Meet the Cards: Child of Earth

What I See:

I love that look of concentration on his face. I can almost hear his little voice saying, ” I know there’s something special inside.” Of course, cutting crosswise reveals the pentacle within the apple.

He’s obviously a toddler, requiring naps and nighttime sleep. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. I think of half remembered dreams. I think of how the brain recharges and stores what we’ve learned during the day. I think of the amazing changes a child of this age goes through from day to day.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

It’s a time of learning and connecting.

• Keywords: Watchful, Secure, Fascinated, Diligent, or Loving.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of “keeping up with the Joneses.”

• Keywords: Coveting, Critical, Hedonism, Neurotic, or Obsessive.

Plots:

Perhaps seeing an old place through the eyes of a child. How about exploring the world through one sense? Or maybe a child’s secret spot, hideaway? What about trying something for the first time?

As the Earth aspect of Earth, this child would be like a “bull in a china shop” when indoors, perhaps a fish out of water type of tale? An outdoorsy story?

How about a story about a child prodigy? Perhaps explore a mental disability.

• Child Themes: Curiosity, Hope, Innocence, Opening, Trust, Beginnings, Novelty, Growth, Study, or Apprenticeship.

Historically, according to Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner, the Page of Pentacles referred to a “dark youth, a young officer or soldier, or a child.” Perhaps, that’s a physical description of your MC. Or maybe he’s just dark inside? How about a wounded warrior story?

Characters:

“By connecting to my body and the natural world, I find my center.” ~Joanna Powell Colbert

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

MBTI: ISFP (Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving)

The nine-point personality enneagram can also be useful for character building.

Children/Pages/Princesses are an equal mix of E6: Devil’s Advocate, Loyalist, Troubleshooter, and/or Guardian.

• Self Image — I do my duty
• Passion — Fear
• Virtue — Courage
• Narcissistic Trap — Security
• Avoids — Deviance
• Speaking Style — Warning or Limiting

E6 people are ruled by their head. They need to understand the pattern of events, where all the pieces fit in the puzzle of life, and are often detached from their emotions. Their objectivity may hide feelings of isolation or confusion.

and E9: Mediator, Peacemaker, and/or Preservationist

• Self Image — I am content
• Passion — Indolence, Laziness, or Accidia
• Virtue — Diligence
• Narcissistic Trap — Self-abasement
• Avoids — Conflict
• Speaking Style — Monotonous or Rambling

E9 people are instinctive, spontaneous, and intuitive. Their “gut” feeling is the center of their awareness. They are often direct or territorial. They are concerned with power, ruled by aggression, and may be troubled by self-doubt or self-blame.

You will have to decide which fits your character best.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

• Careers: Domestics, Elementary Education, Students, Bookkeeper, Secretary/Executive Assistants, Archivist, Librarian, Animal Trainer, Financial Speculator, and Child-Care.
• Recreation: Hatha Yoga, Camping, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Pilates, and Anything that knocks out stress and helps them connect with nature.

For more information on the Children in general, please refer back to Child of Water.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Ten of Earth

What I See:

I see a lot in this image. We have a nurse stump/log which speaks to the endings and beginnings theme of the tens. A tree falls and as it decays it gives new life to moss and ferns and fungi and tree seedlings.

I get a sense of journey’s end whether you look at the physical or symbolic. It even looks like the man is walking toward the light. “Light at the end of the tunnel” anyone? Or, on the spiritual side, “going into the light.”

I have mixed feelings about the man being alone. On one hand, it looks like he’s out on a peaceful afternoon stroll through the woods. On the other, I wonder where his family and friends are. I want to step up next to him, linking my arm through his, and ask him to tell me a story as we walk along the path.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Past wisdom shines new light on your life.

• Keywords: Tradition, Comfort, Abundance, or Inheritance.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of feeling trapped, or seeing the glass half empty.

• Keywords: Family Troubles, Suffocating Traditions, Dependence, or Excessive Materialism.

Plots:

How about a storyteller? An elder passing on his history to the next generation? Perhaps, a first-time grandparent holding that grandchild (or great-grandchild!) for the first time. Or maybe, a grandparent caring for/raising a grandchild? A governess or nanny?

Maybe retirement? An ending to working for a living and a beginning to living for a living.

It’s hard to look at this image and not think about an end of life. Transitioning from the physical plane to the spiritual or metaphysical. Perhaps a ghost story, or life-after-death tale.

• Ten Themes: Transition, Transformation, or Endings and Beginnings.

Typically, this card shows three generations of a family. According to Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner, “The Ten of Pentacles suggests the richness of family life.” Perhaps a tale of inheritance, whether monies or wisdom or experience or values or beliefs. Perhaps a story around a family tradition.

