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The Hanged Man :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: sacrifice, letting go, new perspectives
Carrie’s Keywords: surrender, alternate perspective, liminal
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The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
What better creature than a bat to represent the Hanged Man? To us, he seems to be in suspension. He stows away in his topsy-turvy stance all day, and is active at night. Everything about the bat’s lifestyle offers a new perspective.
The Hanged Man may seems to be upside down, but to him, being upside down IS right-side up. He is adept at seeing the world, and all of reality, from a different angle than what we would call normal. Normal is a relative term, the Hanged Man would tell us.
Bats hang this way because their wings are not strong enough to come into flight from the ground. Instead, they hang from their feet and can only break into flight when they let go and plummet through the air. This Hanged Man knows that now is not the time to fly – but when the time comes, he will be ready. He is at home in the realm of the liminal – liminal meaning an inbetween state, the pause between breaths, the threshold that straddles both here and now.
The metaphor of only finding flight once you let go is appropriate here. This card asks you take the spiritually potent step of relinquishing control. You spend so much energy – physical, emotional and spiritual – trying to hold on. Perhaps if you let go, you will connect with your power in unfathomably potent ways.
The Hanged Man seems to have a secret. The protective wrapping of wings and the red glow of his eyes give him the air of someone who knows something that we don’t. He has learned how to let go of the normal filters of awareness and find comfort in discomfort.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings in General
Traditional depictions of the Hanged Man show a human figure hanging by one foot, the other leg crossed over so that his body shape resembles an upside down four. As the number four is numerologically associated with control and structure (think card four, the Emperor), the upside down four shows our potential of releasing that innate need for control.
The messages in this card relates to the Norse god Odin. Through the sacrifice of hanging himself on a tree, Odin gained access to the wisdom of the runes. Thus, the Hanged Man tarot card is commonly associated with themes of sacrifice and suspension. You often need to give up one comfort or another in order to fulfill whatever higher objective beckons you.
I personally associate the Hanged Man card with the concept of radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is the spiritual practice of accepting reality exactly as it is. Instead of trying to ration away the darker parts of our experience, radical acceptance asks us to sit with all that is. This does not mean condoning things that are bad or wrong or difficult. It simply means accepting that they are real, that they are what they are.
In The Spacious Tarot the imagery deviates from tradition and depicts a view of the earth from the moon. The ultimate in different perspectives.
In a reading
This card asks you to consider the infinine perspectives currently available to you. Challenge yourself to consider your situation from a new angle, coerce yourself to question certain aspects of your reality.
Doing this might require you to devote to surrendering your ego’s desire to control. Letting go of the urge to control is very much easier said than done! In fact, learning to surrender can be incredibly uncomfortable. Remind yourself that experiencing discomfort is okay. In fact, this discomfort is absolutely necessary for your spiritual development.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
Wheel of Fortune :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: destiny, fate, change of course
Carrie’s Keywords: turning point, changes, fate
Begin or deepen your tarot studies with
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Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
In the Wheel of Fortune card, we find ourselves in a trippy world, a visual representation of the cosmically intertwined web of life. The Wheel itself serves as a focal point, a complex structure of tangled branches which serve as spokes, and woven rainbow threads.
The colorful thread shows a vital force that unites everything. There is inherent meaning in what might otherwise seem to be random chances of fate on a spinning wheel. Everything is connected through complex patterns. We may not be able to untangle events to understand why they unfold the way they do, but there is an unfathomable system at work in the turning of the wheel.
This card often shows changes that are beyond human understanding or control. You could think of these changes as fate or destiny, or you could think of them as simply random happenstance. Either way, the wheel brings changes that we may not be able to do much about – the changing of the seasons is one such example of this energy.
In the top half of the card, night abounds. The branches of the wheel are white, in contrast to the dark branches in the lower half of the wheel. An owl gazes out at us from the top of the wheel. Owls are a symbol of wisdom. The owl is not phased by change and does not try to control the movement of the wheel. Instead, she observes and adapts.
