[MHYK] Tarot (Complete!)

[hyalinee]

Hello, today we're going to discuss the tarot associations of the characters. Please bear in mind this is my own reading and interpretations; I am by no means an expert on it. You may disagree or have your own interpretations, I'm happy to discuss if you like. C:

I'll also be making some conjectures of the characters; again agree to disagree. It is merely my own interpretation and view of them.

Anyhow, this is going to be a work in progress as 22 cards and characters is a lot to go through. I will not be doing these in any particular order (or rather, the order is how much headache they give me), but I will hopefully have most, if not all of them done in a week or so.

Update Log:
25 Dec - Rustica, Cain, Owen added.
23 Dec - Shylock, Arthur, Chloe, Riquet added.
19 Dec - Oz, the Sage, Snow, White added.
10 Dec - Faust, Nero added.
4 Dec - Shino, Heath added.
29 Nov - Bradley, Mithra, Lennox, Figaro added.
26 Nov - Mitile, Rutile, Murr added.

Anyway, onwards.

I. The Magician

Keywords: Potential, manifestation, beginnings

For me, the Magician has always represented possibility and potential, a card of beginnings. Traditional depictions of Magician always involves all four suits in the imagery⁠—the sword, the cup, the pentacle, and the wand. The Magician brings all of them together to create something, manifesting their intentions and making them reality.

Mitile as the Magician presents to us what we already know about him in canon⁠—that he is full of untapped potential.

Shylock talks about magic being about feelings, about heart and conviction. Mitile has boatloads of that, in addition to his own power and that of Rutile's. He has the desire to master his power, the heart to use it for good. He wants to be a force to be reckoned with and to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to use his powers for good in line with the principles his brother has taught him.

If we consider the meaning of the card reversed, I believe we see Mitile's character arc. The Magician reversed represents a struggle to manifest your desires. Perhaps you are lacking in conviction, or unsure about what it is you wish to manifest.

We see this in Mitile's struggles, especially when compared to Riquet. Despite having studied it longer, his magic isn't at a level he is happy with. His doubts about his own abilities leads to additional struggle, and he falters in his conviction about becoming stronger. He is dissatisfied with himself because he believes he can do better, and yet he's not certain that he has the right reasons for becoming stronger, or that he should become stronger.

Looking at the depiction of the Magician in Mitile's card, we can see all four suits represented. However, what I'd like to note about the imagery is the way the magician is depicted. Facing forwards with conviction, manifesting their power. Certainty, surety; all things that Mitile lacks at the moment. However, I believe once he is certain of himself and his path, he will manifest his power and become a force to reckon with. Like the Magician in the depiction above, he will radiate power and conviction, having manifested his potential.

II. The High Priestess

Keywords: Mystery, intuition, secrets

The High Priestess is the female aspect of the Hierophant, an therefore has many parallels to him. However, her knowledge is not that of books and learning, but that of intuition and instinct, dwelling on the mysteries of the world. Her wisdom and knowledge comes from her life experiences, her actions guided by her intuition and instinct. She asks that you look within yourself and discover what is it you truly want.

In Riquet, I think this shows the most in his experience of the world. His world has been very narrow, and now it is expanding. He is learning new things through his experiences, what it means to consider other viewpoints and other ways of living different from what he has known. As such, these experiences are guiding him forward in his role as a Sage’s wizard, a friend, a student, as someone who lives in the world around him, as he grows into the person he would like to become.

The High Priestess is also what one might call the third option. Instead of this or that, she offers you an alternative. For Riquet, this is particularly clear. Either he lives a life of holiness and goodness as a disciple of god, or he leads a life of sin and debauchery. However, being in the magic residence is showing him that there is a third path, a third option. Just because he is part of the world now does not mean he is a sinful heathen condemned to the fires of hell. Similarly, he cannot say the same about his friends in the magic residence just because they don’t share his beliefs or his convictions.

Reversed, the High Priestess indicates that one is too affected by others’ opinions. Riquet, who holds closely to the tenets of the cult he was raised in, who desperately begged to be relived of his duties as the Sage’s wizard so he could return to his cult, is very much affected by how he is perceived by others. In particular, the regard of the leader of the cult who had raised him.

Away from the cult however, how people perceive him and his actions also have an effect on Riquet. He looks to Nero and Mitile in particular for approval now, their opinions mattering greatly to him. Oz once told him that he could not escape his role, but now that he has accepted his place as one of the Sage’s wizards, he strives to do his best, to set an example to those around him.

In this depiction of the High Priestess, the lantern is what catches my eye. Much as it represents Riquet as his amulet, I believe it is also lighting his path forward, showing him that there is more out there than he has thought of looking for. It illuminates the darkness and shows him what is ahead, allowing him to navigate life with all its secrets and mysteries.

III. The Empress

Keywords: Abundance, nurturing

The Empress is often considered the pinnacle of femininity within the tarot, which is not something you might think to associate with Shino.

The Empress is about being in touch with your feelings, patience, and nurturing. She encourages you to bring forth your creativity and your intelligence, to give yourself room and space to grow. She is representative of a mother’s love and nurturing. However, the Empress is also very much a nature card, something that is more familiar ground for Shino.

His connection to Sherwood Forest is an important one to him, almost to the point that the forest is an extension of himself. The Empress can also mean creativity, lending to unconventional solutions. Shino displays this in any number of ways, though his solution more often than not, is fight it and kill it. This exasperates Heathcliff a great deal, because Heathcliff cares about the proper way of doing things. Shino is about effectiveness; everything else is secondary.

Reversed, the Empress suggests that you may be smothering or being too overbearing. It can also indicate a loss of willpower and strength because too much willpower and effort is dedicated to other people. Shino can be very overbearing and almost smothering where Heathcliff is concerned. He never listens to what Heathcliff has to say, even though he says he is dedicating all his efforts to Heathcliff. He is very reliant on Heathcliff’s good opinion and approval, to the point I would say the relationship smacks of codependency.

The Empressed reversed can also indicate low self-esteem or self worth. While one might not think Shino suffers from this, I believe Shino has many questions about his place in Heath’s life, and how he fits into Heath’s world. It is not his own abilities he has doubt of, but his background and where he comes from that he worries about. He often says he doesn’t care about it⁠—and he does not when it doesn’t concern him⁠— but as Heathcliff’s servant, he is very conscious of the fact that people look down on him, if only because it lowers their opinion of Heathcliff.

