Capricorn in the Minor Arcana: The Two of Pentacles

Of all the cards in the tarot that have associations with Capricorn (in the system of correspondences that I follow), the one that seems most appropriate for my last blog of 2017 is the Two of Pentacles, linked to the first ten days of Capricorn. Why? Because the association I use is that of Jupiter in Capricorn.  Big, expansive, benevolent Jupiter – in the cardinal, initiating, down-to-earth, practical sign of the sea-goat... Just what we need as we approach a new year: sea-change.

Jupiter in Capricorn symbolizes looking to expand and grow through hard work. Self-discipline will be required in order make progress – which will be steady but sure.  There’s plenty of optimism around, as long as the Saturnian side of Capricorn (remember this sign is ruled by Saturn) isn’t allowed to constrict that expansive faith and confidence by becoming too serious or fearful.  The faith and optimism of Jupiter here is rooted in reality and experience – while the opportunities for change and development come through reliability, sense of responsibility, and patience.

Two of Pentacles (trimmed):

© Universal Waite Tarot

So how might this play out in the Two of Pentacles?  Let’s start with a relatively ‘traditional’ depiction of this card – as illustrated here by the Universal Waite deck. Here we see the familiar figure juggling two pentacles.  Keeping things up in the air, keeping things moving, allowing for change and fluctuation.  The ships, representing fortune (Jupiter also being associated with luck and fortune), are making steady progress through choppy but not life-threatening waves.  And the lemniscate, the symbol for infinity (from the Latin lemniscus, meaning ‘ribbon’), surrounding the two pentacles in the RWS version reminds us that the only constant is change!

Two of Pentacles (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

The Shadowscapes deck gives us a more 'ethereal' image to work with, but the idea of juggling, keeping things moving, is still there.  The dragon or iguana or lizard, however you see it, on which the juggler stands, to me is a symbol of fire - you need to keep the fires burning in order for gas to expand (thinking here of Jupiter as one of the 'hot gas' planets).  Heat (in terms of temperature) is also part of the equation of state or thermodynamic equation...without delving too much into the science, I see this as a reminder that fire (Jupiter) is needed to make things happen (Capricorn)!

Two of Stones (trimmed):

© Wildwood Tarot

Then there's the Wildwood Tarot. Although not created with astrology in mind, we can still see the need to keep a balance between things, even when sparring! It requires a firm base to stand on, so that we feel grounded, as well as a willingness to fight to establish ourselves - that's the link to Capricorn. Through that hard work, new possibilities and opportunities open up - for both hares. 

Two of Disks (trimmed):

© Thoth Tarot

One of my favourite versions of this card comes from the Thoth deck. The serpent is coiled in the shape of the lemniscates, which we also see in the pattern of the juggled pentacles in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.  In the loops formed by the coils, we see the yin and yang symbols, representing balance and harmony - and both internal and external change - which will bring the stability and security so important to Capricorn.  The boundless optimism of Jupiter initiating change for the better - good fortune, health, stability, and harmony ... a great message as we move into the new year! 

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

Capricorn and the Winter Solstice

At 16.27 pm UT today (21^st December), those of us in the northern hemisphere celebrate the Winter Solstice, the solar festival sacred to the Old King and to the reborn ‘Sun Child’, whom we find in various incarnations - Mithras, the Mabon, Jesus, among others.  ‘Solstice’ means ‘sun still’, and refers to the sun seemingly being at a standstill – its turning point, the ‘shortest day’ – as well as its lowest point in the sky.  Up to now, the hours of daylight have been decreasing, the nights growing longer.  Today though, the sun ‘stands still’, the Wheel of the Year seems to stop, and time appears to hang...but from now on the light will start to increase and days will lengthen.

‘Capricorn’ ©Alison Coals

The Solstice also marks the Sun’s ingress, astrologically speaking, into the sign of Capricorn, the tenth astrological sign in the zodiac. It originates from the constellation of Capricornus, usually shown as a goat with a fish’s tale, but is also seen as a more conventional goat that we’d see on land.  

There are, as usual, a number of myths and stories behind the sea-goat. One involves Pan, the goat god. When he was attacked by the monster Typhon (so now you can guess where the name ‘typhoon’ came from!), he ran into the Nile to escape. The part of him below the water’s surface transformed into a fish.  Images of sea-goats go back to Babylonian times, with symbols for the god Enki being both a goat and a fish. The constellation of Capricorn is also sometimes called Amalthea, the goat nymph (in Greek mythology) who reared Zeus after he was saved from being devoured by his father Kronos.