The lower portion of the card merges into a daytime scene. This turning of day to night, night to day is one manifestation of the Wheel of Fortune that we are all intimately familiar with. On a symbolic level, this can also show our fate changing from clarity to confusion, success to failure, and infinite other twists. Sometimes changes that at the time seem meaningless become rich with meaning only once we have gained distance and perspective. Such is the way of the wheel.
There’s a sense of mystery inherent in the Wheel of Fortune of the Wild Unknown tarot. We can’t grasp how or why the wheel turns. It’s structure at first glance seems chaotic, but on closer inspection we see the rainbow threads and find hope that there is a higher order at work. This is how we’ve come to speculate on the concepts of destiny and fate.
Our best option is to embody the wisdom of the owl. Instead of bemoaning the unseen forces that turn the wheel, we can try to accept inevitable change and roll with the turning.
Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meanings in General
Many depictions of this card include creatures in the four card corners that represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac. These can symbolize the wisdom that allows you to maintain your sense of stability even as change is enacted in your life.
It is also worth noting that we are not ENTIRELY powerless to the forces of motion. The greek god Anubis is often featured in this card, a god who had many roles including guiding souls from the world of the living to the underworld. Thus, you could consider that there are universal forces working in your favor to help you navigate changes. You may even have more influence than you believe you do in the turning of the wheel. Sometimes this card serves as a reminder of your role in stepping up and having an active say in your destiny.
Another key theme that comes through in this card is the notion that ‘what goes up, must come down.’ If you are having very good luck, it is not likely to last forever. The same is true of very bad luck. As the saying goes, the only thing constant in life is change. In The Spacious Tarot this is symbolized by the actual changing of the seasons. You are wise to know when to actively influence the forces of change in your life, and when to step back and accept that what will be, will be.
In a reading
The Wheel of Fortune draws your attention to changes that are currently at work both within you and in your outer world. If you have been avoiding accepting these changes, it may be time to face them directly. Remember that from a cosmic perspective, the shifts happening for you are not necessarily ‘positive’ or ‘negative.’ Instead, they are neutral forces.
If at this time you feel a negative emotional reaction to the turning hands of fate, remind yourself that you may not yet be able to see the bigger picture. As the imagery in the Wild Unknown really shows, the workings of fate are complex and tangled. Practice shifting your perspective so that you can best process whatever turning point you are reaching.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
Justice :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: decisions, karma
Carrie’s Keywords: justice, integrity, cause and effect
Begin or deepen your tarot studies with
Foundational Tarot, my free video course!
Join the email list for instant access.
Justice Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
A pure white cat and a pure black cat gaze out at us from an entirely black and white picture. Their tails intermingle in the center of the card, bringing to mind the symbology of the yin-yang. Every bit of dark is intermingled with light, and vice versa. Feminine and masculine, right and wrong, black and white – it is tempting to think they exist as singular realities, but each is always imbued with a hint of the other. The Justice card is a reminder of this truth.
The background lines are a mirror version of the pattern on the back of the card stock. The lines lead to a diamond in the center of the card. The half of the diamond on the side of the black cat is white, and naturally, the half of the diamond on the side of the white cat is black. Each must contain a splash of the other!
An elegantly decorated sword is positioned high above the cats, suggesting the power of the blade comes from a higher, spiritual realm. The point of the blade rests directly above the center of the diamond, showing that true Justice takes into account all the complexities of a situation. That area between the black and white polarities is sometimes referred to as the “gray area.” Justice urges us to take into account these nuanced gray areas as we come up with our conclusions. For it is often the case that decisions must be made even when there isn’t a “black or white” answer.
Also worth noting: at this point in the Major Arcana the Wild Unknown tarot deviates from the Rider-Waite tradition by placing Justice as card number eight (Arthur Edward Waite famously switched the order of Justice and Strength).
The symbolism in this card shows that ‘for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.‘ These is the ideal traditionally associated with the Justice card – karma, truth, decisions and morality.
Justice Tarot Card Meanings in General
In many decks, Justice shows a human figure holding an upright sword in one hand, scales in the other hand. The scales are an obvious sign of balance, of weighing all sides of the situation. The obvious association of Justice is that of a literal legal system, but this card also ties into the ethical decisions we must make in our daily lives.
Even actions that seem small have a ripple out effect either in the physical world or in a metaphysical sense. That comes through in the Justice card from the Spacious Tarot, shown above. There are two planes of Justice; karma is the spiritual plane. Although it is much more complex than some people make it out to be, there IS something to the concept that our “vibrations” attract certain things into our experience. Justice is the tarot card that represents this concept. This card asks you to take responsibility for your real world actions AND your energy.
Living with integrity is one of the most challenging yet most rewarding things we can do. Justice asks you to give serious consideration to your values and beliefs. Once you have clearly defined your values, beliefs, ethics and so on you must then ask yourself: are you living in line with these principles? Integrity means walking your talk. Integrity also means standing up for your principles when they are at risk in the real world. Thus, this is a card that speaks heavily to the real-world work of social justice, activism, and seeking equality.
In a reading
In a reading, Justice might ask you to consider how your own choices are influencing your reality. It may be time for you to give some weighted consideration to all of your options and make a careful choice about how to proceed. Remember that things are nuanced and you may not find one easy “right answer” right away. Be willing to look at your situation objectively and respect the full complexity at work.
This card is also a good reminder to step into your full integrity. Take back your power to define your own beliefs and to stand up for what is right.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
The Chariot :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: strong will, achievement, triumph
Carrie’s Keywords: autonomy, control, willpower
Begin or deepen your tarot studies with
Foundational Tarot, my free video course!
Join the email list for instant access.
The Chariot Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
A horse looks out from the card, her mane blowing freely in the wind. She faces us head on, as though unafraid to deal with anything – problems, joy and conflict – directly. She doesn’t shy away from life! She shows up fully and completely for all that life has to offer, and trusts her ability to take charge in any situation.
The Chariot shows the importance of mastering the way you present yourself to the world. This card is sometimes associated with ego, and while the term ‘ego’ has a bad reputation, the truth is that having a healthy ego is really important. Having a strong idea of who we are as an individual is essential to our ability to be authentic, to set goals, and to live our lives the way that is right for us. This is a card of autonomy, of your ability to choose how to show up in your life.
The card is black and white, with the exception of the red corners. The red here is bolder, unlike some of the more watered down colors we’ve seen in earlier cards. The use of color here is more commanding. Red is a color of confidence and assurance. Four is a number of stability, and the positioning of the color in the four corners shows the self-control associated with the Chariot.
The body of the horse becomes less and less detailed towards the bottom of the card. This shows that The Chariot can channel external as well as internal energy and direct it through her own determination. For better or for worse, the Chariot is so focused on the task at hand that nothing else seems to matter. There is a singular determination at work in this card.
I like to think of the Major Arcana as three sets of seven cards (with the addition of the Fool). In this view, the Chariot is the last card in the first row. In some ways, this card reminds me of a young adult, someone who has certainly matured but may have a narrow view of their overall growth. The Chariot speaks to a dogged determination to go in a certain direction, but on the shadow side Chariot energy can sometimes become TOO pushy and forceful.
This horse wears a chain around her neck, adorned by a single pentacle. To me, this symbolizes the mastery she has gained so far. She is proud of all the ways she has developed so far. The challenge of the Chariot from here is to remain open to all that she still has to learn, instead of succumbing to an overly inflated ego! On her forehead is a black crescent moon, which suggests to me that in her soul is still open to receiving new wisdom. But another challenge for the Chariot is reconciling the knowledge of her soul with the insistence of her ego.
Above the horse, we see the now-familiar theme of rays emanating from a singular point. This time the origin of the rays is a round, white orb – possibly the sun. These emanating rays show energy that is expansive, powerful and unstoppable. The Chariot is a card of action. The Chariot is actively doing, going, moving.
