#Tarot Thoughts

There's such a darkness to this Emperor/the God, despite the sun shining down on him from behind. It barely seems to touch the wolves at his sides, let alone spill over ambient light onto his torso and dramatic ram's skull belt buckle.

This is an Emperor wanting to intimidate those he comes across, to make them feel his power and themselves smaller in his presence. It does say a certain something about power, doesn't it?

(Deck: Book of Shadows: As Above Tarot)

#Tarot Card of the Week Blog Post - Judgement's Quieter Call

https://sanddollartarot.ca/2023/05/01/card-of-the-week-judgement-2/

#Tarot Thoughts

It’s the subtle details that make this Three of Swords. The weeping eye, close to but not exactly an Eye of Horus, above an ankh that gives us sorrow and life together, the peculiar mix of devastation and persistence that mark difficult moments.

There’s also a small symbol of Hathor on the hilt of the middle sword, showing pain resulting from joy, or the reminder that joy is not lost forever, even when pain pervades. Or both.

(Deck: Goddess Tarot)

Art Thoughts

(I'm working on teaching myself a bit of Art History)

The little demons on the left-hand side (I assume deliberately that side, sinister and all that) are really quite wonderful. The vague suggestion of scaliness and hairiness, they have far more vitality than the people. Hermogenes does not really look like he's repentant, despite what the internet says.

(Fra Angelico, "The Apostle St. James the Greater Freeing the Magician Hermogenes")

#Tarot Thoughts

Even though it's hard to imagine how this wolf would wield this sword, I still wouldn't mess with her. The look in those golden eyes matches the hilt and crown, all reinforcing her power, authority, and fierceness.

I like that she lives in a world of both shadow and sun, and has chosen this moment to sit in the sun. It gives a nice sense of the vagaries of life and how they interact with choice.

(Deck: Animal Totem Tarot)

#Tarot Thoughts

That the cloaked figure is holding the cups here highlights a question of reaction - when everything goes wrong, do you make do with what you have, or pour out what remains in a fit of pique?

The goldfish flopping in the wine/blood on the ground makes this a question of some urgency - the figure could also be acting to save the goldfish, but isn't. There's a self-absorption to the low mood here.

(Deck: Modern Spellcaster's Tarot)

#Tarot Thoughts

Two things that make this version stand out to me. First, that her tools, emblems of her identity, are so very close, but she doesn't know it. Just outside the circle of swords.

Second, the idea of feeling alone and being unaware of people who care about and want to help you. The cat feeling out the sturdiness of the swords. The bird singing. It points out having allies even if you feel isolated.

(Deck: Everyday Witch Tarot)