I appreciate the suggestion to connect with archetypes through tools like tarot, it helps make something abstract feel much more concrete. I've found that I can sense an archetype when there's a particular ...feeling might be the right word?...attached to an action. Like cleaning! It's a strange example, but I've had experiences where I felt an urge to create organization and cleanliness, which feels so deeply human. Or making art - there is a sense of a deep need to express myself through a creative outlet that transcends words or explanation - it feels like I'm tapping into an energy that all humans can access.
That makes a lot of sense. Archetypes, when activated, can flow through the emotional channel to drive behavior. When intensely constellated, it can feel like we are overpowered, divinely-inspired, flooded even. On a smaller scale, it can be, as you said, this very embodied, human experience.
I'm used to doing more "situational" readings. It's been interesting to do a reading focused on the influence of a particular archetype and I think it's a very good spread to practice with the Minor Arcana. 🤗
This was tremendously helpful, Alyssa. I decided at the fall equinox to start taking a seasonal focus. The upcoming season is the Season of Stillness for me, its activities best represented by the High Priestess. I want to really work with my images through tarot, dreams, active imaginations, writing and art.
Since I'd already decided the archetypal energy I wish to embody, I debated about just choosing cards for the four Minors, and I may still go back and do that as a second reading, but it proved really helpful to see what archetypal force is already at work. It is the Death card, which made me laugh out loud because I've just finished a solid week of working on my plans for this seasonal rebirth. The minors fleshed out the Death archetype quite accurately.
10 of wands. I have a very strong all-or-nothing complex that leads to elaborate plans with very little prioritization.
Page of Cups. Rebirths give me such a wonderful opportunity to reimagine my life. I adore fresh starts and have been known to create them on a monthly, weekly, daily and even hourly basis. But sometimes these constant fresh starts really do a number of my creativity. I can spend so much time planning that it becomes difficult to let go of the control and allow for intuitive art making.
King of Swords. I fight this card every time it comes up, and it comes up a lot. This focus on logic, reason, and clarity is how I was raised. It's actually really useful to me for my grand and audacious plans at every Death/Rebirth moment because I'm really comprehensive, but it hampers my execution of those plans since the plans are always based on being more high priestess or queen of wands than swords.
3 of Pentacles. This is a recent (last couple of years) and very necessary support for the Death archetype. Working with a good friend on the seasonal plans, and working with a large international online community in another part of my life contributes new perspectives, encouragement, and accountability for the changes I yearn to make.
This is very 'off the top' Alyssa. Please let me know if you think I'm missing something or am heading in a wonky direction. Also, I'd appreciate your thought about doing this again with the high priestess pre-chosen.
This is a great reading and you've drawn out some wonderful insights.
Death and the High Priestess are a nice combination. To move into stillness is a sinking into the depths, which the Priestess facilitates with grace and focus. Death feels like both the opportunity for rebirth and change as well as mining the riches which are found in the underworld.
Some further thoughts:
-10 of Wands: In what ways can you let go of this complex? I think a good starting place would be simplifying (from 10 wands to just 1 or 2). Perhaps focusing on a single practice and then adding on in complexity as the season progresses.
- Page of Cups: The Page is just the beginning of the developmental process, perhaps consider the next step (the Knight) to help move things along?
- King of Swords: Repeating cards to me are like repeating dreams - a clear theme of the psyche that is needing attention, tending to, speaks to opportunity/something stuck. What is the bridge between the King and the Priestess? Perhaps his qualities create structure around the Priestess more mercurial movements?
- 3 of Pentacles: Great developments and certainly aligned with the Death card!
I think selecting the High Priestess from the deck and doing a second reading is a good idea. Try drawing the minors at random (a High Priestess act) and seeing how that further fleshes out this reading.
The Tarot exercise to connecting with the archetypes is incredible, Alyssa! Thank you for sharing the wonderful spread.
The archetype that came out for me regarding writing and publishing was funnily enough also the Hierophant, with 10 of wands, which I understood for myself as being too scattered with my energy, focusing on too many ideas without ever finishing them, or at worst not even starting them, but carrying the burden of the idea with me, not making space for new ideas to bloom.
Then I had Page of Cups meaning I should trust ideas and inspiration that come from the uncoscious and let myself be curious about things coming my way even if I don't understand them yet.
The King of Swords gives me clarity, stability, an agile and rational while also the strenght to look for the truth and find what works and what doesn't. Having Page of Cups and Father of Swords feels very absurd, yet understandable. I do deal strongly with the paradox inside me to unite deep, untagible feelings with firm, logical words. My Pisces sun and Taurus moon have the need to bring logic to feelings.
Then at last, Queen of Pentacles shows me that only through perseverence and hard work success is achieved. While emphasising the importance of creating security and comfort inside me so I can nurture myself AND others.
It's really interesting and I do relate to the cards. If you've got some insight, I'd be happy to hear your words!