The emanating rays here are black and white. The monochrome coloring shows a no-nonsense energy. Sometimes, we need to quit screwing around and start taking ourselves seriously. The Chariot asks you to set goals, believe in your ability to overcome adversity. When you maximize your willpower it is possible for you to succeed against all odds.
The Chariot Tarot Card Meanings in General
The Chariot is often illustrated as a person driving a cart. The cart is typically pulled by two creatures, one black and one white. The contrasting colors show the necessity of rounding up all the seemingly contradicting elements in our lives and pushing them into one coherent direction.
For my deck, The Spacious Tarot we took a different approach with the imagery. This card taps into the notion of going against the current, pushing upstream towards a light on the horizon. In the Waite-Smith system, the Chariot is associated with the zodiac sign Cancer (the card shown above is from our Spacious Tarot Expansion Pack), which is another reason we brought water into the imagery of our Chariot card.
There are many cards that speak of ease and flow, but the Chariot shows a counterbalance to these concepts. The Chariot is about determination, hard work and grit. In a metaphoric sense, you are a charioteer and the chariot you drive is your life. You have a responsibility to assert your control over that chariot and to take ownership over the direction you are headed.
The Chariot draws your attention to you and your path. This is a common theme in the visual presentation of this card in various decks. This card asks you to stay in your lane, to be aware of what YOU are doing. A shadow side of this can be selfishness and inflexibility. But at its best, Chariot energy brings you in touch with your most powerful autonomy.
In a reading
In a positive sense, when the Chariot shows up in a reading it can remind you to tap into your dogged determination. This card can be the kick in the pants you need to do hard things. Instead of avoiding difficulty, the Chariot challenges you to be like the horse in this card and face challenges head-on. Be willing to start sorting through your whatever obstacles you currently have. This might not always be easy, but if you believe in yourself you CAN do hard things.
The Chariot also asks you to consider the current state of your ego. Do you have a healthy sense of self confidence? Or on the other hand, have you become so set in your ways that you’re missing the bigger picture? Be equally willing to own your strengths AND your opportunities for further growth.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
The Hermit :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: solitude, self-reflection, meditation
Carrie’s Keywords: introspection, meditation, seeking
Begin or deepen your tarot studies with
Foundational Tarot, my free video course!
Join the email list for instant access.
The Hermit Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
Who better to portray the ideals of the Hermit than a tortoise? He wears his home on his back so he can literally go within. He peers out at us with a calm expression. He is not hiding out of fear, but rather out of a deeper wisdom that compels him to withdraw from the outer world. The Hermit senses that what he most needs right now can be obtained in the INNER world.
The scene around the Hermit is dark, but he carries a lantern upon his back, an orange flame giving the only splash of color in the card. The flame is vivid and confident. We might otherwise assume the Hermit is a timid character, but the flame shows otherwise. It takes great power indeed to turn away from the expectations, opinions and norms espoused by society. But the Hermit teaches that when you cultivate this inner power – through meditation, introspection and self-discovery – you can practice true authenticity.
Directly in front of the Hermit we see a splash of white illuminated by his lantern. This shows that he has a highly developed internal guidance system, and even though he may not be able to see the entire path before him, he carries a light that will always illuminate the next right step. He lets his path unfold naturally in each moment and trusts the spiritual pace of the universe. As a tortoise, this Hermit is not one to move quickly. He doesn’t focus on racing to a proverbial finish line. He knows that he must take time to reflect, to contemplate, before he embarks upon any given path.
The Hermit Tarot Card Meanings in General
Although all archetypes are gender neutral at their core, many tarot decks show the Hermit as a stereotypical “wise old man” complete with a long robe and flowing white beard, carrying a lantern. The archetypical Hermit appears in many well known stories (think Dumbledore in Harry Potter or Gandalf in Lord of the Rings).
The Hermit is often associated with a monk or some other type of spiritual seeker. While the Hierophant shows the search for knowledge in the outer world through experts and existing structures, the Hermit shows the importance of turning your search inward. That is not to say the Hermit cannot represent external help, as this card is often associated with mentors and guides. But the type of guidance the Hermit offers leads the seeker to their OWN understanding, instead of imposing a pre-determined belief system as the Hierophant might.
