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Generally, all Twos:

  • Express balance, receptivity, and attraction of their suit, or element.
  • Reflect the themes and wisdom of the Priestess.
  • Symbolize polarity.
  • Can represent Act Two, the confrontation, of your story; or a plot point such as the Catalyst, Inciting Incident, or the Call to Adventure; if you break Act Two down into two parts, this can represent Act Two-Part One, the response; or the increasing awareness step of your character’s arc; antithesis.
  • Are a test of choice, the first test within the mini-dramas mentioned in the Numbers in Tarot post.
  • For additional info on Twos check out Tarot Notes Take a Number series on Twos.

What I See:

We have gone from the one to the two, a couple, and awareness of another. Fire keywords like passionate, dramatic, and instinctual come to mind as I look at this card. I get a sense of yin and yang. Strengths balancing weaknesses. I think of Beltane Fires and dancers and building sexual attraction. This is a test of choice…will they or won’t they? Beltane also reminds me of fertility, we’ve left the darkest time of the year and it is time to celebrate life. Is it me or does the flame on that one torch look like a dancing devil?

General Fire element/Wands suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Fire

Light (upright) Reading:

Attraction to a person, idea, or project has energized you.

  • Keywords: Development, Achievement, Pride, and Collaboration.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

You doubt the attraction or your ability to handle the resulting changes of the choice.

  • Keywords: Agoraphobia, Overwhelmed, Disillusioned, and Abuse of Power.

Plots:

Traditionally, this cards depicts a man often holding a small globe in his hand. Stories focused on a nobleman or businessman, ‘master of all he surveys,’ comes to mind. Also, the man is usually standing above a bay giving mind to a fortress. Perhaps a story about a siege. How about a Helen of Troy retelling?

According to Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner the Two of Wands can also suggest the “‘sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur of this world’s wealth.’ In antiquity, Alexander the Great reportedly was at a loss once he had no more worlds to conquer.” How about a ‘money isn’t everything’ tale?

Yet looking at this card, one of the four Celtic Fire Feasts come to mind. Perhaps lovers. Perhaps a  handfasting or a wedding. Or look at another culture, Native American Fire Ceremony where “[we] bring something to burn that we would like to rid from our past (in Full Moon) or a prayer request of something new (in New Moon), that will burn, turn to smoke, and release into the ethers.” Perhaps a vision quest. Maybe those crossed torches mean a challenge, a truce, a mixing of cultures/races? A funeral pyre?

  • Two Themes: Balance, Attraction, Receptivity, Duality, Reflection, or Choice.

Characters:

“Will the fire warm you or burn you?”

  • Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Peasant or Servant Class.

The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.

All Twos are E2: Helper and/or Giver

  • Self Image — I help
  • Passion — Pride
  • Virtue — Freedom
  • Narcissistic Trap — Service
  • Avoids — Needs
  • Speaking Style — Flattering or Advising

E2 people are relationship oriented. They are concerned with what others think of them, image and prestige. They see themselves as being for others and often believe they know what’s best. They dislike being alone and may feel sad or inadequate.

Additionally, look up one of the Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) for personality traits.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide