My friend the Moon

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Sep 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moongold	24 Sep 2002
How do others interpret the Moon in readings? I encountered the card recently in a spread on how to become a better reader. It appeared as an external resource for improvement and I’ve been thinking about it ever since, this being the first time I can remember getting the Moon in a personal reading. The Moon falls between the Tower and the Sun and perhaps that is indicative. It is as though one needs to look deeply inside after a Tower experience. The Moon cards in the three decks I use have commonalities but are all a little different too. In Morgan Greer the Moon image is predominant and actually appears between two towers but the two hounds, the crayfish and the pond are very much in the forefront of the picture. There is a path leading to the Moon as though these things deep within us are being called into the light. The Mythic deck shows the Goddess of the Underworld, Hecate, with the Moon balanced on her head. The figure 3 leaps out from this card. The Moon is going through 3 phases, Hecate also has three faces, and there is only one hound in the image – a hound with three faces. The crayfish appears again but is hardly noticeable. Is there a particular meaning in the Figure 3? One source describes the figure 3 as meaning ‘expansion’ and a ‘higher intellect’. In the Major Arcana, 3 represents the Empress, as earth bound a figure as one could ever wish to see! The Tarot of the Old Path calls the Moon card “Illusion” which is interesting in itself. This card shows two male and female figures standing knee deep in a pond. The male is holding his head in his hands and the female is reaching to the moon in the far distance. There is an ethereal female figure overarching all in this image. She seems illusory herself but even more so as her image is reflected in the quietly rippling waters of the pond. The little crayfish is there again, also reaching imploringly to the moon. A great little critter, the crayfish. I think he may symbolize the really primeval instincts in all of us. All very different images but with some common themes. The mysterious light of the Moon herself, only partially illuminating the darkness. The imploring response being evoked from the human and animal figures in the scenes. The feeling of unreality, illusion and oddness flowing out of each image. The light of the Moon is a kindly universal presence in each image, however. It is as though she is suggesting that we acknowledge that the bright light of the Sun does not enable us to see everything. It seems to me that this card is a very powerful one but I struggled to understand its meaning in my spread. One of the best explanations came from Sally Nicholls’ book, Jung and Tarot and the Archetypal Journey . She suggests that the Moon card challenges us to look within ourselves for the answers to nature’s questions; to our personal mysteries and confusion and that we need to do so with gentle hands and an understanding heart. So the moon is there most nights to remind me of this. It reminds me of the power within, which is a very positive thing. This power has to be uncovered sensitively however and with a different set of skills than we often have as adults in this prosaic world. I am curious to know of other people’s encounters with the Moon card, and how you each understand this card. I did a search and there are many references but those I looked at mainly were comments from people reflecting on how the Moon affects them. I didn't look at every reference though. Thirteen's comments are very interesting but I might have a slightly different interpretation, which is fine I guess. Moongold

Laurel	24 Sep 2002
In self readings, the Moon typically means one of two things. Positively, the Moon represents me being in touch with my woman-self and well, my Inner Witch, for lack of a better expression. When I'm in a positive mood mood, my body feels sensual and sacred. I'm in tune with natural cycles, both internal and worldy. I always know by instinct when the Moon appears to either confirm this is where I am in terms of consciousness or more likely, suggests this is where I should be. Negatively, the Moon represents Maya the world of Illusion and Self-Deception and falling into Shadow behaviors, the ones that I keep swearing I won't do any more, but I still manage to let them happen sometimes- binge eating, feeling sorry for myself, depression, inertia. The Moon has also come up in readings done by another reader for me regarding the old static energy patterns I've held onto and need to let go of- specifically, childhood pain that I allowed to fester instead of purging. Either way, the moon is a very deep and personal card, a "dark" card for me compared to the Sun or the World or the Magician. Not all darkness is bad, and I think that's the real message to The Moon: to embrace sustaining darkness and avoid destructive darkness. Laurel

