Start At the End

There are many who think of Tarot as a fortune-telling medium, a misconception kept alive by charlatans in backstreet storefronts. Unquestionably there are many examples of the cards predicting the future with uncanny accuracy, and the psychic power of the cards can be convincingly upheld by believers, just as non-believers can as easily argue the opposite. This is true of just about any belief system on earth. I myself have had many experiences with the cards that go beyond rational explanation.

There is another aspect to Tarot, one that even non-believers can embrace and enjoy, its ability to tell stories. Story-telling is one of the oldest and most enduring of human activities, perhaps essential to our survival. Given that Tarot can be read from many different spreads using anything from one card to the entire deck, the number of possible stories that can be told with its colorful images and symbols is virtually infinite. It is logical that these narratives can be recognized in our own lives as powerful guides, lessons, morality tales, and even warnings.

It's interesting that the above narrative spread begins with the Death card as Preparation. In our culture we tend to think of death as a finish, not a start, connected to finality not opportunity. In fact, Death in Tarot is not necessarily literal, rather it is frequently an ending that leads to a new beginning. The slate is wiped clean. It's therefore interesting that the Attack card in the 2nd position is the 2 of Wands, signifying the start of a new venture, full of promise and yet conflicting with the 5 of Pentacles. Whatever the nature of the new venture it will not be without a struggle. The Magician presents us with all the tools we need to succeed, but unfortunately, in this narrative, we see defeat (10 of Swords).

The Magician is one of the 22 cards of the Major Arcana. These are life lessons that must be learned in order for us to move to the next phase in our lives. We are presented with the same lesson over and over until we finally "get" it, and grow from it. The "warning" in this tale is clear: we must take advantage of the opportunities and abilities we are given instead of falling back on old habits, and ideas. Or as James Thurber once said, "if we lean back too far we risk falling on our face."

Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

How many of us have enjoyed success in our youth and failed to capitalize on it as the years passed? What once came easy to us becomes increasingly difficult as we fail to grow and develop. Rather than meet the challenge we become self-pitying, and when new opportunities are presented we fail to capitalize on them fully.

This spread suggests to me the story of a once very successful tennis player (King of Pentacles). He had it all, skill, good looks, charm, plenty of money, and the admiration of his fans and peers, but he got lazy, careless, and fell from grace. Now, years later, he lives in the past (6 of Cups). His looks have faded, he's gone through his money, and his detractors outnumber his admirers. He has retreated from the world and spends his days wallowing in his unhappiness and dissatisfaction (4 of Cups). He is finally given the opportunity to make a comeback against a strong opponent who has been his nemesis in the past, a player who once took his title from him (Queen of Swords). He wins his match (5 of Swords) when his opponent suffers leg cramps and must forfeit. Rather than accept his victory graciously and humbly he allows pride to overtake him. Deluding himself into believing he is on the top of his game again he suffers a series of humiliating defeats that leave him a broken man.

This spread could also be the story of Hamlet. King Claudius, Hamlet's uncle, has killed Hamlet's father, the previous king, married his mother, and ascended to the throne. Hamlet is obsessed by the events of the past, and the essence of his struggle is symbolized in the 4 of Cups: "To be or not to be." Driven by jealousy for his mother, Queen Gertrude, he kills his uncle. But his satisfaction is short-lived, and he himself is slain.

Perhaps there is something of Don Quixote here as well, ending his life in a series of heroic quests for a world long gone as he battles against windmills.

The Bible Tells Us So

In a narrative context, each individual card in this spread can relate to various possible circumstances in the querent's life. The structure of the "plot" generally remains the same, but the details change.

Earlier this week the 3 of Cups appeared in a different context. The narrative was centered on an individual struggling to break away from a group that was sucking up too much of her time and energy. In this story the protagonist enjoys the companionship of a circle of friends. With the 7 of Pentacles in the Attack position, which is the factor that enters the story to get the ball rolling as it were, we can imagine that he has come into a substantial amount of money. Perhaps it's an inheritance, or he's won the lottery. In any case his circumstances have changed for the better. He could easily continue his life as before, but the 8 of Cups (Struggle) says he is strongly tempted to break away from his friends and begin a new life. The Empress provides the turning point, convincing him that he is right to make the move. Has he met a woman and fallen in love? Can you think of a time in your life when you have left an old life to pursue a new one?

In this spread The Moon (Outcome) suggests the woman is pregnant, or has given birth, both because The Empress which preceded it is an archetypal maternal figure and because the moon is in many traditional belief systems a symbol of pregnancy. But the moon also has a dark side, never seen, which tells us the future may not be perfect.

I was struck by the realization that this story has a parallel in one we all know well, the Creation myth. After Cain slays Abel he departs from his parents, Adam and Eve, unable to remain and enjoy the fruits of the Garden of Eden. In the Land of Nod he meets his wife and fathers children. The future of Mankind from thence forward is an ongoing struggle between the dark and the light, good and evil.

Beyond the Horizon

Do you recognize this scenario in your life?