We all have an inherent inner guidance system, which serves as our own Hermit’s lantern. The Spacious Tarot above shows a dark forest clearing, a place to be alone and come back to center. This card reminds you to quiet yourself and listen to that inner guidance, for it will rarely lead you astray.
In a reading
When the Hermit appears, it is often a reminder to activate your internal guidance. Instead of seeking the answers from other people or avoiding being alone with your thoughts, the Hermit asks you to meditate. Journal. Contemplate. Turn your focus away from external distractions and explore what is within you. If you do feel as though external support could be useful, remember that the best mentors are those who only guide you closer to your own truth.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
A collection of Summer Solstice musings
The summer solstice is one of my favorite times of year. I’m usually a pretty introverted, receptive person – but at this time of year, I feel extroverted and active. I want to DO things. I want to soak up the sun and throw myself headfirst into the bright light of life. Maybe you feel that way, too? Today I’m going to share with you two of my favorite tarot-related activities to help you make the most of these powerful solstice vibes.
I know I’m technically a day late as the actual solstice was yesterday, but for me the solstice energy spans for several days. My birthday is June 24, and so I always feel that solstice energy radiating until then. I also know that last week I said I was going to take a blogging break. But I felt the urge to write a little about the solstice, so here I am!
The first thing I want to show you is a simple yet potent tarot spread that I’ve used for myself on several solstices now. This spread comes from the Sacred Journey Journal. If you follow me on Instagram, I shared it on my Insta-stories yesterday. Here it is:
I use this spread for each solstice and each equinox (if you’re in the southern hemisphere, you can definitely use this for the winter solstice). As you can see, the spread positions are simple, yet evocative enough to give you a really interesting reading. In my personal spread, I found it really interesting that I drew the Heirophant in position 1, essence. Lately I’ve been trying to re-establish some self-care and spiritual practices. I saw this card as an affirmation that bringing more structure to my spirituality can really serve me this season.
Now, if you’re looking for something really unique, try the Radiant Spectrum Intentions spread I created last year. I was just revisting this blog post and I’m still in love with this concept! This is unique in that instead of drawing cards at random, you consciously choose cards for this spread, and those cards represent your intentions for summer. I especially love how this idea of conscious choice ties into the autonomous energies of the summer solstice.
The first intention in the Radiant Specrums spread is “the energy I choose to radiate this season.” This year the choice was super easy for me: the Chariot. I have a lot of conflicting elements at work in my life right now, a lot of projects I want to work on and sometimes I lack a clear direction. The Chariot shows what I want to radiate: focus, an ability to tie everything together, and the grit to keep everything moving forward.
One more thing I’m really excited about this summer: the 15 courses that make up Tarot Summer School 2017. Since I’m teaching a course myself (Tarot for Empaths), I get access to all of the other courses! I’m going to take them all and they look so good! I’m particularly excited for Tarot for Shadow Work (taught by Benebell Wen), Creating Your Tarot/Oracle Deck (taught by Chris-Anne Donnely) and Ritual Tarot (taught by Avalon Cameron). You can get a season pass and get lifetime access to all 15 courses for $199, or you can purchase courses individually for $28 each.
Last but not least: I’m still planning to start the podcast I mentioned last week! Ideas are brewing and I’m hoping to get the first installment up sometime in July. I also want to thank everyone who reached out with feedback on the idea – you guys are awesome. Until we meet again, I wish you so much warmth, power and creativity this summer.
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The Lovers :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: union, desire, values, joy
Carrie’s Keywords: relationships, harmony, passion
Begin or deepen your tarot studies with
Foundational Tarot, my free video course!
Join the email list for instant access.
The Lovers Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
A pair of geese are flying in unison. There is harmony in their parallel wingspans, their parallel necks, and the parallel black and white of their markings. Although they maintain their own separate identities, they also fit together naturally as a pair. This card gives a sense that everything is exactly how it should be.
