13 Comments

I always appreciate your introductions to a new tarot deck. This one seems to have some connection to the Mythic Tarot in terms of content but I prefer the images in this - particularly that fool card, which is very striking.

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They are beautiful images, aren't they? It's what drew me to the deck!

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As the six swords has been haunting me all year, I wondered how the Odyssean deck portrays it. Assuming that its equivalent is the six of wind, Penelope, it is a curious take on the traditional image of the ferry boat, but I am supposing it conjures the sea journey Odysseus has to take to return to her?

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The guide book references her trials with the suitors, the long wait for Odysseus, her cunning with navigating the difficulty of his absence, the hardship experienced. I think the connection is mostly aligned with this extended process of navigating difficult waters (for her it was at home vs Odysseus at sea).

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thank you - interesting - I usually interpret the card as having to rest while being ferried, so the more active negotiation of choppy waters gives me something fresh to think about.

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Ah, that is an interesting perspective. When I consider the classic tarot depiction as if it were a dream, I think that we could relate to all of the figures - the more active ferryman navigating the waters or the individuals being boated along. The 4 of Swords would emphasize more clearly a need for rest, withdrawal, stasis.

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you're right, a dream interpretation would make me reconsider all the figures rather than identifying solely with the woman huddled in the boat. Thanks for that and for the reminder of the four swords more overt emphasis - helpful.

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This came up because I did a post on my Wildlanders Substack about Artemis... This reading is really relevant to me at the moment as is the Greek mythic link.... Thank you.

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Wonderful to hear you found your way via the link to Artemis. Is she an important mythic figure for you?

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Hi Alyssa, Well I did come across her because she linked with my guest Wildlander last month but, as with all stories I choose, there always seems to be resonance with my own life. There was something here about exploring ways to set my own boundaries balancing fierceness with gentleness in expressing them too...

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I don't know this deck and I'm just learning the tarot but at first glance, I'm really impressed with the mythological images that came up for the questions. The Fool/Odysseus seems quite significant. Possibly a representation of new adventure, setting out into the unknown, and possibly to question whether there is a willingness to risk the unknown.

I'm not sure what the 5 of wave represents but it seems to me that Persephone in this situation could be about the difficult wait and right timing.

Just some initial thoughts. Beautiful deck!

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I was struck by The Fool/Odysseus draw as well. It's always fascinating when a card fits the situation and inquiry so well.

The 5 of Wave is equivalent to the 5 of Cups (in the Rider Waite Smith it is depicted as a shrouded figure in a black cloak with 3 cups spilled over and 2 still standing). I think the difficulty of waiting and right timing is correct, there's something important to the process of the loss that needs to be experienced before moving on.

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