Thursday, January 24, 2013

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card - Step 19 - Myth & Archetypes


21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card
Mary K. Greer
In step nineteen of our journey, we explore the tarot through myth and archetypes.

The way you see and describe tarot cards is a reflection of your personal mythology.

Jung explained archetypes as patterns of instinctual behavior and figures from the collective unconscious that contain mythological motifs.

Activity 19:1 - Based on what you've discovered about your chosen card, find a story, fairy tale, movie, or even a song that fits the card.

  • At what stage in the story does your particular situation come in? 
  • What happens in the story before and after this point?
  • What might these suggest about possible motivations and future choices?
  • How might you rewrite the end of the myth or story to allow other options?
Artwork © Jennifer Galasso, 2011
I feel the Two of Swords would represent the Refusal to Call of the Hero's Journey.

The character has been presented with a challenge/a choice and has chosen to refuse the call of adventure. But as in all stories sooner or later she'll have to take the challenge, even if it's against her will. The adventure/story begins with the Crossing the Threshold.

I see the next step after this card being the step forward, the Crossing of the Threshold - the first sights of what the real challenges are and choosing to overcome the fear of moving forward into unknown territory.

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Mary K. Greer goes into further details in The Way of the Adept section.

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If you haven’t already, grab a copy of the book for a deeper understanding of 21 Ways to Read the Tarot. Available in Print and Kindle.

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