I’m not sure why this came up in my Notes suggestions but I am glad that it did. This was a fun exploration.
Where do you look up the tarot artwork? I’d like to do it without having to sift through whatever nonsense all the search engines throw at you nowadays.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you reading.
The artwork I sourced is from the Rider-Waite tarot deck. If you just google that, then whatever specific card you are looking for, you should be able to find it.
I never realized that the Queen of Cups was holding an Ark-of-the-Covenant cup! I had always looked at it as kinda this bizarre thing without understanding, but that cracks the code for me! Great explanation of the suits here.
I have a deck that I’ve had since I was a teenager. I’ve been exploring faith more intensely over the last few years, and suddenly started noticing the prevalence of Christian symbology, like the ones you pointed out, and the four creatures in the corners of the world. Tarot has been a meditation vehicle for me for a long time, so I’ve been researching its relationship to Christianity. I want to incorporate it into my journey to become closer to God, but of course so many Christian resources warn against it as a path to the occult and the Devil.
I want to demystify and disassociate it in my own mind from the occult, and instead just hold it as a tool, like the rod or staff, which can be used both for or against God’s will, depending on intent of the user.
I hear that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but intent also determines the severity or existence of a crime, so, there’s that. Or maybe I’m just wildly justifying my own desires.
Anyway, thanks for the insightful article - I look forward to your analysis of the Major Arcana!
I think as long as you don’t put too much stock into it, you will be okay. Never put Tarot readings above prayer when it comes to seeking answers. I have dabbled with Tarot in the past, but personally it has never really done much for me. I think the best way to look at it is as a symbolic Rorschach test. The symbols help you project the contents of your mind onto the cards and see what is going on inside of your subconscious mind, but they won’t help you see the future.
Especially the orthodox faith is known for its rigidity, which gives it the strength and endurance needed to withstand the times.
Nonetheless someone, seemingly devout to the cause like you, who is seeking out on the fringe is not easy for many reasons and all the more important imo.
Again, I greatly appreciate you saying such a thing! That’s exactly my aim with this entire blog: I am not looking to undermine the Church and her dogmas, I’m trying to show how the Church’s rigid stance on truth can help make sense of everything else. It definitely comes with its challenges, but Christ is my strength.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read it! I greatly appreciate the kind words. I love being able to reintroduce these Christian symbols which have been forgotten in the West, happy you found it interesting!
On one hand, very personal connections. I love to use this deck to take a peek on my unconcious workings. So thank you for that.
On the other, the christian angle you represented is fascinating. I skimmed through the book series of "Meditations on the tarot", great books, you know of them right?
Although I have to say I found your post way more accessible/digestable.
I’m not sure why this came up in my Notes suggestions but I am glad that it did. This was a fun exploration.
Where do you look up the tarot artwork? I’d like to do it without having to sift through whatever nonsense all the search engines throw at you nowadays.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you reading.
The artwork I sourced is from the Rider-Waite tarot deck. If you just google that, then whatever specific card you are looking for, you should be able to find it.
I never realized that the Queen of Cups was holding an Ark-of-the-Covenant cup! I had always looked at it as kinda this bizarre thing without understanding, but that cracks the code for me! Great explanation of the suits here.
I was so shocked when I saw it! Definitely the most fun part of this article
Amazing piece once again
Thanks again! <3
I have a deck that I’ve had since I was a teenager. I’ve been exploring faith more intensely over the last few years, and suddenly started noticing the prevalence of Christian symbology, like the ones you pointed out, and the four creatures in the corners of the world. Tarot has been a meditation vehicle for me for a long time, so I’ve been researching its relationship to Christianity. I want to incorporate it into my journey to become closer to God, but of course so many Christian resources warn against it as a path to the occult and the Devil.
I want to demystify and disassociate it in my own mind from the occult, and instead just hold it as a tool, like the rod or staff, which can be used both for or against God’s will, depending on intent of the user.
I hear that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but intent also determines the severity or existence of a crime, so, there’s that. Or maybe I’m just wildly justifying my own desires.
Anyway, thanks for the insightful article - I look forward to your analysis of the Major Arcana!
I think as long as you don’t put too much stock into it, you will be okay. Never put Tarot readings above prayer when it comes to seeking answers. I have dabbled with Tarot in the past, but personally it has never really done much for me. I think the best way to look at it is as a symbolic Rorschach test. The symbols help you project the contents of your mind onto the cards and see what is going on inside of your subconscious mind, but they won’t help you see the future.
Can't say sword without "Word"
This is one of the posts that just keeps on giving. Still find myself coming back to it.
That means more to me than I can express, thank you so much! It’s comments like this that motivate me to keep writing. <3
Let me double down on that.
Especially the orthodox faith is known for its rigidity, which gives it the strength and endurance needed to withstand the times.
Nonetheless someone, seemingly devout to the cause like you, who is seeking out on the fringe is not easy for many reasons and all the more important imo.
Again, I greatly appreciate you saying such a thing! That’s exactly my aim with this entire blog: I am not looking to undermine the Church and her dogmas, I’m trying to show how the Church’s rigid stance on truth can help make sense of everything else. It definitely comes with its challenges, but Christ is my strength.
A very interesting read, indeed! Thank you for taking your time to write it. I’ve never seen those Christian images before.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read it! I greatly appreciate the kind words. I love being able to reintroduce these Christian symbols which have been forgotten in the West, happy you found it interesting!
An incredible and enriching article.
I am so glad this post was brought to me, so many things I saw time and time before now have been beautifully connected.
It is comments like these that motivate me to keep writing my ideas out. Thank you so much! Seriously, it means so much to me.
I’m curious, what connections did you make?
On one hand, very personal connections. I love to use this deck to take a peek on my unconcious workings. So thank you for that.
On the other, the christian angle you represented is fascinating. I skimmed through the book series of "Meditations on the tarot", great books, you know of them right?
Although I have to say I found your post way more accessible/digestable.
I remember stumbling upon a 700 page book on the topic of the christian tarot
The Tarot deck was so Christian that it was banned in Europe by the church.
Interesting article!
The top of the queen of cups cup looks like skylon tower
As a teen, I always used to giggle in church when we'd sing the line about the comfort of Jesus's rod.