Which card fits this meaning the best?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 26 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

augursWell	26 Oct 2002
I was listening to some "old" rock music in my car the other day and something from the lyrics stuck with me, "Instead you lay still in the grass all coiled up and hissing". Fake digital Gold Stars to anyone who knows what song it was. :D Anyway, I was trying to figure out what Tarot card best fits this kind of emotional defensiveness described in the lyrics. Anyone care to make a suggestion?

Keslynn	26 Oct 2002
For me, the 9 of Wands really represents defensiveness. While the 7 of Wands might also work for this, that particular card seems to be more of a defense of a just cause rather than just defensiveness. :) Kes

Fuzzmello	26 Oct 2002
Keep on Lovin' You. REO How about the seven of Swords for the card? Fuzz

augursWell	26 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Fuzzmello Keep on Lovin' You. REO How about the seven of Swords for the card? Fuzz :OL :OL :OL There's your Fake Digital Gold Stars. ;) The 7 Swords seems too sneaky to me and the Wands seem too active. The lyrics suggests a kind of retreat like the 4 of Swords but with animosity showing through. Thanks for the ideas, let me know if you have any others. :) Augur

jmd	27 Oct 2002
I don't know the song, so when you describe the lyrics as somewhat suggestive of emotional defensiveness, I'll take your word for it. You also mention that the 'lyrics suggests a kind of retreat'. I realise that you asked which single card best fits the line, so I won't suggest what may better be represented with a combination. The lyrical line was: Instead you lay still in the grass all coiled up and hissing First some comments: The 'instead' suggests that something else ought to be done; 'laying still' & 'all coiled up' suggests inactivity and an inward focus; whereas 'in the grass' & 'hissing' suggests an outward imminent bite-attack. How about the Queen of Swords?

Keslynn	27 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by jmd The lyrical line was: Instead you lay still in the grass all coiled up and hissing First some comments: The 'instead' suggests that something else ought to be done; 'laying still' & 'all coiled up' suggests inactivity and an inward focus; whereas 'in the grass' & 'hissing' suggests an outward imminent bite-attack. How about the Queen of Swords? I'll have to step in to defend my significator here. The Queen of Swords isn't normally a nasty woman (at least I hope not ;)). Perhaps the Queen of Swords Rx might be better. Oh and if you're looking for a combination to describe the situation perhaps 3 of Swords Rx (for the bitterness) and 9 of Wands upright (for defensiveness). And what about you? What do you posit? :) Kes

ihcoyc	27 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Keslynn Perhaps the Queen of Swords Rx might be better. I was thinking more along the lines of the Queen of Wands Rx. The Queen of Swords Rx is Not Amused. The Queen of Wands Rx is specifically treacherous, more the snake in the grass character.

truthsayer	27 Oct 2002
i remember the song pretty well so how i interpret that line is a tad different. the couple has had a fight where evidently her feelings were hurt and she's unable to trust him so she's coiled up ready to strike just in case their truce isn't real. he tells her that he's going to keep on loving her b/c that's the only thing he wants to do. he doesn't want to hurt her. in other words, her fears are for naught and that she doesn't have to defend herself anymore. my impression would be the 9 of swords for her unfounded fears and nightmares about the disagreement/relationship. perhaps 2 of swords for a lover's quarrel that's a stalemate. 3 of swords for the possibility of peace and healing after emotional pain. 4 of swords if she decides to take his apology and heal the relationship.

augursWell	27 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Keslynn I'll have to step in to defend my significator here. The Queen of Swords isn't normally a nasty woman (at least I hope not ;)). Perhaps the Queen of Swords Rx might be better. Oh and if you're looking for a combination to describe the situation perhaps 3 of Swords Rx (for the bitterness) and 9 of Wands upright (for defensiveness). And what about you? What do you posit? :) Kes I was thinking possibly the 5 of Cups :T5C since there is a turning away due to strong emotions and an unwillingness to work things out. 9 of Wands suggests a valid defense of something worthwhile, in my opinion. Doesn't seem to fit here. Also, I don't use reversals. :) I agree that I don't normally associate nastyness with the Queen of Swords.

jmd	27 Oct 2002
I certainly don't associate the Queen of Swords with nastiness - I'm at a disadvantage not knowing the song, obviously. Also, is the 'coiled in the grass hissing' to be taken with the full connotations of 'snake in the grass'? If so, maybe a different card would be best - I guess I wasn't presuming any treachery. The five of cups sounds apt - but doesn't seem to capture the readiness-to-bite aspect. And by the way, I did intend the card reversed - though I only named it. I certainly did not mean for any card's full meanings, or even its oft used ones - and certainly not as significator. This is quite an interesting thread and exercise - thanks.

catlin	28 Oct 2002
Hm, I am more for 8 of cups. I have to defend the :TQW: this is not a person to associate with nastyness and coiling snakes!

augursWell	29 Oct 2002
jmd, yes I think "snake in the grass" was fully meant by the lyrics. Frankly, I haven't found a tarot card that really fits a "snake in the grass" in this context, perhaps that's why I got going on this whole thread. 8 of Cups :T8C (I just love those magical, little tarot card smilies) :) seems like the best bet. Turning your back on something is basically "all coiled up and hissing". As I said, finding a real "snake in the grass" image in the typical Tarot deck doesn't seem likely unless you go with the old Devil :TDEV card. The Queen of Swords :TQS to me is a person of intellectual ability who makes careful decisions almost akin to Justice :TJUST Okay, I'll stop with the Tarot card smilies already. :D

jakyle	07 Nov 2002
bit me? Wind,I know......

MeeWah	07 Nov 2002
augersWell: Sorry I am late to this. Actually, any of the court cards can express negative character traits or aspects depending on the particular traits or situation. I can see 9-Wands coupled with the Queen-Swords, especially with the latter reversed, as fitting the bill in terms of describing the defensive/offensive posture in an extreme. This person can be intelligent, discerning, forthright, fair-minded, charming, dis-arm an opponent with words, etc. but woe betide the object of her displeasure if she is a woman scorned or has a grudge. She can be sharp-tongued, calculating, sneaky & potentially lethal. Edited to add: This is *only* in application to the particular scenario as described.

The Which card fits this meaning the best? thread was originally posted on 26 Oct 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.