Comparative Tarot

BASIC DESCRIPTION: A young man rides a dusty-white horse. He wears a laurel crown, and bears a wand with a laurel wreath tied to the top with a red ribbon (Maibaum?). He is accompanied by (apparently) five of his buddies, who are on foot and also bearing wands.

FIRST THING THAT STRUCK ME: Why does the horse look back at its rider?

UPRIGHT MEANINGS: Waite: The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of
hope, and so forth.

Riding high, victory, triumph, conquest, coming out on top, desires realized as a result of efforts, optimism, expectation comes to fruition, success, achievement, advancement, gain, awards, prizes, winnings. Recognition, acclaim, honor, adulation, praise, acknowledgement, position and prestige, good news. Self-esteem, pride, celebrating accomplishment. A solid team with a strong leader, an excellent negotiator, diplomacy.

ALSO: Triumphal procession, parade.

REVERSED MEANINGS: Waite: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.

Victory at a high cost; false victory, win with inconclusive gain, superficial benefit, delayed successes and rewards, humbling losses, treachery from a subordinate, mutiny, disloyalty. Defeatism, fear of a victorious enemy, fear of betrayal, apprehension, anxiety, pessimism. Euphemizing a defeat, honoring superficial ideals or shallow heroes, pitfalls of patriotism and hero worship. On one's "high horse," arrogance, false pride, placing self above others.

ALSO: A hollow theatrical spectacle, devoid of substance. Creative blocks.

BIBLICAL: Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:6-9); Triumph of Mordecai (Esther 2:8, 10-11); Revelation 3:5 -- "He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments; and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life, but I will make acknowledgement of his name before my Father and before his angels."

MYTHOLOGICAL: Mars, Roman god of war and protector of growth (fire energy).

HISTORICAL: Lady Godiva; conquerors of all sorts -- e.g. Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Charlemagne, King Richard I, etc. Anybody on horseback in a statue.

ANIMAL/INSECT: lion

PLANTS/TREES: laurel

TIME/SEASON: indeterminate

MUSIC: "We are the Champions!" by Queen; also marching bands.

FILM/BOOK: The end of Dune, when Jessica (?) puts the imperial robe on Paul's shoulders, and Alia says, "He is the Kwitatz Haderach!"

PUBLIC PEOPLE OR EVENTS: astronauts, sports champions, NYFD

OCCUPATIONS: Mountie (RCMP), general, team captain

QUOTES FROM OTHER SOURCES: "Something in human nature causes us to start slacking of at our moment of greatest accomplishment. As you become successful, you will need a great deal of self-discipline not to lose your sense of balance, humility and commitment." -- Ross Perot

PEOPLE OR SITUATIONS IN MY LIFE: My UF commencement party.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS: From my personal experience, this card reminds me of all the times in the last decade that I've missed welcoming large trophies to Florida. (Bucs, Marlins, Lightning, Gators, Seminoles) Or back in the old days, watching the Apollo astronauts return home. I really have a lack of feeling for this card. Perhaps I just don't get enough "victory, triumph, success" in my life. Or maybe I just see such things differently, i.e. Star or Sun.

FAVORITE REPRESENTATION: I like the Native American version -- Custer's Last Stand; also Gothic and Navigators of the Mystic SEA.

One Love All Love
Moonchild