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Aries, brainstorming, character development, Christopher Vogler, Corrine Kenner, elements, Fire, Joanna Powell Colbert, Leo, Major Arcana, Meet the Cards, plotting, Raelyn Barclay, recommended reads, Sagittarius, tarot, Tarot for Writers, The Moon, The Sun, The Writer's Journey, Vincent van Gogh, writers, writing
The Sun, radiant joy, is number nineteen of the Major Arcana.
- Symbolism: Joy.
- Element: Fire (see Tarot Elements)
What I See:
This is such a vibrant card. The bright yellows and reds definitely give me the sense of the fire element. Arms outstretched, dancing in the sunlight, her smile just radiates joy to me. After the ‘dark night of the soul’ of the Moon card we’re given the renewal of a new day. Sunflowers follow the path of the sun just like people are drawn to happy people. I think of van Gogh when I see sunflowers, bold colors and imagination. The wall gives me the sense of a boundary keeping negative energies out and the positive in.
Light (upright) Reading:
Sing, dance, let creativity run free.
- Keywords: Vitality, Success, Prosperity, and Honors.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
Life may be too intense, beware of burnout.
- Keywords: Arrogance, Ostentatious, Narcissism, and Egotistical.
Plots:
Sunrise. Sunset. Life and death, how about a circle of life story? A wedding, birth, anniversary, birthday, or graduation?
How about a walled garden? An ancestral home? A field of sunflowers. How about summer? Vacation or travel, and children off from school. Perhaps a solstice celebration?
The sun represents gods who die and are reborn, perhaps a retelling of a myth such as Apollo? Maybe a Phoenix story?
- Themes: Happiness, Joy, Consciousness, Vitality, Celebration, Enthusiasm, Illumination, or Being the Center of Attention.
Characters:
Create happiness by living a life of purpose and sharing joy.
- Archetype: Hero, Divine Child, Champion, or Animus (the male element in the female unconscious) — Vogler refers to this as the Shapeshifter.
A hero begins as a Fool and at various stages of the adventure rises through the ranks of Magician, Warrior, Messenger, Conqueror, Lover, Thief, Ruler, Hermit, and so on. ~The Writers Journey
by Christopher Vogler
- Mythical Figures: Apollo, Ra, Agni, Surya, and Helios.
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
The Sun is E1: Perfectionist and/or Reformer
- Self Image — I am right
- Passion — Anger
- Virtue — Serenity
- Narcissistic Trap — Perfection
- Avoids — Vexation
- Speaking Style — Teaching or Moralizing
E1 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 Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) for personality traits.
When the Sun card shows up in your writing practice, it may be time to send your work out into the bright light of day — so you can shine like the sun, be the center of attention, and enlighten others with the power of your words. ~Tarot for Writers
by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot
Raelyn Barclay 
Her smile, her open stance in dance, the freedom…it all radiates from this card. I actually smiled when I looked at the card, so contagious.
It does have a contagious feel to it doesn’t it? I think of that quote, “Love like you’ve never been hurt, Dance like no one is watching, Sing like no one is listening, Work like you don’t need money, and Live like there’s no tomorrow,” when I look at this card.
Thanks for stopping by Angela!
Do you use the cards to help with your characters and plots?
It’s one more tool in the ol’ writer’s toolbox 🙂 I use them in character development more than plot. However, the fantasy story I’m working on is seeped in Tarot symbolism from the world to the people.
Thanks for stopping by Brinda!
What a great image. So happy and free. I am a Leo so I suppose I really relate to the sun and I adore sunflowers. Love this series.
I love the positive feeling I get from most of this deck 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Claire!
I love how even this bright, cheerful card has a dark side 🙂
Just like every coin has two sides, so does a tarot card 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Miho!
That card just makes me smile. The colors are so vibrant, and she looks so happy.
I know. It makes me think of summer 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Ciara!
Raelyn, I’ve been meaning to connect with this series much more actively, but time time time keeps getting away from me. The long and short — I, too, use this deck for writing inspiration and there’s a fabulous story behind that. Adore what you’re doing here. Will chat you up on Facebook about “the story.”
Definitely Debra! I’m glad you’re enjoying the series.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ref: Life may be too intense, …
“Intense” is the first thing I thought of when I saw the deep shadows she created. It’s almost overwhelming. It’s interesting too that such a seemingly positive card could also sway in the opposite direction. Almost too much of a good thing.
Too much of a good thing…sunburn…a negative of the sunshine. Like I said to Miho, there are two sides to each card. Just like we have both light and dark in us 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Maria!
That is just such a happy card! Remind me why am I inside at my desk, again?
LOL, I know the feeling!! It is so gorgeous outside, at least I have a nice window next to me 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Nicole.