I am seduced by a dream, an ideal of how I want to live my life (The High Priestess). It takes courage to continue in the face of frequent adversity and struggle (Strength). At the same time it requires that I be blind to reality and remain steadfast in my determination that I can be who I want, do what I want, on my terms, even though it means I am often torn between my physical needs and my dreams (2 of Swords). These two aspects of my life are in conflict with one another, even when things look darkest and I feel I'm on the verge of giving up. But I remain steadfast and single-minded (King of Swords), and somehow challenges are met and difficulties overcome. Often I feel that I am in denial about the adversity tomorrow may bring as a result of my dogged refusal to change course, as I keep fighting the quotidian fight for survival, driven by emotion more than intellect (Knight of Cups). I feel that I am forever swimming upstream, toward the horizon in the distance beyond the horseman, forever called by the High Priestess. But I am at peace.

Onward and Downward

I had difficulty with this spread, trying to relate it to events in my life past or present. I could recognize aspects of it, but it didn't come together in a way that was meaningful to me. Nothing wrong with that, not every narrative is going to have relevance for us personally. But as I was puzzling over the significance of the King of Pentacles in the 4th position (Turn) the word "bailout" popped into my mind. In a flash I realized that this particular narrative fit perfectly with current political events.

The image on the 5 of Pentacles shows hardship, misery, suffering. It doesn't necessarily need to be interpreted literally, but can suggest a state of mind. Isn't this precisely what America is experiencing right now, a sense that things just aren't right? People are feeling anxiety about the present and fear for the future. I don't think there's a better graphic illustration of economic inequality. As the two forlorn figures struggle through the cold, a warm light shines from the window behind them, a window adorned with five coins, symbolizing wealth. Is it a bank? The mansion of a CEO?

The Page of Cups (Attack) and Ace of Swords (Struggle) show us a struggle between two points of view, one emotional the other intellectual, one driven by passion the other by ideas. The Page is all emotion with little substantive thought, battling with the fervor and blindness of youth. The Ace shows the cutting edge of intellect, but still single-minded and assertive rather than analytical. Here then in a nutshell is the essential conflict of the current political debate.

The King of Pentacles, the solution, is to throw money at it, but it's a temporary solution at best. In the outcome to this particular narrative arc (5 of Swords) the battle is over for the moment, one side has won and is gathering up the weapons of the other side, but it's likely to be a Pyrrhic victory, this card tells us the story isn't over and there will be more battles to come. The 5 of Swords also suggests that the winning side is arrogant and cocky, a distinct weakness. In addition, because the weapons being gathered are swords (ideas, intellect) the emotional arguments have won the day.

We can learn a lot from this spread that relates to our current impasse. A balance must be found between our emotions and ideas; we must be willing to listen to the other side, and work together to solve the challenges facing us.

(It's also interesting, for those aware of numerology, to note that this spread is book-ended by fives, the 5 of Pentacles at one end and the 5 of Swords at the other. The number 5 can be characterized by lack of diligence and order, as well as overindulgence. Does this seem familiar? Adding the two fives together we get 10, symbolizing the universe, completion, wholeness. And 55 symbolizes victory in war and defeat for one's enemies. It tells us to use our innate skills wisely or we will ultimately suffer defeat. In this spread we clearly see a path to real solutions if we can get past the petty and undisciplined squabbling that now seems to be the norm.)

Finding the Strength to Face the Future

Not all narratives have a perfect ending. It the case of today's, the denouement isn't unhappy, but it might leave one unsatisfied.

This "plot" begins with an individual who is dealing with issues of doubt and intense worry (9 Swords). The Hanged Man suggests the protagonist is wrestling with the urgent impulse to give up, while The Magician at the heart of the struggle presents possible solutions to the problem. One can imagine that the protagonist's despair is powerful enough to stand in the way of seeking relief. The Empress provides an answer. She is a powerful maternal figure, mother earth, nature, giving life and nourishment. In this narrative she holds the key that releases the protagonist from mental anguish, but the resolution is uncertain. The High Priestess is a seductive mystery figure, teaching us that the future can only be fully understood through experience, but it may not come easily.

This is a story of an individual's doubt and fear, though even the awareness that there are solutions to the problems fails to bring comfort.

It could be about a person suffering a debilitating illness, torn between the impulse to give up on one hand, and facing a conventional but risky treatment on the other. The decision is made instead to follow a homeopathic alternative medicine cure. The patient is at peace, even though the future remains uncertain.

Or it could about career problems. The protagonist is talented in several areas but plagued by self-doubt. Ultimately a career change is chosen, one that will bring greater personal satisfaction and joy. However, though there is potential of reward, there are risks that can only be known by having the courage to push forward.
 
There are endless possibilities. What life narratives have you experienced, or can imagine, that would fit this scenario?

Lonely In a Crowd

3 of Cups. You are involved with a group that is taking increasing amounts of time away from other pursuits. Perhaps it is a club, a community organization or church group. Perhaps you are contributing your efforts as a volunteer, or officer.

The Ace of Cups in the Attack position tells us you are getting more and more involved, more than is comfortable, and your obligations to the group are conflicting with your need for personal space.

Increasingly the group makes demands on you that you don't have the time or energy to meet. Quite possibly you have been too eager to please, and fearful of saying no when favors are asked of you. You are being used, and find yourself too often throwing up your hands in surrender (10 of Swords) and suffering for it. The Ace of Wands (Turn) suggests that you come to the realization that you must pay more attention to your own needs, and stand up to the others regardless of the consequences.

The story has a happy ending (King of Cups). By taking a stand you achieve stability and control in your life. Though you are taking more time away from your friends and colleagues, and showing a new sense of independence, you are respected more than before.

Do you recognize this narrative in your life? How have you handled it?