Kronos was the father of the Greek gods, and was also known as the ‘father of time’, giving us the word ‘chronology’. In the Roman pantheon, he was known as Saturn – the planet that rules the sign of Capricorn.

©Animal Jam Wiki - Fandom

Capricorn, then, has links to time, as well as to structure and boundaries. In the image of the mountain goat we can see the Capricorn qualities of tenacity and sure-footedness, determination to overcome obstacles as it works its way towards to its goal.  It’s about retaining integrity, but can also be ambitious. There’s a business-like quality to Capricorn, too – it’s an Earth sign, so it’s practical and level-headed, but at the same time it’s also a Cardinal sign, so it’s not afraid to get things going, to start new enterprises. On the ‘shadow’ side, it can appear as greed, in terms of material ambition. 

Over the next few weeks, as we move through Capricorn, I’ll explore the cards in the tarot that are associated with this sign... Watch this space! 

‘Capricorn’ comes from my AstroArt series, inspired by walking the Glastonbury Landscape Zodiac. The image is a collage, using watercolour on paper.  

Sagittarius in the court cards: quest for fire!

Last but not least, by any means – Sagittarius in the court cards. But which one – or ones?  Different traditions have different astrological correspondences when it comes to the Court Cards.  In the system I follow, correspondences depend on how cardinality, fixity and mutability have been assigned.  As Sagittarius is the mutable Fire sign, this gives us the Knight of Wands.

Knight of Wands (trimmed):

© Sharman-Burke/Caselli Tarot

In the Sharman-Burke/Caselli deck (Beginners Guide to the Tarot) we see the Knight charging towards us on a horse that looks as though it’s flying through the air.  Fire is represented by the arid background, the sun motif on the Knight’s cloak, and the salamander motif on the horse’s trappings.  The mutability is in the action, but also in the pyramids, representing old knowledge or wisdom. The Knight has visited that location, and is now taking that knowledge with him, intending to spread it on his adventures – transforming, bringing change.   

Like all the knights, he’s on a quest for knowledge, which is in itself quite Sagittarian – but this one is primed for action and adventure!  The fact that he’s so confident and positive works for him; he doesn’t consider the possibility that he might fail in his quest, an attitude which often leads to successful outcomes. 

Knight of Wands (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

In the Shadowscapes deck, the Knight rides on a lion, not a horse. The lion symbolizes the strength of his feelings, his determination and passion (courage=coeur+rage? a stretch perhaps…!) as he heads out on his quest.  The foxes represent cleverness - the ability to think quickly, on his feet - while the flowers that are being trampled underfoot, unnoticed by the Knight, the lion, or the foxes, act as a reminder of the shadow side of this Knight: what might be missed through being over-confident or fool-hardy.

Knight of Wands (trimmed):

© Crowley Thoth Tarot

The Crowley Thoth tarot’s Knight of Wands is also depicted as a fiery image, full of movement.  He holds the burning torch from the Ace of Wands in his left (the creative side) hand, lighting the way forward.  Sagittarian qualities – the dynamism, the quest for knowledge, the bringer of change, the disseminator of wisdom and experiences – are clearly at work! He’s impetuous, but also carries Jupiterian courage, passion, and generosity of spirit out into the world.

Beginner’s Guide to the Tarot created by Juliet Sharman-Burke, illustrated by Giovanni Caselli, published by Connections

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.

Sagittarius in the Minor Arcana: The Ten of Wands

The Ten of Wands, in the astrological correspondence system I follow, corresponds to the last ten days of Sagittarius (this year, 12^th-21^st December), and is linked to Saturn in Sagittarius.

Ten of Wands (trimmed):

©Druid Craft Tarot

Sagittarius is the mutable Fire sign, so we’re looking at transforming what’s been established into something else.  It combines a fiery passion and creativity with the expansiveness and benevolence of Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, to give us the visionary, the explorer, the philosopher.   Yet Saturn is almost the opposite of Jupiter; where Jupiter expands, Saturn contracts. It sets boundaries and places restrictions – it makes us aware of limitations.  Remember that Saturn is the Roman counterpart to Kronos, the Greek god of time and chronology – as well as being the father of the Greek pantheon.  So the limits or restrictions that Saturn imposes are often to do with time...

Ten of Bows (trimmed):

© Wildwood Tarot

There are certainly Saturnian themes at work in the traditional meanings associated with the Ten of Wands.  Oppression, heavy burdens, struggling... The fiery creativity of Sagittarius has become hard work, a heavy load, something with which we struggle.  We’ve taken on too much, we can’t deliver – we’ve over-reached ourselves, exceeded our limitations.  But – and it’s a big ‘but’ – who’s forced us into this position? More often than not, it’s ourselves who’ve imposed the pressure.  And if not ourselves, it’s us who ‘decide’ we can’t do anything about it. The solution? Take some time – ah, see, this is where Kronos comes in! – lay down that pile of wands or whatever it is that we’re holding onto so awkwardly, and slowly (Saturn again) work out the best way to carry them towards our goal.

