August Affirmation: I am a child of the Universe.
Light and Love flow through me as I travel my chosen path.
The Major Arcana of the Tarot have often been described as a map of the soul’s journey. Today we’ll begin an exploration of that journey. Each month we’ll dive deeply into the symbolic meaning of one of the Major Arcana, beginning with the very first one, the Fool. However, calling this card the Fool is truly a misnomer. That is the traditional name but the energy of this beginning is not what we usually define as “foolish”, but child-like innocence. Throughout this journey I will be relying on the insights of two non-traditional decks, the Voyager deck by James Wanless and the Inner Child Cards by Isha and Mark Lerner.
The Inner Child Cards begins this journey with Little Red Riding Hood, so take a moment now to return to your childhood and this fairy tale. Imagine yourself as Little Red Riding Hood, or Little Red Cap as she is called an older version. Note that this is feminine energy and as the soul, she begins her adventure on the physical plane with much innocence, excitement and curiosity. She has much to learn and a great deal of growth is waiting for her. As the story unwinds we see that the soul is very protected even when temptation and danger threaten her in her naivete. She is fearless because she has never encountered the power of the dark forces of the world. Red is the color of fire and will, overcoming obstacles. Little Red Cap is lured away from her chosen path by the Big Bad Wolf, who represents the unintegrated aspects of our human consciousness. Little Red Cap can be seen to represent the entire major Arcana because she embodies the child spirit within who is traveling the illumined road of higher consciousness. Welcome to the adventure of Life! Have fun! Enjoy and learn! Let the magic and joy of laughter fill your days. Feel the wonder of life all around you.
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting us. . .The old skin has to be shed before the new one is to come.”
Joseph Campbell
Source of All Being, you draw us to you as your beloved children. When we face obstacles we cannot surmount, when we encounter challenges we cannot solve alone, help us to remember that you are always there for us, a well of energy and inspiration that will never run dry. Remind us that life is a journey that often requires more from us than we think possible. Do the impossible through us, O God, and expand the envelope of our vision so we may reach beyond our limits to the stars. So it is.
