Thursday, 21 June 2012

Tarot: The Sun - Symbolism and the Summer Solstice


As today is the Summer Solstice, when the sun is in the sky for longer than any other day of the year (even if you can't actually see it behind clouds) I thought I'd write about The Sun card in Tarot.

The Sun is one of the most positive cards in a Tarot reading. It indicates happiness and contentment, vitality, self-confidence and success. It generally represents good things and happy outcomes to any current struggles you might be facing.

I decided to photograph The Sun card from four different Tarot decks that I own, as you can see above. From left to right these decks are The Crystal Tarot, the Robin Wood Tarot,a Tarot deck from the early 1970s produced by Reiss Games and the Tarot Flamand, also known as the Bacchus Tarot, which was designed in the 18th Century.

The two middle cards show versions of The Sun that are very similar to those in the Rider-Waite deck, which is probably the best known form of Tarot. The deck's creator A. E. Waite suggested that this card is associated with attained knowledge. The pictures show an infant riding a white horse under a bright sun, with sunflowers in the background. The child symbolises young life. He holds a red flag, representing the blood of renewal and freedom. The sun itself represents accomplishment. The meaning is that the conscious mind can prevail over fears and illusions; through discovery there is renewed hope for the future.

The Crystal Tarot picture gives greater importance to the sunflowers. The book that comes with this set says these represent the adoration, nourishment and power that are the reward of efforts made under the influence of the sun. The child symbolises the joy of innocence. Children constantly look for new experiences and do not fear them. Like a child, you should avoid being too judgemental. Balance work and play for a happy and healthy life. The card recommends carrying an imperial topaz crystal to help manifest the energy of the sun.

The Bacchus Tarot shows a horse rider travelling from east to west, the direction the sun takes each day. His banner flies high and he represents victory and success in our endeavours.

In these troubled times I think we could all do with a bit of hope for the future and energy to see our plans through to success, as well as an open mind to new ideas. Perhaps the powers of the sun this Summer Solstice will shed light into the shadows and reveal our fears to be insubstantial, allowing us to see clearly the solutions to any problems we face and showing the way forward.

Enjoy the power of the sun this day and follow your inner child to joy and new discoveries.

Links and previous related posts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_(Tarot_card)
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/10/review-crystal-tarot.html
Robin Wood Tarot Deck

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