Editor’s Note: This article continues our weekly series on the tarot. You can find some of the earlier ones by clicking the “tarot” category link above. In case you want to experiment with the cards and don’t have any, we provide a free tarot spread generator. The formation is called the Celtic Wings spread. It’s based on the traditional Celtic Cross spread. This article tells how to use the spread. We’re happy to respond to questions and will take direction from readers who comment, so please let us know what you think. Today’s installment looks at the journey between two major arcana cards and their corresponding astrological archetypes: Mercury and Virgo. You can visit Sarah’s website at this link. –efc
Early next week, Mercury stations direct in Virgo. Tarot is a simplified form of astrology, and these two astrological archetypes are symbolised in two of the cards of the major arcana in a tarot deck:
— 1. The Magician – Mercury
— 2. The Hermit – Virgo
This week, we will be looking at these two cards as they are represented in the Xultun Tarot, a deck by New Zealand artist Peter Balin. Although this is a relatively rare deck (and the one I choose to work with), like all tarot decks its archetypal imagery is universal. The pictures might be new to you, and the Mayan heritage might create a different emphasis, but the message remains the same. Remember, all roads lead to the same destination.
So this week, taking what tools we have, including what we know from astrology, let’s examine, compare and contrast these two beautifully synergistic cards.
Step One — Knowledge
An astrological perspective
First, let’s look at The Sorcerer and The Sage using astrology as our tool. Many tarot decks use astrological symbols, and each card in the major arcana has an astrological counterpart. Some tarot readers use astrology as an integral part of their readings, some refer to it, others work equally well without it. It is a matter of emphasis and preference. However, given the astrology in the next few days, and the fact that we can tie this in with two highly complementary cards, bringing astrology in here seems fitting. As I mentioned, Mercury is going to be stationing direct in Virgo, taking place on the 12th of September. This particular retrograde has been exclusively in Virgo, and Virgo is ruled by Mercury, so there is a focused and significant meeting point between the two.
Let’s add another couple of layers: not only is there a Virgo New Moon today, but we are entering the Mercury storm phase before Mercury stations direct. Mercury retrograde periods have an effect on our perception of our environment, our thinking and therefore ourselves.
According to Eric’s Mercury Retrograde report for this period: “[It is] the quest… of a journey already taken; a decision already made… Another view of what is so for us…. A real experiment in considering all that we know, and all that we’ve forgotten.”
These are moments of revelation, based on the contrast between what we thought we were, and what we discover we are beginning to be.