Tarot Card Art Meaning

Tarot cards have variation of artwork.  Each illustrator decides to create an image that matches the meaning or has some type of representation of the card.  A neat way to become closer to yourself as a reader is to create your own version.  You can make the artwork anyway you'd like.  If you are not the artsy type, you can explore many different kinds of decks.  You can even mix decks.  Your cards should mean something to you, and if that means altering, adding, or changing the artwork, do what works for your cards and reading style.  When reading someone's cards, looking at the art of the card is a great way to explain to the reader what the internal meaning is.  For example:  The Empress

This card shows a blonde, full-figured woman who is calm and content.  On her head is a crown of stars, and this shows how she as a woman, can connect to the mystical world.  The pomegrantes on her robe are a great representation of fertility.  The feminine symbol and nature surrounding her show that she is one with mother earth.

Descriptions like this can really help someone understand.  Try reading like this or if you are having your cards read, ask about the imagery of the cards. 

Artsy Fartsy

I have a class that is called Interdisciplinary Arts.  This class is about all of the different forms of art and how they work with one another.  For example, we have a class project that centers around metamorphosis.  My group is centering around nature and butterflies.  The point of the project is to create a few different pieces that are not the same type of media in art.  I made a wire sculpture of a cocoon with a butterfly inside, one of my group members is painting with watercolors and focusing on the wings of a butterfly, and another member is writing a song for the piano based on the inspiration of how butterflies fly.  This project has really made me think.  Art programs are being decreased despite the fact that they increase learning levels and better the education atmosphere.  I wanted to dedicate a post to art work and the different variations.  Be inspired!  Even if you are not an "artist" by label, make your own definition and create something beautiful. 

In both Wicca and the Tarot history, art has been incorporated.  Tarot cards themselves are an art.  The cards have beautiful artwork and each type of deck is different in its own special way. 

Check out this blog about art. http://chamelionowl.blogspot.com/

The Unicorn Tarot

As child, I spent a good deal of my time with my Grandmother.  She was a Wiccan and did magic a lot, but at the time, I did not think of it that way.  It was not until I was older and after her passing that I considered my Grandmother a Wiccan.  I always had an extreme interest in everything about her and what she did.  She had an obsession with unicorns that intrigued me.  I recently found a Unicorn Tarot Deck and had to purchase it.  I only use it for personal purposes, and I keep it very close to me.  The deck stays beside my bed at all times.  When I went home for Thanksgiving break, I left the deck at my apartment so it would be safe, but when I came back, the deck was gone.  I was upset for a few days this week because I tore the apartment apart looking for it.  I couldn't help but cry.  Last night I got out my book of shadows and did some charms and blessings, mainly things for good luck and finding lost items.  Well, tonight I was insistent on finding those cards.  I went into my bedroom and searched everywhere.  When I was done, I looked beside my bed where they were supposed to be, and there they were!!! They were sitting on top of my book of shadows.  I know this isn't a matter where I didn't notice them in front of my face.  I had wrote in that book last night and put it there myself.  I knew the cards were not there before.  I am just so happy they are back!!  This whole ordeal just made me want to talk about The Unicorn Tarot in general and unicorn myths.

I was online and was reading some reviews on The Unicorn Tarot.  A good deal of those reviews were negative.  People were complaining that unicorns have nothing to do with Tarot and they make a mockery of it.  I strongly disagree.  If you are a reader, then having a deck that is personal and meaningful makes the cards more powerful.  People also said that having a mythical creature on the cards ruins their reputation and gives into the idea that the cards are just a game.  That, to me, is crazy.  The "Devil" can be thought as a mythical creature, but he is a major member of the cards.  Also, The Tower card is personified, making it "fairy-tale"-like.  It just pissed me off that people would be so narrow-minded about a topic like this.  I love my Unicorn Tarot, and it follows very nicely with the Rider-Waite deck, so I personally don't see an issue.  Enough ranting.  Let's talk unicorns.

