fulfillment of one’s greatest desire!
But is it procreation, or simply orgasm?
Driving force, spark of life.

Full Moon Cycle of Capricorn–June 21 to July 22, 2007

“Goats and sheep are able to graze on the high mountain pastures during this time of the year.” That’s why the Hermit always reminds me of the shepherds who take the livestock (cows too) up the mountains in summer; one man for all the livestock of the village.

The higher one goes, the larger the view. Things that can’t be comprehended at ground level can be encompassed by a loftier position. Also, less distractions. And relationships, like plants above the tree line, are sparse but sturdy. Then the sun starts to descend, and the old man too. He brings his perspective back to the village, to sit and share by the fire. Not everyone can take the time to make the climb, so he brings back wisdom from the top of the world; learns how to capture the light and bring it down into people’s lives. Now he is at the height of his power. At the opposite solstice, he passes the torch (and other goodies) as Santa Claus and/or the old man of the old year.

Oops! It’s based on the U.S. silver dollar, isn’t it?

Season of Summer–June 21 to September 22, 2007

My first thought when looking at this image was that this coin is Swiss! Okay, modeled after, then. Upon examination, I found lots of similarities to the 20 Rappen coin, whose closest U.S. equivalent is the dime. (It’s actually worth about 15 cents right now, but it is the third smallest coin.)

I make two associations to this card. First, of course, is riches of the earth. I always feel so rich when I have so much bounty in my garden that I can share veggies with my neighbors or bring flowers in the house. Money can’t buy food so fresh and tasty! Beautiful flowers that can heal! Should I tell about my calendula, it’s bright flowers and soothing balm? And I have six lilies in my house right now, and I know why they are funeral flowers. They have a lovely scent, but can get overpowering.

I remember watching the sunrise over a wheatfield one Lammas day . . . and I remember thinking how wonderful and that, yes, this is for me, and this is my right, and everyone’s right. Bounty of earth. (And looking at that coin and thinking, “Finders keepers.")

The earth gives us all we need, and it’s ours. But we have to at least stretch out our hand before we can receive.

The second association has to do with artifacts. But I will have to make it a separate post, because the story is still developing!

When my man accompanied me to my family reunion for the first time, he was surprised that we went scavenging at the old homestead (where my grandaddy was raised). We loved to look through the ruins of the fallen house for artifacts. “Why do you want that junk?” my man asked. “It’s not junk–it’s treasure!” I replied. He scornfully told me that when his grandparents built their farmstead in the neighboring town of Lenzburg, they found an old Roman amphitheater. His mom used to find Roman coins in the fields.

And I was writing this and thinking of what I’d learned about gifts of the earth, left by those who came before; and about the difference between “old” and “ancient,” and such. I did a search for the amphitheater, to include a link to it here. I found something that has so amazed me!

In the museum in Lenzburg, there is an exhibition running called, “Lenzburg - ein Landschaftstempel der Grossen Göttin” or “Lenzburg - Landscape of the Great Goddess.” I had seen posters for this exhibition, with a full moon and goddess statue, and wanted to go, but hadn’t made time yet to look into it. Now I’ve gone to the web site and discovered that it’s about “landscape mythology” and the body of the Goddess. Interesting! I had become familiar with the concept through the Wheel of Change Tarot, but I didn’t realize that Lenzburg was a stone age Goddess cult center. The hills represent Her head, hips and belly. And in Her womb, at the bottom of the hill, they found a 6000-year-old burial ground. Do I need to mention the bodies were in fetal positions? This is right across the street from my grandmother-in-law’s place.

These three aspects of Earth’s gifts–the preservation of our past, nourishment and healing for our present, and a comfy lap to lay our heads in the future–give rise to a wide spectrum of possibility for divinatory meanings. And I’m thinking particularly of family heirlooms, and the sense of continuity they embody.

New Moon in Gemini--June 14, 2007

This card speaks to the question I had about the 10 of Cups, i.e. how we keep both ourselves and our lifemates happy. It's important to have time alone, time away. For me, the peace and beauty of a solitary walk in the woods helps restore my sanity and balance, my sense of self. Also, every spring I go to the "burnout clinic," which means a few days away from my family--a weekend in New Orleans, New York, Key West--with no demands and no clock but the sun in the sky. This card is significant to me now in that my husband is on such a retreat--his yearly fishing trip with seven of his buddies.
Give me my space.

Last Quarter Moon in Pisces--June 8, 2007

Well, this card doesn't need a lot of explanation! Although I can't help thinking about how much work is involved here. The garden, the animals, the house, the relationship . . . The hardest work of all: living our own happy and fulfilling lives while also conforming to the needs and expectations of our families, and making their lives happy and fulfilling too.