Kazz	25 Sep 2002
I have always seen the moon as a warning. not all the time and not always bad, but to me The moon is of hidden deceptions, unknown danger, people and situations are not who/what they seem. It is also a very strong suggesting card to use instincts/intuition Don't get me wrong, i really like the moon card and I always have a clear reading with the moon card in a spread. With your reading, I think The Moon is telling you that Intuition here is the key and that you must learn to trust it when reading the Tarot. This will also give you a better understanding of the cards for you personally as well as reading for others. I hope I made sense to you, Cheers Kazz :TQC

Moongold	25 Sep 2002
Thanks for your comments. I am very much in learning mode. I guess spreads are like dreams. Sometimes the meaning becomes clear later or alternative interpretations become possible. There is an interesting spread about the moon at the link below: http://home.mindspring.com/~ariadne1/moonspread.html I think I will let this rest for a little while, go for some long walks, catch a movie, visit some friends, give my mind some air. Moongold

Myrrha	25 Sep 2002
Moongold, sorry but I have not figured out how to use the quote feature. You said: "One of the best explanations came from Sally Nicholls’ book, Jung and Tarot and the Archetypal Journey . She suggests that the Moon card challenges us to look within ourselves for the answers to nature’s questions; to our personal mysteries and confusion and that we need to do so with gentle hands and an understanding heart. So the moon is there most nights to remind me of this. It reminds me of the power within, which is a very positive thing. This power has to be uncovered sensitively however and with a different set of skills than we often have as adults in this prosaic world." This interpretation is very similar to what I use for the High Priestess card, so now I am curious to know what Sally Nicholls says about the High Priestess, if that is not too far off topic from your original question. The two cards seem very related, but for me the moon has a more overwhelming feel and is almost, well, things that are deep inside you coming out, instincts and fears, dreams, having an effect on you even if you don't want them to or are unaware of it, wheras the HP is more about accessing the inner way of knowing on purpose.

MystiqueMoonlight	25 Sep 2002
Let's not forget the 3 phases of the Moon (waxing, full, waning) and the relevance of this. Also for women the Moon carries a special cyclical relevance (I'll avoid getting too detailed here LOL) Myrrha, yes there certainly is a relevance between the High Priestess and the Moon. Think spirituality.

juice	26 Sep 2002
These 2 are related but in context to other cards. The high priestess is the search for and introduction to your inner self when you are just starting on a phase of study. The moon is what happens after your research kicks wholes in your previous view of the world and you now get to take a better look at what the high priestess was trying to teach the first time. That's the possitive side of things. The negative side makes the moon uglier or harsher than the negative side of the high priestess. It's a little like the simularity and diffenerence between your high school math teacher extolling the values of math and your college professor stand you up in front of the class berating you for not trying the obvious. One thing that sticks in my mind is that you said it was an external influence. Maybe it was referring to what you are doing now, namely "thinking" about what is posted in this forum. Maybe you are doing it right. Maybe you should set 10 or 20 minutes aside each week and meditate or brainstorm on one of the topics covered that week. Hope this helps.

MeeWah	26 Sep 2002
Moongold: The foregoing are thoughtful & perceptive takes on The Moon. Since it appeared in the "external resources for improvement", perhaps it is an encouragement to actively look beyond the self. Such as, in the environment &/or utilizing sources such as discussion with other readers, reading book meanings. Those contacts can help one develop a better understanding or prod the individual insight.

Mystica	26 Sep 2002
I too have a difficult time interpreting the Moon card in some readings. Most readers interpret it as a negative card, and that's where I have the problem. The Moon is one of my favorite cards, although I do see the aspect of self-deception. The Moon and the High Priestess are both very special cards for me personally, but when they appear in a reading for someone else I do tend to get stuck a little. I've had the Moon show up in the outcome area for a specific question, and it was really tough trying to say something that didn't just sound vague and irrelevant. My reply doesn't make much sense either....sorry. Light, Laughter, & Love, Vianne

mooncat2	27 Sep 2002
Hi Moongold, Just my thought - I think the Moon in your spread as an external resource may refer to the Shadow work you are going to be involved in. Blessings

meatbox666	28 Sep 2002
Create the table of the moon. The kamea. If you need the influence of the moon to bring something into your life then draw the Intelligentium of the moon.

The My friend the Moon thread was originally posted on 24 Sep 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.