Ten of Wands (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

So, Saturn in Sagittarius is not all doom and gloom! It can represent the need to establish ourselves through beliefs and aspirations of long-term goals.  In aiming towards those philosophical, far-off ideals and goals, there will be a willingness to put in the hard work necessary to achieve them, resulting in a sense of satisfaction – and perhaps even a sense of stability or security. 

This combination can also symbolize the ability to accept, in a very expansive and broad-minded way, a number of duties and responsibilities – often taking on more than can be dealt with!  There can be a tendency to organize things ‘on the run’, to ‘wing things’, and may be constantly changing the agenda to suit changing situations.  Not always a bad thing – being able to ‘think on your feet’ can be an advantage! 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might be interested in my e-book, Astrology in Tarot, now available from Amazon.

DruidCraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections

Shadowscapes Tarot created by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn

Wildwood Tarot created by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections

Sagittarius in the Minor Arcana: The Nine of Wands

Today we move on to the Nine of Wands which, in the system I follow, corresponds to the first ten days of Sagittarius (this year, 2^nd-11^th December), and is linked to the Sun in Sagittarius.

Just to recap: Sagittarius is the mutable Fire sign, so we’re looking at transforming what’s been established into something else.  It combines a fiery passion and creativity with the expansiveness and benevolence of Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, to give us the visionary, the explorer, the philosopher.  

Nine of Wands (trimmed):

© Druid Craft Tarot

Here we have Sun in Sagittarius - Fire and Fire! Loads of creative energy at work – or should that be play?  That creativity is directed, through Sagittarius’ arrows, at things dreamed of and aspired to.  With the Sun involved, there’s also a sense of the individual; here, the focus is on beliefs and an optimistic philosophical view of the world(s).  Freedom is valued, as is honesty.  Fire and Fire combined with the mutable energy of Sagittarius suggests a warm and friendly, out-going, open spirit who loves to explore the far horizons!

How is the Sun in Sagittarius reflected in the Nine of Wands?  This card is usually associated with the idea of strength, in particular inner strength. We can see this through the involvement of the Sun, which rules Leo...the lion, often featured in the Strength card. In many Waite-Smith-based decks, we see a figure fighting an unseen foe. He appears to be defending his territory, drawing on the resources he has at hand – a wand, representing his inner courage and integrity.  Those Sagittarian dreams, visions, aspirations – whatever they might be – have been attacked but the figure, drawing on the strength of the Sun, refuses to let go or give in.

Nine of Wands (trimmed):

© Thoth Tarot

The Thoth, as usual, shows this differently but the message is the same.  The symbolism in the card, with the Sun and Moon at either end of the large wand, represents the strength that comes from the joining of the conscious (Sun) and the unconscious (Moon) – another link back to Temperance and the idea of blending or combining energies.  When we see the Moon in the sky, it’s only because it’s reflecting the light of the Sun. Similarly here, what lies in our unconscious is brought into ‘the light of day’ by what’s in our conscious mind – once we see that unused potential, more of that fiery, creative Wands (and Sun) energy can be released, and whatever it is that’s ‘attacking’ our position can be overcome.  The strength required to recognise and then use that potential comes from within.

Nine of Wands (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

The Shadowscapes’ Nine of Wands seems to echo this idea.  We see nine sentinels, guarding against the unknown – whatever’s lurking in the abyss below (the unconscious).  The creators of the deck talk of ‘vigilance’ – keeping watch, defending our dreams and aspirations through our inner strength (and perhaps our outer strength too) against whatever might challenge us.

If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might be interested in my e-book, Astrology in Tarot, now available from Amazon.

Druid Craft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections

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.

Sagittarius in the Major Arcana (part 2)

There’s another card from the Major Arcana to look at while we’re in Sagittarius, and that’s the card that’s associated with the ruler of this sign. Jupiter rules Sagittarius; in the system of correspondences that I use, Jupiter is linked to the Wheel of Fortune.

Remember that Jupiter, the largest of the planets in our solar system, is composed almost entirely of gas.  When gas is heated, it expands – so Jupiter has come to represent growth and expansion, and from there, with generosity and benevolence (in astrology, the planet is referred to as the 'greater benefic'). There’s the link to the Wheel - changing fortunes.  Circumstances change; the wheel is constantly turning – things expand and contract, our fortunes rise and fall.