The geese are effortless in their soaring – they aren’t flapping their wings frantically, they’re simply letting the wind carry them. This is a card of flow, ease, grace. The Lovers are not trying to impress each other, neither of them tries to be anything other than what they are. They value each other as individuals, and they value their unique perspectives even as they cherish the connection they share.
In many depictions of the Lovers, the two face each other. However, in the Wild Unknown, the geese both face forward. There is powerful symbolism here. They are on a journey together, no doubt. But at the same time, each also travels their individual path.
Again, I’m drawn to the use of lines in the Wild Unknown. In the previous card, we saw static vertical lines. In the Lovers, we have radiating lines, giving the card an expansive energy. This is the first card that is significantly different in the first and second editions of this deck. In the first edition, the background is teal and dark blue; colors that show serenity and peace.
In the second edition, pictured above, the background is splashed with all the colors of the rainbow. The presence of all colors here suggests a radiantly passionate energy. This is reminiscent of the boldly colored rays we saw in the Magician, but there are subtle differences here. In the Magician card, the rays emanated from a point off center. In the Lovers, the point is directly above the geese and in the center of the card, showing equilibrium.
All of the design elements come together here to convey a message of harmony, ease and unity.
The Lovers Tarot Card Meanings in General
In many decks, this card shows two naked figures watched over by an angelic being. This imagery suggests that the connection of the lovers is not just about flesh and lust, there is a spiritual energy to the bond. Through experiencing love, we can gain a greater connection to the divine forces of the universe. This ties into the way we depicted the Lovers in the Spacious Tarot as two energetic beams of light.
The most obvious association of the Lovers is, well, love. But there’s a lot more to this card than first meets the eye. The Lovers is a multifaceted card: it can speak to sexual desire, platonic connections and all sorts of unions. But on another level, this card also speaks to the development of your own personal values.
Especially as the Lovers follows the Hierophant (a card that is associated with external belief systems) the Lovers can show our desire to define our OWN beliefs, to establish our own identity. This may seem paradoxical, but it is through this process of understanding our unique self that we are then able to forge more meaningful connections with others.
In a reading
In a reading, this card may be asking you to consider the relationships in your life. It might be a good time to focus on creating connections that are uplifting, yet still leave space for your unique identity. Beyond relationships, this card can ask you to consider your passions in general. What is currently lighting you up? This card can be a gentle nudge to explore your desires and to go towards the things that make you feel joyful.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
The Hierophant :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
Deck Creator’s Keywords: mentor, working within the system
Carrie’s Keywords: societal structures,
belief systems, instructor
Begin or deepen your tarot studies with
Foundational Tarot, my free video course!
Join the email list for instant access.
The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
A crow (or perhaps a raven) is perched upon a key. His beak is open as if he is preaching to us. He seems to have a lot to say! His wings and feathers are ruffled, giving him an air of restlessness. He is unable to relax until he has delivered answers and implemented systems.
To me, the key symbolizes the systems, structures and answers that the Hierophant values so highly. He believes he has THE key – the one thing that will unlock what we all need. But will this key really unlock the universal answers? The Hierophant seems to be convinced that it will. He may not have considered the possibility that we each have our own individual ‘keys’ to our own truth.
A jagged stream of orange and yellow descends from the sky, culminating at a point as it enters the key. These are the colors of vitality and knowledge. This symbolizes the power bestowed upon the key. It is charged with energy from a higher plane. The Hierophant wants to teach us things, and he has faith that his teachings are infused with ultimate knowledge.
The background of the card is filled with thick vertical lines. This stands out as a contrast to the horizontal lines we saw in the Fool, and the spiraling lines of the Magician. The vertical lines convey a heavier energy, there is a sense of rigidity and weight. This is a card of structure, tradition and order.
The Hierophant can symbolize not only organized religion, but schools, businesses, and any kind of societal structure. At his best, the Hierophant brings forth passion-infused teachings and order. At his worst, he becomes convinced that he has the one and only answer, refusing to see other possibilities.
