The Wildwood Tarot* by Mark Ryan and John Matthews

Sparking My Intuition

As I’ve mentioned many times over the years, I enjoy working with tarot cards in a hybrid manner, allowing myself to notice what I see in the details of the cards and what those details mean to me, and then also accessing the interpretation provided by the author/creator of the particular deck I’m using. When I first began allowing cards to trickle into my awareness and start sparking my intuition (and prompt some internal ‘ahas’), I used to think I had to have all the traditional card meanings memorized before I could even begin to work with them.

The RWS (Rider, Waite, Smith)* deck, which sports the traditional images most people are familiar with (or have at least seen somewhere or another) when they think of the tarot, only comes with a literal LWB (little white book). Actually it’s a little white booklet containing only the barest of meanings and interpretations. The paucity of information contained in that pamphlet only confirmed that the tarot was ‘beyond’ me.

My first exposure to the tarot was way back in the early 80s, and was introduced as a part of my metaphysical education. As I think I’ve said elsewhere, I resisted learning about the tarot. Let’s just say, over the years since then, everything has changed – not least being my attitude and awareness. And even more amazing are the hundreds (probably thousands) of other decks that have been created and published over the past 40 years, some of which make the tarot much more accessible than the RWS deck.

Every topic, every theme you can think of (and even many that make me wonder why they were thought of at all) are out there. And some have utterly amazing ‘LWBs.’ (Actually, while referred to by tarotists as LWBs, the books accompanying most decks nowadays are wonderfully descriptive and evocative, and contain a wealth of information and perspective. Many encourage us to flex our intuition.

Using the Book

And so it is that I tend to hold in high esteem the books that accompany my favorite decks. In fact, some decks have become my favorites precisely because of the magical way the LWB speaks to me. But that’s not to say I don’t honor my initial intuitive take on a card. Absolutely, I do. My sense of a card is more important than anything I might read, and I strive to remember that. But sometimes I’m amazed and grateful for the shift in perspective the author provides.

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I like to explain the importance of using the books that accompany decks. We have so many amazing resources available to us. We might as well use them (provided they resonate with us). If they don’t – don’t use them.

And so it is, I want to share what the authors/creators of The Wildwood Tarot included as explanation in their accompanying LWB for the cards I chose the other day. Notice both the similarities to what you ‘saw’ and intuited, as well as nuances or additional considerations that may never have occurred to you. As always, take what resonates with you and leave the rest.

Five of Stones – Endurance

“Description:

A child dressed in simple skin clothing sits in the entrance of a cave, looking out at a dark shy split by lightning. A small fire burns before him and, by its light, we see that four deep cracks have split the walls of the cave entrance into five massive blocks of stone.

Meaning:

It takes inner strength and courage to protect yourself and survive the challenges of life. This may mean withdrawing from trauma to focus on emotional resilience.

Reading Point:

Of all the qualities a spiritual warrior or seeker on the journey of life must possess, the spirit and will to endure is most important. In the words of one screen Swordmaster, Bob Anderson: ‘Nobody said it was fair.’ There will be trials, and there will be harsh challenges. Life is a contact sport and there will be bruises. The desire and willpower to survive and recover from setbacks is vital and necessary. (…) Maintaining a resilient mind and retaining a sense of humour are most important to our health, along with the knowledge that the sun will rise on another day filled with opportunities.”

8 – The Stag

Position on the Wheel: The Stag shares the Spring Equinox, 21 March, with the Archer. He is associated with sunrise and the element of Air. This is the position of universal lore, where the energy of creative life enlivens the soul.

The card that was on the bottom of the deck when I chose the Five of Stones was this card, The Stag. As you know, I treat the bottom card as a foundation or nuance card. I ask and all the foundation card to give the main card I chose context.

The LWB (which is anything but), states as follows:

“Description:

The Stag, forest king and guardian, half human and half animal and verdant with greenery, looks out from the card with a steady and calm gaze. He holds a polished hafted axe and shield. His horns reach into the sky and are mirrored in the branches of the tree, before which he stands as a reminder of our cosmic connection to the universe and its manifestation in all organic life on the planet. The polished axe head is a manifestation of the human will to change the environment – and not always for the better, so a weighing-up of action and responsibility is necessary. The shield, which bears the image of the symbolic Major Oak, reminds us that we must preserve and protect our natural resources.

Meaning:

The concepts of forgiveness and reward are not appropriate here. They are human ideas, which have no reality in natural lore. One reaps what one has sown. Just as right or generous action brings fulfillment and peace, greed and vengeful desire bring bitter loneliness and disillusion. Balance will be maintained by the planet’s ecosystem. The justice it dispenses is longlasting, and it is both merciful and irrevocable in its final conclusions.

We are guests of the Earth, not its masters. And, like ill-mannered children at a banquet offered freely by a generous and forgiving host, we have behaved badly and are in danger of spoiling the gathering for everyone else. Our thoughtless greed and selfishness have seriously disturbed the ecosystem. The fine balance and interdependent connection between nature and humans is pivotal; if the balance is disturbed by an inappropriate or thoughtless action there will surely be a natural reaction and the balance will have to be reset.

On an individual level, this may involve haunting guilt over a wrong action or a subconscious feeling of bitterness because of an unfair situation. It signifies the karmic wheel of justice that rules our basic concepts of right and wrong, and the inescapable faith that justice will always be done.

On a global level, it may meant that the thoughtless rape of the rainforest will one day severely affect the weather patterns, and the polluted seas will one day produce poisoned fish that will be inedible. One day, in the not too distant future, our host, the Earth, may have no option but to give notice that the pendulum of justice has swung away from us and we will no longer be welcome at the banquet.

Both on an individual level and as a civilization, we are responsible for our actions and must be aware of their consequences.

Reading Points:

On a personal level, some kind of adjustment or interaction has taken place. The keyword here is ‘responsibility.’ We must, as individuals, constantly observe the rules and regulations of society, and these can fluctuate as the views and knowledge of civilization change. Whether on a political or moral level, we subconsciously know when a realignment of our perceptions is due. This is a time to welcome the justice that has arrived with the coming of spring and the fire of creation. Face the coming season with honesty and integrity and trust to right and appropriate action.”

Finally

When read in the context of what’s going on all around us in the world (and quite possibly in our own personal lives), it’s hard not to feel some sense that we’re seen and being spoken to.

I feel grateful for this insight. And I also trust my own ‘take’ on the cards as well.

(T+123)