Color is a very important element in Tarot. The colors in the cards can often deliver as strong a message as the image itself.
For instance, the orange and red of the RWS Emperor identifies his vitality, dominance, and high energy. It’s as if he’s on fire, though the armor under his robe is a serious steel grey.
The High Priestess wears a calm soft blue, like the energy she exudes. She’s like flowing water, or a cloudless sky.
And the Queen of Wands is dressed in yellow. She’s bright like the sun and not afraid to be noticed.
The short film below is called Color. It’s by Tom Sachs and Van Neistat and is a very entertaining survey of the comprehensive color code for Tom Sachs Studio.
Obviously Sachs takes color very seriously.
The film drew me in immediately by using a deck of cards to explain the palette, then went on to tell the story of white, green, yellow, red, blue, orange, and black.
Purple is mentioned briefly, but only to say that it’s completely banned from the studio.
And according to the credits, they got Satan, the actual Lord of the Darkness to narrate that segment.
Interestingly enough, a quick glance through the Rider Waite Smith deck shows a distinct lack of purple as well. I wonder if there’s a connection …
The High Priestess has shown up a couple of times already this month. She must have something she wants to tell us …
This is a good day to give your spirit some serious attention. Take a little time by yourself to think about what it is that you believe. What do you think of the world and your place in it? What ultimately gives your life meaning?
It’s also a good time right now to pay attention to the messages other people have been sending you. Let yourself absorb the world around you without feeling the need to jump in right away and take action. This is a better time to sit and receive than to act.
Observe, listen and think about what it is you’re doing. Through reflection you’ll start to see all sides. Through this wider perspective you’ll find the priorities and direction that can help you on your path.
The Moon moved into Libra today, and will stay there until Tuesday.
Looking at this transit through the lens of the Tarot, it would be like the High Priestess is wearing Justice’s clothing. She takes on the mantle of the Karmic Decider.
With the High Priestess as Justice, or the Moon in Libra, we might be required to face up to something and decide.
Our emotions will demand respect. If we’ve leaned too far back or forward, we’ll probably find ourselves moving just as dramatically the other way.
It can be a slightly challenging period, perhaps a little manic. But by the time it’s done, something is likely to have been decided upon.
Don’t be alarmed by conflicting emotions. They’re there because you can see both sides. It’s not good enough though to just acknowledge them and walk away.
During this transit you’re being asked to take a stand one way or another. And you’ve got the wisdom and power to do so.
It’s a wonderful day to say thank you – to your family, friends, and even your enemies.
Nostalgia and happy memories might fill your head and it’s worth remembering all the love there is around you. Take pleasure in acknowledging it and grateful to extend it further.
Giving and receiving are two sides of the same joy. Take pleasure in both and don’t be shy to tell people how much they mean to you. You’ll probably be surprised by how much they love you back.
With close relationships, this is an especially important time to remember the history and strength of your time together. It’s these ties that have helped you through your most serious moments – both good and bad.
Don’t take them lightly, close friends really are special, and not as common as you might think.
Archeologists in China’s Shaanxi province have unearthed more than 10,000 engraved tortoise shells at the Zhougong Temple site.
The shells date back to the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1100 BC-771 BC) and are part of a large excavation that’s been ongoing since 2004.
It’s an amazing discovery. Nearly 2,600 recognizable characters have been identified, telling a story of life during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
According to People Daily, in late November researchers uncovered one shell that depicts a scene of two people practicing divination together.
The report doesn’t mention how they’re divining, but whether they’re reading sticks, stones, or bones, it’s nice to think of these ancient diviners sitting around doing exactly what my friends and I do with our cards.
The divining pair seems to be an unusual specimen. Most of the shells found record information about ancestor worship, troop movements, and other matters. They also describe dream interpretation.
War, worship, dreams, and predictions. We don’t write on tortoise shells anymore, but it looks like we still write about the same things.
Are there choices to be made? Decisions you’ve put off for another time? Well this is the time. The Lovers card asks us to finally make up our minds – either commit or get out now.
On a personal level, the Lovers reminds us to balance the opposites within ourselves. Are your ying and yang in sync? Does your conscious experience compliment your unconscious dream state or do they seem at war? Are you living a life that satisfies your soul?
Heavy questions, but this is a great day to think about them. In fact, you might find it difficult not to.
This is a serious commitment you’re thinking about. To help you make up your mind, ask yourself which direction brings you closer to your soul’s call. You probably already know the answer.
Finding Joe is a new documentary by Takaya Solomon. It explores Joseph Campbell’s ideas and their continuing impact on our culture today.
The film examines the stages of the Hero’s Journey as they can be found in our personal and universal lives – challenges, fears, dragons, battles and the return home as a changed man (or woman).
As Campbell revealed so clearly, the Hero’s story can be found in cultures everywhere and throughout time. It’s definitely there in the Fool’s journey through the Tarot.
In the film, enactments of classic tales performed by children are interwoven with interviews of people like Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood, Rashida Jones, and Tony Hawk.
They’re all talking about how to live a fully realized life. Or as Campbell would have put it, how to ‘follow your bliss.’
To see a full list of all the people interviewed in the film, and where you might be able to see it, visit the Finding Joe website.
The Moon moves into Virgo today and will be there until Sunday.
From a Tarot perspective, you might think of this transit as the High Priestess wearing the Hermit’s clothes. She’s putting on her cowl.
The Moon in Virgo, or High Priestess in the Hermit’s clothing, is a time for practical, quiet reflection. Seeking the advice of an expert, and listening carefully to what they have to say could be worthwhile.
Or maybe someone will be asking you for your advice.
Your home is more important now than the outside world. Start thinking how to make it more practical. You might not be ready to do the work just yet, but this is a great time to plan.
Emotionally, it’s a time of calm. Perfect for listening and reflecting rather than acting out in passion. Take your time. There’s no rush.
Study, organization, contemplation, solitude, emotional self-reflection. Don’t be afraid to be alone right now. There’s lot’s to do on your own.
Learn to direct your inner wildness during this period of fiery intensity and your personal power is likely to grow. Innocence and purity work together to balance your passion with wisdom.
Explore ways to act assertively but without aggression. The gentle touch might go a lot further than a loud voice or an impetuous rage.
It’s a very creative time and you’re encouraged to allow yourself room to flourish. Don’t be shy. This is the moment to take action and move forward with plans you may have held off on until now.
