The Sun

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

moonman	17 Jun 2002
The Sun Hi folks, I just need a few questions answered and your thoughts about the Sun. I know the Sun means joy, success etc.but what does it mean to you? Why is there a girl or boy /both on a horse or playing? Is there a symbolic reason? would be of help Thanks:) Seb

Jewel	17 Jun 2002
Moonman, The sun can also mean prosperity and some cases in spreads of mine it has meant that too much of a good thing can burn you too. As for the children in the card ... what deck are you referring to? Not all decks have the two children. Some have a single child riding a horse (raider waite and other decks patterned after that), and some do not have children at all.

moonman	17 Jun 2002
Hi Jewel, I can't remember the deck that I saw with 2 kids, but I was wondering is there any reason for this and what's the difference?? Seb

Jewel	17 Jun 2002
Artist interpretation perhaps ... I have never worked with a deck that uses the two children so I have not explored its symbolism. Perhaps someone working with such a deck would be better qualified to answer that for you.

Starfish	17 Jun 2002
The Witches Tarot is one of the decks that has two children on The Sun card. One child is standing in the water, the other on the Earth. I just purchased this deck and haven't read the book just yet (just flipped through it briefly) and the reasoning given is that the two children are reminiscent of Gemini, which is attributed to the 15th path, which is parallel to the 30th path of The Sun. (yikes, I am so confused! I have GOT to locate book one by Llewellyn on this deck....) :TQW Starfish

Diana	17 Jun 2002
edited

Starfish	17 Jun 2002
Wonderful explanation, Diana! (printing it off to add to my journal) :TQW Starfish

napaea	17 Jun 2002
Yes, Diana, that was really informative and helpful! Jewel: thanks for the input on "too much of a good thing". I understood the blessings aspect of the Sun, but didn't think of that part. This helps ALOT with the Vampire Tarot, where a handsome young vamp is burned in the sun's rays. MUCH more clear...thanks a ton. napaea

Umbrae	17 Jun 2002
Things are brought to light. That which was hidden is revealed (for good or ill). Gloom is dispelled. Newness (childlike). Success.

Mermaid	18 Jun 2002
Well, here's my 2 cents... I also see the sun as a positive card in a reading - heralding a time of happiness and prosperity. However, I've always thought the reason there were children on the card is to remind you that this is an immature form of success. I guess what I'm saying is that for me, the emphasis with this card is on a very childlike happiness. Young children can be very egocentric - they still have a lot of growing up to do before they have an 'adult' perspective on things. Anyone who's watched a child with an icecream that falls off the stick knows how transient a child's happiness is! It takes time, and experience, before a child learns to put things in perspective. Likewise, for me this card has more to do with a temporary, egocentric happiness than with permanent, mature spiritual fufillment. It says to me: "Well, there's a time of happiness and prosperity ahead, so enjoy it while it lasts - but on the other hand, it's not something that's going to be very important to your life in the long term." Does that make sense to anyone besides myself? ;)

Major Tom	18 Jun 2002
The BOTA deck also features two children - a boy and a girl on the Sun card. From The Tarot by Paul Foster Case: "The children represent consciousness and subconsciousness, and they are dancing in a fairy ring, their hands clasped, to suggest the perfect union and rhythmic synchronization of the activities of the two modes of human personality...This Key represents the fifth stage of unfoldment. It is a degree of adeptship, that of liberation from the limitations of physical matter and circumstances." In other words on the deepest level this card represents the joy and freedom experienced when we learn to synchronise our concious and subconcious minds.

moonman	18 Jun 2002
Thanks folks for the info. I will now have a look at the different Sun cards mentioned. The more I find out more from you guys the more I get into it and understand whats going on. Seb

The The Sun thread was originally posted on 17 Jun 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.