The Little Drummer Boy - Margarete Petersen’s Son of Flames

Son of Flames (trimmed):

© Margarete Petersen Tarot

There’s so much going on in this image it’s overwhelming at first glance, I think.  Gone is the focus on the flame, as in the Minor cards, and the predominance of red.  Now we have more gold and orange – and flashes of blue – coming into play – and the fire now circles, serpent-like, within the frame.  Is he learning to shape the flames in order to create something else? 

 

And notice how the rectangular ‘boundary’ in the Minors has now been stretched into a square...  the energy of the painting is still contained but it feels more spacious, somehow.

 

I’ve also noticed that all the Sons in Margarete Petersen’s deck appear to be holding various yoga poses. It’s been awhile since I did any yoga, and the names of the poses escape me, but this could be a lunge. His hands beat upon a drum, the face of which shows both Sun and Moon.   Like the more traditional Pages, he’s a messenger, carrying the story of his clan. 

 

Margarete Petersen’s Sons have, according to her accompanying book, been given gifts by the other members of the Courts family.  He’s received warmth from the Mother, instruction on how to direct heat from the Father, and beauty and grace from the sister (Daughter).  There’s reference to acquiring knowledge, something I traditionally associate with Pages.  He’s learning how to use the gifts of fire - how to channel them – to brings energy and enthusiasm to his story-telling. 

 

Drumbeats shape the flames, 

Bring messages from the past - 

Dance in new knowledge.

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004.