by Brian Clark
The images of the crater and the heroic journey are also united in the Holy Grail, the lost vessel of the Last Supper. The knight’s quest to find this numinous image is analogous to a journey of recovering what has been temporarily lost or misplaced. The contents of the grail cup suggest the revelation of the secrets of immortality, the ultimate heroic task. Such a formidable task is bound to be fraught with difficulty. The Five of Wands speaks to these challenges and difficulties, suggesting that the heroic path is strewn with obstacles. When the Five of Wands appears, our sights may be set on the larger picture, but the horizon of our experience may be much smaller. The challenge is to experience the mundane challenges with heroism, and to respect the system you are operating within. The card also reminds the individual to approach everything from the heart, as symbolized by the grail.
On a divinatory level, the combination of Jupiter and Leo entail both faith and heartiness in the current situation. Working together they promise enormous rewards. Both are symbols of abundance, and suggest a positive outcome if arrogance and hubris are checked. Traditionally, the card implies competition and conflict. These are natural elements of the fiery type, who desires action, movement forward, and growth. When the card appears, it suggests a confrontation with obstacles that are blocking the way or obstructing the horizon. Ironically, it is contact with the anima, the inner crater or vessel that holds the draught of sustenance and strength. Fives are kinetic and action-orientated and the spirit underlying the Five of Wands is visionary and ambitious. However, Celestial Tarot reminds us that Crater rides the back of the serpent and due attention and homage must be given to the feminine spirit carrying the life force. Supported by the serpent, the hero is able to venture forward in a dynamic way.
The Six of Wands: Corvus
To the Greeks, the stars of Corvus represented a crow, to the Hebrews, it was a raven, and to the Chinese, it was a red bird associated with the sun. In Greek mythology, the image of the crow was set in the constellations next to Crater on top of the water snake Hydra, as an eternal punishment for the crow’s attempt to deceive Apollo. The god had summoned the crow to fetch purifying waters for a sacrifice. However, the crow was distracted when he spied some ripening figs growing on a tree near the spring waters. Perching on the tree, he waited for the figs to ripen so that he could enjoy the first fruits of the season. With the delay, he was unable to fetch the water. He returned to Apollo with a water snake in his mouth claiming the snake prevented him from taking the waters. To remind the crow of the lie, Apollo set him on the back of the great heavenly water snake Hydra near Crater, the chalice. His heavenly neighbors would forever symbolize his story.
This was not the only time a crow had delivered an unwanted message to the god Apollo. Coronis was the lover of Apollo, who fell in love with a mortal. When the raven reported the infidelity to Apollo the god became so enraged he turned the raven’s feathers black, an eternal reminder of the crow as a bearer of bad news. Sacred to the god of divination, the crow was aligned with prophecy and acted as a messenger of the god. Later European beliefs accentuated the negative aspect of the crow as a bad omen and carrier of evil. However, earlier myths portray the bird with pure white feathers, a symbol of its beneficence. The transmutation of the crow from white to black also suggests the alchemical stage of nigredo, an initiatory stage of death. The darkening of the oracular crow in western tradition is parallel with the denigration of the oracular arts and the demonization of intuitive wisdom.
As a talking bird, the crow was able to utter oracles and therefore became aligned with prophecy. Throughout many differing cultures, the raven was emblematic of a messenger or a trickster, and was often seen as the counterpart to the white dove, contrasting sin and purity. Noah sent the raven from the ark and when it failed to return, it became invested with negative images. In contrast, the white dove’s return gave it an exalted role. However, the majority of cross-cultural images of the raven associate the bird with the gods of the sun, Leo’s realm. As guides and scouts they symbolize the nomadic hunter, such as Mars, the ruler of this decan. Both Mars and Leo affirm the need to strive for creative adventures, and the reluctance to be domesticated.
Traditionally, the Six of Wands heralds victory and honor, themes consistent with Mars and Leo. Mars and Leo resonate with images of a popular leader and a heroic victory that leads to acclaim and triumph. However, Corvus the crow amplifies the traditional message with a foreshadowing of future impediments. Inherent in the victory is the phase of turning away from the world. Crows are images of solitude and isolation, often the unseen consequence of victory and popularity. While the calls of the crow have been imagined as cries of hope, they also bring the prophetic realization of what needs to occur when the victory march ends. On a divinatory level, the card augers the fiery ending of the solar phase when the heroic impulse has achieved great victory, successfully fulfilled its labors, and triumphed against difficult odds. This phase brings acknowledgment and reward. However, as the heroic phase wanes, the labors of the world must give way to the call of the inner voice. The darkening phase begins as the hero’s gaze is focused internally and away from outer triumphs.
The card reminds us of the phase that follows victory; expectations have been fulfilled and there is recognition and reward for creative endeavors and hard work. It encourages the individual to enjoy this culminating phase and take pride in one’s achievements.
