The World as " personality "....any thoughts?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Jul 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

samantha	22 Jul 2003
If a person's character were to be described as "the World" How would you interpret this ? My initial thought was "mature " . Someone who has had sufficient life experiences to know whats what ....and to be able to make balanced decisions in view of this. This is one of those cards where I tend to plump for what is possitive .....although there is bound to be a down side here (Isn't there always ??!!) . So what do you think it could be ? I'd better add that I pulled 9 cups for clarification . The guy looked more "smug" than content today ....so this could link in with the above ( The World as knowing you've got it / had it all ) , but I'm not sure. AAAHH!! Bolt from the blue just now , how about "Worldly "? Ie : someone much taken up with materialism ?????

Baby Owl	22 Jul 2003
Hi, Samantha! The World is an interesting card. I do like the word "worldly" because it can mean a number of things: : Of, relating to, or devoted to the temporal world. Experienced in human affairs; sophisticated or worldly-wise: “an experienced and worldly man who had been almost everywhere” (Willa Cather). (American Heritage Dictionary) The 9 of Cups clarification card seems to reinforce this. And certainly someone could become smug if he felt he "had it all." A very worldly person could easily be bored with everything and insensitive. In fact, Joan Bunning gives one meaning as "indulging in a little smugness." Just off the top of my head -- I see The World as sort of a "Renaissance person," well versed in all aspects of the emotional, physical, and spiritual world. It is the grand finale of a cycle, when the orchestra music swells to a crescendo, and the audience applaudes. Baby Owl

Little Baron	22 Jul 2003
I see this as a card of being content; depends what the 'world' means to you. It could be that you have paid off the house, have retitred and looking at a new and more relaxed way of life. It could just be the conclusion to a really bad time in your life. I always looked at it as someone having all of the things they needed in a balance to be happy. I see this sometimes but there are often times when people think they have everything but are missing what is really important; this is where your clarification card could come in. It could also be someone that has everything they need but the 'world is not enough'. Just looking at my Phantasmagoric Theatre world as that is the deck I have to hand - the kids song 'He's got the whole world in his hands' comes to mind. This world has all he needs in front of him, it seems, and his head is blooming with trees and covered in sea. There does seem to be something a little unsettling in his expression maybe, which could highlight the points I have just made. Yaboot

rota	22 Jul 2003
Supposedly The World card is ruled by Saturn. That would mean that a World personality would partake of all the pluses and minuses of an astrological Saturn: imperturbable, knowledgeable, keenly intelligent, and 'worldly', but possibly also leaden, dull, unapproachable or stubborn.

Baby Owl	22 Jul 2003
Quote: Originally posted by rota Supposedly The World card is ruled by Saturn. That would mean that a World personality would partake of all the pluses and minuses of an astrological Saturn: imperturbable, knowledgeable, keenly intelligent, and 'worldly', but possibly also leaden, dull, unapproachable or stubborn. Excellent point, rota! (kicking self - Now why didn't I think of that?) Baby Owl

Indigo_lady	22 Jul 2003
The world could represent as they have mentioned someone who is well versed in many areas, who has many interest or who has a varied experience in life For me, I think it can also represent a person who is in a moment of transition, a moment of personal development, ending and beginning the world is usually an androgenous figure, some kind of whirl around them. The image seems to be beyond everyone else, not in contact with, well lets just call them the rest of us boring mortals. And it makes me think of someone (for whichever reason) caught up on their little world for the time being, maybe aloof would be a term to describe it...

Silverlotus	22 Jul 2003
As a person with the World as my personality card, I'm not sure how to take this thread. :) My Zodiac sign is Taurus, and the traits you all have mentioned for this card seem very in tune with the typical traits of a Taurian. Interesting. Honestly, I have put very little though into what it means to have the World as my personality. I've been meaning to study it a bit more. This thread, along with another, has really jumped started my interest. I'll let you know if I come up with any insights. :)

samantha	26 Jul 2003
Great ideas ! Thanks for the input everyone. Silverlotus : Do you know which court card is (commonly) used to represent Taurus ? It's not the King of Wands is it ??!! I read Thirteen's basics on the World , and found that she placed q. alot of emphasis on Education .....especially where the individual had reached some standing . This fits completely as the individual in question is indeed a renowned lecturer . All I have to do now is figure out how the 9 cups impacts on this ....... YYAAHHH!! Why have I got Mojo's words echoing in my head ?? " All is not what it seems. "

Moongold	26 Jul 2003
Sam, The King of Pentacles is Taurus, according to Burger & Fiebig But to return to your original question, did you mean What are the issues if someone has the World as Personality Card? Firstly, the assignation of the card depends on actual birth dates, and the idea is that this information provides information about about patterns of peronal destiny. You're right, World is associated with Saturn and Mary Greer in Tarot Constellations suggests the following: * A strong association with the earth and nature * A profound love of beauty and a sensitive aesthetic appreciation * A need to learn to work within structure (here's Saturn for you!) * A need to develop potential self-expression * A need to know the medium you work with so that your creativity is not hampered i.e. to master the techniques of your craft * A need to establish personal discipline if you wish to accomplish something * A capacity to synthesize holistic, intuitive approaches with scientific, practical approaches * An ability to promote yourself to the world. Does this help?

Moongold	26 Jul 2003
And King of Pentacles?.......our Taurean King? All Kings have authority and generative power, This one is usually involved in harnessing the direction of physical resources, financial or other This is at a really high level so this guy would be your Vice Chancellor or Head of Department at the University level, or be headng in that direction. Or s/he could be the Managing Director of a construction company or a single dad or mum :)

samantha	27 Jul 2003
Thanks Moongold ! Yes , I wanted to get a sense of "characteristics" if someone's personality was described by the World card. So , ...." working within structures ......self discipline ...... promoting oneself " . This all rings true !! I'd better hurry out and get the book! When I read through Greers check list I felt / heard an echo with The Emperor . There seem to be similarities here, and I'm wondering why.

The The World as " personality "....any thoughts? thread was originally posted on 22 Jul 2003 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.