Rider of Tigers - Margarete Petersen’s Mother of Flames

Margarete Petersen’s Mother of Flames is an explosion of fiery colour, leaping off the card – an exploding sun or supernova. A big cat’s face can be seen within the left side of the frame, a human face within the right, but the central part of the image is pure fire and flamboyance! 

 

Mother of Flames (trimmed):

© Margarete Petersen Tarot

The “flame born out of flame”, says the LWB, a “rider of tigers”. Easy to see the association with Leo here! With the tiger and the human face being contained within the border, rather than being free to move (as in the Son and Daughter), perhaps this reflects the struggle sometimes associated with Queens.  Being contained within the border could also reflect the protection, as well as the pushing forward and encouraging of others who are reluctant to step into the spotlight - especially with the fierce tiger’s presence.   

 

Brave, loyal, and sure,  

Exploding with ambition,  

Encouraging all.

 

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004. 

Fire dancer - Margarete Petersen's Daughter of Flames

Margarete Petersen’s Daughter of Flames is beautiful! Sheer exuberance as she dances in the wave of firelight, yet still contained within that square boundary...  Petersen writes of her being nourished by the milk of a tigress to become strong, but I see no felines in the image, unlike the big cats in the Six,  Seven and Eight (and possibly Nine!) of Flames.

Daughter of Flames (trimmed):© Margarete Petersen

Traditionally, we’d look to the Knight as an adventurer driven by passion, willing to take risks - or acting without even considering the risks; foolhardy, perhaps.  If the Page/Son is the child, then the Knight/Daughter carries more of the adolescent/youthful energy, and usually shows movement – often through the stance of a horse.  

 

No horses for Margarete Petersen, though. In her Daughter of Flames, I can see the passionate adventurer, the carefree adolescent. Petersen’s court cards give each other gifts: here, the Daughter receives the gift of song from the Mother, inspiration from her Father, and rhythm from her brother (Son) – all very clear in the image. 

Definitely movement, fire and spirit! But not much staying power, probably – she seems a bit too ephemeral for that.

 

Dancing in the fire 

Seeking out new adventures, 

Embracing the world. 

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004.