Unicorns were first heard from by the Greeks and not just in mythology, in history as well. They were the most important imaginary animal of the middle ages.  Unicorns were thought of to be extremely wild but still have grace and purity.  They were often associated with the virgin.  Some legends say that their horns, made of an element called alicorn, have the power to be a cure of sickness.  Until the 19th century, belief in unicorns was widespread among historians, alchemists, writers, poets, naturalists, physicians, and theologians.  Whether they are a story book creature or not, they hold a mythical and powerful element of magick that intrigues people, including myself.  Unicorns have references from many cultures.  There is even biblical mentionings of the mysterious creature.  They are still used for crests and symbols.  Also, the only way to trap a unicorn was by using a virgin to lore it in.  They are so many legends and variations of those legends, nothing can be completely certain.  Unicorns are a great symbol for magick, youth, love, spirit, and hope.  I do not see the harm in them or The Unicorn Tarot.

Tattoos

When it comes to tattoos and religions or beliefs of any kind, there is always a point of controversy. Wiccan tattoos can be seen as magical or mystical but can certainly cause a stir, depending on your point of view.  There is the saying that says "do what you will, so long as it harms none," but if you do not consider tattoos as harmful to yourself, then why not? There is the age old argument that the body is sacred and tattoos ruin that idea.  However, people also consider tattoos as an art form and that tattoos do not make the body any less sacred.  I have tattoos, and I certainly see no issue with the subject.  I even have a symbol from the Ace of Cups in the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck on my wrist.  It is a meaningful card and symbol for me, so I got a tattoo for dedication.  Many Wiccan symbols are used for tattoos for people who are Wiccan and even for those who are not.  Some common ideas and themes that are tattooed from the belief structure are gods and goddesses, pentacle/pentagram (representing the 5 elements), sun, moon, and stars.  The Wiccan's have so many beautiful symbols that make great tattoo imagery.  Also, tarot decks carry just as much great imagery.  Getting tattoos should be a personal choice, despite the controversy that will proceed to follow it. 

The image above is my tattoo. 

Other tattoo examples:

Tarot Origins

It is frustrating to explain to people that being a tarot reader does not mean you worship the devil.  It seems like every Christian (I am not pointing fingers or saying they are the only religion that is capable of making wrong assumptions.) I talk to seems to automatically label the tarot as a major sin.  How is it a sin?  No where in the commandments does it say that tarot cards are a sin.  They do not worship a god or a devil.  They can be used in magick but are not always, so I can understand people labeling magick as wrong.  People always associate tarot with having bad "juju" or something completely outragous.  Tarot cards were invented sometime in the mid to late 1400’s, relatively shortly after regular playing cards were introduced to Europe in the 14th Century. It is suggested that Tarot cards were made as a game to amuse members of the Visconti, d’Este and other royal houses of Northern Italy. The oldest Tarot cards in existence, from the hand-painted Visconti and d’Este Tarot decks, date from this period.  Some readers can even read cards using a deck of playing cards.  The origin does not deal with satan worship; it was just a form of entertainment for royals. 

People also consider Wiccans to be witches of satan.  What people do not realize is that the Wicca and Pagan traditions are similar to some Christian practices.  However, Wicca does involve magick and witchcraft.  Some chose not to believe in the matter, and some realize that not all witchcraft is black.  Many people use the terms Wicca and witchcraft interchangeably. Paganism is an umbrella term used to apply to a number of different earth-based faiths. Wicca falls under that heading, although not all Pagans are Wiccan.  Wiccans have commandments and guidelines for morals like Christianity.  Being a good person and not causing harm to others is a major part of the Wiccan tradition.  Also, celebrating the earth and being grateful are strong morals as well. 

People just assume that every person who titles themselves a Wiccan or who reads tarot cards is a witch who worships the devil.  WRONG.  Wiccan's worship the earth!  Reading tarot cards is a spiritual experience, and it can be a complete selfless act.