In regards to the depiction of the Empress, the imagery is as non-traditional as you can get. Here, it looks almost like an emblem or a coat of arms, a shield emblazoned with a straight path, flanked on either side. Framed by trees that I believe represent Sherwood Forest, overlaid with his amulet, I think it very much shows Shino’s desire to advance himself, make something of himself. He has mentioned earning a title or accolades about himself, so perhaps it’s not so strange to think that an emblem or a coat of arms may well sum up his ambition.

IV. The Emperor

Keywords: Authority, leadership, stability

The Emperor is traditionally a card of authority and leadership, asking that you rely on logic and reason over feelings. It is a card that values expertise and knowledge, coupled with the experience needed to bring things to fruition, creating structure where these is none, exerting control over a situation.

In Arthur, this are all qualities that are clear to see. As a prince, he has been trained in leadership, and very often, people look to him to step up, something he does always with grace and fortitude. His natural charisma draws people to him, endears him to them and makes them believe in him, his causes, his dreams. He rallies people to his causes, turns them around with his earnestness and goodness.

Arthur is very much someone who understands that to reign is to serve, something he shows in his decision making process. Most of his decisions are centered around what is good for the people, be it humans or wizards. As both wizard and prince, he has a unique worldview that few people share. Like his ancestor, Arthur has a dream of a world where wizards and humans can live together. Unlike Alec, Arthur is more likely to succeed because it is something very close to his heart, and also because he believes in the inherent goodness and kindness of people.

The Emperor is also a point of stability, something that Arthur is for those around him. To you, the Sage, he is the face of the game, the one who tries hardest to be your friend, the one you reach out and connect to. To his kingdom, he is their shining prince, who despite being a wizard has shown none of the failings of a wizard. To the wizards, he is their support, their staunch defender when humans shun them. He tries to paint them in a good light, to remind them that even though people have been cruel, yes, but they are also good and kind and caring.

Reversed, the Emperor can indicate stubbornness, a refusal to let go of control, and immaturity. Arthur is still very young, and despite how well he takes on the responsibilities laid upon him, sometimes his youth and lack of experience shows. While the other wizards may be much older and more jaded, Arthur in contrast is sometimes too naive and certain of himself in the way only the young can be. He is very certain that he knows what is right, and strives to correct everyone to follow his thinking or beliefs. Case in point, Oz and his reputation. Perhaps the other wizards are unwilling to shatter his illusions about Oz, but Oz of now is not the Oz of then, and Arthur fails to recognise that the legends about Oz’s may have some truth in it.

Arthur can also be incredibly reckless and stubborn about it, especially about his safety. Where Cain strives to try and protect Arthur because he is the prince and Cain’s liege, Arthur often puts himself in danger because he does not believe it is fair for him to escape danger. In part, this is perhaps due to Oz shielding him and protecting him from all sorts of danger since he was young.

This depiction of the Emperor is quite traditional, though with Arthur’s amulet placed just so it calls to mind Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. In part, you can say that the story is reflected in the meanings of the Emperor. But as a whole, the Emperor here is confident and assured, certain of his path. He holds his scepter forward, a display of authority and in my opinion, also guidance for the way forward, much like how Arthur now is striving to guide others towards his dream of an equal society.

V. The Hierophant

Keywords: Tradition, learning, knowledge

The male counterpart of the High Priestess, the Hierophant is also a card of learning and of growth. More importantly, the Hierophant stands for traditions and institutions, its imagery deeply tied to the church and religious traditions.

The Hierophant is also sometimes called the Pope, further reinforcing the religion imagery of this card. In the context of imagery, especially in the Catholic tradition, the priest or the pope sometimes acts as an intermediary between man and God, though this may be considered blasphemous depending on which school of Christian religious teachings you subscribe to. However, I believe it’s a lovely parallel for Heathcliff, who as the scion of a noble house and a wizard, is a bridge between society and the wizards. Wizards have their own society and rules, which are a bafflement to humans because they play by different rules. Similarly, there are wizards who scorn humans. Heathcliff is uniquely placed in a position where he is well regarded by both societies, and by people in high places. Should he ever want to, Heathcliff is quite well placed to effect social change.

Tradition and institutions are something tied deeply to the Hierophant in more than just religious imagery, though that is the most obvious display of it. It is also about societal expectations and traditions, and as the son of a noble family, Heathcliff is deeply entrenched in a world where great importance is placed on propriety, rules, and conventions. It is a life that Heathcliff was bred into, and there is an expectation for him to take over the family when he is of age, regardless of his status as a wizard. However, his being a wizard also is an issue because it is unconventional, especially in a time where humans outnumber wizards, and most people care little for wizards.

The Hierophant is also about learning, especially on a higher level. I like to think Heathcliff has a love for learning, and being a Sager’s wizard is opening up new avenues of education for him. He is learning from wizards who were legends, with access to knowledge he could only dream of having before. The sheer variety of people in the manor alone gives Heathcliff plenty of new perspectives and things to learn, be it the carefreeness of the Western wizards or the reckless strength of the Northern wizards, the kindness of the Southern wizards and the righteous justice of the Central wizards.

In reverse, the Hierophant can represent too much adherence to tradition and convention to the point it is holding you back. Heathcliff is rooted deeply in tradition as the scion of a noble house. He knows what is expected of him, the rules the govern their society and his place in it. Regardless of his own personal feelings, Heathcliff has shown that time and again, he puts his duty above himself. This often comes into conflict with being a Sage’s wizard, or simply being a wizard. But wizards cannot live by human rules, simply because they are not human. They do not think in the same way humans do, nor are they limited the way humans are. Their magic is an extension of themselves, their imagination and their dreams. I believe Heathcliff truly loves magic and all its wonder, but he is also painfully aware of his role, and has previously mentioned giving up his magic to better fulfill the expectations laid upon him.

The depiction of the Hierophant here is fairly traditional, if incomplete. The Papal Cross is a symbol of the Trinity, and also of the office of the pope. Primarily, I view it as symbolic of Heath’s own station, softened by Heath’s amulet. That it comes in a pair is interesting, because traditional imagery of the Hierophant also has a number of things depicted in pairs.

VI. The Lovers

Keywords: Relationships, choices, harmony

The Lovers is a card about relationships and communication, but not necessarily romantic ones. It is very much about finding peace with and within yourself, aligning your values so they reflect outwardly into your relationships as well. The Lovers can also stand for beliefs, the things you choose to believe in and the principles that you stand for, the choices you make subsequently.

