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Our fearless wrangler, Jay Cassels, gave us the assignment of contemplating unseen traditions or symbols of protection. One of the things that has always fascinated me about the tarot is how the cards speak to each artist separately and how they incorporate various symbols in their cards.
Since it is the summer solstice and we were asked to write about traditions or symbols of protection, I decided to look at the sun card from various decks to see what symbols of protection were embedded in various sun cards.
The nakedness of the child is symbol of openness and not having secrets. There is a saying in program (12 step programs) that you are only as sick as your secrets and I have found that to be true in my own life. When I am worried about what people will think if they find out about things in my past, I can't truly be free and healthy as I am so busy worrying about what people think that I can't focus on healing me. Being open and honest helps me to be the best me I can be. The white horse is a symbol of the goddess and the protection she offers and also of our own strength and ability to move forward.
Dark Goddess Tarot: The Sun card in the Dark Goddess Tarot is Sekhmet and she is a protective force in and of herself. Sekhmet has tremendous power and she was the protector of the pharaohs and led them in warfare against their enemies. She is also the patron of healers and helps protect people against disease and pestilence. However, Sekhmet also has a dark side and a bloodlust that can be uncontrollable. As I meditate on Sekhmet, one of the lessons I take away is that there comes a time to let your guard down. One cannot be in protection mode 24/7 as it will wear on a person and they will start to be overly anxious. Even Sekhmet has to take time to have a beer, sit back, and relax. This card is also full of yellow which is the color of joy, happiness, and enlightenment, which are all emotions that can protect us from our own bad moods.
Gaian Tarot--The Gaian Tarot's Sun Card is one of the most joyous sun cards as it depicts a woman dancing with joy. Her eyes are closed, her face is turned upward to the sun, and her arms are lifted in pure exuberance. Joy itself is a protective factor as people who are joyful have a more positive outlook in life and are more likely to see the positive in the world around them. They are also more likely to smile, which calms the nervous system, and laugh, which sends endorphins coursing through the body. Laughter can also protect the body as it can lower blood pressure and and reduce stress. In addition, her dress and wrap contain spirals which are symbols of life, creation, rebirth, and awareness. Although these concepts are not protective in their own right, creating can help bring us joy as there is a wonder in creating something new. Rebirth can help us let go of things that are holding us back and move on into something wonderful.
The Enchanted Tarot--This is a new deck for me, but I loved the birds basking in the sun's glow and although they are not specifically called out as robins, they look like robins to me and robins are symbols of spring. Although I know robins are around all year round, there is still something special about seeing them in the last cold days of winter as spring is in the air. For me robins are harbingers of hope and a reminder that we can endure the coldness of winter and come out in the warmth of spring. Hope is protective as it is a reminder that we will endure and that things will get better.
Ooh--I love this post. I'll have to come back to it when I'm not on my way out the door, but I love the idea of the Sun as a source of protection and insights about protection. You're teaching me something!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, I love how you link each version of the sun together <3 thank you for hopping <3
ReplyDeleteHi Raine! This is fabulous. I would not really have thought of the Sun card as protective, but you made so many excellent points I am fully convinced! And what a great selection of cards you chose as well. I really enjoyed this!
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