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The Sun
the sun tarot card vitoria deck

People like The Sun and associate it with triumph, winning, success... I am not sure why. It dominates this Spanish card, bearing a symbolic trinity of three elements. Sun god religions are big on trinities - father, son and holy ghost... Hang on. Who exactly is this holy ghost? There doesn't seem to be any real accord beyond it being that representation of god that is within everyone, guiding them. As a kid it was one of the things that had me questioning religion very early on because I'd get god, the father - old guy, long beard - the son - young guy long hair -  and then - Caspar? And it would all fall apart.

Thankfully.

The earliest images show a wall and depict the people with the Sun god having settled, secure and basking in his light and warmth.  Flip back to the Tower...

Life isn't all sunshine.




the sun tarot card marseilles deck

Unlike The Moon which, though it has an agenda, appears to come and go as it pleases, The Sun is like clockwork.  It stands for reliability and sustenance, it is the life giver.  Accordingly, a very long time ago, the Moon Goddess was replaced by a Sun God – who, in many cultures, started out as an annual sacrifice, so good career move there.  Not surprisingly, the adherents of The Sun God were quick to dismantle – or recycle – the beliefs and practices of The Moon Goddess folk.  Whilst The Sun speaks of knowledge, vitality and returning life, there wasn’t a hugely convincing pitch from The Moon camp.  The Sun’s light of truth can certainly be a welcome one, where shadows and mists have gathered, but beneath the glare of the Sun things can be a little two dimensional.  The Sun can also mark vanity, pride and pomposity, and can make things seem greater than they are.




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


© Jeremy Rogers 2007 Document made with Nvu return to top