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

Fiscal matters and the Vernal equinox Tarot Blog Hop 2016

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Welcome to Alison’s Alembic!   You may have arrived here as a stop on the Tarot Blog Hop from either Siobhan's Mirror or Pure Blessed Tarot.  Or you may have found this through TABI’s Facebook page, or though one of the many wonderful tarot bloggers in the ether... It doesn’t matter – what does matter is that you’re here! 

At 04.30 GMT today the Sun moved, astrologically speaking, into Aries.  This has special significance as 0° Aries also marks one of the two equinoxes, the points at which the celestial equator and the elliptic (the path that the Sun appears to follow, when viewed from the earth) intersect. The word ‘equinox’ comes from the Latin, meaning ‘equal night’ – because at these two points of intersection, we experience approximately (depending on our latitude) equal hours of day and night.  The points of intersection are referred to as equinoctial points, with 0° marking the vernal point, and 180° the autumnal point.  So, 0° Aries corresponds to the point of the vernal equinox, and – in the northern hemisphere - this day has come to be celebrated as the first day of spring.

It’s also the end of the financial year, in the UK at least. Our wrangler for this Vernal Equinox Hop, Ania Marczyk has asked us to turn our attention to finance – more specifically, how we use the Tarot in relation to financial matters.

I often do readings around financial matters – in fact, I quite enjoy them, as long as it doesn’t cross the line into giving financial advice. Then it’s time to recommend talking to a financial advisor, or the bank – someone who’s qualified to deal with the specifics.  Usually it’s the cards themselves that emphasize the need for that; in the last reading I did around finances, both the King and Knight of Swords appeared, which I saw as indications to talk to a professional and to seek out more information.

For me, the end of the financial year conjures up an image of books being balanced, of adjustments being made.  And the system’s supposed to be fair, right? Immediately I see the Thoth’s Adjustment (Justice) card in my mind:

Adjustment (trimmed): Thoth Tarot

But, astrologically speaking, at least, Adjustment is associated with Libra and the autumnal equinox (northern hemisphere bias coming out here, sorry!), so what opposes it here, at the time of the vernal equinox?

The card most commonly associated with Aries is The Emperor. Traditionally, astrologers view Aries as the first sign in the zodiac. It’s also a cardinal sign, so it’s a ‘mover and shaker’. Aries is the initiator, the pioneer – the one who comes up with the ideas.  It’s the first of the three Fire signs encountered in the zodiac, bringing drive and passion to the creative process.  It’s also thought of as ‘masculine’, or ‘active’ – ‘yang’ energy... 

Emperor (trimmed): Thoth Tarot

But money? The fiscal year? Well, it’s the beginning of a new fiscal year, so the idea of new beginnings is obvious. Plus when I look at the Crowley Thoth's Emperor I think of the King “sitting in his counting house, counting all his money”!  I’d like to think that the fiscal systems we bow to were created with wisdom as well as compassion for taxpayers (ah, there's the Justice sneaking in again!) but these days it’s sometimes hard to see this! To quote the Beatles, "it's one for you, nineteen for me"...

Now, I’m one of those sad organized people who does their taxes well before the deadline – usually just before the autumnal equinox!  I like to get them out of the way so I don’t have to worry about missing the end of January deadline. No surprise, perhaps, that the Emperor is perhaps the one Major card that I struggle with most, while Justice represents many of the ideals that speak to me...

But, as I dealt with my taxes months ago, I can greet the equinox and the end of the financial year with a light heart – bring on the bunnies and chocolate!!

Two of Stones (trimmed): Wildwood Tarot

Thank you for stopping off here on your own journey through this Imbolc Tarot Blog Hop!  Please do come back and read some of my other posts.  

The next stops on the Tarot Blog Hop are - depending on whether you’re moving backwards or forwards through the list – Siobhan's Mirror or Pure Blessed Tarot. The Master List can be foundhere.

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Thoth Tarot created by Aleister Crowley, illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, published by US Games Systems, Inc.

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

Tarot Blog Hop – Ostara 2014

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Welcome to Alison’s Alembic!   You may have arrived here as a stop on the Tarot Blog Hop from either Joy Vernon's or Joanna Ash's blog .  Or you may have found this through TABI’s Facebook page, or though one of the many wonderful tarot bloggers in the ether... It doesn’t matter – what does matter is that you’re here! 

At 17.00 GMT today the Sun moved, astrologically speaking, into Aries.  This has special significance as 0° Aries also marks one of the two equinoxes, the points at which the celestial equator and the elliptic (the path that the Sun appears to follow, when viewed from the earth) intersect. The word ‘equinox’ comes from the Latin, meaning ‘equal night’ – because at these two points of intersection, we experience approximately (depending on our latitude) equal hours of day and night.  The points of intersection are referred to as equinoctial points, with 0° marking the vernal point, and 180° the autumnal point.  So, 0° Aries corresponds to the point of the vernal equinox, and – in the northern hemisphere - this day has come to be celebrated as the first day of spring.

Two of Stones (Wildwood)

Our wrangler for this Ostara Hop, Joanne Sprott has asked us to celebrate the arrival of spring and focus on resurrection and re-birth.

Traditionally, astrologers view Aries as the first sign in the zodiac. It’s also a cardinal sign, so it’s a ‘mover and shaker’. Aries is the initiator, the pioneer – the one who comes up with the ideas.  Apologies for the northern hemisphere bias  but Aries, for me, really does connect to the ‘first breath of spring’.  To take a breath in is to in-spire; this is the time for inspiration, for setting intent, for coming up with the seeds of ideas.  Ideas hatching from the egg.  Hares, sacred to the goddess Oestara, coming out to box (a very Aries activity). Everything ‘springs’ back into life... 

Judgement (Shadowscapes)

...or is resurrected, having been asleep over the cold (and wet, here in Somerset) winter months.  Joanne’s call to focus on the resurrection of life, love, dreams, and creation drove me to look up a quotation that was lurking in the back of my mind. I found it in Rachel Pollack’s Seeker (The Tarot Unveiled), when she talks about resurrection in terms of the Judgement card – “we rise up joyously to new things”.   The image on the Shadowscapes’ version of Judgement, with all those butterflies rising up out of that gorgeous bed of golden poppies, sums up that sense of rising up joyfully for me...

Re-birth (Sacred Circle)

...as does Re-birth from the Sacred Circle deck, even though in both decks this card is associated with the winter solstice and the promise of the resurrection to come, rather than the actual moment of 'awakening' that the vernal equinox represents.

So... going back to Aries. It’s the first of the three Fire signs encountered in the zodiac, bringing drive and passion to the creative process.  It’s also thought of as ‘masculine’, or ‘active’ – ‘yang’ energy.  The name ‘Aries’ is Latin for ‘lamb’; its glyph is meant to represent the horns of a ram.  In the sky, it was originally referred to as a farmhand, but in late Babylonian times, through associations with shepherds and the ‘shepherd kings’ of ancient Syria, it became associated with the figure of a ram. Amun, a Kush deitry, was often shown as having a ram’s head; later, Amun became merged with the Egyptian sun god Ra – another ram’s headed-figure, representing creativity and fertility.  Through its position at the vernal equinox, Aries became known as the ‘Indicator of the re-born Sun’, and also the ‘Lord of the Head’.  Today, Aries is still said to rule the head in astrology.

©Alison Coals

Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet named after the Roman god of war.  This gives Aries its drive and determination, its enthusiasm for things new. Mars is emotional and passionate about the things it believes in, and will defend self and others against attack. It also symbolizes the thrust for life, and the enjoyment of a good battle, of challenges and competitions for worthy causes.  Champion of the underdog, maverick...that’s Mars, and by association, Aries.  (The Ram’s Head Device, or Military Mountaineer Badge, is a military special skill badge of US Army National Guard.)

It’s not all about war and battles, though. Although we tend to think of the ram when we talk about Aries, the lamb represents the other side of this sign – the compassion and the willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.  The Lamb of God (‘Agnus Dei’), the Paschal Lamb of Passover, refers to the sacrifice of Christ. This – again in the northern hemisphere – is the time when we see lambs bouncing around in the fields.  And not only Ostara, but also Easter, falls in Aries.  We come back to the idea of breaking out of the egg, representing new, or renewed life, waking up and seeing the world with fresh eyes – it’s all part of the ‘first-ness’ of Aries.  The time to set your intention for the coming year – and enjoy the vision, the rush, the buzz of all that’s being created NOW!

Emperor (Thoth Tarot)

In the Major Arcana, the card mostly commonly associated with Aries is The Emperor.  I like the plethora of Aries symbolism in Crowley’s Thoth’s Emperor.  If you look closely you can see both the ram (two of them, looking over his shoulders) and the lamb, sitting beside his left foot.  His sceptre, too, is topped by a set of ram’s horns. So we have symbols of both the creativity and wisdom of the ram (from ancient mythology) and the compassion and understanding of the need for sacrifice for the greater good of the lamb. 

The Archer (Wildwood Tarot)

Another card that’s associated with the spring equinox is the Wildwood’s Archer (VII). The Archer, much like The Emperor, represents the start of a new adventure, a time to use our intuition (that idea of ‘in-spiration’), and to allow creativity to ‘spring’ forth.  A time to let fly the arrows of our imagination, and commit to creating something new!

Then there’s the Empress – perhaps the ultimate representation of the birth of creative endeavours.  She's my inspiration - and the focus - in this Ostara spread.

The Lady (Druidcraft)

Take the Empress, or Lady, or whatever the equivalent is in your favourite deck - she's the focus of this 're-birth of creativity' spread.

Now draw two cards.

Card 1 represents what's been lying dormant, or gestating, over the winter months, in terms of your creativity (the project that the Empress symbolizes for you).

Card 2 represents what you need to do to wake it up, or bring it to life - the spark of ignition!

©Alison Coals

Thank you for stopping off here on your own journey through this Imbolc Tarot Blog Hop!  Please do come back and read some of my other posts.  

The next stops on the Tarot Blog Hop are - depending on whether you’re moving backwards or forwards through the list – Joy Vernon (back) or Joanna Ash (forward). The Master List can be found here.

Previous | Master List | Next

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

Sacred Circle Tarot created by Anna Franklin, illustrated by Paul Mason, published by Llewellyn

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 US Games Systems, Inc.

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