Messages from the Empress on Major Arcana I
The Fool
My child, arise and shine in this dawn of a new day. It is for freedom that I have set you free, and your heart can rejoice like a calf set free from the stall, like this dancing fool, like the crow flying high with the wind in its wings. The clouds part and my love breaks through. You may feel reborn, returned from some lost place in the underworld. Drink deeply, and hold your grail high in exultation! Red roses of new passion bloom.
Life may feel like a blank white, unwritten page as you turn over a new leaf, and you see you yourself are a tabula rasa. You are granted everything you need, although those things may be unused, unrevealed, hidden as in a travel pack or not experienced yet like the elemental masks beneath this dancer's feet. You are like a new teacher who passed the job interview but has no flight time in front of a class. Rejoice! Arise and shine! Your light has come!
My child, arise and shine in this dawn of a new day. It is for freedom that I have set you free, and your heart can rejoice like a calf set free from the stall, like this dancing fool, like the crow flying high with the wind in its wings. The clouds part and my love breaks through. You may feel reborn, returned from some lost place in the underworld. Drink deeply, and hold your grail high in exultation! Red roses of new passion bloom.
Life may feel like a blank white, unwritten page as you turn over a new leaf, and you see you yourself are a tabula rasa. You are granted everything you need, although those things may be unused, unrevealed, hidden as in a travel pack or not experienced yet like the elemental masks beneath this dancer's feet. You are like a new teacher who passed the job interview but has no flight time in front of a class. Rejoice! Arise and shine! Your light has come!
The Magician
My love, I fill you with potential and power, impart my manifest grace, and call out your spiritual gifts. As above, so below. The elemental masks of the Fool are now magical tools to be grasped as the fires of inspiration and passion burn, the life-giving nectar of the grail is poured out, and as the knife of conception plunges into the skull of earthly manifestation. The tabula rasa begins to be written in this surge of the creative process and pure potential. All of the elemental aces of the lower arcana arrive here as gifts from me, feeling like a winning hand of poker. Action is initiated and uninhibited as this bare chested figure roaring in exultation. The white candle is lit in this bright, aggressive, masculine energy of Mercury.
Now is the time to begin flowing in your gifts, doing thework, bringing the manifestations from spirit into earthly life. Enjoy the flow as practice makes perfect!
My love, I fill you with potential and power, impart my manifest grace, and call out your spiritual gifts. As above, so below. The elemental masks of the Fool are now magical tools to be grasped as the fires of inspiration and passion burn, the life-giving nectar of the grail is poured out, and as the knife of conception plunges into the skull of earthly manifestation. The tabula rasa begins to be written in this surge of the creative process and pure potential. All of the elemental aces of the lower arcana arrive here as gifts from me, feeling like a winning hand of poker. Action is initiated and uninhibited as this bare chested figure roaring in exultation. The white candle is lit in this bright, aggressive, masculine energy of Mercury.
Now is the time to begin flowing in your gifts, doing thework, bringing the manifestations from spirit into earthly life. Enjoy the flow as practice makes perfect!
The Priestess
I am with you even when you leave the warm, sunlit world of creation and manifest delights in the physical realm. Find inspiration in the twilight and breathe the cool air of autumn moonlight. Retreat inward where you will find ancient truths written on an ever-renewed heart. Only in this darkness can you see these stars shine, this moon glow, this candlelight. The inner goddess may be hidden by a veil of light, like this white dress and these hanging cobwebs. walk with me in ambiguity and hiddenness, and you will be rewarded with treasures of darkness. Here we can tap into the collective soul, your Higher Self, Spirit, and Source. From the seemingly barren trees of this womb state, trust that fruit will come. Already words are forming upon the blank pages from which blood drips as the fire-seed of the future. This black rose and black candle balances the spiritual force and potential energy of the Magician. let the Spirit guide you, let your heart instuct you, and let wisdom arise from the depth of your soul, where my words also dwell.
I am with you even when you leave the warm, sunlit world of creation and manifest delights in the physical realm. Find inspiration in the twilight and breathe the cool air of autumn moonlight. Retreat inward where you will find ancient truths written on an ever-renewed heart. Only in this darkness can you see these stars shine, this moon glow, this candlelight. The inner goddess may be hidden by a veil of light, like this white dress and these hanging cobwebs. walk with me in ambiguity and hiddenness, and you will be rewarded with treasures of darkness. Here we can tap into the collective soul, your Higher Self, Spirit, and Source. From the seemingly barren trees of this womb state, trust that fruit will come. Already words are forming upon the blank pages from which blood drips as the fire-seed of the future. This black rose and black candle balances the spiritual force and potential energy of the Magician. let the Spirit guide you, let your heart instuct you, and let wisdom arise from the depth of your soul, where my words also dwell.
