Monthly Tarot Article

Each month, I will post here an article about how a Tarot card relates to your life and your spiritual journey.  These articles are short excerpts from a book that I am working on, which has a provisional title of Tarot for Your Spiritual Path.

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MARCH 2012 –
The Sun: A New Day Dawning

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As with all of the Tarot’s Major Arcana cards, the Sun card exhibits an abundance of symbolism. A prominent example is the nude child often portrayed in the foreground riding forth on a white pony. This unclothed babe symbolizes the unashamed self-awareness and self-acceptance that is an important part of this card’s meaning, for these qualities both facilitate and result from our spiritual progress.

In addition to its symbolism, however, this card also possesses a wealth of associations with the sun itself through which we can examine its meaning and its application to our spiritual journey. One implication that arises naturally from this correlation with the celestial sun is that of new beginnings, as in “a new day dawning.” We also may observe that the sun is the ultimate energy source that nourishes life on Earth, and as such, it symbolizes our own capacity for vitality and growth. Additionally the sun is the center of our solar system, making it a symbol of the shining light at the core of our being — the beacon of our soul.

Now let’s examine the implications of these associations more deeply. First, the Sun card’s association with a new day suggests that we open ourselves to new experiences and ideas, to boldly explore new and exciting things, such as a new hobby, study, or talent. Compare, for example, the thrill we experience on a day when we do something different versus one where we just do the same old things we always do.

This card also suggests seeing those same old things in a new light. A specific application of this insight is to allow our relationships to start fresh with a clean slate every day. By letting go of the emotional baggage of yesterday, we allow today to shine with forgiveness and new opportunities. More generally, this card says that when we approach any daily activity with a new (or renewed) attitude of joy and vitality, we will find increased enjoyment and fulfillment in it. This advice does not mean that we should turn a blind eye to the darker aspects of life, however. Instead, it encourages us to shine the light of optimism and cheerfulness upon life’s shadows so that we may dispel the darkness.

The complement of enjoyment is gratitude, and another way to find joy and satisfaction in life is to appreciate the brightness that already exists in our lives, such as the relationships we cherish, the possessions we enjoy, and the prospects open to us. It is not the surface value of such things that matters, however; it is the way in which they touch our heart and nourish our soul that counts. For example, when was the last time you took a simple walk in the sunshine and appreciated the precious feelings of warmth and happiness available from such an experience?

Finally, we can use a numerological interpretation of this card’s number, 19, to expand upon our interpretation of it. The number 19 reduces both to 10 (19 –> 1 + 9 = 10), which implies the end result of a cycle, and to 1 (10 –> 1 + 0 = 1), which is the number of beginnings. Thus, the Sun card encompasses both ends of the cycle of life, joining together the innocence, purity, and openness of childhood with the wisdom, self-knowledge, and self-control that comes with maturity. If we now add to this mix the fact that the sun can represent the beacon of our soul, we see that our soulful purpose calls for this combination of mature and childlike qualities, and our journey along our spiritual path calls them forth.