Summertime and the Tarot
To every thing there is a season, A time for every purpose under the heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1–8
One of the greatest attributes of the Tarot is its ability to understand and illustrate relatedness. It helps us to describe the experiences of our lives in a universal and archetypal manner. It also can help us to process and reflect upon our interactions and relationships with the people in our lives and even with people from ancient History. The Tarot also helps us to understand and appreciate our relationship with the Natural World and its cycles and seasons.
In the annual cycle of the Seasons, the months of Summer are when the Sun is at its highest point in the Sky and temperatures are close to the yearly peak. This event happens on or around June 22 — the Summer Solstice. Astrologically, this event occurs during the sign of Cancer the Crab and the highest temperatures are usually during the sign of Leo the Lion.
A curious student might ask why is Cancer a crab and Leo a Lion?
They might be amused to find out that those names and images are derived from the story of Hercules and his quest to complete his Twelve Labors of King Eurystheus. One of the required Labors was to slay the sea creature Hydra — during which, a giant Crab was sent as a distraction from the Roman Mother Goddess Juno (June is named after her). To kill and skin the Nemean Lion was another one of the required Labors. Of course, Hercules was successful in all of his endeavors. He was able to accomplish the impossible through Strength and Force of Will.
In ancient Greece, a father might have told his sons these two myths. He would tell them of these stories so that they would aspire to success….and drive themselves to achievement. He might tell them these stories every year just as the Sun passed from the sign of Gemini through the sign of Cancer and into Leo. Perhaps he told them this story while he was teaching them to fish.
As we are thinking about Summertime, we can bring our attention to the cards that reflect the Zodiacal seasons of Cancer (June 21 to July 21), and Leo (July 22 to August 22). These cards are the Major Arcana named: The Chariot and Strength (or sometimes Force). When analyzing and interpreting the Cards we can refer back to the stories of the Brave Hercules and the (usually) Nurturing Juno. We can then ask ourselves if the strength and wrath of Hercules is required when dealing with our sometimes difficult children or spouses….or would the tender graces of Juno be more appropriate?
Stories. Stories are what make the Tarot such a powerful tool for self-discovery. The ancients wrote down their myths and stories in countless scriptures and scrolls. They wrote stories of Gods and Goddesses, demi-gods and mortals. Students of the Tarot will soon come to discover that the cards have a clear connection with these stories told in Astrology, Mythology, Astro-Theology, and in History and Legend.
When we think about Summer many of us would think of the Ocean and the beach and all the small little details that come with it; hot sand and tide pools, frisbees and beers, music and food, friends and family and careless Love. We might think of skipping stones and salty air, or the timeless ripples at the waters edge. At that moment, we might understand what is on the mind of the Queen of Cups as she sits on the Waters Edge.
Now, we can look to the King of Cups. We see he sits comfortably on his throne out in the Ocean while the waters of uncertainty flow around him. If we maintain our focus we might see through the words and pretense, and see a crack in the armor. We might realize that while he looks stable and confident…beneath the bold exterior are currents of emotion he can barely contain or even give a proper name to. We might feel pity toward him at first, but then we might smile in amusement — knowing that he asked for it when he crowned himself King.
There, stands the Knight of Cups atop his steed holding his cup out to the Future. Unlike the stationary King, the Knight is nimble upon his steed. He knows his footing will be difficult on the sands of the shore, so he stands upon solid ground. He sees the flowing emotions of the World from place of experience and solidity. His horse bows to those before him, showing the care and consideration of both Knight and Mount. We feel good around this person, we do not really know why.
Finally, we can relate to the Page of Cups. He (or she?) is young and inexperienced in the Maritime Laws and the ways of fishing on the High Seas. She is just beginning to understand herself and the waters of her own emotions. She is creative and sensitive…and the watery tempests of her anger will destroy those who would dare take advantage of her good graces. Thankfully, she is kind and merciful to those who would honestly repent.
As you can surmise, the 78 cards of the Tarot can provide us with a minimum of 78 different perspectives to understand the people and events in our lives, the World and throughout Time. To understand the Tarot, you can think of a clear crystal with 78 different facets held up to the Sun… and all of the Light of understanding that shines through… and all of the colors of humanity reflected and refracted within. It is not a coincidence that the highest point of the Sun (our awareness and consciousness) happens during the signs of Cancer and Leo — the signs above are mirrored below in Cards the Chariot and Strength — Arcanum numbers 7 and 8. They can be combined (in a numerological sense) and be reflective of the 78 cards of the Tarot.
If you have been thinking about learning the Tarot (or any other of the Divination Arts for that matter), Summertime is a great time to start.
