In Margarete Petersen’s Ten of Flames I see a phoenix rising
out of the furnace. I can still make out parts of the embracing couple from the
Two and Six of Flames, but now they appear to be mostly consumed by fire. A blood-red
skeleton sits in front of them. The word ‘oppression’ is often used with the
Ten of Wands – the sense of being overwhelmed, of feeling burdened or
overstretched. I’m not sure I’d use the
word ‘oppression’ here, based on the imagery alone; I’m picking up on a sense
of surrendering to the flames in order to rise above. A sort of Death-Tower-Hanged Man crossover!
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| Ten of Flames (trimmed):
© Margarete Petersen Tarot
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The accompanying book talks about cleansing and purifying
fire, with all the negative emotions having fed the fire. Throwing off
compulsions, growing stronger through both triumph and defeat. Redemption and enlightenment. The up-side of oppression, perhaps?
Looking back to the beginning of this journey, the Ace was
very much a single flash of fire, the initial creative (some might say divine)
spark. By the time we reach the Ten, the fire is all-consuming, burning the
embracing couple (representing whatever it is that needs cleansing/purifying). Yet
they - and the heart of the fire – are off to the side; the rising phoenix
dominates – the potential of the Ace has been realized and is now being
transformed into something ‘beyond’, ready to start a new cycle.
Surrounded
by flames,
Wins and
losses become one; Surrender and rise.
Flames dance,
brilliant –
From spark
to consuming heat The phoenix takes flight.
Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004. www.tarotworld.com
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