Characters:

Passing our knowledge to the next generation.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Tens in general, please refer back to the Ten of Fire.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Nine of Earth

What I See:

We have the emotional element in the water behind her. The intellectual element with the bird flying across the image. And, of course, we have the physical element — Earth. The setting is peaceful yet the greenery seems to act as a boundary, or protection, between the field and water. I understand this is the author/artist herself. She looks happy and content. I imagine there’s a scent of lavender on the breeze. She’s alone but doesn’t appear lonely. I get a happily-ever-after feeling looking at this card

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

You are at peace and enjoying the bounty of your life.

• Keywords: Prosperity, Good-Fortune, Protection, or Self-Mastery.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

What do you need to be secure? Embrace what you already have.

• Keywords: Entrapment, Loneliness, Incompleteness, or Self-Indulgence.

Plots:

How about a farm/farmer? Herbs? Farmer’s market? Florist? It almost looks like an estate, perhaps, lady of the manor. A refuge?

Prosperity, perhaps through investment or inheritance. Or maybe, taking advantage when opportunity knocks?

Protection, perhaps a security fence or walled garden. Or maybe, a glided cage is still a cage? What about a marriage of convenience? An overprotective parent or spouse?

• Nine Themes: Self-mastery, Solitude, Wisdom, Experience, or Completion.

Characters:

Grateful for home and the putting down of roots.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Nines in general, please refer back to the Nine of Air.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Eight of Earth

Generally, all Eights:

• Express self-empowerment of their suit, or element.
• Reflect the themes and wisdom of Strength.
• Symbolize challenge and transformation.
• Can be a plot point such as the crisis or climax; the character’s final attempt to master the change of their arc; or any challenge after the exploration of inner goals/motivation.
• Are the final challenge of the mini-dramas mentioned in the Numbers in Tarot post.
• For additional info on Eights check out Tarot Notes Take a Number series on Eights.

What I See:

I see a father teaching his daughter a skill, perhaps one his father taught him. The book focuses on the patience needed to master a new talent and I see that. Anyone with children can relate to the amount of patience a parent (teacher) needs daily. There’s continuity as well. Once a skill is learned you have it forever, even if it gets rusty.

I also find drums and interesting choice for this card. There is something primal about drums. The beat pulses like the blood pumping through our veins. Something in us lets loose. While the colors and setting of this card speak to the Earth element, the drums give me a more Fire sensation.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Learning a craft requires diligence and teaches patience.

• Keywords: Talent, Dedication, Apprenticeship, or Financial Caution.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of lost motivation, perhaps a mentor will inspire you.

• Keywords: Fraudulence, Poor Quality, or All Work and No Play.

Plots:

Any combination of teacher and student: master craftsman/musician and apprentice, parent and child, mentor and intern. Learning of a new skill. Mastering patience. On the job training.

How about balancing work and play? Spending time with family?

Perhaps this is a celebration or ritual or right of passage. How about a craft fair? Trade show? Music festival?

Perhaps explore the differences between the artist (Three of Pentacles) and craftsman/artisan (Eight of Pentacles).

• Eight Themes: Taking Action, Energy, Self-directed Movement, Empowerment, or Transforming Vision into Reality.

Characters:

Love and respect, rhythm and tempo.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

The nine-point personality enneagram can also be useful for character building.

All Eights are E8: Boss, Top Dog, Challenger, and/or Confronter

• Self Image — I am strong
• Passion — Lust
• Virtue — Simplicity
• Narcissistic Trap — Justice
• Avoids — Weakness
• Speaking Style — Challenging or Unmasking

E8 people are instinctive, spontaneous, and intuitive. Their “gut” feeling is the center of their awareness. They are often direct or territorial. They are concerned with power, ruled by aggression, and may be troubled by self-doubt or self-blame.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Seven of Earth

What I See:

Oh, this is a very Earthy image. We see a woman planting a tree, a red cedar according to the book, near a creek. I get a sense of replenishment. Of taking care of our environment for future generations. (Pentacles generally deal with finances so this could be viewed as investing for the future.) Red cedars are long living trees which makes me think of the old saying, “you can’t rush Mother Nature.” They also make excellent building materials which brings to mind shelter, home and hearth, comfort. I think of the Tree of Life too. The roots firmly planted in the soil, protecting the area from erosion. The trunk grows not just in height but width. Then there are the branches reaching for the heavens.

Is it just me, or does the fact she’s planting a seeding feel like a writer’s new shiny? An artist’s idea sprouting?

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Slow and steady is the name of the game, think of long-term goals.

• Keywords: Reevaluation, Patience, Persistence, or Planning.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of impatience, slow down and look for pleasure in daily progress.

• Keywords: Failure, Depression, Demoralization, or Self-Pity.

Plots:

A logging story? A restoration project? A loggers verses environmental activists? Reseeding a forest after a forest fire? Perhaps it’s not a tree but the start of a garden, is she living off the land?

How about a ‘patience is a virtue’ tale? Or a ‘you can’t rush Mother Nature’ story?

Perhaps, the tree represents growth. Maybe your story focuses on a promotion? Or maybe, your MC has “reached a level of success in the world and now has the maturity and self-confidence necessary to explore new territory.”

• Seven Themes: Initiation, Focus, Inner Work, Setting Intentions, or Self-awareness.

Traditionally, this card show a man next to a bush covered in coins. How about a ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ story? Or perhaps, through careful planning, one can grow their finances.

Characters:

Trust in your efforts even if you don’t see immediate results.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Sevens in general, please refer back to the Seven of Water.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Six of Earth

What I See:

I love farmers’ markets. There’s an energy to them I’m not sure I can put in words. There’s a sense of stepping back in time. Of community. All your senses are engaged. There’s an earthy scent in the air punctuated by lavender from stall I just passed. Someone is haggling price behind me. Children are running up and down the aisles, their laughter contagious. The sun is warm on my skin. And the colors, an absolute riot of color. The old man by the apples is telling stories from his youth to anyone who’ll rest beneath his canopy for a moment or two. The young man rushes over to help the young mother struggling with a baby and a toddler and her basket of produce. I get a sense of finding pleasure in the small things. Of counting your blessings, even the mundane ones like shopping.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Your generosity flows back to you, enriching your prosperity.

• Keywords: Success, Generosity, Gratitude, or Profits.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

It’s time to make financial adjustments.

• Keywords: Disparity in Power, Shortchanged, Co-dependence, or Bad Debts.

Plots:

How about a story that revolves around a farmer’s market? Perhaps a small rural community. Or for contrast, how about finding the rural atmosphere in an urban setting?

Perhaps a merchant. Profits and losses. Business success or business failure. Perhaps a charity. A food bank or soup kitchen. How about a business man who feels more fortunate than most, who gives back to his community? Perhaps your MC simply believes gifts should be shared not hoarded.

• Six Themes: Reciprocity, Collaboration, Peak Experience, Interaction, or Community.

Typically, this card shows a well-dressed man handing out coins to two beggars. Perhaps a pan-handler or homeless story. Additionally, one of the beggars’ heads is covered. Perhaps the person is struggling with mental illness?

Characters:

“I appreciate and support the work of others, just as they support and appreciate me.”

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Sixes in general, please refer back to the Six of Fire.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Five of Earth

What I See:

He’s alone, obviously just trying to survive. I imagine the wind is howling through the trees. He’s cold and probably wet. I wonder what supplies he has. How long can he hold out? I’m also impressed by his ingenuity in the building of his shelter. He knows what he’s doing. Despite being uncomfortable, I get the sense he’s confident in his skills.

I also get a sense of being on the outside looking in. Is someone, or something, watching him?

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Create a shelter to weather the storm.

• Keywords: Spiritual Awareness, Renewed Faith, Independence, or Survival Skills.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of not trusting your own abilities.

• Keywords: Loss, Frustration, Worry, or Misfortune.

Plots:

Story ideas pop with this image. Is he homeless? Perhaps he lost his job then his house. Is he living off the land? Perhaps he’s not a modern day man but ancient and that’s is his home. Or perhaps, he’s not of this world. Has he been separated from his group/family/tribe? HOW did he end up cold, huddled in a debris shelter?

Is he being hunted? Or is he the hunter?

• Five Themes: Challenge, Crisis, Conflict, Instability, or Change.

Typically, this card shows a man and a woman trudging through the snow past what appears to be a church. Do they know help is at hand? The couple seem to be poor and the man is injured. Perhaps a story on hardships or a charitable agency? How about weathering a storm?

Characters:

You have what it takes to see the crisis through.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Five in general, please refer back to the Five of Air.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Four of Earth

Generally, all Fours:

• Express sacred space, boundaries, or limits of their suit, or element.
• Reflect the themes and wisdom of the Builder.
• Symbolize foundation.
• Can represent Act Three, the resolution of your story; syntheses; it can be a plot point such as the First Plot Point, the turning point between Act One and Act Two; or the committing to change step of your character’s arc.
• Are the start of the second set of mini-dramas mentioned in the Numbers in Tarot post. In the fours we must build a foundation before moving forward.
• For additional info on Fours check out Tarot Notes Take a Number series on Fours.

What I See:

As with a number of these cards, I love the artist’s take of this one. Normally, the Four of Pentacles shows a miserly looking man hoarding his coins. I always came away from the traditional card feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. Here on the other hand, I see the positives. The squirrel is gathering his acorns for the winter. It reminds me that it is wise to save for a rainy day. There is the cairn of four stones, a blessing often representing safety, hope, and friendship. It reminds me to be thankful for what I do have in my life. Cairns can also mark a path — pointing us in the right direction? — or a landmark.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

You’re building a security net, whether shelter, finances, or blessings.

• Keywords: Power, Enrichment, Possession, and Stability.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

You’re taking more than your fair share of resources and risk forgetting where you’ve hidden the bounty.

• Keywords: Greed, Stinginess, Suspicion, and Fear.

Plots:

How about something surrounding the four seasons? Perhaps the four elements? In the traditional depiction of this card, the four coins symbolize the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical realms.

Four walls, the building of a structure? A corner stone? Laying a foundation? Or finding something/someone in a structure?

Pentacles stand for the worldly pursuits and perhaps, like the squirrel, your MC is obsessed with making money, saving for a rainy day, to the point he’s forgotten how to enjoy the fruits of his labor? Or perhaps, like the squirrel, he is alone? Maybe a retelling of Midas?

• Four Themes: Sacred Space, Structure, Boundaries, Limits, Foundation, or Stewardship.

How about focusing on the cairn? Perhaps, your story is about counting blessings. Or finding the right path. Or finding the landmark that unlocks a key to the past. Or maybe the future?

Characters:

Gathering and saving for a rainy day.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

The nine-point personality enneagram can also be useful for character building.

All Fours are E4: Tragic Romantic, Individualist, and/or Connoisseur

• Self Image — I am different
• Passion — Envy
• Virtue — Equanimity
• Narcissistic Trap — Authenticity
• Avoids — Ordinariness
• Speaking Style — Lyrical or Lamenting

E4 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 Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Three of Earth

What I See:

The three women is something I expect on the Three of Water card. It threw me a bit. It also makes me want to head over to Maria’s house to help her put up the bounty from her garden. I just feel the friendship flowing from this card. The women also seem to be different ages, giving me that generational feel. I also get the sense of age doesn’t matter when similar interests bring you together.

According to the book, “a traditional meaning for this card is ‘building the house of the Goddess.’ In this case, the temple of the Goddess is our own bodies…” That puts to mind the blending of the mind, body, and spirit.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Synergy, your community is more than each of its separate parts.

• Keywords: Superior Talents, Progress, Diligence, and Expertise.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

It’s time to seek out a community, or create one.

• Keywords: Inefficiency, Boredom, Thankless Task, and Lack of Respect.

Plots:

Perhaps a story about three sisters, three friends, or three generations of woman? Harvest, canning, and freezing — perhaps a story about coming together to get a job done. How about a catering company?

Maybe those women are witches? Midwifes, cooking up medicines to help with labor and delivery?

• Three Themes: Harmony, Abundance, Ease, Manifestation, Productivity, or Expression.

According to Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner, “The card depicts the process of giving substance and form to our spiritual ideas and beliefs.” So perhaps your story is about an artist or a writer? How about channeling a vision? Or perhaps the feeling of words flowing through you rather than coming from you?

Characters:

You find pleasure creating something of lasting value.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Threes in general, please refer back to the Three of Water.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Two of Earth

What I See:

Boy can I relate to that poor dad! Grocery shopping with kids is the pits, LOL. Yet this is a fabulous image of balance. We all juggle family and home, work and friends, balancing our budgets and paying the bills. We see the Earth element in the produce the man is looking over. We also see the test of choice as he decides what to buy. The crocodile on his shirt shows us adaptability — the crocodile lives in the water yet breaths air.

General Earth element/Pentacles suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.

Light (upright) Reading:

Centered, you’re balancing your responsibilities.

• Keywords: Balance, Movement, Multitasking, and Changes.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

Beware of your attention being pulled in a different direction.

• Keywords: Disequilibrium, Disorganization, Inflexibility, and Unfocused.

Plots:

Typically, this card shows a man with two coins joined by the infinity symbol (which has ties to the Magician and Strength). A clown or court jester come to mind. A traveling act/performer? What if the high wire performer falls in love and loses their balance, their focus?

Perhaps a blending of families? How about living in two worlds like the crocodile? Or living a secret life? Maybe there’s a two-timing back-stabbing plot thread? Perhaps this tells you to write two different points of view.

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

Pentacles (Coins) relate to material losses or gains, perhaps your character is balancing two jobs to make ends. Or maybe they’ve lost their job? Received a raise or promotion?

Characters:

Adaptability in the midst of demands on time and attention.

• Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.

Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.

For more information on the Twos in general, please refer back to the Two of Fire.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide