Category: Notes

Notes on 7 of Cups

7 of cups is fantasy, a world created in the querant’s head. To me, porn can be a dangerous fantasy. It makes some of the most important human needs – connection, touch, intimacy, sex – into an unachievable cartoon. I’ve seen it deaden people to sex, because nothing can compare. I’m not against porn, categorically, not at all.. I think it needs to be grounded in the realization that it is fantasy.

Notes on Five of Wands

Competition. I see it as a struggle for advantage, but not a war. Playful, yet serious. There is ego at stake. When i see the card in other decks, the imagery doesn’t make me think that material wealth is the direct result of the match, but that the winner will gain advantage, to improve his position. Additionally, i see this play as a way to work out some tensions between them, and find some release.

The image is inspired by a scene from “Women in Love,” a Ken Russell film from 1970.

Notes on The World

I see the world as the Fool, all grow’d up. He’s made the full journey and is now older and wiser and stands on the same mountain as he did as the Fool. His chest is open and full of light, and all the gifts and knowledge he received along his journey, and he holds the whole world, in the center of the universe. In his right hand, he holds a gem. This represents “the jewel in the topknot” my own variation of a Buddhist parable about a soldier(s) who fought a great battle, and were victorious. One day, he discovered that his king had put a precious jewel in the topknot of his hair, representing the perfect truth. He had the ability to experience it all along, but the king waited till he was truly ready to reveal it.

Notes on the AVP (Hierophant)

I see the Hierophant as the first encounter with a conformist social structure. The classic seems to be a pontiff keeping order in the church.

AVP (assistant Vice President) seems to be, in many organizations, a token role. Becoming an AVP indicates some additional burden of risk, and little additional power. Certainly, there is little additional control over themselves and the ability to go their own path. This leaves the AVP in a position of having to play the game, fit into the corporate structure, conform. To “buck the system” would risk the not being a team player, and the uncertainty of future success. This is similar to the Eriksonian crisis Autonomy vs Doubt and Shame

Notes on Coach (Emperor)

The Coach is the first encounter with authority. He is strong, successful and has discipline. He expects obedience, but not submission. He wants to help the querent grow and become stronger. He is loving, but not to be messed with. He has rules and boundaries. He will protect his team.

Personal note: this is not what I experienced of coaches growing up. They were self centered, mean spirited, and small. Only one in my high school years was helpful to me, and gave some of his time to help me get healthier. This is a chance to reclaim the role

Notes on the Host (Empress)

I see the Host as welcoming, caregiving, loving, warm, creative. He provides nourishment, home and love. In a gendered model, he would represent all the “mother” things. He is meant to invoke a desire to be hugged and held. The safety and satiety provided by the Host resolves the Eriksonian crisis Trust vs Mistrust, as the querant encounters what he needs for his creature comforts.

Notes on The Magician

I read him as learning that he can master the physical universe. Meeting someone who is in the process of making change. Willfully transforming baser materials into better ones, as with the transformation into gold he holds in his left hand. He is the successful resolution of the Eriksonian crisis of Industry vs Inferiority.

Notes on The Fool

My take: The fool is beginning the journey of a lifetime. In fact, it’ll take a lifetime. Traditionally, the Fool is about to fall into it, completely blindly. Even the dog’s warning doesn’t catch his attention.

The way I want to see it is a little different. I want him to be willing to take the leap, thinking he’s prepared, but isn’t, fully. Instead of falling into it, completely, he’s choosing to step into it, with some excitement, but doesn’t know what he’s getting into. His wings are too small to let him be in control of his journey (or his fall), he’s self centered, and he thinks he can record his journey – make it third person.

He’s wearing a topknot, which will show up, later. His chest is locked. He keeps it with him, believing it to be full of treasure.

I’ve had trouble representing both the unreadiness and the willingness at the same time. I’m thinking of the selfies as him knowing that he’s on a journey, and the misstep as him losing control. He thinks it’s a vacation, but it’s more than that.