DruidCraft Tarot - Cernunnos

[swedishfish612]

Hope it's okay if I jump in here! I've been working my way through the majors, looking at the card, reading the book and then reading the study threads.

I'm new-ish to Tarot, with Druid Craft being the 3rd deck I've really studied. I've never found the Devil card to be a scary one; in fact, I rather like the Deviant Moon Devil. But coming to this deck knowing a little about Wicca, very little about Druidism and nothing about Cernunnos, I have to admit that I found this to be a scary card. Not in a "freak out if it turns up in a spread" kind of way, but in a "Jeez, I'd freak out if I woke up and that dude was standing over me."

Having read the explanation in the book, and this thread, of course I have a better understanding of this card now. But my first reaction wasn't that this was a friendly god overlooking the lovers. I guess anyone who works the cards will have the book to guide them, but I imagine that a querent with no knowledge of Cernunnos will have a negative reaction to this card. I wish he didn't look so sinister in this card, personally.

Side note- does Cernunnos only have one eye open, or is that just a shadow cast over his other eye?

[magpie9]

I haven't read this whole thread, so maybe this has been said several times already. Cernnanos is a Guardian God, protecting those under his care. This includes guarding thresholds, warning us that if we proceed further, we take risks, and need to be aware of that.Traditionally the deep forest is a magical place where anything can happen...enter at your own risk! While animals are his main concern, he can involve himself with his human children, as well. He is the Father God Consort to the Earth Mother. He watches over the sleeping couple like any father might his sleeping children...and by doing so, wards them from danger.

[swedishfish612]

Originally Posted by magpie9

He watches over the sleeping couple like any father might his sleeping children...and by doing so, wards them from danger.

See, I can mentally wrap my mind around that, but I don't get that from the actual artwork. He just doesn't look benevolent, depicted the way he is on that card. I think the one glowing eye doesn't help, lol.

After reading up on Cernunnos, I do understand what the deck creators were getting at. I just wish the image lined up with that, is what I'm saying. Hope that makes sense!

[magpie9]

Originally Posted by swedishfish612

See, I can mentally wrap my mind around that, but I don't get that from the actual artwork. He just doesn't look benevolent, depicted the way he is on that card. I think the one glowing eye doesn't help, lol.

After reading up on Cernunnos, I do understand what the deck creators were getting at. I just wish the image lined up with that, is what I'm saying. Hope that makes sense!

We don't know what he's looking at...perhaps a danger he is warning away form the sleepers?

[swedishfish612]

Originally Posted by magpie9

We don't know what he's looking at...perhaps a danger he is warning away form the sleepers?

True, true...thanks for giving me more to think about with this card!