The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings in General
In many decks the Hierophant is represented by a priest or other religious figure, and in older decks this card was simply titled Le Pape (the Pope). But this card is not just about religion, it is about any sort of group identity. The Hierophant is related to educational systems, political affiliations, and any other philosophical ideologies.
This card sometimes receives a negative connotation for its association with belief systems that are forced upon, but in a positive sense this card reminds us of our power to define our own belief systems. This is why The Spacious Tarot version is a stone circle. Stone circles appeared in many ancient cultures around the world, but we don’t know exactly what they were used for. It is a space for you to ponder your own beliefs without having them dogmatically forced upon you.
This card can even be associated with mystical or occult belief systems. In fact, it was an influential tarot practitioner named Antoine Court de Gebelin who retitled this card from the Pope to the Hierophant, as the title “hierophant” relates to mystical ancient Greek rituals.
On the shadow side, the Hierophant can speak to conformity and hive mind. Humans are naturally wired to form communities and going against society’s belief systems can be scary or even dangerous. But at its best, the Hierophant shows that group identities can be helpful. We can learn from the right authority figures, and participating in traditions and rituals can help us cultivate our individual sense of self. The Hierophant energy is at its best when it is not about forcing beliefs, but about leading us deeper into our own authentic beliefs.
In a reading
When the Hierophant appears, it may be useful to consider your relationship with societal authority figures. Would it be beneficial for you to engage in ritual or learn from an expert? Or on the other hand, is your individuality being stifled by the pressure to follow the crowd?
This card can also ask you to revisit your own belief systems. Our pre-determined thoughts and viewpoints are always influencing us, and this influence often takes place on an unconscious level. In a reading, this card may be asking you to bring a conscious awareness to how your beliefs are influencing your experience of reality.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
And now for something completely different (a PODCAST?!)
One of the things that I quite like about running my own business is the freedom it gives me to experiment. In fact, “allow yourself to experiment” is one of the most common pieces of advice I give my business mentoring clients. Lately I’ve been feeling once again like it’s time for me to try something new. And I think that new thing might be…a podcast?!
When I create stuff for my business, I always try to think about the kind of content I enjoy. And lately I really like podcasts. I like that you can take them with you wherever you go. I like that they’re dynamic and you get to hear someone’s voice. I like that I can listen to them while I’m cooking or walking my Sokka pup.
I like reading, too. But lately I’ve noticed I don’t read THAT many blog posts. Which has led me to consider: if I don’t even read many blog posts, why the heck am I writing one every week? Writing blog posts (which are also sent out to my email list) is something I’ve done pretty much religiously for the past three years. But now I’m wondering…is it time to try something different? And I think the answer is yes.
What I’m envisioning is putting the blog on hold for a while and starting a bi-weekly podcast. Topics would be similar to the stuff I blog about: creative living, tarot for self-discovery, psychology, spirituality. Each episode would probably be around 30 minutes. I also really like the idea of bringing on guests!
To begin, I’m going to consider this an experiment. I’ll try doing a podcast for a couple of months and see how it goes. If I like it and if anyone likes listening, I’ll keep going. But if it’s just a pain in the butt that no one cares about…well, them’s the breaks. I’m reminding myself to embrace the fact that running a business (or just being a creative person in general) requires experimentation. Some stuff sticks, some stuff doesn’t. C’est la vie.
So! That’s what’s happening. Blog’s going on hold for a couple of weeks. Experimental podcast will then get started (eeep!). In the mean time, I am really curious to know what you think. If you have a second and care to share, leave a comment and let me know what you think. Do you like podcasts? Got any suggestions on topics I could cover on this one? I want to hear your thoughts, for reals.
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Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
The Emperor :: Wild Unknown Tarot Card Meanings
I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
Click here for a directory of all posts in my Wild Unknown series.
