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

Götterdämmerung - the Fire cycle ends: Margarete Petersen’s Ten of Flames

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!

 

Ten of Flames (trimmed):

© Margarete Petersen Tarot

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

Sagittarius in the Druidcraft 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 (12^th-21^st December), and is linked to Saturn in Sagittarius.   

Cronos

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 Cronos (or 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 Wands (detail): Druidcraft Tarot

There are certainly Saturnian themes at work in the traditional meanings associated with the Ten of Wands.  Oppression, heavy burdens, struggling...we see it in the Druidcraft’s Ten of Wands, as the man trudges up the hill laden with staves.  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 Cronos 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.

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’ (think of those wings on the Sagittarian figure), and may be constantly changing the agenda to suit changing situations.  Not always a bad thing – being able to ‘think on your feet’ is often an advantage!

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