Tarot Talk
This month, we will move back to the Major Arcana, and since the Solstice has just passed and we are into Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, let’s talk about The Sun. First, we should quickly define and describe some terms.
There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a Tarot deck, with numbers from 0 to 21; the Majors usually deal with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, archetypes that are easy for us to identify with and connect with at some point in our lives. An archetype (pronounced “ark eh type”) is a generic, idealized model of a person, an object, or a concept which can be copied, patterned, or imitated. The term archetype often refers to one of two concepts: a “stereotype,” a personality type observed multiple times, especially an oversimplification of a personality type; stereotypes can be positive or negative, or an “epitome,” which is the embodiment of a particular personality type, especially as the “greatest” or “best” example of the particular personality type; epitomes can also be positive or negative.
So archetypes present personality traits that are common enough to be known by us all, through images (rather than words) that contain symbolism that connects with our subconscious in a universal manner. Each of us can understand the symbolism of archetypes and connect with that symbolism because each of us has (or will) personally experienced these archetypes.
Each Major Arcana card corresponds to an archetype, an image, a number, an element, an astrological sign or planet, a Hebrew letter, and a Path on the Tree of Life joining two Sephiroth. Let’s start breaking this one down; we’ve got a lot of work to do!
The Sun, the nineteenth of the Major Arcana cards, represents the archetype of growth, success and abundance. The Sun is also seen as the archetype of the consciousness and of action. It is the center of the universe (or at least our solar system), and it is the source of illumination, heat, and life on our planet. The Sun is also seen as the archetype of joy, of luck, and of birth.
The traditional image on The Sun usually contains a brilliantly lit sun, often with a masculine face that is sometimes serious and sometimes smiling, and rays emanating from the solar disk. The card usually shows flowers or a garden filled with flowers (often sunflowers or roses) at peak bloom, representing the fertility and fruitfulness of nature sourced from the light of our sun, surrounded by a fence or a wall, representing a protected paradise, and the temporary nature of the period of enlightenment and joy The Sun brings to a reading. Usually the image contains a happy child or children with blond hair, reminding us of the balance that comes with being attuned to our true self, and often wearing red robes or carrying a red flag, the color of the element of Fire. On many Sun cards, the child is riding a white horse, representing strength and purity, and most of the time the child or children are naked except for that red robe, showing that they are innocent and have nothing to hide.
The Sun is numbered 19. In numerology, the number 19 tells of a need to link our Self to the Universe by winding up the details of the past in order to start anew. This number reminds us that by doing the difficult work of dealing with past issues in a manner that allows us to release them, we can develop our spiritual Self in a much more beneficial way. This number asks us to use courage, independence and leadership abilities (the number 1) without abusing the powers those bring, in order to help others and ourselves and in order to manifest blessings in our lives (the number 9).
The Sun corresponds with the element of Fire. Fire corresponds with the Minor Arcana suit of Wands, playing cards suit of Clubs, the cardinal direction of South and the color Red. It represents creativity, ideas, ambition, and growth. This element represents seeds being planted and things being born; Fiery energy encourages us to move forward and to take action based on Divine Will rather than our ego-based Self. In its natural state, the element of Fire is hot and dry. It tends to bring spontaneous change or impulsive, energetic effects. Fire is passionate in nature, and transforms everything in our world. Fire can sanitize or cleanse, and it can destroy everything in its path; Fire can warm us and keep us safe, or it can kill us. Fire is associated with our ability to experience joy and passion (including sexuality), and can represent enthusiasm and a pull towards being physical or artistic; it can also represent recklessness and apathy, a lack of energy and potential health issues.
In astrology, The Sun corresponds with our sun, the star at the center of our solar system around which the planets revolve. The sun is necessary for our very existence; it provides our Earth with the heat and light necessary for life as we know it. The arc that the sun travels in every year, rising and setting in a slightly different place each day, is a reflection of the Earth’s orbit around the sun; hence its connection with reflection and fertility. The sun travels through the twelve signs of the zodiac in one year, spending about a month in each sign. The sun is described as benign and favorable, and is usually thought to represent the conscious ego, the self and its expression, personal power, pride and authority, leadership qualities and the principles of creativity, spontaneity, health and vitality, or simply the “life force.” In medicine, the sun is associated with the heart and the circulatory system; in Ayurveda, it rules over the life force, governs bile temperament (pitta), the stomach, bones and eyes. In Chinese astrology, the sun represents Yang, the active, assertive masculine life principle. In Indian astrology, the sun is called Surya and represents the soul, ego, vitality kingship, highly placed persons, government and the archetype of The Father.
