It has been a busy month and more, filled with doctors' appointments and medical procedures, but things are winding down so I am back, on the Eve of Ostara, the Sabbat of balance that tips toward longer, brighter and warmer times. It feels good to be working with my True Black Tarot on this blog once again.
The World is such a beautiful card, from a deck that is filled with beautiful and meaningful images. The World shows a woman holding a perfect golden sphere and wearing a crown made of laurel leaves, with an incredibly peaceful look on her face. She is surrounded by The True Black Tarot's symbols for the four elements, butterflies for Air and knowledge, feathers for Fire and passion, plants for Earth and physicality, and fish for Water and emotion. Combined, they make a good representation of the achievement of an understanding of the human condition, its motivations and its pitfalls. Centered on the golden sphere and behind the woman is a holograph of a star map showing the interstellar coordinates for Earth and our solar system. This is the star map included in the Golden Records carried by Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, each already more than 13 billion miles away. These spacecraft represent humanity's hope that we are not alone in the universe, and that the other life forms out there are also ethical and good. A great summation of this card. The keywords for this card are wholeness, completion, travel, and understanding.
The image on the True Black II of Cups shows two Cups of clear water tilted toward each other, as if they were clinking together in a toast. Above them circle two golden fish; above the fish is a golden arrow, broken in half. The keywords for this card are connection, partnership, union, and romance.
The World is associated with the element of Earth, and this makes sense because the element of Earth is the repository of life and the catalyst that takes what is no longer needed and transforms it into fertile food that supports new life. Earth represents a connection between the old and the new, and The World tells us that we have completed this round of The Fool's Journey and have successfully absorbed an abundance of insight offered through both successes and failure, and are ready to move on to the next level.
The II of Cups of course is connected with the element of Water, and thus with emotions, visions and perceptions. I think that last word, perception, is important for this card in particular because the number 2 brings balance as well as an awareness of polarities. The broken arrow at the top of this card, signifying that the emerging partnership represented by the II of Cups could be formed due to a ceasing of hostilities.
As far as Elemental Dignities are concerned, these two passive and friendly cards can be supportive, with caveats. After all, plants can't grow if the soil is too dry, and moisture can stabilize the soil and prevent it from blowing away. However, too much moisture creates a swamp, and too much soil can prevent the flow of moisture. Earth balances the emotions and empathy brought by Water, yet too much stability can bring lethargy or passivity, leading to stagnation.
Together, these two cards tell me that I have reached a pause that will not be permanent but that will be enjoyable. Things are calm, I am filled with a sense of well-being, and of accomplishment. Rest today, because tomorrow may bring movement of a different kind.
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