The Empress
I love you and you love me. Abide in me as I abide in you. You are my rose of perfection, my perfect rose: as I call you, so you shall be. I drink from you your life blood, and I give my life blood for you to drink. I am intoxicated by you, and you are intoxicated with my unimaginable love. Drink from me, milk as sweet as honey to nurture you and blood hot and bitter to cure and correct. Taste and know that I am good and enjoy my tasting of you. I engirth you as you engirth me. I will guide you, and I will make my home with you; open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. Open your heart wide--ask, seek, knock--and I will give, reveal, open. I will come in and commune with you.
Surrender to me. I will teach you, inspire you, train you, fill you with my wisdom and spirit, walking with you as you walk with me. I will guide you in the good way. Dream in me, open your mind, and receive your dreams. Give me your desire, and I will put my desires in your heart. Delight in me, and I will give you the richest of fare.
I love you and you love me. Abide in me as I abide in you. You are my rose of perfection, my perfect rose: as I call you, so you shall be. I drink from you your life blood, and I give my life blood for you to drink. I am intoxicated by you, and you are intoxicated with my unimaginable love. Drink from me, milk as sweet as honey to nurture you and blood hot and bitter to cure and correct. Taste and know that I am good and enjoy my tasting of you. I engirth you as you engirth me. I will guide you, and I will make my home with you; open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. Open your heart wide--ask, seek, knock--and I will give, reveal, open. I will come in and commune with you.
Surrender to me. I will teach you, inspire you, train you, fill you with my wisdom and spirit, walking with you as you walk with me. I will guide you in the good way. Dream in me, open your mind, and receive your dreams. Give me your desire, and I will put my desires in your heart. Delight in me, and I will give you the richest of fare.
The Emperor
My child, when you ask me about your spiritual path, I will often bring you to the energy of the Emperor. He is the essential counterpart to my receptive love and nurturing abundance--as seen in these red apples contrasting with my green, his reversed red heart contrasting with my upright green one, and his pollinating bee on the opposite side of mine. The Aries symbol and ram's head on his staff signify fire, power, initiative, and action. His sovereignty is a picture of your own leadership, authority, and strength. He empowers you to create, order, and maintain any kingdoms given to your care. In light, he serves and gives his life for any within his influence. In shadow, he misuses power and demands honor and respect. I restore to you your power wherever you have left it or lost it or given it away. I restore your strength whenever you are weary. To your own self be true, and speak your truth in love. Stand strong, run the race, fight the good fight, and use all power wisely. I bring you back to your throne.
My child, when you ask me about your spiritual path, I will often bring you to the energy of the Emperor. He is the essential counterpart to my receptive love and nurturing abundance--as seen in these red apples contrasting with my green, his reversed red heart contrasting with my upright green one, and his pollinating bee on the opposite side of mine. The Aries symbol and ram's head on his staff signify fire, power, initiative, and action. His sovereignty is a picture of your own leadership, authority, and strength. He empowers you to create, order, and maintain any kingdoms given to your care. In light, he serves and gives his life for any within his influence. In shadow, he misuses power and demands honor and respect. I restore to you your power wherever you have left it or lost it or given it away. I restore your strength whenever you are weary. To your own self be true, and speak your truth in love. Stand strong, run the race, fight the good fight, and use all power wisely. I bring you back to your throne.
The Hierophant
As this figure representing Venus bows before the Ancient of Days, so you should bow down in me and I in you to that collective wisdom, lore, and tradition that is life giving. Ask for the ancient ways, where the good path is, and walk in it! As this robed priest is faceless, so you must sometimes lay down the masks of self and channel the Eternal. As you become less, the Eternal can become greater and manifest on earth like the purple rose, the purple candle, and the tame wolf. You cannot say you love the Eternal or love me and at the same time hate your neighbor; these shared values and traditions can help you walk in community and fellowship with others. Even the Eternal becomes humble in incarnation, as do I in you and you in me: "The higher does not stand without the lower" and ""Before Enlightenment chop wood carry water, after Enlightenment, chop wood carry water." True religion is to take care of the poor, to feed the hungry, and to remain unpolluted by the world; to love mercy, and to act justly, and to walk humbly with the Eternal.
