Introduction

I feel that a short familiarization with the Norse Tarot may assist me to clarify my thoughts & readers to understand my view of the cards of the Norse Tarot and their related Runes. This introduction is summarized directly from Clive Barrett's book that accompanies the Deck.

Barrett says:

Life is a search for that which is lost; we each have our own personal quest; our aims have a great effect on our lives: each personal, individual & indefinable.

The search = generation of mythology, story, parable,

The theme = remains the same; the urge to know the unknowable.

The goal = The Philosophers Stone, Immortality, Oneness with Nature, Perfection, The Truth, The Grail.

The search = the Great Work, The Way, The Path to Righteousness; The difference in terminology leads to misunderstanding between the varying belief systems; each driven by the same internal force. The search is cyclic. It starts at the beginning and progresses, only to return to the point of origin; seen as the Sun through the hours of the day and the seasons of the year: the sun rises in the morning, progresses towards midday [greatest strength] to glorious sunset, rests for the night. Through the seasons moves from winter to summer, back to winter. The cycle of the moon through the month: waxing and waning, new to old.

The major Arcana = the Fool is the very essence of inexperience, moving through the cards he gains knowledge and wisdom, understanding and compassion, experiences the heights of joy and depths of despair, ultimately sheds earthly pleasures and attributes to reach perfection and completion. There is a framework upon which the majority of cyclic legends were founded. Major Arcana cf the myths and legends: from Sumerian [legend of Baal] to Christian: the same concepts repeat themselves.- the story of a beautiful and perfect God; The story told of his life, how he was loved by all, told of his death and how he was mourned by all, of his resurrection that would bring life to the world.

The Northern poets told the story of Balder: god of the Sun and child of Odin, how he came amongst the gods at Asgard, won their hearts, was killed by treachery of Loki, how he returned to a refreshed and welcoming earth [after the destruction of Ragnarok].

The Norse Tarot

Designed to conform with the majority of traditional Tarot interpretations. Presentation conveys the meaning in both an original way and in a form compatible to the Nordic theme of the whole. Images may differ but the interpretation remains the same.

Cards in two parts

*the Major Arcana: 22 cards - cards represent archetypal forces of nature may be interpreted individually;

*or as a whole they convey a story of spiritual unfolding;

*a progression from innocence through worldly knowledge and achievement of spiritual rebirth;

*represent stages of Balder's life;

*each major cards assigned a RUNE character;

*the runes are more general in nature than the cards and so they must be read in context of the neighboring cards / runes.

*the Minor Arcana: 56 cards

(end quote)

My Comments

It is the readily understood story Barrett has woven into the cards that particularly attracts me to this deck, together with the [skilful] inclusion of the runes. However, the runes in the deck apply to the Major Arcana only: this omits two from the accepted regular futhark of 24; BUT, if I add the Court Cards to the Majors [22 + 16] I get 38 ñ just happens to match to number of runes in the Anglo-Saxon futhark. I have arbitrarily allocated these for my personal use. Iím sure that they won't stand up to analytical scrutiny, but they work for me. [Comments/advice more than welcome!]

I read somewhere that the Runes look at a person's intentions and a person's actions; the Tarot considers a person's intentions and the results of a person's actions; the I-Ching deals with a person's actions and the results of a person's actions. [The I-Ching is not an area I've studied]

I use this as a guide when using the Norse Tarot, as it gives me two of the above three related aspects to focus on. I'd welcome comments on this approach!

I have used Connolly's Apprentice handbook as a learning tool & you may well see this coming through in my comments.

The Fool

Please be aware that my notes here are based on Clive Barrett's book that accompanies the Deck and Book set. [Barrett. Clive. The Norse Tarot. Aquarian. London. 1989. ISBN: 0850307260].

0 The Fool Connolly: crossroads, think carefully;

Key: Choice;

Card: New Beginnings; Symbolism: Purity.

Card Description: Balder [young man] running in open grasslands, carrying staff in right hand, over shoulder; sword swung behind, sheathed dagger on right side of belt [sees no threats]; Disc [centered on forehead] on band around head; left hand extended outwards and cupped. He carries with him the tools of life.

Colours: blue, white, light browns. Ring on ring finger of R. hand; wearing necklace of stone or wood; cape held by oval clasp.

Barret says:

Interpretation: New beginnings; start of new cycle; innocence; naivety; hidden talents; optimism unaffected by the past; purity of purpose; impulsive thoughts/ actions; unconventional way of looking at things; unexpected; unplanned.

Reversed: Recklessness; ill-considered decisions; immature/Irrational actions; poor application of energies.

The Rune: S

SIGEL : the glittering sun; signifying the life force, warmth; health and harmony.

Hebrew letter: Aleph; Animal: Ox; Astrological: Air.

>From Pennick: Tree: Juniper; Herb: Mistletoe; Colour: white; Element: Air; Deity: Balder; Symbolically: Reward for work, the holy solar wheel, Wholeness; Essential Oil: Bay; Animals: fish/ eagle; Stones: Bloodstone / Amethyst.

The Fool relates to Spontaneity, the seeker. On the tree of life Balder as the Fool is the link between the Physical World and Glory: Malkuth & Hod: my knowledge is very limited in this field. Comments welcome.

Balder 0

* Child of Odin & Frigga;

* Balder the beautiful, god of light, of the sun, purity & innocence; radiance/good looks; harmonious presence; face so bright, shafts of sunlight shone around him;

* Frigga begged all of creation to swear to never harm him: people, birds, creatures, flowers and forests, rocks & stones [did not ask mistletoe]; all asked were happy to agree, was then invulnerable.

* Home: the hall of Breidablik, silver roof on pillars of gold, nothing unclean allowed to enter.

*wife: Nanna [blossom], daughter Nip[Bud]-famed for her beauty and charm.

*Balder the Bright: god of the sun; dressed in white cloak and tunic = innocence; morning sky is blue, richness of the earth at his feet; a victorious god, loved by all other gods in the Aesir;

*symbols of solar origins = solar disc on forehead, string of amber around neck, golden ring on right hand [on finger of Apollo]; border of tunic decorated with design of red and gold sigil rune = rune of the sun; left hand, palm up = pure and unblemished, nothing to hide.

*He runs for the pleasure of running, for the joy of youth

Gary