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I appreciate the suggestion to connect with archetypes through tools like tarot, it helps make something abstract feel much more concrete. I've found that I can sense an archetype when there's a particular ...feeling might be the right word?...attached to an action. Like cleaning! It's a strange example, but I've had experiences where I felt an urge to create organization and cleanliness, which feels so deeply human. Or making art - there is a sense of a deep need to express myself through a creative outlet that transcends words or explanation - it feels like I'm tapping into an energy that all humans can access.
That makes a lot of sense. Archetypes, when activated, can flow through the emotional channel to drive behavior. When intensely constellated, it can feel like we are overpowered, divinely-inspired, flooded even. On a smaller scale, it can be, as you said, this very embodied, human experience.
Thanks for the spread! I tried it and an interesting reading came out of it. It helped me think about my situation in a more personal way.
That’s wonderful, I’m really glad you found it helpful. Do you have any questions or thoughts on the cards you drew?
I'm used to doing more "situational" readings. It's been interesting to do a reading focused on the influence of a particular archetype and I think it's a very good spread to practice with the Minor Arcana. 🤗
Thank you :)
This was tremendously helpful, Alyssa. I decided at the fall equinox to start taking a seasonal focus. The upcoming season is the Season of Stillness for me, its activities best represented by the High Priestess. I want to really work with my images through tarot, dreams, active imaginations, writing and art.
Since I'd already decided the archetypal energy I wish to embody, I debated about just choosing cards for the four Minors, and I may still go back and do that as a second reading, but it proved really helpful to see what archetypal force is already at work. It is the Death card, which made me laugh out loud because I've just finished a solid week of working on my plans for this seasonal rebirth. The minors fleshed out the Death archetype quite accurately.
10 of wands. I have a very strong all-or-nothing complex that leads to elaborate plans with very little prioritization.
Page of Cups. Rebirths give me such a wonderful opportunity to reimagine my life. I adore fresh starts and have been known to create them on a monthly, weekly, daily and even hourly basis. But sometimes these constant fresh starts really do a number of my creativity. I can spend so much time planning that it becomes difficult to let go of the control and allow for intuitive art making.
King of Swords. I fight this card every time it comes up, and it comes up a lot. This focus on logic, reason, and clarity is how I was raised. It's actually really useful to me for my grand and audacious plans at every Death/Rebirth moment because I'm really comprehensive, but it hampers my execution of those plans since the plans are always based on being more high priestess or queen of wands than swords.
3 of Pentacles. This is a recent (last couple of years) and very necessary support for the Death archetype. Working with a good friend on the seasonal plans, and working with a large international online community in another part of my life contributes new perspectives, encouragement, and accountability for the changes I yearn to make.
This is very 'off the top' Alyssa. Please let me know if you think I'm missing something or am heading in a wonky direction. Also, I'd appreciate your thought about doing this again with the high priestess pre-chosen.
This is a great reading and you've drawn out some wonderful insights.
Death and the High Priestess are a nice combination. To move into stillness is a sinking into the depths, which the Priestess facilitates with grace and focus. Death feels like both the opportunity for rebirth and change as well as mining the riches which are found in the underworld.
Some further thoughts:
-10 of Wands: In what ways can you let go of this complex? I think a good starting place would be simplifying (from 10 wands to just 1 or 2). Perhaps focusing on a single practice and then adding on in complexity as the season progresses.
- Page of Cups: The Page is just the beginning of the developmental process, perhaps consider the next step (the Knight) to help move things along?
- King of Swords: Repeating cards to me are like repeating dreams - a clear theme of the psyche that is needing attention, tending to, speaks to opportunity/something stuck. What is the bridge between the King and the Priestess? Perhaps his qualities create structure around the Priestess more mercurial movements?
- 3 of Pentacles: Great developments and certainly aligned with the Death card!
I think selecting the High Priestess from the deck and doing a second reading is a good idea. Try drawing the minors at random (a High Priestess act) and seeing how that further fleshes out this reading.
The Tarot exercise to connecting with the archetypes is incredible, Alyssa! Thank you for sharing the wonderful spread.
The archetype that came out for me regarding writing and publishing was funnily enough also the Hierophant, with 10 of wands, which I understood for myself as being too scattered with my energy, focusing on too many ideas without ever finishing them, or at worst not even starting them, but carrying the burden of the idea with me, not making space for new ideas to bloom.
Then I had Page of Cups meaning I should trust ideas and inspiration that come from the uncoscious and let myself be curious about things coming my way even if I don't understand them yet.
The King of Swords gives me clarity, stability, an agile and rational while also the strenght to look for the truth and find what works and what doesn't. Having Page of Cups and Father of Swords feels very absurd, yet understandable. I do deal strongly with the paradox inside me to unite deep, untagible feelings with firm, logical words. My Pisces sun and Taurus moon have the need to bring logic to feelings.
Then at last, Queen of Pentacles shows me that only through perseverence and hard work success is achieved. While emphasising the importance of creating security and comfort inside me so I can nurture myself AND others.
It's really interesting and I do relate to the cards. If you've got some insight, I'd be happy to hear your words!
Hllo 🙏