In the Hebrew alphabet, each letter is connected to the creative forces in the universe. They express themselves on three levels: one level is archetypical and runs from the first to the ninth letter; the second level is one of manifestation and runs from the tenth to the eighteenth letter, and the third is a cosmic level and runs from the nineteenth to the twenty-second letter. The Sun corresponds with the Hebrew letter Resh, the twentieth letter in the Hebrew alphabet, a member of the cosmic group; this letter corresponds with the head. The cool thing is that we can interpret this literally (because the head is seen as the home of consciousness, reason and the intellect) or figuratively, representing a captain or leader, or the head of the family.
On the Tree of Life, The Sun represents Path 30, running between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest in the physical world at some point in the future). This Path brings us the concept of the Collective Intelligence, and it works with the subconscious mind, fantasy, and non-physical awareness (which offer the ability to visualize something not yet manifested) alongside the intellect and the rational mind (which directs the force of Will), in order to perceive truth. Path 30 allows our conscious, logical self to accept the validity of our intangible psychic self. Indeed, as Ted Andrews writes about this Path in More Simplified Magick: Pathworking and the Tree of Life, “This path releases energy into our physical life that animates all aspects as we develop greater individuality and so we learn to use our vitality more productively.”
So much information! Each Tarot deck brings us more nuanced information regarding this card. The Hermetic Tarot Sun card image contains a hugely brilliant sun, roses, and two joyously dancing maidens. For a black-and-white image, this one is filled with golden light. The flowers represent the blossoming of the solar influence (and being an avid gardener, I understand the connection between perfect blossoms and the sun), the maidens are young, innocent and shameless (for they are also pure of heart). The Legacy Sun card shows a man standing before an orrery, a representation of our solar system, with The Sun illuminating the entire room. The ceiling is decorated with signs of the zodiac. We are reminded by this brilliance that our own sun lights our world, and nourishes the life that exists here, its gravity holds us in place, and affects us in many ways, both obvious and subtle. The Thoth Sun card is brilliantly lit, and includes a pair of dancing figures and the signs of the solar zodiac. Crowley sees this one as representing truth, glory, pleasure, gain and riches, as well as shamelessness and vanity. The Sun is about manifestations of all kinds, as well as recovery from sickness.
The Sun tells of a time when we have dealt with a difficult challenge of some kind and have finally emerged into a place where everything is touched with gold, a place where we are surrounded by a radiant and fertile light that transforms everything it touches. We are filled with confidence because we have prevailed, and we are ready to tackle the tasks of this day because we know that in the end, success will be ours. Everything good seems to be drawn to us, everything we touch turns to gold, and we are ready and eager to take the necessary actions in order to grab hold of all those good things, as they won’t be there for us forever.
The reversed Sun is not always seen as a bad or uncomfortable card. It certainly can represent loneliness, broken engagements or no-show clients, unhappiness, or depression. However, we modern humans understand that our sun is still there, shining brightly behind the rain clouds, it does not blink out at night, nor does it die as the Fall comes to an end. Just like the temporary nature of the upright card, the gloom and sadness of the reversed Sun will run its course, and a new dawn will appear. Then we will see the correct next step, our hearts will be filled with light and joy, and enthusiasm will once again fuel us forward.
Just about every polytheistic religion has a Sun God, because the sun is seen as the giver of life and of light; the Sun God usually is also seen as a redeemer who shines light into the darkness. The Sun of the Tarot Major Arcana also represents reliability; after all, our own sun rises and sets every day with a predictable rhythm. This means that The Sun does not tell of the sudden and powerful eruption of The Tower, but rather it tells of a sustained glow that lights and warms but does not burn. In a sense, The Sun can be seen as a more evolved manifestation of the vertical and horizontal balance presented by the Temperance card. Of course, the only danger to be had from this card is if we cling to the peace and harmony that it presents, for these energies are meant to be temporary in nature.
Next month, we will explore The Moon, and compare it to The Sun.