Comparative Tarot

BASIC DESCRIPTION: A young man holding a wand horizontally in both hands stands on elevated ground above the top halves of six vertical wands. His posture appears defensive, and his expression disconcerted. He wears one shoe and one boot.

FIRST THING THAT STRUCK ME: He's holding the high ground.

UPRIGHT MEANINGS: It is a card of valour, for, on the surface, six are attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife; in business -- negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and his enemies may be unable to reach him. (Waite)

Holding the high ground, courage of one's conviction, taking a firm stand for strongly-held beliefs, acting on inner truth, preparedness to take a risk, making a difference, passionate involvement, personal power, strong character, integrity, diligence. Test of faith, confident defense of position, protection, resistance, taking on all comers, refusing to yield, saying "No!", holding out against pressure, one's behavior defuses criticisms. Valor, bravery, boldness, courage in the face of difficulties, a brave person facing incredible odds. Meeting challenges, overcoming obstacles, surmounting the odds, holding one's own against adversaries. Success despite opposition, advantage, gain, victory, King of the Hill. Effort to stay on top in one's field, unrelenting competition in business or trade, negotiation, debate.

ALSO: Initiation, induction into the mysteries; achieving goals by synthesizing experiences of the past; accepting the gifts of higher powers. Skill in martial arts.

REVERSED MEANINGS: Perplexity, doubt, sinking into anxiety, consternation, uncertain position, misgivings about an outcome, worry, agitation. Embarrassment, losing face, lack of confidence, weakness, stubbornness, insistence. A caution against indecision, hesitancy causes losses, slipping in position, losing power and influence. Inaction, failure to fight for oneself and dependents, letting everybody down (including yourself), acting irresponsibly.

ALSO: A holier-than-thou attitude. Selling out.

BIBLICAL: "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look with triumph on my enemies. ... All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut {held} them off. ... I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my sound; he has become my salvation." -- Psalms 118:6-14 (NIV)

"Moreover, I say to you, my friends, Do not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more." -- Luke12:4 (NWT)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." -- 1John 4:18 (KJV)

HISTORICAL: Any siege. Also reminds me of the battle over Jerusalem, the Temple and the Dome (the high holy places).

ANIMAL: Turtles, for their non-aggressive, non-violent method of self-defense.

PLANTS/FLOWERS: I think of flowers with long stems, which take their lovely blooms out of the reach of snails and slugs; i.e. tulips, poppies and such. Also, the alpine flowers and plants that grow above the tree line.

LANDSCAPE: high ground

TIME/SEASON: indeterminate (not winter)

MUSIC: "Get Up Stand Up" by Bob Marley.
Reversed: "And you always seem outnumbered, you don't dare make a stand." -- Bob Seeger

FILM/BOOK: Schindler's List; Norma Rae

PUBLIC PEOPLE OR EVENTS: Julia Butterfly Hill. Diego Rivera's refusal to paint over Lenin on the RCA mural he did for the Rockefellers. Jim Morrison on the Ed Sullivan Show. Greenpeace. The Chinese student(s) in Tianamen Square.

OCCUPATIONS: activist, fireman, superhero, defending champion, defensive lineman

QUOTES FROM OTHER SOURCES: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." -- Special Olympics motto

"We have come out of the time when obedience, the acceptance of discipline, intelligent courage and resolution were most important, into that more difficult time when it is a man's duty to understand his world rather than simply fight for it." -- Ernest Hemingway

"I know of no more encouraging fact than he unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor." -- Henry David Thoreau

One Love All Love
Moonchild