In the book 'Set Me Free', the character in this High Priestess card is called Ebony. Due to being rejected by her deeply Catholic parents, she is said to have been abandoned amongst the trees of the most sinister of forests in her childhood - left to grow up under the wisdom of the great oaks and the foxes which came down from the mountains to meet her. This is where she is said to have dedicated her misfortune to black magic, in order to obtain absolute power in her impending revenge.
Ebony is not unlike many of the High Priestesses of tarot. Cloaked in black, she dwells amongst the darkness of the trees, which I imagine symbolises the hidden parts of her soul. It is a place of stillness and silence. The point of this card is for us to cover up our own conscious thoughts, as Ebony covers her head, and locate the sacred forest which can be found deep within us all. You might call it our subconscious. This is a very psychic card for me.
It is raining today, which I am thankful for. The last week has been so humid and the tree in my garden is stretching it's branches out in the breeze like arms, begging the raindrops to land on it's many fingers. I have my win
dows flung right open and can hear and smell the day. Rainy days are quiet days, since next door's brats can not play out in the garden, so I am making the most of it. The rain has a beautiful, soft voice.From the darkness of the forest, Ebony's eyes shine like those of a black cat. She looks inside of me and asks me to tell her what I know to be true. This is the key here. Sometimes, we need our surroundings to be quiet so that we can assess how we really feel. How can we hear her softly spoken inner voice, not unlike the rain, when there is so much shouting and screaming going on elsewhere?
I am not quite sure how to respond to Ebony's question. I usually worry far too much about this and that, but sometimes, amongst peace, I can hear my inner voice calling out and telling me that everything will be alright, despite the screams and shouts of panic. Part of me is worried about new work, and even though I am soon to get on with looking for some, I know deep down that I don't need to lose any sleep over it just yet.
Illustration from The Favole Tarot and Set Me Free by Victoria Frances
PL,
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful card and your description of it is so moving and powerful. You have a way with words. I have always felt that the HP is my personal card. Every deck I get that is one of the first cards I look for because I feel like each one has something different to tell me about my soul.
This card is beautiful and you help tell her story so eloquently. I will have to look up this book as well... sound fantastic.
I wanted to tell you that I love your new blog background. Its beautiful. I hope you have rested up and are feeling better and more at ease with the new things coming into your life. I hope to speak to you soon.
Much love
Shaheen
Thank you for your kind words Shaheen. I really think this deck is underated; primarily because the paintings were created before it was made, and also down to the non-scenic minors and it's departure from the RWS system. In a way, I see some of those attributes as it's beauty and strength. As you and I said when we met, we can read with anything really. There are so many beautiful sories in this deck, just waiting to be born and unfolded.
ReplyDeleteI am really happy with the look of the blog. It feels 'right' for the moment; as I called it earlier, romantic and mysterious, with an edge. It holds the story of the Favole Tarot and the Mystic Dreamer well.
Hope to speak with you soon!
PL