As this figure representing Venus bows before the Ancient of Days, so you should bow down in me and I in you to that collective wisdom, lore, and tradition that is life giving. Ask for the ancient ways, where the good path is, and walk in it! As this robed priest is faceless, so you must sometimes lay down the masks of self and channel the Eternal. As you become less, the Eternal can become greater and manifest on earth like the purple rose, the purple candle, and the tame wolf. You cannot say you love the Eternal or love me and at the same time hate your neighbor; these shared values and traditions can help you walk in community and fellowship with others. Even the Eternal becomes humble in incarnation, as do I in you and you in me: "The higher does not stand without the lower" and ""Before Enlightenment chop wood carry water, after Enlightenment, chop wood carry water." True religion is to take care of the poor, to feed the hungry, and to remain unpolluted by the world; to love mercy, and to act justly, and to walk humbly with the Eternal.
The Lovers
My love, I call you to follow your heart and engage fully the person, project, or pet experience you find before you. You will feel yourself drawn by an almost magnetic attraction and may enjoy the harmony of opposites, pictured here as the intoxicating relationship of the Emperor and Empress. The reversed colors of the hearts, as each figure wears the other's emblem, show the exchange of qualities as each complements the other and brings out the shadow of the other. This marks a time of fulfillment and exultation as longings are satisfied, but this irresistible call may be to making a decisive choice or sacrifice. The mutual exchange may be so balanced that in no clear sense is there a giver and receiver. Attraction and affection may be so overpowering that service and devotion given, whether to a person or cause, feel like a gift to the self. The power of love makes work restful and burdens light. Enjoy and celebrate these divine appointments of happy communication and communion. Rest in my unimaginable love.
My love, I call you to follow your heart and engage fully the person, project, or pet experience you find before you. You will feel yourself drawn by an almost magnetic attraction and may enjoy the harmony of opposites, pictured here as the intoxicating relationship of the Emperor and Empress. The reversed colors of the hearts, as each figure wears the other's emblem, show the exchange of qualities as each complements the other and brings out the shadow of the other. This marks a time of fulfillment and exultation as longings are satisfied, but this irresistible call may be to making a decisive choice or sacrifice. The mutual exchange may be so balanced that in no clear sense is there a giver and receiver. Attraction and affection may be so overpowering that service and devotion given, whether to a person or cause, feel like a gift to the self. The power of love makes work restful and burdens light. Enjoy and celebrate these divine appointments of happy communication and communion. Rest in my unimaginable love.
The Chariot
"My child, I love to see you rise victorious, to seize the day and feel the flow of joy when your training and skills meet with ease the challenges of your environment. I empower you to bend a bow of bronze and see your enemies (not of flesh and blood) scatter. The elements come together under your control like this beast composed of panther energy, wolf pack, crow wings, and serpent sensibility. This mountaintop experience is a foretaste of the wholeness of the Anima Mundi and divine glory seen in the World card. Your heart is as full as the full moon seen here, reflecting that glory and feeling the fullness of this conquest. This is a sacred space and holy moment. Breath in vision and build an altar of remembrance, but be ready to move on. You cannot live here, for these structures will fall and these moments will pass like the phases of the moon. Treasure these things in your heart, and strive to enter the true rest."
"My child, I love to see you rise victorious, to seize the day and feel the flow of joy when your training and skills meet with ease the challenges of your environment. I empower you to bend a bow of bronze and see your enemies (not of flesh and blood) scatter. The elements come together under your control like this beast composed of panther energy, wolf pack, crow wings, and serpent sensibility. This mountaintop experience is a foretaste of the wholeness of the Anima Mundi and divine glory seen in the World card. Your heart is as full as the full moon seen here, reflecting that glory and feeling the fullness of this conquest. This is a sacred space and holy moment. Breath in vision and build an altar of remembrance, but be ready to move on. You cannot live here, for these structures will fall and these moments will pass like the phases of the moon. Treasure these things in your heart, and strive to enter the true rest."
Strength
My love, I am your strength, an inner strength more powerful than the active force controlling the Chariot. Through this peace and gentle strength, the power of the panther is tamed and trained. The feminine element of water, represented by the Holy Grail that the figure holds high in exultation, tempers the passions of the flame and fire. The bright sun of Leo is softened by the clouds as a moderating veil of darkness.