The Seven of Wands: Lyra
With the Seven of Wands we cross the cusp into the first decanate of Sagittarius, the last fire sign of the trinity, which represents the transpersonal qualities of this element. While the constellation has also been seen as a vulture, the card identifies Lyra, the lyre, a musical instrument associated with poets and the shamanistic aspect of the hero. The card depicts Terpsichore, the muse of the choral dance and lyric poetry, guiding the lyre, which is strung with the twelve strings of the zodiacal round. Through its mythic narrative, lyric poetry conveys ideas and images that are too complex to be articulated literally. It has the power to evoke deep feelings and connections to mysteriously create an intimately meaningful experience. Poetry is the music of the soul that serves as a prelude to the engagement with the mystical and ecstatic realm. Since antiquity, the lyre has been the instrument that induces trances and altered states, manifestations of mystical experiences.
As the national instrument of ancient Greece, the lyre was elevated into the heavens as the eternal reminder of the ecstasy of musical poetry. Originally, it had seven strings, which corresponded to the seven classical planets, the spiritual stages of initiation, and the seven vibrational levels. Later, the strings were increased to twelve, corresponding to the zodiacal signs, and the numerical image of completeness and eternity. The ancient understanding of seven as a mystical number is embedded in the Seven of Wands card. When it appears, the individual should be heartened to realize that, while there may be conflict and adversity, the spiritual development to date has created an inner strength and conviction that will overcome any obstacles or challenges. In Greek myth, the story of the first lyre recounts the transmutation of feelings of envy and conflict into the experience of equality and brotherhood. When the Seven of Wands appears, there is also a possibility of smoldering envy and competition, therefore these mythic storylines seem appropriate.
Hermes, the creator of the lyre, was envious of his brother’s status. Inspired by the fluorescent shell of a tortoise, Hermes crafted the lyre and gave it to Apollo as a gesture of reconciliation. From that moment on, the lyre was an integral part of his brother’s identity. Eventually, the lyre passed onto Orpheus, the heroic poet who accompanied Jason on the quest for the Golden Fleece. His music soothed arguments and drowned out the seductive songs of the Sirens. Orpheus is remembered mainly for his tragic loss of his beloved bride Eurydice. Unable to accept the loss, Orpheus descended into the underworld to petition Hades, the lord of this dark realm, to release her. He played his lyre
so beautifully Hades’ heart melted and he agreed to release Eurydice, on the condition that Orpheus must never look back while leaving the underworld. Unable to contain his doubt, he glanced back to check on his beloved, only to see her slip back into the mist of the underworld, now lost forever. Orpheus’ music became the dirge through which he expressed his loss and unmanageable grief. The shadow side of Lyra is the uncertainty and doubt that arises when a conflict cannot be resolved. When consumed by anxiety and doubt, the individual is in danger of being mesmerized by the haunting melody of loss or depression. Doubt is the shadow of faith, and was ultimately the demise of Orpheus.
Jupiter and Sagittarius, the card’s astrological symbols, are icons of faith suggesting a strong conviction and determination to fight for what is right. The Seven of Wands reiterates the need to assert one’s beliefs, battle against the demons of doubt, and reaffirm integrity in the face of competition and adversity. The Lyre is an instrument of cosmic harmony, encouraging a resolution to envy and doubt. As a muse, the Lyre also challenges us to protect the creative and poetic instincts against their adversaries. When the Seven of Wands appears, it reunites us with the spiritual realms of lyrical poetry, music, and dance. Confronting the image of the Lyre, may also suggest contact with the ecstatic and poetic world of the shaman, the lyrical surrogate of Jupiter.
The Eight of Wands: Ara
The Eight of Wands is associated with the minor constellation Ara, the Altar, which has been known since antiquity. The card depicts an altar upon which a sacrifice is being burnt. The smoke rises towards the heavens to placate the gods and win their favor. One interpretation of the sacrificial altar was that it belonged to the centaur Chiron who would burn sacrifices after his hunting in the wilds of Pelion. Through the act of sacrifice, the primitive instincts are offered into the service of the gods.
Sacrificial rituals lie at the heart of ancient Greek religion. Sacrifice was performed at an altar, an essential aspect of every sanctuary. This ritual was dedicated to either Olympian or Chthonic gods. The card suggests that in sacrificing what is necessary the individual steps into sacred time, where the atmosphere is full of synchronicity and meaning. The altar symbolizes the place in our lives where worry, doubt, and anxiety may be sacrificed. With the release of these tensions, there can be a renewal of faith and optimism as well as a wellspring of creative energies, which will propel us forward. In Celestial Tarot, doubt and anxiety are burned away at Ara the altar, allowing the supplicant to advance toward a period of positive action, travel and movement into new territory.
The ritual of sacrifice through which a person or object was made holy reaffirmed the boundary between man and god. Its intent was to secure the god’s grace, not to honor their omnipotence. Sacrifice to Demeter involved praising the goddess yet its intention was not to glorify her, but to ensure a fertile field and secure an abundant harvest. Similarly, Apollo was petitioned for an oracle; Asclepius, a cure; Artemis, a successful pregnancy; Athena, a victory. When the Eight of Wands appears it is appropriate to secure the next phase of the journey through petitioning the ‘gods’ for guidance and protection. The card also reminds us to be aware of which god we are petitioning.
