Aspects of the Goddess in the cards?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	05 Jan 2004
Dear all, After more random-thoughts about the cards whilst looking through some of my decks, I realised that in some of the cards we can see different aspects of the Goddess. I see the Maiden (Waxing Moon) aspect in the Strength/Lust card: a woman complete within herself, self-renewing, self-sustaining. I see the Mother (Full Moon) aspect in the Empress card: birthing, creativity, the doorway (Daleth) through which life is born, fecundity, etc. I see the Crone (Waning Moon) aspect in the High Priestess: inner mysteries, wisdom, a guardian to the gates of understanding. (She sits between the pillars at the entrance to the Temple of Solomon, and on the Tree of Life the High Priestess is the card that carries you over the Abyss and to Kether, the Crown.) Finally, I see the Dark (Dark Moon) aspect (Prostitute, etc) in the Strength/Lust card aswell, since it the Thoth deck this card is very sexual and is associated with the Whore of Babylon. Of course, we don't have to stick with just the feminine cards here: sometimes I see the Crone in the Hermit card - a guide through the darkness and into the self. Sometimes I see the Mother in the Magician: the birthing of spirit into material form, the channel for energy and life to come into being. Sometimes I see the Maiden in the Fool: new life, open spirit, complete potential. Sometimes the Tower card reminds me of the Dark aspect of the Goddess, her aspect as destroyer, Kali. I am interested to hear what others think of this: where, if anywhere, do you see aspects of the Goddess in the cards, and why? Blessings, Kiama

skytwig	05 Jan 2004
Kiama... Great thread! I definitely see Kali in the Tower.... a couple years back, i was virtually driven to make what I call a Kali wand.... The piece of wood I used had been with me for a long time, a thick, very magickal piece of wood with pictures in its bark. I worked on that project, day and night, for a week.... I would run to the witchy shop (a High Priestess and her wife of 30 yrs) where they sold TONS of rocks and gemstones..... They could see me sweating this thing,....... I bought Michigan copper for the crown and amber, lots of amber for her body.... I had a marvelous piece for her 'womb' and another piece for her tongue.... she is a fiery Kali!!! Crystals and dragons and tigers eye and hematite.... I even put a third eye in the BACK of her head!! I literally could not stop until she was complete. Then Her Magick flooded my life....... this year, I lost my home, my car, my job, my independence, (almost lost my sanity), even my antiques...... Kali is thorough!! she is known for being thorough.. So, my life has been stripped..... And, I know that what arises out of this ravaging 'fire' of Hers will be as green and as fresh as spring itself!! And to me, that is what the Tower card represents.... it is not a delicate card... if delicate were the message, we would get the 6 swords (moving on) or the 5 cups (loss, but something else) or the 5 wands (energectic stirrings). the Tower is life altering in some way.... and that is Kali.... she does not mess around!! Have you read the Motherpeace book by Vicki Noble or worked with her cards? She has Kali in the Tower card, actually a High Priestess sitting on a brick tower, catching lightening in her hands!! skytwig :)

Huld	09 Jan 2004
Kiama wrote... >Of course, we don't have to stick with just the feminine cards here: sometimes I see the Crone in the Hermit card - a guide through the darkness and into the self. < This brings to mind the Hermit card from the Spiral Tarot. Very much an image of the crone. >Sometimes the Tower card reminds me of the Dark aspect of the Goddess, her aspect as destroyer, Kali. < Yep, I can definitely see this! The Queen of Pentacles brings to mind the Mother aspect very strongly for me. In fact each of the queen cards bring to mind different aspects of the goddess, and when the four are combined, I suppose would be the Great Mother. Interesting thread! Huld

Sulis	09 Jan 2004
I see the Death card as the Crone; bringer of death and rebirth. The World card is the Goddess as a whole; maiden, mother and crone combined - the end of the journey - The Universe. Love and light Sulis xx

zagone	12 Jan 2004
Sometime I need to pour through my Tarot books, because -- to a lesser extent than the Empress and High Priestess -- virtually all the female cards (and some of the male) can be taken as Goddess aspects. The Star is pointed out as such by some authors (I'm forgetting what, how). The Wheel is viewed as Arianrhod by some since she turns her silvery wheel of fate, fortune, and rebirth for all. -- Zagone

Kiama	12 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by zagone The Star is pointed out as such by some authors (I'm forgetting what, how). Yes, the Star is often seen as the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, because she represents renewal and self-sustaining and healing, just as the Maiden renews herself continually. :D Kiama

The Aspects of the Goddess in the cards? thread was originally posted on 05 Jan 2004 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.