The Emperor :: Wild Unknown Tarot
Deck Creator’s Keywords: the father, protection, logic, stability
Carrie’s Keywords: structure, discipline, order
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The Emperor Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown
In all decks, the Emperor and the Empress form a pair. In the Wild Unknown Tarot deck, this pair is represented by a pair of trees. While the Empress is portrayed by an always in flux deciduous tree, the Emperor is an evergreen tree. Whatever rough weather, whatever time of year, the evergreen tree remains solid. The Empress will grow new leaves, blossoms, fruit, and go through cycles. The Emperor will remain consistent.
The Emperor has a solid, stable energy. As the father archetype of the tarot, the Emperor’s approach is that of structure, logic and rationality. This card speaks to the power of consistency, and the importance of order in our lives. In order to complement the more free-flowing approach of the previous card, the Emperor brings self-discipline to the proceedings. Remember that discipline is not the same thing as punishment. A healthy level of discipline is necessary in order for us to learn, to create, and to thrive. The Emperor reminds us that discipline can be a positive thing.
There is a black sun (possibly an eclipse) in the card’s background, radiating gentle orange and yellow, the only color in the card. The colors are a throwback to the Magician – but instead of emanating widely, this sun is a concentrated ball of energy. The Magician’s energy is expansive and creative; The Emperor’s energy is firmly rooted, sensible and logical. The Emperor applies his energy in very specific ways with an explicit structure in mind. This might seem quite overly regimented to some, but it this ability to create structures can pave the way for incredible results.
While the Empress was surrounded by the night sky, the Emperor’s domain is the clear light of day. He has a vivid understanding of where he is and where he wants to go. He is a natural authority figure, and may sometimes come across as overbearing. But at his best, the Emperor is an effective leader. The Emperor is not just about fathering or leadership for your own gain. The Emperor is about leading by example, and taking into account the best interest of the whole.
This Emperor is a commandeering tree who dominates the landscape and can see all that is around him. He offers shelter and protection from the stark surroundings. While the Empress offered protection in the form of nurturing and loving care, the Emperor offers protection by offering logical guidance. The Emperor gives you a chance to catch your bearings and find an orderly path out of the wilderness.
The Emperor shows us the power of structure and consistency. He is a masculine (yang) balance to the feminine (yin) energy of the Empress. He may come across as harsh, and she may come across as soft. They work together to show us ‘the middle way.’
The Emperor Tarot Card Meanings in General
In older decks the Emperor is often portrayed by a masculine figure with a long white beard, nodding to the card’s association with fathering. It’s important to note that while the Emperor can be associated with fathering in a literal sense, this card often speaks to a more symbolic type of fathering: creating structures, systems and rational approaches.
In my deck, The Spacious Tarot we took a symbolic approach: a tall red poppy stands at the front of a carefully tilled field of poppies.
The Emperor is card four of the major arcana, and this has an important numerological significance. Four is a stable, solid number: a table has four legs, a square has four equal sides. Four-ness is associated with structure and form, the domain of the Emperor.
Like all cards, the Emperor has a shadow side which can manifest itself in an egoic desire to forcefully control oneself and others. This card asks you to find the place where order is beneficial and creative, instead of controlling or stifling.
In a reading
The Emperor might ask you to consider where the themes of structure, control and order are at work in your life. Are these energies helping you thrive, or are they boxing you in? At times this card can speak of external authority figures, but it often speaks to your internal sense of authority. When this card appears, it may ask you to consider how you can further step into your role as the CEO of your life. It may be time to step up and take control. If you want your life to go in a particular direction, the Emperor asks you to ensure you are steering your ship that way.
Self-discipline can be a form of self-love if administered correctly. The Emperor asks you to develop healthy self-discipline. Stay accountable but do not set unrealistic standards for yourself. Setting up boundaries for yourself might can be restricting, but if done right the boundaries you establish for yourself are the very things that will lead you to a greater sense of freedom.
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2017
I am part of Amazon's associate program. If you purchase items linked in this site I will receive a small kick-back.
Carrie Mallon
Header art from The Spacious Tarot illustrated by Annie Ruygt
All site content © Carrie Mallon LLC 2014-2019
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