With Ara, the Eight of Wands, it is important to identify what we consider sacred in our lives: a relationship, a creative project, our career, a degree, or a belief. Animal sacrifice became a symbol for the renunciation of the instincts and the animalistic tendencies into the service of the spiritual nature. With the appearance of this card we engage with the image of the altar and consider what needs to be sacrificed in the current situation. The ritual of sacrifice also renews the life force and is a conscious pledge to be more attuned to the soul’s needs.
Historically, the altar later became aligned with a place of refuge and protection. While in the precinct of the altar, the individual was protected from harm. When Ara is drawn, we are summoned to an inner sanctuary where we can find peace and safety. We are also reminded of the necessity to create our own altar, either through retreating into an inner spiritual sanctuary, or physically constructing an altar to remind us to return to the center of our sacred ground.
The Eight of Wands is co-ruled by Mars. At this stage of development, Mars represents the spiritual warrior. The combination of these two astrological symbols implies rapid developments, a growth spurt, enthusiasm, and fervor. On one hand, this period of activity and growth is born out of having heroically faced the challenges and obstacles of the past. However, with the firestorm of activity it is important not to waste energy, act impulsively, or react defensively. The Eight of Wands reminds us to sacrifice our impatience, anxieties and panic at the inner altar to ensure that the movement forward is smooth.
On a divinatory level, the card suggests that the individual is about to harvest their crop, claim their prize, or complete the labor. The fiery duo of Mars and Sagittarius almost guarantees travel and adventure, but it is Ara, the altar, that reminds us that the act of sacrifice and paying homage to the sacred in our lives ensures a positive outcome. Passing through the second decan of Sagittarius suggests that we are nearing the goal.
The Nine of Wands: Draco
With the Nine of Wands, we encounter the dragon Draco coiled around the North Pole, guarding the treasure at the center of the celestial sphere. Again, another snake-like creature has appeared to confront the hero. Draco is the third in the trinity of serpentine monsters that populate the Wands. On the psychological level, it reveals the alliance between solar consciousness and the monstrous, or the ego and the shadow. In reality, the hero and the dragon are partnered, just as the ego and shadow are. While the heroic ego may try to eliminate the serpent, it is an immortal aspect of the self, guarding the divine treasures and the sacred taboos from the uninitiated hero, or in psychological terms, the unconscious ego. When the Nine of Wands appears, it reveals the tension between the ego and the shadow. At this stage of the journey, the individual may be overly identified with trying to protect their current position.
Contemporary Draco is not as large as his ancient counterpart. At one time the dragon had wings, but these were snipped off in the archaic period and reshaped into the neighboring constellation Ursa Minor. The ancients saw him alternatively as a serpent or a crocodile. One explanation as to why Draco is wrapped around the North Pole involves the goddess, Athena. During the Great War between the gods and the giants, Athena battled the dragon. As they struggled, she grabbed the dragon by the tail, swinging the beast over her head like a lasso. She then threw him upward into space, where he became caught around the North Pole. Here, in the polar region he became frozen around this pivotal cosmic point, an image consistent with the symbol of the caduceus. A dragon or serpent encircling the world is also a cross-cultural motif known as the ouroboros. On one level, it suggests a return, a spiral, or a homecoming, a motif of the Nine of Wands. When this card appears, it suggests that the individual may be approaching the home stretch of his or her adventure, perhaps nearing the final stage of a project. Another level of meaning suggests the ouroboros is representative of the marriage of opposites; the union of the chthonic or infernal world symbolized by the dragon, with the celestial sphere of the North Pole. In symbolic terms, the image is a potent reminder of the union of ego and shadow, a theme of the Nine of Wands.
When the Nine of Wands is drawn, it reveals that there may be yet another obstacle to face, task to undertake, or dragon to subdue. With a second wind, accompanied by inner strength and conviction, the individual can successfully meet the challenge. The individual may feel as if they have exhausted all their resources and strength, yet the card acknowledges the need to confront the dragon once again. Ironically, the source of the strength will be the shadow. When the shadow becomes engaged in the process, then the release of repressed energies revitalizes the individual to clear the path of debris. Inherent in the creative process and the heroic journey are the confrontations with the shadow, which paradoxically vital
ize the heroic spirit.
Dragons are considered auto-chthonic, or born of the earth, and guard the treasures of the land that gave them life. The hero must fight the dragon to occupy the land, or in a psychological sense, must face the dragon that guards the spiritual treasures and the soul mysteries. However, the dragon is part of the land itself and therefore needs to be integrated rather than killed off. When the Nine of Wands appears, it suggests that there may be a final battle before the final destination can be reached. Through understanding, self-examination, and education, the individual will be able to access their own internal wisdom to deal with the obstacles or dilemmas that appear in the final stages of the venture.