Comparative Tarot

Judgement of Skill (4 of Wands) shows a young woman kneeling beside a pool of water. She wears a wreath of leaves upon her brow and her long dark wine gown covers her, with a strand curling along her side like a rivulet of blood. Her hands rest upon a silver urn. All around her we see tall fronds of grass waving in the breeze. But she seems unaware of her surroundings. Her gaze is focused on two warriors (one in shades of orange & red, the other in shades of blue & gray) engaged in a battle just above her.

The Book says: This is Creiddlad, daughter of Llyr, and her two suitors (Gwythyr ap Greidawl and Gwyn ap Nudd). She was betrothed to Gwythyr but Gwyn carried her off. The battle to retrieve her caused such chaos and destruction that Arthur ruled that the two suitors should battle for her hand every May Day until the end of time. Whoever wins the battle wins Creiddlad's hand. Gwyn is usually associated with the powers of winter (the Holly King) and Gwythyr is associated with the powers of summer (the Oak King). Their battle is symbolic of the annual battle between winter & summer as the seasons change.

Keywords: Completion of projects; rest after work; concord, peace & harmony; prosperity; domestic well-being; time to enjoy the fruits of labor.

Reversed: Increase and peace do not bring felicity; lack of appreciation for the joy and benefits of life; taking things for granted; things remain unfinished.

Soul Wisdom: Is it time to enjoy the fruits of your efforts?

Bee's Buzz: This is a very different look at the 4 of Wands. In fact the connection with 4 of Wands and the annual battle between summer & winter did not immediately click for me. After considering it for a while I still didn't get it. Then I just spent some time looking at the card and I made some connections. Creiddlad represents the land and sovereignty over it. No one can rule over the kingdom without her by his side. She is the stable foundation, the base, the rock upon which the kingdom can be built. Much like in ancient Egypt - the ruling pharaoh used to marry the daughter of the pharaoh in order to rule, the man who hopes to rule the kingdom must be married to Creiddlad. This theme is also seen in Arthurian legend in the tales involving Guinevere's various abductions. In order to rule Britain, one must be married to Guinevere. This is the Flower Bride who conveys the right to rule the land upon her husband. So one must possess the Flower Bride to be eligible to rule. She provides the stability. The kings may come and go, as will Gwythyr and Gwyn, but the lady of the land, the goddess, the queen, Creiddlad, must remain the same. For without her there is no land the kingship is nothing. Before anything can be created or built up it must rest on a stable foundation. The Flower Bride is that foundation. She offers a chance for building and prospering after a time of struggle and change.

Bees Blessings
Debbie