Wheel of Fortune (trimmed):

© Sharman-Burke/Caselli Tarot

Jupiter was also known as Jove, giving rise to our word 'jovial'.  Jupiter has also come to be associated with good humour, despite also being the god of thunder!  All this good-hearted benevolence has become almost synonymous with Jupiter being linked to good fortune. This is accompanied by a sense of optimism, and faith in something ‘greater’.

Of course, when heat is removed from a gas, it contracts – Jupiter the planet can’t expand indefinitely or it would burst! This cycle of expansion and contraction of Jupiter is reflected in The Wheel.   Circumstances change; the wheel is constantly turning – things expand and contract, our fortunes rise and fall.

We often see Fortuna, the goddess of chance, in this card. Blindfolded, she turns the wheel of life, unable to see the consequences of each turn. Life is unpredictable, and it often seems we have no control over what fortune awaits us.  We can choose what action to take as we’re confronted with new situations, though, so it may not be completely out of our hands.  Events may appear to be random – but are they? And can we recognize the silver lining, the blessings in disguise – benefic Jupiter at work – when they do happen?

The Wheel  (trimmed):

© Wildwood Tarot

In the Wildwood, we see the three herons representing the Three Fates, waiting for the robe to be completed – but we can affect what’s being woven into the fabric of life.  The robe carries symbols of life and death – the cycle of life that keeps on going, reminding us that nothing stands still – or if it does, it stagnates.  The warp of potential, the weft of possibility – that’s what we see in that unfinished garment.

Wheel of Life (trimmed):

© Margarete Petersen Tarot

Margarete Petersen’s Wheel of Life is a whirl of colour, spinning so quickly it’s hard to make out what might be caught up in it. A face appears to be behind it, at the top – it’s the only thing that doesn’t seem to be moving. A smaller circle of yellow-gold light sits in the centre; the source of the larger wheel, perhaps? The Sun? The larger circle spirals outwards, expanding – not unlike Jupiter’s expansion. In the accompanying book to the deck, Margarete Peterson’s words reflect the “these things shall pass” quality of other versions of the card. Having faith and trusting in the process, gaining wisdom (all linked to Jupiter, astrologically) as we do. 

Fortune (trimmed):© Thoth Tarot

And then there’s the Thoth. All that purple shrieks ‘Jupiter’ at me, purple being associated with royalty, among other things! The wheel has ten spokes, reflecting the number of the card in the Arcana. Three creatures are placed around the edge of the wheel. Sphinx, ape, and crocodile represent three Egyptian gods, and through them wisdom (Jupiter), ability to think clearly, flexibility, creativity – mutable qualities all linked to Sagittarius. All around are whirlwinds and lightning bolts (Jupiter being the traditional god of thunder and lightning, although Uranus took over rulership of lightning: electrical storms) – sudden, unexpected changes in fortune. (Although not astrological, the Hebrew letter Kaph, “palm”, also symbolizes the need to let the wheel turn freely, not being in control over what happens.)

The Wheel  (trimmed):

©  Druid Craft Tarot

In the Druid Craft we see a woman drawing a circle in the sand on a beach at the entrance to a cave, the sea in the background. Different image, but the same message - the circle represents the never-ending cycles of life and death, birth and re-birth, while the sea, with its natural ebb and flow represents the turning of the wheel in respect to our fortunes. The tide will come in and wash away the circle in the sand but it can be redrawn on the tide’s ebb. Trusting in the process, gaining wisdom throughout.

Wheel of  Fortune (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

The Shadowscapes' Wheel of Fortune depicts a sort of Celtic-knot pattern - something with no discernible beginning or end.  Again, it's about standing back and seeing the bigger picture - about not putting boundaries on everything but allowing things to expand and develop at their own pace. Let the wheel keep turning.

Of course, what comes up must go down – but the Wheel doesn’t indicate which way it’s turning; we rely on other cards in a reading to determine that.  When heat is removed from a gas, it contracts – Jupiter the planet can’t expand indefinitely!  Fortunes change.

Whatever the imagery in the card in front of us, we see a circle, a representation of the never-ending cycles of life and death, death and re-birth – and of our fortunes.  There’s no discernible beginning or end.  We have to stand back and see the bigger picture, taking the Jupiterian view.  We know that what goes up must come down – it’s all part of the cycle – but we have faith that the Wheel doesn’t stop there, but keeps on turning.

Wheel always turning

Happiness, sorrow, life, death

Trust in the process.

If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might be interested in my e-book, Astrology in Tarot, now available from Amazon.

Beginner’s Guide to the Tarot created by Juliet Sharman-Burke, illustrated by Giovanni Caselli, published by Connections

DruidCraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections

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.

Wildwood Tarot created by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections

Sagittarius in the Minor Arcana: The Eight of Wands

Moving on now to the Minor Arcana, in the astrological correspondence system that I follow, Sagittarius is linked to the Eight, Nine and Ten of Wands. Today I’m going to look at the Eight of Wands, which is linked to Mercury in Sagittarius, and corresponds to the first ten days of Sagittarius (this year, 22^nd November to 1^st December).

Sagittarius is the mutable Fire sign, so we’re looking at transforming what’s been established into something else.  It combines a fiery passion and creativity with the expansiveness and benevolence of Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, to give us the visionary, the explorer, the philosopher.   

Eight of Wands (trimmed):

© Druid Craft Tarot

Mercury is associated with communication, so when linked with Sagittarius could indicate fast thinking, perhaps, or open and optimistic communication.  Ideas are probably more to do with long-term goals or aspirations towards an ideal. Getting bogged down by details seems unlikely, and there could be a sense of restlessness involved.  There might also be an interest in teaching others about what we’ve learned in our own journey. Tolerance and broad-mindedness are also qualities of this combination of planet and sign.

Mercury rules Gemini, the sign that sits opposite Sagittarius in the zodiac.  Opposing forces at work here, you might think.  Rather than buzz about pollinating local networks, Mercury is being challenged here to work on a much larger scale. Global rather than local. 

Eight of Wands (trimmed):

© Sharman-Burke/Caselli Tarot

So how might this play out in the Eight of Wands?  Let start with a relatively ‘traditional’ depiction of the Eight of Wands – as illustrated by the Sharman-Burke/Caselli (Beginners Guide to the Tarot) and Druid Craft decks. Here we see wands flying through the air, representing new directions and many opportunities or possibilities.  There’s plenty of space for ideas – represented by flames on the wands - to expand and grow.  The wands are in their element, literally, in Sagittarius.  Juliet Sharman-Burke uses the phrase ‘full steam ahead’ to describe this card; steam is a product of fire and water, taking me back to the idea of Temperance and alchemy! There’s a goal – maybe more than one – to aim for (the castle in the background representing hopes and wishes). The thing to be wary of here is that if the activity is so widespread, it’s possible that nothing will ever be completed! Focus that creative fire into fewer things.

Eight of Wands (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

The Shadowscapes version of this card shows the seeds of ideas being carried away on the wind – being communicated and transported in a Mercurial fashion. In the accompanying book, the deck’s creators write “the seeds spin away on the wild winds – at the mercy of entropy but sailing with the purpose nature bestowed on them... and then set down to ...become a mighty tree”.   For me, that sense of being taken wherever nature carries them reflects the Sagittarian expansion by Mercurial means!

Eight of Bows (trimmed):

© Wildwood Tarot

In the Wildwood we have the Eight of Bows.  We see people gathered around a fire, celebrating, perhaps.  Here’s Mercury – gathering, communicating, and sharing with friends and neighbours.  This, to me, seems more about the aftermath of going out and achieving the Sagittarian quest, whatever it might be, rather than the wands being sent out through the air - although you could argue that there's plenty of "spreading the word" going on around the fire!

Eight of  Flames (trimmed):

© Margarete Petersen Tarot

Margarete Petersen’s Eight of Flames gives us a big cat – a cheetah perhaps, as it’s the fastest of all the felines – above and to the left of a figure with a bow and arrow. The bow reminds me of the Wildwood’s use of Bows in place of Wands…  The arrow hasn’t been released yet, so this might not be so much the end of the action, as in Waite-Smith-based images.  It could signify the sending of news, or maybe even reflecting on what releasing the arrow might manifest.

Eight of Wands (trimmed):

© Thoth Tarot

In the Thoth deck, the image is very different – yet the meaning is similar. The card carries the word ‘swiftness’, which we see in the images on the other cards; there’s a sense of those arrows flying at speed through the air.  Here the arrows are red (fire), shooting off in all directions. Communication is clear (the crystal), direct and honest, so that misunderstandings can be avoided or overcome.   Make sure you know where you stand, and that it’s clear to the world!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might be interested in my e-book, Astrology in Tarot, now available from Amazon.

Beginner’s Guide to the Tarot created by Juliet Sharman-Burke, illustrated by Giovanni Caselli, published by Connections

DruidCraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections

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.

Wildwood Tarot created by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections