Major Arcana: The Arc of Secrets

 

Once upon a time 

spritely spirit, you danced among stars Fool

between atoms        everywhere and nowhere

did you fall or jump

Begin

I.

All tools at fingertips, you: Magus

a conduit for dream realization, information synthesization

a lightning rod for creation:

Will

Self     into     being    Priestess

How? Why now? : mysteries 

you know.            Reveal nothing

Trust

You are held. Cared for. Beloved. Empress

Cradled fed sustained 

in abundance. Dance. Grow

Explore

You are secure. Corrected. Protected. Emperor

Boundaries erected by a wise architect

Authority worthy of respect

Learn

Libraries of philosophies sciences traditions Hierophant

embrace you retrace you 

indoctrinate           erase you

Choose

At this crossroad. To know Self: Lovers

explore Other. Ignite curiosity attraction 

love passion

Discover

Define your quest. Master discipline Chariot

overcome internal opposition

achieve glory through determination

Persist

II.

Through doubts relentless      slings and arrows, Strength

kindle the needfire

keep it burning

Alight

the flame within. Pursue truth      beyond Hermit

what you’ve been told. Seek no approbation 

but your own            Journey alone

Ascend

the mountain. Wheel turns      fall again Fortune

Eternal return, change begins

Be the axis, not the spin

Center 

Try on radical objectivity Justice

honesty, integrity. Make adjustments

Remember: Everything you do affects the whole

Amend

Concede ignorance. Time will tell Hanged One

Humbly hang over the well

Wisdom rewards patience

Perish

Lay obsolete thoughts to rest; let harmful cycles die Death

with you. Decompose, return to Earth.

Grieve what you need to. 

Moderate

Build new forms piece by piece Temperance

In delicate combination: a dollop, a drizzle, a drop

The art of just enough

Create

III

In ecstasy in temptation in sin, raw and red: Devil

Do what thou wilt. Follow your Nature 

Let the “soft animal of your body” love

Release

And be destroyed. The catalyst unleashed Tower

crumbles institutions and identities 

to their very foundations

Awaken

from chaos into stillness, naked one. Hope Star

like dawn over distant mountains        crests 

Illuminates a landscape kissed with dew

Wonder

What is this strange new place? In the half-light Moon

senses play tricks; thoughts cannot be trusted.

Dreams guide you        test you

Integrate

light and shadow. You have Sun

nothing to fear or hide: stand upright 

infused with energy and vitality

Hear

the clarion call. Take inventory of your actions, Judgment

your only belongings. Face death before dying:

Are you ready to be called to account?

Consecrate

Your life meaning. Share your gift World

with the world. Rejoice in the connectedness of All.

Spritely spirit, don’t forget: 

You are not only wave but water 

not only stars, but sky.

* Acknowledgements to Shakespeare, Aleister Crowley, Mary Oliver, and the Buddha