XIX The Sun (trimmed):
© Margarete Petersen Tarot
|
The Sun, the astrological ruler of Leo, is also represented
in the tarot’s Major Arcana by, of course, the Sun card!
Our sun is the source of all warmth and light; it’s the
centre of our solar system. It’s a star. Margarete Petersen has truly captured this in her image of The Sun!
Warmth and light, and being the centre of the solar system are certainly Leonine themes – Leos want to be
the star, in the spot-light, on centre stage. So, how does this show up in the Sun in the
tarot? We associate happiness, joy,
child-like pleasure, love of life with this card, all of which fit the image of
Leo!
XIX The Sun (trimmed):
© Universal Waite Tarot
|
In the traditional Rider-Waite-based decks, we have a white
horse, representing life. The child
obviously symbolizes child-like joy in the simple pleasures of life, as well as
being an image of renewal. Interesting
to think that neither the child nor the horse (we assume!) is concerned about
what might happen next – both are very much ‘in the moment’, living for now,
taking pleasure in the present. One
could say, well, isn’t that the same as The Fool? In a sense, perhaps, but there’s a
difference. Astrologically, the sun
rules the day, while the other luminary, the moon, rules the night. The sun shines; we see things in the ‘clear
light of day’, so you might say that the sun is linked to the conscious self,
or rational thought. The moon, on the other hand, doesn’t shine – we see it
thanks to the light of the sun, which is reflected off the surface of the
moon. No wonder, then, that the moon/Moon is linked
to what’s not seen clearly, to illusion, to the imagination, the
unconscious. Remember - we looked at The
Moon in the tarot earlier in the year, when we were in the sign of Pisces.
XIX The Sun (trimmed):
© Thoth Tarot
|
The Sun follows The Moon in the tarot – with the break of
day comes clarity. The sun can often
carry a sense of optimism. How many people do you know who find their spirits
lifting on a beautiful sunny day? What
might have seemed impossible in the dark of the night now seems possible. Yet we need the dark of the night, the Moon
time, to rest – otherwise we might burn ourselves out in all that solar energy!
In some decks we see sunflowers or other gold and orange
flowers, as well as oranges – called, by some, ‘solar fruit’. We might also see signs of laurel, symbolizing
success.
In the Thoth, the horse disappears and we see two children
dancing instead. They dance for the sheer joy and fun of it, celebrating the
freedom of the moment.
XIX The Sun (trimmed):
©
Shadowscapes Tarot
|
In the
Shadowscapes, we see the King of the Birds in all his solar glory...not flying
too close to the Sun, though, as Icarus did.
19 The Sun(trimmed):
©
Wildwood Tarot
|
In the Wildwood, we have a single figure against the
backdrop of a blazing sun, with flowers bursting into bloom in the light and
warmth of the sun’s rays. Joy, strength, good health... the warmth enters our
bodies and ‘lights our fire’, enthusing and exhilarating us! Go on – go and do something for the sheer fun
of it!
Margarete Petersen Tarot,
AGM-URANIA/Deep Books, 2004.
Shadowscapes Tarot created by
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn
Thoth Tarot created by Aleister Crowley, illustrated by
Lady Frieda Harris, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Universal Waite Tarot created by
Mary Hanson-Roberts & Pamela Colman-Smith, published by U.S. Games Systems,
Inc.
Wildwood Tarot created by Mark
Ryan and John Matthews, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by
Connections
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