For Chloe, who is building relationships with everyone in the manor in his own way, forming bonds, it's a very apt card. You might note that even the scariest and most aggressive of the North wizards have some regard for Chloe. Chloe himself is rather conflict avoidant; the most aggressive I’ve ever seen him is during the summer event when he warns Lulu off for taking advantage of Rustica’s kindness.

Another point I'd like to bring up is choices. The Lovers is also a reminder that love is a choice. A choice to love and to persevere, to choose the heart over the head. A choice to believe, to have beliefs as such. Many of Chloe’s beliefs are centered around people. To treat them with kindness, like he was treated kindly by Rustica. To value them, in a way he was not valued. These are conscious choices Chloe has made because of his life so far, and I believe it is something most of the wizards see and cannot help but to reciprocate in kind. Even Owen, who is contrary at best and outright disagreeable and cruel at his worst, restrains himself for Chloe.

Chloe also reaches out to every wizard in a way that no one else but the Sage does, if only because he is the tailor, if only because he spends his time making things for them. Even Nero, who is thoughtful and kind in his own way, doesn’t quite reach out the same way that Chloe does. Chloe actively takes an interest in people; he does his best to befriend them in the ways he’s most certain of despite his own hesitation and question of his worthiness. At its very core, the Lovers is about following your heart, something that the Western Wizards are incredibly good at.

Reversed, the Lovers indicate an imbalance, disharmony, or inner conflict. This is something we see often in Chloe, who is still trying to establish his own worldview. Chloe himself as a person is very uncertain and timid, afraid of offending and crossing people. With meeting all these wizards with vastly different worldviews, I believe Chloe is learning what he really values as much as he is finding things he values.

This depiction of the Lovers is fairly traditional, if missing some of the usual imagery and laking the usual naked people. Nevertheless, for a card about harmony and finding balance, this card shows it very well. Gently framed by the nail polish coming out of the bottle that is Chloe’s amulet, as a whole it is a harmonious image, much like Chloe striving to build harmonious relationships with everyone.

VII. The Chariot

Keywords: Willpower, control

Ah, the yeet card for the yeeter of the wizards. Gotta go fast, nyoom.

The Chariot is a card of forward momentum, taking action. In the tarot journey, this is the Go sign. It means that you're on the right track and you should move forward, having mastered your passion and your intellect to carry you forwards. It also displays a strong will, personality, and drive.

In Rutile's case, who lives with the kind of fearlessness and recklessness that gives Rutile oshis chest pain from premature heart attacks, it is very much an embodiment of who he is. Unlike Mitile, Rutile is certain of himself and his path. He knows what he wishes to do and is moving forward with it. He has directed his energies to doing good for those around him, using his powers to help who need it. He teaches, he paints, he reaches out to those who need him.

Case in point, Mithra and Figaro. For Mithra, he is bound to Rutile and Mitile by a promise to Chiletta, but Rutile reaches out to Mithra of his own accord, trying to assuage the loneliness he sees in Mithra. He includes Mithra in things, makes him poultices and sachets to help him sleep, drives Mithra up the wall with his antics, but at the heart of it, he does care about Mithra.

Similarly with Figaro, I believe Rutile pretends not to see what Figaro is or who he is, content to let Figaro be who he wants to be. There is no way he hasn’t noticed or realised Figaro isn’t what he tries to pretend to be, but if Figaro isn’t willing to share, Rutile isn’t going to push either. It gives Figaro the opportunity to be someone he isn’t⁠—a kinder version of himself, someone who hasn’t failed or disappointed the people around him time and again.

On the flipside, a reversed Chariot indicates a lack of direction and sometimes, stubbornness as you continue pushing through fruitlessly. It can also indicate a loss of control, or that you’re letting yourself be distracted by the difficulties of achieving your goal. The Chariot is also in itself, a warning. Victory comes, but there is a price. What will you give up in pursuit of your goals? It’s a rather foreboding thing to think about for Rutile, whose determined kindness has won him the goodwill of most of those around him.

This depiction of the Chariot is fairly traditional, but also softened by the presence of flowers that are representative of Rutile’s amulet. Flowers are very much associated with softness and femininity, which I feel is indicative of Rutile’s own nature. A strong will and stubborn personality, tempered by kindness and care for those around him.

VIII. Strength

Keywords: Inner strength, compassion

Despite its name, Strength is not really about the physical, but the emotional. Formerly called Fortitude, Strength is one of the three cardinal virtues in the deck, the other two being Justice and Temperance (Rustica and Owen, respectively). Strength as a card is very much about your strength of character⁠—the compassion and grace with which you carry yourself, your capacity for kindness and forgiveness, your ability to persevere in the face of adversity.

As a person, Cain seems to embody a fair number of traits this card represents. A strength of character and conviction that suggests he could be quite powerful if he masters his magic, compassion for those who are hurting, a capacity for kindness and forgiveness that can be quite stunning, especially when you consider Cain’s relationship with Owen. At best, Owen is difficult. At worst, Owen is downright malicious and dangerous. He has done personal harm to Cain, but Cain still does his best to get along with Owen, if only for now.

Reversed, Strength can indicate exactly that⁠—brute force. As a whole, Cain very much prefers to deal with things physically. He relies on his strength and his physical ability over his magic, his bizarre injury is a physical one. If something refuses to move, Cain’s tendency is to rush at it until it moves, not think about how to move it.

However, with Owen he is called to do the opposite of that. He has to exercise his patience, his fortitude, his perseverance. He has to acknowledge his own weaknesses and deal with Owen differently than he might most other problems. Throwing Owen’s bizarre injury into the mix, Owen is very trying to deal with or understand. The only thing that has been shown to throw Owen off is when Cain shows him kindness or compassion, something I believe is very foreign to Owen and is inherently, something he cannot understand because he lacks that in himself.

Another aspect of Strength reversed is self-doubt and inadequacy, something I believe Cain might be feeling rather acutely as he’s gone from respected knight captain to a Sage’s wizard. As one of the youngest wizards, he’s very inexperienced, something not helped by the fact he has avoided using his magic. However, he has mastered himself and applied himself to training and improving, something which calls for an incredible amount of fortitude.

This depiction of Strength is fairly traditional if very focused, as Strength is often depicted as a woman taming a lion. What is interesting to me is that the lion could possibly represent Owen. Beyond the obvious symbolism that Owen is good with animals and something of a wild animal himself, Owen has some interesting mythological ties. A variation of Owen’s name, Yvain, was a Knight of the Round Table with his mythology tied to a lion. Through Cerberus, Owen can be tied to Heracles and the Nemean Lion. Given that this depicts someone taming a lion, one could make an argument that it is Cain.

Beyond that, Cain’s amulet, the water from places dear to him, is something I strongly associate with the suit of Cups. The suit of Cups focus on matters that deal with the heart⁠—the realm of feelings, of emotions and relationships. And it is through this that Cain is beginning to gain an understanding of Owen in all his complexity, and how best to deal with Owen.

IX. The Hermit

Keywords: Solitude, withdrawal, isolation

The Hermit represents solitude and self-reflection, a time for growth away from others. In literature, hermits are also often regarded as a source of knowledge. Traditional depictions of this card often include a lit lantern, signifying guidance.

The parallels between the Hermit and Faust are many, from being a source of knowledge to Faust having isolated himself to become an actual hermit. At least, until he was Summoned™. But as much as it can be something of a joke, I believe it was time that Faust desperately needed for himself.

In his affection story, Faust talks about mirrors being a way to keep yourself on the right path. It makes me think that Faust is inclined to be introspective as a person, examining his actions and beliefs, his thoughts and his feelings. If nothing, he is aware of himself and his failings, though perhaps far too aware of his failings.

Faust as a person is incredibly loyal, much like Lennox. Coupled with that particular brand of idealism and righteousness unique to the Central Country, Alec’s betrayal devastated him. It made him question everything he knew and was certain of, because he’d always been certain of Alec. In the wake of a revolution and having all his convictions shaken, solitude was probably a blessing. It gave Faust time to examine his beliefs and all that he knew, to question and to make certain again what was it he believed in, and if his old beliefs still stood up.

I’d also bring up his spell and the ways you can read it. In his solitude, Faust would have done that: to think over his beliefs, if they were still something he could stand for. Or had his beliefs changed? Is it now a warning to himself to be careful what he chooses to believe in?

Reversed, the Hermit can indicate that you have not had enough time for yourself, or that you are spending too much time alone. After some three hundred odd years in the middle of nowhere, I do believe Faust is the latter. Despite all his claims to need to be alone, Faust seems to thrive in the company of others. Not in large groups, but one on one, or maybe even two. Slowly, he is opening up again, rediscovering parts of himself he’d thought he’d left behind.

In conjunction with Faust’s amulet, this depiction of the Hermit leads me to think that Faust is finding his way again. To quote Faust about his mana area, it is only a tiny light, but it calls forth his magic. In the same way, I believe this depiction of the Hermit reflects him. While the road ahead is long and dark, it is being lit by the knowledge he has acquired over the years, but also his belief, his heart, his convictions both old and new.

X. Wheel of Fortune

Keywords: Fate, cycles

The Wheel of Fortune is primarily a symbolic, almost impersonal card. Traditional depictions of the Wheel of Fortune often have the four elements represented in them, in addition to the Wheel itself. On the left, going down, there is Typhon, one of the deadliest serpents in Greek mythology. On the right, Anubis, Egyptian god of the dead. On top, the Sphinx. Most readings of the card have it more of an indicator of the state of things, whether things will go your way or not, if fortune should come to favour you.

I personally view the Wheel of Fortune as the representation of a cycle. What goes up must come down, what begins must end. It is also a reminder that some things are simply beyond our control, that we can only accept things with grace and fortitude. Fortune ebbs and flows, as does time, as does fate. To accept it with grace, to roll with the changes that come is something that Lennox is perhaps aware of, but there is a difference between passivity and grace.

Lennox’s early life has been full of upheaval and strife, from the uprising in his hometown to the time he joined the revolution. In contrast, his current life before becoming a Sage’s wizard was a peaceful one. Now, he is being thrown into conflict again as one of the Sage’s wizards despite preferring to live a peaceful life.

In Lennox, I think the Wheel of Fortune is best reflected in his relationship with Faust. Faust describes their relationship as one that Lennox had dictated with his choices and stubbornness, though Faust has indicated he would much prefer a more equal relationship with Lennox than one of master and servant.

In regards to Lennox’s stubbornness, I believe the Wheel of Fortune is also a reminder that things are beyond his control. Faust had been executed by Alec because he had believed in Alec, even thought Lennox had held the key that could have opened the cell. Despite his admiration for Alec and the love he had held for Alec, Alec had betrayed the wizards and him. Despite his best attempts, he hadn’t been able to find Faust after the events of the revolution. It was fate and chance that brought them together again, bringing an end to who they had been before and giving them a new place to start over.

This depiction of the Wheel of Fortune evokes thoughts of the sea, and of a ship’s wheel. In the wheel itself, four diamonds that very much reminds me of the four countries, positioned around the center. In relation to Lennox, it is perhaps representative of his own desire to control things, but there are external factors beyond his control, wild as the sea.

XI. Justice

Keywords: Balance, fairness

One of the three cardinal virtues in the tarot deck, Justice is impartial and righteous, seeking to restore order and balance. Traditionally, Justice is depicted with a sword, signifying the swift hand of justice. Similarly, the suit of Swords represents logic and intellect, of which Rustica displays a lot of while also being terrifically illogical and contradictory. The scales are meant to represent the balance between logic and emotion, for while Justice is merciless, it is not cruel or unkind. She restores order and balance, rights things that are wrong.

When one thinks of Rustica, Justice is not the word that comes to mind. Flighty, absent-minded, and mercurial in that way that is unique to the Western wizards, Rustica nonetheless displays a rather terrifying knack for seeing straight into the heart of any matter, regardless of his feelings on the subject. One might think he is easily swayed because he has a kindness to him, a willingness to see the best in people. However, this does not mean Rustica is blind to people’s faults and failings.

Justice is also swift and merciless, a trait Rustica displays in West Ballad. After he’d made his judgment, he delivered it regardless of Chloe’s pleading for otherwise. In a more comical sense, one could take his birdcaging as an example of this. He makes judgments and acts upon them, whether it is to offer people kindness or to transform them into birds.

Reversed, Justice can represent an unwillingness to examine a situation or accept responsibility for it. This brings up the question of Rustica’s bride and what happened to her. While Rustica claims he doesn’t remember, I have to wonder if that is deliberate. After all, Rustica tells Arthur that ‘forgetting is the final act of forgiveness’ in Central Ballad.

This depiction of Justice is fairly traditional, with emphasis given to the two tools of justice—the sword and the scales. To me it evokes the sword of Damocles, though less that impending doom is on its way, but in the sense that there will be a reckoning and consequences. The way the tea set is overlaid suggests that it is falling, reinforcing the suggestion that there are consequences. For Rustica, whose origins are rooted in the Pied Piper of Hamelin, I believe it is a warning, but to whom is a question that begs to be answered.

Justice is a double edged sword, as capable of harming the one dealing it as much as it harms those to whom it is dealt. This is something I believe Rustica is aware of, given his nature. Justice is swift and merciless, but not unkind, not cruel.

XiI. The Hanged Man

Keywords: Crossroads, letting go, suspension

Despite the negative connotations of the phrase “hanged man”, the Hanged Man is a pretty positive card. More than negative or positive, it is a call to action. Much like Odin who hung himself on Yggdrasil in search of knowledge, the Hanged Man is there by choice.

As a metaphor for Nero, it’s one that is fairly accurate. Nero is currently caught between his past and his future, especially in regards to Bradley. He had been comfortable in his situation before being summoned as a Sage’s Wizard, but being confronted with his past is upsetting his equilibrium and his perception of himself. He would like to think that he is now Nero from Eastern Country, restaurant owner and loner. But he was also once Nero, Chef of Blood and someone Bradley called partner.

The Hanged Man is a call to action, telling you that you have been here long enough. But letting go means falling, and falling means that there is possible hurt. And I think this sums up the fundamental problem for Nero. Nero, who has perfect distances for people, who leans too hard on being an Eastern Wizard and difficult to get along with, but who also reaches out in small, clumsy ways to the people around him, wanting to be relied on and depended on.

In part, I believe this is also shown in Nero’s various relationships. Though he says to Akira that there is a perfect distance for him, I’m inclined to believe that’s not entirely true. The way he interacts with people in the manor, particularly Riquet, suggests to me that Nero desperately wants, perhaps even needs closer relationships than the one the ‘perfect distance’ would dictate.

In reverse, the Hanged Man suggests that perhaps you have been giving too much of yourself with nothing in return. For Nero, I think this is best shown in his relationship with Bradley. He feels that he has given too much without enough reciprocation, though Bradley views the situation differently. But regardless of the truth of the situation, it is how Nero views it that affects him and whether he wishes to move forward. He is hung up on the past so much so that it is affecting his present and his future, making him uncertain about how best to proceed.

It may seem clear that he should speak to Bradley and make it clear if he still wishes to continue his relationship with Bradley or if he prefers to end it. However, inaction is also a choice, and this seems to be the choice Nero has made. An unhappy stalemate for the fear of things changing, even though letting go may serve him well and change his perspective.

This depiction of the Hanged Man is fairly traditional, except for having his head framed by wheat. To me, this is perhaps symbolic of Nero’s own mana area, where he goes to find peace and to find himself. There, he might find enlightenment and a new perspective, giving him the means to move forward.

XIII. Death

Keywords: Change, transformation

Death is a card of change. When something ends, something new begins in its stead. Despite the negative connotations associated with the card, death in itself is not a bad thing. Death brings an opportunity for change, for growth. A chance to let go of things that have held you back and give yourself space to grow.

Traditional depictions of Death often have Death wielding a scythe or a sickle, uncaring and unstoppable as the sun sets. A stark reminder of the inevitability of things ending and of change.

Reversed, Death represents a refusal to change, clinging on to old behaviours. In Bradley, we can see this in his refusal to give up banditry or the attitudes of then. While perhaps important to Bradley at the time he’d formed these habits, they’re now holding him back. Quite literally, given that he’s currently doing time for his various crimes. It brings him into conflict with almost everyone in the manor, be it because of his brashness and arrogance, his selfishness and lack of concern for those around him.

Through his interactions with the various wizards in the manor, we are witnessing a shift in his attitude, the gradual realisation that his way of life from then is not sustainable now. In part, this is due to Nero’s own reluctance to have anything to do with him, in part it is because of the younger wizards, particularly Mitile, who argue with him. If nothing, Bradley respects strength. And I personally believe that if only a little, Bradley respects the strength of Mitile’s convictions, even if he sees no value in them.

The depiction of Death here brings to mind gladiators of old, and I believe also reflects Bradley’s own values. Winner takes all, victory or death, the strong triumph over the weak. If you are not strong enough to live, then you forfeit that right. It’s a very Northborn mindset, but not one that can be sustained in the current environment where an emphasis is placed on teamwork and cooperation, in parts making a greater whole.

In some ways, I wonder if this brings Bradley back to his gang, where he created a community of sorts, when he called Nero partner and had people to back him up, who cared about him beyond him being the stronger wizard.

XIV. Owen

Keywords: Moderation, patience, balance

Temperance is about moderation, patience, balance. It is about blending dualities, the grey area between extremes, finding the right balance for you as a person. Temperance cautions us to consider ourselves, if we are leaning too far in any direction.

As a concept, Temperance is about restraint and self-control, something which one might say is lacking in Owen. However, I would argue that to know you have gone too far, you must know what the middle ground is. Owen displays an uncanny knack for pushing people just beyond their limits, which can also translate into a fairly thorough understanding of people. He knows how far to push and how far is too much, a delicate sort of balancing game where if Mithra and Oz are involved, possibly means his death.

Reversed, Temperance indicates recklessness and impatience, discord and extremes. Many of these things are clear in Owen’s character. Owen himself is not very certain of who he is, and it is difficult to find balance or harmony when you are uncertain of yourself, which he then reflects outwardly, sowing discord amongst people. Another example of this is his bizarre injury, which causes an abrupt change in Owen’s personality to the point it confuses people. Speculation aside, it is an example of Owen’s tendency to swing between extremes, going from one to the other in the drop of a hat.

Temperance sometimes is also associated with finding meaning and purpose, for things tend to become clearer when balance is achieved. One could say that Temperance is a call for him to reconcile both parts of him, for kizu!Owen is clearly a part of him he hasn’t come to terms with, or is repressing. Only by balancing the two can Owen perhaps find a measure of peace within himself, which is honestly something I believe he lacks. His own memory is faulty and he has little to no recall of his early life, nor can he really explain his reasons for acting as he does. For a wizard as old as he is, Owen lacks any ties or connections to anyone or thing until he tied himself to Cain. And even then, it is a tenuous one that can be undone.

Temperance as depicted here is fairly traditional, if focused on the angel's face. Interestingly, there are two knights among the chess pieces that represent Owen's amulet. Even more interesting, they are facing each other. You could look at it as the two aspects of Owen that need to face each other to reconcile, you could interpret it as something related to Cain. The pawn and the king can be taken as an example of extremes; you can always give up a pawn, but never the king. The least important piece on the board and the most important of all.

Temperance calls for careful consideration, for finding the perfect balance of all your aspects to achieve your potential. It can also refer to tempering, which varies across its uses but primarily, is used to elevate an object's inherent quality and demonstrate its potential. It is a process I believe Owen is undergoing in his experiences as a Sage's wizards, especially now that he is finding himself increasingly tied to this world.

XV. The Devil

Keywords: Indulgence, temptation

Ah, the Devil. Sin, seduction, temptation; it’s all available at Shylock’s BDSM Bar.

Okay, jokes aside, the Devil has many negative connotations to it as a card, but inherently, it is not a negative card. Like most of the cards in the Major Arcana, it is more a description of your circumstance and the kind of action you ought to take to move forward. Most of the negative connotations come from the Christian beliefs that the Devil is the Absolute Worst, but they also forget that Lucifer was once the Morning Star, an angel of God.

The Devil card speaks of the human experience, of addiction and indulgence, obsession and the loss of control. Very often, traditional depictions have figures bound or restrained while being presided over by the Devil. Similarly, the Devil represents all these things that restrain us or hold us back, telling us that these are bonds that need to be broken.

In Shylock, the most obvious example of this is probably his relationship with Murr. Shylock himself says that wizards tend to love strangely and obsessively, possibly a result of their long lives and their skewed perception of the world as such. Another point to bring up is that I personally believe that all of the wizards feel very deeply, as magic is something powered by the heart and feelings.

When the Devil shows up in conjunction with the Lovers arcana, it may indicate a codependent relationship, which is something one can say Shylock and Murr have. Their relationship is fascinating in its intensity and complications, but is ultimately not a particularly healthy relationship.

Shylock himself has a lot of vices, if one chooses to look at it that way. Between the smoking, the drinking, and the codependent relationship, Shylock’s honestly a poster child for addiction issues or the kind of adult one should not aspire to be. The only traditional vice he doesn’t have is gambling, which is Murr’s department. But all things considered, Shylock keeps good control over his vices. Perhaps because the only real vice he has that he cannot control is Murr, and similarly, the only time we see him lose his composure is Murr related.

In reverse, the Devil is about emancipation, freedom, and regaining control. One of Shylock’s biggest complaints about Murr is how Murr never does as he is told, and I think Murr’s actions often have an impact on Shylock. Unlike Murr, Shylock still has ethics and morals. In that sense, he is very often Murr’s conscience and voice of reason. Not that Murr listens, but Shylock tries.

This depiction of the Devil has the goat skull, which while not entirely traditional is a common image for the Devil arcana and the devil in general. The goat skull is symbolic of the term scapegoating, wherein one blames others for their own problems. While Shylock does attribute a great deal of his problems to Murr, I believe he is also self-aware enough to know that ultimately it is his choices that have led him here, and that similarly, the choice to break free is his. His amulet overlaid is interesting in its double meaning, as wine is considered a vice but it is also something heavily associated with Shylock in the context of Mahoyaku.

XVI. The Tower

Keywords: Upheaval, chaos

The Tower has many negative connotations in tarot, and is generally considered an ill omen regardless of it being upright or reversed. A word that is used often in conjunction with the Tower is catastrophe. Traditional imagery always involves lightning and people falling, shaky foundations upon which the Tower stands.

Personally, the card makes me think of the Tower of Babel, of mankind's hubris and pride. How in the end, it all lay in rubble at their feet, all of them scattered to the winds. There are parallels to Murr getting too close to the moon and having his soul shattered and the shards scattered.

In this depiction of the Tower, the people falling from the tower have been replaced by gems and a ring, which is Murr's amulet. The positioning of the gems and the ring suggests that they are falling, as if it were Murr himself falling from the tower. Given that his soul shards have been described as rather gem-like, perhaps the symbolism here is heavier than we realised.

In Murr's case, I would read the card very much as his hubris. Shylock has not been shy about calling Murr out on his terrible personality, citing him as arrogant with no morals or thought for consequence. Various story events also showcase this, the kind of hubris and chaos Murr has sowed throughout the world. From the events of West Ballad to the incident with the twins, Murr has been reckless and careless, considerate only of his own curiosity and well being.

As the saying goes, pride comes before a fall and if nothing, Murr has been prideful. The higher you climb, the further you fall.

However, out of destruction comes new beginnings and a chance to rebuild. Shylock is key in this, gathering Murr's soul shards and reconstructing Murr. He is also self-admittedly proceeding very cautiously, having borne witness to the consequences of Murr's actions before. Murr as of right now is someone that Shylock has shaped, and still somehow irrepressibly his own person. He will not be the same person he was before his soul shattered, regardless of anything Shylock does or does not do.

Upright or reversed, the Tower represents a large amount of upheaval, something that shakes you right down to your foundations. Even more than Death, it is a card of transformation, of growth. As Murr is put back together again, his various separate experiences will give him new perspective, encouraging him to reexamine himself and change.

XVII. The Star

Keywords: Hope, renewal

One of the gentlest cards of the tarot deck, the Star represents hope and healing. In the wake of the destruction of the Tower, the Star offers renewal, a guiding light when you feel lost.

Traditionally depicted as a woman half on land and half in the water, with one large star behind her and seven smaller stars arrayed around the largest star. She holds two urns, pouring water to nourish the land around her.

I believe this is indicative of the hurt from the loss of Chiletta. Mithra is a deeply lonely person, even if he himself does not recognise it as such. For Mithra, I believe that living in the manor with all the other wizards is a period of renewal for him, of healing. In the manor he is simply Mithra. Mithra, who eats charcoal. Mithra, who collects weird animal bones, who creates teleportation doors like Nero bakes bread, in the same way he was simply Mithra, the boy that Chiletta had raised and loved. Not Mithra of the North, widely feared and the strongest wizard after Oz, a destructive force to be avoided or defeated.

Despite his reputation as someone terrifying and scary, Mithra is fairly laid back. Fundamentally, Mithra is not an antagonistic person. He doesn’t fight unless he is provoked, and sometimes opts to solve things in a way other than force. Perhaps this is simply a side effect of the insomnia, but some of the Lake of Death sub episodes show that Mithra has a softer side as well.

Even reversed, the Star is a reminder of better things. The Star encourages us to let go of old grudges and negativity, to give ourselves a chance to grow away from the pain. It reminds me of Mithra's line about Chiletta in South Etude, where he says that he was not chosen because she had chosen Mitile. But he is not bitter about it, just accepting of it. In the same vein, Rutile says he wishes for him and Mitile to be Mithra's good fortune, not his misfortune.

In this depiction of the Star, Mithra's amulet overlaid on it makes for a rather foreboding image. To me, it evokes the legends of the River Styx. Ironic, since the River Styx was the river upon which oaths were sworn, and should the oath be broken, the consequences were dire. The River Styx is also at the heart of many legends of invulnerability, most notably the story of Achilles. As the second strongest wizard, I imagine Mithra is rarely defeated. This also references Mithra's background as the ferryman of the Lake of Death, and making it a very good representation of Mithra.

XVIII. The Moon

Keywords: Magic, illusion, intuition

The Sage as the moon is an interesting choice to say the least. Even at best, the Moon is an uncertain card. The Moon in any reading is very often a warning card. It warns you of your own uncertainty, of forces conspiring against you, that not everything is as it seems. Traditional associations with it include deception, illusion, and magic. For the Sage, someone deeply trusted and well regarded by the wizards, it doesn’t bode well. Already, the Sage is a target because of their position, because of their proximity to a variety of wizards.

Another word deeply associated with the Moon is intuition. The presence of the Moon in a reading is a reminder to trust your intuition, to allow it to guide you through your uncertainty. For the Sage, having been drawn into an unfamiliar world with nothing to guide them, they have had to rely on their intuition to navigate the world of Mahoyaku and the relationships between the wizards. This has led to many changes amongst the wizards and the magic residence, in the way people interact with wizards as well.

The Moon as a card is a card again, of choice. Duality is present in most common depictions of the Moon. The dog and the wolf, land and water, light and dark. The two towers flanking the path, the moon overhead offering illumination through the darkness.

In the Sage, you see some of this dichotomy. In the choice of your gender, or the possibility of being either, in that you are the Sage, tied closely to the wizards but not one yourself, in the very fact that you are so essential, and so irreplaceable in this world but are not of this world. Like the moon, sometimes you are there, sometimes you are not. But the nights when you are absent, you are missed.

As for interpretations, the Moon can be read as a card about the struggle of the conscious and unconscious, wherein your subconscious feelings are negatively impacting your life. In some ways perhaps, it is the perfect card for the Sage, representative of their journey thus far. Drawn into a world vastly different from their own, where promises weigh heavy and feelings manifest as magic, their confusion as they navigate this strange world without knowing who or what they ought to be. Unsure of the intentions of those around them, be it of Drummond or the wizards, unsure of their role and what it means to be a Sage or what happened to their predecessors. The Sage could easily let fear and anxiety overwhelm them and thus lose their way.

Before being brought to this world, we don’t really know much about Akira. However, some of the dialogue and monologue provided by Akira indicates that Akira struggled to find a place to fit in or belong, or be understood properly much like the wizards in this world. For all their differences, this is something Akira shares with their wizards.

At its most optimistic, the Moon lights your way and guides you through the darkness of the night. Much like the way the Sage provides hope and guidance to the wizards, drawing them through a journey where they grow and change. Each of the wizards have already been irrevocably changed by the Sage, guiding them to become better versions of themselves be it through kindness, understanding, or simply by being there for the wizards. The Sage’s presence has given all the wizards perhaps not a safe place, but somewhere to return to. A reason to fight, a chance to connect, something to cherish.

The Sage exists as a concept first, and prior to the current Sage, had little impact on the wizards around them. They simply summoned the wizards to fight the Great Catastrophe, thus existed separately from the wizards. The current Sage is the first Sage to have reached out to them as people, to form bonds that tie them together. Beyond providing a solution for their various bizarre injuries, the Sage is a catalyst for change in the way people interact with the wizards. People feel like they can approach the Sage because the Sage is human, unlike the wizards. As for the wizards, they know that the Sage cares deeply for them. The wizards themselves proudly refer to themselves as the Sage's wizards, a title that now holds real meaning. One could say that the Sage now shares a fate with them.

XIX. The Sun

Keywords: Fulfillment, joy, optimism

The Sun represents fulfillment and joy, the wonder of a child.

For one of the oldest wizards, it feels like a strange card. But I think, like many of the cards so far, it is representative of the journey Oz needs to take, or he is undergoing now. For Oz, it is in parts the journey he has had with Arthur, and now again in the manor with all the other wizards, particularly with the Central wizards. There is a very large gap in experiences and age between them and Oz, but Oz is learning to see things anew, in ways he never considered before.

With Arthur, Oz learned to be someone else. Oz was not the frightening wizard of legends. He was Oz, who childproofed his entire castle to make it safe for Arthur. Oz, who learned to make pancakes and clothes and do chores. With Riquet, Oz is learning again how to view things differently, in the light of Riquet’s values. From Cain, Oz is learning new ways to connect with people, to communicate himself more clearly.

In many ways, the Sun represents what I feel is Arthur’s own worldview. One with optimism and joy, righteousness and the desire to do good and be good, with high hopes for the future and all that it can bring. It is a worldview foreign to Oz, who was raised by the twins and then continued to make his own way after that, constantly fighting because people choose to fight him.

Reversed, the Sun can suggest a misguided pursuit of happiness. Specifically, it brings to mind the time Oz attempted to conquer the world so that it would leave him alone. But even now, at present, I believe he is blocking his own path to happiness, be it through the way he chooses to interact with Arthur, the way he approaches the other wizards in the residence. As the most powerful wizard, often the only thing that stops Oz from doing anything is simply himself.

In contrast to the usual depictions of the Sun, here the Sun is overlaid with barren trees. Strange, because that’s not Oz’s amulet or representative of it. But I do believe to some extent, it represents Oz himself. The Sun is about abundance and optimism, so traditional depictions have often have sunflowers in them. To me, it speaks of the possibility of growth, of coming into bloom. After a long winter, the flowers take time before they begin to emerge and start blooming. In the warmth of the sun, Oz too, will begin to bloom.

XX. Judgment

Keywords: Reconciliation, enlightenment

Judgment is a card calling for awakening. Most depictions evoke the Judgment Day of the Christian faith, wherein mankind are judged for their sins. The angel descends from above, blowing a trumpet while men reach up, hoping they are the ones chosen, the ones who will be saved.

Judgment in reverse is much like Death, highlighting a refusal to change. It indicates you are not living to your full potential, that there is much more you could offer to others but you are holding yourself back due to fear and self doubt. It also suggests stubbornness and wilful ignorance.

For Figaro, the most obvious evidence of this is with his facade for Rutile and Mitile. He wants to be Figaro Garcia to them, a kindly, somewhat alcoholic doctor who was their mother’s friend. He does not want to be Figaro, raised in the North, once would-be conqueror of the land alongside Oz, teacher of the revolutionist wizard Faust. He does not want them to know who he was, whether it’s because he feels shame at the things he has done, or perhaps he does not want to expose the magnitude of his sins to them. He is afraid of their judgment⁠—particularly of Mitile’s⁠—precisely because he is aware of how Mitile would look upon him.

Despite, or perhaps because Rutile has reassured him that their view of him wouldn’t change, Figaro is even more reluctant to show his cards. I imagine that Figaro is used to disappointing people, not being quite who they imagine him to be. Figaro Garcia is someone he inhabits easily, when his past did not live with him. But in the manor, he can see the consequences of some of his mistakes every day, namely in Faust.

Faust still admires and holds Figaro in some esteem, but he is also deeply disappointed in Figaro for leaving when he did. While Faust has opted to isolate himself and let time heal those wounds, I believe Figaro sees how badly he has failed in the way Faust is. Only two people now know Faust as he was then: Figaro and Lennox. From the stories, I believe the difference is stark.

Reconciling his past with his present is something Figaro is desperately avoiding, as evidenced by the lengths he has gone to keep the other wizards silent. But I believe it’s something Figaro desperately needs in order to know that he can be loved, can allow himself to be loved as he is, not just for who he pretends to be. There is no lack of people who care for Figaro, regardless whether he believes that they do or not.

This depiction of Judgment is fairly tradition, with all the common elements present. Outstretched hands, an angel blowing on a trumpet, and the sea. Figaro’s amulet is an illusion of his mana area, a shoreline in North country. That it ties in so neatly with the imagery is rather intriguing to me, and perhaps can be taken as Figaro beginning to reconcile his past with his present. After all, it’s difficult to run away from things that you live with.

XXI. The World

Keywords: Fulfillment, achievement

The World signifies the end of a cycle. The last of the major Arcana, the World usually means completion and achievement, a sign that your journey has come to an end. You are now wiser than you were at the start, having learned from so many others on your journey.

Even though Snow and White each have their own tarot, I believe the best way to look at the World and the Fool is with both Snow and White. In part due to the fact their lives are so closely intertwined, but because Snow and White have both indicated that they are very much the same person.

It is very interesting to have Snow and White as the World and the Fool respectively, being two sides of the same coin and therefore completing each other. Where one ends, another begins. A perfect circle, needing nothing and no one else. Snow has described his relationship with White as such in his affection story, indicating that White had been all he ever needed. At least, until Murr opened his mouth.

Or, if we are being morbid, another way to interpret the World in this context is their life as it had been ended with Snow and began anew with White's resurrection. That changed them and made them aware of many things that needed to change, be it between them or with others.

Reversed, the World indicates a hollow victory, a reluctance to change, or stagnation. I think while all of this is applicable to the Snow and White, and it’s not hard to see the evidence of it. Snow gained his desire of being alone, but realised that it was not something he actually wanted. Equally, it's not hard to imagine that as a pair of powerful wizards as old as they were, stagnation was something that was happening. Everything was the same, nothing changed. There was no need to for them to change, nor was there any impetus for change. But then everything did, and they had to change with it.

As he is now, Snow perhaps best represents the World in the sense that he has gone through his own journey and made his peace with how things are, completing a cycle of growth through the pain he has inflicted upon himself and White. He and White have achieved equilibrium once more, of being enough and not too much of everything to each other.

The imagery for this depiction of the World is fairly traditional, except lacking the giant naked lady in the middle. But the way the ice is overlaid this makes me think that this sense of completion was very hard won and cost very much, in reflection of Snow's own struggle with loneliness and making peace with White.

XXII. The Fool

Keywords: Innocence, journeys

The card of beginnings, the Fool takes his first steps on a journey that will change him. The Fool stands separate from the rest of the Major Arcana historically, and does not traditionally have a place in the sequence of the tarot cards. Sometimes it is numbered 0, sometimes 22, positioned either at the beginning of the end of the sequence.

The Fool is often representative of the protagonist as he journeys, and the arcana the experiences he has, the people he meets who help to shape and guide him. He represents innocence, the limitless potential that comes with a new beginning, and faith. Most traditional depictions of the Fool has him hanging over a precipice, unaware that he is about to step off a ledge.

Personally, I feel like White does not fit very well into the Fool archetype, nor does the card correspond very well to him. I believe its significance however, lays in the fact that it stands apart from the tarot deck. Much like White himself stands apart from the other wizards, being who he is. A lingering spirit, an illusion, an untethered soul, White is very much different from the other wizards and very aware of it.

Another aspect of the Fool that is often brought up is his innocence, or a youthful approach to life. This can be read as the twins choice to remain looking like children, pretend at innocence as perhaps, a way to start afresh after all that has happened between them.

Another way to look at White and the Fool perhaps, is that White as the Fool, stepped off the ledge and fell. Something of a reference to the fact that White is technically a ghost, or perhaps proof of the twins’ foolishness. Snow mentions wanting to go on a journey and being alone, and the Fool is a card of someone embarking on a journey. With White’s death, both of them have started a new journey because they couldn’t exist as they were before.

The imagery depicted here, while somewhat traditional has a focus on the feet and the notion of stepping forward. What really makes this fascinating to me is the ice overlaid over it, the way it seems to suggest walking over ice or even broken glass. The Fool is representative of beginnings, and perhaps one way to look at it here is that from the pain of their actions, they have found a new beginning.


Further notes:

Much of the tarot here examines the reversed to upright journey the characters are going through in various degrees, and the depictions of the tarot have been very interesting and symbolic. Tarot has always dealt more with the unconscious realm, and is very much representative of a journey that you take in your growth. Each of the tarot have something to offer, much like each of the wizards do.

One of the things I’d like to offer up for further consideration is Rustica, Cain, and Owen. As the three cardinal virtues in the deck, all of them deal with strength of character and judgment of others in a way that none of the other Major Arcana do, nor are any of the Major Arcana quite tied together the way these three are. I think it’s interesting a combination that they are tied together, seeing how different all of them are. Beyond the tarot, there’s a number of interesting links between them on a lore level if you’d like to go do some reading about it.

Anywho, I hope this analysis overall has been an interesting read for you and has given you something to think about. Thank you for reading my rambly thoughts about this. (: