Meet the Cards: Six of Fire

Generally, all Sixes:

• Express community and happy experience of their suit, or element.
• Reflect the themes and wisdom of The Lovers.
• Symbolize reciprocity.
• Can represent a false victory or lull before the storm in your story; the “Approach to Inmost Cave” portion of the Hero’s Journey (The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler), or the “Reward”; it could be your mid-point, turning your story on its ear; or the preparing step of your character’s arc.
• Are the resolution of the second set of mini-dramas mentioned in the Numbers in Tarot post.
• For additional info on Sixes check out Tarot Notes Take a Number series on Sixes.

What I See:

Just off Samhain, perhaps the delay was divine intervention. This could be any bonfire type celebration. The heat off the flames adding a sheen of sweat to the people around the fire. The beat of the drums building the tempo, thus the dancers, into a frenzied pace.There’s a sense of sexual power.  Or, perhaps, release. That quote about “dance like no one is watching” comes to mind yet also a feeling of anticipation because someone IS watching. I get a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and community when I look at this card. I see all the gorgeous reds and yellows, and oranges I expect to see in a Fire element image.

There’s a crackle and a pop from the fire. The air is dry as I move closer to the fire. My blood is pulsing in time with the drums. I raise my arms and move…

General Fire element/Wands suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Fire

Light (upright) Reading:

You may be charged by the power of the inner circle.

• Keywords: Triumph, Acclaim, Appreciation, or Good News.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

You may be burned out or feel you have nothing to offer.

• Keywords: Pomposity, Condescending, Pretense, or Vanity.

Plots:

This card only shows women, perhaps a story about friendship. Or Girls’ Night Out (In). How about a sorority? Maybe they are related. Perhaps six sisters? Or cousins at a family reunion?

Obvious bonfire celebrations come to mind: Celtic, Native American, Aztec, Jewish, or Persian to get you started. Or something as simple as a group of friends having a bonfire on the beach.

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

How about a victory dance? Traditionally, this card shows a man on a horse, riding through a crowd. A victory parade? The conquering hero?

Characters:

Erotic power — release it.

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

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

All Sixes are 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.

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

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Five of Fire

What I See:

The first thing I notice is that there is no obvious five here. According to the book there are twisted faces in the smoke and fire…I’ll see one, then think I’m imagining it. Perhaps the point. And perhaps there are five. The next thing I’m stuck by is the single man, the fire breather. Either he’s incredibly brave or he’s an adrenaline junkie, LOL. I think of showboating, needing to be the center of attention, dominance, and anger.

Jenny Hansen recently had a post on dealing with anger in which she talks about anger coming from hurt and fear. The book even says, “Rage and anger are often masks for that which we fear.” I see that here. I think of short fuses.

General Fire element/Wands suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Fire

Light (upright) Reading:

You’re playing with powerful and exciting fire, but beware it can be lethal.

• Keywords: Competition, Brainstorming, Male Bonding, or Sport.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

You may be dealing with burnout, allow the fire to inspire a transformation.

• Keywords: Sabotage, Stunted Creativity, Conflicts, or Ego Clashes.

Plots:

Perhaps your story focuses on a performer. A circus act or, pardon the term, a freak show act? Perhaps your MC likes living on the edge. Maybe a Native American Fire Ceremony or a Celtic Fire Feast?

There’s a sense of chaos in the flames, perhaps the organized chaos of war. Or a sporting event? Maybe focus on the excitement of danger.

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

If we look at the number, you can focus on the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell)? I bet if you put yourself in the fire breather’s audience you can write all five. Or perhaps the elements (fire, water, air, and earth) bound by a high guidance of spirit?

Characters:

“We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder. We always have the choice. ~Dalai Lama“

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

Additionally, look up one of the Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) 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 Fire

What I See:

The first thing that strikes me are the circles. We have the full moon which makes me think of the ebb and flow of emotions, and of coming full circle. We have the circle on her shirt which looks a little like a dragon, hello Fire. We have the circle she’s standing in, a sacred circle, with candles marking the four directions. Even her hair gives me the image of a circle. She appears to be breathing deeply, mediating, centering herself, absorbing the energy of the world around her. I get a sense of empowerment.

General Fire element/Wands suit:

Please refer back to the Ace of Fire

Light (upright) Reading:

You’ve stepped into the sacred circle to celebrate a right of passage.

• Keywords: Celebration, Blessings, Harmony, or Bountiful Harvest.

Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:

You’re burned out, it’s time to recharge.

• Keywords: Insecurity, Social Gaffs, Thankless, or Incompatibility.

Plots:

How about a story focusing on rituals preformed by the light of a full moon? Sacred Circles? Perhaps Stonehenge or, even, Newgrange? How about one of the Celtic Fire Festivals? Or a Native American Fire Ceremony?

Perhaps a story about coming full circle? Feminine empowerment? Or the four directions? Travel, or coming home? There’s a connection to nature, perhaps even fertility, here you might use.

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

Typically, this card shows a couple putting together garlands for a wedding canopy. Perhaps a wedding, or other celebration? The garlands are held up by four wands, four corners. Perhaps a first home? Or how about the finding, or losing, of security?

Characters:

You have the power to accomplish anything you’ve set your mind to.

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

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

For more information on the Fours in general, please refer back to the Four of Earth.

Image: Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert from Llewellyn Worldwide

Meet the Cards: Two of Fire

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

Are #Tattoos Sexy?

If you’d asked me that question 20-25 years ago, the answer would have been no. At that point in time the only connection I had with tattoos was a co-worker who was ex-military and an ex-state trooper…and he was COVERED. Not in intricate sleeves but random designs that ran into one another from his wrists to his shoulders. I suspect he had even more than I, as a co-worker, was privy to.

Then I got out in the world more

Which is kinda funny because by the time I’d met said co-worker, I’d already sowed my ‘wild oats’ via partying, bar hopping, etc. by age 21 (I was legal where I lived due to a law change and my date of birth falling under the grandfather cause). I’d been introduced to a gay bar, where my sister was thought to be my date, LOL. And closed the honky tonk bar more times than I can count…the truck stop had the BEST breakfasts! No DUI for me.

Sorry…where was I?

Right. Getting out into the world. Or maybe getting older? Perhaps the stigma lessened. Danica Avet even posted about the tattoo debate recently (which is similar to an experience I had over Easter weekend, LOL). Or seeing sexy men with hot tattoos. There’s something of the ‘bad boy’ in a man sporting a tattoo. Whatever the reason, I started liking tattoos. I started thinking of tattoos as SEXY.

Then I started thinking I’d like to GET one!

Source: Wendy Andrew

As a person of Scottish decent I am drawn to all things Celtic. As a woman I am drawn feminine symbolism, such as the Triple Goddess. Is it any wonder that a Maiden-Mother-Crone tattoo is first on my list?

Of course, tattoos are hugely personal. Certainly not something to enter into lightly. In the end, I think a well-thought out tattoo is SEXY.

How about you? Do you find tattoos sexy? Do you have one? Or do you want to get one?