THE MAJOR ARCANA
0 Child
I have chosen to call the �0� card of the first card of the deck, �Child� rather than �Fool� where now this card indicates someone with a child-like innocence, someone without prejudice or hate, and someone looking at the World with a pure heart and seeing the purity in others. The word fool, often, in modern usage has too many negative connotations.
Looking at the images on this card we have a young person of unknown gender and unknown age sitting in the desert facing a pyramid and the moon, both of which are casting light upon this person. One is lighting the outer or physical being and the other is lighting the inner and spiritual being. The child is alone in the desert night, the sun is about to rise offer the hopes of a new day and a new beginning. This person is naked as that is as we should be in our soul, when embarking on a journey of enlightenment; free and unencumbered without the concerns of the World, or any preconceived notions and ideas. Beside the child, is a creature in the form of the Jackal God; Annubis who is there to offer companionship and protection. In the sky the moon reflects the eye of Horus to guide and inspire, the star Sirius in the topmost right corner above grants a mystic faith and a connection to the unknown this. The golden pyramid with the symbolic �all seeing eye� represents the promises and the mysteries that await us as we ascend through life. The ankh is the full potential of our life waiting to be grasped. The Eye of Horus� on the moon, is the spiritual quests and goals that each of us needs to attain. The Gothic windows in the sky show us that all around us is holy and to be revered. All the tools for mental, physical and spiritual growth are never far from hand nor hidden from sight. If we are willing to take the time to look for the tools all things are possible.
This is the card of hope, promise and unbridled possibilities.
Dignified: This card is hope and promise of a new beginning and a renewal and a rebirth. The eager anticipation of discovering all that there is about who we are in all the aspects of or being. The Querant is on a journey, or just beginning one and a great number of mysteries and wonderful things await discovery. If at this time you do not feel the need for a change in your life, at the very least discovery and unleash the dreams of your inner child.
Reversed: This card does become the traditional Fool with all the negative implications. It is unknowing, uncaring and living in a world of illusions doomed for failure because of pride and ego. The child now a fool is wandering aimlessly and without focus. Slow down, consider your actions and pick a destination or dream.
I Mage
The Mage is all-powerful and wise, he is aware of all that surrounds him and he is in control of his world, both the physical and the spiritual. He does not have an equal grasp of the male and female Universe, he only sees the masculine.
He is full of confidence concerning past and present yet has no real concept of the future. Around his head is a halo signifying the correctness of action and a myriad of star representing the universe, universal truth and unlimited possibilities. Surrounding him are the four elements; the background is parchment, on it is written the arcane mysteries and in his hand he holds a wooden staff to symbolize the element Earth, these are the mental attributes of spirit and mind. Behind him, a fiery glow and the sparks of creation and renewal, the physical manifestation of male creation. The floor is acting as a reflecting pool of water symbolizing �so as above so below� or �on earth as in heaven�. Twin towers on either side of the priest represent the �guardians of the air�. The Mage understands the principles of the elements, yet is incapable of transferring that knowledge from within him to the outside world. With the knowledge of the four natural elements, he has become the fifth the element, that of the spirit. He is a man acting in concert with nature and has all the tools to create and destroy both the real and the illusionary, but he is blinded to the results of his action. Neither the creation nor the destructive aspects are seen as good or evil, they are simply his acts and his actions based of his thoughts of what are required. There is no subjective thought just objective realism.
This is a card of universal strength, however that strength may not always be directed in the most positive way.
Dignified: This card is awareness, the realization of growth and potential. The Querant has all the tools and energies to accomplish any and all tasks. It is symbolic of the wisdom of action for sake of that action. Something needs to be done and the Mage assumes the task.
Reversed: This card is the abuse of power and the power of abuse. It is misguided energies and actions taken before thought. It is impatience and vanity at its worst. It also may be self-destructive pride, envy, and failure.
II Priestess
The Priestess is all that is good and holy in an ideal world. She is the sum �world mother�, the great communal mother of us all.
The Priestess is of indeterminate age. She appears draped with a veil, this symbolizing her separation from the mundane and common world, she is and remains untouched and unsoiled. The veil flows out from her like the waters of creation and renewal. The card is blue denoting water and sky, the waters of the womb and at sky as a representation of the heavens. The Priestess is surrounded by a lush forest, which symbolizes both growth and fertility. On her forehead is the crown or the headdress of Isis, with this we see the three phase of the moon the waxing, the full, and the waning moons representing the past, the present and the future respectively. Her eyes are deep and penetrating looking into the souls of those who stand before her; it is as if she knows their hearts and what their actions will be before they themselves do. In front of her is a single candle, and single beacon of light, this for warmth and compassion internally and reminding us all that even the smallest spark or light can surpass the darkest of darks.
She is the primal mother, she represents all love and understanding as a woman and she is power and authority, which are the strength and commitments of her office and position.
Dignified: This card is truth and awareness and the need for the Querant to remember their strengths and the lessons from the past and to offer encouragement to move one. The card also is a balance between strength and compassion, wisdom and duty and is a bridge between what was and what will be.
Reversed: This card is the symbol of deception and lies. It is great pain and betrayal and this action for a quarter we least expect it. Where the Priestess is the archetype mother to us all, her betrayal of us almost unimaginable and represents that the Querant reassess both their motives and the motives of others a very serious. It may also be deception by sexual means and relationship difficulties.