Here you find a victory in returning to your heart, your roots, and your rest. In quiet resolve, you find the restless energy of yourself and others flows to your advantage through simple Akido-like movement rather than exertion on your part. This balance and attunement helps you flow smoothly in the present circumstances and environment, which in turn, almost miraculously seem to bend to this magical inner strength. I restore your soul and bring renewal from within. The savage beast of ego and restless desires are soothed by the muse and music I bring within. Walk with me calmly in your true purpose.
My love, I am your strength, an inner strength more powerful than the active force controlling the Chariot. Through this peace and gentle strength, the power of the panther is tamed and trained. The feminine element of water, represented by the Holy Grail that the figure holds high in exultation, tempers the passions of the flame and fire. The bright sun of Leo is softened by the clouds as a moderating veil of darkness.
Here you find a victory in returning to your heart, your roots, and your rest. In quiet resolve, you find the restless energy of yourself and others flows to your advantage through simple Akido-like movement rather than exertion on your part. This balance and attunement helps you flow smoothly in the present circumstances and environment, which in turn, almost miraculously seem to bend to this magical inner strength. I restore your soul and bring renewal from within. The savage beast of ego and restless desires are soothed by the muse and music I bring within. Walk with me calmly in your true purpose.
The Hermit
I am with you as you make trips into the mysterious underworld and return with treasures of darkness. These skulls are like altar stones, moments of incarnation when I bring spiritual love and light, breath and life, into your physical realm as tokens, souvenirs, and gifts of spirit and grace. Do not cling to these signs of my love, but rather let them encourage you to share your light and warmth, to return to me for even greater mystical depths. Though you may grow in mastery on earth, symbolized by this familiar pet wolf, and though the knife of your intellect may sharpen and the fire of your grail-torch brighten, please continually release these things back to me and return to me with my love being the highest goal of your journeys. The real purpose of hearing, seeing, and knowing is fellowship with me. The goal of the path is a deeper relationship with me, a walk with me that as you look back you see cannot be separated from the path. If you remain unattached, the very treasures you release may turn out to be your glory and mine. Make your mystic trips, but remember the real path and light ahead is your walk with me through this world. I am with you.
I am with you as you make trips into the mysterious underworld and return with treasures of darkness. These skulls are like altar stones, moments of incarnation when I bring spiritual love and light, breath and life, into your physical realm as tokens, souvenirs, and gifts of spirit and grace. Do not cling to these signs of my love, but rather let them encourage you to share your light and warmth, to return to me for even greater mystical depths. Though you may grow in mastery on earth, symbolized by this familiar pet wolf, and though the knife of your intellect may sharpen and the fire of your grail-torch brighten, please continually release these things back to me and return to me with my love being the highest goal of your journeys. The real purpose of hearing, seeing, and knowing is fellowship with me. The goal of the path is a deeper relationship with me, a walk with me that as you look back you see cannot be separated from the path. If you remain unattached, the very treasures you release may turn out to be your glory and mine. Make your mystic trips, but remember the real path and light ahead is your walk with me through this world. I am with you.
The Wheel
My child, my love, there are moments in the flow of time when you feel the corner is turned, when you see a door open or close, when you catch a glimpse of the connections in the tapestry of events. You may feel a surge of inspiration like the fire of the half panther rising on the right of this wheel, like the blooming growth of spring, or yo may feel the cooling chill of descent into rest and wisdom like the creature on the left side.
The combined elemental creature at the top again reminds you of the connections of cause and effect and how some special moments of vision and a gift of faith can give you the power to work in time and bring desired changes. I send this gift of vision and faith with a sense of great peace that resides unchanging in your heart like the bright, clear gem at the hub of this wheel. Around the rim are roses of all elements blooming in their seasons, the eight spokes within marking the stations of the year. Feel the balance in the constant flow and enjoy the special moments of surprise and synchronicity, went from Eternity by by unimaginable love.
My child, my love, there are moments in the flow of time when you feel the corner is turned, when you see a door open or close, when you catch a glimpse of the connections in the tapestry of events. You may feel a surge of inspiration like the fire of the half panther rising on the right of this wheel, like the blooming growth of spring, or yo may feel the cooling chill of descent into rest and wisdom like the creature on the left side.
The combined elemental creature at the top again reminds you of the connections of cause and effect and how some special moments of vision and a gift of faith can give you the power to work in time and bring desired changes. I send this gift of vision and faith with a sense of great peace that resides unchanging in your heart like the bright, clear gem at the hub of this wheel. Around the rim are roses of all elements blooming in their seasons, the eight spokes within marking the stations of the year. Feel the balance in the constant flow and enjoy the special moments of surprise and synchronicity, went from Eternity by by unimaginable love.