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Aries, brainstorming, Celts, character development, Christopher Vogler, Corrine Kenner, Druids, elements, Fire, Ireland, Joanna Powell Colbert, Judgement, Kate Wood, Leo, Major Arcana, Meet the Cards, Newgrange, plotting, Raelyn Barclay, recommended reads, Sagittarius, Scotland, tarot, Tarot for Writers, The Writer's Journey, Wales, writers, writing
Or in this case, AWAKENING. “Getting conscious” or awakening to a higher level of consciousness. Awakening is number twenty of the Major Arcana.
- Symbolism: Judgement and completion.
- Element: Fire (see Tarot Elements)
What I See:
According to the book, the structure is Newgrange which has a central chamber illuminated by the sun at dawn on the winter solstice, and gives me a sense of death and rebirth. The man is open while surrounded by community. The image screams Druids to me. I see a solstice celebration, a celebration of life, a renewal of spirit. Cranes are the Japanese symbol of honor and peace. The Lotus a Buddhist symbol of enlightenment and awakening. The swirls and circles show continuity and the rhythm of life. According to the book, that face looking down on the man is Kwan Yin, a goddess of compassion and mercy. The symbols on this card are amazing!
Light (upright) Reading:
An open heart lets go of judgments and criticisms.
- Keywords: Turning Point, Reformation, Rite of Passage, and Rebirth.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
It may be difficult to let go of old beliefs, if only because they are familiar.
- Keywords: Judgmental, Regret, Disillusionment, and ‘Bad Karma.’
Plots:
Just the title of this card gives me ideas. Awakening. A coma patient waking up. Someone waking up in another time or place or in another body. Spiritual awakening. Someone finding faith. Or someone being initiated as a Druid or shaman.
How about the legend of whoever folds a thousand cranes is granted a wish? Perhaps a retelling of Kwan Yin, “She who hears the cries of the world.”
Newgrange and the swirls definitely point toward the Celts. You could explore ancient peoples of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. But don’t stop there, the Celtic civilization was bigger than the Roman one. (Kate Wood offers up posts on the Celts during her Tursan Tuesdays.)
- Themes: Personal Awakening, Peace, Think Globally and Act Locally, Liberation, Awareness, Rebirth, or Inner Calling.
Characters:
Emerge from darkness and open to life.
- Archetype: Herald, Liberator, Mystic, or Judge.
Heralds provide motivation, offer the hero a challenge, and get the story rolling. They alert the hero that change and adventure are coming. ~The Writers Journey
by Christopher Vogler
- Mythical Figures: Kali, Phoenix, Archangel Michael, and Horus.
The personality enneagram, a nine-pointed array of personality types, might also be a useful reference for character building.
Judgement is 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.
When the Judgement card makes an appearance in your writing practice, it may be time to breathe new life into an old idea — one you thought was dead and gone. ~Tarot for Writers
by Corrine Kenner
Image: Gaian Tarot
Raelyn Barclay 
Okay…admittedly…working backward is easy, but this card reminds me of my ‘The Third Fate’. Ha! I like it. Awakening (spiritual and physical), judgement, Druids, magic, opening up before others…these are all themes my hero and heroine must face. Very cool, Raelyn! (Never thought I’d see a tarot card that I could relate into my own life…but I suppose there’s a first for everything, right?)
How many tarot cards are there? Are there divisions, like sects of differing tarot beliefs?
Love that Nadja!
A tarot deck has 78 cards with 22 Major Arcana plus the Minor Arcana which is 4 suits of 14 each. The suits would be comparable to the suits in a regular deck of cards. There are thousands of themes but I believe most decks are based off the Rider Waite deck.
Thanks for stopping by!
As I look at this card, i see the male figure appears naked, unclothed. As the judgement card, it makes me think of standing before the goddess in a from unclouded by the weight or the ways of any world, simply as is.
I love reading your take on the cards, you always offer up great insight 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Angela!
I read this post yesterday, but apparently forgot to pop in. Oy. (Still putting in Garden II)
I was surprised that Judgement is considered a fire sign. Why do you suppose that is?
I guess to me, Judgement is about balance and water always finds it’s own level, but maybe it’s more about making decisions–in which case, fire is more decisive and unrefutable. 🙂
I do that kinda thing all the time, LOL.
I have no idea how different elements were asigned to the ‘trump’ cards. I’ll have to look into that…just for you, o’ woman of fabulous questions 🙂 However, I think you may have hit on it, “it’s more about making decisions, in which case, fire is more decisive and unrefutable.” The keywords speak to me of not only making a decision but also being proactive about that decision.
Thanks for stopping by Maria!
How can the title of the card be Awakening if it’s really Judgement? I don’t get it. Those two words have really different meanings. I didn’t realize that Tarot decks changed that much from deck to deck.
Each deck is an interpretation of the creator but, as you can see from the keywords (which are based on the Rider Waite deck), the basic ‘role’ of the card remains fairly constant. That feels like a pretty lame answer, sorry.
Thanks for stopping by Nicole!