The Water Carrier returns...

At 03.08 UT today the Sun moved (astrologically) into the sign of Aquarius...and we may well be in the Age of Aquarius too, although there doesn’t seem to be a consensus on when this actually happened, or will happen.  I think it’s safe to say we’re in the ‘dawning of the Age of Aquarius’, though!

Here in the northern hemisphere the days are starting to lengthen, now that the Midwinter Solstice has passed, and there’s a sense of hope in the air. Here in the West Country, we’re inundated with water, as if Aquarius has emptied his water-carrier onto the earth!  With all the floods, the area around Glastonbury could be returning to the way it used to be when it was known as the Summerlands...  Nevertheless spring (again, in the northern hemisphere) is on its way, and we may perhaps find a spring in our step too, as we look forward to this!  Hope in the air – how appropriate... Aquarius is an Air sign, and the tarot card from the Major Arcana associated with it is the Star, the card of hope and optimism.

But first, what is Aquarius all about, in terms of astrology?  It’s represented in the zodiac by the water carrier, but who is this figure? There are many Aquarian myths – that of Uranus, the sky god of the Greeks who looks down from above and sees into the future, for instance. He was the first creator god in Greek mythology, married to Gaia, the Earth. His creations never met his high expectations, and he was considered to be cold and aloof.   Ganymede, also from Greek myth, became the cup-bearer to the gods and was placed in the heavens as the constellation of Aquarius.  

Prometheus

Other stories include that of Prometheus (his selfless act in stealing fire from the gods to give to humanity being the epitomy of Aquarian humanitarianism), Hercules’ cleaning of the Augean Stables (“cleaning the slate”), and Gilgamesh’s search for the Herb of Immortality (realizing that man can’t live forever).

The sign of Aquarius has two planetary rulers.  It’s traditionally ruled by Saturn, emphasizing restraint, objectivity and detachment.  

‘Aquarius’ ©Alison Coals

Detachment also comes from Uranus, which became the modern ruler of Aquarius after its ‘discovery’ in 1781 in Bath (UK) by William and Caroline Herschel (go and see Forged Line Dance Company's 'LINA', based on the Herschels' discovery of Uranus, if you can - it's brilliant!!). 

Uranus had been observed a number of times before this, but was usually mistaken for a star. Herschel himself originally thought it was a comet but by 1783 it was classified as a planet - the same year that the American Revolution ended with the signing of a peace treaty with the British, and only six years before the French Revolution. The Industrial Revolution had not long begun either – so it’s no wonder that Uranus has become associated with rebellion, revolution, and the reforming of society.  The famous “liberté, equalité, et fraternité” of the French Revolution could sum up Uranian, and by association Aquarian, qualities.

The sign of Aquarius combines the element of air with fixed energy, making it a very ‘in your head’ sign.  Despite being the carrier of water, it often seems to be out of step with emotions and can – like the sky god Uranus - seem very detached or aloof.  It’s linked to original thinking, ingenuity, inventiveness, and innovation.  Aquarius is a reformer and a humanitarian, and is linked to the (astrological) 11^th House through its concern with community and groups, not to mention ideology.  But despite that, the Aquarian could be seen as an “armchair activist”, not wanting to be in the thick of things but preferring to remain detached. On the other hand, some see “Citizen Smith” (1977-80) as an Aquarian figure!

For the next 4 or so weeks, I’ll be exploring tarot cards that have links to Aquarius, to see how this detached revolutionary idealistic humanitarian might cast light on our understanding of the tarot.

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

New Moon in Capricorn

This morning saw the Capricorn New Moon (exact at 02:17, if anyone was up at that hour).

This is a great time for setting good, strong goals.  There’s a business-like quality to Capricorn, remember, and with it being an Earth sign, it’s practical and level-headed.  At the same time it’s also a Cardinal sign, so it’s not afraid to get things going, to start new enterprises. It’s also a good time to show leadership, if you find yourself in a situation where this would be useful. 

If we think about the mountain goat-aspect of Capricorn, we can see how this new moon could be a good time to be tenacious and determined when we meet obstacles standing in the way of us reaching ‘the top’ – whatever our objective happens to be. 

Capricorn also has links to time, through its rulership by Saturn.  We might consider long-term goals and objectives at this New Moon, as well as setting our intentions around business or career.  The Capricorn Full Moon falls on the 28th June, just after the Summer Solstice. What might we want to achieve in the next 6 months?

It’s also connected to integrity and reputation, so keep that in mind too! Remember, on the ‘shadow’ side this could appear as greed, in terms of material ambition.  

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.  

Wish upon a star… Aquarius and Margarete Petersen's Tarot

At 21.23 UT yesterday (19th January) the Sun moved (astrologically) into the zodiac sign of Aquarius. Here in the northern hemisphere the days are starting to lengthen, now that the Midwinter Solstice has passed, and there’s a sense of hope in the air. Spring (again, in the northern hemisphere) is on its way, and we may perhaps find a spring in our step too, as we look forward to this! Hope in the air – how appropriate... Aquarius is an Air sign, and the tarot card from the Major Arcana associated with it is the Star, the card of hope and optimism.

Prometheus

But first, what is Aquarius all about, in terms of astrology? It’s represented in the zodiac by the water carrier, but who is this figure? There are many Aquarian myths – that of Uranus, the sky god of the Greeks who looks down from above and sees into the future, for instance. He was the first creator god in Greek mythology, married to Gaia, the Earth. His creations never met his high expectations, and he was considered to be cold and aloof. Ganymede, also from Greek myth, became the cup-bearer to the gods and was placed in the heavens as the constellation of Aquarius. Other stories include that of Prometheus (his selfless act in stealing fire from the gods to give to humanity being the epitomy of Aquarian humanitarianism), Hercules’ cleaning of the Augean Stables (“cleaning the slate”), and Gilmagesh’s search for the Herb of Immortality (realizing that man can’t live forever).

The sign of Aquarius has two planetary rulers. It’s traditionally ruled by Saturn, emphasizing restraint, objectivity and detachment. Detachment also comes from Uranus, which became the modern ruler of Aquarius after its ‘discovery’ in 1781 in Bath (UK) by William Herschel. Uranus had been observed a number of times before this, but was usually mistaken for a star. Herschel himself originally thought it was a comet but by 1783 it was classified as a planet - the same year that the American Revolution ended with the signing of a peace treaty with the British, and only six years before the French Revolution. The Industrial Revolution had not long begun either – so it’s no wonder that Uranus has become associated with rebellion, revolution, and the reforming of society. The famous “liberté, equalité, et fraternité” of the French Revolution could sum up Uranian, and by association Aquarian, qualities.

The sign of Aquarius combines the element of air with fixed energy, making it a very ‘in your head’ sign. Despite being the carrier of water, it often seems to be out of step with emotions and can – like the sky god Uranus - seem very detached or aloof. It’s linked to original thinking, ingenuity, inventiveness, and innovation. Aquarius is a reformer and a humanitarian, and is linked to the (astrological) 11th House through its concern with community and groups, not to mention ideology. But despite that, the Aquarian could be seen as an “armchair activist”, not wanting to be in the thick of things but preferring to remain detached. On the other hand, some see “Citizen Smith” (1977-80) as an Aquarian figure!

Looking now to the tarot, the card from the Major Arcana that’s associated with Aquarius is The Star. Going back to Ganymede, what did that cup of his contain? Nectar or ambrosia which gave the gods immortality. In other words, the contents of that cup were life-sustaining – and what is it that sustains us, more often than not? Hope. And what card in the Major Arcana could we connect with hope? The Star!

The Star (trimmed): © Margarete Petersen Tarot

Margarete Petersen’s Star isn’t the ‘traditional’ RWS depiction. Here we see a rather ethereal spiral (which reminds me of a translucent nautilus shell) set against a star-filled universe. Below it is a sea. As the shell-like spiral turns it lifts water up, much like a water-wheel - a water carrier...Aquarius again!

Stars have been used to navigate for centuries, perhaps millennia. They held hope not only for the ancient mariners, but also today – we often wish upon stars, don’t we? 

Shining through the dark

Hope and faith lie in the stars

Within and without.

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004

Aquarius dawns!

At 15.27 UT today the Sun moved (astrologically) into the sign of Aquarius...and we may well be in the Age of Aquarius too, although there doesn’t seem to be a consensus on when this actually is.  I think it’s safe to say we’re in the ‘dawning of the Age of Aquarius’, though!

Constellation of Aquarius

Here in the northern hemisphere the days are starting to lengthen, now that the Midwinter Solstice has passed, and there’s a sense of hope in the air. Spring (in the northern hemisphere – apologies to southern hemisphere-based readers!) is on its way, and we may perhaps find a spring in our step too, as we look forward to this!  Hope in the air – how appropriate... Aquarius is an Air sign, and the tarot card from the Major Arcana associated with it is the Star, the card of hope and optimism.

Ganymede

But first, what is Aquarius all about, in terms of astrology?  It’s represented in the zodiac by the water carrier, but who is this figure? There are many Aquarian myths – that of Uranus, for instance, the sky god of the Greeks who looks down from above and sees into the future. He was the first creator god in Greek mythology, married to Gaia, the Earth. His creations never met his high expectations, and he was considered to be cold and aloof. Ganymede, also from Greek myth, became the cup-bearer to the gods and was placed in the heavens as the constellation of Aquarius. Other stories include that of Prometheus (his selfless act in stealing fire from the gods to give to humanity being the epitomy of Aquarian humanitarianism), Hercules’ cleaning of the Augean Stables (“cleaning the slate”), and Gilgamesh’s search for the Herb of Immortality (realizing that man can’t live forever).

Prometheus

The sign of Aquarius has two planetary rulers.  It’s traditionally ruled by Saturn, emphasizing restraint, objectivity and detachment.  Detachment also comes from Uranus, which became the modern ruler of Aquarius after its ‘discovery’ in 1781 in Bath (UK) by William Herschel. Uranus had been observed a number of times before this, but was usually mistaken for a star. Herschel himself originally thought it was a comet but by 1783 it was classified as a planet - the same year that the American Revolution ended with the signing of a peace treaty with the British, and only six years before the French Revolution. The Industrial Revolution had not long begun either – so it’s no wonder that Uranus has become associated with rebellion, revolution, and the reforming of society.  The famous “liberté, equalité, et fraternité” of the French Revolution could sum up Uranian, and by association Aquarian, qualities.

The sign of Aquarius combines the element of air with fixed energy, making it a very ‘in your head’ sign.  Despite being the carrier of water, it often seems to be out of step with emotions and can – like the sky god Uranus - seem very detached or aloof.  It’s linked to original thinking, ingenuity, inventiveness, and innovation.  Aquarius is a reformer and a humanitarian, and is linked to the (astrological) 11^th House through its concern with community and groups, not to mention ideology.  But despite that, the Aquarian could be seen as an “armchair activist”, not wanting to be in the thick of things but preferring to remain detached. On the other hand, some see “Citizen Smith” (BBC, 1977-80) as an Aquarian figure!

For the next 4 or so weeks, I’ll be exploring the DruidCraft Tarot to see if the cards that are linked to Aquarius in this deck reflect this detached revolutionary idealistic humanitarianism!

Capricorn in the DruidCraft Major Arcana – Cernunnos and The Devil

Capricorn brings us to The Devil – but why? What’s the link between the two? And why, in the DruidCraft Tarot, do we have Cernunnos representing the Devil?

Let’s start with the two questions – what links Capricorn and the Devil?  Capricorn is often seen as a goat, or part-goat, part-fish (for more on this, see my Capricorn post here). Goats have come to symbolize sexuality in many mythologies – for instance, Pan, the Greek goat-god, who was linked to the idea of ‘wild desire’.  In northern European traditions, we have the Horned God, representing nature and sensuality. Throughout the ages, though, the goat has also become almost synonymous with the Devil, supposedly representing temptation and giving in to our desires.   With Capricorn being an Earth sign, the references to sensuality and physical desire can be extended to material desires. So when we come across the Devil in the tarot, we’re reminded about what’s overpowering or obsessive, the things we try to suppress or deny. It can represent not only temptation, but also surrender – and reminds us that we have the power within us to keep our feet on the ground!  

Cernunnos: DruidCraft Tarot (trimmed)

The creators of the DruidCraft have chosen to break with this tradition, though.  Card XV depicts Cernunnos, the Lord of Animals, the wild Hunter, the Herdsman, the Horned God, standing in a forest grove.  At his feet lie the two lovers we saw in card VI, asleep.

In more traditional images we usually see the Devil-goat symbolizing the material world to which the figures have voluntarily chained themselves – there are chains around their necks but those chains aren’t tight, and the figures’ hands are not restricted. They are not slaves to external forces or events but only to their own desires and illusions.  In choosing to use Cernunnos to represent The Devil, the deck’s creators turn the focus of the card more towards the need to accept responsibility for our instincts and how we act on them - for our desires, be they sexual or material. Yes, there is still a warning again obsession, but by drawing on Cernunnos as representative of the raw force of Nature and our ‘animal’ instincts, they also remind us to respect that force and to be responsible for how we use it, both socially and environmentally.

That’s where I see Capricorn coming into play here.  Capricorn is an Earth sign, so we have both the earthiness of the material and sexual realms represented. It’s also a Cardinal sign – the ‘go-getter’ energy, the initiator. Capricorn stands for integrity (a Saturnian concept, with Saturn being the ruler of Capricorn) as well as ambition - but ambition in a practical, tenacious, business-like sense.  With that comes the ability to take on responsibility, to ensure that respect is paid where it’s due.  On the ‘shadow’ side then, it can appear as greed or lack of respect or integrity.

The creators write, in the accompanying book to this deck, of the need to “integrate and channel” our instincts, this life-force, rather than repress it, so that we can be happy, healthy, and creative in “appropriate and responsible ways” – with Saturnian integrity, in other words. So once again, although this deck was not designed with astrology in mind, I can certainly see how Capricornian qualities relate to Cernunnos in this incarnation as The Devil.

Druidcraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections 2004

 

Taurus in the Minor Arcana: The Seven of Pentacles

The Seven of Pentacles, in the astrological correspondence system I follow, is linked to Saturn in Taurus - and to the final ten days of this sign (10^th-19^th May).   

Seven of Pentacles: Druidcraft (trimmed)

Let’s start by looking at what qualities Saturn brings to Taurus. Saturn is about establishing and preserving, as well as about having integrity.  In Taurus, that integrity could grow out of a sense of loyalty or reliability, or perhaps through building (Taurus) or establishing (Saturn) a safe and secure base – one that provides a sense of stability.  Saturn can also be about traditional values, as can Taurus (through its association with the Second House), as well as preserving the status quo, perhaps in order to maintain some sort of approval or recognition within a social context.   There can be a tendency towards conservatism in this combination, as well as that Taurean stubbornness (I like to call it tenacity!), linked to a Saturnian fear of not being in control.  Saturn wants to achieve but Taurus can slow things down, and at its worst could impede progress by not only stubbornness but also laziness.  At its best, progress is slow but sure; it’s steady, and often self-reliant.

But how does this fit with the Seven of Pentacles? This card is often linked to the need to make a decision, usually depicted by the man on the edge of two fields – one with a well-established crop, one lying fallow, or less developed.  It’s about the choice between the familiar, the established, the ‘tried and tested’ – all very Saturnian – and the promise of something new.  Taurus is represented by the idea of the crops; an achievement on one hand, something that’s required hard work, and on the other, the fertility of the yet-to-be-used soil.  

The Druidcraft’s version of this card gives that sense too. It’s a time to consider alternatives.  It’s all about choice – the Devil (Saturn rules Capricorn, the sign associated with The Devil card) you know or the Devil you don’t?! The emphasis is on the fact that the mistletoe on the tree is ready to be harvested – the figure has been patient and waited for the right time to harvest it, trusting in the natural cycle of things rather than rushing it.

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