Tarot Readings 18

Bob liked the image of the Empress—in my deck a woman with rna bemused smile holding her child while surrounded by animals, fruit, and angels —but he thought it was idealized, and he saw her as ineffectual. Our whole session worked around this one card as we unpacked what it might mean for Bob to just love his child.

At the end of the hour, Bob realized that he felt parenting always had to be productive and that he had to be vigilant, strong, and keep her safe—hence the controlling, organized aspect of his approach. He didn’t know how to embody his Divine mother archetype. I suggested he find a way to be creative with his little girl. Bob was a great guitar player, so I encouraged him to make up songs for the baby. I also gave him homework—to find or remember images related to the Empress that pleased him. Who had been the nurturer in his young life? When had he been included with warmth and love in a group? How could someone show strength through love or softness?

To his credit, Bob tried everything I asked, and he was able to begin to relax around his baby girl. His parenting style began to show more spontaneity and creativity, and he loved making up lullabies for his daughter—and his wife and baby loved it, too!

Connect In Your Own Way

Our culture has distorted images of the Divine Feminine (and the Divine Masculine), but the archetypes exist to be rediscovered and embodied in our own unique ways. As these two cases demonstrate, meditating with the images is helpful. Working with a spiritual advisor also can help you access these archetypes in the Tarot cards as a way that works for you.