Tarot of the Animal Lords - Ten of Wands - Elk
Artwork: Angelo Giannini
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
ISBN: 0738704474

LWB:
Upright – Comparison, competition, test
Reversed – Effort, oppression, need for finding allies

Description: A lone elk, dressed only in a green robe, trudges uphill through snowfall. He has plenty of supplies for his journey – two pouches and a knife hang on his belt, and a brimming sack over his shoulder holds a small axe, a barrel, a pan and other items. His walking stick helps him climb through the snowdrifts toward the treeline.

The Wands’ suit symbol, the Salamander, appears in a small circle at the upper left.

My take on it: Although the booklet says this is an elk, the widespread antlers are more like a moose. I suspect this was a translation glitch, since moose are lone animals like this guy, while elk travel in herds. He doesn’t seem happy with his journey, but since he’s well-prepared it looks like he had plenty of advance warning and knows it’s necessary. I suspect he’s looking for food in those trees, or at least shelter from the storm. He keeps looking over his shoulder, his expression almost apprehensive, so he probably doesn’t realize just how close he is to his goal.

When your journey is hard and your burdens grow heavy, take a moment to stop and assess your situation. You’ve come further than you think you have, and the end is coming into sight. Rest a moment if you need to, but keep at it – you’re making steady progress after all.

Tracy Hite